Nine: So are you two done now?
Terumi: Tch. It was over before it began.
Relius: Is that why you are currently stabbing a picture of, Ragna the Bloodedge?
Terumi: Shut up! It's complicated, ok!
Kagura: Having an archenemy is harder then I thought...
Ragna: Pain in the ass let me tell you...
Imperator: Let us return to what we came to do yes? Noel, please.
Noel: We've arrived in Yabiko and have a plan all set for Azrael. Sorry, Ragna.
Ragna: Ugh, it's fine. Dusty ass cell needs a cleaning. Kagura.
Kagura- Well sooory! I was unable to meet the expectations of the, Grim Reaper. I beg your forgiveness. We shall fix this fault when I give a fuck. Wait patiently.
Ragna- Screw you...
Saya: Well it's Tsubaki today right?
Makoto: Yep! Now come on Tsubaki~
Tsubaki- But it's so embarrassing!
Rachel: Just hurry up. I would rather not waste my time on time his any longer then needed.
Akahana- It can't be that bad. Ok, how about this? If you share, then I'll tell you an embarrassing secret about Celia and Konoe.
Nine and Celia- You'll what!? Hell no!
Jubei- I reckon I'd love to hear it. Come now, Tsubaki.
Tsubaki- F-Fine... I like...the knight in shining armor guys. A guy who would quickly drop what he was doing to protect the one they love.
Yasha- So the old knight types? I guess it stems from all those historical dramas you watch.
Tsubaki- Wait! How do YOU know about that!?
Yasha- You have a VERY interesting diary. You think I came into your room because I wanted to say hello? I've still got pictures.
Tsubaki- NOOOO!
Kagura- Wonder who that could be?
Jin- Keep talking... Soon you will be nothing but a big perverted popsicle.
Akahana- Great! See, that was easy? Now! For my sisters!
Nine- No!
Akahana- When Celia and Konoe was smaller they would constantly—
*Was stopped as Nine and Celia tackled her*
Akahana- Mmhm... Mmmhmhm...
Celia- Shut up, Akahana!
Nine- Shut it!
Rachel- What a shame. I actually wanted to hear that.
Izanami- It is time for the next pick. I shall draw.
*Izanami puts her hand in the box and draws*
Izanami- Celica A. Mercury.
Celica- Me? Ok!
*Celica reaches into the box and pulls out a card*
Celica- "The truth". I got an easy one! Yay!
Tsubaki- That's not fair...!
Noel- There, there, Tsubaki. It's ok.
Saya- You'll feel better soon.
Nu- Nu wants to go soon! If Nu is lucky, she might get the card to order Ragna to kiss her!
Ragna- The hell you will!
Saya- Why didn't I think of that? I want next!
Kokonoe- Huh... Great idea... Makes it easy.
Rachel- Such fools. Need to get some card just to kiss someone.
Celia- Says the woman who's thinking the exact same thing as Nu.
Rachel- You had BEST take that back...!
Nu- Or Nu can do it now! Oh Ragna~! Give Nu a kiss!
Ragna- What the hell are with those eyes!?
Yasha- I think you mean eye.
Ragna- Fuck up.
Terumi- For the last time, stay away from my enemy! You wanna go bitch!?
Yasha- Someone's jealous?
Terumi- That's it! Hakky! Give me your body!
Yasha- Pft. How about you take him out to dinner first.
Hakumen- One I do not eat. Second, shut up. Third, Terumi, if you get any closer I shall rip your soul from your body.
Saya- Come on everyone, calm down.
Setsuko- Can we not do this little review without straying?
Valkenhayn- I do not believe we can.
Lambda- Recommended action, start chapter.
Noel- Yeah... Let's do that.
Celica- Start the chapter!
Chapter 25: Strength
Tomorrow finally arrived, with everything all set to put their plans into action, they waited at the colosseum for their intended target, Azrael, the Mad Dog himself. As they expected, a large crowd showed up and filled all the seats, chattering filling up the large stadium. Saya and Lambda stayed with Noel, while Kokonoe stayed with Celia to monitor the situation, and Tager was put on stand by. The rest of them were at the colosseum, waiting behind the gates until they were ready to be called out.
"So I'm bait… Juuuust great." Ragna leaned against the wall and sighed. He knew this plan needed him to draw out the Mad Dog, but acting as bait wasn't his modus operandi. He'd rather just blow through everyone, make it to the Mad Dog, kick his ass, and go home. But that wasn't going to happen. In the end, he just wanted this to work without any hitches, as his patience—the little that he had—was growing thin.
"Shit… I hope this works. I don't want this to be a waste of time." The Reaper folded his arms and groaned in impatience. "That asshole better show up soon…"
"Calm down. Neither of us want this to be a waste of time," The Black Knight said. "So just stick to the plan. If it fails we've got a Plan B." Kagura told the groaning Grim Reaper in a rather odd tone.
Now that didn't sound all too promising. Judging from his tone and the mischievous smile the chuckling Major wore, this so called 'Plan B' wasn't gonna work out in his favor. "Does this 'plan' involve me getting captured again?" Ragna asked, already knowing the answer.
"We've got over thirty ways to stage a capture for you… To be honest, I HOPE this fails."
"Fuck off…" Ragna growled.
The Black Knight laughed and turned his attention beyond the gate. The large television screens set up above the colosseum began to turn on, and the clapping and cheering of the crowd was heard. Excitement began to gather like a storm within the arena, as the audience grew louder and louder. "We'll be going out there soon… Get ready. Makoto, Tsubaki."
"We're ready. Just say the word." Tsubaki said.
"Yeah," Makoto nods in agreement. "Let's do this."
"Ladies and gentlemen, all across the world! It's time for the moment you've all been waiting for! It's time for the battle of, RAGNA THE BLOODEDGE!" With that said by the announcer, the whole colosseum started to clap and cheer. "Today's event is a gladiator tournament, organized by the NOL. Now, who will take the bounty money, for this wanted criminal!?" He asked the crowd as the tension within the stadium intensified. "We've gathered over one hundred fierce competitors! And they will be battling it out for the prize of a whopping! Ninety! Million! Platinum dollars!" The gates slowly rose up, as Kagura motioned them to follow.
"That's our queue. Come on."
Ragna nods and walks with Makoto and Tsubaki out to the arena. "There he is! The man labeled as the Grim Reaper! SS class criminal against the NOL, Ragna the Bloodedge!"
"Wait a minute 'SS'!?" Ragna gasped. He quickly cleaned out his ears and slapped himself on his cheeks to see if he was dreaming or not. Did that man just say SS!? Not wanting to believe that's what he said, he turned to Kagura to see him chuckling to himself, as Ragna asked in a frightful tone. "Did they just say 'SS'!? Tell me I'm dreaming!"
"Nope. You're the SS class criminal—Ragna the Bloodedge—and boo~oy are you fucked."
"They'll kill me and hang me on their fucking wall!"
"Oh… I know." Kagura chuckled.
"You ass! You're actually enjoying this aren't you!?"
"Maybe…"
"This is what a criminal truly looks like! That fiendish face! That sour attitude! I challenge you all, to try, and find one BIT of remorse in those callous eyes…" Boos soon erupted from the stadium, directed all at Ragna. The boos and name calling from the stand made the Reaper feel heavy as he grimaced.
"Man…they don't shut up do they…?"
"Aw, don't let 'em get you down. I mean they're mostly right aren't they?"
"What the fu—They're not right at all asshole!"
"Now for the man responsible for the capture of the, Grim Reaper!" Once he spoke that sentence, the boos that came from the stands turned to cheers and claps, as he continued. "He only joined the NOL a few months ago by recommended enlistment, and I believe that recommendation was on the money! He has already gained the title of Major in his quick line of work! He was voted most desirable as a lover! Most desirable as a father! Most desirable as a teacher! And most likely to be a pretty good guy."
"P'ft! Yeah, right." Makoto chuckled.
"And now, without further ado! I introduce you to the Black Knight himself, Kagura Mutsukiiii!" Upon hearing his name, the crowd began to whistle and shout his name. Clapping, and waving to the Black Knight.
"Thank you, thank you, I love you all!" Kagura bowed to his adoring audience. He threw a few kisses into the stand, directed at the ladies, which was a nice way of saying "meet me at eight". Ragna was dumbfounded by his popularity and wondered just what the hell happened in under two months that made him so popular. Seeing that cocky grin on his face was eating away at him as all he wanted to do was knock his teeth in.
"That ego of his is gonna build up until he explodes isn't it…" Makoto sighed as it seemed like she felt the exact same way as Ragna did.
Tsubaki couldn't help, but giggle at her friend's disdain. It's not like she was wrong though. Knowing him, he'd probably just use his new found popularity to get women. If there was one thing Tsubaki knew that Kagura held higher than anything in this world, it was women. Women were the very foundation of life for him, and he would do anything—and everything—to get them.
"Well… That's Kagura…" Tsubaki shrugged.
"Ah… You all know me so well."
"I think we know your perverted ass a little TOO well…" Makoto groaned.
"Now! Let the battle of, Ragna the Bloodedge, begin!" The announcer declared.
"Major, Kagura Mutsuki." They heard a stern female voice cut through the roaring audience. They look to see a woman with long brown hair, and light purple eyes walking over to them. She wore a blue coat with black thigh-high tights, and blue boots with what seemed to be yellow crosses on them. She walks up to him and salutes him.
"At ease. Now, speak your name."
"Sir! My name is, Lieutenant Eleanor! I have come from the brass to congratulate you on not only capturing, Ragna the Bloodedge, but also requesting an event like this. It shows the people to be at ease with the NOL."
"No problem." Kagura said.
"Now, let me ask you something else."
"My digits right?" Kagura nodded. "Just give me a slip of paper, and I'll take 'em down for you. Or you could do the honors, and give me yours?" he winked.
"T-That's…not what I wanted to ask you." The Lieutenant blushed.
"Really? Damn. Ok then, so what is it?"
"I would like to know what you are going to do with, Ragna the Bloodedge. Will you transport him to another facility? Or keep him at your branches holding cell?" The Lieutenant turned to the criminal and scowled at him. "I don't think it's wise to leave a man such as this without care."
"Yeah, fuck you too." Ragna snarled.
"So Major, what is your decision?" The Lieutenant asked.
"I'm gonna keep him with me. Maybe I can turn him into an errand boy, and have him work off his sentence." Kagura nods to his idea. "I think I'll do that."
"Oh the hell you will!" Ragna was ready to knock the cocky smile Kagura had right off his face, but was held back by Makoto. Just looking at Kagura's face, he was enjoying every second of this. But not really paying attention to Ragna, the Black Knight turned his attention to something far more important.
"Now back to the matter at hand," he walks over to the Lieutenant, and wraps his arm around her shoulder. Pushing her against his tone chest, the woman blushed hard as Kagura whispered lustful to her. "How about I show you why they call me the "Black knight". What do you say? Lieutenant…"
"I-I…!"
Makoto face palms. "Oh my god… Really, Kagura?"
"If anything his perversion seems to have fucking increased in these passed two months…" Ragna sighed. "Just great…"
"Black Kni—Oh!" Tsubaki blushed hard. "Kagura! Show some tact! That is highly inappropriate to talk about your—!" The redhead quickly stopped herself as she didn't want to finish her thought. It was too much for her. She was a woman of purity and just thinking about such things made her uneasy. Sometimes what Kagura said really made her antsy and she wondered just where he learned this from.
"Sorry, but when I'm around a woman as beautiful as this I just can't help myself." The Black Knight looked back at the blushing brown haired woman as he ran his fingers through her long hair. "So, dinner at 6:00?"
"I-I um…! I don't know…"
"A beautiful woman like yourself shouldn't be alone tonight… You need to be catered…and loved." His words ran off his tongue with pure confidence in his voice. To be honest, he was a little TOO good at this. "So what do you say…? Huh babe? I'll eat whatever you give me... And I mean anything~"
"W-Wait! This is so sudden! I mean I-I've never even gone out with someone before an—!" The Lieutenant was silenced as a gentle finger was placed upon her lips. She looked to see Kagura staring passionately into her eyes as she could do nothing, but stand there and stare into his.
"Dinner at 6:00…" The Black Knight moved down to her ear and whispered softly. "That's an order~ Ok?"
"!" The woman visibly jumped as steam came from her ears. Kagura retracts himself and looks at his handiwork. The woman looked like she was ready to explode. To any normal man it looked like a bomb was about to go off, but to Kagura, it was mission complete. The Lieutenant entangled her fingers together and looked down. "Well…if that's an order…then I'll follow it…"
"Good girl… Can't wait." Kagura removed her bangs away and gave her a peck on her forehead. "I'll see you then… Lieutenant."
"B-Bye!" The Lieutenant bowed to him and took off at speeds no human, or car could even come close to reaching, leaving only dust behind. Kagura dusted himself off proudly as his own mission went without any problems. If things go today as they did just now, there shouldn't be any problems.
"I. Am. TOO GOOD." Kagura praised himself.
"Keep it in your pants, lech balls." Makoto groaned. The trio leads Ragna back to where they stood as Celica greets them with a confident smile.
"Good. They bought it!"
"Yeah. So now we wait until that, Mad Dog decides to show up." Kagura said. "But just how long is it gonna take…"
"Hey, where did Rachel go?" Tsubaki asked.
"Huh?" Makoto turned her head both way and wondered the same thing as Celica. Looking around, they didn't see her and questioned where she could've gone at a time like this.
"She was just here…" Celica said.
"It's just like that stupid rabbit. Just to disappear, and then—"
"I have returned." An abrupt voice spoke.
"AND then reappear! Holy shit!" Ragna jumped, as he turned around to see Rachel standing right behind him. With a smile on her face, she asked Ragna with fake worry.
"Oh my… Ragna are you ok? You seem a little troubled."
"Of course I'm troubled! Stop appearing out nowhere like that!"
"Where did you even go?" Makoto asked the vampire.
"I went to get a program. I was told I needed a program so I can distinguish between a scrub, a punk, and this lowly Grim Re—no… I think 'worm' would be a fitting name for a man such as this…"
"How low is the, Grim Reaper on your totem pole!?"
"That is a very good question… Figure it out." Rachel said sharply.
"Haha…" Kagura chuckles quietly to himself, as a sweat dropped down his face. 'I guess she's still pissed off about this morning…'
This morning…
"Is that fool still not awake yet?" An agitated Rachel asked a yawning Major. Patting his lips and letting out another yawn, he shakes his head.
"Nope… Haven't seen him." Kagura told her.
"Unbelievable," Rachel tapped her foot on the ground in impatience as her eye twitched. "He knows the situation, and instead of getting his act together—the lazy dog just lays there…"
"I guess your not a morning person…" Kagura forced a laugh, as he looked at the rather livid vampire. Seemed like she didn't get a goodnight sleep, or maybe she was always like this when she woke up. Whatever the case was, didn't seem like she was in the mood for jokes so he kept them to himself. "I guess we should go wake him up…" Kagura suggested. The two headed down to the cell where Ragna slept, Kagura feeling a little uncomfortable with the rather tense air Rachel exhibited.
'How does Ragna do this…? I guess there's still somethings about women that need further investigation.' Kagura thought to himself. Coming to the door, he opens it up and makes his way over to Ragna's cell. He knocks on the metal bars repeatedly in an attempt to awake the still sleeping Reaper. "Come on Ragna, rise and shine bro. We got shit to do, remember?"
"Uh… Five more minutes… This pillow is too soft to get up from…" A groggy Reaper responded.
"Really…?" Kagura sighed. He clicked a button on the side, as the bars opened. Walking inside and over to him, he throws the sheets off of him. "Come on. Get off your ass we got—Oh wow…"
"What is the problem? Just get that filthy mongrel up." Rachel said. She received no answer from Kagura, as agitation quickly seeped into her tired body. With her irritation getting the best of her, she makes her way over to where his attention laid. Her expression went blank, as she looked what had him frozen.
"I don't think I would want to get up either from that…"
"Alright, alright. I'll get up… Shit…" Ragna groaned, as he slowly opened his eyes. He tried to move, but felt something constricting his movements, as his head lay upon something rather soft. Actually, come to think of it, it seemed like something was wrapping around him. Blinking a few times, he saw just what it was. It wasn't even a pillow. "Lambda!?" Ragna found himself face first in between her—rather nice—cleavage. If it was up to him, he wouldn't move, but now wasn't the time.
"Mmm…" The Murakumo groaned and tightened her hold on Ragna as she pushed his head further into her chest. "A little bit more… Hold on, Ragna… I don't want to get up… Your so warm…"
"I can't! Damn it, Lambda, hurry!"
"Ok…" Lambda yawned, as her eyes flickered open. The Murakumo looked down at Ragna in between her cleavage, and greets him casually. "Good morning, Ragna… Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah… Thanks—Wait a minute that's not the damn point!" Quickly getting back on track, he rises up from the bed, as Lambda sits up as well. "How the hell did you get in here!?"
"I unlocked the bars, and made myself comfortable. Since you were going to be away for the day, I reached the logical conclusion, and came to spend the night with you." Lambda cocks her head to the side and asks. "Is that bad?"
"…I see…" Ragna sighed. "I can't be mad at you…"
"So I guess you slept well." Kagura laughed, as a groaning Ragna got up and flipped him off. His attitude was something he really did not want to deal with so early in the morning. His hair was even messier then usual. He had strands of hair sticking out from every corner of his spiky platinum hair and heavy bags under his eyes. Though, something else caught his attention that made even more hairs stand up.
A deadly presence.
Turning to the source of such venom, he saw Rachel with a blank and livid expression. She said nothing to him, but that deadly silence spoke it's own words. After a long silence, she turned and walked away. Knowing the impending doom that was written in her dead and lifeless eyes, Ragna trembled as he couldn't imagine what she was going to do to him. With a sigh, he face palms.
"Why the hell does life hate me…?"
'Jealousy really is women's kryptonite… Doesn't seem like she's gonna ease up on him anytime soon.' Kagura watched as Ragna and Rachel argue, as usual. It was just something he expected now with them. His attention was soon turned away from them, as the communicator in his pocket started to ring. He fishes it out of his pocket, and puts it on speaker. "What's up, Celia? How is it?"
"It's going great actually. We're getting pretty good reading from the focal point too. Ragna really is a popular guy."
"Shut up… I don't need YOU riding me too…" The Reaper cut through their conversation to get a word in on the chuckling scientist.
"Ok then. If you see anything odd, tell me right away." With that, Celia hangs up, and Kagura puts the communicator back in his pocket.
"So, Kagura, what's going on?" Celica asked.
"It's the plan we have for, Azrael. We plan on stuffing him in the space between dimensions. So basically, we're gonna lock him away in a dimensional jail." Kagura explained.
"Now, the first match of the tournament is set to begin." The announcer said.
"Ok good, we're starting." Kagura folds his arms and fixed his attention to the center of the arena. "Now we wait."
"Wait, what? So I'm not fighting all of them?" Ragna asked.
The words that came from the confused Reaper caught Kagura's attention, as he turned to Ragna and stared at him in disbelief. "Ragna… There are over a hundred competitors. Were you…actually gonna take on all of them?" Kagura's known Ragna for a very long time, and he's said some odd things in the past, but this was just crazy. He wasn't serious… Right?
With a cocky smirk, Ragna shrugged. "Why the hell not? 'Slayer of a hundred souls' I'd definitely go up in value. I can see me now…"
"Are you stupid? Wait, dumb question. Just… Wait until he comes, until then, do whatever the hell you want."
"Oh! Ms. Rachel! Let's play a game!" Celica said abruptly.
"A game?" Rachel lifted a brow at the girls suggestion. The young vampire knew that the fights that she was about to witness we're child's play. So maybe this little game could pass the time. Seeing no harm in seeing what this game was all about, she asked Celica. "So, what is this game?"
"We pick whoever is going to win! And whoever stacks up the most points is the winner!" Celica pumped her arm up high in the air and smiled. "And I won't lose to you!"
"Hehe, how interesting." Rachel couldn't deny that she was interested in this little idea of hers. Rachel was no gambler, but she knew her luck was better then most. Her skills at depicting others from a single glance was one of a myriad of different talents the young vampire possessed. "Now, tell me Celica." She put two fingers on her chin and smirked. "What is the prize of this little game of ours?"
"Prize? Hmm…" The vibrant girl tapped her chin as she thought long and hard for one. Raising a finger high as a prize came to mind she points to the prize. "Whoever wins gets to spend the whole day with, Ragna!"
"I'm sorry?" Ragna caught wind of the stakes and groaned. "I'm not some trophy you know. Leave me out of this."
"Aw, come on Ragna!" Celica pouted. "Don't spoil the fun and play along! If you don't, I'll get angry! And you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!"
"Fine, fine… Jeez… Sometimes I can really see Nine in you…" Ragna sighed.
"Yay! That means you and I will be together all day! I have so much planned."
"Oh? Claiming victory already are you…?" Rachel's brow started to twitch as Kagura took a large step back, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. "Celica, we maybe friends…but that does not mean I shall hand victory over to you. If you truly wish to test your luck, then by all means, let us begin."
"Your on, Ms. Rachel!" Celica smiled confidently.
With that the tournament got under way as the first two competitors coming out. They watched the fights and placed their bets. Every fighter Rachel would choose she would win, Celica racking up no points while Rachel had thirty five. Celica started to whimper and pout in frustration at her win—loss ratio.
"Aw… He was so close!"
"My goodness, Celica… I believe that is another win. You may as well give up. Should I call you the goddess of defeat now?"
"Never!" Celica yelled defiantly.
"I acknowledge your spirit, Celica. However, it would seem I am the victory an—"
"New rule! The loser gets to spend the day with Ragna!" Celica said quickly.
"Excuse you!?"
"And since I'm losing that means I get to spend the day with him." Celica smiled.
"No that does not!" Rachel said. "You said whoever wins!"
"Did I?" Celica put a finger to her chin and asked in feigned ignorance. "I think I said loser…"
"No you did not! Ragna, tell her!" Rachel looked at Ragna for support, but was met with an uncaring gaze as the Reaper turned away from her and whistled her out. "Do not ignore me!"
"Nooo idea what your takin' about… I heard loser."
"I will chare the flesh of your bones you worm!" Rachel grabbed his collar and shook him like raddle. "You had best tell the truth, lest you wish the rest of your clothes to be as red as your jacket…!"
"Oh wow," Ragna looked away from her and up into the stands in awe. "Is that a hot dog cart? I could kill for one."
"Do not ignore me!"
"C-Calm down…" Tsubaki said calmly, trying to ease the livid vampires nerves. If there was one thing Rachel seemed to hate more then anything, it was losing. The arguing continued for several matches as Celica and Rachel would pick and Rachel would win, even when she didn't want too. Her luck was a little too good. It was starting to become a curse.
"This is ridiculous." Rachel folded her arms and pouted.
"Come on Rachel, it's just a game." Makoto said.
"A game that I am clearly being cheated out from." Rachel said.
"If I keep losing then I'll win!" Celica cheered herself on as her and Rachel went back to their game. Ragna couldn't help, but laugh over Celica's bad luck, but also prayed that she didn't cheer for him. If she did, he might just end up like the guys on the floor.
"Hey… Celica?"
"Mm-hm?"
"Can you um…not cheer for me? All this bad luck, and I don't feel like having my face in the pavement."
"What are you talking about!? Of course I'll cheer for you! Good luck, Ragna! Break a leg!"
"I might just break more if this keeps up…"
The two gates from the ends of the arena opened once more as the next pair walked out into the center to fight. Well one of them did, the other ran out and waved to the crowd. This lively competitor was very familiar to them as they gasped at the sight of her.
"Tao!?" Celica gasped.
"What is she doing?" Ragna rubbed his temples. If he recalled correctly, Tao took off in search of food the other day. He hoped Tao didn't see him, but Tao saw him alright. The beastkin waved and called out to him in her usual cheerful and upbeat tone of voice.
"Hi Good Guy! Tao is going to take your bounty ok!?"
"Damn idiot…"
"There goes my Tao… How they grow up so fast…"
"!?" They heard an odd voice, as they all turn to the right to see Yasha standing a few feet away from them. "You!" Ragna quickly put a hand on his blade as the rest got themselves ready. "The hell are you doing here!?"
"Well I needed to see how my little disciple would do. Besides I wouldn't miss this for the damn world." Yasha pointed out to the arena, as they look to see Tao laughing triumphantly, as she—quiet literally—stood over her opponent.
"We turned away for just a second…" Makoto said in amazement.
"I taught her well." Yasha nodded in pride.
"You 'taught' her?" Kagura asked.
"Yeah. Ran into her yesterday. Look at her now," The dark haired girl wipes a tear coming down her eye and sniffles. "Kids grow up so fast…"
"Shouldn't we…you know…kick her ass?" Makoto asked. "I kinda want too…"
"There's no reason too. I do not like to engage myself in pointless fights." Rachel said.
"Please~? Just let me punch her once." Makoto begged. A sweat dropped from all their faces as they had no idea how much Makoto seemed to hate her. They remembered back at the branch how Yasha was teasing her, but they didn't realize how much it got under her skin.
"Hey! Could you guys maybe shut up? I'm trying to watch here." Yasha turned back to the arena as she pumped her arms up and yelled. "Yeah! You go girl! Kick there asses, and send 'em back to the shit shack they popped out from!" The dark haired girl cheered for Tao, as she jumped up and down. Seeing no real need to attack her, they left her be, much to Makoto's disapproval.
They watch her fight as she was doing surprisingly well for herself. She had the upper hand in speed, and the opponent she was currently fight wasn't able to keep with her at all. But when she was about to win, a hot dog cart man walked through the stadium and it caught her nose. She completely ignored her opponent and went to the cart to raid it. This gave her opponent the perfect opportunity to knock her on her head and knock her out cold. Makoto, and Celica just laugh at how carefree she was as Ragna, Yasha, and Kagura just stared in disappointment.
"Wow Tao… Just wow…" Ragna face palmed.
"I can't believe this…" Yasha shook her head, and rubs her temples. "She threw the fight…"
"…For a hot dog." Kagura said in disbelief.
"Alright… I'm leaving. I got blu-ray TV back home…" Yasha stretches her arms up and turns around. She looks over her shoulder at Ragna and winks. "Keep that large "sword" of yours clean for me dear… I'll be coming for it…" Her words ran off her tongue as a heavy red appeared on the Grim Reapers cheeks. The dark haired woman laughs as she walks away, waving back to them. Once she was out of sight and hearing range, they all looked at Ragna.
"Ragna… The hell was that?" Kagura asked blankly.
"W-Well um…"
"Yeah…" Makoto looked at him, as a dark aura projected around the normally upbeat beastkin. A smile crept onto her face, but this smile wasn't friendly at all. It spelled murder. "What. Was. THAT?"
"U-Um—Yeah! The next match is gonna start soon yeah? Hahaha… Ha…" Ragna let out a laugh, and tried his best to end the conversation on a tangent. If this continued any further, he might've found himself on the ground sooner then expected. The last thing he wanted was Makoto of all people to sock him in the mouth. He wondered how Kagura could take so many hits from her, but like he always said. Balls of steel.
"Um… Ok…" The announcer was a little confused on what just took place. He shook his head and decided to leave it as is, and not ask any questions that really shouldn't be asked. "So now! Our next contestants please come out!" the gates began to open again as one fighters come out. Ragna's eyes burst open at the coming fighter. That hair, that expression that boasts confidence, those hyper low rise pants? There was no mistaking her.
"Bullet!?"
The mercenary looks in his direction, and glares at him, sending a chill down his spine. Her eyes were cold and almost bloodthirsty, as Ragna knew one thing from that viscous gaze. "So she heard about it huh… Damn," Ragna gulps as pellets of sweat rained down his face like bullets. "I'm so effed if she gets her hands on me…"
"Haha… Man I'm glad I'm not you." Kagura chuckled.
"Hey so, where's the other competitor?" Tsubaki asked. They look to see his gate was opened but nobody was walking out.
"The hell? Where is he?" Kagura asked.
"Maybe he needed to use the bathroom?" Celica surmised with confidence in her voice.
A sweat dropped down Makoto's face. "Yeah... I doubt that Celica."
"Ok so… I'm receiving some news right now and…it looks like he will not be able to participate in the tournament due to an injury on his way here! So according to the rules, a substitute contender will take his place!" The announcer said.
"What the fuck? Now one told me." Kagura said dumbfounded.
"And here he is! The contestant that will take his place is…is…!" The announcer stopped. His face slowly went pale and filled with fear as the whole coliseum went quiet from the sudden tense in atmosphere. The announcer continues, a lump in his throat and fear audible in his voice. "The contestant name…is…is… Azrael himself!"
"What!?" Makoto gasped.
"Finally here!" Kagura exclaimed.
"Damn it!" Ragna clicked his teeth and took a step as he was ready run out into the arena, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. This firm hand was Kagura's as he asked.
"What the hell do you think your doing Ragna!? We don't go out there until Celia, and Kokonoe are ready."
"I need too! Bullet… If she fights that Mad Dog then...!" Ragna recalled what Bullet told him all those months ago. Her goal, her reason, and her target. A drop of sweat trickled down the worried criminals face as his face scrunched up in anger and worry. "Just trust me on this… It's not gonna end well…"
Kagura looked at Bullets eyes to see it completely devoid of all emotion besides one, murder. It was like she wasn't even human anymore. The glare she sent Ragna pales in comparison to the bloodthirsty intensions that now filled the mercenaries eyes. He got a chill just from looking at her, and he's stared into the eyes of hundreds of women. This one was different. He wouldn't even go near her with a ten inch flag pole.
"Well shit... This isn't good…"
Azrael walked over to the tan skinned woman and stopped a few feet away from her. "So your my opponent?" The Mad Dog scans her and shakes his head in disappointment. "And I thought I might get something good food here. Looks like I'll be leaving here hungry after all..."
"Finally… I finally found you… Mad Dog…" Bullet balled her hands up in fists as they shook. Tighter and tighter she held her fists as they soon began to bleed as blood dripped onto the floor like raindrops. Her breathing soon picked up as she started to huff and puff.
"Let's get this over with… There has to be someone else better here then—"
"Heh."
"Hm?"
"Heh… Hehe… Haha…" All of a sudden, Bullet started laughing as a smile etched it's way onto the corner of her mouth. Her smile stretched to the other side of her mouth as her teeth was shown and clenched tight. This smile she word wasn't one for greeting a friend. It was that of a canine about to rip their prey to shreds.
"Oh?" The Mad Dog looked into her eyes, as a chuckle left him. "That glare… It's not one just anyone can make you know… Ok, you've got my attention. Do you know me?" The bulky man asked.
"Of course I do… You're the one," Bullet got into a stance, and readied herself to take him on. Finally he was within her grasp. The Mad dog, Azrael. "I've been chasing after all this time!" Her tone turned callous as her baleful gaze spoke for her.
Azrael was unfazed by her murderous tone, and just laughed at the statement. "Searching for me? Interesting… All this time I thought I was the hunter, but it looks like I've been the hunted. Now…who are…" He trailed off as he spotted a rather familiar badge. This badge was all too familiar to him as his lips curved into a smile. He let out a chuckle and soon he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Wait a minute, I remember now! You were part of "that man's" team!? I could've sworn I killed them all. Maybe I should've been a bit more thorough."
"I'll kill you!" Bullet charged at him without warning. She sends a couple swings his way as he blocks, and dodges them. Dodging and weaving side to side, he nimbly avoids her attacks, but that didn't seem to discourage her. She kept at it, throwing a combination of punches, kicks, and blasts of fire from her armagus.
"Haha! Maybe I'll get a fight after all!" Excitement filled the Mad Dogs voice as he focused all his attention on his new playmate. He swung his foot up for a roundhouse kick to strike the enraged mercenary, but quickly ducked under his kick, and went for an uppercut. Fist clenched tight and rage fueling her attacks, she delivered a jaw shattering uppercut to the Mad Dog. He winced a little from the heavy blow, but quickly recovered and threw a fist at Bullet.
She quickly jumped back, barely avoiding the punch, but she doesn't go too far, only a few inches away from him. Fire encompassed her right arm, as she lunged herself at the Mad Dog. Azrael prepared himself for another round of punches and kicks, but was faked out as she stopped midway, jumping back, and firing a quick beam of flame at him. A smirk appears on the bulky mans face, as a red aura surrounded him, as the fire she sent at him was absorbed by him, almost like he ate her attack.
"What!?"
"This is yours!" Azrael flings his arm outward as a fire ball erupted from his swing. Bullet quickly shot her own fireball to negate it as the two powers exploded, creating a cloud of smoke. From the smoke, Bullet jumped out and winds her fist back, as it is once again encased in flame. Azrael raises his fist up and slams it onto the ground, as rocks and debris came up and pelted her. Clicking her teeth, she puts her hands in front of her to block, and tried her best to keep her eyes on him.
"Shit!" Bullet cursed as she lands and looks to see he was gone. "Where the fuck are you!? Come out!"
"If you say so." She heard a voice behind her and quickly whips around to see Azrael. His fist clenched tight and a wide smile on his face, he sends a straight blazing clothesline to her sides. A loud crack was heard upon impact, almost like cracking branches. Her eyes widened like balloons ready to explode as a look of shock appeared on her face. With a yell, he sends her tearing through the floor as she slams into the wall and comes down on the floor with a hard thud.
"Bullet!" Ragna gasped.
"And with that, Bullet is down! I don't think anyone could get up from that heavy blow!" The announcer said. He was soon proven wrong as she stood back up and wiped the blood off her lip with her finger. She spit out some blood, and charged back at Azrael, ready to go another round with the Mad Dog. Fighting him was like punching a tractor tire. She kept pounding away at him, but it didn't seem like he was taking any sort of damage.
"Please tell me that's not all you've got!" The Mad Dog took another swing at her as she jumped up and scowled. "Your Captain put up a much better fight! So I expect more from you!"
"Your DEAD!" Bullet spun around a few times in the air, and came down on him with an ax kick. Azrael smirks as he grabs the mercenary by the foot and slams her down to the ground. She coughs up blood upon collision and she let out a pained grunt. Azrael throws her back up in the air, and reels his fist back, a red, and almost fiery aura surrounded him.
"Black Hawk Stinger!" She comes back down and before she could hit the ground, he rams his fist into her stomach. He digs his fist far into her stomach as she coughed up blood. The impact sent her gliding on the floor, bouncing a few times before she came to a stop. She didn't move for a few seconds as they all thought she was done for, but saw her body twitching and thought otherwise.
"Not…yet…!" She dug her hands in to the ground and raised her head up. "Not yet…!" Her willpower was unshakeable as she slowly rose up from the ground, going on her hands and knees before taking to her two feet. Clenching both her fists tightly, she shot the Mad Dog a strong gaze as her burning will set the entire stadium ablaze. However, how strong ones will is differentiates from the strength of ones body. And her body was quickly nearing its limit. Her will maybe unrelenting, but her body was slowly submitting to the wounds dealt upon her by the Mad Dog.
However, Azrael didn't care. If she was up she could fight. A smirk etched its way onto his lips as he cracked his knuckles. "Good…your back up. Let's continue then."
"If this doesn't stop she'll die!" Celica gasped. She couldn't stand watching this one sided fight go on any longer. Bullet was nothing more then a doll to him, a plaything. "Kagura!" Celica pleaded to him, as the Black Knight clenched his teeth.
"Damn it…" Kagura had all minds to go out there, but he knew he couldn't. The moment he did, their plan would be ruined. Holding himself back, he clenched his fists tightly, and scowled at the Mad Dog. "Bullet stay down…!" He pleaded to himself. However, his plight was ignored, as the mercenary took to her feet. Blood ran down the tan skinned woman's mouth and head. She was breathing heavily and looked like she was ready to collapse at any moment.
"To get back up after that. I must say I'm impressed. Your pretty good mercenary." The bulky man complimented the still standing and battered mercenary. An idea came into his as he smirked. "Tell you what? How about I give you a free shot. Go ahead…" He extends both his arms out like he was accepting a gift, welcoming the mercenaries attack. "Give me all you got."
"You wanted everything! Fine then!" Bullet extends her right arm out, as her armagus began to transform into an almost cannon-like weapon. Flame started to build around her palm, as the temperature in the arena rose. One thing ran rampant in her mind. All she wanted was one thing. She wanted him dead. Images of her dead comrades—her brothers and sisters in arms—came to her as her arm shook in rage, the images only serving to fuel her anger towards the man before her even more. "AZRAEL!"
"Hahaha! Yes that's it! Come on now! Hit me with all you've got!" Azrael laughed. "DO IT NOW!"
"Hard Kill Bringer!" Charging her ars to it's maximum output, she fired off a massive wave of fire that ripped through the ground. Azrael just stood in place, his arms extended with a childlike smile on his face as he was engulfed by the flames. The blast slammed into the wall, as the whole area was taken up with smoke from the explosion. They could no longer see Azrael, as the announcer got out of his seat and stared in awe.
"Did she do it!? Is the Mad Dog finished!?"
"That fool stood no chance…" Rachel said.
"There you go, Ragna! See," Makoto smiled. "She's just fine."
"That was not who I was referring…"
"Heh heh heh…"
"!?" A deep chuckle was heard throughout the silent colosseum. These deep chuckles that echoed through the silence made the hairs of everyone in the colosseum stand up straight. "No way…!" Bullet looked to see a silhouette within the cloud of smoke. The mercenaries eyes slowly stretched open, as the smoke started to clear. To everyone's disbelief, Azrael was just fine with only a few black spots on his jacket, but he easily patted them away. "You… You should be dead from that!"
"Is…he even human…?" Tsubaki stood there stunned by Azrael survival and how unfazed he was by that massive attack.
"That question…is one even I do not have an answer too…" Rachel said. "However… There is one thing I do know." The vampire closed her eyes and stayed silent for a while before opening them back up. "That woman's fate was sealed the moment she stepped into the arena… It is over."
"Hah!" The Mad Dog laughed. "That was one hell of an attack mercenary. Nice one. I do feel a bit hotter then before, so I guess you did do something."
"I-Impossible…" Clenching her teeth in aggravation, she took a defiant step. She had no intention of letting up. Not when her target was right in front of her. "I'm not done just yet! Mad Do—Gah!" Bullet shot from her mouth as the crimson liquid made a few splats on the floor. Her continued hacking coughs soon made breathing a chore. "N-No…" She goes down on a knee as the injuries she sustained finally came full circle. Her breathing turned heavy as hefty bags formed under her eyes. Her gaze was worn as her vision became blurry and distorted. "No… Damn it all! I can't lose to you! I will…avenge them!" She ignored the excruciating pain she was in and rose back up to her feet as she charged at the Mad Dog. Azrael puts his hands in his pockets and shakes his head in disappointment.
"People who lose their composure in battle are worthless." He had no more interest in fighting her anymore. She had served her purpose of giving him at least some entertainment. Bullet threw a punch at him, but in his eyes, her punch was as slow as a snail. He swats her fist away like a fly and winds his leg for a kick. Swinging his legs all the way up for a devastating split kick to her chin, her foot collided with her chin as she yelled in pain and was sent flying into the air. She spun a few times before coming back down onto the floor like dead weight a few feet away from him.
"Oh my god! Bullet!" Celica called out to her.
"Please, don't get back up!" Tsubaki pleaded.
"I need to go out there!" Makoto said, ready to run out there and help Bullet fight.
"No you idiots don't!" Celia called out from their communicators. "If you all go out there now, this plan is ruined!"
"But what about, Bullet!?" Makoto asked. They received no answer from Celia as an enraged Makoto asked once more. "I asked, what the FUCK about, Bullet!?"
"If you all go out there… It's over." Celia sighed. "Do you want to throw away all the work you've done up till now?"
"But I—!" Makoto stops herself, as she couldn't argue with it. As much as it pained her, even if she did go out there, it wouldn't make a bit of difference. Slamming her fist into the wall next to her she curses herself out. "Fucking damn it all to HELL!"
"Makoto…" Tsubaki put a hand on the enraged beastkins shoulders to try and calm her down, but she herself could not deny her own frustration as well. There was nothing she could do against the Mad Dog either. No matter how hard she fought or tried, she would just be a rag doll to that monster. Human was too good a word for the beast that she watched fight Bullet.
'Bullet…!' Ragna bit his lip and clenched his teeth. 'Shit… I need to get out there!'
'That's right… Go out and help…'
"!?" Ragna gasped. "Who's there!?"
"Hm? What is the matter?" Rachel asked. "Have you finally lost your mind?"
"N-No, it's… It's nothing…" 'The hell was that? Who's voice was that?'
'Go to her… She will die if you don't do something you know…'
'The hell is going on!?' Ragna grit his teeth and held his head as he felt his head splitting in two. 'What's…going on!?'
'Go forth… Ragna the Bloodedge.'
"Is…Is it over!? Bullet is now down! Could this be it!?" The announcer asked in anticipation.
"I…I'm not done…" Bullets body twitched as she clawed at the ground, her fingers making a trail in the ground. "I'm not done just yet…! I swear…" The mercenaries body shivered as she tried to get back up, her body wobbling side to side as she returned to her legs. Her legs were like twigs, and were ready to give. It looked like they could snap at any moment with how they shook. She took deep breaths as she glared daggers at the Mad Dog. "I swear I'll avenge them all…!"
"I must say, I acknowledge your guts. And your efforts to keep me entertained. But all good things must come to an end." Azrael's hand started to surround itself in a red aura as the floor began to shake. "Time…to die."
The constant tremors caused Bullet to go back onto a knee. She tried to get back up, but it was useless. "Damn it…" The mercenary raised her fist up, and brings it down hard onto the ground. "Damn it…! Damn it all!" She couldn't move. Her legs were in place, and her arms weren't listening to her. All she could do was sit there, and wait for the final blow to be dealt.
"This was a very satisfying dinner… Now…!"
"Everyone… I'm sorry." Bullet muttered to herself. She slammed her fist onto the ground once more, making a small crater under her fist. "How could I lose like this…?"
"Bullet, you need to move!" Makoto called out to her.
"Bullet!" Celica called out to her.
"Don't do it!" Tsubaki cried out.
"DIE!" Azrael roared, as he sent a massive wave of red energy at the kneeling mercenary.
'Captain… Everyone…' Bullet closed her eyes as a sad smile came across her face. 'I'll there soon…' A single tear fell down her cheeks as the attack finally reached her as she was engulfed by the dust and debris of the attack. The entire colosseum went silent as the impact of the attack rang through the coliseum. All that was heard was small rocks that were brought up from the ground by the attack rain back down onto the ground.
"I-I think… That means Azrael wins…" The announcer sat back down, as the entire audience stared wide eyed. "Wait," The announcers voice picks up, as he grabs his mic and stands back up. "What's this!?" His eyes widened, as he looked to see the smoke clearing, and two shadows within it.
'What…?' Bullet slowly opened her eyes as she felt no pain. 'What's going on…?' The mercenary was confused, she was still alive. 'This doesn't make sense… How am I…?' Bullet saw a shadow hover over her, as she slowly picked her head up and saw the back of a man turned to her. A red jacket on and large sword in hand, the man turned around to face her as a small smile formed on his lips.
"Hey…"
"Ragna…"
Sheathing his blade with a click on his waist, he walks over to her and takes her up in his arms, wrapping an arm under her legs and one behind her back. "You've seen better days haven't you… Your just as stubborn as always…"
"I didn't ask…for your damn pity…" The mercenary forced out a scowl. "Put me down… I'm not…done just yet…"
"Well I'm making you call it quits. Stubborn idiot…" He walked back over to Kagura and the rest of them as he sets her down, and leans her back against the wall. Her face was scrunched up in pain, and bruises and cuts covered her whole body.
"Bullet!" Celica quickly knelt down next to her and immediately started to heal her. "Don't worry, Bullet! Your gonna be ok!"
"Huh?" Bullet slowly felt some of her pain vanish and questioned just what was happening go her. The mercenary opened her eyes and looked to see Celica and a strange light. "Y-You're… Celica right?" She asked weakly, her voice no louder than a whisper. The tan skinned woman looked to see the girls hands glowing green as she watched her wounds disappear right before her eyes. "Is…this magic? How is that possibl—Guh!" Bullet winced and grit her teeth from the excruciating pain that coursed through her body. Just talking was too much for her.
"Don't worry, Bullet! I'll heal you! Your gonna be good as new!" Celica gave her a confident glare and nod that eased some of the worry from the injured mercenary.
"Thank you…" Bullets breathing began to return to normal as her injuries slowly healed. The mercenary shut her eyes as she winced a few times from the pain. She clenched her arm tight and soon it fell limp, as Bullet fell into unconsciousness.
"Bullet!" Celica called out to her, but go no response. She quickly checked her as Tsubaki asked in worry.
"How is she!? Is she…?"
"No…she just passed out. But her pulse is weak."
"Celica…please." Ragna begged.
"Of course." Celica nodded and turned back to the unconscious Bullet. "Don't worry Bullet… I'm right here." She said softly.
"Well shit that was a close one…" Kagura scratched the back of his neck and sighed in relief at the safety of the mercenary. He looked to the savior and spoke in his usual cocky tone. "Didn't I tell you that I was suppose to be the hero today? Still though, nice work."
"Change of plans…" The Reaper spoke, venom heavy in his tone, as he walked back out into the arena.
"H-Hey… Ragna!" Kagura called out to him, but he doesn't answer back. The whole colesseum was in silence, as all of their eyes focused on the Reaper. The atmosphere became tense, as each step he took felt like it shook the very colesseum itself. Even the announcer didn't have any comments to add, as all he did was watch and swallow a large lump down his throat.
"So you're, Ragna the Bloodedge."
"…Sorry to keep you waiting. Mad Dog." Ragna heard a few beeps come from his communicator, as a cranky voice yelled in his ear.
"Ragna! What the fuck are you doing!?"
"What does it look like? You've got eyes…" Ragna responded.
"That's not what I'm trying to—! Argh! Shit! Just…by us a few minutes then? You got that jackass!?"
"Shut up and keep your damn mouth shut." Ragna snarled as he cut communications and turned his attention back towards the Mad Dog.
"I guess this is my trade off for helping Terumi. You should be an expectable meal with a name as boasting as the, "Grim Reaper". Heh heh."
"They have already contacted him… So they anticipated our move… Damn." Rachel felt something stick her in her side as she jumped a bit. This sense of nerve wrenching tension came from a certain, Grim Reaper. As she watched him, she felt an unnatural a chill run down her spine. There was nothing in this world that could instill fear into her, but this time she felt it. This odd, chilling sensation raised the hairs on her head, as a drop of sweat trickled down the side of her face. 'What is this sensation…?'
"I hope you'll be more fun. That toy was fun for a while… But I think you'd be better. It broke so easily…" Azrael shook his head in disappointment. "And to think I thought I found something worth while…"
"Toy…?"
"So I g—" Before he could finish he was met with a powerful fist to his face, the blow sending him tearing through the floor as he smashed through the wall. It took Azrael a few seconds to regain himself from the blow, but he soon rose up from the rubble and wiped the blood from his cheek. He felt a deadly presence and quickly looked up to see Ragna had taken to the air and his blade was held high above his head. The Mad Dog quickly jumped out the way as the Reaper came down with a bang.
Azrael looked behind him to see Ragna right on his trail as the Reaper grabbed him by his waist, and reeled him as the berserker was met with a strong punch to the face. Ragna followed up with several punches as seithr began to cover his arms and enhance his punches. He ends his barrage with a heavy kick that sent the Mad Dog a few feet away from them.
Azrael digs his feet into the ground and uses his strong footing as a boost and rushed Ragna. The two met as their blows and clashes were like loud bombs. The audience couldn't even follow the action as to them, they were nothing more then streams of light speeding around the arena.
"Haah!"
"Gah!" Azrael was met with a heavy punch by Ragna and then a roundhouse kick right on his jaw. The Mad Dog gave the Reaper a punch to the gut, but he stood his ground and grabbed the bulky mans arm. He held him tight and spun around as Azrael was like a helicopter. With a yell, Ragna threw him into the wall with a loud bang as the stands lit up with screams and panic.
"This is getting way too out of hand! Everyone, run for the exits!" The announcers said as he does the same. The panicked spectators soon made for the exits, pushing past others and clearing out, leaving the colosseum in a tense silence.
Azrael got up from his place on the ground as he cracked his neck and shoulders. "So," An excited smile comes across his face as he lets out a dark chuckle. "This is the, Grim Reaper? Hehe… Looks like I'm gonna have some real fun with you."
"…"
"Your not half bad… Those blows actually hurt me. So… Let's continue, yes?"
"Shut your mouth." He spat. His tone was like the weight of his sword as his words cut through the air with heavy slashes. The Reaper started to walk over to him. He took slow steps, his footsteps echoing throughout the now empty colosseum. "You… Your gonna pay for what you did you son of a bitch…" His right arm encased itself seithr as the dark aura began to swirl around his entire arm like a vortex. "Who the hell do you think you are…"
"Oh?" Azrael stood up, and looked to see a deep darkness surround Ragna's body, his entire presence was changed. He no longer saw Ragna as he was. All he saw was a dark enigma with glowing red eyes and long serpentine-like heads. The enigmas body almost looked gaseous, as seithr surrounded him. The look he had in his eyes was that of a raging beast that matched that of the enigmas. The eyes of a true monster.
'Release it…'
"Azraeel…!"
'Destroy the man before you… Eradicate him… Feast on his soul… You are the destroyer… The Black Beast.'
"I'm gonna make you pay in BLOOD for what you did…!"
"That malice," A childish smile came across his face, as he lets out an excited laugh. "And that murderous intent! Haha! Looks like you really are worthy of the name "Grim Reaper"! Hahaha!"
"We need to go out there! He can't take him alone!" Makoto said.
"Right!" Tsubaki nodded.
"Wait… Somethings…off with him." Just by looking at him, there was something very wrong with, Ragna. There was huge amounts of seithr emanating from his body. He watches as Ragna grabs his blade, his sword quickly being ensnared in the same darkness that matched Ragna's. "What's going on?" He furrowed a brow. His attention was soon drawn away from Ragna as he felt his communicator starting to ring and quickly takes it out his pocket and puts it on speaker. "What's up?"
"What the hell is going on down there!? The waves of power being thrown around there is fucking ridiculous!"
"Well," Kagura starts, as he turns his attention back to, Ragna. "A certain, Mad Dog decided to piss of our residential, Grim Reaper."
"Damn it all…! Give me a minute…!" Celia goes quiet for a minute as keys being hit were heard on the other side. The pressing keys soon stopped as a gasp was heard. It was like all the air was taken from her. "What…the hell…? These readings are…!?"
Now this was a first. If Kagura was right, Celia almost sounded afraid. This definitely wasn't a good sign, as nothing seemed to be able to shake her so far. "What's wrong?" Kagura asked.
"You all… I don't think it's a good idea to get close to him." Worry filled the scientists voice as she spoke. Whatever it was that could even shake the usual unshakable Celia was a bit nerve racking to say the least. If anything, it served to worry them even more.
"What's going on with him!?" Celica asked. "Is Ragna going to be ok!?" Fear quickly took her over as how Celia spoke was troubling to say the least.
"That Azure Grimoire of his… I just scanned it with the Idea Engine… His emotions are all over the place…" Celia said.
"Then shouldn't we go help him!?" Makoto asked.
"No... It's too dangerous. I'll try my best to analyze his wavelengths through the Idea Engine… Though, in the worst case, if he's not able to control that power…"
"What!? What's gonna happen to him!?" Celica asked.
"He'll lose himself in rage," Rachel cut in. "Slowly, he will lose what used to be "Ragna"…and then he'll…" She trailed off, not wanting to finish her thought, but they all got the message. The one thing she's warned him countless times, maybe on the horizon. A great calamity that once brought the world to its knees.
"…The Black Beast…" Kagura said.
"Oh no…" Tsubaki gasped.
"Then why aren't we going to go help him!?" Makoto asked.
"This is something…he needs to do on his own." The one who cut through their conversation was Rachel. "What we must do now is watch."
"What!?" Makoto gasped. Now this was something she couldn't understand. Why would she not want to help Ragna, now of all times? This lack of understanding soon turned to anger as she swung her arm in protest. "Are you fucking kidding me Rachel!? If we don't hurry, he could transform into the Black Beast, and he'll be gone forever! Not only that, but the whole world would be in danger!"
"I know that… I am well aware of the stakes."
"So then, why!? No! I don't care!" Makoto turns back to Ragna, as she felt her heart tighten. "I won't let anyone I care for suffer anymore… Noel was enough and not him too!"
"You will stay here." Rachel said sternly, as she sent a hard glare the beastkins way. Normally the vampires glare would shake just about anybody, and even her, but not this time. This time, there was someone she cherished that was in danger. If this wasn't stopped, she could lose him forever, and that was something she couldn't let happen, no matter what.
"No, I won't, and you won't stop me. If you know what would happen to him then why do you want us to stay back!? I won't just watch as someone I care about is in trouble!" Makoto clenches her fists. "I appreciate everything you've done Rachel... But… Standing around here isn't gonna do us any good! It didn't serve Bullet any good did it!?"
"Makoto…" Tsubaki reached her hand out to her friend, but soon retracted it back as there was nothing she could do or say to her.
"I will say it once more. Do not interfere in the coming battle." Rachel folded her arms. "You will not be able to provide much assistance against an opponent like that."
"I don't give a damn! It's better then standing here and doing nothing! Is that what you plan on doing!? Just watching as Ragna gets pummeled or worse!?" Makoto shouted. Slowly irritation gathered in the vampires chest as the beastkin protested. A scowl etched it's way onto the side of her lips as her teeth began to show. She clenched her arms tighter and tighter, as her frustration was soon visible on her usually composed features. It looked like she was ready to tear her sleeves right off.
"Makoto," Kagura put a hand on the enraged beastkins shoulders to try and calm her down. "You need to calm down. Getting angry about this won't help anyone…" He tried his best to talk as calmly as he could to not only stop Makoto from losing herself, but to stop her from pushing a button that would rather not be pushed.
"The hell I will!" Makoto swatted his arm away and swung her arm in aggravation. "Do you think I can just stand here and watch!? The hell I will! Seeing Ragna with one arm blown off was bad enough! Did you see what happened to Bullet!? Or weren't you paying attention to something other than her breasts!?" Kagura backed off a little as this side of Makoto was something he's never seen before. Sure she's gotten angry, but to a degree. Now, it was like she let her more animalistic side take over. The beastkin turned back to Rachel and pointed out to the arena. "And how could you just stand there and watch!? Don't you care what happens!?"
"…Shut your mouth already," Rachel said coldly. "I have had enough of your yelling. It is hurting my ears." Rachel took pride in her rather high tolerance and patience for others, but it was quickly growing thin. She felt irritated and aggravated by not only the situation at hand, but by Makoto's words. Did she not care what happen? How could she stand here and watch? Makoto might not have known, but those words were hitting some very sore spots in the vampires heart.
"Well I'm gonna keep yelling until what I say registers in that head of yours! Or is all that tea finally messing with your hearing?"
"Watch it." Rachel said sharply.
"Seriously, Makoto. That's enough." Kagura said.
"Please Makoto… Calm down." Celica said softly. She didn't like seeing her cheerful friend like this. Her face was filled with rage and it looked like she was ready to attack Rachel. Tsubaki was also getting worried over Makoto's anger and it didn't seem like she was going to calm down anytime soon.
"I...can't!" Makoto clenched her teeth. "I can't just sit here and watch from the stands like some useless bystander! I'm right here!"
"Nobodies saying that, Makoto." Kagura said.
"Well it damn well feels like it! There's someone I care about out there! And if he really is about to turn into a monster, then what the HELL am I sitting HERE with my thumb up MY ASS instead of helping him!?" Images of Noel back at the Akitsu branch came to mind as her emotionless eyes were burrowed deep into her psyche, along with the battered Ragna, both beast and human. The rage and malice present on his face, and the way his human form slowly wasted away, was an experience she would never forget and one she wished she never experienced. She didn't care if she was useless against the, Mad Dog. All she wanted to do was go out there and try to make a difference. "No, I don't care anymore! Ragna, I'm coming!"
"You will do no such thing," Rachel cut in. "You will stay here."
"Go to hell!" Makoto bellowed.
"M-Makoto!" Tsubaki was stunned by how her friend was acting and it hurt her. The redhead could see Rachel beginning to show signs of irritation as the vampire clanched her arms tighter.
"I don't give a damn anymore! If your just gonna stand here and watch then I'll—!"
"I SAID TO SHUT THE HELL UP AND WAIT!" Rachel shouted abruptly. Her sudden change in speech took them all for surprise, as Makoto quickly lost her momentum and went silent. "If you truly care about his well being as much as I believe you do then you will listen to what I tell you and stay right here and watch! Getting involved will only further your own demise and what the hell then!? I'll tell you what happens! You end up DEAD! Do you want that!? Or are you so blinded by your inhibition to think that you cannot see the situation at hand!? WAKE UP!"
"I—I…!" Makoto could say nothing as she looked away from Rachel and bit her lip.
"..." Rachel herself was a little shaken up by her own raise in tone. Losing her temper has never really been a thing to her. It was very rare she would raise her voice, and losing her temper, rarer still. Taking a minute to regain herself after her rather unexpected outburst, she takes a breath to get herself back under control. "He needs to do this…and he needs to do it alone…"
"But why? I'm right here," Makoto looks back at her and places a hand on her chest. "Why does he need to face this alone, Rachel? I'll face it with him. There's somethings in this world that can't be done alone, and I want to be the person he can lean on. I might not get the niddy gritty, but that doesn't matter. He's someone I care about...and I'm ready to risk it all for him."
"I hear you loud and clear… Your words and your spirit. However, only HE has the power and determination to face this and prevent further crisis. In actuality, I planned to have him do this at a later date, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. The Black Beast inside him…he needs to realize if it's "his" power he wishes to use. In the end," She closes her eyes. "I just hope he makes the right choice." Rachel eyes opened as all her attention focused back on him. "All we can do is pray for now…"
"But… What if it doesn't work out like you want it too? What then?" Makoto asked.
"Before that happens," Rachel stopped for a minute as the tension around them became so thick the very air became hefty, making it harder to breath. "I shall kill him… With my own two hands."
"You'll, WHAT!?" Makoto gasped.
"What!?" Tsubaki gasped.
"Ms. Rachel!" Celica gasped. "You can't be serious! Your going to kill, Ragna!?" The auburn haired girl saw the look on Rachel's face and spoke in disbelief. "Ms. Rachel… You can't be…serious… Your…joking right?"
"It is the only thing I could do…to put him at ease." Rachel said.
"…No." Kagura took a step into the conversation and shook his head. "If that happens… I'll do it… I'll kill him."
"K-Kagura!" Makoto gasped. "Your ok with just killing him!?"
"Why do you wish to dirty your hands with the blood of a friend?" Rachel asked. She was honestly caught off guard with the Black Knights words. There was no hesitation in his voice and his eyes showed no waver. This man spoke nothing but fact. He would really kill him.
"…I would rather him die by my hands, then turn into some monster." Kagura answered. "He's gone through enough…"
"Kagura…" Tsubaki could see past the stern glare in his eyes and saw just how worried he was. His words and aim maybe true, but his true feelings were shrouded behind a veil of emotion that outweighed his own. They all made the choice to fight against the world itself. If a few sacrifices were made throughout their journey, then so be it. Kagura saw that fact to be true and knew what must be done in order to claim victory.
"Let me be the one to put him down… Please."
Rachel and Kagura shared stares as it fell deathly silent. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Very well." Rachel had no objections to his request and turned her attention back to the situation at hand. "You shall take his life when the time comes. I hope your ready…for your hands to be stained with familial blood."
"…"
Celica couldn't help but shake in fear at the thought of Ragna dying right before her eyes scared her. She entangles her fingers together and closes her eyes. 'Ragna… Please,' A single tear gathered within her eye and soon descended down her cheek as she clenched her eye lids tighter, her tears coming out like water from a sponge. 'Please… Be ok.'
"Celica…" Makoto saw the tears of her friend slowly crawling down her face. The beastkin slowly held the weeping girl and wrapped her tail around her for extra comfort. She looked to Kagura to see he was deadly serious and was in no mood for jokes. But he was also worried, just as much or probably even more then she was. Makoto looked back into the arena to see the real fight between Ragna and Azrael about to start. 'Ragna… Take him…'
Rachel caught ear of Celica weeping as she herself could not help but feel her chest begin to tighten. However, she had a responsibly to make sure the Black Beast would not resurface. As the wielder of the Tsukuyomi unit, it was her mission to protect the Master unit. If the Black Beast were to resurface now of all times, there is no telling what could happen to the Master unit. Once the Master unit is lost, all will be lost. As much as it pained her, as much as it made her grieve, as much as it killed her. She needed to see this to the end without interference.
'Ragna… You idiot…'
That puts this chapter to a close. Sorry this took so long to write. I rewrote this several times before sticking with this as a final draft. Hope yall liked it and I will see you next time! The next story that will be updated with be Blazblur.
Next Chapter 26: The Battle Within