Author's note: Nothing new, but as always, thanks for waiting!
Sorry if this is a short one, but at least I've tried...
On a side note, I'm not really good with fight scenes, but again, I've tried.
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For the next few days, the Alexandra siblings had begun to fight alongside, and even hang out with, the Mad Hearts Neo. As much as it gladdened Pyrrha, it also began breaking down Patroklos's smug demeanor, and as a result, he thanked them for helping him and his sister out, as well as learning to become a better person.
But for Ares, he was not pleased with the younger sibling's change of attitude.
"This is bullshit; you're getting all this advice from those bints, and not me, for once. What gives?" he asked.
Patroklos just replied, "I don't know, but since I've gotten to know them and Schwarzwind, I have been considering the idea of being a hero, and not some bloodthirsty fighter hunting malfested."
"Even if the so-called 'malfested' you fight are sick and in pain." he heard Athena added.
She had leaned against a tree, looking on with a serious expression, before she softened. "Thankfully, you've been learning an awful lot from your sister, and to some extent, Schwarzwind and the Mad Hearts Neo."
He nodded, much to Ares's chagrin as he rolled his eyes.
"Come to think of it, I've a feeling Freyja may have something to announce to me and Pyrrha. I hope it's a good one." he said.
"I hope so." Athena replied.
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Later on, once dinner was had, the entire group were to arrive at Schwarzwind's base. True to her word, Freyja was ready to admit some news to them.
"Ah, so they're finally here." Siegfried said.
"Indeed." Hilde added.
The trio, along with Tristy, would then enter a large room, which was used for public meetings and what not. Also present there were the Alexandra siblings, the Mad Hearts Neo, Z.W.E.I. and his henchmen and Viola.
"It is gladdening to know you've returned here." the goddess explained. "As promised, I have found the other 'Fated Hero'."
Lydia was on the edge of her seat, Elizabeth was cupping her chin in thought, and Greed and Malice were extremely nervous and Z.W.E.I. listened. Patroklos seemed indifferent, though Pyrrha was immensely curious.
"The other Fated Hero is..."
Silence followed for a few seconds, until Freyja finally concluded.
"...Patroklos Alexander!"
"What?!"
Her words were able to stir nearly everyone, and it didn't take long for Z.W.E.I. to utter those words with a shocked expression on his face. "That's impossible! He's only been with the Mad Hearts Neo for only a few days!" he exclaimed.
"Well, judging from we have seen from him, he has been lately taking notes from Marie and her allies, and most importantly, the advice of Pyrrha, and even Athena, the goddess of wisdom." Tristy replied.
"Oh, really?"
The voice that asked such a question was Ares, who was crossing his arms with a rather noticeable frown. "So, he doesn't listen to me anymore? What the hell does all this mean?!"
"It means that I've been...turning over a new leaf a bit. After all, I seem to finally understand that since I'm the other 'Fated Hero' alongside Marie, it's time to take responsibility and stop being a jerk." Patroklos replied.
The god growled under his breath, before he dissolved out of the room. Pyrrha could only smile at her brother as she exclaimed, "Congratulations!"
And yet, her smile turned into a confused look as she heard Marie asking, "But...if he is to wield Soul Calibur, then...who will wield Soul Edge?"
Helen's teeth were chattering as she shuddered whilst thinking it over, while Freyja responded with, "I do not know...but I am certain something horrible will happen to them."
Marie sighed, but managed a small smile as she looked over at Patroklos. However, Z.W.E.I. was not happy that he wouldn't be the other 'Fated Hero', and left the room, with Greed and Malice worriedly following him.
This prompted the young blond man to take notice and ask, "May I excuse myself?"
"Sure."
Hearing Marie's response, he would then leave the room.
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Outside, Patroklos was able to locate Z.W.E.I. at the sprawling courtyard. Greed and Malice were also there, trying to get him to stop being angry and accept what's going on.
Though it was clear that the silver-haired man wasn't angry, but rather puzzled.
"So, you've become one of the Fated Heroes alongside Marie?" he asked. "As much as I am happy for her obtaining Soul Calibur in the past, it's clear you're not fit to wield its twin."
"Hey, I'm trying my best not to be so much of an asshole, as I've already said to everyone else."
"Really? Then if you really think you're capable of leading the way...prove your worth!" Z.W.E.I. exclaimed.
It didn't take long for him to take out his sword, Kreuzgriff, and along with that, a wolf-like being emerged as well. Greed and Malice, when they saw it for the first time, were initially surprised and flabbergasted.
But as of now, they had gotten used to seeing it with Z.W.E.I. The wolf's name was, believe it or not, E.I.N.
"Hey, blondie! You ever seen a guy fighting alongside a wolf?" Malice asked.
Patroklos just ignored him as he brought out his weapon, the sword and shield, Stigma and Arcadia, respectively. Just as he was ready to strike, though, Z.W.E.I. caught him by surprise with a few slashes.
But as he was ready to continue his onslaught, the blond fought back, using his shield to block, and then opening fire on him. It was clear that he had taken up training when he was younger by his father, and to some extent, Ares.
His opponent had E.I.N. already backing him up, and the wolf spirit ripped through the young man with his claws. It broke some of Patroklos's armor, but he was still putting up a fight.
"Is it true that you've learned a lot from your mentor, the god of bloodshed himself?" Z.W.E.I. asked.
"Ares? My mentor? My father WAS my mentor, but when he passed on..."
Patroklos would then counter his attack, before narrowly avoiding E.I.N.'s grasp and delivering a flurry of blows to him.
"...Ares took over!" he followed up by muttering under his breath, "And maybe Athena, too."
As he finished his sentence, he would perform his Critical Edge. He pulled off an uppercut of sorts on him, flung him into the air, and then bring him down to the ground after two more hits.
"What's going on?"
Marie's voice rang out as she entered the courtyard, and added, "Why are you guys arguing about all this? Besides, this fight of yours is just too immature. Plus, it's actually a good thing, and you know it."
Patroklos looked over at her, and as Z.W.E.I. got up thanks to Greed and Malice, so did he. "Forgive me for my indignant attitude towards the lot of you." the silver-haired man told her.
"I was genuinely confused and shocked as to why Patroklos would be the other 'Fated Hero' and wield Soul Calibur alongside you. But now that I think of it, I realize that he's not so bad, after all."
His words prompted a genuine smile from Marie, and she said, "I'm glad you now know. I thought you were gonna get mad, but instead you got pretty puzzled."
"I know."
After speaking to her, Z.W.E.I. brought his glance over to Patroklos. "As for you...I suppose you're worthy enough to be the 'Fated Heroes' together."
He ended up smiling at his words, and with a nod, said a simple, "Thanks."
"Are you allright, Z.W.E.I.?"
Viola had also showed up, offering to tend to his wounds with Elizabeth. She had sported a noticeable look of worry, and that was enough to get his attention.
"I'm okay...thank you for your concern." he said to her.
A small smile appeared on Viola's features, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he liked seeing her smile. Even if it was on a rare occasion.
"Since you're both shaken up a bit from that fight, allow Liz and the other doctors to treat you." Marie said, to which both men nodded in agreement.
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Later on, at the Mad Hearts Neo's headquarters, Pyrrha had told Patroklos that Marie wanted him to see her in her room. It was quite clear that she had a lot on her mind as much as he, so he went to visit her.
The perky leader was more than happy to let him in, and took note as to how ridiculously girly her room was. But despite the pink walls of her room and a small collection of antique dolls, she also had a training dummy of medium size, as well as books detailing the wars involving Soul Calibur and Soul Edge.
"That's a pretty cute bedroom you have there." Patroklos said to her.
"Thanks!"
She then added as she sat on the bed, "There was something I wanna bring up, and it's about Z.W.E.I. When Freyja announced that you'd be the other wielder of Soul Calibur, as well as one of the two Fated Heroes, he seemed pretty angry when he stormed out."
"Are you saying that he wasn't happy about it?"
"Not really, and he even told me about how much he wanted that title alongside me. And to be honest, I kind of expected him to be such. Especially since he spent a lot of time at Schwarzwind."
"Does that mean you didn't want me as a Fated Hero?" Patroklos asked.
Marie was perplexed at first, but she replied, "But you make a good Fated Hero. I know it isn't Z.W.E.I., but I know it's all for the best. Viola reassured me that he'll get over the shock about having Freyja picking you over him."
She would then smile again, and added, "Besides, I'm certain we'll make a good team together. Platonically speaking, that is. Plus, my biggest wish..."
Marie looked out the window, a hopeful look in her eyes. "...is to ensure that Soul Edge will be destroyed once and for all."
Patroklos would end up smiling back, before replying with, "Me too. I agree with your words there."
She turned her head to face him, and nodded in agreement. "I'm glad to hear it. Well..."
It wouldn't take long for her to remove her combat boots as she said, "I think it's time to hit the sack. Goodnight, Patroklos."
"Goodnight."
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Meanwhile, a feminine, and rather lithe figure with a very large, circle-esque blade looked over the town of Lasberg. She smirked as she said under her breath, "We'll meet again, Pyrrha."
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Keep in mind that there will be multiple endings, and of course chapters that follow certain routes that lead to said endings. I'll even bring up another reason about the multiple endings, so stay tuned.
With love for my fans,
Chrissy