Author's Note:

Oh boy am I excited, it felt like it's been a long while since the story started, though past this point was the real Reborn! Fanfic that I wanted to protray, my characters meeting with other Reborn! Characters and stuff happening. Do not fret, this just means more story for you guys!

Chapter 33: The Exchange.

Knight Of Exile.

I find myself standing there, unable to speak. Probably because of the Vindicare's overwhelming presence. My annoying blond hair keeps scratching my eyes, which was strange by itself, considering how short my fringe is. Sound seems to fade in an out, silence constantly pushing its way into my hearing. Eyes shifting, I see my sword firmly planted into the ground. A sign of peace really, I have released my hands from the weapon. Still, I could not help but sweat bullets in their presence. The Vindice is terrifying indeed. Amato as well as the Bucking Bronco stands by my side, the looks on their face says that they are paralysed from the appearance of the Vindice. Maybe I should've told them.

Then, the Vindice approached, shadows, smoke and gas shifting towards them as if yearning for their touch. Oh crap, oh crap, they really feel like the boogeyman coming after me. "W-what are they doing?" I could hear Amato gasping out, probably still cautious of the Vindice.

"Focus, I'll explain later." I hope. I need to think of a proper explanation. I could even feel my voice breaking up. "I just need you to be ready for anything, but leave the talking to me." I continued. As expected of them being Bosses, their eyes sharpened with clarity, and they nodded in agreement. As those words were being said, images and voices flooded my mind, reminding of what I was supposed to do.

"What? You want Johann to go? Why, Knight-commander Adolfo?" A familiar voice cried out in protest. The girl with ginger hair and sparkling hazel eyes looked upset, even to the point of crying.

"Hush, Reina." I assured her, placing my hand on her shoulder. "It's just a simple exchange, right?" I asked, trying my best to push away any suspicious thoughts.

"But, you'll need to leave Rome!" She rebutted, turning from the Knight-commander to me. "You'll be meeting up with the law of the Mafia, you're gonna get killed!" Reina cries out, tears already falling.

"Deliver the tome. Don't question anything." Adolfo speak out sternly, calm and strict in his tone. His face though, looked reluctant, almost like he never agreed to this. I've known Adolfo for a few years now, he would always follow orders, even if some of them is... questionable. Does this mean this is one of the few orders he's against? Is something gonna happen to me? Even as he handed me the tome, his hands, his fingers would tremble slightly, like he was unsure of his action. Nevertheless, this is for the order.

"Don't worry, Reina. I'll be back as soon as it's done." I answered, accepting my role, receiving the tome. "I give you my word."

Darn, this silence is painful, gotta say something, anything. "I have your tome right here. I assume you guys are here for the exchange?" I gave out as my eyes followed the Vindices' every move. Somehow they looked suspicious. They look like construct, machines hidden behind a veil of white bandages. The fog, or flame, or whatever they brought with them blurred everything around them, I can't even see the trees clearly anymore! Reaching into my slingbag, I searched until I touched it. It's distinguishable cold touch instantly told me its the tome. Taking it out, I could see a black, leather cover, thick with yellowish pages, giving off a sense of age. The tome itself is thick, with it's neck about the size of my palm. As I shift my eyes from the book to the Vindice, I could feel that they were looking at Amato and Dino.

"What is the meaning of this?" A low, deep tone, almost mechanical, resounded from the pale, empty visage, I assumed they meant the two bosses I brought with me to the exchange. "They have no place here!" The voice bellowed, almost like a roar, spreading out everywhere. I can't actually tell which one of the three was speaking, but the words made Amato and Dino take a step back.

"Don't mind them, they're just insurance." I replied snarkly. Afterall, the fact that they are worried about such things only meant my suspicions was right. Feeling rightly bolder, I took a step forward, offering out the tome. The Vindice said nothing, and only continued their approach, getting closer with each second. They look like they came straight outta that horror movie we juist saw earlier, the background distorting slightly as they 'floated'. As I continued my steps towards them, each second felt like an eternity. Even as I walked, the information regarding this exchange would burst in and out of my mind.

I did not know what the tome was, or what was written in it. What I do know is that this exchange has got something to do with the Order. Something about the safety of the Knights of Lazarus as long as this deal is fulfilled. According to history, this promise has been going on for four generations now. I don't care, if this is a way to protect my fellow Knights, I have no qualm of being the one to do it.

I guess I should've paid more attention to what was happening, particularly with Amato. As I took another step closer to fulfill the exchange, I felt a tug at my wrist. I turn my head to see Amato, looking really worried, trying to hold me back. "H-hey, stop it!" The words came out on their own, and as the force pulled me, strength stronger than anything I felt before, the tome on my hand slipped from my grasp, and fell to the ground, pages wide opened.

I couldn't believe my eyes.

I could see, and as if hit by enlightenment, knew everything that was going on. Why Adolfo looked reluctant, why Reina was so sad. Did they know? I couldn't tell. On the pages was techniques, fighting styles, those passed down from generation to generation within our order. Everything from how to use them to how to counter them, everything was written there in clear, clinical detail. I was confused, and all actions around me stopped, even the Vindice seemed to freeze in their steps. I was standing there, feeling nauseous from the mass of information pushing its way into my brain. Then, as if fate wanted me to know more, a gust of wind turned the pages.

"T-that's!" I couldn't finish my words before getting silenced my my screaming thoughts. What the hell is going on here? That's the Oathstone! Every information regarding it, it's location, abilities, powers, everything's clearly written down in great detail! That information is supposed to belong to the Knights, and is all but ours alone!

"The Exchange will continue!" It took me a while to realize it was the Vindice that gave the declaration. It felt as though they were desperate now, flying their way towards the tome, as if a secret was blown wide open. Ghastly, shriveled hand reached out to grab the tome from the floor, only to have it snatched away from mine. "Fool! What are you doing?" The mellow, mechanical voice boomed forth like a speaker.

I only took a step back, looking really freaked out and worried. Oh crap! Crap! What am I doing? My body just moved on its own! "Hey, you okay?" Amato's voice helped me focus my thoughts. He put his hand on my shoulder, and I could feel his strong hands and gentle touch. It was a welcome. Maybe I really should've briefed them on it first.

"Know your place, Knight!" The Vindice roared out, the flames seemingly growing more menacing in accordance to the situation. I was confused, but my legs were already taking me back to my sword. I can't do this, I can't betray the Order like this. Why would the law of the Mafia want with this information anyway? Nothing makes sense! "Do not dishonor the deal!" Another roar booms across the surroundings, shaking everything. Leaves seems to fall from nowhere, everywhere around us. Everything was going crazy, definitely not the way I was expecting the Exchange to go.

Suddenly, chains started flying forth from the flames, the shadows. Scrambling to my feet, I reached for my sword. Grabbing it with my right hand, I pulled it up, breaking earth once more, with little to no effort at all. "You would raise arm against us?" One of them Vindice roared out once more, giving their warning. Silver, ornate chains, covered with shadowy flames, burst forth, in an attempt to pull my weapon away. Jumping back, it clutched it's cold surface around my legs instead, my body crashing onto the stone-floor. It felt so desperate, so scary.

"Fenris!"

The call was so full of power, of strength, that it sparked off a sense of hope within me. A burst of bright light ad a wave of force later, Amato jumped in front of me with primal fervor, and tore off the chains from my legs, breaking them with his bare hands. I could say I was really surprised. More chains snaked forth, shadows, smoke and gas roaring and hissing, coming after me, only to be pulled and thrown away by a single whip. The elegant and precise movement of the whip was something else, completely different from what I just saw Dino do a few moments ago. Feeling an arm grabbed me and pulled me up to my feet, I was pulled into the flow of events.

"Romario!" Dino cried out as the two bosses jumped in front of me, heroically. The man, with short, spiky black hair and glasses, nods at Dino's words, as if understanding what he wanted. Yes, he's the one, the Bucking Bronco's right-hand. With him here, Dino's capability is said to greatly increase. I watched as the two bosses stand, trying their best to protect me. Of course, I can't say I liked being the 'Damsel' in this situation. Pushing Romario away, I walked forward, pointing out my sword.

"Dyrnwyn!" I yelled out to invoke its full power.

In a matter of seconds, energy and power seems to flow into my sword, signaling the start of the process. The entire surrounding howled and cheered, as if approving my actions. The Oathstone must've heard my feelings. If one looked clearly, swirling, magical energy, barely visible, can be seen focusing around my sword. I could feel the trees swaying and leaves flying in accordance to what was happening, but I only stood there with a smirk on my face. The cold, black metal pieces began vibrating once more, and in a matter of seconds, my sword burst into flames. Amato, the Bucking Bronco and even the Vindice stopped and stare at what was happening. Crap, I guess conflict was inevitable. I can't hand over the tome now!

As the three of us stood, ready for combat, I yell out the signal."You want this? Come and get it! I will not betray my Order like this!" It's three on three. I just hope our combined strength is enough to hold them off!

The end of this chapter. I'm sorry this came a bit later than I planned. I guess I had trouble thinking up a situation without the Vindice instantly winning, and I also had to give a good reason why Johann would do what he did. All this will lead to a conclusion I hope you guys would be happy about! Keeps your eyes out for the next chapter!