Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: The Art of Warfare
CHAPTER 1.06: The Gathering Part 1
Disclaimer: I don't own IS: Infinite Stratos OR Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei but I own this fiction and any other OC's in this story
ITALIC: THOUGHTS
BOLD: MOVEMENTS
A/n: I have been reading too much Fate/Stay Night fanfiction….
(Squall POV)
Life sucks.
Being a Mercenary also sucks.
I told myself as I loaded fresh magazines to my pistols.
This is the reason why I hate working with Americans; they tend to backstabbed you during or after the mission.
In this account, those Yanks stabbed me on the back after the mission.
The mission that those Americans gave me was simple, a simple retrieval job that should have been a walk-away. My job is to retrieve a disk that some Chinese nobody stole from them, kill the Chinese nobody, return the disk, get paid, simple, right?
NO!
Dealing with Americans is never simple!
I finished the mission, like I always do, and when I returned the disk to my temporary employer, instead of paying me for my services, I found myself surrounded by French Soldiers, guns and CADs pointed at me in all direction.
And hence, that explains my current position. My back against a large wall, soldiers from my former homeland surrounding me, bullets and spells flying towards me in haste, and worst of all, I am down to my last two magazines, which in total gave me 16 bullets.
Against fifty soldiers, ten of which are magicians, I can only do so much before I get killed, or worse, captured.
Life sucks so much.
By the way, my name is Squall Meusel. My country of origin is France, and I am a Superpower or a Born Specialist if you are a twat.
Generally speaking, "Superpower Users" can only use one type of magic; any more would only be variations of the original.
My power is telekinesis. I can control any object that I see with my mind.
I know what you are thinking, in today's era; telekinesis is somewhat of a mundane power.
Imbécile, like my old friend, Sin, once told me: it is not about the power, it's how you use your power.
And I use my telekinesis in such a skillful way that I was able to beat magicians with better powers than me.
Yup, with my guns and my telepathy, I am quite strong.
I am the Elegant Bullet after all!
Just as long as I have a gun, I can beat anybody.
Guns are such wonderful instruments. Bullets made completely of metal, able to pierce through any target at supersonic speeds of 300 meters a second-guns are the thing us humans have made, an instrument of battle with no equal. And on this planet, the only person in this world capable of using guns to their full extent is me!
"Squall Meusel,"
My musing was interrupted when the leader of the soldiers shouted at me, his heavy French accent annoying the fuck out of me. "Lâchez vos armes, et les deux bras où l'on peut les voir. Vous êtes entouré! Remise et vous vivrez (Drop your weapons, and both arms where we can see them. You are surrounded! Surrender and you will live)."
Scumbag, I can't see your face, but I can tell that you are lying.
I know I would be killed. Even I know that I can't escape here. My specialty had always been hit-and-run, assassination, and one-on-one combat, and the maximum number of enemies that I could fight with the confidence of victory is 10, 12 if the terrain benefits me.
Unfortunately for me, I am in the open, with fifty soldiers surrounding me, in the middle of Hong Kong, with limited ammunition, and I have nowhere to run.
If I'm able to escape, then I would be expecting Chinese polices and soldiers chasing me. I do have a large bounty on this part of the globe.
Also, capture is not an option. I would rather die than return to my homeland.
The hell that I suffered in the country, I do not want to suffer that nightmare ever again.
I smiled a bit as I raised my guns and aimed at the nearest target.
Let see now, ten people in the front, five people in the right skyscraper, another five in the left skyscraper, I would even bet that those positioned in those skyscrapers are prepared to snipe me at any given time.
I could tell that another set of ten soldiers are fifteen meters from the soldiers in front of me. They are most likely positioned so that, if I escape, they would be able to intercept me.
The ten magicians that came with them are probably prepared to cancel my telekinesis if they see me use my magic, or are ready to bombard me with more spells to further exhaust me or to push me to a corner; like they haven't already did that!
Oh well, like Sin always says whenever shit hits the fan.
Whatever happens, will happen!
"Sin, looks like I'll be following you soon." I muttered to myself as I took aim. "TE FAIRE FOUTRE (FUCK YOU)!" I shouted as I prepared to pull the trigger of my gun.
*THUD*
*THUD*
*THUD*
*THUD*
But before I could fire a single bullet, ten heads suddenly fell from the sky, ten bodies quickly following.
My eyes widen, together with the ten soldiers in front of me.
This was unexpected.
"Stop gawking you idiot." My eyes further widen in surprised at the sound of that familiar voice as chunks of body parts rained down before me.
The voice was cold, with no amount of warmth in them, but I know, for sure, that that voice belonged to an old friend of mine.
An old friend of mine that was supposedly dead for close to two months now.
*SWISH*
My confusion was quickly quenched when ten javelins descended from the sky, skewering the French soldiers in front of me.
Yup, that is Sin alright. I could tell because of how well those Javelins were crafted.
Only Sin would bother making his attacks look good in the middle of combat.
I smiled a bit as I aimed my guns at the other ten soldiers that were scrambling towards me. With Sin as my backup, it is impossible for me to be captured.
"Vous voir tous en enfer(See you all in hell)!" I whispered as I swung one of my guns before pulling the trigger.
*BANG*
The handguns that I am wielding were given to me by Sin after he retired. The guns that I'm wielding were identical to each other, the two having ten inch barrels, and both having inbuilt CADs. Each gun is capable of firing eight .45ACP bullets, at the speed of 450 meters per second, which allows my bullets to pierce ten inch, reinforce concrete.
The names of my guns are Ebony and Ivory.
Ebony is capable of three-round burst, while Ivory is capable of firing a high speed, rotating bullet.
And with my telepathy, Ebony and Ivory are weapons capable of slaying any enemy.
I employed my telekinesis to the bullet that I fired from Ivory.
First, I change the trajectory of the bullet so that it will curve in mid-flight.
Second, I increase the rotation of the bullet that was fired from Ivory, already increasing the high-speed rotation of the bullet.
The result, I was able to kill all ten soldiers with one shot, their heads blasted off their shoulders the moment the bullet touch them.
You know, it is very funny. If they did not panic at the sight of their comrades dying, then I would have had to use at least three bullets to finish all of them off.
I returned my guns to their holster, knowing that the threat had already been neutralize. Knowing Sin, he had already taken out the ten magicians that were hiding around the area.
That is how Sin operates; destroy the most dangerous threat immediately before destroying small fries.
And my assumption was further proven correct when a pack of wolves descended from the sky. The wolves quickly approached the corpses, and started eating the corpses in order to get rid of the evidence.
I cringed a bit at the sound of flesh being torn and bones being crushed. Of all the methods that he has to choose to get rid of evidence, he has to choose one of the most grueling.
I shook my head as I looked at the skyscraper behind me. Using my telekinesis, I flew upwards until I reach the top of the building.
And truth be told, there was Sin standing on top of the skyscraper, looking at his wolves with a calm, near cold aura.
Same old Victorian-style mask and same old gothic-style butler outfit, that is Sin alright.
Although, as I looked closer at him, I could tell that he had change somewhat.
Curiosity over taking me, I descended to his side, and greeted him. "I thought you were dead." Hey, usually, our greetings involved me firing a bullet at his immediate direction.
"The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
Let's pause for a minute.
Blunt answer, that's common for him.
Cold tone, unusual but not that strange.
Near emotionless voice, okay, that is new.
When Sin speaks, it oozes confidence and comforting warmth. The voice that he had just used just now was neither confident nor comforting.
I looked at him strangely for a bit before speaking again. "I see, so are you here to hunt again?" I inquired curiously.
"No," He answered, and I flinch a little at the sound of his emotionless voice. He was already scary without trying, but with that voice, he is downright terrifying. "I am getting the old crew back together." I was taken a back at this.
The 'old crew' meant…
"You have a big job that requires all five of us?"
"Yes, six digits pay off." He informed me as he stood up, and then I noticed that his posture also changed.
He seems to be more tense than usual.
"Come, we are going to go get Adan next before heading to Russia." He told me as he jumped down.
My eyes lingered at him for a bit before following.
I intend to find out what caused this change on him.
And also, I am excited with working with my old comrades at arms.
(Setsura POV)
To be a magician is to walk with death, among the many things that Oniisama taught me, that phrase, those words was the most important lesson.
To be a magician is to prepare yourself to be better, stronger than you are yesterday, that has been my Oniisama's creed since he took the mantle of Sin.
As Sin, he had fought every type of magician, every type of fighter. He sometimes triumphed, he sometimes lost, but he always becomes stronger after every fight that he walks away from.
Win or lose, you must improve yourself in every way possible.
And I adopted his beliefs.
I know, as a magician, I could not dream to match the prowess of my Oniisama.
How could I match someone like him in the first place?
Oniisama was born with only two magic, and he is unable to use any magic outside of his affinities.
He is not like me who was born with seven affinities, and still capable of using magic outside of my affinities.
Regardless of that though, Oniisama was still able to surpass his limitations, in a spectacular fashion I might add. I witnessed Oniisama, firsthand, developing his magic, developing skills that would compensate for his weaknesses, developing his talents to the next level, and it was such a magnificent sight.
An awe inspiring experience that never fails to inspire me to better myself.
In fact, I need to better myself.
I am the being that Oniisama chose to be his wife. He chose to disregard his emotions so that he can love me and only me.
Nobody can love me more than that.
And that is the reason why I must better myself. If I can stand beside Oniisama as an equal, I can convince myself that I have the right to stand side-by-side with him, as both his sister and lover.
I must get stronger, stronger than I was yesterday.
"Have you finished the exercise that I have left you?" A familiar voice, a warm voice that only I can experience echoed in the room. I hurriedly turned around, and smiled at the sight of my Oniisama, of my lover entering the secluded room in the private jet.
Behind him was a woman in her early twenties, but I paid her no mind as Oniisama immediately took me in his arms, his lips claiming mine.
I quiver in delight the moment he claimed my lips with his own, the bliss coursing through me at the moment enough to numb my mind and body. I have dreamt of Oniisama kissing me many times in the past, and now that he is actually kissing me, I could not help but forget all of those dreams.
The reality of Oniisama kissing me is better than any dream that I could come up with.
Oniisama pulled back, breaking the kiss in the process, and I know that the kiss that he had bestowed upon me was quick, a chaste one, but it was still enough for me to thoroughly enjoy his touch.
I looked at her with hazy eyes, and he smiled at me warmly as he held me.
"The exercise that I had left you, have you finished it?" Oniisama inquired once again.
I nodded before handing a crystal shard to him. "It is finish."
Oniisama looked at the shard with his eyes, eyes that could see all. Nothing can escape Oniisama's Elemental Eyes, whether be magic or otherwise.
After a moment, Oniisama's smile widened considerably. "Perfect, absolutely perfect. Magnificent, truly magnificent, as expected from you." Oniisama complimented with glee, and I could not help but blush at the compliment.
The exercise that Oniisama left me was simple enough. When he left to collect his friend, the woman that Oniisama brought most likely, he left me a diamond shard, 60 carat in weight. He instructed me to decompose the diamond's weight from 60 carat to 5 carat without destroying the diamond, without reducing the clarity, the hardness, or the overall quality of the diamond.
He just wanted me to decompose the weight. Nothing more, nothing less.
Like every exercise Oniisama required me to do, it is a challenging exercise. Unlike my other six affinities, my Decomposition-type magic was artificial implanted into me. Magic only has one sure and irrevocable rule, and that rule is that magic is hereditary, with me being the exception as my Mama's prize magic was transplanted into me before her death, using unknown means.
Because my Decomposition-type magic wasn't mine to begin with, my Decomposition-type magic is weaker compare to Mother's in every account, and according to the Empress, the level of my Decomposition-type magic, at full power, can only reach a seventh of mama's level.
Oniisama did not accept that, he refused to accept that, and told the Empress that he would train me to use Decomposition-type magic in ways that my Mama could only dream of; he swore to the Empress that he would assist me in surpassing my mama in wielding one of Japan's prizes magic.
And I will not disappoint Oniisama.
Oniisama admitted though, that when it comes to power, my Decomposition-type magic can never surpass that of my mother.
But power is not everything.
Power is one thing, strength is another.
If one cannot reach its true potential with power, then lean on technique.
Oniisama was training me to use my Decomposition-type magic with technique as the primary focus.
"Thank you, Oniisama." I whispered as Oniisama rewarded my accomplishment with another heated and passionate kiss, and I instantly melted in his arms.
I could stay in his arms for the rest of my life.
"A lot of girls are going to get their hearts broken…."
Unfortunately, it was not to be as a rich and feminine voice echoed in the room.
Oniisama broke the kiss and proceeded to give the woman, who was now leaning on the doorframe, a bottle of wine in her hands, giving the two of us lecherous looks, an annoyed glare.
The woman was, to say the least, beautiful. This woman has flowing long hair, is extremely tall, huge breasts, a slender waist and a beautiful hip curve. She's really a beauty. She's dressed beautifully in a purple dress, giving off an adult charm all over.
Although the dress was very fashionable, pretty even, it's something that I would never wear. The dress did not cover much, just the essential. Her arms, shoulders, a good portion of her breasts and stomach, her legs, and her thighs were revealed by the dress.
"Like I care about that." I could hear Oniisama grumbling before taking my hand in his. "Setsura-hime, this is Squall Meusel, the best gunslinger that I know. Squall Meusel, this is Byakushiki Setsura, my bride, my fiancé, my lover, my sister, my everything." Oniisama introduced me to her.
Squall-san, the Elegant Bullet I think is her moniker, approached me and extended her hand. "Hello there, you pretty little thing, I am honor to meet the girl that is capable of bewitching this demon."
I narrowed my eyes at that, but still, I took her hand and shook. When she was about to retract her hand, I gripped it tightly and held it in place, before taking a page out of my brother's playbook.
I flared my psion outward with emotions of anger, rage, and hate fueling it to create my killing aura. I could not turn my aura into something heavy, suffocating, and vile like my Oniisama could do; only he could do that. Each magician have different killing aura.
Oniisama's killing aura would instill unbearable pressure upon every weak willed individual within the immediate vicinity.
Mine was a bit more noticeable, as my killing aura would caused the light in the vicinity to dim and to flicker.
Which is evident as the lighting in the room became erratic.
Squall-san seemed to notice this as she gave me a grin while sweat poured down her forehead.
"I suggest you do not call my Oniisama a Demon." Oniisama is an angel, not a demon.
"You know how to pick them, Sin." Squall commented rather nervously. "She's powerful, I could literally see the massive amounts of psion oozing out of her, and I don't even have your eyes"
"Of course she's powerful. This woman, beautiful and pure, is my pride and joy." Oniisama stated as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
I unconsciously leaned myself to my brother's embrace. Just being touch by her is enough to ease me.
"Now, Squall, I shall allow you to accompany my beloved in our trip to the Philippines. It's a four hour flight, and I would have set the jet in autopilot if it weren't for the fact that the Philippine government is restricting any foreign vessel to enter its territory." That's reason why we went to Hong Kong first.
"Squall, I trust you with my life in combat, but if you ever try to even molest my lover, I swear to every God above, I will make you suffer. I will obliterate you, but not before I make you suffer beyond your imagination. I'll hunt you down wherever you hide, and drag you by the throat into a Hell that you won't wish upon your enemies. I'll hack off all your limbs inch by inch, cut off your eyelids, and then force feed you the limbs that I have cut. Then I'll peel your flesh off in strips, slice apart every muscle, carve the Mona Lisa into your bones. And then I'll regenerate you, and do it all over again. I will bestow upon you a hundred deaths, each one more painful and more horrendous than the last. I will make you beg and pray for your death, and when you become a broken pile of shit, only then will I end your misery."
There was silence for a few seconds.
Then I smiled. Nobody can express their love to me more than that.
Squall-san then took a step back.
"Man, you must really love that girl."
"She is my everything."
You are also my everything, Oniisama.
(Setsura POV)
After that unique introduction, Oniisama left me alone with Squall-san to pilot the jet, steering it to our next destination, the Philippines. It seems that Squall-san heed my Oniisama's warning and did not make an attempt to ogle me, which is a relief.
I took a peak in Oniisama's mind, and I am still surprised that this beautiful woman before me is a lesbian, not that I'm against those people, but considering how pretty, and dare I say it, sexy she is, she could get any man that she wants.
While we drank the tea that Oniisama brewed for us, there was a distinct silence between us. I hope I did not offend her when I exposed her to my killing aura, it's just that I do not like to hear my brother being called names that do not feat his stature.
"So, you're his fiancé?" Squall-san commented suddenly as the beautiful Frenchwoman gave me a critical eye. I felt slightly uncomfortable under her gazed, but I did not show it. This is one of the people that Oniisama respected greatly; I do not want to show weakness in front of her.
"I got to admit, he knows how to choose his girl. You will certainly grow up to be a stunning woman." Squall-san commented after a moment of pause, and I could not help but feel relief at that compliment. Squall-san extended her, and I quickly grasped it and shook it slightly.
"Squall Meusel, people call me Elegant Bullet, but just call me Squall. Being called Elegant Bullet 24/7 really gets annoying." Squall-san reintroduced herself to me, and I could not help but smile.
"Byakushiki Setsura, I am Oniisama's bride." I reintroduced myself as well with a polite tone and poise.
Squall-san raised an eyebrow at my introduction before inquiring. "Oniisama, as in big brother, why are you calling your betrothed 'Oniisama'?"
I was contemplating whether or not to tell Squall-san that Oniisama was my brother first before becoming his lover, but I decided against it for now. I am proud to be Oniisama's sister and lover but I do not know how Squall-san will react, and it is important for her to be here.
"Oniisama took me in when my mother died. He was first my teacher and my father, and when he had a falling out with his sister…." Thank you Madoka for your stupidity. "…I became her replacement, and acted as his surrogate little sister, and then, just a little while ago, I became his fiancé." I explained to her as vaguely as possible, and Squall-san looked a bit apprehended.
"I see," Squall-san muttered as she directed her eyes to my hands. "I don't see any engagement ring."
"Oniisama propose to me in another way." I could not help but blush at the reminder of that day.
I shifted my gazed from Squall-san, which in turn made her laughed. "You and Little Sin had sex, huh!"
I quickly turned my attention to Squall-san, my cheeks as red as a tomato as I eyed Squall-san in surprised. How did she know!?
Squall-san laughed at my expression. "First time, huh?" I could not help but shyly look away, which made Squall-san laugh even louder. "Was he good?" Squall-san asked me with a teasing yet curios tone.
"It is not polite to tell." I answered meekly, and that only made Squall-san laugh even more.
"That good, huh!" Squall said gleefully while exaggeratedly clapping her hands. "I am so proud, that guy ain't no virgin anymore."
Actually, Oniisama lost his virginity at age 10, but I am not going to share that fact to her.
Still, curiosity overtaking me, I could not help but ask the first question that came at the top of mind. "Aren't you appalled at the fact that Oniisama slept with an eleven year old girl."
"Of course not!" Squall-san answered dismissively. "Technically, that's tame compare to my sex life. I've slept with an eight year old girl once, and not to mention the many orgies that I had with countless girls." The grin plastered on Squall-san's lips made me squirm on my seat, and I instantly try to distance myself from her.
I know I could beat her, but I really, really could not help but feel uncomfortable under that craze perverted grin on her face.
Seeing my discomfort, Squall-san chuckled once again. "Don't worry Setsura-chan, I won't try to seduce you or try to get in your pants. I respect Ichika too much to even try that, and he would murder me. I haven't bested him in a fight since our first encounter, and I really do not want to risk my neck against him. Also, I don't go for engage girls that are head over heels in love with their would-be husband." Squall-san assured me as she wiped that grin on her face before adopting a thoughtful expression.
"Still, a lot of girls are going to be broken hearted once this gets out. You may not know this, but your fiancé is very famous in many countries, and a lot of girls would give anything to have him." Squall-san commented, and I could not help but be curious.
"I know Oniisama is famous throughout Asia, but I did not know that he has admirers." I tried to hide the true meaning behind my statement with the best of my ability, but the look that Squall-san was giving me was enough for me to know that she already knew.
"Don't get this the wrong way, Setsura-chan, Ichika never showed any interest in girls before, regardless of how beautiful they are and how willing they are to throw themselves to his feet." Squall-san assured me with a comforting tone, and that would have been enough right there if Squall-san did not add the next statement.
"Which is pity really! Most of the girls that were interested in him were fourteen-years old and up, and most of them are drop dead gorgeous, with luscious and delectable bodies and with different breasts sizes. I would have killed to be in his position back then. God knows most of those girls would be a good fuck."
"Squall-san," I spoke in a low voice. "I understand the reason why Oniisama respects you, but please don't speak with such vulgarity." I told her frankly, and all I got was a smile.
"Ichika told me the same thing the first time we work together for a job." There was a sense of nostalgia in her tone that was startling. "Still, you're lucky, and if I may give you an advice, don't let him go. Ichika, regardless of all the things that he had done as a Bounty Hunter, is a great man, and you are lucky to have him as a lover. Heaven knows that even I would go after him if given the chance, and I prefer girls."
Disregarding the last words of that statement, I already know that. Oniisama had done many dark and vile things in his days as a Bounty Hunter, but I don't care because Oniisama did those things to give me a life, so I do not have the right to complain and, truthfully, if our situations were reverse, I would have done the same thing.
I love Oniisama, regardless of his sins.
"I know, Squall-san, I don't intend to ever let him go." I told her fiercely, and the kind smile that she has was comforting.
And that lasted for a bit as another perverted grin graced her lips. "So, do you want some tips concerning sex? I have tons of experience that I can share to you."
Great, the first person that we had to recruit had to be a pervert, and I must have lost my mind because I actually accepted her offer.
The things that came out of her mouth were words that no eleven-year old should hear, virgin or not.
(? POV)
So, this is how it ends for me.
Damn, I am going to owe Sin fifty thousand yen when I meet him in hell.
Let's get the introduction over with.
My name is Adan Dangli; I'm a magician that originated from the Philippines.
The Philippines, I love my country.
I am just disgusted at the men and women that run my country.
I mean, come on, we just got invaded by the Chinese two years ago, and we had to get Japan to bail us out, shout out to you Sin-man, and now, once again, we are bending over for those fucking Americans.
How I hate those USNA bastards?
I mean, since the 1980s or even before then, USA, or as they are call themselves now, USNA has been allies with the Philippines. Actually, the term 'allies' is a loose word to describe the relationship between USNA and the Philippines.
The Philippines, as much as I loath to admit, is a colonial state of USNA in everything but name.
The current President of the country is a fucking puppet for the USNA.
And this is what pissed me of the most.
When the Philippines was colonizes by the Great Asian Alliance, Motherfucking China, USNA was nowhere to be seen, and the country that helped my country was Japan and Sin.
When all was said and done, with the Great Asian Alliance running with their tail in between their legs, the USNA arrived with ten warships, and that fucker Silver. Suffice to say, instead of recognizing Japan as our saviors, the government recognized the USNA tards as the reason why the Great Asian Alliance retreated.
I love my country, but I fucking hate the government that runs the country. That's why, instead of joining the Military, I became a mercenary. I don't have to care about the political bullshit of the country, and being a mercenary pays well enough. Also, the battles that I had during my mercenary days were fucking fantastic, and the people that I met, all of them, allies or enemies, were unforgettable.
Now, where was I again?
Oh yes, I am going to die.
How did I end up in this position? Well, simple enough, my luck sucks big time.
Like my old friend Sin, bless the guy's soul, I decided to hang my CAD after the Asian War, and then live the rest of my life in silence.
I'm 20 years old, by the way, and I am also a Born Specialist Magician.
Now, in my pursuit of a quiet life, I opened my own internet shop in the middle of my home town, Baguio City, Philippines. In today's age, everybody can access the internet because of the development of mobile terminals, but because privacy has become very crucial in this era, my internet shop is still profitable because I offer privacy to my costumers.
Life was good for probably two years, until I was discovered by those USNA fuckers.
Who was the dumbass that allowed a foreign military barracks to be built in this small city again?
Long, story short, they found me, they wreck my business establishment, they tried to arrest me, I kick some of their assess, I was hit by ten different tranquilizers, I got knocked out, I was buried alive, and at some point, those Americans had me shackled with some device that prevents me from using my magic.
Yeah, my luck really sucks.
Now here I am, with three minutes worth of oxygen left, covered in darkness, and with only my memories to amuse me.
What a way to die, huh?
Man, why couldn't I die like my old friend Sin? I mean, that guy kicked ass and take names till the very end. He died kicking the ass of the ten best magicians of his country!
What a way to go!
Oh well, not everyone could be Sin.
"Let's see, I have one minute, five seconds worth of oxygen left. What should I do to pass up time?" I wondered to myself, already accepting the death that would befall upon me. "Fine, one last time won't hurt."
I took a deep breath before singing the national attempt of my country.
Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng puso,
Sa Dibdib mo'y buhay.
Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
'Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at….
*SWISH*
*CRASH*
My singing was interrupted when the lid of the casket that I was shoved into was cut open before breaking into pieces, and the light of the sun blinded me for a moment. I closed my eyes for a moment, and waited for my sight to adjust to the light.
Am I in heaven?
Impossible, I have a one way ticket to hell after that things that I did in Thailand six years ago.
"Nawala lang ako ng sandali, ganito na kayo (I was gone for a short while, and you guys got reverted into this)."
My eyes widen considerably at the sound of that familiar voice. It was cold, the voice was cold, but there was only one man who can talk that arrogantly.
I sat up, my muscles aching a bit, as I tried to find the owner of the voice.
"Sin,ikaw ba yan!? Nasan ka? Hindi kita makita! (Sin, is that you!? Where are you? I can't see you!)" I asked in my native language as I try to find him, but to no avail as I could only see a blur
"Sandali lang (Wait a moment)!" Sin's voice echoed once again, and before I know it, I was covered with light, and I felt my body relaxing.
It seems that Sin used his infamous regeneration on me.
My eyesight returned to normal, and I was finally able to see where I am at the moment.
First, I am in Baguio Cemetery, and it's probably four o'clock in the evening, or a couple minutes pass that.
I also noticed that several wolves were around me, dirt covering their claws.
Across me was Ichika, A.K.A Sin, Squall, the coolest lesbian in the world, and a very beautiful white haired girl clinging on Sin's arm, looking at me curiously with her pretty blue eyes.
Okay, what the hell did I miss?
I turned my attention to Sin, the guy wearing the suit. "Akala ko patay ka na (I thought you were dead)."
"Mahirap akong patayin (I'm hard to kill)." Sin replied and I was taken aback at how cold his voice was, but hey, my amigo is still alive.
"I'm going to take a wild guess here and say Americans." I turned my attention to Squall before nodding.
"Yeah, Americans are like roaches in the Philippines. They are everywhere." I grumbled under my breath as I jumped out of the casket that Squall was levitating.
I turned my attention to Sin and to the girl that was clinging onto him. "Sino yung babae (Who's the girl)?" I asked curiously.
"Ang magiging asawa ko (The person who's going to be my wife)."
Okay, what?
I stared at Sin for a moment, before shifting my gazed to the girl, before back to him. "Congratulations, I would offer gifts and drinks and foods, but I have business to settle with some Americans." I looked at the girl with white hair again before smiling goofily. "Congrats girl, you caught yourself quite a prize." I told the girl with a thumbs up.
The girl smiled shyly at me, which is cute to the max, which made me chuckle a bit.
I extended my hand to the girl while introducing myself to the girl that was able to bewitch my friend, Sin. " My name is Adan C. Dangli, people call me the Psycho."
I saw the girl whispering something lovingly at Sin, which made Sin chuckle in a way that I never saw him do. Sin nodded at his fiancé, the girl extended her free hand and grasped my hand, her hand is quite small, at least a fourth of my hand. She shook my hand before speaking. "Byakushiki Setsura," She introduced herself and I smiled again.
"Good name," I complimented as I turned my attention back to my friend. "Do you need something from me?" I asked, wanting to have at least a conversation with my friend before I head to the USNA barracks, and proceed to kick every American ass that I set my sight upon.
"I'm gathering crew back together." Okay, that's good news.
"Cool, let me just settle this, and then we can collect Jack and the nerd." Yeah, working with Sin, Squall, Jack, and that nerd again would be cool.
"We will be helping." Sin exclaimed bluntly, before shifting his gazed on Squall. "I have a sniper rifle in the jet; you will use that to cover me and Adan. Setsura-hime, you're with Squall."
"Whatever,"
"I won't disappoint you, Oniisama."
Sin then turned his attention to me, and I could not help but smile at the prospect of fighting together with my old friend again.
Blood will rain yet again!
(Setsura POV)
I gazed upon the large rifle-shaped Specialized CAD that my Oniisama provided for me. This CAD is the latest CAD that Oniisama had built so far, and he built this CAD for me.
The name of this CAD is 'Third Eye', and this CAD was built for me so that I can wield Material Burst like my mother use to. The Third eye is equipped with sophisticated remote precision targeting auxiliary system which allows me to visually perceive information.
"That is one good looking CAD." I could hear Squall-san comment behind me.
I did not mother to look at her as I lifted the CAD. "This is Oniisama's latest creation." I informed her as I put a visor over my eyes, and that allowed me to access the Third Eye's auxiliary system, and automatically, I experience how advance the Third Eye is. I could see everything within forty miles, and even a drop of water, a speck of dust was clearly visible to me.
Oniisama really did created this CAD just for me to wield Material Burst.
"We should get to position." Squall-san told me, her professionalism was showing which is a breath of fresh air.
"Yes," I mumbled in agreement as she and I went to the edge of the building that we were currently standing on top of.
Squall-san and I were overlooking the USNA Military Barracks from our current position, and I must say that the American really has a foothold in this county. 200 hundred soldiers 24 magicians and three dozen Endlaves are in the Barracks.
I was impressed, but in Squall-san's eyes, the number was meager.
"I remember the time our crew took on an army." Squall mumbled as she positioned herself by lying on the roof, the sniper rifle that Oniisama provided for her ready to fire. "The Nerd and I were the once who provided long range cover while Sin, Adan, and Jack charge head on." Squall-san stated fondly, clearly reminiscing.
I was tempted to read her mind to access that memory. Oniisama always allowed me to access his mind, but I do that only scarcely for it would be disrespectful for Oniisama, that is why I did not know that Oniisama worked in a group in his mercenary days. I contemplative for a moment before deciding against it.
It would be rude for me to read the mind of Squall-san just to satisfy my curiosity.
"Have you killed before, Squall-chan?" I expected that question.
"No." I answered truthfully. "But I am ready to kill for Oniisama. After all, Oniisama killed for me many times, it's time for me to return the favor." I lifted and readied the Third Eye, with use of the auxiliary system of the CAD; I was able to see everything in the barracks.
"You really are in love with Sin." Of course, I love him.
"Squall-san, why do you call Oniisama 'Sin'? You already know his real name anyway, why do you still use his moniker?" I asked curiously.
Squall-san chuckled lightly at my question. "The entity that is Sin is different from the entity that is Ichika." She did not say anything more, and I guess that she has a point.
Oniisama has distinct personalities when dealing with the aspects of his life.
"Setsura-chan, if this is your first time in the field, then let me give you some advice. When you kill, don't look at your victims in the eyes. It would be less traumatizing." Squall-san informed me, and I instantly spared her a look.
"Less traumatizing?" I inquired confusedly, but Squall-san did not spare with a gazed as I was rewarded by a serious and downright deadly expression that Squall-san wore as she prepared to shoot.
"The first kill will always be the hardest." Squall-san informed me with a rueful yet serious expression. "You'll see for yourself, but for now, look alive, it's time."
I turned my attention around to the barracks, and using the targeting system, I zeroed in to Adan-san.
Adan-san is a gigantic man, standing at the height of seven-feet, eight-inches, and he was built like a bodybuilder, with gigantic muscles rigging his entire body. His has light brown complexion, and his face was has many freckles and scars. He has a crook nose which goes well with his somewhat curly hair.
I watched him curiously as he activated his magic. Psion flared from him, but the reality around him was not altered, instead, he grew in size until he was five meters tall, his muscle mass also increased significantly, and even though I was standing roughly five kilometers away from him, I could already tell that his body was as hard as steel.
"That is Adan's magic. He can manipulate the pheromones, calcium, and calories of his body to increase his mass and physical abilities. Watch and see." Squall-san told me and I did as I was told.
I watched as Adan-san jumped into the Military barracks, his landing causing a shockwave the shook everyone within arm's reach of him. Before anybody could react, Adan-san went into a rampage. He threw a punch at the nearest soldier, and I almost hurled as that punch was literally able to take the soldier's head off.
What strength!
Adan-san started to went wild as he started hitting everything within reach, with finesse that I didn't expect from someone his size. He is a five meter tall giant, and by looking at his body, he is sporting a 900 pound muscle mass, and he his moving around in such a way that it would put acrobats to shame.
I also noticed that he has no fighting style. He was merely brawling, but it was effective nonetheless. He was punching, he was kicking, he was throwing people in the air with no amount of technique, but considering his size and strength, that is irrelevant.
I saw an Endlave approaching Adan-san and he was able to punch through that Endlave with ease before throwing the four ton machine to another Endlave without any trouble.
In a matter of second, he was covered with blood, with corpses beneath him.
I then saw three dozen soldiers and five Endlaves approaching him from behind, and I was ready to back him up, but I was beaten to the punch by my Oniisama.
Oniisama descended from the heavens, and landed between the charging soldiers and Endlaves, he extended both of his arms, and with a flicker of a finger, everything and everyone around him was cut into several pieces.
That was one of Oniisama's favorite spell, [Branch of Sin: Invincible Flash]. With the use of his blood, Oniisama creates a set of very long monomolecular razor wires on the tips of his fingers. He then wrapped those wires around his enemies, and then he can restrain them, suffocate, or even slice his enemies to pieces.
I then watched the American soldiers leveling their guns at him, and started firing. But Oniisama would not be hit by something as mundane as gunfire. Oniisama's middle fingers flickered, and instantly, the wires formed mesh shields that block the bullets flying towards him perfectly.
Oniisama did not move as large amount of blood poured out from his body. Oniisama then created several large bubbles that hovered around him. With a simple head gesture, the bubbles flew at high speed in all direction. Upon impact, the bubbles explode and released a cloud of poison gas. The gas acts like tear gas and the effect was instantaneous, as everything caught in the gas suffered from severe sneezing, and also immobilizes the enemy and anyone else near the vicinity.
That is Oniisama's [Dawn of Sin: Chloro Ball].
"That's the signal." I could hear Squall-san mumbled as she pulled the trigger of the sniper rifle.
*BANG*
The sound of a gunfire echoed in my ear, but that did not prevent me from tracking the bullet that Squall-san fired.
For one thing, the bullet was travelling at the speed of 800 meters a second, and the bullet was rotating in high speed. The bullet, if memory serves me right, also has armor-piercing capabilities.
I watch the bullet pierce through the shoulder of an Endlave before changing trajectory and proceeded to blast through several soldiers, the bullet piercing everything it touches.
It took me a while but I was finally able to analyze the technique that Squall-san was doing.
Squall-san employed her telekinesis to the bullet that she fired to increase the piercing power of the bullet, as well as control the trajectory of the bullet. The fact that she could follow an object travelling that fast with just a normal scope is something noteworthy.
After the bullet pierce through it thirteenth victim, it finally expired. With that bullet, Squall-san took out an Endlave and thirteen soldiers with ease.
"I know you heard this before, but the only difference between a gun and magic is cosmetics." Squall-san mumbled the words that Oniisama use to tell me.
I am officially impressed with both Squall-san and Adan-san.
I would have marveled at their prowess some more, when I felt psion flaring from the distance. I looked at the source of the psion, and saw three American mages preparing to invoke a spell, all of which were aimed at my Oniisama.
I glared at them as I pulled the trigger of Third Eye.
The only reason Oniisama allowed me to join in this assault was to practice my Decomposition.
The power and the level of control I have in my Decomposition-type magic is very low, it was almost pathetic. Oniisama trained me to such an extent that I could wield all my six affinities as easily as breathing, but I can't wield my Decomposition-type magic that well.
It's bad enough that my Decomposition-type magic is not as strong as my mother, but I am still struggling to wield it properly, even after the three weeks of training my Oniisama gave me, I am still struggling to wield the magic that made my mother famous.
That is unacceptable!
I am the pride and lover of my Oniisama! I need to be perfect, only then will I be worthy of him.
Still, there was one spell that Oniisama created that I am able to wield.
The Decomposition-type spell, [Trident].
The spell that I fired from Third Eye was a Decomposition-type spell called [Trident], a triple-decomposition magic spell that my Oniisama created to completely annihilate a Magician's flesh and body along with its naturally occurring magic protect barrier,
[Trident] is an ingenious, S-class spell. The spell is composed of three magic processes combined into one spell.
[Trident] has three magic processes, thus the name.
The first process decomposed the target's protective Wide Area Interference.
The second process decomposed the target's Data Fortification used to protect the body.
The third process decomposed the flesh down to the atomic level.
The decomposition was so complete that it was no longer recognizable as a biological entity and left no traces that this was a living being. Proteins were broken down into hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur; the bones were rendered down to phosphorus, oxygen, and calcium; everything including blood, the nervous system, stored nutrients, even waste was decomposed down to the molecules and ions.
The lighter elements, with hydrogen at their head, escaped through the hole in the outer wall to the outside. The flammable elements interacted with oxygen and burst into flames.
This is one of the many spells that Oniisama made to conquer the power weakness of my Decomposition-type magic.
This is the spell that allowed me to take a life for the first time, multiple lives, in fact.
With one pull of the trigger, I fired three [Trident], and that killed the three magicians that were aiming at my Oniisama, my spell destroying the magic sequence that they were about to invoke.
With that, I joined Squall-san in giving cover for my Oniisama, and Adan-san.
The only spell I used in this battle is [Trident].
And that was enough for this battle.
(Normal POV)
"So, we go to Russia now." Adan mumbled while drinking a two litter bottle of beer.
"We are going to pick up the nerd of our group." Squall informed him while piloting Ichika's private jet.
The quartet's attack on the Baguio City USNA barracks lasted fifteen minutes, and the result was the utter annihilation of the military barracks. Everybody in that barracks was destroyed, and the barracks was wiped out from the face of the planet, courtesy of Setsura practicing some of her most destructive large base spells on the barracks.
"Squall, what do you think of ichika's fiancé?" Adan inquired.
They call Ichika 'Sin' in the battlefield. Out of the battle field, they call him by name.
"As a magician, she's walking heavy artillery." Squall shuddered, remembering the spell that Setsura cast to level the barracks. "As a woman, I would have that girl fuck me in every position known to man if I had the opportunity."
"And Ichika would kill you in a fashion that would make the Devil of Japan look like a puppy."
The mages shuddered at the mention, at the hint of Isane. Both of them had fought many battles, had face many dangers, and were put to situations that would break any ordinary beings, the less said about their past, the better. Still, they thrive in every challenge that was put in front of them.
But still, both of them were terrified, scared shitless at even the mention, at the thought of Orimura Isane. Squall had worked in Asia in the majority of his career, and Adan was Asian, they have heard and witnessed the cruelty and torture that Orimura Isane bestowed upon her enemies, and they have also experience, first hand, how monstrous she is in the battlefield and in combat.
And also, the two of them have one time been hunted down by her, and Isane took great pleasure beating the fear of God into them. The only reason they were able to escape with their lives was because Squall and Adan amused her enough respectively for Isane to show mercy.
That experience left them both scared and traumatized, and with a healthy amount of fear of the woman named Orimura Isane.
"We do not speak of her." Squall muttered under her voice, and Adan nodded.
"Still, I got to admit, Ichika knows how to choose his lover. Although they are different, Ichika is technique and efficiency personified while that Setsura relies too much on brute force." Adan commented, remembering how savagely and wildly, yet surprisingly accurate that girl fired off her spells during the assault.
"With that amount of psion count, it does not matter." Squall said with a small laughed. "It's laughable actually, the amount of psion that girl has is surreal. We do not need eyes like Ichika to see the overflowing psion that literally radiates from her."
"It's pretty, if you ask me. Setsura's spiritual aura shines forth with immeasurable brilliance without wasting a single drop, while Ichika's aura accurately traces his silhouette." Adan commented while finishing his beer. "Both of them are magnificent, a match made in heaven."
There was silence after that as the two friends broke into a fit of laughter.
"I can't wait. Can you imagine the chaos if the news of Sin, the most desired bachelor in the Asia underground, having a fiancé breaks out." Adan grinned wildly which was match by Squall.
"I don't have to imagine it." Squall muttered with a wild grin. "And you know, I got to give Ichika a compliment. This jet is nice."
"Why did he allow you to pilot again?" Adan growled in irritation, wanting a turn to pilot the jet as well.
"Because I have a license, and Setsura had her first kill, and Ichika took it upon himself to 'comfort' her in the only bedroom in this jet." Squall's grin suddenly became perverted. "Three guesses at what they are current doing right now."
Adan could not help but groan loudly, yet the grin on his face merely became wider, and a small blush on his cheeks. "There is something morally wrong with a 12-year old having sex with an 11-year old."
"With a girl like that, I wouldn't care if she's a 5-year old, I would fuck her too." Squall muttered before shaking her head. "Unfortunately, I am not a fool to touch the untouchable. Ichika would butcher me if I even leer at her."
(Normal POV)
"Oh, Oniisama!" Setsura moaned as she was on all fours on the bed, with Ichika behind her, thrusting his hips wildly, pounding her, entering her with new found intensity.
Setsura was in pure bliss, her head resting against the mattress of the bed as her body surged with unbridled passion. They didn't stop, from the moment they entered the bedroom, Ichika quickly stripped her of her clothing, and threw her to the bed, before making love with her in a matter the surpass their first time.
Ichika was like a passionate beast. The moment he had her lover naked and laying on the bed, he literally had his hands and lips caressing her body. Foreplay ended quickly though as when Ichika's lips left her cunt to be replaced by his cock, to that very second, he had remained buried in her, had shot off two loads, and induced three orgasms in her, with a fourth on the way.
It blew Setsura's mind at their ability to last a considerable period of time in sex. There first time spanned for eleven hours. She never knew she had it in her to go on for so long, after all, she spent a good portion of her childhood having a weak body and low endurance, and being so young and inexperienced also should be taken as a factor.
Apparently, it did not matter, as her brother's touch was enough to give her the energy and the passion to make love with him for as long as he wishes.
Which also means a trip, multiple trips to nirvana for her.
"Setsura!" Ichika moaned loudly as he increases the speed of his thrusting, and Setsura had to bite the sheets to muffle her screams of pleasure as both of them climax at the same time.
Setsura's arms finally gave in as she collapsed on the bed face first, out of breath but in bliss. Ichika laid on top of her back, breathing lightly. He nibbled on her ear for a bit, earning a moan of approval from his lover.
"You killed for me." Ichika whispered as he reached for her hand. "You shouldn't have. No third rate spells can harm me."
Setsura chuckled at this as she held onto his hand tightly. "Don't worry Oniisama, I regretted killing those people, but it will not bother me. You had done many things for me before, Oniisama, and some of them were against your ideals."
"It was worth it, you were always worth it, every blood that I shed, every foul deeds that I did, were worth it because of how magnificent you turned out to be."
That made Setsura smile, although it was a bit stained. The things that her brother did just for her to have a life was somewhat horrendous and borderline heretic. She loved her brother very much, but even she would admit that some of the things that he did were very terrible…
…and Setsura fell even more in love with him at the fact that he had done those horrible deeds in her name.
Setsura was a princess; she was born with Japan's greatest bloodline, Japan's prize pedigree, the blood of Japan's two strongest clans coursing through her veins. Setsura was a princess in everything but name, and as much as she wants to deny this fact, she has the mentally of a princess of the highest caliber.
The fact that the man that she respected and admired the most, the man that she had loved since she could remember would do those things, things that were against his ideals and morals, deeds that made other people see him as a demon, the fact that he did all those things in her name made her love her big brother more, in an almost fanatical way.
"Oniisama, hearing you say that warms my heart, so allow me to reply in kind. I will never forget the feeling of regret whenever I kill." Setsura swore in determination.
Ichika hated himself for many reason, and one of the biggest reason why he hated himself was because he forgot the feeling of regret whenever he ends a life.
The words that came out of Setsura's lips were the purest form of declaration of love that Ichika could ever receive from her.
"I must reward you for those words." Ichika muttered under his breath as she flipped her over, without removing his organ from her, so that he could look at her. Ichika leaned down, and greedily and hungrily devour her lips before he started moving, thrusting into her again with a new found vigor.
Setsura moaned into the kiss as her hands were pinned to her side, her brother intertwining her hands with his, preventing her from moving. Like she would move if she had the choice anyway.
In her mind, she was in the position that she was born to be in, beneath her brother as he uses her body to his heart's content.
But for Setsura, this was even better. Her Oniisama wasn't using her body, she won't complain even if he did, she was making love with her.
And the joy and pleasure that she was receiving was beyond heaven, beyond utopia.
(Setsura POV)
"So he is here, huh." Adan-san muttered as the four of us stood in front a small house, made of wood, located somewhere near Byrranga Mountains. "You know, considering his powers revolves around electronics, I expected him to be somewhere in the middle of some city."
"With that kind of Bounty in his head, I don't blame him for staying here." Squall commented while embracing herself, suppressing a shiver in the process.
We are near Byrranga Mountains, it is at least 40 degrees below freezing point, and she still insists wearing such revealing clothing. I really do not get this woman's taste in clothing.
"Do you really need the old man for this job? I mean, the guy is over seventy years old." Adan grumbled as Oniisama knocked on the door.
"I am collecting him not for his fighting abilities, but for his hacking and programming abilities." Oniisama stated calmly while sparring Adan-san a glance. "This man has been the greatest hacker in God's green earth for the last five decades, and one of my country's greatest resource during World War Three."
"I am glad that my legacy hasn't yet been forgotten." The door opened revealing an old man in his early seventies.
I was started at the sight of this man. Adan-san was Filipino in origin, while Squall was French in origin, this man before me was Japanese in origin. Those facial features can only belong to a Japanese.
The man before me was old, roughly seventy-two or seventy three, and he looks very fragile and thin. He was wearing a kimono, with his right arm covered in bandages and hidden in his kimono. He stands at the height of five foot, five inches, which indicates that he is slightly taller than my Oniisama by two inches. He has light grey hair which was baggy, and long, grey beard which looks to be well trimmed. His right eye was covered by a white bandage, and his face was covered with many scars and burns, that I actually cringed at his appearance.
"It's been awhile, Hanzo Gendo-san." Oniisama greeted him with a nod.
The old man gave Oniisama a grandfatherly smile as he returned his greeting with a nod. "I knew that it would take more than the might of Japan's best to put you down." Gendo-san exclaimed with a quet chuckle. "And who might this be?" When Gendo-san turned his attention to me, I suddenly felt uncomfortable, and quickly hid myself behind Oniisama.
Oniisama noticed this, and immediately leveled a sword made of blood to Gendo-san's throat. "She is my wife in all but matrimony, and I suggest you redirect your gaze from her, unless you want me to gauge your last remaining eye from your skull."
"Harsh, very harsh," I could hear Adan-san whispering from behind me, and I could also hear Squall-san grunting is disappointment.
"I can't even ogle her, how is that fair!?"
"Squall-chan, Adan-kun, I am quite happy to see you two visiting this fragile old man." I let out a breath of relief when Gendo-san redirected his gaze from me to our companions.
"Hey, Nerd!" Squall-san and Adan-san greeted in unison, and Gendo-san merely chuckled at the way they referred to him.
Gendo-san then turned his attention to Oniisama, before bowing his head. "My apologies, Ichika-sama, she just reminded me of the White Pearl, a woman that I had worked with in my days as a Japanese Soldier. I respected her abilities, and she and Ayanami Isane were very formidable as a duo."
"DON'T SPEAK THAT WOMAN'S NAME!" Both Squall-san and Adan-san shouted, and I don't have to look at them to know that they are petrified in fear at the mention of Oniisama's mother.
"As amusing as this conversation is, I need you for a job." Oniisama stated as he retracted his sword from his neck, the sword being absorbed back into Oniisama's body.
"I am already packed." Gendo-said replied immediately as he dragged out a suitcase.
My Oniisama raised an eyebrow at the old man. "You were expecting me?" Oniisama inquired, and Gendo-san nodded in confirmation.
"You are not the only one who has access to Hliðskjálf." My eyes widen at that revelation.
Hliðskjálf is a backdoor entrance of the system called Echelon III, an information interception network developed by the USNA — that can gather information from all over the world. There are only seven people who can access Hliðskjálf, referred to as the Seven Sages.
For some reason unknown to me, Oniisama was able to access Hliðskjálf. According to him, he had met and befriended one of the Seven Sages in his career, and the sage was able to give him the means to access Hliðskjálf.
The fact that Gendo-san was able to access Hliðskjálf is something worth looking into.
"I see, I figured that man will also give you the means to access that system. Since I worked with him in that mission, he had taken great interest in my life, that fucking fake priest. Regardless, it saves me the trouble of explaining things. Come, we are now heading to the Vatican."
Oniisama then turned around and walked away from the Gendo-san, with Gendo-san following suit.
"Adan-kun, carry much luggage here." Gendo-san muttered while casually shoving a large suitcase at Adan-san's hands. "And be careful, some of my best terminals are in that suitcase."
I heard Adan-san grumbled something about demanding nerds, but relented as he held on to the suitcase like it was made of gold. "Made any new games for me?" Adan-san inquired.
"I have a few. I'll let you play it later." Gendo-san said, humoring the gigantic Filipino. "So, do you know where Jack is?"
"She is being held by the Executors of the Vatican Church for five days now. The five of us are going to storm Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, we are going to get Jack back." Oniisama told them, and I was confused at this.
Jack is a male name right?
And why did Squall-san and Adan-san looked unnerved at the mention of the Vatican Church.
"So those Italians were able to get Jack, I wonder how much casualties did they incurred? Jack is so excessive with her swords without you holding her in a short leash." Adan-san stated, before having his eyes widen. He stared at me for a bit, before shuddering.
I was confused at that gesture but merely ignored it as I merely cuddled closer to my Oniisama even further. It is getting too cold for my liking.
"So we are going up against the Church's lapdogs." Squall-san grumbled with irritation and resentment. "There are only two types of people that I can't stand. Arrogant Americans and the Vatican's lapdogs."
Now that is very intriguing.
"I know that the Vatican is the center of magic development in Europe, but I do not know that the Christian Church is in possession of a military power." I interjected, joining in the conversation.
"They are not military, Setsura-sama, they are more of a secret police than anything else." Gendo-san told me, not even looking at me which is fine. For some reason, his gaze unnerved me. "The Vatican's Executors are the heretic inquisitors of the Church established in the eve of World War Three. They are tasked to kill heretics in the eyes of the Church. It takes a certain amount of willpower to be part of it, and being able to achieve the title of "Executor" signifies that one is a first-rate murderer that has passed brutal and pious training to become mankind's weapon."
That's a vague explanation, but I think I get it now.
So, we are up against killers of highest pedigree. It seems that Oniisama would be inclined to use the things that he had discovered in our three weeks training camp.
"Regardless of that, we are going to get Jack. I do not give a damn if we have to burn Vatican City to the ground in the process."
(Normal POV)
*POW* *POW* *POW* *THUD* *THUD* *THUD*
"As much as I like Sin…..." Adan muttered as he proceeded to shove the people that he had knock unconscious to a very cramped locker. "I have mix feelings about us attacking the Church of all things. I am a Christian."
"I could not understand the fascination of humans in religion." Gendo mumbled while slowly removing the bandage that covered his entire right arm.
The group of five arrived at the Vatican Church just before nightfall, and they immediately proceeded with their operation.
They were divided into two groups.
Adan and Gendo were task to reduce the security, while Ichika, Setsura and Squall were tasked to do the heavy lifting.
The task given to Adan and Gendo was easy enough. Gendo needed to have access to a terminal inside the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, and the rest would all be walk in the park.
Gendo's magic revolves around electromagnetic waves and electronic interference, and has the ability to see information gathering on the Internet and is very adept at altering information on a network.
Gendo is able to retrieve and reconstruct information that had been copied over from magnetic and optic memory units. He cannot, however, retrieve data that has been physically deleted, but considering that the current time period is an age where computers link the entire globe, leaving the chances of completely eradicating any data that has been recorded nearly impossible, and as long as any trace of the electronic signal remained, he will be able to find it no matter where it is hidden.
Gendo is also able to track and spy on individuals and targets by using the "connections" of the target or a subject close to the target, using the subject as a marker while overlapping the information dimension with the electronic intelligence network. Closely related individuals, essentially people who are closer on a mental scale, can be used as markers for his magic by setting their movement status, with names as specific variables, and once the target name was spoken, then he can home in on the actual body, since his magic designates names as a symbol of the actual body.
With that said, Gendo was a very lousy fighter. He is a BS magician, with his magic revolving around two fundamentally similar concepts. His magic was meant for espionage, spying and sabotage, not for combat.
That's the reason why Adan was with him. Adan, the Filipino Wrecking Machine, was to be his bodyguard.
The two of them were easily able to procure a terminal is a pseudo-private room, with Adan having to disposed of the guards while Gendo prepared to do his magic.
"Let's do this." Gendo mumbled to himself as the bandage that covered his right arm fell to the ground, which revealed a robotic arm with quite an intricate design. The robotic arm looked like a crystalized right arm with green veins coursing through it.
"Uplink, commence." Gendo muttered as the green veins of his robotic arm glowed faintly. Without touching any of the terminals in the room, the twenty-four terminals burst into life, several binary codes running through their screens." Uplink, complete. Accessing, data…Access Data Complete…Uploading Take Over Program …Upload Complete…Installing Take Over Application …Commencing Take Over Application…Take Over Complete…"
"Sin, I am in!"
(Normal POV)
"Sin, I am in!"
"Excellent, I want you to find where they are holding her, and do it fast." Ichika ordered while gazing upon the altar of the church. Ichika was an atheist, he did not believe in any Gods, he had experience enough hell to know that there is no such thing as God, but emotions or not, he can still appreciate architectural masterpiece.
The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran was an architectural marvel, and the art pieces ranging from statues to paintings was a sight to behold, and Ichika could not help but marvel at the magnificent display of wonders in front of him.
'Unfortunately, I might level this place.' Ichika thought darkly while shaking his head. "Let us hope that I don't have to resort to that."
"Oniisama," At the sound of his lover's voice, Ichika's near lifeless and emotionless eyes softened considerably.
"Yes, my love." Ichika replied, his voice having the spark of warmth that he used to have whenever he was talking to Chifuyu or Madoka. That voiced was only reserve for Setsura.
"This Jack the Ripper, is she really that special that you are willing to level an entire city for her." Setsura inquired with a whisper as she stood beside her beloved brother.
"Are you jealous of her?"Ichika inquired rather worriedly. "You don't have to be jealous of her. Jack, or should I say Maria is merely the only being who I ever considered a partner in the battlefield."
"I do not doubt your love for me, or your faithfulness, Oniisama. Doubting you is foolish." Setsura assured her brother while brushing her shoulders on his affectionately. "I just find it strange that Oniisama would put somebody in a high pedestal."
Ichika chuckled sullenly at those words. "Maria is special, and she possesses the one magic that I want to wield for myself, and also, she is the only being who I can consider a partner."
Now Setsura was now really curious.
Her brother scarcely use the word special, and her brother never envied anyone because of the magic that they wield. Yes, he hated his magic with a passion, but the potential of his magic was so promising, was so great that Ichika rarely shows his displeasure with his magic.
But now, there was a person that her brother admitted that he envied because of the magic that she possesses, and her brother went as far as call this person special.
Truly, this Maria, Jack the Ripper, is a unique being.
"[Sin,]" The sound of Gendo's voice echoed between them, and Ichika instantly press the earphone deeper to his ear. " [Jack is being held 100 meters underground. The security surrounding her prison, both in and out is quite difficult to crack. It would take me at least an hour to break it.]"
"That would be unnecessary, Gendo. Just give me a clear path to her. Setsura-hime and I would do the rest." Ichika told the ancient Japanese hacker, and Setsura cannot help but feel an overwhelming amount of pride at the fact that her brother trusted her to have his back.
She won't disappoint him.
"[Very well, but for curiosity sake, where is Squall-chan?]"
*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*
The ground shook violently as several explosions took place all over the Vatican.
"She's around," Ichika answered with a humorless voice.
"[…it often scares me at how some of your strategies are much more ruthless than you mother's, and that is saying something.]"
"I am my mother's son, Gendo, and considering your history with the Japanese Military, that should be enough for you to know what I am potentially capable of and the levels that I am willing to do go for just to get what I want."
"[And that makes you three times scarier than your mother.]"
"I'll take that as a compliment. Now, please lead the way." Ichika then turned his attention to Setsura before smiling. "Shall we, my darling?"
"Of course, Oniisama."
(Normal POV)
"That escalated rather quickly, won't you agree, Adan-kun." Gendo muttered in amusement as he allowed himself to look outside, the flames that engulf the Vatican city made him remember the battles that he participated in World War Three.
The blood, the gore, the screams, they were all intoxicating.
Adan shook his head as he watched panic ensued below his vantage point. "Sometimes, I forgot how efficiently and practically ruthless he is. Even before he refused to take a life, he had always been a terrifying genius of combat and war."
"That point of time was when he was the most ruthless. He never killed his targets, but he has no problem leaving them for dead." Gendo argued quietly, remembering the period when Ichika was a rookie in the bounty hunting business.
That time frame was when Ichika was the most dangerous.
Adan snorted at that as he suddenly stood up. "If you ask me, he is more dangerous now than he ever was, and he has that walking artillery that he calls his fiancé with him now." Adan suddenly laughed loudly. "We have a walking artillery and a walking biological hazard marching into the belly of the beast, if it weren't so damn funny, I would pity this place."
Surprisingly, Gendo did not laughed or show his amusement as he felt a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
"The first flight of this generation's dragons, I am honored and humbled to witness it." Gendo whispered with a weary yet honored smiled as he watched the descendants of Japan's greatest magicians took flight for the first time.
And it was such a beautiful sight.
(Normal POV)
Executors, they are the Church's lapdogs. Every single one of them, every Executor has three things in common.
One, they are all excellent combat magicians.
Two, they are all top of the line murderers.
Three, they are all fanatic Christian, willingly to do anything for their religion and for the pope.
Most of the Executors were orphans, trained and conditioned since they were young. Executors are only taught two things, the relevance of the bible and how to kill the enemies of the church. The way they were raised and conditioned made sure that their emotions were stripped from them, which made them all ruthless and dangerous.
The Church Executor Department has enough power to rival Italy's overall military might. There headquarters was located below the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Normally, mages would stay clear from their headquarters, from the Executors in general, for they are Italy's, the Vatican's elites.
And those Elites were currently being slaughtered by Ichika and Setsura.
Gendo was a great hacker with prestige in his name, and was able to at least open the passage way to the headquarters of the Executors, which is a difficult task in itself. The old man was able to lead the two several levels down undetected; again, that is quite a feat. He was also able to disrupt the security cameras and sensors in the Executors headquarters, again, that is quite an impressive feat.
But considering that Ichika had bombed Vatican City, the Executors were in high alert and they were able to spot Ichika and Setsura.
Seeing two people not a part of their department, the alarms were quickly raised and the two were attack.
And the two of them slaughtered their attackers magnificently.
Ichika and Setsura knew each other so perfectly that they could move in sync in a moment's notice. They knew each other's powers, capabilities, fighting style to an extent that it was almost unnatural.
Ichika took point while Setsura supported him from behind.
Ichika was the one hacking everybody in front of him.
Setsura was the one defending him, while supporting him with medium to long range spells.
Normally, the Executors know how to counter this basic tactic.
Unfortunately for them, the two magicians that they were fighting are not the usual magicians that they use to deal with.
Yes, most of them had killed strong magicians before.
No, they have yet to fight magicians of Ichika's and Setsura's caliber.
Setsura has seven affinities, and aside from one, she can wield all of them with finesse and grace that would make any being at awe with her skills. But that is not where her true strength lays, her true strength lies on her ability to combine her affinities to create complex and somewhat overpowered spells.
Also, Setsura's casting speed was fast, and the fact that she was able to invoke seven spells, all of which are A-rank in unison, was quite overwhelming.
Ichika was not as magically gifted as his sister, but he makes up for it with his genius intellect and his natural ability to use his anything to everything as a weapon. But his greatest asset was his creativity. In terms of genius intellect, Tabane has him beat by a long shot. In terms of natural fighting skills, Zangetsu, Kurazakura, and even Chifuyu surpassed him, even by a small margin. But Ichika's sheer artistic mind, his creativity was the factor that made him equal to anybody that he faces.
From his weapons, from the way he utilizes his magic, from the spells that he created, from the way he fights and his techniques, everything was a work of art to him, and that made him one of the greats, because Ichika as an artist, always thrives to master and improve his craft.
Alone, individually, Ichika and Setsura are formidable.
Together, they are almost unstoppable.
(? POV)
I have only been called four things in my life.
My first name was Experiment No. 09782312.
My second name was weapon.
And the name that I cherish the most, the name that was given to me by my savior, Maria.
And the name that was given to me by my enemies, Jack the Ripper.
Life is funny, very funny, I think that is one of the expressions my salvation often says.
I was not born by conventional means, no, I was born from a machine, a genetically altered human being meant to be one thing and one thing alone.
I was created to be a weapon, I was trained and conditioned to be a weapon, a weapon that the church could wield and throw away in any given time.
Essentially, I'm okay with that. I do not know how to be a human being anyway, and killing was everything I know.
And then I met him, a human weapon just like myself, only that he was born by normal means, raised by a family, loving or not was up to debate. This person was given a choice, that much I could tell, and he chose to be like me, a living weapon.
And he was so magnificent at it.
The first time I encounter him was a memory that I will never forget.
He was so beautiful, from his movements, from the way her carried himself, the way he wields his magic, the way he spoke, it simply took my breath away.
I don't know my emotions back then, but I knew one thing, I want to see him again.
I want to fight him, I want to cut him to pieces.
And so, I defected and sought him out.
I found him.
We fought.
And I lost magnificently.
I was lying before him, nursing a large wound from my back and chest, my sides were pierce, but that did not stop me from marveling over his magnificent figure.
As I gazed upon him, I muttered the word that was on top of my head. "Beautiful."
And in return he smiled at me, and told me these exact words: "I can't allow a girl with such magic die like this."
He pointed his CAD at me, pulled the trigger, and the next thing I knew, I was healed.
After that, he took me under his wing. He taught me how to be human, and he taught me how to hunt, much more effectively than what the church had taught me.
My time with him was something I cherish.
And then he left me.
I know that he would leave me. He told me that while teaching me the essentials of being human. He told me that there was a being in his country that he cherishes the most, the being that he worships, the being that he considered his God.
I understood him, and I continue hunting. Being a killer is all I know, and I will live and die as a killer, I have resigned myself to that fate.
He kept on contact with me, of course, he never fails to contact me at least once a month since his retirement, and I was satisfied with that.
And then I heard the news that sends shockwave all throughout Asia.
Sin, the greatest child soldier since Ayanami Isane, died at the hands of his country's greatest mages. He, my salvation, rode, hunted one last time to purge his country of filth, and he was killed for his trouble.
This made me felt an emotion that my salvation called rage, and I hurriedly made my way to Japan to finish the people that my salvation called Shoguns.
It was not to be as when I approach Japan's borders, I had the liturgy of fighting a being named Isane, the one being that my salvation repeatedly and cautiously told me to avoid at all cost.
I fought her, in my rage, I fought her, and I was utterly annihilated by the woman without much effort from her part.
I finally realize why my salvation avoids that Devil at all cost.
I lost, and I found myself being shipped back to Vatican, where I found myself heavily sedated, and up for dissection.
After all, I am a defective product in the eyes of my creators.
I am going to die, but I figure, its okay. My salvation is dead, and now that I am going to die, I shall follow him to his grave.
That is my greatest desire.
(Setsura POV)
That battle was pitiful.
Yet, I felt quite elated at the fact that Onii-sama and I finally fought together. True, our opponents were pitiful at best, but the high that I felt from fighting together with Oniisama had quelled my disappointment.
But still, from the hype that these Executors received from Oniisama's friends, I had expected a better fight.
Oh well, I don't have to dwell on that as Oniisama and I entered a holding cell that held one person and one person alone.
There was a glass capsule in the center of the cell, and in it lies the person that Oniisama was seeking. She was floating in an unidentified fluid and stared almost blankly at us. Her body could not move as several objects were implanted into her body, paralyzing it with a concoction of fluids that kept her alive yet sedated. She was also gagged for some reason.
And it seems that the very sight of that angered Oniisama.
"Of course they will go to this extent to cage her. She has always been a wild one." Oniisama grumbled under his breath as the two of us approached the tube that held the only person who Oniisama envied magically.
When we were near enough, a large dragon of blood rose from Oniisama's body and quickly engulfed the tube. I know that dragon was composed of very acidic substances, unique and enhance by magic, made from Oniisama's blood. The acid was not ordinary as it corroded the tube into nothing, together with the liquid that surrounded Maria-san, without actually hurting her.
She dropped to the ground with a thud, and I quickly move and took her in my arms. I removed her gagged, and I finally had a close look at her.
She was beautiful, exotically beautiful, I observed.
Caucasian pale skin, dark golden eyes, short jagged purplish hair, a petite figure, yet she is quite small, smaller than me in fact. Though her eyes were in a daze, she has large eyes and long, delicate eyebrows.
"Setsura-hime, cradle her head for me." Oniisama requested, and I obeyed.
"They sedated her with many drugs, as expected considering that no cage can hold her, not with her magic, not with her powers." Oniisama extended his arm, and from his wrist, droplets of blood slowly dripped to Jack, or should I say Maria-san's mouth.
One drop.
Two drop.
Three drops.
Three drops of blood entered Maria-san's mouth to his system, and her eyes suddenly widen, the daze in her eyes disappearing completely.
Maria-san thrashed in my arms, but I held her firmly in place as several more drops of blood entered her mouth.
"Maria, calm down, if you harm a single hair in my bride's body, I swear to the God that you worship, I will end you where you stand." Oniisama's voice cut the air like a hot knife through butter.
Maria-san calmed down at the sound of his voice, and her eyes suddenly move until she was looking at my Oniisama, her eyes having a look of adoration as she stared at him.
"Gabriel," I could hear Maria-san speak, and I was surprised at this.
This is the first time I ever heard somebody referring to my brother as 'Gabriel'.
"Can you stand?" My Oniisama asked as he retracted his arm.
"Yes," She answered as she untangled herself from my arms and stood in front of Oniisama. "You are alive?"
"I am not that easily killed." I could tell that Oniisama was starting to feel irritated at answering that question.
"I am glad." Maria-san whispered, the relief and joy in her tone was evident.
Oniisama must really be important to her.
Oniisama regarded her with a friendly look, before his hand shot forward, grabbing me by the hand. I was startled when Oniisama pulled me towards him, and was even more when I found his lips on mine.
My body froze at this. This is the first time Oniisama kissed me so suddenly, so forcefully…
And I like it!
Oniisama pulled back after that heated kiss, before turning me around to face Maria-san. When I looked at Maria-san, the blank expression that she had did not falter or change, even after seeing us kiss.
"Maria, this is my Goddess, my equal, and my bride, Setsura-hime." Oniisama wrapped an arm around me affectionately. "Setsura-hime, my partner, Maria, also known as Jack The Ripper."
Maria-san stared at me for the longest time before doing something that I did not expect from her.
She knelt down before me, her arms crossed on her chest.
"I am honored to be at the presence of the being that Gabriel cherished the most. I am humbled." She proclaimed at me while bowing her head. "I am as much as your sword as I am Gabriel's."
I was taken a back at this as I looked at Oniisama in surprised. "It's complicated, my love, I will explain it to you later, but for now, Maria, show my beloved your prowess." Oniisama ordered calmly, while pointing at the door.
Several men and women, magicians and non-magicians stormed into the cell chamber, guns and CAD already pointed at us.
They were ready to fire, but two words echoed in the room before a spell or a bullet could be fired.
"Trace On,"
Swords of different kinds manifested in the air, and they are no illusions.
"I am the bone of my sword."
Blood was shed in mass.
