Never in my life, did I imagine it would come to this…

A young man with blonde hair, a nice suit catered to fine dining, stood beneath a street lamp, his heart broken, his face dulled, he’s traumatized.

I did everything for her, everything a man could do to impress, and give the woman that they love to enchant their heart.

His right hand was clenched, it trembled with a black box in his clutch.

I thought she loved me? I thought she cared for me? Why… why did it have to turn out this way, why me?!

He brought the box up to his dulled eyes, his mouth half opened as he trickled his despair beneath his breath.

She not only humiliated me, but she broke my spirit as a man… how dare she—how dare she!

He ground his teeth, crushed the box with his grip as it shattered into a million pieces. Diamond shreds flew, sparkling beneath the light, and shined its remains on the ground. He growled, clutched his head, and fell to his knees. The young man whimpered, and heard her tormenting giggles echo in his mind. Hearing her soft gentle voice reject his proposal, and explain as to why she did so made him cry. She not only made fun of who he is, but for him not to be man enough for her? And only to be used as a tool, candidate for something deeper that she didn’t want to explain. It only cemented his new found hatred for her. Yet, his heart thought otherwise, the love for her still burned, and he didn’t want to just give up on her yet.

He cried some more until he stopped, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and got back on his feet.

“No… no, this can’t be the end. There has to be a better reason, I can’t let it end like this!”

He sniffled and reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet with a photo of the two.

“Samantha… I’m not giving up on you yet. Not without a proper explanation as to why you rejected me.”

He glanced at the shattered box and diamond shreds on the ground.

“You can’t just throw away all the time we spent together like that… no, there has to be a better explanation. And I will find out as to why you’ve broken my heart!”

He brought his head to the black sky, and took in a deep breath.

“SAMANTHA~!”

His broken, agonized scream echoed into the nightsky, bouncing off the building walls. His yell for her name kept echoing, further, further out into the night until it reached back into his present self. His eyes were glowing with hatred as he stared down the doppelganger of the woman who’s haunted his dreams for decades. She continued balling her eyes out as she was frozen in time. Archard raised his lips, and growled towards poor Sarah.

“Don’t cry now… you’ll only make it better for me, Witch.”

Sarah didn’t respond, and kept whimpering.

“What? What are you so afraid of?! In our first meeting you were pretty confident about protecting your friend!”

Archard stepped forward, his hands still clenched.

“Come on now! Say something?! Remind me of why I loathe you and that bitch of your mother! Please, I beg of thee to speak so you stir my hate for her—since you two sound the damn same!”

Archard stepped closer, and closer. He ground his teeth, and his fiery golden might began to erupt around him in an outline.

“Do it… do—it. Speak, stop standing there and pissing yourself. I want to hear you beg so I can do the same to your mother once we meet for one final reunion!”

He stopped shortening the distance between them, and put his arms out.

“Go on then, attack me! Use fire like your mother does! Firebend to your devilish hearts content! Show me that rage, that same anger you had towards me when you tried attacking me in that forest, Witch!”

Sarah finally moved a muscle. She raised one of her hands, and gripped the collar of her shirt as her eyes kept drowning in silence.

“That’s it… come on then, Witch. Show me that vengeful spirit driven by your emotions! Especially when it comes to those closest to you.”

Archard grew a sinister grin, and brought his head up to the sky. Sarah raised her other arm and gripped her arm that held onto her collar as he waited for her to take action. But Sarah wasn’t going to, she had something else in mind. Despite how afraid she was towards him, she can’t help but need to speak her mind. The goth girl closed her eyes for a moment, her tears kept seeping between her shut eye lids.

“Why…” she softly said.

Archard’s grin vanished, and quickly, his eyes came back to Sarah once she spoke. Seeing her innocent stance, the way she was grabbing herself, it reminded him of something similar in the past. Immediately, the fire in his eyes dimmed, and they mildly shook.

“Why… Do you ha-hate… me?”

Her lovely black hair fluttered, and her eyes glistened tenfold. Archard quietly gasped as he watched, and guilt slowly began to creep its way in his mind.

Sarah ground her teeth, and more tears came out. “What have I done to you… for you to harass and threaten my life?! I did nothing to you…!”

Sarah balled and covered her eyes. Archard dropped his arms and his body began to tremble in guilt. He tried fighting the emotion, but she was right. She has done nothing to him, only her mother. Was it right for him to punish her for the sins of her mother? In a Christian sense, it would be sinful, blasphemous! Yet, despite thinking this, his hatred towards her mother and how her appearance resembled so much of how he last saw her: Archard can’t let it go, he’s already made up his mind. He clenched his fists and looked away for a second.

She has to pay, she must! I will not be fooled again and be played by those trivial tears! Archard thought.

His eyes glinted, and when he brought them back to her, he saw Samantha for a moment. Her innocent smile, the cute tilt she always did, his mind began to play games with him again.

“No, no!” he shouted.

Sarah put her arms down, and wiped her eyes. “Whatever my mom did to you is between you two… whatever the reason may have been, it gives you no right to treat me so inhuman.”

“Huh…?”

Sarah placed her hand on her chest, “I’m not her nor will I ever be. I’m Sarah, a person who loves nature, cares for those closest to her, and is proud of being the person that I am today.”

Archard placed one hand on his head, and other words echoed in place instead of what she was saying.

“Archy, you know you’ll always have a place in my heart, it’s just that—you weren’t the one fitted for my goal…” Samantha whispered.

“Why… why not!”

Samantha smiled and let out a giggle that forever haunted his dreams.

“Because you just weren’t man enough.”

“Enough?!”

Archard’s anger exploded and Sarah felt the force of what a category 10 hurricane would feel like if she were at the Centre. She fought the winds that tried to push her out to oblivion. He took a couple of breaths, easing the intensity and proceeded to approach Sarah. She froze again and watched as he got closer and closer. His menacing stature finally towered over her, and she watched as death had come to face her.

“I’m through with talking. Your existence is enough for me to have a proper reason to have you punished. If I can’t kill you… then perhaps taking away what makes you a supernatural being is what’s most best suited for you.”

“No…” Sarah mumbled.

Archard began to reach for Sarah’s tiny left arm. “It’s time to end this… you’re coming back with me, Witch.”

Sarah felt the world slow down as his wide clutch grew closer, which made her shut her eyes. Archard’s itching to grab her, and even expressed a twisted smile for his amusement. When his hand was just a centimeter away, someone abruptly grabbed his forearm, and raised it upright. He quickly brought his glare to the person who intervened and caught him by surprise.

“Don’t you dare lay your wretched hand on my daughter, you sad excuse of an Exorcist.”

The person who had Archard's arm in his grasp was none other than Leon, Sarah’s father. Archard frowned, and the two had an intense stare off. Sarah’s eyes exploded and once she saw that it was her father that stood next to her, she couldn’t help but whimper again with relief and joy. Leon tightened his squeeze, and Archard’s lip mildly twitched in annoyance. Archard pulled away from his grip, and stepped away to grow some distance. An amused grin had appeared on Archard’s face while Leon remained serious and on guard.

Sarah quickly got behind her father, and peaked around him. “Th-thank you…”

“It’s okay now, Sarah. J-Just stay behind me, okay?”

Sarah nodded, but she saw something that caught her by surprise. She saw her fathers arm vibrating. It was very minor, but she saw that it was trembling. She glanced up to the side of her fathers face, and also saw a concerning drop of sweat easing its way down to his neck.

“Fa…ther?” she muttered.

Archard’s smirk grew more, and he found this to be a very intriguing sequence.

“Well well, well… if it isn’t the most miserable man to exist. Bolverkr, the Esper with emotional issues. And a sadistic tendency for starting fights, what a way for us to finally meet, ey?”

“You’re one to speak, you vile sick bastard of an Exorcist.”

“Me? A vile sick—bastard?! Oo, that’s a bit hypocritical coming from a monster such as yourself, isn’t it?”

“Call me whatever pleases that wretched, twisted mind of yours. It still doesn’t disclose the fact that you yourself are also a monster.”

Archard laughed, and slapped his knee. “Me?! You’re calling me a monster! You! The man who’s responsible for some of the most heinous crimes committed by a single being?! Oohoo, you twisted, twisted man you.”

Leon’s hand trembled in anger, but his facial expression hadn’t changed.

“That may be true, but you of all people have no right to call me that when you yourself have committed worse crimes! If it weren’t for that misleading cloak and righteous attitude, any sane person would call you out of your sick mindset.”

Archard’s smirk went away, and his lips straightened. “In what way do you speak of? Because it almost sounds like you’re accusing me of being a sinful person who doesn’t confess his sins?”

Leon put one foot forward. “That’s exactly what I’m implying. You’re not just who you are, but you’re a murderer, kidnapper, an awful human being who seeks pleasure of punishing those whom he deems sinful—when in fact he’s! Just as sinful as those locked behind bars for the most violent crimes!”

Archard’s face twisted, his lips moved, he grew annoyed by what he was saying, yet he didn’t argue back. He replied with a grunt and cracked his neck.

“Whatever you’re saying is nowhere compared to the billions of lives you’ve taken, you vile Esper.”

Leon blinked rapidly for a second, and grew speechless. Sarah looked up to her father, her eyes glistened and she couldn’t believe what he was saying.

“What? Did I strike a nerve? Bol~verkr?”

Bolverkr… is that my father’s actual name? Sarah thought.

Leon moaned, and his clutched got so intense it dug into his skin, drawing blood from his palm.

“You’re one to talk, Archard! You not only seek enjoyment of hunting, killing my people, people like her mother, but you get turned on by the fact you can overwhelm your opponent—trap them in a corner as you take their life away with your vile hands!”

“That doesn’t come close to the billions upon billions you’ve killed, the hundreds of Exorcists you murdered with those blood thirsty hands! My enemies deserved their punishment when you in fact took the lives of innocents!”

“That still doesn’t justify your actions!”

“Nor yours!” Archard swiped the air, “your sins can never be compared to my actions! When mine in fact were never sinful, and under God’s will.”

Sarah wanted to say something to him, and she was about to, but her father unbaled his fist, and put his bloody palm in front of her face.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about.” Leon said.

Archard furrowed his brows. “What are you talking about, Esper?”

A wrinkle formed between the eyes of Leon, and he mildly leaned his head forward.

“You’re a pathetic excuse of a man, and it’s exactly as to why—Samantha never chose you.”

Archard grunted, and growled in hearing that.

“Think about it. You say you follow Christian fate, only when it comes to those who look up to you like your peers and the one girl under your training wing.”

Archard shot one of his fingers in their direction, “Watch who you’re talking about…”

Leon stepped forward, and raised a fist.

“But in reality, behind that damn mask of yours, you’re nothing but a depressed, sick murdering bastard. You’re no man of God, you’re just a selfish criminal who pretends to play priest.”

Archard squinted his eyes, wiggled his jaw but sighed afterwards. He regained his composure and that twisted grin returned.

“Hmph, whatever pleases you to insult my character but calling me depressed? When you yourself are the embodiment of that term! And not only that, you’re living your worst nightmare. I have nothing to say other than—at least I’m not the husband of the holder of Envy!”

Leon dropped his fist, and he too grinned. Archard’s grin went away once he saw his, and grew confused.

“Don’t hide your defeat, Archard. Because in the end, you wish you were in my shoes. I accomplished what you couldn’t have! And that was for Samantha to say yes to me—while you laced in sadness, cried, begging for her to come back to you.”

“Wh… how do you—?”

“How do I know? You may ask? It’s simple, Archard—it was Samantha who told me.”

Archard grew tired of this conversation and stomped the ground in front of him, shaking the earth. Sarah almost lost her balance while her father remained still. Archard took deep breaths to relax and not use his mana. He grunted loudly, and managed to contain his anger.

“Say what you want, feel whatever pleases you, Bolverkr. But what I am capable of doing compared to you is to control my mana and especially my anger. Which you can’t do, not one bit.”

Leon crossed his arms. “Oh yeah? Then explain as to why I was able to grab a hold of your forearm without you sensing my presence?”

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

“Hmph, don’t tell me that the mighty Archard can’t sense normal strangers without them being supernatural? You really do rely that much on your mana?”

Archard grew furious, and balled his fists. “Sh-Shut up!”

“Think about it. The fact that I—I! Alone without using an ounce of mana was able to sneak up on you like a roach and hold you in my clutch speaks numbers.”

Archard’s anger wanted to explode now. But Leon was right, how did he do such a thing without being detected or sensed? Is it a new ability only he alone knows? Or could it be—?

“Don’t tell me… that his natural strength alone rivals my current state?” Archard muttered.

That’s the only explanation! Which means… he’s much stronger than what I anticipated. Archard thought.

Sarah couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. She knew her father was strong, but not that strong. When he did showcase his mana inside his own dimension, she thought that was his full strength and comparable to this monster who split the earth's atmosphere with just the force of his punch. Yet what she’s sensing from Archard, and the last time her father showed her his aura, she thought her father would stand no chance. Despite her own opinion, he’s stating his normal state rivals to Archard's current sent shivers down Sarah’s spine.

Father… you’re amazing. Sarah thought as her eyes gleamed with hope.

“So you’re hiding more than what meets the eye, huh Esper?” Archard chuckled. “If what you say is true, then I can’t help but agree with you on that. My master has also scolded me for relying too much on my gifted abilities. Trust me, I’m trying, I am trying, but when you’re on call 24/7, it’s difficult to balance training and work.”

Leon isn’t stupid. Yes they’re equal now but he knows all too well just how powerful Archard is. It’s why he’s garnered a vigorous reputation amongst the supernatural community. He’s not only one of the most powerful beings alive, but he’s the most feared because of his deplorable actions.

“But if you think, even having a glimmer of hope that you stand a chance against me… then you’re dead wrong.”

Archard’s eyes glowed again, and the two could feel the air around them grow heavier than earth's gravity. It was starting to grow hard to breathe for Sarah, and she began to gasp for air as Archard grew a smile once more. Leon tapped his daughter's head and a barrier formed around her to combat the growing atmospheric pressure around them. Leon raised his fists, and Archard lightly chuckled. He stopped his small showcase and turned around. Leon narrowed his eyes and dropped his fists.

“I’ve grown tired of this, so I’m walking off, for now.” Archard mildly looked over his shoulder so the two can see his vile open mouth smile. “I have a feeling that you and I will meet again, Bolverkr. And when we do, then we’ll see who’s the better man. Until then, tell that vile woman of yours… her life will soon come to an end, by my hands.”

Archard walked into the darkness of the forest, and soon, his figure faded into it. Leon’s face stayed serious as Sarah watched on, and felt relieved that this conversation was over. Never would Sarah have imagined that her father, of all people, would come to save her. She felt ecstatic and overfilled with joy, mainly for the fact she has someone like her father by her side.

“Father, you were amazing!” Sarah shouted.

Leon turned around and proceeded to walk back home.

“Fa-Father?! Where are you going?!”

Leon remained quiet while Sarah kept trying to ask why he got so quiet. He did this the entire way back until they caught sight of their lovely backyard. There, they saw Jack gazing at the sky, laying on a bench, and Sarah immediately ran to him. Jack saw Sarah coming his way and he got up out of his seat to greet her return.

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“Hey, I see that your father went to go look for you, Sarah.” Jack said as she finally met up with him.

“Yeah, he did, but not only that, he saved my life!”

“Saved your life? What do you mean by that? What happened!” Jack exclaimed.

Leon stood twelve feet from them, and watched them converse on what just occurred.

“Yeah, I was just walking, strolling, singing, you know. Then a creepy guy in a robe confronted me and said that I was alive and called me… Aby—zou!”

“Guy in a… robe?” Jack mumbled.

And he called Sarah by her mothers actual name… does that mean he’s associated with Samantha? Jack thought.

“What else happened?” he asked.

“That horrible guy, now I know his name, Archard confronted me afterwards.”

“Archard!” Jack shouted, grabbing Sarah’s shoulders. “What was he doing there?!”

“I-I don’t know, but…” she gently pushed Jack off, and put her arm out to her father who stood like a statue. “If it weren’t for my father, then I wouldn’t have been standing here, Jack.”

“Really?” Jack looked over to her father. “Why’s he just standing there?”

“Yeah, why is he?” Sarah said while bringing her attention to her father. “Father, are you al—”

Sarah then realised they were no longer in reality, but in an alternate version of their backyard. She glanced around and saw the same sky to that of her father’s dimension. Jack also looked around, moaning and appearing just as confused.

“Wh-What’s going on?” Jack said.

“I-I don’t kn—” when Sarah brought her eyes back to her father, he was already standing in front of her, which spooked her. “Fa-Father…?”

Leon retracted his arm back while Sarah watched and Jack too. His hand balled, and he shot his fist at Sarah, striking her gut and sending her flying through their duplicate home.

Jack watched in horror as his friend was sent to oblivion. “SARAH!”

Leon vanished and appeared right where Sarah was going to flyby, and put out his right forearm at the right moment for Sarah to land. She flew right into it, her back, body bending backwards from the impact. She gagged, her eyes popped out of socket. Leon tensed his arm, swung her around, and shot his arm to the sky, sending her flying. He instantaneously appeared in the direction leading him to see his own daughter’s petrified face. He double ax handed her to the direction of the home, plunging her to the earth, and impacting onto the home, destroying it. She crashed, a huge cloud of smoke ruptured into the atmosphere. Jack watched in horror as he saw Sarah be beaten for no reason.

“Sarah! Are you okay?!” he shouted.

Sarah lay on the crater, and opened her eyes. Despite being punched, pummeled, she seemed mildly okay, just sore. She sat up, patted herself and wondered how she was able to withstand such trauma. Then, she saw something glowing around the edges of her arms, making her scan her body. She saw something outlining her body, and wondered if this was her father’s doing.

The barrier he put around me earlier, is it protecting me?! She wondered.

“Is this… training?” she said.

“GET UP!” Leon yelled.

Sarah got on her feet, and shot her head up to the sky. Her father was floating, and he told her daughter to bring it with the tips of his fingers. Sarah now understood what her father was doing. The barrier he summoned earlier to protect from Archard’s might, his heinous actions at first glance, her father was giving her a lesson. Once she had fully figured this out, she went into her battle senses and closed her eyes. She reeled her arms inward, and began to power up. Her hair bellowed, her clothes fluttered, and eventually, her mana exploded out, shooting into the sky. It widened the crater she was in, heatwaves pulsing off of it, she turned the entire dimension into a red hellfire from the glow of her blackened magma aura.

Her father trickled a gasp between his lips, and was surprised to see this. “Sarah… is this your glow?” he murmured.

This energy, this heat, it’s exactly like mine… He thought.

Sarah’s eyes were glowing hot iron as she gazed in her father’s direction.

“I’m ready, father!” she shouted.

Her father vanished out of thin air. She gasped, and tried to read where he might appear. But with so much concentration of finding his location dropped her guard where he took advantage. He appeared behind, and locked in a rear choke hold. She squirmed in his clutch, and tried to think of a way to break free. She came up with something, and powered up more. Her father quickly backed away, and saw just how strong his daughter was becoming. Her hair began to gleam more red, and her lust for battle grew.

She turned around and shot her arms in his direction. “Hail to the guardians of the—”

Her father gave her no chance for her to cast a spell. He ran right up to her, shot a right uppercut to her jaw, and made her get off the ground for a second, only for him to chop her away in Jack’s direction. She slid towards his feet, and Jack quickly went to her aid, only for him to be burned by her aura.

“Ah, Jesús! You alright, Sarah?!”

Sarah again wasn’t too fazed since the barrier around her was protecting her from her fathers attacks, although she did feel the wind knocked out of her. Sarah easily got back on her feet, coughed and wiped her mouth. She didn’t respond to Jack, she’s dead focused on her father who stood there, waiting for her next move. Sarah grunted, reeled her arms in, and again, powered up more, which resulted in Jack to be blown away. Sparkes erupted around her, her hair bellowed intensely, her clothes fluttered violently, her aura grew more intense by the second. Her right arm, her shirt began to be torn by its edge from the emerging tattoo that gave her more energy. Her hair began to change colours, indicating the heat and intensity of her growing power. Her eyes were pure red, glowing, and her hair got red around the edges.

“So… this is you at your fullest, my daughter.” Leon muttered. “What a sight to behold.”

The tattoo on her right arm shot out purple plasma, red electrical currents shot out into the sky from the intensity: Sarah finished, she was at max strength, and the entire dimension was engulfed in red from the glow of her blading magma tar-like aura. The black edges slicing the air around her, the fire red glow pulsing inside, never has he seen such a magnificent display. This made Leon grin, and raise his fists to his daughter.

“You rely too much on your mana, Sarah. It’s time that I teach you how to use your hands instead, so you won’t end up like the rest.”

Sarah took deep breaths, and bended forward, placing her hands slowly on the ground.

“Father, I’ll show you what I’m made of, and most of all—prove to you that I can handle myself.” she said.

Jack got up and watched the two have a Mexican standoff. He was dumbfounded and felt so out of place, but had no clue what was happening. He instead decided to hold off, and watch them from where he stood. Seeing Sarah’s heat waves coming full blast at him felt like he was near the edge of a volcano, but this was a sight to behold. It was beautiful yet scary seeing that his friend had this type of rage inside of her.

“Whatever you’re planning, Sarah… show him that you’re not a weak little girl.”

Jack balled his fist, and raised it.

“Sarah, get him!”

Leon slightly raised his foot off the ground, and Sarah’s eyes budged. The ground beneath it cracked, he flew away, and Sarah’s aura pummeled into the ground. Hellfire erupted from the cracked earth, splitting the earth into two, and a giant magma fist came out, shooting right at Leon. He put one hand out, and caught it. Another arm came out, and eventually an entire ginormous womanly figure of fire crawled out. She towered over everything, and her size was enormous. This was the biggest Sarah’s made since the last time she’s used her abilities against that girl in white. The figure stood above the clouds, and did its best to drive its fist against Leon’s defence. Jack watched in awe, and couldn’t believe his eyes.

“A-Amazing…” he murmured.

Leon began to push the figure's gargantuan fist away as plasma was shooting everywhere where he was at by taking steps forward. Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes, and she began to take control of the figure. She raised the other fist, and hammered it down to her father. The giant fireball pummeled down to Leon to that of a meteor, and once it grew close to him, he caught that too with even more plasma exploding out. He had two giant fists of fire the size of football stadiums in the palm of his hands. He slammed his foot on the ground, dug his fingers into the fire, and picked the giant off its feet, and flew it over his head, slamming it on the ground, shaking the earth from the monstrous impact. Leon leaped into the air, and dove to the figures head, foot forward. He drove his foot into it, and the figure exploded to that of nuclear proportions. Sarah put her forearms out to block the tremendous shockwave, but she was blown away and screamed. Jack also flew away, tumble weeding away.

Sarah quickly caught herself, and drove her feet on the ground. “No! I’m just getting started!”

She exploded, and flew at her father, light speed. He watched as his daughter was driving her tiny fist at his face. Sarah yelled, and he causally dodged her, and she drove another fist. Her form was sloppy, and predictable as she threw punch after punch. He was still proud that she had such passion and heart behind them. When she tried using a kick, he caught her leg, and placed his hand over her face, slamming her onto the earth. He drove her head deeper into the ground, and soon she was swallowed by the crumbling crater. He leaped away, watching as the earth crumbled, and cratered into a bigger hole. Immediately, she flew up into the sky, and she screamed, putting both palms out. He reacted, appearing behind quicker than she could blink, and hammered her away back to the ground.

Jack had just got up, and saw his friend crash back to the ground. “Sarah!”

He grew tired of watching and ran in their direction. Leon floated back to the ground, and waited, but heard Jack coming his way from his relentless war cry. He turned to the young man's direction, and smiled as Jack pulled his right arm back. Jack drives it forward, and Leon dodges. Jack swung, swung, only for Leon to causally dodge his fists. Jack kept throwing punches, right hooks, everything that his uncle had taught him, and in return had Leon more on guard.

“For a normal person, you sure do know how to throw your punches.” Leon said.

Jack threw one more before the two backed off. “Ye-yeah… my uncle taught me.”

“That so? He must be better skilled. But you’re not bad, it’s good to know hand to hand combat.”

“Well, yeah. If you lived the life that I did, then it’s necessary to learn, unless guns come into play.”

“You’re right. But in this instance, it’s not guns that should worry you, but distant attacks from supernatural beings, such as mana or energy attacks.”

Jack drew sweat, and he raised his fists. “I still rather use my hands and a gun than be like any of you…”

Leon scrunched his face in hearing Jack's response.

“Yes it's cool and a blessing to have such Powers! But in the end, I’d rather still be considered normal and not overthink more than I already have to.”

Leon grinned again and chuckled. “I admire your confusing admiration.”

He too raised his fists and his form looked similar to that of a jujitsu martial artist.

“Enough talk, let's see if you can prove that you can protect my daughter.”

Jack gulped. “Oh shit…”

Leon rushed up to Jack. The young man tried thinking of a way to counter his oncoming attack and if dodged, what other offence move can he do to push him away.

“I’m down to your level Jack! So give me all that you got!”

There’s no time to waste. Leon drove a straight fist. Jack stepped out to the side, and Leon’s natural abilities kicked in, swiping Jack off his feet. The young man fell to his side, Leon’s leg flexed high into the air, and plunged it down to where Jack’s face had been. The young man paused, his eyes stared at his foot that stabbed the earth. Quickly, Jack grabbed it, and Leon didn’t hesitate, shooting his leg away for the young man to be flown off. Jack landed back first, but got back on his feet. He rushed Leon, threw a right hook, an upper cut with Leon normally dodging. Yet Jack had something on his sleeve. With Leon still dodging, Jack waited for his chance to shine. Leon took the bait, and went for another kick, only for Jack to dive below, getting up under, and wrapping him around his right shoulder. Jack yelled as he got Leon, getting him off the ground to slam him on the ground.

“I got you now!”

“I don’t think so.”

“Huh?!”

Leon broke free from his clutch, and wrapped the young man's head, and drove him into the ground, head first into a DDT. Jack got the wind knocked out of him, and lay there in defeat. Leon let go and casually got up, wiping his clothes. He moaned, but smiled, then heard his daughter's boots coming his way. She too tried throwing some haymakers, although sloppy, he was more than proud to see the fire in her not dimmed.

She’s relentless, isn’t she. Leon thought.

Leon kept dodging, but Sarah had something else in mind. She went for a sidekick, mimicking her father, which made him gasp.

She’s watching my moves and learning as we practice. He thought.

He of course went to grab it, but instead, Sarah erupted her Aura, and charged her fist. It was engulfed in flames, and her eyes glinted with excitement and hope. Leon lightly gasped, and Sarah shot her fist at his face. He dodged at the last second, a giant stream of fire shot out into the sky. The tips, strands of his hair were scorched, and Sarah again threw another hand, and shot plasma through the palm of her hand. Leon grabbed her hand, and redirected their grip, turning the two opposite with him redirecting the plasma out of the tips of his fingers. A huge stream of it struck the sky, and illuminated the sky into a light show.

Leon soon realised that he was touching her, and for once, didn’t let his emotions get to him. Actually, throughout the entire skirmish he has been putting his hands on her without falling into rage. It made him pant, and thrilled. He had his daughter's hand held, and wondered if it was because of the combat, the heat of the training, or perhaps he’s accumulating further his bond with his daughter. Regardless, Leon was enjoying himself, and so was Sarah. While the two were paused, Jack surprised Leon and grabbed him from behind, and had him in a full nelson.

“Crap.” Leon weakly said.

Jack held him the best he could, “lay it on him, Sarah!”

Sarah was panting, her clothes were smeared with dirt, torn, and stained, but the grin that grew, it more than showed how much she was enjoying this skirmish.

“Right!” she shouted.

Sarah leaped back, gave herself some distance. She closed her eyes, and shot her arms to the sky.

“Hail to the guardian's of the sky, I bid thee to smite my enemy—lay him down with your might! May he be scorched by the strikes of your light… I bind thee!”

Leon saw the sky transform. The sky glowed, pulsed, lightning struck the ground around them. Veins of it had engulfed the sky, and eventually swirled above Sarah. Leon’s eyes glistened, watching the light show that made his heart skip a beat. Jack too was in awe, and he almost lost his grip, but quickly grew his hold tighter. Leon at this point was letting Jack do it to see what his daughter had in store.

“Jack! What about you?!” she shouted.

Jack grinned, and peaked his head around Leon’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I think I’ll survive… I hope!”

Leon hung his head, trying not to show his enjoyment. He hasn’t had this much fun in awhile nor managed to release his emotions and anger through his fists of any kind. Her arm, the tattoo that emerged earlier glowed, pulsed, and all the swirling veins of nature's light twisted, and spiraled down to her arms. She was electrified, and swirled the lightening around her to that of a dance. Her aura grew tenfold, and she was at maximum. Her eyes pulsing, her aura buzz sawing, Sarah shot the collected plasma, and shot it out through her palms. A stream of lightning headed in their direction, and Jack’s eyes reflected the oncoming wall of light.

“Oh shit…” Jack said.

Suddenly, once the attack came into the edge of Leon’s body, Jack was sent flying away, and Leon had one arm raised to his heart while the force of light sent his feet dragging. Leon stopped the momentum, and held the attack with the tip of his fingers as it went violent around his body. Leon ground his teeth, and redirected Sarah’s attack in her direction. She gasped loudly and leaped into the air, only to be met with a neck chop by Leon, sending her flying back down.

Jack got back up, and ran to where she might land, but Leon appeared in front of his face, sending him into a shocked state.

“Holy shit!”

Leon furrowed his brows, and retracted his right hand. “Lets see how strong this given power of yours is against my abnormal punches.”

Leon shot his right fist into Jack’s gut, sending him away. Jack gagged, and growled. Leon teleported behind Jack, sending his left leg into Jack’s left side. Jack’s expression was cartoonish from the unbearable force given to him. Leon soon grabbed his neck, choked, slammed him, and pummeled Jack’s chest with dozens of punches. Every punch sent Jack deeper into the earth, cracking it, shaking it as he spat, yelled, and screamed. With one more punch to Jack’s stomach, it sent a pool of blood out of his mouth. Jack was left devastated and broken. But Leon wasn’t finished, he had one more thought in mind. He jumped into the air, and he saw his daughter flying at him. He flew to the side, but she kicked the air behind her, sending powerful winds in his direction. Leon braced himself, and Sarah let out a war cry, shooting another stream of fire through her right fist. Leon sliced through the train of fire, and Sarah was right at his face once it was split. At that moment, they were eye to eye, and Leon saw Samantha. Her wicked smile, her charcoal hair, and her pale hands trying to reach for his face.

Leon ground his teeth, and his mana suddenly exploded. His powerful blackened aura of deep purple turned the dimension into pulsing darkness. Sarah screamed as she shot her right fist towards his face and he also shot his fist as he furrowed his brows in anger. Their fists collided and the dimension they were in was obliterated, landing them back into reality. The two stood beneath the tree, and Sarah panted, and fell to her knees, and hands. Jack’s eyelids exploded, and he saw the familiar sky. He sat up, felt the grass tickling his back and let out a breath. Leon’s fist was still out, his eyes narrowed, a deep wrinkle between them, he was cooling down his emotions. He slowly lowered his hand, and got down to a knee.

Almost lost my cool there… He thought.

“You have much to learn, Sarah. Next time, no mana. You have to learn to not rely on it too much. But more importantly, if you still have to, learn to use your hands and legs with it. You’ll never know if you have to use hand to hand combat, but it’s always best to know, even if it’s just the basics.

Sarah was having trouble catching her breath, but she felt exhilarated. She brought her head up to him without looking into his eyes in respect to his request, and softly smiled. Leon’s eyes shook, but his lips remained straightened. But behind that straight line was a curve of happiness that wanted to emerge. He got up, and walked away.

“We’ll discuss more later, Sarah. In the meantime, try to meditate and see how you can better control your mana.”

Sarah got to one knee, and a tear came out her left eye. “Yes, I will.” she muttered.

Leon made his way to Jack who sat there, baffled and lost. He leaned down to the young man's ear.

“You and I will have a private discussion later on, but for now, can you promise me another thing?”

Jack rubbed his stomach that had been pummeled by his fists. “Ss-sure… what is it?”

Leon got serious, and placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Don’t allow my daughter to use her mana in reality, by any means necessary. Because the moment she uses just an ounce, those Witch cultist freaks will find her location and take her.”

“W-Witch cultists?” he replied, letting out a gasp.

‘I’ll explain later, but please, Jack. Be her shield, even if it means your life will come to an end. But I doubt it since I tested that invulnerability of yours with my barrage of punches. So, I think you’ll do just fine.”

Leon tapped the young man's shoulder, and walked away, eventually back into his home. Jack deeply sighed, shrugged, and got on his feet, grabbing his abdomen. Sarah too stood straight, and held her right arm. The two looked at each other, and chuckled. She went up to Jack, tapped his wrapped arm, and walked past him in silence. Jack stood with a grin on his face, he couldn’t believe the skirmish he just had with the two. He was still trying to comprehend, and wrap everything up, but it was hard. Although, the young man for once didn’t seem bothered by this supernatural occurrence, even if he was plunged into the earth. He put his hands on his hips, and glanced at the forest.

“What a night, ey?”

Sarah slid her door halfway open, and turned to look at Jack’s backside. “Say Jack.”

Jack looked over his shoulder, “what's up?”

Sarah expressed a half grin, and it looked adorable to the young man's eyes.

“You-You think you can teach me how to fight… you know—just the basics, maybe?”

Jack trickled a moan, but replied with a soft grin. Sarah ruffled her hair, flipped it, coughed, and lightly shrugged, and let out a giggle.

“If it’s not too much to ask, you know? You don’t have to, but I thought if anyone has experience and can teach me the basics, then it’d be you.”

Jack remained quiet, and was taking advantage of her soft side. He wanted to print this adorable scene into his mind.

“Perhaps, alone… one on one. Wh-What do you say?” she asked while rubbing her arm.

Jack turned to look at her, and sighed. “Sure. I guess we can start in the next two days. For now, I think I’d like to just relax and recover after your fathers beating.”

Sarah’s eyes glistened and she nodded. “That sounds cool. I’ll be waiting in the meantime and catching up with the girls.”

Jack nodded and raised his hand to Sarah. “Sounds like a plan, see ya later, and goodnight, Sarah.”

Sarah stepped inside, and slowly slid the door closed. “You too, see ya Jack, and please be careful.”

“You’re one to talk, heh.”

Sarah giggled one more time, and waved back to Jack, sliding her door fully closed. The young man walked away, and eventually made his way back into the street. He tucked his hands into his pockets and walked off into the night, reminiscing everything that’s occurred up to this point. From the events from when he was a child, to this bonding moment of a friend he wasn’t too close with but now is. It’s a lot for Jack to take in, but he’s enjoying it. The young man took a pause, and turned slightly to take one last look at Sarah’s lovely home.

“Hmph, it appears that I’ve got a new goal in life…”

Jack’s heartbeat grew, his eyes lightly shook, there was a familiar feeling that began to emerge. From the times with Mallory, the moments with Alexandria, to the mystery girl in his dreams called Lily, he welcomed back this nice sensation.

“I’ll do the best that I can to protect you, my friend.”

The young man turned forward, walking away from the vicinity of her home until he faded into the darkness of Michigan's streets.

***

The next day, mid afternoon, strolling by some local side business was a man in a red basketball hoodie, who was making his way to a local bar. The hood over his head, his hands tucked into his jean pockets, but his eyes had a glint in them, and they were golden. The street was busy as usual around this time, and once he made it to his destination, something had made him pause before pushing the door open. He turned to his sides, glancing at the street corners before entering, and grunted. He walked inside, the bar had pool tables, people going against one another, a smoking area, and one person seated at the bar. He made his way to one of the stools, and sat, and tapped the counter to get the bartender's attention.

“Yeah, I heard ya.”

It was a woman, and she turned around, and saw who it was, and wondered why he looked so ominous. This wasn’t new to her, so she just shrugged it off.

“What would it be, stranger?”

The man raised a finger, and pointed at a bottle of their finest whiskey. She looked over her shoulder, and slightly tilted in surprise, her lips frowned.

“Oh! A man of no words but with big pockets instead. One shot? Two, what’s up, playa?”

He raised two fingers, and she nodded.

“I gotchu. Just shots, or would you like a little umph with that?”

He shook his head.

“Aight mystery man, two shots it is.”

She went to grab the bottle and he waited. The front bar door opened and dinged the bell above it. Two women walked in, one slightly shorter than the other. The shorter one had short hair, her outfit close to that of business attire but had a kick of casualness to it, matching her glasses and brown hair. The other was an average height woman, bright blonde hair, pale skin, but glistening blue eyes, she stood out more than her friend. Her outfit was close to her friend, but her long trench coat of red made others question why she was wearing something around this time of season? Her long heeled boots clacked the wood floor as they made their way to the bar where the mysterious stranger was at, who took his first shot.

They sat down, and the short one pulled out her phone. “Alright, we’ve been searching everywhere in this god forsaken city and we still can’t find her.”

The blonde woman collapsed her hands and set them on the bar. “Figures, but I have a hunch we’ll find that devil sooner than later.”

The blonde woman's accent was harsh, sounded Norwegian, high pitch, but loosened to please one's ear drums. This made the hooded man ease in their conversation, and he appeared intrigued when they mentioned the word ‘Devil.’

“I hope so… we’ve been searching country to country in search of her.”

The blonde woman hung her head, and sighed. “I’m sorry, my friend. I know we have, but I need to do this… you understand, right?”

The shorter woman grinned, and placed her hand on her friend's arm. “You’re my best friend. Of course, and I’ll stick by your side as long as it takes, even if that means death.”

The bartender lady couldn’t help but ease in, and smack her hands on the table, spooking the two.

“Alright lesbos, you gonna sit here and talk of your troubles like the rest? Or would you perhaps like to drown out your pesky emotions with some drinks?!”

The blonde woman grinned. “Typical Americans, sure! If it's in the house, madam.”

The bartender laughed, “you know what, for you, sure because I like your accent. Where are you from?”

“Oh, I’m from Norway. You know, lovely coast sides, winter mountains, and lots and lots of tails of superstition and—Vikings!”

“Hell yeah! Alright, you both get some free drinks, two beer mugs?”

“It better be some Guinness.” the blonde woman said.

Her short friend giggled. “I’m down.”

“Two Guinesses, coming right up. Give me five minutes.”

The blonde woman couldn’t help but return her frown. “For my brother…”

She reached into her coat pocket, and pulled out a photo of him. Her friend watched and frowned as well.

“Oskar…” she muttered.

She brought her gaze back to her friend and a glint appeared in her eyes. Her friend clutched her pants from the intense glare of her closest friend.

“That Witch… will pay, and I’ll be the one to end her life.”

She put the photo back in her pocket, and slammed her fist on the bar.

“Holder of Envy… I’ll find you, and when I do—”

“Hey…”

The voice of a man had put a pause to the two, and the women wondered who. The blonde woman heard it closest, and turned to her right, seeing the hooded man in red.

“Was that you that spoke to us, stranger?” she said.

He downed his last shot, and chuckled beneath his breath. His chuckle sent chills down their spines, and the blonde woman raised a brow.

“I was wondering why I sensed two unexpected sources of mana.”

He mildly turned to her, showing half his face, and twisted half grin. She swallowed and narrowed her eyes.

“Wh-What do you mean by that? Who are you?”

He chuckled and raised his empty shot glass to her.

“Salutations to you too. But I find it strange that two Esper's would so casually walk in a bar and discuss murder in front of someone—like me?”

“Huh?! You know who we are!” the short woman said.

The blonde woman got out her stool, and clenched her fists. “Who are you… and how do you know that we’re Esper's?”

He sighed and cracked his neck. “I couldn’t help but hear in your conversation about the holder of Envy. It enlightened me, even if it’s coming from someone such as yourself who also represents the clan of Witches. Isn’t that hypocritical of you? I mean, that necklace inside your shirt speaks for itself, haha.”

The blonde woman gasped, and her friend also got out of the stool seat.

“How do you know about my necklace?! Reveal yourself—or else I have to use force!”

The hooded man snapped his fingers, and everything around them had paused. Colour had saturated and everyone went on a stand still. He got out of his chair, and brushed his hands from head to toe, revealing his elegant white hooded cloak. It’s Archard, and immediately, the two women were shocked beyond belief. They backed away, and the short one was ready to use mana until the blonde one put her arm in the way to stop her.

Archard patted himself, and turned to the two. “Delighted to see me? Bear witness to my mightiness, Esper's.”

The blonde woman moaned, and drew sweat. “What are you doing here? Grand Exorcist?”

Archard mildly grinned and squinted his eyes. “That’s personal, but as for me? I have my own side quest which caters to the vengeance that you seek.”

“Wh-Which means?”

“I’m also in search of the holder of Envy, Abyzou.”

Her short friend jumped in the way, glaring at Archard. “Who cares if you’re after the same target! We know of the heinous acts you commit to Espers and Witches… murderer!”

Archard smacked his teeth, and raised a brow. “Don’t speak so boldly towards me, little girl. Otherwise I must enact my duty as an Exorcist and bind your powers. You don’t want that, do you?”

“Why… you!”

The blonde woman grabbed her friend, and reeled her back.

“But!”

“Stop… it’s okay. He means no harm.”

“What makes you say that?!”

The blonde woman pulled out her necklace that had symbols of Witchcraft, Christianity, and another kind Archard can’t make of. Her friend’s aware of what it meant and why she had to pull it out to show that she was telling the truth. Seeing the necklace had calmed her down, and dropped her guard completely.

“So, Archard… any ideas of where she might be? If you intend to inform us, which I doubt.”

Archard weakly waved. “Don’t you worry, I mean ya no harm. People that have the same idea as me are friends of mine.”

“Whatever, just answer my question.”

“Sure, but would the lovely ladies like to introduce themselves first—before we discuss any further?”

The short one stepped up, and furrowed her brows. “Mandy, Mandy Asterus.”

The blonde one placed one hand on her chest, and bowed her head. “Linnea, Linnea Austad.”

Archard smiled. “Nice to meet the both of you. Now then, to answer your curiosities, I have no clue where she’s at, but only an idea.”

Linnea raised her head, and frowned. “Will it lead me to Abyzou?”

“Oh… it’ll do more than just lead—you’ll be right at her doorstep!”

“Intriguing. So, what is it?”

“You’re not very fun with conversations aren’t you?” Archard said, groaning afterwards.

Linnea raised her arm, and snapped her fingers. “Seeing as you trapped us in an enclosed dimension, I really don’t have time for talks. I just want the climax.”

Archard mildly shrugged. “Alright, I can respect that.”

A deep wrinkled formed between his eyes, and they began to glow.

“If you wish to have a proper lead to her… then look no further than to stalk the one thing she has bonded with in this world.”

“Wait, you don’t mean—?”

Archard slowly nodded. “Yes… that doppelganger of hers she calls—daughter.”

Linnea’s eyes quivered. “She-she still lives? I thought she was—?”

Archard shook his head. Mandy looked at her friend, briefly, and nodded.

“If what you say is true, then one must think that you’ve already encountered this daughter, correct?” Mandy said.

Archard’s glow faded, and he sighed. “Yes, I have, and her husband still exists, and is miserable as one can remember.”

Linnea crossed her arms. “Leon, Bolverkr the destroyer. Poor guy, and to think he’s still contracted with her.”

Linnea walked up to Archard to look up at him, eye to eye. Archard raised the edge of his lips, amused.

“I can safely say that you’re not just informing all of this for free. To get to the context of this forming deal, what do you want in return from us?”

Archard placed his hand on her shoulder, making her friend sweat bullets.

“I want nothing more than to meet the holder of Envy, and have a personal one to one conversation.”

Linnea swallowed, and briefly closed her eyes to relax her nerves.

“What type of conversation?”

Archard’s face went still, and his eyes grew wide.

“What I want the two of you to do is to be my leading eyes. Meet the daughter, befriend her, and have her lead the two of you to Abyzou.”

Linnea’s body mildly trembled, and she did her best to hide her fear. Archard on the other hand can smell it, and it made him laugh inside.

“And I’m assuming you don’t just want me to enact my revenge, right?” Linnea said.

“Right, because it won’t be you! That will take her life—”

Archard let off, and balled his fist in front of hers, and his eyes glinted.

“It will be me! Who will take her life!”

Mandy stood next to Linnea, and grabbed her hand. She got on her toes to reach her ear to whisper into it.

“I don’t like that sinister tone of his, should we—?”

Linnea ignored her friend, and put her left hand out forward to Archard.

“Deal…” she said.

Archard bounced his brows, and grabbed her hand, and shook it.

“I’m glad we have an agreement without any hassle. But why be so agreeable so quickly?”

Linnea slightly turned her head for a moment before looking back at Archard. Her face was dead serious, and reaked of vengance.

The glint in her eyes were so evident that Archard felt her hatred trying to influence his own.

“Because… I want to watch it happen, and let me also have a turn in taking her life away.”

Archard chuckled, but a manic one that sent chills down Mandy's spine.

“I think this is the start of a nice acquainting relationship. I have faith… in the both of you.”