Disclaimer: I do not own the Fable universe. Characters you do not recognize were created by me for the purposes of this story. Story contains scenes of a very mature nature, do not continue if anything of that nature could offend you (sex, violence, sub/dom, non-con). This story will be quite dark at times, you have been warned.
I am very sorry for the delay in updating, dear readers! I've been very sick these past few days and, now that I feel somewhat human again, am ready to make up for the absence :) This chapter and the next are going to be quite sad and depressing, both to write and to read, but I hope they live up to expectations! Thank you for all the lovely reviews – they spur me on! - Fallon.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Maya charged forward, confident in the knowledge that Von was close behind her. Every barrier they had encountered so far, as they weaved through the streets of Bowerstone, they had been able to overcome, and Maya hope that said something about their future together.
All around her she saw the bodies of her enemies and, while she wept inwardly for the loss of lives, it only reaffirmed that the battle had indeed been swayed in her favour. Soon it would be over and she would find a way to be with Von and defeat the Crawler.
Everything would work out in the end.
A shock wave ripped through the ground, knocking her off her balance and sending those around her tumbling to the ground.
"What was that?" Ben asked as he hurried to get back to his feet. Walter groaned and muttered a curse beside him but managed to stand.
Maya turned back to look at him, "I have no -"
Another tore through the city. A building nearby collapsed in on itself and guards and rebels scurried to get out of the way less a chunk of debris do them in. Over the commotion, the distinctive chuckle of an old man echoed forth.
"Sabine!" Walter shouted, "You fool! You nearly killed us all!"
The leader of the Dwellers stepped out of the dust, his bodyguard Boulder right behind him. He threw up his hands, "Did you not see? Were you not all witness to its greatness?"
"Oh we were," Ben growled, "we were almost done in by it!"
Sabine chuckled, seemingly not moved by the fact he had nearly killed his allies and the Princess, and charged on ahead of them, staff raised and a battle cry spewing from his lips.
Maya inhaled deeply and forced herself onward. Every inch of her body ached and pleaded for rest, but she still had a long way to go before that was an option. While it was true they were making excellent progress to the castle, she still had to confront her brother – which she knew was going to be as emotionally draining as it was physically.
A soft growl from beside her tore her from her thoughts and she glanced over to see Von running beside her. He seemed to know what she was thinking, and was eager to have her focus on the moment, not on what was to come.
She smiled, making a mental note to show him later just how grateful she was for the distraction.
Ahead, she saw that rubble blocked her path. She skidded to a stop and searched the area for another way around. Ben and Walter too looked around, but it was Von who spotted the way through the debris first.
He wrapped one clawed hand around Maya's waist and pressed her to his chest as he leapt up and through the burning building. He carefully manoeuvred his way past some fragile looking floorboards and set Maya down on her feet on the solid ground. Ben and Walter soon joined them, having both managed to climb the rubble.
"Thanks a lot," Ben grumbled as they regrouped.
Von smirked, though only Maya noticed, and gave a low growl.
She took the opportunity to look him over more closely. His waist was slim and narrowed as were his hips. A large patch of dark fur covered his thighs and groin, though the tightly compacted muscles of his chest were easily visible. Because of his extremely sharp teeth, he could not completely close his mouth, leaving him with a very pronounced under bite. On his cheekbone she saw the blue scar she had given him so long ago.
Von whined and reached out to touch her hand, not sure what to make of her stare.
Ben and Walter had run ahead, so she freely allowed herself the comfort of his touch.
She wrapped her fingers around one of his and smiled, "We're almost there."
Malakai kept his distance, though he had to constantly be aware of his eagerness and keep it in check. So many times he began to step out of the shadows only to have to step back.
Much was riding on the perfect execution of Ezra's plan and there was no room for errors.
He growled as he watched the pair, unsure how much more he could take of their sickeningly sweet glances. He understood why Ezra desired the Princess. She was a beauty and the faint magical swirls on her skin were intriguing, but the power she'd bring to the Family with her station was undeniable.
The Family was weak – Malakai knew it the moment he took his first steps into the Pine. Their numbers had dwindled and there were few children. Dedication and discipline lacked amongst the ranks and he looked forward to spending the years of his life beating it into the new members.
So much hinged on the permanent removal of Von Kaiser it made Malakai giddy with anticipation.
Soon...so very soon...
Maya bolted after Ben and Walter.
Screams and the clashing of swords had torn her and Von from their moment and both were worried as to their source. They rounded the corner and found Ben backed into a corner, half a dozen guards surrounding him. Blood saturated his shirt, though how much of it was his was hard to tell.
"Maya!" He shouted when he caught sight of her, "Find Walter!"
She looked back to Von, "Help Ben, I'll find Walter."
He nodded, albeit reluctantly, and leapt forward into the fray.
Maya turned on her heels and ran towards the sound of Walter's voice.
She didn't look back.
Malakai watched as Von helped the Captain slay the last of the guards.
He suspected it was difficult for Von to be around the Captain, as it was rather obvious the young man had amorous feelings for the Princess, but he'd soon not have to concern himself with such matters.
The threat eradicated, Ben muttered a curse and a half-hearted thanks to Von and hurried off to catch up with Maya and Walter. Malakai made a mental note to thank the Captain, should he ever get the chance.
He sprung forward from the shadows and leapt onto Von's back. He struggled, trying to lurch forward enough to fling Malakai off his back, but the killer was faster. Von jumped backwards, slamming into the stone wall – but Malakai's grip was firm.
Malakai opened his jaw in a howl and dug his teeth into Von's shoulder.
Von howled shrilly as Malakai forced his fangs deeper into his flesh. He hit bone, cracking it in the process and sending a shiver of agony through Von's body.
Von fell forward onto his knees, his vision becoming blurred with pain. The weight left his back, but he didn't feel any safer.
"Amaythea..."
He had no doubt who had attacked him and had seen him from the corner of his eye on numerous occasions during the fighting. He thought he'd be able to get the upper hand on him easily, but he had been fighting the entire night and his body ached with fatigue. Keeping to the balverine form was exhausting, demanding physical as well as emotional strength – Malakai was sapping both.
Malakai stalked around him, circling him like he was cornered game.
Blood was gushing from his shoulder, coating and matting his fur. He struggled to get up, to take the offensive, but as soon as he got to his feet Malakai was on him again.
With a sinister grin on his lips, Malakai forced Von onto his back, pinning him down by digging his claws into the bite on his shoulder.
Von flailed against him wildly, but got no where.
Malakai slashed at him, slicing across his brow and narrowly missing his eyes.
Every part of his body ached with a ferocity he'd never before experienced. The voice in his head was screaming at him to get up, but his body was spent. He went limp under Malakai, too weak from the tremendous amount of blood he'd already lost to put up a fight.
Frenzied, Malakai slashed and punched him until he could barely open his eyes. His ribs cracked and his flesh tore. It was like a rage had overcome the killer, a rage that would singe anyone who got in his way.
His head swimming with searing and dizzying pain, he felt Malakai grab onto his ankle and begin to drag him away.
He managed to open his eyes and, though blood and sweat, saw that the sun was trying to fight it's way through the clouds. It was beautiful, stunning even. Light fighting back the darkness that clouded the sky – he knew many would find it poetic.
But Von did not.
For the sun rose for Albion, but was setting on him.
His final thoughts before darkness mercifully claimed him were of her.
Scarlet watched the entire thing from the shadows. She had been hoping to corner Malakai and slay him to reclaim both her honor and the honor of the Family, but had stumbled upon something far more sinister.
Malakai had tainted her, both as a woman and a balverine, and she wanted nothing more than to rip his heart out with her bare hands and to hold it as it pumped it's final beat. Ezra, the one who should have protected her, had had the audacity to stand by and watch as Malakai violated her.
She desire his head on a platter too.
She knew Ezra had plans for the Princess that went beyond getting her on the throne, but had no idea he'd stoop so low as to have his own brother removed from the picture to further those plans.
She hadn't dared step out of the shadows to aid Von. If he couldn't defeat Malakai, she had no idea who could. She had to trust that Malakai wouldn't finish him off, that she'd have time to offer what little aid she could.
A great sadness washed over her.
Perhaps this would be the end of the Family? Perhaps her quest for vengeance would claim her very life? She pondered it as Malakai dragged Von away.
"So be it," she thought, "they need to pay..."
Ever so slowly, Scarlet retreated back into the shadows.
Maya, Walter and Ben approached the final gate, the final barrier to the castle and the throne of Albion. Everything she'd done over the past many months had led her to this point, and yet she was still terrified to continue onwards. What scared her more than that was Von's mysterious disappearance. He'd hardly left her side during the battle, and was unnerved that he'd do so now, when it was nearly done. She'd returned to where Ben had left him, after berating him for leaving Von behind, but had found no clue as to were he had gotten off to. Blood had stained the dirt, but there were dead bodies everywhere, any of them could have shed the blood.
Walter clasped her shoulder, "I'm sure he's fine, Maya. He probably hurried off to help the others."
She nodded, hoping he was right, but could not get over the blanketing sense of dread that was closing in around her.
"Let's find Logan and end this," Ben said as he reloaded his rifle, careful to keep his gaze from Maya lest she rip his heart out. He admitted to himself that leaving the bloody balverine behind hadn't been the smartest choice, but what was done was done – right?
"You go back and keep looking for Von," Walter ordered, "Maya and I will continue onwards."
Ben nodded, certain Walter was equally angry with him, and hurried off.
Once he was far enough away, Walter pulled Maya in to a quick embrace. He rested his chin on her head and brushed her hair with his fingers, "He's fine -"
"What makes you think I care?" Maya muttered quickly, hoping to deflect his interest and conceal her relationship with the balverine.
"I'm no fool, Princess," he said with a chuckle, "I've seen the looks you two have been giving each other – I'm not dead yet. A balverine wouldn't be my first choice for you, but you've grown so much since meeting him and I know he cares for you deeply."
She wiped the tears of worry from her eyes and edged out of his embrace, "He...Von is dear to me."
"You don't have to hide it from me, love," Walter said soothingly, "I love you like you were my own...I want nothing but happiness for you."
She hurried to regain her composure, "Thank you, Walter. Now, let's end this."
He smiled, "As you command, Your Majesty."