Of Past and Future: The Tale of a Traveler

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Fox or any Star Fox characters. I own Skysoar, Serena and Cloudkeep. Read on.

Chapter 10: Knight in Shining Armor.. without the armor

*** Skysoar's POV***

Skysoar was sitting in his room, playing absent-mindedly with Cloudkeep. He was thinking of his experiences in this new world, Cerinia. How he had received Cloudkeep- how she had sung with him in the rites of burial- long months of wait- meeting Derek, traveling alongside his caravan- the Undead attack- arriving in Sheriam- how he had met Serena..

Serena. Skysoar was still unsure how to think of her. She had proven to be much more than she seemed to be. Underneath her 'tender' and 'shy' appearance she had hidden a core of pure mithril. She had seemed to be just a weak, humble servant, but she had her own, strong opinions and was not afraid to show them.

Skysoar truly enjoyed her company. During the week he had already remained at the inn Serena had expressed her wish to be allowed to help to take care of Cloudkeep. Skysoar had not objected- she seemed to be truly interested in the child, and Cloudkeep seemed to have grown attached to her. Serena had taken a habit of visiting them during the evenings to speak with him and to see Cloudkeep. Skysoar had begun to tell her stories of the outside world, speaking of his travels in other worlds (though not directly as his own experiences, but reshaped into adventurous stories of ancient lore)

She was also actually quite good looking, for a fox. Her silk-smooth fur was like pure silver glittering in the moonlight. The way her emerald eyes glittered when she laughed, her voice, the way she walked, her body, tall and slender with not too much of..

Skysoar shook his head and cursed himself. "You have brains, Skysoar. Use them to think!"

He had yet to cope with some new instincts he had acquired alongside his vulpine body. This particular one was one of the more annoying new urges he had to suppress. So far it had proven to be quite harmless, but it disturbed his ability to think coherently around Serena (not to mention it was irritating like hell).

His ears suddenly shot straight up. He had heard something. He listened carefully and sniffed the air. The scent made him frown.

One of the more interesting abilities of his vulpine form was the way he could smell different things. Previously unknown scents had gotten a name; he could differ various emotions scent by scent. Some scents were subtle, and did not carry very far, such as sorrow or joy; others were more invasive, carrying far from the source without diminishing. Hatred, fear, fury.. What he could smell now made the fur on his neck stand straight up.

Skysoar smelled fear. Powerful fear.. close by. He grabbed the Stormhammer off the wall and strapped it to his back.

*** Serena's POV ***

Serena was terrified. She had been serving ale to some customers when a drunken soldier had grabbed her. Now he had her tightly pinned against him while attempting to grope her. She struggled to no avail. The alcohol fumes the drunkard was breathing out were nauseating. She felt like she could pass out any moment.

"Let GO of me!"

The drunkard- and some of his friends- just laughed at her.

"The lady told you to let go," a deep voice echoed in the suddenly silent hall. "I shall not ask twice."

All eyes in the hall were directed at the speaker. Serena felt her eyes widen.

Sky had entered the room. He was standing at the foot of the stairs. In his golden eyes burnt a rage Serena had not seen before.

A gasp escaped her lips. The drunkard had suddenly produced a shortsword and was swinging it slowly at Sky.

"Who're you?"

Sky took a step closer, ignoring the weapon.

"I am known as Sky. To you I am the Storm." Serena could have sworn that his voice echoed like distant thunder. Sky took a second step closer, his burning eyes directed at the soldier. Serena felt the grip around her loosen and broke free, bolting suddenly away from the soldier. He tried to grab her, but missed.

That was all Sky needed. Growling loudly he leaped out at the soldier and crashed straight into him. When the patron stumbled Sky threw a barrage of punches at him. The offender muttered a curse and took a swing with his sword. Serena could not hold back a small scream.

* KA-THINCK *

Sky had blocked the blow with his bracelet. The blade of the sword had simply broken off near the handle. He growled at the dumbfounded soldier.

"My turn."

The drunken warrior never got a chance to defend himself. Sky was a blur of movement. Three rapid punches to the face of the patron made him sway.

"Never.." A backhand swing with his right arm made the soldier spin around.

"..harm.." Sky bashed his forehead into the face of the offender.

"..a woman.." Sky kneed him in the groin. An audible crack made most male watchers cringe.

"..when I.." Serena gasped. Sky had just grabbed the soldier from his throat and lifted him up in the air, holding him a foot off the floor with just his right hand.

".. AM AROUND!" Sky took a mighty swing and tossed the soldier clean across the room at the door. The heavy door slammed open from the impact. The soldier never stopped. A moment later a mighty splash was heard outside.

"Are you all right, milady?" It took a moment for Serena to realize Sky was talking to her. Unsure if her voice would obey her, she just nodded.

"Good." Sky glanced around the bar. Several friends of the soldier had stood up, ready to fight.

"The lady is under my protection." Sky's voice was like pure steel. He reached behind his left shoulder and grabbed the mace Serena had seen in his room.

"Cross her, you cross me. Cross me.."

* SMASH! *

Sky had swung his mace down. The heavy spiked end had obliterated a strongly built chair.

"Meet the Stormhammer." Everyone was just staring the mace that had seemingly pulverised most of the chair. Sky yanked the mace off the floor and swung it casually back across his shoulder. He turned and left the now silent hall.

*** Skysoar's POV***

Skysoar had barely sat down in his room, the remains of combat fury burning through his veins, when he heard someone knock on the door.

"Come in."

It was Serena. Her silvery fur was a mess, her skirt was torn and her eyes were swollen.

"I.. just wanted to.."

Then she was suddenly in Skysoar's arms, crying against his shoulder. He wrapped his arms gently around her and whispered to her in a low, smoothing voice. He just held her there until she stopped crying.

When she pulled away from him, her green dress was drenched red with blood.

"I thought you said you were not harmed!"

Serena looked down at her dress and stared at Skysoar, terrified.

"I'm not hurt, you are!"

Skysoar looked down. A horizontal cut in his side was oozing out crimson blood. He felt suddenly very weak..

"Combat fury.. I never felt that.." He managed to utter before his world went dark..

Owch. Medic! Rule Number One, gals, guys and gays: NEVER piss off a Draconian. Any color. The results do not bear thinking of.

This is NOT good for Skysoar. What will happen next? See in chapter Eleven, coming most likely very soon..