That disk, dammit- so, this was that object he recorded his fights on…
Samuel is a powerful Angel, last I remember he was on the precipice of reaching 'Hyper Angel' status.
His strength far surpasses a Hyper Angel though, despite being only a Greater. And that's all due to his swordsmanship… no single man alive could claim to be more knowledgeable about the art of the blade.
He was a great rival, for a time.
Until, one day, he disappeared.
"Samuel-!" I yelled out to him.
I felt a presence clasp my shoulder. "Ah, don't worry about them- my friend."
I turned immediately- Samuel was standing there as well, though- he was older, his hair transformed from a bright white to a salty grey and his face had a light stubble.
"What is this?" I asked, calming myself best I could. "Some sort of illusion…? No, a memory?"
"Bingo! Haha, it seems your wits weren't lost when you died" He laughed with a crazed smile. "So, long time no see- ay?"
"Y-yeah, it's been a long while-" I mumbled.
"Where is your armor? Your spear?" Sam excitedly walked around me. "Oh! No, don't tell me, you've mastered both Armor AND Spear refining to the point where you can summon them at will?!"
I shook my head. "N…no."
"Fuck- well, and here I was hoping you were gonna be an interesting fight again- seems you lost all of your gear~~" He pulled down on his bottom eye lid and stuck his tounge out.
I turned my focus to the duplicate of him, of which was currently battering an illusionary duplicate of myself. The battle seemingly being one we have fought previously- gah, look at me, still using a gun to compliment my spear…
"Samuel, what has happened to you in the years I've been gone? You seem much more… in control." I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Pfft, and you've grown soft." He brushed my hand aside. "Well… we both have."
"Elaborate."
"Nah." He grinned. "Though if you think I've worsened in swordsmanship…"
"N-no! I'd never think that- hah, I even bet you've improved over this period-."
I scrambled for an answer, Samuel is one of the very few people I have to watch my words against- especially in this state, where I have been weakened and he has had serious time to improve even further.
"Who's betting against that?!" Samuel laughed. "I've ascended to Hyper Angel, after all!"
S-Shit! It's worse than I imagined… fuck, if he was that strong before… Now, the difference between us…
"Samuel-" I kneeled to him a bit.
"HEY! BASTARD!" He yelled, furious at me. "DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING BOW DOWN- YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MY RIVAL!"
I stood up.
"Gah, you are right-"
Samuel immediately placed his hand on my shoulder. "Besides, I owe you more than you could imagine."
"H-huh? What do you-"
"Shut it!" He yelled again. "God, your so formal- and such a fucking dweeb too. Get your act together man, you're supposed to be the Great Dragon of Calamity! Act more monstrous!"
Rah- this bastard, such a pain in the ass…
"...Fine then." I straightened my posture and held my head up higher, all together, I was a full head taller than him- and my body was wide enough to cover his silhouette completely. "So, speak up."
"There we go, bonafide monster." He laughed. "So- it seems you have met my daughter?"
"That rat is your child?"
"Weren't you just crying your eyes out a minute ago about- 'Oh! Boohoo! I hate war and violence, oh Lord above, thank you for this opportunity to end this nonsense~~'." He teased, poking my chest. "So, yeah, turns out that was me- the whole time~~ hahaha!"
This fucker really knows how to strike a nerve. No doubt my face clearly showed I was angry, perhaps embarrassed.
"Hahh~~... Anywho~, thank you for saving her and all that… keep good care of her for a short while, and I'll hook ya up with something good, deal~?" He held his hand out to shake my own.
I had to stand and think for a moment, calming myself down and considering what this meant. First of all, Angels having children is unheard of… unless this is an adopted kid.
Hah, but the scary part is then she would likely inherit his talent in the sword… and, how the hell was she injured when she came to me…?
Perhaps she was trying to defy a higher ranking angel… she had an arrow wound in her spine, something atypical for an Angel to use.
"Deal." I declared to Samuel, shaking his hand after a brief moment of hesitation. "I'll make her life like one in a palace until… wait, are you going to be coming to pick her up?"
"Hah- yeah, I'll come by in a month. By then, get strong enough to challenge me- Kay?" He brazenly shook my hand, before letting go and holding it up for a fist bump.
"I'll win this time, crazy fuck." I smiled as I hit his fist with my own.