Chapter 3: A History of Strife
The following day, Usagi and the group arrived at Cass's rental house. The house was located in the Tomigaya district in Shibuya. It was a single-story house and medium-sized. They all could tell it probably was about four bedrooms from the size of it.
"Nice place," Mako observed.
Mamoru looked over at Cass's Viper GTS in the driveway. "That… is so cool."
Everyone else looked at the car, impressed by it as well. "Wow!" Mako whispered. "I think I'm in love."
"I can't even imagine how much that must've cost," Ami noted.
"Wasn't cheap at all, I can guarantee," Artemis declared. "That's a high-end model!"
"Artemis, how do you know that?" Luna asked.
"I saw it in a magazine Minako was flipping through."
"He's not wrong, though," Mamoru confirmed. "It's a great car!"
Minako studied the car and looked at the house, "So… are they both single?"
"Minako!" Rei, Ami, and Mako chided.
"Just asking!"
Mamoru rang the doorbell; a minute later, Victor opened the door with a smile. "Hey, everyone!" Victor welcomed, receiving greetings in return. "C'mon in! Cass is still cooking."
"Oh, you guys are the best!" Usagi smiled.
They walked in, stopping in the living room. "Okay, seriously," Mako looked around, "like… how rich is Cass?"
"Supremely," Victor grinned.
"Victor!" Cass reprimanded from the kitchen.
"Again… not saying anything that isn't true!"
Cass groaned as he walked in. "Afternoon, all! Welcome to our temporary home."
"That describes any place we stay," Victor joked.
"True enough. Lunch is still a bit of a ways off. Anyone care for tea or a snack?"
"Yes and yes," Usagi said, immediately.
Rei threw her head back and rolled her eyes. Luna and Artemis sighed.
"Usagi, you have no impulse control whatsoever," Ami rubbed her temple.
"He asked!" Usagi defended.
Cass chuckled, "Coming right up!"
They made small talk for about an hour as Cass finished cooking. Once the meal was ready, everyone sat down to eat. The girls, Mamoru, Luna, and Artemis were impressed by the spread: Cass had prepared a meal of turkey and almost every conceivable side that would complement such a meal.
"Sorry if I went overboard," Cass rubbing the side of his head. "I… haven't gotten to cook for a lot of people in a while. I guess I was trying to compensate."
Usagi practically drooled over the food then looked at Cass. "I love you!"
"USAGI!" Ami, Rei, Mako, and Minako yelled while Mamoru just rubbed his eyes and Artemis and Luna groaned.
Victor erupted into laughter. "Oh, that was funny!"
Cass chuckled. "Everyone, please!"
As soon as the girls, Mamoru, and the cats took their first bite, they stopped.
"Whoa…" Minako whispered.
"Is something wrong?" Cass asked.
"Yes. I'll never be able to cook like this, that's what's wrong!"
"I don't think I'll ever cook this good!" Mako admitted.
"I mean yours is…" Ami shrugged, "close?"
"Not even!"
"You cook?" Cass asked Mako.
"I love to," Mako replied. "Just… I think this is outta my league."
"Nonsense! I have extended experience. These are just a few recipes I've learned."
"They're fantastic!" Rei praised.
"Thank you," Cass nodded. "Everyone, please. Enjoy."
Everyone continued to eat, thoroughly enjoying Cass's culinary skills, and making small talk as they went.
"This is sooooo good!" Usagi moaned as the meal neared its conclusion.
Cass laughed. "It does my heart wonders to know you're enjoying it!"
"Enjoy it? This has got to be one of the best meals I've ever had!"
"And considering how much she eats, that's saying a lot," Rei sneered.
"This coming from the dessert princess, over here," Usagi fired back.
"Watch it, Usagi!"
"Or what?!"
"Easy, you two," Mamoru begged.
"Yes, you're not ruining Cass's house!" Luna warned.
"It wouldn't be the first time that's happened," Cass reassured. "Enemies aside, you should've seen one rental house after Victor tried testing one of his abilities." He smirked.
"Yeah, yeah," Victor exhaled.
"No chance of getting that security deposit back."
"How was I supposed to know the scythe would be that powerful?!"
"You could've tested it outside! Like a thinking person would!"
"I said I was sorry!"
Everyone laughed as Victor just rubbed his forehead.
Mako looked at Cass, "So, if you don't mind my asking, Cass, how do you know how to cook like this?"
"Not at all, and the answer is centuries of practice," Cass replied. "With lots of trial and error. Knowing how to cook makes it easier to always have food, no matter what world I'm on."
'Centuries?' Luna contemplated.
'World?' Artemis pondered.
A similar thought process went through the minds of the others.
Only Usagi vocalized the question. "So, how old are you?" she asked, bluntly.
"USAGI!" Rei, Minako, Ami, Mako, and Luna scolded.
"Oh, there is no way I was only one thinking that!"
Victor laughed.
Mamoru groaned, "Usako, please…"
Cass laughed. "It's a fair question. One I get often. To be honest, as close as I can tell, I'm about 3000-years-old. Give or take a century or two."
The girls, Mamoru, Luna, and Artemis stared at Cass in shock. "Whoa…" they all breathed out.
"Same thing I said when he first told me," Victor agreed.
"Sorry if that reaction was rude," Rei shied back.
"Honestly, Rei, it's fine," Cass reassured. "Living the life I've lived, I'm proud to have made it to this age. Like I said, it's given me plenty of time to perfect my cooking skills, among other things." He turned his attention to Mako, "I'd be more than happy to share some recipes, if you like."
"Uhhh, yes, please!" Mako grinned.
"Consider it done!" Cass leaned forward, resting his elbows on table and interlocking his fingers. "Well, then! Now that we've eaten… besides my age, I'm sure you all have a number of questions."
"Just a few," Mamoru joked.
Cass smiled. "Where'd you like to start?"
"Can you tell us about the Paladins, please?" Ami asked.
"Of course. The Paladins have existed for a number of eons. When evil began to rise and become unchecked in the universe, the Paladins were created to combat it and keep it in check where it all possible, pulling warriors from all races across the stars. Our base of operations was the Crimson Castle on the world of Aurora Astrum, until Aurora Astrum fell to monsters known as the Great Destroyers. I'm the last Champion but our hierarchy fell in the order of Lord, then Champion, and Sentinel, with the High Leader as our top authority figure. Each Lord commanded their own sect Paladins, combating evil wherever we find it. Champions were the second-in-command of the Lords with Sentinels being the lowest rank."
"You're not a Lord by default?" Rei asked.
"Lords are made by the High Leader. That was Empress Bellicent. But, as she is no longer with us and no other High Leader was chosen, there can be no more Lords. Worthy Champions are usually picked, as well, but, under the right conditions, they can be chosen. I was found worthy and given a Champion medal by the last Lord I know of, my master, Musashi, before his passing."
"Sorry you lost your master," Luna mentioned.
"Thank you," Cass nodded.
"How'd you end up joining the Paladins?" Mako asked.
"The Paladins found me took me in, about three millennia ago. I was told I was discovered, unconscious and wounded on a battlefield." Cass looked off. "After our order was brought to the brink of extinction and my master's death… I decided to continue our mission. Traveling all I could, wandering the stars. Fighting evil wherever I found it. Helping anyone I could. I've been on Earth for a couple of hundred years, which is how I came across the Disciples, bringing us into opposition… and our war brought us here, to Tokyo."
"What happened to the rest of the Crimson Paladins?" Minako asked.
"The war with the Great Destroyers brought us to near-annihilation. The war waged across the universe. In its conclusion? Aurora Astrum was lost, and all other Paladins were killed or went M.I.A. One of the few left being me. A Sentinel who hadn't finished his training. After the war, I was trained by Master Musashi. Until he was tragically killed, as well."
The room fell silent. "They're…" Minako spoke up, "…aren't anymore Paladins?"
"If there are… I have not found them."
The girls, Mamoru, and the cats looked at each other, depressingly, then back at Cass. "We're so sorry," Mako expressed.
Cass nodded, "It's alright. But thank you."
"Are your Paladin powers where you got the fire from?" Ami asked.
"Actually, no." Cass held his hand up and summoned the fire to his palm. "From what I was told… my bloodline is related to dragons, ones who can create a purple fire. The flame is known as the Holy Fire."
"You're part dragon?" Rei asked.
Cass nodded, "As I understand it."
"Incredible!" Ami whispered.
"THAT'S SO COOL!" Mako shouted.
Victor laughed. "Mako! I can tell we're gonna be good friends!"
"Sounds good to me!"
"Soooooo, how come you don't have scaly skin or fangs or wings and stuff?" Usagi asked.
"Why the heck do we take you anywhere?!" Rei growled.
"She's a walking billboard of what not to say!" Luna dropped her head.
"What?!" Usagi cried out. "What'd I do now?!"
"Usagi!" Ami groaned. "Your questions are just… massively inappropriate!"
Cass chuckled, "It's fine, Ami. Believe me. I get that question more often than you think. But to answer: it's because I have a special ability to shift to a dragon-like form. The issue is it's pretty strong. Quite noticeable. You walk up being an over seven-foot-tall, dragon man with wings and people's reactions are… interesting, to say the least."
"I'm sorry, that still just sounds cool!" Mako smiled.
"It really is." Cass winked, causing the girls and Mamoru to laugh. "I like to keep it under wraps until I need it. In addition, my human form is just worlds more convenient. On most planets."
Ami thought that over. "Interesting. And convenient."
"I like to think so."
"Are you immortal as well?" Artemis asked.
"To an extent," Cass answered. "It's more like I have an extremely elongated lifespan. Other dragons I've met explained I qualify as being my… thirties in comparison to human years."
"But like a really hot thirties," Minako smiled.
Cass and Victor laughed with Victor nearly falling out of his chair. "That was awesome!" Victor shouted.
"MINA!" Artemis chided.
"Just being honest," Minako shrugged.
"You're too kind, Mina," Cass replied.
"And you can't take me anywhere?!" Usagi asked Rei, motioning at Minako.
"We can't take either of you anywhere!" Rei fired back.
"So, wait, being part dragon didn't narrow down where you're from?" Mamoru asked.
Cass smiled. "I found clues but nothing concrete. Not unexpected, really. After all… the universe is a big place."
Rei looked at Victor. "What about your powers?"
Victor held his fist up and formed a perfect sphere of pitch-black energy with a dark-purple light outlining the black. "A bit darker. But I'm human. From Earth, to be clear."
"Now that I see your powers up close…" Artemis said, "that… looks familiar."
"Of course!" Luna said in wonder. "Artemis, don't you remember?!" She stared at Victor in awe, "He's a Shadow Angel!"
Artemis's eyes widened. "No way!"
Victor smiled. "In the flesh." He lowered his fist, letting the power dissipate. He pulled his right sleeve up, "Further confirmation is right here."
On Victor's upper right shoulder was a birthmark that resembled an angel's wing aimed upward.
"Amazing!" Luna breathed out. "A living Shadow Angel!"
"That's why Goneril kept calling you 'Angel' last night!" Artemis realized.
"Yeah," Victor rolled his sleeve down. "The Disciples are the reasons me and Cass met in the first place."
"What's a Shadow Angel?" Rei asked.
"Warriors born with the power of darkness," Artemis explained. "But… more like the power of a nebula, is one way of putting it. Their power was called the Blessed Darkness or the Holy Dark because it wasn't a source of evil. Shadow Angels were trained to harness that power to fight evil from the shadows. I didn't think there were any left on Earth."
"I'm the last of the clan," Victor answered. "My generation, anyway. Far as we know. The Disciples discovered the Cloister, where I was raised, and wiped us out. Cass saved me and we've been fighting them together ever since."
"Given my Champion status, the medallion chose Victor as worthy and I made him a Sentinel-rank Paladin," Cass explained. "I can't ascend to Lord, but I can find and awaken other Sentinels if and when I find them. When they're ready, of course. Victor was a special case, given he was already a Shadow Angel. His powers were already awakened."
The Guardians looked at Victor, worriedly. "You…" Minako began, "lost your home?"
Victor shrugged.
"Like… your friends? Your family?"
"Didn't really have any family, that I know of," Victor answered. "Most Shadow Angels are orphans. We're usually identified by the birthmark on our shoulder. From how I heard it, I was just kinda… left at the Cloister. Not a unique story, that's how most of us ended up there. But… yeah. Save for Cass… all of my friends… they're gone."
Rei looked at Victor, "I'm… sorry you lost everything."
Victor gave a warm smile. "It's okay. It wasn't what most people would call a 'home', ya know? It was there for me to train and get stronger. Not much else. They were just training me to be a weapon against other monsters."
"That's grim," Ami noted.
"But true. It's why calling it a home is… complicated."
"And I keep telling you that a home is a home," Cass retorted. "You miss it. Stop pretending like you don't."
"You're so bossy!"
"You have been calling me 'boss' most of your life."
Victor glared at Cass, narrowing his eyes. "Stop using my words against me."
"No." Cass smiled.
"I feel like we need to tell you you're not a monster," Mamoru said to Victor. "I mean… you've been nothing but kind since we met you."
"Appreciate that, Mamoru," Victor smiled and nodded. "Seriously. Thanks."
"Uhh…" Artemis thought for a moment. "That… means neither of your abilities were awakened when you became Paladins?"
"Exactly," Cass answered. "We already had our powers. Being Paladins just help us focus it better. Not to mention my training for a good number of years. Well… centuries."
"That's… amazing!"
"We think so," Cass smiled.
"Why did the Disciples want to go after Shadow Angels?" Ami asked.
"As we understand it, they learned a Shadow Angel was destined to bring about their downfall."
"The Cloister was just the most likely place they could come from," Victor added. "Shadow Angels are born under certain conditions but usually most are born the same year."
"Could there be others?" Mako asked.
"It's not impossible but not likely. I was told my generation was the first born in a thousand years."
"Incredible!" Artemis whispered.
"But the prophecy doesn't make a lot of sense," Victor admitted. "Not to us anyway."
"How so?" Rei asked.
"The Disciples were already on the ropes when they came to the Cloister. There aren't that many of them left. We never understood what kind of threat the Angels could be."
"Precisely," Cass confirmed. "They've been dwindling for the last century. We don't understand what difference could be made at this point."
"'Century'?" Minako asked.
"Takes demons a long time to die from a typical lifespans. Trust me." Cass exhaled, exhaustedly, "I know."
"Bet Crimson Paladins fight a lot of demons, huh?" Mako inquired.
"Mako, you have no idea!"
"Is the Cloister where you got your cross?" Mamoru asked Victor.
Victor brushed his hand against the cross, "Yeah. Being raised in the Cloister, we were taught to fight, no matter what. But… taught to value life. Any life above our own, anyway." He tugged on the cross, making the cross easier to see. "This belonged to Sister Rebekah." He smiled a bit. "She was as close to a mother as I ever had."
Rei looked down then back at Victor. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. But thank you."
Usagi looked at Cass, "So, what about you, Cass? What's the rest of your story?"
Cass chuckled. "Mysterious, even for me. Particularly because… I don't remember most of it." He shrugged, "Truth be told, I… don't remember of my past prior to the Paladins finding me. They just… found me on a battlefield. I have no idea how I came to be there or where I'm from. I only know 'Cass' is my name because that's what the Paladins told me it was."
Luna nodded, "So, 'Bellum' is just an alias."
"Exactly. One I use for Earth purposes. Such as to conduct my businesses and such."
"'Businesses'?"
"As far as the rest of the world knows," Cass explained, "I, Cass Bellum, am an investor, a broker, and collector of rare artifacts. A good cover and it's worked well for me for the past… oh, couple hundred of years. To put it simply… money talks."
"Bet that's useful," Usagi noted.
"So much," Victor joked.
"But you…" Ami started, looking at Cass, "…you don't remember anything? Like before? About your life?"
"Sadly, no. 3000 years of being a Paladin but… nothing." Cass paused. "I can't even find any traces of where I'm from."
"You can't remember anything about your family?" Mako asked. "Not even your parents' faces?"
"Sadly, no."
"You can't remember your mom?" Usagi fought back a few tears.
"Or father." Cass chuckled, ruefully. "I can't even fully remember where I was born. I absolutely can't remember when."
"Can you remember anything?" Artemis asked.
Cass thought for a moment. "Not too much. Just… bright sunlight, green grass." He paused. "Clear blue skies. Maybe a… a castle." He shrugged, "But, not much else."
"I'm so sorry," Usagi apologized.
"Oh, don't be, your majesty. I dealt with these feelings some time ago. I'm fine. Believe me."
"So he says," Victor noted.
"Oh, silence, you!"
Usagi smiled. "You can call me 'Usagi'. Seriously, 'your majesty' feels weird."
"Fair enough," Cass nodded.
"So…" Ami began, "the Disciples of Havoc. What more information can you give us about them?"
"Like, what's with the name?" Mako asked.
"Havoc was the name of their god," Cass answered. "Havoc's origins, I can't say for sure."
"We think it came from the Abysm," Victor explained. "The Disciples' home dimension. Near as we can tell, since it's where all those freaks are from."
"Either Havoc was from there or found its way there and took it over. Truth be told, it doesn't matter. It was evil. With that evil only being matched, possibly surpassed, by its Disciples. The Disciples fled from the Abysm when it was destroyed."
"Any idea why they picked Tokyo?" Minako asked.
"None at all," Cass groaned. "It's troubling. But here or anywhere else, our mission is the same. We must stop them." He looked at everyone else at the table, "I know you all are more than capable of dealing with monsters and demons of any kind, but, as much as possible, we will defend you all. Truly, the reason the war has waged as long as it has is our failure to destroy the Disciples."
"We're gonna finish it here," Victor assured. "We'd appreciate you guys' help but that's your call."
"You even have to ask at this point?" Mako grinned.
"Yeah," Minako agreed. "No way we'd let you guys do this without us. Sounds like Crimson Paladins and Sailor Guardians need to fight together!"
"No argument from me," Victor replied.
"We'd be happy to help all we can," Mamoru declared.
"Splendid!" Cass clapped his hands. "We're in agreement! The Sailor Guardians and the Crimson Paladins will stand together and defeat the Disciples! The hunt is on!"
"YEAH!" Usagi, Victor, Rei, Ami, Mako, and Minako shouted, excitedly.
Cass smiled. "It makes me happy to see Sailor Guardians again. It's been a pleasure to fight with you."
"You guys are great, too!" Minako declared.
"Totally!" Usagi giggled, "Ya know, it's funny! For a second, I thought you guys might have something to do with Rubeus."
Ami, Rei, Mako, and Minako shot glares at Usagi and shouted, "That was your biggest worry?!"
Usagi shrank down. "I mean… kinda?"
The girls groaned.
"Usagi!" Luna threw her head back.
"It just crossed my mind!" Usagi defended, sheepishly.
"Usako…" Mamoru pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Who's Rubeus?" Victor asked.
"An enemy of ours, who went by the name Crimson Rubeus," Mamoru answered. "He was rather strong."
Victor's eye twitched. "Some guy called himself 'Crimson Rubeus'?"
"I'm perturbed," Cass admitted. "Is he dead?"
Mako laughed. "Yeah."
"Good. Otherwise, I'd sue for copyright infringement."
"Well, if they heard of him before they heard of us…" Victor began.
"It doesn't matter, Vic!" Cass argued. "I've been wearing this title since before anyone in this room was born! I take it as a personal offense!"
"You're ornery when you wanna be."
Cass groaned, "You and that word. Why do you like it so much?"
"It annoys you," Victor grinned.
Cass growled.
"You two really act like brothers," Mamoru chuckled.
"Comes with the territory of being around this dinosaur for so long," Victor teased Cass.
"Dragon," Cass corrected. "If you're going to insult me, give me the proper classification."
Victor just laughed.
"Now then… who would like a tour of the house?"
"Me!" everyone answered.
They walked through the house, Cass giving a brief explanation of each room. While the house wasn't exceptionally large, it was a good size, able to hold at least two more occupants. Soon, they came to the study. "And this is one of the most essential rooms in any home we stay," Cass explained.
Ami stared in awe at the five six-shelved bookcases. "You bring this many books with you when you travel?"
"Sometimes. Typically, I bring along any books information connected to whatever missions we are currently taking part in. Most of these books relate to the Disciples in some way. The rest are for Victor's school lessons."
"You teach him?"
"More or less. Due to our travels, I have to homeschool him."
"Amazing!"
"Not when you're his student it's not," Victor grumbled.
"To his credit, Victor is a great student," Cass reassured. He smirked, "Once I force him to be."
"Ugh!" Victor threw his head back.
Minako looked at a large, decorative Chester storage trunk in the room. "Cass, can I ask what that is?"
Cass looked at the trunk, "Certainly." He walked over to a trunk and patted it, "This is my personal collection of journals I've kept throughout my travels."
"You like to write?" Minako asked.
"He loves to write," Victor corrected.
"You read, cook, write, teach, and fight monsters? You're gonna make the perfect husband to some lucky woman."
Cass laughed. "This is assuming any woman can deal with my insanity and the insanity of my pseudo-son over there."
"Love you, too, 'Dad'," Victor replied, snidely.
They went back to the living room where they talked for the next few hours. The Guardians were impressed at Victor's ability to tell and take a joke. Cass was his usual proper self but wasn't above a quip when the occasion called for it. One thing clear about Cass and Victor was the feeling of honesty and respect the girls, Mamoru, and the cats could sense from them.
There was not a shred of doubt in their minds: Cass and Victor were the good guys and they could trust them.
As the evening drew closer, Cass checked his watch, "Goodness! Time flew by."
"For once, without us being in a gunfight," Victor joked.
"We've only been in ten gunfights, maximum."
"Weird how, like, three of those were in Texas."
Cass chuckled.
"Yeah, we really should get going," Ami instructed. Everyone proceeded toward the front door.
Once outside, Cass declared, "You all are welcome back anytime. Literally."
"Are you sure?" Rei asked.
"Absolutely. It's rare we have people we can trust."
"You trust us?"
"For sure," Victor answered with a smile.
Rei fought the blush coming to her cheeks.
"Thanks, guys," Minako smiled.
"Of course!" Cass said.
"Mind if I get some cooking lessons?" Mako asked Cass.
"And if I could, maybe, read some of your books?" Ami added.
Cass chuckled. "Be my guest, Ms. Ami! And, Ms. Mako, it'll be an honor to have you as a cooking apprentice!"
"SCORE!" Mako made a triumphant fist while Ami smiled.
"Thank you, Cass," Luna nodded. "Artemis and I will be by soon to speak with you."
"Any time," Cass nodded.
"Thanks, everyone," Victor said. "All kidding aside, Cass is right. It's great to know that there are people we can trust."
"Not just people you can trust, man." Usagi smiled. "Friends."
Victor smiled, warmly, and nodded. "Friends. Awesome."
A/N: 2023.05.18
Another little note, another part of the Crimson Paladins order is inspired by the Green Lantern corps as well. Basically, I had a LOT of fun coming up with the Crimson Paladins.
Characters like Cass and Victor, I've had in my mind since I was a kid. It feels good to finally write them.