Life 27: Clashing Blades
The metal of their swords sparked as Soren forced the lock to break, Anwen skidding back as Soren planted the tip of his blade into the dirt, a rather unimpressed look on his face as he dodged Anwen's next strike, swinging his sword with a backhanded slash, Anwen slinging Clarent around to block, not expecting Soren to actually use his draconic powers to augment his strength, sending the girl flying backwards to slam right into a tree, Anwen hitting the dirt and propping herself up with her sword, Soren placing his across his shoulders.
"So, you wanna back down now, or does my next swing have to send you through a tree? You're an ordinary human, even if you're a Descendant like me." Soren stated, moving just to the left when Anwen charged at him, the girl's smug look added on with a subtle glare as she clashed blades with him again. "I take that as a no."
"Like I said, I don't lose when it comes to another Descendant! Besides, as long as I get one good strike in, Clarent's dragon slaying properties will at least debilitate you." Anwen snickered, Soren sighing as he again pushed her back with ease.
"And like I said, I've taken measures against that." Soren was calm as he blocked the another strike, the duel between the two proceeding even if it was clear Anwen didn't stand a chance. Her strikes were certainly powerful and fast, but they lacked the skill and precision Soren's blade flowed with. The small girl swung her blade with reckless abandon.
Even those untrained to swordplay were reading her moves easily. It was almost insulting to watch the overconfident girl show that all she could back her confidence up with was raw strength without a modicum of practiced skill behind it.
"I knew Soren was going to win from the start, but it's kind of sad, don't you think? Poor girl obviously has talent, but none of it is practiced." Akeno hummed, folding her arms beneath her chest.
"He's just dragging this out. But… I get this weird sense Soren wants to fight this girl for some reason." Astra murmured, a curious look on her face as she watched the clashing blades. Soren's expression was calm, pensive even… but his eyes were gleaming. Like the gleam someone gets upon seeing an old friend again… or a rival maybe? "Reincarnation, maybe? Memories can leak over from a past life even if one doesn't know it."
"I'd say think about it later Mistress. I'm more interested in how Lady Gremory's pieces are faring… it's clear the Dog will put that smug hound in her place… as for the bats and mice, I'm more interested in them." Izayoi framed, Astra blinking at her ever fraudulent use of animals in reference to others, but, the Fallen Angel had to agree… Soren's fight was no contest since it was a sword duel.
As for the Devils, it was a different story. Issei and Kiba were also close range fighters, and in a match like this, Xenovia and Irina had the advantage purely because they were wielding Excaliburs. One small cut, even little more than a tiny scratch or just touching the weapons themselves, would prove debilitating to the two. At minimum though, Issei had his Boosted Gear for defense since the dragon scale armor could effectively block the sword he was facing, hinting Irina's Excalibur Mimic didn't bear a dragon slaying property of it's own, while Kiba and Xenovia were blow for blow despite the size of Xenovia's weapon compared to Kiba's myriad swords.
But that had it's own predicament. Soren was fighting calmly with a level head as he dominated his duel, Issei was searching for openings to get an attack in against Irina's fast strikes, and Kiba's speed was keeping Xenovia at bay for now… but there was something else behind the Knight's strikes, as the observers could see: Fury. Every blow Kiba struck out with was sent out not with his normal calm mind, but unbridled fury contained only by the calm mask he was wearing.
"Well, I'm surprised, you're Devil pals are faring better than I thought, considering the obvious." Anwen stood up again from being launched back, wiping her chin off, Soren glancing over at the other two fights, giving a chuckle.
"Well, they did beat one of the heirs of the Phenex household after I trained them up. They're not just a bunch of weaklings who'd keel over all because of a Holy Sword being swung at them." Soren stated, dodging Anwen's next blow, blinking as parts of the segments near the hilt folded downwards and spread out, blood red lightning arcing along the blade as it was swung, Soren jumping to dodge the next attack, but he could feel the aura along the blade singing his back through his clothes, landing and moving back, "The hell is up with that sword?! Aren't the blades of Knights of the Round Holy Swords?"
"Well, you'd be right on most accounts. Jeanne's Galatine is… but, Clarent, like the Arondight, is an exception. A Cursed Holy Sword, one stained by the blood of it's former allies… Clarent in particular, the very sword used to kill King Arthur. A sword stained by the blood of patricide. The Church kicked me out the moment they found out I could wield it." Anwen stated, twirling her sword a bit, "I think that put's it into perspective now eh?"
"Yeah, pretty simple to put it together from there." Soren stated, blocking Anwen's sword again, "So now I figure it's around time I finish this match up."
"Try me pretty boy." Anwen mocked, Soren giving a hum, a gleam shooting across Balmung's edge, Soren swinging it hard and sending Anwen flying back into a tree once more, but as his swing carried on, he brought the sword around and swung it, Anwen bringing her sword forward, a red aura shooting from the blade as she blocked the wave of light coming for her, the energy splitting in two as it rushed forward, Soren swiping his sword to cancel the wave, Anwen slipping to the ground, the other two fights having ceased for just a moment at the show.
"You get it now? You won't beat me with brute force alone. I can tell you're strong, you've got potential to be pretty tough, but none of that power is refined. That's a sword, not a baseball bat, so show it a bit more respect." Soren twirled Balmung and sheathed the weapon with a quick move, Anwen growling as she gripped her weapon tightly, wobbling as she stood up, Soren sighing, pocketing his hands, "I admire that you're determined, but you need to learn when a fight is over. You've lost Highwind, so just admit it."
"Man, this just took a serious turn." Issei noted, Irina nodding, their fight at the least having stopped, Kiba still swinging at Xenovia in the background.
"I said… I don't lose!" Anwen snapped, red light bursting across her sword as she shot up and grabbed it with both hands, Soren getting ready to block as the red light burst forward in a bloody red wave of energy, though in the moment to react, the blast was stopped by a pure white barrier rising in front of him, Soren having Balmung half drawn as his eyes adjusted to the light, which then widened as he saw Jeanne standing in front of him, grasping a polearm with a billowing white banner near the spear tip, the banner itself glowing white as the barrier formed out from it, and once the blast of red was dispelled, Jeanne spun the spear, the flag wrapping around the pole before it vanished in a shimmer of light, Anwen again falling to her knees as red sparks of electricity flashed across her.
"Anwen, it's uncouth of one to not accept a loss when it is shown. Attacking like that is a stain on your pride and your know it." Jeanne calmly stated, Soren blinking at the air around the girl, one that was commanding, level, unlike the previously nervous and flighty impression he'd received before.
"Ah screw you! Whoa!" Anwen yelped when she lurched forward, Gritting her teeth, grabbing Claren't sheathe and shoving the weapon into it, Jeanne approaching her fellow and kneeling down.
"You need to be careful. You know using Clarent's power causes you pain. You can't just use it randomly." Jeanne cautioned, Anwen giving her a glare.
"Screw you! I can handle it just fine… tch, whatever… I'll take the loss this time, but I'm getting a rematch when all of this mess if over, you got that Siegfried?!" Anwen snapped, Soren bearing a somewhat flat look.
"It's Siegreich, actually. Soren Siegreich." Soren muttered, putting his hands on his hips, Anwen clicking her tongue and standing up, knocking aside Jeanne's offered hand of help, turning her glare to Issei and Irina.
"What? Don't you two have your own bout huh?" Anwen grumbled, Irina giving a chuckle.
"Well, after that mess any zeal I had is now kinda gone." Irina stated, Issei nodding.
"Yeah… felt kinda pointless to keep going after all of that… though, I guess KIba doesn't share that sentiment." Issei stated, all attention turning back to Kiba and Xenovia's duel, the blue haired girl pushing Kiba back from their clash of swords, neither seeming to have even taken their eyes off of the other despite the show earlier. "Man those two are into it…"
"Least they're dedicated… but, Kiba's gonna lose." Soren muttered, Issei looking at him, then back to Kiba as Soren pointed, Anwen shrugging off Jeanne's attempts at using healing magic, the rest of the Gremory group watcyhing the remaining fight carefully. "Look at how Kiba's moving… he's not as precise as he normally is."
"Hey… yeah, you're right! Kiba usually moves way sharper than that, what's up with that?!" Issei gasped, seeing what Soren meant. After enough training with Kiba, Issei had picked up on the Knight's style of fighting, swift and precise… but all of Kiba's current strikes were heavy, almost wild, nothing like how he usually fought against someone.
"Well I have to admit, you're doing well, but I feel you could be doing better." Xenovia stated, spinning her sword into a reverse grip and driving it into the ground, causing a crater to form as a shockwave blasted out, Xenovia pulling the blade out as she stood firm, "The Holy Sword of Destruction, believe me this sword's name is not just for show!"
"After being split into seven, it still has this much power? Tch, the Balmung was stronger than this, some dumb shard is nothing!" Kiba bore a bitter smirk as he spoke, Issei in a shocked state, Irina dusting her rear off after she got up.
"Hey Xenovia, warn me next time you decide to cave the ground in!" Irina shouted, being disregarded, while Kiba's sword was glowing as he charged power, forming the weapon into a much larger, clearly heavier blade, Soren sighing at the sight of the weapon.
"Why don't we see which of these destructive swords is the most destructive! Will it be your Holy or my Devil!?" Kiba roared as he charged forward, but from the slower pace, the result was obvious to any who knew his abilities… Kiba had sealed the match the moment he'd done such an action.
"Too bad." Xenovia ducked the strike and shot up quickly, slamming the axe edge of her swords hilt into Kiba's gut, not enough to injure him in a lethal capacity, but enough to make the Knight lurch and cough up blood as a dark haze rose from the impact point as he collapsed to the ground, his sword vanishing, "Your only weapons are a few swords and your own speed. Not only do you lack the power to use a large sword, but in the process you're sealing away that speed you're so proud of. Please don't tell me you didn't realize that fact."
Soren shook his head as Xenovia moved away, Kiba weakly reaching out, Soren planting his sword into the ground in front of his fellow, shaking his head again.
"That's enough Kiba, you lost." Soren stated, "You should only fight when your mind is rational, not when it's addled by anger. You lost because you gave into your rage towards Holy Swords, just like when you and I first fought."
Kiba only balled his hand up into a fist and slammed it into the dirt, Xenovia glancing back at Soren as the wrappings that sealed her weapon reformed and recollected her cloak as Irina did.
"Well, that's the end. Are you satisfied Rias Gremory?" Xenovia asked, Rias nodding as Asia tended to Kiba's wound.
"Yes. I'm grateful Kiba wasn't dealt a final blow, and that your fellow and Issei were reasonable enough to call their match when things got out of hand. I apologize for Soren going a bit overboard, though I'm sure you understand your own ally had to be put in her place." Rias stated, Xenovia only nodding as she put her cloak on.
"Of course. Anwen's ego tends to get in the way. I actually rather appreciate you defeating her Siegreich. Hopefully, this experience humbles her a bit." Xenovia glanced at Anwen, the blonde girl shooting her a glare from where she stood, "I will also add your moves were rather impressive, for an Association dog."
"Hate to admit it, but the same… you obviously had a good teacher, I underestimated you… for a Church sheep." Soren stated, lightning again sparking between the two despite the compliments, though by now it was clear the two would never talk without insulting the other… whatever rivalry their two groups had, it ran strong in them as well.
"Well then, please remember what we talked about, Rias Gremory." Xenovia added, the red haired girl nodding.
"Out of curiosity, do you know which Fallen Angel is guilty of this incident? Of stealing the swords I mean." Rias inquired, Soren nodding as he sheathed his sword.
"Yes, actually. That's also what I wanted to talk to you about before… this." Soren stated, gesturing to the church posse.
"We know who was behind it yes." Xenovia answered, "A Leader of the Grigoris, Kokabiel."
"Uh… who're the Grigoris?" Issei asked.
"Fallen Angels. It's a group also known as "The Ones who Watch over the Children of God." Or, just the Watcher's for short." Akeno stated, Issei humming.
"Well, under normal circumstances, facing a Leader Class would be suicide… but, you have Soren with you, so, perhaps not." Rias said, Astra shaking her head.
"Yeah, there's another problem with that…" Astra stated, putting a hand behind her head.
"We do what we must to keep the Fallen Angels from the Holy Swords, even if it's a suicide mission." Xenovia stated, Soren clicking his tongue in response to that. "I am willing to trade my life to annihilate them."
"We understand the danger. There's already been one casualty." Irina stated, Jeanne nodding as she approached.
"A priest who was sent ahead of us. It came in a couple days ago he was killed before we arrived." Jeanne stated, Kiba standing up.
"I know who killed him." The Knight said, eyes turning to him, "Freed Sellzen."
"Whaddya mean Freed?!" Issei and Asia gasped, Soren tilting her head.
"Sell-who?" Soren asked.
"The Stray Priest did?" Rias asked, Kiba nodding.
"I happened to be there when the priest was murdered, and Freed definitely had a Holy Sword." Kiba grumbled.
"Interesting it was a Stray Priest. At least we know what we're up against." Xenovia hummed, Kiba shooting a glare her way "I appreciate the information you've shared, but don't involve yourselves further in our affairs unless the dog's condition comes to pass. We'll take out leave."
"Thank you for having us today. I hope you do well." Jeanne bowed her head a bit before turning to follow Irina and Xenovia, glancing at Anwen as she stalked off in her own direction, then looking to Soren, "Also, I apologize for how Xenovia acted… her teacher wasn't fond of the Association, as I'm sure you can guess."
"Eh, it's fine. I'll get over it quickly enough." Soren handwaved, looking the French girl over a bit, thinking to the earlier moment as he watched her leave, "That barrier, and that flag… why are they familiar to me? And Clarent… that attack as well. Why are these two girl's familiar to me? I've never met them before…"
"Reincarnation maybe?" Bahamut suggested, Soren shrugging.
"Oh, right, Soren, you said you had something else to say regarding Kokabiel, what is that particularly?" Rias asked, Soren clapping his hands together.
"Right that. Well… actually, Astra can explain that one better than I can. It has to do with Fallen Angel Vices." Soren stated, Anwen stepping up as Rias gave a hum, showing she at minimum knew the concept from the sound she made alone.
"He's right. The thing with Kokabiel, is that even though Soren could probably school him under normal circumstances, Kokabiel isn't exactly… shall I say a typical Leader class. I asked my dad, and apparently his Vice has gone out of control." Astra stated, undoing her shirt just enough to reveal her collarbones more easily, showing the red, wing like mark on her, the mark of her own Vice, "I have Lust Vice, pretty straightforward and easy to manage… but, Kokabiel has a derivitave of a Wrath Vice called a War Vice. He gets stronger from bloodlust and battle… and with the past millennia of peace since the Great War, well… pretty easy to guess.
"I see… with a Vice like that, I suppose such a long peace left that craving starving to be filled. So, Kokabiel stole the Holy Swords to incite a skirmish I suppose." Rias hummed, Soren nodding, "I think I get it. He's dangerous because, with an agitated Vice, any sort of battle and killing intent or bloodlust will simply empower him, won't it?"
"Basically as I'd guess. If worst comes to worst… well, Soren's got his Dragon Gear and it's Drain powers. The question is, will he gain power faster than Soren can take it?" Bahamut posed, Rias putting a hand on her chin.
"In a situation like this, wouldn't have more help be a progressive boon?" Akeno asked, Soren nodding, a hand behind his head.
"Yeah, but those damn Church girls wouldn't have it if I involved Devils in this mess. Sorry, but the condition I set stands. Hopefully though, we can solve this before that becomes necessary. This isn't an ordinary enemy… I doubt any of us are really prepared to take him on if he goes all out." Soren grumbled, a sullen feeling passing through the air. "Well, we'll get out of your hair for now Rias, see ya later!"
"Same. And good luck, I feel you're going to need it." Rias added, Soren nodded and waving as he sauntered off, Astra and Izayoi following, Astra matching pace with Soren.
"Well, that was an interesting turn of events wasn't it?" Astra hummed, Soren shrugging.
"More or less. Man, I'm gonna have to recount all of this to Luci once we all get home." Soren murmured, folding his arms, "I just wonder how much more crap I'm gonna have to put up with from these Church girls… well, at least one of them is nice."
"I'm more interested in that Slayer girl. There's gotta be a reason she's so damn arrogant. It felt more like she was trying to prove something." Astra hummed, looping an arm through Soren's, "Well, we can think about it later… hey, when we get home, wanna blow off that steam in the bedroom with me? I can think of a few ways to cool you off~."
"You have no sense of timing for propositions, y'know that?" Soren answered to Astra's teasing trill with a dry remark, the fallen angel girl chuckling, Soren rolling his eyes, "I'll think about it on the walk back."
"Yeah!"
"Don't count on too much. After last night I'd prefer a break."
"Awww come on, that was fun! Besides, all three of us passed out before you did anyway."
"Mistress, while I won't deride you and the Dog for discussing your home activities, I would recommend you keep such talks within the walls of our home rather than out here on the streets." Izayoi stated, Soren glancing at the maid, "But, we do have more pressing matters. I'd suggest the prudent action of meeting with the Church team as soon as possible to coordinate a plan."
"That was the idea." Soren stated, "Finding a few people in white robes wandering around town shouldn't be that hard anyway. Pffff… let's just hope things can go well… I just have a bad feeling they may not."
"Let's not be pessimistic about this. Sure, we're up against an enemy who outclasses us by a… y'know what, I'll stop before I make this worse." Astra stopped as she caught herself, Soren nodding.
"Yeah… let's keep a focus on the task at hand." Soren murmured, drumming his fingers on his thigh, "It's a weird feeling of foreboding… things are going to get hectic, I can feel it… hmph… I'll just have to take it head on then."
A/N
Pheeew. This one took a bit longer due to some other projects I was focusing on, but here ya' go! More in store next time, so see ya'll then! I need to rest my brain a bit…
