Chapter 4: A Vision of Grace
Meryl sat waiting for news on Vash. His wound was bad and her fear was realized. Millie came and sat beside Meryl as she waited. She too worried about Vash's condition after all the stake went straight through him.
" I'm sure he'll be fine," Millie said, " He's survived many things worst then this."
" Oh, Millie, I won't be able to live if he doesn't make it. I feel so selfish saying this, but that's what I feel now," Meryl said
After hours of waiting a doctor came out and Meryl stood up wiping the tears from her eyes.
" How is he?" she asked
" He's conscious, but I believe he won't last for very long," the doctor said, " Go see him now."
Meryl nodded and ran down the hall to where Vash was. She opened the door and looked at him. He breathed deep, but his eyes were opened, she walked over to him and held her tears.
" Vash," she whispered
" Meryl," he answered
She squeezed his hand and he turned and looked at her.
" Vash, I should have never let you go," she said
" It's my fault," Vash whispered
" Your dying because of me," Meryl said
She knelt down by his side and leaned her head beside his. He kissed her head and breathed in with a shallow breath.
" What ever happens Meryl, take care of our child," Vash whispered, " Don't let anyone take her."
Meryl looked up at Vash and saw his eyes beginning to glaze over with death.
" Vash, you said her," Meryl said
" I saw her," Vash said, " Call her Vita."
" Vita," Meryl whispered
Vash smiled and said, " It was the name the stars chose for her."
Meryl shook her head and saw Vash close his eyes. His chest stopped rising and she began to cry.
" Vash no!" she cried out
Two nurses walked in and looked at Meryl as she cried by his bedside.
" You said you can't die," Meryl said, " Come back to me Vash. Come back."
" He's dead," the nurse said
" He's alive, he'll open his eyes," Meryl whispered, " He's healing deep with in."
" I'm sorry," the nurse said, " He's showing no life signs."
Meryl fell to her knees and covered her face as she cried. Millie walked in and knelt down to Meryl.
" Come on Meryl let's go," Millie whispered
" I don't want to leave him, he's just sleeping," Meryl said
" Vash, Vash, wake up Vash," Rem's voice called
Vash opened his eyes and he looked at Rem as she stood there.
" You fell asleep again," Rem said
" I was dreaming," Vash whispered
" About what Vash?" Rem asked
" About my life, I was suppose to find answers to questions I didn't know. Instead I was tempted by Sierns, given a coat that was made from the heavens and armor from the world beyond," Vash said, " I had a wife and she was pregnant, her name…I don't remember her name."
" Oh, Vash you are such a dreamer," Rem said
Vash smiled and looked at Rem, he sat up and looked around.
" I want to show you some stories, that we had back on Earth, they're called Myths. Back on a piece of land called Greece and before other countries were formed, they believed in Gods and Goddess to explain what happened in nature and in just everyday life. They also had bad things like Sierns and demons so bad that the mind couldn't imagine. They believed in heroes that could slay mythological beast.," Rem said, " I should find some stories for you to read Vash. They're exciting and keep your mind opened to wondering."
Rem stood up and Vash stood up. He looked at his hands and his clothing he wore. It was like he had been dreaming his whole life away. Rem led him to another room and sat him down. She then turned on the computers.
" Rem, where's Knives?" he asked
" Knives? Who's Knives?" Rem questioned
" My brother, my twin?" Vash replied
Rem sat down and said, " Vash, how did you know about your twin?"
Vash felt his heart beat pick up and Rem looked at him.
" Vash, your twin's been dead 5 years now, we never told you because we thought it would hurt you. We were lucky you lived," Rem said
Vash stood up and looked around and then at the stars as they flew past them. Vash shook his head.
" Your lying Knives tried to kill me when we were older, he sent assassins to kill me, but in the end I listened to your words and saved us both," Vash said, " He's alive as much as I am."
Rem shook her head and walked over to him, she embraced him.
" Vash, it's time to live again," Rem said
Vash opened his eyes and gasped. He sat up and looked at the wound seeing it was healing it's self.
" Rem," Vash whispered, " It was a dream."
He looked on his arm and breathed deep as he looked at it.
" What's happening to me?" Vash whispered
Vash stood up and looked at the scars on his body, and he smiled.
" I'm alive!" Vash shouted
A doctor and a nurse ran in and looked at Vash cheering. The doctor looked at the nurse and then called in Meryl. She ran in and stood in the door way.
" Vash," she cried
He turned and she ran and embraced him, tightly. She buried her face in his bare chest and let tears fall from her face.
" I have to go," Vash said, " For our future child."
" I'm coming with you," Meryl said
" No, it's something I must face alone, but I promise, that our daughter will keep you safe," Vash said as he kissed her on the lips
The nurse brought him his clothes and he dressed fully.
" I'm alive because of these people called gods and goddess, I know now why I was given this coat," Vash thought, " The blade of the Willing."
Vash smiled and kissed the gun and then he placed it in his holster.
" I love you Meryl, keep Vita safe," Vash called as he ran, about a mile into the desert.
" So, your alive, good cause I was the one made to kill you," Knives said turning to Vash
" I found my answers in a dream," Vash said
" From that woman," Knives said
" The only mother we had Knives," Vash said
" She sure knew how to talk bullshit around us, but we're not talking about her now, we have a duty as plants with free will," Knives said
Vash smiled and Knives put out his hand.
" Brothers," Knives said
" We can a least act like brothers, while we're out here," Vash said
Knives smiled and Vash gripped his brother's hand. The two walked off.
" So, he lives," Legato said
" Master Legato, you speak as though you are happy," a little girl said
" I am perhaps, but I desire to kill this Vash," Legato said
The little girl smiled and Legato stood up and took her hand, then led her down the mountain.
" It's nearly time," Legato said
" Should, I play master Legato, should I play my flute?" the little girl asked
" Go on and play you music, it is very heart warming to hear such a child play a deadly tune," Legato said
The child placed her flute to her lips and began to play a haunting tune that called to those who were in much sorrow. Legato walked around with her as she played and then he stopped. She looked at him as he looked down at the ground.
" Master Legato are you well?" she asked
Legato breathed deep and knelt down picking up an old bullet shell.
" Master Legato," she said
" I am fine, I had a thought," he said, " a childish thought."
He looked at the girl and smiled then they continued down the mountain. He looked ahead and then chuckled a little.
" Go you three, the fun has not yet begun," Legato said
" Yes, master Legato," the three sierns said
Legato walked the dusty planes and into a town, where he sat at a bar.
" You can't come in here," a bartender said to the little girl
" I am with my master," she said
" Get out of here before I call the sheriff," the bartender said
Legato looked at the bartender and drew his red blade.
" She is my follower, let her play," Legato said
" Yes, of course," the bartender said
The girl lifted her flute and played the haunting tune and all listened to her. She looked at Legato as he ate cake and looked in the far corner where a stain glass window was.
" I have orders to destroy these two men," Legato thought, " Vash the Stampede and Knives Millions, but who are they?"
Flash back
Legato looked at Raven as she stared out and down at the millions of capsules.
" So, he dead," Raven said
" Yes, Mistress," Legato said
" You better think twice Legato Bluesummers," Raven said, " Vash the Stampede and his brother Knives Millions are immortal. They can not die."
" I assure you he is," Legato said
Raven turned and walked over to him then slapped him across his face. She narrowed her eyes grabbed his chin.
" You are my servant Legato, I know my enemy, he is trying to kill off what civilization my master has created," Raven said, " I want you to find anyway possible to make Vash the Stampede and Knives Millions suffer as Megami and I have for the loss of our dear Master."
" I understand, complete sorrow will find them both," Legato said
" Go," she growled, " Take the girl too."
Legato stood up and looked at the young green eyed girl.
End
" Come on sweet heart how about a round," a man said
" No, let me go, you've had enough to drink," the waitress said
" How about I don't kill you if you fill my cup up," the man said, " If you know what I mean."
Legato looked at the man from the far room trying his best to get a drink and something a little more. The man looked at Legato and narrowed his eyes at him.
" You have a problem buddy," the man said, " I don't believe I've asked for an audience."
The young flutist narrowed her eyes and Legato put his hand in front of her. She looked at him and then sat down. The man drew his gun and fired a shot at Legato. He narrowed his eyes and made the man shoot himself.
" Be on your way," Legato said told the waitress
He stood up and the flutist looked at Legato, sweat fell from his face. He's breaths were different and he closed his eyes once he got out.
" Master Legato," she said, " what is wrong?"
" Why?" he thought, " Who's that voice?"
" Master Legato," the flutist said, " Shall I call mistress?"
Legato stood up and said, " I'm fine."
They walked out of the town and vanished into the healthy sunlight. Appearing meters from where Raven and Megami were. He walked with the little girl and entered the lab. Megami looked at him and saw him pale, she grabbed his hand and led him to the main lab.
" You are weak, what has happened?" Megami asked
" Pictures," Legato said, " In my mind."
She injected Legato with a fluid that soon let him relax then she took a sample of his blood and plasma level.
" Rest little one your master is fine," Megami said
She bowed and walked off and looked at Legato. She removed the chain from around his neck and stared at him. She with drew his weapons from him and stared at him. She breathed deep and reached to him and then kissed his cheek.
" Speak Legato, what of the brothers?" she asked
" Alive and well," he said
" Good, the Titans where do they stand? She asked
" Four remain," Legato answered
" Good now rest Legato," she said
Legato's eyes closed and Megami turned to see Raven standing there.
" His memory is returning," Megami said, " Two I have found, his death and a day he massacred a band of bandits."
" Destroy them before he steps into enemy lines," Raven said, " And do it quickly."
" They're coming into fast, I can't stop them," Megami said, " Kaijin didn't show me how."
" Then find away," Raven said
Vash stumbled and looked around, he breathed deep, then fell to his knees. Knives looked at him and walked over to him.
" Get up!" he commanded, " We're almost near!"
" Near what? Vash asked
" Don't you hear them?" Knives replied
" I hear nothing, but the sound of my own heart and breaths," Vash said
Vash stood up and looked around then removed the coat for a minuet. He looked at the armor and touched where he was stabbed.
" How can a dead man have so much power," Vash thought, " It's as if they gave him that extra power ."
Knives walked on and Vash looked around seeing Knives had once more taken off without him. Of course it was that feeling that tossed his stomach when he couldn't find Knives anywhere. Vash trudged through the sand and listened for sounds, he heard whispers talking to him. He felt a presence around him that continued to push him forwards to his goal.
" Keep going Vash," the whispers said
His weariness died away and his memories floated back to his past when he traveled with Meryl and Millie. He was alone again like before and trudged until he stopped by an infamous set of mountains. Vash breathed deep and walked up towards the top and then stood there.
" It was here," he said, " But why am I remembering this?"
" Cause several months ago you only saw sorrow before you," a familiar voice said
Vash turned around and looked at Raven standing before him. He narrowed his eyes and Raven smiled.
" Why did you bring him back to life?" Vash growled
" It was a perfect plan Vash the Stampede, to make sure you didn't meddle in my plans to create Master Kaijin's dream," Raven said
" I believe you suffer more than anyone," Vash said
" Do I?" Raven asked, " I don't believe you know me very well."
Raven drew a gun and looked at him and smirked
" You are afraid," Raven said, " Afraid that those plants don't have freewill."
" They don't," Vash growled
Raven fired a shout at Vash and he dodged it and fired a shot with his infamous silver gun. Raven dodged his bullets and the two went on shooting at each other, until they ran out of bullets or someone gave up. Vash reloaded his silver gun and fired canceling out Raven's bullets.
" The suffering still remains, master Kaijin could have healed that suffering for you," Raven said
" You mean turn me into a brain washed plant," Vash said
" So, you call it, a least you wouldn't remember," Raven said
She fired a shot that pushed her off the edge and Vash was hit by it's massive power. He was forced back off the edge and falling with great speed until something caught him.
" What," he whispered
He looked and he saw 6 pairs of hands holding him as he slowly drifted downward. Vash felt his eyes become heavy with sleep, as he was laid down.
" Who are you?" he whispered
" You don't have to worry, we were sent to help save you," a soft voice said
Vash looked at the 6 women in pure white, before he closed his eyes. The wound healed and Vash laid there and rested.
Vash opened his eyes and moaned a little feeling a soft pillow under his head. A cool cloth was placed on his forehead and he felt extremely sore. He turned his head and saw Meryl sleeping beside him and his arms wrapped around her.
" Meryl," he whispered
Meryl moan and opened her eyes to see Vash staring at her. She sat up and met his eyes. She then hugged him tight and buried her face in his chest.
" What happened?" Vash asked, " How long have I been asleep?"
" A couple of the men found you just outside of town laying there," Meryl said, " You've been a sleep for about two weeks."
Vash rubbed his eyes and Meryl looked at him, she stroked his arms with her soft hands.
" How are you feeling?" Vash asked
" I'm fine, for now. Our daughter's been kicking a lot," Meryl said
Vash smiled and kissed Meryl.
" I saw a vision of grace when I was out there," Vash whispered, " But it was nothing compared to what I come home to everyday."
Meryl smiled and she laid down and cuddled close to Vash. He wrapped his arms around her and placed one hand on Meryl's stomach.
By the next morning Vash opened his eyes and saw Meryl was gone, but then smelt the home cooking. He got up, dressed and walked out to the kitchen. The first thing he did was wrap his arms around Meryl then kissed her.
" Are you ready to get back to work?" she asked
" Yes, I'm ready," Vash said, " I believe I've discovered my answer."
After a fine made breakfast, Vash headed to work. Karen walked out and looked at Vash.
" Vash, have you seen Knives?" she asked
Vash looked around and saw Knives standing before the clock tower. He was fixated by something.
" He's over there," Vash said
" He's been acting strange ever since you two came back," Karen said
" I'll talk to him don't worry," Vash said
He walked off and walked towards Knives and then stopped. Knives lowered his head then turned to Vash.
" You were fast," Knives said, " Almost fast enough that I wouldn't see you."
" What are you talking about?" Vash said
Knives drew the blade of Hades and pointed it at Vash.
" Draw your gun Vash," Knives said, " It is only density that we once more cross paths again."
" What?" Vash questioned
" I said do it Vash!" Knives shouted
" Your not making sense," Vash said
Knives fired a shot and hit Vash in his shoulder. Vash winced feeling the bullet go straight through. He reached for his gun, but then hesitated, Knives fired a shot and cut his cheek with the bullet.
" I see you are a man with sentimentalism, but like all sentimental characters…they die," Knives said
Vash looked at Knives and jumped out of the way and then he ran towards him. He fired a shot at the blade of Hades and broke it free from Knives. He tackled Knives and threw him to the ground. Knives looked at him and Vash breathed deep. There was silence around the town. Knives drew Vash's gun from his holster and shot Vash in his arm. Vash was forced back and hit the dusty ground. Knives stood up and smiled at him.
" See you around brother," Knives said
Knives used the gun to create the Angel arm and he looked at Vash. Vash got up and reached for the gun, but it was to late, the Angel formed and fired at Vash.
Vash sat up and breathed deep and wiped the sweat from his face. He looked outside and saw the people going on with their daily lives. Vash sighed and heard Meryl come down the hall and opened the door. She smiled and Vash looked at her, as she just stood there.
" Are you alright?" she asked
" I'm fine, I had a dream," Vash whispered
Meryl walked over to him and sat beside him.
" Are you able to work today," Meryl asked
" Yes, I think I am," Vash replied
He embraced her and then he went down and took a shower, then went off to work. He saw Knives sitting out side with his left arm bandaged up to his shoulder.
" There's four of them out there," Knives said, " Are you giving up?"
" I'm living a normal life," Vash said
Knives laughed and walked out into the sun.
" Your life is anything, but normal Vash, in fact, Hell is more normal than your life," Knives said
" I can try," Vash said
" Your being hunted by the past," Knives said, " Don't think you run."
" I killed him once I'll do it again," Vash said
Knives shook his head and said, " So, your giving up letting the bad live. Well, it's about time."
Karen walked out and looked at Knives and Vash as they talked about something.
" I haven't gotten rid of the idea," Vash said, " Your brain must have fired in the sun."
" I told you Vash, if your going to meet him, you might as well be dead," Knives said
" I'm going to meet him fully alive and defeat the living dead," Vash said
Suddenly, there was silence around them and they heard a thump. Knives turned around and saw Karen collapsed on the porch. He ran and knelt down to her, lifting her into his arms. She looked at him and touched his face and a small smile crossed her lips.
" I'm going to kill you both before you have a chance to react," she whispered
Knives looked up and Vash fell to his knees and Knives felt something wrap around his throat.
" It's Legato, he's here," Vash gasped, " he's close by there's no way he can do this."
" Don't you think I know?" Knives gasped
Vash felt the hold on his neck get tighter and feeling the lack of air circulating.
" You are fools," Legato said, " My hold on you is stronger than ever from miles away I can kill you."
" You're a coward!" Vash shouted
Vash fell to the ground as though feeling someone hit him in the back of his head.
" Don't let me break that heart of yours," Legato said
Vash felt his right hand move and he grabbed his right hand.
" My will is stronger than your hold," Vash said
" We'll see," Legato said
Vash continued to fight his own hand from Legato's hold. Knives reached for his gun.
" Don't be foolish Knives Millions," Legato stated
He pulled Knives' hands from his holster and yanked his arms back behind his back. Knives growled as he felt his shoulders being pulled out of it's socket. Knives shouted in pain and Vash felt his right hand becoming stronger as it neared his chest.
" No!" Vash shouted, " I won't let you!"
Vash's eyes glowed and pushed his right arm from his chest, hard enough to pull his shoulder out of it's socket. The hold around his neck got tighter, but Vash felt very little as his anger got the best of him. He looked at Knives and with one monition he punched Knives in the stomach. Knives gasped and breathed in deep and looked at Vash with narrowed his eyes.
" Get up!" Vash growled
Vash picked up Knives' by the back of his shirt. Knives stood up and felt his arms fall to his sides. He breathed and Vash was gone in seconds and he followed. Vash stood in the desert and looked at Legato standing there. His companion bowed and walked off then Legato drew his red blade.
" Are you prepared to die as I am," Legato questioned
" Now, where have I heard that before," Vash said drawing his gun
Knives stood behind Vash and saw him pull out the blade of the Willing and aimed it at Legato.
" What are you going to do Vash, shoot him, he's dead," Knives growled
" He's very much alive, but his memories are dead," Vash said
Legato smirked and walked towards Vash and pointed his blade at him.
" Are you willing to fight a powerful man like me?" Legato asked
Vash smirked and placed his orange yellow sunglasses on and backed up. Legato smirked and ran straight at him and controlled Vash to stand still.
" Move out the way you idiot!" Knives shouted
" I can't," Vash growled
" Fire the gun in your hand," Knives shouted
Vash looked at the gun and raised it as Legato came at Vash. There was a gunshot and Vash fell to his knees. The dust settled and Knives blew across the barrel and looked at Legato.
" That would be the second time he's fallen in one year," Knives said
Vash looked and breathed, deep then looked at Legato.
" No, it's not that easy to kill him," Vash whispered
" He's dead," Knives said
" Your wrong," Vash said
Vash was right Legato wasn't that easy to kill, as though playing dead the bullet rose and was thrown at Knives hitting him in his chest. Knives was thrown back and Vash watched as his brother was thrown ten feet behind him. Legato rose and then narrowed his eyes at Vash.
" Your turn," Legato said
Vash breathed deep as suddenly Vash's arm was twisted until he let go of the gun. Vash fell and Legato looked at Vash.
" Your at my mercy Vash the Stampede," Legato said
He walked over to Vash and kicked Vash in the face and then grabbed him by his neck.
" I shall kill you and spread your blood across this town before them," Legato said, " A legend doesn't always die an easy death."
" You should know," Vash said weakly
Suddenly, there was the sound of gun fire and Legato felt a sting in his arm. He looked up and saw Meryl standing there.
" Put him down," Meryl said, " Or I will kill you."
" Meryl!" Vash shouted
" Foolish woman," Legato said
He looked at her and smiled.
" Watch her die," Legato said
" No!" Vash shouted
Legato lifted his other hand and looked at Meryl and she fell to her knees coughing and gasping for air.
" I'll break her neck," Legato said, " Or perhaps I should kill her slowly."
" No!" Vash shouted, " Knives get up!"
Knives moaned and heard Vash shouting and he looked at the bullet that laid on his chest.
" Stupid idiot, he's forgotten that these bullets don't remain in our bodies," Knives grunted, " Damn it."
Knives looked up and saw Legato holding Vash by his neck and choking Meryl. Knives looked at the blade of Hades and smirked
" I believe this is my only choice," Knives thought
Legato continued to tighten his hold on Meryl's neck and Vash struggled. Knives walked in front of Meryl and aimed the gun at Legato. He smirked and suddenly he felt a hand grab his leg. He looked and saw Meryl looking at him.
" Please, you can't," Meryl gasped
" Idiot, it's the only way to solve this problem," Knives said
Knives looked at Vash and then saw his gun on the ground. He got ready to fire and suddenly the flutist played a note and Knives growled and fired at her. She dodged the bullet and played a sharp note. Legato hurled Vash feet from Meryl and Meryl collapsed on the hot sand. Vash got up and ran to Meryl and collected her into his arms.
" I'll let you live this time, but I assure you, your will, will not be enough to save you next time," Legato said
He and the flutist vanished from site and Vash breathed deep as he held Meryl.
" Why didn't you shoot?" Vash said
" I don't know why?" Knives growled
He turned and walked off towards the town and saw Karen standing there waiting for him. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, there she began to cry.
" Oh, Knives," she cried, " What is going on?"
" Eternal pain is about to begin," he said, " I will show no mercy."
Vash lifted Meryl into his arms as he winced in pain the whole way. He laid her down once he got to the house and had Millie retrieve the doctor.
" I'm so sorry," Vash whispered as tears fell from his eyes, " I should have never left."
Vash closed his eyes and pulled his right shoulder back into place. He breathed deep feeling the pain travel through his body, it was enough to make him pass out.
Legato returned and Raven looked at him. She slapped him across the face again.
" You should have killed him," Raven shouted
" I'm sorry mistress, they over powered me," Legato replied
" Those simpletons have no power over you, you are a Titan," she hissed
Megami looked at Raven as she shouted at Legato and she saw his eyes slowly becoming empty. She lowered her head and knew it was only a matter of time that Legato would return to the lifeless state of mind.
" I can not let him return to that state, he can't suffer anymore," Megami said, " I won't let it."
She fled back to the lab to try and find out how to keep Legato in the state he was, if not a better state.
Knives looked at the doctor as he tied a band on his right arm and pulled it. Knives growled as his shoulder was put back into place. The doctor did his left side and Knives growled and squeezed Karen's hand.
" It's alright," she said, " You can rest now."
She stroked his head and kissed his cheek as he breathed.
" The pain, I have not felt this pain," Knives thought
" Give or take a couple of days, since you and Vash seem to have the same fast healing bodies. Hell not even that," the doctor said
Knives fixed his shirt and looked at the black coat that was thrown over a chair, along with the white armor given to him by the 9 muses. He sighed and laid down and Karen stroked his head until she saw him close his eyes.
" He will be fine, now Ms. Karen how are you feeling?" he asked
" I feel fine, just little tiered," Karen said
" I am sure it is all to do with the baby's development," the doctor said, " Get some sleep don't worry about him, he is going to heal fast."
Karen nodded and walked the doctor out the door then walked down the hall. She stared at Knives and gave a smile. Then she walked down the hall to another room where she fell asleep on the spare bed.
As Knives slept he heard singing, a very haunting song, calling to him. He opened his eyes and looked to see it was dark once more and all that had happened felt like it was a dream. That was until he sat up and felt the pain in his shoulders. He winced in pain and got up. Knives took his guns and walked down the hall quietly. The songs stopped and Knives placed his hand on his head feeling as though he was waking from a trance.
" Who's there?" he growled
" Who's there, such a feeble question from a powerful man," a chanting voice said
Knives walked outside and the wind blew and upon the wind a mist appeared and three sisters walked from the mist chanting and Knives felt his body being pulled from where he stood. He drifted from reality, but there was apart of him that tried to fight. The three sisters wore clothing much like Diana's just the colors of Cerberus' three colored eyes, red, black and white. The three stones Knives had taken, which called to all 6 Titans.
" Knives Millions, we are the sisters of the haunting song. We are the first of the Titans, Carmen, Sirena, Quiesco," they said, " Prepare to meet your end."
AN: Hey everyone sorry I haven't put notes, I guess if you've read it, this story has a bit of a twist with Mythology and the continuing chapter of what happened after Kaijin's death. Hope you like it " Love and Peace"
