{ x; Take it all in boy, watch them all burn. Let them serve as a reminder as to what will happen to you if you f a i l me once again. --}
Seafoam optics traced the shadows of the burning buildings, watching the eager demons rip and devour the flesh of the citizens. Ultimecia’s toxic remnants itched in the back of the myrmidon’s thick skull, his moral compass fogged once more. Ash, frail and weak, sifted through the air, and as the air gusted about, burnt flesh attacked the blonde’s nostrils. Inhaling sharply, fingers curled around the grip of his Hyperion, as his mind translated the smell. Tolls had been taken upon the city, as buildings creaked and groaned in harmony with the screams of the parents and children. It brought a smirk upon pale lips that would’ve brought the mightiest of men down to their knees, painted with such delight in the way everyone fell with such ease. Rushed footsteps could be heard echoing nearby, and it caught the knight’s attention promptly. Steel toed boots pivoted, stepping out before a miniscule family that had fled from another region of the decaying city. They halted immediately in their tracks, panic written deep within their eyes. Seifer cocked his head to the side, examining the children that resided behind the angry looking mother. Features perked up, a satisfied laugh emitted from deep within his throat. Vocal chords were strummed harshly, as the father spewed from his mouth useless words of pleading and pity. Seifer had already made up his mind long before the city had even fallen. No matter how twisted the plague may be in his mind, he would not allow Ultimecia to wreck the lives of children if he had control over it. The sense of morality that had suddenly sparked within him left a bitter taste in his mouth, weighing at his sharp features. Lids narrowed. “Better run before the monsters get you. You’ve got ten seconds to get out of my sight before I burn you to a crisp!” His left, leather bound hand began to radiate with an intense light, radiating heat so immensely it felt as though he had a sun in his hand. Brows furrowed. The children began to cry, though the mother looked determined to push through. The father had fallen to his knees, tears streaming from his eyes, sobbing on about how he couldn’t handle this anymore. It appeared he would not budge. The mother paid no attention to the father after a few fleeting moments, and trudged on while her children cried out one last time for their father. A sharp, shrieking tone emitted from within his mind, as pain jolted through his skull for a moment. It was a correction from the Sorceress, indicating he had done something she did not approve of. His ears rang, and her voice lashed out at him once again. { x; Foolish boy! -- }
Digits latched up to his head, consoling his headache to the best of his current ability. Shutting her out was the only way he could focus, but the constant whimpering and pleading from the hostage cut like knives inside of his brain. “Quit your begging! I can’t believe you would just abandon your family like that!” The blonde spit towards the broken man, taking the tip of his gunblade and pressing it softly against his jugular artery, allowing his spell to die down as well. It brought incredible amounts of anger to see such weakness come from a man who was supposed to be the breadwinner of the family. He was supposed to protect them from monsters like the knight. The town was burning, and demons emerged relentlessly from the Spire. Words dripped like rain from the fallen father, begging for one last chance for redemption to save his family. The knight scoffed, lurching down. “Now you want a second chance? Well it’s too bad, no one’s going to give you a chance! You have to make your own chances!” The father hadn’t been sure if the blonde was talking to him, or indirectly to himself. Though, as Seifer laced his now cooled hand around his throat, he lifted him in the air. “You think someone’s going to save you?”