Hello everyone. Sorry for the lack of chapters but work was crazy for a few months but now I can get back to writing. I really hope you guys will enjoy this new chapter. Anyway thank you so much for reading. See you all next time, byeeee. Also, I decided to continue with the A Shattered Life.

A Shattered Life

Chapter 50: What Will You Take from Them

The Land of Darkness is a barren wasteland, with rocky terrain and enormous purple crystals sprouting from the ground. The sky is a dark red, and from this terrible land spawn Grimm from pools of a viscous tar-like substance. This region once belonged to the Dark God himself but now it is ruled by Salem, the Queen of Darkness. Her castle is the only building around this wasteland and its surrounded by massive numbers of Grimm creatures.

Queen Salem stood outside in the courtyard, she had recovered the remains of her son and buried them here, in her home. Her expression was a sad one as she looked at the grave, it was clear that she regretted what had happened one year ago. "Forgive me, in my rage I destroyed what I loved the most." She said with a sad tone. "...I wish I could go back and do things differently but that's just not possible."

Tears fell across her cheeks. "But even with your death I will continue with my mission, I will build a world where death will be a thing of the past. I promise you that my son." She turned her back and went towards the iron massive gate was antique and made of twisted black rods. At the end some were curled in convoluted patterns and opportunist spiders had created webs there. The latch lifted with ease and it swung open almost without a sound.

She made her way to the conference hall, before entering two guards wearing full black armor kneeled before their Goddess, showing her their respect. The room itself featured a crystal table surrounded by six wooden chairs, four of which belonged to Tyrian, Cinder, Hazel and Arthur. At the end of the table, Salem sit on her crystal throne and looked at her people. "Report Tyrian. I want to know how your mission went."

Tyrian made a creepy smile. "Well my Goddess, I am proud to tell you that I know the location of Ruby Rose and her friends. They are on a train to Argus but its heavily protected by Gwain soldiers and the Mirage Knights, I say we should strike now and kill all of them. Also, I have learned recently that she has a baby with her, your grandson my Queen."

Salem was astonished, she had no idea that Geo and Ruby had conceived a child. but learning this actually made her happy, that little baby is the future of the Casterwill race and the last of Salem's bloodline. "Glorious news! You did well Tyrian but there has been a change in plans. I want Ruby and her friends to be captured and brought back here." She told him. "And let me be more clear, I want them alive and if anything happens to them, specially Ruby or her baby, I will kill everyone here!"
"Excuse me my Queen." Arthur rose up from his chair. "But that Silver Eyes girl is too dangerous to be left alive, not to mention she hurt you the last time you met. I say we should just kill her and be done with this."

Salem turned to him. "I didn't gave you permission to speak, so keep your mouth shut." Her anger quickly turned to sadness has she remembered her son's death. "...She knows what's like to lose everything we love, and I won't kidnap her baby, I am not like that trash Aiden." She said. "Now, Tyrian and Arthur you two will take a few of my soldiers and you will ambush them at Argus, I will use a few Grimm to create a distraction that will draw away the local garrison. Now go."

Suddenly, the entire castle shook violently and several explosions were heard in the distance. Everyone was in the room was confused, who would be crazy enough to attack the Land of Darkness? "What's going on?" Asked the Queen with a serious expression. Then a few black guards entered the room and barricaded the door. "Captain what the hell is happening? Who is attacking us?"

"We have no idea my Queen but the Onyx guard isn't able to stop the intruders." He reported. "Over twenty of our soldiers are dead and the Grimm are actually running from him refusing to fight! I have never seen such a sight, the dark beasts are actually afraid of something and whatever it is, its coming this way." Salem grabbed the man by the throat. "P-Please...l-let me...go." The Goddess crushed his throat and threw him across the room.

"Incompetent fool, it seems I have to do everything myself!" Her anger grew. "Cinder! You and the rest will face this threat with me, I want these bastards murdered quickly I have better things to do."

"Of course." In the palm of her hands fire began to form.

Then a large explosion erupted and destroyed the gate, taking several soldiers out in a flash. Salem and her agents waited to see who it was. In the middle of the smoke a figure was seen, he made his way through the smoke. "Such a disappointment." Said the mysterious stranger while his eye glowed purple, causing everyone to be surprised even Salem herself. "What's wrong? Its like you've seen a ghost." She revealed her sword and it had a similar design to Stormcaller Malice but the blade instead of being red it was black. "I think its about time we have some quality time together Salem, I mean you gave birth to one of my children didn't you? Hahahaha!"

"I don't care who you are or what you want but this ends here!"

Salem prepared to attack the stranger but then she opened her left eye and a bright silver light engulfed everyone in the room. After a few moments Cinder and the others were astonished as they saw that their Goddess was turned to stone. "Foolish woman, she should really think before acting but I will teach her in due time." She approached the crystal throne and took a seat. "You all don't have to look at me that way, she's immortal so she will be fine."

"Y-You are a Silver Eyes and a Casterwill? H-How is that possible?" Asked Cinder.

"Oh no no, I am just a Casterwill has for my silver eye, well the Dark God has quite the collection." She answered. "Now to business! The Dark God is finally making his move to destroy his dear brother and everything that is Light. And we are going to follow his instructions."

"O-Of course." Said Arthur.

"Good dogs, now sit." She ordered them. "First things first, I want Ruby's baby has the Dark God fears she will pose a threat and I want Ruby as well. You can bring them the woman dead or alive, I really don't care but the baby must be brought to me alive no matter the cost."
"We will do has you say." Said Tyrian. "W-What should we call you by the way?"
She smiled. "Mirage."

Meanwhile in the Otherworld.

Spreading sunrise, pinkish glow, clouds tinted, colors spread across the sky announcing a new day, oranges and red painted across the clouds as if by a celestial hand. Inside the old Casterwill fortress the sun rays made their way inside a room and forced a young girl with a baby in her arms to wake up. " Uhhhh! Its day alrea-" Ruby paused has she looked around the room. "W-Where am I?" Her anxiety grew has she didn't know this place.

"Calm down girl." Said a familiar voice on her shoulder. "I was the one who brought you here. We are in the Otherworld."

"Its you." Ruby smiled, but that smile quickly vanished. "Where the hell have you been!" She shouted. "Its been one year, ONE YEAR! Since I have heard anything from you or Geo."
"Right, right." The spider jumped to the wall. "Things have been rather difficult here Silver Eyes, no to mention I shouldn't even be speaking to you or bringing you here so consider yourself lucky because I actually like you...a tiny bit."

"I...I-I know, I'm sorry. I...I am just worried, and scared too."

"Its alright." Replied the creature. "Now we don't much time, but there's someone here who wants to see you."

A young man with black hair, wearing a black jacket entered the bedroom. Ruby's heart seemed to skip a bit has she saw Geo with her own eyes. It's been so long since they have seen each other, their eyes were fixed upon one another. Ruby got up with her baby in her arms and ran towards her lover. Geo hugged her with all his might, feeling her warmth again filled him with joy and hope. "I've missed you." Said Ruby with teary eyes.

Unexpectedly, Geo's hand drifted to her hip. He delivered a kiss on Ruby's lips and the world seemed to fall away. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be, his hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled. Then they pulled away from each other, warmth radiates from their lips, and the young man said. "I've missed you too my love." The love they shared couldn't be broken.

"Look." Said Ruby with her sweet tone. "This is your daddy, Roary."

Geo had no words to express himself, in mere seconds tears began to fall has he grabbed his daughter gently. "Haha!" He laughed. "Roary, I like that name. Hello my sweet-heart, my name is Geo and I am your daddy. I swear that I will keep you and your mother safe, no matter the cost." He said with a smile, and joy in his heart.

"Hehe! She doesn't understand you Geo." Giggled Ruby.

"I-I know that, but still I want her to know."

"Don't worry, we know." She rest her head on her lover's chest. "We...we need you back, Beacon has fallen and so many people are dead because of Salem. We are trying our best to stop her but nothing seems enough, she keeps coming and coming." The pain of Geo not being with her in Remnant shattered her heart. "Please, come back."

"It doesn't work like that." Interrupted the dark spider. "I have told you child, Geo can't go to Remnant. The only one that can return him to the world of the living is the God of Light or the Dark God but they are both out of the question."

"Why?" Ruby asked. "At least the God of Light should give him a chance."

"That's the point Ruby. We can't actually find the God of Light, it seems he is missing and without him around the Golden City will fall in a matter of months if not weeks." Said Geo. "The Dark God has brought his Grimm and followers to the Land of Light and they seek to conquer everything in their path."

"Exactly." Said the spider. "Like I said before things here are bad and the only ones that are willing to do something is this fool and the other two idiots. So, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, I mean these bastards stand no chance against the Dark God and yet they still want to fight."

uby smiled. "That's because they are heroes."

"Maybe, but I don't fight for good or for evil, I just fight. To protect you and our daughter."

A few hours later...

Its been one year since Ruby and Geo last saw each other. All Ruby wanted to do at this point was to spend all of her time with her lover but unfortunately that couldn't become a reality, things at the Otherworld were going from bad to worse, and their time is short. Without the Light God to keep his brother under control the Dark God ravages the region with his army of Grimm, slaves, the scum of humanity and more. The once peaceful haven for those who perished no longer exists, now its only war.

Inside the mighty Casterwill Castle, Ruby is in the kitchen doing her best to feed her baby. The child bounces up and down on her bottom, her eyes wide and mouth already partly open. When the first spoon goes to her mother's mouth, she has a slightly crestfallen look, but then starts her celebratory bounce again as the spoon goes back to the can. "Now its your turn sweetie, open wide." She said with her sweet tone. The spoon comes out with a small lump of a cookie and she actually claps her hands, mouth now as wide as she can get it. "Hehe, I love cookies too." She giggled, as she gave her baby what she wanted. "One for me, one for you." While she kept feeding her daughter, Geo stared at both of them at the edge of the kitchen with his back against the wall. His expression was one of happiness, something he hadn't felt in a long time. "Why are you so far away? Don't tell me you are scared of her?"

Geo looked the other way without saying a word, though his faced showed a light red so he was a bit embarrassed. Ruby turned her attention back to her daughter with a smile upon her face. "Looks like your daddy, who claims all the time that he never runs from a battle seems to be afraid of you." Ruby said with a childish voice mocking her boyfriend. "He might be scared of you barfing on him my little strawberry." She hugged her daughter, while Geo simply remained quiet.

"What's the matter little brother?" Asked Cerviel as he entered the kitchen.

"I just...I don't know how to be around her." He replied. "I love my daughter but with Ruby its easy for me to show my love. As for Roary, I have no idea what to do, all I can think of is that I will protect her with everything I have." Geo stared at the girls. "I don't know how to be a dad, I mean our father wasn't much around and he wasn't any good at it either, not to mention how I turned out. I don't want her to be like me."

"Hahaha!" Cerviel laughed. "That's the reality of being a father sinking in its your responsibility to raise her well and make sure nothing happens to her. But you shouldn't be worried about how to be around your daughter just be there for her that's all you can for now." He patted him on the back. "And let me tell you that raising a child will be the hardest thing you will ever do but also the best god damn job in the world."

"I guess your right. No matter what, I will do my best."

Ruby approached the two brothers with the baby in her arms. "I hope I am not interrupting but Cerviel can you take Roary for awhile? I want to talk with Geo alone please." The man nodded and grabbed the baby gently from Ruby's arms, Roary was of course upset and began to cry as she wanted her mommy. "Ohhhh, sweetie it will be just for a few minutes I promise don't worry." She tried to calm her down but it didn't work.

"Don't worry." Geo placed his hand on Roary's head with a smile on his lips. "You are strong like your mother so don't cry, no matter what happens we are always with you little strawberry." The baby looked at her father and his smile helped her calm down, she didn't know why but his strong smile made her feel safe. Cerviel left with Roary to the bedroom, while both Geo and Ruby made their way to the throne room.

"I can't believe how easy that was for you." Said Ruby surprised. "I never can calm her down like that, she keeps yelling and crying."

"Luck, I guess."

"Nah, it was more than that even I could feel it." She replied. "Somehow when she looked at you she felt safe, I guess it was your confidence or something like that because I too feel safe when you are around."

Geo took Ruby's hand as they kept walking across the hallway. "At least you two feel safe because the others are afraid of me, they are afraid that I might hurt them or worse. But I don't blame them, I'm used to be looked upon like a monster." Said Geo. "All of our actions have consequences, for me, I'm nothing more than a bloodthirsty killer, but for yours Ruby, you are seen as a hero, you save people and give them hope. You can see the world in all its beauty, while I only see death and corruption."

"Not everyone, our friends always saw you as a warrior who always stood for what was right. Don't let others say what you are, you decide who you want to be." She replied with her sweet tone. "I know you killed people before but it was for your own safety but you don't have to do that anymore."

"Were it so easy." Said the young boy. "But what's your plan then? You think you can defeat Salem and her allies without killing anyone? Don't be ridiculous."

"We at least have to try." Ruby knew this almost impossible to accomplish but she was still determined. "And if someone doesn't surrender, well, I-I will kill him." But could she? All she killed so far were Grimm not humans, the feeling is completely different and it changes a person.

Geo looked at her. "You speak like its easy, like killing a Grimm but it isn't my love. The moment you actually kill a person it changes you. You see their face everywhere even in your dreams and it will haunt you until the end of your days." The boy's hand clutches into a fist. "Everyone you kill, you will remember them and that won't go away, never."

After hearing that she began to get nervous. "I-I don't want to talk this anymore, I-I have to go." Ruby increased her speed leaving her lover behind. Geo followed her and grabbed her by the arm. "What are you-?" The young man pulled her into his arms.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I didn't mean to scare you. It's just things are never easy and I don't want to lose you and Roary, you two are everything to me."

Ruby blushed. "I-I know, its alright." She closed her eyes.

They stood there embracing each other. Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and pulled her closer, she inhaled sharply. Ruby was against his warm chest, she splayed her hand against it, she could feel his muscles. Geo's breathing quickened as did hers, he began nuzzling her neck with delicate kisses. "Ohh, Geo." Her body trembled uncontrollably. His head was angled slightly to the side as his lips came closer and closer to Ruby's. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. At first it was a delicate butterfly of a kiss, but then he pressed his lips deeper in to her's and her blush grew.

His fingers gently ran up and down her spine, coaxing shivers out of the girl. With her cheeks still burning red, she glanced back up into Geo's captivating purple eye. As they were about to kiss again the ground started to shake violently and Geo hugged his girlfriend tighter. "Dammit! The Grimm must be attacking again. I guess we will have to continue later my love."

"Hehe, you bet we will. I haven't been with you in a year, I need more than this." She smiled. "Besides, I am..." She whispered something in his ear that made him blush.

"Haha, now you are teasing."

She winked at him. "Maybe, you will have to find out."

"Right, but now we should focus my love. Go find our daughter and make sure she's safe, I will with our enemy outside." Both of them their separate ways, Geo arrived fast at the main gate of the castle and found his brother there waiting for him, they opened the gate. In the courtyard there were many Grimm creatures, Beowolfs, Ursas and Apathys but one of them stood apart. It was humanoid in appearance but its body was almost covered with bone-like armor and it has two horns on its head. The claws were razor-sharp they could cut steel like it was nothing and it seemed to be drawn to the boy. "I will say this once, leave my home or make peace with your so called God."

"Hahaha! Arrogante as ever I see." Laughed the Grimm. "Do not be foolish child, you cannot stop the Dark God, you have no chance of winning without the Light God." Said the creature. "Your God has abandoned you all but ours will love you and protect you if you do what you are told. Now, show respect and kneel."

"That voice..." Geo had heard that voice before. "F-Father is that you?"

Aiden smirked. "You recognized me, good." He was a little impressed. "After I died by the hands of Solomon, I woke up in a dark pit surrounded by horrifying monstrosities. I thought they were going to rip me apart for all eternity but thankfully God came to rescue me and all he asked in return was for me to serve him, in exchange for my loyalty."

"You sold your soul to the Devil himself." Said Cerviel. "What would mother think if she knew!?" Anger was all he was feeling now.

"I don't care about that! All I want is what is rightfully mine!" He replied. "I am the King of Casterwills and I will take my throne again, I will take back Gwain and after that I will expand my reach to the other kingdoms." His dream was what kept him going. "But my sweet children, we don't have to be enemies you can join me and we can rule as a family."

"And what's the catch?" Asked Geo.

"Well, now that you ask..." Aiden looked up and saw the young red warrior holding her baby near the window. "The Dark God wants your woman and the baby, I'm afraid that our master has no love for the Silver Eyes and so he wants Ruby dead but the baby will be spared. She will become the new weapon for our glorious campaign against the Light God." He then extend his hand towards his sons. "Join me my children and together we shall built a new Casterwill Empire! The Dark Gods will give us everything we want. You can have as many sex slaves as you want Geo, you can always have another child, and Cerviel you can rule Gwain has it is your destiny."

The Casterwill brothers exchanged looks. With those types of promises its not difficult to see why the Dark God has many followers they are what everyone wants, money, power, women. Geo and Cerviel smiled and reached for Aiden's hand with the intend to take his offer, but then their hands turned into his fists and they smashed the old monster's face at the same time. "We refuse!" They said.

Aiden crashed into the middle of his army, sending multiple Grimm flying in every direction. "...You little shits!" He roared. "You two are nothing more than disappointments! I shall erase your souls from existence!" Aiden was beyond furious. "Attack my monsters! Kill and destroy everything in your path and bring the red bitch to me!"

"I made a promise that I wouldn't seek vengeance anymore but now I am not so sure I can keep it." Said Geo. "Besides, you are the one forcing my hand."

The Grimm charged with ferocity towards the two brothers. Cerviel unleashed his blade and made a downward strike slashing a Beowolf in half and when the tip of the blade reached the ground it released a blue stream of Aura that slashed the incoming Grimm from the same direction the other had come. Geo waited and in the right moment he pulled the trigger located below the sword's hilt, it launched his weapon with great speed but he quickly grabbed the blade and slashed the Ursa in front of him in half. Both brothers were strong but which was stronger?

More Grimm charged at their position, Geo and Cerviel moved forward cutting the pack with exceptional skill, dismembering a few of them with just one slash. One of the Ursas swung its claw towards Geo but he ducked and then he pierced the creature's head from below, then he twisted the blade snapping the Ursa's neck. "I am going to kill you all!" Yelled Geo as he decapitated a Beowolf that was to his right. "Our kind once fought against the light but I don't care about that. All I care about is my family! Something you forgot father!"

"SILENCE! Someone kill that brat!" Yelled Aiden.

Several Apathys surrounded the young man they wanted to devour his soul. They began to approach him with drool coming out of their mouths, suddenly loud noises were heard and the monster's heads were partially gone, soon they dissolved into nothing. "...She really has good aim, those hits were perfect." He admired Ruby's sniper skills. Geo looked back and Ruby winked. "Ha, I love that girl."

"Focus brother!" Said Cerviel has he pierced the chest of a Beowolf. "They are too many for us to handle." He smashed his boot against the face of an Apathy, then he sliced off its jaw and decapitated the creature. Then with a yell he leaped into the air cleaving a Grimm into several pieces causing the monster to let out a large roar as it died. More Grimm came towards him but his younger brother jumped into the middle of the pack and began to slaughter them with great rage.

The battle raged on but even though they were killing many Grimm more of them kept coming and soon they were engulfed by the dark forces. The Apathys pinned both Geo and Cerviel to the ground while the rest moves towards the castle to grab Ruby and her daughter. "S-Stop it!" His rage grew. "If you touch her I will kill YOU!" Yelled Geo.

"Hahaha!" Aiden laughed. "Doesn't this remind you of something? I mean it looks so familiar" He asked.

"W-What?"

"Foolish boy, the same thing will happen again. But this time your woman will be raped and murdered in front of your very eyes and your brother will die next, slowly. Just like before remember?"

"Noo! NOOO!" He tried to break free but the Apathy smashed his head agaisnt the ground with force making him lose consience.

"GEOOOOOO!" Yelled Ruby as the Grimm climbed the walls. "Wake up! I need you, I-I can't protect her ALONE! GEOOOO!"

What will you do? Who will you become? Right now you are unfocused, your family and friends became victims by the hand of the Dark God and his followers in front of your very eyes! And still you are unfocused? Who else needs to die before you LEARN? They took your family, they took your world! How will you make them pay?! WHAT WILL YOU TAKE FROM THEM?!

"Everything..." Suddenly a large burst of Aura erupted from his body and it burned the Apathy that was holding him to ash. "I WILL TAKE EVERYTHING!"