Pandora's Madness Part 5

   Justin smirked inwardly to himself. He had an advantage in this fight. He had something Pandora and her madness didn't have; a weapon. He squared his shoulders and faced her, standing ready. He held one arm up in front of his chest, and a blade appeared on his arm.
   "Ha! You think just because you are a weapon you can beat me? Madness isn't to be played around with." Pandora smirked. She tilted her head to the side with a crazed grin.
   Justin hissed and ran at Pandora, lowering his arm to his side. He threw a punch with his other hand, but she blocked it. She held his fist in her smaller hand. He gasped inwardly and swung his blade for her stomach. Her other hand shot out, and she grabbed ahold of the blade with her bare hand. His eyes widened seeing her blood run down the blade as she closed her fingers over it.
   "Hehe, this tickles!" She laughed. She stared down into Justin's blue eyes with her empty eyes. "Is this all you have?" She asked. Justin tried to pull his arms back, but her grip on them was tight.
   "What?!" He gasped, as he couldn't move. He tried over and over to pull away, but Pandora's grip tightened.
   "Don't you know? Her strength increases… with her madness!" The madness laughed, throwing Justin over her shoulder, and onto the ground. Justin lay on his back, his eyes closed, and groaning in pain. She turned and looked down at him. She brought her heel down into his chest. Justin's eyes flew open and he gasped, as his body folded into itself and he curled into a ball. He coughed in pain, gripping his chest. He narrowed his eyes and rolled onto his stomach.
   "Poor boy… You're too hurt to go on aren't you?" Pandora laughed. Justin panted as he pushed himself to his hands and knees. He slowly stood, holding his chest, and taking slow breaths.
   "No…. I-I can s-still fight… I-I'm not giving up on Pandora, th-that e-easily…" He said, narrowing his eyes and lowering his hand. He shoved his hand into his robe pocket, and ran his fingers over the bracelet. Maybe if he got the bracelet on Pandora's wrist, it would cage up her madness. But getting ahold of her, and putting the bracelet on was a whole different story.
   The madness crouched down and smirked widely at Justin. "Scythe boy is too scared! He won't fight me!" She taunted him with a laugh. Justin glared and squared his shoulders, facing her. He closed his eyes and raised his right arm, the palm of his hand facing her. He gripped his forearm tightly and slowly opened his eyes.
   "I'm sorry to have to use this against you…" He said softly. The madness raised her eyebrow and laughed.

   Pandora's eyes widened. She was still trapped in her madness, but she could see everything going on. She struggled against the black thread and screamed.
   "Justin! Hurry! Kill her! Kill me! Don't let her get the best of you! Don't hesitate don't ho---" Black thread shot forward and wrapped itself around her mouth. She gasped and struggled. She couldn't speak anymore, and she felt her body moving back.
   She had to keep fighting.  She couldn't give into the madness this easily. She closed her eyes, feeling tears fall down her cheeks.
   'I'm sorry Justin… I'm sorry for everything… I shouldn't have asked you to be my weapon, I shouldn't have asked that stupid question, and I should have known that half of the things she spoke of were too good to be true… Please forgive me. Just kill me, and forgive me of my sin I committed against you… I love you…' Pandora thought. She knew this endless struggle against the thread was useless. She was almost ready to give in.

   "What are you doing? Does the boy want a high-five?" The madness laughed as she stepped forward. She smirked and slowly raised her hand. She froze seeing Justin speaking softly.
   "What? What are you saying? What are you doing?!" She screamed.
   Justin channeled his soul wavelength into his hand. He focused on the madness, had her locked in his sights. He narrowed his eyes as his voice became louder and stronger with the prayer he was saying.

                            "Oh great Lord of ours who dwells within the City of Death,
                                                 May thy name be kept true.
                                     Oh Lord of Death! I am your servant of peace!
                                                  I am a pillar of justice!
                                                   I am a blade of faith!
                                             In the name of the great Lord Death,
                                              'Law Abiding Silver Gun!'"

   With his prayer said, Justin's soul wavelength shot out from his open palm and straight for the madness. She gasped and sidestepped the wavelength, despite her slow reactions.
   "What?! How did that miss you?" Justin asked as he straightened. Pandora threw her hands over her ears and screamed to the top of her lungs.
   "Those words! Never, ever repeat them again!" She screamed, throwing her head back. Her body trembled and she closed her eyes tightly. She panted in pain, and her eyes flew open. They narrowed in on Justin and she smirked widely.
   "For that you'll have to pay!" She laughed. Justin glared as he ran at Pandora again. He swung his arm back, his famous Carcan Claw forming. He flash stepped in front of the madness, and gripped her leg in the claw.
   "What? But how?" She screamed, glaring down at him. He gripped the front of her shirt and pulled her closer to him.
   "Your movements are too slow to respond to my attacks. Your speech and ability to walk are normal, but your evasiveness is nothing compared to my agility. Face it, you're done for, this fight has been won by me. Love does prevail over madness. Head-butt of L—"
   She laughed and threw her hands around his throat again. Her thumbs her pressed against the soft skin under his chin, and her nails dug into his flesh. She loved the look on his face when he was trapped and his air was cut off from him.
   "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Pandora laughed again. Justin had released her leg and was on his knees, staring up at her. He held on tightly to her wrists, trying to pry them off once again. He couldn't believe that he fell for her trap. He gasped and choked again. His eyes widened in fear as his grip loosened on her hands.
   "Looks like this is over. What were you saying about love winning? I think madness has this won." The madness laughed.

   Pandora sobbed as she saw Justin's state. She closed her eyes and stopped the struggle against the black thread.
   'I'm so sorry Justin… I didn't want for you to get hurt. But because of my stupidity, you're dying… I thought I was going to be the one who was ended here. I'm giving in, but not because of you, but to save you… I love you, Justin Law. I love you…' Pandora thought as the strings pulled her within the darkness behind her.

   Justin's eyes slowly started to close as his lips parted. His lungs were begging for air, but he couldn't bring any in. Pandora's gripped tightened and she laughed. She leaned in and whispered softly in his ear.
   "She's gone now Justin… She gave into the madness. Pandora is no more…. I think you've lost." She laughed and leaned back. Her fingers slowly uncurled around his neck, as satisfactory registered on her face.
   Justin's hand dug in his pocket as he grabbed the bracelet. His other hand shot out weakly and he gripped Pandora's wrist with his remaining strength.
   "You're wrong… Love wins…" He whispered, slipping the bracelet onto the cold, dead like wrist of the madness.