Author's note: Thanks for waiting!
In case you're wondering, there will be a total of six endings for this story. However, these will happen much later on, and I'm not gonna spoil anything. But it does have to do with a crucial decision at the end of a particular chapter.
Also, before anyone starts going 'random events plot', well, it's not. Not only am I making it as cohesive as I can, but certain events will pretty much be brought up in later chapters, so stay tuned for that.
And is it just me, or is this fanfic playing out similar to a galge?
With that being said, enjoy!
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Several days later...
Since joining Schwarzwind and working for them, as well as the Mad Hearts Neo, Patroklos and Pyrrha had been accustomed to knowing almost every threat involved with Soul Edge. It also helped that Lydia, scholar that she was, helped them out on some occasions learning about them, as well.
The younger Alexandra sibling was even informed by Freyja that a weapon would be prepared for him in the future, and he seemed confident about it. But for now, they had other big fish to fry.
While Patroklos and Pyrrha stayed at the base, the band of five fighters were at the tavern for lunch, and it didn't take long for Isuzu to bring something up.
"Hey, I remember seeing this guy in a black robe and dark skin; I tried talking to him, but he just wouldn't listen to me. And then before I knew it, he just left. I kinda wonder what's he up to..."
"Come to think of it, the way you brought up his appearance, it reminds me of this man from years ago. How he can reincarnate at free will and stuff." Lydia added, and Helen nodded in agreement.
"You think he's dangerous?" the Russian girl asked.
"I dunno; but if he ever shows up here in Lasberg; I've a feeling it's not gonna be pretty." Elizabeth told them.
"If someone or something provokes them, that is." Marie chimed in.
"Hey, do you think Z.W.E.I.'s getting used to Marie and Patroklos being the 'Fated Heroes'?" Isuzu asked.
"I'm not sure; but I'm certain Marie will let him know." Lydia replied.
A reassuring smile formed on her face, before Marie asked, "Do you think Patroklos has been developing a change of heart since he and Pyrrha met us?"
"Well, he used to have his head so far up his arse that he wouldn't abide by your father's rules and what-not. But it seems, he's being quite lenient on us, lately." was the British girl's response.
"But what if he starts developing feelings for any of us?" Helen asked.
"Isn't it a little too early to ask such a question?" Elizabeth told her. This prompted the girls to start laughing together, and resumed their lunch. Once they were done eating, they went their separate ways.
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Patroklos would spend his time in the training room, and when that was done, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he heard the sound of arrows, outside and went to check things out.
To his surprise, it was Lydia, who was busy aiming her targets with almost precise aiming. Her bow and arrow was her choice of weapon, and she had always honed her craft since her teens.
"Lydia?"
This would catch her attention as she put her bow down, and she grinned as she said, "Well, if isn't you again, Patroklos. What brought you here for?"
"What was going on outside while I was training?"
"Oh, I was doing the same as you. Except outside, since I had set up many a target here." she replied.
"I see..."
A brief silence followed, before he finally asked, "Do you know anything about a girl that Pyrrha told me about? She encountered her when she was just a little girl, and I've a feeling she may have been some kind of omen for my family."
"You mean Tira? Oh yeah, Marie's parents mentioned her to me whenever they brought up Nightmare. She's supposed to be his loyal manservant."
"Well...I had vowed that one day, I will find her, and perhaps eradicate her." he said.
"I don't think that's the answer."
Patroklos almost jolted when he heard Athena's voice, but just as she was about to keep talking, Ares came in. "Well, she was the one that screwed up everything going on for him and his sister, so I suggest killing her would do the trick."
"But what if she had a troubled past?" she asked.
"Well, the closest thing I could get to anything troubling was that she did away with her mum. I guess that explains her mood swings."
Lydia's answer prompted Patroklos to rub the back of his neck, effectively amazed by the girl's immense intelligence. "Sounds like my suggestion's gonna work." he heard Ares said with a smirk.
Athena sighed, before they de-materialized before both of them. This left Patroklos and Lydia alone, and she was quick to ask him, "You ever want to take up archery? I could tell you were quite mesmerized."
Once again, she would use her charm to her advantage, and just as Pyrrha fell for it, so did he. "I'm not really good, but I could try." he replied.
"Fantastic!"
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Archery may not have been his forte, but at least he had put in some effort. As the tenth and last arrow landed onto the very top of the target, he heard Lydia exclaim, "Well, well, not bad there!"
"Thanks. Though to be honest, I think you're better than this than I am."
Lydia then asked, "So you wanna hang out some more?"
"Nah, but thanks anyway." he replied.
With a nod and a small smile, they bid each other a temporary goodbye.
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As she made her way back to the base, Marie briefly stretched her arms. Another day in the life of little old me, she thought to herself.
While halfway to her destination, she noticed a figure in black robes walk past her. Realizing that it was someone from the past her parents would bring up, she was certainly suspicious.
"Excuse me, sir, but...aren't you...?" she asked.
"The Daughter of Two Heroes..."
"Hello! 'The Daughter of Two Heroes' has a name!"
"That doesn't matter to me; all I know is that your foolishness will soon be your downfall." he said.
Lowering down his hood, the man would also take out a scythe, which was his main weapon. This prompted Marie to exclaim, "Zasalamel!"
"How did you guess my actual name?"
"My parents mentioned you a couple of times...and that you'd regularly be reborn after death. And as for me being foolish..."
She would then unsheathe Soul Calibur, and with a determined look in her eye, she said, "...I'm anything but!"
Her first move was a successful series of hits, though Zasalamel was quick to return the favor. Not only has he been able to do a few hits onto her with his weapon, but he also followed it up by briefly paralyzing her.
Marie grit her teeth as she nearly dropped the short sword, and yet she was able to pull herself together. She charged for him, attacking him for a moment with some more hits, before attempting to do her Critical Edge.
However, Zasalamel raised his hand upward, so that she would stop in her tracks. Not only was she midair, but she felt as though her throat was being grabbed, almost like she was choking.
"Hey you!"
Then, a voice rang out, which no doubt belonged to Lydia. With her bow in hand, she began firing arrows, some of which were able to hit Zasalamel.
This prompted him to drop his hand, and Marie would hit the ground, clutching her throat. She watched as Lydia prepared for her Critical Edge, which were a flurry of arrows that jetted into the sky, and then landing on her enemy.
Surprisingly, he was able to dodge them, and just as he was ready to attack Lydia, Marie made the save and struck him with Soul Calibur. And with that, victory was claimed for the two girls.
He chuckled under his breath darkly, before he said to her, "Even with Soul Calibur's future wielder...you'll probably not make it far."
"Just you wait!"
Zasalamel turned, and went on his way, almost as though he was fading into the night. Now the only ones alone, Marie and Lydia agreed to head to the headquarters and heal themselves.
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Upon coming back, Lydia asked, "Are you allright?"
"Yeah...I-I'm okay."
As Marie said those words, Freyja, who had looked out and overheard the fight, had rushed down to both girls. "Marie, what happened?"
"You wouldn't believe what just happened," she replied. "When I heading home for some food, I bumped into the strange man Isuzu told me about!"
"Oh, really? So I wasn't fibbing all this time!" Isuzu chimed in.
"You mean Zasalamel?" Lydia inquired.
Marie nodded, and Helen ended up joining in the conversation.
"Do you really think he'll make a good ally to us?" Helen asked.
"I'm not that sure. He seems to be...neutral at best." the leader responded.
"But don't worry, Freyja and I will help you with those light wounds you sustained from battle."
When Elizabeth said those words, Marie smiled. As the two women began tending to her, this allowed Lydia to recall her encounter with Patroklos that afternoon.
She eagerly darted straight to his room, hoping to converse with him yet again.
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When Patroklos answered the door, he was surprised to see Lydia again. "What brings you here?" he asked.
"About what happened that afternoon...um, you said that someday you'd deal with Tira?" While Lydia spoke, she entered his room.
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Because I'd like to come along with you." she replied.
This instantly perplexed him; given her status as bisexual Lydia was very much attracted to both him and Pyrrha, and yet she could only choose one. That is, if she played her cards right.
"You want to help me?" he asked. "Listen, Pyrrha has been asking about why I am suddenly warming up to you guys, as well as Schwarzwind. So I suggest we'd save that question for the future."
The short-haired girl rolled her eyes, before she said, "Well, I wanted to let you know that Marie and I encountered an enemy around the town; you know, Zasalamel? The man who's always reincarnating and whatnot?"
"So you're saying that there are enemies of Schwarzwind?"
"No, not really. He's neutral, to say the very least. Chances are, he'll be ready to challenge Nightmare and his minions."
Patroklos chuckled a bit, before Lydia leaned against the wall. "You know, there's also something I wanted to bring up. My team and I brought up the fact that you were warming up to us, even the rest of Schwarzwind." she added.
"So, I ask you this: if you could choose to be in a relationship with one of us, or all of us - which would probably count as polyamory - which do you prefer?"
Polyamory?!
As his thoughts initially clouded, it didn't take long for him to say, "Only one is fine. Even if it's you."
"Is that so? Well, consider yourself lucky."
After Lydia said those words, she leaned in to give him what was to be his first kiss, but Patroklos stepped back and said, "A-Are you trying to flirt with me or something?"
"Well...maybe. I probably am a lot more flirtatious as Isuzu, but..." she said, shrugging her shoulders at the end.
"But I will say this: Pyrrha and I are really honored to have been under Schwarzwind's thumb so far."
"And you should be."
Once she was finished speaking, Lydia approached the door and said to him, "See you tomorrow." before leaving.
When he was the only person left in the room, Patroklos sat on the bed, and puzzled his predicament. However, it wasn't long for Ares to show up, crossing his arms with a grin.
"So you're wondering if you would wanna hook with either one of the Mad Hearts Neo, or have them all."
"Ares! Do you mind!? I'm trying to figure out what fate has in store for me! Now that I'm one of the 'Fated Heroes', it's like I got my work cut out for me when it comes to Marie and the Mad Hearts Neo!"
"In other words...fucking them individually is in the cards for you!" Ares said with a sly grin.
"Ares, let him make his decision. You can't just encourage him!"
When he heard Athena's voice, the god of war rolled his eyes, before he disappeared before Patroklos. The young man sighed in relief, and finally said, "You're right, Athena...I'll make my decision eventually."
As he spoke those words, he looked out the window, hoping that something good could come out of it.
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Next chapter: the other wielder of Soul Calibur is revealed, and Lydia's flirtations continue! (Maybe, but we'll get there.)
With love for my fans,
Chrissy