Redemption and Rebirth

Disclaimer: Riviera is owned by their respective owners. This piece of fiction is mine, on the other hand.

Note: This chapter will have some sequences of their pasts. I should have told you earlier. I assumed that the Ein x Fia pair came to the ending. That's just how I finished my file in the game. Anyways, less of those two for a while and more on the obscure pair, here goes the next chapter.

The Dance for Blood and Moonlight

The cathedral was but an empty structure. Having no one within its design, the light gave its radiant working to the sacred hall. A youth remained upon the presence of the altar before him. The quiet came to engulf the young man as he stood still with his eyes facing the statue of the two angels who bore only one wing, aiding each other hand in hand. His blond hair of shoulder length was partly ruffled; his robes of black in its clerical form came to keep his composed aura. He closed his eyes as he felt a prayer has left his lips, silent in intent.

The door opened behind him, footsteps echoed afterwards. The young man turned to gaze upon this visitor who entered the very hall. His calm expression seemed to have broken out in a mild smile. His eyes welcomed the incoming figure as she entered the room. The radiant complexion imparted an aura of beauty, complemented by her long blond hair with its flowing grace. Her clothing comprised of a dress of white and a veil of blue silk danced upon her arms as it complemented her beauty. The piece of jewelry that was present happened to be the necklace adorned upon her neck, bearing the symbol of nobility. She was an image of tranquil beauty, a noblewoman in her youth.

The young man gazed at her, his smile ever gentle. The woman demurely responded with a smile as she ambled towards him. It seemed memorial, eternal within. Bearing that it might be the same occurrence at another moment.

The moonlight hall carried the atmosphere of the forsaken sanctuary. The serene casting of its light was bright to illuminate the center of the hall while the rest of the environs remained dark. The Diviners gleamed along with the moon as the two Grim Angels that stood there gazed upon each other, eyes meeting in a distant fashion. The one bearing the crimson spear remained with a look in calm or cold countenance in its fashion, his thoughts or emotions bore its cloaked state. His blond hair brought one strand affront his visage, partly obscuring his right eye. The crimson mantle and the train of his black robes danced as it caught the breeze that passed between them. The female angel felt his presence and felt a number of emotions mixing a cocktail within her. Remaining stern and alert, she glared upon the stranger as her lips parted to speak.

"Ledah, I could have sworn you died. And what do we have here?" she said with arrogance lining her tone, clasping the azure Skadi upon her side. "A ghost from the dead, am I right?"

Ledah kept his gaze at her. Displaying no change in the expression of his face, his hand came to clench in a fist as he felt the tension run his form. His grip on Lorelei intensified with its crimson aura, the woman remained oblivious of his thoughts and reactions while the spear became a sort of signal.

"And still you remain the puppet of this so-called master of yours. Does that ring a bell, Malice?" he replied to her words, his eyes remaining enigmatic with his voice devoid of any expression. His wit with the sarcasm took the weight to her.

Malice noted the sense in Ledah's words. She felt the heat of rage pulsate within her. Her eyes remained with the cold glare as she was enraged. Her mind began to wander as she whispered a phrase in the air that seemed to carry. She smirked as she recounted the odds, remembering the weapon upon her side.

"So Ledah, you seem to be the miser of the both of us. Don't you feel a little déjà vu has played us?" Malice reminded him a strange memoir of an idea repeating.

To Ledah, it didn't come to comprehend. Noticing the slight grin, he took this as an ill pun. Reminded of the scars that once took hold of him, he felt the moonlight brought the path before him as he sauntered a few steps forward. His hand tightened his grip, inwardly questioning what she meant.

"What are you talking about?" Ledah asked as he glared; his expression cold and without falter. His grip to the spear Lorelei was increasing in tension. Feeling its crimson warmth beginning to heighten, he halted midway in his approach.

The wind gave its grace upon the pair as the gap between them lessened its distance. The breeze made the trails of their robes bellow upon its passage, brushing the strands of hair that came to their faces. Feeling the frigid clasp of air, Malice smirked upon his reaction as she found him almost dumbfounded.

"My, oh my, you really have no clue." She simply winced as she clasped her weapon. The Diviner gave its glacial aura as it echoed the heart's voice. She closed her eyes, her hand raised upon her visage, combing a strand of her hair out of her line of vision. She averted her gaze upon the sky upon opening them, noticing the moonlight that peered through. Her lips parted as she seemingly fell into reverie. "You will have your turn to see."

Ledah remained in silence. He may have ignored the words, but welling inside him was a sensation that crept within his form. His chest gave its frigid feel as it seemingly tightened, the shivering grasp continued to take his mind to feel its aching manner. His mind felt the blank sight taking dominance, a flash of white covered his senses. But was he alone in this? The images began to play in his mind, monochromatic in its memorial.

The cathedral was quiet on that morn. The light of the sun peered through the windows of stained glass, bringing its colors to cast a path upon the marble floor. The youth, clad in his black clothes, stood upon the center aisle as he awaited the person that stood upon the entrance in her saunter. The woman, dressed in her flowing dress of white, gave a smile as she ambled to him. Her blond hair danced upon every step that she took, its flowing length followed her as the silk veil of sapphire remained upon her arms. Reaching to where the young blond stood, she halted as she gazed at him. Her eyes locked gaze upon this youth that stood before her.

The young man felt jubilated, evident upon the expression of his face. A gap now closed in with them in the center of the aisle, he held her upon his arms. The maiden smiled as she brought her head to rest upon his chest. The light of the sacred hall took witness, the couple standing before the angels that were enshrined within the chapel. The maiden gazed at him, their eyes meeting in a fashion unfathomable by fate's design. Captivated, they gravitate upon each other, what transpired between them was obscured by light.

The Grim Angel Ledah shook his head, his vision blurred upon that strange incident. He brought his palm upon his visage, setting his sights clear in distinguishing reality. His heart throbbed, the pulse almost overwhelming him with sensations that are foreign to him. He stood there confused at what was going on. Though this affected him, it didn't cause him to waver with his grip to the crimson Diviner. He raised his head, finding that he was not alone in facing that strange incident.

Malice was dazed with the moment as well, the same things transpired upon her in the same way. She staggered with her footing, her right foot sliding partly upon the ground. The strands of her blond hair obscured the expression upon her eyes and face. Setting her grip firm and her resolve stern, she averted her gaze to Ledah as she glared at him coldly. Skadi resonated with its frigid glow whilst the moonlight reflected its rays upon the azure and crimson Diviners. Ledah remained quiet, a pause of silence running between the pair.

What is this? What's going on? Ledah questioned in his mind.

He took a step forward, facing the other Grim Angel. Silent fury came to him as he began to increase his pace. Malice affixed her gaze at him and made her form charge head on. Both angels rushed with weapons in hand as the battle between them was about to begin. Ledah brandished his spear, swinging it downwards in a diagonal stroke from his right. Malice made the same stroke at the same time as Ledah made his attack. A flash came upon collision, fragments of light, cinders and frozen shards danced upon the air as they locked blades on that moment. Their occuli held their stare upon each other, Malice's fierce and cold glare meeting with Ledah's cloaked and emotionless gaze. But on that split second, the images flashed upon their vision. It was causing its interference to them.

Malice felt agitated with the image impressed upon her mind. The youth within the unknown memory came to appear before her, where Ledah was then standing. She flinched as she broke the locking of blades and pushed him back with Skadi in hand. Ledah took himself distant, retaining his stance. Keeping his resolve against this opponent, he stood as he anticipated the upcoming movement. Malice brought her halberd in an overhead cleave. Ledah dodged the blow, stepping back quickly as the blade struck the ground. Yet unbeknownst to him was the sudden burst of energy welling from the crack on the ground. The frost geyser almost caught him off-guard but Ledah brought his spear to its path, infusing its ardent aura to block the attack. With his wings giving a quick flap, he brought his form to gain more distance on that maneuver.

Ledah gripped his spear, his tarsals tensing upon the floor after cushioning his evasion. Without any hesitation, he charged after Malice with the spear affront his form. The spearhead of Lorelei running aflame, the crimson aura came to surround the Grim Angel's form as he gained velocity in his charge. Breaking the motion with his foot grinding dust upon the ground, he twisted his torso in a partial movement, sending the spear with its initial thrust. Malice found the strike sudden, having no choice but to move slightly to the side as the blade came to her. Swaying to her sinistral side, she brought the halberd to ascend from the ground, just in time for the shaft to deflect the thrust. The young man pulled his spear back in recoil, giving a series of thrusts at his opponent. She winced at him, blocking every attempt with the shaft of her halberd. The flurry began to increase its tempo, its speed in every blow coming to heightened paces. Malice found the difficulty taxing to her part, parrying every blow as much as she could even with her angelic dexterity. The barrage came to its increasing pace, imparted with its flaming edge, was breaking through her defense. With the cinders, sparks, flames and steam came to dance upon the air, she was gradually faltering. Malice flinched with the last shots given, her guard now at its limit. Ledah pulled his spear into form, gathering his strength and tension with this single blow. Bringing his torso in its gyrating motion, the spear gave its radiant carmine glow, the tip flashing with its amassed energy. And on that moment he gazed at her in the eyes, noting her expression.

Time seemed to have hampered its pace, slowing its motion on that very moment. Malice caught the glimpse of his expressionless visage, his eyes bearing an empty gaze. It seemed to give its entrancing form, beautiful yet dreadful. Ledah's grasp to the Diviner grew tenser, his arm pushing further with the blow. A flash of scarlet ignited in the air as the spear rushed to her. Malice was taken aghast, unable to react quickly to the incoming strike.

Her form was thrown back, rushing in velocity towards the altar, colliding upon the wooden piece with her body partly engulfed with the flames. Dust, splinters and smoke obscured the place of impact, a pause filling a gap for both Grim Angels to breathe. Ledah gazed at the ruined altar, assessing the movements behind the rubble and splinters. From the soot and dust shot out a sliver of ice rushing forth in velocity. By reflex, Ledah propelled himself in the air, jumping out of harm's way. His wings kept him airborne, avoiding the impact that summoned a number of frozen pillars. Yet, unbeknownst to him came forth a speeding figure. Reappearing before him, she flicked her weapon with tremendous force. Ledah blocked the attack yet he was pushed down by the impact of the strike. He flapped his pinions, keeping his form upon the air while gaining his distance. Taking the opportunity, he brought his free hand upon his side. His palm was half-closed whilst his thumb, index and middle fingers were raised. Crimson light began to ignite its presence upon his hand, enveloping the palm with its energy. Malice gave a maniacal grin as she charged with her Diviner, diving to deal him a blow upon that opportunity. Ledah kept his composure, his timing cleared as he flicked his hand forward, propelling the flaming energy in its guise of a burning lance. The projectile rushed to her, meeting her rushing form. Malice brandished Skadi, deflecting and dispersing the flaming lance hurled at her, though the flames grazed her robes partly. She rushed at him, swinging her weapon in a horizontal stroke. Ledah brought his spear upon the halberd's path, locking them together once more. He gave a glance at her, struggling on their deadlock.

"What's wrong? Feel like dying today?" Malice spoke; her words rang with a sly and mocking voice.

"I'll bring you with me if that happens." Ledah answered, his tone slightly strained yet remaining to be cold. "I wonder what will happen if you're without a master now."

Malice winced, hiding her annoyance. "Then I'll be a wandering soul just as you would be right now. I don't care."

She was gaining her strength in overpowering him. She broke the deadlock, brandishing Skadi with its glacial blow. Ledah brought his Diviner to block the attack, infusing Lorelei with its flaming aura. The frost was diminished as it sizzled to steam, but the force of the blow threw him to the ground, falling towards the pews in his descent. Malice didn't show any expression of content or triumph just yet. She raised Skadi up high, the Diviner begun to levitate from her grasp. At once, the weapon began to emit its azure light whilst a mist of frost came to surround it. The white cloud came to amass and grow, shards of ice forming upon the air. With that moment, seeing Ledah in his dazed state, Malice winced at him as she channeled her will upon the Diviner. The frost came to form its slivers, aligning in arrays before shooting out towards its target. The barrage of icicles came to where Ledah was situated, the frost slivers crashing continually upon the pews and upon where the Grim Angel rested. Dust, mist and splinters came to envelop the area as the icicles made their collision.

As the attack ended, the stillness of the hall took over. No echo came to stir the silence. The shroud of soot and mist surrounded the bombarded area as the broken wooden pews were scattered in several pieces. Malice remained suspended in the air, her wings flapping effortlessly as she hovered. The cerulean Diviner returned to her hands as it descended upon her palm with finesse. She felt the tense air once more, doubt coming to form if she had ended this feud with that attack. Though her mind protested that it would come otherwise, she glared upon the ruin laid upon the ground before her. The cloud began to settle, the shrouding mass vanishing as it was blown away by the mage wind that surrounded the area of impact. A field of crimson aura that spanned its domelike grasp came to revelation. And within that barrier stood Ledah, his left hand outstretched in its open palm.

Malice winced, amused yet aghast at the sight. Giving a soft chuckle with the thought of him surviving the barrage was enough to make her wince at the thought. Ledah fixed his occuli upon her form, dispelling the crimson barrier sooner as he brought himself to ease. His lips parted to speak as he brought his wings to span its width.

"You seemed amused. What happened to your psychopathic tendencies?" Ledah spoke, unwavering with his tone and expression.

"I am starting to enjoy this." Malice replied nonchalantly. "After all, you are much harder to kill unlike last time."

She brought her hand near her face, her fingers brushing her lips as she gazed at him slyly. "Besides, it gives me pleasure if you pose more of a challenge."

Ledah exhaled air upon hearing the words. He twirled Lorelei with only a hand, bringing it still to his grasp after a couple of circles. "Well, that means we'll dance to that until it ends."

Poising his form to prepare another attack, Ledah gazed at Malice as she prepared herself to the upcoming battle. "Make sure you have me satisfied then."

"We'll see." Ledah replied. His wings made a violent flap, his tense limbs pushing him airborne as he rushed to the air. "Have at you!"

Malice swooped down from where she was, rushing towards the incoming angel. Both forms approximating each other in their clashing, a flash of light came as their blades met. Along with it was a powerful shockwave that echoed, reverberating upon the metalwork and glass, kicking a gust of wind on opposing directions.

A gasp of air and a muffled cry stirred the silence of the night. The figure obscured by the darkness yet revealed by the moonlight breathed for air as he eased his naked form clothed by the sheets of the bed under the evening. His bare chest was adorned with beads of sweat. His dark, cobalt-shaded hair was ruffled by his movements in his slumber. He brought his hand upon his face, feeling the drenched skin. Yet his sudden jerk stirred another companion. He averted his gaze to the side of his bed and was welcomed by the peaceful sleeper. Strands of emerald shade partly obscured her face as her long, flowing hair covered her form along with the sheets. Her complexion was serene like the moonlight, showing her dreaming state as she groaned in her sleep. The youth gazed at her as his mind wandered.

"That's strange. It must be a dream. I thought Ledah was alive." He whispered. He sighed as he turned to the young lady. "Oh well, better go back to sleep."

He brought his form to lie once more, careening to his side to face her. Placing his palm upon hers, weaving his fingers to her grasp, he breathed easy as he began to slumber once more. Peace and warmth emanating on both figures, he drifted once more to his dreams.

The cathedral flashed with lights, the sound of clashing blades echoing within the halls. The sudden sparks dancing upon the space above the ground came to become a spectacular display as a trail of feathers danced and glided their way to the floor. Two figures flashing with speed from one end to the other. This sight of a battle with its heat coming to its peak lured demons upon that area. Coming in flocks, a battalion of these beings came to assemble as they circled the halls. The clattering of their armor and blades of steel, the growls and grunts made by feral beings, they stood waiting for an opportunity to take the two angels to their fall.

The two continued with their barrage of attacks at each other, seemingly ending it as they pushed each other away, breaking away from the flurries of clashes. Both of them sped on the ground as they broke away. For the hordes of demons, now was the moment to destroy these beings to ease their bloodlust. They began their march as they charged in numbers, driven only to kill whatever is in their path. At once they lunged after Malice as she landed upon the floor on her feet. Grimacing at the sudden interference, she twirled and swung her Diviner at the airborne assailants. In that stroke, Skadi severed a row of demons into shards of frozen flesh and blood as they fall to the ground, severed in halves. She twirled her weapon as she began her onslaught, striking everything in her path left and right with arcs and swings that broke an immediate circle of oncoming demons surrounding her. Ledah struggled with his landing. A demon lunged at him in midair, meeting him with fangs and claws gleaming as they wait to taste his flesh and blood. The angel thrust his spear upon the enemy, skewering him upon his descent to the ground. The spray of blood and the carmine steam emanating from the demon's body filled the air, the body combusting as Ledah touched the ground. A circle of them charged at him with their weapons, only to be whisked away with a whirling Diviner, creating an eddy of flames to them. With a flick of his spear, clearing the blood, the demons that came to strike him fell to the ground in severed and charred pieces of flesh.

Ledah glanced at Malice, meeting her eyes once more upon that partial distance. Malice gritted her teeth as she gripped Skadi tightly. That short moment was exchanged with glares. As if dictated by instinct, the two charged forth at each other, meeting blades once more. But as they have closed the distance, neither of them swung their blade to smite the other. Instead, they passed each other by and charged on for the demon hordes that stood behind them. Time seemed to have slowed on that moment, their gazes met upon the corners of their eyes. The silence between them took most, seeing that this will be concluded sooner.

(End of Chapter)

Here's the second chapter. Almost silent again and yet something catches our eyes. What do you think of it? I was writing this while the thought of playing Tantra online here in my place came to being. In case you noticed, an Ein x Fia scene came out. Well, please review, suggestions and comments are much welcomed. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Sydney Grise