On My Honor

By: AeonianDreams

Chapter 9: Requiem

The darkness gave way to a world blurred by pain. Percival was surprised that he wasn't dead. His eyes finally focused and his heart dropped to the bottom of his feet at what he saw. Louis, like a broken doll, laid on the floor his vacant eyes staring up to a world he would never see again. Chris was on her knees cradling him in her arms. Tears were cascading slowly down her pale white cheek as she shook her head. Her tremulous mouth shaped words that wouldn't pass her lips. Finally in a sharp gasp she managed one word, "Louis."

The Mighty Knights stood rooted to the spot. Yes, they had seen their fair share of gore and horror on the battlefield. Each knight knew that they could die in battle. Still to think that Louis, so young, had died at the hands of a madman so far from home. From behind he could hear Leo start to growl, his deep voice growing with the pent of rage inside. He heard them start to move as if ready to go after the murderer before them. Percival only had eyes for Chris, and could not tear them away as he wife sat on the floor, her dead apprentice in her arms.

Her eyes were shadowed by her long flowing silver hair. The man above her had let her go during the spell casting. He now barely stood, gasping painfully for breath. The spell had cost him dearly and he knew it. He bared broken yellowing teeth at the Knights, attempting to show he still was dangerous. "If I were you," He snarled. "I would leave before I put another one of you in the grave!"

"You bastard!" Leo spat his hand gripping his battle ax ready to lunge forward and free Kayn's head from his body.

Kayn staggered forward and began to laugh, spittle flecking his cracked lips. "You want to try to defeat me? I will kill you all one by one in front of your beloved Captain, and then after you all lay dead at my feet I will take her anyway! You can't stop me! You..." But his voice was cut short as the sharp end of a sword stuck out of his chest. Red blood blossomed against his clothing and a crimson rivulet ran down his chin.

He fell to his knees and grasped at the tiny bit of the sword that was sticking out. He turned his head to see Chris standing there tear streaks on her face but her eyes were cold with an icy fury. He gaped before breathing. "You..."

Without a single word she reached down to the hilt of the sword and jabbed it forward forcing the blade further into the man's body. Twisting it viciously she watched as blood spurted out and colored the white marble tiling beneath him. Kayn made one last gurgling sound and with a dull thud collapsed to the floor. Standing there blood flecking her clothing she stared down at the man. There were no words still as she lifted her gaze up to Percival and the Knights.

The look in her eyes was different from before and Percival felt his breath catch. There in those lavender depths was the spark he knew to be the woman he loved. "Chris?" His voice was a mere whisper, as if his voice would break if he spoke louder.

Tears welled up in her eyes once more as she locked eyes with him. "Percival, I...I am so sorry." Without another word Percival strode forward and swept her up into his arms. He squeezed her tight, drinking in her scent and the feeling of her body against his. "I..."

"No, don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I failed you and now Louis is dead because of it." He gritted his teeth as loss mingled with joy and self loathing. He could see out of the corner of his eye as Leo sheathed his ax and picked up Louis' body.

"He died because he choose to protect Lady Chris, Percival." Salome's voice of calm reason floated from behind him. "He knew his duty as a knight and he died as one."

"Sir Salome is right, Percival." Borus added, his voice husky with raw emotion. "He knew the risks, as did we all."

The brunette knight opened his mouth to argue but Chris cut him off with a soft kiss against his lips. "No more blame, not today. We must get back to camp. We must give Louis the burial he deserves." She kissed him once more letting it linger.

He let her love wash over him and mend his emotional wounds. He still felt the sting of the loss of Louis and the sour heat of guilt licking at him, but Chris' words rang true. They had to get back. "Chris, I..."

"I love you too," She kissed him. "I'm sorry that I couldn't remember you. It was...that man's curse. When he lost his power it broke if it had been broken sooner."

He shook his head. "Like you said, now is not the time to place blame or fall victim to guilt." He offered her his gloved hand. "Let's get back and honor Louis."

She looked up to him, her eyes holding a torrent of emotions and with a nod placed her hand in his. Together to two walked behind Leo who bore Louis with a quiet grace and started to head home.

A/N: I updated? I update?111! Yeah, I did. After so many years. I figured I'd try to finish this. I got the epilogue and that's it for this story. After re-reading it I so want to go back and rewrite it. I might eventually, especially since things are bit different now, eh? Well, for whoever is still reading this I hope you enjoy.