1,655Everyone safe? Hopefully. This chapter's dedicated once more to Sascha, who's hopefully not infected. Also to SneakyHint who helped give me motivations to write this fic again. I still find it more difficult than writing my Spidey fics, but I did get into the groove by the end.
This chapter and the upcoming ones will move the plot along more. I should warn that the midpoint gets pretty uncomfortable. I took inspiration from the FF7 remake but it wasn't too comedic due to the way I write and because it's pretty hard to make a situation like that comedic the same way FF7 did.
Side Note - SneakyHint offered to make a tvtropes page for the fic and I agreed :) Any tropers out there check it out if you want. It's 'Twisted Reflections' over on tvtropes.
The trip to Germania would take them only a little over two days by horseback. Ciaran tightened her grip on the horse's reins and and took a slow breath. They'd been on the road for over a day now, stopping only to make camp in the night for the sake of the humans. He, the vampires and Manus were more than capable of expending the energy but the child queen insisted that they do this as a group.
To think this would be where she'd end up. Sir. Ciaran, head of the Lordsblade and one of the four Knights of Gwyn, forced to take orders from a human in order to avert some fated catastrophe. Even in her wildest dreams she never imagined that she would be the sole survivor among her friends and comrades, forced to fight for a land that had done nothing but take from her.
And yet that all paled in comparison to the knowledge that everything they'd done - all the struggles, all the sacrifices - were ultimately pointless. Lord Gwyn, her fellow knights, her dear Artorias...all sacrificed as nothing more than a delaying tactic. The Age of Fire was doomed to fall all as part of some twisted cycle. They were meant to fail, meant to die, in order for the darkness to consume them all.
She looked back upwards and stared passively at Manus' back. Even now a part of her still couldn't believe that she was cooperating with him, moreso that he'd been the one to link the fire after Lord Gwyn. Even if he had done so unwillingly he'd been the one to prolong Lord Gwyn's goal of keeping the darkness at bay. A creature of the Dark who sacrificed himself for Lord Gwyn's vision.
Now they all had to ensure this world survived its coming end.
She cared not for this world. A land ruled by humans who hunted Ghough and her like animals when they arrived simply due to his appearance. They were base creatures, so quick to judge those who did not conform to their narrow beliefs. If not for Princess Tiffania's presence here and her vow to Lady Dusk then she would have let them scramble around facing the end the gods they deposed could have saved them from.
"An ecu for your thoughts, Sir, Ciaran?" The priest said to her left. Unlike Manus, who rode a horse like a drunk feigning sobriety, the priest was the very measure of grace and control. A benefit for his abilities.
She did not care for him. Though he was blessed with the soul of Lord Gwyn he willingly served under the false leader of this sham of a religion. Worshiping a Mage simply because he had different magics to their own. It was a joke, "I see no need in useless chatter," she muttered, voice muffled by her porcelain mask. Her uniform was one of the few things she kept of her home alongside Fenris and her tracers. They provided a kind of shield from this world she was now trapped in.
"You would prefer the beat of the horse's hooves?"
"Better than your inane drabble." She stared ahead. She was used to traveling in groups, either with her fellow Knights or the other members of the Lordsblades, but it had been years - decades - since she'd done so. Ever since Ghough's death she saw little point in such methods.
She was used to the solitude as well. As Lord Gwyn's greatest Lordsblade she'd undertaken more than her fair share of solitary missions. Assassination, tough the term was crude and often used derogatorily, was easier done when all she had to worry about was her own abilities. Ungrateful humans who rebelled, traitorous knights who attempted to seize power and even minor gods that craved more. They all fell the same.
"Then perhaps you will simply allow me to vent my curiosities." Ciaran said nothing. The priest was the kind of man who heard answers only he agreed with, "I'll admit I'm fascinated with ow Miss. Tiffania's summoning had proceeded. I'd heard of such results - when love and destiny are intertwined to such an extent, but to think that I would live to see it myself. It was a unique experience."
"It is not love," she replied before thinking better of it. The topic of the princess' and Manus' past relationship frustrated her. While she could give him a modicum of respect for ending it on his own terms the fact that it shouldn't have happened in the first place still remains, "It was a..childish infatuation born out of isolation." She didn't blame the princess. It was the humans who drove her to that state, so hateful of anyone they deemed a monster that they would kill even one as innocent as she.
"Love comes in many forms. You would know, wouldn't you." She pursed her lips, hands tightening their hold on the reins. It was unclear to her just how much of Lord Gwyn's memories the priest retained; particularly the relationship between her and dear Artorias. While they weren't open about their connection many of their close friends and compatriots were aware of the bond they both shared.
"What would a priest know of love?"
"Plenty. Love comes in many forms, not just in the domain of romance." Ciaran hummed softly under her breath. A sensible enough response, loath as she was to admit, "Regardless of how you consider it I feel it's quite clear that, at least from Lady Tiffania's perspective, that she did love Raziel. I wonder if you feel guilty, taking that away from them? Regaining his memories is what caused their relationship to end, after all."
Ciaran took a deep breath and resisted the urge to turn and stab the smug priest in his chest. At times, when she thought she wasn't looking, she saw the princess sighing forlorn or staring at her back. She was aware the princess blamed her for the end of their relationship. It did weigh on her at times, but she knew she had done the right thing. Better for the princess to be resentful and alive than content and perish. Lady Dusk made the same mistake.
"Do not pry into events you have no involvement in, Julio," Manus said, slowing his horse till he was pace on the priest's other side. Side by side like this it dawned on her once more how fragile the Father of the Dark looked. Gone was the deformed ape that dwarfed them all, replaced instead by this child who appeared as a harmless teen incapable of the madness that was bubbling under the surface.
She knew better than to be fooled by appearances. In her duties she'd encountered those who feigned helplessness in order to accomplish that goals.
"Apologies, I meant no offense-"
"Doubtful."
"-I simply wished to converse with Sir. Ciarana," he continued, ignoring Manus' comment, "You must understand how odd this all is. Back in Gwyn's time Light and Dark were at war, feeding off each other like mutual parasites. And yet now here we are, working together in order to save our world. It is inspiring in a way."
"We are allies of convenience, priest," Ciaran said, looking stubbornly ahead. She had not considered what would happen if they all survived this. She wasn't one to dwell on what-ifs and possibilities, "And this is not my world. I was taken here against my will."
"Do not attempt to inspire camaraderie with Ciaran, Julio. You would have better luck receiving courage from Gwyndolin."
"Curb your tongue, Manus." Ciaran glared at him through narrowed eyes. While Lady Gwyndolin was frail she was still one of Lord Gwyn's children, "I will not let you slander her name. She is worthy of respect."
"Her? She? He was a man, assassin. Even for one who despises him I acknowledge that."
"Please, let's not fight," Julio added. They both ignored him, "I apologize for drudging up bad memories. It's my fault. Please, let's discuss other topics."
"...As you wish." Ciaran pursed her lips. She made a promise to the princess to avoid conflict with Manus. As much as she despised the idea of peace with the Father of the Dark, she made a vow.
"Make it quick then." Manus growled.
"More to practical matters, have you both decided who will take up the role of Lady Tiffania's Familiar? Because as much you both might feel entitled to the claim one Void Mage cannot have two Familiars."
"I am the obvious choice. I am already protecting her and I would never do her harm," Ciaran said.
"You have hurt her than I ever could have." Despite the biting words his gaze was focused downward and his expression was somber.
"I cannot make the decision for either of you, but remember this, Raziel: you are not a Familiar any longer." Manus raised his left hand and gazed at the faded runes at the opposite side of his palm, "Lady Louise has not summoned you again and it's quite likely that should she attempt another summoning ritual that you will be the only choice. You are her destined protector and her love for you will ensure no other will be chosen."
"You are saying that if I become Tiffania's Familiar I would also be Louise's? Is that even possible?"
"Honestly? I don't know. Throughout history the only known record of a Familiar taking up two roles was when Brimir's own Familiar, Sasha, and that's hardly indicative of anything given that he was the forefather and the origin of their power. Being a Familiar for two separate individuals is another matter entirely."
"I feel as if you are suggesting that Ciaran become Tiffania's Familiar in order to no complicate things."
"Am I? I never said such a thing." There was that smile again. Ciaran hated it. Lord Gwyn was a severe man, born from fire and hardened in war. He was a leader who kept them all from failing even as the world around them crumbled. The priest felt as if he was spitting into Lord Gwyn's legacy with every action he took, "I was merely giving my own insight. Ultimately the choice comes between the two of you."
"No, it does not. It is Tiffania's choice, not ours."
"I...agree with Manus." Even saying the words tasted foul in her tongue, "She is the one who will choose her...Familiar." Slave, as another would put it. She disliked the idea of being shackled, but it was better her than Manus or anyone else who would do Princess Tiffania harm.
"Good to see you both agreeing on something." The priest laughed. Manus grunted and moved ahead once more, leaving the two of them alone once more. The others in this makeshift group paid no mind to their conversation, content to ride in silence or to converse with their own partners. The Vampires - creatures she'd fought in the past only rarely - whispered amongst themselves while the pink haired so-called knight and her hooded companion spoke loudly without care for who could hear them.
She recalled her own time with the Lordsblades. While she was reserved outside of a rare few situations she couldn't deny the sense of camaraderie they felt towards one another. Friendships, even love at times, were inevitable in a group that experienced all they had.
And Manus killed them all in Oolacile...
"I'm curious about something." The priest hummed. Ciaran ignored him, "Each Familiar is chosen based on a set of standards. Raziel, for all his faults, is a fierce protector and a terrifying combatant, the former Daughter of Chaos was a prodigy in summoning and I myself am drawn to the living. What does it say about you, I wonder, that you were chosen as the Lipfrasir?"
"What are you babbling about, priest?"
"Death." Her grip on the reins tightened, "The reincarnation of Gwyn, a daughter of Chaos and the remains of Manus. It would stand to reason that some incarnation of Nito would've been her destined Familiar and yet you were chosen. What does that mean, I wonder?"
"...I am a sworn knight of Gwyn." She had killed her fair share of people. All for the greater good. Kill one to save a thousand, kill a thousand to save millions. It wasn't even a choice.
"Yes, but even the most prolific assassin wouldn't have killed enough to be judged so harshly. Unless of course you've done more than assassination.
"What are you getting at, priest?"
"New Londo."
Her head snapped to him, a rebuke (or a a threat) already at the tip of her tongue, when he suddenly surged ahead and left her alone at their rear. Ciaran grit her teeth, the hands holding onto the reins shaking in barely restrained frustration. He knew. The priest feigned ignorance and claimed the memories to be foggy but he knew.
When the Abyss was first found in New Londo they attempted to stem the tide, but in the end it was too much. Every single human was a carrier of the corruption and those they saved had just as easily turned against them when their guards were down. In the end Lord Gwyn made the choice. Drown the city to ensure that the abyss couldn't spread and harm anyone else. Kill thousands to save millions. It was a cost they had to pay.
The Sealers committed the act itself, but it was she who provided the groundwork. She was there when the city was flooded, when countless innocents perished for the sins of the few. She would've been lying if she said she felt no guilt. As much as the abyss came from them many of those humans were innocent. They believed in Lord Gwyn and because of their craven rules they were corrupted and forced to betray them at the behest of some sycophantic serpent.
That was why she was chosen, then? Because she ensured thousands to ensure millions more wouldn't perish?
She shook her head and put it out of her mind. The past was the past and dwelling it would only hurt her. She needed to focus on the task ahead.
They made it to Germanian capital the next day. Raziel dismounted his horse and idly petted the creature's mane. Once in what felt like a lifetime ago, when his mind was still broken from the kiln, he remembered being awed by their very existence. Lordran did not have horses or mounts of any kind. He recalled the days of travel in order to get to the different places in that broken land.
...Along with that narrow bridge and that damned archer. Kicking him down after dying so many times was a catharsis he hadn't replicated yet.
They all made sure not to draw attention. They all wore thick, heavy cloaks and Agnes had removed any identifying sigils in her armor prior to the trip. Even Ciaran ha removed her mask, exposing her pale face to the midday sun.
"Alright, Solas should be at that inn." Karin pointed to the small, shabby building across from the stables. It was an odd, working alongside a time displaced version your closest friend's mother. The oddity of such an experience was quickly drowned out by the knowledge of what it meant. Time breaking down in Lordran was another sign of how close to the end they all were.
It made her companion, Estelle, all the more mysterious. She refused to take off her face-concealing attire and rarely spoke outside of a few whispers to her companion. Raziel had an odd feeling about her. It was odd for Henrietta to trust anyone and yet she had allowed her to be entrusted with a task such as this.
"Are you sure we can trust this Solas? You said he was a mercenary. What makes you think he wouldn't just sell us out to this guy for a pouch of ecu?" Agnes asked.
"He wouldn't do that." Surprisingly enough it was Estelle that spoke, "We can trust him."
"Besides, we can pay him too." Karin raised a small pouch and shook it lightly, "300 ecu. A decent enough price considering all we're asking for is an introduction. There's no way he won't take it."
"If nothing else Daphne and I could charm him," Amethyst said.
They all entered the inn. The interior matched the shabby exterior. It was filled with individuals of all kinds - stable boys covered in hay and still smelling of horse dung, sellswords of all kinds and other villagers who could barely scrape two coppers together in order to afford their drink. In such a place even a group like them didn't gather any kind of attention.
Solas was nursing a drink in a corner by himself, "Hey, over here!" he waved happily. Karin wrinkled her nose in disgust at the stench of alcohol that covered him along with the woman giggling and sitting at his lap, "Sorry, sweetie, gotta meet some old friends. I'll catch up later, okay?"
He sent her away with a light slap to her derriere that caused Karin to scoff. None of them paid it any mind, "You're Solas?" Daphne asked, sitting across from him - better for the one with the Charm magic to do the talking for them. The rest of them either stood or took up the few spare chairs around him.
"Yes ma'am." He winked at her and finished off his drink.
"You received Karin's letter, correct?" Daphne asked again.
"Yep. You want an invite to Basil Krämer's place." He set down his empty glass and nudged his head up, "We should probably go somewhere more private for this. Don't want anyone overhearing."
The room they were taken to was surprisingly spacious; enough that it could hold all nine of them, at least. Raziel leaned with his back against the wall and his arms crossed as Solas settled on the nearby chair. He wasn't comfortable with this. Say what you would about Lordran - and Raziel had plenty to say of that cesspool - it was straightforward for the most part. Gwyndolin and the serpents' machinations aside Lordran was simple. There was little in the way of sneaking around or trying to curry favors.
"So...I'm just gonna ask straight out: you guys aren't planning to find work from him, are you?" None of them said anything, though he did catch Agnes discreetly reaching for her flintlock, "Hey, no need for that. I ain't exactly loyal to the guy so don't worry about me running over to snitch." Raziel's eyes narrowed. He hadn't even looked at Agnes, "I just wanna know what I'm getting into cause 300 ecu ain't really enough to kill a noble, even if he does deserve it."
"We're not asking you to kill anyone." Daphne smiled placatingly. Even though he wasn't her target he felt the Charm's pull, "We just need to talk to him." That was what Henrietta told them, at least. Killing him was to be a last resort. Better he be turned against Joseph's daughter. Don't waste what you can use; spoken like a true monarch. Raziel didn't much care either way.
"That's the rub. He's not exactly the type to just let anyone have a chat with him." He leaned back on the chair and crossed one leg over the other, "Especially not from me. We had a...disagreement a couple of years ago."
"What kind of disagreement?" Agnes asked.
"He hired me and a buncha other mercs for his 'disagreement' with one of the neighboring lords. No problem, right? Nobles have their pissing games all the time and we're their knives. Some kind of property dispute. So me and the guys he hired take out the guy the other guy hired. Then Basil decides he wants to rub the guy's nose in it so he figures he'' have the guys do a little rape on the side. I...wasn't a fan."
"Meaning?" Amethyst raised a brow.
"Might have shot the other mercs." Hmm. A mercenary with morals. Odd, "So me and him don't exactly get along. I know where he is but if you actually wanna talk to him then I'm the wrong guy."
"Surely there must be another way. We didn't come all this way for nothing," Julio said.
"Well...there is one thing, but I don't think you're gonna like it." He sighed, "See, he's got specific...tastes. Slave trade." Raziel let out a soft growl. He'd heard tales of the slavery in Lordran and it never ceased to anger him. Just another reason to hate the Gods and their so-called benevolence and elightenment, "He's real fond of Romalian girls. Gets his rocks off thinking about 'corrupting' someone who's supposed to be pure."
"If you're suggesting we buy a slave to placate him-"
"Hel no! Who the hel do you think I am?" Solas interrupted, throwing Karin an aghast look, "I don't know any slave traders, I'm just saying its the easiest way we can do this. I go there with a pretty Romalian girl tell him I wanna make peace cause I'm so scared of him and bla bla bla. Guy's such an egotistical prick that he'll buy it."
"The problem comes with finding such a girl." Amethyst put a hand on her chin and hummed, "Normally Daphne or I would take this role, but we were sent on another task." To make a deal with the so-called Emperor of this fractured land. Henrietta was ensuring every possibility, "The others would not work. Ciaran, Agnes and Karin have obviously Tristanian features. What about your companion Estelle?"
"I-"
"She can't take her hood off," Karin said immediately, "We need to find another way."
"The choice seems obvious, doesn't it?" And then Julio looked right at him. Raziel stared back blankly until the others sans Ciaran followed his lead.
"...No."
"It is the simplest solution." Julio grinned. Raziel almost punched him in the face, "Your features are Romalian and you could pass for female with the right attire. We also don't have to worry about you being put at risk. If the man tries anything then you could very easily handle him."
"Wait, he's not a girl? I kinda thought he was..." Solas said.
Raziel ignored the blonde man's confused muttering and kept glaring at the priest, "Then why do you not partake in this charade? Last I checked you were Romalian as well."
"Similar to Daphne and Amethyst I have my own task to complete. As important as contacting Sir. Basil is our employer would not have sent us all here for just one man." Julio's grin turned to a mischievous smirk, "Don't worry, Raziel. I'll ensure you look dazzling."
"Why not just kill this man and be done with it?" Ciaran asked. For the first time in his entire existence he felt thankful for not snapping her neck weeks prior.
"Because we can't be sure that he's the only one doing what he does. One man can hardly stir a nation," Agnes scoffed, "Trust me, I'd do the same thing in Raziel's place if I could, but something tells me that even if he wasn't into Romalians he wouldn't exactly be keen on burnt up swordswomen."
"Why not a frontal assault?" Karin asked.
"You don't know much about this guy, do you? He's paranoid. Thinks he's more important than the Emperor. Magical wards, helhounds patrolling the skies...it's not exactly an easy sell to just get inside. Even the guy's got a necklace with Counter magic on it. Only reason I haven't shot him yet."
"Where did he get something like that, I wonder..." Julio muttered.
"Even if you could get through all that the guy's a chicken. By the time you get inside he would've already run. If you want a chance to actually talk to him then it's this plan or you try to find your own way."
"...And what am I supposed to do once I get inside?" Raziel asked slowly.
"Our primary goal is to find records and hear confessions from his own mouth of his contacts. Aside from that we should try to turn him if possible," Amethyst said, "If we can't do either that's when killing him should be an option, but only then."
"And how exactly do you expect a slave to do all that?"
"The main point is getting you inside. After that everything from coercion to threats is fair game," Amethyst replied, "Enough arguing. We don't have time to waste. Do you agree?"
"Do I have a choice." She gave him a flat look, "...Fine then. Let's get this over with."
Half an hour later and Julio was true to his word. Solas gave the two of them his room for privacy and soon enough the perverse priest was 'dolling him up', "It's been quite a while since we conversed by ourselves." Julio hummed. Raziel didn't say anything and just quietly stewed as Julio brushed his hair into neater curls and handed him an outfit that reminded him just a bit too much of the dresses from the Carming Fairies inn. At least it covered more skin.
"...What is your 'important mission' that you can't be the one doing this?" Raziel took off his clothes and changed into the far too frilly dress. First Dusk's attire and now this. He didn't have the excuse of needing the protection it offered like last time.
"Some secrets we must keep to ourselves, unfortunately."
"Fine then." Raziel grunted and finished putting the outfit on. Loathe as he was to admit Julio was right. Manus' odd preference for the female form for his 'children' made the ruse easy, "Hmm..." He looked to Derflinger on the bed. He couldn't take his partner with him and Julio only offered him a knife he could keep hidden under the skirt. He wasn't worried. Taking down a perverted old noble was hardly a challenge even with just a knife.
He turned around only to almost hit Julio, "My, you look enchanting." Julio cupped his chin and titled his head up with his right hand. Raziel narrowed his eyes in a flat, unamused look and and grabbed the priest's wrist in a tight grip. This was just like that night in Tiffania's cabin. Julio was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, "Pardon, did I cause offense?"
"No. Looking at your face simply makes me sick." He pried Julio's arm off then pushed him away, "You will have to satisfy your urges elsewhere. I have other commitments now."
"Ah, you mean your relationship with Lady Fontaine." Raziel said nothing, "It was simply a guess on my part. I assumed that it was purely physical in nature, but if what you're implying is true then I suppose I must follow your advice. Apologies for causing offense and discomfort."
"Just keep it to yourself. We cannot exactly be open about our relation." Even with all the insanity happening now he doubted the Valliere's outside of Louise would've approved of their daughter joining with an Undead Child of the Dark.
"My lips are sealed." He made a closing gesture with his fingers, "But it is a shame. You are even more tempting now than you were prior. Lady Fontaine is a lucky woman."
"If you say so." He unwrapped the chain on his left wrist slightly and wrapped it around his other appendage as well. Removing the chain entirely was impossible now after whatever magic attached it to his wrist in the first place. Thankfully the role he played meant it wouldn't be an issue, "I can only hope that this old man has loose lips. I wish to finish this as quickly as possible."
"A shame, I would've liked to see you in that dress more. Perhaps I'll relay to Miss. Fontaine the events that transpired here."
"...Do so and I will kill you."
He was taken to the noble's mansion. It was half a few hours away even on horseback and riding a horse was even more uncomfortable considering his current attire. The plan was simple. Solas would introduce him as a 'gift' for reconciliation while he, Agnes, Ciaran, Karin and Estelle stayed outside just in case. Once he got the information he would offer him the deal for clemency. If not he would kill him.
"We're here." Solas went from from the horse first then offered him a hand, which he reluctantly took. They shared a horse on the way - it wouldn't make sense for a slave to have her own mount. The other members of their group had separated earlier and found their own hiding spots before the guards saw them, "Hope you're ready for this. This guy's a piece of work."
"I have dealt with worse."
"Alright, time to play the scumbag. Ready?"
"As I will ever be."
"Move it!" Solas shoved him roughly forward. Raziel took a deep breath and, ignoring every voice urging him to the contrary, lowered his head and shuffled forward without a sound of protest. They were close to the front gate now with two sentries standing at both sides. The suspicious looks they gave was quickly replaced with curiosity and a small hint of lust when they saw 'her'.
"Solas. What the hell are you doing here?" One of the guards, a bearded man with a scar across his nose and jaw, asked with a sneer.
"Tryin' to make peace." Solas put his hands up in surrender, "I know I pissed off the big man something fierce so I'm trying to make up for it. He likes Romalian girls, right? Well I got this little looker over on my last raid. Young, virgin, and if she's telling the truth she was one of those convent sisters. Figured it might make us even."
"Even? Hardly. You need to do a lot more to get back on his good side." He rubbed his bearded chin and looked Raziel up and down like a piece of meat. The Undead grit his teeth and resisted the urge to unfurl the chain and wrap it around the man's neck, "Where'd you get her? Thought you were too good to deal with something like this."
"You know how it is. You want the big ecu you gotta learn to get your hands dirty." Solas shrugged casually.
"Only you learned that before you pissed off the boss." He sneered and roughly grabbed Raziel's upper right arm. He didn't scream even as he was forcefully tugged past the gate, "Fine, I'll tell the boss. If you're lucky he'll only ask for a couple more favors to forgive you."
"A couple? Come on!"
Ignoring his protests, the guard dragged him through the doors up to the mansion's steps. Raziel tried not to think about how much it reminded him of that bastard Mott, "Convent, huh...?" The guard muttered. Raziel bit back a growl as the man suddenly grabbed his other arm and tugged him close before sniffing at his hair. His left hand pulsed with dark energy and he nearly snapped his neck then and there, "Maybe I should test you out before I give you over to the lord. What do you think, huh?"
"Try it and-"
"What's going on here?"
The new voice made the guard practically shove him off. Looking up the stairway, his eyes met the master of the manor himself. Basil Krämer was not a physically impressive man. His face was pale and aged with numerous wrinkles and his short, blonde hair and mustache was tinted with streaks of white. He was tall, at least taller than him, with a heavyset form barely hidden by the layers of his overcoat.
"Present from Solas." He shoved him forward roughly, "Got this little Romalian girl in his last raid. Figures she'd make you two even if he gave her as a present."
"Hmph, so that man does have a sense of self-preservation." He stepped closer to him and grabbed his chin to force his gaze up, not unlike Julio prior. Raziel stared back defiantly without a word. According to Solas the man like it when his 'conquests' fought back. It made him feel superior when they inevitably gave in, "Well...fine then. I'll take it from here. Dismissed."
Once again he was forcefully marched ahead to the man's room, skipping the baths entirely. He wasn't surprised; the signs of the old pig's arousal was clear for all to see, "And where did Solas find you, hm?" He pressed against Raziel's neck and breathed deep. Raziel's mouth twitched in annoyance, "I'll give that craven something, he knows my tastes."
"Let go of me..."
"Resist if you want, but your defiance won't last long." He was pushed onto the spacious bed and heard the sounds of shifting cloth behind him. He had one chance at this, "This will be simpler if you do not fight." The coat fell to the ground and he saw the outline of the necklace under his shirt, "Now let's-"
Raziel surged back and, before the man could mutter anything more than a single noise of surprise, tugged off the expensive gold jewelry from his neck before tossing it aside, "Wh-What are you-" Raziel slammed him down to the ground, one hand wrapped around his neck while the other covered his mouth. He suspected some noises would pass without comment given the man's...proclivities.
"Scream or attempt to call for your guards and I will crush your neck. Do you understand me?" The man continued to struggle. Raziel tightened his grip till his breathing became halted, "Do you understand me?"
Slowly, with eyes full of anger and fear, he nodded. Raziel loosened his grip enough for his breathing to resume and lowered his hand, "I have questions and you will answer. I will know if you are lying and if you don't answer truthfully I will kill you. Do you understand."
"Y-Yes..." Another nod.
"Queen Isabella has convinced you to incite war against Tristain." His eyes widened slightly in shock, "Tell me who your co-conspirators are. Leave not a single name out or I will kill you."
"And what happens after I tell you? You'll just kill me."
"No. The one who sent us wishes to turn you against your master." Though he would've preferred killing him. In the two minutes he'd spent in his company he already found the man - and that was being generous - repulsive beyond words, "Tell me their names and pledge your allegiance and I guarantee that you will survive."
"...Who are you working for? You're no slave." Raziel almost laughed. That was obvious, was it not?
"I ask the questions, not you." Another painful squeeze, "The names. Give them to me."
He did. He rattled off a list of names and Raziel committed them all to memory. They meant nothing to him, but he was certain that for Henrietta they would hold the leverage she needed to ensure Tristain would remain safe.
He'd finished his list and was about to declare his subverted loyalty when the door behind him opened, "My lord, I hate to interrupt but intruders-"
Raziel moved. He stood, dragging the pig with him, and placed him front of his smaller form as a shield. One arm kept him in place while his other hand grabbed the knife from under the skirt and placed it against the struggling 'noble's' neck, "One step closer and he dies," Raziel hissed.
"You-"
"Step away." He pressed the tip harder till it broke the flesh. The noble froze as warm droplets of blood fell down, "I will not say it again."
The guard drew a flintlock and aimed it at him. An empty threat; he wouldn't dare risk harming his master, "We caught your friends, 'slave'. Release the lord or-"
Raziel threw the knife straight at the guard's skull. The blade stabbed through the man's forehead and he fell on his back, twitching as the life left him. The noble scream till Raziel tightened his hold, "Quiet." He picked up the fallen flintlock and placed the barrel against the side of his head, "Struggle and you know what will happen. Now move."
A few servants saw them as he dragged the bastard back to the main hall. What he saw made him curse. At least a dozen guards with Solas, Agnes and Karin forced to kneel at the center. Estelle and Ciaran were nowhere in sight.
"Hey, Raziel." Solas looked up at him with a weak grin. There was a reddish mark on his right cheek and his hands were forced to the back of his head, a posture matched by his two fellow prisoners, "Hellhounds sniffed us out. Guess we got unlucky."
The guards split their attention between him and the rest. Raziel ignored the guns aimed at him and pressed the noble closer. They wouldn't risk shooting like this, "...Tell your men to let them go," he muttered. The pig didn't say anything until he heard soft laughter, "I did not speak a jest. Tell your men to lower their weapons now!"
"You won't shoot me!" he shouted back, bravado restored, "Any harm comes to me and my men will ensure none of you will leave here alive. But you can still survive this. Lower your weapon and I promise I will show your compatriots mercy." Them, not him. Very particular wording, though he didn't see the point. It was a lie either way, "Don't be a fool. You can still survive this."
A slight blur of blue and brown passed by overhead. Raziel saw two faint figures and, judging by the way his eyes moved, so did Solas, "Hey, I hate to interrupt but shooting me's not a good idea." Hands still raised, Solas slowly stood up and grinned at the man behind him holding a gun to the back of his head, "See I got some insurance. I die and everyone else here does too."
The noble laughed, "A pathetic bluff! The desperate threats of a dead man?"
"Oh yeah?"
He tugged off the necklace and let it fall to the ground. The screams that came afterwards were instantaneous, "Y-You all the guards' attention was drawn to him and it took Raziel a second to realize why. His ears were pointed.
Solas was an Elf.
Karin's expression of shocked disbelief was matched by the noble and the rest of his retinue. He'd heard stories of the Elves' fearsome capabilities from Agnes. A single Elf was the reason they failed to save Tabitha's mother.
The noble stiffened in his grip, "Y-You're..."
"An Elf. Surprise!" Solas grinned, "I'd suggest against shooting me, by the way. My spirit pals don't like me getting hurt, ya see, and if I bite it then everyone here's gonna have their brain melt right out of their ears. Trust me, it's not a pretty sight." He angled his head up, drawing more attention to the pointed tips, "So what's say we all put our guns down and walk away all peaceful like, huh?"
The hesitation in the guards was their cue. Ciaran jumped down, both tracers drawn, and cut down the two guards behind Solas and Agnes while Estelle shot an arrow at the one behind Karin.
It was chaos after. The noble struggled and attempted to reach for his hand so Raziel pulled the trigger. The bloody corpse was dropped soon after and he took the rapier still hanging on the man's belt. Ciaran cut through two more guards while Karin screamed and, without a wand or any other kind of foci, released a wave of bladed wind around her. Three guards fell from the unexpected attack and a fourth went down when Estelle released another arrow.
Solas grabbed his confiscated revolver and fired off a shot while Agnes got two flintlocks and followed his head. Raziel took down a nearby sentry before tossing the rapier to Karin. She could do more with it than he could.
A minute and a few helhounds later and everyone aside from their own group was dead. Raziel dropped the bloody knife he 'procured' and looked to the others. No major wounds. Agnes received a cut on her side while Karin had a similarly shallow cut on her left cheek. Nothing some rest wouldn't fix.
"Well, that was...something." Solas forced a smile and put his hands on his knees, "Now I think we should-"
Karin suddenly pointed her recovered rapier at him. Solas' eyes widened while Estelle immediately to shield him, spreading both arms desperately, "Karin, no!"
"He's an Elf!" The pink haired knight shouted, "He-"
"Saved us." Agnes grabbed the younger chevalier's wrist, "If he didn't do what he did we'd all have holes in our heads right now. Drop it."
"You trust him?! He's-"
"Hey, I didn't see any other way! I dunno about you but I ain't bulletproof!" Solas shot back, "Come on, Karin, you know me! I was the only reason you and Es got to the capital! I thought we were friends!"
"You're an Elf! How could-"
"Stop it!" Estelle's shout almost made the chevalier drop her weapon, "Karin, please...Solas is our friend. I knew from before." Raziel's eyes narrowed. The way she said it was...off, "Please don't hurt him. He's a good man, it doesn't matter if he's an Elf."
"If it helps I don't really like other Elves," Solas added lightly, "I ain't exactly big with the other guys. Kinda why I'm a whole mercenary."
It took another moment before the time displaced teenager eventually lowered her wand, "Alright...I trust you, Estelle."
"What about me?" Solas asked.
Karin didn't say anything and sheathed her sword without another word. To his side Ciaran scoffed, "Typical of her kind to forget their gratitude in favor of fear and prejudice."
Raziel didn't bother rebuking her. He was too tired for an argument, "I have the list of names. You will have to write them down when we re-convene with the others. I am not adept in this world's alphabet," he told Agnes.
"Good job." She looked to Solas. The blonde was sadly thanking Estelle for defending him, "...You said you're a mercenary, right?"
He set the necklace to its previous place and his ears returned to their round shape, "Yep. Why? Hiring me out for another job?"
"Yes. You're a good shot with that gun and with your Spirit magic-"
"Ah, let me stop you right there. The whole 'I'll melt your brains if you kill me' thing? Total bluff. I don't have a lick of spirit magic on me." That drew Karin's attention, "Another reason me and the other Elves - or sanctimonious pricks, as I like to call em - don't get along. I don't worship spirits and they don't bother me. And I like it that way."
"Well your marksmasnship is still impressive. What do you say about coming back to Tristain with us?"'
"I dunno..."
Estelle grabbed his face right hand with both of hers, "Come with us please. I promise you won't regret it."
"...Fine. Can't say no to a pretty pair of eyes like that." He grinned down at the young girl.
Estelle cheered softly and led them back outside. The next few seconds was complete havoc. As soon as he opened the door one of the remaining helhounds charged towards them and clawed Estelle's face. Karin screamed and ran for her friend while Solas pulled out his pistol and shot the monstrous canine straight in its head. Estelle fell and Karin barely caught her before she fell to the floor.
"Is she alright?!" Agnes yelled.
Karin grabbed the other girl's head and, completely ignoring her pleas to the contrary, tugged off her hood and mask. The face underneath made him and Ciaran pause. The three cuts that ran from her right cheek to her jaw were raw and bloody, but it paled in comparison to her all too familiar face. Pale-blonde, almost white hair that he just now realized was the same shade as his, equally pale skin with small, delicate features covered by scars and other fading wounds.
It was as if he was looking into a mirror.
"How...?" Raziel muttered.
Estelle looked up at him weakly, eyes filled with fear and guilt, "I didn't want you to find out this way. I'm sorry...father." She closed her eyes and, despite Karin's pleas to stay awake, fell unconscious in her friend's arms.
Very dramatic ending there, kinda ruined when you remember that Raziel's still wearing a dress. Sadly unlike Cloud he can't just change clothes mid-conversation while the noble watches. Anyway, we have Estelle's identity revealed. Will we find out who her mom is next chapter? Unlikely, but hey.
Oh and Solas is an Elf, cause his name wasn't enough of a dead giveaway. This Solas is a bit more fun and less philosophical, thoug.
Questions:
1. Some people seem to really dislike Ciaran. Do you guys find her too awful to be redeemable or what? Especially in this chapter where it's revealed she was part of the New Londo flood, hence her being chosen as the representative of 'Death'. While awful, Raziel really has no high ground after him driving everyone insane at Saxe-Gotha.
2. Do you guys wanna know Estelle's mother next chapter or do we save it for later? I think some readers have already guessed who it is but others are clear off the mark. I should probably clarify that it's not Siesta, despite people guessing her due to Estelle's lack of magic. Magic can skip some offspring, after all.
Review Answers:
Artyom-Dreizehn - Yeah, time sure flies :)
Beserkian's Fury - Cut her some slack. She was raised in a very elitist and caste based environment. Louise was pretty bitchy in the early chapters too.
Remvis - Bingo. Last I checked Bonfires burned and consumed Humanity, feeding off the Dark to strengthen the Fire. In this case using a Bonfire saps the Humanity out of him and makes him weaker.
Jaciro500 - If Tiffania chose Raziel there's little Ciaran can do. As much as she'll rage Tiffania will hate her if she tries to force them apart again.
Ashlands of the cold - Uh...no. No harem or polyamory. Just monogamy here.
G119 - The scarf, you mean? That probably got wrecked in Saxe-Gotha since now he's treasuring Cattleya's handkerchief. And yeah, Raziel/Siesta got dropped super hard. Part of it is because I couldn't find a way to keep her relevant outside of 'Raziel's love interest' due to the scale of the plot.
GapMoe - Another re-reader :P Hope you enjoy the story. As for Cattleya, I got some comments that they fit too well into the 'Brooding Boy Gentle Girl' trope. Hopefully I can find a way to fix that and allow them a bit more unique interplay.
Jaquan - Sorry for the lack of updates. The Spidey fic is easier to write for me now. Maybe that'll change in the future. As for Ciaran's development, it seems more like she needs to change her interactions with Raziel rather than Tiffania for her to change. Until something shakes her worldview she's not going to change her mindset.
LioLion - What do you mean rushed? I thought the line breaks were enough to signify the perspective shift? As for Cattleya...I have to disagree. Cattleya isn't naive. The thing that drew Raziel to her was when she stopped pretending to be so innocent and showed that she was cynical and not above being nasty when push came to shove. Her trying to convince Raziel that things can work out is her attempt to try and keep him from breaking down. She's not naive and blind to the fact that things can end badly; she's just trying to fight for the alternative.
Also, Tiffania would absolutely believe things would work out in the end. Her lingering feels for Raziel despite 'Robin' being dead kind of indicate that. Meanwhile a romance with Tabitha or Henrietta would be self-destructive since there would be very little feelings involved in favor of, as you said, licking each other's wounds.
