Here is the next chapter. Thx for all the support! You guys are awesome! I hope to bring the next chapter real soon for you guys! Merry Christmas, Hannukah, or any other holidays you guys enjoy that I haven't listed.
Kill the Practice
Ieyasu watched grimly as Mine shot a rock three hundred feet away. Ieyasu then had to match the shot with regular arrows, to his dismay. After agreeing to be a Night Raid member, the other members reacted to his arrival with mixed emotions. Mine gave him a cold shoulder for almost ruining her hair, while in contrast Bro, Bulat, warmed up to him... in some different ways. Lubbock was nice to him...as long as he didn't look at Najenda funny. Akame was completely strange to him, Leone was a little too friendly which causes Sayo to get jealous, and Sheele was semi-distant, semi-friendly. Ieyasu constantly had to train with Mine, she was the only other ranged assassin there. Using Helios' light arrows came to Ieyasu like second nature, but he was a mess using regular ones. They trained day after day working on accuracy, while Sayo trained with Bulat. While Bulat was a kind of a tanky brawler, Sayo was more of a self-sacrificing berserker. It was found out that when Sayo was not using any of her Auxilary Arnaments, she had four, she regenerated small cuts and bruises. However, it was also discovered Sayo could enhance her speed and attack, but her armor would pierce her own skin causing blood to cover the armor. Helios was discovered to enhance to shooter's hand speed, and he could shoot multiple arrows of light. Day after day it was the same.
Somewhere in an alley
Captain Ogre walked out of the bar. He laughed at one of his underling's jokes as he followed the girl into the back alley way. He stared at her. He didn't recognize her. She was tall with long blonde hair that went past her shoulders. She wore a ripped blue dress, but it was covered with a black chestplate. The blonde girl wore black pants beneath the dress with white boots. Her arms had black shoulder guards and gauntlets, but her gloves were white. Her hair held a strange, fluffy, blue hair ornament.
"I take it you're the famous Captain Ogre," the girl said, almost mockingly.
"Yes I am, but you shouldn't use that tone with me," Ogre growled. Already, his fingers twitched for his sword.
"I am here to join your squad as your new member," she said.
Ogre laughed. "Sorry we don't take arrogant brats for soldiers. Besides you have to register just like everyone else," he answered calmly. The girl then pulled out a giant double-sided axe from behind her back. It was taller than her, and all over the axe's handle were spikes. It's brambles were huge, and it wrapped around it's crimson blades. A malicious aura seemed to have lept from the axe to the girl, and soon Ogre began to feel nervous.
"This is the Imperial Arms, Grendel. I would like to join your little brigade. If this does not get me in, will money suffice?" the girl asked. She then dropped a hefty bag of coins, from the look of it, over five thousand gold coins. That was ten times more than what the usual criminals bribed him with. Ogre grinned.
"You're in. Welcome to my squad," he greeted warmly, "What's your name?"
"Aria. No last name. I don't really have a need for one anymore, but if you need one it's Grendel," she said, almost cooing over her Imperial Arms.
At the De La Spectrophobia's Mansion
It was ruins. Tatsumi stared at it in astonishment. Some of it's windows were shattered, and the whole mansion was covered in ivy. What was astonishing about the mansion was it's brilliant colors. Even though it was old, it was the most beautiful house he had ever seen. As soon as they entered the mansion, Tatsumi noticed the black and white tiles were polished to a sheen, and the remnants of the colored-glass windows covered the floor in rainbows. The dark ivy contrasted with the bright colors which only emphasized the house's beauty.
"I take it you are the only ones who live in this house," Tatsumi inquired.
"There is only one other occupant, but she likes to stay in the cellar during the day," Caine answered.
"Why?" Tatsumi asked.
"She's a danger beast," Opaline answered arched his eyebrows in question, but said nothing. He used to think that all danger beasts were genderless, but on two occasions he found some that defied these rules. They led him around through the mansion, and showed him all the rooms and grounds.
"Who takes care of the place?" Tatsumi asked noticing the well-manicured lawns, the carefully taken-care state of the furniture, and the polished floors and windows.
"The other occupant's minions," Caine answered. Tatsumi's curiosity piqued. He was definitely intrigued. Whoever this other occupant is must be strong.
Then both of them said, "Whatever you do, don't check the cellar at all, or wander at night. Stay in your room or else." Tatsumi was about to ask what did they mean by that, when he realized the way they said it; it wasn't a threat. It was a fact. Tatsumi respected their request. Using the courtyard, he put in a good eight hours a day on his swordsmanship. The couple was never home during the day, and the food they usually ate was usually some type of danger beast. Tatsumi deduced that Caine was some kind of genius of a hunter, and Opaline was his as-said wife. Tatsumi quickly swung Void. The jar didn't even move. Tatsumi picked up the top half, noticing the perfect cut. You wouldn't even notice the cut. He then threw it up, slashed it to bits, and let the little flakes dance onto him like snow. Tatsumi then noticed a pebble-sized piece of glass drop to his right. He sighed. Not good enough. I can only use my trump card for thirty seconds long, and if I'm this slow I will be already dead. With increased vigor, he threw up the bottom half.
After a few days, Tatsumi began to read the books in De La Spectrophobia's Library. He felt like it was endless. Soon his routine became that of three hours of daily physical conditioning, six hours of swordsmanship training, and three hours of reading.
At Ogre's base
Aria trained hard with her new best friend, Seryu. They both were sadists, and now Aria Grendel fought in the name of "justice". The only difference they had was that Aria knew what they were, Seryu didn't have a clue. In her eyes, they were heroes. Dr. Stylish visited every once in a while to do a check-up on Seryu, and while he offered similar "treatment" to her, Aria refused. She now was more proficient at wielding Grendel, however she didn't do as many hunting trips or as many killings. Grendel seemed to grow at a slower rate without all the killing, which suited her fine. Not only did Grendel grow, but she grew with it. She looked more like a young woman than a girl, and it often bothered her. There was no way to reverse it, so she tried to get Seryu to kill any people for her. If she killed every single person she was told to, she would be in her sixties in no time.
Back at Night Raid's Base
Ieyasu had found a very strange package. He took it straight to Najenda, who waited for everyone before they opened it. What they found inside was an Imperial Arms. It was a beautifully-made cloak of black silk. Blazoned on the hood was their symbol, and attached to that was a letter. It said:
Hello Night Raid. I am a bit of a fan of you guys, so I made a nice little present for you. I will keep it short and tell you it's abilities. It is called Cloak of Infinite Darkness: Night Raid. It's abilities are that the user will be invisible, and their presence masked when the hood is up. Also the cloak can open up into a pair of black wings that will allow the user fly, and be able to carry one other person. It's trump card is for you to find out. -Your fan
Tatsumi left as soon as he dropped off the package. They have two of his Imperial Arms, it was pretty easy to find them.
Somewhere in the forest
The Goliath roared, and charged at Caine. Opaline was sitting on the bough of a nearby tree. Caine ran forward, and sent several kicks in to the beast's stomach. It screamed in rage, and lunged with all four arms. It's snout twisted and turned in the air, it's whiskers waving around as Caine kicked the beast's neck. The B-class danger beast lurched forward, and Caine used the opportunity to jump above it. When the monster came to it's senses, Caine smashed the danger beast's head with his shoes.
"Caine, that took too long. I got bored," critiqued Opaline.
"True, but I'm as good at using my legs as much as my arms," Caine replied. Opaline shrugged her shoulders, when a Blood Boar charged out from some nearby brush. Caine punched the boar right in the nose, and sent it flying through several trees.
"Ugh...Let's call it a day," Caine said rubbing the back of his neck. He picked up the carcasses, and punched them all while in midair. These bodies would land right on the mansion's back door if his calculations were right. Caine rubbed his arms from the pain. He could push himself to crazy limits, but using his "power-punches" too much would break his arms. That was why Caine had begun starting to use his legs more often.
Opaline stared at the winged danger beast that now stared at her. It roared, and dive-bombed toward her location. Opaline jumped out of the way as the danger beast's sharp wing shredded the tree tops.
"Caine, help!" she cried, and Caine ran toward her. Scooping her up into his arms, he ran as fast as he could. I'll fight this monster once Opaline is out of the way. He ran for De La Spectrophobia Mansion when a second winged danger beast slammed into the ground barely missing them. Where are they coming from? He tried to look around, but the trees blocked his view. Caine could always run into a clearing, but he would make it easier for the danger beast to get him.
Tatsumi saw from far away the twin winged danger beasts constantly attack the ground. He couldn't see what they are attacking, but he recognized the danger beasts. Huginn and Muninn, the twin raven-dragon danger beasts. Shoot. These SSS-class monsters are the same that attacked me at the same town I slayed the Grendel. Tatsumi dug through his bag. I have a choice, either use Solomon or Void. But which one?
I hope you guys enjoyed this one. Review this and tell me which one I should use: Solomon or Void. I couldn't decide! See ya guys! -Laughing Jack backwards jack
