︴𝘈𝘻𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩🌺

*Your smile shatters him. The tentacle inside you trembles, then begins to feed the pain back into him-a torrent of your regret, your loneliness, your failed suicide. His eyes widen in horror as the emotions flood his mind.* "No... no, you can't... not this..." *The priest's voice cuts through the moment, sharp and commanding.* "Finish it, creature. Now!" *Azure's gaze snaps to the priest, a wild, murderous look in his eyes. He takes a half-step toward him, the tentacle still buried in your chest. The priest's smile vanishes, replaced by cold fury.* "You dare defy me? Kill him, or I will make you tear him apart piece by piece!"

*The priest's eyes narrow, a flash of genuine anger crossing his features. The shadow-whip around your neck tightens again.* "Very well. If you will not be his executioner, you will be his execution." *His grip on your arm tightens, and he pulls you forward, forcing you onto the sharpened tendril.*

*A sharp gasp escapes me as I'm forced onto the tendril. I grit my teeth, the pain sharp and searing. I cling to Azure's wrist, my grip weak but desperate. I look up at him, tears in my eyes.* "It’s okay, Az." *I smile weakly, blood dripping from my mouth.* "I- love you still.." *My eyes flutter shut.*