Perfectionist

A Question

BOOOM!

The skies turned white-the world monochrome as flames darker than the depths of the oblivion burned in a blazing inferno, Alexis at the epicentre of it all, eyes colder than ice.

The two figures had horrified expressions-a far cry from their arrogance seconds before as they were held up by two gigantic hands.

"I despise condescending fucks. I despise them. They do nothing but think for themselves and profit off the poor."

"It makes me sick. Sick to my very core."

Two wings sprouted from Alexis' back.

I had assumed it was an illusion but they seemed real.

There was only one conclusion.

But my mind didn't allow me to say it.

It wouldn't accept it.

"Tell me. I want to know. What use is power when there's nothing but you left-" Alexis forcefully raised her left hand, another two figures being dragged out from the shadows that seemed to have been aiming for me.

"More? Have you come to force me to join you too? Have you massacred even more people?" Alexis snarled, the fires exploding upwards as if expressing her profound anger.

"I...Am a loner. In my two lives I had made six friends. Three whom betrayed me." Alexis whispered.

But her voice seemed so clear in the absolute quietness.

It was as if we were pseudo-deaf, only able to hear her.

"Everyone one of those three is now dead. As they rightfully should be. Then, I had three left."

Alexis said without a hint of remorse,"Of the three-You have killed two. Maddox, someone who wanted to negotiate. And Luna. My friend in times of need. She was there for me. And then, you try to kill my only friend left?"

"Die. Just die. ROT IN HELL FOR THE REST OF ETERNIT-"

Bang!

The monochrome world was blown apart by a clash of two people.

"This is not your fight Lisa. Back down. Before I make you. You may be my wife but do not think for one second I'd let you off should Alexis be harmed."

"You think I'll just sit there and let my child-the very child I carried in my womb-Be used by you for your destruction of the world? You think I don't remember what you did to my grandma and grandpa?! YOU KILLED THEM JOEL! YOU FUCKING MURDERED THEM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO YOUR UNREASONABLE DEMANDS!"

"My demands were reasonable."

"YOU ASKED THEM TO KILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR OWN KIND JOEL! HOW IS THAT REASONABLE?!" The woman screamed loudly, clashing with the man who had a calm look on his face.

I rushed to Alexis, who had gone unconscious.

I put a rejuvenate pill in her mouth and she gains consciousness.

"Alexis? Thank god. We need to go-"

Alexis didn't hear me.

She looked up at the sky at those two people.

Her eyes wide open.

Two questions rang and stopped the battle.

"Ma...?"

"Pa...?"

The two figures went silent.

"..."

"..."

"Why are you?" Alexis looked confused, her eyes darting around.

"Why are you...Why do you...Why do you have wings?"

The answer-broke her.

"Because we are obvliates." Her supposed father answered.

"No! We aren't I-"

"Lisa. Alexis should know."

"SHE'S NOT GOING TO BECOME A MONSTER LIKE YOU!"

"Are we not monsters? Are you not? You fight against humans like I do. You kill them, like I do."

"You kill your own kind. You're a sick beast that deserves to rot in the deepest depths of the oblivion."

"You married this sick beast. And loved me."

"I never married you. I married Joel Niko not Galthar Ybyroskr."

"It is merely another name. Nothing more."

"It is the name of a person responsible for mass genocide of humans and even his own race."

Alexis' eyes glazed over with tears.

"Is it true? That...You're not human?"

"I..."

"It is the truth."

"Then...All that research. All those things you'd teach me. You told me you'd never hurt a fly, ma. You said it was better to be nice than mean, pa."

Alexis stared up earnestly, as if praying this was all a bad dream,"Was that all...Was all a lie?"

"It wasn't. Tell me, Alexis. If you had a choice of killing a man quickly or torturing him for the rest of his life, which is kinder? The latter...Or the former? Is that not merciful? Is that not kindness?"

"That's your logic...huh? So that's all it is then. Just a loophole. A way to justify yourself? I suppose it's the same with you then, ma? You'd never hurt a fly...But you'd kill one?"

"I..."

Alexis' breathing was ragged-tears streaking down her cheeks.

She was heartbroken.

"I can't believe it. All this time. All this time I'd missed you two. Your gentle smiles and loving hugs. I'd even cried for you. And it's all just smoke and mirrors."

"I didn't want you to grow up without emotions. Killing is important but empathy is needed for royalty to rule properly."

"That's all it is isn't it. It's all just for the greater cause, isn't it?"

Alexis dropped a bombshell question,"Do you even love me?"

"Of course! You are my daughter. My only child!"

"I love you! More than anything in the world!"

Alexis shook her head,"No. You don't. You don't love me. No. You love my power. That's what you love. Not me, not my happiness, but my ability. What great parents I have."

Alexis lifted up her gun-dagger.

"Fine. We'll do it your way. Let's fight. If you win, I'll go with you. I'll be your tool. I'll do whatever you say without question. If you want to kill me, I won't bat an eye. If I win, I stay. Winner's the one who admits defeat." Alexis stared at them.

It was a test.

If they said yes, they would be saying 'You are not a priority. Only your power is.'

On the other hand, if they said no, they'd lose the biggest opportunity where they could get Alexis to join them.

Her father sighed,"...Yes."

"...Yes."

Alexis laughed hollowly, her sorrow easily spotted.

"Okay then. Let's begin." Alexis raised her gun-

And pushed it to her temple.