Get Out Alive - RemAce
@etamarella
♡ ——-; The mind could forget, but the heart will always remember. Haunting of a massacre, the smell of churning flesh and blood mixed with gunpowder and ash filled the dark abyss surrounding her as a crack formed at the sound of a gunshot and suddenly, the terrifying shadows came crashing down and she soon realized it was protecting her from a chilling sight. A village was under siege, unarmed civilians were being gunned down like animals and even though she could not recognize a single face, her heart yearned for them, their names dancing along her tongue but never forming.
It was then she saw a woman with dark blue haired that mirrored Machinas – her face blurred but she was rushing toward her screaming for Rem and Machina to run and hide before being shot in the head. As the blood seeped from her head, the blur upon her face was diminishing. Overwhelmed, Rem began to scream until the night sky greeted her above and she could feel tears rolling down from her eyes. Panting, she stared disorientated, trying hard to remember exactly what she saw and who the people were. Her heart was still a frantic mess, beating crazily within her chest as she attempted to catch her breath.
‘…A nightmare?’ She thought silently. It felt too familiar to just be a nightmare. Sitting up, she cupped her knees and buried her face within it, still wanting to cry as she realized why it was these terrors were triggered. Machina was still missing after his angry outburst and she found herself alone. It was then she felt a hand rest upon her shoulder and it startled her. Quickly, she jumped at their touch and turned to face them, her face a complete mess of tears. With eyes so full of sorrow, she stared at Ace, his expression stoic but there was something warm within his eyes as he stared down at her.
“…D-did I wake you?” She tried to shrug off her demeanor as nothing, again trying not to worry anyone. “…I’m sor-“before she could utter an unnecessary apology he said, “Nothing’s gonna hurt you.” This stunned her, silenced the words she was about to speak and once again,she looked back up at him. This time her true feelings were displayed upon her face as a few more tears rolled down her cheek.
Without a moment’s thought, she placed her hand upon Ace’s and gripped it – depicting just how much she needed his compassion in this moment. She didn’t want to speak, knowing that most of the time lies had left her lips. She did not want to put up a facade in this moment. Closing her eyes, she sniffled and whimpered as she finally let out the weight on her chest after so long.
It was requested by Aercia that Ace would take out all the cadet’s and reevaluate each individual's performances when it comes to unnatural fiends. The first to accompany him the evaluation process was Nine and Rem. Their first request was to defeat a spawn of flans who only appeared at nighttime just near the outskirts of capitol. The team made their way to the pinpoint location and set up a camp to wait for nightfall.
After everything was prepared for camp, everyone went off their separate ways to preoccupied themselves. Nine went off to do the doltish things he was best at such as hunting game or chucking his spear down in valley. Ace retreated to his studies in near a campfire to keep warm. Lastly, Rem went inside the tent to rest before the mission and to shield from the frosty air.
It was nearly time to commence the mission. Nine was finishing getting into warmer attire down by a nearby river and Ace was taking inventory. He sat down with a book in hand and documented their journey thus far until he was interrupted by soft whimpers.
To hear the cries of his comrades always plagued a sense of guilt on the blond’s conscious. He had no control over the feuds and hardships of the past, but somehow, he felt the unnecessary twinge of deprivation driving into chest. Ace parts his lips to say anything to calm her nerves, but the air was deafening as her weeps clashed against his reasoning. Instead, he stood from the rock he was planted on and strode quietly to meet his companion in the tent.
Digits skimmed over the plated armor on her shoulder and his weight did not go unnoticed. To his surprise, her eyes were red and salty tears were streaking down familiar zero’s face. Just by watching her weeps nearly cracked his forbearing features, but Ace remained ever still even against the frigid air.
As her hand reached for his, he knelt in front of her to meet her crimson eyes. She was clearly distraught after a short slumber, erratic tones of breath scattered into white icy puffs. Her hand even felt feverish to the touch. This only made Ace begin to worry about Rem’s capability before battle. “I think it’s best if we take you off this mission tonight. Nine and I can handle the rest.” he knew that she strike back in protest, but he firmly grasps her shoulder before fluttering a single index to his lips. “Mother, will be proud, I promise.”
