I'm going to focus on this story for now since this story is only going to be 14 chapters long. Then I will return to my other story. However, each of the remaining stories will be based on extra missions that you have to download onto the game. Some released to the American version, others... only in the Japan Version.
The Bigger Predator
"(Taking a deep breath) Ahhh, you can practically taste the fresh air." Azar happily spoke out. His feet crunching through the snow coated floor of the Tranquil Temple. His breath came out in cold fogs. "The air is chilling, the moon is full, I am practically dying to sink my teeth into gods. Get it, it's because I'm a Gods Eater. Heh hahahaha."
"..."
"Oh come on, that was funny, you sticks-in-the-mud."
"(Sigh) Daddy..."
"Don't be a kill-joy, Sweetheart. Daddy needs to shoot something." He practically purred his words.
"How do you even know there's Aragami here tonight?" Fia sighed. She had been shepherded into taking her father out here and had been left hanging by her siblings. Not to abandon her to her fate, Soma and Lindow had followed too. But it felt like they were looking at them through a glass, their presence just seem like extras in the crimson duo's antics. Their bruises from their earlier brawl had long since healed as they walked alongside each other.
"I have my own Aragami senses; and it's tingling." He was practically giddy at the sensation.
"(Sigh) Oh God, I thought I'd never have to hear you say that word again." She rested a hand on the side of her forehead. "It's been years and yet it still gives me such a headache."
A loud screech rang out from the entrance of the main temple. Azar didn't even wait a moment to pull out his pistol from its thigh hostel, a maddening grin sweeped across his face as he ran for the kill.
"Oh boy." He chimed as he rushed off ahead of the others.
"Daddy, wait, don't go off on your own! It sounds like a Susano'o up ahead!"
"Fingers crossed!" He chuckled, crossing the fingers of his free hand.
"Is your dad out for his death wish?" Soma questioned Fia, worried about the soundness of her father's sanity and the lack of self preservation.
"No, just a turn on."
"What?!" Soma couldn't believe how nonchalantly she said that as if there was nothing out of the ordinary about it.
"The thrill of a challenge excites him. He longs for the day he gets a run for his money."
"So he's a adrenaline junky?"
"Extremely." She elongated the word on her tongue as they finally climbed up the final set of stairs. What greeted them was not to their liking.
"Ah, great..." Lindow sarcastically groaned out. It was in fact a Susano'o that had greeted them, but to make matters worse it was not one but-
"Two," Soma growled out, getting his guard up.
"You got me a present?!" Azar called out to the closest Susano'o. "What a very merry un-birthday to me!"
"And you guys said I was nuts?" Fia retorted back at the boys as her father charged blindly at the two Susano'o.
"!" Soma and Lindow watched in shock as they witness an Old Model in action. And not just an Old Model, the Demon of the Wastelands. Legends of him have spread throughout the Gods Eater world, a wild beast that cannot be tamed by HQ and yet too valuable to dispose of. Even if they wanted to, it was an impossible task, the man was the embodiment of fear itself. Many would fall and have fallen at the odds he has faced and he would come out of it alive. The man was known as a cheater of death and death itself at times. His God Arc was older, considered weaker, and out of date; but still he was a force to be reckoned with. He had already proven how the lighter weight of his pistol made him more agile as he quickly jumped on and around the Susano'os, firing at all angles while avoiding their counters at the last second.
"Wait for me, Daddy! Don't hog them all to yourself!" Fia happily jumped in, slicing at one's God Arc claws to keep its attention off of Azar.
"Back me up." Soma commanded as he rushed to assist Fia.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Lindow waved off while lazily complying. He'd hate to quote Soma, but they could handle this themselves. Especially how quickly Fia and Soma had broken through their Aragami's claw armor and chest armor. Once it realize it didn't stand a chance, the Susano'o tried to make a run for it.
But a powerful shot blew off its needle half of the tail, knocking it off its feet. They turned to see where the fire came from, when they looked upon Azar standing on top of his overturned Susano'o. The Aragami was curled dead with its humanoid head missing, which they soon noticed was in Azar's free hand. He held the head by its mane as his still steaming barrel was still pointed at the knocked down Susano'o.
"Come on, we were having a good time a second ago, then I blew your fucking tail off!" He growled at the beast, the Susano'o tried to get up and run but Azar blew off a leg as he approached. It had been the first time Lindow and Soma had ever seen anything like this... the Aragami was terrified of Azar, it's fears coated its humanoid head. But who could blame it? Azar looked like a demon with blood-lust eyes at that moment, making the guys appreciate that he was on their side.
"What's wrong Devouring god, why don't you just regenerate your legs!" Azar growled, tossing up the head in his hand to grip it by its skull. He crushed the head in his hands, dropping the pieces to the floor as its blood leaked from his hand to drip a crimson path on the snow white ground as he walked around the Susano'o. It tried to crawl away but he shot off another one of its legs as he moved to the front of it. "Get back up on your feet! Hit me! Fight me! (Inhaled) Take a bite."
He was taunting the Aragami, tempting it really. He stood right it front of the Aragami's face, grinning down at it with his crimson eyes as the wind blew his hair. All paused, the Aragami made no move. Seeing that his opponent lost the will to fight, he put his pistol to its head and took the shot.
BANG
"Daddy, that was my prey." Fia whined as she extracted the core, finally removing the other's core. "You had your own."
Soma and Lindow could not believe how casual she was being about this. They were at a lost on how to react to the display of brutality they had just witness. Azar simply put away his God Arc and looked to his daughter, a few drops of blood splattered on his face and trigger arm.
"Sorry, Squirt." He apologized, rubbing the top of her head with his bloodied hand. She didn't even flinch at the touch of it. "I'll make it up to you next time. You'll get your kill."
"Aw man, there's going to be more?! Ugh, my body won't be able to handle this."
"Quit your bitch'n and start'a move'n. Your body wouldn't be so tired if you actually stuck to your training. But I bet you stopped the moment I took my eyes off of you."
"Um..."
"Honestly, I expected for my Little Helper to follow in my foot steps."
"O, I do, Dad... more than you know."
"O I know, you're just softer than I imagined you'd turn out."
"!"
"Ah, well, my rush is gone." Azar yawned out with a stretch. "Wanna head back to the Den?"
"Of course, where else would we go, you bloody rush junky!" Fia retorted back.
"Right back at you, you righteous sociopath." Azar shot back as the group started heading back before a small piece of his fatherly nature slipped out. "Oh, and wash that blood out of your hair, that's filthy!"
*** Returning to the Den ***
Coming back to the Entrance had been a much more quitter event as the Branch's three top unit members occupied themselves with the Slade siblings. They had all turned to the elevator at the return of the conquering four.
"So, how did it go?"
"Bite me, Blaise." Fia barked at him.
"Oh come on, sis, you use to enjoy going out with dad on your own."
"Grr, damn you Brutus." Fia hissed at her brother who had left her hanging with their crazy old man. Who at the moment was being approached by Shun.
"No way! An actual still active Old Model wielder!" Shun said mock-awe, which usually came out rude for those that didn't get a chance to know him. Shun wasn't really good at being a team player which he had been working to better, although it didn't show up at times. Usually when he was meeting new people, especially God Eaters. "And I thought Gen was bad. Just retire already, old man, you're stinking up us new deals with your out-of-date methods."
"..." Everyone stood still as Azar simply stared at Shun. They couldn't believe Shun had just said that. Either he had some major balls or he had no idea who he was dealing with.
"!" Turned out to be the latter as Shun looked in shock as Azar suddenly pointed his pistol at Shun's forehead.
BANG
PLOP
"That shot wouldn't have killed him." Azar pointed out to his daughter, annoyed. Fia had kicked the back of Shun's knees, making him fall back to the ground just as her dad took the shot, making the OC bullet barely miss him.
"It would still hurt." She also pointed out.
"I know... that's why I did it."
"(Sigh) Dad..."
"W-what the hell old man?!" Shun shouted recovering from his shock. "Are you going senile or something- GH!"
Shun grunted out in pain as Azar's foot had stomped down onto his chest mid sentence. He looked down at the young boy in anger and annoyance.
"And everything that comes out of your mouth just pisses me off, Punk!" Azar hissed before rubbing his foot further onto Shun. "Now I'm going to teach you how to respect your elders."
"Daddy, stop!" Fia order with a hint of a plea. "He's my friend."
"Are you serious?" He turned his head to her with a raised eyebrow in disbelief. Then he gestured toward everybody else in the three units. "Is everyone else here your friend as well?"
"YES."
"Ugh." Azar groaned out in annoyance as he reluctantly lighten his foot pressure on Shun. That's when Tsubaki and Dr. Sakaki came onto the floor.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Tsubaki demanded as she saw one of her God Eaters under a Transfer's foot. "Azar Slade, explain yourself!"
"Excuse me," Azar said in annoyance as his foot lifted off of Shun to rest on the ground beside him. Fia took this chance to go around her father and help Shun get on his feet, pulling him away as well. A vein was popping from Azar's forehead at this Branch's on going display of lack of respect. "But I'm a fucking General. I've killed a lot to get where I am. I deserved to be called as such."
"!" Both Tsubaki and Shun looked to him in shock. Tsubaki at her stupor in forgetting that he outranked higher than her in her rare display of emotions at seeing one of her God Eaters in threat. And Shun at his stupor for not knowing that he was high ranked, the mere fact that he was still in the game should have hinted to that. But Tsubaki was in a shock, she had never had anyone stand up to her or match her intensity with something greater.
"Yes, of course, welcome to our Branch, Slades." Dr. Sakaki greeted, trying to keep the peace. "General Slade, I thought your Chopper was suppose to be here an hour ago."
"It was... I went out for a hunt."
"You just... walked out?"
"With all due respect General, you were to report into Director Sakaki as soon as you arrived. Any other action is insubordination."
"Ma'am, let me make myself perfectly clear." He touched his fingers together in exasperation, making a pyramid with them. "I've killed a lot, and I mean a lot, before and when I was a Gods Eater. I'd be damned if I'd take orders from babes on the field. I take orders from no one, only requests."
"!" This man must have been insane, they all thought, if he was talking to Tsubaki like that so boldly.
"What?!"
"Honestly, the only reason I'm here is because the idea of new challenges had me throbbing to get here."
"Well as long as it doesn't last for four hours." Fia added in.
"Oh! And to make sure my little helper over there hasn't gone soft." Azar put in, pointing at Fia behind him with his thumb.
"General!" Tsubaki called for his attention again. "These actions are intolerable and must cease!"
"Ma'am, there is only one woman who can tell me what to do. And you're not her."
"!"
"M-maybe we're getting on the wrong foot here, General." Dr. Sakaki trying to bring everything back to a cool down.
"You're right, I am here for one reason. My children have also been summoned here for one reason." His grin grew wider with a twisted glee. "To help you with your new breed infestation problem."
"..."
"I will assist you, but only in my own way and means."
"General! You cannot-"
"Try ordering me again, Little Girl! See what happens!" His crimson eyes were practically glowing with rage. Lindow had stepped in to his sister's aid, witnessing what happened last time when Azar got pissed, along with Fia. If there was one thing the First Unit learned is that you don't want to mess with a pissed Slade.
"Easy, Mr. Slade." "Daddy, please."
"(Sigh) Rest assured I will get the task done. There's no need for you to worry about my... methods." Azar said, cooling down. "Just stay out of my way and we'll all be back to our daily routine."
"..." 'Dear God, what had HQ sent them?' Dr. Sakaki thought to himself in mental exhaustion. If this was what it was like only a couple minutes in, he was going to lose years from his lifespan. No wonder Fia was so adverse at having them come to the Den. It appears that one Slade was Slade enough.
"Ah, well, tomorrow's another day." Azar smirked. "Now where are you bunking us? I've got some snoozes to kill."
*** Late that Night ***
God, it had been a long day for Soma, not only did he have to deal with Fia, he had to handle her insane siblings and her father that was more crazy than Fia. Soma could see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree with that family. No wonder Fia turned out the way she did, it made him fear what her mother must be like. But, through it all... once you get down to it... Fia was the most sound of mind than anyone in the Den. She had an unbreakable will and a heart as strong as a lion even though on the outside she seemed to have a few screws loose.
He laid in his bed in the darkness of his room, staring at his ceiling as he waited for sleep to take over. Tomorrow was another day of madness and he'd best get all the rest he could get before it arrives. But it seemed the universe wasn't going to give him a break. His heightened hearing could hear the silent opening and closing of his door, the soft tiptoeing into his room, and the ruffling of his sheets.
"Damn it Fia, how many times have I told you not to break into my room?" He tiredly growled at his intruder.
"Ah... 1273, if I don't count your last sentence..."
"If you can remember the exact number you should easily be able to remember the demand!" Some retorted back. But Fia ignored his tired anger and continued to crawl into his bed. "What are you doing, woman?"
"Sleeping with you tonight."
"!" A blush came over his face as she cuddled up to him. But he could tell that her words had no hidden meaning, but that didn't mean it didn't give any impure thoughts. "Hell no, get out of my bed, woman!"
He tried pushing her out, but she had learned to avoid it. By staying on his right side he could no longer push her onto the floor, only to the wall. He had only given them some space, not get rid of her.
"Please, Soma. I had a crazy day."
"You and me both." Soma jabbed back. "That's why I need all the sleep I can get, in peace."
"But I'll never get that peace with my family around. My guard must be always be up, I'll never be able to rest. My father must be planning to break into my room early in the morning as we speak."
"And he'll probably have a bullet with my name on it once he finds you here."
"I'll disappear before he arrives, I promise I will. I just need to sleep."
"You can sleep in your room."
"Please... I feel safe with you around." Soma couldn't withstand the pleading look in her eyes.
"(Sigh) Fine..." Soma gave in, lifting the closest arm to her as if to say 'get in here before I change my mind.' Not giving his offer a second thought she rushed into his arm and cuddled back into his side, much to his annoyance. "Why am I such a sucker?"
"Because lollipops are delicious."
"Yes they are, but that's not the point here."
"Then it's because... you're a sweetheart..." She said as she fell into a slumber, leaving Soma all alone in that dark room. Her warmth was soothing, but her breaths on his neck made his hairs stand up and filled him with inappropriate thoughts.
"This is going to be a long night..." This woman will be the death of him...