Ace runs through the forest and follows the apparition. She suddenly stops because she feels something behind her... She turns and her eyes widen.
Ace: Nigel?
She is seeing Nigel with black eyes and black veins on his body, he looked different... He just looked at her as if he didn't even know her.
Ace: Nigel... what's going on?
Suddenly darkness forms around them, she takes a defensive position and becomes serious.
Ace: Nigel... is this you doing?
He just watches her.
Ace: listen to me, whatever is this about now, we can talk about it calmly...
Darkness begins to grip her. Ace slashes the thing that tried to grab her and jumps back.
Ace: listen bro... You’re starting to piss me off a bit...
Nigel doesn't say anything, his eyes are cold, no emotion in him, he just attacks. She defends herself.
Ace: what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!
He doesn’t care. Ace attacks but suddenly hears various sounds around her...
Ace: what's going on!?
Her swords fall out and she grabs her head, trying to close her ears, but she is still hearing voices, negative thoughts. Nigel attacks her but she reacts in time. Ace punches him and pushes him away. And grabs her sword. Nigel slowly gets up, the whole time he has a cold expression on his face,
Ace: I don't know what's going on, but I know one thing. You are not coming back to the ship like this.
And she attacks him.
Kaya and Atlas approach the ship. Everyone is sitting around the fire, drinking, eating, laughing...
Kaya: is this possible...?
Rikka: finally! Someone normal.
Kaya: hey Rikka, what's going on here?
Rikka: don't ask... just... don't ask.
Nuri: hey you've arrived! Come.
Everyone waved as they approached the fire. Hawk looks into Kaya.
Hawk: is that little Kaya?
Kaya: oh hey Hawk, I heard you were in town.
She said calm, chill. Rin sights.
Rin: why doesn’t this surprise me...
Kaya: I'm glad to see you, where did you come from?
She laughs.
Rho: wait, wait, you're telling me how you knew him this whole time? Why did you forget to share that information?
Kaya: I don't know, nobody asked me.
Rin: really Kaya?
Kaya: I just wanted a day off okay? After all, I see how you managed to survive without me... how did this even happen?
Hawk: a classic story, enemies want to kill each other, until they realize that they actually have a common enemy, and then at the end they drink beer.
Rin: yes, that sounds so common...
He said sarcastic.
Kaya: oh you don't even realize how often this actually happens, and you guys were my enemies in the beginning too.
Rin thinks
Rin: fair enough.
Atlas: you really hang out with strange people...
Kurt wakes up.
Kurt: what's going on here?
Hawk: hey, you're finally up! What happened to you?
Akka: we're all dying to hear.
Kurt gets off the ship.
Kurt: to be honest, I'm not even sure what happened...
Rin: do you remember what happened to the guy you fought?
Kurt: no... Everything is a blur to me...
They look at each other.
Akka: it's okay... try to rest.
Rho: maybe you should eat something.
Kurt looks at them all.
Kurt: I'm confused, why are you agreeing all of a sudden?
Akka: They managed to make Cody laugh...
Kurt: Really? Is that true?
Cody: stop making a drama about it..
He said coldly.
Kurt: congratulations...
Rho looks around.
Rho: we still don't know what happened to Nigel.
Rin looks around. He saw Kaya.
Rin: wasn't Ace supposed to be with you too?
Kaya: she said that she would catch up with us in time, I guess she had to do something.
Kaya: but when you mention it now, she has been gone for a while, I thought she would be with us by now.
Rin looks off into the distance.
Ace and Nigel, fight.
Ace: pull yourself together!
He continues to attack her.
Ace: why are you doing this?!
She defends herself and attacks him. He disappears and she looks around, he appears behind her, she tries to turn but he hits her and she falls to the floor. He walks towards her.
Ace: this is not you!
She pushed him away with her legs and stood up.
Ace: Nigel! Say something!
He stands up, and looks at her with black eyes, darkness begins to form around her, and she hears various voices again, people she knew and knows, negative sentences.
Ace: stop this!
She cuts everything around her with her sword.
Ace: okay, I got it, I can't look you in the eyes.
And she attacks. He blocks and he is strong. Ace managed to push him against a tree.
Ace: I don't know what's going on with you, but you need to snap out of this one!
He pushed her away. And he doesn't listen. Ace takes a break.
Ace: forgive me for this...
She attacks him and stabs him in the leg, and he screams. Ace watches him, he slowly opens his eyes, one is red (as his usual color) and the other is black.
Nigel: run away...
Ace: Nigel?
Nigel: Run!
Both of his eyes turn black again and he attacks her, and pushes her away from the tree hard, she falls to the floor, hurt... His leg is bleeding and he tries to stand up. Ace tries the same but fails. She tries to crawl to her sword. And she tries to reach it, but he stands with his foot on her hand, a foot that is still bleeding. She winced. He pushed the sword away with his other foot. And lifted her by the neck. She tries to free herself.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Ace: stop...
He doesn't stop. There are C6 ringing on the floor…
Aboard.
Rin: they didn’t answer...
Kaya: I'm sure everything is fine, they are the two most fearless people I know.
Nuri: I agree with Kaya, we should be afraid of them and not for them.
Rho: I know, but Nigel isn't one to walk away from a fight that easily... and Ace... well, it's common for her to disappear somewhere and drink...
Kaya: yes, but then why did she say that we will meet here?
They think. Rin sighed, and started to walk towards the forest.
Rho: where are you going?
Rin: I have a bad feeling. You stay here, I'll try to find them.
Rho: be careful.
Kaya: and let us know if you find out anything!
Ace and Nigel
Nigel continues to choke her, she is losing her breath. She manages to kick him and get away.
She falls to the floor and grabs her neck, breathing hard.
Ace: why are you making it so difficult for me...
Nigel says nothing. She looks up at him.
Ace: you know what I see? I see someone who could kill me in a second but for some reason is holding back, as much as it seems like you don't. I know you're still in there somewhere Nigel... and I know you're not doing this on purpose!
He listens.
Ace: I don't know what it takes to snap you out of it... but know that I'm not giving up until I find a solution.
Ace: I know you would do the same for me...
She attacks him, and does her best to save him. She fights with the darkness and with him. Rin moves around the forest, looking for them. Rin crouched down and froze part of the ground, trying to sense their presence. He decides to go in one direction.
Ace and Nigel
The fight continues.
Ace: What do I have to do to snap you out of this?
She hits him. (She fought without swords). He doesn't stop, she breathes rapidly.
Ace: I know you... this is not you, you are stronger than this!!
He pauses and flinches for a second.
Ace: The Nigel I know doesn't let anyone control him!
He seems angry, the first emotion he has shown. Ace noticed.
Ace: don't worry, I'm not mad at you...
She is getting closer slowly.
Ace: I just want my friend back...
He looks like he's fighting with himself.
Ace: Nigel?
Nigel clutched his head. Ace tries to get closer but he pushes her away.
Ace: Nigel! Calm down!
Nigel doesn't calm down, he is on his knees. And nods his head. Ace takes the sword, ready to attack.
Ace: Nigel, please... say something...
She is not sure if she should attack or not, she notices that he starts to stand up and reacts. She drops her sword, kneels next to him, so that they are at the same length, and hugs him.
She held him tight and didn't let him move, he fights.
Ace: it's okay... you can stop fighting...
She keeps holding him in one place until he calms down, and she barely manages to hold him, but she doesn't let go.
Ace: you are not alone!
He slowly calms down, she is still holding him... pictures in his mind of his sister, Orobas, and past.
Ace: everything will be fine...
He slowly returns to normal, and starts crying on her shoulder. She refrains from crying.
Ace: I'm fine... you didn't hurt me... everything's fine...
They are both on their knees, hugging each other, Nigel crying on her shoulder. Rin was standing behind the tree the whole time watching all this. That was the only sight he saw, he felt betrayed, and left the place in silence. He decided to return to the ship again. Ace steps back slowly and looks at Nigel.
Ace: Nigel?
He nodded his head. She takes a break, exhausted, and sits down on the floor, he sits down as well.
Ace: I don't know where to start with the many questions I have...
Nigel: I'm sorry...
Ace: that apology isn't enough this time... So you better get on with the story.
Nigel: Ace, you mustn't tell anyone about what you saw...
Ace: this is not something you should hide….
Nigel: you don't understand...
Ace: then convince me.
She said coldly. Nigel looked at her
Nigel: I lied...
Ace: about what?
Nigel: about a lot of things, and you'll get answers to all of them, but you have to promise me that you'll keep it all to yourself.
Ace: are you aware of how you tried to kill me? And you could have done it to others as well and you still can, why would you hide something like that!?
Nigel: because I don't want to hurt them, I don't want them to know, okay?
Ace fell silent for a moment, and she leaned on her hands.
Ace: okay, I'll listen to you, and you'll answer all my questions, and only after that I'll decide what to do with that information.
Nigel sighed and nodded.
Ace: start talking, this time start with the truth. What did you lie about?
Nigel: I lied that I never entered the mountain.
Ace gave him a surprised but serious look.
Nigel: the story is long...
Ace: I have time.
Nigel nodded.
Rin returns to the ship, looking a little annoyed.
Rho: hey, did you find them?
Rin continued walking towards the ship.
Rin: yes, they are fine.
He said cold.
Kaya: where are they?
Rin: I'm sure they'll come soon.
He went to the ship.
Nuri: where are you going?!
He breaks through
Rin: to sleep.
Slams the door.
Rikka: what's his problem?
Nuri: who knows.
Hawk: Well, it's getting late, I think it's time for us to go.
Hawk stood up and addressed Rho
Hawk: Looks like this is goodbye.
Rho: I'm glad we managed to resolve our differences.
Cody: I ??have to admit, you're not as boring as I thought you'd be after all.
Cody smiled a bit, as Rho did too. He walked away, Hawk and Rho left alone.
Rho: Before you leave, I have a favour to ask.
Hawk: Don't worry, your secret will stay safe with me, but tell me, do they know?
She looks around at others and then back at him. She shook her head.
Hawk: good luck with that.
He smiled a bit and started to leave, but then he stops.
Hawk: Oh one more thing. I am glad we are on the same side this time.
Rho: I agree.
Nuri and Akka
Nuri: I'm glad I met you. I hope we will meet again sometime.
Akka: I hope not...
She joked, Nuri laughed. And he steped a little closer.
Nuri: how about a kiss for goodbye?
She hits him. And she started to leave.
Nuri: okay, I deserved this...
He grabs his stomach but goes after her again, and stands in front of her.
Nuri: sorry, I couldn't resist teasing you...
She crosses her arms.
Nuri: I actually wanted to give you something.
He took out c6.
Akka: is that...?
Nuri: c6, yes, it is.
Akka: I've never seen one live...
Nuri: but you know what it's for, right?
She nodded her head.
Nuri: great, this one is yours.
He hands her c6, she is confused.
Akka: what?
Nuri: don't worry, you can call on any of these colors, just tell to whoever answers that you are looking for me.
Akka: excuse me?
Nuri: oh and yes, when you see any of those lights on there, it means I'm calling you, I hope you answer.
Akka: why are you doing this?
Nuri: I don't know, it seems right.
And he laughed.
Akka: why do you think I intend to talk to you?
Nuri: let's call it an intuition
Nuri: I don't want to hold you back anymore, talk to you later!
And he started to leave
Akka: hey!
He just kept laughing and kept walking towards the ship. She laughs and puts c6 in her bag.
Akka: I guess I’ll talk to you later...
And she continues on her way
They leave, Rho and Nuri and the others wave to them.
Kaya: well me and Atlas should be heading back home but we lost our security guard...
Rho: I'll see you off...
Kaya: there's no need, I know this place better than anyone, we'll be fine.
Rho: are you sure?
Kaya: 100%, and you must be exhausted from today, you should rest.
Rho: I still can't believe how you kept it quiet about knowing Hawk...
Kaya: It didn't seem like important information to share...
She laughs, Rho looks still calmly.
Rho: you're right, it wasn't. Come on, hurry home, please let me know when you get there.
Kaya: of course mom...
She said sarcastically, and she and Atlas leave.
Rho looks around
Rho: isn't it weird that Ace and Nigel haven't arrived yet?
Nuri: a little, but honestly, I'm too tired to think about it, if Rin said they're fine, then they're fine, and that's the most important thing.
He started towards his room
Nuri: you could use a break too, you know...
Rho looked around once more and headed for the ship.
Nuri: good night.
Rho: good night.
She enters the empty room and lies down on the bed, and looks at the empty bed from Ace and starts to worry.
Nuri enters the room, Rin pretends to sleep.
Ace and Nigel
Still in the same place
Ace: so that's your story...
Nigel: yes...
Ace is silent for a moment.
Ace: I can't believe you actually told me all this...
Nigel sighed.
Nigel: I know
Ace: How dangerous are you?
Nigel: I'm not, but I can be...
Ace: how dangerous you can be then?
Nigel: you were right, through our fight tonight, I was trying my hardest not to kill you, and not to let you feel what my darkness can actually do.
Ace is silent.
Ace: I really think it's a bad idea to keep this a secret...
Nigel: Ace, I'm not ready...
Ace looked at him.
Nigel: I'm not ready to face it... you're the first person I've told my story to... do you think I wanted to share it? No, I'm not, because that's the part of me that needs to stay dead.
She is silent and watches him.
Nigel: I don't want you to see me as an enemy, I don't want anyone to see me as an enemy...
Nigel looked at her.
Nigel: but you have to understand that this is my fight, which I have to fight alone...
She is thinking.
Nigel: you already had my back once, is it so wrong to ask you to keep doing that?
She thinks, and gets up.
Ace: you're right, it's your fight, and I'll keep your secret, but don't say you are alone.
Ace: many people are counting on you. Don't let them down.
Nigel: I won't, I promise.
Ace: I want to be absolutely clear, Nigel. This doesn't mean I support keeping this a secret, but I understand you, so I'll have your back, but I hope you know what you're doing.
Nigel says nothing.
Ace takes a break.
Ace: what now?
Nigel: now we're going back to the ship.
Ace: and what are you planning to tell them? Where have you been all this time?
Nigel: looks like I didn't think about that...
Ace: as far as I'm concerned, we've never met.
She starts to leave.
Nigel: what are you going to tell them?
Ace: that I went for one drink, and we all know what my one drink means.
Ace: now it's your turn to come up with a new lie.
She starts to leave but stops.
Ace: and Nigel?
Nigel looks at her.
Ace: if you ever need anyone to talk about it... I am here, okay?
Nigel nods.
Nigel: I am counting on that.
She left, Nigel stays. Ace walks, thoughtful. She remembers Nigel as she saw him. And she shook her head, and remembered Kaya and her secret.
Ace: great, now I have to keep two secrets...
And keep walking.
Kaya and Atlas
Kaya sleeps on the mattress by the Atlas. Kaya is still awake, thinking about her father.
Past.
At the age of 10, Kaya comes with her grandfather to the prison to visit her father.
Kaya: what is dad doing here?
Arthur: he just made a mistake... don't worry, everything will be fine...
Present
Kaya is spinning in bed.
Past
Her 14th birthday.
Kaya: this is going to be the best birthday ever, where's dad?
Arthur: he should have been here already... he got permission to spend his birthday with his daughter...
Kaya: I'm sure he's just buying me a present... he'll be here, we'll wait for him.
Several hours passed and he did not appear
Arthur: I'm sorry dear...
Kaya: where is he?
She looked so sad.
Arthur: no one knows... looks like he took the opportunity to escape... I am so sorry Kaya…
She cries, but wipes away her tears.
Kaya: it's good... at least I'll never have to see him again!
She rushes out.
Present.
Kaya still in bed, unable to sleep, thinking
Past.
Kaya is looking for something around the house.
Kaya: grandpa, did you maybe see...?
She stops and sees her father at the door.
Kaya: Dad?
Kai nodded his head. She was so mad at him but she couldn’t help it, she ran to him and hugged him.
Atlas shakes Kaya
Atlas: hey, is everything ok?
Kaya calms down and straightens up.
Kaya: I'm fine... just can't sleep...
brings her knees together.
Atlas: do you want to talk about it?
Kaya: I'm not sure...
Atlas: I know I can't help you much, but you know who can? My father...
Kaya: Atlas..
Atlas: look, I don't know anything about my uncle, until recently I didn't even know how my father even had a brother, and I know it's not my business to interfere, but I can see how it bothers you. If you want any answers about that... you can get them here...
Kaya: I know, but I'm still not sure if I want all the answers...
Ace returns to the ship
Rin watches through the window, but closes the curtains. Ace enters the room and leaves her weapons on the floor, trying to be quiet. Ace starts to take off her clothes.
Rho: Ace? Is that you?
Ace stopped and turned.
Ace: sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.
Rho: is everything okay?
Rho looks at her, Ace looks like she's been in a fight.
Ace: of course, why wouldn't it be?
Rho: then why do you look like you've been fighting?
Ace: you know me, bars, alcohol, violence, that's my jam.
Rho raised an eyebrow
Rho: your jam?
Ace never talks like that and it's something she would never normally say.
Ace: looks like I drank more than I should have...
Rho looks at her suspiciously.
Rho: well, I'm glad you're well. Have you seen Nigel? Rin went to look for you.
Ace: no, I didn't see Nigel, did something happen?
Rho: we had a crazy day here, long story short, Nigel just disappeared in the middle of a fight, and we haven't seen him again, no one knows where he's gone...
Ace: I'm sure he was just really bored, you know Nigel, he likes to work on his own... he'll be fine.
Rho: I hope so...
Ace: wait a minute, you mentioned how Rin was looking for us? Me and Nigel?
Rho: yes, but he returned to the ship a long time ago.
Ace: did he say anything?
Rho: he just said that both of you are fine, and that you'll be on the ship soon... I assumed you'd seen each other, that's why we all stopped worrying.
Ace: oh, I don't know what to tell you, but I haven't seen either Rin or Nigel.
Rho: who knows, we'll see tomorrow. I think you should get some sleep.
Ace: yes, but I definitely need to clean myself first. Good night.
Rho: good night
She lay back in bed, Rho knew something was up but she didn’t want to push it. Ace gets out, looks around, and goes to the bathroom. she stands in front of the mirror looking at herself. Remembering everything Nigel had told her. About his past, his sister, Orobas... (Nigel's story will remain hidden for a while)
Ace: What should I do...?
She sighed, and she made herself a bath.
