Chapter 4 Kindness Of The Berzerker
Issei found himself slouching miserably alone, in the dark abyss that surrounded him. The dark forced Issei to feel alone, but Issei's suffering was visible through his poster. Issei held his head down only, afraid to lift his head. Many figures appeared around Issei, though all their faces were obscured by static, Issei knew they were there but refused to look up.
"Are you just gonna sit there and look like a sad pathetic mess?" A female voice echoed through the abyss. Issei curled up more cringing at the comment.
"I mean, it's no surprise your this week, even your parents thought so." Another voice cracked like a whip.
The darkness of the abyss slowly closed around him, with shadow creeping towards him. The figures started to get close yelling and spitting poisonous words at Issei. One figure stood amongst the crowd, its hair red, with glowing eyes of icy blue looking at Issei.
"How much longer are you gonna waist around, feeling sorry for yourself." The shape said, kicking Issei in the rips hard making the boy fall to the ground.
"You should just get over it and kill your pathetic self." The rest of the figures yelled the same. Issei could start to feel the wind kick up, as his eyes drifted toward the dark sky to see a terrible red dragon, with a snarling flame in its mouth. Flying circles around Issei.
Issei shook out of fear, staring at the beast. As it landed in front of Issei, its claws stabbed his legs, Issei was pinned to the ground at the mercy of the beast, its glowing green eyes glared right through Issei.
"You are a failure, who couldn't wield my power at all." The dragon looked at Issei's missing arm.
"You think that right arm is all that was owed, I own your soul slave. It's funny, you are weak, you were born to be nothing but fodder for others, now you bawl and shirk like an animal, you aren't worthy of anything, so die a weakling and burn in the inferno, you wreathed ant." The dragon took a deep breath as crimson fire bubbled in his throat.
"Wake up!" A voice cried. Issei looked to where it came from but found no one.
"Wake up!" this time, it was louder, while feeling pressure on his chest. The dragon blasted a flood of flames at Issei.
"WAKE UP!" A voice yelled to Issei so loud, that the flame wisped away and the dragon was thrown off. Issei was flung into the abyss.
Issei woke up in a cold sweat, his eyes opened to dim darkness, breathing deep and slowly finding his throat to be burning in pain, bruises covered his body, dry blood stained his skin, feeling aches in his bones, while cuts riddle his body. Issei was drenched in water. The worst was that Issei felt his jaw was dislocated. His shaky hand reached for it, holding his jaw. Issei knew he had to pop it back into place, taking more deep painful breaths.
POP!
pushing it back into place, making a loud pop noise.
Issei held his mouth shut, to muffle his scream, rocking back and forth in pain. Crying in pain, Issei regained his senses, he looked at his surroundings, and seeing he was in a cave he felt the stone floor beneath him, the cave was damp. The sound of dripping water echoed through the cave. Issei looked at the end of the tunnel to see light coming from the exit of the stone cave. Issei painfully stood up and limped to the exit.
"I wouldn't move if I were you." A smooth voice spoke out from behind. A voice Issei thought belonged to Rogal because how calm the tone was. Turning around with hope in his eyes, hoping that Rogal and Konrad took him away from the one who did this to him.
Issei's eyes latched on to the one sitting before him. Angron sat on the floor, her size of seven and a half feet blocking off half the other side of the cave, while Angron showed a calm expression, her eyes watched Issei intently. Issei shook where he stood, he had nothing to fight her, evading wasn't even an option. Issei knew their giant size didn't mean they were slow, but at worst Issei could feel a flare of aura that felt warm and kind. Issei wouldn't be fooled by this feeling. Issei looked at Angron right in her yellow eyes, rage boiling. He could see there was no anger in her eyes, which he thought was a trick. Issei expected Angron should be trying to rip off his head after what he did. Angron raised one eyebrow at Issei's angry stare.
Angron felt a laugh, bubbling in the back of her throat. Such a rage in a small creature, though the understanding was there, Angron couldn't help, but smirk.
"If you are trying to stare me down I find it laughable." Angron said in an arrogant tone of voice. Issei hated her tone of voice, while Angron chuckled lightly. Issei yelled in rage, but his voice was raspy, gurgling, and coughing.
"Fu-ck you!"
Angron's smile faded, it was a normal reaction, after the things she did to him. It was understandable, but Angron couldn't help feeling relieved, if he had said that when she still had the butcher nails, she would have ripped the boy in two. Angron held her first out offering it to Issei.
"Wha-t are you d-oing?" Issei growled venomously.
"Issei right? you must be tired." Angron opens her hand to show a makeshift bowl laying in her palm. It was small to her, but to Issei saw the size of a normal bowl, full of clean water. The giant laid the bowl on the ground. Angron jested it to Issei.
"Drink, you look horrible, I need you well and rested."
Issei didn't move an inch toward the bowl, only keeping his eyes on Angron. The cave surroundings were silent, Angron knew the boy was angry with her, so she welcomed it. The feeling of free pain was not unwelcome to Angron. Issei's eyes tried to study Angorn trying to find a hint of malice or hate, though found nothing but calmness in her eyes.
"F-i-ne!" he yelled, marching towards the bowl, putting his lip to the side of the bowl, dowing the liquid within it. The cool liquid that flowed into him was refreshing. Issei, having enough for now puts the bowl down on the ground.
"You-r n-ot going to punch me in the f-ace -again, are you?" Issei asked, not taking his eyes off the bowl. Angron found the boy to be very strange, he didn't show any fear, only anger, which dissipated into shyness. Angron was confused by this and still answered the question.
"No, I will not punch you in the face." Angron answered truthfully.
Issei drank from the bowl again. Issei's voice started to clear but was very scratchy.
"So what was that back there?" Issei asked.
Angron knew he was referring to her violent outburst. She took a long sigh and looked away from Issei. The injured teen could see Angron was in disarray, fidgeting with her hands.
"It's complicated." Angron told Issei. Issei had a lot of things going through his mind, but the worse had come to him. The injuries he had were nothing compared to past experiences. Issei hated how that was the truth.
Issei could tell how much Angron hated what she did, to Issei it felt like he was looking at another person, and seeing her eyes was like seeing new emotions that had been kept away for years. Issei didn't know what to think. The whole situation was weird enough as it is. Issei still had a promise to keep, to help all of the Rogal sisters no matter what.
"Are you giants or something?" Issei asked true feeling lost in his situation
"No, I'm a Matriarch." Angron answered. Issei in all of his short time dealing with the supernatural has never heard such a name. The word sounded like it meant royalty.
"What's that?" Issei asked further. Angron thought maybe Issei had not met the imperium yet, so she answered honestly.
"Oh well, a Matriarch is not a giant, I am human in a sense, but improved in many ways than others." Angron explained, remembering when her creator told her origins.
"So you're human, just bigger and tougher"
"Yes and no there still more to me, than just that," Angron confirmed. "I do apologize for my assault on you, forgive me I have no honor."
Silence began to take over the room, Issei needed to go back to the others but did not know if Angron would let him leave, So Issei decided to find the answer himself.
"You're not gonna let me go back to the others, are you?" Issei asked in a downcast tone, head hung down low in disappointment.
"Yes." Angron answered, her gaze not falling off Issei for a minute. She could see the disappointment in his posture. Angron didn't know what to do, she couldn't figure out how to ease into this.
"Why not?" Issei asked, gripping his hand in anger.
"Because for your best interest and mine, you shouldn't return." Angron spoke calmly, noticing how Issei was in discomfort. Angron knew it best for the boy to stay away from her sisters, epically Konrad. The Night Hunter was her so-called title. Angron wanted to know why Issei wanted to return, was it out of fear or cowardice? Though all of that didn't matter, as she wanted to know the most fundamental thing that happened to her.
"How did you do that?" Angorn asked
"Do what." Issei looked at Angron, remembering the head damage he caused. Angron slowly pointed to the back of her head.
"Oh, I- I don't know." Issei said in a defeated tone of voice, he slumped his head down. "God I never felt anything like that."
Issei brought his knees to his chest, thinking about the unknown power that flared through him. Remembering how it felt, Issei couldn't describe what happened to him. It wasn't demonic, holy, or mystic and everything inside of him was a supernova of energy.
"Are you a psyker?" Angron asked
Issei, puzzled by the word didn't know what to say, he heard all manner of beings, such as angels, demons, and phoenixes, but nothing like psyker.
Angron could see Issei had no idea of what he did to her. The World eater wanted to know more, she wanted to know how this boy cured the mutilation of her mind. So many questions had to be answered. Though they need to move from this area soon, there was no telling how much ground she covered away from her sisters.
"We will be moving again soon, I'll gather some food for you when I come back-" Angron commanded, but was interrupted by issei.
"No, I can't leave them, I have to go back." Issei shouted.
"Why do you want to go back?" Angron asked.
Issei looked at the bowl in front of him, with a longing gaze.
"I made a promise to Rogal, to help everyone on the planet, I refuse to go back on my word." Angron looked at Issei, seeing Issei'si noble action. Angorn knew there was more to his words than just kindness there is something else that lay beneath.
"Your words mean nothing." Angron said in a harsh whisper.
Like that she walked off towards the light of the tunnel, she held her head down, eyes showing downcast. Issei sat there in self-hate, cursing himself. He turned his head to his now captor, the blood in his veins turning cold. Issei watched as Angron, now outside of the cave, moved a giant boulder in front of the entrance, cutting all light to the cave, and shutting him off.
Issei curled up into a ball, weeping softly. While he cried softly, the sound of his sadness echoed throughout the cold walls of the cave.
Angron even outside of the cave could still hear soft cries that echoed inside. Angron felt distressed, her hands started to crush the outer layer of the large rock with little ease.
She hung her head low, walking away from the rock. Outside of the cave was a different story, oak trees, with white stocks shot into the air, millions of purple leaves hanging, from white branches shading all in violet shade. The air smelt of sweet flowers aroma. The soil was bright orange, hard to the touch, but it didn't stop the trees that rooted into it. Though this forest was familiar to the earth. its out-worldly colors gave a sense of wonder. It filled the scary void of the brutality of nature, with mystery and hope.
Angron already took in her surroundings, with hasty awe, before finding the cave for issei and her to hide. Though after that leap into those rapids, she was sure they evaded her sisters. The World eater needed to get Issei food. Angron could tell how Issei hadn't eaten for a while. She cursed under her breath, how her sisters didn't do anything sooner.
"Damn you, Rogal, how long did it take you to feed someone, were you too busy attending to your projects." Angron marched to find something edible for Issei and maybe for herself, probably even doing a little indulging. 'Hell the thought of tasting something freely and without pain, being able to experience the flavor, stoked her.
Though she had to do it quickly, her mind did wonder what her sisters were doing. She was positive all of them had been tracking her, hunting her like a dog. So if all of them were reunited, what would happen? What would they talk about? Could even any of them have a normal conversation, Without yelling at one another or threatening each other?
The campsite was in complete ruin, burnt ground stained most of the camp in black soot. Carefully built walls masterfully made smashed into pieces. The smoothed rock floor crumbled by a destructive force. Konrad sat on a pile of rubble playing with two retractable razor-sharp claws that sparked blue electricity and glowed a dim light blue. Konrad watched her claws, thinking of painful ways to cut Angron, for taking what was hers. In her right hand, the ripped fabric that Issei gave to her.
As Konrad piloted, many others gathered around some taking in their soundings, some taking a seat in silence, some conversing, others stood silently, for all the Matriarchs minus one were here. A lot of them were different sizes, but granted they were giants, a common height was about eight feet, between a lot of them.
Leman Russ sat far across from Konrad with a mad glare. Though she wanted to voice her words amongst their sisterhood, she waited for everyone to mentally gather. Rogal waited on standby, closing her eyes, and going into deep thought. If one did look close enough, Rogal's brow furrowed in anger so tiny.
One stood taller than the rest at a size of ten feet. Her armor was colored dark green, with a giant reptilian skull worn on her right shoulder, while her left had been covered in a scaly green pelt. At the end of her black armored limbs are beautifully painted flames covering them. A small golden-horned reptile's head was stuck on her chest plate. While behind her head the armored collar formed a gold sun. In her hand, was a giant hammer made of gold, decorated with golden dragons. Lazily hung from her hand. Though her most defining feature was her pitch-black charcoal skin, her eyes were glowing bright red eyes. The hair on her head was glowing warm colors, it was like fire. It was beautiful. Her hair is like an inferno that is laid on her head. Her name was Vulkan, Matriarch of the Seventeen legion known as the Salamanders.
Vulcan gently stared at Konrad, finding something odd, the night lord looked like she was fidgeting nervously.
Though Vulcan wasn't the only one to notice. One of her other sisters noticed the change in Konrad's personality, she stood off to the side from the carnage wondering what happened here.
Her eyes were shining like purple amethyst, while her skin was pale and creamy white. Her long flowing hair was white as snow. All put together with a strong slender face that screamed perfection. The armor she wore was pinkish purple, all over the edges of the armor are gold trimmings and on flat surfaces engraved golden designs, having knee pads of screaming gold faces, around her belt were little golden wings centered by a red jewel, the same style was also on her breastplate, though a two headed-eagle, was more present with a bigger red smooth jewel. All while being elevated by high-heeled shoes. Though on her right shoulder was a large golden wing that stuck out from her right shoulder plate.
On her hip was a longsword, its cross guard was that of golden wings, its handle a rich brown leather. The blade shined with a warm heat that could burn through anything. Her name was Fulgrim. The matriarch of the fifth legion of The Emperor's children.
"I've never seen, her like this." Fulgrim said to the other Matriarch, who was next to her. Fulgrim's voice was that of gentle silk.
Though, Fulgrim gave off an aura of beauty, elegance, and perfection. To her right was a different story if one were to look at the Matriarch to her right, you could feel her ironclad frustration illuminating the air around her.
She sat on a pile of rubble watching the others squabble amongst each other, trying to
Formulate a plan.
Her armor was a shiny metallic black, with bronze metallic trimmings all over her armor. Patterns of golden lining were planted on her plate's shoulders, and a symbol of silver gear, with a silver hand in the middle, was worn proudly on her breastplate and shoulder plates. Many chains hung from her waist and back. While on her back were a considerable amount of robotic arms, strange gadgets protruded from the strange pack that hung from her back. Though much of her armor was covered in oil and scratches. Like she was hard at work on a mechanical project. Her hair was long and black tied in a top ponytail, while her sides were shaven short, going well with her silver eyes.
Her hands were something else, a true marvel. Her muscular arms weren't covered by a metal coating over them, the metal had stopped halfway to her bicep. The metal in her arms was so infused into her skin, it looked like her arms were painted silver. By her side, a mighty war hammer lay on its head, handled straight up in the air.
This was the Matriarch of the tenth legion, Ferris Manus known as the Iron hands.
"You think her behavior is unusual, she is insane, Fulgrim." Ferris stated, in a gruff voice.
Fulgrim knew of the horrid ways Konrad acted toward her enemies. The away Konrad waged war, very few battles on the battlefield unless it was an absolute victory they could foresee. It was the terror they caused civilians and leaders, that made them surrender out of fear. Despite this, they are one of the few legions to have fewer casualties than any other legion in war. Fulgrim knew this first hand, for she helped train the Night lord in war or the correct answer supervise. Fulgrim looked at Konrad nervously.
"I know she isn't as mad as we think she is." Fulgrim jested. "She is hiding something, but what she hiding is a mystery."
"I thought that was sister Alpharius' job, to be secret." A more angelic voice said. All there turned around. Vulkan smiled, while Fulgrim smirked and Ferris raised her brow.
The Matriarch joked this person was something else she was beautifully enchanting and the words that were said wouldn't do her justice.
Her hair is blonde, bright, luscious, and free. Was like something from a fairy tale. Around her head was a laurel wreath crown, made out of solid gold. Her armor was golden and slimmer, complimenting her slim body. A large red jeweled reptile eye was placed on the chest plate. A white Leopard pelt, with brownish spots wrapped around her shoulder to her right waist. The head of the feline beast was mounted on her left shoulder. A sword sheathed by her right, A golden spear gripped in her hand, the tip shined a bright mystic blue. Though her beauty was breathtaking, the true most elegant feature was her large white wings that reached down to her behind her knees, it made her resemble an angel. Her looks were pure human perfection except for the wings which didn't belong but still made her more beautiful.
Her name was Sanguineous, Matriarch of the blood angels.
Almost all of the Matriarch admired Sanguineous and even loved and respected her. So when she spoke most of the room would listen.
"Oh dear sister, joking at a time like this, how Devious." Fulgrim jested.
"Ah Sanguineous, I truly fear what's to come to that boy though, but it wouldn't make sense for Konrad's behavior; she must dearly want to return to her home." Vulkan said her voice finally being heard, you could tell how gentle her tone of voice was, for it sounded so kind and welcoming. Giving joy to all those near her.
"I wouldn't say joking, it wouldn't hurt so far, but I do agree that boy safety is our number one issue." Sanguineous agreed with Vulkan.
Sanguineous looked towards Konrad with a worried look, and so did Vulkan her face looking sad.
"I'll go talk to her." Sanguineous suggested, trying to mediate the problem. Fulgrim quickly had a worried expression.
"Maybe, we should wai-"
Fulgrim tried to finish her sentence but it fell deaf upon Sanguineous ears, as she walked towards the brooding Konrad, with calmness.
Konrad was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the Matriarch of the blood angels walking up to her. The night lord finally acknowledged her sister with a single glance.
"Come here to scold me now, the wolf beat you to it." Konrad spat.
Sanguineous could see the Bruce on her cheek, though that did not sway her from talking to her sister.
"Konrad I know, you and I haven't talked for a while, I can't help but worry about you, please if anything disturbing you, please tell us." Sanguineous just asked for Konrad to let off any burden she was caring so heavily around.
"Disturbing me, you think I am disturbed right now, nonsense! I tell you this the only disturbance is that we all haven't been able to figure out how to get back to our legions and homes, that is all, nothing else, leave me." Konrad said in an annoyed growl.
Almost all of the Matriarch look towards the two, seeing such an unlikely duo, Converse would be interesting to watch.
Sanguineous not bothered at all by her sister she knew of her torturous visions she must've been suffering them quite frequently then, the blood angle herself had rare a glimpse into the futures as well, but they were vague and didn't tell much. Though Sanguineous looked towards the cloth, that fanged between Konrad's fingers.
"Please sister, I don't want any strife, Konrad, just some honest words." Sanguineous asked.
"They waste your words else we're." Konrad barked. Sanguineous still standing near Konrad. The blood angel looked more at the rag, seeing blood on it. She wondered what was in her hand a gift, a token, or worse a trophy.
"Konrad, why do you hold that rag? Did that boy give it to you?" She asked, trying to start a conversation with her sister. Konrad immediately hides the ragged way.
"It is nothing, just fabric that belonged to him." Konrad looked away into the woods, with a calm look. "It will be useful to track him with."
"Oh, Konrad!" Sanguineous said cheerfully, "You should give it to Russ, it would help us greatly."
Konrad glared at her sister, her fists gripping with rage. The Angel felt the hostile energy around. Konrad refused to let any of her sisters take the token of kindness given to her. Konrad realized all eyes were on her. Fulgrim, Vulkan, and Ferris had their hands hovered over their weapons. Sanguineous was still calm and relaxed. Konrad needs to make a lie to get these eyes off her.
"It wouldn't help. The fabric has no scent." Konrad said. Trying to make an excuse.
"Well, I'll be the judge of that Konrad." Russ said as she gripped her ax.
Sanguineous seeing how Russ was angered by Konrad's action slowly walked in front of Russ's warpath, stopping in her tracks. Though Sanguineous stood in her way, Konrad could still see Russ's gaze on her and unlike last time she is prepared for any assault thrown her way.
The Angel turned towards Konrad with a raised eyebrow.
" I'm sure, there would be no issue here." Sanguineius suggested. "Russ is sure Konrad will be more than reasonable, right Konrad."
Russ stood her ground staring at Konrad with a rugged gaze. Leman Russ stood her ground.
"Alright, sister I'll wait." Leman Russ said only for her to be cut off by another voice. Konrad had all eyes on her.
"Konrad give her the rag, anything can help us get back to our world." Fulgrim called out.
With a defeated groan, walking toward the Wolf lord. Konrad handed the rag to her, Russ grasped it from her hands not taking her eyes off Konrad. The Night lord grind her teeth, as the wolf lord gripped the cloth roughly.
Russ could see the malice in her eyes. Leman Russ didn't care, all she needed was a scent and the boy could be easily tracked down even if Argron bathed in that river. Leman Russ would know if he was near.
Bring Issei cloth to her face and sniffed it. Then just like Leman Russ had completely stopped moving as the smell of Issei enter her nose.
"Mmmmmarh." Russ moaned sensually, everyone stared with wide eyes at what Russ did. A moan escaped her lips, as Russ stared at the rag. Leman Russ broke out of her daze as Konrad stared at her sister with surprise.
"What in the Thorne!" Konrad yelled in shock.
Leman Russ Immediately looked around with a casual look on her face. Many looked at her with a different shock.
Sangunieius looked wide eye at her sister's reaction, showing such a perverted moan in front of them all. Flugrim had discouragement all over her face. Ferrus rolled her eyes. Vulkan shyly gasped.
"Oh, shut up all you, it not like you wouldn't do the same this human as such a nice smell to him, eh no wonder you hogged this to yourself Konrad but I do wonder?" Russ said as she suggested something. "You've been acting strange since you meet that boy. don't tell me you got in my way because you fancy the boy."
"Issei is our only clue to where we are and how to get back." Konrad suggested, in all her honest opinion, she was feeling very intense romantic feelings for Issei. Konrad didn't know how to approach them though, so it was better to leave it alone for now.
"Issei, ah. Konrad if you just wanted to bed with the boy, you could just tell us." Russ said nonchalantly. Russ had relaxed putting her hands on her hips.
"It's nothing like that you fools!" Konrad yelled back.
Konrads had started to fidget more. A red blush appeared on her pale face. Almost all Matriarch shouldn't be ashamed. Falling in love wasn't impossible, many of them had past lovers. Russ's younger years she had many past husbands. Vulkan started to think, she looked at Konrad's strange behavior.
Vulkan questioned herself. Konrad is a person who skinned and killed people for her sick twisted pleasure. An epiphany hit Vulkan like a lightning bolt. Vulkan gazed at Konrad with a calm look in her eyes. She took it upon herself to approach her.
"Konrad, have you ever bedded someone?" Vulkan asked kindly.
Konrad looked at Vulkan with an uncomfortable look, as a long awkward silence settled in the Matriarchs. Konrad didn't answer, her eyes were looking at any other that wasn't at Vulkan. Russ soon picked up on the question, and Russ softly giggled.
"You-r-r a virgin." Russ asked trying not to burst out laughing, Konrad grabbed the cloth from Russ's hand, stuffing it back in an armored pocket. Konrad felt embarrassed, she hated this feeling she quickly ignored everyone around her, blocked out any sound, and moved further away from the group sitting back down.
Sangunieius and Vulkan had saddened looks seeing Konrad being so depressed. Russ laughing faded and awkwardly turned away.
"Well, since we know Konrad's love life, who is going to find Angron." Asked a new voice. Her voice was mighty and commanding, and all of them turned towards the one speaking. Sangunieius had a smile on her face seeing who spoke.
She stood eight and a half feet tall. Her armor was bright white like shining snow. Gold thunderbolts were Designed on her chest, arms, and legs on the armor. Glowing red serpent eyes were on her pectoral chest plate. While one eye was in the middle of her chest. She wore a giant grey wolf's pelt on her shoulders, the wolf's head was still attached to the pelt and was hung over her right shoulder. Red dangly straps hung from her large shoulder armor. On her right hand, she wore a giant clawed gauntlet, the fingers were the size of great swords. On her hip was a black long mace, a spike on the head of the mace of the giant stood tall.
Her skin was flawless with a hint of a sun-kissed complexion. It went well with amber eyes, she had long grayish-black hair. The style of her hair was unique. The right side head was an undercut, while the top hair was thrown to the left side. The rest of it was tied in a tight long ponytail behind her head.
Her name was Horus Lupercal. The matriarch of the seventeenth legion known as the Luna Wolfs.
"The real question is who is willing to go to get Angron back." Horus suggested. The other went silent. "Well, this might be harder than I thought."
Many of them didn't know who should go some had their choices. The truth was who should go, but why?
"It seems we might need to think about this." Horus sighed sadly.
Many of them had a plan. All of them couldn't help but think about what Angrons was doing right now. One shudders to imagine what inhuman thoughts lie behind that violent mind of hers. What dreams of chronic and sustained cruelty?
Angron couldn't help but pick up every exotic flower she saw. All of this free-thinking was amazing for Angron as she walked with more pep in her step. Angron's face was more relaxed having fewer wrinkles even. Life was slowly coming back into her eyes. She was feeling whole.
Angron walked into the enchanted forest with hope in her eyes. She then heard a branch snap to see a hairy animal eating some and sniffing the dirt. It oddly looked like a black hog but had massive tucks, with razor-sharp quills on its back. It was the size of a large cow. Angron had to get food one way or the other. It looked as though the hog hasn't noticed her.
Griping the chain axe to her side. Angron quickly readied herself slowed her breath and narrowed her eyes. The hog raised its head at her staring at Angron. She swung the axe fast as lighting at the animal, cleaving the hog's head from its body. Making sure it was a painless death. The strange hog lay dead on the ground.
Angron picked up the dead animal, she skinned it like a rabbit, ripping off the skin easily. There was no red blood, the color of the meat was a sapphire blue on the animal, while its muscle tendons were purple. The meat was bright and clean the animal was probably still young.
"What a strange color?" Angron said out loud to herself.
Angron had what she wanted it was time to get back to the Issei. Taking deep breaths she waved her ax to get some of the blood off. She looked at the mess she had caused. Taking a long sigh, Angron walked towards the cave food to be cooked and more questioning to begin.
Angron needed to lead with the carrot, while the stick was out of the question. She hated what action she took against Issei. Angron felt such heavy guilt in her heart.
She wanted to help Issei as much as possible but dammit she needed answers.
Making her way to the cave she needed to move now, far as she knew this place was already tainted with evidence to track her. The giant boulder stood in the way, so she pushed it aside like a sliding door, letting the light into the dark cave. Angron was surprised to not see Issei up the front of the cave, she knew there was no other way out of the cave. it was a one-way entrance, so if that were the case he must have been in the very back hiding.
Angron smirked happily, dropping today's dinner on the cold cave floor.
"Now if you're trying to escape Issei, I warn you it, I look for you everywhere!" she yelled into the darkness, with an excited look on her face.
Walking into the cave she moved her hips back and forth in a playful way. Angron didn't even know what she was doing, she let her emotions run for her, thinking with her head last.
"Issei, come out, if don't you get no dinner." Angron said as she looked into the abyss to see no Issei, but she could hear his breath. He was in here and he was hiding. Angron smiled more, the excitement of cat and mouse got to her.
"Tisk! Tisk! Tisk! Issei I expected better things if you're not going to come out." Angron said, finally able to pinpoint where he was in the cave, for she could hear Issei breathing and he was very close.
"I'll have to turn every stone, look in every nook and cranny. I'm going to find you." Angron said, she stopped and took a calm breath.
"I'm going to look low and high." Angron looked up to see Issei clinging to a stalactite trying to hold his breath. Issei's eyes showed panic as held onto the stalactite. Issei's hand was caught in the cookie jar. He hung his head low in defeat. Angron looked amused. It was a good plan it probably took a lot out of Issei to get up there. The problem is that Angron knew all the tricks in the book.
"Are you going to hang up there all day or are you going to help make dinner." Angron asked.
Issei sighed letting his grip go and fell to the ground, he expected a rough landing. Only to be caught by two firm hands that grasped his waist. Angron held Issei firmly. He didn't want to look at Angron; he probably was gonna see a smug look on her face.
Issei was put down gently on the ground. He looked at the animal that was laying on the ground by the cave mouth. His only opinion on the body was it missing a head; At least Angron killed it humanely
"Why is it blue?" Issei asked Angron only to receive a relaxed shoulder shrug.
"It could be because of its diet, but I think will concentrate on cooking." Angron suggested.
"Come now make the fire or do you want to gut the thing, something with only one arm." she said.
Issei sighed and went outside the cave, Angron followed shortly behind. The teen looked around only for her Amgron to light push him to gain his Attention.
"Go get firewood Issei, oh, and try not to go too far, if I find any suspicious behavior I'll break your legs." Angron threatened. Though she averted eye contact saying it; she couldn't bare to see any hurt reaction from Issei.
"You said-."
Issei tried to say something, only for Angron to cut Issei off.
"I said I wouldn't punch you in the face, not hurt you more, remembered that." Angron said.
Issei thought quickly, but every answer he came up with to run from Angron, soon fell flat on its face. I can't outrun her. I can't out-think her. I can't even fight her.
"Dammit, what do I do!"
Issei was snapped out of his thoughts to see Angron looking at him with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Issei go to the firewood." She asked this time with more anger in the back of her voice.
" I guess I better do what she asks, don't worry everyone I'll come back."
Issei gathered as much wood as he could, he collected many broken branches, twigs, and pounds of kindling there. Soon he got tired and rested. He looked at the pile he had made, realizing it wasn't enough at all he needed to grab one of the bigger logs but he was too weak.
He tried to lift it but fell on his butt. Issei looked strained and didn't know what to do.
"God, man this was easy when I had my boosted gear." Issei then remembered all their training and the grueling hard work he had to do. "Okay it wasn't as easy I remember, but I was there." Issei said sadly.
That was when an epiphany struck Issei like a thunderbolt. If he is not a devil or doesn't have his boosted gear, Issei has one last trick up his sleeve that unknown power. He still couldn't fully understand what he did to Angron but maybe he could do it again.
Issei did a calm stance trying to think of a way to let it out.
"Okay, here I go. you gotta feel it out." Issei told himself.
Issei held out his arm trying to figure out the strange power within himself. Issei thought of ways he used to train himself with his old boosted gear. It was thanks to Rias he was able to control it.
"It was always Rias who helped him, so it should be easy." Issei mentally told himself. "I mean she is always there for me. Right?"
Issei forced himself to try and do something, but nothing happened. His arm started to shake sporadically.
"Come on just do it." Issei's voice started to crack, as remembered more of his training days, his mind going into a void of depression.
"Come on, please I need this, please." Issei said more quietly, his chest feeling heavier.
"You can do this, you won't fail like last time."
Another panic attack started to settle in, it felt like he was standing on eggshells. Issei shooked more violently. His teeth started to shake from his rapid breath.
"Come on you piece of shit, don't fail as you did in your match against Sairaorg, you'll win this time." Issei's voice started to sound more desperate. He was forcing all of his negative emotions down just to stand up.
"You'll win this time, Rias loves you if you win." He said in a broken voice. "They'll all love-ee-e mm-m-e If I win."
Just saying the name of the one he loved was enough to bring him to his knees, which hit the soft ground. He sat on his knees his head hung low as his hearing started to become nothing but disorientating ringing. Issei now having a panic attack sat motionlessly; he was so still one would think he was a statute. Issei's mind was a jumble of people negatively talking.
"I can't believe our son, is nothing than but a no-good pervert."
"Why did you disappoint Rias-Sama Why?"
"I'm not Rias to you I'm your president, So go away Issei, go stare at another pair of tits."
"Will you die for me Issei? HAHAHAHAHA!"
Issei suffered in silence as his panic attack took over painfully hurting his already broken mind. Though it was silent he wasn't alone. Angron watched from afar as she hid behind a tree, at first she went to see if Issei would do anything crazy or display any strange powers, to aid in a possible escape. Angron watched as her two heart's wrenched in pain from what they were witnessing.
The world eater clenched her fist hard. Her teeth gritted in righteous anger.
"Whoever this Rias is, pray to whatever god you worship, that I don't find you." Angron thought angrily.
Angron knew what his reaction meant, for she'd seen it happen to others before. Angron painfully remembered her gladiator enslavement days; Though she truly remembered the others that were enslaved with her, Angrons brothers and sisters.
Issei's pain reminded Angron of her brother and sisters; Sometimes when there were new slaves added to their maters roster, new blood would cry out for their old masters to take them back; they would cry out how kinda they were to them, asking why did they do this to their beloved servant.
"I'll let him cry now, then later, Oh why didn't I just stay away from you Issei? I'm so sorry for causing you so much pain." Angron thought.
Angron turned around to get started on cooking her food for the evening, but she stopped when Issei murmured something in a broken voice.
"I'll be stronger next time please I'll be stronger, I give more next time, Please I'll give you anything."
Then for instance Issei felt his panic attack start to end very quickly, and as a feeling of loving warmth surrounds him, it enters his body rapidly. It felt like the same time when Rogal Irradiated her aura, but this was different: this warmth felt like a fire of comfort as It entered his very soul.
Issei didn't feel violated; he welcomed it kindly. The feeling of warmth made the void in Issei slowly go away. Issei didn't understand what was happening. Where did this warmth come from?
Then a loud branch snapped.
Issei looked around him quickly to see who was there in the purple forest with him, only to see nothing around him. Issei had felt eyes were on him.
"Hello, Angron." He asked.
He was welcomed by a lavender breeze that danced crossed his nose. He couldn't stop what he was doing so he grabbed any remaining sticks around, grasped onto a large bundle of sticks, and head back to camp.
Issei walked back to the cave to see Angron had the meat of the hog cut into small and large pieces. Some of the food was being cooked over a bright campfire, oddly the burning of the wood gave off a very fruity smell.
A sitting Angron had looked over at Issei while she was cooking her share of the food. The pork was cooking on the fire, the blud meat started to darken for the flames. The same bowl full of water by Angron.
"Ah, there you are come on, it's time to feast, It smells pretty good." Angron temped Issei's.
Taking a deep breath Issei walked by Angron and set the bundle of sticks by her. He grabbed the bowl full of water and sat on the opposite side of the campfire, bathing in the warmth calmly. He sat in the featly possession, only looking into the flames with dead eyes.
Angron looked at Issei with saddened eyes, she would need to ask more questions no matter what, but those could wait right now she needed to earn his trust.
"Ah looks like your meal is ready." Angron said taking the meat off the fire and setting it by Issei's side. Issei didn't even bat an eye at her, staring into the fire without a care for his wellbeing. Angron softly nudges Issei's shoulder.
"Hey eat, it will make you feel better." Angron told.
Issei took Angron's offer to eat the strange food, taking a bite of the meat to find it was very soft, easily tearing apart in his mouth. Its flavor was that of pork but had an aftertaste of vanilla.
"It tastes good." Issei murmured.
He turns his head to see Angron stuffing her face with the cooked meat, making moans and groans of enjoyment. Angron looked at Issei with a smile. He had never seen a woman act in such a way before, a kind of new approach for Issei to be honest.
"Umm, you enjoying your meal?" Issei asked.
She looked at Issei with calm eyes. Issei then remembered a certain comment Rogal said.
"Hey, I thought you guys didn't need to eat." Issei asked.
"Oh I don't but I do enjoy it, in fact, I kinda can enjoy it more now than ever thank's to you." Angron said in a relaxed voice.
He raised a suspicious eyebrow at her, Issei wondered what she was talking about. All he did was blow the back of her head back, and to be honest, it looked playful.
"Okay what did I do to make it better, I mean all I did was hurt you." Issei said lazily.
Angron thought about what Issei said deeply taking in all words.
"So you were trying to defend yourself, but I'm still in your debt Issei more than you know." Angron thought. She looked deep into the fire with the same emotional eye as Issei
Angron did smile calmly which did make Issei pay attention to her more.
"Hurt me, Issei do you see these scars on my body." Angron said pointing at the scars on her body. "I've been hurt by others far worse."
Issei looked at her with pain in his eyes. He looked very distressed by Angron's words. The two sat in silence as Issei took a couple more bites of the cooked meat.
"Who hurt you." Issei asked.
Angron could only look into the fire taking comfort in it. She rubbed her scars, she sighed calmly.
"I'll tell you my scars if you tell me yours." Angron said.
Issei gazed at Angron; who did make a fair point. Then a thought crossed his mind, maybe he could earn her trust, then he would be able to go back. It was a long shot but hell anything was on the table. Issei looked at Angron, but the words didn't come out of his mouth.
"I'll talk when you talk okay." Issei retorted in a raised heated tone of voice, he then realized that he raised his voice. " I'm sorry I didn't mean to lose my tem-"
Angron cut off Issei putting her finger to his lip silencing him. Issei could feel that warmth again; though Issei couldn't tell if it was from the fire or somewhere else.
"My worst scar is very old, you see Issei when I was younger the land I grew up in wasn't a kind place, it was full of monsters who enjoyed enslaving and torturing others, from a young age they took me in, and raised me to be a gladiator." Angron said as every word she spoke was calm, but her fist balled with rage. Issei was completely glued to the ground, understanding Angrons pain. That still didn't answer the reason why she attacked him.
"The monsters made me fight against others who were enslaved, who I consider family. The monster watched in glee at our suffering, but it wasn't enough for the monsters. It wasn't. So they took more and more from me, no friends, no family. They left me with nothing. I thought to myself they took it all." Angron muttered sadly.
"But I was wrong they could take more, you see they wanted me to fight more, be angrier. There did something to me. They gave me the butcher's nails." Angron eyes started to leak water.
Before she could speak again she heard a gentle rip of cloth next to her. Angron faced Issei to see he had ripped off some of his destroyed white shirts. Issei had ripped a big piece making a large tissue for Angron. Issei held it for her.
He gave Angron a gentle nod to accept it and dapped her eyes with it.
"Thank you, well Issei you see the butcher nails are devices that they put in Gladiators to make the fight better and only fight."
"What do you mean, put in?" Issei asked, thinking how more Grimm the story was going to get.
"The butcher's nails are a device they force into slave's brains, see they're only supposed to make you feel anger and anything else you try to feel ends up being a pain. The only way to get rid of the pain is to become angrier, you have to throw away your sanity to live. I was one of the unlucky few who had suffered the nails." Angron eyes had become empty. " I had endured it all for centuries and the suffering was horrible. I wished I was dead. I lost it all. That's the scar I remember the most.
The sound of a balling fist gained Angron's attention. She watched as Issei shook angrily, his eyes staring at the ground and his breathing rapidly. Issei has heard his fair share of tragic stories, but Angron sure did make it to the top of his list. He couldn't believe how she suffered so much pain for so long. What kind of monsters could do that to such a person?
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that happened to you." Issei said in a sad mutter. "I'm sorry I judge you so quickly, if I knew sooner I would have done something sooner."
Angron didn't know what to say, the ones who only showed this level of compassion were her legions, but she didn't return their sympathy at all.
"Angron I promise to cure these butcher's nails, to help you. I promise to cure you."
Angron looked at Issei with kind eyes wondering what in the galaxy did she do to have met such a kind person, a person she had beaten half to death only for him to offer her a helping hand.
"What did I do to deserve this kind, handsome man to help?" Angron said Mentally. "Wait, handsome?"
Angron snapped out of his thoughts only to gently put her hands on Issei's shoulder. She was staring him right in the eyes.
"Issei you don't have to promise me anything, you have already given me an ultimate kindness that I will never forget, for that promise you have made has already come to pass." Angron gently whispered.
"What?!" Issei said in surprise.
"Yes that attack you did cure me, you saved me, I can't even find the words." Angron said as she edged closer and closer to Issei. This caused Issei's cheeks to redden, and he could feel a gentle aura surrounding him. Issei felt only joy and he loved it.
"Issei, you have gave me a kind scar and I couldn't be happier." Angron gently whispered as she was so close to Issei's face that she could feel the heat of Issei and loved it.
Issei was utterly speechless, the fact he did such an act of kindness out of an accident, it didn't sit well with Issei, but Angron was so close and he could see the joy in her eyes. He saved someone, but he didn't need the praise.
"Angron I don't owe you anything, but I'm glad you can live normally again. I'm glad you can feel it again." Issei muttered happily. "But please don't thank me, I'm not worthy of it."
Issei couldn't look at Angron's gentle eyes so he looked to the missing arm to remind him what he was; or what he thought. Angron took a hold of Issei's hand, snapping him out of his depression, and making Issei look into her yellow eyes. She gently laid her forehead on his, looking Issei deep into her eyes. Issei froze like a statue, Angron was getting so close and Issei liked it, Angron's action was comparable to when animals show signs of trust.
"You are worthy of my praise, Issei I promise to make you happy again, show me your scars and I will lick your wounds " Angron whispered into his ear.
Issei's heart skipped a beat as his breath caught in his throat. Angron went back to her seat and ate her food. She looked at Issei with a shy smile.
"Finish your food, will be moving soon." Angron said in a happy voice.
Flabbergasted Issei could only say one thing after such a promise.
"Oh, Oh okay." Issei said with a blushing face.
"This is gonna be hard than I thought!" Issei yelled in his head happily.
Arthur note: I hope you liked this chapter and the next one comes next Monday. I loved all the reviews you guys leave, so thank you. Also, I do have another story out right now it My hero academia and Transformers so check it out if you want. Also Btw I got bored one day and thought to myself what of these matriarchs were voiced and who would play them? Here's what I got so far.
Konrad Curze- Grey Delisle
Jaghatai Khan- Michaela Dietz
Rogal Dorn- Zelda Williams
Leman Russ- Katy Townsend
Angron- Laura Bailey
Vulkan- Keke Palmer
Sanguineous- Natasisa Demetriou
Ferris Manus- Lake Bell
Horus Lupercal- Hynden Walch
Lion el Jonson- Kari Wahlgren
Just thought it would be fun, who do think would play the rest, or be a better voice. Thank you reading Like and review. Have a awesome day.