It was night time in Kuoh and walking the streets was a hooded man in holy robes. He was sent there by the church to investigate some stolen artifacts important to the church as well as the whereabouts of previous missing priests that had come to this town. The man walked the darkened streets doing his best not to stand out. After all, this town is the territory of the devils. They were the sworn enemy of the church but as things currently stand there was a ceasefire between all factions so no moves were to be made, otherwise the war could start again. Besides, the devils aren't the ones he was after this time. The church had strong evidence to believe that the Grigori were the ones behind the theft. As such they sent their exorcists to attempt to retrieve the artifacts. The man was walking around town looking for clues when he suddenly felt killing intent directed at him. He jumped out of the way just in time to avoid a blade coming down on his previous spot.

"Hehehehehe. So you managed to dodge my attack. That makes you better than the last three that came here" a maniacal voice spoke.

"Mad Exorcist Freed! So you are the one behind the others disappearances!" said the man.

"That's right! What about it? Those guys were sticking their noses in where they don't belong, so I cut them off along with the rest of them! Hehehehehehehahahahaha!" Freed laughed.

The man had a disgusted look on his face from seeing Freed but then his attention was turned to the blade Freed was wielding. "Impossible! Someone like you shouldn't be able to wield that weapon!" the man exclaimed.

Freed turned a satisfied look at him, seeing his reaction. "Oh but I can! Thanks to my boss and the old priest even someone like me can wield a holy sword!" Freed pointed his sword at the man, preparing to attack.

The exorcist prepared to fight as well, taking out a light blade. After a moment the two clashed, trading slashes for some time. After a bit Freed's sword began to glow and when he swung and hit the man's blade it completely shattered. "Wha!? How is this possible!?" he exclaimed.

Freed showed his usual mad smile. "Looks like that's all you got. Well I guess this is goodbye shitty exorcist!" He swung his blade, planning to finish the man.

The man knew he couldn't do anything and waited for death but was snapped out of it by the sound of clashing steel. Both the man and Freed were taken by surprise when a new figure intervened in the fight. "That was close. I don't know what's going on but don't think I will let you attack a fellow believer of the Lord." the armored man said. He was dressed in bronze colored armor with a dragon-like pauldron on one shoulder along with holy robes. He had a sword that emanated a holy aura which explained why he was able to block Freed's attack.

"Who the hell are you? Another lackey from the church?" Freed questioned, irritated.

"I am a believer in the Lord and I will not stand for those who would not only harm other believers but disrespects them by dressing as them and doing sinful acts." the man said calmly.

He swung his sword and pushed back Freed with great force. Freed managed to maintain his balance and clicked his tongue. "Tch! Looks like I won't be able to have anymore fun tonight. You got lucky this time but don't think the same thing will happen next time!" And with that he fled.

As the exorcist was collecting himself the armored man sheathed his sword and turned to face him. "Are you all right?"

"Y-yes. Thank you for your help."

"Not a problem. Like I said, I won't stand by when a fellow believer is under attack."

The exorcist smiled gratefully. This must be the guidance of the Lord who brought this man to me. he thought to himself. "If I may, who are you?"

The armored man smiled at him. "Oh, my apologies. How could I forget? My name is Georgios and I am currently stationed in this town."

"Georgios? Like the Saint?"

"The very same." Georgios said with a smile.

"I see." His family must be very devout. They probably named him that in hopes that he would live a faithful life. he thought to himself. "I am Darren, an exorcist. It's nice to meet you Mr. Georgios." He extended his hand to shake which Georgios took. "Were you stationed here because of the devils? Or was it because of the recent activity of the fallen?"

Georgios gave Darren a confused look. "Neither. I was stationed here because this town is the home of my Master and he wished to see it protected."

Master? Is that how he refers to the head priest in this town? But the church here is a smaller branch since this town belongs to the devils. "Have you been informed at all as to the current situation?" Darren asked.

"No, I haven't. I work in shifts along with others and have only recently arrived here. I have been informed of a previous matter involving the fallen here but nothing as of late." said Georgios.

I see, so then him being here was pure coincidence. Still it seems like the Lord has delivered a blessing to me so that I don't end up like the others. "If that is the case then may I ask for your assistance in this matter? As a member of the church I would like the cooperation of the ones stationed here in recovering the stolen artifacts." Darren asked.

"Stolen artifacts? Have the fallen stolen from the church?" Georgios had a grim look on his face.

Darren nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately, it is true. Several artifacts were stolen from various churches around the world, and when we tracked their locations they all ended up here, in this town."

Georgios nodded in understanding. "What artifacts were stolen?"

"The fragments of Excalibur that the church was able to obtain."

Georgios had a surprised look on his face. "Fragments of Excalibur. The fallen have something that dangerous?"

"Yes. That man you fended off, Freed, was using one of them. It shouldn't be possible but it seems the fallen have found a way to make people who were previously unable to use holy swords compatible with them."

"This is urgent news. I should inform my Master immediately. He will send out others who are good at gathering information and locate them swiftly. I am more than well aware of what kind of damage Excalibur can do."

"I've been meaning to ask, who are you referring to as your Master? The head priest of the local church?"

Georgios looked over to him and seemed to come to a realization. "Oh, my apologies. There seems to be some misunderstanding. I'm not working with the church in this town. My Master works for a different organization." he said casually.

Darren was shocked to hear this. "W-wait. You don't work for the church?" he said nervously.

"No. I'm simply a devout believer who happens to work in this town." Georgios said with a smile.

Darren was panicking. Crap! I let my guard down and spilled classified information to an unaffiliated party! Although he seems to sympathize with our plight, but what of his Master!? Darren's thoughts were racing. "E-excuse me Mr. Georgios. If I may, who is your Master?"

Georgios gave Darren a kind look. "I'm sorry but I can't disclose that information. But you need not worry. As I said, my Master lives in this town and is concerned with its safety above all else. If the fallen are planning something then he will move to deal with it. He will probably inform the devils of this town as well so as to avoid any political backlash from the factions."

Darren became pale at the last part of what Georgios said. If the devils find out, things could go wrong for the church! I will undoubtedly be blamed for leaking information! "S-sir Georgios, surely there is no need to get the devils involved. This is a matter of the church, and besides I doubt the devils will be gracious enough to return the artifacts after everything is done."

Georgios continued to give Darren a kind look. "There is no need to worry Sir Darren. The devils in charge of this town are reasonable people. I have met them a few times myself and can vouch for their character. On top of that, one of the devils in charge of the town is in a relationship with my Master so they would find out regardless."

Darren seemed to resign himself knowing there was nothing he could do. He could attack Georgios but since he chased off Freed there was no way he could beat him. "Are you sure they are trustworthy?" Darren asked seriously.

Georgios returned a serious look. "Yes. They have already proven themselves to Master and to me. If an arrangement is made, the devils will honor it."

Darren stared at Georgios for some time, then sighed in resignation. "Alright. I will trust you Sir Georgios."

Georgios smiled. "I thank you for your faith. As I said before, I will go inform my Master of tonight's events. You should return to the church. I mean no offense but it seems the situation is currently over your head. I will speak to my Master about returning the Excalibur pieces to the church. With any luck we may even be able to restore the blade, but I make no guarantees of that."

Darren waved his hand in front of him. "You don't have to go that far Sir Georgios, but your right, as loath as I am to admit it. I will return to the church and inform them of tonight's events as well. They will most likely send someone to replace me to take over the mission."

"I see. Then I will make sure my Master knows so he can properly prepare to assist them if the need arises."

Darren nodded and started to leave. "Well then, I will be off. Thank you again, Sir Georgios. May the Lord guide and protect you."

"And you as well Sir Darren. Perhaps someday we will meet again, under better circumstances." he said with a smile.

Darren smiled back and left pondering how he was going to inform the church of tonight's events.

Preview time! Hey guys I'm not close to done with volume 3 yet but I figured that I would give a taste of what is coming. Meet Darren the exorcist, my original the character do-not-steal. Jokes aside I was just gonna have him be a nameless exorcist before but while I was writing I figured I would give him a name. I think I will have him pop in the story from time to time just to make things more interesting. If you guys want to see more of Darren let me know and I will see how I can fit him into the story, but just so you know he won't be in any serious plot related things unless he is a background character, so no Darren saves the world stuff. ; )