Arc 4: What families entail
Vengeance. War. Blood. It was all coming, and already here. The sky was crying with heavy rain. Over the battle of the Capital, and the Gravestone Pirates camp.
Edward {I'm finally here.}
Peter's shot had landed, and the piles of explosive crates combust like a massive firework. It was sent out, scorching and tearing the weaker Demi-humans apart in an instant. Their skin ash, their souls roaring with pain, their eyes nothing but fire. The tents, the cannons, stands and tables, flags and animals, all crashing away from the camp's heart. Those that tried to fly were caught in the rising fire, others that managed to survive were crushed by debris. All while Moro sat upward, rubbing the soot off his face after being thrown backward. His ship was the largest, alongside a single other beside it, and they managed to survive the immense impact. Along with a thousand or so Demi-humans, all rushing to the Red Arrows and Spartans crying out in the trees.
{Shit! Too late to turn back! Run run run!}
The Red Arrows leapt out into the trees, from the bushes, from the shadows. The humans went for slashes at the throat, point blank or far away blasts of magic. And the Demi-humans cleared the way, slashing through each other or swinging large tools. They had effects of their own, like the poison shots or toxins, bioelectricity, flame and ice coatings, or wings that took them quickly through the sky. But further up, soaring down toward the chaotic burning camp, was the last Helsing.
{Common! Go!}
Dema took them down and down, booming to the camp in the rain. Soku and Peter prepared to soar off into the sky, to make sure Peter lived after causing such a violent explosion. Even if he was frozen in shock by what he had done, he instantly continued screaming the faster he got. Cries piercing Soku's ears worse than the almost deafening explosion.
Soku: "Calm down! I'll drop you off! Now hold on -
Edwards' single eye narrowed. His mothers smile, Bjorn's strong arms, his quiet island's beautiful look over the water, its small cozy streets lined with small shops and cottages. Demi-humans, even a few Half-Elves and Dark Elves. The children of the army, the injured of the army, the retired of the army. Trying to live their life in peace. All eaten, crushed, burned away and destroyed by cannons. The Gravestone Pirates would live with Edward forever, in his memory, and the horrible brand of their flag on his right eye. He had never felt more weak in his life, he had never been more scared. He felt like he was about to burst into tears, and yet he had a face and tension of so much bloodlust. The Warriors Spirit seemed so wrathful it was chopping at the chance to get at Moro. With his Dragon stone, with his rebuilt strength, with his past losses replaying over and over again.
"ATHENS CAN'T PAY ME IF YOU ASSWHOLES TAKE IT!"
The voice was a man, Crevasse, having been sprinting as hard as he could through the woods. Leaping off the cliff of a hill, smiling while his large bulky body began to coat itself in stone.
Peter {A real Dark Elf! And he's got a Battle Aura!?}
Peter instantly realized one of his own. Seeing another Dark Elf seemingly so strong, so fast, with their unique trait only given to those born in the Dark Elves home land. An impossibility, and an ironic death, as it seemed he made the perfect leap to hit Dema and send her crashing down. Peter sunk back into the saddle as Soku and Edward didn't even waste a second to think.
Soku: "BACK TO GET WREACKED!?"
Soku just felt a lot of panic, fear, and then rage toward the man who got her captured by the Warriors. And Edward just swung with a grunt of pressure, wrath, hate, and they both hit. Soku with a quick blade of wind, Edward with a spinning slash, enough to freeze for just a second. And then all fly back due to the force of their attack, along with Crevasse kicking Dema in the side with all of his force. Since he expected a Helsing, even unawakened, to send him flying instantly. Seeming rather disappointed as he fell toward the battle below.
Edward {DAMMIT! NO NO! NOOO! GET BACK ON TRACK! GET CONTROL OF EVERYTHING! AND LAND! KILL THESE FUCKING PIRATES, FINALY KILL THEM!}
The Pirates outside of the camp were slowly being pushed back. The Spartans continued to come out of nowhere, throwing daggers and magic from the darkness and cover of rain. Protected by the Red Arrows screaming through the dense forest full of vigor. Pirates bashed them away with maces, great swords, their bare scaly or fur hands. Whether it be a Bear Demi-human impailing a Red Arrow in the stomach with her claws, a fire cricket Demi-human crushing a skull with a incredibly drop kick, a gorgo bird Demi-human sent out razor sharp feathers that slit throats, even a mouse Pirate managed to cut tendons from the bushes. Yet they kept having to step backward, gather, reposition. Getting closer and closer together like a triangle, seeping back into the flaming camp like a diamond.
Edward {TAKE HOLD FOR ONCE, DO IT EDWARD! MOMS WATCHING RIGHT NOW, EVERY HELSING IS! THEY HAVE TO BE!}
Still in the air, Dema had been sent soaring toward Mount Yelira. Peter was still holding on with Edward, but Soku had to move. Curling wind as they violently barrel-rolled into her palms, sighed, and shoved it against Edwards back. It sent him flying, but the rising land up toward Mount Yelira meant the fall wouldn't be too harsh. Soku then took the reins, finally helping Dema stabilize just as Peter screamed at the winding trees ahead.
Soku: "WATCH OUT!"
Soku went to hold Peter, but they hit the torrent of thin and thick branches far too fast. They were smacked, cut, lifted off Dema, and finally stopped. Peter was handing onto a branch covered in cuts, while Soku spun mid-air with her glider, spinning with wind while picking up even more. With enough, she released it in a burst, before recovering and jumping between the trees to snag Peter and land across the soaked muddy grass.
Soku: "Are you okay!?"
Peter: "I don't know how but I'm fine, but Edward!? And Dema!"
Dema was between them, cut and soaring with injuries. Her pitch black scales broke open across her quivering body, her wings slightly torn. But she could stand, and she did, until Soku guided her head down.
Soku: "I can't leave Edward alone. Try and help Dema, stay hidden. If you stay with Dema we can all leave with you, but if it gets bad just leave. We'll regroup anyway."
Peter: "You're crazy! The Capital is exploding right now! And the Camp is just as bad! Without Leo or Toll you can't just run in there!"
Soku: "I've faced worse odds and made it out. The only thing that's changed is now I've got more control, training, even this glider you made. We all have. Maybe my luck will run out, but I've always been a gambler."
She smirked, and looked past the hole inside the forest she made. Letting her see the flames of the camp slightly in the distance. She thought of Ophelia right as she took a breath, of everybody else as she let out her wind, and of the coming battle when she jumped. Sending out a torrent of bright green wind amidst the dark storming woods, spiraling around her, the air, and her now extended glider. Allowing her to aim and soar into the sky, curve down, and pull up to continue flying over a short open field leading to the bay.
Peter {Man…I really really wish you were here, our Dragon of Athens. I really hope you aren't the man Leo always says you are. And you're strength will save us, right when it all seems over.}
Edward had flown and fallen right over the Camp, screaming into the battle with his sword up and ready. Blasting through the wall of flaming spiked logs into a crowd of injured and fearful pirates. He went flying through them, even if he gave up some of the force with a swing of his blade into the crowd, and continued to skid across the wet flaming debris-covered sand. Leaving those Pirates a bursting pool of blood and knocking over the many legs he slammed against.
"TAKE OUT THAT METEOR GUY!!"
There were many Pirates surrounding Edward, a fourth of which was incredibly injured by the explosion and another fourth hurt in some way. Then came the Pirates who managed to come out unscathed and the rest of them who were outside of the camp when the explosion went off. Edward spun his blade with his right hand as he stood, cutting the leg of a Bull Salmon and stomach of a GraniteFish Demi-human just fast enough to pivot and grab hold of the large Octocrab's jaw. She had bright fluffy red hair, dark skin coated in a dense red shell coating, possessing six arms with all but two of them having claws.
"STO -
He pulled with all his might, snapping her jaw off before cracking the side of her skull open with a backhand holding that jaw. Crushing some half-burnt pirates with her body, and then coating that body in the splattering blood of the Pirates rushing him.
Edward: "DIE DIE DAMMIT!
He had to think like he was fighting Lincoln, and that was to always react. When he felt the sand shift, he spun and cleaved a face off. When he tensed up he kicked the burnt Pirate so hard their sternum broke. His ears twitched, punch threw a stomach, he blinked and smashed a head in with both his hands.
Edward: "MOOORROO!!!! WHEEERRRREE'S YOOURR CAPPITAAN!!"
He tackled a large polish down and beat their bearded face against the sand, he grabbed and snapped the neck of a younger pirate without a thought, and crushed the face of somebody with a mighty backhand. Kicking up a small amount of windforce with each of his attacks, letting everything out as he rampaged. Pirates tried to swarm him but fear held some back, injuries killed some, others ran. Then came the mix of Pirates entering the camp and leaving, all while the Red Arrows and Spartans quickly closed in.
Edward: "KEEP COMING! KEEP DYING! NOTHING WILL STOP ME!"
When Edward first fought against the Gravestone Pirates he had help, and yet he ran in first. He fought Pirates by himself, and then went against Moro one on one. He lost that day, physically harder than any time in his life, a mental setback that could have ended the Helsing bloodline forever. And here he was with help, and he was running in head first. Here he was using his strength on so many Pirates he didn't need to. And there he was, about to target Moro all alone.
Edward {I'LL HOLD THE LINE! I CAN DO IT! I CAN SURVIVE THIS!}
But in reality, he was leading. Clearing a hole for all of his soldiers to join him, taking a lot of the attention while they cleared their way in. Even if he died before he reached Moro, he was going to kill at least enough Pirates so they could finish the job. Soku, a random Red Arrow or Spartan, maybe even Peter. Moro was all he could think about aside from his mom, his home, Bjorn. And yet he didn't rush to that ship, he didn't leave his soldiers behind while he died in a useless rematch. For Walgonia, for his family, for his brother in War that he promised, he'd save the living by honoring the dead.
Edward: "A CENTURY AGO YOU WERE NEEDED! SAVING DEMI-HUMANS WHO NEEDED IT, FREEING THE SLAVES HELD BY ALL OF SAGA! WALGONIA! BUT HERE YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR THAT DAMN HATRED! FOR YOUR OWN PEOPLE TO BECOME CATTLE AGAIN!"
His words hit the few Demi-huamans that could hear it hard, but they died to his sword right after. Inside of their shoulders, stomachs, threw their hearts and skulls like a rapier. Hit with enough force from a punch or too to lay broken or dead on the sand. He pushed around the large fire burning in the center of the camp, trying to get near the entrance and keep the two ships away. Moro, and likely his now vice Captain Ju'stone.
Edward: "THE GRAVESTONE PIRATES ARE A HUSK THAT WILL BURN AWAY BY SUNRISE! RUN! RUN! OR DIE BY OUR TRUTH, THE TRUTH YOU USED TO SHARE! ONE WHERE WE FIGHT TO THE DEATH FOR FREEDOM, FOR RETRIBUTION!"
He kept having to jump and crush Pirates through their heads, roll away from flying Demi-humans swopping down with swords, arrows and talons. Got hit in his side by a quick Demi-human, thrown by a large fish, burned by a fire breathing Carp, and even teary eyed by the fumes coming from a plant-like Demi-human. But when he was pushed back he'd only grit his teeth, tighten the hold on his blade, and roar into the heavens. So loud, so violent, because he needed his family to hear him. To know he was fighting for them. And for the Pirates, to know they were next.
Edward: "TURN AROUND AND FIGHT WITH US, AND BE A REAL GRAVESTONE! AND NOT JUST SOME PIRATE!"
Edward was truly incredible. He wasn't the strongest Helsing, at his age there were many Helsing far stronger, a handful far stronger than everybody here when they were teenagers. But he had made it here. Through Lincoln, through Mount Yelira, through Molten Bay. His Helsing body, even if unawakened, was able to recover and grow in power far faster than most Demi-humans. Breaking himself so much, almost dying over and over again without doing long lasting damage. He always had to thank his lineage for being able to grow, to push themselves without having to worry about the life long strain as most. Even if they were still susceptible to OD sickness or cancers. All of it had made him so much stronger in such a short amount of time. But it was his will, his mind that had pushed him through it. Edward Van Helsing fought for everything in his life. He fought to breathe. He fought for his legacy every second of every day. But today, he fought for himself. His people, his beliefs, his world, with strength he earned. Not because he was a world renowned prodigy like Musashi, the connection to his body and soul Lincoln has, or had an invincible Mark of Providence like the legendary Sultan Van Helsing. No affinities, no Mark of Providence, the base amount of mana. Just the blood of legends, that only seemed to flow with burdens.
Edward {The Red Arrows and Spartans are closing in fast, but I'm gonna break eventually! I can't waste all my strength here, I need to fight Moro! Without Soku I might not be able to do that yet though, and where's his vice Capitan!?}
Soku soared side to side through the rain, struggling to keep a proper flow in the harsh weather along with the panic melting her. But she was still moving, down low before curving up, so much faster and higher than she ever had before. Tight tall city buildings, smaller suburbs, broken slums, it was all completely different from the exploding winds. So much war below, and the world kept everything from escaping to the sky. And then she heard them; it shook the battlefield, emerging from within and outside the camp. Cannons, shooting large balls of iron only Demi-humans could load effortlessly. They blasted against trees, combusting Red Arrows like blood filled balloons, and scraped across the earth to leave long and thin trenches. They squealed against the rain, over the fire and down toward the trees, bursting Pirates, Spartans, and Red Arrows wildly in mass. Yet the Red Arrows and Spartans with magic could use dense fire, water or ice, and earth to stay safe. Some Demi-humans tunneled under the ground, used their hard shells to defend, simply caught or dodged them, and flew through the air barely dodging them.
Soku: "COME ONE! COMMEEE OONNN!!"
A heavy gust of wind along with the cannons caused Soku to mess up, soaring down toward the open field below before curving up to the side, side to side, about to barrel roll into a fall toward the ground. But the burning wooden walls of the Pirate camp burned bright, burned incredibly hot, and she could feel it. About to reach the sands she spun, gathering the wind around her with her mana like she learned with Julius, before pushing it toward her legs like Rosemary and Gray, and kicked herself into battle roaring like Edward. Thinking of how Ophelia would feel. And swung her blade with all her might, sending a rather large blade of bright wind that only grew as it collected wind. Smashing against the walls right after, clearing a large hole she could fall through.
Edward {SHIT SHIT!}
In the center of battle Edward was kicked back. Lifted by a flying Pirate to get thrown against the ground. Almost burnt by acid shot from another Pirate, and upper cut by a Mudfish Demi-human hiding under the debris-covered sand. Hit right into the grasp of a towering whale Pirate who held his arms behind his back and forced him into the sand. Ready to crush his head with the swing of his large spiked ball, connected to a chain tied around him.
Edward: "NOOOOO!"
"BEG YOU RAT!"
His face was covered by his dragon stone helmet, but his skull still would have been crushed by the incredible force the weapon was picking up as it got inches from his face. About to die before the Red Arrows made it, about to die before he even saw Moro. And it was the perfect chance for Soku to make her entrance, already having charged a short but dense blade of wind that spun and spun. It shaped into a crescent as it cut the shoulders, sides, and ears of the few Pirates in its path before it broke the whales chain. Sinking into his incredibly thick skin, and still managed to burst a deep cut across his bare tattooed chest.
"HELP!"
So many Red Arrows and Spartans were coming, and some flying, leaping, and charging Demi-humans were seconds from arriving. So Edward and Soku had to face the weight of so many different Demi-humans, Pirates out for blood running as hard as possible to kill them. But with Soku now on the battlefield, Edward had to roar. He had to take his rage, and put it into his blade. Take his Warriors Spirit and finally use it for his body, and not unleash it without thought. Trying his best to balance pure instinct, his thoughts, and the might he held. So he tore the toes off the Whale Demi-human to finally get him to back away, instantly leaping toward his throat to shove his large blade right through it. Soku was off jumping and jumping, from the ground and off the air, sliding past Pirate after Pirate to leave them with large gashes. Her wind coated Cleaver sword easily ripping past their thick hides, before she spun and flung her built up force like a blunt wave of wind. Sending those flying, jumping, and crawling back into the waves of fire coating the sands.
With a smirk she barely zipped away with a burst of wind from her right foot, again after backing up into a Pirate, jumped over another, and leapt forward off a post with her blade flaring with mana.
Soku: "WHERE'S THE BACKUP!?"
Mid-fight she screamed for Edward, getting closer after her attack smashed into the sand to send the Demi-humans flying into their scorched tents. But Edward was focused on dodging, dodging, dodging. Waiting for the perfect chance to tear out throats with his hand, spin backward and cut two heads off, plant his blade into the sand to drop kick and break open a sternum. And finally took out that sword, tried to release everything he had, and created a strike strong enough to send wind pressure with it. Breaking open the turtle Demi-human he hit, and throwing back the half-burnt Pirates beside and behind him.
Edward: "WE ARE THE BACKUP!"
Edward fought harder, faster, somehow even more violent. He would do anything, break anything, crush and slice whatever he needed to in order to survive. He wouldn't leave them alive, he wouldn't let them come back or try again, he wouldn't let their very breath affect them. Soku didn't really think about the lives she was taking. She just jumped mid-air again and again to send out long ranged slashes without worry. Cutting the wings and chests open of the few flying pirates left, kicking down thick torrents of wind to push pirates away and fly further up, break open the thick wave of pirates blocking the main entrance to the camp. She watched with a bit of horror as Edward bashed skulls, cleaved limbs, pierced hearts without shaking. He kept running, swinging his blade, cutting throat after throat, even throwing his blade like a throwing star to spiral into a skull. In the meantime he back handed a jaw into breaking, kicked a leg to shatter, punched a face inward, spun and smashed his fist down against a bald scaly head to break it out the jaw. Headbutt, spin, break, grapple, kick. Dodge a blade, a punch, a slash, and counter once to leave them bloody and broken.
Edward {I"LL FIGHT LIKE A HELSING! A REAL KNIGHT, A REAL WARRIOR! KILL ALL OF THEM! FINALLY RID THE WORLD OF THEM!}
Round and round like a top to cleave indiscriminately, throwing Demi-humans into each other with his bare hands or a sword inside of them, stomping thick stone and scaled feet so hard they shattered before smashing his shoulder into them to clear through and kill even more. He moved like a growing force, a titan, a Warrior with the call of a Knight. His Warriors Spirit was exploding throughout his soul, over taking everything with fuel. Fuel to kill. Fuel to break through. From his despair, his hatred, to mask the fear. The pain. And fight, until his limbs weren't there any more.
Edward: "I'LL TAKE ON EVERY SINGLE ONE OFF YOU!!"
The Spartans and Arrows inched closer, their large blasts of fire and earth finally breaking the flaming wooden spikes. Demi-human Red Arrows crashed through the side walls, others tunneled under or flew over, finally swinging down on the pirates en masse. But they too looked on as Edward smashed his blade against the sand, flung forward through the air, and hit a large snapping turtle Demi-human in the skull hard enough to kill him. Dropping the body with a loud thud under the flames, the screams, the rain, and roared toward the pirates. Facing the Red Arrows and Spartans beginning to clash, the large flames in the heart of the camp by his back, and his rage exploding everywhere.
Edward: "WHOOO'S NEEEXXXTT!!!"
There were still many, many pirates. The fire was beginning to finally be eaten away, aside from the massive one in the center and the wooden barrier. Leaving it open for more of the soldiers to close in, with blades of magic and Demi-human might. Yet another meteor crashed behind them, a massive white robed man with stone skin. Crevasse, hitting a single Red Arrow so hard his arm blew off when he hit a large deer Demi-human. Knocking a small group down in a single attack, while he moved to do the same to the many Red Arrows leaping into battle. He was quick to block, take hits from tougher Demi-humans, before grabbing hold of them and swinging round and round to knock them back. When his stone eventually cracked from the stacking blows he simply couldn't react to, it slowly closed back. And when a Spartan dropped from the skies exploding mana from his arm and bashed his head in, shattering his stone armor across his face. He easily grabbed hold of the Spartans head and killed him by smashing him against a Red Arrow, quickly covering his face with stone by just putting in some more stamina.
Edward {I've got to help Soku clear the path!}
Soku's wind blades continued to light up the sky, repeatedly cutting down weaker Demi-humans and injuring others with ease. But she was trying hard to maintain her mana and stamina, letting this battle time grow and grow because she needed to insure she had the might to hold back something greater. Edward moved to help, about to burst into a crowd of Pirates trying to swarm Soku from behind, just as a mighty shadow was felt inside the flames for a brief second.
Edward {NO -
Edward tried to turn around but failed to react. Getting his head grabbed by a massive hand, and slammed into the sand. Before he was grabbed again, this time tight enough around his right leg to hear a crunch, he was sent flying before he could even try and swing his blade. He went through the flames, over a small army of Pirates, over the flaming beach, and onto the deck of Moro's personal ship. He didn't stop until his sword stabbed into the deck's dense wooden floor, sliding and sliding. Finally stopping once his back hit one of two masts on the ship.
Edward {THIS IS IT! DAMMIT GET READY GET READY!}
Edward took a proper stance, held his long black blade by his side pointing backward, and tried to wipe any panic away and replace it with his Warriors spirit. But his heart still skipped a few beats when the titan landed. Breaking some of his ship as he stomped toward Edward. Puffing an almost dead cigar, one hand in his large black coat pocket and the other scratching his incredibly long mustache. Split into two long ends with a patch of hair on his chin like Leo, but was far thicker and hung off his body, blowing in the wind. Edward could feel it. Moro Gravestones rage, before he saw a face melting with fury.
Edward: "I told you, I'd be the one that kills you. And I'm here. So take your last breath now, because I won't give you time to regret it."
So much sadness, rage, fear, pride. Before all he had was anger, his might, and that left him worse than dead. Right here, right now, Edward would muster every part of himself. And stand strong to kill this monster.
Moro: "YOU KILL HOW MANY OF MY PEOPLE!? FOR WHAT!?"
Moro stomped closer, and Edward almost launched forward. The rain is the only guard between them.
Edward: "Because the Gravestone Pirates are a husk of themselves. Monsters, since they started being led by you. Why didn't you attack right when the battle started!? Or send your vice captain out!? Scared I'm too strong!? Scared you're gonna lose! This fear, this fire, this death for ideals you don't accept! THIS IS THE GRAVESTONE PIRATES WRATH, AND YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT!"
Edward leaned closer, finally ready to clash, but Moro got out a few last words before he did the same.
Moro: "I'm not afraid of you! I stayed back to move the ship, to save my men, but your explosion ruined that. And for my vice capital, he stayed back to waste your strength. Your soldiers anyway."
Edward: "YOU WON'T KILL ANYBODY EVER AGAIN DAMMIT! THE RED ARROWS, ATHENS RISES HERE! AND THE WORLD WILL BE FREE OF YOUR WRATH!"
Moro charged forward with a leap, ready to punch Edward through the ship, but Edwards' speed surprised him.
Edward: "FOOORREEE EEVVERRYYYOOONNEEE!"
His mom getting eaten, Bjorn broken and brutalized, his home blown up and lit flame. The ashes in his hand he held from his village, it finally faded away into the fire of his Warriors Spirit. Into his blade. And he tried to let everything out once again, trying to push out his internal mana. Thinking of nothing but killing Moro, but breaking him, but surviving just like Lincoln said he did against the Dragon. Yet Moro caught Edwards' strike with his hand. The blade had sunken into his thick, stone hard palm, and caused blood to drain onto the ground.
Edward & Moro {BLOOD!?}
Moro felt an intense rage unlike any other. Of course there were hundreds, maybe thousands of people who could easily slaughter, challenge, stalemate, and manage to defeat him from ease to incredibly close. But the fact is Edward had done it. What he sees as just a sword, armor, anger, and nothing more. Just another thing in his way, without a name, a purpose, a place in his history. And yet, like a shadow in the world, it had cut him. Nothing, breaking through, maybe to close that gap. But for Edward? He had tears forming in his eyes. Like everybody had pushed him, like he had pushed himself, to finally prove he existed. That he could at the very least, if it took every inch of his being, do something for once. Against the man who turned him from the Helsing that would have left this life, into the Helsing who fully embraced his legacy. A legacy that always leads to death some way or another, and never peacefully.
Then came a small shock wave that broke a bit of the ship around them emerged right after. Pushed out because of Edwards exploding will, trying his best to unleash everything. He had been doing it the entire time, letting out stronger attacks here and there, but to win this battle he had to unleash it.
Edward {I HAVE TO USE THE DRAGON ARTS! MY INTERNAL MANA, FOR A SINGLE BLOW, AND I CAN CRUSH HIM! I CAN WIN!}
The exchange had only lasted a few seconds, and ended right after.
Moro: "Dragon stone armor, our symbol over that eye, all this rage! Who the hell are you!?"
Everything within Edward dropped. All of this work, all of this pain, and still Moro had no idea who he was. Always nothing in his mind. Moro was his rage, he was his sadness, he was what he thought was wrong with the world. Edward wished to help as many as possible, to be the best Knight and Helsing he could be. But when he was just a boy, listening to stories and learning with his parents, playing in the fields with a smile and outwardness he never had again. He didn't care about being the best then, his legacy, his blade. It was just something he was a part of, until this beast drugged him with fire and blood.
Edward: "...What…?"
Moro instantly hit Edward across the face with a sucker punch, tossing him back just enough to kick Edward back. Sliding back into the mast, hardly able to focus on anything. Just staring at his blood soaked body, the flames emerging behind him. Shaking, cold. Scared, like he was the same boy quivering under Moro's shadow. He had the strength and the training, the heart and the will, but somehow he was unable to stand as he did before. He couldn't even breathe.
Moro: "Finally realized you're a nobody!? That you'll die here for nothing! That I'll kill all of you, and push the Gravestone pirates further than my parents ever did!"
Moro was like a juggernaut. Compared to other Demi-humans around Saga, he wasn't near the strongest, especially when looking at the Southern Islands. He wasn't formally trained, he didn't know the Demi-human techniques of the Southern Islands, he didn't even use their technology. The strongest Demi-humans in Saga were spread out, a lot working as bounty hunters because of how hard it is to rise the ranks in a government position. Even in places like Walgonia, resulting in most Demi-humans who could change the tide of battle, even help save Walgonia, were lost and looked over. Leading to the few Demi-humans in high power roles, far away from leadership positions, rarely taking the spotlight. In a world with monsters like Kioshi and Musashi, humans and Half-elves with crazy affinities, the Dark Elves and their superhuman abilities, Demi-humans struggled since they were limited to their own bodies. And Moro, his rise to fame, his powerful body and Demi-human transformation he only got from luck and blood, would never live up to a lot of the strong Demi-humans in this world like Toll or Garly. If Edward could overcome Moro, he would prove his might was enough to challenge the blessed. The people who only relied on their race, their blood, and didn't have to train for a second. Still the cheaters made their way through, like the man with two Marks of Providence in Ravoria, or somebody with an insane corrupted ability.
Edward held his blade as tight as he could. He put a half to the fear, the stress, and gave it all up to let his rage take him. To surpass Moro's raw strength, speed, durability, and viciousness. Demi-humans were just people, people seen like beasts, monsters. It was all wrong, but Moro Gravestone, the man who's slaughtered over thousands. Caused so much pain across the seas even with his weaker, small crew that seemed to only dwindle away as the years passed. Who corroded the Gravestone name, one once seen as a Pillar in the Demi-human world that helped push the Demi-human Army of Saga through decades of war and politics. He was truly a monster. One Edward had to slay, no matter what, because that's what it meant to be a Helsing. A Knight, a man, the son of the Monster Slayer himself, the child of a family shattered by this hatred. It broke down and killed his father, his mother, his family, so much of Walgonia. And he would live up to his world as long as he breathed. That Moro would never kill another soul again.
Edward {Maybe we aren't connected, maybe this rage toward you is useless. But if I don't kill you, Athens, maybe all of Saga could fall, and if not, who knows how many deaths would happen. So -
He took in a breath, ready again to clash with Moro, but he spoke just as Moro's massive form faded into reality like a shadow. His speed and control were far higher than Edward realized.
Edward: "DIIEE LIKE THE MONSTER YOU ARE!"
Edward moved with Moro, barely dodging his large muscular arm and incredibly dense, dark claws. Spinning around his body before stopping at his back, leaving a long slash across Moro's side while readying one straight down his spine.
Moro: "YOU'RE TOO SLOW TO CHALLENGE ME!"
Moro instantly smacked Edwards blade away, hitting Edward with an uppercut to the stomach so hard the air ruptured. Like a gun shot. And then came Moro's other fist, but Edward took the hit. Because he grabbed hold of Moro's face and began to punch, punch, punch. As fast as he could. As hard as he could. Using the immense pain coursing through him to enhance his rage. To enhance his might. Slightly chipping his dragon stone gauntlets as it rapidly smashed into Moro's large face, against his long rectangular nose, roaring into the storming night sky for as long as he could. Landing almost ten punches as it managed to stun Moro for a moment, about to swing his blade down against his skull, but Moro grabbed hold of Edwards wrist and tried to snap it backward. Leaving Edward screaming in pain, forced to jump for life. So he did, right off Moro's face like a reverse drop kick, flying back onto his feet with his blade ready. Leaping right back into the fray.
Edward: "FASTER, STRONGER, IT WON'T SAVE YOU! YOU CAN'T STOP ME EVER AGAIN YOU HERE ME! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!? OR ARE YOU JUST THAT STUPID!?"
Moro and Edwards roared, the impact from their battle was all like fireworks. A signal for the Gravestones vice captain to finish his whiskey, look down at a small framed photo of Bella, and jump off his ship. Crevasse continued blasting through his opponents like a rampaging mountain. Bashing the faces of Demi-humans, armored humans, or just breaking bones by stepping over them. He went for legs, arms, slashes toward their stomachs. Anything to break them, and if that didn't work for the bigger Demi-human Red Arrows and Spartans, he'd simply leap toward their head and smash, smash, smash it into a bloody sharp paste in the running mud.
Crevasse {Wonder if going back to the Capital is better! Don't think I'm affecting too much! Damn but it would take too long! I'll have to try and win, back off and wait if I can't like I did in the Coliseum city! Yeah that should work! If shit goes bad I can escape, if it goes good I'll get my coin and get a bonus! Those idiots livin in trees back in Gaia won't believe the house I can buy!}
The Red Arrows and Spartans were building like a wave against the camp's flaming walls, pulling a majority of the pirates to them. Soku on the other hand continued throwing out blasts of wind to send them flying, leave building slashes that forced them to stop before they bleed out, or got a lucky strike that killed them on hit. It made her feel incredibly sick, but after all Edwards did, she couldn't let herself hold back. Because she thought his choice was needed, an absolute, even if she hated it almost as much as Gray. Like Rosemary, she was willing to step over that line if it was necessary. Yet Soku didn't think she could make that choice, and if she didn't, the large man who just landed on top of his own Pirates behind her would force her too. Tall, muscular, but half the size of Moro. Light blue aging Shark skin over his tanned skin wearing thick brown pants and a torn tank top with holes cut out for his fins. Covered in random tattoos from his journeys in the seas across him, a large set of incredibly dense, sharp teeth, and a muscular build he was losing to an overweight one due to his drinking. A Great White, a low level Spirit Beast with the ability to pull water into his body. The Demi-human, the Gravestone pirates, Vice Capitan, Ju'stone. Smiling with glee at the young, wheezing green haired girl covered in his pirates blood. Gripping tightly on her blade.
Soku: "Shit."
Ju'stone: "Funny, strong too. Why not join us? I don't think Moro would mind an Elf joining if you're strong, you're close to us Demi-humans. At least to humans."
Soku let the wind around her fall for a second, surprised to find the other pirates avoiding them and moving toward the large battle at the front entrance. Unwilling to get caught in their Vice Captains crossfire. Soku had to clench her body as tightly as possible to push past the large wave of panic that was forever rising. Spiking as she felt Ju'stones might. Even if she could win, no, she could win with her might, she just needed the skill to pull it off. It just meant everything if she lost. Although the fact it meant everything also meant she had to push even harder, to think of her Mark, of Ophelia, and slowly seep out wind with a growing despair turned will.
Soku: "You, the Sect, the Knights. They're all so close to being the same. I'm gonna keep doing what I think I should, and that seems to line up with killin' you."
Ju'stone: "Feisty too, would have been nice. Welp, get ready to die I guess."
Ju'stone pulled out a thick pair of brass knuckles over his already large hands, shook his drunken head, and showed all hundred and more of his teeth. Ready to pull Soku into the flame. The brutality of reality. War, up front and personal, all by herself. And she stood strong. Without wavering against it for a second. She just let out a burst of wind before pulling it back, tightly binding it across her as best she could like she saw Leo do with his lightning, and flew into battle. His skin was already dense, magically resistant like the Ogre she faced in the alley all those months ago, so she took out the glider strapped around her back. Pulling it forward as they prepared to clash, and swung just before they would have hit each other. On top of all the wind she had pulled, the burst she applied, she finally activated her Mark. Just for a second, but the resulting blast of bright green wind was intense. Even more so when she pulled it all against him with her swing, pushing so much force against Ju'stone all he could do was pull up his arms.
Then came the blunt pressure, the slashes forming from the changing density inside the explosion because of her Mark, the sand, the bodies, the still burning rubble, and sent him flying through the fire. He rolled across the sand ready to respond but Soku was faster. Kicking off the air a few times while pulling wind for another attack, sending it off one more time to throw Ju'stone out of the battlefield. Back onto his smaller ship near Moro's. Ju'stone was baffled by the pressure and power of her wind, but it didn't do anything more than leave some cuts and disorient him. The large wave of fire in the heart of the camp managed to burn him and dehydrate him far worse than her attacks, but that was just a taste of her remaining strength. She was ready, perched atop his ship's mast looking down sharply.
Ju'stone: "Maybe this won't be so easy."
Soku was shaking in the cold rain. She had about half, maybe less of her mana left. Small cuts were beginning to form around her from just using two bursts of her Mark. And now after using her Glider so violently, the prototype began to crumble. Still she had to move, jumping into the sky to glide around the ship. There was the bulldozer Crevassee, creating enough commotion just outside of the camp Soku could see it. Then came the hundreds of Pirates clashing against the Red Arrows and Spartans, a majority of them cleared by Edward and Soku's work. And then she felt the waves of Edward and Moro's battle. Their roars.
Ju'stone {I aint losin to some brat. But she's an Elf, with mana and a Mark, no matter the age that's all I really gotta worry about as long as she ain't some Elite Type. I'll just bite her head off the second she freezes up, take my prize and save my men! It's a damn win-win!}
Ju'stone began to pull in the Water Spirit mana from the air, heightened by the hefty rain dense with spirit mana of its own, swirling into a bright blue stream flowing into large, faint arrow like marks in his skin that glowed the same color. His eyes went white, the water wrapped violently like a shield, and let out his bloodlust. Still, filled with fear at the sight of such an imposing figure stepping forward with a massive smile, she flipped forward and kicked off the air, pivoting right toward Ju'stone.
Ju'stone: "NOW THIS FIGHT WILL REALLY START!"
Edward and Moro were throwing each other back with their attacks, the Red Arrows and Spartans were finally beginning to swarm the camp itself, Crevasse was starting to run dry on stamina, and Raylice had just returned to the Capital of Athens. The Battles were reaching a peak, where it would decide the coming end. Without Athens Elities, without Beauregard or its Warriors, the entire land was up for the Red Arrows to finally protect. But with Raylice and those Elites still standing, that battle was just as much in the air as the one against the Gravestone Pirates. But in the shadows people cultivated, ready to unleash a signal that marked the end of Athens. All while a man who could end it all in one punch each continued to watch and watch. Only joined with the others in the fact that they were fighting for an end out of their control.