The Kind Stranger: Chapter 17

The Kind Stranger
Chapter: 17



 Asura and his followers roamed a vast yellow wasteland. The kishin looked up into the sky at the earth, a feeling stirring in him. "Giger has returned to earth" he said, gaining Slenderman's attention. "And if he's back, his old friends may not be far behind. And I'm not strong enough to beat either of them." Asura looked toward a large cave and then back at his minions. "The clowns will hold out here and watch for intruders" he announced before looking to his two remaining creepypasta's. "You two shall serve as my guardians in here." With that, Asura, Slenderman, and the Rake ventured forth into the cave.


...


 Medusa perched herself at the top of the academy steps, head pointed up as it rained. Maka watched her for a while before eventually walking out to her side. She tried to think up the words to say, but it was Medusa that spoke first. "Why'd you help me" she asked the meister? "I abused Crona, played with Stein's mind, and deceived the academy by posing as a nurse. What reason could you possibly have for helping me when you could have just left me to perish?" Maka was having trouble thinking of an answer. For so long she felt an unbelievable hatred for the witch. But still, Medusa saved her when she layed on the floor gasping for air that night she and Crona hunted Jeff. "I guess it's because you helped me when you could have left me to perish" Maka answered. "It's true, I wanted so badly to get back at you for all the wrong you did. It wouldn't be enough to just kill you or imprison you, I wanted you to hurt. And now that I finally see the damage already done to you..." Maka very gently placed her hand over Medusa's arm, looking at all the self-mutilation that was done. As hard as she could, she tried to imagine the emotional pain, the acidic self-loathing that fueled the decision to torture herself to the point of being physically unrecognizable. "Why would you do this to yourself" asked the meister, the falling rain on her face masking some tears? Medusa took a breath before she responded. "It's because I failed" she answered. "I raised Crona the way I did because I wanted to give him the strength to save our kind. I never wanted to raise a child in a world where our race was dying. Yes, I was aware that he would grow to hate me, but I would accept that if it meant he'd be safe without fear of dying by the meisters. By becoming a kishin, he could save the witches and create a better world." Medusa sighed softly as she lowered her head down. "And then came the day Asura was finally killed. It wasn't even Crona that killed him. So many years of putting my own flesh and blood through hell for nothing. I have condemned myself, failing as a mother... for nothing."


 Maka couldn't find anything to say. She felt even more terrible about the hatred she felt toward the witch. She never really bothered to wonder why Medusa did what she did. Had she only known all this before, maybe things could have been different. The two heard coming footsteps. Maka turned to see it was Kami. "Lord Death has given consent" she said. "I'm on my way to Paris now." She gave her daughter a hug. "Good luck Mama" Maka said as her mother started down the step only to feel Medusa's hand on her shoulder. "I'm coming with you" she said, surprising both the Albarns. "Medusa, no" Kami protested. "You are in no shape for this." "And I suppose you have something to offer Barlowe" Medusa threw back? "Remember, she's pretty much a demon. More often than not, a demon will only help you if there's a catch. Besides, I think you owe me this simple request." Kami grew an expression of guilt as Maka grew one of confusion. "Alright" Kami surrendered. "But we'll need to fetch Spirit first." "Well that shouldn't be a problem" Medusa as she descended from her tail to her feet. "He's only been at Chuppacabra's every single day after school." Kami switched quickly to an irritated expression. "Is that right" she asked in a slightly elevated voice? Kami then stomped down the stairs, pulling out a big thick book, with Medusa not far behind.