TURNABOUT by Cryogenetic

Disclaimer: Astaroth, Soul Calibur and any of its characters belong to Namco.

SUMMARY: Marius' best friend Illaria is back and wants to confess her feelings for him, when she finds out what her closest friend is up to and with who...Drama ensues.

Author's Note: Oh, Illaria.. I tried to make her likable and I did like her at first but she actually grew into a bitch on her own, I just decided to write her the way she evolved...

Chapter Six - "The One That Got Away"

Arriving home on time for once, Marius took it upon himself to makeup for the time he had spent with Astaroth by working hard the next few days. The work that would follow wouldn't be easy either, it almost seemed like his grumpy and withered taskmaster left him a mountain of wood to split for the coming colder months. Marius gathered it was payment for not coming through on his promises yet again, he sat on the thought for a moment. The young man went ahead and began gathering what tools he'd need to begin, he grabbed an axe like blade and some crude gloves made from wool to protect his hands from splinters.

Struggling to get a good hold on way too many logs at once, he muttered. "I should get started, then I can see him in a few days. Atleast I hope so."

"Marius?" The voice was familiar, sweet yet full of melancholy.

Genuinely surprised to see his childhood friend, he couldn't help but stare into her azurine eyes and beautful figure. "Illaria? Hello! It's great to see you, is there something I can do for you?" Much had changed since she left to bring aide to a far city to the east where devastation had reigned for some time due to Nightmare's dominion. Something didn't sit quite right though, there was a distinct sadness within her eyes and voice.

"I'm alright... Have you heard?"

"What? Wait, is something wrong? What's happened?"

"Mr. Talros is gone. He..died this morning?"

Marius dropped the logs in shock, the first thing to run through his mind was guilt. "No, it can't be true. I promised I'd help him. No." He felt his heart drop at his best friend's words. "I-I should've b...been here.." Tears threatened to run down his face as he cursed himself for the first time.

He felt a soft hand climb atop his shoulder followed by his trusted friend pulling him in for a hug. "Do not blame yourself, he was ripe with age.. You know that.." She gently released him and caressed his cheek and Marius' frown slightly lifted. She offered her hand and he obliged her as they walked for a few paces. "There's a funeral pyre tonight, will you be here?" Her voice an unwavering calm and comforting but it was fleeting. He felt the urge to run to his friend back in the woods, even after he told him to stay with his family for a few days.

He was fighting the urge to sob, then instead snatched his hand back and started running. Flinging off his bag and uttering apologies to no one in particular. "No. No, I can't.. I...I have to go. I'm sorry!"

"MARIUS, WAIT! COME BACK!" She screamed. Of all things to greet her long time friend, all she could think of was telling him his master had died. Illaria felt awful, but it was on her mind just as much as his. She decided to follow in the direction she saw him run away, she had something to tell him now that she was back. Something eating at her for the last few months, and while she dreaded uncertainty at least she would feel a sense of relief letting him know. For a long time she felt feelings for him, but never realy listened to them until now. It was undeniably love she felt for him, growing up for so long and knowing him like that back of her hand. She quickened her pace so as not to lose him, his anger showed in his deep footprints.

"But.. Why wouldn't he come to me?"

----

"How strange." The bronze giant examined the lime colored slug treading lazily on his hand, leaving a glistening trail of slime behind it. He slowly peeled it off and set it on a nearby boulder before leaving back to his familiar clearing in the woods.

For the past fews days Astaroth had been collecting all sorts of strange objects he had found while venturing out just a little farther from the forest each dayAmong these items were a toy of sorts that he found , when spun with it's sharp point toward the ground it would spin and remain upright. It had markings engraved onto it and painted, when it spun it would make create a myriad of colors. He found it amusing and took it for himself. He also came upon a strange piece of rock that was warped but in a strangely beautiful way. Slowly he'd build a collection of trinkets he seemingly grew attached to. There realy wasn't much else to do and he still had that one little problem. Though it wasn't little at all, he mused internally with a chuckle.

He walked back home only to find Marius sitting against the bark of a big, fat tree. He seemed to be crying..

A little hesitant to intrude upon him, he figured he was waiting for him to get back. "Marius?.. What's wrong?"

"Astaroth?" The young urchin got up and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand then quicly went to hug his companion. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you. I-- Something terrible's happened. Someone I knew died. I didn't think it would hit me this hard"

"It's alright. Tell me. Tell me what happened..." Not exactly prepared for such a situation, Astaroth simply listened. It was all he needed when in doubt, for someone to listen to him. In return, he could definately do the same.

"Marius! Where are you? It's me, Illaria! Please, tell me where you are! MARIUS!" The voice was unmistakably that of his secret admirer.

A shiver of fear running up his spine. "Illaria." "

"What? Who is Illaria?"

"Oh no. Astaroth, what do I do? No one knows about you-- I mean you and me, um--" He began frantically fidgeting in the larger man's arms.

"Shh.. Calm yourself. It's alright. I'll hide." As if in protest, a small hand held Astaroth back from getting up on his feet.

"No... Stay here with me. She has to know. I want her to know. If anyone would understand, it might be her. She's my best friend. Stay with me, please." Astaroth was genuinely afraid of what could happen during this encounter, but he would do him this favor.

The rustling of bushes and footsteps grew nearer and nearer still until she emerged into the open. "Marius!" She looked angry, not to mention exhausted from running for so long.

Marius froze.. "Uh-- Yes?.." Terrified of the awkward silences and judgements only he could hear coming from her mouth.

Her slowly gaze slid to Astaroth. "Marius, Who is that? What are you doing with him?" The look on her face was pure shock, her love in the arms of some beastly man wearing frightening garb and with white eyes peering into hers.

"He is my friend! Listen to me, Illaria. This is A-Astaroth. He's my friend. I met him right here."

"And?" She was understably upset, because of all people; why would he run from her? They knew each other for many, many years after all. There was almost nothing she wouldn't do for him or be willing to understand. Except for one little thing...

"ASTAROTH? Do you know who he is?"

Marius tried to remain as calm as possible, he was slowly getting irritated though. "Yes... I know. Listen to--"

"NO! You listen to me for once, he's a killer! Get away from him I said!" She grabbed Marius and pulled him away to her.

The young man could feel a rage buillding up in him. "Arrgh Let me go!" He pushed her away from him and she hit the ground, he gasped ad froze. When he calmed down, Astaroth was holding him and Illaria was on the ground in fear and feeling completely rejected. Fighting back her tears, whatever was going on must've meant alot to her best friend.

Marius cleared his head and came to his senses. "I'm so sorry, I- I didn't mean to." He helped her stand, and bent down on one knee in front of her... "Please, forgive me."

Astaroth gradually twisted his mouth into a kind of proud smirk, witnessing the patience and understanding his friend would always boast about shine through...

They both let out a sigh. "It's alright, I know you didn't mean any harm. I- I just don't feel I know you anymore, you've changed so much. Perhaps, we just need to start anew. Walk with me?"

"Yes. Let's go. Umm, I'll be back soon.."

"I'll be here." Astaroth replied.

"Stay there, please.." She glared.

Astaroth simply didn't feel like he should get involved, he hoped things would soon sort out and all would be alright. He'd never let anyone know it but there was a part of him that wanted to scream out loud from a little known frustration, he wanted to be close to his pint-sized friend.. The larger man got up and stood tall before reluctanly walking away from Marius, it wasn't his place to be a part of this uncomfortable moment. Seemingly the moment he left, he could hear the yelling and reprimanding. When he overheard her mentioning him, the tone of her voice was full of disgust.

"This is not right! What the blazes are you thinking being in league with that...THING?" Repulsed that her best friend of years was somehow enamored with the giant.

"Stop yelling already! Why do you have to yell so much?" He was frustrated with her ignorance, something that angered him to the core more than anything else.

"Because!" The way she backed up her side of the argument was ridicuous, even comedic.

"Good, I'm glad we got that straightened out.." Marius couldn't help but laugh at how the stupid the situation was at this point. He took a deep breath, she follwed.

"Marius... I'm sorry. It's just- Well, it's not exactly what I was hoping to come back to, you with someone- Let alone something like that..."

"Would you stop? You're not making this any easier by doing that..." The young man realized how much she had changed, she had become hard and stubborn.

"Doing what? Saying the truth? He's not human...and HE's a HE.. I never figured you for that...kind of person."

Marius had had enough of it, this squabbling wasn't helping anything and his next move however fierce was a blessing in disguise.

"Lar, I have to ask, when did you become such a b-"

"It is so important to your future that you don't finish that sentence, Mar."

They both laughed, equally humored by hearing their old nicknames from years ago. When they were younger, they were known as simply Lar and Mar, inseperable and hopeless when it came to staying away from trouble.

Illaria walked up to Marius and kissed him passionately, soft and sweet, and it was over just as soon as it began.

"Uhh What was that for?" He had a slight smile on his face, more from surprise than anything else.

"I'm sorry. I've just wanted to do that for a long time. By now, I guess you know what it is I came to tell you and why I'm being so...well you said it yourself." She laughed.

He wouldn't lie to her and tell her he felt the same way, no matter how much he wanted to... It wasn't true, and lying to her would only break her heart more if she ever found out. "Yes, I understand now. I only wish I could-"

"Don't say it.. I already know and...as for the way I acted before, I was angry and maybe even jealous of him. I'd be lying to you if I said I still wasn't. I'll always be yours though, I-I just wanted you to know that."

"Lar, I'm so sorry." He felt like a criminal.

"However foolish, I'll be waiting for the day you want me to be by your side.."

He really couldn't find what to say to that, so he just looked her in the eyes and made a very slow nod. "Wanna walk back with me?" He offered. "You don't have to though, forget it."

"I'd much rather not, just come home once in a while to see me, alright?"

"Always, Lar. Always"

Watching her walk away, it all felt like the last page of a chapter being turned. Painful to say the least, but he could now move forward with what he wanted now. The dead of night would soon show itself, and he hoped she would get back in time before it became too dark.