Ari slowed down next to the fallen marine, descended onto one knee and gently put her hand on his back, completely pinning him to the ground.
Hearing his words, Ari scratched her head with the other arm: “To me? Nothing personal…” she paused to think for a moment, “but the boy sure did look like he had a lot of questions to ask when you surrounded us… And you my friend might just be able to answer them.”
She grabbed the horrified marine by the back of his collar, raised him up a little and smashed him into the ground to ensure that he won’t resist. She proceeded to raise his torso up again and dragged him towards the tree that was closest to Dolphus. She harshly set him down facing the forest, his back against the tree, took off the long thick chain that wrapped around her waist, and used it to tie the man to the trunk.
Ari looked over her shoulder and her sight fell onto the lifeless body of the other marine. The one she murdered just before.
She turned her head back towards the man: “Ah, right, sorry for your friend. I probably shouldn’t have done it…” Despite the poor wording, a glimpse of genuine regret could be seen on her face.
“Have a little rest now!” Ari exclaimed as she raised her fist and punched him right in the temple, holding back her power, but just strong enough to knock the marine out for a little while. They’ll come back to him later once she takes care of the boy.
Ari went around the tree, now facing the distraught Dolphus, and slowly set down on the ground, her back against the same trunk that the marine was tied to.
how tired she was…
The adrenaline finally completely ran dry, she felt her exhausted muscles relax and the reality of the situation started to set in.
She has had to kill before to defend herself. It was always either her or them. But was this one necessary? She looked over at the dead marine once again. What did he do to deserve this?
Ari shook her head, trying to get these thoughts out of her head. They were too heavy. She didn’t like having heavy thoughts.
She switched her focus to Dolphus. Right, it’s better to move her attention to him right now.
“Did he get you?”
She attempted to look at his face, but failed miserably. There was something else relentlessly grabbing her attention.
Ari stared at Dolphus’s wing with amazement and child-like wonder unapologetically showing on her face.