Lights going out, carnage after carnage repeated. It filled the world. Tomlin raged against it, a small and ragged orange ball now patched blood-red, lashing out with teeth and claws at those who would harm his allies. The battle was fierce, but for all their hopes, even the mauvian could see that surprise wasn’t enough of a weapon to defeat their enemies. It was a bitter pill for a cat who had once had so much faith and optimism in the world.
He tried to search for auras he recognised, but nothing came. Safely powered down, he hoped, lying low, deeper in the city, maybe elsewhere entirely. Safe on their moons? Or were they already gone?
His erratic path through the battlefield brought him past another bloodied body, and he paused, recognising the face with a pang of despair. This senshi had been part of the guard, had visited him at the camp. He rubbed his cheek against the hand, but it was only cold, and didn’t stir, even when he pushed his way right under the palm as if the girl could still pet him. The glamour was already fading, and he couldn’t even pretend anymore.
He had never wanted anything. He’d never asked for anything. He begged now, of the enemy, of the cauldron, the dark dark sky. Give them back. He could go without food or comfort or shelter, he would surrender them all for a thousand years if he could just have back his friends, undo this slaughter and protect them.
They were carrying people away now, alive, and somehow this was almost worse than the dead that littered the plaza. He didn’t want to think about what would happen to them. There didn’t seem to be anything he could do except keep watch over the dead.
He made no attempt to hide. There no longer seemed to be any point.
Kaefaux
A cat for you, if your General would like to collect him.
