FAMILIAR OF ZERO

Before Saito had mustered up the energy to question, no, to follow the Inquisitor and beat him senseless, Osmond responded with quick and decisive action.

"Colbert-sensei, if you and Chevreuse-sensei could stall His Holiness before he exits the school ground, I have a message that my familiar has just informed me of that may be the key to all of this. We may be able to avoid something more terrible than an Inquisition." Colbert and Chevreuse simultaneously nodded, and quickly walked down the corridor, "The rest of you, I want you to return to your rooms and not come out until I instruct you to. However, since I know you won't listen to me, I want you to stay behind Colbert-sensei and Chevreuse-sensei, and do NOT get involved into anything that may happen, verbal OR physical…"

With a quick turn of his heel, he sped in the opposite direction of Colbert and Chevreuse. The students were left to debate amongst themselves.

"We should probably get to our rooms…there's no telling what Francisco is planning on doing," Beatrice commented. She got equal nods from Tiffania, Louise and Montmorency.

Then, there was Saito, "Like hell I'm going to let that old geezer, that…that monster walk away without so much as a scratch! This…this is my fault for not stopping this before it ever happened…I knew in my gut that…that this was wrong!"

"Saito-sama!" Tiffania yelled as she ran up to him, grasping onto his arm, "There was no way you could have prevented this, there was no way-"

"You're trembling Tiffa…" she let go of him and stepped back, "You're scared, afraid of what he's going to do with your blood, and yet you still want to sit around and wait, pretending like everything will be all right. I don't know what he can do…but whatever he can do…I'm not going to allow him to do it."

"Saito…" she cooed.

Everyone stared at him, unsure of how to react.

"Ara…" Kirche sighed, "It looks like we got wrapped into another huge mess. Are you coming, Tabitha-chan?" Tabitha nodded.

"No! I won't let-" Before she could finish, Tiffania was interrupted again.

"It would be my undoing to not come to the rescue of a beautiful woman in her time of need," Guiche said, pampering himself, "My pride, nay, my honor is on the line here! Momo! Please do not follow me, as I could not bear to lose-"

A quick elbow to the gut shut him up in a second as Montmorency glared down at his fetal form, "Like hell I'm going to let you leave me behind again!"

"Everyone…" Tiffania whispered.

"This is madness!" Beatrice yelled, "The High Inquisitor isn't some crippled man who cannot defend himself! Those guards are there just as a show of force, he was given that position because of how powerful he was; he's a square-level Earth mage for goodness sakes!"

"Then we'll have to be really careful, right?" Louise said, smiling up at Saito. Their gaze met each other and Saito could not help but smile, he felt the two of them had finally reached a neutral ground.

One by one they rushed down the hall, the only people left standing were Tiffania and Beatrice, whom, despite the fearful look on her face, managed the courage to run to catch up to the others, but not before giving Tiffania one final glance and smile.

Soon, Tiffania was left alone, hands covering her face to hide the torrent of tears that poured from her eyes. The fear of what could become of her had long faded from her heart, now, she feared for something worse. The health and lives of her friends, the near-crippling terror that one of them could get hurt in the next coming moments. Yet, standing alongside this fear, was an unmistakable feeling of love and joy she carried for her friends.

"Thank you…" she whispered to no one, yet everyone. And soon, she too found herself running down the corridor to join the others.

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"I do not approve of this," Colbert commented as he quickly looked back at the gaggle of students that followed him.

"Ah darling!" Kirche said as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her steps quickly following behind his, "You get me so worked up when your concern for me blocks out your lack of perception, " she giggled and blew into his ear, "Did you really think we'd let this go without a fight?"

Colbert's face lit up like a Christmas light, "That is beside the point! I thought at least one of you had the sense to not be involved in such a fight! Why, if just ONE of you does not go back to their room-"

"You'll what? Punish us?" Kirche slyly said, "How would you know one or two of us wouldn't like it?"

Colbert quickly stepped away from her, breaking her grip around his neck. Meanwhile, everyone behind Kirche and Colbert stared at them with accusing and disgusted eyes.

"You're disgusting." Montmorency commented.

"You should be ashamed of yourself." Louise added.

"Colbert-sensei…I think the faculty will need to have a talk with you after this…" Chevreuse told him aside, though oddly enough loud enough for everyone to hear.

"What are you all complaining about?" Kirche had backed up into the group of students and had begun whispering to him, "Now, we won't get in trouble for helping out, will we?"

It was true that she had managed to successfully stave off his anger, though at what cost many of them thought.

"That still doesn't retract my statement," Louise stated yet again. The taller Germanian woman glared down at the little mage, who simply hurried her footsteps to the front of the group.

Colbert, completely embarrassed and flustered, relented, "If you all insist! At the most, I want you all to clear the area of students; I don't want this to spread out to those who cannot defend themselves."

Kirche, fully satisfied with her tactics, winked at the group behind her, though they did not share the same sentiment as her.

The light came upon them quickly, and they found themselves outside staring down the long roadway to the pure white carriage that stood halfway between the school and the front gate. Halfway between that, was the High Inquisitor and his entourage of guards and servants. They had made it just in time.

"Do not draw your weapons yet," he quickly told the others, then turned his attention to the Inquisitor, "Your Holiness!" It had worked, and the old man stopped in his tracks, turning his head to stare at the group that poured out into the open ground. He sneered.

"What was your name…Colbert? Yes that's it, why do you waste my precious time?"

"Your Holiness, it is just that your leave is so sudden and it is rare that we are honored by someone with a high stature such as yourself! Would you please grace us with your presence for dinner? At least some tea?"

"My time here is at an end! Colbert-sensei. I have come what I have needed to do, what God has instructed me to accomplish. If you dare to impede my mission any more, I will be forced to show my hand to you and the others, Colbert." The kind, gentle man had long disappeared, and Francisco's true colors were coming out. Violent, impatient, and quick to anger. However, he was impatient above all others, and he quickly hurried to his carriage.

"Please Your Holiness!" Beatrice yelled out, somehow feeling closer to him than anyone else, "Won't you stay for at least a little while longer?"

"Yes Your Holiness!"

"Please take your time!"

"The visit was too-"

Francisco snapped, "GUARDS!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Without hesitation three guards drew their swords and raised them to the group that had emerged from the doorway. Four more had latched onto bows that were strapped to their backs and had notched an arrow faster than anyone had ever seen. The group froze in their tracks.

"How DARE the likes of you attempt to bind me to this place! How DARE you insignificant larvae ignore and disobey MY commands!" Then, he too, raised his staff, his wand, at the group, "None of you could begin to fathom the importance of my mission here! None of you have the right…to even speak to me at this moment. I have heard God…and he has told me the truth…and I will NOT let vermin like yourself hinder me any further!"

Words were practically useless now, there was nothing that anyone could think of that would stop him now.

"Once more…I dare you all once more to question my authority as High Inquisitor…" he waited. And he waited. And he waited. No one dared to speak. Arrows, swords, and magic were aimed in their direction, what could be said to keep the peace just a moment longer? "No? Then let this be your very, last, warning."

The High Inquisitor once again turned around and headed back towards his carriage. The guards stayed in position a moment longer, then they too turned around and began to follow the much faster Inquisitor, sheathing their weapons.

He called out to his servants, and they immediately began to prep the carriage. Reins were attached to the horses, doors and steps were set out for him, the Inquisitor was going to waste no time in leaving the school grounds.

And there was nothing anyone could have done about it. One wrong word and a torrent of violence would descend upon the quiet school. Students had gathered from all around to watch the commotion, to watch two colliding forces, and to see one of them falter so quickly. Fear mounted quickly in the air.

Then, Saito got an idea. He walked several steps down the stairs, separating himself from the rest of the group and when he was satisfied that he had far enough away, he took a chance.

"Your Holiness!" He yelled, "May I ask why you kept the blood of one of our students?!" His tone was caught between curiosity and animosity. Although he had found out too late that taking blood from someone was illegal, he also wanted to know why a holy man such as he would do so.

And everyone stopped. Guards, students, even the High Inquisitor halted. He barked no commands to his guards, who even stared at him with a defining curiosity. Saito had successfully subverted His attention.

"Your Holiness…" one of the guards walked up to the Inquisitor, "Is it true that you drew and sealed the blood of that elf?"

The High Inquisitor, who was in mid-stride between the ground and the stairs, glared up at the very large guard, "Do. You. Question. ME?!"

The guard stepped back, startled, "N-No Your Holiness! But it is written in the scriptures, that no man should keep the blood of others except-"

"There ARE exceptions to the rules Guard! Exceptions only ones such as myself, and His Holiness the Pope are granted permission to! Yes…I DID take the elf girl's blood, as I have every elf before her whom I have converted! They are a testament and bond to their love of God, though, if a whore such as that one wishes to revoke her bond and defy God, then I will have no problem in returning her blood!"

The High Inquisitor had proved himself to be a fantastic propagandist, successfully misdirecting the attention from himself towards the elf, whom everyone's eyes were on at that moment. Tiffania had once again been caught in the middle of things, and this time everyone was watching.

"Is that what you want elf?! Tell me, is that what you want?!" He drew the vial of blood from his robes and held it high, "You are more than welcome to take it back! But…but if you do…then I, nay, God will not allow one such as you to exist with humans ever, again." Tiffania began to tremble, terror once again filling her heart, "Your existence ITSELF will be a blight on all humanity! The mark you carry on your hand will be a mockery on God Himself! And you expect to live peacefully ever again?!" Her eyes shrunk into her head and out of fear, she shook her head. Yet the Inquisitor continued, "You will be hunted. Everyone you've EVER known and cared for, will be hunted down like the beasts they are! For if they welcomed a heretic such as yourself, then they do, must be heretics…"

He had hit home. Tiffania had fallen to her knees, horrified at the thought of a crusade. Just for her. All because of her selfishness.

"No…I don't want that…" it was a ghastly sound she made, it was as if she spoke with no inflection at all, as if an outside force was controlling her voice.

"Tiffa! Are you alright?!" Beatrice yelled and stepped near her.

"Stop!" Tiffania yelled, raising a hand towards her. "Don't…don't come near me…please…I-I don't want anything to happen to you! Please! Just leave me alone!"

From out of nowhere, as all those around Tiffania began to fret and argue with her, and as she argued back, the High Inquisitor mumbled to himself something strange, "Yes…Yes My Lord…That is a brilliant idea, I shall do so at once…" he coughed and straightened himself out, "You and your friends have already broken the trust I have shared in all of you! Now…if you wish their lives without fear of persecution…I want you to erase their memories."

Tiffania's eyes had almost become a sheet of white, "W-What…?" she asked, "How…How did you know…I-"

"God works in mysterious ways elf. He has told me of your power, and to prove yourself to Him, to save others and truly prove your love to your friends, you must not let any of them remember you."

"How dare you!" Saito yelled and drew Derflinger. That turned out to be a huge mistake, as all of the High Inquisitor's guards drew theirs as well, preparing for an attack. A chain reaction occurred, and the group that had just exited the building felt the need to draw their wands at aim them at the guards and the Inquisitor. They secretly cursed Saito's foolishness.

"You had better hurry elf…" the High Inquisitor taunted, "Things are about to turn ugly for your friends."

"Guiche, you, Momo, and Beatrice get the other students out of here. Tiffania, just stay here and don't listen to a word he says. I'll pummel this guy into submission before he can even think about blinking, I won't-"

"No you won't…" Tiffania had cut him off. At once all senses flared in his body and he turned around to stop her, but it was too late. Despite the pitiful state of despair she was in, her arm had found enough strength to raise her wand high in the air, the point already beginning to glow with a bright light. Everyone was taken aback, and yelled out her name, "You won't remember a thing." Her motionless eyes looked into Saito, and one, final tear formed at the corner of it, "I'm sorry Saito…but you won't remember a thing."

"Tiffa!" He yelled and stepped forward. He would not be able to make it.

"Saito…I…I…" She closed her eyes, his face burned into her memories. It was not the face she had wanted to remember, but it would have to do, "I…lu…"

The light began to increase in intensity, and she felt her magic run through the tips of her fingers and into the wand.

And then…it was gone.

There were no tears left to cry anymore, there was nothing to cry about. No one would remember her, no one would be there to save her anymore, to laugh with her, to try and grab her breasts, it was all gone now.

"Now now, we can't have any of that can we?" Osmond cooed. Tiffania's eyes shot opened, and she stared into the serene face of the headmaster, his beard conformed to a gentle grin.

"S-Sensei…" she whispered. The first thing she noticed was her wand he held in his hand, he had stopped her from casting the spell. She looked around to see everyone staring at him, at her. Now more than ever, she felt like a fool, "I'm…I'm…I'm so…"

Osmond smiled wider and patted her head, "There there, no harm came from it. But I did tell you to stall him right? Granted you did a good enough job, but I said nothing about making him talk you into something you don't want to do, right?"

"What is the meaning of this?!" The High Inquisitor bellowed, "This has no say for you Headmaster, this is between God and-"

"This, Francisco, is between you and me now," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a scroll. Eyes looked around the immediate area, until he saw a guard that was more decorated than the rest, he called out to him, "Are you the Captain of the Guard?"

The guard, sword still at the ready, glanced quickly at the Inquisitor who stood behind him, "Yes…Yes I am. What business do you have with me?"

"I have none," he released the scroll in his hand, and a strong gust of wind blew from nowhere, carrying the scroll a hundred or so meters to the guard, who grabbed onto it immediately, "But I think He does."

The captain opened the scroll and began to read it. His eyes conveyed over the entire page once, then twice, then a third time. His reaction was uncanny and direct.

"Guards!" He yelled, "Arrest that man!"

"WHAT?!" Francisco yelled.

The captain turned around and unraveled the scroll for the rest of the guards, "This is a letter from His Holiness the Pope. You, Francisco Montgomery, are to be brought to the Holy Vatican for your immediate excommunication!"

Francisco's eyes sunk into his head, "My…My what…?"

From across the pathway, he heard Osmond chuckle, "You see…I thought that it was odd that someone with such high status such as yourself would show up unexpectedly to hold an inquisition for just one elf. An elf whom, both myself and her Highness, Queen Henrietta, had personally interviewed and approved to stay here under my tutelage. And being rather close friends with her Highness, I knew that she would never approve it without some form of consent from the Church. Then of course, came the very, very small entourage. No one who is supposed to hold such supreme power would travel with such a small escort of guards, no matter how elite they are supposed to be. That told me that you've been traveling under secrecy, and for quite some time it might seem. But you see, all that was inconsequential, and I would have willingly let you go and have not been worried about the message I sent to Her Highness the moment you had arrived yesterday…had Tiffania-san and Saito-san not informed me about your…well, less than moral symbolic keepsakes. I am well familiar with the workings of the church and, unfortunately, their inquisitions. You may spill it, but you never, ever keep it." Osmond continued to smile, and he walked down the steps towards Francisco, "I am afraid I cannot let you leave here with Tiffania Westwood's blood, no matter what you say the intention is for."

"Why you-" Francisco straightened up and aimed his staff at him, but before a word escaped his lips the nearest guard's fist came down onto his wrist, and both him and his staff hit the ground.

"You do not deserve to wield this!" The Captain said as he bent over and grabbed the staff, holding it at his side. Francisco stared in terror as the guards circled him and Osmond drew near.

"Why…Why would the Church excommunicate me?! Their most devout and loyal subjects?! Don't you fools see? That letter is a forgery! This is all a trap by these…heathens! Those who would defile and tear apart the foundations we struggled so hard to-!"

"Save it." The Guard Captain hissed. The propagandist was useless here, he had been caught in a whirlpool from which there was no escape.

"I think…I can answer that question too." Osmond said, "It appears that you have been traveling between Romalia, Gallia, and Tristain without consent or acknowledgment from His Holiness, at least that is the information I received from Her Highness. That in itself is just demands for punishment, but, you took it one step farther." Osmond kneeled down and stared the former Inquisitor in the face, there was no love or respect for him any longer, he had tried to desecrate his students, his school, "You…stole from King Josef of Gallia."

Gasps were heard everyone, from the students, from his escorts, even from the guards and Tabitha. Francisco simply smiled.

"Hah…why would anyone be foolish enough to steal from a King? Especially one such as I, who have lived his life completely devoted to God."

"I can't answer that question, unfortunately. However, I do know you did it. Apparently they found the body of the thief that you hired to steal from him. Well…body makes it sound like he was dead."

The smug look on Francisco's face faded, replaced once again by an unspeakable horror, "He…lived?"

"Oh yes. Just barely though. He confessed to everything, you almost had everything worked out, though I'm sure they would have figured it out eventually. The magic used on him was uncanny of a square mage who primarily used earth magic, and being one of the very few square mages, not to mention the former High Inquisitor, everyone knew that you had passed through days before."

Francisco, who had been half kneeling, fell to his hands. Sweat dripped down his face, onto his nose and covered the ground, "I…have failed you…My Lord…" Osmond cocked his head, "I…am not worthy of Your love…"

"Hmm…" Osmond simply shrugged, "That reminds me, I did remember some time ago, long before you sent that message, that the High Inquisitor was slowly losing his mind. Talking to no one, running around in a tizzy…maybe that's why you were not selected as His Holiness' replacement."

Francisco glared up at him, Osmond had hit the right spot. But there was nothing he could do, he was a helpless old man now, stripped of his power and his authority, his only hope would be that he might survive the trip back to the Vatican.

Osmond held out his hand, "I believe…you have something of one of my students." With a sneer, the former Inquisitor reached into his pocket, palming the vial of blood. A moment hesitation caused him to hold onto it for a second.

Eventually, he dropped it into Osmond's hand. With that said, Osmond was happy that he had demeaned the man enough, and began to walk away.

"Check him for other wands," the captain commanded. Four hands set upon Francisco, searching and roughly digging through his pockets for any other wands. The old man just lay there, taking it with great humiliation. When they were satisfied that there was nothing on his person, they nodded to the captain.

"Stand!"

Francisco looked up at him, "How long have you known me…Guillermo…you know very well that I am incapable of standing on my own, much less walking."

"We will not carry you the entire way to Romalia."

"My stick…Guillermo…at least give me my walking stick to stand."

The captain looked at him for a moment, then, what would prove to be a very foolish move, kicked his walking stick over to him. "There…now stand!"

Francisco pushed himself onto his knees, which was excruciatingly slow in itself. The time it took for him to raise himself to his feet, with the crotchety old stick that nearly broke in on itself.

"Start walking."

Francisco slowly turned around, and, step by step, walked away from Osmond.

"Guillermo…" he muttered. The captain turned his head towards him, demanding to know what he was doing addressing him. "Did you really think that I, as a square-level mage, managed to survive this long with only carrying one, single, wand?"

The former Inquisitor's smile lit up, an insidious grin that spread from ear to ear. Guillermo's eyes, the only visible portion of his face underneath the brilliant helm, widened as large as Francisco's grin. He was much too late to stop him.

"Sunder."

Francisco's walking stick tapped the ground, and the earth exploded.

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END

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