Noel: Ragna are you ok?
*Noel starring at the heap of charcoal that was Ragna laying on the floor*
Ragna: Nope… Everywhere hurts.
Celica: Mother… You went too far.
Nine: I think I didn't go far ENOUGH.
Terumi: Haha… Carpet…
Nine: You SAY something?
Terumi: Nope.
Relius: Let us press on. I need to get back to work.
Saya: Well all went our separate ways and are on our way to Yabiko.
Tao: Tao appeared and is with good guy! Tao's leveled up ten times so far.
Noel: And we also ran into that Yasha girl…
Ragna: Talk about a pain in my ass…
Yasha: Oh… Something definitely gonna go in there soon… Trust me.
Ragna: HOLY shit! Where the fuck did you come from!?
Yasha: I just got here along with Setsuko and the Imperator. So now that we're here Ragna…
Ragna: You stay away from me!
Yasha: Oh come on don't b a bitch. You kissed that Noel chick why not me?
Saya: He did WHAT!?
Yasha: Yep. Lip locked and everything.
Ragna: You shut up!
Noel: Don't say anymore!
Terumi: I guess you guys we—
Yasha: So now Ragna… How about we get down to business huh?
Ragna: We aren't gonna do jack shit!
Jin: So another troll? Great…
Terumi: Another troll? We'll see about that…
Hakumen: Now let us continue. Which one of us will be trading clothes with Valkenhayn.
Izanami: The person that will be trading clothes with him is…
*Izanami pulls the name out as Valkenhayn gulps*
Izanami: Ragna the Bloodedge.
Ragna: Me? Well…That's not bad I guess.
Valkenhayn: At least it's better then I expected…
Izanami: Oh no my apologies. That is who is going next.
Ragna: I'm next!? Fuck me!
Yasha: Oh please do…
Ragna: ARGH!
Terumi: …
Izanami: It is… I…
Jin: So Valkenhayn and Izanami shall swap clothes?
Valkenhayn: This cannot be…
Ragna: I'm not trying to see that…
Kagura: I'm SO posting this online…
Izanami: This is absurd…
Celica: Ok you two go change.
*Valkenhayn and Izanami walk out*
Kagura: Oh this is gonna be GREAT!
*Kagura pulls out his phone, readying his camera*
Valkenhayn: I will not come out this room!
Jin: Just come out.
Valkenhayn: A man should not be wearing something like this!
*Izanami walks put in Valkenhayn's clothes*
Izanami: Absolutely ridiculous…
Terumi: Come on already. Do you want us to drag you out?
Rachel: Valkenhayn. Please exit that room so we may continue. We are on a time table.
Valkenhayn: V-Very well… Madam…
*Valkenhayn walks out in Izanami's clothes*
Terumi: My eyes! MY EYES! AAAAHHHHH!
Yasha: Oh man… Now I've seen some odd shit in my life… But this…
Akahana: Wow… Nice gluts.
Ragna: I think I just died inside…
Valkenhayn: I shall go remove these clothes!
*Valkenhayn bursts out the door*
Jin: Now that is something I can never unsee…
Imperator: That was…quite…interesting…
Izanami: Ok Ragna you must draw and I shall go change.
*Izanami walks out as Ragna heads for the box and draws a card*
Ragna: My biggest shame? Aw SHIT!
Celica: What's wrong Ragna?
Ragna: This is the one I REALLY didn't want to draw…
Rachel: Really? Now I am quite interested. But we must press on with the story.
Kokonoe: Well that sucks. Alright then. Let's begin.
Imperator: Start the chapter.
Chapter 22: The road ahead part 2
It's been about three and a half weeks since the events at Akitsu and Jin left everyone with Jubei. Jin was now on his own, Jubei leaving him to his own devices and going off somewhere, saying he needed to take care of something. Jin didn't pry all that much as they just went their separate ways. Now he was all alone and he had all the time in the world to do some real thinking about what's to come.
It was the middle of the night, the fire Jin made sizzling in his ears as he just stares at the blaze. The cool night breeze coming and going every now and again. There were no stars out in the sky to light the night sky as the only thing that illuminated the sky was the bright luminous moon that hovered above. Jin took this starless night as a bad omen. He wasn't one to believe in superstition and crap like that, but with everything taking place, even the smallest details have shown big reveals.
Jin looks up to the sky and then back down again as he looks next to him to see Yukianasa laying right next to him. He picks it up and holds it down in front of him as he stared at his reflection through it. "Power of Order…" he mumbles to himself. He recalls what happened with him and Ragna as he just felt like shattering the blade into a million pieces. But that wouldn't do him any good and would just make him a burden.
Jin stood up and grabs his sword as he puts out the fire and started off towards his destination. With no map he made his way to Yabiko, feeling the unbalance off in the distance as the Power of Order guided him to his destination. However, before he reached, he had something to do, or in this case, someone to see.
"If I am right he should be on his way to Yabiko as well." Jin mutters. Out the blue he stops as a strong breeze blew past him, ruffling the leaves in the trees as some came falling down next to him. "Come out."
Once he said that the entire area was encased in pure darkness. He hears footsteps behind him, but he didn't have to turn to see who it was, he could tell. "Setsuko…"
"Ah, so you knew it was me?"
"Of course," Jin turns to him and sends a hard glare at him. "I could smell your stench from a mile away. What the hell do you want from me?"
"I think you already know." An icy mist surrounded Setsuko's feet as he continues. "The more we eliminate now, the less we have to deal with when the time comes to put our plans into action. Do not take it personally Jin Kisaragi. But you must die."
"Die huh? You can try. However," Jin quickly gets into a stance and rests his hand on the hilt of his blade. "You will not be very successful like "that"."
"We shall see." Setsuko extends his hand out as a blue seal appears on the ground. From the seal what seemed to be a chunks of ice shaped into a blade appears, slowly coming up to him. He grabs the blade by the hilt as the chunks of ice shattered and turned into a more solidified weapon with no creases or cracks. The blade was almost as tall as he was and the size of his blade was a little broader then Jin's.
Without further chatter Jin and Setsuko charged at each other. Blade clashes filled the air, sparks flying around the dark space. They swung their blades in all different directions. Up, down, left, right, horizontally. These sword swings created a perfect harmony of clashing metal that rang through the air like a melody.
Finally Jin swung downwards as Setsuko swung upwards, the two coming at a clash. Setsuko slides his blade up Jin's blade to his hilt to try and knock his blade out of his hand, but Jin quickly swung his sword all the way down to get him off balance.
Seeing an opening Jin goes for it with a heavy swing, but Setsuko quickly regains himself and blocks it. He sets his blade downwards to block Jin's rather heavy slash and swings his blade sideways and forces Jin to jump back. He quickly created swarm of ice blades to shoot at Jin and sent them all at him.
Jin didn't dodge or move at all and stood his ground. His blade moved faster then the eye could see as he shattered all the blades that came at him. None of them even touched him as they were all destroyed by his blade. Once Jin destroyed the final one Setsuko suddenly appeared in front of him.
However he didn't panic and just raised his sheath to block his sideways strike. Their hands shook as they pushed against each other. "Impressive," Setsuko smirks and jumps back. "You have grown remarkably strong in a very short amount of time." Jin doesn't answer as all he does is stoop down in a crouching stance and sheath his blade.
"No words…? Very well." Setsuko gets into a stance as well as an icy mist surrounds his feet as well as Jin's. They stay like that for a few minutes and the mist suddenly stops. A few seconds later the two vanish as all was seen was sparks flying through the air. Their blades clashed heavily, the force of their swings powerful enough to divide the very oceans.
Jin threw a combination of sword swings and kicks his way as Setsuko did the same. They were even, their moves countering the others and their movements too quick for the other to land a blow.
Setsuko jumped in the air, with two hands on the hilt of his blade, he comes down in a thrusting motion as if he was about to pierce Jin's heart.
Jin quickly raises his sheath as Setsuko skids off the side of his sheath. He lands and quickly turns around for a heavy sideways swings. Jin ducks and swings his blade upwards, but Setsuko maneuvers his body just enough for the blade to miss him. Jin swings his sword down then sideways, but misses as Setsuko sidesteps and jumps back to avoid him. He looked at his tie to see a slight cut on it. "Not bad…"
Jin doesn't answer yet again. He sheathes his blade and sent a questioning glare at him. "What the hell are you trying to do with this "shadow"? Don't underestimate me."
"I think a "shadow" is all I need to best you." Setsuko says confidently.
"Well then," Jin uses his finger to itch the blade out of the sheath, a tiny piece of silver being shown from the sheath. "I think I can stop playing around with you now. I have somewhere to be and someone to meet."
"Do you think you can support such a claim?"
"Yes." Jin vanishes as Setsuko was caught off guard and looked around for him. He was moving much faster then before as he couldn't even hear a single footstep. Setsuko quickly turns around as he felt a chill down his spine and raises his sword to guard as Jin swings down hard.
Setsuko finds himself going down on his knees as he couldn't hold himself up. With a yell he swings sideways and jumps back to gain some distance away from Jin. He extends his hand as a bevy of ice blades were formed and fired at the same time.
Jin makes his way over to Setsuko, running through the zooming ice blades, not once swinging his blade to deflect one. He sheathes his blade and began to run faster. Setsuko saw he wasn't stopping as he sends a massive blast of ice and snow at him. With a "Hmph" Jin extends his hand outwards and uses his sheath as a shield to protect himself. The blast hits Jin as he was encased in a cloud of ice and snow caused from the impact.
Setsuko didn't see him and figured he must've fallen into unconsciousness or died. Before he could even take a step, Jin appeared and quickly unsheathed his sword as he vanishes yet again. Setsuko stands there wide eyed as he coughs up blood and falls to a knee. He turns around to see Jin staring at him as he sheathes his blade.
"Pathetic…" Jin looked at him in pure disgust, his voice that of distain. "If you think you can defeat me like that, then you a mistaken."
"Even as I am now… I shouldn't have a problem dispatching you…" Setsuko coughed up blood as it made a splat on the ground. "Where…did this power come from…!?" he was in pure shock by the outcome. How easily he was overpowered by Jin. It didn't even seem like Jin was trying, yet he was able to do him in. "This is absurd..."
"Leave, now. I don't wish to look at you any longer."
With that Setsuko disappears as the black space disappeared along with him as Jin found himself back where he was before. "That man… And that style…" Jin started to question himself about Setsuko. Something about him was off as he didn't seem like how Yasha felt. Not thinking to much about Setsuko seeing as he was getting nowhere Jin set off again and after making his way through a bevy if trees he comes into a very small clearing.
"Now," Jin closes his eyes. "What's his move going to be." He mumbles to himself as he stood in the center of the clearing.
"Very interesting…"
Jin heard a very deep voice and knew how it was. Heavy footsteps approached him as did a very commanding presence. "I see you came. That was rather fast," Jin turns around to see a white clad of armor with a long sword as tall as he stood sheathed on his back, his face a blank white mask. "Hakumen."
"It seems I have been summoned here… You use the Power of Order in strange ways…" Hakumen continued to walk over to him as he stops a few inches away. "So what is it?"
"I have a few questions for you six heroes. However," Jin gets into a stance, grabbing the hilt of his blade and readying himself for combat. "I think I need to change conjecture into confidence. Now draw hero. We speak afterwards."
"You are challenging me? I must say I am quite surprised. Very well." Hakumen slowly unsheathes his blade and gets down into a menacing stance. The power the oozed out of him is enough to scare even the strongest warriors and his commanding presence could shake the very earth itself. However Jin was not fazed as he stood there, ready to draw at a moments notice and take on the supposed legendary hero.
Both of them skid their right foot on the ground a few inches before dashing off at each other.
Hakumen swung down as Jin drew his blade and blocked his powerful strike. No sound came from either of them as they stared each other down as their blades clashed against each other. They soon began to swing their blades in all different directions, sparks flying in the air as their metal clashed against each other.
Hakumen swung upwards as Jin dodges to the side and sends a kick to his side. The masked swordsman quickly moves his sword in the way to block it as Jin's foot slammed against the metal.
He quickly jumps back as they both get into a rather odd stance. A breath came from both of them as Jin closes his eyes. A powerful pressure built up in the area as Hakumen's body began to give off a strong light and Jin's body began to surround itself in a swirl of ice and snow.
Jin's eyes shot back open as his emerald eyes were glowing bright. With a step he vanishes from sight as Hakumen doesn't move, not a single word is uttered from the swordsman. All he does is turn around and raise his sword in a downwards slanted position as a blade came and slammed onto it. The entire surrounding area was encased in ice as Hakumen saw it was Jin.
Their blades began to collide once more, throwing out heavy swings and kicks to each other. Jin sent a few ice blades at him, but they were quickly dispatched.
Hakumen's foot surrounded in what looked like a black paint like color. "Firefly!" he kicks in an upwards diagonal pattern.
"Blizzard!" Jin quickly swung in an upward sideways pattern and deflected his kick as a loud clash was heard in the air. Hakumen quickly spun around, his hand extended far behind him as he swings his arm sideways. Jin raises his sword and blocks his attack as a loud clang, almost like a roar, rang through the forest. The two stood there staring at each other, their hands shaking as they both put pressure on their blades.
"Hmph. You have become quite formidable Jin Kisaragi." Hakumen and Jin both let their blades down and sheath them.
"Who are you…?"
"Oh? What's with the sudden question Jin Kisaragi?" Hakumen asks.
"There is something very strange about you. Your "order" is…odd to me. Your whole existence itself seems to be out of place. You do not belong here… At least not in this time. Yet you still manage to remain here…" Jin gives him a suspicious glare. "Also your sword style… As faint as it is it resembles that of the Kisaragi… What's your connection with the Kisaragi family?"
"I do not believe I am obligated to tell you that."
"Hmph. Then tell me this. What is your relationship with my brother?" Hakumen stays silent as a gentle breeze blew by them. Even though Hakumen stays silent, Jin presses on undeterred. "You come from the past…yet you seem oddly "close" to Ragna. Now why is that? You do not come from another "world" as you exist in the realm of reason and the way you react when your around him makes it seem like you've known him for a very long time."
"I am not obligated to answer that either. Besides, you should already know just who I am to you. Do not ask a question you already know the answer too. It leads you nowhere." Hakumen turns and walks off, leaving Jin standing alone in the clearing. With a breath Jin takes a seat placing his blade next to him. He sat there in dead silence, his eyes closed, yet he wasn't sleeping and his blade laying right next to him.
About ten minutes pass as he hears the rustling of bushes, but he doesn't open his eyes. He hears something like wood being put down and then heard something starting to sizzle. He slowly opens his eyes to see a fire before him and Hakumen sitting on the other end of that fire. They stay silent for a few minutes before Hakumen spoke. "Now," he throws a stick into the flame and continues. "Would you care to explain why is it you "summoned" me?"
"Do not ask a question you already know the answer too…"
"So it is involving the Izayoi… What is it you wish to know?" Hakumen questions.
"I want to know it's "primary power". I already asked Jubei and he told me a little about it. He said that the weapon evolves and right now it's in it's "infant" state. Do you want to tell me what that means or are you not "obligated" to tell me?"
"You have jokes Jin Kisaragi. I did not take you for a comedian."
"I think Kagura is rubbing off on me. But enough idle chit chat. Explain." Jin says sternly.
"The Izayoi…also known as the Sealed Weapon Izayoi, was designed in order to keep "observers" and "outsiders" unaware. Upon deployment, if used correctly, it creates a field that can block outside intervention. Even the Master unit is unable to see what happens inside. However I think you are already aware of that fact." Hakumen takes a stick from the ground and began to move it in the flame as he continues. "It's state right now is the "larva" state. When it fully awakens, it will resume it's primary power and it's "focus"."
"Focus? You mean it has a mind of its own?" Jin asks.
"Not a "mind", but a "will". Do not confuse the two to think that the Izayoi is sentient. The main focus of the Izayoi is to cast judgment down on others. The pike it wields, the "Immortal breaker", is a weapon capable of killing those that exist outside of the realm of logic and reason. It can even send the gods themselves to their graves. However, like any powerful weapon, there is a price that must be paid."
"A price?" Jin questions.
"Yes. And that price is the users "light". In worst case scenarios," a crack in the wood was heard as Hakumen continues. "It will cost the users life." Jin stays silent as Hakumen continues on. "The Izayoi has the ability to blind it's enemy and it can also do that to it's wielder if overused. And that is speaking of a best case scenario. As in, like I said earlier, the worst case is the wielder will die."
"Die…"
"Jin Kisaragi… If you value "that girl"… If she is important to you… You had best set aside all other tasks and protect her. If not, you may end up losing her."
"…"
"If she should fall pray to that weapon of hers, the woman you knew will be no more." Hakumen throws the stick into the flame to keep it going as he washes the stick to turn to cinders. "So you'd best be prepared to risk all for her."
"I plan on it." Jin says confidently.
"I would hope so."
Night passes by as Jin ends up falling asleep, the day finally catching up with him as the night pulled on his last bit of strength. Hakumen was still awake, keeping the fire going as he stared into it, looking back on his past as a slight chuckle comes from the masked swordsman. "Ayame… I truly have my hands full with this one…" Hakumen throws a single twig into the fire as it quickly burns away. The masked swordsman looks at the sleeping Jin and let's out a slight "Hmph" as he spoke. "What a stubborn grandson I have here…"
Makoto and Tsubaki came to a hierarchical city on their way to Yabiko and decided to stop there for a break to have some actual food. They managed to get by with hunting, but it's not like they really knew how to skin a beast or anything so they played it safe and ate only what they knew would be safe and that wasn't much.
Once they saw the city, their faces filled with glee as they rushed towards it and followed their noses to the food district. They bought themselves a rather large meal, eating a mixture of salads, sandwiches, sweets and pizza, but being very mindful of their lack of resources. They had at least a couple more weeks to go before they made it to Yabiko to meet up with Kagura and everyone else so they couldn't go crazy.
Makoto and Tsubaki sit on a bench, tapping their full guts as Makoto let's out a rather unlady like burp, but at this point Tsubaki didn't care. She understood exactly how she felt.
"Damn that was good!" Makoto yelled in satisfaction.
"Yeah… I needed that." Tsubaki burps as well and says excuse me.
"Hey Tsubaki, I heard there was an ars magus ship heading to Yabiko soon. You wanna try and get a pass?" Makoto questions. "I mean Kagura and his group are probably already there and I think it shouldn't matter if we get there sooner rather then later."
"I don't see a problem with that. Ok," Tsubaki gets up and stretches. "Let's go get our passes. It shouldn't be all that much right?"
"Last time I checked it should be about thirty platinum dollars."
"And we got…" Tsubaki trails off and reaches into her pockets and pulls out a small wallet. She looks inside as she saw at least a hundred platinum dollars. "One hundred. We should be ok."
With that decided they quickly made their way to the docks to purchase their tickets. However once they got to the ticket stand their hopes were quickly dashed. Sure they managed to but their tickets and heads onto the arsmagus vessel with no problem. However they did not get onto the vessel unscathed as the two take a seat all the way in the back with their heads down, a dark cloud over the both of them.
"Two hundred… Two hundred dollars… And now…" Tsubaki whimpers.
"We're fucking broke…" Makoto groans. "Now how are we gonna eat? It's gonna be peanuts and water from the crew for a week!" Makoto yells as she started to flail. "This suuuucks!"
"We just have to deal with it…" Tsubaki sighs.
They both let out another long sigh as the vessel took off and they were on their way to Yabiko. The announcer spoke as it said it would take at least three to four days to reach Yabiko. However it didn't make them feel any better as it was still a menu palate of peanuts and water.
Makoto decided to sleep it off, passing out quickly after only an hour airborne. However Tsubaki was still awake, looking out the window as her thought trailed away from her. An odd thought came to mind that hasn't come to her in a long time.
"The Sealed Weapon Izayoi's awakened form…"
Rachel mentioned it once before, but she never really understood what she meant by "Anti-observer weapon". It was all too crazy. "The power to kill a god…" she leans her elbow onto the arm rest and rests her chin on her open palm. With a sigh her thoughts went something else, or in this case, someone else. "Jin… Just what are you doing?"
Tsubaki had no idea what was going through his head when he left them. She wanted to join him. Her body and mind telling her to just go with him. Even if it wasn't her business she just wanted to be near him. But she couldn't. That look he had in his eyes. Whatever this was, was important to him and the last thing she wasn't to do was become a hindrance to him.
Tsubaki soon found herself falling asleep as her eyes closed slowly, flickering opened and closed a few times, fighting the sleep, but she lost. Her world soon turning black. However, the darkness was soon illuminated as she stood in a white empty space, surrounded by nothing but the void.
"What is this?" the red head looks around. "Am I dreaming?" she asks herself as she started to walk. Tsubaki had no idea where too, but she just started to walk. As she walked she saw something in the distance. "Is that a person?" She wonders as she made her way over to throw figure, but no matter how close she got the figures visage was always blurry and fuzzy. However she could make out a few things.
This person was a woman and she had long red hair just like her, but it seemed to be tied in a ponytail. This woman wore some kind of armor and what looked to be a massive pike in hand. "Who…?" Tsubaki starts.
"Do not give in… To false justice…" the figure muttered. Her voice was stern, yet caring and also had a concerned tone to it. "Never give in to the desire of false justice… And false power… Listen to your own heart and not that of anothers..."
"What does that mean?" Tsubaki asks, but the woman doesn't answer and just asks another question.
"Who is most important to you? Who do you hold dear to your heart?"
"Dear?" Tsubaki looked at her in confusion. She knew the answer to that and answered. "All of them… Noel, Makoto…" she names them all off as she leaves one name for last, saying it with a little more affection then the others. "Jin…"
The voice said nothing more as Tsubaki kept repeating his name until the visage started to fade away completely as she began to wake up herself. Her eyes flickered open as she picks her head up. 'What was that? Was that real…?' Tsubaki questioned herself. She remembers what the woman asked as she says softly to herself. "Jin…"
"Heh… Hehe…"
"What?" Tsubaki heard slight chuckling next to her and loos to see Makoto chuckling to herself. "Makoto?"
"Jin…"
"Wha!?" Tsubaki blushes hard and realized what she was doing. "You heard me!?"
"Of course," Makoto giggles. "Jin… Jin…" she mimicked.
"N-N-No! You've got the wrong idea I was just wonder what Jin was up too! I'm just worried about him and everyone else! A-A-And… I-I-I um…!" Tsubaki started to panic, seeing that Makoto clearly wasn't buying it and putting her head down as Makoto started to poke fun at her. As she did Tsubaki walks off as Makoto goes after her, laughing as Tsubaki whimpers and tells her to leave her alone.
However as she walked away from Makoto she began to think of that strange woman and the armor she had on as one questioned went through Tsubaki's head.
"Just who was she?"
"How is everything coming along Relius Clover?" the imperator asks.
Her and Relius walked through the halls of the NOL base, the imperator asking on their progress and Relius leading her to his workshop. "Everything is going smother then I expected it too. It seems even though we may have lost the eye, our plans can proceed as followed."
"Yes, also you said you wished to show me something. What is it?" The imperator asks.
"Yes. It is a little experiment I have been working on, using the data from the nox nyctores. I believe this should assist us in crafting the core in a more "perfect" state." Relius leads her to his lab at the very bottom of the branch right above where the cauldron was suppose to be. They take the elevator, hitting the second to last button as the door closes and they descend down. The ride down was quiet, the only sound being made was the elevator as it brought them to their destination. The doors open as the two step out, the imperator looking around to see quite a few odd things here and there, but didn't ask as she didn't really care what they were. Relius began to walk as the imperator followed.
"So would you mind explaining what it is in more detail?"
"I will explain once you see it for yourself." Relius says.
"Very well." They open a door as Relius punches in a few numbers. The door slides open as the two walk into a rather large room. Relius snaps his fingers as the lights go on. The imperator looks to see test tubes going down for miles. Relius eye's one tube in particular as the imperator looks at it and smirks. "I see… Quite the core you have here. I'm impressed." She walks up to one of the tube and places her hand on it. She looks to see a small purple rock floating within the water and felt a surge of power emanate from it. "To think you still had knowledge about something like this… I thought this art was long forgotten, even in your age."
"Not really. Many people knew of it's existence, but very few could grasp the complications of it. The only one who truly understood this was Trinity of the six heroes." Relius says.
"I did not expect that from you. You, not good at something that has to do with matters such as this? Interesting…"
"I am no "god". But back on topic. I managed to piece together the information I collected in my research. It was quite complex. I do not think I have ever really broken a sweat over anything, but this one proved to be a bit challenging. I suppose I must thank the nox nyctores. They had quite a bit of knowledge on it. Of course once I got the proper sequence down it all became clear." Relius explains. "Though I suppose "he" helped a little…"
"He? Who is he?" the imperator asks.
"I suppose you could say a "guinea pig" to test this. Though this guinea pig has gone a little overboard and is making a fool of himself."
"As long as it does not hinder me then I shall not ask any further questions. However I am impressed. I suppose you are worthy of your tittle as "the one" in the order of mages." The imperator looks back to Relius. "I must say this is some good work Relius. However… How will this affect Nu?"
"If her resonation is on par then it should not affect her. However if not it is possible that it could make her go beserk and eventaully fall apart. However the chances of that are slim at best." Relius says.
"Good."
"I must ask you… Have you grown attach to her?" Relius questions, stroking his beard.
"And if I have?"
"Nothing. I was just a little curious. It is not often you show emotion." Relius says.
"You say it like I am some heartless tyrant. But enough of that. I would like you to give me a report on the current standing of the duodecim."
"It would seem like our little stunt caused quite the turmoil to be stirred. Both the NOL and duodecim is in complete disarray about the situation in Akitsu. Going so far as to blame Sector Seven, believing they destroyed the cauldron."
"However this works in my favor. I would rather take them out before they get in my way…"
"I guess this is "his" will."
The imperator growls. "Terumi… I can not stand that man."
"I do not believe anyone can." Relius says.
"Now Relius I must ask, how goes Nu?" The imperator puts a hand on her hip and leans onto her leg. "Is she prepared yet?"
"No she is not. Right now Akahana is working to get her synchronized with it, but it will take quite a bit of time, even with the two of us working together."
"What of Litchi Faye Ling and your son Carl?" the imperator asks.
"Litchi is currently monitoring the seither output that number thirteen is taking in and assisting us with the core. More over, the barrier over Yabiko is now complete." Relius informs.
"I see… And what of Carl?"
"He is still inexperienced. He has not grasped a proper understanding of the boundary or this world so I cannot allow him to partake in this experiment. If he does try it will not end well for him."
"For a second there you almost sounded like a father. Though I doubt you truly care about your sons health." The imperator says.
"All that matters to me is my research and creating the perfect doll. Nothing else."
"I see. What about the others?"
"You mean the nox nyctores? Yes, most of their power has returned from the boundary. Yasha and Setsuko's existences have been properly maintained so they are safe to act, but are not at full power. However the others existences have not been maintained and will take a little time. Even Tagamagahara has its limits when it comes to things like this it seems."
"That is good enough… Now keep a close eye on the Tagamagahara systems. I can't have them interfering and I don't care how low those chances are. They are a couple of slippery bastards that shouldn't be underestimated."
"Very well." Relius says.
"Oh so this is where you two were. I've been looking all over for you imperator." She heard a voice call her name and cringes. She turns around to see Terumi walking towards her.
"What the hell do you want?" she asks coldly.
"Damn, warm welcome much? Anyhow I just came to tell you that the core is all powered up and waiting for number thirteen." Terumi snickers. "Oh, but the body. Oh damn is that gonna take some time. It might be better to just make a new one. The damage done to it is a little beyond repair. It might be able to fire, but that's all."
"I shall go check on that. Also Terumi…your vessel… Do you think it is wise to let it stay?"
Terumi waves his hand in an uncaring matter. "I don't care let him do what he needs to do. Besides I like having two me's. I don't think you've realized it, but I am a DAMN handsome man." Relius says nothing and walks out, his cape fluttering behind him. The door closes as he leaves Terumi and the imperator by themselves.
She stood there in silence and stared at Terumi in complete and utter distain. She began to tap her foot and let out an annoyed sigh. "Do you have something else to say to me?" the imperator asks.
"Oh yeah I do! Thanks for reminding me." He walks up to her and stands in front of her a few seconds. "Now tell me," his eyes grew venomous and his tone changed to a more menacing tone. "Why the hell did you let Ragna the Bloodedge escape!? What the fuck is wrong with you!? Are you high!?"
"Do not take that tone with me Terumi. Besides what I do is that of my own choosing. If I remember correctly didn't he kick your ass?" The imperator asks.
"Shut your damn mouth and don't try to change the subject." Terumi scowls. "We should've been finished with Ragna the Bloodedge by now. You could've easily ended it…" his eyes turn to suspicious slits as he questions. "So why didn't you?"
"Why the hell would I tell a disgusting fallen like you?"
"You know…" Terumi grinds his teeth together as it turns into a menacing scowl. "Your starting to piss me off… Who the hell are you calling fallen you little bitch."
"Do you see anyone else in here? If that's all you wanted to say I'm done. The farther away I am from you the better my health." The imperator scowls and started to walk away, giving Terumi a disgusted glare as she walked by him. Terumi watches her and snickers a little.
"Oh I get it! You just wanted to get your hands on little old Ragna." She stops as he continues. "Ya know I was wondering why you were about to flip out on the shitty vampire and now I know. Damn, never saw you as the jealous type."
"I hope you know… I can kill you if I want too insect." The imperator threatened.
"You know I wonder what would happen," a wicked smile comes across his face as he continues in a darker tone, almost whispering. "If I killed him right now." With that the imperator took a black sheath out of her gown and unsheathes it. The hilt of the blade was dark black as her sword was a clear silver.
"This will be your one and only warning." The imperator glared at him. Her eyes were that of a vipers, staring him down like prey and she was the predator. "If you dare follow through with that, I will separate your head from your body and throw your ass back into the boundary where you belong."
"Scary, scary… No wonder Ragna was whipped by you. Shit your one hell of a dominatrix. I wonder who's more sadistic, you or Rachel Alucard." Terumi smirks.
"Do not mention that woman's name in my presence, lest you wish to lose that sharp tongue of yours." She sheathes her blade and retracts it back in her gown. "So watch yourself."
"I will don't worry. Wouldn't want to anger you or rags… Oh who am I kidding the guy probably doesn't even remember you."
"You have three."
"Huh?" Terumi raises a brow.
"Three strikes… Try me."
"Man… If only little old rags could see you now. Guy would probably be ashamed."
"That's one." She vanishes as Terumi feels two large slash marks come down his chest. He coughs up blood and falls to a knee as the imperator appears again.
"You…bitch…" Terumi hacks.
"I believe I have already warned you. The second warning will be the loss of a limb and the third will be your life." She walks out and heads down the hall to the elevator. The doors open as she steps inside and clicks the top button to her room. She leans back on the elevator and starts to think. "It's almost time… I'll end this ridiculousness once and for all. I will not allow them to use him as some tool if it's the last thing I do."
The elevator door stops as she walks out and heads down the long empty hall to a single room at the end. All that was heard through the quiet hallways was her own footsteps clapping on the floor. She reaches the door and slowly pushes it open. She turns on the lights and sighs. "I believe I should get some rest." The room was quite large and her bed was that befitting an empress.
She took off her gown to reveal her kimono underneath. She throws the gown onto the chair near her dresser and heads over to her bed. She leans her blade down on her bed side and lays down. She let's out a long sigh as she stares up at the ceiling, her mind beginning to wander.
She traces her finger on her lip and smiles. "To see you again… Brings me so much joy… Though I wish that you were here by my side, now doesn't seem to be the right time. Ragna…" her smile soon turns to a scowl as she clenched the sheets she laid on tight, almost ripping it. "Master unit... Izanami…! Rachel Alucard! I'll make every last one of you pay for taking him away from me. My family will be avenged and using him for your own selfish gains…that I can not forgive. Your heads will fall to me and your lives will end by my blade."
Their journey came to a halt once night hit as Noel, Lambda, Rachel and Tao were out cold. Ragna on the other hand was up, contemplating and reminiscing. He tossed a stick or twig into the fire every now and again, making sure the fire didn't go out and make them all catch colds. "Man… Three weeks already huh?"
"So you are still awake I see…"
He heard a voice say as he looks to see Rachel's eyes opened and looking at him. "I thought you were sleeping."
"I was, but with your constant muttering I woke up."
"Hah," Ragna chuckles. "Always gotta blame me."
"You act as if it's not your fault Ragna." Rachel gets up and walks over to him. She takes a seat next to him and leans on the tree he was leaning on. It went silent, the only sound being made was Tao's loud snores and Ragna's occasional chuckles as he watches the kitten.
"Ragna, I have a question for you."
"A question? What is it?"
"Back at Sector Seven, you said something that caught my attention. You said it wasn't worth getting Terumi since Lambda got hurt." Rachel looks up at him. "Would you mind going into detail on what you meant by that? Or were you just trying to sound cool."
"No you damn rabbit." Ragna growls.
"So there is a reason hm? Would you mind sharing?"
"I just don't want to lose anyone. For the sake of my own vendetta, I got someone involved who shouldn't have been." Ragna opens his right hand and looks into it. "I want to protect those I care for. I want to know that when push comes to shove I don't have to lose anyone. So seeing her like that…lying lifeless in my arms… It wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth her dying for."
"So because someone else got hurt, you think that defeating Terumi wasn't worth it? A very naïve way of looking at it Ragna." Rachel looks back at the flame and moves her legs up to her chest as she rests her chin on her knees and hugs her legs. "People get hurt… People die… People cry… And people fall in love. It happens to us all. Saying that defeating Terumi wasn't worth it because she got hurt is a very fool hearted thing to say."
"Maybe to you, but to me it wasn't worth it. I want to know at the end of the day that the people I sought out to protect can smile the next day. Not lay lifeless…" Ragna closes his hand into a tight fist and closes his eyes. "It's pointless if you lose the ones your trying so desperately to protect… It's pointless if those you try to save…disappear."
"Pointless hm?" Rachel looks back at him. "Now what is so pointless Ragna? Was it all pointless?"
"Of course not," Ragna opens his eyes again and looks up towards the sky, the bright moon shining down from above in the starless night. "It wasn't pointless… Noel is here with us and Lambda is safe. I just feel this tightening in my chest everytime I think of that bastard killing her right before my eyes."
"The fear of loss…" Rachel clenches her dress and continues. "I know that feeling quite well. Sadly we all do at this point. Let me ask you Ragna, if you were able to go back and change the past, would you?"
"No."
"That was a quick answer." Rachel says, a bit surprised by his sudden answer. "Have you already asked yourself this? And if no, then why not?"
"I won't run away from what happened. If I did that, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. What happened, happened. Even if I don't like it."
"I must say you have grown a little Ragna. I am quite impressed by your growth and your answer. You answered correctly. If you said yes I might've had to give you an early grave."
"Ouch," Ragna hisses. "Talk about overkill much."
"You would have deserved it. If you cannot accept your past, then you have no right to live in the present if you still hold onto the past. I am not saying you can not grieve or have grudges, but if you can't move on, then you aren't truly living. As embarrassing as this is," Rachel lets out a long sigh that caught Ragna's attention as she went on. "It took you telling me to realize it." The vampire looks down to the ground and with a sigh went on. "I was quite the lost child. Parents gone, that insufferable woman tormenting me and my life was that of a caged animal. However through all that, when I met you and you said to me one day that it was ok to cry, I just wanted to slap you then and there."
"Damn really?" Ragna asks, his face twisting a little as she said that. A bit thankful she didn't follow through with it.
"Of course," Rachel looks up to the sky, a small smile on her face. "This boy, who I only met for a short period of time, not even a month, told me it was ok to cry and then took off. I just said "The nerve of him. How dare he tell me that and not give me an explanation!". It boggled my mind for a long time, but soon I understood what you meant. Which is why I asked you that question. Would you travel to the past if it meant redoing everything. I am glad to see that resolve of yours hasn't changed and you are still you."
"And I guess your always gonna be you."
"Oh?" Rachel smiles playfully. "And what does that mean Ragna?"
"Your still the annoying rabbit we all know and want to throw in a hole." Ragna grins. Rachel gives him a blank stare and raises a finger as he could see sparks of electricity. A sweat dropped down his face as he chuckles in a fearful voice. "I'm kidding rabbit… Don't uh haha… Don't kill me…"
"Hmph." Rachel puts her finger down. "An idiot like you should know who they are addressing."
"Who a snobby princess?"
"No, your master. Speak to me properly." Rachel commands.
"Hell. No." Ragna says blankly.
"Such a rebellious slave you are… I wonder where you get this from?" Rachel questions herself, sarcasm clear in her voice. Ragna just rolls his eyes and leans his head onto the tree bark. She giggles a little, but her face soon changes to a more stern expression. "Ragna, are you truly prepared for this?"
"I am."
"To put your very life on the line. Once all this begins…then…you might…"
"Rabbit?" he turns to her to see her face covered by her bangs. Her voice was trembling and it definitely wasn't because she was cold. 'Is she afraid?' It went silent for both of them as Rachel clenched her arms tightly, her hands shaking ever so slightly. Ragna saw it a few times and sighs. "Rachel… I'm not going anywhere."
"Huh?" she turns to him, a bit caught off guard. "What do you mean by that Ragna?"
"I don't plan on going anywhere. I don't plan losing and I sure as hell don't plan on dying."
"You are so confident about that…"
"I am. So just calm down ok?" Ragna says softly.
"Ragna you don't understand…"
"Don't understand wha—?" before he could finish Rachel threw herself into him, her head and hands on his chest. Ragna stutters a bit, his mind running a mile a minute from Rachel's sudden action. "H-Hey… Rachel what ar—?"
"Promise me…"
"What?"
"Promise me you will stay true to what you just said." The vampire looks up at him, her large red orbs shinning from the glare of the moon that hovered above. "Promise me that you will not be leaving… You will stay and you will survive. If you truly wish for me to calm down, then you must promise me that."
"Rachel…" Ragna nods and says sternly. "Ok, I promise. I swear to you that I won't be going anywhere. I'll stay here…with you."
"With me..." Rachel says hypnotically and once she repeated it once more her face turned a deep crimson as her eyes opened wide. "W-What are you saying Ragna!? You can't just say you'll stay with me like that! What are you thinking!?"
"What am I…?" he began to think back on his words az they caught up to him. "Oh shit!" he curses, a tint of pink coming across his cheeks. "That's not um… Ok rabbit just uh… That's not it I…!"
"I understand! I was just…a bit caught off guard. That is all. Don't worry about it…" Rachel blinks a few times and goes back to her spot next to Ragna. Her eyes flicker as she eyes him a few times. She felt herself starting to calm down a bit, getting back to her own state of mind. "Ragna."
"Yeah?"
"I am expecting great things of you Ragna… Do not let me down."
"I won't… Count on it."
"I will." Rachel smiles. It soon gets quiet between the two as Ragna couldn't help, but see Rachel's face was red and she was fidgeting with her fingers. He heard slight whimpers come from the vampire and wondered what was up with her. Before he could ask Rachel spoke. "Ragna."
"Yeah?"
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"I would like for you…" Rachel stops for a second before swallowing a lump down her throat and carrying on. "I would like you to close your eyes. I um," she looks down and continues. "I want to give you something…"
"Give me something? What are you…?"
"Just hush up and do it!" Rachel commanded.
"A-Alright." Ragna looks at her for a few seconds before closing his eyes. He questioned what she was planning and was a little scared. Knowing her it was probably some prank, but he got his answer sooner rather then later. He felt something soft touch his forehead as he opens his eyes to see Rachel and knew what was going on.
She was kissing his forehead.
Her lips were softly pressed against his forehead. He did nothing but sit there with his eyes opened slightly wider than normal. His cheeks were a bright pink and his heart rate skyrocketed.
Rachel removed herself from him and looked right into his eyes, her cheeks just as red as her crimson eyes. She sat back down as Ragna just looks at her, still with his mind in the gutter. "R-Rachel… What was that?"
"Do you recall when I told you…that I was not going to thank you?"
He started to recall what she was talking about. "Back at the NOL base… But what does that have to do with this?"
"You came for me… To be honest Ragna I was happy that you were worried about me. So," Rachel looks away from him as her tone turns soft, embarrassment clear in her voice as it took all she had to finish. "Thank you Ragna. For helping me."
"S-Sure… It was no big deal." Ragna scratches the back of his head, blushing just as hard as Rachel was, maybe even harder.
"Ragna, may I ask you something? I have a favor…"
"A…favor?"
"Yes," Rachel nods. "I wish to… May I sleep here with you?"
"I uh…" was all Ragna could say. He couldn't find any words for the situation at hand and just gives her a nod. The two lean back on the tree they were previously leaning on. Rachel closes her eyes, but jumps up as she looked to see Ragna's arm wrapped around her. All she could do was blush at that moment.
'He's…so warm…' Rachel went closer to him and leaned on him as she pulls his hand all the way around her and held his hand with her two smaller ones. Rachel moves her fingers through his and laced their fingers together as she cuddles up on him. 'If it is the last thing I do… I shall save you from this accursed fate… Ragna…'
Ragna looks at their entangled fingers and just smiles as he leans his head down on her as Rachel snuggles up on him even more, leaning into his head. As they sat their they quickly started to feel tired as sleep was on the horizon. Before Rachel fell asleep however she mumbled something that Ragna caught ever so slightly and blushed hard.
'Did she say what I think she said…? N-No… I'm just imagining things… I think sleep is finally making me go senile.' Ragna shook his head and stares at Rachel. What she said was something he never expected to hear from her and it was probably just his imagination. Blaming his lack of sleep he closes his eyes and falls asleep. However, before Rachel completely fell into slumber she uttered the same sentence yet again under her breath.
"Ragna… I love you."
Ok and that ends this chapter. Now that the little prologue is done we can move on. The next chapter is gonna take a while as i need to line up a few more things. I thank you all who have read this far into this little story of mine. It was in the back of my head for a little while now and I only just got to writing it. I know my writing style may not be the best, but I like to think I'm improving and the positive feedback I get when others say they like my story makes me want to keep writing and it's great that my writing not only brings me entertainment but others as well. So I thank you. Special shout out to Joestar for your frequent reviews. I really appreciate it and hope you'll stick around. Well that's it so I'll see you next chapter!
Next Chapter 23: Arrival