#Soma @ me: You're laughing. I have to deal with things like this and you're laughing.

[yeonban]

❛ ... ❜

[itsmypeach13]

[Read only if you are okay with female &female relationships. Warning because of strong language, fighting scenes. Rating is +18]

[Hello my ravens! ❤️It's been an eternity but please welcome my second chapter of my Soma POV fanfic, things will get messy and entangled full of angst and more angst. I hope you'll like it, I spiced things up with flirty Valka and women fighting🤭 Let me know what you think in the comments any opinion/thought is welcome🥺❤️]

TALES OF THE BEAR-HEART: SOMA

CHAPTER II.

Battling Hearts

The soft crackling sound of fireflames embracing hardwood woke me up tenderly. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Revna sitting by the fire sharpening her dagger, preparing for the battle ahead of us. Her raven-black long hair was braided at the sides and neatly It must have been around dawn, but it was still pitch-black outside. Busy voices surrounded us, swords clinked, horses were running up and down impatiently, some people shouted over to the other with instructions. Valka's magical sleep potion put me so well to sleep, that I was surprised at myself how late I could join onboard the ship towards the brewing sea of bloodshed. I had to pull myself together and that only worked with some ice-cold river water and some excercise.

'Good morning Revna'-I greeted my warrior as I swiftly sat up and put on my stone-hard armor.

'To you as well.'-she wiked at me playfully and lifted up the pair of the iconic hammers fixating them on her sides. ' Now you slept well for sure, how is that you sleep the soundest when battle is so near?-she laughed a little and took a sip of water from the table.

'Valka's hand in that.-I raised my brows slightly. 'Sorry, I didn't plan to start like this Revna. I have to go now and freshen up. Shall we meet at the entrance of the longhouse?'

'You're such a womanizer you know that right?'-she held up her tusk. ' Valka is a fine woman, I am happy for you now. I will meet you there nevertheless.'

'Ha!..You're absolutely misunderstanding, but I have to rush now.'- After this conversation, the fine shilouette of Valka's back flashed through my mind from last night. I quickly stepped into reality once I was out of my hut. The Raven warriors painted their faces with red and white strokes, most of them were saddling the horses.

I hurried to the shores of the river nearby, finally allowing my flaming skin to meet with the freezing waves of water. I gathered some liquid in my palms so that I could splash it onto my face over and over again. It felt like a hit on my cheeks that put me into the right battling spirits, and imagining Randvi's head on the enemy's helped a lot also.

I did some stretching and sprinting in the shores, while sloppy waves embraced the land. I was sharpening my axe and asked for Thor's strength and blessing, when I heard cat-like footsteps from behind approaching me.

'Your blade is already sharp enough, Bear-heart'-said Valka smirking, while she walked up to me.

'I could cut down a village with it yes. I guess it's just my ritual before I actually do it.'

'I bought you some food, here, some died figs with bread and a slice of boar meat from last night.'- she kindly handed over the plate.

'Thank you Valka, the gods bless your kind spirit. This will help me to do my best today. For Ravensthorpe..and Eivor.' While I started eating quickly, we sat by the shore and Valka carried on.'

'Soma, you have to remember, whatever happens today, you can count on me, you know where to find me. I saw into your soul last night and found loneliness there. But you are not so alone.' -she stroked my arm then stood up and disappeared in the crowd of warriors.

I was startled a bit, the last piece of bread almost choked me. Was that a friendly invite to her hut? I mean, private hut? I guess she needs cleaning there if you know what I mean. Who would have thought.

***

When I rode to the longhouse, a massive crowd of warriors have gathered in front of the building. The golden locks of Eivor showed up with that deadly, stern smirk on her face. She was riding a snow-white mare with her armor glistening in the awakening morning sunrays. A huge hunnish bow spread on her broad back and two axes were fixated on her sides, one can never be so sure with just one, right? Randvi followed her closely, rumour has it that she is going in battle after long years spent in the map room. I was curious how she would perform outside these walls. Revna joined me swiftly and we quickly caught up with Eivor and other leaders riding in the front.

As if she sensed my closeness, the wolf-kissed greeted me with a wide smile.

'Morning Soma, I hope you are ready to spill some blood today with me.'

How could she know I was ready to do anything with her, my eyes wandered on those rosy lips talking to me. She looked stunning with freshly dried warpaint framing her ocean eyes.

'I will smash skulls today, as my father taught me'I assured her. ' You don't want to make it a contest, I am the champion in this.'

'We'll see, I will beat your ass.' Eivor uttering those words brought me to the depts of my wildest fantasies for a moment. Holy mother of.. A shiver went through my spine as I actually pictured this. 'Okay, whoever wins this beheading game will pay for the best ale in land for a week.'

'That's a deal, officially.'-Eivor agreed playfully.

As we left Ravensthorpe Randvi joined us to briefly go through our plans , and of course to keep an eye on her drengr.

'Hi Soma..I hope you haven't lacked the care and wealth of Ravensthorpe.'

'Thanks Randvi, I had everything I needed' except for Eivor in my bed last night, but I guess that's the VIP package. It’s good I didn’t say this out loud.

'Good. Now our plans are the following. Eivor and you will hide in the thick bushes of the main road on both sides with our archers. When Birna's army is well inside the trap, Eivor will sign you with her horn, then both of your teams will fire and wipe out as many as you can. I will wait for Eivor's horn and join with a group on horsebacks to push them back towards the hills where their camp is. We'll follow them and burn it down to force them out of mainland.

Cheolbert's army will be only used if necessary. They are stationed on the right side of the forest.'

'Smart plan Randvi, I am sure we can protect our people, which is the most important aim, I feel honoured to be here today and lead this army' -Eivor answered then we positioned our forces in the thick undergrowth of the main road. Some archers even hid high on the old oak trees to have a nice and deadly view on the road. Our eyes met with Eivor and I was once again stunned by those piercing blue eyes, radiating godlike power and trust in me. She made me weak with one stern look, this feeling was brand new for me..Soma trembling like a leaf in the autumn breeze? My eyes wandered lower, on Eivor’s bulging arms holding those big, heavy axes.

Revna positioned herself right beside me like a protective bastian ready to spill blood, her hands firmly gripping the two hammers.

’They will eat my hammer for breakfast.’-she whispered to me, keeping her voice down.

A medium group of soldiers were nearing our forces, all of them on horseback.

They were led by a young woman with blood red hair, riding on a pitch-black horse. Just before Eivor could use her horn to give the sign for us to attack them, the enemy started throwing flaming throving balls into the thick and completely dry undergrowth that caught on fire in no time. They knew exactly where we were hiding, forcing us to be distracted for a second and be stunned by their unexpected moves. Revna quickly brought me back to reality with her loud roar she jumped out of the bushes and ranted at our enemy. As if she were a deadly panther, she pulled a man down from his straddle , threw him on the ground finally smashing his face on both sides with her double hammers. What left off that head was forming an unrecognizable mixture of broken bones and flesh.

I joined her swiftly and shouted at all of my men:'Don't just stare, cut all of the bastards down and burn their flesh!' The archers could perform a swift attack from above before the flames got to the upper branches, then joined us from behind our shield wall Eivor was forming with the Ravens.

I quickly got on my horse and joined at the side of Revna, who was sandwiched between two twin shieldmaidens fighting with swords. Just before the bigger one could plunge her longsword into Revna's spine, I trapped her with my axe, agressively pulled her body to mine from behind holding her still for a moment shouting in her face: 'I will burn your whole village for this.' -then I slit her throat and pushed the body down to the dust. My face became sprayed with fresh blood, and I could see Revna kept herself busy, the other one joined her sister in death.

-Thanks Soma, I am glad you have my back, literally -Revna shouted at me with ave.

-I am never late, you know me.-I winked at her assuringly. -someone betrayed us Revna..we have to find that son of a bitch. -I shouted back while I saw a huge man charging at me with a poisoned axe.

-You will die bitch-his deep growl ecoed in my ears as I prepared for defense. I thought I would end him with my wit instead of my valuable strength, I slipped between his legs and cut right into his balls leaving him a suffering mess falling on his knees, and finally collapsing in the bloody pond forming underneath.

-Not today, bastard.-I stated. While we fought our way a little further with Revna I quickly looked behind my back to see how Eivor was holding up. Then I saw the blood-haired war-chief woman charging on her horse at full speed towards the wolf-kissed, she wanted to end Eivor. Her plan was to cut the head of the snake, I saw her green eyes burning with ambition, fury and wrath, she jumped off of her horse slamming Eivor to the ground. Unfortunately, the charging horse killed several men around Eivor failing to hold the shield wall.

I felt my heart beating in my throat , as both Eivor and that killer bitch disappeared from my sight behind the crowd of clashing soldiers.

-Revna, you have to hold this mess, I will be back!-I gave my clear orders to my right hand , and with that I ran into Eivor’s direction as if there was no tomorrow. Many men tried to stop me on my way, but I cut them all, roaring like a beast, both of my arms were drenched in blood. The inner bear has awoken. I saw Randvi charging on her horse towards the same spot, my worry mirrored in her desperate eyes. She fought like an amazon, a tiger let out of her cage , she was never really tamed behind that map table after all. I must admit she fought fiercely. Her long copper braid was dancing around in circles as she slain anyone who got near her. Unexpectedly, her horse got an arrow in the front leg, causing Randvi to fell foward harshly, she was flying several meters from the saddle. The killer-witch had supporter archers at the top of a nearby rock, they were backing their leader and her evil plans.

I didn't have time to care for Randvi, I slammed into the shield wall to see what was happening with Eivor behind it.

The blood-witch was strangling Eivor with her strong arm, Eivor had deep cuts on her own arms and her side. Fuck.. she really didn't see it coming.. oh that fucking bitch ! Eivor wanted to kick her in the face but her legs were entangled in strong hold by that serpent. She fought differently, wrestled her enemy, held the body in position to slowly end it with deadly cuts. I couldn't let her finish her work..my heart would break in two for an eternity..

I grabbed her hair pulling her upwards, while I watched her cry out from the pain.

-Hey, you blood whore, don't you dare to move or I will cut your pretty head off. Eivor broke free swiftly, but instinctively put her right hand on her ribs. I saw a considerable blood stain growing there, which felt like a punch in my stomach. It seemed I actually got one, as the redhead tried to break away. Just before I could end her, I felt a powerful but blunt hit on my back, an arrow's burning head fought it's way into my flesh. I instantly fell on my knees then I started to crawl on the ground ghasping the dust.

Eivor didn't give a fuck about her serious wound on her side she ran towards that sly whore to avenge this mess. Randvi arrived just in time her huge smash with her shield put the escaping rat onto the ground. The blood-witch was cornered and there was no way out. My sight became blurry and I wanted to vomit from the pain that radiated into my chest and my back.

'Tie this one up quickly, we'll inerrogate her at Ravensthorpe. Randvi instructed two soldiers. -Oh God..Eivor you're bleeding-she mumbled with care as she stepped to the wolf-kissed, her eyes wandered on the huge blood stain. Randvi's bottom lip was craked and bleeding, probably from a huge stroke.

'I am fine Randvi, bring our forces left to safety, we have to retreat, now' Eivor's raspy voice echoed, turning to Randvi. 'I can only thank my life to Soma' Eivor hurried to me while Randvi called a retreat to Ravensthorpe, we could defend the way from the woods but it was clearly a trap. Somebody gave valuable information to the enemy, Birna and Ivarr could attack any moment.Both sides lost countless men, the woods was in flames around us.

'My poor bird..' Eivor whispered calmly, holding me in her arms in a second sitting on her knees on the ground. She turned my body really slowly to spare me from the additional pain, I could have screamed out loud in my despair, but I couldn't show the slightest sign of weakness while she was around me.

'I m have to get this out now' she said apologetically, furrowing her brows.

I couldn't speak as I felt my power leaving me, I was close to fainting, so I just nodded and let myself concentrate on those strong arms being folded around me. This was the closest Eivor ever got to me.. my heart was burning and beating fast both from the trauma I endured and the excitement that was ruling over me inside.

'I will be as quick and gentle as possible'Eivor promised with a light smile.

I held onto her arm and mumbled a few words:'Just do it, please..' I closed my eyes knowing what will come.

Eivor clearly had pratice in this, as she firmly held onto the arrow, turned it slightly in my flesh, then pulled it out with a powerful move.

It felt as if a burning blade was turned inside me ripping out my flesh. The pain was undescribable with words, I cried out, my eyes became blurry with tears.

'Fucking GOD' I shouted.

'The worst is over Soma, I promise. I can thank my life to you, so I am in your debt, I will help you through this and bring you to Valka.' Eivor lifted me up, placed one of my arms around her neck and holding my weight with her arms below my knees. ' 'I got you now -she gently stroked my arm and carried me to her horse, we headed back to Ravensthorpe with our forces left , following Randvi's soldiers.

As we rode along those old oak trees I could feel the sweet scent of Eivor's skin around her collarbone as I laid my head on her broad chest. Small sweatdrops were glistening on her perfect face while her ice-blue eyes stayed focused on the road, I could watch this living statue of perfection all day.

Spring breeze played on my cheeks while I closed my eyes to just feel the bumps and turns of the road.

I couldn't get a peaceful monent as my thoughts caused me an inner turmoil. Where the hell was Revna? Did she join to Randvi and her forces? How am I supposed to fight like this? The hardest part of this battle is still ahead of us..I came here to defend Ravensthorpe, not to behave like a whining child. And who was that blood-haired shieldmaiden?

***

[fragmentedshards]

The Final Curtain, Chapter Six

Matilda Livesey and the Dinner Party

-

Undertaker was used to the general gloom that pervaded his shop, but he wasn't sure how he would adjust to his returning solitude. He helped Matilda pack her remaining belongings in a carpetbag, thinking how much he would miss the magenta-haired woman.

"I'm sorry it turned out to be this sudden," the mortician apologized as he placed Matilda's nightdress on top of her other clothes. "Apparently external circumstances have interfered with one of the servant's ability to work tonight, and they need you to start immediately. I realize I should have asked you before volunteering your services-“

Matilda shushed him, facing the older man and gently laying her hand on his shoulder. "You needn't be sorry. It's the life of people like us. I am honored to serve the Phantomhives."

Undertaker chuckled to himself a little bit as the girl closed her carpetbag. "Call us people if you like; whether or not that's true anymore is more than I care to ponder."

Matilda laughed along with him, allowing him to help her into her coat. "The only thing I'm worried about is how will the school continue to function with me gone?”

Undertaker tapped her nose gently with his forefinger. "Never you worry about that; I will take care of everything." He stood a few paces away and took in the whole image of this woman. Everything, from her messy magenta curls to her glowing golden eyes to her plain white-and-green dress to the wedding band on her finger, was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He grasped both of her shoulders and gazed at her through his bangs. "I'll miss you.”

She embraced him tightly. "I'll miss you too." They shared a quick kiss before walking outside, where Sebastian was waiting with a carriage. Undertaker helped Matilda into the carriage, and waved almost wistfully as Sebastian drove away.

~

Sebastian was grateful for Matilda's help in the kitchen that evening. Under normal circumstances he would have been able to make enough food for a small party such as this entirely on his own, while also cleaning up the blunders of the other servants. However, whatever strange feelings he was beginning to experience seemed to be taking a toll on his capabilities, and with Paula preoccupied with an unexpected baby and Mey Rin helping with that situation, it was a stretch for even he and Agni to complete the task on their own. Agni had managed to find suitable tasks for Bard and Finny in the kitchen, but that still left a great deal of preparations elsewhere, and at that point Sebastian knew he had to bring the Undertaker's friend to the manor as soon as possible.

Matilda had taken Sebastian's place in the kitchen that evening and allowed him to make all the other preparations for supper; setting the table with the proper tablecloth, silver, and china, as well as creating a suitable centerpiece of impeccable white roses. He checked back in the kitchen every few minutes to see all operations running smoothly. He put all the finer touches on the meal while the others prepared it. In the end, the group had produced a magnificent supper fit for the diverse guests that would be dining at the Phantomhive manor that evening.

As the dinner guests were Prince Soma, Lau and Ran Mao, and Lady Elizabeth, and of course the Young Master himself, the servants had taken the liberty of adding a little something to appeal to each person at the table. Ciel sat at the head of the table and watched as Matilda and Agni served the food, listening to Sebastian describe each course as it came in between the conversation he was having with his guests.

"This curry soup has been prepared with the finest tumeric and cumin, premium chicken and fresh produce," Sebastian said as Agni ladled soup into bowls and Matilda places the bowls before the guests. Ciel did not appear to have heard the butler, as he narrowed his eyes at the unusually smug expression resting on Lau's face.

"What's the matter with you? You're grinning like a Cheshire cat, what do you find so amusing?”

"Cheshire cat, my lord?" Lay questioned cynically as he dipped his spoon into the steaming bowl of soup. "I always thought I was much more of Major Caterpillar, wouldn't you say so, Ran Mao?" The ever-silent Ran Mao merely nodded her head once in response, rolling her eyes when Lau was not looking. "In answer to your question, I am not sure amusing is the right word here. This business with you and your demon butler is very curious, I must say; it sparks many questions. Does this mean you can now perform the dirty work you so often left to Sebastian?”

Prince Soma gripped his spoon so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Of what exactly are you accusing Ciel?" he demanded.

Lau merely smirked. "I thought you were aware of all the goings-on of the Queen's Watchdog, my prince? England's Underworld is a very nasty place; it follows that anyone involved with it, in any way, should frequently find themselves handing nasty business. Young lord, are you going to kill your enemies yourself now, with your newfound demonic abilities?"

Elizabeth shot an angry look at Lau, and Ciel tried to keep his composure. "I am still the earl of Phantomhive," he replied in an even, complacent tone. "If I must perform a task I see unfit for a member of aristocracy, it falls to Sebastian to commit these actions in my stead. That is the way of a butler.”

Matilda brought out the second course, a magnificent roast turkey, which Agni began to serve to the guests as Sebastian described it.

Elizabeth watched Ciel raise a bite of turkey to his mouth, chew it and swallow. "Ciel... do you still need to eat human food?" she inquired, as politely as possible.

"I do not necessarily need it," the earl answered without so much looking at his cousin. "However, I do like the taste, and consuming human food does not hurt me in any way." He sighed inwardly. He knew this dinner gathering would be tiresome, with all these questions.

"Say, young lord," Lau spoke again. "I thought demons consumed souls. How shall this work? Are you going to make contracts with us now? I wonder how our souls would taste to you...."

Elizabeth exhaled forcefully. "For heaven's sake, Lau, why would you ask a question like that?”

"Certainly Ciel would never do something like that," Soma added, though even as he spoke he felt his assurance within him waning away.

"Begging your pardon, Mr. Lau," Sebastian interrupted the conversation at the table. "I must ask whether these inquiries are to extract information from the young lord, or to confound him.”

Lau was unmoved. "I would never intentionally place the young lord in a compromising position," he replied coyly, raising his wine glass to the butler. "I merely wish to know the changes in the dynamic beyond this household.”

Ciel dabbed his mouth with a napkin, fixing Lau with a stern gaze that would unsettle anyone else. "I would not expect the dynamic beyond the Phantomhive manor to change a great deal, if it changes at all," stated the earl. "That is the point in my continuing to run Funtom and monitor the Underworld; nobody should know the difference. Now if you are all quite finished with your interrogations, I propose we finish this meal in silence.”

Lady Elizabeth and Prince Soma glanced at each other and gulped, complying with the earl's wishes. Lau smirked to himself, but did not say another word. For the entirety of the remainder of the meal, the only sounds were the clinking of dishes and utensils and Sebastian's commentary accompanying each new course.

"These vegetables have come fresh from the market this morning, and they have been cooked to perfection and seasoned with Sichuan pepper and star anise.”

"Additionally we have the now-infamous curry bread, as well as a citrus ice with fresh fruit.”

"For dessert, we have a strawberry and almond layer cake, prepared especially by our new maid Matilda Livesy.”

Matilda smiled humbly at this recognition and continued to help Agni serve the food. The silence that had settled on the dinner party during the second course was broken with each person's bite of the cake, as every guest in turn exclaimed how delicious it was and complimented Matilda. Sebastian, for his part, thought it best to respond in his signature method to the maid's compliments: "If she could not prepare an exquisite layer cake for a dinner party, what sort of Phantomhive maid would she be?”

Matilda nodded to Sebastian's words, adding "A right poor one, that's what.”

Her sudden words surprised the rest of those present, servants and aristocrats alike. Sebastian laughed softly to himself and explained, "That question is more rhetorical than anything else.”

"Is it?" Matilda questioned as she refilled the wine glasses of each guest. "I suppose it doesn't make any difference whether or not the question is rhetorical as long as my answer is correct.”

"Matilda Livesey." Ciel said the woman's name as if hearing it for the first time. "I thought you were here to assist Mei Rin, not replace her.”

"I am here to assist everyone," Matilda confirmed. "This evening Mei Rin had other business to attend to, so Agni and I took over several tasks for tonight.”

"I see," Ciel muttered, audibly disinterested in the backstory of the new help. "Well, I'm sure Sebastian or Tanaka, or even Agni while he is still here, can teach you anything you do not already know - such as to not answer a rhetorical question.”

"Sir... did you say Tanaka?" the magenta-haired woman gaped at her master in confusion. "Is he here?”

The dinner guests watched Matilda in confusion, while Agni and Sebastian shared a quick glance that communicated an on-the-spot plan.

"Whatever the urgency is, Miss Matilda," Agni said to the maid with concern. "We can finish tonight's tasks without you. You may go see to whatever this is.”

"Tanaka is in his part of the servants' quarters," Sebastian added, poised to point in the direction Matilda needed to go.

"No need to come find me," an old creaky voice said from the doorway to the dining room. Everyone turned to see Tanaka standing there, at full height. He smiled kindly at the new maid. "Hello, Matilda. I'm so glad it's true.”

Matilda broke into a wide smile and rushed forward to embrace the ancient butler. "Hello, Grandfather." Her voice was muffled against Tanaka's body.

"Grandfather?" The guests collectively exclaimed. Even Ciel looked questioningly at Matilda.

The two broke from their embrace and turned to the rest of the people in the room. "Matilda Livesey is my granddaughter," Tanaka confirmed. "Her family lives on a farm in a very rural part of England. But many years ago they turned her out, for a series of feeble reasons. If I had known she came to London after that...."

Matilda grasped her grandfather's hand and looked at him in admiration, continuing the story. "I came to London and was able to find work at all sorts of places, but never permanent employment. I was very lucky that the mortician was able to use my help in his shop. Instead of paying me, he allowed me to live in his home. I'm very grateful to him.”

"If you speak of the Undertaker that I know, his home is merely a coffin-" Ciel froze, a forkful from a second slice of cake halfway to his mouth, and changed his sentence abruptly. "Hang on... just how close are you and that batty old reaper?”

Matilda blushed, then began helping Agni clear the table. "It's not a very interesting story, my lord," she said as she began stacking empty plates. "I'm sure there are a number of more riveting tales on other topics out there for you.”

"Speaking of which," Sebastian's voice startled the guests, who had risen from the table in plans of retiring to the drawing room. They looked sharply at one another, wondering when the butler had disappeared and reappeared. Even now, wise to the true nature of the butler, they were still baffled by him. He ignored their gaping faces and made his way to Ciel's mildly pouting one, holding a letter on a silver platter. "This is urgent from the Queen, my lord.”

"What on earth could even the Queen have to bother her watchdog over at this hour?" Lau wondered aloud, looking at an eternally placid Ran Mao.

Ciel opened the letter carefully, scanning the words once, twice, thrice. Then, sighing, he announced to his guests; "I will be retiring early this evening. You are welcome to stay the night,

as I may require your services come morning. I will reveal the contents of this letter to you tomorrow, after I have had a night to ponder over the next course of action.”

With that, Ciel made a regal exit from the dining room, followed as always by Sebastian, leaving a collection of utterly confused dinner guests and three curious servants.