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Here's the next chapter! I hope you guys like it. Enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own Berserk.
Berserk:
Chapter 11: The Stranger with Salamander
Isidro hadn't stopped. He did as Schierke asked and thanked the heavens because he'd wanted his own release again. His newly formed body clamored for it and he was rough.
She didn't seem to mind either because her own body moved beneath him now, responding. She was no longer just lying there having him take care of her… she was reciprocating. It touched him deeply that she would give back to him. Then again, maybe she too just wanted to continue because she also needed another release.
After the fourth time they'd come together, Isidro hazily realized that they were feeding off of each other's lusts. She was atop him and he watched her move upon him until his back arched. He grabbed her hips and began to thrust upward, throwing her into a new, more frantic rhythm. She grabbed his muscular shoulders and continued riding him, her breasts bouncing up and down, nipples calling for his lips so he pulled up and latched on and she came like a storm around him.
He grunted beneath her as her walls tightened like a vise and he exploded up into her, releasing in long, hard spurts.
Finally spent, Schierke laid atop him, face in his neck, body still around him. His hands remained on her rounded backside, caressing.
"Thank you,"
"No problem," he whispered back to her, breathless.
Then he felt her steady breathing and knew she'd fallen asleep… with him still inside of her. He didn't mind, he just wrapped his arms around her and allowed her to rest. It had been a long night for them both.
He didn't know what the morning would hold for them, but for now, they were both at peace. She was now a woman, he was now a man. He had lost his virginity and she had made it through her Witching Time.
Isidro fell asleep wrapped up in Schierke. When they'd parted from each other on the bed, he wasn't certain, but she'd had at him again once more and he gladly let her have her way with the new body he'd attained in return for his service.
Isidro let the memory end as he scratched his hair, it was longer now too. His hands were bigger. He felt bigger all around. He was different and he'd have to accept that fact. He was no longer a little boy of fourteen, but a man of twenty. He didn't know what it meant to be a man but he was determined to learn.
With his new body, he would need to train it hard to give it even more power and strength. His fighting technique would change too since he was taller now. He didn't know how tall but gauging from headboard to the end of the bed, his feet was a foot longer. He was pretty fricking tall.
Sitting up, he yawned. He needed to piss, so he got up and trudged to the bathing area unclothed. He felt Schierke's eyes on him and it made him a little self-conscious. He probably should've found something to cover himself but unless he was taking the blanket from her there was nothing on hand and he really needed to go.
Relieving himself quickly, he was about to leave when his eyes caught the mirror. The man looking back at him…he could hardly believe it.
He was big and tall. Not nearly as big as Guts but damn he'd filled out considerably. His arms, if trained properly would possibly be able to lift the Dragonslayer. Tears came to his eyes, he didn't know this guy in the mirror.
"It's you,"
Startled, Isidro turned swiftly, but being unused to his new size he toppled to the ground, sprawled open before Schierke. She stared down at him, eyes locking on his jewels and then up to his face.
"Regardless of what you look like, you are still you," Schierke told him, looking away. She was wrapped in the blanket. Walking into the bathroom, she passed him, snapped her fingers and the tub began to fill with water automatically.
"Are you going to stay on the floor?" She dropped the blanket and got into the tub.
He watched her, body stiffening from the sight. The top of her head would reach his shoulder. Her breasts were pretty big, but not overly so, they fit her new frame to perfection and her hips were wide giving her a pleasing, hourglass figure. He lifted from the floor and turned to see her sit in the tub.
"I guess we both have a lot to learn about what's happened to us," He turned his eyes away from her, just because they'd laid together, it didn't mean he had the right to ogle her. He'd accepted a job and done it.
"Indeed," she said. He could hear her washing, lathering up her hair. "Why'd you do it?"
"You needed help, I was here," he told her simply.
She was silent for a moment. "It's going to be challenging for you,"
"I like challenges," he said.
"Your mental and emotional status-"
He looked at her, "I'll be fine," he said to her. "I had the choice to leave or stay. I stayed. As a man, I will not complain about the decisions I willingly make. It will be challenging, I accept the challenge gladly" He said.
"You could've died."
"I almost did," He continued to stare at her because how could he not with soap all over her nice body. He rubbed his neck, "It was so good I nearly died five times."
Schierke's face reddened instantly and she broke eye contact, embarrassed. "We- We can't do that again." she began to wash the suds from her body.
Taken aback, quite frankly shocked and even a little dismayed, he asked, "Why not?"
"What do you mean?" she stepped out of the tub, clipped her fingers and a towel appeared to wrap around her body.
"You know what," he gritted out. He wanted her again. In fact, he wanted her more than he could count.
Schierke's sighed and headed from the bathroom. "Isidro you're not a little boy anymore," she said. "If you're going to throw a temper tantrum because I said we can't lay with each other again, then please do it somewhere else."
"No," he followed her. "I'm not going to get angry. I just want to understand. Last night was amazing."
She turned on him, her long green hair wet and loosely curled. "Last night was hell," she corrected.
"I meant the ending part of it," he explained. "You were enjoying yourself."
Her eyes widened at him. "Are you serious?"
His face suddenly turned into a look of confusion. "Yes I'm very serious. You liked it. You asked me not to stop. You-"
"You think I was enjoying myself," she threw her hands up. "I can't believe it. Trust a man to misunderstand the situation."
"What?" He felt his anger pique. "How is remembering the way you clung and the sounds you made, how is remembering the way you moved on top of me, or beneath me misunderstanding the situation?"
She clapped her hands and suddenly was dressed in a plum colored dress that fit her curves and emphasized them beautifully. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. He wasn't delusional, she'd enjoyed what they'd done, immensely.
"Isidro," she grabbed her stick. "Last night was your first time, right?"
"So what?" he asked. Just because he had no experience, that didn't mean he couldn't know if she was positively responsive to him.
"So it's obvious you know nothing about women," as she spoke she began to clean the room, not even giving him her undivided attention.
Sure, he understood they didn't have those deep loving feelings for each other but-
"A woman can pretend to enjoy what a man is doing," she said.
"You weren't pretending though," he countered.
"No I wasn't. In fact, I was in so much pain I couldn't even pretend if I wanted to," she continued. "Last night was the worst night of my life. It was horrible and mortifying. You were rough and impatient and didn't even know you were."
"But your body-"
"My body? You mean this new body that I still need to get used to?" she frowned at him. "Isidro, this body reacted that way to you because what we were doing was physically stimulating. I, mentally, emotionally, did not enjoy myself because I was too out of it to even enjoy it. Our bodies took control last night, it was nothing but our carnal natures, lust of the flesh. You can arouse a body and the body will release and enjoy it but that person could be completely against what's happening-"
Isidro remained silent, not knowing how to counter that. He'd thought they were on the same page.
"I didn't like last night," she told him stiffly. "Contrary to what you think. You might've had a great time, but as for me, I felt mortified and embarrassed because my body was enjoying it but I wasn't. How can I enjoy something so intimate with a man I don't love or feel anything for?"
Isidro walked about the room. He found Salamander, picked it up and headed for the door. "I understand," he said as he opened the door and then looked back at her, eyes welling because his emotions were all over the place and this new body he needed to learn more of wasn't helping him out. "I'm sorry… for everything." Then he walked out, shut the door and shocked everyone he passed by with his nakedness.
Schierke exhaled and dropped to her knees. That had been close, if she hadn't made him leave, they'd probably be on the bed again. And that couldn't happen. Doing that with him had been all right during the window of Witching Time but now that the Time was over, continuing to do that would result in her getting with child.
This was no time for that. She couldn't even imagine being a mother yet.
So she needed him to leave so she could work out what to do from then on. There had to be a medicine of some sort she could take so if she decided she'd like to have him or any other man again, then she wouldn't have to worry about natural repercussions.
Her heart was pounding in her chest. She shouldn't be thinking this way though. This was just not the time to be having these feelings and she didn't want to complicate things any more than they already were.
He'd done her a great service and that was that. They didn't need to go falling in love or lust with each other. No, that was dangerous. They didn't even really like each other.
But my word, he'd made her feel amazing last night. She never knew Isidro could be so… well, manly. And she didn't just mean his body, but he had been careful with her, giving her what she needed and then what she wanted. He hadn't stopped her from doing anything last night. After their first time, she could've let him go. His job had been done but it was her- she had clung to him and they'd gone at it again four or so more times.
And he'd liked it. She flushed and then slapped her face.
"It's no big deal," she muttered to herself. "Witching Time is over, I can't do that with him anymore. He'll be too big a distraction and I need to focus. We both need to focus on training our new bodies. There's a lot to do and I can't keep my thoughts on intimacy with him." She would still need to find that medicine though because she had a sinking feeling, she'd have him sinking back into her very soon, this body seemed insatiable.
She began to get up when she noticed a strange mark on the floor. "What's this?" she moved closer to look at it and then recognized what it was. "A forbidden rune. Why is this-" she hovered her hand over it and began to read the room.
She saw Ivalera use her powers to cloak the room first and then embedded a suggestion in Farnese and Serpico's minds. Sending Serpico to stand outside by the door, her and Farnese began caring for Schierke until Guts and Casca had arrived. Then Ivalera's plans had gone into full swing when Farnese left the room. She'd attacked Casca with Astral Maiden and Mind Cracker but Casca had fought back valiantly. Casca managed to hold the Astral Maiden off until Guts busted into the room, dissipating the barrier and releasing Casca from the Maiden. He'd been so angry he was going to kill Ivalera for hurting Casca but instead after a few words from Casca, he'd picked her up and jumped out of the window.
"Oh Ivalera," Schierke sighed. She'd been so wrong about her feelings for Guts. Donning her hat and picking up her staff, Schierke left the room. Ivalera would be with the Flowerstorm King. They needed to talk and hopefully Ivalera wasn't in too bad a way from using the forbidden elven techniques. They'd also have to apologize to Guts and Casca, she didn't like the thought of Guts being that enraged with her guardian, Ivalera. They'd have to come to some sort of agreement. Schierke hoped they could because she had a lot on her mind to think about just with Isidro.
Heading to the room he shared with Guts and Serpico, Isidro entered and was sorely disappointed that Guts wasn't back.
On his bed there was new clothes quite possibly from the Flowerstorm King. As he bent, he suddenly stopped as a pointed, needle-like blade came up to his neck, swiftly, before he even knew what he was doing, he defended himself with Salamander.
"Who are you?" Serpico said, his slanted eyes opening just a little, giving him a more menacing appearance.
Isidro stared at Serpico in wonderment at the situation, for just a brief moment. Then he realized he'd guarded himself perfectly. Serpico wasted no time attacking though, he wasn't the most patient of people when up against an enemy.
"Serp-" Isidro began to speak, but the lanky blonde with his superb skill continued to attack. Isidro, however, was a bit shocked that he could defend himself as well as he was doing. Every strike, every parry, every swish, Isidro blocked.
"Why do you have that blade?" Serpico asked and then became even more serious, his attacks swift as the wind. "Where's the boy you got it from?"
"Wait-" Isidro shouted dropping to the ground. He might be able to block a little better but he didn't know how to move fast with his new body. He rolled out of the way, got up and blocked the thrust meant to skewer him.
Suddenly the door opened, and Farnese walked in. "Serpico what's taking you so-" She stopped when she saw the naked, well-developed man with long brown hair and a tall, muscular frame. Her eyes widened as it dropped to the hairy patch between his legs and the long member hanging down in front of a spectacular set of balls.
Her mouth dropped open. With a gasp, she turned around and blushed. "Serpico what's going on?"
"Lady Farnese," Serpico finally got the stranger up against a wall, his blade imbedded into the guy's left shoulder. The Salamander was on the floor and the guy had his hands up, as if to say 'I give up'. Blood was dripping and the guy's handsome face was contorted with pain.
Farnese took a deep breath, turned and settled her features to impassivity. What did it matter if the man Serpico was fighting was built similarly to Guts? No one but Guts, that they knew of had shoulders that broad, legs that defined, a neck thick and corded and a stomach that flat and muscular.
Serpico was more lean strength. This guy was built like a big cat-like beast and had the hair to match. Farnese's green eyes narrowed as she looked at the man who was trying to speak. He was familiar, though Farnese was certain she'd never forget a man that looked as he did.
"Serpico, free him. Let him talk," she said, eyes drifting over him again. She felt a little tingly just staring at the man.
Serpico just glanced at her, but the moment he took his eyes off the stranger, the man kicked him in the gut, releasing the sword from his shoulder, scooped up the Salamander and got into a fighting stance, his eyes wild.
Serpico got in front of Farnese to protect her. Though clutching his stomach, he was still prepared to fight.
"Who are you?" Farnese asked the man.
"Isidro," he said to her. His voice was deep as well, to be expected. He sounded nothing like the little boy he'd been just hours ago.
"Isi-" Farnese gazed at him and then understood. "Witching Time."
Serpico looked at Farnese and then back at Isidro. "What is this Farnese?"
"I can't believe it," Farnese stepped back, shaking her head. "You laid with Schierke."
Isidro nodded.
Farnese's hand went to Serpico's that held his sword, silently ordering him to put the sword down. "You helped Schierke through her Witching Time," she said. "Isidro-"
"Yes it is me," he frowned. "I don't know how to get you to believe me but the Witching Time aged me by six years the same way it did to Schierke."
Serpico sheathed his sword, sighed and went to Isidro's bed. Grabbing the pants on it, he threw them at Isidro, who easily caught it and turned so Farnese could stop staring at his cock, the woman lacked shame the way she ogled him. He would've been flattered if he didn't have so much interest in Schierke and didn't know that Serpico had feelings for the blonde woman.
Even his rear end was a great sight to see, Farnese thought before the pants covered it and she cleared her throat. "So this is the new you,"
"Yes," Isidro turned around. "Can you both remember that so I'm not attacked again?"
"My apologies Isidro," Serpico told him. "Things have been strange since yesterday."
Farnese nodded in agreement. "We only remember heading down from Schierke's room with Guts to get some water from the wheel and then suddenly we awoke in my bed with headaches."
"I was with Isma heading back when we saw Guts tying you up. He handed you off to me and I brought you to your bedroom," Isidro explained as he went to don the shirt that was there on his bed. As he began to put the shirt on, he stopped and looked down at the wound Serpico had given him. It was healed and only a smear of blood was left. "I'm healed," he said.
Farnese moved towards him to look. "Must be an effect of Witching Time. Since you laid with Schierke you've probably developed a healing factor of some sort"
Isidro didn't think it was that per se, but he nodded stepping away from Farnese because he saw the way Serpico was looking at him and he didn't like it. "I wasn't able to get any details from Guts because he ran off to check on Casca."
"Casca? Where is she? I haven't seen her this morning," Farnese was slightly disappointed when his chest was covered. This was a problem, she realized. Never had she been so interested in a man's figure. She didn't think it was Isidro himself that was doing things to her, just his big, strong, manly body.
"Once I got you two settled, Isma and I headed for Schierke's room," He explained putting his sword belt on. "But by the time we got there, Guts was enraged at Ivalera and Casca was in his arms. He jumped out Schierke's window and ran through the forest in the direction of the waterfall. I'm not sure if they've been back and just left early this morning, or if they stayed out. He was very angry though."
"I think we need to gather everyone," Serpico said then. There were too many patches in the story of yesterday's events, everyone needed to be on the same page moving forward.
"I am heading out to find Guts and Casca," Isidro put the Salamander into his belt after pulling on the boots that was there. Everything fit him properly so the clothes were probably enchanted to stretch and fit or something. "I don't need him trying to strike me with his sword. I can't defend against that."
"Well I'll go see Schierke," Farnese turned to Serpico, "You can find Isma. We'll meet in the dining area for breakfast. I'm sure we're all famished." Then she was off quickly.
Serpico watched her go and then turned his eyes back to Isidro who was in the mirror wondering what to do with all the hair on his head. "Let me help you, Isidro," Serpico said.
Isidro looked at the guy, saw his sincerity, and sat down in a chair.
"You want to keep it long?" Serpico asked. "I fixed Farnese's hair when she'd cut it off."
"No, I think I want to keep it long for now," he said. "Maybe just tie it back and the hair in front of my face is in the way."
"Okay then," Serpico pulled out a clipper and began to work. "We'll have to do something about the hair on your face too."
"I think I want to keep it," Isidro told him as he looked in the mirror. Without the hair, who knew how much younger he would appear and he didn't want to look young. For some reason the hair on him, the new look, made him feel like a new person, more mature which is what he wanted to be. Also, Guts was always smooth shaven and if he was honest, he didn't want to copy the man to a tee. He liked the hair on his face, in any case.
It didn't take long for Serpico to finish grooming Isidro and Isidro was pleased to see how he looked now, a lot more decent and put together. He had a lot to learn. "Thank you."
Serpico put his hand on Isidro's shoulder. "If you need to talk about anything, don't be afraid to ask." Then Serpico left and Isidro glanced at his face in the mirror again. He didn't recognize the man looking back at him, but Schierke had said it was him. His eyes were the same but everything else had changed. He couldn't be the ridiculous boy he'd been anymore, but did that mean he had to be as serious as Serpico and Guts? He didn't know. Also, there was the problem with Schierke, just thinking about her and her beautiful self was making his new pants uncomfortable.
But she didn't want to continue on with that kind of relationship with him. She'd hated what they'd done even though he'd liked it very much. He'd hurt her, so she said, he didn't quite believe it because he'd tried to be as in tune with her reactions as possible. Albeit, he probably had banged her a bit roughly once his own body had yearned for release but she'd grabbed at him and clung, she hadn't pulled away as he thrust everything he had into her.
It was done to help her through her Witching Time, but maybe that didn't matter. He was the man who breached her for the first time, a man she didn't hate or particularly liked. He didn't know if she was the kind of girl who wished to have her first time with someone special, or a husband. But it wasn't his fault. He'd done the only thing he could do to help her. He'd desperately wanted to help her. He hadn't laid with her because he wanted to. Albeit after the first time all he'd wanted to do was keep her in bed with him.
"Damn," he felt the tears threatening. He needed a thicker skin. He'd been just fourteen before the transition, now he was six years older, a man. Six years, that was time a boy used to get that thick skin and develop. He didn't have the luxury of six years to shape himself. He would need help but Serpico was open to him and possibly Guts.
He headed out of the spirit tree and to the forest, but the further he got he felt his body strangely being pulled back.
He fought the pull though. He didn't want to think about her but she seemed to be the only thing he could think about.
The memories of her on top of him, gasping and bringing herself to release came to him, he balled his fists. Her eyes, those mesmerizing eyes haunted him. They'd been so clear, so aware of what was happening after their first release together. He didn't want her to hate him. He'd tried his best to make it good for her but he'd messed up. He felt sick and the feeling was getting worse the further he went. He began to vomit into a bush. There was nothing to come out of him and tears of confusion rushed down his face. He didn't know what to do.
He was a fool. Hadn't the Flowerstorm King warned him about the aftermath of coupling with her? Even though he helped her, she might, for her own personal reasons, hate him or want nothing else to do with him.
After a long moment, he wiped his face and tried to continue forward but realized he couldn't go any further. He was stuck. Panic began to set in but he took a deep breath and found a rock to sit down against.
"There's no need to panic, young Isidro,"
He went still as the voice of the Flowerstorm King entered his mind.
"What's going on? I can't go any further than this," He said.
"It's an effect of the Witching Time," she told him. "You can't go too far away from Schierke now. I didn't explain these things to you because I thought she would."
"We had a bit of an argument," Isidro sighed. "I think she hates me."
The King was silent for a moment. "How does she feel?"
"What?"
"I won't tell you everything as it is not my place," The King said, "But you two are deeply connected. You should be able to read her feelings even from that distance. I am with her now. Mentally reach out to her and discover the truth." She said. "I think you'll find that your thoughts on her feelings are quite wrong."
His heart began to pound suddenly in his chest at the thought of Schierke not hating him. "I don't understand but I guess I can try," he said.
"Good, I think you'll find it not so challenging," she told him. "Your bond is quite strong and you should connect easily enough if she's thinking about you too."
"Can you tell if she's thinking about me?" he stood up but didn't move from where he was.
"It's quite obvious her mind is divided," The King said. "She's here with Ivalera but she doesn't seem quite all here. So try and reach for her. Read her feelings and you'll know what to do from there because one of your finest skills is that you're observant."
The King's presence disappeared from his mind and Isidro forgot all about seeking Guts. Talking with Schierke was priority. So he closed his eyes, drowned out all sounds and pictured her. It was long minutes before he finally managed to feel something in his mind. Then he saw a door. He didn't knock. Instead, he opened it and walked right through… into Schierke's mind.
And that's this one guys!
Until next time, keep struggling!