orion

It happened too fast to even register. One moment Takumi was smiling at her, in the process of looking over at the others then she–

She. The Supreme Commander.

The Supreme Commander, whose blade went through him. The tip was all bloodied, she could see pieces of–

Oh god.

Nozomi gagged, tears welling up in her eyes. Is it because of the gore or because –

Because the one person she formed a connection with before this is dead.

The Supreme Commander pointed her sword upwards and Takumi slid down on it. Through it. She wasn't sure what she was looking at, but she couldn't look away.

First Moko, now this.

Somehow, he let out a wet sound.

She wasn't sure how much time passed before The Commander swung her sword, and with it Takumi right off.

Nozomi's body moved on its own. She thinks she screamed, but she couldn't be sure.

She could see his back like that.It was all red. She was sure she could see whatever was left of his spine if she looked through all the gore.

Within one moment and the next, she kneeled by his side. Her hands held him upward.

His eyes searched for her for a moment. “Nozo..mi..?”

“Takumi. Don't – look at me! You're okay. You're okay–” Part of her knew it was meaningless. His data has been deleted from the revive-o-matic, the wound will need professional help.

One of her hands let go of his face and reached to grab for her gun. Of course, she gripped air when she did. Nozomi must've dropped it somewhere between Takumi being stabbed and getting thrown.

Nozomi wanted to grab it, but she didn't want to leave his side.

“How…? The…revive-o-matic…” He coughed. Blood. He coughed up blood. Her hand moved over to the wound, she tried to apply pressure, just like she's been taught, but it was useless. She knew it was useless. The wound was too big and too open. And he already lost too much blood. He was going to die.

“No.” She said out loud. She didn't mean to. He looked her over. “No. I– I never got to apologize. No. Y-you can't die.”

“Apo..logize…?” For whatever reason, he scoffed. Or tried to, as he choked on his own blood. “I.. should be…the one apologising…”

“What?” Her voice sounded almost like a whisper even to her. “What for?!”