As Asura walked through the town, an eerie feeling washed over him. It was quiet, too quiet. He could not find a soul outside. Where were the people? He wondered. There had to be dogs or cats somewhere, right? Didn't humans have raccoons? The only signs of life were the flickering streetlights that lined the deserted roads.
This place is pretty run-down, Asura thought, observing the houses in disrepair. Their broken windows and rotting wood left an eerie atmosphere throughout the city. Are those claw marks? It felt like he had been transported into one of the horror movies he adored back home.
Turning a corner, he spotted a large building that dominated the landscape. It was a grand cathedral, proudly standing in the center of town like a masterpiece in an art gallery. Its presence was imposing and demanded attention.
The cathedral was beautifully adorned with colorful stained-glass windows, illuminated from within, complementing the aged brick exterior. Towering over the surrounding buildings, it resembled a sprawling complex rather than a single structure. It stood as a solitary beacon of grandeur strikingly out of place in a broken town left to rot away.
"So, where do you guys live?" Asura asked, his gaze fixed on the cathedral.
Marco pointed towards the towering building. "You see that big building? That's our home. We live in an orphanage there."
Of course, it is, Asura thought wryly. Nothing bad ever happens at a grand cathedral in a deserted town with no people, no cars, no dogs... How badly could this possibly go?
"So, you guys have no family?" he asked, trying to keep his voice light.
"The nice priests are our family." Lily shook her head as she spoke. "Mel gives us chocolate all the time and plays with us. Ash gives us rides on his back."
Asura could tell she perked up a little as she talked about the priests she considered family.
"Who's are better mine or his?" He asked with a smile growing on his face, though the sight of his sharp teeth caused Lily to cower away again. Asura's smile faltered, and he looked towards the cathedral, a shadow of gloom passing over his face.
He knew he was scary-looking, but he honestly had no intention of harming the children. To him, they were almost sacred, innocent lives untainted by the cruelty of the world.
Arriving at the cathedral, Asura stood before its massive oak doors. He pushed them open without hesitation, surprised by their lack of resistance. The doors swung inward smoothly as if welcoming an expected guest.
Asura stepped inside, marveling at the cathedral's interior. Rows of pews stretched before him, flanked by decorative candles perched on tall metal posts. The soft glow of the candlelight danced across the elaborate golden décor, illuminating the polished surfaces.
His gaze was drawn to the grand symbol of Judex Divinum suspended from the ceiling above the altar on the opposite side of the room. It was a golden, hollow triangle adorned with seven swords pointing towards a crown at its center. Three swords lined each side, while one pointed downwards from the top. The hilts rested on the triangle's outer edges, their blades piercing through and converging on the crown. The Lord's seven swords, Asura thought, recognizing the symbol.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called out. "I have three of your children with me."
Silence met his words, but only for a moment. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from a nearby hallway, growing louder as they approached. Asura turned to greet the priests, expecting a warm welcome. Instead, a young woman slid between his legs, her arms outstretched, and two silver pistols engraved with roses aimed upwards.
She sprang to her feet behind him, pressing one of the guns to the back of his head. From the corner of his eye, Asura saw a flash of fiery red hair illuminated by the candlelight. He tried to turn for a better look, but the woman pressed the gun harder against his skull. He caught a glimpse of her face. Hazel, unwavering, and focused eyes fixed on him with deadly intent. She was clearly prepared to kill him if he made the wrong move.
The cold metal against his skin was a stark reminder of her threat. Asura was not afraid for himself, but he worried about the children. He noted her attire, a black military uniform with the symbol of Judex Divinum embroidered on the shoulders, marking her as a priestess of the Temple.
"You let go of those children right now," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous, "before I fill that demon skull full of holy lead."
Asura was taken aback. "Oi, I just brought back three of your missing children, and this is how you treat me? And I'm not a demon, moron. Put those guns down. You might shoot a kid by accident."
"He saved us, Mel!" Marco cried out, trying to de-escalate the situation. "Wait, Mel—"
Mel scoffed at Marco's comment, her body rigid as she stared Asura down. She was like a statue, not a single muscle twitching or trembling. Her finger rested on the trigger, ready to fire at the slightest provocation.
"Let go of the kids," she repeated, her voice flat and cold.
Asura sighed, knowing this wasn't going to end well. He slowly placed the children on the ground.
The instant he released them, he heard the telltale click of a trigger. He reacted instinctively, throwing himself in front of the children and shielding them with his body. Bullets ripped through the air, tearing into his back, shredding his hoodie. But to Mel's astonishment, the bullets ricocheted off him, scattering in all directions. Her eyes widened in shock, and she leaped out of the way as the bullets wildly scattered.
"What the hell is that?" she exclaimed, her heart pounding. "Sorry, kids, don't say those words."
Asura glared at her, his eyes blazing with anger. "What do you mean, 'what is that'? You shot me, asshole! You could have killed a kid!"
Mel, still reeling from the shock, retorted, "How the hell was I supposed to know they were gonna ricochet? That's never happened before! And why am I even talking to you?"
She tried to fire again, but Asura moved with a speed that defied his size. He lunged at her, his four arms wrapping around her, and slammed her against the nearest wall. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and the wall cracked beneath the force. He pinned her, his forearm pressing against her throat, slowly cutting off her air supply. She coughed and gagged, blood trickling from her lips.
"Oi," Asura growled, his voice low and menacing, "is this how you treat those who save kids?"
Mel spat in his face, blood splattering against his black skin. "Yeah," she choked out, "demon scum like you."
Disgust twisted Asura's features. He wiped the blood away with one arm, maintaining his hold on her with the others. "Demon this, demon that," he snarled. "I'm gonna start calling you all racist or demeaning names. You know what? I'mma call you Brittney now. Or Karen. Sure, act like one."
A tense silence filled the air as Asura held her pinned. Mel struggled, but his grip was unyielding. She was quickly running out of air. Hatred flared in their eyes as they glared at each other. She tried to break free, but his grip was ironclad. He did not even budge as she kicked him repeatedly in the stomach.
Asura opened his mouth to question her about the children, but a glint of metal caught his eye. He whipped his head back just in time to see a sword flash past his face, missing his nose by a hair's breadth. He leaped back, releasing Mel, and found himself facing two opponents. A young man now stood beside Mel, his sword raised.
The newcomer was taller than Mel and Asura, towering at least a foot above the ogre. He's definitely taller than the average male… because, like, I'm not short. He's just tall. Too tall, some would say. Well, most… Totally… Asura thought to himself. The man's blond hair shimmered in the candlelight, along with his green eyes, which burned with resentment as he watched Asura's every move.
Mel was angry, but this man's hatred seemed to run deeper. It was as if something personal had transpired between them. Asura wracked his brain, but he had never been to the human world before today. Why is he so furious with me? he wondered. What could have driven him to this level of hatred?
The new attacker wielded a black blade engraved with holy words that glowed with a golden hue. He wore the same black uniform as Mel, confirming his allegiance to the Temple. They both faced Asura, their stances indicating their readiness for battle.
Asura sighed and adopted a fighting stance, mirroring their preparation. He had hoped to end this peacefully… Well, that's a lie. He did not care if it ended peacefully, but he did not want to traumatize the children further. Wait, where are the children?
Lost in thought, Asura was oblivious as Mel fired her pistols again. The attempt was laughable, the bullets ricocheting harmlessly off his body, causing the two humans to panic.
"You know they say if you do the same thing expecting a different result, it's insane, right?" Asura quipped, taking advantage of the chaos.
He dashed forward, trying to close the distance between himself and Mel. But before he could reach her, the young man intervened, swinging his sword with both hands aiming for Asura's chest. A triumphant grin spread across his face.
I have him. He's dead.
But Asura reacted swiftly, swinging his top right arm up to deflect the blade, lifting it high enough for him to duck under. Maintaining his momentum, he slammed into the young man's lower body, sweeping him off his feet. The man crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. The air was knocked out of his lungs. It felt like being struck by a horse's hoof.
Mel, witnessing the ogre's strength, felt a surge of fear. I'm next. Her eyes were wide as she stared at her companion.
"And that's a takedown!"
Asura, gloating over his victory, inadvertently gave Mel time to devise a new plan. His body seemed impervious to bullets, but perhaps his eyes and mouth were more vulnerable. She raised her guns, aiming for his face. Hopefully, this works…
As Asura rose from the fallen man, he noticed her aim and quickly raised his arms to shield his face. Mel fired, but the bullets harmlessly curved off his forearms. Failure. she thought. New plan: don't die.
Asura charged towards her, and with a swift reaction, Mel smashed her guns together. In a burst of amber-tinged flame, they fused into a single weapon. The burst of fire dissipated, scattering into sparks as the molten metal cooled within her grasp. Asura watched, stunned, as the pistols transformed into sleek shotguns. It was like witnessing a magic trick, a rabbit pulled from a hat. Where had the second gun come from?
The shotgun's silver barrel gleamed in the candlelight, revealing the same intricate engravings as the pistols. The only difference was the addition of a handsome wooden stock, contrasting beautifully with the silver metal. Asura's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
Mel fired, and a blast of pellets and fire erupted, exploding against Asura's skin and sending him crashing through the pews. He landed in a heap of splintered wood, his breath sucked from his lungs. However, with a quick shake of his head, trying to clear the dizziness that fogged his senses, Asura began to pull himself out. The pellets and explosive force had not penetrated his skin, but the concussive force had rattled his brain, leaving him disoriented.
"That definitely packs a punch… Gah." The ogre groaned.
Mel felt a surge of relief. Finally, one of her attacks had landed. But her victory was short-lived as Asura emerged from the wreckage, charging towards her with renewed fury. She raised her gun to counterattack, but as she fired, he dropped to the ground, slamming his fists against the floor. The sudden tremor threw Mel off balance.
She struggled to regain her footing, attempting one last shot, but the bullet sailed past Asura and into the ceiling. Seizing the opportunity, Asura grabbed a nearby pew and hurled it towards her with all his might. Mel, barely managing to steady herself, braced the shotgun against her shoulder and fired at the oncoming projectile. The pew exploded into a shower of splinters. The force of the blast and the flying debris forced her to shield her face.
"Eughhh," she groaned as the wooden shrapnel rained down around her.
When the dust settled, she looked up, her heart seizing in her chest. The room was filled with smoke and debris, making it impossible to see. She knew the demon was out there, somewhere, likely closing in. Panic gnawed at her as she swung her gun around frantically, trying to locate him in the haze.
A sudden tap on her shoulder made her jump. She spun around, praying to see her comrade, but her hopes were dashed. Asura stood before her, a wide grin splitting his face. Before she could react, he grabbed her hips, effortlessly lifting her off the ground with his four arms. With a casual toss, he hurled her across the room.
She crashed into the pews with a thunderous crack, her body smashing through the wooden structures. Her guns clattered to the floor, skittering away from her grasp. Asura, hearing her groan in pain, walked towards her with a triumphant swagger, swinging his arms at his side with pride.
He paused, his brow furrowing. Where are the kids? Are they safe? Before he could search for them, a sharp blade sliced down his back, tearing through his hoodie. The cold metal sent a shiver down his spine as it raked against his skin, but his skin remained uncut.
The man stood frozen, baffled by what he had witnessed. His blade, which he had believed capable of cleaving through flesh and bone, had failed to penetrate the ogre's skin. He had thought a surprise attack would be enough to bring the creature down, but he had only managed to create a mess out of his clothing. Shame washed over him as his skills as a swordsman were suddenly called into question.
Asura turned slowly, a sinister smile spreading across his face. It's the devil's smile, the man thought, terror gripping him. The demon's sharp teeth gleamed eagerly, ready to devour his flesh. He felt like a mouse that had foolishly believed it had outsmarted the cat, only to realize it had been playing with him all along. Asura drew back his fist, but before he could strike, a booming voice filled the cathedral, stopping him in his tracks.
"Did I train you to be this way?" the voice thundered, its authority undeniable. "I suggest you stop before the consequences worsen."
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. An older man with a majestic, thick white beard and long, flowing hair stood in the entrance of a hallway opposite to the one Mel had emerged from.
Asura guessed he was in his fifties, but he stood even taller than the young swordsman, who was already exceptionally tall. The old man possessed an impressive physique, his muscles rippling beneath a faded band t-shirt and worn jeans. It was a contrasting outfit for such a figure, making him seem like he had just stepped out of a rock concert.
Despite the man's casual attire, Asura felt a surge of relief when he saw what he carried in his arms. Lily was perched on one arm, her small hands clinging to his shirt. Marco and Joel huddled close to his legs.
"What do you think you are doing... Mel? Ash?" the old man boomed, his thunderous voice echoing through the cathedral.
Mel and Ash snapped to attention, their faces pale with sweat. "Um, this demon came into the church, and we were trying to kill it… sir," they stammered.
Asura straightened, sizing up the old man. "These assholes attacked me after I brought your kids back here," he countered, gesturing towards the children.
The old man turned his attention to Asura, his expression hardening. "Such foul language," he admonished. "You two are stuck with cleanup duty. Make sure this room is spotless, or I'll have you cleaning the exorcism room with a toothbrush."
Mel and Ash cried out in protest, like children arguing with their parents. "Why? We were just trying to deal with the dem—"
"Silence!" the old man roared, cutting them off. "Not another word."
His eyes, blazing with golden fire, fixed on them, his displeasure evident. We're screwed… they both thought, resigned to their fate.
"Take the children to Sarah." He said gently as he lowered Lily to the floor.
The old man pointed at Asura and commanded, "You, come with me."
Asura snapped to attention, his body instinctively mirroring the rigid posture of the two priests. The old man's voice resonated with an authority he could not deny. "Sir, yes, sir!"
Confused by his involuntary obedience, Asura relaxed his posture and followed the old man, his mind awhirl. What just happened? he wondered. He studied the surroundings as he trailed behind the old man down the cathedral's hallway. The building was ancient, its walls rustic and worn, reminiscent of the haunted houses he had seen in films.
After they reached the end of the hallway, the old man opened a door on the left, gesturing for Asura to enter first. Asura hesitated, a premonition of danger tightening in his stomach. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was a trap, that at any moment, the old man might try to kill him. But curiosity outweighed his fear. This was a strange new world, filled with unknown wonders and dangers. What secrets does this land hold? he mused.
The room resembled a police officer's office from the movies. A large desk piled high with paperwork dominated the center of the room. Metal filing cabinets lined the walls, overflowing with documents. On the far side of the desk, half-buried beneath the clutter, sat an ancient computer monitor, the kind that looked like it belonged in a museum. That has to be one of the first prototypes… Is he that old? Asura wondered.
Asura's nose was prickled with the scent of old leather and a woody aroma that mixed into a strangely comforting cologne as he entered. The old man watched Asura intently as they stood, his expression unreadable. Sensing the scrutiny, Asura quickly sat in front of the desk, hoping to avoid another outburst.
As if he had read the old man's mind, he watched as his face relaxed with approval. Without a word, he circled the desk, his gaze never leaving Asura. A shiver ran down Asura's spine. The old man's unwavering stare was unnerving. Does he blink? Does he breathe? Asura could not tell if the old man had a heartbeat. Usually, he would be able to hear it, but the old man's intense gaze was making his heart pound in his ears. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over him, excitement at the potential for a thrilling battle and fear of the unknown consequences.
Finally, the old man reached his chair, a grand leather monstrosity that looked older than Asura himself. To avoid the man's gaze, Asura took in the rest of the room. Aside from the mountain of paperwork, it was rather bland. A few books and miscellaneous items lay scattered about, but the only thing of note was a sword mounted on the wall behind the desk.
It was a magnificent silver blade etched with holy runes, its brown leather hilt worn smooth with age. Asura stared at it, awestruck. It's so beautiful, so powerful… He could only imagine the epic battles he could fight with such a weapon!