AN: As with all chapters this is one I am hoping to add on to later, but for now (as always) I hope this rough draft is satisfactory.


Chapter 22: Conflicting Parties

I know I'm gonna regret this…but oh well. Shouldn't be too big of a problem. I wanted to make things up with Trish first, but I'll deal with this first. Besides, I'm always jonsing for a chance to mess with the Iscariots.

April 12, 2009

The village Integra mentioned was easy enough to locate, a bright freshman could have done so with the additional information provided by the Glaive commander after they left behind Trifas.

It was just Elric, his servants, and Luvia. He considered bringing Trish along for back up, but was hoping that would not be necessary—Kairi and his ex-fiance were to escort Richter and Celenike to Paris while Elric and his partners dealt with this matter.

The aformentioned village was elfin, as small as the hometown of Robert E. Howard (Cross Plains)—perhaps even smaller. With wide spaces separating the houses, deep in the countryside.

Weaving through the neighborhood at his side, Mordred asked her master "You sure this is the right place?"

"A little bit." was Elric's response. Pulling out his phone to give the text Integra sent him bearing the detail a second glance—wanting to make sure they weren't in the wrong place. "Yeah, this is it."

Mordred snatched the phone from his hand to see for herself.

She seemed to be a tad miffed with him still but was doing her best to suppress it—surprising Elric to a degree, having always pegged her who was so honest being unable to bear the idea of holding something back (unless it involved her parents).

Following behind them, Luvia kept her eyes trained on her fiancé. Gilgamesh could only smirk in silence from amusement. Leaving Enkidu bewildered, but never questioning his friend on the matter, thinking it made Gil look like an older sibling watching the shenanigans of his younger brother unfurl.

Frustrated as she looked at the phone, Mordred asked "Would it have killed 'em to give us some more details?"

"What's more to tell?" Elric asked, not getting the issue at the moment. "We meet them at this safe house and escort them to Paris."

"..."

He reached out to his Saber telepathically.

'Since when do you have a problem with flying blind?'

''Cause I want to get back to Clock Tower.'

'Hoping to run into your old man, still?'

'Maybe.'

'Look,don't worry. We're just a few days away. We'll grab this asset, head to Paris, then we'll be on our way back to the old prison.'

'We'll see…'

They continued to navigate through the village, finding their way to the building they had been seeking out that whole time. The hovel was smaller than most of the other homes, looking as if it was made for just two people to reside within.

Knocking on the door, Elric heard the person on the other side said "We don't want anything."

Tilting his head, tempted to kick the door open but restraining himself, Elric uttered the words "Nothing is bred weaker than man." lowly, with just enough of a pitch in his whisper so that those on the other end of the door could hear him.

There was a pause of silence. Nothing from the other end. Elric became tired of the cloak and dager tripe so he said bluntly "Integra sends her regards."

Suddenly he heard a chain being pulled, and the door pulled back as he was was beckoned in with a "Hurry in."

"Yeah, yeah."

The Glaives inside remain tense as the party enters, one warry member not even dispeling their weapon. Eying Elric and Luvia cynically, disregarding the Servants—earning some silent ire from Mordred.

"So," Elric said eager to get this over with as soon as possible (like Mordred, but for differing reasons) "Where's this precious cargo Integra has you guys trasporting."

The two glaives who seemed to be in control of the team looked at each other, questioning if they found this development preferable to their liking. Bringing Elric close to the brink of being annoyed. Integra had told them ahead to expect them so this should not have been an issue, and thus this precaution of deciding if he would be acceptable in their eyes vexed the young freelancer. He had never been particularly liked by the Glaives—even in his teen years—but he had hoped they would put aside their distaste for him aside to complete their mission. Admittedly his actions shortly after Emil's experiment would have likely left a bad taste in their mouths but still. This distaste appeared to have not waned.

Elric would have been disappointed if he cared slightly for their opinion.

At last they seemed to reach a consensus: to collaborate.

"This way." the older one said. Leading the party further inward through the acridly ordered building and toward the main room where they could hear a barrage of chatter going on. Discussing something about treats the talking blabber-mouth wanted to get their hands on and shops which the word bearer yearned to visit.

The door opened to a room with a bunch of beds and a fireplace. In the middle of the room were two individuals. One was a young man with lightly dark brown hair and a pair of dark rubies for eyes (or resembling such in coloring), dressed in black waistcoat, white shirt, black slacks, and a pair of black leather penny loafers. The other was debatably male, very androgenous in appearance—so much so that Elric could almost not tell the exact gender (almost). Fancifully dressed, very girlish. Possessing pinkish-brownish hair and pinkish-purple eyes.

"I'm just saying, it wouldn't hurt to get our hands on some fine treats whilst we're traveling through." the afeminite one said.

"Astolfo, we'll talk about this later…preferably when we're not being hunted like dogs."

"Right, of course. But we are getting some eventually, right?"

Elric was immediately filled with sympathy for the ruby-eyed man. This talkative fellow he assumed was the servant which he had heard of from Integra, tt was certainly grating on his patience and he had barely been in the Servant's presence for more than a few mere seconds.

That must have been a new record.

Pointing at the two, Elric asked whilst looking toward the Glaives hoping silently this was a secret prank being pulled on him "This is the precious cargo?" Praying he was being punked for laughs.

The Glaive who seemed to be in charge responded "Yes, I'm afraid so."

"You poor bastards."

Mordred and Elric's other two servants were quiet, seeing no point in involving themselves in the conversation. Though Gilgamesh was not visibly shy in his contempt for the Servant next to the homunculus.

"You bring something to carry all of us?"

"Indeed." Luvia answered. "There should be enough space for us all."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Yeah, I've gotta plan." Elric answered that time, sounding with a confidence which could be mistaken for arrogance. "We're going to drive out of the country using some back roads—ones not typically used in the countryside—and when those Iscariots show their faces I'm gonna take them out."

The young man was quick to voice concern. "That? That's your plan?"

"I like it." Mordred said, finally breaking her silence. "What's the big deal?"

"The big deal," one of the Glaives said, "Is that we lost three people already, gradually, and we were no match for this team hunting us."

"Should be fun to deal with." Elric scoffed, before he asked "How do they usually attack you?"

"As a group." the man, who Elric was introduced to as Sieg, answered for the Glaive. "They always attack us in unison, without fail."

"Does one of them carry bayonets as weapons? Maybe using them like a sword or dagger."

"Yes." the Glaive leader answered. "Two. An older man and a young woman among them. Both used bayonets in battle."

The doll face AND Clitus…this should be interesting.

"Okay, then, let's get this over with."

"Wha…?"

"I can handle these Iscariots. Just try to put aside your dusdain for me for a few hours and I promise will be outta here."

There was an argument but ultimately he and Luvia won them over.


Clitus stood motionless from his vantage point, watching the village from afar where the abomination was being hidden. The other Iscariots. The squad of five still wanting to go in and merely dispatch the parasite with only Stark and his apprentie being the outlier. They wished to go in gunsblazing (figuratively), but Clitus managed to talk them out of it—reminding them that they could risk endangering the lives of innocent humans, reminded them of their oaths. This earned him more than a few dirty looks and bearing of fangs, but despite the resentment from his allies (with the exception of Liliana) they heeded his words.

Thankfully the isolated village was quiet as ever. Though the arrival of a new vehicle caught his attention he atleast attempted to not permit to goad him into taking any essential actions. That was until he saw who emerged from the driver seat: Elric Belmont.

With this came a new sense of urgency.

Oh, for the love of the Lord…

Looking over his shoulder to his coevals and Liliana he barked "To your feet." Grabbing his bayonets. "Time to move."


The drive proceeded as planned, only with one deviation of Elric not driving. The lead Glaive insisted on being the one at the figurative reins.

Elric remained comfy in the middle seat next to Luvia and Mordred, with Sieg and his rider servant Astolfo in the very back. All while Gilgamesh and Enkidu remained in spirit form.

The drive itself was seemingly boring. They listened to the radio and Astolfo drone on—so much so that it made the barrel of a gun look real friendly. In the midst of the drive there was a sudden jerk and the vehichle crashed forward. On the bright side, the boredom ended and the plan worked.

As the Iscariots approached the vehicle they heard a sudden bang sound. Swiftly another and another followed. Before they knew it the door was sent flying into one of the priests—killing them instantly—before Mordred emerged from the building with her sword in hand and armor covering her person.

"The hell is that?" one asked. "Another abomination?"

"No. A servant." Clitus answered with his bayonets at the ready. "Which means…" Looking to the opening to see Elric emerging, helping Luvia to her feet. "The half-breed is indeed involved."

One of the Iscariots did not wait for orders or even plan out the attack, he just rushed toward Elric to meet the point of Bleidd and the freelancer's cold, angry gaze.

Elric showed little mercy toward Iscariot or the other one to follow his fellow's example. Dispatching them both as Sieg and Astolfo emrged with the Glaives—all while Gilgamesh watched without a word. The other rogue executioners were seconds from rushing them when Clitus raised his hand.

"Hold." he said, preventing Liliana and another from joining the dead. Drawing his weapons as he watched the fight unfold. Only when the two were dispatched did his and Elric's eyes finally meet.

"Hey, Padre. Miss me?"

The Iscariot charged, bayonet in hand. "Like coke after lint!"

Elric raised an eyebrow at that. "Wait, are we talking cola or actual cocaine?" Dodging the first and second slash.

Liliana followed behind her pedagogue to aid him only for Luvia to get in her way—flooring her aggressively as she said "You will not permit you to harm my fiance."

Drawing his own blade, Sieg, somewhat reluctantly, joined the fray only to go on the defensive before Astolfo came to his defense. He held up pretty well, even when his rider servant was not aiding him. Or so Elric thought when stealing glimpses of him in the corner of his eye on the one rare occasion.

A song of blades echoed throughout the woods as Bleidd collided with Clitus' bayonets. Both men smirked as their eyes met. It was a pleasure for both. Often Elric found himself bored with his opponents in sword fights, but with the Iscariot it was different. He felt alive as the adrenaline rushed through him.

There was no doubt to have. Clitus Stark was without a doubt one of the best fighters Elric had ever known. Somnus could not hold a candle in comparison to him. Neither in swordsmanship or personality. It was of little surprise they called him the Iscariot Battlemaster.

In the midst of their dueling, Elric decided to try his hand at using words to see if he could throw Clitus off balance a little. "So what, Stark, are you that bored? Is that why you're doing this? I can't see anything that justifies wasting your time on an escaped experiment."

"My crusade has no limits." Clitus retorted. He was unfazed by Elric's words. "Whereever a abomination exposes themselves to resis I shall pursue them." Matching the blows from Bleidd with equal calmness as well as excitement to his demeanor as he fought with Elric.

Making swift work of the Iscariots (excluding the one Luvia was combating) Mordred dispatched her enemies to watch with Sieg as Elric and Clitus matched blows.

Gaining the upper hand in the push of their blades, Clitus slashed up verticly, cutting Elric's left shoulder as he dodged back in an attempt to avoid the attack. Elric followed the slash with a abrupt and forceful one of his own, breaking through one of the bayonets which Clitus attempted to use to block Bleidd's attack only to be eye widened as it was broken in half.

Both stood in silence while recollecting their breath, all while the others (even Liliana, still in Luvia's restraint) gawked in astonishment. Neither said a word, only making a light smirk of amusement. Once again, Elric felt alive (as only combat and carnal bliss could make him to) with the rushing adrenaline and the thrill of battle. Feeling a ripple of satisfaction over his accomplishment.

Thankfully, unlike his protege, the elder Iscariot zealot did not radiate with hints of magical capacity and was thus not great of an opponent to overcome. He still possessed the capacity to prove himself a contender for a good obstacle. Actually scratch that, he was a obstacle for certain, he was just not as big of one he could be if he was a magus.

"One blade down and one to go." Elric told his adversary and occasional ally, aiming the point of his sword at the unbroken bayonet still in Clitus' left hand. "Still time to turm and run with your friend."

The Iscariot's face hardened.

"Not yet." Clitus retorted, casting aside his broken bayonet, before reaching into his long grey coat to pull out another. "I will not surrender so as long as I draw breath and can fight I will perform my duties as needed."

He added "And as for my pupil…" before Liliana gained the upper hand and was the one in control, holding the sharp end of her own bayonet against Luvia's throat. Thus causing Elric's smirk to vanish. "She is more than capable of handling herself. You obviously were not paying attention back at the castle."

That time the freelancer's face hardened and he fell silent. Elric reached out mentally to his servants 'Gil, Enkidu,'

Gilgamesh was less than interested but Enkidu on the other hand was willing to help.

"No," Elric finally spoke up again after a pause of silence. "I was." Tilting his head backward in a relaxed gesture "You on the other hand," before suddenly a chain wrapped around Liliana's forearm and wrist tightly, with the vice grip of a viper. "Obviously forgot about my allies."

Mordred did not even wait for an order or request from her master to act. She immedeutly went into a mana burst, kicking Liliana off of the forklift lady and away from her before helping her master's fiance to her feet.

Clitus charged at Elric angrily, hoping to get a few quick strikes in, but the Glaives made their own move and rushed him. Using the move to his advantage, Elric joined in their attack to get behind Clitus and jap the pommel of Bleidd against the Iscariot's head, causing him to collapse to the ground unconscious.

Liliana, still trying to break free from the Chain of Heaven's grip, gasped in shock. Looking at Elric accusingly.

"Relax," he told her, dispelling Bleidd. "He's just unconscious…I think." Before he bends down on one knee, checking for a pulse in his neck and much to his relief there was one to be found. "Yeah, he's still kicking."

He soon found himseof walking over to Liliana, dodging her attempts at attacking him, before doing the same to her, as well. Thus the matter of the Iscariots was resolved for the moment.

Looking at Luvia, Elric asked "You okay?"

"Yes, Ja—Elric—, I am well." was Luvia's answer, glancing at Liliana briefly to see if she drew breath still and glimpsed signs of life—uncertain if she was happy or dissatisfied with that discovery. 'We should leave before those two regain their wits."

"Agreed." The Glaive leader said. "Although this will be more difficult given the state of your ride."

Elric joined him in looking at the damage to be dissatisfied with the salavageless state of the car.

"Not so bad, maybe." Mordred said. "It's not that long of a trek to the next town."

"What about them?" Sieg asked, pointing his sword at the two Iscariots. "Won't they come after us?"

"By then we'll be long gone." Mordred said, dispelling Proof of Pedigree. "We car get ourselves another ride, and if they do come up again we can take them on again and win."

"Hm," Elric was once again impressed by his Saber servant. "This is surprising throughout…who are you and what have you done with my partner?"

"Shaddup."

Gradually the others found themselves agreeing. Elric stole one last glance of Clitus, still lying unconscious on the dirt. Had this happened in the past, Elric would have gladly executed the two Iscariots with Bleidd without giving it a second thought—being he once had been a ruthless man at the time, but now less so—however now he could stay his hand from considering such things. Sieg on the other hand seemed as though the thought had occurred to him but seemed to bow to peer pressure.

"Works for me, unless you have a better idea, Sieg."

"Well…" Astolfo began to speak "Sieg could always—" but had his lips muffled by Sieg's hand.

As he suppressed his servant from speaking, Sieg told Elric "I agree, let's just leave already." Hoping to avoid whatever revelation the Rider was mere seconds from revealing.

Elric considered probing the homunculous on the matter, but opted not to once again. They were hard pressed for time, and thus had little time for a Q&A session. "Well let's getting going, then."