Valantine
Fool. You think she wants me out? I have granted her power...status! This district belongs to her! The spirit's energy fought back against Thea's telepathic grip, forcing her to exert more concentration if she was going to maintain her oppressive mental attack.
Rather than a voice, Valantine willingly revealed her memories to Thea.
A single stream of sunlight descended from the window at the end of the room. That single ray of light entranced Valantine's curious eyes as she sat upright against the wall on her bed. This was the first time since her child had been born that she felt such quiet, such peace. Yet at this moment, she realized peace wasn't necessarily a good thing. What could only be described as a tsunami of anxiety washed over her, paralyzing her entire body but sending her mind into a neverending flurry of thoughts. All the while she focused on that single ray of light.
I am nothing... nothing but a mom now.
Staring outside, she saw her child and husband in a barren, empty room. They were the kind of poor where the home they lived in had only the most basic necessities. The district they were stuck in had been suffering from intense economic problems. Unemployment was high and even coming from a decently well off family wasn’t enough to live well, let alone take care of a kid. What were they going to do? These were arguably some of the most important years of her life.
That might be why she decided to take that chance.
“Damn it!”
Caked in blood and bruises, Valantine stood alone against an assailant high off his own power. It was stupid to think that a weapon could give you stable safety: her husband’s unconscious body was proof of that. She managed to stay alive thanks to her cloning magic, but that wouldn’t last forever. Sure, she was in great shape, but this man was just way stronger than her.
“Hehehe…..” the madman cackled, rushing her once again. With a raised fist, it looked like he was aiming high, intent on smashing in her skull.
It was a moment of instinct. No, that was wrong. It was something closer to faith. As his arm came forth to strike her, she stepped back, leaving a clone to take the blow. The clone fell backward, as she would have, sailing through the air. Using her own body as cover, she ducked under the dying clone and delivered a punch straight to his forbidden regions, forcing a scream from his lips.
She typically needed more concentration to create clones, so this feat was far beyond her current capabilities. Either way, it saved her life.
As she made her way over to the man’s unconscious body, a voice reached out into her mind. I sense fear in you.
"Duh. I almost died."
No. Beyond the trival feelings of battle, exists a much deeper one, centered around your own powerlessness.
Valantine stood above the man, sticking her foot into his crotch. Maybe the man's screams would drown out the voice in her head. Hopefully it was just stress. Tell me, what do you desire?
