Furien let out a roar thrashing in the flames. He clawed and smashed against the raging fire. The Fork rushed through their camp, flooding their inventory. "Calm down child. Your temper tantrum, will do nothing." Vasha said. "I SHOULD HAVE KILLED HER!" "Dying in the process? That would be a pyrrhic victory." "HUH!?" Vasha let out a sigh. "I can't believe, I left Cin for this dumb brute." He growled smashing against the flames trying to control them, only to have the Fork rage uncontrollably under his feet. "Stop being stupid. You're only making this worse." "Don't tell me what to-" "I SAID STOP!" Vasha roared in his mind. Furien was forced back into his human state. "You will listen to my words boy." She hissed. "Do not forget, you are alive because of my magic!" Furien fell to his knees, trembling and gasping for air. His heart wanted to stop and explode, it felt like claws were digging into it. "They have won this battle." "We can still win this war."
"Keep talking like that, and I will abandon you." Furien felt a shiver run down his spine. "I said they won the battle. Not the war. Learn to respect your opponent's victories." "What should we do then?" "Abandon these fronts and aid your companions, occupying Himiko's domain." "What?" "Tuskdran. Whatever you call it now." "Why? If we leave here, they'll gain access to the east again." "They have already secured that. Unless you intend to stop one of Orochi's heads, permanently." "Huh?" She let out an exasperated sigh. "The Fork." "What will helping them do?" Vasha took a deep breath. "I am done helping you child. Figure it out. I will not listen your drivelling stupidity anymore." "Wait! Vasha! VASHA!" He screamed. There was nothing but silence.
As the others enjoyed a well earned rest. Gwyneth made her way to the caverns, with a tray of food. Thanatos was asleep in his chains. She pulled his gag out, waking up him up. Thanatos watched as she gently freed his hands, leaving his head in the pillory. "You're feeding me? Even I know, you shouldn't do that for an enemy." "Eat." She said taking a seat. Thanatos hesitated, staring at the plate of succulent draken meat. She took a bite of steak first, and sipped his water. He wasted no time digging into his meal, wolfing it down viciously. Gwyneth laid flat on her back, staring at the stalactites. "Why did you start this war?" "Is that really what you want to ask me?" "No..." She sat up letting out a sigh. Weary and exhausted she stared at her own reflection in the water. "Who was responsible for Hendrik's transformation?" "The one responsible for that has long since perished." Gwyneth nodded glumly.
"How did he die?" "Not too sure." Gwyneth locked eyes with Thanatos. "He was a part of our science division. Last I heard, he was trying to extract Arcane Energy straight out of the Tundra prison." "What happened to him?" "The same thing that happens to anything else, that touches that prison. He merged with it." "What was his name?" "Zazriel." Gwyneth sucked on her teeth. "For what it's worth...I considered what they did to Hendrik barbaric, and cruel. No one should be-" "Enough!" Gwyneth snapped. She took a deep breath. "I'm too tired to remember it."
He bowed his head. "Stick your hands back in the pillory." Thanatos obliged. Even tired, weary, and angry. A sneak attack on Gwyneth would be ill advised. "Do yourself a favour Thanatos. Remember to cry and beg. It will make her happier." She whispered into his ear, locking him against the wall. He looked at her confused. "You done feeding him?" Miranda asked. "He's all yours." She said wiping her eyes. Miranda approached Thanatos wearing her tailor's outfit, with a rolled up blanket, under each arm. She took a seat in front of him, laying both blankets down and unfurling them. One of them had the tools of a blacksmith. The other the tools of a tailor. "Do you know, who I am?" She asked. "Miranda Gainsborough. The Sword Dancer. I'm guessing you're here to torture me, for information." "Nothing of the sort." She snickered, inspecting the tools. "You might not know this, but you destroyed my life, when you attacked Shizukana."
Her eyes welled up with tears. "Because of your attack. It got Rin killed, which made Encara lose his shit!" She shouted, before breaking into a chuckle. "Everyone always remembers that part of history. How he became the THOUSAND HAND DRAKEN!" She boasted. "But you know what I remember? I remember mercy killing my father and mother as they mutated from his magic. I cut their heads off, not once, not twice, but five times, before I knew to burn their bodies away. I remember how they cried and begged me to stop the pain. How scared they were. How much I failed to protect them!" Thanatos looked away. She snatched his jaw. "LOOK AT ME! YOU DON'T GET TO HIDE AWAY! NOT NOW! NOT EVER!"
She tossed his head away, pacing around seething. "My brother became an Immortal because of you. Every time the pain gets too much, and blacksmithing doesn't soothe him. He begs me to drive a dagger through his brain. It's the only reprieve he gets from the curse." She stopped and took out a small chisel. She placed at the base of his big toe. He trembled gritting his teeth, feeling the steel dig into his skin. Miranda tossed the chisel away. He took a small breath of relief. "Do you remember a tailor in Shizukana?" Thanatos thought back, his mind racing of the glorious battle at Shizukana. Was it glorious? It was wasn't it? "His name was Zack Gainsborough. Do you remember him?" "He was your partner." She nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Yeah he was, and he was a tailor, hiding terrified and scared children." "We were at war, I...I'm sorry..." "That means nothing to me now. You killed him and the children, because you wanted to feel strong." She took out a needle pouch, covered in a hundred needles. "And now I'm gonna make you suffer, to feel better." He took a deep breath. "Do what you must." She took the first needle, grabbing his foot, and slowly dug the needle under his nail.
Thanatos grit his teeth. Miranda pulled the nail out with a small trickle of blood. "Good you can feel pain still." She tied his ankles and wrists off, constricting them till they went purple and numb. He watched her drive several needles under each nail. "Never seen a method of torture like this. You know the goal is to cause me pain right?" "Don't worry about that. We're just getting started." She cut the restraints and took a seat in front of him. Blood started to flow normally to his fingers and toes. He reeled back feeling the first throb of pain. It came back in waves, each pump of blood pumping a new surge of excruciating pain. Sweating and gnashing his teeth together, Miranda cocked a smile at him. "What's wrong? Are you in pain?" "This is...nothing..." He grunted. Another surge of pain rushed through him, he tried to make a fist, feeling the nails tug on his nerves. He let out a scream.
"Good you're finally feeling it." She snarled. "Let's get started for real then." She took a small hook made for breaking stitches, and dug it under his rib cage. Gnashing his teeth together, he kept his fingers and toes unfurled. "You're going to learn every tool a tailor has. Then you're going to learn every tool a blacksmith has. So stay awake." She smiled ripping out a small chunk. Gwyneth made her way topside, seeing everyone's spirits both raised and lowered. Some were eating together, others were in mourning. She sucked on her teeth, heading to the Fourth Ring. She over looked the new terrain of rushing rivers scattered around them. Each one glistening under the sun. Taking a seat over the edge, she smiled enjoying the sun on skin. "Hey Yamada...I've never been good with these...Hendrik probably knows that better than anyone." She snickered.
"I hope...I'm praying that you're okay. That wherever you are, you're safe and with good company. I have a lot of regrets in life...one of them is telling you to not be mine, but that's just selfish. You're a young man. I hope that you'll let me keep this piece of your heart. Just for a little longer." She clenched her fists together. "I don't know...if I'll see you again, but please be safe. Please come back to me. I should have never let you become a Forsaken Knight. I failed you as a teacher." Her tears fell into the Fork below. "Definitely made up for it, by taking his virginity." Soel said appearing from the wall. Gwyneth let out a high pitched yelp, nearly falling off the edge. "How long have you been listening to me!?" She hissed blushing and looking around. "Ummm, which part did you say, you were praying for his safety?"
"Why were you spying on me!?" "Well, I saw you sit down, and was gonna say hello, but then you started, and it just got awkward to interrupt." Gwyneth growled at her. "You heard nothing." "What? It was very sweet and lovely. I mean you're even crying for him." "I have dirt in my eyes" She said looking away. "You ever gonna admit, how you feel for this boy? I mean Hendrik, would not be against you moving on." "But I am! I promised...we promised to only love one another." "I was there at your little ceremony. Think the exact words you both said were, till death do us part." "I-" "Should I get Aerith and the others there to confirm?" "Alright! I get it." Soel sat with her. "What did you want to talk about?" Gwyneth asked. "Are you ready?" "Not sure..." "Look, I would never ask you to go back and-" "People are counting on us. This place was meant to be a safe haven from all the wars. If I have to be the Butcher to save them. So be it."
"Don't lose yourself." "I won't." Soel hugged Gwyneth. "Good, because I don't see another Islander here, that fucks like Yamada." Gwyneth chuckled, nudging her away. "Are the others ready?" "Think Lyn is still saying goodbye to Yamada's latest conquest." "Karina. Her name is Karina." "Doubt that's the name he called her in bed." Gwyneth raised her hand. Soel disappeared under the stone. Her face peeked out. "Then again, his tongue was probably occupied with-AH!" Gwyneth struck the ground break part of it off. She shook her head and floated down. She met up with Abaddon who provided her with a set of poorly finished leather armour. Her cleaver had chips and cracks running along the spine.
"Best I could do on short notice." He said. She looked to the others all with weapons on waning quality. "It's fine. We'll secure the west, and get you some proper working material. Maybe even some mythril." Gwyneth said strapping herself. "Doubt. Those assholes only have pelts." Fervias said, inspecting his one decent axe. "I've always wanted to try mammoth meat. Do you think its tender?" Vexgar asked. "If prepared properly." Yssac said. "Get ready, this should be a short trip. Less than two months."Axilas said. "Eager to get back to me?" Lyn said dressed in a Kāṣāya. Everyone cocked their heads to the side. "Are you not joining us?" Vexgar asked. She shook her head. "I want to spend as much time as possible with my mum. I have a life time to make up for." "How do you want to approach this Axilas?" Gwyneth asked. He dragged out a wagon covered in a cloth. "Fang wall." He said ripping off the sheet.
Underneath were the weapons of Hendrik. Two giant tower shields that combined into one. Made of pure Deiridium and adorned with the head of a Lion on each one. They represented Vexgar and Axilas. A cub on the left and young lion on the right. He handed one to Vexgar. "It's heavy." He said solemnly. "Get use to it." Axilas said, strapping it on. "We're going to be the new wall. Can I count on you three to be our fangs?" They nodded. "Good. We clear the camp at the base of the mountain at night. Rest till morning, take their resources and ride west." Lyn bit her lower lip, staring at him. "Alright, we're all gonna go wait at the exit." Gwyneth said. "But I'm not ready to-" Everyone shoved Vexgar away as Lyn leapt onto Axilas, pressing her lips onto him. "Wh...what was that for?" He blushed. "Just kissing my prince."
As night fell Karina sat with Lyn seeing the five of them off. Watching as they left under the cover of darkness. "Are you sure, you don't want to go with them?" "I'm sure mum." She said resting her head on Karina's shoulder. "He'll come back to me." "I have to ask. What do I become, when you two get married?" Lyn giggled. "Not sure, but don't think he's becoming a king any time soon." "Am I going to be grandmother when he returns?" Lyn shot up blushing. "I-Mum! I don't do that with...maybe?" "Close enough. For now, let's just enjoy this night together." Lyn took a seat beside her once more. "I should say, it helped me and your father, when he waited for a while." "GROSS MUM!"
The five of them stood at the base of the Tuskdran camp. "Yssac, Fervias watch our sides. Gwyneth. Watch our flank." "You're trusting me with that role?" "Hendrik did, and I will do the same." "When do we go in?" Vexgar asked. Axilas gulped. "I'm not sure...I've never done the first approach." "Pick a time, we'll follow your lead." Fervias said. Axilas nodded, fidgeting on the spot. They could sense his fear. Gwyneth placed a hand onto Axilas's shoulder. "You're not Hendrik. We're following Axilas Xenarith into battle right now." He nodded taking a deep breath. "Alright...1...2..." They all readied themselves to charge in. "Two and a half..." They all stumbled forward. "Vasha take you man!" Fervias hissed. "Gwyneth, just tell us when to go in." Axilas seized up. "Spear to Arcane formation." "We're down a member for that." Yssac said. "Then we make do. Now follow me." She stood up drawing her weapon.
Creating an Arcane gate beneath her feet, she took the Wrath stance. "Charge in on my mark." The others stood behind her, readying their weapons. The air around her pulsed with energy. Axilas watched on from behind. 'Damn it...she's strong. She's always been better than me. That's why you fell for her.' "Now!" She screamed releasing a giant slicing wave. The Tuskdrans perked up on the bank perked up, seeing a magenta light travelling towards them. "What the-"
The wave tore through them. The five charged in leaping across the Fork and driving their way into the centre of the camp. Screams rung out, with alarms and horns blaring. Gwyneth lead the charge, cleaving everything and everyone in her path in twain. Axilas and Vexgar lagged behind from the extreme weight of Hendrik's shield half. Fervias and Yssac splintered off left and right with Gwyneth taking point. The five tore their way through the camp killing everything in their path. A looming and ominous feeling hung over Gwyneth. This was too easy. None of their soldiers could hold their own. It had all the hallmarks of a trap. Gwyneth came to a stop. The men were running to the high ground. The others regrouped with the same sense of dread. They stood back to back. "Does something seem wrong here..." Fervias panted. "We're in a trap." Gwyneth said. "But what's the trap?" Yssac asked.
From the mountain side Furien emerged as a Drake with fire illuminating the sky. "That would be our trap." Fervias said. Furien let out a roar slowly crawling towards them. "Guinevere, you always were my nemesis." He hissed. The four of them eyed Gwyneth. "I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT IS!" She yelled. "Orochi isn't here save to you. Elise has returned to him. Illadin is doing his patrol. There is nothing that can help save you from my vengeance!" "Hey Guinevere, you want to do something about him!?" Fervias asked. He eyed the four of them. "You four may leave. I have no need for weaklings." Furien reeled back clutching his head. "We should kill them!" "STOP RESISTING ME!" Vasha roared. He fell to his knees, gnashing his teeth together.
"Fine, I'll stay. Give them safe passage out of here." "Gwyneth!" They hissed. "Go. I don't want to be alive, to tell Lyn I lost another Xenarith for her. Now go!" She ordered. Vasha recovered Furien's body. The four hesitantly left with her staring down at them. "I don't know who you think I am, but I am not-" "Poor Guinevere. Has your presence truly disappeared?" "I'm not Guinevere! My name is Gwyneth Lockhart!" She declared, slamming her cleaver into the ground. Vasha made Furien's body lay down casually, resting on her claw. "Fearless in the face of death. I could always commend you for that." "Alright, you're clearly not listening to me. What do you want?" "Do you know who I am?" "A son of Begron." Vasha shook her head. "Look past my body. Remember my voice." She said locking eyes with Gwyneth. A cold shiver ran down her body. "Vasha..." "I was beginning to feel quite insulted Guinevere. Almost thought you had forgotten me." Gwyneth stumbled back.
"Don't worry child. I won't kill you. I need you alive." "W...why?" "To kill destruction." Gwyneth looked at her confused, before realizing the meaning of her words. "Hakai..." "Yes. I will kill him for, what he has done to me." "How do you even know him?" "Where is he?" "How should I know? I haven't seen him in nearly two decades!" "I know you have a connection to him. You know his grandson." She looked at Vasha confused. "What? I didn't even know he had children, let alone grand children...Yamada...Yamada is his grandson?" "I've lost my connection to him." "What do you mean, you've lost your connection to Yamada!? Is he dead!?" "No...something is blocking me from him." "Listen Vasha. I don't know where he is. Last time I saw him, he disappeared from Shizukana, with his last words to me as. Find a better dance partner." Vasha rolled on to her back, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I wish you could remember Guinevere."
"For the last time. I'm not her. I don't even know who she is!" She turned to Gwyneth. "Has your history been so lost to time, that you all have forgotten Guinevere Heartphillia." Gwyneth shook her head. "The woman who started the Rebellion against me?" Vasha could see the genuine confusion. "She lead what you call the Forsaken Knights?" Gwyneth shrugged. "Really?" Gwyneth nodded awkwardly. "What have you all been told for the last eight thousand years?" "Eight Forsaken Knights sealed you away." "That's it!?" She exclaimed. "That's all we have." Vasha face palmed letting out a low growl. "I need to speak with someone." "You're going to let me go?" "Yes." She slunk away. "I will not let her live!" Furien screamed out. "Eugh, enough child! I'm going to find another host." "KILL HER!" He ordered.
Gwyneth readied herself to defend the Tuskdran attack. Furien's back sprouted fiery wings, and he grew even larger. Vasha released a raging breath of fire, incinerating Pest Peak into a flat barren wasteland in a matter of seconds. She landed down in Furien's body clawing out her own throat. Gwyneth watched on with bulging eyes, and complete stunned silence. Furien's dead body twitched and convulsed in front of her. Hissing and sizzling corpses laid around her. The valley that gave the Tuskdrans their advantage over the fork had been reduced to ash. "WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED!?" She screamed. Gwyneth awkwardly slunk away, back to the Citadel. The others all rushed to her side. "Gwyneth, what happened!? How are you alive? What happened with that fire Dragon?" They all asked. "I...I need a drink." "You don't drink." Lyn said. Gwyneth said nothing pushing past them, grabbing a keg of beer. They watched on confused as she downed the whole barrel. "WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED!?" Gwyneth screamed, startling the others.