Good morning/ afternoon/ evening, like always before anything else I want to thank everyone who has been keeping up with this story.

I would also like to apologize for the delayed release of this chapter, unfortunately, some events have been going on that have kept me busy and with a lack of inspiration. I am sadly unable to promise weakly releases I do promise to release a new chapter every month minimum with the chapter's lengths, hopefully, increasing so you all have more to read between each chapter.

I must also admit, as fun as it is writing an action segment is much more difficult than I imagined. I hope you all enjoy it!

Now without further delay let the story continue:

Crash

A sound no different from that of a bomb going off echoed through the warehouse, broken pieces of ceramics flying across the air as Hikari landed shakily on her feet, she wasn't used to feeling this light, it was like her body was made of feathers.

"Stop jumping you miserable wretch! Just die and give me your Sacred Gear!"

The creature's words echoed loudly through the ever-emptier warehouse. Hikari could not understand what the creature desired but knew well enough that a single strike from its deformed limbs would most likely crush her to death, something that the numerous craters on the floor made abundantly clear.

The creature's strikes where fast, faster than Hikari could even see coming with only her instincts speaking in the back of her mind warning her of the incoming strikes.

'Kick upwards'

With her nerves flaring to life from the words that formed in her mind she brought her leg upward, a loud crash coursing through the air as Hikari's eyes grew wide. With her leg raised, she had successfully parried the incoming strike stopping the hammer like limb, before she could even understand what she had done her instincts spoke once more.

'Kick its stomach'

With unknown strength fueling her muscles she jumped, surprising herself as she closed the gap between herself and the creature in no more than an instant, her right leg-raising up crashing her knee against the beast's stomach. The sound of soft flesh squishing beneath the weight of her strike caused confusion to rise within the girl, a warm sensation covering her knee as the creature flew colliding noisily against the wall before collapsing down to the floor.

Even with this being, her very first fight Hikari knew that a single kick would never be able to bring down a creature such as this, even with the odd strength that filled her body she would never expect a single strike to bring the enemy down. It would not be until her eyes drifted down to her now crimson knee that she would understand what had taken place, somehow the beast had been wounded before their fight even began explaining the strong scent of blood that filled the warehouse.

Clap Clap

From the entrance of the warehouse came the sound of clapping, with her focus held firm on the fallen creature she had failed to notice the two figures that now entered the scene. Cloaked from head to toe in a white hood, a silver cross holding the two sides of the hood together just below their jaw, even in the dark environment Hikari recognized one of the figures, that vibrant crimson hair framing a faintly feminine face.

"it's rare for normal people to slay stray devils even with the power of a sacred gear, then again we did weaken it a fair amount before it ran away to hide,"

The voice was clearly feminine, young most likely around the same age as Hikari.

"Come now Sétanta, she battled with the grace and ferocity of a feral warrior! Certainly, she deserves greater praise. Would you not agree with me, dear leader?"

The second figure spoke with a clearly male voice, while both had a foreign accent she could tell the two were from different countries most likely Europeans. Not only that but they could not look more different, while the female was rather short and slim the male was large, not only in height but with a belly that parted the large cloak that hid the rest of him.

"Indeed she does."

A voice manifested from the fallen beast, a stray they had called it.

"But we can do such when we dispose of this devil"

The voice was familiar, a voice she had heard more this very day. It would not be until the shimmering glow of a blade came into view that Hikari realized who the man was.

With the hood of his cloak down his short brown hair came into view, in his hands standing a beautiful sword, the blade of which looked almost like glass as it pierced into the beasts skill causing smoke to flow from the wound. The scent of burning flesh filling her nose as she realized the blade itself was burning the now slain creature.

"But I knew she was special from the moment I saw her. The glow of her sacred gear only proves it"

The man declares pointing his finger towards Hikari's chest, this would cause a blush to form on her cheeks until she notices the glow that emanated from her. Slowly opening her top to reveal a glowing wolf tattoo.

"W-what's happening?"

She would ask with growing concern.

Later at the old church

"So, that thing that I was fighting was a devil. You guys are exorcists working for angels and god, and this tattoo in my chest is an ancient gift from God to humans,"

Hikari summarized the information that was simply dumped upon her minutes after her encounter with a monstrous creature.

"Yes that is a beautiful summary but you forget the fallen angels that we battle often as well."

Claudius the chubbiest of the three exorcists spoke correcting Hikari's short summary, unlike the other two, he seemed to be out of shape making her wonder how someone like him could fight against those creatures.

"You were lucky to have a sacred gear or you would have wound up dead. Actually, what even is her gear? I've never heard of a sacred gear taking the form of a tattoo,"

The strict tone of Sétanta ringing throughout the room almost demanding Sétanta's and Claudius's attention.

"God has created countless gifts and blessed us mortals with their power, it is not beyond reason that he had granted this charming girl with the abilities of a wild beast"

Their words came almost dulled into Hikari's ear as she struggled to embrace the reality-altering information she had been given. Truthfully had she not battled the demon and see then newly formed tattoo on her chest glow she would have declared these three nothing more than lunatic's.

"Easy now guys, you are putting much to stress on this poor girl."

The leader of the exorcists declared with a chipper tone, the odd blade in his hands bringing a shiver to Hikari, the ominous feeling that had haunted her earlier that day flowing from its beautiful pale glow.

Upon hearing the man's words, the two exorcists nodded their heads. His lips curling up into a smile as he rose to his feet pointing a confident finger towards Hikari.

"Now Hikari, right? You are a sacred gear holder, its power has clearly awakened. I want to invite you to join us and become an exorcist of the church."

His invitation brought out a collective state of shock from both the two remaining exorcists and Hikari herself, the offer bringing nothing but confusion to the girl, while Sétanta, seemingly infuriated, spoke up.

"You can't just invite someone to be an exorcist!"

Her voice echoed loudly through the old church as she the leader simply smiled nodding his head as if agreeing with her.

"Indeed such power befalls the church, but with the wielder of a holy swords recommendation behind her it is nearly assured she would be put into training on the spot"

Claudius thick accent cutting through Sétanta's rage-fueled lines.

"And it is not uncommon for exorcists to find protégés thought their travels"

"I'll do it,"

Due to Sétantas sudden outburst, Hikari had been denied a chance to respond to the exorcist's sudden offer. In a way, it was a good thing as Claudius explanations cleared away a few of her own questions on the matter.

"I'm not a Cristian and I have never prayed but,"

She would slowly look up towards Lucas, her eyes mirrors of her soul letting the man see the hesitation and concern that came with her words.

"But, I have a sacred gear. If what you say is true then surely it's God's will that I join you… right?"

The young girl's voice was heavy with fear and hesitation, it was clear she was still struggling to cope with the new world these three had just introduced to her.

"Certainly you are right, it is certainly God's will that we meet this day. Let us give a prayer to thank the lord."

No sooner had the words left his lips had the man kneeled down, soon joined by Claudius. The two would without hesitation begin to chant, it was clear both were praying both choosing to do so in their native tongues, she could guess Claudius's prayed in Italian thanks to a few familiar words but Luca's might as well be speaking gibberish for all she knew.

Left to simply stare at them in confusion Hikari's attention was drawn by Setánta's voice, she was now speaking more quietly as if out of respect for the praying duo.

"Claudius is speaking in Italian and Luca's is speaking in Portuguese. Why don't you join them?"

Feeling almost like a kid being caught by their teacher not paying attention Hikari scratched the back of her head.

"I… I've never prayed before. I have visited shrines and temples but I never prayed,"

She confessed drawing a surprising reaction from Setánta. Instead of the angry or disappointed look, she expected to receive Hikari was graced by a smile.

"Come here I'll help you"

Gesturing for Hikari to approach Setánta brought her hands up joining them together.

Desiring to learn Hikari approached kneeling down next to the redhead and copying her movements.

"Prayer is not about saying a series of words or verses. Prayer is a conversation with the lord and the angels up high in heaven. When you speak picture them in your mind allowing their holy visage from within your mind."

Following the instructions Hikari held her hands together bringing them up to her lips before closing her eyes, she began to think trying to picture the holy entity.

Try as she might she was unable to picture the angelic figure the others described, she could picture a shadowy silhouette but it was far more feminine than what she expected of God, not to mention the rather fluffy looking tail that swung behind its back.

"Were you able to see his glory?"

A curious Setánta questioned drawing Hikari's mind away from the visage. She was unsure of what to say and most certainly did not have the heart to say no in a room full of warriors of the church.

"I-I think so,"

Her voice coming out timid scarred about what reaction her answer might bring.

"Glorious, truly you are a child of the lord. He most certainly must have eagerly awaited your visit!"

Claudius excitement letting the two girls know the moment of prayer had ended.

"Now that we gave thanks to the lord for our meeting it is time we call it a night, Hikari come tomorrow you shall join us in our mission. The hunt for the holy sword Excalibur."

Luca's tone was as it always was, joy and excitement flowing through them almost masking the importance of the sentence's final word.

Morning at Kuoh Academi

For the second day in a row, Hikari found it difficult to focus in class, the events of the day before replaying within her mind along with the important decision she had made the previous night.

Even as the bell rang to signal lunch break Hikari would leave the room making her way towards the school's courtyard. Staring up into the sky she began to think about the changes will come from the choice, surely as an exorcist, she would need to travel around the world. According to Claudius, she would finish her education and receive training in the Vatican along with other sacred gear holders found by the church.

"How do I explain this to my parents?"

She wondered before placing her hands on her head a groan of frustration leaving her throat, she did not regret her choice, holding the sort of power that she does there would always be a risk of more creatures coming to attack her and those close to her. While she had defeated the creature from the night before it was a victory that came after it had already dueled with the exorcists the holy light of their weapons already burning away at the creature's veins.

In her distracted state, Hikari's failed to notice the approaching pillar, each step bringing closer to the eventual impact.

"Careful"

A sudden voice rung as a hand locked around Hikari's shoulder pulling her away from the pillar and bringing her mind back to reality.

"Oh, um thanks! Sorry I was a little distracted…"

Almost unable to believe her eyes Hikari's expression would gain a faint blush, standing before her was one of the school's idols and according to many, Hikari included, the most beautiful girl in the school.

"I could tell, you should be more careful"

As suddenly as she had appeared she would head out on her way, her long black ponytail swaying with each step she took.

Bowing as the girl left Hikari could feel the pressure within her chest growing, her heart roaring like the engine of a car as the school's goddess disappeared from view.

"A-Akeno-senpai…"

The words barely leaving her throat as she suddenly remembered to breathe, the lingering scent of cinnamon and coffee invading her nose.

"This is Akeno-senpais scent…"

With her words coming out as no more than a whisper Hikari struggled to calm her rushing heart, her mind almost refusing to believe that even if just for a few moments she had spoken to her crush.