The Man in black

A/N: well.. it sure has been a while since my last entry!
sorry about the long wait folks but I have a lot on my mind lately and with college finals.. well... enough about that!

I thought perhaps I should explain what Peyton looks like, so i'll show him in character creation
(yeah, i made him in there!)

Class Type: Barbarian
Hair type: Medium hard Color: 4, 25 Face: 02
Chin: Scruffy Beard Color: 4, 25 Eyebrows: 4, 25
Lower T: Chainmail Color: 2, 01 Eyes: 26, 24
(Torso) Skin: 5, 20
Upper T: Imperial Color: 1, 01 Voice: a deeper version of
Robe Young Man 2
Arms: Knuckle Gloves Color: 1, 02
Waist: Dougi-Obi Color: 1, 24
(He has chaimail leggings, but for the sake of the
fic we'll pretend they aren't there..)
Upper L: Imperial Pants Color: 1, 01
(Legs)
Feet: Buckled Boots Color: 6, 25

Disclaimer: I do not own any character that appears within the hollowed walls of this
tale of souls..
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Chapter 24
Apprehension

Link sighed, he hadn't seen Tira in hours.
Though that was not entirely all that bad, as she had become increasingly unstable
since the fire at Miss Ivy's mansion..
Midna's silence also worried him a bit, she was usually commenting on something by now.
He crossed his arms and leaned against a large boulder. Link closed his eyes and recounted
the events that had currently transpired.

- Tira held a man up by his hair, scowling at the man with pure disdain.
"Where is he?" she growled at the broken man. The man made a meger attempt
to free himself from her grip.

Tira was entirely convinced that Peyton had not
died in the fire that had claimed Ivy's mansion. though he couldn't
see how that was possible, as the entire place had been ablaze.
Nothing could have survived that inferno..

She said she could feel his prescence though, and that he still lived.
"Where is that bastard Peyton?" she spat at the man.
The man struggled weakly, "I don't know anyone by that name!
please let me go! pelase!"

Tira grunted and released the man, letting him fall to the ground
where he proceeded to scramble away slowly.
Link had sighed in relief until Tira took her strange weapon off her
shoulder and stepepd towards the man.
Link flung his arm out to catch her.
"W-wait! he said he didn't know anything!"
Tira smiled wickedly at the injured man and licked her top lip.
"I don't care! I want more, I want to see what
his blood looks like spilled all over the ground!!" she cackled.

Link sprung in front of her, blocking her advance.
"No! leave this man alone, he doesn't know anything!"
He glared at her, letting her know he would not back down.

Tira growled and placed her weapon back on her shoulder.
She started to turn around but walked up to him a moment later, staring
him straight in the eye.
She struck out with her hand and caught a section of his kneck, all but paralyzing him
from the grasp. She smiled at him, "Interrupt my fun again.. and you die little boy"
Tira released his kneck, letting him stagger forward.

Tira pointed over to some large rocks as she walked away from him.
"YOU stand over THERE until I return, don't you dare leave"
Link grumbled and rubbed his kneck. He sat by the rocks
to await her return. He had to wonder if he made the right
choice in allies..

"What's the matter boy? waiting for someone?"

Link's head snapped up towards the voice to find it came from a man.
The man wore golden armor but his face was familiar..
It was Peyton!
Link jumped up to greet him.

"So you are alive, what happened to you?"
Peyton smiled, dismissing his question with a wave of his hand.
Peyton motioned behind him, there was someone else with him.
"I have something to show you and I believe it takes precedense over you're question..
someone here wishes to see you!"

As he stood aside Link's eyes widened.
There behind him was a young girl, he knew her..
Ilia!?

"Link!" she cried out, rushing up to embrace him.
The girl stopped adrubtly as she staggered back. The clanking of small metal
rings filled the air. The sound brought the boy's attention to the
iron caste around her kneck, as well as the rings that led back to Peyton's hand..

He had imprisoned her in irons!

Peyton brought the girl back to him. She struggled against him, trying
to free herself until he looked into her eyes. The girls eyes became lifeless.
"yes master" she mumbled. Peyton unlocked her shackles and set her free.
The girl made her way slowly over to Link..

The girl embraced Link lovingly, hugging him tightly to her.
She brought her lips to his..
Link closed his eyes as they kissed, he couldn't believe she was here!

The girl reached behind her, and came out with a wickedly twisted dagger.
She rose it slowly behind the boy's back, poised to slide it into his heart from behind..

A rustling sound made Link open his eyes.
He opened them just in time to see the girl be scewered by a hook from
a flying ring weapon. He turned his head towards the direction it had come from.
Tira stood on the rock above them, smirking.

"You killed her! you..you..!" link shouted angrily, unable to utter the final part of his proclomation.
Tira just laughed and jumped down off the rock, ignoring the distraught boy and
walking straight up to the man in the golden armor.
"Your little tricks are irritating, Cleon.." she muttered irritably.

Cleon spread his arms out wide, helplessly.
"ah, as always you see right through me, servant of darkness!
you are as perceptive as you are skanky.. hahahahaha"
Tira lashed out quickly at his head, only to find herself dazed and pinned against
the boulder a moment later. Cleon was faster than he had been previously..

"You're skill should be used for a better cause.. such as my resurrection!" he grinned.
He placed his right hand on her hip, sliding it down to rest on her toned bottom..

Tira growled at him. "You'd better get your hand off my ass you basterd, or else!"
Cleon laughed, bringing his face close to hers.
"Why do you resist me? you found blind obediance to be a kind master once..
why not again?"

She turned her head to Link who was standing idly by, watching with great confusion.
"You just going to stand there enjoying the show or are you going to help?!"

Link started forward, pulling his sword from it's sheath.
Upon seeing the glow from the blade Cleon's expression changed from one of
confidence to slight irritation.. he had not prepared himself for an enchanted weapon..

Cleon threw Tira forward and jumped back, laughing at the boy.
He saluted him and stepped back into the shadows.
"We'll have to continue this little get together later, farewell sweet Tira"

Link, still confused, offered Tira a hand up.
She looked up at his hand but pushed it away and stood up on her own.. she didn't
need this fool around.
"You're useless. what good are you?" she spat.

He turned his head to where his friend layed on the ground, motionless.
"You killed her! how could you?"

Tira walked up to the girl, scowling as she pulled her Drossel free
of the dead girl's body.
She turned to him, her scowl deepening.
"If you fell for this than you really are an idot..
go off and die somewhere would you?"

With that she had took off down the road with greater speed than he could
have hoped to match.. -

Link opened his eyes and looked upon the blackened body of his friend.
Tira had been right, it had not really been his friend but some kind of copy..
it was some kind of evil magic.

He got to his feet and brushed himself off.
It was apparent she was not coming back.
He had best start walking now, as he didn't know this land well
enough to know where he should be going.
More now than ever he missed Midna's advice.. even her complaining..

=======================================================================

- Cleon smiled to himself as he sat upon the ruined throne of Armindale.

Keeping anyone who would ally themselves with Peyton wary and distrustful of
eachother was a good step. If Peyton had no one he would despair.. and give
in to darkness. He laughed to himself in the flickering light of the
great torches that adorned the room. -

=======================================================================

The city was familiar but he couldn't quite remember the name of it..

Peyton sat on a small stone bench to rest, the trip to this city had been long but
uneventful. Cleon seemed to be resting as he had not attempted to take control of
him for some time.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he should remember the city they were standing in..

He got up and intercepted a young couple walking by.
"Excuse me, but do you know where.."

The young man and woman yelled out in suprise and pointed at him.
"G-grandall!! guards! come quick, it's the Hero of Grandall!"

Peyton took a step back, suprised by the couples behavior.
"Wait, please. what is the name of this city?"
The young man merely screamed again, pulling his young consort
with him as a squad of soldiers rushed up to Peyton.

"Halt, Grandallian dog. You think you can just swagger into Untide
without consiquence?"

this was the old Malettan capital! how could he have forgotten that?!

The guard captain came forward and drew his claymore, prepared to strike.
Peyton cursed, as much as he liked to fight bare-handed it was not
a good idea to do so against a heavily armored and weaponed opponent.

"It looks like you could use some help friend.."

A man, cloaked in a red robe walked up next to him.
Peyton turned his head to greet the man.
"If you'd be so kind"

The guard captain pointed at the man, then moved his finger to peyton.
"Out of the way fool, this is not only the enemy of our county but
the enemy of his own land which claims him a hero!
I will not allow the Butcher Of Armindale to live!"

The cloaked man eyed him form head to toe.
"So you are the butcher.."

The guard captain charged as the man was pre-occupied.
The cloaked man was ready anyway and brought a giant sword broadside
against the man, sending him into his own men and knocking them down.

The cloaked man motioend for Peyton to follow him and lead him away to a
secluded section of the city.

Peyton breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the man.
"Thanks, I don't want to think of how bloody that coudl have been."
The cloaked man turned aorund abdruptly, facing Peyton.
"Do not worry Butcher, it was my duty.."
The man nodded, as if in acceptance of his own statement.
"Yes.. I can see the dark taint that has settled upon you.
It spreads outward like a cancer to infest and poison all who
stand in your wake.. you leave death and decay wherever you tread.
Your sin ways heavily upon your soul!
And it is my duty to eradicate such impurities!"

The man reached up and grasped his cloak by the shoulder.
"Sinners need no mercy.. or sympathy!"

He threw the cloak off and stood erect, his white armor glinting in the light.
The man hoisted his Zweihander upon his shoulder, smirking at the bewildered Peyton.

"I am Siegfried Schtauffen, and I will be ending your miserable existance, Butcher Of Armindale!"
Siegfried lowered his blade so the tip pointed at Peyton's head.

Peyton pointed at himself with his thumb, "and I am Peyton Raabe.."
He dropped back, readying himself for battle.
Siegfried came forward but was interrupted before he could swing by
the voices of soldiers.

"Halt you two, in the name of Maletta!"

Both Peyton and Siegfried looked toward the voice to find
a large group of soldiers which filled every nook and cranny of the street.

They both looked at eachother, Peyton shrugged as if Siegfried had just asked
a question to which he held no answer.
Siegfried took a step back as Peyton did, prepared to run.
"We'll finish this later Butcer.. but for now we probably should.."
Peyton grinned at the man.
"Yes.. that would probably be best"

Siegfried took the opposite direction of Peyton, opting for a larger street than
the back alley he had taken.

Peyton could hear the soldiers footsteps not far behind him.
As he rounded a corner a hand shot out of a doorway, catching him by the shoulder and
pulled the suprised man inside, shutting the door behind him as the soldiers ran
past moments later.

Peyton blinked his eyes trying to adjust them to the dim light of the room, it had no windows..
As his eyes adjusted to the dark he could see the room clearly, it was stuffed with lowlifes:
Hustlers, thiefs, assassins, shady merchants and just about any other unpleasant sort you
could think of.

The hand that grasped his shoulder was small, possibly a womans..
He did not have long to wonder about the gender of his resuer as the person
leaned against him to peer over his shoulder. Peyton could feel two fleshy orbs
press into his back.. definately a woman..

"Listen up you drunken pisshead! we have a guest!"
Almost everyone in the room stopped what conversation they were
engaged in and looked in his direction. He felt slightly uneasy.

The woman shook his shoulder, smiling over it at the room's occupants.
"This here's the Butcher Of Armindale!"
Everyone stood up, their faces looked stern.
"What are we gonna do about him?"

The room grew dead quiet now..

"Lets show this murderin' Son-of-a-bitch some love, lets hear it!"

The room erupted into infectious cheer as they all chanted "Butcher" over and over.

The woman smiled and lead Peyton over to a small bar.
She pressed him into a seat and walked behind it, grabbing a bottle
and mug from under the bar. She unscrewed the bottle and poured the liquid into
the mug.

She laughed as she noticed his confused expression.
"This'll make you feel better, trust me" she said, adding a wink.
He was so preoccupied surveying the room he didn't notice her hand slip over the mug..
She handed it to him and walked off to join several other wemon who were staring at him.

Peyton rested his hand on his chin and sighed, he was exhausted.
He closed his eyes and let his mind wander, letting it return back
to when he had met the ninja Taki and she had relieved his weariness..
He brought himself out of his recollection to discover something had taken the
seat next to him..

~what are you smiling about? thinking of something good?~

Peyton glanced over at her wearily, staring into Midna's fiery eye.
"Come on.. don't start with the interrogation again, it's nothing"
Midna's mouth spread into a grin as she reached out with her index finger
extended.
~oh really? nothing huh.. that's not what HE is saying~
She poked the form that protruded from his pants..

He grabbed her hand and pushed it away angrily.
"Stop that Midna, i'm not in the mood for your annoyance right now.."
She floated up and sat on the bar in front of him.
~oh come on, I'm just playing around Mr. Sensitive~

Peyton grunted and stood up, pressing the mug into her hands.
He glared at her, "I've had enough of your playing.. i'm going to find a bed.."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Midna watched him go up the stairs, becoming angry herself.
~Bah.. I don't see why you have to be so sensitive! i'm just playing around!~
She drank the contents of the mug quickly, smacking her lips after she had downed it.
It tasted a bit odd..

Midna floated up the stairs a few minutes later, she had suddenly become tired..
She dissolved htrough the wall and into the room where Peyton had taken up
residence.

Midna floated onto the bed where Peyton sat against the headrest, his head hung down.
Peyton must still be angry with her..

~hey, sorry about all the teasing. I was just trying to..~
Midna was interrupted by a mild snore.
She smiled when she looked into his face, he was sleeping.
Midna leaned against his side and began to drift off to sleep herself, faintly
aware of the faint fire growing within her..

She awoke some time later, aware that something was wrong..
Her womanhood felt like it was on fire and the bedsheets below her felt damp.
She looked down to find that the dampness was from her, her juices were flowing into he bed.

Midna covered it in a vain attempt to stem the tide but pulled away abdruptly as
she discovered her vagina had become alot more sensitive than normal!

She tried to ignore the burning in her loins.

The fire was growing more and more, becoming almost painful.
She could not ignore it any longer..

Midna jerked her head up to Peyton to find he was still sleeping soundly,
perhaps if she was quiet..

Her hand found her womanhood and she slowly massaged it, moaning with each rotation of
her hand. Midna shut her eye and rotated faster, breathing heavier.
Her hand went faster and faster, becoming a blur as she clenched her teeth together to
stifle to coming groan.

Her head flew back at the sudden release as several quick jets shot out of her womanhood.
Midna breathed in relief as the fire began to lessen, but it didn't leave..
Her relief was short lived, as the fire quickly built back up and even became worse..

When she inserted her fingers into herself she found there was a kind of "itch".
Her fingers were not big enough to reach it.

Midna looked around the room frantically but the only other thing in the room was the candelabra
that held thecandles which illuminated the room. The thing looked absolutely filthy as well.
She tried to think of a solution but her mind was begining to lose it's focus.

Midna fell over on the bed, the heat was unbearable. She felt like she would die
if she couldn't reach that "itch". Then she felt Peyton's hand on her face..
She had fallen onto his hand.

If she had been thinking clearly she may not have done it, but..

Midna flipped over onto her stomach and got to her knees, positioning herself
over his hand. Her mouth thightened into a worried frown.

~Please don't wake up~

She brought his fingers to her slit. Midna took a deep breath before inserting the first finger.
~One..~
She flinched as his finger rubbed against the "itch"
~Two-ooooo~
His hand was becoming wet now..
~Thr-ee!~

"Midna.. what are you doing" said a voice calmly.

She looked up at him, ashamed tears streamed down her face. A small drip came from the side
of her face concealed in her mask.

His expression was not one of anger but of concern.
Midna jumped off his hand and onto his chest, burying her face in his robe.
~It hurts.. I think i'm going to die!~

Peyton lifted her gaze to his with his dry hand.
"Why do you hurt?" he said softly.
Midna shook her head, she did not know..

Peyton sighed, it was as he thought.. the drink had been tampered with.
It did not appear to be poisoning but it was strange, he would quesiton the woman
who had meant to give it to him later, but for now Midna needed help.

"You saved my life.. tell me how I can help"

Midna removed her mask so she could look at him with both eyes.

Her hair hand formed to blast his clothes with dark energies, making them dissolve again.

"Midna.. isn't there anything else I could do?"

Her expression changed into one of wild lust as she hit him again with dark energy.
All the muscles in his body froze, leaving him unable to move.

He almost gasped as she slid down, rubbing her slit against his manhood.. it was fiery hot.
The heat aroused him, betraying the serious expression on his face.

Midna wasted no time when he had finally hardened, pressing the head of his member
up and into and past her folds. She screamed as she pressed down, impaling herself on him.

After a few moments she bagan to bounce up and down, letting out small yelps every time she came back down.
She didn't last long though and soon her body twitched as she came,
her vagina tightening around his member as she did.

Peyton sighed in relief when she went limp and fell against him.
"There.. you feel better now?" Peyton asked.
Midna's answer did not come in the form of words.
He groaned as she straightened back up and began her bouncing again.

Midna shut her eyes to try and hold back taers of frustration.
Her eyes shot open when she felt his hand run through her hair.
He had broken his bonds..

He closed his arms around her to secure her as he began to thrust for her.
If this would help her he would do it himself, he needn't stay passive.

The fire in her loins reached it's zenith and all Midna could see was red.
Her vagina clenched him so tightly that he would have seriously hurt her
if he had tried to pull himself all the way out.

Peyton clenched his teeth together as the tingling in his own loins increased.
He held her even tighter as he came into her..

Midna gasped loudly as his semen entered her. It felt like ice being placed on
a burn. Her fire cooled as it filled her.

Midna spasmed as the feeling brought her to climax, making her let out one last
shriek.
Peyton smiled as she relaxed, a look of extreme peace crossed her face.
He layed her down next to him on the bed.

He leaned over her and grinned.
Midna's eyes were closed and she was panting.
"Feel better now?" he asked in a playful tone.
~Yes but.. i'm really thristy~
Peyton laughed as he got up to pour her some water from
a nearby pitcher.
"I don't suppose I could get my clothes back could I?
I don't really like laying around naked."

~Why? Don't like the look of your own body?~
Despite her question she returned his lower clothing and apparel.
Peyton sighed as he sat down, handing her the glass.
Midna was still wary and sniffed the contents of the glass.
"It's only water, don't worry"
Midna downed the glass and looked up at him with one eye closed..
he surmised she was trying to act cute.

~You didn't answer my question..~

Peyton rubbed the fresh scar on his shoulder. The area still hurt a little.
"My body is marred.. I'd rather people didn't have to look at it.
He felt her hand move across his scars.
~they're beautiful.. like I used to be~
She looked down sadly as she remembered her previous form.
"If you're implying that your ugly then you're not.. you are still the same person that
you had been, Imp form or no~
He said as he leaned down to kiss her forhead.

Peyton laid back on the pillow and yawned sleepily.
"We should get some rest. you in particular.. you look exhausted"
Midna nodded and laid her head on his chest, letting his heartbeat lull her to sleep.

Peyton shut his eyes and frowned, thinking of what could have possibly been in the drink that had caused Midna's "episode".
He would be quesitoning that theif woman in the morning..

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- Peyton stood in a strange realm..
The land was distorted yet beautiful in appearance.
Small blocks of the land would dissolve and float into the air periodically.
There was, however, somethign wrong with this odd landscape.

The area in which he stood was filled with corpses which looked to have been mauled
and ripped apart. As he focused his eyes he could see shadows moving about the corpses, picking
at them and devouring the flesh.

There was a dead guard near him who held two curved swords..
While he did not like the style he was trained in the use of "Wave" swords.
They would have to do. Any weapon was better than none.

It seemed that just as he had picked up the weapons and readied himself
the beasts showed themselves. They were humanesque in appearance, possessing the arms and legs even
the torso of a human but the hands and feet were clawed and the head looked like
something born from the fiery bowls of the underworld itself.

As the beasts charged him he grinned. These beasts would not find him such easy prey!
He spun around as the first reared up in front of him, severing it's disgusting
head from it's body. The body fell to the ground, convulsing as a strange material sprayed up from the stump.
These beast's possessed no such thing as blood..

As the second beast approached Peyton rushed it, stabbing both blades into it's soft belly
and pulling oppositely on the blades, cutting the beast in half.

The last creature tried to scream. It was as if it was calling for help..
He would not allow this filthy creature to summon any more of it's allies.
Peyton flipped the wave sword around so the blade went down his arm and jump
for the creatures head. He brought his arm down parallel with it's head, cutting the beasts head
in twain. The beast staggered back and forth, trying to screech but unable to due to
it's wound and merely made a weak barking sound. Peyton kicked it to the side and
ran on, leaving the beast to die of it's own accord.

Peyton pushed open the large doors of a strange cathedral and stepped across the threshold.
He glanced about it, trying to figure out where he was.
The sound of soft weeping caught his attention; The sound was coming from the altar
in front of him.

He stopped in front of an imp-like woman who was crying into a dirty white wedding dress.
Her form may have been different but he still knew who who this woman was..

"Midna, what's wrong?"

Midna looked up and gasped in suprise at him.
"P-peyton? what are you doing in this place?!"
Peyton shrugged, "I don't really know. i awoke and found myself outside, this seemed like the closest build so..."
Midna shook her head, exclaiming "You must leave this place! hurry, before he comes back!"
He kneeled down and placed his hands on her shoulders, giving her a confused look.
"Who Midna? before who comes back?"

As if on que the doors to the room burst open again, this time flying off their hinges and
flying into the pews around the room.
A man with a strange helmet not unlike Midna's crossed the threshold and stood there,
waving his arm out towards them.
Shadow beasts poured into the room after him, surrounding the two.

The man's mouth piece flipped up into the mask, revealing his mouth which was disgustingly pale.
When the man spoke a slight wall of slime formed between his lips.
"That power.. it belongs to me.. return it to me, Midna.."
With those words the beasts rushed forward to claim her.

Time seemed to slow as Peyton took Midna into his arms to shield her from the beasts.
She shut her eyes and clung to him. Peyton smiled down at her, saying
"Don't worry.. I won't let them get you.."

A shockwave unlike any he had previously been able to summon seemed to burst forth of it's own accord,
Easily flinging the beasts into the walls and the pews as well.
The blast also knocked the man off his feet as well and he staggered backwards.
Peyton let go of Midna and rushed the man, bringing his blades down on him.
His blades hit nothing as the man with the helmet dissapated, turning to smoke before his very eyes.

Peyton threw the blades down in front of him in frustration and turned around to speak with Midna again.
He was suprised when he came face to face with her. She smiled at him, her cheeks were wet from crying.
Peyton tried to talk but was interrupted when she threw herself upon him, kissing his lips and sobbing anew.
When he tried to calm her all she would say was "You drove him away!" over and over.
After several minutes of this Peyton asked her, "Who was that Midna?"

Midna stopped kissing him and leaned her her against his chest.
She took a few breathes to calm herself before continueing.
"That was zant.. He is the one who ruined everything! Everything.."
She fought to remain calm but was steadily losing.

Midna's eyes snapped open as she felt his arms embrace her, holding her protectively.
"Midna, you needn't fear him anymore.. I'll protect you from him."
Peyton stood her up straight and took her by the wrist, motioning with his head towards the open doorway.
"It's time to leave, you don't need this place anymore"
She nodded and smiled again, letting him lead her out of the cathedral and into the
twilight.. -


Peyton opened his eyes again, this time he was back in the dirty room he had fallen asleep in.
He could feel Mida next to him but something seemed to be different. She seemed to be.. bigger?
When he looked down at her he was suprised to find she had indeed grown somewhat. Midna now resembled what he had seen
in his "dream".

The other thing that suprised hi mwas that she was already awake and staring at him intently, smiling.
~Thank you, Peyton..~
He returned her smile and shrugged his shoulders, "for what?"
~My body.. and my power have grown a little.. you helped unseal it, thank you~
Midna yawned and shifted her position, falling asleep again.

Peyton got dressed and left the room in search of the theif woman.
He had a few questions to ask her..

Peyton's eyes scanned over the bar.After a few moments he was able to pick out the woman amongst the throng of low-lifes.
The woman was talking to what appeared to be a friend of hers.
He walked up to her (pushing several drunken sods aside in the process) with an angry look on his face.
She noticed him approaching an motioned for her friend to leave.
When Peyton stood before her she smiledand asked, "Well? how was your drink? told ya it would relax ya!"

Peyton pushed her back into a table behind her, growling "What the hell was in that drink woman?!"
She grinned misheviously and answered.
"well.. to be honest a little stimulant and sleeping pills"

He blinked at her, "S-stimulants? what..?"
She motioned over to the group of women behind her, "We had been hoping to have some fun with the Butcher of Armindale
before some friends arrived, we've all heard the stories!"

Peyton looked up in thought.
"well, that explains her little "episode"..
He then returned his gaze to her, asking "but why sleeping pills?"

The woman just smiled and said, "well.."

A few moments later the door to the tavern bust open as a soldier kicked it and
many other soldiers in red armor rushed in..

Peyton took a step back. It could not be..
Grandall soldiers?! here?!

The soldiers crashed through the room, overturning tables and occupants alike as they circled around him.
Peyton dropped back into his fighting stance, glancing around at them anxiously.
After a few moments three soldiers rushed in to apprehend him.
He jumped up and kicked the first in the stomach, sending the man reeling.
The second ran straight at him.. a dumb move.
Peyton went in low and grabbed the man by the ankles, flipping him over his back and stomped on the mans head.
The third soldier looked at his two fallen comrades, a look of worry on his face.
Peyton smiled and stepped forward, raising his fist and smashed it into the man's left cheek.
The soldier spun around and fell, groaning.

Peyton readied himself for another wave until he heard a familiar voice from amongst the soldiers.
"You haven't changed much, have you Peyton?"

Two soldiers stepped aside to let a man in crimson captains armor step forward, lance in hand.
He couldn't believe it!
"A-Aeneas?!" Peyton stammered.
Aeneas nodded at him.
His voice was happy but his face was stern. He hadn't come for a reunion..
"I've.. come to arrest you and bring you before the authority of Grandall for your insubordination at Armindale.."
Aeneas' demeanor softened a little as he looked at his old friend.
"Must there be bloodshed? will you not come peacefully?"

Peyton sighed, dropping his arms to his sides.

Aeneas told his men to bind Peyton's arms behind him but not to strike him.
He was then led from the building in custody.
Before they exited the doorway he stopped to look at the theif woman and noticed the
sack of gold she now held in her arms.
Peyton smiled sadly at her, saying "Do not worry.. I forgive you."
The woman looked somewhat shocked, he should be furious with her for ratting him out to the grandallians.
Everyone knew of the huge bounty Grandall was offering for the apprehention of the "Butcher".
She had never felt remorse for anything she had done, but..


Peyton was placed within an awaiting wagon and taken from the city as quietly as possible.

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"Will you say nothing then, my friend?"

Aeneas' question brought him out of his thoughts.
Peyton looked up at him, staring blankly.
Aeneas shifted in his seat before continueing the conversation.
"Maybe you won't get the death penalty.. i mean.. you did liberate grandall after all!"
Peyton laughed softly and let his head hang down.
"but.. at what price did achieve victory Aeneas? three nations.. thousands of lives were
crushed in a single act.. I bring war and death with me wherever I go."
Aeneas could say nothing to lighten his old commanders mood.
With nothing left to say The man left him alone, jumping from the wagon and finding his own
carriage in front to rest in.
Peyton's eye-lids felt heavy.
It would be a long ride to grandall.. He'd better rest as well.

~ He stood in a large tower bathed in flame.
The crimson waves of fire danced brilliantly about the room, devouring painting and anything
falmmable. One work, however, was left suprisingly intact..
The painting depicted a knight clad in azure armor and standing amidts a battlfield..
All the men, women, and children around him were dead, some of them had been ripped to pieces.

His attention was ripped away from the painting as he heard an all too familiar voice ring out behind him.
"It's such an irritating sight to behold.. You have killed far more than I ever could and crushed the very will from
the souls of your enemies, yet still you defy me and insist you and I are at opposite ends."

The man in the elegant armor and permed hair sighed, looking irritated.
The man motioned out a nearby window to the town below.
"For everything you've done.. everyone you've killed..
the people still love you. They would fight for me, but they would die for you.."

Peyton turned around to face his foe and raised his Alondite blade up towards him.
His blade shone as brilliantly as his golden armor in the flames..
Peyton frowned, "You will not have your way Strife.."
Emperor Strife stepped forward, and seemingly out of nowhere, brought a
giant blade up towards him.
The swords eye pierced Peyton with his gaze, filling his mind with madness.
Strife smirked as Peyton shook off the gaze.
"Now.. I regret not killing you.. when I had the chance!
A mistake I shall soon rectify!"

Peyton and Strife dashed forward, seeking to cut the other down with the first swing.
Blade met blade as Peyton's Alondite blade and Strifes demonic sword clashed, sending
sparks flying. Peyton spun around, swinging at Strifes legs but missed as the man jumped up and away from his blade.
Strife quickly spun around, bringing his own sword point out at him only to have it intercepted by the blunt side of Peyton's blade.
Peyton and Strife pressed upon their blades, trying to overpower eachother but merely
went back and forth, staring eachother down.
"It would seem that we are matched physically.. but I doubt you can match my POWER!"

Strife threw his arm out, sending a shockwave in every direction.
The schockwave struck peyton and sent him smashing into a wall, cracking it.
Peyton began to stand as Strife ran forward, bringing the point out again.. seeking to pierce him.
Peyton had to relinquish his hold on his sword and grab both sides of the sword,
attempting to halt it's progress.
Little by little however the blade proceeded towards him.. towards..
The tip of the blade pierced into him.. his heart!

The pai nthat followed was unlike anythign he had felt in his long years of fighting..
It felt like his very soul was being torn from his body!
Strife laughed as Peyton gave a shriek of agony.
"Do you see now your folly little pawn?!"

He was about to lose his grasp and finally be impaled when he heard a voice in his head.
The voice was familiar yet he could not remember where he had heard it.
all the voice would say though, was "FREEDOM!"
At that moment he realized that there was somethign within him.. something horrible!
The touch of the sword upon his heart had awoken it..

His strength began to return and surpass what it was.
The gap in his soul the sword had created was being filled with hate, envy, lust, evil...
Darkness..

A huge shockwave eminated out, blasting away Strife and the sword
Strife rose slowly up to his knees and began to rise further when he looekd up to see Peyto nstanding over him with
his alondite blade in hand, breathing heavily.
A look of hate filled his eyes.
Strife laughed at him, mockingly.
"You do not have the resolve to.."
Strifes words were cut short as peyton brought his blade down and through strife at an angle,
The blade went through Strife's chest and stomach and into the ground behidn him, pinning him there.
Strifes eye's grew distant and he smiled.
"At last, it is silent.. thank you"
Strife slumped forward onto the hilt of the alondite blade, his lifeblood runing down it's length.

Peyton let out a long sigh.
"at last, it is finished"
He turned around to seek out the blade Strife had been using.
The blade was odd and had piqued his curiousity.
He found the blade not far away, it's eye now closed.
Peyton reached out and grasped it's hilt.

The swords eye shot open and pierced him ocne again, but this time he was filled with happiness instead of madness.
The blade was his now!
Peyton could hear laughing i nthe back of his mind..
He looked down at the blade and smiled.
"Soul Edge.." he whispered.
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I appreciate any criticism as well now, anything that can help me further the quality of my work.