When will I see you again

A smile crept over the young Aegis' face while he lifted and flexed his leg, able to move it without her sutures tugging or pulling. The wound remained sealed and healing. "Nope. They're perfect," he replied. Lia once again took the bottle of wine from him and said she was interested since it was always so popular. He tilted his head and looked at her curiously. Popular where? Was she referring to the times she belonged to other masters, or with the slavers? There was still so much about her past that Artorias didn't fully know and didn't know if he'd ever find out. A part of him wanted her to forget those times ever existed while another part of him wanted to know her inside and out so he knew how to protect her best.

Lia took a much deeper draught from the bottle this time, then shook her head when he asked her what was wrong. She murmured a response about not having to perform anymore if she didn't want to. Brow furrowed in confusion while he tried to piece together what she was saying. Perform? What was she...? Amber eyes lit up with dark realization. Lia had only ever been expected to perform one thing by her previous masters. Her words, now understood, struck his heart like a dagger made of ice. Someone had used Lia in ways he'd sworn she'd never have to endure again. Those wide fire-kissed eyes narrowed to deadly points as a fury the likes of which he hadn't felt in over half his lifetime began to flare in his soul. "Did somebody hurt you, Lia? Did they..." Fuck, how did he phrase this? "...Did they force you to...?" Whoever it was that had hurt his Lia was a dead son of a bitch. Artorias didn't care who it was; they would give their last breath with his sword through their chest.

"Artorias Carpathius"