Arc 4: What families entail
Within the warring country of Athens, outside of the town of Pericles and moving across the small snow covered fields. The town itself was thrown into a bit of disarray, the guards on high alert and Athens Warriors in coming, so the group used their wagon to "get the hell outta here!". Within their carriage was a group of men, women. Humans and Demi-humans alike, within patchy dark leather armor. Their leader within one of the only fully crafted sets, his golden spear across his legs, and a wide smile on his face getting larger and larger with every swig of booze he took.
Leo: "Not to be mean but what, four five guys? I know you're a Helsing and all but you're not awakened, and you don't gotta Mark! That girl's an Elf but she's just a kid! What else yah got?"
Edwards' face couldn't help but sink down, staring at his torn black pants. Listening to the constant chatter behind him, where Soku sat asleep and resting from battle, and sighed. Only getting a few hefty pats on the back from the yellow haired son of the strongest man in the world.
Leo: "Don't take that to heart! I'm just trying to be realistic, sorry! I don't want my people to die, I won't let Athens suffer either."
Edward: "No I'm sorry, but you're right. We're not weak but all powerful, and I wish we were. But we can help, and we can definitely fight."
Leo: "Well I'm glad about that! And we'll use your help. Technically you're a family friend and I'll always help the family! That's the whole point!"
Edward still couldn't smile, thinking of his own family. The deep blood and hot flames that came with it. A sinking heart and a mouth full of disgust, but he forced out a small smile anyway. Causing Leo's smile to get even brighter, trying to offer Edward a drink for the thousandth time. Getting a nod every time and taking the sip himself.
Edward: "If you give us a location I can meet with you and your people if you want."
Leo: "Nah I thought we were just goin you where you guys are right? I can spend the night! And pretty early I'll take yah by the base."
Edward: "Really!? That's great!"
Leo: "I know right!"
They continued forward, the horses pulling them further away from the town as more guards began to pull in. Attempting to dodge any stops on their way back up the hill toward their Inn. Passing under the salty freezing January sky. Things were all starting to get a bit too real for the Last Helsing; the leader of the Red Arrows was beside him, they were going to the base tomorrow, and all they had were themselves. No Musashi, Kioshi, Gordon, or Al to help him. He couldn't even wear his armor or blade to keep appearances, his Helsing name was against him once again, and while they kept making it forward he knew it was only barley. Without Sugar they may have not been able to enter Athens, without Erin's help they may have not been able to get away from the guards, without Julius relationships or Erin's communications with Leo, even without Leo helping them leave the town, they would have failed at every single obstacle. Like making it to a high level area as a low level player because someone helped you through it. Leaving them possibly dead in the water and definitely in the hands of Athens, of fate.
Edward: "So that's a weapon of Alfheilm right? I can kinda feel how perfect it is."
Even still Edward tried to keep a clear head, breathe, and distract himself. Taking the teachings of his mother, Bjorn, and Al to heart. Leo, filled with glee, quickly stood and forced Edward to panic and take the reins. Holding his golden spear into the air with pride.
Leo: "Sure is! I call her Sparrow! My father gave her to me when I became an official Warrior, takes in my Mark better than any enchantment, and with the snap of my finger she flies right back! It's awesome right!?"
Edward: "It's pretty cool."
Looking toward the incoming large in, passing through the thin forest, and feeling a hand on his shoulder. Turning back to see a hazy Soku behind him.
Edward: "You didn't get hurt did you?"
Soku: "Nah, I'm good. Just tired, didn't expect to do all of this in one day. Especially after how much we've been training. But I say we don't talk about the bar trouble."
Edward: "Yeah, I'm pretty sure Rosemary would freak out. And I don't want her mad at me."
Their wagon pulled forward, watching as Erin, Julius and Rosemary stepped forward. Leo jumped forward to introduce himself, offering each of them drinks while they rejected the offer. The other Red Arrows took time to stand guard, giving Edward the chance to move forward. But before he could, Soku stopped him again, giving him an immensely tired stare.
Soku: "Do you think we'll be able to help them? Like, help them win, not just assist them."
Edward: "To be honest, it's a gamble. But the King sent away all of the Demi-human warriors within their ranks, and a lot of human warriors left with them since they were all friends. Athens is hurt, weakened, hell their strongest fighter has been missing since this war started. So we have a chance."
Soku: "Alright then, if you feel confident then I think we all can."
Leo continued his boastful demonstration as they spoke, tossing out his spear and calling it back, illuminating the dark with a small crackling aura of bright yellow lighting, and drinking even more. Even attempting to place his arm around Rosemary, to her dismay, stepping inside with the others along with him. Leaving Edward and Soku to stand and move closer, taking a last few breaths.
Edward: "Just stay optimistic but realistic. That's all we can do."
Soku: "Will do Helsing."
However as they entered they found Leo dead asleep on the ground, face first on the wooden floor in a pile of drool. Snoring and snoring. Leaving Rosemary, Julius, Erin, Edward, and Soku all immensely worried.
Soku: "You sure we can't win this thing ourselves? Bearguards have been fighting this guy for four years?"
Julius: "Well his father was a quite famous drunkard, he even opened the largest bar in the world. Within the Capital of Athens."
Edward: "Yeah but I heard that got destroyed when Bearguard became king. Just like a lotta other things."
As they sighed the other Red Arrows came in to move him onto another room, all doing the same. Stepping up the stairs and toward their doors, standing with each other for one last moment. And just sitting there. Edward, Rosemary, Soku, and Julius. Slouching down against the walls in exhaustion, aside from Julius.
Rosemary: "I'm not really used to staying up this late."
Edward: "And we have to leave in a few hours."
Julius: "Would it be better to stay awake then? That is what I am going to do."
Edward: "I don't think I'm up for that."
Before they split, Rosemary went to speak with Soku, stepping into her room while the others went into theirs. Leaving Soku confused and annoyed, letting out a loud sigh while falling face first on her bed.
Soku: "What?"
Rosemary: "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And that you got some good sleep."
Sitting up even more annoyed, she angrily sat at the end of her bed. Playing with her short hair while staring at Rosemary's own shorter hair. With quite the pouty and tired face. Although Rosemary just sat on the ground, letting out a loud exhaling while her body was riddled with pain. The constant strain of her vigorous training weighing her down to the floor, the fourth stage affects shifting and changing her as she trained with it. Trying to think of how to help the suffering girl in front of her. Without true family, the last of her true family burned away, and with such heavy burdens so obviously holding her down, Rosemary couldn't help but eat away at herself.
Rosemary: "Do you have nightmares? Is that why it's so hard for you to sleep?"
While Soku instantly wanted to pull away, feeling so exhausted, and seeing Rosemary trying so hard, she finally gave in and answered. Staring up at the wooden ceiling to distract herself.
Soku: "Yes. Not all the time, but if I don't have them it just feels like I wake up and start it all again. Like there's no down time ever, always training, always fighting, and I can't rest."
Rosemary: "You could always go back! We would never have made you come if you weren't -
Soku: "DON'T SAY I'M NOT READY! BECAUSE I AM! I HAVE TO BE!"
Screaming out and leaving Rosemary shaken, to stare and stare. Soku lost to a burning hatred within, a pain she could do nothing with but throw it away with everything she had. Memories she couldn't remove, feelings and thoughts she couldn't stop, a world she couldn't control. Even if she was born an Elf and had a Mark and had friends and training and a family and everything else, it would never be enough to escape herself. Shaking and shaking, only wishing Ophelia could be there to help her. To talk to her, to tell her it was gonna be okay, so she could tell her how much stronger she had gotten. How if she was here today she would be powerful enough to protect her, to protect everybody. And if she didn't she would get it. It didn't seem to matter how old they were, what had happened or how much they grew. Gray, Edward, Rosemary, Musashi, Leo, Gordon, Ryo and on and on. Years of growth and trials, of setbacks and massive steps forward, entire lifetimes and godly strength, and they were never able to run from themselves no matter how much they tried. No matter how large the canyon between their failure and their strength was.
Soku: "I WILL BE! AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT! You break your body again and again, Gray does, Edward does! Everybody does! To kill yourself to get what you want. That's life right!?"
Before Rosemary could answer Soku stormed out of the room, using wind to slam the door behind her while she walked off. Leaving Rosemary to sit with herself in shame and failure, only wishing Gray could have been there to help. To ease the burden she was trying too hard to carry. But she knew that she would never shift it, she couldn't, as that would make her a truly awful person. That's what she said over and over and over again. Edward on the other hand listened from across the hall within his room, feeling unworthy to do or say anything.
Edward {To go through so much at such a young age, she's strong. Stronger than me. We all have to be that strong if we wanna survive here.}
Snapping him out of his trance was a knock on his door, slowly opening to reveal Erin. Surprising Edward and leaving his face red while he stood straight up.
Edward: "Hello! Did you need something?"
Erin: "Just wanted to say goodnight. But I can talk if you'd like."
Edward: "I uh, I'm fine with that."
Erin: "Cool!"
She began moving around his room, staring toward his set of silver knight armor and massive rectangular blade. Surprised just to see it, pulling her finger across the blunt sword.
Erin: "So are you a leader?"
Edward: "Um! No, maybe, kinda? I think the others would say yes but I'm more of the sword, and a Helsing."
Erin: "I get that, or understand it does not relate, I'm not related to any great family let alone a Helsing."
Edward: "You know Julius though, how did you meet?"
That sentence made Erin's heart shutter ever so slightly, turning without her smile wavering for a second. Sitting down in the small wooden chair in the corner of the room, rocking back and forth as she answered.
Erin: "I met him when I was younger, he helped me out and I've been trying to pay him back ever since."
Outside of their window, walking over the snowy grass below was Julius himself. Feeling the wind in the air as his rapier passed around it, stopping his blade right at Sokus face.
Julius: "What are you doing up so late?"
Soku: "I wanted to ask you something."
Pushing his blade away she sighed, trying to push down her pride and anxiousness while taking out her own cleaver like blade.
Julius: "I agree that you are mentally sound, but I don't think the others would agree."
Soku: "Where'd that come from!? But I guess Rosemary has been up my ass about it."
Julius: "You went through something horrible and didn't want to talk about it. It's not an uncommon thing to do."
As they spoke she stretched, leaning half way over to give a small smile.
Soku: "See, at least somebody understands it."
Julius: "I don't understand why you will talk to your friends about it. If it interferes with the mission it is a problem. You being tired and quick to anger will be a complication."
Her smile quickly fell, replaced with one of annoyance. Splashing a wave of wind toward Julius, who gently moved his head out of the way to dodge it. Walking around her in the snow.
Soku: "Look dude I'm not gonna pull a Gray and shout all my problems at the top of my lungs. I'm just gonna deal with it until it all blows over."
Julius: "If that is what you wish to do. Now, what did you want to ask me?"
Soku: "Out of all of us Gray is the best at last second bullshit, Rosemary has the most outlandish strength, Edward's got crazy resilience, but you. You're the most skilled out of all of us by a long shot. So I'd like your help."
Julius: "Your wind magic is a strong asset to our team. While you have been increasing your control, your overall stamina and moment to moment actions need work. Honestly it is your lack of overall experience. So I would suggest something simple."
While it hurt her pride she knew Julius wouldn't hold back, telling her exactly what she needed to hear whether she wanted to listen or not. Standing forward and taking a proper stance against Julius.
Julius: "You are lazy, that is obvious, and if you are the main support in our team dynamic you must put a stop to your laziness. We can not win if you don't fit the mold I need. So come at me with everything you have. Try to impress me. And do not stop, do not expect me to wait."
Soku {Who the hell does this guy think he is? He talks like he's so powerful but at the same time he doesn't, and I can't read him at all!}
In that instant Julius bolted forward, forcing Soku to dash toward the side and exhale her breath. Exuding a lair of wind to slide across the ground and dash around him. However Julius quickly intercepted her, leaning his leg out for her to slam into it. Smashing her gut in and sending her flipping onto her face.
Soku: "No fair you can see the future or whatever with that monocle!"
Julius: "That tool can only be used if I wish it to. And right now I am not not using it."
Soku: "Then what should I do?!"
Julius: "Use your small stature to your advantage. Make your opponent go to you because you have range and area of effect attacks. Your wind gives you absolute control of the battlefield. Large scale attacks, small quick attacks, large quick attacks, small powerful attacks, anything. All that matters is your control, your focus, and your mana control. Control the battlefield instead of letting your opponent control it."
Again he instantly burst forward, causing Soku to leap up over him with wind. Spinning and throwing out a quick slash to force him to dodge, landing to pull her sword back and focus. Erupting with wind and layering it over her cleaver, shaking and almost cracking it, but threw it forward as fast as she could. Julius ran forward, slashed through it, spun, and kicked Soku across her face. Swooping her legs, grabbed her coat, and tossed her into the woods. Slamming into the trunk of a tree and groaning in pain.
Julius: "Good job, you kept the pressure. But you did not expect me to defeat your attack. Do not fight with pride, fight for survival, fight like you could die at any second and you have to end the battle instantly!"
Soku: "Can't tell if that was a compliment, but I think I'm too sore to care."
Julius: "To put it bluntly you lost to Gray in the tournament due to overconfidence, low creativity, and overall lack of skill. I would like to spend our free time making sure you overcome those faults. And if you come to a better understanding with your Mark of Providence that will be greatly appreciated."
Soku: "Okay whatever. And my Mark, I can turn it on and off but that's about it. It takes way too much mana to be useful. It's like an all or nothing."
Julius: "Most magic is not what it seems. Control, knowledge, experience, everything will allow you to push forward. What might seem black and white now could become a rainbow of possibility. You will spend your time in Athens with me or not getting better, do you understand? Because if you are not, you will not be able to save Walgonia. You will not be able to avenge Ophelia. Do you understand."
Feeling another burst of rage, she nodded, standing to fight again and again.
Soku: "Yeah I do. Now let us get back to you beating me up."
Julius: "That was a very Gray of putting it."
Soku: "Don't ever say that to me again please."
Julius: "I will remember not to."