Author's Note: Yo! Been a while, I know, but what an you do? Anyways, finally with the next update to Deception Game and hopefully updates will at least update more than every other month. Me and my beta will try our best. To make up for it I'll try for longer chapters. Anyways, onto the story, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rwby
Beta: Yuvinile
"Ahhh … dammit," Dante groaned as he got out of bed.
He looked at a small clock on the far wall from his bed, noting that it was 8:50 pm, meaning he had less than 10 minutes to get to class. He glanced around his room but didn't spot his mate so she either left earlier or was out in the living room and waiting for him. He sighed as he got up and dressed quickly before stretching as he stepped out of his room. He found Athena sitting on the couch with Lily as the pair read their own books, the little vampire laying down with her back leaning against Athena. He found the sight rather cute but didn't have time to tease Athena about it as they noticed him.
"Morning sleepy head," Athena said with a coy little smile while Lily sat up.
"It's not morning," Lily commented with a slightly confusion face as she looked at Athena.
"It's just a joke," Athena replied as she set her book down on the coffee table and got up before looking directly at Lily. "So, are you sure you'll be ok for an hour or so while we're gone?"
"Ah-huh," Lily replied with a cute salute which made Dante chuckle as Athena give Lily a kiss on the forehead before the pair set out together.
As they started walking down the halls Dante noticed the slight unease in Athena's eyes. Dante smirked as he bumped his shoulder with her, getting a slight jump out of her as she looked at him.
"She'll be fine," he said.
"I know … I just can't help but worry," she replied with a slight frown.
"You make an adorable mother hen," he continued in a teasing voice.
"Hey!" she retorted while pouting at him which only made her cuter in his eyes.
"Relax," he said with a soft sigh as he gave her a side hug, feeling her frame lose its tension after a few seconds.
They resumed walking in silence as they reached their classroom, arriving right as the clocks struck 9 pm. They entered and Dante noted that they were the last ones to arrive, including their normally tardy 'teacher' who gave Dante her usual glare. Really, he didn't get what was the big beef she had against him but at this point he really stopped caring. He then looked around as he and Athena approached their usual seats near the front row along with Lucian and Cicero. Crato, Kiara, Thantos, and Havasu were sitting in the row behind them.
Between the corridor diving the seats, there was Sindria and her team sitting at the first row as well. After Sindria, it was Orelia, Ru, and then the last girl that he hadn't seen till now but remembered that her name is Solair. She had smooth falling hair reaching near her lower back, the color being a very light brown with almost yellow tips. Her skin was rather tan and he noted the slightest pattern of scales bordering her eyes and cheeks, her dark brown eyes also looking back at him.
He then resumed on his way to his seat and looked at their instructor, Nyx, the ravenette maintaining her glare for a few more seconds before scoffing as she looked away and leaned back against her desk while addressing the class.
"So then. I'm assuming everyone got familiar in the last day or so?" she asked to which most nodded aside from the new brunette sitting with Sindria's team. Nyx narrowed her eyes at her before sharply speaking, "Well, introduce yourself quickly."
The new girl flinched a little from Nyx's harsh tone but did as she was told as stood before making a quick scan of the other teams before speaking in a soft voice.
"Hello … sorry that I couldn't make the official greetings when we arrived. My name is Solair Ignia," she said with a polite little bow before returning to her seating.
"Now that, that's taken care of, we can begin with this supposed mission you runts will be getting and some other plans," Nyx said as she looked at some paper left on her desk. "So apparently there is going to be a small infiltration mission taking place is a few weeks. As far as I'm aware, Dante, Kiara, and Lucian are part of it but the team is incomplete. Dante, care to fill us in better since it seems you have more information on it than I do at the moment."
He could tell by the tone that Nyx was not pleased by the fact but he did his best to not smirk at her or show any other smug reactions. He then sighed as he glanced over the room before explaining a little about the mission in Vacuo.
"As Nyx said, we are infiltrating a body trafficking ring in hopes of capturing a high valued target with details on the trafficking routes, demands, and hopefully, final destinations," he explained in an even tone. "Now, this particular event will be showcasing faunus as the prime stock which is why Lucian, Kiara, and I are already set for it. We're rare so it is a guarantee that we'll draw some attention and when the time comes, breaking out of any restraints placed on us will be trivial while our 'broker' will have hopefully captured the mentioned individual."
"I knew it I wouldn't like it from the get go," Lucian muttered with a side glance at Dante to which he shrugged back.
"And what are the plans after you break free?" Nyx asked with narrowed eyes to which Dante gave a fanged grin.
"We slaughter the slavers like the pigs they are," he replied while inspecting his right hand which happened to have reverted to the clawed form giving the new arrivals a prime view of his silvery claws.
"And Ozpin cleared you to make those damn messes of yours?" Nyx continued.
"Yep," he replied casually while looking at her. "No one will miss them anyways."
"Rat extermination," Zack commented from the row behind team OSRS with a nearly imperceptible smirk as he glanced at Dante. "… I like it, where do I sign up?"
"No one is being officially placed yet. Right now it is supposed to be a discussion on ideas for the mission and suggestions on who wants to partake in it," Nyx replied. "From the sounds of it, the group should remain small. While these three play the part of merchandise and distractions, the one or two others will need to remain discreet and capture the target."
"That's where things will get tricky," Dante added as he leaned forward in his chair. "The mission technically has two parts. The first will be a small auction looking for servants to entertain and serve in a large party. That's where we need to gain attention. Even if only one of us gets selected to be part of it, it will do. From there, our broker will be permitted to attend as well and in that party, he or she needs to get the target to a secluded location before any of us act or the entire mission will be a wash."
"How so?" asked Sindria as she looked at him curiously.
"The facility the party is rumored to be taking place is an old villa out on the east borders of Vacuo but it has been retrofitted. There are VIP rooms that can be locked down if something happens and each has an escape tunnel that we haven't been able to get any information of where they go. For all we know, the tunnels could be rigged with all sorts or traps and delays along with an escape crew at the end. I'm confident several of us would have the power to break into these safe rooms and pursue the target but the possibility of escape is too high to risk on this one," he answered to a few agreeing nods. "That's why we would serve as a distraction while whoever attends as our merchant can isolate and capture the target before triggering a lock down."
"Why would you want to trigger a lockdown?" Orelia asked while tapping her chin.
Dante gave a small smirk before he answered. "The safe rooms each should have an accessible point to trigger a lockdown from the inside and only inside but, if one room triggers, they all do and there should be only two or three. Once the alarm is set off, the rooms and the facility completely locks down for at least 24 hours … and very conveniently corals all those slavers in with us."
"Oh …" Orelia murmured as she got his intent.
"So who's going to be the merchant?" Cicero asked this time.
"Someone who can be discreet but also looks like the type to be in that sort of business," Dante answered as he looked around for volunteers.
He'd already spoken to Athena about it in detail and why she shouldn't be it so that was one worry off his plate. Cicero or Crato would probably be good choices but then again, their might be someone more fitting from the other teams. Zack obviously wanted to be part of it but he didn't seem like the type that would play along to a script for long. Dante was about to volunteer Thantos just to be safe but then a rather timid voice interjected.
"Umm … I could do it."
He turned to see it was a member of team LZRS, specifically Samara, raising her hand like a child in elementary school. Nyx narrowed her eyes on her before speaking in her usually stern voice, "What can you do on this one?"
Samara looked a little nervous as she noticed that everyone's eyes were on her, making her shuffle in her seat before explaining.
"My semblance … it could help in the party and keep us in touch," she answered. "I can link several minds together … we can coordinate together without anyone detecting us."
"That would work pretty well," Lucian commented thoughtfully.
"And I can be her bodyguard," Zack offered with a slight glance at his teammate in question.
If Dante had known any better, he would have guessed that Samara wasn't exactly excited about that. Poor girl looked like she was more scared of her own teammate more than possibly being alone in a hostile zone. Regardless, it would have to do since planning things sooner would make things easier … however it seemed that someone else wanted to add to it.
"I can go as well," Asteria volunteered while glancing at Samara and Zack. "They want unique fauna? Then why not add a Griffon?"
"She has a point there," Zack agreed.
"Anyone else want to add anything?" Nyx asked as she looked around for any more suggestions but everyone remained silent. "Alright then, it seems that, that's settled so now to other business … I believe everyone has been informed about the little sparring sessions to be held tomorrow in the evening, correct?"
She got several nods while Dante caught a few glances being directed at him making him smirk slightly, knowing that some people were gunning for him now. He would be more than happy to accept the challenges while also getting a good read on the skills of the other slayers present.
"Good, now the sessions is scheduled for 4 pm in arena 1," Nyx continued. "Though you do not have to participate if you don't want to, you are expected to be attending."
"Are the matches already chosen?" Havasu asked, speaking for the first time.
"No, they will be by challenge on the day of," Nyx answered. "You may fight several times regardless of winning or losing as long as your aura remains above 10 percent and multiple combatants are allowed."
"So the little Demon can be put in his place," Rayne sneered while glaring at Dante.
"I already told you," he replied while smirking at her. "It wouldn't be a fight."
Rayne continued to glare at him while seething but he didn't pay it any mind. Then he glanced over to team OSRS and caught Orelia poking Sindria while apparently asking her to do something. After some hand swatting going back and forth Sindria sighed in defeat before looking directly at Dante.
"Um Dante?" she asked in a slightly nervous voice.
"Yes?" he replied with a quirked eyebrow.
"Team OSRS challenges you in a four on one battle," she continued while the rest of her team looked at him confidently.
Dante gave them a fanged grin before nodding. "Sure, if you're up for it."
"We are," Orelia stated confidently but a defeated whimper came from Sindria stating otherwise making Orelia scowl at her. "Come on Sindria, it's been years now. We can take him on if it's the four of us!"
"I was there when he earned the title Silver Demon," Sin retorted. "I know how dangerous he is."
"But the four of us should be able to tip the favor," Ru interjected this time. "You know, safety in numbers."
"Yes and that's called a massacre!" Sin called out while flailing her arms.
Before the team continued to bicker Dante started to chuckle earning their attention. He then smiled at them as he got up and glanced at Athena before walking around his seat, turning towards the door. While walking he paused and looked back at team OSRS.
"Don't worry Sin, I look forward to seeing how much you've grown," he said before tapping his chin. "Oh, and just a little heads up. Remember my semblance that I never used it since it was too easy to kill with it?"
Sin nodded as she looked him up and down while he raised his left hand before igniting it in silver and blue flames making a few of the gasp.
"Just so you know, my semblance is even stronger and any burn dust is pointless," he continued before letting the flames die as he continued on his way out.
He didn't bother to excuse himself, knowing that nothing else in the class was of his interest and Athena would fill him in on anything else. He walked silently, thinking about the possible match ups tomorrow and he couldn't help but be excited for it. He knew that Havasu was gunning for Rojos, leaving the remainder of team LZRS undecided but then again, there are a few fights he could expect. Knowing Lucian, he would want to test out Asteria as a fellow Alpha and Kiara might want to partake in that as well. Athena was a wild card but then again, he would love to watch her have a rematch with Crato … that fight would not playout out as it did last time.
But, for now he would have to wait and see how the battles would match up tomorrow. He chuckled at the thought as he arrived back at his suite and softly walked in to see Lily sitting on the couch, looking at the same story book Athena had been reading earlier. Her face was scrunched up into a cute little frown as she tried to decipher the book written in an old language that she had no idea how to read. He closed the door with an audible click, getting the little vampire's attention as she set the book down in slight surprise.
"Dante," she said happily with a warm smile as he returned one of his own.
"Hey Lily," he returned as he walked towards her and sat on the couch beside her, noting that she was still slightly nervous whenever he was in a close proximity. "Having a hard time with that book?"
She frowned again as she looked at it before nodding. "I don't understand the words at all," she said in a defeated voice.
"Why do you want to read it?" he asked with a quirked eyebrow as he picked it up.
"Athena says it has really interesting stories," she replied.
"True … but a few of these are better for adults to read," he said while glancing at her, seeing the crestfallen look she was giving him.
"Aww … pleeeaaase?" she begged with that new little bat face, her ears even managing to flop down slightly making it cuter.
"I swear, leaving you with Kiara was the beginning of my undoing," he said with a sigh before giving a defeated chuckle.
"Huh?" she mumbled with a tilt of the head.
"Don't worry," he said as he gently and affectionately patted her on the head. "I'll read you a story or two …"
"Yay!" she cheered … too soon.
"But you're going straight to bed afterwards," he finished with a sly grin.
"What!?" she asked incredulously. "But it's not even 10 yet!"
"It will be after a read to you and you need to have a bath first young lady," he replied in what some might call a fatherly tone.
She pouted at him for a minute or so before she nodded begrudgingly as he smiled in triumph at her. He noticed that she seemed to be glancing at him nervously, as if looking for something while her hands fidgeted. She then slowly and hesitantly crawled forward before sitting herself in his lap, which surprised him a little since she wasn't this normally close to him. She even glanced back at him to see if this was ok which he answered with a small smile, the nervousness in her frame lessoning upon seeing it. She slowly let her back lean against him while his chin rested on the top of her head. That action seemed to relax her even more, the last of her tension dissipating as she let herself be comfortable in her new seat, patiently waiting for him to begin reading. He got over his slight surprise over her new behavior as he adjusted the book in front of them so both could see even if she couldn't read any of it.
"Ok … now which one to begin with …?"
"I wonder why he suddenly left." Crato commented as the team left the classroom after another hour of Nyx drawling over somethings going on in Beacon for this coming semester before the winter break.
So far, aside from a few mission trips, which the slayers would partake in as supervisors for the students, and a few small tournaments they could participate in. It was mostly a way to train and become familiar with more active hunters visiting the kingdom in preparation for the Vytal Festival that was drawing closer. Athena thought about it but the smaller tournaments didn't really interest her … though she knew Dante would probably go for them.
She sighed at the thought, wondering if her boyfriend could be convinced to bud out of them rather than trying to beat up half of the Hunter population is Vale. Really, ever since the week with his family, he's been far more interested in facing as many different types of opponents as he can to train himself. That and since now he could use his semblance without the constant fear of accidently killing someone with his semblance, he was much more open with the idea of cutting loose … that and scaring the shit out of his opponents.
She shook off the thought as she listened to her team along with team ACHN speaking behind her, the sparring matches for tomorrow being the big discussion.
"So, anyone feeling lucky and wanting to test themselves against me?" Crato boasted.
"Oh? Is someone in need of a lesson in humility?" Thantos threw back.
"You're all so adorable," Kiara added with a snicker. "Maybe we should have the two of you take me on?"
"I would like to see that," Cicero said before continuing. "Havasu, what about you?"
"Hmm?" was the slayer's distracted response. "Oh … I've already got a fight in mind …"
"Who?" asked Lucian this time.
"… Zack Rojos …"
Athena did not miss the hint of venom in his voice, making her worry about him. She knew he was strong … probably the strongest after the 3 resident Alphas, which Crato would probably try to refute but it was noticeable. Havasu didn't flare his aura much but after he arrived, Athena could notice the hum of power coming off him … Dante also mentioned it to her after he told her that Havasu apparently had some sort of score to settle with Zack. She just hoped that he didn't overdue it since it was still meant to be a friendly spar, nothing more.
"Hey Athena," Lucian said beside her as she glanced at him. "Anyone you want to fight?"
She thought for a moment before the image of a very irritating Rayne appeared in her head, making her scowl. That damn bitch started to try and badmouth Dante as much as she could the moment he was gone, earning her some very angry looks from certain individuals. Kiara and Sindria had looked ready to gut her but both remained in check, Kiara because Athena told her to relax and brush it off while Sindria's team did the same with her. Then Asteria warned her to not be reckless but it seemed that the slayer wasn't getting the message.
"… Sleyd …" Athena said in disgusted tone.
"…"
Lucian didn't say anything as he looked at her but she could tell he was watching her intently. She didn't say anything else though as she split off from the group as she ascended the stairs to her suite, waving goodbyes to her team and friends. After that she walked silently to her suite, entering softly as she closed the door behind her. She glanced around but the only lights were coming from her room. She walked in and spotted Dante sitting on their bed, reading through some papers meant for instructors handling combat classes.
She giggled at his slight frown as he read through the documents, not being any more pleased that the combat instructors had such a strict policy and regulations. He'd been complaining before how it was going to cramp his style beyond belief but she just teased him about it. Her giggles drew his attention as he smiled at her while setting the papers down.
"You look focused," she tittered while his smile turned to a smirk.
"I'm a model student," he replied while flicking his hair back in a snobby fashion.
"Ah-huh," she retorted while placing a hand on her hip. "Let Goodwitch be the judge of that."
Dante groaned at that as he collected the paperwork and set it on a night stand by the bed while she walked to a dresser. She started to strip out of the uniform, noticing that Dante had gone completely silent. She smirked a little as she took off her top and started getting rid of her stocking, purposely bending over slowly and catching the softest growl from behind her. As she straightened up she felt Dante's arms wrap around her waist, his hot breath on the side of her neck.
"You know … I feel like we kept getting interrupted," he whispered in a husky voice before he nibbled at her exposed ear.
She gasped a little at the faint touch, his hands starting to tighten around her. She started to heat up as she grounded her butt against his hips, earning an approving growl from her dragon. She smirked before she suddenly turned in his arms and shoved him straight towards the bed. He fell without resistance before she pounced on him, straddling him as she looked at him with a lusty gaze.
"You just have to turn me on every chance you get, don't you," she said softly.
"Of course," he replied with a smirk as his eyes roved over her.
"Good," she replied while starting to grind on him. "Because two can play at that game," she added with a soft moan. "And right now I want my dragon …"
"Ooh, I'm so excited for this!" Ruby cheered as her team made their way to the arena being used for the slayer sparring sessions.
"I know, I can't wait to see how they throw down," Yang agreed.
"I fail to see how you find this so entertaining," Weiss muttered while shaking her head.
Ruby looked at her partner incredulously. "How can you say that!? Watching elite hunters fight is the best thing ever! You can learn so much from watching them and it's really cool seeing their skills."
"Yes along with a seemingly endless bloodbath whenever they fight," Weiss retorted, recalling the few times they saw slayers fighting each other … namely Dante against Crato and then Dante against Kiara.
"It shouldn't be that bad," Blake commented as she glanced around them, seeing a few other students heading to the arena as well since it was announced as a public event.
She was a little excited to see these other slayers and what they could do, especially when Dante had mentioned that he would be facing an entire team during breakfast. Blake had honestly thought he had been kidding about that but apparently was proven wrong. She'd spoken to Velvet about it during the day but the bunny didn't seem as excited about it, probably being more worried about Dante biting off more than he could chew. Blake would have been worried too but there was an air about Dante that just felt … like he knew what he was doing.
Sure, his ego is what probably pushed to accepting such a match but Blake believed that he wasn't just talking. She was confident that he could in fact match several other slayers relatively easy. She recalled that Kiara had mentioned it the first day she saw Dante and fought him … that he'd been able to take on several opponents before with little difficulty. He was the Silver Demon after all … if anyone could do it, it'd be him.
She was broken out of her thoughts when they arrived at the arena designated for the fights. It was the standard layout as any other in the school, with the actually combat floor several meters lower than the seating surrounding it. They also had energy shields up, allowing for the slayers to use broad area attacks with little worry about their attackers carrying over to the spectators. Team RWBY soon met up with teams CFVY and JNPR, along with Sun and his friend, Neptune. As they took their seats and started to chat while waiting, Blake looked around the arena.
She spotted the newly arrived slayer teams on the other side, the two teams sitting apart by a few seats. If she remembered right, it was team OSRS that had challenged Dante while the others were unknown but any match up could happen. Teams ACHN and ASCZ had yet to arrive but they still had a few minutes. Blake also noticed that some professors, namely Port, Goodwitch, and Ozpin were gathered in viewing seating that was probably used for commentators.
She then saw the two missing teams arriving and heading towards them with Lily walking beside Dante. 'Odd, I didn't think they'd want her to be here to watch,' she thought but then again, this could take several hours leaving the little vampire alone in the suite. Sure she was well behave and generally quiet but she was still a child prone to boredom which usually meant some form of mischief if unattended. She then patiently waited for them to arrive while the other students noticed their arrival.
"Hey everyone," Dante said with a smile as he led Lily to sitting beside Blake. "Excited are we?"
"You bet!" Nora and Ruby called at the same time.
"Are you really taking on a whole team?" Jaune asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yup," Dante replied while popping the 'p'. "I want to see how much Sindria has improved since we split from Othrys Academy."
"Which one is she?" Coco asked as she looked at the other teams, some of which were now looking in their direction.
"The Bull faunus with tan hair," he answered as he started to walk away.
As he did so, team OSRS stood up and descended to the arena as well. Sindria was dressed in jeans with some padding covering the outside of her jeans, a button shirt that had the sleeves removed, bracers and a shoulder pad on the left side, an axe strapped to her hip. 'That just looks like a common lumber axe … I wonder what else it might have?' she wondered as she looked at her team. The black and white haired girl, which if she remembered correctly was Orelia, was dressed in something reminiscent of a kimono that was rather short when considering that she would probably be jumping around … oh well. She also had placed a face mask that only covered up to the cheeks and mouth, which was currently pulled down but it must be used like a small armor if Blake gad to guess.
She only had a staff in a distinct bronze coloration. The next girl, the Cheetah faunus that Blake met a few days earlier, was dressed in a pitch black vest with no sleeves, exposing her heavily tattooed arms. She also had shorts, her legs equally tattooed. She also had small shoes much like sneakers and a small katana reaching just over a foot in length strapped to her hip. Blake then studied the tattoos and found them eerily similar to Grimm. She then looked at the last member of the team, a girl that she remembered was named Solair.
She was dressed in a tight fitting shirt that fell short of reaching her midriff, short sleeved black jacket over it. She also had black jeans with boots that reached up to her calves. She had twin pistols strapped to her hips, a knife lodged into her left boot, and a fanny pack that probably had extra rounds or dust. The team gathered up and stood at one side of the arena while Dante stood opposite them. Blake glanced up and noticed that all 5 already had their aura meters up in a standard tournament layout.
Dante was smirking at them, dressed in his usual silver jeans and jacket that was zipped up all the way, his wrist wraps being pure black. He also had his new sword that Blake couldn't recall seeing before. It looked like a short sword measuring under three feet strapped to his lower back with the handle pointing out to his right side. Judging by the sheath, she guessed the sword was actually rather wide, around 5 inches at the base and not tapering until the last few inches into a triangle point.
The crowd watching, which were a few dozen students along with the professors and slayer teams themselves, quieted down as the slayers stared off. Dante looked very relaxed, his arms crossed while the OSRS team were each in ready stances and looked ready for any attack. Blake noted that Sindria looked particularly tense, likely from being the only one that had fought Dante before and had an idea of what to expect.
"You ladies ready?" Dante asked in a lax manner, seeming to irritate some of his opponents.
"As much as we'll ever be," Sindria muttered while reading her axe.
"Being cocky might be your undoing," Orelia added while assuming a battle stance with her staff, her mask pulled up to cover up to her cheeks and nose.
"Whenever you want then," Dante almost chirped with a grin, his fangs on clear display.
He really wasn't bothering to hide it much anymore but that probably still startled the viewers that didn't know about his heritage. A few more seconds of silence passed before team OSRS dashed into the attack, their sudden movement being nothing more than a blur to even Blake's widening eyes. 'There so fast!' She managed to catch some attacks, mainly Sindria swinging at Dante's neck only for him to lean out of it as she carried past him. He then held his hand out as Solair's knee slammed into it but he didn't budge.
As she pushed off him to gain distance, Orelia came from behind while swinging her staff at his ribs only for Dante to grab it before it could make contact. Taking her momentary surprise, he pulled her off her feet and swung her at Ru who had been coming from overhead. She was knocked away with Orelia as the team each regained their footing while glaring at Dante who retained his smile.
"Tch … he really is the Silver Demon," Orelia muttered as she looked at the lone slayer.
"You weren't kidding when you said he's fast," Solair added while drawing her twin pistols as she glanced at Sindria.
"I told you," Sindria grumbled as she watched Dante.
"He'll slip up eventually," Ru said as she drew her tiny katana.
"Now the question would be," Dante spoke while cracking his neck. "… Can you last until that 'eventually' as you say?"
"Don't underestimate us!" Orelia shouted as she charged.
"Orelia don't!" Sindria called but it was too late.
Orelia went straight at him, thrusting her staff forward to which Dante smirked as he punched the end of her staff. There was a slight pressure wave on collision before Orelia was launched back, the staff nearly being ripped out of her grip. She regained her footing but still skid back to her original position beside her team as she grit her teeth. She removed one hand from her staff, letting herself and the audience see that some of her skin had torn while gripping the staff.
"Damn …" Yang muttered beside Blake. "He barely even looks like he's trying."
"I wonder how long they'll last?" Crato commented from his seat.
"Not long if they don't act like a team," Athena answered as she watched them intently.
Blake would have listened to the rest of the comments but she was paying too much attention to the fight as team OSRS launched another joint attack. Sindria started it, jumping up before slamming the axe down, edge turned up, on top of Dante. He caught it but bent his knees slightly as the floor fractured under his feet.
"Damn Sindira, you've always been a heavy hitter when you wanted to," Dante commented as he tossed her away but then Orelia and Solair attacked at the same time.
Orelia feinted an attack with her staff before coming in with a sucker punch aimed for Dante's gut which connected. Blake noticed her wince as she pulled back while Solair pressed the attack, jumping over Dante while shooting at him with her twin pistols. Dante raised his arm over his head to take the bullets while Orelia gained some distance. Then Ru rushed in at a speed that outclassed the first charge, dashing past Dante as he winced. The team then recovered at some distance while looking at him and taking in any damage that they made.
Dante had a cut across his cheek but otherwise there was nothing else. It seemed that the bullets he blocked with his arm simply ricocheted away much to Solair's surprise. 'Doesn't she know he has scales covering his forearms?' Blake wondered as she continued to watch closely. Dante was smirking as he looked at them, not minding the little cut on his cheek which wasn't healing yet. Blake glanced up and noticed that while each of the slayers from team OSRS had lost some aura, no more than maybe 5 percent considering that they hadn't been attacked directly, but Dante still had all of his aura which confused Blake.
"Hey, Athena," she muttered without taking her eyes of the combatants that initiated more attacks for similar results. "Why hasn't Dante's aura fallen at all?"
"It hasn't!?" some of the others shouted in surprise as they glanced up at the screens to see that it indeed hadn't fallen at all.
"Because he isn't using aura to defend at all," Athena answered nonchalantly.
"Why?" Thantos asked from his seat behind them.
"Because he can use less aura healing any damage given rather than using it to block so why bother?" Athena replied while glancing at them. "That's also why none of his injuries have started to heal, since he's suppressing his aura completely."
Blake returned her attention to the arena and noted that Dante had another cut passing over his eye from the brow to the cheek on his left side but was still smiling as he looked at the slightly panting team OSRS. Taking his smile as an insult, Solair decided to unload straight at Dante who responded by raising his arm in front of his face but otherwise remaining at the same spot. Blake watched in worry as the bullets pierced his jacket and she could see some reddening meaning that at least skin had been pierced as well but Dante still didn't do anything.
After nearly 30 seconds of continuous fire Solair lowered the smoking guns while looking at Dante incredulously. He lowered his arm while smirking at them as if he wasn't currently bleeding from several bullet wounds on his chest and gut.
"Done with warm ups?" Dante asked with a chuckle.
"You've got to be kidding me …" Sindira murmured as she looked at him with wide eyes, making her team glance at her.
"Sindria … what's wrong?" Orelia asked wearily as she tried to watch Dante for any movement.
"He hasn't moved … at all," she replied while pointing at his feet.
The others now noticed as well, their eyes widening with shock. Dante hadn't taken any action other than guard his face from bullets the whole time they were attacking.
"Guy's a monster," Solair said as she took a hesitant step back.
"No …" Dante said while raising one hand to his zipper and undoing it completely. "… A Demon."
Dante wasn't wearing any shirts under his jacket, allowing his chiseled abs, pecks, and scale like crystal lodged in his chest to be fully displayed along with numerous bullet wounds but they weren't what was expected. None of the bullets had made it past the dense muscle underneath the skin, making each one little more than a flesh wound and totally negligible. Blake also noticed for the first time that Dante had a new scar she'd never seen before.
It started just above his belly button and traced up to just shy of reaching his right arm pit, a clear cut that was slightly lighter in tone than the rest of his tan skin. 'What the Hell caused that!?' she wondered as she glanced at Athena, wanting to know who could have caused an injury long enough for it to scar.
"Athena …" she started, getting the slayer's attention for a moment. "Where'd that new scar come from?"
A few of the others took noticed as well, finally realizing that it should be near impossible for Dante to scar at all with his natural healing. Blake noticed that Athena grimaced before answering in a low tone.
"It was his father … he believed Dante was in need of a lesson."
That made the group go quiet as they looked at her, not knowing how to take that. To be terrified that there is someone strong enough to actually hurt Dante or the fact that it was his own father that did it to him. Blake shuddered slightly before she returned her attention to the match, putting her worry on that subject at the back of her mind for now.
Dante then moved both his sleeves up to the elbows, allowing for a better view of his wraps which Blake finally realized weren't wraps at all. They were pitch black, fingerless sleeves reaching past his elbow and into the jacket sleeves.
"Damn … he's hot," Coco muttered drawing some eyes on her while she blushed after realizing that she said that out loud.
"I know right," Athena agreed while giggling. "But remember … he's mine," she added with a playful glare at Coco who simply nodded.
Blake returned her attention to her alpha, feeling a little guilty that she was taking in his form as well. Hopefully no one would notice the slight tinting of her cheeks but a quick glance around showed that she wasn't the only one.
"Umm … is it ok that he'd bleeding?" Lily asked softly as she looked at her guardian.
"He'll be fine," Athena assured.
Blake agreed silently before returning to looking at her alpha who just started to speak while some of the members of team OSRS looked at him carefully, seemingly immune to the eye candy in front of them.
"So Sindria, do you recall anything about my semblance?" he asked with a smirk.
"You get superheated and it adds to your speed and strength," she replied while readying her axe.
"Part of it but not all …" Dante replied as his frame started to glow a slight silver while beginning to steam ever so slightly, his upper gut and chest starting to glow from the inside a mix of silver and dark blue, the crystal also glowing a bright blue. "… Another thing is regeneration."
Team OSRS along with most of the spectators gasped as all his wounds closed in a matter of seconds, without leaving so much as a scar. Blake glanced up to see that now his aura dipped slightly, around 3 percent.
"Now then …" Dante said as silver flames started to flick off his shoulders and arms while the glow coming from his chest intensified while expanding up to his neck and back of his mouth. He grinned, a silver glow coming from behind his fangs as he looked at team OSRS with narrowing eyes. He took a slight combat stance, his hands held at the sides while primed to punch. "… Are you ready for the real fight?"
Author's Rant: Damn it feels good to get this story updated! Hope this satisfied everyone and tides you over till the next chapter. Any reviews, comments, or thoughts are welcome!
A pleasure, Jbubu
