Nothing to say. Hope this chap's okay.
Seath's tower was a place he had hoped to never step foot in. It might have been a bizarre thing to say considering the places he usually frequented but it was the truth. Blighttown at least made it clear what kind of place it was and the ruins of Izalith, for all their demons, giant stone buttocks', and crazed witches there was a subtle atmosphere of past glory that prevented one from seeing it completely
The tower had no such things. The winding staircases and rusted cells made it clear that even prior to this decay there was no glory or peace to be had here. This place was a prison, built to house criminals or those that the Gods deemed to be dangerous enough to warrant being imprisoned. As far as the general populace knew the people being held here were criminals and monsters that deserved everything that came to them.
Or at least that's what they wanted everyone to believe.
In the end what scared him the most about the tower was its sense of stasis; it was similar to Anor Londo in this way. All of the other places in this cursed land showed even the slightest signs of decay. Anor Londo and the Archives appeared as if they were frozen in time, stuck at the point before the destruction of Lordran began to set in. Anor Londo still appeared immaculate and the Archives, though covered in dust and cobwebs, still retained their atmosphere of being a place for learning.
Of course, whatever their illusions for peace and tranquility, all of them contained monsters in like any other place in this blighted land.
"Mmmmmphh!" Raziel let out a muffled scream as the Pisaca tried to push its sharp tongue against his mouth. He wasn't against kisses in general but this was a bit too much for him, "Let me go! Let me go you malformed beast!" He beat against the blank skin the creature had for a face and cringed as its 'mouth' opened even wider in response. That wasn't even close to what he had wanted to achieve.
The struggle continued briefly before the Undead kicked the octopus like creature at where he presumed the crotch to be. While he doubted he had actually hit whatever the creature had for sexual organs it seemed to have gotten the desired result as it let go of him and let out an ear-splitting shriek in response. That only meant one thing; it was summoning its 'friends'.
Not letting it distract him, he picked up his shield and bashed it against the gelatinous mass it had for a face before pushing it towards the edge of the staircase. Already he could see the rest of the Pisacas making their way up to them and given his difficulties he doubted he would be able to fight them all.
With another push forward he drove the monster past the edge onto the waiting floor below. He barely heard the squish of its body crashing against the floor before he turned and ran to higher ground. The Pisacas were fierce individually and in numbers, but their lack of proper legs meant they couldn't give chase very well or coordinate with one another to make fighting easier.
And, as he found out just now, they had a rather hard time opening doors.
Seeing the dead end of the path incoming he doubled back and went to one of the lock cells. Fishing the key out of his pocket he opened the closed door before slamming it behind him, "Gwyn's beard!" He cursed as one of the creatures slapped the rusted bars of the cell. Without thinking he placed the key against the door and forcefully twisted it before leaving the key inside.
The creature's seemed to sense his intent and doubled their efforts to smash the door down to get at him. Raziel raised his shield and backed away slowly as more and more of the creatures compressed and began attacking the cell, some even sticking their tongues in through the gaps in a vain attempt to attack him.
"Right, need a plan, quick," He stuck his back to the wall and looked at his equipment. He had placed the furysword on his bottomless box and replaced it with a crystal sword. While the enchanted sword was strong it didn't do very well when fighting against enemies whose skin had been turned into pure crystal. Now he was regretting it considering the non-crystalline monsters trying to eat his face.
Apart from that he still had his pyromancy and miracles, though he doubted he would be able to get them all. His best chance would be to use Ironflesh and walk as fast as he could past them down to the open area below. If he kept going without stopping he should be able to leave escape the group with minimal harm to himself so long as the spell was active. He could dispel it later and-
"Haaaaaa..." A rasping gurgle interrupted his musings. The Undead turned to the source and nearly let go of his shield as he saw what was making the sound - A crouched figure, her feminine body covered in a dirty thick robe and her face covered by the hood. She sat still and gave no reaction even as the shrieks of the monsters grew more and more desperate.
"Rhea..?" He looked at the Pisacas at the door before warily going closer to the hunched figure. Frampt had told him the Channelers had taken her and it was one of his reasons for choosing to come here before the other places, but he didn't expect to find her so quickly. This...complicated things. Once they smashed the door open he would have to find a way to stop them from getting to her.
"Rhea, we have to leave, the monsters will breach soon," He knelt down and grabbed her shoulder as gently as he could. Again she gave no reaction, continuing to stare at the wall and occasionally letting out a throaty gasp.
Something was wrong, "Rhea...it's me, Raziel," He forced her to look at him, "We need to- Ah!" He let go of her and stumbled back as he finally caught sight of her face. Leathery skin, reddish brown in color, that clung to her bones like a decayed mask. Her eyes, sunken and empty, turned to stare at him before she stood up and began to walk towards him on shaky legs."
"St...Stay from me," He stood up and raised his shield. Rhea continued to walk, her hand reaching in front of her to grab him. Killing her would have been easy; she was unarmed and wore no armor to protect herself. One swipe of the sword would have killed her.
And yet, his hands shook and he backed away as she drew closer. Laurentius' face entered his mind once again. The young man, always happy and a constant friend, who had ended his journey because he could not see the Pyromancer he would have given anything to meet. He didn't even realize he had killed him until it was too late, and by then there was nothing he could have done.
He realized all too quickly that it was a blessing he was unaware of what had been happening. He would have hesitated otherwise, as he was doing now.
"Ahhhh..." It was as if she was trying to communicate with him. Her mouth opened and yet no words escaped her lips. He knew what she wanted; All Hollows craved Humanity regardless of the source and if he didn't kill her she would try to kill him to get his. As she got within grabbing distance he felt panic rise in his throat. She was going to kill him or he was going to kill her. There was no way to change that.
"Back away!" He pushed her away and tried to suppress his shaking. Rhea stood up again and repeated her previous action.
"Don't make me kill you!" He pleaded, pushing her harder this time. He knew it was in vain; all Hollows were incapable of rational thought and were no better than mindless animals once they reached that state.
"Rhea...please..." A last push, though it was feeble enough that the former cleric could ignore it. Raziel felt her grabbing at his helm, attempting to pry the protection off so she could attack his flesh directly.
Raziel closed his eyes briefly before he grabbed her by the neck and pushed her onto the floor. Her struggles intensified now as she realized he was resisting. With a tormented scream he stabbed his blade into her head and repeated the motion again and again, ignoring the sensation of her 'soul' leaving her body and entering his. No blood came from the wound as expected.
It was only after the sixth stab that he stopped, falling backwards and looking up at the stained ceiling, "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..." He mumbled, staring blankly up at the empty stone. The Pisacas ignored his conflict and continued to bash the door down. He could hear the door straining and he knew he had little time before they were upon him. Now was not the time for grief and mourning.
He would kill them. All of them. These monsters, those snake-men, the Channelers and finally Seath. All of them would die for what they did to her. His right hand shook as the flame intensified in heat. Anger was a dangerous catalyst, he knew that, but he needed to make them pay and the price was something he could 'live' with until that blind lizard died in pain and agony.
"Come then," He grabbed his sword with his left hand and prepared to cast a pillar of fire, "Come and face me, monsters! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you! I'll-"
"I'll kill you!"
Raziel jolted upwards, rage clouding his mind, before a quick attempt to twist his body to the right caused him to fall to the ground painfully with a muted crack, "Agh..." He bit his lower lip as he felt his ribs shift unnaturally from beneath his bandaged chest. Blood pooled around his mouth before he forcefully swallowed it, once again thanking small mercies that he couldn't taste anything.
"I hope you didn't mean me," Kirche eyed him flatly as he struggled to right himself on the bench he was formerly resting in. Raziel ignored her quip and placed an arm over the wooden bench as dizziness began to overtake him. It was to be understood: The Undead were technically unable to be permanently held down without Hollowing. While many Undead considered the bonfires convenient the truth of the matter was that it also acted as their inhibitors. Enough damage to the body and one was transported to the bonfire even if they still wanted to keep going.
It at least proved to him that there were no bonfires here at all. The pain he was experiencing would have been enough to collapse his body and send him to the nearest enchanted fire, but now he was forced to endure his injuries until they healed 'naturally'. Despite all this he still found it to be a relief - At least it meant he couldn't be captured by any would-be Undead Hunter. According to Solaire they stationed at least two hunters in bonfires outside Lordran in order to capture Undead while they were still disoriented from their revival.
"Oh for Brimir's sake," Kirche rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the shoulders. Raziel let out a hiss of pain as the redhead pulled him up onto the bench and forced him to lie down, placing his head on her lap, "Sorry about that, but taking it slow and steady might make your wounds worse if the cuts open up again. Just...relax for now. Your leg's in no condition to move."
"What...where are we...?" He could see a large bonfire not too far from where he was resting and in the center of the flame he could make out piles of bodies being burnt into ash. From above the sky was dark, the red and blue moons once again shining down on them in their twin lights. He could make out thick clouds in the distance. A sign of the coming rain.
"In the village center," Kirche answered, "They're burning the bodies of the Albion soldiers in the bonfire. There's...not much else we can do with them," She sighed, "Whatever happened with the ships was a miracle but it doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of dead people on both sides here. The villagers are gathering their soldiers and their own to bury them and all the Albionese...well, it's either this or a mountain of bodies. It's cleaner this way."
"The...The others, are they-"
"They're fine," Kirche smiled down at him and brought a hand through his hair in a calming gesture, "Your girlfriend's with her family now and Valliere's resting at the inn. Guiche, Montmorency and Tabitha are off somewhere but they'll live. I'm surprised at it myself, but we all survived and we won...though I'm not sure if the villagers feel this
"Haha..." He closed his eyes briefly and allowed himself to relax as Kirche continued to stroke his hair, "I thought...we would die, that this would be the end," He allowed himself a small smile, "Perhaps miracles are possible."
"Maybe," Kirche smiled in turn, "Speaking of miracles, its a wonder both you and Valliere are still alive. She breathed in Brimir knows how much smoke trying to rescue you and you were...well, lets just say what happened to your legs wasn't pretty. Bones were jutting out and we couldn't use water magic to heal you. We had to push your bones back in and then close the skin shut with fire. You can thank me for that when you can walk again."
"You have my gratitude," He said, "Who else was there? I should offer my thanks to them as well."
"Just that priest and Siesta," She replied, "You should really thank them rather than me. They were the ones who pushed your bones back in and held you down when you started moving around in your sleep. Oh, and I hope you don't mind but we had to take off your pants so we could get a better look at your legs. It's not the first time I've seen a naked guy but I've never been so un-aroused as I did back then."
"Mmm, my apologies then," Raziel muttered half-heartedly.
"No apologies necessary," She grinned, "Though if you don't mind me saying I was somewhat disappointed with what I saw. For someone like you I would've expected a, ahem, 'larger soldier' than that," She giggled mischievously, "Hopefully you're still growing or you're going to keep getting jokes about compensating for something, especially with you waving that big sword around like it's no big deal. It's a good thing your girlfriend was too busy with other things to notice."
"...I doubt I have to worry about my growth...and this is not a topic I wish to discuss," He turned his head to the bonfire and frowned, "How many of the villagers..."
"We don't really know," She didn't wait for him to finish, "But I get the feeling Father Augustine's going to be busy the next few days. We're all lucky that we're still alive but the villagers aren't going to see this as a victory even if the Princess there tells them it is and crowns them all heroes. Glory's good and all but it's not gonna make them forget that their friends and family are gone and their home is destroyed."
"What will happen to the village?"
"Small places like this? They're expendable as far as the crown is concerned," She snorted, "This is a collection of houses in the countryside, not a big town like the capital or even a trading port like La Rochelle. Unless the villagers have the money to rebuild everything or hire Earth Mages to fix up the damage in the land they're going to have to move out and abandon this place."
"...This does not feel like much of a victory," Raziel admitted.
"It's better than the alternative. I've heard enough stories of what happens to the survivors and I can tell you now whatever's happening here is much better than hoping Albion will take pity on them. Many of the soldiers are mercenaries and you don't wanna know what they do to women that don't end up getting killed in the fighting. Death would probably be a mercy to them."
"I suppose survival is all we can hope for," He mumbled, "...How did I get here? I remember the explosion, dropping from the ships, the landing..." He winced as another burst of pain ran up his legs. That wasn't his best idea he would admit, but something inside told him that being caught by that explosion would make landing and breaking his legs seem merciful in comparison.
"Valliere saved you, believe it not," She shrugged, "We found her pulling you out of the rubble there," She pointed towards the distant field where the barest shape of the torn ship lay, "It was hard to recognize you two at first with all the smoke and ash covering you but I could recognize that pink hair from anywhere. Once we got there she'd already fainted so we had Sylphid carry you both back here. Moving you two at all was risky considering the state you were both in."
"Again you have my gratitude, and Louise's as well."
"I'm not so sure about that. Valliere didn't seem happy when she woke up," Kirche frowned, "She took one look at the field and barricaded herself into a room at the inn. We've been trying to get her out but she hasn't said a word. Hopefully she's sleeping and not just staring into a wall," Raziel winced. At least he knew she wouldn't Hollow, "Speaking of sleeping, what were you dreaming about earlier?"
"Dreaming?" He asked back in feigned confusion.
"Yes. Don't bother playing dumb," She rolled her eyes as Raziel attempted to sit upright in lieu of answering. Debating internally whether to help him or make him keep still she concluded that forcing him down wouldn't be such a good idea and, with as much gentleness as she could muster, placed his hands against his back and helped him up.
"Thank you," Raziel muffled a groan and placed his hand across his stomach. It felt as if his lower body had been nearly severed from him...actually given the stitches he could feel from beneath the bandages that might not have been the most inaccurate guess, "Where...Where is my tunic? My shoes as well," He didn't fancy losing anymore clothes. Louise would kill him.
"We left your shirt at one of the rooms and I have your shoes here. Be thankful you're still wearing pants - Most of your body's in stitches, bandages or burned shut wounds. You shouldn't even be sitting up right now, but I had a feeling you wouldn't want to be cooped up in a room without anyone else around. Knowing you, you'd assume you were captured and run out in a panic and open your wounds again."
"How perceptive of you," He commented flatly.
"You still haven't answered my question, though. What was that dream about?"
"...Remembering past experiences, that is all," He sighed.
"I think it's more than that," She pressed, "When we were treating your wounds you kept struggling and shouting out something about an archive and 'Pisacas', whatever in the void those are," Raziel's lips pressed into a thin line as she continued, "And then when we finished and started carrying you here you kept saying someone's name. If I'm remembering right it was Rh-"
"Please stop talking," He interrupted. Kirche shivered at his surprisingly chilly tone, "I am grateful for your assistance in healing me, but my past experiences are something I would prefer not to share. I apologize for blurting out an intent to kill but prior to becoming Louise's Familiar I seemed to have a flair for the dramatic and announced my intent rather than simply doing it."
"Right...sorry for prying then," She let out a held breath and gave a stiff smile, "Anyway, you should probably relax for now. I know you're not exactly 'normal' like you said but it sure as helheim looks like getting cut up hurts you like anyone else so I wouldn't walk around too much," She placed a pair of loose boots on the ground, "They're not yours but if you plan to walk around then wearing something less fitting might help your wounds heal."
"I am surprised you have not asked for clarification. Did I not promise you that I would explain who...or rather what I really am after the fighting is over?"
"Yeah, but after that 'Please stop talking' I'd rather not push my luck," She stuck out her tongue playfully, "Nah, I'll figure it out myself. I'm good at uncovering secrets and know when to keep quiet about something;it's something you learn when you come from a family that prides itself on 'honorable' conquests like war, torture and playing the 'game' of the nobility. Besides, it's much more fun when you figure out secrets by yourself. Makes it feel much more worth it."
"Thank you for your understanding, then," His lips quirked upward into a slight smile, "You talk about your family as if you have a distaste for them. Given your talks of 'conquests' I can only assume they contribute to the reason you do not blink at the thought of burning men alive."
"Suppose you could say that," She snorted. Odd, he expected her to take offense, "Unlike all the other counties Germania allows anyone to become a noble so long as they have money and influence with the right people in the right positions. With enough money and greased palms you can go from being a pissboy to a noble if you have something that makes it worth the nobility's effort to raise you up. Magic's secondary."
"And yet you are a Sorcerer."
"Mage," She corrected, "But yeah, I suppose I'm one of the few 'blessed' with having both magic in my veins and money from my parents. You know that my dad actually took my mom's last name and not the other way around? It's rare, but it does happen when anyone can be a noble if they have the right amount of grease. I guess he wanted to hide from his past and avoid retribution."
"Hide from what?"
"My dad was only allowed to marry into the Von Zerbst line because he had enough coin to shame practically all of the other suitors combined. Thing is my dad was born to farmhands in Albion and even if he worked honestly every day of his life he wouldn't even have a fraction of even the poorest suitor's treasury even if he worked till he died of old age. He had to get that money elsewhere."
"I get the feeling this story is to take a darker turn..." He deadpanned,
"You're right about that. My dad was a criminal, a pirate to be exact," She gave a wry smile, "Back then people always talk about him in awed whispers like he was some kind of legend. 'Edward Kenway, scourge of the sky and sea'," Another snort, "My dad earned his 'fortune' by taking down any ship and plundering them down to the nails of the boat. He was never a good farmhand but he was a good robber and murderer."
"I confess I do not know much about pirates," Raziel said.
"Better that you don't," She waved her hand casually, "All you need to know is that they're louts that kill men and rape women before stealing their stuff. Dad did this for...I don't know, ten years give or take? And then when he marries my mom he changes his last name and pretends that he was never wrong to begin with," She gave a frustrated frown, "Now they both act like he was always a respected member of the community and no one in their right mind would accuse him of anything. He acts like this high and mighty prig and condemns how I act while he's running away from his own actions."
"Do you not love him? He is your father."
"Of course I love him. He's my dad and he told me about his past when I was younger so I would, I dunno, not follow in his footsteps I guess? I just hate that both he and mom act like it never happened and pretend that we're this noble family that everyone should aspire to. It's just...I don't know, when I think of all the people he must have plowed through to get to where he is I get frustrated. It's silly; if he never met mom I wouldn't be born and whoever he killed was long dead before I was even born. It doesn't help me any to worry about them."
"Worrying about the actions of others accomplishes nothing," He admitted, "I thank you again for your aid. Things would have been much more difficult had you not been here."
"Flatterer," She gave a playful wink and stretched her arms above her head, "You might want to talk to the others just to let them know you're not dead yet. I'm going to help in tending the bonfire and tending to the injured. Flame's not a pleasant way to heal wounds but it shuts them up as good as any water spell."
Raziel nodded and made to get up before she leaned forward and kissed his right cheek. The contact lasted for only a second before her voice called to him once again, "Congratulatory kiss," Kirche grinned and clapped him on the shoulder softly before moving towards the large pyre. Raziel felt his cheeks heat up slightly before he shook his head, put on his shoes and began the grueling process of walking once again.
Walking had proven rather difficult due to his injuries. His body felt heavy and movement felt restricted due to the stitches and bandages covering his skin. With every step he felt spasms of pain shoot up his legs that nearly caused him to fall on his face. Some of the villagers saw him, but all were reluctant to help him. They had their own affairs to deal with and they assumed that if he was walking he would live through whatever was troubling him.
He didn't even know where to go. Louise was at the inn but something told him he would regret it if he spoke to her right now. Truthfully what he would have preferred to do was go orc hunting to gather Humanity but he wasn't in the right state for it now and he doubted there would be any orcs nearby considering what had just transpired. Gods, he really needed some Humanity-
"What happened to my son!?" The loud female voice caused him to cringe from the volume.
He turned to the source of the disturbance and his mood lowered even more as he saw the reason for the commotion. An older woman was crying and screaming muffled questions at Augustine, to which the priest seemed to be trying to calm her down in response. At their feet was the corpse of a young man that looked like it had been torn apart by a rabid animal. Its ribs stuck out in unnatural angles and the skin was flayed and
He remembered that body. It was the one he had used to siphon Humanity out of in order to save Alexandre.
"Isolde, many of the bodies were damaged when the building collapsed. You cannot possibly-"
"This is no mere accident!" She snarled, "Look at my boy! My poor Connor! It wasn't enough that he was killed by those soldiers but someone was monstrous enough to defile his his corpse like a wild beast! Who did this!? You must know!" People around them turned to stare at her, some looking as if they wanted to say something in comfort, before going back to their previous activities.
"Isolde, listen to me!" Augustine put both hands firmly on her shoulders, "I'm sorry for your son's loss but I have no idea why he is in this state. Perhaps one of the soldiers decided to indulge in acts of depravity before the miracle saved us but if so then he's either been captured or killed already. Right now we need to focus on those we can save, like your husband," He took a deep breath, "I'm truly sorry, you know that, but we can grieve after everything is said and done."
The woman looked down at her son's ravaged body before another fresh wave of tears escaped her eyes as she collapsed and held onto him tightly. Raziel turned away and frowned, releasing a soft sigh. He should have known that there would be a price for everything; Augustine had warned him and he was fully willing to accept it. But...it still hurt to see the consequences first-hand.
"Raziel, you're alright!" Siesta smiled and hugged him in relief before she remembered the injuries dotting his body. He grit his teeth at the feeling of agony that spread through him at her touch but he still managed to force a small smile. Seeing her was enough to lighten his mood despite everything that had happened. Reluctantly he returned the gesture before pushing her off.
"You seem to be doing fine as well," He said, "I understand you were aided in healing me after my fall. You have my thanks."
"Oh, it's no big deal," She shook her head and smiled, though he could tell she was somewhat forcing it "I'm just glad you're alive. When we found you and Ms. Valliere near the ship neither of you looked so good. You were...well, lets just say you're not even supposed to be awake right now, let alone walking. It's lucky Ms. Zerbst was there to burn the wounds shut. We couldn't use water magic to heal you."
"You already know the reason why," His gaze traveled to the piles of bodies stacked across the village center, "I assume by the bodies that the village is gathering the corpses of the fallen."
"Yes. Well, trying to separate them more like," She pointed to a stack of bodies wearing tabards adorned in symbols of Albion runes, "Soldiers and mercenaries working for the invading fleet are gathered up to be burned at the pyre. The soldiers who protected us and the other villagers...th-they'll be given proper burials as soon as possible," He saw her hands shaking as she suppressed a sob.
"...How many died?"
"The number doesn't matter. It'll always be too much," She snapped, "I...sorry, it's not your fault," She swallowed and took a deep breath, "Tarbes isn't a big place. Almost everyone here knew one another growing up and now...we have to bury those who Father Brimir didn't consider worth protecting. I saw old man Aldous and little Bethany crushed under a house when we came back. It's..."
"You do not have to say anything. I...know what it feels like to lose friends," He recalled his recent dream for but a brief moment before he crushed that train of thought. No need to dwell on past grievances, "I apologize...I am not well-versed in situations like this. In Lordran death was a standard occurrence and the period or mourning did not last past the next encounter with monsters. We could not afford to let our mind wander."
"It's alright. No offense but I doubt anything you say can really lift my mood right now," She looked down and bit her lip before continuing, "If circumstances had been different in the forest me and my brothers would have joined them. When those soldiers caught us in the forest and started asking questions we had no answers for I thought it would be the end. That all of us would..."
"You were captured? Are you all right? Did they hurt you-"
"I'm fine, Raziel!" She raised both hands in a placating gesture, " We were saved, though I don't know who it was. When that soldier was about to hurt Julien the soldiers were attacked and killed before they could do anything. At most I got a few bruises and cuts here and there but the Water Mages healed that easily enough."
"You were saved? By who?"
"I...don't really know, to be honest," She gave a confused frown and rummaged in the pocket of her dress, "I called for whoever they were but they didn't come out. Julien picked this up before we left. I'm not sure what to make of it."
The item she presented to him caused his eyes to narrow. A knife, with a rose like stem and red petals at the opposite of the blade, "I didn't really see anyone. I could have sworn that I caught a glimpse of a mask at one point, but I'm pretty sure I was just seeing things. Maybe it was one of the members of the army that happened to pass by? I'm not really sure."
"Yes...one wonders who it was," He mumbled. He would need to have another conversation with him later, "I need to see the others. Do you know where they are?"
"Um, Sir. Gramont and Miss. Montmorency were resting near the church last I checked and Miss. Valliere is still at the inn. She...locked herself inside the room and refuses to come out," Kirche was right then, "As for Miss. Tabitha, she's assisting in carrying the bodies from the field. Oh and Princess Henrietta is talking with some of the other adults on what to do about Tarbes. She seemed worried for Miss. Valliere and said she wanted to talk to you both if possible."
"Perhaps she wants to talk about what happened to the fleet," He mumbled softly so Siesta couldn't hear, "I will talk to Louise soon. I...should probably go see Guiche and Tabitha before I do so. I need to see if they are okay."
"I should help Father Augustine with his duties then," She smiled and waved him goodbye before joining the priest in tending to the wounded. Raziel watched her go with slight hesitation before he began his slow walk towards the chapel. With any luck he wouldn't run into any more trouble.
"What are you doing here?"
He really should have learned to stop expecting good things at this point.
Montmorency stood and glared at the wounded Undead as she spotted him drawing closer to their position. Raziel returned the gaze, his expression blank as she put her hands on her hips and barely restrained herself from yelling at him. To her right Guiche sat with his back against the church's wall, his expression torn as he looked between the two silently staring at one another.
"I wanted to see if Guiche was all right-"
"Well he's fine, as you can see," She interrupted, "I healed him with my water magic and he needs rest to continue healing so I suggest you leave now before you disturb him even more."
"...I wish to talk to him-"
"You think I'm letting you anywhere near him?" She interrupted again, "I don't care what your reasons were; we all saw what happened to that corpse in the closet and you make it quite clear you consider what you did to be nothing wrong. Maybe Tabitha and Kirche want to act like you did nothing wrong but I'm not going to pretend everything's alright. What kind of monster tears apart the dead like that?"
"One that did not have any alternatives," He replied icily, "You talked of choice and other options before but in the end praying and hoping would not cure those people afflicted by their wounds. Would you have preferred that they died and add more corpses to the pile?"
"Large words coming from the person who's responsible for the deaths of the many who you tried to 'heal' with that magic of yours. I don't know what you are but back then I wouldn't have cared if you were an Elf so long as you used that magic of yours to help us. What happened instead is that those you attempted to heal died in agony and you took to ravaging corpses as an alternative."
"What do you wish for me to say then? That I am sorry?" He scowled, "I feel regret at the end my actions led to but praying and hoping for forgiveness accomplishes nothing. I regret what happened to those people due to my mistakes and I hate having to get Humanity from the still warm bodies of the recently deceased but it was either that or letting those people die."
"You think that justifies it? I'm not even arguing on this. Just...Just leave and don't look back. I don't want you anywhere near Guiche."
"M-Montmorency, it's alright," Guiche raised his left hand and took hold of her wrist gently, "I understand you're wary of him but...I trust him well enough that I know he won't do anything untoward towards me."
"How could you know for sure?" She turned and gave her fiance and incredulous look, "You saw what he did to those corpses and you trust him to stay with you while you're at your weakest?"
"If he wanted to kill me then he had more than enough chances to do so, of that I am sure," He forced a grin, "During the trip to Albion and our disastrous treasure hunt he could have left me to die without risking himself. I...I won't pretend that I'm not bothered by what we saw but I'm willing to trust that he won't hurt me or act in a way which endangers me. If he wants to talk then I can respond in kind."
"Are...Are you sure, Guiche?"
"I would be dead in Newcastle or a giant spider's dinner if he didn't help me, so yes I'm sure I can trust him," He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, "It'll be alright, Montmorency. We'll just talk for a bit and then he'll go. That's all you want, right?"
"Yes," Raziel nodded.
"See? It'll be fine," Guiche flashed a disarming smile, which caused the girl's expression to turn unsure. After a moment of hesitation she glared at the Undead once more before she walked a small distance away to give them privacy, though she constantly looked over her shoulder and her right hand held her wand tightly. He needed to make this quick before she lost patience.
"You're alright," Guiche smiled in relief and patted the spot next to him. Raziel hesitated slightly and took another glance at Montmorency's distant figure before he reluctantly sat down next to the Earth Mage. Hopefully his fiancee didn't take this as a sign of offense and attempt to drown him in water, "I admit I didn't know what to think what would happen when we found you and Guiche out in the field."
"A sentiment shared by both Siesta and Kirche," Raziel said, "I am...glad you are safe..." He continued reluctantly, "I admit I had thought I might see your dead body when we were separated on the run to the forest. I...am relieved that this is not the case."
"I will not lie: We nearly died not long after our separation," He winced and pointed at his left leg, "The back of my thigh had been hit with a bullet as we tried to flee. I've never been shot before and I'll admit right now that I have no wish to repeat the incident so long as I live. Without Montmorency there to treat me it is liable that my leg would have to be cut off from infection. I've heard tales of amputation from much less severe injuries."
"Hmm, I am glad you are not missing any limbs," Raziel muffled a laugh, "I had thought the worst would come to pass when we were forced to escape in different directions. You might perhaps be a better combatant than I had thought. Though I suppose you are an adept enough Sorcerer that I should not have been worried."
"I think you mean Mage," He suggested, suddenly looking downcast, "Raziel, tell me: You've killed before, right?" Raziel nodded in slight confusion, "Well...how did it make you feel? I mean, do you feel happy? Sad? Angry?"
"I feel...nothing," He admitted slowly. Guiche's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected answer, "If it placates you then I can lie and tell you that guilt eats at me with every life I take, but the truth of the matter is that I feel neither happiness of sadness at the thought of killing in order to survive. I suppose it comes from the land I was 'born' in. From the first moments of my 'life' I had to fight and kill in order to avoid being killed in turn from whatever wished me harm."
"What kind of place did you live in before you became Louise's Familiar?"
"What the people in this land would call 'Helheim', Guiche winced at the thought, "I will save you the long explanations but it is a rotting land filled with dead and dying Gods where the only heroes left are the ones who have long gone mad and try to kill you. If you are unwilling to kill then you must get used to the idea of never moving past your prison and losing yourself to hopelessness."
"I...I see..." He swallowed and looked to the side slightly. He could see Montmorency's Frog Familiar watching them silently, its throat bulging up and down eerily as it seemed to stare at his friend. She was worried of course, and both of them knew and understood why she would be considering the circumstances, but he trusted Raziel enough to know he would not come to harm. That actions in the ruins proved that to him.
"Why did you ask? I get the feeling this has more to do with you than it does with me." Judging by Guiche's sudden frown he knew he was correct.
"It...It doesn't feel good," He clenched his fist in his right hand, "The Gramont line is notable for its strong Earth Mages. While any Earth Mage can bend the earth to their will the Mages of our line are capable of doing so easier in comparison to others. That is why I'm capable of summoning Golems to fight without casting. Speed is our main advantage over every other Mage."
"It is a good heritage," He conceded.
"Yes, it is," He nodded, "It's the reason we survived in that forest. When...When we were caught in that forest and they were about to riddle us all with bullets...I...I moved the earth to bury them all alive. I can still remember their screams as the earth dragged them down and soil...oh Brimir, I can still remember them kicking and trying to crawl out as the earth swallowed them."
"If you did not then you would be dead. I see no reason to believe that you did anything wrong."
"It..It doesn't feel good," He forced a laugh, "Maybe to you I'm being silly but I can't stop it. I feel like vomiting, crying...just...just yelling out that I didn't mean to. When I killed that soldier in Newcastle it was quick. He lost consciousness before he bled out. Here I could see their faces as they...as they tried to avoid being...buried alive," He swallowed, "Some of them were crying and begging and I...I let them go under."
"And if you didn't fight back they would be the one staring at your corpse rather than the other way around," He didn't understand the reason for his grief. You don't feel bad killing someone with intent to harm you, "If you let them go there is no reason to believe that they would suddenly offer friendship and aid rather than attempt to kill you again. You did what had to be done."
"It doesn't make me feel any better," Guiche answered, "They're dead now of course, but I have to wonder how long they were trapped under before they died," He closed his eyes and leaned back on the church's wall, "I guess I have to get used to it. Albion's actions here...war will be declared, that much is obvious. I'm going to have to enlist; my honor as a Gramont demands that I do so. I just...just want to go back to the academy and forget this ever happened."
"Is war not glorious? That seems to be the predominant thought among your peers."
"I used to think so...until I actually had to experience it here firsthand," He took a deep breath, "I always envied my older brothers for being the in military and being in positions of power. Now...Now I'm not so sure," He rubbed his eyes, "This sinking feeling, I wish for it to go away. I want this act to become easier. But...I know that's not going to happen, at least for a while."
"I am surprised you care so much," Guiche threw him a flat stare, "I apologize, I meant no offense. I...truly cannot understand the concept of grief at killing. I wish I had words to say to you but comforts will not be sincere and I suspect your fiancee will do a better job of it than I ever could."
"You talk about yourself like killing is nothing to be seen as unusual. Even the strongest soldier feels something when they take a life," He his gaze hardened, "I think it's time you told me who you really are. You're no foreign Mage from the lands to the east. What I saw in newcastle, what you did to save me in the ruins, none of that could be done by any normal human."
"I suppose I should tell you then. I did make a promise," He mimicked a breath, "I am what you would call an Undead, a living corpse. Before you say anything know that master did not bind my spirit into this body like the Undead in this land supposedly are. My mind and spirit are my own, even if this body is rotting beneath the illusion of life. It explains why I survived my previous wounds."
"You're...You're already dead?" Guiche ventured warily.
"I was killed and lost my memories upon waking, yes," He nodded, "What happens now then? Do you tell your fiancee that I am a monster and stay away from me?"
"I...I see no reason to think of you a monster," He replied, "No doubt if I had found out when you first appeared I would do so, and If I remember right I did, but you've saved me at least twice now and a noble never forgets a debt of gratitude," He sighed, "Still, in one month I find Louise's Familiar is an Undead and the crown employs to Vampires in order to serve as their agents. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if I meet a friendly Elf that has none of their race's flaws."
"I expected more surprise."
"I already saw you tear apart the soldiers at Newcastle and it is not as if you made your abilities secret given the way you stand despite your injuries," He laughed, "Ah, I can only hope your actions in Albion aren't normal. Killing someone with a blade or a gun is one thing, tearing them apart with your bare hands is another."
"Believe me, I have no idea what exactly transpired there," He followed Guiche's lead and leaned back, "Forgive me but I cannot help but find the irony in this situation. When I came to this land you were the first person I nearly killed. If you had not mentioned Ms. Montmorency being 'Your Sun' I might have ended your life then and there. I suppose it is a happy result in the end."
"Um...as glad as I am that you didn't kill me, I have no idea what you're talking about," Guiche blinked and Raziel's expression turned confused, "I couldn't have said anything to you since all I could verbalize were choked breaths; you have a rather strong grip," He put a hand to his neck and flinched, "And I never call Montmorency 'My Sun'. I've called her many terms of endearment, but I always used flowers."
"No, but...I heard you. You called her 'My Sun'."
"Raziel, I swear on Brimir's name I have no idea what you're talking about," Guiche stated honestly, "Perhaps you were hearing things? I am glad you did so considering the situation but I couldn't get a word out as Louise and Montmorency tried to dissuade you from killing me. Whatever you imagined I may have said I can assure you unless it was gargling then it wasn't me."
"...I have to go," He stood up and, ignoring Guiche's questions, moved towards the village center once again. What did he mean that he never said anything? No, he heard him say it, he knew he did. It led to his fainting spell, after all. But Guiche showed no signs of lying so he either did so and he forgot or he was hallucinating from the trauma.
"Flames," He cursed. Things just kept getting more complicated.
Running into Tabitha was a coincidence, though in the end it had been something he could consider a good thing. The young blunette let out a barely noticeable yawn as she petted Sylphid's head, her back towards him. The dragon looked up at him and her mouth opened slightly, though no call or roar came. He couldn't help but notice the streaks of blood covering the entirety of her back that weren't there last he'd seen her.
Given the way she was standing and the lack of pain it was either she'd already been healed or the blood wasn't hers. Based on what Kirche had told him earlier he could guess that the blood belonged to the corpses she
"What?" Her soft voice was still audible despite the slight distance between them. Raziel remained silent and Tabitha decided to turn around and give him her well-known passive gaze.
"...I owe you a debt. I wish to pay it back," He answered warily. Her expression was still its usual veneer of calm but he felt a certain chill in her gaze. She was the first one apart from Louise who'd really seen his way of 'feeding' himself without a doubt she was the most aware of where exactly Humanity came from given what she'd seen him do to the bandit chief they fought a week ago.
"For Sylphid?" Raziel gave a silent nod. Yes, he had stated that he owed her for 'lending' Sylphid to him. Given the way he acted it was clear that he wouldn't try to weasel his way out of any debts, "You will give anything?"
"Within reason, yes," He didn't like the way her gaze flickered to his left hand.
Tabitha opened her mouth, but no words came. She looked down and pursed her lips. She'd seen the effects of the 'medicine' on both himself and the people he'd used it on: Cured of all injures, lost limbs restored and infections cleaned as if they never came. One clump and a person could escape death's door. The person she'd hoped to cure...it was her mind that needed healing with her body being a distant second. Still, it seemed much more effective at healing than any spell she'd seen in her short life.
But could she risk it? She'd seen where it came from. Taken from the living or from fresh corpses. He claimed there would be no adverse effects, but how could she trust that without knowing for sure? What if it did nothing or, given the hands fate had dealt her, made things worse for her most precious person? She would never be able to live with herself and all her struggles for years would have been in vain.
...No, she couldn't risk it. She'd find another way. Every poison had its cure.
"Forget it," She bit her lip and tightened her grip on her staff.
"I remember you asking about Humanity in the camp not too long ago," Raziel folded his arms across his chest, "Do you wish to understand it or use it?"
"Humanity? Odd name."
"It is an odd substance," He conceded, "The...origins are complicated and even I do not know for certain, but if it is a cure you seek then it will suffice. You have already seen its effects firsthand and to any human it is stronger than any miracle."
"It can cure anything?"
"Anything save a beheading, yes. So long as the human is alive when using it then anything from severed limbs to blood loss to incurable poisons are healed with the person being none the worse for wear. Constant treatment is not needed and as experience shows there is no risk of addiction to it..." Or at least not physical addiction. The risk posed to those who wished cures for any ailment and fatigue turning on others to sate their desires was always a possibility. Still, first time users were safe enough so long as they didn't indulge.
"A broken mind?" She asked, somewhat hopeful.
"That...I am not sure," He felt somewhat bad at seeing her look down again, "It is always possible, but I never tried it before as I had no reason to," He did wonder now if it could cure Hollowing, even for a bit. But no, even if it brought them back to their sanity it would likely be temporary, "If you wish to try it then I will not stop you. When I next gain Humanity I will see if I can offer it to you."
"...We shall see," She turned back to her Familiar. He debated whether to tell her what she'd told Guiche before deciding against it. She didn't ask and it was preferable if as few people as possible knew. Raziel took her silence as a sign to leave before her voice called out again, "Wait. Another favor."
"For what?" He asked. Debts were something to be repaid and he didn't mind doing so, but only if he actually owed them. He didn't wish to owe anyone and he didn't appreciate it when others implied debts that weren't there.
"For staying here," She turned back to look at him, "Not your fight. Not mine either. Another debt," She pressed. Raziel's eyes narrowed and his lips quirked into a slight frown. She...had a point. Technically he owed the others as well, though he supposed in Guiche's case they were already even. The same circumstances that applied to her applied to Kirche.
"I suppose," He nodded and sighed, "What is it that you wish? I already agreed to offer you Humanity at earliest convenience."
"Not for me. For Sylphid," She petted her Familiar's snout, earning an affectionate chirp from the dragon, "Her tail."
"What about it?" It was a magnificent tail to be sure and he was often kept up at nights at the thoughts of it's perfect contours and possible weaponry, but to all the others it was naught but a simple organ that held no value.
"Stop it," Raziel's brows furrowed. What did she mean 'stop it'? "Leave her alone," Tabitha clarified, "No more. Find other tails."
It was only after a few seconds that the word's meaning finally settled in his mind, "Wh-What? Why?" The look on his face could best be described as the look of a child that had been scolded and had his toy taken away. While Sylphid chirped happily at her master's protection Raziel's jaw hung open in despair as his hands shook. Tabitha could almost see what looked to be tears at the edges of his yes.
"You're hurting her. No more," She finished coldly.
"F...Fine...i-i-it is not as if I needed her tail," He crossed his arms again and 'hmphed' as he looked to the side. When asked later he would claim to be incapable of pouting, and yet the expression on his face matched that very same expression as he tried in vain to maintain the illusion that her declaration did not bother him in the least. Were she more expressive she might have actually found it funny enough to laugh, but given that she wasn't she made do with turning back to her Familiar and ignoring him.
Now he needed to go. Raziel sighed and went towards the inn. With every person he talked to his mood seemed to worsen. He needed to prepare on what to do when meeting Louise: For all he knew she would suddenly tell him he wasn't pretty enough to be her Familiar or something.
When he had arrived at the second floor of the inn he wasn't even surprised to find that it wasn't empty.
"Louise, please open the door," Daphne knocked on the door gently and waited for a response only to be met with the same quiet that had plagued her for the past half hour, "Louise, please. I don't know what happened but you can't stay in there," She pleaded once again. There was nothing stopping her from forcing the door open, but she wanted her to come out willingly, not because the big bad Vampire forced her to.
Daphne placed her forehead against the door in frustration. Her mission was assessing the damages to the invading fleet and she was technically breaking orders by focusing on Louise instead. Amethyst had at least offered to look around for both of them but sunrise would come in a few hours time and they needed to leave the village before then to avoid getting any attention.
"What are you doing here?" Raziel's sudden question caused her to jump in surprise. She turned to look at him and flinched as she saw the bandages and bruises dotting his body. The suspicious stare he was giving her did little to lighten her mood.
"My sister and I were sent here to investigate the rumors of the fleet's destruction the capital received hours ago," She straightened the skirt of her commoner dress, "Our taskmaster considered it important enough that we were allowed to use our abilities in full so we could get here as soon as possible. Amethyst is examining the field so we can figure out what to report."
"That is not what I asked," He went past her and knocked on the door. No reply, "I surmised that you were here on a mission, but what are you doing here at the inn? Were you hoping to question Louise on what happened and her role in all this?"
"Her role? Is she involved with what happened to the fleet," Raziel said nothing and knocked on the door again, "Please, I know you have little reason to trust me, but if something is troubling Louise then I wish to know. To myself and Amethyst she is as close as a sister and we don't want to leave her in this state before we go back to the capital. She wasn't even supposed to be here."
"I can sympathize with your relationship, but it is not my place to say," He stopped knocking and glared at the door as if it was at fault, "I do not truly understand what happened myself and I came here in part to find out," He also needed to see if Louise was okay, but he didn't bother verbalizing that point, "How long has she stayed locked in this room?"
"According to the villager we asked, for at least a few hours now," She frowned, "I've been trying for the past hour to get her to open the door, but she refused and won't even say a word in response other than 'Go Away," Her hands shook, "We don't know what happened. I doubt we were the first to attempt this. We heard princess mention wanting to talk to her and not getting much in response beyond wishing to talk later."
"Should she be left alone then?" Raziel asked.
"No, I'm sure it won't be healthy if she stays in there and stews with what happened. It happened before when she was a child and without Cattleya coaxing her out
"Let me try then," He knocked harder and called out, "Louise, it is me. Open the door."
"I will wait downstairs and give you some privacy," Daphne bowed slightly and went down the stairs, leaving him alone to his thoughts. Louise wasn't responding and he doubted pleading would coax her out.
"Louise, I am giving you a chance to open the door before I break it down," A shuffle of movement responded before all went still once again, "You know me well enough that I do not jest. Open the door or I will break it down and carry you out," He threatened. He would do it if he had to but he would have preferred not to. Given what just happened he didn't want to test his luck.
From inside the room Louise sat with her knees to her chest, staring at the wall in a blank daze. Voices tried to coax her out, each pleading to her that they wanted to talk about what happened or see if she was alright. She appreciated the gesture, but she didn't want to talk. She wanted to stay in this room and forget everything that happened, forget the burning and crushed bodies.
The knocking intensified. Who was...oh right, her Familiar, "Go away," She debated once again to open the door or ignore him in the hopes that he'd go away. She'd heard of his threat and she knew he wouldn't hesitate to do so, but something kept her from standing and talking to him. If anyone could talk to her about it he of all people could. He'd killed enough people for it.
Brimir above, she wanted to talk to her mother again. No doubt she would tell her to move on and state that she did what had to be done in order to safeguard Tristain, but she still wanted to hear it from her, to have someone that understood. She wanted to ask her mother why she felt pride at her accomplishments while all she felt was disgust and sickness.
She should have been happy, right? She'd destroyed the invading fleet and ensured that Tristain wouldn't fall under those dishonorable opportunists who would break treaties and kill families. But those soldiers...how many of them truly knew what was happening? How many were simply tricked by Cromwell with false promises? How many fought just for the sake of their countries?
A fresh wave of tears escaped her eyes as the knocking once again reached her ears. Raziel would...Raziel wouldn't judge her. She didn't want the the princess or her 'older sisters' to see her like this. She didn't want to see their face as they realized what she'd done. But not him, her Familiar...he wouldn't care no matter what and even if she did judge him she could stomach that easier compared to them. He wasn't in any position to judge her.
Outside, Raziel's patience was wearing thin, "Louise, talk to me," He growled in frustration and looked up at the ceiling, mimicking a breath, "Louise, you cannot ignore what has happened. You cannot plug your ears, cover your eyes and hope to ignore reality. Eventually you will have to come to terms with what happened and you will have to understand. Better to do it sooner than later."
Shuffling footsteps drew closer to the door before, like the opening of a monster's cage, the door drew back to reveal Louise, "...What do you want?" He was silent. He had assumed it would be bad but from what he saw of her she appeared as if she was near death's door. Dust coated skin, her hair in wild tangles and reddish eyes along with the clear marks of near constant crying.
"We need to talk," He finally replied.
"So you've said," She went back into the room and sat on the bed again, facing away from him. Raziel hesitated slightly before following her inside, closing the door behind him quietly, "What do you want to talk about?" She asked as the room was once again shrouded in darkness. Right now she found the quiet and solitude comforting when normally she would consider it unnerving.
"I think we both know," Raziel sat on the bed across from her, making sure to face the other way. A moment of silence passed before Louise scooted closer to him so they could sit back to back, "...Are you okay?"
"How could I be?" She asked back, her voice hollow, "How many people were on those ships when the explosion hit? How many of those who tried to sacrifice themselves so we could reach that point without getting killed were still fighting when the fires expanded? I...I never imagined I would kill even a single person, but how many in that fleet? Hundreds? A thousand?"
"...Why do you feel guilty?" He asked back, somewhat confused.
"Why? It's...hard to express in words," She closed her eyes as they once again burned, "Those soldiers, the sailors on the ships...I saw how they died. I could...feel it somehow," She sucked on her teeth and swallowed her spit, "I saw one of them when I tried to get you. He was trapped under rubble and...and his skin was being burned off. He asked me for help and all I could think about was how much I wanted to get away from him."
"You feel bad for killing them then..." Same as Guiche, "If you didn't kill them then the dead that would be clouding your thoughts are of this country's soldiers and the villagers of Tarbes rather than the fleet. I do not claim to know of war, but from what I understand either one side or the other dies. From what I can see nobody wins. Both sides have casualties, one more than the other, and the survivors are left to pick up what remains."
"Don't you ever feel guilt? When you kill someone?"
"No," She wished she could have said she was surprised, but she honestly wasn't, "I have told you of my origins. Lordran was not a place where you hesitated in defending yourself. Even a second of doubt is enough to lead to you dying," He brought a hand through his hair, "I...know that this might not be what you want to hear...but you did what was best in the situation you were placed. All of us would be dead if not for you."
"...Thanks," The words didn't offer much relief, but she was glad that he was trying, "What about what happened to your friends? You don't feel guilty for that?"
"...I felt sad that they were gone, but killing them was necessary then. If I did not then they would have been left as Hollows and that is a fate worse than death. To lose control of their bodies and become mindless monsters...no one deserves that," He shook his head. No need to dwell on the past, "Regardless it does not help you to stay in this room and stew in your resentment."
"Hmm, I suppose you're right," She didn't move from her spot and stared outside the window, "...It's going to rain soon," She eyed the coming clouds, "That will make the burning of the bodies difficult."
"...Are you okay?" He asked again.
"You already know the answer to that," She stood up briefly and sat next to him before he could say anything else. Raziel was about to ask what she planned to do before she scooted closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder. The height difference between them wasn't so large and she had to lean downwards a bit to do it. He looked down and kept still as she continued the bizarre action.
"What is the purpose of this?" He asked after a moment of silence.
"Big sis Catt and I used to do this all the time whenever I felt bad about something," He breath tickled his skin, "Whenever mother, father or honored sister Eleanor scolded me for not doing well enough I would run away and hide in the boat docked at the pond. None of them knew where I was and Big sis Catt would always come get me. I would always resist and tell her I didn't want to see her and she...she just sat there and waited for me to finish yelling."
"You really care about your sister."
"More than anyone else," She whispered, "No matter what she always supported me and it was the thought of her smile that kept me going when I was at my darkest moments. Without her...I'm not sure if I would have had the capacity to keep going and studying so I wouldn't get expelled. It wasn't as if my parents or Eleanor would care if I got the highest grades as long as I was the 'Zero'."
"Hmm, I apologize I cannot comfort you. I am...inexperienced in this regard."
"No kidding," She rolled her eyes and tried to reposition herself again so she could comfortably rest her head on his shoulder. After a minute of this she scooted away with a sigh, "Forget it. Your skin's too cold and you're too stiff. I can't do it well enough," She forced a smile, "...Just tell me one thing. What happened to Wardes? Is he..."
"He is dead. I threw his body off the boat myself."
"Oh..." She didn't know how to feel. Relieved? Sad? Right now she couldn't feel much of anything, "Good...well, I...I guess I should go talk with big sis Daphne and then the princess. They...They must be worried..."
"Go ahead, I will catch up," He let a small smile slip and waved goodbye to Louise as she left the room. He waited a few minutes after she left before he punched the wall hard enough to leave a noticeable crack. He could see the wound in his right hand open and bleed, but he ignored the pain and punched the wall again.
How many died here? All the soldiers, all the villagers...in the end it was a stack of bodies that no one benefited from, "Tch," He clenched his hand and pressed it against his stomach as the blood dripped down the reopened wound. He was frustrated, same as Louise. This village...it would never be the same. Friends and family lost and those who shouldn't have been involved were traumatized by what they'd seen and done. It was stupid of him to feel so frustrated but he couldn't help it. Being in this land he had learned to become accustomed to a fragile peace.
Everything that had happened was just now sinking in. He didn't know what was going to happen now and a part of him didn't want to know. His friends were safe and they were all alive. It may have been selfish to ignore those that had passed but it served no one to wallow in frustration. He needed to move on, as he had told Louise.
He stared outside the window at the clouds for a moment before he followed Louise's lead and made to leave the room, "Oh, there you are!" He came face to face with Daphne, her hand reaching out to push the door open. Raziel blinked and stepped back, "Sorry, it's just that I wanted to say thank you for getting Louise out. She promised we'd talk later but at least she's talking."
"It is nothing to be thanked for. I...care about her as well," He mimicked a cough and moved past her. Daphne nodded with a smile all the same before an intoxicating smell reached her nostrils, "Wait, do you smell that?" She asked. Raziel looked back and looked at her in confusion, "I..can't explain. It's like a sweet smell. You do not smell it?"
"I do not smell anything," He wrinkled his nose and sniffed. Apart from dust and the metallic smell of his reopened wound he couldn't make out much of anything, "Are you not just wearing perfume?"
"No, it's..." She sniffed the air once again before she realized the smell was coming from him. She looked him over and her eyes widened as she saw the crimson coated bandage on his right hand, "Is...Is that blood? I...I thought Undead did not bleed?" She swallowed audibly and tried to stop herself from salivating. Blood was tempting to all Vampires, but the urge was easy enough to control. So where did these impulses come from?
"It is a...recent addition," He shrugged. Had he realized a Vampire's reputation with blood and their need for it he would have a much less muted reaction, but Vampires were never something he learned about beyond the occasional mention by the headmaster. In any case he assumed she had fed before coming to the village, "Neither Louise or I know the reason for it."
"Um...huh?" Her mind was in a haze. What was wrong with her?
Daphne suddenly grabbed his hand and raised it to her face, "What are you doing?" His eyes narrowed at her unfocused gaze. Before he could say anything else she pressed her lips against is palm and coated her mouth in the red fluid. He flinched slightly; her lips were soft, he could tell even through the bandages, and he felt surprisingly at ease despite her bizarre actions. Was it because he trusted her? No, he didn't know her well enough for that. And her Charm magic didn't work on him last time she'd attempted it. Still, he couldn't deny that he found her presence oddly comforting.
All pretenses of comfort disappeared as soon as she bit him and tore open his skin.
"Aghhh!" He pushed her away and held onto his right hand tightly. Daphne's expression remained unfocused as she gulped down the blood and ignored the torn skin clinging to her lips. The blood tasted sweet; much fresher than any other blood she'd had in decades. It reminded her of the blood of a newborn her parents had given her when she was still newly learning and didn't realize how wrong it was to feast on unwilling participants.
"Wh-What?" She shook her head to try and dispel the haze. Not giving her a chance to say anything else Raziel pushed her into the wall and grabbed her neck with his left hand, "I...I didn't mean to do it. I just-"
"I do not care what you were doing!" He tightened his grip on her neck and she let out a cry of pain as the dark hand made contact with her skin. She might have had reasons for acting in that manner but he didn't care to hear them, "I should kill you right now," He snarled. Daphne let out a nervous breath as she saw his eyes turn completely black for a moment before it turned back to normal.
"Please...I just lost myself...for a moment...I can explain," She could have fought back, but once again her mind was assaulted with dark impulses. To drink in his blood, to drain him dry till there was nothing left and she could indulge her hunger. If she fought back now she couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't hurt him in such a way that he would die from his injuries.
"Explain what? That you tore my skin and ate it?"
"I-"
"What are you doing to my sister!?"
Raziel turned to look back but he was already too late as a swift kick to his legs and a sickening crack made it clear that he was outmatched. Raziel fell down, though his grip on the Vampire never loosened and she followed him, "Let go of my sister!" A hand grabbed at the the hair at the back of his neck and pulled. Raziel's grip loosened and he was thrown back and hit the wall with another audible crack. His chest felt like it had caught fire and he spit out blood as his vision darkened.
"Daphne, are you alright?" Amethyst knelt down and inspected her sister closely. She could see the blood coating her sister's lips, but she ignored it in favor of combing her over for injuries, "Did he hurt you? I swear I'll-"
"Am-Amethyst, it was my fault. I-"
Raziel forced himself to stand and punched Amethyst at the back of her head. Not letting up he grabbed the fabric of her dress and pulled her back before continuing his assault. He didn't know if he was really hurting her and he didn't care. He wouldn't stand and apologize for defending himself.
"Wait, stop figh-"
"Let go of me!" Amethyst opened her mouth and exposed her now visible fangs before she pulled him close and bit his neck. Raziel released another snarl and pushed her off before he fell back, both hands clasping his neck. Ah, Gods above why did that hurt so much!? It felt as if he had been pricked in a blade coated in poison.
She continued by grabbing his neck and giving him a solid punch. His vision darkened briefly before he saw her pull her fist back for another attack. In his condition he didn't have the physical strength to fight her equally. He did the first thing that came to mind.
"Ahh!" She screamed in both pain and surprise as Raziel bit on her wrist hard enough to draw blood, "You son of a-Ah!" He bit down harder as another punch connected to his head. Raziel could feel both her blood and his own forcing its way down his throat, but not once did he consider letting go. Amethyst could feel his teeth tearing through her skin and drawing more blood.
He was asking for it. The Vampire drew out her fangs again and-
"STOP IT!" Daphne forced them apart, her own fangs visibly jutting out in anger, "This is my fault! There's no reason for either of you to fight!" She took a deep breath and ignored the impulse driving her, "Amethyst, cover your nose!" She raised her hands and covered the lower half of her face after her yell.
"What-"
"Do it!" Shocked by her sister's sudden demand, Amethyst reluctantly covered her nose. Immediately she felt as if something was missing.
"Sir. Raziel," She turned to the bleeding Undead, "I apologize for my actions but please know that I did not mean to cause you harm. It is your blood it is..."
"Fresh, like that of a newborn," Amethyst finished for her, "I understand now. I'm better at controlling my impulses but Daphne...she almost never drinks blood even when given the chance. To smell your blood...it must have caused her to lose control. The smell is intoxicating and to any Vampire
"I do not appreciate being treated as food," He stood up on shaky legs and glared at the pair.
"But this is wrong," Amethyst continued, "Unless you're a newly born infant your blood should already be old and congested. It shouldn't be this...fresh, if that is the proper term. And...And I was able to hurt you without feeling the urge to hold back. I...I could have killed you. We aren't supposed to be able to hurt humans."
"Undead are not supposed to bleed in the first place. Blood should have long turned rotten," He frowned, "Whatever this condition is it seems that it as an unintended side-effect," He scowled, "And as for you hurting me I suppose it has something to do with my Undead. Most don't consider Undead to be humans, and I see no reason you should be any different. Why hesitate when fighting someone who has already died?"
"Perhaps you're right," Amethyst conceded.
"There's nothing more I can say other than that I'm sorry and I'll do my best to ensure it doesn't happen again," Daphne bowed in apology, "We...We should clean up those wounds..." She raised a hand to offer to him but he flinched back and shook his head.
"I understand your situation; Undead hunger for something to ensure we don't lose ourselves as well. But..." He pursed his lips, "If possible I would prefer if we stay as far away from one another as we can. Your apology is sincere but I would rather not rely on words and trust alone that nothing like this will happen again," He gave his own slight bow, "Take care of yourselves."
Ignoring Daphne's hurt look he turned around and went down the stairs towards the open center. Fate had a sense of humor it seems. If they ever found out his blood replenished itself and he suffered no ill effects from not having it in his body...well, if they tried anything he wouldn't hold back anymore. Honorary sister to Louise or no he wasn't going to let himself become a roast.
Getting his bandages changed wasn't too difficult, though Siesta questioned him constantly on how he had reopened his wounds. After promising to tell her when they got back to the academy she agreed and told him that Louise had taken Derflinger with her and was meeting the queen at the chapel. An odd place for a meeting with royalty but he supposed they had little choice in the matter now. Siesta told him that he should go as well and after a quick word of thanks he had done so.
Arriving at the chapel's front door he saw Agnes standing guard, "You look even worse than when you were at the palace," She smirked slightly, a gesture he didn't return, "Alright, Mr. Purity. Princess Henrietta and Lady Valliere are inside. According to that talking sword of yours they should wait for you before he started explaining. I'll keep watch out here to make sure no one tries to eavesdrop. That Gramont kid looked like he was going to but his lady friend led him away."
"Understood," He went past the taller woman and opened the door to the small chapel. Thinking back on it he didn't actually get a good enough look at the chapel in his entire time in the village; he'd always been too busy helping around the other places and his disinterest in the religion caused him to spurn the idea of visiting places of worship. Even during the wedding he had stayed outside and waited for the ceremony to finish.
The inside was much more modest than he thought it would be. While it was to be expected given its location and much smaller size he was still surprised by the lack of lavish decorations one used so as to not offend their Gods. Apart from the wooden pews the only thing inside was the statue of who presumed to be Brimir, who was represented with a man raising up his staff while his body was covered in concealing robe. It reminded him of Ingward.
He spotted Louise and the princess close to the statue, the former kneeling down in prayer as she mumbled words he couldn't make out. Next to them Derflinger was leaning against the wall.
"Sir. Raziel, it is good to see that you are...well," She coughed awkwardly. Saying he was well was pretty inaccurate all things considered, "We have all seen better days, but Father Brimir must be watching out for us if we survived this hopeless battle."
"That's closer than you think, your highness," Derflinger piped up from his spot on the floor, "Anyway, now that partner's here we can get to explaining what exactly happened back there once Pinky finishes her praying."
They waited a few more minutes before Louise stood up and looked back at both of them, "...What happened to your face?" She pointed out the new cut and bruises he sported on the right side of his head.
"Ask your 'sisters'," Raziel rolled his eyes at Louise's confused expression, "Enough. We came here to discuss what happened up there with the fleet. I suspect Derflinger knows what truly transpired."
"Yup, sure do!" He clicked, "Hey do me a favor and place me on the statue, would you? I want to be able to see all of you from up high."
Louise made to pick him up before Raziel could, "You shouldn't be carrying anything right now," She foisted the rusted sword up with both hands and leaned him against the statue's legs.
"Ah, that's better. Much more appropriate this way with Brimir watching us too," Derflinger chuckled, "Now...how much do you all know about Void Magic?"
And done :) This chapter was supposed to be longer: There was a talk with Chester along with Wardes' first awakening as an Undead. Sadly it got too long before I realized it and since I want to play modded Dragon Age: Origins and II I didn't want it to be this long. I'll just put them in the next chapter along with the finishing events of the arc.
The only thing I had to say was that I initially planned for the talk with Louise to be much more violent/belligerent, but when writing it down it ended up being much more calm than I thought it would be. Maybe next time when the argument's much more petty.
LD 1449 - Then why is it in Artorias' grave being protected by his best friend who's completely willing to die for it? And why only one tribute ring rather than many of them? I'm guessing they just fucked up the lore timing in order to add in a new boss.
Jamin1227 - Maybe Hollows don't respawn at bonfires cause they're already too far gone? It makes some amount of sense that you need high functioning mental capacity to use bonfires.
xbox432 - You and me both :) Hate writing the things.
Krulla Chief - ...Magnificent bastard? Manus was useless in that chapter. Even if he wasn't there the demons would have been released and the entire family would have still been corrupted. All he did was screw with them prior to it. And none of it was planned either; it's quite obvious he's running around blind. I don't really like that chapter to be honest, but it's part of the story of story so meh.
beez - Not rude at all: I hate the flashback chapters. That's why I'm incorporating segments into the main story rather than making them into separate chapters.
guest - Bonfires are complicated. Again they break narrative flow since 'bosses' in ZNT have no reason to stick around once they accomplish their goals and/or escape the fight.
Wondering Muse - That sounds like a mega crossover, which I personally dislike. Look for the fanfic 'Zulu Squad no Tsukaima' if you want one of those.
Lord Sunder - Yeah I'm trying to improve my grammar :) Still no proofreader though and no Microsoft Word, so it's slow going. And I really don't like old english; hence why no one really speaks it anymore. I could put it in a translator but I did so before and it ended up missing words and making the sentence change meaning.