Chapter Seven
Heroes Never Die
"Whaddya mean we're hosting the club meeting at my house?" Jaxson complained as he walked home with Rias and Asia. He walked behind them like a mountain behind its smaller companions. The whole sidewalk was cleared of people getting the hell out of their way.
"The school house is getting its annual cleaning. We need another spot to hold the meeting, and I thought our house would be the best. The basement is vary spacious." Rias stated. Jaxson had initially forgotten that the pair lived with him. Perhaps from sheer embarrassment he experienced in the morning, or because he could not take his eyes off of Rias.
Huh… I guess I am staring at her. Jaxson thought and caught Rias' eyes as she glanced back at him. She smiled and kept looking ahead.
"Well… I guess if we can't use the old school hut then, so be it. Just don't touch any of the weapons down there." Jaxson advised as they arrived home. He stood between the girls and the street as Rias unlocked the door and they walked in.
"I'll get everything prepared for the meeting. Jax, can you tell mom and dad the club members will be here in an hour?" Rias asked as he closed the door. Jaxson leaned his head around the corner and stared at Rias. She turned to see his confused face sticking out.
"The hell? You mean my mom and dad?" Jaxson wondered. Rias shook her head at him and giggled.
"Aw come on, they treat us like family. It only seems fitting." Rias said as the very topic of their conversation arrived behind Jaxson's head. Sean patted his son on the top of the head and pulled him out from behind the doorway. The pair was dressed to impress.
"You three talking about that school club stuff? Don't worry, we're going out for a lovely dinner this evening. You kiddos have fun, Jax will make sure everyone behaves. Right, son?" Sean said and shook his son a bit. Jaxson fixed his hair and shrugged.
"Alright. Have fun then." Jaxson said as his parents went out the door with a wave. Rias and Asia waved to them and the three were left alone in the house. A sudden spike of fear entered Jaxson's heart as that realization struck him. Rias grew a predatory look in her eyes as she approached and glanced back at Asia.
"Asia, would you mind starting on some tea and snacks for everyone when they get here? I have to discuss something with Jax." Rias said, hidden intentions laced her words and stitched her lies. Asia smiled innocently.
"Of course!" Asia agreed, unknowingly consigning Jaxson to his fate. Jaxson grew a bit nervous as Rias quickly took his hand and darted of, dragging him along towards another part of the house. She took him to the screened in patio under his room's balcony and planted him in front of one of the couches.
"Sit." Rias ordered. Jaxson sighed and decided to comply. He took a comfortable seat on the couch and relaxed a bit. Perhaps she did want to talk to him.
"Oh okay…" Jaxson mumbled as Rias suddenly straddled him and sat on his lap. She gripped his collar and licked her lips.
"Ever since you told me you didn't want anyone else to have me… I haven't been able to stop thinking about kissing you." Rias said, her tone low and seductive. Jaxson blushed and grinned a bit. He was not used to being the object of someone's desire. Perhaps because if it happened before, he usually ignored them on accident. This time, however, he could not quite escape from Rias' grasp.
"Interesting… I think we might have something in common there." Jaxson said as Rias cupped his face. He instinctively put his hands on her hips as she leaned down and their lips brushed together.
"Is that so…? Why don't you give me what I want?" Rias whispered and leaned past his face. She giggled in his ear and then did something that Jaxson did not know he would like. She licked his ear thoroughly and then blew in it gently. Jaxson twitched slightly as the sensation rocketed down his spinal cord and into his tailbone. Rias giggled at his reaction.
"Well… uh… I'm just a bit surprised." Jaxson mumbled. He was still a bit apprehensive. He still wondered how Rias felt and if he actually felt the way he did. It was so hard to understand. So confusing. But the way Rias smiled at him gave him some assurance.
"Silly boy… Is it so surprising? You're sweet, warm, kind, and funny. And, I'm not sure if you noticed but… you're very attractive." Rias whispered and slid her hand under his shirt. Jaxson shivered at her cool touch.
"Are you really into muscle-bound weirdoes?" Jaxson asked. Rias giggled at him and leaned in close. Her breath on his ear tingled his nerves.
"Just the one."
Jaxson's impulse snapped like a twig and he pulled Rias in for a kiss. She was surprised for a moment but relaxed in his powerful grip as his hands slid up her back and pulled her closer. The way she pressed into him, gripped his hair, and caressed his torso told him everything was right. For a moment they simply melded together like burning iron and carbon, forming a steel of desire. But they broke for air and stared deeply into each other's eyes. They both searched for the same thing and found it.
"Rias…" Jaxson mumbled, he felt a well of embarrassment rising but he was determined to stay true to his core. While both of them were flush in the face, his was burning a bit hotter as he raised his right hand a bit.
"Is it okay if I touch you…?"
Rias' face split into an amused smile and she held back a laugh. Jaxson died of embarrassment for a moment until Rias gripped his wrist and pulled his hand close to her chest.
"Yes, Jax. In fact, I want you to. But… I'm glad you were so polite. You're such a gentleman… My sweet little wolf." Rias said and pushed his hand into her breasts. Jaxson's eyes nearly popped out as he adjusted his hand and held one of her heavy breasts in his palm.
"Holy shit…" Jaxson said breathlessly. He squeezed his hand and moved it around and Rias responded. She bit her lip and shivered on his lap.
"Ah… Jax… your other hand…" Rias whimpered and Jaxson immediately complied. He reached up and grasped her other breast and gently played with it. His mind was screaming at him to go wild but Jaxson refused to let lust take over for fear he might hurt Rias with his strength. Rias shivered and whimpered quite a bit until she grabbed Jaxson's wrists again and he stopped.
"Rias, you okay? I'm not hurting you, am I?" Jaxson asked with the utmost amount of worry. Rias giggled at him, her face red with blush, and smiled.
"No, you're very gentle… I just want to take them out for you." Rias said. Jaxson gulped and moved his hands as Rias undid her shirt. He had seen her naked before, sure, but this time Jaxson felt his heart pounding as she pulled her blouse open to reveal a black and purple lace bra. Her choice of color and style surprised him more than anything.
"Black is… really nice on you. Maybe it's your skin or because your hair is really bright." Jaxson said quietly without thinking. He slowly glanced back up at Rias to see a delighted smile on her face.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to wear it for you more often." Rias said seductively and pushed her chest closer to his face. He could see her skin grow goosebumps from his breath gliding across her chest. He looked up at her again and grinned.
"Okay, as long as it makes you happy." Jaxson said cheerfully. Rias stared at him for a moment. He wondered if he said something dumb again.
"You just say one sweet thing after another, even when my boobs are in your face. Whatever am I going to do with you?" Rias wondered with a gleeful laugh. Jaxson shrugged and hugged her.
"I dunno. Hopefully something good." Jaxson chuckled. Rias giggled and pulled her shirt all the way off. Jaxson leaned back to let her do as she pleased. Suddenly he became very aware of their surroundings and stopped her from popping the clasp on her bra.
"Jax?"
"Wait a second, we're technically outside… what if one of the neighbors sees you?" Jaxson said. The thought both angered and embarrassed him. Rias sighed and patted him on the head.
"I don't care. It's not like they can touch me… Jax…?" Rias trailed off as Jaxson gently pulled her shirt back over her shoulders. He glared at a lit window in the house across the yard and softened his gaze when Rias' eyes met his.
"I do. I don't want them looking at you… humph…" Jaxson grumbled. His annoyance dispersed when Rias cupped his cheeks and kissed him lightly. When she pulled away her eyes sparkled with happiness.
"You silly, sweet boy. I've never seen you jealous before. It's adorable. Okay, I'll get naked for you in private then." Rias giggled. Jaxson blushed and nodded with some satisfaction. She put her shirt back on but did not bother to button it up. She grabbed Jaxson by the head and pushed his face into a now familiar place.
"G-Good… don't need any fuckers peeking at you… I'll break them in half." Jaxson growled as his possessive side grew stronger. He surprised himself with how overprotective he was. But it was not too great of stretch since he was a bulwark of steel for those he cared for.
"Oh dear… Jax, you can't stop them all from being perverted."
"I can try."
"… What am I going to do with you?"
Jaxson set up some of the comfy seats his family had stored in the basement. He had moved some of his equipment out of the way to make room for the seats but the basement was still adorned with various weapons and workout equipment scattered about. The octagonal ring at the far end was just small enough to be out of the way. Sean had the basement expanded for the specific purpose of setting up all of the necessary gear for him and his son to stay in shape. Jaxson lobbed his favorite beanbag chair out into the open and took a seat in it. He normally sat off to the side during meetings and today would be no different.
"Hello!?" A singsong voice called down the stairs. Jaxson watched as Akeno descended and glanced beyond the stairwell to see him relaxing by the wall.
"Yo, welcome to the Bulk Zone… grab a beanbag chair, or one of those round chairs that your ass gets stuck in whenever you sit in one." Jaxson said with a grin and a flourish of his arms. Akeno giggled at him and walked over to where he was sitting. Jaxson kicked back and glanced up at her.
"That looks comfy. Is there… room for two?" Akeno asked with a wink. Jaxson chuckled and pointed at the four other chairs just like his.
"There's other ones!" Jaxson exclaimed. Akeno pouted and squirmed in place.
"Aw, but I wanna sit with you…" Akeno complained. Jaxson sighed and reluctantly got off his chair.
"Jeez, everyone wants to sit next to Jax… what the hell…" Jaxson muttered as he walked into the storage corner and pulled a large item out of the corner. He threw it towards his chair and knocked it out of the way. Now a big, four-seat beanbag sofa was in place of his chair. He walked back over and plopped back down in the center of the sofa.
"Oh wow, I didn't know those existed…" Akeno said. She smiled as Jaxson relaxed on the sofa and closed his eyes to wait for everyone else.
"Yeah, bingo-bongo, presto there's a beanbag couch. Now you can sit next to me if you really want to. Not really sure why you would… but whatever…" Jaxson mumbled. His tiredness was catching up to him from the past week of lost sleep from thinking about Rias. Akeno giggled and sat down next to him. Jaxson felt her shift closer and closer until her shoulder was against his. He opened one eye to glance at her.
"Mm, comfy indeed." Akeno giggled as she rested against Jaxson. He sighed and moved his arm around her shoulders. Akeno made a noise of surprise as he did so and glanced at him. Jaxson was still relaxing with his eyes shut but could feel her gaze.
"If you're going to be that close I might as well…" Jaxson muttered with a half-cocked grin. Akeno smiled and gratefully accepted his embrace. Jaxson soon found himself half-regretting his decision as Akeno slipped her hand under his t-shirt. His eyes snapped open as her cool hand shocked his nerves.
"I made tea and some cookies… Aw! I want to cuddle with Jaxson, too!" Asia exclaimed as she came downstairs and set the snacks on the small table in the center of the room. Jaxson sighed as she then proceeded to invade his right side and he tiredly lifted his arm for her. Asia snuggled up next to him and was content to lay her head on his chest. Now flanked by two, Jaxson tried to relax as Akeno's hand continued to rub his torso. He tried to ignore it but really wondered why in the name of all things holy she was doing it.
"Akeno… could you take your hand out of my shirt?" Jaxson asked quietly. Asia glanced down at his abdomen where Akeno's hand was still under his shirt. Akeno giggled and complied. But there was always a catch.
"Okay, but I want to do this at least." Akeno said and promptly hopped up onto Jaxson's left thigh. She leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder and made Jaxson put his arm around her waist. Still unfazed due to fatigue, Jaxson went along with her odd scheme or whatnot.
"Alright… whatever's comfortable…" Jaxson sighed and relaxed again. He was surprisingly tired. Far more tired than normal. He wondered about his excess fatigue but found it too tiring to think about.
"Knock, knock… Oh. You alright there, Jax?" Kiba's voice asked. Jaxson cracked an eyelid to see him and Koneko standing by the stairs. He grunted and nodded slightly.
"Alright, everyone is here and…" Rias trailed off as she entered the basement. Jaxson cracked an eyelid again and was too tired to be scared of Rias' wrath. He knew she would be upset that Akeno and Asia were cuddling up to him. He would be, given reversed circumstances. But instead of upsetting himself, Jaxson flooded his mind with images of the girls cuddling together.
Aw… and now it fell in the gutter… OUT!
"Akeno, Asia, can't you leave Jax alone?" Rias asked, definitely annoyed. Akeno giggled and Asia pouted at her. Jaxson kept his head rolled back and simply waited.
"Aw but look at him! He's so tired and adorable, how can you not cuddle with him? Weren't you going to cuddle with him, Rias?" Akeno asked. Rias tensed up and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Well… um…" Rias mumbled. Jaxson pulled his head up and yawned a bit. He saw Rias' embarrassed expression. She was still nervous about their relationship. Jaxson would be as well, had fatigue not ripped all of the will to care from his body.
"I'm a bit low on room… Feel free to find a spot…" Jaxson said with a yawn. His head rolled back onto the beany pillow. Rias stood silent for a moment before composing herself and walked towards the sofa. Without another word, Rias sat herself down right between Jaxson's legs and laid back against his chest. Jaxson snapped back to reality for a moment as Rias' rear nearly smashed his crotch into another dimension.
"There. Now we can begin." Rias stated. Jaxson breathed a sigh of relief when Rias moved a bit and the pressure on his jewels was alleviated.
"Be careful next time you do that… I almost lost Richard and the Twins." Jaxson grunted and relaxed again. Rias made a noise of surprise and turned to look at where her butt was situated. Jaxson was not exactly so much embarrassed as he was worried for his privates. Rias, however.
"Oh. I'm sorry." Rias mumbled through her hands. Jaxson knew she could feel him pressed against her butt. Her reaction to sitting on him was enough of a clue. Unfortunately for Jaxson, he could not stop the inevitable and Rias jumped in place a bit as Jaxson's pants tightened against her. But as he knew all too well, Rias did not move, nor did Akeno or Asia. Jaxson was feeling the effect of their weight and warmth as he tried to relax.
So this is my life… surrounded by women. Can't say much has changed since I got here. It's not like Ellie, Maya and Kat left me alone very much, either. Oh well… Jaxson thought as he slowly drifted off. Rias had overcome her embarrassment and started talking. Her intelligent and light voice made for the perfect lullaby.
France. He knew it was France. The Maginot line was unmistakable. But it was new? Jaxson glanced around to see the fortifications still standing but the gunfire resounding from the line made it obvious it was now a useless mass of steel and barbed wire. Jaxson jogged over to the north to see something terrifying to the French troops retreating in a frenzy. From the forest came the rumbling, the sound of German steel. Rolling to a stop in the field, a German Panzer fired off a round and blasted a French fortification apart. There, commanding the Panzers, was a man whose visage Jaxson recognized. Clearly in the sun's glaring light stood General Erwin Rommel, commander of the Nazi German Seventh Panzer Division.
The Ghost Division
"General Erwin Rommel. Can't say I'm happy to see you're stuck inside my Sacred Gear." Jaxson commented, garnering the attention of the tank's turret. Erwin Rommel turned and smiled at Jaxson. He stepped off the top of the tank and approached with several of his soldiers following closely. He tipped his hat and removed it.
"Ah, you must be the master of this twisted nightmare. And you know my name. I'm honored." Rommel said with a small bow. Jaxson scoffed at him.
"You deserve more punishment than just being stuck in a nightmare… Now, I'll say this once. I hate Nazis and I hate everything they stand for. But, since you're stuck with me, I'm going to use you and your tanks to fight people for the cause I stand for. Understand?" Jaxson stated as he towered over most of the men. Rommel chuckled and slipped his hat back on.
"Duly noted. So, when can we arrive back on the battlefield?" Rommel asked. Jaxson disliked how readily Rommel agreed with him. But he could not rightly argue with a dead man. Especially not one he might rely on for support.
"When I call for you." Jaxson answered swiftly. Rommel smiled again and turned back to his soldiers. He barked orders and the men rushed back to their positions. The entire battle had been halted to accommodate for their conversation. Rommel glanced back and tipped his hat again.
"As you say, Mein Führer."
Jaxson would have punched Rommel in the jaw had someone not shook him awake.
"Jax!" Rias' alarmed voice cried. Jaxson's eyes snapped open when he heard the distress in Rias' voice. But when they locked eyes again, Rias relaxed and lunged forward to hug him. Jaxson, still somewhat delirious, accepted her embrace and saw everyone standing around him in his basement. Asia, Akeno, and Kiba were also relieved to see him awake. Koneko was as emotionless as ever but she did grin slightly.
"Ugh man… what's up? Something wrong?" Jaxson wondered. The vision of Panzers was still fresh in his mind but he focused as Rias leaned back and rubbed his cheeks. He saw a few tears in her eyes and his heart sank.
"Jax… I was so worried. You fell asleep for the whole meeting and then you wouldn't wake up. I'm glad you're okay… how are you feeling?" Rias said and looked him over. Jaxson reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. He grinned tiredly.
"I'm okay. I just had a dream is all…" Jaxson said quietly. Akeno sat down next to him and took his hand. She seemed to be checking him over with her magic. Asia did the same on his right side.
"What was it about?" Akeno asked. Jaxson sighed heavily and recalled Rommel's face.
"Nazis again… This time it was Erwin Rommel's Ghost Division. A division of Panzers that broke through the Maginot Line in France almost overnight and on complete accident, mostly. I actually talked to Rommel… I don't like him." Jaxson explained. He shifted slightly and the girls moved to let him stand up. He stretched and popped several joints.
"Oh, that's interesting. But it looks like your communication with the souls is causing your body to go comatose. Or at least into a state close to that of a coma." Akeno said with a sad sigh.
"Really? How do you know?" Jaxson wondered. Akeno stood up and reached up to his head.
"Your eyes failed to dilate and you were completely motionless. You were also barely breathing. It was pretty scary." Akeno said and poked at his cheeks. Jaxson looked down at her and could see the care in her eyes. He was surprised. For the longest time he assumed Akeno merely played jokes on him for fun. But her genuine concern for his wellbeing was a factor he considered heavily. He felt a tug on his arm and found Asia holding his hand.
"I was worried… You were really out of it." Asia mumbled. Jaxson crouched down and hugged her.
"Sorry, I couldn't really help it, though. It just comes and goes as it pleases…" Jaxson said. Asia seemed satisfied with his hug and he stepped back to wake himself up.
"Well… I guess I'll have to keep a closer eye on you. But for now, our meeting is done. Don't worry Jax, you didn't miss much." Rias said with a sigh. Jaxson grinned and picked up one of the leftover cookies on the table.
"Thanks for leaving some cookies, though. Wouldn't miss these for anything." Jaxson said and made four of them vanish into his gullet. He went for the last one but was beaten by Koneko and she started munching on it.
"Damn…"
"Hey Jax, where'd you get this sword?" Kiba suddenly asked. Jaxson glanced over to see that Kiba had left their little huddle and was standing by a collection of historical weapons hanging on the wall. One of the swords was a decorated blade with little functional use.
"That one? It's just a wall-hanger my mom bought for me. She… uh, she didn't realize it was a cheap hunk of stainless steel. But I kept it, obviously. Why, seen it somewhere?" Jaxson said and stood next to Kiba. They were silent for a moment as Kiba stared at the sword.
"Not really. I just thought it was interesting. Well, I'm a bit tired, I'll see you guys tomorrow." Kiba said and abruptly started to leave. Jaxson turned to watch him walk up the stairs noticed the slight droop to his shoulders. Though he was suspicious, Jaxson chose to believe his friend.
"Huh. He seemed a bit out of it. I guess he is tired." Akeno commented. Jaxson shrugged and started packing away the chairs. Akeno and Koneko headed out while Rias and Asia cleaned up the snacks. Jaxson lifted the beanbag sofa onto his shoulder and glanced back at the decorative sword. He remembered the look in Kiba's eyes as he stared at it.
Was that… hatred? For a sword…?
Fog. No, snow. Snow and fog. Both were plain to see in the forest around Bastogne. Jaxson knew it was Bastogne. It was obvious with how the Nazis has the Americans surrounded. Surrounded, outnumbered, outgunned, and starving. Those were just the obvious problems for the Americans. Jaxson jumped into a foxhole and watched the men who fought and died to hold their position continue to do just that. Bullets careened across the forest, shells shattered trees and German tanks rumbled across the snow. One of the Americans stood up with a bazooka. The Eagle patch on his arm signified who he was with. What his division was.
"Give up, you stubborn mules!" a German officer shouted at the Americans as they advanced. The grenadier fired his bazooka and blasted the front of a Panzer to shreds. The One Hundred and First Airborne Division held out with their comrades against the oppressive Nazi war machine. One of the American's threw a grenade at the officer and his men.
"NUTS!" the American yelled. No, he screamed. Screamed like an Eagle.
They were the Screaming Eagles.
Jaxson started awake again to find himself pressed to the bed by Rias and Asia. Both naked, as he expected. He wondered if expecting to find two nude women in one's bed was normal. It certainly was for him. Jaxson glanced at his clock to see he was awake earlier than usual again. But almost like clockwork, Rias woke up five minutes later and yawned. Jaxson openly stared at her exposed chest almost without trying to. Rias giggled when she spotted him.
"Good morning, Jax… you look a bit tempted. Did you want to play with them?" Rias asked. Jaxson almost did not believe her until Rias nearly suffocated him with her breasts. Her soft skin and malleable flesh against his face was heavenly.
"Holy shit… Wait, Asia is still here!" Jaxson hissed quietly. Rias giggled and pulled him slightly out from under Asia.
"So?" Rias asked nonchalantly. Jaxson felt all sense of decency and morality fall apart as he put his arm around Rias and pulled her closer.
"Are you sure…?" Jaxson asked. His focus was on the small pink bud directly in front of his face. Rias giggled and cupped his cheek.
"Yes. Go on, they're all yours."
A moment of truth. Jaxson was going to discover one of the many reasons men started wars. Right in front of him. He leaned forward and slowly opened his mouth. He was mere centimeters away from diving into Rias' sinful body when he felt a shift on top of him and his door cracked open at the same time.
"Jaxson are you awake- oh, sorry! Don't mind me!" Jane exclaimed quietly from the door after peeking inside. Her head vanished and the door shut as Asia rubbed her eyes and yawned. Jaxson lay motionless, eyes dead, and drool leaked from his open mouth onto his pillow. He really did want to know if someone could die of embarrassment.
"Oh dear, why must we always be interrupted?" Rias pouted and gently shook Jaxson back to life. Asia looked between the two of them before her face shifted into a jealous pout.
"Hey! Were you trying to seduce Jaxson!?" Asia exclaimed. Jaxson came back online to see Rias turn and giggle at Asia.
"Well of course I was. He's mine after all." Rias stated plainly. Jaxson was about to argue about being owned when Asia bounced in place on top of him.
"Yours!? Well… I'm Jaxson's! How about that?" Asia declared in a huff. Rias gasped and faced off with her.
What the hell?
"You claim to be Jaxson's? Well I'm his as well! But he's my servant, so I get to decide who gets him. And I've decided only I can have him." Rias argued and pulled Jaxson into a hug. He rested there as they continued to argue for a reason that was completely lost to him.
At this point… I'm not going to question it anymore.
Later That Day…
Jaxson made sure to fly as high as he could with the Red Baron as to hide the sound of the plane's engine. He checked his map and nodded as the Baron began circling over the location. He saluted to Manfred as he dove off the plane and it vanished into the night. He fell straight to the ground and used a small burst of his fire to land gently. Sure it charred the sidewalk but it was better than shattering it with a superhero landing. His armor vanished just a moment before he heard a door click open.
"Wow, right on time." A voice said from the door next to Jaxson. He turned to see the robed man in the doorway waiting for him. Jaxson gave him a little salute and a grin.
"I tend to be." Jaxson stated and stepped up to him. "So, you ordered one devil. Here I am. What's your request?"
"Hmm… You're not quite the same as the others. How did you get here without teleporting?" The man asked. Jaxson assumed he was used to summoning demons and pointed up.
"I flew." Jaxson answered with a smirk. The man grinned back.
"Oh? But you got here in minutes. Ten, just like I was told." The man was prodding for an answer. Jaxson was not about to tell some random civilian he could strafe his house with a World War One era tri-plane.
"We have our ways. Now then, onto your request. It's what I'm here for." Jaxson said. The man chuckled, knowing he was beat, and waved for Jaxson to come inside.
"C'mon, you like video games?" The man asked. Jaxson grinned.
"I haven't played that many, but yeah."
"Oh you've got to be shitting me." Jaxson cursed as he lost another match. His client laughed and chugged back another cup of sake.
"Care to try again?" The man asked. Jaxson set the controller down and cracked his neck.
"Not particularly- Oh, shit… hang on." Jaxson said and pulled out his vibrating phone. Rias was calling him.
"Need to take it?" the man asked. Jaxson sighed and nodded.
"Yeah… How the hell did she get my number…?" Jaxson wondered as he stood up and stepped out onto the man's patio. He answered the call and when the phone hit his ear his tiredness vanished.
"Jax~..." Rias' voice purred over the phone. Jaxson perked up at her tone.
"Rias? What's up…?" Jaxson asked carefully. Rias giggled before sighing.
"I know you're out on a job but I need you to meet me out here right away. We have a stray devil problem." Rias said. Jaxson pulled out the mapping device he was given to find clients and found a new ping on it.
"Ah damn… alright. Be there in five." Jaxson said and went to hang up.
"Wait!"
"What?"
"Oh… nothing. I just like your voice."
Jaxson paused as his cheeks turned a bit pink. He rubbed his forehead and glanced back at his client who raised a drink to him and tipped it back.
"Okay, see you soon." Jaxson said quietly and hung up. He composed himself and walked back inside.
"Gotta go?" The man asked. Jaxson nodded and grabbed his jacket off a chair.
"Yeah, it was nice hanging out but, duty calls." Jaxson said and headed for the door.
"Wait, I haven't paid you for your services."
"Huh?" Jaxson turned around to see the man thinking hard. "Oh, you mean the pact? Ah, don't worry about it."
"Nah, I have to give you something. You want my soul?" the man suggested. Jaxson stared at him in disbelief.
"What? No. Look, I don't care what it is, I need to go."
"Goddammit." Jaxson cursed as he hopped off the Baron's plane and landed behind Rias, Akeno, and Asia in his armor. They turned around to see him lean a wrapped painting against the wall.
"Don't ask."
"Okay… well the stray is in this warehouse. Go up front and head in with Kiba and Koneko." Rias said and pointed up the street. Jaxson nodded and engaged his helmet.
"Plan?" He asked. Rias smiled and pointed at the roof.
"Get it outside and Akeno will take care of it."
"Rodger dodger." Jaxson said and jogged ahead.
"Ready to go?" Koneko asked as he arrived. Jaxson nodded and the trio walked into the warehouse carefully. Jaxson glanced over at Kiba to see him seemingly walking absentmindedly. Jaxson focused ahead on the dark, dank warehouse. It was filled with junk and hazardous materials. He kept his sword at the ready.
"Alright… I'll keep it busy. Kiba, you disable it. Koneko, you send it flying. Sound good?" Jaxson said. He glanced between the two for a confirming nod from each. Just in time, too. A vicious growl sounded from the dark. Jaxson stopped and his sword lit up with blue flames. The dim light from his sword was enough to reveal the huge, spider-shaped shadow on the ceiling.
"Oh look… a tasty meal."
"Ah fuck… it just had to be a spider, didn't it?" Jaxson sighed as the devil leapt from its hiding spot and attacked them head on. Jaxson dodged its mandibles and the random magic lasers coming from the human torso attached to its head. He stopped for a moment as a vision flashed before his eyes. Huge artillery cannons went off. That was when Jaxson realized he had summoned a pair of Howitzers on either side of him.
"Whoa, where'd you get those?" Koneko asked as she dodged a swipe from the devil. Jaxson shrugged and aimed his sword at the devil. Kiba was staring at the floor.
"Dunno. Sometimes stuff just comes to me… FIRE!" Jaxson shouted and the Howitzers unleashed their volley. The devil screamed as it was hit by the magic shells and Jaxson rushed forward to attack while it was stunned. His cannons vanished and he slid under the monster's legs. He slashed at its underside and left burning gashes in its belly. The devil roared in pain and turned to attack him as he rushed out from underneath it.
"Now's a good time to disable it, Kiba!" Jaxson yelled as he ducked under an attack. He slashed through a web that was fired at him and Kiba snapped out of his stupor and drew his sword.
"Ah shit! Right, here goes!" Kiba exclaimed and vanished with his speed. He reappeared to attack the devil. And he also tripped over an I-beam that was laying on the ground. Jaxson watched with horror as Kiba rolled to a stop in front of the devil. Its human part smiled and the beast's mandibles opened up.
"THREE HUNDRED!" Jaxson rushed forward and met the devil head-on, stopping its attack on Kiba with brute strength. His sword burned away at the monster's drool as he held it off.
"Shit, Jax! Take this!" Kiba exclaimed as he got up. He attacked the devil and sliced half of its legs off. Jaxson backed off as the monster fell over and burned the drool off of his armor. Koneko rushed in and stomped the devil into the floor, stunning it further. She then grabbed it and started to spin until she build up enough momentum and lobbed it out of the ceiling of the warehouse. Then, the devil was annihilated by a powerful lightning strike. Jaxson felt the shockwave push him across the stonework and he even blocked some shrapnel with the flat of his sword.
"Damn… remind me not to piss her off…" Jaxson muttered as Akeno descended onto the epicenter of her attack. She giggled and skipped over to Jaxson.
"Ah, don't worry Jax! I won't hurt you too much…" Akeno said with a smirk. Jaxson chose not to think about what she was implying and disengaged his helmet.
"Never mind that… Kiba, dude, you alright? While I was shooting Howitzers at a giant, gods-forsaken spider monster, you were daydreaming." Jaxson said with a bit of annoyance in his tone. He was more annoyed that it was a spider monster. He hated spiders. Kiba sighed as he approached and sheathed his sword.
"Yeah, sorry man. I've been out of it lately…" Kiba said tiredly. His tone reminded Jaxson of himself. It was odd but he had strong understanding of Kiba's mood. Jaxson sighed and set his own sword on his back.
"It's whatever. I get how you feel. What's wrong… oh no." Jaxson was too late as Rias approached Kiba. Furious, she slapped him across the face. Jaxson cringed and tried not to watch. But he watched anyway.
"Kiba, what the hell is the matter with you? Jax had to save you from yourself!" Rias yelled. Kiba stood with his head down. A red mark was left on his face from Rias' hand. Jaxson continued to watch, growing more and more upset by the second.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I'm going home." Kiba said quietly. Rias grabbed his shoulder and stopped him from going anywhere.
"You're not going to explain yourself?" Rias asked, though her tone was far gentler than before. Kiba calmly removed her hand and started walking out. Rias turned at watched him. But she stepped to the side as Jaxson rushed past her and skidded to a stop in front of Kiba.
"Dude, I dunno what your problem is but…" Jaxson started. Kiba glanced up at him and grinned. Jaxson knew it was a forced grin.
"Hey man, don't worry about it. See you later." Kiba said and continued on his way out. Jaxson scratched his head and then punched a dent into a steel beam.
"You fuckin dipshit…"
A Few Days Later…
A crimson horizon painted a thousand lakes red. Jaxson looked around the snow covered forest and could not quiet place where he was. He looked down the hill to see a small patrol of green clothed soldiers shuffling across the snow. They were easily a few hundred yards away, though. But that mattered little to the bullet that struck their point man and dropped him dead on the snow. Jaxson turned to his right and just happened to spot the old, wooden stocked rifle laying on a snow drift. But there was actually a person holding the rifle. Jaxson almost did not see him. Almost.
Another shot left the barrel of the rifle and took out one of the other patrolling soldiers. Jaxson leaned around the tree he was behind and listened to the shouting of the soldiers. They were Russian. Another shot and one of the Russians was dead once again. Another shot, another dead Russian soldier. Two shots later and all of the men were dead. Their killer, a sniper without a scope, laid still steady in his little drift hollow.
Oh, I see now. Jaxson thought as he crouched down next to the sniper. The man turned his head and Jaxson grinned at the visage of the masked Finnish soldier. The man grinned back through his white mask. White. To the Soviets, it was the color of death, just as the color of their flag now stained the snow a crimson red.
"Simo Häyhä."
Jaxson started awake somewhat abruptly and found himself only weighed down by one lone figure. Rias. She slept peacefully on top of him. Jaxson recalled how easily he now slept with one of the girls in bed with him. He smiled fondly and gently brushed some of her hair out of her face. While he did not mind having Asia with him, Jaxson certainly liked being with Rias. The more he thought about her, the less he wanted to be anywhere else at the moment. He continued to watch her sleep as she cutely scrunched her nose and snored like a cat purred. She was always naked every time she slept in his bed. He wondered if it was because she liked it or because she knew he liked it. Either way, Jaxson looked forward to the mornings. Rias awoke and slowly sat up on his lap. She yawned and stretched, giving Jaxson a full view.
"Aw, good morning Jax… Were you letting me sleep in a bit?" Rias asked with a cute smile. Jaxson shrugged a bit and rested his hands on her thighs.
"Kinda. You're absolutely adorable when you're asleep." Jaxson said with a grin. Rias gasped a bit and playfully slapped his chest.
"Look at you, seducing your girlfriend first thing in the morning…" Rias said and leaned down to kiss him. Jaxson accepted her affection but was a bit stunned at the same time. Rias pulled back in confusion at his lack of response. Jaxson stared at her.
"You're my… girlfriend?" He asked quietly. He was in a state of disbelief. Jaxson honestly did not believe he would ever have a girlfriend. Especially not one as wonderful as Rias. Rias blushed and gently flicked his forehead.
"Yes, you big dummy. If I'm kissing you and letting you fondle me, I think I qualify for the title." Rias said and laid her head on his chest. Jaxson started chuckling and wrapped his arms around her. Rias made a noise of surprise as he did so.
"Jax?"
"Oh man… sorry… I'm just really happy. You feel the same way I do, don't you?" Jaxson asked and held her close. Rias turned to face him and put her arms around his neck.
"Of course I do."
"How long?"
"Since you started school."
"Seriously!?" Jaxson exclaimed. He stared at Rias again and she glanced away shyly.
"Yes… Is it really that hard to believe?" Rias responded. Jaxson chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
"Kind of… But I can't not believe it, now."
"What about you?"
"Huh…?" Jaxson lost a bit of his confidence as Rias sat up a bit and stared deeply into his eyes. She was curious, serious, and enthralled all at the same time. She was just too cute.
"I mean… when did you figure out you liked me? You're so hard to read because you treated everyone the same way." Rias explained. Jaxson had to think for a moment.
When… did I realize it? Well, I really realized it when I saved her from Riser. But if I'm being honest… I've liked her this much since…
"At Emma's party… You were… irresistible in that dress. I mean, I kept telling myself you didn't like me for so long… and I denied myself the same feeling up until you kissed me for the first time. Hell, I didn't believe it- hmph!" Jaxson was cut off as a very emotional Rias kissed him passionately. Jaxson returned her affection and melted deep into the sensation of just her. When she pulled away a small tear escaped her eye. Jaxson gently wiped it away.
"I wish I had kissed you that night. But I knew I couldn't… not until I solved the problem with my family marrying me off… You're very handsome in a suit." Rias said with a smile. Jaxson leaned in and kissed her again. Her lips felt better and better each time he kissed her. Or maybe it was because he simply wanted more and more of her.
"Thanks. I like looking sharp. And hey, I almost did kiss you that night. Remember when I dipped you down and my parents saw us? Yeah, that…" Jaxson said and felt his face burn. Rias giggled and rubbed his blushed cheeks.
"I don't think we would've been seen the rest of the night if you had. I'd have pulled you into a closet and… well you put the rest together." Rias said with a seductive smile. Jaxson, being himself, came up with the most intelligent of responses to her suggestive statement.
"You mean we'd have played with Bionicles all night!?"
For a moment they were silent up until Rias started bursting with laughter. She fell down on top of Jaxson and laughed into his chest. He chuckled along with her at his stupid joke. Rias settled down after a few seconds and reached up to kiss him again. Jaxson gratefully accepted her affection and kissed her passionately. They parted and Jaxson was entranced by the care and adoration he could see in Rias' eyes.
"You are the silliest yet sweetest boy I know. What makes you think playing with my boobs is the same as action figures?" Rias wondered as she sat up again. Jaxson shrugged and grinned his stupid and unique grin.
"Oh, I could've played with your boobs? But I can do that now, can't I?" Jaxson asked, raising his grabby hands. Rias giggled and pushed her chest forward invitingly.
"Well of course you can. Honestly if you would've asked at any point before the Rating Game I would've let you touch them then, too." Rias said as Jaxson gently cupped her breasts in his hands. Rias whimpered a little as his large hands gently squeezed her chest. Her noises of pleasure fueled Jaxson's need to touch her.
"Aw man… Oh well… I didn't want to be weird. It's better knowing that I can because you want me to." Jaxson said and sat up. He moved one of his hands to her waist and pulled Rias closer while he still fondled one of her breasts. Rias' breathy whimpers made her infinitely more adorable and desirable to him. He gently kissed her and then moved towards her neck.
"Jax… there's a lot I want you to do to me… like kiss my neck…" Rias admitted with a blush. She put her arms around his shoulders as Jaxson kissed her neck. She whimpered loudly. Jaxson smiled wickedly.
"Is that so? Maybe there's some things I want to do to you…" Jaxson said and purposefully stopped attending her. Rias whined and poked at him to continue.
"Jax… please…" Rias mumbled. Jaxson grinned.
"Please? What?" Jaxson said with a wicked grin. Rias pouted at him as she realized what he was doing. With a heavy blush and a whimper, Rias answered him.
"Please kiss my neck and touch my body…"
"As you wish." Jaxson said and flipped them over. Rias laughed as Jaxson hovered over her and went to work. She put her arms around his neck as he leaned down to kiss her own. Rias moaned lightly as Jaxson kissed her neck and moved one of his hands to grope her chest. Jaxson was enjoying pleasuring Rias right up until the moment his door swung open. Everything worked like clockwork.
"JAX! WAKEY, WAKEY! SCHOOL'S ABOUT TO-HUAAAH!"
Jaxson reacted like a tiger pouncing its prey. He jumped up while also flinging the sheets over Rias and stood at the door facing down a very giggly Ellie. She tried to glance past him but his frame took up the whole of the doorway.
"When the hell am I going to get a little privacy in this house?" Jaxson wondered angrily. Ellie shrugged with a mischievous grin.
"Oops! Sorry! Were you getting frisky with Rias? Hehehe…" Ellie giggled wickedly. Her giggling promptly stopped when Jaxson's eye twitched and he popped a few knuckles. But a sudden realization broke down his initial anger.
"Wait, why the hell are you here in the first place?" Jaxson asked. His sister smiled and handed him a black plastic bag. Jaxson reluctantly accepted it, fearing what was inside.
"I came to give you this and to tell you that I'm taking Mom and Dad on a cruise this month. I'm sure you'll be alright with your girlfriends taking care of you, won't you?" Ellie said and turned to leave. But she stopped as Jaxson opened the bag and stared down at the contents with eyes that had seen death himself. Ellie began giggling again.
"Ellie… what in the name of all the Nine Realms is… this…?" Jaxson asked, voice hoarse. He slowly held up a box with bold, golden letters on it that read 'MAGNUM'.
"You're going to be home alone with your girlfriends. Might as well be prepared. BYE!" With that, Ellie rushed off and out the front door. Jaxson was left holding a box of tubular, rubber objects in one hand, and a bag full of even more in the other.
"Jax, what's that? A present from your sister?" Rias asked as she got up behind Jaxson. He panicked and quickly shoved the box back into the bag. He kept it out of sight while turning to face Rias.
"Oh nothing important or even useful, really. But we're going to be here alone for a month since she's shipping off with Mom and Dad." Jaxson said and dumped the bag at the foot of his bed. He kept Rias from looking at it by wrapping an arm around her waist and picking her up to eye level. Rias smiled as she wrapped her legs around his waist and his hand slid down to hold her by her behind.
"Oh, sounds like we're going to have some fun… We've still got some time before we have to go to school, want to shower together?" Rias asked with a seductive smile. Jaxson nodded eagerly and tossed her over his shoulder. Rias laughed as he pointed out the door like an enthused explorer.
"TO THE SHOWER!" Jaxson exclaimed and took off into the bathroom. The door locked behind them and a moment later the water turned on. Asia peeked out her bedroom door to see the closed bathroom door and Jaxson's wide open door. She was disappointed that Rias got the upper hand and trudged over to Jaxson's room.
"Aw man… I want to shower with Jaxson… Hmm, what's this?" Asia said as she entered Jaxson's room. She bent down and picked out a box from a black bag at the foot of Jaxson's bed.
"Trojan Magnum? What does this have to do with Trojans?"
Jaxson, to Rias' dismay, would simply not wipe the stupid grin off his face. He had it the whole time they walked to school. Jaxson also kept an arm around Rias' shoulders the whole way as well. He knew why Rias was so embarrassed by him, though. Their time in the shower had been enlightening to say the least. Asia kept eyeing them jealously. Akeno and Koneko walked along with them and Kiba was suspiciously absent.
"Hmm… you're all grins today, Jax. Normally you're dreary in the morning, did something fun happen?" Akeno asked as they treaded across a street. Rias shot her a glare but Jaxson kept on grinning. Akeno seemed to already have an idea of what made Jaxson so gung-ho.
"You could say that. But unfortunately I've been sworn to secrecy. Doesn't mean I can't be happy about it, though." Jaxson said with a chuckle. Rias elbowed him but it did little to help. Akeno pouted and slid up beside Jaxson.
"Aw, but you can tell me any secrets… I know how to keep secrets…" Akeno said endearingly. Jaxson, however, was not budging.
"Sorry, I'm a man of my word." Jaxson replied. Akeno pouted and gave up. She was bumped out of the way as a very impatient Koneko hustled ahead of them.
"Good, keep it to yourself, Jax. Now come on, we're gonna be late." Koneko said and outpaced everyone. Jaxson was surprised for a moment.
"Did she just use my name instead of an insult?" He wondered. The girls were just as surprised as he. But even more so when Koneko stopped dead at the bridge. Jaxson glanced past her to see the two figures she was eyeballing. His instincts gave him a shot of adrenaline and he dropped his bag to run ahead. Koneko eyed the pair with increasing animosity up until Jaxson stepped in front of her and stopped kept everyone behind himself.
"Jax, Koneko… Ah, I see." Rias said as she approached. She was about to step forward and interrogate the robed figures but Jaxson held her back. She looked up to see his eyes alight with the fire of his warrior's soul.
"Hey, who the hell are you two?" Jaxson asked loudly. The two figures stepped out into the open to face them on the bridge. Jaxson kept his power at the ready. In the blink of an eye he could be armored and ready for anything. With his newfound feelings for Rias, and his already powerful desire to protect his friends, Jaxson was not about to let his guard down. Especially to random weirdoes.
"We're from the Church. We have come to speak with the representative of the Devils in this area." One of the individuals responded. Jaxson glanced back at Rias and she stepped forward, but not past him.
"I am the one you want to speak with. Who are you, and business does the Church have in my territory?" Rias demanded. The two lowered their hoods.
"I am Xenovia Quarta, and this is my partner-"
"Irina Shidou! Under any other circumstance it would be nice to meet you, but you're kinda the embodiment of evil so…" Irina said, interrupting an exasperated Xenovia.
"I could say the same of the church." Jaxson retorted at Irina's insult. Xenovia and Irina were annoyed at his response. Rias and the others were somewhat surprised.
"Jax, settle down… we don't need to get into any unnecessary fights." Rias advised. Jaxson glanced down at her and then grunted.
"I'll not stand idle while someone insults you or everyone else. If it's a fight they want, they better keep their dumbass comments to themselves and cut the bullshit." Jaxson responded loud enough for the two church representatives to hear. They continued to glare at him but Jaxson's fiery glare was just as intense.
"Duly noted… Might I know your name, blasphemer?" Xenovia asked. Jaxson cocked a half-grin.
"Jaxson Everest. Better known as the Warrior." Jaxson answered. Xenovia was quiet. Her face showed no emotion but he could tell she was thinking. Irina on the other hand seemed lost.
"A blasphemous man with a Sacred Gear made by an evil god. How fitting." Xenovia said after a moment. Jaxson chuckled quietly.
"You know nothing of Tyr, so speak little of him. It will do you good." Jaxson responded eloquently. A tense silence fell over the two parties as it seemed more and more like their dialogue would dissolve. But Rias cleared her throat and garnered the attention as she normally did. Jaxson left his anger behind and finally stepped back, noticing how the two girls did not want to start a fight.
"Enough of this. If you wish to discuss your business then please visit us this afternoon. For now we have someplace to be." Rias stated firmly. Xenovia and Irina nodded in understanding and stepped out of the way. Jaxson stepped over and put himself between them and his group. Once everyone was beyond the gates of the school, Jaxson relaxed slightly. Rias then pulled him aside as the others went ahead to the school building.
"Something wrong?" He asked. He knew Rias might, or probably was upset with him. But he was steadfast in his resolve. Rias sighed and rested her head on his chest.
"Just… you don't have to be the hero all the time, Jax. I'm the one that handles these things. You almost got us into a fight." Rias sighed. Jaxson felt his heart sink a little at her words. He understood why she was upset but it still did not hurt any less.
"Sorry Rias…" Jaxson said quietly. To his surprise, however, Rias gently pulled his head down to kiss his cheek. She smiled at him and looked into his eyes.
"It's okay, Jax. I know you were just protecting us. You sweet boy…" Rias said and kissed him gently. Jaxson hugged her close and took in her scent again.
"Especially you… I don't want anything happening to you. I want to keep you right here… safe, with me. No one else." Jaxson mumbled. Rias smiled against his chest and held on tight. They stayed stuck together for several moments before Rias wiggled a bit and Jaxson loosened his grip. Rias reached up and kissed him gently again.
"I'm yours, Jax. Don't worry, we can cuddle all night when we get home, okay?"
"Okay. But I don't want to let go right now."
"Jax… we have class."
"Then I guess you're sitting with me."
"What if someone says something?"
"Then I'll hit them."
"Jax…"
"No. I keep Rias. Hit intruders. That is man."
"Whatever am I to do with you?"
"Kiss and cuddle. Jax want Rias. Hit intruders."
Rias could only sigh happily.
Later…
Jaxson found himself alone, for once, in class. Everyone else had gone out to do something for their break period, even Rias and Akeno had left. Jaxson decided there was no better way to spend his break than to take a well-deserved nap. At least he would try, for his insomniac brain hated naps sometimes. But today was a good day.
Huh… another dream?
Italy. But not just the countryside or some random city. Rome and the Vatican. Jaxson knew this place. He had visited it before with his family. But something was different. People fled through the streets as armed Imperial soldiers rushed through them and pillaged the city. Jaxson recognized the event through the lens of history.
"The fifteen twenty-seven Sack of Rome… wait, the Guard…" Jaxson started towards the Vatican. Because of his power, he simply was not bothered by the phantoms of his dreams. As he made his way into the center of Catholic power, he maneuvered to the Teutonic Cemetery. And there they were. The one hundred eighty-nine. Before them was hundreds of thousands of their Imperial foes. It was the last stand to protect the Pope.
It was a story like no other. One hundred and eighty-nine Swiss Guard against the horde of the Holy Roman Imperial Army. They stood firm and steadfast against an undefeatable foe, yet they still stood. In the service of Heaven, they protected the holy line. It was fifteen twenty-seven.
"Thy Will Be Done."
Even Later…
Jaxson stood patiently at the edge of the clubroom. Silence pervaded as Xenovia and Irina sipped their tea with Rias watching them from the other couch. Jaxson was watching them as well with a very unnerved Asia under his arm. Any wrong move on the part of their 'guests' and Jaxson would be in battle gear posthaste.
"Hmm, I suppose I should cut to the chase. Your Warrior appears to be in a disagreeable mood." Xenovia said, eyeing Jaxson. Perhaps she thought she could raise his ire again. But Jaxson could care less about what people said of him. He simply kept his eyes glued to the large and apparent sword she kept wrapped up.
"Then speak." Rias said firmly. Jaxson was keeping a close eye on her as well. But it seemed neither of the two had any reason to be hostile.
"Fine then. First I want to make this very clear; we are not here to intrude upon your business. What we are here for, however, are the holy swords of Excalibur." Xenovia stated. Her words were a surprise to Rias who took a moment to process.
"Holy swords, here? Why?" Rias wondered. Jaxson was curious as well. He wondered if he could break them.
"Excalibur, as you know, is the most powerful of all Holy Swords. But it was broken into various fragments and made into several swords. Some have made their way here, and we are here to recover them. While we are not here for you, I expect you not to interfere with our work." Xenovia said and promptly stood up. Rias nodded and smiled at them.
"Fine by me. Jax, what do you think?" Rias said, glancing over her shoulder. Jaxson was a bit taken aback for a moment. He was content with the fact that Rias, as his 'master', would make decisions for the club as a whole with foreign forces. He did not expect her to ask his opinion.
"I don't really care what they do, so long as they leave us alone." Jaxson said. He was still unenthused by the two exorcists. Rias smiled and waved goodbye to them.
"Aw, we're leaving already? But I didn't finish my tea…" Irina complained as Xenovia pulled her off the couch. But as the pair was about to leave, Xenovia glanced over and eyed Asia.
"Hmm, you. Aren't you Asia Argento?" Xenovia asked, releasing Irina. Irina nearly fell over but steadied herself to face Asia.
"Um… yes. Do I know you?" Asia asked timidly. She refused to leave Jaxson's side. Jaxson had no reason to leave her alone anyway.
"Oh, you're that witch who got kicked out for healing a filthy devil! Everyone in the Church knows you!" Irina exclaimed, oblivious to the ire her words drew. Asia cringed visibly and nodded solemnly.
"Yes, she is. Tell me, Asia, how does it feel to be a worthless traitor?" Xenovia asked. Asia was disturbed by her words and could barely answer.
"Well… I… I still believe in God…" Asia mumbled. Both Xenovia and Irina were disgusted.
"A devil who believes in God? You're like, the whole reason we exist." Irina said.
"Agreed. Tell me, Asia, would you like me to restore you to his light? Through exorcism, of course…"
"Shut the fuck up."
Xenovia leaned back as a flaming sword was pointed at her nose. She glanced past the blue flames to see the vicious, haunting glow of Jaxson's eyes through his helmet. His golden flames danced across his shoulders and up his legs.
"Jax…" Asia mumbled, hiding part of her face in his half-cape. Jaxson towered menacingly, like a steel skyscraper ablaze with flames. The exorcists were certainly unnerved by his emotionless, steel visor which radiated with pure rage.
"Say what you will about me. Say what you will about devils. But do not threaten Asia, or anyone else in this room, or I will remove your head." Jaxson threatened coldly. Xenovia narrowed her gaze and used her sword to push his out of the way. Jaxson disengaged and nearly drove it into her eyeball. Xenovia froze.
"Hey! Knock it off! We'll fight you if you're gonna be an ass!" Irina exclaimed. Jaxson robotically turned his head to stare at her. Irina's anger soon dwindled away.
"Fine. I'll kill both of you, if that's what you want." Jaxson said. He lowered his sword slightly and gently pushed Asia behind him. Rias stepped over next to him and smiled at the exorcists.
"Looks like you made him angry."
Outside…
"Get into a fight, Jax?" a familiar voice asked. Jaxson stopped his pacing before his opponents to face Kiba who had just arrived. Jaxson nodded slightly.
"They were the aggressors. Do you only show up to fight people now?" Jaxson asked, having noticed Kiba's lengthy absence. Kiba chuckled but glared at the sword Xenovia was holding.
"Mind if I help you out?" Kiba asked. Jaxson shrugged and gripped his sword.
"Fine by me." Jaxson said. He glanced to the side where Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Koneko stood. They seemed elated that Kiba appeared but were still focused on how the impromptu duel was about to play out. He was not about to let them threaten someone he cared about and then walk away unscathed. Everyone who had ever even bad-mouthed someone he cared for had been given a gravel-filled dinner. Jaxson liked curb stomping scumbags into the gravel. Catholic wackos with holy swords were just a step up from the usual street-thug to Jaxson. Irina, now his only opponent, pulled a string off her arm and the two threw their cloaks off. Xenovia was now Kiba's opponent and wielded a large sword. Large and clunky.
Jeez… don't these fantasy sword designers have any practical knowledge? Jaxson thought bitterly. But his bitterness turned to surprise as Irina's string turned into a katana.
"Are you ready for Excalibur Mimic!?" Irina exclaimed and readied herself. Jaxson stood silent and steadfast. They had agreed to wait until Rias gave the go-ahead to fight.
"Alright… Jax, go easy on them, would you?" Rias asked from afar. Xenovia and Irina were blatantly insulted and were about to retort when Jaxson answered.
"No."
"Oh well, begin!" Rias exclaimed. It was time for action. Jaxson leaned into his stance and all was quiet for a moment. Right up until Kiba and Xenovia clashed. That was when Jaxson moved. He closed the gap between him and Irina in under a second and launched his onslaught. Irina was light and fast, she dodged some of his strikes and parried others. When she went to counterattack, Jaxson stopped cold and simply let the blow glance off his pauldron. Irina was shocked.
"What the!? But, you're a devil, a holy sword should- UGH!" Irina did not finish her sentence as Jaxson Spartan kicked her in the stomach. She tumbled to the ground with the wind knocked out of her. Jaxson steadily approached.
"I might be a devil, but I'm still wearing armor." Jaxson sighed. Irina slowly got up and had to quickly defend herself as a punishing chop came down from Jaxson's sword. Her Excalibur bent under the force he exerted but it sprung back when he disengaged and went on another onslaught of blows. But he was interrupted by the ground being shaken like an earthquake came. He retreated slightly and glanced over to see Xenovia standing over a crater her sword made.
"Ha, scared of our holy powers yet!?" Irina asked confidently. But the lack of a physical response from Jaxson killed her hopes of intimidating him.
"Not when the Bismarck can make craters twice that size. And with four times the firepower. And as for your holy power… it's not really that unique." Jaxson said and his sword vanished. He replaced his main weapon with one that had a much longer handle. A halberd.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Irina wondered, slightly unnerved as Jaxson's power built up. A burst of red energy flowed from his body and turned into a ghastly green hue.
"You may have a holy sword, but are you as dedicated as these men once were? Do you have the courage and vigor to hold off, to stand and die for everything you believe in? They did. SWISS GUARD!" Jaxson exploded with a bright light as the green souls powered his body. He felt a charge of power and an unending will to fight enter him. His halberd was imbued with a power similar to the magic Irina and Xenovia commanded. He wielded Holy power.
"No way! That's what the Warrior Gear does!?" Xenovia exclaimed as she held off Kiba. Jaxson turned in time to see Kiba flailing on the ground with a huge sword. Xenovia kicked him away and dodged back as a blast of light shot towards her from Jaxson's halberd.
"The Warrior Gear imbues the user with the souls of fallen soldiers and warriors. It allows for the summoning of these souls in their full, battle-ready states to be used in conjunction with the user's attacks and orders. However, it seems that the Sacred Gear does not care what the user is, since Jaxson is using holy magic." Rias explained. Jaxson turned his attention back to Irina who was very annoyed and also scared to death.
"No, that's not how it's supposed to work! You should be burning alive right now!" Irina yelled. Jaxson laughed through his helmet and aimed his halberd at her.
"Oh believe me, it's not exactly a cake walk. But damn is this cool! It's like having a character with broken-ass stats in an RPG. Now then, shall we continue?" Jaxson asked. Before Irina answered, however, he simply rushed forward and attacked. Irina yelped and dodged his attacks. But Jaxson went and slammed his halberd into the ground. The result was a burst of magic that erupted from the ground. It caught Irina in the blast and sent her flying across the field. Jaxson had to disengage though as the ground underneath him cracked. He glanced over to see Kiba lying defeated and Xenovia was now directing her attacks at Jaxson. He grinned viciously under his helmet.
"You damn devil, how can you corrupt the souls of those men in such a manner!?" Xenovia shouted. Jaxson chuckled and stood still with his weapon resting on its end.
"Would you like me to use some less-desirable souls, then?" Jaxson asked. Xenovia watched him carefully as the field went quiet. But slowly the sound of rumbling steel and engines started to approach. Then the noise came closer and closer at a rapid rate. Suddenly, from the trees behind Jaxson came ghostly green tanks. Panzers, to be sure.
"GHOST DIVISION!" Jaxson shouted as the Panzers crashed through the trees. Xenovia readied herself, but no one was ready for the force of a thousand guns blasting apart the field. She was caught in the crossfire of the tanks and forced to retreat. Jaxson jumped up onto one of the speeding tanks and rode it towards his quarry. Irina had recovered and joined Xenovia, only to be surrounded by the speeding Panzers. Jaxson leapt into the fray and engaged the two swordswomen. Between their clashes, and his blasts of holy magic, a Panzer would fire at them and Jaxson would disengage before it hit. Between the Panzers and Jaxson's immense power boost, the girls were having a hard time defending themselves, let alone attacking. Xenovia went for a devastating move. She raised he sword and prepared to blow apart the ground. Jaxson intercepted her. They clashed but Jaxson was careless as Xenovia turned her sword on him. He managed to stop her from disrupting his tanks but at the cost of having part of his armor blown away by her Excalibur's power. Jaxson retreated as his armor formed back together, using his magic as fuel to do so.
"Hmm, seems you're not so invincible against my Excalibur Destruction." Xenovia said confidently. Confidence that was shattered as several Panzers opened fire on them. Jaxson chuckled again through the harrowing cannon fire. When the dust settled he glowed with his red energy once again.
"Oh, I'm just not using my defensive abilities. The Swiss Guard and Ghost Division are purely attack based souls, despite the Guard being, well, a guard. Let me introduce you to my friend, IRONSIDE!" Jaxson shouted and rushed forward. Xenovia and Irina both engaged him but he simply let their attacks strike him. Xenovia had hoped to break his armor so Irina could hit him. But their swords simply slammed against his steel and the force of their attack cracked the ground under him. Jaxson staked his halberd in the ground and gripped the blades of their swords.
"I tried telling him to go easy…"
"Three Hundred…" Jaxson grunted and easily pushed Xenovia and Irina off. He then grabbed them both by the neck and threw them into the circling Panzers where they were shot at and hit by steel monsters of war. The Panzers then broke off their encirclement and lined up behind Jaxson as he pulled his halberd from the dirt. Xenovia and Irina could barely get up as he approached. With the embodiment of war standing over them, the pair simply gave up where they sat.
"Wait… wait… we give in. Right, Irina?" Xenovia asked tiredly. Irina nodded and her sword turned back into a little armband. Xenovia laid her sword down and took a knee before him. Jaxson stood victorious. While he initially was hell-bent on killing them, their brutal and frankly embarrassing defeat was more than enough for him.
"You were bested by the Warking. Don't take it too hard, it's what he was built for." Rias said as she approached. Jaxson still rumbled with immense power and sent his Panzers away. The Ghost Division rumbled off and vanished into the air.
"This could have been much worse for you. Don't threaten my friends ever again or I will kill you." Jaxson stated coldly. He wanted to drill that fact into their minds. They certainly comprehended his threat and knew full well he was more than capable of carrying it out.
"Understood. Well… we should be leaving. After such a defeat we have to rest if we want to find the holy swords." Xenovia said, hoisting Irina and herself to their feet. Jaxson's power dwindled to its normal level, leaving him with sword in hand as he watched the pair on their way out.
"Well, now that-"
"Wait a moment…" Xenovia called, interrupting Rias. Everyone turned their attention back to the exorcists.
"Now what?" Rias asked, slightly irked. Xenovia's face grew an even more grim expression than before.
"I feel I should tell you who exactly stole the holy swords from the church… His name is Kokabiel."
Silence. Jaxson disengaged his helmet to see Rias and Akeno with looks of mixed shock and deep concern in their expressions. Xenovia and Irina grimaced at the very sound of the man's name. Asia was horribly terrified and quickly rushed to her security. Jaxson's arm. He glanced down at her and then narrowed his eyes at Xenovia.
"You say that like he's some sort of threat." Jaxson said. Xenovia blinked at him.
"Because he is. He's a powerful Fallen Angel." Xenovia responded, still very sober and somber. Rias bit her thumb in thought. Asia tugged on Jaxson's hand.
"Him… He was the master of the Fallen Angels you fought." Asia said. Her revelation gave Jaxson a small stun.
"Them? Those idiots? Guess he's a shit teacher, then." Jaxson said bluntly. Xenovia and Irina were puzzled by his words.
"What's that supposed to mean? Are they still around?" Irina wondered. Jaxson cracked a half grin and shook his head.
"No, I killed them."
"You killed Kokabiel's minions? By yourself?" Xenovia wondered, flabbergasted at the notion. Jaxson nodded and gestured in their direction.
"Yeah, is that so hard to believe when I just beat you into the dirt on my own? And, come to think of it, you're going to take him on?" Jaxson wondered. Xenovia and Irina shared a look of confusion that soon turned into understanding. Xenovia sighed.
"I see… You think we're too weak to undertake this mission." Xenovia sighed.
"No shit! If you can't even take me on, then what hope do you have for taking on someone probably stronger than me?" Jaxson asked. The more he talked with the pair the more he lost his anger towards them. They were on a literal suicide mission.
"When we accepted this mission, they predicted we would have a twenty percent chance of returning alive. I suspect that number has now dramatically dropped." Xenovia sighed. Irina pouted.
"Xenovia! Don't be so negative! We can still prevail if we do this right. We have God on our side!" Irina exclaimed, trying to lift the spirits of her comrade. It had an effect but Jaxson could tell that both of them grasped the reality of their plight. They turned back to make their exit.
"Thank you for your concern, Warking. But we must do our duty to the church. Farewell…" Xenovia said and they continued on their way. Jaxson watched them all the way down the hill as the sun slowly set on Kuoh. Asia tugged on his hand again. Jaxson smiled at her and pulled her close as his armor vanished. Rias walked up to his other side and Jaxson gently put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and he could feel the new stress weighing on her. He rubbed his thumb across her shoulder.
"Well this a whole new mess. What's that Fallen Angel doing in my territory, causing havoc?" Rias wondered in anger. Jaxson was about to answer when a sneaky Akeno appeared in front of him and did her best to put her arms around his neck.
"At least we have Jax to protect us, right?" Akeno said with a sweet smile. Jaxson grinned a bit and glanced between Rias and Asia who were rightly annoyed. But his attention was diverted over towards the sulking Kiba who was slowly slinking away from the hole he had been knocked into. Jaxson somehow slipped out of the girls' grasp and caught up with him.
"Kiba, where are you going? We haven't seen you all day and the moment after you show up you wanna fuck off again?" Jaxson asked half-jokingly. Kiba did not turn to regard him. He simply kept holding his stomach where Xenovia had hit him.
"I just want to forget about this. I have things to do. I have to go home." Kiba said, clearly hiding his intentions. Jaxson scoffed and looked towards all the trees before them.
"If you wanna go home, city's the opposite direction. Nothing but woods for miles this way. C'mon, don't just run off again. Rias was pissed last time and I heard about it for a solid two hours." Jaxson said and felt a glare on the back of his head. His words had made Kiba grin ever so slightly, but it was for naught.
"Sorry. But those swords… this is important." Kiba mumbled and kept walking. Jaxson watched him stumble off into the woods and sighed to himself. He narrowed his eyes and looked up at the orange-streaked sky.
It looks like… all these problems can be solved… with two simple and effective actions.
Jaxson turned around and walked back towards the girls with a shrug. He would tell them Kiba was having none of his jokes or his pleadings. He would say nothing of the ideas in his head. If Jaxson wanted his friend to return and to save two lives in the process, then there were two tasks he would complete.
Kill Kokabiel and destroy the Excaliburs.
Done. This was sitting here for a while, unfinished, as usual for me. Hope you guys enjoy it. I have more historical figures and soldiers to add.
Anyway, thanks guys. P.S. Check out the poll on my profile!
See you next time with a Warrior's Heart!