Thievery Of The Sword

Chapter 13: Beginning Of An End

Written By Illuminet

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

Note(top): Just so there is no confusion, there is a time jump between events of the previous chapter and this chapter. the year is now 2175 A.D. I know that Order-Sol's story started in 2172 A.D. There's no specific date for it though, so this story will take some liberties in placing the events occuring late in the year of 2172 A.D, hence why some characters may react and say only 2 years went by.

:xXx:

Castle of Slayer

Energy gathered around Sol's frame, his teeth gritted in concentration. Slayer was nearly upon him, fist shooting forward to score a hit and interrupt Sol's charge. The Gear would admit he disliked charging, but it did provide greater results when fighting against someone as strong as Slayer. He limited his charge to some specific techniques which he had created over the course of his training here in the castle. A handier version of his Tyrant Rave was developed that cut back on the downtime in between strikes. The other one was the technique he was about to perform.

"Volcanic...Viper!" Sol rocketed upward as he switched grips with the Fire Seal, the blade dragging along the ground as vicious sparks flew about as the blade ignited. Sol had been airborne only a few centimeters shy of Slayer's fist smashing into his torso. The Fire Seal released a tremendous gout of flame that descended like great claws upon the ground and exploded with a wide radius. Sol had to whistle at his work, the ground now greatly charred and uneven due to the upheaval. Sol cursed, not catching sight of Slayer. Once Sol landed, he twisted to guard against a thrust kick Slayer sent at him. It was soon followed up with a side kick that came out very fast, but Sol retaliated with a quick strike of his own. His knee impacted with Slayer's own before coming forth with a wide side swipe of his blade.

"Damn..." Sol muttered, Slayer disappearing from his sight. He rolled forward as he tucked his body inward in one fluid motion from his attack, evading a slam strike that cracked the ground. Sol rushed in, swinging the Fire Seal underhanded as he tried to land a cut on Slayer's person. The elder immortal smacked the blade away with one hand as his other fist came ramming forward. Sol intercepted with his empty hand, his fist meeting Slayer's own. Sol twisted around, sending his elbow crashing against Slayer's face, or would have had Slayer not intercepted his empty hand with a palm.

"Too slow, unfortunately." Slayer quipped, spinning Sol through the air as he tossed the former Knight aside. Sol landed on his feet, taking a giant step forward and slamming the Fire Seal in a wide arc, an attempt to catch Slayer off guard. Slayer smacked the weapon aside to leave Sol open. But the former Knight was far from helpless, twisting to evade a kick to the side of his face and bringing the Fire Seal to bare. Slayer disappeared from view. On instinct did Sol kick out backwards, catching Slayer in the stomach with enough force behind the impact to make Slayer fly back off his feet. The Vampire recovered mid air and landed in a low crouch. Sol was already trying to capitalize, rushing him. Slayer was faked out by a feint slash to his right as he raised his arm to deflect the strike. Sol's free arm snaked past his guard to grab a fistful of Slayer's collared shirt. The Gear reared up before slamming his limiter into Slayer's forehead and dropping him. The two squared off again once Slayer rose back up. Both had a slight amount of labored breathing, having been training for nearly four hours. Their limits were higher than ordinary men though, so they were able to press on, their bodies having only a small sheen of sweat.

"Becoming a little predictable that time, old man." Sol said in a lazy drawl, a small smirk on his lips. Slayer chuckled softly.

"So I was. Still, your looking a bit worse for wear, my friend." Slayer said, and Sol took quick stock of both of their appearances. Slayer had received a decent amount of burns at the back, some of the charred pieces showing above the shoulder line of his blazer with his shattered monocle dangling by it's gold chain near his breast pocket, and two burns just below the right knee of his trousers. As for Sol himself, a portion of his black shirt was ripped apart to expose the side of his abdomen, while the leather strap of his jacket was broken nearly at the buckle. Both gloves were shredded but his left one still had the metal protector on the back of it. He had two large holes at each knee of his jeans, and one strap on his right thigh was gone as well as the one on his bicep.

"We could keep going bashing each others faces in, or we could take a break and get these things patched up. I'm opting for a break. I want to get these clothes patched up and get some rest. This is my last day here after all." Sol said after mulling over his thoughts for a moment. Slayer would sometimes check the progress of the Crusades for a time and update Sol to what was happening out there if Sol would ask him. So far while they were "interfering" with the each others lives, Sol would ask him to do this on somewhat of a regular basis. Sol had received some rather essential information regarding the war. Justice had shown up again and was being pursued by the Knights. She had lost many troops in the first two weeks of the start of this new campaign kicking off to bring a stop to her strife against Humanity. Kliff and Ky were both there and were closing in more tightly than ever before. Still, Sol wasn't fully convinced. The fight he had with Justice, that small skirmish revealed to him that she held back much power. Kliff was getting older, and Ky was likely much stronger now and had a weapon of the Outrage set but no true experience fighting Justice at all yet. Sol was pondering if this was his chance to test his new abilities against Justice. Despite losing so many of her comrades, Justice was still evading the Knights and their clutches. That is why today, after nearly a year and a half's worth of training to figure the strengths and limitations of the Fire Seal while also sparring with a superior opponent, Sol was planning to fight Justice on the battlefield once more. This would be his test.

"Very well. Get your rest. I will check the status of the war thus far." Slayer said, disappearing in a shroud.

:xXx:

Sol had located Sharon to mend his clothing. It had been a few hours before Slayer had returned at all. His expression was a bit grim.

"It would seem Commander Kliff has fallen to Justice. He still lives but is in the holding camp for the Sacred Order's Infirmary. Sir Ky has taken a sizable amount of Knights to chase after Justice." Slayer said after a moment. Sol nodded slowly.

"I see. Old man, I want you to take me to an outskirts of the base camp. With this, no more interfering. This is our war to settle. You just watch from your throne. Let's get out of here." Sol's eyes told Slayer all he needed to know. Sol had a focus he lacked when they first sparred so long ago at the wreckage that had been Volvania station in A-Country. The older immortal knew he was ready to truly face Justice with more than what he once had in their first match. A weapon of the Outrage was just another bonus. Sol had the physical weapon to contend with Justice as Ky had, but he also had some experience handling Justice like Kliff. Sol was also stronger than normal Humans due to being a Gear. He had all the necessary things to give Justice the toughest fight over the Commander and his prodigy second in command. He would be able to track her easier as well. Sol placed the cloak around his frame, the Fire Seal in his left hand. He was dressed in his duds. He was ready.

:xXx:

Outskirts of the Base Camp of the Sacred Order

Sol was left walking alone from the coffin shaped portal Slayer provided. The rain was falling, thunder booming, and lightning streaking about the darkened sky. Sol caught sight of the red cross shaped symbol of the infirmary, knowing that Kliff had his own tent. It was the smallest one, not too far from the rest of the patrol of Knights on guard. Sol knew their patterns all too well though and slipped by several of the tents to get to Kliff's own. He used his superior hearing to catch if anyone other than Kliff was in there. Hearing none, though it was made a bit difficult with the storm raging, Sol sneaked right in from the front after bypassing one of the Knights outside on patrol.

Kliff was laying down on a cot, portable IV and other hospital equipment set up around him. Sol looked at the steady beats of the heart monitor. Good, the old man was stable. He was bandaged up good from his fight with Justice, and Sol pondered if Kliff had used his Ki technique to gain back his youth and former strength to contend with Justice. Kliff grumbled in his sleep, starting to wake of his own volition.

"Who's there...? I know someone is." Kliff said after a moment of shaking his drowsiness. His voice was strained from his injuries but his eye shown with clarity. Sol stood before him and removed his drenched cloak.

"It's been awhile, old man." Sol said in a nonchalant manner. Kliff chuckled.

"Sol...don't you think your reporting in to the wrong person? It's been nearly two years..." Kliff had a wry smile on his features, as if talking to one of his own men. But that was truth, for Sol was still a part of his Knights in his old eyes. Sol shrugged.

"Right...the boy would greet me with a sword rather than a smile. I'll pass on that one. But seriously, I ain't staying for tea and crumpets...just want to say, don't die just yet old man. We're about to see it...the war's end." Sol looked about briskly as if hearing something and was gone before Kliff could say anything else, rushing outside while placing his cloak back on. Kliff almost thought it was a dream. Not more than a few minutes later, one of the Knights came in, with a water proof poncho on their person. It was a Knight under the Medics division barring a band on her forearm with the scarlet cross.

"Oh, Commander, your awake. How do you feel?" She asked after a moment, seeing him looking at her.

"I feel okay. Any word about Justice?" He asked as he sat up gingerly in his cot with some aid from her.

"Not that I've heard. Sir Ky and his unit are still searching the mountains." She spoke. Kliff nodded.

"I see." His eyes became distant, thinking on Sol's words. The Medics Knight was looking over some of the infirmary equipment

"The war's end..." Kliff muttered. Sol had shown him something that he once lacked. Confusion had given way to conviction, but Kliff had only caught sight of it since he and Sol knew each other so well both on and off the battlefield. Sol's statement was bold. But it should be. For it was the bold that saw things get done. Kliff's smile became a grin. Now hopefully Ky himself was safe.

"Sir Kliff...what was that? I didn't catch it." The Medic Knight was looking at him from her place viewing the heart monitor. Kliff looked to her and his expression became slightly more subdued, but a smile was still upon his face though it was hard to view from the thick beard of his.

"It's nothing, lass, just that I'm feeling a lot better now is all." He said. The Medic Knight smiled, glad to hear that.

:xXx:

Sol had been scouring the mountains, the rain not making them any less formidable to pass, he could hear the sounds of fighting up above. Justice still had some straggling Gears at her disposal and the Knights under Ky's Unit was fighting them. They were making good head way, but were distracted enough to let Sol pass by without conflict. A fissure was were he found the body of Ky Kiske, who was severely wounded in a similar manner to Kliff. Sol could recognize those injuries from Justice's claws and talons. The young Knight had finally got his first taste of fighting Justice, but it hadn't done him a lot of good from the look of things.

'Well...at least the boy's breathing, that's good.' Sol had checked his pulse, then started to rip strips from his cloak to cover the young man's wounds once he gently took him to more flat and stable ground.

"Uh...where...?" Ky moaned in pain, out of it with delirium from his injuries. Even so, the blonde haired youth had an iron grip about the Thunder Seal, holding it in white knuckles even as he had been unconscious. Sol dared not make a sound, and Ky did not recognize his as anything due to his fogged and befuddled mind. He continued to treat the young man though, and used a vial of potion that had been in Ky's pouch and forced him to drink it and help his healing process further.

'The old man wouldn't forgive me if I left you to die, boy. You may not think it, but we are comrades in arms. Stay alive, you've got a long life to live after all.' Hearing Knights starting to scale up further, Sol felt he had done what he could for his comrade, much as he knew Ky would see it a lot differently, and was glad Ky was out of it for the most part. He left the younger man without a word, and increased his Gear senses to higher levels to pick up traces of Justice. He was going to keep his words true to Kliff.

'This is gonna be it! It has to be!' Rage fueled his thoughts, his thoughts became actions. Once he pinpointed her scent through his nose sifting through all the smells in the air, he was off at nearly a full sprint as his cloak billowed behind him. Only deep down did he start to realize where it was he was headed to meet her at. Truth be told it was a very, very long trek to make. A smirk graced his lips. Regardless, It would be a fitting place.

:xXx:

0:00 exactly, Stairway to Heaven

'So here I am again...' Sol thought to himself, he was catching his breath from exerting so much effort in his dash to get here. He was never usually one to give his absolute best in anything. But this was far too crucial a point to ignore. Justice was cornered, but if allowed to linger too long and she would escape the grasp of the Sacred Order for sure once again. The Crusades had been going on for nearly a 100 years at this point. The constant strife with Gears and Humans and the fear the Gears instilled in them had to be put to rest once and for all. It would not be and end to all wars, for Humans would always find ways to bring about war on themselves, but this particular had run it's course far too long.

'She'll be up there once more...the very tip of the Tower of Babel. Let's get this over with.' Not bothering to hide his power, Sol took amazing leaps upon the outer remaining structures that held together as part of the Stairway to Heaven sewer system. Parts of the piping was so brittle that it crumbled under Sol's weight but his speed allowed him to bypass the falling pieces as they fell deeper into the crevice. Rain made things slick as well, but Sol was mindful of this and still made his way with just as much caution to the environment as he did with his speed. He barreled into the entrance of the tall structure and made his way up all the way to the familiar sights.

'Exactly 30 minutes to get my ass all the way up. Not bad. Hard to believe I'd see all these things again only after two years have passed. Well, almost three sort of. Oh well...' He walked to the top where he saw the crystallized Gear husks still hanging in suspension. He caught the familiar sight of red hair and white armor. Justice's back was turned to him, just like back then. The hood of his cloak had fallen back from all of his movement to get up here.

"...That was a merciless enemy." Justice spoke aloud. Sol wondered if she was talking to herself. He was sure that she would be aware of him being here. She did not turn to regard him as of yet though.

"The Humans are blessed with far more superior skill as a combative species than us Gears. Perhaps that is why...beings such as myself were created for a precise reason. To offer release for their urge to fight one another and destroy themselves." Justice continued to ponder aloud. Now she turned to look at Sol.

"If such was the case, would it not be the ultimate irony? What have you to say to that, Corrupted Flame?" She turned to fully take in his appearance. Sol knew now that she had likely come across one of his wanted posters during these past couple of years to be calling him the Corrupted Flame. He hadn't given the title from the Bounty much though since he'd last viewed it, just considering it fit. Now though, it seemed to encompass more the further he thought on it. He was traitor to both sides, the Humans and Gears.

"Enough of your ramblings, Herald of Destruction. There's no sense to reason with here. Get ready for this!" He threw off his cloak fully, standing tall against her. Justice could only chuckle.

"You offered the first strike the last time, so I suppose now I'm the one who should do the honors!" She was near point blank in front of him in an instant, but he was ready. She sliced forward with a powerful Michael Sword to try and cleave his head off, but he guarded with his free hand, catching her wrist in a strong hold to halt her sword just shy of touching the side of his neck. Justice could only give a gasp of surprise at this, before Sol twisted and brought his armed hand forward, slamming both his fist and the rectangular guard of the Fire Seal into her protected ribs. The force of the blow sent her flying back, but she gracefully got herself upright with a back flip to touch ground again.

"Well now...that actually tickled...you've been training hard it seems." Justice said, feeling a small crack in her armor plating. It was very slight though, so she was not worried about it in the slightest. Still Sol was confident. That may have been one small chink in the armor, but that was all that was needed to start destroying it completely.

"Bring it!" Both combatants began to strafe about the other, poised and ready to attack in earnest. Their pride and glory was on the line now. This last battle of the Crusades.

:ToBeContinued:

Note(bottom): Sorry for such a delay, but I've been very busy. Wasn't sure if I wanted to post the whole fight for Sol and Justice this chapter or not, then just decided to add it in the next one. I'm not satisfied with the rushed feel of most of the chapter and sorry for the time jump, but I do feel the build up for this pivotal battle was where it needed to be. Hopefully the next update will come out sooner and easier.

If anyone didn't realize, the last part where Sol meets with Kliff and Ky briefly is somewhat based off the events of Justice's GGXX story where she has fought and defeated them before Sol comes into the picture during it. I know some of these interactions may make Sol seem more of a softy than most might be used to seeing in my writings about him, but I've been trying to give his character more depth than I usually do in this story and hopefully it shows while still retaining him comfortably in character.