Skylar lowered her hand looking at her extended palm with a hum her eyes narrowed at her hand, and she paused and looked to the ground seeing the corpse of Vita. Or… whoever that was, it just occurred to Skylar that she didn’t even know the name of the man before her, “Sorry about all this…” She offered up the words as a sort of condolence.

  She then paused, lowering her hand and frowning, she could feel it even now.

  With the remnants of a storm brewing in the air, time was running short.

  …Though as for why she couldn’t place it, she lowered her hand and turned her gaze north.

  There the castle stood, 3 cracks running through its barrier, “That’s where Lust is… but what about the barrier? How many more cracks do I need to put into that thing before it shatters?”

  She grumbled folding her arms, and as she focused on that barrier, Skylar’s eyes narrowed and she felt that same pain in her head as she had been feeling for some time now.

  It wasn’t unbearable this time around, but there was a new sound in her head.

  …Crying.

  Faint crying.

  And this time Skylar heard the voice clearly as she turned around, “You exist for the sole purpose of destroying this world’s natural order. Do I make myself clear girl?”

  Skylar turned around, locking her eyes onto the source of the voice and it was now that she could see the owner, “Draco.”

  Draco’s figure flashed before her, before vanishing entirely, Skylar then frowned bitterly, “Close, but the memories are still fuzzy… Given a push though I could probably bring them to light but…” Skylar turned her gaze back to the barrier, “I’d probably pass out again.”

  She sighed, “As much as I want to know, bigger problems take priority.”

  “Figured I’d heard the sound of someone fighting over here.” Striga’s voice came from behind Skylar, she paused as she saw Vita’s corpse on the ground, “ah… so you settled that business then?”

  Skylar turned back around to face Striga, “Yeah, guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you knew about that…”

  “I was hoping to tell you at a later time, but it would seem you are insistent on not heeding my advice when it comes to resting.” Striga explained folding her arms and sighing, “Probably for the best though, ran into some trouble at the house. Seem’s neither of us are welcome here anymore.”

  Skylar folded her arms at that, “Really? Guess we should make our move then… should we head back to the airship? Gotta let Julieta know our plans.”

  Striga unfolded her arms, her eyes narrowing, “Going airborne is fine and all, but…” She looked to the castle, “Lust shot down any approaching airships before, I’m worried she’d do the same with ours.”

  In response to that concern, Skylar paused, shoving her hands into her pockets, “It’d be hard for her to do that while I’m fighting her. So long as I keep her busy Julieta should have no problems with offering up support.”

  “...In that case, I’ll go and inform Julieta of the plan, I have a different task for you.” Striga stated putting a hand on her hip, “I want you to head to where Suzaku was residing, it’s only been a bit but I haven’t had the chance to search it just yet. Think you could handle that task for me?” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket, the same paper Yin gave her, “This should have the location written on it.”

  Skylar took the paper gingerly examining it with a frown, “Bit far off but sure, if nothing else maybe I’ll find some hint on how to take down the barrier?”

  Striga smirked at that, “To the north to the far right side of the castle that’s where the entrance to the mines is. We’ll meet up there before we do anything.”

  Skylar nodded, “Bit close to the castle, isn’t it?” she replied pointedly and Striga responded.

  “I won’t be long, besides. Being that close should put Lust on edge if nothing else.” she reasoned.

  “Not the best of plans, but it’s not like we have a lot of options here I suppose…” Skylar replied with a sigh before turning to look down at the paper she was given and then she started to walk towards Suzaku's shop, “I’ll catch you later then.”

  “Skylar.” Striga suddenly called out, stepping forward causing Skylar to look over her shoulder with an arched brow, “...When this is all over, how about we head to my bar again and have a party? There’s still so much we can talk about after all.”

  Skylar blinked at that before smiling softly, “Sounds lovely, I’ll make sure to drink myself into a stupor once we're done with this place.” with that she continued her walk leaving Striga alone.

  There was silence as the wind blew through the air and Striga took in a breath, “Right then, let’s get a move on.”

  Chapter 18: Journey's End.

  Lust sat upon her throne, a wry smile on her face as she looked down at the man before her, she rested her cheek upon her fist as she spoke, “Hm, it would seem you’ve accumulated quite well to the power I bestowed upon you… Good, very good.”

  Midus said nothing simply remaining where he was, his head lowered and his fist on the ground.

  Lust took this as a sign to continue, “It should be noted however that the people's opinion of you has only lowered as of late, not that it has ever been particularly high mind you, but even so…” Lust trailed off looking to the stained glass windows that lined her walls, “You must understand how it looks for my highest commander to lose to a child.”

  Midus closed his eyes, “I offer no excuses, but I would beg for another chance.”

  Lust paused, smirking, “Loyal as ever are we?” she chuckled, lifting her head, “You needn’t worry so hard Midus, you have always and shall ever be my most trusted companion… And your time will come soon at this rate, The Shadewalker will storm our gates given time. You shall meet her there, just outside of the barrier.” Lust gave her order as she leaned back on her throne.

  She lifted her hand examining her nail, “How long has it been now since I’ve taken this throne?” she mused to herself, “The old king was a noble fool, peace and prosperity were the virtues he preached and it made me sick to my core.”

  “...You think peace is impossible?” Midus questioned as he looked up.

  “I think he was a hypocrite.” Lust shot back instantly and pointed to the blade upon Midus’s back, “Peace is something anyone can speak about, but you can’t take a man like that seriously when both he and his kin are armed for war.” Lust lowered her hand and sighed, “It’s for that same reason that I detest this Shadewalker, she spouts about peace and wanting to protect those around her. Two different ideals that are sorely clashing with one another… Any excitement I feel about clashing with her is met with equal anger.”

  “You wish to clash with her? So you do not think I can win then…” Midus questioned clenching his fist tighter and Lust closed her eyes, smirking somewhat.

  “Don’t give me that, I’m simply preparing for the worst outcome, I’ve given you the tools you need to win. All that remains is for you to put them to use.” Lust replied simply standing from her throne and walking over to the nearby windows staring out at them and watching as soldiers moved about outside, “The time is ripe, and the moon’s hollow glow fills the knife. So howl wolf, and let the world know that you’ve returned.” Lust uttered these words as her eyes fell upon Byakko, he was the one ordering the soldiers around after all.

  Midus nodded standing up and moved to the door, opening it wide and leaving Lust alone.

  “Heh.” Lust laughed a little to herself, “I speak of hypocrisy, yet here I am in denial of an even more grisly truth, the Shadewalker and I may have more in common than I care to admit…”

  Lust let out a tired sigh and looked to her throne, “The stage is set and the actors are moving into play. All that remains is to raise the curtain.”

  Lust moved forward her every step holding a weight behind them, “You wish for a show Origin? I shall give you one, Shadewalker shall not have my soul so easily. Just like the fool of a king before… I’ll kill her.”

  Lust paused as she saw the door ahead of her open, she watched as soldier after soldier poured into her room, all of them holding their weapons.

  She let her gaze fall onto each of them before speaking, “A rebellion, is it? And who do I have to thank for this mutiny?”

  The one leading the soldiers raised his blade, “You do not need to know. Nor will you have the privilege of knowing that your reign of terror ends today, demon!”

  Lust closed her eyes, a smile started to spread on her face and she felt a sound escape her lips, a low chuckle that started to explode into full-blown laughter, “This is perfect. I had just been thinking of the perfect scene to greet my guest of honor with, and you shall all do nicely.” Lust stood from her throne and extended her left hand forward.

  Pink strings shot forward and latched onto the leading man, he tried to move only for his form to be thrown into the air and slammed back onto the ground, blood fired into the air as his bones cracked, “Do not run away.” Lust commanded as she smiled wickedly at the rest of the soldiers, “It’s not death after all, you’re getting front-row seats to a show that many would kill to see…” Lust lifted her hand again, throwing the corpse of the leading man onto the roof above her keeping it tied up with her strings., the blood still leaking down dripping right onto Lust’s head. Though she didn’t seem to mind, it was as though she was proud to bathe in it.

  One after the other, the men that saw their leader slaughtered ran forward.

  Ready to be the one to avenge him.

  Lust did nothing to stop the people from moving forward, she instead slowly moved back sitting back onto her throne as more strings shot down from the roof grabbing any man that came close, grabbing them and spreading them across the roof.

  More and more blood flowed down and through it all Lust simply stared forward with a lazy expression and a gleeful smile.

  ***

  Skylar plucked a book from a dusty bookshelf, she stared at the cover of it for a moment, ‘Sorrows Of Eve’s Burrow’ the title caught her eye and she opened the book up, flipping through its pages.

  She stopped when she saw what seemed to be a portrait of the place. Large fields of grasslands, and stone buildings that stood tall.

  Not unlike the town Skylar found herself in now, she took note of the date listed in the book.

  “...That would have been roughly five years back.” She muttered to herself as she pulled up a chair flipping through the contents, she found a location for this so-called village.

  But…

  She paused looking at the front door of this place, “...It would have been in front of the castle, nothing there now though.” that couldn’t mean anything good.

  She turned her gaze back to the book and continued to flip through the pages, her eyes taking in words as she lazily skimmed through it, that was until a certain word caught her attention.

  “Midus?” She frowned seeing the word, and there was his full name, Midus Van Helsing. If nothing else that caught Skylar’s full attention.

  So she continued to read.

  “Midus Van Helsing, a man of great power and even greater pride. He would often visit the village, play with the children, and assist with all sorts of menial tasks, he was beloved by all. It was for that reason that no one ever saw what lay beneath the mask, an insatiable lust for power… and once she had it. He returned to our village and razed it to the ground. On orders of the new Empress. Lust she called herself, the village was slaughtered. Men women and children, I was the only one to survive this of course… Now all I can do is write the history of my village… In the hopes that none other falls victim to that man. . . They hide the truth, calling us ‘monsters’ conspirators. When in reality, Midus, the man who they dubbed The Blue Wolf. Someone must stop him.”

  Skylar stopped reading then a frown upon her face, she was close to defeating the man of course. But he got away.

  “It’s rather odd that I haven’t encountered him since then… I was under the impression that he hated me with everything he had.” Skylar muttered to herself, closing the book and setting it on the counter.

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Turning her gaze to the room, “Stranger still that I was allowed to find that book in the first place…” She continued to examine the shelves, Skylar then paused, “Maybe not, I know a thing or two about fighting myself, maybe Lust has similar things going on.” Skylar stopped her gaze falling onto a picture on the shelf.

  It showed Suzaku helping an older woman and Skylar frowned, reaching forward and putting the picture down.

  She then blinked when she heard the door open, “Excuse me, Miss Suzaku?”

  Skylar flinched and stood up, there she saw the old lady from the picture coming inside. She had a cane in her right hand and her form was wobbly.

  The old woman looked to Skylar, “Oh? You're a new face, are you a new hire?” The woman asked innocently.

  Skylar paused, realizing that it wouldn’t look good if she confessed that she was ransacking the house of a dead woman she spoke up, “Ah. Something like that, I’m a relative of Suzaku. She moved away just recently, and I was in the area to pick something up for her.”

  The old woman’s face paled, “M-Moved away, but… she was to give my husband medicine.” the woman started to fidget in place.

  And Skylar stared forward with a frown, “A medicine?”

  The woman nodded, “My husband, he’s been deathly ill. Suzaku’s medicine is the only thing that helps to dull the pain, without it…” She then trailed off her eyes showing sadness, “I don’t wish to see him suffer.”

  Skylar paused, glancing to the side, before looking down at her bag.

  “Ah, that medicine.” Skylar spoke up with a smirk, opening her bag, and pulling out her final red potion, “Fraid we’re out of that stuff, but Suzaku put a lot of work into this new batch… should fix your husband right up.” Skylar said with a forced smile.

  The woman stared forward, “W-What? Truly, you speak true? But there’s… there’s no way I could afford such a thing.”

  “Just take it, consider it a parting gift from the store,” Skylar responded with a light smile.

  The woman stared up at Skylar hesitating for a moment but slowly she reached up and grabbed the bottle grasping it in her frail hands, it was only then that Skylar noticed just how many wrinkles were on that woman, “...Thank you. Thank you truly, give Suzaku my regards.”

  Skylar gave a nod and watched as the woman walked out the door with a smile, Skylar then sighed as the door closed slouching back into her chair, her eyes glossed over to the photo she put down.

  Already she was questioning if giving that potion away was a good idea, but she shook her head, “Least I could do after all the trouble I caused around this place.” She reasoned to herself before standing up.

  She dumped the contents of her bag onto the counter, every shard of her segmented blade and the bottle of silver liquid given to her by Garolt, “Wanted to use this to set up a stupid little trap, but it’s getting more likely that I’ll have to fight Midus at the castle…” She uncapped the bottle and gagged a bit at the smell, “Heaven’s almighty that’s strong.” She poured the liquid onto the blade and watched as it started to repair itself under a golden light.

  She let out a hum, gripping the hilt and examining the sword, “Old man wasn’t lying, it’s as good as new.” Skylar put the blade into her second sheath.

  Her gaze glossed over the rest of the shop taking it all in one more time, “A shame, I think if we had more time to talk we might have gotten along well. Might have been able to find another way to deal with that mess.” Skylar then moved to the door, stopping just in front of it and looking over her shoulder, “Farewell.”

  With that, she opened the door and made her exit.

  ***

  Julieta arched her brow, “Do you have any idea how asinine that idea of yours sounds?”

  Striga shrugged, “I never claimed it was a good idea. But we need every edge we can get once we clash with Lust. I figured your services would be best spent assisting Skylar from the air.”

  Julieta let out a groan, pressing a finger to her temple, glaring at Striga, “I won’t deny that there is some merit to your idea… But the problem is finding the right time to move in.”

  Striga folded her arms at that, “That was part of the reason I came here, we need a method to let you know to get moving. But not one that’ll give it away to Lust.”

  “And one that we could recognize from inside while Skylar’s inside the castle.” Julieta added with a frown, “Not like we can find something like that.”

  Striga looked to the castle in question and blinked, “...” a smirk started to spread on her face.

  Julieta blinked seeing that smirk and then winced, feeling the sense of another bad idea coming to Striga’s brain, so Julieta uttered the only words that she could think, “Oh no.”

  Striga pointed at the castle, “The roof of that place shattering should be more than enough of a sign don’t you think?”

  Julieta put a hand on her hip, “You want Skylar to blow the roof off that place? You know that most of the rubble will likely fall onto her right?”

  Striga lowered her finger, “She’ll be fine. Haven’t you noticed Julieta? Winds are picking up lately, there’s a storm coming.”

  Julieta paused, she had felt the wind as of late but even so, “...You just want us to be there as support right? Nothing more?”

  “Not unless you feel inclined to act more.” Striga replied with a shrug, a soft smile dancing on the corners of her lips, “That was part of our deal.”

  Julieta ran a hand through her hair turning to the cloud sea with a frown before replying, “Fine, but you best be damn careful in there. If I find out you kicked the bucket because I was busy helping the Shadewalker, I’ll journey to the afterlife to kick your ass.”

  Striga chuckled at that before turning around and leaping off the side of the airship, landing back onto the land below her with a stretch, “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, though I’m sure that Skylar would get to me first.”

  Julieta watched with a frown as Striga began to walk away, she turned towards the door leading to the deepest part of the airship and frowned.

  “Tetra, what is it that you would do in a situation like this?” She found herself wondering before a smirk appeared on her face, “Probably something reckless, it would seem these children would keep your legacy flowing on… And I’m no better.”

  ***

  Skylar stared forward at the opening to the mine, a frown on her face, “This… is not a good feeling.”

  She had only felt this sort of dread once before, the last time she felt it…

  Instantly an image of the Titan that she had clashed with came to mind, “I have to be going crazy though. There’s no way someone would have something like that below the earth right…?”

  “What are you talking about over here?” Striga asked as she approached, and Skylar turned around, a frown on her face.

  “You don’t feel that?”

  “Feel what? A sense of dread knowing that I may have to speak with my former beloved?”

  “I was referring to that insane pressure coming from the area below, but yeah that works as well.”

  They stared at each other for a moment before Striga sighed, turning her gaze fully to the mine, “...It’s faint for me, but I do feel something going by the concern on your face though I guess it’s something to be worried about?”

  “A Titan.” Skylar responded by folding her arms, “That’s the only time I’ve felt this sort of pressure.”

  Striga blinked at that, her face paling as she looked to the mine, “Ah shit… I’ve got my work cut out for me then.”

  “You're not still seriously thinking about going in there alone are you?” Skylar asked incredulously.

  And Striga responds with a wry smirk, “Course I am, that was the plan and we’ll stick with it.”

  “I’m going with you.” Skylar responded flatly.

  “You. Are going to assault the gates, you're the only one that can.”

  “Last I checked, no one has taken down a Titan alone either.” Skylar fired back only for Striga to return with a chuckle.

  “Then I suppose I’ll have to be the first.”

  Skylar glared at Striga before running a hand through her hair, “...I gave away my last red potion.”

  Striga paused listening to Skylar with some interest on her face.

  “It was dumb really, she was just an old lady. But she spoke about someone she cared for with such love… so I gave it to her, she likely wasn’t long for this world. And her husband will leave the world too given enough time… But I gave it to them.” Skylar looked down to her right hand clenching it into a fist.

  Striga smiled softly, “And why do you think you did that?”

  “Because it was kind?” Skylar responded before shaking her head, “No. That’s not it, I guess… I wanted them to live their last few years together with a smile.” Skylar then smiled softly, “Just like I want to.” she declared this and turned around.

  Striga chuckled, turning to face the mine, “You're noble to a fault Skylar, almost as much as you are foolish.”

  “Say’s the one who came up with this asinine plan.” Skylar fired back with a wry smirk before lifting up her right fist, “I’ll take down Lust and the castle while I’m at it.”

  Striga lifted her fist bumping it against Skylar, “And I’ll strike from the inside pulling as many forces away from you as I can. Taking down the Titan while I’m at it.” She looked over her shoulder to see the smiling Skylar.

  They both took their first steps forward after that, their eyes shining with pride as they moved to their respective battlefields.

  Striga entered the mines with a certain swagger, perhaps it was confidence given to her by Skylar’s trust? Or perhaps she was simply a fool.

  Regardless of the reason. She moved forward with that confidence, a blade upon her back and her eyes scanning the barren walls, “If nothing else the miners certainly picked the place clean…”

  She paused as she noticed a small red spot on the ground, it was dry and long abandoned, Striga knelt frowning, running her fingers along the spot, “Blood. Dried and forgotten.” She looked to the darkness coming ahead, and let her eyes flash crimson as flames appeared on her fingertips.

  She heard a rumbling ahead and slowly she stood up, reaching up to the sword.

  “Come on then.” She drew her blade holding it to the side taking in a shaky breath, but not once did she ever consider fleeing, “I’ve got a lot to prove after the failures of this week.”

  ***

  Skylar walked with a huff of annoyance in her step. She slammed her blade against the barrier but it didn’t budge, “This is a problem… Maybe I should’ve joined Striga after all.” She gripped her blade tight and pulled it back only to pause as she saw the gates to the castle open.

  Instantly Skylar leaped backward getting distance from the barrier, and her annoyed face turned into a full scowl as she saw who walked out.

  Midus took a step forward, walking towards Skylar, “You arrive at last.”

  Skylar paused feeling something… different in the air, like he wasn’t the same man as the last time Skylar met him.

  She took another step back frowning, “Couldn’t keep you waiting forever now could I? Think you could be a doll and lower the barrier?”

  Midus let out a huff, “Cute.” He made contact with the barrier and walked through it, likely due to Lust’s approval, “but ultimately worthless. You're going to die here, Skylar.”

  “I’ve been hearing that a lot lately, people aren’t very good at keeping that promise,” Skylar responded flatly, Midus stood a fair distance away from Skylar now.

  He then tilted his head to the side, “Do you know what it is that all of humanity seeks?”

  Skylar cocked a brow upwards and replied, “Can’t say I do.”

  “Power.” Midus lifted his hands, “It is power that we all seek. The Power to protect, the power to destroy, and the power to claim over others.” he looked down to his open palms, clad in his gauntlets.

  Thunder struck the clouds above and Skylar narrowed her gaze, “Is there a point to this? Or did you come out of hiding to waste my time?”

  Midus chuckled darkly, lowering his hands slowly, “The point Shadewalker, is this. I have obtained power, power beyond your reckoning, and I will use it to destroy you.”

  Skylar responded to this with a frown, “Why?” she asked the question with gritted teeth, “Does your master mean that much to you!? Why is it that we have to continue spilling blood upon the soil!?! Why can’t we just put an end to all of this!?”

  Skylar shouted, snapping at last.

  Midus stared forward before responding, “Because that is our nature. Humanity cannot live in peace if you take away our weapons. We’d strike with our fists. If you removed our arms, we’d kick you in the gut, remove our legs and we’d bite down on our opponent.” Midus then folded his arms, “Ever have the wise men been forgotten, their words echoed in history but the meanings behind them were lost. Not for lack of trying, but because… we simply do not care.”

  Skylar closed her eyes, taking in those words.

  Midus spoke further, “I would embrace that violence, snapping and howling for a master’s whims. I care not for this world or its inhabitants, so long as I remain by her side. It’s enough for me.”

  “Is that why you burnt it down?” Skylar asked, opening her eyes with a glare, “There was a village here once before, on these very lands. They said you were kind, that you were a good man. Is that why you killed them?! For Lust!?”

  Midus kept his gaze locked onto Skylar watching as the rain began to pour around the duo on this field of grass, “They were a means to an end.” he replied after a moment, “Willful puppets that outlived their usefulness, and once they had no more use.” He reached up pulling out his blade, “I put them to the sword.”

  Skylar’s eyes widened hearing those words and she grits her teeth reaching up for her blade but pausing just for a moment, “I hate this you know. I hate fighting people like you, I feel like every time I fight you, people… I lose myself more and more in the cycle of violence, it makes me sick. My stomach churns and I feel dizzy.” She then took in a shaky breath unsheathing her blade, “...I won’t see a world of peace in my lifetime. I know that. But still.” Skylar felt the rain pouring down on her hair soaking her in sin, “I find myself asking this question every day… A small question about humanity as a whole. I can’t find the damn answer, and even still your answer isn’t enough for me.”

  She took in a shaky breath, staring forward, “I can’t accept that we live in this world, only to die at the hands of another!”

  Midus said nothing to that at first watching the girl before him, before reaching up and grabbing the hilt of his blade, “And yet you stand before me. Blade drawn, your words betray your actions.” he unsheathed his own blade.

  Skylar looked down to her sword frowning, “...You can walk away.” Skylar responded simply, “We don’t have to do this. You can walk away and I’ll pretend I never saw you.”

  Midus paused at that, “You expect me to believe that? Your Skylar Shadewalker, you want me to think that you’d just let a monster like myself leave?”

  In response to that Skylar frowned, the wind blew her hair sending droplets of rain into the soil below, “The only monster here resides in the castle behind you.”

  Midus in response let out a bitter chuckle and raised his blade, “And I am the captain of that castle, for what little the title is worth. I will not allow you to pass me.”

  Once more the thunder boomed in the skies, and Skylar let out a breath taking up her blade and getting into her battle stance, “I don’t know what the answer is. And I don’t know what comes next, but whatever happens… I won’t ever forget what happened here.”

  Midus nodded in agreement, “...On this night, one of us shall leave with the memories of the other. Hold nothing back, and show it to me, some speak of you as a Fairy.”

  “And there are those who talk of you like you're a wolf. But you're a man like any other.” Skylar spat back, taking a step forward.

  The heavens quaked as the duo approached, “Aye that I am… and you shall fall like any woman would before my blade.” Midus declared.

  “Your blade’s dull and unfit for battle, much like you. It’s about time a hunter put down the wolf.” They shot forward, slashing forward, and at last the raindrops in the air broke and splattered around them.