Unsealing of the Four Divine Swords ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Prasutagus Manor, Greenwashe, Cath Maige Tuired It did not take long to deliver Rhiannon and her troops to the place they would be spending the next three months before the sealing ceremony. Their station here was mainly for the protection of the ceremony, but they also had the task of protecting the magic-user who would be performing it. That was Bonnie Nakagawa-McAmish. A name that Rhiannon knew all too well. After the meeting with Prasutagus at Greenwashe Station, he guided the forces to his own private home where they would all be staying. It was a gigantic manor on the edge of the suburban Greenwashe Sector, more than enough in size to hold the twenty six troops sent from the Order of Light. It was also where Bonnie was staying. Likely enough, it made their jobs easier to have the girl there. Rhiannon and Prasutagus marched through the many green gardens of the richly decorated Manor, climbing up small marble steps and passing past stone water fountains. The troops all followed along until they reached the very front of the Manor. The two mighty doors at the head of the mansion opened up to reveal a short, aging butler, who nodded to Prasutagus as understanding for what was needed of him. The man servant bowed to the twenty-odd troops and led them inside the manor, towards their living quarters for the next three months. Now was a better time than ever to show them where they would be staying. Although the butler didn't much like the idea of cleaning up after twenty five burly men and women fighters for the next quarter of a year, he didn't have much of a choice in the matter either. Prasutagus have off a hearty laugh as Rhiannon's brave squad cheered at the sheer size of his Manor. "Ha, ha, ha! They are certainly full of energy." Rhiannon crossed her arms as her soldiers were led inside. "...I know my bunch may not be the most graceful, but they'll behave while they are here, sir. I assure you." "No matter," He replied, "Feel free to use my home as you would your own. After all, the lot of you may be needed to put your lives on the line to protect Miss Nakagawa-McAmish and the Quetzacoatl... the least I can do is show you the hospitality you deserve." Rhiannon then ran a slightly nervous hand through her orange-fire locks of hair. "Speaking of Bonnie... just where is she? She is staying here with you, right?" "She's right here!" A third voice called out to the pair of them as the doors to the manor began to close again. And Rhiannon couldn't say that she was unhappy to hear it. Both she and Prasutagus turned around when they heard the sweet, melodic and bouncy voice of Bonnie Nakagawa-McAmish. She stood behind the two swordfighters with a set of freshly cut flowers in one hand, and a pair of garden scissors in the other. It was obvious that she had been gardening. But one thing about Bonnie that made her special was that she looked gorgeous no matter what she was doing or what she was wearing. Even with those thick garden gloves on, she looked so good to Rhiannon. The normally flowing blonde hair tied upright and those thin reading glasses she wore almost sixty percent of the time did a lot to enhance the beauty of her. The youngest of the Highland women had almost forgotten that about Bonnie. And while Rhiannon just stood there with the most charmed and possessed of expressions, Bonnie was far less fixed. She quickly dropped the garden shears, the collection of hand picked roses and both of the thick garden gloves and dashed over to her girl. Bonnie giggled pleasantly the second she hurled herself into Rhiannon's arms. It had only been a month since they had last seen each other, but it didn't feel like that to either of them. "Rhiannon!" Bonnie put forth, "I'm so glad the Order sent you for the sealing ceremony! I was so worried they'd send some weirdo-stranger or something. But its you! You're really here!" The Highland girl nodded. "Yeah. I wasn't the first choice but I managed to pull some strings. Being a member of the Highland Family has more than a few benefits. At least that's what my grandmother would say." "...I'm so glad you're here," Bonnie whispered into her girlfriend's ear, "And now that you've been posted here for the next three months... we'll have so much time to spent together..." Though he had remained respectfully quiet through the more than revealing altercation between Bonnie and Rhiannon, Prasutagus couldn't help but cough into his fist to draw their attention to him. Both girls looked over to Prasutagus as he spoke. "...I assume... that the two of you know each other, then?" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Outer grasslands of Unterschleissheim, Neo-Germany It was morning. 6.50. Just as the mission briefing had ordered, the small selection of troops from the Special Mission Corps had left. That was nearly two hours ago. The group had left Freiheit Palace and Munich, entering the surrounding fields of grass in between Munich and the town just a little ways north, Unterschleissheim. Just a little further on was Tuatha De Danann. The temple at which the four divine swords were entombed. The temple itself was named after the story-tale gods of Celtic fable, and had been hidden away in the grasslands. The journey there was not long, but considering how many people were walking the distance, it was taking more time than Saizaki would have wanted. The troop moved through the grassy fields to Tuatha De Danann in a slow march. Everyone was fully armed, even though they did not expect any interference from the Covenant. At the head of the soldier group were Rainhande and Commander Aarin. Behind them were Saizaki and Lilia, with two others. The remaining soldiers were just a short distance behind them. As they walked, it was Lilia who was the least focussed. Mostly because she was admiring the beautiful sunny skies above. And it was a nice site. Sunny days were a rarity in what was left of Europe, all thanks to the Genesis Comet. That comet had effected more than just the population of the planet. It altered the climate and had destroyed much of the world, in various places that seemed somehow unconnected. The comet had actually landed in the arctic, but it was the shockwaves that ruined the world so badly. Places to the south and east of the globe were the least effected, so Australia and Antarctica came through most of the destruction with ease. It was places to the north and west that had suffered the most damage. What was once North America was now just a cluster of large islands. South America had been cut in half from its borders with Northern America, and the continent of Africa had more or less been completely submerged in water. The area which was once Africa was now an ocean called the Afro-Atlantic. Only one Safe-Zone existed there, and that was Neo-Malawi. Asia and Europe didn't suffer as badly, even though places such as Scotland, Scandinavia and the northern Russia had capsized into icy waters, England, Eastern Europe and the Middle East were much better off. Some parts of the world had suffered more than others, but all areas suffered somehow. Be it flooding, rampant disease or constant political unrest, no section of the Earth was completely free from the effects of the Genesis Comet. Which was why Lilia was so pleased to see a bright, sunny day. The climate of Europe tended to be very poor, with constant snow to the more northerly Safe-Zones, like Neo-England. Today was different, though. Which would make it easier for Lilia to work. Strange though it was, she had always considered a bright day a 'happy' day. Saizaki too was in awe, but of the Safe-Zone barrier high in the sky, not the climate. The magical barriers surrounding the country were really something. It was an almost invisible force-shield, which allowed rain, snow and living people to pass through it, but blocked out the radiation of the outside world. This radiation was not poisonous and was concentrated mostly near the north arctic, but scientists of this era believed that the radiation would bring harm to people over time. The Safe-Zone barriers also protected its innards from the threat of shockwaves that passed over the planet every few weeks from the crater. They were like small tremors that passed through the air, but had the force of a strong gale wind. Saizaki thanked the gods that he was allowed entry into a Safe-Zone when Setsuya died. He spent his childhood in the outside world before he was adopted by his father, but Saizaki had hated it. Life on the outside world tended to be savage and undignified. Gangs and modern warlords ruled the outside world with an iron fist, because they were free of the diplomacy and laws of the World Federation. People lived in constant fear out there, due to the lack of rules, threats of violence, and the lack of uncontaminated water supplies. On the other hand, the outside world held much freedom. Things that were outlawed in Safe-Zones, like gambling, prostitution, non-army members carrying weapons, magic-use, etc; were accepted and embraced in the lands outside of Safe-Zones. An example of that would be the Island of Wraithmore (what is left of the former American state, Texas). It was known as 'the centre of forbidden pleasure' because it had been the first to refuse to be accepted in the Safe-Zone Project. And thusly it was a Mecca for the sins and enjoyment that Safe-Zone dwellers lacked. Most of the American islands lacked Safe-Zones, but this was widely accepted by the remaining American people. Safe-Zones (to them, and to quite a few other nations left in the world) were too confining and law-sodden. It was a short life they were living, and so their motto was, enjoy it before you lost it. Saizaki understood and respected that. But even he was unsure of which form of life was better. Life within the security of the Safe-Zones, or the freedom of the regions outside them. It didn't much matter now. If the Order of Light were unsuccessful in their endeavours, then the Covenant of Sorcerers would win this war. They were the real issue. Saizaki looked over at Lilia. "You like the weather today, huh?" "Yes," Lilia replied. "It's beautiful. So very beautiful... and so much more refreshing than the clouds we usually get in the skies of Europe. Neo-France definitely is the worst country in Eurasia when it comes to weather. I'm glad Neo-Germany isn't as bad." "You should see Neo-England." Saizaki said as he and Lilia marched onwards. "My Dad took me there once, to see Commander Highland. It snows all the time up there. In fact, the only time it doesn't snow is during this time of the year, the Summer. It's such a hard place to live. Maybe that's why the Covenant took control of it. Steal a country with a weak climate before moving onto the rest." Lilia nodded. "Probably. Which is why we have to fight hard. Maybe getting the four swords will help us to win this war." "I'm not sure..." The baby blue eyes of the French girl turned downcast as Saizaki trailed off. "What do you mean, Saizaki?" "My Dad..." Saizaki always spoke highly of Setsuya, "Was one of the four people who got to use those swords. He had the flame one, the Fire Cutter... I think he called it. He said it was ruthlessly powerful. That if an evil man ever got a hold of one of them... the world would be at risk." "So?" Lilia was confused. "The Order will have them. We will use them for the *right* reasons." Saizaki shook his head. "That's not it. My Dad was so dramatic about the swords, it's kinda hard to believe their so strong. I mean, come on. Even though they can give the user magical abilities, they are still just swords. How can four weapons change the course of a war this big? Just seems a little over-the-top to me." "I guess we'll find out if you're right or wrong." Lilia pointed forward. "Look." Saizaki followed Lilia's pointing gaze forwards. The troop had reached a small hill, covered in turf grass that was clearly artificial. Everyone stopped in their places as Aarin and Rainhande stopped, then all cast their eyes at the obstacle. Or what was behind it. Rainhande walked up to the tiny 'hill' that was in his way. He looked over at it, then took his hand and rubbed on the front. What seemed to be grass was actually moss. And below that (now removed) moss was stone. The hill was in fact a rather large stone pedestal. And on that pedestal were the carved words, 'TUATHA DE DANANN' Rainhande (and the rest of the group) all looked up and marvelled as they were greeted with the great temple itself. The place at which the four divine swords were sealed, sixty years ago. It was larger than any of the group would have expected it to be. And it was, strangely, out in the open. No grass was tall enough to hide a building that size. Moss covered the building akin to the moss that covered the pedestal. Built of solid grey stone, and covered in the writings of an ancient Celtic language, this place was clearly aged. It was German in creation, and the Celtic religion didn't die out in Germany until the height of the Roman Empire was at its greatest. That meant this temple was thousands of years old. Rainhande was shocked that such an old structure as this was still standing. He was expecting the 'shrine' to be a mausoleum or a tomb. "To think, that an archaic structure like this could survive time, the Genesis Comet and the war... amazing." Saizaki rolled his eyes. It was an old building to him, nothing more. "So are we gonna get the four swords or what?" Then Aarin ran a hand through his long grey beard. This place was not exactly what he was expecting, either. "I suppose this might be a little bit trickier than we would have-GAAAH!" There was no warning. One moment things were peaceful, the next an explosion was rocking the ground. Clumps of grass and soil were hurled into the air as the twenty-man troop of the Special Mission Corp all dove for cover. Saizaki grabbed Lilia and landed toward the ground to protect her from incoming fire. It was pure grassland out here, so there was no place to hide from the shots that were raining down from above. Saizaki looked up as best he could, surrounded by compact explosions and flying mounds of soil. White-hot bolts were fired at them. But these bolts were not created by guns or other forms of machinery. These were shots of magical energy. Saizaki growled in irritation with Lilia in his arms. "Dammit to hell! Magic-users!" "Here? Now?" Aarin looked over at Saizaki as he laid stomach-first on the ground. "But how could they have possibly known about this place? Moreover, how did they breach the front line? Our armies have held them back right to the Neo-German border!" Lilia tried hard to speak. "M-Maybe the front line was broken?" "No...!" Rainhande yelled, just to be heard over the explosions. "There would have been many more soldiers if the front line had been broken through. And we would have been told by our front line troops days ago if they did!" Saizaki scowled. "Who gives a damn? Lets just kill the bastards before they get their hands on the four swords! That's gonna be what they came for!" After a continual stream of energy bolts, the volley died down. The explosions ceased, and the troop was free to survey the damage. Out of the twenty men and women who had gone on this mission, eleven of them had been killed already. Their bodies were now in broken and bloody heaps, their limbs twisted into the dirt of the uprooted soil and plant life. The culprits were standing across from the living members. All dressed in black magician's robes, the haunting colours of black and silver. There was only ten of them, but their surprise attack had worked like a charm. Saizaki watched them all with anger. They had probably stopped firing because they thought everyone was dead. Aarin looked over at Rainhande, Saizaki and Lilia. "You three! Go and retrieve the four swords! Quickly! We have no idea if there is anymore of the enemy in this location!" Rainhande nodded. "Yes sir! Saizaki, Lilia! Follow me!" They waited for a brief second. A moment later, Rainhande jumped up and made a break for Tuatha De Danann. Saizaki unpeeled his hands from Lilia's body, then ran after Rainhande. Lilia soon followed, and the three soldiers dashed down towards the towering stone temple. Aarin watched them leave, then cast his eyes back over at the ten magic users. They must have guessed that not everyone had been killed because they started firing those magical energy bolts again. The old sword master heaved himself to his feet and looked over at the enemy. His hand immediately went for the hilt of the sword that was strapped to his back, and drew his blade. It was a huge German Zweihander-type, four feet in length, called a Double Cleaver. It was large but with Aarin's phenomenal strength, he could handle it effortlessly. "Come on, men!" Aarin yelled to the remaining six soldiers. "Charge!" As she dashed with Saizaki and Rainhande towards Tuatha De Danann, Lilia looked over her shoulder to see what was happening. Commander Highland and the other six left were now attacking the ten magic-users. She was sure that Aarin could handle himself out there, with or without the additional soldiers, but Lilia still did not like the idea of leaving him alone. Saizaki seemed to know what she was thinking, because he called out to her as they ran. "Don't worry, Lilia!" Saizaki said in his light-footed stride, "Commander Highland can whip those guys in no time! Just think about the swords!" Lilia nodded back in acceptance. They were the issue here. Saizaki, Rainhande and Lilia came to a quick stop as they were face to face with the door leading inwards. It was a large stone, carved rather expertly for something of this age. But it looked fairly heavy. "We need to get past this door." Rainhande exclaimed. Saizaki gave an exhaling breath, then rolled up his sleeves, looking over at Rainhande. "No kidding. Prepared to get your hands dirty, buttercup?" "...Let us just be quick." Rainhande was not ignoring the disrespect that Saizaki was showing to him, even though he was a superior. But it didn't matter right now. They had to get to the four swords before the Covenant of Sorcerers did. Rainhande rolled up his sleeves in a similar way to Saizaki, and they both went up to the rectangle shaped rock that was blocking the door inside. They grunted in unison as they both pushed, from one side to the other. They managed to get it to move, but very slowly. Saizaki looked over at Lilia as they pushed. "Lilia! Wanna give us a hand here?" The young girl nodded, then went over to the stone door, standing beside Rainhande. After a count of one, two and three, the soldiers all pitched in and pushed against the door with renewed efforts. The three of them all grunted and struggled as the stone door was inched from the right to the left. Slowly, ever slowly, until air began to seep into the small parting they had created. Saizaki, Lilia and Rainhande all pushed hard, as hard as the possibly could, until a twenty inch gap had been created. Saizaki took a moment to regain his stamina. "Whoo... that should be enough, I think." "Let's keep moving." Rainhande said, as he slipped through the gap between the door and the doorway. Lilia did the same, her smaller frame passing through the gap with no effort or struggle. Saizaki followed her in kind, stepping through the parting into Tuatha De Danann. The three warriors all walked further inwards as they looked around the place. It was huge. It was one gigantic hall, 100 by 150 metres long. Many statues were around, mostly of ancient Celtic gods, but four of them took centre-stage. Four statures, each one shaped like angels or somewhat diving women, were standing at the middle of the room. And each of those statues had a sword between their own protracting hands. Saizaki, Lilia and Rainhande all knew what those swords were. The four divine blades that had brought so much fear into the world. They had reached the four sacred swords. Lilia was in awe of their gleam. This temple was old and covered with cobwebs, but the swords look brand new. As if they had been freshly drawn from chambers of the blacksmith. "Are those... the swords?" Lilia asked quietly. Rainhande nodded. "Yes. They have to be." "Great!" Saizaki slapped his right fist into left hand. "Then all we need to do is just grab them and go help Commander Aarin. C'mon." Saizaki, Lilia and Rainhande walked up to the four statues. Each soldier stepped up to a statue and took a hold of one of the swords. Lilia took the one furthest to the left, the Wind Soul. The blade that Aarin Highland had wielded. Rainhande took the sword furthest to the right, Lightning Tooth. The sword that Ingrid Highland had used. Saizaki was the last to pick one up. But as he did, he instinctively knew which one it was. The Fire Cutter. The sword his own father, Setsuya Seisuji, had held. Saizaki was immediately drawn to it. Not only to its holy beauty... but to its relentless power. "Man..." Saizaki said, dumbstruck. "I know this sounds weird... but I can *feel* the flames in this thing... what a radical weapon..." A forth voice came from behind the three warriors. "That's too bad, muffin! Because you'll never get to see them again!" Saizaki, Rainhande and Lilia looked back behind themselves. A woman was standing at the doorway, which had now been opened all the way. Saizaki eyed her with confusion. He had no idea who she was. She wasn't a soldier. She couldn't have been. She wasn't even dressed like one. The woman was of medium height, dressed in a tight red Chinese dress, though she was clearly not of Chinese descent. She looked more American in origin. The bright jade hair was a bit of a catch too. It made Saizaki wonder what such a cute girl was doing here. But when Saizaki finally started to ignore her beauty, he saw the long wooden quarterstaff in her left hand. Rainhande was the first to address her. "You there! Who are you?" "Me?" The woman smiled deviously. "I'm just a hot little number in search of a few swords. You can call me... Esperanza D'Laine." Saizaki grinned, pulling the Fire Cutter upright. "That's a nice attitude. And I don't make a habit of denying cute women what they want. But we saw these toys first, you know? It wouldn't be very fair for us to just hand them over to you." Esperanza was about to say something about that, until she took a closer look at Saizaki. The girl's bright brown eyes studied him intently, while the other just watched her. Seconds later, Esperanza was walking towards Saizaki. Rainhande and Lilia drew up their newly retrieved swords and prepared, but Esperanza just ignore them, focusing on Saizaki. In moment, Saizaki and Esperanza were face to face. "Ooh!" "What is it?" Saizaki asked, blinking in confusion. "You are so totally hot!" She said with lustful cheer. "Ooh, I can just see you as my willing little plaything... all you need to do is hand me that 'lil swordie-sword..." Saizaki resumed his grin. "Sorry, sweetie. The answer is no. Not while I .... oof!!" That moment, Saizaki doubled over, losing the breath that he had. Esperanza rammed the tip of her staff straight into the Japanese man's stomach, making him wheeze with loss of oxygen. The smile of the staff-girl faded into a frown. "Wrong answer, Saizaki." She said, scowling. "Nobody refuses me anything." Lilia stepped closer to the older woman, Wind Soul at the ready. "Hey you! Leave Saizaki alone! You better get away from him or I swear I'll..." "You'll what...?" Esperanza looked between Saizaki and Lilia, making some startlingly accurate assumptions. "...So you think he's yours, do you? Hah! A little waif like you couldn't handle a real man! And though I wish I had time to show you this, I have an appointment to keep with an old dude you know as Al Gul Jehed." Esperanza withdrew her staff from Saizaki's stomach, then vaulted up into the air. Lilia and Rainhande watched her flip through the air and land next to the statue that held the Shadow Edge. The sword that had once been in the grip of Zephaniah, master of the now-dissolved Shougatsu Financial group. Esperanza touched the sword gingerly, knowing full well that it was more volatile than its three counterparts. "So much fuss over a piece of metal," The woman quipped. "Men are so stupid." Rainhande let anger reach him. "Woman! Do not touch that sword! You serve under Al Gul Jehed, the leader of the Covenant of Sorcerers! That makes you my enemy! Turn away and leave if you wish to live!" Esperanza put the tips of her free hand to her face. "Oh, you big meanie! You'd really take that big ol' swordie-sword and kill me? Okay then. Just let me wave my life goodbye..." A smile returned to Esperanza's face as she pulled her hand up into the air. Rainhande and Lilia just watched, while Saizaki was still struggling to get his breath back. The smile at Esperanza's face darkened, and in seconds, swung her hand down again. The girl screamed 'Shockwave!' and huge distortion broke open in the air. Saizaki, Lilia and Rainhande were all knocked off their feet, instantly, and crashed into the dusty ground of Tuatha De Danann. Once all three were floored, Esperanza grabbed the Shadow Edge's hilt, her staff in the other hand. "So it worked." Esperanza claimed, surprise in her voice. "Diana's spell gave actually give me temporary magical powers. Too bad it won't last very long. Oh well." She then turned her gaze to Saizaki, who as still groaning. "You still need some moulding, Saizaki. But I can understand. Being stuck around these royal losers all day can do that. I tell you what. Once you get your strength back, we could go on a little date! How about it?" Saizaki just managed to speak. "...K-Keep dreaming... y-you floozy..." "That's not nice, Saizaki!" Esperanza scoffed. "You really need a lesson in manners! When next we meet, I expect a better attitude from you! Then I'll make YOU and the swords mine!" She then blew a kiss to her downed soldier. "Toodles, muffin!" Esperanza leisurely walked from the three soldiers, with the large Shadow Edge in hand. Once the echoing click of her boots ended, they knew that she was gone. Rainhande rolled to his side, with the Lightning Tooth in hand. Lilia also stirred, looking towards her team-mates. "...Is everyone okay?" "Uggghhh..." Rainhande groaned again. "I shall live. But that woman made off with the Shadow Edge..." Saizaki didn't move. He couldn't believe that he had just found his father's sword then had to deal with that crazy chick who acted like she was hot for him. And it was just now that Saizaki began to realize that Esperanza had somehow known his name. How was that even possible? He was sure he had never met with that girl before. But he tried not to think about it too hard. Even though this was supposed to be a retrieval mission... it culminated in his defeat. He had gotten a beatdown from some American chick. "Damn..." The Japanese man sighed. "...I could *really* use a smoke right about now."
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