Nico: Hello all! It's been a while... a long while... I apologize for the wait. I've been sort of in and out of this story. I've been trying to work out a good story line for this chapter. However I'm so glad to be finished! So I hope you enjoy this new chapter of Requiem of Rain!
One quick message, I believe that summer break is coming to an end where I am, so soon I'm going to have to pack up my story notes for a while. So I apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN!
The Rain's Pledge to the Sky
"VOOOOoooiiii! What the Hell are you doing?"
"Oh... calm it down Squalo, I'm trying my best..."
"Don't give me that shit!" I yelled at his pitiful image. "You're the one who asked me to train you, so you better not waste my time!"
It was just as I had said. Dino, for some reason, asked me to train him. At first I turned away, I wasn't just some home tutor or something. Just because we were friends didn't mean I would give in some of my time to help him. Besides Dino already had a tutor, but he kept pushing and pushing, until I agreed. So, with every practice I would thoroughly remind Dino just what level of Hell he had just stepped into.
Training him was very, very exhausting. I was beginning to wonder just why he had picked a whip as a weapon in the first place. He couldn't even hold it right! His stances were all off, and the only person who got hurt was himself! He was hopeless, and I could not believe why I didn't just let him go. He was downright pitiful like a stray dog who had been kicked around and left to whimper on the side of a road.
Of course, a lot of my own time for training had greatly dropped as I was spending more time training Dino. That really did not help me, how could I become the Sword Emperor with this kid pulling me down like an anchor to a ship? Don't get me wrong, I was still training. I began skipping classes here and there to regain the time I spent with Dino. Early in the morning, while Dino was asleep, I'd train. Lunch time, I would train, while Dino watched and ate his lunch messily. Then after classes, is when I'd spend time training Dino.
Of course, while I was training him and myself, I still couldn't get Xanxus's words out of my head that one night.
"Well, I'm going to become Vongola Decimo," Xanxus said. At the time, I really was not sure if I should believe him. Sure the statement sounded ludicrous. You can't just become Vongola Decimo, you'd have to have a blood relation with the current Vongola Boss. To add to my point, this guy did not look like he would be related to the Vongola Boss, by blood.
On the other hand, the look on his face held still. It did not waver at all. It showed that he was serious and he was determined. However it was not the confident kind of determined. No, it looked like the "I'm going to kill all the scum who gets in my way" determined. Ever since I saw him that day, he'd been different. No longer smug or overly confident. He looked like he wanted to kill everything in his path. Trust me, if looks could kill, everyone in the academy would already be dead by now.
"So?" I tried to sound as composed as possible, although I knew not to sound too challenging. He explained to me something that sounded downright mutinous. Something that could get us in trouble, and sent to the death sentence. It was all this and more, however something in my body itched for it. I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted it.
"Okay, that' enough for today," I said with a sigh. As I said, we'd train after classes. With every minute Dino was late, the harder I'd train him. We'd train until the sun began to set, because then it was back to my own training. "Go take a shower or something, you smell terrible."
"Thanks again for training me, Squalo," Dino said with a smile. He was still panting and his face was flushed. Dino obviously had his moments of not liking my training. I would hit him with a wooden stick every time he messed up, and I've hung him upside down often until he begged for mercy. Even after all of this, Dino would brush it off and thank me for the training every time. I'm never training anyone ever again.
"Yeah yeah, whatever, Dino, now get out my sight!" I turned around and picked up my sword. Finally it was time for my own training. I unsheathed my sword, and placed the scabbard safely away, when I saw Dino still standing behind me. While I was able to tolerate him, I was used to training alone at night. "What? You want a couple more beatings to help you sleep?"
"Euh... no, it's just..." Dino seemed at a loss for words. He just stared at me with an embarrassed look on his face. What was with him? He was starting to annoy me. This was when I got most of my training, and I was slowly losing my time and patience. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and chuckled before finally answering, "Well... that was the first time you call me by my name, Dino..."
I stared at him for a moment. As far as I knew I had always called him Dino, at least in my thoughts. Then again, when I thought hard, I realized that I never actually vocalized his true name aloud. I guess then, that would make sense that he was acting strangely. Had I really never called him by his name?
"So?" I spat out as I stared at Dino with the most serious look I could force on myself. As I turned away from him, I was hoping that Dino was dense enough not to notice I had just realized myself. It would put a chip in my pride and I doubt Dino would ever let me live it down. "That is your name, isn't it? Idiot."
"Squalo I... Squalo!" That was all I heard before I felt something heavy hit me from behind, and wrapped itself around me. I grunted loudly to exert the pressure, that's when I saw arms around me. I was not sure how to react, and I could only let the mixture of emotions bubble within me as Dino hugged me. He was babbling like the idiot he was, thanking me, and saying a jumble of things I simply could not translate back to an intellectual language.
I do not know how long we were in that position for. Long enough to take up some of my training time. How was I reacting to this? I'm not sure myself. I simply did not know what my emotions were doing. I felt annoyed since it was Dino being his usual self. I felt angry since it was Dino being his usual self, although now he was clinging onto me. I felt confused because his sudden burst had caught me off guard, for the second time in the day now. Then I felt this strange feeling, I had no idea it was, but it was strange. It almost made me feel glad to have Dino as my friend.
Maybe... that was it? Maybe, just maybe.
"Hey there." The blade did not even get a chance to reach the target. I stopped before it hit when I heard that voice. I did not even have to turn around to find out who had called me, or even if they were calling me. I knew who it was, and I just had to turn around.
"Esther!" She smiled when I called her out. I had not seen her for the longest time. Even when I looked into mirrors, she was not there. I was beginning to lower myself into worrying about her, but that is pretty pathetic of me now that I think about it. However, now she was back, and I could not restrain myself. I was glad to see her again. "Where have you been? Aren't guardians supposed to stick to their person or something?"
"Sorry about that, Squalo," Esther chuckled, still with a smile on her face. "Something came up, but don't worry, I've still been watching over you. You've been skipping classes, you've been training yourself as well as Dino, I also saw that little hug you shared with Dino~"
"Voi!" I felt the blood rush to my head. Shit, I hope I wasn't blushing. "It was that idiot's fault, okay? He fucking tripped and fell on me. That's it!" Even after throwing my excuse, Esther simply smiled and shrug. My denial was pathetic and it obviously did not fool Esther. It only further aggravated me when she decided to humour me and accept my denial as a fact, but her words were laced with sarcasm.
That training session was ignored so that I could spend some time with Esther. She was a friend and the only one I could talk to. Well, the only friend I could say anything to. Dino was too soft and innocent, and he did not know about my past. It would be better if he never found out. I can't even think of anyone else who would be considered as my friend. Xanxus was at the most my ally, however I was not sure if I should ever say that to him. So in the current time, Esther was the only one I could really lean on. She knew me and she was always there for me. She made my childhood ordeals... a little less lonely.
Since she was my friend, I was able to notice something was off about her. As I had spent more time with her, she became clearer to see, or perhaps I was just losing my sanity. However, today she was not so clear. She was in fact translucent. I could make out her body and several obvious features of her. However, not everything was so clear. Was it just me?
It had to be.
"Voi! Dino! What did I say about getting my fucking lunch right?" I slammed my fist against the table.
"Oh come on, Squalo..." For some reason I know not of, Dino always thought that using such a pathetic tone of voice would further convince me. It, in fact, pissed me off further. At the moment, we were in the academy cafeteria. Like I said before, I usually trained during meal times, and Dino would watch. However, today Dino urged me to join him for lunch. I finally agreed, but just wait to see what I have in store for him when we continue on with his training...
"I've told you time and time again, Dino: Bolognese!" Just like the other times I joined him for lunch, Dino would always bring me a plate of something else. He never gave up, as good as a trait it might be, it was something I loathed about him. So what did he bring me today? I did not even know. It was pasta, that's all I was able to dissect from just looking. However, it was covered in some foreign sauce that was obviously not bolognese.
"But please, Squalo, just hear me out?"
"What?"
"It's..." Dino squirmed awkwardly. That pretty boy. There were times I just wondered just how many Y chromosomes he truly had. If anything, he was far too feminine to be the future boss of the Cavallone Famiglia. For one he was lacking a lot of strength and muscle. For another, he was pretty much a talking fish bone(1) holding a whip. Comical? Yes. Threatening? Fuck no.
"Well...?" I asked him. My patience always fluctuated when I was with Dino. Most of the time, it was thin as tissue paper, which would lead to me yelling at the kid. Rarer times, it was able to hold back the rage and accept the kid as the idiot he was. However now I was bordering towards impatience.
Dino took a deep breath then smiled. "I made it. The dishes. I... I was practicing for my hospitality class and... and, I'd like to see what you think? I know its not bolognese, I'm not sure what it is myself, but I worked really hard on an original recipe... so... could you try it and tell me what you think?"
I looked down at the platter and then back at Dino. Now that I looked at him, there were various marks on his face, from various ingredients. I looked at his hands, which were pinker than usual. He probably touched the pot of boiling water. This kid... I was surprised at the very fact he survived cooking anything in the first place.
"Trash." Well that totally mutilated the moment.
Slightly with reluctance, I turned my head towards the source of the insult. I already noticed Dino was surprised with Xanxus appearing out of the blue and insulting me. As far as Dino knew, I was probably the most strong and awesome person in the academy. I liked that part about him. Xanxus stood at the side of our table and stared down at me. He did not need to say anything, his eyes said it all.
"I'll be right back Dino," I said. I felt a pang of guilt as I left Dino sitting alone. I got out of my seat and followed Xanxus out and into the hallway. The hallways seemed to be void of all life, and as such it was dreadfully quite.
"I've been noticing you've been skipping classes," Xanxus said without turning to face me. The emptiness and silence of the hallway seemed to make him seem a lot more threatening and loud. Then he turned to me, and our eyes locked. I restrained myself from flinching away. Glaring at him was no longer an easy task, with that murderous aura he seemed to hold everywhere with him. "Training for the kill?"
"Of course," I smirked, hoping that Xanxus could not see through my face and words and see the fear I secretly held for him. It was not entirely fear, it was more like revere. Xanxus was not the easiest person to be with. The strength that I could sense in him was something more than I could even try to rebel against. I knew that if I did, I'd probably meet my father in Hell, which is something I don't plan on doing. Ever. However it was also this strength that made me respect him, like a knight to his king. It was not in my position to oppose him, for I respected him far too much. "I need to be ready, unless I want to end up the one dead."
"You better not, scum," Xanxus said. His eyebrows clenched, and his lips nearly formed a scowl. "I've told you the plan. So if you decide to fuck up, you'll meet your death from me."
"Alright," I tried my best not to show any signs of how truly nervous I was. However, I'm pretty sure Xanxus had already noticed the sweat that had started to form when he called me out in the beginning. "...So, when will I meet the others? I mean, the rest of the team?"
"Hmph," Xanxus smirked. It was a rare sight to see nowadays, although it's not entirely the most pleasant thing I've ever seen. "You'll meet them when you've killed Tyr."
With that, Xanxus turned around and left. Figures. He was shrouded in mystery, and shrouded everything else in mystery. Without anything left to do, I headed back tot he cafeteria, back to our table where Dino patiently sat.
"What was that all about?" Dino asked. Worry was written all over his face. Dino often got worried for me and I often got worried for him. I guess that's something real friends do. Although we were friends, I could not tell him. I did not want him to worry any more than he already had. What Xanxus had planned had nothing to do with Dino, and the last thing I wanted was for Dino to get mixed into it. It would not look good on the future boss of the Cavallone Famiglia.
"Nothing," I pulled a smile and sat back in my seat. I looked at my plate again, it was still filled with Dino's cooking. I sighed silently and grabbed my fork. It was not bolognese, but I did not care at the moment. Meeting with Xanxus exhausted me, and I needed something to pick me back up. Whether it was something I liked or not, it was something. I twirled my fork in the mass of pasta, getting a small mouthful just to try it. I took a breather and brought the pasta covered fork to my mouth.
"...Well?" I stared at Dino. His face seemed to be a mix of glee and anxiety. He seemed happy that I finally ate something besides bolognese. He was also probably happy that I finally decided to eat his cooking. Then again, he was probably anxious to find out what I thought of it. Would I slam my fist against the table and curse out loud so all of Italy would hear me? Or would I just calmly ask for my bolognese?
I swallowed, and felt the partly chewed pasta slither down my throat. The taste was tangy with tomato, however a lingering taste of spice pricked at my taste buds. The sauce was neither too thick or too runny, and it complemented the texture of the pasta, which was not too soft and cooked well(2).
"Not bad..."
Today was the day. I had trained myself for this day. With help from one of Xanxus's teammate, who I have yet to meet, we located the location of the Sword Emperor, Tyr. How did I know today was the day? I didn't. I could not even say the reason I had was even valid in any way or form. It was just... some kind of feeling.
I got up that morning in my usual way. I got up before Dino, and as usual, his half of the room was a mess. I shook off my drowsiness and sat up on the edge of my bed. My head hurt, it was pulsating, as if my heart had decided to spend the night in my brain. It hurt like Hell. I tried to shrug it off, but it stayed. Then I looked up. There, in its usual spot, was my sword. My head still hurting, I reached out to my sword, with or without a headache, I had to get to my morning training.
I was awoken when I grabbed the grip of my sword. I was not even sure myself, whether or not the pulsating had silenced or grew louder. I felt a spark travel throughout me at the feeling. I could not describe it. It was like a rush of adrenaline, pleasure, anger, and excitement.
"Let. Me. OUT."
Two days. That was how long the battle took. It was different from fighting a target, or fighting an invisible foe. It was nothing like reading the books. The books never said anything about dying. The targets never fought back. It was up to myself. I had to fight this battle, and I had to win, or else I'd die.
"Are you even trying?" Something in me kept taunting me. Mocking me. Enraging me. It did not sound like Esther, in fact I had not seen Esther since the day had dawned. In fact, the voice hardly sounded human. It kept pushing me, trying to hit a nerve and make me lose focus. I knew what it was, however, I could not give in. Not yet.
The entire first day had been wasted, but not entirely. Tyr ferociously wanted to protect his title, and showed no mercy, even if he did, I was not aware of it. The entire first day was spent on the defense. I kept to the ground, and let my senses and wits take over. Through this, I was getting nowhere, however I was gathering information.
Tyr was worthy of his title. His expertise in swords was great, however I was greater. I had to be. Tyr was agile, and quick. However that did not mean his various attacks lacked power. I was able to block, if not dodge, most of them. However, I could not last long if all I was doing was blocking and dodging. I thought as hard as I could to find a strategy. He was muscular, as I hear most people from where he is from are, which only added to the power of his slashes and thrusts.
He held his sword in his right hand, unlike me. His sword was a strange model. It was definitely a sword, but in ways it resembled a spear. Perhaps, where he was from(3), those types of swords were common. Since his sword was so much like a spear, his attacks mainly focused on thrusts, which were harder to block when all you had was a sword.
The second day came and I was still defending. I had gathered enough information, except one thing that made no sense. As the Sword Emperor, I would be expecting trickier methods to kill me. For instance, he could catch me from behind, with his sword raised to his right. I would have immediately responded by blocking the upcoming attack. By doing that my left side would be unguarded. Surely someone of his stature knew he could simply switch hands and strike me there? Not saying I wanted to die, but he had every chance. I could see it in his eyes, he wanted to keep his title, and that would mean killing me. As the Sword Emperor, killing would be a simple thing to do, so why hadn't he? Was he playing easy on me? That fucking bastard...
"Don't fuck with me!" I yelled as he jumped out once again for another attack. He thrust his sword out towards me. I spun a dodge so that I was on the opposite side of his blade. I aimed at the fuller of his sword, and hit(4). Tyr let out a grunt as I panted.
To my surprise, I watched as Tyr's sword fell to the ground. Tyr's right arm disobeyed his master's control, and cringed in an uncontrollable manner. I realized then what I had done. The hit to his sword created a shock wave that turned into a powerful blow into an oscillating wave that stunned his muscles. That meant he would not be able to use his right hand for a while. But why wasn't he picking up his sword?
"Voi," I sneered at him. It angered me, the thought that he was not taking the battle seriously. I pointed at his sword with my own. "Why aren't you picking up your sword? If you aren't even going to take this battle seriously you might as well fucking give the damn title of Sword Emperor to me!"
I knew that he did not understand my language, but I was pissed. This was dishonourable. Tyr smiled, I guess he must have gotten the message through my hand gestures towards his sword. He then removed his cape, and I got my answer. His left arm was scarred with what looked like bite marks. The scars ran down his arm to wrist, where his arm ended. Right where a human hand was supposed to be, was nothing. His arm ended in a rounded end.
He was not playing easy on me, he simply only had one arm to work with. If all this time he was fighting with only one hand... then I was the one being dishonourable. I had the advantage with an extra appendage. It was not fair.
I felt something bubble inside me, something vicious. I felt my entire body twitch with the sensation within me. I had this idea, a crazy idea. It would probably kill me, or it would probably lead to my defeat in the battle. It didn't matter though. The thought of it was eating away in my brain. I wanted to do it. I wanted it. I raised my sword. Tyr closed his eyes. I swung.
"VvvvooooooOOOOOOIIIII!" I screamed. I seriously screamed. My own voice was hurting my ears. I hadn't felt anything like it before. It was worse than any form of pain I had experienced before. The pain was excruciating, but I couldn't help but smile when I heard the thump as something landed on the ground.
My left hand.
Tyr stared at me in disbelief. I couldn't begin to understand why, because I was too busy with something else. I took of my uniform blazer and wrapped it around my wrist, but even still the metallic smell of blood escaped through the fabric. Never before had this happened to me before, but I felt a rush of adrenaline in me. The smell of my own blood...
I grabbed my sword, now with my right hand and pointed it to Tyr. "Now we're fucking even!" Tyr struggled up, with his sword in his hand. We finally fought. It was different using my right hand to fight, however I had practiced with it. I knew my opponent inside and out, I just needed to finish the battle before I ran out of blood. However even that didn't phase me. I had this unexplainable rush inside me, like something had broken out.
I had not noticed but I was laughing throughout the battle. With every swing of my sword, my laughing only grew louder and prouder. I could see that Tyr was staring at me, confusion spilled over his face. I probably looked and sounded like a madman. Wonderful.
"These are dangerous waters you're swimming in, Sword Emperor," I could not restrain my own enjoyment. This was all too fun. The rush, the exhilaration, oh it was more than anything I had ever felt. I held my sword out in the same way Tyr had. "If you're not careful... you'll find yourself in the fangs of the shark!"
Copying his moves from before, I thrust my sword out at him(5). Once, twice, again and again! Faster! Faster! A few of the thrusts hit Tyr, but they were enough to force him back. Tyr scoffed when he saw that I was simply using his attack back at him, only faster. Tyr however did not realize something, he was backing up right into my trap. Tyr grunted when he backed up into a tree. Caught him!
"Now comes for the charge of the shark!" I held out my sword, then I started to run. While running, I swung my sword in a diagonal action(6). Tyr was frozen in place, and it was now my time. My kill.
I blanked out for a brief moment, but then I regained my vision. My sword was covered in blood, and there before me lay Tyr, with two incisions that formed an "X" shape. Blood spilled out of him like waterfall. I had not noticed it before, but it was raining. I looked up and let the rain wash it all away. This tranquility that came from rain, it always came for me. It calmed me down and it robbed me of my strength.
I had done it. I had killed the Sword Emperor and I had perfected my own style.
So who would have thought that cutting off your own hand was a really bad idea?
Well, it sure seemed like a good idea at the time. However, because of that, I had to spend time cooped up in a hospital. It was all this complicated shit that troublesome to explain. Surgery here and there, and I was done. My wrist sure looked a Hell lot like Tyr's. It was still strange though. Even though I could not see my hand, I still felt like I could control it. The doctor said it was just something to do with my brain.
Of course, I did a wonderful job with hiding the entire ordeal from Dino. I told him I won.
"Eh? Uh, Squalo, how come you're using your right hand?" Dino asked. I had just gotten out of the hospital, and Dino offered to buy some coffee. Okay originally he offered for gelato, but I was not in the mood for something cold and sweet at the moment. I needed something not as solid. After a long while of eating nothing but hospital food, I wanted coffee.
"Hrm? What about it?" We were right now on our way back to the academy.
"Well, you're left handed, aren't you?" Dino asked for a clarification. Well, at least the kid was able to notice that. Once again, Dino has over exceeded my expectations.
"It's... training," I said. Dino stared at me, as expected, drawing a blank. "After the battle with Tyr, I've decided that I should be able to use both hands in battle. Restricting myself to just one hand could cost my life. I would tell you the same, but you have trouble with just using your dominant hand..."
"Hey, no need to be harsh," Dino complained, but then smiled again. "I just can't believe you actually did it. Killing Tyr, I mean. I've heard that he came from a long line of great warriors, and was really tough. Not that I doubted you, I was just worried you'd get real hurt. I knew you'd win."
"You really have that much trust in me?" I looked at Dino with a questioning look.
Dino smiled. "Well sure, you're my only friend." Of course. Soft Dino. How he'll become the boss of any mafia group, I'll never know. However when that day comes, I'll have to learn to have a bit more trust in him at least a little more.
I smiled and elbowed his arm. "Come on, let's get going, it's about time for your training."
A few days passed, and I was still training Dino. However, the day drew closer and closer. The day we'd leave the academy. He would have to take over the Cavallone Famiglia. I hope he would be able to do well on his. I had my doubts here and there, however he was starting to show some improvement in his training. The number of times he's tripped over his whip has dropped by 7 times, it was a start. I'm sure that when he becomes the boss, he would start getting better, because then he'll see that he has something to fight for.
So Dino would get stronger and finally make something out of himself. So what was there for me in the future?
"Trash."
Well there was that. I turned over to Xanxus. I think my battle with Tyr had either boost my pride or it made me a loony, because now I felt no fear when I turned to face Xanxus. In fact, there was a pretty big grin plastered on my face. I was feeling pretty good, maybe it was the large amounts of coffee I was drinking ever since I got out of the hospital.
"Looks like you've done your part of the deal," Xanxus scoffed. Right, the plan. We were currently standing on one of the outer decks, I was staring out into the view and Xanxus was at the entrance.
For some reason I had a thought. I thought back to my childhood. The old neighbourhood I used to live in. The shops that were there. The semi-livable houses built. Then I remembered Keith. I hope he was doing well. Something I remembered about Keith was his hair. He pledged that he would not cut his hair until he found his true parents. Back then I thought it was pretty stupid, but now...
"I won't cut my hair," I said, forgetting that Xanxus was standing in front of me. He gave me a questionable look, as if trying to ask me just what the Hell I meant by that. My smiled on widened, "Voi! Xanxus! I swear! I won't cut my hair until that plan comes into effect!"
"Yeah." He said simply. Clearly he did not give a glorious fuck.
"You should swear too. Don't cut your hair." Okay perhaps I was going loony.
Xanxus scoffed. "How stupid. Did you think you could be useful with the arm the Sword Emperor made useless?" Xanxus stared at my bandaged limb. Unlike Dino, Xanxus surely did not have trust in me. For starters, he thought that the Sword Emperor had cut of my hand.
"Voi. Don't misunderstand. I threw away this hand to understand the technique of the Sword Emperor, who was missing that hand." I looked at him dead-on with a hard glare like when we first met. "That's the strength of my resolve to go along with you." Even after that, Xanxus did not look impressed, so I backed up. "Just watch, Mr. Heir. One day, you'll be grateful that you made me your ally."
"Hmph," Xanxus turned around. I guess our little talk was over. I thought he was going to leave, but then his gruff voice came. "Follow me, scum." I had no idea where he would be taking me, but I followed anyways. I was in no position to argue, and to be truthful, I was a bit curious in what he wanted to show me.
I followed him back into the academy building. We descended the stairs to the main foyer, and left through the back entrance. We left the property and I followed Xanxus on a rather long walk. Eventually, he led me all the way to a rundown factory. It was all rather suspicious, but I followed him without any reluctance. I had to learn to trust people, especially if this plan was ever going to be executed.
We walked inside, which was where Xanxus finally stopped. He turned to face me. "You said you wanted to see the team, well there." He looked over towards the darker part of the factory. I followed his line of vision, and saw the group of people, somewhat close to our age.
"My my, is this the new member you've been talking about, Xanxus?" A rather flamboyant looking man smiled. His hair was strange, it was like a deflated Mohawk. As well, even in the dark, the man wore a pair of glasses.
"Hmph, do we really need the likes of him in our team, Boss?" Another man said. He was already beginning to piss me off with his attitude. His outlook was nothing but strange as well. He had piercings and a strangely cut beard.
"Ushishishishi... Oh goody, a new play thing~" This time it was a boy, much younger than us. His hair was blonde, and was short, however his front bangs were able to cover his face. He looked and sounded like a real menace. On top of his head was a small silver tiara.
"Xanxus, is this really the best investment?" Even more surprising, there was a toddler in the team as well. He wore a black cloak which hid most of his head, leaving only his mouth and cheeks visible. However, I did not doubt that he held great power as well.
Xanxus simply scoffed. Suddenly, Xanxus pointed a sword at me. I flinched slightly when I saw the tip of the double-edged sword close to my nose. At a closer look, Xanxus was not exactly holding the sword. The sword was attached to an artificial hand. I realized then it was for me. I smiled and took it from his grasp.
He then turned so that was facing all of us. "Listen up! This is the new Varia. Together, we will take over Vongola."
Nico: And that's it! Whew! I'm really proud of how this chapter ended up. Alright then
There's a couple notes:
1. A phrase I found amusing from Dreamworks' How to Train Your Dragon
2. This is me whenever I try new food. I analyze it. It's a quirk about me.
3. The character Tyr is based off the God of single combat, victory, and heroic glory in Norse mythology, Týr. He bears some striking resemblances, since Týr is portrayed as a one-handed man. The difference is Týr lost his right hand and Tyr lost his left hand. I also read that Týr also wields a spear instead of a sword, which explains why his sword looks similar to a spear. Since they seemed so much alike, I convey Tyr as a Norwegian man.
4. This is Attaco di Squalo.
5. This is Zanna di Squalo.
6. This is Scontro di Squalo.
Important message about the last chapter! As I remember saying at least once before, this story will only be ten chapters long. Since this is chapter nine, that means the next chapter is going to be the last one.
I have a poll up on my profile that will let you, the readers, determine what kind of ending this story will have. I already have a couple votes, and I already have a slight idea on the final chapter, but there's still room for the final ending. So please: vote for your preferred ending!
As I have school in less than a week, I may or may not be able to finish the final chapter before school starts. However if I get enough votes to show a clear winner, then I may be able to finish it! So just a heads-up, when school starts in a week from now, expect that I probably won't be uploading anything much.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks for reading!
Please Read and Review!