Maybe she should have mixed feelings about straying from everyone at the very moment when she would need them the most, but Ayu just... Couldn't bring herself to ask for help. Not like this. That was a little ironic, wasn't it? She was the first one to hold out her hand and try her best to aid anyone who might need it... But she never felt comfortable burdening people kind enough to worry about her with her troubles. She was aware that this logic was flawed, but she was stubborn. That's why Ayu decided to spend the time here in the middle of nowhere, alone, far away from anyone who might have to get caught up with her raging energy. It would be better for everybody - yet it seemed that it wasn't a given.

She silently mouthed the name of the person that she felt nearby - and her energy was getting closer with each passing second. The timing wasn't ideal, but there wasn't much she could do about it... Ayu never avoided her little sister, but being aware that her state could only trouble her more, she wanted to keep her distance until the energy would stabilize again. Seemed that it won't work this time. Ayu slowly opened her eyes when a familiar signature approached her and she heard Bluebell's voice. She turned her head towards her, but her gaze couldn't exactly focus on the blue-skinned silhouette, pale yellow irises seemed mildly dazed. With a little bit of difficulty, Ayu shook her head and rose to her feet. Every step was marked by grass around her growing thicker, vines twisting and twirling on the ground like a spider's webs... No, it wasn't only the area next to her body - if one would look closely, they would notice that everything around her in a quite large radius was slowly moving. Blades of grass shivered as if they were under the breeze, trees were stretching their branches, and each plant breathed in anticipation. Ayu herself could feel it, but it didn't help her in any way... It was obvious by her every gesture that she was fatigued like she has undergone a lot of rigorous training, but it wasn't the reason - containing all the energy in her body was so draining she might have very well been close to her limits.

She heavily sunk into Liari's arm. The smooth skin felt cool to the touch, and despite her initial worry, she was glad that her sister was here. The young woman embraced her back, for a while holding to her like she was an anchor before Ayu was able to raise her head. Her blue expression was pale and worried... But there was something else at the bottom of the silver eyes. Ayu raised her arms, gently cradling her sister's concerned face in her hands. Maybe her concentration wasn't at its best at this moment, but she still felt the lingering worry and pain in Majin's energy, exactly in the same way it happened many times before. Guilt turned her expression into a worried frown when she realized what was going on and Ayu's eyes softened.

"... You had a nightmare again. I'm s-sorry I wasn't there..." That was the first thing that crossed her mind before her thoughts were able to register the reason why Liari was so worried about her. Her eyes were looking at her with so much concern, Ayu didn't know what to say. And she said something about power. Power..? What about it- Ah, right, right, her Ki. And she left home early without waking her up. Why it was so hard to recall that? Headache wasn't helping her at all... Ayu lowered her arms and held Liari's hand in hers, gently wrapping her heated fingers around her palm. "I will be a-alright after a moment..." the young woman assured her with a weak smile, but she didn't sound nor she didn't look convinced by her own statement. Her sentences were divided by small pauses when she had to make a break for each breath and it was a worrying matter on its own. "I left a note on my bed that I will be back soon. I did." Ayu explained and right after she said that, she frowned. She was trying to frantically search through her aching mind to find the corresponding memory, but couldn't. "D-Did I..? I was sure I did..." she gazed back at Liari as if waiting for confirmation if her memory was only that bad or if was she losing it... Ayu stroked her head, brushing away hair from her sweated forehead. Her eyes were much more conscious now than a moment before. Did she leave without leaving any information behind? "I'm so s-sorry Bluebell, my mind I all over the place... I was convinced I left you a message, so y-you wouldn't worry," the guilt only started to grow, almost tying a knot around her throat. "I didn't m-mean to scare you..."

It wasn't easy to get her focus fully ready to concentrate on matters at hand, while a moment ago Ayu was trying to calm down her breathing. Her mind was pulled back to reality, even if her thoughts and Ki were kind of scattered around. It wasn't that bad, but it kind of felt like Ayu's head was getting heavier. Her senses were somewhat dulled too... But it was alright, for now. The patch of greenery here was soothing, she was here, and Liari, and one more presence that was quietly watching over them from the shade of the tree nearby. In the back of her mind, Ayu noticed Calot's energy signature a while ago, but with her unorganized thoughts, her consciousness didn't register his presence right away. She was kind of slow today anyway...

"I don't know," Ayu admitted softly with a weary smile. She looked at the palms of her hands, closing her eyes for a brief second. Her breaths were lifting her chest regularly, but each of them felt slightly too long and too deep. "I-I woke up with my energy being like this, but it wasn't that bad b-back at home. R-Remember the toolshed? Or the boulder behind the training grounds?" Right... The infamous toolshed was wrapped with roses and each time Ayu lost control of her Ki, it was reduced to a pile of boards by twisting thorny vines. It happened like three times already, and each time they had to rebuild the shed... And the boulder was triple her height. It was reduced into pieces like butter because the enhanced roots dug into the rock's surface like jelly. That was one of the hardest cases of Ayu losing control, and she dreaded the thought of history repeating itself. "I was afraid I might do s-something like that again and damage the house or hurt you if I'd stay there..." Maybe her explanation wasn't too convincing, but at least the message was clear. "I wanted to wait here before coming home until it all would calm down..." Ayu's eyes narrowed slightly when her fidgeting hand grabbed the fabric of clothes above her heart. The pressure was rising. "I'd hate to go out of control again, I h-hoped I would be able to stay here alone before anything happens, but you two have found me anyway," she chuckled, gently despite her exhaustion. Not like it was in any way hard to find her with her fluctuating Ki.

Ayu turned her head to the side, to a tall, silent figure leaning his back against the tree. It's not that she could see the details, but the energy sensed was more stable and Calot seemed healthy. Good, last time she saw him he was in a very poor state and she was still worried that her aid wouldn't be enough.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," she smiled, before rubbing her temple again and her gaze slipped away to the side, to the thick bushes and greenery there. She thought...

... Was it her imagination?

---

Super Weighted Clothing Equipped - For plot reasons only, they give no gains for this thread.
Power Level - 201,104
PL with SWC - 50,276 - Energy is throbbing up to the ~65k and back down.
Word Count - 1,335
Total Word Count - 2,603

Such was the thing about life, that it was quite unexpected... In one moment Ayu was talking to the two people she felt she was the closest to - in another, she was holding onto Liari's arm, drowsiness caused by the sedatives in her system, trembling in fear as to what was going to happen. Ambush. Why? For what..? Panic was raising and the stirred energy alongside it. Fighting with the fog in her mind she was at least aware that the androids around were here for her... Though that did not make Ayu feel any better. Once in a while, the images in front of her eyes blurred. The energies jumped, angered, feared by others. The tentacles swept through the enemies. A sharp blade started to cut through the robotic bodies, causing devastation on the enemy lines. The scent of blood and fear was thick enough to suffocate... She was protected, for now.

Due to the counterattack of Liari and Calot, the advances were halted, but not stopped. The group of androids around them was trying to divide into squads that were clearly focusing their firepower on neutralizing the unexpected opponents, while the others were attempting to get closer to Ayu. Sedatives did not work as well and she was more or less aware of her surroundings, but not enough to help in any way. The pain in her chest wasn't going to disappear like that... She could only watch, holding onto Bluebell. Letting herself be protected... Like a coward. Shivering, Ayu shut her eyelids, trying not to listen to screams. She was by no means a warrior, she wasn't used to that sight. The scent of blood and something metallic and sharp was wafting through the air. It's not like she tried, but she still could tell apart the sounds - Calot's blade swiftly slicing through both flesh and metal, and Liari's tentacles tearing through androids like butter. The splatter of blood, the clink of scraps against the rocks, the wet sound of body parts falling to the ground. The fear was causing nausea and weakness - because there was nothing she could do to stop it - Ayu knew it all too well.

"Remember, the doctor mentioned she might be stronger than she looks," another robotic voice grumbled loudly from the bushes, trampling over the nearest shrubs and a cascade of bullets exploded above their heads. "But we'll see about that..." the next shot in their direction was blocked by Liari's tentacle, and the smell of gunpowder sharply cut through the air. Bluebell was standing her ground, keeping the enemy at the distance - but not far enough to not hear what they were talking about.

"Doctor..?" Ayu opened her eyes and repeated unconsciously, her lips mouthed the word soundlessly. Doctor. It grasped her attention amidst the havoc around, but not in a good way... Her hold on Liari's arm started to shiver from something different than fear and the grasp of her fingers weakened. Ayu felt as if she was going to collapse at the sight of the blood and figures laying on the ground. It was simply too much...

"Fuck," someone else cursed on the side. "Wished Yibai would warn us about the others before he told us the objective. Regroup!" one of the combatants growled an order to others, spitting on the ground. There was another flash of light followed by a loud bang ringing in their ears. Some loose branches caught on fire, and smoke coiled above them like an ominous marking. There was yelling and the ground started to soak in the blood from the killed androids, while the rest didn't hesitate to continue their assault.

But it all blurred, slipping away from her awareness.

Doctor. Yibai. Doctor Yibai.

Her thoughts were fixed on that. At first Ayu's mind wasn't going to process what her ears have heard, but her eyes widened when after a heartbeat, it all sank in... And the realization, like a heavy pitch black fog, fell on her, clutching her lungs in an iron grasp. Everything went quiet despite Liari's and Calot's voices, the sounds of the fight, and the yelling all around them. Her trembling hands let go of the Bluebell's arm and held onto the fabric of her shirt, right above her chest. Her heart was painfully pounding against her ribs. It felt like it wasn't going to calm down anytime soon... Not now, not later. Panic started to pump adrenaline into Ayu's bloodstream, and any remains of sedatives that were still in her body were swept away by this sinister, sobering sensation. The metallic taste dyed her tongue. It was hard to breathe, but she spoke nonetheless.

"G-Grandfather... D-Did?" Ayu asked with disbelief, taking a step forward in hope that someone would hear her and deny this obvious sin. As soon as she heard herself talking, a brief hope withered in an instant. Despite her weak legs and throbbing pains, she squeezed away from Liari's protective embrace, staring in the direction where she heard the voices. Her shaking tone was full of sorrow as the tears started to gather in the corner of her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. The feeling of betrayal was vicious. It fell on her so suddenly with the awareness that no matter how hard she tried, how badly she wanted to be accepted... Her grandfather never saw her as his granddaughter, let alone a part of his family. Maybe he didn't even see Ayu as her own person, given how easily he ordered others to capture her. As if she was something less... Her lips were trembling while she was stopping herself from weeping loudly. All this time when he was gone, when she was worried sick, it seemed that he was alive and well behind her back, even going as far as to order someone to kidnap her. For what would Zhang do this? And why? For what reason was he endangering the lives of Liari and Calot, to simply capture her and bring her somewhere else..? Maybe it was a misunderstanding, perhaps, just maybe... Maybe he just wanted to call for her? But it was a bloody mess... No. No. Who was she trying to deceive? She was betrayed, facing the unknown, with death's chilling breath on her neck.

Shaking like a leaf Ayu wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the nauseating weakness again. Lost. She was lost. The energy jumped again, stabbing her nerves, not letting her forget about the thing that lead her to the wasteland in the first place. Something was still happening with her body, and it wasn't going to stop even if the area will be safe again. Trying to get a hold of her breathing, she was doing her best to stand still... There was mayhem all around her and the fight continued, but Ayu couldn't focus on anything. Her head was still filled with an echo of the same thought - over and over again. A knife in her back from a person she never expected it. Zhang didn't have to love or care... She didn't wish for it anymore, but why he came to this length to capture her? Worse, what would he do to her if they'd catch her? Why he didn't bat an eye at the thought that people around her will get killed? Why...

As if guided by instinct, Ayu suddenly raised her head to see through tears more figures emerging from the greenery in front of them. They all were undetectable androids, some of them bloodied, with cut limbs, and smashed chests, miraculously still functioning. They were approaching them from every possible angle, quicker than anyone could spot... Fear kicked in as strong as lighting, shaking away the thoughts about Zhang.

"N-No," Ayu took a step back, standing closer to Liari's side. "Stay a-away..." she stuttered, raising her arms protectively. She did it in a weak attempt to shield them, but before they could do anything - as sharp as a blade pain hit her head from within and Ayu felt blood slowly dripping from her nose. She blinked, with a dreading gaze looking up at the androids in front of her.

Something happened... Even if the whole scene was unrevealing in a split second, Ayu watched in horror what just unfolded in front of her eyes. The heavily armored person that was the closest to them didn't even stop when the vines and leaves burst out of their chest. The roots dug into the flesh and mechanism quickly, ripping those apart, the robotic limbs were torn away from the body as easily as old rags. There were sparks and a splatter of fluids. The dark, sticky liquid, be it blood or oil dripped on the grass, and the parts of the flesh that the plants pulled out fell to the ground heavily - finally in the middle of the step, the rest of the figure collapsed, torso severed from the legs. The gore scene happened too quickly, there wasn't even as much of a scream, and the android was dead, inactive, gone. Ayu's face paled in terror. Her eyes widened, but unknowingly to her, the irises of her eyes started to glow faintly. Did she... It wasn't possible. No one here other than her could manipulate flora like that. Did... D-Did she just..? Her whole body was trembling as if spasming and the staggering Ki started to raise - in this chaotic, painful manner that betrayed that Ayu was losing it. How could she not..?

She killed someone.

"N-N-No..." Ayu paled more, her face looking akin to old porcelain. Now in full panic, she was glued to the spot she was standing, unable to take a mere step. Fear twisted her stomach in a painful knot. She raised her hands, holding her head that hurt so much she was scared it was going to split open - but it wasn't important now. She couldn't avert her eyes, despite bitter tears seeing with every vivid detail what have happened. What has she done? There was one body... Two bodies. A similar thing happened to another android that took one step too close to her - and they were blown to bloody pieces when a set of green vines ripped them in half. The tendrils sprouted from the ground shielding them from bullets and abruptly another person collapsed. Three bodies, because another enemy fell victim to the vines. Four. Five. And more - she couldn't count anymore as she wasn't able to calm down. "N-No... Stop..." an appalled whisper barely escaped her mouth.

Ayu never killed anyone. She wouldn't, she couldn't even bring herself to hurt or say something mean to anyone... She didn't wish for that. She never wanted her powers to hurt or kill others..! And yet, it was all out of her control. Drunk on fear and guilt, her spirit weakened. Guided by her dread the plantlife started to act on its own - creating a bloodbath, similar to the one Calot and Liari served a moment earlier... But Ayu couldn't stop it. Her Ki was a chaotic mess fueled by her dismay and dread, raising... And raising, with crackles of energy creating goosebumps on her skin. The vines and plants started to tangle all around, overpowering the enemy that seemed to realize that it was a matter of time before their number will be greatly reduced. More androids burst open when the flora claimed their robotic bodies, innocent flowers blooming on their remains. Sharpened roots were cutting the limbs sprouting from the ground to slash unexpected enemies. The thorned vines like barbed wires sliced through both metal and flesh, they twisted and crumpled whatever they touched. It was getting worse with every second...

And it was all Ayu's fault. The energy was not only leaking, but it was also pouring out of her body now and she had no means of stopping it. If she only could, she would scream - but even her voice betrayed her.

"N-No... Enough. P-Please, stop..." she pleaded weakly, painfully falling to her knees. Ayu was holding her head, her nails digging into her skin. She could feel the flora. Plants weren't angry. They were merely protective, but because she was still choking on her fear, they weren't going to calm down either... And the more damage was done, the deeper Ayu spiraled down into panic. "Stop. S-stop..." she begged... Finally, the Ki reached a certain limit - but it wasn't going to listen to her wishes and cease the mayhem. The fabric of the weighted straps around her waist, wrists, and ankles started to tear and it all snapped out of her body. Her energy skyrocketed now free from the safety anchor that was keeping her Ki in place. The ground around cracked like fragile glass. Ayu coughed up blood, quickly covering her mouth. Almost instantly a familiar pattern appeared on her skin, burning with a glowing marking way stronger than she remembered. The forest floor started to shake. Her power slipped away from her a while ago... It felt like a crack on a mighty dam - once the pressured Ki started to flow, she couldn't hold it back. "I-I can't s-stop it..." she cried in panic. The gap was growing wider and soon, very soon, the whole dam was going to collapse. That's how it felt. That's how it was.

She tried. Gods know, she tried, but when the energy started pouring out, she couldn't do it... Any attempt at even grasping the control that she lost hit her again with a very familiar, numbing pain, that stabbed her skull, and sharp aching echoed in her body. Were all those times she tried to focus on her Ki warnings? When energy ricocheted back at her, she never suspected that it could one day lead to disaster like that... It was all her fault. She should have done something, she should have looked for answers more, she should have... What was the point if Ayu wasn't even sure what she was searching for? The forest around was growing quiet, the blood and the sweat marking the soil. Did the enemy retreat? She didn't know, she couldn't see. It felt like nature was waiting for her move and soon, very soon - it would all go amok. Maybe there was something she still could do before that happens..? Even a chance for that would be enough...

"Get away," she mumbled with an unexpectedly loud and lucid tone, though her expression was dulled by pain and hysteria. Ayu clenched her fists, her pallid face contrasting with a hint of blood under her nose and mouth. The ribbon slipped away from her braid, and untied hair in long locks moved under the growing wind. Using a moment of clarity in her mind, she lowered her head, daring not to look anyone in eyes in this state. She wanted to stay away to not hurt them, to not worry them... And now? Ayu did not know what was happening, but even she was aware that she lost control and couldn't do anything about it. She t-took lives, even if unintentionally. If it continues - who knows how badly she could injure the two individuals that genuinely cared about her? The people she cared about..? The hot tears dripped down on her hands and the aching wasn't by any means near stopping. Her body was growing weak and apathetic... There was no time. "I said..." Ayu took a ragged breath, "Stay away from me!" she yelled frightened, abruptly raising her arms. The scarce blades of grass that were still unaffected by the frenzied energy grew into stalks as thick as trees. They pushed Calot and Liari away, almost tossing them in the air, alongside any androids that were still there - just at the right moment.

Because immediately after that Ayu screamed and everything around in ten feet radius blew up into a wild and chaotic jungle... The vines swallowed her, hiding her behind a solid, verdant wall while the area around, the whole wasteland, started to change. It was being covered in a thick layer of very uncontrollable greenery. The wilderness grew claiming the bare land one yard by second, spreading the Ki on the parched soil and changing the desolate place into vivid forests. The plants were reinforced by the inhuman energy, drawing the power from the source, changing this forgotten place into tropical woods full of life...

... But at what cost?

---

Power Level - 4,625,392
Word Count - 2,734
Total Word Count - 7,101

Why.

Why, why, why, why... WHY? Why it all happened? Ayu wanted to scream the pain out, yet her throat was barely swallowing any tears. The hot teardrops were running down her face and she could feel the unsettling taste of blood in her mouth. The soldier group that was made of androids and Earthlings wasn't here anymore, their Ki's died out, stifled under the raging strength of nature. The pained energy of the blue Majin and Saiyan warrior told her that they didn't escape unharmed... The vastness of the flora around was by all means terrifying. Ayu's body started shivering as if the fever was burning her every nerve. The vines were breaking boulders with ease, the roots clawed the soil while new unnaturally huge, and predatory plants were sprouting from the ground. They didn't know what they were attacking, they were simply running in amock - in hopes of getting rid of the panic that was overwhelming her right now. For the first time in her life, Ayu was scared of her bond with nature... Because what kind of people attack others like that..? Her knees were weak and there was no more strength in her arms. She curled on the bed of the greenery, in a small space that the plants left intact for her... They turned their might and destructive frenzy to the world outside but it didn't make it better.

It was a numbing fear. The sensation could be compared to a broken bowl that wasn't able to contain all the energy poured inside. Her strength has become the power of the flora, leaving very little behind for her... And as the Ki-fed plants were raging, fighting against the others without a rhyme or reason, she wasn't able to do anything to stop them. While her life force was slipping away, Ayu could only clench her trembling fists. She tried, gods, she tried to keep it in. Even now with whatever power she had left she relentlessly tried to stop this outbreak, yet while it was sent loose... It didn't work. The flora soaked so much of her energy they were acting on their own, trying to protect her from the pain and terror that she felt before - when she realized that her grandfather betrayed her.

Being deceived and backstabbed felt like a jab of fire to her chest. Ayu was laying on the cool grass, sensing every inch of her body being hot with power. And this place... It was dark here. Her head was splitting from pain so she was only able to look at her surrounding through half-open eyes. The light of dawn appearing on the horizon was visible through some spaces between the vines and branches, letting in a dull grey glow. It looked like an empty sphere, a bubble under all the vines that were created to keep her safe. Of course, by some bitter luck or unspoken law of nature, the roots and twigs around her didn't even scratch her. But Ayu was panicking nonetheless... Her anxiety was soundless, exhausting. She was terrified and her state was getting worse with every minute - it was hard to breathe. The more unstable she was the more uncontrollable energy was fed to the plant life. And what they did, what she did... The terror in Ayu's mind was only increasing, creating a cycle that wasn't going to be easy to break.

"I'm s-sorry, she whispered in a raspy, shaking voice.

All around them the roots, like giant snakes, were covering the ground, the raging Ki wrapped this part of Wasteland with a green, vivid blanket. Not everything was about plants raging - clear proof that Ayu herself was fighting the outbreak. The sea of poppies grew up between the trees. Some of the bushes, vines, and blossoms were sprouting taking over the dry, unforgiving soil of this part of the Earth. Each time a root as thick as a tree trunk broke the ground, the fragments were covered with soft vegetation, as if making up for the destruction that was still unfolding. Every element, every part of nature has so many faces. Be it a peaceful, serene side or the brutal and cruel laws that it used to rule the world... Maybe that's why, for better or for worse, she still was part of it, sensing every tiny sprouting in the area - alongside every Ki signature blurring into nothingness.

I'm s-so sorry... Ayu repeated weakly, not knowing who she ought to ask for forgiveness anymore.

While her voice was choking on tears, the trembling, frail sound of her heart had something to say... Even if all Ayu could mutter by telepathy was a distraught and doleful apology.

I-I'm so s-sorry...

Bluebell was still there. Ayu wasn't sure if she could hear her voice or not but her presence was nearby... She was sure about that. And that was equally reassuring and terrifying, as it was possible that she could be injured again. That felt pretty selfish... Being glad to know that her little sister was still here despite her hurting, while she should be running away for her own safety. Liari was injured, she sensed her energy dropping a bit and turning into a pained, worried, and somber hue. Ayu never wished for that... Yet in the end, her outbreak hurt and killed people around her. Liari was in pain because of her, because she couldn't control her energy and she broke down. She won't be ever able to forgive herself.

L-Leave, her faint, tearful voice could be heard from within Bluebell's mind as Ayu tried to speak to her telepathically. That was the only way, as her own voice had no strength left. Please. I'm begging y-you, she hid her face in her hands, laying there on the grass inside her green prison. Liari, p-please... G-Go. I don't w-want to h-hurt you... But she did - her voice painfully cracked. The noise of rustling plants and roots smashing against the ground was as vicious and powerful as a thunderstorm... Yet the loudest sound Ayu heard was the painful ruptures slowly breaking her heart apart. I c-can't control- she stopped speaking, feeling another cold shiver on her spine. The tears filling her eyes and the panic clutching her chest were making it harder to find the right words to say. There was no justification for what she did. I'm t-trying, I really a-am, I-I-

Ayu realized that she couldn't move. Not like she had any strength to... The vines wrapped softly but firmly around her legs, growing up to the hips and her waist. It didn't hurt. They were as hard as stone and weakened as she was, pushing them aside wasn't possible. There was no malicious intent there, it was impossible to say so about the plant life but... She closed her eyes. It didn't matter if the vegetation will swallow her and kept her deeper, she still needed to try to stop it. Even if it felt so hopeless.

I'm s-so sorry, Bluebell... Ayu apologized softly. All this was because of her... Because she wasn't able to keep her powers in check. It seemed that despite her high power level, she wasn't exactly that strong. I c-can't control it. My e-energy, it d-doesn't listen. I d-don't know h-h-how to stop it, I- she started explaining incoherently yet her inner voice grew weaker. Her Ki was all over the place. The energy that was building up inside of her for months finally broke out of her shell. It wasn't a leak. It wasn't like a bowl as she thought before, she couldn't compare it to shackles or a bond. It felt more like a dam collapsed and everything that was kept inside rushed flowing out.

As she heard another stone hill in the Wasteland crush down, she coughed up some blood. If this keeps up... Calm down. She had to calm down. She was clenching her fists so hard the nails were digging into her skin. How could Ayu quieten herself after everything that happened? Her grandfather wanted her neutralized and taken captive. She has murdered people in a very brutal way, a-and her power - power other warriors said they envy her - hurt those she held dear. It wasn't a blessing but a curse. Maybe she was broken from the very beginning, that's why her energy was so hurtful. How could she find peace of mind now? She tried, of course, she tried but... Perhaps it would be better to let her Ki run out dry like that so it could all finally stop. Without any living person nearby she won't have to fear taking an innocent life like that. But what if it takes too long..? What if it won't make any difference..?

Ayu won't hold it against Liari if she would have do whatever was necessary to stop this mess.

---

Power Level - 4,625,392
Word Count - 1,478
Total Word Count - 8,579

Why Ayu had to put Liari through this ordeal?

The Majin refused to listen to her apologies, breaking her heart once more. Of course. She would have done the same, against all the logic and reason. There was no surprise in her behavior but Ayu couldn't help but feel conflicted. Everything in her wished for Liari to save herself, to run away... Yet, she was also glad that in this moment of panic when anxiety swallowed her and left her breathless - Bluebell was here for her. This only added to her guilt, because what right Ayu had to be glad about that..? That was selfish and egoistical... Maybe she was worth withering here, in this green prison silently.

As she thought about it, something else disturbed the sound of rustling plants. Slashing noises, roots were snapped in halves, vines were cut and broken to pieces. Someone, against all odds, was fighting.

There was some light, movement, and a clear voice she knew appeared right there, by her side. Liari. Her energy was next to her, she in person was pulling her closer while ignoring her own pain. The blank pale yellow eyes looked up at the blue face - Ayu barely recognized her. Her lips moved though no voice was heard as if she wanted to tell her something... And yet it remained outspoken. Maybe Ayu wanted to thank her, maybe again tell her to save herself... It felt like not so long ago Ayu was the one cradling Liari in her arms, so glad that she came back alive to her from what has happened in West City. Now, her little sister was comforting her when the storm of her powers was raging everywhere around her. And hot tears were silently rolling down her cheeks. Family. Among this hurricane of pain, this strong embrace brought some rare comfort and Ayu stopped shivering... Or maybe her muscles didn't even have the energy to tremble anymore?

She couldn't even weep anymore.

The young woman just couldn't believe that he did it... That he betrayed her. He gave her to strangers that came to fetch her like an object, ready to catch her or even hunt her down like a stray animal. Who with any amount of human decency would do that to a person they adopted..? Somehow Ayu wasn't able to get angry. She was heartbroken and disappointed, her hopes were trampled upon and yet she couldn't get mad. In the hindsight, there was nothing that Zhang owned her. He took her in, gave her shelter, food, and clothing and that was the end of the contract - anything else was simply Ayu's hope. Her delusions, perhaps... She quietly longed for his care and attention, like any child looking for love from their guardian. Yet, it never happened. It hurt her, but she learned to live with it and then stopped expecting anything from Zhang Yibai... But she was lonely. And in the end, she might have unconsciously held onto some expectations that were now brutally stomped to the ground...

And the lives she took? The sensation of energy fading to nothing, the sight of plant life bursting out of flesh, tearing humans apart while the vines twist and turn. Her stomach was already wrung into a knot and now she was certain she won't have the appetite for the next week. She was a murderer. She took the liberty to take lives... It wasn't her decision though, she didn't mean it - yet it burned her conscience all the same. The matter of calming down her heart and soul seemed to be out of her reach now.

Bluebell, Ayu's voice whispered in her head, she couldn't even move an inch. Her body was too weak to do anything, even the picture in front of her eyes was blurring into a grey mess. P-Please... Knock m-me out, she could only plead in a hushed, trembling voice. If her energy was soaked through and through with everything negative she felt, it was clear why the vegetation around went crazy while feeding on it. Ayu couldn't relax. Calming down was a problem, her anxiety and pain only highlighting the tragedy around them. She couldn't help her mind at all, too much has happened already and simply in the span of mere minutes. From someone suffering a headache, she was backstabbed by her adoptive grandfather and turned into a monster that not only killed people, but the plants she loved were also wreaking havoc and hurting Liari so much she wanted to cry her heart out. Majin was putting on a brave face to not let her see the pain... Yet Ayu could see the slithering movements of vines, branches, and roots, digging into her flesh. Her energy was in pain too. She felt warm and sticky blood though she couldn't tell who it belonged to. So maybe, just maybe, if her mind would slip into nothingness her energy could finally stop, freed from burdening emotions. But if that won't work...

I know... I l-love you too, the eyelids have closed as if they were made of lead. Ayu wanted to grab Liari's hand, held it, and thank her so much for staying here with her... But it wasn't the time for that. Her head was getting lightweight. She was sure that she won't just fall asleep anytime soon, the adrenaline pulsing in her ears wasn't letting her... That's why they needed to try. It was the only - almost the only way out. I need to be u-unconscious but if that w-won't work- there wasn't even a shiver on her body when Ayu paused for a second and then calmly finished what she wanted to say. ... Please d-do what you'll have to do.

She didn't want to put such a burden on her - of attacking or maybe finishing her off like that. But if that was the only way Liari could stop her powers from going berserk Ayu would take it anytime. She had Terra to look after. There were so many things Bluebell wanted to achieve... She couldn't let her die here just because her older sister figure was a failure and couldn't control her own energy. It was bitter and she dared to shyly hope for the best outcome. Yet if the worse would come, there be no regrets.

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Power Level - 4,625,392
Word Count - 1,054
Total Word Count - 9,633