Argentum: Well… suffice to say that I really wanted to make this next chapter so here it is.
Grel'Slyfer: Oh I can't wait for this~!
Chris: Getting some Shadow vibes over here…
Shadow: Ugh…
Slayer: Sorry buddy but you being evil yet not evil is kind of a thing now.
Shadow: Doesn't mean I have to like it!
Grel'Slyfer: Oh my… such a poor attitude.
Shadow: I'll show you poor attitude when I shove my foot up your-
Argentum: Okay… I think that's enough of that.
Chris: Was getting a bit much…
Slayer: Moving on… we have no announcements or reviews to go over. So how about we end this and get to the meat of the matter?
Judan: Sounds good to me!
Argentum: Woah hey! You're helping… been a while since you've done that.
Judan: Heh! I'm always in the background helping! Plus I thought I'd be needed for the next few chapters so here I am!
Slayer: Sweet… how about you end this then?
Judan: Okiedokie! We here at the Dark Guard productions own nothing but OC's and reality building concepts. Everything else belongs to their respective owners. Now without further ado…
Everyone: Here's the story!
Hello= Regular talk
Hello= Thoughts
[Hello]= Radio
(Hello)= Telepathy/Mind reading
Chapter Twelve: How I fought for love! Or… How I got the crap beaten out of me…
That night Chris was once again invited back to the mansion. It was a decision made by my paranoia to make sure nothing happened to my goddess. I simply didn't trust Gruldo Cane to not try anything during the night. So as we all laid down thinking of a plan Cassandra was the first to speak.
"Well… based on what he said he had planned. Your date isn't until tomorrow afternoon. I suggest dressing nicely and presentable… yet also in a way that is combat ready. Also make sure to hide a dagger or two on yourself, if only if he tries anything before was can interfere."
Sighing in-between us my thief nodded. "I get what you're saying… doesn't mean I'm going to like having my first date be with a guy like that." That actually got me to raise an eyebrow.
"Wait… this is your first date? That's a bit of a shocker." She gave me a weird look at my comment.
"What's so shocking about this being my first date? I mean Cassandra had hers just a bit ago with you. And she also happened to be your first as well."
I scratched my cheek a bit sheepishly at her logic. "I… I guess that's true. But while I don't mean to sound disrespectful… you are technically older than us. So I thought someone as pretty as you would've had at least one. That's the way I thought on it at least." As Chris blushed Cassandra gave her a hug from behind.
"She is pretty isn't she~?! I completely get your reasoning Michael!" Once again the two of us laughed at my goddess' embarrassment.
"I'm… I'm not that pretty… I was honestly more shocked that Cassandra only had her first with you Michael…" She then grinned trying to hide her blush. "Besides! Aqua sempai has yet to have a date either! And if nothing else guys would normally go for her thinking she'd be easy! If only because… well because of her below average intelligence."
I couldn't help but snort a bit before making a comment. "Chris… We both know Aqua is to dumb even for the most desperate. Why do you think Kazuma has never tried to make a move on her?" I then paused for a moment as I thought on something. "Well… actually… I think the two of them are more like siblings if I'm honest. They certainly act like it at times." That got both my girls to nod in agreement as I hugged both of them, making Chris blush harder and Cassandra giggle. "Well that's beside the point… all I'm saying is that she's not the kind of girl many would go after. But you most certainly are someone most would love to date. In fact I'd like to as well if I wasn't already with Cassandra." I then smiled at Cassandra. "Still love you by the way~." Seeing what I was doing Cassandra grinned.
"Oh you have no cause to worry… she is rather lovable is she not?" Chris could only groan from embarrassment.
"Urgh… could you two please stop teasing me?" As I laughed Cassandra answered her question.
"But you are so adorable when embarrassed~!" That only made Chris groan more before Cassandra spoke softly. "And besides… we just want to show how much we care for you. So no more worrying for tonight, simply rest your mind and wait for tomorrow." Chris' eyes widened a bit at that as I added my own thoughts.
"She's right you know… tomorrow will bring yet another challenge. But for now you don't have to worry about it." Chris smiled at our words before turning so she could hug the both of us.
"Thank you… I knew I was right when I chose you two as my champions!" We all shared a laugh at that before talking about more mundane things. It was a good night all in all, but as my girls fell asleep my thoughts began to wander… I was still perplexed about some of my feelings and thoughts.
Now while I didn't mention this to anyone, and didn't even notice myself until later. But when I was attacking the wyvern I had accidentally ingested some of its blood. When that happened… and after I saw my girls get hurt… I had gone for a lack of a better word… a little feral. I had suddenly become a lot more possessive of the both of them, and now instead of calling Chris our, as in Cassandra and mine, thief. I was now calling her simply mine, which was strange to me… before the only one I had called mine was Cassandra. But only because I had fallen in love with her, and because we were in a relationship. I wasn't more than a good friend to Chris, so I had no idea why I was thinking like this all of a sudden. I needed to think on this further… for that wyvern blood had done something to me.
Looking over to make sure my cuddle buddies were asleep, I dug around in my pocket for my card. Taking it out I looked at my new stats and my two new perks. One was called Dragon blooded (Nil unlock). That one was the one which should've been there from the beginning. For while it wasn't on my card I could see its effects on my stats, what it did was give me a plus one to every stat every time I leveled up. All this time I thought it was simply normal for all stats to increase by one each level. Seemed like that wasn't the case was only this perk that was affecting me.
The next perk was what I had gained by ingesting the wyvern blood. Dragon blooded (minor unlock). This one… this one was interesting. It gave me five to each stat for each year I've been alive. Seeing how I'm sixteen my stats had gotten an enormous boost. In fact I was now very sure that I could've easily killed that wyvern by myself yesterday. But now I was curious…
Just how was I dragon blooded in the first place? And what might happen if I drink actual dragon blood? It was now something I wanted to do if I ever faced a real dragon. But for the first time in my life I was starting to wonder about who I really was. Had I ingested dragon blood before? Or maybe had some draconic heritage? Sighing and shaking my head I decided to figure these things out later. Right now I got to try and help my thief as best as I could. And right now that means being rested enough for tomorrow. With those thoughts I couldn't help but hug both my girls towards me and close my eyes. Just what is up with me lately?
!~kaerbenil elbawonknu eht morf olleH
The next day we had all woken up in the same position as the day before. At this time we were beginning to suspect that someone was moving us in our sleep. Well at least Chris and I did, Cassandra seemed to brush the whole thing off. Making the two of us believe it was actually my lovely princess who was doing it. However seeing how we had no proof and Cassandra was rather deflective about it… the two of us sort of moved on. Knowing that there were more important matters to go and deal with. So while we ate breakfast at the guild building we spoke.
"Well… so the plan is thus." I gestured to Cassandra as I continued. "Me and Cassandra here will follow from a good distance as to not be seen. With our knight's hearing she should be able to pick up on anything that might happen." My girls both nodded in understanding as Cassandra asked a question.
"As more of precaution than anything else… what should we do if he can sense us in some way?"
Chris was the one to answer her. "Well… if that happens we can just say that the two of you are on another date. And then see if we can make a double date of some sort. If that doesn't work we can just use the excuse that you happen to be going to the same places as the two of us." Cassandra hummed before nodding.
"I suppose that is the best that we can do. Hopefully he won't think twice about why the two of us are armed." That got us to chuckle before we started speaking of various scenarios, including one where Gruldo did nothing and all this time he just really wanted to go on a date with my thief. Though we highly doubted that all of this was simply for that, it was good to be prepared for if this whole thing was simple paranoia. Because hey! You never really know what could happen.
So time passed by and all of our nerves itched until three minutes right before noon… Gruldo showed up. The man was still wearing his black and red suit. Cane in one hand, top hat on his head, and his free hand waving as soon as he spotted us. We all couldn't help but tense a bit as he approached us.
"AH! My friends~! How wonderful it is to see all of you!" He then turned specifically at Chris. "Hmm… I thought you were beautiful before. But this new black and white theme you have now is very lovely. I simply love your jacket my dear. The two string around your lower arms and the black fur around your neck! Oh and I love the black tipped belts hanging from it! Your black shirt and white sting up one over it also compliments the whole scheme." He then much to her discomfort looked down at her legs before looking into her eyes again. "Your black and white trimmed shoes are also a nice compliment~! Along with the black shorts! Oh how you look ready for a date yet still kept a thief's appearance!" As he gushed over Chris' new outfit… which I will also admit looked nice on her. She coughed into her fist breaking Gruldo out of his rant.
"OH! I'm sorry! I didn't make you feel uncomfortable like this my dear. I just am a connoisseur of fashion is all! And you are very fashionable right now~!" Despite not wanting to both I and Cassandra couldn't help but nod in agreement. Chris could only blush while periodically looking at me. Blinking something was finally starting to click in my head when it came to my beautiful thief. However before I could think on it more Gruldo clapped his hands. "Well now! I thank you both for keeping my date company until I arrived. But I now officially declare that this date has started!" Upon his last words something happened. I could feel that word carry some power.
Said power was directed towards Chris who also seemed to feel it. That's when two things happened. One Gruldo narrowed his eyes at me, catching my expression of shock, and Chris… Chris' eyes dulled very slightly. What's more is that she seemed to completely relax and stand up.
"Sounds great! Let's go!" Cassandra and I were shocked as she took Gruldo's arm in hers and left the guild building waving at us. "See you two later!" They then left, but I could only feel my anger grow.
Clenching my fists I stood up. "That bastard…" My princess looked at me in shock. For during all the time I've known her I've never once cursed someone out in front of her. So she was rightfully worried when she questioned me.
"Michael… why did he do?" Try as I might I still spoke with some venom.
"Somehow… this deal he made with Chris has taken over her mind!" Her eyes widened before realization came to her.
"Wait… the deal! Chris has to do anything he wants as long as it isn't "creepy"! But creepy is something which is open to much personal preference!" I wanted to punch myself for overlooking that! I felt so stupid for not thinking that the deal would force Chris to become Gruldo's slave for duration of the date!
"We need to go after them now!" Nodding in agreement, Cassandra stood up with determination in her silver eyes. She was the first to start running, something I allowed because she could track them better than I could. Unfortunately it seemed as if they were nowhere to be seen. Even asking around didn't help us pinpoint where they could have gone. Thankfully a certain party of misfits were of great help.
"Hey guys!" Turning around I saw Kazuma and co running up to us. "We heard you were looking around for Chris and that smug jerk Gruldo." We nodded as he continued. "You won't find them in the city… you see as we were returning from our daily quest we saw them. If only briefly by the gates as they seemed to teleport somewhere else." My eyes widened at that, for once again teleportation wasn't something I had even thought about. Taking a breath I thanked them before starting a run towards the gates. I had one shot at something, and I wasn't about to waste it. Lyb'Craeft activated I ran forward.
I promised her… I promised nothing would happen to her and I am going to keep that promise! Gritting my teeth I kept running until we arrived at the gate. Using my eyes I looked for any lingering magical equations. I was hinging on the hope that this teleportation spell was similar to my own. For while I didn't have enough time to really practice with my spell work. I have experimented a bit. It was during one such experiment that I was able to learn that my teleportation left behind a trail I could follow, if only for a short time. Thankfully my hunch was correct as I saw some slightly faded equations. Smiling I took out another magic reinforcement potion, draining it in one go I turned to Cassandra.
"I can follow them… but it this will probably be a bit of a doozy of a fight. In fact Chris could be controlled to attack us." She frowned but nodded in understanding. Smiling softly I took her hand and kissed her for a moment. This seemed to have finally surprised her as she blinked in confusion. "Haha… just a kiss for good luck my lovely princess."
She smirked at me while taking my hand. "I appreciate it my love. Now let's go and rescue your lovely thief~." Normally I would've questioned her on what she meant by "my lovely thief", but we were on a time crunch. So after giving her a brief look of confusion I turned back to the equation Gruldo left behind. Using almost more than two thirds of my magic, I ripped the fading portal back open again. Taking out a few more potions I replenished what I had used before walking through. What I didn't expect was to see a rocky canyon on the other side.
"Ah… I wondered when you would come… you did strike me as the cunning and resourceful type." Turning towards the voice as the portal closed I narrowed my eyes in anger. For just a few meters away was both Gruldo and Chris. My thief appeared to be in even more of a daze a she sat on man's lap. However while she may have looked rather similar, she did seem a bit older. Her hair now also reached her waist, and her eyes were silver once again. "Now I don't know if you know this… but your beautiful thief is actually-"
I couldn't help but cut him off in anger. "Is actually the goddess Eris? Yeah we know that… and now I also know that you simply want her for some reason."Gruldo hummed while petting Chris' head, only angering me further. "Grr… the jig is up Gruldo! If that even is your real name! So let her go now!" Seeing my reaction to simply petting my thief made Gruldo smile.
"Oh my… seems as if someone is in love with more than just their beautiful elf." That got me to pause as my eyes widened. "Oh? What's this? Didn't even realize your feelings until now?
Cassandra seemed to speak in exasperation at this point. "I know! I was waiting to see when Michael would bring it up! I am fine with sharing as long as we all have lots of children together! I want an enormous family and I doubt little old me could keep up by my lonesome!" The rest of us even my dazed thief quickly tuned to her in shocked confusion. Seeing our looks Cassandra coughed sheepishly into her hand. "Umm… forget you heard that for now…"
Shaking his head Gruldo seemed to decide to do just that. "Coming back to the issue at hand… you see I need my dear Eris here for something important. However it would appear that her resistance to my deals is stronger than I first anticipated." As I raised an eyebrow he elaborated. "You see… I thought with her under our previous deal I could get her to give me what I wanted. However her strength of will has stopped me from my true goal… turns out I need her full compliance for what I wish for. Which is a shame because I'm only here because of what my younger brother told me." Frowning Cassandra spoke up while unsheathing her sword.
"If you can only make deals with her willing… then you have no more need for Eris! So I demand that you let her go!" Gruldo shook her head with a smirk. "Oh? And why not?!" Setting Eris to the side Gruldo stood up holding his cane like a sword.
"Simple… I'll declare the date as over giving the girl her free will back. Once that step is done I'll torture the both of you until she gives me what I want. She does care for you Princess Cassandra." Turning to me as I unsheathed my sword he smirked. "And whether she wants to admit it she loves you Mr. Smith… though I will admit to hating you myself for another reason…" With those words a weight seemed to drop on us. Blood lust seemed to seep into the air. "Would you like me to tell you the rest of my play's story?" Gulping I said nothing as I prepared myself. "Heh heh heh… The story goes that Fernou… the fifty first Darkwraith… married the elder dragon… and betrayed the Abyss. Giving out secrets… betraying them… Eventually the two disappeared somewhere, had a child whose location is still unknown."
I couldn't help but scoff. "And? Sounds like they had a happy life, so what's your point-" His anger and his bloodlust increased ten-fold at my words.
"What's my point? You… you brat…." There was a small distortion of black energy as he spoke. Covering him as his voice now slightly echoed. "My point is that she and that dratsab were eventually hunted down by her older brothers…" The distortion was now gone, and though he didn't change much. He now had fox ears and a ten fox tails. "Her older brothers who were so heartbroken over her betrayal… the thirtieth Darkwraith Nel'Ren…" Both of us stiffened at that name but when he took off his glasses and looked us in the eyes… we knew we were rather screwed. "And the twenty fifth Darkwraith… Grel'Slyfer. Also known as the deal maker. As in myself." His eyes had magic circles in them now, but he had the same black sclera as Nel'Ren.
Gritting my teeth I couldn't help but let out my own anger. "So you killed you younger sister?! Tch… some older brothers you two were. But at least now I know how you knew Chris was actually Eris. Let me guess… Nel'Ren told you about our little encounter?" He narrowed his eyes as he took some steps forward.
"Indeed… at first he hadn't recognized one of this world's goddesses. But after thinking it over it swiftly came to my younger brother. When I had heard of how there was a goddess walking amongst mortals I had saw an opportunity. An opportunity to steal a goddesses powers." At this point I wasn't nearly as surprised as I probably should have been. I was also way to snarky for the situation in hindsight.
Hence what I said next. "Also recognized Aqua I'm guessing? Ha! Sorry pal but I'm in no mood for your games. So you either leave or I come over there and cut off your head!" Cassandra was looking at me worriedly as Grel'Slyfer glared at me.
"You know… I didn't lie about my hate for dragons… that… creature that stole my sister… I hate all of his kind… and you Michael Smith… I can feel some dragon in you! So killing you? That will be the cheery on top of all of this."
With wide eyes Cassandra turned to me. "Michael… what does he mean by that?" Sighing I swiftly answered.
"I honestly have no idea… might have something to do with two of my new skills. But I got nothing for you, and if I did I would've told you and Chris by now." She took my words at face value and pointed her sword at Grel'Slyfer.
"This is your final warning you abomination! For while we may have lost to your brother! We have improved greatly since then! And will not fall to you and whatever tricks you have up your sleeves!" The Darkwraith laughed slightly before snapping his fingers. As he did so Chris' eyes became full of life once more.
"Wha… what happened?" Before we could say something Grel'Slyfer kicked her towards us. "GAH!" Moving swiftly I caught my goddess as she held breathed in pain. "Ah… I think that broke a rib…" Frowning I healed her before setting her down. "Phew… thanks bestie!" Smiling I became serious as I turned back to our enemy. Seeing that a fight was about to start, Chris took out her two daggers from her coat. "So… I've honestly been a bit out of it. Guessing this guy was a prick the entire time?"
Cassandra couldn't help but laugh before answering her. "You could say that… turns out he's Nel'Ren's older brother and wants your divinity. But can't make a deal for it unless you consciously make a deal with him." Chris did not look happy at those words.
"Is that so… well then… guess we need to put this abomination in his place!" With that the three of us got into a loose formation, prepared to tackle Grel'Slyfer as one unit. The Darkwraith only laughed before taunting us once again.
"HAHAHA! Wonderful! I do always enjoy watching my prey struggle~! Very well then… prepare for combat!" And so the fight between us and the Darkwraith had begun.
!~kaerbenil elbawonknu eht morf olleH
I was the first to attack, for though still lacking a bow I had my spells to fall back on. Deciding to start big I used my concussive force spell as my party members charged in. Narrowing his eyes Grel'Slyfer sliced through my spell while blocking an attack from Chris. Her speed still being the highest between the three of us, unfortunately her strength was lacking and Grel'Slyfer easily pushed her away. Cassandra while slower still had the highest strength stat. However blocking her sword with his cane looked easy to him. Deciding to join the fray I blinked behind our enemy much to his apparent shock. As my black flames licked at his body I swung.
Pushing Cassandra away he blocked my attempt to take his head. Jumping from rock to rock, Chris struck once more only for the Darkwraith to grab her arm and throw her. It was a strong throw and her back hit a large rock making her cough. Seeing her get hurt only made me angrier and more determined. Yelling out in anger I pushed more against him, his eyes widening at my increased strength.
With a hand glowing a sickly purple he pointed at me and then swiftly to the side. With my Lyb'Craeft eyes I could see what he was doing but could not stop it. So I could only grit my teeth as he telekinetically slammed me into another boulder. It hurt… but I got up anyways, knowing I still had to fight. Looking up I could see Cassandra using her sword and shield to block and deflect our enemies swift and powerful attacks. After a moment of exchanging blows Grel'Slyfer laughed.
"HAHAHA You have a good shield… yet a shield made by latrom hands…" He swung up with his cane completely slicing through my princess' adamantine shield. "Is still nothing more than flimsy metal to a being such as I!" He was about to bring his cane down on my princess so I acted swiftly and blinked in-between them. Using deflecting his attack to the side before swinging at his middle, but he was too fast and quickly deflected me. We quickly began a deadly dance that kept picking up in speed. "You were trained well! Not many are as skilled as you are! But… it still means nothing…" With one hand he waved at us and blew myself and Cassandra back once more. Catching my elven princess I took most of the damage, only to use my healing spells to reverse any damage done.
Setting Cassandra down I didn't even say anything as I re-joined a now standing Chris. The two of us using our speed attacked swiftly. But the bloody man's cane was always there to block every single strike! I could feel myself getting angrier and more bloodthirsty with every exchange. As if to mock my anger and our efforts, the Darkwraith jumped back and with a wave of his hand launched enormous boulders at us. Using my slight gravity manipulation spell I was able to divert them myself and my girls. I could feel myself tiring… all the spells I've used are massive drains on my magic energy. Deciding to get some distance, I teleported myself and Chris back to Cassandra as Grel'Slyfer launched more rocks at us. As I watched him like a hawk I drank more magic potions to regain some more strength.
That's when our enemy teleported behind us and swung at Chris, pushing my goddess out of the way was Cassandra. She had thought to try and tank the blow but it was too much for her. So coughing out blood in her helmet, my princess was launched into more rock. Hitting them hard enough to crater them and knock her helmet off. If I was angry before I was more so now.
"YOU!" Rushing in I attacked with all my might, my strength seemingly feeding off my anger. My blows knocking my enemies off enough for me to finally start being a threat, so much so that I actually cut Grel'Slyfer's right cheek. Black blood dripped from the wound as he teleported back.
His handing rubbing the cut before bringing it up to his face. "Interesting… it would appear that you have grown much stronger…" Looking back up at us his cut seemed to simply vanish. "I suppose I can get a little more serious now." With his piece said Grel'Slyfer's body seemed to glow the same sickly purple as his hand. "Now break before the storm that is my power!" As if responding to his cry rocks of all size lifted off the ground. They seemed to hover for a moment before being launched at my goddess and I. Gritting my teeth I jumped in front of Chris and weathered the storm. Deflecting the smaller rocks with my sword, while using magic to block the larger ones. "Goddess Eris!" Chris looked up a the one who called her true name. "If you do not wish for the one you love to die for you… then give your power to me! If you do so I promise to let him live for a time!"
The deal was given and I couldn't help but shout at Chris as a rock hit the top of my head. "Chris! Don't listen to him! No matter what happens… no matter what he offers… don't accept any deal from this monster!" Blood was dripping into my left eye and I was running out of magic. But I was determined to not let this bastard get the best of me!
Thankfully neither was Cassandra who had stood back up. "That's right! Do not trust this abomination!" Grel'Slyfer's eyes widened as Cassandra swung down on him, having successfully snuck up on our enemies blind side. However… "What?" As the sound of shattering metal echoed through the canyon the Darkwraith smirked.
"I told you… metal made by mortal hands cannot harm me!" With the back of his hand Grel'Slyfer slapped Cassandra away. Her head hitting a rock with a crack.
Behind me Chris called out as I stared dumbly. "CASSANDRA!" Seeing my princess with her blood staining the ground… well I lost it. I had never felt this way before… such anger and hate was something I was unfamiliar with. I couldn't speak… I couldn't think… I couldn't even express any emotion. I just felt this anger and rage boiling inside of me. I suppose it was only inevitable that Grel'Slyfer would set me off.
"Hmph… pathetic woman… lost her whole kingdom… and even after all this time… that wench can still not save anyone." Gripping my blade I rushed forward cutting through everything sent at me. "Huh?" Turning back to me I saw his eyes widen as I seemed to appear right in front of him. "What in the-" I struck as dark energy seemed to seep off of me. "ARGH!" His yell of pain was the only thing I vindictively took notice of. A large wound appearing on his torso. "Wretched lizard!" His anger wasn't even close to mine as I kept striking. By blade a flurry of shining black metal, cutting away at him as the Darkwraith did his best to block and counter. "Enough!"
With a wave of telekinetic power he launched me off of himself. However still in my current state I managed to get right myself and hit the rock cliff feet first. Cracking it as I did so, I then launched myself forward. Gritting his pointed teeth Grel'Slyfer launched more boulders at me. However I simply cut through them, I somehow in my frenzied state copied his telekinesis and launched both halves at him.
"WHAT!" Though the Darkwraith destroyed both with a single swing he wasn't preparing for what I did next. "That's my-" I cut him off as I poured every last bit of magic power left in my body into one last swing. It was Grel'Slyfer's own energy swipe that he used on the wyvern. Only my attack was a large black flame that seemed to consume his whole body. "ARGH!" His screams of pain echoed out as everything behind him vaporized or melted in molten rock. When the dust settled so to speak he wasn't there.
It was only then, seeing how there was no enemy left to fight that I felt myself regain consciousness… and my body hurt! Coughing out some blood I fell onto my back. Running up to me as I struggled to get my pain under control was Chris. On her back was Cassandra who was still unconscious.
"Michael! Are you alright?!" Seeing my girls I forced a grin and raised my hand in a thumbs up. My goddess gave me a dirty look. "YOU… ARE… NOT… FINE!" I chuckled for just a moment before gritting my teeth in pain. My whole body felt as if it was on fire. Sighing she set Cassandra down before undoing the clasps on her jacket. My goddess took it off leaving her black sleeves bare as she folded it. Still frowning at me she put it under my head. "Here… you need to rest some before you even begin to think of a way home." Funny how she knew me so well… I would've laughed a bit more but I was still in too much pain. After a moment she smiled softly at me. "Still… you actually beat a Darkwraith… and saved me like you said you would." Chris paused for a moment and probably would've said something else but we heard a dark laugh.
"HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHA!" We froze as a dark presence radiated from behind my goddess. "I will admit… I shouldn't have taken you so lightly! Maybe if I hadn't I wouldn't have lost one of my lives!" My eyes widened as I forced myself through the pain. Standing up while using my sword as a cane I saw Grel'Slyfer. Completely unharmed and looking just as pretentious as ever.
"How…? How are you still alive?!" My question went unanswered as he seemed to disappear. My instincts flaring off I pushed Chris and Cassandra away as the ground underneath me exploded. I was sent flying back but before I could hit anything a gloved hand grabbed my face. "You… your powers are interesting… but it seemed that whatever state you entered to beat me once has left you drained!" I couldn't even speak as his hand tightened his hold on me. I kicking and while gritting my teeth. Trying to get this monster to let go but to no avail. "Yes… your power is now gone." He seemed to enter some sort of state of reminisce as he began trying to crush my skull. "You know… my creator had modeled me off of those Kitsune… demon foxes. I have a true form that empowers me even further… but you to defeat me even in this state? I must have truly underestimated you."
Gripped tightened to the point where I could no longer hold in my screams. "No matter… all of this will be over soon enough as it is." I was about to black out as I heard Chris' voice shout out through the darkness.
"STOP! Please just stop!" His grip slackened as he turned to. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my goddess crying. "Just stop… I'll… I'll give you want you want… just don't hurt him anymore…" I could barely give out a small "no" as Grel'Slyfer dropped me.
His gait was full of arrogance as he approached Chris. "Oh? Finally ready to give yourself up? Had enough of watching the one you love be tortured and battered for you sake?" There was anger and frustration in her eyes as Chris nodded. "Well then… as promised in return for your divine powers I will let the young man live for a time. This sound agreeable to you?" Chris was now breathing heavily and couldn't even speak. But she nodded her head holding out her hand.
Gritting my teeth I tried to stop her. "NO! Don't do it Chris! You… You can't trust him!" Looking at me with sad yet kind and loving eyes my goddess spoke to me with a wavering voice.
"I… I don't have a choice… I… I couldn't live with myself I if you died because of me…"
I could barely speak her name at this point. "Chris… Eris… no…" That's when she grabbed Grel'Slyfer's outstretched hand and started screaming. "NO!" I could only watch as what seemed to be silver energy was drained from her body. The silver energy meeting with Grel'Slyfer's sickly purple energy, and for a moment it seemed to cause him discomfort. As if the divine energy was fighting him, but it didn't last too long as Eris' diving power became his, turning the same sickly purple. Letting her hand go he laughed as Eris fell to her knees. Shock and pain clear on her face.
"Yes… yes… YES! It's been soo long since I've taken a god's power! Though it is nothing more than a drop for me… the thought of taking it is wondrous!" Looking back down at Eris he smiled viscously. "I thank you my dear… now let me help you reunite with your love." He then kicked her towards me. I couldn't even stand as she rolled in front of me, holding her side in pain as blood dripped from her lips.
"Eris!" Crawling to my fallen goddess I picked her up and held her close. "You fool… you wondrous and beautiful fool…" She looked up at me with a sad smirk.
"I really screwed the pooch on this one huh?" I could only hold her closer as I heard Grel'Slyfer approach us.
His voice disgustingly smug and prideful. "Hmhmhm… what fun… you do care for these two don't you?" I could only glare up at him as he continued. "Well like I said I'll let you live for a time…" He then stomped down on my right leg breaking it. I could barely hold in my scream of pain. "Didn't say anything about torturing you filthy lizard blooded freak for an hour before killing you now did I?!" I felt as if it was it… I was going to die here. In my arms I saw Eris start crying, knowing that her sacrifice meant absolutely nothing. That this abomination was going to kill all of us. Keeping true to his word that I would be left alive for a "time".
I didn't know what to do. My strength is gone… my potions currently unreachable… leg broken… Cassandra unconscious with a probable concussion… and finally Eris… my beautiful and lovely goddess and thief has nothing left to give. I suppose this is it… Gritting my teeth I couldn't help but cry in frustration. It isn't fair… it isn't fair! I trained so hard to fight these things! And now when it matters most I'm no where near strong enough to win?! "It just isn't fair!" Eris crying as well looked at me in pain.
Grel'Slyfer on the other hand only laughed. "HAHAHA! What a laugh! Not fair?! I said the same thing when I found out my sister betrayed me… when I am my brother were sent out as the ones to either take her back home or kill her! Well here's the truth of all of creation boy!" He raised his cane to cut me down in a fit of anger. "There is no such thing as fairness in life!" Closing my eyes I hugged Eris tightly against my body. Waiting for the strike to come and kill me. But it never came… no the sound of wood striking wood echoed out. "You… out of everyone… it had to be you coming to save the day…" Opening my eyes I saw a man in white blocking Grel'Slyfer's black and red cane with a white and black cane.
On his head was a white and black striped top hat that shook a bit as he laughed. "HAHA! Well what can I say old friend… Out of all the Darkwraith's I've ever encountered… I hate you the most." Pushing the Darkwraith away the man continued. "So why else would I come here to kick your ass?" His crude words only seemed to enrage the gentlemanly Darkwraith.
"Judan…" He was practically growling as he bloodlust once more radiated from his body. "If you wish to die by my hands then so be it… I'll enjoy ripping you to shreds! And when I'm done I'll present your remains to your freak of a master Modaga!" Eris seemed to perk up at that name.
"Modaga… the god of chaos Modaga! Did he send you here to save us?!" As he turned to smile at us I was relieved as this Judan character nodded. Eris was as well, and her whole body became slack in my arms. "Thank all that is good…" She then turned to me with relieved tears in her eyes. "I… I guess we get to live after all."
I was about to reply when I heard a certain princess speak up. "Oh just kiss her already!" In confusion we turned to see a now conscious Cassandra. "Don't give me that look! I'm fine with sharing as long as I get a bigger family now kiss!" Before I could say anything about it not being the right time, or about us not even have discussing anything yet. Eris painfully sat up and kissed me. "THERE! Finally!" I couldn't help but roll my eyes before kissing Eris back.
After a moment I pulled back. "Well… guess that settles that." She quickly buried her red face into my chest as I smiled. "Love you to my beautiful thief." She mumbled something as I looked up, now serious as I saw the two top hat wearing fighters staring one another down.
Judan seemed to be a bit of quipster as he spoke cockily. "Heh… how many times have we fought now? Ten? Twenty? Even a hundred? How many lives have I taken? Five? No I'm pretty sure I've taken at least nine by now." He smirk seemed to grow wider at Grel'Slyfer's growl. "And now because you underestimated this young man you lost another life. Tell me… still have fifteen lives left? Or has anyone taken any and I wasn't aware of it?" That Darkwraith snapped at him, his bloodlust growing along with his anger.
"That is none of your concern!" He seemed about to attack when a black vortex appeared behind him. Judan seemed to tense as it appeared, but what came out of it cause me and my girls to stiffen in fear.
"Elder brother… that's enough." It was Nel'Ren and he seemed exactly as vile as the last time we all met. "You acquired what you wanted to here. There is no reason to risk losing another life on this disciple of chaos. For now let's retreat, let these pathetic beings lick their wounds. We still have much work to do ourselves now don't we?"
Grel'Slyfer seemed to breathe out his anger before nodding. "True words younger brother… true words." Turning around both started walking towards the vortex as Judan shouted at them.
"HEY! Don't you dare try and run away you cowards!" Nel'Ren turned to him and scoffed.
"You should be grateful. I mean do you honestly think even you… and your tremendous power… could fight us and protect those insects at the same time? No… I truly doubt that." Then with a wave he entered the vortex with his brother. Then as suddenly as it appeared… it vanished making Judan sigh in annoyance. Turning to me as I held both my girls now tightly to my chest he chuckled.
"Hehe… well I guess you have some questions?" The three of us nodded our heads vigorously. "HAH! I like your trio's spunk! Well before all that let's get the three of you rested. Don't want any of you to fall asleep as I explain things right? But let me warn you… I didn't save you for free. No! From this point on you'll be working for me. What I mean by that… well I'll explain later. After I get all of you back home." He then smirked as he walked over to us. "After all… my "youthful" teacher of chaos Modaga wouldn't want you three to miss out on anything… important."
It was then that my life took another turn… but thinking back on it. It wasn't exactly a bad turn… no… it was just an unexpected turn. But hey?! When working with the god of youthful chaos… it's always best to expect the unexpected. Doesn't mean that I don't want to punch Modaga in the face from time to time however.
!~kaerbenil elbawonknu eht morf olleH
Argentum: Whew… another chapter done! And I did it in a couple of days!
Judan: Helped that you were thinking of this particular meeting for months now.
Grel'Slyfer: Yes a marvelous performance from myself!
Shadow: If by marvelous you mean an evil performance… than sure.
Slayer: Seconded!
Grel'Slyfer: Oh? Is someone jealous?
Shadow: No.
Argentum: Okay that's enough of that, for we got one final announcement to make before finishing up here.
Judan: YEP! For I am now a character in another story! WHOOHOO!
Argentum: That wasn't the announcement…
Judan: Aww.~
Slayer: The actual announcement is… without spoiling anything… is a simple hint for those of you who like the KonoSuba setting.
Argentum: Simply put… we'll be changing it soon. What that means you'll understand in the upcoming chapter. So don't flame us or whatever you people do nowadays.
Shadow: That's one way of saying that… but oh well that's the truth of it.
Argentum: Yep now time to end this… and I choose Slayer to do so~!
Slayer: Okay… This has been a Dark Guard production now signing off!~
Everyone: Goodbye!