A Look to the Past
AN: Hello there, dear readers! Well, this one didn't take too long to finish. I guess when you're stuck inside you certainly have time to write.
Now to reviews.
Guest: Wow. You have a really brutal imagination. But I can't guarantee that it will happen.
keybladelight: Ok, I said it before and I'll say it again. The Disney canon doesn't exist in this story, especially since it's taking place in the Legends continuity. And I hate the Disney movies with a passion so there is no way I'm including them in the story.
Dracus6: I find it a bit funny about who you suggest for Danek and Loten, especially since Danek had a huge makeout session with Najenda.
A Star Wars Fan: I don't really agree. You see, while what the Jedi are doing can be considered morally questionable, they are still doing it with the right purpose in mind and they have protected the Republic and its people for thousands of years. And it's not like they are brainwashed, they certainly do form bonds and sometimes familial connections. Plus, they are free to leave if they aren't interested in being in the Jedi Order anymore.
Lonewanderer: The way I see it, the Revolutionary Army cared for the Imperial Arms so much because they needed them to fight against the Empire, the more they had the better their chances were. After they finish I doubt they would care as much about the Imperial Arms if they were offered help from the Republic.
blazenite104: You'll have to wait and see for how it will turn out.
PoofyOhio and ReyZero: I decided to respond to you both since you both say the same thing. You see, the Empire took children so they could turn them into killers and tools for the Empire that were disposed of once they stop being useful. The Jedi, on the other hand, train them to become protectors of peace and justice, and they promote pacifism and treat those children like people. And while there are some who become emotionally distant, we see a lot of Jedi with their own personalities and characteristics. So no, it isn't the same at all. And your point about Loten doesn't make sense. First, he wasn't taken in as a child but well into his teenage years and on the verge of adulthood. And second, sure, he cares about Leone but that is only because he knew her from before, he couldn't give a damn about anyone else. True, what the Jedi do is questionable but the Sith are the people who generally don't have a problem with planetary genocide. I'm pretty sure that's a lot worse than training children to be keepers of the peace.
16 Save Our Darkness
Esdeath stood at a table, full in her general attire. Her eyes were closed in concentration, her face slightly strained as she put her hand out. She took a calm breath and stood there for several moments. Right below her hand, lying on the table was a silver fork which slowly began twitching.
Loten stood at the side with arms crossed as he watched Esdeath try to levitate the object. She requested that he begin training her in how to use the Force, quite adamantly at that. While he would normally punish such acts, he considered having her train and become a powerful ally in the future, and potentially a Sith.
However, there was a single problem, one they had for a while now.
The fork twitched violently, before slowly rising from the table. Esdeath's face was now more strained and a bead of sweat went down her face, her hand beginning to shake. The fork made it up several more centimeters before Esdeath gasped and the fork fell unceremoniously back on the table.
"Damn it! Why isn't it working?!" she angrily asked.
Loten gave a sigh of disappointment. No matter how much they tried, Esdeath seemed to be incapable of using the Force with any efficiency. They've been at it for a while now, and Esdeath didn't improve much. Those few centimeters were the best she could do.
And it wasn't because of her lack of Force potential. He took some of her blood for a test to be sure and her midi-chlorian count was quite high. Not the most used method as people with Force sensitivity are just taken for Sith training and whether they survive or not proved their worth, but this time his study of the ancient Sith and their own works with midi-chlorians made him want to test it.
Still, while he proved her potential to be quite high, the results of the training weren't as satisfying.
Esdeath groaned in frustration as she glared at the fork like it was an enemy. "What am I doing wrong?" she asked before turning to Loten. "Why won't this work? Is there something I'm missing?"
"No, you're not doing anything wrong," Loten said. The statement was true, she had the right amount of concentration and focus to draw upon the Force, even to the point where a simple novice would have no trouble. "In fact, you should have been able to do this easily," he said before reaching with his hand and making the fork levitate to it before grabbing it. "But I think I know why you're struggling. It's because of your Imperial Arm."
That made Esdeath look at him confused. He approached her and began to elaborate. "You see, the Imperial Arms already work by drawing upon the Dark Side of the Force, which means you're already using it when you use yours. However, it seems that in order to achieve that effect it also compromises your connection to the Force." He threw the fork back on the table making it bounce slightly. "It more or less makes you unable to use it regularly, trading it for your manipulation of ice."
Loten wasn't sure if that was an oversight on his ancestors' side, a mistake they wanted to rectify later with further experiments or deliberate design. Either way, that presented a problem for any Imperial Arm users, especially those whose physicality is augmented by the Imperial Arms as they would have trouble using the Force as well.
"So what you're saying is… I won't be able to actually use the Force like you or Danek?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Loten said before turning around. "Now if you excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."
"Wait! Is there no way to fix that problem?" Esdeath asked.
Without stopping his walk or turning around he replied. "Unless you want me to completely purge the Demon's Extract from you then I can't do anything if even that ends up working. Training you like this is only a waste of time." When he reached the door, he turned towards her. "And you should watch your tone when you speak to me. I outrank you, and I'm not a weakling you can intimidate. So in the future, you better refrain from speaking like that."
Esdeath looked at him shocked as he usually had a more respectful tone with her, and due to the fact that nobody would dare talk to her like that otherwise, they would suffer a slow and painful death. But she knew that Loten was right, she couldn't intimidate him as he was more powerful than she was, that was for certain.
She sighed before giving a slight bow. "I'm sorry for my behavior, I'll make sure it doesn't repeat," she said with a voice laced with respect.
"Good," Loten said before exiting the room.
As he walked, he heard a loud crash coming from there, obviously showing that Esdeath was angry. He would have to concern himself with that later, right now he needed to focus on other things. With the way the things were developing they just might end up losing, especially if Danek Partas was on the side of the Revolutionary Army. He and his apprentices together may stand a chance but if he decided to finish them quickly Loten would find himself going up against the Jedi alone again. In other words, too big of a risk and too small of a reward.
He needed to finish his work on the Emperor's Imperial Arm, the only way he can ensure his victory. The problem was he wasn't sure if it will be ready in time. The help from the Imperial Fleet is also very unlikely considering they would have to face the Republic forces before arriving on the planet. And if they defeat them it might be too late.
Esdeath sat on one of the chairs, her hands clasping her head with the arms supported on her thighs. Right now she was so frustrated that she wanted to tear her hair out, and with the way she was gripping it that just might end up a reality.
She couldn't believe her bad luck. Just when she had an opportunity to become more powerful, it turned out that the strength she received from the Demon's Extract is now preventing her from getting it. Essentially, making her powerful while holding her back at the same time. If that wasn't ironic then she didn't know what was.
Her conversation with her mother came back to her, how Esdeath vowed to her that she would become more powerful than her brother. She could already hear her mother berating her for how that turned out.
"Having a bad day?" Esdeath heard someone say and raised her head to see that it was that alien woman, Ashara if she wasn't mistaken. "Though, I suppose that's a redundant question considering the state of this place."
Ashara looked over the destruction in the room. The table was split in two, half of the chairs were reduced to pieces, and several vases were broken with dirt littering the floor.
"What do you want?" Esdeath asked with a slight edge in her voice.
"Well, I heard the commotion and decided to check it out. And I saw my master walk away from her so I assume he had something to do with it. Wouldn't be surprised, he's good at causing commotions."
"It doesn't matter now. You go mind your own business," Esdeath said, the tone of her showing she was still frustrated.
"I have a solution for letting off some steam," Ashara said. "Why don't we spar?"
Loten arrived at the door of his office and opened it, and he was surprised to find that someone was inside. It was that blond woman from Syura's group, Dorothea. She seemed to be looking over some of his books.
"Hmm, wonder what these are doing here," she said.
Loten coughed loudly making her turn around quickly before she got a surprised look the moment she saw who it was.
"O-oh, greetings, my lord! How may I be of service?" she asked with a small bow.
"You can tell me what you're doing in my office."
She looked around the room surprised. "Your office? But the Prime Minister's office is in a different part of the palace. This office belonged to Dr. Stylish. I was sent here by Syura since I admire the man's work."
"I requested a special office from the Emperor where I could do research in peace. But I suppose you didn't know so there's no trouble," he said. "Even so, what would you need from Stylish's work?"
Loten knew who Stylish was, a doctor that was experimenting with Danger Beasts and humans and enhancing their features and abilities. In Loten's opinion, it was a shame he died, he could probably have been of use considering his expertise.
"Well, I'm a scientist myself, and I also know how to experiment with Danger Beasts and I thought that maybe I could look over some of his notes."
Now that piqued Loten's interest. Perhaps something could be done with that.
"Oh, really? Tell me, would you be able to make some special soldiers for the Empire?"
Dorothea's expression brightened up when he said that. "You have something in mind, my lord?"
"Not anything specific, but I do have some means for which-"
Loten stopped talking as his eyes suddenly widened slightly. His expression then turned into a frown.
Now Dorothea looked worried as his expression suddenly changed like that.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked.
"You'll have to excuse me. Another matter came up," he said before quickly turning and walking away.
Leone sat there in her cell, busy counting the tiles for the hundredth time. She still couldn't believe that the boy she knew from long ago with those innocent green eyes was the man that visited her not too long ago. He wasn't like anything she remembered, seeming so cruel and… cold.
She was also worried about her comrades. The only thing she heard was that the Revolutionary Army troops have retreated but not much else. The guards only came here to give her some food, not to talk about what happened. She didn't know if anyone died besides Lubbock, she really hoped not. While death is to be expected in their line of work, it doesn't mean anyone looks forward to it. It was bad enough they lost Sheele and Bulat, and now Lubbock.
Her ears then picked up some footsteps heading her way. It shouldn't be someone sending her food since she received it an hour ago. Her deduction proved right when she saw a man appear in front of the cell door. He was dressed in some strange revealing outfit made of black leather and his tongue was sticking out.
"So, it was true," he said. "Leone of Night Raid is a prisoner here."
Leone's golden eyes narrowed at the man. "Who are you? Did Loten send you here?"
"The name's Enshin, and no, I wanted to come here because I heard that we had you," he said before actually licking his lips with his tongue. "And just looking at you makes it hard for me to just stay put."
Leone snarled at that remark. She should have figured some scum would get some ideas.
Enshin took a key and unlocked the door, making Leone go into a battle stance. "If you think that you'll just be able to get me, you're wrong."
Enshin chuckled with a mad look on his face before palming the sword on his belt. "Good, resist," he said before walking inside. "It'll just make it more enjoyable for me once I-"
He suddenly stopped as his eyes widened. Enshin then grabbed his head and screamed in pain, making Leone look at him in surprise and shock. Then he began to float, further shocking her. The scene looked like something out of those horror genres she read.
Then Enshin's head began to inflate until it burst in a shower of gore and blood, with Leone's instincts kicking in as her arms moved upward to shield her head, but she didn't feel anything hit her. She removed her arms from her face and saw the headless body of Enshin lying on the ground with blood spilling out of what remained on his neck. Leone also noticed that the splatter of blood on the floor had a straight line which made it seem like there was an invisible wall stopping it from reaching her.
She then noticed someone else standing at the door and much to her shock it was Loten, who stood there glaring Enshin's corpse with his menacing yellow eyes, the eyes that still made Leone feel unsettled.
"Come with me," he told her. "I won't keep you here anymore."
"L-Loten, why are you-?"
"Just come with me." His tone made it clear that it wasn't a suggestion. "I'll have someone clean this mess later."
Leone cast one last glance at the corpse before walking around it, with Loten gesturing her to follow. They got out of the dungeons and passed by a nervous guard, but then Loten stopped before turning towards that guard.
"You let him inside, didn't you?" Loten asked before turning towards the guard, the tension rising with each second as the guard began to sweat.
Leone didn't like where this was going.
"Um… yes, sir," the guard answered.
"Is that so? And what were my orders? Oh yes, not to let anyone in without my permission." This time Loten's voice revealed more anger.
The guard swallowed the spit gathering in his mouth. "Well, he came with the permission of lord Syura-"
"Syura isn't a lord!" Loten interrupted, not bothering to hide his frustration.
Leone then gently grabbed Loten by the arm. "Loten, that's enough. Let's just-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't let this go unpunished," Loten said. "Now, as I said before, you disobeyed a direct order from me. So I'll have to take appropriate measures."
Before the guard could speak up he was met with a blast of Force Lightning causing him to scream in pain and wriggle uncontrollably.
"Loten, stop this!" Leone demanded.
He gave a smirk at that. "As you wish," Loten said before stopping his attack. The guard stood still for a brief moment with his body smoking from the attack before he fell down on the floor.
Leone was about to lean down but was stopped when Loten grabbed her by the shoulder. "Don't bother, he's dead," he said before turning around. "Now come, we wasted enough time here."
They soon abandoned the lower levels of the palace and continued walking up until Loten took a turn for a specific hallway, with Leone wondering what he was planning. The servants gave them a glance but nothing else.
Leone tried to give some of them a wave and a friendly smile, which also tried to serve as a comfort to herself, but they just went on with their business.
Loten then stopped at one of the doors and opened it, motioning for Leone to enter. She did just that and saw that it was just a normal room. She was honestly even more confused than before.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked.
"This is where you'll be staying," he answered.
"Are you serious?" she asked bewildered. "You take me out of the dungeon into a fancy room?"
"I don't want you to be in those dungeons, so I decided to give you something comfortable."
"I don't think you can just have your prisoners stay in such luxury," she said as she crossed her arms.
Loten smirked. "No, but I have enough authority here to make sure that things go the way I wish."
Leone's face cringed at that statement. This was the attitude that the nobles of this corrupt Empire had. To hear it from Loten hurt her soul.
"Even still, you can't just wander around the palace, so you'll be confined here," he said.
"What's stopping me from escaping?"
Loten chuckled. "You can't. The floor we are on is really high in the palace, so escaping through the balcony is useless unless you plan on falling to your death, and getting through all the guards in the palace will be harder to pass without Lionel." After ha said that, Xalek appeared next to him. "And I'll have my apprentice here guard you while I'm gone."
He then walked next to her and whispered in her ear. "And I'm constantly keeping my senses on you. It wasn't I coincidence I came to the dungeons back then." He then retracted and gave her a calming smile. "Don't worry. As long as you're under my watch nothing will happen to you."
He then left the room and closed the door. Leone could hear the lock turn and she sighed. She walked over the bed and sprawled on it.
If things were different she would find the situation extremely flattering, but knowing what her friend, once boyfriend has become still lingered in her mind. He obviously still cared for her so that at least hasn't changed, but he wore a new face despite it looking the same. While she killed people before, in quite a gruesome manner at that, the fact that it was done by that boy who normally wouldn't hurt a fly didn't sit well with her, especially since he apparently took pleasure from it.
Leone gave a deep sigh. She needed to get through to him somehow, convince him to stop, and come back to the way he was before. But that wasn't going to be easy it seems.
She gave a small sniff and could tell that the alien was there. It appeared that some of Lionel's traits were still left despite Leone no longer having it, as she figured out when she could smell the man giving her food in the cell when he wasn't actually close.
She rose up from the bed and walked to the balcony. It was nice that she actually had fresh air compared to the dungeon. She looked down at the beautiful city below. It was a shame that such beauty hid such ugliness as well.
Leone once again sighed, deciding to wait for Loten to come back and hopefully get him to come to his senses.
Syura was traversing through the palace. After his ordeal with Loten he took his anger out on several whores he found in the city and got rid of their bodies soon after his business. He couldn't believe just how things went south for him. Instead of his father now he had to deal with someone who seemed to have a good amount of power, not just political but physical. Making an assassination attempt on him would be far more complicated.
He also squandered Syura's plans of having the Wild Hunt team he made to be a police force for the city where they would root out rebels, in reality also an excuse to murder and violate, and as well as put Budo on his watch.
He needed to formulate some sort of plan to get rid of this nuisance and-
His train of thought was interrupted when he felt a familiar sensation of an invisible force wrapping around his neck. Syura's hand went to his throat as he was being lifted off the ground and turned around to face Loten who looked angry with his hand outstretched.
"You know, you're a real nuisance," Loten said as he began slowly approaching. "Sending your lackeys at my prisoners isn't smart, and it could get you killed. And I'm sure those are the last things on your mind."
Syura managed to growl something out. "So, the Night Raid bitch is-"
Loten intensified the hold making the man shut up. "Yes, she is my prisoner, and I'll do with her as I wish. So keep your distance," he said before releasing the hold and letting the man fall down. "Just to remind you, you aren't the son of Prime Minister, you are a soldier. Normally I would kill you but you may have your uses in the future fight. Too bad your little buddy didn't share the same fate." Loten then turned around. "Now go and grovel away to do whatever, I couldn't care less. Just try not to trip up next time."
Syura glared at the retreating form of the Darth, now even angrier after this humiliation. He was determined to get rid of him even more than before.
Esdeath and Ashara were intertwined in an exchange of punches and kicks. Not too long after hearing what Ashara proposed, they arrived at one of the training grounds in the palace, with Ashara proposing that they don't use their weapons or abilities and keep it a purely physical battle.
The two women were out of their usual clothes, instead opting to wear shorts and sports bras that showed off their athletic bodies so they would be less inconvenienced doing such sparring. Their movements were swift, so much so that no ordinary person could see.
While purely physical combat wasn't the usual choice for the togruta, she was pretty skilled in it. Esdeath, on the other hand, was a natural, and fighting her was quite a challenge.
Esdeath jumped over a sweeping kick and positioned her leg for an axe kick while she was in the air. Ashara moved out of the way as Esdeath's heel connected to the ground with such force it caused it to crack.
Then the ice user immediately dashed at the alien woman and sent a flurry of fast punches which Ashara blocked or deflected away, but not with enough time to give a counter-attack.
Esdeath smirked the whole time. This was just what she needed. A good fight. After all that time of feeling down the sudden rush of adrenaline and the excitement she felt actually made her feel better.
She was also impressed by Ashara's hand-to-hand skills, though she was still a better fighter when it came to that. Even so, for Danek's apprentice to last as long against Esdeath as she did was a notable feat.
They separated to regain their breath, with Ashara's breathing more labored than Esdeath's. Ashara found that impressive considering that togrutas had a physical edge over humans but this situation seemed to be reverse.
"You are quite strong indeed," Esdeath said. "I can safely call you a worthy opponent."
"Heh, thanks," Ashara said as her breathing calmed. "But I think we should stop here."
"Giving up already?" Esdeath asked disappointed as this fight was actually getting more exciting the more it went on.
Ashara wiped the sweat off her head. "Look, this is just sparring, not an actual fight. Just something to brighten your mood." She walked over to the side and picked up a towel to wipe the rest of the sweat from her body. "Did it work?"
"Well, it did brighten my mood so I suppose it did," Esdeath said with a shrug.
Ashara smirked before throwing Esdeath a towel. "Well, I find sparring a very good way of letting anger out. You never tried it?"
"Not many people can keep up with me," Esdeath answered as she wiped the sweat off. "I usually just go into battles. That's what gives me the excitement I need. That and torture."
"As certain someone I know," Ashara mumbled under her breath. "At least I made you feel better."
"That makes me wonder. Why did you do that?"
Ashara shrugged. "I guess I just saw your distress and wanted to help."
Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "Really? Considering who you're with I wouldn't think you were that type of person."
"Well I was a Jedi, still consider myself to be one actually," Ashara said.
"A Jedi? You mean like Danek is?"
The togruta nodded. "Yes, like master Danek is," she said with a hint of respect in her voice which Esdeath didn't fail to notice.
"Then why follow a Sith?"
"Didn't have much of a choice after what happened. I assisted Loten after my previous masters didn't want to listen to him and tried to kill him, so thanks to me they were dead. The Jedi Order wouldn't have accepted me after that."
"I'm surprised that you don't consider yourself a Sith."
"I still hold the principles of the Jedi in my heart. I can't fully commit to Sith teachings. And I will try to change the Sith Empire for the better, however I can."
Esdeath found that kind of thinking peculiar. "Does Loten know about that?"
"He does. We spoke about it many times."
"And he still keeps you around despite that."
"Yes, he does. We have our differences in philosophy but even Loten knows that some things in the Empire need to change. Like the stigma against aliens it has."
Esdeath wasn't sure if she understood that. An alien Empire having a problem with aliens? Though now that she thought about it what she found alien doesn't mean that they would. And from what she saw in the Dark Council most of them were human, except for the one who was a Sith pureblood as Loten explained so they were probably an exception.
"Well, in any case," Esdeath said before turning away. "Thanks for this Ashara. I hope we spar again sometime."
"Glad I could help. Oh, and Esdeath," she said making the general stop. "If nothing else, I do hope that you and your brother come to terms."
Esdeath's lip twitched, not knowing how to respond to that. She honestly didn't think she could get along with her brother, but she appreciated the sentiment that came from the alien woman so she just nodded and walked away.
It was evening as Loten approached the room where he left Leone. He could still sense her presence in there so he knew she didn't escape.
After schooling Syura, he had a little discussion with Dorothea, who turned out to be quite a genius. Her expertise in the Danger Beast biology was quite fascinating. It looked like she could be of help in the upcoming fight. How much he wasn't sure, but he isn't going to reject extra assistance.
He looked at Xalek who stood next to the door with his arms crossed, still looking vigilant as ever.
"Has she tried to escape?" Loten asked.
"No, master," Xalek answered. "She never attempted."
Loten wasn't all that surprised to hear that. He knew that she was smart enough not to make any unreasonable decisions.
"Fine then. You can leave," Loten said to which Xalek nodded and walked away.
The dark lord opened the door and entered, seeing that Leone way lying on the bed with her hands behind her head.
Loten smiled at her. "I see that you're comfortable."
Leone turned her gaze toward him. "Yeah, but at least could have left me a book. There isn't much to do here."
Loten couldn't help but laugh, glad that she didn't lose her humor. He closed and locked the door before approaching her and sitting on the bed. Leone, curious at what he was trying to do, sat up beside him.
"Tell me, Leone," Loten began. "Have your opinions on me changed?"
Leone frowned. "No, they didn't. I still think that what you're doing is wrong. You aren't the same person I knew."
"The same goes for me. You weren't an assassin the last time I saw you."
Leone turned away from him. "I do what I do because it's right, to end the corruption plaguing this Empire and its people. The corruption that you seem to embrace with open arms."
Loten sighed and shook his head. "Oh, how naïve you are. Things are never that simple. And should you really complain? I'm abusing my position to stop you from living in a dungeon and being executed or tortured."
"Oh, you care about the wellbeing of a single person the others can go to hell," she said. "How kind of you. I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up killing more of my friends."
"They are fine for now, Leone. Though, I'm not sure how long if they plan another attack on the capital."
Hearing what he said made Leone feel relieved, knowing that no one else died in that attack. She would have sighed in relief but restrained herself.
Loten then put his arm around her waist, making her slightly jolt in surprise. Her face turned back to his and she saw the comforting look he had in his yellow eyes.
"Listen, whatever you think I've become, it doesn't change that I was the one from your past. I sat alongside you gazing at the stars. I'm the same young man you comforted with your presence. I'm the man who had his shining star right next to him all those nights before."
The more she heard him speak the calmer she felt, once again seeing the kind person he was. His own presence seemed warm now.
Loten removed the gloves he wore and put his hand on her cheek, wanting to actually feel her smooth skin. "And the feelings of that man haven't changed." He closed the distance between them and engaged in a kiss, making Leone's eyes go wide.
He pulled her close as he began to increase the intensity of the lip lock, and Leone couldn't resist as she returned the kiss with equal vigor. Her arms soon found themselves wrapped around him as he leaned her body more into his, any worries she had completely forgotten.
They lasted for several more moments before Leone's eyes widened as she realized what she was doing before pulling back away from him.
"No, I'm sorry, we can't do this," she said.
Loten looked at her confused. "Leone, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong? We're enemies! I shouldn't be screwing around with an enemy."
"That doesn't matter right now," he said before grasping her hands gently. "Listen, I don't think of you as an assassin of Night Raid. And you shouldn't think of me as the leader of the Empire. Please, just come back to one of those nights and think nothing else."
Leone wanted to do that, she really did, but it wasn't as easy as Loten made it out to be. She couldn't just forget what he was, what he did. But she promised herself that she would try to change him, bring him back to the way he used to be. Perhaps… this was one of the ways to do it.
Leone clenched her eyes shut for a moment before once again looking at the slave boy that once took her heart. She then once again embraced and kissed him with him doing the same. She could feel his relief as she did this, his body language betraying that he was afraid of her rejection, showing that he made himself vulnerable in this situation.
One of his hands retracted to his cloak before he broke their kiss and tossed the cloak away. He resumed their passionate kiss, as Leone went for the long-sleeved black shirt he wore. Loten had a lot more clothes than her so he needed most work.
Her hands grabbed the bottom of his shirt and he assisted in taking it off. Leone was met by the sight of his toned upper body, and she also saw over a dozen scars made by either cuts or burns and some looked like bites. He removed her white sleeves and threw them to the side before completely leaning into her as they resumed. All other articles of clothing were thrown on the floor as the two physically and emotionally joined for at least this single night.
AN: Well, that's it for now. I hope that you were satisfied with the chapter. We got some character development and plots being crafted in secret.
And I implore you that you check my other stories. You won't be disappointed. And leave a review, they are great motivators.
See you next time!