Kill DOG As A Sacrifice To DOG

by Illuminet

WI The P.W.A.B. has unsealed the creature called Leopaldon in hopes that it can be used as a weapon. At the same time, That Man wants to use this opportunity to test Sol's powers against the beast like he did with Justice and I-No previously. COMPLETE

20. Kill Dog As A Sacrifice To Dog

Chapter 20: Kill Dog As A Sacrifice To Dog

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: Refer to the first chapter to view it.

"..."-Indicate Speech

'...'-Indicate Thought/Telepathy

:xXx:

Antarctica

:xXx:

Heat generated off Sol's body. At his feet, the snow was melting, leaving a large puddle of water. Sol's smirk became a sly grin, his mismatched eyes lighted with what appeared to be amusement. He felt great to release a large deal of pent up energy as his Dragon Install Mode was activated. He had only felt this alive just a couple of times before.

"I was unaware that you could repair your body in such a fashion, Sol Badguy..."

Leopaldon commented softly. Sol didn't spare a response to words he didn't care anything about. Instead, he took off at break neck speed, practically flying as melting snow shot up under his feet from his intense movement.

"Bandit Revolver!"

Sol hurled himself dead on at the white beast's chest with his knee, flames hovering around the lower side of his left leg from his Dragon Install Mode. The white beast grunted as it was struck solidly, staggering back very slightly. Sol twirled quickly, the flames gathering in his right foot as it left a half circular trail during his spin. Leopaldon was struck right in the face, growling as it pushed back to put distance between themselves in order to re-evaluate the augmented strength and speed Sol now possessed. Sol didn't let that happen for very long when he came up right in front of the white beast.

"Gun Flame!"

Sol's sword was half buried in the ground, his normal skills altered. Instead of a small trail of flame or a ground fire ball, a large spike of fire lanced out, it's explosive force enough to push the white beast back quite a ways as the tip of the mighty projectile struck Leopaldon right in between the eyes from his vantage point. The white beast tried to retaliate with a two armed horizontal swipe, but Sol dashed forward elbow first, bringing up a trail of flames exploding all around his near naked form.

"Grand Viper Beta!"

Sol dove right in between the white beast's stubby legs, turning in his dash to nail it in the back with a Bandit Revolver variant to his ordinary Grand Viper. While Sol was still in mid air hitting the white beast with the attack, Leopaldon had it retaliate by having it use a powerful backhand. However, Sol evaded by kicking off it's back.

"Gun Flame!"

Sol performed a mid air Gun Flame. It smashed into the back of Leopaldon's head, dispersing and slowly heading back to the ground, where it left a small explosion rise up.

"Super Hi-Touch!"

The white beast smacked Sol hard with it's powerful anti-air attack, hurling Sol up in the air further.

"Perfect Rainbow!"

The white beast then shot it's powerful beam at the airborne Sol, but the bounty hunter recovered insanely quick, back air dashing to evade the breath attack.

"Riot Stamp!"

Since their was nothing Sol could use to kick off of, he made Fire Seal spew out flames like a thruster, hurling himself forward in perfect timing as Leopaldon's Perfect Rainbow technique stopped. Leopaldon was hit square in the nose, before Sol sent a flaming heel slamming down on the top of the dog's head. Sol landed, preparing his other assault. Sol crouched low before jumping up, dragging Fire Seal against the white Beast's stomach.

"Volcanic Viper!"

His power allowed him to make the Fire Seal leak out with a long trail of hot red flames as he tried to rise high into the air, but before being able to strike Leopaldon at the top, the white beast was ordered to hold Sol down in a crushing bear hug. Sol growled out as he felt his spine and arms snap. Even a fatal injury could not hold him down however, and Sol roared, power searing all around his body as he broke out of the hold. His internal injuries healed almost instantly once he touched the ground. He jumped back to dodge another claw swipe.

"Killer Note Level One!"

The white beast sent the violet colored sphere that pulsed in resonance to the armored man's beat of his bongos. Sol growled ferally as he stepped forward.

"Fafnir!"

His arm was completely covered in a large blaze as his fist colliding with the giant projectile, transforming it into an even larger ball of fire that was turned against it's user.

"Tyrant Rave!"

The massive flame shield smashed into the white beast, as Sol prepared another attack. However, Leopaldon had the white beast retaliate with a brutal counter attack that made Sol stagger back as an angry curse left his lips.

"Killer Note Level Three!"

The white beast hurled it's most powerful projectile at the stunned Sol, reeling in the bounty hunter in a whirlwind of pain, but Sol escaped off the projectile, landing right back in front of his opponent.

"Savage Fang!"

Sol charged up before he thrust Fire Seal into the ground. The Savage Fang attack was much improved in his heightened state, and an even greater amount of fiery geysers rose from the ground, engulfing Leopaldon and his two systems.

"Grand Viper!"

Sol dashed into the flames created from his previous attack, easily locating the white beast in the red blaze that continued to swarm around it. Sol jumped up into the air, adding his deadlier Volcanic Viper to the mix as he rose high up into the air. Sol cancelled out of his attack at the peak of his jump, turning to gaze at the inferno below. Sol brought his right arm back before using it to hurl a giant fire ball down into the center of the fire storm, where he knew Leopaldon would be. Another mass of explosions followed, continuing to keep the fire going. Sol fell to the ground, a few feet away. The flames began to weaken, and as they disappeared large billowing clouds of smoke and steam that had evaporated from the water melted from the snow followed in it's wake.

"I dare to say that your powers are far more exceptional then I originally thought. I will ask again: what are you?"

Leopaldon asked calmly as the white beast stepped forward from the large amount of rising smoke. Though the dog looked unaffected, the armored man and the white beast looked as if they were just finished being cooked in an oven. Yet their injuries were regenerating. Not very quickly, but it was still a vital piece of information that Sol kept tucked in his mind.

"Heh. Your one tough bastard."

Sol commented, giving a thumbs up to the dog. Leopaldon bared his teeth, growling darkly.

"Stop your nonsense and answer the question that has been addressed to you."

Leopaldon seethed in anger as those words escaped his lips. Sol sneered.

"I don't feel like it. Why don't you just piss off and try bashing my head in, punk."

Sol taunted, bringing his thumb back to his pocket of what was left of his jeans, which wasn't a whole lot. He was practically left naked out in the snow from Leopaldon's Eight-O-Eight, not that he really cared at this point.

"That can be arranged!"

With a new set of speed to nearly rival Sol's own, the white beast was upon him at Leopaldon's request, smacking him across the face with a large fur covered fist. Sol was sent backwards, though he dug his feet into the ground to keep his body from moving back too far. Sol kept his smirk on just to annoy the dog.

"So that's how you want to settle things? Fine, I'm game. Bring it!"

Sol snarled as he rushed over , jumping up to send Fire Seal smacking Leopaldon in the side of the head. Leopaldon's nose crinkled irritably as Sol ended up behind his white beast. It swiped with it's tail, hitting Sol back. Sol grunted from the attack, before leaning forward to deliver an impressive overhead chop to the white beast's back though it had little effect. Leopaldon made the white beast retaliate with an elbow, but Sol evaded as he took to the air, ramming the hilt of his weapon right in between Leopaldon's eyes, making the large head of the dog reel back from the attack's force, then slashed the dog across the face as the large head moved back. Sol followed up with a thrusting kick to the side of one ear before following up with a spinning kick to the same side. Leopaldon did not let Sol follow up with more of his mid air combo string, jumping out of the white beast's head to jump over a horizontal slash, before head butting Sol in the chest, making him fall back to the ground. Sol was hardly stunned and jumped up again to attack, but the white beast's attacks were just fast enough to prevent him from succeeding, and Sol could not leap up again so easily without being knocked off.

'Damn, I had something going on for a bit but then he just won't let the opportunity come up again...why should this damn mutt care when nothing even cuts him. Damage will only show up on his two annoying systems, but they keep regenerating. Even if it's slower than my own, I can't do enough damage to kill the dog, and in turn, kill the other two...'

Sol evaded a slash before aiming for a counter attack, only to be pushed back as the white beast bumped itself into him. Sol narrowed his eyes in annoyance. The white beast followed in with a vast amount of claw swipes that bit into Sol's flesh, before finally concluding with a clothesline attack as the white beast came forward, striking Sol in the neck with it's arm, flooring the man on his back. Sol cursed as he saw the shadow cast over him, the white beast performing a belly flop, digging Sol into the ground before his great speed could react.

"Perhaps you need to cool down, Sol Badguy. Allow me to assist you in this endeavor."

Leopaldon said in what Sol guessed to be a pathetic attempt at a joke. Whatever the case may be however, Sol was trapped, his body making an imprint in the ground along with the massive white beast's.

"Shit..."

Came Sol's muffled reply from underneath the white beast.

'There is only one chance to kill this fucking mutt...but everything has to go perfectly. I need to get him into this same position, but I've got to be the one on top, then I could use it...it has to be done. I think I realize now how his regeneration technique works. Just like how he's got to stay encased in snow to get his white beast even bigger, he must also draw strength from that or some other form of coldness in order to heal. By killing him, his systems should also cease to exist anymore despite being able to work independently because he's the head honcho over them...'

Sol carefully thought to himself, staying silent to conserve air since his supply was cut off and was steadily depleting as he breathed. Sol's eyes widened when a satisfactory idea came to mind. He began moving his left arm around, creating enough space in the moist ground to move it freely up and down. Leopaldon caught the sound in his ears.

"What are you doing, Sol Badguy?"

The dog asked.

"Like you fucking deserve to know. Savage Fang!"

Sol's muffled reply was followed with wild eruptions that had just enough pressure to lift Leopaldon's white beast to an almost standing position.

"Tyrant Rave Beta!"

Sol collided his left fist with the fire ball created in his right, making it slam into the beast getting it even closer to a standing position. Sol wanted just enough leverage to perform his plan right.

"Tyrant Rave Alpha!"

Sol sped along the ground and through the flames, tripping the beast on it's stomach and leaving Leopaldon stunned and confused. Sol cancelled out of his technique, performing a back flip to land right beside the beast's bottom lip, where Leopaldon's head was laying against as the dog was left in a small daze, giving Sol enough time to prepare for his ultimate attack. Sol lowered himself to his knees as black flames lifted from his body, almost completely outlining it entirely as his head hung low.

"See ya...Napalm Death!"

Sol hopped into the air, causing a giant torrent of fire to burst forth from the ground to follow him upward, catching Leopaldon in it's emergence out of the earth. The stream of fire soon spread further out to fully surround the armored man and the white beast in it's fury, making the bodies disintegrate into nothingness. When the flames finally died down, Sol landed gracefully, kneeling upon the heated barren ground that was charred all black from his technique. It would take some time before the ground would become covered in snow again. Leopaldon lay a few feet away, unmoving and appeared suspiciously unscathed. Sol would have gotten up, but fell to his knees again as heat stopped radiating off his body and went back to normal after it automatically felt the Dragon Install Mode was no longer necessary. Sol got up slowly, making his way towards the fallen dog. To Sol's dismay, Leopaldon got up on all fours.

"Son of a bitch..."

Sol was prepared to run in and kick Leopaldon's ass before the dog could restore his fallen creations, but the sound of clapping from behind stopped him.

"Impressive battle, Sol...impressive indeed."

Slayer said as he applauded the younger immortal. Sharon was there as well, but as always, never said a word. Sol scowled.

"Not now, old man. I'll deal with you after I take care of him."

Sol said.

"There's no need. Leopaldon is defeated. Look carefully."

The vampire said. Sol decided to do as he was told. Leopaldon was given enough time to go for the offensive but never did, though Sol was on edge as the large dog walked close to him, though Leopaldon did not show any threatening movement nor did he seem to have any intentions to do anymore harm to Sol. The dog simply sat in front of him, tail wagging. Sol quirked an eye brow questioningly.

"What's he doing?"

Sol asked, not able to believe this was the same dog in mind, though it was in body. Slayer sighed.

"It is so like you to get others angry and make them never finish telling you what they want to say."

Slayer mentioned. Sol snorted in annoyance as he turned to the older immortal.

"Their problem, not mine."

Sol said simply, throwing Fire Seal into the ground. Slayer shrugged in exasperation.

"Listen well then, Sol. Despite what Leopaldon told you earlier when he divulged information to you about some of his background, he is still subservient. However, he has taken matters into his own...paws I suppose would be the best way to put it, so to speak. Since he cannot die, he has decided on an ultimatum. That ultimatum was to destroy all human life on earth when he felt they could not take care of the earth as he had hoped. However, those who defeat him are given a decision. To either reseal him, or take him as a faithful servant and companion, as per his original intentions and obligations when he was born. It would be a perfect match to take Leopaldon with you...considering you yourself cannot die either."

Slayer explained. Sol grumbled.

"Wouldn't you be an even more perfect match than me, old man? I'm a suicidal being looking for a way to die, and if I succeed, there won't be a need for the overgrown mutt. I'm also suspicious as to why you didn't just take him in when you had the chance."

Sol stated.

"I don't need Leopaldon as much as you do. As you grow and mature, so will the new senses brought on by your higher development. In your own words, ascending beyond Human and Gear. Leopaldon has the power to help you train without you having to hold so much power back. If that does not warrant a good reason to take him with you, then do it because it would serve as a hindrance otherwise. The facts are clear to see. The Bureau could easily find the cocoon again and release Leopaldon again, which in turn would mean you would have to fight him again and with your dislike of trying your best, such a combination would be unwanted."

Slayer mentioned. Sol shrugged.

"Good point. Shit, I still don't like it but I guess an extremely powerful man's best friend could come in handy for stomping out certain annoying people when they don't shut up and leave me alone..."

Sol said, more to himself than Slayer. Images of Axl Low and Ky Kiske getting smacked around by giant paws while they pleaded for Sol to make Leopaldon stop entered into his mind, bringing a wry grin to his face for a brief moment, before his expression became stoic again. He'd like to try it on Slayer too, because the old man knew just the right buttons to push to annoy Sol more than Axl and Ky could ever do if he were just so inclined. But since the vampire defeated Leopaldon once before, there would most likely be little point. Oh well, he could live with it. He had for a good century already, so what was one more? Sol began walking away, sparing the dog a side glance.

"Keep up, mutt, and maybe I'll use some hard earned cash to feed you."

He said simply as he slung the Fire Seal across his shoulder. Leopaldon followed dutifully, like an already well trained pet. Slayer watched the two forms fade away in the distance as the cold winds began to pick up, hurling bits of snow and condensed air around to obscure the view.

"Hmm? You want to know if that was a wise decision, Sharon?"

Slayer said, turning to his soundless wife. She simply nodded. In truth, her means of communication was beyond the understandings and workings of speech or telepathic connection. It was her own unique ability that was even beyond Slayer's full comprehension, and he could never be sure of what to make of it. Slayer's face lost the happy-go-lucky quality to it and became serious and stoic.

"To be honest...I can't say for sure if it was or not. I'm hoping Sol will learn from Leopaldon the value of living for another rather than one's self alone...because since the time that I've encountered him, his soul has always been black, lusting for a death that...can't ever come. He has already come closer now then ever to that which was so desperately what his creators craved for...a man-made God. Because of that, he has lost the one function that separates mortals from immortals...the function of dying. I could instantly tell he had achieved it when Leopaldon ripped him into pieces. Had Leopaldon fought Sol during the Crusades, Sol would have surely been killed despite being a Gear. But in their fight only moments ago, Sol was able to still laugh even without a beating heart and lungs, body parts not disintegrated by the attack came back to mold his body back to it's original form...something no mere Gear could hope to accomplish...and so, he will suffer the same horrible fate that we have, my dear. Everyone either takes it for granted or is afraid of it, but death is the eternal slumber for the soul. A soul that knows only hardships must eventually die to truly be set free from the binding weight of guilt and sins that have accumulated over the years of living. You and me have been able to cope, though it took several centuries to do so...what separates Sol is the little known fact that unlike us, he's a self-destructive being. He yearns to die and be rid of the sins branded upon his back by his creation, a creation that was neither his fault nor his desire."

Slayer explained in a mournful voice. If this information was given to Sol, the Gear would surely be beyond disturbed, and greatly traumatized by the sudden news. News that would have to be broken lightly to him, but even then, it would most likely lead to the same end result unless he by some miracle could decide to no longer be suicidal. That's why Slayer hoped a companion of some sort could be given to Sol. Using what known facts he had about Leopaldon's ways, Slayer was luckily able to get Sol to take Leopaldon with him as a servant and pet surprisingly easy. Sharon looked on with eagerness in her eyes for Slayer to continue speaking.

"I suppose it must be a bit strange to see, Sharon, that even though Sol bares no relation to myself, I consider him like the child I never had. It is difficult for even someone like me to put into words clearly. This...parental affection I suppose you could call it. I don't mean to ramble so much, so I'll say only this: When Sol finally destroys That Man, I think we should be there for him like Leopaldon when he will finally realize hopefully that his life cannot be taken away. That his wish for death has been dashed."

Slayer said, keeping that same tone in his voice. Sharon nodded in understanding. Slayer looked to the night sky, his eyes focusing on something that didn't seem to be there. After a small while, Slayer removed his cape for use as transportation back to his castle.

:xXx:

Unknown

:xXx:

That Man ended his all seeing connection link to Antarctica, the last image he saw was of Slayer looking back at it with an unreadable face. He rested heavily in his throne. The silence that followed seemed deafening to his ears. None of his servants moved. Raven stood by his side, arms crossed and body unmoving, I-No did not play a tune on her guitar, and Anji did not practice dancing. The three seem to meld with the shadows, knowing when their master wanted peace and quiet to think for a good long while. And this was one of those times.

'Frederick...our dream is coming so close to realization...the Noble One's own analysis proves it as well...the evidence is so clear to see for those who witnessed it...the dawning of a new and more prosperous age is what I hope and anticipate for...Soon...So very soon...'

That Man was left in darkness, his thoughts compiling together within his head as darkness shrouded him from view and he was left alone to himself. Elsewhere, Raven, I-No, and Anji conversed with each other.

"It's a shame...I guess not even Leopaldon could make the Corrupted Flame draw forth his true power..."

Raven said softly, his head lowered as he pondered.

"What makes you say that?"

Anji asked. Raven looked towards him.

"The head piece restrains so much power. Since it was not removed during the battle, that indicates he didn't need to unleash everything. I had been so sure that Leopaldon could succeed where Justice could not."

Raven said, giving his analysis on the fight. I-No looked thoughtful for a bit before giving her opinion on the matter.

"I don't believe your thinking of this quite right, Raven. Justice got her ass kicked a long time ago. The fact that Leopaldon, who's powers far exceeds Justice, was beaten by the Corrupted Flame on this day even with his suppression device on should serve as a decent wake up call that he's definitely gotten even more powerful. Our master seemed satisfied with the fight, so we really shouldn't care as long as his needs were met, right?"

She inquired. Raven looked like he would argue his point again, but ultimately decided to drop the subject and began walking ahead. Anji stayed behind.

'I've heard of the Dragon Install that Sol can utilize, but this was the first time I've ever seen it physically used...well, what wasn't a near blur anyway...'

Anji thought to himself.

"If that power can bring him victory and set me free, why didn't he just use it when he fought him the first time...? I'll talk to him about it some time and get my answer."

Anji told himself softly before walking in the direction that Raven and I-No went.

:xXx:

Wilderness Grave Marker (A week since the Leopaldon Incident)

:xXx:

Sol leaned against the large center rock settlement in the middle of the Wilderness Grave Marker, his favorite spot. His eyes were closed, shaded over by his head piece, and it appeared as if he were sleeping. He dressed in the familiar clothing of a red half jacket, black sleeveless shirt, and white jeans. Despite being brand new articles of clothing, Sol's wandering ways already were making them dirty with ware, but it didn't bother him in the slightest. He also had a new red cloak, though it billowed in the wind as it remained hanging against his sword, which stuck up from the ground. Leopaldon was not too far away, moving from rock to rock and sniffing at them. The dog bared it's teeth and growled as he felt someone approach his master. Sol felt it too, and brought up a hand to give the silent command for Leopaldon to ignore it and keep playing. Leopaldon complied. Anji stepped into the clearing.

"Hello, Sol."

The Japanese man said. Sol grunted.

"What?"

He said to Anji in a bored tone as his eyes opened slowly.

"I witnessed your fight with Leopaldon. Why didn't you go all out against That Man like you did with him? You could have finally been rid of your worst enemy."

Anji stated. Sol sighed in annoyance.

"Didn't I already tell you before? I'll kill him in my original form. I can't get the satisfaction any other way."

Sol answered, his tone still bored.

"But the Dragon Install still allows you to retain your original form, so I don't understand why you didn't use that."

Anji said. Sol shook his head.

"Only my physical form, dumb ass. My mental state regresses enough where the beast within clouds most of my reason. This means I won't get the full effect I want. There, I answered your question straight forward for once since you already know about me. Go Away."

Sol ordered, bringing a hand forward to make a "shooing" gesture with it. Anji looked irritated.

"But...!"

Before Anji could say anymore, Sol interrupted.

"GET YOUR GLASSES WEARING JAPANESE ASS BACK HERE, FUCKING SERVANT OF THAT MAN!"

Sol roared out loudly, puzzling Anji. Before he could react, Sol had already grabbed Fire Seal, striking Anji in the chest and making him hit one of the rocks. Anji fell to his knees, groaning from the unexpected assault. He looked up slowly, but Sol and Leopaldon were no longer there, much to his confusion. He got up, walking from underneath the large shadow cast by the rock due to the position of the moon in the sky. He scratched the side of his head, throughly baffled.

'Why...?'

Anji was interrupted by another voice, one too painfully familiar to ever forget. He knew he was in deep shit now.

"Is that true, Mito?"

Baiken stood behind him, katana drawn and clutched loosely at her side. Everything made sense to Anji now. Sol was aware of Baiken traveling in the Wilderness Grave Marker, and shouted to draw her attention over to them. Sol knocked him back to give the impression that Anji was hiding behind a rock pillar. This allowed Sol a clean getaway with his dog in tow.

"Baiken, I..."

He wasn't sure how to cover this up. Sol said a Glasses wearing Japanese when he was referring to Anji, so there was no way to discern him from someone else. Baiken was now aware, and she was ready to kill him.

"...I guess you caught me."

He finally said. Baiken's one good eye narrowed critically.

"Before I cut you into tiny pieces, tell me one thing, Mito. Why?"

Baiken asked, rage barely being suppressed within her voice.

'I guess maybe I can talk to her about my whole joining up with him...and if she decides to kill me anyway...I guess I'll have no choice but to take her to I-No again after beating her. I love you too damn much to kill you, Baiken...therefore...'

Anji pushed his glasses higher on his nose and took a calming breath before he began to talk.

"Well, you see..."

:xXx:

Wilderness Grave Marker, End Point

:xXx:

Sol walked, Leopaldon walking right beside him. The sun was cutting through the darkness of night steadily, bringing with it light and heat to this side of the world. Sol stopped by a dull cliff that still had not met with the sun's light yet. He decided to gaze at the sunrise, something he was not particularly known for. Leopaldon sat a few feet away from him.

'Damn, I knew fan boy wanted himself to be free from That Bastard and elope with his bitch...but I never would have thought he'd become so impatient that he'd actually confront me and ask me why I wouldn't go all Dragon Install on That Bastard's ass, when I clearly told him once before already...sheesh, damn forgetful humans are annoying!'

Sol felt another familiar presence.

"Get out here already!"

Sol said irritably. Slayer showed up behind him.

"So, how are things going with Leopaldon?"

The vampire asked casually. Sol sighed, and decided to answer in hopes that Slayer would be out of his hair sooner.

"Alright. The mutt's practically my own shadow...basically he's perfect because unlike some people I know..."

Sol began, looked pointedly back at Slayer, with an aggravating sour expression on his face.

"...he doesn't annoy the hell out of me."

Sol said. Slayer remained perfectly calm, not the least bit offended.

"I see."

The vampire confirmed. Sol began to walk down the cliff.

"I'll be going now if that's all you want to say."

Sol said. Slayer nodded.

"Farewell."

With that, Slayer disappeared. Sol continued to wander, cloak moving with the wind as his feet kept taking him to wherever he felt would bring him another good lead. Leopaldon walked besides him again as it was becoming a fast routine. Hopefully the dog would provide better assistance to Sol's continuous search.

'Looks like it's going to be another one of those days on this little planet...'

Sol thought to himself as he kept moving. As always, the world just failed to impress or surprise him, the one who had seen the beauty and the horror of the earth time and time again.

"...I can hardly wait."

He muttered, his voice thick with sarcasm. Onward to begin another hunt.

:xXx:

Sky

:xXx:

"Someday Sol...all will become clear. I'll inform you myself."

Slayer said softly as he flew away on bat like wings.

Fin...?

:Note:

I know. I'll admit that the ending is pretty weak and has a lot of pointless stuff occurring for it. Things were going pretty well for the beginning of the chapter, but then the creative juices just ran dry during the middle, and the only motivation to continue onward was the fact that this was the last chapter and it had to at least try to have a decent ending, in my opinion. Not a very good combination when trying to write a fan fic. I apologize for rambling and making excuses, I still have a long way to go before my writing skills show signs of significant improvement, I guess...

On to a lighter note, I will probably stick to writing shorter Guilty Gear stories in the future. I admit that it is nice to write a long story like this one up to feature more dialogue and, in most cases, a broader or more expanded plot to work with. But in my opinion, I somehow feel I've lost the essence of what makes a more thrilling and suspenseful story overall with this fic. Anyway, (I'm rambling again...) To those readers who did make it this far, I hope most of the story was enjoyable at least for a little while. Hopefully other stories I write in the future will be better. See ya.

Illuminet