It would have been easy to kill them. It would have been easy to make them pay. It would have been easy to go back. It would have been easy. Everything would have been easy. But memories can make it hard to move. Rage you felt at disrespect, disgust. The hate that causes you shake and lose control, it dissipates when memories haunt every moment when you reached out to it.
Gangrel stared at the ceiling, counting every knot in the rotted wood. His thoughts occasionally wondering to his past. Laughing at his ironic misery. His life was the joke of the century. Every hour he spent on this ship a well deserved slap of reality. Worthless. It always had been. Clawing his way up from the bottom only to fall all the way back down. Thematically hilarious. But what made it worse was the sins. The blood that he managed to accumulate.
Lifting his hands up he could swear it still dripped. The rancid smell, the phantom screams of the children who lost their fathers in his wars. The innocent... her. Gangrel covered his eyes and took a deep breath, body shaking. Nights like this...
He hated them.
"Get yer self out here boy!"
Gangrel lethargically got up from the floor. Eyes misty, daylight unforgiving. He scolded the captain, "What?"
Zanth was an entirely unpleasant man. He had looks that only a mother could love, and a personality that no one could love. But to be fair, he did make the fallen king feel a sense of nostalgia. Every time he spit on his face, every insult, every welcomed threat to his life. The familiarity was almost entertaining, as if he were looking up at a Uglier, more retarded reflection of his own self.
"Were docking off, taking a few nights in a near by fort before were off to sea again." Zanth grunted before he left to give orders to the rest of the crew.
Gangrel lied back down and smiled. The captain must have had a soft spot for his latest pet it seemed. Always coming to order him personally. Giving him the toughest jobs, having him fight off ten men at a time alone. Leaving him to die more times then he could count. Letting his putrid breath taint whatever fresh air The Mad King managed to breath.
"GET YER' REAR UP OR ILL LASH YOU I WILL!"
Oh yes, Gangrel held a 'special' place in this crew.
Gangrel's face twisted at his captains invading voice. Slowly he lifted his body off the ground and stalked out. He was soon ordered to carry crates out off the ship that were soon loaded up and sent to the fort. God knows why they were here in the first place.
Gangrel woke to shouts from out side of the room, the pirates suiting up for battle all around him. Quickly the bunker door burst open, Zanth rearing his ugly head. Not the most pleasant thing to see first thing in the morning. But its intrusion was a common occurrence as of late, making the insult to his eyes less painful each time.
"Yar! Calvary's come to claim yer heads, maggots! To arms, or I be killin' ye first!" he shouted to all the men. Gangrel let out a deep sigh and rolled over, ignoring him. OF course Zanth noticed him in the flurry of men, he was "special" after all. He walked up to him and kicked the barrel Gangrel was leaning on out from under him.
"I said move yer' maggoty hide!"
It was just to early in the morning for this. His eyes twitched as he rose to meet the man standing above him. "... Maggot..."
"Yar, maggot! And if the maggot has further questions, my blade can answer 'em!"
It was tempting, it really was. Any more of this flirting he may just slit the mans throat right here. Though nostalgia liked to interfere, so instead he spit at the mans feet, "...The maggot is just fine, thanks."
Zanth looked down at the wet mark on the floor and snarled. Taking a few steps forward he stood face to face with Gangrel and stained the air with the putrid smell released from his unclean body. " The maggot's a useless little sea squirt is what he is!" spit flew on to the mad kings cheeks. Self control was hard to keep in times like this. He wanted to puke.
Zanth found the expression on Gangrel's face hilarious.
"Yar har ho! Anyway, maggots, best keep what little wits ye've got! The cavalry we face is none other than Chrom and his Shepherds!"
It was them. Gangrel ran his finger through his hair and looked up at the ceiling. Emptiness dimmed his eyes, memories. Finally. Finally... "Chrom... That name rings damnable sour in this dead man's ear. Not that any of it matters now..."
Robin shoved Chrom out to the way barley managing to save him from the deadly bolt that flew at him from the sky.
"Thank you, friend."
"No problem."
Chrom halted his vengeful counter after he got a better look at his attacker. What?
"Wait a minute... G-Gangrel?!"
A slow sad smile answered Chom's questions, how long has it been since Gengrel heard his own name?
"...Gangrel is dead. Nothing but maggots here."
The look that ran across Chom's face was enough to make the mad king laugh, Pity? He wasnt going to stay here and stand for it, so he turned away and left the man behind. Chrom sheathed his Falchion and reached out to him.
"Wait! Gangrel!"
He watched him walk away, as if there wasn't a battle raging around him. "That's the Mad King... I'm sure of it." Filled with a sudden burst of determination born from a strange curiosity he ran after the retreating man and harshly pulled him by his shoulder. "Gangrel, I know it's you! How are you alive?!" He shouted.
Gangrel's face twisted, his voice filled with mirth as he slapped the princes hand away "Alive? No, Chrom. This is not living. You killed me once, dear prince. Now I would beg you do so again. My life is over, but my body refuses to accept it."
Chrom's body stiffened from shock, he searched Gangrels eyes for something, though he had no idea what. "Gods, listen to you... Is this truly the same Mad King who stood against us?"
" Tear out everything that makes a man, and all you're left with is a husk. No throne. No gold. No men... I scrub chamber pots for brigands. Ah, how the mighty have fallen..."
Something about Gangrel's attitude angered Chrom, He didn't quite understand why. "Ironic that you, of all people, are finally learning about long falls."
Gangrel couldn't comprehend why they were still talking, why Chrom hadn't made an attempt at his demise, why they were having this conversation at all. "Heh. Seems I'm not the only one who's changed, dear prince. Days past, you'd have sheathed your blade in my chest by now. Perhaps you're less of your father and more of your sister than I thought..." he said, mostly to himself.
"Your crimes are beyond forgiveness. But indeed, Emmeryn had a profound effect on me, in most every way. My only charge now is to save this world. I have no time for vendetta." Chrom replayed, his tone disgustingly calm.
Gangrel snarled and gripped his sword sending angry uncontrolled bolts at the prince. "How very gracious of you."
Quickly Chrom dodged them, "Enough, Gangrel. What little life you still have is wasted here."
Their eyes locked, and surprisingly Gangrel's assault stopped. "I can offer you a higher purpose... You could fight for us."
A chill ran down Gangrel's back, he couldn't be serious. Was that princeling insane? "Heh... NOW who's the mad king?"
Chrom's eyes held and unwavering determination, he would get his point across somehow. "I told you, I have no time for vendetta. Defeating Grima is all that matters. And while killing you here would please me greatly, it'd put me no closer to that goal. Since you're no longer my enemy, I'd sooner put you to use than see you rot."
Gangrel let out a deep breath and placed his hand at his hips, expression tired. "You've changed, little prince. I'm almost disappointed. Still, I suppose this is what true leadership looks like..."
" I'd have your answer, Gangrel."
The Mad King wouldn't admit that he was nearly convinced. Pride is all that kept him from breaking under the Chrom's determined stare. " ... It was a lovely speech, but I'll pass. I'm just not the sort to play at hope and justice. If killing me would please you greatly, I'll not deny your satisfaction. Come, boy. Do an old king one last favor and end this charade now."
When Chrom did nothing Gangrel nearly went for the prince's throat with his bare hands, but thought better of it and turned away again. Only to be halted in his tracks yet again.
"Gangrel, wait!"
This was about all he could take, he turned around feeling the madness creeping in as rage permeated his every movement forward, "You talk of slaying gods, but you're too soft to end one sorry little man? What are you waiting for?! Do it! I give you my head on a silver platter!"
"You're pathetic."
Chrom's words hit hard, Gangrel's body froze. "...Wh-what?"
"You're not even worth killing. Not like this. Your death would hold no meaning at all."
Gangrel clinched his fists hard enough to draw blood, "You smug little—"
Chrom had finally lost his patience, and shouted over whatever Insult the Mad King was about to toss at his face,"Either we end Grima, or Grima ends us. And that includes your Plegian citizens. If you would throw your life away, throw it at Grima! Die with sword in hand, not begging like some craven rat with its foot in a trap! You were a king once. Now suck up your self-pity, and die for your people!"
Bolting forward he gripped Chrom's shirt and tugged him forward, "Graaagh! Gods, but I despise you! Every word and every action of yours makes me want to paint the walls with my lunch!"
The prince violently shoved him away causing Gangrel to stumble back, " Then you would stay here to rot in—"
Gangrel quickly rose and shoved back, so hard that Chrom lost his balance and hit the ground. "I WASN'T FINISHED! Gods, anything to make you stop talking... "
To Chrom's surprise Gangrel leaned down and offered him his hand, it was shaking a bit. "Look," Gangrel forced out, " I've never sworn an oath in my life, much less thought to keep one... But what little life I have remaining is yours. Dragons, gods...throw me at what you will."
A blinding smile spread out on the princes face, and he reached forward and gripped the other mans hand. "Thank you."
Gangrels eyes widened, this boy couldn't be serious. But looking at the prince's face he knew.
... Chrom was an idiot.
Robin would have questioned why two men that hated each other were holding hands and looking deeply ito one another eyes, but instead she laughed at the ludicrous images that she thought of. Her noise caused the two to separate quickly, both embarrassed.
"Chrom, we have dealt with most of the pirates and killed off the last of the Wyvern Riders. All that's left is the Captain really."
Chom placed a hand at on his chin and contemplated the report, Gangrel realizing what they were talking about quickly cut in, "Let me handle it princeling, It would make this sour day a little bit brighter."
He studied Gangrel, then looked to Robin and smiled. This smile made The Mad King unusually uncomfortable.
"Alright... Robin, go with him."
Gangrel nearly jumped back, "Why?! LOOK, Boy if you think for one moment that our little scuffle was my all-"
"No, its not that. I just don't send anyone out alone, I hate casualty's so I don't risk them." He said seriously.
Gangrel laughed wildly, is this a joke? Just how disgusting can this boy get?
Robin studied the man, his laughter brought an unusual glint of curiosity to her eyes. "I have no issues partnering with him, it would be a good chance for me to better understand his talents and limitations."
"Oh gods..." Gangrel smack his forehead and dramatically wiped his hand down his face. The feeling of his mistake quickly filled his body. Honestly joining this group may be worse then death.
"Tactician."
Gangrel's words cut through the thick silence that had accumulated. She looked up from her book, quietly questioning him.
"I'm warning you now to keep to yourself, I don't control myself very well and I've got no experience pairing with anyone."
Robin snapped her book closed and sighed tiredly. He was going to be one of the more complicated ones. A lot of the recent soldiers didn't get along well with most of the army, putting little in cooperation. Sure they gave some effort on the battle field, its not like they ignored each other, but they could never deepen there fighting power if they refused to speak outside of the field. Limited and wasted potential. "Fine, but understand that I have to support everyone when chance come sees fit, even you." she answered, stressing her words.
They stopped and started at each-other, neither of the willing to give. The mental battle went on for two more full minutes before Gangrel got fed up and shoved past her.
Zanth was unhappy to say the least, nearly all his men dead and he was certain he was alone. But he would be dammed if anyone was going to take him down. refusing to move or flee he stayed where he was. Daring anyone of those dastards to come for him, he would cut them down one by one. But he never expected one of his own to still be living, let alone turn on him. That twisted, disgusting, face of Gangrel's has always infuriated him. Right now though, it made him desperate to taste his blood.
"Why, ye traitorous maggot! No one switches sail on me and lives!"
Gangrel let out a bark of laughter, oh he was going to enjoy this. Slowly he lifted his Levin blade and crouched, he was going to gut him like a fish. It would fall to pieces in his body, this sword wasn't made to attack physically. But that just made the idea all the more sweet.
Licking his lips he replayed almost hungry "You can't kill a dead man, sweetheart. Now to feed YOU to the maggots!"
The battle would have ended quickly if Gangrel was a normal man. But he had a mental tick, a sense of humor maybe. The smell of the burned flesh, the blood running down the blades uneven form, and the feel of the warm liquid was enough to push him over the edge. Make him forget himself. "You'er an eyesore!" he yelled, towering over the half dead man. Lifting his foot he began to crush Zanth's ribs, enjoying the sound of his broken breathing. "Beg for your life!"
Robin couldn't stand to watch this anymore. Quickly summoning wind she blew the body away, finishing the captain off. "That's enough."
Gangrel turned to look at her, his body stiff. His madness all but gone. "That one was mine!"
"Its over, were finished here." She turned and walked away not caring if he fallowed or not.
AUTHORS NOTE:
OK. Well this was pretty lame, so many god damn quotes. I got lazy near the end cause half my story got deleted. If you guys like it though I can continue it, or it can end here. I only wrote it cause IM sick of drawing fanart of Gangrel and Im impatient as poo waiting for my favorite GangrelXAvatar story to update its KILLING ME! WHY DID STAL tell gangrel he was leaving. WHY. WHY suspense the suspense is killing me. DID she know he was sleeping by her? My questions. MY QUESTIONS. T_T
If I do continue though, it will be a romance obviously. Im sorry if Gangrel is to violent. My brain is dumb.