Gun X Sword: The Adventure Continues
Chapter 11: The Fires of Vulcanus
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Gun X Sword because it belongs to the likes of Geneon and FUNimation. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for violence, adult content, and adult language.)
It had been three days since the departure of Van and company as they stepped on the bus and left for the city of Vulcanus. Unfortunately, Nancy and Libby had to go somewhere on an emergency as they would meet up with them at another time. As for Van, however, he was busy protecting Wendy as she was carrying his unborn twins in her body. He was ready to return to the road with some money left from the ultimate jackpot. He kept it in the luggage as he was well secured on the trip to the Lost Region, but there would be travel expenses that were metered out sooner or later. The trip on the bus was a calm one as he was sleeping next to Wendy and their unborn twins. Pavel was sitting across from them as he was talking with Vida and Odette. The conversation was long as they took their time talking, but it was at a halt as the bus stopped in the road when twoturtles were slowly crossing the street.
To his surprise, Pavel saw a familiar turtle along with his mate as they were crossing the street to safety. It was Kameo who was the leader as he still had the bell that Wendy had put around his neck along with the dent in his shell where a bullet hit him. Pavel also saw that there were baby turtles following their parents as they were blue and pink with some purple in the mix. He knew that it was Kameo, along with his mate and their babies as they were getting out of the way. The bus continued to drive along as it had finally made its way to Vulcanus. It was a large city full of buildings and stuff as it was next to a large lake and a dormant volcano. When Van woke up, he was looking out the window as he was seeing colorful buildings along with some familiar faces in their car. It was the duo, Honey-Cherry and Sweet Grapes as they were cruising with their children in the back seat. Van remembered them as they once tried to steal Dann from him at the time, but it was a long time ago.
Oh, it was an old time for him as he saw them pass by while the bus was on its way to the bus stop. When it was time to get off, Van, Wendy, Pavel, and the two lesbians had gotten off the bus as they were at a station that had vending machines and restrooms. Wendy, on the other hand, had to rush into the bathroom as she had to go potty. Frequent bathroom breaks had been common with pregnant women as Wendy had gotten the full brunt of the pregnancy's side effects. Van and Pavel also had to use the bathroom as they were about to relieve themselves in the men's room. Just as they were about to do their business, they saw Wendy rush into where they were as she ran into one of the bathroom stalls to pee.
"For God's sake! This is the men's room!" cried Van as he was relieving himself in one of the urinals. "You can't be in here, you know! This is no place for a lady!"
"Sorry, but the ladies' room was full," said Wendy as she was sitting in the bathroom stall.
"I don't blame you," said Pavel as he was busy relieving himself in another urinal. "If I were a girl, I would have did the same thing if the ladies' room was crowded."
"I'm sorry that I have to piss like a camel, but I didn't have any choice."
"Next time, use the ladies' room to pee," said Van as he was slightly irritated at his wife's presence in a place such as the men's room. "By the way, how are you feeling?"
"I feel terrible. My back hurts sometimes, but I can't help it. I am the one who is carrying your babies inside of me."
Van and Pavel waited patiently for Wendy as she was finishing up in the stall. When they heard the toilet flush, they assumed that she was done as she came out of the stall and washed her hands in the sink. Van and Pavel also finished up as they flushed the urinals and later washed their hands as well. After they left the bathroom, they saw Vida and Odette standing next to a nursing ad as they were about to make their dreams come true for each other. It was for a hospital that needed more nurses as it catered to their job opportunities. They had graduated from high school and college, earned nursing degrees, and gained some medical experience while they were with Van and the others. They even sparked a friendship with their companions as they were on their way to the Lost Region. It also had an impact on their lives as they looked at each other and kissed each other's soft lips.
"I'm so glad that we're here," said Odette.
"After we get settled here, we can get a marriage license," said Vida.
Van was right about the impact of love between couples. Love knew no boundaries regardless of the fact that everyone had plenty of humanity in their hearts. He later looked at Wendy as he held her hand with such a gentle grip. He loved her with all his heart just as Vida and Odette loved each other. When he saw the two lesbians depart, he waved goodbye as they were off to pursue their dreams of nursing.
"Where are Vida and Odette?" asked Pavel.
"They left," said Wendy.
"I'm sure gonna miss them. I hope that they become successful nurses in the future."
"They will because love knows no boundaries," said Van.
###
Van, Wendy, and Pavel went to a hotel that had a discount as they checked in for the night. Pavel had his own room as Van and Wendy had their own as usual when they were ready to spend the night here in Vulcanus. They were tired as the evening had settled in for the time being. It was just for one night as all three were weary from their bus ride.
Meanwhile, back in Van and Wendy's room, they were dressed in their nightclothes as they were clean with their teeth brushed. They were getting ready for bed as Van was staring at Wendy with such care and calmness. He loved every inch of her as he stared at that baby bump that was exposed in her womb. He wanted to look at the baby bump as he even wanted to feel it with his hands. Somehow, Wendy was ready to object, but she had to endure such tenderness that her husband had displayed for her, heart and soul.
"Hike up your nightgown," he said. "I wanna look at you more."
"Van, don't be a pervert!" cried Wendy as she saw him tugging at her nightgown.
"Let me take a look at you..., please?"
Wendy was shocked to hear him say that as he lifted her nightgown up and exposed the lower part of her body, bloomers and all. Lo and behold, he saw the baby bump as it was nestling from within his wife's womb. He was happy to see the it as he was gently touching it with his hands. He felt the tiny lifeforms moving from inside of Wendy's body. He felt them as he was also feeling two tiny heartbeats from within their domain. Wendy had never seen Van act like that before as he was also grateful of Wendy of helping to create the life that was nestling inside of her body. He even kissed the baby bump as he felt movement from within Wendy's womb.
"I felt them, clear as day," he said as he gently pulled Wendy's nightgown down to cover the rest of her. "It was beautiful. I can't believe how potent I was when I made love to you that night."
"Van..." said Wendy as she had tears in her eyes. "I feel both scared and happy at the same time, but I've never been so attached to something like this before. It's as if- oh! I feel them kicking! Feel here, Van!" She grabbed his hand as she guided it back to the baby bump. "They're feeling jumpy right now!"
Van was astonished to see his offspring at play as they were bouncing around in their mother's womb. He smiled as he was happy at last. He had friends, a wife, and now a family as he was also eager to go to the Lost Region to know more about himself in the past that he forgot long ago. It wasn't long until he crawled into the covers along with Wendy and turned off the light and fell asleep. They were tired, but they were happy as they had each other along with their babies.
###
The next morning, Wendy woke up as she was having some cravings that bothered her. She left the hotel room as she went directly into the cafeteria where the continental breakfast was. She saw various muffins and bagels as her appetite was on overdrive. She gathered some of the muffins that were on display as she even got out a cup of milk and a cup of juice to wash it down with. She was more hungrier than Van as she felt the cravings increase. She couldn't help it because of her pregnancy as she was busy eating away. From far away, a familiar face was sitting from across of her as she was eating an orange.
It was Undomiel as she was staying in the cafeteria by keeping an eye on Wendy. She had never expected to see her here as she was staying put where she was by the window. Undomiel wanted to protect Wendy as she had heard about the danger that appeared in Jade Creek. There was also such talk about the gaping hole in the roof of the obsidian mines as it was the talk of the town all over the trail to the Lost Realm. Just as Undomiel was about to see Wendy, she saw a strange woman dressed all in Gothic clothing as she was up to no good. She had purple hair as it was all up in braids with some piercings on her body. Undomiel had suspicions about the woman as she was wanting to get at Wendy.
"Oh, hello," she said as she saw the woman sit down at the table next to hers.
"Looks like that you're very hungry," said the woman. "It also seems that you're pregnant because of all the food you're eating."
"Yeah, this pregnancy of mine sure has an abnormal effect on me. I'm surprised that I'm still alive after going through all the nausea and potty breaks."
"By the way, when are you due?" The woman drew out a knife as she was at the ready to strike at Wendy. "Hasn't the doctor been specific about when you are able to give birth?"
"They didn't say, but Van, on the other hand, sure has his reasons to care about me."
"I'm sure he does..."
Undomiel saw the woman pull out her knife as she was about to harm Wendy. Luckily, she came to the rescue as she drew out her kunai and ran towards the attacker. It was a troubling blunder, but she rebounded as she dropped the knife from the woman's hands. Noticing that there was one of the Imperium Twelve in her midst, the woman left as she got out a smoke ball and tossed it onto the floor. She was long gone as the smoke cleared when Undomiel wanted to go after her. She was now aware that the woman who tried to kill Wendy was one of the members of the House of Feanor as she was just as evil as her other brethren. It wasn't long until Wendy was out of harm's way as she was still eating away at the food that was on her tray.
"Are you alright?" asked Undomiel.
"Yeah, but my brain's telling me to still eat at my food," answered Wendy.
"That woman who was talking to you was from the House of Feanor. It's a miracle that you weren't hurt when she tried to kill you."
"She must have seen you; that's why she left this cafeteria."
"It's because that I've got an Imperium Twelve weapon." She got out her kunai as it was a memory-cloth weapon that wrapped around her wrist. "I also pilot Evenstar of June, which is the name of my Armor. By the way, how's Van doing?"
"He's doing fine. Anyway, we've took to your advice when we were engaging into doing it while I am pregnant."
"It may do wonders for you doing the 'woman-on-top' sex, but Edoras has told me about the pregnancy speeding up. He's got your pregnancy on file in the airship, but he was also concerned for anyone who is pregnant. That's how he is."
"He's always been having a soft spot for pregnant women. I wonder why he feel compelled to check up on them."
"You see, my mother died after she gave birth to me. That's the reason why Edoras wanted to become a doctor, but he spent some of his days in the obstetrics department while he was in high school.
Wendy laughed at that sentiment as she is now aware that Edoras and the others had been watching her and Van above their airship. It may be intrusive, but Wendy was also glad that Edoras and the others were watching over her and keeping her away from harm. She was carrying the future of the House of Telfer in her body as she was also married to Van. It wasn't long until Wendy and Undomiel saw Van and Pavel walk into the cafeteria as they were about to have some breakfast. They were glad that the man and boy were there to join them as they were getting something to eat. Pavel had some cereal and milk as Van got into some pancakes while he was putting some of the fruit syrups all over them. Van was ready to savor the pancakes as they reminded him of the first time in a while since he returned to see Wendy.
"DAMN! THAT'S SWEET!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.
Wendy and the others had seen Van make a spectacle out of himself as he continued to eat at the pancakes. They all see him the same way when he makes a first impression towards food by putting many condiments on them as much as possible. He was fully satisfied as he finished up his pancakes and put his plate in the collector bin where the dirty dishes were put into. He later got a cup as he filled it up with milk. He always had a fixation for milk as he pretty much preferred it over anything any day. He was also happy that Wendy was safe as she continued to eat her breakfast as usual. He knew that the cravings had became intense as he was aware that Wendy was eating for three. In his eyes, he viewed her as being more beautiful than anyone here in the Endless Illusion as she had longer hair that was down to her legs. He loved her that way as he was happy to have her.
"So, is it time to go?" asked Pavel.
"We'll be on our way out of here as planned," said Van.
"Don't forget the passes," said Wendy.
"You can at least get on our airship," said Undomiel. "At least we can fly past the checkpoint."
"The safety committee flags anyone that gets past the checkpoint, especially the airships. I don't wanna get you guys too involved in too much. You've done more than enough for me and Van."
Wendy was cautious as she didn't want to get stuck here in Vulcanus. She and Van were on their way to the Lost Region as planned as they were ready to have their passes checked. It wasn't long until Pavel dug out some passes that he purchased earlier as he got them out of his medical bag. There were three travel passes that were made for Van, Wendy, and Pavel as they were about to check out and leave before more trouble arrives..., but sometimes trouble can pop up anywhere because the House of Feanor was on the move.
###
The woman who fled the hotel after being spotted by Undomiel had ran towards a lift as it lead her towards a park by the volcano. She was carrying a bomb in her hands as she wanted to destroy the "sin" that was deemed a threat to the House of Feanor, especially Van and Wendy. She placed the bomb that was in a box next to a garbage can as she was ready to carry out a plan to destroy Vulcanus. It wasn't long until she saw Morwen and Brego standing in front of her as they were about to celebrate the many deaths that were about to occur.
"So, what are you planning this time, Lorbenia?" asked Brego.
"Me? I'm gonna destroy Vulcanus," she answered.
"It would be a great victory for the House of Feanor as soon as we tell Eomer," said Morwen.
"The idea of wiping out Vulcanus from the Endless Illusion is a great homage to what happened to Pompeii on Earth. There was a volcano called Mount Vesuvius and it destroyed the city with its lava along with the people with it. This volcano, Mount Ayase, resides next to Vulcanus as it's about to erupt with a little help."
"I like the idea," said Brego. "I would also like to see Van and Wendy get burned to a crisp when Mount Ayase erupts."
All three stared at the dormant volcano as they were about to get ready to throw the bomb near it. With the trigger in her hand, Lorbenia pushed the button as the bomb exploded near the volcano, The lava flowing from Mount Ayase was awakened be an ungodly wrath as the earth rumbled. Brego, who was still reeling from his loss from Van, wanted the House of Feanor to live on as he gave the thumbs up on the volcano's eruption. He wanted many to suffer as he was also happy to see his enemies fail on their quest to find the Lost Region.
"Thank God for so much destruction," he said with a smile on his face.
###
Van ran outside as he saw many people evacuating the city. Earlier, after he and the others were ready to go, he heard air raid sirens going off as there was heat in the air. The ground shook as he rushed back to the hotel and gathered Wendy and Pavel along with Undomiel and left for safety. To his shock, he saw Vida and Odette rush in as they were is a hovering sport utility vehicle. They had never forgotten Van's bravery as they would do something for him after saving them.
"What's going on?" asked Wendy as she was clutching at her baby bump.
"It's the volcano!" cried Odette. "It's about to blow up!"
"We have to save the city," said Pavel.
"Are you nuts?!" cried Vida. "Mount Ayase is dangerous! There is even a lava flow warning put in effect!"
"Then we're the ones who can channel the lava flow," said Undomiel.
"Let's do it," said Van. "By the way, you two in the SUV, take Wendy and get her to safety!"
Vida and Odette did as Van said as they escorted Wendy into their vehicle and flew away. As for Van, Pavel, and Undomiel, they were ready to face the danger as they got out their weapons and summoned their Armors. Van started first as he summoned Dann when it came down from the heavens. He got into it as he was ready to help Vulcanus. Pavel followed suit as he summoned Gil-Galad when it came down from the sky. Getting into it, he was ready to go as he was about to face the wrath of an enraged volcano. Undomiel finally summoned her Armor as it was known as Evenstar of June.
All three Armors went into action as they flew towards the erupting lava coming from Mount Ayase. They used their Armors to fire their lasers into the ground as they were ready to see the lava flow into it. Just as they were about to do some more work, they found themselves being surrounded by the resonance as it made a wall to protect the city. The lava of Mount Ayase had even overflowed the hole that the Armors had made as it was all over the resonance wall. The lava finally stopped as it was being subsided by the resonance that protected the city. When the resonance faded it created a lava wall that became cool enough to touch as it was now known as the Wall of Vulcanus when it now guarded the city from the eruption of Mount Ayase.
Van, Pavel, and Undomiel had gotten out of their Armors as they returned to their satellites in space. They all saw the wall as was standing in front of Mount Ayase, where the eruption occurred. The city was saved as everyone in the city had cheered and celebrated in the streets. Even Wendy was happy that the city was saved as she got out of the vehicle that Vida and Odette were in. She saw Van staggering from exhaustion as he felt pain all over his body. He was clutching at his stomach as the resonance from his birthmark had subsided for now. With Pavel and Undomiel following him, they helped him as he was being steered towards the vehicle that Vida and Odette had.
"Van!" cried Wendy as she saw him all exhausted.
"Hello, Wendy," he answered.
"Thank goodness that you're safe."
"You should have seen the resonance coming from Dann!" cried Undomiel. "It even surrounded Gil-Galad and Evenstar when it shielded the city from the lava!"
"It was awesome," said Pavel. "We sure saved the city from a raging- Van!"
Without warning, Van collapsed as he fainted onto the ground. The battle to protect the city from Mount Ayase had exhausted him as he was being carted into Vida and Odette's vehicle. Everyone was all safe and accounted for as they later cruised back to the hotel where everyone had been staying at. It was yet another victory for those who would protect the innocent as the three infamous members of the House of Feanor had become displeased with Van's efforts. They hated being second best as they wanted to stay on top of the food chain. They also hated the fact the House of Telfer was resurfacing after centuries of being extinct in the Endless Illusion. They would be definitely be scolded be Eomer as they were foiled again by the efforts of Van and the Imperium Twelve. Soon, he would be back on the trail of the Lost Region, for he was on his way to not only discover more about himself, but to also claim something that he never claimed before... the throne and leadership of the Noble Families.
###
Van was dreaming once again as he was in the same icy fortress that belonged to the House of Telfer. He found himself in the great hall as he was dressed in such kingly attire. He even had a crown on his head as he was walking forward to the throne in the center. He was the king of something as he sat down in the empty hall. There was no one here, not even Wendy or Pavel as he felt the cold surround his body. The emptiness was beginning to freeze him as he tried to get up. The bitter cold stung him all over as it was turning him into a block of ice. Just as he was about to lose his final breath, he woke up as he found himself in a hospital room where he was in a bed with an i.v. in his arm.
He was cleaned and dressed as he was in a hospital gown and covered in a clean blanket. He felt dazed as he saw Edoras sitting in a chair across from the bed. He was concerned as he saw Van curling up in his blanket. He also knew that Van was exhausted from the battle as he was still on the mend to recover from such strenuous activity. The fight to save Vulcanus was over, but Van had become exhausted from battle due to the resonance that was stirring inside of his body.
"Looks like you're finally awake," said Edoras. "By the way, how do you feel?"
"I feel like a safe had dropped on me," said Van as he was sitting up.
"After you and the others are ready to go, you're gonna have to come with us on our airship."
"-And have you get killed by the House of Feanor?! No way! I can't let that happen."
"It'd be better than taking the train and bus. It would be safer that way and it would be an opportunity for Wendy to get some bedrest in the later days of her pregnancy."
Van sighed as he laid back down in his hospital bed. The exhaustion had wiped him out as he closed his eyes. The sound of the monitor beeping was the only thing that occurred in the room as Edoras stood up and left the hospital room. He wanted to protect Van and Wendy from harm as he was going to take matters into his own hands by taking them in his airship. He knew that they would be safe and out of harm's way as they would never be harmed by the House of Feanor. Unfortunately, there was a downside about taking them into the airship as there would be more trees in the trail of the Lost Region. It would be difficult for him to land his airship in such trees and mountains as he didn't want to risk it, for Van and the others would be taking the train to the Lost Region once again. He went back into Van's hospital room as he sat down in the chair that was across from the hospital bed.
"Looks like that I can't take you on the airship after all, but that doesn't mean that we can't monitor you," he said. "As for your efforts in saving this city from the eruption of Mount Ayase, there had been big celebrations of the heroes who saved it."
"And I was one of them," said Van.
"The checkpoint is closed right now. Looks like that you're going to stay here until it opens back up."
"How long will that be?"
"About two days tops."
"Two days?!" He sat up as he was pulling at the electrodes from the monitor. "I can't be here that long! We have to go there to that goddamn checkpoint!"
"Not in your condition, you're not! By the way, the hotel that you and your party have been staying at have officially gave you a discount by staying for two extra days. That can give you time to recover until you head out again."
Van was unhappy that he had to stay here in Vulcanus as he covered his face in the blanket. He wanted to get out of here, but the trip to the checkpoint had been delayed until it became operational again. Later on, he was fully in the clear as he checked out of the hospital and returned to the hotel that he stayed in. Reunited with Wendy and Pavel, he had no choice but to stay here until the checkpoint opened up. Afterwards, he didn't mind as he followed Wendy up to their hotel room. He laid on the bed as he wanted to fall asleep and not wake up until the checkpoint opened back up.
"You shouldn't be that depressed about it," said Wendy.
"I know, but the trip to the checkpoint had been delayed," answered Van.
"Van, are you okay?"
"While I was in the hospital, I had a dream about that place in the Lost Region. I was like a king when I went to that throne, but when I found no one there, there was this chill that froze my body. No, it was killing me the moment I sat on that throne. It's..." He sat up as he covered his face. "It's horrible. I felt that I couldn't move and-"
"Don't even think about. We all get shaken up sometimes."
"By the way, how are you and the babies feeling?"
"We're fine, but I'm starting to get hungry."
There was a knock at the door as Van got up and answered it. To his shock, he saw Undomiel with four boxes of pizza as she waltzed in and put them on the table. Wendy, on the other hand, had smelled the scent of crust slathered with tomato sauce and cheese as it was topped with many toppings that ever fell on the planet. When Undomiel opened up the pizza box, it had a pizza with all the meat that it had as Wendy was about ready to divebomb it. Her pregnancy cravings were on overdrive as she grabbed a slice of that pizza.
"Hey! You need to save some for the rest of us," said Undomiel.
"OH, THIS IS SO GOOD!" yelled Wendy at the top of her lungs with pizza sauce all over her face.
"I've never seen Wendy go insane over pizza before, but she's eating for two."
"It's three now," said Van. "She's having twins and they are growing inside of her like crazy."
"Van!" cried Wendy as she had a mouthful of pizza.
Everyone enjoyed their pizza as they were making the best of staying at the hotel here in Vulcanus. Somehow, there will be a time when the journey to the Lost Region will become a crucial one as Van and the others are about to enter a turning point where the checkpoint will await them. The trials and tribulations have managed to give Van an edge as he was most likely to find out who he really is when he gets there to the Lost Region..., but right after he finishes up his pizza, of course.
To be continued...