Disclaimer- I own nothing.
Chapter 14 Calming Of The Water
Peter stood across from Defoe, once he was fearing for his life. Now, he felt unstoppable. Was this what being a Seeker was like ? A surge of anger flared in his mind. How dare Defoe look down on us. Peter stopped, taking a moment to analyze the thought he just had.
Us? He turned back to look at Gar-Ghoul. Yes us, he wasn't alone in this fight anymore. Gar-Ghoul's red eyes flashed a dark crimson when they met Peter. With a mighty battle cry it lunged towards the Redcap. Razor sharp claws of its own pulled back for a strike.
Before Defoe could give a order the Redcap charged forward. As the two titans clashed one thing was made clear. Gar-Ghoul was much stronger, the Redcap tried to slash at the titan. Only for its arms to be caught and pulled outstretched to its sides. The Redcap could only cry out in pain as its arms were pulled further and further apart. Until a sickening snap could be heard, the titans arms had been pulled out of its sockets.
Gar-Ghoul cried out a roar of dominance as it tossed the Redcap up in the air. Reaching up and grabing its neck and hip. It pulled down driving the hunched back spine of the titan over its knee. The Redcap could only let out a small cry. It could almost sounded like a wimper, Gar-Ghoul simply ignored it and threw it across the room into a far right wall. The wall cracked heavily, the titan left unmoving.
Peter was left stunned, the aggressive mannor of this titan leaving him awestruck. It was a level of violence he hadn't seen before. Peter felt something at the back of his mind. It wasn't words, it was the same feeling he had when he felt the call of Gar-Ghoul. A bond, it challenged us. It had to know its place.
Peter looked back to his titan, its head was drawn back. Jaws open wide, as it began to intake gallons apon gallons of water from around them. The walls, the puddles, and the small bodies of water around the chamber. After all the water was absorbed, it was quickly shot towards the Redcap. Highly pressurized water cut the titan in two, along with destroying the wall behind it.
Peter gasped as crumbels of stone flew around the room, he threw himself at the ground barely missing the stone that was sent his way. After a few moments he looked back to the destroyed chamber. Letting out a tired sigh, he looked around the room. Seeing a small trail of red energy, he followed its path as it headed out of the chamber via a new door way Peter hadn't seen befoe.
Realizing Defoe had gotten away, he couldn't help but feel a little defeated. However, looking back at his new titan. The feeling of defeat turned into a feeling of accomplishment. He quicky got to his feet and ran towards Gar-Ghoul.
"Gar-Ghoul that was amazing! Are you okay ?" He asked hurriedly. The titan narrowed its eyes at the question. Peter felt a tinge of irritation nipping at the back of his mind. "Right of course you are." He chuckled hoping to lighten the mood.
Sounds of battle could be heard coming from the pathway behind him. Realzing that team Vale was still in combat he began to rush towards the entrance. "Come on Gar-Ghoul, we have to help them!" He shouted out as he heard the stomps of Gar-Ghoul stomping behind him.
Dante delivered a back handed fist to the jaw of Grier. A small grin forming on his face. "My my Grier, seems as if you are losing steam." Dante glanced over to the taller man in front of him. Grier had began to breathe heavily, the sweat pouring down his face blending in with the water that had been kicked up to his face.
Grier merely shook his head, his face remaining emotionless. However, his eyes gave away his true thoughts. In his eyes showed wariness, appearing to be slighlty heavy. Behind it was a fire, a worriors challenge. As if the thought of leaving this battle unfinished would drive him mad. Dante could tell, unless something happened. One of them wouldn't be walking away from this fight.
A sharp cry from above caused both men to look upwards. The sight making Dante let out a sigh of relief, above them was Peter. Not only that, the ever powerful titan Gar-Ghoul.
Peter flahsed everyone a cocky grin, arms firmly crossed his chest. "You better follow Defoe's example and split." His arms uncrossing, he slammed a fist into his palm. "Otherwise, Gar-Ghoul will show you a whole new world of pain." Gar-Ghoul follwed up with a stream of water slamming into Breaker. Causing the titan to slam on its stomach with a loud crash. Only to have Caliban's sword peirce the back of its neck. Dismissing the titan back into its amulet.
Grier looked around to his fellow soldiers, taking a single moment to come to a decision. "As acting squad leader, I'm commanding a full reatreat." With his comand the suits made a break for the mouth of the cave. Grier looking over the battlefield, making sure each one of his teammates had evacuated.
Turning his gaze back to Dante, a curt nod was sent to the man. "Once again, seems that victory is yours Vale." With confidence Grier walked past a heavily breathing Dante. Taking a moment to pause his movement, his head staring straight ahead. Only his eyes glancing over to Dante's amber ones. "I do hope one day, we can fight unabated. Till the end." With his stament, Grier proceeded to the mouth of the cave.
Dante took a moment to catch his breath, that was too close for comfort in his opinion. Walking up to Peter, he gave the younger man a grin. "Well Peter, not only did you stop Defoe. You also bonded to the titan." Dante reached up and placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Welcome to our world."
Peter gave Dante a bright smile, gently rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks Dante, means a lot coming from you." Before he could continue to bask in his own glory. Gar-Ghoul let out a mighty roar. Its wings sprang outwards, and with a mighty gust of wind it took off. Heading farther into the center of the cave.
"wa-wait ! Gar-Ghoul!" Peter yelled after his flying titan. Before Dante could halt the young man. Peter took off after the demonic creature.
Dante quickly followed behind Peter, having a good idea to where Gar-Ghoul was heading. He just hoped his team was holding their own against the ancient trap.
Cathy let out another yell as another torrent of water came blasting past her face. She was currently with Zhalia and Sophie. The trio hiding in the mouth of a tunnel leading deeper into the cave. Freelancer and Kilthane using their respective sheilds to guard thier seekers from head on attacks. Sabriel and Gareon were unfortunately dismissed while making sure the group made it to the tunnle entrance safely.
"So, any bright ideas ?" Zhalia asked sarcastically, she was leaning against the tunnle wall. Her arms crossed, appearing to not have a care in the world. Her brown eyes glancing between Cathy and Sophie.
Sophie let out a aggravated huff, walking up to the blue haired seeker. "Well I for one have something planned just for this situation." She brushed her soaked hair behined her ear and walked to the mouth of the tunnle.
Sophie slowly looked around the shield of Freelancer, catching a glimps of the gargoyle statue. Its head was pointed upwards. Collecting a mass intake of water, before it could finish her hand shot out passed the shield. "Break spell !" Sophie yelled out as a mirage of colors shot from her hand and hit the statue.
After a few moments the gargoyle didn't move. Sophie turned around. Hands on her hips, a brilliant smile on her lips. "What do you think of that Zhalia ?" Unknown to her, the statue shimmered slightly before its head shot down and shot a blast of water.
Sophie let out a scream as the force of water that slipped passed the shield knocked into the back of her knees. Forcing her forward and face planting into the water infront of Zhalia. Cathy with out missing a beat was at her side. "Nice try Sophie, but you don't have that spell downpat just yet."
Sophie slowly lifted her head from the water. Spitting out water that had filled her mouth, hearing the raging laughter of Zhaila she glared at the woman. "You have a idea then ?" Her words challenging, her glare deadly.
After a few moments, Zhalia finally composed herself. "I can't belive I'm saying this, but thank you Sophie. I needed that." Letting out a deep sigh, she crossed her arms and looked at Cathy. The blonde only blinking back in response.
Zhaila tilted her head side to side, as if she was literally bouncing a idea in her head. She shrugged as she looked back to the now standing Sophie. "Alright girls, review time. What do you know about the spell Dragon Fist?"
Sophie was about to complain, until a pleading look from Cathy made her bite her tongue. Letting out a heavy sigh, Sophie looked back to Zhalia. "It's a melee spell that increases your physical power and strength."
Zhalia nodded head and gave the Casterwill a slow clap. "Correct, a gold star for you." She glanced towards Cathy, a small grin forming on her face. "What else?" She directed the question to the newest seeker in the group.
Cathy placed her hand on her chin in contemplation, thinking about the ins and outs of the spell. Until a specific detail came to her mind. "It's powered by strong emotions!" She exclaimed excitedly. Her smile brightened even more after Zhalia nodded her head.
"Bingo, now remember when I offered a hint about the second stage ? Well Sophie gets to hear it now too, so no girl scout nonsense." Zhalia held her hand up, taking a deep breath the hand began to glow a bright gold, the red sparks coming to life a few moments after. "Dragon Fist!" She called out, showing off her hand to the two.
"Now, pay attention. I'm only saying this once. Strong emotions are the key to the Dragon Fist. However, you need to focus on your heart beat." Zhalia looked at the duo, seeing the confused looks on their face.
She merely let out a sigh. Letting the energy dissipate from her hand. She let the same hand rest on her hip. "When you are feeling strong emotions, your heart rate will increase. Think of the heart as a motor, a power supply. Feel your heart beat and visualize it going to your fist."
The two girls looked at one another, finally understanding the meaning of her words. Cathy grinned at Sophie. "What do you think ? Want to give it a try ?" Cathy's blue eyes burning bright with enthusiasm.
Sophie merely noded her head, until a look of shock came to her face. "You know, I have a idea." She turned to look back at Zhalia. "Would you be so kind as to let us barrow Kilthane ?" Zhalia raised her brow at her, until a small grin came to her lips. With a simple nod, Sophie clued Cathy in on her plan.
kilthane and Freelancer began to make their way towards the statue. Every few feet the titans would have to pause their advancement to bunker down and raise their shields. The water only pushing them back slightly. Kilthane took a single step forward, unfortunately for the titan the ground seemed to have shifted under its foot. Falling to a knee the titan looked towards the statue as a torrant of water was blasted its way.
Before the water could punch a hole through the titan, Freelancer jumped infront of the blast shield raised. The blast merely a inconvenience for the defensive specialist. Kilthane looked up twords Freelancer and gave it a nod. Freelancer responded in kind, now the two being back on track.
After making it half way, the two took a knee as the last shot of water blasted them. As the statues head shot up, Cathy and Sophie began running from the tunnel. The two staying in perfect sync. As they got closer towards the two titans. Kilthane and Freelancer placed their sheilds above their heads.
Seeing this Cathy and Sophie made a call for a Hyperstride. The blue glow of the spell coated their legs as the leaped off the sheilds and higher in the air. What was the target you might ask ? The unprotected throat of the gargoyle of course.
Everything around Cathy began to slow down, she felt as if time its self was coming to a halt. She began to hear her heart beat in her ears. Her breath held in her lungs, she concentrated on the beat. Feeling her heart rate skyrocket. Feeling the wind flying through her hair, she visualized the beating of her heart running through her veins and into her fist.
Looking at said fist, the red electricity sparked brightly. The first staged achieved effortlessly. With in the same moment, a bright flash of gold engulfed her fist. The golden fire mesmerizing her sliglty. Looking to her left she could see the same from Sophie's fist.
As time seem to have resumed, the two seekers dug deep with in themselves. "Dragon !" Shopie yelled out, her eyes laser focused on her target. "Fist!" Cathy finished as the two fist made contact with the statue. The explosive force that went through Cathy's body could not be explained. The rush, the power, the destructive force, it was intoxicating. Like a high you know you could never experience again.
As the statue crack and crumpled, a small explosion went off. Kocking the two girls back, Sophie gracefully landed on her feet. Cathy was too caught up in the moment to brace herself. Thankfully Freelancer was there to pluck its seeker out of the air. With a grunt she landed safely in the titans arms.
Cathy looked up to the titan and give it a bright smile. "Thanks Freelancer! I owe you one." She stated as she was gently placed on the ground. After regaining her composure, she had realized that Zhalia had walked towards them. A grin on her face. "Actually, you owe me."
Cathy simply gave her a thumbs up followed by a bright smile. "You bet I do! You're the best!" Cathy's pearly whites on full display.
Zhalia took a moment to look over the blonde. A blank look on her face. It slowly turned into one of boredom. "Yeah well, I'll make sure to collect on that one day." Before anything else was said. A loud crash came from above. The team of three looked upwards, a chunk of the statue had broken off and was falling down towards them. Looking to crush them were they stood.
Before any of them leaped out of the way, a roar came from the side of the cave. The titan Gar-Ghoul flew past the chunk of stone. Tunring it into mere pebbles from a single claw swipe. The group quickly covered their heads with their hands.
After the small storm of pebbles fell into the water, the group heard the shouting of Peter. "Gar-Ghoul I said hold on!" He yelled out again, before finally making it to the group. "Huff huff... sorry about that. New seeker and all." He explained with a red face. He had been trying to cath up to the titan for a little while now.
In a flash Cathy had grabbed Peter in a hug. "Peter ! So glad to see you're safe. Wait! Seeker ? You're a seeker now ? Thats amazing!" Cathy fired at him, one thing after another. She had begun to bonce up and down dragging the poor archaeologist with her.
Peter's face turned a deeper shade of red as he pushed his glasses back on his face properly. "Um... yeah actually." He manged to barely mumble out. Seeing the amused look coming from Sophie, he quickly fixed himself. "I managed to stop Defoe and keep the titan away from Organization hands."
Sophie walked up to him, giving him a polite smile. "Well we are glad to see you safe Peter." Gar-Ghoul landed beside Peter, letting out a powerful roar. The water vibrating around the titans cry.
Zhalia looked from Gar-Ghoul and back to Peter. "Well, not bad. Not bad at all." She stated cooly as she walked past Peter. Her brown eyes not appearing as cold to Peter this time around.
"I'm glad we are all safe and sound." The calm tone of Dante called out. The group looked at their team leader. Seeing Dante with a grin on his face, and a relieved look in his eyes. "Now then, we should check out the chamber of Gar-Ghoul."
Cathy, Zhalia, and Sophie nodeed at the recommendation and began to walk to the chamber. Zhalia and Cathy recalling their respective titans. Peter took a moment and looked at Gar-Ghoul. The titan looking back at him, the two staring at one another.
Peter gave it a bright smile, reaching down he grabbed the amulet around his neck and genlty held it up to the titan. "Alright buddy, back you go." The titan glanced at Peter, after a few moments it nodded allowing itself to return to its amulet. He glanced down to the amulet now laying flat against his chest. "I'll never get use to that." He told himself as he spun and began to chace after the group.
The group made their way into the chamber of Gar-Ghoul. Listing to Peter's retelling of events. "And that's what happened. One second I'm being introduced into the wall thanks to the back hand of a Redcap. Then I'm a newly a awakened seeker." He chukcled as he looked around the room. Now taking a better chance to look around and take in the sights.
Sophie looked at the collapse wall were Gar-Ghoul had blasted the wall down. "Hey, come take a look at this." She called out to the rest of the group. Dante quickly following behind her. "What is it Sophie?"
Looking past her, he had seen a set of stone steps leading down towards a hallway. Cathy getting a look at it her self merely let out a small hum. "Huh, look at that. That attack of Gar-Ghoul knocked down a wall and into a secret passage. That ever happen before Dante ?" She asked her team leader. Dante looked at her with a amused smile on his face. "Nope, but a first time for everything."
They all made their way down the steps, the hallway shrouded in shadows and cobwebs. The smell of dust coating the pathway. Further into the unkown darkness. After a few steps the sounds of stone floor stopped, a small creek filled the empty air.
Dante held his hand in the air, having the team hold in place. "Be careful, this hallway is a trap." With that statement Cathy and Peter go stiff. Not daring to move another inch.
Dante held his right hand in the air. "Bolt Flare." He commanded gently as the orange glow of the orb illuminated the hallway. In front of them appeared to be a wooden bridge. In front of a door of the same material, most definitely a trap if Cathy had ever seen one. At least in movies.
Slowly they began to make their way across, watching each step. Peter was looking along the walls, the Bolt Flare was helping with his vison. He could almost see something on the walls. After a moment he realized what he was looking at. "Hey! I know this. It's ancient French. I bet I could decipher it." He pulled out a flashlight and quickly turned it on.
"Wait Peter no!" Dante shouted out as he ran towards peter. Unfortunately it was too late, with the flash of light. It shined into a crystal that was embedded into the wall. Setting off a chain reaction, as the beam of light shined into the floor it began to drop in on itself.
Dante grabbed Peter and shoved him into the door knocking it open. Dante gave him a apologetic look as he ran along the bridge and into the door way. Quickly turning around he held a hand out to his team. "Quick lets go!" His voiced called out, filling the air with a sense of urgency.
Sophie jumped and grab Dante's hand, getting dragged into the room. Zhalia had a different idea, she started to run down the falling walk way. Using her momentum she jumped closing the gap in between the fall and the doorway. Landing through the doorway with a angelic grace of a forward flip.
Cathy unfortunately wasn't as lucky, being at the back of the pack. She had no room to get a running start, and she wouldn't be able to make the leap. As gravity began to take a hold of her, she tried to grasp the floor in attempt to hold her self up. In a futile effort as the floor now laid flat against the wall.
She could only let out a yell as she began falling, looking at the ground her heart sank to her stomach. At the bottom of said fall was a series of spikes. Each sharp and more painful than the last.
She began to panic until a thought came to her, reaching into her front pocket she pulled out Kipperins amulet. Holding it close to her chest she closed her eyes. "Please, please work this time." She whispered to her self. "I need your help. Kipperin!" With a yell a bright green glow came from the amulet. With a flash of emerald came the moth like titan.
With a cry of happiness, it used its appendages to wrapped around Cathy. Now resting against her back like a backpack. It flapped its wings with great speed as it flew her up to the doorway. Letting her gently place her feet on the ground.
Cathy turned to look at the titan as it untangled its self from her. "Wow Kipperin that was amaz-" before she could finish her thank you, one of the arms of kipperin came up and tickled her nose. Taken aback by this, she let out a little sneeze. As she looked back to the titan it was gone once again in a green glow and back into its amulet. She looked back at it and let out a sigh. "Why are you this way?" She asked herself.
Sophie came up to her and placed a hand on Cathy's back. "Cathy, are you alright ? That was a close call." Clearly worried for her friend, Peter now realizing the consequence of his actions. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry."
He held his head down in shame, he hadn't been a seeker for more than a hour and he already screwd up this bad, he had almost killed someone. He opened his eyes as he saw a kneeling Cathy, her blue eyes gazing up at him. "No need to worry, you're just lucky I'm pretty amazing." She gave him cheerful wink.
Peter couldn't help but smile back at her. "Yeah, you are." Feeling a little bit better, he looked at Dante. "Why did my flashlight set off the trap but the Bolt Flare didn't?" Dante gave Peter a approving nod.
"A excellent question." Dante's gaze looked over towards Sophie. Knowing full well his youngest student could answer this question.
Sohpie took a moment to think, resting her chin in her hand. Until she snapped her fingers. "Because Bolt Flare is magic. This trap was meant for non seekers." She glanced at Dante for confirmation.
With a smile Dante confirmed her statment. "That's right, I have a pretty good feeling that what we are walking into." He paused as he walked through doorway into the new room. "Is a seekers secret base."
They made their way into the base and were amazed at what they had seen. Suits of armor resting against pillars, marbel floors. Somehow still shining, paintings of events that happened during ancient times lining the walls. However, the thing that stuck out most was singular painting. Of a prominent figure of French history, Joan of arc.
"Is that Joan of arc ?" Sophie's voice dripping in amazement and wonder. Taking in all of the things around her. "Is it possible that she was a seeker ?" She looked towards Cathy. "If this was her base, she was only a few miles away from the site of her execution."
Peter made his way to the painting standing next to Cathy. "If she was, then it would explain her visions of the future, now the question is was it a power or a titan ?" Cathy taking in Peter's words. Could there really be a titan that could show someone the future?
"They say she was a descendent of french royalty, maybe thats what got her killed. Great power comes from noble blood. Isn't that right sophie ?" The cold playful tone of Zhalia came from across the room. Her eyes glaring at the Casterwill descendent. Sophie only glared back at her, hands on her hips.
Peter glanced at Cathy, slighlty leaning towards her. "So uh... what's the deal there ?" Cathy's eyes glanced back to him. A small sigh escaping her lips. "Not enough time in the day to explain that one Peter."
Dante repressed a small laugh at the interaction between his team. Before looking at the paper that was on the desk in front of him. Seemed as of the misson just got a lot more interesting.
Defoe had finally made it back to the safe house, his body filled with shame and hatred. He had been outplayed, he had been outplayed by a brat with glasses. Another one, Cathy now Peter. No, he couldn't have this. He was Defoe, a top agent of the Organization damn it!
Unfortunately, he knew what he had to do next. Walking up to the computer that was set up on a simple wooden desk to the far back of the room he quickly pressed the keyboard. After a few moments, a image of the Professor appeared on the screen. The Professor was sitting at his desk. A chess set infront of him, it looked old and worn. As if it had been apart of hundreds upon thousands of games.
The Professor's fingers were locked together, his eyes never leaving the chessboard. "Hello Defoe, do you have a update for me?" He questioned out, his voice calm and collected. As if this was any other phone call.
Defoe immediately took a knee, his head bowed in respect. "Professor, I must apologize. I have failed, however if you give me a chance to correct this mistake. I will double my efforts to correct it." He pleaded to him. His voice holding a slight shake in it.
The Professor reached out and grabbed a black pawn piece. He held it between his fingers, gently rolling it around between said fingers. "Tell me Defoe, do you like chess? Such a simple game, yet has so much history."
Defoe began to panic, his head reaming downward. He wanted to reply to his words. For some strange reason, he felt as if he couldn't breathe. His fear its self closing his own windpipe.
"There are so many strategies, so many it's hard to keep track of them all. They have changed so much over the years. Gaining new names, or simply evolving into better movements of strategy." The Professor gently put the pawn back on the chessboard and stood to his full height. He tunred his back to Defoe, looking around his office. "Do you know what hasn't changed over the countless years ?" His tone was playful, Defoe feeling like he had a blade pointed at his throat.
The Professor turned back to the camera, a grin now resting comfortably on his face. "Capturing the king, and sacrificing a few pawns to ensure it. Do you know why I tell you this?"
Defoe finally looked up to the Professor, his eyes shaking in fear. He barley managed to swallow the lump that had built up in his throat. "Why?" Was all that he could ask.
"You are but a simple pawn I used to put the king in check. Whether or not you succeeded had no consequence." The Professor sat back in his chair once again. Picking up the white king piece, holding it in his palm. He glared at the cowering man before him. "However, you will make sure this next move we make succeeds. Or esle." With that, the white king began to burn and somehow melt in the Professor's open palm.
Author's notes- Hey seekers, I'm back and better than ever. In case you haven't seen on my page, I was caught up in the hurricane that crashed through the states. Hopefully, things will get back on track.
Review's - GodOfWind200, a lovley lidea. I might have to use that.
Guest- You make a excellent point, I never really thought of it that way. The reason I thought Gar-Ghoul would bond with Peter would be due to his rage. To mix with the titans special abilty.
DragonRider44- Thank you for your kind words, and review. It truly means a lot that you are enjoying it as much as you are. Hopefully, you will enjoy the future chapters as well.
P.s.- I am in the process of getting the help of a beta reader to avoid common mistakes in the future. Love you all! Also don't worry, our favorite male blonde will be returning in the next chapter. Catch you seekers in the next one!