Ascend into Darkness

by Ulquiorra9000

Leo is a young upstart Cathar who leads a team of holy fighters in the war against Innistrad's horrors, but when he makes a pact with a demon in a moment of desperation, Leo and his allies find out that evil always gets its way.

4. Chapter 3

ASCEND INTO DARKNESS

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter 3

Much to Leo's pleasant surprise, Hodric's household included several cooks who were more than happy to keep the dining room tables groaning under the weight of good food, even for breakfast. Leo yawned widely and slowly descended the stairs from the second floor, fixing the upper button of his long-sleeved shirt as he went. He rubbed a hand on his temple, wincing slightly as his mild hangover still throbbed in his skull. I won't be surprised if Hodric sets up a curfew at this rate. He probably expects much better behavior out of me. Well, I guess that would be fair.

"Right this way, good sir. Breakfast is ready," one of the butlers told Leo, motioning politely toward the dining room. Already, Leo could hear murmured conversation and the clink of silverware on plates.

"Thanks," Leo said a little awkwardly, unsure how to respond to a butler's endless shoe-shining behavior. I'd better watch my step. A spoiled Cathar is not what the Church of Avacyn needs! Then he stepped into the dining room and beheld the waiting food. Well... being a little spoiled won't hurt.

"Hey! Are you the new guy?" excitedly asked a young girl of ten or so years. She leaned closer to a second girl around her age and whispered something in her ear. Both of them had shoulder-length dark brown hair and deep blue clothing.

Leo pulled up a chair opposite of the two girls and settled into it, making a small smile. "Right, that's me. Leo. Who might you be?"

"I'm Tari, Abigail's younger sister," volunteered the first girl with a wave of her hand. "And this is Lari, the youngest sister. She's nine and I'm ten."

"Well, I'm seventeen while we're on this topic," Leo said humorously as he reached for a plate of buttered biscuits. "You know, I don't think I've met you girls before. Where have you been?"

"A friend's house downtown," explained Lari, a mischievous smile starting to creep across her face. "We got back less than two hours ago, in fact."

"Well, then," Leo commented as he poured himself a cup of streaming tea. "I was out last night too, looking around town with my friend. Nice place. And by that, I mean nice taverns!"

Both girls laughed. "Oh, you're funny," Tari giggled. "I bet Abigail likes you!"

Leo felt his face warm. "What?"

"On second thought, maybe not," Lari added thoughtfully. "She's so serious. Does she think you don't take her seriously enough? Not enough discipline?"

Leo blinked. "That is what she told me last night when I got back. How'd you know?"

Lari pointed at Leo with a fork and winked. "Because we know our big sister well enough. She says that stuff to anyone who isn't uptight like she is!"

Taking a bite of biscuit, Leo couldn't help but ask, "Why is she like that? Strict household?"

"Kind of," Tari admitted with a shrug. "But it's really just her. She's always been serious! I think that's just how she defines herself. Discipline, manners, focus. That's her big three!"

"Oh, this should be a fun engagement," Leo muttered.

Lari perked up. "Oh, that's right!" she exclaimed. "You're engaged to her! We got the news when we came home this morning. Well, I'll have you know, Leo, that I'm very happy for you. Abigail will make a wonderful bride for you."

"And, uh... what makes you say that?" Leo avoided the girls' eyes.

"Because," Tari said patiently, "she's grouchy, yes, but she's really smart and is involved with the Church of Avacyn just like you. And she come from this well-off family!"

"And she might warm up to you," Lari added. "Some of your great charms might rub off on her. I hope. She smiles, what, once a year?" She looked to Tari, who nodded.

Leo tried not to make a comment as he took a quick sip of the tea, which was quite good but still too hot for his taste. He set his cup back down, his mind racing for a different topic.

"So..." Tari said slyly as footsteps sounded from the adjacent room, "about Abigail..."

"Still this topic, huh?" Leo grumbled.

Tari's smile broadened. "Oh yes. Abigail. Have you, you know, kissed her yet?"

Leo was suddenly glad that he wasn't sipping hot tea at that moment or he'd spray it everywhere. "Hey! That's personal, Tari."

"She's our sister and our family is our business," Lari persisted, sharing her sister's smile as the dining room door creaked open. "I bet Abigail's just dying for you to throw yourself on her!"

"Lari! Tari!" protested the newcomer, who was none other than Abigail. She wore a cherry red gown that matched the current color of her face. "What happens between Leo and I is personal."

"Yeah. That's what I told them!" Leo added quickly, amazed that embarrassment suddenly united him and his grouchy fiancee. "Exactly what I said!"

"Ohhhh," Tari groaned. "Big sister, don't you like Leo at all? He's so nice and loves you so much!"

Now Leo was sure that his face was the same color as Abigail's. "I'll speak for myself, thank you!"

"It seems to us that you need a little prodding," Lari smirked. "Abigail's right here. Any good-morning kisses coming up?" Both girls erupted into giggles.

Abigail sighed, running a hand over her face. "Leo, don't pay them any more attention. They're just toying with you."

"Toying with him?" Tari repeated. "Not at all. We're serious about this, Abigail. This is a big event in your life and we want to help with it."

"Then you can help by finishing your breakfast in the other dining room," Abigail told them firmly, pointing at another door. "Get moving."

Both girls shared a sound of disappointment but complied, taking their plates with them as they shuffled out of the room. Abigail took Tari's seat, her face slowly returning to its normal color.

Leo looked toward the door. "You have another dining room?"

"A smaller one, yes," Abigail explained.

"Okay." Leo took another bite of biscuit. "So, where's our dads? And are you going to eat?"

Abigail made a face. "One, don't talk with your mouth full. Two, our fathers are at the Church facility downtown for business. And three, I've already eaten."

"Wait, you have?"

"You got up rather late," Abigail commented with a slight grin. "I imagine that you had to sleep off the events of last night."

"Uhhh... yeah, pretty much." Leo tried his tea again, which was finally cooler. "Look, I'm sorry if I wasn't being disciplined enough. I know that bothers you..."

Abigail shook her head gently. "It's all right, Leo. You didn't cause any serious harm, really. I just hope that the family doesn't get a weird reputation for naughty behavior out of town."

"Don't tell me no one else here lives it up now and then?"

"Well, maybe I exaggerated," Abigail admitted. "Anyway. Take as long as you want with breakfast. When our fathers return, we'll see what they want us to do. That should be soon."

Leo narrowed his eyes in interest. "Do you think that they've got a mission for us?"

"I wouldn't know," Abigail retorted. "What I mean is, during this time of our betrothal and our families meeting each other, I simply defer to our fathers for guidance."

"I guess that's smart. They arranged this, after all. With the help of our mothers, that is."

"Very much so."

*o*o*o*o*

"Father, do you have an assignment that could carry out?" Leo asked as soon as Hodric and Wulfgar marched in through the front door, the former in business attire, the latter in his Cathar uniform. Abigail stood nearby and sighed at Leo's impatience.

"Well, aren't you enthusiastic, son?" Wulfgar commented with a grin, pointing down the hall. "Come to the lounge with us. You too, Abigail."

Abigail looked as curious as Leo felt as the two teenagers followed their fathers to the lounge, and all four of them settled in the cushioned wooden chairs to talk. Wulfgar leaned forward in his seat, pressing his hands together. "Leo, Abigail, the Church presence in Havengul and here in Selhoff is stepping up its game. You both are sworn to the Church, and Hodric and I agree that you both need to earn each other's trust and cooperation in more ways than one. For that reason, we've chosen a mission for you to carry out together."

Excitement churning in his gut, Leo also leaned forward in his seat. "What is it?"

"A skaab stitcher tried to smuggle some of his wares in a cargo ship to Gavony," Hodric supplied. "The ship was stopped and the cargo destroyed just off the coast, but we believe that a few of the skaabs may have escaped. We need a few able bodies to patrol the coastline and destroy the remaining skaabs. They were created by a small-time stitcher. Shouldn't be too difficult."

Leo blinked. "Father, Hodric... you're sending us on a mop up assignment?"

"That is correct," Wulfgar nodded. "You both need to start slow."

"I..." Leo swallowed, trying to find the right words. "I'm not sure if Abigail and I can really get to know each other in the battlefield with tedious patrols and mopping up weak skaabs. Perhaps there is another assignment...?"

Abigail shot Leo a warning look, but Wulfgar chuckled. "Your enthusiastic streak is still strong, son. But now is not the time to get in over your head. This is a simple, safe mission that falls well within your and Abigail's capabilities."

"Then that won't prove anything," Leo insisted. "If Abigail and I prove ourselves against a tougher challenge and are forced to rely heavily on each other and our wits, then we can earn each other's trust and cooperation. I don't mean a really difficult assignment! Just something... more than beach patrols and easy search-and-destroy work."

Hodric gave Leo a calculating look. "And you're willing to put my daughter in harm's way to prove that you're tough, Leo?"

Alarm tingled in Leo's nerves. "No, sir. Not at all. This isn't about me or the pursuit of glory. Rather, it's about Abigail and I facing a challenge together for the reasons we've already discussed. If we are forced to watch each other's back and work together against tough odds, then we forge that closeness that you and my father are looking for." He risked a glance at Abigail, who now looked apprehensive instead of annoyed.

Hodric paused for a second. "Well, there was another assignment, one that's more challenging but not excessively dangerous. Certainly less dangerous than the mission to storm a demon's hideout in the Morkrut swamplands."

"What is it?" Leo asked intently.

"There's word of cultist activity in Stensia," Wulfgar explained. "The Skirsdag cult is expanding, and they're setting up bases of operations near the Geier mountain range in the Stensia province. The cultists have monsters to defend them, but they're still setting up their operations there and are vulnerable. Strike teams are being organized to take out the Stensia hideouts. There's still one more team that needs to be formed, but there is a minimum requirement of three people."

"That's perfect," Leo exclaimed. "Rick can go with Abigail and I. He has great negotiation skills and can use a crossbow fairly well."

Hodric gave Leo a funny look. "You think that your friend Friedrich can talk the cultists into surrendering?"

"No, but the cultists are probably relying on secrecy, and Rick can easily get information out of the locals to set us on the right track," Leo plowed on. "This mission is as much about investigation and secrets as it is about fighting."

"Very good," Hodric nodded. "It seems that you understand what this sort of work is really like. Abigail, what do you think?"

"Leo may have a point," Abigail put in. "But Stensia is a place of darkness and mystery, and we should prove ourselves ready for this challenge. The Church's presence fairly weak there. We may not have much backup to rely on when we're there, so we'll have to be able to watch our own backs."

Hodric stood up. "Well, there is a way to prove yourself ready, kids."

"What is it?" Leo asked quickly.

With a quick grin, Hodric slipped his hands into his pockets. "Be in the training hall in ten minutes. Our trainers will decide if the three of you kids are ready for this."

*o*o*o*o*

A long, twenty-foot-tall building stood at the far end of the manor's grounds, and inside, illuminated by torches and wide windows, lay countless practice dummies and non-lethal weapons. As Leo walked in through the front double doors and into the spacious training hall, he felt a thrill of excitement. Now this is where I'm in my element. He wore his Cathar combat uniform, and Abigail was clad in her priestess outfit.

"Will this be fine?" Hodric asked politely as he and the others entered the hall and snapped closed the doors.

"More than fine," Leo grinned. "Just like the training facilities back in Thraben."

"But with more stuff," Rick added as five soldiers approached from the hall's other side.

"We are prepared to assist with any training exercise you wish," the tallest soldier said firmly, giving Leo a short bow. "Offensive and defensive magic, swords, ranged attacks, and barehanded combat."

After Hodric explained the purpose of Leo and Abigail's arrival, Abigail gave Leo a curious look. "So, where do you want to start?"

Leo could actually hear a glint of excitement in Abigail's voice and felt encouraged by it. "Swords," he said, drawing himself to his full height. "Do you have any short swords? I left mine back at the manor..."

"Right this way," offered a red-headed man, leading Leo to a wooden rack bearing more than two dozen blades of varying styles and lengths. Taking a sturdy short sword from the rack, Leo twirled the weapon a few times in his right hand, hearing the edge make whooshing sounds through the air. Nodding in approval, the trainer picked up a similar weapon and walked into a large red-painted circle, crouching slightly into a ready stance with his sword held at eye level.

Stepping into the circle, Leo adopted a similar posture, aware that the sparring session had wordlessly begun while Rick, Abigail, Wulfgar, and Hodric watched. Leo narrowed his eyes slightly, watching his opponent for any sign of an incoming attack and where it would come from. How about I start first!

Springing forth at his opponent, Leo swished his dull blade through the air, aiming it right at the trainer's head. Stepping away from the attack, the trainer brought up his own blade, letting Leo's steel smack against it. Leo strained his arm to knock aside the trainer's weapon, but the trainer's blade held steady. Then, the trainer flicked his wrist and bashed away Leo's blade at an awkward angle, leaving Leo open.

The trainer took a few quick steps around Leo, jabbing his sword at Leo's midsection. Leo tumbled, letting the blade stab through empty air. Leo thrust his own sword at the trainer's gut as he got back to his feet, then drew back his sword and whirled around, bringing his blade to bear on the trainer's arm.

"Good feint," the trainer praised as Leo's dull sword blade tapped his padded arm. Slipping away from Leo's blade, the trainer brought down his sword upon Leo's head, forcing Leo to dodge the blow and back away a few steps. Moving faster this time, the trainer jabbed his sword this way and that, each attack coming closer to Leo's arms and legs. Baring his teeth, Leo whipped his sword through the air in all directions, frantically keeping up with the trainer's fast-moving steel. Leo grunted as the trainer's sword landed glancing blow against his arm, creating a dull throb of pain. Ignoring the blow, Leo brought his sword up before the trainer could make another attack, landing a solid hit to the trainer's left shoulder.

"Again, very good!" the trainer boomed his approval. Then, he quickly strafed around Leo, twirling his whole body as he unleashed a torrent of slashes, stabs, and feints. Feeling his sword arm start to burn and sweat start to soak his undershirt, Leo huffed as he alternately deflected or dodged the trainer's attacks, retaliating with a few attacks of his own. However, the trainer evaded Leo's attacks and feinted a swing to Leo's head, followed by a quick but hard blow to Leo's thigh. Leo buckled from the attack, lowering his sword as his leg ached.

The trainer's booted foot lashed out, catching Leo on the stomach. Stunned, and with the air forced out of his lungs, Leo felt himself get thrown out of the arena, tumbling awkwardly across the hard wooden floor. his sword slipped out of his surprise-numbed fingers. He kicked me? Is that allowed?

The trainer advanced on Leo, who had tumbled out of the red circle. "You have to prepare for the unexpected!" the trainer reminded Leo, twirling his blade expertly through the air as he advanced. "Defend yourself, boy!"

Realizing that he was out of the swords-only circle, Leo bolted to his feet, aware of the throbbing aches on his arm, thigh, and chest. Drawing a quick breath, Leo focused inward, feeling the ethereal currents of mana flowing inside him. His nerves tingling with mana, Leo extended his arms, seething red mana whirling around his arms and fingers. Suddenly feeling giddy, Leo condensed his mana into three spears, each shaped like a sword pointed at the trainer. Swishing his arms in a pre-determined gesture, Leo shouted his defiance as he hurled the three red mana swords at the stunned trainer.

Seeing the attack coming from afar, the trainer vaulted to the side, letting one red mana blade shoot through the air and stab into the far wall. Leo reached his right arm toward the trainer, and the other two mana blades curved in their flight path, arrowing toward the man. Springing to his feet, the trainer let a second mana sword sink into the floor, then raised his steel blade as the third mana blade reached him. The mana blade sizzled and diffused as it pierced the steel sword, but the metal blade turned cherry-red, turning runny and soft at the mana sword's touch. Molten steel slopped across the training room floor, leaving the trainer standing there holding just a hilt.

"I'm not done yet!" Leo announced, waving his arm through the air and conjuring another pair of swords composed of red mana. "Prepare for the unexpected, right?"

The trainer's eyes widened as the twin mana blades shot toward him, but in one deft movement, Abigail ran onto the scene, her priestess robes fluttering as she stood between the swords and the trainer. She raised her arms, exposing her hands palm-out. A radiant, circular white shield erupted from her hands, the holy collar of Avacyn etched on the shield in a dazzling, pearly display. Both red mana blades stabbed into the shield, white and red sparks exploding outwards from the contact. The white shield and two mana swords alike shattered into ghostly wisps, leaving Abigail standing there, huffing but smiling.

"You nearly melted the best trainer," she called out. "Be careful."

"He would have dodged them," Leo countered. He glanced at the trainer. "Right?"

Dusting himself off, the trainer walked toward Leo, his arms folded. "Right you are." Then he broke into a smile. "Well, you darned impressed me! I think that Wulfgar and the other guys back in Thraben know how to raise a monster-hunter. You and Abigail are officially ready for your assignment to Stensia."

Leo dipped his head. "Thank you." After he set his short sword back onto the rack, he collapsed onto a bench, suddenly realizing that his heart was hammering and his whole body was sweaty. That took a lot out of me! These trainers are good. Glad they're on my side.

"My turn," Rick exclaimed, showing off the crossbow that he had brought. "These target dummies are in for it."

Everyone stood behind Rick as he stood before the target dummies, fitting a bolt into his crossbow and taking aim, one eye shut. Squeezing his finger on the trigger, Rick loosed the bolt and the deadly projectile pierced the wooden wall behind the targets, earning him a few laughs from the trainers.

"I need a second to warm up!" Rick snapped, going slightly red as he placed another bolt in his weapon. He raised his crossbow again and snapped off another shot. This time, the bolt stabbed into a target's heart section, exactly on the optimal strike zone. Several impressed oohs sounded in the training hall. Grinning cockily, Rick made an unnecessary flourish as he fired his third shot, and the bolt thudded into the intended target, but it was far from the optimal mark. Fitting in his fourth arrow, Rick made another flourish as he snapped off another shot, landing it in a decently impressive zone of another target.

"Could you try not showing off while shooting?" the ranged-attacks trainer grunted.

"I have to get used to shooting while moving. I can't stand stock-still in a battle or I'd be a sitting duck," Rick argued, but Leo knew that his friend wanted to land a perfect shot while doing a fancy flourish in order to really impress everyone. By the time twenty bolts had struck their targets, the ranged-attack trainer clapped his hands.

"That's enough," he called out. "Your technique needs a little work, Friedrich, but -"

"Call me Rick!"

"But I believe that you're ready to accompany Abigail and Leo on their assignment against the Skirsdag cultists," the trainer plowed on.

The swordsman trainer turned to Leo with folded arms. "Leo, your fighting could also use some improvement as well. Be sure to watch all your openings. An enemy will be quick to exploit the many openings you create while you launch those aggressive attacks that you seem to favor."

Leo nodded. "Okay. But what do you think of my holy magic?"

"A useful ranged attack in case Friedrich misses his shots because of his flourishing," the trainer summarized. Although Rick snapped another protest, everyone shared a quick laugh.

*o*o*o*o*

"Be safe, my daughter," Hodric said humbly the next morning as he embraced Abigail tightly. A black-painted carriage stood at the ready, its driver intending to take his three passengers down the beach road toward Havengul.

"Thank you, father," Abigail told him, then Hodric shook Leo's hand.

"I'll keep your daughter safe," Leo promised.

Abigail looked slightly hurt. "What? I will protect you because I can use the holy wards."

Leo shrugged. "I didn't mean it that way, darlin'. I meant that I won't let you down when you need me."

Abigail's expression changed to confusion. "What did you call me?"

Suddenly aware that all eyes were trained on him, Leo quickly explained, "It's something I thought of last night. I mean, I want to show that you're dear to me without sounding too silly about it. I'd rather not call you 'sweetie' or anything."

"I'd rather not hear that either," Rick put in, slapping Leo's back. "If you acted all polite and civilized, man, I wouldn't even recognize you anymore!"

Leo chuckled. "Figures."

"Just call me by name," Abigail insisted. "I don't have to be anyone's darlin' just yet, okay? We're professionals on a mission for the Church. Let's act like it."

Leo cleared his throat and stiffened his back. "Yes, darlin'."

"What did I just tell you?"

"I think we've all had enough fun," Wulfgar smiled, shaking Leo's hand as Hilda stood nearby. "Be safe, son, and make your mother and I proud."

"I will," Leo promised, giving his mother a quick hug. "Be back before you know it." He climbed into the large carriage's back seat and helped Abigail up, then Rick piled in. As the carriage's doors snapped closed, the driver tugged on the two horses' reins and the animals broke into a rapid trot, their hooves clicking on the stone-paved road toward Havengul.