Difference between revisions of "Mogul vs. Remnants Pt. IV"

Revision as of 08:21, 11 October 2020

Chapter 41 (Remnant 3)

They starved me.

For three days, I was without food, and without sleep. I was only given water to drink, and even the water tasted foul.

I walked alongside several Halakites with a strange collar around my neck that prevented me from using my pyrokinesis. Despite my weakened body, that was screaming for food and water, and sleep, I was filled with adrenaline. All that matters was what had happened to Meena.

We entered the throne room, where I was thrown on my knees. I looked up, and my eyes widened.

Meena stood by Kallas' side, who was seated on a large throne. On his left, sat another Halakite, who wore a three piece suit, with Halakite patterns. I thought he was a human, until I looked close and realized he had a third eye. And his skin, was purple, just like Kallas.

The throne on his right was empty.

Meena was expressionless, standing by Kallas' side, and Chance, was on his other. They were both unrestrained. But they made no attempt to escape. I could see why.

Meena looked at me, and her face was momentarily full of horror, but returned back to its dead expression.

"Mee-" I muttered, but a Halakite slammed me in my midsection, washing me with nausea, as I fell to the ground, groaning.

Meena said nothing.

"Deacon Chow. Meena's corruptor. I have brought you here today to... actually. What am I saying." Kallas began to laugh, maniacally. His voice booming and echoing in the throne room. The throne room itself looked organic, like... alien flesh. Burgundy, and alive.

"Screw the formalities." Kallas muttered. He leaned forward from the throne.

"I just wanna play with you. You're going to become my new play-mate. Does that sound nice?"

The Halakite next to him sneered.

"My brother is of poor professionalism. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Malakai. You have been summoned here today, for us to test the results of our operation on Meena Kennedy."

Operation?!

I stared at Meena's expressionless face, in shock. I didn't see it before, but underneath her neck, the same place as Chance's, was a glowing mass. She was...

Malakai leaned to the side on his throne, placing his chin on his hand.

"The shock on your face tells me you've figured it out. We have finished restoring Meena to her original form. To what she was intended to be."

A tear ran down my cheek.

"You... you..." I muttered.

"YOU BASTARDS!" I screamed, unleashing everything I had, the flames overtaking the collar's capacity, as I flooded the entire surroundings with flame.

Kallas raised an eyebrow.

"Looks like our collars need more work. Well, I guess this is fine. Was going to take it off anyway."

I glared at the Halakites.

"How could you..." I growled. "Give Meena back!"

Kallas shook his head. "The Meena you knew is gone. At least... that is what we will see today. Because I'm going to be putting you to a test."

Kallas leapt from his throne, facing me. From where his feet landed, several purple cracks appeared.

"I received word that my youngest brother, Zora, was slain by the being known as Brickhouse. I am now receiving news from my Halakite subordinates that he is related to you by blood."

A droplet of sweat ran down my neck.

"As annoying as he was, he was still my brother. I don't take this lightly..." Kallas' face turned into a maniacal smile.

"An eye for an eye. He took a brother from me. I shall take a brother from him. In the most brutal... painful way possible. The only way I know how."

Malakai leaned forward.

"You want to get Meena back, Deacon? Then prove it. Fight Kallas. And show that you are strong enough to deserve her. But I must warn you... if you lose. You will not face a quick and painless death. You will face a fate much worse..."

"Yes..." Kallas hissed. "You will become my toy. My play-mate. A new thing to have fun with..."

Kallas licked his lips.

"I knew your face was similar... Deacon Chow. Because it reminded me of another being. One who brought my kind to the brink of extinction.

"Paladin Decen of Acadia."

My eyes went wide, as Kallas charged.

Chapter 42 (Remnant 3)

There was no time to dodge.

I superheated my body, blasting a flame outwards, but Kallas barged right through, slamming into me with his shoulder. I slid back.

"Come on, Deacon. You want Meena? You have to try a lot harder than that."

I needed more power. I needed it. If I didn't step up... I was going to lose Meena forever.

I roared, and held out my hands, launching a massive torrent of flames at Kallas, who simply summoned a purple machete, swinging and brandishing it, extinguishing my flames.

"How disgusting. To think that Miss Kennedy chose you to breed."

"Meena..." I muttered, looking at her. She regarded me with a cold expression.

"MEENA!" I shouted. "SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Kallas closed the distance, and slashed his machete right into my chest, as it exploded in pain. I yelled in agony, but before I could do anything, Kallas spun around and launched me to the other side of the throne room.

I tried to get up, but slipped on the ground. It was slippery with my own blood.

Kallas began to approach me, his machete spinning from his hand, his expression bored.

"You're a disappointment, Deacon. How could you call yourself a suitable mate for the great Meena Kennedy? The greatest killer? Hm? Well, the objective isn't to have a great fight. It's just to see if Meena has lost her connection to you... so..."

Kallas swiped down, and I yelled in pain, as the machete went through my leg.

"Ack... urghhh!!!" I groaned, and fired a jet of flame out of my hand, launching me under Kallas' legs, and flew into the air.

I needed to defeat him. If I could create a massive explosion, I could blow my way out of here. I could grab Meena and leave.

My body glowed with heat, I could feel myself giving way. The exhaustion creeping as I felt the last of my gas tank being depleted. This would be my final blast. A final burst of heat in a massive explosion, to finish this and survive. To protect Meena.

Everything I had done to become tough.

This was my chance to prove that I could save Meena.

I thought back to how Kyrael had trained me. Merrow's smile.

Lucius, kneeling down in front of me. Telling me he was also training to get stronger. Despite never showing it, I knew he cared for me and wanted me to become tough. He respected me and loved me as a brother.

I needed to come back to them, with Meena.

I had to do this.

I closed my eyes, summoning everything I had. I opened my eyes, and the whole room became illuminated with heat, as I generated more flames than ever before.

Kallas stood there, smiling. "Come. Deacon. Show me... your full power."

This was it.

No going back now.

I yelled, as hard as I could, as I unleashed everything. A massive torrent of flame, bigger than anything I had ever produced, aiming straight into Kallas as the entire throne room was drowned in flames. Kallas nowhere to be found.

I fell to the ground, depleted. I needed to get up. The last burst must have done something... I must have...

The smoke cleared, and my eyes widened.

Nothing burnt. Nothing was damaged. The walls were still intact. My flames... weren't even enough to char the surroundings and make an opening to escape. I watched as the outline of Kallas emerged from the smoke, his machete in hand.

I fell to my knees, hopeless.

"No..."

"Deacon... I am most disappointed." Kallas said, as he swiped down with his machete, cutting deep into my collarbone. I screamed in agony as I looked at Meena, her face momentarily twitching.

The blade came back up again as I stared at the blood all over the blade. My blood.

Kallas dropped the blade into me again, as I could not help but scream. The pain... it was too much. I couldn't do anything. I could barely breathe. All I could do... was follow my instincts. To scream for help.

"AAAAUGH" I yelled, as Kallas continued slashing, chopping and hacking away at me. The feeling was surreal. I had never seen my body take so much punishment.

I fell to my side, staring at Meena. Her face had contorted, as her mouth twitched.

Malakai raised an eyebrow.

"Hmmm... I guess our procedure failed. She was not the right one after all."

Kallas stabbed, cut, and chopped into me, as more of my screams caused Meena to come back.

"STOP!" Meena screamed, but several Halakites restrained her.

Kallas stopped cutting and stood up.

"Oh dear. Looks like our procedure wasn't a success after all. Whatever shall we do."

"Urghh.... blurrgh...." I sputtered, my mouth full of blood. I was unable to speak.

"Deacon..." Meena sobbed.

I tried to hold out my hand, but my elbows were broken.

My eyes began to close, but I watched as the Halakites took Meena away.

Kallas shook his head. "Shame. I thought the procedure would work. Who are we going to use the Transformer on now?"

Malakai put his hand on his chin.

"I have a better idea." He got up from his throne and went up to me, grabbing my chin.

"He's still alive, after all of that. Even then, during your last encounter with this boy, you noted he displayed a more primal... destructive side, did you not?"

Kallas looked surprised. "Good call. You are right."

Malakai looked at me, as my vision began to fade. "He's hiding it, but it's there. Let's see you bring that side of him out. Whatever means necessary. Perhaps our little trip to Corinth wasn't a waste of time after all."

My last few moments before losing consciousness was seeing Kallas gleaming at me, his smile, unnaturally big. So big that his face contorted in an unnatural shape.

Chapter 43 (Remnant 9)

"AGAIN!" I shouted at Merrow.

She was breathing heavily, but she raised her hand, and blasted another barrage of Hydropower dragons at me.

"RAAAAAGH!!!" I roared, swinging Pariah as hard as I could, launching a massive wave of spikes, shattering them.

Merrow fell to her knees. "Lucius... I can't... I'm too tired..."

"Just jump into the ocean. It's right behind you."

"I've already been using it to my maximum potential. We need to rest, I can't keep this up-"

"Fine." I growled, and turned around.

"Luke, stop pushing Merrow so hard." Michael went up to me, but I yelled in frustration, pushing him away with a shove.

I strapped Pariah to my back, and walked back to the Fortress. The people of the Fortress saw me and ran away, or hid into their homes out of fear. I couldn't care less. I needed to get stronger. My stamina wasn't enough. My strength wasn't enough. My everything was not enough.

I wasn't enough.

I stormed across the path when an old hag interrupted me.

"Lucius Cassidy. The Ninth." She spoke.

"Not in the mood, granny." I muttered.

"The leader, of the Remnants. He sees. He knows."

My eye twitched. I spun around and grabbed the old hag and slammed her against the wall.

"What kind of game you playin at. I don't have time for this. I have to get-"

"Stronger. You seek strength. To atone... for the loss of both the First and the Third."

My voice shook, as I glared at her. "Listen well granny. If you know what's best for you, better watch your mouth. There's no telling what I will do."

"Decen's blood runs deep in you. Your rage. It shall be a weapon in your final fight. But it will be at a large cost."

I let go. Deep breaths. That was what Merrow had told me. One...Two...Three...Four...Five...

"You're the seer." I noted.

"Yes." The old woman turned around, beckoning me into the worn down hut.

I sat down, as the granny went to her cabinet.

"You look famished. Can I help you to something?"

"Not interested in your potions, granny. And why did you drop your damn prophecy talk?"

The seer laughed. "My dear boy, I've been living for many many years. Heroes and warriors alike have come to me, in times of turmoil or uncertainty. Or just curiosity."

Turmoil and uncertainty.

"You seek your brothers, to defeat Mogul?"

I sighed. "Yeah. But it's not looking good. I've lost two of the Remnants already. One trapped in ice. The other, kidnapped. I don't know what's happened to him. But nothing good." I closed my eyes, tears running down my cheeks.

"Dear child..." The granny wiped my face with a cloth. "You must be in so much pain."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!" I shot to my feet, but suddenly stopped. "I'm... I'm sorry." I muttered, sitting back down.

The granny regarded me, with sympathetic eyes.

"Blessed with the powers of the great Paladin of War, yet coming as a double edged sword. To serve your purpose, shrouded in hatred and rage. It is a dark and grim life you will live, young Cassidy. Until the very end, when you see the light."

"Yea, well my life never started off too great anyway. I took everybody for granted, and never learned my lessons. First with Arman. Now with Deacon. I..."

"You saw value, in Decen's third Remnant. Did you?"

"I... I only saw him as a means to free Arman. There's no denying it. But over time, he grew on me. As much as I didn't wanna admit." I muttered.

"And now... he's gone. Because I wasn't strong enough. Arman will never be free."

The seer looked at me, and handed me a cup of broth.

"The hell is this?" I asked, inquisitively.

"Boar soup." She replied.

"Huh?"

The seer smiled. "I know how to cook, child. It isn't just potions that I make."

I took a sip, and it was... good. Wholesome. I never had something like this before.

"Poor boy. You lived your life alone for so long... have you never had warm soup before?"

"No..." I muttered. The closest thing I ever had was the gruel that Lucius made for me.

"Granny... I don't know how to repay you. I'm sorry I've been so aggressive-"

"No. There is no need to thank me. I watched your battle. I've seen your past, and your future. For it is a dark road, which you walk. One full of tragedy, death, and pain. A role you were thrown in. Perhaps I am in a helping mood, or perhaps..."

She put her wrinkly hand on my face, and a rush appeared from within me. Different from magic, or from any adrenaline shot. I felt a sense of comfort.

"A poor boy, in need of a family."

I sighed. "I have a family. That's Arman and Deacon. I have to save both... but I don't know how."

The seer got up, and hobbled to the cabinet to put stuff away.

"The First can be saved. By the celestial fires."

"Deacon is gone, granny. Did you forget?"

"Not from the Third. But from a friend. His old friend. The Daughter of Diablos. Lyra Tetras also wields the flames you speak of."

Lyra Tetras. Arman's long time friend.

The seer looked at me, then pulled out a compass. "Find her, and she will free the First, to aid in your quest to find the Third. Once you are done, come back to me, and I shall provide you with the next steps."

My heart skipped a beat. Arman. I could save him. With this...

"Wait." I said. The seer raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"Why... Why tell me this now? Why not sooner? If R1 was freed before he would have-"

"Because it must happen this way."

"I... I don't understand."

The seer smiled. "It must be this way. Prophecy and fate works in interesting ways. Your life, my life, R1's life, Deacon's life. I see the future, the past, and the present. But I cannot change it. That is my fate."

I also smiled, genuinely. For once, I felt hope. "Thanks, granny. For everything."

Chapter 44 (Remnant 9)

Lyra had the same powers as Deacon. Celestial flame. Diablos. The name sounded real evil, but I didn't care. A childhood friend of Arman's couldn't be bad.

I went to my room and put on my attire. It had changed, becoming accustomed to the magical and fantasy landscape of Corinth. Fur boots, black pants, bronze knee plating. Black shirt with Pariah's leather strap, and a green sleeveless coat with white fur lined at the collar. My hair had grown even longer, reaching the top of my chest. Yikes.

I put Pariah into its sheathe on my back. Ever since I had manifested Spike Formation, my eyes had become magenta, like Decen.

I put on a glove on my left hand. There was no need for one on my right, considering the Spike Cladding pretty much was resistant to anything, as it raced up my right arm up to the elbow.

Looking at my reflection in my mirror, I was like a completely different person from two years ago. I was way more muscular and bigger. Yes, I flex in the mirror time to time, in private, of course.

I touched my satchel, which condensed into a tiny pocket. Good old Corinth magic, and slipped it into the inside pocket of my coat.

"Heading out?" Merrow asked me.

"Yeah." I replied.

"I can come, let me just put these books away-"

"No. I'm going alone. It's a quest, a personal one, I guess you could say."

Merrow frowned. "Lucius..."

I walked up to her and knelt down, kissing her forehead. "I'll come back to you. I promise."

Merrow smiled. "You better, or I'll kill you."

The compass led me through mountains to cities, to villages. I would say a few weeks had passed since I had travelled. If I didn't have the compass the seer had given me, I'd be hella lost. Also this Lyra girl was so friggin far away.

"Damn you, granny. Why couldn't you have just gave Merrow coordinates for a damn portal." I grumbled.

"Sir?" An elderly man called out to me.

I turned around. "What do you want." I replied.

The man ran up to me. "Your sword... are you a warrior?"

"So what if I am? What is it?"

"My daughter... she went wandering in the Plains. I haven't seen her in a hours. Can you go to find her? Please? I beg you." The man began groveling at my feet. I felt really uncomfortable.

"Please... my little girl. Only you can go. No one here can fight, my village has been forsaken by the higher powers. Please."

I looked at my compass. There was still a chance to find Lyra. I guess... helping this irresponsible excuse of a parent wouldn't hurt anybody.

"Which way."

"You're kidding." I grumbled. The man looked at me sheepishly. This place... was infested with monsters.

"You let your daughter roam freely in this place? Do you have brain damage?"

"Please... I admit my mistakes. Please find my baby girl."

"Ugh." I grumbled. "Stay here. I'll find her... if she's still alive, anyway."

I stepped into the Plains, which was full of boulders. The place reeked. But I could see why she would have liked to play around here, because the place was like a literal jungle gym. Bunnies were hopping around, she had probably gotten distracted by them, and chased them off. Funnily enough, the monsters here don't like killing or eating the bunnies.

"Hey! Brat! I know you're here." I shouted.

I looked around, as I ventured deeper into the plains. Something caught my eye. I knelt down. Footprints.

I followed them, and realized that they had circled around some kind of... thing. Was it a nest? Whatever. I stepped through, when suddenly, a little girl's voice appeared.

"Don't! Don't step on that!"

I turned around, and noticed a little girl hiding in between the rocks. Her dress was torn, and her blonde hair was muddy.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny. Come on. Enough screwing around. I'm here to take you back home to your dad."

"I'm not coming home."

"The hell? This is non negotiable. Unless you wanna become food for these monsters here."

"No."

Yeah, screw that. I needed to get this job done. If I brought this loser his daughter back he could pay me in money and supplies. Would help with my journey a lot. I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her out of her hiding spot.

"STOP! NOOOO!" She screamed.

Suddenly, rumbling appeared. I turned around, and the sounds of stomping filled the air.

"Dammit kid! How the hell did you survive here for hours with your retardation. Come on, we're leaving." I grabbed her and picked her up, hoisting her over my shoulder as she began punching me from behind.

"I don't want to see daddy! Let me go! Help me! HEEEEEELLPPP!!!"

Prayers answered. Because the moment she said that we were greeted with one of the biggest monsters I had ever seen. Seven legs, seven eyes. Six horns. The little girl stared at it in horror.

"Tarentala!" She screamed.

"The hell is that?" I exclaimed, dodging one of the monster's acid sprays.

"The mother of the Arachnoids! You were stepping on its nest!"

"You sure it wasn't because you were going Phantom of the Opera literally a minute ago?"

The monster screeched and smashed the ground where I just was with one of its feet. It created a massive crater as the girl began crying burying her face into my shoulder.

"Hey kid! Shut the hell up! You're ruining my coat!"

Yeah. This wasn't it. If I used any of my spike powers, I'd risk turning this kid into a shish kebab. I had to use my good old fashioned sword wielding. I reached for Pariah, when suddenly my hand smacked the girl in the face.

"Ouch!"

"Kid... what are you doing?!" I demanded, evading another attack from the spider.

"I'm hanging on, because you're the worst pony ever!"

This kid's face was in the way of Pariah's hilt. I couldn't use Spikes. I couldn't use Pariah. If I used my super strength, the sudden movements of my body would probably give this brat whiplash. I freaking hate kids.

"Okay. Screw this." I growled, and ran out of there as fast as I could. Tarantula or whatever the hell her name was, giving chase.

Losing that spider thing was half the battle. Because now we had to make our way back. I had gotten lost, and ended up taking the long way back to the damn village.

"Mister... what is your name?"

"Lucius."

"Loochy?"

"Lucius. Loo Shis."

"Loot Shiz. Luke Shiz."

"Just... call me Luke. Whatever. What's your name? Pain-in-the-ass Bertha?"

"Yenna."

"Cool."

"Luke?"

"What is it now."

"I don't want to go back to Daddy. I want to live here."

I stared at her. "Kid, your father is worried sick about you. At least living with your family is better than living here."

"No. Daddy is terrible."

"I don't know... he was pissing himself begging me to rescue you."

"No. Daddy isn't terrible with me. He's terrible with our maid. Sophia."

"Maid?" The girl's lower lip trembled. "I want to free her... but Daddy abuses her. And it scares me. She's afraid of everybody, even me. I... I just want Daddy to stop, so I ran away."

I sighed. Whatever. I just needed to get this kid back, and I could be on my way. My stomach grumbled.

"I'll take you back, and I'll deal with your pops. Stop him from abusing her. How's that sound?"

The girl looked at me, and nodded.

"YENNA! BY THE MAKERS I WAS SO WORRIED!" The guy ran up to the kid and crushed her in a hug. We were in the dinner table, where my stomach was about to give way.

"Warrior, I am in deep debt to you. I shall pay for your services right away. SOPHIA. Get your filthy animal ass over here RIGHT NOW."

A small voice squeaked in the corner. "Yes... Master Clyde... I'm coming I'm coming I'm coming." A petite woman appeared from the kitchen with a satchel full of food, and coins. She looked feeble, her hair, black but greying, despite her age, which I could guess was around my biological age of 22 considering her pretty face. To top it all off, she pointy ears, like Kyrael. The hell.

Clyde grabbed the bag and took out his whip, lashing her. Sophia screamed in pain, and sobbed.

"Hey!" I instinctively growled.

Clyde glared at her. "How dare you make this Warrior wait for his payment. Get back to the kitchen and fix him up a meal. RIGHT NOW."

Sophia scurried back into the kitchen. Yenna stared at the table, her expression blank.

"Warrior... what is your name?" Clyde asked. I resisted the urge to punch him in the face. No one deserved to be treated like this.

Clyde probably noticed my expression. "Warrior... don't mind Sophia. Her kind is made to serve. That's how what she is, a slave. She's good for nothing. I'd get rid of her, but she cooks all the meals. I'm kinda stuck."

I examined the satchel, and put it into my coat pocket.

I looked at Yenna, who was still despondent. I did tell her I would deal with Clyde. I suddenly had an idea.

"You only need the slave to cook for you, right?"

Clyde raised an eyebrow. "What brought that on?"

I took out the satchel and threw it back at him. "I don't want your money and supplies."

Sophia returned, with a bowl of stew. I wolfed it down in seconds, causing her to yelp.

Clyde gritted his teeth and whipped her again. "Who gave you permission to speak?" Sophia looked down, her tears mixing with the dirt on her face.

I looked at the empty bowl. It was good. Way better than the "food" I could make. And better than Merrow's cooking, of course I wouldn't tell her that, otherwise she would kick my ass.

Clyde turned back to me. "So, Warrior. Back to the subject. If you don't want my money, what reward do you want?"

I looked up, and pointed my finger at Sophia, who gasped.

"Her."

Clyde's eyebrows went up. "Warrior... you cannot be serious? You want her? This good for nothing piece of half human trash?"

I raised my eyebrow. "You question my requests?"

Clyde's eyes widened. "No... No no no. But... without her, I cannot cook for Yenna and my family."

I reached into my coat pocket, and took out my satchel, which expanded. I took out my cookbook. It was something that Merrow had given to me ever since she discovered I took an interest in cooking. I figured I would bring it with me since my memory on recipes were trash. And I needed to survive. But now... considering there was Sophia...

I put the cookbook on the table. Yenna gasped.

Clyde looked at me. "A cookbook..."

"Yes." I responded. "Now you can figure out how to cook for your family. No need for a servant. I can have her."

Clyde glared at Sophia. "You heard the Warrior. Get lost." My teeth clenched. He fired her so quickly with no hesitation. Yenna gave me a look of joy.

Clyde shook my hand. "Well it's settled. Thank you again, for bringing my baby girl back to me. If you ever need a favor, just ask."

"Hmph." I grumbled as Clyde closed the door, leaving me and Sophia alone. I turned to her.

Sophia was trembling, tears streaming down her face.

"Quit crying." I told her.

"Yes, Master." She responded, wiping her eyes with her hands. Idiot. She was going to get an eye infection that way.

"Stop. Stop. Your hands are freaking filthy. Let me." I took out a handkerchief and wiped her face, as she stared at me.

"Master?"

"And stop calling me that. It's weird. Just call me Luke."

"Luke... I am now bound to you, to serve you as I did with Clyde." She looked away.

"Nah." I responded. Sophia stared at me, in shock.

"I'm... I'm sorry? Master Luke, I am indebted to you, for freeing me. I must serve you."

"Who decided that? Clyde? Old fool isn't your master no more. You're a free woman. So be free."

Chapter 45 (Remnant 9)

I continued on my way, following the compass. Yes, Sophia came along too. Despite me telling her she was free, she insisted on following me everywhere.

"Luke... You saved me from that tyrant. I am forever in your debt." She always said.

My stomach growled. Ah shit.

"Luke! You are hungry. I will prepare you a meal."

"No... it's fine... really-"

Before I knew it, Sophia had already whipped up something from the rations I had in my satchel. I took a bite from the beef stew she had created. It was good. I took another bite and another. Sophie sat down in front of me, her face, sullen.

"This is amazing!" I exclaimed. Sophie looked confused, like she never received a compliment in her life. "Luke?"

"How did you make this so quick?"

Sophia held up her hands, which began to glow, the pieces of rations that were still in my satchel shaking. "Food magic. It's why I was bought my Mast... I mean Clyde. To serve him."

"Cool." I responded, munching away.

I noticed that Sophia was eyeing the stew. "Want some?"

Sophia's eyes widened. "No... I mustn't. It is yours."

"Quit being a pansy and have some. Jeez. You look malnourished as hell. Come on. Come onnnnn..."

I spooned some of the stew and held it to her face.

"If you don't eat I'm gonna abandon you."

Sophia hesitated, but took the spoon and ate some. Color in her face began to restore.

I smirked. "Pretty good, right? What, never ate your own cooking before?"

Sophia looked down. "Clyde would beat me... if I did."

I leaned back. "Well, I'm not that lard bucket. You can have the rest. I'm gonna camp here for the night, you can do whatever the hell ya want."

Sophia wolfed down the rest of the stew even faster than I did.

I lied down on my sleeping bag. Five minutes later, I turned over, and realized Sophia was still kneeling there in front of me. I jumped.

"Chrissake, you scared me." I muttered. "I thought I told you, you're free now. Go on!"

"Luke..." Sophia muttered.

"What."

"I have nowhere to go. You're all I have left." Tears began to stream down the side of her face.

"The hell is wrong with your eyes. You're like a leaky faucet." I replied, sitting up.

"Clyde is all I had... my life as a slave is all I've known. I don't know... what to do, or where to go."

I looked at the campfire. She had nowhere to go. Just like me... when I had decided to abandon my life in the octagon, and left Merrow. I didn't know, and I felt lost. I wanted to return to the octagon, but part of me didn't. It would just be going back to my old rut of a life.

"Sophia." I said. She looked up.

"You want to stay with me? Accompany me with my quest?"

Sophia's eyes twinkled. "Re-Really?"

"Yeah. You can cook me meals and stuff. I'll protect you from monsters and assholes like Clyde. Sounds like a good deal, right?"

"Protect... me?" Her face turned red. Shit. I hoped she didn't have a fever. Because there was no way in hell I brought medicine.

"You must be cold as hell. Here." I took off my coat and put it around her shoulders. "You can even sleep in my sleeping bag tonight. I'll just buy some more stuff tomorrow morning, and we're headed off."

"Luke... I mustn't. Where will you sleep-"

"Holy crap, Sophie. You ain't a slave anymore! Just sleep in the bag, dammit! It's that or the rocks."

The following weeks consisted of me continuing my journey with the compass. I took on a few random jobs to earn some money to buy supplies and rations. Got an extra sleeping bag for Sophie, and a tent to camp out in. I also bought some clothes for her as well, a coat, boots, and all that. I didn't want her to freeze up on me. I already gave my cookbook away to that moron. If she died, I'd have to resort to eating gruel again.

During those weeks, Sophia had started to become more and more comfortable around me. Speaking freely, and being I guess... healthier. She also seemed to be really concerned for my wellbeing. I remembered having my arm caught in a thorn vine, and she instantly rushed to my aid, asking if I was hurt. Real sweet.

Her hair was still black and grey though.

"Sophie." I said.

"Yes, Luke?"

"Why's your hair grey?"

Sophia raised her eyebrows. "It's from stress. From when I was with Clyde. Is it not to your liking? I can color it something else-"

"Nah." Sophia stared at me.

"What?"

"Keep it. You look cute like this. I dig the silver hair."

Sophia's face turned red again. Jeez. Maybe I should have visited the old seer and asked for potions after all.

Chapter 46 (Remnant 9)

"The hell? You never been to a restaurant before?"

Sophia looked down. "No. Clyde forbade me from eating the same food as him."

I sighed. "Ya really gotta let him go. He's not here anymore."

Sophia and I walked in, and I ordered two meals for the both of us. Sophia took the meal and stared at it. I already wolfed down my portion until I realized she hadn't touched her food.

"Uhhh you gonna eat that? I paid a lot for it you know."

A tear ran down her cheek. Chrissake. Not again.

"Luke... why are you treating me like this? Why feed me, and show compassion? What do you hope to gain, what do you want from me?"

"The hell kinda question is that? You're my partner, are you not? I just wanted to treat you to something nice." Sophia shook her head.

"I've lived my life long enough to know that no man does these things without asking for a reward, or something in return." She looked at me, with an expression full of hurt, trauma, and pain.

"Lucius Cassidy... why do you care for me?"

I put down my fork. "Because I'm lonely." I responded, honestly.

Sophia raised her eyebrows. "Lonely?"

I looked at her. "Yeah. You're all the company I have. I see no reason to treat you harshly. And you make good food. Is that not enough reason to treat you kindly?"

Sophia stared at her food again. "Company..."

I smirked. "I like you." Sophia gasped, and put a hand over her mouth.

What's gotten into her? "Well, you better eat up. It's gonna get cold."

We arrived to a gate. On it, was a bunch of white buildings, and an entire civilization. Written in fancy writing: NEW ARGEN. Arman's home.

"What is this place?" Sophie inspected the sign. Yeah, I just kinda started calling her that now. Kinda like a nickname.

Sophie suddenly bumped me with her backpack. Yeah. She insisted on carrying all our stuff on her back, after I had told her that Pariah was strapped on my back was about as heavy as a truck. She wanted to help ease my burden by carrying everything.

"Luke! I'm so sorry!" She squealed. I grabbed her shoulders and calmed her down. "Chill, Sophie. It was an honest mistake."

I looked down at my compass. It had started to lose its function, the blip on it had faded. I shook it a few times, and the blip did not return.

"That damn hag! She didn't tell me this shit was battery powered!"

"Luke... you shouldn't speak ill of your elders..." Sophie said, gently.

"Whatever." I grumbled.

We entered the city.

"I think we can find some magic guys in there, they can fix my radar, and hopefully give me some insight as to where Lyra is hiding." I explained, to Sophie.

"Mmm." She responded.

Several members looked at us, whispering amongst themselves.

"They must be adventurers."

"An elf? I wouldn't think an elf would be here... or even be outside."

Sophia began to get nervous, at the numerous eyes looking at her. Some of the Argen guys began to leer at her.

"Damn... she's hot. I wonder if that guy's gonna sell her."

Sophia breathed sharply. I could tell she was nervous, her face became pale. For a bunch of guys who lived in a place with a church, these guys sure were immoral.

"Sophie." I said. "Come closer to me."

"Lu-Luke?"

I put my arm around her, wrapping her into an embrace as we continued walking. Sophia rested her head on my chest as we continued walking, smiling. Her nervousness dissipating as she calmed down.

The leering and disgusting remarks stopped.

Magic guys. Magic guys.

"Sophia, see if you can find anyone with magic, or would know magic. We gotta find someone who can fix this device."

"Okay."

An hour passed, and we couldn't find any actual mages. A lot of these guys, as far I knew, were fighters or church followers. The closest to magic they had was healing and offensive abilities. No one knew what a "device" was. Or even who Lyra was. We were lost in the middle of nowhere.

"GODDAMMIT!" I growled, throwing the compass onto the ground. Several civilians yelped and ran away from me. I seethed with rage.

"Arman..." I muttered. I was literally so close. I had a lead. I was in his home town dammit. And yet... And yet...

"Luke?" Sophia asked, gently, approaching me.

I fell to my knees. "I can't save him. I can't save nobody." I muttered, tears streaming from my face.

Sophia knelt next to me, wrapping me in a hug. I sobbed into her shoulder, remembering my times with Arman, him being kind to me despite me roasting his ass. Then of Deacon. Of the thought of Kallas breaking his bones.

"Lucius..." Sophia's voice soothed me, as she stroked my back. I probably was being a huge wimp, but the more Sophia comforted me, the more I wanted to let out everything that was hurting me. All my hurt and pain.

"It's okay." Sophia reassured me, as I continued to cry.

"Arman... Deacon. I lost them both. I can't save my brothers... I can't save anyone."

"Lucius... that isn't true. You saved me."

I looked up at her face. Her pretty, innocent, and pure face, that was scarred. A scar that lined her cheek from Clyde's abuse.

"I... No... I only took you in because I needed..."

"Because you didn't want Yenna to be sad? No? So she could be happy with her father."

"Sophie... I'm not a good person. I'm... if you knew me from before..."

Sophia ran her hand across my face. "I don't know who you were in the past. And even if I did, I don't care."

I stared at her. Sophia continued.

"The man right now, the one who saved me from my life as a slave, and took care of me. Let me eat, let me sleep. Bought me clothes. That is the man I see. That is the man in front of me right now. Who you were in the past is in the past."