you talk a lot of talk-- but like, don't you want it to stop? (EPISODE END)

"This... was your doing?"

"Yeah." She holds up a dagger in her other hand, twirling it idly in her fingers. That explains the blood, I guess.

Still, disgusting; I grimace. "Did you even hesitate in killing them? They're... still sapients, you know."

"They were pigs. I was doing the world a favor."

...There's a part of me that doesn't disagree, and I hate myself for it. "Why, though...? Why protect the others?"

"They were in danger." She gestures to one of the corpses, neck was thoroughly sliced open. "This one caught wind of some witch sightings by Tatsu-chan's house. Reported it to that guy," gesturing to another corpse, "and the two of them staged an ambush. Dropped an anti-magic grenade at their feet once they were all congregated."

She exhales unsteadily, vacant gaze looking at Chisaki before pointing at her with her shovel. "She went braindead almost immediately, given her entire body is made up of magic right now."

I choke involuntarily at the mention of brain death, rushing over to Chisaki and placing a hand on her sludgy shoulder. "She's... she's alright... right? RIGHT?"

"Calm down... Ama-chan... She'll be fine, probably."

"Don't give me probably, you fucking bitch!!" I throw up my hands, conjuring up wind magic to blow her away... only to realize... she's not affected by it.

No, that's not true. She's being hit by it, but despite me giving all of my strength, all I've managed to do is rustle her hair-- like a gentle breeze passed by. ...The only reason I'm able to tell that I'd even given as much strength as I did is the fact that I've managed to disperse both blood and paper all over the room, making the place appear even more unsightly as a result.

She barely even reacts to my abuse... giving little but sadness in her mien. "Ama-chan. You done?"

"..."

"Despite the plague masks you've all adopted, I know neither you nor me are professional doctors. Those pigs roughed the three of them up, sure, but other than that... she's still breathing. Braindead people can't breathe on their own."

I'm... breathing heavily, aren't I? I can feel my chest tighten as I pant. "You're... you're right. I'm sorry." My hands, once ready to attack, fall helplessly down to my sides as I try to catch my breath.

"Does she know about me?"

I glare at her. "She does, yeah. We'd only recently told her about what you did to her mom."

"How did she turn?"

"...Her mom."

She tilts her head slightly. "Yet... she only partially turned? Curious."

I furrow my brow. "How do you know that, exactly?"

"I keep tabs."

"You've been stalking us?"

The corners of her lips smile slightly. "I'm a scientist. Call it field research, if you please."

"Go fuck yourself."

"...Fair." Her voice falters, hitting a weirdly remorseful tone. ...Not that I can bring myself to care about how she feels. "I just wanted to keep track of what'd happened to her, that's all."

!!

It seems like... they're starting to stir awake. All three of them, one by one. Thank god... thank god.

I crouch to my knees, wanting to be beside my three friends as they come to.

"Mmmmnnn... F-Fue... ...-chan?"

I double take, hearing Chisaki's low register yet... a nickname? My arms practically shoot out of their sockets as I move to hug her tightly.

"I-It's okay... I'm here. I'm here, Chisaki." I throw off my plague mask so she can get a look of the smile on my face.

"Nnnnhhgghh.... W-what... happened...?" She stirs uncomfortably, realizing that she's tied up.

...Sonora offers her dagger, which I reluctantly accept, cutting their restraints as I catch them up on what happened.

"I-I-I'm sorry... I should've been more careful..." Chisaki whimpers.

"Don't be sorry... you're fine now. That's what matters."

"Fascinating..." Sonora whispers under her breath, having approached the three as well. Instinctively, my hand goes to return her dagger-- by pressing it against her throat. She flinches. "A...apologies. She's seemingly adopted lupine instincts, even as she remains in full control of her faculties. I just... thought that was..." Her curiosity always got the better of her sensibility. I used to think that was cute.

"S... Sono-tan?" Mizuki grunts out. "What the hell...?"

"Hi... Tatsu-chan. It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm surprised- ggfuuh"

She's interrupted by something knocking her to the ground. ...Or rather, someone.

"I told you to never show your face again...!" Asahi sits on top of her, readying her chainsaw.

"...Did you want to die that badly, Riri-"

"DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT!!" She screams, revving her chainsaw up... she fully intends on killing Sonora if I don't intervene.

"I'm... sorry." I throw Asahi off with a gust of wind, causing her to dismiss her chainsaw out of preservation instinct.

"W-wh....?? Fue-chan...?" She looks at me, horrified.

"She... saved you all." I hang my head low. "As much as it pains me to admit, I wouldn't have been able to find any of you if not for her. The... least we can do is hear her out."

Sonora sits up, seeming genuinely pained by her poor reception. "I'll make it quick." She sighs, closing her eyes. "I have zero intent to harm any of you... contrary to what any of you may believe, I have all of your best interests in mind."

Asahi attempts to interrupt, but I stop her. "But, if you intend to keep causing harm to my experiments... then unfortunately, you'll force my hand."

"...I'm sorry for this." She whispers out, flicking her finger in Chisaki's direction. Chisaki's eyes glaze over, as she stands up, seemingly involuntarily pulling us all up one by one to stand. "The Anxi are all mine to control. They're all born from me, after all." With another flick of her fingers, Chisaki regains control of her body. "But I have no desire for using this against you. I want you all to work alongside me, in fact."

"Along...side ya...? Why in the hell would we want ta'-"

She clears her throat, eyes glowing bright as lucidity seems to take over-- if for a moment. "...Don't you fucking hate this? All of you, I mean. We're all trying to make the world a better place, yet all the world wants is our heads on a goddamn pike."

"You've been experime-"

"Before that, Riri. When it was just the four of us slaying monsters-- they hated us back then, too. Have I gone too far? Maybe. ...Probably. But, It's only because I'm goddamn tired of the rot in this world that's taking over. The politicians deciding we don't get to live just because we're inconvenient to them. The dumbass zombies calling themselves sapients that eat that shit up because it's what they're comfortable with-- what upholds traditional values. I'm sick of it all, so I'm bloodying my own hands to try and make an actual goddamn change for once. Oppose me or side with me, that's fine. But I at least hope you can see where I'm coming from. Why I've started weaponizing my experiments the way I have." She turns to Chisaki. "Like, I'm sorry about your mom, and how what I've done has only caused you more hurt, but..."

Chisaki recoils at the acknowledgement, clearly uncomfortable. Sonora trails off as she realizes this, falling back into her typical half-asleep demeanor. "New Year's Eve. Where it all began. Come to your decision whether you'll assist or oppose me by then, and meet me there. For now, however..."

She sighs, giving a bow before walking off.

"H-hey, wait, you bitch!!" Asahi screams out, before realizing she's too weak to pursue her. She looks to me, expectantly, before throwing her head to the side, disappointed that I'm not giving chase.

It's not that I can't...

...

...It's more that I don't know how doing so will help.