Chapter 257: Percys Revenge Part 1 (2/2)
Kurt bit his lip, playing the situation off. ”What would make you think that? I have no connection or attachment to her; may I remind you what I've sacrificed to get where I am. You should know your place fresh meat.”
Emil raised his hands. ”I apologise for doubting you. I, of course, am still a total noob at all of this, obviously. It was wrong for having seconds thought about you, Kurt.”
Letting go, Kurt turned, walking off. He stopped giving Emil one last question. ”What would you do if you were given this mission instead? Could you betray your former ally so easily?”
Emil yet again shrugged his shoulders, not giving too much away. ”That I can't be certain on. I'm grateful I don't have to make those shots, unlike you. I hope when the time comes, you make the right decision for everyone, Phantom.”
****
”Percy?”
Percy smiled, speaking in his clear heroic voice, which slowly began to distort to something horrible. ”I'm so glad I've finally found you, Zinnia.” His figure began to change as his normal look began to corrupt. Skulls edged onto his shoulders, and a ripped pair of robes appeared. His face was cracked like stone, and his eyes were pure yellow. Dead flowers loomed off him as he smirked, holding a bloody sword to her throat. ”And now I can finally make you feel my pain. Please die for me.”
Serval blades flew through the cave targeting Percy. Blocking each one, Zinnia was able to break free, crawling backwards, staring horrified at Percy. Riley ran through, flicking her hand aside, letting ripples of explosion settle around her. ”Are you alright?”
Zinnia kept staring at Percy, unable to move any part of her body. ”Percy, is that really you?”
Percy threw his bloody sword away, scoffing. ”It is. Don't you recognise me? Zin-ni-a. Aren't you overcome with emotion being reunited with me? Does it feel your little heart with pain and guilt? I sure hope it does.”
”But. You're… You're dead. Is this a trick? A trap marked by V.I.R.A.L! This isn't possible.”
”Oh, but it is. This really is me, Zinnia. Truthseeker in the flesh reborn to act out the will of the Garden. Representing the stages of grief, I am pain.”
Zinnia froze on the spot, devastated, her eyes wide open. ”The Garden… No, no. It can't be.”
Zinnia was ripped backwards As Riley held her by her hood. Zinnia looked up to see serval bloody swords wedged into the area she was just at. Her heart dropped further as Riley raised her hand. ”Sorry about this.” Swinging her arm around the area exploded as the cave collapsed, crushing Percy.
Zinnia screamed out, breaking free. ”What the hell have you done?! Percy! Percy?! Can you hear me?!”
”We need to move now.”
”You killed him! You monster, you killed him!”
Riley walked up to Zinnia, slapping her across the face. ”Pull yourself together. That boy isn't your friend anymore. The quicker you realise that, the better. We need to protect the village, or did you forget that?”
Zinnia stood up, staring at the rubble, clutching her hand tightly. Running out with Riley, both stopped at the sight of absolute terror. The sky was a crimson red, and thousands of crows flooded the area stalking the skies, waiting. The villagers were getting to shelter as the village elder walked over to the two-looking concerned. ”I haven't felt power like this since the world fell to the Garden. I feared this day would come.”
”It's really the Garden?” Zinnia whimpered.
”I'm afraid so. There is no doubt about it. I'm sorry to rely on you for this, but I need your help in saving our village.”
Riley glanced at Zinnia, sighing. ”I'm afraid Zinnia isn't up for the task. It appears this stage of grief has taken the body of her former friend and ally from Team Rhapsody.”
”Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But Zinnia we need.”
”I know! I know… I just don't know if…”
One of the huts smashed apart as feathers fell all around them. Dozens of copies of Percy appeared surrounding the group. Zinnia was even more shocked as Percy stood holding his face in pain. ”Zinnia… Zinnia. Zinnia! This pain you brought me on, I must return it back! The false hero who tricked me and sent me to my death, I will make you feel my pain!”
”False hero…” Zinnia fell to her knees, shaking her head devastated. ”No, it wasn't like that. I didn't know this would happen. This isn't my fault.”
Riley kneeled down, shaking Zinnia. ”Snap out of it! I said, snap out of it's you, idiot!”
Percy wiped the blood from his face onto his blade as his eyes glowed yellow. ”The Garden grows forever. You will set me free from this all, Zinnia. Die like the hero you are.”