foreverwingless | (no subject)

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Amakusa and Ange had found themselves at the boathouse, and soon their journey would be over. By that, he was referring to what he was supposed to do once they arrived, but he wasn't about to go through with that mission. He was meant to be a traitor, he was meant to kill her once they arrived- and eve back in the fourth game he was the one who went through with such a thing. Was he just supposed to ensure she never lived past that day...? What a joke, what horrible furniture he was made out to be.

He was never good at following the rules though, he had fallen in love with his client- with someone he was meant to murder, and after that he would report back to the theater going witches. They liked seeing Ange suffer, so if they knew they had these feelings for one another, then that would only make things worse. They might even be pit against each other, forced to destroy the other.

As he mused to himself, he stared out at the waves of the ocean that still rose and fell near the shore he was standing at. It was a good feeling to be out here and not in there, if he was out here- it was like nothing else existed, that he wasn't meant to merely kill her. No, he wanted to stop thinking about that, and he wanted to tell her.

He wanted to tell her he was just furniture, that he was just a demonic servant- and then they would make that contract that was never fulfilled. A kiss that would contain so much more than just sealing the deal between master and familiar.

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Amakusa smiled at that kind of response, but she couldn't see it since she was still behind him. Still, just knowing those complications- and she still wanted them to be together, he couldn't help but feel happy from such a thing. Maybe one of the witches could also grant her longer life, he might have to beg- and maybe even make a deal with lady Lambdadelta, but it was worth a shot. She was more likely to help them out than Bern anyways, he knew that Lambda wasn't as cruel as she talked about.

"...Me neither..." he said it more so to himself than anything, and he was referring to the fact that he had no regrets. He had cared for her since she was young, and finally being together was something he never imagined. He continued to climb, and he wasn't tired in the slightest- his demonic strength and endurance really was something to be admired.

"For a long time you were the only one I cared about lady, even now- I'm determined to get through this trial because I just want to be with you..." ah, Battler must have rubbed off on him, he was sounding as sappy as him.

She didn't quite have his strength or endurance, so.. yes, Ange was sure that if she had been climbing by herself, she surely would have been too exhausted to continue and would have fallen down already. Amakusa's abilities were impressive that he could climb this far up without seeming exhausted in the slightest, but Ange was just human, so she was already starting to feel the wear on her arms and legs from having to hold on to him to fight against gravity. But still, when he said he was determined to get through this trial to be with her.. she couldn't give up either, and she knew it. And if there was one thing she knew she was, it was stupidly stubborn.

So even though she was starting to feel a bit exhausted already, she instead just clung a bit tighter to him then he finished talking, resting her head against his back. "... Thanks, Amakusa." Her voice was a bit softer, genuinely thankful. Ange even smiled to herself a little. If only they could make it out here like this, and somehow still get that promise of a happy ending from Bernkastel, even if it had probably just been a lie.. If she could live happily with him after this, just the two of them, it would be different from the past, from all her pain, the longing for her family. Instead she would move on to a happier future.

"I'll try my best for that too."

He started to climb up a little faster, since he knew that she was probably growing tired by now, and hearing her say thank you to him, saying she'd try her best- he knew he had to keep going no matter what. For a long time she was the only one he had ever cared about, he was sent to watch over her, and he couldn't help that he had soon fallen in love with a human. It was ridiculous, and the witches of the senate would sometimes jeer and tease him about it- but he just wore that same smirk and continued to joke about his love for her.

Even going so far as to tell Okonogi she was just some brat, it was all to cover up what he really felt for her. Sure, Okonogi told him there were plenty more girls out there.... but not to him, not to Amakusa. To him, she was the only one he loved, and ever would love. They hadn't even said those words to each other, they had made a pact- even going through this trial, but they had never actually told each other they loved the other. Telling her here, in hell- it didn't seem right. He would wait for the right moment.

...And as luck would have it, everything was against them yet again. It was like all the fragments out there wanted them to be unhappy, wanted them to be separated, for when he had grabbed another part of the wall, it gave, and soon he felt himself falling.

"Ah-...!" he tried to regain his footing, but it was difficult with how dangerous this wall was. They fell a ways, and soon the silver-haired man grabbed part of the wall, just holding on with one hand. He felt her fall from his back as well, and he then shot out his hand, managing to just grab hers before she fell to her demise. Sh....shit this wasn't a good situation at all.

Somehow this kind of falling was much different than last time. Ange could still vividly remember the sensation from when she had fallen off that skyscraper on that day that felt so long ago now. It had almost been serene, like something natural, like she hadn't been falling but rather flying, floating in the air. But this time, once she felt her lose her grip on Amakusa and stumble through the air, instead of that peaceful resigned feeling there was only shock. And she felt her heart sink almost into her stomach, but-- that's when she felt his hand. She made sure to hold onto it tightly, since it was the only think standing between her and that fall, that practically meant a certain death from this height.

Her breathing was somewhat uneven from the surprise as she peered up, to see if Amakusa was alright as well. And that's when she could see he was only hanging onto the wall with one hand. It seemed so fragile and vulnerable, like it could break off any moment and send both of them towards their deaths. ... Was that how it would end, then..? How Bernkastel wanted it all along, with the two of them dying like this without a chance for a happy ending?

... No, she didn't want that. And so far the only chance she could see for this to still end in some good way was.. ... ah..

It was her fault he was dragged in, so.. she should at least try to save him too in return, right..?

"Amakusa.." She closed her eyes, letting out a shout. "Just let go of me..!" It wasn't a direct order though, much more just a desperate shout. "If you don't have to hold on to me, you could easily climb up, right? You can get out!" Even if that meant that she would die.. well, if they didn't have a chance at happiness anymore, then she might as well try to give him his chance all the same, even at the expense of her life.

What was she saying...? Telling him to let go? He was mad at that, he was furious that she would even try to get him to let go. They had just talked about wanting to be together, didn't they? And to him, her life was far more precious than his own. She was talking about being a sacrifice yet again- and she was one who had never found a happy ending in any of the games. He was someone who was supposed to ensure she never lived past that day on Rokkenjima, but that was going to change, and she would live so... so it can't end like this...!

He clenched his teeth, visibly angry instead of that usual smirk on his face. She was slipping from his grasp, so he had to act fast, "don't talk like that!" he was furniture, he was stronger than any human, so the fact that she was even trying to be a sacrifice made him feel as though he was the weak one for even putting her in a spot where she had to think like that.

Amakusa hoisted her up, he was able to lift her up with just one arm, and bring her over to the ledge. "Grab on to it!" he knew she was tired, but if she at least grabbed on to it, he would hold her there to make sure she didn't fall. ...He made a mental note to lecture her later about that talk of being sacrifice.

She couldn't help but have that self-sacrificing nature, quickly throwing her life away for someone else she cared about enough - it was little different from what she did at the end of the fourth game, after all. Even though she would have been able to stay with her brother forever if she would just keep the game going, instead she tried to end it by sacrificing her own life. As long as her brother would live because of it, that was alright. Even if she would never see him again. And if she had done that for her older brother, it was only natural that she was willing to do the same for the man she loved, master and furniture relationships aside.

Ange could feel herself being lifted up though. She hadn't expected that, not even with Amakusa's enhanced strength, so for a moment she looked surprised. But the moment she was brought over the ledge she did quickly and obediently do as she was told, quickly holding on to it. And it was alright even with her being tired. She wasn't going to let go of this if she could help it, no matter how tired she was.

Even as she was holding on there, though, she peeked over her shoulder to see how he was doing.

He was relieved that she was at least able to grab the ledge, and he had his hand on her back for the time being. He had regained his footing as well, but he was still feeling pretty angry about her being so ready to throw her life away. She came first, dammit. Even putting that title of master aside, he was her lover- he would protect her with his life until the bitter end.

He quickly glanced up, and he noticed that were a spot where the wall stopped and went back further. It was indeed a ledge they could go to and rest. It looked like it was bigger too even.

"...Come on, climb up-" he would be here to make sure she could climb up and not fall, he was concerned she would lose her footing or be too tired to go on and let go. He was still able to keep going just fine, so it was more so concern for her.

"Yeah, I got it already.." Her voice sounded a bit tight since she was already putting all her effort into holding on and then climbing - she did feel exhausted, and her muscles protested with every movement, but she was able to reach the ledge finally with sheer determination and stubbornness. And maybe the fact that he was helping and supporting her a little too as she went.

When Ange managed to hoist herself up the small part of the wall that was further back, she flopped down on the ledge, letting out a deep sigh out of exhaustion. But she had already made it this far - mostly thanks to Amakusa - so there was no way she would give up, she would make it further up again later after resting for just a little bit.

She peered over the edge as Amakusa came closer to the ledge too, offering him a hand for the last part. Once he was safe up on the ledge too, she finally dared to flop down completely, trying to catch her breath after all that.

He was up on the ledge as well, and he still had that frown on his face. He glanced over at her, his eyes narrowing slightly at her. she was exhausted it seemed, and they would rest here for as long as it took before she was able to regain her strength, it was a stroke of luck that this was here. If it wasn't then she might have really fallen due to being so tired.

Amakusa glanced over the ledge and saw just how high up they were. Everything down below looked so small, they were very high up, and probably just half way. Or at least, more than halfway. That was good at least, but....

He sighed, and then he went over to her, sitting down beside her. He leaned over her, his hands on either side of her as he stared down at her, that frown still evident on his face.

"...Ange-san, I may be furniture, but there's one thing I won't allow. Don't you ever talk about being a sacrifice around me. You're the one who's the most important- alright?" he paused, and then he sort of... moved to hug her the best he could since she was laying down. His head was on her chest, turned to the side. He closed his eyes, "...I nearly lost you again, this is really torture."

She idly blinked as something appeared in her vision. She had been staring up to the strange sky here for a bit, but then some shadow appeared -- it took her a moment to realise that it was actually his head, once her eyes got used to the light difference. But soon after she could feel him moving down instead to lay his head down on her chest.

It took her some effort, with how exhausted she was, but she managed to lift up her hand enough to put it on his head instead - or rather his hat, grabbing his it and his bandana from his head and putting them down on part of the ledge where they at least wouldn't suddenly fall down. Then she put her hand back on his head, stroking his hair lightly almost like she had when he had been in his other form earlier, before they were thrown into this hell.

"Idiot. Don't you realise you're important to me too?" Her tone wasn't harsh or scolding though, more soft as she continued running her fingers through his hair a little as they were lying there. "That's why I refuse to be the only important one. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost you either, okay..?" Even if he took the most of the attacks, even if he was supposed to be furniture, still..

He allowed her to take away his hat and bandana, and just run her fingers through his hair. That felt nice at least, the way just the most simple of touches from her could make his heart beat faster than normal. He loved her, he really did- and the thought of losing her was just too much. He kept his eyes closed as he continued to speak to her.

"You forget that I'm stronger than you. And just think about it... I'm just like a dog, if I lost my master, I'd end up just waiting by the door for you to come back home. Just think of how heartbroken I would be if you never came back to me."

It was a pretty accurate thing to say, since he really wouldn't know what to do with himself if she was gone. They had made a pact, and if his master died- he would have to go back to the witches from the senate. And when that happened, then that would mean they would just torment him for leaving them in the first place.

A sigh. "What a simple guy." But all the same, she didn't move away from him just yet. It was nice to just lie here for a few moments, especially if it was this close to him, and she could already feel the strength in her limbs slowly returning to her. Ange couldn't help but think about the same thing too, about how he would probably have to return to them if she was gone, but.. no, she didn't want that to happen, especially not considering what they might do to him. She had made that pact with him in the first place partially to get him away from them and their influence, after all, in a way she was a little protective too in wanting to at least protect him from them or having to go back to them.

"Don't worry, I'm planning on sticking around if I can help it." Now she finally moved, trying to sit up again since she already felt a bit more energized again. His head was now in her lap instead, but he could easily move from there if he wanted to. "Besides, you should remember that there are limits to even your strength. Don't take on too much. Even if I'm more vulnerable, you're not invincible either."

No, he wasn't about to move from that spot, he liked being close to her like this, and being in his master's lap was like a little fantasy as well. He listened to her speak, saying that she'd stick around- even if she was so quick to try and throw her life away. That still ticked him off to think about it, but he pushed those kinds of thoughts to the back of his mind.

Amakusa turned so he was laying on his back, his head still in her lap. He was looking up at her. He reached up to her with one of his hands, and placed it against her cheek, much like she had done with his hand back in that room. This time, there was nothing that would barge in and break them up. There was just more they had to climb, but he wanted to at least have a moment together with her.

"Is that an order from my master? Telling me to be careful."

It was nice to have his hand there, hence why she had put it there on her own last time - it was warm, and in a way strong yet oddly gentle on her cheek. She just allowed Amakusa to keep lying in her lap like that for the time being without complaints, and when he spoke up she nodded after looking down at him, almost trying to make her face seem more solemn to go along with it.

"Yeah, it's an order from your master alright. Be careful, no matter what still waits for us during the last part of the climb up. And even if you're putting my well being ahead of your own, at least make sure to never completely forget about your own. Got all of that?"

He continued to look up at her, his thumb stroking her cheek gently as she said an order to him. It's not like he could really disobey her or anything, but then again- he was one who rarely ever listened to what another person said. Sure, he'd look out for his own well-being as well, but he couldn't help it if he wanted to put her first.

"Yeah yeah..." he smiled and then he moved to sit up as well. He turned to look at her, running a hand through his hair. Jeez, he wanted his hat and bandana back. Amakusa glanced up at how much further they had to climb, and then he looked back at her.

"Are you rested enough, or should we keep waiting?"

Right as he asked, Ange stood up as well, handing him his hat and bandana again before moving to dust off her own skirt and jacket a little from lying there like that. She could tell they had still quite some way to go, but.. at least they would be at the top then, right? And then they could get out of this place.

So she just nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's hurry up." It wasn't even a lie, she did already feel much better just from lying and resting there for a while. She wasn't completely up to par yet, but she felt this should be enough for the remaining climb up. Besides, she didn't want to linger here too long, in this kind of place, even if it was with him by her side.

She made him bend down a little so she could climb up his back and hold onto him again. At least this time it went better - the idea seemed slightly less embarassing the second time.

He was a bit concerned if she would be able to hold on, and he made a mental note to watch out for where he was grabbing and make sure nothing would suddenly give way like last time. When she was around him like that, he decided he needed to speed up this little operation instead of taking his sweet time.

Amakusa grabbed the wall and began to climb up again, going much quicker than before, like it was easier this time around. It might have been the fact that he felt lighter than ever (besides having an extra person on him, but that wasn't the point). He had told her to make sure she cherished her life, and she basically said the same back to him- this was a trial, a trial for the two of them to be together. He would rather die than leave her in this place in hell- he had to be with her, it was a priority.

"You doing okay back there?" he called out as he continued to climb up at an alarming pace.

She nodded slightly in response, still making sure to hold on to him as well as she could. It was only a moment later that she realised he obviously wouldn't be able to see that, so she started to speak up instead.

"I'm just fine. Just like riding the train, really." The words came out in a fashion much like her usual deadpan. Sure, she was still hiding a little of her fears and worries, but she had pushed most of them away already for now. After all, as long as she was together with him, then it wasn't that bad of a situation just yet, even if they were still stuck in this place for the time being. But if they could just continue like this, they would be at the top soon, and from there it could only get better, right? Even if Bernkastel was just lying, they could figure something out somehow, so if she could just believe in that for now..

For a moment Ange glanced down at the ground, far down below them, to see how far up they were already - they had already gone quite a bit by now.

Amakusa chuckled at what she said, saying that it was like he was some sort of train. Not only was he furniture, but he was a locomotive now? Weird, but it was amusing to say the least. He just continued to climb up, and with the rate he was going he knew that they would reach the top in no time.

Eventually, they had made it past those swirling orange clouds, and they were nearly there. Amakusa glanced up and saw what could only be the top of it, a ledge that was further up and was shrouded by darkness. He assumed it was the top of the fragment, and soon enough they could be out of here and well on their way. He knew that Bern had been lying, but he needed to have hope that after they got out of here- they could at least try and take them on.

"Almost there Ange-san!" he called out to here, and continued all the way up. When he reached the top, he gestured for her to climb up ahead of him.

She could soon see the top too, especially since she looked up when he called out to see it. Sure, it was dark up there, and they couldn't see what was beyond, but.. at least it meant it was probably the way out or something similar like that. Their only exit out of this hell, and sticking around here wasn't an option either way, so..

When they arrived near the top and he made that gesture, she just nodded as she slowly - limb by limb - let go of him to grab the ledge instead. Before she fully climbed up, though, she turned her head back to him first and smiled a little at him. Thinly, but definitely a smile. "Thanks for getting us all the way up here." Sure, normally she never really thanked him out loud when he did stuff for her, but.. it just felt appropriate right now, after what they had gone through. To avoid having one of his smartass remarks possibly in return for that though, she quickly turned her head back and focused on the ledge, hoisting herself up so she could climb all the way up it.

Oh wow, it really was rare to see her actually thanking him for something. Normally he would do something and he would be met with a click of the tongue and a sarcastic remark right back to her. He was speechless- actually. The great Amakusa had nothing to say back to her, he merely nodded and watched her hoist herself up first.

After seeing her go up, he climbed up to the top, and he too lifted himself so he was no longer on that wall- but then suddenly, something had grabbed his throat, and ran over with him to the nearest wall, pinning him up against it. He didn't know what was going on exactly, he opened his eyes and spotted a familiar face.

"B...Black Battler....?!"

He saw the face of that brother of hers, only it wasn't the original. That piece was back, and then he looked beyond Battler and noticed that the goats were around as well. They must have grabbed Ange when she climbed up as well, since she was behind held by one of them. Bern was no where to be found, she must have sent these guys to do her dirty work before showing up.

"Oh boy oh boy..." said the man clad in purple, "this really is a reunion for the ages... tell me, did you honestly think either of you were ever going to get that happy ending...? Hehehe...."

Dammit, how could these goats be so strong-- the moment she had climbed up right before Amakusa she had already been grabbed. Sure, she had taken them on earlier during the third game, but it was hard to do anything in the middle of the surprise the moment she had gotten up and now she was practically being held captive by them it was hard to do anything at all, let alone try to kick or punch one of them.

That didn't mean she wouldn't try it though, she was trying it in fact until she noticed Amakusa there as well before he was grabbed by that familiar man they had seen before, that man who looked so much like her older brother aside from the clothes and eyes, but he had been out to kill her back then. But they had killed him together, so why was he here again now? And he was holding Amakusa there like that too by his throat-- at least Ange knew Amakusa had defeated the guy last time with his magic, so maybe he could just do the same thing again now, get it over with.

For a moment she stopped struggling when she heard him speak up, glaring in the direction where he was standing with Amakusa. "Why are you even here..?!"

Battler tightened his hold on Amakusa, and he could hear the guy choking to try and breathe. He was stronger than before however Bernkastel hadn't anticipated that Amakusa would attack him like that and kill him previously, so she may have granted him more power this time around, along with a second life.

While he was holding the man, he turned to look at Ange, smirking, "...I told you before, I want to rip your limbs off and hear you scream. But first..."

He turned to Amakusa, delivering a blow to his gut- and the silver-haired man let out a cry when he was hit. Amakusa knew how to handle this guy though, after he was let go and he regained some composure, he suddenly had a pistol in his hand, and he aimed it at the guy- firing...!

...And then nothing. He fired at him, he heard the shot, but the he noticed a rather intimidating looking barrier around him. He was granted more power indeed... Battler chuckled at his attempts, he reached out and grabbed the pistol, crushing it in his hand. He then brought his hand back, slamming it into Amakusa's face, and the man stumbled. He attacked him again and again, punching him, kicking him, using the power of darkness itself to ensnare Amakusa and tear bits off.

The poor bodyguard... was dripping with blood.

At first she couldn't even do or say anything, frozen in the mere shock of seeing him like that. No, not again, this couldn't happen again, he had already nearly died for her once, and-- now this Battler was stronger yet again, strong enough to take on Amakusa's magic powers? No, she didn't just want to watch again as he was hurt, completely beaten up and bleeding..

"Amakusa..!" Suddenly Ange found her voice again, shouting out his name even though it wouldn't help anything. She just wanted to get away from the goats and go over to him, even if she wasn't any match against the other guy and wouldn't be able to do anything.. She should at least try to do something, anything at all, instead of just standing here and watching as he was tortured. It hurt her too much right in the heart, especially knowing it was all for her sake that he was dragged into all this to start with. It almost felt like she was the one being hit with how much it hurt, really.

So she uselessly struggled against the goat's grip, but no matter how much she tried she couldn't get away a single inch away from them. Was it really all useless? No, she refused to believe that, didn't want to believe that.. "Stop..!" The usual deadpan in her voice was completely gone in these shouts, her usual walls that kept her from being hurt all dropped. She just wanted him to be alright-- "Leave him alone! Don't.. don't hurt him anymore!" Even if she knew they wouldn't listen to her, she had to say it, had to try out of sheer desperation.

He was in pain, that much was evident. It was hard to focus, every time he tried to regain composure and see just where this man was he felt another strike of his fist, or a kick attack him and render him useless once again. Amakusa felt pain from every hit, and the way he was using the darkness was beyond painful, he was able to literally use it as a weapon, as anything he desired. It was a claw at one point, ripping his coat and the front of his clothes- exposing some flesh and even more red seeping out and spilling all over the floor. Amakusa managed to block a hit, and then threw a punch- actually hitting Battler.

It was a quick and meaningless victory, since after that Battler went at him again. Amakusa felt a knee to his gut, and he was down. He was on the ground, and Battler was kicking him over and over again.

The two men both heard Ange screaming, and Amakusa felt like worthless furniture for not being able to defeat him. Battler on the other hand... he stopped. He removed his foot from the other man, and then turned to look back to look at her. He had Amakusa's blood all over him, and he could hear the man on the ground panting.

"....What? I'll stop if you'll... cooperate with me for once. No more running away or trying to hit me, my dear sister."