12/08/19

As you see it, my other multi-chapter fic is Xenoblade Chronicles Mira, a Xenoblade X fanfic from someone not even in the fandom any longer. I've been having a blast writing that one but its high time I return to Code Vein, gonna dedicate time today to write more of Bloodlust, that aside here is another chapter for all of you!

I've been altering the chapter titles a lot, I'm never quite satisfied XD

Also, yea. Screw Boreal Brutes big time.


Thirst

It hadn't been long since they came here. To this safe place. It hadn't been long since anything happened but Jaynix still couldn't sleep comfortably. She was worried. Not knowing anything was concerning.

No one at the Home Base gave her a reason to distrust or dislike them...but something inside was telling her that there was a problem somewhere. With someone. She just wasn't sure who.

Knowing she would not be getting rest that night, she got out of bed and grabbed her weapons and gear. With purpose she left her room and headed for the front door. Just then she heard a soft voice call her name.

Freezing in place, she let her hand fall away from the door and turned to see Io in the midst of putting on her Blood Veil.

"Are we leaving?"

"N-no, Io. I was just going to...clear my head. Stay here, please."

"...I wish to accompany you."

Jaynix looked to the door again, eyes focused on the handle before shaking her head and turning. Instead she approached Io. Her first friend. Her first real memory.

"Io. You said yourself that you aren't much of a fighter and I...I refuse to put you in danger. I can't and I won't.

Io tilted her head. Jaynix watched the smallest hint of a smile on Io's face as she spoke.

"If I'm with you. How could I be in danger?"

Jaynix smiled in spite of herself as Io continued.

"I've seen you fight. When you and Louis did battle with Oliver Collins, I saw how you moved. How you responded. A natural, of that there is no doubt."

Jaynix sighed.

"I think I would've gotten out of that fight with less bruises and cuts if I was a natural."

Io tilted her in the other direction, searching Jaynix's face for...something.

"Y'know what? I'll train in here. Keep you company and keep you safe. That fine with you, Io?"

"...yes Jaynix. That is fine with me."

Io stepped aside as Jaynix walked into the middle of her room and went through her training exercises. Every so often she turned to check on Io who had her eyes focused on her. Making a note of all of her movements.

"If you want, I could start training you. Could be helpful in the future."

"Have you trained another before?"

"...maybe? I don't know."

Io nodded, of course she didn't know.

"All is well as it is, Jaynix. Should I feel the need to learn combat, I'll see to it. But for now, all I need is to be at your side."

Jaynix looked to Io again, still smiling.

"Whatever makes you happiest, Io."

Returning to her training she lost herself in it as Io questioned.

"Whatever makes me...happiest?"


Jaynix's eyes shot open, with a painful heave she struggled to take in as much air as she could before violent coughs wracked her body. Rolling over she continued to cough, focusing on the snow beneath her she watched as she stained it blue.

Moving her hand to her side she felt the wound inflicted from the Lost in the Cathedral had opened itself in addition to many more all over her body. Of course. Falling who knows how far would do that to you.

Clenching her teeth she growled in pain as struggled to her feet, realizing in that moment that one of her arms had been pulled from its socket when the creature broke her guard. On her feet she stumbled over to a rock and counted backwards from three before ramming her shoulder into it, hearing the pop as she yelled in pain.

Reaching out with her uninjured hand she held onto the rock as she tested her other arm, it ached all over but at least she could feel it again. Leaving a blue handprint on the rock she stepped away and began surveying the area for her blade, her bayonet, anything.

After a few back and forths she saw it, a blade. It wasn't hers but it would do for now. Picking it up she heard a rumble and froze in place. Turning slowly she saw it. The Lost that took out the entire team and caused them both to fall down into the ravine.

"Shit."

She hoped that it died on impact but if she survived, then of course it did. The beast shook itself off before looking around, its eyes landing on her far too quickly.

With a low roar it freed itself from the snow and began approaching her. Jaynix's eyes widened at the sight. It looked just like her dream. The city on fire, the massive beast closing in on her, the large claw. Just like that dream, she had no options. She was too injured to flee and it was too fast. She had to fight.

"Bring it on you son of a bitch. I may die one day but I swear it won't be to you."

With a roar the beast charged, Jaynix dodged the first strike, causing her body to cry out as the second blow found its mark, throwing her across the snow.

Getting to her feet she focused, an aura to increase her defense and stamina. That would work. Anything to keep herself going. The others would be here soon, she knew she could trust them. They'd find her. And once they did…

"I'll have another story to tell them…"

With a smile she charged the beast, strike after strike found its mark, leaving more deep gashes in its skin, but in turn its blows found her. Deciding she needed to slug it out, she forewent evasive maneuvers instead focusing on killing the beast as soon as possible.

It was only a matter of time before she wore herself out, it needed to die. Forcing herself to awaken her claw again she roared and went to bury it in the beast's chest just as it leapt away.

Missing the strike, she clenched her teeth and forced the claw to stay active. She could feel it draining blood as it begged for more. If she could get one good hit in.

The beast pounded its chest again. Cursing she charged her claw striking it, barely ripping into flesh as the barrier took hold once again. In response the Brute swung out, its claw connecting, an immense force throwing Jaynix aside.

Lying in the snow she could barely feel anything as it roared at her. Closing her eyes she thought of Louis, Yakumo, Mia...and Io.

"They all believe in me...I can't let them down…I can't!"

Her thoughts were then interrupted by something deep within her. Thirst. Her eyes took on a vile red glow as the sensation gnawed at her very being. She needed to devour something. Now.

Standing up she felt the sensation take hold, her arm morphed into the claw once again. Only now it began to beat, as if it was alive. Glowing eyes locked with the Brute, she saw nothing more than a meal.

Once again the beast went for the rolling charge. With a mighty roar, Jaynix swung her fiendish claw, the blow redirected the beast into a wall. As it slammed into it, the wall collapsed onto it.

Grabbing the stray blade she waited as the beast stood again before hurling the blade with most force and fury than ever before, the weapon buried itself into the Brute's body.

Fierce roar of anger the Brute summoned its barrier again and charged Jaynix, swinging its claws. Leaping over the creature, Jaynix cut deep into its shoulder with her own vile appendage.

Swinging around it struck her with its other arm. Catching herself in midair she buried her claw into the snow, slowing herself down as the beast charged again.

Holding up her bare hand there was a ring of blood that unleashed a torrent on the creature throwing it back. Pounding her fist into the ground a geyser of blood exploded beneath the Brute throwing it into the air. Running forward she felt her claw urge her on.

With a scream she leapt up after the beast, her claw glowing red as she pieced its barrier and body with ease, with another roar she forced her arm through the rest of the beast.

The two halves of the Brute fell to the snow, twitching for a few moments before fading to ash as Jaynix landed after that. She could feel all the blood returning to her. The thirst willed her on.

Attracted to the sounds of the conflict more Lost appeared in the ravine, searching for what happened.

Seeing this Jaynix licked her lips.


"Io! Slow down!"

Louis called but to no avail, the woman was far ahead of them, any Lost that sprung up were harshly dispatched as she continued down the mountain.

"Io!"

Yakumo and Mia were left behind at a Mistle to recover, Io took off immediately to find Jaynix despite Louis insisting she rest. Truth be told she was in better shape than he was but he knew how much Io meant to Jaynix. He couldn't let her get hurt.

Willing himself he warped over to Io, right in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulder.

"Move or be moved."

She stated immediately.

"I'm with you, Io. We have to find Jaynix but we can't get ourselves killed in the process alright? Please."

Io didn't want to slow down. But she had to. For Jaynix. For Jaynix's...friends. She recalled the joy that Jaynix had expressed at helping Yakumo. They meant a lot to her.

"Very well…"

Io continued on at a brisk pace but no longer a desperate run, Louis followed suit. He kept his eyes on their surroundings. Noting oddly enough, less Lost as they kept moving. He expected more, regardless he wasn't going to downplay the luck.

It took longer than they hoped but they found their way to a clearing at the bottom of the cliff they lost Jaynix at. The pair slowed down again, keeping their eyes focused on their surroundings.

Then they heard it, a loud and violent scream followed by several others.

"Lost?"

Io and Louis crouched down as a Lost sailed past them, landing not too far from them before dispersing.

Io began moving forward, holding her hand out. Louis knew she was asking him to hang back, as much as he wanted to argue he knew she was in a better fighting shape so he let her take the lead and followed slowly.

Io rounded the corner in time to see several Lost fall and vanish, standing amidst what was once a mob looked to be Jaynix.

As Io approached, Jaynix turned to face her, eyes glowing a very vibrant red. Louis who was farther back could see this and he wanted to call out to Io but Jaynix seemed...relatively calm. If he disturbed a Bloodthirsty Jaynix...that was something he didn't want to consider. Instead he searched his bag for a spare Blood Bead.

"Jaynix. It's alright…"

Io approached and gently removed Jaynix's respirator before holding her arm out.

"Just like I did when we first met…"

Jaynix kept her eyes on Io. Then looked to her arm. Opening her mouth to reveal her long fangs she bit down on Io's arm. Though she winced, the Attendant felt...hopeful.

Once Jaynix stepped away, the red in her eyes began fading and her arm returned to its natural state. Blinking a few times, she looked at Io again, seeing her for the first time and smiled.

"Hey Io...did you jump off the cliff too?"

A weak chuckle was followed by silence before Jaynix fell to the snow. Louis was at her side immediately with a Blood Bead.


Jaynix, Louis and Yakumo stood on the roof of a nearby building as they watched the woman they rescued enter the shelter. Yakumo nodding.

"Good to know she trusted us enough for this."

"The world has fallen apart. All that anyone wants at this point is some semblance of normalcy. Security. Safety. We gave that to her."

Yakumo put a hand on Louis' shoulder.

"We sure did!"

Jaynix kept her eyes on the shelter. Something about it seemed...familiar in some way. It was that same sensation as when she first grabbed a blade and began using it. Some sort of muscle memory.

Why?

"Hey Jaynix!"

Turning to see Louis and Yakumo leaving, she went to join them before giving one last look at the shelter.

"C'mon Jaynix! Last thing we want is Cerberus to see us and expect the worst!"

Taking in the structure as best she could, she called back.

"I'm coming."

Turning from the building she fell into step with Louis and Yakumo as they departed.


Everything ached. Everything. With a groan, Jaynix sat up and held her head trying to recall what happened. She stopped upon seeing Io curled up next to her, one of her hands reaching out for Jaynix.

She then looked out to the rest of the group all resting around a mistle they had found at the top of the mountains. Jaynix opened her mouth to speak but didn't want to disturb them, they'd been through a lot.

Jaynix then noticed a spare Blood Bead at her side and felt that thirst again, not nearly as strong as it was but present. Taking it she looked to Louis.

"Thank you."

Poking a hole in the side she held it up and began to drink the substance, feeling her strength returning to her she smiled as she put it back down. Gently she shook Io's shoulder. Her attendant waking shortly after.

"Jaynix."

"Hey…"

Looking to Louis, she did what she thought was best and whistled. Sure enough that roused him from his sleep. Eyes widening he stood up and was at her side.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Thanks to all of you I imagine…"

"Yakumo! Mia!"

As Louis called for them, Io took one of Jaynix's hands into her own, she seemed so relieved. Jaynix knew that Io thought of her as her sole purpose. She couldn't leave Io, at least not until she found a different purpose for her, something only for her.

"Jaynix!"

Yakumo joined them.

"I-I'm so sorry, you threw yourself off a cliff to catch and save me yet I couldn't even return the favor…"

"Yakumo-"

"I let that beast get me so quickly. I wasn't there to see anything. I'm sorry, Jaynix."

"Mia-"

Jaynix smiled, and stood up before stretching her arms out.

"I think I read this in one of Louis' books. Hug?"

Yakumo laughed at that as Mia embraced Jaynix, Yakumo following suit, lifting both of them.

"You two don't need to apologize to me...things got rough. It should be expected...but it means a lot that you all worried so much about me. Thanks for the save."

Louis shook his head.

"We really didn't do much beyond find you and give you a Blood Bead. You were holding off the Lost on your own."

Jaynix was about to ask about that. She couldn't remember. What she could recall was falling off the cliff then Io's calming voice and then...she was here.

Looking back at Louis he saw him expecting something from her, like he knew she just realized something. She shook her head.

"I don't remember much…"

Yakumo nodded.

"Falling from that height would probably do that to you. While its crazy you survived the onslaught we are all glad that ya did. From now on, the next time you fall off a cliff, I'll be right there with you."

Jaynix laughed.

"I'd prefer if we didn't plan for the next time I'm in mortal danger thank you."

Mia giggled.

"Hopefully not...it's nice to hear you laugh Jaynix. I think you needed that."

Jaynix couldn't keep the smile off her face as she spoke.

"I think I did."

As the group continued to rest at the mistle, Jaynix stood up and walked far enough away to be in private. Louis joined her as expected.

"I don't know what to ask first…"

"I can only give you an answer for one."

"The Vestige."

Jaynix nodded, recalling what it showed her. No. More than showed her. It was like…

"I relived it. Picking up that Vestige...my Vestige...it pulled me into a memory and I felt like I was there for days…yet when I came back, you were all still asleep like it happened in a single moment..."

Louis was fascinated by this, what a peculiar vestige.

"While you were in that memory...what were you doing?"

"Fighting...in Operation Queenslayer. When I woke up in that memory I met...Karen."

Jaynix could see Louis' calm demeanor break at the mention of his sister. She could tell he wanted to ask more about her.

"She was fine. It was before anything...she was giving me the basics on being a Revenant and...she noticed my blood was unique. Probably realized I was a void type before anyone else."

"That sounds like her."

"I met Aurora too, Silva and...Jack. The Hunter."

Jaynix looked to Louis and sighed.

"I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have kept any of this from you but I didn't know what it meant and then-"

"It's alright Jaynix. What matters is that we know now...was there anything else?"

Jaynix recalled the end of the Vestige memory, stabbing the Queen with her claw, taking her blood into her being and then Jack attempting to execute her. That last part filled her with an unbridled rage. The betrayal. Louis could see her growing angrier.

"Jaynix? If you can't talk about it-"

"No...I just...there is someone I have to see. To ask about what happened."

"Jack."

"He's the only one that could know...until then, we have to help Mia with Nicola."

Louis nodded at that and returned to the others around the mistle, Jaynix following closely after. Still thinking about the gap in her memory from falling off the cliff to seeing Io and she couldn't shake some deeply rooted sensation within her chest.

She needed answers. For everything.