This was written December 29th, 2025
Painting
– The Attack –
*Huff, Huff, Huff* “Did we lose it?”
*Roar* *Craaaack*
“Fuck, how’s it still tracking us?”
“I don’t know, but with this monster so close to us, how the fuck are we going to manage
to put our canvas down, let alone get through the process?”
“Only one way too, find a good spot and get to it!”
“Ugh, not again? I hate when you do this, it adds so much fucking pressure.”
“Yet, you’re the best at it, so get to work! Split!”
With this, they both ran into opposite directions. While Raven headed back towards the
monster, DandeLion headed for a more secluded alley where she could get started.
Without hesitation, Raven screamed, trying to get the monster’s attention. What used to be amorphous blobs had gradually grown into details. The recent monsters had clearer appendages, although a still rather wispy. Yet, the carnage had not slowed down, if anything, the changes had rendered them more effective.
Raven’s attempt at drawing attention upon herself was successful…at bit too successful. Immediately, a tentacle headed in her direction, and she barely managed to avoid it before sprinting away. Yet, this was by no means sufficient, with the creature rampaging. It was gaining on her, and destroying more and more buildings on its way. Alas, this also implied debris falling all over the place, being hurled in every direction, including along Raven’s path. And the unthinkable did happen, she tripped and fell down. There was no way out for her, and the monster crept ever closer, its tentacles reaching for her.
*Caaawwww* Suddenly, a giant red, translucent bird swooped up in the air and swooped for the monster. Following it was DandeLion, left arm bandaged and somewhat bloodied.
“Raven!!! Raven!!! Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m ok Dande, thanks for the assist! I thought I might actually be a goner this one time. You managed to do it in record time! And it seems to have materialized better than usual!”
“Yeah, I’m proud of this one. And thankfully, finished it on time. What were you thinking, running away like that?”
*Thunk!* “Hey, what was that for?”
“For making me worry and have to save your sorry butt, that’s why!”
“I had to, only you can materialize them this quickly. And while it was on our trail,
neither of us could get start the process.”
Meanwhile, the bird could be seen swallowing whatever was left of the monster whole, before
exploding into a red rain and vanishing.
“Welp, we’ve managed to do it again, though not without any damage. Look at the street,
it’s awful!”
“Yeah, but I don’t think anyone was killed this time either. Which is lucky! Whoever or
whatever is creating those monsters, they’re getting more and more competent, more and
more proficient. Who know what the next one will look like, or if we’ll even be able to
stop it!”
“True. Got any ideas how to find them?”
“Nope! And we have more pressing matter here. Come on, let me see it.”, Raven said, taking
out her first aid kit. “Come on, please take the bandage off and let me have a look….
Yikes! You sure didn’t miss yourself! How did you manage this?”
“Well, as you said, we were in such a fucking hurry! I got the container ready and just
had to extract a bunch of it in time! But I messed up a bit and didn’t cut correctly. I
bandaged right away before getting started.”
“Welp, please bite on this while I get the sutures ready. You’ll have to be more careful
next time! You hear me? You might worry about me…but this is just as worrisome, missy!”
“I know”, DandeLion finally said, looking down.
Once the sutures were completed, they went around to check the extent of the damage, before reporting back.
– Melancholy –
The he was, in his room, fresh wound on his arm, canvas in front of himself, covered in blood and crying.
*Huff, huff, huff* “AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE! Why? Why? Why? Why do I have to keep fucking so much all the fucking time? Nope, I thought this would be enough to get me through this, but it’s not. I deserve to suffer more, I can’t deal with this anymore. After all the pain I’ve caused, I need to repent, I need to suffer for what I’ve done!”
Thereby did he grab a knife, and stab his own left. “Ha! Hahaha! There we go! At least I can still feel something, can’t I? HAHAHA! That’s exactly what I deserve. Are you happy everyone? Just dessert, I’m paying back for all I’ve done, even if I didn’t mean to! I know you’ll never forgive me, I won’t forgive myself either, but at least I’ll try to compensate a bit. HAHAHA! AAAHHHHHHH!”. Tears gradually mixed with the blood on his face.
Then, he prepared another canvas in front of himself, took a brush, and dipped it in his own blood, and got to painting in a manic frenzy.
“I may not be able to end it all like I truly deserve to. But there, let’s channel this pain into something more constructive. If I can at least create something worthwhile, maybe it won’t have been in vain! Let’s try to express how I feel inside, the hurt that I feel, the pain that I’ve caused, the end I deserve!”
And gradually, a picture formed. Initially, it was just a messy swirl of gore, but with every pass, details were added, until it coalesced into a bloody cloud. Yet, this wasn’t where it stopped.
“Haha, yes, that’s exactly it. The red cloud of misery I feel, raining down pain over everyone that gets close to me! Perfect! HAHA!” *Sniff*
Long streak were added below this cloud, gradually becoming clearer until they appeared a visible torrent. Yet, that’s not where it ended. Gradually, with each manic stroke, some of what had first appeared to be raindrops was gradually revealed to be birds of despair.
“Ha! There we go, this captures it, I dare say. Yet, I still feel empty inside. No matter what I do, I can’t atone. If I can’t improve anyway…what’s the point? WHAT. EVEN. IS. THE. POINT?”
It was at this point that, through a mix of exhaustion and blood loss, the man at last fainted.
– The Downpour –
As Raven and DandeLion were headed for HQ, it suddenly got a bit darker. They both looked
up to see what was happening.
“What the…?”
Suddenly, dark, scarlet clouds were coalescing out of nowhere. Gradually covering more
and more of the sky. A loud rumbling accompanied them.
“Well, this is new.”, exclaimed Raven.
“Definitely doesn’t look good. Any clues?”
“Nothing but speculation. Yet, clearly not natural, so…”
*Craaack!**Psshhhh* Suddenly, a flurry poured from the sky.
“Yup, also red, of course. This isn’t good. Not good at all!”
And in the sky, drops combined into larger globules, until they gradually took on the
general shape of birds, although still misty, not quite fully materialized.
*CAWWW!*
“Well, this is definitely something new. You said you wanted a new challenge, didn’t you,
Raven? This definitely looks like it. First and foremost, how are we going to get to
painting without ruining our canvas with this shower?”
“Great question…and one that I’ll have to answer. No way we’re letting you drain yourself
some more after the number you just did on yourself.”
“Hey! It was an emergency!”
“I know, I know, and you did save my butt. Still, I’d like for both of us to get out of
this one safe and sound.”
“Well, let’s get to it then!”