"Here, this should be far away enough." Juron stated, stopping after a lengthy amount of time straight walking with Matthew. "Now we can talk without the worry of any risk of prying ears from listening in."

"I'm surprised you're concerned at all about being caught, could've sworn you could kill those three without much of any effort." Matthew commented, watching as a faint fluorescent green glow surrounded Juron's armor. "Or is the Great Dragon Slayer Oristin's age finally catching up?"

"Hehe, maybe a little." With his identity exposed, the Lord felt no need to keep his illusion going, his armor shifting and bending while his body grew more in size. Once he stood at his true eight feet and his armor shifted into the grey lion armor, he would reach up and take his helmet off, revealing a near identical face to Ornstein aside from the grayed-out hair, grown beard, aged details and the dozen scars that tattered his face. The most pressing scar went over his right eye, the afflicted part having a contrasting green compared to his natural eye's brown.

"Illusions never were my strength to begin with, but luckily it was still good enough to fool the self-proclaimed Lords. And I'm certain your skills make the likes of theirs pale in comparison."

"Cut the flattery, why are you here?" Matthew spoke, stomping a foot down as lightning cracked around his body. "You abandoned Lordran and were nearing 400, even if Lordran's forces couldn't find track your location you should have died by now."

"You're also missing being sent on a suicide mission by our illustrious "Gods" since I was reaching my life's end." Oristin argued, holding a finger up as he regarded Matthew. "And you're right, by most means I should have died at least two decades ago. But during my suicide mission I happened upon a little discovery."

"And that would be?"

"Well before I say that, I should at least explain how I happened upon it." The Lord chuckled, scratching his beard as he thought back. "I was sent to an old ruin of a fallen kingdom, around two dozen Savage were there and Gwyn feared the chances of the Abyss taking over them. Although he failed to allow Artorias to aid me in dealing with the Abyss if it were present. Although as a Dragon Slayer I had a duty to uphold, and I went on the clear suicide mission for a wearing old man."

"I managed to kill all of them, although in the final Trenta's dying breath it hit me with a full powered blast. By then I was all but sentenced to death, covered in my own blood while I passed out. But miraculously, I had managed to wake up. No Divine Blessing, no Effigy, but something else managed to bring me back from the brink. Something that I fell into."

"Savage fluid." Matthew muttered, looking at Oristin's new eye in realization before reaching for his collar.

"Yes, apparently the Trenta's blast did a one in a million shot and knocked me into a growing puddle of the deceased Savages' fluids. I became what you would call a Variant, with most of my wounds healing due to the amount of raw fluid that went inside me. Although, I will admit I wasn't certain of what happened initially." The Lord then rubbed the scar over his eye, his normal eye's iris turning golden as his energy slowly pooled up.

"I was confused, the Savage gouged out my eye but suddenly it returned, not the mention the fact I was still breathing. I knew I had a duty to return to Anor Londo, but I felt I could not trust myself, believing I was afflicted with a curse similar to the Abysswalkers."

"I couldn't risk that, for my son's sake I was not able to return." Oristin then looked to see Matthew, the hybrid, holding his Hundred as he seemed ready for a fight, albeit with a subtle shake to his arms. "You needn't worry Matthew, I have no intent in hurting you. I wished to talk to you, a fight is the last thing I desire."

"You are in His forces, with the Variant Virus in your blood, and you expect me to believe that?" Matthew questioned, narrowing his eyes as he attempted to keep his shaking in check. "After what He did, to my father, your flesh and blood, how can you be a part of that?"

"Because he showed me the light." Oristin admitted. "When I was infected, I began to hear things. A deafening ring piercing the back of my head like needles, murmurs that I couldn't put words to, sounds I didn't know existed. These filled my mind while the heat in me grew, it drove me mad because I couldn't escape them. And that's when He found me. The Forgotten Sun. The Nameless King."

"He came to me, He found me as I was about to lose myself to the virus and showed me the truth behind it all. The Savage, the Lords, the First Flame, all of it. I understood everything by that point, and after what they had done to Ornstein. He offered a way to fix the world, the way it must be."

"So you rallied to the cause like a sheep following a wolf."

"Of course not, at first I rejected the path He wanted to follow. I despise Gwyn with a burning hatred, but as long as my son was a member of the Lords I refused to ever act out against my people. And then, during the Second Arrival… after what happened to your father, I refused to remain silent without cause."

"That was from His actions, and you choose to side with Him?"

"I hate what He did to Ornstein, but the Nameless King showed the true colors of Gwyn and his family that day. After everything he's done, after sacrificing so much for the sake of that damned kingdom that refuses to burn into ash, they toss him away like a broken blade!" Oristin felt his body begin to heat up and placed his hand over his golden eye, feeling it twitch from the pressure before calming himself. "I accepted his goal, not for what he believes in the Savage, but because the Lords of Lordran must fall. Gwyn and the royal family must die, and I with the power I am given I will see to it his goal is accomplished."

"So you'll sacrifice the whole world, everything, just to get back at Lord Gwyn?" Matthew questioned, shaking his head in disappointment. "The Ornisium family is meant to be the most steadfast of Lords, to shake your duty because of a single event, you're no better than an Abysswalker."

"If desiring the downfall of Gwyn is seen as being one, then the Abysswalkers were more free than I realized." Oristin sighed. "How can you still stand by them, even as they ridicule and treat you like filth? You're nothing to them, why fight for their cause?"

"Because I can retain what was taken." Matthew answered, throwing his variable stone to the side as he glared. "Hundred On!" When his Hundred activated, the hybrid would get into his stance, lightning coursing around his body as he did. "I will bring glory back to the name of Ornisium, I will prove that my father's failure will not define our bloodline. And I will not let the likes of you cause the fall of our civilization, the extinction of our people and humanity."

"Failure? What your father did was the best thing to do, the amount of lives he saved and you… I suppose I should have expected this." Oristin said, looking down in pity as he did. "After your father was crippled, you were left to train with other Dragon Slayers. I can only imagine what they had done to you."

"What was necessary to strengthen me." Matthew stated, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he held his trident. "Their abuse strengthened my body and mind, my resolve will not falter, and I will not be bested by a failed old Lord who wishes the genocide of everything on this planet."

"You say that, yet I can see your hands shake." The Lord pointed out, getting a grunt from Matthew. "As I said Matthew, I wish not to fight you, and I don't desire to draw my spear against you. However, the Nameless King has a plan for tonight, using the Akin you have brought and those that are hunting you."

'Akin? That's what he calls Variants?' Matthew thought, noting the different tittle. 'Then the Hunters are here, and he's planning on using them as well as Artorian and Emilia.'

"Do you honestly believe I will let you do anything to them?"

"No, but He desires their blood. And He will have it."

"We shall see about that!" Matthew shouted, lunging out at his grandfather with a glow in his eyes. But before he could reach him, a cloaked figure intercepted him and blocked his trident, holding him in place with a greatsword.

"Ato, remember what I said." Oristin stated to the figure, the Lord reminding the new arrival. "Injure him, but do not kill him. The Nameless King wishes to bring him in alive."

Ato grunted in response, pushing Matthew back and forcing the hybrid to slide back from the mud. Getting a glance at the newest person, Matthew saw that Ato surprisingly couldn't be a Lord, as he stood only a little taller than six feet.

'A hybrid? No, he doesn't posses the same presence I have. And he cannot be Artorias' child either. So that means he must be human.' Matthew concluded staring into Ato's crimson red eyes, seeing them perfectly calm as he stared back. 'What is He doing recruiting a human?'

Matthew wouldn't have long to dwell on his thoughts as Ato rushed at him, bringing his curved greatsword down for a heavy swing. The hybrid easily blocked the attack, lightning coursing across his body as he pushed Ato back. Swinging his trident, Ato managed to get his own block in before both held their hands out, the hybrid firing a blast of lightning while the human shot a powerful beam of fluorescent green energy.

'Direct Savage energy!?' Matthew instantly recognized the energy, planting his feet on the ground and charging at Ato, the two both swinging their weapons forward and causing the ground around them to shake, their energy forming into barriers that clashed around them. 'What in the name of Chaos is this?' Following their clash, Matthew freed one of his arms and delivered a solid blow to Ato's stomach, the human coughing from the lack of air underneath his bandage wrappings covering most of his face.

Getting his opening, Matthew would focus his magic and energy into his palm, opening his hand to fire a blast of the combined power that sent Ato crashing through several trees. The moment the attack died out Matthew was caught off guard as Ato rushed past him with a trail of his energy, his recover past what he was expecting. The hybrid then felt the greatsword hit his side, eliciting a burst of pain in his body before hitting against a tree, the obstacle nearly splitting in half from the impact and crashing to the ground behind him.

The hybrid would grunt as he stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his lip as Ato got back into his combative stance. He couldn't deny that from the single hit that the human was anything but weak. The Scorned had taken him in likely due to his strength and energy alone, meaning fighting him would be no less than fighting an age Lord in a fresh body.

'Looks like I'll have to step this up.' Matthew said as he got to his feet, planting them into the mud as his lightning grew more intense, growing and spreading across his body as he increased his magic. Once his magic built up, Matthew shot out at incredible speed and jabbed his trident out, Ato barely reacting fast enough to deflect the attack, feeling the metal cut through his armor and remove a portion of his side.

Matthew then spun and swung his trident to the human's opposite side, their proximity allowing Ato to block this one more effectively. However the moment their weapons connected, Matthew instantly sped up and appeared behind Ato, trident already in mid swing as Ato was reeling from blocking the last attack. He attempted to bring his blade behind him, but Matthew's attack came too quickly and slashed across his back, lightning lingering in the wound before it exploded, sending the human spiraling across the field into a stray rock.

Continuing with the momentum, Matthew shot out and approached Ato as he was in the midst of getting up, kicking him in the chest with enough force to shatter a man's skull. The human could be heard grunting in pain, a blast of lightning following shortly after the kick that sent him through the rock, turning the hardened stone to shards as he crashed further back. When Matthew landed, he held his trident with both hands and aimed the end at Ato, lightning and energy charging at the tips before spreading across the entire weapon.

'Savage energy, incredible endurance, and surprising reaction timing.' Matthew noted as his energy and lightning built up, sparks of lightning digging into the dirt as he further charged his attack. 'If he has a chance to escape, he could develop into a threat to me in Full-Body Armament, maybe even Claire if he's barely developed in combat.'

Seeing the human begin to get up, Matthew would grit his teeth before holding his trident with one hand, raising it over his shoulder as the power in it grew to twice the size of the trident. "Lordran will not falter, your days end here!" Throwing his trident forward, Matthew would send out a massive spear of both his magic and energy, Ato using his greatsword to help himself stand.

As the human looked up to see the spear, his eyes would widen for a second before narrowing. His eyes would begin to glow before turning bright gold, his pupils turning into slits as his energy suddenly increased. And just as the attack was about to hit him, he'd swing to his side while focusing pure energy into his blade. The two attacks would connect and cause an explosion, sending mud and rocks all over the field.

Matthew used his energy to protect himself from the debris, growling in anger as he saw Ato stand in the middle of the blast with minimal injuries to him. The worst visible was the chunk of armor missing from his right chest piece. He questioned how a single swing could cancel out his spell like that until he saw the human's eyes, and the predatorial glare it had as they shined golden.

'He's a Variant as well?' Matthew realized, his knuckles cracking as he tightened his hold on his trident. 'Then he's already an even bigger threat than I assumed.' Activating his Full-Body Armament, Matthew had unleashed a torrent of lightning and energy, raising his power to his max as he stood across from Ato.

"Gihi." Despite Matthew's drastic rise in power, Ato couldn't help but chuckle, a grin hidden underneath his wrappings. Matthew noted the hoarse sound to his voice but ignored it as he saw Ato's aura explode with power, surrounding his body in a torrent of energy as he stood straight.

'His energy's rising rapidly.' The hybrid noted, raising his own to surpass Ato's as the human got into a new stance, holding his left arm forward while his right held his sword out to his side. 'His energy's already higher than Emilia's, which means he's the strongest human Variant in these woods.'

Blinking out of sight, Matthew would surprise Ato with incredible speed, impaling his trident into the human's chest before charging his lightning, firing a blast point blank and following it with a blast of energy to further the damage.

'I have to end this now, before he figures out any more tricks.'

Immediately after Matthew's attack, Ato shot out of the cloud of debris that surrounded him when it exploded, rushing directly at the hybrid. But before he reached him, Matthew flew just over the human and reared his fist back, channeling lightning into his arm before slamming it down on Ato's back, causing dirt and stone to shoot out from the ground.

He then leaned to the side to avoid Ato's slash, the human still active and getting up as Matthew lunged back from his follow up punch. But the moment Ato was to his feet, Matthew returned and struck the human in the gut with his knee, stunning him before kicking out, knocking him back into a boulder that nearly shattered on impact.

Ato was reeling from the impact, grunting as he looked back up to see Matthew, the Lord holding his trident out as energy and lightning charged at the ends. The human then pulled himself out of the stone, nearly stumbling over before correcting himself, blood visible coming from his wrappings as Matthew's hits proved to be effective against him.

'Ato's getting pushed more than expected.' Oristin noted, simply watching as the human gripped his sword with both hands. 'I suppose that should be expected, Matthew wasn't going to go down easily. And he's smart to use all his power right off the bat. However…' Oristin then reached for his armor's belt, grabbing a strange container that when he tightened his hold ejected a hollow blade. 'Ato himself has yet to have his full power unleashed yet.'

With a roar of power, Ato would summon all of his energy and rush towards Matthew, the hybrid following his movements before firing his attack at the Variant's feet, causing the ground around him to explode and collapse. Ato initially lost his footing and rolled on the ground but collected himself and threw his greatsword right at Matthew.

Despite being surprised by the action, Matthew would swing his trident and knock the sword out of the way. He would wince as he felt the blade cut through his variable suit, leaving a decent cut across his shoulder as it impaled into a tree behind him.

'That blade's material was made of Savage armor.' Matthew noticed, pressing his hand over his wound and using his lightning to cauterize it. There wasn't much other material that could cut through a variable suit, not as easily as Ato's had done. Which meant there was yet another added risk to letting the two go from this fight.

"Ato." Oristin spoke up, confusing Matthew as he threw the container to the human. Ato caught the object easily, looking down to the hollow blade before looking to the Lord. "The next step in your evolution is at hand, accept it and your power will grow for as long as the injection lasts."

"Injection?"

As Matthew vocalized his confusion, Ato looked back down to the container with hesitation. His eyes showed a moment of confliction, almost as if he was cautious if even doubtful of accepting the supposed injection.

"Do you want him to get away with what he's done?" The Lord added on, noting Ato's hesitance. "The betrayal, the abandonment? You were left to die, it was by chance that you survived long enough to be rescued by our liege. Now you must make the decision in order to take the necessary steps to avenge your fate. Embrace the Exalted fully and realize your potential."

"Em…brace…" Ato managed to choke out, the hoarse in his voice more apparent as he looked down to the container, seeing the traces of Savage fluid coming from the blade. His eyes then slowly widened, the gold glow contrasted to the bloodshot in his vision as he grinded his teeth underneath the wrappings. "…Vengeance…"

"Yes, you can have all that. And with the Exalted, you can reclaim what you lost. Everything."

"…Reclaim… Embrace!" With his eyes glowing in rage, Ato would impale the blade into his chest, surprising Matthew as he saw the human's blood shoot out from the injury. But as it did, Savage fluid began to flood into his body, his energy growing more powerful as each drop entered his heart. Eventually his eyes began to show signs of changing, the gold being canceled out as Ato ripped the blade out, dropping the injector as he closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry Matthew, but this will be your loss." Oristin stated. "Ato's will alone exceeds any that have come before, even the Nameless King recognizes it as a near equal. And even if the fluid will only last a few minutes, it's all he'll need."

Ato's eyes then opened again, his eyes turning bright green to match his energy, his pupil bending and shifting to a V. And not only that, his energy alone had grown to an incredible degree, the volume making it impossible for him to contain and leaving a constant aura around him.

'Great, and now something new.' Matthew thought as he got into his stance, seeing Ato take a step towards him.

"Must… win…" Ato would mutter out, his eyes shaking with fury as he stared at the hybrid. "…for… her… ren…"

"It doesn't matter who you're fighting for, unless you can handle that power you won't win." Matthew stated, his lightning and energy exploding around him as he stared the human down. "And I refuse to go down to a mindless beast."

"You'll… ALL FALL!" Ato would proclaim with fury, lunging off the ground to attack Matthew, the hybrid narrowing his eyes as he readied himself.

"Oi, you're lagging behind." Artorian would say, turning back to Claire as she looked off in the distance. "I get we're on a mini-date, but we are also looking for Savage. Should save the sight seeing for after we can kill it."

"It's not that!" Claire would respond, flustered for a second before turning to follow. "I thought I was feeling Matthew's energy going off. But it's too far off from his campsite that it must have been someone else."

"Well, try and think on the here and now. I need you focused incase this thing's bigger than the average four meters." Artorian said, scoping the surrounding terrain as he did. "I'd rather not waste too much time and energy hunting here, and if it's bigger having you take it down would save us a lot of trouble."

"You would tell me if it was Matthew, right?"

"My sensory skill is boiled more down to presence rather than energy, so he'd have to be close for me to do that." Artorian admitted. "But yes, I would. Wouldn't want Bolts for Brains to get axed off on us." Coming to a set of bushes, Artorian would move forward and keep the jagged branches protruding out at bay, giving Claire free access in before following.

"Think Claudia's tried to ruin my reputation with Emile yet?"

"You assume she waited?" The blonde would say back, getting a humorous snort from the Lord.

"Fair enough. But on that note, how the hell did she manage to get assigned to our team? You and I both know that can't be a coincidence."

"I'm uncertain, but I plan on figuring that out once we're back at Little Garden." Claire stated, her gaze hardening for a second as she thought of the clear breach in security. "I'll have more than a few words with Gudenberg's King and Prime Minister. Such an attempt is in clear violation of several regulations."

"Oh, Ms. President's determined on a mission. Hot."

"Can you please stay focused? We're supposed to be looking for a… Savage…" Claire would begin to say, the words dying in her throat as she and Artorian passed the latest set of foliage. "What in the…"

"Shit."

In the center of the field they approached, was two Savage corpses lying close to one another. Both were average Savage types, no bigger than five meters and the same average armor. But the feature that stood out was the massive holes that were across both Savage's fallen corpses. It appeared as if someone impaled them over a dozen times with a lance each, digging deep and having gone through the armor and cores like warm butter.

"This damage, what could have done this?" Claire would question, the two approaching the corpses cautiously, both activating their Hundreds before reaching them. "These holes are, I don't know what to make of them."

"Glory holes?"

"Artorian…"

"What? Savage reproduce, I'm just throwing out an option." Artorian stated, holding his hands in mock defeat when the president looked back to him with an annoyed stare.

"Care for an actual attempt at analysis?"

"Something that really doesn't like Savage." He'd say, stepping next to her and looking at one of the holes. "I'd say they stabbed a lot, but these Savage are close together, likely a patrol like we've been running in to. So I can't imagine they could get their pent up anger out unless they're really fast."

"Perhaps a dragoon Hundred?" Claire guessed. "My Alystherion could do this much damage if I had enough time to charge it."

"Not possible, the wounds are coned, they go inward to a point. If it was energy it would've-!" Artorian would stop in the midst of his observation as he and Claire saw a droplet of the fluid fall from the top of one of the wounds, putting them on guard as they watched the wound continue to bleed.

"Claire?"

"Yes?"

"This wound's fresh."

"Which mean's whatever killed them might not have gotten too far away."

"Or waiting after setting up some bait."

The two Slayers would then quickly jump back from the Savage corpses, landing closer to the center of the field with their backs together and their weapons at the ready, their eyes trailing across the perimeter with sharp focus. Both calmed their breaths, but remained alert as they slowly took steps around each other, attempting to see if the other was missing something in their blind spots.

"What could even know we're looking for Savage?"

"Predators are rather perceptive, centuries of survival do that to species if they aren't domesticated." Artorian noted, wielding a sword in each hand. "Likely saw we were hunting them too, and since Savage aren't edible, we're the next best thing."

"What kind of animal can bite into Savage plating!?"

"I can name a few, Great Wolves are a start."

"I would prefer if you didn't use mythical creatures while in the middle of a potential ambush."

"You're kidding right? Armored space crabs attack and wolves that are a couple meters big is "mythical" and not a viable option? What else could make those wounds?"

"I don't know, I just… cryptids are fairy tales that people tell to scare kids into going to bed at night. Not foreboding warnings that represent actual creatures that-"

"Three o'clock, coming in fast!" Artorian shouted, his eyes narrowing as he caught movement coming right at them from his right, getting into a defensive stance while Claire turned with her pods aiming at the position.

What shot out was a pack of wolves, eight in total as they ran out into the open. The two saw that the animals were crazed, their eyes glowing red as green and black metal plating protruded from under their skin, Savage fluid dropping from their mouths as they circled the Slayers.

"Mutants, likely scavengers that found the corpses a bit before us." Artorian noted, keeping his swords at the ready as he focused on the lead wolf. The mutants were a result of the wolves drinking the Savage fluid, the normal result of wildlife if the viruses didn't immediately kill them.

"There's eight total, if we time it right we can wipe them all out in a single move." Claire stated, her pods circling and keeping targets on six of the mutants while Artorian followed the last two. "Any idea on the alpha?"

"Lead wolf, keeping my eyes right on 'em." He answered. "Best guess, meaning your energy won't work on him."

"Then I leave it and the one next to it to you." Claire nodded, the two preparing themselves as the mutants stopped, growling as they stared at the Slayers with hunger in their eyes. The surrounding was completely silent, the only sounds heard being the Slayers' breathing and the hungered growls of the beasts.

The hybrid would shift his lead foot back, balancing himself as he glared at the suspected alpha, knowing that if it was the right one the N-barrier would cancel out Claire's attack enough to allow it to get close.

"Now!" Claire shouted as the mutants lunged out, firing her pods and obliterating the six that came close. Artorian then pushed forward and swung his blades, aiming to cleave the beasts right down the middle. Seeing the lead wolf come from his left, he was sure to put more strength into that swing, his eyes widening in realization as both swords cut right through the mutants.

"There's more!" He announced, the Claire turning and firing a canon as several more of the mutants lunged out from the foliage, revealing half a dozen more than expected.

"They used the Savage as their own trap!" The blonde realized as she destroyed three of the Savage, ducking under a lunging one that Artorian cut apart and kicking into the next, crushing its ribcage and sending it crashing back.

The Slayer had thrown a punch at the final one, but recoiled in pain as a barrier appeared around it, signaling to the Slayer that it was the alpha. Falling back, Claire would keep her hands on the mutant's neck, preventing it from biting at her but unable to get it off as it flailed at her wildly. As it was about to attempt a bite at her neck, both of Artorian's swords collided against the barrier breaking it as the hybrid released the weapons and tackled it off her instead of waiting to recover from his recoil.

With his strength aiding him, Artorian was able to get on top of the mutant and press his right hand at its throat, pushing down hard as the rest of his body remained on top to hold it down. After a few seconds of fighting the struggling, the hybrid eventually got the opening he needed and shoved his hand down hard while clenching his fingers, breaking the mutant's neck and killing it.

"Are you alright?" Claire would ask, getting up from the ground as Artorian chuckled.

"I think I'm supposed to ask you that, it was looking ready to chomp on that pretty face of yours." Artorian chuckled before his eyes widened, Claire only realizing he was watching the mutant she kicked lunge at her with blood and Savage fluid in its mouth.

Artorian was about to lunge forward as he released the mutant in his grasp, but as he did a surprising force hit Claire from the side and knocked her into him, the two falling back to the ground as a surprised yelp from the mutant was soon muted by a loud crunch.

The moment they fell, Artorian flipped the two over in order to provide cover for Claire, looking up in synch with the blonde to see the latest addition to their skirmish. One that shocked the girl at the mere presence of it.

A massive wolf with grey fur was biting down hard on the mutant, the new beast easily holding the entire mutant in its mouth as it tightened its jaw around it. The mutant could only let out one last whimper before the giant wolf locked its jaw, splitting it in half before spitting out was left in its mouth.

"Fuck, it actually was a Great Wolf." Artorian muttered, the hybrid slowly getting off of Claire as the wolf appeared to be trying to get the Savage fluid off its tongue.

"But that shouldn't… they're real?"

"Claire, what ever you do, don't shoot it." Artorian said, slowly moving to his sword as he did. "Unless you use your Buster Canon, you're just going to piss it off. And I wouldn't want something without the Savage's weakness of having a core come at us at high speed."

"And what are you going to do with your…" Claire then stopped as the Great Wolf turned to Artorian, snarling as it saw him moving for his weapon. "Artorian move!"

"Shit!" The hybrid would attempt to lunge for his father's sword, but was stopped as the wolf slammed its head right into him, sending him skidding through the mud before stopping on his back. "Okay… that isn't good." He'd groan as he pushed himself off his back, only to get laid back down as the wolf planted its right paw down on his chest, forcing him down as it snarled at him.

"Ah, shit." He said as the wolf lowered its snout to just over him, appearing ready to take a bite before sniffing him. When it did, Artorian paused as he felt the pressure on him slightly lessen, looking up to the beast's eyes to see it surprisingly soften more. When Claire was finally up with her Buster Canon out, she and the hybrid were caught off guard as the Great Wolf stepped off of him, its nose still sniffing him out as if it recognized his scent.

The hostility from the beast then ceased entirely, the massive wolf howling into the night before turning away. As it ran off, Artorian instinctively held his hand out to it for it to stay. Only for him to be ignored as the wolf ran without looking back.

"What… was that?" Claire would ask, her Hundred deactivating as she leaned down and helped Artorian up.

"I got nothing, déjà vu I think?" He responded, unable to put words into what happened. The mutant attack was one thing, but for a Great Wolf to be in these woods and set up an ambush for potentially the mutants the Savage corpses made but then even ran off after taking in Artorian's scent.

…

"I… think we should move on."

"Yeah, right behind your muddy ass Boss-in-Blonde."

"Don't look."

"No."

"Ugh, I can't sleep!" Emilia complained as she got out of the tent. "Everything's too quiet! Prez, it's no problem if I… stay up?" The white haired girl would slowly realize that Claire was missing along with Artorian. "Huh, where'd they go?"

"Psst, Lady Emilia!" However, among the team the one not missing was Claudia, who was waving to Emilia with both arms as she spoke in a hushed voice. "Over here!"

'Kinda wish I could just go back to sleep…' Emilia would groan, however couldn't find it in herself to rest again, walking out and sitting on one of the rocks across from Claudia around the campfire.

"Lady Emilia, while I'm happy to see you up, shouldn't you be getting some sleep?" Claudia would ask, looking to the princess in concern. "If you don't get enough sleep, you won't be able to operate at peak performance, and then Artorian would have to take over your role as attacker!"

"That isn't exactly a bad thing, and I'm fine." Emilia stated, rolling her eyes at Claudia's insinuation. "Speaking of, where is Artorian and Prez, did they hear something?"

"No, quite the contrary everything was perfectly fine when they left." Claudia answered, lying easily as she did. "In fact, I recall them saying something about going on a romantic stroll through the woods to the lake. And some other things that I dare not say to your innocent ears!" The Slayer was sure to act dramatic as she did, feeling it would best feel accurate and truthful as she did.

"Uh-huh." Emilia muttered, giving Claudia a measuring gaze as she did. "Is that so?"

"Of course! Such depravity from Artorian was expected, but for him to attempt such a thing on Claire Harvey in the middle of a mission! It's such disgrace, so abhorred, and utterly crude! And even after everything you said about him and the feelings you had towards him no less! It's a tragedy at its finest! It's obvious that he feels nothing towards the compassion you showed him, and you should come back to Gudenberg after such an act of betrayal from not only him, but the commander of Little Garden as well!"

"Right, Prez and Artorian going on a date? In the middle of a Savage filled woods? When we were all still sleeping and they just happen to trust you alone to watch?"

"…Yes?"

"Not buying it."

"But it's true! Artorian's just a depriving no good two-timer that's only interested in you for your body! He doesn't care about the real you, he's too stubborn to even call you by your beautiful and true name Lady Emilia!"

I specifically told Artorian to call me Emile! And not only that, but me and him have more interest in each other than just physical intimacy!" Emilia would respond, shattering Claudia's plan immediately. "You don't know anything about him Claudia, saying things like that is disgusting, and I honestly thought even you were better than that."

"B-B-But he, you shouldn't be wasting your talents at a place lead by a relative to the head of Warslran!"

"I'm not wasting my talents there, I'm growing even stronger and developing more at Little Garden with Artorian." Emilia argued. "Not only that, but I've managed to make friends with Charlotte, Karen, even Prez and most of the Slayers onboard. They're determined and helpful, more than what I can say about the Slayers of Britannia."

"But Lady Emilia-!"

"I'm not going back to Gudenberg Claudia, and that's final."

"What is so good about him that you would just leave everything behind!?" Claudia would question. "You had a life of wealth, you were admired by e very Slayer and could be a leader among your people. You could do anything, why throw that away for a nobody like him!?"

"Because that nobody gave me the chance to see things differently." Emilia answered. "Up until I met him, I believed everything was set in stone, that my life was determined once my mother died and dad brought me in to the family. But then the Second Attack happened and he… he showed me something I never expected. I didn't understand it at the time, but after my dad told me what he… what is dad…"

Emilia would then become hesitant, uncertain of what to say and almost cautious of what she would say next. The caution initially came as pure uncertainty on her feelings to Artorian, but Claudia's thoughts wouldn't even start as Emilia turned her gaze to the fire, her eyes turning somber as she did.

"I trust Artorian completely, I know that if there's anyone who will have my back it's him. Not only that… deep down I know his relationship with Prez, Miharu and even Sakura may be more than friends. And I… I just hope I can get to that last stage before them."

"Lady Emilia, you're not saying what I think you are! That's disgraceful, if you think he would forsake your loyalty to be with other women how could you-!?"

"There's a lot you don't know about him, and I still don't understand everything there is to know about him either." Emilia admitted. "There's… an uncertainty behind him that pushes him, a source of fear that doesn't stop him, but pushes him forward. He knows it's there, and despite it he decides to instead of faltering to grow stronger and fight. It… it should force him into a certain way of life. But he took that and threw it aside, deciding his own fate instead. I look up to that, it changed how I viewed myself and the fake life I had been living."

"Lady Emilia…"

"Try to bring me to Gudenberg all you want, I'm not going to leave him." Emilia said with conviction, looking back up to Claudia as she did. "He's had my back, and I'll always have his. I trust him more than anyone in this world, and I'll be damned if I let you or anyone else drag me away from him."

"B-But I… your family…" Unable to figure what to say Claudia simply hung her head in disappointment, trying to figure out exactly how Artorian could possibly get her Lady Emilia to remain with such conviction.

'It… it just isn't fair… why him?'

"Water looks about right." Artorian noted, looking in his small container as he tested the water in the lake. There was no visible change when several chemicals were introduced, meaning it was safe for to enter or even drink if they were desperate enough.

"That's good, we should be able to clean ourselves up and return back to camp within a few minutes as long as we properly time ourselves." Claire would note. Both her and the hybrid were covered in mud, the latter more so from rolling in it to get the mutant off of her. However the president was far from clean herself, most of the back of her variable suit covered completely in mud.

"You can go first, I'll stand watch and make sure your suit dries off after it gets cleaned." Artorian said, electing to wait while gathering branches and discarded leaves.

"Thank you, I'll try not to take up too much time. I'm sure you'd want to get yourself cleaned as well." Claire said, turning away from Artorian as he lit a small bonfire. She would then reach behind her, the sound of her unzipping her variable suit getting an annoyed groan from Artorian.

'Damn it, if we were in Savage infested woods I could just as easily be in there as well.' He'd grumble, waiting to hear the splash of Claire enter before turning to her.

"Cold?"

"Not at all, this lake is situated over the pool of magma that runs to the volcano. And with the added sedimentary and nearby foliage, it feels like a hot spring." The blonde informed, getting another disappointed groan from Artorian as she moved in deep enough to sit in the water and keep her naked figure hidden. "Would you?" Claire would speak up, holding out her variable suit to Artorian.

"I said I would, didn't I?" He'd say, rolling his eyes as he walked two steps into the water and took the suit from Claire. As he turned, he'd let his eyes wander for a second and curse Claire for her modesty, the president in deep enough so that not even the top of her breasts was visible.

"Be sure not to soak for too long, wouldn't want to get wrinkles, would you?"

"Try and make it what you want Artorian, I noticed your wandering eye." Claire stated, looking at him with a single eye as he hung her variable suit over the fire to dry.

"Curses, caught red handed."

"As punishment, you're not allowed to look over here while I am still in the water."

"Oh come on, that's just cruel!"

"Commander's orders."

"You're so damn lucky Savage are in these woods, otherwise I'd say to hell with the suit and jump in myself." Artorian grumbled as he sat on a large rock, his back turned to Claire as she enjoyed the lake's water.

Wanting to distract himself, Artorian would attempt to establish a link back to the camp. However as he tapped on his collar, he got no notification for a successful link. He'd press again, this time getting an error buzzer, followed by another when he tried again.

'No link?'

"Having trouble establishing a link?" Claire asked, relaxing back into the water while looking to him.

"Not trouble, it just won't." He answered. "Something must be interfering with the link to prevent communication. You said this lake's over magma, right? Is that affecting it?"

"I wouldn't imagine, but perhaps some of the minerals surrounding are causing interference." Claire guessed, although it was rough and likely inaccurate at best. "If it won't link, don't waste your energy attempting it. It's a shame there's a few clouds right now, I can almost see all the stars again."

"Again with the stars junk, you're a one-track mind huh Claire?"

"I know, it is a little childish to enjoy stargazing as much as I do, but it feels rather enlightening right now." She admitted, looking up to the stars she could see. "Without communication, we're basically cut from the entire mission, it's almost as if we're on our own time. But of course, we're still on duty and have to remain focused."

"Jeez woman, aside from the pool and beach you have been basically all work." The hybrid commented, rolling his shoulders as he rested his sword down next to him. "Ever think of just taking a break? Ya know, recharge your batteries in a more personal way?"

"Honestly? It has crossed my mind. But even if I do, I can't just put it on the front. Both as a Slayer and Little Garden's commander, I have to remain at my best. And for Liza's sake as well." The blonde would say, closing her eyes as her thoughts drifted to her sister. "I can't let myself dwindle, I must stay by Liza's side and protect her. I refuse to let her suffer, and I won't let Judal use her like another pawn in his game."

"Your brother's a real son of a bitch, but crafty if I have to admit anything." Artorian said. "Sorry if your mother was a decent human being."

"You don't need to apologize, she was far from an ideal mother." Claire stated, getting a surprised hum from Artorian at Claire's indifference at her mother being called a bitch.

"…Artorian, how much do you know about my sister?"

"Not much, Judal said something happened that put her comatose and that she's served as Little Garden's power source since. Aside from that, maybe the implication she was a Slayer as well."

"Well, that's rough but close. My little sister was a Slayer like me, but she was far from an ordinary Slayer. In fact… it pains me to say she can't even be considered a normal human."

"Bitch…" Artorian grunted as he hung his head, punching the rock he was on as he put together Judal's parting words to Claire from before.

"Just like you, Emile and Sakura, Liza is a Variant. But unlike you three… she's one by nature. When my sister was just an ovule, my mother injected Savage fluid into the fertilized egg that she removed from her before reintroducing it to her body. That process allowed for a perfectly created Variant… Liza. All of it was in the name of defeating the Gods."

"Fucking Gods damn it…"

"At the time, I had no idea she was going through advanced Slayer training, much less the fact she was a Variant." Claire then opened her eyes somberly, looking to the stars with a distant and sorrowful stare. "It wasn't until we were out on a mission where we ran into a Trenta that I discovered this. We were both young, my skills with a Hundred were minuscule and I had never seen a Savage before. I couldn't win, and in the middle of the skirmish I was pinned under a rock."

"I thought I was done for, but before it could get me Liza… she activated her powers and managed to demolish the Trenta with her armament. She was incredible, the strongest Slayer I had ever seen period, and she wasn't even a teenager at the time. But then… once it was over she coughed out blood and collapsed. She fell into the comatose state she's in now and has yet to regain consciousness, but she still somehow produces so much energy."

"It was my mother who gave her the virus, but I was unable to protect my little sister and now my brother uses her as nothing more than a resource in my family's obsession in the concept of surpassing Gods. I refuse to let that happen, and I will protect her no matter what. She's suffered enough, and I won't let them contribute to it anymore."

"…I understand." Artorian said, getting Claire to look to him as he kept himself turned away, the blonde noticing his slouched posture. "You know I joined Little Garden to help Karen with Severance, I'd guess that isn't much of a secret."

"I had the information, yes. What about it?"

"She contracted the virus strain during the Second Attack, and it entered stage two when she was eight. Every day for her was a battle after, as her body grew weak and frail from Severance draining away at her strength." He then looked to his hand, flinching at the sight of wooden splinters before shaking it off.

"We lost everything after the Second Attack, she lost her parents, her brother, her home, her life. Everything she knew was just… ripped away from her! Her life was destroyed when she was only six, and I was powerless to save everyone! I was, I just couldn't, I could've…!"

"Artorian, you were only a child, you did everything you could."

"But I didn't! When the Savage came crashing down I failed to save the Kisaragis. I panicked and I told for us to run! I didn't look back, I had to protect Karen! I got her to safety, but I left Emilia behind and I ran back! Hayato died trying to help me, he was always trying to help and he just got caught up in everything I did! I got him killed because I screwed up and… and I was too focused on protecting Karen that everything else felt meaningless until it was too late."

Seeing his hand shake, Artorian would tighten it into a fist and attempt to calm himself, letting out a stagnant breath as his eyes glossed over. "Every mistake I made hurt Karen. Whether it was bullies, the Savage, medical procedures that almost happened too late because I didn't know what to do, damn it I was probably the worst thing to happen to her."

"And I realized that I just… I want something to go right for her." He admitted, letting his hand drop as he looked up to the stars. "Little Garden's been the best thing for her period. Her recovery's been incredible, she reunited with her old friend, and she's met so many more people. And to see her smile again, a real genuine smile that wasn't a fake to try and help me… she's my world Claire. I will defend her with my life, nothing is too great an injury, no setback isn't overbearing. I will rip myself to pieces to protect her, nothing will hurt her as long as I'm alive. And if something does… I will raze Hell itself to tear it to bloody ribbons."

"I'm sorry." Claire said, sitting back up in the water as she did. "I know my brother's using her to keep you under control, I can recognize it easily. I wish I could give Karen the necessary care without you having to serve, but even I must admit you're an irreplaceable asset. Not only that, I can't do anything as long as you're under Judal's contract. I'm sorry."

"No don't give me that crap, you're just as caught up in this shit show. You have your sister to worry about, I was just venting my frustration at myself." Artorian argued. "I know the past is the past, and that I can't do anything about it. I just hated the fact that Karen has gone through so much, it isn't fair to her. Just like what happened to Liza isn't fair."

"Look Claire I… I can't go into detail on a lot about me, trust is a difficult thing to figure out and I can't trust you with everything about me yet. Things that can't get out without problems arising after. But right now I ask for a bit of trust to hear a request."

"What is it?"

"I don't know how much time I have left, either the Savage or my condition is going to kill me. Even if the Savage don't, I got probably two years at the most on me. After that, I won't be able to watch after Karen, and she'll have officially lost everything linking her to her past life. I know it's a lot to ask but… when that day comes could you watch after her?"

"You want me to watch after her? Wouldn't you prefer if Crossfode or Kirishima did, since they get along with her better?"

"Yes but they aren't you. Neither know the first thing on looking after someone when there's a risk like Judal on their back." Artorian stated. "I'm not asking you to drop everything and watch over her like a hawk. Just… make sure her procedures finish and she can have her life back? You know, one last favor to the guy who's nothing but a headache?"

"Hmph, you make it sound like you're just that." Claire couldn't help but give a small laugh, looking down to the water as she thought of his request. "Not only that, but you think so little of me as to believe I'd let my comrades fall in battle before me. I will not allow you to die, because you are my responsibility and a trusted ally. Not only that, but…"

"Hmmm?"

"J-Just don't go trying to throw your life to the wind." Claire stuttered. "I have to ask in return, that if I died first, would you be willing to protect Liza? I have seen dozens of Slayers in action, and while you might not be the best currently, you possess something far too few can claim to have."

"And that would be?"

"An unstoppable will. I don't know your full story, and I won't pry into it to question why this request of yours came, but I know that whatever it is had shaped you into who you are today. And if you continue to grow from that, from a child who saved two others in the middle of a slaughter like the Second Attack in Yamato, to a Slayer taking the fight to the same threat, there's no one I would feel more confident to take my place as both Liza's protector and commander of Little Garden."

"Sounds like a lot of paperwork, I'd leave the commander part to Erica." Artorian chuckled, sighing as he looked over his shoulder to her. "But I will accept the duty to protect Liza, I'll fight tooth and nail for her. And for you as well." He then smiled, turning his eyes back to the cloudy sky as he did. "You aren't dying Claire, I'll beat your sorry corpse back to life if need be. You got too many people to live for."

"As do you, it would… I admit I would be sad if you died so soon." Claire said, her cheeks dusted red at her words.

"Eh, I'd give you a single good tear." He'd jest, grinning as he did. "But I know you won't die before me, you're the second strongest person I ever met."

"Only second? Guess I have some work to do."

"Good luck with that, my dad was a real monster. But I'm rooting for you regardless."

The two would then share a moment of silence, feeling a small burden freed from their shoulders. To an extent, they had their goals confirmed to be possible even after their passing, entrusting each other in protecting those they hold closest. And while it may not be the most stable relationship, the two feel confident in the aid the other can bring in the coming days.

"…Artorian?" Claire would speak up, turning around to fully face the hybrid as he remained on his rock.

"Yeah Claire?"

"Thank you. For saving me from the Trenta and mutants." The Slayer stated, confusing Artorian as he raised an eyebrow. "I hadn't given the proper thanks for what you had done, you put yourself at risk for my well being and I feel I should rectify my earlier mistakes."

"Can't let Liza wake up without her big sis, can I?"

"I owe you for it, so don't go dying yet. Commander's orders."

"You got it Boss-in-Blonde." Artorian would say, feeling a distinct ring in his head, followed by a strange heat in him. "Hey, you didn't activate any energy just now, did you?"

"No, why?"

"I don't know, I just got a strange feeling just now." He said, rubbing his chest as he felt the heat vanish for a second. "Weird, now it's-!" His eyes then snapped open at the sudden sensation of energy, his aura bursting to life for a second and surprising both him and Claire.

"Artorian! Is something wrong!?"

"Liddy's team is getting ambushed." The hybrid said, standing up to his feet instantly.

"They're under attack? Are you absolutely sure?"

"Positive, call it fact because it's what is happening." He then kicked his foot down, flipping his sword up and catching it. "It's the Hunters from before. Claire, head back and get the others. I'm going after them."

"I can't let you go off on your own. You don't have the strength or experience to fight the Hunters, and without a signal or flare you won't be able to find them quick enough." Claire argued, standing up from the water and going for her variable suit. "I can handle the three of them, I know I can. You need to head to the camp and-"

"Not when there's rain you can't." Artorian stated, grabbing her arm and stopping her, surprising her with his sudden movement as he was next to her before she got out of the lake. "Claire, you and I both know there's a chance of rain, and if it does you're dead in the water. I got this."

"You barely managed to handle them your first encounter, and if they're Variants I don't know how long you, Liddy or the rest of her team will be able to hold out."

"We'll hold out, trust me." The hybrid said, letting her go as he looked to his right towards the woods. "I already know where they are, and if anyone can be stubborn enough to hold long enough its us. So get your ass to Emile and Erica and bring the cavalry."

"How are you even going to find them? We don't know their location."

"Heh, call it an Abyssal's instincts." He grinned, winking to the girl as he did. "I'll find Liddy and back her team up. You don't have to worry about me."

"…Be careful. We don't know what these Artificial Variants will do when they're backed into a corner. Or if they have more tricks up their sleeves than what you saw before." Claire relented, although reluctantly as Artorian was determined to be the one to go.

"A knight follows his queen's orders, so I'll take that as such." He said, giving a smirk before taking Claire's hand and kissing it, embarrassing her with the action before he turned and ran off. "A place hold for when I get back! My vow top come back and turn that kiss into one on your lips! So don't keep me waiting Perfect Queen!"

"You…!" Claire would start, her cheeks red as she stopped and looked to her hand, clasping it into a fist as she watched him run off. "Wait for me, Wolf Knight."

"Hang on Liddy, I'll be there as quick as I can." Artorian said, his eyes narrowed as he activated his Hundred and maneuvered through the foliage the best he could with his max speed. "Looks like I'll have to give a little leg room for it."

At his words, the hybrid's left eye would blink red, the crimson going away as he stopped and changed direction, using Liddy's link as his Vessel to track the Slayer. "That was your energy activating that I felt, I know it. You're strong, so I know you'll handle yourself. But the others aren't, so please…" His eyes would both then flash red for a second as he saw through Liddy's eyes, witnessing two of the Slayer's team already down from the Hunter's ambush immediately going in.

"Let me make it in time!"

(A/N): Holy crap I finally got this out! I'm partially disappointed, not entirely at the chapter, but for how long it took for me to get it out. I didn't entirely want to, but I wanted to take a small hiatus for Christmas and New Years, enjoy being with my family and relax a bit to get my think cap working again. And after beating Sekiro and getting on track for Bloodborne I feel a decent wave of inspiration for both this and other stories.

I'm also feeling excited for the next chapter, as the heaviest set of combat is heading on its way. Matthew's was fun to write now but the real fights are going to kick in, along with the enjoyment of further detailing all the threats on the way and that are present. So this will be a fun couple writing sessions for me, as I work to make this fight as good as I can.

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays and enjoyed the chapter. I'll see you in the next one when the action really kicks in! Peace!