Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission. This fic is rated R for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi material.

Thunder Falling

Chapter 5

Deep underground, a voice was echoing in the dark. A quiet whimper that echoed against the solid concrete around him. He was familiar with that voice, and he twisted on the thin spring mattress, craning his head back. "Why are you crying?" he whispered.

The whimpering stopped, and when he lowered his hand alongside the bed a cold nose pressed against the inside of his palm. He smiled, and turned his hand slightly to stroke the animal's long head and behind its ears. "Was it you?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry. We might have been able to leave last time and I…I messed it up again. Can you be patient a little while longer?"

The animal whined piteously, but when he gave it a tug, it leapt obediently up onto the bed with him. "I'm sorry," he said again. "Just a while longer. Okay?" When it finally settled down next to him he smiled, wrapping his arms around its thick neck. He sighed. "Just…a little longer…."

Ky took in a deep breath as he finished with the fastenings of his uniform—though he was grateful to Rosaline for having cleaned it for him, his shoulders were already complaining from having to bear the added weight of his full cloak once again. He stretched and tried to find a posture that would put the least amount of pressure against them. "Bridget? Are you ready?"

"Yup!" Bridget bounced over to him, already wrapped up in his fur-lined white winter coat. He tugged the collar up happily against his cheeks. "We get to take a carriage, right?"

"Yes, it's already waiting." Ky reached for the door, but before he could open it glanced back, and was surprised to see Testament clad in his own coat as well. "Testament?"

"I'll walk you out," Testament said evenly as he finished doing up the buttons. "Maybe have a look around."

Ky frowned. Though it was true most every officer in the city would be at the Memorial, he didn't like the idea of Testament wandering Paris alone, where any number of people might recognize him… But he still felt guilty about having to leave him behind, and so wasn't in much of a mood to deny him anything. "All right. You'll be careful, won't you?"

"Of course."

The trio moved outside together, where the carriage was indeed waiting for them. Ky viewed it with a slight sense of dread, but when Bridget moved to his side it calmed him somewhat. He turned back to Testament once more. "I'm sorry," he offered sincerely. "The memorial will take several hours, but you're welcome to anything in the house." He handed over his spare key.

"I'll be fine," Testament assured again as he pocketed the key. His eyes were vaguely dim that afternoon, and though Ky would have liked to offer some other apology, the Gear turned to start down the sidewalk. "See you later."

Ky watched him a moment before spurring himself to move, boarding the carriage that would take them to the memorial with Bridget just behind.

Everything happened so fast, that by the time Axl realized Venom had even moved he was already thrust against the doorframe, the maid's meal cart crashing to the ground with a spectacular ruckus. "Hey—" He struggled to right himself and nearly tripped over the maid herself in the process. He finally stumbled out into the hall only to see Venom disappear around the corner.

"What the hell…." Axl shifted anxiously on his feet, baffled and indecisive. Whatever reason Venom had for bolting off like that he really had no business doing so in his condition. The only explanation Axl could come up with was that the assassin had somehow spotted his intended target, the man he had mentioned the night before….

Axl gulped, bending down quickly to help the maid to her feet. "I'm really sorry," he apologized briskly before darting back into the room. Venom had left his case beside the bed and, most likely, whatever weapon he might usually carry. Axl snatched up his own travel bag and leapt into the hall once more to give chase. "I'm sorry!" he called again to the maid, who was shouting after him in French. "I'll be back—I'll pay for all that!"

Axl burst out of the inn at top speed, but once he was on the street he was suddenly at a loss—Venom was nowhere in sight. Cursing, he picked a direction and started running. "Axl, what are you doing?" he hissed under his breath as he went. "This is so none of your business…." But he only pushed himself faster, determined to catch up.

Venom ground his teeth in frustration as he pushed his way through another group of careless citizens. The cleaning crews were still working hard to clear the streets of the evidence of last night's celebrations, and all around people were just starting to move about themselves—nursing hangovers as severe as his own. It made them slow and difficult to maneuver around. Further down the street he could still see the woman—Slayer's woman—walking easily along the sidewalk. Just when he thought he was catching up he would lose sight of her for a moment among the crowds, only to spot her again several blocks away. It didn't help that his head was throbbing worse than ever, threatening the return of his nausea. Breathing hard, he continued his chase.

A man stepped abruptly in front of him, and Venom's momentum carried him right into him. The pair was sent tumbling in a heap of green and white fabric. Stunned by the unexpected impact Venom was slow to react, but when he finally lifted his gaze he was met with the cross-shaped front of a Holy Order uniform. Gasping, he scrambled to his feet once more.

"Hey, you." The man grabbed at his arm, and it took all his strength to wrench out of his steely grip—Venom nearly fell over again with the effort. By then it was too late. As he tried to regain his speed he could hear the man shouting behind him, and was certain his own name was in there somewhere. He had been recognized. Several pairs of hands snatched at his limbs and clothing but he ripped free, gaze unwavering from the form of the woman several stores ahead of him.

Venom stumbled, losing track of the woman once again for barely an instant. The chime of a store entrance to his left caught him, though, and without thinking he darted inside. His appearance was accompanied by several startled gasps from the customers inside; it appeared to be a small restaurant of some sort, with expensive drapes and finely dressed patrons. Gasping for breath, Venom scanned the tables for his quarry.

He was being a fool. Even if the woman he was chasing was indeed the one he had seen accompanying Slayer on a few occasions, he had no idea if she would be able to lead him to the creature. What he would do once he reached him. How he would fight when…he was just now coming to realize he had left his weapon in the inn.

His concerns were forgotten a moment later when he caught sight of a pair of red high-heeled shoes moving up a small staircase to his right. Venom pursued, knocking a waiter out of the way in the process. Gripping the rail for stability he charged up the carpeted stairs to the second floor, through a pair of elegant glass doors and into a decorated smoking room.

Several heads lifted; more gentlemen and their trophy companions, so it seemed, gauging him with disdain. This time Venom was easily able to locate the woman. She was slipping gracefully out of her coat with the help of a tall, bearded man in a charcoal suit.

Venom steadied himself against the doorframe, his breath heavy as he tried to regain himself. "Slayer…."

Slayer smiled thinly, granting Sharon a small kiss on the cheek before turning to meet his guest. "Ah, Venom. So you received my invitation."

The surrounding men and woman murmured to themselves at the mention of the assassin's name; Slayer lifted a hand to gather their attention. "My friends, I'm sorry," he apologized grandly. "But would you mind terribly leaving us alone for a bit? This young man and I have business to discuss."

Venom glanced at the men and women only briefly as they slipped past him to the stairs, not moving quite as fast he thought they should have. When the last woman passed she flashed him a grin, showing off polished fangs.

Venom stiffened. "Vampires…?"

"Surely you didn't think I was the last, did you?" Slayer chuckled. He touched Sharon's back, and she nodded, folding her coat over her arm as she turned toward a door at the back of the room. "But please, pay them no mind. We were just celebrating the season together."

Venom pushed away from the doorframe. He still felt unsteady with his head pounding as it was, but he didn't want Slayer to see that. "You brought me here," he hissed. "Why?"

"Isn't it what you wanted?" Slayer straightened his shirt and tie daintily. "You've followed me over most of Europe, being quite the bother. I really have no favors left to offer you."

"Favors?" Venom spat, stalking toward him. "How dare you—"

Slayer moved faster than Venom could follow, planting the heel of his shoe firmly in Venom's unguarded stomach. The assassin stumbled backwards with barely more than a whimper and dropped ungracefully to his knees. Already aching and nauseous he couldn't help the sudden lurching of his gut; he vomited tea and bile weakly on the lush carpet.

"You're not so difficult to understand, you know," Slayer drawled as he moved slowly away from him. "A man like you was never up to the task of ruling my Guild. All you've ever wanted was its ruin."

"That's…" Venom coughed hoarsely as a chill spread through his limbs, hugging his bruised midsection. "That's not true…!"

"And that's just what I've given you, isn't it? Now your obligations to your master are complete. Save one, maybe."

Venom lifted his head, and there his heart skipped and nearly stopped. The form of a man was stalking clumsily through the doorway Sharon had exited a moment ago. His steps were halting and heavy, dark clothing tattered and long hair a dull, tangled mess around his pale face. He stopped just beside Slayer with a shudder.

Venom's breath came shallowly as he struggled upright. "Lord Zato…."

The form shifted—rather, its shadow did, sliding up the man's body to curl around his shoulders and neck. From the dark mass protruded a pair of gleaming eyes. "You did well, Nightwalker," it hissed its begrudging approval.

Slayer's lip curled. "Naturally. Good luck with him." He turned to leave.

Venom stared between the pair, stunned and bewildered. "You're…what's going on?"

"You're annoying," Slayer replied easily, not bothering to turn back. "So I arranged to have you dealt with." He chuckled. "If you kill each other the very last of the Guild will be dissolved. It'll save me the trouble."

"Don't worry about me, Slayer," the beast Eddie snarled, the black shape of its head splitting in a toothy grin. "We'll be seeing each other soon enough, to settle our own score."

Slayer chuckled again. "Indeed." He waved briefly over his shoulder and disappeared through the exit.

Venom gulped, grimacing at the sour taste in his mouth as he retreated several steps. "Lord Zato…." The man didn't look any different than when Venom had seem him last, several months ago; his colorless face, though turned toward him, bore no expression. Abruptly Venom's fists tightened, and he planted his feet as he faced the creature. "Eddie. You still dare disgrace my master."

Eddie laughed; it was a deep, horrifying sound, like jaws through bone. "This pitiful corpse?" A thin tendril of shadow curled around Zato-1's chin to turn the head back and forth. "He's been dead some time, you know. He's beginning to reek."

"Damn you!" Venom charged, ignoring his lack of weapon as he closed with his enemy. Despite Zato-1's seeming immobility the corpse abruptly twisted as he approached, attacking in a series of swift kicks that Venom barely avoided. Just when Venom thought he'd found an opening the shadow perched on Zato-1's shoulders struck as well. Though he blocked he was thrown heavily backwards by the impact of cold flesh against his forearms—into one of the sitting room's cushioned chairs. He tumbled along with the furniture to the ground.

"I've been looking for you, Venom," Eddie drawled. Slowly his form began to stretch and slide over Zato-1's corpse, engulfing and covering it until only shadow skin and gleaming red eyes remained. "To finally finish you."

"Stop!" From the glass door entrance appeared several men from the lower floor, one of which the Holy Order veteran Venom had plowed into on the street. He held his sword at ready. "You both are—"

"Leave us!" Eddie snatched up the nearest chair, flinging it into heavily into the group. They scattered but one of the men was caught full in the chest and sent reeling. A moment later Eddie himself was upon them with claws bared. Venom turned away, trying not to listen to the cries of the men as the heavy odor of blood filled the room. He grabbed for the first weapon he could find: a bottle of wine that he broke against the edge of a table.

"Pathetic," Eddie growled, advancing on the last man still on his feet—the Holy Order veteran, already bleeding from a wound across his forehead. The rest of the men that had followed him up were sprawled across the ground, but whether they were living or dead Venom didn't bother to check. As he watched Eddie snatched the officer by the throat, flinging him through the glass doors and onto the staircase.

Just as the veteran tumbled out of view down the stairs Venom attacked. He drove the jagged glass with all his strength into Eddie's side, grimacing at the dulled impact it sent up the length of his arm. Eddie bellowed and nearly tore Venom's throat with a swipe of his claws. But all Venom could think of was the creature's destruction, and he drew his arm back to stab again.

Eddie spun, the back of his clawed hand catching Venom in the jaw and sending him again to the floor. "Miserable wretch," he snarled. The shadows rippled and stretched to cover the hole Venom had carved, unaffected. Venom swung the bottle again as clawed hands reached toward him, succeeding in slicing another gash across Eddie's palm only to watch it seal over again. "Do you really think you can defeat me?"

"Goddamn monster," Venom spat, grabbing at the nearest chair to help him upright. "I swore I'd kill you."

Eddie snorted. "I'm waiting."

With a vengeful cry Venom lunged, this time aiming his jagged glass for Eddie's throat. The gleaming red irises were, for that instant, the center of his world, and as his weapon neared its mark everything else seemed to fade at the edges. And it was then, just inches from his target, when he felt sharpened claws slide into his midsection.

Axl was just giving up hope of finding his lost roommate when he came upon the commotion outside a small, overpriced French bistro several blocks down from the motel. A group of men and women had gathered in the street, staring up in confusion at the second floor windows. Trying to regain his breath after his long run he managed to gasp to a woman next to him, "What's going on?"

"There's a criminal up on the second floor," she replied, clasping her coat closed against her chest. "Some officers went up after him, but…."

"A criminal?" Axl glanced up at the window and heard a man's pained voice ring down—the crowd cringed away. "Damnit…" As Axl slipped through the group of people and toward the door he jerked his travel bag in front of him.

Venom's fingers went numb around the neck of the bottle. He couldn't feel the injury—only the blood that slid, thick and warm, down his abdomen. The thought that the wound was certainly lethal didn't deter him. With a choked growl he continued the arch of his weapon, driving it deep into swirling shadow.

As soon as the blade caught, however, Venom was deafened by an enraged bellow against his ear; the claws still imbedded in his torso twisted and thrust him harshly away. Feeling rushed abruptly back into his body when he fell—he cried out brokenly, a searing pain striking all through his torso and burning his lungs. Curled weakly on his side his fingers probed the outlines of four circular claw stabs just below his left ribs. He couldn't breathe, and in a panic he tried to cover the wound.

"You…pathetic…." Venom couldn't see, with his hair sticking to his sweat-dampened face, but he heard Eddie stumble away, hissing curses. Something thick and wet smacked sickeningly against the carpet nearby. "I'll tear your throat out!"

Venom gagged weakly on the floor as a pair of hands—human hands—curled around his throat. He tried to push them away but his body was already growing cold, and he couldn't put any strength into his struggles. He was forced roughly onto his back, the parting of his hair over his face allowing him a full look of his attacker. The shadow had fallen away to reveal Zato-1's pale visage once more; a chunk of flesh had been torn from his neck but the wound did not bleed.

"Die…" Zato-1's lips were parted as his hands tightened around Venom's throat, though it was not his voice that echoed through them. "It's what you want."

Venom fought to keep his eyes open. Even in death Zato-'s face hadn't changed. He still bore the same firm lines in his jaw, the stern curve of his lips. Venom couldn't lift his hand or speak his master's name but if he were to die, at least he could do so by Zato-1's own hands. It was already so cold…

Axl grimaced as he darted around the bodies of the fallen officers and into the smoking room. By then he had jerked his pair of short scythes out of his bag, and as soon as he took in the situation he let one fly. "Get off him!"

The blonde that had been choking Venom released his victim and fell back to avoid the swinging blade. Axl's weapon snapped obediently back into his hand. "Hey, you're…"

Zato-1 straightened, and to Axl's shock turned to bolt for the window. As he ran his body was covered in melting shadows, flaring out behind him to form a pair of leathery wings. Axl didn't even attempt to give chase; amidst a shattering of glass the creature was gone, inciting a few screams from the crowd below as it flew awkwardly away from the scene.

Axl sighed heavily in relief. "Damn, that's crazy." He quickly sobered when he turned to check on Venom's condition. The assassin was pale and covered in cold sweat, dark blood flowing freely from his injured side. With a curse Axl knelt beside him and covered the wound. The blood seeped between his fingers despite his best efforts. The feel of it pulsing against him was sickening. "Venom! Can you hear me?"

Venom wheezed, turning his head to let the blood dribble from his mouth. "I'm…still alive?" he croaked.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're alive…." Axl glanced around; the smell of blood in the room was so thick it was making him ill. But there weren't any tablecloths or other material nearby that he could use to bandage the wounds with. "There are more officers coming. Do you think you can—"

"Officers?" Venom shuddered, which may have been the closest to laughter he could manage. "Then…I am dead."

Axl froze, drawing his gaze back to the man. It occurred to him only then how the scene would appear: three downed officers and an infamous Assassin, already on the brink of death. Even if an officer gave a thought to saving the man's life he would only be executed anyway. The thought sent a cold shiver through Axl's blood-warmed hands. "Shit…shit, Venom." He wasn't one prone to panic but this situation was far beyond anything he'd imagined in inviting Venom to a drink.

Abruptly Axl's resolve hardened, and with a deep breath he drew Venom's arm up around his neck. "Try to hold onto me. We've gotta go." He began to lift them both to their feet.

Venom cried out softly in pain as his injury was stretched by the movement. But Axl didn't pause, forcing him to get his feet under him. "Stop it," he whispered as he sagged against him. "Just leave me…"

"Not a chance." Axl hefted the weight against him, grimacing as the blood began to soak into his jeans as well. He drew Venom's hand over the wound. "Just keep that covered, eh? We'll…we'll find a doctor. You'll be all right…" He began to half assist, half carry Venom to the back exit—it looked as if it were for the waitresses and busboys, and it might allow them a way out other than the excited front door. "You can't just die, here, right? Don't you have…someone waiting for you? Someone you want to see again?"

Venom chuckled wetly. "I did."

"See? Then come on—we'll get you fixed up, and—"

"That creature just now." Venom's voice tipped with bitter humor. "That was him."

Axl cringed, and struggled without success for some kind of response. "Venom…just hold on," he replied instead, continuing away from the stained carpet. "Okay? I'll…jeez, I'll think of something."

Venom coughed weakly, but he managed to get his feet firmly beneath him. With a soft groan he did his best to keep up with Axl's stumbling.

Testament hadn't expected to really enjoy his time wandering the city, and in that regard had not been disappointed. The city was, for the most part, rather quiet; everyone who wasn't already heading for the memorial was recovering from the celebrations the night before. He passed more sanitation crews than anything else. It wasn't even that difficult to avoid being noticed. But whenever he spotted a familiar uniform among the slow crowd something in him chilled, and he ducked quickly out of sight. It was that, combined with his exchange with Ky several hours previous, which had been darkening his mood during his short outing.

He understood Ky well enough by now—or at least imagined he did—to not be offended by their strange parting earlier. To think that even after their experiences together he could be easily accepted by the other, and visa-versa, was close to absurdity. At present, however, hiding in an alley from the gathering crowd, he couldn't help but be reminded of their differing circumstances. There were officers scattered among the people clumped anxiously outside the restaurant entrance he'd happened upon, and Testament knew what kind of reception he would receive, should he reveal himself. He wondered what Ky might do in his defense, were he discovered here as a Gear in the center of Paris. If he might be able, or willing, to do anything at all.

A small service door to Testament's left creaked open, and he blinked in surprise as a pair of bloodied figures tumbled out into the alley.

Axl cursed as he pitched forward; he hadn't expected the step proceeding their escape, and the sudden catch on his foot sent him and his charge careening into the open alley. The sound of Venom suppressing a cry somewhere to his left made him wince in sympathy. "Sorry—shitty rubbish." He pushed in frustration against the garbage that had been left outside the door and struggled to his feet. "Are you—"

Axl's heart skipped almost painfully when he lifted his eyes to find they were not alone in the alley; and more importantly, that their company was as unfortunate as he was recognizable. Kneeling beside the fallen Venom was the Gear captain himself, clothed in familiar black, his eyes downcast and attentive. As Axl gasped after his lost breath Testament reached out, pressing the flat of his hand against Venom's open wounds. The assassin gave a sharp gasp of pain.

"H…Hey…!" Axl scraped at his belt only to realize he'd left his weapons thoughtlessly behind. He curled his fist, preparing to use his fire. "Leave him alone."

He advanced on the Gear, sure that he'd gone mad for what he was about to attempt. Long before he could fully form the magic Testament was on his feet, and a punch he never saw sent him slamming hard against the alley wall. With his concentration faltering the fire quickly extinguished from his hand.

"Don't," Testament warned him lowly, wiping the blood from his hands across his coat. "There are officers in the street—they'll hear you."

Axl groaned softly as he pushed away from the wall. It took him a moment to register what Testament had just said and what his words implied. "What?" He looked down to Venom, shocked to see the flow of blood from his wounds had ceased, even if the man were still pale and breathing shallowly. "You…did you just—"

"If you want him to live, I suggest you find a healer," Testament interrupted him coolly. "And a quiet one, at that. You do realize who this man is?"

"He's…." There were shouts from the windows above—it seemed that someone had finally ventured into the second floor and discovered the bodies. Axl shifted his weight back and forth anxiously. "Why aren't you killing us?" he asked bluntly. If his senses really had left him there was no sense in holding back. "You're a Gear."

Testament's eyes narrowed, and Axl was sure he was about to be squished like a small insect, but then the Gear calmly replied, "The war is over. What need have I to kill humans?"

Axl bit his lip. But there was no time to decide, and he was out of options. "Take him," he said suddenly, already crouching down next to Venom. By now Venom was barely conscious, and made only quiet protests as he was propped up. "I'll hold them off—take him to a doctor. There's got to be at least one crooked bloke that'll take him in."

Testament frowned at him. "Me? Why should I?"

"You already wasted your time healing him, didn't you?" Axl shot back, though there was a note of desperation in his voice. He pulled Venom upright once more and thrust him against Testament's chest; the Gear supported him instinctually. "Be a sport, eh? You don't want to see the police get him, either, right?"

Testament's expression twisted, and again Axl wondered if it was time to begin his life flashback, but then he only lowered his head slightly in acknowledgement. With a sigh he hefted Venom into his arms and turned toward the rear of the alley. "Only as far as a healer," he agreed.

"That's the outlaw spirit." Axl smiled grimly as he watched the Gear carry his injured companion to the wall at the alley's end—and clear it in a single, powerful leap. Though he was already berating himself for trusting the mercy of a Gear, he had to admit Venom could not have found a more capable caretaker. Even if the end Testament merely killed him…it was the fate that would have awaited him otherwise. Guiltily, Axl knew that he would not have chosen to place Venom's life over his own, had the officers caught up to them together.

"Maybe I'll be lucky," Axl thought aloud, smiling to himself as footfalls thundered toward the exit he and Venom had used. "And timeslip when it's actually convenient…."

The door banged open with a flourish as several officers appeared in the alley. Axl sheepishly lifted his hands in surrender. "Or not. Y'got me."