The Beginning of Nothing, and the End of Everything

"GAAAH—"

From the knight companion's mouth, a violent spray of blood. A silver sword entered flesh, then exited crimson. A wet sound followed—then a thud. Eden The Assassin.

"How dare you?!" the elf girl screamed. "What have you done?!"

"I would advise against that," the assassin chirped, voice almost cheerful. "Unless you want to end up like your friend."

"YOU MONSTER!" the elf cried, drawing her blade. "You'll pay for this!"

She charged. The assassin's blade danced with cruel grace, and before she could even react—

Busshu.

A clean strike, straight down the torso. 

Seiichi's eyes were wide with hopeless shock as the elf alchemist's body fell to the floor. She never got up. 

"No..." whispered Nyamo, fur bristling. "Seiichi-chan, please... do something!" 

"I—I..." Seiichi stammered. "I can't." 

"You're the Chosen Hero... You must!" 

But he couldn't move. Remained frozen, eyes full of fear. 

The assassin turned, blade in her hand painting the marble floor in scarlet ribbons.

"You talk too much," she muttered. 

Nyamo stumbled backwards, paws slipping with nothing left to catch. "No... Get away from me!"

The assassin didn't hesitate. Seiichi lunged forward—but a second too late. A flash of silver. In the reflection in the polished floor, he saw her fall. 

"NO—!" Seiichi screamed. "Nyamo!" 

He dropped to his knees beside her, cradling her with both hands. 

"You're gonna be okay," he said, voice breaking. "I'll find some dragon's blood or a phoenix feather—"  

But then he saw it. In her eyes... a glassy look that meant only one thing. He was too late. 

"Y—You idiot," he whispered. "You said you'd always stay with me..." 

Rain pattered through the broken ceiling overhead, washing away fresh stains. 

"Don't worry about me," the familiar coughed. "Save the townsfolk." 

Tears trailed down Seiichi's cheeks. "Please..."  

The black cat gave one final smile, eyes closing for the last time. She muttered her final words:

"You always keep your promises." 

But he hadn't. 

His hands trembled as he rose. A numbness in his every vein. 

"There we go," the assassin spoke, with a grin. "You've finally stood up." 

He took a step, then another—stepping over his fallen companions, past the collapsed pillars, and through the splintered glass which crunched under his shoes. Thunder split the sky open. 

Grief gave way to blinding anger. He charged at her without thought. But with a single, effortless kick, the assassin sent him tumbling spine-first back onto the floor. 

"It's no use," she said. "I will acknowledge your unrelenting determination, however." 

Seiichi coughed, spitting up lung. His vision swarmed. 

With his remaining strength, he pushed up to one elbow. "Bastard..." 

“Ah, that’s the look,” the assassin hummed. “I like it better than the crying one.”

With practiced grace, she strode toward him, sword carving a line across the marble. “Though I wonder... what happens now?”

Seiichi's eyes twitched, blood gushing from both nostrils. His lips tasted of copper. "You won't get away with this..."

“Spare me clichés, oh, Chosen Hero," she laughed. "It won't do you any good.”

Teeth clenched, he tried to rise again, but his body wouldn't let him. His breath was sporadic, and his ears rang again. Louder, No—

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

“…Huh?”

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

The assassin stopped mid-swing, then tilted her head to the curious sound. "Oh?..." 

"Fascinating," she muttered, tapping her chin with a finger. "That sound doesn't belong here, does it?" 

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

"...What is that?" the breathless hero whispered. 

“Oh dear,” she said sweetly. “Is it for you?”

"I don't know what that—" 

"Oh, don't play stupid," she said. "Of course you do." 

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

Each breath he took hitched sharper than the last as his eyes drifted upwards, meeting hers. 

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

"Shouldn't you pick it up?" she whispered. "Don't want to be rude now."

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING.

Seiichi's lips parted, yet he could mutter no words. 

The assassin smirked. "No...? So be it, then."

She raised her sword—and brought it down hard. 

Click.