Guest - Thank you as always my friend :))

12

The training room hidden in the Fairy Castle was easily as big as the entirety of the throne room. Emi felt like she was standing in the middle of an entire football field she had all to herself. The floor had real grass growing all about with numerous amounts of light illuminating the entire arena.

Emi felt nervous waiting for Celeste to arrive. She had a decent amount of sleep, though she woke up several times when her nightmares scared her. She saw visions of herself in battle and failing to hold up the standards she had set for herself. Dying in battle after devoting herself to training, it was something she feared.

She wore a loose white T-shirt with a sports bra and a pair of shorts. Her blonde hair was tied back into a puffy ponytail with the hair tie Airi had given her.

Emi wondered what Ryusei was doing right now. Was he training too? She immediately shook her head and grabbed hold of her face, feeling as the blood rushed to her cheeks. Why was she thinking of Ryusei of all people right now? What was wrong with her?

"Emi? Are you okay?" Celeste asked from behind her.

Emi stiffened and faced her new friend. "Y-Yeah! Just thinking that's all."

"What about?" Celeste crossed her arms.

Now that Emi was seeing her in her training gear, she realized just the kind of body that Celeste had. Physically she looked like a seventeen year old girl with long vibrant violet hair tied into pigtails. She had a bountiful bosom and a curvy body, however Emi knew that she was far older than she appeared. She wore a black tank top with a pair of white shorts but carried a brown briefcase with her with a weird engraving on the lid.

"J-Just about about training," Emi mustered. "What's in the briefcase?"

"Oh," Celeste smirked. "This is your new gear." She placed the briefcase on the ground and knelt down to open it. Inside was what looked like a belt with a blacked out hand on it with switches on either side. Above the belt buckle were four different jeweled rings, each seemed to emit a sort of pressure like Ryusei and the others. On the back of the lid were even more rings, 15 in total.

"W-What is this?" Emi gulped.

"Since you're fully human without any form of magic in your system," Celeste explained. "Your only option is to have magic implanted into you by using this buckle. It's connected directly to the Tree of Life, which gives us Fairies our magic. It'll sting when you first put it on, but afterwards you should be able to use these rings to cast spells."

Celeste pulled out the buckle and handed it to Emi. It was heavy, and radiating powerful magic. Emi felt nervous about doing this, but she knew she had to get stronger if she wanted to find Airi.

"What do I have to do?" Emi asked.

"Place the buckle on your waist," Celeste said.

Emi gulped and did as instructed. She placed the buckle on her waist and a belt suddenly wrapped itself around her waist. A wave of pain suddenly washed over her body. It felt like every inch of her body was being simultaneously stabbed over and over again. Emi fell to her knees and winced in pain, keeping herself from shouting by gritting her teeth and balling her fists so tightly they began to bleed.

"Hang in there EmI!" Celeste said. "It'll be over soon."

The pain went on for a few minutes until it finally subsided. Emi panted for air as the pain finally left her body, leaving everything sore and unmovable.

"I…Is it…Is it over?" Emi asked, her vision growing blurry.

Celeste knelt down and placed a hand on her back. "The magic has integrated into every muscle and organ in your body. You're fine now. Can you move?"

Despite it taking a tremendous amount of effort, Emi forced herself to stand up. Celeste smirked and met her, handing her a red ring. It was a shining ruby with a visor over it. It shined as Emi picked it up.

"My father collected these precious stones from all over the Shadow World," Celeste explained. "Using magic, he shaped them and formed them into magic rings. Each one of these rings can cast a different spell, however it's element will depend on the form you take." Celeste pulled out the other three rings above the buckle. "Fire, water, earth, and wind. The corresponding colored rings behind the lid will dictate which spells you can use whenever you're in a different form."

Emi gulped. "How do I use them?"

Celeste gave her an orange ring with a picture of a hand on it. "This is your Driver Ring. Your spell rings go on your right hand while your element rings go on your left. Put this on and place it over the buckle."

Emi hadn't noticed, but the buckle had flattened from a bulky belt buckle into a flat black hand with gold trimmings. She placed on the ring, and suddenly felt her vision clear and her energy restored. Was this simply from putting the ring on?

She placed the ring over the hand. Driver On! The hand transformed into a buckle that wrapped itself around her waist. She gulped as she could feel it's power. She felt so energized all of a sudden, like she could run miles without getting tired.

Celeste flipped the switches on the side as the hand rotated to the left. "Put on the ring and do the same thing."

Emi put on the flame ring, and it was like an entirely different feeling. She was nervous as she brought it over the hand. Flame! Please! A red magic circle opened underneath her as flames combusted. Slowly, it rose and enveloped her. This feeling…was something she couldn't explain in words. It felt like she was being woken up from a long dream. She could see clearer, hear better, like all of her senses were dialed to eleven.

"You look good," Celeste smirked.

Emi finally noticed what she was wearing. Instead of a shirt and shorts, she wore an untucked white button down with a red tie, a frilly black skirt with a white stripe on the end, and a long and magical black cloak with ruby gauntlets and red breastplates. The cloak came attached with a hood that covered her head. She couldn't see it, but she knew her eyes changed color as well. It was no longer brown but a bright shade of red.

"This is flame mode," Celeste explained. "In this state, you're immune to all forms of fire magic attacks and can even consumed flames as a way of restoring your strength and boosting your power. Want to test it?"

"Why not," Emi grinned. Was this confidence just because of the rings? She felt like she could do anything and nothing could stop her. This was a feeling she could definitely get used to, not to mention this outfit was pretty darn cute.

Celeste jumped back a few feet before holding out her hand. Several purple magic circles opened up and flames shot out, blasting at Emi. She closed her eyes as the approached her and even heard the explosion, however there was no pain. Opening her eyes, Emi was unharmed as flames surrounded her.

"What's going on?" Emi looked at her hands. "I don't feel any pain."

"Try sucking the air!" Celeste shouted.

Emi exhaled, before taking in a deep breath. To her shock, the flames began to suck into her body like some sort of vacuum. Eventually, all the flames disappeared after entering her body. Her stomach puffed and flattened, as if she had just eaten a large meal.

"That…tasted good," Emi said with wide eyes. "What the hell? I didn't know you could eat flames."

"These rings are endowed with a particular type of magic," Celeste walked over. "Ancient mages used this magic to slay dragons, by using the qualities of a dragon themselves. Dragon Slayer Magic, confined into Ring Magic. Congratulations Emi, you're a Dragon Slayer."

Emi blinked several times. She looked at her hands. She was wearing fingerless gloves underneath her ruby wrist guards. She felt powerful, invincible even. She balled her fists.

"I like this feeling," Emi smiled.

Celeste tossed her another ring. "This is one of the flame spell rings. Eventually you won't need them, but for now use these rings to conduct spells."

Spell rings go on the right hand. The Driver Ring had disappeared so she slipped on the ring. Following Celeste's moves, Emi flipped the switches as the hand rotated to the right. She placed the ring over the hand.

Firestorm! Please!

A circle of flames grew around her. It felt amazing. Despite all these flames, Emi felt no heat coming from them. She held out her hand as all the flames gathered into her hand as a red magic circle appeared. All the flames gathered the palm of her hand, as they all shot forward in a tornado of flames. The sheer recoil from the attack pushed Emi back, making her have to bend her knees and using her other hand to support her right.

Once the flames died down. "That was amazing…" Emi couldn't believe what she just did. Celeste walked over and smiled.

"C'mon, we'll try the other spells," She said. "Once you've used a spell, they'll be linked to the Driver so all you have to is think of the Spell Ring and it'll appear."

Emi nodded. "Let's do it."

Asia panted, exhausted and completely out of energy. She's been at this for hours, gaining more and more distance as she healed from afar. Although she was getting better at managing Twilight Healing added to her own magic, it was taking a lot out of her to even stand up let alone fire a compressed shot of Twilight Healing.

"Let's take a break for a bit," Kamiya-Sensei smiled and sat down by a tree. "You're tired too aren't you? You deserve a break."

Asia nodded and sat down next to her. She was definitely getting better at her long ranged healing, but at this rate it won't be usable in battle if it takes up this much energy. At her max, probably three compressed shots of the Twilight Healing is probably all she can handle about now.

"Hey Sensei?" Asia asked. "Can you tell me more about the dragon sealed in Ryusei's sword?"

"Trishula, huh?" Sensei leaned her head back. "Trishula is one of the last remaining Dragon Gods, particularly a Dragon God of the Ice Barrier."

"Ice…Barrier?" Asia asked.

"In ancient times," Sensei explained. "The Dragons of the Ice Barriers guarded and protected the people of the north. However there was one Dragon God who hated the humans and wanted to start a rebellion. Eventually, two other Dragon Gods teamed up with the humans in order to seal that Dragon God into an altar on a certain island. In order to keep watch over her, the two Dragon Gods sealed themselves into the island as well, in order to keep Trishula dormant."

"But then the seal was broken?" Asia asked.

Sensei nodded. "Four years ago, the island that the Dragon Gods were sealed in were attacked by an unknown group. The seals on all three Gods were broken, and their powers resealed into separate weapons. A sword, scythe and a chain scythe."

"And somehow Ryusei got his hands on the sword?" Asia asked.

"Not exactly," Sensei said. "Trishula was sealed into Ryujin-Ichimonji by two people belonging to the Assassin's Order, however the sword was passed down to Hyoudou Ryusei in the hopes of taming it's power. As for the other two…even I don't know what happened to them."

"Are they really that powerful?" Asia gulped.

"You can consider them on par with any Longinus Sacred Gear," Sensei explained. "While the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing are two of the strongest Sacred Gears out there, but these three are on an entirely different level."

"What are they called exactly?" Asia asked. "Don't Sacred Gears have names?"

"I guess you're right," Sensei pondered on the thought for a bit. "I guess you can call Trishula…the Absolute Zero. As for the other two, I've heard several names. The most notable are Frozen Nemesis and Freezing Abyss."

"Absolute Zero…Frozen Nemesis…Freezing Abyss…" Asia gulped. They're all ice type Sacred Gears, yet after seeing what Absolute Zero can do, Asia could only imagine what the other two are like. If Absolute Zero could take over the user's body and encase them in frozen armor, what could the other two do? A scythe and a chain scythe…Asia was definitely curious as to what their capabilities were, but at the same time she was afraid to find out.

"Any other questions?" Sensei smirked.

"Who…Who are you, Sensei?" Asia asked. "You're helping us so much, and yet I'm not sure any one of us know who you are."

Sensei seemed conflicted. She crossed her arms and contemplated for a bit, until she finally opened her eyes. "Do you wanna hear a story, Asia?"

"A story?"

Sensei nodded. "A long time ago, when the world was at war, the Earth was plunged into an age of chaos and despair. The sky was painted red from the constant fires, the lands were a scorching inferno that no human could survive, and it rained the ashes of the defeated angels 24/7. Humanity was at it's lowest point. Drafted into a war they wished nothing to do with, fighting against one another simply because they were forced to by beings far superior to themselves."

"This sounds kind of…depressing, Sensei."

Kamiya-Sensei giggled. "It gets better don't worry. Eventually there rose a group of rebels, who prayed to any angel or god that would answer them. They prayed for countless days and nights, hours upon hours went by without sleep or food, until their prayers were answered. A wise and powerful angel took pity on these humans, and blessed them with protection and power. The man that led the prayers was deemed as the group's leader, and single-handedly led the rebels into a war with the other factions. They liberated a castle full of human slaves, and it eventually became their home country. Through the decades, this group of humans took on a different name, however their mandate remained the same. To maintain peace for all humans by eradicating the forces of evil within the Shadow World who would dare to harm the humans. They became known as, the Assassin's Order."

"The group that Ryusei was in?" Asia asked.

Sensei nodded. "Throughout all the thousand year guard that the Assassins kept over humanity, the angel who gave them power kept watch over them as well. Eventually, she met an assassin who was different than the others. He had a dream of uniting the human world and the Shadow World, for both worlds to live in peace together. It was a silly and fruitless dream, however the angel believed that that human of all people could achieve it. The angel vowed to protect him, but in the end all she could do was watch as he gave his life to protect another. In his dying moments, he entrusted his dream and vision to the very person he had sacrificed himself to save, and so the Angel decided to do the same. She forsook her position in the heavens and chose to remain as a human, albeit with an overwhelming amount of magic."

"Wait a minute, Sensei-"

"The angel bid her time until the person whom her love had entrusted his dream to finally came home, and she kept a vigilant watch over him in her lover's place," Sensei smiled. "She will continue to do so until one day, perhaps, he will achieve the dream that the angel and her love had once shared."

Could it be? Was Sensei actually an immortal angel? She definitely gave off a powerful and confident aura, but Asia had never even once imagined it possible she was an angel. An actual angel…Asia had always wanted to meet one. Even when she was a Nun, meeting a real life angel was always a dream she wanted to come true.

"That's enough of getting to know each other for now," Sensei stood up. "Let's get back to training, shall we?"

Asia stood up. "Y-Yes, you're right."

"T…This is the village?" Reina gulped as she looked past the trees.

It had taken Ryusei, Momo, and Reina nearly an hour to walk outside the city and another half an hour to find the actual village. It was located just west of the city and hidden in the trees. A magic barrier had been set up all around the village border to keep it from human sight. To anyone not with any magic in their system, all they would see was an expanse of trees. It was no wonder this village had been hidden for so long.

"Do we speak to the village elder?" Reina asked.

"It's the only way," Momo said, jumping down the cliff and landing on the ground.

Ryusei and Reina quickly followed, and soon enough they stood in front of the village gates. The entire village was guarded by a massive wooden wall with ancient runes carved onto each wood pillar. The gates were open with no guards, and Ryusei could see the people inside. They were dressed in simple garbs and lived traditional and old fashioned lives, it reminded Ryusei of the people from history books he had read in Masyaf.

"Do we just walk through?" Reina asked.

Ryusei held out his hand. At first, he was stopped by an invisible barrier, however as he pushed through, he was able to just walk right in. Momo and Reina followed him as they entered the village of elementals. He didn't quite understand what Leo had meant by people who could manipulate the elements, but now it was clear.

He first saw a small boy riding a slab of stone, gliding across the ground as simple and fast as a normal skateboard. He was being chased by a few other kids, probably just playing around.

There was a man making food simply by pushing out flames from his fist to heat up the furnace. There was a woman who pulled water from a nearby well simply by moving her hands and body. And the most amazing thing of all…

There were dozens and dozens of people flying around in the sky on gliders of some sort, and it wasn't simply floating or levitation, it was like they were using the wind itself to direct their path, making intricate and complicated patterns of flight.

"A village of elementals," Ryusei gulped. "So this is what he meant."

"This place is amazing," Reina was in awe. "Why haven't we ever heard of it?"

"It must be how Masyaf kept out from human knowledge for so long," Momo explained. "However time seems to have moved rather slowly within these walls. It feels like the early 18th century in here."

"You guys don't seem like you're from around here," A woman came up from their side. Ryusei turned to see a rather beautiful woman in her early twenties. She had long brown hair with braids on either side, and the rest of her hair was flowing behind her and down to her waist. Her emerald green eyes were matching Ryusei's, and her smile felt so warm. "May I help you? We don't usually get visitors in Kal El'Na."

"Kal El'Na?" Reina asked. "That's the village's name?"

The woman nodded. "My name is Persephone, the next head of this village. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"The village head?" Ryusei asked. "If that's the case, is there any way we can speak to the current head of the village? We have some matters we wish to discuss."

"My father?" Persephone asked. "He's currently out of the village right now. Perhaps I can speak to you in his place?"

Ryusei looked to Momo for guidance. Once she gave him the okay by nodding, he turned back to Persephone. "That should be okay."

Persephone smiled. "Please follow me, I'll show you to somewhere we can speak in private."

As Ryusei followed Persephone, he was truly amazed at how well this village was doing. Although there was barely any modern technology, everyone was surviving and even thriving. He sensed no magic coming from anybody here, however they were freely manipulating the elements without a care in the world. He even watched as a few people landed from the sky and folded their gliders back into long staffs.

"I suppose you're quite curious, aren't you?" Persephone asked, giggling to herself. "Most visitors who aren't accustom to our ways always wonder how we're able to do all of this without the use of magic."

"Y-Yeah," Ryusei smiled. "Sorry about that, I couldn't help myself."

"Please don't feel any hesitation to ask questions. I'd be more than happy to answer anything you may want to ask," Persephone said. "For starters, the people of our village are descendants of a long line of humans known as Elementals. We were gifted with the ability to manipulate the elements of water, earth, fire, and air. We used to live in the outside world believe or not, but eventually our ancestors decided it was too dangerous to let our existence be found out by regular humans. It could mean that many of us would be subjugated as weapons of war. So we hid ourselves for over a thousand years."

"That's just like us…" Ryusei said aloud. "But people still know about you, don't they?"

"Only the heads of certain Shadow World clans," Persephone explained. "Leonidas of a nearby werewolf clan is especially nice to us. He always comes by every few weeks to give us supplies or asks us if we need any help. It's people like him that make me wonder if we should ever show ourselves…"

Persephone is a kind and caring person, a genuinely nice person at heart. However she seemed to have steeled her resolve as the next head of this village. Ryusei couldn't help but admire her. She's taken her place as a leader so well.

She led them to an old hut in the center of the village. Walking through, the decoration was minimal at best, however it felt so comfy and cozy. There was a single table at the center with cushions on either side to sit on. The ceiling was empty, letting the sun shine on in.

Ryusei took a seat across from Persephone, with Reina and Momo behind him. He knew the type of person Persephone was, maybe she'll actually agree to help them out.

"So?" She asked. "What can I do for you?"

"We wanted…to ask for an alliance," Ryusei said. "My name is Hyoudou Ryusei, and I'm an ex member of the Assassin's Order as well as a former Captain of the Order's top execution squad, the Vashta Nerada. We wanted to ask for your cooperation in the future, seeing as there's a threat headed towards us that could mean trouble for both parties."

"The Assassin's Order…huh?" Persephone touched her chin. "I have heard many a stories of your numerous deeds to help humanity from the shadows. There are even stories of our village and your Order working together in ancient times."

"So, does that mean-" Reina asked with a happy face, however was cut off.

"I'm afraid that was long in the past," Persephone said with a stern face. "As of now, our numbers are nothing like they were back then. If a fight were to break out between us and the Three Major Factions, our demise is a sure told assurance."

"It will not come to such a fate," Ryusei said. "If a fight with the Three Factions does break out, I will assure you that your village will not be involved. We only ask that we have you cooperation when the time comes to deal with this threat, not with fighting the Factions."

Persephone began to think about the idea. He meant every word of it. While it was inevitable that a fight with the Devils will break out sooner or later, seeing as Issei and Asia are both Stray Devils from the Gremory Household, it was all but certain now. However if it did come to it, he wanted this village as far away from trouble as possible. He's seen how the people live here, so free of fear and worry. If danger were to come to them, he could never forgive himself.

"Have you spoken to Leonidas about this?" Persephone asked. "Did he agree to this as well?"

"Yes, we have," Momo said. "He has agreed to a truce and a peace and cooperation treaty. For the time being, he's the only one besides you we have spoken to. We hope we have your cooperation."

Persephone sighed. "Then I guess that means we have an agreement."

Ryusei's eyes shot open. Was it that easy?

"R-Really?" Reina smiled. "You'll work with us?"

Ryusei then proceeded to explain to Persephone the current situation they were dealing. They had less than three weeks until the Reaper arrives in Japan, and it's something that neither of them cold face alone. Neither Celeste nor Kamiya-Sensei knew anything about it, and that lack of information from those two of all people made it even more dangerous.

"I see," Persephone frowned. "That could prove to be quite troublesome."

"Less than three weeks," Ryusei said. "Our friends are all of training and growing, while we're here trying to expand our numbers and make allies anywhere we can. I know this is a lot and incredibly selfish…"

Persephone giggled. "Please, it's no worry. In the place of Dante Lockwell, I Persephone Lockwell as next head of the village of Kal El'Na, hereby agree to your terms and will cooperate with you. Here's hoping to a long lasting partnership, Hyoudou Ryusei-Kun."

Ryusei extended his hand and returned her handshake.

Just then, the curtains parted as people stepped in.

"Sis, we're home!"

Ryusei turned around to see two people. The one who spoke was a boy about a year or two younger than Ryusei with spiky brown hair and green eyes. The person with him was a man in his early thirties with long brown hair with strands of white, tied back into a ponytail with dark eyes. The man raised an eyebrow as he saw Ryusei's face.

"I know that face," The man said walking forward. "I never forget a face!"

"Dad! Virgil!" Persephone got up and bowed. "Welcome home. How was the hunt?"

The man placed a hand on the boy, Virgil's, head and smiled. "Virgil's gotten a lot better at manipulating the elements. He'll make a fine Elemental King one day."

"E-Elemental King?" Ryusei asked.

"Pardon my rudeness, Ryusei-Kun," Persephone cleared her throat. "Allow me to introduce you to the current village head, Dante Lockwell. And this is my younger brother, Virgil."

"H-Hey there," Virgil smiled.

"Welcome to Kal El'Na, assassins," Dante smirked. "It's rare to see you folks in these neck of the woods."

Once Dante and Virgil joined Persephone, she explained to them the situation and agreement they had just talked about.

"So he's finally making his move…huh?" Dante rubbed his chin. Why did Ryusei get the feeling he knew more about this than any one of them? "Have your Mentor and other Captains been informed of the situation?"

Ryusei stiffened. "W-Well you see…I'm not exactly a part of the Order anymore. And these two are just my observers. I don't think we can depend on the Order for help here. If anything I think they'll just want me dead."

Dante bursted out laughing and holding his stomach. "You actually went and pissed off the Assassins? You are a riot kid!"

"D-Dad, c'mon," Persephone blushed in embarrassment.

"Right right, sorry about that," Dante cleared his throat. "Well if Leo has already joined you, I don't see any reason we shouldn't. However I would like to keep the normal citizens of this village safe. Our troops will be notified, of course, but I wish to keep the people of my village safe and sound."

Ryusei blushed with admiration. This outgoing personality, this wish to protect his comrades, he was the spitting image of Merrick. What the hell was going on? He was having visions of the past again.

"But to think, the day I'd work with the execution squad would come so early," Dante smirked. "And to think you're the person I'm working with, not to mention you've got two beautiful ladies with you. My how you've grown."

"Y-You've met me before?" Ryusei asked.

"Just once, when I was visiting Masyaf a few years back," Dante crossed his arms. "You were just a kid, barely knew how to hold a sword or even use basic stealth techniques. And now you're going about performing diplomatic duties, I'm impressed."

Ryusei blushed.

Momo squeezed his cheeks so hard he thought she'd tear them right off. "W-What! That hurts ya'know!"

"Captain, I didn't think you played for the other team," Reina played with her fingers.

"What the hell are you talking about!" Ryusei growled.

Dante and Persephone laughed. Dante wiped his tears of joy away before facing Ryusei. "You'd better get back to the city, Ryusei. You have quite the adventure ahead of you."

"R-Right," Ryusei stood up with Momo and Reina. "Thank you for speaking to us today. It means quite a lot."

Leaving the village, Ryusei was still awestruck of how amazing this place was. He wished he had more time to figure out how they were able to perform these works of miracles, but Dante was right. They had a lot more to do tomorrow.

"Big bro!" A boy's voice called out after they left the gates. Ryusei turned to see Virgil standing with Dante and Persephone. "Come back soon okay?! I wanna fight you!"

Ryusei smiled before giving a peace sign and leaving towards the city.

Eiji stood in the office of the Order's Mentor. Jessica and Henry stood behind him as he faced the head of the entire Assassin's Order. It was a circular office, much like the Oval Office, except more rustic and contemporary. The walls were made of stone stacked on top of each other. A window was behind the desk where the Mentor sat, with a flag of the Order's insignia on it. Twin bookshelves along the walls and a couch and table in the center. The room was perfectly symmetrical, much to the Mentor's tastes.

"So in response to Ryusei's awakening of Trishula's power, you decided to leave Momo Morgenstern and Reina Trueblood as his observers," The Mentor said. "While it wouldn't have been the decision I would have made, I can't argue with your choices Captain Kurogane."

"Thank you, Mentor," Eiji bowed. "But what should we do now?"

Eiji looked as the Mentor placed the papers down on his desk. A man in his late forties with long crimson hair with strands of white tied back into a long ponytail. Despite his age, he showed no signs of wrinkles or aging. He looked like he was in his twenties for crying out loud. He wore a long robe of the Assassin's Mentor with a sash of red and crimson, the colors of the Mentor. His piercing red eyes were incredibly strong. This was the Assassin Order's Mentor, Izil Morgenstern.

"What should we do indeed," Mentor sighed. "This situation has proved to be rather troublesome and exhausting. If I knew Ryusei was going to be this resilient, I would have just left him well enough alone. Perhaps sending you to kill him turned to bite me in the ass, huh?"

"You made the right decision, Mentor," Eiji said. "However I hate to say that it was my blunder that forced Sei-Chan to draw the sword. And because of it, the Exorcists may well make a move."

"It might be too late for that," Mentor said. "I've gotten word from the stealth force that Paladin and her Knights will make a move soon. They'll mobilize to Kuoh and hunt down Ryusei and his friends."

Eiji's eyes shot open. "W-What?"

"Eiji, I leave this decision entirely to you," Mentor said. "I'm leaving this not to Captain Kurogane of the execution squad, but the former comrade of Hyoudou Ryusei. What will you do?"

Eiji balled his fist. Was this worth it? If he agreed to go help Sei-Chan, it would mean that he'd be putting more lives in jeopardy. He didn't want any more of his friends to die, but if he didn't send his forces to help, then Sei-Chan will surely die. Dammit…

A hand squeezed Eiji's shoulder. It was Henry. He smiled and nodded. "You know you want to help him, don't you? Don't worry about us, Captain."

"We've told you that we'll follow you through hell, didn't we?" Jessica crossed her arms. "If not, we wouldn't have joined the execution squad in the first place."

Eiji balled his fist in frustration. Why was he such a coward now of all times?

"I guess we have our decision," Mentor smirked. "I leave everything to you, Eiji. Mobilize our forces as you wish."

Eiji placed a hand over his hand. "Sir."

The three of them exited the office and stood outside. Eiji sighed and leaned his head back. "Goddammit, this is so much work."

Jessica giggled. "What shall we do now, Captain?"

"Henry, gather the squad," Eiji sighed. "Jessica, can you go speak to Captain Hatsume? Ask her if she can come to speak to me as soon as possible."

"Sir," They both saluted before disappearing.

"My, my," A familiar voice said. "What a little predicament we have here, don't we Captain?"

Eiji looked up to see the Captain of the Castle Guard, Hanamiya Ikki. His short white hair was just over his eyes and his stupid cocky grin made Eiji want to punch him in the face. He wore the usual Captain's haori with his own weapon strapped on his back.

"What do you want Hanamiya?" Eiji asked.

"I just wanted to know what you'll do, Captain," Ikki smirked. "Will you send more of our people in to die? Or will you just go yourself? I wonder…"

"I don't have time for this," Eiji turned and walked away.

"You know," Ikki said. "There are two more Dragon Gods just like Trishula out there. I wonder where they are."

Eiji walked away without continuing the conversation, but that sentence struck a chord with him. What the hell did he mean? Was the Holy Church making a move just because of Sei-Chan? Or was their true objective Trishula…None of this was making any sense, but he knew he had to find out.

Author's Note - Next chapter will be the prelude to a fight between Ryusei's group, the assassins, and the exorcists. No idea how I'm going to make it work but I'll make it work. I'm also setting up some elements I'll get to in later chapters so if you guys have any suggestions on how to use certain elements or characters, PM me and lmk. Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter and I'll see you soon :)