He chuckles, "You didn't come back you little brat, turned on us already?"
Lydia pulls her silver sword out with incredible speed. "B-back off Fynn, there's three of us."
"If I don't?" he laughs,
He pulls two swords and bolts forward, we charge after him. He clashes swords with Lydia, he pushes her back and swings his sword into mine. He ducks and allows Violet's and mine to hit, then tackles her and stabs her shoulder as he rolls off.
She grunts and is helped to her feet by Lydia. She's still shaking like crazy, she's in worse condition than when she saw Sylvia.
"Frightened rabbits." he laughs,
Violet and I come at him from the sides while Lydia comes at him head in, this time even more in unison. But he's fast, he swings at Lydia causing her to jump back, barely cuts Violet's stomach, using his speed and swings down at me.
But I've had enough time to catch on. I clash my sword with his. He stomps on my foot, making me jump back and swings out and around into Lydia's.
She's begun swinging down and knocks the sword out of his hands. He jumps back and laughs, "You've gotten faster. So have I."
He pulls out two tomahawk axes and bolts for me. I catch one with my blade, with the second he sinks it into my stomach and kicks me back hard.
"Adam!" Violet shouts,
I roll to my back and stare up at the sky begging for air. Once I finally catch enough I roll over and look at them.
Lydia swings back and forth, until Fynn finally catches it on the ground with his hoof and stomps, breaking the blade. He lifts his leg and kicks Lydia in the face.
Violet goes to stab him, he swings down, but she has planned for it. She forces herself to spin back around and swing at his side. He catches it just before and smirks, she attempts to kick his leg out, he does and ariel and kicks her legs out and shoves the sword through her stomach into the ground.
He holds her arm down and freezes it to the ground. He quickly leans back, but the Black Reaper still slices his chest. He jumps back and stares in shock.
"How dare you. You're going to kill me with that?!" he shouts,
"If I have to."
A spiderweb of red energy flies over it and disappears as quickly as it came. He huffs and grips his duel weapons tight. I push myself up and to my knees, but I can't enter the battle, I would definitely get in her way.
With it temporarily enchanted she swings it like it's a feather. With incredible speed and strength. He clashes his blade against hers, he brings it down and goes to punch her face. She spins around swinging and sinking it into the ground where he once had been.
A wave of ice shoots from the sword. He stares at it and grins and laughs. "Don't waste it!"
She dashes forward and swings around, they move so fast I can't keep up with them. She swings down and he spins. He slices up, she grabs his arm and cuts the back of it.
He screams and they move in a blurry motion, she launches her arm forward. He kicked the sword away and swings down with his axes, she immediately catches them both and kicks at his knee. But she only brushes it, and he drop kicks her.
I've gotten to my feet and already started running over by the time he raises one over her chest.
"Goodbye dau-"
Blue fires spits onto his face. He screams and falls back, I look over at Violet, the sword still in her stomach, her hand outstretched.
Lydia gets to her feet, and stomps down on his calf. He grunts and trips her with the other, and rolls back to his feet. Violet shoots out a wave of fire again at him, he dodges and bolts forward.
He blocks it with a shield until he gets close and sinks the blade in further. "Little Bitch."
She stares at him wide eyed. "No!" I shout, He flips over her and is about to stab her in the throat but for some reason he didn't notice me until I tackled him off. But he quickly rolls over and is about to stab me when Lydia yells out and drop kicks him off.
She practically bounces back up to her feet like him. He laughs but it instantly turns into an evil glare.
"For now." he mutters,
He crushes a clay ball and disappears, Lydia looks down at me and stretches out her hand. "A-are you okay?"
"Violet."
She nods, having had the same idea, "I know, okay."
She turns and runs over to her, she pulls the sword out and heals Violet. "How did.....you not....get hit?" I ask,
After she heals Violet she takes off her torn coat and lifts her black shirt. Cuts and wounds line her torso.
"I, did." she scoffs,
She frowns at the pain and stumbles over to me. "I'm fine. Adam-"
"Heal yourself."
"They'll heal me." she mutters,
I look back at two hooded figures, the same clothes as Lydia's. "He left? Why?"
"Because, he might have known I called you, also my guess, he thinks my, life isn't his to take."
"How long have you been there?"
"Adam-"
"Were you just watching us get torn apart?!" Violet spits,
"Yes they were. I called them, a Shadow Walker can call others but only when in a last stand circumstance, I have to be on my last leg to call them, no exceptions."
"Why didn't you help us?" I ask,
"We can't go against Fynn, he would've killed us and left you all. It would've been for naught."
"So you're cowards."
"I would've done the same Adam....he was toying with us. They only would've been sacrifices." Lydia whispers,
One walks over and kneels behind her, "What didn't he hit?"
"Feet, hands, arms and head, everything else-" she says, her voice fading,
Her eyes roll back and she falls over into the other's arms. Yellow lights errupt from his hands and I know her body is starting to heal.
"How long will she be out?" Violet asks while the other starts healing me,
"Not long, but I'm not sure. We can get you to New Haven, a contact that's there."
"Thank you." I mutter,
"Fynn is dangerous, the only one better with blades is Venix."
"So he really was just messing with us?"
The man nods, "Yes, he is dangerous, sadistic and psychotic. If you ever have to opportunity, run."
"She and I faced Sylvia before, she told me to run then?"
"She must truly hold you two dear, sometimes when the fear of death overwhelms us, we keep the ones we love close enough to comfort but not be in the way."
After they heal Lydia we all grab hands, with Lydia on one of their laps, the other crushes a ball and we appear outside a big house. Old fashioned lamp posts line the street an old dark brick road. We go up to the door and knock.
It swings open and a middle aged butler looks at us curiously and motions us in without a word and locks the door behind us.
"I will retrieve my master."
He walks around the corner and a few moments later, returns with a well dressed young man.
"Sylvia?" he asks,
"No, Fynn. These three need a place to lie low."
He nods, "Alright, you may stay as long as you wish. We're there others?"
"No, just us three."
"My apologies, I'm Master Roux, and you name sir?"
"I'm Adam, this is Lydia and Violet."
"Charmed mam, my butler Tuck will show you to your rooms. If you'll excuse me I have important work that needs my attention."
After we are left in our rooms, I take a bath and go into a balcony that overlooks the city. "This place has quite the surrounding view."
I smile back at her, "Can I join you?"
"Of course."
She walks over and takes a deep breath. "How can there be a view like this? And there be so much evil in the world?"
"All you've seen is the worst of it, I'm so sorry Violet."
"Hey, bad things happen. It might suck, but you learn to live with them."
I kiss her cheek. "You shouldn't have to, of all people."
She smiles at me, "Neither should you? You've done nothing to deserve such a cruel world."
"There's good in everything, the trick is just finding it."
"There's good in fighting that Psycho?"
"Hey we lived, we know how strong he is."
"And if we died?"
"You don't have to look at the hideous scar you left."
She snorts and bumps my shoulder. "How do you do that? Consistently look at the positive?"
I shrug, "Just that good." I say and sigh,
She rolls her eyes and pushes me, "Shut up."
"I wish I knew, it's just, something I can do right I guess, which for me is rare."
"Whatever, you're amazing at everything. You always try to lift others up."
"So many people are focused on being the sun to light someone's world. But sometimes it's more important to be the moon, to shine on someone's darkest hour."
She raises her eyebrows and smiles. "I like that."
She leans in and kisses me, "What a crappy way to start off the new year."
"Really?"
"Yeah today is the day another year starts. Well, I think I'm going to head off to bed, good night Adam. "
"Good night Violet."
She turns and walks out of the room. I sit down cross-legged and stare up at the stars.
Bang.
I look over from where the soft noise came from and see the movement in the window, but not enough to tell who it is. But I Know Lydia's woken up.
I fight over whether or not I should ask, but I finally force myself to. I get to my feet and knock softly on her bedroom door.
"Yes?"
"Hey, it's Adam, um, you up?"
"One second.....okay, you can come in."
I open the door and see her, sitting by the balcony door, smiling at me. "Hey."
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better, a little drained but good. What about you?"
"Good, how are you doing?"
She hesitates and relaxes as she looks out the window. "Scared. I'm better than before obviously but, I should've told you to run but I don't think you would've anyway."
"No I wouldn't."
She smiles at the ground, "Dummy."
"You still like me." I say sarcastically,
She smiles back at me and nods, "Unfortunately. I think you're going to be my downfall."
I walk over and plop down next to her, "Oh definitely. But I don't think you'll mind right?"
She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head, "No, I don't mind."
She pulls the yellow blanket tighter around her. I lean over and press my lips against hers, I feel guilty, but at the same time, it's so satisfying to kiss her.
I try to pull away but she pulls at my shirt and whines. "Can you stay with me tonight?" she whispers,
Her hot breath gently brushes against my cheeks. I glance down and close my eyes as I pull back.
"U-um."
"Is it Violet?"
"It's not that, um..." I say lying,
She wraps herself and the blanket around my back and chest, "Then kiss me again." she whispers in my ear,
I turn my head gently and do as asked, she pulls away slightly, smiles and presses her lips against mine deep.
Before I know it, she is straddling me and pulling on my neck to deepen the kiss. She pushes me down onto my back and leans down to kiss me again, making out until we fall asleep on each other.
I take a deep breath and open my eyes, I rub them with my free hand and look down at her. The sunlight shines on her shoulders and down the blanket. She looks so peaceful, she rubs her head softly against my chest and tightens her grip around my torso.
She breathes out through her nose and rests her chin on my chest. "Morning." she whispers,
"Good morning."
She wiggles up and pecks my lips. Her blue eyes shine with a light I haven't seen before. I run my fingers through her hair, she closes her eyes and sighs happily.
"Well I'm hungry."
She rolls off with the blanket and drops it on the floor.
"Come on."
We walk downstairs, we explore till we find master Roux and Violet talking and smiling at the dining table. They look over and smile, but I know that Violet knows what happened.
"Good morning, you're just in time, breakfast should be served shortly." Roux says,
We sit down, I look at Violet and I start to tear myself in half, half wonders if I'll ever choose her and half wants to hold her right now in my arms.
"So I was informed that the other Shadow Walkers will be attempting to raise up a rebellion and gather recruits against Venix, you all can, for the most part, relax a bit."
She hasn't broken eye contact with me, she sighs shakily and nods. "Okay." she whines,
She gets to her feet and starts out of the room. We all stare as she walks, she looks back and forces a smile at me, "I know it wasn't easy to make."
She disappears and closes the door behind her. Lydia looks at me wide eyed.
"Y-you chose?"
"What?" Roux asks,
"We were both bound to him by Liara's moon....I think he just broke it."
"Oh, well please forgive me, I'll...go check on the chefs."
He turns and walks out of the room. "Are you sure?" she asks,
"Would you rather have had me choose differently?"
"No but...are sure I'm what you want?"
I smile and nod, "Positive."
She grins, "Okay, I know that wasn't easy, would you like a minute alone?"
"I would, but I'll find a place." I say, I get to my feet before she can and I start out of the room,
I walk out of the house onto the street and sit against the house, letting everything sink in.
I wonder the house until I find the upstairs. I walk to a window and sigh. "I'm sorry Violet."
I stay there for hours until Lydia finally finds me. "Hey...you missed breakfast."
"I wasn't hungry. That look on her face."
"You can't blame yourself for that, I was the one who screwed it up. I'm going to go look for her. Do you want to come?"
"She probably doesn't want to see me right now."
Lydia nods, "Okay, I'll go find her then."
"Thanks Lydia, can you tell her I'm sorry?"
She nods again, turns and walks out slowly. Adam sighs and runs his hands through his hair.
"I'm sorry Violet." He mutters,
She walks down and out of the mansion and down the sidewalk and walks for miles. She walks down an alleyway and down another. She stops and leans against the wall.
"How are they doing?"
Lydia rolls her eyes, "Gah they piss me off, so much!" she says,
"Relax would you? It can't be that bad."
"They are so annoying, especially Violet, such a whiney baby. Poor baby he chose me over her."
He smiles, "They don't know?"
"Haven't suspected yet. Violet probably hates my guts right now...ugh."
"What?"
"I got to go look for the brat."
"Have fun."
"Shut up Quin."
She turns and walks out onto the street and explores the city for hours. At last she gives up and leans against the railing on a tower.
She looks off at the clouds around and below her. Distant tapping sounds, growing louder. She looks back as Violet walks up.
"How'd you find me?" Lydia asks,
"I knew you'd be looking for me. I was asking around for a girl in black. I just saw you from a statue."
Lydia looks out again trying to find it but in vain and looks back. "Well, want to enjoy the view with me?"
She hesitantly walks over and leans against the railing. "Don't give me any sympathy crap, he made his choice, that's it....just....don't hurt him."
"I promise Violet. So we're good then?"
She nods, "Yeah. Just, just be quiet with me for a bit."
They do so, staying there for hours. Finally Violet breaks the silence, "Are you hungry?"
"I'm starving actually."
Violet smiles and they start down. "I love looking at something so peaceful like that." Lydia says,
"Reminds me the world isn't all bad....where are the fricken gods? We sure as heck need them right now."
Lydia nods in agreement. "Seriously. Where do we go from here?"
"Just take it easy? Honestly I've stared death in the face, figuratively, enough times for three life times."
"Sounds good, I'm tired, I just want to relax right now. You've had it tougher than anyone huh Violet?"
She shrugs, "I just want this war to end, after that I want to live a quiet life, alone."
"Sounds nice. The country?"
She nods, they walk out of the clock tower and find a Cafe to eat at. "I'm really excited for the festival."
"Me too. This is going to be a nice change of scenery hanging around here."
They spend the day talking as they explore the city. Seeing different views, looking at weapons in armories. They watch people as they set up the festival.