Hey Strugglers!
I know I posted yesterday but I had to post this one today because unfortunately I may have to go on a little hiatus. It sucks. But I hope to be back as soon as possible. I have a clear idea as to where I'm taking the story. I already have a basic idea of how I'm ending it. So please give me some time to get some stuff straight.
***Please Review***
Now on to the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Berserk. All ownership to Kentaro Miura.
Berserk:
Vows Made
Puck continued wandering around the dark Interstice, going through darkened doorways spreading his dust about as he searched. He didn't know how long he'd been there, but his wings were getting tired so he knew it had to be around three hours.
There was just nothing there but passageways that lead to nowhere, stairs that went to nowhere and platforms all about that just floated about in the nothingness.
"You'd think a Godhand or some guard would show up or something," Puck muttered. "I mean can't they sense an intruder in their hallowed space? I could be sabotaging their home!" If only he knew how to do that.
With a sigh, he found a platform and sat down in the middle of it. Apparently, all he could do was wait. Wait for the Godhand, wait for death or wait for Guts.
Guts. Tears welled up in Puck's eyes. How had he gone from thinking about being an asset to Guts, finding his purpose, to being lost and alone in the Interstice.
"Damned Becchi," Puck wiped his tears. The Behelit wasn't even there with him. "I must be in its mouth or something. I don't even know how this works."
"Would you like to find out?"
Puck turned around swiftly to see a young woman dressed in a long red nightgown. She was beautiful with wavy black hair that kissed the small of her back and the face of a doll.
"Theresia?"
Puck could hardly believe Theresia was there. At first he thought she was an illusion but there was a spark in her eyes that he remembered and realized that she was real.
"You remember me," she smiled at him.
"I'm so happy you're alive. It's been a long time!" He flew towards her. "Why are you here though?" He asked and then his brow puckered. "Did you get pulled in by a Behelit too?"
"Oh wait! Before I forget, how's the Black Swordsman?" she asked him quickly. "I've heard so many rumors about him, they can't be all true."
"I think the majority would be though," Puck nodded. "He's great overall. If you see him now you'd be surprised at how much he's changed!"
"Is that so?" Theresia tapped her chin.
"Yes!" Puck was very excited. He wasn't alone anymore and he was happy because he finally got to see Theresia again after more than two years. On top of that, she was interested in hearing about Guts' well-being and Puck really wanted to talk to someone about him, so why not her? There was no one else around, so Puck thought he was rather lucky to have found someone he was acquainted with.
"Do you still hate him?" Puck asked. "Guts, I mean."
Theresia sighed and shook her head. "No, it seems I lack the ability to hold a grudge."
"He didn't do anything wrong though," Puck told her.
"Yes, I know that," Theresia said with a nod and wave of her hand. "I wasn't able to see the truth back then but I understand everything now."
Puck thought about the situation surrounding the young woman and Guts.
Theresia hadn't known the circumstances surrounding her mother's death and the truth about her father The Count. After discovering his wife partaking in a heretic orgy, The Count had gone mad and eventually used the Behelit Puck had nicknamed Becchi. He'd sacrificed his wife to the Godhand and became an apostle. But when Guts had come to the city, he'd uncovered the truth that Theresia's father was an apostle and in the end wounded him severely. The Count hadn't died by Guts' sword, he'd used the Behelit again to summon the Godhand and they'd wanted him to sacrifice his daughter. However, the Count had loved his daughter and decided to fade away to live eternity in hellish existence. Theresia had at first tried to kill herself but then turned around and threatened to kill Guts for ruining her life. Guts in his own twisted way had given her something to live for.
"He cried you know," Puck said.
"What?" Theresia's pretty face contorted into a confused frown.
"After you swore to kill him, when he walked away I saw his tears," Puck nodded. Guts probably wouldn't appreciate him spilling that information on him to her, but Puck thought it was best to clear the air and talk about what had happened so she could forgive Guts for being so harsh.
"I don't believe it," She said dumbfounded.
Puck grinned. "Well it's true!" He nodded turning into his chestnut form. "That really shocked me too! But that's when I decided to stay by him! I knew that there was something more to him than just a cruel, uncaring guy. I mean, he saved me from being tortured and killed by humans and I followed him about from then but when I saw that he wasn't just a monster, and that there was something really deep and complicated about him. I just had to stay beside him. He accepted me and we've been together ever since!"
Theresia remained silent. "So you're still with him?"
Puck's nod was big and emphatic. "I mean I'm not with him now but that's all Becchi's fault."
"Becchi?"
"That's what I call the Behelit Guts got from your father," Puck told her. "I don't know what happened but I fell asleep next to it and when I woke I was here."
"There must've been more to it than that," Theresia said. "What were you thinking before you fell asleep?"
Puck thought for a moment before un-chestnutting himself. The conversation had become serious. "I was thinking about how I could continue to help him," Puck said and then continued before she could speak. "He really is a changed man. He now has comrades who he cares about, in his own way. They really helped to shape him into who he is now. But there's this woman he's been caring for, her name's Casca. Something bad happened to her and she'd gone crazy but he protected her through thick and thin. She changed him the most. Every time he's with her, I see a new side of him. He's genuinely happy with her and that makes me happy but…" He trailed off.
"But what?" Theresia asked, her voice soft
Puck sighed, "But now I've been feeling like he doesn't need me anymore. I don't think I can be an asset to him because the comrades he's made are pretty strong too and the thing that I'm most good at, healing, can also be taken care of by three of them."
"I understand Puck," she walked toward him and held a palm out. "I too have felt so useless but I'm so glad to have met you again."
"I'm glad too," He flew and landed onto her welcoming palm, and with the other hand she gently rubbed her index finger against his soft blue hairy head. "But why are you in this place Theresia? I don't understand. I know this is the Interstice, the place where the Godhand is summoned. I remember it well, you should too. How are you here?"
She stared down at Puck for a long moment and then suddenly, she clasped her hand around him tightly.
Puck saw nightmares in her beautiful face and he tried to pry himself out of her hand but she was too strong, he couldn't get away.
"Theresia! What are you doing?"
She didn't respond at first just continued to crush him. "Elves are such foolish creatures," she said. "Most especially you, far too pure for your own good."
"Why are you doing this?" Water began to seep out of his eyes from the crushing pain.
"Because after so long, the vow I made will be kept. I will finally have my vengeance," she smirked and it was a horrific sight. She was so beautiful but her eyes had turned completely black and pupil-less. "That man ruined my life completely. So much so that in order to gain the power to destroy him, I gave up my soul to the Goddess of the Flame."
Puck could hardly breathe and his vision was beginning to spot and turn black. "What- what happened to you?"
"You needn't worry about me you pure, naïve creature," she gritted at him. "You're about to be tortured and sadly for you, the Black Swordsman cannot save you."
"If you think I'm going to give up on this Casca, think again," Guts said to himself, Casca asleep upon his chest. "When you wake in the morning, I'm keeping you far away from my cock so we can talk. You will not use that part of me to get what you want."
"I'm sure she'll be most disappointed in that," The Flowerstorm King's voice wafted gently on the breeze.
Guts grabbed the handle of his sword and pointed it swiftly in the direction of the voice. When the ethereal being appeared, the tip of his sword was right to her chest and Guts growled ferociously, territorially.
Holding her hands up, she said, "Now, now, no need for that,"
"Why are you here?" There was no way in hell he was taking another mystical creature lightly, Casca could've died because of his negligence. Just because elves were small and seemingly harmless didn't mean they didn't possess the power to harm or even kill a human.
"I merely want to explain the entirety of the event that happened between Casca and Ivalera tonight. I've got the full details."
"Oh really?" He didn't remove his sword or the look of pure hatred from his face. "Did she tell you the truth or was she the victim?"
The Flowerstorm King shook her head. "Neither. I didn't have to speak to her, I read the forbidden glyphs left behind by the barrier spell she'd used. So you can be assured I have the truth. Now do put your sword down, it's most intimidating,"
"It's supposed to be," he said, but he did move it away from her. His hand remained on the handle, ready. He could cut her in two in an instant if she tried anything.
"I'm not going to try a thing," with the click of her finger, a rock shot up from the earth and she sat before a naked Guts and sleeping Casca. "I shall update you on Schierke's Witching Time first."
"Go ahead," he did want to know if she was all right. He couldn't think about anyone but Casca when he'd been in Schierke's room and left to keep her safe. She was top priority to him.
"As you know, Witching Time is when a young witch around twelve or thirteen will grow in not only physical age, but power as well. It's a very painful process that is fatal in most cases. Pain reducing herbs and potions do not work as her body will repel and expel them. There are only two ways to deal with the pain so that a young witch can handle the transition, the first is handling the pain on her own through sheer will and the second is to lay with a male."
Guts' face contorted with disgust. "She's just a child."
"Indeed, but there are even younger children who end up in certain situations throughout all nations," The Flowerstorm King explained.
He knew what she meant. He was one of those children.
"Schierke didn't seem to be strong enough to handle that on her own," Guts was still frowning. "You provided her with a partner?"
"Indeed," The Flowerstorm King nodded. "She is much better now, the transition was a success for the both of them. Males usually die through the process but he was strong"
"That is good to hear I suppose," Guts didn't like it but once Schierke was okay, he supposed that was all that mattered.
"The little merrow girl Isma, Farnese and Serpico were all tended to. The latter two were nursing headaches and they don't remember what happened once they'd gotten to the water wheel"
Guts knew exactly what had happened. He'd fought them and knocked them out when he realized they were under some kind of spell. "That elven bitch made them attack me."
"Oh dear, might I ask you to refer to Ivelera by her name?"
He glared and she nodded with understanding. "They were just a distraction, meant to keep you busy."
Guts' hand tightened on his sword, "Keep me busy as she harmed and possibly killed Casca?"
"She meant to, as painlessly as she could, use mind control to send Casca to the other side of the island," The Flowerstorm King explained. "Her plan required Casca being out of the way."
Guts' brow raised. "And why is that?"
"Because Ivalera desired you to be the one to lay with Schierke,"
Guts remained silent but a look of disgust washed over his features. Painful memories of the time when he'd been held down and raped repeatedly through the night by Donavan flooded back to him.
"I should've killed that horrid bitch," He growled so deeply, Casca moved, nearly wakening. He put his hand to her hair and relaxed her. "How could she ever think I would do anything like that with Schierke?"
"Schierke's feelings for you are complex," The Flowerstorm king sighed.
Guts shook his head, brief images of the green haired girl on his shoulder came to him. "I don't understand. She doesn't have those kinds of feelings."
"Not the kind your Casca has for you, most certainly not," She nodded. "Her feelings are more admiration. Think along the lines of the boy Isidro's feelings towards you. Fatherly. I suppose."
Guts wasn't fond of the idea that they were looking up to him like that either, but it did relieve him that Schierke wasn't thinking about him intimately. That would've really concerned him because he would never feel that way for her. There was only one woman who had the power to make him feel that way. He glanced down at Casca, blissfully asleep upon his chest.
"Elves sometimes misinterpret human feelings," The flowerstorm king explained, "the confusion and misunderstanding increases if an elf has been subjected to a lot of pain which Ivalera had been experiencing. She'd taken in a lot of Schierke's pain and it made her momentarily lose her mind to use Forbidden Elven Techniques."
"Forbidden Elven Techniques?"
"There are seven of them, she used two," The King explained. "The two she used are very powerful, however not the most powerful. She chose to use the Forbidden Techniques: Astral Maiden and Mind Cracker in combination to lessen the negative effect upon Casca and make it as painless as possible."
"It didn't look painless," Gut's canines seemed to get even more pronounced as he spoke about the ordeal.
"Well, that's because Casca fought back," The Flowerstorm King smiled. "If Ivalera had just used the Mind Cracker, Casca's mind would have shattered. But using the Astral Maiden with Mind Cracker made it so the Maiden could get in easily and plant a suggestion to Casca to go wherever Ivalera wanted her to."
"You telling me this just makes me want to pluck her wings off and boil her alive," he grumbled.
"You miss the point brash swordsman," The King's smile remained serene. "Your Casca put up a fight. She was determined not to let the Astral Maiden break into the mind she'd finally gotten back."
Guts remained silent. He knew Casca was a strong woman, damn he loved her for being so tough, the perfect match for him. Which was why he protected her with everything that was him. He couldn't lose his everything.
"I think you'll understand what I'm about to say now," The Flowerstorm King began. "You have fought astral beings before: demons, ghouls, other mystical creatures, correct?"
He gave her a stiff nod. He'd killed countless numbers with his dragon slayer and yearned to kill even more.
"That sacrificial brand on your neck reacts every time you'd come up against those dark demonic beings am I right?" She didn't wait for his response. "Your brand didn't react to the Astral Maiden."
It hadn't. Before he could ask why, she answered for him. "It's because Ivalera is not of the Godhand. She's not an apostle. Her powers are pure."
"Pure my ass," Guts flared up again. "She tried to-"
"The Astral Maiden is a pure entity," She said. "Leagues above any apostle or astral being the Godhand can conjure up. That is because the Astral Maiden is not from the Interstice but a realm beyond."
"What does this have to do with anything?" he asked.
The Flower King exhaled but she didn't show her annoyance, "Your Casca battled with a Pure being from a realm that supersedes the Interstice and she won that battle."
He let that sink in for a moment. "Of course she did, she's a fighter and a strong woman. I expect no less from her."
The Flowerstorm King closed her eyes and looked skyward. "She did something no normal human can do. Her will to not have her mind be broken again was so strong, she weakened a pure being. If you hadn't shown up, I believe Ivalera would've been blown apart by the strain and the Astral Maiden would have been sent back to its realm."
"She was in pain,"
"Well creating even an impermeable mental barrier is not an easy task," she said. "Her will was so powerful it materialized into an impenetrable fortress around her mind and protecting that fortress is a Guardian. That Guardian is a combination of willpower, natural strength and essence of the Astral Maiden. Casca will not regress again for that Guardian will protect her. Her innocence resides in that castle and even in sleep the Guardian is fighting the demons in her memory. They will not enter that castle."
"So her mind is strong again," Guts simplified. "I don't have to be careful about bringing up that dark time now?" Not that he would, but he felt like he was walking on glass with her at times.
"Exactly," she said. "And to tie this back to the matter at hand, you will not agree I'm sure, at least, not right now, but Ivalera has helped you both. Not just by strengthening Casca's mind but also, you will see that your Dragon Slayer has gained quite the upgrade as well. Look at it."
The Flowerstorm King clapped her hands and lightning bugs gathered to shine brightly on his sword. Guts lifted his sword and carefully examined it, he didn't see anything at first and then shining clearly were strange symbols embossed onto the blade.
"What's this?" He ran his fingers along the symbol.
"A gift," The Flowerstorm King said, "from the Astral Maiden's god,"
Guts' face contorted distastefully. "I hate gifts," he said. "Especially from beings that call themselves 'gods'." A gift from a god was always a double edged sword, just like his sacrificial brand.
"I suppose I understand your stance but I am preparing a training area especially for you and you'd never be able to handle it without that particular gift."
Guts' head snapped to her as something mentally clicked. "You knew Casca would be attacked by Ivalera,"
"I knew Casca would win and that you would break through the astral barrier to get to her," The Flowerstorm King told him and then stood up. "Guts sometimes things happen for a reason. This is one of those times," she said. "You may not like it, but there is such a thing as fate. Balance is important in all things. Do you honestly think with all the evil in this world there is no such thing as good to balance out the idea of evil?"
"I actually don't give a flying fuck about that," he shrugged. "I only care about myself, Casca and the comrades I make and lose along with way. I struggle because it's all I know how to do. I will destroy the apostles, the Godhand and Griffith most of all. After that, if Casca and I happen to be alive even after all that shit, then I'd gladly settle down with her if she still wants me, but until then, I will continue to fight for what I believe in."
"And what do you believe in?" She asked.
"Vengeance and using the power I have to exact it," he yawned. "You finish yet? The sun's going to be up soon and I haven't gotten any sleep."
"Almost," she said. "Your Casca is in a delicate position right now. You will need to anchor her as she will feel adrift in this world where astral beings are becoming the norm. A warrior can feel very useless when the sword she knows no longer works."
"You needn't worry about Casca," he looked down at the sleeping woman. He knew exactly why she didn't want to talk about what had happened with Ivalera. He didn't expect her to be able to handle herself as effectively as she'd once been able too. No, she still had a lot of training to undergo, so of course, she'd feel weak. But he'd wanted to reassure her that she wasn't the weakling she thought herself. The more she trained the stronger she'd see she truly was and the more confidence she'd gain. She had a magnificent rage that could be converted into strength. Tomorrow he'd pep-talk her and build her up. It had to be rough going up against a creature she couldn't physically kill.
"Another thing," The Flowerstorm king continued, "Your training begins tomorrow, prepare your mind for it."
His brow furrowed. "What do you-"
"I'll explain that tomorrow, just be prepared to take a walk down memory lane," she said. "And lastly, about Puck."
"Do you know where he is?" Guts asked quickly, concerned instantly. "He's never been gone for this long."
"I'm afraid I cannot sense him in Elfhelm," she said.
"He left?"
The Flowerstorm king shook her head. "I would've felt him leave the barrier. But what I understand from Sir Serpico is that he was last seen with the grey Behelit."
Gut's eye widened. "Then he must've somehow been transported to the Interstice. The Godhand has him. Where's the Behelit?"
"Unfortunately it is lost," The Flowerking told him. "In the morning I will make a clean sweep of Elfhelm to locate the fetish. That shouldn't be too difficult."
"No, I need it tonight," sleep became the last thing on his mind. "I have to bring Puck back." The little blue haired elf had stuck with him during his darkest times, healed him when he'd been injured, kept him from going completely insane or down a path he couldn't return from. He owed so much to that little creature.
The Flowerstorm King took him in. "You need to rest Swordsman," she said.
"But Puck-"
She raised her hand and out came a shower of dust into his face. It might've been a bit too much but for someone as strong as Guts, she wasn't taking any chances.
He began to cough as it went into him, picking up his sword he nearly sliced her but she was able to stop the blade with her hand. "Rest Swordsman and leave the locating of Puck to me. He is an elf of Elfhelm and so the rules of the Godhand and sacrifice do not apply to him. That doesn't make him safe from injury but they won't kill him."
"Damn you…I- I have to- Puck-" Guts tried to speak but his fatigue caught up to him and he drifted off to sleep.
The Flowerstorm King sighed, clapped her hands and constructed a warm, leafy blanket for the Branded Swordsman and female warrior. They had a big day ahead of them and as much as the Flowerstorm King wanted to rest herself, there was a bit more that she would have to do.
Walking to the river, The Flowerstorm King bent, put her hand in and picked up the Behelit that thought it could hide from her.
"Found you," She said analyzing the grey Behelit and then moving from the river, she walked back to Casca and Guts. "My apologies dear Casca." The Flower King whispered before twining a thin vine onto the Behelit to form a necklace and then with a click of her fingers the vine tied itself around Casca's neck and settled the Behelit to her breasts. "Man cannot run from his fate, you cannot hide for destiny calls. You cannot build walls or castles to protect yourself. You must fight, for this world is dark and full of terrors,"
The Flowerstorm King headed into the forest. "Those slugworms," she whispered as she thought back to when she'd been in her library researching Witching Time. She would've arrived at Schierke's room before Guts had but fate had stepped in and she'd had to answer a mysterious call.
From the top most area of the barrier, she heard a tapping sound. Curious, she vanished from the library to fly up to the barrier way up to the clouds. Once there, she'd been shocked to see the oldest member of the Godhand, Void and the only female of the Godhand, Slan. Clouds formed her voluptuous body and wild snake-like hair.
"Leaves. How typical," Slan smirked. "Such nice breasts you have too. What a waste." Slan crossed her arms beneath her exposed breasts. Her nipples were in a constant state of arousal.
"Godhand," The Flowerstorm King said.
"The male sacrifice is here isn't he?" Slan inquired trying to see through the barrier. "I admit I miss seeing his tormented face."
The King remained impassive before her middle and index finger went to her temple to send out a mental alert to her hidden warriors. Just because Elfhelm was peaceful, didn't mean she could allow her army to be lax. They were ready for war if they needed to be.
"There's no need for that," Void raised his bony, six fingered hand. "Slan control yourself,"
"Yes, yes," she sighed and waved nonchalantly. "We come in peace,"
"What do you want?"
Void turned his attention back to the Flowerstorm King. "We come with an offer."
Reappearing at the top of the barrier, the Flowerstorm King waited with three of her strongest warriors who she met waiting there for her, were on guard and prepared for the worst. The exchange that was about to happen could be devastating. The Elfhelm Barrier needed to be opened for it to happen and evil, if it wanted to, would waste no opportunity to slip in.
The sky in the human world was dark and it was now raining. The Flowerstorm King didn't have to wait long, because Slan materialized this time as the rain, nipples still exposed and hard even though she was water.
"Where is Godhand Void?" The Flowerstorm King inquired.
"He had other more important matters to deal with," Slan smiled. Her smile was watery but beautiful. "It's merely an exchange. Once you've done as requested you'll get what we offered."
"I've done as asked," The Flowerstorm King said and then held out her hand. "Now give me his wings."
"I want to see proof," Slan said and when the King glared, she shrugged. "It's business."
Snapping her finger, a mirror appeared and in the mirror showed the Behelit around Casca's neck. "Sacred vine. No human can break it," The Flowerstorm king informed her. "It will snap once the Behelit awakens."
"Perfect," Slan smirked and waved her hand. A tiny jar appeared with Puck's bloodied wings in them.
Tears came to the Flowerstorm king's eyes. "I too make a business request," she said. "I want to see him."
"Fine," Suddenly Slan's chest turned into a seeing portal and the King was able to see Puck in a jar, wings detached and bleeding. But the elf's blue eyes still had life in them. He hadn't given up yet. "He will not die. His wounds have already healed." The portal closed.
"As promised," Slan held out the jar. "Here's our end of the bargain. Now open up if you want it."
The Flowerstorm King stared at Slan and knew instinctively that she was up to no good. So she went closer to the barrier instead and put her hand through it.
Slan stared at the hand and then at the King. Her hand was beginning to burn where the barrier was sealed around it. The King's warriors said nothing, just remained prepared for anything.
"You're distrust distresses me," Slan said. "Just because I yearn to strip you naked, beat you bloody and then eat you out as your people conduct a massive blood orgy in honor of me doesn't mean I'm going to act on that feeling." The Goddess of the Flame replied.
"You should be honored that I'm taking you so seriously," The king told her with the strongest tone she possessed. "Give me the wings."
"You straight-laced types irritate me," Slan put the little jar into the King's hand and as the King began to pull her bloodied forearm back through the barrier, Slan grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled so hard, The King's upper body came through the barrier.
The King's Servants grabbed her bottom half and pulled, but Slan was strong. Slan had the King's wrists in one hand above her head and her upper body pressed up against the barrier, burning her back, making her scream.
"That's right, scream for me!" Slan moaned and then grabbed the front of the King's leafy dress ripped it off exposing her breasts. "So beautiful," she said before leaning down to suck hard on the King's right nipple.
The guards were still trying to pull their ruler back through the barrier and their weapons couldn't pierce through the shield either. The Flowerstorm King was stuck until Slan was finished.
Slan didn't finish until both of the King's breasts were bleeding from the bitemarks, her back dripping in blood from the barrier burning into her skin and the King's wrists marked where Slan had gripped them. The little jar was still in the King's grip and her eyes burned with fury.
Her warriors pulled her back in and began to fret over her but she silenced them all with a flurry of wind as she glared at Slan, her own breasts exposed and hardened. She was bloodied and involuntarily aroused.
"I can feel your anger, innocent one," Slan licked the blood on her lips. "But I also smell your passion."
"You've made enemies with the wrong astral being, Godhand Slan," The Flowerstorm King said. "I will personally see that your Sacrifices destroy you."
Slan let out a tinkling laugh. "Oh I hope so," she said. "I yearn to feel Guts' sword running through me."
"You vile creature,'"
Slan shrugged unbothered, "Everyone's a little vile. You're no exception." She said. "You will think of me Flowerstorm as your juices coat your fingers. And I will think of you as well because just the thought of fucking all the innocence out of you excites me."
And then Slan vanished, leaving the King enraged. Her three warriors knew not what to say.
"You don't have to say a thing," The King said wrapping herself up in a leafy robe. "The exchange has gone through. Tomorrow prepare for our training to increase three fold in intensity. Now leave."
But they didn't. Instead, they stood before her and pulled out little blades they were all given. She watched as they, all cut a line from shoulder to shoulder, bleeding for her, bleeding because they'd been useless against Godhand Slan. They couldn't do anything.
"My King, we have shamed you." they said before getting on one knee and holding their heads down as their blood dripped down through the sky. "We are useless and do not deserve to be your guard."
"Lift your heads. I believe we all were useless in this instance," The King said. "I am not a god and so I stand little chance against those beings. Which is why I intend to back the Branded Swordsman and his woman for they faced that demonic ritual, the Eclipse, and survived. With training they can kill gods. All we can do is be of help to them on their journey to grow in strength. That is how we assuage the feelings of uselessness that assail us. That is all we can do. Now leave and do not allow your weakness in the face of such insurmountable greatness distress you and distract you from your purpose, for I vow it, the Godhand will pay for what they have done."
Then the Fairystorm King vanished. She reappeared in her private chambers, blood dripping onto the floor. Tears began to pour from her face as she put the little jar with Puck's wings onto her nightstand. Then she ripped her covering off. Slan had defiled her.
The King went to her bath and found it ready for her, heated and filled with her favorite floral essence. She stepped into the bath and began to scrub and wash her skin but she felt so defiled that she began to tear at her skin and the water pooled red. The flower petals stained with blood.
Shaking, The King curled up and cried. She stayed in the water for a while longer, before getting up, feeling just out of it and unable to think about doing anything like emptying the bathwater or even drying off. She just went into her bedroom and as she lay, she tossed and turned in the bed unable to sleep. Her core throbbing embarrassingly aroused. She could still feel Slan's watery lips sucking on her nipples.
She bit into her lip and began to cry as she finally gave in. It was almost dawn. The King reached down between her legs and touched herself until her body shook and released. All the while she had thought about Slan, her fingers coating with her creamy fluid.
The King curled up and cried herself asleep, ashamed of herself and her weakness.
And as the King slept unknowingly, in the bloodied bathwater, Slan materialized.
The King fell straight to sleep, exhausted mentally and emotionally and didn't even know that Slan was there. In her current state, she wasn't strong enough to kill the King even asleep, but she was strong enough to venture out and find the man she yearned to see.
The branded male sacrifice, Guts.
And if his warrior female was there, the other living branded sacrifice, Casca, well the warrior was weak, easily breakable and wouldn't stand a chance against Slan, even if Slan was just a blood puppet.
And that's this chapter. As I said, I'll be on a tiny break but I hope to be back as soon as possible. Please leave reviews and comments. I see the stats so I know a number of people are reading this fic, I just have no idea if you guys are still enjoying it.
So until I post again, hopefully really soon, keep struggling!