Arc 4: What families entail
Through the last three days, the knights of Walgonia practiced their hearts out while awaiting the arrival of The Gravestone Pirates and the Spartans. Underneath the city of Cretan, through the abandoned mining tunnels, swinging their hearts out. To mask the painful weights they carried. Weights that only kept building.
Soku: "Don't blink yet!"
Julius: "You do know I rarely blink, correct?"
Soku: "It's just an expression!"
Soku leapt through the two story tunnel with wind flowing around her, tossing out a wind blade before slamming wind below her with her feet. Managing to force herself into their air, above Julius, and slam into a wooden post holding up the ceiling. Swinging off of it like nothing had happened, pivoted her feet against the earthy walls, and forced wind behind her once more. Flipping through the air while sending out wind blades. Creating three before charging her blade for the final slash to confront the pink haired prince.
Julius: "Do not blink yet!"
He lightly called out while taking in a sharp breath, cutting through her blades with his rapier before clashing with her. Stopping for a moment while the force shot out between them, before Soku was sent crashing into the wall. Continuing to smile brushing off his blade.
Soku: "Yeah whatever, just keep goin!"
And they would, all while the cheers from the crowd watching Rosemary and Edward duel for the upteenth time. Peter takes the chance to take a coin and hand out booze made by the Red Arrows.
Rosemary: "You ready? I think this'll be the last one so I'm gonna really push it."
Edward: "That's okay, but I can only sense a bit of malice from those words. Waiting until I am on my last legs to fight me?
Rosemary: "No no -
In the middle of her stuttering the crowd cheered even louder, sending Edward rushing forward with his blade ready. Rosemary would barely step back, holding her arms up before unleashing a wave of power. Four clicks powerful flaming golden mana, and slightly blowing air, entering the fourth stage. Smiling before bursting forward, clashing against his blade before shifting on the ground. Jumping to kick against his blade, another hefty kick right after. Spinning and throwing all of her might into her fist, building enough pressure to launch him back. As he went back she flicked her fingers, following him and continuing the best down.
Edward: "If you're going all out so will I!"
The crowd backed up as Edward roared with vigor, letting the building anger take him for a moment to empower his strength. Breaking the wooden floor to clash with Rosemary. Pulling his blade back to clash again and again, kicked across the face, his foot stomped, his side flicked, but his sword flung on. Against her shoulder, her side, her forearm, and her chest. Both bouncing back to take a few breaths, clashing again and again right after. The ground shaking, rubble falling upon them, bands playing and booze swaying all around. Rosemary continued in, allowing the fourth stage to warp and break away at her.
Trying to refine and control the flow as she fought. Edward instead tried to fight with the Warriors Spirit empowering him. Lunging forward with a roar before knocking her back, breaking the floor to rush forward with another slam, again and again, breaking through her golden stages and her power to send her crashing into the crowd. Her stages dissipated while she stood in a daze. Looking up to Edwards extended hand.
Edward: "Again later?"
Rosemary: "Again later."
While she took his hand and moved toward the others, more Red Arrows fell into the pit to fight on. Finding Peter by Soku and Julius, getting bandaged up alongside them.
Peter: "I'm glad you're free now. I wanted to tell you all that the pirates are inbound tonight!"
Edward: "What!? That's in a few hours! Why didn't you say anything!?"
Edward would shake the boy as he unraveled, sweating in fear of the Gravestone Pirates. Their captain Moro looked in the back of his mind like a burning iron. A forever fuel for the endless fire within. However Soku wouldn't think about it for a second, pulling him away from Peter while Rosemary stepped up to help. Leaning a hand on his trembling, armored shoulder with care.
Peter: "Sorry! It's just that Leo didn't tell me until a few minutes ago! I mean you guys know how he is."
With a look between them they nodded in agreement, leaving Edward to sit on a barrel beside the group. Staring at a bottle of liquor.
Peter: "Are the rumors true!? That Helsing can't get drunk?"
Edward: "Yeah, but I don't know about non awakened Helsings."
Filled with sorrow, the burning memories of his lost home continue to resurface. Even more so since the constant passing of so many close to them. Al, Kioshi, Musashi are all ghosts, all torn from the world because of his inability. His mother, his step father. Even his own father couldn't bother to live on and see the failure that was Edward Van Helsing. Repeating to himself again and again, through his cells and soul, just as his rage did. Peter on the other hand took out his thick bag of tools and miscellaneous parts. Taking out a thick silver vambrace, flipping it over to take half of it off and begin tinkering on the inside.
Julius: "Are all of these your creations?"
Peter: "Uhhh yeah, kinda, sorta. Bunch a junk from Red Arrows and the town, things I could buy with cheap copper or a few silver. Most of my stuff is at our main base. It's not a lot, just the rest of it. And all of the schematics I forgot to bring!"
While he panicked, trying to brush off Julius' words or any peering eyes while continuing on. However Edward, Rosemary, and Soku would all be looking over him to see what he was doing. Leaving him shaking with more and more of that same panic. Turning a bright red when Soku reached past him to take out a green bat-like wing.
Soku: "What's this for?"
Peter: "Uhh nothin! Um, kinda. Well actually it's a part of a glider."
Soku: "Why are you making a glider? For you, or some Red Arrows?"
Rosemary's head went off like a lightbulb as she watched Peter struggle and stutter along. Remembering herself acts the same exact way, and remembering Gray does the same. Even Edward had done it with Erin, so it pushed her to pull Edward and Julius away to distract them with something. Letting Soku and Peter sit alone for a moment, causing Peter to fall deeper into despair.
Peter: "...It was supposed to be for you."
Soku: "Really? Why?"
Peter: "Cause you said you didn't know much about Elves and stuff. I don't really know either but I've done research, and Elves in Oni-mas used gliders to train and fly. I've been trying my best to make something like that, but I don't even have sketches to go off of."
Peter couldn't help but hate what she was holding, like it was a worthless piece of junk. However, Soku's eyes lit up, smiling and looking through the rest of his bag. Surprising him and confusing him, trying to stop her from making a mess right after.
Soku: "Thanks, that's nice, you got anything else cool in here?"
Peter: "Uhh not really. Most of it doesn't work, if it does it breaks right after. The only thing I have that really works is these."
In the pouches on his belt were a handful of small brown paper balls rolled over something. Each the size of a bottle cap.
Soku: "Balls of paper?"
Peter: "They're my Poppers! A little explosive powder mixed with bits of flame crystals. When they take in mana they burst, not that powerful but better than anything I got."
Soku: "Mmm."
As they continued talking through the hours Edward sat alone with himself in a set of barracks. Everyone sleeping within is too drunk or too bruised to care to eavesdrop. Although he wasn't speaking, just sitting, staring, thinking, falling. Unable to even lift his sword, unable to train, unable to eat or sleep. Staring and staring into the wooden bunk atop him. Tracing the cracking rotten grooves, listening to the constant shaking and chatter, seeing the falling dust and rubble; he looked toward everything else to insure he didn't have to look at himself.
Edward {I have hardly grown since that night. I don't have my white hair. Hell Soku even managed to awaken Mark dormant to trauma, completely unheard of, and yet here I am. Gray's off training, getting stronger and stronger. He might be more useful than me now. Soku's growing skill and power, Rosemary's resilience with the stages, all of these knights and powerful figures we keep running into, I'll never be able to keep up and prove myself. I won't be able to kill Moro and take my vengeance.}
His eyes, his heart bled with the Warriors Spirit. But it wasn't because of that, the Warriors Spirit wasn't making him vicious toward Moro and himself. The Warriors Spirit wasn't driving him to run off alone to fight fight fight. It was himself, his own desire, his own need. The Warriors Spirit only served to make it burn brighter. Replacing his sorrow with fury. A perfect defense when it came to battle, and a crippling curse when he came to bettering one's self. The years and years he sat with it only serving to make it more ferocious. Trying to keep it down for so long making it explode all the more now that he was finally relying on it.
Rosemary {Maybe if Gray were here he would be able to help.}
She sat in the female barracks, thinking of Edwards' pain and the coming meeting. Overcome with unworthyness, of fear. Lost and stuck within a battle that wasn't her own, forced to fear whenever they might be attacked next, forced to fear just what might be on the opposing side next. A type of fear she had thought she left behind the day she ran from the Goldenknights. Ravaged and raved by herself, clawing at the sides of her arms while drunken snoots lit the room. Never flinching, never crying, never wavering. Always ready for what was next, no matter how much strain she felt. No matter how many bandages she had on her broken bones, the fate of the world was on the line. She had to fight, she had to be a warrior she was always forced to be. To be a Hero, a person who fights for what they want to save everyone, and be the Rosemary she needed to be. Like all the others were trying too hard to do. Meeting the Self so far away from themselves.
Julius: "Alright then."
Under the night's salty sky they stood within the city. In their gear, tired and shaking. Looking past the docks and sands to the sea, large figures come through the foggy ocean. First came two smaller ships filled with roaring drunken Demi-humans covered in scars. A large ship coming right behind them, a massive blowing black sail with three red claws marks down it imposing over them all. The Mark of the enslaved used in Saga over twenty years ago. The many Red Arrows and guards watched on from the streets and roofs, all barren aside from them. Quiet, shaking, and eerie. Edward however stood as stern as ever, his eyes and face never wavering while his heart beat got faster. Rosemary was shaking, Soku was trying her best to save face, and Peter was running and panicked for Leo.
Rosemary: "So are they all on the way?"
Julius: "Peter said the Spartans were already in the city, so they are all here . He also wanted to say hi to Soku."
Soku momentarily blushed, confused at even herself, hiding her face in her coat.
Rosemary: "Ooooh Sokuuuu."
Soku blasts wind in Rosemary's face, messing her hair up and making her feel the wrath she used against Gray time and time again.
Rosemary: "HEY!"
Edward: "FOCUS!"
Rosemary and Soku freeze up, scared by Edward's stern voice raining over them. Becoming almost frozen at the sight of the ships, his Warriors Spirit scratching at the back of his psyche to claw away at the despair.
Edward: "Sorry sorry but this is serious. The Gravestone Pirates are an offshoot of the BlackBeard Pirates for the Demi-human war, but near the end of the war they merged with the Demi-human army. After the battle of Petal Forest, where Musashi and my father fought the Apex Generals, and where my father died supposedly ended the Gravestone pirates for good."
Edward began stepping closer as the Red Arrows did as well, moving with the rushing carriages to meet the inbound pirates. A mix of cheers, boos, fear and hope in the air. Edward's rage over taking it as he stormed forward. The others try their best to keep up and continue listening to his words. His utter devotion to learning about them, destroying them, understanding and over taking them is a bit scary. Julius didn't care though.
Edward: "Until they attacked GreenVale Isle, an island off the coast of Walgonia filled with retired knights, soldiers, Leviathan members, anything. Eight Years ago the GraveStone Pirates returned, a smaller, weaker force under the command of Zone Gravestone's son. Moro Gravestone. He killed my mother, my step father, and everyone else in that town but the children. He has a bad relationship with Blackbeard, and supposedly all of his ranks are rogues and thrown away pirates. Mostly weak, unable to use the techniques of the Southern Islands, without the technology or resources either."
Landing at the docks packed with Red Arrows, they stared on as the ships reached them. A large Siren on the front of the massive ship passing beside them. Staring up at the many pirates roaring and cheering atop. Edward could hardly keep his rage down, the others looking back to see a handful of covered wagons in bound.
Peter: "It's the Spartans!"
Soku: "Guess we're all here."
They backed off as the other ships docked, letting out a handful of the pirates. Stepping forth was many Demi-humans, but also three large figures from each ship. One, a middle-aged large Demi-human with white and blue scaled skin, a large jaw, and tattoos all over his body. A Bull Shark Shark Demi-human, smiling at Soku while taking a swing of his massive bottle of booze. Dawned in torn tan pants and a black tank top. From the other small ship came a larger, fatter woman in a thick old purple coat. A Seal Demi-human with a large chunk of fish in her palms eating away.
Edward{ No no no I'm not ready I'm not ready not yet he'll kill me he'll see I want to kill him it'll ruin it I'll ruin it we're all gonna die we're all gonna die we're all -
Slamming onto his shoulder and looking past those two Demi-human toward the one loudly dropping from his massive ship was a friend. Smirking up at the eight feet tall man, wearing simple old boots and black pants, a torn dirty white tank top, and a large thick black coat. A puffy tan fur collar around his large head, his long ears, and his long dirty blue hair. Showing off his sharp teeth with a smile, a cigar in his mouth.
Moro: "Sup, Captain Moro Gravestone. And who're you squirt?"
Leo: "Leo Valantine, Leader of the Red Arrows."
While Leo couldn't help but feel a bit of pain from doing so, he extended his hand. Reaching out to the blue furred Bore, looking at his reflection in his golden nose ring, and smiled once he realized they shared the same substance. However Moro's was far longer.
Moro: "Eh."
Smacking his hand away he stepped forward with his crowd, right past Edward and the knights like they were nothing. Leaving Edward staring off in a daze, collapsing to his knees from the weight smashing against him.
Rosemary: "Are you alright?"
Soku and Rosemary both got down to help, but Julius stayed standing. Staring down at the shivering Edward, listening to the laughs from the pirates before looking back toward Moro and Leo. Listening in on their conversation.
Moro: "So where's this Immortal guy?"
Leo: "Right there."
Sitting atop the many carriages pulling forward was a young man, his hair black and dirt, his skin tan, and his face covered in self given scars. Crosses over his eyes, three slits down his mouth. Put away by his bright eyes and wide smile, filled with yellow rotten teeth. Jumping down to greet the two men, sending out a smell putrid enough to make even the sweaty Warrior and Drunken Pirate waver.
Moro: "You're the leader of the Spartans? You're like a pigsty with legs!"
Smiling and looking toward his fellow pirates they all laughed, slamming his large palm against the man's long torn blue coat. The sleeves torn, an L brand over the chest, and the color faded to a sky blue.
Moro: "What the hell are you? And not some corrupted puppet, cause I can smell the devil in yah."
Caesar: "Caesar the Immortal, and yeah I do have a corrupted OD. What of it? Are you not a Demi-human?"
Moro: "AND WHAT DOES BEING A DEMI-HUMAN HAVE TO BE WITH IT!?"
Leo: "CALM DOWN DAMMIT! DON'T YOU WANT YOUR DRAGON STONE!?"
His words snapped Moro and the pirates back into the fold while the Red Arrows around widened their eyes in realization. The famed Dragon Stone, one of the rarest spirit materials in the world. Light weight, dense, magically resistant, sharp, everything. The Large Spirit Volcano that took up a third of Athens most likely responsible for such things, that being where a majority of the Dragon stone mines were. Holding more Dragon stone than multiple countries put together.
Moro: "I apologize for my outburst."
Moro extended his hand, getting a duel shake from the two men due to his massive hands. However, surprising the three, was the pink haired prince stepping forward. Bowing with grace.
Julius: "I am a Knight Of Valatroctius, the Prince of Valatroctius, and we would all like to discuss our wants. But we should do it more secretly, no?"
Moro smirked, continuing to puff his cigar while calling the Bull Shark Demi-human forward. Who blew raspberries at the Seal Demi-human, brushing past an Edward desperately trying to step forward with the others and knocking to the ground. Crossing the street with others before stepping into a bar, slamming the door shut. Leaving Edward to continue staring off in a hateful, sorrow driven daze. Getting the constant comfort of Soku and Rosemary, while Peter continued to flounder around in panic of what to do. Leaving the four to speak within the tight bar, forcing Moro to sit on the floor and drink the owner's booze.
Julius: "Bearguard, the Warriors of Athens, they are our foe. With the added might of your two factions, the Red Arrows would likely soar to victory."
Leo: "Yeah what he said! But you have the fire power, the extra man power, the strength of the Demi-human! Something my brother threw away."
Moro: "And what if I just go help Beauregard, he's got a whole army on his side. Hell of a lot more Dragon stone. You guys just got a bunch of weak humans. Rats."
Leo: "I have a few thousand soldiers under my command!"
Caesar: "Wait really! That's way more than what I got."
They would all look toward Caesar with a bit of confusion, carrying on through the tension right after. With only Leo wavering.
Moro: "You're one to talk. I ain't ever heard of yah till a week ago. And you don't even get a member of your crew with yah. No body of worth."
Caesar: "They just help me out, I do all the important work."
Moro stared backward at his own right hand man, calling him forth while tossing him a bottle of whiskey.
Ju'stone: "Names Ju'stone, and I do most of the important work."
Moro: "Really now!? Basically whatever. But look, all I want is the resources this island has.. And that shit goes for hundreds of gold coins on the market. Even just a pound of it! As long as you can prove to me that working with you is worth the coin then I'll do it."
Caesar: "I thought you hated humans! Why do you want to work with the guy who threw your people away!?"
Moro: "Isn't it obvious!? Money!"
As they continued he tore down cigar after cigar, sitting with three in his mouth while puffing out enough smoke to fill up the room.
Caesar: "Could ya stop smoking?"
Moro: "Could you brush your teeth?"
Caesar: "I do brush my teeth asshole! They're just stained!'
Moro: "I don't give a damn you gross fuck!"
Tension quickly rises in the room with Moro's guard cracking his thick knuckles, Moros' anger rising, and Leo's lighting beginning to spark. However he loudly snapped his fingers, calling forth his spear to slam it to the ground. Commanding presence.
Leo: "LOOK! I am the son of the world's strongest man! I have a weapon of Alfheilm, A Mark of Providence, and can use the Dragons fist! Just because I need your help does not mean you are stronger than me! I don't mean your entire faction is stronger than me! Do you understand!?"
This shocks the room, causing them to pull their hands down. Leaving Moro impressed, but a little worried.
Moro: "Alright then. Look I'll work with yah. Come see me at the end of the week and I'll have the base for a battle plan."
Leo: "Where?"
Moro: "You pick. Don't wanna make it look suspicious, no?"
Leo: "Fine. Solon Bay, outside of the city. Around nightfall."
With that Leo walked out, calling Julius to follow. Stepping forward to see Peter, Rosemary, and Soku rushing toward him with worry. All while Edward looked on in a daze. His heart sank even deeper when Moro stepped out of the bar, looking down upon him.
Moro: "Who's the baby?"
Before any of them could call out, Edward stood, about to dash forward, about to break the stone beneath him and slam his sword against him with all of his might. To end the years of suffering. But he didn't, walking off back to the base.
Edward: "Nobody."
Passing through the thick crowd of Red Arrows, Pirates, Spartans, and guards while the others attempted to reach him.
Leo: "And I don't wanna use it. Caesar, I don't know what you bring to the table, or if you would be any help to any of us. Is there even a point to you being here?"
Caesar: "Look I know I look shabby, my pants are ripped and my coat is all messed up but I'm telling you I'm worth it! I got hella resilience! Beauregard is smart, isn't he? He already knows you guys are here and he has backup plans upon backup plans. But he doesn't know me! So he's got nothing."
Julius: "I apologize if I offended any of you. I just wanted to ease the process."
Leo: "Don't worry it's all good."
Caesar would wave goodbye, stepping back to his Spartans. All wearing black robes, a mix of humans and Demi-humans. Their heads shaved bald, showing off their scars and imperfections.
Caesar: "Welp, SEE YA!"
They left, leaving the group alone. Sighing before stepping back to the base, feeling like they had lost immensely. Even if things had seemingly gone in their favor. Lost and lost. Athens was a place of strength, resilience, vigor and conviction. The people remaining all sworn to Athens no matter what, no matter how bad the king got, or how many of their friends and family he threw away. His own soldiers and power. But things were coming through and threw it all off. The Spartans, the Gravestone Pirates, and even the Knights of Walgonia themselves. Leaving Athens in the hands of fate.