Cyril stood at the entrance of the woods that lead to Byrgenwerth manor with a deadly smirk on his face, as he extended the hidden blade concealed within his right forearm and gave it a test swing and found that with the added weight of the brass arms he now had his strikes would hit much harder thought this was not a blade made for cutting but was one made for stabbing and thrusting strikes, "Lanius comes first..." Cyril thought to himself as he began the trek to Byrgenwerth manor unaware that Flora had been observing him from her perch in one of the many tangled trees of the forest, "And just what do you need a twenty-five inch wrist dagger for Cyril?" Flora thought to herself as she stealthily hopped from branch to branch following after Cyril as he got ever closer to her home.
Arriving at the house first the now nineteen year old Flora walked into the foyer of the house standing before her mother who regarded her with a nod "You're never going to guess who I saw walking towards the house you two" Flora said curtly, "But I'll give you a hint Melchior" She said with a smile as he frowned at her, "Out with it Flora, you know I dont like games" he said firmly causing her to frown, "Cyril is coming to pay us a visit, He's got new hands too" She said as Melchior let out a sigh "You would think after four years the boy would have learned" Melchior said as he walked toward the front door, "You two stay in here I'll deal with the boy… I've one good fight left in me" He said as he closed the door behind him Nerco nodded to her daughter as a sheathed blade materialized into her hands "This is for you to use should he manage to defeat Melchior" Nerco said as she handed her daughter the sheathed blade she often kept for herself as another much more ornate one materialized in the violet sash Nerco wore around her waist, "Whatever his purpose for seeking us out he's going to learn another hard lesson" Nerco said as her eyes began to glow ember orange.
Standing outside the door, Melchior was waiting for Cyril to arrive when a glint of light in the darkness of the night to his immediate right alerted him to the young man as he dashed toward him from the shadows blade at the ready though Melchior was faster in is advanced experience as a soldier of the church as he brought up his war club and deftly parried the incoming strike from Cyril who backed away into the shadows once more, his all black garb concealing him from Melchior's aging eyes as he scanned the shadows for any sign of movement, "Why did you come back boy?" Melchior asked hoping for an honest answer from Cyril who contemplated answering him, "I'm here to repay you all for what was done to me four years ago!" Cyril said angrily as he dashed out of the shadows and caught Melchior with a deep blow to the side that hit his spine dropping the towering man to his knees as Cyril leveled his hidden blade at Melchior's neck he bid the man a question, "Any last words old man?" Cyril asked as Melchior spit in his face in defiance as Cyril stabbed the blade into his chest just below the sternum in an angered response seemingly killing the towering man as his body fell limp, "Those wounds wont kill you old man but the neurotoxin I soaked my blade in will make damned sure you dont interfere" Cyril said as he walked past Melchior who followed him with his amber eyes glaring hatefully at Cyril who walked toward the front door of the house.
Kicking in the front door Cyril hollered out at the top of his lungs, "Honey, I'm home!" as Nerco walked into view from the second floor observation point the overlooked the front door, she wore a piercing glare as she slowly but purposefully descended the spiral staircase the lead to the main hall where Cyril stood waiting for her as she drew her sword from the ornate scabbard at her side, "Get out... Of my house." Nerco demanded of the young man who simply laughed, "And if I should refuse you Nerco?" Cyril said in a tone of overconfidence that infuriated Nerco to no end, "Then I'll just have to make you leave" She said as the blade of her sword was ignited with a Keepers flame as she ran her hand down the length of the blade, making the first move, Nerco swung her flaming blade in a diagonal arc that was easily parried by Cyril as he assumed a fencing position with his blade, "This will be similar to fighting Vridd then, as he used the same posture whilst fighting" Nerco thought to herself as she ground her blade against his in a deadlock, trying her hardest holding her sword with both hands did little as Cyril was much stronger than her as a man, she let out a scream of pain when she felt the bite of Cyril's blade in her shoulder as he overpowered her with ease letting out a devilish smirk when he saw her bleeding shoulder he took things a step further as a jet of viscous liquid shot out from a nozzle in the wrist of his left arm coating Nerco in the stuff she immediately felt the weakening numbing sensation that could only be caused by, "N-Numbing M-Mist!?" Nerco stuttered in shock that he even knew how the stuff affected Keepers as she fell to her knees as the mist continued to weaken her coupled with the neurotoxin that Cyril had soaked his blade in, "I wont kill you Nerco, you've done nothing to me to warrant such action" Cyril said as he bent down to Nerco's level, "Rin told me about how Numbing Mist affects Keepers in this way, its fascinating to watch really" Cyril said as Nerco glared hatefully at him "I wouldn't waste the time you've bought yourself talking to me, at this rate you have four more minutes before I show you what happens when you cross me" Nerco said as Cyril stood with a smirk on his face, "Then how about I go play with Flora for those four minutes I'm sure she's missed me" Cyril said with a dangerous smile as he walked past Nerco and up the stairs of the foyer to where Flora was no doubt waiting for him.
Flora heard he mother scream out in pain as a knot of worry formed in her guts if it was Cyril she was fighting he could be doing anything to her, memories of the night he almost raped her came rushing back to the surface as she tried not to shudder but could not fight the reflex back, hearing heavy boots falling upon the stairs she steeled herself and walked out of her room to face her opponent but the fear welling in her had her running and hiding before the man reached the top step, "Flora…" the twenty-one year old Cyril spoke calling out her name, "Come on out and play with me for a few minutes I'm getting a bit bored" She heard Cyril call out as she hid behind one of the many pillars before she found her strength as a nova of flame flickered to life in her hand coming out from behind the pillar she had been hiding behind all Cyril could see was her violet eyes illuminated by the flickering flames in her hand, "What have you done to my mother Cyril" Flora demanded of him, "I didn't fuck her if that's what your asking" Cyril said in a calm tone as Flora let out a sound of annoyance before she hurled the nova of flame at Cyril, her aim slightly off the fireball missed him by several inches before Cyril rushed forward catching Flora by surprise as he tackled her to the floor, "I still want to be with you you know" Cyril said with a smirk as Flora struggled under him, her arms pinned above her head by Cyril's left hand, "G-Get the hell off of me Cyril! You lost your chance for that the day you tried to rape me!" Flora yelled out defiantly as Cyril grabbed ahold of the violet dress she was wearing that her mother had mended for her he tore out the chest exposing her breasts, "Not bad, I bet you get these from your mom she has an impressive rack too" Cyril said as he licked his lips in a predatory fashion before he stopped, an afterthought invading his mind as he saw the defiant look in Flora's eyes, "Last time you were able to push me away, not this time though" Cyril said as the nozzle hidden in his left arm jutted out from its hiding place and sprayed the second of three cartridges of Numbing Mist upon Flora making sure she couldn't fight back as the numbing sensation of the stuff took hold and began to weaken the Keeper side of Flora she could still move but at this point she was at Cyril's mercy.
Hearing the defiant shout of her daughter Nerco immediately looked up the staircase with a worried expression as she waited for the effects of the Numbing Mist to wear off, feeling her strength return to her Nerco enveloped herself in flame as stone armor began to grow upon her form as her eyes began to glow a solid violet, her transformation complete she slowly and silently walked up the stairs coming up behind Cyril who was preoccupied with fondling Flora's impressively sized breasts she was blushing profusely and looking to the side unable to meet Cyril's indigo eyes as he continued to fondle her making her let out the occasional involuntary squeak of pleasure before Cyril felt a warm hand on his shoulder that squeezed down grabbing his attention he looked to his left and up only to find the terrifying visage of Nerco in her Archon State staring back at him her breathing distorted as was her voice, "Get the hell off of my daughter!" Nerco commanded him as her palm heated up to scalding temperatures causing Cyril to cry out in pain as Nerco willingly let go of him, "And get the hell out of my house while you're at it!" Nerco yelled out as she blasted him through the wall of the second story out into the back lot of the manor landing in front of Gaile's grave marker Nerco jumped down from the second story, clutching at his shoulder Cyril tore away the burned fabric to reveal a second degree burn in the shape of a hand print on his shoulder as Nerco advanced on him, "What the fuck is that form Nerco?" Cyril demanded of the woman as she tipped her head to the side, "The last thing you're ever going to see in your miserable life" She said in a deathly calm tone of voice as she continued to advance on Cyril who felt like a cornered animal with nowhere to run as he lashed out his right arm, blade extended as Nerco effortlessly caught the blade in her armor clad hand, "Now this wont do, attacking a lady with a wrist dagger" Nerco said as she superheated the blade and broke it free of its housing on Cyril's right arm deftly tossing the blade into the lake where it quickly fizzled out in the cold water of the lake as she held out her hand before Cyril who burst into flames as she willed the fire to consume him with screams of agony Cyril ran looking for a way to put himself out as the fire ate away at him but it was to no avail as he felt his clothes give way to the flames and the tender flesh beneath was consumed by the fire deciding he's had enough Nerco wills the flames to die down before she focuses a condensed jet of fire upon his groin burning away his manhood in a quick flash of flame moaning in his pain Cyril could only weakly crawl away from Nerco who looked upon his burnt form with satisfaction showing in her eyes as Flora stood at the opening Nerco had made in the wall covering herself with her arms as the most unexpected person arrived having seen the light of the fire from a long distance away, "At least I'm in the right place" the owner of the voice called out making Nerco's eyes widen in disbelief.
Gaile was walking down the path to Byrgenwerth when he felt the pulse of energy that was clearly Nerco triggering her Archon state, "She only does that when something is very wrong!" Gaile thought to himself as he sped off through the woodland racing toward the house at a speed he never would have thought himself capable of under any other circumstances, Coming to the front lawn he found Lanius crouched on one knee attempting to stand, walking over to him Lanius only smiled, "What took you so long?" He asked as Gaile shook his head, "Later Lanius, where are Nerco and Flora?" Gaile said in a slightly raised voice, "And more importantly whats happened that Nerco needed to rely upon the Archon state, I'm sure you felt it too" Gaile said as the towering man nodded, "Indeed I did" Lanius said firmly, "As for what's happened do you remember the incident in the alley with Lucien DuCiel and his two lackeys" Lanius asked causing Gaile's eyes to harden, "How could I forget?" He asked in a cold tone that Lanius understood all too well, "For a time, his at the time seventeen year old son Cyril had been dating Flora while she was fifteen" Lanius started to explain as Gaile nodded, "Go on" He said, "For that time things seemed to be going well Flora in her own words was treated like a goddess by him" at which Gaile frowned, "But things went south at some point I'm assuming" as Lanius nodded, "Yes, DuCiel wanted to take their relationship to the next level and Flora was all for it save for one aspect, she wasn't quite ready to try having sex yet" Lanius said as a hard look formed on Gaile's features, "What did he do Lanius?" Gaile asked firmly both wanting to know the answer and dreading said answer at the same time, "He tried to rape her one evening when they were together in her room" He said as a look of pure rage and hatred formed on Gaile's face, "Where is he!? I'll kill the little bastard!" Gaile said angrily as he brandished the Beast Cutter he had taken with him from the Nightmare, "If Nerco hasn't already you mean?" Lanius said with a smirk as he tried to stand but found his leg failing him, "I think that little brat nicked my spine" Lanius said angrily as he found a sturdy branch that had fallen from one of the many trees in the forest and used the twisted and gnarled limb to stand on his two feet and retain his balance, "I do believe she's in the back yard" Lanius said as Gaile nodded and sped off around the side of the house coming to a stop he found the barely living burned form of Cyril though he was unrecognizable at this point, "At least I'm in the right place" Gaile called out making Nerco's eyes widen in disbelief as she turned to face Gaile after thirteen years without him in her life.
Eyes wide with disbelief, Nerco dispelled her Archon state and slowly walked up to him, her very form trembling with emotion as she stared into Gaile's golden eyes before a look of anger formed on her face, and she roughly slapped him across the cheek, her claw accessories cutting into him as she did so as Gaile looked at her in stunned confusion, "That's for getting yourself killed in the war!" Nerco said as her form continued to tremble with emotions she hadn't felt since he passed, "And this" She said with a pause as she took hold of Gaile's coat collar and pulled him into a rough but passionate kiss that he returned with passion to match, breaking from the kiss Nerco spoke softly, "That's for coming back to us" She said as tears began to flow down her cheeks at the mere idea of having her husband back after so long though she couldn't help but feel a familiar pain welling in her chest, His sudden entry back into her life had opened up an old wound that had long since healed and she didn't know what to do about it, "D-Dad?" Came Flora's voice as she had changed in her room before coming down wearing the garb Nerco wore in her early teens Flora rushed to her father with tears streaming down her face as she hugged her father tightly for fear that he might vanish from her life again, breaking from the embrace Flora blushed lightly as her father kissed her on her forehead, "I've missed you Flora" Gaile said as he pulled her into another hug that she returned, "I've missed both of you more than you will ever know" Gaile said as he pulled Nerco into the embrace as her face flushed a bright shade of pink, "Bur what about this?" Gaile said as he pointed his Beast Cutter at Cyril who looked as thought he might succumb to the burns inflicted upon him by Nerco any moment, "We will take things from here Mr. Arkenmire" spoke an agent of the syndicate who walked out of the shadow of a tree, "He will be dealt with worry not" Rin spoke in a calm tone as she walked out of the shadows and focused a look of sympathy upon him that Cyril winced at before another wave of pain racked his form as cold, water soaked bandages were wrapped around his form to cool the burns on his body he would likely have to wear bandages on his body like this for the rest of his natural life Gaile thought to himself as he watched every move the agents made before the took Cyril's bandage wrapped form away with Rin trailing behind the agent that was carrying Cyril, "That takes care of that I guess" Flora said as she broke from the embrace with her father as he still held Nerco close to him the blush never leaving her face, "I don't know about you two but I for one am tired I'll see you tomorrow Mom, Dad" Flora said as she walked back into the house.
Laying in bed together Gaile and Nerco were staring into one anothers eyes before Gaile tried to initiate a kiss with her, "Mmmn Gaile no… I'm not in the mood tonight" Nerco said as she turned away from him showing him her back, "Nerco, what's wrong?" Gaile asked, as She turned around to face him again, "It's been thirteen years Nerco I thought you would be happier to see me after so long" Gaile said somberly, I am Gaile, but do you have any idea what it's like to lose someone so close for so long... the wounds have healed since then and then you come back and they reopen" Nerco said as she looked at Gaile with a saddened expression on her face, "Then do you not want to be with me anymore Nerco?" Gaile asked as she shook her head "That's not it Gaile, if that had been the case, I would already have started something with Melchior" Nerco said as she leaned in to kiss Gaile, "Melchior?" Gaile asked as Nerco nodded, "You would know him better by the name Lanius" Nerco said warmly as Gaile nodded, "So his real name is Melchior then?" Gaile said as Nerco nodded, "He decided to go back to using his real name, said that Lanius was the warrior and it was time for him to rest, he's done his time, If anything, I think Melchior's grown to the idea of actually growing old and passing away from old age rather than going down fighting, So no fight for you two" Nerco said with a warm smile "Oh and before I forget Flora said she had a surprise to tell to both of us tomorrow, something she and Melchior have been discussing for some time she says" Nerco said as she kissed Gaile a final time and curled up next to him simply enjoying their close proximity once again.
The next morning had arrived as Gaile rose with the morning sun, walking over to their spacious walk in closet Gaile was surprised to find that Nerco had saved all his clothing despite his departure from her life for thirteen years, walking into the closet Gaile chose a white button down undershirt with a maroon red waistcoat over which he would of course wear his boneash duster as always finishing with a traditional black pair of Hunter's trousers he walked downstairs into the foyer thinking aloud, "Thirteen years I've been gone… Now what could I cook up for breakfast?" Gaile wondered aloud as he walked toward the kitchen "Perhaps biscuits and sausage gravy" Gaile said as he found Melchior had fashioned the branch he had used to help himself stand the night before into an ornate wooden cane standing in the kitchen, "Cant decide on what to cook for them this morning?" Melchior asked as he leaned on his cane, "Doctors confirmed it by the way, Cyril did indeed nick my spine with that arm blade of his and that it has caused permanent damage to my left leg" Lanius said in an annoyed tone, "Though why dont we come up with something together" Melchior said as Gaile nodded "I'm sure we can find something to agree on" Gaile said as he grabbed a measuring cup and some buttermilk and flour as well as a few other key ingredients to make his signature biscuits and gravy While Melchior prepared his own signature apple wood bacon to go on the side, the scent of breakfast being cooked wafted upstairs waking Nerco from her slumber as she tiredly rose in bed "Mmmn breakfast would be lovely" She thought to herself as she rose from the bed and began dressing in her usual boneash garb feeling most comfortable in the flexible sinewy armor she wore all her life as a Keeper.
Flora too awoke when the scent of the morning meal hit her nostrils "Smells delicious!" she thought to herself as she dressed in the hooded garb Nerco wore as a teen in Loran, despite it still fitting her at nineteen it left very little to the imagination as the garb hugged her curves gracefully and accentuated her sizable breasts, pulling on the thigh high stockings that go with the garb Flora walked downstairs to find that their plates were already served and waiting for them, shortly after Flora herself, Nerco had come downstairs and also found to her surprise that the plates were waiting for them before Gaile voice alerted them "Well what are you waiting for… Tuck in" He said as the family plus Melchior sat down to enjoy breakfast together, "F-Flora… What are you wearing?" Gaile asked as he looked at his daughter with a disapproving expression, "Something Mom gave to me, it was hers originally" Flora said as Nerco nodded, "It doesn't hurt to show a little bit of skin Gaile besides She's a young woman now" Nerco said knowingly as Gaile shook his head in a clear no, "No matter how old she gets she'll always be my little girl Nerco" Gaile said firmly, "It's a bit risque for my liking but I wont make you change into something else if you dont want to Flora" Gaile said warmly as Flora nodded, "So... whats this surprise you have planned for us?" Gaile asked as he pulled apart of of his two biscuits and spooned some of the gravy on his plate onto the biscuit before bringing the food up to his mouth to take a bite as flora bit the bottom of her lip, "Well… Tomorrow, I'll be officially named the leader of the Choir" Flora said as Gaile simply stared at his daughter with a disbelieving look on his face, "And when was this decided?" Nerco asked as she looked at her daughter for an answer, "Earlier this year, Melchior said that I was the best candidate" Flora said as both of them looked at her with questioning expressions, "I don't expect you to agree with it Dad or even you Mom considering your history with the Choir but I'll be able lead them into a new direction" Flora said as Melchior stood and rested a hand on her shoulder, "That's why I chose her, she's the best suited to actually lead them, I lead them as best I could but nowadays it's been known merely as a mercenary band at best" Melchior said as Gaile gave the towering man a hard look, "I understand I wasn't here to oppose this but know that I do now that I am here" Gaile said as Flora shook her head "Dad its already done there's no stopping it no matter how opposed you might be to it" Flora said somberly as she didn't want to anger her father with the news, only to pass them on, "I refuse to accept it Flora I wont see my daughter become a stone cold killer for the church" Gaile started to say before Nerco silenced him "Gaile, she will always be our daughter but she's not a little girl anymore, she can make her own decisions" Nerco said firmly "As much as you might not like it it's true" She finished as Gaile relented, "Your mother is right, as much as I hate it, it's your decision in the end" Gaile said warmly as Flora smiled at him, "Thank you for understanding Dad" Flora said as she captured her father in a loving hug as the family finished the rest of their meal in silence.