Chapter 19: Holy Ward Mirage (1)
Xenovia and Irina returned safely to the Cathedral, where they gave their report to Bishop Reinhardt Schönbor, filling in the old priest on the situation on the ground. They also informed him about the presence of the Lasombra and Karnstein Vampire Clans waiting outside, which scared the shit out of the Bishop.
"W-Wait, wait, are you telling me we're about to get attacked by the Vampires? Shouldn't we contact the Vatican for support?" the Bishop exclaimed, his voice trembling with anxiety.
Xenovia held up a hand, trying to calm the Bishop's nerves. "Bishop, let me finish up the report. The situation is salvageable."
Reinhardt nodded eagerly, his eyes wide with apprehension. "Ah, my bad. Please, continue."
Xenovia took a deep breath before continuing. "The Lasombra Vampires that attacked us have been dealt with. They were A-tier threats, but we managed to handle them."
The Bishop let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, that's great news." but this sense of relief didn't last long.
"... I guess." Xenovia continued, her tone growing somber "However, we also managed to find the target that triggered the Holy Ward. It's the Blood Prince, Krassius Bloodriver who escaped from some predicament, and I assume he was biding his time, recovering from his wounds."
While the two girls managed to put him at ease knowing they managed to defeat two A-tier Lasombra Vampires, Enforcers at that, it was good news, no great news, but then came a shocking horror that shattered all of his plans for claiming the honor of solving this problem with the Vampires.
When Xenovia mentioned Krassius Bloodriver, the Bishop's face contorted with horror, his features etched with lines of dread that made the girls worry a bit for his old soul. While he was filled with terror at that name, past traumas resurfaced.
Reinhardt's face paled as the figure of a beautiful mature woman appeared in his mind, her crimson eyes peering at him with contempt. "I think we're in danger… From my source of information, the Vampire, Krassius, is a monster among monsters in the Vampire World. Everyone calls him an Abomination for a good reason."
Xenovia and Irina exchanged a glance, sensing the Bishop's fear. Despite their frustration with him, they couldn't help but sympathize with his predicament.
"Bishop, calm down. Again, you're interrupting me!" Xenovia said firmly, trying to regain control of the conversation.
Reinhardt nodded sheepishly. "A-Ahhh, sorry. My bad, please continue."
'Annoying old fart.' whispered Xenovia beneath her breath, clearly, she could feel a bit for Carl's side now that she experienced first-hand how cowardly this Bishop was.
'You're a Bishop… Among the highest positions in the Catholic Church! Act like one for Goodness sake.'
Xenovia sighed, suppressing her frustration as she continued with her report. "We managed to make contact with Krassius Bloodriver, and after some talking for our investigation, we reached the conclusion that this incident is a whole misunderstanding. He hasn't spilled the blood of any human, which the police reports confirm that no death in the city was caused by Supernatural beings."
Reinhardt's expression softened slightly at the news of a potential resolution to the crisis, but his anxiety lingered.
"O-Oh, so it's only a misunderstanding. Then, what about the Holy Ward? The protocol states that I can't turn it off unless I have direct confirmation that there's no longer a threat to Vatican's territory."
Xenovia bristled at the insinuation, her frustration boiling over. "What do you mean? The conclusion of our investigation resulted in a misunderstanding from all sides, with the primary blame being on the Branch for not seeking information regarding any damages dealt to the City inhabitants or infrastructure."
"But the Pact with the Vampires states that they are banned-forbidden from entry. Without being invited by the Bishop for business they have no reason to step inside."
Reinhardt pushed on his authority, doubling down on his accusations, much to Xenovia's dismay.
"As Servants of God we have to follow the Guidelines. How can you say that we should take accountability when we did the right job? Have you by chance been enthralled by that monster, Krassius Bloodriver? He's said to have a dirty mind capable of all manipulations."
Xenovia frowned at such accusations, not liking when some old man who didn't do much to accomplish his status was pointing fingers at her. She who had busted her ass, trained daily to wield the power of Excalibur was now accused of complotting with the 'Enemy'.
"What did you say, old man? Are you by chance accusing me of working together with that Vampire?"
"What you heard. I'm inclined to believe that you have been corrupted."
"Really? Okay, I understand. Then, I'll finish my report with the last piece of information. Krassius Bloodriver will make you a visit for a chat regarding the current Status Quo. Don't expect us to do much, we've concluded the investigation as a 'Misunderstanding' that can be handled peacefully."
"However, if he tries to attack you, we'll be doing our duty as Defenders of Faith."
The Bishop's face drained of color at the mention of a visit from Krassius Bloodriver, his fear palpable in the air. Xenovia's 'reassurance' didn't hold much ground in calming his cowardly heart.
Retreating back into his prayer chapel with a defeated expression, instead of offering his prayer to God, instead he preoccupied himself in thinking various tactics of manipulating the two young girls into doing his bidding as long as they were tasked in handling the problem with monsters roaming around his Fiefdom.
He didn't know what sort of talk the hateful Vampire might have with those two Exorcists, but if they agreed with his point, it meant that this future meeting was something he couldn't just dodge.
With his hands held in prayer, the main priority of the Bishop was nothing more than Prayer, instead he was starting to lament his past decisions of declining an old friend of his who offered an intriguing deal.
Now, God seemed to be punishing him for that past mistake.
'I should have taken Valper Galilei's deal and allowed him to take orphans so he could create Demon Slaughterers. Fuck, why did I had to keep with my pretense and act 'noble' when now I'm about to get fucked by those dirty bloodsuckers.'
'That Holy Sword Project gave birth to that psycho dog, Freed. But what matters when you're a psycho when you only want to slaughter demons.'
'Poor old me. I squandered such an opportunity because of my 'noble' act. Would feeding those parasites at the orphanage grant me my wish of staying alive when facing that Blood Prince?'
'After I manage to survive this nightmare in my old age, I'll get in contact with Valper and prepare a similar project. I need to stay alive so I can get to the position of Cardinal. For this, I need to grit my teeth and accept the whims of those little bitches, and handle the that Blood Parasite.'
Such thoughts didn't match with the outward appearance of the 'gentle' 'old priest', cleanly shaved and whose appearance was taken care of.
In another smaller room of the Cathedral, that housed Xenovia and Irina in their stay in Graz, both girls seemed to try to relax for the brief moment of peace they had until meeting Carl-Krassius again as he assured them he would visit them.
Irina tried to lift the spirits, pointing out that their interaction with Krassius could have gone worse if not for her hard work in assuring Jeanne was safe.
"Oh, don't give me that. I've peaked at your fight, and you were terrible! Is this how the Heretics teach their Exorcists to fight against demons? You need more training, starting with strength building."
"Not happening! I'll rather stick with my forte, that being my speed. Besides, I don't want to become a Gorilla like you. Is this how you Catholics fight, using your muscles?"
The teenage girls couldn't help themselves and started another fight of words, especially when Irina reminded her of how the investigation went.
Xenovia rolled her eyes at Irina's teasing, trying to hide her annoyance behind a facade of indifference. "Oh, please. Like you're one to talk. You were practically trembling in your boots when we faced off against Krassius Bloodriver."
Irina scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. "I was not trembling! I was... assessing the situation strategically."
"Yeah, right. More like cowering in fear," Xenovia retorted, unable to resist the opportunity to tease her friend.
Their banter was interrupted by the sound of Xenovia's phone ringing. With practiced ease, she flipped open her phone and glanced at the caller ID.
"Who is it? Your boyfriend?" Irina teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Xenovia shot her a glare. "... Boyfriend, my ass. It's Teacher Vasco. So shut up, and don't talk nonsense if you don't want a beating. I'm still frustrated that I couldn't even lift a finger against Krassius Bloodriver. And now I'll get an earful from Teacher Vasco for making a fool out of me out here."
Irina chuckled, amused by Xenovia's predicament. "You know you don't have to tell him everything word by word. Just trickle truth into it."
Xenovia huffed, shaking her head in exasperation. "You heretic woman! This is an important report that I have to give."
"Hey, don't make me sound like an ass, I'm just giving a suggestion to escape nagging. As long as you confess your sins to God, you'll be forgiven. Lord! Please forgive me for sinning. AMEN!" Irina exclaimed dramatically, clasping her hands together in a zealotry prayer.
Xenovia couldn't help but laugh at Irina's antics, her frustration momentarily forgotten. "Fine, fine. I'll handle it my way. Just don't expect me to cover for you when you mess up."
Irina grinned cheekily. "Wouldn't dream of it."
As Xenovia answered the call, Irina watched with a smirk, knowing that her friend was about to receive an earful from the Chief Exorcist still inside the Vatican handling paperwork that someone his size had no business with.
The image of the old macho, with muscles that seemed to have muscles themselves on top of it, holding the phone that looked like a tiny toy in his large hands, as he called his protegee.
[How is the Investigation going, Xenovia? Have you managed to find out who disturbed the peace of the faithful in Graz?]
'From his tone… I feel he is already informed on the mess waiting outside Graz. Let's just get on with the report and take in any of his naggings.'
"After so many days we've been led around without leads, we finally got to the end."
Xenovia took charge of delivering the report, and unlike the version that she shared with Bishop Reinhardt, this time the full story of what happened in the Old Town with Carl-Krassius and the Lasombra Vampires.
Vasco Strada listened intently as Xenovia delivered her report, his voice a steady presence on the other end of the line. He remained silent for a moment after she finished speaking, processing the information she had provided.
Xenovia hesitated for a moment, considering her words carefully. "In short, we discovered that we're still lacking compared to the A-tier threats. We have been toyed with by those Lasombra Enforcers, and I feel ashamed to say, but we've been too confident in handling this case."
Xenovia had emotions in her voice as she shared her frustration on not being able to defeat the Lasombra Vampires in a convincing fashion like how Carl-Krassius dominated his fights.
[He didn't display any signs of being unstable? He even acted with courtesy initially, but because of your stubbornness in wanting to find the truth, you've been spooked a bit by his presence?]
"I wasn't shaking in my boots, Teacher. Don't put words in my mouth. I was just surprised that someone could change states in such short moments," Xenovia retorted defensively, her pride stung by the implication.
[It's a coping mechanism for scared people to handle social settings. From your description, he doesn't seem like a psychopath or sociopath.]
Xenovia considered Vasco's words carefully, his insight forcing her to reevaluate her initial impressions of Carl-Krassius.
[That poor bastard.]
Vasco's voice was tinged with sympathy even for a demonic being like Krassius Bloodriver.
"Teacher, we should update the data on Krassius Bloodriver to avoid unnecessary conflicts with him. Many will believe that he is someone suffering from mental disorders, but I fear that's not the case." Xenovia suggested, her voice tinged with concern.
[You say so, Xenovia? Then what have you seen to change this perception?]
"When I talked with him, he was detached, indifferent, cold, calm but especially, collected. He wasn't taking any of my taunts or even gave any ground when I pushed him for answers."
[Why would he? You should be glad he acted courteously, and did not vanish after handling his business with the Lasombra.]
"You're correct…"
Xenovia conceded, realizing that she had underestimated Krassius's composure and strength of character.
[The overall situation is unexpected, so all of those rumors and information fed by the spies planted in Wien were misled to hide the true extent of their Super Weapon? And from what you describe the situation with the Lasombra Vampires attacking him in bulk, it seems they are fearful that this Weapon of their would target them.] (Vasco)
"What should we do, Teacher? From Krassius's words, he assured me that as long as we are not disturbing him, he would handle the problem of the Vampires waiting outside the Holy Ward."
[Give in to his requests as long as they aren't outlandish. Trying to remain cordial with him, since we could become allies with him eventually if his animosity with the Lasombra Clan runs deep as I think it is.]
But Xenovia's response was immediate, her faith and loyalty to the Vatican shining through in her words. "Teacher, you are not asking me to entertain the idea of working together with that Vampire? That would be a sin!"
Irina, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, couldn't help but roll her eyes at Xenovia's response, questioning if she was acting or not. Even as a girl, she couldn't have an accurate read on Xenovia, not being able to tell when she was bullshitting.
Was it because she was more of a tomboy, and she outgrew that phase, embracing her Maiden Heart?
[The enemy of my enemy is my friend. If his goal is to get revenge on the Lasombra and Carmilla's Faction, he might as well become our strongest ally in Austria while dealing with the nuisance of those Vampires.]
[Because of the Ancient Pact made in the times of Pope Alexander Sixtus, Rodrigo de Borja between the Vatican and the Blood Court of Wien, at that time ruled by Karotos Bloodriver, the Leader of the Lasombra Clan at that time, we can't directly attack the Vampires even if they show weakness. It would soil the reputation and name of the Vatican if we are the ones committing heinous acts.]
"I understand, Teacher. You want to use this Krassius to harm the Vampires."
"But I don't understand why would the Vatican make a pact with the enemy?" Xenovia questioned, her confusion palpable.
[The history of the Vatican is as complicated as a maze. Even I don't know all the ins and crannies of the Vatican, but knowing the history of the corrupt and power hungry Borjas you can assume that it was a pact meant to assist them in their rise for power. But its way back in history, around the 15th century, in a period where the Vatican was suffering from the advent of the Great War.]
After the call with Vasco Strada ended, Xenovia felt a mix of emotions swirling within her, the idea of cooperating with a Vampire went against everything she had been taught as an Exorcist.
Turning to Irina, Xenovia could see the skepticism in her friend's eyes. Irina had always been more outgoing and adaptable, willing to bend some rules if it meant achieving their objectives. It was a quality that Xenovia admired, even if it sometimes clashed with her own rigid sense of morality.
"You're quiet," Irina remarked, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "What do you think about all of this?"
Xenovia shrugged, her expression unreadable. "I think we do what we have to do," she replied cryptically. "If that means working with a Vampire, then so be it. We can't afford to let our personal beliefs get in the way of our mission."
Irina nodded, acknowledging Xenovia's pragmatism even as she struggled with that idea, after meeting Krassius. Just looking into his cool, red eyes made her tremble and weak on her knees. His handsomeness had swayed over her Maiden Heart, and it brought all sort of thoughts about forbidden love that would make her ask for forgiveness.
"I suppose you're right," she conceded, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But it still doesn't sit right with me."
Before Xenovia could respond in a sarcastic manner as she could tell that Irina whose cheeks flushed red wasn't so against the idea of working with Krassius, a sudden shift in the atmosphere of the Cathedral caught their attention.
The air seemed to crackle with energy, and the sound of chanting prayers filled the space around them.
"What's going on?" Irina asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Xenovia shook her head, equally puzzled by the sudden change. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her instincts on high alert. "But something doesn't feel right."
Xenovia and Irina emerged from their guest room, the heavy wooden door creaking softly as they pushed it open. The dim light of the post lamps filtering through stained glass windows cast eerie shadows across the corridor, adding to the sense of foreboding that hung in the air.
As they made their way through the labyrinthine halls of the Cathedral, the girls couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of their stomach.
Arriving at the nave of the Cathedral, where rows of wooden pews stretched out before them, flanked by towering columns that seemed to reach up to the heavens themselves. At the front of the nave, a group of priests knelt in prayer, their voices rising in a solemn chorus that echoed off the ancient stone walls.
But it wasn't the sight of the praying priests that caused Xenovia's heart to skip a beat. It was the palpable sense of darkness that hung heavy in the air, a malevolent presence that seemed to seep in through the cracks and crevices of the Cathedral.
"Priests, what is going on?"
"The Devil, Sister. He's trying to invade the Lord's House! He's taunting us!"
The priest's voice trembled with fear as he responded to Xenovia's inquiry, his eyes wide with terror. His hands clutched tightly at the rosary around his neck, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip.
Xenovia's blood ran cold at the priest's words, her mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. This should be Krassius Bloodriver who was making his presence felt by the Church Followers who had committed the 'mistake' of 'trapping' him in such a restricted area.
"What do we do?" Irina whispered, her voice barely audible over the rising din of the chanting priests.
Xenovia's mind raced as she tried to formulate a plan. They were Exorcists, sworn to protect the innocent and vanquish evil, but she couldn't help but feel helpless if Krassius was actually a psychopath who was hellbent on killing everyone that crossed him, innocent included.
"If he plans to harm the Priests… We fight. For now, let's wait and see what he's up to."
"It's that h-ho… that Vampire?"
"Who else has such a creepy demonic power that reaches the S-tier threat level? Just take your Rosario, it should light up like a Christmas Tree."
As Xenovia and Irina exchanged uneasy glances, a sudden chill swept through the air, causing the flames of the candles to flicker and dance wildly.
The oppressive darkness seemed to thicken, pressing in on them from all sides, suffocating and unrelenting, while the windows of the Cathedral were slowly covered in viscous blood, painting the interior of the Navel into an eerie atmosphere.
As Bishop Reinhardt knelt before the altar, lost in his own dark thoughts, he was suddenly jolted from his reverie by the unmistakable sound of commotion coming from the nave of the Cathedral. His brow furrowed in annoyance, his concentration shattered by the noise.
"Can those priests not keep it quiet even at night?" he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice. He couldn't afford to be distracted by their prayers, not when his mind was consumed by far more pressing matters.
Matters of self-preservation.
But as he rose to investigate the disturbance, his eyes widened in shock as he beheld the sight before him. The Rosario Artifact, was now pulsing with an ominous red glow, casting eerie shadows across the interior of the Cathedral.
The air seemed to crackle with malevolent energy, and the normally serene atmosphere of the Cathedral was replaced by a sense of foreboding dread. Bishop Reinhardt could feel it, a palpable darkness pressing in on all sides, threatening to suffocate him.
As he made his way toward the nave, he saw the priests and cantors gathered there, their faces contorted with fear as they chanted prayers in a desperate attempt to ward off the encroaching evil while Xenovia and Irina were standing by, watching the events unfold themselves.
'Urgh, I have a bad feeling about this. It's worse than when that Witch, Carmilla barged inside the Cathedral. At least she didn't dirty my home with her nasty ooze.'
Bishop Reinhardt's heart raced as he approached the frantic priests, their voices trembling with fear as they chanted their prayers. He sought answers from them, desperate to understand the source of the chaos that now threatened to consume the Cathedral.
"What is happening here?" he demanded, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the nave.
One of the priests, his face pale with terror, turned to face the Bishop, his eyes wide with panic. "It's the Devil, Your Grace," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's coming for us. I heard him whisper into my ears."
Reinhardt's blood ran cold at the priest's words, his mind reeling at the implications of such a statement. The Devil, in his own Cathedral? It was unthinkable, unimaginable.
'Devil? Those fools… Which one? There's four Great Devil Kings, if is some B-tier Devil I can suppress it myself, but A-tier is tricky. Worse, if it's an S-tier or above, I'm fucked.'
'This is why I should have taken Valper's deal. Now I would've had an S-tier Exorcist to do my bidding.'
"We must not lose hope," Reinhardt declared, his voice steady despite the rising tide of panic. "Our faith in God is our greatest weapon against the forces of darkness. Continue to pray, my brothers, and trust in the power of the Almighty to protect us."
The priests nodded, their resolve strengthened by Reinhardt's words. With renewed zeal, they raised their voices in prayer, their chants echoing off the walls of the nave as they sought divine intervention to banish the evil that threatened to consume them.
But even as they prayed, the sense of dread only deepened, the air heavy with the weight of impending doom. And then, with a chilling laughter that sent shivers down their spines, the doors of the Cathedral burst open.
"Ah, what a delightful sight," came the voice, smooth as silk yet dripping with malice. "A gathering of faithful servants, gathered to offer their prayers to a God who has long since forsaken them."
After the malicious message was send, from the opened grounds of the Cathedral blood started to flow, from the entrance then followed by the walls.
The blood that flowed from the walls seemed to pulse with a life of its own, swirling and twisting as it formed a macabre river that snaked its way toward the nave, staining the pristine floors of the Cathedral with its dark crimson hue.
The mosaics of the Saints and their stories were desecrated, only Christ's cross wasn't turned upside down by this demonic presence.
As the blood mist enveloped the hallway, extinguishing all sources of light, Bishop Reinhardt felt a cold chill run down his spine. He knew then that this person was the one who wanted to screw him the most at this moment.
Blood Prince, Krassius Bloodriver, the Abomination that devours all of the enemies of the Lasombra Clan.
Meanwhile the one involved in this play boosted his ego while experiencing the reactions he envisioned from a bunch of hypocrites that only knew how to recite a text from old books while extending their hands begging for the money of the pious without contributing much to society.
Turning my body into Blood Mist after awakening the Blood Manipulation of my Immortal Body, I turned into an intangible state that allowed me to survey everything going inside the Cathedral.
While the cost would seem wasteful, now that I felt my body brimming with power, I had room to experiment with the full capacity of the Blood Manipulation. Besides, Villains should keep on their mystique if they want to succeed in life and trample over the Heroes and Heroines.
And honestly, I don't care if those pedophiles shit themselves.
There was a tangible sensation hitting me in my mist form as I approached the priests who prayed like there was not a dawn for tomorrow. This should be the effects of the Holy Power on my body, annoying but manageable.
As long as it doesn't distract me from controlling the Blood Mist and Blood Manipulation, I can handle some nuisance.
When the blood I released to create a Blood Field that could support me in weakening the effect the Holy Power in this Cathedral had over me, reached the clean white shoes of the old Bishop, I could see disgust for a brief second morphing onto his countenance, but then it shifted into a fervor, zealotry one similar to the other priests praying.
"Who are you, Devil! How dare you step with your dirty presence in the House of God?" Reinhardt's voice rang out, filled with righteous indignation and fear.
While Reinhardt kept on his facade, Xenovia and Irina tried to figure out what was going on, especially Xenovia who received a new assignment.
Krassius chuckled darkly while inside his Blood Mist form, and in the moment where Irina shifted her attention to a corner of the Navel, she could see his devilish face as his lips curled into a mocking smirk.
"Why so serious? You already know who I am. My name is Krassius Bloodriver. Not pleased to meet you."
"All your prayers of driving me away will be unanswered. Especially you, old priest, because of your cowardly nature, you dragged me into a clash with my 'Family', when all I wanted was to lay low."
Reinhardt bristled at the Vampire's insolence, his hands trembling with anger and fear. "Are you accusing me of doing my duty? It's because of your evil that the Ward has alerted me of the possible danger."
"Shameless blood creature, why are you pushing the blame on me, when this is all your fault for entering the territory of the Vatican?"
"Haven't you 'Aristocrat' of the Blood Race been taught of the rules of the Human World?"
"Ah, the righteous indignation of a mere mortal," he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How quaint."
"Show yourself, you blood creature!" Reinhardt demanded, his voice trembling with anger.
The old priest felt empowered by his own words, and to make an image of righteousness and holiness, he began channeling his Holy Power which was the equivalent of a B-tier threat.
Hearing his self-righteousness and such cowardly acts as he was standing closer to Xenovia and Irina, as if they were his shield in case I decided to strike him down, that made me laugh a bit crazily, a psycho type which I couldn't help not let go.
So much for a saintly man, am I right.
[You know that I forsaken my faith in God, long ago. All these peons are nothing but greedy humans abusing what Faith stands for humanity.]
As my old partner said, I could taste the greed in his squinted eyes, all of that self-rightioness was clear signs of a narcissistic fuck who only cared about his own image.
While, with the experiences of my transmigration, I can't help but believe that there is a Deity, who offered me this chance, I couldn't tell. There were too many leads and I would just get drowned in this maze of searching for answers.
It wasn't something I could control, so why bother? Only focus on things that I can control.
Seemingly, the old faggot wasn't used to the silent treatment or being mocked so openly, and got irritated, lashing out once more only to fuel my delight.
"Show yourself, you parasite!" Reinhardt's voice thundered through the Cathedral, his eyes ablaze with righteous fury. "You dare to defile the House of God with your presence? Face us like a true coward or be banished by the power of His Holy Light!"
His words hung in the air, echoing off the ancient stone walls as the tension in the Cathedral reached its peak. All eyes were on the spot where Krassius's malevolent presence lingered, waiting to see how the Vampire would respond to such a direct challenge.
In response to Reinhardt's demand, there was a moment of eerie silence, broken only by the soft murmurs of the priests as they continued their prayers. Then, with a suddenness that sent a shiver down Reinhardt's spine, Krassius appeared right in the center of the congregation.
'It's about time, I make my entrance.'
"As you wish, old man." Krassius chuckled darkly.
As the tension in the Cathedral reached its zenith, the swirling crimson mist that had filled the Navel began to coalesce into a singular point at the center of the congregation of priests. It writhed and twisted, as if possessed by a will of its own, drawing closer and closer to the ground until it formed a dense, roiling mass of blood-soaked vapor.
The priests, their prayers faltering as they beheld the spectacle before them, recoiled in horror at the sight of the gathering mist.
Some crossed themselves fervently, while others whispered desperate pleas for divine protection, their faith shaken to its core by the unholy presence that now loomed over them.
Xenovia unwrapped Excalibur Destruction just in case Krassius was about to attack the priests. It was better to be prepared just in case, but for now she remained neutral, watching and gulping, her throat dry.
Irina also gulped, but the way she was staring at the dark spectacle made her question if she by chance was affected by a charm spell herself?
And then, from the heart of the swirling mist, a figure began to emerge.
At first, it was nothing more than a vague silhouette, barely discernible amidst the shifting shadows and tendrils of blood-red vapor. But as the mist parted and dissipated, revealing the form within, the assembled priests as people that didn't have much encounter with such demonic presence gasped in disbelief.
Standing before them, in the very center of the Navel, was Krassius Bloodriver himself. His devilish features twisted into a smirk of malicious amusement as he surveyed the trembling congregation with cold, calculating eyes.
Nonetheless, the girls managed to spot that his appearance changed a bit. No longer did he maintain the guise of a youthful teenager, instead, his form now bore the unmistakable signs of someone in their mid-twenties, his features handsome yet unnervingly sharp, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
His appearance could only be described as perfection. It was the looks of a man in his prime, unblemished by the signs of aging.
This was something Carl-Krassius figured out after dispersing his body into the Blood Mist, it was an unique ability of Vampires to modify their appearance to their liking. It allowed him to modify his appearance to his liking, and he struck a balance between his 30s age and Krassius's body, giving him a slight growth to satisfy himself.
The priests recoiled at the sight of him, their prayers falling silent as they stared in disbelief at the Vampire who had dared to intrude upon their sacred sanctuary. But Krassius paid them no mind, his attention focused solely on the Bishop and the two Exorcists who stood beside him.
"Good evening, Wingless Angels. I didn't expect such a welcoming to say the least." Krassius main focus was on Xenovia and Irina, afterall, they were Heroines of the DxD story, but would they be of value in the story he was writing for himself.
He smirked a bit when he received the silent treatment from the teenage girls, but he could smell and taste the palpitations of their hearts as they beat in an increased cadence.
Shifting his icy gaze on Bishop Reinhardt, it felt as if he was trying to create a hole in his heart only with his chilling gaze. This caused the old priest to backtrack toward the Altar, unwillingly transforming into the prey that he always was in Krassius's eyes.
Yet this instinctive action of survival against a predator, didn't sit well with his wounded ego.
Bishop Reinhardt's command reverberated through the cavernous halls of the Cathedral, his voice carrying the weight of authority and urgency. The dim light of flickering candles cast eerie shadows across the ancient stone walls as he addressed Xenovia and Irina.
"Xenovia, Irina," his voice boomed, echoing off the high vaulted ceilings, "I order you to apprehend and Exorcise Krassius Bloodriver at once. He is an enemy of the Church, a threat to all that we hold sacred."
The Bishop's eyes blazed with righteous fury as he awaited their compliance, his faith in their loyalty to the Vatican appearing unwavering. His imposing figure stood tall at the altar, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, while the Cross stood in the background shining with a gentle Holy Power.
But to Reinhardt's astonishment, the two Exorcists stood resolute, their expressions unreadable as they gazed upon Krassius with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. Instead of springing into action at the Bishop's command, they remained rooted to the spot, their hands resting calmly at their sides as they exchanged a meaningful glance.
"Xenovia, Irina," Reinhardt's voice was laced with disbelief and growing frustration, "what are you waiting for? Apprehend the Vampire! He is an enemy of the Church, the enemy of the Vatican!"
Xenovia, having receiving a new assignment from Vasco Strada, remained steadfast in her convictions, even as she stepped forward to meet Krassius head-on, her gaze was steady as she addressed the Bishop. "With all due respect, Your Grace, we believe there has been a misunderstanding."
"This is why we have invited Vampire Prince, Krassius Bloodriver to have an open discussion with you, so we could resolve this misunderstanding regarding the Holy Ward."
"A misunderstanding?" Reinhardt sputtered, incredulous. "He stands before us, a creature of darkness, defiling this holy place with his presence! There can be no mistake about his intentions!"
Irina nodded in agreement, but unlike Xenovia she didn't have much respect for the Catholics, being able to see that there were clearly altruistic motives in the orders of the Bishop. She also didn't leave her eyes off Krassius's otherworldly body.
"Bishop Reinhardt, perhaps, if we hear him out, we can resolve this matter without resorting to violence. We should have an open dialogue, so we can find a peaceful resolution to this conflict."
Reinhardt's eyes widened in disbelief, his hands clenching into fists at his sides as he struggled to comprehend the defiance of the two Elite Exorcists, who were clearly under the direct order of Vatican itself. How could they stand there, in the presence of such evil, and question his authority?
But before he could utter another word of protest, Krassius approached closer to the altar, ignoring the prayers of the priests as he left a trail of Blood Energy that he released on purpose to intimidate everyone, including Xenovia and Irina.
Stepping forward, his gaze fixed on the Bishop with a look of cold amusement. "I must say, Your Grace, your Exorcists seem rather... hospitable. They know how to welcome an Honorable Guest, meanwhile you old, frail bastard, can't even look me straight in the eye."
"Are you by chance afraid that I might kill you for doing something you shouldn't have done?"
"Of course not, you're a Saint in the making. A Martyr who faced off against the Blood Prince of Lasombra."
The Bishop's features hardened, his gaze piercing as he regarded the two Exorcists before him, then faced Krassius with anger in his old eyes as they shined a bit with Holy Power, but it was nothing compared to the Aura, Jeanne was giving off while her Sacred Gear was activated.
"I will make sure that I'll be fair in my review of your mission. I will not allow sentimentality to cloud my judgment " he warned, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"Huhuhu, what a fool. You're so delusional that it makes me wonder, why are you so confident that those little Wingless Angels would be able to 'Exorcise' me?" Krassius looked at the old priest's confused expression, all that disappointment he played with vanished.
Reinhardt stood before Krassius, his fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to maintain his composure in the face of the Vampire's taunts. He knew that Krassius was trying to goad him, to provoke a reaction, but he refused to give the Vampire the satisfaction.
"..."
Instead, he remained silent, his jaw tight with suppressed anger and frustration. He had prided himself on his ability to maintain control in even the most challenging of situations, but Krassius's mocking tone tested his resolve like never before.
'Fucking little blood sucker. Just rot in Hell. No, that would be like Paradise for those fucking zombies. Just rot in Heaven.'
As Krassius continued to speak, his words dripping with disdain, Reinhardt's mind raced with thoughts of how best to respond. He knew that the Vampire was trying to undermine his authority, to make him appear weak in the eyes of his followers, but he refused to let Krassius get the better of him.
"Ahh, I understand. That's not good, little Angels, you shouldn't lie or omit information in your reports. Well, it's not like I care that you claimed you defeated those Vampire scum of Lasombra, but, you should make confessions when you get back in Rome."
Xenovia and Irina exchanged a sheepish glance, feeling a tinge of embarrassment at Krassius's remarks. They had been so confident in their mission and their abilities as Elite Exorcists, but now they found themselves at the endpoint of shame as their 'neglects' were pointed out by the powerful Vampire who could smell their bullcrap right through their facades.
"Irina, we might have been a bit too hasty in our approach," Xenovia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Irina nodded in agreement, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I think you're right, Xenovia. We should have been more cautious."
"What is it that you want, Krassius Bloodriver? For someone like you to barge inside my Cathedral." Reinhardt demanded, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the Cathedral.