It almost seemed unreal how few of them were actually distressed by the situation as if all of it was just a game. Though Gwyn thought he should've been disgusted by their attitude, he couldn't help but notice that he was enjoying it as well. It would be the first time he could observe Delirias in a real fight, with someone who held unbelievable powers as well.
Suddenly the second person standing behind the attacker hurried to his side, whispering something into his ear, whereas they could only hear the answer.
“I don't think so, young master. I think we have to go a bit further. That lazy bastard is still sitting around,” the attacker worriedly replied.
“Kikiki, that could've ended real bad, you know? I don't think you have time to ignore me,” Delirias scoffed with a snickering as he rushed through the confusion. The sounds of chattering chains and buzzing were heard as the last dirt particles settled. Gwyn only recognized these sounds from a chainsaw, though he couldn't seem to grasp what was really going on. A wide and bright white grin appeared through the smoke, as Delirias was standing before the disguised attackers. He spanned his chains behind himself like the web of a spider, wherein he trapped the incoming orb that was still trying to burst through completely. Upon further inspection, Gwyn could see that it was the same type of ball that he found lying in the ground earlier.
With all its might and many more twirls, it desperately tried to escape. The eye embedded onto it seemed even angrier than before and tried to rotate even faster, creating the first sparks.
“Ole!” shouted Delirias who built up momentum and released his arms forwards. Like a slingshot, the black orb flew with insane speed to where it once came from.
Alas, it was worthless, as the forefront figure stopped it with a bored hand gesture, dropping it to the ground.
The smaller figure next to him started talking again. “Good job, Vylsanas. It should not take much longer. We can't give in now. I feel his ugly presence around here already, if we raise a ruckus, his cover will be blown as well.”
“As you wish, my master,” the attacker answered him.
“W-wait… don't tell me?!” Gwyn gasped as he slowly realized what they just discovered. He jumped out from his cover, pumped with excitement, running to his aspect.
“Pffufuf, who would've thought? Such is the irony of life, huh?” Delirias followed up. “Another human and his aspect, how lovely. Unfortunately, they don't seem to tango like we do, Gwyn.”
“B-but why?!” he asked as if he had hoped for an answer from Delirias, but from their enemies as well.
“I believe you are mistaken, young traveler,” the attacker repelled their question. Again they saw a projectile coming their way without warning, which was only felt as a surge by the bystanders.
“Ole!” could be heard from Delirias once more, who stopped it with his chains, only inches away from Gwyn’s face. He and the orb were eye to eye, as the sparks were tickling his skin. With a wink to his partner, Delirias sprang back the orb
“Not bad for a few tiny balls with cheap contacts,” he chuckled.
“I'm not done yet,” the attacker removed his cloak, revealing himself to them, ready to go even further.
It was a man with long, black hair, pale skin, and glowing purple eyes. He was dressed like a butler underneath the coat, in a neat vest, shirt, tie and suit. Above him, eleven black orbs began to swirl in a half circle. The man behind him presumably was his human counterpart, though he was still covered by his hood. After a hand signal from his partner, the neatly dressed man was ready to strike again, as he was sprinting towards Delirias, who already finished wrapping chains around his hands.
Another projectile flew in his direction, before almost immediately being sprung back to him. Just as Delirias thought he was safe, another one made its way to him from the remaining orbs above Vylsanas' head. Barely scratching Delirias’ shoulder it went into another building, collapsing it almost entirely.
Gwyn was still in awe at what was happening around him. This wasn't a dream anymore. This was like all the stories he had ever read, combined with his wildest, and darkest fantasies coming to life. It was the most exciting thing he had ever seen as the two aspects were trading blows, bouncing back each other’s attacks.
The chains of Delirias were flailing all around, destroying just as much as the continued projectiles from Vylsanas. It painted the picture of a bowman trying to shoot an octopus that was trying to capture its prey with its long arms.
“Fufu, this really is a lot of fun, even though you seem pretty predictable in your attacks. Is every aspect as unique as you are?!” Delirias was excited as well, while he joked and taunted the enemy before his very face.
“SILENCE, FOOL! If it weren't for master Couarde’s words, you'd be dead already,” Vylsanas snarked at him, while biting his lips in frustration as his shots were sprung back every time.
It seemed like no more than three orbs were released at the same time, which gave Delirias enough opportunities to react with his immense reflexes.
“A life without choice, how noble. It is unfortunate that all the loyalty in the world won't make you any stronger,” Delirias continued his talk with the enemy aspect.
“Hmpf, what do you know about loyalty,” Vylsanas answered, bringing forth another chuckle from Delirias.
“The one who wins is always right. Gloriously simple isn't it?” the white-haired man shouted before opening his eyes as wide as he could, looking even more terrifying than a few moments ago. Abruptly he stormed straight towards his opponent.
“Has he gone completely insane?!” Vylsanas trembled as the reckless behavior of his enemy surprised him, commanding three orbs at once into his direction. This seemed to have been all part of Delirias’ plan as he effortlessly smacked all of them out of the air, continuing his sprint towards Vylsanas, who was still in shock that his attack got parried.
“VYLSANAS, PHASE FOUR!” shouted the person behind him, calming the aspect down. At the same time, Gwyn realized that something started moving next to him. He risked a glance, before almost being blown away after the orb from before shot out of the ground into Delirias’ direction.
Even with that surprise attack, Delirias still wasn't defenseless, and he managed to deflect most of the shots with his chains. But it seemed like it wasn't enough, as the barrage of Vylsanas continued and an orb struck him directly into his chest.
“Delirias!” Gwyn yelled, running towards his partner who got sent flying into another stand.
“Kikiki, are you starting to have feelings for me, kid?” it resounded from the debris that were slowly moved away by the aspect.
Just when Gwyn wasn't sure whether or not they'd be hit by another projectile he saw the other man collapsing onto his knees, with his own aspect rushing to his side.
“Master, please don't strain yourself. This should be more than enough. Your health is of the utmost priority.”
“It's not enough. He's still sitting. We have to attack him directly to get that stubborn boar to do his work,” the coated man answered, while being helped up with the arms of his aspect.
“You truly are the most honorable man, my master,” Vylsanas said, turning himself towards Passionare, ignoring Delirias who was still busy caressing his white hair and knocking off the dust from his coat.
“Don't you dare ignore me. This is my chance to finally be on the big stage,” Delirias grinned, cracking his neck with his hand.
“You barbaric fool,” Vylsanas said while grinding his teeth. “My master is not to be taken lightly.”
With a serious look on his face, the feminine looking aspect pulled tightly on his white gloves with his teeth, spreading his fingers until all of the twelve orbs gathered above him. It looked like the halo of an angel that was descending from the heavens. “It's over. The twelve paths of the Yokkyu Fuma will spell your end. Just as the eyes of society they will never rest and judge your every action.”
“There is one thing I can promise you, my dear. I'm the on
ly one who judges my actions,” Delirias answered in an unusual stern tone. Without hesitation, he ran into the crossfire again. What nobody noticed was that Delirias laid down a trace of his chains as he made his way forward. Gwyn’s heart was pounding, and he felt almost orgasmic, as he desperately wanted to see what happened next. Even the ever-calm Passionare was starting to notice Gwyn’s unusual excitement as he enjoyed the fight of the two aspects himself.
“Another frontal assault. You really are a simpleton,” Vylsanas said and sprinted forward as well. The difference between them was that he stopped shortly after, pulling his arms forward, which signaled the orbs to fly with even more intensity and speed. This made Delirias smile once more, as he also stopped mid-run and flung the chain that he kept with him forward.
“What the… ?!” Vylsanas was in shock, because in an instant Delirias swung one of the overthrown tables in the direction of the flying orbs.
“Even a temporary shield won't save you. Phase four is not so easily defeated!” he screamed as the orbs were obliterating the table on impact into tiny little pieces before moving on.
Everything happened within the blink of an eye.
As Vylsanas looked to his left, another half of a table came flying his way. This time he destroyed it with a strong right hook of his own, which had the pieces flapping everywhere. The next thing he heard was sinister laughter, followed by a familiar sound.
It was the buzzing of the chains ringing in his ears, taking over his body in surprise. In his bewilderment, he couldn't believe what he was seeing, as it was already too late. Behind the pieces of the table, one of the orbs was racing towards his direction, being looped around by a railway of chains that was bound to the leg of the table piece. Without a way to stop the trajectory and the immense force he had put behind it, the projectile impacted right into his stomach.
“T-this … c-can't be h-happ-pening. H-how could he,” he almost vomited, as Vylsanas mouth was filling with blood and his body was catapulted to the other side of the street.
“'Only someone who knows his limits can truly become great upon destroying those limits himself,'” Delirias quoted in a whisper to himself, before pulling his hood over his white hair and letting his chains retreat into his sleeves.
“THAT. WAS. AWESOME!” Gwyn jolted, and even the crowd around them was in an uproar as if they were paying to see such a grant fight.
“You used his own attacks against him! Forming a railway with your chains acting as a curve, while throwing tables as a distraction. What the-” Gwyn’s eyes were sparkling as he stood almost too close to Delirias’ face.
“If you have to explain it, it somehow loses all its charm kid…” the aspect answered before turning his attention to the master of Vylsanas. “Now, on to the mysterious master.”
“NOT SO FAST!” Vylsanas shouted as he jumped in front of his master to protect him. Covered in blood and his long hair tousled, he looked way worse than any of them but he was still determined to protect his partner.
“Heh… khk… It's alright, Vylsanas. Looks like we've finally woken up the eternally fiery bird.” With a little cough, the coated man was giggling, as even Delirias and Gwyn were starting to notice something strange. Sweat was building upon Gwyn's forehead, and the crowd was even more ecstatic than before, moving a few steps backward.
What happened next was a giant impact hitting the marketplace, like a small meteor, landing directly where they stood. Roaring flames rocketed upwards out of the crater and created a ring of fire, which was so intense, that Gwyn almost thought it was pulsating with a heartbeat on its own. In the middle of the inferno, the symbol of a huge flaming bird shot above, with plumage made out of ember, and its roar was heard throughout the district. The crowd erupted into applause and cheering as if the grand finale was about to start.
“WOOOHOO! GIVE IT TO THEM PASSIONARE!”
“Geez, I wouldn't want to fight that old knucklehead all by myself.”
“Show them what happens if you mess with Lussurians.”
“Hahaha, an eye for an eye, right? Let's brawl!” they screamed and the laughter coming from within the fire was even more grand.
“This was fun, but this fight is officially over. Come on, guys, you already escalated things without even inviting me, That's something I cannot allow, BWAHAHA,” Passionare chuckled as he appeared before the two men and their aspects.
“Finally,” a sigh of relief came from Vylsanas’ master. “Now they should be safe.”
“W-what did you say?!” Gwyn thought he must've misheard him, as their former enemies seemed quite happy. Leaving him in a state of confusion as he was stuck between the roaring flames and Passionare who was ready to rumble.
Chapter 9 – Lord Lust
“It really feels like it's been ages since I went all out, Buwhahah,” the gigantic man bawled through the flames, as the tattoo on his chest was illuminated in a bright red color. Gwyn was barely able to make him out, let alone their opponents, as the fire circle went to soar on higher and higher.
“Now, now,” Passionare spoke slowly and firmly. “Since you are the ones that started this, I'm somewhat obliged to take you on first.” He looked into the direction of Vylsanas and his master, who met him with a sly, but visibly exhausted, grin.
“Let's do it!” The mysterious man coughed, followed by his aspect grabbing something out of a black leather pocket on his masters back that promptly exploded inside the flames. It covered everything in a black smoke cloud, with tiny black skulls emerging from within.
“How is that possible?! Tarkus? Where did they get those tools from?” Even Passionare was dumbfounded, as he recognized what had happened. Instantaneously he spread his arms. With twitching veins alongside his muscular arms, he threw his hands together, resulting in a clap that shook the ground with a catastrophic bang.
Like a whirlpool, the remaining flames were sucked up towards him, releasing them shortly afterward in a blazing explosion. The smoke had disappeared. Their vision cleared up once more, but the two figures were already gone.
“Geez, now I will never hear the end of it,” he sounded annoyed, as he clicked his neck. “Well, now on to you two hot-headed pals.”
Passionare turned towards Gwyn and Delirias with a wide grin, as Delirias almost responded in the same manner, ready for another round, while Gwyn tried everything to calm his aspect down.
“Bwhaha, relax. I was just kidding. Unfortunately, there is no time for any more playing around,” the giant man answered them.
“This is what he calls playing around?” Gwyn gulped, as he watched the people around them digging through the destroyed remains of the marketplace.
The flames had already gone out, not leaving any more damage than what had already been done.
“I'm on my way to our Lord. I'm sure you still have a lot of questions. And since I like that vigor of yours, why don't you join me? I'm sure we will only get yelled at for the first half of the encounter, but you might get something out of it.” Another stupidly self-satisfied grin formed on Passionare’s face, as he lifted Gwyn onto his enormous shoulders before he even accepted to go with him.
“But what about that guy that attacked us?” Gwyn asked while Delirias nodded in agreement as if he was still pissed about not finishing the fight.
“There are greater things to worry about than a tantrum caused by one little human. Guess I really lazed around too long this time,” the tanned man answered them an unusual serious tone. “I'm not even sure he attacked you out of malice. There was some sort of presence surrounding the marketplace. Something sinister that seems completely gone by now. But oh well, what can you do. Maybe it really was him, Buwhaha.”
Passionare started laughing again as if nothing really mattered. To Gwyn, he really felt like that kind of reckless, but dependable guy. Someone who was so confident in his abilities that nothing seemed to trouble him, which also made him quite jealous as he reflected on his own shortcomings.
As the remaining
people gathered the parts and started rebuilding what was left of the disaster, they did so without any complaints, almost as if they enjoyed their existence, no matter the hardship they went through. Or maybe this was just an everyday occurrence for them.
“Extraordinary, my friends! Thanks for the help,” he shouted at the people. “Daddy Passionare will now make his report to Lord Lust, but when I come back I want to see all of you in high spirits, got it?! If not, I will slap your butts until they are as red as my flames, Buhwhaha.”
Gwyn couldn't help it but smile as well as he was taken in by the charm Passionare emitted, while he was loved by his people. “W-wait-- what did he say?!” Gwyn suddenly stopped as he realized what he just heard.
“Kikiki, this is getting more interesting by the minute,” Delirias giggled as he watched Gwyn's shocked reaction.
“Is something wrong?” Passionare asked. "Don't tell me, you don't know about Lord Lust of the seven deadly sins."
“L-lord Lust? You mean the seven deadly sins?!” Gwyn panicked a little, as his heart began to race by the sheer thought of what might happen.
“Hm? Oh, so you don't even know that much? Go figure, you really are newcomers,” The big guy was seriously taken aback by how little knowledge Gwyn had gathered so far.
“Well, I guess that still tends to happen 'round here,” he pondered while thinking of how to explain the situation.
“Hm, do you see that big tower over there pal?” he pointed at a huge dark tower standing right in the middle of all the districts, looming ominously in the distance. It was like a pole, pinning down each district, and connecting them with each other. The bridges were formed like wooden tongues, latching onto the sides, differentiating the diverse upper and lower levels of the city.
“That's where our Lord lives - Lord Lust,” Passionare explained as he started walking, while Delirias followed them, with Gwyn still riding on Passionare’s shoulder like a child.
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