Bleeding Out Pt. 2

Aria slowly advanced, knife trained on him.

"We're gonna play another game. But this time it's different. I want you to watch me die..."

"Well, that's a bit harsh."

"Let's call it... hm..." She stopped just a few feet away, thinking for a moment. Aybel watched her in amusement not daring to make a move.

After a few more seconds of deliberation, Aria announced proudly: "Copycut... yeah, that sounds good. The copycut game!"

She seems satisfied with her naming skills.

"Very well, what are the rules?"

"This time, you're going to learn what happens when you're the one holding the knife, brother~"

Aria held up her arm, the sleeve of her uniform rolled up as the blade of the knife slowly moved closer and closer to her skin. Her eyes were fixed on her brother, daring him to step forward.

"The rules are simple: I cut myself. You cut yourself, too."

A wicked grin spread across her face as she slowly drove the blade deeper into her skin, watching as the blood trickled down her arm.

"See, it's that easy. You just have to... copy me."

"Hmm... But what if I don't?" Aybel stepped closer, his face stone cold. "I could just stop you myself."

Aria took a step backwards, then another their shadows danced together in the dark, connecting perfectly. She twirled around with a sly grin on her face.

"Go on..." Raising the blade to her throat, she stared him in the eyes.

"Is that what you want? Do you want me to die so quick? You think I won't do it? Do you honestly believe I wouldn't push this knife into my own neck right now if you move one more inch?" She smiled bitterly. "I have nothing left to lose, after all."

I see... There's no doubt she's serious about this.

"That's right, brother. No matter what you do, I WIN." Aria proclaimed, her smile slowly turning into a crazed grin. 

"So, why don't you just sit back, share some scars with your dear sister, and watch her slowly bleed to death~?"

"...You certainly don't make it easy for me, Aria." Aybel sighed. "Alright, let's get this over with..."

He slowly extended his arm, sharp and decisive, he made his first cut.

As the blood dripped down his arm, staining his uniform, he watched her reaction, his expression neutral.

Aria's eyes were wide with surprise. "You... You cut yourself for me...? I honestly expected a trap, with you I can never be sure..."

Tapping her blade on her chin, she let out a short, harsh laugh. "So, brother. You're still willing to delay my death? Or is it just because I forced you?"

"..."

Aria sighed. "There's no point in trying to save me anymore, you know. I know it'll be hard, but please try not to be sad. Just think of it as me going away, somewhere far away, far from here..." Her lips curled into a hateful sneer. "Just. Like. Mom..."

Aybel winced at the mention of their mother.

"Mom might've been the reason why I was born..." Aria smiled gleefully bringing the blade to her skin once again. "You, on the other hand, are the reason I'm gonna die here today."

SLASH!

Her skin cut like butter.

"But don't worry. Like I said, I'll be going to a better place. And you'll be left here all alone."

"Don't sound so smug. You're not going anywhere... not while I'm still alive." With one quick stroke, Aybel cut himself in the same spot where Aria slashed her own skin.

Silent, Aria dragged the blade across her skin, this time drawing a small cut on her arm.

With a big smile, she raised her arm, holding it up for Aybel to see. "ERIS!"

She stared at her caricature of the cat as if it were a work of art.

"It's beautiful..." Aria mockingly wiped a tear drop off her eye. "Really, I never knew I could do something like this."

"You've certainly improved since that crappy drawing, Aria." Aybel said calmly, dragging his own blade across his skin.

"But, I doubt anyone would want to see your artwork... since it's not as good as mine." He stared at his own creation. 

Meanwhile, Aria was motionless still holding her knife tightly. She looked at her brother's wound in deep thought.

The mocking tone of her voice suddenly disappeared, instead replaced by something more genuine as she spoke:

"You know... Mom always compared me to that stupid stray, so I hated it... But you loved it, didn't you?"

"..."

Aria's eyes widened in realization.

"I see now... You really don't care about that cat, do you...? You're way worse than I thoug-"

Suddenly she staggered, a flash of pain crossing her face.

"Ah?" Laughing to herself softly she gave her brother a wide grin. "The pain... It's spreading."

Struggling to keep her eyes open, her breathing slowed becoming more and more shallow.

"Before... haa... Before I die, there's something I want to tell you..." Aria whispered in a hushed tone. "Listen closely, okay?" 

She tried to speak again, but the words were barely intelligible:

"Mnnnmmhhnm... sorry... I'm... star... no wait... gimme a sec... I'm... so... sorry, brother. I'm so, so so sorry..."

She's lost herself.

Aybel tried approaching but Aria flinched raising her blade unsteadily, ready to slash her throat at any moment.

"S-Stay back!"

I suppose there is still some clarity left in her. 

With a heavy sigh Aybel complied, mimicking her actions.

"You're right about one thing. I truly don't care about the cat. However..." 

He drew blood.

"I refuse to let you die. I won't allow that light to be extinguished."

The puddle of blood beneath Aria grew larger and larger with each passing second as she staggered around, her words slurring.

"L-Light? What are you even talking about? And what..." Her body slowly fell forward, but at the last second she caught herself.

"What is that look you're giving me? You're, you're looking at me like I'm some kind of sad pet. I don't like that, stop looking at me. I... I already said I'm sorry... sorry..."

Eyes glazed over again, she lowered her head, hair hanging down like a curtain as she rambled incoherently.

"Aria... listen to me," Aybel commanded. But Aria's grip only tightened on the handle of the blade.

Just as she was about to draw the razor-thin edge across her pale neck, Aybel, seemingly unfazed, calmly spoke: "Those people... will never hurt you again."

At first, Aria became silent... her arm trembling mid-air.

It seems I've grabbed her attention.

Encouraged by this he continued: "I've dealt with them."

Aria's response was a mere whisper, barely audible: "And...? What if they come back for me?"

"I won't let them lay a finger on you," he assured her.

"I'll be there by your side..."

The words carried the weight of his eternal devotion.

"Always."

Slowly, she lifted her head, her large innocent eyes widened and locked with his, searching for any sign of truth in his words...

Without blinking, Aybel threw his knife at her. A spray of blood rained across the room...