Chereads / The Lockheart's Ruin / Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

(As the night the falls, Stephen and Ken are walking along a path, quickly approaching the Ragnarock's hideout.)

Ken: So what's our plan here Stephen?

Stephen: I'm not sure yet, Ken. Let's just get there, find their leader and warn them. We don't need to fight them.

Ken: And if they attack?

Stephen: We defend ourselves.

Ken: And worst-case scenario?

Stephen: If the Crow shows up....Well, then we will fight him. We can not allow him to escape.

Ken: Have we ever loss a battle against a foe when it's the two of us?

Stephen: No.

Ken: And we won't start tonight either.

(As Ken says this, Stephen places his hand on Ken's shoulder and smiles.)

Stephen: Agreed brother.

(As Stephen says this, they continue on the path towards Ragnarock. While they do this, crow feathers begin to fall over one of the Ragnarock members as Dante suddenly appears, covers the bandit's mouth as he slits his throat. After he does this, Dante takes out a clear orb & tosses it into sky, hovering above the camp. Once it's in the sky, the blood flowing from the dead bandit begins to be absorbed by the orb.)

Dante: I guess I should thank Kitara for creating that. It would've been a task draining all them the normal way. I best do this as quickly as possible. I could use Sky Burial, but it wouldn't be quiet. Come, Yatagarsu.

(As Dante says this, Yatagarasu appears upon Dante's shoulder.)

Dante: Leave no one alive, but do it quietly. This is an In and Out mission, Yatagarasu. I'll go straight for the leader.

(As Dante says this, Yatagarasu soars up and begins to kill every member of Ragnarock it sees. While this is happening, Dante simply walks through the camp, using his sensing abilities to find the strongest person within the camp. As he is getting closer, he suddenly stops in his tracks as he senses a familiar power. After stopping, Dante looks up and sees another Crow descending upon him sword in hand. Dante quickly dodges the attack and is shocked to see who stands in front of him.)

Dante: Well if it isn't the Crow of Vengeance, Sin Hatake.

(As Dante says this, Sin, who's wearing a similar set of gear like Dante's except his mask has no eye openings, approaches Dante.)

Dante: What are you doing here Sin? I'm in the middle of something.

Sin: The better question would be, what have you been doing as of late? Bringing unnecessary attention to yourself by attacking the Prince of The Lockheart Kingdom. I would've never thought that you of all people would do something so idiotic!

Dante: Watch your tongue!

Sin: You'd dare raise your voice at me? Well, it has been a while since we've last cross swords. I doubt that you could keep up with me.

Dante: If my memory serves me, I believe that is you who is at the disadvantage of going up against me, Sin.

(As Dante says this, Sin gets into his stance prepared to fight Dante, but as this happens the alarm within the camp goes off as one of the bandit's sees the dead bodies that Yatagarasu has killed. As this happens, multiple Ragnarock members come and soon find Dante & Sin having a standoff.)

Sin: This isn't over.

Dante: Oh this is far from over.

(As Dante says this, they both turn their attention towards the enemies that surround them and begin to attack. As this is taking place, Stephen and Ken hear the alarm going off, causing them both to dash at full speed to get to the camp. Once they reach the camp's entrance, they are stunned to see all of the dead bodies on the ground.)

Ken: Look at all these bodies, Stephen. Criminals or not, we must put an end to his senseless killings. We must stop him!

(As Ken says this, Stephen is visibly angry as he balls up his fist and his Crimson Flames lights up within his eyes & engulfs his fists.)

Stephen: Let's put an end to his horror.

(As Stephen says this, they begin to move towards Dante & Sin. Further within the camp, both Dante & Sin begin to sense Stephen & Ken approaching them.)

Sin: Looks like we have company.

Dante: It's Stephen and his friend Ken.

Sin: The Prince? I knew that power felt familiar. Killing him will be delectable.

(As Sin says this, Dante turns him around and gets into his face.)

Dante: Stephen is off limits!

Sin: Allow me to set the record straight Dante. You are not my superior and I don't take orders from a Fallen Crow! I kill them! Once upon a time, you were my rival and maybe even a friend, but that has all changed. You have Fallen, so you are foe!

(As Sin says this, he hits Dante with a powerful kick to the chest that sends him crashing into a building. As this happens, Stephen & Ken arrives and upon getting there, Stephen charges towards Sin with a flaming punch only for Sin to catch it to Stephen's surprise.)

Stephen: What the?!?

Sin: Your Crimson Blood has indeed boosted your ego to unrealistic heights, Prince Stephen.

(As Sin says, Ken comes flying in with a kick that Sin easily dodges.)

Stephen: You will pay for what you've done Bloody Crow!

Sin: Once again you are mistaken, Prince Stephen. I am not The Bloody Crow. My name is Sin Hatake, The Crow of Vengeance.

Ken: Wait a second? Are you saying that there is more than one Crow?

Sin: You both have no idea of what you're getting into. You stand no match...Certainly not against me.

Ken: It is you who is outmatched, Sin. You cannot defeat us.

Sin: The Bloody Crow insisted that I don't kill you Prince Stephen, but he said nothing about your friend here.

Ken: I, Ken Kitsugu accepts your challenge!

Stephen: No Ken! We fight him together.

(As Stephen says this, Dante appears right behind Stephen.)

Dante: I'm afraid that won't be happening Stephen. Your friend Ken accepted Sin's challenge, so he will fight alone. If he dies then it would be because of his own weakness and pride. You will be facing me now......The Bloody Crow.

(As Dante says this, Sin & Ken begin to battle. As they battle, Dante & Stephen starts to circle one another.)

Stephen: Your friend Sin said that you told him not to kill me. Why is that? So you can have the pleasure of doing so? Is that it? If so, this will be your toughest battle yet, Crow!

Dante: Hmpt! Are you done? Is that all that you have to say, hero? Was that to be your final declaration? Your last heroic stand against evil? You are nothing more than a child, pretending to be a hero. When in fact, your efforts have all been for naught as I stand before you now.

Stephen: Then I will knock you down!

(As Stephen says this, he charges in throwing multiple strikes. Dante easily dodges them and releases a quick near instant sword slash, but Stephen flips backward dodging the strike & creating space. Seconds after Stephen puts space between them, Dante quickly closes the gap hitting Stephen with a breathtaking knee strike to the gut causing him to lose balance. While trying to regain both his breath and posture, Dante comes and land multiple strikes mixed with precise sword slashes ending his flurry with a strong and decisive blow to the jaw with the butt of his sword. As Stephen lays on the ground, Dante stabs him on the right side of his chest with his sword. After this, he squats down and looks at into Stephen's eyes.)

Dante: Do you want to know something Stephen? You have my appearance in your kingdom all wrong. You were never my target. I bear no ill will towards you. Why else would I spare your life from Sin?

Stephen: If I wasn't your target......Then who was?!? My mother? My father? Go ahead. Go up against my parents and you will fall.

(As Stephen says this, Dante forcefully pierces Stephen's chest and wraps his hand around Stephen's heart. As he does this, he listens to Stephen's heartbeat.)

Dante: What's this tone that I hear in your voice, Prince Stephen? Is that fear I hear?

(After Dante says this, he removes his hand from Stephen's chest and Stephen immediately gasps for air.)

Dante: I won't kill you. You have to get stronger, for you are his only hope. You are the shield protecting him from me. It would be no fun if you died after our first encounter. Or maybe this isn't our first time meeting?

(As Dante says this, Ken fire a large blast at Dante. As he dodges the blast, that gives Ken enough time to save Stephen and to retreat into the night. After this, Sin walks up alongside Dante.)

Dante: You didn't kill him.

Sin: He showed heart. With a little bit more of training, he'll make for an excellent rival.

Dante: So where does this leave us? Do you still intend to bring me to her?

Sin: I'll let her decide your fate.

(As Sin says this, he turns around and begins to walk away.)

Dante: Do know that I'll pay you back for that kick.

Sin: I'd expect nothing less from you.

(As Sin says this, he fades into multiple crows feathers.)