Loup's Last Stand

The next day, Prier awoke to the bright sunlight hitting her eyes. She was shocked at how bright the sunrise could be; after all, Prier was used to sleeping in. But when she looked back, she saw Croix; snoring away without a care in the world. It took her a little while to remember why he was there. Then, she thought back to the night before. They were both tired after staying up late on the roof, and he'd carried her back to her room like a gentleman. Poor Croix must have been so exhausted that he'd never made it back to his own room. Noticing that she was still clothed, Prier let out a sigh of relief. She definitely did not need to risk getting pregnant again with all that was going on; it could hurt their band.

"I would also have another lecture from Culotte on the way," she muttered, "He still bugs me about how I was reckless in conceiving Angie sometimes. Though I think the fact that he loves his niece is the only reason he doesn't incisivelyannoy me about that. Well, nothing I can do about the past though."

She gently shook Croix to wake him; watching his peaceful breathing. As the young man awoke, he looked into the eyes of the woman he loved. It made him happy to feel her touch; the softness of her hands. This was how he wanted to spend the rest of his life; to wake up and have someone there besides him. Croix was a man who practically lived on love. His life between the death of Angelique and his meeting of Prier was pretty bleak; both as the Dark Prince and the two years he'd spent without his memory. But love and companionship was what made his life to feel complete; to make him feel happy.

S...S

Later on, the two lovers were taking a walk in the forest. Culotte and Dominique were watching Angie so they had some time to themselves to go on a nice picnic. They had just found a nice clearing and set out their lunch when a loud roar was heard from the bushes. Then, a wolf jumped out at them.

"I can take care of this one!" screamed Prier. She jumped at the beast and beat on it three times while calling, "Redemption!" Instantly, the creature was killed. Both of them breathed a sigh of relief; the Demons were obviously desperate to call upon such low level soldiers. At least the picnic wasn't ruined.

Suddenly, they heard a baritone voice yell, "That's as far as you go; Prier Dark Slayer! I will not rest until you are dead and my master is once again in power. I will never accept my savoir as a prisoner of the human race; the despicable race that destroyed my home. Great Dark Prince, I will kill this woman so that you might once more rise to power!" Then, Loup jumped out of the bushes; ready to fight them.

He rushed at Prier; hunger for vengeance devouring his soul. The Demon brought out his blade to strike her. She had to laugh because her speed allowed her to dodge the attack with ease. But the girl didn't expect what happened next. Loup's first attack was a mere bluff; he was preparing to strike from the other side. Prier noticed it too late, and was injured when his blade hit her side; blood pouring out.

But as Prier was beginning to get up, Loup readied another hit. His eyes shown with hunger; at long last she would die. However, just before the sword could connect, Prier was thrown to the ground and out of the blade's reach. Looking up, she saw the infernal weapon had gone right through Croix's body. He fell down to the ground; bleeding much worse than she. Fear filled the girl's heart; he wad dying. Prier, ignoring her own pain, picked up her beloved's wounded body; to hold him one last time.

Croix looked at Prier's crying face; smiling despite his pain. "It's ok Prier. Just as long as I can save you; just as you saved me. I'm not going to let them take away the person I love; not again. Don't forget me when I'm gone. And please…raise Angelique to be the best little girl that she can become."

With that, he spoke no more. However, he wasn't dead yet; Prier could see his breathing hadn't stopped. But his body was growing more and more feeble by the second. She was no healer; there was nothing she could do for his wounds. However, she would not let his murder go unavenged; she would take down this wretched creature. It was the least she could do to memorialize his noble sacrifice.

"Master!" shrieked Loup, "How dare you force him to be your shield? That was your plan all alone you witch! You would use our master to sire you a child of power, then throw him away when it was convenient or when your own pitiful human life was in danger. You're going to pay for taking away the one who avenged the deaths of my family. Face it brat; you're injured and in no condition to beat me."

"You've got it reversed buddy! Croix made the decision to give up his own life for mine. And he is not a Demon! He was trapped by the pain of losing someone precious to him; losing her at the hands of wicked humans. However, he realized through his time spend with us that there are both good and bad in all people, and he doesn't need to live his life for vengeance. I cared about him enough to risk my life to save him instead of simply killing him after we'd defeated Noir. That was because I truly loved him! And for taking away the one that I love, I will destroy you! Catch this! Holy Ball!" Suddenly, her body became awash in Light. It formed a sphere between her palms and then she threw it at the werewolf.

Loup felt the holy energy wash over him; he hadn't known Prier Dark Slayer to be capable of these sorts of things. However, he sensed her anger and rage weren't a fake; they were her pure emotions. She did care for his Master; loved him as any human female would love her mate. The very thought of losing the one she held dear acted as her blade. As he faded away, he let out a small sigh.

Prier immediately raced over to Croix's body. He lay still on the forest floor; blood continuing to pour out from his wounds. She lay her head on his chest and began sobbing into his jacket. How, she asked the Goddess, when everything was going so right could things go so wrong? Why did she have to lose the one man she could ever love? And he'd given up his own life in order to safeguard hers.

A voice suddenly called to her, -Trust in yourself Prier. You know the power that resides inside of you. Your pure love for Croix has performed Miracles in the past; let it be so once more. Don't worry…it will all work out in the end.- Then suddenly, Prier's entire body began to glow with a white hot light.

Holy energy filled up the girl's palms and an aura of purity washed over the clearing. Then, as if by an act of Fate, she cast the Blessing Miracle; something she had been unable to do ever since her mother had sealed her and Dominique away all those years ago. The energy flowed right into Croix's body; closing the wound. His breathing strengthened, his eyes opened, and he rolled into her arms.

Croix gripped the fabric of her sleeves; happy to touch her. "Prier…thank you once more."

"Don't thank me," Prier explained, "Thank the Goddess. It was she that undid the seal binding my powers. The seal my mother constructed to keep Calamity and her minions from finding out where I was and killing me before I had a chance to rescue you. That was what allowed me to heal the fatal wound."

Teefa's Last Words...

Yes, I wanted this chapter to be sweet and mushy. So Prier can fully access her powers now; not just in fear and desperation like before. Love can be a dramatic tool. Besides…I could never kill of Croix.