"I sue for mercy, Princess. I will destroy any projects currently being worked on at Lab Zero, and dedicate my life, and the lives of all my
researchers, not to mutilating and murdering people for the sake of stopping the Skullgirl, but to undoing all the damage I've caused in the process.
I have spent far too long working in Lab Zero's harsh conditions, and I have nothing to show for it. No successful projects, no conclusive
results, and no success in stopping the Skullgirl. But I have caused misery and death to many innocent people, the ones we existed to protect. 
I wish to right my wrongdoings, and see if that brings me... something." 

Valentine lays her head down while I continue to stand tall. Her submission is shocking, and almost untrustworthy. 

"And I'm supposed to believe you now? After everything you have done, every deceit I have witnessed you perform, and all of the ruin you have brought 
to me and others?" 

She stares downward at a time, before lifting her head to meet my gaze. 

"Honestly, Parasoul, what you do doesn't matter to me. You still hold your mothers weapon in your hand. Use it. Destroy me, end my life. Whichever
decision you decide to make, make it quickly." 

I look at the weapon in my hand. Krieg. The living umbrella that has been passed down to my family for generations. How easy it would be to destroy
her, to dispose of two of the kingdom's most vile and dangerous criminals in one sitting. 

I glance around us. Marie is destroyed, and the Skullheart is gone. But loathe as I am to admit it, she is right. It calls to me. It rings in my head
with songs of death and destruction, events that we will never see the end of if we as a people, and I as a person, were able to resist our 
barbaric desires, and live up to the potential we all seek. 

"You are wrong and I am not like them. For if I was, I would destroy you for being the double-crossing traitor you have proven yourself to be. 
Many people in our kingdom will wish to tear you apart for everything you have done. For your sake, as well as theirs, try to change yourself
as well as your ambitions." 

"I will, Princess." 

Slowly she rises her broken and bloodied body, trying to preserve any dignity she thinks she still has.

"When the time comes, and I have finally made things right, I will return to your fold, so that I may one day be your servant once again, and we 
may continue our research, and try to find a better way to stop the Skullheart from ever corrupting anyone again." 

I say nothing as she walks away. 

I want to believe that she is sincere.

I want to believe that she truly can change.

But in the end, all I can do now is hope that I have made the right decisions here.