The Green Day Burns Red [CARNAGE]

Terra had always known her death was a possibility.

It was a simple fact she was forced to acknowledge once she joined the Armoured Squadron. A fact that the Eis had made sure she was aware of. They did not force the decision to join the Squadron on her, it was one she made for herself. While they did not stop her, they questioned whether this was the path she wished to take. She could have lived the calm life as she had before, only needing to battle if she absolutely must. Others could serve the role of protector. They could stand ready to defend the Empire.

Yet, she knew that would be a waste of her power. No matter her strength, her lifespan would, generously, be a mere sixth of an Arcosian's, and likely less. Unless a tragedy befell them, she would die long before her adoptive family would. They would live to see multiple generations that she never would. In that regard, that left her by far the most expendable of the Eis. It only stood to reason she would be ready to die for them. She would always die one day, no matter her actions. If her death served to help the Empire, then her life was worthwhile. It would be regrettable, as she obviously had no desire to die, but she owed the Empire her life. If her death would protect one more important than her, if it would help to stop a villain who would threaten its peace, then that was a sacrifice she was willing to give.

At least, that is what she thought. Despite her preparations, she hadn't fully comprehended the reality of that idea until this moment.

Terra had known Yangcong would be far more powerful than she was, that she would need to be exceedingly careful, yet she had still vastly underestimated Yangcong's power. Where her power had remained static since they last met, his had inflated to levels that could be considered comical in any other situation. She barely had time to react to the beast's appearance, immediately having her ki ready to put up some defence. Instinctively, she knew it was likely too little, but she had to...

Before she had the chance to defend, a series of events transpired. Emperor Ticoga yanked her out of the path, taking the brunt of the beast's attack itself. At the same time, a tall man intercepted a great explosion as the beast burst apart. Either the crushing bite or the burst could have, no, certainly would have killed her.

Yet, it wasn't relief that sprung first, but anger. Terra had known Ticoga as one to defend his own people but hadn't considered he would use his own body to protect her. Was that not a foolish choice!? Her power was irrelevant here; if Yancong could so casually send out these beasts to kill, what could she hope to do to him!?

Similarly, she had no knowledge of the man. Why he was so willing to help a stranger for no gain of his own. Had he wished to stop Yangcong, it would have been far more practical to simply attack him directly rather than save a Heran he had no knowledge of.

Yet, for all her anger, most was pointed inward. Why couldn't she have been stronger? Why did she waste so much of her time, when threats like this were all across the Universe? How could she have let herself languish, just assuming that her present strength should be enough? This was her fault. If she was stronger, none of this would have happened this way. If she was stronger, she wouldn't need to be saved. If she was stronger...

...No. Later.

The time to hate herself for her inaction would come later. For as much as Terra despised everything about this, she was nonetheless grateful that they had saved her life. She hated that she was in a position where she had to be saved, that it may have compromised their ability to take down Yangcong, but the fact was that they had saved her. She would not forget that.

"Damnit.... I... yes. Yes, I am alright." Terra answered, swallowing as she tried to focus. Physically, she was fine, but mentally, she was clearly shaken by what had just happened. She noted the injuries on those who saved her, the Saiyan and her own Emperor. The latter were more significant, but neither were trivial. "I...I'm sorry you had to do this. You shouldn't need to protect me..."

Just as she stood on her feet, Terra saw something incoming. This wasn't so fast that she couldn't intercept, but there was enough strength that she couldn't safely do so. The weaker Saiyan was safe at least thanks to Verst's action, and the other could likely endure such a slash without too much issue. Much as she wished to do something, she was still clearly shaken and not fully prepared to. Terra did not know who this figure was, why she had come here, why she had blindly swung at others to announce her presence. The Heran could only hope that she was here to help kill Yangcong, but there was no logic to that hope.