El Spam de Gutierritos

And instead, it was just me, one step after another, entering the dungeon of a monstrous torturer. I could hear my boots squishing in all the blood on the floor, advancing towards the center of the carnage, advancing towards you.

"Anastasia…" I wanted to say something, but the words would not come. Anastasia. Your name lingered on my lips longer than I would have liked. Such a beautiful name for a berserker to whom life does not matter.

I stopped in my tracks, not knowing how to keep going, which you took as an invitation to continue your rambling.

Anastasia, why do you have to make excuses? Why?

Maybe what i wanted most was to hear you say you were sorry. But you… you're not that kind of person, are you? Yet why did I have to believe you were?

It would have been easier if I had never believed in you, if I had never seen how gentle and thoughtful you could be. Rhyelia was the one who insisted on recruiting you. I had no idea why a sweet girl like my sister could have seen in a feral dog like you. I refused at first, but you were lucky Rhyelia was not the kind of girl to give in easily.

You puked on Robert's boots, and it didn't take long for him to abandon the party. How to blame him? You were the most uncivilized person I had ever seen. I don't know how I tolerated you. And despite yourself, when Rhyelia made flower crowns for you, you were careful not to tear even a single petal.

By the time Fernand joined us, I could see you trying to pet his two eagles without hurting them. Then Louise taught you how to read, and you were careful not to dirty the pages. You learned how to walk without stepping on the flowers. It was so sweet watching you learn how to be gentle.

Regardless, your flaws were still countless: rough and crude, quick-tempered, and someone who always carried a hammer and therefore saw everything as a nail.

And yet, I remember you once made a flower crown for me after spending an entire afternoon learning how to make them.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.

I rushed toward you. Without thinking, I wrapped you in my arms. Your clothes were soaked in red. I wasn't afraid of getting stained.

"Didn't Rhyelia teach you the value of life?" I asked. Tears already dropping.

"But… they…"

I hugged you more tightly, afraid of losing you.

"Your hands are not meant to enforce fair judgment. Don't ever think otherwise, not even for a moment. I loved her. I know she didn't deserve that, and I know her murderer deserved punishment. But you… you don't deserve to lose the last thing she left you."

Anastasia, as lost as you could be, you fell to your knees, sobbing. Your arms wrapped around me while I remained at your side.