30 Feelings of the Soul (2/2)

”Might just look that way to someone hides behind heavy armor.” Tyr scoffed, as he released the blade, letting it fly over his head as he ducked. He drew close, slamming his elbow backwards into Heath's abdomen, knocking the dragon backwards into Rocky.

The two dragons tumbled in the snow, landing close to where Manik was. Heath flinched, but when opening his eyes, to took notice of Manik beside them. ”M-Manik?!” Heath gasped, behind a groan of pain.

”Dammit, if he can take both of us on, and do that to Manik... We're screwed.” Rocky remarked, appearing disgruntled. Blood was trailing down his brow, from a cut on his forward. He held his hand to it, trying to reduce the bleeding.

”We'll get through this.” Heath winced, holding himself off the ground, however he collapsed abruptly. Reaching the stinging pain in his side, his hand revealed there was blood coming from a wound that Tyr had inflicted. A large black thorn had been shoved through a tiny crevice of his armor. ”How did he... break through my armor? I didn't even see it happen...”

Rocky got to his knees, to crouch upward the best he could. He held to his left wrist, blood was escaping from where his arm piercing had been. ”You've gotta be kidding me! That little shit ripped out my piercing too!” Rocky growled.

”Settle down...” Heath's voice was shaken. ”We need to regroup first. Our friend over there, is just as bad off as the rest of us.” He tried to calm his brother, as he pointed out Zyron's predicament, on the other end of the underpass.

Zyron was pretty battered at this point, in the rubble he laid in. All the black claws, outstretched above him, with the fingers wavering in an unpredictable manners. Solitaire's blank expression was locked onto the wounded canine, as he flinched upon feeling the sudden movement, of the claws clutch onto him once more.

”Solitaire....” He coughed, struggling to look at her. ”You... You gotta snap out of this... Fuck... Come on.... Just wake up...” He pleased with her.

That blank expression remained, however trails of tears began to run down her face. She was still inside this shell, but restricted by Asmodeaus' trance. Zyron could feel that this was painful to watch as her body was being manipulated by a monstrous beast. Tyr has turned his attention to Zyron, and appeared on a ledge above them.

Sitting there, Tyr leaned to his palm, as he watched the struggle between Solitaire and Zyron. ”Can't say I didn't give you fair warning. Oh well, not my fault you didn't listen. You couldn't defeat Inferna, so what makes you think you can beat me? Hm?” Tyr inquired, boredly; having Solitaire's shadow claws raise Zyron up to his level.

”You're with the Cult... Aren't you?” Zyron growled, under his breath.

”Perceptive of you. I may not be one of the four, but I'm sure as hell stronger than some witch. Heh, I can feel the terror running up your spine already.” Tyr grinned, with a soft chuckle.

”What do you mean by four?” Zyron was confused, and frustrated at this point.

Then without any given warning, a gunshot went off. The bullet struck through the Daemoniorum's shoulder, as the beast cried out in pain. Tyr turned quickly to look it's way. However in the same instant, Zyron felt his body slam down to the ground below,as the shadowed claws dropped him, abruptly.

”Asmodeaus!” Tyr seemed unnerved, before warping over to his beast. He was unable to get close enough, since the Daemoniorum was thrashing around violently. It's massive paws kept stomping down at the nearby dragons, howling at them with enraged eyes. ”Calm down!” Tyr called out, urgently.

Unfortunately, the beast would not obey his call, wounding Heath and Rocky further; even though they were trying to avoid the onslaught of attacks. Manik was also taking damage, due to the range of them all. The beast was thrashing harder, and it's large boned tail bashed right into Tyr, sending him flying backwards.

Zyron held his face, as he groaned in pain. A slight breeze rushed passed him, getting his attention to focus on it. Solitaire was running in Tyr's direction. She seemed free from of the shadows, with blades forming on her arms.

”Solitaire!?” Zyron tried to get to his feet.

Tyr stood to his feet, holding his arm for a moment. His eyes were shaken, as he stared to his distressed gigantic pet. He had no way to stop the uproar it seemed, but Solitaire was still inbound. Her scythe arm came slashing down at Tyr, but his body shifted quick enough to deflect the blow with his right arm. Solitaire's eyes were no longer clouded, but her tearful face was stunned that she hadn't removed his arm.

”...” Solitaire had no words to express, and only tears to show.

Tyr held his arm in place, as green blood began to trail down her scythe to the ground. His eyes were closed, as he was trying to keep his mind together. ”Your soul is frantic. Yet you want to fight me now, while my defense is down. So be it. This tale you've been weaving about a star-crossed fantasy, is at it's end.” He said, his tone colder than before.

Tyr used his arm to push Solitaire's blade away, but as a gap opened between them, Solitaire quickly filled it, by slicing downwards. Tyr quickly swayed backwards to avoid the attack, but the bandages that concealed his torso has been cut. He gritted his teeth, before deciding to pull of his coat, letting it fly off into the wind. The bandages had unraveled, as he stood there, with his fiendish arms exposed. Thorns raised from the blackness of his arms; with black rib-like spikes shown by his abdomen, that circled around to his spiked spine.

Despite the snow around them, Tyr seemed unphased by it. He decided to rush her, head on. Solitaire scrambled back, urgently slashing her blades arms, in a panic. Tyr quickly grabbed them in his claws, squeezing the blades inward with great force.

”AHHHH!!!” Solitaire cried out, as she immediately sideways kicked him off of her, with another blade. In result of this, she had fallen down to her rear; staring nervously ahead of herself.

Tyr had grown agitated, as he slouched his posture to support himself easier. Another shriek came from his Daemoniorum, causing Tyr to urgently shift his gaze. Heath had struck it's leg with his bastard sword, and the beast was hobbling to keep it's balance.Heath and the others were still in avery defensive position of the beast, however.

”Dammit!” Tyr swore, running for his beast.

He crossed by his coat on the ground, scooping it up, before pulling the coat back on. Solitaire was barreling after him, but Tyr quickly leapt onto Asmodeaus' back, getting up to it's shoulders. Immediately, he stuck his thumb and middle finger into his mouth, to let out a loud whistle. The Daemoniorum immediately abandoned the fight, limping off towards the woods as fast as it could run.

”Wait!!” Solitaire shouted, angrily, behind teary eyes. ”DON'T RUN AWAY!!” She continued to shout.

Tyr only glanced back at her, with a cold gaze; before he and his monster vanished off into the trees. Without warning, Solitaire grew weary, collapsing to the snowy ground.

”Solitaire!” Zyron scrambled up to his feet, as he ran for her side. Crouching down to help her up, he realized she had fainted. ”Solitaire...” He softly murmured, as he gently pushed some hair from her face. His eyes danced over to the infliction on her neck, in worry.

”She may have exhausted herself against that fiend. It could also be due to his beast. Daemoniorum encounters are highly dangerous, and it's rather risky to say the least. So, it would be wise to let her rest for a while. We're all lucky to be alive after that, especially you with that magical possession she was under.” Heath spoke up, as he approached Zyron's position from the rear.

Heath was holding his side still, with his sword on his back. Rocky came up behind his brother, helping Manik walk, having his arm over Rocky's shoulder. ”You must be pretty loyal to risk yourself that way.” Rocky added.

Zyron glanced back to Solitaire, but Heath crouched down to place a hand to Zyron's shoulder. ”You may not be the strongest warrior, but you have a lot of determination. If you change your mind about joining us, my offer still stands.” Heath said, as he rose to his feet.

”I'll think about it. For now, I need to get Solitaire home...” Zyron replied.

”This is where we part ways then. Our comrade, Manik, isn't in any condition to travel. It's imperative that we get him back to headquarters. Perhaps though... Rocky? Could you possibly help our friends here get back home? I should be able to manage getting Manik back on my own.” Heath turned to his brother.

”If you're sure, I guess I can.” Rocky passed Manik to his brother, before looking to Zyron. He held his hand out. ”Just point the way, and I'll get you there.”

Zyron softly smiled, taking Rocky's hand. He was pulled to his feet, holding onto Solitaire.”We'll be needing to head towards Belmont. From there I can manage.”

”You got it.” Rocky abruptly scooped Zyron and Solitaire up, with his arms around their torso, letting their arms and legs hang, as he flew up into the air. ”Catch you back at base, bro.”

Heath nodded. ”Indeed. Well met Vulpis, and safe travels.”

”It's Zyron, and thanks for the help.” Zyron replied, before he soon departed into the sky with Rocky and Solitaire.

Some time had passed, and Rocky got them to the outskirts of Belmont city. Zyron was carrying Solitaire now, as the towering dragon looked to the canine.

”You good from here?” Rocky asked.

”Yeah, I think I got it. Thanks.” Zyron replied.

”See you around then.” Rocky chuckled, zipping back into the sky, before flying off like a rush of fire.

Zyron glanced to Solitaire, carrying her through the marshlands, back to Knothole sanctum. They traveled for a bit, before reaching the entrance. Upon arrival, solitaire seemed to regain consciousness.

”Huh?...” She asked, in a groggy tone.

”Solitaire, you're awake?” Zyron was relieved to see her come out of her slumber. He sat her feet down to the ground, looking to her.

Solitaire looked at him for a moment, before averting her gaze. ”I'm sorry... I shouldn't have run out like that... I'm so bloody stupid...” Solitaire whimpered softly. ”I'm... I'm just going to go inside, and rest for now...” She said heading inside the base.

Zyron sighed, scratching his head. He decided to follow after her. As he stepped inside, he noticed Solitaire already approaching the staircase, to the second floor. Nye was at the bar, discussing something with Jackyn, but the two of them seemed to keep notice of the behavior shown upon Solitaire's arrival.

As Solitaire reached the bottom of the staircase, Miles blocked her way, looking to her with a seductive gaze.”Well, look what the cat dragged in. Did you miss me?” Miles asked, in a pervertive manner.

Solitaire shoved him out of her way, roughly, before proceeding up the stairs. The feline nearly fell, but stared at Solitaire ascend the stairs, with his ears back and tail twitching angrily.

.

”What's up her skirt?” Miles scoffed, in annoyance.

Zyron had decided to follow Solitaire, pushing passed Miles as well, before reaching the entrance of Solitaire's room.

”Hey!” Miles shouted, angrily. ”Watch where you're going, you mangy mutt!!”

Zyron ignored him, and proceeded to knock on Solitaire'sdoor, accidentally creaking it open partially. ”Hey. Mind if I come in?” He asked.

Solitaire was laying on her bed, wiping her face. She didn't turn around, just nodded. ”Sure...”

Zyron seemed nervous, but decided to enter the room. He shut the door behind him, as she approached Solitaire's bed. He sat down next to her, looking to Solitaire with furrowed brows. ”Why are you crying?” He asked her, in a caring tone.

Solitaire rubbed away her tears, before finally looking over to Zyron. ”That Tyr bloke... He was in my mind somehow... Teasing me, like he fancied me... Then he made me hurt you like that... I felt so confused...”

”I hope this isn't out of bounds to say, but... If that asshole really liked you, he wouldn't have forced you to do some shit, that you didn't want to do. Don't waste your tears on him, it's not fucking worth it.” Zyron tried to comfort her.

”I'm just tired of being alone... That's why I had that one night stand... I'm so bloody stupid...” Solitaire held her face, in regret.

Zyron took her hand, uncovering her shielded eyes. This got her to look at him, but he seemed hesitant. His gaze shifted off to the floor. ”Look. I know I haven't exactly been the best companion at times... but... I... I really like you, Solitaire. That's why... I got so pissed off when I heard what that fucking cat did... I didn't mean to sound uncaring... I-I just...”Zyron explained, returning his bashful gaze to Solitaire, only to see her tearing up again. ”Fuck! What I say?! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry!” Zyron grew frantic.

Zyron couldn't tell that Solitaire wasn't crying from being sad. She leaned closer to the dog, before tightly hugging him, with a bright smile. Zyron was taken off guard, literally falling off the bed. In the process, Solitaire fell right on top of him, and the two bumped their heads, by complete accident.

”O-Ow...” Zyron held his head, somewhat able to see her holding her head too, but she was laughing. ”Huh?”

”Geeheehee.” She smiled, looking down onto the man she had crashed on top of. ”Oh bugger, are you alright, Ronnie?” She asked, trying not to laugh.

”Uh? Y-Yeah...” He stared at her, unsure what to do, appearing quite flustered.

”Would it be weird if I snogged right now?” Solitaire asked him, somewhat embarrassed, but still smiling. ”Actually, don't say anything.” She said softly, before shifting over to his face, to kiss the nervous canine 's quivering lips.

Zyron was stunned, but gradually fell into the kiss with his tail wagging. He held onto Solitaire, letting her hands cup his face, while she continued to kiss him, and he returned the action.