Chapter 50

Ethan stood in Blake's backyard, his scythe in his hands. He closed his eyes and felt the scythe blueprint become downloaded into his brain. Shortly after, he transformed the scythe back into its container and put it on the ground. He materialized the scythe and held it, but it quickly shattered into dust.

"Damn it!" Ethan said

"How long are you going to be going at this?" Rosaria asked from the chair near the pool

Ethan looked over and saw her in a yellow bikini, with a pool hat on and a lemonade in her hand.

"How long have you been there?" Ethan asked her

She touched her arm and looked at it.

"About 45 minutes." She told him

Ethan sighed and materialized the scythe again. This time it shattered as it appeared in his hands.

"That's it!" He exclaimed "I officially give up."

Rosaria sighed and got out of her chair to walk over to him. She stood in front of him and stared at him.

"You are not giving up! The Ethan I know would never give up." She said stepping back

She swung her fist at him and Ares's staff appeared in his hands to block it. She swung her leg and the spear was replaced by Knights Fall.

"Holy shit." Ethan told her "It worked!"

"I knew you just needed a proper incentive." She smiled

"And attacking me was your plan?" Ethan asked her

"Yeah," She shrugged as she returned to her chair "Now let me relax damn it."

Ethan sighed and walked back inside the house, picking up his scythe on the way in. He closed the door and caught an apple flying towards his face.

"Really?" Ethan asked looking at Pyrrha "Are you trying to kill me?"

"No," She laughed "you just need to eat."

"Thanks." He said taking a bit of the apple "This is pretty good."

Blake walked by and snatched the apple out of his hand, before taking a giant bite out of it.

"Blake!" Ethan exclaimed "That was mine."

"Well now it's mine." Blake smiled "You know I always take your food."

"Blake…" She heard her mom say "give it back to Ethan."

"It's fine Kali." Ethan laughed "We used to do this all the time when we were kids."

He snatched the apple out of her hands and took a bite out of it.

"It's what helped build our relationship." He said with his mouth full

"Didn't your mother teach you not to speak with your mouth full?" Kali asked him

"Uh was she supposed to?" Blake asked taking the apple back and biting into it

"You know there are more apples right?" Pyrrha laughed "You two don't have to share it."

"But it's more fun this way." Ethan said taking it back and biting it "Helps build our relationship and trust."

Neptune opened the door to the house and walked in, bags of groceries in his arms.

"I got the groceries Mrs. B." He said "The only thing I couldn't find was the sauce. But I can always go out later and find it."

"It's fine Neptune." She said helping him put the groceries away "I appreciate the help."

"Anything to help out." He said looking around "Where's Rose?"

"She's outside near the pool." Ethan told him

Neptune walked outside and saw her on the pool chair. She stood up to greet him, but was instead tackled into the pool. Ethan and Blake died laughing as they saw the two of them engage in a water war.

"Looks like fun." Blake said "Maybe we should join them."

"Don't cats hate water?" Ethan asked

"Shut up." Blake said punching his arm

"Ow!" Ethan exclaimed as he rubbed his arm "You packing brass knuckles in that punch?"

Pyrrha giggled as the two engaged in one of their brother-sister fights.

"So where did Velvet and Blaire drag my husband off to?" Kali asked Pyrrha from the table in the kitchen

"I think they said something about a grifball tournament in one of the nearby towns." Pyrrha shrugged "We'll find out when they get back."

Blake ran into the kitchen and Ethan followed her in.

"What are you two doing?" Pyrrha asked them

"She has my wallet!" Ethan said

"I swear you two are children sometimes." Kali sighed

"More times than not we are." Ethan laughed "But we kick ass in combat."

"I want to see this then." Kali said "I know a spot that we can go in the forest that has a danger beast you can fight."

"Hell yeah!" Blake and Ethan both exclaimed

Kali led them through the forest and to a hole in the ground. Ethan looked over the edge and saw the danger beast. It was a giant bear, with spikes sticking out of its back. It appeared to have a skull for a mask and had giant claws coming out of its paws.

"You want us to fight that?" Ethan asked "That's easy."

"Then go do it." Kali said

Ethan and Blake jumped down into the hole and drew their weapons. Blake held Gambol Shroud in an offensive pose, while Ethan transformed his scythe and held the blade parallel to the ground.

"Take the lead sis." Ethan said

"Follow my lead." Blake said rushing the bear

The danger beast turned to face Blake as she and Ethan ran at it. Blake slid underneath it and stabbed it's stomach. The beast rose onto his hind legs and Ethan jumped into the air. He kicked the beast back and landed next to Blake. She jumped up and looked at the beast as it ran at them. Ethan jumped and landed on it's back as Blake dodged the beast. He twirled his scythe and slashed its back legs off. The beast fell onto its stomach and sent Blake's sword further into it's stomach. Ethan slashed the back of the bear open and grabbed Blake's sword. He tossed it to her as she jumped into the air. She caught it and brought it down on the beast's head, cutting it off.

"Was that it?" Blake asked him

"Not really, there's a whole cave of them we just pissed off." Ethan said pointing to the cave that contained 20 more of the beasts

The beasts ran at them, and the two rushed back. Blake slashed and cut the head off one, before she got smacked to the side by another. Ethan appeared in front of her as he cut the beast's paw off. He twirled the scythe in his hands and swiped up, cleanly cutting the beast in front of him in half. Blake stood up and jumped over Ethan, to kill the next beast. He spun the scythe around his head and brought it down on one of the beasts near him. He jumped into the air and brought the scythe down on another beast, sticking it right in the head. Blake jumped into the air and landed next to Ethan. He stepped back and readied his scythe to act like a springboard, Blake jumped back and pushed herself off the scythe towards the horde of danger beasts. She slashed her way as she flew threw the air, killing multiple and wounding many. Ethan ran through after her, finishing the beasts that were wounded or she missed. She landed on the other side and looked to see Ethan appear next to her, his scythe covered in blood.

He transformed the scythe back into it's container and stretched his arms. Blake sheathed her sword and the two looked back to see the rest of the beasts dead.

"That was fun." Ethan said as he jumped out of the hole and landing next to Kali

Blake landed next to him, and stretched her back.

"You two fought excellently." Kali told them "Now Ethan, Pyrrha was telling me about a duel you two still need to have?"

"Oh yeah." Ethan said scratching the back of his head "We do need to repeat that. This time I won't go easy on you."

"You should be going easy on your girlfriend mister." Kali said "If you beat her up too much she won't be able to have kids."

"Mom!" Blake exclaimed

"It's fine." Pyrrha said "Actually, I can't have kids."

Kali looked at her in shock.

"I'm so sorry for that remark Pyrrha." Kali said hugging her

"Well Ethan and I haven't actually discussed our future plans yet." Pyrrha told her "So it's all good."

"Give me a minute with him." Kali said as she grabbed Ethan's ear and pulled him towards a big tree

"Ow ow ow ow ow!" He exclaimed as she pulled him behind the tree "Why are you hurting my ear?"

"Why have you not put a ring on Pyrrha's finger yet?" Kali asked him "She is a smart and beautiful young girl."

"I know that." Ethan said handing her a ring box "I just haven't found the right time to do it yet."

"You sneaky boy." Kali giggled as she handed the box back to him "Blake and I will help you get the perfect set up."

"Oh god." Ethan said as she left him standing there

They got back home and noticed Rosaria and Neptune were gone. They were needed back home for a bit and would come back when they were done. Ethan flopped onto the couch and sighed. Pyrrha laid next to him on the couch and fell asleep on his chest.

"Does she do this often?" Kali asked him

"Usually yeah." Ethan said stroking Pyrrha's hair "It's nice to just relax too. She finds me comfier than a pillow."

Blake giggled and walked into the kitchen to see Velvet asleep on the table. Blake poked her and she woke up.

"Hi Blake." Velvet yawned "What time is it?"

"When did you guys get back?" Blake asked her

"About an hour ago. I was tired and hungry to I fell asleep in here I guess." Velvet said as she lifted her head up off the table

"We have a new plan." Blake told her "And we need all the help we can get."

"I'm so in!" She said standing up "So fill me on on the plan."

Ethan woke up with Pyrrha sprawled out on top of him. He looked into her eyes and she kissed him.

"Nice of you to wake up." She said

"Where are the others?" Ethan asked her

"Not here right now." She responded by drawing a circle on his chest "So we have the place to ourselves."

Ethan kissed her and flipped them over. She removed his jacket and kissed him deeper as she took her own jacket off.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Blaire exclaimed

"Blaire!" Ethan exclaimed as he fell off the couch "What the hell are you still doing here?"

"I was asleep in Blake's room." She said "But don't let me stop you two from continuing."

Pyrrha threw a pillow at Blaire and she dodged it.

"I'll leave then." Blaire said leaving the room

"What is with her and intruding on us." Ethan sighed as he looked back at Pyrrha

She tossed him her shirt and she tackled him onto the floor.

"Doesn't matter." She said kissing him "She's gone now."

"But I have a feeling that the others will be back soon." Ethan told her

She heard the door handle move and she grabbed his jacket to cover her chest. Blake and her mom walked in, and looked at the two.

"Seriously Ethan?" Kali asked holding back laughter "In our family room?"

"Well we didn't manage to get very far." He responded

"Doesn't matter." Blake said "Because you two have a date tonight!"

"We do?" They both asked in unison

"We managed to located a nice little clearing that'll be perfect for your arena fight. Then you two can do whatever else you want too after that." Kali told them "Now gear up!"

Pyrrha grabbed her jacket and her shirt before leaving for the guest room.

"She still has my jacket." Ethan said as Blake handed him a box "What's this?"

He opened the box and saw the spool of wires, along with the metal fingertips of Cross Tail.

"Where did you guys go to get this?" Ethan asked them

"I brought them with me when we left Beacon." Blake told him "Thought you would like to use it again."

He attached the spool to his lower back and put on the metal fingertips. The wires responded to him by snaking up his back and hooking into the finger tips. He flicked his wrists and the fingertips retracted onto the gloves. He smiled and stood up off the ground. He activated Cross Tail and threw his wires into the kitchen to grab an apple. They wrapped around the apple and pulled it towards him. He caught it and the wires went back into the spool. He bit into the apple and tossed it to Blake.

"It's show time." He said leaving for the guest room as Pyrrha exited in her original huntress outfit

He walked into the room and saw his jacket laying on the bed. He put it on and grabbed his hat. He put it on and grabbed his earbuds. Ethan walked out and they began the walk to the makeshift arena.

They arrived and Ethan walked over to one side of the clearing. Kali and Blake left after they arrived, leaving the two alone there.

"I'll go on your mark." Ethan said pressing play on his music and activating Cross Tail "So bring it."

Pyrrha held her spear in her hand and her shield in the other. She looked at Ethan and saw his composed look, just standing there looking at her. She dashed at him and attacked, he stepped to the side and activated the wire trap he had set. She felt her feet become tied together and she fell onto the ground. She cut the wires and went to kick Ethan, but he ducked and threw his wires at her. She used her shield to block them and heard him jump back. She stood up and readied her spear again. He smiled and she noticed the wires attached to her shield. Pulling on the wires, Ethan brought her shield over to him. He caught it and materialized Excalibur in his right hand. Pyrrha used her semblance to pull her shield back to her. She caught it in her left hand and quickly put it back on. Ethan planted his sword in the ground and threw his wires around the clearing, making traps to catch her off guard. When he was done, he deactivated Cross Tail and pulled his sword out of the ground. He twirled it in his hand and held it at his side. He rushed her and she barely had enough time to block his sword with her shield. He jumped into the air and she blocked his sword from above. He landed behind her and she moved her shield to block his attack. She attacked with her spear and cut his jacket pocket open. Neither of them noticed the ring box fall out. Ethan dematerialized Excalibur and turned around on her, swinging his fist. She blocked his arm with her shield and kicked him back. He landed on his feet and materialized Knights Fall. The sun bounced off of the silver hilt and into Pyrrha's eyes. Ethan rushed her and slid underneath her. He sprung up behind her and held the blade at her neck. She spun on him and smacked his side with her shield. He dematerialized the sword as he flew across the clearing.

"Ow." He said into the ground as he landed

Pyrrha laughed and then noticed the black box next to her foot.

"What's this?" She asked putting her weapons on her back and picking up the box

"Pyrrha wait!" Ethan said as she opened it

Her jaw dropped and she looked over at him.

"Will you marry me?" He asked, still lying on the ground

"You guys might want to wait." Adam said walking out into the clearing "I mean after all, Ethan might not be alive to see it."

"Pyrrha!" Ethan said as he stood up "Run!"

Adam ran at Ethan and he managed to materialize a weapon to block his attack. Adam kicked Ethan in the side and punched him. He staggered back and held Excalibur at his side, awaiting Adams next attack. Adam smiled as he too held his sword at his side. The two began to circle each other, until Ethan stopped in front of Pyrrha.

"Go tell the others." He said raising his sword "I can deal with Adam."

Pyrrha turned around and ran to the town to get help.

"Look's like it's just you and me." Adam said rushing Ethan

He blocked the attack and punched Adam. He staggered back before attacking Ethan again. He blocked and swept his leg out from under him. Ethan went to bring his sword down on Adam, but he rose his own to defend. Adam rolled to the left and jumped up onto his feet. Ethan and Adam rushed at each other. Ethan ducked as Adam attacked and shoved his sword into Adam's leg. Adam kicked Ethan and put his own sword inside Ethan's stomach. He pulled it out and slashed Ethan across the chest. Excalibur dematerialized, leaving Ethan without a weapon. He materialized his scythe, but it broke in his hands. Activating Cross Tail, Ethan threw his wires at Adam. He cut them down and slowly moved towards Ethan.

"Time to die Ethan." Adam said stabbing him "For real this time."

"Go...to...hell…" Ethan coughed as he collapsed onto Adam

He pulled his sword out and saw Blake's foot heading towards his face. She drew Gambol Shroud as Adam flew backwards and onto the ground. Blaire and the others appeared at Ethan's side. Neptune walked over and stood next to Blake's side, his trident in his hand.

"I got your back." Neptune told her

"I know you do." Blake said "Now let's kill this son of a bitch."

Adam stood up and saw the two staring at him.

"I see more have arrived to the party." He said

Blake raised her sword and fired the gun in it. It hit Adam in the chest and Neptune threw his trident at him. The trident impaled Adam in the stomach and sent him staggering back.

"Blaire." Blake told her

"Yes?" She asked appearing at her side

"Why not you finish him off with Ares's spear." Blake told her "I know it would mean a lot to you."

"Thanks Blake." Blaire said removing the spear from her back "It'll be my pleasure."

She held the spear and raised it to throw it.

"That's a nice little spear you got there missy." Adam taunted "What's it called?"

"GAE BOLG!" Blaire yelled as she threw the spear at him

The spear curved in mid-air and pierced Adam's heart. Blake walked over to him and pulled out Neptune's trident, then Blaire's spear. She tossed the weapons back to their original owners and knelt in front of Adam.

"Nice going there Blake." He said "I always knew you'd do it."

He fell onto the grass and died. Blake stood up and walked back over to the others. Ethan's head was on Pyrrha's lap as she moved her hand through his hair. Blake found his hat laying next to him.

"You're going to be ok." Pyrrha whispered to him "You're strong and the best man I've ever known. You'll come back to me."

His breathing slowed down and Pyrrha remained unchanged.

"I'll wait for you to come back." Pyrrha whispered "Just please come back soon."

Velvet hugged Blake, and Blake cried into Velvet's shoulder. Rosaria was being comforted by Neptune, while Blaire ran off into the forest to go look for something.

Ethan was in his bed, in the same condition as before. Pyrrha never left his side since the fight. Blake and Velvet sat in the kitchen with her mom and dad. Neptune and Rosaria we're watching TV on the couch, while Blaire was still missing.

"He'll pull through sweetie." Kali said

"He's a tough kid." Ghira mentioned "I know he'll snap out of it soon enough."

"But what if he doesn't?" Blake asked "Then what do we do?"

Velvet held Blake's hand as she said that.

"There is always hope." Neptune said from the couch "If we lose our hope, then we've lost whatever it is we're fighting for."

The door flung open and Blaire walked in with a red flower.

"I know how to wake him up! Rosaria I need your help!" Blaire told them

Rosaria got up from the couch and walked over to Blaire. She saw the flower and her eyes grew wide.

"Where did you find this?" She asked

"I saw it laying around in the forest. I knew it had healing capabilities, so I brought it here." Blaire told her "What do we do with it though?"

Rosaria held the flower and it glowed red, before transforming into a small crystal. She ran to the guest room and the others followed. She sat next to Ethan and opened his mouth. She put the crystal in his mouth and closed it. Soon, his body started to heal itself. His wounds closed up and his muscles relaxed.

"It worked!" Rosaria exclaimed "It worked! It's healing him!"

Pyrrha smiled as she saw his breathing pattern return to normal.

"Ethan?" Blake asked as she and Rosaria swapped spots "Are you there?"

"Why does my chest hurt so much?" He asked slowly opening his eyes

"You got the shit beaten out of you." Blaire told him

"That explains it." He said as Blake helped him sit up

He turned his head and saw Pyrrha smiling and crying. She hugged him and felt his arms wrap around her.

"I heard you." He whispered into her ear "You kept me going."

She kissed him and he kissed her back. He felt something on Pyrrha's finger rub up against his face.

"What's on your finger?" He asked her

She raised her hand and showed him the ring.

"I forgot about that." Ethan said "I guess I got to caught up in the heat of the battle."

"It's all fine now." She said kissing him "We can start our family now."

Ethan smiled and held Pyrrha closer to him.

Their fight was done. They had lost many friends and went through alot together. The huntsman and huntresses had a path to take, and they all took it. About a month after that day, Ethan and Pyrrha were married. Blake and Velvet were married a month after them, and they had adopted a baby. Rosaria and Neptune moved their house to the town of Li Shung Wei. The group of friends all ended up moving to that town, and continued their adventures through their kids.