Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, everyone, I've been stuck in the university with much misfortune. But here's the new chapter, which will take us even closer to the end of this fic. Not to worry, though; I will continue to write Sano/Sayo fics; in fact I already have a plot for the next one. So anyway, I would like to request an open mind for this chapter, as there are many quotes taken from the Bible for this specific part. For those who'll flame, if ever, all you have to do is look up the said verses for evidence; I won't entertain your complaints with regards to our (Sayo, Shouzo and of course myself) beliefs anymore. I never liked debating anyway, most especially if it would be about beliefs and truths. =P

(1) – John 3:16
(2) – Philippians 1:21
(3) – 1 Thessalonians 4:14
(4) – 1 Thessalonians 5:2
(5) – Matthew 24:29-30
(6) – Mark 11:22-23

Don't Play With Fire

Chapter Thirteen – Unshakable Faith

"Ah, the power of love," the Devil taunted as he saw the young woman move towards the fallen warrior, disbelief painted on her features. He folded his arms in front of his chest smugly, satisfied at the game he was playing. Shouzo Rorenzo was down; so was Sanosuke Sagara. What was left… was a defenseless Christian woman who used to have tuberculosis.

She looked up at him, anguish in her eyes. But she pushed that emotion aside as she rose up to confront the entity of evil who was causing them too much strife. "Don't underestimate it," she told him as she stood firm on her spot. "It was the power of love that---"

The demon smiled. "That doomed you. All of you."

A groan echoed from behind the Christian preacher, and she was relieved that Sanosuke was coming to. She then returned her attention to their enemy, her ravishing green eyes narrowing considerably. "It was love that saved us sinners from your evil clutches," she stated sternly to prove her point. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.(1)"

"But you still die," the Devil objected, smiling in amusement at the way the other was handling the situation. After all, she was trying to be smart. "Your bodies deteriorate, and you land inside a funeral box. Then you get buried under the earth. Is that what you call salvation?"

"What is life? It's Christ. Death will bring more.(2)"

"Tsk, tsk. How delusional are you, little one. You believe that death is something that brings more life, so to speak, but tell me, does it really? What about your friend Shouzo? You're not going to see him again, not ever. Is that what you call life?"

She met his challenging gaze. "We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him,(3)" she answered, taking yet another step forward. "We will all be together, living happily in the kingdom of God after Christ's return and his glorious reign of a thousand years. That's what we call life."

He smiled in reply, thoroughly enjoying their conversation and the witty responses he was getting. Not that he was buying what she was saying; but it was entertainment for his part, nonetheless. "But how long will you have to endure? Two thousand years? Three thousand years? Four thousand years?"

"The Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night,(4)" Sayo replied, once again quoting another verse from the Bible and taking yet another step forward, her faith causing all her fears to disappear. She had full trust in their God that she did not hesitate even the slightest bit to proclaim what she believed in. "The sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky; and all the peoples of earth will weep as they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.(5)"

"Such faith you have on your God."

She knew it was meant to be an insult, and her eyes narrowed even more at that. But the Devil's words did not scare her in any way. "Jesus said, 'Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.'(6) And that is what I believe in. With God, nothing is impossible."

Balls of fire began to form and circle her adversary, seemingly preparing for an attack. Sanosuke, on the other hand, was looking up at her in awe, having heard everything she declared with regards to her faith in the God the Christians worship. Her proclamation came without a hint of fear, with so much confidence that he had never seen on her before.

Or perhaps, it was something he failed to see.

"Oh yes, such faith," the Devil's voice returned, as disdainful as always. By then, the fireballs merged to form even bigger ones, ready to throw themselves into their target at the slightest command. "But I'm afraid I've never believed that. Well, why don't we take things for a test run? Let's see your God, who you say can do the impossible, save you now!"

"Sayo!" Sanosuke screamed in helplessness as the balls of fire flung themselves towards her.