A/N: Hello, I'm back for another chapter of Blazblue Advent. It's the first anniversary of when this fanfic was born so what better way to celeberate than to upload at this day. Hope you guys enjoy this and without futher ado, let us begin!
The Melachony Surface
"Ahhhhhhh!" Vulturon yawned as soon as the early sunlight rise to his eyes as he recall what happened last night while rubbing his eyes.
"Now, I gotta make something for me and Rin." Vulturon says once he fully remember the events of yesterday as he gets out of his bed and went to the kitchen, taking a look to see what he can make for the two of them while thinking what to make for Breakfast.
"Hm, this might do." Vulturon says as he grabs some ingridients and hads to the stove to cook imideatly as once he sets the ingridients down, he calls in someone to help him.
"You need me something, boss?" A voice asked as emmerge from the floor is the dragon Reploid.
"Yeah; I need some help with the cooking and I think you can do this, Dragoon." Vulturon anwser.
"I see, and what kind of food you want me to pepare?" Dragoon asked, wonder why his boss need the reploid for help.
"Those ingridients over there." Vulturon anwser, pointing to the ingridients he perpare for the dragon before added "And make it look Japanese."
"Got it." Draggon says as the two wash their hands before get to work. The dragon new abit about japanese food so he maybe pull one perfectly. He was heating up the pan before turn to saw his boss pull some bake powder and flour into a bow "Why are you creating a different food, Boss? I thought you wanted me to make something for you."
"That one wasn't for me." Vulturon anwser, make the Dragon reploid confuse at that before the Vulture added "A guest happens to take a rest here and I thought of make something for the two of us."
"I see." Dragoon says, understand where the boss's decision come from.
"Shall I play some music for us, then?" Vulturon asked, pointing towards to the music player that he has set up in the counter beforehand.
"As long as it's a calm one, sure I can hear some music." Dragoon anwser as Vulturon went up to the music player to start the music for the day before went back to cooking.
(Cue Have a Nice Talk from Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)
Vulturon starts by putting some sugar and salt into the bowl and make sure that the ingridents are well in the center before adding some eggs, milk and stir them together and heating up the oil on the pan while Dragoon starts by mixing some ingridients together before putting them together through the pan and dealing with others ingridients while the pan were heating up the stuff that the dragon reploid left in. once Vulturon's done mixing the bowl, he immideatly pours some dough into the pan and wait until it's all cooked so he can flip to the other side while Dragoon take a sniff before pour some spice powder into the pan and mix it well together. Once they're done, they decorate their plates respectively before place it on the dining table. Vulturon's plate a tower of pancakes with some butter on the top, while Dragoon's a crispy rice dish with some crab meat, green beans, seaweeds, potatoes.
"Thank you for your help and You can rest for now, Dragoon." Vulturon says, which The dragon nods before return back to the ground as the Vulture turn off the music player.
(End song)
"I wonder if Rin wokes up or not." Vulturon says as he goes to the guest room to see how she's doing.
"Ahhhh" Speaking of Rin, the Magi girl just woke up as she looks around the room she's sleeping in as she rubs her eyes and a knock can be heard from the door.
"Rin, are you up yet?" A familiar voice asked from the other side.
"Yeah, I'm up Vulturon." Rin anwser once she recognize who's on the other side.
"Good, Breakfast's ready so go get perpared and we may leave soon." Vulturon says as he moves his way to the diner, letting Rin have some time to change her clothes as she does just that.
"Alright, Rin. This is the day that I get to explore Ragna's world and I make sure to make the best of it." Rin says, motivated herself while change her clothes.
"Well; you seem to be an early riser, eh?" Vulturon asked once Rin enters to the dining room, which consist of most standards stuffs: Chairs, tables but one thing that caught Rin's intterest was a huge chair on the corner. The table has the pancakes plate with some milk coffee on Vulturon's side and a bottle of syrup and a rice bowl on the other side with some tea.
'Why would there be a giant chair here?' Rin thought. Normally, giant chairs are unnesceary at all so for one to shows up makes her felt strange.
"Hmmm?" Vulturon hums before turn to see where Rin's looking at "If you wonder why there's a giant chair there, it's for my big brother."
"Brother?" Rin repeats, wonder what that word means.
"Since me, him and another one were adopted in the same place and have arrive to this world together, we call ourselfs brothers since then." Vulturon anwser, explain what he the means of that world while hide about their creator as much as he can. He already told her about the crisis of war in his world last night, so revealing the fact that their creator is one of them will cause uncertainty between the two.
"I see." Rin says, understand as she sits on the other side and takes a sip on her drink.
"Wow! This is excatly what I like to drink." Rin says in amaze of the bevarge.
"Thank you, Rin!" Vulturon says happily as he pours some syrup into his pancakes.
"How did you know that I love to drink tea?" Rin asked.
"I didn't. I just guessed your drink based on your appearaence." Vulturon anwser as he puts a piece of pancake into his mouth before chew on it.
"Oh, you're have to good prediction then." Rin says as the two eat their breakfast before went to Ikagura.
"…The release of the cauldron is proceeding as planned. All that is left is gathering the materials to be smelted. So, I will need Kasuchinda's Lynchpin after all." Relius mumbled to himself as he stood on the edge of the Cauldron. Down in the cauldron streched an endless so if Relius make even the slightest mistake, he will fall through with no way to come back. Suddenly, a figure appear silently next to Relius; one that he knows of.
"Imperator." Relius says as soon as she appear next to him as she moved next to Relius and stares into the Cauldron.
"I have no choice. The intervertion of the Master unit is stronger than I thought and planned." Imperator says, still somehow able to feel the Unit's strengh despite its disapperence.
"That strong?" Relius asked,
"Yes. I'm going to try and access the Takaghamara System." Impeartor anwser.
"But is it possible with its dissaperence?" Relius asked, wonder of access something that no longer esixts is possible.
"I'll give it a shot." Imperator answer.
"I see. Understood." Relius says as The Imperator steeped into the air and floated over the central of the Cauldron.
"What is Izanami doing, Relius?" A rough voice asked rudely as Relius turn to see Promethesus walking towards him.
"She's going to try and access the Takamaghara System." Relius anwser.
"I'll bet she'll failed on this one." Promethesus says evilly as The Imperator lifted one hand and slowly lowered it. Her body drifted down into the cauldron. Relius called to his creation. Fluctus Redactum: Ignis.
"Be sure to Observe carefully, you two. This could provide useful." Relius says.
"Oh, I'm paying attention it allright." Promethesus says, paying close attention to what's happening right now.
"The place is covered in snow." Jin says as he walks into a town covered with snow to the point that everywhere have snowman and iccicles that appear on the 'What's going on with this town's weather control…?'
Suddenly, Jin felt something strong that makes him grabs his chest and left eye "Nggh! Why… am i… feeling so dizzy…? Guh… what is this feeling?"
Once it's all calm down for Jin ask himself "Is it… Over?" as he regain calmness and thought for a few seconds about what just happen.
"Having a hard time under the snow, Jin?" A voice suddenly asked from behind as Jin turn to see Bifrost there, who looks at the Hero of Ikagura normally.
"Oh, it's you. Why you bother to come here, Dinosaur?" Jin asked, wonder why the Pseuderoid bother to come to this town in the first place.
"In case you didn't aware, I heard that there's something wrong with this town so I decied to take a look." Bifrost anwser as he looks around the penguins in the town before added "And I gotta say, this town looks so peaceful compare to what other towns I saw; inclduing the NOL academy, which I feel a little ."
"I guess you could say that." Jin says, feel the same way about the academy as well but not as much as the Pseuderoid "And as for your previous question, no I'm not having a hard time under the snow."
"Then could it be your power instead?" Bifrost ask. He once feel the same when try to control his ice power as well.
"It could be that." Jin anwser uncertainly "The sensation is getting sharper than before. I have to learn to control it."
"If it's about your obsession to kill your own brother, you really need to control it." Bifrost says.
"Speaking about my brother: Do you know where he and your brother are going?" Jin asked.
"Yeah, I heard they're going to Ikagura." Bifrost anwser.
"Ikagura, huh? Well then, brother is suspposed to be here, too…" Jin says.
"Since Ikagura contains multiple cities, it may take them a while to even come here." Bifrost says, remembers well about Ikagura's population.
"Then that can wait. I'll have to finish things off with Brother later." Jin says, make up his mind.
"Then who are you going to go first then?" Bifrost asked, wonder about that topic. From what his brother Buckfire told him, Jin barely makes any friends in the academy and in work so the ice Pseuderoid can't help but wonder who is Jin talking about.
"Right now Tsubaki comes first." Jin anwser as Bifrost thought back about the time that his first talk with Tsubaki and when he saw her next to the other NOLs.
'Did she join them willingly and refuse my apporach or she's been brainwashed to do their biding?' Bifrost thought. Ever since the last time he saw Tsubaki, he always have that thought cross by this mind at least twice.
"Something the matter, Dinosaur?" Jin asked, notice the Pseuderoid's expression.
"1: Don't call me Dinosaur, it's Bifrost." Bifrost says frustatingly before anwser "And 2: nothing's wrong at the slightest."
"I see." Jin says before thought back about the time he and Jubei talk about something.
"Were you able to follow the overall explanation of the Master unit and the Muramuko Units?" Jubei asked, finish his explanation of them.
"Yes, your summary of them will be overall enough." Jin answer.
"Well, the info I've got on 'em isn't the greatest." Jubei says bashfully.
"What I really want to know about is… " Jin says.
"The sealed weapon Izayoi." Jubei finish for Jin.
"Unfortunately, I don't know any details about the Izayoi. But in order to save Tsubaki,I have to destroy it/." Jin says, recall on what he has know so far about it.
"Destroy? That's kinda a reckless idea." Jubei says, felt wary of Jin's word.
"Reckless? Don't give me that. Just tell me what you know of Izayoi." Jin demands.
"You want me to do you a huge favor by telling you secret information, but you're asking in an incredibly arrogant way. Must be gentic, your brother's the same way. Fine." Jubei says in dissapointment of the younger brother's rudeness but decides to tell nonthenless "The Sealed Weapon Izayoi is a weapon prototype for the Nox Nyctores produced later. It increases the user's powerexponentially… But it expends an equivalent amount of the user's light. Actually, I should say it "costs" the user's light, since in the worst case it will cost the user's life."
"…" Jin stay silent, trying to see what other info he could get from this conservation.
"Sussposedly, it was created long ago as a weapon to combat Observers. Sorry I can't provide more details. It was a long time ago." Jubei says, fills all the thing he knows so far about Izayoi.
"What, is that all you can give me?" Jin asked, thought Jubei's speak done.
"C'mon Kid, quit yer bitchin' and lemme finish." Jubei shouts frustatingly "Keep in mind, this is all second hand information. Even the guy who told me about it had never seen it."
"Could that be more vauge?" Jin asked.
"I'm sorry, they read it in extremely old books. Even the alphabet has changed a lot since it was written." Jubei answer.
"I guess something information better than nothing." Jin says.
"According to what I heard, the Izayoi written about in those books and the Izayoi that you and I seem to know of seem to assume different forms." Jubei says.
"We seem to know of, what do you mean?" Jin asked, wonder what that means..
"Remember that giant crocodile who you battle against?" Jubei asked, recall of the time that Bifrost and Makoto fight Jin.
"Yeah, I remember. What does that guy have to do with anything?" Jin says, doesn't understand what Bifrost has anything to do with the Izayoi.
"I believe there's a chance he knows something about the Izayoi somehow and not telling us." Jubei answer, felt something the Crocodile's hiding.
"I see." Jin says in uderstand of what that meant before ask "Back to our conservation, different forms?"
"Who knows? I don't understand myself either."Jubei answer, confused about it as well "However, I do know that the weapon evolves…"
"Evolves?" Jin asked, wonder what that word means.
"Yeah, I don't know what this means either, just that it does." Jubei says.
"Hmm, a weapon that evolves." Jin says, thought about what it meant for a moment.
"I can pass you off to someone who knows more than I do. You'll have to talk to him on your own, though." Jubei says.
"Who?" Jin asked, wonder who it could be.
"Hakumen." Jubei answer.
"Hakumen?" Jin asked,.
"Yeah, hate to admit it, but he knows way more about the Izayoi than I do." Jubei answer "Hakumen is the one who had her research the Izayoi in the first place. Since he was lost right before her eyes."
"Lost?" Jin asked surprisingly.
"He's on the road to Ikaruga already. You can ask him for the details." Jubei says, ignore the question before added "Ragna's heading that way too."
"Ikagura, huh?"Jin says.
"Alright, that's enough chit-chat. Time to train." Jubei says.
"My body is ready." Jin says.
"Hahaha. I like that you welcome strict training. It's a trait you don't share with your brother." Jubei says excitedly.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's begin." Jin says, taking a battle stance.
"Haha. Let's find an open area. It's a bit cramped here." Jubei says as they continue their training once they found the open area.
'If Jubei was right, then that Dinosaur could know something that we don't know of yet.' Jin thought as he looks to see that Bifrost was helping the penguins build a snowman.
"I think this look good, right?" Bifrost asked, wonder if he did correctly or not as the penguin claps their flippers to him happiky, signalling an yes as he smiles "Well, that's good to know."
The penguin and Bifrost have some more fun As Jin thought back when he leaves Jubei.
At night, Jin was about to leave Jubei to go to Ikagura when Jubei says "Izayoi, huh? Jin…"
"What is it?" Jin asks, wonder what does Jubei want to say.
"If that girl is important to you in any way, then set aside absolutley everything you have to save her. The world included." Jubei says as he continue while closing his eye "If you're too late… all that's left are sadness and regret. And all that's waiting for you in the end is despair… Despair in the face of your own powerlessness. You don't want to succumb to that."
Jubei understand the feeling that Jin expirences ever since he first come across it from his Six Heroes comrades and ever since, don't want to let that happen again like those who had suffered it.
"You don't need to convince me. No matter what it takes, I will save Tsubaki." Jin says as he leaves Jubei, who was in thought.
"I pray, kid. I pray you're able to do what I couldn't… and save her." Jubei says.
"If she keeps using it, she'll be… Tch! To be possessed by one of those weapons…" Jin says as he suffers another attack.
'Heh… I guess I'm not one to talk. But I can say it because I understand… It's not wroth it. Having your heart eroed away by a weapon… It's not wroth it, Tsubaki! Just you wait… I will save you no matter what!' Jin thought, determined to save Tsubaki from what she's been suffering.
"First, I've gotta find Hakumen…" Jin says as a figure appear behind him.
"Major Jin Kisigari!" the figure says as Jin took a step back.
'Are they stand behind me?!' Jin thought in shock as he says "Y-you're…"
"Hibiki. It's been a long time, Major." The figure says as Hibki appear from the shadows. He wears a standard NOL costume with black and short hair and brown eyes at the pink Beastkin.
"Is something wrong, Jin?" A voice asked in worry as Bifrost walks towards to see Hibiki and Jin as he raise his guard up for the former "And you are…"
"Hibki Kohaku, nice to meet you." Hibki says politely as he understands what Bifrost eyes ment to say and continue "And don't worry, I'm not one of those NOLS at all if you think abou it, sir, so you can tell me your name."
"Are you sure or not?" Bifrost asked suspicously, taking a careful approach in case of an ambush.
"I'm postitive, sir." Hibiki answer calmly, which ease up Bifrost a bit.
"If you say so, My name is Bifrost. Bifrost the Crocodile." Bifrost says, after sometime of thinking.
"Anyways, Hibki Kokahu, the Mutsuki Family's servant. What do you want? Why did you come all this wayto a place like this… Captian?" Jin asked harshly, wonder all those things about Hibki's pressence.
"Hm hm… Harsh as always. I'm glad to find you well. And you can just call me Hibiki, Major Kisigari." Hibki says calmly as ever before turn to Bifrost "And that includes you, Bifrost."
Bifrost simply gives a nod in understanding that as Jin says "I asked what you're doing here, I doubt you came all this all way to make small talk. Hmph, lstien, Kagura's little dog. I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry. If you want someone to chat with, you can look elsewhere."
"I don't think he's here for that reason, Jin." Bifrost says.
"You are correct, Bifrost; Because I have a message from Colonel Kagura to you, Major Kisigari." Hibiki says.
"From Kagura…?" Jin asked.
"Isn't that one of the Colonels from NOL, right?" Bifrost asked, wonder if it is who he thinks as Hibiki nods his head.
"Yes on both questions. He told me to give this to you." Hibiki answer as he pulls out a letter to Jin and gives it to him.
"…" Jin didn't say anything as he was reading the letter that was just givven to him while Bifrost looks at him curiously.
"And Major Kisigari… It's 'Colonel' Kagura. I know he's dificult, but he is a surpiror office, so I want you to be at least respectful." Hibiki says, a little frustated at Jin's thought on Kagura as Bifrost gives off a confuse look. Even though he and his brother, Vulturon have been right about the fact that the NOL are suspicous, but that doesn't mean all members are that as well. Judging from what he's seeing, it seems to be safe to assume that the Colonel of NOL is also good as well.
"How difficult can he be actually, I wonder?" Bifrost ask quietly, wonder how difficult the Colonel of NOL can be.
"He's extremely difficult actually, Bifrost." Hibki answer, able to hear Bifrost's question clearly as the Pseuderoid's eye went shock and his Jaw moves down a bit.
"How you're able to hear me? I spoke in a whisper so there's no way that you could have hear it." Bifrost says, shock was still on his face.
"Because I was trained with sensetive hearing, that's why." Hibiki answer.
"I see." Bifrost says, no longer in shock anymore and replace with a curious look.
After eading the letter done, Jin thought for a few seconds before says to himself "Hmmm… Even Kagura took some bold steps."
"Most of the Duodecim Family has been heard. All that's leave is the Yaoi Family, Hazbiki Family and the Kisigari Family." Hibiki says.
"Duodecim? Isn't that the 12 families that supply the NOL and are the most elite of nobel families?" Bifrost ask, remember what he has learn about the NOL for conformation of his suspicion of it.
"Correct." Hibki answer, a little surprised that Bifrost would know something like that "I wonder how you even know that fact in the first place."
"I have a weird felling about the Libranium in the first place so I decide to do some digging about it to confirm this weird felling." Bifrost says, think back of the reason that he studys about the NOL.
"I can understand that." Hibiki says, understand the Crocodile's thoughts about the NOL.
"The rest of the Duodecim has been persuaded then? Seems like that man would excel at such tasks." Jin says after sometime of process through this fact.
"Major Jin Kisigari. As the next head of the Kisigari Family, I'd like to have your reponse." Hibiki says.
"This has nothing to do with me. Do whatever you want." Jin says.
"Whatever we want… Meaning?" Hibiki ask shockingly with wide eyes.
"Look, I'm afaird that I have no interest in the happenings of the Duodecim or Kagura, much less the fate of the NOL." Jin says, still not unintterested in the Duodecim before added "I have other things I need to do right now."
"Just as always. We agree—there are other things that must be done. Those things are certainly important." Hibki says, understand what Jin's thought is before change his expresion inro a serious one "However, the fate of the NOL is the same as the fate of the world. So what you're saying is… You're doing something more important than anything concern the fate of the world?"
"That's right." Jin answer.
"Bold move you make there, Jin. Bold move." Bifrost says. Even though he hates to admit it, but without the NOL, the world could have gone to chaos even though it's run by the evillest leaders that he knows of.
"I'm intrigued by that. What does Jin think is more important than the world?" Hibki ask, wonder what this important thing Jin speak of.
"Back off, or I'll cut you down and that's include the Dinosaur as well." Jin says, ready to attack Hibki and Bifrost as the latter let out a chuckle.
"Do you really think that you can beat me after what I did to you last time?" Bifrost asked smugly as the battle between him, Makoto against Jin flash through his mind once he brought that up.
"You were with Makoto at that time so that doesn't count." Jin answer.
"Maybe but when we got the opportunity to duel it out, I'll make sure to clobber your body up and down roughly as I can." Bifrost says maliciously.
"Better than returning to my superiors without completing the mission entrusted to me. That would be the height of incompetence." Hibki says.
"Ha… Your superiors? Don't make me laugh." Jin says, assume that was a joke.
"I don't think he's joking about this, Jin." Bifrost says.
"Yes. In a manner, they are important surperiors." Hibiki says condifently before added "He told me there was no chance you would simply say yes, so I was instructed to bring you back to him, even if I had to put a leash around your neck."
"So in other words, you will bring Jin back to your Surperior one way or another?" Bifrost asked, to which Hibiki nod at the question before add "Yeah, I don't think that a leash can do anything to this guy at all."
"I also thought of that as wll so I'll simply stay with you until you agree to come along. That's something I'm very good at it." Hibki says. Consider that his boss is a Colonel, it wouldn't be a surprise for Bifrost that he can follow someone for a very long time.
"Do you really think you can match my pace?" Jin asked.
"A man with confidence shall not lse; only doubt will bring defeat." Hibiki says, determined to follow Jin until he accepts his offer.
'Yeah, I'm not sure of that, buddy cause I experince the opposite first hand.' Bifrost thought as he recall he was confident in his final battle against the Mega Man before being destroyed.
"I remember your ability." Jin says, remembeer what Hibiki can do.
"I'm honered." Hibiki says.
'Was i… Was I just distracted? How did I not notice him…? It doesn't matter… It would be pointless to search around blindly for him…' Jin thought.
"Also…" Hibiki says.
"What?" Jin asked.
"I'm curious about your cause, Major Kisigari." Hibiki answer.
"Hibiki… What does the world mean to you?" Jin asked.
"The world? I'm not sure… It's a little too vast to understand." Hibiki answer.
"I see… Maybe my world is too narrow…" Jin says, closing his eyes to give it some thought before open them back "By the way…"
"What is it?" Hibiki asked, wonder what Jin wants to say now.
"I could cut you down without a moment's hesitation… Even if you're doing this for Ikagura, I'm impressed." Jin says, impress by Hibiki's determination.
'Now that I think about it, it is impress indeed.' Bifrost thought.
"Yes, I've been working with him for quite some time. But to be honest… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared." Hibiki says.
'Consider how strong Jin can be, having a little fear is impressive regardless.' Bifrost thought.
"Nonsense. That can't be all. Wait… this place is…" Jin says as he looks around the twon to see snow covered everywhere.
"Hgh, you must be a slow reactor for you to notice the snow around here." Bifrost mocked but Jin didn't pay attention to the Croconoid's word.
"What's wrong with the weather here? Are their weather control systems broken? How can people stand being covered in snow like this?" Jin asked on confusion the thick snow that was covered around the town "What happened?"
"Their weather control system was destroyed." Hibiki answer.
"How did that happen? Wait, this is…" Jin says, wonder how could the weather control before reaching a conclusion.
"That's right. When Ragna the Bloodedge destroyed the cauldron here, they couldn't operate the weather control anymore. It's been like this ever since." Hibiki says.
"If I have to say anything about this, it's the fact that the people who in charge of here has the worst weather control system that I have ever heard of." Bifrost says, think back of the diffrence between here and his world. In his original world, the weather systems work fine but it seems here, it needs the power from the Boundary to even work in the first place.
"We have no choice, so we have to adapt to it." Hibiki says as Bifrost shrugged in understanding.
'He destroyed the cauldron? Meaning this was was another location used for smelting… so if the cauldron was destroyed, the Muramuko Unit was…' Jin thought on where the Muramuko Unit could be in this town
"Major?/Jin, are you alright?" Hibiki and Bifrost says.
"So the cauldron here was destroyed by Ragna the Bloodedge… You're sure about that?" Jin asked.
"From what I've been told." Hibiki answer.
"Show me the cauldron." Jin says, want to take a look at the cauldron.
"Of course, Major." Hibiki says as he turn to Bifrost "Would you want to see the Cauldron, too?"
"As tempting that sounds, I have to pass this one." Bifrost answer.
"Understood. Let's go, Major." Hibiki says as he and Jin head towards the Cauldron while Bifrost stay back to have some fun with the penguins.
'Wonder how Jin's going to cure Tsubaki out of the Izayoi, then?' Bifrost thought.
Vulturon and Rin were travelling through the woods as they make their way to Ikagura, where they will eventually meet Buckfire and Ragna at. As they were travelling, the two take a good look around the area around them and felt beautifulness of the area that their walking.
"So what do you know about this world, Rin?" Vulturon asked suddenly, which cause Rin gasped in shock of what she just heard. She make sure to not let loose the slightest indication of her knowledge about this world that gets talk by Ragna so for someone to know this immideatly make her felt scared for what's to come.
"W-what are you talking about?" Rin asked nervously but calmly.
"I talk to Hyenard and Fenri for a bit while I was waiting for you and they mention about how you show up to them after they talking about a friend of mine." Vulturon anwser, remember what they talk about before Rin comes up to confront them.
"But what does that have to mention anything about my knowledge of this world?" Rin asked, trying to be calm as soon as she can in front of the Pseuderoid.
"That's because what I heard from them about the Holy Grail War and the fact that your last name's family have a part of it." Vulturon anwser calmly as always before added "Since you're families a part of the founder of the war, it make sense that you have some involvement into it and to add in top of that; the latest war mention summon people from other worlds to serve for the masters, I think that the possibility that you know someone here is possible so am I right or am I wrong?"
Rin took some time to think carefully on what Vulturon just said and what she needs to do. She can lie but since Vultures have sharps visions, Vulturon included, he may able to pick it up. Run away from him seems like an option but without the Vulture, she can't go back to her world. She can fight him but he can summon others to beat her up. So she has only one option left.
"You are right." Rin says with a sigh as she looks at Vulturon proudly "You're sharper than you look. I thought that you're only about music and revive stuff."
"People tend to assume that but between my brothers and I, I'm the smartest and the joyest of them." Vulturon says smirkly, love it when he proves people wrong.
"I guess looks really can't tell someone correctly then." Rin says.
"You said it." Vulturon says.
"But does that mean that you're friends with Ragna, right?" Rin asked, rember what the Vulture said before.
"Yep, me and him meet up each other some time before the year rolls up a few weeks ago." Vulturon anwser.
"You mean this year's a new year, right?" Rin asked.
"Yes, the year now is 2200." Vulturon anwser.
"So this place would have been more advance if it weren't for that event that you mention last night, right?" Rin asked, shocked that this world's year is older than her world.
"Could be that or something else." Vulturon answer, unsure of what could have been. He only been here from some years so he isn't sure about that. Time sometimes can be unpredictable at times so whether it's gonna be a bunch of ruins or an advanced city is up to imagination and people all over the years.
"As for your question before hand, I know only a few stuff about this world." Rin says, remember only a few things Ragna told her about.
"Such as?" Vulturon asked, wonder what this Magi knows of.
"The forrest and the ocean been polluted by a subtance that you called Sethir that makes it near impposible to walk or swim here." Rin answer. Due to her magic skills, she can survive the sethir allright.
"Yeah that's true." Vulturon says, remember how there barely any creature around here anymore and that was the reason why Bifrost became the Forrest protector in the first place "and."
"The Hierhechical Cities and the fact that the nobles and the Library officals live at the top, while the bottom consist of people who able to survive the Sethir." Rin says, finish off what she can remember.
"And how does one travel between cities then?" Vulturon ask "I mean, since it's near impposible to do walk through the forrest in the first place, Ragna would at least mention how to travel that doesn't involve forrest at all."
"Through airships if I recall correctly." Rin answer.
"Then you're correct." Vulturon says as they continue their walk through the forrest until he caught sight of something familiar.
"Something wrong?" Rin asked.
"Nothing's wrong, I just caught glimmise of something familiar." Vulturon answer as he and Rin make their way to the location to see that it's where he met Ragna two days ago.
"Where is this place?" Rin asked in confusion.
"This Is where I last met Ragna." Vulturon answer as he looks around the area to see nothing change but the atmosphere, which was odd for a bit.
"When was that?" Rin asked.
"2 nights ago, when he visited here alone and before I find your world." Vulturon answer.
"What happen here?" Rin asked.
"He was talking with an acquantice of ours, who and others are with her are mocking him until I intterupted them." Vulturon answer, thought back about that time and how it went.
"Who is the acquantice?" Rin asked.
"Rachel Alucard, a short and Vampire girl who help us on the way." Vulturon answer "She was the one who saved Ragna from his past issues if you know what I mean, but tends to act haughty and arrograntly to Ragna and sometimes others as well from my experince, including me as well."
The Vulture has little knowledge of what Rachel trully is. She always act so cruel towards Ragna but Vulturon remember once see Rachel looking at Ragna quite differently before looking down like she cares him for a few seconds.
"I see." Rin says, having mix feelings about Rachel now. While Rachel save Ragna from almost dying but that doesn't make an excuse to be cold to everyone else. In her world, Rin has to be cold to everyone to make sure that no knows about her being a Magi but since she's in this world, she'll need to adapt here instead.
"Hey Rin, do you know why I make the challenge be a fight before I let you go into our worlds?" Vulturon asked, wonder if she knows his reason for sussget that in the first place.
"It's because of the fight agianst the NOL that you and Ragna are going up agianst, right?" Rin says, able to figure out the reasoning.
"Yes and no." Vulturon answer, which make Rin confuse of what he means before he continue "Yes in the fact because of the fight agianst the NOL and no in fact that me and Ragna are going agianst it. There are some others as well, including my brothers and some NOL traitors as well. Since you're here for Ragna, does that mean that you want to help us too, right?"
"I see and yes, I want to help you guys in your fight just to see Ragna again." Rin says in understand and relief that some people are helping them as well. A war with a Government would be consider a hard one without some backup so to know that there are some in this war help ease Rin's mind as she turn to see the burned church "Is that where Ragna used to live?"
"Could be, want to go and take a look around it?" Vulturon says, want to ignore this feeling for a moment as Rin nods and the two make their way to the church to take a good look around it.
At the garden of the Alucard Mansion, Rachel was sipping tea as usual, try to calm her head down.
"This weird feeling. It likes I know it but still fet strange to me, what could it possibly mean?" Rachel asked herself on that feeling before felt a pressence of someone she thought would never meet again.
"Helllo, Rachel Alucard. I never imagine to meet you back here." A familiar voice says before laughed evilly as the little Vampire turn to see an old face. This person is simmilar to Rachel, that they have red eyes, blonde hair and gothic clothing style but this person is from another world.
"I never imagine you come back here as well, Eltnam." Rachel says in surprise that someone from her world just come back here as he sits on the chair "What buissness do you have here?"
"It seems that an unkown actor just came to your world and participate into your show like that time before hand." Eltnam answer evilly, recall the time that Ragna was transported to his world to parcitapate into.
"Wow, that's unfortunate." Rachel says in shock before compose herself "Very well, where is that person? I'm going to send them back to your world."
"If it were that easy, I would have done it myself." Eltnam answer if it were obvious.
"So why didn't you?" Rachel asked, wonder what's hard about doing such a simple task.
"That person didn't accidently transport to here at the sligthest, she was transferred with someone's help." Eltnam answer as he opens a vision for Rachel to see Vulturon and Rin checking the burned chruch.
"I should expect that the Vulture has something to do with this." Rachel says, surprise that Vulturon can able to bring someone from the other side.
"You know that bird?" Eltnam asked.
"Yes, his name is Vulturon and he has some involvement into the war that's happening right now." Rachel answer, recalls the time of his involvement.
"War? Like the Holy Grail War?" Eltnam answer, wonder what war this world has.
"No, as in the war against the NOL." Rachel answer straightly.
"I see, so that means that he has some involvment in this world so far." Eltnam says.
"Yes, he has done some stuff that even surprise me so far." Rachel says.
"Such as?" Eltnam asked eagerly.
"Convice someone to change an event that sussposed to happen and fight agianst a Muramuko unit, a very strong one." Rachel answer, recall the time that he able to convince Litchi to change her mind and his fight with Makoto against Nu.
"SO HE'S NO PUSHOVER, THEN?" Eltnam asked maliciously. He was wondering if Vulturon is a pushover but with now with the knowledge of his strengh been brought up, he may have a tough time to battle the Vulture.
"Yes, he's a strong one indeed." Rachel answer as she thought about it for a moment about Rin's choice "Maybe she asked him to come to this world then?"
"That could be it." Eltnam answer as he notice Rin's calm face. Normally, when someone brought someone else from another world, that person would almost be freak out or affarid for what's to come. Sure, Rin is strong but with new world threats lurking around, things may be tough for her so for her to act calmly make it seem possible.
"Why don't you sit here and watch the girl then? It might be helpful for you." Rachel asked.
"Oh, with pleasure." Eltnam answer as he laughs evilly before sits down and have some tea, watching Rin's progress in this world.
"How do you know the story of Ragna's life though?" Rin asked, wonder how the Vulture able to know it in the first place.
"One of my brother gets to hear it but in exchange, he must not tell anyone belong to the NOL about it at all." Vulturon answer, think back of the phone call that Buckfire made for him a few years ago.
"Why would Ragna make that choice to your brother then?" Rin asked.
"Because he used to member of the NOL himself before he change sides, that's why." Vulrturon answer, continue to look through the burn woods.
"I see, and because of Ragna that makes your brother change side, right?" Rin ask.
"Sort of, me and the other brother has some invovlment to it as well." Vulturon answer.
"You seem to care a lot about your brothers." Rin says as she thought back about her sister, Sakura. Like with Vulturon, she cares deeply about her sister before she moves away to another family. Despite not showing it to everyone else in her world, deep down, Rin hopes that Sakura lives a better life without her sister by her side on the other side.
"Of course I am. We're the only members left of the family that gets into this world so we took care of each other quite well." Vulturon says with a soft smile as he thought back of the years that leave up to this time. Since they never experince the outside world in their home world, they get to make memories together in this one and they make use of it while still possible. Even to this day, when they get an opportunity, they will still do it as well before added with some sadness "And I'm sure that Ragna's family does as well before that event comes."
"I think so too." Rin says, sad as well at the unfortune of Ragna's life before remember something last night "That reminds me, what event that you mention last night to cause such a thing?"
Vulturon stay quiets for a moment. He mentions beforehand about war and combine with the fact that he was invovled with one of them before gets into this new one make him a little bit worried as he sighs a bit before answer "An event called the 'Dark War'."
"The Dark War?" Rin repeats, wonder if she heard right.
"Yes, a war that caused destruction for about 10 years and the sole reason why countries are no longer a thing." Vulturon says, thinks about the details of the war itself. With so much has happen, it felt a little hard for the Vulture to remember correctly but he'll try his best.
"W-what happened?" Rin asked, shocked that an event can make something out of existence in the first place.
"Let me ask you something first: What do you know about Ragna's right arm?" Vulturon asked. Even though this info sounds minor, but in reality, it's very important.
"Well, I know his arm was being given to him after his tragedy and it felt like a machine instead of an arm." Rin answer, think back of the time that she heals Ragna after a battle they have fought "is it because something involve the war that you mention it?"
"Yes, it contains a powerful artifact that was belong to the cause behind the war in the first place: The Azure Grimoire." Vulturon answer.
"Consider how Ragna uses it during the war in my world, it make a bit sense why you mention that, Vulturon." Rin says, think back of when Ragna fights in her world.
"Yeah." Vulturon says, understand what she means "Anyway, back to details. The cause that create Dark War is a beast called the Black Beast. A very weird one to say the least."
"A weird one?" Rin repeat, wonder what that world means.
"It just suddenly appeared in Japan On Januray 1 of 2100 and it begin to destroy Japan and the heads of other nations." Vulturon says, remember back the details of the war itself "Despite that, it wasn't the reason that caused destruction of Japan in the first place."
"Let me guess, Nucelar Weapons, right?" Rin asked after giving some time to thought. In her world, nucelar weapons are starting to create so for a decade later in this world, it would make sense for it to be the case.
"Yes and it was aimed for the Black Beast itself, but it didn't even do a damage to it and because of that, Japan was destroyred as a result." Vulturon answer.
"That's really sad so what happens after that?" Rin asked, felt sad for Ragna's world now.
"It goes to Eurasia, cause the war and continue its destruction until 5 years and 11 months later." Vulturon answer.
"What happen that time?" Rin asked, wonder what happen during that time.
"Before I get to that, I want you to answer me: Do you know what Ragna call himself as?" Vulturon says.
"He's called himself as Ragna the BloodEdge if I remember correctly." Rin answer, recall back to her and Ragna's first meeting. "Is this important for you to ask?"
"Yes and The Reason why this is important is because the hero who sacrificed himself is also calls that name as well." Vulturon answer, remember the buried info that he was able to dig it out to know it.
"What happened to Bloodege, then?" Rin asked, wonder of how Bloodedge sacrifice himself.
"The Black Beast suddenly come back to Japan on December of 2106 so the people around that area need to find a way to stop its carnage and find a way to defeat it once and for all. So Bloodedge went to battle against the Black Beast and able to kill its heart, but been devoured along the way, making the Beast stops it rampage for about 3 years." Vulturon answer.
"I see, and during the 3 years, the people must have find a way to defeat the Black Beast before it can comeback." Rin says, which Vulturon nods at this.
"Yes, it eventually comes back once the 3 years have over but the people have been perpare and it is been killed for good by a group called the Six Heroes." Vulturon says, finish off everything he needs to say about the Dark war "And with it's defeat means the Dark War has officially over."
"At least this one has a good ending, I guess." Rin says with some relief on her voice. Usually, wars are dark without a good ending but this one is the closest thing to come. Even the war Rin has to take back in her world is dark as well.
"Yes and ever since then, the world has developed to become what it is this day." Vulturon says, shifting his gaze to the blue sky for some relief view after staring at the burned woods for so long with a small smile on his face but after a while, he put a finger to his cheek "Although, I heard that the jacket and sword that Ragna has happen to be belong to Bloodegde but that's just a rumor, nothing concrete as far as I can tell."
"Consider that Ragna takes under Bloodedge as his last name, chances are that rumor could be true after all." Rin says, thought about it for a bit.
"Could be, indeed." Vulturon says, can't help but feel that as well.
"So, what happens to the group that you mention?" Rin asked, curious of the Six Heroes's lives after the war as Vulturon's lip turn sad once again.
"They lives normally but tragedy happen when one of them betray the others." Vulturon answer normally at first but turn cold when he mention the last part.
"W-What?" Rin gasped in shock of what she just heard.
"Yeah, that person was already born evil into him so one of the members who goes by the name of Nine the Phantom cast a spell call Mind Eater on him so that he can be use a puppet for the Dark War and end it once and for all." Vulturon says, explain the details that he can learn about Terumi.
"I see, and later on, this person was manupilate another member into relase of the curse, right?" Rin says, combine what she hears so far to make a conclusion on what Vulturon says earlier.
"Yes and after that, he kills that person along with Nine, throw their bodies away into a place called the Boundary and went on to find the next 2 members to kill them as well." Vulturon answer.
"But let me guess, they perpared before hand, right?" Rin asked, have a feelling where the Vulture's getting at. Normally if you were reported that two members of your team is been killed, the others will make a way to stop what's about to come next after as Vulturon nods at the question.
"Yes, they take him by surprise and eventually, sealed him away for a long time after." Vulturon says.
"What do you mean by the last words exactly?" Rin asked in skceptical. Normally if someone's been sealed away, they usually been there for the rest of their lives away so for Vulturon to say something odd make it felt something bad is gonna happen next.
"Because that person somehow comeback years later." Vulturon answer.
"How did you know this?" Rin asked, wonder how he knows about this in the first place.
"You can tell how from where we are standing and Ragna's tragedy." Vulturon answer, emphasize on the burned church as a hint for Rin to solve his answer.
"What are you—" Rin says, wonder what the Vulture means but stop to give it some thought on what does Vulturon really mean until an idea pop on her head once the hints are connected on her mind "Wait, does that mean that the traitor of the group and the person who ruined Ragna's life are the same person?"
"Yes, they're the same person." Vulturon answer.
"So, does that mean that he still living as we speaking?" Rin asked, a hint of angry on her voice.
"Yes and as a matter of fact, he's reside in a body called Hazama, who happens to be the Captain of the NOL as well." Vulturon answer.
"You said body, does that mean that he's a spirit now, right?" Rin asked once she notice a word that Vulturon speaks.
"Yes, that's right." Vulturon answer.
"So, what's his name then?" Rin asked, onder what kind of name does this man have.
"Yuuki Terumi, that's his name." Vulturon answer as he looks up to see the sun is starting to go down "Well, shall we keep going?"
"Sure, let's go." Rin answer as she and Vulturon walk out of the church to continue to their destination.
'I can see why Ragna lives rough now, it makes me want to hug him for comfort and never let him suffer again if I can. I hope you're doing well yourself, Ragna.' Rin thought while walking with Vulturon in front of her.
"Ah, so Rin decides to help the others into the war against this NOL, am I right?" Eltnam asked eagerly after hearing all of that done.
"It seems like it." Rachel answer, feels unsure abiut this event.
"Although I'm surprise that the Vulture knows a lot of things when he susppose to play music instead." Eltnam says, impress by the knowledge the Vulture's hold.
"Consider his stature, I think he need to make up power for something else and intelligence seems to be his cup of tea and he excels at it." Rachel says. After observing the three brothers for a while, she can see the diference between them that makes them stand out ftom each other.
"Seems like it, then." Eltnam says "So with her present, do you think that this shift will be different or not?"
"Depends on her action but I wonder how this shift will play out more than it already is." Rachel answer.
"What do you mean exactly by that?" Eltnam ask, intterest on what the little vampire has to say.
"What I mean by it is that usually, our shift will follow a certain route set by the Master Unit." Rachel answer "and the Vulture and others are never in the other shifts that follow this one at all but thanks to them, it's become unpredictable for what's to come now."
"So this will be a show we'll never forget, right?" Eltnam answer with a grin on his face.
"Yes, it will be." Rachel answer as the moon on the mansion still glows as time went on.
"Ohhh! We finally made it! Whew, I'm so stiff." Makoto says as she, Noel and Tager arrived to a city next to as she introduce the town to her friend "This is the 7th Hierarchial City Kazamotsu. Well known for their rich cheese and thick-sliced bacpn pizza! They're really good!"
"Yeah? Let's go get some later, Makoto!" Noel says, want to have a taste of the cheese and pizza in Kazamotsu.
"This isn't a sightseeing expidition." Tager says, remind them of their reasoning to be here.
"Awww!" Noel and Makoto shouts in dissapointment before the later asked "Maybe just one or two places?"
"Makoto… Tager's right. We're not here to play around." Noel says in sadness.
"Nollers…" Makoto says, dissapoint at her friend's aggree with the Red Devil.
"Let's just settle for going to that pizza joint over ther." Noel says, pointing towards the pizza joint a few meter away drom them.
"Wait a minute!" Tager shouts, notice something wrong and flinch Makoto and Noel.
"Whoa, Tager's on the ball, isn't he?" Makoto says.
"Wow…" Noel says.
"C'mon you two…" Tager says, turn his face back to the two girls.
"But… But Tager, look at the time. And we still have a while before we leave for Yakibo… C'mon, it's okay, right?" Makoto says.
"Yeah, the sun's about to set. I wonder what time the city's intercoming ropeways stop running…" Noel says.
"The ropeways here stop running once the sun goes down, since there's a place with a high concentration of seithr in the middle." Tager says, inform in why they can't use the ropeways.
"Well, that means we're spending the night here!" Makoto says with spark in her eyes. "Officier Noel! I will be your guide!"
After Makoto walks to the other side, Tager says "Being a commanding officer… is different than I expexpected."
"By the way, Tager…? Why didn't we go straight to Yabiko?" Noel asked, wonder why they arrive here but not their destination.
"Oh, that… The 6th Hierarchical City of Yakibo has the most heavily guarded port of all the hierarchical cities. They would shoot down a Sector Seven ars magus vessel without any questions." Tager answer, explain why they can't go straight to Yakibo at all. "However, the 7th Hierarchical City of Kazamotsu is a tourist city. Even our ship can make port here without issue. Plus, it's relatively safe here. The two of you are wearing the Library uniforms, but even then, we wouldn't have too many problems getting around."
"That makes sense. With so many people around, we probably don't stick out much," Noel says, give it some thought before ask "Do you think that Ragna and Buckfire will come here or not, Tager?"
"Depends if their contact is here, otherwise they could be anywhere else around Ikagura for all we know." Tager answer. He only heard that the two are going to Ikagura but what location is Kokonoe's contact in is unknown.
"I see." Noel says in understanding of what the Red Devil mean before look at something she isn't expecting "Huh?"
"What is it, Noel?" Makoto asked once she arrive to the two before look at the Watefall "Whoooa! Look at that waterfall! If you fell, you'd be a goner for sure."
"Oh, not that. Further out. That tower… what is that? I wonder…" Noel says curriously, pointing at the tower that caught her intterest.
"Tower..?" Makoto says, wonder what Noel means when she takes a look around her surronding "Noel! Tager!"
"Indeed… We're surrounded. looks like sightseeing time is over, you two." Tage says as he and Makoto surrond Noel for the NOL soilders that are in the crowd.
"Out of the crowd there's 14… No, 16 of them." Noel says, counting the numbers of the NOL members in the crowd.
In the tense atmosphere, one man has gotten close to the trio. Noel and her companions notice him in one glance. They wonder who this man in the strange ouffit and who the people surronding them are.
"Lieutenant Noel Vermillion, Lieutenant Makoto Nanaya and the Red Devil of Sector Seven." A NOL soilder says as soon as he notice the trio "You will be apprehended. Resistance is useless. Come with us quietly."
Meanwhile, Amane and his group members were walking by as he look at the sun and says "Oh, how elegant! It's somehow even more gorgeous than I remember!"
"You've been here before, Leader? This is our first time!" a member of Amane's group asked, wonder if what the leader say true or not.
"Oh, yes. More than a few years ago. It's been quite some time. I affaird I don't remember." Amane answer.
"I see. We've mad arrangements for accommodations. Luggage has already been taken there." The member reports back.
"I'm grateful. You are the soul of helpfulness." Amane says gratefully.
"It's no trouble. Please rest until your performance. We will handle your errands." The member says, doesn't bother to do the chores at all.
"We're not here to perform, my dear." Amane says straightly.
"Hm? Then why…?" The member asked, wonder why are they here then.
"Think of this as a reward for all your hard work. A vacation. Call it what you will, my dear. You should take some time and relax!" Amane answer.
"Oh! Leader!" The members says gratefully as he hugs Amane out of joy.
"Ahhh! What? Careful! Please don't crush my outfit!" Amane says.
"Thank you, Leader! We'll always be your side!" the member say tearfully, grateful that he and the others are getting a break.
"I know, my dear. I know. Please go tell the others." Amane says.
"What will you be doing, Leader?" The member asked, wonder what Amane will do now.
"I have some minor business to attend to, my dear." Amane answer.
"If you need anything, please let us know. We will head to our lodgings. Do take care, leader." The member says.
"Yes. Relax, enjoy your vacation!" Amane says.
"I'll take my leave." The member says as he leaves and Amane turns to the other side.
"Now… Carl Clover, my dear, where might you be?" Amane ask himself on where the young Clover could be.
"Leader!" A young girl, who just happen to be one of Amane's member, shouts.
"Leader!" Another young member shouts as well.
"Hm? Oh, what's wrong?" Amane asked, wonder what makes the two members shout.
"We saw a devil!" The first one says.
"A Devil!" The second one says.
"A devil, eh? Was it THAT devil?" Amane asked, wonder if the devil that the girls saw is the same one that he thinks of.
"Uh-huh. He's bright red and suuuper big." The first girl answer.
"Suuuper big." The second girl repeats.
"He was so scary…" The firwst girl says, still terrified by the Red Devil.
"So scary…" The second girl repeats, feel the same as well.
"Oh my, that must have been a sight to behold! And where is the big bright red scary devil now?" Amane asked.
"We think he got arrested! Dragged away!" The first girl answer, think bacxk of when Tager, Noel and Makoto's situation.
"Arrested and dragged away." The second girls repeat.
"Dragged away? Which way was that?" Amane asked, wonder where Tager is been dragged now.
"That way…." The second girl answer, point towards the direction.
"You two head back to the hotle for now, my dears. I'll take care of the Red Devil." Amane says.
"Understood. Good luck, Leader!" The first girl says, hope the leader will be allright.
"Good luck, Leader!" The second girl says as the two leave for the hotel.
"The Red Devil, huh? Oh, I love a good twist!" Amane says delightfully as he heads there immideatly, hope to find some business with Tager.
A/N: And that is the end of this chapter. To be honest, there was susspose to be some scenes in the 3rd episode of sector seven that was orriginally gonna be part of the chapter but I rewatch the scenes again to find it's allign to a later scene so I'll hold it back until then. Hope you guys enjoy the chapter. See you guys next time!