Chapter 12: Before the Storm
"Home at last…" Thalias sighed as he collapsed on his bed in House Sorel.
The Midnight Raiders had at last returned from their cross continental campaign to stop Patroklos from reawakening Soul Calibur, completely and utterly exhausted. The trip had produced a mixture of results, some good, some bad, and some unexpected. Ivy had agreed to join their ranks, having been impressed with Varryn's skills and always willing to strike back at the azure knight. Though, the smug look on the tan fighter's face as he walked in with her by his side told Thalias that there may have been more…intimate reasons as to why the alchemist had come. Additionally, the Chinese girl Taru had saved from Charade, named Leixia, had practically begged to come with them in order to avenge her fallen friends. While Maxi had initially been opposed to the idea of the young girl working with such dangerous individuals as the malfested, he eventually gave in to her excessive whining and complaining, though not before demanding that she be taken care of. The young warrior smiled as he recounted the younger man's sudden burst of power. I knew Taru had it in him. Looks like he just needed the proper motivation to let loose. Besides the Chinese girl (who seemed to have taken a liking to her 'savior' and spent much of her time around him), the Raiders had also gained the allegiance of the mercenary Lidia and the self-proclaimed assassin Misune. Like with Taru, the young red head was much stronger than she looked, and just as skilled as she claimed herself to be. She had gained Thalias' approval after managing to cut down nearly a third of the attacking malfested forces singlehandedly, without so much as a scratch. She moved so fast, he wondered, that she might be able to outdo Shinzo. Despite the malfested woman's efforts to help him, the young warrior couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about her. He couldn't tell if it was the fact that she seemed to know everything he needed at the precise moment it was necessary, or if she was quite possibly unkillable, or that she was just altogether insane. Whatever the reason, he felt safer having a possible ace in the hole should things turn south. As they often do… he realized with a groan. Before he could continue his reflection, a knock came at his door. He knew who it was without having to ask, smiling as he sat up.
"Come in, Pyrrha."
The blonde woman entered without a second thought, immediately going to her lover's side as soon as the door was closed. The two malfested youth's gave each other a gentle kiss before both reclined on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with their deformed hands intertwined.
"It's almost time…isn't it?" Pyrrha asked softly.
"Yeah…it won't be much longer now before we're ready."
On the way back to their home, Shinzo had made a brief appearance to inform them that the next time she returned to House Sorel, they would make for Nightmare's castle in Ohstriensburg. Knowing that the strange sense of peace they had come to know in the mansion could very well end at any day, Thalias had ordered everyone to make the most of what could be the last happy moments they would have before the final battle. While the others went about their business, the young warrior resigned himself to carry out something he had been working on for the past month and a half. Taking a deep breath he rolled over so that he was straddling the blonde woman.
"Pyrrha…" he said, voice full of unusual gentleness.
"Thalias…?"
She stared up at him in mixed excitement and confusion, a deep blush rising to her cheeks as she thought about what was most likely soon to come.
"Pyrrha…ever since I met you, I've been in love with you. Your gentle smile…" he tenderly brushed aside some of her golden locks. "Your angelic, silken hair…and your beautiful eyes. I know that you probably deserve someone far better than me, someone who isn't the son of a cruel bastard…but even so, I want you to know that I will always love you."
Thalias then reached into a pocket of his cloak and produced a small wooden box.
"I was going to wait until after we beat my father to do this, but just in case I don't get another chance…" slowly, he opened the box and displayed its contents before her. "Pyrrha Alexendra…will you marry me?"
The golden haired girl stared in shock for a moment before tears of joy began streaming down her face, accompanied by the happiest smile Thalias had ever seen her give.
"Oh Thalias..." she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. "Yes! Oh gods yes! I'm so happy..."
Breathing an internal sigh of relief, the young warrior returned the embrace.
"I'm glad...I was afraid you might say no."
"How could I say no when you've done so much for me?"
Thalias smiled with an unusual amount of warmth at this.
"Thank you, Pyrrha. I love you so much."
The malfested pair held their embrace for a time, taking simple pleasure in each other's presence. Then, the blonde woman rolled them over so that she was on top. Thalias looked up at her in confusion.
"Pyrrha?"
An uncharacteristically mischievous smirk spread across her lips, along with a deep blush as she leaned forward to whisper into the young warrior's ear.
"You've given me a great gift, now it's time for me to return the favor..."
Before Thalias could inquire further, Pyrrha sat up and began to slowly pull down her nightgown. As it fell to pool around her waist, the young warrior found himself staring at her topless form, feeling as though he was in the presence of a golden haired goddess. Seeing him blush madly at the sight of her, Pyrrha smiled and bent down towards him again.
"Let me show you how much you mean to me, Thalias..."
The gentle touch of her lips on his was the last thing he felt before a night of passion overtook them both.
(A/N: sorry guys, but I'm trying to keep this a T rated story. No naughty bits this time :3. But if you really want me to, then I'm open to requests~)
The next day, Thalias called all of the Midnight Raiders together for a meeting. As they began to file in, some took notice of their leader's slightly more disheveled than normal appearance. Many an eyebrow arose in confusion at this, until they also took notice of the gigantic grin on Pyrrha's face, and the fact that both of them had a noticeable tint of red in their cheeks. Some shook their heads, others muttered about how it took the two of them long enough, and a few sent nods of approval at the young warrior. Once everyone was gathered and either seated or standing, Thalias stood up to address them.
"Everyone," he began. "I'm sure you're all aware that we have only a few days left before we begin our final assault on Ohstriensburg Castle. Once we depart, there will be no turning back. I know some of you have only been here for a short time, and some are still skeptical about working with me, so I feel that I must say this: if there is anyone here who is either too afraid to confront the azure knight or has other agenda that they consider more important, then I ask that you leave now. I need everyone who's wiling to go to be fearless and focused on our objective, but I will not hold it against you if you feel you are not up to the task."
The young warrior paused for a moment to inspect the reactions of his allies. Not one of them showed signs of fear or concern. He was about to continue, but then Achreion stood up from his seat and walked towards him.
"Young man, none of us would be here now if it weren't for you." the nobleman stated. "Had I not joined your cause, then I would most likely have been hunted down and eventually slain. I had no title, limited inheritance, no home, and no purpose until you came along. For giving this sorry old sod something to live for, you have my thanks."
"Same here." added Diablos, who stood up alongside his brother. "Until you came along nobody would even come near us. And besides, we've never had this much fun before!"
"Our swords are yours to command." Azrios finished.
"You let me crush maggots..." Astaroth interjected. "I slaughter all your enemies! I'll rip them apart!"
The golem then slammed his large fists together for emphasis.
"A few months ago, I never would've let such people into Raphael's home. But I gotta say, the place has never been livelier." Varryn commented. "You've helped me out, and given me more than enough reason to trust you. I got your back. Although..."
The tan fighter glanced at Ivy, who sat cross legged beside him.
"I wouldn't mind some more...'charming' company as well."
The silver haired woman gave him a sensual smirk in response.
"The azure knight seems to make trouble for me no matter how far away he is. Putting a nuisance like him down for good doesn't sound like a bad idea at all..."
From where she sat, Suki shrugged her shoulders before folding her arms behind her head.
"I'm just in it for the cash, and this whole assault on a castle thing sounds like a great opportunity to make some profit. Sure, why not?"
"As long as I get paid, I'll fight whoever." Lidia added.
No one noticed as a brief smirk of deception crossed her lips before receding.
"My priority will always be my duty as a father," Myles began. "however...I will gladly aid you in punishing the azure knight for his foul deeds."
"As long as there's more strong opponents for me to fight, I'll prove my badassery for you guys as much as you want!" Misune chimed in from her perch on Astaroth's shoulder.
Taru scratched his short hair and sighed before sitting up.
"Thalias, you just might be the most arrogant, most thick headed guy I've ever met. But, I suppose if it weren't for you taking me in, then I might not have gotten the confidence boost to even think about trying to face Nightmare. For that, I'll give you a hand. Besides..."
The pale young man looked at his hand, which radiated a small sign of the dark power within him.
"Now that I have this strength...then maybe, just maybe I'll be able to do it."
"Sounds good to me!" Leixia chanted happily, hugging Taru from behind. "And where my savior goes, I go!"
The pale young man sighed again.
"Please stop calling me that..."
A small round of laughter rang out from most of the raiders at this. When it subsided, Thalias turned his gaze toward the one person who hadn't spoken up yet. Pyrrha smiled warmly back at him, taken his deformed hand into her own.
"I've already promised myself that I would follow you anywhere. I'll do anything I can to help, Thalias."
The young warrior smiled in uncharacteristic joy.
"Pyrrha...everyone..."
"Well, isn't this a touching sight?"
The room's occupants turned toward the familiar voice, some silently cursing the malfested woman for ruining the moment with her appearance. Shinzo stood in the doorway with her trademark sinister grin.
"I see you've all learned to get along well in my absence. A shame you can't be more like this when I'm here."
"Maybe if it were any other day." Thalias growled lightly. "I take it this means the time has come?"
"Indeed it has. However, Ohstriensburg isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so you've all got another day to make sure you're prepared. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves, all of you have earned it."
The young warrior paused at this. Though he could have been mistaken, it almost felt as though there was a hint of...guilt...in Shinzo's tone. Such a lighthearted statement was unlike her. Nevertheless, he was thankful for the offer, and so he dismissed his allies to go about their business for the remainder of the day. As they left to carry out their various agenda, the malfested woman pulled Myles aside.
"I couldn't help but overhear that you're looking for someone. Your children, correct?"
"My son and daughter, yes...but how did you know?" the wolfman narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"I know because it's my job to know everything I can about my clients. It's one of the lessons they teach you in the Birds of Passage, and they make sure to ingrain it so deep it never goes away. Anyway, I wanted to tell you something that you may find useful."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
Shinzo's grin grew as she leaned in close to whisper in his ear.
"Word has reached my ears about a pair of children asking for their father at a foster home in southern Germany. From what I can tell, they match the description you gave Thalias."
Myles's eyes widened. "You mean to say...?!"
"It is most likely them, yes."
The wolfman felt a large amount of joy course through him at this, but then he remembered who he was talking to, and what kind of person they were.
"Wait, how do I know you're not lying? For all I know, you could just be toying with me."
"You may judge me however you want, Myles Cross, but when it comes to children, I never lie."
A flash of pure honesty and understanding went through the malfested woman's eyes, and Myles couldn't help but wonder if she had ever had a family of her own.
"Whether or not you choose to go is up to you. But, if you do decide to look for them, then I have a request."
Shoulda known. The wolfman thought, but he nodded for her to continue anyway.
"I would ask that you also look for a young girl of mixed heritage. Small thing, pale skin, likes roses. If you find your children, send them somewhere safe, then bring the other girl with you to Ohstriensburg." noticing him about to question her, she quickly elaborated. "And place her somewhere away from the fighting. I want her safe and sound by the time everything is over."
"You seem to care an awful lot about this child..."
Now it was Shinzo's turn to narrow her eyes, and she did so with an intensity so great that Myles felt as though it would drill a hole through him.
"That is none of your concern. Just make sure the girl gets to Ohstriensburg safely and by the time the fighting starts. I'll handle the rest after that, and then you can do as you please."
"I...I understand..."
Feeling she'd made her point, the malfested woman relaxed her gaze and sighed.
"I'm sorry if I sound so forceful, but this matters a lot to me. More so than you could ever know..."
"If it's so important, then why not tell the others?"
"Because..." she turned away. "Only you could possibly understand."
The malfested woman walked off without another word, leaving the wolfman to think on her words. The day after, she couldn't help but offer Myles a small smile of sympathy as he asked Thalias to leave for a time. She really had meant what she said, only a fellow parent could understand. The young warrior nodded and shook the wolfman's hand, wishing him the best of luck as he departed for southern Germany. Once Myles was out of sight, Shinzo rejoined Thalias at the front of the group.
"It was good to let him have this. A kind father deserves to be with his loved ones."
"Perhaps...but only a kind father like him deserves my sympathy. Besides, he's earned it." Thalias agreed. "Now then, you told us something about reinforcements?"
"Yes. Since it's blatantly obvious that even with the skilled individuals gathered here, our numbers are far too few to have a chance against the azure knight's army. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of procuring one for us."
"How the hell did you do that?" Taru asked.
"Simple. I asked nicely."
"Bullshit!"
"The point is," Thalias interjected. "where exactly is this army of yours?"
Shinzo smirked mischievously in response.
"Already en route to Ohstriensburg. We shall meet up with their leader on the outskirts."
"Very well. Is everyone ready? Remember, once we leave, there's no turning back."
All of his allies merely smiled, rose their weapons and shouted, or nodded in response.
"Excellent! Then without further delay, let us be off!"
And with that, the young warrior began to march his army toward the distant castle where the azure knight, and his prize, sat waiting. I'm coming for you, father. Very soon, I will face you once more. And this time, I will be the one who holds dominion over Soul Edge!
In another part of the country, a young man marched steadily through a dense forest. In his hand, a brilliant and shining crystal blue longsword radiated with blessed power. Power which seemed to mirror that of the glow in his now luminescent blue eyes. Stopping for a moment, he lifted his gaze to the sky.
"It won't be long now...soon we'll see meet again...my sister..."
He grit his teeth as rage coursed through his being, and he drew the spirit sword from its sheathe, raising it skyward.
"I swear on this sword...I will save you...and I will kill the bastard who turned you into one of them! Thalias, your life will end by my hand!"
Now with his resolution in mind, the man sheathed Soul Calibur, and continued on his way.
A/N: I am terribly sorry for the delay. A lot of things have happened recently, and most of them made it difficult to write. Nevertheless, I will continue to update this story as soon as I can. As always, hope you enjoyed the chapter and don't forget to review! Till next time! Dark Novelist out.
P.S.: I've started a poll for what story I should do after I finish this one and a couple others. Please be sure to check out my profile and vote!
