Chapter 228: A Fool In Love.
Just like the last time, the team waited until the sky was bright with the sun before they moved.
Soren’s mind was focused.
Again, they left when the festivities had began.
The massive mariachi band struck up a blaring, brassy tune, accompanied by the rhythmic stomp-clack of dancers in tiered, colorful skirts.
The swirling fabric created a kaleidoscopic blur of motion.
Soren and his group used this as cover from the white robed men.
They followed the same path he did the last time.
Even better, he was familiar with the way.
And like the first time, a figure brushed past him.
The last time, he had been too focused on saving Sophia and his guilt for letting her feel his pain after healing, that he did not take much notice.
But now, it was different. His goal was not saving Sophia but stopping the monster underneath the town.
His Blackfield spread in a wide radius around his body.
Soren had been using Blackfield for a very long time.
Long enough that he could now identify a person simply by the pressure they put on the ground.
And this one—this person was familiar.
Very familiar.
He turned.
Just in time.
A hoodie covered most of her features. But the morning wind carried some strands of her orange hair, and with that came her scent.
It was one every cell in his body recognised.
His eyes widened in realization, as his hand reached out with precis speed, before he could stop himself.
He grabbed her hand.
CLASP
The sudden catch jerked her a bit, allowing the wind to blow the hoodie back.
Vinegar.
Just as he had seen her, she had seen him.
Her eyes caught his, and for a moment... Just a moment.
Time froze.
The Mariachi band.
The dancers.
The Worry of the day.
All vanished.
For Soren... he had not seen her in over five years.
For her, mere weeks to months.
Still, her gaze on him had that spark—and then it didn’t.
Soren watched as it turned into blinding anger—and then hate.
She gritted her teeth as her fingers moved. A blade launched straight for his neck.
SLASHHHHH!!!
His blood splattered on her face.
This was a shock.
Soren staggered back as more jets of blood shot out spraying on the Mariachi band and dancers.
They were screams, and Soren’s hand reached for his neck—a vain attempt at stopping the bleeding.
Unfortunately, it did not work.
No... it couldn’t.
Bloodshibe was the first to rush to his side worry on her face.
But his eyes remained on Vinegar.
She smiled brightly—his blood, dripping from her face.
This was the last image he saw.
[You died]
....
"Soren let’s go..." polystar screamed.
Run..." Sophia wheezed, her voice a chorus of multiple distorted tones. "Please... run!"
"...Turdface." Vass pulled and he followed along.
As he did, his mind spun.
She was here. Vinegar was here. HIS Vinegar.
There was so much he wanted to say to her. So much had happened.
But more than that, he wanted to know how she had been faring. He wanted to know if life had been good to her.
He Wanted to apologise for the last time. He pain he knew he had caused her.
Of course, he knew that if he had to choose again, he would still pick her.
But still, he was not so foolish to think that she would pick him after what happened.
After all, he killed her fathers—all three of them.
But like he had told her.... he choose her.
It was just unfortunate that she decided to speak with her weapon even before he could talk.
Yes. That was it.
Things were different now. All he had to do was just talk to her.
Yes... if I let her understand why I did what I did, she might even dive into my arms.
What was that people say...?
Love conquers all?
Yes... thats it. Thats what ill do."
Soren told himself this—totally forgetting why they had come here in the first place.
"SOOO-REEEN!" Cynthia called, snapping him out of his head... again.
"Yeah... yeah. Let’s get Vinegar."
"Vinegar?" Bloodshine raised a brow.
"I mean Sophia..."
Everyone looked at him a bit unsure what was happening in his head.
.....
Once again, Soren grabbed her hand. The moment he did, her eyes met his.
Her blade moved.
As expected, he leaned back, and with his other hand, grabbed the arm with the knife by the elbow.
"Vinegar... I am Sorriiii..."
POW!
A kick located his jaw.
The kick made him tumble in midair before smashing head first on the ground.
Vass and the others saw this and moved.
Bloodshine waved her hand, dagger appearing as he launched for Vinegar.
However, another figure moved.
One that Soren had not taken note of.
His movements were a blur.
Not even Soren’s Blackfield caught the figure’s unnatural motion.
—and Blackfields were created to be able to catch matter in motion.
A man with a three faced mask.
The walking stick he held, suddenly moved.
—Blocked Bloodshines attack, and then he waved it for her neck.
She leaned back to the ground.
—just in time as an invisible wave swept through the square.
Pusssshhhh!!!
Jets of blood shot into the air.
Like a a gathering of volcanoes spilling their juice at the same time.
Heads fell like dominoes.
Amongst those unfortunate to have been victims were Tia Maria, Vass, and Polystar.
All in one strick.
One move.
Soren stared.
Confused.
"You idiot." Vinegar commented as her blade moved again. "Did you think that I’ll simply forgive you?
Take you back?
Such a FOOL"
Soren did not stop it.
Slash...
Once again, his blood sprayed on her face.
Vinegar gave that satisfied smile as he fell dead to the ground.
[You Died]
....
Soren stayed silent in the shed. The others discussed Sophia’s predicament, but Soren—he allowed his mind to think.
Maybe it was seeing his friends die the way they did.
Regardless, the excitement of seeing Vinegar had calmed down after dying twice by her hands.
And of course, he had questions.
