Disclaimer: Blue Exorcist (青の祓魔師（エクソシスト)) belongs to Kazue Kato. This is created for entertainment purposes only, no profit was made. Please support the author by purchasing her books!
不潔な火—Impure Fire
Chapter 1: Rend Asunder
After a busy and stressful morning of all times, Satoru, the young boy that was kidnapped by the masked man, was saved thanks to Yukio's heroic efforts. It touched Rin to tears when the little boy reunited with his anxious mother.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" The mother pleaded with happy tears.
"You're very welcome," Yukio smiled warmly.
The young boy and mother boarded an ambulance, where they would be taken to the hospital to monitor his recovery.
Yukio stopped smiling and ran his hand through his sweaty chocolate brown hair. The sun was high in the sky and noon was approaching, which only made the heat worse. The ambulance drove away and Yukio was left on his own again. Amitiel walked up beside him and the two just stood silent for a moment.
"He's been affected with Temptaint. He will be able to see demons now," Amitiel spoke as she watched the ambulance drive away. "I think it would've been better if he didn't survive."
"At least he was spared from a gruesome death," Yukio replied automatically. "I'd rather see demons then die like that."
Amitiel looked at him and replied, "I know that's a lie."
Amitiel walked away, leaving Yukio alone once more to his thoughts.
Rin managed to stand beside Amitiel. She was observing the building she and Yukio came out of. It seems she was scanning the building for any trace of Todo and the Left Eye. Her arms were crossed firmly over her chest and she didn't waver her gaze from the building.
"Hana—I mean, Amitiel," Rin spoke beside her, though he was surprised she didn't back away. "I know this isn't important but—what trapped you in that ring?"
Amitiel didn't waver to him. "... It's lamb's blood. It's one of the things in this material world that can stop me. Have you heard about Passover?"
"Uh..." Rin bit his lip, as if she was testing him. "... No clue."
Amitiel sighed and answered for him. "It's an event that occured in ancient Egypt. The Angel of Death slaughtered first borns unless their homes were painted with lamb's blood on the doorways," she explained. "Lamb's blood to angels is like salt to demons. I couldn't step out of the ring unless someone outside it disturbed it," Amitiel said.
"But you have telekinetic abilities, right? Why couldn't you disrupt it yourself?" Rin asked.
"When I'm inside a ring, my powers are supressed. It's similar to what Kurikara does to your flames," Amitiel responded. She blinked and shook her head. "That's one weakness of mine you can't use against me, Son of Satan. I'll stop you before you do," Amitiel brushed past him, a little too roughly, and walked away.
Rin frowned. He was upset she had become so distant and cold towards him. Amitiel had opened up so much to him and now she was shut down. It felt as if they were back to their first meeting—except she hasn't threatened to slit his throat yet.
"Excellent work, Okumura-sensei!" Mephisto praised from behind Yukio. He turned around and Mephisto approached him with a blue popsickle in his gloved hand. He was followed by Shura. She seemed pretty annoyed, perhaps at Rin for escaping her. Yukio couldn't believe Mephisto could wear his honorary knight's uniform in this dreadful heat. It was a version of the exorcist uniform except it was shortened to the thighs. He wore elegantly tailored dress pants matching the colour of his suit and a pink and white polka-dotted silk scarf around his collar. There were gold chains that adorned over his chest with the exorcist badge pinned on his upper left breast.
"Mephisto?!" Rin shouted.
"Although it was success in stopping that intruder, I'm afraid all this ruckus was just a diversion," Mephisto said as he bit off a bit of his popsickle. "The real Left Eye is actually stolen."
"Damn it..." Rin cursed to himself, although Yukio was just as disappointed.
"Amitiel reported to me about the lies she detected from Saburota Todo, so I looked into his background and her suspicious were accurate," Shura said as she glimpsed at Amitiel.
"It's safe to say the masked man was a demon summoned by Todo to carry out his plan to steal the Left Eye," Amitiel concluded. "Though I have no clue what his true intentions are."
Mephisto continued, "there's more information we still do not know about. But I received note that an attempt was also made on the Right Eye, as well. Isn't that just awful?" Mephisto smirked as he bit into his cold popsickle, clearly he was amused by this. "Archangel Raziel and I are assembling an elite unit for retrieving the Left Eye. I request your participation, Okumura-sensei."
"Me...?" Yukio seemed dazed. As if he wasn't worn out and stressed enough as it is.
"You are the only one who had direct contact with the enemy, so you're knowledge is much valued in this matter. Plus, you're so talented!" Mephisto amused.
"...Understood," Yukio complied.
Mephisto winked and added, "meet me at the base in one hour to be filled in on the details." And with that said, Mephisto left.
"Shura, Amitiel—I'm leaving my brother in your care," Yukio said as he also began to walk back to the academy.
"Don't worry, I got this," Shura nodded, and she was a little surprised Rin hasn't protested yet. "Damn, he's only 15 years old and he's already actin' like an adult!"
"Yukio!" Rin shouted at his brother, who looked back. "I swear to god I'm gonna surpass you! Just you watch, Cookies N' Cream!"
Yukio's eyes widened in shock. "You? Surpass me?"
"Yah, that's right!" Rin shouted back.
"Impossible. Keep your lowsy jokes to yourself, already," Yukio replied.
"What?!"
"As you can clearly see, I'm very busy, so I can't always clean up your messes, Nii-san. But you're free to try!" Yukio said as he waved his hand goodbye and continued walking away.
"You BASTARD—!" Rin raged. "Imma become so friggin' great your jaw drops to the ground!"
Yukio didn't bother looking back. Once Yukio was out of sight, Shura gave Rin a very annoyed stare. She turned to Rin and suddenly head-locked him. Rin screamed and pleaded for her to release him.
"ARGH! Leggo of me!" Rin yelled.
"That's what ya get fer givin' me the slip!" Shura growled. Rin broke free from her grip and ruffled his hair with his hands with a cheeky pout on his face.
Ryuji and the other students had just finished their latest exorcism class and were currently on a small break. Ryuji used the time to call some of his father's followers in Kyoto. They were like family to Ryuji and they deserved at least some information about his progress in cram school. His parents would refuse to speak to him and he never spoke to them either.
However, no one was picking up, which was very odd.
When Ryuji closed his phone, Konekomaru, who had a cast around his arm from Amaimon breaking it, asked his friend something he probably knew the answer for. "Bon, have you talked to your parents yet about what happened? I'm sure they would be worried about you."
"No," Ryuji automatically responded. "I went against their wills and swore to never come back. It's none of their business now..."
"But still, I've got a bad feeling. I couldn't get ahold of my parents either," Shima added. "You think something's up over in Kyoto?"
"I don't know," was all Ryuji said.
The door to the class opened and Mephisto waltz in with a giddy smile on his face. Amitiel followed soon after. Shiemi and the others felt a little intimidated by her presence ever since her identity had been revealed.
"Hello there, my dear Exwires!" Mephisto waved at them. "Congrats on passing your recent exam!"
"Why's the president here?" Shima whispered beside Ryuji.
"I've got great news for you! As a reward for passing the exam, you have all been granted the right to participate on a real mission... to Kyoto!" Mephisto sung as he pulled his hat off and confetti showered the room and a banner fell out of his hat, which read 'Congrats! Kyoto Field Trip! Yay!'
"Huh? Kyoto?" Izumo repeated.
"Bon!" Konekomaru spoke, though Ryuji was in too much shock to register him.
A part of Ryuji just blew up.
"The rest of the classes are cancelled today. Please return to your dorms and start packing your things. You will be leaving at 8 o'clock sharp tomorow morning!" Mephisto clapped his hands in excitement. He breathed a sigh and turned his attention to Amitiel beside him. "I'll be directing your attention to Amitiel here. She has some things to say to you. Well then, I'll be going!" Mephisto disappeared in a pink puff of something, leaving the students in Amitiel's care.
They all directed their eyes on Amitiel, who moved to the front of the desk and sat up on it.
"... I know a lot of things have been happening since the Son of Satan has been revealed along with my... true identity," Amitiel spoke, dangling her legs at the end of the desk. "I'm here to explain myself, you deserve at least some information about me."
Ryuji crossed his arms in contempt and leaned back on his chair.
"I think you all know by now that my name is actually Amitiel, the Angel of Truth. I know all of you had no idea angels existed, but we had a reason to not make ourselves known. It was for the sake of your safety and integrity."
"You think just because you're an 'angel' it makes our feelings for you immediately go away?" Ryuji growled. "And don't excuse yourself for abandoning us all these centuries. If you really are meant to help us, why didn't ya stop demons from terrorizing the world, huh? Why didn't ya stop the Blue Night if you think yer so almighty?!"
"Bon!" Konekomaru tugged at Bon's shirt, pleading him to stop. His personal grudges were starting to itch their way out of Ryuji.
"I understand your frustration..." Amitiel shook her head. "Actually, I don't, because I have no way of perceiving emotion like humans do. But let me say that we have helped in a subtle way, it's just the Blue Night was an unexpected tragedy we were powerless to prevent—and I'm sorry for your loss, Ryuji Suguro."
Ryuji was still angry but swallowed down his emotions.
"But let me explain why we've suddenly made an appearance. It's because of the existence of the Son of Satan, Rin Okumura, that I was summoned here. My mission is to eliminate the son of Satan as he is the only being that inherited the Flames of Satan, and I'm sure you all witnessed how dangerous they can be," Amitiel spoke.
Shiemi and the others exchanged uneasy glances at each other. Vivid flashbacks of Rin's terrifying battle with Amaimon played in their heads.
"As you can tell, I failed to kill him," Amitiel looked down. "It's one of my deepest failures as a soldier of the Creator."
"Why didn't you? If Okumura-kun was dangerous, then why didn't you?" Konekomaru asked.
Amitiel stared at him, though she didn't look at all threatening to Konekomaru. He saw doubt in her dark amber eyes. "... I don't know," Amitiel replied, looking away. "But he's on probation now. All I can say for your safety is that he is not your friend. He is not an ally, nor is he to be trusted. The blood of Satan runs in his veins and with that, he can deceive you into thinking otherwise. Perhaps he's deceived me into sparing him..."
"But... Rin hasn't hurt any of us," Shiemi spoke. Her voice was so soft and delicate. "Is he really as dangerous as you say?"
"The enemy masks his true powers under innocence," Amitiel replied. "If the son of Satan becomes a threat to you, summon me with these seals." Amitiel snapped her fingers and a small, circular gold and crystal symbol appeared before each of the students. Shiemi took the object in her hands and observed it. It was crystaline and shiny and the symbol appeared very elegant and angelic.
"Your blood is required to activate the seal to summon me," Amitiel spoke. "If the Son of Satan becomes a threat to you, use these and I will be called forth instantly."
The Exwires all looked at Amitiel for any final words.
"I want you to know I'm the one that is on your side."
Ryuji looked at the gold symbol in his hands and he frowned.
Shiemi observed the symbol with the thought of feeling so divided between Rin and Yukio. So much has changed it felt as if it shattered everyone. She couldn't help but feel alienated from Rin and Yukio, as if they were becoming complete strangers.
It was the worst feeling ever.
"GRAAAHHHH!" Rin screamed with all his might as he shot flames at the three candles in front of him. They all melted instantly as expected.
"Godammit! It's no use! I've been doing this 30 times and I still can't light up a stupid candle like a normal person!" Rin threw his hands on his face.
"What a pretty blue!" Kuro meowed and pounced on the small flames, exinguishing them. There were several piles of melted wax covering parts of the rooftop of his dorm.
Dammit, Yukio! Ya think yer better than me just cuz yer ahead of me, huh? I'll show ya! Rin growled. He was sweating abundantly and the heat only amplified it.
"I don't see an ounce of improvement, whatsoever!"
"Shura!" Rin gaped in shock and embarrasment when she poked her head up. "How'd ya find me here!?"
"I heard ya scream like yer constipated! I knew you always came up here to train in secret! I'm glad yer actually trying to improve!" Shura smiled. She proceeded to toss a pamphlet in Rin's face.
"The hell's this?" Rin said as he flipped through the pages of the pampthlet. It was about Kyoto sightseeing for tourists.
"Yer going to Kyoto, so start packing!" Shura demanded.
"Hah?!"
"Kyoto? I love Kyoto!" Kuro meowed enthusiastically. "Can I come, Rin?"
"Hold on a sec! I thought I was too dangerous to go anywhere!" Rin argued.
"Yer still an Exwire, and Exwires are required to go to Kyoto for a mission. Don't worry! Just don't burn anything and Amitiel won't kill ya!"
"Oh god no, she's not coming, is she?" Rin shuddered.
"Yer stuck with both of us!" Shura winked.
"... Shit."
Many exorcists that were participating in the mission in Kyoto had gathered at the True Cross train station, where a Shinkansen had been provided as transport. There were some instructors for the Exwires that were coming along. Ryuji estimated around 200 exorcists are coming to Kyoto, and there was a feeling bothering him in the gut that there was something very seriously wrong back home. It was making him even more stressed out as it is. He swore if he was going to stay at his mother's inn, he will just act as if he did not know her.
Everyone boarded the train a quarter before eight. The only people left were Rin, Kuro, and Shura. Rin held a bag over his right shoulder and it was stuffed with his favourite manga, iPod, and video game console he almost forgot to bring. The only thing he carried in his hands was the pamphlet Shura gave (threw) at him. He had never been on such an important trip, let alone a real mission! He was so pumped he had trouble sleeping the day before the trip. Instead, he spent the whole night reading the guidebook, hoping that he would get the oppurtunity to explore Kyoto as much as he can.
As Rin and Shura walked towards the doors of the Shinkansen, Shura's phone vibrated in her breasts, which were nearly exposed safe for a small black and white stripped bikini top with a loose knot in the centre.
"Yello... Who's this?" Shura answered. She couldn't stop yawning and she kept moaning.
"Shura-san? Are you alright?" Yukio responded across the line, noting how groggy she sounded.
"Ugh, it's so friggin' early I feel like pukin'," Shura responded, gagging in disgust.
"Well, you'll need to pull yourself together. You're in charge of reinforcements for the Right Eye," Yukio responded. Shura could hear the sound of the vehicle Yukio was in on the other line.
"I tried to refuse! But that creepy clown is makin' me do this against my own free will!" Shura whined.
"That's because you're very dependable," Yukio said.
"Yeah, right! I feel so sick I swear I'm gonna sleep the whole day! Anyways... How's yer progress in trackin' down the Left Eye?" Shura spoke.
"My partners and I got intel on possible accomplices of Todo's. They're inside a minivan. We're currently tailing them with your familiar's guidance," Yukio reported, though he took a moment to sigh and change the subject. "Don't worry about me. Just focus on keeping an eye on my brother. I have faith in you."
Yukio hung up.
Shura blinked several times before she registered he had hung up and she closed her phone. "Scaredy Four-Eyes is gettin' cocky!" She remarked.
Rin, on his part, was too eager to even worry about Yukio. "I'm so friggin' hyped for this! I missed my field trip in middle school, so this is my first time!" Rin chuckled.
"Don't get yer hopes up. We're not going to have fun!" Shura said as she and Rin climbed on board the train. "We've reserved cars three and four, by the way."
"I can't wait to see everyone! I hope they're already here!" Rin said.
Shura and Rin stood at the front of the car. Upon Rin's presence, almost all the exorcists began whispering at each other. It was obvious they were speaking about Rin, though what made Rin uncomfortable was a lot of them were giving him dirty looks while some avoided eye contact.
"Where should I sit?" Rin asked Shura. "Maybe in the back?"
"Read the atmosphere, kid. Go sit up front," Shura chuckled.
Rin plopped down on the seat in the front row. He looked around his surroundings. The Shinkansen's interior reminded him of an airplane. It was sleek and professional and so modern Rin felt he had been transported to the future.
"I'm gonna go check up on car three, so sit here an' be good!" Shura said and she went next door to the car ahead of them. While she left, Rin took out his Kyoto tourist guide and flipped anxiously through the glossy pages. He scanned through the images, not even bothering reading the paragraphs. Rin observed the delicious food advertised on the pages, and he was trying to prevent himself from drooling over the pictures. He flipped further into the book and came across a tower on top of a building. It was on top of Kyoto's train station. It was a long, tall spike with a disk near the top of the building. It was said to have a wonderful sightseeing platform all around it and restaurants and shops.
Kyoto tower? That looks so cool! I gotta see that! Rin remarked, admiring the structure in the clear pictures.
Meanwhile, Shiemi had been standing at the junction between the two cars. Her heart had been palpating at the mere sight of Rin, unaware of her presence.
"R-Rin..." Shiemi mumbled nervously. She clutched at her chest, wondering why her heart was beating so hard. What's wrong with me? I can't even speak to him...
Shura noted her presence. "Uh-oh. Moriyama, did you get vaccinated?" Shura asked.
"Oh, vaccinated?" Shiemi turned around and looked at Shura.
"Our destination may be infested by fungal demons, so we're required to be vaccinated against potential viruses the demons may inflict," Shura explained. "Vaccinations are in car three." Shura pointed at the car behind her.
"Oh, okay!" Shiemi nodded, though before she could make her way to the car, Rin noticed her presence.
"Shiemi!"
Shiemi's body jumped at the sound of his voice and whipped her head back at him.
"Good morning!" Rin smiled warmly, though Shiemi didn't return the smile as expected. He noticed her light blonde bangs were pinned to the side with a small barette. She carried some bags with colourful floral patterns.
"U-Um..." Shiemi hesitated. She didn't understand how she should react after what Amitiel specifically told her to do. Shiemi escaped into the next car yelling, "g-good morning...!"
Rin gaped at her odd behaviour. "W-What the hell...?!" Rin made a confused face. He slumped back in his seat and puffed out his cheeks. It was pretty obvious she was uncomfortable around him. He focused back on the pamphlet in an attempt to ignore everything, though he was interrupted when he felt someone beside him.
He turned his attention beside him and Amitiel sat in the seat close to the window.
"H-Hana?!" Rin gasped. He noticed Amitiel had changed in appearance as well. She was wearing an elegant white uniform. It stopped below her thighs and feathered out like a small dress. It looked like the Paladin's uniform based on colour and the gold braids adorning her chest and shoulders. It resembled the exorcist uniform in a way. She still wore the pink skirt underneath and white nylons.
"It's Amitiel," she growled. She was really becoming fed up of Rin forgetting her name.
"Why are you sitting beside me? Aren't I dangerous?" Rin asked, perplexed.
Amitiel frowned at him. "You are, that's why I must be near you at all times in case I have to eliminate you."
"I know you won't be able to kill me..." Rin looked down at the pamphlet in his hands, though Rin wasn't reading it.
"You're wrong," Amitiel replied automatically.
"But you know I'm telling the truth," Rin looked at her without moving his head.
Amitiel could only remain silent and looked away, crossing her arms and legs.
"By the way, you're not gonna watch me sleep or go to the can, are you?" Rin asked, a little nervous and uncomfortable at what she might say. "I need some privacy, 'kay?"
Before Amitiel could say anything, there were gasps coming from the front. Rin looked up to find Suguro, Shima, and Konekomaru standing immobile. Their gazes were on him.
"Hey, guys! You're all okay!" Rin smiled.
Suguro just looked at him, unsure of how to respond.
"You're from Kyoto, right? What else is cool there?" Rin asked warmly.
Suguro began to frown and grit his teeth. Anger brewed within him, provoking him to clench his fists.
"Bon..." Konekomaru noticed he was becoming agitated. "...Don't!"
Suguro swallowed down his feelings and walked past Rin. "... I know that!"
Rin stood speechless as the trio briskly walked by. Rin called Konekomaru but he ignored Rin and raced past him. It was obvious he was startled the most out of anyone in this train.
"Whoa, don't be so obvious, Koneko..." Shima whispered.
"H-How can he just sit there?!" Konekomaru whispered tentatively. "What if he loses control again?!
"The higher-ups said it was okay," Shima answered, though it wasn't comforting Konekomaru. "If he does, Amitiel-sama will take care of that." Shima gestured his finger slicing across his throat. "Just don't talk to him or anything."
"Shima-san, you're so calm about this..." Konekomaru whispered.
Rin wobbled into his seat, slumping into it. He was starting to feel sick as much as Shura.
They're acting like I'm a monster!... but I guess they're right... I suppose it's a normal reaction... Rin looked down at his hands and bowed his head down. The amount of pain he was feeling was similar to being shot in the heart, though he was doing very well hiding it.
Izumo was last to enter the car. She noted that Rin was sitting beside Amitiel and the Kyoto trio sat behind him. Shiemi was sitting on the other side in the same row as the trio. Shima called for her to sit beside him, though she just huffed and collapsed on the seat beside Rin. He jerked a little and stared at her. Amitiel was keeping a close eye on Rin.
"What?" Izumo blurted, noticing his confused stare.
"Oh, uh... nothing," Rin looked away.
The intercom announced the train was departing. After that, the train budged forward and slowly accelerated until it was zipping through the city and eventually left it.
Everyone went silent when Shura walked up to the front of the car and threw her hands on her hips, yelling, "A'ight, listen up, chumps! I'm the unlucky soul who got forced into leading this op. The name's Shura Kirigakure, senior exorcist first class!"
Shura gestured at a particular exorcist in front of her and added, "I'm gonna let Sato-kun, from the intel management, brief us on the details."
The man named Sato suddenly heard his name and stood up on instinct. "Huh?! Y-Yes!" He cleared his throat and said, "around 13:20 on July 22, an unknown individual managed to bypass security at the Deep Keep and stole the Left Eye of the Impure King, an extremely hazardous demonic item. The former warden of the Deep Keep, senior second class exorcist Saburota Todo, was involved. Though his plans remain unknown along with any potential accomplices—"
"Good enough!" Shura cut him off. "At the same time, an attempt was also made on the Right Eye at the Kyoto field office. Their plan failed, but the intruders were also after the Right Eye of the Impure King!"
"Um, excuse me Kirigakure-sensei! We never learned about this in class!" Izumo raised her hand up. All the exwires were clearly confused and Izumo was the only one who felt the need to ask for clarification.
"Oh, this demon ain't well known and the story is pretty gruesome," Shura answered, though she directed her attention to another exorcist. "I'll let Adachi-kun, your history of demonology instructor, explain that!"
"O-Oh? Okay..." The teacher named Adachi stood up. His face was a little pale. "The Impure King is a high-level demon that spread illness and caused epidemics, resulting in the death of over 40 000 people. It is said that a monk named Fukaku expelled the demon, and plucked its eyes out as proof of the exorcism."
"The hell?" Rin remarked. "Why'd he do that? To brag?"
"We still have no idea what the enemy's goal is, but one thing's for sure: it ain't good. They may attack the Kyoto field office again, so we will serve as extra protection! Our mission is to care for wounded civilians and exorcists and reinforce security. So let's work super-duper hard together so I don't have to!" Shura raised her fist up, then quickly plopped on the seat beside her and added, "now if you'll excuse me..."
A few minutes later, Shura fell asleep.
Everyone remaind quiet during the ride to Kyoto. Konekomaru was the only one out of everyone who was extremely uncomfortable around Rin Okumura. On Rin's part, he was too confused on the fact Izumo chose to sit beside him. Amitiel sat beside him because she had to, but for Izumo she chose to choose that empty seat beside his. Rin flicked his gaze back and forth from Izumo to the ground, unable to digest what she did.
"Aren't ya scared of me?" Rin suddenly blurted out loud at Izumo.
Izumo huffed with a easy smile. "Ha! Of you? Not at all." She crossed her arms and legs and directed her crimson eyes to Rin. "You may not know, but there are plenty of people with demon blood, and the majority are exorcists," she said matter-of-factly.
"R-Really?!" Rin was shocked.
"It's common knowledge," Izumo added. "But the problem is that you're directly related to Satan. The Order hasn't killed you because they don't know if you're a boon or a bane yet. That's what this is all about."
Izumo snorted and raised her voice, emphasizing on some words. "Unlike all of you, I'm not the type that will frigging flip out like an idiot over every little thing!"
The Kyoto trio and Amitiel could clearly sense she was refering to them. They could only stay silent in guilt.
"Chunky-Brows..." Rin spoke. Izumo wrinkled her forehead and spun at him.
"Chunky-Brows?!"
"Are you actually being nice to me?" Rin's aura shone with hope and happiness. "I knew you were a good person!"
"Huh?!... Just wait a second! How the hell did you reach that conclusion?!" Izumo backtracked. "And where the hell did you get that name from?!" Izumo touch her eyebrows. "I have a real name y'know! It's Izumo Kamiki!"
Rin only smiled warmly. "Thanks, Izumo."
Izumo stopped and showed confusion on her face. "Stop addressing me so informally!" She shouted. Meanwhile, Shura screamed at them to shut up midway to sleep.
"I really hate cowards that go on about defeating Satan, making friends, and being truthful and accepting towards others... but then chicken out when it counts! That pisses me off!" Izumo raged.
"I'm friggin' sick of your bullshit! Who the hell do ya think ya are for callin' me a coward!?" Ryuji finally opened up and stood up, towering over Izumo—though she was unfazed by his presence.
"Oh gee, you gonna spank me again?" Izumo spat arrogantly.
"YOU BITCH!"
"ENOUGH ALREADY!" Shura screamed and stomped to the Exwires half-asleep. "I'M TRYIN' TO FRIGGIN' SLEEP AND YA CAN'T EVEN SHUT UP!"
The Exwires felt they had enraged an ancient demon from its slumber.
Shura ordered (very angrily) at the exorcists to move to the car ahead of them. Once the car was emptied. She fetched for a trunk in the back and arranged each of the Exwires in the runway. She dropped Bariyons in each of the Exwires' laps and removed the seals off the demons.
"Are ya proud now, huh?! I have the honour of sentencin' ya to the Bariyon punishment... AGAIN." Shura growled and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "I told ya knuckleheads to work together! I hope ya cool yer flamin' heads off until we get to Kyoto!"
Shura walked away, but before she could leave, she gave a quick but ghastly stink eye at the students, who were too petrified to even breathe.
"Got it?! DON'T WAKE ME UP!" Shura raged. She paused for a breather and directed her attention to Amitiel. "Keep a close eye on them, will ya?"
Amitiel nodded and frowned at the students, mostly at Izumo and Ryuji.
Shura slammed the door closed, leaving the students at the mercy of Amitiel.
Everything went quiet.
"This feels like deja vu..." Rin remarked, struggling to maintain his legs from numbing. Everyone's Bariyons were slowly becoming heavier.
"It was also Bon and Izumo-chan's fault, too! You guys haven't progressed at all!" Shima smiled through the pain on his laps.
Izumo and Ryuji immediately responded.
"Shut the hell up!"
"W-Why did Kirigakure-sensei have to leave us with Okumura?" Konekomaru suddenly blurted out loud, forcing everyone to look at him sadly, though Rin was hurt deep down inside. "If he flares up again, we're all in danger!"
"Well, if anything does happen, Amitiel-sama will kill him!" Shima smiled nervously.
"Yah, I got the memo when she almost did," Rin pouted and puffed out his cheeks. Amitiel only frowned at him.
"Huh?" Konekomaru looked down at the rock in his laps. It groaned and managed to surprise Koneko and the others by jumping off his laps and threw itself towards Shiemi. Shiemi screamed in horror and Rin was close to stepping in but the Bariyon was sliced into many pieces before it could land on Shiemi. The pieces of rock fell around Shiemi and she looked in bewilderment. The Exwires looked at Amitiel. She held on to her long, silver sword, Caliel.
"Amitiel-sama!" Ryuji shouted.
"That was an older Bariyon. Some are able to move if they've lived long enough," Amitiel explained. She chanted something in Latin and her sword separated into her dual silver blades. "You're all lucky I am here. If I wasn't, Moriyama would have gotten crushed by it."
"Gee, thanks," Ryuji replied scornfully.
Everyone went silent when Izumo, Rin, and Shima's stones groaned and jumped off them. They all aimed at Amitiel and they managed to hit her in the head, causing her to bleed profusely.
"Hana!" Rin yelled and charged at her, while the Bariyons all weighed down on her and managed to pin her to the ground.
"Stay away from me!" Amitiel shouted back at Rin, forcing him to take a step back.
"But—!"
"Amitiel-sama!" Ryuji yelled. He turned to Shima and said, "you take the left side and I'll take the right. We'll try to lift them off!"
Ryuji and Shima grabbed the Bariyon on Amitiel's back and tried to lift it up, but the more they did, the heavier it got.
"Goddammit, I can't! I'll break my back!" Shima screamed. The two gave up and regained their energy.
"I'll go get Kirigakure-sensei!" Konekomaru said, but Ryuji stopped him.
"She said not to wake her up, and I think we'd be worse than dead if we did," Ryuji said.
"If I remember correctly, I think the only way is to burn or break Bariyons," Shima said as he readied his golden staff. "Hang in there, Amitiel-sama!" Shima drove his staff into the rock but it didn't leave a scratch behind. He tried again multiple times but also gave up.
"It's too hard!" Shima yelled.
"Why don't you just teleport off them?" Ryuji asked.
"I can't if something's weighing me down!" Amitiel shouted.
Rin finally stepped forward, confidence glowed in his cheeky smile. "Leave it to me!" Rin said.
He approached Amitiel and she immediately shouted at him to stay back.
"Don't touch me, son of Satan!" Amitiel tried to wriggle herself free but she was as stuck as a fly on a cobweb.
"Just let me save you for once, goddammit!" Rin said as he bent over and held the rock on Amitiel. He began to pull up but no matter how much he lifted, the Bariyon became heavier. Rin strained himself and pulled with all his might while making noises as if he were constipated.
"What the hell—!" Rin yelled. It gets heavier the more I lift! Rin thought.
Only one thing left to do!
Rin suddenly burst into flames. They ravaged everything around him, including Amitiel. The exwires all screamed in horror as they watched Amitiel being consumed by the flames. Amitiel screamed and shut her eyes, but when she opened them, she noticed she wasn't burning at all. In fact, she was still alive.
What? What's happening? Amitiel thought. She saw herself covered in the same blue flames that killed millions of her fellow brothers and sisters, and for some reason they were sparing her.
It's... not even hurting me... Amitiel thought in absolute bewilderment. It just feels... warm.
So why...?
"Stop it!" Ryuji shouted and grabbed Rin by the shirt. Rin almost lost his balance and recoiled away from him. At the same time, the Bariyons were repelled by the blue flames and leaped off Amitiel and escaped.
"He's burning the seats!" Shima shouted, plugging his nose and attempting to fan away the smoke.
"Shit! We gotta call the exorcists!" Suguro shouted and made his way to the car next door.
"Wait!" Shiemi protested and rushed to Amitiel's aid. Although Amitiel was unhearmed, the look on her face showed shock. "Don't overreact! Rin hasn't lost control! Amitiel-sama is okay!" Shiemi nudged Amitiel and managed to snap her out of her trance.
"Well the seats aren't!" Suguro shouted.
"Relax, we can put the flames out with holy water," Izumo chipped in. She reached into her pocket on her shirt and pulled out a summoning paper. She bit her finger and smeared the blood on the paper, summoning her familiars, "Ukemochi, come to my aid!"
Uke emerged from the white mist from the paper and looked back at Izumo with a sense of annoyance. "Only me today? What do you want?" He said.
"Give me some sacred sake to put out that fire!" Izumo pointed at the burning seats.
"Hmph, what am I, your slave, human?" Uke snorted.
Izumo brought her hands together and chanted, "take the arashine into your hands and cleanse it, take the nigoshine in your hands and purify it... to make eight servings of sacred wine, at the sound of eight tranquil claps..." Izumo chanted as she clapped eight times. Uke transformed into an ethereal white bowl, and Izumo added, "... grant my plea!"
The bowl dipped over the flames and sparkling red sacred wine poured all over the seats, extinguishing the flames instantly.
"The seats are ashes...!" Konekomaru spoke, petrified at how quickly the damage was done. "... And the Bariyon is gone! Where did it go?"
"We'll have to get the exorcists," Suguro spoke and stepped forward to the next car. Before he could, Rin grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close. "Why'd ya screw me up?! I had everything under control!" Rin raged, and Ryuji frowned derisively at him. "Have some faith in me, will ya?!"
"Faith...?" Ryuji grit his teeth, has anger was forcing its way out of him. "Why the hell would I?!" He shouted.
"Bon!" Konekomaru called out.
"Sixteen years ago... followers of my temple died because of those flames," Ryuji growled, and Rin loosened his grip on Ryuji's collar after he remembered.
The Blue Night...!
"Those flames kill people! Like my grandfather, Shima's grandfather and older brother, Konekomaru's father, and fifty-eight loyal followers!" Ryuji exclaimed. Rin had never seen this much hatred in Ryuji's eyes.
"... What?!" Rin was shocked speechless.
Amitiel looked at her hand and it wasn't even charred from the flames. "...Did it hurt—?" Amitiel suddenly added, still fazed by what she had experienced.
"OH MY GOD! WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP?!" Konekomaru suddenly screamed, tears were in his eyes. Everyone got startled by his sudden flare-up.
"My temple's followers are like family to me! How dare ya say to have faith after everything they've been through!" Ryuji shouted back.
"... I'm sorry for everything that happened..." Rin whispered through clenched teeth. "But why are ya getting mad at me?! I've got nothing to do with this!"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. You're gonna defeat Satan," Ryuji mocked him with a grimace. "Am I right?"
"Yah, that's right, so don't lump me in with him!" Rin growled, and blue flames began to flicker all over him.
"STOP IT!" Konekomaru grasped Rin by his sleeve and tugged at him with his broken arm, deperately pleading, "Get away from Bon!"
Rin noticed how much Koneko was trembling and held on to him despite the pain he was feeling from his broken arm. "You too, Bon! If we really are family... then please don't do this!" Konekomaru added desperately.
Rin was about to say something but found himself at the tip of Amitiel's sword. Rin gasped and didn't dare move and he released Ryuji.
"H-Hana...!" Rin pleaded, "I swear I wasn't trying to hurt anybody!"
Amitiel grit her teeth and the tip of her sword touched Rin's throat. Her hand trembled and the oportunity to kill him was at hand, yet she only closed her eyes and retreated reluctantly. She lowered her sword and spat, "don't you dare do that again, you hear me, son of Satan?"
Rin swallowed down his anger and backed down. He looked away from everybody, and didn't dare to look back.
Meanwhile, Shima noticed a ball rolling closer to Rin and Suguro from the storage compartment, and realized it was the Bariyon. "Bon! Above you!" Shima shouted as the rock flung itself straight at Ryuji. Before it could hit him, Shura appeared and slashed the rock to bits and pieces.
"Seriously... can't you kids even handle small fry like that?!" Shura shouted, grasping her sword over her shoulder. "You gonna trip each other up in a real battle, too?! Do that, and you're dead!"
Everyone felt guilty. At the same time, the train was beginning to slow down as the intercom announced they had arrived in Kyoto.
A/N: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
AMITIEL-SAMA
...
THAT SOUNDS SO WEIRD LOL
I feel like this chap is so rushed but idk how to fix that lmao
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR PATIENCE SERIOUSLY! Here's the full chapter after like 2 months or something!