1Hey there peeps, sorry it took me so long to update. Art commissions kind of kill all my free time. Yep so here it is Part 1 of 2 :D Hope you will like it ^^.Also as I promised there is a little easter egg in this one. Since it the first time ill give you a little hint; If you played Dragon Age 2, you will have no problem finding it. It something Varric says at the begging of a battle :D If you manage to find it then leave a reviwe with what kinda of bonus would you like. The list of them can be found in Author Note. Good luck O u O
I rode on Ruin through the underground road, from the look of it the tunnel must have been block a long, long time ago; for there was nothing inside besides sand. The road was long and boring, lack of sun prevent me from telling what time it might be. One thing I knew for sure, it been hours since we enter this shithole, maybe even a full day.
Ruins flaming mane was the only source of light available, it illuminated a small circle around us. Finally he stopped and snored; before us was another wall. This one wasn't made of sandstone, but concrete.
"Seems like we have to turn back" I sigh petting Ruins massive neck. It seems that he had other plans, because when I was trying to get off the saddle, Ruin quickly trotted near the wall. Using he's mane he illuminated what looked like an old rusted door.
This time he allowed me to get off and turned around, he used his back legs and kissed the old steel with his hooves. Powerful kick sent the door crashing into something. Cloud of dust and rust went flying and hid everything within.
As the dirt settled, both of us could see that this was another of those emergency passages. If we couldn't go along the road, we had to go through here, at least it meant that we didn't have to turn around and go back.
Emergency passage quickly turn into some huge sewer system; long drained of it water. One chamber was surprisingly big, must have been where the firefighters kept their equipment. As I walked further into the chamber I could feel a gust of fresh air. Licking my finger I kept it high in air; the slight pull of wind confirmed my suspicions, we were close to exit or at least I hope is was exit and not some kind of underground air circulating system.
Not caring about anything I started to run. Ruins whine and teeth on my bag got my attention, but it was too late; something that looked like a hellish Sundew, came down from the ceiling and took hold of my bag. It retreaded back into it harder shall like body that was most likely glue somehow to the ceiling; pulling my bag and me with it, ripping me out of Ruins hold.
The mighty obsidian beast went hyper, he started whining and snoring, standing on his back legs and nipping my feet with he's teeth.
"Calm down ! Grab something Sharp and Pointy!"Ruin charged out of the chamber the direction that would lead him to the exit. I only hoped that he will come back with something that will help me out of this situation.
There was some green thick fluid dripping out of this hellish monster mouth, it gently slide on my bad and sweatshirt. First thing that I noticed was the smell; something between burning hair and rotting meat, it was then that I saw it. The green fluid was basically an outer digesting system. Just like normal Sundew, this thing would melt it prey and drink the drinking whatever is left behind.
It been almost an hour since Ruin left, my arm and torso hurt, the stripe of my bad biting angry into it. The green thing was now burning my skin, the pain was extraordinary and my wiggling made it even worse. I stupidly was depraving myself of whatever strength I had left. I could feel my head getting heavier and my eyes closing, this wasn't good.
Darkness, pain and then, a sensation of falling. My eyes open ever so slightly. I don't know what happened; I couldn't see clearly, all that stood out in this cloudy world was that red thing before me. It seem to be movie, waving from side to side, getting closer and move back. The again was only Darkness.
I woke up with a great fear of being melted alive, without even opening my eyes I quickly tried to get in to siting position. Something hard greeted me with such a force that I end up laying back again.
Throwing my head to my hurt forehead and sent a nasty death wish along with few really creative curses at whatever, that kissed me in this delicate matter. A growl ended my oh so gentle monolog.
I open my eyes looking through my finger on whatever that was before me. To my surprise it was no demon or beast, but a man. Ok, saying that he was a man was like saying sun was warm. He was huge, wide shoulders clapped in angry looking armor, red cape around him and a hood that hid bigger part of his face. He was massaging his chin with a hand hidden within steel gauntlet. His eyes white, glowing and glaring daggers at me.
"Human" he spat the world as it humanity was some kind of venereal disease.
"No shit, genus. Thank for clarifying it to me, and here I thought I was a Tooth Fairy " I answered equally angry.
"Don't mock me! You might be a Child of the Third Kingdom but that doesn't not grand you immunity" He roar, getting closer. His face only inches away from mine.
I'm tell you, have I not lived around Shiba and her brood I would shit myself now. Looks like there were some benefits of knowing a monster.
"I'm not mocking anyone, even if they try to kill me when I sleep!" I shouted back. I could see he was taken aback by that. It seems that very few dare to speak up to him, and if they do, they don't stay within arm's reach.
"I didn't try to kill you, little one, it was you who start trashing around in you sleep. And it was you who hit me " he pulled back, again massaging he's chin. "In fact it was me who got you free"
He pointed at the Drooling thing attached to the ceiling. It was retreated back into its more protective part, as if afraid of being attacked.
I looked around the room, it was the same place where I got been ambushed by that nasty drooling thingy. Right behind him stood Ruin watching us the whole time, snoring, as if angry that I paid him no attention till now. I reached my hand, the pain shot right through me.
"You shouldn't move-"He said, looking first at my shoulder then back into my eyes.
-A little wound won't stop me " I snored at him "it won't be the first time I got … Fucking hell, What in oblivion is that?!" I shouted when I noticed half of my shoulder and a bigger part of my upper arm wrapped in white cloth. The fabric was completely soaked in reddish-yellow fluid.
"You are lucky, little human. Most end up with far worse when meeting Goremaw " He said.
"So that's who that nasty faggot is called, will remember it for future" I tried to stand up, and he moved back from his -kneeling on one knee- position to give me some room. Stand up, pfff easier said than done, I almost fall face first back on the ground.
Ruin massive head pressed to my chest hold me in place, he gave a weak whine and stood still. I could see that the guy in red was watching the entire scene with interest. His eyes never leaving me, studying, calculating. Finally he reached and took my arm and he's giant hand.
"I don't know what and how you did it, but it seems my horse took a liking in you. He brought me to your side and wouldn't want to leave, even when you were safe" He voice was steady, no accusation or uncertainty. I spared him a quick glance and move my eyes back at Ruin.
"We have been together for few days. It seems his doesn't want to travel alone ..." I smiled at the beast and petted him on the forehead.
".. and to tell you the truth, I kind of like he's company, well at least when his not chewing my hair " I laughed softly switching between Ruin and the new guys a few times. Ruin seem to be grinning, or at least was trying to. But he, Gods the looks was priceless. He watched me with wide eyes and slightly open mouth.
"Do you poses no fear, little one? Do you not know who stand before you?!" He asked, one brow raised.
"Well … emm. About the fear things. I kind of lack that feature. It's been, let's say, pulled out of me." I laughed nervously "And about you second question. I know he's Ruin, and that's about it"
He closed those glowing eyes and sigh.
"Little one, I am War, The Red Rider, A horseman of the Apocalypse" The way he said it, no boast or needles pride. He's voice was even, as if that information didn't mean much.
I swear, I must have looked like an idiot, standing there with huge eyes and wide open mouth. If he was one of the four, then I know what was going on with this world I end up. It was a fucking End War!
"So… everything that is happening around … it's… but …" I couldn't alter anything beyond that. I really didn't know what to do. It not like it was my first time ending in a shitty situation, but there was always one of my demonic friends with and now, I was all alone! No, more than alone! I was totally dead!
"What has happened here, shouldn't be. Your race wasn't ready. I will turn it around and bring back Balance" Wars voice was both determined and angry. Only thing I couldn't understand was that whole Balance thing.
"Emm sorry for my stupid question but, aren't the horseman part of hellish legions?" Both War and Ruin looked at me, their expression of pure surprise. "I mean the whole bible thing … end emm… you know about the end of the world and seven seal … Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?! It's not funny!" I swear to God, he was about to burst in laughter.
"You human must have been greatly misguided. But then again Angels hold no love for my kind, we are only slightly better to them then the demons." He expression shifter for amused to natural –consider all the lines on he's face- frown. "No human, we are not a part of hellish legions. We hold no sides, or at least we shouldn't. But now … " War stopped, he seem to be looking not at me but far beyond, thinking of whatever is to come "Now it looks like we are on your side, Child of Man. Balance demands it. Human race is yet too weak, it was too soon…"
"Oy! what the fuck is with that Balance demands it? What does that even mean?!" This was really confusing.
Again he focused his eyes on me.
"It is of no concern to you, little one. And while the fact that your alive shows that there is still a changes; you are only one being, to make a difference I need more then that" Slowly he turn around and started walking towards exit. It is now that I could see the giant ass sword on he's back, there was no visible strap holding it in place, still the sword seem keep its place.
"Don't die little one" He said, not caring to even look at me and kept walking. It is only when Ruin snored – still standing at my side – did he stopped and turn sideways. He's eyes scanning he's mount for a moment.
"She cannot!" He snapped. Ruin laid his ears across he's back, a few weird snore-growly sound left he's mouth. War features become that of pure shock. "Are you sure?" Ruin bobbed he's head up and down, few times.
I could see that my savior was considering something he wasn't really happy with, he's face casted downwards, most of it hidden within shadow of he's hood. After a few seconds he looked up.
"Very well…" At that Ruin bit into my bag and swing his head around, basically throwing me on the saddle. He started to gallop; War didn't seem to be much interested that a massive warhorse was charging straight at him. He took hold of horn of the saddle and using the momentum, swing himself on Ruins back.
"I don't wish to walk, and it seems that my mount won't go anywhere without you, so you're coming with me" He grabbed my health shoulder and pulled me from my sideways laying position, into a more normal sitting one.
We traveled for great many hours through those sewers -the whole fresh air wasn't an exit but a fucking hole in the ceiling that was too high to reach- I took that time to protest, telling both of them that I will be of no use, more a handicap than anything else. War was nodding telling me that he understands and that I am mostly right, but still he will not leave me, well he will if I convince Ruin to do so as well. The beast wasn't that much agreeable; he just snored whenever I tried to tell him to let me go. He even bucked up a few times to show us that he will not budge.
It was dark when we finally got out of the underground tunnel system. War told me we were going to somewhere he called Scalding Gallows, that name didn't hold any meaning to me, besides I was sure I won't probably like the place.
The long road on horseback was tiring not to mention that horrible pain in my shoulder and other, lower parts of my body. My shifting was staring to get more and more intensive until War finally pulled the reins and Ruin stopped. I looking over my shoulder I coulda see he had a glare directed at me, I was ready to hear a whole lament about how humans were weaklings and wouldn't bare some hardship.
"You should have said you are tired! I am no stranger to need of many lesser races" He swing his leg and hopped of the saddle.
"Do you need assistance, little one" He asked, his voice was dripping of arrogance. There were very few people that could tick me into fury, one of them was my long dead Big Brother, I can still remember how he made me cry as a child. But War was oh so very close.
"I can take care of myself on my own very well, Thank you" I spat the words like venom; he didn't seem to care much. War turn around and went into one of the falling building.
Now that we stopped I could look at our surroundings; it seems we were in ruin of some greater city. Buildings crumble from damage and their own weight. Streets littered with broken stone and glass, cracked from age. Silence in this place was so unnatural it sent shivers up my spine.
I didn't want to stay outside any longer. Dark shadows and occasional moans of wind spoken for themselves. I didn't want to know about all the nasty horrors that might linger somewhere out there, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I quickly went after War, being caged within a small room with only him to relay on wasn't high on my Wish List, but you take what you get, right?
As I entered the room War picked as our temporary resting spot, I noticed that he already started a fire somewhere near the inner wall. He used an old oak –rather fancy – desk as a fuel for the fire, and placed himself on the ground with his back against the wall.
He watched my every move, from the moment I entered till I sat near the fire. It was a little unnerving to tell you the truth. Here I am, a little bit over 5.1 feet tall, long brown hair and brown eyes and slender build girl and there is He, a mountain of a man with snow white hair and glowing eyes.
"How did you survive?" I nearly jumped at the sound of his voice; it was so unexciting it nearly made me gasp.
"Wh… what?" He sigh at that, I sure that if he didn't though I'm an idiot, he surly will do now.
"I asked . , is it too hard of a question for you, human?" I huffed, again with the names.
"You're a racist, you know? First of all I have a name and it happens to be Agnes! And I survived because I didn't ask stupid question" I crossed my arms over my chest and turn my head away from him. Childish I know, but I really felt like not talking to him. Then he did something really unusual, he chuckled.
"You got spirit, Agnes, I give you that" I looked back at him and notice he had a smirk on he's face.
He looked me over, eyes wondering from my face to my hair then my neck and finally my shoulder.
"Come here" He ordered.
"I beg your pardon" Ok, this situation was getting wrong on some many levels.
"You don't have to beg, just come here. I want to look at your shoulder" He pointed at me.
"My shoulder …" Another sigh left he's lips
"Yes, those bandages need to be change if you don't want to get your wound infected"
I looked at my shoulder hidden under sleeve of my sweatshirt. I could easily see stained cloth through the hole burned by digesting acid of Goremaw. Not thinking much I stood up and walked over to him. He gestured for me to sit, and did. Facing him with my back to the fire and my hurt left shoulder on the side of he's left hand
"Take it off" he tugged at the sleeve. I did so without questioning. He took my sweatshirt and place it on his outstretched legs. War fumble around he's belt and took out something that looked like hip-flask.
"It rather strong, so I suggest you take only a small sip. It will help dulling the pain" he handed me the flask. It was a bit bigger than those we humans have, steel with detailed carving of some kind of battle. I uncorked it and drank; it tasted like Polish Vodka with a bit more kick.
War un-wrapped my arm and started to look at it, I could see he was frowning. Just when I was about to look at the wound myself, his arm went around my waist and he pulled me. Now I saddled on his lap, with his legs between mine, facing him.
"What the fuck..." was all managed to say, for then his mouth closed around the wound. He strong arm was holding me pressed to his chest. I really didn't have time to fight, because he started to suck at the wound shortly after. A moment or two and he pulled back, turn his face to the side and spat the blood. He repeated the action again and again. Had I knew what he had in store for me I would have drank the whole flask, the pain was extreme. Each time he's lips touched my skin I almost screamed, it was only the fear of being discovered by demons that hold my tongue. When he withdraw and did move back to my wound; I allow myself a tiny moan. Satisfied with the fact that he couldn't taste anything else but blood, he picked up the flask and gently poured the content on my shoulder. This time I screamed, War pulled my head in the crock of his neck, efficiently cutting the sound I was making.
"Your finally waking up" I cracked one eye open and turn my head to the source of the sound. He was standing by the broken down door that lead to the street. From the look of it, it had to be midday by now.
"Get up, we wasted enough time already" War growled and went outside.
I sat up and looked at my shoulder; he used straps of my sweatshirt as bandages, which left me with only my gray top tank and black bra.
"Move it, Agnes. You will not like it, if I have to go there and drag you out" asshole!
After placing my bag over my shoulder and across my torso, I walked out. War was already siting in the saddle watching something in the distance. He offered me his hand and pulled me in from on him.
"What do you mean we wasted enough of time?! I have been out just for a night" I took a peak over my shoulder at him. He wasn't looking at me, he's eyes glued to the road ahead.
"At the tunnels I watched over you for three day, and here almost two" He stated.
My eyes went wide, no wonder I was starving. I havent eaten for almost 5 days and even before that I had just some fruits. Death by starvation; how ironic for a chef to die in such a matter.
"Where we are heading now, it will be dangerous for you. Even if Samael isn't there" my hunger problem forgotten, had he really said Samael?!
"Wait, by Samael You mean a very powerful demon, right?!" I asked. This time he looked down at me.
"Looks like your humans do have some knowledge" again with that arrogance,
"I have been through a few books about demons" and I live with one that is so nasty that other of her kind call her a monster.
"If we meet him, stay out of sight, understand?" The growl in he's voice was clear that he will not accept NO for an answer.
"I'll stay with Ruin" At that he nodded.
And so we went to possibly meet Samael The Red Prince himself.
Wonder have you found it? :D if not here is another hint, Its something Agnes said. :D Hope you liked this chapter. Please R&R O 3O