Vanguard
The winds swept the earth and thunder coursed the skies as he caught up with the scientist, and with his final swing there was a flash so brilliant it was blinding. And yet, this rage had unclouded his vision, and Vanguard opened his eyes. If he did it again, it would just be a lie, wouldn't it? Nothing would change.
So when the blade caught up with Relius's neck, something incredible that could only be described as miracle occurred. The blade stopped, the scientist's throat was surrounded by the axe's curves. However, rather than cutting him, they pushed him onto the ground, pinning him and drawing blood from his neck.
Defenseless and bound by a monster's strength, his head was still attached to his body. If this was not a miracle, what was?
And yet, he would never be able to perform something so grand. He was simply tired of dancing to an all-repeating tune, be it divine or orchestrated by that man, so he cleared the entire board. He was tired, and his desire was exactly as he stated. He wanted it to end. If his mask had not melted away, would his face be one of spite, mockery or pity? Perhaps one would never know.
The truth is, he didn't. But while his axe's touch was as cold as ice, his voice couldn't carry even such a feeling. In his soul, he spat his words, but all they spoke of was regret.
"Did you seriously think I was unaware of my own actions? I know the thousands of corpses laying at my feet better than anyone. Each of them will be promised to a better world when the time is ripe, but i'm not going to live there, and neither will you. There is no place for me in a world without sin. I am a monster. What I do is evil."
He might have known from the beginning, no, he knew from the beginning. He couldn't say that he had just realized it, but he had no wish to hide any longer. For the first time, his endless hatred was directed at someone other than himself. For the first time, he truly wished to slay someone who wasn't himself. But he couldn't.
"Which is why I cannot kill you. That would be a hero's duty, and I am no such thing. Not anymore."
The weapon released the man's neck, freeing him from the unerring pressure as the beast of metal laid his axe to rest on his shoulder tiredly. For the first time, he felt exhausted, or rather he had finally chosen to recognize this feeling.
And he walked away, clutching at his skull as if a terrible headache just befell him.