Harbringer of Death (Mayu)

[Shinji Yakamura]

Shinji stood in the ruins of a forest as he contemplated on what had happened, he had once again failed in his duty to protect humans, failed once again to fight against the evil. Iris was dead and with it the last resistance against Shocker...he never thought in all his life that he would fail again; once was enough and he vowed to become stronger and more brutal if need be...but a second time? He began to wonder if his entire existence was based on death and destruction.

[Mayu Inamori]

Nearby, while not in the forest, but close to it, the Mage had been chased away from the rest of them by a number of Shockers, and while she had managed to fend off most of them. They'd left her laying on the ground, and at least one had tried to tear at her clothing before she cut his head off.

Now, she was alone. The mage had known what was going to happen, but had not left her post. She lay there, panting a bit, feeling every bit her age as the mana needed to recharge..

[Shinji Yakamura]

He needed to move. He knew that, he needed to get out of here, Iris said that she wanted him to live and so that was what he was going to do. Wiping his eyes he began walking down the forest in order to find some remnants of Iris' army...even if he didn't want to meet them right now.

[Mayu Inamori]

A soft groan made itself known on the wind..Mayu was sore from the battle and wasn't really able to move at present..

[Shinji Yakamura]

Shinjui heard the groan as he stopped and looked around for a bit until he found Mayu. Rushing to her he was glad to see her alive as he hugged her, "Oh thank god you're alive, are you alright? Can you stand?" he asked as he didn't know what he would do if he found out that Mayu was dead as well.

[Mayu Inamori]

"I was worked over pretty good. Defeated the guys that chased me, but.." She sighs, leaning against him. "Help me up. I'm sore, but I can walk with your assistance. What's happened?" Mayu asked.

[Shinji Yakamura]

Shinji helped her up as she explained what happened before asking what happened as a shaky sob came from him, "I-Iris...she's...she's dead," he said in a hoarse voice as his body threatened to collapse again from grief.

[Mayu Inamori]

"Oh.." She trailed off, her worst fear confirmed as she hugs Shinji tightly to her frame, managing to lean against a tree trunk to better hold him. "I'm sorry."

[Shinji Yakamura]

"I failed her...I promised to protect her and I couldn't do it, just like that time...just like before," Shinji said, "I couldn't even stop her from meeting the Great Leader..."

[Mayu Inamori]

"You had no way of knowing what she was going to do. Iris was strong, her own person. She meant well, but paid the ultimate price. There wasn't anything you could have done differently. You were there, you supported her, and you let her make her own decisions."

[Shinji Yakamura]

"Then why do people die around me? Every age and era whenever I go there death follows me...I don't know why, but people seemed to just...just die whenever I try to help them," Shinji said. "Iris...Iris was a strong woman, she trusted me and I trusted her in turn, and I just wish that I was able to honour my promise and for once protect someone."

[Mayu Inamori]

"You mustn't lose hope." Mayu gave simply, holding him tighter. "Please don't."

[Shinji Yakamura]

Shinji looked at her and nodded, "I'll try," he said.

[Mayu Inamori]

Mayu nods softly. "Alright. What's our next move, Shinji-kun? I'd say we need to get away from here."

[Shinji Yakamura]

"Obviously, my first guess is regroup with the others, but considering that...that Iris is dead we'll just have to get out of France," Shinji said, "we should keep moving or else Shocker will find us."