Zaine ran at her, holding the knife in an attacking position, and swung around her, using the puny knife to block both Venvi and Vanvi. "Nariko, move back a couple of yards, please? I dont want you to get hurt, dearest.." Was all he said before pushing with the knife and forcing Nero back. "Hmph, strong as ever, Zaine. You know, I could abandone the abyss and become your friend, we would be an unstoppable force against Daath...In fact, there is no reason why I shouldnt, no personal preferences, changing sides in the middle of this little war is perfectly fine with me! I just havent done it yet, hahahahahahaha!" He started into his uncontrollable laughter, and fell backwards against a tree. Zaine's eyes widened. "Switch...Sides? You're joking, Nero!" But Nero shook his head. "I never lie...I actually have honor...." He ran forward, swinging wildly at Zaine, who ducked under one scythe and jumped over another. "You cant win this, Nero..." Zaine said, blocking another scythe attack. "So just decide whether you want to die, or join me-" Zaine was cut off by a punch from Nero, and fell back, only dodging the scythe's at the last second. "Whoa-" Zaine shouted, bracing himself for more attacks. Nero started to laugh again. "Dont tell me I'm going to die, it upsets me greatly!" He ran forward, slashing at Zaine, who completely jumped over him. He smirked and ran forward, right for Nariko. "NERO! GET AWAY FROM HER!" Zaine screamed, throwing the knife, which caught him in the back just above his right wing and stopped him in his tracks. Zaine ran forward and grabbed the knife, pulling it down through Nero's skin, breaking the joint and cutting off the wing completely. Nero began to scream, and dropped his scythes and fell to his knees.
—-
Zaine ran over to Nariko and held her tight. "Are you okay? You arent hurt?" He asked, worried. "ThAt WaS a VeRy BiG mIsTaKe, ZaInE!" Zaine turned around to see Nero lunge at Nariko with a sword, and in the last seconds before contact, threw himself in front of her, to protect her.
Nero laughed in a mad fit, and pulled the sword out, stabbing Zaine over and over and over again, not touching Nariko once. Then he pulled it out and drove it into the ground. "Listen, to the voices around us. Wherever the true power of the abyss is, the lost ones can be heard....Listen carefully and you can hear their wails, their cries, their begging for the eternal end! They want nothing but to sleep, forever. Zaine, can you hear your own soul crying out?" Zaine's eyes were wide and full of cold fear, he was shaking without control. "Nero...." He whispered. "Dont harm Nariko....Thats my last request....Make them leave her be...."
Nero nodded, smiling slightly. "Have a nice journey, Zaine. We'll see you again, maybe.." He took his weapons and started to walk away. "Nariko! Nothing you do can help him now that Daath used the abyss to poison him...Trust me, I didnt want this..But Daath controls me when I disobey.....Goodbye. The Cry of the Lost Ones...have gained one more member...I pray that it is only one, and does not become two..." He walked away into the darkness.
Zaine turned and hugged Nariko. "Dont give up on life, or on love. Either i'll come back, soon, or you'll find someone to take care of you, and make you love again....Good bye, Nariko.....I will always love you....." His body began to fade away, until there was nothing but blue dust floating in the air.
Zaine Ezvan was dead.
