Chapter 322: Never Ending Rage Part 1 (1/2)
Charmeine had finally reached her destination after the long search. Through the wastelands of Victoria, the endless destruction left in the wake of the Garden, her goal was in reach. A destroyed Titan sitting on the edge of a village hidden deep in the woods. Walking through the village, she found the residents covered in the snow lost to time. As she passed the edge of the village, she glanced down, smirking to herself. ”For the legendary hero you were made up to be; you simply died just like the rest of them. The Phantom, truly more bark and less bite. Although it wasn't like you ever stood much chance against her. Now then…. Shall we end this, Athena?” Looking up at the Titan, Charmeine placed her hands into her jean pockets, ascending into the lone Titan.
The hollow tree was barren and empty; the whispers resulting from the Garden were nothing more than a distant echo of the past. Its source withered away by the storm. The tree mainly was dead, with only a single source of Garden energy coming from the centre. Approaching said energy Charmeine came across her prize. The Stage of Grief Anger condensed and frozen just like the other countless victims. The young girl was curled up, her eyes staring onwards. She had bloody and loose bandages covering the rest of her body where the golden armour she wore had shattered. Placing her hand onto the crystal, Charmeine smirked. ”After all the trouble you caused us, all the lives you snatched with that never-ending rage, look at you now. Tied down to this place frozen like anyone else. I almost feel sorry for you, but alas, the Garden holds no time for sorrow. We're never going to get another opportunity like this again to take down quite possibly the most dangerous Stage of them all. While Depression has its puppets and Acceptance is tricky, you have the most basic yet powerful trait of them all. The willpower to never give up, even in death. I suppose that's why they always called you the warrior of the Garden. While our time together was fun, this is where it finally ends, Athena Barks.”
Raising her hand, ready to strike, Charmeine was torn from her spot as the ground began to shake. Moved only back slightly, she looked around confused. ”What was that all about? I've been noticing earthquakes more and more. I should get this over and done with quickly before Nine comes looking for her.”
Charmeine turned back to the crystal, moving her hand forward only for Anger's vision to turn on her. Startled, she missed her attack as the crystal shattered and Anger burst out, choking Charmeine. Moving her head around, Anger stared down Charmeine with obedient eyes. ”You. Four, you slimy bastard. How fitting you're the first person I see when I awake.”
”Athena!” Charmeine coughed, trying to fight back. ”You bitch, you had to wake up now of all times!”
”You came to kill me, but that's impossible. I cannot die by the likes of you; I can feel the anger building up inside you. Do you still blame me for the death of three?”
”I came to make sure nothing like that happens again!”
Anger clenched her fist tighter, hissing in Charmeine's face. ”My hatred it swells…. Do you feel it, the never-ending rage? It's so much stronger than ever, eating away at my mind! It won't stop, never dying always sinful! You cannot kill me! No one can kill me; the Garden grows forever, as do I. You, however, take your final breath here!”
Charmeine lost all strength in her hands as she perished by the pure force of Anger falling to the ground. Anger took serval heavy breaths leaving her Titan looking out to the world beyond. ”I can feel you. I can feel the other me. Zinnia Trost! Our paths crossed once, and like fate, they will cross time and time again until one of us falls. My hatred it swells….”
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Zinnia awoke in a frenzy screaming in a cold sweat. The pain she felt from her death in the pocket world still lingered on briefly before fading away. She held her head, dazed, still coming to terms with what happened, dying seemly a second time. Feeling a strange sense whisper to her, it soon faded as she was brought back to her senses by Tempo. ”So, he got you too, huh?”
Tempo stood staring up at Alton in his frozen prison, arms folded. ”Tempo…. I mean Six. What happened?”
”What does it look like? We were forced out of that horrid world, bah! That Alton may have won the battle, but the war is far from over.”
”Wait…. Tempo talks like that. Does that mean?”
”Yes, yes. Coming back here broke the connection with Six. I have control over myself for now. What a nightmare this has all become.”
Zinnia looked around, troubled as she whispered. ”Where's Adam?”
”Adam, oh, you mean Bargaining. I couldn't tell you him and that Henry boy was gone by the time I awoke. But enough on that. The real question remains. What do we do about him?”
Zinnia stood up, standing beside Tempo staring at Alton, now more conflicted. ”He was completely lost to Ten. During our battle…. I couldn't even see a single echo of Alton in there. It was like he was…. Like he was dead.”
”The others are hard at work fighting the boy, yes? The question remains, though, even if they win, who will come back to us? Alton or Ten? I think waiting for that moment and taking the risk is far too dangerous. I say we kill the boy while we have the chance.”
Zinnia didn't say anything at first. She didn't even try and defend Alton like she used to do. She saw first hand just how far he fell, and now, she wasn't sure if he could ever come back. She knew deep down, as a hero, she would be the one to make the most significant sacrifice. ”I…. Agree.”
”You do? My, I did not expect you to agree to my terms so suddenly. Let us remind each other what we are about to do isn't out of hatred or our own self-interest but instead to save this boy from the torment and suffering by the hands of Ten.”
Zinnia looked down at her hand, finding it constantly shaking. Gripping it tightly, she whispered to herself. ”Isn't out of hatred?”
”Would you want me to do it for you, Zinnia?”
”No…. I'm the one who pushed this far from the very beginning. All of this began the moment we met. Monty, Team Rhapsody, The Garden and V.I.R.A.L., All of it began because I forced Alton to fight for his life…. It's time I take responsibility for my actions.” Zinnia whispered, drawing her blade approaching Alton. Holding her sword tightly, she gave Alton one more stare, nodding. ”You would do the same if it was me, wouldn't you, Alton?”