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| - Being born to Bartholomew Rivera and Ai Kisaragi, Temperance was lucky to grow up within the rich trading islands of Spain. These were the Canary Islands. These islands had grown popular for trade and brought vast amounts of wealth to Spain itself. This wealth led to the Canaries to take on several attacks. She was taken and sheltered during the attacks by pirates and privateers. In 1580 her pregnant mother and father had taken her (unborn) into hiding during the assault upon the Canaries only to find that Lanzarote, a governor, was captured and then later ransomed and then released. It was shortly after this attack that her family left the Canaries and moved closer to Europe. With her father's connections and her mother's skill in craft, there was not much a limitation as to where they could settle. From a small town, they then relocated into Europe itself. Her family settled not too far from the East Rhine Valley, which would prove to be a fatal mistake. In 1591, her family was stricken with fear as the rumors of a rampaging knight had reached their ears. Of course, her father claimed that it is but one man, and one man alone was not enough to kill hundreds. Especially when there had been a brief period of peace to where the knight was no longer seen. Sadly, he was proven wrong. Their town was attacked by a lone knight later that week and her parents took a young Temperance and fled. From town to town they ran, but it appeared as if nowhere had been safe. Temperance had lost many of her friends to the knight. It soon came to the fact that as soon as a rumor reached her ears about Nightmare attacking, she immediately told her parents and soon, they left. They feared the knight of azure armor. As he was spotted, each and every time, her parents took her and fled. Their home was always left in ruin with few survivors if any in the wake of his massacres. The first time she was separated from her parents brought an utmost regret of fear to her. It was one rushed evacuation when Temperance was separated from her parents; she panicked and even cried when she knew not of their whereabouts. All she could do was run. Men who stood to protect their wives and children were cut down before her and children where grabbed by a hideously grotesque arm and within seconds, they ceased to move. Their corpse was then flung into the nearest object and if it were a wall, the corpse splattered against it or went cleanly through it. Like a coward, she ran. Even when the knight of azure armor extended his clawed arm in her direction, she pushed another bystander in the way and he took them instead as she fled; feeding the lamb to the wolf so to speak. Two days had passed and the screams had yet to cease. Temperance had grown exhausted and shambling as she had been doing for the past day on what she chalked up to adrenaline. In the end, she finally collapsed due to fatigue. As she lie face down in the dirt ground, she wondered if the knight would pass her by due to her position or if he would impale her through the back. Either way she could do nothing about it. That is until she began to crawl. Her parents had fought long and hard to keep her alive as well as themselves. They fought their fear of being captured and killed. So why should she allow herself to simply give up? As she crawled, with her face to the ground, she was spotted by someone. It was not the knight. It was a girl. She pointed out that Temperance had been nearby and that she did not appear to be wounded. Seconds later, two older boys came out of hiding and lent her their aid. She passed out soon after that. When she came to, she found herself in the company of a small group of peers. They had food, water, and decent shelter. At the moment, she was proud to simply be alive, but that all changed when she thought of what could have happened to her parents. Deep down, she wanted to go out and search for them, but that would not be the wisest of things to do, especially in her current condition. She needed rest. She had kept to herself due to how tired she was and spent most of her first days among them sleeping. Mariam, a blond youth whom was in hiding gave a young Temperance some advice. This advice was to at least try to talk to people, since keeping up with everyone and talking made things easier. Temperance grudgingly took the advice of the girl and slowly but surely, she befriended those around her. Six years had passed and it was now 1597; in the middle of summer when reinforcement had arrived. Though it mattered none for they were not even safe. Despite Nightmare being killed by the very same white knight she and her parents had crossed paths with years before, there were even more rumors from scattered survivors speaking of such things of a Holy Stone and manner other things which would deliver them from peril yet, those which followed the knight were still prowling the area; lizards as tall as a fully grown man and other creatures which stalked the shadows of both day and night. This area was not far from Ostrheinsburg to begin with and as she had heard over the course of her stay, this land was supposedly cursed. Despite being nearly fifty miles (she guessed) from where her home was, she assumed it to be overrun with those things by now. A tear ran down her face as she thought of her mother being eaten alive while her father could do nothing but watch. Rising from her previous position, she wondered if she should return to her home here to see or if she should return to the Canary Islands. She wished she could have told her parents to meet her at the Islands but wishes never came true. That much she knew. Temperance slept little due to the knowledge of these creatures. Many times a day survivors were found and killed. Some screamed. Some merely died without much a sound. Though the beasts howled whenever they killed and immediately devoured the remains of their victims upon the very spot they had died; two weeks had passed since the last howl was heard and she had become anxious. In the time of two years, she had grown accustomed to what she believed the world had become and instead of running, she chose to fight. Using a makeshift weapon which was comprised of two sickles for gathering wheat and a chain, Temperance wielded a lethal weapon. Along with being naturally agile as well as nimble, she had learned how to use her twin sickles effectively in combat. Temperance, (having regained her strength after being attacked by two reptilian warriors while scouting for food) wanted to search for her mother and father, yet, it was ill-advised. Despite her best defense on the matter, it was pointed out to her that if she left, there would be no taking her back in for if she were to run into those lizards and try to enter once more, she would lead the lizards to them and ultimately, Temperance would have killed them all. She wanted to argue about it, yet looking to the smallest children, she knew that her personal gain could cost the smallest child a life which they have not the chance to live. So again, she retired to what was made her room. It had been six years since she had last seen her parents and as she was now, Temperance was seventeen years old. She missed them dearly for it was not their fault for them to be separated, it was due to the collapsing dwelling around them and when Nightmare spotted her, she ran while he gave chase. That led to the Sacrificial Lamb which she practically helped the knight kill while she made her escape. Unbeknownst to her was that her parents continued to flee and had also tried to search for her but were halted due to the knight. Later that night, she kept watch while discussing the new threat which they now faced as well as a common one. Ariel had told her of the beings which some were referring to as demons but they had a more common name. These beings were called The Malfested. Some were human while others appeared to be from only that of actual nightmares. The reptilian beasts were of their horde and Temperance had killed several of them with help as well as alone. As she spoke to Ariel about the situation, they were attacked. Temperance protected Ariel from certain death and the lizard which had attempted to retreat was killed as well. Temperance had chased the beast and climbed atop a small shack and then from there, a partially destroyed dwelling. She leapt and tackled the beast yet before it could lock its slavering jaws around her, she tightened the chained sickles around its neck and with three unsuccessful jerks, the final one snapped its neck. Immediately after that, she drug the body and then lifted it. From there, she tossed it over a small drop and watched it as it sank to the bottom of the river below. Regrouping with Ariel, she tended to Ariel's wounds and they both made their way back to their home. Their numbers were dwindling. Over the course of six years, many of those whom had stayed here have been killed. Only Temperance and Gallagher remained as the original survivors and Gallagher was the one whom had been in charge of everything. They were on good terms and she counted on him just as he counted on her for he was the tactician while she was the faster fighter. Days had passed since they returned only to find that few of them had left or were leaving. Though, additional screams were heard later those days and as such, it was assumed what had happened. It was near the end of August as well as the fact that her birthday had just passed, making her eighteen years old. Temperance had reached the point of maturity. Or rather, her body did. She bled freely from her orifice and only two survivors knew what to do. One newcomer named Xavier and Ariel (whom she has known for three years now) had helped her get through her menstruation and as this was done, she, Ariel, often toyed with the young Temperance in ways that no child should truly know. Xavier also enjoyed himself yet, this was with Ariel. The other children and teenagers were oblivious to their acts, yet, as Temperance watched, she wanted to try herself. So she did. Ariel, expressing her curiosity, she tested Temperance out and when she had finished, Temperance would never look at another woman the same. After this experiment, the group had been found by Mercenaries whom were searching the area due to a rumor of possible survivors which were supposedly nothing but children. After they were saved, Ariel and Xavier were separated, however; she still had Temperance. Seeing that Temperance had no family of her own, she was to stay with Ariel which she gladly accepted. Gallagher had been reunited with his mother. However, before they all parted their ways, she spent time with him. They exchanged history. The lives they led before the Nightmare. It was nice. As he stood, he helped her up and with a single arm, he lifted his blade and allowed it to rest on his shoulder. As he looked to her, she noticed that he had stolen a quick glance of her breasts, yet before he could leave she took hold of his hand. "One kiss fer' the road?" Gallagher stammered for a few seconds, however, she guided him through his nervousness. With her arms wrapped around his neck and his arms around her waist, she pulled him in and licked his lips before placing her own upon his. She could still taste the potato and bread upon his tongue and found lashish within his cheeks. It seemed almost a perfect end to a day, however, she knew well-enough that they were not married, nor were they even with one another. As they separated. She looked into his eyes; those beautiful blue eyes of his and saw one thing which she did not expect. Disappointment. "We probably should've done this sooner..." "Aw, you gettin' sentimental on me? Or just outright sweet?" He now eyed her. "Would you blame me?" He asked with a smirk. "Hell no. I'd be insulted if you didn't like it." He now looked away from her before opening his mouth. "You were the first to lock lips with me after all..." "As were you to me...but..." She paused as she reached behind him. "I do like this skirt..." She added as she lifted his blade upward from the ground. Seeing that he released her and made a motion towards his left shoulder, she assumed that he had forgotten all about his great sword. "Eh...sorry." "Do worry 'bout it." Handing him the weapon, he was slightly amazed that she could lift the weapon with such ease. However, seeing her muscles, he was not that surprised at all. Gazing out to the dying night, she idly asked a rhetorical question: "We'll be seeing each other again, yeah?" She looked over her shoulder as she heard a soft cutting sound behind her. Before she could turn around completely, she felt his arms embrace her. With his chin resting on her head, he gave his answer: "Of course. Someone's going to need to kill all the damn lizards right?" She laughed as she held his hands with her own. "Damn right." He stood there with her for a time after the sun had risen, before eventually releasing her. Taking his blade in hand, he wished her well and not to have too much fun without him. "What's too much fun?" "You know what I mean Brass." She watched him as he walked around the rubble and then out of her sight. However, she felt that she owed him at least a little sometihng more. After she caught up with him, she saw that he stood near a caravan and had helped his mother into it. Quickly approaching, she called out to him: "Hey, Gallagher!" Setting his blade upon the caravan, he stopped and met her half way. "Two things." She said as she held up two fingers. "Uh, okay." "Give me your arm." Following her orders, he extended his arm and watched her take it. Her palm firmly gripped his forearm as he did the same with hers. "We'll make a pact, right." He blinked in confusion. "It's an easy one, by honor of faith and all her depravity. He did his best not to laugh however, it was too late. "Gallagher." He looked at her before cosuing on her brown eyes. "Stay strong and never surrender." He blinked at those words. "To be strong and to never surrender." He loosely repeated. "After the hell we've gone through, we never gave up and never surrendered. So that, will be our pact. To stay strong and never surrender. Got it?" He smiled before telling her that he 'Got it.' Releasing her arm, he now inquired about the second thing. "Oh that?" "Yes, that." "Heh. You sure?" "I could just get on this caravan and be gone you know?" She now narrowed her eyes, showing that she did not like where he was going with his words. "Well?" After a sigh, she spoke: "Temperance Rivera. Don't forget that name, all right?" A soft smile formed on his face as he caught on to what she had just told him. "I won't forget that Rivera. I'll remember it as I stay strong while making others surrender!" "Now you're trying to sound like me!" With a last laugh, he entered the caravan and was then off. Temperance stood in the middle of the dirt road watching the caravan slowly disappear into the horizon while he kept his eyes on her. They were friends. Friends that had gone through hell and lived through it. Sooner or later, they would bump into each other again. She was sure of it.
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