Chapter 6: The Strongest Man and the Strongest Path Forward

Foreword: Reviews let's go! Thank you KaedeTsukino for the review. I am really sorry about the delay. I have no reasons for it besides procrastination and will do my best to not delay in the future. I liked adding in and expanding on the characters the picture dramas introduced as I love using established characters as opposed to making my own. Also I hope google translate just messed up and translated Neneriels gender wrong in the review, otherwise I messed up greatly somewhere in my rush to actually write stuff down and get it out of my head, I hope I made Neneriel a she, if she was a he I have, how the kids say, done goofed. Finally if every other chapter doesn't end with someone threatening Fremy or Adlet's life then I am doing something wrong! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy what comes next.

Story Start: Adlet sat there behind a table he had quickly flipped on its side and used a small hand mirror to watch the group that had quickly subdued almost everyone in the tavern including the formidable Nikola Nikola whose outstretched arm was so close to Adlet he could touch it if he wished. Adlet already knew one way for such a feat to be done, they were using the same type of dangerous needles Adlet and his master used. Adlet was certain it was his master's trade secret however, only those who had been in his study for years were taught how to properly create such toxins. It would make no sense that this many could create and use them. A former student had to have done it.

Adlet's suspicions were proven true when one of the figures took off his hood and stepped forward. The man was young and lean, he looked only a few years older than Adlet, he had light blond hair and green eyes, his eyes looked kind at first but held a venom that betrayed his good looks. Adlet recognised this man instantly, he was an old friend from his days on that mountain, his name was Axton

Axton gave a confident smile and said, "Heh what luck, my first trial run with these newbies and I ran into the only person who ever completed that crazy old fools training. I won't lie, Adlet you surprised me in a lot of ways, I always cheered you on but I never thought you would actually stick it out and graduate Spiker's training. What is more, you actually went on to become one of the braves and then after saving the world you traveled the continent carrying an injured brave on your back." Axton looked over to Fremy who had fallen out of her wheelchair and was on her side. He gave a small bow and said "name is Axton, ahh you remind me of the girl Adlet told me he dreamed of every night, again I am surprised Adlet, you actually found your dream girl, how stranger can this world get."

A few of the hooded figures began to slowly circle around Adlets table as Axton talked. Axton saw this and sighed, "quit that you idiots! What do you think you are going to do, you're not dealing with some farmer, this is the sole survivor of Atro Spikers training and one of the braves, I wouldn't hesitate to back up his boast of being the strongest man in the world. The only reason you aren't already dead is because he is letting me talk, isn't that right, Adlet?"

Adlet shouted over his shoulder, "spot on! Tell me Axton what do you want?"

Axton laughed, "hahaha, to the point, come one can't relieve the old times with me a bit before we get to that boring business." His composed smile was eerie and unnerving. "Ever since I had a disagreement with master and tried to kill him only to get thrown off the mountain and left for dead, I picked myself up somehow. You always avoided answering me when I asked you back then, what is the point in hunting monsters, anyone can do it, these amazing techniques serve far better for killing people or saints than killing simple fiends." Adlet said nothing which caused Axton to frown and say, "I was hoping you had become a better conversationalist but it seems you're still shy. Anyway I went and found some friends, helped them learn how to use these techniques to their full potential and decided to take my men for a test run, I thought killing an old friend of master's and causing a stir right under his nose would be a great way to spite the old man."

This time it was not Adlet that spoke but Nikola, "you bastard! You got the crap beaten out of you for studying under a guy with different goals and now you want to kill a dozen people just to spite him? I'll kill you ya little prick!" Nikola howled this in anger and tried with all his might to get up and yet he couldn't move the toxins were absolute and terrifyingly potent even Nikola couldn't overcome it.

Axton's eerie smile returned and he said, "I find that funny coming from someone who has killed hundreds possibly thousands of men." Axton walked up to the fallen Lucia who was near the entrance when she was paralyzed. He bent down and lifted her up by her chin to face him and said. "ohh, this must be your daughter, I wonder how she can live knowing her father has so much blood on his hands."

Nikola screamed out, "get your filthy hands off of her! I kill for money sure but unlike you even I can draw a line! I would never kill innocents! I have pride!"

Axton looked over at Adlet and gestured towards Nikola, "you must be surprised like I am, that he can talk. On average it takes about an hour for the effects to wear off without an antidote. Even then the antidote takes several minutes to restore full functionality. Normally the poison shuts down everything, arms, legs, mouth included, it should be impossible for him to speak. It must speak for something of his strength and determination that he can overcome the needles to that degree. His daughter on the other hand…" Axton looked at the girl still held up by his hand, "...what would she say if she could speak, what would she do? Would she scream, cry maybe beg for mercy, would she try to bargain, perhaps she would spit in my face or just stare at me defiantly as she is now."

Axton slowly stood up and as he rose he picked Lucia up by her chin. Axton looked at Nikola and said, "regardless how incredible you are it doesn't matter in the end, it doesn't stop me from doing, this!" In one motion Axton swung his arm out to his side and flung Lucia into the air causing her to crash into a table which shattered, she was unable to let out a cry of pain, to say if she was okay or if she was dying, she was just frozen there layed crumpled on a pile of splintered wood that faintly started to change to the color red.

Nikola screamed a flurry of insults and threats, everything in the book and out of it was thrown at Axton who just eerily smiled at Nikola the whole time.

Axton looked back over the still hiding Adlet and said, "okay I think that is enough messing around. Adlet I want you to join me and my group, your skills and expertise would be invaluable, I could really use you."

Adlet said back, "if I do so, you won't hurt anyone else right?" Adlet asked a question to himself, he wondered why he had not done anything yet, why he had not simply attacked Axton while he monologues, he realised his mistake once again. He realised he had learned nothing. Adlet hoped somewhere that Axton could change, go back to the friend he once was. Adlet had prioritised others over not just Fremy but everyone here because he thought this monster could be redeemed.

Axton's next words were poorly chosen and he would regret them for the rest of his life. "Of course we can't spare anyone, you think we would just leave...shit!" Axton's speech was cut short as he dived behind the cover of his lackeys with a curse as Adlet in a single fluid motion, sent out a flurry of needles. Some of the lackeys tried to dodge or evade but they stood little chance and before long only Axton had managed to find another table and rest it on his side, reversing the position he and Adlet were in.

Adlet wasted no time on monologues, at this point he had only one goal and he mercilessly slashed at Axton to fulfill it.

In seconds Axton and Adlet were pulled into a brutal melee when Axton charged towards Adlet to reduce his ability to use his needles. Adlet's skill in fighting was exceptional but it was matched by Axton's dedication to the art of killing humans. It was fair to say Adlet was losing, their fight took them back and forth as they danced and slashed around the tavern. Both used practical shortswords though Axton favored wielding a knife in his off hand. Both exchanged glancing blows and shallow cuts.

Axton howled at Adlet, "look at all your training to kill a dying race of monsters has gotten you, nothing, in the end it will have been a waste, I am out a dozen lackeys and I will have you pay for their lives with yours! That girl friend of yours, the monster that somehow became a brave, I will save her for last, I will kidnap her and keep her paralyzed. Her death will be long and terrible, sadly you won't be around to see it!"

Adlet kicked Axton back and he skidded back next to the fallen Nikola. Adlet made a long wide wind up for a swing, Axton knew it had to be a trap, he knew Adlet wouldn't do something so stupid without reason, regardless he wanted to meet it head on anyway!"

Adlet charged at Axton with his wide exposed stance and shouted, 'now!" Axton smiled for the climax and charged at Adlet to deal the killing blow, well he tried. Axton felt a strong tug, he was strong but he was anchored to what felt like a mountain as he felt a hand grasp his leg. He glanced downward to see the grin of Nikola Nikola who was holding his leg, "how?" he shouted just before he was decapitated by Adlet.

Adlet threw a cloak over the mess that was Axton's body so no one had to stare at that mess and helped Nikola to his feet. Nikola quickly ran over to Lucia's paralyzed body and inspected her wounds, the table had splintered and managed to stab into her. Luckily it looked far worse than it was, the wound wasn't too serious or deep and Nikola quickly began administering first aid, despite some slight scarring she would be fine.

Meanwhile Adlet began giving out the antidote to the paralyzed. In a few minutes everyone was able to speak and were slowly regaining the ability to move again.

Adlet helped Neneriel to her feet and helped Fremy into her wheeled-chair. The group moved over to where Lucia was, she had been injected with the antidote and was past the effects of the poison but was still unconscious. Neneriel asked Adlet a question, "how did my dad move? I thought it was impossible to do anything when you got hit by the needles."

Fremy answered, "simple, while Axton was distracted with Lucia, Adlet had a few seconds to inject your father's outstretched hand that was within arms reach. From there they both acted as if nothing had happened and Adlet lured Axton within arms reach of Nikola not before giving enough time for the antidote to give him function of his arm."

Adlet gave a genuine smile. "That is right. The incredible thing was that Nikola was able to speak before being affected by the antidote, he does live up to his reputation."

There was a pause as the topic came to a close. After a moment of silence Neneriel said to Adlet, "thank you Adlet, if it weren't for you, your crazy friend would have killed us all. Thank you very much!"

Fremy looked at Adlet like she wanted to say something but paused, Neneriel noticed this and lightly elbowed Fremy, "big sis, say it!"

Fremy looked straight at Adlet and said, "you need to stop befriending crazy people."

Adlet defended himself, "he wasn't crazy five years ago when I knew him."

Fremy started counting on her fingers, "your master is crazy, the woman you buy clothes from is crazy, you nearly got killed by befriending a bunny girl, several times. You also are friends with a professional assassin."

Adlet said indignantly, "that last one was an occupational hazard. Plus when all your allies are trying to kill you, of course you gravitate to the one who can actually figure out best what is going on."

Lucia who had come to consciousness and Nikola who was watching over her chuckled at the scene.

Neneriel, annoyed at Fremy's response, elbowed Fremy again.

Fremy replied, "ouch, that hurts Neneriel"

Neneriel frowning said to Fremy, "you still haven't thanked Adlet! You have to show gratitude when someone does you a kindness, that is what mother always says."

Fremy sighed, "you're right Nenerial I promised I would get better at this, I'm not doing a great job." Fremy turned to Adlet and said, "thank you Adlet." Fremy held out her arms and the two of them embraced each other briefly, Adlet had a bright smile on his face.

Neneriel looked over to her family expectantly and said, "Lucia, Father, you two need to thank Adlet as well. If you don't I will tell mother you were rude to someone who just saved all our lives!"

Lucia and Nikola both felt a shiver run down their spines at the threat, Lucia leaned over to her father and whispered, "she is growing up to be more and more like mother." Nikola leaned in and whispered back, "I know and it scares me."

Neneriel coughed and said "well, I am waiting!"

The Nikola's straightened up and Lucia said, "thank you Adlet, I owe ya one, try not to teach any more people how to use those needles of yours though, please!" The extra comment earned her a annoyed glare from Neneriel

Nikola said with odd sincerity, "thank you Adlet, if something had happened to my family, I couldn't live with myself." He muttered quietly to himself, "not that my life would let me live long after that happened anyway."

Adlet accepted their gratitude. Shortly after Gariss showed up and was understandably very confused and annoyed as to why there were a baker's dozen of dead bodies in his tavern. Nikola explained the situation and while he looked very annoyed, the old man also curtly thanked Adlet for his actions.

Adlet and Fremy left the tavern and after a little extra shopping for gun parts at Fremy's demand, the pair made the trip back to the mountain.

The pair had a great deal they wished to talk about but one curiosity prevailed on Fremy's mind and Fremy said to Adlet. "Adlet, you never did tell me, what exactly all these parts are that we came here for in the first place, what is your next project?"

Adlet sighed, "I suppose there was no keeping this one a surprise, especially since you may need to help with it near the end. I have been working on this one in my brain for three months, ever since you lost your legs this project has been on my mind." Adlet gave a triumphant smile, "Fremy, I am going to build you a new pair of legs."

To be continued in Chapter 7: The Half-Fiend and the Strongest Leg Forward

Afterword: Curse words and foul language: I meant to mention my thoughts on this a couple chapters back and just forgot. Anyone reading up to this point has probably noticed my very small amount of curse words. I use such words very little for a few reasons, I as a person dislike them and try my best, (unsuccessfully) to avoid using them. I don't remember the original story using expletives often and I could be misremembering that but I don't think it was common. I don't think you should never use such vocabulary in writing but I dislike it when every character throws out the F bomb every five seconds like it was the second word they were taught in kindergarten, as such I try to only use such words with characters I think are foul enough to use them. So there is my long winded and probably repetitive explanation of my reasoning on that topic.

Why are your action sequences so boring? I don't know why, I am just bad at writing them, I don't really know how to extend them and make them interesting. I feel bad as they are now because I feel like I do the dragon ball z thing of, "they move so fast the eye can't see them" so the animator doesn't actually have to animate the fighting. I am bad at it, it is a weak point and a reason I dislike writing them even though I love reading them.

Till Next Time!