THIRD PERSON POV
Astrid rode back to Flavin, her mind consumed by rage and bitterness as she set her sights on the task ahead.
One of two things was going to happen today: either she would kill Claw or Claw would kill her. Astrid stormed Flavin like a madwoman, killing anyone and everyone in her path, until she finally found Claw's hideout.
Claw had been badly injured during their first battle, so his minions had brought him to an abandoned mansion to recuperate. But what they didn't know was that Astrid would have the audacity to return.
As she entered the mansion, she spotted a familiar figure lying on the ground. Moving closer, she realized it was none other than Eren. He was covered in his own pool of blood, lifeless. It appeared he had been killed recently, as his body was still warm.
Astrid's problems had doubled; surely she would be blamed for Eren's demise. But she hoped to at least get him the vengeance he deserved.
Eren and Astrid were never friends, and she had often found herself hating him. Yet, she had to admit that he wasn't so terrible – he was generous when he felt like it, and breathtakingly handsome.
Astrid made the sign of the cross and prayed for Eren's soul's peace before stepping into the hideout.
She walked into the abandoned mansion, only to see Claw incapacitated on a gigantic wooden seat.
His breathing was loud and irregular, accentuating his damaged ribs and lung. Normally, Astrid was a kind-hearted person who couldn't walk past an injured person without helping. But today was different; she was blinded by hate and wanted to see nothing but blood.
Astrid took out her sword, her steps cautious and purposeful as she approached the sleeping Claw with murderous intent.
"I see you came back to finish the job," Claw voiced, unexpectedly opening his scary black eyes to gaze upon her.
"What can I say? An eye for an eye, a life for a life – that's the world we live in, after all," she voiced venomously, trying to strike him. But he rolled out of the way.
Claw rose to his feet, clinging to his bandaged ribs, his fangs glittering in the sunlight.
"Grab a weapon. I wouldn't want to kill an unarmed man," Astrid commanded, pacing back and forth.
Claw's eyes locked onto Astrid's sword, and he nodded slightly. With a swift motion, he reached for a nearby dagger.
The air was charged with tension as the two enemies faced off, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. Claw's injuries seemed to momentarily forgotten as he charged at Astrid, dagger flashing in the sunlight. Astrid parried the attack with ease, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. The sound of clashing steel echoed through the mansion as the two combatants exchanged blows.
The fight raged on, neither gaining the upper hand. Astrid's sword clashed with Claw's dagger, the sound of metal ringing out as they battled for dominance. Astrid's anger and grief fueled her attacks, making her a formidable opponent. Claw, despite his injuries, proved to be a worthy adversary, his skills honed from years of battle.
As the fight continued, Astrid's breathing grew heavier, her movements becoming more aggressive. Claw's eyes sparkled with a mix of pain and determination, his grip on the dagger tightening. Strike after strike, Claw backed Astrid into a corner, kicking her sword out of her grip to the floor.
Astrid tried to scramble for the sword, but Claw blocked her path, raising his sword to her neck. At this point Astrid's heart raced, it was obvious that she was going to die today but she showed no fear, she was ready for the worse.
"Astrid, give up, already?" Claw beseeched her, his gaze softening.
"You better kill me, because I'm not going to do that," Astrid informed, shouting hateful glances at him.
Claw looked down at her small frail form, his eyes filled with empathy, and took his sword off her neck. There was no way he was going to hurt Astrid; she was the first woman he had ever loved.
"Astrid, I'm not going to kill you. You should leave," he said, turning his back on her, consequently angering Astrid. How dare him turn his back at her, that was very disrespectful for a warrior.
"You'll pay for that!" Astrid screamed, picking up her sword and landing a powerful kick that sent Claw crashing to the ground, and his dagger out of his reach.
She stood over him, her sword raised high, ready to deliver the final blow.
"You killed my betroth. Do you want to apologize?," she spat, her voice venomous. Claw looked up at her, his eyes flashing with defiance.
"I did what I had to do. That man was cheating on you," he snarled, his voice laced with arrogant, making Astrid's blood boil.
"Silence!" Astrid commanded, not wanting to hear a word of his baseless allegations "Now you die".
Astrid's sword hovered above Claw's chest, her hand trembling with rage. For a moment, it seemed like time stood still, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two combatants.
And then, in a flash of steel, Astrid's sword plunged down into Claw's chest. Finally, Astrid had put an end to Claw's tyrannical reign. Claw's breathing tightened as he stared up at the face of the only woman he ever loved. Her face was unyielding, void of any form of remorse.
The pain in his chest was unbearable, but all he could do was smile, because even though he was dying, he was dying at the hands of the woman he loved. With his last breath, he confessed his innermost feelings for the first time in his life, "I love you, Astrid," he confessed, as his life left him.
Astrid stood frozen, her sword still lodged in Claw's chest. She was stunned, confused, and overwhelmed by Claw's sudden confession. She had expected anger, defiance, or even pleading, but not this. Not a declaration of love.
As Claw's body went limp, Astrid slowly pulled out her sword, her mind reeling with questions. Why had Claw confessed his love at the moment of his death? What did it mean?.
Without a word, Astrid turned and walked out of the mansion, leaving Claw's lifeless body behind. She stumbled through the doors, into the bright sunlight. Her legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her mind still reeling from Claw's final words.
"I love you, Astrid." The words echoed in her mind, refusing to fade away. She had killed Claw, the man who had tormented her, but in doing so, she had uncovered a truth she couldn't ignore – Claw's love for her. Before Astrid knew it her body had gone numb and she succumbed to the tiredness.
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