Author's notes: Im tired, its 6 am where im at, have school in an hour and 45m and i need sleep in my life. Im not really satisfied with this chapter. But oh well.
Here. If you have any questions, ask me.
Remember to rate, review and comment on whatever you wish. Though a review would be nice, since i want to see how im doing so far. If you guys want more of something let me know. I'll try working it in eventually or somehow. I think a review every ten or so chapters is what i want. But, you know, whatever.
PS: wow like 15 seconds after i posted this a guy, sunderfang, already started reading it, i saw. you guys are good. and tell me any spelling errors you see and i'll fix them later
-------------------------------
Roland looked at the woman. She was very beautiful, he had to admit.
Her face had an almost classical look to it. High cheekbones, small chin and full red lips like cherries. Her long, dark hair mostly fell in cascades down towards the middle of her back but she had two thin, intricate braids to either side of her face that were stylishly done. Her stunning violet eyes seemed to suck you in, making you want to swim within their depths and never come out.
Her skin gave a healthy glow and her cheeks were, for some reason, slightly flushed at the moment as she stared at him. She seemed. . .almost happy?
In her hand was a giant black blade with deep blue veins running along it. The chains around it glowed like rubies. But they were not your usual chains. They were more. . .like tattoes almost. They seeme to have been inscribed onto the blade itself, but they moved minutely as if alive.
As for everything else, her white dress was torn in several places and exposed the fascinatingly creamy skin beneath.
The fabric, like Morrigan's hugged her figure in a most thought-provoking way.
Roland had rarely seen such an attractive woman.
She looked almost cold and she gave off a slightly uncomfortable aura, but Roland didnt mind such a thing.
She must not be very liked, judging from the way Loki glared at her with a look of utter despise.
"From your expression I take it you know this woman, Loki?"
He nodded somberly, " Roland, meet Gehenna. Killer of countless people and the scourge of, well, everyone. Dont let that pretty face fool you. This woman isnt like you and me. She is merely the sick perversion of what should have been a person. It's best if you dont associate with a thing like her." He said coldly.
Roland raised a brow at the venom in his words. It seemes the woman is pretty hated indeed.
He shrugged. "I think I'll decide for myself whether i want to be around somone, but thanks." He said drily.
Roland was friends with some of the most brutal, eccentric and downright insane people one could find. He didnt judge others for past actions on the first meeting unless they were that type of sick and perverted scum he couldnt forgive.
Other than that he reserved judgement. In the first place he didnt mind killing overmuch. He felt sad when woman or children died, but most of the time he felt that he only had issues with how a person died.
Though that may be a bit hypocritical. He understood very well his ideals sometimes appeared that way and others would not understand them.
Roland sighed a bit as he looked at the woman.
What a pity, he thought. It's a shame to have to punish such a pretty woman. But then again I cant let her get away with hurting such an adorable little girl, now can I?
He held no malice towards the woman personally but he did have to punish her for harming the girl.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Of course, he himself was indeed pretty mad. But it was hollow, lacking real substance. At this point he had no reason to hate the woman. He simply felt an obligation to administer some kind of vengence on behalf of the young girl.
Once that was done, whatever happened next was up to the woman to decide. Whether she decided to fight him or accept things quietly and leave, he would respond accordingly.
In regards to the young girl who he currently held, she looked awfuly similar to Morrigan with her delicate features and her face was slightly cherrubic in nature. Around her neck was a small white fix with a gold-tipped tail with a flame design. It looked hurt with a small amount of blood down it's mouth but other than that it appeared fine. It licked the girls's face, as if to assure itself she was okay.
The girl's pure white hair seemed almost to glow with an inner radiance in the bark lighting. She was undoubtedly one of the most adorable girls he had seen.
The only other who came close was Reina and Lilith's little adoptive sister he had seen briefly before in Loki's room when he met their parents.
Roland unconsciously patted the girl's little head, a strange, almost fluffy feeling sprouting in his chest as he looked at her. Somehow he found that he immediately liked the small thing in his arms. How curious. . .
"Well, I dont know what such a small girl could have done to offend you but I cant let this pass. If you accept your punishment calmly I wont seek any further recompense." Roland said reasonably.
He gave the girl back to Morrigan.
" I understand that we will have to have a talk, but lets leave that for later. But make no mistake, what i told you that day still applies." He said stiffly.
Morrigan shook her head sadly.
Even still, you remain so stubborn. Well, i would like to see how you plan to escape once you learn who that girl you were holding is. I wont let you leave this time. . . She decided.
But for now, seeing him here, having watched him hold Grace in his arms, she was content to merely have him by her side again.
Roland turned is attention to the woman once again. " Now, stay still. I dont want to kill you by mistake." His words could freeze an open flame.
Gehenna felt the bloodlust in his words. She couldnt believe it.
Even though I'm right in front of you, do you still not recognize me? Her heart felt like it as being squeezed.
She couldnt help but notice it, that look in his eyes. It wasnt the type of look you gave to a loved one.
It was the look one would give to a stranger.
And she hated it. She hated it.
Why wouldnt he know her? Even though she looked older, even though her body had changes in appearance, he always knew who she was. He always said that it wouldnt matter what she looked like, that he would know her in whatever form she had.
So why did he look at her so coldly and uncaringly?
Will you. . .really fight against me?
She gripped the sword harder and felt a tightening in her throat. Her eyes started to sting with unshed tears of frustration.
This is her fault. If she didnt exist then there's no way that he wouldnt remember me. What did she do to him? Why, why does it have to be this way?
Gehenna felt her breathing quicken. She felt hurt and angry beyond reason.
That's right, if Morrigan wasnt here, then. . .
She let out a ferce killing intent. Fine. If this is how it is then I'll just kill her and take him back. That way we can be happy. Then we can be a family again. . .
Together with that little girl, we can go back to that place and start over. . . She smiled.
But first Morrigan had to be taken out of the picture.
" Ah, dont worry. When she's dead, when you go back to normal, we can catch up and be together again. Isnt that great? We wont have to leave each other's side ever again after that." She said softly.
Roland, of course, caught the small sound.
He was momentarily lost. This voice. . .where have I heard it before?
No, a better queastion was: Who was the woman talking to?
Well, not that it mattered much to him at this point.
Having already spoken all the warning he would give, he conjured a sword of hardened mana.
He hated the fact that he was in the air though. He liked the ground on his feet. He currently compressed spiritual energy under his feet to create a foothold but it wasnt the same.
"Come on, let's get you two out of here." Loki said. He grabbed Morrigan and the other two.
"Loki, dont!" Morrigan protested. She couldnt let her husband out of her sight, what if he decided to leave like last time!
But Loki was too quick. An instant later the four vanished, leaving Roland and Gehenna alone.
Gehenna frowned at their disappearance.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Well, then. Let's begin. Remember what I said, if you dodge I might accidentally kill you. I dont know what history you, Morrigan and Loki have, but im quite disappointed you chose to involve the girl. Since you gave her such a vicious wound, be prepared to recieve one equally vicious in kind!"
Gehenna was stuck with a profound sadness. I know that she has turned you against me, but to think you would really preapare to attack me. . .Just what kind of hold does she have over your heart and mind?
She sighed with regret. She let Morrigan escape. There was no point in remaining here.
That damn Loki, if he wasnt there she wouldnt have escaped so easily from Gehenna's grasp.
That girl was your daughter. How could you not be angered? If you simply stuck me down, it would be your right. Since it has come to this, I will accept your blade.
Gehenna didnt have the heart to fight against him. After she wounded his daughter, of course he wouldnt sit down quietly. She simply hated that he didnt even remember her.
If it wasnt for Morrigan. none of this would have happened. What method did she use to lure him away, to make him forget me? Why did you choose her, even when you denied me?
Gehenna made no move to dodge his strike. No, she even opened her self up to him. She let go of the black blade.
Gehenna was ready to recieve whatever punishment he deemed fit.
Roland didnt move from his position. No, he merely stood there. The sword in his hand was nothing more than hardened mana, yet in his hands it still released a terrifying aura of dominance.
The blade itself was nothing special, Gehenna would be able to break it with a pinkie. But when he held it, it became a deadly weapon that was infinitely more dangerous than a hundred thousand blades combined.
He pointed the blade coldly at Gehenna and slowly stabbed out. Nothing more. He didnt move at all. There were no flashy movements or skills. He was above such things.
No, he merely stabbed out slowly and calmly with the sword in his hands.
And yet even still the sword's movement couldnt be seen clearly.
They were separated by a large distance, but the blade seemed to cut through space and time.
In not even half a breath's time his sword slowly entered her body.
Gehenna's body went stiff. This, indeed, was her brothers power that she felt.
Through the sword she felt his familiar aura. This energy signature that was immovable and shined brighter than a star, it was his, no doubt.
She felt an intense pain, yet beneath that she also felt an immense relief that she had truly found him once again.
Words couldnt describe the joy she felt at finally seeing him after so long, even under the current circumstances.
His sword struck her chest. He moved the sword downward steadily, creating the exact same wound that the little give recieved previously,
Gehenna felt more pain with each passing second. The sword didnt move fast, it merelt cut deep into her carefully inch by inch.
She almost cried out as the pain tripled. She knew he was sending his own energy through the sword to highten the pain. But she clenched her teeth and endured.
Finally, as she began to think she would pass out from the pain, it pulled out of her with blood coating it's tip.
"There. You did good not to cry out. Most would." He praised with a smile, his previous coldness gone. " I said i would return the favor, did I not? That wound wont heal for several days no matter what you do. But it wont kill you. Now, I suggest you leave. I know Loki will come back any second. I planted a certain spell on him a bit ago that will delay him, but it wont last long. Hmph, serves the bastard right. He knows I hate being teleported. Well, I suppose it was a good thing this time though."He admitted.
"Those blue flames you had could have extinguished Morrigan, you know. Body, and maybe even her soul. Not to mention the girl and fox. I should be mad about that, really. But for now I'll let you off with a warning: If you come after them again, I wont be as nice as I was today. You can battle Morrigan if you want. But if you try to kill her, or try to harm anyone else not involved with whatever grudge you all have, then I will step in. Understand?" His face once again went cold and unwavering.
To punctuate his words he released a strong pressure from his body. It fell on Gehenna like mountain.
Gehenna stared at him. She shook her head and spoke two simple sentences. " I dont know what she did to you, but I wont let her keep you from me. Someday, when you recognize who I am again, I hope that you can still accept the current me."
Roland felt as if he was struck by lightning. He looked at her with a sudden suspicion.
It cant be. . . This girl, does she . . .actually know me?
Could she be someone from one of his past lives?
Gehenna sighed. As she thought, his face of shock told her he didnt have any idea who she was.
It seems that whatever Morrigan had done to him was not something simple.
With a sad look, she grabbed hold of the sword. It vibrated softly as if in protest. "Shh. Im afraid a proper reunion will have to be held at a later date. Dont worry, we will get him back soon enough. Once we deal with that bitch by his side, that is."
Holding a hand to her wounded chest she whispered softly to the blade and it quieted down in response. Azure flames surrounded them and they winked out of existence before Roland could stop them.
He shook his head. He didnt understand her words.
However, he felt an ominousness he couldnt explain.
Sighing in regret, he waited for Loki to pick him up.
He looked around. The city looked nearly abandoned. Every second he sensed less and less people.
He suddenly had an Idea.
I dont think a bit off exploring would hurt, right?
His eyes flashed excitedly.
---------------------------
Moments earlier, Loki teleported in the middle of Roland's living room.
Saren, James Lilith and Reina were talking quietly amongst themselves when he burst in.
As he appeared with a small gust of wind he threw Morrigan, the girl and the fox on the ground.
All four of the kids looked stunned.
"Loki! how did you. . .?"
"Eh, a child?"
"Who's the woman?"
"I thought you were supposed to be with Roland right now?"
The four asked.
"Shut up. Take care of them. I'll be back."
Morrigan moved Grace, who was still dazed and in a semi-conscious state, onto a sofa to the side.
She was enraged. "Loki, I demand you take me ba--!"
But he was already gone.
"Tsk. Bastard." She turned to the stunned gazes of the four children looking at her. With little else to do at the moment she decided to inquire on the relationship between the children and her husband.
She questioned to the young red-haired girl." So, how do you four know Roland?" She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Morrigan didnt know why, but she felt a certain unreasonable dislike for the girl at first sight. It was a very weird and unexpected reaction that she didnt know where it stemmed from.
Reina felt a certain fear of the woman she couldnt explain. She stammered an unintelligible reply, causing Morrigan to look at her oddly.
Saren frowned and looked a bit cross. " How do you know him?" He countered back. He didnt like the woman's tone. Who was she to speak with such a mean look at their first meeting?
Morrigan looked at the young boy coldly. "Im his wife."
" " " "@%#&!" " " " They exclaimed in unison.
Morrigan smiled in amusement.
-----------------------------------
Loki teleported out just as Morrigan looked at him in anger.
Contrary to his expectations, he landed in a thorny bush only a mile from the large house he dropped the three off at.
"Ah!" He cried out painfully. He teleported once again. This time his head hit a tree branch a few feet away.
"Ooof!" He landed on his back, hard.
The hell is going on?! He wondered furiously.
He suddenly realized something. Roland! This could only be your doing!
Loki knew Roland hated being teleported, but seriously. This was a bit. . .
He shook his head. Damn fool. What do you intend to do? If you let that woman off easily I wont let you hear the end of it!
It took several minutes before Loki could successfully teleport properly again.