Before we start, this chapter will be a little bit bloody. I'll try to keep it down to a minimum, but the characters in this story are serious fighters, so some heads will roll. Now for chapter 3.
Chapter 3
Cold Hello's And Hot Goodbye's
After a night of sailing in the storm, Rokurou ended up crashing them into the secluded part of some landmass. The crash tossed everyone and a few supplies onto the land, and left the ship with some major damage. As everyone laid passed out, a young boy with, white skin, blond hair that ended with silver tips, light green eyes, wearing a white robe dress, a light blue tabard that was tied into a knot at the front, yellow cloth bands tied around his hands, and a black metal collar around his neck.
The boy healed velvet. This made her eyes open, and she thought she was looking at her Brother. "Laphi… cet…" Velvet said before realizing it was this new boy. "A malak?!" Velvet said, as she started to get up. This startled the boy, and made him grab the sea compass, and ran away. But the boy ran into a wolf and bird daemon. "Stay back!" Velvet said to the boy.
But before Velvet could fight, two arrows came from behind her and hit the daemons in the head, killing them. Velvet turned her head, to see Zane was the one who fired the arrows. "I thought you're out of arrows?" Velvet asked Zane. "My powers make more arrows over time, but it's slow." Zane said to Velvet. Velvet then turned to the daemons and summoned out her daemon claw. Velvet then started to eat the daemons. "My word, a daemon-mucher! You really ARE a box of horrors, aren't you." Magilou said to Velvet, as everyone else got up.
"Where's the child?" Velvet asked everyone. "The little brat? Scampered off somewhere." Magilou said to Velvet. "You ought to be scampering off yourselves." Velvet said to everyone. "My debt is not yet repaid. Until it is. I will not leave your side." Rokurou said to Velvet. "And I'll stay. I'm interested in your fighting style." Saber said to Velvet. "And I like you." Liz said to Velvet. "And I need your help." Zane said to Velvet. "And I'm interested in all of you." Eshu said to everyone. "I think this will be fun," Ludo said to Velvet "I can hardly scamper off without knowing from whence I'm scampering. We're lost, stranded, stranded shipwreck survivors, no?" Magilou asked Velvet.
"A little dramatic there Magilou. If we saw a kid here, that must mean a village is probably nearby." Zane said to Magilou "Well, then I expect this might come in handy." Rokurou said, pulling out a world map. "A map? Was that left by the child?" Velvet asked Rokurou, as everyone looked at the map.
"Looks to me like we're in Northgand." Rokurou said to everyone. "Northgand? Then If we're to reach the capital in Midgand. We've no choice but to patch up our ship." Velvet said to everyone. "Good luck with that. This ship looked trashed. We'll probably need to find a new ship." Zane said to Velvet. "What are your plans once you two reach Loegres?" Rokurou asked Zane and Velvet. Velvet said nothing. "Something worth breaking out of prison for." Rokurou said to them. "You could say that." Zane said to Rokurou, as Magilou sneezed.
"Guwahhh, can't we stand around and chat somewhere nicer? Somewhere with soup to warm the body, tales to warm the heart…" Magilou asked everyone. "There's a city called Hellawes nearby. Can't promise they're much for conversation, but we'll find food and a shipwright there." Rokurou said to everyone. "Well then let's go." Zane said to everyone, as they started to walk.
"Velvet, you know that kid? I thought I heard you call him by name." Magilou asked Velvet, as walked. "No. I don't know any malakhim. Not anymore." Velvet said to Magilou, looking at Seres' ring. "Anymore…? Hmm…" Magilou said to Velvet getting closer to Velvet. "What?" Velvet asked Magilou. "Well, whoever he was, there was something different about him, that's for sure." Magilou said to everyone, backing away from Velvet.
"You can say that again. Using healing artes on a daemon without being ordered to?" Rokurou said to everyone. "And he stole that compass, too! For being an exorcist's malak, he's a greedy little imp." Magilou said to everyone. "He's a kid. And some kids are impish." Zane said to everyone.
"Well, we did help ourselves to a certain map of his, so…" Rokurou said to everyone. "I consider myself an island of virtue in the sea of wickedness!" Magilou said to Rokurou. "I thought it was the sea of daniel." Zane said to Magilou, making everyone but Velvet and Magilou giggle a little. "Sure laugh at my expense." Magilou said to everyone. "So this is how escaped prisoners behave." Velvet said to herself.
Soon they found themselves in an open area, and stopped. "So nice to be free again, able to move these bones around like I want!" Rokurou said to everyone. "I Agree this feels nice. But I could do without the cold." Liz said to everyone. "Speak for yourself. This place reminds me of my birth land." Eshu said to Liz.
"So, I know why our beast…" Magilou said, but Zane interrupted her. "Back home we call them Pokemon." Zane said to Magilou. "Pokemon. I like it. Our Pokemon was locked up. But Rokurou. What got you all chained up in the mold-hole?" Magilou said to everyone, and asked Rokurou. "Ties to home. It's complicated." Rokurou asid to Magilou.
"Ohoho, then are you really sure you ought to be taking on further debts?" Magilou asked Rokurou. "It's a teaching of House Rangetsu. "Pay what you owe"." Rokurou said to Magilou. "Well! What a civilized family you've got." Magilou said to Rokurou. "Were you in for long?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "Three years, maybe. That's why I know so little about the state of the world." Rokurou said to Velvet
"Oh gosh, me too! Arte-wielding malakhim?! I've never seen such a thing! How much Else have I missed? Used to be witches who had a monopoly on charms and hexes. Can you even comprehend what this'll do to business?" Magilou said to everyone. "No and we don't care." Zane said to Magilou. "Should I even ask why you were imprisoned?" Rokurou asked Magilou.
"Heh! Bagged for unlicensed witchcraft. It was a tale of betrayal most wicked and foul!" Magilou said to Rokurou, making Velvet remember bad memories. Care to hear more? You'll cry! I'll laugh! Emotions will touch the rafters!" Magilou said to everyone. "No thank you." Velvet said to Magilou, as she got back to walking. "I'm starting to question, us bring you along?" Zane said to Magilou, as they all went after Velvet.
After a bit of more walking, they found themselves outside a village with a massive stone wall around it. And standing guards were a handful of people that kinda looked like the guards of the prison, only these people looked nicer and weren't as heavily armored. "Exorcists." Velvet said to everyone, as they hid behind a large rock. "Well, that's just inconsiderate. Word of the prison break couldn't have traveled so quickly." Magilou asked everyone.
"Probably not. Chances are they're just standing guard." Zane said to everyone. "I somehow doubt they'll just let us in, looking the way we do. Mainly Zane." Rokurou said to everyone. Zane gave Rokurou a mean look, and snapped his fingers. Then Zane turned into this human form with the fancy clothes. "And now?" Zane asked Rokurou. "Dang. Who knew a fancy guy was under all that." Magilou said to everyone. "But we still can't get in this way." Rokurou said to everyone.
"I-I apologize… about earlier. I didn't mean to steal this." A voice said. This made everyone turn their heads and see the boy with the compass in his hands. The boy put the compass down. "The compass." Velvet said. "Well… thanks…" Zane said to the boy, before the boy left. "You two OK with this? He could be working for the exorcists." Rokurou asked Velvet and Zane. "I'm following him." Velvet said to everyone. "Hmm, is he your dessert?" Magilou asked Velvet. "If necessary." Velvet said to Magilou.
"Velvet he's a kid. Not dessert." Zane said to Velvet, as he picked up the compass and put it in his clothes, like it was a pocket watch. "He's what I need him to be." Velvet said, as she went after the kids. Everyone followed her. After walking for a bit on the edge of a small cliff looking over the sea, they found a cave at the end of it and went into it. At the back of the cave, they found a ladder.
"There's a ladder." Velvet said to everyone. "Looks like this is our way in. but we have a small problem." Zane said to everyone, as he looked at the Pokemon. "Yeah, we might be a problem." Eshu said to everyone. "Not if we hid." Ludo said, before lifting up Mailou's hat, and going in it. "I'll just hang out on Rokurou's back." Saber said, as he moved to Rokurou's back, and placed himself next to Rokurou's sword. Liz moved onto Velvet's back under her ripped up coat. "I hid in plain sight." Eshu said before glowing black. Eshu transformed into a small white dog. "That'll work." Zane said, before they went up the ladder.
After climbing up the ladder, they all found themselves in a storage room. "A storehouse?" Velvet asked everyone. "Looks like it. But I have no idea what this stuff is." Zane said to Velvet, as Magilou smelled the air. "That smell… Flamestone!" Magilou said to everyone. "Flamestone?" Rokurou asked Magilou. "Also known as melchionite. A rare mineral only found in Northgand. Mix it with sulfur and you get explosives! Mix it with oil and you get fuel!" Magilou said to everyone.
"Sounds dangerous… if it's true." Velvet said to Magilou. "Believe me or not, it's your call." Magilou said to Velvet. "Looks like the boy got away." Rokurou said to everyone. "Well, we're in the city now." Velvet said to everyone. "Well, then let's scout for the maritime guild. Whoever's in charge of all these storehouses must have their hands in the shipping trade and shipbuilding." Rokurou said to everyone. "And we could use a true sailor if we can find one." Velvet said to everyone.
"Now that's a plan I endorse! We dodged the sea's murderous grasp this time, but who's to say our luck will hold?" Magilou said to everyone. "We should look for some weapons, too, if I'm to be of any use in a fight." Rokurou said to everyone. "You're… still wearing one." Velvet asked Rokurou, giving Rokurou a wired look. "His sword is junk, remember?" Zane whispered to Velvet, before they left the storehouse. They creaked open the door, and when they saw no one was around, they left the storehouse.
After walking around a bit, and hearing about how great the Exorcists are, which annoyed Velvet, they found a group of sailors. "There's a group of sailors. Is that the guild?" Velvet asked everyone. "Maybe. At the very least they can point us in the right direction." Zane said to Velvet.
"Oh hey, that weapon shop looks promising! Good luck with the shipwright search." Rokurou said to everyone, before he and Saber left. "Boys… Poor creatures just can't be separated from their favorite toys, can they?" Magilou asked everyone, as Velvet started to remember her past. "You know me, Eshu, and Ludo are right here." Zane said to Magilou. "Oh I know. I stand by what I said." Magilou said to Zane. "It's true." Velvet said to everyone, before they walked to the sailors.
"Is this a shipping guild?" Velvet asked the sailors. "Damn that Dyle! What does he think he's doing by trying to resist?" A man said to a young man. "We wouldn't be in this mess if he were dead." The young man said to the man. "Hey!" Zane said, getting the men's attention. "Excuse us. We need a ship repaired." Velvet asked the men. "Sorry, but we can't help." the man said to Velvet. "What makes you say that?" Velvet asked the man. "Guild business is currently suspended." A female voice said to Velvet.
This made everyone turn to see a tall light skin woman, with long premium-blond hair, green eyes, her outfit was all white, with a fancier Exorcists armor, with a armor dress over it, with blue fabric on the end of the dress, long sleeves and blue fabric on the end of sleeves, and armor heels.
With her was the boy, and there was another boy with him. He looked like the first boy, but his outfit was simpler then the first boy, and his hair was all silver.
She also had a Pokemon with her. It was a tiny creature that was on four legs, with a black body, three gold claws on its legs, a gray back, a gray tail with yellow scales on the end, gray and yellow scales on the side of their body, and a big yellow heart shape scale right over its noise. On that Pokemon was a white circle with a symbol in it, and its eyes were white.
"By the order of Exorcist Teresa of the Abby." The woman said to everyone. The shigh of the boy "Lady Teresa-" The boy said to Teresa, but Teresa interrupted him. "Number Two, did I give you permission to speak?" Teresa asked the boy. The boy went quiet. "Hey! He's just a kid. You can't treat him like that!" Zane said to Teresa, getting mad. "He's just a tool. I can treat him as I wish." Teresa said to Zane, making Zane clench his fist.
"Lady Teresa, how long must this punishment of ours last? You know it was all Dyle's fault, don't you, milady?" The man asked Teresa. "I know Dyle was the one smuggling flamestone, but your guild, though its negligence, shares responsibility. This rule was set down by the Abbey to maintain order, Do you disagree with it?" Teresa asked the man. "N-No, milady." The man said to Teresa, waving his hands in front of his face.
"We will capture, interrogate, and sentence Dyle. When this has been accomplished, you will be free to continue business." Teresa said to the man, before noticing Velvet, and Magilou. But Teresa was focusing on Velvet. "And you, girl? Aren't you cold dressed like that?" Teresa asked Velvet. "I've just arrived from the south, I wasn't aware Northgand was so cold." Velvet said to Teresa. "Plus we had a little accident with our ship when we got here. Luckily no one was hurt, but her clothes weren't so lucky. So if you don't mind, we'd like to get back to our business?" Zane asked Teresa, as velvet faked sneezed.
"A gentleman like you should make sure a young woman stays warm. Giver her your coat." Teresa said to Zane. "Do what she saids. She's got a Jangmo-o, The Scaly Pokemon. A Dragon Type. And I know their kind are vicious." Liz whispered to Zane.
"Fine." Zane said, taking off his coat and putting it on Velvet. "Thank you for your concern." Velvet said to Teresa, before Teresa left. Once they were gone, Magloiu smiled. "My, my. So this is how the Abbey flexes its muscles, hm? Cruel, cruel world these days." Magilou said to everyone. "To them they're doing what's right. It's not cruel." Zane said to Magilou. "Cruel or not, we can't get a ship." Magilou to everyone.
"I see how things stand. If I catch this Dyle person, you can repair my ship, right?" Velvet asked the man. "Sure, but I warn you… He's a daemon. He escaped after killing a bunch of soldiers who tried to capture him. Can't be done without an exorcist." The man said to Velvet. "He's from a small village outside the city, if you're doing this, I'd imagine that's a good place to start searching. He's a brute with the head of a lizard. I'd prepare for bloodshed." The young man said to Velvet.
"Hey!" The man said to the young man. "Anything could happen. It's best to keep our options open." The young man said to the man. "While you wait, find us a good navigator." Velvet said to the men, before she and the others left. On their way out, they picked up Rokurou and Saber.
"Found some real good ones. The blades were badly rusted, but once I polished them up, they turned out to have a fine edge." Rokurou said to everyone, showing off some daggers. "I can scarcely believe something of that quality was languishing in my bargain bin." The shopkeeper said to everyone. "You've taught me quite a lesson. The weapons is yours as payment." The shopkeeper said to Rokurou. "My thanks." Rokurou said to the shopkeeper.
"So you'll help us out?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "Of course. How did your errand fare? I see you had a good time at least." Rokuro said to Velvet. Velvet then noticed she was still wearing Zane's coat, and was holding onto it. Velvet removed Zane's coat, and tossed it onto Zane's head. Velvet then explained what's going on, as Zane put his coat on.
"I see, so we're hunting a reptilian daemon called Dyle, are we?" Rokurou asked everyone. "Pretty much." Zane said to Rokurou. "We'll check out his hometown first." Velvet said to everyone. "Have fun, you kids!" Magilou said, before she started to leave. "You aren't coming along?" Rokurou asked Magilou, making her stop.
"I'm afraid I've got bigger fish to fry at the moment- that little matter of tracking down my betrayer. Besides, if I stick around, I'm not sure I wouldn't wind up as someone's midnight snack…" Magilou said to everyone, while looking at Velvet. "My palate has standards. High standards." Velvet said to Magilou. "All the more reason to skedaddle!" Magilou said, before leaving. "I can't tell if she is proud enough to think she's a decent meal for you, or just playing around with us." Zane said to Velvet. "Whatever." Velvet said to Zane, before they left the city.
As they left, they did learn a few things interesting about Dyle, when Zane and velvet found most important, Dyle was a ship navigator. "Nothing but ice and snow as far the eye can see." Rokurou said to everyone, as they stopped in a clearing, with the pokemon still hiding on their partners backs, and Zane and Eshu still hiding their true form.
"I wonder how much further we have to travel." Zane said to everyone. "Are you two cold?" Velvet asked them. "No not really, I'm used to this kind of environment." Zane said to Velvet. "I'm fine too, but I'm not the one with the exposed midriff." Rokurou said to Velvet.
"Doesn't bother me, either… and both of you watch where you let out your eyes wander!" Velvet said to the guys. "But that's kinda hard, when you dress daringly, and you're quite the eye catcher." Zane said to Velvet, making Velvet give him a mean look. "Hey there, sorry, he and I meant no offense." Rokurou said to Velvet. "And I meant that as a complement." Zane said to Velvet.
"Hmm. So you still retain feelings like shame, then." Rokurou said to Velvet. "Wait, you don't?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "Me? I've lost a lot of my human feelings. I figured that was just part of turning into a daemon." Rokurou said to Velvet. "I didn't know that…" Velvet said. "But deep down. I'm still the same person I always was. And I can still enjoy a good drink. I'm glad I haven't lost that, at least." Rokurou said to everyone. "If you say so…" Velvet said, before they got back to walking. While they, Velvet saw some flowers and it got her in a bad mood, everyone didn't want to bother her, in fear that she would crush their heads if they did.
As they got near a village, they noticed a girl with a spear that looked like a two point arrow shaped spear. The girl has light skin, green eyes, and reddish hair with two flower-like hair pins, forming two ponytails on the back sides of her head. She wears a pale gold dress with the same pattern of the exorcist, with a blue overcoat, with two yellow exorcist clips to overcoat, and long plae gold boots that were going halfway up past her knees.
With the girl was a brown rabbit, standing on two legs, with its lower half being tan and fluffy, its feet were bigger than its hands, two brown ears with a fluffy tan fur tip, with one ear curled down and around its head.
"Thank goodness we're here, Joy. But any further attacks, and…" The girl said to the rabbit, before going quiet. "And exorcist… Was that Dyle she slew?" Rokurou asked everyone. "No. it wasn't a lizard daemon." Velvet said to Rokurou. That's when they noticed tears in the girls eyes. "Are you… crying?" Velvet asked the girl.
"It's just… everything that's going on. Daemons run rampant in the outlands, and yet the Abby has explicitly chosen not to come to their aid. It's true we haven't the forces to be everywhere at once, and the people of the outlands refuse to obey the abbey's rules. It's a heartless decision, I know, but it follows from the Abbey's perfect logic and principle." The girl said to everyone.
"Why make excuses to me?" Velvet asked the girl. "I'm not making-!" The girl said to Velvet, but Zane imtureped her. "You are. You're upset that your bosses won't help these people. And it's making you sad, because your bosses are forcing you to leave these people to suffer, all the while you and your friends at the Abbey can help them. Now that we explain your problems, do you have a name?" Zane asked the girl.
"My name is Eleanor Hume. I am a prator patrolling for the Abbey. And this is my Divine Beast, Joy. What is your business here?" the girl asked everyone. "We heard there was a murderous daemon in this town who fled from Hellawes." Velvet said to Eleanor. "We've been asked by the shipping guild to find him." Zane said to Eleanor.
"The shipping guild incident, yes. I've been looking into it, but I haven't found any clues yet. Worry not. We will track down that foul daemon and put it to the sword." Eleanor said to everyone before leaving with Joy. "Says the girl with a Buneary." Zane said to everyone. "Buneary?" Rokurou asked Zane. "Buneary, the Rabbit Pokemon. A Normal Type. It's cute and is known to run away at the first sign of danger." Zane said to everyone.
"Did the exorcist lady go away?" A new female voice asked everyone. This made them turn to see a little girl hiding behind a nearby rock. "Yeah, she's gone." Rokurou said to the girl. "Oh good, I didn't want us to get eaten!" The girl said to everyone, as she walked out from behind the rock and walked to everyone. "Eaten?" Velvet asked the girl. "Care to explain?" Zane asked the girl. "I-I mean, I don't know anything about a daemon!" the girl said to everyone.
"It's fine. You can tell me. I'll keep it a secret, I promise." Rokurou said to the girl. "There's a lizard Daemon in a cave to the north. He said he'd eat the whole village up if I told anyone. I'll give you these! Don't tell anybody, all right?" The girl said to Rokurou, before pulling out three red round fruits and giving them to Rokurou. "Got it. That's a promise." Rokurou said to the girl. The girl then left. Rokurou then gave Velvet and Zane each one of the fruits.
"A cave to the north? Hmm." Velvet said to everyone. "Gotta say, the folks here really don't trust the exorcists. Do they?" Rokurou asked everyone. "Given how the Abbey is treating Hellawes, it would make sense that they wouldn't trust or like them. But by doing so, if their village falls, the Abbey will use it as an example of what happens when you refuse to follow the Abbey." Zane said to everyone, before they took a bite of their food.
And while the guys had no problem with the food, Velvet realized she couldn't taste anything. "Hm! This is actually rather good." Rokurou said to everyone. "Yeah. Here." Zane said, before breaking his fruit and giving the half that he hasn't bitten into, to Eshu. Eshu ate it. That's when they all noticed velvet just staring at her fruit. "What's wrong? A worm?" Rokurou asked Velvet. 'Nothing… can't taste a thing.' Velvet thought as everyone looked at her. "If you're not going to eat that I'll take that." Liz said to velvet. Velvet said nothing and passed to Liz. And as Liz ate the fruit, everyone got back to walking.
"That woman said she was patrolling for the Abbey… what's that mean, exactly?" Velvet asked everyone. "They're handpicked agents who travel the kingdom gauging the Abbey's success in the daemon fight. They also make sure the other exorcists are conducting themselves properly. I suppose you could liken them to military police. Since the Abbey imposes so many rules on the populace, they want to show they're aboveboard." Rokurou said to everyone.
"But if they need to police themselves, isn't that as good as announcing corruption in the ranks?" Velvet asked everyone. "Nah, some would say it's more honest this way. Idealism alone won't change the world. Maybe that's why our determined little exorcist was crying." Rokurou said to everyone. "I bet you're right. That does fit the picture." Velvet said to Rokurou. "But the image of an exorcist cry, probably isn't a good look for the Abbey. Maybe that's why she is patrolling, for a little privacy." Zane said to everyone.
"Although it's best not to take a woman's tears at face value." Rokurou said to Zane. "Huh?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "Just some common wisdom." Rokurou said to Velvet. "Well if we're done talking, let's find Dyle." Zane said to everyone, as they got back to walking.
A few minutes later they found themselves in a cave with tar pits in it. While traveling deep into the cave, Rokurou easily slayed a monster that was in the cave, before anyone else could react. "You're a fine swordsman." Velvet said to Rokurou. "Not as far as I'm concerned. I still have a long way to go." Rokurou said to Velvet.
"What sort of daemon are you?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "I've been meaning to ask that as well. You're not a beast like the other daemons. So what are you?" Zane asked Rokurou. "A Yaksha, I'm a war daemon." Rokurou said to everyone. "A war daemon. Makes sense." Velvet said to Rokurou. "I guess we haven't seen your daemon side yet." Zane said to Rokurou.
"What about you two? You two are awfully peculiar, even for a daemon." Rokurou asked them. "I'm not a daemon. At least not like you two. You could say that I have the powers of a god, and turn them on and off as I wish." Zane said to Rokurou. "Never seen a god that looks so monstrous." Rokurou said to Zane. "Nor I, before I met him." Zane said to Rokurou
"And you Velvet?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "I'm a therion." Velvet said to everyone. "Therion? That's a new one for me. What sort of daemon is that?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "A monster that feeds on foes to gain power. I don't know much beyond that." Velvet said to Rokurou. "Hmm… A woman who devours her enemies… I bet your daemon type is… "Hag". Am I right?" Rokurou asked Velvet. What?" Velvet asked Rokurou, with a very mean look. "You should back away while you still can." Zane said to Rokurou. "Whoa… You've got the death-glares down, at least." Rokurou said to Velvet, as they got back to walking.
After a bit of walking, and talking about food and what they do eat or taste, everyone reached the back of the lake, where they found a large dark blue seashell on the ground with two long straight bumps on the sides, and an underground tar lake was located. In that tar was a dead exorcist, his back sticking out of the water. "And exorcist…" Velvet said to everyone. "Did he sip and fall?" Rokurou asked everyone. "No look at how he's in the tar. Someone put him in the tar." Zane said to everyone.
Then a giant green lizard standing on two legs, long tail, wearing sailor outfits, and had a fancy cutlet sword, and a shield with an anchor symbol on. "Zane's right, he was thrown in!" Velvet said to everyone.
"We've found our murderer!" Rokurou said, as Saber and Liz came out of hiding, and Eshu transformed back to his normal form. "So this is Dyle." Zane said to everyone. "More fools from Hellawes! Came hunting me down, did you?" Dyle asked everyone. "It seems that way!" Velvet said to Dyle. "Well then we'll treat you just like the others." A male voice said to velvet.
That's when the seashell popped out of the ground, revealing it was a round black face with two large white eyes, and a long pink tongue sticking out of the seashell. "Ice Shard." The seashell said, firing a few small shards of ice at everyone's back. But everyone was able to dodge the ice and scatter. "A Shellder is working with Dyle." Zane said to everyone. "Shellder?" Rokurou asked Zane. "Shellder, The Bivalve Pokemon, A Water Type. And from what I've heard they move backwards and have a hard sell." Zane said to Rokurou.
"Like that will stop me. Slash." Saber said, as he came crashing down on Shellder. "Protect." Shellder said, forming a green bubble around himself. This blocked Saber's attack and made a ding sound, as Saber shocked. "What was that?" Rokurou asked, as he locked weapons with Dyle. "Protect, a move that forms an invincible bubble around himself. But it can't be used multiple times in a row. Eshu use Shadow Sneak." Zane said to Eshu, as Zane disappeared.
"Sure." Eshu said, before sinking into the shadows. Eshu then burst out of the shadow under Shellder and sent Shellder flying. But Shellder landed like it was nothing. But Zane appeared on the ceiling, in the human form, standing on it like it was the floor. Not that anyone noticed him up there.
Then Velvet charged at Dyle. "Water Gun." Shellder said, as he fired a small surge of water at Dyle. Dyle blocked the water with his shield, and it caused water to splash and made them back up a little, and made Velvet stop. "Swift." Eshu said, as he fired yellow stars at Shellder. "Protect." Shellder said, forming the green bubble around himself.
"Liz finished Shellder with Dragon Rage." velvet said to Liz, as locked weapons with Dyle. "Right." Liz said, as she fired a surge of blue flames from her mouth. The flames hit Shellder, and when the flames died down, Shellder had swirls for eyes.
Then, from above Zane came from the sky, and landed on Dyle. Dyle was pinned to the ground, and Zane was forcing Dyle's sword to Dyle's throat, in an attempt to kill Dyle."I won't die yet! Not until I have my revenge!" Dyle said to Zane. "Revenge?" Velvet asked Dyle, making Zane stop. "Care to explain?" Zane asked Dyle, as he got off Dyle, and Dyle stood up. "The bastards at the guild who tried to kill me! They want me to take the fall for their smuggling operation!" Dyle said to everyone, as Shellder's eyes turned back to normal.
"Wait, are you saying the whole guild was involved?" Velvet asked Dyle. "Of course! Hahaha! You think a second-rate sailor like me could pull off all the mischief by myself?! I mean, sure, I was in on it. Helping them wasn't without its benefits." Dyle said Velvet. "He has a point. It would take more than one person to dig that tunnel into the warehouse." Rokurou said to everyone.
"Problem is, our extra-legal activities were a little TOO successful. The Abbey was bound to notice us at some point. And it didn't help that the guild was selling the creatures to them." Dyle said to everyone. "Explain that last part?" Zane asked Dyle. "When these beasts showed up, we thought we could make some money by selling them. So we secretly sold them to the Abbey. I stole Shellder after the guild betrayed me. I thought I could use it as a weapon. But he fired those ice shards and took care of the exorcists chasing me. So I kept him around and he's been a big help in taking care of the exorcists that find us." Dyle said to Zane.
"I guess a few shards of ice to the back would make it easy for you to finish him." Zane said to everyone. "It's funny. We never heard anything about that part." Rokurou said to everyone. "Do you want to admit you lost to something like that?" Velvet asked Rokurou, pointing to Shellder. "Plus they probably want the fact they bought stuff from the guild a secret, because of the smuggling charges." Zane said to Rokurou.
"And dead men tell no tales… so they blame it on you and kill you to cover it up. Looks like it's not going quite how they planned. With you stealing one of their "secret items" for the Abbey and escaping." Rokurou said to Dyle. "How do you mean to get this revenge of yours?" Velvet asked Dyle. "A raid on Hellawes. I'll kill the lot of them, this I swear!" Dyle said to Velvet. "And I will join him. For revenge for what they did to my fellow Water Type Pokemon." Shellder said to everyone.
"Daring." Zane said to Dyle. "But giving that your one lizard and a seashell. It won't go so well for you two." Eshu said to them. "He's right. That would be suicide. Do you have any idea how many exorcists are around?" Velvet asked Dyle. "They'll hunt me down no matter what I do! I just want the guild to pay for what they did to me." Dyle said to Velvet. "What they did to us." Shellder said to Dyle.
Velvet sighed. "That's all we wanted… but I guess… even that's not gonna work out… I only ask that you don't take Shellder back." Dyle said to everyone, turning around. Then Velvet slashed off Dyle's tail. This made Dyle scream in pain, and roll around on the floor. "We'll take this back to town and tell 'em you're dead. That should be enough to satisfy the exorcists and get them to call off the search. And if they ask about Shellder, we'll say we didn't see anything like that with you." Velvet said to Dyle, holding Dyle's severed tail.
"But… why?" Dyle asked Velvet. "I have my reasons. We need a boat fixed for starters. Plus, if you stir things up after I leave, I imagine it'll slow down anyone who's following me." Velvet said to Dyle. "If that's what you want, miss, I won't let you down." Dyle said to Velvet. "We thank you for this opportunity." Shellder said to Velvet. "We should get going." Zane said to everyone.
While they walked out, the Pokemon all got back to hiding. "Hey Zane, how did you stand on the ceiling back there?" Rokurou asked Zane. "My powers are weak in my human form. I only have a couple powers. One the ability to move through the shadows. Another ability is to control my own gravity, this allows me to float a little in air, and allows me to walk on any surface, so long as I still have a physical touch to it." Zane said to Rokurou. "So as long as you have a hand on something, you can make it so you're basically doing a handstand?" Rokurou asked Zane. "Pretty much. Took me a couple months to master that trick though." Zane said to Rokurou.
Some time later they were back in Hellawes and moved to the shipping guild, where the man and young man were waiting for them. When they got there, Velvet slammed Dyle's tail onto a crate near them. "This is Dyle's tail! Did you… Did you really kill him?!" the man asked Velvet.
"No. We found him, but when we got there, we saw a dead exorcist and a dead Dyle, in the lake of tar. This was all that was left. Must have been chopped off in the battle." Zane said to the man. "Did you find anything else? Like a wired seashell for example." the young man asked Zane. "No. No seashells" Zane said to the young man.
"Is that so?" The man asked Zane. "You can doubt us all you like, but we've brought you the daemon's body. Who else can say that?" Velvet asked everyone. "And if you keep your word, we won't let the exorcists know that they were the ones that killed the deamon and not your guild." Zane said to everyone. "True enough." The man said to everyone. "Good. get to work on my ship, then." Velvet said to everyone.
"I'm afraid we can't. We still need Lady Teresa's permission first." The man said to Velvet. "I'm in a hurry. It would be much worse for you if she knew who the real smugglers were." Velvet said to the man. "Or we could let the people know about your underhanded dealing with the Abbey. I'm sure the Abbey will deny it, and will quietly make you all pay for that fact getting out." Zane said to the man. "You two wouldn't!" The man asked them.
"If you fix our ship quick enough we won't say anything." Zane said to the man. "It's a trade. Repair the ship on the beach, and we'll sail away quietly." Velvet said to the man, making the man sigh. "Very well. I'll find you your shipwrights. We'll see you at the shore." The man said to them, before taking a few of his men to the ship. The gang then started to follow them.
"Well, it looks like we'll get the repairs we need." Velvet said to everyone, as they stopped in the storhouse to talk. "Maybe, but that's only half of our problems, without a proper crew, we'll wind up shipwrecked again." Rokurou said to everyone. "So long as we are shipwrecked on the right continent, I don't care." Zane said to Rokurou. "We don't have time to find one. And we can't hire a ship without permission." Velvet said to everyone.
"We'll just have to do what we can. But we've seen where my sailing skills get us." Rokurou said to everyone. "I'm not forcing you to come, I'll do it alone, if I have to." Velvet said to everyone. "Not without me. After all that's why I help you escape." Zane said to Velvet. "I wonder if there are any free sailors around?" Rokurou asked everyone. "Besides Dyle. I think the Abbey;s got their eyes on any free sailros. Just to make sure they're behaving. No, we're going to have to make do with what we have." Zane said to everyone. "Which is almost nothing." Eshu said to everyone.
After a bit of walking, they made it to the ship, where the man and his crew were looking at the ship. "So when will the ship be ready to go?" Zane asked the man. "She's hopeless. Her keel's busted. It'd be faster to build a new ship." The man said to Zane. "Her keel?" Velvet asked. "You could say she's like a man with a broken back." Rokurou said to velvet. "In other words, our ship is useless, and we did all that work for nothing." Zane said to everyone.
"And how in blazes did you end up running aground here? I wouldn't think it possible." the man asked everyone. "Well we found a way." Zane said to the man. "If you can't help, that's enough. Go back to town." Velvet said to the man. The man and his crew left.
"What now? Do we try to find a new ship?" Rokurou asked everyone. "I can't think of anything else. I just hope we have time." Velvet said to Rokurou. "I'm sure. Besides, It's not like anyone here knows us from the prison.
Meanwhile in a cathedral. Teresa was alone and kneeling to the cathedrals stained glass window in the back, praying. "O Empyrean Innominat, one true god, hear my prayer. Blessings and honor unto thee." Teresa said, as Oscar walked into the cathedral. "This frail flesh a sacrifice to be thy foundation." Teresa said. "Sister." Oscar said to Teresa, getting Teresa's attention. "Oh, Oscar! What brought you here?" Teresa asked Oscar, as she got up, and turned to Oscar.
That's when she noticed the bandages over his left eyes. "Y-Your face! What happened to you?!" Teresa asked Oscar, getting a closer look at the bandages. "A pair of daemons got the better of me. I've been summoned back to the Abbey, but I thought I'd stop by on my way." Oscar said to Teresa. "My… my poor brother… I'm so sorry…" Teresa said to Oscar, before looking down.
"There is pain, but I can still fight. The scar will serve to remind me of my inexperience." Oscar said to Teresa. "Underhanded foes, no doubt." Teresa said to Oscar. "No. one was a daemon I've never seen before, and had a bow attached to his arm. And the other daemon saps her enemies' strength with her left hand and turns it against them. I could make much out of the male, but I could of the girl. She had black hair and eyes full of fire." Oscar said to Teresa.
This made Teresa remember Velvet, Magilou, and Zane. "They pose a threat for a seasoned praetor. Please take care dear sister." Oscar said to Teresa. 'It was her! She must also know where her partner is!' Teresa thought. "Teresa?" Oscar said, regaining Teresa's attention. "Understood. I will." Teresa said to Oscar, before taking Oscar's left hand.
"Worry not. A failure as minor as this is not the end of the world." Teresa said to Oscar. "To be honest, I came hoping you would cheer me up like that." Oscar said to Teresa, both smiling. "Well! I do believe I recognize those earrings." Oscar said to Teresa, noticing Teresa's earrings. "Of course. I treasure them dearly. Thank you." Teresa said to Oscar. "They suit you just as well as I thought they would." Oscar said to Teresa, embarrassing her. "I must take my leave now." Oscar said to Teresa, before saluting her, and leaving.
Once Oscar left, a female exorcist walked in, holding onto Magilou. "Lady Teresa, we've captured a stowaway." The exorcist said to Teresa, walking her and Magilou to Teresa. "I wasn't stowing away, you twit! I merely boarded without permission!" Magilou said to the exorcist.
Teresa then walked up to Magilou and slapped her. "You! You're a collaborator with that daemon-woman. Where is she? And her partner as well?" Teresa asked Magilou. "Hmph! Your tortues are useless against the mighty Magilou." Magilou said, before smiling. "Because I'll spill my guts just fine without 'em!" Magilou said to Teresa. From outside the cathedral, Ludo saw this. "Well this is bad. I better find the other." Ludo said before going to find the others.
And where the gang was, they were on their way back to Hellawes. But before they got into the city. They were stopped by the people from the shipping guild. "What are you all doing here?" Zane asked them. "There was word from the Abbey. They're holding a public execution for a witch who tried to draw daemons into the city. The man said to everyone.
"Is that so? Sounds like a real nasty character." Velvet said to everyone. "I'd stay away from the city if I were you. It's a common tactic from Lady Teresa. Threaten one criminal to draw out their allies." The man said to everyone. "Sounds kind of underhanded for someone who views themselves as a noble hero." Zane said to everyone. "Are you saying we're criminals! Pot calling the kettle black, isn't it?" Velvet asked the man. "That's why I'm warning you. Lady Teresa's top-class, even among exorcist predators. I wouldn't think badly of you if you fled." The man said to Velvet, before he and his crew left.
"A witch… it has to be Magilou, eh?" Rokurou said to everyone. "You're right." a male voice said to Rokurou. That's when they noticed Ludo flying in. "Magilou tried to sneak onto a ship, but was found. I was able to get away. After following Magilou for a bit, they took her to Teresa. From what I heard, Teresa is more interested in Velvet and Zane." Ludo said to everyone.
"It looks like the Abbey is on to us. We'd best assume they've already found the tunnel." Velvet said to everyone. "No sense trying to buy a ship now." Rokurou said to everyone. "Then don't buy one. Steal it." Velvet said to Rokurou. "Steal a ship from Hellawes? Just the three of us humans and four Pokemon?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "And even if we get to a ship. Teresa is looking for us. The exorcists are probably on high alert for us. Once we steal a ship. Chances are, the exorcists will be on us a second later." Liz said to Velvet, moving onto Velvet's shoulder.
"We have at least one other human and Pokemon on our side." Velvet said to everyone. "Dyle? And Shellder?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "Right we could use his help driving the ship. That would at least give us a chance to out run the other ships." Eshu said to everyone. "That could be… But what happens to Magilou?" Rokurou asked everyone. "I suppose that's up to the Abbey." Velvet said to Rokurou. "So she's probably going to die." Zane said to everyone.
"Let's head to Dyle and Shellder's cave." Velvet said to everyone, as they started to walk to the cave. "Sorry, Magilou. Rest in peace." Rokurou said. "We can't just let her die." Ludo said to everyone. "I doubt Magilou will die. Besides, if she's a witch, she can figure a magic way out of her problem." Zane said to Ludo.
After a bit of walking, they sneaked into Dyle and Shellder's cave. "You really go all out, don't you?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "What do you mean?" Velvet asked Rokurou. "Look. You're using Dyle, threatening the guild, abandoning Magilou… you see?" Rokurou said to Velvet. "I'm not abandoning her. She can take care of herself." Velvet said to Rokurou.
"Nothing stops you, does it?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "There's a lot I don't understand about Magilou, but I know she won't be killed so easily. Besides, I'm sure she's already told the Abbey everything she knows about." Velvet said to Rokurou. "Which is probably just how we fight. Plus, something tells me, she's got captured by the exorcists, just so she can have some fun." Zane said to everyone. "You're both probably right." Rokurou said to Zane and Velvet.
"That means we need an ace up our leaves. Like a daemon they believe to be dead." Velvet said to everyone. "And one with an axe to grind. So it shouldn't take too much to convince him to join us. And I'm sure he'll bring Shellder along with him." Zane said to everyone, as they started to walk to the back of the cave.
After a bit, everyone found Dyle and Shellder. "What are you lot doing back here?" Dyle asked everyone. "Things didn't work out. We'll lend a hand with your raid." Velvet said to Dyle. "Feh! Awfully presumptuous, aren't cha?" Dyle asked Velvet. "I'm a daemon. Comes with the territory." Velvet to Dyle, making Dyle laugh.
"You got me there! Ah, gods, I think that's the first time I've laughed since turning daemon. But are you sure? It's suicide, you know." Dyle asked everyone. "Not if you followed our plan." Zane said to Dyle. "What plan?" Dyle asked Zane. "The exorcists have a hostage they're using to lure me and Zane into the city." Velvet said to Dyle.
"Hm, then we can sneak in through the tunnel into the storehouse…" Dyle said, but Velvet interrupted him. "No. I expect they'll have an ambush ready there. So instead, we hit them with a direct frontal assault." Velvet said to Dyle. "You call that a plan?!" Dyle asked Velvet.
"No, I call it a feint. As their forces converge on the front, a second group slips in via the tunnel, strikes the docks, and secures a ship. After that, the two groups meet up and we all sail away. And I want you and Shellder at the helm." Velvet said to Dyle. "Answer me this, then. Who's making this frontal assault of yours?" Dyle asked Velvet. "I will, naturally." Velvet said to Dyle. "As will I. The exorcist leader is looking for me and Velvet. So us, with the Pokemon, and Rokurou, should make a pretty good distraction, and get a lot of exorcists attention." Zane said to Dyle.
"That works. When?" Dyle asked Velvet and Zane. Tomorrow. Can we rest here until then?" Velvet asked Dyle. "Make yourself at home. Nothin' so comfy as a bed of tar!" Dyle said to Velvet. "Thank you." Zane said to Dyle, before everyone got ready for bed.
VELVET"S DREAM.
In Velvet's dream, Laphi was waking her up, with her dream being all white, and with the window and furigure of her room, and them in it. "Velvet… Velvet!" Laphi said to Velvet. "Laphi?" Velvet asked Laphi, not believing her eyes. "You were crying out… Were you having a nightmare?" Laphi asked Velvet, as Velvet got up, and Velvet noticed she was back to her old look.
Velvet felt happy, and hugged Laphi. "I was… Oh, Laphi, it was terrible…" Velvet said to Laphi. "Hey, c'mon, let go of me. I have to go. I have something important to do." Laphi said to Velvet, breaking the hug. "What's that?" Velvet asked Laphi. "Arthur told me to come meet him at the shrine of tranquility." Laphi said to Velvet. This surprised Laphi. Laphi left. "No, Laphicet! No!" Velvet said to Laphi, as she ran after him, but fire appeared on her hands and feet, and she was trapped. "Listen to me! Artorius is… He's going to-!" Velvet said to Lhapi, as Laphi kept walking, but then a giant hand came down on Velvet.
IN REALITY.
In the waking world, Zane slapped Velvet, waking Velvet up. "See. I told you that would solve it." Zane said to Rokurou. "Are you all right? You were tossing and turning?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "I'm fine. It was just a dream. But…" Velvet said to Rokurou, before slapping Zane. "Don't slap me again." Velvet said to Zane. "Good morning to you too." Zane said to Velvet.
"If you're all done playing around. We should get going." Ludo said to everyone. "Right." Rokurou said to Ludo. "If you don't want to go with us, I understand." Velvet said to Rokurou. "That wouldn't do. How can I repay you if you die?" Rokurou said to Velvet. "He's got a point." Zane said to Velvet. "You both ARE an odd one." Velvet said to them. "Why thank you." Zane said to Velvet. "And are we? Always thought of me as just me." Rokurou said to Velvet. "Well, I thought I was an odd one." Zane said to Rokurou.
"Velvet… who's this "Artorius"?" Rokurou asked Velvet. "Our target." Velvet and Zane said to Rokurou. "He killed my brother." Velvet said to Rokurou. "And angered the gods with his actions." Zane said to Rokurou. Rokurou and the Pokemon say nothing. They just nodded in understanding. "We're ready. Dyle and Shellder should be at the entrance." Rokurou said to everyone. "Let's get going, then." Velvet said to everyone, before they all walked to the cave entrance.
At the entrance, Dyle and Shellder were waiting for them. "Sleep well?" Dyle asked everyone. "Just fine, thanks. And your special concoction?" Velvet asked Dyle. "Ready for deployment anytime." Dyle said to Velvet. "Good. Once it goes off, that's the signal for us all to rally at the ship and take off. So make sure the ship is ready before blowing something up." Zane said to Dyle.
"At the end of the day, either we all sail together, or I make you all tombstones." Dyle said to everyone. "You've got a sharp tongue." Velvet said to Dyle, making Dyle laugh. "I've always been that way!" Dyle said to Velvet. "He has a point. We are the ones walking into an ambush, and we have to run into an inferno to escape. The odds of us living this are low." Zane said Velvet.
"Right, then. We're off to attack Hellawes!" Rokurou said to Dyle and Shellder. "Die well." Shellder said to everyone. "I don't plan to die." Velvet said to Shellder, as they left for Hellawes, and Ludo hid under Velvet's coat.
"I'm interested to see how this day ends. We'll be on the sea, or in the ground." Zane said to everyone, as they walked. "That reminds me, where do you think that boy who took the compass ran off to?" Rokurou asked everyone. "Hellawes, I'd imagine, since malakhim are always tethered to exorcists." Velvet said to Rokurou. "That means we might run into him during our attack." Rokurou asked everyone.
"Definitely. He's tethered to Teresa. So there's a chance he's going to be attacking us." Zane said to Rokurou. "Are you getting squeamish about killing the boy because you feel indebted to him for healing you, or you care for the boy?" Velvet asked the guys. "No. If he gets in the way, I'll take him down. But…" Rokurou said to Velvet, but Zane interrupted him. "He's just a kid. One controlled by a mean lady. He's not an enemy." Zane said to Velvet.
"At the very least. I'll have to thank him before killing him." Rokurou said to everyone. "Right." Velvet said, rolling her eyes. "Does that bother you all at all?" Rokurou asked everyone. "A little yes? He helped us, and he just did what he's commanded to do. Like I said. He's not an enemy." Zane said to Rokurou, with the Pokemon agreeing with him. "What about you Velvet?" Rokurou asked Velvet.
"No, not really. I just know that Malakhim doesn't taste very good." Velvet said to Rokurou, fidgeting with the ring in her pocket. "Malakhim don't suit your palate? I'll call that a positive." Rokurou said to Velvet.
Some time later, everyone made it to the gates of Hellawes. "Who goes there?!" One of the two exorcists standing guard asked everyone. "Oh, I'm pretty sure you were expecting us!" Velvet said to the exorcist, before she and Rokurou charged at the exorcists, and ran their blades through their necks before the exorcists even noticed. "Nice work. Now let's get this party started." Zane said to everyone, before opening the gate.
Inside, the city was very quiet, too quiet. "The townspeople are gone. I was right. It's a trap." Velvet said to everyone. "Then let's spring it." Zane said to Velvet, as they walked through the city.
When they reached the cathedral, that's when they noticed a large group of exorcists waiting for them. But the exorcists let them pass, letting everyone walk to Teresa, her malakhims, her Jangmo-o, and Magilou, who had her hands tied behind her back. "Well, look who actually showed up to rescue me! Aww, you're more of a softie than I gave you credit for, daemon-buddies." Magilou said to everyone, as the exorcist surrounded them. "You're here. You're the daemon that escaped the island? Where is the other one?" Teresa asked Velvet.
This made the gang realize Magilou didn't tell Teresa everything. "Why should I tell you? And what if I am?" Velvet asked Teresa. Teresa spun her staff around before pointing it at Velvet. "You hurt my dear Oscar! You will pay for that. Slowly! Then I'll find that other one and make him pay!" Teresa said to Velvet. "You won't have to look too hard to find him." Zane said to Teresa, cracking a smile, and transforming, surprising the Abbey forces.
Once Zane finished turning, surprise turned into shock for the Abbey forces. Zane then popped out his blade and slash a head off one of the exorcists. This turned shock to horror for the Abbey forces. "So are we going to fight, or are you just going to stare at me with those scared eyes?" Zane asked the Abbey forces.
That's when Liz and Saber moved out of cover and relieved themselves to everyone. Eshu then changed into his normal form, surprising everyone. "They have beasts as well? Bring out the beast!" Teresa said.
That's when five more exorcists came out from hiding, and with them was a five Pokemon, three of them where small, that looked like ice cream in a tiny ice cup, with two ice spikes on the sides of it, with a face in the rive cream, and two ice crystals as cheeks. The other two was an ice cream cone, with ice for cones, a couple ice crystals in the ice cream, and two ice spikes in the ice cream.
"So they have Pokemon with them." Zane said to everyone. "Careful. I know of those Pokemon. The small ones are Vanillite, The Fresh Snow Pokemon, A Ice Type. And the two big ones are Vanillish, The Icy Snow Pokemon, A Ice Type. All of them are known to make things cold and icy. "Attack." The exorcist said to the Pokemon, as the Vanillites fired a small gust of cold air from their mouths, and the Vanillishs fried ice spikes from the cone of their bodies.
This made everyone scatter. "Liz, poison them with Poison Gas!" Velvet said to Liz. "With pleasure." Liz said, letting out a purple mist. And it hit the exorcists and the Pokemon, poisoned them, and made them weak. "Eshu use Swift on the poisoned ones." Zane said to Eshu, as the other exorcist started to attack, and as he used his blades to block two exorcists swords.
"Sure." Eshu said, as yellow stars came out of the fur on his head. Eshu then turned around, and whipped the stars with his tail, sending them flying at the poisoned exorcists and Pokemon, knocking them off their feet and onto the ground.
With Ludo, he got hit by an exorcist shield. "Payback!" Ludo said, and he glowed black and rammed into the exorcist, sending the exorcist into a building wall. "Way to go Ludo." Magilou said, cheering for her Pokemon.
"Not back, but we can do better." Rokurou said to Saber. "I bet I can defeat more than you." Saber said to Rokurou. "You're on." Rokurou said to Saber, as he started to slash through the exorcists. "Slash!" Saber said, as he slash threw a few of the exorcists.
"What's wrong with all of you! It's only three daemons and four beasts. You all should be able to beat them!" Teresa said to the Abbey forces, making them charge again. Dodging one attack, Velvet bumped into Zane's arms. "Velvet daring as always." Zane said to Velvet. Velvet rolled her eyes. "So can I ask you for this dance of death?" Zane asked Velvet. Velvet figured out what he was suggesting, and smiled. "Sure." Velvet said to Zane, before the two started to dance like they were at a ball, dodging the exorcists' attacks.
Zane then twirled Velvet, making Velvet slash off the head of an exorcist. Zane then grabbed Velvet's hands, and started to dance again. Then they raised their hands, punched an exorcist and sent him flying. "Liz, care to give us some help with Poison Gas." Velvet asked Liz. "Eshu I could use your help with Snarl." Zane said to Eshu.
"Sure." Liz and Eshu said, before jumping on their partners shoulder, with Liz letting out a purple mist, and Eshu letting out a snarl sound and fired out a black sound pulse. All of these attacks weakened the exorcists and made them cover their ears. This made it so it was a cakewalk for Zane and Velvet, to easily cut through the Abbey forces like they were butter with their blades, all the while dancing like they were on a date and having a good time.
"Aw aren't they cute, when they're killing all your exorcists?" Magliou asked Teresa. Teresa was very annoyed by this. "I admire your endurance, and hate that you two are having fun killing my exorcists, but will regret this soon enough." Teresa said to Velvet and Zane, as she walked to them, and as Ludo moved to Magilou and started to untie her. "Oh really how?" Zane asked Teresa, with a taunting tune in his voice.
"Number Two, Number Three." Teresa said to the boy and to Jangmo-o. Number Two then started to cast a fire spell, forming a fireball, as Number Three ran to the other side of Zane and Velvet. Number Two then fired the fireball at Zane and Velvet, but it missed. "Was all you got?" Zane asked Teresa, as Number Three's tail became encased in teal energy. Number Three hit the fireball with his tail, sending it into Velvet and Zane's back. This made them fall to the ground.
"You can't finish your own work? Coward." Velvet said to Teresa, as she and Zane got up. "Yeah, I thought a holy person like you won't use such an underhanded attack." Zane said to Teresa. "I won't fall for your taunts. That arm of yours is too dangerous, and so is that blade on his arm. Besides, to dispose of daemon filth, one ought to use an appropriate tool." Teresa said to Velvet and Zane.
"Well, I've got tolls of my own. Tools of flamestone, ulfur, and oil." Velvet said to Teresa. "Those will… explode." Number Two said to everyone. "Correct kid. Next question. What happens when you give all that to a revenge seeking lizard and sea shell?" Zane asked Number Two, with a wide, wicked smile on his face.
That's when they heard a massive explosion, and could see a massive pillar of smoke coming from the docks. "What?! Our stores of flamestone!" Teresa said to everyone, before turning back to everyone. That's when Zane disappeared and reappeared next to Teresa, pulling on her staff. That's when Velvet came up and kicked Teresa. This sent Teresa flying with her weapon still in Zane's hands.
"Rokurou! Saber! Eshu! Liz!" Velvet said to everyone, as Zane tossed Teresa's weapon to the ground. "I'm with you!" Rokurou said to Velvet. "As am I." Sabor said to Velvet. "I was wondering when you'd ask." Eshu said to Velvet. "I'll cover us. Poison Gas." Liz said to Velvet, before making a cloud of purple mist at the exorcists, making them stay away. "Let's go!" Zane said to everyone, as they started to run. "Hey! Aren't you forgetting someones?!" Magilou asked everyone, as she and Ludo ran after everyone. "Yeah! What about us!" Ludo asked everyone.
This is when Teresa and the poison exorcists and Pokemon got up. "What are you all doing?! After them!" Teresa said to the exorcist, picking up her weapon. But that's when the man and the young man came running up to Teresa. "Lady Teresa! The ships…! The port…!" the man said to Teresa. "It's all on fire!" The young man said to Teresa, making her growl. "Orderlies, put out the fires at once!" Teresa said to the exorcists.
With the gang, they were running through the fire filled port, looking for Dyle and Shellder. And they found Dyle and Shellder on the ship at the end of a docking stretch. "Move it! We're ready to set sail!" Dyle said to everyone. But then a fireball came out of nowhere and hit Dyle, sending him flying on the deck.
This made everyone turn around and see Teresa, her malakhims, and her Jangmo-o Named Number Three standing behind them. "I won't let you escape! Never!" Teresa said to everyone. "Then we'll do to you what we did to your precious Oscar." Zane said to Teresa, before they all started to fight. "Magilou go check on Dyle, we need him alive." Eshu said to Magilou. "Got it." Magilou said, before getting onto the ship.
"You deceitful snake!" Teresa said to Velvet, trying to hit Velvet with her staff. "I'm a daemon. Spare me your sermons." Velvet said to Teresa, bodging Teresa's attack and kicking Teresa again, forcing Teresa back a bit. "Then you can pay with your life!" Teresa said to Velvet.
"How about we pay by giving you cuts and bruises. Eshu use Shadow Sneak." Zane said to Teresa and Eshu. "I think I know what you're planning." Eshu said, before sneaking into the shadows. Eshu then popped out of the shadow onto the other boy Teresa had with her, forcing him to the ground. "Number One, you're useless." Teresa said to the boy, before Velvet kicked Teresa in the side, moving Teresa to the side. "Number Three attack." Teresa said to Number Three, as she dodged the blades of Zane, Velvet, and Rokurou.
That's when Number Three charged at everyone, with the intent to ram his head into someone. "Saber, stop him with Metal Sound." Rokorou said to Saber. "Sure." Saber said to Rokurou, before scraping his sheath angest his blade, making a nasty sound. But Number Three was able to power threw the sound like it was nothing
"You need to relax. Hypnosis." Ludo said to Number Three, firing a purple pulse at Number Three. This made number Three sleepy, and made him slow down to hult. "Now Liz, get rid of it with Poison Fang." Velvet said to Liz. "Sure." Liz said, as her purple goo in the shape of fangs appeared in her mouth. Liz bit into Number Three's tail, and then tossed Number Three into Number Two.
"You're both useless." Teresa said to Number Two and Number Three. "You're the useless one!" Zane said to Teresa, as he started to land hits, cutting up Teresa's armor, but not doing any damage to Teresa. Zane then locked weapons with Teresa. "We're ready to go." Magilou said to everyone, as she walked off the ship.
Zane then slammed his knee into Teresa's gut, before teleporting back. "I believe. You said something about killing us slowly, right?" Zane asked Teresa, before pulling out some arrows. Zane then fired the arrows at Teresa, and on purpose, Zane made the arrow slash the sides of Teresa's arms and leg, leaving deep cuts on her, making red stains appear on Teresa's armor. Teresa then dropped to her knees in pain. "Any last words?" Zane asked Teresa, pointing his arrow at Teresa's head.
"As Exorcist Praetor Teresa, I gave you this order! Do it, Number Two!" Teresa said, making Number Two charge at everyone, with Number Two generating a fire spell. "The kid's gonna blow himself up." Magilou said to everyone. "And take us with him." Ludo said to everyone. Zane then fired his arrow at Number Two's feet, making Number Two stumble a little bit, dodging the arrow. That's when Velvet kicked Number Two to the side, before charging at Teresa, with her blade amined at Teresa's neck.
But that's when Eleanor and Joy showed up, and Eleanor blocked Velvet's attack with her spear. "To think you were a daemon!" Eleanor said to Velvet. "The crybaby exorcist?" Velvet asked Eleanor. "I wasn't crying!" Eleanor said to Velvet, forcing Velvet back. "Two praetors. Not looking good!" Rokurou said to everyone. "I don't know. I think we can take them." Saber said to Rokurou, as Teresa got up. "Joy do your thing." Eleanor said to Joy.
That's when Joy completely spun around. Then Joy sinked her eyes. This fired pink outline hearts at the Pokemon. The hearts spun around the Pokemon, and entered the Pokemon. And while Liz was unaffected by the hearts, Saber, Eshu, and Ludo's eyes turned into pink hearts and they were acting silly. "What's wrong with them?" Magilou asked everyone.
"That was Attract. A move that makes the opposite gender fall in love with you. And sinces I'm a girl, that must mean Joy is a girl as well." Liz said to everyone. "And here I thought we witches had powerful love charms. What are you going to do?" Magilou asked everyone.
Velvet noticed Number Two getting up, and popped out her claw. Velvet grabbed Number Two, with her daemon claw. Velvet lifted Number Two up a little. "Knock them back. That's an order. Knock them back, or I'll eat you!" Velvet said to Number Two. "An… Order…" Number Two said before casting a fire spell, surprising Teresa and Eleanor.
Then a burst of fire, burst out from under Teresa, Eleanor, their Pokemon, and Number one. This burst of fire sent them all flying back. "Now." Velvet said to everyone, as they all grabbed their Pokemon, and ran onto the ship, with Velvet holding onto Number Two left hand with her right hand, and took Number Two with her. "So long Ladies. Enjoy the campfire." Zane said to Teresa and Eleanor, waving goodbye to them, as the ship started to move.
Once the ship was far away but still in eye sight, Teresa, Eleanor, their Pokemon, and Number One started to get up. "Why? Why would they DO such a thing to us?!" A man asked, looking at the fire that was burning the port of Hellawes and all its ships to the ground. "We're finished… Hellawes is no more…" Another man said, in despair.
"Curse you two… Curse you both!" Teresa said, thinking of Zane and Velvet. "Such ghastly daemons. The Abbey- no, Lord Artorius himself must be informed." Eleanor said to everyone, as they watched the gang leave and the city's port burn to the ground.
Hello everyone, I hope you like this chapter. Please follow or review if you like this story. And that's it for now, the next chapter won't be for a while. But I hope these chapters are enough to get you interested in the story.