Fortune Favours the Strong

Alistair felt his gauntlet covered hand make contact with the jackals face. He took another leap at the unsuspecting God and landed another blow to his torso. The flames crackled and left singe marks on his opponent.

Anubis was sent flying back as the unexpected hits made contact with him. He stumbled to his feet and felt the side of his face, it was singed from his opponents strike. "You have an astounding power." Anubis summoned a white scimitar coated in black energy. "Its a shame this couldnt be talked over."

"Your lady Lyvia forced me to do this, no hard feelings." Alistair's body vibrated as he spoke.

The two incredible forces launched at each other viciously. The sound of combat could be heard throughout the palace as Anubis was trading blow for blow with Alistair. They were surprisingly matched in strength and neither gained a foothold against the other.

"Elena we need to get out of here." Suna was carrying the now conscious girl towards the exit.

"Ali will be killed, we need to do something!" the woman managed to weakly speak. It was of no use though, the man had foolishly taken on a God. She smiled through the pain she was feeling, He was fighting a God for her.

Alistair managed to dodge a downward strike from his wicked opponent and was presented an opening. Without hesitation he swiftly kicked at his attackers knee and forced it to buckle.

Anubis was forced to the ground but quickly dodged another punch heading for his face. His opponent was fast and seasoned on hand to hand combat, he was a worthy adversary.

Alistair was calm as he continued to strike at Anubis. He found himself to be calmer in life or death situations then any other time. His movements were like water as he transitioned from fist to leg to elbow. He was using every part of his body with the intention to kill.

Anubis was losing ground as he dodged every other strike thrown at him, he hadnt faught in over a millennium and could feel himself losing the mental battle as well.

Alistair's scale male was full of scuffs and a few missing scales from where the blade had managed to make contact. His overwhelming force and great advantage in the beginning had given him the edge over his opponent. It was only a matter of time before he made the fatal blow on the jackal.

Anubis had stopped trying to attack and focused strictly on defense, he was caught off guard when his opponent took a step back instead of forward. He followed suit.

"You know you're gonna lose right?" Alistair was cocky with his choice of words. He focused on trying to catch his breath while he waited on the next move.

"I'll admit I'm rusty and you know how to fight." Anubis was alright with talking for now, he needed to bide his time.

"We can cease this fighting if you do one thing." Alistair let the unholy fire die down but kept his armor on. "It's not hard and I think it's quite fair."

"What is your request." Anubis rested his sword by his side and watched Alistair.

"Easy, swear loyalty to me and give me Lyvia and this whole thing can be like it never happened." Alistair allowed his helmet to return to his Aura so he could look at a

Anubis.

"And if I dont?" Anubis wouldn't set his pride aside.

"Easier, I kill you, take your Aura stone then kill everyone in this building before I raze it to its foundation." Alistair forced his flames out once more.

"Haha you sure are confident." Anubis knew he had little choice.

Alistair silently held up his hand and raised three fingers. "three seconds." Alistair was exhausted and knew he wouldn't last much longer than Anubis, if he didn't die by his hands he would surely fall before he could escape. He fought a God of death and lived to tell the tale. "Three.... two...."

"I concede." Anubis withdrew the weapon he had drawn. "I will not bow but I will swear loyalty to your clan." the jackal cocked his head. "What is your clan name anyways?"

"Unholy fire." Alistair answered. "Im glad we came to an understanding." Alistair held out his hand towards the animal headed figure.

"I shall honor it as long as I draw breath, thank you for sparing me and my clan. I'm sorry this quarrel ever happened, ill see to it those who instigated it are punished." Anubis shook his hand firmly.

"No need, send them my way and I can handle it." Alistair wanted thunderchicken for himself. Lyvia would have to pay at another time.

Guards and unarmed people alike ran passed Elena and Suna without paying them any mind, they were to busy heading towards the sound of fighting.

Suna's voice was shaking, "Do you think Ali could survive against a pure blooded god?" she was visibly worried.

"He has to." Elena forced a half smile. "He has to come back to us after all." she couldnt help but fear for Alistair.

They eventually made their way to the 'Meady Ogre' and hobbled up the stairs.

"Lay back so I can tend to more of your wounds." Suna sat her battered friend down on the only bed in the room.

"Ah shit." Elena winced in pain as she fell back with a thud. She suddenly began to laugh lightly. "I cant believe it."

"What's so unbelievable?" Suna didnt understand how she could be laughing.

"You guys came to save me, I whole heartedly thought I was going to die in that room." She fell silent for a moment. "That guy with the electricity did this to me, Lyvia never partook or even watched. He was cruel." Tears rolled down her soft cheeks. "I should've died down there." she started sobbing.

"Well its a good thing you didn't, ive come to like you quite a bit." A tall man stood in the doorway. Blood was slowly dripping down his mouth and he had several large burns on his body, his cloak was scorched and had several cuts along it. He closed the door and slouched against it before falling back.

"You are so foolish, I cant believe you were so careless!" Suna smacked Alistair so hard her hand stung.

Alistair smiled and placed a hand on the crying Kitsune's face. "Its ok Suna, im still here."

Suna collapsed with her head on his lap, "You scared me, im sorry." she was full on bawling.

With his eyes closed he only stroked her head before blacking out.

"Good fight my boy, you fought a God and lived. A God of death no less." The shadow appeared in Alistairs dreams once again, he was getting used to it by now.

"Well I barely won that one." Alistair muttered.

"You aren't wrong, you'll need to get stronger if you want to survive. Those flames will make you a target." The shadow walked with its arms behind its back.

"Why is that? You always fail to explain what the hell i am or who the fuck you are." Alistair wasnt angry, he just wanted answers.

"In due time, stop being impatient." The shadow turned away. "Also get a few more Aura stones. That royal wyvern will only go so far by itself." with that, the shadow disappeared.

"Fuck I'm sore." Alistair sat up and grit his teeth in pain.

"About time your awake." Anubis was sitting in the corner with a book.

Alistair lept out of bed and summoned his armor. He didnt know what was going on but he didnt want to be caught with his pants down.

"Relax, you've been out for a few days so I brought you back to the palace." Anubis slid a book mark into the book and set it down.

Alistair was hesitant of the situation he was in, he couldnt recover as fast as the jackal did so he was at a clear disadvantage.

Anubis sighed, "You're free to go at any time. Nobody will stop you."

"Where are the others that were with me?" Alistair's voice was raspy.

"They are here and they are safe." Anubis stood up and walked to the door. "If you follow me I can take you to them, if you don't I'll just send them up." Anubis opened the door and walked out without waiting for Alistair.

The sound of the jackals footsteps grew faint before he finally followed. He followed Anubis from a good distance, they were winding through hallways before coming upon a massive garden. He looked around at all the foreign plants and colorful birds that were flying overhead. Alistair cleared his throat before speaking, "You could've killed me but you didn't, why?"

Anubis stopped, "I gave you my word and my allegiance. Why would I kill an ally, much less in his recovery?" Anubis allowed Alistair to catch up.

"Why did you bring me here?" Alistair was still in his armor but walked next to the God.

"Your presence is obvious but also unknown, everybody fears the unknown and would try to kill you. It was safer for you and your friends to be here." Anubis pointed to a clearing, "Your friends are there, once you get comfortable come find me. We have much to discuss." Anubis turned back the way they came and strolled off.

"Ali!" Elena was the first to see the tall armor bearing figure walk into the clearing. She limped her way to him and gave him a massive hug.

His armor disappeared as she wrapped her arms around him. They stood there for a minute before another body sandwhiched him from behind.

"About time you woke up, you're so lazy." Suna spoke with tears in her eyes.

Alistair couldnt be happier that they were back together. "So who was the one to agree to coming here?" Alistair asked the two of them.

"We had no choice, shortly after you collapsed Anubis himself came knocking on our door. He explained what happened and had us all come here. He made sure we were taken care of and he took to personally watching over you." Suna explained the situation further. "We've been on edge since the whole fight but nothings happened. You also have another follower." Suna pointed to the furthest end of the clearing at a beautiful woman who was sitting under a weeping willow.

"I would've killed her for you but I'm in no shape to do so." Elena was obviously angry.

"Ill take care of her, you guys relax." he kissed both girls before making his way to the woman under the tree.

Lyvia saw Alistair enter the clearing and immediately became nervous. She didn't expect the head of the clan to take liking to the young man. She fiddled with her hands as the towering man approached. She attempted to stand.

"Sit."

The deep voice shook her to her core. She obeyed.

"You're to cocky with no power to back it up. You relied on a God to do your dirty work. You stood back and knew someone special to me was being tortured. You also flicked the back of my head." Alistair was listing off all the things he took offense to. "What would be a suitable punishment?"

Lyvia sat silently, she accepted she was as good as dead. The towering figure was suddenly engulfed in an intense fire. Her fear only escalated from there.

"Bow so you can die a humiliating death." Alistair's cold voice had a sinister tone.

Lyvia moved slowly to stand up and bowed deeply. She was awaiting her demise. A sudden over powering force entered her mind.

Alistair could feel the fear and despair of his new follower. He was finally satisfied enough to take action, he raised his hand and brought it down on Lyvia.

A searing pain flooded her body as the force of a smack came down on her from behind. She stumbled forward from the force and felt another shock of pain, this time on the other cheek.

Alistair spanked Lyvia a few times till there were tears in her eyes. Satisfied with the reaction he crouched in front of her, "Hey, look at me." Alistair spoke calmly but sternly.

Tears fell down her face as she looked up at him. She was embarrassed from his show of force, she wanted nothing more then to die at that moment. "Just kill me." she said without a hint of emotion.

He moved a strand of hair behind her ear and rested his hand on her cheek. "Your punishment is living and being my subordinate." He wiped a tear from her face.

Her hands were on her knees to steady her but she was still shaking like a leaf. Deaths cold embrace was no longer an option for her.

He placed a finger on her chin and lightly pressed up so she could stand if front of him. "Im expecting you to apologize."

Tears fell as she nodded, "Im sorry. I went to far and I humbly accept my punishment. Thank you for being kind." She was startled as a warmth came over her.

Alistair reached out for Lyvia and pulled her in close. He felt her tense up at first but shortly after she relaxed and embraced his hug. He put his head next to hers and whispered. "You're mine now."

Lydia couldn't help but blush as he spoke. Her body was betraying her mind.

"What the actual fuck is he doing." A smile faded from Elena's face as disbelief set in. "Is he seriously hugging her? I was ok with him humiliating her then killing her. But why is he fucking hugging her." Elena was red in the face at seeing Alistair being so nice.

Suna chuckled, "I expected the same as you. But think about it, he's just to soft." Suna thought about all the things he's experienced that would lead him to be so gentle. She looked up to him.

Alistair and Lyva began walking towards the other two girls, "Their not going to accept me." Lyvia stated the obvious.

"Give them time, believe it or not those two were at each others throats not to long ago." Alistair tried to reassure her. "Just be sincere with your apology and remain loyal. You won't have many problems after that."

"Why is her head not severed from her body?" Elena was furious at the girl cowering behind Alistair.

Lyvia made her away around her protector and spoke with her head hung low, "Im sorry for the actions of Tobias, harming you was not my intent. I simply wanted you as a free hostage so I could get Alistair here. Tobias ignored my authority and tortured you as revenge. I'm sorry i failed as a leader and im sorry I failed to stop him." Lyvia's head was suddenly and aggressively thrown to the side. A burning sensation manifested on her cheek and she could taste a small amount of blood.

Elena shook her hand in pain, she had slapped Lyvia. Hard. "Are you trying to belittle me?" Elena spoke to Alistair seething.

"She," Alistair pointed at Lyvia, "Had nothing to do with your torture, she just failed to stop it. Im punishing her for that i promise you." he spoke bluntly. "If she had touched you, she would've been a pile of ash at the tree." Alistair responded to Elena's rage with calmness.

"Then I at least want that thunderchicken fuck, dead!" Elena stated.

"He is currently being supervised in his quarters by members of my old clan." Lyvia said.

"Old clan? No, are you kidding me? Is she part of our little team now?" Elena said in angry defeat.

"She is now apart of Unholy Fire. Its the best way for me to punish her. Plus she has more information about everything going on here than any of us do." Alistair explained the importance of keeping Lyvia close.

Suna was still sitting there quietly. She couldnt help but admire how delicate Alistair was being towards everyone. "He truly is gentle." she thought. She admired how soft he was no matter how hard everything around him got.

"We should probably head in soon, Anubis is waiting for us." Alistair was honestly just hungry.

Alistair walked in the direction he remembered Anubis had gone. They walked for awhile down the beautiful marble halls.

"Lyvia, do you know where Anubis would be around this time?" He shuffled closer to her and gently pressed against her as they walked.

Lyvia pressed back invitingly and replied, "He's most likely in the gathering room waiting on our arrival. I can lead us there if you'd like?"

"Could we first get some food." his stomach rumbled as he said it.

"There's a kitchen attached to it, most gatherings are large and take time. Nobody would show up if there wasn't food." Lyvia was glad she was already showing some importance.

Elena rolled her eyes as Lyvia spoke. "I wish you would die already." Elena cursed her in her head.

Suna saw Elena's frustration and laughed. She grabbed her hand and rested her head on Elena's shoulder. "You know his intentions are good right?" she asked her new headrest.

"Yea but it doesn't mean I have to like it." Elena spoke loud enough for Lyvia to hear. She didn't care, she had been tortured and that woman did nothing.

Lyvia let her head drop in shame. That feeling quickly disappeared as a warming presence filled her mind and body.

"Ignore her, know that I have faith in you and trust you." Alistair's thoughts rang through her head.

"Even though I did more harm then good." Lyvia gave him a quick response. "Arent you afraid ill betray you?" Lyvia sent these thoughts back to Alistairs mind.

"You personally caused little harm, you did stand by and let it happen though. There will be a punishment for that. As for you betraying me, highly unlikely. I know you're fond of me so I don't think you could do it." Alistair's voice became confident at the last thought.

Lyvia smiled and blushed as they pushed through the door leading into the gathering room.