Disclaimer: Most of this stuff is owned by KOEI

Chapter 14: Home for a Rest

Angelique awoke to a beautiful morning and made her way to the main deck.

"Good morning, Gustav!" she called to the pirate on the quarterdeck, steering the ship.

"Morning Angelique," he grinned.

"Is everyone still asleep?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She heard the door to the captain quarters open. Nyx stepped out, limping a little. His body no longer looked like it didn't fit his skin. He was lean, muscles solid, but it was obvious by his movements that his body was still adjusting itself.

"Beautiful morning isn't it Angelique," he said softly, obviously still tired.

"It is. Are you okay? I thought you didn't like the sea?" Her eyes followed him as he hobbled over to her.

"I'm terrified," he admitted bluntly, "but there is little I can do about it."

He paused, "Besides, I feel more at ease now that you are here with me."

Well the elephant in the room (or ship) just made a loud trumpet. Nyx's face grew serious almost sad as Angelique blushed.

"I apologize if I overstepped my boundaries last night."

Angelique didn't want to forget the kisses last night. But she didn't want to make it painfully obvious and would make them feel uncomfortable around each other. Even his presence left her feeling an odd churn in her lower belly. It was definitely not something they both could overlook.

"It doesn't matter," she replied, "I'm just glad you're alright and here with me."

She went up and embraced him, squeezing tightly, afraid he would be taken away again.

His heart felt warm at her emotional response. He returned the embrace. "Thank you, Angelique," he whispered to himself. I'm not going to leave you. It was a promise he wasn't too sure he would be able to keep. But he would try his damnedest.

She reluctantly pulled away, mostly because she could tell Gustav was watching.

Out of nowhere, Alonzo jumped on Nyx from behind, "Nyx! You sonnuva bitch, 'bout time you returned to normal!"

"It's good to see you too," Nyx grimaced as Alonzo tucked Nyx's head under his arm and rubbed his head with his knuckles.

"Get off him, Alonzo," Rayne yelled as he ascended to the deck.

"Oh, sorry," Alonzo apologized, though Nyx didn't seem to be in too much pain.

"How do you feel?" Rayne asked.

"My body is still readjusting," Nyx answered. "But I feel better than I did while at that prison."

"We're just glad you're safe," J.D. let out a sigh of relief. "What made you snap out of it?"

Nyx swallowed and turned back to Angelique, "Once again, Angelique's light has found a place in my heart."

It was ambiguous obviously. No one was sure exactly what he meant.

"That's sweet," Alonzo said dryly, "Listen, put some clothes on. No one round around buck naked on my ship—unless it was me—and in front of a girl no less. Wait here."

Alonzo retreated into the captain's quarters. He returned with articles of clothing and threw them at Nyx, "Here, wear these. They may be a little bit big but they'll do."

Before Nyx could respond, Alonzo continued, "And for god's sake get a shave. You look more like a pirate than anyone else on my crew."

Nyx smiled, rubbing his unshaven chin.

***

They finally docked back on Jacksonport. Angelique and her friends were ready to wave the ship Angelique away along with its captain.

Alonzo took off his white headscarf, letting his curls fall naturally. Surprisingly he turned to his crew.

"Gentlemen, you are all are valiant, courageous, handy…any captain would love to have a bunch like you" he handed Gustav his headband. Gustav gazed at the cloth in disbelief.

"Captain…"

Alonzo sniffed, "I'm not your captain any longer."

The crew was whispering amongst themselves in disbelief.

"Alonzo…" Angelique was surprised the he was willing to give up the one thing he loved.

"Why?"

"Being the King of the Seas is too much responsibility for a guy like me. I love the sea, but not enough to die alone with it," Alonzo reached behind him and brought an arm around Rayne's shoulder, who looked bewildered and uncomfortable. "Besides I like these guys. They're lively, passionate, and the most antagonizing people I know…" Alonzo explained with a smile.

"Captain, if you ever feel like returning…"

"I know. I will let you know. But before we part ways. I name Gustav as my replacement," he rested a hand on the larger man's shoulder. "Gustav, make sure you make Angelique a ship deserving of respect and awe, just like her namesake."

"Will do sire."

***

They found their carriage still stationed at Wolfmeyer's inn.

"Why did you throw that opportunity away?" Rayne asked watching Alonzo saddled up the horse. "You seem more comfortable on the waters than having us suffer your presence." Rayne cringed at his own wording. He didn't want to sound too harsh. Well, it was too late. Luckily, Alonzo brushed it off, "As I said. My personality probably couldn't handle being the King of the Seas. The King of the Seas has to be dependable, decisive, and respected. I'm not two of those things."

Alonzo patted the horse, "Besides I still owe a debt to Nyx."

"I think you should let me be the judge of that."

Nyx limped over with the help of J.D by gripping the larger man's shoulder, "You crossed treacherous waters and fought through a Rebel army to save me. I think under every circumstance the debt would be repaid."

"I feel like I haven't done enough to repay that debt. So whether you like it or not I'm staying."

***

The journey back home was a little easier than their previous journey but it was still tiring for everyone. Most of all Nyx. He had not had sufficient time to rest and relax in a long time, and his time on the ship was not necessarily relaxing even when he wasn't himself. Now he was stuck in close quarters with others traveling on rocky roads that didn't feel well with his recuperating body. He didn't complain though; at least he was out of the sea.

As the carriage drove up the road to Sunlit Mansion, Nyx felt a relief drive in his chest. He was home. It seemed like it was so long since he was here.

As they stopped in front of the entrance, a familiar man stepped out and waved. Bernard was relieved that they had made it home. Alonzo waved as he stepped down.

"We had a successful mission," he said with a smile.

"You all are safe, right?"

"Of course."

Bernard looked over and saw Nyx standing there next to Angelique, his arm draped around her shoulder, and her arm around his waist. Bernard felt his body heat with protectiveness until he realized that Nyx was struggling to stand. Nyx did not look well. He looked haggard and tired, maybe a little sick. Everything that told he had a horrible ordeal.

"Should I call the doctor?" Bernard asked reaching over to take some of Nyx's weight off of Angelique.

"Yes, have him come tomorrow," Angelique answered, "Right now I think he needs some rest."

"Of course."

Bernard aided Angelique in helping Nyx walk into the house. He stopped at the steps up to the second floor and let Angelique take Nyx the rest of the way to his bedroom. Bernard stared up at the two watching them retreat upstairs, "What happened?"

Rayne's arms were crossed but he unfolded them and sat down on the couch, "A lot. It seems that dark forces are exceedingly attracted to him."

Bernard glanced back at the group of men. All them seemed to be somewhat disturbed by something.

"What do you mean?"

"You were right," Hyuuga finally said, "He was imprisoned in the islands. Along with most of the other islanders."

"The Rebels have the citizens of Medina in a web of fear. They take their goods by force to supply themselves," Rayne reported remembering what the bearded Medinan had told them.

Bernard pinched the bridge of his nose, "I see. But what about Nyx? I'm getting the feeling that you are avoiding the subject."

Alonzo's brow furrowed and he pressed his hands together and brought the hands to his face almost in a prayer to reject the horror from his mind.

"He changed into something inhuman. What the locals call Maahes. Takes the shape of a huge black creature. During his time in this state he cannibalized men, raped fellow Medinan women and killed his own people."

"His acts towards his people were brought on by a device the Rebels made him wear," Rayne clarified Alonzo's statement, "But violence towards the Rebels were not. It's not easy seeing a man you know-albiet in a different form-devour a man before your eyes."

Bernard swallowed looking nervous about leaving Angelique alone with such a monster, "How did you all survive?"

"We're not sure why Nyx didn't attack us. We think it had something to do with Ange. She refused to give up on him. And it was because of him that the prisoners and us could get through the Rebels safely. But we had to head to one of the other islands so they could…"seal"…him," J.D explained

"Seal?"

"Meaning Nyx cannot easily change back into that monster. We should be fine with him, but he had been tortured while in captivity and the changes altered his body badly and the seal has made it weak. It took a while for him to become normal mentally and it may take longer for his body to return to normal as well."

Bernard took a bit to imagine this. He hoped that Nyx's recent troubles weren't a sign of Erebos. What would that mean for Arcadia?

He sat down in the chair across from Rayne, "Explain everything from the beginning."

***

"Here we are," Nyx said as he nudged the door open. Angelique's eyes grew wide in astonishment. The master bedroom was huge, the ceiling was high and bed could easily fit three people underneath its' silky white sheets. Over on the side was a large fireplace flanked by a collection of books on the wall. Two chairs sat in front of the cold fireplace. A large bathroom was connected to this room near the corner. This was the first time she'd seen Nyx's bedroom.

"It's not as impressive as it seems," he said softly sensing her amazement. "It can get quite lonely in here."

Angelique helped Nyx over to the bed. "Easy now," she whispered as Nyx crawled onto the bed grunting slightly and cringing. He settled down in the soft sheets, sighing in relief and comfort.

"Will you be okay on your back?"

Nyx nodded, "This is fine."

Then a white cat jumped on top of the bed, purring slightly.

"Erwin," Nyx smiled stroking the cat's fur, "I'm glad you behaved while I was gone."

"Come on Erwin," Angelique gathered the cat in her arms, "Let's leave your master to rest."

She turned to leave but Nyx caught her wrist, "Angelique…"

She turned back seeing the man's brow creased in worry.

"Please tell me. Did I…touch you when I was that…thing?"

The answer was obvious to her but she was deeply disturbed by his pleading eyes. He had that same look when he asked her to kill him.

"You never harmed me," was Angelique's reply. Nyx's eyes fluttered in relief, "Thank god."

It was painfully obvious that he had been thinking about his sins on the Medinan Islands. It would be hard to have him wipe those memories clean and she couldn't force him to. Nyx was a smart enough man to know that what happened wasn't his fault directly. But there would always be a stigma…

Angelique smiled down at him. An angelic smile. "Now, don't think. The doctor will come tomorrow. If you need anything let us know but get some rest. You need it."

He could feel himself slipping away, her presence surrounding him with comfort. He kept his eyes on her until his eyelids fluttered closed for an easy sleep breathing a soft "thank you" to the young woman holding his hand.

A/N: Sorry it took a while to update but here it is. They all deserve a little break don't ya think? Home for a Rest is taken from a song by Spirit of the West.