DISCLAIMER: Granger has been mentioned to be tone-deaf, which I just found out now.
(・_・;) God I should've deepened my research...
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His tame red eyes studied the monastery's facade. Guinevere should be inside, giving him another monthly visit. But he doesn't know what reaction was when she sees his room empty, and how he's now recovered from his coma.
During his unconscious absence, his demons were merciless. They have given him seemingly never-ending nightmares throughout his sleep. From his nostalgic childhood memories to horrifying hallucinations, he felt never before more vulnerable.
But it was over now. Just like what his mother would always say.
"Everything ends. Nothing and no one is bound to stay here forever."
Granger went inside the Monastery. He's immediately approached by the frontal guards and he wondered what he did wrong.
"We've been attacked." One of them explained. "And Alucard is gravely injured."
"Who do you think the attacker is?"
"A young lady came from the Southern Seas. She said she beared gifts for you from Kadita. Eventually, we found out she was Guinevere Baroque in disguise. Since then, the Priests have established to be on high alert until she's found."
Granger nodded curtly and made his leave, heading to the hospital wing. He figured Alucard would be awake by now since that flirt could chug up a whole barrel of ale and it wouldn't be enough to knock him dead.
As Granger walked down the corridors, violins could be heard from his favorite room of all in the Monastery. It was the music room where young orphans were taking their music class. Music appealed Granger, so much as that he chose both guns and violins.
The room was quiet, emitting only beautiful rhythms of mellow. Granger wasn't able to tell the differences of notes despite having amusia. Though he could feel the emotions jumping from note to note, creating a masterpiece.
Guinevere had slipped in his mind. How was she? He hoped she wasn't in the Monastery anymore or he'll be forced to wreak havoc among them all had they arrested her.
Arriving at Alucard's hospital quarters at last, Granger softly closed the door behind him, seeing the man was fast asleep in the bed. There was no one in the room but the two of them.
Alucard wore hospital robes. He was lied down on his stomach in order for the bullet wound on his back to worsen. It had been cleaned and dressed, but they had to be careful not to kill off a hero.
Granger realized how the tables have turned for him and Alucard. He recently has scooted off his death bed and now Alucard had been the one to replace him. Granger looked closely to see Alucard was only fake-sleeping.
"For God's sake." the Death Chanter groaned.
The man slowly sat up. His lightning blue eyes opened and he flashed a goofy smile. Lucky for Granger he wasn't a girl, and he sure as hell was not gay.
Alucard laughed, but it soon turned into a confused wince. "What happened at Eruditio?"
"Surprise, surprise. I didn't become a cyborg." Granger deadpanned. "Instead, they managed to find another way to wake me up. My immune system is still weak though so I won't be taking missions for a while."
"What about Guinevere?"
"What about her?" Granger leaned closer.
Alucard smirked, acknowledging his sudden change of mood upon changing the subject.
"She's now accused of assassinating me. But don't worry, I'll try to convince the Priests and the Grandmaster that she wasn't. It was somebody else and this is the only evidence we have." Alucard said, handing Granger a container containing the bullet removed from his back. "It'll be taken for further investigation later on to make sure there won't be another attack in the near future."
"How'd you get shot?" Granger questioned.
"We were outside your room. She began to cry and don't try to kill me but I hugged her out of sympathy. After that, I felt something pierced through my back and everything just blacked out."
Granger nodded, making a scenario. Truth be told, he's more concerned as to how approximately close Alucard was to her during the hug than who the assassin was.
The creases on Alucard's eyebrows deepened. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking about being the one to end you."
"I'll... take that as a joke." Alucard said nervously as he winked at him. Granger scoffed behind his mask, secretly smiling. "My assumption is that the assassin took Guinevere after I was knocked out."
"Could it be Gusion Paxley?"
"More likely, but I think the guy has moved on in no time since I read at the newspaper his parents are arranging another marriage with someone else this time."
Granger thought about going to the Baroque Palace. Maybe the assassin, or perhaps mercenary, did kidnapped her for possible ransom and planned to take her back there.
"You're going to get her back, aren't you?"
Granger replied bluntly, "Duh?" before taking off without requesting for his permission to leave.
"God, is that boy the human definition of disrespect." The blonde whispered under his breath after the door was slammed shut.
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Guinevere ran for her life and pushed herself against a wall after turning to a corner. She was completely on edge. Lesley had disappeared and she had only herself now, which was good, but not when the demon was still hunting for her. The town was beginning to be fogged with black smoke which was making it hard to see.
The smoke seemed to be mixed with something bad since she's been having trouble breathing despite she never even consumed little of her stamina.
Hearing a soft growl approaching, Guinevere bit her lip shut. The Shadowbringer wandered around the clearing with white sharp fangs of teeth grinning horribly in excitement.
Helcurt has never eaten for centuries. And now that two young and delicious female travellers had walked into his lair, he wouldn't let this opportunity go.
Helcurt sniffed, smelling strong Light magic being emitted from Guinevere's hands. She readied for him to attack, enabling radioactive balls in her hands with a tightening scowl.
She shouldn't be afraid. She has defeated Martis, although Granger fought him first. Granger wasn't here, though, and a little it makes her anxious.
Helcurt had caught her at last. He lunged at her hiding spot, only to attack at nothing.
Guinevere managed to move to another spot, knowing the demon was a lot clever than he looks. He was weak and hungry, but she had to be careful since his need of satisfaction for hunger was worsening.
Guinevere throws a rock to the other side of the clearing, giving herself enough time to move. The fog was darkening but Guinevere ran straight, hoping she would still be alive after the fog clears up.
Then evil laughter booms out of nowhere. "Hahahahaha! Tremble!"
Right before the demon could slash her into bits, she thumped and burst her ultimate, Violet Requiem.
Helcurt dashed for his escape. "Hmph! You're a scaredy cat, after all." Guinevere sneered.
Helcurt returned with full energy and Guinevere charged, firing massive violet balls. "Come at me, I dare you!" She challenged, enraging him more.
Unexpectedly, she's stunned by five poisonous blades Helcurt had fired back.
"Hehehe!" The demon chuckled in success as he loomed over her. "Your powers are mine now!"
Granger comes out of hiding and suppressed fire. "Not so fast, Helcurt."
"Death Chanter!" Helcurt gasped and disappeared in a blink.
Unable to see, Guinevere assumed the person who arrived was Lesley coming to take and put her on a tight leash again. She shuffled on the ground for her escape, panting heavily as her body weakens.
"Gwen." Granger said.
"G-Get away from me!"
"Relax. It's me." He kneels down in front of her, and when she sees his face, she freezes.
She crawls over, wrapping her arms around him for a desperate hug. Guinevere could burst into tears had she wasn't too weak to even keep her eyes open.
Granger felt her body leaning against his heavily. "Oh, God. Don't make me carry you again." He groaned, noticing she was heavier than before. Had she gained weight or he was only weak being not fully recovered.
"I can't seem to... resist it... any longer." Guinevere trails off.
Granger was becoming lost in a daze and they were in a fatal position. He mustered up all of his strength to snap himself off. He needs to find a place to hide Guinevere before he seeks out the Shadowbringer and finishes him once and for all.