Thievery Of The Sword

Chapter 5: An Outrage

Written By Illuminet

Disclaimer: Characters from the Guilty Gear series are the rightful property of Arc System Works.

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"Hmm...your the only one here to meet me?You do know that very few even dare to challenge me one on one, lone Knight." Justice turned to fully face Sol. Something about her appearance aggravated him. He started to see snips of memories he didn't really understand cloud his vision. He gritted his teeth tightly together, willing them away for now. Still, his body felt heavy from grief and regret for some reason. Guilt most likely. Snapping out of it, he made his way a little closer to her.

"I could care less. I'll rip off all that armor to kill you if that's what it takes!" Sol bared his large weapon, waiting for Justice to make a move. Her shoulders shook as she chuckled in amusement.

"How barbaric of you. It would seem you have quite a bit of faith in yourself if you can say such things. You have a lot of spirit, Human, so go ahead...try your best. Do all you can, but it will only amuse me further once I've broken that spirit!" Justice laughed harder. Sol's eyes narrowed.

"Think what you want, bitch! It'll be you that's left broken!" Sol lunged at her, feet leaving the ground as he reared his blade back. It smacked soundly against Justice's metal arms as she defended, the force behind his attack was pushing her back, but not breaking her guard. Her eyes shown with sadistic glee. Sol growled as he landed, surprising her by a quick step around as his blade plunged into the ground between her legs and sent a blast of fire up from the ground to send her off her feet. She met face first with the ground, but brought herself up quickly as he rushed at her again. One flame covered knee came forward as he leaped into the air again as he tried to strike her face. It was not to be as she stepped back and swung out with one arm, her hand elongated to form a black blade that cut through the air and sent a beam of light outward in a large radius. Sol was cut into his stomach from the attack, spinning 360 degrees through the air before landing roughly on his own face. He got up slowly, bringing one arm to his face to wipe some blood that fell from the corner of his mouth with his black sleeve. He stood back up to full height, a decent cut from her attack having left a large cut in his torso and a part of his hip.

"Interesting...your body is quite resilient. Not many can survive against the power of the Michael Sword without having defended to buffer the damage." Justice admitted, crossing her arms in thought. That Sol could still stand after taking a direct hit spoke volumes to her. He had a decent amount of power to be sure. She would have to test the extents of it, at least for a time. Sol brought his empty arm outward. He gave her the thumbs down gesture.

"An annoying little attack such as that won't be enough." Sol brought his arm back before once more swinging his blade at her, but her claws intercepted the large and crudely made weapon, digging into the corner of it. Sol tried to pry the grip she held free, but Justice would not let go. Her tail lashed out for his extended arm, but Sol caught it in his empty hand before the needle like end of it could pierce into his sword arm. Acting quickly, Sol ripped the blade free by breaking the corner off so that she just had a useless piece of metal in her hand. He swung down on her extended tail, catching it cleanly. However, his weapon did not leave any real damage save for a small scrape on it's surface despite the force he put behind it.

'Shit! Her armor really is something else like the old man said...' He thought to himself. Justice whipped her tail back towards her person, hauling Sol towards her. Letting go of her tail, Sol guarded as her claws plunged into his barred blade. Sol growled as he sent both feet slamming into her face and shoving her back. Sol's blade was left with ten arcing holes right through it from each of her clawed fingers. He was rushing her almost instantly though, hopping over her crouched form as her extended leg formed a talon to try and trip him up. His blade came down on one massive shoulder pad to unbalance her before his hand shot up to snatch at her face. He bodily came forward and slammed her into the ground on her back. Exposing her gaping chest cavity, his blade was already plunging into it.

"What the fuck...!" Sol's blade was there but did not pierce through as he had expected it to, and he had put more than average power into that strike. Justice's eyes flared red before lasers burst free to strike Sol in the chest. His proximity didn't allow him to fully evade and he was struck in the shoulder instead and blowing a decent portion of the top of his coat off. The force behind the attack knocked him through the air a few feet away from Justice. He skidded to a halt as his feet touched ground. Justice was already upon him, his warning only being the whir of the thrusters at her back propelling her towards him at tremendous speeds. He dove low as his blade cut into the ground during his slide under Justice's tackle.

"Gun Blaze!" A spear shaped flame caught her in the back and sent her skyward. Sol was already rushing towards her falling form, swinging his blade to catch her back again and keep her aloft. He took an impressive leap as he swung his coat end to graze into her torso. Spinning fully to build momentum, he released his coat and sent his fist crashing soundly in her face. Grabbing hold of her exposed neck, Sol brought his blade forward to slam into her chest again, hoping to crack something on her armor to capitalize on, but only succeeded in a few small scrapes. Justice caught him in a bear hug, twisting him in her hold before she was able to get on top of him, her bladed knees digging painfully into his ribs. She brought him back down to solid ground with enough force to leave jagged cracks along the surface. Sol coughed up blood from the weight Justice applied on him in their descent to the ground, taking a few deep breaths to get his breathing back to normal. Justice had hopped a few paces away, observing Sol as he lay on his back unmoving save for his breathing.

"Well, that was a pretty impressive offensive you took to me, but it looks like your still having trouble damaging my armor. Don't you have any stronger tricks?" Justice's tone showed her amusement. She was sure he was at his limits already due to Human frailties, but he had surprised her upon standing up on his own two feet. He stood and faced her without the show of pain and fatigue he was displaying just a moment prior.

"What's wrong? We just started right? I'm barely even warmed up." Sol rotated his neck about to work out the kinks.

"Well now...an attack like that should have been more effective but you've taken it in stride quite nicely. Even if it's just bravado that keeps you standing, you've earned some respect from myself, dear Knight." Justice nodded at him. She stood still, waiting for him to make another move. Deciding to use her down time to his advantage, Sol roared and built his power through charging. The very foundation shook ever so slightly as flames coiled tightly around Sol's frame. He rushed at her, Justice seeming only somewhat wary of him. He crouched under one clawed hand as she swiped at him in a horizontal motion. He flung his empty hand forward, slamming into her stomach and igniting her in a trail of fire. He brought his sword to bare and slammed it against her shoulder with enough force to drop her towering frame lower so his fist came forward and clocked her in the face. The uppercut was strong enough to send her off her feet. He coiled his body inward as a ring of light flashed outward from his body.

The Action Charge complete, he sprung up at her falling body while swinging his sword down in a wide arc to cause her body to spin through the air so he could slam the hilt of his blade deep in her back. Flames erupted outward from the hilt, the explosion sending her crashing into one of the crystals that housed a dead Gear. The crystal had dislodged from the rest of the structure and fell off the side of the building. Justice, however, ricocheted right off the surface and was propelled back towards Sol as he rushed over to her with blade reared back. The ground cracked under the pressure of his weapon slamming Justice bodily into it. She was back up quicker than he expected as she pushed off the ground directly into a back flip with her tail lashing upward, catching him dead in the chest as the appendage whipped up electric sparks. The force sent him airborne. She formed the Michael Sword again and swung it out at him, landing a direct hit to his exposed back and sending him skidding across the ground. The thrusters at her back roared as she launched after him, slamming him with the force of a bullet train that sent him flying. He smashed into another crystal, his body cracking the surface. He remained stuck there, his head bowed low. Justice pondered if she had sent him into unconsciousness as he remained unmoving, the crystal breaking away from the structure to fall over the side of the building with him still in it. He surprised her though as he jumped free of the crystal and landed back onto the platform to face her again.

"Hmm...I can see that my attacks aren't as damaging to you as I thought they might be. The old Commander of your faction has found quite a capable warrior. Perhaps you are his successor?" She took a pause to observe Sol.

"Who cares?" Sol ran back in. Justice shrugged. She could afford to play a bit longer. His blade dug into the ground as he halted a few feet shy of fully reaching her, sending a trail of flames ripping through the ground to meet her. She defended, impressed as the flames pushed her back slightly, her stiletto shaped feet digging into the ground to keep her rooted. Sol was already through the haze and slamming his weapon into her. She retaliated by slashing her claws against the surface of his weapon to leave deep jagged streaks in the metal as sparks flew free. Despite it's size and weight, Sol handled his blade expertly even with one hand. Justice was meeting him strike for strike however, and he could see his blade was actually getting destroyed little by little in light of her claws. It hinted at the destructive force she was capable of with her hands alone.

"I wonder how capable you are without a blade?" Justice was hoping to put a break in his spirit as she said she would. What better way than to decimate the very weapon he seemed to favor? Her claws pierced at the long crack that had been on the blade that was held together to fully form the sword by the large staple shaped pieces of red metal. She ripped the blade apart effortlessly. Sol growled, having rather liked the sword that he himself made. She could not react in time as he lunged at her, fists catching the horns on either side of her head. Her face was impacted solidly by his knee slamming into it. Still her armor protected her. His other knee came forward and struck her in the chin, jarring her head back. She struck him in the ribs to send him off her, leaving decent cuts on his palms from him being ripped free of her horns. He impressed her further as his fist came forward to slam her in the chest. She had countered with her tail whipping him across the neck. Sol grunted, the attack smarting, but he maintained his offensive. He stepped in close, sliding under a claw swipe as his foot shot out to take her legs out from under her. He hopped up quickly, knee impacting with her face again as he leaped into the air. He spun to gather momentum before his leg came forward to kick her across her exposed side and slamming her into the ground on her back. He mounted her as she tried to rise, foot pressing firmly against her chest and sending her back fully on the ground.

"Hold still!" Sol grasped the side of her face to expose it completely before his other fist repeatedly struck her with enough force to have probably cracked a regular Human skull to pieces with just one blow. Justice's armor wasn't cracking one bit though despite the multiple hammerings of his fist. He was ready to at least pierce her eyes, but her tail snaked around his waist to pull him off, her claws piercing the sides of each arm as she pulled them free with her own monstrous strength.

"Fuck..." Sol growled. She flung him off her and rose to her full height. He skidded to a stop in a low crouch ready to rush in once more and keep the pressure on, but had to evade as a massive laser shot from her eyes once again, but rather than a straight line towards him, it spread in a wide radius across the ground to force him back.

"You truly have amazing power and combat prowess...it was quite fascinating to witness, though it was not enough to do any real lasting damage save for giving me a headache." Justice gave a small applaud to him.

"Wait, we're not done here!" Sol spoke with a snarl, not liking the sound of finality in her tone. Justice shook her head.

"Don't despair, my dear Knight. I have let you lived after all for that display. For showing me such a good time. Really...I had a great time, in fact! Until we meet again, my dear reckless Human." Justice, spared a brief nod of respect, before disappearing in a ring of light. Sol gritted his teeth.

'Damn...I wasn't able to damage her truly at all. Should I have used the full power of the Gear? It probably would have worked, but I might have had to give fully in, and I ain't ready for that.' Sol thought to himself, seeing the remains of his weapon shattered about on the ground. He didn't let it bother him too much. He heard foot steps rushing up the stairs.

"JUSTICE!" Ky had his weapon drawn and ready for a fight with the Herald of Destruction. All he saw was Sol in a battle torn uniform and no Justice.

"Sol? But I saw you fall over the side of the basement...it's good to see you alive but how in the world did you manage to get up here before me?" Ky questioned of him. Sol sighed.

"You can put the sword away, boy. Justice got away. I wasn't able to stall her long enough for your grand entrance." Sol said as he rubbed at his still sore neck from the whipping tail she had. He began to make his way past Ky and towards the steps to make his way back down, though spared a glance at the Thunder Seal.

'I'm going to need it...a weapon of the Outrage.' Sol knew that would be his best bet to obtain even further power without relying on the use of his Gear nature, which Sol wasn't afraid to admit left him spooked by the damage he might have truly been capable of if he really did let himself go beyond what he felt his limits were at this time.

"That still doesn't answer my question!" Ky's eyes narrowed, not taken by the instant change in subject. Sol would have to bring something with more substance. He had his answer quickly without any second thoughts.

"We'd better check on the old man, he was fighting a powerful Gear of his own after all. It the Gear really had been his adopted son at some point, he might have exploited a critical weakness." Sol was sure Kliff would be fine. He was very good at putting personal feelings aside to achieve the greater good. Ky's logic could be fogged up sometimes since he would get worried over the well being of both his higher ups as much as his subordinates under his charge. It made him a good leader, Sol already knew he would be an even more capable leader than even Kliff given enough time to mature further. That was still some time away from occurring however. So long as Ky only saw the world through a lens of white and black and had yet to address and fix the problem.

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Outside of the Stairways to Heaven...

Sol and Ky met up with Kilff, who had been making his way up to them steadily. The three met up at about the 10th floor of the massive building. Kliff informed them that Testament mentioned Justice has decided to retreat from the area, and so took off as well while father and former son had been in combat. Sol was able to confirm it with Kliff, saying that he had a run in with Justice at the top. Deep in his fight with Testament, Kliff had not known of Sol having fallen off the bridge via the centipede constructs summoned by the Gear. It was not brought up since Ky helped Kliff down the stairs again for Kliff had exerted himself quite severely by their first ascent through the basement then his fight with Testament, followed by his second ascent towards the top. Kliff had gather his bearings as the three made their way towards the Knights still guarding outside in the wide radius of the building.

"My brave men and women of the Order, you all did a splendid job today and our casualties were kept to a good minimum. I wish I could bear successful news regarding Justice, but she has escaped. Though it was not a complete lost. We have liberated this base of their operations. I'm not sure of what further supplies or evidence we may find in regards to the Gears, but I want all of you to set up Guard shifts along the perimeter. The Research Team will assemble and start with a thorough search of the entire building and report their findings. Once this is complete, we will spare a skeleton force to occupy this facility so we can ensure Gears do not return. Runners will be posted at all times in shifts to ensure word gets back to Command at our HQ in the event of a Gear attack to occur here again. That is all the word I have to pass at this time, leaders, carry out with the plans of the day!" Once Kliff spoke, he took his leave. The Knights chorused with "Yes Sir!" all about and immediately were set to carry out their duties.

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It had been about a day to search the entire facility. The Knights hadn't gained much as Kliff had predicted, but he would not chance missing possible opportunities to exploit any weaknesses Gears may have left behind. The skeleton force left back, the remainder of the Knights deployed on the mission proceeded back to the Order HQ for much needed rest. Sol was wondering the halls of the HQ, a new uniform on his person. He had made up his mind. The fact that the Outrage Fire Seal was located within this very base only made it more convenient. The Thunder Seal had been kept within the Order HQ in France, but was brought here when Kliff had deemed that he would give it to Ky for his meritorious services to the Order thus far and would grant it to him via a Promotions and Awards ceremony, which would also increase the morale of the Knights as a whole.

'I was already becoming dissatisfied with the Order. I need to meet with her once more. Justice...she...I know her...but to what extent? She didn't seem to really hold recognition of me, but I know there is something...it may be just a stupid feeling, but it's there...I'm not really sure what it means though. Damn emotions I don't understand, even having been alive for so fucking long...best to get some more hobbies down, preferably of the non-fighting variety.' Sol was feeling pensive as he stood before the great vault that sealed Fire Seal within. He pressed his ear against the thick door near the massive dial, listening to the clicks with his superior hearing. Once able to unlock the vault door, he swung it open and made his way inside. He left the vault door cracked open since he wasn't sure if he could open it from the inside yet, not really intimately knowledgeable in regards to how the vaults the held weapons of the Outrage set worked, nor had he saw another dial on the inside of the door. So for now he would have to assume that the only way out was by leaving the door unlocked.

'Huh...I thought the room wouldn't look like all the others in the HQ, but it does. There's fire coming from below that structure over there...' Sol proceeded deeper into the room. The structure he referred to had a series of ring like decorations above it, the magic of the flames below seeming to keep it aloft.

'Shit...well, still in the dark if it's a security system of some sort. Better investigate it thoroughly' Sol started to observe the structure with keen eyes as he circled about it.

:ToBeContinued: