After a long, nearly sleepless night, Xander ended up falling asleep outside. He only had slept a few hours before he was awakened by the sun shining right in his eyes. Sighing quietly, Xander stood up and he rubbed his eyes. Beginning to stretch, he looked back into his house, looking at Valerie sleeping. Smiling, he quietly shut the door, deciding doing his workout outside would be better. Doing his push-ups, as usual, he did less than usual to remain quiet. Grabbing a hold of his sword, he put it on his back, still covered by cloth, and he stretched again to get ready for a run. Xander wanted to get the impossible odds off of his mind, so he jogged around the large, abandoned building United had bought for him to live in. Of course, he knew he'd have to do it a lot, but honestly, anything to get his mind off of impending doom.

Of course, it didn't work too well, he still just couldn't stop thinking about it. A centuries-old Devil with the Boosted Gear was his opponent. And he could use the Juggernaut form, which only made it worse. Biting his tongue, he racked his brain for what he could do. The technique could only take you so far, especially since the gap in power between Balance Breaker and Juggernaut was quite big, according to Epsilon at least. As he ran, things began blurring, and Xander began to pants. Thoughts of his gruesome death filled his mind, and his heartbeat began to sound like gunshots, pounding against his ribs. The next thing he knew, he saw the debris of a house, tears streaming down his face, and suddenly Xander tripped and landed on his face. Quietly, he began to shake and he took deep breaths, trying to calm down. He slowly stood, and he began to run once again. However, as he quietly started jogging around the house again, deep in thought, he didn't notice a presence behind him. And before he could realize it, it was too late. He felt someone grab his shoulder, which made him spin around.

He was face to face with Valerie, and suddenly, the panic began to recede. The woman looked him over and she gave him a small smile. It didn't seem genuine, more like a smile you use to try and calm someone. But right now, Xander's headspace wasn't in the right place, so he didn't care. Taking a deep breath, Valerie helped him inside, where he sat down on his bed and rubbed his face. Giving him a slightly concerned look, she asked.

"Xander, are you Ok…?"

"D-don't worry, Miss Penning… I'll be fine…"

"... You know, I… I like to take things seriously. And I usually roll my eyes at guys, because many are trying to hit on me… But… How about you just call me Valerie, ok? You let me call you by your first name, after all."

"I… Thank you… Valerie. And, uh… I chose Xander because I'm the most familiar with it. My name… Well, that's a long story, you likely don't want to hear."

"You… You seem to be a bit flustered or upset. How about you tell me a story or something, just to calm you down. Like, I don't know… Your sword. Where did you get it?"

Xander took a moment, a deep breath, and he began to focus on the story of his sword. Valerie was strangely good at being soothing or helping him focus at least. Plus, Xander was proud of his sword, and it was very special to him. More so than a lot of things he had, even this home.

"Well, my sword… When I was training with Epsilon, I would go and spar with other recruits. And Epsilon said I should at least learn the basics of using a sword, so I wasn't trying to fistfight a Swordsman. So, United provided me with some ores, and Epsilon instructed me on how to make a sword. It was like… We made it together. I even named it Epsilon's Fang, which, I'm sure sounds dumb."

Chuckling softly, Xander looked at the handiwork on the hilt and sheath. Valerie quietly said something, and she then cleared her throat softly, almost as if she was nervous or something.

"The weapon I received… Was the sword said to be the Strongest Demon Sword, Clarent. I have been practicing with it day in and day out, but the abilities of the sword are difficult to… Grasp, I suppose you could say. I can't use the word too often, or it'll suck my life away or something like that, but we have specially enchanted Gloves that allow us to at least stop the curse for a little while. I don't have it with me, but I would love to spar with you sometime."

"Uh… While I'd like that, my sword is normal. And if yours has powers and all that, I might think that it would be… I don't know… A LITTLE… totally, Unfair!"

"Hmmm… Well, you do have a point, I suppose. Oh well, perhaps a normal sword for me, and the two of us could have a duel. Sounds good?"

"Heh… Sure, I suppose that sounds good."

Valerie seemed a bit different today. Xander couldn't put his finger on it. But she seemed so much more casual. Her words seemed to carry less weight, and she seemed to be a light shade of pink. Perhaps she was warm? His house didn't exactly have central air, at least, not yet. He only had a small air conditioner attached to a window that he used to cool down the room when it was too hot. Xander almost forgot that today might be the day when all hell broke loose due to the diplomatic genius of Haruki's father. However, not wanting another panic attack for him, he thought he'd ask her something other than that.

"So… I know you said that your parents were trying to marry you off. Were any of the guys there… Did you like any of them?"

"Hmmm… No, not in the slightest. Unfortunately for me, most of them were there for my looks… Or for the power, they would gain. That's how it usually is, unfortunately…. But, I've always been quite picky. Looks don't matter to me, hell, even strength doesn't. It's a bit hard to explain…"

"Hmmm… I'll get off the subject, no worries. So, what does Haruki look like? Just so I could look out for him or something."

Valerie paused for a moment, and she nodded. Almost like she couldn't bear to tell him, but realize she probably should anyway.

"He is… He's like a praying mantis. He's very tall, very thin. He doesn't look like he has a lot of muscle. His eyes are green, and his hair is black… It kinda looks slicked back, but it's still somewhat messy at the same time."

"Hmmm… Interesting. That should make it much easier to spot him and stop him if he comes here."

"Do you want to surprise attack him? Use your sword or something?"

"OH, uh… No. That isn't what I want to do. In fact, in our fight, I won't be using my sword. He doesn't sound like he uses one, so I won't either."

"You… You won't? But, this is about more than just that! A devastating war could be on the line!"

"I may be an agent, and I may want to stop the war… But I have honor. I don't want to use my weapon if he isn't going to be Wielding one himself."

Valerie gave him a look and then sighed, shaking her head before she nodded. Xander could understand her frustration, but he only brought out Epsilon's Fang if his opponent wielded a weapon or if they chose to fight dirty. However, Xander suddenly had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was like a feeling of dread and fear, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

That, however, was when there was a knock on the door. Slowly standing, Xander walked up and he opened the door. In a suit, stood a tall, skinny young man. He was wearing a black suit, his hair looked somewhat slicked back, and his eyes were a sickly shade of green. He also wore a smile so sarcastic, Xander could feel some anger bubbling up before the man even spoke a word. Looking past Xander, he smiled and pushed by him.

"Ah, there you are, my beloved… I was getting so worried. Was I interrupting something? Oh, I do hope you weren't trying to… Spoil yourself. Because that would make me quite sad. After all, you're my first wife… I want this to be special."

Haruki tried to move, but Xander grabbed his shoulder. Without looking, he summoned a red gauntlet on his left hand and turned his head to give Xander a look. The contempt and disrespect on his face were astonishing.

"Interesting! A worm-like you grabbing hold of me… My my, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into… I would suggest you let go of me."

Xander was surprised, but the sheer power of his presence with his Sacred Gear made him freeze. All that panic-filled his head, but before he could lose it, his gauntlet appeared on his right hand and he stared seriously at Haruki. The smile on his face widened his teeth and the smile suddenly looking more like that of a hyena. A sickly, laughing look of the utmost contempt.

"OH, this worm… Is a Wyrm… Quite ironic! You're like me, are you? Except you're half-human instead of Half Devil… Interesting. So, are you her… Bodyguard, or something?"

"No, I'm a friend of hers… I do hope that you aren't trying to break the tradition of not seeing the bride before your wedding. Or are you that uncultured…?"

Haruki raised his eyebrows and pulled away from Xander. Raising his fists, Xander stood at the ready. Haruki almost seemed to size him up, before he looked at Valerie and shook his head.

"Valerie, my love… Tell the boy to back down. He has no idea who he's getting involved with… And I'd hate to hurt him on a day that's going to be so… Special… For us. What is your name, boy…? I may consider inviting you to the wedding… It's gonna be a real blast, you know."

He leaned in toward Xander, and Xander felt his body tense, but Haruki only whispered something to him.

"Plus, I'm quite the fan of nice, big breasts… And as you can see… My fiance is quite the looker…"

Xander pushed him, and Haruki gave him a look as he straightened himself out. The way he spoke, it was like he was trying to get under Xander's skin. But Xander wasn't going to simply allow the devil to annoy him. However, a look crossed his face, and Haruki smirked.

"I'm very sorry, but I must go… See you later, my lovely Valerie. I do hope your parents have chosen a lovely dress for you to wear. I'd quite enjoy… Ripping it off you later. And, by the way, human… I so hope you don't listen to that Dragon of yours. Old man Ddraig used to talk my war off… It took him years to shut up."

Haruki gave the two of them a smirk and a wink before a circle appeared around him. But, before he could go, Xander ran up and punched him in the face. Haruki disappeared, but not before he'd begun to fall. Anger coursed through Xander, and he found himself clenching his fist tightly. Taking a deep breath, he turned back and he looked at Valerie. She rubbed her forehead and gave him a bit of a smile.

"You really just decked him… Xander, you… You are pretty cool."

"Nah, I just met the first person in the world that I hate... Are you alright? I can see why you Lillie him so much… Saying things like that before your wedding."

"Yeah… Xander, I… I think maybe…"

"Maybe what?"

"... Maybe we should be more careful. I could try to stall the wedding and-"

"Hey, don't worry. I'll take care of it, don't worry. I promise, I'll beat him. Then you'll be free to do whatever you'd like…"

Approaching her, he put his hand on her shoulder a bit. Valerie looked at him, a somewhat strange sparkle in her eyes. He turned around and he rubbed his head softly. Of course, he didn't know the time, but he had a feeling.

"Hmmm… So, should I try to interrupt them trying to take you for the wedding? Or-"

"No!... I'm sorry, I meant, no. I… The best way to do it would be just as it starts or during the ceremony. They might hurt you if you try to stop them from taking me. But, if you wait until the wedding, you can challenge Haruki, and my people will likely accept… Eapecially if you show them you know our customs."

"I know a bit of your customs, yeah… Is there anything, I don't know… Specific I should say?"

"Hmmm… I suppose you could eat I Object, like in the old days or whatever… And then say, 'Haruki Beelzebub, I challenge you for the hand of the maiden, Valerie Penning!'… Or something like that… I don't know, maybe a little more personal or something, that's up to you…"

Xander thought for a moment, putting his hands together, nodding silently. Valerie looked at her wrist and she bit her lip.

"OH, it seems that it's time for them to prepare me for the wedding, or something to that effect… Thank you Xander. I look forward to you saving me."

She chuckled a bit awkwardly and she squeezed a small item, and in a flash, she was gone. Xander let out a breath and let out a small chuckle, sitting down and folding his hands softly, placing them over his nose and mouth. Haruki seemed to know how to get under his skin, or just under the skin of others. The condescension, the crudeness, it was all so strange. Summoning his Sacred Gear, he tilted his head.

"Epsilon, do you… Have any ideas now that we've met him?"

"Haruki seemed very… He seemed like he knew how to dish out a verbal bashing… But he may not know how to take one. Anger, especially uncontrolled, can be a potent advantage."

"Hmm… Interesting… I won't do it unless he does it, but I do hope you'll help me think of mean things to say."

"Xander… Never change. The world needs people like you around. You hear me?"

"Yeah, I heard you… Thanks Dad…"

.

.

.

Hours later, Xander was brought to the location of the wedding. Being sat down on the bride's side, he got plenty of looks being in his black pants, tennis shoes, gray tank top, and black hoodie. He knew one should dress up for a wedding, but he came for a battle, not for a wedding. He spotted Haruki shortly after arriving, and he noticed the smug look on his face. Epsilon quietly spoke in his head.

"Looks just as douchey as earlier…"

"Epsilon… Stay quiet… And please don't say such things. He may be rude, but we don't have to insult him yet…"

Quietly, Xander watched things unfold. Seeing Valerie come out in a dress, her giving him a bit of a look. As she approached the front, and the wedding began, Xander wondered when he should stand. Sitting through the preamble by the priest, or whoever it was they had doing this, he waited. They got all the way to the vows, before Valerie spoke.

"Haruki Beelzebub… I… I do hope no one OBJECTS to this… It would be a total tragedy-"

Having heard the word, Xander stood up. Practicing what he'd said earlier. Epsilon had given him the ok, and Xander had planned on personalizing it just like Valerie said. And with something he heard from one of the shows his mother used to watch.

"I Object! Haruki Beelzebub, I challenge for the hand of my girl, Valerie Penning!!"

Now, at first, everyone froze. Valerie turned a deep shade of red for some reason, he thought because she might have been mad. That is, before Haruki began to laugh. The laugh started out as a quiet one and quickly became maniacal.

"OH my!! The little insect challenges me! I thought that this might happen from what happened earlier… Very well! I don't think we have a choice, but if we do… I accept your challenge, little insect!"

Haruki gave him a wide smile, and Valerie's father stood. He knew it was her father, because he'd walked her down the aisle and he'd kissed her cheek.

"Haruki, this is absurd…! The arena in our world isn't prepped! You couldn't possibly-"

He was cut off by the standing of a tall muscled man. He had cold eyes, a smile less conniving, but still fake like Haruki's, and his aura gave him away. This was Duran Beelzebub.

"Mister Penning, I must say… My family has an arena in the Dimensional Gap. I will gladly let the boys use it so that we may get this over with and continue the marriage! Does that sound fair to you?"

"Yes… I suppose it does. Very well, due to the customs of my people, the wedding is temporarily postponed! To the Beelzebjb Territory in the Dimensional Gap!"

Duran gathered the audience in a magical circle he made. Haruki grabbed Xander and gave him a smirk before firming his own circle. Suddenly, Haruki and Xander were in a large, dark brown, rocky field. Haruki took several steps away and he looked at Xander.

"Welcome to your tomb, insect… Or, I suppose I should know your name. What is it?"

"It's Xander… Xander Phillis."

"Well, Xander Phillis. You and I are about to do glorious battle, where you will lose. However, due to having trained her… I will have the advantage. So, you may have the first move. Come on and give it everything you ha-"

Haruki was cut off by Xander's Gear suddenly yelling, out "SILVER DRAGON, BALANCE BREAKER!"

In a flash, Xamder rushed forward, channeling an Obliterate into his arm before punching Haruki in the face and sending him flying. Due to all his Insect comments earlier, Xander decided it was time to bust out his own insults.

"Alright! It's your turn, Wannabe Beelzebub! Now you give it your best shot!"