by Arantes
“You are going to need it after we’re done with you. Just because you’re a Pureblood doesn’t mean you can’t be killed. We have the numbers and soon you’ll run out of energy to fuel your ability,” said Johnny. He looked at his brother and said, “Alvin, stay here with the prisoners, anyone who tries to escape kill them. Let’s go boys, it’s time to kill this bastard!” Some of his men screamed in joy, ready to finish him. He jumped to the roof followed by them.
When Johnny’s sword clashed with Aleister’s sword, he was hoping Aleister would be startled. Aleister simply smiled and said, “What’s the matter, you thought I didn’t know you were a Pureblood just like your brother.”
“Damn you,” Johnny was hoping to catch Aleister by surprise. “Well I guess you got me huh? I was hoping you would let your guard down thinking I was a vampire like my men.”
One of Johnny’s men started to laugh and said. “Johnny used to be an assassin for the queen a long time ago. He was known as Johnny the killer. Throughout his lifetime he had killed over two hundred men. The minute that you crossed us was the minute that you sealed your fate.”
“Over two hundred men, you say. Is that it? Because I lost count of how many I killed.” Aleister was holding his ground while Johnny tried to push him back. So he does possess ability unlike his brother, from his strength I can tell.
Johnny smiled, “It’s time to show you something interesting.” Johnny started to grow bigger and taller, growing muscles in his arms, chest, and legs. Johnny’s hands had become so big that this little sword no longer fit his hand. He dropped the sword and struck at Aleister.
Aleister moved back quickly as Johnny swung and punched a hole in the roof. What a massive strength, if I hadn’t moved out of the way he might have actually hurt me a little.
“So what do you think? Like these stretchy clothes,” laughed Johnny. His voice had changed to a more brawny and malicious voice, “Hey boys hand me my real sword.” Johnny had a special sword that was so big that five men had to carry it to him. It was wrapped up in cloth. He lifted the sword like it was light as a fork. He watched Aleister just standing there observing him. His sword was massive looking. “So many men have lost their lives to this sword, and now it’s time to add you to the list.”
Aleister wasted no time throwing away the sword he took from Johnny’s men. Against this gigantic sword of Johnny’s, he was going to need something more substantial. He grabbed his short sword from behind his back and countered Johnny who came swinging at him fast. His sword was so big that it made Aleister’s sword looked like a miniature one. As their swords collided and sparks flew, the forceful power of their swords clashing against each other split and ruptured the wind gusts. The massive force the wind was releasing was so severe that Johnny’s men had to give them more distance for their fight. They could actually hear the wind moaning in pain as their swords split it in two.
Alvin had seen his brother transform before. His ability had made him a legend, and sometimes Alvin wished he had that ability like his brother. The people however had never seen anything like this. They were surprised to see how powerful the two were. When their swords collided the wind that it created extinguished some of the fire around them.
Aleister blocked Johnny’s next attack. Johnny was so strong that he actually matched Aleister in strength. The Reawakening was calling him but he had chosen to ignore it. With Johnny’s next attack Aleister’s sword was sent flying by his force. Aleister was surprised and was caught daydreaming again. He was so startled by his sword being sent flying away that Johnny used that opportunity to slice him. Johnny’s sword had created a long cut that ran from Aleister’s right side of his chest down to the left side of his stomach. Blood sprung out and Aleister moved back, but he was so weak from losing so much blood that Johnny grabbed him by his neck and pierced his giant sword into Aleister’s stomach.
Johnny watched Aleister lying on the ground covered in his blood. Today his sword was going to be cleaned nicely. Aleister’s eyes were closed and he wasn’t breathing at all.
“Now you see what happens when you cross Johnny.” His body now started to go back to normal as he walked away from Aleister. He ordered his men to kill all the people and take anything valuable.
When Aleister opened his eyes he knew he had to use the Reawakening fast. His instant regeneration will take care of his wound for him. He had let himself get cut by Johnny’s sword. Damn this all, my body has gotten so weak without my full power. He started to think about who had broken the seal. Who could have had such knowledge and strength to break our seal? That fool Henry seems pretty powerful. Even the Numeral Society might be strong enough. At last he stopped pondering and the Reawakening started to take its effect, his nails grew longer and sharper, so had his fangs. His eyes started glowing and now Aleister could feel the burst of energy. His wound instantly regenerated.
One of Johnny’s men was astonished to see Aleister was gone when he looked back. Before he could have the chance to tell the others he found himself being bitten by Aleister, he needed blood. Johnny and the others looked back to see the great Aleister had risen back from the dead.
“Impossible, I killed you!”
“Death was only an illusion that I created for you to see.” A powerful blaze formed around Aleister’s body, it sprung out and was now covering the roof and the diner in its circle of flames. Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh! Aleister had created a circle of flame to trap them inside of his fire, after that, all he had to do was raise his hands and Whoosh. Aleister was laughing as he released his flare. His killer-lust wanted more, much more. Two came at him with their swords, but Aleister simply blocked them with his hands and their swords melted away. His hands had become as hot as the flames itself. He pierced his nails inside of their chests and both were dead instantly. Aleister’s dye in his hair faded from the flare and went back to white and he removed the glass in his eye.
Johnny changed quickly back to his big self when he saw how powerful Nile had become. There was no doubt in his mind that this man had one of the Excitaret Quad powers. No, it can’t be him. White hair, blue and red eye, is that… Aleister, the Aleister? Johnny looked around him to find all his men were dead, and with this fire around him escaping was not an option. No, I’m not afraid of him, He smiled, “I’ve heard of you Aleister. How powerful and petrifying you are. But you see, today I will be the man to put an end to you.” Johnny charged at Aleister, he swung his right fist towards Aleister’s head. Aleister blocked with his right hand easily; with his left he connected a punch to Johnny’s stomach. If Johnny wasn’t using his ability he would surely have died by now. Johnny fell to the roof holding his stomach in pain. No way, I never imagined for him to be this strong. How am I going to fight this guy whose strength is superior to mine?
Aleister opened and tightened his hand, “It seems as though I held back some of my strength.”
Held back some of his strength? What kind of monster is he?
Alvin and the others had watched the circle of white flames around the rooftop, wondering who had the ability to do such a thing. When the fire was gone at last, they saw Aleister standing on the edge of the roof, holding a man by his throat. When Alvin looked closer he could see it was his brother.
“Johnny!” But he saw something worse, white hair, a blue and a red eye; it was the great Aleister himself. Anyone but him, this guy is a monster!
Aleister wasn’t really interested in Johnny begging for his life. His hand was so hot that Johnny’s neck started to melt away, almost decapitating him. He let go of Johnny’s dead
body and the man fell on the ground.
“What is this guy, he looks like a demon,” said one of Johnny’s men. As he stared into Aleister’s eyes, Aleister was gone from his eyesight. “Impos---” before he could finish his word, he saw the blood running down his stomach. Aleister quickly teleported in front of five other men, before they can turn around Aleister had slashed their heads off. His instant teleportation had left
them defenseless.
“He’s a demon, let’s get out of here!” said one man as he tried to escape.
Aleister teleported in front of him and killed him, none who tried to run had made it. Aleister had no mercy for them. Abigail witnessed it all. She was now starting to understand why Aleister stayed away from her. Alvin watched all Johnny’s men die before his eyes, too petrified of Aleister to move. His legs were shaking with fear as Aleister approached him.
“I have nothing against you; my brother is the one who angered you!” He looked at Aleister’s eyes; they had no forgiveness in them. “Please, I will never hurt anyone again! I’ll try and help others, I’ll change my way I promise!” pleaded Alvin.
Aleister shook his hand, “This in not judgment,” with that he ran his sword in his chest.
The people had watched and wondered if they were next; they saw the joy in his face as he was killing the bandits.
Aleister now approached Abigail. He could see the fear in her eyes, her body was shaking. She now truly understood who he was. There was no mistaking it, the glowing blue and red eyes, it was him.
“I know who you are, I heard the rumors about you.” said Abigail. She was staring into a legend, a man who had lived for more than a millennium. It’s really him.
“Are you afraid of me?” asked Aleister. His voice was different; it was more evil and twisted. She was too scared to answer, as she stared in the eyes of a demon. His eyes went back to normal, no longer glowing. “Now do you understand foolish girl?” She nodded in fear. There was no doubt in Aleister’s mind that she was beautiful, a good woman. But he was not capable of love, his heart only knew hatred. Maybe in a different life he could see himself loving her.
Aleister continued his journey with Vincent and Dmitri after feeding his killer-lust. He decided to rest for a bit, they had been walking for hours. He could have walked for even longer, but he to rest. Using his transformation had taken a lot of his energy; even though he had drunk blood, sleep was still essential. He laid his head and drifted off to sleep. As Aleister slept he started hearing a cry. This cry was not human, it was more of an animal, a bear maybe. This was another one of his dreams; he saw a boy about his age walking in the forest. His legs were hollow; short black hair and light red eyes. The boy was in the forest, helping what seemed to be as a baby cub. Its mother came unexpectedly and attacked him. Aleister could see the bear but the boy couldn’t, “Move out the way now!” said Aleister to the boy in his dream, before the bear could slash him. The boy was now on the ground as the bear raised its claws to finish him. Aleister had to intervene to keep this boy alive. Awaken! Awaken! The boy looked into the bear’s eyes with intensity and said “stop,” and the bear was afraid of him now.
Aleister quickly woke up; he could feel something burning in his spine. He looked at his hand and was beginning to feel Dawson’s power. He woke up with anticipation in his eyes, “I found you at last! Dawson!” he gave that evil laugh again. After much traveling and searching, Aleister had found Dawson. His power had finally awakened. The joy in his face was scary. He laughed loudly. How long has it been Dawson? Too long, I have walked in this world by myself. Finally you will join me and soon the others will awaken, and once again we will take what is ours!
“Master you found him?” asked Vincent after hearing Aleister laughing. Dmitri was not very happy about the news. One King of Awakenings was already strong, and now two.
Aleister looked at Vincent and said, “Vincent, I have a job for you. I want you to do two things for me. The first one is to go and find him.”
Dmitri was curious as to why Aleister had not gone himself. After all, Aleister had been searching for a very long time, why would he choose to stay behind after finding him? “Master, why have you chosen to stay? It would be best if you had gone yourself.”
Aleister said nothing for a moment; he just looked at the moon, “Because he’s not yet ready for what I have to tell him.”
Dmitri did not understand what Aleister meant by that. Aleister always had a plan on his mind. Dmitri could never figure out what that was.
“If you must know Dmitri, then I will tell you. He’s not yet ready physically, or mentally. All Vincent will do is awakening his power for me. His mind had just tasted a bit of power, and he’s going to want more.”
Dmitri was still thinking of what Aleister said, still unable to understand how Aleister’s mind worked.
“We’re leaving. It’s time to go see King Henry,” said Aleister.
Chapter 24
Journey through Conalian
Albedo was now back from his vacation, he was ready to have that talk with his parents. He walked in the kitchen with his head held high; his parents sitting in the kitchen.
“I know you guys used to be a Black Reaper.”
They were expecting it, and were ready to answer any question he had to ask. He had wasted no time coming straightforward.
“Why did you guys lie to me and make me believe I was a human?” said Albedo.
“Forgive us, son. We wanted to give you a better life,” said his father. “But there’s more that you need to know, you were adopted, and we’re not your blood parents.”
“Not my blood parents?” said a shocked Albedo.
His mother said, “Just remember, it doesn’t matter if we are not your true parents.” She wanted to cry but stopped herself. “You will always be our son,” There was no denying it, the love they had for him was real and strong, and Albedo knew it.
They explained to him how they found him almost seventy years ago.
I’m almost a hundred years old, he was older than Sonia, Dante and Axil.
“You were just a baby when we found you.” His father looked uneasy now.
His mother said, “Albedo, listen, we may not be your biological parents but know this, we love you very much, and we apologize for not telling you that you were a Pureblood, not a human. When you came into our lives we were complete. Your father and I retired and we moved to Inferno to start a better life.”
Albedo looked them in the eye and said, “So you knew about the King’s decision to make Sonia train me?”
“Yes, son, we did.” There’s much more that we cannot tell you, you’re going to have to find out on your own and then make a decision that will change yours and this world forever.
He wasn’t even fazed of the idea of being adopted after it sync in. He still saw them as his parents and he still loved them. He looked at his father and wondered how strong he was. “What kind of ability do you guys have?” He smiled.
As his parents were about to answer his next question, someone knocked on their door. His mother opened it; Sonia was there with an intense look on her face, “It’s time.”
Cecelia, a former Black Reaper knew what that look meant.
“Sonia, what are you doing here so soon?”
“Master Dragan, master Cecelia.” She looked at Albedo and said, “The king has given us his blessing to go after Aleister!”
“Dragan?” said a confused Albedo.
Dragan got up quick and looked at Albedo and said, “Son, listen. I know you fought Aleister before, but be wary and valiant. He has more experience than you in controlling his ability. His Crimson Flame is much stronger than yours.”
“Master Dragan, we’ll do everything in our power to protect him,” said Sonia.
“So, you’re the legendary Dragan huh. So many secrets,” said Albedo.
“Yes, son, I will tell you everything you need to know one day, but right now is not the time.
Cecelia was worried about him, “Why is the king sending three rookies on this mission? Sonia and Angelione can handle themselves, but Albedo and his friends don’t have enough experience yet.” She looked at Dragan and said, “Maybe the two of us should g-“
“No,” said Dragan, “Our days or over. We have to trust these young Reapers.”
***
Dante had gone to let Axil know about their new mission. He knocked on
the door and Natalia’s father opened it for him. As usual the man had a face with no expression upon it. He greeted the old man and walked in the house like the guy owned it. By now he could smell the delicious home cooked meal, just like his mother used to make. He found Axil and Natalia in the kitchen, she had made him baked potatoes and roast beef stew.
Natalia said, “Hey Dante. I just finished cooking want to join us?”
Dante simply looked at Axil and said, “It’s time.”
“So the king is finally sending us to our second mission huh.” He looked at Natalia and said, “I have to go.”
Natalia was highly worried about him, about the mission; she was worried for all of them. She understood what they did and she had accepted it. “Be careful, you hear me, all of you.”
Axil promised her nothing would happen, but he knew he was lying. This was Aleister after all, chasing a wild dog he was expect to get bit. Axil quickly went upstairs and changed his clothes. It wasn’t until a couple minutes he came back to find Dante had made himself a plate. He approached Natalia who was standing by the window pondering, lost in deep thoughts of her imagination. He approached her and wrapped his arms around her. “I know, but nothing will happen I promise.” He knew this was something she was going to have to get used to. The last thing she needed was to lose him to Aleister.
She kissed him and said, “Be careful you hear me? And look after Albedo for me, Aleister wants him desperately.”
Dante had given them just enough time to say goodbye to one another before he interrupted them. It was time for them to go. Watching them brought happiness and sadness into Dante’s heart. He loved women but sometimes the guy needed someone to hold him. Being a womanizer was fun and he loved it, but it was nothing like what Axil had found. “Axil… it’s time to go.”
***
