Merry Christmas, one and all! Dad90 here once again, and ready to post another exciting chapter of Magical Devils before Christmas Day. With that in mind, here are the answers to last chapter's Quickie Quiz!
1. Street Fighter/Final Fight
2. King Arthur of Camelot
3. Excalibur Rapidly, Excalibur Nightmare, Excalibur Transparency, Excalibur Ruler, Excalibur Blessing
Let's update the scores!
SupernaturalGodzilla – 450 virtual cookies
Enigma95 – 415 virtual cookies
TheLastNanaya – 355 virtual cookies
Galaxy Burst – 135 virtual cookies
staplesdex2, deus-rasengan2 – 105 virtual cookies
smyttleaol – 50 virtual cookies
cerxer1 – 30 virtual cookies
Dp11 – 25 virtual cookies
Xarserum – 15 virtual cookies
Now, we're going high-gear as we're about to see a lot of action here on this episode of Magical Devils!
Magical Devils
Chapter 14/Season 2 – Episode 3: How to Destroy a Holy Sword
** Somewhere in the plains **
Around the middle of nowhere, there are nothing but grass, flowers, and mountains all around the area. It was another sunny day, the birds were singing, and somewhere around this area is a little cottage that has been badly damaged, and fixing it right now are the MMM Maid Team. Thanks to Mahoro and Slash, her robot-dog in which he changed into the form a super sportscar to fly the team there, they were able to start working on repairing the building.
Kaya and Aya are there too, as they are assisting the maids in fixing the cottage, which happens to be the home of the Amakawa grandparents, in which Himari, Kaya, and Aya used to live. In fact, this land is part of the land of Noihara, where Himari took that as her last name. The Amakawa family was one of the Demon Slayer families, but unlike the others, they have decided to save the Ayakashi instead of killing them. Some of the other Ayakashi heard about this, including the rumor that Himari is now the familiar of a famous person who is known to have a lot of descendants of some of the strongest magicians in the world, and they decided to investigate. 2 of the Ayakashi saw this as an opportunity to test and raise their powers/status among Ayakashi. They thought that if they could kill the Amakawa family in their own land, they can increase their status. With all of that in mind, they managed to destroy the Amakawa's home, and the grandparents themselves, but not Himari, Kaya, and Aya as they already disappeared.
Believe it or not, the same 2 Ayakashi that had destroyed the Amakawa's family home are actually looking at the maids, Kaya and Aya in far distance. Needless to say, the taller one of the two was not pleased.
"Himari Noihara," the taller one said. "You have been lucky so far, but once ********'s plan is in motion, your luck, and your friends' luck will soon run out!"
"Should we attack them?" the smaller one asked.
The taller one frowned, "No. Our boss only told us to watch them, and I think that this is good enough. We'll back down, for now…"
The two then disappeared.
Airi, one of the maids, could've sworn that they're being watched, but after getting hit in the head for not paying attention from Azumi, she went right back to work.
** In the Kuoh Academy Sports Field **
Kazuki and Yuuto are about to do battle against Irina and Xenovia. A red barrier has been placed by Yuna, Kuriko, and Chihaya so that any part of the school won't be destroyed. Elizabeth, the ghost girl, came out of Kuriko's ample bosom and wanted to watch the fight as well. Yuuto had plenty of swords to use while Kazuki has his Boosted Gear, but was also ready to summon the 10 Commandments Sword, just in case….
"Then, let us begin," Xenovia said seriously.
Out of nowhere, Yuuto began laughing.
"Why are you laughing?" Xenovia asked.
"I have wanted to destroy at least one Excalibur sword all my life and I finally have one right here with a good opponent," Yuuto answered as several swords appeared from the ground around him.
"Sword Birth. I recall that one test subject escaped disposal from the project," Xenovia mentioned.
"Actually," Yuuto replied. "All my friends were killed for no reason, but there were actually TWO who escaped. Me and the one other person named Sanosuke Kiriya."
Both Xenovia and Irina were deeply shocked. They heard the name 'Sanosuke Kiriya' before, but they couldn't remember it right now.
"He hated Excalibur, and so have I. And to this day, I will never forgive that sword," Yuuto said and he charged.
The battle began as Yuuto and Xenovia quickly flew at each other, slamming their swords against each other wildly and with amazing speed. However, Yuuto seemed to have the advantage as he slipped behind Xenovia and kicked her legs out from underneath her.
Meanwhile, Irina flew at Kazuki, swinging her katana at her former childhood friend, but he blocked her attack with his gauntlet.
"I don't like this scenario at all, but that doesn't mean you're going to win!" Kazuki shouted as he charged up a powerful fireball that exceeds at 400 degrees F and hurled it at Irina.
Irina only had a few seconds to react as the fireball flew at her at lightning speed! She was able to dodge it, but only by inches as the fireball hits the barrier, breaking it instantly.
Everyone looked at Kazuki in shock, as he realized how much stronger he really is.
"…What a powerful attack…" Koneko said in awe.
"Yeah…" said Yuna in awe, blushing at Kazuki. Then she realized that the barrier is broken.
"We must make a new barrier now!" she said as she, Kuriko and Chihaya made a larger barrier and the fight continues on.
Yuuto and Xenovia were pushing their swords against each other. The ground beneath their feet was giving way as the devil and human glared almost hatefully at each other, square in the eye.
"If you surrender right now, I'll be merciful to you!" Xenovia hissed softly at Yuuto.
"I didn't think that you were going to try and kill me," Yuuto exclaimed to her, even though it was his intention on destroying her sword.
The pair broke from each other, getting several feet away before readying themselves for another strike, but then….
BZZZZT!
"AAHHHHHH!"
A large scream was heard, and the two looked at Irina, who just got shocked with 50,000 volts of electricity, thanks to Kazuki's lightning attack, and her clothes have been torn to rags. Now, she was sitting on the ground, her arms wrapped around her body, her legs coming up to her chest, and was quivering and shaking, almost in fear.
"Wh-What did you just do?!" Xenovia asked in surprise.
"Ara ara~~. Kazuki did a powerful lightning bolt that is just as powerful as mine~~," Akeno sang in excitement, with some of the other sweat-dropping as Akeno was dancing, but Rias was surprised.
'A lightning attack…as powerful as Akeno's….' President thought.
"Now, if you surrender," Kazuki began. "I won't do any more harm on her, but if you don't, this next attack may prove to be deadly."
"You wouldn't dare! She's your childhood friend!" Xenovia shouted at him.
"What do you care? You work for the Church! You would abandon and kill your own if your 'God' told you to!" he shouted back.
Xenovia growled at Kazuki. "Using our faith against us is a horrible trick!" Xenovia snapped at him.
"Indeed it is, but the irony of this is that I have this," said Kazuki as he summoned his first form of the 10 Commandments Sword, Eisenmeteor to his right hand. He also summoned his half Angel wing, and his half Fallen Angel wing and a light spear on his left hand.
Irina and Xenovia were at a loss of words. 'H-H-H-He is an Angel, and a Fallen Angel, too?! Impossible!' thought Xenovia.
"The 10 Commandments Sword?!" asked Irina in shock. "Michael was supposed to have that! Where did you get that sword?!"
"After President saved me and told me to summon my Sacred Gears, including this one," Kazuki said. "Consider this as a test."
"That should not have happened!" Xenovia said in anger. "And from what I have heard from Michael, that not only there was a person who has the power of a Devil, an Angel, and a Fallen Angel, but that person also has that sword, the 10 Commandments Sword, which is capable of destroying the original Excalibur sword in one blow!"
The others gasped in amazement. Yuuto was deeply surprised. He then had an idea.
"Kazuki, I must have that sword," Yuuto said to Kazuki. Kazuki wondered why.
"If I have that sword, I can end it all right here, right now!"
Before Kazuki could say a word though, Xenovia found an open opportunity to attack Yuuto, and she took it!
BANG!
The pommel of the Excalibur Destruction hit deep into Yuuto's stomach. It was a simple move like that, yet it created a shockwave. It mean that even a single attack with a pommel has destructive power.
"Gaha!" Yuuto groaned as he fell onto the ground, vomiting blood from his mouth in the process.
"Even if it's not a hit with the blade, that hit just now will be enough to stop you from standing for a while," Xenovia glared at him, before turning to Kazuki.
"Kazuki. I'm giving you a warning to give me that sword. If we have that sword, we can recover the remaining fragments of Excalibur much faster, making our mission a success."
"Trying to take away my Sacred Gear?! As if I would let you!" Kazuki challenged her.
"Then you leave me no choice," Xenovia said and charged at him. "This hit should finish you off!"
"T-Thyrus! Help me out!" Kazuki said quickly as the sword changed from Eisenmeteor to Explosion.
{Kazuki! If you charge and swing the sword to her, you could create a more powerful explosion!} Thyrus advised.
"O-Ok," said Kazuki, as he beginning charging towards Xenovia. The two were getting closer and closer, and they swung their swords at the same time, and when the swords made contact with each other…
BLAM!
A huge explosion occurred and everyone had to get behind Rias and Akeno as they created a powerful barrier, but it wasn't powerful enough.
The large barrier was destroyed on contact, and many of the people's clothes were torn, and some lost their balance, and some made an unfortunate meeting with a large pole and knocked them unconscious. Yuuto was one of them.
** 15 minutes later **
After Asia healed everyone, and Kuriko giving them all new clothes, President Rias told everyone that this match has come to a close due to the fact that the large explosion could've destroyed a good chunk of the school had not been for the barriers.
This one was considered a draw due to Kazuki winning against Irina, and Yuuto lost due to Xenovia.
"Your servant is quite crafty when it comes to making such hideous tricks like that," Xenovia commented to President.
"Well, Kazuki is getting more smarter and stronger every day," President said. Then she had a particular question in mind. "Before you leave, though, I want to know something. Do you know who took the Holy Swords in the first place?"
"It was one of the leaders of the Grigori, Kokabiel," Xenovia answered simply.
"Grigori?" Chihaya asked.
"It's an organization for the Fallen Angels," Akeno answered her.
"You mean the one who appears in the bible? Are you trying to get yourselves killed?" President asked Xenovia.
"Our mission is to either retrieve the swords or destroy them if we can't recover them. We can't allow the Fallen Angels to keep them under any circumstances," Xenovia said.
"So the rumors were true," said Raynare in disappointment.
"This is bad indeed," said Kalawarner. "We've already sent a message to Lord Azazel, but we haven't been replied yet. We know that he doesn't want this incident to get any worse."
"One priest has already been killed. He was sent here to do preliminary investigations but when we found him near the meeting place, he had been killed," Irina said.
"The one who killed him was Freed Sellzen," Yuuto told them.
Everyone gasped, including the Fallen Angels Raynare and Kalawarner.
"Freed?!" Kazuki asked.
"He survived?" President asked.
"I've met him and a Stray Devil who was on his side who killed another priest: a Jurougumo. It was then I also met that person who I still think he is another survivor of the Holy-Sword Project: Sanosuke Kiriya," Yuuto said, making everyone gasp again.
'Sanosuke is still alive?!' both Raynare and Kalawarner asked to themselves. They've took a liking to Sanosuke until the Holy-Sword Project began, and they were concerned about him too.
"Not only Sanosuke had a Holy Sword on him, but Freed has one as well," he continued.
"I know that name. Thank you for this information. We shall leave now," Xenovia said as she and Irina turned to leave, while Yuuto was heading to the other direction.
"Yuuto, wait!" President called out. "I won't allow you to leave on your own!"
"I'm sorry, President, but this is personal," Yuuto said and after punching a tree hard, he disappeared using his speed.
"Yuuto…" Asia said.
"Don't worry, he'll come back, you know…." said Shizuku, comforting Asia.
President was worried about Yuuto, but after remembering Himari's story, she now feels sorry for him, but still…
"Wait a minute!" Kuesu said. "Has anyone seen Himari and Rin?"
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen them anywhere…" said Kuriko.
"Neither have I," said President, now getting more worried.
** With Xenovia and Irina **
"Hmph! To think that Kazuki has that sword! And that other guy is weak!" Xenovia said. She was more than disappointed. She was frustrated. Frustrated that the 10 Commandments Sword is one of Kazuki's Sacred Gears, and her expectation toward her 'senior' was crushed like it was nothing. Also due to President Rias closing the match, she didn't get the chance to show them her secret weapon.
"Well, they are Devils, but to think that Kazuki is also a Fallen Angel and an Angel is absolutely a joke!" Irina said, not believing on what happened earlier. "Either way, God is protecting us from them, so it's natural for us to win, but Kazuki got me good…"
"As expected from two members of thy church..."
"They really trained both of you well, aren't they?"
They heard two new voices. One of them wearing a classic red sailor school uniform with a sword in her hand, and the other is wearing a samurai-style kimono with a long sword in her hand.
"And you are?" asked Xenovia.
"I'm Himari Noihara, from the land of Noihara, a bakeneko Ayakashi, the Crimson Blade of Noihara," said the sailor-suited girl. "I'm Kazuki's familiar."
"And I'm Rin Kamishiro, a member of the Kamishiro branch family and an excellent swordswoman!" said the samurai-style kimono girl. "And a good friend of Kazuki!"
"Wait a minute! A human and….an Ayakashi?!" asked Xenovia. "I've heard a lot about you, Himari, as you're famous for being one of the most powerful Demons out there. Just what are you doing here, and why are you two hanging out with Kazuki?"
"It's because we love him," Himari said simply, while Rin looked at her in shock. "And we've seen everything. From thy conversation in the Occult Research Club, to the fight at the Sports Field. You two may thinketh you had the upper hand, but when you're dealing with Kazuki, you've already lost."
Irina and Xenovia were shocked at Himari said.
"What do you mean we've already lost to Kazuki?!" Irina asked, who was getting furious.
"Because," Rin said in a calm manner, but with her serious face on, "Kazuki is a Magician, and so is Yuna, Chihaya, Kuriko, and even myself. Kazuki is consider to be the strongest as he is descended from the most powerful of eastern and western mages, giving him nearly omnipotent power.
"What that means is, the lightning and fireball attacks that Kazuki did earlier are just the tip of the iceberg. Kazuki can do so much more, and he wanted to end the fight in the nicest way possible, but he can also mess other people's minds if he tried."
"And in that case," Himari finished, "he did just that to you, Irina."
Irina grimaced at both Rin and Himari. Xenovia can sense Rin's and Himari's strong aura and actually backed down a little bit.
"Normally we won't report anything about the Devils, but since you're an Ayakashi, a demon cat, who is Kazuki's familiar, and should've been killed by the Demon Slayers, yet I don't know why, we might have to eliminate you…" Xenovia said as released an enormous amount of aura as she was trying to intimidate Himari and Rin, but the two ladies were not deterred.
"We'd like to see you try," said Rin. "Although those Holy Swords aren't good enough against ours…"
"What do you mean by that?" Irina asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," Himari answered, smirking. "After all, you wouldn't back down from a challenge like this, right? You would be such cowards if you did."
Both Xenovia and Irina were very annoyed by Himari's remarks.
"Why you!" Xenovia said as she readied her stance. Irina soon followed.
"Let's get ready to fight like real women!" said Rin as she put her game face on. "But first…"
Rin summoned a massive amount of magical energy from her sword and they were teleported to somewhere else.
** At an unknown place **
There was a certain place near the city. The place was wide, flowers were blooming, and wind was calm. It is a certainly a good place to do Picnic and stuff. However, it's a good place to fight for 4 women. There isn't a single obstacle in this place, which made fighting more intense.
"We're going to fight in this beautiful place? Aww, what a waste…" Irina said that with a disappointed expression.
"…Let's get this over with…" Xenovia said that as she readied her stance.
Judging from their fighting abilities earlier, this fight will be a breeze for both Himari and Rin. They've had plenty of battle experience and cannot wait to show off.
They all got their swords ready, and Xenovia charged at Himari first to begin the battle.
That has proven to be a bad choice as Himari disappeared in front of Xenovia's eyes. When she tried to look for her, Himari reappeared from behind, grabbed her collar and threw 200 meters in front of her, and she crashed onto concrete pavement.
"Ahh!" Xenovia yelled in pain.
"Xenovia!" Irina said and ran towards her. "Hey, are you okay?"
Irina seemed to be a person that really cares about her teammate, a typical personality for an exorcist…
"Ugh… I'm fine, don't worry about me," Xenovia groaned.
After hearing that, Irina charged at Rin with much faster speed than Xenovia. She made her sword into a katana sword again and tried to attack Rin, but Rin made a series of swishes in one place without moving, and a series of magical slashes all came towards Irina at blazing speeds, with each one hitting their mark.
"Ahh!" Irina screamed as her clothes begin to rip apart again.
Irina soon got up and she and Xenovia both charged towards Rin and Himari with serious killing intent, but the two had good chemistry and they both waited as Irina and Xenovia swung their swords at the two….
CATCH!
GRAB!
…only for their swords to be caught between Rin's two fingers, and Himari's left hand, while holding her own sword on her right hand.
"You may have some good skills…" said Rin.
"…but not good enough against us," said Himari, as she and Rin threw the swords, along with Irina and Xenovia, to a tree, hitting them both in the back hard.
"Hm? What's wrong? Where's thy high and mighty attitude the both of you showed earlier? Is this the strength of The Warriors from the Church?" Himari asked as she quickly ran to Irina and landed a mana-fused punch on her stomach.
"Gah!" Irina screamed.
"Irina!" Xenovia said, but she didn't notice that Rin was behind her until it's too late.
PUNCH!
Rin managed to hit Xenovia in stomach with the back end of her sword, giving her a taste of her own medicine.
"Argh!" Xenovia screamed.
Xenovia and Irina picked themselves up, grabbed the swords again, and finally put them in full power.
"We'll show you the power of Holy Swords!" Xenovia said.
"Yeah!" Irina followed.
Himari and Rin smiled as Xenovia and Irina readied their stance.
"Let's test it out!" Himari yelled as Xenovia and Irina charged towards her and Rin with abnormal speed.
"Be careful, Himari," warned Rin. "If we get hit by those swords, we'll be heavily injured! I can block it with my magic, while you use Yasutsuna to par their swords."
"Easier said than done," replied Himari.
Now, the real battle began as Xenovia tried to vertically slash Himari with her Excalibur. Of course, cats like Himari have proven to be very agile as she simply evades it with no problem. But, the impact that was caused by that sword managed to create a big crater beside her. Meanwhile, Irina tried to impale Rin with her sword but failed miserably.
But, Irina hasn't given up. She changed her weapon form into a whip, and managed to capture both Rin and Himari with it. Irina immediately threw them into Xenovia. As for Xenovia, she was preparing herself to chop the two down…
"Raa!" Irina threw them without any hesitation. She didn't realize that Himari has superhuman strength, speed, and endurance as she stops Irina's throw in midair, grabs the whip, and threw her again, this time to a 200-ton statue in the head!
"Aaaaa!" she screamed.
"Irina!" Xenovia said as she quickly ran to Irina and hugged the chestnut-haired girl. "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine… But, don't let them get away…." Irina forcefully said.
"Okay… Just rest…."
"I will."
After saying that, Irina collapsed!
Xenovia then quietly putted down the-now-collapsed Irina. She then stood up, and turned her head towards the two. They can sense the killing intent she was sending them.
"You'll pay!" she said that as she pointed her sword to the two.
"Don't worry. We will, for she won't die in vain," Rin said.
Rin made a large summoning circle, revealing thousands and thousands of swords. She picked a high-level Holy Sword. It was shaped similar to a European Sword, it was blue in color.
"What is that?" Xenovia asked to Rin.
"This is my own Holy Sword," Rin answered. "This is part of my collection of extended swords."
Without hesitation, Rin suddenly appeared in front of Xenovia, and tried to slash her vertically. But…
CLANK!
Xenovia managed to block Rin's attack using her Excalibur Destruction.
After successfully blocking her attack, Xenovia kicked Rin's left feet.
"Take this!" yelled Xenovia as she immediately attacked Rin once again using her Excalibur.
BOOM!
An explosion occurred, but it wasn't as what Xenovia was expecting.
"Heh…"
That was Himari, blocking Xenovia's Excalibur, with her bare right fist with demonic powers.
"How is that possible!? An Ayakashi like you must have already been destroyed by that attack!" Xenovia asked Himari with a very loud voice.
She was shocked. The Excalibur that the Vatican was very proud of, have nothing against Himari.
"I told you earlier; I'm a Bakeneko, and Kazuki's familiar. You are clearly underestimating us."
After that, both Himari and Rin decided to end this fight quickly. Rin ran quickly towards Xenovia and executed Quick Blitz, a jumping attack that she learned from her father. Unfortunately, she managed to avoid it. But, Rin's attacks aren't finished yet as she perform another technique called Meteor Crash. She leapt high into the air and brought her sword down on Xenovia very quickly.
"Argh!" Xenovia screamed in pain after receiving the hit.
"You…. You two are holding back…"
Xenovia glared at the two with her killing intent. They knew that Xenovia was annoyed being underestimated…
"We are… we may be competitive, but I have a rule to only use my true powers when necessary. Besides, there's barely any being that can withstand my attacks once I use my true power," Himari stated.
Xenovia laughed at Himari's words. She probably didn't believe her words… but they took no notice.
"Then if you don't believe us, then use your secret weapon now or consider yourself killed!" Rin said.
Xenovia smirked after hearing that. "So you two know about my secret weapon? Impressive. Even my higher ups cannot see through it."
Xenovia then started do her thing.
"Saint Peter. Saint Basil the Great. Saint Denis. Holy-mother Mary. Please hear my voice."
She started to chant something. The space in front of Rin and Himari got distorted. Xenovia put her hand in the middle of the distorted space. She put her hand in, and pulled something right out of the dimensional gap. What appeared was a single sword that gave out a holy aura.
"In the names of the saints whom reside within this blade, I will release it. Durandal!"
It's the sword that is so famous that it is on par with Excalibur. In term of slashing, it's the ultimate sword. Durandal.
"Finally… I want to test that sword's power… I wonder if it's strong enough to deal a heavy injury on my body…" Himari said with a serious expression.
"Durandal is a sword that ravages beyond what people can imagine. It cuts anything it touches. It doesn't even listen to me most of the time. That's why I have to keep it in another dimension, otherwise it would be dangerous. Even I, the holder, have a hard time with it," Xenovia boasted from her famous sword.
"Is that so? I'm sure that I can wield it easily if I had the chance," Himari challenged.
"Don't get too cocky!"
"Well, then how about this?" asked Himari. She then made a huge jump, and then a light swallowed her. When she returned from the light, she was now revealing samurai-like garments, giving everyone a good view of her cleavage. She was now Super Himari. As Super Himari, she gains the ability of levitation and can slice the strongest of demons in two with a single blow. That basically means that despite of having Durandal, Xenovia doesn't stand a chance!
"Let's see who's better!" Xenovia said as she charged towards Rin and Himari.
Both Himari and Rin looked at each other and nodded, knowing that it's time to finish this duel once and for all. Once Xenovia was in closing in, Himari grabbed Rin and flew up in the air just as Xenovia made the attack. It was then that Rin and Himari saw the opportunity to finish this!
"Now!" Rin yelled as held her sword like a gun and fired beams from her sword and around Xenovia, creating a small smokescreen.
"Slash Strike!"
Himari quickly went down and out of the smokescreen, as she made multiple attacks around the smokescreen where Xenovia is inside. She doesn't even realize Himari attacking her at such incredible speed.
"Aaaaaah!"
The sound of Xenovia's scream echoed in that place.
Both Rin and Himari landed 3 feet away from the smokescreen. When the smoke cleared, they could see Xenovia collapsed to the ground. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Rin and Himari have clearly PWNT Xenovia and Irina.
Knowing not to leave them there for dead Rin carried Irina, while Himari carried Xenovia to a certain hotel and a certain doctor as the sun sets, so they can rest and get healed.
** The next day **
At the 'dorms', everyone was relieved once again that Himari and Rin made it back safely. However, Kazuki had been thinking about Yuuto who had been incredibly troubled lately. Yuuto was a friend he had always hoped and now that said friend was tormented by his past. He had to figure out right now how to help him. However, he couldn't tell any one of the girls and that pained him. Almost like he is betraying his master, his friends, and his family.
Himari felt his pain, and wants to help him keep it a secret so she and Kazuki proceeded to Café Relish where one of the maids, Liz is currently at right now. Ironically, Himari is working with her as well.
"Kazuki!" Liz sang and hugged Kazuki's face inside her breasts. "It's been a long time. Why haven't you come to my shop lately~~?"
"Mmph!" Kazuki struggled. He tried to get out of Liz's grip, but it's too strong.
LICK.
"Ooooh!" Liz shook in excitement as she immediately let go of Kazuki. This is because Himari is licking her teacup, which is actually where her soul is. Liz is a tsukumogami, an inanimate object that comes to life after a hundred years.
"You doth realize that a lot of customers are waiting?" Himari asked.
Liz can see many customers waiting for their tea. "Yes. Yes! We're on it!" She went back to work, but not before giving Kazuki a quick kiss on the cheek, much to Himari's dismay. Other men couldn't help but become jealous.
Kazuki could only laugh it off as he was waiting for a few certain people.
It wasn't long until Kuesu arrived.
"So, Kazuki…" began Kuesu, placing Kazuki's face inside her large cleavage. "Are we going to go one step further?"
Kazuki pulls off Kuesu's hold and answers, "(wheeze) No… I need your help to help Yuuto."
"You mean the handsome blonde guy who is not as cute as you?" Kuesu asked.
Kazuki blushed. "Y-Yes…" he answered. "Also, Gen should be arriving any minute now, and then I'll tell you about my idea."
"Why don't we do it by ourselves?" she asked with a whine, trying to not get angry.
"I need as much help as I can. I can't tell President, Akeno, or any one of my friends or the maids or my sisters because they would be against the idea that I have, and I don't want Asia, Raynare or Kalawarner to get in trouble either, so they don't know about this. Himari knows about this, however. Shizuku should know about this as well."
"That makes sense…" Kuesu said.
As soon as Kuesu finished her sentence, Genshirou Saji arrived.
"So, Kazuki. First of all, why do you have that-?" was all Gen could ask before he received a deadly glare from Kuesu. He coughed and then asked, "Why have you called me here?"
"I need your help," said Kazuki.
Himari and Liz also came over and listened to Kazuki's idea.
"I'm going to ask Irina and Xenovia to give me the permission to destroy the Holy-Sword Excalibur," Kazuki said, and the others had a shocked look.
"Why…?" asked a confused Gen.
"So what does have to do with Yuuto?" asked Kuesu.
"Well, if we help them retrieve the stolen Excalibur Swords which were stolen by Kokabiel and his gang, and then by making Yuuto the main person, we could help him break one to over come Excalibur and move on from his painful past," Kazuki explained.
"I alone can't convince him to stop, but we can however help him deal with this problem. Right now, he wants to beat Excalibur and fulfill his revenge. Xenovia and Irina want the Excalibur swords back from Kokabiel, even if they have to be destroyed. We all have the same aim…all we need is if they'll give us a chance to help them."
"…Even though I'm scared of that plan, it seems hard," said Liz, not liking violence one bit.
"Yeah…" sighed Kuesu.
"Well, you can sigh for all I care! I'm not doing it!" Gen declared.
"Why?" Kazuki asked.
"I don't owe you anything. And Student Council President would kill me if I get involved in something like this. So, I'm leaving," Gen said and walked past the small hedge close to their table and suddenly stopped.
The others wondered why he stopped and looked.
"We're joining your plan Kazuki, you know…"
That voice belonged to Shizuku, the loli-snake, and she and Koneko are both eating a very large chocolate parfait, and Koneko is holding Gen by his shirt.
They all moved to the table of the lolis as Kazuki asked, "Koneko. What are you doing here? I was only expecting Shizuku."
Koneko looked a little offended. "I want to help Yuuto. And we don't want to be left out," she answered.
Kazuki and the others were puzzled, but Gen only wants to get away from this mess, but Koneko stopped him by gripping his shirt again, and she had tears coming down from her eyes, but her face still show no emotion for some reason.
"I would be lonely without Yuuto…and you…" Koneko explained, although she said the last part to herself. Himari notices this because she is a cat, too.
"But why would you want to assist the members of the church, even after all of the things that I went through?" Kuesu asked as Gen was still trying to get away.
"Like I said, they would rather destroy them than let the Fallen use them. At least they have to retrieve them even if they are destroyed. Yuuto is doing all of this for personal reasons. Their objectives are different, but the result would be the same," Kazuki explained.
"First, we have to find those two," Himari said. "But where can we find them?"
"I don't know," Liz said before frowning. "I'm also sorry I can't be of great use as I have to continue working here."
"That's all right, Liz," said Kazuki. "We'll visit here more often. I promise."
Liz felt better after that and smiled again.
"It really pains me that we are working behind Buchou's back, but this is for a friend…" Koneko said.
"And Gen, if you get in trouble with Student Council President Souna, just tell her that I tricked you by promising you money or something valuable for helping," Kazuki told the pawn of Sitri.
All Gen could do is to reluctantly follow them in the hopes that the two exorcists would flat out refuse him, and he would be in the clear.
** At Kuoh Academy **
Raynare and Kalawarner were heading to the Old School building, when they get a message from their phone.
[You Got Mail!]
"It's from Lord Azazel!" said Raynare as she opened the message.
Raynare,
It's good to hear from you. I see that you're enjoying yourselves at school. I hope that Kazuki makes his move soon and make love to all of you and the girls. However, that's all going to come later, because right now, I've received your message, but I already noticed that Kokabiel is doing something stupid again. Oh! You are also not going to believe this, but I've just got back from meeting Valshion and Sanosuke Kiriya. They are surprised to see you two still alive, and they are looking forward to meeting you. Anyways, I've forwarded this message to Dr. Akai as I'm busy with my research right now, but I've sent some help. In addition to Valshion and Sanosuke, Vali will be seeing you guys soon after he's done an errand for me. I'll see you all soon.
Azazel
"He's sent Vali?!" asked Raynare in shock.
"And Sanosuke is still alive?!" asked Kalawarner, shocked herself.
** At the Sports Field **
Serena stood there in the crowd as she watched the match going on. It was the semi-final in the National Girls under-18 Fencing competition. She came to support a friend who was participating this year. She herself has been wondering if she could make this girl into a member of her Peerage, she would definitely fit into the position of Knight but even though she is a good friend with her, she couldn't help but feel that she radiated a different aura from the rest of the students in her school. Somehow similar to that man they've quickly met at the warehouse, but was it a coincidence? Something like that was a one in a million. That man, though, is an unknown variable in this situation. She had sent her familiar out to look for him but he still hasn't shown up in her radar. Nor the other Peerage (Gremory) for that matter.
"Hey, Serena!"
She didn't reply but reacted when she saw a hand held close to her face, waving.
"You ok?"
She looked towards the owner of the hand. A blond girl with her hair loose down to the lower back of her body, which had a good figure. She was sweaty from the heat under the fencing and from her match. Serena didn't realize that the match was over.
"What's wrong? You've been like this since Friday," the blond girl said commented as she sat down beside her.
"Sorry Sylvia, just have something on my mind…" Serena said, still thinking about it.
"Ooh…something that has cause Serena, one of the school's top twenty beauties, to be worried. Come on tell me, is it a boyfriend?" Sylvia joked.
"No…no, it's impossible!" Serena denied, waving her hands to emphasize her point. 'But it has to do with a man though', she thought. "So you won it in a heartbeat?" she asked, talking about the match.
"Come on. You know that is impossible in a fencing match. But I managed to beat her without giving her landing a point this time. I was quite lucky today," Sylvia chuckled while she scratched the back of her head. She pulled off the collar and unzipped the fencing top zipper down to let some air into her body. "Whoo, such a hot day!"
This was also one of the reasons why she wanted her to be a part of her Peerage. She had seen her fenced before; she couldn't believe how supernaturally fast Sylvia was with her sword. She would certainly fit the position of a Knight.
Sylvia made an 'ah' sound signaling that she just remembered something. "I forgot to tell you, my old childhood friend is coming to study from overseas. I haven't seen him in such a long time," she told Serena, enthusiastically.
"Really? When?" Serena asked.
"He's joining us in a few days. He came back to Japan just before the weekend started. I didn't get to see him though due to the competition today and he's been going about seeing the town the whole day yesterday but our guardian said he's going to be attending Kuoh Academy in a couple of days so after he gets used to things."
"Oh, really?"
Sylvia leaned back on to her hands. "I just can't wait to see him. His guardian told me to surprise him at school tomorrow. I can't wait to introduce you to him! I wonder how he is now?"
** At the Tokyo City Shopping District **
Kazuki, Koneko, Gen, Kuesu, and Shizuku were currently trying to locate the two female exorcists in order to discuss their 'business deal' with them. However, Gen was complaining.
"Why do you still need me when you have the green-haired snake, the witch, and the Rook here?" the Sitri pawn whined.
"Because we need as much help as we can get. And this is the 4th time you've asked the same question," Kazuki replied.
"Because Student Council President will kill meeeeee!" Gen whined further.
"Again, blame Kazuki for tricking into this, you know…." Shizuku answered.
"Couldn't you use your familiars to help search for them?" Gen asked.
"We could, but it would be better to find them by ourselves. Buchou will know something is up if we use our familiars," Koneko answered.
"Well, it shouldn't be too hard, since you won't find many people walking in white cloaks," Kuesu said.
However, that was proven to be more difficult than they thought. After all, they are in a very popular shopping district, and with many people walking around, it's like finding a needle in a haystack….
That was soon changed when they've heard a familiar voice…
"Irina, let's cut down this picture to collect some money."
"You can't Xenovia! This is a picture of a saint!"
"Look, Mother Mira and Dr. Akai gave us enough money to go through this day without any problems, but you blew it all on a game of chance, and now we have to beg from these heretics. And this picture looks like a child's finger painting."
"It could be raw making by the artist, which makes it rare."
Kazuki and his friends all peered around the corner, and saw the people they were looking for: Irina Shidou and Xenovia. Right now though, they have set up a little collection pot for charity, and there was a poorly-made painting leaning against the wall behind them.
"So, you're trying to convert people as well as fulfilling your mission?" Kazuki asked jokingly.
"You devil!" Xenovia snapped at Kazuki. "You somehow influenced Irina to spend all our money on a game of chance, and look at what we got! Remove your spell from her immediately!"
"Where did you get that sh*tty demand from?!" Kuesu remarked, but Kazuki stopped her.
"Now, why would I do something like that? I gained nothing for making her do something like that and crosses were supposed to protect you from Devils' spells? Is that correct?" Kazuki asked.
"You wanted us to suffer for what I said to Kuesu and Asia," Xenovia said.
"Oh, I would love that," Kuesu answered. "And Kazuki didn't do anything to Irina in any way."
"We're getting off-topic, you know…" said Shizuku.
"Oh, thanks for reminding us, Shizuku," said Kazuki. "Well, what exactly happened?"
"Xenovia and I were trying to locate Freed Sellzen, and Amy Simpson wanted to help us, but we told her to hang back with Mother Mira, but then I saw this picture in the window of a shop, and I had to play a few rounds of BlackJack to get that picture because it's Saint Peter," Irina explained.
The group looked at the picture, and they didn't feel any holy aura to it. There's only one conclusion for all of this…
"That picture is clearly a fake…" Koneko said flatly.
"You're kidding, right?" Gen snickered.
"How do you know?" asked Xenovia.
"No holy aura at all, you know…" said Shizuku.
"See, Irina? Told you this was a fake," Xenovia concluded.
"Ha Ha Ha Ha! I never knew you would be stupid!" Kuesu laughed like a noblewoman.
Irina didn't reply, but held on to Kazuki's hands, forcing Kuesu to stop laughing and glare at her in jealousy.
"Kazuki! Help us, please!" pleaded Irina with quivering eyes and crossed hands.
"C-Cute…" Kazuki said to himself. Kuesu and Shizuku narrowed their eyes in jealousy. They soon planned to get back at Kazuki soon.
** At the entrance of the District **
"Mou…Kei! You promised me that you will take me out for a little shopping today!" Saya said.
Keisuke sighed. Today was last day of the sale in mall today. So he promised to take Saya there. He had completely forgotten about that arrangement because of what has been happening. As soon as Saya called, he came out rushing.
"Sorry, I lost track of time," he lied. He noticed she was dressed to impress. She wore a white and red strapless dress with a white jacket over the dress. She wore a straw hat with a light blue ribbon around the top, which was holding a sunflower placed into it. He could think one thing though she looked amazing. He himself wore white coat over a blue t-shirt and wore black denim jeans.
She wrapped her arm around Keisuke's arm. "So you're ready to go?" Saya asked.
Keisuke sat down and let out a deep breath. His body was tired from today's shopping. All they had done was going shopping for clothes, went to an arcade and now they were in a cafe. Saya was sitting across him and on the table between them was two cups of coffee.
"I don't know what you're complaining about. If this was a real date, then any girl would be ticked at you by now," Saya said simply.
A real date? He wouldn't consider something like this a date; just an outing between two friends. Plus why would she bring that up now anyway?
"Hey, Kei…How come you don't try and get a girlfriend?" Saya asked, her tone sounded nervous.
'What's with the sudden change of tone?' Keisuke thought hard.
Why didn't he?
"I don't know. I've been doing a lot of things recently, so I just can't think about things like that."
"You are quite good-looking and you carry this cool air around you, even though you are quite clumsy at times. I'm pretty sure that there are a few girls in our class who likes you," Saya said, looking down. She was being awfully nervous about something.
'What was she trying to say? Why was she-' Keisuke thought.
He then noticed something at the corner of his vision. He shifted his eyes to look at what it was and surprised.
"Kei, I-"
Keisuke suddenly stood up and walked straight to the corner of the shop, cutting her off. She turned to see Keisuke walking up to a man with black hair and wore a black coat.
Keisuke stood in front of the man and his suspicion was confirmed.
It was none other than the swordsman himself, Sanosuke Kiriya.
"You…" Keisuke said. 'Just what is this? What is he doing here?'
"Hi…" Sanosuke greeted back, he remembered him as one of the Peerage members of Serena Asmoday. "What a coincidence."
Keisuke looked confused. "Yeah…"
This is an awkward situation for Keisuke. No one expected something like this out in the open.
Saya came up to him. "Who is this, Kei? A friend of yours?" she asked innocently.
'Damn it, Saya! Not now!' Keisuke thought as he looked at her. He definitely does not want her to get involved in things like this. "Well not exactly, but we've met on our recent expedition." Keisuke tried to lie.
"Hello there, nice to meet you," he held out his hand and she shook it. "Now if you will excuse me, I'm on a tight schedule."
"He looks like a nice guy," Saya said as she saw Sanosuke walk away, but she noticed that Keisuke was keeping his eyes on him the whole time. "Kei?"
"Sorry Saya…But something came up. Could you make it home by yourself?" he asked her, still keeping his eyes onto where the swordsman went.
He returned his gaze towards her. "I'll make it up to you with another shopping day over next week, okay?" He smiled sadly before he walked in the same direction as to where Sanosuke went.
What those two didn't notice was that there was someone watching them and Sanosuke only picked it up while he was talking with them.
'So, that's where he is,' thought the mysterious person. 'His ride ends here!'
Sanosuke was walking out in the open. Would the mysterious person follow him out here? They should be. He felt that familiar aura. He was definitely being targeted but this time there was a second aura, that same aura that white haired devil had. What was his name? Kei? It didn't matter for now. He doesn't hold that same malicious aura that the other had. He turned left into an alleyway.
His follower squinted. He couldn't lose his target so easily, so he picked up the pace. He turned to the alleyway and continued following him down the alleyway.
** At a Family Restaurant **
Kazuki lead his friends and the two exorcists to a family restaurant, where they all treated the two humans to all the food they wanted, which was a lot since they're both hungry as heck and were wolfing down everything that was brought to them.
"This is delicious!" Xenovia said to Irina, swallowing down noodles.
"I missed Japanese foods so much, you have no idea!" Irina cried when she started devouring her rice omelet.
"The food in my homeland is coal compared to this!" Xenovia said after finishind her udon and continuing eating her omelet.
"What an appetite!" Kuesu stated in amazement.
"Good thing that we had enough money," Gen stated.
"I just hope they listen to our proposal," Kazuki said, to which Koneko and Shizuku nodded.
"Oh! What we have done, Irina?" Xenovia realized. "We've got some much-needed help from a witch, a mizuchi snake, and some Devils for goodness sakes! This feels like an apocalypse!"
"We've just sold our souls to the Devils!" Irina said, and then she prayed. "Dear Father, give your blessing to these kind-hearted Demons."
"AAAAGGGHHH!" Koneko and Gen cried in agony. Kazuki, Shizuku, and Kuesu had no effect at all; because Kazuki is part Angel, Shizuku is a water deity, and Kuesu is the heiress of a Demon Slayer family.
"We don't need your blessing!" the two cried in unison.
"Nice way to thank someone," Gen groaned as he held his head.
"Sorry. It's a force of a habit," Irina apologized.
"So, why did you come for us?" Xenovia asked.
"We want to help you to destroy the holy swords," Kazuki answered.
"What do you mean?" Irina asked.
"Our friend Yuuto Kiba is haunted by his past which has something to do with the holy swords. He wants to destroy at least one so he can move on. And you need help if you want to accomplish your mission," Kazuki explained.
"We don't need help from devils," Irina declared firmly but with a hint of kindness in her voice. She was at least trying to be civil.
"I suppose we could let him destroy one sword and then take it back. Our mission will still succeed, even if we didn't need the 10 Commandments Sword," Xenovia said.
'Damn, I thought they would flat out refuse!' Gen cried in his head.
"Xenovia!" Irina protested, almost scandalized by what her friend had said.
"Irina, Kazuki might be right. Our enemy is one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels and the wanted priest Freed Sellzen, who has four holy swords. I also heard rumors that they have a very strong army with them, including some Stray Devils. With that, our chances of survival are 10% at best. I would want to accomplish the mission and survive afterwards. And finding the enemy is a problem for just the two of us," Xenovia explained.
Koneko and Shizuku noticed that Xenovia's faith was flexible enough to accept help from devils.
Gen and Kuesu were surprised that the church affiliates accepted the devils' offer.
"And they did just help us right now by providing lunch for us. We must pay this debt or they will never let us go," Xenovia added.
The devils, the witch, and the loli-snake sweat-dropped from her accusation.
"As I said before, we are not evil," Kazuki said.
"Very well then. We'll accept your help and allow your friend to destroy one sword so he can let go of his past. But where is he?" Irina asked.
"I'll text him…" Koneko said and started to write a message on her cell phone.
"Why not just call him?" Gen asked.
"Because he might not answer when he sees who is calling. It is more likely that he will read the message and tell us where to meet him so we can tell him about our offer…." Koneko explained.
Xenovia stared at Koneko's cell phone in amazement. Having virtually no experience with cell phones, since she had been raised by the church nearly all her life, she marveled at how sophisticated human technology was. Even if they were devils, she had seen many humans use such devices. She was the type who did most things the old fashioned way, but there was a part of her who longed to join the rest of mankind in their endeavors. Such as living life.
After sending the message to Yuuto, they hoped that he would answer and hear them out at least. Kazuki paid the bill and the group left the restaurant.
They stopped at a small food cart stand where Kazuki bought the two exorcists a couple of sodas, seeing as how they were still thirsty. Irina and Xenovia were actually enjoying themselves, seeing as how they had never had such sweet and refreshing drinks before. And even in the restaurant, they had only drank water and tea with their food.
Koneko immediately opened her phone when it beeped.
"It's Yuuto. He says that he will meet us at the fountain in Sakura Park..." Koneko said.
The group nodded, quickly finishing their drinks and rushed to the park. Little did they know is that they are going to have more company than just Yuuto…
** At Sakura Park; 23 minutes later **
As the sun begins to set, Yuuto showed up at the fountain where they were all waiting. He looked at the oddly assembled group and grimaced slightly.
"Kazuki, what's all this?" Yuuto asked with a weary look.
"We came to help you, Yuuto," Kazuki answered.
"No. I appreciate your willingness to help me, but this is something I have to do alone," Yuuto said, rejecting their offer.
"Alone you will only end up dead. And whether you like it or not, you have no choice but to accept our help. Xenovia and Irina agreed to accept our help on the condition that you are allowed to destroy one of the swords they are ordered to bring back," Kuesu told him.
Yuuto seemed to consider the offer.
"I can destroy one of the swords if we help them to find them?" Yuuto asked.
"That's right. And since the enemy is Kokabiel, one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels, we need help to survive," Xenovia confirmed. "And with a strong army he has, we need all the help we can get."
"Then... I accept the offer," Yuuto reconsidered.
"Good. But Yuuto, why do you hate the Holy Swords so much? President mentioned that they have something to do with your past. What happened?" Kazuki asked his friend.
The others became interested and curious about it as well.
Yuuto seemed reluctant to reveal it, but he finally started.
"It was around 8 years ago in northern Italy. Me and several others who were followers of the church were selected for a special program called 'The Holy Sword Project'. They told us that it would help humanity and one of us could become one of the new warriors against evil," Yuuto started.
The others kept their mouths shut and listened intently to his story. Xenovia and Irina had heard about the project Yuuto mentioned but they thought that all the test subjects were disposed until they met Yuuto and saw his Sword Birth ability.
"They kept us in a large room where we had only three windows and every day some of us were taken and they didn't come back. We prayed to God and swore that we would do our best to become his warriors, but then one day the priests came and gassed us. They were disposing the remaining test subjects because the project was apparently a failure. My friends and their families attacked them and cried for me to escape. I did as they wanted and managed to escape my pursuers. Another one followed me, but the gas had already affected me and I was dying in the snow where I collapsed. The other one was nowhere to be seen, and I prayed that I would be allowed to live so I could avenge my friends and find the other one that escaped. That was when Rias appeared and offered me a new life as her knight. After everything that had happened, I accepted," Yuuto explained.
Xenovia and Irina were touched by his story. They had never thought that the church they devoted themselves for would do something like that to children AND young adults.
Even Koneko and Shizuku looked like they would cry.
Kuesu felt sorry for him and for herself. In fact, she may have been the fountain of all these problems due to the fact that she stole the Excalibur swords first just to increase her status for her Demon Slayer family.
Gen had tears in his eyes.
"Damn Yuuto. I never thought that you had such a terrible past," Gen said to the Gremory knight.
Kazuki was shocked by his full story. He never would have guessed that Yuuto had a traumatic event like that in his childhood.
Xenovia spoke up after Yuuto had finished his story.
"I have heard about the Holy Sword Project," the blue-haired girl said. "The ones who were involved in it were excommunicated and labeled as heretics. We later learned that they had allied themselves with the Fallen Angels and the Stray Devils and other strong people who have gone rogue. The head of the project was a bishop named Valper Galilei."
"Valper Galilei," Yuuto muttered. Up until now, he had no idea who was the one who ordered his friends and family to be disposed of, or who was responsible for the misery they all went through. Now he knew the name of his real enemy.
"He is known as the 'Genocidal Arch-bishop' for what he did," Irina added.
"If Kokabiel is intending to do something with the holy swords he stole, then Galilei will most likely be involved in this because he was the most knowledgeable bishop of the church," Xenovia said.
"So Freed and the army are being used as his backup?" Gen asked.
"Most likely," Kazuki said. "That bastard just want to kill and hurt people, and I have a feeling that his army is going for the ride as well. Any ideas about how we find them?"
"I have an idea that might work," Irina spoke up.
"Which is?" Shizuku asked.
"Since they want to eliminate priests that they come across in order to keep them from interfering, then I suggest that we lure them out by dressing you as priests. We walk around at night and when they attack, we question them after we subdue them," Irina explained.
The others looked at the brown-haired exorcist with some annoyance except Xenovia.
"That's your plan?" Koneko asked. "Use us as bait?"
"You have a better one?" Irina asked.
The devils looked at each other for several seconds, as if debating this plan, before Kazuki spoke up.
"I think that might work, if they are hunting priests," Kazuki said.
"I don't like the idea of walking around with a bullseye on my back, though," Kuesu said.
"I do not like the idea either, but..." Koneko said.
"It might be the best way. But... where do we get priest outfits?" Gen asked.
"We'll ask Mother Mira. She has plenty of those," Xenovia answered.
Before they all went further, a new voice was heard.
"So how about a talk, if you're planning on following me the whole day?"
The group looked at the other side of the fountain and they are shocked to see Sanosuke and an unknown man.
From the other side, Keisuke hid behind a tree, trying to listen in onto the conversation. Keisuke wondered what was going on? Who was this man? A possible comrade? Whatever it is, he needs to be careful that he was not to be seen. He also sees Kazuki and the team spying on him and the mysterious man as well.
"So you are Sanosuke Kiriya?" the man questioned.
Sanosuke's face turned serious. "So what if I am?"
"Then I'll kill you!" the man roared before he transformed. He grew taller as each of his legs split into two. The back two legs grew backwards with a tail at the back. Brown fur covered his lower body and what replaced his now torn shirt was silver armor that covered his upper body, shoulders, arms and a helmet that left his face opened. In his hands were two lances. The man now look liked a centaur. He raised one of his lances and threw a heavy slash down the young swordsman who dodged the blade in time. Sanosuke rolled on the floor before looking up at the centaur. He remembered who that man was; he was part of the Stray Peerage.
"Kokusen!" Sanosuke called before a light blue and white magic circle appeared beside him. The magic circle moved upwards to produce a katana.
"It really is HIM!" Xenovia said in surprise.
"And he is the other survivor of the project!" Yuuto said, making the others gasp.
Sanosuke drew his sword after he placed the scabbard by his left hip. "Asara the Knight, I should presume?"
"You presumed right! I am going to kill you and avenge my comrades. I'm going to do what that coward Kojiro failed to do," Asara roared before he aimed a thrust at Sanosuke's head but the young man ducked under the jab. Sanosuke slashed the lance away before came in again. He twisted left to dodge a heavy downward slash. Sanosuke began his wave of attacks with Asara countering each attack.
Keisuke cursed, he can't help but feel like he should help him. But he must at least call the rest, so he summoned his familiar. A little white snake appeared from his hands before he set it to the floor and said.
"Find King Serena and tell her what's going on." The snake made a little nod before it slithered away. Keisuke stood up and looked to the battle again.
Whatever happens, it happens.
"Sacred Gear!" Keisuke called. In a flash of black light, his short spear appeared in his right hand.
Sanosuke took the full weight of the swing from Asara. In the corner of his eye, he saw the other lance making its way towards him.
"Should we go help him?" asked Irina.
"Let's watch further," answered Kuesu.
CLASH!
Sparks flew as Sanosuke saw the young man with white hair tied into a ponytail, deflecting the lance with his short white spear.
"You…" Sanosuke muttered. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like? Helping you!" Keisuke snapped back. "And my name is Keisuke Ryoudou, Serena Asmoday's Pawn!" He shouted his introduction at both of them before he pushed the lance away. "Nice to meet you!" he roared as he threw an upward slash at the lance, pushing the lance up. He jumped away from the centaur.
Sanosuke couldn't help but smile at this. He threw the lance off him before he sliced the lance away from him and jumped back to where Keisuke to is.
They looked to one another and nodded, acknowledging each other's assistance.
Sanosuke stopped and said, "I know that there are more people here. Come on out if you want to help us."
"He found us anyway, you know…" said Shizuku.
"And just who might you be?" asked Sanosuke.
"I'm Kazuki Shikimori, Rias Gremory's Pawn!"
"Koneko Toujou…"
"I'm Kuesu Jinguji, heiress of the Jinguji family!"
"I'm Shizuku, a mizuchi, you know…"
"I'm Genshirou Saji, Sona Sitri's Pawn!"
"And I know who you 3 are," said Sanosuke. "Xenovia, Irina, and Yuuto Kiba."
The former 2 are surprised, but Yuuto wasn't.
"We'll talk later, but right now, we have a Stray Devil on our hands," said Sanosuke.
"It doesn't matter how many of you I have to fight, I will kill all of you!" Asara roared before he threw flame empowered slashes.
Keisuke created a huge barrier to block the attacks. Once he disbanded the barrier, Kuesu, Xenovia, Irina and Sanosuke charged at Asara who readies his guard.
Sanosuke jumped first, his slash pushing one of his two lances away with Kuesu throwing dark fireballs from her spellbook to make Asara disengage the second lance. Xenovia slashed straight after. Her blade making light cuts on Asara's exposed body parts with Keisuke and Kazuki blocking each counter attack.
"So, you're Kazuki Shikimori?" asked Keisuke.
"Yeah. And you?"
"Keisuke Ryoudou. Nice to meet you."
Asara grunted, 'These two are deadly. I have no choice but to use that!' he thought before he aimed for a stab with both of his lances. He saw that both Keisuke and Kazuki blocked a lance each. Sanosuke then kicked his lance away whilst Shizuku used a large blast of water, flipping the monster over.
Sanosuke roared, filling his blade with his light energy. With a quick slash, he cut off the tip of the lance. Then he moved away, letting Keisuke come in with a second barrage of attacks. He saw Keisuke doing the same thing as he did. The blade of the spear, drenched in a black light seemed to have radiated in demonic energy. Keisuke sliced the through the lance into two.
Both fighters jumped, their own respective light power filling up their blades before they came down for their own slash. But to their surprise, Asara shouted:
"Sacred Gear!"
An invisible force stopped the spear and sword.
"What?!" Keisuke thought out loud. Both Sanosuke and himself pulled themselves away.
"I was originally a human/centaur hybrid before I got reincarnated into a devil. This Sacred Gear of mine, 'Invisible Force', creates a powerful magical barrier around me at the cost of my own magical stamina," Asara explained. A purple magic circle appeared in his hands before he aimed it and fired balls of flame at Keisuke and Sanosuke.
The two then saw Kazuki blocking the fire with his own barrier, and then summoned his Sacred Gears: the Boosted Gear, and the 10 Commandments Sword.
"Let's go, Boosted Gear!" Kazuki shouted.
[BOOST!] the gauntlet said.
"We'll take this while you charge!" Kuesu said as she and Shizuku threw powerful fireballs and icicles respectively toward Asara's seemingly exposed back, only for it to be disintegrated.
"A full body barrier, and it looks like it has no signs of opening," Sanosuke said before he saw Keisuke charging in before jumping. He aimed his short spear straight towards Asara's helmet. But the spear itself was stopped, like a magnet repelled by another magnet of the same pole.
Asara turned to him.
"Hey, hey…that tickles you know," he said, mocking him. Asara deactivated the barrier, leading Keisuke closer before he threw a punch at Keisuke. Keisuke was sent flying in the air with Koneko catching him before he hit a tree.
Koneko set Keisuke down. "Thanks," Keisuke said.
"No problem…." said Koneko.
Keisuke stood, albeit slightly groggily. "He's got to run out of magic sooner or later," Keisuke thought out loud.
"It's a matter of who stops first, him or us," Irina argued passively.
She was right. But how were they going to defeat him? Wait. Kazuki thought of something.
'This Sacred Gear of mine, 'Invisible Force', creates a powerful magical barrier around at the cost of my own magical stamina.'
'He said magical barrier, right?' An idea formed in Kazuki's head. He looked at Koneko. There is a way to defeat him.
"Since he is a knight, his power comes from his legs. We will have to immobilize him but the main problem is the magic barrier that he has around him. The first thing we should do is to break through that," Yuuto said.
Kazuki smirked as he stood up. "You read my mind, and I know just what to do. Koneko!"
Koneko came to Kazuki and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, and whispered it to Xenovia and Yuuto. They both nodded, and proceeded with the plan.
Xenovia charged at Asara with her Excalibur sword, and getting ready to strike.
Asara laughed, "Haha! You still think that frail thing break through my barrier?"
To his surprise, Xenovia's attack penetrated the magical barrier, to the point of it collapsing.
"What?!" Asara gasped. How did this happen?!
"An opening!" Koneko came in, aiming at the vulnerable point between the armor, more specifically at the shoulder. When she made the big punch, she heard the unnatural sound of the pierced skin and knew she had hit her mark.
"Yuuto, switch!" Kazuki roared. With a kick to the chest, Koneko back-flipped away from the centaur.
Yuuto nodded and charged. He used Sword Birth and summoned a few Demon Swords, using the window of opportunity; he sliced one of the two front legs. Asara, quick to lose his balance, fell over. Keisuke came back flying with a slash from both his spears, the blades covered in a layer of black light cutting deep into the furry skin of the centaur. He dislodged the spears from the centaur and landed behind the centaur. Sanosuke thought he saw a familiar visage in that stance. He heard the centaur's piercing scream of pain.
"Impossible, how was it that you were able to break through my barrier?" he growled.
Kazuki smirked. "Xenovia has Excalibur Destruction, Koneko is a well-trained Rook, and Yuuto is a Knight, and his Sacred Gear is Sword Birth!"
Sanosuke was surprised when he heard 'Sword Birth'.
"Now…" Sanosuke interrupted as he walked up, pointing his sword the centaur's neck. "Tell me, where is the rest of your Peerage?"
"Like you can threaten me with that child's sword. I'm already as good as dead ever since I killed my own master, you're just hastening the inevitable."
"If you knew your fate then why would you…?" Irina asked.
"Because I was fed up. The lack of power that my own master possessed. Him, despite being a high-level devil, was as forceful as snail. With us on our own, we can stand at even greater heights without him. We are warriors!" Asara roared.
"Don't f*ck around with us!" Keisuke went up and punched Asara across the face. "You strayed because of a stupid reason like that!? Because of you, many unnecessary deaths were caused. If you were like that then-" He felt a hand on his left shoulder. He looked back to see Sanosuke shaking his head, as if telling him not to bother.
"Back to business…" Sanosuke said. "I don't care about your reason for betraying your master. But what I care about is to find every one of you and finish you off before things can get ugly." He ignored Asara's screams. "Now tell me, where are the rest of your Peerage?"
"Hey, stop," Keisuke said. He was feeling a bit uncomfortable with that kind of torture. He couldn't help it since he was a Devil too.
"Fine! I will ta-" The top half of Asara's head was sliced off by a blade of wind.
Sanosuke cursed before he and the others looked up from where the wind blade came from. He saw a young man wearing an old light purple Japanese style kimono with a hat and holding a feathered fan. Judging from what he wore, he seemed like he was an onmyouji. The man laughed.
"To be foolish enough to start blabbering. You are all talk Asara," he said bluntly, no sense of remorse from killing someone. "The black and white combination over there, I'm sure you don't need an introduction from me right?"
"You are one of the Bishops: Souta," Sanosuke said after a small thought. The others gasped.
Souta mainly chuckled. "Oh right you are…" He turned towards Keisuke. "The little albino over there. This is the first time I have seen it but my guesses are that you are of the House of Ose, I presumed? Only that house has the ability to create demonic light." He continued chuckling.
Keisuke ignored the statement. "Hey you, do you know what you just did?!" Keisuke shouted, referring back to Asara.
"I don't see how this is funny," Souta answered.
'Is everyone in this Peerage absolutely crazy?' he thought, first that Knight Kojiro and now this weirdo.
Souta then shifted his eyes towards Kazuki. "Well, well, well. Look what I have found. The one who holds two of the best Sacred Gears ever; Kazuki Shikimori. This is such a lucky day for me," he laughed.
Kazuki glared while Sanosuke took a couple of steps forward and pointed his blade at Souta.
"Well without any trouble, how about you come down?" Sanosuke threatened.
"And fight against us!" Xenovia said as she, Irina, and Kazuki pointed their swords at him.
Souta only chuckled again. "And 2 of the Excalibur Swords. Hohoho, I'm liking this more and more by the second! As much as I enjoy fighting you all, I'm afraid that I must deny such a request if Asara was defeated by the likes of you. I, myself, wouldn't have the ability to defeat you all myself. And besides, the boss is going to go crazy when he hears this!" He held out his fan. "Au revoir. My other comrades and I shall be taking extra care when dealing with you guys in the future. It won't be long." He threw a whirlwind around himself. When the wind dispersed, he was nowhere to be seen.
'What an absolute d*ckhead!' Keisuke thought before he noticed Sanosuke sheathing his sword and walking up towards him. What was he doing?
"Keisuke Ryuudou, am I right?"
Keisuke nodded at the question. His body tensed.
"Nice to meet you too," Sanosuke said, holding out his hand for a handshake.
Keisuke was surprised at the friendly gesture. He made his spears disappear and took the hand, albeit with hesitation.
"I've also heard about the plan to destroy the Excalibur swords. Just hearing that makes me feel better in a way," said Sanosuke.
The others were surprised.
'Destroying Excalibur?' thought Keisuke.
"I have questions," Yuuto said.
He heard the mysterious swordsman lightly chuckled. "I'm sure you do, especially with the part of the Holy-Sword Project, in which you and I know, and as much as I like to answer your questions and join on destroying those swords, unfortunately right now, I'm busy." They all saw Sanosuke spread his left black wing.
"Black feathers gliding down the ai-Wait…Black wing? Wait a second! He's a Fallen Angel?!" asked Xenovia.
"Thanks for the help. I'll see you all around. Especially you two, Yuuto Kiba and Kazuki Shikimori," Sanosuke said before they saw him flying off.
"Hey wait!" Kazuki shouted but Sanosuke was too far to hear anything.
"So, you're Keisuke Ryoudou?" asked Xenovia.
"Y-Yes!" Keisuke said, and then he noticed a particular sword behind her back. 'Is that one of the Excalibur Swords?'
"I'm Xenovia."
"I'm Irina Shidou, Kazuki's childhood friend!"
"I'm Shizuku…"
"Koneko Toujou…"
"I'm Kuesu Jinguji."
"I'm Genshirou Saji."
"And I'm Yuuto Kiba. We're delighted meeting you."
They all shook hands with each other, but Kazuki soon realize that the moon is beginning to rise.
"Sorry! We must go! See you soon!" said Kazuki as he and the rest of his group proceeded to the church to execute their plan.
"Keisuke!"
He heard the call and saw that the rest of the Asmoday Peerage had arrived.
'Crap!' He remembered he just disobeyed a direct order. "We came as soon as we could."
Kaoru looked around and saw the damaged the area took and the dead centaur lying on the ground in its own pool of blood. "What happened here? Could that be…"
"The Former Knight of Densdria Aim, Asara," Keisuke interrupted. "Sanosuke Kiriya, Kazuki Shikimori, his friends and I defeated him. Two of them looked like they were from the Church."
The Peerage gasped, not only he took on a Stray Devil on his own, but he received help from the swordsman, the two exorcists and the gang of the Gremory Peerage. Serena walked to him.
SLAP!
Keisuke felt the stinging slap across his now red cheek. Keisuke said nothing as he looked down.
"You idiot. I have told everyone to contact each other once they are in sight of any of the people. And yet you only told everyone after you came in contact with both groups?!" she scolded.
"Serena should have felt it too; he's not the enemy!" Keisuke argued.
"I am in no position to base my judgment on gut feelings! If I make a mistake, it will be everyone's head."
"But please trust me, if any one of us has met Sanosuke, he didn't even make an attempt to attack; he showed no sense of hostility from him! I think it would better for us to make an alliance with him to hunt down the Stray Devils."
"At any rate, I forbid you from making contact with any of them without any of us around."
Keisuke hung his head low, "Yes."
Keisuke can't help but understand her. She needs to approach this very carefully, anything wrong and the whole thing could fall apart and it would be heavy. He saw her walking away. "By the way, he is a Fallen Angel, just so you know," he reported. He noticed her stopping and looked over her shoulder. "I saw him grew a single left black wing." Without saying a word, she continued walking away.
Kaoru wrapped her arm around Keisuke's shoulders.
"Hey, don't look so sad. Serena is just doing what is best for everyone," she said trying to cheer him up.
Keisuke let out an airy 'I know,' before he walked away.
** At an Abandoned Church elsewhere **
Souta just arrived to meet the mysterious man.
"So, what can you report?" the mysterious man asked.
"Well, not only I saw him, Kazuki and his friends, but I also saw Sanosuke and those two exorcists as well! This is a huge goldmine we're digging right now!" Souta laughed.
"Excellent. When I get my hands on that boy, that sword will be ours for the taking! Hahahahahaha!" the mysterious man laughed. "Let the others know. We'll be ready to strike in a few days."
"Yes, sir!" Souta said before disappearing in a whirlwind.
After Souta left, an attractive woman came.
'He's definitely here. I could never mistake this disgusting aura. It reeks of mutiny and deceit,' she thought.
It was then that the woman made a confrontation with the mysterious man.
"Finally, I've found you," she stated coldly.
The mysterious man then showed 10 black wings as he descended and sneered at her. To the woman, he still looks disgusting as always.
"So, Valshion, I see that you haven't changed a bit."
"Don't you call my name, Kokabiel!" Valshion yelled in anger. "And if you think you're trying to do this to impress me and love you again, you're clearly mistaken!"
"Oh, don't be such a sourpuss! This plan was destined to succeed from the get-go," said Kokabiel. "We should've been married and took over this world when we had the chance."
"Shut up, you f*cking *sshole!" Valshion yelled, before unleashing six black wings of her own, and creating 2 light spears. "Now listen. Azazel has told me to give you one final warning, you sh*tty excuse of a crow…"
Kokabiel only smiled joyfully.
** At another part of the city **
There was Azazel, standing on one of the buildings in construction.
"Well, looks like Kokabiel won't be heeding our warnings anytime soon. Vali, you ready?"
A handsome young man with dark silver hair and light blue eyes appeared from one the pillars.
"I was born ready," said Vali. "Although, I'm surprised that Sanosuke is still alive. I'm looking forward to meeting him."
"And I'm looking forward to meeting you," a new voice said.
"Who said that?" asked Vali.
"Don't worry, Vali," said Azazel. "That's my good friend, Dr. Akai."
That said doctor appeared behind another one of the pillars.
"Dr. Akai, I presume?" asked Vali.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you, Vali Lucifer," said Dr. Akai, shaking Vali's hand, and then Azazel's.
"Well, this is definitely an interesting meeting at a time like this," said Azazel.
"Indeed it has," replied Dr. Akai. "This is going to be very interesting in the future. Oh, and Vali, there's someone that you really want to meet."
"And that person is?" asked Vali.
"Kazuki Shikimori," said Dr. Akai, adjusting his glasses.
To be continued…
Next time on Magical Devils…
Kazuki and his friends battle against Freed in the abandoned church where they previously fought the 3 Fallen Angels and saved Asia from certain death. They also get a first-glimpse look at the man who did all the killing from the Holy-Sword Project: Valper Galilei.
And later, Sanosuke not only reunites with his childhood friend Sylvia, but also meets the Asmoday Peerage as well and forms an alliance with them.
Plus, Keisuke and Saya try again with their date, only to be met by the remaining members of the Stray Devil Peerage.
And as the Occult Research Club try to find Yuuto again with their familiars, they and the Student Council instead get an injured Irina, thanks to the Stray Devil Peerage, as they, a few more people, Freed, and their boss, Kokabiel all declare war from the outskirts of town, but that's not all!
Himari is about to lose her cool when she sees two familiar Ayakashi that destroyed her homeland, Kuriko gets a big surprise from 2 other people, and Rias gets a big shock from 5 other people that came from another town and agreed to help Kokabiel with his plan, and these 9 particular people are DEADLY!
Who are these particular people who have decided to join Kokabiel's forces along with the Stray Devils, you ask? Well, if you have been paying attention to Chapter 13's Quickie Quiz answers, you should have an idea on who 7 of those people are!
If not, then prepared to be surprised as you better make sure to tune in next time for more of Magical Devils!
And one day later, this chapter is finished, and just in time on Christmas Eve. I'm happy that I did it before the big holidays arrive, and as we get prepared for the Holidays, here's our Quickie Quiz for this episode.
1. In the world of Japan, how many shopping districts are there in Tokyo? Name all of them. SPELLING COUNTS!
2. I've mentioned a Christmas reference to this chapter. Can you find it?
3. At the end of this chapter, I've mentioned a famous phrase. Can you make that famous phrase? Who made that phrase? Where was that phrase taken place?
Now, the first one is for a whopping 500 virtual cookies for getting it all correct. Each particular correct one on that is for 30 virtual cookies each. The second one is for 25 virtual cookies. The third is for 25 virtual cookies each for a total of 75 virtual cookies.
Before I get ready for Christmas, let's look at Kazuki's Ultra Harem!
Kazuki's Harem: Yuna, Kuriko, Rin, Chihaya, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Raynare, Kalawarner, Xenovia, Irina, Kuroka, Ophis, Ravel, Rossweisse, Serafall, Gabriel, Liera Scharnhorst, Shino Akai, Himari Noihara, Shizuku, Lizlet L. Chelsie, Kuesu Jinguji, Kaya, Aya, Kasuri Kagamimori, Hisuzu Kagamimori, Ginko the wolf spirit, Chizuru Minamoto, Tamamo(Chizuru's mom)
Kazuki's Family: Tsuyuha Shikimori (Kazuki's sister), Hisae Shikimori (Kazuki's sister), Saori Shikimori (Kazuki's sister), Yua Shikimori (Kazuki's cousin), Madori Shikimori (Kazuki's cousin), Akidzuki Shikimori (Kazuki's ¾ relative)
Friends-with-benefits: Elizabeth, Grayfia(because of her resemblance of Kazuki's mom), Le Fey Pendragon, Gasper Vladi, Sona Sitri and the Student Council of Kuoh Academy, Yukihana, MMM organization, Shantae(half-genie), Yuriko(genie)
In the next upcoming chapters, there will be more people involved in the battle, in case you haven't noticed by now, and the mini-war is going to be a LOT more intense than the canon, so be prepared for that.
With all that in mind, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year 2014, read and review, and no flaming!