Gunz: Yes I know, you all hate me for that big cliffy, well here ya go, the finished version of it. Will Venn die? Or will Emil save her come to term with his feelings?

Richter: We all know she’s going to live. She’s a main character of the story.

Gunz: So was Zelos but if you chose Kratos he dies.

Richter: …

Gunz: Ha! I outsmarted you! Oh yeah! Uh huh! I win! -Does happy dance-

Richter: No you don’t….Your forgetting something; you have yet to reach 100 reviews or 5000 hits on this story.

Gunz: …Touché mother f-

Richter: RATED T!

Alice smiled evilly at the girl sprawled on her stomach and stomped her foot on the center of her back, earning a gasp “Well, well, looks like I get to cut the party down to a even number.” she chimed as she picked up Venn’s blade and positioned it over her back, on the other side, it would have came out on the heart. “Nighty night~” she said as she raised it up and brought it down to stab-

“Lady Alice!” Hawk shouted seeing an enraged Emil kick her away from Venn’s almost and nearly lifeless body “We must….Retreat! He backed away cradling his wounded arm, he himself was covered in his own blood.

Alice looked at Hawk before the rest to the gang, who were steady making their lethal was over to her, quickly she began to back away “Aramis get us out of here!” she said as the purple balloon monster made a noise and grabbed Alice as well as the rest of her party, they began to drift away before Emil showed up.

Emil’s face paled when he saw the bloody mess that was Venn. Beside her disturbingly still body was Alice’s white rapier, covered with Venn’s blood.

“I’ll kill you…” He muttered murderously, “I’LL KILL YOU!” He yelled out to the figures high in the sky. His orbs filled with bloodlust.

“Where’s your weapon?” Hawk asked Alice far above Emil’s figure. Alice instinctively reached for the handle of her sword, but it wasn’t’t there.

“Oh, whoops. It’s just a sword though.” She shrugged as if it was no deal. As she shrugged, a blur whizzed through her hair. It was only a few seconds later when she realized that it was her rapier. The two looked down below to see Emil running after them. His figure kicked up dirt as he blazed after them. “He doesn’t actually think he can get us does he Hawkie?”

Emil felt anger, hatred, sadness, and guilt all at once. His emotions were confusing his thoughts, as only one stood out distinguishably: ‘Kill them.’ He roared as he chased after the purple floating monster. He felt a surge of power blast behind his legs as he jumped towards the purple monster which was easily three stories high in the air.

“Jump? No one can jump that high Alice.” Hawk scoffed, turning to see that his words were spoken too soon. He met almost face to face with a face filled with hatred and the intent to kill. It was almost looking into the eyes of the devil. Emil pulled out his sword, swinging it as a shockwave blasted out towards them.

Alice could’ve sworn she had seen her life pass through her eyes when she met face to face with Emil, the shockwave grazed past her shoulder, barely missing her and smashed into the nearby stone mountain. The mountain literally blew apart, chunks of rock and debris flying everywhere.

“Dammit!” Emil swore as gravity began to take its toll. He landed and turned to look at the small speck in the sky that was his prey. Clutching his fists together tightly, he turned around and ran towards Venn.

“You better not die Venn!” The thought echoed in his mind as he found Collette trying desperately to heal Venn. Marta was also trying to help, but she wasn’t’t much off better. He looked down at Venn, the ground around her was drenched in blood. Her blood. He gritted his teeth as he asked the question burning in his mind. “Is she going to make it?”

Collette wiped sweat and tears off of her face, “Y-yes, but with this much bleeding she might… we need to rest here to recover.” Emil took a quick glance at Marta, who looked worriedly towards him and nodded.

“Whatever it takes…” He muttered under his breath.

“….”

“So-….out…..now…”

“I can’t…Not without you!”

“Your order’s are to leave so-….I won’t have you suffering this fate with me”

“Ugh…” Venn slowly opened her blue eyes, her vision distorted. She grunted in pain as she sat up in what felt to be a soft bed. She looked around the dark room until her eyes rested on Emil. He was sitting on a wooden chair beside her, arms crossed and eyes closed. Suddenly, the door at the opposite end of the room opened. Marta stepped in carrying a bowl of water and a bunch of towels.

“Oh, you’re awake!” Marta’s voice was filled with relief as she put down the tray beside her, offering the bowl of water.

“How long have I been out?” Venn spoke, her throat burning as she did so. She quickly accepted the water and emptied its contents within seconds.

“Three days…” Marta’s voice trailed off, her eyes staring at Venn’s guardian. “Emil’s been by your side every day and night for that long too. He was so worried.”

Venn smiled, feeling happy that Emil was watching over her before a nauseating feeling flashed through her. “Ugh… I need to rest…”

Marta nodded and left, closing the door behind her. Venn sighed, covering herself with the blankets before…

“You’re up.” Emil’s voice… no, this time it was deeper, more commanding.

“Y-yea…” She replied awkwardly, she could’ve sworn she saw a glimpse of relief shine in Emil’s red eyes, but it quickly dissipated when Emil scowled.

“This is why I left you behind!” He growled, standing up over her, “You always get hurt because of ME. Why can’t you just go back and…!” Emil couldn’t’t make out any other words. Not because he ran out of air or couldn’t think of anything to say.

But because Venn leaned up and kissed him. Her pale lips making contact with his. He’d admit, they were soft, very soft. He had to stop his eyes from closing and his hand from trying to comb through her hair. Succeeding his pushed himself back

“…What the hell!” He tried to sound pissed off, but failing to do so.

“Nothing was your fault! I chose to follow you and I got hurt! Why can’t you understand that…?” She trailed off, “I don’t want to go back because… of you…” Venn said in a soft voice. Her voice was fragile and wavering, even Emil in his Ratatosk mode hesitated, his eyes slowly turned back to green as he slumped down into the chair, grasping the handrails beside the bed.

“I… was so worried…” Emil’s voice was now back to normal, “I thought I lost you…”

Venn laughed sweetly, “Thanks Emil. For caring.” Emil looked up at Venn’s smile and couldn’t help but smile himself. She leaned in closer to Emil, feeling his breath on her face…-

A knock on the door almost made both of them leap up in surprise. The door opened and Colette stepped in, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her eyes widened when she saw the Venn was awake.

“Venn! You’re awake!”

Venn and Emil stared at her for a couple of seconds before Emil covered his mouth and pretended to couch and slouch back in his chair. Venn looking away to the other side hiding a blush “Colette…You need to work on your timing…”

Colette stared, “What do you mean?”

Both Venn and Emil sweat dropped.

2 Days Later

Venn stretched as she walked out of the Inn/Hotel with Emil, closing her eyes from a large gust of wind. “So then, where are we headed?” she asked as she set her arms behind her head and leaned back slightly as she walked beside Emil in the group.

“We need to go to Hima, a large bird like monster is stopping us from examine what may be the cause of the large gusts.” Collette said

Venn had gotten to know Colette over her two days of healing from the battle with Alice. She learned she was a sweet girl, but maybe a little too sweet, she definitely was blond, and that was for sure. A smile could go a long way, and well, Venn didn’t mean any offence to the blond, but god, did anything stop her from smiling?

“Why go to Hima?” she asked

“The bird like monster we have fought is called the Garuda, and it is protected by a special membrane-a barrier of sorts. The only thing that can pierce it is the claw of a winged dragon. Which Colette has told us, can be found in Hima.” Tenebrae explained

“Wow…you guys must have done a lot while I was asleep…” Venn murmured

“We would have done a lot more if Emil had come with us, but he was so stubborn and bent on staying beside you...” Marta explained as Venn looked down with Emil, both blushing.

“Ah…Right…Sorry for being a burden.” Venn murmured

“You’re not one...” Emil murmured back

“Ah, young love.” Tenebrae lopped ahead

Both Venn and Emil looked up “What’s that suppose to mean!?”

Definitions of Names

Venn: Vendetta; Revenge for a dispute. Vendor; A merchant. Veneer; A superficial show of quality. Venerable; Deserving of high respect…

Collette: What’s that?

Venn: Something to prove my point, that a lot of words starting with Ven are mean something good or to praise…

Collette: Um…what point?

Venn: That my name’s better then Marta’s!

Definition of Names

Outskirts of Hima (Night)

Marta stopped with a sigh “Finally almost there.”

“Yeah, almost.” Venn said looking up the large cliff face they would have to take, the grass was cutting off into sand, and rock. Meaning they were going to now being going over some tough terrain. Venn looked behind her to the monster’s they had befriended. “Cotton.” she said having her Wild Rabbit friend jump up and into her arms “I want you to stay here.” she then started to pet the small thing.

Tenebrae raised a brow “Releasing a monster, Venn?”

“No, Wild Rabbits do better in forest terrain do they not?’ she asked as she pet the small monster behind its large ears “Now then, you be good and wait for us to come back okay?” she asked as they small rabbit hopped out of her arms and into the nearby woods.

“The monsters seem to really like Venn.” Colette smiled

“Well, I have Ratatosk’s power too, ya know.” Venn answered

“Yes, but the monster’s around Emil follow him he’s there master, but they love you like a friend.”

Venn opened her mouth to come back but closed it not thinking of anything, a frown came to her face as she thought hard about what Colette had just mentioned “I…Guess they do.” she smiled

Tenebrae looked at Venn before headed on ahead “Come, we should reach town before morning.”

Marta groaned “An all nighter? Why!?” she whined

Tenebrae gave a small cough “Because Lady Marta. With the assumption that the Garuda is causing those fierce winds, if we do not stop it soon. Innocent lives will be at stake.”

Venn nodded “I agree with Tenebrae.”

Marta gave a large groan of protests “But my feet hurt!” he sighed “We’ve been walking all day…Why don’t we just take a break? Then keep moving?”

Tenebrae sighed “If it is what you wish Lady Marta.” he sat down and turned to Venn, “Lady Venn, would you mind going to find some fire wood?” he asked

Venn shook her head “No, not at all.”

Emil’s gaze quickly jotted over to her. “Why don’t you take a monster with you just to be safe? “

“I think I can find some firewood on my own Emil. “ Venn laughed as she turned headed for the small woods not far, picking up spare sticks on the ground.

Emil sighed as he sat down and with the spare rocks around him made a fire pit. “Think she’ll be all right on her own?” Emil frowned worried

Colette sat down beside him “I’m sure she will be.”

Emil gulped, his insides were starting to knot up. “B-but, even with the doctors and Marta, her wounds can still come unstitched!”

Marta shook her head “That’s if she pushes herself to hard.” she said and frowned in worry over Emil. “She’ll be fine Emil…”

Emil’s heart gave a loud beat as he eyes flashed from green to burning red. “And how are you so sure!?” he growled as he stood “I’m going to go help her.” he murmured as Marta and Colette stared after him in shock.

Tenebrae frowned to himself, ‘Seems it’s already beginning.’

Venn smiled as she continued to pick up some sticks happily and sighed as she whipped a bead of sweat from her brow. “Just a few more should do.” she murmured as she looked around, spotting a large jagged stump rising from the ground. It looked obviously dead. She grinned like a fox “Wow, that thing has enough wood to last us all night!” she smiled as she ran over to it and grabbed a piece of old bark that was ready to fall from it.

“Idiot! Don’t touch that!” called out a voice

“Huh?" Venn turned hoping to get a look at who the voice came from, but it was interrupted as something in her hand moved, she looked back to the old stump to see it slowly lifting it’s from the ground, it was a piece of the head of a large tree like monster. “Oh…shit!” she gasped as quickly with its tree like arms it slammed her away, making her collide with another tree.

“Dammit, Venn…That was careless.” he made his presence known

Venn groaned as she cracked open her eyes “Richter!” she gasped “What are you doing here!?” she grumbled as the man flipped some of her red hair behind him.

“We’ll talk later, can you move?” he asked drawing his blade an ax.

“Of course I can.” she growled as she lifted herself wincing as she felt a familiar liquid stain the inside of her clothes, ‘Dammit’ she whimpered

‘We’ve sealed all of your major wounds, along with your friends, but if you overexert yourself then you might reopen them.’ the doctors smiled as Venn nodded

‘I’ll try not to overdo it.’

“Venn!” Richter called snapping the brunette out of her thoughts.

“Huh?”

“I asked if you’d fight beside me for a while.” Richter glared at the monster which roared in return.

“Right!” she nodded as she took out her blade and followed Richter as they both charged.

Fighting with Richter was the same as fighting while being judged. Every move Venn made gave her second thoughts about making the move at all. She was stressed. Being around even the newest of people, her personality changed. Normally she’d be a hyperactive ‘let’s do this thing’ kinda girl, but around strangers or people with such a big title or personality, she was quiet and she wanted to live up to their standers.

She was scared of disappointing someone. Even in Ratatosk mode, her fears got in the way.

Richter had cut off one of the monster’s arms leaving her to take care of the other one. Which she did.

“Demon Fist!” she called out as she punched upward, a surge of energy leaving her fist, cutting the monster’s arm off like a hot knife slicing through butter. Quickly as soon as she had she jumped back avoiding a head butt from the monster, almost tripping over herself.

“Stay focused!” Richter yelled fiercely

“Shut up! Don’t tell me what to do!” her Ratatosk personality yelled, as she got ready to use another attack, Richter had beat her to it. Landing the finishing blow. Venn’s eyes returned to blue as she staggered and fell, wincing as she felt blood run from her wound. That was quickly stopped as a green glow surrounded her.

“There…First Aid doesn’t do much but it should be enough for your wounds.” Richter said as Venn panted.

“T-Thanks…”

…

“Aren’t you going to attack me?” he asked

“What?” she rose a brow as she stood up, sheathing her blade.

“I’m your enemy, I’m after the core on Marta’s forehead, you’re a Knight of Ratatosk…Shouldn’t you be protecting her?” he asked “If you strike me down now, you can get further with less interruptions.”

She smiled “Not protecting Marta, but the core on her forehead, hence my job is to just protect the core, I could care less what happens to her.” she said as she dusted herself. ‘Sure we came to an agreement, but she’s just too clingy for me to stand’ she thought. “Also, you help me, and saved my life in that battle. So think of us as even for right now.” she grinned

Richter stared and sighed “You don’t hold back any punches when it comes to that girl, I thought you two were friends.”

“Rival’s in love.” she grinned “By the way, what are you doing here? The length of this conversation shows that you’re not here for Marta…”

He smirked as he walked over to the dead monster “This monster is called a Walnut Golem.” he said as he tore off a piece of its bark “The bark of this monster is favored in the Church of Martel, for its healing and purifying properties.” he said as he opened his bag and put the bark in.

She rose a brow “And let me guess, when giving this to the Church, they’re going to give you something in return?”

“Information…”

“What kind?” she smiled

“That’s none of your business…” he turned headed for the long path through the woods. “Take care of yourself Venn, and Emil…” he said as he disappeared down the trial.

Venn stared after with a small smile, “Nice talking to you too.” she stood looking at her blood stained clothes. “Oh perfect…” she murmured

“Venn!” called a familiar rash voice

Venn turned almost being tackled to the ground by someone hugging her. “AH, Emil!” she laughed “Careful I almost fell!” her smile automatically disappeared seeing Emil’s red eyes.

“God, I should have came with you! It’s dangerous to be on your own at night, especially in the woods, and-Look you’re already bleeding!” Emil frowned seeing her blood soaked clothing.

She smiled “I’m fine, Emil. Calm down.” she cooed as Emil’s raging eyes seemed to soften as he turned and crossed his arms.

“You’re never going on your own again, understand me!” he grumbled before he noticed the dead monster. “Whoa…Did you take that thing out on your own?”

She smiled “No, I had a little help from a red rabbit.” she said as she walked over “Now help me collect this things bark.” she said as Emil sighed and did as such.

‘Great, and now instead of being worried, I’m whipped…’

Gunz: My faithful readers, I have horrible news.

Emil: And it's big, I mean big big.

Gunz: I haven't updated for a while because of my beta's surrferign computer problems and my own missfortune of being diagnosed with mono. And for those of you who don't know what that is. Look it up, cause I have no idea myself. I am tired, but I will try my best to get the next chapter up.