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Culmination	By : Croik Category: +G through L > Guilty Gear Views: 2646 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Guilty Gear, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
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*Guilty
Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being
used in this fanfiction without permission. This fic is rated R
for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi
material.

Culmination
Chapter
9

There
was a solemn air about Mayship when Ky
and Testament returned, making their way through the narrow corridors. Ky didn�t speak a word, and still holding his
elbow Testament was able to feel there was still a dull tremor that ran through
his skin every once in a while. The Gear
was actually relieved that Ky didn�t try to protest or question. It made everything much simpler as he led the
man to the infirmary. On the way they
passed one of the girls� rooms, and a quick peek inside showed Bridget,
surrounded by three members of the crew as they listened to his story and tried
to console him. Further down they came
across Dizzy and May, speaking in hushed tones.
Dizzy sent him a concerned look but he only nodded, assuring her that
all was being taken care of.

In
the infirmary Testament silently cleaned and bandaged the small wounds on Ky�s
back. The result of metal against
freshly healed burns wasn�t pleasant to look at, and the area would certainly
be tender for a while, but it didn�t seem to be anything serious. Nothing like the injuries he had treated Ky
for several days ago. Distantly he could
hear the sound of the ship�s engines being spurred into life, and soon after
they were taking off. Testament glanced
only briefly to the porthole to watch Rome�s airfield slipping away,
and once they were fully airborne the city looked no more than a wide, black
stain against darker earth.

�You
said you wanted to show me something.�

Testament
turned back to Ky, judging his face. He
looked exhausted but there was still something sharp in his eyes, a familiar
restlessness. Though in truth he had
expected simply to get Ky cleaned up and sent to bed, looking at him now he
knew that wouldn�t be enough.

�If you�re up for it.� And when Ky
nodded Testament helped him out of his chair, leading the way once more through
the ship.

*****

Ky
wasn�t sure what to expect; he had assumed that Testament had only said as much
as a means of getting him back on the ship, but now it appeared he had an
actual destination in mind. Whatever it
was, he would have no complaints.
Anything was better than being left to his thoughts, as crazed and
distorted as they now were.

He
hadn�t been paying attention, and when Ky blinked himself aware he found
Testament was opening the hatches that led to the outer hull. Though suddenly curious he didn�t question,
and soon they were both following a sturdy handrail to the ship�s wing. It had been set up as a sundeck of sorts,
with plenty of rails to hold on to and even places that appeared to be for
sitting. It didn�t seem to be the safest
of places, but with all the designs and small drawings along the wing and hull
it was clear people came here often.

�The
girls come up here sometimes, especially to watch Johnny practice,� Testament
explained as he leaned against the forward rail. �At least, that�s what Dizzy tells me.� Rome was at their back now, but
Ky allowed himself only a fleeting glance before joining the Gear. The wind was forceful but he found he didn�t
have to hold on too tightly to keep himself upright and settled.

�I
kind of like it, at night,� Testament continued as he rested a single hand on
the rail. �The wind seems to go right
through you; it has something of a calming effect on me.� He shook his head, the wind catching his hair
and lifting it in long strands behind him.
Ky had to admit he understood immediately why such a place appealed to
Testament; standing there against the night, his hair and leather clothing
billowing with the breeze, his back straight despite the motion and face
serene�he looked majestic, maybe even beautiful. But most of all the wind, the rustle of
fabric and the dull whine from the engines were indeed calming in their low
monotony. Ky
sighed, allowing it all in, hoping Testament�s words would prove true and
resettle his twisting insides.

They
remained that way for some time, side by side but saying nothing as Mayship adjusted her course to the west. It was Ky who finally broke the
silence. �I was wrong, wasn�t I. About
everything.�

He
felt Testament�s gaze slip to him but he didn�t look, keeping his eyes trained
to where distant hills melted into the starless night. �I don�t know,� the Gear admitted. �Everything you said�it is suspicious, and he
didn�t try to argue. But you�re wrong
about him and this ship. I don�t think
he would ever betray these children.�

�No�� Ky lowered his head guilty. �No, I don�t think so, either. I just�had to say something.� His fists tightened around the railing. �I don�t know why. That�wasn�t like me at all. At least�.�

�You
hope it�s not.�

Ky
sighed. It was both comforting and a
little disheartening that Testament seemed to understand what he was feeling so
well�it led to even more questions in need of answers. �Testament�do you think me a fool? Johnny and Bridget didn�t understand, but
you�� He risked a glance at the Gear,
and was encouraged by his calm, thoughtful expression. �You understand, don�t you? Why I�.�

�Not
entirely,� Testament admitted. �I don�t
know what happened between you and Sol, but�yes. Maybe if I�d had your conviction, I would
have chased after The Ninth in the same way.�

Ky
blinked up at him questioningly. �The Ninth?�

Testament
straightened, as if realizing all at once that he�d spoken the name aloud. It was then that Ky started to understand how
similar he and Testament really were; the look of anxious strain flashing
across the Gear�s face was all too familiar to him. �The man we faced,� he confessed at long
last. �I met him�during the
Crusades. I only knew him as The
Ninth�ninth out of fifteen Anti-Gear weapons the Bureau was developing.�

�I
see.� Though not the most detailed
explanation, Testament�s reaction to the man made much more sense; as one of
the Bureau�s weapons he had probably been made to hunt Testament. It wasn�t quite as similar a situation to him
and Sol as he had been hoping to hear, but still he understood the kind of
intensity that would have passed through such a relationship.

�Sol�.� Ky gulped, pressing his eyes shut against
images of the man. �Whenever he shows up
I�m not myself anymore.
It�s�embarrassing.�

Testament
considered that a moment, shifting his weight.
�Can you tell me?�

He
had been waiting for that. With the city
at their back the story was already so heavy on his lips, and that quiet
prodding was what he needed to let it all spill out, as if lying ready all
along. �Did you know Sol used to be in
the Holy Order?� he began, so grateful that Testament was willing to listen
that he couldn�t find the words to thank him.
He wasn�t even sure if he cared Testament heard him, so much as allowing
him the chance to speak. �It was just
after I was Knighted as their Captain.�

Testament
hummed thoughtfully beside him. �I�d
heard rumors.�

�He
was probably the worst soldier that ever served under me,� Ky continued with a
tiny snort. �He�d never listen to
orders, was always going off alone�he never treated me or any of the other
officers with respect.� He smirked
bitterly. �And somehow he always managed
to get the job done. He�d run off by
himself and come back without a scratch when the mission was over. Sometimes we weren�t even sure if he�d done
anything. But even if we didn�t see him
he never lost a fight.�

Ky
lifted his head slightly, taking Testament�s earlier advice in letting the wind
wash over him, through him. �I have to
admit, I was a little awed by him myself.
There was always a sense among the soldiers�or maybe just a joke�that
whatever happened, Sol would somehow screw up and end up saving us. I sometimes imagined that if I was able to
tame that recklessness of his�maybe it would prove my abilities as their
leader. I was so young and uncertain
then, but I knew that if I could get Sol on my side�for real�it would prove to
everyone, and myself, that I really was the Captain of
the Holy Order.

�But
I was never enough to handle him.� Ky�s
fingers tighten subtly against the metal rail.
�Sol never let anyone close to him, never put
effort into any of our drills or practices.
And because no one ever really saw him complete a mission, I couldn�t
trust that he was as powerful as his boasts.
At first I thought he was putting up an attitude to impress the younger
soldiers�later, that he simply had a problem with taking orders, and especially
from me. Either way, I never trusted him
completely as one of our officers. If
only I�d known how strong he really was�if I�d been able to tell�.�

Testament
shifted slightly beside him. �Are you
saying that if you�d known how powerful he was, you would have let him get away
with disrespect?�

Ky
scoffed quietly. �No. Probably not. But at least then I would have known what he
was capable of�that I could trust him.�

Testament
was silent a moment, considering. �It�s
not surprising,� he murmured. �If he had
shown you all his full power, you probably would have started to suspect.�

The
hair on the back of Ky�s neck prickled.
�Suspect�?�

�Trust
him less,� Testament quickly corrected himself, as if having given something
away. �So what happened?�

Ky
frowned, but followed Testament�s prodding.
He would have plenty to worry about after his story had finished. �He left.�
The words clawed through him bitterly, and he quickly forgot whatever
Testament had been implying a moment ago.
�It wasn�t long after we fought together to save the people of Rome. Without a word he took Fireseal
and abandoned us.� His hands tightened
again and began to ache, but he gave them no notice. �I knew he didn�t like our ways, our
discipline, but he didn�t need to turn his back on us! Even if he couldn�t accept me as his captain,
I could have been replaced. Did he hate
us that much that he couldn�t bear to stand beside us, even for the sake of our
world?�

�Ky�.�

�I
didn�t see him for another two years after that,� Ky continued, his voice
sharp. �We lost countless men to the
attacks of the Gears, and not once did he lift a hand to help us. Even when we rallied all our power for the
final battle against Justice itself, it wasn�t until the end when half our men
had been slaughtered that he finally showed.
It wasn�t until then that�I really understood.�

In
his mind�s eye, he could still see it; the poisoned debris, bloodstained stones
and streaking lightning�the form of Justice towering over them, flicking claws
to rid them of wasted human life. He remembered
the blow to his skull that had felled him, the heat that woke him some time
later to find his former master bloodied, and Justice enveloped in flame. There was nothing more vivid in his memory
than the silhouette of a tall figure against swirling, ungodly fire.

�Sol
is more powerful than anything I�ve ever encountered. I don�t know how he came to be that way�why
he didn�t challenge Justice before that night�but I do know that he hid all
those things from us.� Ky took in a
long, deep breath. �More than that, I
misjudged him. We needed him. If I had known how powerful he was, I could
have formed a better strategy for dealing with Justice that would not have cost
the lives of so many innocent soldiers.
I would have forgone some of my own pride, if only to keep him with us
for that purpose. We struggled those two
years when only one bit of knowledge could have brought us salvation. Two years over the span of a hundred year
crusade is indeed a short time, and yet�so many
lives�.�

�Ky,�
Testament interrupted him at last. �I
understand how it must frustrate you, but even if you chase Sol to the ends of
the earth he may never tell you why he did it.
There�s no point in endangering yourself for a truth that isn�t there.�

�But
still�!� Ky shook his head
stubbornly. �I don�t need to know
why. No motive would ever excuse him�he
abandoned us when we needed him the most, most likely for the sake of his
damned pride. But if I can�t know the
truth�I�ll at least know how strong he is.�
His eyes narrowed dangerously on the horizon as if he could see the man
there, challenging him. �He said I was
weak. That I had no
business leading soldiers against demons like Justice. Whatever his strength is, he risked all our
lives and the peace of our world to keep it from me, and I won�t be satisfied
until I�ve seen it for myself. Until he�s recognized me as worthy of fighting me at his best.�

A
hand fell over the back of his knuckles, and he jumped slightly, torn from his
thoughts. It was then that he realized
how tightly he had been gripping the rail; his knuckles were white and fingers
trembling.

�That�s
enough,� Testament said quietly, drawing his hand back.

Slowly,
Ky unwound his own hand, stretching it to relieve the tension in its
joints. He sighed. �I�m sorry,� he murmured. �I�m getting carried away.� This time he leaned forward, folding his arms
over the railing to steady him and avoid risking his hands again. �But that�s why I have to see him again. Especially now�he�s hiding something else from
me, and I won�t let him risk innocent lives for his selfish whims.�

A
long silence passed between the pair, and Ky felt the wind gradually beginning
to rid the heated anger and injustice from him.
It left him feeling�raw, split open like a wound, to have admitted so
much so openly to a Gear. A Gear�. He sighed.
�Thank you for listening. I know
it must seem terribly foolish to you.�

�Not
really.� Testament turned his gaze
forward as well. �It was a time of
war�many of us experienced betrayal and grief, from those�we thought we could
depend on. I�m sure even Johnny and
Bridget would understand why you reacted that way, if you were to explain it to
them.�

Ky
frowned, uneasiness settling in his stomach.
�Testament�I am sorry. I
shouldn�t be going on about the war, when you�.� He licked his lips. �I don�t blame you, for whatever you might
have��

�Don�t,�
Testament interrupted him. �We already
agreed not to hate each other; that�s enough for me.�

Ky
relaxed, relieved; it hadn�t been his intention to burden Testament with all
his bitter memories and accusations.
�I�m glad,� he murmured. And then
a little louder, �In any case, I appreciate you listening to my long-winded
story. It was good, to be able to tell
someone.�

�I
understand.�

Ky
glanced behind him, catching a glimpse of the hatch they�d exited from. �I think I�ll be going to bed now. It�s�been a long day.�

Testament
nodded vaguely. �I think I�ll stay a bit
longer. I�ll try not to wake you when I
come in.�

Ky
nodded back. Before stepping away,
however, he reached out, setting a hand over Testament�s on the railing. The Gear sent him a questioning gaze and he
managed a faint smile in return, hoping that small gesture would be enough to
convey his appreciation for all Testament�s help that
evening. �Goodnight, then.�

Testament
stared at him, blinking, and turned his hand slightly to give Ky�s a slight
squeeze. �Sleep well.�

�Thank
you.� At last Ky
pulled back, hesitating only a moment more before turning to follow the rail
back to the hull. Though he was indeed
exhausted, he suddenly felt clearer than he had in several days. It had been years, probably, since he had
told anyone about his history with Sol, and yet now he had found someone who
not only accepted his explanations, but also understood. As he reached the hatch that led inside he
glanced back, watching Testament silently for a moment. He really was an impressive figure, black
leather against pale skin, every part of him perfectly proportioned and
graceful�the kind of perfection that only a Gear possessed, and yet Ky wasn�t
as troubled by it now as he might have once been.

The
officer smiled as he turned once more, letting himself in so he could seek
peace for the night.

*****

When
Bridget was finished telling his story to the other girls, not to mention
receiving their reassurances, he made his way towards the room he shared. His steps were hesitant and heavy; though he
had seen Ky and Testament pass earlier no one knew where they were or what had
passed between them. If they were in the
room talking, he dared not interrupt no matter his concern. Even if he wasn�t sure what Testament could
offer in the way of comfort, he knew at the moment he could have done no
better. The confrontation had left him
feeling uneasy, and he had no idea how to face Ky. Especially since it had been his raised
information that caused the fight�.

�Ky�.� Bridget paused with his hand poised on the
doorknob to their room. Though he could
hear no sound echoing back from the room he was still almost ill with worry,
and for nearly a full minute he stood there motionless. Something like this should not have affected
him so deeply. He was used to raised voices and turned backs�more importantly, Ky had not
left. There was no reason left for this
uncertainty.

At
last Bridget let himself inside, twisting the door
open with slow caution. With no response
immediately following he peeked his head in, and was filled with relief to find
Ky in bed. He
crept, mouse-like, inside. �Ky�?� When the man did not respond to his whispered
greeting he was certain he was asleep, allowing him to approach closer for a
good look.

Ky
looked peaceful in his sleep, more so than on the previous occasions Bridget
had seen him, flopped on his stomach with one arm hanging easily off the edge
of the bed. His back had been bandaged
and only his vest and armlets removed.
Bridget crouched beside him for some time, just watching his slow intake
of breath, assuring himself that everything was
well. With a slight smile he gently
urged the man�s arm back to the mattress, tugged the blankets a little higher
up his back. And after a moment�s
contemplation he leaned forward, pressing a faint kiss to the man�s cheek. �Don�t go anywhere, Ky.�

Ky
shifted slightly but did not wake, and, satisfied, Bridget pulled back to head
for his own bunk. He was a little
concerned when he noticed Testament�s bed was empty, and his heart skipped with
the memories of their conversation the night before. But the ship had taken flight just after
everyone was aboard, and if Testament really had been the one to look after Ky
there would not have been time for him to leave the ship as he�d stated. Reassuring himself
once more Bridget pulled himself up to his bunk, relieving himself only of his
iron belt before wriggling beneath warm covers and falling asleep.

*****

Johnny
felt like shit. The events of the
evening had taken their toll on him, and if anything was worse than that
tension and uncertainty it was listening to May pace back and forth in front of
the door to his room. She�d been at it
for a while now, probably working up the courage to ask him in person about
what had happened in the city. He felt both
relieved and guilty that the stern expression he�d given her on the way in
would probably keep her at bay for a while.
Maybe just long enough for him to come up with an explanation.

�What
a mess.�

Johnny
shed his hat and glasses, tossing them lightly onto the bed where he�d left his
coat earlier. He was just taking the tie
out of his hair when the hall outside his door went suddenly silent. He tensed, hands still tangled in strands of
blonde as he waited for her to try the door.
It was times like these that he almost wished he�d invested in door
locks. When nearly a full minute passed
he started to relax, but naturally it was just then that the door opened a
crack. �Johnny�?�

Johnny
sighed, sagging back in his chair. �Come
in,� he called as he finished unwinding his hair from the band holding it.

He
wasn�t sure whether to be thankful or concerned when the girl who slipped
inside was Dizzy and not May. Softly she
closed the door behind her. �Are you all
right?�

Johnny
blinked at her; he hadn�t been expecting a question like that right out. �Yeah��
He passed a hand back through his hair, rubbing at his scalp. �Yeah, I�m all right.�

Dizzy
came forward slowly, her manner quiet and without accusation. �May went back to
her room.�

�Did
she?� He relaxed a little.

�She
was kind of shaken, though. She said
she�s never seen you like this.�

�Yeah,
well, I�m not so thrilled with me, either.�

Dizzy
frowned slightly but continued forward nonetheless, stopping just in front of
Johnny�s chair. He risked a glance at
her face, feeling somewhat akin to a schoolboy about to be scolded. But she was only watching him, lips arranged
in a gentle, grim smile. �Bridget told
me everything.�

�Is�� Johnny snorted, leaning his elbow against his
desk so he could rest his chin on it.
�Is the kid okay?�

�I
think so. Testament is looking after
him.�

�Huh, no kidding.�

�Johnny.� Dizzy tilted her head to the side so she
could better see him. �Are you really
all right?�

Johnny
kept his gaze carefully trained away from her as he considered her question a
bit more seriously this time. �He told
you everything, huh?� he said, his tone dropping a bit. His eyes lost their focus as he replayed
those short moments. �You know�he wasn�t
completely wrong, that damn Ky. There�s a lot I haven�t told him. Any of you.�

It
hurt, deeper than he would have liked to admit, to confess such things to
her. To think that all these years, and
May, who had more of a right to know than anyone, still knew so little�. �He could be right,� Johnny continued
vaguely. �Maybe by not telling you
all�I�m only putting you in danger.�

Dizzy�s hand alighted softly on the side of his face, and Johnny glanced
up. She was smiling, same as before, her
eyes sincere. Without a word she swiped
her thumb along the tiny healing wound that crossed his temple�gained from the
robots the day before. A warm tingle
spread through the flesh as it knit flawlessly together once more without
leaving a scar.

�Everyone
on this ship believes in you, Johnny,� Dizzy assured, brushing back a few loose
strands of his hair. �And if there�s
something you haven�t told us, we trust you to know what�s best. May more than anyone. So don�t worry about us; we trust you.�

�Dizzy�.� Johnny sighed around a quiet smile, lifting
his chin off his hand. �Thanks, Mom,� he
teased.

Dizzy
chuckled, moving around the side of his chair so she could stand closer. It only took a subtle prodding and Johnny
leaned forward, allowing her to draw him against her. She wrapped an arm lightly around his broad
shoulders to keep him close, as he finally was able to exhale the rest of his
tensions out of him.

�April
asked me to get a set of coordinates from you,� Dizzy confessed. �Where should I tell her we�re going?�

�Home,�
Johnny replied without hesitation. He
smiled grimly as he closed his eyes. �I
think it�s just about time we took these girls home.�
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Culmination