The Heartstone Saga Vol. 1 Capitulo 24
Chapter 24:
Tiny Troubles
 
 
“Well met Aegis Holt!” The lead Amazon greeted the operative with a respectful salute; “I trust you have taken good care of my little sister?”
To Nameless’s surprise Kala seemed nervous in the face of the older Amazon.
The appearance of the battle-hardened war-party struck a significant contrast with the younger Amazon; each of the others bore far more scars and had a deadly edge to them that was noticeably softer in Kala and their weapons, although well-cared for, all showed much more signs of use compared to Kala’s own spear.
Miranda moved to greet the Amazon with the giant gourd on her back and Nameless caught that her name was Yana.
Eyebrows rose at the sight of Miranda’s injured shoulder.
“Perhaps I should be asking if my sister has been taking care of you!” Yana frowned.
“What this? Just a minor break, I wear the sling so my girls can fuss over me.”
“Ha! Well said! But alas, we have grave matters to attend to. I am told that the Lady is here?”
“Yeah, she’s in the guestroom. The Dragon booted us all out so she could rest up from her trip.” Paul’s neutral tone conveyed that he was none too happy about being evicted from his own home.
The Amazon looked him over for a moment, and then sighed.
“I’m afraid we must disturb her rest.” She jutted her thumb at the heavily guarded wagon behind her; “I am under orders to bring this poor creature before her, but I’m afraid she is too far gone. There is no light left in her heartstone.” Her tone turned morose, and many of her sisters hung their heads.
“Let me be the judge of that.” Lady Essig’s wispy voice sounded from the porch, the mighty Dragon at her side; “Nameless, I would appreciate your help with this.”
“R-right!” Nameless stammered, and suddenly felt every set of eyes present on him as he stumbled over to join the lady by the wagon.
At a word from Yana, the Amazons threw back the tarp covering the cage on the back of the wagon. Nameless drew in a breath, the girl was so tiny! She looked so vulnerable.
She knelt in the bed of the wagon, strange vines binding her lithe arms to the wagon bed on either side. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, head bowed.
“Do not be deceived by her size, little Empath.” Xalanth’s rumbling growl sounded from beside him and he nearly jumped out of his skin at the Dragon’s sheer presence; “Look at the red of her skin: She is a true Gigas, and if she wielded her hammer even I would struggle some to best her.”
It was a potent endorsement given how powerful the Dragon was.
“Her stone?” Sadie’s voice got his attention and Yana handed it to her with a slight bow.
The elder Empath clasped the ink black marble in her hands and closed her eyes, while her Dragon mate looked on, tail swishing in agitation.
The crowd was deathly silent. Milly and Ophelia were both holding Erica as the sight of the Tenebrae stirred painful memories in her.
The lady’s eyes opened after a full ten minutes had passed, she sighed mournfully.
“I am afraid Yana is right, I cannot sense her mind anymore, all that remains is pain. I cannot reach her.” She turned to Nameless, a tear rolling down her cheek; “I’m afraid that we are too late my friend. She is gone.”
Nameless felt his chest tighten, and imagined he could hear a desperate howling as he stared directly at the stone in her palm.
He glanced again to the girl in the wagon.
She looks so very frail.
He heard a sob from behind and felt a stab of sorrow from Erica’s stone.
All present bowed their heads.
“I will do the deed, no other need bear the burden of it.” Xalanth’s rumbling voice was quiet, steady.
“No.”
The Dragon’s head whipped around in surprise at the sudden firm intensity in Nameless’s voice.
The boy was staring directly at the tiny girl, his eyes bore a serene determination that the Dragon had rarely seen from humans.
“It’s too late, Nameless. Remember what I told you before?” The lady Essig had one hand on his shoulder, the stone still clutched in her other; “There is nothing left of her to save. No Empath has ever reached a girl whose stone had gone completely dark, though many have tried. That is how we lost Jonathan.”
“Maybe… maybe.” Nameless nodded, Xalanth turned back to the cage expecting the boy to capitulate; “But I have to try.”
Again the Dragon was surprised by his intensity.
Wordlessly he held his hand out to Sadie.
She looked at him, measuring his will, and then sighed as she recognized that he would not change his mind and deposited the stone in his hand.
“Remember what I said; anchor yourself or you will be forever lost. Do not spend too long looking for her, because if you do, I won’t have the strength to pull you out.” Her tone was grim; “She cannot be saved, but this is a lesson that every Empath must learn for themselves.”
“I understand, thank you.” He took the stone and faced his mates, offering a reassuring smile as he met their worried gazes.
None of them tried to dissuade him.
“Master, please be careful.” Milly said, her voice quiet, her fears left unsaid.
He nodded at her with a wink but had no words.
“Open the cage.” Sadie’s voice commanded and Xalanth moved to comply.
The moment the cage opened the Gigas’s head snapped up, her rapid panting continued as her eyes locked with Nameless’s.
He met the darkness in her gaze and didn’t hesitate, hoisting himself into the cage and shuffling towards her.
His eyes were locked on the Gigas so he therefore did not see that all of the Amazons present had dropped to one knee with their spears on the ground at their side as they offered him their respect.
“May the Valkyrie guide you, tiny man.” A whispered prayer was made by each of the blooded warriors.
As he approached the minuscule girl, his fingers nervously playing over the surface of her stone, her eyes narrowed and her panting stopped.
She pressed her tiny breasts forwards, the vines going taut on her arms.
A challenge.
With calm that surprised even him, he extended his free hand and placed it sideways over her heart.
“Hello, what’s your na-”
Darkness reached out and swallowed him as she fell backwards with his weight on her.
“Good luck, you stupid little shit.” Miranda muttered.
__________
 
The maelstrom that he now endured was different from Erica’s.
He felt whole mountains being torn asunder all around him, and he felt strength in his bones to rival the avalanches that roared off of the illusory slopes.
He also felt a terrible sadness, a lonely ache that could never be undone.
His mind reeled, he had remembered what lady Essig had said and held his anchors; the brilliant points of light, blue, green, and purple, each representing the bond with a different one of his girls, barely kept the maelstrom from consuming his mind.
The Lady had merely taken a cursory look compared to what he was attempting. He was already far deeper than she dared venture, yet he could sense no sign of a personality within the vortex of negative emotions.
He cast himself deeper.
He searched the mountains that were also jagged blades of hate and rage. He scoured the peaks while his soul was raked by the cutting edges of the black emotions. The agony was beyond belief but he endured, desperate to find even a tiny spark, the tiniest of hints that the girl could be saved.
He explored the hateful peaks for eons. Time lost all meaning as he became a creature of singular purpose: to seek.
A small part of him noted that this is probably exactly how the other Empaths lost themselves.
He didn’t care.
__________
 
It had been three hours and silence reigned around the wagon.
Respectfully, the others had parted to allow the Empath’s mates to approach the open cage and they held each other mutely as they watched the still form of their man resting atop the tiny giant.
Each of them could sense him, could sense his desperate quest and the pain it caused him, but were able to do nothing to help but stand by and love him.
Erica soundlessly wept, knowing all too well what he endured.
The Amazons held their kneeling pose, bodies rigid even as sweat dripped from their brows; for so long as the young Empath had strength to search, they had strength to witness.
Xalanth had long since fetched a chair from the house and forced her bond-mate to seat herself, assuming a ready pose behind her, clawed gauntlets resting on her love’s shoulders.
Sadie watched with a look of deep sorrow on her face. She felt every one of her years, crushing her with the memories of friends long gone.
Miranda and her girls stood huddled together, except for Kala who knelt amongst her war-sisters.
Paul Fletcher watched the whole thing from his perch on his porch railing, placidly smoking his pipe. His Cockatrices were still hidden from the terrifying Dragon.
The silence finally broke when Sadie heaved a sigh and addressed his mates.
“I am so very sorry, all of you. He ignored my warnings and has gone too far, I can no longer reach him. I should never have allowed this.” Her tone was mournful.
“Don’t write the kid off yet, little lady.” Paul puffed out quietly, smoke wreathing his face; “He’s got the biggest heart of anybody I ever met. And if I’m to rightly understand this empathy business, that’s rather important.”
Sadie didn’t answer, her head hung low.
“When will we know? When will we know if…” Miranda couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.
“When the heartstone in his hand turns to dust, and she dies.” Xalanth stated calmly.
From her point of view, the threat posed by the Tenebrae was over. Her only concern was for her mistress, as the loss of the new Empath would hurt her gravely.
She had been so excited to meet him.
“I thought they were indestructible…” Jan muttered, her eyes wide.
“They are, except in this very rare case. He is blocking all of the negative emotions coming from her stone, turning them in on themselves. This causes a terrible strain on a monster’s heart and if it continues long enough then…” Lady Essig answered, with her face still in her hands.
“That will not happen!” Erica’s voice rang out; “Master saved me and he will save her, no matter how long it takes, he won’t give up!”
“That’s right! Our mate is strong!” Milly agreed.
“He will come back to us. He will bring this poor girl back into the light. Count on it.” Ophelia’s steady voice joined her bond-sisters.
Silence returned as no one had anything to say to that.
__________
 
Nameless had screwed up.
He was lost, he could still sense the light of his anchors, but he could no longer see them. He knew that he had gone too far, too deep into the strange mountainous whirlwind. His psyche had been ravaged to the breaking point by the broken glass of feelings, and he felt his grip on his own mind slipping.
But he would not yield.
He gritted mental teeth as he threw everything he had into his quest, willing his mind into every agonizing valley in search of any sign, no matter how remote, of the lost soul he had to save.
What are you willing to give up to save her?
A voice rang out within his tattered mind, musical and feminine, yet with more than a hint of steel to it.
Startled, Nameless answered without thinking.
Anything!
Why? She is not one of your wives. The voice was curious now; it had a strange archaic formality that he found intriguing.
So? She needs my help and so I WILL help her!
Even if it were to cost you your own mind?
Even if it costs me my life! His answer was immediate and unflinching.
Mmmm, such sacrifice… such selflessness… I have not felt these qualities so strongly from a human in nearly a thousand years. Her tone was suddenly heated, and if he could blush he would have.
He wasn’t sure how to respond, vaguely he felt the chaos around him, he had forgotten about it in the midst of the strange encounter.
Uh… look, I kinda need to go save this girl so…
Indeed you do, but sadly we both know that you cannot.
What?!
You have the will, without a doubt my noble friend, but you lack the strength. You spent too long in this place and soon it will consume you utterly.
No! I have to save her!
Mmmm, yes, as I said, selfless: facing your own ruin and your first thought is for a girl you have never met... Once again the heat in her tone made his imaginary knees weak; Very well, if you are willing to sacrifice everything you have left, then I shall lend my will to yours. Know however, that what is about to be wrought cannot be undone. It is not something I do lightly. Will you accept this gift? Will you accept this burden? Will you accept me?
Wh-who are you?
Ha! Manners! Forgive me! I have not spoken with another in so very long. I am Volka and if you wish for us to save this girl then we must act soon.
Yes! If you can help me save her then I will give you everything!
Mmmm, such sweet promises you make! Very well then Husband, I will use my will to protect you while you search. Together we shall save this girl, and then, perhaps you will come save me!”
Do you need help too? His worry turned to her, completely missing the appellation she had given him.
He felt warmth coming from nowhere and everywhere at his earnest question.
You will be easy to love I think, so quickly your thoughts bend to others in need. The gentle warmth of your spirit even now calls to mine. Fear not for me; I have endured for a thousand years, I am far safer then this wretched creature. But come! Let us go to her aid!
Nameless felt a sudden heat in his breast, light blossoming from everywhere at once and his flagging strength was renewed, and then increased tenfold: he felt another anchor take hold, a golden glow that was all around him.
Volka’s voice echoed in his mind, suddenly much closer, more intimate then before.
Lead on Husband!
Bemused but reinvigorated he resumed his search.
__________
 
Light burst from around Nameless’s prone form, everyone covered their eyes at the abrupt golden radiance. Shouts of alarm sounded as arms instinctively covered faces at the unexpected brightness.
The light was incandescent for several seconds before it finally dimmed to a soft glow that seemed to permeate his entire body, pulsating gently.
“Wh-what is happening?” Erica called out, her stinging eyes seeking out Lady Essig.
But the lady was just as dumbfounded as the rest of them.
Xalanth had thrown her wings around her mate protectively in reaction to the light, whilst the Amazons abandoned their kneeling stance and took up their spears, prepared to battle whatever foe emerged.
More confused shouts rang out, but nothing further happened.
“Lady Essig, what is this?” Miranda asked after several beats.
“I… I have no idea. I have never seen anything like this! Xalanth?”
The Dragon shook her head, her wings relaxing somewhat.
“We can but wait and see Milady, same as before. It would seem there is more to this story then I thought, the young Empath… we may yet have cause for hope.”
Nameless’s mates all stared wide-eyed at his still form, each thinking the same thing: if he was going to save the girl he could stand to hurry it up a bit!
__________
 
Nameless was excited, after joining with the armoured mind of Volka he was searching without fear of the dark emotions around him.
And he had found something.
A whisper of a memory.
It was some sort of chant; he willed their shared mind closer to the strange murmuring, until he could make out the words.
Bones of the mountain, heart of the furnace, soul of the warrior, gracious in victory, proud in defeat.
Over and over it repeated.
The words were bored into his brain and the more he focused on them the stronger they became, until a form slowly began to materialize out of the chaotic shadows.
A girl.
She was tiny, at least two feet shorter than him. Her skin was a dusky red, her hair a similar colour but a few shades darker.
Her eyes were black as they stared at him, head tilted to one side.
Hello, what is your name? Nameless thought at her.
I know your voice. You have been calling me for hours. Why?
Her tone was flat, abrupt, but not unfriendly.
Because I want to help you.
You… want to help… me?
Yes.
That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. You are puny; I think it is you who needs help. I can see it in your mind, people have hurt you and you have simply let them.
Nameless was taken aback some, she was surprisingly lucid, compared to how Erica was.
Um… yes I am not very big, and some girls were kinda mean to me a long time ago, but I still want to help you.
Well, you cannot. So go away now.
She turned to leave but found that no matter which way she faced, he was there.
Stop doing that. It is annoying. Her tone continued to be completely flat.
Sorry, I can’t help it, I came here to save you and I am not leaving until I do.
You are not listening, I cannot be saved.
Cannot? Or don’t want to be?
I… I don’t know, one of those, maybe both. For the first time her voice was uncertain.
Please, will you at least tell me your name?
My name? That is irrelevant, I don’t want to be saved and therefore you cannot save me. Her voice was decisive now, though there was a hint of curiosity in it; Why did you come here to try to save me anyways?
Nameless brought his mind closer to hers, Volka still shielding him from the negative maelstrom which didn’t seem to have any effect on the tiny girl.
I came to save you because you deserve to be saved. To be free. To be happy.
That’s a stupid reason. You know nothing about me; I deserve none of those things.
Why not?
What?
Why don’t you deserve those things?
I… I don’t know… She was uncertain again.
If you don’t know why, then how could you possibly know why not?
There was a pause as she considered him for a few moments, looking him up and down.
You are kind of annoying. Her tone was slightly miffed.
 Maybe, but if me being annoying gets you to let me help you… I can live with that.
Hmmm… you aren’t going to go away are you?
Not anytime soon no, I’d say I was sorry but I’m not.
Yeah, I get that sense from you. If we go and find why I belong here will you leave me alone?
Why don’t we go and find out who you are and then decide? He compromised.
Mmmm, yes, you are really annoying. Very well. I will show you.
The darkness whirled around them, calmer now as her will directed it to form into her memories.
A crude arena formed around them and they saw her in it, although now she wielded a giant hammer.
That thing is almost as tall as she is!
I can still hear you, you know.
Right! Sorry…
Whatever… where is my hammer anyways? I feel naked without it.
I don’t know, sorry.
You apologize a lot. It’s annoying.
Um… sorry?
She gave him an exasperated look as the shady memory played out around them. Another figure had entered the arena; this one was much taller than her and wielded a giant sword with ease. The girl was reptilian in appearance with a large tail and armoured claws and forelegs.
As they watched the two circled each other.
That’s right. They said you fought in the arenas…
Be quiet, I’m trying to watch this.
Nameless was about to apologize again but thought better of it.
Together they watched the fight play out.
From the very beginning it was clear the reptilian girl was outmatched. She lunged forwards and brought her sword down with terrible force but the tiny girl blocked it with one bare forearm, her other hand loosely holding her hammer. As he watched in amazement he saw that the girls arm barely had a bruise.
The girl watched placidly before she muttered to herself.
She shouldn’t have been put in there with me. I don’t know why they did that.
Why were you fighting?
You said yourself, I was an arena fighter.
Yes, but why were you fighting?
Because I was in the arena; are you stupid or something?
Nameless found himself sputtering, trying to articulate himself better, when Volka’s voice sounded in his mind.
Husband, this gets us nowhere, you must persuade her to open up about her past.
Who the hell is that? The Gigas looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.
The fight was nearly finished; the lizard girl was leaning on her sword.
A man’s voice ordered her to hit the girl again.
The watching giant froze.
I know that voice.
Who is he? Nameless caught what the man had said and decided he didn’t like him very much.
He… he was my friend.
Really? That guy?
The voice was heard, again ordering her to strike her wounded opponent.
Her memory shook her head at him.
He wasn’t like that before, I don’t think…
Well, what was he like?
I don’t know…
Maybe we should find out?
Yeah, I guess so.
With a whirling shadow of a snowstorm the memory shifted. Suddenly they saw the same man, but skinnier, freezing to death on the slope of a snowy mountain.
He was so weak when I found him. I thought he was going to die…
A tiny figure, immediately recognizable by the giant hammer strapped to her back, gently lifted him from the snow.
The next moment she was calmly spoon feeding him broth in a massive cavern while he recovered his strength.
“Thank you for saving me.” His voice was weak.
“Don’t mention it. I was going that way anyways. If you died in the snow then I would have to deal with your body in the spring thaw and that would have been unpleasant.”
The man coughed on a spoonful of broth at her directness. Then composed himself after a moment.
“You’re a giant right? A Gigas?”
“And you’re a human. Now that we have that out of the way, how soon before you are able to leave?”
“Um… I don’t know, maybe a few days?” His voice was slightly petulant.
“Really? Days? You humans are even weaker than I had heard.”
“Well, I’m sorry about that, I nearly died out there!”
“Yes you did.”
Her tone held that same emotionless quality and Nameless realized that she was not a very expressive person to begin with.
Yes I am. You humans are just TOO expressive.
Nameless opted not to reply, watching as the memory of her nursed the man back to health. He sensed a friendship forming between the two and began to understand why she called him such.
The memory faded away again; suddenly she was in a different arena.
“Nina, are you sure you want to do this?” The man asked her, he seemed genuinely concerned.
“Sure, why not? You said yourself that we need the money.” She shrugged placidly as they stepped into the ring together.
So your name is Nina?
Quiet, I’m trying to listen.
“Thank you! Thank you so much, I know that you see me as a burden but with the money we’ll earn from this fight we’ll have enough to start up our shop!”
“Eh…it’s no big deal. Now get out of the ring before I squash you by accident.”
Nameless couldn’t see her opponent, but the fight was over too quickly for it to really matter.
That’s right, I remember, we were going to spend the money from the fight to start a smithy in Garland. His father was a blacksmith and I worked in precious metals so…
You are a smith? That’s really cool!
For the first time he saw a hint of emotion on her face.
Is she blushing?
I can still hear you.
Oh! Sorry!
You’re not very good at this are you?
Well… it’s only my second time…
I can tell.
Nameless couldn’t help but feel self-conscious as the girl sized him up. She seemed more interested in him by the second, and he had the strangest sense that she was looking through some of his memories just as he was looking through hers.
The vision shifted around them to yet another arena, but this time Nameless recognized her opponent all too well.
M-Milly?
Oh, you know the cow chick?
Yeah, she’s one of my bond-mates!
You’re bonded to a Minotaur? That’s… actually really impressive.
They both winced as the memory of the Gigas slammed her fist into Milly’s stomach, dropping the surprised Minotaur.
The memory stood back from her opponent and spoke.
“Hey, why aren’t you fighting back?”
“I… I don’t want to fight, he makes me come into the ring.” Milly coughed out, on all fours.
“Who does?”
“My owner…”
“Well, that sucks. So if you aren’t going to fight you should probably stay down… I would say good match, but I’m a little disappointed really.”
“Y-you are?” Milly glanced up, eyes wide.
“Yeah, I heard Minotaurs were really tough, but if you aren’t going to fight me for real then I guess I’ll never know.”
Milly IS really tough! Nameless remembered all of the times she fought for him.
Whoa, calm down little fella. In my defense I didn’t know she wasn’t gunna block or anything. The next few times they put her in the ring with me it wasn’t so bad.
You fought her more than once?!
Well… “fought” is putting it strongly.
The image flashed several times, each time it was Milly entering the ring and Nina knocking her down with one blow. Although after the first one, Nameless noticed that her blows were really quiet weak.
Hey, I didn’t really wanna fight her either.
Why were you still in the arena anyways? What about the shop?
Huh… I don’t know. Let’s check.
Again demonstrating remarkable control despite her fallen state, Nina changed the image again.
He saw her with the man from before, naked greed on his face.
“We can’t stop now! You’re the baddest bitch around and everybody knows it, I’ll get paid just for you to show up in the ring!”
“But what about the shop?”
The girl was strangely vulnerable; she clearly didn’t like how her friend had changed.
In a flash Nameless realized that she had long since given him her heartstone.
Oh… you wanted to bond with him! I am so sorry…
The black eyed Gigas whirled on him, lunging forwards as if to grab him. But Volka’s golden aura blocked her. Nina’s face was twisted with pain now.
How did you know that?! I never said that! Who told you?!
Nobody told me, it’s plain as day, look at your face. Look at how sad you were.
I wasn’t sad! Who said I was sad?!
Nobody needed to.
Who are you anyways? Why is saving me so damned important to you?!
Because if I don’t save you, you won’t ever have the chance to have the bond that you were seeking.
She was taken aback now.
And why does that matter to you?
Because, I am lucky enough to have three girls bonded to me and…
Four. Volka’s voice rang out in his mind again.
What?
Four, how quickly you forget about me husband… Her tone a slight pout.
Er… right, four! Four girls bonded to me and it has been the greatest joy of my life, and when I see a girl who was treated so poorly that she fell into the darkness and became a Tenebrae-
What? Who became a Tenebrae?
Um… you did?
Are you asking me or telling me?
…Both?
You are so annoying.
Sorry.
Yeah that just makes it worse. So I’m a Dark One now?
Yeah… sorry.
You really suck at this.
Right, anyways, that’s why I want to help you escape this place.
Why did I fall into darkness anyways?
Well, that IS what we were trying to figure out right?
…I really don’t like you.
With that an image of the man greedily counting money popped into being around them. Her memory was trying to talk to him again.
This time she had several nasty cuts over her face and arms, dark blood stained her skin.
“I don’t want to fight in this place anymore. I don’t like how they treat the other girls.” Her tone was subdued, and he simply brushed her off.
“Don’t worry about it, you just worry about the next fight, you need to win this time, although I made a lot of money betting against you!”
“You bet… against me?”
“Yeah, no weapons? It was brilliant! Everyone thought you could take that Trog. Of course, without your hammer I knew just how weak you would be so…” He shrugged.
“But… why would you do that to me?”
Nameless could feel her hurt, it was palpable in the room, and how the other guy didn’t notice it was beyond him.
“I said don’t worry about it, now we’re all set for a rematch and this time you get to use your hammer. So when everyone bets against you I cash in big time!”
Her pain made his vision turn red.
Calm yourself husband, do not add to the negative energy of this place.
Your right, thank you Volka.
Who the hell is Volka anyways? Again the Gigas looked around and saw no one.
Not important, what happened next.
Hey you’re kinda intense now…
Sorry.
Aaaand you’re an annoying pussy again.
The first arena reappeared, the fight was over and the man ordered her to hit the Trog again.
Except now he could feel what she felt in that moment.
She loved him as her only friend, and hated him for what he had reduced her to.
No… I don’t want to see this…
Out of the night there was shouting as the Aegis raid commenced.
Don’t make me watch this.
But she didn’t seem able to stop the memory from playing out around them.
He saw the man, her owner and long time friend, grab a strange rod out of his bag. He saw the Hornets descending from above.
“Come on we’re getting out of here!” He screamed at her.
Her hammer was still held in her hand as she watched him level the lost tech weapon at the back of a Wolfen girl.
She knew what was about to happen, she knew and had to stop it, so she grabbed the weapon out of his hands and snapped the delicate instrument in her palm.
“You idiot do you even realize how much that damn thing cost?!” He drew back his hand to slap her, but thought better of it.
“I don’t need to keep a weak bitch around that is going to land me in an Aegis dig site for the next twenty years!” He ripped a bracelet off his wrist and threw it in her face.
She had made it for him years before to carry her heart.
Her stone back in her possession, she found herself free for the first time in nearly a decade. He turned to leave, drawing another lost tech weapon from his bag, fully willing to fight his way out with the other men.
She heard the terrible wailing scream of the Wolfen being killed by the flamer, she heard him laugh with the others. He was going to join them, he was going to hurt other girls alongside the other pigs, and in that moment it was crystal clear to her that he was on the wrong side of all of this.
She hit him in the back with her hammer before he had taken two steps.
She felt his spine turn to powder at the extreme force of the blow; he was dead before he hit the ground. She dropped to her knees beside him.
No… Marcus…
Several Wolfen appeared around her, one of them tried to wrap a blanket around her shoulders but she couldn’t even feel it.
She had murdered her best friend.
Her vision went black and she remembered little after that, the image faded into the swirling darkness around them and the Gigas was on her knees, mirroring the posture of her memory, weeping.
Nameless moved over to her and enveloped her in his arms, she tried to shake him off but found her strength in this dark place nowhere near a match for his.
You did nothing wrong.
Were you not watching? I killed my only friend!
And by doing so you likely saved the lives of any number of monster girls who would have tried to stop him from leaving.
That’s… I don’t care about that! I don’t care about those other bitches!
We both know that is not true. If it were, then you would not have held back on Milly when she was forced into the ring with you.
That isn’t… no…
Why didn’t you hit that Troglodyte again when he ordered you to?
What?
He told you to hit her and you didn’t, why not?
Because, she fought well, and deserved to be treated with respect.
Bones of the mountain, heart of the furnace, soul of the warrior, gracious in victory, proud in defeat?’
Where did you learn that?
It was what drew me to you in this place. What does it mean?
…It is the way of the giant, my mother taught it to me when I was young. It’s who I am: Born from the stone of the mountain, heart as steady as the fire of my forge, raised as a warrior, treat your enemies with respect, and never be ashamed of defeat as it shows you how to better yourself.
And did that man… did Marcus treat that Trog with respect when he ordered you to hit her after she had already lost?
Shut up! You don’t know him!
No… but you did. May I ask you something?
…What?
If you hadn’t stopped Marcus, and he killed one or more other girls… would that have been your fault?
What?
Would you have blamed yourself if you had let him go and he had killed someone with that weird weapon?
…Yes.
So then which would you rather live with; the death of one bad man – and that is what he was! He may have been a good man once but he wasn’t anymore – so the death of one bad man, or the death of any number of Aegis girls, girls who were there that night fighting to protect their sisters, to protect YOUR sisters.
…You suck. You already know what I am going to say.
I know, but you still need to say it.
She huffed at him, her breath a slight breeze against his cheek. She once again struggled a bit in his arms, although now it was to get her face in front of his.
Her eyes were suddenly a deep crimson, the darkness receding.
Obviously I would rather have stopped him than not. But now I am alone again.
An image flashed into being around them, her alone in a massive cavern, her home in the mountains. The vague memory of her mother drifted by, she died when Nina was young.
She was an orphan.
So am I.
What?
I am an orphan too.
You are alone?
He gave a mental head shake.
No, I found people to love and who love me.
Well, I don’t have that.
Why not?
You said it yourself: I’m not very good with emotions. And after Marcus I won’t ever trust anyone to hold my stone again… unless…
Her eyes bored into his, the ruby light of them brighter than before, hope on her face.
Show me who you are, please?
Surprised, he nodded and opened his memories to her. Volka let out a sigh.
Volka what’s wrong?
You have a noble heart, but are a fool when it comes to women I see. I hope you will take responsibility for what is about to happen.
What do you mean?
She didn’t answer.
The memory of Clint whipping him as he protected Milly flashed into being around them.
You are kind of a badass. Nina said suddenly.
Her tone was slightly heated as she regarded his kneeling memory, ruby eyes wide; she could see his fear, but he wouldn’t bend, resolved to protect Milly at any cost, a warrior’s determination.
The vision abruptly shifted, Milly was throwing Clint off of a bridge.
Heh… good for her.
Again it shifted; they found themselves doubly coated in shadows as he coaxed Erica out of her own darkness.
I never liked what they did to the girls in the tents. I’m glad the Aegis people stopped it. But for you to give her everything you had, more even then you gave into saving me… that is so hot.
Her tone was beyond heated now, Nameless was worried. He had a sneaking suspicion about what was about to happen, and no idea how, or even if, he could stop it.
The image was now of Ophelia drunk and naked in the darkened orphanage as he tried to get her to make sense and locate her heartstone.
So the hot butterfly chick bonded to you when you were three, kept it a secret for years, only for the truth to come out and for you to acknowledge the bond? That is so romantic…
She heaved a sigh, a sad smile on her face.
Marcus would never have done any of these things.
She held him with one arm as she watched his memories, a single tear trickling down her cheek.
You… you are annoying, and really puny, but still you are so hot that I can’t help it. Can we have sex in here do you think?
What?!
No you’re right, that wouldn’t be fair to the others. I would like very much to meet them and hear what they have to say about it. That is, if you are willing to accept me?
He could sense that his mission was accomplished, if he rejected her here, he could tell that she would be hurt but would be okay.
Volka’s words sounded in his mind: take responsibility.
He let out a mental groan.
Miranda is going to kill me.
No she won’t, you are puny and weak, but you have the heart of a giant and the soul of a warrior. If anyone raises a hand against you I will hit them with my hammer.
Her voice was happy, girlish even.
Well of course, I AM a girl you know. Shall I prove it to you?
A sudden image of what she wanted to do to him at that moment burst around them, causing him to blush.
Oh my, that is rather indecent. Volka mused in the mindscape, her tone wistful.
Looks l-let’s just get out of this place and then we can all have a long conversation about it.
Okay… one question though?
Anything.
Who are you?
Nameless.
There was a long pause as she tilted her head to one side, one red eyebrow raised.
Are you trying to be a smartass?
Nameless sighed.
Volka laughed around them.
__________
 
The rapt audience had witnessed the light come and now they watched it diminish, although none of them knew what it meant.
There was a groan from the cage and then a voice no one had ever heard calmly spoke.
“Hey, puny. Not that I mind your hand on my tit. But we need to talk to the other girls first before we can bone.”
“Sorry!” Nameless abruptly sat up, his hand jerking away from her tiny breast.
There was a gasping sob and the cage was suddenly very crowded as his three mates struggled to all get to him at once.
He got them to back off as he edged his way out of the cage, gingerly rubbing at his knees. Once outside he was wrapped in a tearful four-way hug.
Due to all of his bond-mates blocking his view, he was oblivious of the thunderstruck expressions he was getting from all sides.
“Look it’s really cute, you getting molested by your lady friends, but can someone get these weird plants off me and find my hammer?”
No one moved, she heaved a long suffered sigh.
“Yes, I was a Tenebrae, but the puny guy over there helped me work through my shit so can we skip to the part where we’re all friends? Because friends don’t keep friends tied up.” She shook her wrists meaningfully.
Nameless finally broke free of the hug and turned to let everyone know that Nina was okay, and was greeted with stunned expressions.
“Wh-what?”
“Nameless!” Miranda choked out; “Your eyes!”
“Bloody hell kid! That is downright unsettling!” Paul added, his pipe slipping from his fingers.
“What is going on?” Nameless was a bit worried now.
Milly turned him to get a look at his face.
“Master! Your eyes, they’re glowing! And, and gold!”
“Wh-what?”
I’m afraid that is my fault Husband, don’t worry it will fade in a few moments, will you seek me out? I confess I am eager to meet my new family.
“V-Volka?!”
Indeed, I am bound to you now and for all time, but at this distance it is a strain to reach you so I must bid you farewell. Please, find me? Her thoughts were vulnerable.
“I will! I swear I will, but where do I start to look?”
He was getting more than a few worried glances from the crowd, except for Nina, who patiently waited for someone to untie her.
Can you not sense me? Focus on my heart.
He nodded and closed his eyes, diving into his own emotional mindscape.
“Uh… Nameless, the hell is going on?” Miranda asked.
He didn’t answer as he sought out the will of the golden being who had aided him in saving Nina.
His eyes snapped open after a few minutes, his eye colour fading back to his normal muddy brown.
“East! Nina, she’s to the east!”
“Cool, still don’t know who the hell she is though. Hi, I’m Nina by the way.” She addressed a surprised Erica, Milly, and Ophelia; “Oh and Erica before you ask I’ve never eaten pussy before, it looks like it might be fun though. As for swallowing cum, that sounds disgusting so I probably won’t do that.”
Erica’s jaw dropped open, Milly and Ophelia both gave confused looks to the Katje.
“Oh hell no! Not again! You did not do what I think you did! There is no way you could be that stupid!” Miranda’s voice cut through the crowd.
Paul and Jan both started laughing.
“Miranda right? I should probably tell you if you harm my mate I will crush your skull.” Nina calmly told her, her eyes on her finger nails.
“Your WHAT?!” Milly, Erica, and Ophelia all shouted at once.
Xalanth walked over to the cage, her demeanor composed as she met the Gigas’s equally nonchalant stare. After a few moments, she ripped the bindings off of the smaller girl and without a word went back and joined her lady.
Nina mumbled a quiet thank you and crawled out of the cage.
Her every move was tracked by the Amazons.
“Lady Essig? Is it safe?” Yana was to the point, her spear aimed at the ground, yet ready.
Nameless held up Nina’s ruby red heartstone for Sadie to examine.
“Thank you Nameless.” She murmured as she took the stone delicately between two fingers and held it, rolling it gently around.
Everyone present held their breath, except Nina, who took up station beside Nameless and took his hand in hers, leaning her head against his hip.
“She is completely recovered. And yes she did indeed bond with him. That is something you are going to have to work on my friend; if you bond with every girl you save you will soon die of exhaustion!” She smiled and handed the stone back to Nameless who took it with a blush.
Nameless turned to his mates but Nina spoke before he could.
“Yeah, I think five is as much as one puny human can handle.”
Once again the girls were incredulous.
“What do you mean five?” Ophelia had composed herself somewhat.
“You know, five,” She counted of with one hand, her other still holding his firmly; “Milly, Erica, you, me, and Volka.”
“Who the hell is Volka?” Demanded Erica.
“No idea, she helped our man save me though so I’ll be happy to lick her snatch.”
Our man?” Milly’s tone was dark.
“Yeah, we really should talk.” Nina acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation.
“Truly this is a glorious day!” Yana interrupted the brewing drama; “Never before has a girl been returned from absolute darkness! Noble Empath! I name you Valkyrja, blessed of the Valkyrie!”
Once again all of the Amazons present took a knee before a very embarrassed Nameless.
“Seriously though, where the hell is my hammer?” Nina asked, oblivious to the solemnity of the warriors surrounding them.
Nameless sighed.
Paul and Jan kept laughing.