Two partners who have their own reasons for working with one another. A warden growing accustomed to working with others, the berserker growing closer to something they thought they'd never find.

Part 1: Vera Violentiam



The echo of high heels traveled down the hallway in a manner which demanded respect and displayed dignity. Everyone she passed by looked in her direction. A head of platinum blonde hair in a parted bob cut, orange eyes, lips as red as cherries and skin a peachy off-white; she gave off an aura of distinct divinity and her attire of a complete black dress and heels with a maroon leather jacket only made her stand out more. A scent like pure coffee beans followed behind her as she continued on her way to the destination she had in mind, eyes showing a clear dissatisfaction with the current task she had been given. There weren’t many reasons she could think of which would have Jayhe agree to helping another ancient outside of having them owe her a favor in the future, but nothing was more annoying than dealing with Solaria’s lot. It made the hair on her neck stand on ends. 


Both the houses of Sun and Moon had managed to gain their fair share of enemies just for existing, but Solaria specifically had gone out of her way to piss off both the houses of Light and Fire. Nothing good could come from helping them. Not to mention, there were very few solar claimants who even lived outside of the ever difficult to imagine Dunes. The only one she knew fairly well was Nuvat, and she made it a habit to avoid knowing her personally. A well-known nuisance to everyone she comes into contact with, she could almost be pissed with the Rhihon for providing the half of her being which gave the woman her ever so effective charm. But that wasn’t what she needed to think about right now. What needed to be on her mind now was the task she had been given. 


She respected Jayhe of course, but nothing would make her enjoy that she was chosen to handle this situation. She could almost run away to never return just remembering the conversation and thinking on what things all might entail. 




“So, you’re Mallnora?” Solaria spoke as she measured the claimant up in moments. “I thought Jayhe would have sent someone a bit more... capable.” 


She can’t be serious? 


“I can assure you that I will be more than enough to handle whatever task you have for me,” she spoke with a forced smile. Jayhe had told her to remain on good behavior. 


“We will see about that,” Solaria started as she handed the woman a set of documents. 


“What are these exactly?” Mallnora questioned her to which the ancient sighed in response. “Ma’am?” 


“Can’t you read yourself? It’s the information on my claimant, but you don’t know who because you can’t keep quiet long enough to be told.” 


I hate her more with every passing moment. 


“My apologies.” 


“Just shut up and listen!” Solaria spoke as she shifted in her seat. She would have been confused and wondering why the ancient had chosen to meet her in a bar, but it made more sense to assume that it didn’t matter where they met so long as it wasn’t in her realm. “You’re going to be watching over a claimant from my house. They’ve been living amongst humans for a while now and, honestly, I’d prefer bringing them back to the Dunes. However, that's not possible.” 


“Might I ask why that is?” Mallnora spoke to which the ancient shook her head. 


“No, you may not! Most of the details you need about them are in the document, so you don’t need to ask me questions. All you need to know is that you'll be watching them and they will help Jayhe with your work in return, but they don’t know it yet.” 


“I understand. Then I will handle this as soon as possible.” 


“Wait,” Solaria spoke before passing a letter across the table towards her. “Give this to them when you meet, and refrain from saying anything that will insult them! So long as you do that, you’ll be fine.” 


The ancient didn’t even wait for a response, standing and exiting the building without even so much as a farewell. Perhaps it was her own fault for expecting something better from an ancient, but it was Solaria after all. Her expectations should have started off low. She could at least rest easy knowing that a document had been prepared for her to read over, but that only led to more worries. Specifically, the thought of who this person might be that a document would need to be prepared about them. She turned her orange eyes to the note which laid at her side and for a moment the name she spotted on its surface in the ancient’s handwriting made all sound fade away. 


“No-No? Where have I heard that before?” 


“Excuse me?” the male’s voice caused her glare to shoot in his direction. 


“What?” 


“Uhm, I was just asking if you needed another drink?” 


“I understand. Bring me a tequila, if you would. Something to take the edge off.” 


“Of course, ma’am.” 


As the male walked away from the table, she contemplated opening the letter to view its contents, but thought against it. That would most likely cause a problem when she needed to give it to the claimant she had to meet. Speaking of which, she looked at the document which laid before her and noted a very specific detail. The front page was completely blank. Was it that secretive? She flipped to the second page and there she spotted nothing more than a photograph. 


The photograph was... exotic, to say the very least. It looked as if it were old and made to look more modern through technological techniques. Clearly not Solaria's handywork. It also looked to be taken in secret as the person in the picture was entirely focused on something else outside of the frame and on the move enough to have the background unfocused. What troubled her most was that the lack of focus suggested they had been moving at great speeds at the time, but more troubling than that was the clear blood splattered on their person. It wasn’t small speckles or splatters, but clear and plain blood covering large portions of their body. This person was no doubt violent. 


Mallnora examined the picture closer, taking note of key features that could be seen and later ignored when reading through descriptive parts of the document. A woman with amber brown skin, eyes almost the same color as hot coals with hair of matching grade tied back into a long ponytail. She was slightly thinner than average and wore clothes reminiscent of what old sailors would wear. Or perhaps pirates? She had a crazed look on her face as if overwhelmed by some form of primal madness and yet it didn’t seem as if she were like that at all. Looking at the photo it seemed more like she was extremely pleased or happier than most people could understand. Almost as if eerily in a state of crazed euphoria. After taking that much into consideration she quickly turned to the next page where the descriptive things could be found, but she had only turned there to see a few choice details. Specifically, the name. 


“Novix Excia, born around... no specific date? Does Solaria even care about her?” 


“Here you are, ma’am.” The male’s voice barely caught her attention as she turned to see him placing her drink on the table. 


“Thank you. That will be all for now,” she spoke as she sipped from the glass and turned her attention back to the document where she spotted the part she had almost caught, nearly choking on her beverage. “Shortly after six-hundred A.D.?!” 


Her outburst caused multiple patrons to look in her direction as she cleared her throat. She placed the glass down as she skimmed through the document to find specific pieces of information. She almost didn’t want to believe it, but if the words typed out on the document were to be taken as true then that would mean this claimant was born over one thousand years ago. She quickly began searching for more specific pieces of information. 


“Five feet eleven inches. Dark brown eyes and black hair. Were her eyes and hair both not bright orange in the photo? Exploits include mercenary work in the human world involving yet not limited to direct maritime war as well as naval experience, direct combat involvement on multiple major battlefields, bounty hunter experience across the world, and experience as all but not limited to the ranking of Captain, Admiral, Colonel, General, Knight Captain, Knight Major, and Knight Commander? Also has been claimed to be Seneschal, Marshal, and Grand Marshal yet evidence of earning these rankings has not been confirmed. A true Valkyrie.” 


Mallnora paused for a moment as she turned through the documents, sipping from her glass yet again as if to calm her nerves before stopping on a particular part that caught her eye. It came as no surprise that it would steal her attention when she saw the title Dire Things to Remain Aware Of at the top of a page. 


“It should be noted that, while Novix Excia is a sun claimant, they are a purely physical fighter. Known primarily for the extremely violent tendencies they employ in almost all combat situations, most enemies faced by Novix will end up gored, maimed, scalped, dismembered, broken, destroyed, or overall made a proper example of true violence. It should be noted that while Novix cares very little for insults they will not be tolerated for long. Novix should never be challenged or faced in combat by friendlies. Novix should be made to avoid direct combat, if possible, in all instances. If you are made to work alongside Novix, it should be noted that it is best to become as close as possible to avoid becoming a possible target? Novix is easy to get along with, but equally as easy to make an enemy of? Novix should avoid stressful situations as best as possible? What... kind of situation has Jayhe signed me up for? This woman sounds crazy?” 




A sigh escaped her lips, the memory of the document still fresh in Mallnora’s mind to trouble her all the way to the end. Oddly enough she had at least been lucky enough to read the entire thing and realize that the place Solaria had chosen for them to meet was nearby Novix’s current dwelling. Apparently, she lived in a rather comfy looking loft in Richmond, Virginia where she spent most of her time ‘relaxing’, as was written in the documents. It would have been nice if all the information regarding her abilities was also written in the documents. Apparently she often gets into trouble with others due to a rather eccentric personality, but that just made most people view her as crazy. That in itself was easy enough to believe, as most of the people who had been eyeing her had chosen to avert their attention the moment they noticed her approaching the door which belonged to her new partner. 


“Top floor, last room at the end of the hall. The notes weren’t kidding when they said she had quite a bit of spending money,” she spoke as she raised her hand to knock on the door. 


“I wouldn’t do that, miss!” a woman’s voice caught her attention as she turned to see someone approaching to deliver food. 


“And you are?” 


“I’m just here for a delivery, but you shouldn’t knock on the door. Here, I have a key!” the woman spoke as she placed the card near the scanner next to the door in which the lock could be heard turning on the opposite side. “The last time someone we sent here knocked on the door no one answered, but when they left the food here he showed up at the shop and caused the entire night shift to quit.” 


He? Perhaps I’m at the wrong address. 


“Ah, apologies. I believe I’m at the wrong place. I was looking for the home of Novix.” 


“Yeah, that’s this place. No-No, right?” they spoke as they pushed the door open and entered the loft to which Mallnora followed behind her. She placed the bag of food on the counter within the kitchen before picking up the cash placed there and looking across the room. There Mallnora could finally see her. The woman who had fought in countless battles, led countless soldier, defeated numerous enemies, made a name for herself amongst the humans and claimants yet faded from history in what seemed to be her prime. This person capable of claiming the title of legendary warrior... now lazing about on a couch sleeping in front of a television which played consistent music. 


“That’s Novix?” Mallnora questioned the woman. 


“Yeah. Not as bad as everyone makes it seem, right?” she spoke taking a deep breath. “Food is here!” she shouted to which she received a groan and lazy wave in response. “Bye now.” 


Mallnora watched as the girl left the building and shut the door behind herself. Perhaps this was what the document meant about Novix’s friends being safe. She would have almost believed the woman would jump up and murder the trespasser, but apparently she had given her a key to the loft! Would she end up earning the same trust? It was troubling to say the very least, but looking at her now it was clear that this was Novix. The faint glow which surrounded her as she slept was enough to give that away. 


She approached the couch with heels clicking against the wooden floor, leaning over it to see that her attire was even lazier than her demeanor. A t-shirt too large for her frame, baggy sweats which looked to barely cling to her waist, and a hoodie which was casually used as a blanket over her stomach. At least her hair was in perfect condition and yet tied in a messy ponytail. Mallnora couldn't tell from the photos, but seeing her up close it was clear that the claimant was not as well-endowed as her ancient or any other female claimants she knew. But that detail didn’t matter at all! What did matter was that they had business to handle. 


“So, are you going to get up or will I need to shake you awake?” she spoke to which she only received a groan in response. “Surely Solaria didn’t send me here to deal with this. Have some class.” 


Mallnora watched as Novix stood and looked at her with glazed over eyes. A slow blink and their soft footsteps would begin moving through the loft in an almost tranquilized manner. The order claimant followed behind with a confused gaze as Novix navigated the home with eyes barely open if open at all, only to find herself watching in awe as they reached their destination. It wasn’t an awe of admiration, rather it was an awe of annoyance as she was led to a room which the door was quickly closed in her face before she could enter. 


“Are you serious?! I don’t have time for these games! We have work to do and, aside from your sloppy manners, it would be best to at least get you acquainted with your new duties!” The silence from the other side of the door was disheartening, but also caused an anger to grow in the claimant’s chest. “Damnit woman! Can you not hear me?!” 


The sound of a bed creaking before the same soft footsteps could be heard approaching the door caught her attention. She could hear them stumble towards the door just before pausing just on the opposite side. For a moment Mallnora had felt she finally managed to get the woman’s attention, but then she remembered exactly who she was dealing with and feared she might find herself skewered on a blade through the door. In the documents provided it did say that she was accustomed to any and all battle tactics, including the most dishonorable and diabolical. However, to her surprise, the sound of the doorknob turning was all she heard. 


It creaked open slowly, Novix barely visible on the opposite side outside of the faint glow and yet she could feel the hostility emanating from the room. It was a pressure she had felt before, that of what was felt every time she found herself needing to see Jayhe or any other ancient. Nervous anticipation, as if being lesser and preparing to confront someone she knew was stronger and more capable. It was a feeling she hated and yet one she had found herself resigned to so often. How could this possibly turn out? 


“I’m a guy,” The male's voice came from the crack made between the door and its frame. 


“Excuse me?” 


“I said I’m a guy. Who told you I was a lady?” he spoke as the door was pushed open to reveal the exact same visage from the picture provided... he looked even more like a woman when his face wasn’t as manic as it was in the photo! 


“Apologies, but I honestly don’t care what you are. We have work that needs to be done.” 


“Get out of my home before I throw you out the nearest window,” his voice had so suddenly become hostile that it was terrifying. Why someone was capable of so much unwarranted hostility without even doing anything, it was beyond her to understand. Yet she remembered one thing specifically as she reached into her jacket and pulled out the envelope Solaria had given her, holding it out to the male. “What is this?” 


“I was told to deliver this to you,” she spoke as he reached his hand through the gap in the door and retrieved the envelope. A moment of examination was all it took before the door swung open and he emerged from it followed by the strong scent of honey. 


“This is Solaria’s handwriting! How did you get your hands on this?” 


“She’s the one who sent me here.” 


Mallnora followed behind him as Novix made his way back to the couch and past it into the kitchen, opening the envelope along the way and pulling out a slip of paper with as few words as possibly needed written on it. His eyes skimmed over it quickly before he placed it down on the countertop and reached into the envelope where he retrieved a small key. The smile which spread across his face as he examined the item was beyond ecstatic. 


“Do you know what this means?!” he questioned Mallnora who had no idea in the slightest. 


“Of course I don’t know what it means, but I’m sure you’ll show me.” 


“Yeah, I’ll certainly show you!” he spoke as he held his hands forward over the countertop. “To me, my armaments! Fang and Claws!” 


Following the words, a bright and burning light formed before his hands before fading to reveal a metal box that couldn’t be called anything more than a fancy weapons case. It looked to be made entirely of metal and wrapped in chains with a lock holding them in place. It fell down onto the countertop with a thud before he hurriedly inserted the key into the lock and tossed the chain aside before opening up the metal case, revealing a pair of finger claws and a curved blade of custom design with a reduced blade edge as to encourage thrusting attacks. 


“Why were your weapons locked in a box?” Mallnora questioned him to which he sighed with relief and walked over to the bag of food which rested nearby. “Hello?” 


“Huh? Oh, sorry about that. You want something to eat to?” he spoke as he reached into the bag and pulled out some fries and chicken tenders. “I swear it tastes better than it looks.” 


“We have work to do, Novix!” she screamed to which he began to laugh. 


“I know, I know. Don't worry, the note explained everything. I’m gonna to be working with you now, right?” he spoke as he began eating each of the fries from the bag. “You see, Solaria banished me from the Dunes a long time ago because I was too aggressive. When she did that, she had locked my weapons in that case because they’re special. The longer I use them the more attuned they become to me. The claws used to just be a pair of gloves and the curved sword used to be a longsword,” he spoke with another laugh. “Apparently they had changed to fit my nature or something like that.” 


“So that means... if Solaria has decided you can have them back-” 


“That she thinks I’m ready to fight without going too far? Exactly! I’m not afraid to admit that if I continued the way I did then I might have reduced our house’s numbers down to double digits if left unchecked. I was of a mind that if they were too weak, they didn’t deserve to live. Solaria didn’t disagree, but at the same time I was a bit too strong to be the deciding factor for that.” 


The nervous chuckle which escaped the male as he spoke was odd. It was almost as if he were stepping on pins and needles just talking about it. However, this had turned out better than expected. He was far more talkative than she had initially anticipated he would be. Perhaps she could learn more from him so long as he remains so cooperative. 


“So, what have you been doing this entire time if you weren’t in the Dunes?” a question she already knew the answer to, but the details meant everything. 


“Going to war of course!” he spoke in a far too casual manner, as if it were normal. “I mean, I’m still a Valkyrie after all and I love the thrill of combat, so I had to get it out of my system somehow. I roamed the world and obtained every imaginable title I could earn through both military and mercenary means. Or at least not including the more modern ones.” 


“Every title?!” Mallnora questioned him with surprise. The documents had only spoken of certain ones. 


“Yeah. It’s fun to fight in wars, but sometimes it's fun to lead an army or two. There was even that one time I ended up ruling a nation for a short time, but that was only because they believed in some sun god and they thought I was connected to him somehow. I left after a while, but I never checked to see what happened to them. They used to call me Kinik Ahu or something like that.” 


“Kinich Ahau?” Mallnora questioned him. 


“Yeah! That was the name! How did you know that?” he questioned her as he continued eating. 


“You were mistaken to be the Mayan sun god?! How is that even... you know what? It doesn’t matter. We have more important things to discuss,” Mallnora started as she composed herself. “You and I will be working together as subordinates for the Prism from this point forward. Solaria and Jayhe have come to a decision that you could work alongside me collecting those who need to be brought to the Prism for confinement as well as tending to the needs of certain prisoners.” 


“So, I’m gonna be helping a Peacekeeper now? Sounds pretty cool. Will I get to fight people?” 


“We tend to avoid conflict if possible, so don’t go causing trouble. We’re capturing people, not killing them.” 


“Well, that sounds boring,” Novix spoke as he continued to eat. 


“It would be in your best interest to just get used to it, Novix. Our work isn’t about fighting, it’s about solving problems.” 


“Alright, alright. I get it. I suppose I'll be in your care for now. Also, just call me No-No.” 


“What? Why?” 


“We’re subordinates now, aren’t we?” he spoke as he leaned against the counter top with a smile. “Might as well get comfortable, so you could at least call me by the same name all my friends call me by.” 


"Fine. And you will refer to me as Mallnora." 




Name: Novix 
Other Names: No-No, Vera Violentiam 
House: Excia 


Age: Around 1400 Years
Gender: Male 
Relationship Status: Single 
Sexuality: Heterosexual 


Personality: Extroverted, Introverted, Meticulous, Inhibited, Volatile, Oversensitive, (Temperamental) 


Weapon: Fang, Claws, [Redacted] 


Abilities: While Novix is a Sun claimant, his abilities have very little to do with the elements involved. Relying heavily on physical strength and mental fortitude/degradation as a means to tap into his latent elemental prowess. 


Thermonuclear Body: [Redacted]


Solar Garden: [Redacted]


Bloodbath Sun: [Redacted]

[Redacted information to be later revealed]

Part 2: Source of Violence 



Mallnora couldn’t help but notice how absolutely casual Novix was in public. Even with the constant glow emanating from his person, the sun claimant never seemed to care or draw much attention aside from the regular slight stare. Even so, no one dared to look at him for too long. It was almost as if, instinctively, no one found it safe to look at him for too long. That is, until they had finally arrived at the restaurant which was their destination. 


“This is the place you spoke of? It looks quite run down,” Mallnora spoke as they entered the alleyway and the following door which rested within. “I didn’t even see a sign.” 


“That’s because there was no sign, dear. This is a secretive place.” 


“Well, aren’t you rather accustomed to the modern day for someone so old.” 


“Of course!” he spoke as she followed him down the flight of stairs which led to the dark atmosphere of the bar below. “One of the first things I had to learn when the times changed was how to fit in better. You’d probably have a heart attack if I spoke with my original customs.” 


She watched him as he handed the bouncer which stood at the entrance several bills before he pulled her along with him into the bar. It was dark, an atmosphere filled with somber tones. A faint purple light filled the entire area as a band stationed on the far side of the room played music reminiscent of both jazz and blues. It almost seemed like the type of place you’d find in some movie where the dregs of society would be found and yet no one there seemed to very much care for the male who waltzed around glowing. They only stopped once Novix ushered her into a seat which was located on the far side of the room. 


“I thought we were going to be visiting a more... refined, location. I don’t believe I dressed properly for this occasion,” she spoke as she took her seat. Her white gown flowing behind her like waves in the wind as she took the precautions to tuck it at her side. “That being said, you dress more normal than I had anticipated based on our first encounter.” 


Mallnora looked over him again, having already done so upon Novix picking her up, but it was quite odd to see how well-made he was. He wore casual and modern clothing, jeans which were slim fitting with a pair of comfortable looking classic Vans on his feet. A shirt buttoned up, excluding the top two buttons, with a long coat which rested peacefully over his shoulders like an ornament instead of an article of clothing. All black and dark gray. His hair was tied back into a long, black pony tail and even in the dark he wore a pair of aviators. He simultaneously looked casual and imposing, but it was a style that gave homage to his origins. It was easy to see that he was used to certain things compared to others. 


“I told you we were just going out for drinks and a meal. If we’re gonna be working together then it’d be good for us to have a decent conversation and get to know one another.” 


“You may say that, but I’ve already read files on you. There is very little I need to know.” 


“Well, I’m sure you might have some burning questions, so you think of something and I’ll go grab us some drinks,” he spoke before walking away and leaving her on her own. 


There was something about him that made Mallnora feel nervous and yet every word which came from his mouth made her feel at ease. Thinking about it, there were certain things which she could ask, certain pieces of his past which went unanswered or avoided in the notes. Tidbits and droplets of information that he might be capable of filling in. With that in mind she piled up the plethora of questions which came together piece by piece and awaited his return so that she might voice them. A part of her thought that he might grow agitated with some of her questions and yet there was a part of her which clearly didn’t care. If he didn’t want to answer then he should have never given her the opportunity. 


“Alright then,” Novix spoke as he arrived back at the table with multiple bottles in hand. Just how much did he believe they’d drink? “Did you think of anything to ask?” 


“Indeed.” 


“Good! Then let's get this started,” he spoke as he opened a bottle and poured the contents into two glasses, passing one over to her. 


“Fine. Tell me... why do you look like a woman?” the question caused the male to chuckle in response. 


“I had a feeling you’d ask that first. It’s normally the first thing everyone asks me,” he spoke before downing his entire glass of alcohol. “How about I tell you a story then, just like I tell everyone else. There was once a woman who loved weapons above all else. She was not very strong and as such made up for her weakness with weapons. No matter how hard she attempted to grow stronger she could not do so, and as such she relied entirely upon the weapons at her disposal for strength in battle. One day she came upon a cross-spear adorned with a purple and pink ribbon, carrying the name ‘Ingaki’, and it was love at first sight. She would carry this spear into every single battle and face no enemy without that spear at her side. She would go on to marry this weapon and proclaim it as her one true soulmate, but it wasn’t until the day the weapon was broken in battle that she discovered it was actually a Valkyrie. The Valkyrie had taken on the form of a weapon so that the weapon obsessed woman might notice her and in doing so managed to obtain the love she so desired from the woman, but she never had the chance to tell her the truth. Only using her final words to apologize to her owner and soulmate before ever having the chance to express her true feelings. However, the now weaponless woman did bear a child who carried the exact same features as the Valkyrie.” 


“That story is deeper than I imagined,” Mallnora spoke as she looked down at her glass. 


“It was the same story my mother told me. And when I’d ask her where the spear was, she would never tell me. But she never lifted a weapon as long as I remember. When I asked her why she would always say nothing would compare to Ingaki. She ended up dying because she wouldn’t accept any other weapon, and could not properly defend herself.” 


“How sad.” 


“Perhaps, but that is simply how she chose to live. A Valkyrie lives by strength and their word. She lost her strength when she lost her soulmate. As one of Solaria’s Valkyries, she was bound to fall eventually.” 


“Let us speak of something else,” Mallnora started. An attempt to change the subject as quickly as possible. “I read that you’ve been a part of many military factions throughout history. Is this true?” 


“Oh yeah, that’s definitely true.” 


“Do you mind telling me why you chose to do so instead of remaining in the Dunes with the majority of your house? I also read something which hinted at you having wings, but it was never elaborated on or explained in detail.” 


“Ah, that... I used to be a bit of a troublemaker. Starting from the beginning I was in the Dunes primarily. I had my wings back then, but they were artificial wings made from... it’s not important what they were made from. I ended up getting banished from the Dunes because I caused a lot of trouble for Solaria. ‘How are any of the others expected to survive when they’re being hunted down outside of their home by other houses and attacked by you when they’re in their own home?!’ She said something like that.” 


“You can’t be serious...” 


“Hey! If they’re weak that’s their own problem, not mine. Besides! I had to fight someone,” Mallnora shook her head before sipping from her glass. 


“So that’s how you ended up in the human realm?” 


“Yeah, and Solaria kept my wings in the Dunes, so I haven’t had them for centuries. I started exploring the world, going from nation to nation, and involving myself in multiple battles across the board. I’ve lead armies, fleets, battalions, even entire kingdoms into war at certain points in history. My favorite faction I ever joined were the Vikings. Those dudes knew how to throw down when they invaded and, at some point, I had my own mercenary group when they gave me a boat and told me to just cause as much damage as possible. They used to call me the Orange Berserker because of my hair, but not much from that time really stuck in history. So many crazy things happened they only recorded certain parts of it all. Then I was a captain of a group of pirates for a long time, but I’d prefer not to recall those times.” 


“Did you have too much fun?” Mallnora chuckled as she watched him nervously look away.


“More like I did a lot of things I’m not very proud of these days,” he spoke as he poured himself another glass. “I find that a lot of the things I did in the past have come to haunt me in my dreams.” 


“I see. Then why don’t you ask me something. I can answer a question or two.” 


“Hmm... then tell me what power your house has gifted you?” Novix spoke to which Mallnora sipped from her glass again. 


“Predictive Exchange. So long as I’m looking into someone’s eyes, I can predict their next move. It doesn’t go past that and it doesn’t give me the ability to nullify or counter their actions, but if I am capable, I can easily act accordingly. It’s rather perfect for my job.” 


“Speaking of which,” Novix started as he downed another glass. “What exactly will we be doing? Solaria’s note said I’d be working alongside you, but it didn’t say anything about what we’d actually be doing.” 


“Of course she’d neglect to explain that... I found out later she didn’t even write the documents she gave me. The savage,” Mallnora began as she sipped her drink. “I am a peacekeeper, someone who acts to keep balance between the houses in situations requiring a certain order. However, that rarely is ever the case. Instead, I act as a sort of pseudo warden in the Prism. Making certain those held within are cared for as need be, but also going out to retrieve certain bad apples.” 


“Bad apples? You talking about the lost?” Mallnora raised her brow? 


“The... lost?” 


“Yeah, or at least that’s what I think that Wolf used to call them. I don’t know if he still does. Isn’t it his job to gather up those types?” 


“An aikekunai has a lot to do and many duties to deal with. If it isn’t deemed worth his time, it is passed on to claimants like me. Besides, he normally handles claimants who are marked for death. I handle the ones who are to be brought back alive. No one who is ever too dangerous.” 


“So what? Like the claimant police or something like that?” 


“Something like that.” 


They both took a moment to absorb the information given to them. Novix taking note of what his new job would be while Mallnora’s mind remained stuck on thoughts of Novix’s abomination of a past. Two parents, one of which could turn into a weapon and the other who willingly neglected defending herself after losing said weapon. Kicked out of the Dunes for being overly violent, and then proceeding to go on a generational spree of murder and mayhem throughout history. No wonder the name Vera Violentiam stuck during that time. 


There was no doubt in her mind that he was a terrible man at one point in the past. Now she was made to work alongside him as a partner? Who was to say that at any given time he wouldn’t just go wild and turn on her? There were so many variables that made the entire situation something worth avoiding and yet she had no choice now. It was clear to her that Jayhe simply wanted the ability to have someone with his talents and capabilities in her arsenal of claimants to be used in the future, but that was certainly not something that could be trusted with him. Even if he were cooperative now there was no telling what could set him off in the future. But with all of that evidence stacked against him, while she watched him down drink after drink as if not feeling the effects of it at all the thought remained in her mind... 


Something tells me I can trust him. 


“Tell me something, No-No,” Mallnora started before placing her elbows on the table and lowering her head to hide her lips behind her intertwined fingers. “Your style of combat, I heard it was made up of many techniques.” 


“You could say that, yes.” 


“Would you mind explaining to me what High Violence is?” the question caused Novix’s expression to become more serious than it had been. 


“High Violence... I assume that was in the documents Solaria gave you?” he spoke to which Mallnora nodded in response. “Typical, that is the name she gave it after all.” 


“What exactly is High Violence?” Novix poured another glass before giving his answer. 


“It is the name given to my combat style. The techniques as well as the stance fall under the title of High Violence and it was made entirely by my own works. A form of combat comprised for use by those who possess extreme amounts of raw physical potential, made to put our bodies to their utmost limits for the sake of combat.” 


“I don’t understand. Is that not what all fighting styles and techniques are meant for? Is that not why we train our bodies to put them to use?’ 


“Not entirely,” he started as he drank from his glass. “Some forms of combat are meant for certain aspects. Some are meant to push a body’s limits while others are meant to use what the body has without relying on someone having too much muscle mass or flexibility. A weak person still needs to be capable of defending themself after all. In regards to humans they even have some forms of combat that are made to utilize the strength of others for self-defense reasons.” 


“That’s certainly true, but that does not mean the body is still not being utilized to its utmost limits. It simply means that the limits are less than compared to others with more potential.” 


“That is also true, but not comparable to High Violence.” 


“Explain,” she spoke as she sipped from her glass again. 


“Well... let me see... I’ll give you an example!” Novix spoke as he lifted the glass and held it before her. “Imagine if this glass were made from the strongest material in all the realms. So strong that it couldn’t possibly be broken.” 


“Okay?” 


“If I handed it to you and told you to crush in in your fingers, what would you do?” he questioned her to which Mallnora gave him a confused look. 


“That’s a stupid question. You just said it couldn’t be broken-” 


“You only have two options,” he spoke with a look that suggested pure aggression. “You either destroy it or you die.” 


“That’s... that isn’t something I can do. Even if I were to try there is only so much I can accomplish. Especially with an item which cannot be destroyed. Try as I might, there isn’t anything I could do to break it.” 


“But you would certainly try. You would make the attempt by giving all that you have, forcing out every ounce of power in your possession for the sake of living. Is that not what you’d do? Squeeze out every last drop of your soul?” 


“I suppose I would have no other choice.” 


“Take that feeling, that helplessness, that deranged struggle. Build it up to its absolute limits. Have it swell within your soul, burn within your very being like the very sun! Then, and only then, will you understand the very building blocks of High Violence. The combat style I created.” 


“That doesn’t really explain anything,” Mallnora responded with a disappointed look. 


“I know that, and there’s a reason I’ve never gone about teaching it to anyone. It’s rash, unbearable for some, difficult to manage and even more difficult to master, not to mention only certain claimants are capable of putting it to use. Specifically, the ancients would be most attuned to it and yet none of them would consider doing it. It’s barbaric to say the least and as the name states, violent. The glass example was made for a reason. The body is only capable of so much as there is a limit to what we can do. I, on the other hand, would squeeze until either the glass shattered or the bones and muscles in my hand and arm ruptured and fell apart.” 


“That’s too much!” Mallnora called out before composing herself. “Why would you ever go so far.” 


“That is the meaning of High Violence. The house of Excia is living on the brink. I don’t even know how many members remain alive and I’d go as far as to say that most of the ancients cannot be trusted. As such, I created it to fight against the ancients, but the cost was far too high. I needed people to test it on, things to test it on, I needed to push as far as I possibly could and run through all the trials. I needed to silence my mind of everything that held me back and attune my body to handle the stress of it. In accomplishing those things, I crafted combat that transcends limitations. Every attack made to destroy and kill, every movement carrying every ounce of physical power. Either your enemy folds or you fold. Either the earth folds or your body folds! Fight not with the thoughts of what may, but the thoughts of what will. Not with examples of honor and courage in mind, but truths of victory and power. I decimated my enemies with that very combat, with that very violence. Each attack made to gore and obliterate my foes. Sometimes leaving nothing more than unidentifiable flesh in my wake... that is High Violence.” 


There was a moment of silence. A silence which she felt he had earned as he finished his drink. Mallnora sipped the remainder of what rested in her glass before watching as the male lifted the bottle and topped her off. Someone so clearly violent to their core, with enough strength to spare based on his words, and yet he was also so unbelievably kind and considerate. He had even begun speaking in a way different from what she had come to know for the short time they had become acquainted while speaking on the topic of combat. She sipped from her glass before placing it back down on the table and sighing. 


“You’re one odd person. How do you even come about crafting something so crazy for yourself?” she questioned him to which he laughed. 


“Well, that’s because I’m strong. Even Solaria has said that my physical strength is abnormal, but she also gives the credit to her domain. The sun. I’m inclined to believe that’s true. I also can take quite a lot of damage before it actually starts to affect me, so I’d have to chalk that up to the same source.” 


“Interesting,” Mallnora spoke as she downed the remainder of her drink. “This has been quite the enlightening conversation, but now it must come to an end.” 


“Oh? Are you already done talking?” 


“In a way, yes. We have work to do,” she spoke as she stood to her feet. 


“Already? I thought we’d get more time to know one another,” he spoke as he rose to his feet and stretched his arms. “Alrighty, let’s get this all underway. I look forward to seeing how you handle your work. Besides, you can show me around the Prism as well! If I’ll be working there, it would at least be nice to know where everything is.” 


“That is the plan, No-No. I expect you to remain on your best behavior. Just follow my lead and do as I say. Is that understood?” Mallnora spoke in a way that a proper leader would. It was clear that she was accustomed to working in a position above others. 


“Aye leader. I’ll be in your care.”




Name: Novix 
Other Names: No-No, Vera Violentiam 
House: Excia 


Age: Around 1400 Years
Gender: Male 
Relationship Status: Single 
Sexuality: Heterosexual 


Personality: Extroverted, Introverted, Meticulous, Inhibited, Volatile, Oversensitive, (Temperamental) 


Weapon: Fang, Claws, War Wings 


Abilities: While Novix is a Sun claimant, his abilities have very little to do with the elements involved. Relying heavily on physical strength and mental fortitude/degradation as a means to tap into his latent elemental prowess. 


Thermonuclear Body: Abnormally high physical prowess and durability. Capable of absorbing heavy damage with little reaction, although this does not nullify the damage received. And he is not invincible. His strength is capable of reaching extraordinary heights and his speed, while high, does not reach the same capabilities as his physical strength.


Solar Garden: [Redacted]


Bloodbath Sun: [Redacted]


[Redacted information to be later revealed]

Part 3: Inspiration  


 
The knocking at the door echoed throughout the hallway, but as the door remained closed the same echo could be heard once again. Mallnora looked at the entrance calmly and without stress. Novix, on the other hand, looked at Mallnora with raised brows. They were currently standing in a rather rundown apartment building which could only be described as a drug den by any proper standards. The area was mostly abandoned, filled with the types of individuals that looked like they didn’t necessarily follow the law, and they had been gaining the attention of everyone they passed by since their arrival. He had noticed it, anyone who was attuned to even the slightest chances of danger would have noticed it, and yet Mallnora didn’t seem to care at all! This only led to her strutting around as if this place were just any normal location. 


“Is this guy going to answer the door?” she spoke as she tapped her foot on the floor. “This is taking longer than it has to.” 


“Did you... did you expect them to just answer the door? We’re here to bring them to the Prism. Of course they wouldn’t just open the door!” 


“So you say, but most claimants are capable of realizing the inevitable.” 


“Yeah, and most claimants also aren’t willing to apply themselves to reason. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were working with all these people around here. They’ve been eyeing us the entire time. Safe to assume they warned him of our approach.” 


“And what does that have to do with anything?” Mallnora questioned him to which he sighed and leaned against the wall as she continued to knock on the door. 


“Have you ever fought in any battles? Wars? Most humans don’t know much about claimants unless a claimant chooses to reveal themself. If this guy has made his capabilities known and chose to work alongside these dudes then they’d probably have no reason to not plan on attacking us.” 


“It would also be safe to assume that they would know how foolish it is to attack claimants.” 


“Not when they’re desperate enough or left out of the loop,” Novix responded as his eyes panned the hallway. “Claimants are one thing, but I’ve seen humans do wild things in desperation. I’ll keep watching you for now, but the moment things take a turn for the worst I’m going to act.” 


“Our job is to detain the claimant, not kill him. It is imperative that we don’t harm this one, No-No.” 


“Understood Mal.” 


“Mal?” she spoke with a disturbed look. 


“What? You don’t like it? I think it suites you!” 


“Whatever,” she responded as she knocked on the door again. This time, however, she did not remain silent. “Open the door, claimant! You are to be brought to the Prism immediately! Your actions have warranted your detainment and I will not be kept waiting forever!” 


Novix watched as she continued attempting to have them grant her entry. There was an allure in her confidence, something that went along with her personality and looks which warranted grace yet demanded respect. She always wore expensive dresses and coats, giving off the vibe of someone who held a high rank or was simply in charge of others. At the same time, she always seemed to be interested in something or willing to listen and learn when granted the opportunity. The type of person who would be easy to work with and get along with, so long as she didn’t try to control him. 


On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, she was too straightforward in her approach on things. She lacked the basic ability to read a room or observe an area in its entirety before acting. Her methods were haphazard and lacking the insight needed to do things in a delicate and proper manner at times. She showed through her actions that, while she knew what her job was and was willing to follow through, that she did not understand every situation and was the type to unknowingly wander into danger due to her lack of confrontational experience. She certainly did not understand how the human mind worked all too well, and her situational awareness was obviously lacking. But his definitely was not. 


“I can smell you in there, claimant! This can take as long as you want it to-” 


“Mallnora, stay behind me.” 


“What?” she spoke only to find her words quickly flushed out by the sound of heavy gunfire. 


Mallnora turned quickly to see Novix acting as her shield. An unneeded shield, but a shield nonetheless. Why he chose to act as a vanguard against the uselessness which were human firearms against them was beyond her, but she chose to listen and remain at his back for the duration of the assault. It was odd to see, but it looked as if he had perhaps found himself in situations of this type in the past. He used his direct body as a means to block the bullets and continued forward at a slow pace until reaching a door at their side. His hand grasped the doorknob and checked to see if it would turn normally, confirming its locked state before breaking it and pushing the door open with his own strength. 


“Inside. Now,” he spoke to which she casually walked into the room and out of the line of fire with him following behind her. 


“How odd. Those were quite a few people with firearms out there.” 


“What? What did you expect! We’re in the heart of Detroit inside of drug den!” Novix spoke as he looked out into the hallway, pulling his head back quickly before another hail of bullets came flying in their direction. 


“You didn’t have to defend me, you know. It’s not like weapons of that caliber could harm me.” 


“Yeah, well, that wasn’t the problem here,” Novix spoke as he pointed down at his clothes. His shirt barely clung to his body as it was in tatters. His pants sustaining minimal damage as most of the assault seemed to be aimed at his upper body. His jacket, on the other hand, still remained on his shoulders with no damage at all. “I doubt you’d like to have your expensive looking clothes damaged, or your bare body exposed to these people. Am I wrong?” 


“Not entirely, but that means very little compared to accomplishing our purpose here,” she spoke as she attempted to walk back out to which Novix quickly pulled her back. 


“Look, you’re going to have to stop doing that.” 


“Doing what?” 


“Acting as if danger means nothing to you. Danger, even in the smallest amount, is still danger. Besides, while the bullets themselves are ineffective they still hit hard enough to hurt.” 


“And you’d believe I should abandon my duties because of a bit of pain?” 


She looked into his eyes for a moment, spotting something which had not been apparent previously. A seriousness which rubbed her the wrong way and yet made him seem more... reliable. Or perhaps that wasn’t the correct word. As the normally dark orbs remained focused on what was happening outside of the door, they glowed ever so slightly with an orange hue which recalled her memories of the documents. She remembered the photo which rested inside and it acted as a reminder to the blazing orange hair and eyes she had seen in that same photo. Was he this sensitive to violence? Or was something else the trigger? 


“Fine,” she spoke as she crossed her arms. “I will not abandon my duties in the slightest, but I will look to you for how we should handle this situation.” 


“Huh?” Novix responded as he looked at the woman. 


“What I’m saying is that I will take your advice on how to handle this. So, what will you have me do?” 


“That’s... that will work. Take this,” he spoke as he handed her the jacket off his back. “Wear this so that your clothes won’t be damaged underneath. I won’t be needing it anyway.” 


“Why not? Won’t it help you?” Mallnora spoke as she placed the jacket over her shoulders. It was extremely warm. 


“I’ll ask you this... we are not to harm the target, but these humans do not apply to that same rule, correct?” 


“Indeed, they are of no substantial consequence.” 


“Good. I will deal with them so they can remain out of your way. I won’t kill them or anything like that, but I will incapacitate them. You will force your way into the room and confirm the target. If they continue to give us problems, we will just take them by force. Does that work?” 


“Yes. That will work.” 


“Good. Then prepare yourself,” Novix spoke as he took a deep breath and turned to the doorway. 


It was in that moment Mallnora had gained the opportunity to see his back for the first time, noticing the spots on his back directly over the upper part of his spinal column where it looked to have been scarred over. She recalled him speaking of his wings being ‘taken’ by Solaria before he was made to leave the Dunes, but it looked more like his wings had been ripped directly from his back. The very sight of it made her wince slightly as her interest in the subject caused her hand to hover closer to the scarred flesh, but nowhere near fast enough to catch him before he dashed out into the hallway. 


It wasn’t until she began to hear gunshots followed by blunt strikes that she chose to emerge from the room. There was very little care outside of her objective at this point, and she had been thoroughly agitated enough to enact a moderate amount of force. She did not run, did not hunch over or show any sign of folding or weakness. The sound of her heels the hallmark of her steady approach as she walked forward. Her hand reached into her cleavage, a place she could be certain no one would simply rummage through on her person, from where she would retrieve what looked like a small card with a single ornate ‘M’ written on it. Upon tossing it into the air the card would flash and be replaced with a weapon the likes of which did not fit her demeanor at all, but certainly fit her personality. Breda Folgore, a recoilless anti-tank rifle complete with a golden paisley design. As she lowered it down to her hip and steadied her stance it would only take a single shot to blow the door off of its hinges as well as the adjacent wall within the room. The very activation of the weapon scorching the walls around and behind her in the hallway as she continued on her way into the room now filled with flames and debris. 


“No more games, claimant!” she spoke as the weapon once again became a card to be placed back in its original location. “You will submit to incarceration within the Prism!” 


“Have you lost your mind?” the male’s voice came from a corner of the room as his head popped up from behind a desk. 


“Will you submit, or be forced to do so?” 


“You could have fucking killed me!” he spoke as she began to make her approach. 


“Will you submit to authority, or not?” 


“Like hell I’d do that!” he spoke as he drew a handgun from the desk and aimed it at her. She simply sighed and raised her brows. 


“What are you doing?” 


“What? Are you stupid? I’m going to shoot your stupid ass!” 


“We’re claimants, imbecile. So aside from you choosing to draw a weapon against a peacekeeper, you should also know that guns of this sort mean nothing to us. You’re only stalling the inevitable. Submit.” 


“Is that right? Well, we’ll just see how useless this thing is.” 


It was only for a brief moment she chose to look into his eyes, spotting a glimpse of what he would do next, seeing a flash of what might take place in the next moments. Her heart sank, eyes growing wide as a panic filled her chest. It was an odd panic, one which made her feel as if she were not completely in control and it frightened her entirely. As he fired the first shot, she turned on her heel, the bullet barely grazing her cheek as she turned her back and crouched down whilst tossing the hood of Novix’s jacket over her head. She could feel the impact of each bullet, and yet not a single one had managed to get past the single article of clothing he had provided her. She refused to move, even when hearing the sound of the claimant’s weapon running out of ammunition. The sound of hurried footsteps was the only thing that managed to catch her attention. 


“Mallnora! What happened?” his words were like a beacon in that situation. She had noticed in that brief glance ahead that the bullets their target were using had been made to kill other claimants and, in that same brief moment, was capable of reacting properly to just barely escape with her life. She had to tell him about the danger, she had to- 


“Novix?” she spoke as her eyes met his and she once again peered ahead at what might happen next. “Novix! Don’t!” 


She could see it as plain as day, the look on his face twisted in a deranged form of unbridled disgust and manic rage. She hadn’t expected this reaction out of him, they had just met after all, and yet she could clearly see that if she did not act Novix would effortlessly tear the claimant’s body apart without even the slightest chance of their survival. Even though it had not happened yet, it was more than enough to have her spring to her feet and intercept his charge forward. The amount of force it took to simply not be pushed aside as he made his way forward was unfoundedly high. 


“Why are you getting in my way?” he spoke. 


“Because we aren’t supposed to kill him, Novix! Our job is to bring him back and nothing else. Do you understand?” 


“I don’t understand!” his words rang in her ears like alarm bells. How could he not understand? How was it possible to misunderstand such simple orders? But the answer soon became clear when he brushed his hand across her cheek and Mallnora spotted the blood which was now on his fingers. 


“That doesn’t matter, No-No.” 


“My ally’s lives are not a game for the amusement of others!” he spoke as she had to once again keep him from moving forward. A feat that required every ounce of her strength. 


“Yet I live. You have nothing to seek revenge for, not here. Calm yourself, collect yourself, ease your mind. There is no need for anger. No need for violence. Just focus on our job and that is all that matters.” 


It was odd how she hadn’t managed to notice it until now, but it made things all the clearer. As the slight spark of orange faded from his eyes and a sigh from his lips it was clear just where his morality stood. It made sense why Solaria’s documents had so much emphasis on becoming a proper ally of his. If he were already prepared to kill on her behalf after a single day, she could certainly see the benefit of having him as a partner now. However, if he had ever managed to go too far, it was possible she would not be capable of stopping him as she had managed to do this time. It had also become clear that his hair was no longer the colors they were in the photo, but they were directly tied to some sort of emotional response. What would happen if he ever managed to end up as he once was? 


“I understand,” he spoke with a frown. 


“Good. Our job here comes before all else, even our lives. Don’t forget that.” 


“I don’t... understood... can I detain this person?” he spoke as his eyes turned to the claimant who looked to be entirely shocked by the situation. 


“Permission granted,” Mallnora responded as she took a deep breath. 


“What is this supposed to be? You couldn’t handle the situation, but you think some reject hybrid will be capable of doing it?” the claimant spoke as he raised the now reloaded gun. 


There wasn’t even a chance to pull the trigger before Novix was within his personal space, grabbing the gun itself instead of his arm and, with a single strong squeeze, destroying the weapon in his bare hand. The claimant stepped back and readied himself, choosing to utilize his element for the first time as a strong blast of wind continued to push against the sun claimant. It was focused, powerful, carrying enough strength to have Mallnora raise her defenses in order to refrain from being pushed away... however, the realization of just how intense the situation had become was beginning to set in as both she and the air claimant watched Novix get pushed back a few inches before simply continuing to walk forward as if nothing had changed. He refused to relent, strengthening the force of the push of air as the room became a wind tunnel with the sole purpose of forcing back the attacker, but Novix was not having any of it. That was also about the time he witnessed the male rushing towards him at full speed. 


“What the hell?” the claimant called out as his arm was grabbed and pulled forward, his body turned as he found himself unable to escape his grasp and his other arm now held with the other. Both behind his back. 


“If I’ve managed to learn anything, it’s that a weapon isn’t going to save you. The moment you relied on your weapon to handle your problems was the moment your body became too weak.” 


“You really think you can hold me like this, sun claimant?” 


“I think that if it weren’t for my friend, I would have torn you in half and tossed your body into the stratosphere.” 


“Good work, No-No.” Mallnora approached with the same expression she always seemed to carry, although now she had a blemish on her face which would need to be taken care of. “Our task is nearly complete and with the target detained our duty also changes slightly.” 


“What do you mean?” Novix spoke as he pulled the air claimant towards her. 


“It means that our duty is to simply transport him to his new home... within the Prism,” she spoke as she reached into a pouch tied to her upper right thigh and retrieved from within it a small key of ornate white gold and lacquered wood. Mallnora seemingly inserted the item into the very air and twisted it, a path opening directly from that point into the Prism which she then stepped into and turned to await Novix. “From this point onward, any hostile actions will be handled with strict punishment. Attempt escape all you like, but it will most certainly cost you some damage and possibly your life if you’re unlucky. I will not tolerate misconduct from prisoners within my home realm. Is that understood?” 


Her eyes had so quickly gone from being stalwart beacons of delicate grace to unprecedented icons of duty and diligence. It only made her words all the more frightening. Even Novix could tell that she meant what she said, wholeheartedly prepared to kill this claimant if they so much as breathed the wrong way while within the Prism. She had seemed like the serious type ever since their initial meeting, but this was on an entirely different level. It came as no surprise that she prided herself as a warden of sorts in this place, and as he passed through the door which immediately shut behind them, he could feel the pressure of her authority almost instantly. Mallnora held no great physical ability as he did, but within this place he could tell she was more than prepared to sacrifice thousands for the sake of her duty alone... if that was what it took. 


“Follow me,” she spoke to Novix as she began to make her way down the halls. 


“So, this is the Prism?” he spoke as he looked around. “I have to say, I expected it to be more... sterile.” 


“This place is both order and chaos. A proper balance between all things is needed, even those two. Not too much of one, not too much of the other. It is why I respect both Jayhe and Jaiho, why I choose to do all I can as the petty warden I am, and why I refuse to fail them. Even if I am afraid, it means nothing when there is a job to be done.” 


“So you say, but you should know I am not the same as you in that regard.” 


Her eyes turned to face him, taking note of how his tone had yet to change back to the relaxed state it had been in before their confrontation with enemies. Did combat really bother him that much? Or was it the injury she had sustained? He almost seemed to be in disbelief that she had managed to be hurt, from what she had seen, but at the same time he knew the risks of what they were doing. Perhaps it was not disbelief. Perhaps it was just a pure and hearty desire to see his allies go unharmed. He had fought in hundreds upon hundreds of wars after all. Maybe there was a part of him which did not wish to see those he fought alongside injured in any way?


“Then what would you say you are like, Novix?” Mallnora questioned him with her gaze not turning away. 


“My allies come before everything else. You are my current ally, and that means I hold your safety to a very high regard. It comes before our duties for me. I’d gladly forgo our duties if it means keeping you safe.” 


“That’s not how this works,” she spoke as she stopped on her heel and turned around. “We do this for a reason and we cannot just ignore what we are told.” 


“I’d gladly ignore it if that is what I find is best.” 


“What is wrong with you?” 


“Nothing is wrong with me. Do you think something is wrong with me?” she found herself more agitated with every passing moment of this certain conversation. It was only at this point that she had come to realize the difference between their views... and how it unsettled her. 


“Our very existence as claimants is to do as the ancients would have us do. That is what it means to be a claimant! If we can’t even do that it would make us no better than this claimant we are detaining! We have duties, we have purpose given to us by the ancients, and it is through that existence we do as they ask of us! How can you not understand this?” 


“Possibly because the vast majority of the ancients want me and my entire house gone!” she found herself feeling traces of intimidation. He had raised his voice before in a playful manner or when they were in serious situations, but now he just seemed angry. “Me, my mothers, their parents, everyone I knew growing up lived in fear of every other house because all we knew is that they believed we should not exist! Me even being here is a chance I normally would not be willing to take, and the only reason I am here is because Solaria told me that I could trust you, so I am trusting you!” 


“Solaria said... you could trust me?” she spoke in a confused manner. 


“That was what her note said, and I’ve given you all of my trust. Even now I’m giving you all of my trust, but that changes nothing for me when it involves everyone else. Both of my mothers were killed by the claimants of other houses, I’ve seen and heard tale of countless others from my home slain on the orders of the other houses. They were all Valkyries so I know that it was a part of their existence to fight and die with glory, but that does not mean we still don't know we're losing everything to the other houses! I chose to become a war machine for the sake of protecting everything that I’ve already lost! I-” 


He paused, a deep breath, lowering his temper before shaking his head steadily. It was at this point he had realized just how he had managed to speak out of turn. The expression on Mallnora’s face had so normally changed from what it once was to a stationary and solemn displeasure. He could even tell that he had gone too far, but in that same respect she had felt the same way. This person who was living entirely in what could only be described as, what she had now come to discover, was a state of fear so twisted that it had instead been morphed into a defensive life of violence for the sake of protecting himself and his family, but he had already explained to her that he had no family left. He was no longer in the Dunes and his fellow claimant no doubt had come to avoid him due to his violent nature. Novix, in almost every sense of the word, was perpetually alone and suffering from it in his own way. Building up a wall that he would have hoped might serve to keep everyone away, but here he was working with people based on a trust so flimsy... she could barely understand it. 


“Novix, I didn’t mean-” 


“No, you meant it,” he spoke as he tightened his grip on the air claimant. “Just don’t assume I’m the same. I have my own problems to deal with, so I’d appreciate if you didn’t act like I did not. You are who you are and that is fine by me, but I am who I am as well.” 


“I... I understand... I apologize.” 


“There’s no need to apologize. I never made it plain from the start. I often forget how difficult it is for the other houses to properly understand our position,” a sigh escaped his lip. “Let’s just keep moving. The faster we get this done the faster we can get your wound treated.” 


“It’s not that big of a deal,” Mallnora spoke as she began making her way forward with him following behind her. “An injury like this means nothing.” 


“It means you’ve been damaged, and it would make me happy if it were taken care of.” 


Why does he always do and say things like this? One second he’s the very example of someone to be wary of, the next he’s so kind and caring it's difficult to comprehend. He’s so odd... it makes my chest hurt. 


“Fine. I get it. I’ll take care of it once we’re done here.” 


“We’ll take care of it.” 


“I can handle it myself, Novix.” 


“I’m sure you can, but I doubt you’ll take the matter to a proper healer so I will take care of it for you.” 


“You’re such a pain,” she spoke as she could feel her temperature rising in frustration. And yet, her attention shifted when she heard Novix’s footsteps stop. 


Mallnora turned quickly, expecting their newest prisoner to be making some poor escape attempt only to find them looking rather nervous. It wasn’t that their conversation was causing some form of odd fear in him, but rather that Novix himself stood with his head turned towards a single door she had just passed by. The look in his eyes was so serious that it immediately caused a shiver to run up her spine. She knew what was on the opposite side of that door and in her mind, she knew that he did not. Even so it was clear, to her at least, that his sense for danger was no doubt impeccable. But he didn’t look to be panicked. He looked almost as if he were in a state of shock, realization, enlightenment. 


“Please help,” the air claimant whispered just before Mallnora spoke. 


“No-No?” her voice caused his eyes to turn in her direction. “Are you feeling well?” 


“I think I am,” he spoke as he continued on his way. “Let’s keep going. I just thought I had... felt something strange.” 


“I see. Let’s indeed keep moving then, shall we?” 




“Are you alright?” her voice rose as she watched the woman rise to her feet and approach the edge of her prison. 


“I don’t know what it was, but I just felt something I’ve never felt before,” she spoke as her white eyes remained locked on the single door which acted as the chamber’s entrance and exit. 


Her hand rose to her chest, fingers gripping it tightly as if she were struggling to breath. As she pressed her free palm against the clear wall of her prison, she remembered the impossibility that was getting through it and for the first time in what felt like lifetimes... she despaired. Her hand sliding down the clear wall as her knees hit the floor beneath her. An action which caused her company to rush over and fall down to her current level immediately. 


“Audo! What’s wrong?” she spoke as she watched beads of sweat roll down the woman’s face. 


“I don’t know, May. There was this odd tugging on my chest and, for the slightest moment, it felt so strong it was unbearable. I’ve never experienced anything like this.” 


“This is a new feeling?” Mayray questioned her to which she rose to her feet. 


“I wouldn’t call it new, but certainly stronger. There has always been this strange urge, as if I’m being pulled towards something, but it suddenly felt much stronger than it ever has. Then, out of nowhere, it began to feel as if it were right on the opposite side of that door. The unbearable feeling of it growing further away began to tug at my chest. As if trying to drag me with it.” 


“That’s... a very specific description, Audo.” 


“I don’t understand it, but I want you to find the source. This thing that makes me feel both pleased yet upset. Find it and bring it to light.” 


“Of course, my queen. It will be done.” 

It was clear that Mayray would never reject an order from Audomattadjia, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel a slight relief. It wasn't that she enjoyed seeing her friend in despair or hurting. If anything it pained her greatly to even know there was an instance in which she felt any form of displeasure. However, she also knew exactly what it was the woman was made to feel. Something that, despite the events which took place in her life, she had not gained the chance to see her experience. That was the reason she sorely wanted to see this through and see the outcome of it all.




“Ouch!” Mallnora exclaimed as Novix placed the bandage over her cheek. “Can’t you be gentler?” 


“And you were the one saying it didn’t matter. I knew it was going to start hurting eventually. You may be stubborn, but the adrenaline is only going to take you so far after combat.” 


“Just be more careful! My skin is delicate.” 


Mallnora looked as uncomfortable as could possibly be. Not only because Novix was what she would call exceptionally terrible at applying medical care without causing more pain, but because he had also chosen to be so close while doing it! Even while he was breathing through his nose she could feel the warmth from each breath on her person because his face was nearly right next to her own. It took everything in her power to not look at him, and for a moment she wondered why she didn’t want to look at him. Perhaps she still felt odd after their previous confrontation. In a way she felt it was unavoidable and bound to happen at some point, but at the same time she wished it hadn’t taken place at all. It made her stomach turn in a way she did not understand. 


“Just about done,” he spoke as he wiped away the remaining blood which had dripped down her cheek. 


“No-No,” Mallnora spoke. 


“Yeah Mal?” 


“What are you fighting for?” her question came out in a way she did not like. Almost as if it had been formed from some curiosity that was not normal for her. “I mean, what is it that you choose to live for? What inspires you to continue on as you have chosen to? You’re strong, I know that much, but what do you plan to do with that strength now?” 


“I plan to live. I can’t allow myself to die anytime soon, so I’ll use this strength to live.” 


“It can’t be that simple,” she spoke as her eyes finally turned to meet his. Orange orbs like pure amber. All he could do was move the golden strands of hair aside to continue wiping the blood away with a smile. 


“I guess I can’t fool you with a simple answer... have you ever felt like you’re being drawn towards something? So helplessly pulled in that your very soul is being dragged towards the source?” she did not answer as she awaited his full explanation. “I believe that feeling is love. The feeling of a soulmate’s very soul crying out to you, and I want to find it. I’ve felt it for a long time, but today it was stronger than it has ever been. I want to find that love more than anything, understand that love more than anything, and build it into something even stronger than my own strength. Even the most unsociable aikekunai were able to find their soulmates, so should I not be capable of the same feat? If a soulmate exists for me then that would mean there is something I have yet to lose. I think it sounds sort of crazy, but it’s the inspiration I’ve come to rely on.” 


Such an unreliable reason. It’s so simple and basic. Almost like the rantings of a child in a way... with a kind heart... as if it is so pure it can be easily understood and related to... why is he so damn peaceful at times like this? So kind? So pleasant to talk to? Even as someone who so easily became a claimant who should be feared he somehow acts so, casual. In a way it makes him an anomaly. In a way it draws me in. Makes me want to discover more... Why do his words make me feel like this? 


“Drawn towards something. Helplessly pulled in... Love... I see,” she spoke as her eyes turned away from him. 


“I told you, pretty crazy right?” Novix spoke with a chuckle as he finished up and stood to his feet. “I’ve always been pretty crazy, so I don’t expect anyone to understand it when I talk about stuff like this-” 


“No. I believe I might understand what you’re talking about. I’ve often heard that love makes individuals feel like they’re going crazy or losing their minds. I've also heard it changes people. Whatever the case, it's best not to simply ignore it.” 




Name: Mallnora 
Other Names: Mal 
House: Woxia 


Age: 27 
Gender: Female 
Relationship Status: Single 
Sexuality: Bisexual 


Personality: Alert, Obedient, Passionate, Responsible, Controlling, Unsociable, Impulsive, Subservient 


Weapon: Breda Folgore 


Abilities: Mallnora is only capable of using a single ability. However, this ability can be used to great ends when put into proper practice. The only setback being its stipulation for activation which makes it difficult to fight multiple enemies at once. 


Predictive Exchange: If she makes eyes contact with anyone, she can glimpse an exact prediction of their next action taken. This means that, if she holds eye contact, she will essentially be capable of seeing your every action before it happens. This does not increase her physical capabilities or augment her movements, meaning she must be capable of reacting to what she sees or suffer the fate of knowing what is coming yet lacking the ability to avoid it. The action she sees is also not limited to combat, meaning even the slightest details will be spotted before they happen.

Part 4: Closer Than Combat 




“So... this is what you spend your free time doing?” Mallnora questioned as she watched Novix sprawled out on the couch. “You don’t believe this stuff, do you?” 


Novix paused the video which played on the television, his head turning to face the woman who now hovered over him like a statue. It was odd seeing her during the day, with the sunlight shining on her form. It was certainly the time of day she dressed for based on what he had seen up to this point, and viewing the dark brown slacks and white blouse with a black hooded coat only made it more apparent that she did not care to stand out. Then again, now that he was looking at it, wasn’t that the coat he had given her? A heavy zip up hood of dark gray and black, sleeves which clearly were too long for it to belong to her?


“I find this stuff pretty interesting. Do you not?” 


“You mean these human superstitions?” she spoke as she read the title of the video. “Ghost and Cryptid Sightings?” 


“Humans have, for the most part, lived alongside claimants for a really long time. Even if they don’t know it, they have. I find it entertaining to see how they interpret things which have had to do with us. Like how they’ve labeled some of the ancients as gods in their culture, or seen certain beasts or claimants and registered them as legendary creatures or heroes.” 


“You mean like Arthur?” 


“Yeah! Just like Arthur!” Novix spoke as he rose up from the couch with an excited look. “I mean, his current life isn’t so well versed in the arts of ruling over kingdoms, but the fact remains that the humans hailed him as this incredible person. A king without even knowing that he was a claimant the entire time!” 


“It’s good to keep the realities of humans and claimant separate. They do have a tendency to attempt... overstepping their boundaries with every new thing they discover.” 


“You’re not wrong about that, but I still find it to be quite the interesting concept,” he spoke as he walked to the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of water from a cabinet. “Some of the most substantial battles in human history, which changed the entire way they viewed things or shaped their societies entirely, weren’t even fought between humans, but claimants who they held to extremely high regard. There are even tales of legendary knights and warriors on battlefields, but would they not just be claimants among humans? What are we meant to gather from these stories shared amongst humans that we cannot confirm?” 


“You mean to say that, while it interests you how the history of humans and claimants have crossed, it interests you more to see the things with no explanation? Such as these things they spot out in the wild?” 


“Indeed! Have you considered it? That when someone makes a video displaying their evidence of some elusive creature out in the deep woods that they're instead showing evidence of finding traces of a certain claimant? Perhaps one that we know nothing about?” 


“You’re very odd, but I see your point. If the humans spot something which we know nothing about then that may simply be exposing some hidden claimant... however, that doesn’t matter for now. I’m here because we have work to do.” 


“Already? Didn’t we just do some work yesterday right after meeting?” Novix questioned her as he leaned against the nearest wall. 


“I see I did not inform you, but we will rarely have any days off. Unless the situation is something I believe someone else can handle, it will always be one or two of us handling it, although most days will be me doing paperwork. Those will also be days you have off unless work is assigned.” 


“Huh. Well, at least it’ll keep me busy.” 


Mallnora’s eyes panned across the room, spotting every single decoration and item which existed in his space. It was night the last time she was there, and she had barely been paying attention to his interior, but now that it was sunny she could clearly see just how bland his decorations were. His walls were made from brick and yet he hung no pictures or wall hangings. His kitchen was clearly in constant use, but there weren't many food items to be seen. That was all there was to it. He had a single rug which rested in the area where both his television and couch were and where a single coffee table laid. A few pieces of technology here and there for the simply necessities, but other than that he owned very little of anything. She wanted to go and see his room, but decided against snooping through his things. 


“Perhaps on your days off you could look for decorations? Your home seems to be lacking... personality.” 


“I like to keep things like this, helps to keep my head clear and my thoughts in order.” 


“Interesting... Well, go get ready, and wear something presentable. We have certain places to visit and I would like the people there to not believe I’m roaming around with civilians.” 


“Says the person wearing my favorite jacket,” he spoke as he made his way to his room. 


“You offered it and you never took it back. As such, I kept it for myself. It is... useful.” 




A knock at the door caused the older male to look up from his desk. The room was clean, orderly, in perfect condition as most offices would be. The male in question had a head of slicked back gray hairs, black slacks with a white shirt and black tie. He lowered the cigar from his lips for a moment before taking a deep breath and placing it into the ash tray on his desk next to a revolver. Straitening himself up, he stood to his feet and moved his joints about before finally choosing to respond. 


“Come in!” he spoke before the door swung open and Mallnora stepped inside. 


“I see you’re as relaxed as ever. I believe I informed you that we were coming.” 


“Yeah, I remember. Where’s your partner?” the male spoke to which Mallnora turned her head to find no one behind herself. “No-No! Hurry up!” 


“Alright, calm down. I’m right here,” the sun claimant spoke as he rounded the corner with a cup of coffee and a bag full of sandwiches. “They had food just sitting out over there!” 


“Can’t you control yourself for more than five minutes?” Mallnora scolded him with eyes filled with disapproval. 


“Hey, you were the one who brought me out here before breakfast! I’ll take whatever meal I can get at this point.” 


“So, this is your new partner?” the human spoke as he eyed Novix. “I’ve never known you to work with anyone, but something tells me that you two don’t get along too well. I’m surprised you even accepted him.” 


He looked over the claimant who scarfed down a sandwich in seconds, wondering what could have possessed Mallnora to ever work with them. If he hadn’t managed to hear Novix speak he would have also mistaken him for a woman as she did, but leaving that aside it was astonishing that he acted so casual with her. From what she had told him they had only started working several days ago, but he spoke with her as if they were equals, and she never treated anyone he knew as an equal. He wore black shoes, black slacks and a black shirt with the top buttons undone. He wore a long coat which rested over his shoulders much like his jacket did, more like a cloak compared. His hair was still in the same long ponytail, but now it rested peacefully over his left shoulder. 


“He gets the job done, and his company is welcomed,” Mallnora spoke to which it was clear that Novix took extreme pleasure in hearing those words. 


“I enjoy working with you too, Mal.” 


“Shut up... now, down to business,” she spoke as she approached the male’s desk and placed down an envelope. “I believe this should suffice as payment for the information I require. Do you have what I asked for? I expect a proper answer.” 


“You certainly still don’t waste any time.” The older male reached into his desk from which he pulled out an envelope of his own. “I don’t know why you need this, but as always it isn’t any business of mine. You’ve provided us with more than enough information we can use to accomplish our job, so this is the least I could do in return.” 


Mallnora reached forward and retrieved the envelope, opening it to reveal the blueprints for a building Novix did not recognize as he looked over her shoulder. The building floorplan was basic yet full of intricate halls and corridors. It almost looked as if it had been built with the idea of combat eventually seeing its halls, but the fact that it involved her meant that it would only make the work more difficult. There were multiple floors to worry about and the floorplan was designed in mind for a somewhat corporate style living space. Not to mention a connected warehouse and the addition of underground areas. Then again, their target would not be a simple one to locate. 


“Is that a five-story building?” Novix asked as he drank a bit more of his coffee. 


“Indeed. Along with two more floors beneath ground level. We will go over this in more detail later,” she spoke as she placed the blueprints back into the envelope. “Your work is appreciated as always, detective. Continue to do this well and I will continue relying on you.” 


“As will I rely on you, Ms. Mallnora.” 


“Good day,” she spoke as she left the room. Novix waving to the detective before following behind her. 


“So, do you plan on telling me what we need those blueprints for?” 


“Not here, we will speak on this at my home. The information is delicate and we never know who’s listening.” 


“Alright, alright. I hear you,” he spoke as he took a bite from one of his sandwiches. An action which caught Mallnora’s eyes before she reached out her hand in his direction. 


“Give me one.” 


“Huh?!” he exclaimed as he stopped in his tracks. 


“Give me a sandwich, I also haven’t had breakfast.” 


“You’re serious!” he spoke with a laugh as they continued on their way and exited the building. “Next time you should just let me cook us breakfast.” 


“It wasn’t necessary. We were meant to meet this man at a specific time, so it was a secondary thought. I would not have even asked if you had not taken so much food.” 


“Well, you have to remember what’s important.” She turned to speak only to find herself face to face with one of the sandwiches. It was well toasted, the smell of mustard and turkey the first things she noticed, alongside tomatoes and lettuce. There were hints of pickle as well, or possibly dill, but most importantly was the Swiss cheese. 


“Hmm,” she groaned in a disappointing tone. Novix raised his brow before pulling back the offer and instead offering the one he had bitten off of. “What are you doing?” 


“Something told me you wouldn’t like the cheese. You just don’t seem like the type. You can have mine, if you don’t mind the bite I already had.” 


She looked at the new sandwich, her eyes examining its ingredients along with her nose. Also toasted, filled with chicken and mayo, the strong scent of tomato pesto and rosemary. He was also considerate enough to take note of his own sandwich having sharp cheddar instead of Swiss cheese. Whatever instinct he had which told him she did not like the cheese of the other sandwich instead of any of the other ingredients was something she had no knowledge of, but at the same time she found herself pleased to know that she wasn’t the only one attempting to learn things about her new partner. Although it seemed like he was better at it. He never even asked her any questions. 


“I suppose I do not mind,” she spoke as she took the sandwich in her hands. Her eyes rested on it for a moment, questioning many things which held very little meaning as an intellectual, but they were things which flustered her. It did not keep her from biting into the item and enjoying herself with a smile. 


“You continue to do as you’ve always done,” he spoke which caught her attention entirely. “It’s clear that you care for your work more than your own well-being. I understand that much, Mal. So, you just continue to do as you’ve always done and I will worry about your well-being as your partner. How does that sound?” 


What is he talking about? How can he be so unaware of the things that he’s saying? 


“That is... if that is what you want to do then I will not complain. Just make sure you do your job correctly.” 


“Of course! You can count on me, leader,” he spoke as he watched the woman continue with her sandwich. She looked... down. As if her mood had managed to change substantially. He had yet to see such a look in her eyes, as if there were some substantial traces of deep emotion. “Are you alright? If it bothers you that much I can-” 


“No, it’s not that,” she spoke as they continued down the sidewalk. “I know you said not to, but I still would like to apologize for what I said the other day. I had not taken into consideration what your feelings were, and I spoke in a way that caused you displeasure. It was not my intention to do that. I have been told that I am... inconsiderate... in the past. I do not wish to have our partnership soured due to my actions.” 


Novix stepped forward, positioning himself in her path which caused her to stop suddenly. He looked into her eyes in a manner which caused her to panic slightly. It wasn’t a bad look by any means, rather he seemed to be doing something she had experienced when face to face with people like DeVian or Evagelyne. As if he were staring directly into her soul, although she had only interacted with them with passing glances. While it felt as if she were being intimidated when faced with the others, it more so seemed as if he were placing himself into a position of understanding. As if he were trying to see something that was there yet she could not understand. The panic faded slightly when he smiled in a rather pleasant manner, but it quickly returned the moment she felt his hand press against her cheek. 


“Don’t worry about it, Mal.” 


“W-what are you doing?” she spoke as she stepped back slightly. 


“I’m not holding a grudge or anything like that. I won’t be holding who you are against you, Mal. While I did say what I said, and I know I said a lot of things, that doesn’t mean I don’t care.” 


“You... care about me? You barely even know me, Novix.” 


“Let’s just say it’s a hunch, or my heart telling me you can be trusted. You’re my partner, and my first ally in a very long time. That alone is enough to warrant my favor. But most importantly I’d prefer you take care of yourself, and if you neglect to do so then I gladly will. We’re in this together after all. Right?” 


The way the words came out of his mouth carried so much meaning, and yet her mind was racing nonstop. Was he just outright oblivious to what he was doing and saying, or perhaps he simply meant to toy with her. Either way it certainly made her feel as if she were being toyed with, watching as he turned and continued down the sidewalk with her standing motionless for a moment before moving quickly to catch up. How he managed to be so odd was a mystery she might never understand, but there was always the chance that he was completely serious. Someone as odd as him could always do something like that if they so desired, unbound by the social norms of the modern day. 


“You’re far too oblivious with how you interact with others, No-No.” 


“What do you mean? I think it’s pretty normal,” he spoke as he munched on his sandwich. 


“Normal... perhaps you’re just too weird for your own good,” she spoke as she nibbled on the last of the sandwich she was given. 




It felt odd every time she did it, but the feeling of uncertainty never left her body when she would open the door to Novix’s home. By now they had managed to work together for several weeks, or perhaps months? The time seemed to slip by so casually and they were both so busy; there was also rarely any time to take note of the days. After they had gathered the blueprints from the detective, they had gone about normal work as usual until the arrangements were in place for things to move. In that meantime Mallnora had gone about studying her partner closer and closer, learning more and more about him as time went on and taking the proper notes in order to maximize their efficiency. It was far easier than she had anticipated; he didn’t ever seem to fly off the hinges in the slightest compared to how he was described to in his documents. 


“No-No?” she called out as she entered the apartment. “It’s late, but we have work to do.” 


With no answer she would be left to assume that he wasn’t there, or at least asleep in some separate part of the area. He had told her many times to call beforehand, but she had always chosen to show up in person. Now, at least for the moment, she regretted having chosen to forgo informing him of her arrival. Even so, she would still have the opportunity of rummaging through his things. 


Something about the idea of learning more about the male pleased her on a personal level. The more she learned about him the more interesting things seemed; the more interesting it seemed the more she wanted to know, and that cycle simply continued. She removed her shoes and placed them near the entrance, a pair of tan fur boots which went well with her white leggings and white dress. She of course still wore the same jacket he had given her on their first job, but her excuse for that would be its capabilities as well as simply growing used to wearing it. The sleeves covered her hands completely and she couldn’t get rid of his scent which clung to the item like a curse, but those things didn’t bother her in the slightest. 


“No-No? You’re not asleep in here, are you?” 


She skulked around the house checking all of his normal resting spots, finding him to not occupy any of them. The couch was empty, the television off, no meals in the kitchen, no lights on, but the place still held the strong scent of honey she had grown accustomed to having at her side. It was almost nostalgic. Thinking about it, she had been looking forward to this. She had spent the past few weeks doing preparations and in the meantime she had him work alone, the male more capable in his work than she had thought, but that just meant they hadn’t seen one another for quite some time. It made her feel lonelier than she had expected, especially since she hadn’t expected it at all. 


Perhaps he’s in his room. 


She looked at the stairs for a moment, the path to his personal quarters right in front of her and yet she hesitated to move. Mallnora only knew what Novix would tell her overall, but something she had come to understand completely is that his room was off limits. The door remained closed at all times. He never invited her in. Never let her in. Always closed it behind himself and even if he did not there was never a chance to look inside. It was almost as if he didn’t want her in there at all, but that just made her want to know what was inside even more. 


After taking the first step the rest became easy, quickly making her way to the second floor where she would approach the door and stop just outside of it. It felt as if the air were stuck in her throat, another moment of hesitation as she lifted her hand only to watch it stop just before making contact. She looked down at her fingers, well taken care of and in proper condition. She took a deep breath before clutching her fist and tapping it against the entrance to his room, and when she received no answer, she would do so again. Once again... silence. With that confirmed, she would turn the door handle and peek her head in slowly. 


“No-No? Are you in here?” she whispered until she had a clear sight inside. “Of course the lights are off.” 


She reached inside, placing her hand on the light switch before realizing, through trial and error, that it didn’t work. With that she pushed the door open entirely, the moonlight which filled the main living area pouring into the room slightly to reveal the darkened silhouettes of things she could not properly visualize. That was when she noticed what looked like a classic lantern sitting on what looked like a desk in the corner of the room. She entered steadily, still unsure of if this were the right choice, but upon getting close enough to the lantern she would find a lighter at its side and put the item to proper use. The flame was dim, but more than enough to at least make things visible. That, however, was when she would come to see the makings of his room. 


The walls were lined with pictures, but not just any pictures. War photos in black and white and some in color... his face could be seen in all of the groups. Where there weren’t pictures there were weapons that looked to be kept in decent condition. Swords, spears, shields, firearms, a plethora of things. Where there weren’t weapons there were helmets, some of which were stained with blood and others with bullet holes in them. Where there weren’t those there were dog tags, rings, earrings, watches. There were old and worn boots lining the walls, some of which looked as if they dated all the way back to the old wars. A room filled with mementos of those who had fallen in battle, and all of which she could only assume were his allies. Then, as if the area did not hold enough impact to begin with, she looked to the only area which held no items on the walls where a small table stood. Resting upon that table was none other than a purple and pink ribbon and resting on that an engraved ring. 


“These are,” she spoke as she looked over the items, not daring to even touch the air around them. Her eyes settled on the words carved into the ring. “My belove’d Ingaki, I will never forget who you were... he brought these with him from the Dunes?” 


She turned and looked around the room once more, a place which most people would mold into a sanctuary for their peace and rest. Instead, Novix had crafted it into a sanctuary of that which he had lost. It came as no wonder he was as protective of her as he was. Simply experiencing this place was enough to exhaust her; the weight of his mementos bearing down on her like a waterfall of souls which clung to their belongings. She backed away from the desk until she found herself bumping into his bed, the only thing in the room which looked to be from the modern age. Covered in comfortable blankets which were sprawled about as if to make a mound of comfort. Just being near it overwhelmed her senses with his presence, but he wasn’t there. She found herself placing her hand amongst the soft pile. 


I know I shouldn’t, I don’t think he would be pleased if he ever discovered anything about this... but perhaps just this once? 


She leaned forward, falling face first into the fluff which lied before her. It was better than she had expected, warmer than she had expected, more comforting than she had expected. Had she become so dependent on him that this had become a pleasure of sorts? Drowning herself in his spirit, his scent, his aura? She curled up into the blankets much like a child would, the euphoria like a cloud whisking her into a form of misconduct she was not used to. 


“What am I doing?” Mallnora questioned herself as her face turned a bright red. “No-No would no doubt laugh at me if he ever saw me like this.” 


The words slipped her lips, the thought filled her mind, and yet she could not pull herself from where she now was. Wondering if this were how Novix felt whenever he was in this room or possibly a feeling even stronger. Everything felt so heavy, and her thoughts were quickly replaced with that of another question that she would never be capable of asking for now, a thought that would itch in the back of her mind as she dozed off into sleep... is this why I never see him sleep in here? 


---


The sound of a door shutting caused her eyes to open quickly, a sharp breath filling her lungs as she looked about her surroundings. She could hear them clear as day, the footsteps now moving about the first floor of Novix’s apartment which made her question if he had arranged for food to arrive, but as the footsteps moved about, she could tell that was not the case. It was him, the rhythm of his movements the same as she had come to memorize, but something was wrong. 


“What am I doing?” she whispered as she rose to her feet quietly and moved to put out the lantern. 


She listened carefully as she approached the door. She could hear what sounded like droplets hitting the floor, unsteady breathes, and in a matter of moments following the sound of shattering glass flushed out the silence with a rush of wind. Shortly after that she could hear long and heavy breathing along with the continued wind now flowing through the apartment. She opened the door slowly, careful to not make a sound as she closed it behind herself, but she stopped as he came into sight. He stood motionless, looking out the now broken window into the night sky. His shirt was torn and dirty, pants worn around the ankles and in the same condition, but she could not focus on those things for long. Her eyes were entirely drawn in by his hair, still tied back into a pony tail and yet burning a red so hot in the wind like a solar flare. 


Before she could even conclude what was happening, she could feel her hands shaking. This was a first, seeing him like this, but it was far more intense than she had expected. It almost felt as if she were playing with life and death simply being there. Had she made a mistake coming here when she did? Entering his room without his permission? It only took a few moments resting on the thought before she began making her way down the stairs slowly. If she could learn more about him then there was no mistake to be made. Not even now. There had to be a trigger, something which caused him to end up like this; in this state. Now she would aim to find it to the best of her abilities. It was this resolve which only had her stop a few steps behind him. 


“No-No?” she spoke to which she could see his head turn ever so slightly before spinning around entirely. His eyes were the exact same color as his hair, and with them locked onto her alone it felt as if she were standing right before the surface of the sun; yet there was no heat. There was a smile which looked almost terrifyingly engrossed in happiness, but his eyes told an entirely different story as they locked onto her like a feral animal's. “What happened to you?” 


For the briefest moment she attempted her ability on instinct, as if her body were telling her that this situation was beyond dangerous. What lied behind those eyes however, that was an entirely different beast. She didn’t see a single action, but multiple. It was as if she were looking into the mind of someone who held onto multiple beings. Multiple souls in one, and yet that was not possible. One outcome had him flee, the other had him fall into a state of despair, one had him begging her for support, and the one she feared the most saw herself helplessly splattered against the wall in a manner she could not possibly defend herself against; by way of raw violence. The action he went with in the end was one she had not focused on at all once met with the other. 


“Mallnora... I didn’t know you were here,” he spoke whilst attempting to quell his smile as much as he could. “Let me get you something to drink.” 


She looked at him as if she were prepared to burst into tears, a sight he had taken note of. The cause being that violent fate she might have suffered, but she could not understand why it was. However, it was simply due to being faced with a death she had no way out of. Coming to the realization that she had found herself in a situation that could have ended her entirely and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Fate deciding whether she lived or died, and she found herself taking fast and heavy breaths just to balance herself out. Dreadfully coming to terms with her life being a single choice away from vanishing.


I’ve never been so afraid in my life... not even when face to face with the ancients. They at least know subtlety, mercy, reason. I don’t even know any cold-blooded killers capable of so much brutality. How could Novix be capable of such- 


She stopped herself, remembering that he had told her about it in the past. The source of his violence and why it existed to begin with. What its purpose was. She remembered just how his trust worked and what it meant to be his ally. He was more than capable of that level of violence and she should expect that there was far more than where that came from. Even still, Mallnora could not remove the thought from her mind. That outcome she saw within her predictions which saw him attack. Saw his hand come in her direction at a speed and angle she could not properly evade with her capabilities. Saw it impact with her body and the sheer force alone tore through her flesh and bones as if she did not exist. Saw her flesh and blood paint the walls around them. Saw the look of regret in his eyes after doing it. 


“Here,” Novix’s voice pulled her from outside of her own mind. She looked at him for a moment before feeling her stomach turn, the effects of her thoughts finally catching up with her as she almost vomited on the floor, yet quelled it by drinking down the entire beverage. “That should help clear your mind a bit.” 


She gasped for air, only now realizing how much she had been sweating when the cool air hit her skin and she registered the sensation. Of course he had given her alcohol, and something far stronger than what she would normally drink, but it was certainly helping. She raised one of her hands from the glass to her face, but paused just before touching her skin when she noticed it was covered in thick crimson. It was then she looked at his hands and noticed how she could spot the white of his bare knuckles through his skin. 


“You’re hurt,” she spoke as she made her way to the kitchen and washed her hands. 


“Oh, this?” he raised his hands and examined them. “This is nothing. I can take care of this.” 


“No... I will do it.” 


“It’s fine, Mallnora. I’ve taken care of injuries like this before. Besides, I’m sure there’s work to be done. I will handle this and you can explain the details to me while I do.” 


“No!” she shouted to which his attention was entirely obtained. “You are hurt and we will fix that. You take care of me all the time... the least I could do is take care of you for once.” 


---


Novix sat on the couch, the lights now dimly lit in his home, the window covered by a large tarp which he had in his possession. His hair continued to shine red and orange, as did his eyes as they focused on his hands which continued to bleed onto a towel which had been positioned on his lap. He could not focus, almost as if his thoughts were in a constant state of mixed reliability. He placed his fingers together and focused his eyes on that, attempting to make himself whole. 


“How does it feel?” Mallnora spoke as she sat at his side with a bucket full of water and an assortment of things. 


“It stings a bit, but nothing too serious.” 


“This only stings a bit? I thought it was crazy when you survived falling out of that building, but you’re tougher than you look.” 


“I don’t look tough?” he spoke as he watched her dip the towel into the water and wring it out. 


“You are certainly intimidating, but you don’t look like the type to fight the way you do. Then again, if you did look like your average tough guy your personality wouldn’t fit you at all.” 


He watched as Mallnora proceeded to clean his wounds with the damp towel, watching as the blood and water dripped down from his hands and into the small bucket positioned between them. This was new. He couldn’t recall a time in which she had ever tended to his injuries, but here she was doing it right now. One hand holding his own steady as the other attentively made certain the wounds were properly cared for. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time he had ever felt her hands like this. They were soft, delicate, nothing like the way she treated others. Entirely fitting her demeanor. He could easily describe her as a poisonous flower. She had almost made it a habit of going out of her way to avoid touching his hands, but now here she was doing so of her own volition.


“I’m sorry for this, Mallnora.” 


“Don’t be. If you can take care of me then it is only right that I do the same. We are partners, aren’t we?” the question caused him to look at her. She was entirely focused on her current work, orange eyes looking at his hands. “I can do this much.” 


Once the wounds were cleaned, she applied medication in an equally delicate and attentive manner. Then, when she made certain it was all in order, she would begin wrapping bandages around his knuckles until his wounds were covered and cared for. He clutched his fists multiple times, looking at his hands as others would examine a gun or a sword before placing them in his lap. 


“I really am sorry, Mallnora.” 


“I told you that you don’t have to-” 


“I do,” he spoke quickly. “You looked at them, didn’t you? My next actions? You saw them with your power. I know you did.” 


“I... I did.” 


“I’m sorry. I’m certain you saw something you didn’t want to see. It was not my intention to have you see me like this.” 


“Tell me what happened,” her words felt as if there were traces of fear behind them. As if deep down she did not want to learn what it was she was asking. “Explain it to me, why I saw what I saw. I want to know, No-No.” 


“Alright. Although it will be a rather short explanation, I hope you’ll be happy with it,” he started as he leaned back on the couch. He looked at Mallnora again, but she was reluctant to look him in the eye. Of course she would be. “My mind, I had to change it in order to make High Violence work. To use it properly in combat I had to be willing to cast off the shackles which held me back, and in doing so I had to isolate what makes me as ferocious as can be and use it. It ended with my mind being splintered. You were seeing the results of that.” 


“So, it was like looking at every action you might take based on different parts of your mind... the most violent ones included.” 


“I would never let that happen to you, Mallnora! You’re my ally, my companion, my friend! I could see it too. What my mind was attempting to have me act out, but I will never do something like that. Not to you!” 


“Then prove it.” 


“What?” Novix watched she turned and looked directly at him with a reddened face. 


“If you mean it, then prove it,” she spoke as she turned in his direction and began encroaching on his position. He could only lean back as she steadily made her way over him in a manner he could not react to so suddenly. “You say we’re allies, companions... friends... prove it to me. Right here, right now.” 


“I don’t know what you’re talking about Mallnora,” he spoke as his eyes grew wide. 


“Stop calling me that!” she spoke as her face hovered closer to his. “That's not what you call me, No-No.” 


“It’s,” he paused as he could smell the liquor on her breathe and smiled with a chuckle. “I get it, I get it. We’re certainly friends, Mal.” 


“Good! And don’t ever forget it.” She finally relented in the only way she possibly could. Falling face first onto his chest and squirming about like a child. “You’re so damn warm, and you smell so good... sun claimants are the best.” 


Novix couldn’t help but laugh as he watched the girl act out in a state she normally would never allow. He had noticed she only ever took drinks in small amounts and rarely ever chose to drink more than your average wine or light beverages. She chose to drink down what he had offered her, but it was certainly too much for the woman to handle. The situation itself was just enough to have his hair and eyes fade back to their original colors as he smiled contently. He didn’t mind this simple peace, even if it were only temporary. He certainly didn’t mind getting to see Mallnora like this. It only made him want to spoil her more than he already did as he patted her head. However, she fell asleep as soon as he started to do just that. He was content upon realizing that her previous panic had faded away.


“I know, I know. I am pretty awesome... and I’ll never forget. You’re my partner after all, Mal.” 


Stupid No-No and your stupid jokes! Making me say stuff like this, making me sound like an idiot. Making me... so helpless when I’m around you. What's happening to me?


---


Her eyes opened slowly; vision blurred as she pressed her lips together. She attempted to recall what had happened as the sunlight filled the surrounding area, but the memories were flowing in at a snail’s pace. She hated drinking too much, hated being drunk, hated not being able to focus and yet it was the realization that she had been intoxicated past normal levels which hastily reminded her of what had happened to cause it. Remembering the events of the previous night as a slight flustered feeling grew by every passing second, the scent of honeycomb filling her nose in overbearing doses as Mallnora concluded that she was still in Novix’s home. That was the moment she attempted to lift herself up only to find her hands pressed against a sturdy yet soft foundation. 


“Warm... warm?” she spoke to herself as she looked up to find that Novix hadn’t even moved! Why did he choose to remain in the same position? For what?! “No-No!” 


“Mm, five more minutes,” his words followed by his arms falling from above his head and down over her back.


“Stop talking in your sleep and let go of me!” she spoke as she confirmed his arms now holding her in position. 


“The coffee smells nice,” he responded with a ridiculous smile. Words which only made the situation even more embarrassing for her. 


“Novix Excia, if you don’t wake up this instant, I swear on all things sacred I will end you myself! Get up!” Mallnora looked up at his face as his brow furrowed before his eyes opened as if there were no problems at all. Looking at her stuck in place on his person with a sincere smile that she found herself vexingly pissed at. Mainly because she could not remain mad at it. 


“Hey Mal. Did you sleep well?” he asked to which she lowered her head. A mistake which once again filled her senses with his scent. 


“Novix...” 


“Yeah?” 


“If you would be so kind as to let go of me... I would greatly appreciate that.” 


He looked at her for a moment, then took note of the situation they were in himself. He hadn’t even realized how much strength he was putting into his hold on her and followed up with the only reaction one could expect from him... a laugh which echoed throughout the room. He relinquished his grip on her to which she pushed herself up as soon as she was able. He watched as she rose to her feet wobblily, clearly still feeling the effects of the alcohol from the night before, but she managed to steady herself easy enough. She took a deep breath, her flushed face returning to the base color it normally had. 


“Are you good? You looked like you were having a bit of trouble there,” Novix spoke as he lifted himself to a seated position. 


“I am, good...” 


“Interesting. You can use my shower if you want, it’ll probably help with your hangover.” 


“Noted,” she spoke in a plain tone. “I shall return home then.” 


“What are you talking about?” he spoke as he rose to his feet and walked across the room to the kitchen. “Just use mine. I have to go out for a bit anyway. Besides, you came here yesterday because you had something to tell me, right?” 


“Indeed, we do have something to discuss, but I have no clothes here-” 


“Just wear some of mine. We’re almost the same height anyway.” 


Does he even know what he’s saying?! Does he ever know what he's saying?!


“I don’t think I should-” 


“It’s fine, really. I’ll be back in a bit. Just take your time!” he spoke as he quickly placed his shoes onto his feet and exited the building. 


It barely took any time at all for him to go about handling his business, and by the time he had managed to return he found Mallnora to be gone. Where she had gone, he had no idea, but upon taking a shower of his own and proper grooming he would emerge to find her back in his home and awaiting him on the couch. This was the first time he had ever seen her without her hair done, the short blonde strands still damp with some sticking to her neck. This was also the first time he had seen her without the fanciest formal wear she could muster. Then again, he had to remember that this was the first time he had seen her in quite some time. While she looked relaxed on the outside, her demeanor showed that she was still the same person, proper posture and formal etiquette at its prime. 


“Why aren’t you wearing a shirt?” she questioned him as he stepped down the stairs. 


“I didn’t think you’d be back. I thought you had gone to get your own clothes or something, so I planned on relaxing while you did that.” 


“If it was unintentional then stop proceeding down the stairs and go put on a shirt!” she exclaimed which only caused him to laugh. 


“It’s not that big of a deal.” 


“Anyway, I wasn’t going to go around naked, and I was already wearing this so I ordained to not change clothes. I simply went to drop off my own clothing and brush my teeth, as I was trying to tell you I did not have the tools to do so here.” 


“Ah, that was my bad,” he spoke as he walked into the kitchen and reached into the fridge before making his way over to her and offering a small can. “It’s an iced coffee, I know you like these things.” 


“Thank you. I appreciate it,” she spoke as she opened the can and sipped from its contents. 


“So... I didn’t expect you to choose such a comfy set of clothes from my things.” 


“What? Did you expect something different?! You quite literally own nothing but clothes to lounge around in! That and casual wear that you’d never catch me wearing.” 


“So, you stuck with the sweat pants and tank top?” he spoke with a chuckle. “It looks good on you.” 


“Don’t make fun of me,” she spoke as she sipped more of her coffee. 


This situation, this odd situation, somehow, she found herself at odds with how comfortable it was. Novix clearly was as relaxed as could be and carelessly went on as he always did, as if he had no sense of embarrassment or knowledge of how to conduct himself when around guests. However, Mallnora knew all too well that he was always like this. No matter how much time passed he seemed to always remain the same as he was when they first met. Considerate in his own way, as if caring to a fault yet without caring about the things which could go ignored. He could forget to wear his shoes or bring his weapons when they go to handle work, but if she managed to obtain the slightest scratch, he refused to let it slip his mind and would turn the realms on their heads just to apply a bandage. 


It only made the events of the previous night more concerning. Had he been holding back a nature like that this entire time? She had looked into his eyes with intent to see his actions in the past, but it had never been anything like what that was. It made her question if it were even possible to properly read his mind. If, in the right situation, someone would find themself wading through the makeshift mind of several distinct personalities. He had only referred to certain outcomes when he spoke with her about it, but she knew personally that there were others he did not bring up. Attempting to register his actions were like facing a pack of wild hounds in the dark. You know they’re there, but you can’t possibly discern just how many are there. 


What am I doing? None of those matters. He assured me that I would not have to worry about it so I will not spend the energy attempting to. I just need to trust him. Trust him as I always have... but can he really be trusted when he’s like that? 


“Mal?” his voiced shocked her out of her thoughts as she jumped in place. “Are you alright?” 


“Y-yes, apologies. I am fine... anyway, it’s time we discuss what I had come here for.” 


“Work, right? If you needed to explain something to me in person then it must be pretty serious,” he spoke to which Mallnora shook her head. 


“While it is serious, that is not the reason I came here.” Mallnora crossed her legs as she placed the can down onto the coffee table. “I’ve completed all of the preparations that were required, and wanted to thank you personally for all of your hard work. I know I’ve been having you do most of the heavy lifting alone. However, the time for that has ended. It is time for us to move. Not only that, but we will be accompanied by an assigned third who I have yet to meet.” 


“We’re being given a new partner?” 


“No, not like that. More like a temporary ally... I’ve given you bits and pieces of information, but it is time I explain the entirety of this job to you in full. Now that I have all of the information, we will be moving tonight.” 




Name: Novix 
Other Names: No-No, Vera Violentiam 
House: Excia 


Age: Around 1400 Years
Gender: Male 
Relationship Status: Single 
Sexuality: Heterosexual 


Personality: Extroverted, Introverted, Meticulous, Inhibited, Volatile, Oversensitive, (Temperamental) 


Weapon: Fang, Claws, War Wings 


Abilities: While Novix is a Sun claimant, his abilities have very little to do with the elements involved. Relying heavily on physical strength and mental fortitude/degradation as a means to tap into his latent elemental prowess. 


Thermonuclear Body: Abnormally high physical prowess and durability. Capable of absorbing heavy damage with little reaction, although this does not nullify the damage received. And he is not invincible. His strength is capable of reaching extraordinary heights and his speed, while high, does not reach the same capabilities as his physical strength.


Solar Garden: When imagining his mind, it is best to imagine rays of the sun. Splitting off in varying directions and yet connected at its center. A self-council which is made up of his own mind yet active at all times. Much like intrusive thoughts, the aspects of his personality will consistently voice themselves in his head considering the stimuli he absorbs, but this also means he is constantly attempting to keep those voices in check. (While he believes it to personally have been caused by his own actions, it is actually due to this ability itself. Having once been a reliable ray of light, now an abstract source of violently blazing flame.)


Bloodbath Sun: [Redacted]


[Redacted information to be later revealed]

Part 5: Valkyrie Violentiam 


 
“I’m in position. Is everything ready?” Novix spoke as he stretched his muscles with a deep frown. 


“Yes, the preparations are all in order and it will be time to move soon... you’re not still upset, are you, No-No?” Mallnora’s voice could be heard through the radio on his chest. 


“I’m fine.” 


“I can tell you’re lying. Don’t worry, everything will be moving as normal. Just focus on your work and I will be fine. Make sure you keep the puppy safe. Novevu said she’s durable, but didn’t give us many more details.” 


“Noted,” Novix spoke as he looked down at his side to see the pure white void hound which laid upon the ground. He nearly capitalized on falling down on his knees to pet it, but knew that it would only exact Mallnora’s ire to do so. He was to remain focused, after all. “Don’t take any risks and call on me immediately if anything goes wrong. Do you understand me, Mal?” 


“Hmph... I don’t remember a time when I was supposed to take orders from you.” 


“I’m just not comfortable with all of this-” 


“It’s fine, No-No. I was just making a joke... I will let you know if I need your assistance. So, focus on your job... It is important that you are prepared.” 


He looked down at the small void pup again, still completely ignorant as to when they came in white. Novevu had assured them that the creature was completely capable of handling itself, but it barely looked as if it could handle a human dog. Compared to other void hounds she was rather small, even when compared to other pups, but what caught his attention the most was that it acted in such an odd way. Refusing to leave his side for even a moment after being passed off to Mallnora and himself, he had assumed the pup was just entirely spoiled rotten by its master. However, it hated being picked up by Mallnora for some reason and yet clung to him like a lost child. It often walked directly into walls, was rarely focused, and didn’t eat anything at all yet seemed rather hungry. 


“Well, I guess you’re with me fluff ball,” he spoke as he patted the small creature on her head. 




She took a deep breathe, both her eyes and body steadying before she looked off to her side to see Novix who looked as if he didn’t care at all. Not only that, but he didn’t look as if he even wanted to enter the room or planned to at all. He stood a distance away from the door and showed clear distaste for their current situation, but in his defense, he had no idea where they were headed until they were stepping between realms at Jayhe’s command with a swift order to remain on good behavior from the ancient. An encounter he was already displeased with.


“Do you plan on standing over there the entire time, No-No?” 


“Of course I do. If you would have told me we were heading to the Void I would have never come to begin with,” this was a first. 


“I’ve never seen you so... opposed to something like this.” 


“Yeah, well me and Novevu don’t exactly get along.” 


“Haven’t you been avoiding the ancients for over one thousand years?” Mallnora questioned him. 


“Yeah, and it’s for a reason.” 


Upon realizing that he was serious about the matter, she quickly sighed and knocked on the door twice before awaiting a response. The ancient of death was no doubt busy, as he always was, but he was the one who requested their presence in the first place and was expecting them, or at least he had requested her presence. As far as she knew he had no idea she was working with Novix. Hell, none of the ancients outside of Jayhe, Jaiho, and Solaria themselves knew about it. Seeing this current situation only made it obvious as to why that was the case. 


“Enter!” his voice came from the opposite side of the door. 


“Yes.” Her response was quick and she quickly pushed the doors open, stepping into the familiar office space she had come to find herself in every time Novevu requested her presence, as few times as that was. “I have come for your orders as well as our third.” 


“I was expecting you earlier, but I suppose there was no agreed time to meet... why are you dressed like that?” the ancient questioned the woman who was still wearing Novix’s clothing. 


“There was a... minor setback. I would have come yesterday had it been avoidable.” 


“Well, it’s not important. However, I only have two things for you today,” it looked as if his attention were elsewhere for the duration of the conversation. “First are the orders I have for your assignment. The claimant in question you will be dealing with is one of my own and his capabilities are troublesome. He will grow physically stronger with each death in his vicinity, meaning he can sense nearby deaths. Also, he can reanimate fallen corpses to continue fighting for him although they will be soulless husks which fight with little skill.” 


“I see. So, it would be good to deal with him first, or attempt dealing with things peacefully at least.” 


“That won’t work. He will most likely be aggressive from the start. He is of a mind that all the other houses are beneath his own and, as such, won’t hesitate to make that a proper reality through forceful means. You will be forced to fight him. That brings me to my orders for you and your partner. No survivors, not even the humans. He will have no doubt gathered other claimants to his side, so detain them if you can, but if they put up resistance then kill them. The humans, on the other hand, will be handled by the third I have prepared to join you. Litnia!” 


That was a name she had never heard before. Were they perhaps a new claimant? That couldn’t be, Novevu wouldn’t send a fresh claimant out into combat. Would he? Even so, if that weren’t the case it would mean that there was a claimant capable of proper skilled combat or holding onto stand out capabilities that she had not known about. Not that it was odd for the ancients to withhold information from one another. She had no right to expect information from any ancient, much less from the ancient of death. However, she had been thinking on the subject for a while now and no one had shown themself. Was there a problem. 


“Perhaps they ran into a situation which required their attention?” Mallnora spoke to which Novevu looked readily annoyed. 


“No such thing exists for her here. Litnia! Come here!” he spoke in a more pronounced voice to which he received no response and no one chose to enter the room still. “Of all the times you could choose to be stubborn.” 


He stood to his feet and walked around his desk, making his way to the door as if on a warpath to find this mysterious ally and yet as the door flew open, he paused at the exact same sight Mallnora paused at. None other than Novix curled up on the floor spoiling a pure white void pup to death. The creature looked entirely content to remain in that position whilst Novix himself sported a smile which Mallnora saw as priceless, yet Novevu couldn’t have been more annoyed by it. 


“Mallnora! Isn’t this just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?!” he spoke to which the woman nearly fell over questioning how he could completely ignore Novevu in such a manner. 


“I don’t believe that matters right now, No-No.” 


“This is your partner?” Novevu questioned the woman to which he received a nod in response. “It has been quite some time, Novix. Or would you rather be called Vera Violentiam?” 


“Excuse me?” the words alone were enough to erase his smile, diminish his pleasure as he stood to his feet and yet not keep him from lifting the pup along with him. “And I wonder at whose fault I ended up in the situation which would give me such a name?” 


“Just as standoffish as ever, I see-” 


“We have only met once... and last I checked I was not the one so quick to deny peace and friendliness.” 


“Of course, how could I forget. You simply suggested that the ancients adopt some form of combat which went against all morality and decency, yet found yourself angry when it was opposed.” 


“Morality and decency fled your soul the moment you’d have one of your children kill an unarmed-” he stopped himself, remembering the position he was in before taking a deep breath and relaxing as best he could. “Yes, I’ve more than had enough of this place. I will be taking my leave.” 


Mallnora watched as the sun claimant stormed off, giving her the slightest glance before turning away and returning to the entrance of the building they had used to enter. Novevu, on the other hand, seemed rather surprised by everything which had transpired. Almost as if he were expecting a different outcome to their confrontation. His attention didn’t remain on him for long, however, as he quickly took note of the pup following closely behind the claimant. 


“And where do you think you’re going, Litnia?” his words traveled down the hallway to which the creature paused in its tracks before falling on its side stiff as a log. “I was just looking at you, you cannot feign dead before the ancient of death with the aim to fool me.” 


Following his words, the creature would rise back to its feet before turning to look at the ancient of death with blueish purple eyes. They were like the cosmos, or perhaps a part of it, yet carrying some semblance of lifelessness. Novevu looked at the creature sternly before waving them off in the direction which Novix had gone, the pup quickly scurrying off down the halls in a hurry after the sun claimant. 


“Take him back to the Prism, make sure he doesn’t run into anyone else here!” he spoke to which he only received a high-pitched yelp in response. 


“That... is our third?” Mallnora spoke to which Novevu addressed her concerns. 


“I can assure you that she is more than capable of handling herself. Just keep her nearby and allow her to handle the human souls. No doubt the claimants will have told them information that will be a detriment to all claimants. As such, they must be dealt with accordingly and Litnia will be along for the ride.” 


“I see. If this is your decision, I will not doubt it.” 


“Good... I’m surprised to see you working alongside Novix,” the sudden change in topic causing her eyes too perk up. “I’ve never seen him so in control of himself in quite some time. I was almost certain he would have chosen to fight.” 


“You expected him to fight you? That would be crazy.” 


“Well, not fight me directly, but crazy is what Novix once was. You’ve always been rather curious, so I’m sure you’ve asked your share of questions, but there are things you should know he will always attempt to keep away from you. However, allow me to give you a fair warning.” 


“A warning... about Novix?” she spoke as she could feel her chest tighten. 


“Novix specifically dislikes me and my house, and although ages have passed his house is still at odds with the others. One of my claimants killed his mother and, while he’ll never forgive me, he still attempted to broker peace behind Solaria’s back with all of the other ancients. Of course, it was refused with me at the forefront of that decision. As such he took it as an act of violence and war, choosing to instead teach his own house the techniques he crafted for us. But, while Solaria would normally agree with her claimants growing stronger, Novix was urging them to fight directly with ancients in a manner that would cause too much devastation.” 


“That sounds like madness.” 


“That’s exactly what it was. I’d go as far as to say Solaria and battle are essentially the same existence, but what Novix was preparing for transcended logic and would lead to the destruction of her house in time. As such, he was banished.” 


“He told me something completely different... why would he do that?” she spoke with disbelief. 


“It seems like he’s attempting to be something different from what he once was. Perhaps trying to erase his past to some extent, but there is no erasing the past. That’s where my warning comes in,” Novevu spoke with a more serious expression. “Novix is a fighter, that much I know for certain. I’ve had him watched ever since I learned his whereabouts in the human realm until one day he simply just vanished. That nature is always within him. If I were to say Solaria were the incarnation of battle, Novix would be the incarnation of violence. Never drop your guard around him. If he fights with all his reserves of raw strength it is going to be a bloodbath.” 




Mallnora eyed her objective with an extreme focus, her mind filled with thoughts regarding the countless outcomes which could take place and how she might react. Her sight flicked from person to person, gauging their actions as she did before moving positions and repeating the process. She was used to this type of work, doing recon in order to decide how things should be handled. But this was different compared to the other times. She found herself wondering about the wellbeing of Novix the entire time, even if she did not want to. A part of her mind was upset with what Novevu had revealed to her before they had come here, but a part of her also wanted to know why he would lie to her the way he did. Or did he ever really lie to her? Did he just leave out certain details? 


“Mal? Are we good to go?” his voice over the radio caught her attention and she sighed. 


“Yes. It is time. I have a visual on the target and, as planned, we will attempt to negotiate a peaceful conclusion... if possible. That would be best if we can manage it, but be prepared to fight if things go awry.” 


“Noted. I’ll be counting on you, Mal.” 


Something in his voice seemed... off. As if the thought of having to fight made him nervous, but she knew that could not be true. Yet how could she reliably know that? Novevu spoke as if Novix were naturally violent, but from what she had seen he was far more capable of remaining the opposite. He had his slip ups, sure, but overall he was far too kind. She wouldn’t let it hold her back. 


“Alright. I’m moving now.” 


“Be careful. Your safety comes first.” 


“I will try to remember that.” 


She stepped forward quickly, a valiant rush forward which caught the majority of those nearby off guard. She was fast, her full black skintight outfit keeping her difficult to spot aside from her head of blonde hair which only served to give them all a sense of her direction. Before they could even choose to attack, she had entered the building, her steps as well trained and orderly as possible, not missing a single step as she made her way to the exact place she had planned. She moved up the spiral staircase like a spider scurrying along the walls until reaching the top floor, not stopping as to capitalize on her knowledge of the floorplan and guard patterns. She only managed to be spotted when bursting through the door which led into the office of none other than their target. 


There was no time to exchange words, Mallnora moving through the room like an Olympic level acrobat. The element of surprise was of the utmost importance as no one was prepared to fight. This was what allowed her to get across the room unscathed and approach her target before they could close in on her position, locking him into a sudden one on one scuffle. An encounter he was not ready for and therefore was not expecting her to instead put all of her efforts towards making him a hostage rather than a corpse. It was her job to keep him alive, but most importantly she knew there was no way she’d outright defeat him in direct combat. This was why she instead chose to hold him at knifepoint. 


“By order of Jayhe and Novevu, you are to be brought to the Prism immediately. Order your subordinates to stand down immediately and come quietly as well.” 


“That’s funny. I don’t remember a time when the order lot was capable of holding an entire group hostage. Much less a single Desdon. Have you lost your mind? Or perhaps you’ve just gotten too overconfident because Novevu asked you to do something?” 


“I won’t be saying it again,” she spoke as she held the blade closer to his neck. “Everyone, stand down.” 


“This is rich. I know who you are, Mallnora Woxia. Most importantly, I know that you would never go against your orders. However, wouldn’t that mean you can’t kill me? You never receive orders to kill, only detain, which means you came in here with all of us based around the purpose of holding a hostage you can’t even kill? That’s quite the oversight, girl.” 


“I don’t have time for this,” she spoke as she placed her free hand on the radio on her shoulder. “Peaceful negotiations failed. Begin the operation.” 


The room became silent as those standing by readied their weapons. The target in question raised his brow when hearing her speak, but this added a new situation that had not been anticipated. Most people knew about Mallnora because nothing she did was particularly secret. However, Novix was a wildcard that no one knew about. His existence went almost entirely unnoticed by anyone else who didn’t directly operate within the Prism at the times he showed up there with Mallnora. This only led to shock when his voice came through the radio. 


“Understood. Targeting all hostiles, no mercy.” 


“What?” the Desdon spoke as seconds later the sound of direct combat filled the building. “What the hell is going on out there?” 


“My subordinate is now at work,” Mallnora spoke as she continued holding him hostage. “In due time he will wipe out every single person in this place excluding you, but don’t worry. He won’t kill them... yet. We know enough about you to not make that mistake.” 


“Do you?” the male spoke with a smile. “You all know what to do.” 


The moment he spoke one of the other males in the room nodded, turning his gun on the others around them before taking all of their lives subsequently. Mallnora could only watch, having not expected something so ruthless, but more concerned with how the plan would now work out. 


Novix, on the other hand, moved through the base quickly with a focus on incapacitating his enemies as well as keeping the pup in his care safe. He moved about as if keeping a tight control over his actions, making certain to use only what was necessary to accomplish the job, but he soon found himself halting in his position when a voice rose over the intercoms. He had been expecting to hear more orders from Mallnora, yet when the voice of their Desdon target came through instead he was rightfully concerned. 


“I would suggest you stand down, claimant. It would seem your ally has failed their job.” 


“The fuck?” he spoke as he looked around the area. Expecting to glean some type of information regarding what was now happening. 


“It’d be in your best interest to listen and follow instructions. I have no qualms with killing this one, but I’d like to see who exactly they thought would be enough to handle all of us. So, make your way to the elevator and come down to the lowest floor. And just so you know we aren’t joking; I’ll give you a bit of incentive.” 


There was a silence over the intercom, Novix’s brow furrowing as the pup’s eyes remained locked onto his face as if anticipating the coming storm. There were whispers that could be heard, before the voice finally came through clearly. The moment he could hear it his eyes growing wide, hands clenching into tight fists as his teeth grinded together. 


“Novix, don’t listen to them. That is an order. Prioritize your own safety-” 


“Well, that wasn’t smart, was it?” the males voice cut Mallnora’s off. “The choice is yours at the end of the day, but you’ve only got three minutes to decide.” 


Mallnora could only watch as the claimant’s forces bolstered themselves in the lowest level of the basement, preparing for his arrival with weapons of every type. She could spot all of the claimants within the group, but there wasn’t anyone of note outside of their primary target who, in his own right, was more of a problem than could be properly prepared for. She couldn’t help be feel it would have been nice if Novevu informed them of his tendency to kill his own allies for his own gain, but in his defense, he had told her that he wouldn’t surrender. This was her decision, and her fault. All she could do now was shut her eyes and wait for her punishment... whatever that may be. 


“He won’t be coming,” she spoke to which the Desdon turn to face her. 


“For your sake, you’d better hope that isn’t the case.” 


“I gave him a direct order. No matter how stubborn he might be... he will not go against that order. You won’t be getting what you want here.” 


“Is that so?” the male spoke with a triumphant laugh. “It seems you don’t know your own partner too well, Mallnora.” 


Her eyes turned to the elevator, the dial’s number getting lower and lower, her lips pursing in anger as she came to realize he chose to directly disobey her orders. This was clearly a trap, anyone with a working brain would know this was a trap, what did he think was going to happen if he came down there? Did he believe that they would just let them both go unscathed? All he did was play into their hands and even while he did something so stupid, she couldn’t help be feel relieved. It was all because she knew full well that he wasn’t going to listen no matter what she said. There wasn’t a chance he’d listen to that order. It gave her a bit of solace knowing that they would at least be together for whatever awaited them. However, as the elevator opened, she found herself staring at a face she had not seen before. The face of a Novix who looked entirely frightened. 


“You can’t be serious!” the death claimant called out as he watched the glowing claimant step from inside of the elevator and out onto the open floor. The bottom level was somewhat dim, only lit by high ceiling lights which shown down on the concrete floor which held a multitude of people and crates filled with something only they knew the contents of. “They sent Mallnora and a hybrid? This is more of an insult than I expected!” he spoke before noticing the small pup in his arms. “And he brought his fucking dog!” 


“I don’t much care what you do to me, Desdon child, but you will let Mal go.” 


“No, that’s not how this works,” he spoke as he approached Novix. “I had thought about it at first, but seeing as to how it was decided that I wasn’t worth more than Solaria’s garbage I think I need to send a message.” 


“Just let her go,” Novix spoke as he placed the void pup on the ground. “I’ll be more than enough of a trade, I’m sure.” 


“What are you talking about? Your house isn’t worth anything, much less a single one of you being worth a trade! So, here’s what we’re going to do... we’re going to kill her and you’re going to watch as we do it. Then I’ll kill that dog of yours and strangle you with its corpse. How does that sound?” 


“It sounds like you don’t know what you’re talking about. Violence won't get you anywhere with me-” 


“I don’t know what I’m... someone kill that woman!” Novix watched as one of the other claimants drew a short sword from their side and approached Mallnora, attempting to step forward only to find the death claimant now wielding a bident to his chest as if to keep him in place. His eyes grew wide, his teeth clenching together as he could feel the hair on his neck stand on end. “Maybe if your house wasn’t so weak you could do something, but now you can just watch.” 


“Don’t worry, No-No.” 


Her voice caught his attention, his expression changing to one twisted with despair as he caught a glimpse of her. She did not look upset or angry, did not seem displeased or agitated. No. Instead, Mallnora looked entirely content, but her eyes told a different story. One that he was not ready to accept. A story that was riddled with fear and anxiety. Regret. 


---


“Regret.” 


He opened his eyes to find himself lost, possibly falling. He felt weightless. Almost as if he existed and yet did not exist. The voice, however, was something he certainly heard out in the expansive darkness. 


“Who’s there?” 


“That’s a stupid fucking question. Why does it matter who’s here?” the voice spoke in a tone that held nothing back. “What does matter is what you’re doing right now! You’d stand by and watch that girl die like a coward.” 


“I’m not a coward.” 


“You’re the worst type of coward! A coward who’s afraid of your own damn shadow! You’d watch your allies die again, and again, and again! No matter how much time passes you always choose to be a coward and it costs you everything! That’s why you’re where you are now! That’s why you’re who you are now!” 


“I am no coward!” he spoke just before he found himself falling beneath the surface of what felt like water. It was dark, he could not even see it, could not even properly comprehend it as he struggled to reach the surface, but no matter how hard or fast he struggled it never seemed to get closer. 


“All this struggling, and for what? All this suffering, and for what?! You’ve never once changed for the better because you’re too much of a bitch to do what needs to be done! Now you’ll sit by and watch as this person who put all their trust in you dies right in your face! You’d rather watch this same thing play out again before you stand up and do what needs to be done!” 


No. I won’t. I refuse! Never again! 


His mind was spliced, splintered, like rays of the sun shining through stained glass as he recalled the past he had hoped to forget. Remembered the beginning of it all. 


“So, you do remember? Pathetic. Did you forget why you’re fighting? Did you forget what it is you built up all this strength for?” 


I’ve never forgotten. How could I possibly forget? What makes you think that you have the fucking right to question me on this? 


“For your family you've already lost.” 


For my friends which have all perished. 


“For your allies stained in blood.” 


For my house and ancient! 


“For the very things you hold dear and close, and for the memories of those who only you can remember.” 


He looked up from the darkness below, the sight of a bright light just above the surface of the water as he pushed himself up to the light with an endless torrent of voices attempting to have him turn the other way, but they were quickly ignored. He could feel the heat showering his skin, his soul as he breached the surface and found himself rising into the very air itself. The light now revealed to be a brightly burning sun. The orange and red which swirled on its surface a warmth he had come to forget, but now comforted him to his very bones. 


“For the sake of every single thing I refuse to lose...” 


“Will you grab hold of this bloodied sun you crafted? This violent, bloodbath sun that makes up your true soul? Your single truth?” 


“Of course, I will.” Novix spoke as his body rose directly to its surface. Sinking into the molten tide which awaited him. “If violence is what they choose, then Vera Violentiam is what they will get.” 


---


What had changed? What could have possibly caused this? Stupid questions which crossed Mallnora’s mind as her expression was overcome with fear. Something which the death claimant noticed and turned to face the same thing she had found herself focused on. There Novix stood, a smile so wildly full of excitement and joy complimented by eyes which held onto the type of energy only a maniac could express. Both his hair and eyes were like the surface of a molten sun, his very presence now applying a pressure so extreme that the nearby humans could only instinctively begin taking steps back in fear. The death claimant was not entertained in the slightest. 


“What is this supposed to be? Have you lost your mind-” 


“You call this violence?” Novix spoke as his eyes looked around the room. “I suppose it isn’t too bad. More than enough for children and deadbeats!” 


“What the hell are you talking about?” he couldn’t even finish his question; he could see the sun claimant’s hand wrap around his weapon before barely being capable of registering himself midair. “What?” 


“There still isn’t nearly enough of it,” Novix spoke as the death claimant slammed against a wall. 


“Someone kill that lunatic! Everyone shoot him!” a voice called out before a shower a gunfire flew in his direction. 


Mallnora could only watch in both awe and horror as it seemed more like the male were enjoying the situation entirely. He did not dodge, did not evade, didn’t even attempt to have the bullets hit a certain part of his body. He instead opted to just tank all of the damage as if none of it existed to begin with. All with a smile on his face the likes of which she could not glean a single good thing from. It was at this point she chose to finally look into his eyes, bypassing her fears to see the likes of what could possibly be hiding behind his intentions, and it was also in that moment she would hunch forward and vomit on the ground. 


“It’s a mistake... just surrender while you can,” Mallnora spoke and yet no one listened. 


“If none of you can do it, then I will provide it both! Both the violence and the blood I desire!” he cried out before unleashing a scream which seemed to outright use every ounce of his body to perform, the very earth beneath their feet shuttering from the force. 


“What in all the realms is this?” the claimant which watched over Mallnora called out before finding himself rushed by Novix. 


He attempted to defend himself, but upon lifting his sword arm to attack he would only find his arm grabbed much like the death claimant’s was. However, instead of being thrown across the room he instead found himself slung to the side almost as if he didn’t even exist, but Novix didn’t let go of him. The Valkyrie looked almost confused at the sight of it, as if something wasn’t right before releasing the claimant’s arm which was now entirely useless, broken, and malformed. Novix looked at his fingers, clutching and releasing them over and over again as if incapable of understanding what was happening, but that seemed to be the only thing capable of causing him to no longer smile. That was when he once again spoke. 


“It still isn’t enough. There needs to be more. More! Enough to fill my lungs, my SOUL!” 


This was the point in which words were no longer used, the male grabbing the now damaged claimant’s ankle and swinging him over his own body with a force so unbearably wild that his impact on the opposite side saw his head shatter into blood and brain matter, sections of skull scattered within. The extent of how far he was willing to go made apparent to all when he repeated the process on the opposite side with even greater strength for them to all watch the entire upper half of the corpse burst into dismembered organs and sinew. It was also at this point he resorted to the basest form of communication. His smile was once again present, but now just as crazed as his eyes alongside the initial pleasure, his howls and screams of bestial euphoria echoing throughout the area as he proceeded to move from person to person, tearing off their limbs and reverting their being to piles of flesh upon the ground. 


Mallnora found herself in a position of peril, but knew for certain that she was safe as he had yet to approach her or the pup at all. As time passed her ears began to ring with the sound of agonizing shouts from their enemies as well as his cries of ecstasy and joy, a deep red mist filling the area as the walls, floor and ceiling were all splattered with what seemed like endless amounts of blood. What had once seemed like a good idea to gather as many subordinates as possible quickly managed to backfire as Novix took to having his fun with their very lives. Whilst watching it all she could only conclude that this was what true violence looked like, and that was when the meaning of Novevu’s words came into effect. It was almost as if he expected her to attempt doing things somewhat peacefully, expected things to end up this way. This was why he was named Vera Violentiam. This was High Violence. 


She looked down at her hands, her body, stained with blood and covered with flesh from a battle she wasn’t even involved in. That was when she remembered a single important detail. With all of this death around them, their target was no doubt using it as an opportunity to gain greater strength. This was when she had finally chosen to, against all of her proper judgement, speak out. 


“Novix! The Desdon! Your kills are going to make him stronger!” she spoke to which the male in question charged Novix with bident in hand. 


“It’s a bit too late for that!” he spoke as he dove forward into an attack. “Now you can both die-” 


“Is that it?” Novix questioned the male as he examined his arm in his hand. “I expected you to be stronger than that! And after I killed everyone else, you’re still this weak? Looks like the Desdon have been hiding from me for a reason all this time! I could have killed a hundred more and you’d still be pathetic!” 


The death claimant still hadn’t even registered it, only noticing that his arm had been torn off the moment Novix crushed the wrist between his fingers and tossed the limb aside. He couldn’t even scream, couldn’t even react properly as the Valkyrie grabbed him by the other arm and dragged him across the room like a broken doll to Mallnora’s side. She looked at him as if she were worried yet relieved, only letting out a sigh when he threw the male to the ground at her side and smiled in her direction. 


“No-No, you were supposed to deal as little damage to him as possible...” 


“Shit I... he... if I left his arm, he would have continued to attack us! Yeah,” he spoke before turning around and crouching down. “Come here cutie!” 


“You can’t change the subject by focusing on the puppy!” Mallnora spoke as she took hold of the death claimant. His will to fight seemed all but erased. 


Following his words, the void pup quickly scurried toward them from amongst the plethora of bodies strewn about, not stopping until it was comfortably within his arms again and once more treated to a constant coddling and spoiling. If after all of that a pup could still act the same it would be shameless of her to remain so conflicted about what had happened. Besides, it wasn’t like she didn’t know he was a violent claimant. This just confirmed something she had wanted to know. Just how far that violence went. She could only let out a sigh as she made her composure a proper priority. 


“You could have at least warned me... the sight of this much blood makes me squeamish.” 


“Sorry about that, I wasn’t really paying attention to it.” 


“Whatever... I’ll take him back to the Prism. You take Litnia and finish up the remaining humans that are above ground... none can be left alive.” Those words alone were enough to draw a crazed smile from the Valkyrie as she used her key to pass through a portal to the Prism. It was there that she would run into Jayhe who had been awaiting her. 


“Seems this one is broken.” 


“No-No saw to that... he’s still handling things over there so I will return to retrieve him after locking this one away.” 


“Don’t bother for now,” Jayhe spoke as she eyed her claimant’s form covered in fresh blood. “I’ll send you back after a proper amount of time has passed. I’m certain he’s enjoying himself a little too much right now. Novix has a very special way of fighting once he’s excited.” 


“Will I only get in the way?” Mallnora spoke with a raised brow. 


“More like he fights with too much strength for anyone's good. All you need to know is that his method of combat was crafted for ancients to utilize, but it was rejected. I was present at the time when it was. However, when it was rejected, he chose to teach it to his own house.” 


“Novevu told me of this... said it was made to fight against ancients.” 


“That’s true, but it’s only half right,” Jayhe guided the claimant as she spoke. “Novix was smart enough to realize that fighting directly against an ancient would almost never go well, so he fights in a particular way when facing certain targets. When fighting claimants or humans he will make examples of their bodies through violence. But when fighting with his everything against multiple targets? It would be proper to say that nothing will be left standing. If you can’t defeat your target, would you not destroy everything around them?” 


Novix patted the void pup on the head before placing it into the front of his shirt, a place he believed would be the safest place among all places. He clutched his fists and his smile only grew as he did. A deep breath and he could taste the blood in the air as his eyes grew more manic and crazed. The pup did not seem to care either way or even show the slightest sign of fear or worry, instead contently resting in the place it had found itself while awaiting Novix’s next move. The sun claimant walked amongst the bodies for a moment as if inspecting his handywork before looking up at the ceiling and raising his hand in a manner which suggested him making a decision as to where he would go next. This caused the pup to lean its head to the side before he turned his attention down to the creature with what could only be called the final friendly look of the night, along with his final words of the night. 


“Stay tucked in and let me handle everything!” he spoke as he bent his knees in a manner which had his muscles and bones within his legs creak under extreme pressure. “I’m gonna go all out, no holding back!” 


The pup watched on as the male seemed to turn more feral, wilder in nature, more akin to some great disaster compared to a claimant. He had seemed engrossed in the raw satisfaction of his own violence and strength moments prior, but now it seemed like something more. Less like he was out for violence against his enemies and more like he was out for violence against anyone and anything in sight. He looked to the sky, or better yet the ceiling, but his eyes still looked as if he were looking at a direct enemy. As if he were staring directly into the soul of some being that needed to be destroyed in the most violent and grotesque way he could possibly muster. 


It was mind boggling, crazy to even try understanding the mind of someone so extraordinarily mad, but it all became clear in the passing moments. As he leapt directly upward and, through sheer physical force alone, barreled directly through the ceiling, floors, ground, stone, dirt, brick, anything which even attempted to stand in his way until they found themselves above ground and in the air above the compound they had been underneath mere seconds ago. What was even more unthinkable was how it didn’t come without consequence as he himself had suffered damage from making such an unrealistically wild choice. His own body cut and bruised in certain places as he now looked down at the remaining humans below who had to be dealt with. 


No explanation was needed, not even a single word, only the scream into the night sky as he plummeted down to the earth in a fashion someone who didn’t care for anything in the vicinity could do. And indeed, he cared for nothing around them at all. It was why he didn’t only destroy people, but the very foundations of everything around them. 




Name: Novix 
Other Names: No-No, Vera Violentiam 
House: Excia 


Age: Around 1400 Years
Gender: Male 
Relationship Status: Single 
Sexuality: Heterosexual 


Personality: Extroverted, Introverted, Meticulous, Inhibited, Volatile, Oversensitive, (Temperamental) 


Weapon: Fang, Claws, War Wings 


Abilities: While Novix is a Sun claimant, his abilities have very little to do with the elements involved. Relying heavily on physical strength and mental fortitude/degradation as a means to tap into his latent elemental prowess. 


Thermonuclear Body: Abnormally high physical prowess and durability. Capable of absorbing heavy damage with little reaction, although this does not nullify the damage received. And he is not invincible. His strength is capable of reaching extraordinary heights and his speed, while high, does not reach the same capabilities as his physical strength.


Solar Garden: When imagining his mind, it is best to imagine rays of the sun. Splitting off in varying directions and yet connected at its center. A self-council which is made up of his own mind yet active at all times. Much like intrusive thoughts, the aspects of his personality will consistently voice themselves in his head considering the stimuli he absorbs, but this also means he is constantly attempting to keep those voices in check. (While he believes it to personally have been caused by his own actions, it is actually due to this ability itself. Having once been a reliable ray of light, now an abstract source of violently blazing flame.)


Bloodbath Sun: A direct boost to his physical capabilities, he will become more hostile when faced with hostile situations. Breaking down the walls which separate him from his past self; burning away the barriers which hold back his violent nature and shining a light down on his "vera violentiam", what he truly believes is the meaning of being a Valkyrie. When in this highly violent state both his hair and eyes will glow a hot orange much like the surface of the sun and he will gain a war cry capable of shaking the very earth itself. A signature for those who know him. Raw power made to force through any obstacle which stands in his way.