It's been a very long time since I've updated this story. It's not that I wish to abandon it but it's getting harder and harder to lay the events out in a satisfactory manner. Is it writer's block? Maybe… Or perhaps it's time to move on to something else. But one thing's for sure, I'll continue it for as long as the muse inspires me. One can hope that Weiss will continue long into the future if nothing less than a cult favourite; or just as a good action show with pretty boys who kick butt.
Thank you to all of you who have been leaving reviews and motivational messages. I'm glad that you like the story Kris; I hope that the rest of it won't disappoint you too much. :lol:
Well, Aeris, it has been awhile but better late than never:grins: I agree that the girls' personalities still do not make riveting stuff but then again, it is largely the guys that so many people are focused on. However, the blank slates that are the girls can also make for a really interesting development. I just need to sit down and think about it some.
Thank you Akai, your thoughts have certainly returned my attention to the fic. True there's no big shounen-ai implications but there is some subtle humour based on the common 'pairings' in most Weiss fics.
Chapter 17: The Seals of FateBaron Rothschild's residence,
Evening
The Baron's eyes almost glowed with barely suppressed delight as he realised that his goal was one step closer to fulfilment. Majel had awoken from her 'sleep' and had seen the vision of the future. She seemed to pulse with power and Rothschild was greedily leeching it off her. Majel did not seem to mind his closeness but remained comfortably propped up in bed. Kanta had provided her with dinner but she ate little, preferring to indulge in the blood red wine that came with it.
"Are you well rested, my pet?" the Baron almost crooned to his lady witch.
"I am content, Baron." Majel smiled in reply. Her lips were upturned but her eyes remained cold. Rothschild returned the smile.
"You said that the Four Seals that guard the Great Demon have been weakened sufficiently to allow us to break it," Rothschild began. "Where, my dear, are they located? And how soon will we be able to begin the Resurrection?" The eagerness in his voice was palpable.
"Two of the Seals have been shattered. This happened when the Three Elders were defeated by Weiss and Schwarz. That is why the minions from the Nether Realm have been able to escape into this world. The Third Seal is located within the sacred grounds of the Atsuta-jinguu Shrine – its embodiment is that of the sacred sword "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi". The fourth Seal resides within the House of the Guardians. It would be easier to claim the Third Seal before destroying the Fourth Seal. That way, the Guardians will have more trouble with the increasing number of demons to hinder us from obtaining it," Majel stated.
Rothschild gave a cruel chuckle at the trouble that was brewing in the horizon for the Guardians. True, Weiss and Schwarz had 'helped' him in removing the Three Elders but it was not that he did not have a back-up plan ready. The problem had been satisfactorily eliminated and that was all that mattered. Now, the two groups and the Hunter were proving themselves to be his biggest obstacles in achieving his goal. Hopefully, the sheer number of demon minions would soon overwhelm them but Rothschild was not willing to bet on it.
The purpose of the Hunter was to eliminate the threat of the Great Demon; the Guardians, as the additional reinforcements to ensure that the Hunter's job was accomplished. Each Guardian carried within them a power of the spirit that was the antithesis of evil. This in turn came from the purity of their souls. It was almost laughable that these 'pure' souls were in fact assassins that walked in the shadows of the night. Sometimes, in the greater scheme of things, one cannot help but to question its twisted logic. Their very profession gave them an added edge – they would not hesitate to kill if it served their better interest.
Rothschild frowned as he realised the implications of this thought. He had no doubt that Schwarz would eliminate their foes without too much effort. It was Weiss that interested him more. They were hired vigilantes, the renegade white knights of this cruel modern day and age. And they possessed a higher degree of moral fibre than their 'black' counterparts. If they were the Guardians, they had certainly not manifested any form of supernatural or psychic ability. So what could they possibly have that warranted their status?
The Baron's thoughts were interrupted when a knock sounded on the door. It opened and Michiko sashayed in. She had a smug look on her face and without asking for permission, gracefully reclined at the foot of Majel's bed.
"You look like the cat who caught the canary, my dear," Rothschild said, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"Mmm, and a rather pretty canary at that," Michiko replied as she idly twirled the mirror's cord. "Our little sacrifice has the hots for one of the Guardians – not that I blame her. He's an absolute dream."
"I see that you have been busy with your own spying, Sister," Majel smirked. "So which of the Guardians have you targeted for your seductions?"
Michiko laughed, her voice carrying huskily throughout the room. Lifting the mirror high, she held it so that it caught the light and glinted sharply. To its viewers, a man's face appeared and the three of them smiled evilly.
Momoe-san's house,
Evening
"Ran!"
Blinking his eyes in surprise, the redhead leader of Weiss looked up to see the amused eyes of Crawford. Grimacing at the American, he turned towards the caller. A moment later, he was holding a plate with a slice of chocolate cake on it and a steaming mug of green tea. Nanami then moved on to serve Schuldig and Yoji.
"You looked totally spaced out, Abyssinian," came Crawford's low voice.
Ran's sole response was to send him the nastiest glare in his repertoire. As usual the effect on the ebony-haired man was lost. Crawford allowed himself to indulge in the confectionery. It was a little-known fact that Crawford had a thing for chocolate – the richer, the better. As he ate, he could not help but speculate the almost cordial atmosphere that permeated the place. It was almost soothing to be able to sit down and relax without worrying about when your enemy would strike you down. Crawford could barely remember the last time he had felt such peace.
Ran's thoughts were taking him down a similar path. The fact that his greatest enemy was currently sitting beside him and enjoying his slice of cake did not seem wrong in the slightest. Ran felt that he should be angry about it but could not muster sufficient annoyance to vent. There was something about this place that made him feel at home. Something that made it seem that he could expect to see his parents and sister walk in through the door and tease him for missing out on the fun they had had. That thought prompted him to rise. It seemed that the moment he did that, the spell broke. Now, Weiss and Schwarz watched each other tensely and waited to see who would make the first move.
"Leaving so soon, Ran? You haven't even tasted the cake."
The voice froze him in his tracks and as one they turned to take in the old woman who shuffled through the door. Seki followed after her and helped her sit down. Once she was comfortable, a large tabby cat leapt up and settled itself comfortably on its mistress' lap. She took in the expressions of those around her and almost laughed at the ones on Weiss' faces.
"Momoe-san?" Omi squeaked and Ken made a strange gurgling sound. Yoji looked dazed with his jaw open and Schuldig did not resist the opportunity reach over to shut it for him.
"Nice dental work, Kudou," came the smart reply but Yoji simply let it pass with a quick glare.
"How?" Ran's question was straightforward enough.
"Is it really that impossible after all the things you've witnessed?" Momoe-san replied her eyes twinkling with merriment. "Come now, can't you give this old lady a little credit for being a good actress?"
"All this time you were acting?" Ken managed to blurt out. "But Manx, Kritiker, everybody? Surely they must have checked up on your background?"
"Of course they did, Ken-san. I haven't led a life of intrigue for over fifty years, so what kind of dark secret could they have dug up, hmm?" Momoe-san asked matter of factly. "Kritiker needed a front for you boys, and I provided it for them. Quite amusing how they tried to explain the reasoning behind it, really. But I knew that by agreeing, I would be able to watch out for you four. It was sad when I had to let you go to stop the Summoning."
"Madam Momoe," Crawford's voice cut through the air, his demeanour now the authoritative Schwarz leader. "Can you explain to the rest of us the purpose of this visit? I doubt we're here to simply have tea and make polite conversation."
"Ever the businessman, Crawford-san," Momoe-san chuckled as the American's face began to frown. "All in good time. But first, I must ask you if your visions have begun to affect you adversely."
Cawford paled slightly and that satisfied the old woman. Ran's eyes had widened and his jaw tightened. Momoe-san noted the redhead's expression and smiled ruefully. It was such a pity to have had to resort to such things, but if she had not, they would not be here.
"The visions are strong for those who have the ability to see the future. Or for those whose reason for living lies with its saviour," Momoe-san said quietly. "The both of you had it because of that. I am sorry that it had to be a great burden to you both, but there is a reason for it. It points to a path that you must take so as to prevent a great evil from befalling the world."
"This world should be cleansed of its impurities, old woman!" Farfarello's voice boomed throughout the silence of the room and a few of them winced at it. "The Lord has allowed the transgressions of his creation pollute and befoul the earth. It is fit for none but the spawn of Satan!"
Everybody else but Momoe-san began to look edgy. Both Yoji and Schuldig who were nearer to the Irishman, started to inch away from the now wild-eyed man. One could not help but to admire the way Momoe-san remained unruffled. Continuing to stroke her cat, she quietly faced the white-haired man.
"Perhaps it may seem that way to you, Farfarello-san," Momoe-san said softly. "However, the end of the world is not to be determined by one man. If the end were to eventually come, it should come from God Himself, should it not? Your anger towards God is misplaced, Farfarello. Perhaps one day you will find the wisdom to face the truth behind that rage."
For a moment, nothing happened. Schuldig and Crawford were speechless in shock while the others were confused at what was happening. The next was a sudden blur as the berserker's rage broke. Before Nagi could respond to Crawford's cry to restrain Farfarello, the berserker had stopped before the old woman with his unsheathed blade poised for the downward plunge. It was only then that they realised why. Nanami was pointing a gun at him, its sight trained unerringly between the man's eyes.
"I know that you don't feel pain, Farfarello," Nanmi's voice was cold and deadly with intent. "That's why I won't waste my bullets trying to slow you down. After all, isn't a bullet to the brain the quickest way for dealing with troublesome people?"
The room's temperature was below freezing as the words left the girl's mouth. The way she handled the situation was proof that she meant business. Even Crawford was impressed at her cool and professional dealing with the Irishman. Mentally, he made a note that he would get Schuldig and Nagi to hang the idiot in cell for the duration of the week. No one said anything and the silence was a thick smothering blanket over the company. Finally, Farfarello backed down by slowly stepping back and sheathing his blade. It was only when he returned to his corner that the tension began to dissipate.
Nanami returned to gun to wherever it was hidden on her person and remained stiff and forbidding. Seki had remained silent throughout the incident. He too, returned his weapon discreetly and returned his attention to the room. Ken, Omi and Nagi looked ill while Yoji held pained expression on his face. The remaining men were pale but betrayed no other emotion. It was at this moment that Seki realised that one of their members was missing. Turning to look, he could not see her. Trusting Nanami to handle things in his absence, he went off in search of the elusive Hunter.
He eventually found her in the training room staring at the assorted martial arts books. He made his way to stand beside her and watched her. Finally unable to bear the stare he was giving her, Aya turned to face him.
"I know," was her simple reply.
"Then why don't you?" he asked her.
"I don't know? Insecure? Anxiety? Fear?" came the low reply. "Momoe-san told me not to worry but that's like telling a drowning man not to reach for a float."
"Only because you see it as such. Your brother is almost ready to tear the walls down to look for you. I'm hoping you would see him before the repair bills become too expensive," came the teasing reply.
Aya chuckled softly. "'Nii-san would do that, wouldn't he?" she agreed, her eyes now seeing as if into a memory.
"Aa."
Aya knew Seki was right. She could not spend her whole life trying to avoid her Guardians. They needed each other to survive this approaching calamity. Her silly pride and childishness was doing nothing to save the situation. Only by facing up to it will she ever hope of doing better in her role as the Hunter. The image of Huo Long flashed through her mind and she gritted her teeth. To run away was to let him win - and Aya was a very sore loser.
"Hey, Seki!" she called out. "What're you waiting for? We've got guests to meet and evil demons to kill!"
Seki grinned and followed the now perky Hunter back to the living room. As he entered, he saw that they were now staring at him, or rather the person beside him. Ran quickly stood up and moved forward. Allowing a warm smile to cross his face, Seki reached to pull the lightly blushing girl further out.
"Everybody, I would like to introduce the Hunter – Fujimiya Aya."
Author's Notes: So they finally meet face-to-face! What could possibly happen now? And what about the fate of the remaining Seals? The so-called sacred sword known as "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi" (grass-cutting sword) does exist. It is one of the Imperial treasures residing in the Atsuta-jinguu Shrine. Unlike the publicly displayed British Crown Jewels, these are only seen by the emperor and a few chosen Shinto priests. It is said to have been handed down to the Imperial family by the goddess Amaterasu Oomikami. And the Fourth Seal is sitting somewhere in Momoe-san's house. So where can it possibly be hiding? You'll have to wait and see.
I've certainly been dawdling with the Aya/Guardians meeting. Well, some of you wanted to see more of the Wyrd Twins as well as wonder where the baddies fit into the grand scheme of things. I'm writing like I would for an anime series. Each chapter is supposed to play itself out and at the same time fulfil its purpose in presenting the story. I hope you guys can bear with me on this. The next chapter will involve some excitement and we'll get to see how Weiss & Schwarz try to handle their roles as Guardians. Hopefully, that is…
So drop me a note and I'll do my best to answer your questions without spoilers. Till then, ja mata ne!