Thievery Of The Sword

Chapter 6: Wielder Of The Blade

Written By Illuminet

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

:xXx:

Sol had inspected the structure thoroughly. Not seeing anything extraordinary to note about the structure, Sol deduced that despite this, the ring formation was likely a security mechanism that simply trapped someone who tried to take the weapon from the fire. Not that Sol could really see where the Fire Seal was. Deciding to experiment, Sol willed the flames at the bottom of the pit to spread outward from the center towards the radius edge to allow him to peer past the flames. Sol noticed a black case at the bottom.

'That has to be it. Now about removing this formation...' Getting annoyed that there didn't seemed to be any real way to remove it without triggering an alarm, Sol made his way from each corner of the room to see if he could find some kind of deactivation switch. Not seeing anything, Sol decided there was only one thing to do. He would have to trip the alarm to get the weapon, if it really was an alarm. Sol went right up to the ring formation and bodily hefted it above his head. No alarm blared, and Sol gave a sigh of relief. However he wasn't out of the woods yet, hearing the vault door creak shut. Using his tremendous strength, he hurled the ring toward the gap still present. The vault door was grinding into the ring formation and crushing it, but luckily it held enough to leave a gap. Not wanting to waste time, Sol dispersed the flames and hauled the case up and tucked it under one arm as he rushed towards the vault door and hopped over the ring formation and the gap in the door to make his way out.

'Huh...maybe there was a faulty alarm system when it was installed and maintenance never checked up on it. Guess I lucked out. I thought I'd have to fight my way out of the Order tooth and nail. Doable but highly annoying.' Despite the heat from the case, Sol was immune to it's effects and laid it on the ground. Annoyed that there was a combination lock integrated into it, Sol was thankful it was compact enough to break open rather than the vault door's combination lock. Sol simply used his Gear strength to pry the box open. The Fire Seal was a strange sword, lacking the more typical design of a sword like the Thunder Seal. It was robustly built, the blade was thin yet wide and had a rectangular cutting edge. Sol stared at the weapon in quiet awe. Flashes of memory filtered into his mind, his hands crafting into metal the shapes that would become Fire Seal and Thunder Seal, along with several other weapons. Wild thoughts kept running through his mind repeatedly, and he was not sure if they were really his or not, but it was in his voice.

'Have to finish them...before I'm done for...can't disappear...just yet...' Sol groaned, fingers rubbing at his temple before moving along the metal surface of his limiter.

'The Gears...gotta kill them...gotta make something that will do it...end them all...!' He saw the flash of light in his mind, each weapon beginning to alter shapes and conforming to fit to each other like pieces of a puzzle. The strange conglomerate of weapons was somewhat ring shaped in appearance.

'This is it..with a weapon like this...I'll...' Sol's eyes were glazed over, as if in a trance. The light became blinding. Sol gritted his teeth.

"What is that...? The true form of...the Outrage?" Sol spoke up, his mind clearing somewhat, his eyes regaining their focus. Though not completely. He wobbly stood up, realizing that he was holding the Fire Seal in his left hand. He held it in the familiar inverted fashion he favored. Like the weapon was made for him.

'A weapon made just for me...maybe it's because I'm the one who made it...but is that really true? Were those memories from my past life? Just what was my profession as a Human? To be able to create such advanced weaponry for this day and age...to make such destructive devices...who the fuck am I, really? Some kind of weapon manufacturer? No...don't have the time for this shit. I was planning to desert the Order anyway, might as well go all out.' Sol shook his head, but his mind was still feeling somewhat befuddled. The sounds of footsteps caught his attention, but his senses honed in a little too late to be of much use this time around. He wasn't immune to making mistakes after all, and would have to change his plan accordingly. He stood up and faced the person who entered the small room outside the vault of the Outrage.

"Sol...why are you here...! That's...!" Ky spared a glance to Sol, then noted the damaged vault door still pried open with the ring formation, then looked to the weapon Sol now held in his hand. Sol noted that Ky had a blue band over his right bicep, seeing that he was CDOIC(Commissioned Duty Officer In Charge) of the base tonight. He must have sent his SNCDO(Staff Non-Commissioned Duty Officer) to sleeping post while Ky decided to tour the base and make sure everything was secure. It would just be Sol's luck that Ky would show up to check the vault's status right at this moment.

"The Fire Seal sword, isn't it? What do you mean to do with that, Sol? I'm well aware you didn't earn the right from Commander Kliff to even hold that weapon. Your in enough trouble for damaging government property. Don't make stealing to add on to the trouble your already in!" Kn snarled and unsheathed the Thunder Seal in one fluid motion and aimed it towards Sol's head. Sol moved his neck from side to side, making audible popping sounds as he worked out the kinks.

"Don't get your panties in bunch, boy. I'm just gonna borrow this for a time." Sol said, his voice void of emotion. Ky growled, grip tightening on the Thunder Seal.

"You really think I would simply let you do as you please? I have tried to discipline you the best I'm capable of, Sol! I've lost track of how many times I've sent you to the Brig for your idiocy! It's only because Commander Kliff favors the strength you possess that you remain a Knight at all. As much as I respect him, I will have to bypass him to make sure you are soundly discharged from our glorious organization! Hand over the sword and come with me, Sol!" Ky held out his empty hand. Sol spared a dry chuckle.

"Boy...let me drop some knowledge on you. It's a childish thought to think all will be swell and dandy if you but follow the rules down to the letter. Obeying rules all the time ain't how shit get's done. You know what's the saddest part about that? Deep down you know it, too!" Sol's tone aggravated Ky.

"You bastard...what do you know about obeying rules, when you break them all the time anyway? It will be up to me to show you your place. By God's grace, I will see you in shackles for your transgressions!" Ky snarled back. Sol spat on the ground.

"How about you stop lying to yourself, boy...you think it's by the grace of some God that all will be well in the end? How about you starting being truthful and say you want to see me in shackles because you put me there, by your own efforts, and not some divine blessing or whatever the fuck you want to label it as." Sol's words angered Ky to his utmost, the younger Knight taking an impressive leap as the Thunder Seal was aglow, leaving a florescent trail following the thin blade. Ky brought the blade down on Sol. Sol could only smirk. He swung upward with the Fire Seal, the blades colliding soundly with each other as sparks flew. Sol had to admit the Fire Seal was an awesome weapon, and though thinner and lighter than some of the others swords he created and utilized, it was still a rather heavy weapon that hit hard. It's robustness added a weight and heft that Sol favored to add in his swing, throwing Ky off balance as he landed awkwardly in front of Sol. Ky was grabbed bodily by the blue front of his uniform, head colliding with the metal slab on Sol's forehead. The force behind it made him see stars for a moment as he sailed through the air to land painfully on his back.

"You...I'll make you pay!" Ky was already on his feet, swinging his blade to send sparks of electricity speeding towards Sol. Sol drove the pommel of the Fire Seal forward, sending a long spray of fire outward. Ky growled, taking a step back and narrowly avoiding the flames. Sol whistled in surprise. All he had wanted was to cancel out the projectile, but this result was a pleasant surprise.

'Fuck, didn't expect that...but it would seem my magic is completely useable without me having to charge up to achieve the same effect. Let's see...' To curb the wild inferno that had been his first attack, Sol focused more on shaping his magic the way he wanted it, jamming the weapon into the ground as it let out a small but more directed trail of fire towards Ky. Ky hopped over the smaller projectile and rushed in close to Sol. Sol dislodged the Fire Seal and swung outward to intercept the straight thrust Ky came in with. The clash of metal on metal echoed as they began to swing their swords against the other. Ky was steadily being driven back by Sol and had to break away to steady the shaking in his arms.

"Damn..." Ky muttered. Sol lowered the Fire Seal to his side.

"Right...guess this is the first time we've actually fought one another for real. Must be humbling to see that trying to put me in my place is just another pipe dream of yours." Sol swung the Fire Seal in a wide arc and Ky hopped back to avoid it. Sol would have pressed his attack but decided to back down. He saw Ky was starting to cool his emotions, retaining his focus.

"Enough, Sol. I won't fall for your slander. Your strength means little in the face of the skills and hard work I've put in to be not only a respectable Human, but as a Knight of the Sacred Order with convictions unrivaled. I will see justice done the right way!" Ky took up the ever familiar stance that Sol was used to seeing him take, the younger man's sword arm raised over his head and his legs spread equally apart for perfect balance to go on the offensive and to retract to the defensive. Sol nodded.

"Calmed down some, eh? Good. You fight better when your calm and collected, boy. Now you'll be able to access the true difference in skills between us. A good lesson for someone still growing up. Go ahead, try your best only to realize that your current best ain't good enough!" Sol was like an unmovable mountain, his body calm and relaxed as well. A rare thing to see. Ky was ever alert, beginning to strafe around Sol and closing his distance ever so slightly and waited for his opportunity. Sol took a casual pace as he walked by Ky, eyes remaining fixed to one another. They felt out who would falter first. Ky gritted his teeth. He saw no opportunity but to try and open Sol's stance himself and unbalance the man. He swung the Thunder Seal fiercely, twisting to build momentum. Despite the strong blow, Sol guarded easily, and Ky felt like he slammed into a rock with the way Sol took the strike without any recoil. As Ky retracted, Sol came forward with a vicious strike of his own though the swipe of his sword seemed careless. It was more focused than Ky expected, his feet skidding on the ground as he found himself unable to evade and could only defend. The strike rattled his arms once more, making his arms feel numb. Ky had to keep his sword up as another quick swipe of the Fire Seal came in fast, Ky gritting his teeth as the blow nearly sent him off his feet. Sol had retracted back to his casual stance.

"Keh..." Ky felt nothing in his arms, flexing his fingers to retain feeling. He was surprised the Thunder Seal's thin blade was so durable and was thankful for such. Knowing he would need to try and press the offensive if he didn't want to be left without a weapon soon from Sol's powerful strikes, Ky came in with a quick and precise flurry of slashes and thrusts to try and break through Sol's guard. Despite Sol letting him press the attack, he remained hardly unmoving, meeting Ky's strikes with his own but with about the same attack power so Ky would defeat himself through fatigue. Theirs blades kept meeting up, and it was when Sol noticed Ky take a long inhale and exhale of breath that signaled him to put more force in his attacks to rattle Ky's offensive with his own. True to form, Ky was sent blasting back, his chest heaving from his exertions. Ky's eyes narrowed, seeing Sol was hardly winded by anything the younger man threw at him.

"I should have already known contending with you physically would be a difficult endeavor. But that's not the only way to win a battle. Tactics can come into play even on a one on one duel." Ky slammed the Thunder Seal once more against the Fire Seal, catching Sol off guard as lighting coiled about his form to create a mobile sphere of destruction that barreled into Sol's still guarded stance. Sol grunted as he felt himself skidding back, his back slamming into the wall and forming cracks along the surface. Ky let out a roar of power as he willed the lightning to become even denser, slamming Sol right through the wall and onto his back. Sol righted himself up in one fluid roll.

"So you'll make a commotion so that I can't escape here without the Fire Seal. The other Knights on their Sentry posts have probably heard this by now. A good tactic in case you lose, but you really think anyone save for yourself and the old man can really hold a candle to me?" Seeing that Ky was integrating higher level Magic into the mix, and also knowing what he meant to do in order to prevent Sol's escape at any cost, Sol decided to up the ante a bit himself. He rushed in towards Ky, Fire Seal scraping the ground as he dove in low. Both Knights struck out with their respective elements exuding from their weapons as they took to the air. Both kicked off each other and sending their blades down in vicious arcs. Sparks flew free as they began to free fall, but both air dashed to close the distance before they touched ground. Sol thrust the Fire Seal forward pommel first, slamming it against the Thunder Seal's blade and knocking Ky away towards the ground first. Ky was forced to defend against Sol as he dove towards Ky's location with his blade being driven downward , nearly planting Ky in ground had quick reflexes not saved Ky and allowed him to hop back to avoid the Fire Seal as it plunged deeply into the ground. The weapon was buried almost down to the hilt and Ky reacted quickly to try and cut Sol down before he could recover the blade. Sol merely smirked.

"Really?" He mocked as the ground exploded underneath him in a haze of fire and debris that blew Ky back. Ky would attempt the offensive again but his eyes went wide upon seeing Sol bodily step towards him, a large slab of the marble ground still gutted on the Fire Seal as Sol swung it forward. Ky had to dive out of the way as the chunk exploded in pieces. Clouds of dust and debris wove through the air, providing a wide cover. Ky tried to make out the familiar shape of Sol but couldn't. He began hearing several voices and the sounds of footsteps. The Knights on guard post were converging to his and Sol's location. Ky waved his arm about to disperse the rolling cloud that impeded his sight, finally meeting face to face with some of the Knights on post.

"Sir Ky, what happened?" One of the Knights inquired. Ky growled.

"Find Sol! He's made off with the Fire Seal sword without proper authorization!" Ky shouted and the rest of the Knights dispersed of the dust so they could see clearly. Sol was no where in sight however.

"He's not here. Could he have escaped under the cover of the debris?" One of the Knights said after a few moments. Ky gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Sound the alarm! Search everywhere! Find Sol and bring back the Fire Seal! Full on deadly force is authorized. I don't care in what state of being he's brought back in, but get it done! The Outrage cannot be lost to someone like him!" Ky gave quick orders and had the Knights sprinting out to locate the rogue Knight.

"Damn it...never again! I won't be slighted by you, Sol. Your more skilled and resourceful than I ever thought you would be. I have a new aim to set my sights on, this is far from over! I won't underestimate that strength ever again!"

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Sol had been rushing through the halls and making his way out. He considered just beating down all the Knights he could, but it felt like a waste of time and he would just be exposing himself needlessly more than he already was. So he decided to take the path of least effort on his part if it could be helped. Once he was free and in the open, he could access what he had to do. He could stay low key for a long time due to his former profession as a Bounty Hunter, and he had just the right connections should he ever leave the Order on bad terms, kind of like now. For now though, he had to get out while escaping detection from the Knights. He was in one of the open courtyards of the Order HQ, having just entered at the same time as some other Knights did. They were from the Raiders, a fire team of four of them, two males and two females. Sol grunted.

"Ah hell. What were the odds?" Sol muttered.

"Sir Sol, is it really true? Your planning to flee the Order and take the Fire Seal?" The Knight on the point of the fire team questioned of his former leader first. Sol sighed.

"Yeah. No point lying to some of my own. Or rather, were my own. So..." Sol brought the Fire Seal to bare, ready for an attack but it didn't come.

"Shit, and get my head knocked off?I'll pass. Listen Sir Sol, most Knights may pretty much hate your guts, but those of us especially in the Raiders know you do the things you do for a reason. This may be one of those bigger deals since your taking a weapon of the Outrage set, but I at least know there is something you want to do. I wager it's got something to do with your fight with Justice. It's just a guess, but you've looked a bit different after your meeting with her." The Knight on point said having overheard that Sol was the only one to be able to reach Justice at the top of the Stairway to Heaven. Since there was no hostility felt from the four, Sol lowered the Fire Seal to his side.

"I see. So all of you will pretend you didn't see me on the way of your patrol. Keep well quiet about it, or you four will get in some serious shit for knowingly helping a criminal. Hurry and get out of here." Sol ran past them, but hadn't gotten too far when one of the female Knights called out to him. He realized it had also been the Private that had spoken to him on the train when the Knights were making their way here.

"Just a moment Sir Sol!" She called to him. Sol halted abruptly, sparring her a glance.

"What? I'm in a hurry." Sol said.

"Although I wasn't in the unit for very long, I just wanted to thank you when that Megadeth Gear tried to attack the train. I think you saved all of us even if the train got damaged. So, thank you, Sir Sol!" She bowed in a gesture of thanks. Sol gave a nod of his own before running off again.

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Outside of Order HQ, in the mountains...

Sol had been more careful on his way out of the Order HQ. Not all Raiders were loyal to him after all so he didn't let another careless moment out. He spared one last glance at the Order HQ, aglow with search lights as they roamed along the ground. Sol had evaded them as well as he made his way here. Dawn was approaching, the sunlight showing just shy of the top of the mountains. A sound caught his attention and he turned to greet it. He wasn't sure how it was Kliff came to be out and about on the mountains, but the old man did like to take long strolls of his own to escape some of the pressure of being Commander of the Knights.

"Old man..." Sol muttered. Guess it wouldn't have been good manners and customs to spirit off with the Fire Seal without seeing one's superior officer in some way, shape, or form.

:ToBeContinued: