[ IP ] Skyscraper

*'' Can you hear me, little rabbit? `` * 
 
 His voice spoke softly through the wind's breath; the towering confusion in front of her becoming ever more enticing. Perhaps impulse forced her hand, but straying from the labyrinthine would not be within her nature. Her fingers danced along the ropes of the bridge, as she drew herself closer to the sirens wail. 
 
 The blood that dripped from her stomach was eating away at her consciousness. Shrouds appearing in her vision, but only for a fleeting moment - just enough for her balance to suffer, lapsing to the side and gripping on the ropes for support. Turning her head up, she noticed to seemingly agape doors to the château directly ahead. 
 
 Viscera covered the frame of the entrance. The walkway turning red with gore. The scent of his organs permeating through the air. Perhaps it was hers instead. She digressed, grabbing along the metal handle of the door and pushing it the rest of the way open. A sudden gust of cold air pounded wintry bites into her flesh, but the voice spoke thusly. 
 
 *'' Have I offended you? Certainly, you know it was merely business. `` * 
 
 Gritting her teeth, she began hiking haphazardly up the ruined staircases. Every step becoming a painful reminder that she was dying. Her hand tightened on the blade in her left hand; her knuckles becoming white with ambition. Giving up before she had redeemed her fallen kinfolk was never an option. 
 
 Approaching the last set of steps, a bright view of the sky shone through the dismal guts of the castle. Those final stairs, some of the hardest, but her reward would be more than enough to atone her efforts. Gliding through the open door and placing her boots onto the warm grass that surrounded the roof, she found her assailant leaning up against the tree. 
 
 Streams of blood dripped from his chest, small dribbles of leakage messily exuded from the sides of his body. He was masked, completely hidden. It had n't mattered. To take his life away would end her quest and no amount of identity would bring her family back to her world. 
 
 He sighed, as her blade rested onto the loam beneath her feet, `` You have found me, little rabbit. It did not take you long; I am impressed. A true, natural talent you have.'' She winced at his compliment, her grimace appearing wider the more he spoke. Anticipation and anger growing within her. 
 
 His head raised to look at the canopy of pink leaves above, `` Beauty is a double-edged sword, would you not agree?'' A single petal fell down, landing delicately onto his fingers, `` While these petals represent life in many cultures, it also represents death. I suppose that is why you are here, rabbit?'' 
 
 *'' Stop calling me rabbit. I am no prey. `` * 
 
 *'' No, I am mistaken. It is I, who is the prey. `` * 
 
 *'' In this moment, you must be. `` * 
 
 Her wound had made her slightly dizzy, making her reach down staggeringly. With weak arms, she lifted her blade and raised it to his chest. Even though masked, she could tell exactly where his eyes were, staring directly into her own. The tip of the sword pressed to his heaving chest, and he looked up to the sky one last time. 
 
 *'' Very well, little rabbit. `` * 
 
... 
 
 *'' Very well. `` *
