Chapter Twenty-Three: Church the Collecter

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Just them he heard distant footsteps, slowly getting closer.

He pushed hard on the wall, not wasting time. Nothing happened.

Church began to sweat. He had been wrong, he was never wrong. He stepped fully in the closet as the footsteps rounded the corner, closing the door silently behind himself. The darkness engulfed him and he had no choice but to wait until the steps drew by. He listened as the steps drew closer and closer and he waited for them to pass, not daring to breath.

The steps stopped in front of the closet. And the door opened.

Church acted first, his fist sinking into the figure's stomach, doubling them over. His body turned and his elbow cracked into the side of his opponent's head, smacking them backwards. Church moved in a blur, stepping out of the closet and unsheathing ShatterBone.

A sentry was slumped on the ground, moaning and clearly in pain. Church dragged him to his feet, pressing the blade of his sword to the man's throat. Church whispered into his ear "Why were you opening this closet door? What business do you have here?"

The sentry stuttered as he tried to answer and Church smiled. He had hit the jackpot. "A-a-a coat!"

Church went to slice the man's throat. The sentry's eyes opened wide "No, no, no! I'll tell you, damn it! If you press the knot in the wood at the upper hand of the closet wall, the door will open. I swear!" Church let a smirk slide on his face as he cracked an elbow into the side of the sentry's head, letting the man reel back. Church went into a low stance, slashing Shatterbone into a crescent moon slash. The guard was dead before he hit the floor.

Let's get to work, then...
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Church slipped in the living room window. He padded over and slowly slipped of his back sheathe. It was packed full of new weapons, intricate glaives, katanas, and yew nunchucks. He was on the high of success; time to brag. He smoothed out his shirt and opened the door to her room.

Kayo's hair was spilled over the edge of her bed, a black cascade. Her face was peaceful and she slumbered, her dreams taking her away from this place.

Church looked at her and smiled. You would never guess such a calm person in sleep would be so punchy and sharp-tongued when awake. His smile widened as she snored slightly. He was definitely holding that one to her.

Church had gotten to know Kayo well over the past week. He had been living in her small house. Ironically, she forced him to sleep on the ruined remains of the couch. He had got fed up with waking with an aching back after two days and personally bought a new couch. She had shown him the city, going on about its history, showing him the best places to dine.

Church stepped besides the bed, and leaned in. His head hovered above Kayo's, her calm breathing rustling his hair. "What up!?" Church shouted.

Kayo bolted upright, her forehead cracking into Church's, sending him reeling back. She leapt to her feet, landing on the floor, and she twisted, striking out with a sharp kick that snapped Church's head back. He tried to intake breath to speak but a fist crashed into his stomach and he keeled over, gagging. He raised a single hand above his head and it was twisted behind his back in a single move as his feet were swept from under him. He fell like a burlap sack, crashing onto the bed with a groan. A weight pressed down on his back and Church groaned once more as Kayo's knees pressed onto him.

A cold brush was pressed to the back of his throat "What did I tell you about that!?" She sounded mad. Church let his breathing regulate before speaking "Not to do it again because next time you'd be ready?"

Her knees stabbed harder "Exactly. That was just yesterday! Gosh, Church, you're so infuriating! For God's sake, it's the middle of the damn night!" Church mumbled under his breath. With a deep sigh, Kayo repositioned herself so that she was sitting next to him. Church rolled over so that he could see his mad hostess. Her eyes were sharp, her face flushed, and her hair was a twisty mess; she was never so disorganized in the morning. Church grinned, she was always so punchy, as much as she tried to hide it, she was a real fighter. Church liked that about her. His expression blanched, if only for a moment. He saw a small frown creep onto Kayo's face.

Kathy....

Kathy, his girlfriend. She was back in Vlaggon, probably worried sick, like she always was when he went missing on some search for rare weapon or other. And here he was, in Alerdreamia, without a doubt the farthest he had ever been from her, and instead of missing her, he had been off in the city with Kayo, going out to restaurants and plays. And now he was here, lying on her bed, looking up into Kayo's eyes and saying how much he liked her.

He pushed himself up into a sitting position, purposely not looking in her direction "You know, you've been really great to me, really. But I...I...I have to go, Kayo. Back to Vlaggon where I belong." He waited there for what seemed like ages. A hand touched his shoulder lightly. Kayo spoke, choked up "I'm not from here too, but I found home here, friends, more than friends..." Church didn't know what to say, words weren't really his thing, fighting was. It was so much more simple, I slash you, you die. Words were for politicians; or begging guards before they were killed.

Kayo continued, her words coming out faster, one following the other as she gave herself to him, all her emotion "I was so lonely before you fell into my life, but now, now I feel whole again. I was alone and you charmed me, like no one else. At first it was because you reminded me of someone I love but now, now I now it's because of you. You and you alone, Church. Don't leave. Don't split me in two. I can't have that again, I can't." Church couldn't take it anymore, he turned to look at Kayo's tear-streaked face.

And she planted a kiss on his lips. And as her soft lips touched his, he knew. Vlaggon was going to have to wait. He put his hand softly on the back of her head, running his gloved fingers through her hair. As she broke off the kiss, he smiled "I'm not going anywhere, at least not without you."
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DragonDog1: Kayo and Church. Trust me, it can get complicated. Anyways, please comment and vote because your opinion matters to me greatly. Thank you!

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