Enter the Abyss

A Deep Breath
Sting was watching over her.

It wasn't an act out of desire, conscience or duty but a simple unknown longing that was formed in the pit of his gut. He knew that, for one reason or another, the scent of this young Slayer bore striking resemblance. For whatever the reason, fate has bound them together and his arrival felt beyond coincidence; almost a divine providence in his eyes. He alone could foresee a coming darkness that was entwined with the path she walked, and though she found comfort -or dread- in the company of others, he'd be the only person capable of withstanding the horrors that befall her wake and coming steps.

Leaning against the wall, she cast a gaze over to Morgan's sister, whom was also in silent contemplation. While she and the others were spared from the devastation of the battlefield that was wrought, he could see she was strained emotionally. The mental toll of the Black Briar's invasion must have put her into hysteria, especially since she was unintentionally separated from her sibling. Whatever the case may be, he hoped she'd keep the calm that has renewed her spirit and kept her from being a burden to himself or her sibling.

"Heyyyyyyyyyyyyy!~" Maria Streak skipped into view, looking over to the pair with a bubbly persona that defied the atmosphere they possessed. "What are you so down about?! Aren't you going to help with the repairs?!"

"That's the Spirits' job," Maria Alexander replied mirthfully, sticking her tongue out at her lime haired companion. "And can't you read the air? I'm not in the mood for your antics. Go bother Yui-"

"But Yui will beat me up!" Bemoaned the goggle-headed Athlete Mage.

"Not my problem, is it?!" She sharply snapped back at her.

"C'mooooooooon," The emerald haired girl flopped over Maria, rubbing her face against the brunette's with blubbering tears staining her cheeks. "I need someone to alleviate this dull mood!~"

"The mood is Morgan got hurt and we didn't do shit!" Maria swore, her voice filled with enough energy as she shoved Streak back enough to cause her to stumble back and fall on her buttocks. Tears welling up in her eyes, Maria slapped her crimson bloused breasts and declared to the wide-eyed teenager with no restraint on the volume of her voice now. "I could've helped her! We call could've helped her! There were enough of us, and we aren't weak! We should've kept her from being hurt as bad as-"

"You all would've gotten in her way," Sting spoke bluntly, causing the tear-ridden brown head to turn around and glare daggers at him. Uninhibited, he dryly declared with cool blue eyes staring deep into her own azure irises. "Imagine, for a second, if you stood before Swartz. A man that not even your father was able to defeat on his own. How do you think you could've helped your sister, a Dragon Slayer, to do any better? The answer is simple; even with all of my power, I'm not certain I could've stopped that monster without some form of consequence. Especially to your sister."

"You don't know that!" She stamped her foot forward, looking up at him defiantly as her fists balled at her sides. "You can't see it, but we've done amazing things together! Don't underestimate the bonds of siblings, Council dog!"

"M-Maria-"

"Not now, Streak!" Alexander barked at her stunned companion without thinking.

"The bonds of siblings," Sting murmured, earning her returning gaze until it caused her to stumble back at the blinding aura that was being emitted, with a coldness that escaped his every following words as he glared empty cerulean discs back at hers. "Bonds like those wither away in the light of truth and facts. Do not delude yourself with foolhardiness and bluster, spoiled princess. I am living proof that bonds do not survive the death of flesh and life; remember your place in the grand scheme of the world as it rends your hopes and dreams asunder."