Kat's Strat

"My Lady, must you truly descend? You only tempt your body into reacting horribly."

Kat looked up, sighing softly.

"This is all I can do to stop this... desire. Right now, my heart and mind. Both wish to reclaim my power, yet it's strangely not me."

Miracle could only press his glasses to the bridge of his nose as he turned his back on Kat.

"Be safe... my Lady."

Kat breathed a small sigh of relief as she turned her eyes to her surroundings.

"Atlan... it's been years since I've stood within these underwater halls. Still, more beautiful than most modern cities."

Kat walked slowly, her legs barely keeping her steady as her hand guided her along the walls. Here and there, she would stumble, catching herself before she hit the floor.

"Mina... you're strong enough now. You should live, rather than..."

Tears slid down her face as she slipped through another corridor, her feet remembering for her.

"You've come so far, facing Lust, Wrath and Pride. It's only fair that I do what I can."

A click from behind stopped Kat in her tracks. She spun quickly, losing her footing, barely being missed by the projectile thrown her way.

"So... you came all the way down here, all by yourself? Knowing who it was that you'd find, you came here? Are you fucking stupid, Dyna? I grow stronger the more I Envy someone. You knew this, yet you bound me to this damn Font!?"

Kat looked into deep blue pools of anger. Before her was a woman, who's lower half was that of a fish. Her scales were emerald, while her skin was a light green that reflected the light of the torches. Long green hair fell into her face, looking similar to seaweed, yet leaving her with a wondrous beauty.

"Envy... so you truly envy me so much?"

Kat got to her feet, walking towards the siren. The look in her eyes softened slightly.

"No. Of course I don't envy you. The pain you've suffered is much more than mine. You too, are bound. Kindred spirits... you knew I wouldn't be angry with you?"

Kat smiled, tapping Envy on her nose.

"You didn't force your Sin onto the Atlantians. I knew you weren't a monster."

Shaking her head, Envy smiled at Kat. Her teeth were razor sharp.

"I was corrupted, same as the others. I just wouldn't want my suffering put onto another. Being envious was my curse, yet also my blessing. Take the Font, then get home. I'll rest before my power fades."

Before Kat could stop her, Envy kicked off the ground with her tail. She burst through the air, almost as if she were in water.

"She was always quick to make up her mind. Thank you, Venia. You do your Sin a horrible favor, being such a kind soul."

Kat pushed open a few more doorways, suddenly finding herself within a brightly lit room. In the middle, a sparkling Font filled with water stood tall.

"To think, this was the easiest, besides having my Earth Font brought to me directly. Sloth... you really just didn't want to have to wake up again."

Kat leaned over the pool of water, her breath catching as she began to restore the last of her magic.

-

"You what? Hysteria?"

'L-let me out, Mina.'

Hysteria's voice echoed within Mina's mind. With a soft sigh, her color inverted as Hysteria stood before her pair of desire, although her face was immediately reddened.

"Hysteria..."

Both girls spoke her name in sync, quickly stepping closer.

"Y-yeth? Ah... ouch. I bit my tongue..."

Her nervousness quickly shown through as she covered her mouth. This simple action left the other girls silent, though they both seemed intent on speaking.

"S-sorry. I'm a mess... what did you want to talk about?"

Rin took point, quickly speaking before Mai.

"As a proud... ugh... nevermind. As an elf, as well as one of many rescued by Mina's power, I find it difficult to... to..."

Her ears flicked downwards, though Mai spoke in her place.

"We talked. We both know how you feel about the two of us, yet... you are also Mina. We cannot be with..."

Her voice caught, leaving Hysteria to interpret the rest. She nodded slowly, reverting to Mina in an instant.

"She hid... her heart is broken."

Mina couldn't stop herself from speaking, her thoughts spilling out.

"M-Mina! Don't get us wrong! We both fell for her... but we admire you. We do not hold romantic feelings for our savior, so we do not wish to invade your life."

Rin had gotten control of her voice, though her eyes showed her conflicted desire. As she spoke, her eyes told the true story. They wished to be with Hysteria, no matter how hard they spoke, they regretted their decision.

"I'll talk to her. For now, the two of you need to leave her be. Go-"

Mina's words were cut off as a massive explosion burst from the center of town.

--