Chapter 9 - 8 - Excaliburs

* * * * *

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.

And who was the one who said we would only fight with sword skills.

"With this, you bastard's sword skill will be useless!"

From Sasuke's palm, the handle of his blade felt like it was breathing and Sasuke channeled his chakra through it.

"Flash, !"

Xenovia brought down her sword that possessed the destruction that fell from heaven while Sasuke unleashed the power of lightning and met the attack.

The instant both swords clashed against each other--

A huge explosion sounded, causing gusts of strong winds mixed with dirt from the ground.

"Kya!" The girls started pulling down their skirts.

Xenovia was breathing heavily while Sasuke did not even drop a single sweat.

"Is this enough?"

"No! No! I will not lose!"

Xenovia stepped forward while brandishing Excalibur.

Sasuke raised his katana and met her attack.

The huge sword's direct hit and the Katana's Iai draw clashed.

Vast energy powers were clashing; those shock waves distorted 'gunyari' the surrounding space.

Towards the other side's pressure, Sasuke controlled his katana's blade delicately and redirected it.

Xenovia's Excalibur hit empty air and gouged a huge crater.

Sasuke's instant positioning destroyed her posture again.

Sasuke was redirecting and as Xenovia retaliated with brute force, techniques and strength met for the second times, third times, clashing against each other.

However, as they traded blows, Xenovia realized that Sasuke was using the bȧrė minimal energy and was not even exerting much force to counter her.

This guy...he is looking down on me...

- - - - -

At that instant where Xenovia's single attack with her whole strength was caught by surprise perfectly and hit the empty air--

The Blade of Kusanagi that was the personification of Sasuke's soul was slashed--

However, the blade didn't cut through her flesh; it blew her away with a dynamic force and Xenovia fell down like a doll with her string cut.

"Xenovia!" Irina sprinted over to her fallen partner.

- - - - -

At the side of a fishing port--

A man of average build, with black hair and golden bangs, was currently reeling in a fishing line when he sensed a presence beside him.

"Yo."

"Have you come to keep lonely little me company?

The intruder was a young male with light silver hair and he scoffed when he heard what the man said.

"Hmph! You're the kind that gets lonely easily?"

- - - - -

The man turned his head and smiled at the young intruder.

* * * * *

"Wait a minute, Yuuto!"

Rias crossed her arms under her ċhėst.

They were back in the Occult Research Club, where a particular scene was ongoing--

"I won't forgive you if you leave me! You are the "Knight" of the Gremory Household. I will also be troubled if you turn into an "exiled". Wait this instant!"

Rias voice was firm as she tried to convince Kiba.

However--

"...I was only able to run away from that place, thanks to my comrades who sacrificed themselves for me. That's why I, I have to put their regrets into my demonic-swords..."

Kiba did not turn around as he reached for the door handle, his last words--

"I'm sorry, President."

And the door closed.

Rias eyes shifted to the side and became glazed with a glassy layer of tears as she whispered to herself, "Yuuto...why...?"

- - - - -

"And? What was the reason for calling me?"

It was the next day and Sasuke was currently sitting in a cafe, along with Koneko and another young man with short blond hair, wearing the Kuoh Academy boys' uniform.

The blonde man started to panic a little as he reached out his hands towards Sasuke.

"Who are you?"

"Genshirou Saji, third-year high school student at Kuoh Academy and the Vice President of the student council. It is an honor to meet you, Sasuke-san."

Sasuke was confused as he shook Saji's hand.

"You...are a devil as well?"

"Yes!"

"How do you know me?"

This time, it was Saji who appeared shock.

"Don't you know, Sasuke-san? You are famous in the Underworld. Heck not even the Underworld, even the other forces have taken notice of you. After all, even though you are the Sekiryuutei, you managed to defeat Raiser Phenex without using the power of the Boosted Gear and broke up the engagement. And, to add on, you are not even a devil but a human."

Saji took a deep breath as he continued.

"During your fight against Raiser Phenex, those black flames you produced were magnificent. Not even the medical personnel's knew what those flames were and didn't dare to touch it. However, no one really knows how you produced those flames. You are literally on the headline news everywhere now."

Saji was looking at Sasuke as though he was looking at an idol

Tch,

So they were really monitoring that fight.

"I am a fan of yours. After all, I'm aiming to be the strongest pawn and you are my goal."

"Ahem."

Saji turned his head to find an angry loli shoujo glaring at him and his gaze faltered.

"I'm sorry."

Koneko then looked at Sasuke.

"I'm going to ask Shidou Irina and Xenovia to give us permission to destroy the holy-sword Excaliburs."

Saji became so shocked that he had circle eyes.

"NOOOOOOO!! I'm going home!!"

Saji was screaming and trying to run away but Koneko held onto him with a firm grip.

"Why me?! It's your group's problem right? I belong to the House of Sitri! I shouldn't take part in this! Let me go!"

Saji started arguing while crying.

Sasuke was looking up at sky before he finally lowered his face as he spoke.

"And? What does it have to do with me? Like that guy, I'm not a part of your household."

Koneko released her grip on Saji.

"Rias President and Akeno-san cannot take part in this mission as it will affect the relationship between the 3 factions. I'm also keeping this a secret from them. But, Sasuke-san, you can help us bring back Yuuto-senpai. Please, Sasuke-san--"

However, Sasuke didn't say a thing.

Taking Sasuke's apparent silence as an approval, Koneko looked back at Saji.

"You want to become the strongest pawn and show it to your Master, right? Then you must undertake this mission if you want to be recognized."

"What kind of reasoning is that..." Saji sighed and reluctantly relented as he sat back down.

A gap of soundless space was created as the three of them sat there. The quiet was an unspoken dare, as though the first one to speak would lose.

"If you are searching for those two girls, they are down the street." Sasuke finally spoke.

- - - - -

As the three of them walked down the street which Sasuke mentioned, a peculiar sight entered into their vision.

"Please give blessings to the lost lamb-"

"Please give charity to us on behalf of the father in heaven!"

There were two girls wearing white robes, praying on the road as people walking past them gave odd glances.

Their stomachs started rumbling and Sasuke could hear it even from a distance away.

Just how hungry are they?

- - - - -

"Delicious! Japanese cuisine is delicious!"

"Yes, yes! This is it! The taste of my homeland!"

Irina and Xenovia were filling their stomachs with food at a family restaurant.

As Sasuke watched them eat, his doubts started arising--

Are they really ȧssassins sent from the Christian Church?

"So, why did you come to us?"

"We want to help you destroy the Excaliburs."

Both of them looked surprised at what Koneko said and kept looking back at one another.

"Yeah. Maybe it's okay leaving one sword to them. But, your identities must not be revealed. We don't want our higher-ups and enemies to think we are connected to you guys."

"Hey Xenovia. Are you sure?"

Irina started to raise an objection but Xenovia cut her off as she swept her gaze over to Sasuke.

"Irina. It would be tough to retrieve 3 Excaliburs and battle Kokabiel with only the two of us. That Sekiryuutei-kun over there is strong--"

"Bringing him along will surely increase our chances of winning."

However, before anyone else could speak--

What Sasuke said shocked everyone present.

- - - - -

"I never said I was going to help you guys."