Happy Thanksgiving,
Part II of Brook's Childhood is done. This chapter covers the war so, while not too detailed, there is more violence and death within this chapter. And swearing but that's because of Angus.
Enjoy and comment!
11/30/2020
Chapter 9: Brook's Childhood: War Children
Location: Luan's house
Time: Afternoon
Current Year
"It all sounds super crazy." Franky laughed.
Sonny giggled. "You have to be a baka to swim when you can't!"
Nami eyed her obliviously happy captain. "You know what Sunny, I completely agree with you."
Luan smiled bitterly, "Off you go Sunny."
"Aw, Granny can't you tell me about the war? You always skip it." Sonny whined.
"War? You had a war as well?" Sanji questioned.
"It makes sense. There had to be a couple of bakas butting heads. It wouldn't be much of a kingdom if you just had one tiny island. If your power and influence was spread out to other land, I bet there was some that you took over too." Zoro remarked.
Luan nodded. "The Gentle War, an ironic name." Her lips pressed together into a thin frown. "It was violent and brutal. There was no mercy to either side. The Sonkrialan Empire wished for the Vienna Kingdom's ultimate destruction, they slaughtered whoever was in their way. If we wished to survive, we had to reciprocate the same level of force. The war lasted for so many decades. I was seventeen when our Queen Liselle signed a treaty with the Sonkrialan Empire but we had lost so much territory. Once invaded, many islands forsook Crescent Luna and cut all affiliation with us."
"After the war, the kingdom was in such a weak state that what island we managed to protect declared their independence on their own. We had nothing to stop the opposition. We won the war but lost the glory and power of our once grand and beautiful kingdom….. Three generations… three generations knew the taste of steel and blood."
Luan paused, Zoro noticed how much older she looked just by saying that much about the war. Sonny shuffled closer to Zoro, eyes wide. She had never heard this part about the horrors of the war. Granny always skipped this part. Zoro could tell that Sonny didn't like what she was hearing but she wanted to know just as much. So for this time only, he said nothing about her breaking his personal space.
"Hey Granny, how long?" Luffy asked.
"In total the war lasted 66 years."
Sanji's mouth fell open, nearly causing him to lose his cigarette, "Over a half a century?"
"What is Kami's name made you fight for so long?" Nami asked.
Luan smiled, though it had a vicious feeling. "Politics darling, it's all about politics. We would not agree to an alliance with the Empire so they thought it was better that we were wiped from the face of the world."
"That's way too cruel!" Chopper exclaimed.
"It's how the world works, sweetie." Luan replied. "I've been told that the beginning was the easiest but the last forty years were terrible. Angus was born at the start of the war. His whole life was devoted to it. Many years later Brook was born in the war, on a mission his father was assigned, going to the Blues in search for allies and supplies. I was born into the war... Jean was collateral damage of the war."
"Collateral?" Sonny echoed, finally finding her voice again to speak.
"With such an intense war, the navy couldn't focus on some pirates raiding cargo ships." Luan explained a little more softly.
While the Strawhats could infer that Jean probably had been on a cargo ship when pirates attacked, they could not guess how much it hurt Jean emotionally. Sonny, on the other hand, knew much more, Jean had told her about his family and their trading business. He had told her about his great father, a kind and intelligent man. Even when he spoke excitedly and his voice was full of life about his family, a tear always threatened to slide down his cheek. Sonny wondered what would have happened if the war never happened. Maybe the Royal Guards could have fought off the pirates and saved the ship, saved Jean, saved his family. Maybe Jean's family ship may have never run into any pirates in the first place.
Luan glanced out the window. The bright sunny day was a stark contrast from the dim light and dark attitude of the living room.
"We're all children of war."
Everything was moving so fast, even to the point of blurring, disappearing and reappearing. Soldiers were being struck down all around, red stains the dark stone. The swords quickly followed after their wielders. The winds of the dead were roaring through each ear, making them deaf to anything else besides the shouts of war and screams of agonizing pain that rung out through the frostbiting air.
Whole body was numb but why was it shaking. Because of the fear, the instinctual fear that a creature has of dying. There's no escape, death was everywhere, there was no escape, no escape, nowhere to run.
All alone.
There was so much blood.
Too much blood.
She wanted Brook.
Where was her Brook?
Brook.
~~BINK~*~SAKE~~
Silence.
That was all Brook heard. Not even the wind made a sound. He stood before a thin, black, stone cross. The grass was overgrown. Brook titled his sockets up, staring back at the rows of black crosses. He hated this place. It was so eerie, especially when the winds blew through the crosses. It was as if the dead owned the right to walk the tangled dead-colored grass.
The Memorial of the Royal Guards.
The graveyard was where every honorable royal guard was buried. Brook had watched this memorial grow, doubling in size multiple times. And with every new cross, the number of crosses Brook could name grew. The war had no prejudice, death took from both sides.
Even Angus fell during the war.
~~BINK~*~SAKE~~
Location: Crescend Major, Kisum
Time: Late Morning
78 years ago
"MOVE IT!" Luan shouted and pushed Brook out of her way, laughing.
"LUAN!" Brook exclaimed, Jean ran up and stopped at Brook's side, a wide grin was on his face. "Where is she going?"
"Nowhere," Jean huffed, clearly out of breathe but still he managed to give Brook a smug, I-know-something-you-don't-know grin.
"Fine, if you do not wish to tell me." Brook stated firmly and strode off.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
~~BINK~*~SAKE~~
Location: Crescend Major, Kisum Castle
Time: Late Morning
78 years ago
"The south troops are suppressing the Barg Fleet with relative easy. A cargo ship is on route to resupply Farias Island. The main concern that we should have are all other sides. Our forces are thin to the south as well as to the west. The east is in the worst shape. The Octivo Islands have cut off support. In addition, Wolf Fang Hassun's men have incapacitated my fleet. There is nothing from stopping him from reaching Crescend Minor's shores." The Goodly Gentleman explained before sitting back down in his chair.
Queen Liselle had called an emergency meeting with the senior officers of the Royal Guard. Amongst these distinguished individuals were the Goodly Gentleman, the Flowery Gentleman, the Strong Gentleman, the Explosive Gentleman, and surprisingly, the Unsavory Gentleman.
Angus laughed. "YAHAHAHAHAHA! Wolf Fang kicked yur arse good! He deserves a free ride here!"
The Goodly Gentleman glared at Angus. "It would have been foolish not to retreat, there would have been far more casualties." He turned to the only woman in the room. "My Queen, I must protest, must we have this foul mouthed barbarian here?"
"Though crude, Sir Angus has years of experience in battle on land and sea. Furthermore, he has confronted Wolf Fang Hassun many a time yet he has not been slain. That itself is a rare occurrence. Any information Sir Angus can give us that reveals Wolf Fang's next move is far more important than his… manners." Queen Liselle explained.
Angus snorted, and picked his nose, "Lise, yah flatter meh."
"Show a least a thin shred of decency while before the Queen." Mulberry scolded.
Angus shrugged, flicking his snot at Mulberry who recoiled with distain.
"Disgusting!"
"I'm just being mahself, it's that part of been a gentleman? Be'in true tah one's self?" Angus shot back.
"Sir Angus, that would be true but your nature follows none of the rules of conduct followed by the Royal Guard." The Honest Gentleman replied. "That aside, what can you tell us about Wolf Fang Hassun's next move?"
"Move? There's noth'n tah predict, he's come'n straight here. No pit stops, there's a golden opportunity for 'im and he's not gonna miss it." Angus said, studying the map. "Hassun kicked Goodly Coward's arse here,"
The Goodly Gentleman bristled at the insult but said nothing.
"The windstorms would have slowed 'em down but I would say, at top speed, they'd be here in two days." Angus remarked.
"Can you tell us anything else?" Dov asked.
Angus scratched the little stubs on his chin. "Dunno, frontal assault? He's got the cannon fodder."
"Is that serious all you can give us?" The Goodly Gentleman demanded. "You were born on the Octivo Islands, the same region were this rebel clan originated, surely you must know more on their tactics."
"Yahaha! I'll tell yah one thing," Angus stated with a grin, the light glinted off his glasses as he leaned forward. "That tribe loves a good war."
The Goodly Gentleman stared at Angus with wide eyes. The Unsavory Gentleman had taken the appearance of a madman, just by saying those six words. The sound of fireworks exploding shook the room. The Strong Gentleman quickly ran to the window.
"What color?" Queen Liselle demanded.
The Strong Gentleman turned to the others with a grave expression.
"Red."
Dov's mouth dropped open. "We're being attacked?! How?"
"The signal's coming from right over Crescend Minor." The Strong Gentleman added.
The Goodly Gentleman abruptly rose from his seat. "The east? Than it must be Wolf Fang! How is it possible?! You said it would take them two days!?"
Angus didn't react at first. His eyebrow twitched multiple times. Dov thought that the man was going to blow his top but instead of anger, the room was filled with Angus's loud and powerful laugh.
"YAHAHAHAHAHAHA! RIGHT THROUGH THE WINDSTORM! THAT'S GUTSY AS HELL! YAHAHA!"
"You must get to the frontline. Sir Dov, announce that the city is going into lockdown, all citizens must go to their designated shelters." Queen Liselle ordered.
"At once my queen,"
The guards bowed to their queen and ran out of the room. All that remained was Angus and Queen Liselle. Angus stretched his arms and yawned. He swung the Unsavory sword up so that it could rest on his shoulder.
"Well might as well go greet 'em." He stood up and went for the door.
The queen gazed out the window with a sad look in her eye. Her city was being attacked and she could do nothing. The future of this kingdom now rested in her Royal Guard. Queen Liselle gasped as the windows burst open. The bitter cold ghost wind blew into the room causing the young woman to cringe as the air passed by her and swirled around Angus. The man paused, allowing the winds to die down again.
Angus bowed his head and grinned. "Did yah hear that? The drums are beat'n, the ghosts are on the march."
The queen did not respond but studied the man's back, as if he was going to turn around and let her in on the big secret. Angus had frustrated her since the day he joined the guard. As much as Angus's beliefs contradicted with the guards, Queen Liselle has found that the man would fight to the death to protect Crescent Luna though the reason the Unsavory Gentleman did eluded her. Liselle gripped the stone window sill in frustration.
"Sir Angus."
Angus tilted his head but did not turn around.
"Where do your loyalties lie?" Queen Liselle demanded. Her expression was hard and critical.
"This old question again, Lise?" Angus muttered scratching his stubble beard.
"This battle, I draw mah sword for Crescent Luna." Angus replied and disappeared down the hall.
Queen Liselle stared for a long time where Angus had stood before glancing back out the window.
Smoke was rising over Crescend Minor.
~~BINK~*~SAKE~~
Location: Crescend Major, Myrtle's Bakery
Time: Late Morning
78 years ago
Brook raised his head when the church bells sounded through the streets.
"An alarm?"
"Oh dear," Myrtle muttered and closed her book. "We better hurry to the shelter, boys." She stated. Myrtle ushered Brook and Jean out of her shop, locking the door behind. Brook and Myrtle had already started to walk but Jean remained glued to his spot.
"Brook, look!" Jean exclaimed pointing to Crescend Minor and the columns of smoke that rose from beyond the hill.
"It is natural for the fighting to take place at Minor." Brook pointed out.
"But that's not the problem!" Jean shouted. "Luan's there!"
Brook's heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, Brook took off like a speeding bullet, Jean following right after him.
"BOYS! GET BACK HERE!" Myrtle yelled but was promptly ignored.
"WHY IN THE FOUR BLUES IS LUAN ON MINOR!?" Brook shouted.
"She just wanted to go to the beach!" Jean replied, huffing to keep up with Brook. "There's an army of guards between us and Luan, how are we going to get to her?"
"Around, I know a short cut." Brook said. He gripped his sheathed sword harder and lengthened his strides.
~~BINK~*~SAKE~~
Location: Crescend Minor, Barrier Bluff
Time: Afternoon
78 years ago
Though smoke did rise from the island, there were not too many casualties. The enemy's ships were firing upon the island but due to Crescend Minor's shallow shore, the ships could not get close enough to do any really damage to the guards, who were perched at the top of the rock slope that over looked the training ground. The last remaining of the troops were arriving for battle.
Dov frowned from the crouch position he had taken upon arrival. "Mmm they're really beating on the hill." He said, watching the cannon balls pound into the rocky slope.
"It's noth'n, think of it as an impatient brat. Can't wait to fight, so they're wasting ammo," Angus remarked. "The real fun's gonna start soon."
"I have to admit, they did make good use of the fog." Dov remarked, regarding to the heavy mist that the ships had emerged from. "We can't even see a mile off shore."
"Don't compliment the enemy, even if they cannot hear. It's no good for moral." One of the gentlemen said.
"We should be ready for attack." Mulberry muttered, lightly kicking Dov. Grumbling, the Explosive Gentleman stood up.
"I see the shore party!"
Sure enough, humans were appearing at the edge of the training grounds, chanting and shouting at the top of their lungs. Their red and white flags waved proudly as the cold sea wind blasted by them.
"Fall into line men!"
"I'd loosen that stick in yur crack, Berry, or yah won't be able to maneuver properly." Angus said, taking his place next to Dov.
"Can't you go a minute without insulting someone?" Mulberry demanded, straightening his coat.
Angus shrugged, tapping his sword against his shoulder. "Nah, what would be the fun in that?"
An older guard known only as the Senior Gentleman passed by the three companions, he paused briefly but did not make eye contact.
"Have your domestic bicker later, ladies. The battle is upon us." He stated and moved on. Mulberry and Angus scowled at him. Dov chuckled but then the animosity was turned to him for a moment before the Senior Gentleman's voice took their attention.
"HEAR ME MEN!" the Senior Gentleman shouted. "Our brothers have fought long and hard against the enemy so that the heart of our dear country could be safe. Many of our comrades have fallen, sacrificing everything for Vienna."
The Goodly Gentleman tensed.
"Now we stand here today. The enemy has desiccated our doorstep. The enemy wants to tear down everything the Royal Guard upholds, starting with our courage and our honor. But we shall not stain the honor of our brethren by cowering from this enemy. No, we'll step forward, and take the place of our dear comrades and fight on. We do not fight for vengeance; we fight for our Vienna and our Queen!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!" A young guard from the ranks shouted, starting the guards own chant.
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"
Angus laughed. "YAHAHAH!"
A man with a bear's paw depicted across his face stood in front of the enemy's forces. He held up his hand, shouted several words in a foreign dialect and pointed forward. With that the enemy forces gave one more war cry before charging across the stone grounds, towards the guards. Brook and Jean rounded a hill and stopped in their tracks. The enemy had already begun to charge and Luan was nowhere in sight. Jean pulled at his own feathery yellow hair.
"Awe man, where is she!?" he exclaimed.
"She should have seen the ships…." Brook trailed off when he saw the guards standing at the top of the ridge.
It was a sight. Each and every guard standing side by side, their purple uniforms were bright and noble. Every single one of them held their posture strong and straight. Their gaze was firm on the advancing enemy. The guards stoic figures roared with resolve. It was enchanting. Brook couldn't take his eyes off the men. They held so much power and dignity just by standing. These were Crescent Luna's finest men, the Royal Guard.
The Senior Gentleman drew his sword.
"BOMBERS!"
A small amount of men scattered throughout the ranks stepped forward, this included Dov. Lined up were some of the guard's finest throwers which were perfect for their task. The guards lit and hurled small bombs down the hill at the approaching army. Sir Dov easily lit and launched half a dozen in the time it took most men to do one. The bombs exploded on impact, the enemy soldiers cried out when hit by the fire and shrapnel. The bomber guards threw several rounds before ceasing their attack.
The rest of the guards stepped forward, drawing their sabers. With the exception of one row, the guards leapt from their posts and charged down the hill. Stepping from rock to rock, it looked as though they were flying. Taking a mighty jump even higher, some of the guards rained down on the opposing forces while the rest struck at more of a horizontal angle.
Jean watch in absolute horror as the men struck each other down. When the pirates killed his family he could only hear the slaughter but now he was seeing and hearing something far worse. War. It shook him to his core. Brook took a deep breathe. Drawing his saber from its sheath, he held it tightly.
"You're not going in there!" Jean exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
"Luan's in there somewhere. I have to find her." Brook managed to say, though he felt like collapsing on the spot. "If she saw the ships she would have hidden somewhere, most likely it would be somewhere on the training fiel…. the warzone."
"But you'll get slaughtered!"
"I KNOW!" Brook shouted back and took another deep breathe. "But she's my little sister. She's my responsibility."
Jean sighed. "Okay, but you're not going by yourself! I'm coming too!"
Brook took a deep breath before turning to Jean with relief. "Thank Kami! It would be terrifying going in alone!"
The two boys sprinted from their hiding spot and into the battle. They avoid falling bodies and wild bloody swords looking for their next victim. Jean tripped over a severed leg but somehow managed to avoid being blown up by an explosive. For the most part no one seemed to notice the two boys, or it could have been that they simplify didn't care. The battle, the approaching enemy, the explosions, everything drew in the attention of the men. They could hear nothing but the screams of their dying comrades and the cries of angered enemies.
Brook shuddered when a body fell at his feet. Whose side he belonged too, Brook didn't notice. He was far to absorbed in everything. The blood that stained the clothing, the missing limbs, cleanly cut off, showing the ripped muscles covering white bone.
This was nothing like neither the training battles Brook had participated in nor the duels that Sir Mulberry and Sir Angus fought. There was nothing pleasant about this battle. No respect, no comradery, just kill and kill and don't get killed. It was so primal, so malicious and it shook Brook to his core. Everything was so vivid, the gruesome, the metallic smell, the smoke clouds. And his ears, Brook had always felt special about his finely acute ears but at this very moment he wished he was deaf if that meant he didn't have to listen to the retched noised.
"…"
There was something else, a softer gentler noise amongst the brutal storm of anguish and terror. Brook knew that sweet voice.
"LUAN!" he shouted. Luan was there, in the battle. She had taken cover two stone columns that had formed a teepee of sorts. Hearing her name, Luan raised her head from her arms. Her red puffy eyes searched the mass of men.
"Brook…?"
"LUAN!" Brook took off at a sprint, Jean not far behind.
"BROOK!" Luan cried and shot out from her hiding spot, she met Brook half way and instantly latched on to him and buried her head in his chest. Brook held her tight as she sobbed into his shirt.
"It's alright now." Brook lied, hoping to soothe his adopted sister. They were in the middle of a battle but Brook couldn't do anything to shield Luan from any of the horrors she had already seen. All he could do was get her out of there.
Jean placed a hand on his head. "Hey Luan, let's go home."
"I wouldn't lie to the little girl." A voice behind them said.
There was a man in deep crimson robes, crouched on top of Luan pervious shelter, a bloody sword resting on his shoulder. On his face was a tattooed bear claw, covering half his left side and he held a nasty grin. What shock Brook though was his ash colored hair which eerily reminded him of Angus. The man stroked his goatee the jutted out from his chin.
"This is war, chajas, the weak don't survive." He stated.
"Jean…" Brook said, prying Luan from him and handed her to Jean. He faced the man with his sword ready.
"RUN!" Brook suddenly shouted. Like a runner at the sound of the starting gun, Jean took off as fast as he could, Brook following behind. The man watched them go and grinned madly.
"I love the thrill of the hunt." He laughed and jumped off the stone.
Brook didn't know which way they were going. The beating of his own heart pounded in his ears. He did dare look up at the sky to try and orientate himself because his full attention was need facing forward to avoid being killed. Brook knew if they went in a straight line, they would eventually leave the battle field. Brook risked a glance back.
The man was behind him gaining far too fast than Brook could outrun. The young teen turned on the heel of his foot and raised his sword, barely deflecting a blow from the man. But the power that the man had behind that swing made Brook's arms fail out of the way, the tip of the man's sword grazed Brook's neck, cutting into it. Brook cried out, tripping over his feet. His momentum, plus what the man's swung add, sent Brook tumbling across the ground. Brook slammed harshly into a stone slab.
"BROOK!" Luan screamed.
Brook gasped in pain, clutching his stomach. His head felt a bit dizzy and hazy but the cold liquid on his neck cleared that right on up. Brook's hand flew to his neck, he winched. His hand was now covered in his own blood. The sight made him feel more nauseates in his already weakened stomach. The wound itself was shallow and non-life threatening. But the sound of the drums beating in his ears only increased with the pain.
"I could have killed yah." The man said causally with a grin. "But what's the fun in that?"
Brook mouth dropped open but he found that he could form words, he was too terrified. Only a few pathetic gasps made it through. The man laughed at him.
"What's wrong? Can't speak?" The man taunted and bent over to look closer into Brook's glasses. "Dumb and blind are yah? I heard yah holler pretty good when I hit yah."
Brook scrambled back way from the man but his back quickly met the column that he had hit previously. The man laughed again, clearly enjoying Brook squirm. He glanced over at Luan and Jean who were close by but they didn't dare make a move. The man smiled at them as if they were good friends but the aura from him was one of a psychotic killer.
"I'll be with yah in a sec!" He turned his attention back to the young apprentice. "What's yur name?"
"B-br-b-bb-Brook."
"Hey Brook, do yah want tah know something? I hate yur glasses." The man said much more coldly. Brook pressed harder into the rock as the man reached out for him.
"I really hate 'em, reminds me of a traitorous swine. Just see'n meh star'n back at mahself, it just makes meh want ta…."
Brook nearly screamed when a blade plunged through the man's hand from above, stopping mere inches from Brook's chest. he barely registered that Angus was standing next to the two of them. The enemy stared at where the Unsavory sword was burrowed into his hand before standing straight again. He held up his hand.
"That hurt." The man said but his indifferent tone hinted he really didn't care.
"If it does, then don't stand there like a freaky statue." Angus scoffed. "Scream like baby."
The man yanked his hand off of the blade and struck at Angus but the latter reversed his grip on his sword, deflecting the attack. The man jumped back several feet to create distance between him and Angus.
"Sir… Angus…" Brook managed to say.
Angus looked down at his apprentice and whacked him over the head with his wooden sheath. Brook seethed and clutched his head.
"I SAVED YUR LIFE BRAT! GET RID OF THE SIR!"
"Sorry."
"AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YAH DO'N HERE YAH DUMB SHIT!?"
"Well um.. you see sir…"
"WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST SAY!?"
"SORRY!"
The man laughed. "This is just great! Who the hell is this kid?"
"Mah stupid apprentice,"
The man laughed even harder. "GAHAHAHA! This is wonderful! Not only do I get tah kill yah but I get tah kill yur apprentice!"
"Yah got some balls. Finally outgrow yar teething stage, Wolf Fang?" Angus taunted.
The man grinned viciously. "Long ago and these fangs are sharp!"
Brook's eyes widened.
Angus grinned just as viciously right back at the man. "Prove it."
With that invitation, the man charged forward but Angus had already moved to attack. The swords clashed together. Brook just watched in shock. His mind reeling from everything he had just seen. That man was Wolf Fang Hassun, the viscous hunter. It seems like his only purpose was to wipe out the Vienna Kingdom. Hassun was credited with the most raids and highest casualties since the war began. The man was a monster.
Hassun and Angus's swords clanged together. Angus gritted his teeth when Hassun's next strike made contact with his side. Satisfied, Hassun licked the blood from his blade, "I'm in the mood fur some bacon,"
"Yur head's screwy," Angus stated and charged again.
Hassun used the same reverse style of sword fighting as Angus, Lekcipsie, and both were experts at that style. Wolf Fang was unaffected by the wound his hand and fought with the vitality as if he hadn't fought before. Angus reciprocated with the same level of power. They clashed together, striking hard at each other's vitals but they were smiling like madmen. The deadly and bloodthirsty aura that rolled off each strike made Brook want to hide away from them.
"Brook!" Mulberry's voice shook Brook out of his paralyzing fear. Luan and Jean were at his side along with the Flowery Gentleman. "Can you stand?"
Brook nodded and rose to his feet.
"Follow me." Mulberry ordered.
They took off after the Flowery Gentleman but Brook hesitated. He looked back at his mentor, wondering if he had struck Wolf Fang Hassun down yet. He could see them standing in the distance, a pool of red surrounded them.
Brook first felt relieved but then an icy feeling crawled up his stomach and to his chest. The Unsavory sword was hanging in Angus's limp hand and Wolf Fang's sword stuck through his chest. Mulberry, previously busy defending the two other kids, turned his attention to Brook who was frozen at the spot, eyes fixed on one thing.
"Brook we have to….." Mulberry eyes widened at Angus's limp head. "No…"
"SIR ANGUS!" Brook shouted.
Hassun withdrew his sword from Angus. With no more support, Angus fell to the ground like a heap of clothing. The enemy did not move for a moment, just stared at his fallen foe with a blank dead expression before meeting Brook's eyes. A mad spark rekindled in deep within Hassun's eyes as the man ran towards Angus's apprentice. Mulberry recognized Hassun's killing intent and moved to counter him. Sadly, the enemy soldiers went after Jean and Luan.
"Tch."
The Flowery Gentleman couldn't stay torn up over who to defend. Luan and Jean were utterly defenseless while Brook had training and a weapon to defend himself even if it was only for a short time.
"Dammit!" Mulberry cut down a man who got too close.
Hassun made it within swinging distance to Brook in no time flat. Brook managed to block Hassun's first attack but that man didn't stop. He continued to attack with Angus's unconventional technique. The fact that Angus assailed Brook with similar patterns was the only reason Brook was able to avoid the man's attacks. But Hassun was fast and strong and he did not hold back. He wanted to kill Brook like a kid wanted the candy in the piñata.
The air around grew colder, the air combined with his hot sweat. The freezing feeling he felt made Brook feel like a walking corpse, struggling to avoid the grim reaper.
"I'm gonna kill yah and I'm gonna enjoy it!" Hassun exclaimed.
Too soon Brook tripped over a large object, falling down. Brook allowed himself to be distracted for a moment to see what he had fallen over. His eyes widened, absolutely horrified at the dead body. How many times had he seen come to Luan's house to apologize to Brook, how many times had he seen a smile on that face, how many times was Brook glad that he knew this face.
It was the Tenacious Gentleman, Crawly's older brother.
Dead.
His eyes were so empty, devoid of any life. His pale skin was a stark contrast to the bright red blood splattered against him. His lips were parted so slightly as if he had been to draw breath but never got the chance. Everything about the young gentleman's dead state chilled the young boy to the bone. Brook's perspective changed in that moment, dying became more than a possibility, it was a certainty. He was going to die today and he couldn't do anything to stop it.
"FOLLOW YOUR MASTER IN DEATH!" Hassun shouted, ready to plunge his sword down.
"BROOK!" Luan screamed.
A strong gust of icy cold wind blew through the battle field. It was so unexpected, several soldiers stumbled, surprised at the raw power of the wind including Hassun who had to take a step back. The wind felt so unnatural, the temperature dropped so much that Brook could see his breath. The pounding in his head had gotten so loud it was like the soldiers were beating on their war drums. Hassun turned and watched the wind cause chaos through the armies.
"Nani?" he muttered.
The wind swirled around Angus's corpse, kick up the dust, it was even strong enough to blow blood up into the air, making a gruesome tornado around Angus. Hassun continued to watched with mild fascination. The tornado wasn't thick so it was easy to see through it. It was easy to see Angus's body twitch before lurching to his feet, his torso still acted slightly limp like a puppet. Those close by to the tornado slowly stopped fighting to watch in awe and horror. Dov withheld throwing his explosive when he recognized the form in the tornado.
"Angus?" he said to himself in shock.
Then the most bone chilling sound echoed through the battle, carried by the dead wind. A sound that would haunt every single person for the rest of their lives, a sound that grated their ears, and made grown men shaking in their boots, the sound of the waking dead had been said in a laugh.
"Yahahahahahahahayahahahahyahahahaha…"
Hassun frowned. "Impossible, that bastard."
The form of Angus turned to face in Brook's general direction. Brook's eyes widened when he saw a luminescent red glow coming from Angus's left eye. With a sudden start, Angus sprinted out of the tornado at the wind dissipated and followed after him. With the tornado no longer shielding his master from sight, Brook saw clearly Angus's blood stain vest and the shattered left lens of his glasses revealing the mad red glow. And Brook could clearly see the wide crazed smile on Angus's face as he laughed psychotically.
"YAHAHAHAHA!"
He charged straight at Hassun and swung. Hassun blocked the attack but the unnatural power behind the swing forced the man back. Angus flew by Brook without hesitating, Crescent Luna's winds followed after the man. Angus continued his malicious and unrelenting attacks. Hassun took the defense and tried to move forward to attack but Angus gave no ground for Hassun and continued with forward attacks. Slash after slash, Hassun backed and backed. Angus's moves were erratic and had neither rhyme nor rhythm of a swordsman. Angus just kept on laughing like a madman, making Wolf Fang angrier.
"YAH'RE GONNA DIE!" Hassun roared.
Laughter dying out, Angus paused for a millisecond mid-slash, the red glow died from his eye. Seeing an opening, Hassun struck with a downward slash. Angus held his sword in the air, switching his grip then proceeded to trace a half circle in the air.
"Sheathing style….."
Just as Hassun's sword drew closer to his chest, Angus flicked his grip back into reverse. Then in a flash, both men were standing at least twenty feet apart from each other, backs turned. Brook stared in horror and shock, they had moved so fast that he didn't even see their strikes. Sudden slashes appeared on Angus's torso, drawing blood. Hassun grinned even when his hand fell off. Angus ignored his new wounds and sheathed his sword in one motion.
"BLOOD MOON!"
Blood gushed out of Hassun's chest, forcing out a circular cut of flesh, leaving a perfect whole in the man's body. Hassun dropped and did not rise. Brook watched in wide eyes as his monstrous teacher gave a long sigh before gazing over at him.
Angus merely grinned.
Angus and Mulberry had dragged the three kids out of the war zone as soon as possible. Once safe, Angus had quickly rejoined the battle with Mulberry on his tail screaming that he was in no condition to fight. Regardless of Mulberry's worry, there was really no need for them to continue fighting. After Wolf Fang Hassun's defeat, the enemy army became disorganized and vulnerable. The Royal Guard beat them back until only a handful of the enemy managed to retreat.
It was the aftermath of a gruesome battle and the Guards had wounded to attend to. All the injured were moved back to Crescend Major for treatment. Brook, Luan, and Jean were also moved back for their own safety. Angus, along with other able soldiers, stayed at Crescend Minor in case of a second attack.
But none came.
Angus returned early the next morning to Crescend Major. After people saw the hole in his shirt and the dried blood, they quickly directed him to the infirmary ward. When the nurses saw him, they immediately tried to treat him. But with a few nasty degrading remarks, a couple perverted gestures and several slaps later, Angus got away. With the assistance of a guard whose face was covered in bandages, Angus was found himself in the C Wing. Usually C Wing was for civilian casualties but the other wings were overflowing with the injured and the dead, men with minor wounds had to come here.
Of course there were three civilians amongst the soldiers.
Luan was in the closet bed to the door. Her mother and father were on opposite sides of the bed. Her mother held her tightly in her arms while her father placed a comforting had on the poor girls head. Jean was several beds from Luan. He was a little bit more banged up than Luan but overall fine. Though he had no family, Sir Dov had taken the empty seat and was chatting with the young boy. The Explosive Gentleman's presence greatly improved the young teen's mood, as was evident on his face.
Angus walked down the rows until he came to Brook, sitting upright in his cot, far more bandaged than the last two. Angus eyed the red splotch forming on the gauze on Brook's neck before drawing attention to Brook's far off gaze. Grunting, Angus stomped forward. Brook was slightly startled but when he saw it was Angus he visibly relaxed. Angus gruffly grabbed a folding chair and dragged it over to Brook's bed and plopped down.
"How yah feel'n?"
"Fine," Brook croaked softly.
"That's not gonna affect yur voice is it?" Angus demanded.
Brook reached up and allowed his fingers to brush over his neck. "No. Th—the doctor said my voice will be fine, I just have to be easy on it for a week or two."
"Huh."
Brook bowed his head and didn't say anything.
"Well I gotta say I'm surprised!" Angus remarked. "I never thought that yah would go out tah Minor in a middle of a battle. That's somethin' I'd do! Yahaha!" he laughed.
Brook unconsciously flinched, remembering the chilling version of Angus's laugh. Angus frowned at Brook's behavior, clearly displeased.
"Yur flinch'n again," Angus sighed. "And it took so long tah get rid of." He scratched his chin. "Maybe more train'n can wipe that out of yah. Not good been'n scared…"
"How can I not be scared?" Brook demanded a little harshly. He gripped the blankets pooled at his waist. "I thought you died." He stressed. "And honestly thought I was going to die too."
Angus frowned but waited for Brook to continue.
"I..I.. I just wanted to get Luan to safety. I didn't want to fight. I didn't want to see all th.. death." Brook looked at his trembling hands. "I can't stop thinking about it, my hands can't stop shaking. I'm not you, sir. I can't go laughing into a fight like it's fun. It's not, Crawly's brother is dead. All of those men are dead. I was going to die." Brook covered his ears. "I can still hear them screaming in agony. All of that pain, I don't want that. Just the thought of fighting again terrifies me. I don't know if I can pick up a sword without feeling vibrations when it hits flesh or even the steel of another sword. So Sir Angus, how can I not be not be scared?"
Angus shrugged. "Never said don't be scared. Fear's good, it'll keep yah alive. But there are times yah got tah learn to ignore it to protect what yah care about. After experiencing this fear and the midget got into trouble again, yah would have still gone after hur."
"How do you know?" Brook muttered.
"Cause I know yah."
Brook didn't reply to that agreement and Angus kept his mouth shut, carefully studying his apprentice. They remained that way even when the doctor arrived to change Brook's bandages. When the doctor finished, Angus stood up.
"Let's go!"
"Wha? No!" The doctor exclaimed. "He needs to stay in bed!"
Angus stared hard at the doctor for a long moment. Rising to his feet, the Unsavory Gentleman walked to the doctor, gently pushing him back out into the aisle.
"Over here bud, I've got some'n tah say." Angus grumbled.
The doctor glanced to his patient. "Yes, what is it?"
Angus roughly grabbed the doctor by his shoulders and dumped him head first into a laundry bin. The doctor flailed his legs furious to no avail and shrieked but the dirty bedsheets and torn uniforms muffled his voice. Angus ignored the man and looked around the room, everyone was staring at the Unsavory Gentleman. Angus huffed and stalked back over to Brook's bedside. Brook didn't know what to do but stare in surprise.
"What are yah waiting fur?!" Angus demanded.
Brook hopped out of bed seconds later.
Brook was expecting a hardcore beat-Brook's-guts-out-training/punishment round with Angus but they didn't go to Minor or any other training spot. Angus took Brook to the castle courtyard and they walked up the trail which in over 50 year's time Robin would discover. They arrived at the small hut in the middle of the woods, the open grass littered with carved stones. Angus walked over to where the trees split, giving a view of the island and ocean below. Brook stayed where he was, waiting for Angus to speak but the man didn't. It was too quiet, so Brook took whatever was on his mind and voiced it aloud.
"I… It was terrifying." Brook said, "But I managed through and it was because of you sir. You're the reason I am what I am today. You're the reason I'm alive."
Angus didn't reply.
Brook was unsettled by his teacher's unusual silence. He was sure that the gentleman would have had some snarky remark to ruin the moment. It was even worse since Angus hadn't turn to face him. Brook took a deep breath.
"Though I'm not much better, I'm not as scared as I was as a child. I'm learning to become a great man because of you. A great man work of the afro, right?"
Angus didn't reply.
"Thank you. I haven't said it yet, but thank you for saving my life and Luan and Jean as well. We would not be here if it wasn't for you."
Angus didn't reply.
"I… do know how to fight. Wolf Fang was disturbingly strong. You've probably faced many men like him haven't you, so many like him you have beaten. I could see it. You forced him to his limits." Brook smiled ironically. "I'm weaker than you….and I'm sure I should be dead. He was toying with me, enjoying my fear and pain, wasn't he?"
Angus didn't reply.
"I figure he would have killed me on the spot if he didn't think you were dead…"
Angus snorted. "Thought? Oh brat, I was a far bigger concern tah Hassun than yur tiny pea brain can imagine. Yur less than a stain on the sole of his boot. Fur Hassun, the first on his hit list were actual threats tah him. Durn' that battle, I was the only one who stood a chance. He wouldn't have come after yah until he knew I was dead."
"Well… that's similar to my point... he thought he got you and that was his mistake." Brook quickly replied.
"Oh yes! A bloody-trained warrior of the Waulfman tribe missed severing my spinal cord! God bless the Queen fur mah stupid luck!" Angus scoffed.
Brook shifted uncomfortably. "You're not saying to that…"
"Yes, he did! I sure I felt it." Angus stretched his arms upwards to release pressure on his back. "And damn did that suck."
Brook took a step back, trying to remain standing from the sudden weakness in his knees.
"Y..you..ou you're lying! You'd be dead! And you're here! Standing before me!" he stated firmly, stalking closer to Angus.
Angus turned around and engulfed Brook in a hug. Brook wiggled to try and break free but it was a futile attempt to escape the man's thick arms. He resigned to his fate of Angus squeezing the life out of him or whatever the man planned to do. But instead of hurting Brook, Angus just spoke.
"I'm not invincible Brook. There's a whole world full of great men who are far stronger than me. Hassun became one of them."
Brook shook his head in denial. "But you beat him."
Angus snorted. "I got a second chance. I'm gonna spare most of the details but when I was a brat, I ate a fruit that gave meh a devil's gift. It took mah ability to swim but I received a get-out-of-the-hell-once card…." Angus paused in thought for a moment. "Course I next time I die I'll be dead fur good."
"You agreed to be cursed by the sea just so you could be revived once? That's… a little…lame..." Brook managed to say.
"Oi, because of mah "lame gift," yur alive with the other two stooges. Yah ungrateful brat." Angus countered before he sighed. "Get this through yur head now. I'm gonna die, sooner rather than later too. I'm not gonna be there tah pull yur arse out of the fire. Yah got tah become great man and be able teh take care of yurself. Cause those days are come'n fast and the world's not gonna stop just cause yah ain't ready."
Brook rested his head against his teacher's chest. The teen couldn't hold back his despair. He stood there letting out choke-full sobs that he had repressed. Crescent Luna's winds blew through the trees and brushed by teacher and apprentice. This was a day that Brook would never forget. First taste of war. First brush with death. First and only hug he would ever receive from Angus.
A/Note:
I probably should have established Crawly's brother more so that there is more of impact of the terror Brook feels for for the reader. What I remember was that Crawly's brother was just a good natured guy and a beloved guardsman. He would make Crawly go apologize whenever he was mean to Brook but that's all I got. Still, just because he was a good guardsman doesn't mean he was safe from the horrors of war.
"The Sonkrialan Empire wished for the Vienna Kingdom's ultimate destruction" - Sonkrialan is German inspired. Coming from the German word Sonnenkrieger meaning "Sun Warrior" and land.
"This is war, chajas, the weak don't survive." He stated. - Chagas means children in my made up language.
Hassun used the same reverse style of sword fighting as Angus, Lekcipsie, and both were experts at that style. - Eispickel Sword Style comes from spelling "Ice pick" backwards. It's the native swords style of Angus and Hassun's tribe. The Waulfman tribe inhabits Octivo Islands which use to be under Vienna Kingdom's rule until it rebelled and allied with the Sonkrialan Empire. Sheathing Style: Red Moon is the deadly signature attack that displays great mastery over the style.
Part III to the flashback chapters will be coming soon. See you in December!
-DigitalGuardian