A/N: This follows up Selena's chapter and wraps things up in a nice bow. Like with Selena's chapter, this one is a split PoV between Beruka and Selena. It goes Beruka then Selena, and continues to alternate in that order.


AuraPhoenix1500: Oh yes, there are a few curveballs in here. I hope that I can catch you all off guard a few more times in this chapter, too. Oh, and there is plenty of Beruka and Selena stuff here.

As for Beruka's and Selena's appearance in the main fic? I can't say exactly when. I mean, I thought I'd wrap up the Fire Tribe in two chapters, but that lasted three whole chapters. For Camilla's next appearance in the main fic? I want to say a few chapters, but we'll see what happens.


Beruka remained silent as she read over the latest list that details the tasks needed to be done by her liege, Lady Camilla, as well as her retainers, Beruka and Selena. The tasks usually have at least one word with 'bandit', though there are some that desires an investigation, and another involving encroaching Hoshidans.

It's all a waste of time.

Lady Camilla doesn't need to tell her, regardless of how well she can hide it. The cycle has been like this since the day her liege first met Lord Corrin. Receive a list of tasks, slowly get them done, return to Krakenburg for a day or two, and go out with another set of tasks. Beruka can hide her irritation on the matter very well. Why is her liege having to put up with this? Beruka may be near emotionless, but that doesn't mean she can't understand the pain in her liege's eyes, how she sometimes whimpers at night, calling for Lord Corrin and Lady Elise. The days where she thinks she has completely removed all traces of dried tears.

But, Beruka is more suited for fighting than emotional support.

But, then again, so is Selena.

The once-assassin spares a glance over at the red-hair retainer, who is currently twirling the pointed end of her sword on the ground. Selena has made her own reputation when she was younger. A girl, barely even entering her teenage years, traveling the lands working as a mercenary. She has a sense of duty that puts even an elite guard's to shame.

Beruka too, has made her own reputation, but this was through her skills as an assassin. Growing up in the slums, she was taken in by a man she called her tutor, a man who could had even been her father figure. A man she killed herself. It the utmost highest of ironies, this happened both with the skills he taught her and the line of work he set her on. No contract killer lives to see old age. Assassins that live a long time have seen and heard many compromising details, and the ones nearing the 'end' of their days sometimes even give up their line of work and sell the information they've learned. Beruka is no exception to this rule. She has also seen and heard many small details as she waits for a target to get to a certain location or whatever document the target may have on them.

Yet, when she looks at Selena, all she can see is that one night. Would have it been better to end her, too? Would Beruka still be here today? If she was, then who would be her liege's other retainer? Would this new retainer be as skilled as Selena?

"This is stupid!" Selena finally shouts, "Why must our liege put up with this?! They're working her to the bone, but always expect more!"

And when Beruka actually thinks about it, there is no one else she'd rather fight with. Selena is a true prodigy when it comes to combat. "Lady Camilla is simply following orders, as we should."

"Beruka, she using your wyvern because Lady Camilla's is recovering!" She snarls as the sword twirling finally stops.

There are also times when Selena gets truly angered, that there is this… flare in her eyes. Like using flint to spark a flame. "As her retainers…"

"Shouldn't we be caring for more than just her combat-related needs?" She cuts her off.

Then there are the times where Beruka wonders what exactly Selena would do if she did, in fact, were to learn the fact of that one night. "Selena, you know I'm unable to do that."

"Then…!" Whatever she had to say was cut off as Lady Camilla finally exited that room.

There are also the rare occasions that when Beruka looks at Selena, all she sees is an angered child, pushed to the floor. A child spared from her axe to end her life to join her father's. Selena was only truly spared because it wasn't her name on the contract, Beruka had no reason to kill her. "Now now, my darling retainers." Lady Camilla coos as she walks straight to Selena, "Let's save that for our targets."

"...Of course, Lady Camilla." Selena concedes as their liege is within arm's distance.

"Aw… now what's gotten you so down, sweet Selena?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just… thinking about what's happened." Selena then picks up her sword and sheathes it, "I'm ready." Beruka can take a pretty good guess on what exactly she's thinking of, she recognizes that look almost every time Selena takes up that sword.

"Dear Beruka, is my wyvern safe to use?" Lady Camilla now walks over to her other retainer.

"Unfortunately no. Anymore stress and his wing may tear off completely." Beruka closes her eyes for a moment. "My wyvern is always available if you need him, Lady Camilla."

"Oh, you are too kind." Her liege smiles as she takes another step closer, "I'll be sure to take the highest care of him." Beruka offers the paper in hand and she gladly takes it. "So! I will head out and deal with this Pegasi spotting in Nohrian territory. I want you two to start taking care of some bandit issues in the meantime. We'll meet up at… this town and work from there."

"As you command, Lady Camilla." Beruka nods.

"Pfft, bandits." Selena scoffs.

"Even so, we shouldn't run in without a proper plan." The once-assassin flatly states. "All it takes is one well-placed shot."

"I know." Selena bites back. "I can watch myself."

"Darlings?" Camilla asks, "Let's go."


Beruka and Selena have both arrived at the stables, the air between them has been silent, as Beruka expects. Both aren't exactly conversation material, with one being outwardly cold and silent, and the other being hot-headed and prickly. It's hard to imagine they'd be able to do anything well together… but, that's where their skill in combat brings them together. They are nigh-unstoppable when working together, as each know each other so well, each one can cover the other's weak points.

"Why the hell is there only one horse!?" Selena shouts. "What sort of bull is that?"

"Then we'll use the one." Beruka calmly replies.

"I'm not sharing a horse with you!"

"Then we'll walk."

"There's no way we'll be able to get to our rendezvous point in time!"

Selena is fuming while Beruka opts to close her eyes for a moment, a sudden headache making its way through her. "Then what do you suggest we do? Dally around and wait for someone to come back with a horse? Whose to say someone else will come by and take this one?"

"Fine. Fine!" Selena throws her hands up in the air, "But you're leading the horse."

"Horses respond better to you, Selena." It's… strange. One might think that a calm demeanor would help someone ride a horse better, but not with Selena. For some reason, her fiery temper only serves to help her in that aspect.

Perhaps it just goes to show that she's destined to be a Bow Knight?

Beruka has noticed that Selena has yet to respond, instead she has crossed her arms and simply glared at her. She then jerks her body away and walks over to the only horse, getting the saddle ready and climbing on. Selena wordlessly guides the horse over to Beruka, who climbs on shortly afterwards. "Better keep your hands to yourself." She spits out before they ride off.


Despite the ride also being as silent as the walk over to the stables, it somehow seems even more quiet. It's probably due to the noise around them. The horse may occasionally neigh, its hooves clop against the ground, and the two retainers keep their mouths shut. The only true sound one could maybe hear is the sound of their breathing. The cold, biting Nohrian air hits Beruka every passing moment. Yet… yet.

It does nothing for her. It's almost… comforting.

Beruka has always been more resistant to the cold, unlike Selena, who has an extra jacket over her normal set of armor. If she were the joking type, she might say it has to do with the once assassin's cold heart.

But Beruka doesn't joke around, so that wouldn't come out of her lips.

"It's in sight." Selena suddenly says, "From here, it looks deserted."

Beruka poked her head out from behind Selena and looked ahead. Sure enough, the place seemed deserted… but empty buildings were a favorite among bandits. "Prepare for a fight." She simply states.

"Well, duh! Of course there's bandits there!"

Selena has been… increasingly agitated lately, Beruka notes as she's already staring her down. "We need to focus on the mission, Selena."

"Yeah yeah, just get off and get ready." She turns her head and looks ahead. Beruka gets off and looks over her axe one more time. She admittedly misses the feel of her wyvern, but Lady Camilla needs him more. Selena soon follows, sword in hand. Beruka notices it's the same sword she always uses… does Selena even realize how much gold went into repairing it? It doesn't help that the ore is Hoshidan. How many meals could she have bought if she just got a different sword with more common metals? Beruka could even assume that metals like steel would be cheaper.

Yet, here she is, using the sword her father used.

At least she knew her father.

"Let's move." Beruka states, pushing the past away. With that, the two enter the abandoned town.

The mercenary and the once-assassin walk within roughly a sword's distance from each other. Step by step, moment by moment passed on, yet the town remained strangely deserted. There were signs of bandits to be sure: broken doors and windows, houses looted, mundane and commonplace items left behind, but no actual bandits to speak of.

Not a single living being and no corpses.

"They moved on." Selena assumes, "See! If we each had our own horse…" She rounds on Beruka, who remains as blank as ever.

"I don't see how a second horse would have gotten us here any faster. Perhaps if you weren't lost in your thoughts, you would have lead the beast faster." Is Beruka angry in this moment? No, but that doesn't mean she is also without patience. "Let's see if there are at least tracks left."

And Selena has been extra prickly lately.

The two separate, with Beruka taking East, whilst Selena has West. Double checking the dirt, Beruka does in fact find relatively fresh footsteps… which leads to a house near her. Readying her axe, she follows it.

Once inside that building, there stands a single man, who at first glance, seems more the villager. Beruka scans him over and she can quickly assume he is no villager. He seems nonplussed by her axe, for one. "'Fraid the bandits already bit it, Dragon-axe." His voice comes out cocky. He pushes himself off of the wall, and she can now see the glint of metal on his waist, "Oh, come on! Beruka! It's me!"

Beruka narrows her eyes, "What do you want?" She somewhat remembers him. He was a… 'fellow' assassin, the first time she met him she was on a contract. He happened to have another contract for that same target. After considering the dangers that the defense provided, they agreed to split the profits if they worked together. He and she worked together a few more times after that, but he seemed to have a different idea on what a 'partner' should be like.

He tried wooing her, it ended about as well as any duo-assassin relationship would have.

"Nothing new, really. Still taking up contracts, yeah?" He smiled, "Speaking of, I haven't seen you around for a long time, I don't suppose you happened to have one…"

"Not interested." She cuts him off.

"The gold in it is huge. I'm talking noble-levels of gold for a life. Retire for your life kinds of gold, er… if you manage it well, that is."

"Then why don't you do it?"

"Beruka dear, you know exactly why I'm asking."

"Call me dear again, and I'll be sure to give you more than a scar." He presses a hand to his cheek, perhaps remembering the night he asked her out on a date. She can't deny that it felt good to shut him down like that.

However, she also can't deny that she felt… something for the man. Someone who treated her as a woman.

"Fine, I'll get to the point: I'm asking because your current position gives a huge leverage on the target." He shrugs. "For you, it'd be easy."

A pause as Beruka closes her eyes for a moment, "No. If you are aware of my 'current position', then you know I've already left my days as an assassin."

"Aren't you interested, to say the…"

"Don't toy with me." Her axe glints as she shifts her grip. "I'm not helping you."

"Beruka…" He sighs. "What if I just showed you the written profit?" Without waiting, he digs in his pockets for a paper. "See? I'm talking huge amounts." He had rolled up the paper, as to hide the rest of the important info.

"Billions?" She counts out the zeros. "I'm not assassinating Lady Camilla."

"Nope, wrong." He smiles, "Target isn't her."

"Or any of the Royals."

"Still wrong." He actually starts chuckling. "Interested?" He pockets the paper, "Dragon-axe, I know you enjoyed your time with me. So, how about one more contract, then we can use the profits from this, and whatever we have on us, and we can call it quits." Or… she adds to herself, she could accept it and help stop an assassination. She could also decipher the code on it and find out who wrote it, too.

Yet, she also can't deny that it would feel good to be treated as a woman again.

"Show me."


Selena scoffed as she looked over her side, finding nothing in terms of tracks. This wreaked of nothing but wrongness for her. This town is pretty well suited for defending on a natural level. Even the most dense of fighter knows that being on the high ground is an advantage. So, where are those stupid bandits!? Did they find a better town?! "Tch." She kicks a rock. Why did Lady Camilla have to send her alone with Beruka near this time of year? "Father…" There's only a few regrets that came with being in service with her liege.

She… actually misses her trips to the old cabin, if only to spend some time talking to a gravestone. It's the only place she lays herself bare enough, to let unshed tears fall. Because, if Gregor can cry, then it's okay for her to cry too. Her mind races back to the memories she had with him, and while nearly all of it is just spent with training, she relished them. "At least you knew your father." She mutters, "Who really had it worse?" And there were times she recalled Laslow's description of his youth. She gripped her sword's hilt tighter as she feels that wound re-open, the pain of having him taken away by Crown Prince Xander.

She hadn't known Laslow for a whole twenty-four hours, but he left an impact that not even Lady Camilla's doting can match. "Why did you have to be so damn nice?" And with Laslow, the image of Olivia's depressed state came in. A woman, the best when it comes to dancing, a woman who clearly once held a pristine figure, looked so sunken and gone when Selena saw her. It still hurts her, she didn't know what to say to calm her down.

"Selena." The other retainer's voice sounds out, "Nothing on my side. Yours?"

"Same. I don't get it, why would bandits leave this place deserted?" She turns around, feeling far less aggressive than earlier… stupid memories of Laslow.

"It doesn't matter 'why'." She replies in that same curt and emotionless manner, "We should head to the rendezvous point to wait for Lady Camilla."

"Yeah yeah." Selena scoffs, "Don't like this place, anyway." She walks off. She hears Beruka sigh, before she also follows. Soon enough, the two exit the immediate area of the town, where the horse has patiently awaited their return. It neighs upon their arrival, looking far more happy than either of the two retainers.

What Selena would give to have that same happiness. She gives the horse a single stroke, before climbing right on with an ease that any horse-rider in training would envy. She's always been good with horses.

Perhaps she should see if she can get training to be a Bow Knight?

Beruka hops on soon afterwards and Selena guides the horse to the next destination, a town that is along Nohr's main road. From there, they will get two rooms at an inn for a night, as Lady Camilla should be there the following day.

And gods know she isn't only paying for one room. Selena only tolerates Beruka because they have the same position. Other than that, she'd rather keep her distance. Part of the reason is Beruka is so emotionless… the rest is the fact that she was an assassin. Or, who knows, maybe she still is.

Either way, Selena holds a severe sore spot against assassins.


The two retainers arrive in the town near of the end of that same day, as Lady Camilla made doubly sure that rendezvous point was closer to them. Selena would argue the fact that it should be closer to Lady Camilla, but both of them know that even sound logic won't deter her when it comes to her doting nature. Beruka, obviously, stays silent about it. Not that is what is on the forefront of her mind, after all. No, instead she ponders more on him.

It's no coincidence that he happened to be in the same place, that he just so happened to have a contract on that person's life…

A chance to start again, she can rest her axe and just be held. She wouldn't have to worry about working so hard. If she is so emotionless, then why does the thought stir feelings? Why does he make her feel that way? She's worked with other assassins and the like before, but he has something they don't. One more life, one last contract. It pays in gold that rivals the amount royals have.

But that's why she hesitates, the contract isn't asking for a target like King Garon or any of his most notable children, so why this person? One who seems so minor to the rest? What sort of history did they have with this target?

Why does she care so much? It isn't simply because Lady Camilla spared her own life, despite the contract she had for her. It isn't just the kindness and how Lady Camilla reached out for her, despite how cold Beruka is. There's something else at play. Something that interferes with her skills as an assassin.

But, it's just one life, one last contract. In exchange for a peaceful life…

No, that's just it. Beruka doubts that will be 'the last one'. For a person like her, there is no 'happy ending'. There are people out there who wants her head on a platter like any other accomplished assassin. The hard truth is that assassins don't live long. Not because they fail their missions, but because they are taken out by newer assassins. The longer an assassin lives, the more information they know, and they can know things that can disrupt even King Garon's plans if it were to get out.

Sometimes, someone hires an older assassin just to get the information out of them. They are usually nobles, who tempt them with 'quitting their line of work' for 'a peaceful end'. They might offer the most attractive of concubines, maybe a suite inside their mansion, anything to get that information handed to them.

"Hey, wake up, would you!" Selena nudges her, "Geez, you're usually not so contemplative." The once-assassin notices that they have arrived at their destination. "Come on." She scoffs as she dismounts and walks off, leaving Beruka alone in the stables with a horse. Closing her eyes and sighing, Beruka dismounts and goes to follow the red-hair retainer.

One life, one contract, and in return, a new start with a man that makes her feel.


Beruka is usually quiet, but this was a different kind of quiet. Selena keeps her distance as she walks up to an inn. Beruka is more blank, but her expression was more distant this time, as if she is deeply thinking something over. It unnerved Selena. She knows that something had to have happened in that town, but what? She only had one assumption, and perhaps it's due to her grudge against assassins.

She assumes that Beruka was contacted and given a contract.

But asking her won't yield her results, so she stays silent. Instead choosing to observe and see if there are any changes to her habits. So, after observing her for a while?

Nothing. Everything she does is still the same. Silence and doing an inspection of her weapons and armor. Scoffing, Selena heads to her room, though she keeps her armor on and her swords in arms' reach as she lies down. Leaving the blanket in its place, she curls up in the bed. She doesn't want to sleep, even if the pitiful amount of light coming from the sun is nearly gone, marking the time that people will close their eyes and drift off into slumber.

Minutes pass by in darkness as she simply stares ahead. She doesn't like this room, it's wood. She doesn't like being in wood-like interiors in this time of year, this was about when her father was assassinated. Unfortunately, fate can be cruel to her. One of the years when she was in similar conditions, she was unable to sleep. If she didn't dream of her father's dying breaths, it was of her mother's.

Sometimes she dreamt of her own, taken out in the same cowardly manner. What would it feel like? Death? According to Gregor, Cordelia simply bled out, he spoke nothing of cries of pain. Gregor barely had the chance to take another breath. In contrast, she has heard the screams of those who don't have the same quick death… and a number of those screams are courtesy of none other than her liege. Lady Camilla is ruthless on the battlefield. She's no doting mother, she's a terror. Her axe rips through limbs and armor alike, many of her victims cry out in agony before they lose enough blood lose their unconscious or if she makes another strike.

Beruka rarely does the same, she opts for the quick kills, and considering she specializes in riding a wyvern to fight, she's disturbingly skilled in slicing necks and cleaving skulls.

And here Selena stands, primarily using a sword. She does put some time into her archery every now and then, but that's really it. Her other skills have gotten rusty since her father's death. Selena shifts around in bed, feeling as restless as she usually is.

"Selena." A voice sounds out as someone knocks on the door, "Get up. We need to talk." Beruka?

"Ugh, hold on." Groaning, she rises and straps her sword back on, the other sword going on the other side of her waist. "What?" She spits out as she opens the door…

Beruka too, has her gear on. "Let's go." She takes a step away, "Well?" She sounds rather… bothered? "My wyvern has returned." Another moment passes by and it 'clicks'.

"And Lady Camilla?" She asks as she increases her pace to catch up with Beruka.

Beruka flashes a folded piece of paper, "From Princess Camilla." She starts.

"And?"

"Not out here." Beruka stops and turns towards Selena, a serious look in her eyes. "Yes, she's alive." Beruka resumes walking. Shrugging, Selena continues to follow her. The two keep walking, with Beruka's wyvern joining up as they leave the inn. "Further." She simply states as she keeps walking.

"Can I at least read the letter?" By this point, Beruka has stopped and looks around. They are a bit out of the town and near a forest.

"She's left Nohr." Beruka supplies, "Heavily injured, she fought Gunter and had both Lord Corrin and Lady Elise go to Hoshido, she's going to catch up to them."

"Wh-what?! Let me see that!" Selena thrusts her hand out and the other retainer ends up giving it to her. "'My darling retainers'…" Oh, of course she would start it off like that. "'I'm sending back your precious wyvern, Beruka. A number of groundbreaking events has happened, and I'm leaving Nohr behind. Gunter lies dead by my hand and I'm going into Hoshido to find my dear, sweet Corrin and Elise. Of course, this will brand me with High Treason. As for you two? Officially, you're relieved of your positions… but, it would warm my heart if you both came. With all of my love and affection; Camilla.'"

Selena looks back at Beruka who nods. She then looks away, uncertainty lining her eyes, "Lady Camilla saved my life, I've no choice but to stay by her side, retainer or not. What of you?"

What should she do? Without being Lady Camilla's retainer, Selena has lost what little she had to get close to Xander, and in turn Laslow. Would she start traveling again? No, the only real viable option is to return to her. "I should…" She stops as Beruka pulls out another sheet of paper.

"Stay behind." Her expression becomes… more blank. No, Selena recognizes it as the same one she has when she fights.

"What the hell, Beruka!" Beruka draws her axe and Selena does her sword. "I was going to say that I'm returning to Lady Camilla as well." A pause, "What, were you worried that she favored me?"

"Fight me, Selena." Her wyvern screeches, "To the death."

"What has gotten into you!? Retainer or not, do you realize how she'll react if only one returns with the others blood on their weapon?" Selena snarls, "So, screw that. I'd rather just beat some sense into you."

Beruka's stance hasn't relaxed, and she still looks ready to fight. "I'd figured you would be more eager to kill me."

"Is there some sort of magical control going on here? Gods, Beruka."

A pause, Beruka sighs and closes her eyes for a moment, "High-grade Nohrian steel. Custom made, lighter and slightly shorter than most blades. Enchanted for sharpness and durability. The hilt has dagger designs around it." She opens her eyes once more, "The blood of someone dear to you once stained it."

A second passes, then two. "Wait, you…" Selena finally speaks, drawing the other sword out, then looks it over. "You!?"

"Your name wasn't on the contract then, Selena." Beruka indirectly confirms.

"You killed my father!" She growls.

"And if you don't give it your all, you'll be joining him." Beruka points her axe towards Selena. "And you'll be the last one I ever do again." With that, she flings the paper her way.

Keeping her eyes locked on the crazed Beruka, Selena picks it up. "Me?" She looks it over, "Why me? Is there just some rich bastard who does this for fun?! Why am I worth billions!?"

"It doesn't matter." Of course she would say that.

Even now, she's an assassin. "Why did you bother telling me? You could've just sneaked in and took me out." She readies her… no, Beruka's old sword. She sheathes her father's sword. To be honest, part of her doesn't want to kill Beruka, as she's still the woman that has fought with her for so long. Even though she won't openly admit it, a number of times Beruka saved her with her cold, calm mind. Beruka always had to sneak around and take targets out, which leads to a more strategic mind. Selena rarely fought more than bandits, or on the occasion Faceless, enemies that fall to brute strength.

"This is different." She takes her stance, "No." She glares at her own wyvern, "Stay out of this." Her dead eyes meet Selena's again, "I want to fight you on even grounds, Selena. Regardless of how this ends, I'm lying my axe down after this." Even grounds? Not only is Beruka keeping her wyvern out of this, she is also fighting Selena head-on with a weapon disadvantage… how is this 'even'? A few drops of sweat drip down Selena. Beruka isn't the cocky type, if she actually thinks that in this specific situation they are equal, then she's probably correct.

...Or maybe it's a mind game? She internally agrees, Beruka is trying to demoralize her. "I won't let you kill me, Beruka. I swore to my father that I'd kill the assassin responsible for taking his… even if that assassin is you." Scowling, Selena finally takes her stance, trained eyes keeping tabs on Beruka's slightest movements. Though, even with her tight-fitting clothing, she keeps her body almost stone-like still.

Beruka brings her face-cloth up, covering the lower part of her face up to her nose… it occurred to Selena that if she also tucked her hair away, then she would, in fact, look just like her father's killer.

That is, if she's remembering it right.

A glint shines in her eyes as Beruka makes the first move, going to strike her… pauldron? Selena steps back as she can feel the wind being sliced in front of her, though Beruka's axe barely skimmed by a half-second before she followed up, bringing it even closer while striking backwards, making full use of the double-bladed weapon. Selena sidesteps this one and returns the favor with a slash to her side. Then, of all possible reactions, Beruka beings her arm down and lets the sword hit her wrist…

The clash of metal soon follows. Since when did Beruka have reinforced wrist guards? How many other spots would have the same protection? Selena recoils as Beruka takes that hesitation and slams her on the head with her hilt, "Focus, Selena." Beruka could've ended her right there!

"I don't need your pity." She spits back as she instead turns at an incredible speed, already moving to strike her other side. Beruka moved her axe-head to block, but Selena stops that attack and instead delivers a powerful kick to her chest. As she should have guessed, Selena felt metal, but that metal didn't stop all of that force, and Beruka coughed up some air. Taking that window, Selena decides to aim for a spot that can't afford to be protected as much…

No, not the neck, Selena wouldn't be able to close enough distance. Instead she cuts into Beruka's elbow. No clash of metal and the sword cuts into her bone, not enough to slice through, but any injury on her end is a plus. She'll just have to wear her down, minor injuries now, she'll get a major one in later. Beruka recovered and retaliates with her pommel once more, hitting a similar spot on Selena. Beruka struck with far more force… or maybe she just hit a weaker part of Selena's chest-guard. Now in the similar position, Selena staggers back.

And again, despite having a prime opportunity, Beruka instead bashes Selena's head again, causing the red-hair's vision to swim, alongside her lack of breath. As if events repeat themselves, Selena found herself on the ground, falling to her rear. Beruka narrows her eyes, then finally decides to cleave into her neck, as if tired of the fight.

But she refuses to fall.

Selena raises her pauldron, her shoulder screams in protest, but she holds her ground. Grabbing a hold of her axe's shaft, Selena yanks, causing the assassin to stumble forward. Twisting her grip, she also forces Beruka's wrist at an awkward angle, but Beruka loosened her own grasp on her axe before Selena ended up snapping the bone. Of course, this meant Beruka just lost her axe, but Selena refused to get cocky.

Beruka is sure to have more weapons on her.

That internally assumption came true as Beruka used her other hand to claw into Selena's face… it felt like the fingertips of her gauntlets had tiny blades on them! Hissing in pain, Selena manages to kick Beruka back after letting go of her axe. "Damn…" Selena could feel the warm life-liquid pour from those cuts. "That freakin' hurt!" How far did Beruka cut into her?! As expected, Beruka also unsheathed a sword, it looked just like the one she used to kill Gregor. Tightening the grip on her own sword, Selena rose. As if giving her the time to get her focus together, Beruka held off.

...She wasn't playing some sort of mind game with the assumption that they are on equal grounds. Beruka has more skill on one-on-one fights than Selena expected.

She could very well die here.

Yet, the biggest thought on her mind on that matter is: What the hell would her father think of this? If there is some sort of afterlife, how would he feel to see her die by the same hands as him?

What would her mother think? That she failed to avenge her father?

Was mother even the vengeful type? She wishes she had more time to ask about Cordelia.

"Are you done?" Beruka asked. "I'm not going to keep giving you breathers if you're going to wait over a minute with each one."

Is Beruka looking to wear her down first? Despite being able to kill her? "You have that damn contract, why do you keep giving me time!?"

She closes her eyes for a moment, "...This is different." She repeats her earlier words, though when she opens them, Selena can actually see the conflict in them. What's holding her back? "I want to feel you first-hand. You're a powerful fighter, it was a true experience to be by your side."

"Oh, so you do care!"

"...Enough." Beruka attempts to divert the conversation as she charges in, seeming to change her approach on the fly. Selena barely had the time to deflect that blow.

"Is that gold really worth it, then?" Selena continues as the swords clash. "You said that you'd follow Lady Camilla because she saved your life… so what if someone paid you twice what's on me for her? Three times?!" Beruka faltered as Selena made her second connecting slice, this time on her upper arm… no armor there it seems. "What's the other factor here? It isn't just the gold, is it?"

"It doesn't concern you, Selena." She finally replies, that mask of calm covering her once more.

"Of course it does! You're a skilled fighter too, but there's something holding you back! Did you not just say you wanted us to be on 'equal grounds'?"

"Tch." Selena has seemed to hit a sore spot, as Beruka simply held her ground at their latest sword lock. "..." Then she tries to put that facade of calm on her… And Selena gasps as she feels something bite deeply in her side. Beruka had weaved her other hand around and sliced with those dagger-like ends of her gauntlet. "We're finished, Selena." Beruka coldly states as she looks to cleave into her. Staggered by the sudden pain and loss of blood, Selena attempted to bring that sword back up, even if she knew she wouldn't cover the distance in time…

So, instead she let natural laws take its course and forced herself to slip and fall. As ungraceful as it was, it prevented her neck from being sliced open. Beruka's eyes glinted with surprise, clearly not expecting such a 'accident' from a skilled fighter. With that small window, Selena sweeps a leg under Beruka's legs, forcing her in the same position. Caught off-guard by the strange tactic, Selena grabs one of Beruka's legs with her free hand, pulling her towards her with her powerful muscles. Despite the protests they had, Selena manages to drag Beruka her way, sliding her across the ground.

Keeping the weird strategy flowing, Selena brought her pommel to Beruka's… wrist. She actually felt the metal dent from the force of her blow. Beruka visibly recoiled as Selena managed to grab the very end of her sword's pommel, which is less than a full hand's worth, but she makes do. Repeating the earlier tactic, Selena twists it, but due to her recent recoil, was unable to react fast enough to let go… A sickening cracking sound followed. Beruka gasps in pain, but otherwise stays as silent as normal.

"So, what the hell is driving you!?" Selena spits as she pins the woman down. "You could have gave me a dozen deaths already, what's with you? You're never without certainty, but I can see your hesitation."

As if copying Selena's sudden change to a strange tactic, Beruka responds with a simple head-on bash with her own head. It was enough to cause both of them to recoil, but it loosened her grip enough for Beruka to push her off. Hearing yet another shing of metal, Beruka rolls over and lashes out with a dagger. Considering how simple it looks, it must be her self-defense dagger…

Which means she's on her last weapon.

Feeling a small sense of relief, Selena barely manages to dodge the incoming strike, as fast as it was. At least, she thought she dodged it, until she felt more blood, this time from the tip of her nose…

It didn't sting as bad as when she clawed into her cheek.

Beruka quickly pushes herself up and Selena finds the time to do the same. Tick, tick, a few second pass by without movement from either side. Selena is breathing heavily while Beruka offers the same labored breathing. Selena may be bleeding more, but Beruka suffers more damage to her bones than her skin. Still, they both stand, each refusing to fall for such 'minor' injuries. Selena notices that Beruka's eyes flick towards each of her forcefully-removed weapons, before their eyes meet again. "Let's finish this." Is all Beruka said as she charged once more…

But immediately steps back before she actually reaches Selena. Not expecting the feint, Selena had brought up her guard… then hissed as the dagger found its way into one of her thighs. Beruka had sent the dagger flying and she shot herself forward and grabbed her discarded sword. Selena felt the sting of metal as she backed up… another cut.

She can't fall to here. Not to her!

Beruka moved in for the kill, looking to run Selena through, but another shing of metal sounds out as Selena is now dual-wielding, blocking the strike with her father's broader sword. Selena's breathing has gotten heavier, and now she has a few spots in her vision. Despite all of her training, Selena never really did as much on dual-wielding, as it always has been a weapon and her pauldron… sometimes a shield she grips.

Her father always promoted more defense than offense. He is probably as skilled as she is for dual-wielding.

Regardless, Beruka didn't seem as surprised by this particular move, and she attempts to weave around for another slice, going for the opposite side of her pauldron. As worn out as she's getting, Selena could only nudge her body a bit out of the way, turning the slice into a glancing blow. But a cut is still a cut, and she hissed in pain. Less blood, blurrier vision, slower reactions.

Selena starts to fear she'll end up losing her life to Beruka. She refuses to lose her composure too, though. She can still pull through this!

Managing to avoid the third neck slice, Selena weakly kicks Beruka's shins, causing her legs to buckle and she stumbles, nearly falling all-together. Selena coughs up some blood as she slices into Beruka's sword arm… no metal contact as she cuts into her wrist.

With an open wound on the inside of her wrist, Beruka drops the sword out of sheer pain. Taking that opportunity, Selena pushes herself up once more and brings a double-pommel strike to Beruka's head, causing a heavy enough concussion to force her to fall. With the window of opportunity finally large enough, Selena thrusts Beruka's old assassination sword, the one that killed her father, down towards her chest, looking to kill her in a similar fashion as Beruka did Gregor…

But stopped.

Selena felt her hairs stand on end. She abruptly side-stepped as another blade swishes through the air. Selena just managed to avoid having her head cleaved open.

A man, similarly clothed to Beruka stands there, his sword is even an almost identical match… and maybe it is, but Selena's vision is too distorted to make out the details. "Close enough, Beruka." He comments, "But she's worn down enough, I'll be sure to keep my end of the deal." He smiles at Selena, "You're really good, managing to get my sweet Beruka that injured."

Ah, and there it is. "I knew there was more than gold involved." Selena heaves a breath… a portion of blood falling with it. Her vision has since further blackened, but adrenaline keeps her up.

She's very well aware she can't handle another person… a common bandit could probably take her out right now. And that, is a shameful thought. How low Selena must have fallen if she thinks she can die to some inexperienced and ill-equipped bastard. Still, she keeps her swords high and her stance solid.

She won't go down without a fight. "Oh, it seems you have will in you. It doesn't matter to me." With that, he moves in for the kill, looking to immediately cleave into her neck. Anticipating that move, Selena brings her father's sword up, blocking it. Then gasped as she felt a chunk of metal enter her lower chest. The dagger was removed in the next moment, and Selena coughed up another helping of blood as she fell down. "I was truly hoping my little angel of death would have killed you, but I can fill in for her." He brings the sword down, looking to thrust through Selena's heart.

And she felt a small wave of blood splash on her. "How… convenient." Beruka?! The man hisses as a sword makes it way through his chest, in a similar fashion to how Gregor died. "You are… an elusive one."

"B-Beruka?" Beruka seemed to have missed a few major points. "I… We were…"

"Just another name on a contract." The sword is pulled back and the man falls. Thankfully, his sword misses Selena, even if he still lands on her. Too weakened to actually push him off, Beruka removes the corpse off of her. "Get up." Beruka offers her hand.

"Wh-what?" Selena simply lied there, too spent to even do that.

Beruka sighs and closes her eyes, then calls for her wyvern. "Here." She rummages through a pouch and takes out a healing tonic. "Drink." Selena nods as Beruka had to actually push the bottle her way. "Rest, we can talk later."


Beruka sat to the side of a bed, bandages lining her body. She had only changed her own bandages twice, the rest went to Selena. Her tonics are also all gone. Still, despite it all, a satisfied smile graces her face. Beruka pulls out the contract from the bag she kept on her wyvern. This one did not hold Selena's face, no… but the man she just killed. As she has come to learn, the older assassins are usually targeted due to information they could know, and he was no different.

She truly didn't know why he wanted to woo her, was it really love? No, it didn't matter. He was a name on a contract.

Her last contract.

Selena stirred from her weakened state. "B-Beruka?" She groaned.

"Out of tonics." She quickly informed her, "And if we need more bandages, I'm going to have to cut our clothing."

"Wh…" Selena coughed. "Why?"

"Did I spare you?" Beruka guessed, "You're right, it's more than just gold, Selena." Beruka looked at the contract over, "He wasn't worth as much, but…" A moment passes in silence.

"Well?"

"I trust you." The frank answer is enough to stun Selena, "Yes, he could have provided me with a life, but I know better than to settle down with an assassin."

"And what about you?"

"If you should trust me?" Selena weakly nodded, "Lady Camilla may have saved my life, but you've shown me the importance of relying on someone. I… actually hope you could trust me as I trust you. It would mean a lot."

"Even though you almost killed me?!" Selena immediately regretted that as she started coughing rather violently. "How do I know you won't finish off that contract?" Her voice became much quieter.

"I told you. That was my last contract." She informs her, "Whether or not you believe me is of your own choice." She stands up, "Besides. Don't you have something to finish off?" Out of all the things she could have done, Beruka offers her a bloodstained sword, the same one Selena held not too long ago. "I'll let you decide the sincerity of my promise." Once more, she catches Selena off-guard and removes her chest armor, exposing her bare chest.

Perhaps it's due to her lack of energy or the turn of events, but it ultimately doesn't bother Selena that… well, everything is showing. In short, Beruka doesn't need a bra.

"Beruka?" Selena asks as she slowly sits up, with the other crouched down, enough to where all Selena has to do is thrust.

"I'm going to become a liability later on. Assassins have shorter lifespans, not because of failure, but because they are on the receiving end of a contract." Beruka repeats the facts known to her, "You saw as much, he knew a lot. I know he knows a lot. Due to his previous attempts to get with me, it was known I could get in close. I had since received a contract to kill him. But, due to my insistence on rejecting him, it would have been suspicious to contact him… so I waited. Since then, I became Lady Camilla's retainer, as have you. I kept silent, even as I recognized you."

"So, now what? If…" Selena gasps as a sudden pain hits her.

"My wyvern will head off on its own if I die, and with your current injuries, you could easily lie and say that you failed to save me in a fight." Her facade is actually starting to crack. There is a tinge of sadness. "But, if I'm to die, I'd rather it be by your hand. I have no regrets on what I've done, and I can understand your need for vengeance, so… here I am." For emphasis, she sticks her chest out.

"You killed my father." She states the obvious.

"I did." Beruka stays still.

"An assassin also took my mother away from me." She continues, "I swore to my father's grave that I'd kill the person responsible. I would use this person as a scapegoat. I would avenge my father and my mother."

"Then do it." The crack in her calm demeanor is still there.

Selena hisses as she gets out of the bed, her muscles screaming in protest. Beruka remains still, "Stand up." Selena orders her. Beruka silently complies, and she stands… still roughly the same size as Selena, if it weren't for her smaller breasts. Raising the sword high, she brings it down what weary strength she has left. Yet, as weakened as she is, and due to her target accepting whatever comes, the sword bites deep. Deeper and deeper it travels, until the hilt makes contact.

Then Selena slaps Beruka.

"Put your damn armor back on." Selena spits out, placing a foot on the pommel of the sword that has been thrusted into the ground. "How are you not embarrassed? You're flatter than a plank of wood."

"I… don't understand." Beruka states, her cheek red from the recent slap, "I know how much you want to take my life. Do you truly think yourself so silent?! I heard your whimpers in the night, how you speak when you sharpen the blade I used, how…" Another slap echoes out, this time on her other cheek.

"Are you done?" Selena shoves Beruka's armor her way, "Now, let's hurry up and recover so we can get back to Lady Camilla."

"I'll be a liability, Selena. The longer I live, the more contracts that will have my name on it." She stubbornly states.

"Easy solution: They'll have to fight me, too." She narrows her eyes, "Seriously, put your armor on! I can see you aren't sporting anything, but could you put something on!? Even if it's a cloth wrap, do something to cover your breasts!"

Beruka looks at Selena, the impaled sword in the ground, then her armor. "You're willing to fight off others that have taken a contract on my life?" She clarifies.

"Oh, don't make me say it so directly." A pause, "Fine! Fine! I'm going to say this once. I care about your well-being, Beruka. Even if you are an assassin, I like you as a person. You're reliable in a fight." Her face flushes with embarrassment, "Do you get it now?" Selena shoves the armor at Beruka, before just letting go of it.

And Beruka catches it before it falls. "Very well." She concedes, as she puts it back on. "Let's take a day to recover, and we'll head out." She looks at Selena, who is both lying down and facing away from her. Beruka, for once, smiles. A strange tightness fills her chest as she walks away, going to the other bed. For a moment when she lies down, she looks right at Selena's back, her breathing has already turned gentle as her body slowly rises and falls. Fair enough, she almost bled out, after all. Beruka succumbs to her own exhaustion soon after…

That smile never did leave her face as she slept.


A/N: Oh... Oh I really liked typing up that fight. I'm talking liking it better than anything I've done before... Number one fight sequence ever, period. From anything, it doesn't matter the source: Anime, video games, whatever.

And be honest, who was expecting Beruka or Selena to die?

Oh, and... instant A+ rank, I suppose?