Quote:
9. (Your choice) on Deus Island while patrolling
3-6. The next day
10. Weapon breaks/ Fear shield stops working
3-6. The next day
10. Weapon breaks/ Fear shield stops working
It had surprised her that she had survived as long as she had upon the island. From her first step up until this apparent last one. Those few short years, worry and regret riddling her mind as she traversed across missions to the ends of the Earth, each time making it out alive somewhere. Receiving a few scars along the way, both physically and mentally. One would have thought that the small Mist hunter would have gained some sort of courage, some sort of esteem as she battled against things she still couldn't explain even as she filled out mission reports or went tow to tow with trembling hands against creatures of shadows or the horsemen of legends. There had been a trickle that pooled and collected, giving her a little hope for each day. It was small, but it was there.
But those were still the times Maple had suspected she would never set foot back upon the familiar grounds of Deus. To never return to the safety of the library where she longed to work; along with her small piles of research and the smell of books that gave her comfort. That small bit of confidence that assured her that this home would be safe, nothing could harm here here. That the few spars she dared to participate in would only go so far (that they would help) and that even after each natural disaster that seemed to strike the island, that she would be okay.
Not that she would be on the ground at that moment, not a day later than returning to missions after the hurricane upon the island that she was exempt from such dangers. Her breathing felt hollow, she realized as tears began to p***k at the corners of her eyes. Those eyes that grew heavy as she stared up at the clouded sky, where parts of the ever present tree edged into view as the wind blew through its branches.
Patrols were supposed to be easy things, even to someone as anxiety ridden as herself. Simple tasks, walking around the island just in case. What had struck her, she was unsure. Had it been an island wide catastrophe? She was unsure. All she knew was that something had happened. Something had gone wrong, like a presence that always didn't make itself known had suddenly decided to say its hellos before it vanished all around her. The weapon held so tightly in that moment cracked within her hands, the voice that always tried to reassure her at that moment could only cry out her name, while a warm sensation escaped from her midsection. A fluid motion, so quickly she was down and without knowing why. Or how.
Maple gasped, struggling for precious last bits of air as her hands clawed lightly at her hunters coat, now soaked with blood. Trying to get to her phone was probably pointless now, it was probably too late for help. So she cried, wasting that last bit of energy; bitter for her failure, disappointed that this was how it was going to end and angry at herself as always. She had survived for that long and really for what? So she stilled her hands and just lay there and waited for nothing to finally come for her.
