a monster like me [ eleven vs. kylo ]

[Azalea]

ELEVEN

Cold.

Outside. It's cold and there is snow falling from the sky. Pretty. It's sad that here is where fates will be decided, but I can't do anything now. I'm in too deep and there is no way I am turning back when Mike is within touching distance.

Friends. I think of Mike, I think of Data and Louise. Are they okay? I haven't seen them in a whole day. I think Louise got more ice cream. Robot dad probably got angry and killed something again. Angry is good if it means living, angry is good if it means saving.

Before me is the tall, dark man from before. The one who ate the goopy brown stuff and the meat like leather.

"Gross." I say aloud, not thinking properly. All I can think of is how I wanted eggos back then, and how I want them now. And how I want my friends, my family, and of course, Mike.

I look at him and frown. There is saving to do.

"Have you seen Data, or Louise? They're my friends."

[ eleven attacks kylo; axe ]

SW0Xtrp5axe

[ severed right ear, 8.0 ]

axe

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

At least, I've escaped the castle's clutches. Bloodied, a few fingers short, and my proud wounded - but alive. At least for now. I pack the snow over the stumps of my fingers, huddle in the leeward side of the grand mansion, and nod off.

It's in the dark of the night that I hear her. I gather myself, although the fog presses on my mind almost as mightily as the ghosts trying to speak to me. Gross. So familiar.

Oh. "It's you."

I light my saber, twirl it. "Louse is dead. I killed her. She was in your way. Do you know how much power you have? How much you haven't yet tapped? I did you a favor."

[Kylo Ren attacks Eleven; tri-saber (sword)]

AIL|X|1tsword

[Shallow Cut on Right Bicep -- 3.5 damage]

sword

[Azalea]

ELEVEN

"Louise is dead. I killed her." No - no.

"No!"

That's not fair, that's not meeting in the middle, that's not a com-promise. Compromise. I look at the man dead in the eye and wonder if he has ever felt what I have: meaning and friendship. He's angry, too angry. I don't like it.

"Power isn't everything." I know that from being with Kali and her friends. "You need purpose."

Snow drifting down; it's soft. But it is broken by his hit, and I break it even more.

[ eleven attacks kylo; axe ]

ORwAot2Qaxe

[ shallow cut on left bicep, 3.5 ]

axe

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

You need purpose.

And the rage she feels rolls over him, almost knocks him backwards. It compresses his lungs and blurs his vision. Power. Such power. He coughs inside the helmet, doing a passing imitation of his grandfather, and then squares his shoulders. "I have purpose. My purpose is to be victorious in all circumstances, no matter the consequences. That's how you win - you have to stop caring."

His heart squeezes. But he doesn't care that Rey is close, that Han is closer.

He only has to win.

[Kylo Ren attacks Eleven; tri-saber (sword)]

RU1B0Iztsword

[Deep Gash on Forehead -- 9.0 damage]

sword

[Azalea]

ELEVEN

"Winning isn't a purpose."

Simple, true. He is wrong, and he is angry. I can only respond by doing what he is: lashing out, being dangerous and scary. I close my eyes and feel the energy within, the electric, the light and the dark and hope that I'll be able to see Mike again.

"A purpose has to want you too."

[ eleven attacks kylo; axe ]

jV3VbfTRaxe

[ shallow cut on right thigh, 3.5 ]

axe

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

A purpose has to want you too.

"... And you think this awful place doesn't want me to win? Who does it want? You?" His voice echoes inside of his helmet. Fresh snow falls. He flips his grip, testing the strength of his arm against the strength of the Force. It's quiet now, almost as quiet as the snow. Maybe she's right. Maybe it does want her to win.

Only one way to find out.

[Kylo Ren attacks Eleven; tri-saber (sword)]

bVA1SEaJsword

[Deep Gash on Forehead -- 9.0 damage]

sword

[Azalea]

ELEVEN

I look at the snow. I look at the sky. I look at the castle, the ground, my feet and the man.

This arena wants us all. It wants our blood and our pain. He changes his grip, a new stance and I feel like it is now or never. What is 'soon'? Whatever it is, it isn't welcome here.

"This place wants everyone." He isn't better, I am not worse. But I am willing to fight for someone else, whilst he fights for himself.

Hope.

"Please, I have to save Mike." I close my eyes and just feel.

[ eleven attacks kylo; axe ]

OmKmrATzaxe

[ block ]

axe

[d10f ekta ram // [earthling]]

Mike?

I don't know a Mike. I only know her, and her strange little family. She says 'stop' and like a fool, I obey. It isn't that her power is greater than mine; her request is an echo of another's. Stop. Don't.

Pathetic. It was so pathetic of me to try to save Rey. "There's no point in trying to say anyone but yourself."

[Kylo Ren attacks Eleven; tri-saber (sword)]

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[results]

sword