Heart of the Melting Blood
Legend of the Moonlight
Written and conceived by: Lone Wolf NEO
Lone Wolf NEO does not own any of all the games or anime or manga featured in this story, but he owns the copyright to all his original ideas in this fiction. Lone Wolf would really appreciate it if readers do not plagiaries everything inside this story without his knowledge.
Chronological Note: Heart of the Melting Blood: Legend of the Moonlight takes place scarcely half a year after the event in Heart of the Melting Blood RELOADED, and currently runs roughly in parallel with Guilty Gear: The World Within and Without written and created by Sheo Darren. This story takes place in the TYPE MOON universe, and happens at Misaki Town where the events of Shingetsusan Tsukihime once took place.
Chapter 6
Fatal Resolution
He was not saying anything. All he did was to sit idle on the couch, staring at the table in front of him and stooped his head. Sitting across him, the Vatican agent was watching at him in concern, occasionally blowing into the coffee cup she was holding.
"So, Alex-kun," Ciel finally broke off the silence and put down the ceramic glass. "You really didn't know what happened to you or them at the park?" He did not answer. He kept staring at the table, fiddling with his fingers and mumbling of something. She just sighed and corrected her eyeglasses, before staring at him. "Did you really not know, or were you trying to hide something from me, Alex-kun?"
"I did not hide anything," he finally spoke and violently scratched his head, "I have nothing to hide from you at all. Please believe in me, Miss Ciel."
"Now, now, Alex-kun, I didn't mean to suspect you, or accuse you on what happened there," she insisted and sighed again. "Because if I were, I would've used my authority as the church organization's agent to punish you. I don't want to do that on you; I won't."
"It… it wasn't supposed to happen," he spoke and frowned. "It wasn't, and I didn't want to make it happen, but I couldn't stop myself…"
"Why did you say that?" she asked.
"I had no idea of what happened to me… but in the sudden," he spoke and stared at his palms, "I felt this urge… this urge to kill… rising inside of me. I tried not to succumb to it, but I couldn't; it's just too strong for me to resist…" Then he cupped his face and slumped into depression.
"I tell you what," Ciel told him and put another glass of coffee in front of him, "take a rest. Maybe your body still isn't getting used to the environment of this town, and I'm sure it is. Ne?" He just nodded and took the glass. "Then I better take my sleep now. Are you sure you don't want to use the room next to mine? I can have it prepared if you want to."
"No, thanks. I think I'll stay up for tonight," he said and sipped the coffee.
She just nodded and headed to her bedroom. "Ja, oyasuminasai." She waved at him and entered the room, leaving him in a silence only he could apprehend with. He was not saying anything for the next few seconds before he clenched his fist and shook his head disapprovingly.
"Why must now…?"
x-x
Shiki sighed. He had received phone call from Ciel that Alex would be staying at her place for a night or two, due to unavoidable circumstances. He did not mind it if Alex had to stay outside or had something prior to his importance, yet he was wary when Ciel told him that Alex was having problems with the neighbourhood and had to be accompanied by her for the night. He was not the only one who concerned; Hisui, Ren and Sion too were upset to hear the news.
"Thinking about our lone wolf of holy orders, eh Shiki?" He turned around and could only smile at the sight he saw. "You know, for the one who was once Kiba-chan's acquaintance, you must have a lot to think about him and whatever he's doing right now, am I right?"
"I'd rather not talk about that, though, Arcueid," he said and approached the fridge, taking out a carton of milk and drinking its content. "And why are you asking that of all questions, if I must know?"
Arcueid giggled and sat beside the dining table, taking a sip of the Diet Cola she took from the fridge. "Why, I'm just curious. Aw, don't tell me you're jealous of Kiba-chan because he has lots of people –and girls- assisting him, hmm?" she playfully asked.
"That would be no, unfortunately," he answered, smiling uneasily at the question. "Speaking of which, Hisui complained to me again."
"Oh? What did she nitpick this time?" Arcueid asked, staring at him in curiosity.
"It's Alex," he said. "Ciel just called me a while ago; she told me that Alex would be staying at her place for a night, and she didn't tell me the reason. What's your thought about this?"
The True Ancestor scratched her chin, as if she was thinking of something. "Could it be that?" She later noticed the disgraced look on Shiki's face, and she realized that she was playing with fire. "That was only a joke. But if you ask me… could Alex have been caught in trouble, and Ciel was there to save him or something?"
"That's what I was thinking after the phone call," he said and tossed the empty carton into the dustbin. "Anyway, I'm not the only one worried over Alex. Sion and Hisui were upset when I told them that Alex wouldn't be coming home tonight; heck, even Ren refused to talk to me after that."
"Now, now, Shiki," Arcueid uttered and finished the canned drink. "If I were you, I'd asked her of why she was worried of him. I'm sure she has her reason to be upset."
The Tohno heir just sighed and stared outside the window. "I guess you're right."
x-x-x-x-x
"Hey, Alex! How long must you take to kill that Gear? We're going home in any minutes, so do it quickly!" Rage shouted from on top of body piles.
The young knight lost his concentration and shouted at his fellow knight in dismay. "Shut up, Logan! Can't you see I'm trying to attack this dragon?" he shouted as he lowered his stance. The Gear dragon made a deafening roar and flapped its wings in an intimidating pose, ready to strike upon the knight. "Just when I was about to score the highest kill for today, why must you interfere?"
The axe-wielding knight laughed hoarsely and holstered the war axe upon his shoulder. "Come on, Alex! You know you can't do it alone. Why don't you ask one of us to help, hmm?"
"Let him be, Logan," a knight who was carrying a battle crossbow approached him, "he knows what he must do. And besides, have you looked at his eyes?"
"Why are you asking that, Henry?" Logan asked, glancing at the archer.
"His eyes are full of anticipation and ambition," the archer spoke and watched, as the duel between Alex and the Gear dragon was to take place. The two warriors of their own kind were ready; ready to outdo and outwit each other on the battle everybody had wanted to avoid, yet couldn't.
The dragon roared. It fired a stream of flamethrower from its mouth, aiming the arsenal of fury at Alex. The young knight screamed a battle cry, gallantly jumped over the jet of 500-degrees inferno and pounced at the dragon's head. The beast of ancient epoch screamed in agony when a blade was pierced unto its forehead and it violently swayed its head to the left and right, trying to get the human off its head. Alex persisted and held onto Black Sabbath he stabbed into the dragon's head.
"I shall finish this!"
Alex gathered his strength and dragged the blade across the dragon's head, brought it toward the neck and dragged it downward. The dragon roared in pain and tried to snatch the knight, yet he was already too far for its mighty arms to reach. He soon reached the heart of the dragon and halted; as if he was not going to continue, he suddenly twisted and brought himself into the beast's chest, penetrating all internal organs with the blade. As if it was not enough, he jumped out of the cavity, landed before the shivering dragon and lowered his stance.
"Are you…"
He pounced back at the dragon, disappeared in the thin air and re-emerged behind it, Black Sabbath in backward position. Slow as he could, he stood up and put the kodachi into its scabbard.
"Awake in your sleep?"
The dragon was slain across its body, before shattered into pieces of cleanly cut flesh and bone. Alex was erect on the ground, closing his eyes as if he was meditating on something. Then he opened his eyes and glanced at the waiting knights.
"Let's go home," he said and walked toward the sunset, "I bet everyone must be awaiting our arrival."
x-x
He opened his eyes. He was lying on the couch, arm above his forehead and newspaper covering his eyes. He was in the state of bewilderment, having no idea of what to do now nor next. He just lied there and waited for time to pass by. "That wasn't the kind of dream I wanted to have in the first place," he grumbled and closed his eyes.
"Ohayou, Alex-kun."
He removed his arm and saw a pair of sapphire eyes staring down at him, accompanied with a smile warm enough to wake him up. "Ohayou," he lazily replied and sat back. "You're early; and what business you have in waking me up?"
She giggled and showed him the alarm clock. "It's almost eight; and I do believe you have a job to attend today, right?" she asked.
For a while, he stared at her in intrigue before he shrugged and jumped off the couch. "Right; I better be hurry, or the kids will be mad if I'm late."
x-x
"But to know that a former knight decided to work at the kindergarten, I must say that you're quite lovable to the children," Ciel said. "Why, if I must ask, are you interested?"
"It was Akiko and Ayu," he told her. "Those two girls… I had promised them to teach them origami at the kindergarten; even if I didn't accept the work proposal in the first place, I felt that I need to do something for these young generations."
"Ah, I see," she said and smiled, nodding as she did. "You really do like children; I'm just hoping you're not going to become a paedophile."
He twitched at the comment. "I'd rather die than to let myself becoming a Lolikon, Miss Ciel. And I'm not like a certain person who denies the fact, and yet let a girl way too young for regular people's test to accompany him. No, I'm not that kind of people."
Back at London, Sol suddenly sneezed while enjoying ice cream with Kagura. "Suck; someone must be badmouthing me at the back right now," he complained and wiped off ice cream from his face.
"Aw, Sol-kun, your face is now dirty," Kagura mumbled and gave him her hankie. "Here, use this."
"Thanks," he said and took the cloth. "Damn; whoever messes with me is bound to taste my Fireseal's flame."
Ciel laughed to hear the reply. "Ara, I must apology if I have somewhat insulted you with my words," she spoke between her chuckles.
"Nah, I'm used to it. It's people nowadays who need to change their first perception," he told her.
"Well, here we are," he uttered, as the two people finally arrived at the kindergarten. "Thanks for accompanying me, Miss Ciel. Though I would've walked here by myself, I'm very grateful to have someone walking and talking with me on the way here."
She just chuckled and handed him the envelope. "Don't mention it; it's my pleasure to help Lone Wolf-kun's people," she said and smiled.
"Well, then, I'll see you again this evening," he told her after taking back the envelope. "Later."
Just then, he heard his name called when he was at the front door. He turned back to the gate and saw Ciel showing a thumb-up at him. "Good luck on your first day, Alex-kun!" she said and waved. He nodded and waved back at her, before entering the building.
x-x
It was evening. Before he knew it, his first day at new workplace ended, and he was pleased. The children at the kindergarten seemed to accept his presence as new instructor, even though some of them complained of his late arrival.
"I was very happy to see you working here, Alexander-san," Yuriko spoke as she accompanied him to the main gate, while Akiko and Ayu tagged with them together. "To tell you the truth, I was very unsure whether you could adapt yourself in such environment, but you proved yourself a worthy educator back there. I must thank you for accepting this job."
"No big deal, ma'am," he said and laughed. "I'm just doing what I feel right to do. And the kids, they even asked me to stay here."
"Sou! Sou!" Akiko answered and seized his arms. "Oniichan can make lots and lots of paper cranes for us afterwards! And he can treat us with ice creams! Ne, Ayu-chan?"
The short-haired girl giggled and seized his other arm. "Oniichan is a nice guy, though we saw him coming here with a woman earlier this morning. Is she your girlfriend, oniichan? Is she?"
"Miss Sion will kill me if she hears this," he mumbled and laughed uneasily.
The group separated at the crossroads. "Then I'll be meeting you again, Alexander-san. Oh, I'm hoping to see you coming up with something for tomorrow's class; you're quite impressive in teaching the kids, but you should have something to assist."
"Don't worry about that, ma'am. I just know what to do for the kids tomorrow," he assured and glanced at the two girls. "Ayu-chan, Akiko-chan, oniichan will be going home now. Be nice on the way home, and remember what I said earlier during class."
"Never talk with strangers," and the three of them laughed in unison.
Ayu and Akiko bowed to him. "Bye-bye, oniichan! See you tomorrow!" the young girls said and waved before followed their custodian across the road. Alex just waved at them in return before continued his journey to Tohno Residence.
His steps halted. He stood idle on the pavement, warily glancing over his shoulders. As if he was not expecting it to happen, he slowly opened his stance, even as assassins leaped from their hiding places and surrounded him en masse.
"Not again."
"Yes, it is." He grumbled in disgust at the voice, and did not turn around to see the comer. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy to finally meet and fight me in this duel, Lone Wolf?"
"I have nothing against you or anybody, so why must you look for trouble with me?" he replied. He heard a grim laughter, and he wasn't pleased with the response. "Answer me! Logan!"
"Still calling me with that name, eh?" Rage asked, his intonation was mocking. "I tell you what; you and your holy knight status has been an irk to everyone from the day you were admitted to the orders, and you must know that all were against you."
"That was things from the past!" He pounced toward an assassin and seized his katars. He immediately opened a stance, watching at the axe warrior in anger.
Rage laughed and put down the oversized axe to the ground. "Ah, yes. I almost forgot one crucial fact: lone wolf Alexander Hahn was an assassin, feared for his Warrior's Berserk. But even with that, I doubt you would even remember what had you done to us." Alex was insulted and lowered his stance even lower, almost touching the ground. He watched the displeased reaction and sighed. "Whatever. I shall carry out Mistress' orders to exterminate you and erase you out of existence. Attack him, and kill him."
The assassins complied to the command, and simultaneously they dashed around the lone wolf, accelerating as they did. Alex immediately opened his steps and attacked the assassins, knocking each and everyone of them out of arena as he advanced himself toward Rage. He was an angry wolf, with an appetite for bloodshed he could not resist.
He screamed in bloodlust and jumped over the assassins, heading toward Rage. "Logan, I demand you to stop this, or I'll make you!" he yelled aloud and aimed for his head.
Rage laughed mockingly and spun the axe in his hand. "Like I want to obey that! Prepare for your history and have a taste of this Battle Emperor Axe!"
Alex kept pouncing toward the axe warrior when his eyes caught something not supposed to be included in the scene. A schoolgirl, walking near the arena and not noticing the duel that was taking place. He was about to scream at the girl when Rage slammed the axe onto the ground, unleashing a series of wind blades from crevasses. The impact was so immense that almost all the assassins were knocked out, and one of its shockwaves was hurling toward the unsuspecting victim.
"WATCH OUT!"
Having forced to switch his focus, he flung himself toward the girl and pushed her faraway. The wind blade struck, and he was sent crashing on the nearby statue. The girl, confused at first, cried in terror and immediately approached him, calling out his name as she did. Slowly he got back on foot before he fell back on his knees, coughing of blood and gasping for air.
"Bah! Not the consequences I want to see," Rage snorted and holstered the axe on his shoulder. "But whatever; I shall finish this!" Rage cried a final battle cry and leapt toward him, lifting the war axe high to the air.
"BEAST SLAYING SLASH!"
The attack was blocked. Rage was knocked out of his attacking path and almost crashed. Alex watched in front of him and almost gasped at what he saw.
"Miss… Ciel?"
The owner of the multiple blades glanced back at him. "Are you alright? Thank goodness I arrived here in time," she spoke and looked back at Rage. "Things aren't going good for you right now."
"That's not the main point! What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Alex-kun, I advice you not to argue with me right now," Ciel uttered and withdrew a couple more swords from her sleeves. "If you don't want to see you and the girl getting hurt, then leave. Leave the enemy to me."
"You again? Just when I was about to finish off this job," Rage snorted as he got back on his feet. "You have guts, but that kind of attitude isn't going to help; not when you're dealing with me!" Again, he pounced at Alex when Ciel tossed many blades at him in salvoes. He was pushed back and grumbled in dismay, as his opponent opened a battle stance strange to him. "Nice. Looks like I have to play a bit rough this evening. Everyone, attack her."
"Alex-kun! Run quickly! And don't try not to listen to me this time; it's for your own sake!" she shouted and evaded attacks an assassin tried to land unto her. He could not do anything not to fight back, and he had to run away from the scene, helped by the frightened girl.
He was in luck.
Saber, Shirou and Illiya happened to walk at the park when he stumbled across them. Immediately he caught up with them and handed the schoolgirl to them. "Take care of her for me; I'll be back!" he shouted and ran back to the arena. The three people watched at him in suspicion before they decided to follow him.
He arrived back at the arena, and was in shock. Ciel was lying on the road, half-conscious. Rage was standing next to her gallantly, even though his uniform was ripped off. He cried out the Vatican agent's name in horror and leapt toward her when Rage stopped him midway with another wind blade. "Logan! What have you done to Miss Ciel!" he screamed.
"She asked for it, though I tried my best not to kill her," Rage answered and cracked his neck. "But it was her fault to meddle with the Six Judges, and I had to teach her a lesson she would not be able to forget. That is…"
"Stop this…" he growled and stooped his head so low that Rage barely saw his trembling eyes. His fists clenched, shaken with anger and annoyance he never thought to have. Slowly he reached a katana plunged on the road, lifted it and held it erect. Rage laughed again and lifted his axe, ready to pounce at his prey. Then he was suddenly pushed back, suppressed by an intense killing instinct that came from Alex. Even Saber, Shirou and Illiya sensed the aura and were caught in fear they never felt before.
"This…" Rage gasped. "This is the Warrior's…"
"Stop this…" he growled and halted. Slowly he lifted his head, revealing a pair of eyes full of anger and hatred, shrouded in the thick killing intention he possessed. "I SAID STOP THIS AT ONCE! LOGAN!"
A deafening noise echoed in the evening sky. Two metal blades were collided and ground against each other. It happened too fast for everyone to watch and experience, and all they felt was only a slipstream blowing past them. It was a slipstream they never felt before, and was the most terrifying they ever sensed.
It was over. The mighty Battle Emperor Axe fell victim to the mere katana, and was shattered into pieces. Alex stood behind Rage in crouching pose, the katana brought in backhand slaying position. The axe warrior was stunned by the slipstream and lost his grip on the now-destroyed battle axe before he fell on his knees. "No… I, the First of the Six Great Judges, have been defeated… this is impossible…!" he spoke, his voice deteriorated.
"Fatal resolution…" the lone wolf whispered and stood up, glowering at the injured and bewildered judge. "It's not something you would take seriously, and I swear I shall kill those who deny it with my very own hands." He turned around, tossed the katana and walked away from them. It was only several steps later that he halted and ran back toward Rage, delivering a punch onto his face. He, as well as the rest of the people, were shocked at what he had done. "Damn you! This is not the Logan I know!" he cried and again punched his face.
"Lone Wolf, what's the meaning of all this?" Rage demanded and again got punched in the middle of his face, breaking his nose. He was knocked to the ground and was subdued when Alex prodded a knife on his neck. "Lone… Alex, what are you trying to… do?" he asked, gulping when the sharp edge was pressed against his skin.
"Goddammit! Logan I know would never give up even after he lost his weapon!" Alex cried at his face. "And why didn't you even bother to retaliate back then! Curse, this isn't like you!"
Silence for a while, Rage later gave out his hoarse laugh and brought the hand that held the knife aside. "Jeez, looks like I made a mistake in doing this job; I just turned a timid puppy into a big, bad wolf," he said and put his hand on his forehead. "A defeated person like me has no place to go now; I must now obey the blood contract I offered to Mistress; leave if you fail, and never let me see your face again, or you shall receive the consequences.' I guess I'm all alone now."
"Not anymore." Rage glanced up and saw a smile carved upon the calmed down wolf, even as he was offered a hand to grab. "Welcome back, Logan. Glad to see you in one piece again."
Rage grinned and seized the hand. "Yeah, I'm back."
