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FICTION

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Chapter 20: Road to the Serenissima, Part 1

Arcueid Brunestud was not a stupid girl.

She knew better than just being too at ease or too confident within an environment that wasn't just hostile to her, but also filled with individuals that were incredibly dangerous to threaten or engage in combat. But what really had her stay put as she got questioned and drilled into answering questions was the very individual that had beaten her. After all, Kujo Sakura had done more than enough to warrant her (temporary) submission. Sure, Arcueid didn't like thinking that she lost and that she had to now respect the victory, yet she had already dealt with that hypothesis before that fight. For as much as she thought herself stronger by natural means, she knew that there had always been an abysmal chance of defeat. And she had long been taught to be prepared for the worst whenever it came to her or her allies.

It had been a bitter lesson to teach to her, but one that had sense. Brunestud of the Crimson Moon was expected to win against Zelretch, yet the Type-Moon lost against him. And now things were as they were now. New rules to keep an eye on, new situations- humans were more threatening than before and, perhaps the most dangerous aspect of it all (and most refreshing), the blonde vampire was free to do whatever she wanted until it became problematic to bigger organizations. And right now, Arcueid felt the need to enjoy some intriguing questioning and even more fascinating plotting about a take over for some group.

Still, the interrogation was-

"I don't trust you."

Tedious.

While Sakura was rightfully upset with her and the pinkette called Trish was hesitant but somewhat adoring of her, the 'little nun' known as Caren was behaving in quite the unnerving way. And she knew it. While she could handle the first two girls, this last one had her nerves grating harshly with her comments and crafty remarks which left the blonde… upset.

"Can't we?" Trish inquired, conflicting over this perspective, but quickly shot down by Caren herself.

"This is Arcueid Brunestud, her predecessor was known to be the creator of Vampires and the one that came quite close to conquering the world," The silver-haired girl pointed out. "While I understand that you may found this unimportant to characterize her, let's just say that most vampires-"

"Lack humanity," Sakura concluded for her, still staring at Arcueid and Arcueid staring back at her. "Yet, I think this one does have a degree of that for being that stupid."

Now, that's not nice to say- but it's technically true, I think I could have handled this a bit better.

Still, this landed her on some hot water with the entire circumstance regardless of how 'helpful' that detail was. She was an aggressor and one that was currently at the mercy of those she attacked. And right now, she had nothing to complain about. Imprisonment like this sure felt quite nice, especially with how soft the pillow under her was.

Did humanity really create the softest pillow ever? Impressive.

"So, why did you attack me?" Sakura asked again, this being the fifth time she asked her that. "You've danced around the question for a while now, and I'm losing my patience."

"As I said, because I could and I wanted to," The vampire replied flatly, as if there was nothing wrong with the fairly curt response. "I don't see any reason to be confused about it."

"From someone with a 'great family', you just plotted something as silly as that," Caren harshly accused and Arcueid huffed.

"It's not silly- for me, at least. I was driven by purpose within instinct. I challenged someone I saw in my sleep- someone that could match my power and give me some fun through fighting."

Trish frowned at this rebuttal. "Isn't that a bit too excessive? Fun through hurting?"

"Fighting is fighting and-"

"True Vampires are known to be individuals driven by instinct first and foremost," A new voice piped in, and Arcueid's red eyes trailed off from Sakura and landed on someone that instantly had her tense up.

It wasn't because the man looked or had taken a threatening stance or look, but because she could perceive the immense potential held within this… was this even a human? What was she looking at? It felt close to Zelretch to a degree, but at the same time he wasn't. The mask did a fine job to cover his identity, yet she could feel something else was being hidden by it. Quite the peculiar tool to use when one needs that much secrecy.

"That's… correct."

"Arlecchino," He introduced himself. "And I will be around whenever Sakura requires assistance on a threatening affair."

"You weren't there when I fought her," The blonde argued and the masked figure nodded.

"I had to handle a few intruders seeking to interrupt the fight and use it as a means to capture my ward, Kujo Sakura."

The plum-haired girl's eyes narrowed at this, but she uttered no word. That, to Arcueid, sounded like a topic the fellow girl didn't like to even listen to but had already been discussed about. The vampire could only blink at this and focus on the issue at hand.

"And what do you think of me?"

"… Considering what I know about Zelretch? You are not to worry about, not until provoked."

The sentence stunned the four girls as they all looked confused by the overall confidence displayed by the mysterious man.

Sakura just frowned at this. "Are you sure about this, Arlecchino?"

"Quite certain of it, yes," He remarked. "Of course, Lady Arcueid is known to be quite capricious and will possibly be threatening in the form of greedy remarks and requests."

That's not nice.

But it wasn't wrong. While she didn't like for that to be remarked in any sort of way, Arcueid knew her behavior could get quite abrasive in that regard. Yet, she was the Princess of the Crimson Moon and had reason to accept her claim as someone superior to others.

"Which is why I brought some ice cream to calm down some unease between all of you," He continued with a pleased hum leaving his throat while showing the small tray with cream-filled cups.

Trish quickly snatched one and Sakura followed next while thanking the man and causing the pinkette to apologetically deliver a late 'thank you'. Caren hesitated at this bizarre development, but reached out for one of the cups and left just one for the Vampire Princess. The blonde didn't hesitate for a moment, her belly rumbling in hunger and seeing the sweet treat she grew addicted to only made her wanting it more than normal. And she was soon softened by the little gift which she accepted with a chirpy 'thank you. Yet, she soon learned that there was a catch to this little peace offering effort.

"Although, I would like for you to be a bit more direct, Lady Arcueid. I understand you prefer the intriguing factor of withholding information and to leave through only the basics, but understand your position is far from favorable to play such antics."

...Drat.

The man left shortly after, but these last words drew in her a sense of renewed upset and unease… while also teasing the others to press her about what he meant with that remark. And soon the truth did come out to appease the growing suspicions within the rest of the girls.

"Before awakening, I had visions of fighting someone that used a Shadow to fight. A powerful shadow that is able to match my power and eventually beat me. I knew not your name, but I felt you- I felt your power, the odd darkness in you and sought to fight you."

"Visions?" Trish interjected with a surprised tone. "You mean to tell me you just attacked Sakura because you saw her in some visions?"

"Yes," The blonde admitted dryly.

"That's still- why did you think that fighting her was that important?" Caren pointed out. "Why not just limit yourself to see her from afar or-"

"What's the point of wanting to know someone like that and not fight them to see their true potential?" Arcueid interrupted half-angrily. "I get your irritation at the notion that I, a vampire, can act on primal instinct, but it is a known fact that a true fight brings out the true face of someone. Their motivations, their personalities- anything that normally would be cautiously held back from strangers is set to manifest out of personal desire. We all want to clash to the fullest, hence why fighting Sakura was necessary to have answers to my questions."

"...That sounds stupid," Sakura remarked dryly, getting an annoyed look from the vampire. "What? Do you really think I would just believe it was just that? I can tell you were getting amused by that battle. It wasn't just a 'source for answers', you were craving to fight- you were itching for it, all for amusement. Maybe at first it was like you said, but I saw none of that intellectual excuses mid-combat. You were into it, you just wanted to pick a fight with someone you knew was as strong if not stronger than you."

The vampire's jaw dropped at this. Initially she had been miffed at that accusation, but the more Sakura elaborated, the more the blonde vampire could see how genuinely honest of a view this one was. Yes, she hadn't lied about that being the driving force within that fight, but she had willingly let out the fact it wasn't what pushed her to continue fighting. And Sakura noticed that through the very excuse she advanced to start it. And while part of her wanted to push back at this, her instinct called again as a pretty smile adorned her visage.

"Yep. But so were you?"

At this point, a rebuttal was expected from Sakura, but, much to the surprise of Caren and Trish, the plum-haired girl didn't say a word after that, looking away and leaving the accusation to hang over her head.

Arcueid knew she had hit the right spot and… soon the conversation ended with Arlecchino returning to tell them they were moving out of the building to resume their 'trip' in the north.

"Y-you will never get to the Boss!"

One last meaningful act of resistance… yet it was the same as the rest. Or most.

A tall man of muscular build stood over the fool. He wore a black, hood-like headpiece from which had several tiny, metallic spheres hanging from it, bearing letters that concluded with his name up his name. Risotto. The peculiar hat flawlessly hid his hair, but it did nothing to hide his once black and now white locks that almost reached down to his eyebrows. red-eyed, his scleras were completely black. His chest was partially exposed as he donned a long, black coat with straps crossing his chest in an X style. His pants had thick horizontal stripes of black and white akin to a prisoner's outfit.

Risotto Nero sighed as the scum he just slain crumbled before his gaze, putting an end to the small loyalist faction in Ravenna. Most of the Passione branch in the region was already loyal to him due to the few promises he made towards them. The southern regions were a little more hesitant to comply with his new deal, but they had shown interest and he knew many saw Diavolo as someone that they didn't want to see rule over them for too long. But for now, the best way to get through with that unpleasant case of rebellion, was to kill off the few true obstacles between him and achieve the role of boss.

It was a tedious task, but most of those at the bottom of Passione were willing to betray their Capos if it meant having a safer peninsula to live in. Crime was good, but it couldn't be used to create a tyranny close to the old dictatorship. Italy couldn't stand for it, and thus Risotto had the means to secure a popular powerbase which could debase Diavolo's absolute claim. Not only that, the government had sent positive messages in case of a change of leadership. All for the price of lessening the impositions pushed on the law enforcers for some criminals.

Some people need to be cleansed anyway.

The worst scum couldn't be preserved from justice and the judicial system was going to be his own branch of execution when it came to disgusting aspects of Passione. And as he was done with this affair and got back to the closest base, he got a few messages sent to him. Some were old a couple of minutes before his return and others were just arriving. And the content of those were all the same: Melone was dead, Diavolo was making his move with Bucciarati and Ghiaccio was currently standing by at Santa Lucia as soon as the location of this hint had been reported to them.

If before there was a degree of doubt in the rest of the Squadra due to the known attacks from Bucciarati and his group before this alliance, Risotto saw a small united form made by those few members remaining from the Squadra: Diavolo had to die now that he claimed another of theirs. And Risotto was more than happy to sustain that view. He was closer than Bruno to Venice, so he saw no issue in relocating there and set up a base of his own there. He would wait patiently and silently, allowing Diavolo no means for him to find out Risotto was there too and already plotting his demise.

Melone's passing taught him a lesson through the last reported strategies he wrote down: Diavolo could be made aware of people's presence if those were 'within his reach'. It was a bit too open of an ability, but it still forbade them from pursuing a closer tailing of this individual. The situation was complicated as of now, and he knew Diavolo was going to fight at his best for the sake of survival. After all, a cornered animal had nothing left to lose except its life- and at that point there is little capable of stopping said monster from being in its most vicious behavior.

Regardless of that, time was on their side and Risotto knew his reign was going to be blessed.

AN

All seems to be doing fine in that soon-to-happen assault… but things are bound to happen. After all, Atrium is still on the loose.

REVIEW Q&A!

Guest (Chapter 16): Yes.

Anon: Nope, it's a big surprise.

Guest (Chapter 19): He left some papers behind, notes that Diavolo didn't find.

Guest 2 (Chapter 19):
1) Jonathan – Florence Nightingale (Berserker);
2) Joseph (Young) – Sakata Kintoki (Rider) /Joseph (Old) – Zhuge Liang (Assassin);
3) Josuke – Atalanta (Archer);
4) Giorno – Ereshkigal (Lancer);
5) Jolyne – Mordred (Saber);
6) Johnny – Billy the Kid (Archer);
7) Gappy – Edmond Dantès (Avenger);
8) Joji (Jorge/George III) – Kid Gil (Archer);