NO MERCY 3

"It was a long and frankly tedious fight, but you managed to get through it in relatively one--oh for the love of, you missed one, clearly. As you now stare at the Bandit Hermit, she strangely flails her arms, pleading with you to let her go." "WAIT WAIT WAIT! WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS RIGHT?! RIGHT?!"

"Breathing heavily, she looks around frantically for any means of escape. Upon realizing there is none, she slowly turns back to face you. Sweat dripping down her brow, she forces a nervous smile." "O-One chance? At wh-what exactly?" <Her voice wavers, ears folding back as she racks her brain for anything to bargain with>

"She lets out an audible yelp as the shot rings out, stumbling back until she hits the canyon wall. Sliding down, she shakes violently, eyes shut tight." "P-Please! I'll do anyth-thing, j-just don't k-kill me!" <A dry sob escapes her lips, the usual cocky bravado completely gone> "I-I know where some v-valuable loot is hid-den. I c-can t-take you right t-to it, no tricks! J-Just let me l-live..." "Her voice trails off into a pitiful whimper, cracking under the pressure"[I've never felt so helpless...he has me right where he wants...]

"Her eyes shoot open in panic at the refusal." "W-Wait! I said I'd d-do anything!" <Her voice grows shrill as desperation sets in>

"P-Please, I'm b-begging you...I'll m-make it worth your w-while, I s-swear!" "With nowhere left to run, she steels her nerves and slowly rises to her knees, clasping her hands together in front of her."

"J-Just name your price...I'll be y-your servant, y-your slave...anyth-thing you w-want from me..." <Her gaze falls to the ground, cheeks flushing in shame>* [The things I'll do to survive...anything is better than dying out here alone...]

"Her jaw trembles at your words, barely holding back more sobs." "Y-You don't understand...I'm all a-alone out here. Th-This is all I have l-left."

<Her ears fold completely back as she shrinks into herself>* "P-Please...I d-don't want to die. N-Not like this..."

"With nothing left to offer, she sits back on her heels and bows her head in defeat." "D-Do what you want w-with me...but m-make it quick." "Bracing herself, she awaits your judgment with bated breath"[At least it will be over soon...]

"Her breath hitches in terror at your words, entire body tensing as if to squeeze her very soul from her body."

<The shot rings out, sharp and deafening in the narrow canyon. For a split second, she sits frozen - then her body jerks and sags limply to the dirt.>

"Scarlet blooms across the tan fabric of her shirt, a weak rattle escaping her throat as ragged breaths continue on instinct alone. Her eyes, once wild with fear, now stare blankly at the cloudless sky above."

<Silence falls as her labored gasps grow shallower, fading into nothing. And so the Bandit Hermit draws her last in the dust of the wastes, just another soul claimed by a wasteland that offers no quarter.>

*Her final