Claymore Fanfiction Discussion

[Neesan]

I think it does have to do with fanfiction....what about if we make an anime review for claymore?

[hell88]

@shelter and Yosei: I brought back Flora because she will be the charater to tell everyone how the org has brought back warriors from the dead and why they are doing it.

I'm only going to add a few non-canon characters to my story for now. There is already too much that is happening in my story to keep adding more people.

And don't worry Dracul's character will develop just fine, because I am planning on keeping him alive. I don't think I will kill him off.

[Yosei]

Originally Posted by shelter

Regarding Cyanide Affection, all I can say is: brutal. Of course, you've warned me about it already. But you're extremely graphic & descriptive, and in that particular scene with Cynthia, there is an element of obvious helplessness which makes the imagery & mental picture of a brutalized Claymore a bit hard to stomach. Artistically, that scene is very strong; it's evocatively full of pathos. Personally, though, you were flirting with bdsm & snuff porn.

As for Miria's 'unleashing' of desire, I admit I didn't see it coming. There was a bit of unnatural tension in the earlier duel which I might have picked up. But it seems a bit incredulous she would have a sudden, guilt-trip-ish romp with a fallen royal - especially since in the way you describe it, it sounds like she did it on a whim & solely because he is royalty. Again, narratively, it's a great twist. But it does throw all my previous preconceptions of Miria's character out the window.

It will be more interesting to see how these 2 experiences: an absolutely horrid one for Cynthia & Miria's emotional/ physical episode, will impact the rest of the story.

Well, I'm glad you're willing to give my interpretation and perspective a chance. Some fanfic writers will criticize you heavily for every non-canon move you make, even if it's a risk you wanted to take for the sake of creating a story that evokes new ways of looking at characters and their inner struggles... *bitter* Unless you risk something within your story I don't believe one can reach any new possibilities.

Indeed, I wanted to create an even darker, more Gothic Claymore... something that really emphasizes the evil of the Claymore world, because there's a lot of potential for that. Cynthia's torture, Miria's struggle with Dumuzi - all are part of my attempt to realize that. The decadence, the depravity, the violence, the eloquent, exquisite evil - I think there's potential there and I want to push ahead with this.

Spoiler for space:

Chapter 6: A Prince’s Grief

Mt. Sumeru, Royal Gardens. A hundred years ago


Amidst five-foot shrubs and exquisite flowers stood Anu, the ancient and mighty Emperor of the Dragon Nations. A powerful humanoid titan, his head was his most peculiar feature: a Draconic, bearded face, with eyes of an eagle and horns of a stag. His skin was visibly scaled, although the robes of celestial black that covered his body hid much of his reptilian hide. He gazed pensively at the blooming orchard that lay beyond the elegant hedges, his mind dawdling to different places that offered a refuge from the raging War against the humans.

“Daddy!”

He turned at the cheerful voice of Inanna, who approached him with the enthusiasm of a child. In her hands was a bone-kite, one of the many contraptions Dragon younglings built to pass the lazy days away. The hollow bones were harvested from giant hawks that flew up to Mt. Sumeru to die, and a thick rope made from the sinews of common mammoths allowed the amusing little thing to be flown. “My daughter.” The wizened Emperor forced a smile. “How is my princess passing her time today?” he asked, his voice like rolling thunder.

“I made one all by myself,” she replied eagerly, holding up the hollow machination. Her brown hair spilled over her shoulders, her young face alight with enthusiasm. Even as an adolescent, she had developed into a beautiful Dragoness, something he was immensely proud of, although he would never admit it.

“Won’t you come with me and fly it this afternoon?” she asked, holding it up to him. Anu stroked his venerable beard, unsure of how to reply.

“No,” he finally said, trying to keep his tone as mild as possible. “Unfortunately, I will be busy for the remainder of the day. I have… state matters to attend to.”

Inanna’s expectant face fell. “But you promised to fly with me – ”

“And that promise will have to wait,” cut in the Emperor. “Perhaps you can play with Dumuzi. I was only out here in the Gardens for a rest. Very soon, I must return to my viziers. So…” he smiled regretfully at her, unable to say anything else.

Visibly slumping, Inanna turned away, her expression disappointed and rejected. She sidled away, her hands falling to her side, the bone-kite forgotten.

“You promised to play with me a year ago, and you haven’t even come to see the kites I made,” she mumbled, wiping away a tear.

Anu sighed and turned to make his way back to the Throneroom. His scaled feet glided across the garden grounds, his elderly hand brushing by the thorned bushes ever so slightly. He was surprised when he heard Dumuzi’s sudden voice. “You worry that you will not be by her side when she dies. Perhaps you might regret that you were not by her side when she lived.”

The Crown Prince was leaning on the wall of the palace, his arms folded. Dumuzi was several metres shorter than his father, but it did not stop him from talking like an equal – something Anu inwardly admired.

But for the sake of maintaining tradition, he could never praise him for that. He turned to look at his son, his wide, fierce orange eyes boring into red, sinister slits. “A profound thought,” admitted the Emperor, drawing up his ebony robes. “Perhaps it is time for me to retire… and allow you to assume the civil and military authority of Mt. Sumeru.”

“Father, I did not want to imply that at all. But Inanna deserves better than the harshness you subjected me to.”

Anu glided past Dumuzi, eyeing him severely. “Do you really think I desired that? For you to suffer so? It was the price necessary for a Prince – to learn the arts of war, scholarship, history, and the tradition of our Ancestors. One day, you shall be Emperor after I step down. I am old; my hibernation every Fimbulwinter grows longer by the year. Should the Tribes be thrown into upheaval while I am in slumber, you will need to show our people how much you have learned. Do not assume my immortality. There is always something that can stray amiss.” Anu raised a scaled hand. “Entertain your sister. I have no time for her antics.”

Dumuzi scowled, scratching his horned head in exasperation. “You know you do not mean that, Father. Why do you do this to yourself?”

Anu did not reply. His horned face was expressionless as he retreated into the Throneroom, and the door closed as Dumuzi heard the mutters of the viziers returning to conference.

*

Fuming, Dumuzi had spent the last hour wandering the Hall of Elders, searching for his beloved sister. He had turned a corner, when a Dragon taller than himself emerged from the shadows. Canine jowls dripped with plague-ridden venom, and bright eyes shone in front of four large, rotting wings.

“Send me, my Prince,” hissed Pazuzu, lurching before him. “Send me to fight the humans.”

“No, my friend,” refused Dumuzi bitterly. “Father’s negotiations are bound to fail, this I know. But I am not going to risk your life at the hands of the treacherous humans.”

“Why?” hissed Pazuzu. “I have never thought of anything else but to fulfil my calling as one who aspires to attain the rank of Enchanter General. I can crush them now, if only you would cease your foolish concern for me.”

“No,” said Dumuzi adamantly. “I tire of the opportunism of the Imperial Court. And your own ambitions must be kept in check, for your own safety. The viziers will not tolerate a progressive… no, revolutionary… thinker like you. Even I find your ideas… frightening. A world in which there is no rule of monarchy; but of the common people? A risk-filled endeavour at best, an insane delusion at worst. Currently there is no worse time to make your bid for the position for the Enchanter General. So for now, please lie low, my friend.”

“How naïve, my Prince,” replied Pazuzu bitterly. “One day, you will realize the folly of a heart that closes itself to… anarchy.”

“Anarchy?”

Pazuzu’s eyes gleamed. “Yes. Ah. By the way – ” he leaned in, his voice falling dramatically in volume. “There is someone from the frontlines who wishes to see you.”

Dumuzi scowled. “Who?”

The canine-headed Descendant’s eyes glowed. “Him.”

Dumuzi’s eyes widened. No. No, it cannot be. At this time?

“Carmelo…?”

*

Emissary’s Hall

The guest’s chamber was wide, elephantine, dwarfing the human figure who stood within, awaiting Dumuzi to receive him. His gold eyes contrasted sharply with his raven hair, and his black and purple cape and garments were not out of place with the decadent tapestries that draped down the marble walls of the room.

Dumuzi opened the colossal door and shut it behind him. He smiled. “It is rare for you to leave the frontlines, Grand General,” he acknowledged, “especially on a secret notice.”

“This is the last time I will ever come to Mt. Sumeru,” replied the human supreme commander. “The war between your father and I can only last so long.”

“I would take offence at your presumed equality with my father,” said Dumuzi. “You have fought me many times; you have not fought him. I assure you that neither you or I can hold a candle to his power.”

“I have come to try and convince you one last time to surrender to the human Army,” insisted Lord Carmelo, laying aside his Sword of Heaven on the carpeted floor. “I will say only this much: my compatriots have succeeded in creating a new weapon; a weapon that can match even your power. Perhaps, they will surpass even me.”

“Weapon? Some treacherous contraption designed by your mad scientists?”

“In a way. I only wish to warn you, that these new weapons are… sentient. They are not what you preconceive them to be.”

“A mere warning cannot stop me. I know not your plans, but what creature could possibly surpass even a Dragon’s strength?”

Carmelo’s eyes twinkled. “That, my friend, is for you to find out very shortly.” He moved away, his hands tucked behind him and his expression thoughtful. “For years we have fought, yet I know your heart is unwilling to end the chaos with brutality. What can you do with mere compassion? Dumuzi, you do not have what it would take to unite our two nations together.”

“Carmelo!” reproached the Crown Prince. “All beings can grow without the forced utopia you propose. It is that change that can unite human and Dragon together in a world greater than that of our forefathers.”

“It is that misguided vision which invites war,” said Carmelo, his golden eyes narrowing. “My way is the true way; the only way.”

Dumuzi shook his head. “Your so-called way will only prolong this suffering and bloodshed, and pile more corpses on a mountain you and my father have created.”

The other shook his head. “It seems I am unable to convince you, to sway your heart. I am sorry. You are my archnemesis, my most respected adversary. It will not feel good killing you the next time I see you.” Carmelo sombrely took up his sheathed sword and turned his back. “Farewell, Crown Prince. May your duty be never more than you can bear.”

“Goodbye, Grand General,” said Dumuzi softly, as the door closed.

They would never meet again.

***

My name is Cynthia. I am a former warrior of the Organization. I fought to defeat Yoma, Awakened Beings, and the Organization itself. And now, I followed my friends and some unlikely allies to the Isles, to defend against the invading Tribes.

I also think I’m going to die alone, and it terrifies me.

I’ve been crying for the past hour. I think it’s been an hour, at least. I can’t check. I’ve been nailed to a plank of wood for more than a day, with no food. No water. My own blood has dried up on my hands, my feet, thigh, stomach. I’ve been healing myself, keeping as calm as possible. So far, I closed up the lacerations Pazuzu inflicted on my stomach. It was agony, to have my intestines and muscles exposed in the cold air. But after an entire day, I could finally stitch my flesh together with my Yoki. The scars are horrible, crude – long lines of Pazuzu’s claws.

I can still feel that monster’s infectious finger inside me. He forced my legs apart in a way I had ever only let Galatea do. I feel filthy, disgusting, not worthy of even standing before my beloved anymore.

I’m scared.

I don’t want to die. I want to escape from this place. I want to take Galatea with me and flee these Isles. I want to go home, back to Darene. Where Galatea made love to me. Where she kept me warm.

But the only warmth I can feel is my hot blood seeping through the wood. My thigh is still refusing to close up. I try not to look down. I don’t want to see the throbbing muscle, the severed vessels and nerves. It’s too disgusting. Why can’t it close up? Has he infected me with his plague? Or have I just lost control?

I know I’ve killed many in my life. But do I really deserve this? I don’t know.

A boom of the door. Light blinds me, and I close my eyes. It must be him again. Has he come to rape me again? Or is he going to humiliate me in front of his friends? Please, don’t cut me up. It’ll hurt, even more now that I’ve been trying to heal myself.

I flinch as my torturer speaks.

But the words are not my torturer’s.

“My kitten.”

My kitten?

I open my eyes, squinting, and I see two figures. One, with short hair. The other, with a scar on her eye.

Clare… Raphaela?

I sob, tears leaking from my eyes, and blood from my mouth. Why do you have to see me like this? Look away, look away. Please…

But I don’t need to hide. The woman I love is with them. She is the one who spoke to me. She steps in front of me, hiding me from their sight. My heart leaps in disbelieving joy. “…” I try to speak, but all I do is spit a red haze of blood. I swear in impulse, but I get the same results.

I can’t reply to her, and I hate it.

“Cynthia. I have come to save you.” I can feel her Yoki flaring in rage and grief and sorrow and hatred… so many emotions have overcome her. I open my mouth to urge her to control herself lest she Awaken, but I just taste my blood again. “Your… your thigh… ” she whispers. “Why… why are your muscles exposed? Why is your flesh cut open? Tell me!”

Despite myself, I sigh in relief. She didn’t have to lay hands on my flayed stomach.
She runs her finger over my body, stopping at my throat. I can feel her Yoki surging in horror. Please, my love, don’t lose control. Please, I don’t want to lose you. She seems to listen; I see her wide, white eyes closing, and she concentrates, her Yoki flowing into me, helping me close up my exposed throat. It’s agony – it takes several minutes, and I can’t do anything except stare at her wet, blind eyes as she pours all her energy into me, slowly but effectively reforming my torn flesh. “You… cannot speak, can you?” she finally whispers.

I cannot answer her, and that is enough.

I will never be able to talk again.

She is blind, and now I’m mute. What a curious pair we make.

I hiss in pain as she pulls the rusting, giant nail out of my hand. Blood spurts anew. She realizes. Drawing close, she kisses me, her lips pressing to mine. I stare at her tormented face as her arm reaches for the other nail. I close my eyes, obeying her, and I bite down hard on her lip as she pulls the metal from the wood and my flesh. I open my eyes, eternally grateful. She draws away, heaving in sorrow. She couldn’t care less about her bleeding lip. Her eyes are wet, and she takes me in her arms after she removes the nails that were hammered into my feet. She lifts me from my prison, my plank of hated wood. “Cynthia,” she whispers, crying. “My lovely kitten.”

I close my eyes. I want to return her embrace, but my arms won’t move. I’m too weak. I can barely stay awake.

But with her holding me, I’m not so scared of death anymore.

“No more,” whispers my beloved. “I thought I was doing something good by following Riful and Miria. No. No more.” She hoists me up in a bridal fashion. Her warm hands are salvation for my naked body. She turns and speaks to Clare and Raphaela, who remain in stunned silence. “Enough. I didn’t come all the way to Andromeda to see Cynthia like this. As if Alicia wasn’t enough. I took a child’s life that day. And today, if we hadn’t arrived here in time… No. Not Cynthia. I’m leaving them to their damned war. I didn’t sign up for this. I didn’t sign up for Cynthia to be… treated like this.” She kisses my forehead. “I’m not participating in this insanity anymore. I’m leaving. I’m leaving the Isles, and I’m taking Cynthia with me.”

I don’t really know what’s going on. All I understand is Galatea’s hands.

Her warmth.

Her voice.

Her lips.

I bury my face in her chest.

I am so happy.

I’m not scared anymore.

*

Upon the plateau overlooking the central city of Andromeda, Dumuzi clenched his teeth. “They’ve come?” he confirmed quietly. “Then let us push a final attack. Crush Pazuzu and his cronies beneath us!”

In the distance, several dozen hulking forms rose, and they bellowed, ripping the air with an incredible wave of power. They were massive, as tall as the spires of the city, and they lurched towards Pazuzu’s new stronghold, determined to dislodge his foothold in the Isles.

At his side, Miria gazed at the reinforcements silently. She looked at his scowling face, his narrowed eyes, and back to the city that was soon to be reduced to rubble, along with all its inhabitants.

“Do not forget why you’re here, Dumuzi,” she said quietly, and at her gentle advice, Dumuzi’s eyes faltered, his resolve slipping away ever so slightly. He looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

“Inanna…”

TO BE CONTINUED

Enjoy.

[weirdo487]

Originally Posted by Yosei

Well as far as I'm concerned, everyone around here has more valuable priorities than writing and posting on this thread (and that's a good thing!). Whether it's relationships/school/sports/religion, no one's obliged to sideline their own priorities in the name of boosting this thread's story count.

I think that the thread will eventually get monotonous with only one or two people regularly posting their stories. Beware!

well im on vacation rite now and the internet i have is limmited to a lapop i'm barrowing from a freind ATM, so i cant post much, I'm also writeing a bit for a contest on another site as well so... well i'll be back with something in a few days if only to keep the monotony away

[Ryuken]

@hell, the first part was funny in the end, I mean, first Riful thought that she was in big trouble and was going to puke. But luckily for her Prissy was not interested and to Riful's credit joined her in the end.

And Miria and Raki, that just had to happen didn't it. So now, a lot of things are going to happen between the girls. It should really cook up a good plot.

Maybe Clare is getting a little ahead of herself. I mean these things happen all the time and one should just forget it and move along. Although it's going to be pretty hard. And that kick was nice by Rafaela, hopefully that would knock some sense into Clare.

The rest of the story followed a decent path. I also like Dracul, and his name, which has a very vampired feel to it, which is nice of course. And also the fact that he doesn't like fighting and bloodshed and all, as he had stated. Have to admit that I'm a little worried about Clare now. It's not that I don't like the relationship between Miria and Raki. (I love it) The fact that Clare is so unpredictable makes me feel very uneasy especially now that the worse case sicnarior has arrived.

And last but not the least, the introduction of Flora was nice and ok.

[hell88]

@Yosei: Very interesting how you made the first part of chapter six like a flash back. I was so happy when Galatea, came to save Cynthia. Although I have no idea how Galatea, Raphaela, and Clare were able to find her anyway it just feels good, or mabye you have it set up so that Puzuzu will show up to stop Galatea when she is leaving with Cynthia. The end of the chapter was good too, sounds like there will be another battle.

@Ryuken: Seems your the only one that had anything to say about Riful and Priscilla.

Oh and things will cook up a lot with Raki and Miria, and mabye the other girls too. Clare is basically going to go nuts.

I'm glad I made Dracul a good guy, he will be a very interesting character now indeed.

Anyways, not sure how long I'm going to have Flora around. She will play her part in my story and then I can just say anything could happen to her.

@shelter: I have a question. In the first two chapters of Snakehead, the child that Emerta took away. Does that child eventually turn out to be someone we know or was that a non-cannon character?

[shelter]

@Yosei:

I have the feeling you toned down this last chapter a bit. It made it slightly easier to read. Claymore, even with all its potential for brutality & anguish, is still at its core about finding purpose. I tried to see it in this context. Well, it did help.

I personally thought this last chapter was a bit convoluted. The flashback doesn't belong to anybody per se, because no one seems to own that memory. As for Cynthia, Galatea's rescue is quite a sweet one, but it is still overall quite a painful, sad sight. Credit to you for drawing out the reader's emotions though

Seems like Dimuzi is torn between Miria's presence & avenging Inanna. At least that's what would be expected.

Originally Posted by hell88

@shelter: I have a question. In the first two chapters of Snakehead, the child that Emerta took away. Does that child eventually turn out to be someone we know or was that a non-cannon character?

That child is non-canon all the way. I just saw Ermita's job as collecting infants for the Organization, & thought that with an infant between them, it would be a good opportunity for Galatea to warm up to Ermita a bit more.

[Yosei]

Yeah my apologies for what might almost be called a self-indulgent chapter - with nothing more than appearances from my more memorable non-canon characters and a Cynthia POV. This chapter did have a point though, to emphasize the ties between everyone and how they will impact the coming Battle of Andromeda. I probably didn't do it well enough.

I don't regret having put her through this ordeal, although yes, I probably won't try that sort of thing again. A pity. KIDDING!

[Yosei]

My goodness. No one's posted here since I last visited? I think very, very quiet days are ahead.

Spoiler for space:

Chapter 7: The Battle of Andromeda

After her grueling rescue by Raphaela in the smoldering ruins of the Western Fort, Galatea had forced herself to journey deeper inland, to where Riful had been awaiting her. The most crucial battle yet of the war was about to begin. Never had the Dragons marched so deep, beyond the Western Fort. Never before were cities like Andromeda under threat. In the midst of an invasion of the city, Galatea, Raphaela and Clare had broken into the occupied church to rescue all the humans and whisk them away from the battlefield.

To Galatea's horror, Cynthia had been among them. Only then did they truly understand the sinister power of their foe.

Having draped her cloak around Cynthia, Galatea hurried beyond the broken door. She glanced at Clare. “The Dragons are already headed this way. If you hurry, you might still be able to surprise them as they arrive.” She hugged Cynthia closer and glanced around. Already the city was witness to clumsy, lumbering shapes from the distance. Which faction they belonged to, she did not know.

Nor did she care.

“Raphaela. You saved me from the fires of the Western Fort. For that I thank you. But it seems that I can’t avoid the exquisite pain of seeing blood and madness despite my blindness, wherever I go. You saved me, only to take me to this… hellhole. I am now heading back in that direction, from whence we arrived by ship. I’m going to find a galleon, a boat, anything – to take her home.”

Clare shook her head in respectful disapproval, but Raphaela was more forthright. “You’re insane.”

“What they did to her was insane.”

“You will let this insanity continue, then? By fleeing?”

“I do not want Cynthia in this war. It’s as simple as that.”

“You can’t leave. Not now. Not when you were the one who asked me to come,” insisted Raphaela, her face suppressing quiet outrage.

“I’m blind, but even I can see that she’s in no shape to fight,” said Galatea coldly. “And quite frankly, neither am I.”

“Your withdrawal may cost us this battle.”

“This whole war is already lost, as far as I’m concerned.” Galatea kissed her barely conscious lover on the forehead. Cynthia stirred in response, and her warm silver eyes opened. She gazed at Galatea hopefully, and from that one gaze, Galatea’s heart could not be swayed. They still shone with purity, with gentle love and compassion. With an unfailing trust that Galatea found almost unbelievable.

Truly, Cynthia was extraordinary, a daughter of God.

A giant form landed amidst crushed rubble. It raised itself, roaring its legions to battle. “It’s Pazuzu. The dog-man who almost managed to wipe out our entire force,” confirmed Raphaela grimly. “If you’re not going to fight, we will be one less effective. And you yourself have admitted that one less is a hundredfold less.”

“Shut up,” said Galatea flatly. “Farewell, Clare. Farewell, former Number Five. For now, our time together ends. I pray that you’ll return home to us unscathed, once the madness you’re participating in ends.”

“Be careful, Galatea,” said Clare. She drew her sword. “We’ll do our best to survive, so we can see each other again.”

“I look forward to that day,” agreed Galatea.

“You’ve doomed us. You’ve taken away two of our warriors, including yourself,” snapped Raphaela.

Galatea turned away and did not turn back. “Let’s go, Cynthia,” she whispered. “It is time to leave.” And ignoring Raphaela’s outraged glare, she began to walk out towards the city gates, calmly shielding Cynthia’s Yoki from the lumbering Dragons that had begun to trample through the dusty streets.

The world collapsed around the two women even as they desperately tried to salvage their own.

*

Dumuzi gazed hatefully at Pazuzu. Standing amidst a ruined building, the canine demon caught sight of him and sneered. “I shall avenge my sister no matter what the cost. Forward! Leave none of these traitors of the Royal House standing!” He raised his Crescent Hounds, and the Dragons on the ground roared, advancing. This time, they were not wurms – they were giant rakshashas, with the heads of ravenous tigers and bodies of powerfully built men. Around the same height as Dumuzi, they were dwarfed by Pazuzu and his minions. But they exuded a Draconic aura that enveloped not only the entire city, but the entire land.

“More royal pawns marching to their own slaughter.” But having said that, Pazuzu still expunged Pestilence from his body, holding it upwards in a defensive guard. For these new Dragons were not mere Royal Guard; they were the Tiger Guard, the Emperor’s personal bodyguard. But of course. Father’s pet. Pazuzu spat in disgust as he raised his hand, and the rebel Dragons let out a defiant bellow against the Crown Prince.

The spires of the city came toppling down as the Tiger Guards charged into the throng of rebels, tearing through them with righteous fury. They wielded powerful longswords, about the height of two human men. Pazuzu’s Descendants counterattacked, their jowls belching fire, but they set not their enemies alight, but the city itself. An inferno spread, immolating the buildings within the city walls in a preternatural flame. The screams of humans who had not evacuated were almost as loud as the howls of the Dragons who continued to tussle back and forth. “So those cowards are using fire to confuse my warriors?” snorted Dumuzi. “I should have seen this coming.” His grip on the Crescent Hounds loosened slightly, however. It would confuse the Tiger Guard, but the Tiger Guard were more than just soldiers. They had been hand-picked by the Emperor himself, the elite bodyguards who were utterly reliable, in any circumstance. Their discipline was otherworldly; something Pazuzu’s motley retinue could never even fathom nor understand. And it showed. Unbowed by the fire attack, the Tiger Guards broke through the throng of Dragons, punching into the heart of the mob which had attempted to occupy the city. Pushed back, the slobbering brutes were impaled on the cold ends of longswords forged by Descendant blacksmiths and blessed by elder shamans.

Pazuzu grimaced, and leaped upwards, preparing to join the fray. He caught sight of Dumuzi, and he changed course, his bony wings flapping wildly. With blinding speed, he flew up towards the plateau. “Stay here, Miria. I will defeat him myself.” Dumuzi moved to intecept him, his thick legs tightening.

She stopped him. “Wait. If you are going to fight, let me fight with you.”

"I will kill him with my bare hands."

Her eyes glimmered as the remaining dozen Dragons toppled before the unstoppable Tiger Guards. “You’ve lost enough already. Don’t you want to end this quickly?”

Dumuzi’s head lowered. “I…”

Miria sighed and put her arms around his waist. “I am not your enemy. Nor am I your ally. What am I?”

Dumuzi closed his eyes. “No, you are my ally. My trusted and beloved ally. Come with me, sweet warrior lady.” She released him, and he leaped away from the plateau, towards the ascending Pazuzu. The wings of the sworn enemies flapped almost in tandem, and they roared their hatred – Dumuzi’s a demonic howl, and Pazuzu’s a hellish canine screech. Miria drew her sword and hurtled down towards the city towers. Together, the Crown Prince and former Number-Six brought their swords against Pazuzu’s halberd, metal and bone colliding with jaw-jarring force. Despite their combined strength, Pazuzu’s wings flapped harder, and he did not budge. He sneered, daring them to push further.

"Back for another beating?" he crowed. "First Inanna. Now I'll crush you – "

Five metal rods several metres long suddenly burst from below, smashing into Pazuzu’s rib. The cracking of bones was generously audible. The Enchanter General coughed blood and plummeted to the ground, slamming painfully into the city rubble and amongst corpses of his own followers.

Dumuzi quickly caught Miria in his arms. Wings flapping, he looked down. Below them, a purple titan had lowered his fist. He was at the city gates, his full height easily taller than that of the ramparts.

“Heh,” snickered Dauf.

“About time you two arrived,” Riful said, her ribbons splitting the last rebel Dragon in two. “I was beginning to think you’d abandoned us.” She glanced up. “It’s time to pay our little doggy back for his bad behaviour.”

Miria smiled.

“Oh, yes,” growled Dauf in unabashed excitement.

*

Galatea calmly made her way over the mountains that once acted as Andromeda’s natural barrier, her Yoki undetectable to the lumbering Descendants that were filing into the megalopolis. The thundering grew quieter as she retreated from the raging bloodshed of the nearby city.

For now, no one should be able to find them.

She looked down at Cynthia. She couldn’t see the younger woman’s face, but she hoped it was one of peace. “Hey,” she called softly.

Cynthia smiled, her tear-stained face blushing slightly.

Galatea could sense her Yoki flaring in eagerness. What an amazing woman. Even after such torment, she finds the strength to express… such affection for someone who’s failed her miserably. Someone who… barely deserves her.

Cynthia opened her mouth. She let out a soft, hesitant gargle from the back of her destroyed throat.

“Everything’s fine now,” reassured Galatea. Her heart melted completely, and unable to maintain her sarcastic, confident façade, she poured her soul into her comfort – something she had been unable to succeed completely in even as a nun. “I’m going to take care of you. I will take you home, and we’ll make a new start, together.”

Cynthia raised her finger and stroked Galatea’s lips gently, her eyes shining.

The nun shook her head at the loving contact. “I don’t care if you can’t speak. I don’t care if I can’t see you. It will be difficult, but we can work something out. I will not give up on you. I would give up on my own God before I abandon you.”

Cynthia withdrew her finger bashfully.

“I will stay by your side for the rest of my life. We will live out our days together, in a cottage near my church in Rabona. Do you remember my church…? It was there where we first met.” She closed her eyes at what might be the fondest memory of her violent life. “And Beth is there, waiting for me. I have been caring for her, like my daughter.”

Cynthia blinked in surprise, but Galatea was prepared. “Would you object, darling? To have her under our roof? Give me one squeeze for yes, two squeezes for no.”

Cynthia immediately pressed her hand twice.

“It’ll be just the three of us, together, as a family. No wandering; no war. Just a normal life; at last. Does that sound good?”

A rasping sigh, which would have once been a squeal of ecstasy, escaped the younger woman. She clutched onto Galatea tighter, demanding her guardian to never release her.

The earth quaked, distant roars of battle drowning out the chirping of larks. Galatea paid them no heed. “Then let us go,” she said. “Let’s find a ship willing to take us home, my beloved.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Enjoy (if anyone still hangs around here anymore)

[Ashbringer]

Hrmm. Time to get off my lazy rear and start cracking with the fics!

This place does seem a bit...empty.

[hell88]

Originally Posted by Yosei

My goodness. No one's posted here since I last visited? I think very, very quiet days are ahead.

Spoiler for space:

Chapter 7: The Battle of Andromeda

After her grueling rescue by Raphaela in the smoldering ruins of the Western Fort, Galatea had forced herself to journey deeper inland, to where Riful had been awaiting her. The most crucial battle yet of the war was about to begin. Never had the Dragons marched so deep, beyond the Western Fort. Never before were cities like Andromeda under threat. In the midst of an invasion of the city, Galatea, Raphaela and Clare had broken into the occupied church to rescue all the humans and whisk them away from the battlefield.

To Galatea's horror, Cynthia had been among them. Only then did they truly understand the sinister power of their foe.

Having draped her cloak around Cynthia, Galatea hurried beyond the broken door. She glanced at Clare. “The Dragons are already headed this way. If you hurry, you might still be able to surprise them as they arrive.” She hugged Cynthia closer and glanced around. Already the city was witness to clumsy, lumbering shapes from the distance. Which faction they belonged to, she did not know.

Nor did she care.

“Raphaela. You saved me from the fires of the Western Fort. For that I thank you. But it seems that I can’t avoid the exquisite pain of seeing blood and madness despite my blindness, wherever I go. You saved me, only to take me to this… hellhole. I am now heading back in that direction, from whence we arrived by ship. I’m going to find a galleon, a boat, anything – to take her home.”

Clare shook her head in respectful disapproval, but Raphaela was more forthright. “You’re insane.”

“What they did to her was insane.”

“You will let this insanity continue, then? By fleeing?”

“I do not want Cynthia in this war. It’s as simple as that.”

“You can’t leave. Not now. Not when you were the one who asked me to come,” insisted Raphaela, her face suppressing quiet outrage.

“I’m blind, but even I can see that she’s in no shape to fight,” said Galatea coldly. “And quite frankly, neither am I.”

“Your withdrawal may cost us this battle.”

“This whole war is already lost, as far as I’m concerned.” Galatea kissed her barely conscious lover on the forehead. Cynthia stirred in response, and her warm silver eyes opened. She gazed at Galatea hopefully, and from that one gaze, Galatea’s heart could not be swayed. They still shone with purity, with gentle love and compassion. With an unfailing trust that Galatea found almost unbelievable.

Truly, Cynthia was extraordinary, a daughter of God.

A giant form landed amidst crushed rubble. It raised itself, roaring its legions to battle. “It’s Pazuzu. The dog-man who almost managed to wipe out our entire force,” confirmed Raphaela grimly. “If you’re not going to fight, we will be one less effective. And you yourself have admitted that one less is a hundredfold less.”

“Shut up,” said Galatea flatly. “Farewell, Clare. Farewell, former Number Five. For now, our time together ends. I pray that you’ll return home to us unscathed, once the madness you’re participating in ends.”

“Be careful, Galatea,” said Clare. She drew her sword. “We’ll do our best to survive, so we can see each other again.”

“I look forward to that day,” agreed Galatea.

“You’ve doomed us. You’ve taken away two of our warriors, including yourself,” snapped Raphaela.

Galatea turned away and did not turn back. “Let’s go, Cynthia,” she whispered. “It is time to leave.” And ignoring Raphaela’s outraged glare, she began to walk out towards the city gates, calmly shielding Cynthia’s Yoki from the lumbering Dragons that had begun to trample through the dusty streets.

The world collapsed around the two women even as they desperately tried to salvage their own.

*

Dumuzi gazed hatefully at Pazuzu. Standing amidst a ruined building, the canine demon caught sight of him and sneered. “I shall avenge my sister no matter what the cost. Forward! Leave none of these traitors of the Royal House standing!” He raised his Crescent Hounds, and the Dragons on the ground roared, advancing. This time, they were not wurms – they were giant rakshashas, with the heads of ravenous tigers and bodies of powerfully built men. Around the same height as Dumuzi, they were dwarfed by Pazuzu and his minions. But they exuded a Draconic aura that enveloped not only the entire city, but the entire land.

“More royal pawns marching to their own slaughter.” But having said that, Pazuzu still expunged Pestilence from his body, holding it upwards in a defensive guard. For these new Dragons were not mere Royal Guard; they were the Tiger Guard, the Emperor’s personal bodyguard. But of course. Father’s pet. Pazuzu spat in disgust as he raised his hand, and the rebel Dragons let out a defiant bellow against the Crown Prince.

The spires of the city came toppling down as the Tiger Guards charged into the throng of rebels, tearing through them with righteous fury. They wielded powerful longswords, about the height of two human men. Pazuzu’s Descendants counterattacked, their jowls belching fire, but they set not their enemies alight, but the city itself. An inferno spread, immolating the buildings within the city walls in a preternatural flame. The screams of humans who had not evacuated were almost as loud as the howls of the Dragons who continued to tussle back and forth. “So those cowards are using fire to confuse my warriors?” snorted Dumuzi. “I should have seen this coming.” His grip on the Crescent Hounds loosened slightly, however. It would confuse the Tiger Guard, but the Tiger Guard were more than just soldiers. They had been hand-picked by the Emperor himself, the elite bodyguards who were utterly reliable, in any circumstance. Their discipline was otherworldly; something Pazuzu’s motley retinue could never even fathom nor understand. And it showed. Unbowed by the fire attack, the Tiger Guards broke through the throng of Dragons, punching into the heart of the mob which had attempted to occupy the city. Pushed back, the slobbering brutes were impaled on the cold ends of longswords forged by Descendant blacksmiths and blessed by elder shamans.

Pazuzu grimaced, and leaped upwards, preparing to join the fray. He caught sight of Dumuzi, and he changed course, his bony wings flapping wildly. With blinding speed, he flew up towards the plateau. “Stay here, Miria. I will defeat him myself.” Dumuzi moved to intecept him, his thick legs tightening.

She stopped him. “Wait. If you are going to fight, let me fight with you.”

"I will kill him with my bare hands."

Her eyes glimmered as the remaining dozen Dragons toppled before the unstoppable Tiger Guards. “You’ve lost enough already. Don’t you want to end this quickly?”

Dumuzi’s head lowered. “I…”

Miria sighed and put her arms around his waist. “I am not your enemy. Nor am I your ally. What am I?”

Dumuzi closed his eyes. “No, you are my ally. My trusted and beloved ally. Come with me, sweet warrior lady.” She released him, and he leaped away from the plateau, towards the ascending Pazuzu. The wings of the sworn enemies flapped almost in tandem, and they roared their hatred – Dumuzi’s a demonic howl, and Pazuzu’s a hellish canine screech. Miria drew her sword and hurtled down towards the city towers. Together, the Crown Prince and former Number-Six brought their swords against Pazuzu’s halberd, metal and bone colliding with jaw-jarring force. Despite their combined strength, Pazuzu’s wings flapped harder, and he did not budge. He sneered, daring them to push further.

"Back for another beating?" he crowed. "First Inanna. Now I'll crush you – "

Five metal rods several metres long suddenly burst from below, smashing into Pazuzu’s rib. The cracking of bones was generously audible. The Enchanter General coughed blood and plummeted to the ground, slamming painfully into the city rubble and amongst corpses of his own followers.

Dumuzi quickly caught Miria in his arms. Wings flapping, he looked down. Below them, a purple titan had lowered his fist. He was at the city gates, his full height easily taller than that of the ramparts.

“Heh,” snickered Dauf.

“About time you two arrived,” Riful said, her ribbons splitting the last rebel Dragon in two. “I was beginning to think you’d abandoned us.” She glanced up. “It’s time to pay our little doggy back for his bad behaviour.”

Miria smiled.

“Oh, yes,” growled Dauf in unabashed excitement.

*

Galatea calmly made her way over the mountains that once acted as Andromeda’s natural barrier, her Yoki undetectable to the lumbering Descendants that were filing into the megalopolis. The thundering grew quieter as she retreated from the raging bloodshed of the nearby city.

For now, no one should be able to find them.

She looked down at Cynthia. She couldn’t see the younger woman’s face, but she hoped it was one of peace. “Hey,” she called softly.

Cynthia smiled, her tear-stained face blushing slightly.

Galatea could sense her Yoki flaring in eagerness. What an amazing woman. Even after such torment, she finds the strength to express… such affection for someone who’s failed her miserably. Someone who… barely deserves her.

Cynthia opened her mouth. She let out a soft, hesitant gargle from the back of her destroyed throat.

“Everything’s fine now,” reassured Galatea. Her heart melted completely, and unable to maintain her sarcastic, confident façade, she poured her soul into her comfort – something she had been unable to succeed completely in even as a nun. “I’m going to take care of you. I will take you home, and we’ll make a new start, together.”

Cynthia raised her finger and stroked Galatea’s lips gently, her eyes shining.

The nun shook her head at the loving contact. “I don’t care if you can’t speak. I don’t care if I can’t see you. It will be difficult, but we can work something out. I will not give up on you. I would give up on my own God before I abandon you.”

Cynthia withdrew her finger bashfully.

“I will stay by your side for the rest of my life. We will live out our days together, in a cottage near my church in Rabona. Do you remember my church…? It was there where we first met.” She closed her eyes at what might be the fondest memory of her violent life. “And Beth is there, waiting for me. I have been caring for her, like my daughter.”

Cynthia blinked in surprise, but Galatea was prepared. “Would you object, darling? To have her under our roof? Give me one squeeze for yes, two squeezes for no.”

Cynthia immediately pressed her hand twice.

“It’ll be just the three of us, together, as a family. No wandering; no war. Just a normal life; at last. Does that sound good?”

A rasping sigh, which would have once been a squeal of ecstasy, escaped the younger woman. She clutched onto Galatea tighter, demanding her guardian to never release her.

The earth quaked, distant roars of battle drowning out the chirping of larks. Galatea paid them no heed. “Then let us go,” she said. “Let’s find a ship willing to take us home, my beloved.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Enjoy (if anyone still hangs around here anymore)

After reading that I now have a couple of questions.

So with this battle just starting I'm thinking this story of yours is almost over isn't it?

And, can't Cynthia regenerate her throat seeing how she is a defencive type?

Anyways now that you posted that chapter I forgot to post my next chapter. I had it finished and ready to go yesterday. Anyways here it is.

Spoiler for renegade warrior chapter nineteen:

Renegade Warrior
Chapter: 19

On the other side of the ruins Raki stood near a creek that went through the ruins and out to a river. He got hungry often like any human would, he had to eat unlike the warrior women. Good thing there was fish that swam in this creek. He was in the water catching fish like a bear would with his hands, he was calm until he heard someone walking towards him.

"Who's their?!" Raki yelled.

He saw someone with blonde hair and figured it was probably Miria but was surprised when it was actually Galatea.

"Wow she's gorgeous!" Raki thought.

"And what are you doing way out here? You know its dangerous for a human to be alone in the wilderness?" Galatea said.

"Can she see me? She's blind right?" Raki thought. "Oh you don't have to worry about me, I can beat any yoma. Just not an awakened being or a beautiful warrior like you." Raki said.

"Hmmmm I like the sound of what the last thing you said was. Tell me I can't see anymore, but what do I look like? Be honest all the others say I look the same but I'm not sure about that." Galatea said smiling.

"Well to be honest then, you look great!" Raki said but he stopped. "But...."

Galatea's smile turned into a frown. "But what?"

"Well your hair is kind of messy." Raki said.

Galatea put her hand on her head and felt her long silky hair. "What my hair is messy?! I have to go and fix that!" She yelled running back to the ruins.

"I don't think I'll ever understand women and they're hair." Raki looked at his reflection in the water. "Like look at mine its been messy ever since I was a kid." He said to himself while laughing.

* * *

Raphaela was walking the halls with Clarice, she was finally let out of her little chamber.

"What should we do now?" Clarice asked.

"What should it matter I just been let out and you want to get me into trouble again? Your a bad girl you know that? You know what I do to bad girls don't you?" Raphaela asked pushing Clarice against the wall face first and kissing the back of her neck.

"Yes I'm a bad girl." Clarice said in a silent voice.

They were caught by surprise when Dracul walked out of another room, he stopped and looked at them, and they looked at him sweat rolling down they're faces.

"Its seems I've decided to take the wrong hall?" Dracul said turning back the to the direction he came from.

Clarice and Raphaela looked ta each other and laughed.

"Wow that was close!" Clarice said laughing.

"I don't know who that was but mabye next time I decide to punish you I'll lock you up in my chamber first." Raphaela said kissing Clarice again.

* * *

Now Raki had caught five fish, he was still standing in the water. This time he was joined by Miria.

"Is that for dinner?" Miria said looking at the fish.

Raki turned around not noticing Miria was their. "Yeah thats for dinner. Are you getting hungry too?" Raki asked.

"Yeah a little bit." Miria said.

"Is that why you're out here?" Raki asked.

"Well actually I'm here to talk about what you said about Galatea's hair." Miria said.

"Oh ok." Raki said.

"You do realize she's causing us some trouble in there trying to make her hair perfect now right?" Miria asked.

Raki looked at Miria. "I'm sorry I didn't mean too I was only being honest with her." He said before Miria cut him off.

Miria laughed. "Don't worry about it. The girls need something to do anyway."

Raki started to walk out of the water.

"Raki could you be honest with me then?" Miria asked.

Raki looked at Miria confused. "Yeah why?"

"Well what do you think my hair looks like?" Miria asked.

"Oh great here we go again." Raki thought as he got a little nervous. "Well its messy but not like Galatea's messy hair! Your's is a good kind of messy and." He said before she cut him off.

Miria smiled. "Thanks Raki."

Miria put her arms around him and he did the same. She rested her head on his shoulder but quickly let go of him and turned around drawing her sword when she felt a familiar presence.

"What is it?" Raki asked.

"I'm not sure." Miria said. "Who's there!" She yelled.

A man wearing dark robes walked out from the trees infront of her. "Emerta?!" Miria said shocked.

"Its been awhile Miria. All this time I thought you were dead." Emerta said.

"How did you find us?" Miria asked still holding her sword in gaurd position.

"Well you could say I have my ways." Emerta said, Miria could tell he was trying not to laugh at her underneath that cloth he had covering his face.

Raki went to grab his sword that was about ten feet away from them.

"Are you sure that is a smart idea boy?" Emerta asked.

Raki turned around and and looked at the man. Miria felt yoki behind him and used her phantom speed to appear infront of his attacker.

"Raki get back!" Miria yelled before noticing who attacked him. It can't be!" Miria looked back at Emerta. "How many people are you going to bring back?!"

"Only ones that can find you and kill you." Emerta said.

"Flora! Do you remember me?!" Miria yelled.

"I don't know what your talking about." Flora said now using her windcutter. She was able to cut Miria's right shoulder before Miria used her speed again to get away.

"Miria!" Raki yelled as he started to run over to help her.

"Stay back Raki! Let me do this!" Miria yelled, she had her left hand covering the wound on her shoulder.

"Flora don't hesitate to kill her then we can move on to the others." Emerta said.

"Yes." Flora said about to attack Miria, but she was stopped. A powerful hand held her sword back from even reaching Miria.

"Who are you?" Emerta asked.

"I am Dracul." He hissed and threw Flora back.

Emerta realized how powerful Dracul is and tried to turn around and escape but was stopped by someone else.

"Galatea!" Emerta yelled.

"Long time no see." Galatea said with her sword up to his neck.

Emerta looked to the left and saw Raphaela standing beside her. "You breathing your last breaths." Raphaela said holding her sword to his left eye.

Tabitha was standing to his right. "Did you think you could have killed us one by one or something? We all senced what was going on out here." She said with her sword over his head.

Emerta looked around him, he saw Clare, Jean and Yuma standing behind Galatea. Miata and Clarice were a little farther back. Helen and Deneve were to the right with Cynthia.

"Oh shit." Emerta said before Galatea, Raphaela, and Tabitha cut Emerta into pieces.

"Wow that felt good." Raphaela said.

Meanwhile Dracul stood over Flora. He had his right hand raised ready to kill her.

"WAIT MIRIA DON'T LET HIM KILL ME!" Flora yelled as loud as she could.

Miria was on her knees healing her wound. When she heard Flora yell her name she shot up and yelled. "Wait Dracul don't do it!"

It was too late though, Dracul already was going to use the claws on his hand to finish Flora. Flora closed her eyes and waited for it to come but for some reason it never did. When she opened her eyes Irene was standing there, she caught Dracul's hand.

Irene smiled. "You know Miria is going to be angry if you don't listen to her orders."

Dracul backed up. "I'm sorry."

Miria told everyone to go back inside she wanted to talk to Flora. Raki stood behind her but left once he noticed Clare was giving him a death glare before she left.

"So you do remember me?" Miria asked Flora.

"I remember everything." Flora said.

"Really then I have some questions for you." Miria said.

"I think I know what you want to ask. You want to know how the organization is bringing warriors back." Flora said.

"Yes I would like to know that." Miria said.

Flora told Miria about how the organization was using young girls and infusing those girls with yoma flesh and past warriors flesh, blood, organs, even the nervous system.

"The young girls grow fast but they take the appearence of the former warrior, this has only been done to a few of us, I already saw Jean so I take it she remembers her past?" Flora asked.

"Well Jean says she remembers some of it." Miria said. "Now I think I know why they have brought you back. Its so you can fallow our yoki because you already know it even though we are supressing it."

"Thats correct." Flora said.

"This is different. The organization must really want us dead more than I thought to be going to these kind of lengths." Miria said looking at Emerta's body.

Raki walked back down one of the long dark halls of the ruins, he saw Raphaela walking infront of him.

"Hey we meet again." Raki said scratching his head.

"Oh its you. So now that you have found Clare you've decided to go with Miria or something?" Raphaela asked.

"Well thats not really how it went at first. Clare seems to be with Jean now and it was just by chance that me and Miria got caught up together." Raki said.

"Really you do know Clare wanted me to kill Miria right?" Raphaela asked.

"WHAT?!" Raki yelled.

"Don't worry I won't, I just think there is something wrong with Clare right now. It might not even be the fact that you are with Miria but you should be careful around her though." Raphaela said.

Raki looked down not knowing what to say.

"I can keep an eye on her if you want?" Raphaela said.

Raki looked back at her. "If you find out anything could you tell me?"

"I will." Raphaela said now walking by him.

"Hey wait!" Raki yelled.

"What now?" Raphaela asked.

"Those other times we met before remember? The first time you sounded like you didn't want to be around me and the second time you sounded like you wanted to fight me. Why the change of heart?" Raki asked.

"Well lets just say I know what its like to be with someone now and losing that person would be too much to stand. I guess it would be the same for you right?" Raphaela said walking away again.

Raki smiled while watching her leave. "Thanks."

* * *

Dracul stood near Irene in an empty room, he stood with his back up against the wall, she stood there turned to the left looking at some drawings that were on the cave wall.

"Do they mean anything?" Dracul finally said.

Irene looked at him. "I don't know, I just think they look interesting."

"Tell me Irene when you were on the other contenent did you ever go to a famous city called Neshy?" Dracul asked.

Irene looked down trying to remember, it had been a long time since she was their. "Yes why?"

"Its nice isn't it?" Dracul asked again.

"Yes it is. Is it still around or has it been destroyed by war as well?" Irene asked.

"It was destroyed, I just like talking about that place before it turned out the way it is now. You know all the gold buildings and everything." Dracul said.

"Yes the buildings were nice to look at, but I have a question for you. Is the only reason why you fallow me around is because I know of your homeland right?" Irene asked.

Dracul smiled. "Yeah that is one reason why I do."

Irene raised her eyebrow. "You mean there is more than one reason?"

"The other reason is because I like to be around a beautiful woman like yourself who always seems to be alone." Dracul said smiling.

"If your trying to get on my good side you'll have to try harder than that." Irene said leaving the room. She looked back at Dracul. "Now if your trying to get into my pants you'll have to try a lot harder than that. She said smiling at him now before leaving.

"I think I'm going to like it here." Dracul thought. "Hey wait she isn't even wearing pants!"

* * *

Miria called everyone to the main room, she had Flora standing beside her. Everyone was talking wondering what was going on. Until Flora stepped forward.

"If you don't let Miria speak then you will have to face me." Flora said silencing everyone.

Helen nudged Deneve. "Hey Deneve its just like before the war in the north."

"Thanks Flora." Miria said.

Miria went on to tell everyone what Flora said to her. After a few minutes everyone was shocked.

Jean looked at herself. "They brought me back using someone else's body, but almost everything inside my body is the same as my last body." She thought.

Jean covered her face and Clare put her arms around her. Clare didn't seem to notice how Raphaela was helping Raki now.

"Now we are not going to be staying in these ruins any longer. We are all leaving first thing tomorrow, so pack up all your things tonight." Miria said.

Galatea jumped out from wear she was standing knocking Cynthia over. "What do you mean we're leaving I just decorated this place!"

"Galatea!" Miria yelled. "We had to leave sometime and now the organization will be coming our way looking for Emerta once they think he has been gone too long. So we are leaving as soon as possible."

Galatea crossed her arms and looked angry.

* * *

After Miria was done everyone left and went to there rooms. Raki was already at Miria's room before she got their.

Miria's eyes widened when she saw him. "You got here fast."

"Well I wanted to see if you were okay from what happened earlier today, and I still don't have a room to sleep in so I figured why not stay with Miria again." Raki said.

They walked into the room and Miria locked the door behind them. Raki looked at her and she pushed him on the bed, she kissed him and they started taking each others clothes off. He kissed her while grabbing her breasts, she let out a soft moan.

"She looks better and better every time I see her." Raki thought.

They looked each other in the eyes. "Let me be on top." Miria said whispering in Raki's right ear.

Raki smiled. "Your the leader."

Raki gently grabbed her body with his hands as she rode him like there was no tomorrow. Miria's room was the farthest into the ruins but there moans of ecstacy could be heard by almost everyone.

* * *

Some of the others that weren't sleeping or trying to sleep had an awkward time thinking about what or how they would look at Miria. It was kind of funny to them anyway.

Dracul walked down some of the halls laughing to himself. "Wow that boy must be real good?" He thought.

Helen sat on her bed. "I'm starting to dislike Miria now that she seems to be having all the fun."

"Thats hot." Galatea thought.

They were the only ones that really knew what was going on, Clare on the other hand wanted to kill someone. Clare got up and almost walked out of her room with her sword but Jean stopped her.

"No Clare don't. You can settle this another way." Jean said looking into Clare's eyes.

"I hate it when you look at me like that." Clare said before she stopped to think. "Mabye there is another way to settle this." Clare said smiling, she went to sleep in Jean's arms.

* * *

Almost an hour later Miria and Raki held each other, they're sweaty bodies did not leave each others. They didn't say anything for awhile, they just kept on kissing each other until Miria finally whispered to him again.

"I thought you were going to kill me just now." Miria said smiling at Raki.

Raki held her close to him. "Do you think anyone heard us?"

"Probably, but I'm not worried if they did." Miria said putting her arms around Raki's head. "You realize I love you now Raki."

Raki didn't break eye contack with her. "I love you too."

* * *

The next morning felt like it came in a hurry. Everyone was standing outside, Miria could tell that some of the others knew about what she and Raki have been doing by some of the looks she was getting from the other warriors. She didn't let it bother her though as she kept leading all of the others that were now fallowing her. They started out as seven and now there was sixteen of them, enough to help her get the revenge that she had been planning for so long now.

----------------------------------------------------
To be continued in the next chapter.

[Yosei]

@ Hell

1. You could have another look at the chapter list I posted a while ago: This is chapter 7 and I have 13 chapters planned, so the story isn't almost over, although we've gone past the halfway mark.

2. Cynthia's larynx was surgically removed along with the surrounding nerves, not damaged per se. Uuuum.... it's like that chapter where Clare had her bones broken by Dauf in the manga. Harder to regenerate if it's destroyed on the inside. So I believe the order is:

damaged body parts > broken bones > surgically removed

Having said that though, Ophelia had her neck broken and turned out fine, so I think the circumstances vary.

Nice chapter btw. I think it was a better chapter than last time, but probably because I like seeing the interactions between the characters. I think sentimental writing is all the rages these days...

[hell88]

So after your done with this fic are you planning anything else? Or is that it?

Anyways so your saying that Cynthia won't be able to heal her throat, or she will be in time?

Now that I finished that chapter, I can say that I actually had a hard time ending it for some reason. Oh well it doesn't matter now because now that, that chapter is finished all my characters can go through some hard times. So I can get the story to move on some more.

[Yosei]

Well, after the Ghosts face the Emperor of the Dragons... I mean, I don't think I can pull a more powerful enemy out of my head. And besides, the whole purpose for the war is between humans and Dragons... once that war ends, peace will (hopefully) return to the world.

so... I think that will be the end of the "Your Holiness/Darkness Falls/Nocturne" universe. I was thinking of not writing long stories anymore after Nocturne, just one shots about pretty much anything to do with Claymore, and maybe the post-Nocturne lives of the survivors.

And I'm saying that Cynthia is mute for the rest of her life. She will never be able to talk again.

[shelter]

@Yosei:
I find the scenes where the warriors interact with each other a lot more telling than the battle scenes. Maybe because you've been writing about fighting since Darkness Falls.

In the scene where Galatea 'abandons' Clare & Raphaela to bring Cynthia back, I keep thinking of Cynthia's devastated state & the complicated bonds that seem to hold your 2 main characters (Galatea & Cynthia) to the rest of the warriors. Partly also since the 7 ghosts have been traditionally seen to move on either Clare or Miria's whims, the fact that an ally of theirs is turning away, with one of ghosts, is something different.

Ever since she & Dimuzi started to get along together, I've noted that I've seen less of the calculated, intense leader & more of purposeful fighter (in short, your Miria appears to have taken over Clare's character). But, forgive me for speculating very wildly, I feel that Miria has some ulterior motive for both Dimuzi & his plans in general.

Must take my hat off to your consistency. I've been a bit slack lately. So many ideas but can never get down to writing them.

@Hell:
Well, Ermita is gone now. So one less MiB. I suppose that's a good thing

This chapter's got a nice humourous bent: Galatea over-concerned about her hair & Flora's "revival". But I think Dracul's conversation with Irene is classic. I've never seen an Irene outside of the traditional stoic (sometimes self-absorbed) daze or Teresa-awe. So Dracul's so-called flirting & Irene's turning him down was - great

After reading both your chapters, then reading some new stuff on FF.net, I feel that a lot of fanfics leave me with more assumptions than fresh material. There are traditional ideas of characters which never get challenged.

@ Ashbringer:
Welcome...welcome. New material is always appreciated here

[Yosei]

Ah, that's right! Welcome Ashbringer, come join us

Oh, and @ neesan: what would you mean, by 'anime review'? How should we go about it?

@ shelter: would you prefer more or less fighting in my novel. I've only got 5 chapters left to go, not including the epilogue. It's my last 5 chapters at an "epic fantasy" and I'm going to take a break after this, so I'd like to make these five chapters as fulfilling as possible (disregarding length or anything like that). More drama or what? It seems my 'gothic' experiment went down in flames, so all I've got left is drama + action. I suspect you were implying my drama is better written than my action?

[hell88]

@Ashbringer: Yes welcome, looking forward to your fics.

Glad you guys liked my chapter I'm working on chapter twenty right now. I think its safe to say Renegade Warrior will be ending soon. I'm going to do what Yosei did and have another fic after that, and it will be like a spin off.

[shelter]

Originally Posted by Yosei

More drama or what? It seems my 'gothic' experiment went down in flames, so all I've got left is drama + action. I suspect you were implying my drama is better written than my action?

What I actually meant was that you've been very focused on action throughout your fics. So I guess it was are to see a 'quiet' moment: tense, solemn conversation between 3 key characters where one of them makes a decision that will completely alter the plot.

I don't think you should change anything. I wouldn't want to derail your story just because I thought something seemed different. Continue on with both the action & the drama just as you've planned it, & we'll see how it goes from there. No story is perfect - but really you've tried to make Nocturne every bit as fulfilling as Darkness Falls.

And neither is your 'gothic' experiment a failure. If you were wondering about the darker tone & images you've used in Nocturne, I think some of them were successful (Cynthia's torture), others are still shaky & unresolved (Miria & Dimuzi). The general monstrous creatures you've added are not what I'd interpret as 'gothic', but do remind yourself that this is unexplored ground, and you are still exploring these themes.

[Yosei]

Originally Posted by hell88

@Ashbringer: Yes welcome, looking forward to your fics.

Glad you guys liked my chapter I'm working on chapter twenty right now. I think its safe to say Renegade Warrior will be ending soon. I'm going to do what Yosei did and have another fic after that, and it will be like a spin off.

Lol, quite honestly, I don't think I'll write a full fic like you, whether or not it's a spinoff. I'm honestly taking a break, and by that I mean I'll write maybe 500 - 1000 word oneshots every two weeks or something. And even then I might not. I'll see if my creative spring hasn't dried up yet.

@ shelter: I wouldn't mind doing more drama hey. Can develop Miria and Dumuzi's relationship further. And since this is the last story I'm going to write, perhaps resolving the issues between all the characters might be preferable to gratuitous bloodshed. Hmm... I remember one of my favourite manga, Hellsing, has had shorter and shorter chapters ever since the climax approached. Oh, what a wonderful excuse to get to the final chapter...

[hell88]

Okay finished chapter twenty, just to warn you guys I made the battle in it quick.

Spoiler for renegade warrior chapter twenty:

Renegade Warrior
Chapter: 20

All the warriors now with Miria walked through the night, walking to the organization. Miria was planning on getting her revenge, and as she looked at some of the more powerful warriors in the group she thought that the organization wouldn't stand a chance. Galatea was walking in front of Miria, Tabitha was walking at the back of the group, they were watching out for anything unusual to happen.

"Stop!" Galatea yelled suddenly.

"What is it?" Miria asked.

Everyone was standing in a field, the grass was up to they're wastes.

"Somethings heading our way, and fast." Galatea said looking at Miria.

Everyone stood around waiting for an attack, or something to happen. For some reason though nothing happened, Galatea looked around confused. "What its here, where is it?"

Raphaela looked down once the ground started to shake. "Below us!"

Soon the ground exploded and awakened beings both male and female sprung out at them.

"Everyone scatter!" Miria yelled.

All the awakened beings were yelling, most of them were yelling capture them for Riful.

Miria ended up being with Galatea, Tabitha, Yuma, Flora, and Jean. Clare was with Irene, Deneve, Miata, and Dracul. Raki found himself behind Helen, Cynthia, Raphaela, and Clarice. Everyone had they're swords drawn.

Raki was about to draw his sword but Helen yelled back at him. "Stay behind us you don't stand a chance against these guys!"

Miria and Galatea were facing a large male awakened being, he tried to punch them with both his hands but they jumped up and ran up his arms. He looked confused but not for long because Miria and Galatea cut his head up. Clare and Deneve ran at a female awakened being, she wasn't much for them as Clare and Deneve chopped her in half.

Irene fell back being attacked by two at the same time. These awakened beings were both throwing needles at her that were coming out of they're bodies. Irene didn't see them because it was dark and almost became a pincushion, but she was saved by Dracul who threw himself in the way, he put his wings around her to protect her.

"Are you okay?!" Irene yelled.

Dracul dropped all the needles, he was quick enough to catch them. "Yeah I'll be fine." Then he turned into his form and attacked the awakened beings that tried to attack Irene.

Flora was left to defend herself, she didn't have the power that the three awakened beings around her had. She tried using her windcutter but it would only kill one of the three. She went to kill the other two once she turned around but she was grabbed by one. It grabbed her legs, Flora tried to kill the awakened being that grabbed her but another one grabbed her upper body.

"Let go of me!" Flora yelled.

Clare looked over at Flora and was going to run over to help her. To her horror though Clare watched the two awakened beings rip Flora in half.

"Flora!" Clare yelled, Jean stopped her from attacking them though.

Clare turned around to see Jean holding her. Only to see a large sword connected to an arm come out and cut Jean in half.

"Clare...." Jean said as that was her last words as Clare watched her fall to the ground.

Clare stood shocked for a few seconds. "Jean... Not again. JEEEEAAAAAAANNN!"

Clare went crazy with anger and let her yoki out. She attacked the awakened being that killed Jean, Clare easily killed it. Then she went over to the two that killed Flora and killed those ones as well.

Tabitha and Yuma were helping Galatea and Miria.

"There's to many of them!" Miria yelled watching more and more awakened beings show up as they kept on killing them.

"So this is Riful's army." Galatea said.

Meanwhile Raki was being backed up Cynthia, Helen, Raphaela, and Clarice were still gaurding him. The only problem was that they were eventually going to have to go down a gorge.

"Not again." Raphaela said looking back at the gorge behind them.

Raki though took one too many steps back and found himself starting to fall backwards.

"OH NO!" Raki yelled grapping onto Clarice.

"What the?" Clarice said now falling back with Raki but grabbing Raphaela's hand.

"Hey!" Raphaela yelled falling back and grabbing Cynthia's hand.

"Huh!" Cynthia said in confusion as she lost her balance and started to fall back. She grabbed onto Helen's arm.

Helen looked back and her left arm had extended to catch everyone. "Thats as far as it will go!" She yelled as now she fell over the gorge with the others.

The battle kept on going on, but it wasn't until Priscilla showed herself that made everyone confused.

"What its her?!" Clare yelled.

Clare charged Priscilla but Priscilla ended up going into her awakened form and flew away.

Miria looked around noticing that Jean and Flora were dead. Raphaela, Cynthia, Clarice, Helen, and Raki had gone missing. "Everyone we have to get out of here!"

* * *

It was dark and cold at the bottom of the gorge, Raki didn't seem to know where he was but he was on top of something warm and soft. He pushed his body into it to feel more of the warmth, but when he did he felt two arms wrap around him.

"Whoa there, slow down you want some already?" Helen asked.

"What? Helen is that you?" Raki asked realizing that he was face first in her chest.

"Yeah its me." Helen said.

Raki quickly got off of her.

"Hey come on what did I do scare you or something?" Helen asked.

"Wait you want me to stay on top of you?" Raki asked.

"Obviously!" Helen shouted out.

"Where are the others that fell with us? And whats happened to Miria and the others?" Raki asked all the sudden.

"Huh why do you care about that? I let you sleep on top of me and your worried about everyone else?" Helen said getting up. "Here's something, I don't know and if your going to be an asshole about it you can find yourself out of here." She said while leaving him.

"Hey wait I didn't mean to make you angry! I'm coming with you!" Raki yelled as he followed her through the bottom of the dark and cold gorge.

"Yeah well there will be a price for fallowing me." Helen said smiling all the sudden.

* * *

Raphaela, Clarice, and Cynthia were all standing with each other looking in a dark cave opposite of the gorge from where Helen and Raki were.

"What do you think happened to Raki and Helen?" Cynthia asked.

"There is water here, I think we landed in it and the current carried us away from them." Raphaela said.

"Oh well at least we're not all alone." Clarice said.

They stood in silence for the next few minutes until they heard a noise behind them in the cave.

"What was that?" Cynthia said looking back at the cave.

Raphaela turned around and looked. She saw something in the cave moving, somebody chained up was being slowly moved out into they're sight.

"It can't be...." Raphaela said to herself.

"What who is that?" Clarice asked.

"Luciella." Raphaela whispered.

"What you mean Luciella as in your sister?" Cynthia asked.

Then before Raphaela could say anything Riful walked out of the cave in her human form.

"So your her sister?" Riful asked. "I bet by what you did you tried to preserve her life and leave her unconcious? How would you like to see your sister tortured and defencless because of you?"

Dauf walked infront of Luciella and rammed a pole through her stomach. Blood dripped out of her body.

"Luciella!" Raphaela yelled.

"I'll let her go only if you come here with me." Riful said.

Raphaela was about to run into the cave but Clarice stopped her.

"Wait what if we never see each other again?" Clarice asked.

Raphaela didn't say anything she looked down and looked back at Clarice. "Don't worry I'll stay alive for you and you stay alive for me and we will meet again." Raphaela said whispering to Clarice.

Raphaela pushed Clarice back and ran into the cave towards her sister. After she ran in a bunch of Riful's ribbons surrounded her, Luciella, Dauf, and Riful herself. They went away in a few seconds. Clarice watched what happened and she started to cry, she fell to her knees and covered her face. For a few seconds she cried but Cynthia put her arm around her.

"It will be okay come on we can't stay here." Cynthia said.

"No it won't. Did you see what happened? A few seconds was all it took and now she's gone! I can't even feel any yoki." Clarice said crying harder now.

"Clarice pull yourself together! If we stay here we're done for. If Riful comes back we won't stand a chance against her!" Cynthia said yelling at Clarice.

Clarice picked herself up.

"Come on lets find the others." Cynthia said in a calm voice now.

"Yeah lets go...." Clarice said while looking back at the cave. She was still crying at the fact that Raphaela had just left, probably for good now.

* * *

Miria and what was left of the team were able to get away from the surprise attack that just happened.

"Are we still going to fight the organization?" Galatea said getting Miria to look at her.

"Yes, we still have enough power that we can take them.... But to take down Easley or Riful we'll need more help. We got off real easy just now, if Riful herself was with those guys that attacked us we would be awakened beings by now, or dead." Miria said.

"What about the others that went missing?" Irene asked.

Miria looked down thinking about what could have happened to them. "If they are still alive they will meet back up with us eventually. Hopefully before we fight the organization."

Miria led the warriors that were still with her east once again, she couldn't help but notice how Clare would keep giving her death glares though.

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To be continued in the next chapter.