With saddened narrowed eyes, I watched as Arthur laughed breathlessly as he spun with a native girl around in the dance circle. Averting my eyes and ears from him, I watched Yao and the Captain named Ivan walk slowly into the small hut that Yao owned and their conversation was silenced. Flicking my hand, I cut off the magic and slumped down into a pile of pillows. My eyes began to burn, but no tears came as I clutched at my breast.

"W-Why does my heart hurt? I-It's not like I c-care whether h-he dances with other girls!" I spoke to myself through clenched teeth as I tried to calm my breathing.

I scanned the room surrounding me, finding no comfort what so ever in it. My vision started to blur and soon hot tears began to pour from my eyes. Sniffling, I buried my head into my arms. A single thought flitted around my mind and I tried to push it away.

'I thought that maybe... He was different. Different from anyone in the entire world... But now I see- there isn't anything different about him.'

Squeezing my eyes together, I let myself fall over into the pillows and buried my head into one of them as I started to sob.

"Damn you."


Arthur could hear his heart pounding in his ears as he strained to see the approaching attackers. The low rumble of their running feet was getting closer and all of a sudden the first of the group was upon him. They wore simple sailors clothing and were brandishing swords. One of them gave a yell as they spotted Arthur and charged forward towards him as he waved his sword menacingly. Arthur took a step backwards before he turned and fled behind the house next to him. Tripping slightly on the corner of a crate, he swerved before he started to run for the heart of the village.

Already panting, he glanced behind to see if he was being followed. Gritting his teeth in anger, he spotted a small group of about five pirates chasing after him. He picked up his pace, and his feet pounded painfully as he tried to propel himself faster. Further up the way he spotted an opening up ahead and took a sharp left into it, he nearly rammed face first into a pile of crates. Without stopping, he began to clamber up the crates and made sure to kick down a few as he went up. The yells of the pirates got louder, and he paused momentarily at the top of the pile to see the small group stop to look around for him. One cried out and pointed up at him before Arthur slipped away onto the rooftop and began to run again.

He could see the new flat roof tops of the new homes and the thatched roofs of the old houses as he leapt from rooftop to rooftop, getting closer and closer to the center of the village. A shout from behind alerted Arthur that some of the pirates had followed him up. Looking ahead he could tell that he was only ten houses from the center, but the pirates were gaining fast. Sucking in what little air he could, Arthur raised a hand to his mouth and yelled weakly but loud and clear for anyone to hear.

"RUN! IT'S A PIRATE ATTACK!"

A few screams answered his cry and there was a great commotion as hundreds of people began to scramble. A few steps later, Arthur had reached the last roof and wobbled as he stood on the thin edge and looked down. It was an eight foot drop down with nothing to cushion his fall. Turning around and crouching down, he saw that the pirates were only a couple of rooftops away, so he made quick work of lowering himself over the edge. There was the scuffle of their boots as they arrived on his roof and Arthur was now dangling from the edge. Letting go, he dropped the last three or so feet to the ground and stumbled backwards, a slight pain running up the backs of his calves as he landed.

He spun around and started to run after a large portion of the citizens, "RUN! Head for safety!"

A person rammed into his side and knocked him over, and he skidded in the dust dazed. He shook his head and staggered as he stood up. The pirates were beginning to pour into the village center and Arthur searched frantically for something that he could use to defend himself with. A thick staff with a heavy knot at the top lay propped up against a house and Arthur made a mad dash for it.

Slamming into the side of the house, Arthur grabbed onto the staff and turned so that his back was against the house. A larger pirate had spotted him and ran over to him yelling while pointing his sword for Arthur's chest. Holding the staff out in front of himself, he dodged at the last possible second and slammed the knot of the staff into the pirate's head who promptly fell over. He proceeded to do the same act for what seemed like ages.

Looking around after he knocked out another pirate, he saw that the only people in the village center were the pirates and himself. Quickly turning, but keeping a close eye on his back, he ran towards the forest.

A shout from his side caused him to look over; Francis was running for him, rapier in hand and the left sleeve of his shirt was torn.

"Francis, this way!" Arthur jerked his head in the direction of the forest as he continued to run.

Francis soon fell in running beside Arthur, both of them starting to breathe heavily as the neared the edge of the village. A few lagging villagers could be seen as the started to run along the side of the forest in the opposite direction of Yao's hut. Arthur looked over at Francis, who returned the look and Francis took off after the villagers without a word. Arthur grit his teeth as his leg muscles began to scream in agony from the constant running, but he ignored it and started to run up the long path that took him up to the fork in the path. He stopped at there to let himself catch his breath for a second before he took off running up the path. As he passed the first false bend, a thought sprung to his mind and he skidded to a stop. He peered behind himself and saw that the first of the pirates were beginning to run up the path after him.

"OI! COME AND GET ME YOU LAZY BASTARDS!"

Arthur smirked as a few of the pirates yelled in outrage at him and he turned and started to run into one of the bends to his right. Now running as fast as he could, he ran for the exit of the bend. He exited the bend just in time to see the last of the pirates disappear into the bend. Smirking he made the spirit of his life up the rest of the way to the castle. Vaguely over the shout he thought he could hear a person yelling for help. He ignored that fact as he now approached the wall.

Skidding to a stop a few feet from the wall, he chucked his staff over and ran to the left to find the tree to let climb in. Spotting the tree, he launched himself at it and the bark scuffed his hands as he clambered up it and flung himself on top of the wall. With a fling of his legs, he found himself hanging from the top of the wall briefly before he dropped the rest of the way and turned around. He froze as he looked at the sight before himself.


Ivan sat on one of the few stools that were in Yao's hut as he scanned the pages of the thin volume in his hands. The faded pages crackled under his fingertips. Carefully with his other hand he brushed a finger under a line of nearly unreadable runes.

"Well, aru? Is this the book you were looking for?" Yao asked as Ivan carefully shut the book.

Ivan looked up at him with a grin and was about to express his satisfaction with the book when a boom rocked the hut. Both of the men looked at each other in shock before Yao sprung up and ran from the hut, with Ivan following close behind. They ran in silence down the path that they had come up only a few minutes before. As they arrived at the fork in the path, Yao stopped and looked down at the village.

Ivan stood beside the short native doctor in confusion as he looked out upon the village seeing the large flames from a burning house on the other side of the village, "What's going on?"

Yao ignored the question as he glanced up towards the castle, and Ivan felt the need to repeat himself, "What's going on?"

Yao turned back to look at the village, "I believe we are under attack, Captain Ivan."

Ivan gaped at the man beside him, "By what?"

"Pirates, from the sound of it," Yao said as he turned from the village to look at the castle. "She isn't going to like this."

Ivan looked at Yao in confusion again, " Who?"

This time Yao looked at Ivan, Ivan could see that the topic had Yao visibly torn. Yao stood for a second debating before he spoke, "The Beast. She won't be happy with having people come into her home."

"The... Beast?" Ivan was now severely confused but intruded at the same time. "You mean the legend is real?"

Yao nodded curtly, "Yes she's real, but never mind that now. Help me signal the vil-" But Yao drew in a quick breath and hissed in pain before he collapsed onto the ground at Ivan's feet. Ivan stood shocked momentarily before he knelt down beside the native doctor.

"Yao? Can you hear me?" Ivan asked shakily as he shook his shoulder.

"Ye best be leaving that body to me," A husky voice commanded from the shadows.

Ivan looked up to see a dark figure standing a few feet away, sword glimmering dimly in the moonlight. In a smooth motion, Ivan stood up and drew he sword from its sheath.

"I will not."

The figure chuckled before it charged at Ivan, who took a small step over Yao's unconscious figure and raised his sword to block the attack. Their swords met together with a ringing clank and Ivan shoved the figure backwards. He smirked as he heard the figure fall before he stepped forward and finished off the person with a slash to the face and a stab to the chest.

"D-Damn you C-Capt-!" but his words faded out into a wet gurgle as Ivan twisted the sword deeper into his chest.

He withdrew his sword and wiped the blade on the body, riding it of any blood. Quickly sheathing his sword, Ivan hurried over to Yao and knelt to scoop him up into his arms.

"Yao? I'm going to take you with me up to the castle. I know you said that she won't be happy but I need to go up there."


After carefully maneuvering himself and Yao over the wall, Ivan was now left to gape in amazement at the inside courtyard of the castle.

"This is amazing," he breathed under his breath as he quietly walked further in.

Once he was at the center of the courtyard, he looked up and gaped at the massive size of the tower in front of him. Shaking his head, he forced himself to focus.

"ARE YOU THERE? I NEED HELP!" he shouted to the tower, hoping that someone, or something, would hear him.

He stood in silence waiting, and listening to the faint screams and yells that came from the village and forest below.

"HELLO?" he called out again and took a step forward.

"Get out."

Ivan spun around, searching for the voice, "What was that? Could you repeat that?"

"Get out." the voice growled louder.

Ivan continued to spin slowly looking for the person speaking, and shifting his hold on Yao, "But I need help."

"Get. Out." Ivan could hear the separation of the words as he spun to face the tower and froze. A girl stood partially in the dark entryway of the tower as she leaned against its frame.

"Please!" Ivan took a few steps forward but stopped as he felt his sword rattle before it flew from its sheath and into her waiting hand. She caught it by its hilt and gave it a twirl as she stepped out of the dark and Ivan gasped.

"You're the beast!" He gasped in amazement and he took a step forward.

"Get out."

"I've wanted to see if the legend was true, but this- this is amazing! Think of all of the people who would love to see-" but he stopped as Yao's body was yanked from his grasp and the beast girl advanced upon him, sword pointed straight for his chest. He tried to take a step back, but his legs refused to move, and he began to struggle.

He looks up in fright to see that the beast girl is closer to him now, a ghost of a grin upon her face. She stops three feet in front of him and lifts the swords to point it at his chest.

"No one will see me. Do you understand?" she stated in a low growl as she pressed the tip of the sword lightly into his chest.

"C-Can we make a deal? If I tell-"

"No."

"Please-! Can't we-"

She shook her head and pulled the sword away, and prepped herself to thrust it into him. Ivan paled and began to squirm, trying to move his body. She stopped and put a hand on his chest to steady him, and returned to her previous stance. She pulled the sword further back, and Ivan could see in her blood red eyes that she was ready to skewer him.

All at once, a young blonde haired boy ran from Ivan's left and tackled the girl who thrust the sword forward, but due to being tackle missed his chest and cut his arm as she fell down. Ivan's body soon had control over itself again and he fell backwards.

"Astera! What the hell are you doing?" Arthur shook the girl's shoulders and wrestled the sword from her grasp.

"You don't know! You can't see! He is the reas-!"

Ivan stood up in a fluid motion and flung his hand out towards her, "Redimio, signum, quod silentium!"

Arthur watched in horror as Astera relaxed under his grasp and her head lolled to the side. Ivan smiled coolly as he walked over to the pair and gently nudged her hand with the tip of his boot.

"Looks like it worked," Ivan sang as he stepped back.


My body was on fire as I lay on the cold floor of the courtyard with Arthur on top of me. I struggled to move, but my body remained motionless. I reached within my mind to tap into the magic, but a barrier kept me from doing so. Arthur was looking at me with a horrified expression as he began to shake my shoulders, fanning the flames that burned me.

"She's not so tough now is she?" Ivan cooed as he knelt down to look me in the eye and I tried to snarl at him.

Arthur had broken out of his stupor now and turned on the Captain next to the both of us, "What did you do to her?"

Ivan stood up and looked down at the both of us, "I cast a spell on her, only until I can get proper restraints to hold her down."

Arthur opened his mouth but what he said was drowned out by the cheers of many men that were now climbing over the wall. He jumped up and looked around for his staff which lay abandoned beside the wall.

"Captain Ivan, it's the pirates we have to do something!" Arthur stepped in front of my body, and took a defensive stance.

To Arthur's and my surprise, Ivan began to laugh. Arthur stood up and turned to face Ivan when Ivan reached over and landed a swift blow to his stomach. Arthur's eyes widened in pain and I heard his breath whoosh out. I started to struggle even more, and somehow, moved a fraction of an inch.

Arthur fell to the ground stunned as Ivan kicked him in the side, a loud crunch followed the blow and Arthur began to writhe in pain.

"You don't know who I am, do you boy," Ivan placed his foot on Arthur's side and ground it into his flesh. "I'm THE Captain Ivan Braginski! Captain of the most feared pirates!"

The flames that consumed me were fading, and fast, as the flames of hatred started to consume me. I struggled even more and even more to move yet again.

Ivan stepped off of Arthur and spread his arms to the men that were still climbing into the courtyard, "The castle has been taken, and it is ours now!"

A cheer from the men rose up and Ivan raised his hand, and the cheering stopped, "Now, tie these two men up and someone fetch me the shackles for this poor," Ivan paused to sneer down at me. "Beast."

The men cheered again as they started to swarm over to Arthur and Yao as Ivan turned and walked slowly over to me. I glared at him and he leaned down and went to grasp my horns. The moment his hand touched it, he screamed and fell backwards cursing while holding his hand. I grinned to myself inwardly; no one touched the horns, without paying the price that is.

"TORIS!" Ivan yelled and a meek looking man ran from the midst of the crowd.

"Y-Yes sir?" Toris asked as he stood shuffling a few feet away.

"Gloves." Ivan held out his hand expectantly, and a pair of gloves were dropped into them and put on.

Ivan waved the man off, and he leaned down again and wrapped his hands around the base of one of my horns and yanked me up from the ground so that I was hanging in the air.

"Such a pretty little monster aren't you?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, but he ignored me as he carried me along with him, showing me off to the men he passed. Some of them dared as to even try to touch me but Ivan waved them off.

"She's my prize," he cooed as he ran a gloved hand along me check, earning a shudder from me.

"Cap'n, the prisoners are secure." A man reported from behind me and Ivan nodded. He walked me over to the two men that were tied and propped up against the tower wall.

"See? She isn't too bad now is she?" Ivan smirked as held my face and forced me to look at Arthur.

Arthur looked up into my eyes through pain glazed eyes, before he glared at Ivan forcefully, "L-Let- *ha* Let her- go."

"What was that boy," Ivan sneered.

"I said," he took a step forward towards Ivan and I. "Let her go."

There was a crack as Ivan reached out and slapped Arthur across the face and sent him flying onto the ground. I sucked in a surprised gasp and felt the burn of the hatred. There was a click and I peered out of the corner of my eye to see Ivan pointing a small pistol at Arthur.

"I don't like you boy," Ivan said coldly as he pulled back the hammer and pointed it at Arthur.

Arthur glared up at him, and spit out a speck of blood, "Like I care, big nose."

The whole crew went silent at Arthur's remark and I felt Ivan start shaking.

"Oh? Did I hit a nerve?" Arthur smirked as he started to sit up. "Is that a sensitive subject for you? Big. Nose."

Ivan flung me to the side and stormed over to Arthur as I rolled away, and landed facing away from them. I heard the scuffle as something was drug across the floor and the hiss of breath as Ivan started to speak lowly. There was a wet splat and a growl.

"Hold him."

There were footsteps and then silence as heavy footsteps walked towards me, a foot kicked me sharply in the side and forced me to roll over. Ivan had no smug amusement in his eyes as he walked away from me to stand in front of Arthur. My heart rate sped up as I watched Ivan raise the pistol and point it at Arthur. Arthur glared at him before he glanced at me and I saw that strange emotion in his eyes again, the one that made my heart stop. We looked at each other for what seemed like forever before a gunshot ripped his gaze from mine as he went limp in his captive s hand.

My heart stopped all together as I silently screamed as they let Arthur fall to the ground. Ivan laughed as he walked away from where he stood and came over to me. I glared up at him as I felt the blood lust begin to boil over.

"Oho! Are you mad at me for shooting him?" Ivan grabbed me by my horn and lifted me high over his head so that I was glaring fiercely down at him. He examined me for a minute before he laughed again, "You loved him didn't you."

The past tense pushed me over the edge and I felt the bonds that held me melt and the barrier over my magic dissolved. I pulled back my fist and let it flying into the center of Ivan's face and he screamed in pain as he dropped me. I landed nimbly on my feet and flicked my hand and all of the men were sent flying backwards into the wall where they were left hanging by invisible forces.

I could see the blood gushing past Ivan's hand which he held over his nose as he crouched over the ground. I walked with deliberate slowness as I stalked over to Ivan. He looked up at me in fury as I stopped in front of him.

"Get up."

Ivan only glared at me and did nothing.

"I said," I pulled back my foot and kicked the larger man with enough force to send his rolling. "Get up."

With two broad steps I was standing over him as he lay quivering on the ground.

"Oh Great Captain Ivan Braginski, did you not hear me? Or maybe you are too much of a coward to stand up?" I sneered as I kicked him again, this time across the face earning a satisfying crunch from his jaw bone.

"Any last words or prayers?" I giggled as he lay writhing beneath me.

"De-Demon!" I was barely able to make out what he said, but I managed to and smiled.

"No, not a demon, but a lonely girl." I smiled widely as I flicked my hand out at him. "Letum~"

Ivan stiffened below me and then lolled over onto his stomach, hiding his bleeding face from site as well as his now lifeless eyes. I stood and stared at him for minute before a cough broke me out of my high.

"As-Astera"

I spun around and ran over to him while flinging myself onto the ground. The light of morning was starting to appear and I was able to see him clearly; Arthur's face was pale and his eyes were half shut. I looked down his torso and saw the red that had long since started to seep through his clothing.

"O-Oh, Arthur!" I waved my hands as I tried to focus my thoughts. "I-I'll fix it!"

"Astera." He reached up with a shaky hand and placed it on my cheek, as I shushed him.

"Don't speak."

"Astera, I-I have to say this." I stopped and looked his directly in the eyes. The look was back in his emerald eyes and I felt my heart clench. "I-I care about you more- more than anyone I know. Astera, I love you. I love the way you get mad at me and yet can still be so gentle. I think you are extremely beautiful, not for your looks but your heart. I completely and utterly am in love with you Astera."

My mouth hung open and closed as I continued to look into Arthur's eyes, when I finally realized what the emotion was. It was love, complete and true love. A single tear slipped from my eye as I began to laugh, and I placed my hand on the side of his cheek.

"I love you too you silly, stupid, reckless, handsome, and most of all forgiving boy."

The moment those words left my mouth, a zing of energy flew up my spine and lit my body on fire. I screamed in pain as felt the icy hot flames engulf my body, and fell to the side.

"As-Astera! What's wrong?"

I thrashed and I felt a weight slip from my head as I rolled over on my side, when the pain receded and left nothing. I lay with my eyes closed and breathing heavily when I heard a gasp. Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked forward only to meet a pair of emerald eyes staring back at me in amazement. I blinked and slowly sat up, feeling wobbly and light headed as my hair ghosted over your skin.

"W-What happened?" I asked quietly.

Arthur smiled and reached up to pat my head and I moved my hand to block him but he beat me. He patted the top of my head with a smile, "You're free."

I reached up slowly with a shaky hand and patted the top of my head, and gasped. The horns that had grown over two hundred years ago were gone.

"I-I'm free. Arthur, I'm free!" I felt tears begin to run down my cheeks as I pulled locks of my hair out in front of my face so I could examine them. They were chocolate brown and I gasped again.

"Arthur! I'm free!" I started to sob and I flung myself onto him, and he grunted in pain. I looked up at him through teary eyes and he was gazing back at me.

"So beautiful," he whispered as he reached over to run a thumb over my cheek to brush away my tears.

"You think so?" I kept my gaze on him as I blushed, and he nodded solemnly. My heart felt as if it was going to explode and I reached up and placed my hand over the wound on his chest.

"Vigoratus." I hummed and with a small flash, the bullet was in my hand and Arthur's wound was stitching itself back together.

I leaned up to rest my head against his forehead as I smiled, but froze as a voice interrupted the moment, "Hey, Astera. Mind untying me, aru?"

I looked at Yao and then to Arthur and began to laugh in a way I hadn't laughed in ages.


My head was spinning as I walked beside Arthur through the village. People bombarded me with question, comments, offers and all sorts of things since I had come down from the castle with Arthur at sunrise that morning. I heard a chuckle from behind and I looked back at Yao as he walked behind the both of us.

"What are you laughing about," I hissed as I grabbed onto Arthur's arm.

Yao shrugged, "I'm just happy, that's all, aru."

I stuck my tongue out at him before I turned around and smiled to myself.

"Arthur! Astera!" Michelle pushed her way through the crowd and stumbled.

"Yes, Michelle?" I asked sweetly as I tilted my head to one side.

"Are you and Doctor going to stay and help us?" There was silence as her question rung through the air, and I nodded. "Of course!"

She smiled widely and ran off through the crowd and I couldn't help but do the same as I dragged Arthur after me.


Yao and I stood three feet apart with our hands outstretched to the burnt Bonnefoy Inn. We looked at each other and gave a sharp nod before we shouted out in unison, "REDIVIVUS!"

The Inn groaned and rumbled before it collapsed into a large puff of smoke. People yelled in surprise and then cheered as the smoke cleared to reveal the original building. Everyone rushed forward to thank us and I smiled at everyone. Quickly, I melted from the crowd to carefully step next to Arthur.

"Soo~ What do you think?" I asked as I bumped into his shoulder lightly.

Arthur raised an eyebrow at me as he looked back at the fixed inn, "I think. You did very well."

I blushed at the compliment and I reached up to grab his shoulders and turned him towards me, "So do I get a kiss for doing well?"

He hummed again and leaned down to my face, "I think so-"

The heavy gong of the bell caused us both to stand up straight and look around. The crowd had gone silent as well. The only other boat in port was the large brig that Arthur had come on.

It only took a second for me to connect the dots, "You have to go don't you?"

Arthur nodded solemnly and I waved my hand producing his bag and things, "You better go say good bye to Francis and Michelle and Yao." I whispered as I let go of his shoulders and pushed him away in the direction of the crowd. He quickly ran into the midst of the crowd and I could hear the crowd go silent to hear the goodbyes.

I placed a hand over my mouth as I listened in, but didn't comprehend what they said. The crowd gave a cheer and I broke out of my stupor to look up in time to see Arthur re-emerge from the crowd. He was smiling and he held his arm out to me, "Ready?"

I stepped over to stand next to him and looped my arm through his, "Ready."

I swayed as I stood upon the bottom of the gangplank and held both of Arthur's hands. We both stood in silence until a crewman yelled for Arthur to get on.

"Astera, I'll never forget you." he whispered as he looked into my eyes.

"I sure as hell won't forget you either boy," I sniggered back.

He leaned his head forward, but I retreated as I shook my head. He gave me a confused look, "I don't want this to hurt more than it does now."

He nodded and lightly pecked my forehead before he let go of my hands to slowly walk up the gangplank. I watched him with tears in my eyes and I smiled as he turned to stand at the top.

"Goodbye Astera!" he crowed as he waved to me as the crewmen lifted the plank and brought it aboard. The lines were then cast off with a flurry of shout and I started to walk with the ship as it started to move.

"Goodbye you stupid human!" I yelled back.

Arthur huffed and started to walk to the stern of the ship, "Hey! You're human now too!"

"You know what I mean!"

"Do I?"

I nodded as I came to the end of the pier, "You do!"

He was now at the stern of the ship, "I love you Astera!"

I felt the tears start to flow as I started to wave again, "I love you more Arthur!"

He shook his head and waved back, "I'll love you till even after the last breath you take!"

I nodded and smiled through my tears, "Y-You better!"


Yay~ This is the last chapter till the finale~