The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 13: You've been using it for WHAT?!

 "So this is the place... I see he's been doing well for himself..." Said Maximillion as he fixed himself up to look nice and professional. Bo just scoffed and flipped her hair over her eyes. while knocking on the door. "Oh please Max, he's just like any other guy." She told him with a glare. "Watch, as soon as he opens the door, I'm just gonna say-" She started as she opened the door, only to see Lyte in just her white nightgown and rainbow stockings. "Hi! can I help you?" She asked happily. Bo sighed sweetly and blushed, "Hi, I'm Bo! I was in the neighborhood and lost my number, can I pretty please have yours?" She asked in a begging voice, causing Lyte to let out a melodic amused giggle. Maximillion rolled his eyes and just pulled Bo back. "Hello there Ma'am, I'm Maximillion, and this is my friend Bo, we're of the Aurian church and would like to have a word with Mr. Derek Sonata if he's available?" He asked in a stern tone. Lyte looked at them both and nodded. "Of course! He should be up by now, I'll see if I can call him down for you! Name's Lyte by the way!" She chirped as she led them to a couch, Bo shamelessly checked out all of Lyte's beautiful features while imagining a future with Lyte in it. Maximillion finally had had enough and just elbowed her while they waited.

Darkness sighed and finally came down and looked at the two guests while he offered them a bottle of whiskey. At the shake of their heads, he took the cap off and began drinking from the bottle. "So... what can I do for you both?" He asked curiously. Bo sighed and finally looked him in, THIS was the chosen descendant of The Composer? The one gifted with Aura beyond Aura? He looked like he lost a war with himself and never found a way to successfully cope with it. After a deep sigh she stood up and shook hands with him. "You must be Derek... My name is Bo... My buddy Max and I are from the Aurian Church of the Composer" She started, causing Darkness to raise a brow. "Never heard of it." He said as he looked to Maximillion, who shook his head. "You wouldn't... and had the last few day not have happened, it'd have stayed that way." He said as he looked at him square in the eye. "You see Mr. Sonata, we try to combine the collected activities involving Aura into a Zeitgeist... so as to track and possibly deal with anomalies going on in the world... and we noticed your.... Void as you call it... went through a rather huge spike." He explained. Darkness nodded, "Yeah... I got in a fight with another aura user... I had seen him stab and critically wound my little sister... I guess I went all out and used a lot of aura at once." Said Darkness. Bo and Max just looked at each other. "So the rumors are true, you use your aura mostly just for fighting and killing... Is it at least for just other aura users?" Asked Bo. Darkness just shook his head. "Nah, mostly on whoever needs killing... it's been rather effective. There was a long pause before Bo and Max pinched their noses. "So basically anyone and everyone in the criminal underworld just KNOWS about you being an Aura user." Said Maximillion. Darkness just shrugged and nodded, Maximillion just glared at him. "So chances are they will know how to track that giant aura spike and record it as well!" He all but yelled. Darkness shrugged. "So? If they know I use aura anyway, what's that matter?" He asked. Bo marched up and got in his face. "BECAUSE DUMBASS! If they know a Dangerous Aura user is just killing normal assholes, they are going to stop sending normal assholes and start sending more AURA USERS!" She said as she looked at Lyte. "Look at her! I Can still tell she's recovering badly! Her aura is incredibly weak from healing her body!" She said angrily. Darkness rolled his eyes. "Shows what you know, she used her aura to reflect a bunch of bullets yesterday." He said with crossed arms. Both Maximillion and Bo's jaws dropped in honour before Bo slapped him across the face hard enough to stagger him. "YOU LITERAL DEFINITION OF A DUMBASS! AURA POWERS AREN'T FUCKING UNLIMITED! SHE COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY GOTTEN HERSELF KILLED!" Screamed Bo as Maximillion quickly offered Lyte some sweet snacks, who after registering Darkness was okay, slowly accepted them. Darkness just glared for a bit before letting Bo's words process, "...Explain." He told her. Bo just sighed and calmed down. "Using Aura requires a lot of calories to maintain... even though she wasn't using her aura to fight beforehand... from the sound of things, if she was stabbed like that, the only reason she's walking is that her aura was used to heal her body at an accelerated rate... meaning her aura could have JUST as easily failed and she'd be swiss cheese right now.... I Can't believe you've never noticed this." Explained Bo. Darkness raised his eyes and just sat down "I guess I never thought about it... My sister only ever got a brief explanation of aura... I was supposed to wait until I discovered mine... and that was only a few years ago..." He said as he looked to Bo and Maximillion. "That's why WE'RE here, we'll be teaching you more than you ever thought about your aura, and how to master it well beyond where you're at now." Said Maximillion while he and Bo headed for the door. "We'll be at the nearest hotel, should be easy to find... Do try not to use a rocket launcher as a flyswatter in the near future if you would be so kind." He told him as they took their leave. Darkness and Lyte just looked at each other in shock, both of them sat there in silence as they tried to wrap their heads around an entire church taking an interest in them.

As Bo and Max left, Amanda smirked and adjusted her badge. "Finally we meet... Derek Sonata." She said as she got out of her car, only to see Saryn casually open the door to an unmarked Volvo. "Not just yet lieutenant,,," She said with a smirk as Amanda's eyes raised while her heart sank. "I ... You... NYPD will know where I am!" She threatened as Saryn let out a melodic giggle. "Oh please, I'm not here to kill you Ms. Cross, my Foolish husband doesn't even know I'm here.... please... accopany me on a little cafe trip... I feel just a brief introduction will help you understand the world you've walked into.... and THEN you can meet my little test subject proper! You might even be the biggest help yet!" She said as she casually placed an arm around amanda's shoulder, though something about Saryn Capryse's presence made it feel as though it could have just as well been around her throat as she walked with her to her to Saryn's Car. And so just for a little bit longer, Amanda's meeting with Darkness would wait, just a little bit longer.

The Aurian Chronicles chapter 12: Back to reality

Darkness sighed softly as he wrapped up his summary and just looked down. "After that... I spent the last three years making a name for myself as a contract killer... All the money, nicknames, and blood never stopped me from trying to be there when you needed me though, Lisa." He said as he looked at Lyte, who just hugged him close to her. "I know... Silver told me you pissed a lot of people off to make sure you were at a good chunk of my concerts... one thing that I want to know about your story... you said a drug made you kill a bunch of scientists... how on earth did THAT get covered up?" She asked curiously. Darkness just pinched his nose. "It's funny how coincidences work... turns out the drug developer... And the company... Is Mr Capryse's wife Saryn" He said as he laughed bitterly. "She had it all covered up seconds after Silver and I left... hell it's like she KNEW what the drug really did... totally not a coincidence at all." He added sarcastically. Lyte nodded and made a note to look into Saryn later. "I see... look as long as you stop this 'Derek is dead' bullcrap... I'll support you the best I can big brother, just try to be careful" She said as she and Silver got off Darkness' lap while Lyte got out of her hospital clothes and into a white Tank Top and matching Capris with glowing shoes. Darkness raised a brow at her. "You gonna be okay sis?" He asked. Lyte rolled her eyes. "You know damn well Aurians heal faster than normal people... I'll be sore and tender for a while, but I can still walk... some of these cuts can't even compare to a night in the moshpit!" She said proudly, Causing Darkness to shake their heads and laugh.

As they stepped outside the Hospital, Darkness raised a brow at the list of cars surrounding Silver's Jeep. A group of men in suits smirked as they aimed their guns at Darkness, Silver, and Lyte. "Mr. Farley sends his regards... vengeance for Albert Farley will be paid in full." Said one of them. Lyte looked to her brother with a raised brow. "Pedophile I killed earlier, his father is the one who paid Blood Angel to fight me..." He explained. She nodded and stepped forward. "Not here, not today, get the fuck outta our way." She said simply. The guards all aimed at her. "Walk away bitch, this is between us and the goth freak, but we won't hesitate to make Swiss cheese out of bystanders if need be." said another man as he watched her turn around. "Please, you couldn't handle my ASS if you tried!" She said as they glared and fired all at once, the bullets bounced off her body and went right back at them. Silver pulled her submachine guns out of the back of her dress and sprayed down the surviving guards. "Told ya so." Said Lyte as she took her place in the back seat behind Silver. Darkness just smirked and stood up behind the passenger seat while Silver turned the ignition, good to have ya both talking again." She said as they drove off before the police arrived. "You going to be okay with all that?" Asked Darkness. Lyte looked up at him. "I don't like killing, but I KNOW when to defend myself, big brother... Don't worry, I'll be fine" She said as she put her headphones on and turned up her music while she fiddled with her portable soundboard.

Amanda Cross lowered her eyes at the paperwork that had just popped up from both the hospital and nightclub incidents. Unlike everyone else in the station, she was in casual civilian clothes. A yellow T-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of sandals. "We are all just little pawns caught up in a war we aren't possibly ready for." She muttered as she read through Darkness' files. "He has no crimes reported on his name... but an ocean of bodies in his past... He definitely works for Mr. Capryse... and I can't touch him without kicking a hornet's nest that'll either have me discharged or demoted...And the worst of it all is that he doesn't even know, or care who I am." She added while filling out her reports. She kicked off her sandals and curled her toes hard enough to pop them while she ordered takeout and made some calls. "Well that's just fine, I plan to fix all that." She said while pulling up every single incident that could have had any semblance of a link to either Darkness or Mr. Capryse.

Meanwhile, a boat docked down on Long Island. Two people stepped onto shore, A woman in an opened golden robe with a white shirt and red short shorts with combat boots flipped her half shaved on her right side bowl-cut purple hair over her right eye as she looked around. "So this is New York huh? nice! Hey Max! You comin' or what dude?" She asked as her friend dusted off his White Tuxedo and adjusted his red tie over his golden undershirt before combing his short Blonde hair. "I'm coming Bo, and for the last time, It's MAXIMILLION! I don't like nicknames..." He told her with a scoff. Bo just rolled her eyes. "At least you know to call me Bo! Now... I believe we have ourselves a descendant of the Composer to find... Purple hair, black and red clothes... shouldn't be too hard to find this doom and gloomy fuck." She said while they ventured out into the depths of New York. The boat they arrived on mysteriously vanishing behind them.

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 11 Part 3: Three years ago

     "That was a colossal waste of time... Why the hell am I even going to these therapy sessions?" Asked Derek as he pulled a full whiskey bottle out and started gulping loudly. Lisa just glared at him and put a hand on her hip. "THAT'S why you dumbass. Ever since you got back, you've done nothing but drink enough to kill 5 men a day! And when I ask you to stop, you just say cryptically dark shit like 'Whatever kills me makes me stronger!' like a loner edge lord!" She told him as they got in Silver's jeep. Derek stood up in the back passenger seat as he always did, even though it was illegal, while Lisa sat behind Silver. "We've run out of options it seems... We can always try this new experimental drug that was government-funded... The therapist recommended it." Said Lisa as they sped home." Derek scoffed at the idea "Drugs? Really? You really want me to trust my mental health to a co-dependency?" He asked while sipping more whiskey. Lisa just lowered her eyes at the bottle. "Wouldn't be the first time..." She stated. Darkness finished the bottle and grunted, "Quit judging me for drinking!" He yelled before Lisa smacked the bottle out of his hand. "I'm NOT judging you for drinking! I like to party too! But THIS?! This is just killing yourself to run away from your problems! I just... I want my brother back! The one who carried me on his shoulders when I was down! The one who watched me during my music lessons!" She said frantically, tears streaming down her eyes. Derek just sighed and nodded slowly. "Fine.... if it means that much to you... I'll give this stuff a try." He relented. Lisa wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly as she nodded.

    Derek sighed Nervously at the waiting lobby of Pure Mind Solutions with Silver at his side. He was never really told what this 'Neural Nirvana Injection' really did, or how it was supposed to help with his PTSD, but it had the backing of multiple therapists in the area, so he was willing to trust it. "Alright, Mr. Sonata... We are ready to see you now." Said a Tall blonde woman in a black suit with a white robe around her. Derek noted her nametag and nodded. "Yes, Dr. Saryn..." He said as he waved to Silver. "Hope this works!" She told him supportively as he nervously nodded. Derek sighed and sat at an offered chair as he showed his arm. "So uh... Doc.... How exactly does this... work?" He asked apprehensively. Saryn laughed and stepped out of the room, after a few minutes her voice came over the intercom. "Don't worry Mr. Sonata, Neural Nirvana works by routing dopamine into the stressful parts of your brain, with a strong enough reroute, it should push away those awful repressed thoughts!" She said as some medical staff slowly came in and took his arm. Derek braced himself as he felt the thick needle enter his arm. As the syringe emptied into him, he felt a light calming sensation. Derek slowly began to smile as the stressful thoughts subsided. In fact, those thoughts of war felt good. he began to grin wide as he thought about the people he killed like he had the chance to do it all again. He reached out and began punching brutally at the soldiers he saw, with beyond-normal strength. He laughed Maniacally as he gleefully slammed someone's head into the wall repeatedly, leaving a bloody stain on the wall. Finally, he looked down and saw a frightened enemy backing away, he reached out and grabbed him by the throat and lifted him above his head as he grinned even harder. Slowly the drug in his system began to wear off and his eyes widened when he saw the soldier he was holding turned into a panicking Silver. He dropped her quickly and looked around, the 'soldiers' he killed were medical staff... he had killed innocent people while high on a drug he trusted... "I... I'm sorry Silver!" He said as he sprinted off with Silver trying to get him to come back.

    Derek sobbed in an abandoned apartment he found shelter in as he looked in the mirror, any of the calming effects the drug gave him were gone, and he felt far worse than ever, but nothing felt worse than the guilt he felt over almost killing his own wife. "Why... Why do I keep messing up?" He screamed into the mirror as he tried once again to drink himself to death. the memory of everything he did started repeating stronger in his mind. "I Just wanted... to be normal again." He grunted as he pulled his Colt 1911 out of his holster and looked at it. "Sorry, Lisa..." He said as he put it to the left side of his head and fired. Everything went black for a as Derek hit the floor, Then slowly he opened his eyes again. "Is this death? I feel better at least." He said as he stood back up and looked in the mirror. Derek had blood from where the bullet had gone, but he noticed far more than that. His sun-damaged face was now clear, and his hair was a vibrant Dark purple. He gasped in astonishment as black tendrils grew from his back. "I.... have Aura! OH MY GOD, I HAVE AURA!" He exclaimed as he put his gun away. "I Gotta tell Lisa and Silver!" He said as he ran off.

    Silver was on the phone frantically trying to find where Derek had gone when she saw him sprinting into the house. "You're back!" She said as Derek hugged her. "Yeah! and I Transcended! I have aura now!" He said as he showed off his tendrils and hair. Silver nodded "Amazing! How on earth did you achieve that?" She asked in shock as she looked at him. Derek smiled, "It happened when I shot myself!" He blurted out. Silver felt as though her heart broke. "Y-you tried to kill yourself?!" She asked in a panic. Derek just laughed, "Who cares?! If I knew that's all it took, I would have tried it sooner!" He said in excitement. Silver gasped in shock as tears ran down her once flawless face before she hit him hard in the jaw. "YOU SELFISH BASTARD!" She yelled as he hit a wall from the force of the punch. "WHAT WOULD LISA AND I HAVE DONE IF WE LOST YOU! WHO CARES ABOUT A NEW TRICK?!" She asked as Derek held his jaw. "Oh my god..... I'm sorry..." Said Derek as the clarity finally caught up to him. Silver just hugged him tight and sobbed into the nape of his neck. For the first time in a long time, Silver wasn't flawless, she was a mess.

    Derek sighed softly as the weeks passed. With Silver and now Lisa both stressed out over his attempt on his own life, he needed a job to get his mind off things. But with a dishonorable discharge on his record, trust in him was low. Word on the street was that he could get a job as muscle for some rich guy, Derek knew him as Mr. Capryse. The job sounded out of Derek's comfort zone but Derek needed the time away from home, so Derek arranged the meeting as quickly as he could. Mr. Capryse smiled softly as he sipped his coffee, "So Derek Sonata... you come to me asking for a job... Well, I can offer you that!" He said with a grin. Derek was caught off guard almost instantly. "I uh... didn't even say anything... your information is good!" He said nervously. Mr. Capryse just laughed and nodded. "I suppose it is, but anyway let's talk! I need a contract killer! Quick and Efficient! Your military record says you were good at that! Cept the discharge! Think you can do that?" He asked with a grin. There was a long pause before Derek nodded. "Yeah... Yeah, I can." He said confidently. Mr. Capryse nodded and pulled up Derek's Bank information. "SPLENDID! Now first thing's first! You'll need a code name! Ya got one?" He asked curiously. For Derek, there was only one name he could possibly use. The one all his friends gave him so long ago. "It's Darkness." He said firmly. Mr. Capryse nodded and wrote it down. "Edgy! I love it... Welcome aboard DARKNESS! Hope you like coffee, we love it here!" He told him. Darkness just nodded and took a cup. He just eyed himself in the mirror as Mr. Capryse told him about his job. Derek Sonata was gone, all that was left... Was Darkness.

    

The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 11 Part 2: Three years ago

    Derek sighed softly and set up a spot six hundred meters from the spot Truck marked on the map. "Little far for firing range for my liking, but this should do." He said as Xaldin got in a firing position with a scoff. "Puh-LEEEEEZE Darkness, this baby can fire up to thirty-six hundred meters, and you best believe I could nail that shot! Still wish they would have put me through sniper school... Shouldn't have lost my temper over that Autism joke...." Said Xaldin with a defeated sigh at the end. Derek just raised a brow, "There's that word again... My little sister got diagnosed with 'High functioning Autism' and I don't know what that means... Like she grasps things one way but doesn't with others? What does that mean? Like she's smart, but a little dumb?" He asked curiously. Xaldin grimaced and leered at him. "It MEANS she does well in certain aspects of social interaction but struggles in certain ways.... another term would be 'Neurodivergent' No it doesn't mean she's 'a little dumb'... I thought YOU'd be better than that." He responded coldly. Derek just put his hands up. "Sorry sorry! I don't know what that means! One moment I'm in high school, the next I minute I'm marrying my girlfriend so I can adopt my little sister and then joining the Army... All I really know is..... this." He said as they looked out at the bunker where the enemy was supposed to be stationed. Xaldin just nodded and sighed. "Sorry... It's just a touchy subject for me... I barely got in due to my own diagnosis, and it's caused a few fights... some people lump it in with 'Mental retardation' and it pissed me off to be called that so many times... it's cost me a lot of opportunities." He explained. Derek nodded and sighed. "That's fair, I'm sorry if I offended you... Thanks for the lesson." He told him as they prepared for alternating shifts.

    A couple days passed and Fatigue started taking its toll on Derek and Xaldin. "Hey man, I think we should try and get back to base." Said Derek, but Xaldin just leered at the bunker. "They'll pop out as soon as we leave... No, I'm not leaving until I hear the soft rewarding 'Plink' sound of my firing pin connecting with the bullet." Said Xaldin. Derek shook his head and looked at their Assault packs. "Look man, with the gear I took off Truck and Golem... we only have a few days out here left at most... It was a long hike this far as is... if we don't"

"Plink.... Plink... Plink..." Said Xaldin over and over while he stared out at the bunker. Darkness just tried to relax so he could be ready for his shift. 'It's YOUR fault Truck and Golem died!' Derek just sat up at that, but he saw Xaldin muttering while staring at the bunker. "We've been in the heat too long Xaldin..." Said Derek before rolling over.

    Three Days had passed and Derek had predicted correctly, they were out of supplies. Derek was starting to get worried about the trip back even more, and the nightmares were really starting to wear him down. "Xaldin... buddy... I think we might be fucked." He said, but Xaldin just began chuckling. "Any minute now First Sergeant... Plink... Plink... Plink!" He said with a dehydrated rasp in his throat. "Fuck man.... look we can't just stay out here... I'm going to see if I can steal some supplies, Cover me.  He said nervously, hoping Xaldin was still mentally intact enough to understand him as he got up and travelled slowly to the bunker.

    Darkness kept his rifle at the low ready, his vision was a bit foggy from fatigue and dehydration, but he knew it was do or die at the moment. As he got to the bunker, he noticed a camera pointed at him and quickly tried to circle back. The sound of a gunshot hit Derek's senses before the feeling of a bullet penetrating the right side of his chest did. Derek winced and fell as he coughed. At long last the bunker finally opened and six men came out laughing and mocking Derek as he crawled backwards. Derek glared as they could tell through their body language and attempts to sound American they were mocking him. "YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!?" He demanded as they spat in his face and hit him in the forehead with an AK-47. Adrenaline was all that was keeping Derek Conscious as he spat blood back at them. "WELL GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT YOU WANT! I'M NOT AFRAID TO DIE! I'M NOT AFRAID TO DIE!!!" He screamed as the one who hit him put the barrel of their AK-47 to his head. Derek just closed his eyes as he heard a gunshot, then blinked as he heard five more, Xaldin had shot them all in the head while laughing maniacally and yelling "PLINK!" loud enough for the echo to reach Derek... Derek just coughed and nodded. "Yeah.... Plink buddy..... Plink..." He muttered before passing out from his wounds. 

Derek grunted and woke up what felt like an eternity later as he sat up. "Hngh.... how long was I out?" He grunted while looking around, he was back in the medical section of the base. Lieutenant Smith just glared at him. "A WEEK!" He muttered as Derek looked around. "Where's Staff Sergeant Xavien Aldin?" He asked frantically, but Smith just scoffed. "That babbling loon is being sent home for medical discharge." He explained. Derek gritted his teeth as tears began to drop from his eyes. "I didn't... get to say goodbye." He muttered. Smith just rolled his eyes. "If I were you I'd worry about yourself... You left base for some revenge mission because two soldiers died? WE OUGHT to strip you of your rank." He said sternly. Derek gritted his teeth harder as he glared up at Smith, but Smith just continued on. "It was a mistake to promote you in the first place, you're too young and emotional... not that you were ever leadership material... honestly I'm counting the days until you get someone else kil-" Smith was cut off by a mean left hook to the jaw from Derek. Smith screamed out in pain from his broken jaw as the medical staff rushed in, but Derek was still ready for more as Smith was taken away.

    Within the next month, Derek Sighed as he touched down in New York where Silver had moved with Lisa while he was Deployed. Derek was given the ultimatum of Dishonorable discharge, or time in a Military prison, and with his friends either dead or no longer accessible, the choice had been made clear. "BIG BRO!" Said a young blonde girl that Derek barely recognized as Lisa hugged him close. Lisa had grown so much that it felt like Derek barely knew her anymore. "I missed you SO much! I have a lot to tell you and-" But she stopped in horror when she saw that far-off look in Derek's eyes, she felt trapped in Darkness as if his very existence was pure pain for both of them. in her recoil, she let go and watched as Derek walked to Silver, who offered a hug. It was in Silver's Arms that finally, at long last, Derek felt fully at peace. Silver and Lisa just looked at each other in shock as the man they knew was clearly gone... This Derek... was a million-piece puzzle... one they knew they'd have to put back slowly if they even could.

The Aurian Chronicles: Chapter 11 Part 1: 3 years ago

                                                                 Flashback 

The hot sun beat down over the Middle Eastern desert. A local FOB had been packed with tents filled with soldiers ready to head out for their approved missions. Staff Sergeant Xavier Aldin sighed softly as he barged into The first Sergeant's tent with breakfast chow in hand. "Wakey wakey Darkness, you're needed at HQ!" he said with a chipper smile while he watched a hung over Derek Sonata slowly get out of bed. Xaldin for the last time, it's First Sergeant now. Keep the cringy callsigns saved for missions." He said with a grimace while quickly getting dressed and blousing his boots. Xaldin just laughed and shook his head, "No can do top, rank up to Command fuckin' Sergeant Major for all I care, you'll always be the deep voiced young punk who shams out of every day mission he can so he can drink all night... you're lucky you even made to Staff Sergeant, I don't even know how you got to be Top!" Teased Xaldin. Derek just rolled his eyes. "And I don't know how I got stuck with such a disrespectful NCO." he retorted, but Xaldin waved him off. That's because I am the one who always covered your shifts you ungrateful fucker! you made your rank in TEN years, bare bones it's usually it's fifteen minimum, and daily courses or not, you'd still be my rank without all the slack your team took for you." He said with a grin. There was a pause as Derek faced him. "You're right... Thank you Xaldin." He told him as he went off for his mission briefing.

Derek sighed tensely as he looked around the convoy. He didn't like how spread out his team was, nor did he like the multiple changes the Officers were making. This entire Operation is turning out to be a shit sandwich... I don't want my men to be the ones that take a bite.." He muttered in the back of his Humvee. First Lieutenant Smith just glared at him, "First Sergeant Sonata, you JUST got your rank! Don't go thinking we won't take it if you don't stop questioning authority!" He yelled. Derek glared at the lanky man and just looked out the window. Before he could finish his thought, an explosion went off in front of them and took out the front of their vehicle. "IED!" Called Derek as he helped Smith out of the truck before checking on his Driver. "Call up the report, I'm going to check on the other trucks. He told Smith before running to make sure the other trucks were okay. After a few minutes, Derek heard gunfire off in the distance. "We're too spread too thin! I told you! he yelled at Smith as they filled empty seats and scurried back to base.

The next week had Derek as anxious as ever. The multiple papers he had to sign were nothing, most of his men were gone out on missions, some of them even missing for a few days Xaldin being one of the only ones left. After a few more days had passed, Derek could no longer take it and joined a rescue team, almost throwing a fit that the equipment was the top priority. "I don't care about toys, I want my troops back," he told Smith to his face before heading out. After a few hours, Derek saw a junked Humvee and stopped the truck he was on. he took Xaldin with him and followed the tracks in the sand. what he saw chilled him to the bone, it was two soldiers from his company, a seven foot tall muscular man with brown hair and blue eyes, and a similarly built African American man with a scar on his right cheek. "TRUCK! GOLEM!" HE screamed as he checked their wounds. Both men just coughed and leaned up "Heya Darkness.... lovely weather huh?" Asked Truck while Derek bandaged them the best he could, not noticing Golem writing on something. Derek sighed and just got Truck in the Combat carry position while Xaldin got Golem. "Don't worry bout us, First Sergeant, there's still an ambush out there, get them cleaned out.... before they get more of us." Muttered Truck. Derek  sighed "Don't worry about that boys, we gotta focus on patching you both up, then we can set up......" Derek stopped mid-sentence when he saw Truck's arms dangling, he looked back and saw Xaldin had stopped a few feet behind for the same reason. "Xaldin?" He asked slowly. "Yeah, Darkness?

"Our men died in our arms didn't they?"

"..... Yes Darkness..."

Derek breathed a hard sigh before loading the bodies in one of the trucks before looking at what Golem wrote, it was a map leading to a small outpost, likely where Truck and Golem were attacked. "Come on Xaldin, we got some assholes to waste." He muttered Xaldin grabbed his rifle and nodded "Roger that First Sergeant." He said calmly as they marched through the desert heat.

Hellbent: INKED chapter 3

Claire sighed softly at the local Taco Time with a couple burritos in a blue tank top and tattered jeans with her favorite flip flops on. across from her was a middle-aged man in a U.S. Army physical training outfit. Claire sighed and looked into his eyes. "What can I help you with Sergeant Beckett?" She asked lazily. The man sighed, "Would it hurt just once for you to call me DAD?" He asked as he crossed his arms. Claire just sipped her soda and glared at him. "Considering the day you saw my tattoo, you declared me 'No daughter of yours.' why YES I think it just might." She answered simply. Michael Beckett just rubbed his shaved head and sighed. "Look.... Claire... That was a long time ago, after your mom died, I just wanted what's best for you... and I still do! Laser surgery isn't that bad, and I'm even willing to pay for it if you'll just enlist! you can travel and get more inspiration for all those drawings you like to do? get rid of that stupid tattoo shop nonsense and follow in my footsteps!" He said with a bit of hope in his voice. Claire just grunted and looked at her food. "So my Boyfriend has this little brother right? he makes bigger versions of these with fresh ingredients. He calls them PURRITOS! Cute right? But it's not just a cute name, those things are to fucking die for! Wanna know why? Because when someone has a dream, and nobody tells them their dreams are stupid... beauty thrives! But the main point here is that I could be face deep in one of those delicious things by now, Instead I'm forcing myself to pretend this junk is better in an effort to rekindle a relationship with a man who walked out of my life years ago.... only to realize he hasn't really changed." She said with a sad sigh. Michael just frowned. He wasn't sure where his Daughter got THIS much attitude from, or this bizarre idea that life grafting ink onto flesh was better than the time he amassed in the service, but he at least owed it to himself to try to make her see reason. "I Still love you, Claire! When I heard your home and shop burned, I took time off to come back to this country! And what do I find? You shacking up with some loser druggie bum, and his cross-dressing little brother who looks like a hippie! I raised you better than that!" He said sternly. Claire's eyes narrowed at him. "You can insult me, mock my dreams, spit on the way I live my life, and even try to pressure me into a life I don't want... But don't you DARE mock Blake or Branch... when I had nothing, they gave me everything! When some asshole burned my shop down, BLAKE was there to kick his ass! Blake manned up and helped me in every way you have not! In the short time I've known him, he's been a bigger part of my life than you ever have! When you change your attitude, we can try again.... until that time comes, goodbye Sergeant Beckett!" She said as she stormed out of Taco Time. "Claire! Don't you DARE walk away from this conversation!" Called Michael before the door slammed.

Claire's drive home felt like a blur. if there was traffic or anything in her way, she barely noticed or paid attention as she sped home. As she pulled into the driveway, she let out a long sigh before she swallowed it and walked in, sliding out of her clothes in the hallway as she accidentally pushed Branch out of the way and bumped into Lazaros' shoulder. "EXCUSE ME!" he said as he glared at her, only to freeze when he saw no light or life in her eyes. "Everything okay Claire?" Asked Blake as he walked in from his room. Claire barely noticed him as she grabbed her bikini. "Gonna get some extra hours on lifeguard duty." She said robotically while getting dressed. Blake just looked at her carefully. "I take it meeting your dad didn't go well?" He asked while trying to look her in the eye. "Then I'm going to go surfing all night, no need to wait up." Continued Claire as she reached for her board. Blake quickly moved Claire's surfboard out of the way and hugged her tight. Claire just tried to reach for her board frantically. "Blake please let me go..." She begged as she shook while gulping for air. Blake just locked in his grip and squeezed her in closer. Finally, Claire just hugged him back and frantically sobbed into his chest. Branch just sighed and looked to Lazaros, "I Say we give them some space, Claire looks hungry still, A good Purrito and and some of your cupcakes should help her feel better." Lazaros nodded and sighed as he headed with Branch to the kitchen.

A bit of time passed and Claire was digging into her fresh food. "Oh thank GAWD! This is way better than those sad pathetic excuses for burritos Taco Time had! She said happily, Lazaros just scoffed, "I should HOPE so! I Did not spend all that time training in culinary arts just to lose to fast food!" He answered simply. Claire chuckled a bit, she didn't like Lazaros' stuffy attitude much, truth be told he came off as a pompous ass when she first met him, but the man loved Branch, and he had the skills to match his ego. "Thank you... all of you... this could have been one of the worst days of my life if not for you three." She said softly. Blake, Branch, and Lazaros all just smiled back, Branch getting ready to serve the cupcakes, which got Claire all the more eager to dig in. She knew there were more run-ins with her Father to come, and that the food was only a temporary fix. But for the time being, she had everything she could ever want all in one room.

A VH Crossover: Ivy and Tristan

     "Huh... Real nice place" Said Claire as she pulled her car into Tristan's driveway. She stepped out and adjusted her blue jeans and her Voyage Burger T-shirt that read 'A feast to ravage, eat like a savage!' She walked up to the door and rang the bell. "Alright, Claire! You already apologized to Deimos, how hard can THIS be?" She asked confidently. The Door opened and Ivy narrowed her eyes at Claire, "What do YOU Want?" Asked Ivy defensively. Claire already felt all that building confidence leaving her body. "Would you uh... Believe I'm here to formally apologize for making an ass of myself at the beach earlier?" She asked with a shrug. Ivy read her mind and was pleased to learn Claire was telling the truth. "....Tristan still needs to finish his work, but you may enter and wait since he should only be a few moments anyway." She said softly. Claire nodded and slid off her shoes and socks and into a pair of Flip Flops she used for visiting while following Ivy to the living room. Claire sat down on the assigned couch and looked across at Ivy, who had her arms lightly crossed. "I um... don't suppose I could just start with my apology to you?" offered Claire, but Ivy put her hand up. "No, I'd prefer Tristan be here since we are both in HIS home after all."

"Fair enough." Replied Claire as she crossed her foot over her knee while admiring some of the artwork design. "He certainly has some good art pieces, very nice taste!" She said with a light smile, one that Ivy returned. "Thank you! I actually did some of them myself!" She exclaimed proudly. Claire smiled back at her, "You're an artist too? I'm a Tattoo artist myself! I do design work from time to time for people who need it as well!" She said as she showed her some pictures of works she both drew and inked onto people's skin. Ivy admired some of the pieces and nodded as she leaned back a bit more comfortably. Claire skillfully used the icebreaker to talk about other things to pass the time. She was a bit surprised to learn that they both liked various forms of rock and metal, Claire noted she was a bit more extroverted than Ivy, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Ivy was a lot more calm with Claire now that they understood each other much better.

"I see I missed a few things," said a voice at the door. Ivy quickly jumped up to greet Tristan "Welcome home!" She exclaimed as she hugged him tight, he gave a brief smile to her but turned his eyes back to Claire. "What can I help you with Claire?" He asked with a smile, although it didn't reach his ears like a genuine one. Claire lowered her head and let out a hard sigh. "I owe you an apology, and not just you, I owe Ivy and Deimos one as well... It was not my place to-"

"I know you already said this to Deimos so you can stop right there, I for one know how annoying it can be to repeat yourself." Said Tristan as he looked at her. "I'll accept that you SAID it, but if you want me to accept that you mean it, you and I are going to have quite a conversation." He said as he sat down with Ivy at his side. "Now... I wish to hear a bit more than what you've told Deimos about yourself.. And if you think he's a hard sell, wait until I'm done... You see after that incident I talked to Blake, and then I talked to Makayla... You go a bit back with someone from my past, did you know that?" He asked with narrowed eyes. Claire raised a brow at him in return. "I believe you are familiar with Craig?" He asked. Causing her to nod. "Now if you are curious as to why I'M going to be more firm with you. It's because your little outburst reminded me oh so much of his constant ones." He said while crossing his legs and folding his arms. "Now tell me Miss Beckett, WHY should I treat you any differently than how I treat him.?"

Claire gulped a bit at Tristan's words. Deimos was blunt like a brick, but Tristan's words were razor sharp! "Wow... That uh... Put it a bit into persepective." She started with a nervous chuckle, but Tristan was unamused. "I'm definitely not like Craig though, I KNOW when I mess up. Craig has what I'm calling Sisyphus syndrome, he'll use what charisma or charm he has to work his way to the top of a hill, only to let his idiotic impulses help him kick it back to the bottom... His rock band should be a good indication of that." She answered firmly. Tristan just raised a brow at her response. He had to admit he was a bit impressed with her reasoning. "Good answer... I let him into my life only to be hurt immensely in response... Because of your apology to Deimos, and your follow through to apologize to both Ivy and I... I am going to take a gamble here and Forgive you..." He said simply. Claire relaxed a bit and let out a sigh of Relief.

Ivy just looked at them both and nodded "I'll take that gamble too, I gave Larry too many chances, so I won't make that same mistake twice either." She responded. At the mention of Larry's name. Claire's eyes narrowed, and her thoughts became harsh and hate filled, causing Ivy to recoil. Tristan looked at Claire. "Not a fan of his I presume?" He asked while clearing his throat. Claire just shook her head "a while back he showed up drunk as a skunk while demanding a tattoo... I told him no because I warned him earlier I can't do it if he's intoxicated... So he burned my shop to the ground." She answered. Tristan looked to Ivy and back to Claire. "My apologies... If you ever wish to persue legal Action, you have my Address." He said, causing Claire to light up. "Thank you so much! I'll keep you in mind!" She said happily.

Ivy sighed snd looked at them both. "Before we are done here, I have a request of you Claire." She stated. Claire raised a brow, and at Ivy's beckon, followed her to the pool. "Show me your other form please... And don't try to deny it, I'll know!" She demanded. Claire raised her brows for a bit before stripping down to her bikini and walking in the pool. Her body grew shining rainbow scales, her feet curved a bit, and her hair turned glowing white. "Please don't... Judge me" she said shyly. Ivy just sighed "I wasn't going to... But I do want to ask... Does Blake know?" Claire shook her hed "I just don't want him to think I'm some freak or weirdo." She answered. Ivy rubbed her temples. "I KNOW Blake, and if you think he'll believe that at all, it's clear YOU don't." She answered. Claire just got out of the pool and redressed. "You should tell him... Just a bit of advice." Finished Ivy. Claire nodded snd smiled at her and Tristan. "Thank you, Both of you." She told them as she took her leave.

Tristan sighed. "Very brave of her to follow through on her apology... I just hope she sticks with it." He said as he had dinner with Ivy. She just smiled. "True, one Craig is bad enough! But I think she'll follow through...I'm more curious as to how that talk with Blake will go." She told of them. Both of them just smiled and ended their night with a nice dinner conversation.

The Aurian Chronicles: Chapter 10- More than one kind of recovery

 Silver sped into the Hospital parking lot and parked crooked as she ran into the lobby, screaming in panic until she finally found Derek waiting outside Lisa's hospital room. "There you are! how is Lyte is she-?" But Derek put his hand up to stop her... "Lisa is fine... and after tonight..... I don't think either of us wants to use Code names right now Silver." He said as he hugged her. Silver sighed in relief, learning they were both okay, "And yet you still call me Silver?" She asked in a teasing, yet sad voice. Derek just kissed her. "Well you DID Legally change it my love... but I'll call you Sera anytime you like." He promised as she hugged him close. "You can call me slut or whore for all I care, as long as the love of my life and sister-in-law are still living.... and there's an extensive amount of foreplay involved."

"Silver for the love of GOD! Not now!" Whined Derek as his currently Black hair flashed purple, Silver just giggled and lifted him. "Only teasing dear.... Now... tell me what happened before my healing power needs to fix my heart attack"." She begged in a pleading voice. Derek just sighed and explained how he went to pick her up like always, his fight with Blood Angel, Lisa being attacked, and his transformation into a void monster. Silver cupped her mouth. "My god... I knew there would always be a target on your head... but Lisa? This is a new low... so why are you out here? Shouldn't you be with her?" She asked softly. Derek just sighed and shrugged. "I Don't even know what to say to her... This is MY fault, I know Blood Angel only attacked at Zach Farley's request, I killed his son after all...and I know Lisa hates me... I did abandon her for all those-" But he was pushed to a wall and held in place by Silver. "Now you listen to ME DARKNESS! That little girl has not stopped thinking about you since you left! even when she was at that little mall Pizzeria she told all the little mascots how much she loved and admired her big brother! Do you think she cares that you're a killer?! FUCK NO! She just knows that YOU know it's not what you want in life! Now get your fucking ass in that goddamn hospital room before I kick your ass to the heavens above and spike you all the way down to hell!" She told him as she let him go. There was a brief moment of silence before Derek laughed as his undamaged skin turned its normal shade of white, and his Black limp hair glowed Purple. "God I fucking love how you think! now THAT'S why I married you." He said as he smiled at her, but now she glared hard at him. "EXCUSE ME?!" She demanded. Darkness just sighed and rolled his eyes. "I Also married you for your smoking hot body..." He added with a smack to her behind for good measure. She kissed him passionately and nodded. "Goddamn right you did! Now get the hell in there you Lovable gothic bastard!" She said with a proud grin.

The door opened and Darkness sighed as he walked in on Lisa Glaring at the ceiling. "Heya uh... Lyte! Are you feeling any better?" He asked as he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Lisa just slowly turned her head to him. "I saw what you looked like... before you turned into that monster... you were stabbed FAR more times than I was... AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK ME THAT?!" She demanded angrily. Darkness just looked down. "Yeah... I know... but I'm feeling better, and you're not so-"

"Do you even care how hurt you were? Did you even think about it?" She asked him with tears slowly starting to form in her eyes. "Did you ever stop and think about how I would have felt if I lost my brother again?" She asked while looking into her eyes, her heart rate slowly increasing. Darkness just sighed. "Lisa...I love you more than anything... you are some of the only family I have left... It's just... things changed after the war... I didn't even know who I was...then that therapy session, and that drug... it fucked with my head... This job took my mind off of it all you know?" He asked as he sat by her. "Look, if it makes you feel better... I've been slowly thinking about how I want to do something else anyway... a passion project... even if it's not music." He said with a sigh. Lyte just sat up gently and looked at him with a raised brow, "I'm listening... Darkness." She encouraged. Darkness sighed and looked her back in the eyes. "I want to help people... I want to make a place where people don't have to feel like I do... for soldiers who want to give more than what they felt they gave... I want to build opportunities for the misfits in our country... I have to do more jobs in the meantime... But I want to move on soon." He said as he looked back down.

Lyte just took in everything Darkness said and breathed a puff of air. "I gotta say... I still want you to be the musician I know you can, but this... I never expected any of this." She said as she couldn't help but smile. She then began to giggle a bit, before lightly laughing. "My brother... I thought I'd never see Derek... even with purple hair and black tendrils, you are still my brother Derek... no more talks about how trying to blow your brains out killed you, and I'll forgive you... Deal big brother?" She asked as she held out a hand. Darkness just smiled back and shook it. "Deal little sister," he said before she hugged him close. 

After a tender moment, Lyte let him sit back down. "Derek... I think enough time has passed since then... Do you think you can finally talk about how you got discharged?" She asked sweetly. Darkness just Sighed "Lyte... do you really want to-?" But he saw her staring intently at him. He just sighed and invited Silver in, who looked at them both curiously. "If I'm going to talk about my time in the Military. I want BOTH of the people I love most in the world to hear it... sit down, Silver." He said as she lifted her dress and sat the bare skin of her behind down in his lap to get comfy. Causing both Darkness and Lyte to roll their eyes.

"So you want to hear about my time in the Army? Fine... let me tell you about what it was like over there."