31 Chapter 31 (1/2)
Lucifer`s Estate. Courtyard.
When the agreement regarding the situation with Kokabiel was reached, Alex and his companions actually let out a collective sigh of relief, for it was the major improvement of the relations between all 3 factions and a total avoid of the start of a new war between them, which was something of an another level of diplomacy. Now the factions had a collective enemy to deal with for he is threatening them and it was now Alex`s job to do what he always were best at- clean up another mess made by someone and ensure the world peace.
Basically, the very same thing that he and his friends were doing all the time, only difference from those days is the fact that Alex and his guys were paid for their job. When Alex actually contemplated a bit about it, he might have start charging Devils for dealing with crap on their territory. Because, knowing just how this world operates and what shit happens here, people like Alex and his gang will never run short of work to do and they might just have to do a living through this. And Alex did, just like his guys also do, and it was a good living, as they were paid handsomely and without any delays or problems. And then there was also the level of care put for the workers: health insurance, social support and support for the young parents and their children, vacations in good places and with the company paying for it. Seriously, despite how bat-shit messed up the job was, Alex`s division was working in very good conditions and their boss was the one they could ask for. Lucifer had a feeling that working for the safety of Devils wouldn`t be a well-paid or manageable. After all, only in Grigori you got the life insurance with condition ”Was injured/hurt/killed during cleaning up another shit for the better of the world.”
Getting back from the memories of good, well-paid and ensured days, Alex returned back to the rest of the friends and he was actually surprised when he heard that Arturia actually challenged Xenovia to a fight. What surprised him even more was the fact that Scathach decided to join in the duel, when Irina went out and joined Xenovia. Apparently, his wife decided to defend Alex`s honor and dignity, for Irina openly has offended Alex, Celts and Scathach. Alex knew that his wife wasn`t someone who would ever let it just slide without payback. And Irina was going to receive it now, along with Xenovia for insulting Asia and the others, along with the fact that she really had it coming. If anything Alex would be more than happy to oblige and deal with her with his own Clarent Avenger, but it was probably best that it was Arturia that would kick her ass.
All because Alex was feeling a bit weary to fight against Xenovia, not because of her skill with the sword, for Alex did know how those Exorcists were trained and he personally had to hold his own against a couple of swordsman from their ranks back in the days and now he was 10 times stronger and faster than back then. No, the reason for his weariness were those swords, Excaliburs, for they were whispering to Alex without anyone even noticing, only Lucifer was the one who also heard the voices from the swords. Unfortunately, their voices were incoherent and sounded like a white noise of some sorts. It was… troubling, especially the fact that Lucifer felt that there was something really wrong about those swords, something… absolutely and completely wrong. Like something whole was mutilated, broken and ripped apart and then put together in several other beings, but even before there was something that happened with this artifact.
That all was making Alex and Lucifer feel on edge a little, as they were watching how Arturia and Xenovia were getting in their positions and how Scathach's spears were swirling around as she carefully, akin to predator was approaching Irina. Rest of the audience was also near, with Sona and Griselda standing right near Alex and watching with the interest as well. Sona was the first one to speak up.
”Alex is it wise to allow them fight like this? Wouldn`t it cause trouble?” Sona asked Alex, who only shook his head.
”If it was held before the conference, something like that, even as unofficial match, would be enough to lit up that powder keg we`ve just diffused.” Alex admitted. ”Now, we can write this one off as a practice sparring to strengthen the bonds between comrades. And it isn`t unusual, actually. Back in my unit, such events were normality, because I knew that my guys needed to let off steam or settle some arguments. Something like that really helps out build the bond between the comrades and colleagues.”
”Hm… I can see your point.” Sona admitted, looking at Arturia and Scathach. ”They don`t seem to be worried or even ready for a battle for that matter.”
”Trust me, Sona: both of them are prepared, they simply know how to hide it.” Alex noted. ”Xenovia and Irina may have Excaliburs on their hands and be able to wield it, but they haven`t seen half as much action as Arturia and Scathach, and they most certainly haven`t dealt with the same kinds of monsters, ghouls, apostles and everything in between. And don`t even get me started on surviving certain all kinds of hell on Earth.”
”You speak so confidently of that. Care to share any examples?” Sona wished to know and Alex simply looked to her, and then at Griselda who was looking at him as well.
Alex simply sighed and spoke up.
”Exorcist, have you ever heard about Millennium?” Alex acquired, making Griselda gulp in horror of thought. ”Apparently, you have, along with the infamous 9th Crusade and a disaster that followed for not just the Church, but also for London and England in general.”
”I`ve read the reports, but I wasn`t aware that you and your division also operated there.” Griselda spoken. ”Even after a year, our wounds are still fresh. Forces of 4 Holy Orders were annihilated, an archbishop murdered and our greatest paladin has succumbed to the powers of Helena`s Nail. Not even the previous Crusade was as vicious and destructive for our Church. ”
”Oh yes, me and my whole division was called out there by Hellsing Organization in order to provide main support to Sir Integra and her weakened forces.” Alex recalled that inferno. ”We held off the attackers in Hellsing Mansion and then cleared out the northern sectors of London. Personally killed 37 of ghouls and 49 reanimated civilians, but I`ve lost more than a third of my entire unit. No captured or wounded, all KIA. Worst nightmare of my entire career…” Alex still saw the faces of his comrades and operatives, especially those that he had to kill himself. ”The only single plus from that whole hell is that my people know what Hell really looks like and how to live through it.
Sona listened up to that one and her memory brought up the event those two were talking about. The biggest battle in supernatural world ever since the conclusion of Great War, which resulted in monstrous and bloodiest atrocity in the history of the world. Even Devils were severally affected by that attack and a lot was lost for them, along with those millions. Heiress of the Sitri couldn`t even imagine just how much horrors and atrocities did her lover and his friends have witnessed. And to live through… She honestly couldn`t see herself going through that alive and well, but Alex did and he is now here with his friends and family, along with those that were in that hell of Earth.
And now, the dual duel was about to begin.
Duel 1: Xenovia VS Arturia.
Arturia`s Divine Excalibur was revealed to the full display to Xenovia`s Excalibur Destroyer, whose shrouds were dispersed and the ugly abomination of a sword was on front view. Pendragon wasn`t impressed even slightly by what she was seeing. This weapon, if it could be called such, was nothing against what Arturia spent months creating and after she had mastered the ways of western swordplay, along with molding it up with years of battles and countless fights against many fearsome opponents. All of that and the help of her family and friends have made Arturia into one of the best sword masters in the entire world. The only few that were equal and surpassed her in swordplay were her older brother Arthur and a couple of other swordsmen.
Xenovia decided to speak up.
”Tell me something, daughter of Uther Pendragon, is this fake Excalibur capable of even holding his own against the God`s Holy Sword?” Xenovia swung around the powerful weapon and pointed at Arturia. ”It would be a shame if a Sword of Promised Victory cut down a descendant of its original owner, without much of a fight.” She smirked.
Arturia moved her blade to a striking position and prepared for a battle, looking at the insulter.
”Trust me, Xenovia, this weapon may not be named a Sword of Promised Victory, but in right hands, it will bring the true victory.” Arturia`s stance became more composed. ”And one more thing, Xenovia: this piece of scrap hardly can be called a Sword of Promised Victory. More like a Sword of Shattered Entity, for it was violated beyond repair by your arrogant bishops, lustful for young bodies of girls, from the looks at your uniform.”
”I shall make you eat your words!” Xenovia decided to charge first, angered and furious at Arturia.
Alex`s Queen decided to wait out for some time before charging. While it looked like she was simply waiting, she was doing battle in her mind, weighing out all her options and working out the variants of this whole fight. Xenovia was a power type, centered on her own strength over speed and prioritizing it over the other abilities. A blunt fighter without much of a battle intelligence and intuition, a grunt in a sense. Xenovia`s main attribute is a strength and power in attack, but she lacked in speed and maneuver, as this sword would be hard to wield without much preparations, but Xenovia, from the looks on her stance and way she was holding it. As for Arturia, she had very good stats in all spheres of battle and combat, along with the experience and mastery of the blade. And Pendragon was going to show Xenovia, that it`s not the sword that brings victory.
As Xenovia closed in, she moved her Destroyer upwards and when the distance was enough, she swung it down with full force. The blade came down and shattered the ground beneath it, creating the huge cloud of dust, but there was no indication that the attack had connected with the opponent. And she soon realized that this was the fact, as Arturia suddenly appeared behind Xenovia, with the sword nearing the back of hers. Only by slight chance, was Xenovia fortunate enough as she maneuvered away and used her Destroyer to block the Divine. The two swords connected and Xenovia gritted her teeth, looking at Arturia`s blank face. It looked that two fighters were equal, but then Arturia moved Destroyer to the right and in one strong move kicked Xenovia away, making her stumble her way backwards and fall on her back, rallying her own composure and getting back up. During this short amount of time, Xenovia did lose the sight of her opponent and it was a fatal mistake in fight. This one was no different, for Arturia used this opportunity and shortened the distance with Xenovia, as Divine`s handle connected with the stomach of Xenovia, making her gasp and take more steps back, dropping Destroyer. Arturia saw how it happened and made one more step and was now controlling the area where Excalibur Destroyer lied. Arturia decided to speak up.
”I recommend you forfeit, Xenovia.” Arturia was serious. ”The sole reason I was acting so restrained was because I was testing you out, but now I know your real potential and I have disarmed you.”
Xenovia growled and then stood up.
”Don`t assume that this was my best.” Xenovia held out her right arm and mentally began to chant. ”Prepare yourself, Arturia Pendragon! I call upon St. Peter, St. Basil, St. Denis and Blessed Virgin Mary. Please, answer my prayers!”
And with that, a portal appeared near of her and from it emerged the chained large sword, emitting the Holy energy on par with that of the Divine Excalibur. Arturia was quick to recognize this legendary weapon, that granted paladin Roland the power to fight 100000 men and which pierced through all it had. It would seem that now things would get truly interesting.
Xenovia reached out and took the weapon.
”With the power bestowed upon me by our Lord, I set you free!” And with that, the chains were broken and the weapon was in her hands. ”Now, face the might of a true Holy Sword! Are you ready, Arturia, to have your precious toy destroyed by my Durandal?”
Arturia simply grinned and… put her sword in the ground, looking at a confused Xenovia.
”Are you not tired of this preach, Xenovia?” Arturia honestly asked of her. ”True Holy Sword and fake Holy Sword… It is true that my Divine Excalibur is a completely separate sword from the original and it was made by me, but there is something you`ve always couldn`t quite understand, Xenovia.”
”And what would that be, Arturia?” Xenovia questioned her.
”Any Holy Sword is nothing more but a piece of metal without any will or power. It is not the sword you must beware,” Arturia then pulled out of the ground her Divine and looked up at Xenovia. ”But a person wielding it.”
And then, in one instance, Arturia basically disappeared from the view of Xenovia, surprising her and making her look around, trying to find out where did her opponent went. Everything was basically silent and she couldn`t get it, where did Arturia go, as she looked around, moving her Durandal along. Could it be that she simply escaped? No, that wasn`t her style. Then… the whereabouts of Arturia quickly became known to Xenovia, as she finally felt it. A response from her nervous system, signaling about her cut back, which followed by Divine`s blade placed just near of her neck, enough to cut her without even a single problem. Now she understood where Nephilim went. And just what was her real skill.
Durandal met the ground and she herself went on her knees.
”I yield. Victory is yours, Arturia.” Xenovia understood her defeat and didn`t object to the obvious.
Arturia put away her blade.
Victory truly was hers.
Duel 2: Irina VS Scathach.
Scathach`s left spear pierced the ground and she took up her right spear with both arms, looking at her opponent who didn`t lose up her smile and unleashed her Excalibur Mimic. Ruler of Dun Scaith was becoming increasingly irritated with this girl`s antics and this cheerful disposition to everything that she does. Even now, in face of a powerful opponent, she was smiling and there was a very clear air of confidence. Or arrogance, which remained to be seen. However, what irritated Scathach the most was this girl`s attitude with her husband Alexander. Calling him her best friend and then declaring that she would kill him… All with a smile on her face and strongest belief in her God. Alex has told her about his time in Church and how things were there. And they weren`t well for Alex, for may archbishops wished for him to be their weapon, like this girl. The only few that were good with Alex were Arturia, Jeanne D`Arc and Father Alexander Anderson, in whose care he was placed. Irina was a loud, obnoxious and oblivious foolish girl that was far more pleased with hearing her own voice instead of the others. She claimed to be Alex`s best friend, but this girl knows nothing of Alex, not unlike his friends, his comrades, his true family.
Moved in circular move set, akin to that of a predator and watched closely at the Exorcist`s girl, studying her and awaiting for her movements. She was playing it safe, knowing too damn well then to rush in and get in to serious trouble. Irina, looked at her opponent and then spoke up.
”Hey, back in the mansion, you`ve said that I`ve insulted your husband.” Irina spoke. ”Are you married to that man in red coat-thing? Is he a Celt and I said something awful to him?”