The Pink Haired Pirate: An Old Norse Saying
Rated: M for language, future mature themes, violence
Warnings: Spoiler alert for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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In reality, it may have passed no more than a few minutes after Sakura's imprisonment. But in her own mind... it might have been hours. Sakura was beyond pissed to see Solas browsing through her memories, without a care in the world. He was humming an old song to himself, known only to him but also in her hearing range as well, as he opened the numerous mental books shelved on the cherry wood bookshelves. They were neatly stored in order, classified on all sorts of information, memories, and experiences.
It was her whole life. And going through her memories, it would give him the means of being able to control her body.
She has overcome the feeling of fear, and was merely annoyed, sitting down cross-legged in the water, hugging the thick metal bar to herself.
"Just ... stop that. It's annoying to see others going through my personal stuff. And I'm pretty sure you'd feel the same."
Solas stopped, turning to his prisoner, and gave her a half-hearted shrug. "Perhaps. I would most likely be. Thankfully, it won't happen anytime soon. I wouldn't need a new body and mind, otherwise. I was kind of skeptical when Galanoth has presented you to me. But my doubts were quickly wiped away when I have seen how much mana can your body possibly stock and use. And that would prove itself to be infinitely useful."
Sakura snorted. "What happened to your body, anyway? I know that you liches are so power-hungry that you would become a chattering sack of bones just to live a little bit longer until someone slays you once and for all." She continued bitterly. "You're all cowards. Fearing death instead of taking it like a damn man."
Her words struck a chord inside Solas. It was visible so because his shoulders became tense. His own mortality might have been a sensitive topic for the Altmer because he slammed the book shut quite loudly.
"I'll have you know, incorrigible little human, that I'm not a lich. I never was." His amber eyes narrowed.
"Your petty mortal mind could not possibly imagine how much one could torment a soul, through several lifetimes." Then, his hand reached inside the robe's inner pocket.
Much to his relief - that he wouldn't have to also go over the basics, Sakura recognized the black soul gem instantly. It was just a bit thicker than her little finger and about as long, faceted a bit crudely, and while it was not black, the color was a deep purple.
Now, Sakura was not stupid. She was starting to put the pieces together. Her face visibly shifted into something that resembled a sad feeling of realization.
"Your soul..."
Solas shoved it back inside his pocket. "My master used me as an ultimate sacrifice. He siphoned my strength and has created the first soul gem that can absorb humanoid souls. I have spent an eternity roaming the wastelands of Soul Cairn, cursing his existence with every second I spent as a damned soul!"
"And now, I finally have a body. And I will find a way to hunt him down, even in my unlife. I can finally return to Mundus! Everybody knows the name of Mannimarco, the King of Worms, but everybody will fear me, the one who killed a God!"
He walked closer to the cage.
"And your people... your people knew how to seal and how to use bodies to preserve their soul."
Sakura took a step back.
"I will find those secrets... whether you will reveal them to me or not."
"You're sick..." She could not lie. This Solas person might have been right to be angry. And betrayed. She could very well understand him. But at the same time, she could not let him cause havoc. And certainly not with her body.
Sakura could hear voices outside her head. They were muffled, and couldn't quite make out the words they were saying. It was a male voice speaking a few words in her own language.
She waited and listened, and her heart almost stopped.
A sinister gleam was hard not to be noticed in Solas' eyes. "You know, a broken mind is far easier to be controlled and submit. And I will start... right with your friend that's about to join us.
Maybe with time, when you will have outlived everyone, you will start becoming far more accepting of our current arrangements."
She felt her blood boil. "Don't you dare to hurt him!" Her hands balled into fists and felt her nails painfully digging into her palms.
"No, no, no, Sakura. You don't dare to hurt everyone you love. Have you really gotten this far off?" He chuckled and disappeared. Sakura wanted to latch and wipe that stupid smirk off his face, but she was instantly stopped by the cage bars.
She tugged at the purple chains, but her whole power seems to have vanished within her own mind. She took a step back and fell onto her ass, sighing. She started to think.
And that asshole must have found a way to use a similar technique to soul gem imprisoning, to separate her soul in half, and allow the asshole to enter her mind via Solas' soul gem. She was more or less his ticket out of Soul Cairn.
If that desolate wasteland was as bad as Solas described, then she could ... kind of understand him. But not at the expense of the lives of her loved ones. She had to find a way out... and fast.
This was the place of Matatabi's imprisonment for Sakura's first 18 years. The whole purpose of the seals was to keep the Tailed Beast in check.
But there have been occasions where extreme anger could even bypass the strongest Konoha seals. Sakura looked up at the chains. They appeared to be made out of the same material that held human souls.
It was kind of strange. Sakura has seen those objects in all kinds of markets. They were up for sale even from regular pawn shop merchants, or regular mages that also sold spell books and enchanted equipment. She didn't know they were so cruel.
Every minute spent there felt like a lifetime. All she could do was sit in the water that never seemed to wet her and think.
A flame flickered around the cage. It had a slightly bluish hue. The space behind her back was pitch dark. Like some sort of abyss. But she could see a dot in the distance. Curious, she started to explore the darkness she knew she wouldn't knock into anything because the cage was void of anything. Or at least, that's what she expected. Not even her Sharingan could aid her in navigating the pit of her mind.
But she soon hit a wall, appearing to be made out of solidified shadow bricks. Curious, Sakura started to run her hands against it. And there was a flickering light in a small tunnel, where she could barely squeeze in on her all of her fours.
If Sakura could guess, it could represent claustrophobia for afflicted individuals.
The blue flame grew larger in size and soon, it started to shape up. And when she finally stepped out and straightened her back... she couldn't possibly believe it.
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Marcurio's hair rose on the back of his neck. He advanced farther through the tomb, and besides all the undead his panthers were able to tackle down without any difficulties, he was slowly dreading his very existence. He heard Sakura scream, and that was a bad sign. In a way.
On one hand, she was alive, and he was glad he wouldn't discover her dead body on the other side of the door. At least not yet, and he knew he had to hurry up. That's why the Panthers were eagerly clearing the way for him. His flames did grow much stronger than before for some reason.
On the other hand, it must have taken a lot get a scream like that out of that stubborn woman. A simple torture session would make her spit her torturer. She was tactful like that.
"Problematic woman... please be alive..." He muttered.
The screams started to cease, and he slammed the door down. The five panthers followed him immediately, and he raised his fists ablaze.
"For your own sake, you'd better hope she's still alive, you one-eyed demon!"
Galanoth was one-eyed, yes. The loose head skin was torn in half since the last battle, and he hasn't bothered to cover his gleaming skull with anything. He merely stood aside, without moving a bony finger, and waited.
It was suspicious, of course, but his priority was getting Sakura alive out of her current state and escape the place together. The panthers were muttering something to one another and cautiously surrounded the room. One panther particularly stood next to Galanoth. The lich didn't seem to be entirely bothered.
There was a large made-shift operating table made out of stone, where an unconscious Sakura was strapped to with metal chains. The edges of the leather strips were torn off and hanging from the side, which indicated that during the hours Marcurio has been unconscious, the lich had to resort to much stronger restrains.
Upon closer inspection, she didn't seem to be entirely hurt. The leather straps and the chains both dug angry red marks into her skin, that might bruise a little later, and she seemed to be much paler than usual. But thank the divines, she was breathing, albeit a little erratic. Her forehead was sweaty and hot to touch like she was running a fever, and her chest was rising up and down in an irregular way.
It was not a surprise that it was located in the very chamber where Reman Cyrodiil and his descendants have been entombed. The coffins seemed to have been defiled already. A shame it was not protected much better.
Marcurio spotted the key chain from the wall and turned around the lock of Sakura's bindings, pulling them off. He grabbed the hand of a now-free Sakura and shook her awake.
"Sakura, wake up. I got you, I'm here..."
He saw her shift and slowly regain consciousness. He didn't quite see the smirk that played on Galanoth's face. He was way too concerned to get Sakura on her feet. Much to his relief, she sat up.
"Marcurio...?"
"Yes, I'm here. Come on."
He inspected her face. A flash of blue flickered in her eyes, and before he could even register her movements, he was kicked away, and right into the opposite wall. He gasped for air, as he spitted out a bit of blood.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Sakura!?"
But Sakura's head straightened up and she started to cackle, and Marcurio felt all the blood draining from his face. He wheezed. The voice was not entirely hers. A male voice overlapped over her own, as she hopped off the surgery table. She stretched, popping the air bubbles in her joints.
"Oh, Sakura is here alright. She can hear you. And she hopes you're going to save her. She was almost convinced you have died on your way here... the look on her face was so sweet and desperate..." The body chuckled.
Marcurio held his ribcage with his right hand, as he moved to form a spell. "You... free her right now or..."
"Finally!" Galanoth finally broke out of his silence. He walked closer, putting his palms together. "I have finally awakened you, Mannimarco, the King of Worms! I am ready to be taught everything you know!"
'Sakura''s smile vanished off 'her' face. 'She' simply turned around and walked over the shelf of potions, pulling out a particular purple bottle. The lich was visibly startled.
"M-Master... what are you doing?"
'Sakura' hummed a particular elven tune to 'herself', toying around with the bottle, as Marcurio was recovering. Galanoth lunged and was immediately flicked away. "Let me give you a lesson you will take beyond your grave, young Motierre. Most of the liches manage to live beyond their mortal bodies by transferring their essence and souls into small vials called phylacteries."
He watched 'her' toy with the bottle. 'She' suddenly smashed it against the wall.
"GAH!" Galanoth fell to his knees. "M-Master..."
"FOOL! Who do you think you are calling the King of Worms!?" 'Her' body floated a few inches above the floor, engulfed by a purple aura. "My name is Solas, the One Who Will Kill a God, and the One Who Will Enslave Tamriel! You'd better remember it even in your unlife!"
Galanoth screeched and grasped onto his bony chest, as a purple orb squeezed out the little life essence he had. And with a ghostly screech, the lich turned to dust, leaving behind nothing but the purple set of robes, and decaying skin.
'Sakura' smiled, pleased with 'herself'. Then, turned to Marcurio.
"Now, let's finish what we started... shall we?"
The panthers surrounded Marcurio, defensively. They couldn't let anything happen to their summoner. It was an oath, after all. He charged forward and lunged. He had to knock her out somehow. Sakura was still there, but she would be gone for good if he damaged her body too much.
Solas evaded the flames easily, with his newfound reflexes. It was so much fun! And the Sharingan was amazing; those eyes were registering the movements so fast, everything was like in slow-motion!
Was there a spell that could copy that effect? Has one been invented since his temporary demise? He didn't know. But he loved how a single flicker of her wrist did so much damage. He grabbed onto the collar of a panther and flung away the animal with ease. The panther didn't crash, much to his unpleasure, turning away and using the wall to pounce right back onto his new body.
But they were all hesitating. It was so amazing! He started to chuckle to himself.
"Sakura is not coming back, you fools! If you want a chance to win, you have to fight as you mean it!"
The energy that was siphoned from Sakura's body was replaced by the dark energy that has kept Solas alive. He started shooting projectiles, chasing Marcurio and the panthers out of the burial chamber. They started to run, like mice, because even his strongest shield was shattered by that tainted energy ball.
He faced imminent death when Solas found him again. Then voices started to flood his mind as well. The necromancers fell to their knees, bowing deeply, and while their souls were enslaved... he heard crying. Crying and wailing, everywhere.
Then he looked at Solas.
'Watch out!' A familiar voice rang in his head. 'To your left!' And he sidestepped, right in time to avoid a fireball. He shot on his own so fast, that Solas barely had the time to form a shield.
"You little-"
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Sakura squeezed through the tiny tunnel. It was pretty cliche, to search for the light at the end of the tunnel, but what other options did she have? The light flickered brighter, and she could hear the sounds of a battle outside. She stepped out finally... and there she was.
A kitten-sized Matatabi with a single tail was sitting down in front of what seemed to be a circular room. And from that point, she could see everything that happened outside her body. Solas was nowhere to be seen, and if she had to guess, this was the place where Tailed Beast energy was leaking out, breaking from a container's grasp, and laying havoc over their foes and allies alike.
"You're not Matatabi... aren't you."
The cat swayed around her spotted and swirled tail. "Not entirely... I'm not. I'm that small tail-worth of chakra you have been sealed with. You would have died upon your separation if Matatabi didn't let you keep some of her chakra. But just because that knife-eared bastard drained away most of your chakra... he couldn't get rid of me. It's far more complex seal work than just a bit of magic can undo."
Sakura sighed, relieved. She looked around. "So... do you know how I can regain control, then?"
"You must find what locked you here in the first place. It's here, of course. You must destroy it. But I won't guarantee you won't feel any kind of repercussions though. The side effects can be nasty."
She gazed at the mental images. Marcurio was fighting her body. She wanted to yell out, but she knew he couldn't hear her. Until she saw an orange flicker in his eyes.
"I can't believe it..."
Mini-Matatabi padded over to her. "What happened?"
"He actually..." Her voice trailed off. She shook her head, snapping out of it. "Watch out! To your left!" She yelled as fast as she could... and the idiot dodged it. He did it. Did he hear her?
"Listen to me clearly, ponytail! Don't focus on me or what's going on! Just .. trust your damn instincts and dodge! Keep Solas occupied while I free myself!"
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He could hear her. He could hear that damn, annoying... and cute voice. That was far better than Solas' voice overlapping hers. So he closed his eyes. He could see it. He could see a calm, green aura being overlapped by something mucky, but that thing took the shape of Sakura's body.
"So you two found a way to communicate with each other! Didn't I tell you that she's gone!?" Solas sneered and shot fireballs at an insane speed-rate.
Marcurio ran forward and using a mana shield, he dodged and closed in the distance between them. The flaming fist was blocked by Sakura's arms, that formed an x-shape coated in black, but she was still pushed back. Keeping his eyes closed... he saw everything. He saw that mucky aura moving around.
'Good job! Just a little bit more...'
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Sakura found it. The green jaded soul gem was hidden in a slimy layer of purple muck. She forcefully tore it out of her mind, and her body sank to her knees.
"You!" Solas manifested himself right before her. He grabbed her by the throat and slammed her right against the imaginary shadow wall of her mind.
"What do you think are you doing!? I will destroy you right now!"
Sakura chocked out a snort. "Really? Because I won." The stone that dropped from Sakura's fist turned to dust.
Marcurio took a step back from Sakura's body when she has finally awoken. That purple muck was concentrated into one tiny spot, and his aura vision was finally gone.
Solas was gone too. He didn't swear revenge, like a typical villain would, before dying for good. He gasped like struck right through his heart. It was kind of anticlimactic... sure. But she was not looking for a good story to tell the grandchildren. She was just glad to have him gone.
'Thank you for your guidance... Matatabi..."
'Anytime, Saku-chan. Anytime.'
Sakura fell forward as she wanted to get up, on her numb legs. She gagged, and Marcurio's arms instantly wrapped around her shoulders. She spitted out a jade, skull-shaped gem out of her stomach, and sighed, leaning into Marcurio.
"Sakura... I hope it's you this time."
"The one and only." She grinned, weakly."
Marcurio eyed the gemstone on the floor and crushed it with the sole of his foot. He squeezed her tighter.
"You scared me to death, you problematic, accident-prone woman."
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A/N: Back! At least it didn't take me that long to finish this chapter. I hope it was not too hurried up, but I'm still typing on my phone. Hopefully, I can get tomorrow into typing on my laptop and work better on my chapters.
Solas is an elven name that means pride. That's also a character in Dragon Age: Inquisition. I'm planning to write him out as a full-fledged character for my role play archive, lmao. I already have a full sheet for both Canuldil and Lady Castillo.
And to make it clear that I haven't forgotten the fact that the previous fic was Naruto x One Piece... Marcurio awakened his Observation Haki until the threat of imminent death. He would have been toast otherwise. Of course, it seemed 'advanced' so it could save his ass, but from this point, I can set some nice romantic training in their schedule. XD Yeah, he'll have to work his ass off.
Again sorry for the shitty fighting scenes. If anybody could teach me better, I'd love it.
Anyway, this is it.
Cheers!