Aine stood in front of Eira's desk, her eyes cast down at the floor, her short fluffy hair covering most part of her eyes.She had failed the mission, and she knew Eira wouldn't be pleased.
This is the first time she's ever failed a mission.
The monster she was supposed to kill was just a little kid, no more than ten years old. Aine had stood there, her scythe in one hand,the hood of her black cloak on her shoulder, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Aine rubs her cheek using her other hand feeling multiple battle scars on her hands.
She had looked into the little monster's eyes, and she saw... humanity.
Humans were the real monsters, not those creatures. They were just trying to survive, just like humans.
Eira's voice cut through her thoughts, "You failed."
Aine nodded, her eyes still cast down. "I'm sorry."
Eira got up from her armchair, pushing her white haired braid behind, her icy blue eyes scanning Aine.
Eira's hand cracked across her face, but Aine didn't flinch. She didn't move, didn't react. She just stood there, her eyes still cast down.
Eira's eyes widened in surprise. Usually, Aine would cripple under her anger, but not this time. "What's wrong with you?" she snapped, her voice rising.
Aine didn't respond. She just turned and walked out of the office, leaving Eira stunned.
Aine walked back to her room, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She felt a lump in her throat, and she knew she was on the verge of breaking down.
Why was Eira so angry? Didn't she know that Aine had a conscience? That she couldn't just kill innocent monsters without feeling something?
Aine thought back to the mission, to the little monster she had spared. It was just a kid, no more than ten years old. It had looked up at her with big, scared eyes, and Aine had felt a pang of guilt.
Humans were the real monsters, not those creatures. They were just trying to survive.
Aine's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her own heartbeat. She was upset, and she knew why. She was upset that Eira was upset with her.
Aine was like a dog, no matter how many times Eira abused or used her, she still came back to her. She still wanted Eira's approval, Eira's comfort.
But Eira didn't care about that. All she cared about was achieving her ultimate goal ,no matter the cost.
Aine lied down on her bed, her eyes staring up at the ceiling.
She felt a pang of sadness, remembering the little monster she had spared. She had done it for Eira, but also for herself.
She had done it because she wanted to hold onto her humanity, onto the part of her that was still good.
Aine's eyes burned with tears, and she let them fall, crying silently into her pillow.
She was trapped, trapped in a world where she was forced to do terrible things, trapped with a woman who saw her as nothing more than a tool.
Aine cried herself to sleep, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Hours passed, and the darkness outside grew deeper. Aine's door creaked open, and Eira slipped in, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Aine's sleeping form.
She walked over to the bed, her eyes softening as she looked at Aine's tear-stained face. She reached out a hand, brushing a strand of hair out of Aine's face.
Aine stirred, her eyes opening to meet Eira's. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the tension between them palpable.