Chapter 9 - 8 - Excaliburs (1/2)
* * * * *
In the streets, a young Sasuke could be seen running through it and his face was ashen with horror as he saw the scene of carnage before him.
”What is this?”
Sasuke ran to his house, screaming for his parents.
”Father! Mother!”
However, when he pushed open the door, what he saw was his older brother, with a sword in his hand, standing over his dead parents.
Sasuke's underfoot was wet with crimson liquid. The two bodies lay there, their clothes covered in blood.
The bleeding amount was outrageous, and it was not only because of the setting sun that made just about everything red.
”Nii-san, what is the meaning of this?”
Itachi slowly closed his eyes.
”Foolish little brother...”
Tsukuyomi!
The next moment, Itachi could be seen standing on a street lamp; and he finally turned his back towards the village, as a single tear left his eye.
- - - - -
”Forgive me...Sasuke.”
- - - - -
Nii san...
It was already late afternoon and Sasuke had decided to sleep in for the day.
[ Yo partner. You are finally awake. ]
A red gauntlet appeared on Sasuke's right arm.
Why so sudden?
[ Just came to warn you. I sense that the White One is already in this town. As I said before, those who possess the power of Dragon will attract strong foes. And, the fight between you and the White One is inevitable. ]
A guy who possesses a similar Sacred Gear huh--
[ So, have you considered it already, Partner? The fight with the White One will happen soon. The power of the Boosted Gear is necessary. ]
Sasuke grabbed the sleeve of his missing arm as various thoughts went through his head.
At that moment, Sasuke's phone, which Rias had given him when she moved into the apartment, started to vibrate.
- - - - -
Why did she call me for this...
Sasuke was back in the Occult Research Club, where he was witnessing--
”Thank you for agreeing to speak with us. My name is Xenovia.” A blue haired girl wearing a Priest Robe introduced herself.
”I'm Shido Irina!” A girl with twin tails wearing similar outfit also introduced herself.
Akeno started explaining the situation to Sasuke; about the Holy Sword project and the Holy Swords.
Rias folded her arms under her ċhėst.
”I wonder why followers of God would want to meet with a devil?”
Irina replied Rias's question.
”Of the 6 swords with known whereabouts, the church still has 3 of them, but 3 were stolen by Fallen Angels.”
Xenovia proceeded to take out a sword.
”The ones we have left are Excalibur Destruction and Excalibur Mimic.”
”Then, what do you want us to do?”
”The problem at hand is between the fallen angels and us. We don't need the devils in this town to intervene.”
Rias then spoke with a tone that underlined a hint of anger.
”Are you saying we will side with the fallen angels and do something about the Holy Swords?”
Her eyes started glowing red.
”There is no way I would join the fallen angels. I would never do anything that besmirch the name of the House of Gremory.”
Xenovia smiled.
”It's enough just to hear that.”
”We'll take our leave then.” The two girls stood up and proceeded to leave, however--
Xenovia suddenly turned around and looked at Asia.
”Are you Asia Argento?”
Asia was stunned for a moment as she stuttered.
”Oh, uh, yes...”
Xenovia started frowning.
”I didn't think I would meet a witch here.”
”For someone who had been called a Saint to be a devil...There is no saving a rotten egg.”
Asia started trembling as she grabbed the hem of her skirt.
”U-um, I...”
Sasuke was leaning against the wall per usual while he listened to their conversation.
”You know, you two have been so arrogant ever since you came here.”
Suddenly, a voice issued out and the two girls turned around.
”Who are you?”
Kiba glared at them.
”I'm your senior.”
”Hmmm...are you challenging us right now?”
Kiba then replied with a determined expression.
”This is perfect. I will take you on.”
”Yuuto...” Rias could only watch as her beloved servant challenged the girls.
Holy Sword--
This should be interesting.
- - - - -
”Let's have fun, without killing each other.”
Xenovia had changed into her battle gear and took out her Excalibur; as she faced Kiba, who started laughing.
”What's so funny?”
”Yeah, because the thing I wanted to destroy more than anything appeared before my eyes.”
Kiba also took out his sword and stabbed it into the ground. From there, multiple swords burst forth.
”Sword Birth huh? I remember now. There was a test subject in the Holy Sword Project who escaped disposal.”
Test subject? So this guy is the one who survived that Holy Sword Project.
Sasuke and the rest of the Occult Research Club members were standing at the side as spectators.
- - - - -
However, within 5 minutes, Kiba had fallen to the ground.
”Your only weapons are the different swords and your speed.”
”You should fight me when you are more rational next time, Senpai.” Xenovia stared down at Kiba, who was lying on the ground.
As Xenovia turned to the Occult Research Club members, her eyes landed on an individual.
She pointed at Sasuke.
”You are the Sekiryuutei right? Although you are a human, and yet you are hanging out with devils.”
However, Sasuke's mouth did not move.
”Hmph, I see you also carry a sword.”
Her gaze landed at the place where Sasuke's left arm was supposed to be.
”Your arm...”
”I am very interested in fighting the Sekiryuutei but I don't wish to bully a person with only one arm as well.” Xenovia started racking her brains.
”How about it? We will fight only with sword skills? Unlike my fight just now, I will not use the special abilities of Excalibur Destruction. We will duel each other with only our swords. Unless, you are too scared?”
Finally, Sasuke spoke.
”You seem very proud of your sword skills. Very well, I'm also interested in the Holy Swords.”
- - - - -
Sasuke and Xenovia were separated with 50 meters between them while facing each other.
”Well then, both sides have finished their preparations.”
Irina ended up being the referee for the match even though there was no point to it.
”Then...begin!”
Holy Sword User...
And then above all...how skilled is she really...
Xenovia swung the sword right from the front.
Towards that attack-
Sasuke felt a huge let-down.
That attack was something like, 'henyaa'
Sasuke evaded leisurely so as not to let the Holy Sword touch him. And then, he poured on a counter of a single stroke of Katana.
Xenovia was blown off.
”What the...”
With a quick step, Xenovia unleashed her usual strong sword.
Her expression started becoming more serious.
She leaped at Sasuke by utilizing the momentum her legs gained from pushing off the ground but Sasuke was able to completely foresight her movement and obstruct her right from the front; he redirected her sword and destroyed her posture with his skill.
Xenovia righted her posture fȯrċɨbŀƴ and counter-attacked Sasuke.
The Excalibur she was holding started pulsing and overflowing with destructive power.