Chapter 7: The Knight and the Goddess
Let go, can't resist forever
If so, what do you fight for?
The world is starting to reject you
Now it's time, to Feast
The boat approached the port with unnatural swiftness, helmed by Eizen and accompanied by Velvet. Ragna could recognize them at this distance, though maybe they wouldn't given the heavy, grey cloak that was currently draped over him. It was a suggestion by Magilou and also conjured up by the witch herself. To minimize any potential panic involved by his appearance here, it was necessary to at least hide his face from the populace. Granted, it didn't seem like anyone was here at all. The streets were deserted and no one had yet to leave their homes or businesses. Any of the exorcists that were once here had left with their ship and the only ones on the port were himself and his still oddly cheerful companion.
"In hindsight, probably best that you made that statement. I can't imagine how terrible it'd be if people were still around after what happened." He sighed, his legs hanging off the edge of the water. Definitely reminded him of old times, even if he didn't have a stupid-looking Wanted Poster of himself strewn about.
"It helps with keeping them off our backs for the time being. Besides, we can consider it a message sent to the Abbey. 'Mess with the Grim Reaper again, and you'll end up with a fate worse than death.'" The witch replied.
"Yeah, not sure I want that kind of title lingering around all the time. Besides, won't it be confusing for people? Grim Reaper, myself. Eizen too. Then you have the Lord of Calamity, and then you also refer to me as a Calamity. If confusion is what you're trying to sow, then you're succeeding." He frowned.
"Maybe. If the Abbey intends to impose their will of complete Order on the world, why not confuse them a bit?"
"Makes sense I guess."
An awkward silence passed between them, before something ruffled the top of his head underneath the hood. Ragna sighed again. Why was the Normin up there again?
"Hiding stress isn't very good for you Mr. Ragna. I know you like to keep up appearances but we're here for you as well, ya know?" Bienfu said, his voice muffled as he buried himself into Ragna's hair.
"Wouldn't hurt to smile more too. Velvet already fills the role of our resident grump and we can't have grump offs happen all the time." Magilou nodded her head.
"Really?" Ragna responded. "Well you'll forgive me if I'm not in the best of moods right now. Knowing that my sister is on the opposing side isn't exactly doing much for my mental health."
"Relaaaaax….." Bienfu answered, Ragna feeling the telltale signs of the Normin's… paws (?) rubbing the top of his head. What, was this supposed to be some kind of massage? He didn't have the heart to just pluck the Normin away from there. Guess cats… or cat-like beings are just naturally drawn to him for some odd reason.
"Ugh…" Ragna mumbled, letting himself fall backwards. Though Bienfu gave a squeak of alarm as his head fell on the ground. "Oh, sorry there little guy. Thought you'd be getting out of there."
"It's too warm and comfy." Bienfu replied, causing Ragna to chuckle ever so slightly.
"Mmm… well, it shouldn't take long before Velvet and Eizen arrive. Did you figure out what to say to them yet when they start asking?" Magilou asked.
Ragna simply shrugged. "I dunno. I'm tired, and my brain hurts. Why don't you explain to them?"
"Now that's an opportunity I can't let pass. I'm sure I can craft up something to entertain them. Don't worry, I'll keep the important stuff on track!" the witch nodded, looking ahead as she waved at the approaching pair.
x-x-x-x
Above on the rooftops, a cat watched Ragna and then walked away in pursuit of someone. Footsteps took off and said someone landed on the ground, headed out the city gates.
The girl was crying, beating on Ragna's chest as she called him 'stupid' again and again.
A different girl this time. Putting herself in harm's way to deflect a blow meant for Ragna. The hazy silhouette of a green-haired man striking again and again before she finally perished in his arms.
Another girl, similar to the second one. Embracing Ragna, with a sword having impaled both of them at the same time. And then they fell together.
Two this time. One holding the other in place, their energies merging with each attempting to overshadow the other. Ragna had appeared again, his hand held out to them.
"Ragna the Bloodedge….Brother…! Stop! I-I don't desire your salvation!"
x-x-x-x
Melchior stood in the empty space as he shifted through each scene that played out in front of him. This was an unusual case in his eyes for sure, but it wasn't long before his contemplation was interrupted by someone else's approach.
"So this is how you bind the others to your will. Looking inside their minds, trying to find choice pieces of information to bring them under heel." Said Saya as she stood beside the Legate. Her crimson gaze were on the orbs of memories as well, looking through each scene as they played out.
"An unusual case, on your end. What do you make of them?" asked Melchior. "Never have I seen memories quite like these."
Saya shook her head. "Memories of possible pasts. Worthless, all. Worthless as memories that do not even exist. Fated to fray and fade into oblivion..." Saya waved her hand, each bubble of the memories disappearing from sight. Her hand moved to her chest and she closed her eyes. "…leaving naught but a gaping void."
"Something has changed in you, little Malak. I can only assume your encounter with your brother did not go well?"
Saya was silent, her thoughts wary of the old man. "He is more dangerous than I realized. Do not antagonize him more than necessary lest you awaken something far more difficult to contain." She replied finally.
"Hmmm, a troublesome development. Though that will not sway the Shepherd's resolve. As with him, you too are an anomaly. Will you still use your powers on our behalf?" he asked, turning to face her.
"Perhaps not. My will… nay, my Drive, has been diluted somewhat by new thoughts and emotions. It will take time before I can recompose myself." She frowned.
"I see." Melchior said. "That leaves you as a Malak that cannot be controlled even with the greatest of artes. And if that is the case, then we would have no need of you."
It was a threat. But she had no obligation to serve them anyways until she found her goal. And right now, she was unable to formulate a plan on what to do next.
"Enough," she frowned with a wave of her hand, "I tire of this conversation." Everything around her disappeared, and she felt herself sink back into the depths of oblivion.
Ice Cavern
Saya opened her eyes and laid still. The events of her memories invaded by Melchior laid fresh in her mind… and so were the events that lead up to it. An ill-fated confrontation with her brother, and attempting to get in between him and the one she made a pact with.
"Ah, you've finally woken up."
She turned her head slightly, spotting Oscar at the corner of the cave. She only realized that a fire had been started somewhere, the embers illuminating the place they were at. At once she sat up, her gaze falling upon the cape that fell away from her, as if it had been used as a blanket. Oscar's cape; she recognized the white and blue… and the fact he wasn't wearing one when she turned towards him.
"Where are we?" she wondered, her voice low.
"Caverns around Hellawes. We fell into the sea and thankfully, the waters brought us back, albeit a fair distance away from where we were originally at. You were unconscious throughout the whole ordeal." He explained walking over to sit beside her. "Honestly, I thought you would have disappeared then and there. But you clung on despite everything."
"Did I, now?" Saya replied. "I suppose I could have astralized my form like that one time but…" she paused, clutching her head. Her injury, the blow from her brother's wicked weapon… "ah…"
"Don't force yourself. You've suffered a heavy injury and recovery should be your priority." Oscar said, holding her steady.
"Had I not been recovering, I would not be talking to you. I just need a few seconds, that is all." She frowned and then breathed in deep. She had accomplished her goal, though the ending wasn't quite as she expected. She had encountered Ragna, but she hadn't really thought about what would happen next after that had she? A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach caused her to lower her head. She didn't like it.
"Here,"
She looked to Oscar as he handed her what appeared to be a small container of small, odd, spherical objects. She had seen them used by the Exorcists before, things that they chewed and swallowed to help them recover. Gels they were called, though she never really cared to use them. Of course, she hadn't been so gravely injured before and her back, well… hurt.
"The faster you recover, the better it will be. I won't force you to return in a non-physical state. I don't think my soul is strong enough at the moment to handle yours. But an Apple Gel should be enough to get you walking again. Or floating… whatever it is you seem to like doing." He replied, Saya taking a moment to stare at the pouch before taking one of the contents and swallowing it.
"You are… anomalously tolerant today, Praetor. It would have been more efficient to return by yourself. I would have found my way back eventually." She answered as she swallowed another Apple Gel.
"Somehow I doubt that. But regardless, it wouldn't be honorable of me to leave you alone to the elements. And you did save my life. For that I am eternally grateful." He nodded.
Yes, she did save his life… as an afterthought. It was instinctive behavior really, trying to defend desperately against her brother's cruel weapon. To think he would keep her company for that simple a reason. Foolishness.
Minutes passed again with no words exchanged between them. She didn't have much to add after all, though with each passing moment, boredom was bound to overtake them, herself in particular. When she stood up, Oscar followed suite.
"You seem in better condition now. Will you be fine travelling all the way back to Hellawes?" he asked her.
"I wouldn't be much of a… Malak, if I couldn't do even that much." She replied, wincing in distaste at being forced to acknowledge that potential fact about herself. Saya had thought to simply indulge in playing along with what they classified her as. But she did not expect to entertain the thought that they really were correct. And that her brother… if he could even be considered that anymore, grasped the situation much earlier.
"Lead the way," she said.
x-x-x-x
The path through these caverns were long and winding, but not particularly difficult to navigate. Without access to a map, they had to rely on their own senses to determine which way could lead to an exit, without going back the way they came. Daemons and other monsters existed in this place too, but they were rare and easily disposed of.
After crushing the head of a daemonic serpent with her foot, Saya frowned and looked on ahead. Easy enough to get used to fighting again after her recovery, but something about her own movements felt off. Sluggish perhaps, even if it isn't as immediately noticed by her companion. For his part, Oscar did as expected. She had given him back his cape, and he struck a gallant figure weaving in and out of enemy attacks and delivering his own strikes with surprising grace. It was a style suited for taking down groups of rabble, suppressing revolts, and the occasional duel.
"Out of curiosity, does that weapon you wield have a history?" Oscar asked. The first time he showed genuine curiosity about her abilities, she realized. Beyond just the curiosity about her supposed trump card against Ragna.
"A simple object created from my own memories. I prefer it over such banal items like swords and the like for the freedom of movement I am given. Why do you ask? Did you expect mine to have a story as yours do?"
"My blade of exorcism was granted to me by Lord Artorius himself. A treasured weapon that will stand against the storm of corruption and malevolence." He replied.
"Plainly not enough to stand against my brother." Saya replied, her weapon transforming back into the crown-like object around her head as she walked forward. The pouch appeared in her hands again as she took another gulp of an apple gel.
"I had hoped my tether with you would grant me more strength to overcome our foes. It is usually the case with other Malaks, but with your will intact, it does feel like you are sharing only the minimum amount of power. Lord Artorius must have expected more I fear, and we aren't living up to expectations."
"You do not seem distraught over my freedom? For all you know, I have no true loyalty to your Abbey, which I shan't deny. But I shall see this through to the end, with or without anyone's help." She stated.
"To be that bold in your claims. Nevertheless, upsetting as it could be, I admit I too have erred in my previous judgments in the past. I pushed one of my tethered Malaks too hard then lost control and became a daemon. That is a fate I'd rather not have befall upon you. And as I've said before, I do owe you my life, so your freedom is within expectations. We can only hope to bolster our strength further on together."
"Sometimes I forget you can be too nice for your own good. Do you know that?" Saya frowned, taking another of the apple gels into her mouth.
"I'm not always so serious. In a mission, sure, but it is refreshing to be myself when around those I'm comfortable with." Oscar answered. "Also, I would suggest not eating more of the apple gels. We only have a limited amount of them in stock. I know they're sweet, but they're there to help if we get injured, not used as snacks."
"You could have told me that earlier." Saya frowned, the bag disappearing as they carried on forwards.
After some time, they entered a larger part of the cavern, though sunlight was filtering through the area with a more intense gaze. One of the exits should be close given how much of the light penetrated through but there was an unexpected sight within the chamber.
A large blade was driven into the back of a monstrous, bear-like daemon. Its wielder was a tall man with golden eyes and long, dark hair. His torso was mostly exposed despite the cold and his pants were reminiscent of Ragna's own hakama, though lighter in color.
"Huh, so you two really did survive. Good, that's very good." The man said as he pulled out his sword.
"Lord Shigure-?! What are you doing here?" Oscar asked, his eyes wide.
"Oh you know, checking things out. Keeping people out of trouble. Doing things beyond what I'm asked to do." He replied. "Well, I was watching your battles earlier back outside the city. I'm impressed actually, though also disappointed at how it ended. Hell if anything, it makes me want to try my hand against that Calamity."
"That would be an interesting fight to see if we live long enough to see it. I think it would take a legate to bring him down." Oscar responded.
Saya shook her head and began to walk again. "Somehow I doubt that."
"Doubt that it can't be done or doubt that it'd take that much?" Shigure asked.
"Both I suppose," she replied as she passed them by.
"Heh, speaking of doubts. I believe I remembered something that Melchior told me. Something about things that are too dangerous to be left alone?" the man said.
Saya turned her head impassively, already seeing the flash of Shigure's blade. An exaggerated motion, bringing the blade up and then swinging it down upon her head. But the strike never came and as she watched, Oscar had moved to place himself in between her and the blade, using his own sword to block the incoming slash.
"Oh! Willingly protecting your Malak? I didn't think I'd see that coming from you." Shigure grinned.
"W-Why?!" Oscar declared, pushing back against the larger weapon before jumping back with Saya in tow. His hands were trembling from the impact but he soon steadied himself.
"Don't blame me. I didn't actually want to perform that act but, as you know, Melchior's suggestion. Apparently there's no more use to be found from her. Bit of an overreaction, but let's see if it can be proven wrong."
"You wish for a fight for a chance to be proven wrong? Had there been a misstep, she could seriously have been hurt!"
"Do not assume I didn't see it coming, Oscar. As my brother said to us, perhaps this can be a good way to what was it again, 'Take out my frustration?'"
There was a different look on Saya's face now. Even Oscar was surprised as he turned to briefly look at her. There was a look of joy on her face, that… and murderous intent as she looked towards Shigure.
A flash of light came out of Shigure before materializing into a cat that sat by the far wall of the cavern. His tethered Malak then, though not one that may be suited for combat. This should still be a fair fight regardless.
Oscar sighed. "Be careful. He is still a Legate, far above the rank of praetors such as I. He stands second to Lord Artorius along with Lord Melchior."
"Mere titles," Saya replied, her crown splitting to form the familiar circular ring her weapon that spun around her. "But you needn't worry about me, Oscar. If he would challenge us, then I can't guarantee his own safety when I'm this irritated." She smiled.
"Irritation, she calls it. Well… aren't you a bloodthirsty little Malak? But is that enough to match up to your brother?" Shigure asked, pulling his blade up into a horizontal stance.
There was no warning. Saya launched herself forward with such force that the impact forced Shigure to slide back as he blocked the spinning wheel around her with his blade. As he regained his footing, he brought his free hand up to deflect the sudden projectile fired at him. Saya's weapon then split apart, scattering about the cavern. The three of them glowed as they fired their projectiles in rapid succession, Saya leaping back to observe as the man deflected and parried the projectiles with his blade.
"He is surprisingly nimble." Said Saya as she raised her hand. An orb appeared above her head, slowly growing in size and surrounded by a deep purple flame. As the projectiles ceased their assault, her weaponry reformed and returned behind her, just as she launched the flaming orb at Shigure.
With one slash of his weapon, the orb was sliced in two, exploding on either side of the man who leaped forward. Oscar intercepted and struck with his own sword, but the sheer power within Shigure's attacks was beyond any attack he must have been used to. The second blow, the third blow – Shigure pressed Oscar back with impressive slashes with his blade while Oscar was merely defending himself. He could not find a chance to retaliate, and gradually became disadvantaged. But it was expected as he jumped back… only for Saya to replace him in an instant, striking Shigure in the chest with a powerful open-palmed push. The impact sent Shigure flying back against the far wall, but he recovered quickly with a grin on his face.
"Good, very good! The two of you would make for excellent sparring partners." He replied. "A bit more training, and you really might be a match for that Grim Reaper. Still, I need to make sure…" Shigure disappeared and then reappeared behind Saya, who turned her head around to track his near instant movement.
Five consecutive slashes in total, one after another. Each made at different angles… and four were blocked as Saya conjured up a familiar ribcage to deflect the blows. But as she blocked the fourth one, her conjured construct vanished and she was in danger of being cut in two. Yet she didn't choose to avoid it. No, she was direct in her approach, her fingers pointed straight ahead… directly at Shigure's own heart.
The slash stopped, and so was Saya's thrust at his heart. If any of them moved any further, one or both of them would likely be dead. And while Saya looked on with a blank expression, the one on Shigure's face was more joyful than upset.
"Heh, I didn't think I'd have to stop my attack like this. Good job, little Malak. You're willing to perform a mutual kill without any hesitation, I can respect that."
"Hmph. If you wish to die, just say so. I'll be glad to grant you that much." Saya replied, glancing at Oscar who seemed to breathe out a sigh of relief. "Now then, if you are done wasting time with this game, I believe we have more pressing matters to concern ourselves with." She said, bringing her hand down and then walked away.
Oscar and Shigure simply watched, the latter sheathing his sword as his cat Malak walked over.
"She's… a spirited one ain't she? I'm surprised you let her have her free will." Shigure said.
"I didn't actually do anything. I think it's actually impossible for her will to be under someone else's control." Oscar replied.
"Wait, seriously? Huh, I'm impressed. And you're fine with it?"
"Why wouldn't I be? She performs admirably, she saved my life, and her will is unbreakable. I don't think I've ever seen a Malak quite like her." Oscar responded.
"Interesting…" Shigure said. "Hey, Morgrim, what do you make of this?"
His cat malak hopped up on his shoulder, eyes focused on Saya. "While I'm glad to see that I am not the only Malak of the Abbey given their free will. I'm uncertain of how things will play out. Shigure, you may have held back, but that doesn't change the fact she did beat you in all technicality. And I sense she still hides greater potential."
"I can see that. But I'm not talking about her power. I'm talking about what you think of the partnership between those two." Shigure chuckled.
"Oh, you mean young Oscar's fascination with her? It's sweet, I suppose. I doubt it would be met by approval from others though." The cat replied.
"Wha-?"
"Oh relax. Got a lot more respect for you now actually. You're different from what you once were. Not so high above everything." Shigure said as he gave a pat to Oscar's back. "Well, not much to do here now. We could keep fighting, but I think our energies are best saved somewhere else."
Saya looked back, shaking her head as she gazed ahead at the exit. "Fools, the lot of them," she muttered while listening to their banter.
