Sagari

We knew that our time was up. We knew that the moment we left the cabin, Sagari would find us so we were preparing to go to meet her. I planned to bring Hart and Fell out with us because they depend on me for transport to and from the cabin and I was afraid that if I died, they would be trapped. Told them to start running as soon as we got there, leaving me and Roy to take on Sagari.

Fell wouldn’t hear of it. She wanted to stay and help with the fight but I couldn’t allow that.  Tried to explain that my actions had brought Sagari here, thus it was my responsibility to handle it- not hers. She still refused to run. With no other choice, I ordered her to; telling her that if we died, she would have to take over command and defend Hart. Also assured her that Roy made me promise to run if things got really bad.  Fell scowled and resisted, but finally agreed.

Putting on my mask, I sauntered over to Roy

“Are you ready?”

“Not at all” He said with a nervous laugh.

His expression then darkened

“Wolf, you know there's a chance neither one of us will make it out of this fight alive. You don't have to do this.”

“You’re wrong about that, dear. I’m not going to send you out on your own to die because you wouldn’t kill me”

“Well, like I said, if things start to look bad you run. Remember, Fell needs you”

“I know… I will”

Fell seemed like she would start up again, but upon hearing this was apparently satisfied.

   

I took Roy and Fell’s hands in mine, while Hart took hold of my shoulder. With that, we were off. We appeared on a path at the edge of a dense forest; an area that I was very familiar with. Almost in an instant Sagari was there, a rapier on her hip. Fell hesitated, but Hart dragged her away as Sagari began to speak.

"So I see that you decided to help out your psychotic 'Friend'" Her expression was calm except for her eyes which betrayed the hatred that burned within "A decision you will soon regret."

I grabbed Roy and hauled him into the forest.

“Come on then little girl,” I called to her, drawing my survival knife as we went “Don’t be afraid! Come play with us in the forest!”

I wanted to be sure that she would focus on us and follow instead of targeting Hart and Fell.

Thankfully, she did; darting into the forest after us, then disappearing into the trees

“Come out, you damn coward!” Roy snarled “Come out and face what's coming to you!"

“As you wish” was her response as she stepped into view

Before I could stop him, Roy lunged towards her and attempted to throw a punch.

Sagari easily grabbed his arm and slammed him into a nearby tree.

“Really?” She laughed. “You sparred with me all that time and you thought that would work? You really are pathetic.”

While she was gloating, I closed the distance between us and attempted to slash at her. Unfortunately, she was clever enough to see it coming and nimbly darted away before I could. 

“Lovely. It will be fun to tear you both apart at the same time.” She said with a smirk

In a rage, Roy drew one of his small daggers and threw it at her. It gave a small thud as it connected with a tree. She was too fast. In a blur of movement, she was in front of him again, landing a strike that knocked him back into another tree. That move cost her, as I caught her in the side with my knife. Before I could withdraw she drove her elbow into the side of my head, knocking me down. I tore my knife from her as I fell. Looking back up at her, I saw her rage filled eyes moving from the wound to me as she drew her sword.

“You ruin everything” she hissed. As I struggled to get to my feet, she suddenly turned, bashing Roy in the face as he attempted to take advantage of her distraction

While he was reeling, she slashed at him, making a red X on his chest. She then turned to slash at me again as I made another attack. I managed to duck under her blade and slash at her stomach, making a large but too shallow wound. She leapt away, then thrust her sword back, driving the point of her blade into Roy’s middle as he tried to attack her again. I made to stab her but she pulled the sword free in time to counter my attack; catching the knife in the basket hilt of her sword and twisting it from my grip then shoving me back. I was able to stay on my feet, but found myself dodging her blade.

“You take everything from me!” She screamed as she attempted to stab me 

Her movements were swift and well-practiced. I’ll admit I was impressed. Thankfully, I had chosen the area well. The trees with their long, dead lower branches served to hinder her somewhat. 

“My brother was fourteen when that thing you serve found us!” She snarled “It took his mind and made him kill our parents!”

She stumbled on a root. I took the opportunity to land a blow to her sternum. She managed to block the next one and launch herself into me, hitting me with the pommel. I fell back against a tree. Before I could move, she ran my shoulder through, keeping me pinned in place.

“Do you know what happened after he killed my parents?” She continued “He snapped out of it then and killed himself after he realized what he did!” I gritted my teeth as she twisted the blade in me “All I have left is revenge. I won’t rest until your master and all of your kind is destroyed”

She slammed my head back against the tree and pulled her sword from me.

My vision blurred as I slid down.

I only came back to my senses when I heard her scream. Roy had planted a dagger in her back. She turned to slash at him, but he caught her wrist with one hand then using the other, twisted and broke it. She screamed, dropped her sword and held her wrist. I got to my feet. Roy and I nodded to each other before we took turns beating Sagari. Ah, it was lovely. I think I heard one of her ribs break when I hit her. Soon we had the poor dear thoroughly incapacitated at our feet and looking quite miserable with a broken nose- courtesy of Roy.  

“You don't understand!” Sagari finally exclaimed gasping for breath. Her voice was raspy from screaming. "I did what I had to. Roy I always had your best interest in mind.”

“No, I understand enough. You got me thrown into this mess! Why me? Why did you choose me?!” Roy screamed 

A constant stream of tears fell from her eyes

“I saw your potential Roy! Izzy was a necessary loss. Don't you see that? I had amazing plans for you. You would do so much good! But then....” She gave me a glare of pure hatred. “She came along and corrupted you. When Izzy died you were supposed to finally see people like her for what they truly were......monsters!”

“You’re the monster, Sagari. Because of you the woman I loved more than anything in the world died. You’re the true monster”

“I'm the monster? Did you hear what I told your ‘friend’ a few minutes ago. Do you know how I know that’s what happened? I was there! I was only five years old and I was forced to witness it all.” She started to laugh through her tears “My brother thought that thing was some type of god but he is not. The Slenderman is an animal that must be put down just like all of his followers, for they are a cancer on the world, only capable of corruption and death”

    

“You’re a delight, Sagari.” I said “It has been a pleasure, but I do think it is just about time to end this, wouldn’t you say Roy?”

“Wait Wolf….” 

I looked at him, somehow expecting what he would say next

“We…we have her beaten, let’s just walk away."

“Oh Roy…”

“I know what you’re going to say… I know how this is going to sound but I don’t want to kill her. I don’t want any more blood on my hands than necessary.”

“Then you walk away and let me do it, hero. She has made it abundantly clear that she wishes me dead. Killing her now, before she gets a chance to make good on her threats seems like the most practical course of action. If you can’t then I will. I’ll be the monster. I’ll carry the sin; no blood on your hands” 

“You know I can’t do that either”

“Why not? She is the reason that you’re here, is she not? She brought you and Izzy into this mess then tortured you the second you disobeyed. She could try it again. She could attempt revenge on you. Do you really want to leave an enemy that could come back to harm you later? What happened to your resolve?"

“I know. I remember what she did and I want to kill her. I want stab her in the fucking face for the misery she brought upon my life. But I understand now. She's suffered just like us. If we do this we're no better than her."

“What did I tell you before, hero? Everybody has a sad story to tell. Her story does not excuse her actions any more than mine does. We all must take responsibility for the path we choose.” 

“I agree, but there’s a better way than this. Her hate has consumed her and led her to try to take revenge on all of your kind, without exception and without seeing the individuals that make up the group. I don’t want to follow the same path by seeking revenge back on her. Instead, we should give her the chance to see that she was wrong and decide to change. You can teach her that things aren’t as black and white as she would like to think.” He looked at me; his clothes stained with his own blood. I could see the pleading in his eyes. "I can't stop you from doing this Wolf you know that. But please...there doesn't have to be any more bloodshed."   

“…God damn it Roy, you play this game too well sometimes…. Fine… I don’t like this but I’ll do it for your sake, if nothing else.”

“Thank you, my friend” He said, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief

“Heh… Always too kind for your own good. Always trying to rise above and save everyone But then, that is why you remain a hero in my eyes.”

I turned to Sagari

“As for you, my dear, count yourself lucky and learn from this. Know that should you threaten me or Roy again, I will not show this same mercy”

I looked back at Roy "Well dear, are you ready to go home?"

"Well Wolf....if we're done here I think I'll go ahead and die...."

I caught him as he fell faint, using my good right shoulder to help support him. Leaving Sagari to her defeat, I brought us to the meeting spot that Fell, Hart and I had agreed on. Fell was overjoyed to see me, but less enthused about helping to carry Roy.  We brought him to Hart’s contact- that same doctor to whom we brought Fell. The poor dear should be fine. He is bandaged up and resting now as I type this. My shoulder has been similarly patched, and I think I'm going to get some rest soon too