[Pressure against a stab wound. It digs in with every word and-

Akechi is delighted

because Maruki was never a waste of his time. Without Azathoth-

He's stronger.

A persona shaped god won't be around forever and Maruki

fights and fights and fights

Like his life depends on it. It does. Akechi doesn't hesitate to peel both gloves from his hand, press into the elbow trying to jab air out of him - it works.

It doesn't stop him.

The dizzying lack of air acting as oil.]

Shut up! [A splintered, airless laugh.] I'll make your last moments on here the most painful.

[He throws all his weight into pushing Maruki's arm to his face - fist directed to glasses. Hits until shards embed in his knuckles. Until he presses against Maruki's eye to dig those pieces into eyelid, cornea, pupil - destroy his vision. Exploit a weakness. Use it against him. Pinpricks rip at his skin - thin red lines all over his hands.

Nails dig into the flesh of his arm. Palm presses broken frame against his face. Thin lines shredded down whatever exposed flesh he can - peeling, ripping, tearing like his body will exude smoke and rot instead of muscle and blood.]

You think you know me? My mind is fine. Nothing is broken. I'm in control of you, Shido, and every other piece of shit here that falls for that pathetic act-

[

Shreds, and digs

and

listens to every piece of bait

and

Rips and tears

and

Destroys everything in sight.

Skin embeds under his fingertips - the same tracks torn into again and again and again and again and againandagainandagainandagain until it stains red, red, red on his hands. No gloves to cover it up this time. The sink will drain crimson for awhile. Akechi will wash his hands

one

two

three

hours until every thought spirals down the drain.]

You're so fucking stupid!