Niko: Hello everyone. Well today's the day, it's time for this story to finally end. It's so surprising really, I spent a long while trying to finish Requiem of Rain and BREAK OUT took just less than a summer vacation's worth of writing. Still, I'm so proud of this story and how the response I've gotten from all you readers.
By the way, sorry for how late this story is, it's an extra long chapter (just like it's prequel, I didn't recognize just how much had left to tell, oh well!)
I hope you enjoy this final chapter of BREAK OUT!
I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN!
Only and Forever
It seemed like the Cradle Affair all over again. Blowing a hole in the side of the Vongola building and rushing on in. Good times.
This time though, we were all together, because our aim was different this time around. We weren't aiming to take over Vongola. We were aiming to defeat Merlo and bring some sense back into the Vongola. We didn't care if Vongola agents came at us, we'd beat down all the obstacles that get in the way of our prize.
Just as the previous time, we had made a plan to claim it.
This time, we would.
"What do you mean?!"
"No way!"
"Hey! Sit your asses back down!" Esther snapped. We all quickly learned that Esther, albeit playful and childish, could also be firm. After her word we sat back down and waited for an explanation. "Now I know you don't like it, but I don't want you fighting the same person from Merlo this time around."
"Why the Hell not?" I barked back. Even though I had won my battle, I still had a debt to pay back to that foreigner. I could also tell that everyone else wanted to payback for their injuries. Whether they won or not, we wanted their heads. "This is a matter of pride!"
"Well imagine how much pride you'll have when you have your asses handed to you," Esther answered back. "Each of the members knows about you, but only you. If they beat you before, they can do it again. That's why I'm suggesting you all fight someone else this time around. But hey! I'm just spoon feeding you the victory! You can take it or lose. It's your choice."
With that we all kept silent and listened to what Esther had to say.
"Alright so this is my idea for the fights," Esther began and started by pointing at Leviathan. "Levi, I want you up against Aero, the archer. In all honesty, Aero is all talk, his body as a fighter is frail. He's good with long-distance fighting and rarely misses. However his reflexes and senses are poor when his target is closer to him. Close-combat is the best way to beat him, use that… lunge thing you did on Lluks, he'll never see it coming. If possible, even trap him with your Levi Volta. Everything clear?"
"Understood," Leviathan nodded in his seat. From his eyes, you could see the determination in them. Well I choose to call it determination, others would call it bloodlust.
"Alright, Belphegor, you'll be fighting Vellalar, the foreigner with the spear. On average, Vellalar will have about twelve spears with him on hand. Ten of his spears are made to be thrown, while the last two are specifically made for close-combat. Needless to say, try not to get too close to him. He may not look like a fast person, but he can be very swift with his spears. Also, some of his spears, not all, may contain poison as well. I'm sure you already know to dodge them, but just to add a little more incentive. His weak spot… would be his back. If you're quiet enough, sneak behind him and go straight for the jugular, no mercy or anything. Got it?"
"Of course, ushishishi~" Belphegor went into a quiet fit of controlled snickering.
"Mammon, you're going to up with Lluks, the one with the coin, which by the way is rigged, it's two-faced. Lluks is a tricky bastard and will always act like he has the upper hand. However, inside he is a scared little boy, the kind who dreams of being a pirate. He's sinking in debts, he's been kicked out of more pubs than I can count, and he owes his own mafia family millions. If it'll help," Esther walked over to Mammon and gave him a photograph of a man. "That is the face of the Don of his family. Lluks is also afraid of the gallows and he's terrified of swimming, he's really a huge scaredy-cat, I think he may even be afraid of Marcello and Hou Po."
"Hmph, how droll," Mammon pulled of a smirk. "Underneath that idiotic and foolhardy bravado is a child terrified of the shadows…I'll have fun with this one…"
"Good then! Next is Hou Po, he's is definitely one of the more difficult opponents. He's not exactly… right in the head. He always has a smile on his face, but he's twisted underneath that smile. That is why I decided Lussuria should take him on. Before you ask, Lussuria, take your glasses off."
"Hm…?" Lussuria did as he said and we were quickly welcomed by the sight of Lussuria's eyes once more. It was a rare sight to see and quite unusually after getting used to seeing him with his sunglasses.
"You can't see anything without your sunglasses," Esther continued. "Just by removing your sunglasses, we've eliminated one of your senses. And… Mammon?"
"Senses are the doorways to perception," Mammon answered to his cue. "And they can be easily tricked, especially sight."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," Esther smiled and returned her attention back to Lussuria. "You'll be fighting Hou Po blind but you'll be protected from the brunt of his illusions. Without his illusions, Hou Po is weak. He's not a fighter. He's a magician with a couple of parlour tricks. Honestly, he's a toothpick and bruises easier than a banana."
"Interesting…" Lussuria smiled. "Almost sounds a bit fun… Ooh! Now I'm excited! I'm itching all over and jittery! I can't wait~"
"Lovely. Next is Squalo, I want you to fight Root. Root is a sneaky little devil, I'll give you that. He observes his opponents from afar before going into action. Therefore he's usually not the one to make the first move. My advice, don't hit him with everything you've got beforehand, but instead, rile him up."
"So pretty much, like our battle…?" I asked, referring to our sword battle, when I was trying to get Esther to fight back and she was pretty much doing the same thing.
"Precisely," Esther gave me a sly smile. "Once he gets angry he gets sloppy. What's the term for him again… tsun something or other(1). Whatever, just get him angry, get him embarrassed. Just do something to make him lose his 'cool guy' façade and he will fall to your feet within seconds."
"Got it," I tried to picture Root from his battle with Lussuria. I remember him just standing there, taking Lussuria's hits and taunting him. He kept his cool long enough for Lussuria to believe he had already won. I can't let him fool me.
"And finally, our well awaited Sky battle," Esther faced Xanxus. Even after that beating she had received, she would still dare to look him in the eye. "Xanxus, I'm sure you've wanted to fill Marcello with holes since you laid eyes on him. As much as I'd love to do it myself… I'll let you take the sweet victory. So, Marcello… he's a lover, that's for sure."
Once again, Esther was gone. She looked so void of life and sentiment. She was cold as ice as she described Marcello.
"He may be strong with that axe of his… but when you find his heart and break it, you'll end him," Esther paused for a moment. "As you all know, I am Marcello's fiancé. So… Xanxus, if you will permit me to make one move… I will take Marcello by his weakness and… allow you to make the final blow."
"Whatever," was his only remark, and here I had thought he had fallen asleep at the back. He leaned against a pile of boxes, behind us and had shut his eyes. I swear I even heard him snoring a moment ago.
"Alright, so we all know our opponents. If you want to know more about them or have any questions, just ask. On the day we attack, I won't be there to hold your hands through it all. I'll be with Merlo, as you know. "
"What about Vongola…? What if they come into the field?" Leviathan asked.
"Our first priority is Merlo," Esther stated. "Defeat Merlo and you get back into Vongola. If the Vongola do come into play, they will most likely be under Hou Po's hypnotism. Therefore, Lussuria you have a very important job. With Hou Po dead so will his hypnotism. If the Vongola does appear before Hou Po's death, then just do what Xanxus did and shock the hypnotism right out of 'em! Everyone understand?"
"Understood," we all said unanimously, and the echo in the basement seemed to add to the determination and boldness in our one-word statement. We were ready for whatever came at us in battle.
Some of us, me included, were wondering about what would happen, mainly about Esther, once the battles are done. Will she disappear? Will she be punished? I wondered if she even knew what was coming for her once the deed was done.
Maybe or maybe not, but worrying was not going to get anything done. We had all learned that after the Cradle Affair. Sentiment is not something we can afford sometimes. Others will think otherwise. Sometimes we have wondered if there's something wrong with us, unfeeling, cold, killers of the mafia. However our lives filled with death have taught us that all lives end, all hearts are broken.
Caring is not an advantage(2).
(Leviathan)
Esther had already swept through the building and placed tracking devices on the rooms of each of the Merlo member's locations. As I recall, she had explained it would be safer and they wouldn't be able to notice its presence in the room. With each of the Varia members, she gave each of us the radars so that we could find our own target.
I decided not to hold back, since I had the element of surprise in my hands. I kicked the door open and sure enough there was my target. Without a slip in movement, I threw my parabolas out towards Aero.
"You!" I heard him exclaim but it was too late. The parabolas unleashed their power unto Aero. I stood firm as I heard his screams, it had been too long since I had heard such music. There was an unusually large explosion, which put a smile on my face. Remembering his battle with Belphegor, Aero's arrows could cause explosions. My Levi Volta triggered off the explosives on his arrows, adding for double the damage.
Of course, as a fellow assassin, I would expect him not to just die quietly and peacefully. Quiet and peace are alien to us.
"Looks it will take me a little while longer before I reunite with the boss," I muttered as the dust cleared and Aero heaved for air. It was just as Esther had said, he was already battered after the augmented explosion. He was excruciatingly weak.
"You're going to pay for that…" Aero got to his feet, but just how was he going to "make me pay?" His arrows were all gone and his bow had snapped. I had already won.
"I hate people like you," I sneered, allowing myself to converse with this prime example of a lowlife. "You're not worthy of the accolade of an assassin. If there is anything your pathetic excuse of a life is worth it is death and I will gladly be the one to assist you."
Aero ran at me rage in his eyes but no threat in his hands. This… to believe we were beaten by a group of this. I will gain vengeance and regain our pride, starting with this trash.
No matter who the opponent is, even if the target is weak like this one. I reached behind me and took out a parabola. I won't give mercy; it's my cold-headed volition.
In a sharp movement, I began to run at Aero as well. As the best vanguard, I will crush the obstacles; deceiving enemies with my phantom appearance. He roared with anger,
"I won't let anyone to be a hindrance; accomplish the mission with lightning speed!" I roared back and prepared for impact. The absolute obedience, as the right-hand man, I won't betray boss's expectation.
Now boss, please praise me; the joy of supremacy devotion.
Aero's roar died down and cracked until it became silent when he realized the parabola impaling him through his abdomen. His eyes were frantic as blood spilled to the ground and he could do nothing but slowly die. I leaned towards him so he could hear my words above his shock.
"Those who threaten my position... I will kick them no matter who they are." Then I pulled the parabola out, resulting in a throaty gasp from Aero as he collapsed on the ground, still grasping onto his thread of life. I watched as the blood pooled around his twitching body, before turning away and making my leave.
Please praise me once more, boss; the joy of supremacy devotion.
Yes… the joy(3).
(Belphegor)
My target showed hardly any reaction to the Prince's appearance in his dull life. He stared at me hard before taking out his spears.
"…fight…" he spoke, but not as a question. Of course. Fighting, killing, the death agony, I love to hear it. It is never a question in my life. It is my life.
"You soul," I smiled as I took out my knives. "I will cut it up."
With that he began to throw spears at me. Just as Esther had mentioned, he had many spears on hand, however there were two just strapped behind him, which meant he was going to finish up with his javelins before getting to the closer combat. Interesting…
"You have no idea who you're dealing with, peasant!" I smiled as I dodged each of his thrown spears. "I am Belephgor! Varia's number one, skilled in battle sense! Prince the Ripper!" With him out of throwing spears I began throwing my own knives attached to wires at him. Esther said he was swift, but he was bulky like an out of fashion phone. If I could get him trapped in the wires, I could at least buy me some time.
"…calling… your name… at start of fight… how… gallant," he said moving aside to dodge the knife. I smirked at his actions and his words.
"It's not a gallantry." He had no idea. This little peasant was my puppet, as long as he kept dodging my knives, he'll eventually get caught in the wires. This is going to be fun.
As he unstrapped his last two spears, I made my move around the room. At different angles throughout, I threw knives at him, which he dodged, unknowing the web forming around him. He kept turning, never once taking his eyes off me.
It was at the last moment when he realized he was trapped. It was just like with that other peasant, only this time, this one was doomed to be the target of my Storming Knives Waltz. I smirked at the sight of the panic pooling in his eyes when I snapped my fingers. Good, I like it when the peasant recognizes when they're already dead(4).
I sat back and enjoyed the show as every knife thrown at him before was coated in Storm flames and returned to their original target: the peasant Vellalar. Each and every one of them zipped back across their respective wires and imbedded themselves into peasant flesh before exploding.
All was good and well until I felt a sharp stab. Imbedded in my right shoulder was one of his spears used for close combat.
"That fucking peasant… shi… ushishishishishi! Uushishishishishishishishish ishi!" As the smoke began to clear I grabbed the spear and pulled it out, taking in the thrilling sensation of the pain. There it was…"Ushishishishishi~! Look… look peasant and revel at the sight unfit for peasant eyes. Look at the sinking royalty's sacred blood. Ushishishi~ The revival of the deep crimson excitement!"
The peasant grunted as I threw a knife at his shoulder just as he did to mine.
"The cruelty of my arts… Ushishishishi~ I am Prince the Ripper and by my royal decree: Everything in this world will be cut up! Ushishishishishishishishishi ~!"
I rushed towards him before he could even react. It's time for a dance. With a ready knife in my hand, I slashed across his arm, making him relieve his grip on his last spear. I slashed at his head, because his peasant face was ugly.
"Ushishishi! Light up the dancer dyed in scarlet!" Hm… when I think about it, he could use a little more crimson and burgundy. Let's add more to the mix! Oh~ his screams, he's finally screaming. "Yes~ Yes! Finally the melody to the crazy death~ Screams are the best BGM!"
He was now screaming in another language, one that was not in my Princely dictionary. Whatever. It was probably something stupid or something along the lines of "Help me help me help me!"
"Ushishishishishi~!" I couldn't contain my laughter. This was all so fun! I didn't want this to end… but the others would be waiting on me… Whatever, they will wait for the Prince, because I am the Prince!
Somewhere between the slashes, I had gotten him on the floor and I had straddled him as I continued to assault him whilst breaking into song.
"Bloody hell~ Bloody heaven~ Bloody Bel~! Uuuushishishishishishishishi shishishishishishishi~!"(5)
(Mammon)
"The hell, how'd you get in here, kid?" Lluks exclaimed once I had entered his room. The entire scenario had less than nothing to report, although I will mention one thing. Lluks was in his boxer shorts and the rest of his clothes and belongings were on every surface of his room.
Lovely, let's just get this over with.
"Come to me, all of you who are frightened by curses, I will show you my ability."
"Hey! Hey! What're you doing?!" Lluks began to panic slightly, but tried to hold onto what little pride he had in his boxers, which wasn't much to begin with. I decided that his room wasn't exactly the ideal place to do battle, so I placed us in a place that would make him a little more… comfortable?
"A… a ship…?" Lluks stared about, unaware that I had also clothed him in some decent clothes as well as a pirate hat. I decided I would let him immerse in the illusion like and dream… before slowly breaking it down into tiny little bits.
I don't need to fight a plebeian like him to win. I am the cursed baby, of the Arcobaleno, the pacifier is the proof. I can win without fighting. The pride in fighting is foolish, when fighting is all about reward.
I watched him as he lived in this little illusion as a pirate, killing, robbing, lying, and drinking. How amusing it was for me to watch. The repeated same life… no matter how many times, that is a curse.
To be free of it, I collect money; the only real thing in the world. I don't need friendship or ability, things that can be fabricated. Glory… true glory is a thing that can be bought with money.
"Friendship or ability is an illusion," I spoke and things began to change for the worse in his little fantasy world.
He was in his ship, laying about in the crow's nest, when he was awoken by stormy weather. He got down and out of the nest and looked around him. The waves had darkened and the so had the sky, which was masked with clouds and roared with thunder and approaching storms. He cussed out a string of expletives when he saw another ship approaching his, donning the ensign of his famiglia.
"Lluks Loveless! Surrender now or we will be forced to attack!" rang out the voice of Lluk's famiglia head. He flinched and panicked.
"Just give me more time, boss!" He frantically tried to bargain with the illusion of his Don. "I-I'll have the money soon! Merlo is already in Vongola! You were right boss, those idiots never saw us coming! We'll bring them down after we've captured and killed the Varia! I bring back some of the riches and I'll have repaid my debt, boss! I just need a little more time!"
"Time waits for no one and neither does death. Prepare the canons!"
"Boss! Wait!" It was too late, the first shot was fired and hit and I was nearly surprised and amused to hear Lluks scream. More. More and more cannonballs came, breaking through the wood surface of the ship and soon water began to overtake the vessel.
"No…no no No!" Lluks was frantic as he evaded the water that began to make its way into the boat. He then started using his brain and began climbing up the ropes to return to the crow's nest, but it was useless. The ship was sinking and eventually he would reach the sea.
The canons stopped firing as Lluks' ship just kept sinking until the crow's nest was touching the water. I let out a slight chuckle when the crow's nest was in the water, and due to Lluk's panicking, the crow's nest flipped over, forcing Lluks into the water.
I appeared before him, where he was panicking in the water, breathing in water and choking. Such a pitiful sight.
"To fall into the glory of illusions is a pleasant feeling," I tried to coax him to take the final jump; the fall into death. I leaned closer and whispered. "Death waits for no man when their time has come. Resistance is useless."
I sat at on the windowsill of Lluks' room. While he was dreaming of a pirate fantasy and drowning, he didn't realize that in real life, he had just thrown himself out of the window, six floors from the ground. Now, now he was dead, with his head cracked open on the ground and his blood pouring out. In his hands were papers of his IOUs.
As far as anyone is concerned, Lluks Loveless committed suicide in order to escape his debts and he lived and died a coward.
"Hn… It's useless," I thought before taking my leave(6).
(Lussuria)
"Well, well, looks like Root was right…" Hou Po spoke when I had entered his room. The young man was reading something when I had got in, but it seemed he was only slightly surprised to see me. His face was half covered by a surgical mask. "There is a mole in Merlo… so who was it?"
"It doesn't really matter now, does it?" I asked, flashing him a smile. "We already know everything about you just as you knew everything about us. I'd say it's already too late, don't you think, hun?"
"Hmm, I suppose you're right," Hou Po spoke with amusement in his voice before coughing. "You haven't really caught me at my best form, but I'll give you your life's worth."
"As you will make a lovely addition to my collection," I challenged him back. Just then, the walls of the room disappeared and we were suddenly on the rooftop. I see, this had to be an illusion. He was bringing me back to my fight with Root, where I had fallen. Attacking me at such a tender area… but not this time~!
I took of my glasses and sure enough my vision changed. My vision was indecipherably blurry, that all I could see were blotches of milky colours. I put my glasses into my pocket and took my ready stance.
"Are you ready to face despair?" I heard the voice speak to me, it was a mixture of Hou Po's and Roots. So he really was trying to fool me into thinking I'm fighting Root again. I wasn't going to be fooled!
"Those things won't matter~" I smiled and listened to the slightest sounds. "I will take your despair away, I il sole~!"
I heard a shuffle and with that I closed in to make my move. I started with a punch and felt the impact between my fist and his body. I heard him grunt as he crashed into something porcelain, perhaps a vase. Without my sight I could only imagine what he looked like as I sent out a flurry of attacks with my eight limbs. Ooh~ The unmovable body that rots away and cold… the ultimate physical beauty~
My ideal.
"What is this…? You're… blind?!" I heard him cough out. His chest… that's my target.
"Come right now… my collection," I giggled as I grabbed him and tried to force him down. "Resistance is useless, you're miserable. Yes… lie down, lie down…lying down~"
"What are you… augh!" He grunted and coughed as I beat his chest with fists and elbow jabs. Inside his chest, his ribs were breaking, and his frozen heart was wounded.
He eventually stopped flailing, that was when I put my glasses back on. He was choking, his own ribs poking at his lungs, even his mask was preventing his own breathing.
He was so beautiful right now…
"Come," I heaved him up. "I will melt the frozen heart's wound… with an everlasting love, I will embrace you." I wrapped my hands around his chest, clenching hard as I listened to his wheezing.
"For you… I will flow the love that begins the morning… for you… I will shine brightly and strongly. The hot light will wrap you."
"…pl…plea…" and then he was gone. I didn't let go of him though. Not until his body had gone cold and became absolute beauty.
I wanted to experience it myself, maybe one day. But I have a lot of work to do before I become the ultimate physical beauty.
I will just continue being the Sun and Mama for my little family for the time being(7).
(Squalo)
Our trackers were pointed in the same direction, so we left together, it was only fit that Leader of Varia and the Second in Command of Varia be together. We eventually made our way to a big room, a dining room of sorts.
"Root, sometimes I hate it when you're right," we heard Marcello speak. Marcello was sitting in a large chair, one that rivalled Xanxus's. He was sitting with Esther, disguised as Loreto in his arms. In front of them was Root, looking to be ready to protect them.
"How troublesome… now there's a mole in Merlo," Marcello sighed. "Root, can you take care of them, I want to finish my lunch in peace."
"Hey Trash," I hear beside me and that was all I needed.
"Understood," I said and walked up to Root. "Voi! I'll be your opponent."
Neither of us said anything, we let our blades do the conversing. His weapon was his sickle, probably another one he had gotten after Lussuria broke his original one. The sickle was such a strange weapon. It is similar to a scythe, just smaller and much less intimidating. Against me and my sword, it was pointless.
"Are you even trying, with such a tiny weapon?" I started, but Root remained unmoved until I slapped his sickle right out of his hand with the flat side of my sword. "Don't waste my time with your toys."
"You…" Root muttered. Yes I was finally getting to him until I felt a nostalgic slap in the face. I looked and saw the whip in Root's hand. No wonder, I had been mistakenly hit by Dino's bullwhip enough times to get used to its sting.
"Don't expect that thing is going to do any better runt," I rushed in an attack. Without his sickle, Root was defenseless at close range, so now I had the advantage. He grabbed a chair and flung it at me, but it proved useless as I chopped it in two.
Then suddenly Root stopped running. He began to twitch before turning to me, "Hou Po… You bastards… what did you do to Hou Po?!" Root was finally breaking(8), yes! Good job, Lussuria!
"He's dead and so you will be too," I said until Root suddenly flung himself at me. Off-balance with the extra weight, I fell back and landed on my back. Root sat on top of me and that was when I saw what he clutched in his hand, a simple butter knife, probably from the dining table.
"Gah! Fuck!" I cursed as he stabbed me with it, but just as Esther had said, he was getting sloppy now. His face was flushed a bright red tint, his eyes overflowed with tears, and his words were everywhere. His stab only hit my upper arm. He was finally breaking apart.
This was my chance!
With my feet I pushed him off me and got back on my feet. Root sluggishly did the same. This was it, I thought at that exact moment. For those I believe in, Varia, Esther, Xanxus, there is a given destiny for them. For the things I want to obtain, victory, I'll gamble with my life.
He rushed towards me and I did the same, with my Scontro di Squalo up I charged at him. Break it, break it, I'll always push forward. There's no reason to stop. I'll surpass myself. Break it, break it,
"I'll break everything and everyone in my way!" I roared as we reached each other. I'll obtain strength.
Limit? I'll cut through the limit(9), like I cut through my enemy.
"Well… that was uneventful," Marcello sighed. "But I'm not done lunch yet so… Loreto? Will you be a dear and kill the swordsman for me?"
I tried to contain my surprise as I'm sure Esther was doing the same behind her mask. No, no this wasn't in the plan.
"Yes," was the answer as she got her rapier and got up to fight.
"Wait," Marcello grabbed her hand before she could get too far. I watched as she was spun around and as Marcello lifted her mask and kissed her. Esther had to live with that for her life. There was that much trust that she had gained from Marcello. If Varia loses, that trust will be broken and she will share the same fate as us.
If I win though… that means I'd have to…
"Squalo Superbi," I snapped back up and looked at Esther, masked as Loreto. "Let us fight honourably."
"Voi…" was all I could say before Esther ran in for the attack first. Out of instinct I put my own sword up to shield me from her attack. There were no more words. We didn't need words. I could tell enough from the moment our blades touched.
Esther's blade slashed onto mine and at that moment I knew neither of us had the heart to fight each other. If she had meant it, she would have thrust her rapier at me. If I had meant it, I could easily push her thin blade away. However there was nothing. There was no will to push us to fight this time. We just stood there in between winning and losing, pretending to be at a stalemate.
"Squalo…" I heard her whisper. "Hit me…"
"What?" I hissed back.
"It's the only way for us to stop fighting," she whispered, although her face was paling at the thought of her own words. "Just land one serious attack on me… and then you and Xanxus can take care of Marcello…"
"But what about…?"
"Just do it."
So I did, but I didn't like one second of it. I closed my eyes and let my sword sheath itself into her abdomen.
"Loreto!" I heard Marcello exclaim before Esther could even make a sound of recognizing her injury. I prevented myself from shuddering as I pulled my sword out, and squinted with a heavy feeling at the sight of my blade glazed with red.
"I will kill you!" Marcello lifted his axe, but before he could land an attack a bullet sounded out and hit his shoulder. He grunted and we both turned to Xanxus who had his guns ready for target practice.
"Get out of my way you shitty shark," he eyed me like he was going to shoot me next. I was used to that kind of attitude by now and I moved out of the way, slowly edging over to where Esther lay.
"You okay…?" I whispered as Xanxus and Marcello were finally able to get along with their fight. Esther's breathing was everywhere and he face was pale when I removed her mask. "Shit… here wait, I'll stop the bleeding. Just… just don't die on me."
"Hehe…" Esther let out a tiny yet strained giggle when I put pressure on her wound. "That's… what Xanxus said… to you… that day…"
"So you saw that too, huh?" I asked, trying to keep myself calm, since she was already calm. Gosh there was a lot of blood. I purposely didn't hit her anywhere important but still… I used my uniform jacket to prevent the blood from flowing more.
"That's why… I can… look him… in the… eye… he's… a… caring guy… on the… inside…" Esther smiled and spoke with shaky breaths. "He… cares… he just… doesn't want to… show it… kind of like… you."
"Well… we can't afford that," I spoke back. "Caring won't help people."
"Yes it… can," Esther smiled. "I cared… for you… all of you… and that pushed me… into helping you all. Caring… can help people, Squalo… We're a good example… of that."
I was about to say something until I felt something.
"S…Squalo…?" I heard Esther's voice before I fell down beside her.
A stray bullet hit me.
(Xanxus)
The revenge, the denial, the opposition, the retribution all of it was driving me on as I rushed at the pile of scum before me. This enemy, like all the others, will be exterminated.
I shot at him countless times, but he continues to hide behind his cowardice, shielding himself with his axe, sending my bullets everywhere.
This piece of trash has no idea who he is fucking dealing with. I am the fury that everyone feared, the burning up rage, the secret that shelters this blood. I will destroy everything, and gain the power to rule on top with the amplified rage and this vengeful secluded soul.
I closed in on him and kicked him down to the ground.
"Lie down in despair, scum," I said as I pointed my gun at him. There is no helping hand.
My flame is burned to the end(10).
(Esther)
I wanted to scream when Squalo fell. I wanted to, but I couldn't. It would blow our cover. I had to end this now. I had to grab Marcello by his weakness and tear it to shreds. I reached into my inner vest pocket and took out my Box Weapon.
"Nemo… I need your help," I called him out and the little yellow frog came to me. Holding him in my gloved hand I looked at him. Behind him Xanxus had Marcello on the ground, until Marcello surprised him and got back onto his feet. "Nemo darling, I need you to go to Marcello, thank you dear."
I placed my hand to the ground and gave Nemo the way to jump to the floor. I didn't have time to watch him hop over to the duelling two, I had to tend to Squalo at the moment.
"Shit…" I could hear him hiss quietly.
"Hush, dear… I've got you," I tried to keep him calm. I winced when I tried to move, with my own injury being a bastard. I applied pressure to his wound, which was dangerously close to his heart.
"Please be okay… Squalo… Please…" I prayed earnestly as I tried to stop the bleeding. I did not stop until I heard a wheezing sound and turned my attention over to Xanxus and Marcello.
Marcello was gasping as he lowered to his knees. His hands grasped at the fabric over his chest. His muscles contracted abnormally and his face was painted with a thick panic. His body twitched as he jerkily turned his head around to face me.
"Good Nemo," I cooed at my Box Animal as he returned to my hand and into his box. With his attention on me, I removed my glove and let it fall to the ground. I showed him the hand that was bound by his ring. I plucked it off my finger and tossed it aside.
"Lo…re…"
"Xanxus… would you be a dear and… finish him off? I don't think… I could hold back if… I was to do it," I simply said, to which I was responded with a grunt and many sweet sounds of bullets. Is it wrong for me to smile as I watched bullets embed him so?
No… I don't think so.
(Xanxus)
I watched as the body was coated in my flames. The ferocious flames rise with the shouts of anger. Fists burned with anger warps the world. Blazing anger controls everything.
These flames held in this hand: raging, whirling world destruction(11), are my one true birthright.
Eventually the flames subsided and it was clear that the piece of trash was dead. I turned around to face the shark but he was not there. Rather, he was on the fucking ground. Fuck, not again.
I ignored the girl's words as I walked over to the piece of trash and where he laid on the ground, not making any sounds. That was unusual of him. He was usually noisy. I kicked him, somewhat lightly, and the only response I got was from the girl.
"Hey you shitty shark. Get up." I called.
I kicked him again, a little harder, but there was no response. Again. He's fucking done it again. How many times? How many fucking times has this selfish piece of trash done this to me? Every fucking time, he goes off and does something fucking stupid. He always tries to be the "hero" and goes off and "dies a hero's death."
This selfish piece of shit.
When he cut off his own arm. When he lost consciousness at the coup d'etat. When he got himself eaten by a shark. When he went to protect those brats from the Funeral Wreath. When I had his life by his fucking hair, he goes and says the "brave fucking last words of a hero."
Who the fuck do you think you are, you shitty shark, doing this to me? I've put up with your shit for years and you don't even have the decency to give me a fucking explanation.
What good are you if you're dead, trash? If you were just dead, I could just disown you. Throw you away like the trash you have always been. I don't know that though. You've survived each fucking time. So prove me wrong, you fuck! Defy me again and survive, damn you! Disobey you goddamned piece of trash!
I don't want your life!
I want you alive, you idiotic shit.
You said you would follow me. That's what the hair was for, right dumbass? How are you going to follow me if you're dead? Does all that mean nothing to you? All those years, waiting for me? If this is pay back for those eight years you can shove that sentiment up your fucking ass, scum.
"I'm not fucking patient as you are, trash!" I kicked him again, probably breaking his ribs. With each kick was a word. "Fuck. You. Selfish. Shitty. Shark!"(12)
"Xanxus! Please stop!" the girl begged before wincing. Looks like the scum did hurt her pretty good, at least enough to get that axe-wielding shit to fight. I saw her face turning pale and the sweat running down, or was it tears? I don't fucking know, but whatever it was, it got me to stop.
"Boss!" Ugh… his voice was annoying.
"Call the Vongola and get them both looked at," I barked out as the rest of my team began to fall in. Then I turned to the shitty shark and hissed. "We've finally won, you shit. Don't die on me now of all times, scum."
(Belphegor)
So now it was time for us to wait. We called the Vongola and they took care of Squalo and Esther. They were both injured seriously, although Squalo was the only one unresponsive. Now, we all stood outside their rooms, which were curtained so we had no idea how things were going on inside. We could just stand and wait. It would have been a total bore, if not for the thick cloud of concern amongst all of us.
Sometime along, the peasant brat of the Vongola walked over with one of his guardians, the swordsman that Squalo tutored once.
"How are things?" He asked once he stopped in front of us.
"Well we thought you would know a little more than us at the moment," I said, probably a little harshly, but who cares?
"Well… from what I know the two of them are in serious conditions. Esther is getting better though. Squalo however…."
"Spit it out, trash," boss said void of his usual rage. Yes, boss was also a bit worrisome at the moment. I haven't been keeping track of how long we had been standing, however, I'm sure it had been long enough for it to get boring. Normally, boss would have said or done something by now.
Not this time though. He was stoic through it all and kept his eyes on the curtained window to Squalo's room.
"Squalo is still unconscious…What happened to Merlo? You guys lost the tournament and now you break into the Vongola Base to spark your revenge? You do realize the consequences of this… right?"
"Here," Mammon tossed the Vongola Decimo a recorder. "Play it."
We all watched as Sawada pressed the play button and instantly came Lluks' frantic voice, "Merlo is already in Vongola! You were right boss, those idiots never saw us coming! We'll bring them down after we've captured and killed the Varia! I bring back some of the riches and I'll have repaid my debt, boss! I just need a little more time!"
"What…?"
"You've been fooled, Vongola," Mammon put it simply and bluntly.
"Mmhmm~!" Lussuria continued on. "Merlo was a group made up of several members of different mafia famiglias. They wanted to get into Vongola to destroy it from the inside out. In order to do that, they had to get rid of Varia."
"How do you know this?"
"When Esther wakes up," I said before pausing. "If she wakes up… ask her. She knows everything there is about Merlo."
Of course… Mammon had told us before. When we win and kill Merlo, Esther may not be with us anymore.
Esther may have hell to pay for after this.
(Esther)
I sat in silence. It had been a long while since I had been confined in a bed. Heh… this brings back some pretty old memories. Gosh I feel so old~ I'm fifteen years old but I feel like I'm reaching my 40s. Is this a midlife crisis I'm feeling or is it just…?
…is it just the sensation of knowing that my final end is coming…?
That depends on what you think.
I looked up and saw a familiar face. I nearly didn't recognize him, since he usually stood inside his funny little elevator of his. However now he stood at the foot of my bed, as if he was about to collect my soul like the grim reaper.
Now… you and I both know that I pretty much am the Grim Reaper. I just have a better sense of fashion and I'm not carrying a scythe… oh and you know, I'm not a skeleton.
Yeah… he can read my mind. I never took much attention to it though. If I wanted to speak to him, I would speak to him. If I didn't, well he would still be able to know what I was saying. He was a classy bastard with a classy ability.
Now that's not a nice name for me. Classy I am, Bastard I am not.
Right on cue.
"So… is this it? Is it my time?"
Whatever makes you think it is?
"You. Being here. In front of me…?" I waved my hands, a habit I've been trying to stop.
Dear Esther, this is a hospital. There are bound to be thousands of souls requiring their lift to their next life.
"Yes but I'm willing to bet—"
Gambling is not a wise sport to invest your time on, Esther.
"Whatever~! I'm pretty sure that I'm the only one who has broken more than enough rules to spend ten eternities in Hell. Plus, I made a deal with the guys upstairs, that in itself must cost me something. It's like one of your rules right? Thou shalt not challengeth the guys upstairs!"
Your humour is always so refreshing, Esther.
"Just as your presence lights up my day," I returned his sarcasm with some of my own. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing. Remember, elevator man, I'm the one who taught you everything you know about sarcasm."
I do have a name, you know, it's not "elevator man" as you keep calling me…
"Whatever~! So are you here to take me away or not?" I asked him, tired of his stalling.
What would you do if I told you I was here for another?
"Nope," I answered quickly and curtly. "You're either take me or no one else. Squalo… there's still a life for him."
And for you?
A smile tugged on my lips. "Look at me, dude… I'm fifteen years old and but I'm really thirty-eight. Years and years have been lost or used up. I think I can take a hint. Fate has nothing in store for me. There's no room for me to just… live."
Is that what you truly think?
I nodded and nearly choked when I heard a ding sound.
Then get out this bed and walk to the elevator. I heard him speak, but I couldn't move. Hm? Well, aren't you coming?
I don't wanna go… Is it too much to ask… to just live a little longer? This time I spent with Squalo and then with Varia. They were the best years of my life, guarding Squalo, watching over Squalo, teaching Squalo, becoming friends with Varia… I don't want to go, not when I've finally found my life.
I hadn't realized until I looked up that there were tears running down my face. Gosh, I probably looked stupid, but there was no one there to witness it. The elevator man was gone.
If you truly desire to live, dear Esther, then live. Live your life with your dying will.
Yes… yes, yes, Yes!
Thank you, Uncle Elevator(13).
(Xanxus)
It had been long enough. It had been a week now and that selfish shit was still unconscious. The doctors said it wasn't a coma, but his vitals were steady.
What does that even mean?! Damn it you shit, wake up.
That girl had already got back on her feet. She needed stitches and she eventually had to get those stitches out, but she was alive. It was… surprising to see everyone rejoicing upon her return. As I recall, they all opted to watch a movie together. I joined.
I don't understand what is with that girl. Since the day of the Cradle Affair, I saw her first then. Then she saved me eight years later. Then only recently, she had the nerve to stand up to me and bring me back to Varia. After hearing her story, maybe going through death several times has made her undaunted by the fear of it.
However, there is ever a thin line between braveness and stupidity.
Just like this shit lying in this hospital bed. He was stupid for trying to be brave. He was always trying to be the great knight, fighting for a just cause, protecting the innocent, and dying a heroic death.
Well fuck you.
"Uggghh…"
You little fucking piece of shit.
"Shit! That hurts... Xanxus...?" Even though his hair was shorter, his side bangs were their usual length. I grabbed them and hefted his head high enough to make him face me eye to eye.
"Who do you live for?" I yelled, not letting my grip loosen in the slightest.
"What...?" I
"Who... do you... fucking... live for, trash?!" I spat at his face.
"...you..." he finally answered and I released his hair, letting his head drop onto the soft surface of the hospital bed. Our eyes were still locked. His silver eyes were the same as they were since the day we met. The hard and cold silver symbolized his determination and loyalty throughout the years(14).
"Exactly... so quit being a fucking idiot... your life belongs to me... and you'll die when I say so. So stop being a shitty hero," I said as I turned away to the door. Someone had to tell the others the shark was alive.
"I'm not being a hero," I heard behind me and turned to face him again. "I'm your knight, and you are my king. Blood doesn't matter. The distant vow of yesterday, I've decided to follow you, and only you, Xanxus."
That fucking shark.
Squalo.
(Squalo)
Life eventually returned to normal… sort of. I eventually got out of the hospital and was able to return to our base. Fortunately, Merlo hadn't torn it down yet and everything was in place, albeit dusty over the span of our absence. All of us, with an exception to Xanxus, we got the place cleaned up in two days. We had to pay Mammon for his services as well as to get Belphegor to help out as well. We tried to let Esther have a break, since she was still slow and tired, but she kept rushing around trying to help out.
"So Esther, where are you going to go now?" Lussuria asked during our dinner. We insisted that Esther stay with us, since she needed to get her stitches out eventually. Plus, she shouldn't be moving about too much in her current state.
"I… haven't really put much thought on it," Esther smiled. "Mm~ This food is so good!"
Esther sparked interest in us all. She was different from the rest of us. More alive, I guess was the way to put it. To us, the herb roasted lamb, the sirloin steak, and the 2006 Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalchino wine were all just food(15). However to her, they were delicacies.
Ordinary people are so strange.
"Will you be returning to your family…?" Leviathan asked. It was also strange to hear Leviathan speaking more often. He would usually keep silent until someone would call him, especially if it was our boss.
"Sadly no," Esther's smile turned a little sad. "They died… years ago."
"My apologies…" Leviathan quickly said noticing Esther had nothing more to say on the matter.
"It's alright," Esther giggled. "I'm not really sure where I'm headed, really. There's… no place I can go to call home. The villages where I used to live… they've all changed so much, I don't see much reason to return, when there is no one to welcome me."
"Then… would you consider joining us?" Belphegor asked.
"W-would that be alright?" Esther asked.
"Well you are very good with that rapier of yours," Lussuria joined in. "You're also use the Cloud flame, which makes you very promising."
"No," I put an end to this before it could continue anymore.
"What?"
"Why not?"
I placed my cutlery down and looked at each of them, before stopping at Esther, "Because that's not the life for Esther. All your… lives, you were only waiting for this moment to arise… you were only waiting for this moment to be free(16). For us, the life of an assassin is all we ever wanted, but that's not the life for you. All this time you've been working for others, for me. Now that you're finally free, I want you to make choices for yourself. It's alright… to care about yourself once in a while…"
There was a short-lived silence before the other Varia members busted out in conversation.
"Bravo~ Squ," Lussuria was tapping his cutlery at his wine glass in a celebratory manner. "Such moving words, whoever knew you were such a romantic~"
"Voi! Shut your trap, that's not what I meant!"
"Ushishishi… what do you mean once in a while?" Belphegor poked at my arm. "You still need her to watch over you? I never thought you were that kind of guy."
"VOI! Shut up! Shut Up! SHUT UP!" Once more, laughter exploded throughout the dining room.
"Ehehe… thank you, all of you," Esther smiled. "I hope that wherever I'm headed, I'll still be welcome here."
"Of course!"
Ah yes, the life of an assassin is the only life for us. No matter where the mission, no matter who the target, we will storm through and take victory in our grasp. Triumph after triumph, we'll break through each one, never satisfied with the mundane. We'll continue on and on to strive for more and more!
Before you paint any feeling, cut up and break the person before your eyes! To say things don't turn out well since you're along, don't be spoiled, shout with fighting spirit! Remove and throw away the small fishes! Fight against the opposition! That is the Varia way!
Come on from wherever you are! We are Varia!
I watched as Leviathan threw out his Levi Volta and took out several men. But if you're weak, there nothing you can say.
Our bodies and hearts are free! Further ahead I saw Lussuria giving a clean uppercut to one of the targets.
Consequently it's a story full of ups and downs.
Behind me, Belphegor had trapped a group of men in wires, all in the target line of his knives. There was no hope for them, because the chance to win is already gone.
Far from me, I heard agonizing screams and cries for mercy, and I knew full well that Mammon had completed his quota of targets for this mission. It's okay not to go easy.
I rushed forward with my sword slashing ahead of me, tearing a line of men into fillets.
"Voi! Do the finishing blow!" I called out when the leader appeared. I got out of the way as Xanxus already had his gun out of his holster. With a pull of the trigger, the target was sent to the depths of despair.
We are Varia! Elite assassin group of the Vongola Famiglia! With all the things and people supporting us so right now, we fight! Each of us, we come our own walk of life. We're different from one another, yet we all hold the infinite ambition, always targeting the unfathomable and unheard one. No matter what kind of tomorrow will come, we're holding down entirely.
The real power that is in us all…
No one can match it.
We are only and forever: Varia.
Niko: So... that is it. BREAK OUT is now over. I feel so happy that it is done but also a bit empty. I spent the entire year planning out this story, it feels exhilarating but now it's all done.
Notes:
1. Everyone sing it with me! Tsun tsun dere tsun dere tsun tsun~ (yes, in my original concept of Root and Hou Po, Root was a tsundere and Hou Po was a yandere, the concept still sort of holds true in this story).
2. "All lives end. All hearts are broken. Caring is not an advantage..." this is a line from BBC Sherlock (love that show, can't wait for the third season).
3. Anyone who has read Requiem of Rain may have seen this coming, mixed in are lines from Leviathan's character song: Raigeki no Levi.
4. "You're already dead." this is the signature line from Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star (haven't watched it, but it seems cool).
5. Yeah, I could not finish this story without having crazy bloody Bel. Anways, Belphegor's character songs are also in here, starting with Arashi no Ouji, and then Bloody Prince just as he goes nuts.
6. Here, Mammon's character song Maboroshi no Arcobaleno is mixed in as well.
7. Lussuria's character is always so interesting, it's so bright and flamboyant, yet I with his ideal beauty and his collection, there's this dark part of him that I think most people forget about. Anyway, Lussuria's character song: IL SOLE is also incorporated here as well.
8. Something I should point out, Root and Hou Po (when they were game characters) were both magic wielders. The two of them could sense when the other was injured, and that is something I decided to place into the story.
9. And, Squalo's BREAK OUT (to be quite honest, I prefer Chinkonka no Ame over this song, but both are fine really).
10. How appropriate that the 10th note is Xanxus (I seriously did not plan for this) anyway, here is Xanxus's character song Hokori Takaki Ikari and...
11. ...here is Xanxus's other character song FLAMING RAGE.
12. A little bit of trivia, I wrote this little section right after reading Reborn chapter 398 (vs Jager)... you can probably tell that I was very... emotional after that chapter (I still am, did anyone see chapter 399 yet? Gosh, breaks my heart, man!).
13. That is the elevator man's real name. Uncle Elevator... seriously, I looked it up and everything... I was really surprised that my little nickname for him was so close to the actual thing.
14. This is to mirror every single time Squalo mentions Xanxus's eyes, to show that Xanxus cares about Squalo just as much as Squalo cares about Xanxus, but as assassins, caring is something they can't always show.
15. I actually looked this up, 2006 Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino scores at number 4 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 (2011). It's made in Tuscany, Italy... in case anyone was interested in how in depth I go when I research (researching random trivia is a hobby and a bad habit of mine).
16. C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER! This is actually a line from the Beatles' Blackbird, a song I discovered while researching blackbirds randomly, I thought that it really represented Esther's story.
*I didn't want to put this in the paragraph, but the last section of the story are all the lines Varia sings in Vs Mirai No Oozora E (I love this song, although it has become difficult to find online as of late...), I tried to match them up with their respective singer
**Also, the title and last line is a shout out to two chapters in Requiem of Rain: chapter 6 (Only Free, Only Me) and chapter 10 (Forever Free, Forever Me)
I just wonder what I'm going to do next, I have a slight... slight idea, but I wonder if I can do it. You guys want to hear what I'm thinking about?
Well...
...
What do you guys think about my take on the back stories of each of the Varia members? Be warned though, they're probably going to have punny names like their character song titles again. It's been an idea I've had since I started writing as each of the Varia members in this story. I can't promise that they'll be as dynamic as this one, but I guess we'll see, if I do go through with it.
Anyways, if you haven't seen my profile recently, school's about to start where I live, so I'll be taking my leave from the internet with school coming. I may be on Tumblr though, I'm also NikoLeto there. My Tumblr will be a hub for all my creative work, there may even be some exclusive artwork up there too from the stories I've written.
Well, that's all for this story. Thank you, each and every one of you, for reading. I am grateful for all your support throughout this story. BREAK OUT would not be what it is today without all of your support. So thank you very much and I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.