Brasil Island

Looking out in front of me, I saw our destination.

Brasil Island.

It's been two weeks since I met with Azazel and made our little arrangement.

As soon as I did I contacted my mother, and although she gave me an earful, she wasn't actually that upset. After all, I did strengthen one of our major alliances while also gaining us valuable material in the process. It's really a win-win situation for all involved.

Once I was finished with my mother she said she's organized things on her end. Which I thanked her for.

I then headed back to the hotel the others and I were staying at and called a meeting in my room, and told them the details of my encounter with Azazel.

Jeanne and Lancelot were completely shocked, but the others not one bit. They have been with me longer after all. They know me well enough by now to know, somehow meeting with a faction leader isn't out of the norm. Actually, it's really just another normal day for me.

Moving on, once I told them all the details I showed them all the data related to sacred gear research I had obtained. Even though only Jeanne, Dominque, and I actually possess sacred gears. I wanted to here the others opinions, and bounce ideas off of them.

It's as they say, the more the merrier.

When we stared looking through the data, it only took me a little while to figure out why I hadn't achieved balance break.

My intent wasn't strong enough.

Physically and magically I am definitely strong enough to achieve balance break. But mentally I am lacking. And by that I mean I don't have a clear picture of of what I want my balance break to be.

Sacred gears are linked to their users soul and respond to their emotions. So if my emotions aren't clear and precise enough, then achieving balance break will not be possible for me.

Now I understand why most sacred gear users achieve balance break in times of great emotional stress. Because during those time their intent is very clear. Protect, kill, destroy. Emotions are one of the most simple and straightforward things in existence, and with the intent being so clear a sacred gear will respond and evolve accordingly.

Basically what I have been doing is not enough. I want balance break, but my want isn't enough yet. I need stronger and more precise thoughts and feelings about why I want my balance break in the first place.

Because it looks like just wanting to protect and defend myself isn't enough.

No, I need something deeper.

When I realized this I decided to start meditating, to really think about who I am and what I am doing.

And while I was working on myself the others and I also prepared and gathered the necessary supplies for our trip to Brasil Island.

Once we finished we hopped on our rented yacht and set out.

It's been about a week and half since then, but our destination is finally within reach.

The boat sped closer and closer to the island. As it did the mists around it got thicker and thicker, but since all of us were part of the supernatural we ignored the cloaking spell and barreled right through into the thick of it.

Then once were inside the mist it only took us 20 minutes to reach the shoreline and dock.

As soon as we did I jumped off the boat and spread my senses out to see if there were any enemies in the region.

They were not.

Even so I still kept my senses up. We are on a mythological island, anything can happen.

The others soon followed be in disembarking from the boat.

Then once they did we started walking and entered into the nearby forest.

As soon as we did several small creatures with the body's of females, but with bird wings on their backs came out and started flying around us.

Jeanne looked at them with stars in her eyes. "Why, what are they?" She asked.

She also has a French accent by the way.

"These are sprites." Lancelot answered her. "Or more commonly known as Fairie or Fae." He explained.

One of the sprites landed on his shoulder, and he smiled at it. He then start gently patting the top of her head using an index finger.

The sprite smiled at this.

After it did several other sprites landed on Lancelot's head and shoulders.

"They really seem to like you." Gin mused.

"Yeah, it's because they can probavbly sense his fae blood." I said.

"Or I'm just that good with ladies of all species." Lancelot said, putting a smug expression on his face.

All of us gave him a deadpan look after he did.

Except Jeanne.

Instead she just puffed up her cheeks and started walking ahead of him.

"Eh, Jeanne what's wrong with you? Is is something I said?" Lancelot asked.

"Hmph. No, it's nothing at all." Jeanne said, not turning to look at Lancelot when he asked.

He really doesn't understand a maiden's heart. Even though he said that he likes her in a romantic way.

Dominque sighed at the quarreling of the future couple. "If this keep ups we will have to force them together in the future."

"Not really. All we'll need to do is lock them in a room for a night together with only one bed. Then nature will take its course." Chess mused. "Especially with all those dirty books that the two of them read." She whispered.

Yeah, I never expected a girl with the soul of a holy maiden to be such a pervert. But I guess that's just life at times.

Gin and I both nodded at Chess's words.

Our group kept trekking deeper and deeper into the island. As we did more and more faeries revealed themselves to us. We also got to take in the island, and it si beautiful.

Lush green grass, giant sturdy trees, clear blue streams of running water, and pure clean air. A place completely untouched my man where nature and the residents of the island are in complete harmony.

It's a rare thing. One that I will never forget.

But I am curious as to why nothing has tried to attack us yet.

The Fae haven't even tried to trick us, which is strange since all the legends say they are some of the biggest tricksters and storytellers in all the supernatural world. But the fact that they haven't tried to do anything to us is actually putting me a bit on edge.

Our group came to a stop by a river.

Once we did I went over to a few of the faerie that had started following us. "Hello to you all. The reason me and my friends have come here is because we heard that there might be powerful sword on this island. Do you happen to know where it is?"

I saw the change instantly after I asked my question.

The Faerie started shaking. Then they all ran off.

'Something is definitely up.' I thought.

I then instantly sense something trying to attack me from the left, so I formed an ice barrier and blocked it.

After I did everyone stood battle ready.

Meanwhile the one who tried to attack me didn't run. They simply landed in front of me.

It is a woman. She is dressed in a white sleeveless dress with black boots on her feet. She has short dark hair, but completely dark eyes, even the sclera. She also has antlers sticking out of her head and butterfly wings on her back.

She's a human-sized fae and the first one we've seen since we arrived here.

"That's quite a greeting." I said to her. "My name is Kufa, and you are?"

"Alessia." She said.

"Well Alessia, mind explaining why you just attacked me out of the blue?" I asked.

"You asked the little ones about a taboo subject." Alessia said. "As soon as I sensed their fear I rushed over. But it was my mistake. Now that I look at you all I can see you have no hostile intent, so I apologize."

"No, if I was you I would have done the same thing." I said. "But let me ask, why is the subject of the sword taboo?"

"It is cursed." Alessia said. "A cursed blade that brings nothing but destruction upon our lands. My people have tried to rid ourselves of it, but we are not strong enough. And the gods will not answer our prayers, so all we can do is avoid it or else it will spell doom for us all."

I nodded. "I understand. Well we have come here looking for that sword. So if you point us in the direction of it, we can probably take care of it for you. We are strong after all." I said.

Alessia looked at us, before nodding. "I can tell you are all powerful warriors. Very well I shall lead you to the accursed blades resting place. But be warned, felling what lies ahead will put your very lives at risk."

"We understand perfectly." I said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Then let us make haste." Alessia said.

So with that we packed up our belongings and started following behind Alessia. Then in just under and hour we arrived at our destination.

A cave entrance covered with hanging vines of moss.

The strange thing is I can't sense anything at all inside the cave.

Even so Alessia walked up to the entrance and pointed at it. "In there you will find what you seek. I wish you luck." She said. She then spread her wings and took off.

"What the hell, I can't sense anything?" Gin questioned.

"Which means this cave has powerful barrier place on it, or whatever is inside is actively suppressing all its energy." Dominque said.

But either way, this is dangerous.

"Stay on your toes everyone." I said.

I then started heading into the cave, everyone following behind me.

---------------------------------------------

Even after entering the cave none of us could sense anything.

However there is a...feeling in the air. I have no other way to describe. All I do know is this feeling is making me anxious and has made me battle ready.

The same for the others.

We continued walking in the cave, until eventually we found ourselves in a giant moss-covered chamber.

There was light leaking in through holes at the top, but what drew all our attention was the altar in the middle of the chamber.

An altar containing a sword.

A holy-sword.

Even over 20 meters away we could all feel its holy energy radiating outward.

'No doubt about it.' I thought. This blade is the real deal, a true holy sword from legend.

"Looks like the rumors were true." Gin mused.

"Yes." Jeanne added.

I turned to everyone. "Listen up. Chess you stay back with Gin. Everyone else come with me. We're going to approach the altar and retrieve the sword, but exercise extreme caution."

That bad feeling has only gotten worse since we've gotten closer to the sword.

It's the reason I'm having Chess stay back. Out of all our group she is the most susceptible to a holy sword at the moment. She doesn't have the age, or nearly enough training to resist the effects of such a blade long enough to get treatment.

One misstep on her part and she will die.

Something I do not want to happen.

So while she and Gin covered the rear, the rest of us slowly but surely approached the blade, the holy aura getting stronger and stronger the closer we got.

By the time we reached it I felt as if I had lost half my usual strength. Dominque isn't do much better. She's even started sweating. That's just how powerful this aura is.

Arriving within five meters of the blade I turned to Lancelot. "Go ahead, go and grab it."

"Got it." Lancelot mused.

He then walked up to the altar and stepped on to it, arriving at the blade. He then wrapped his hands around the hilt and pulled.

But as soon as he did an immense amount of holy aura exploded from the point of the blade, turning into a blinding light.

"Lancelot, get back!" I shouted, using my arm to shield my eyes.

But I only had to do so for a moment before the light fully faded.

As soon as it did I took my arm down and opened my eyes, just in time to see Lancelot race by me and land in the wall of the cavern.

"Lance!" Jeanne cried.

"Stay focused Jeanne!" I shouted at her.

I am worried about Lancelot as well, but Gin and Chess have him. Right now we need to focus on the opponent who tossed him into the wall in the first place.

Standing on the altar is a man. A giant of a man who is standing at a height of 300 cm. He has is bare-chested with only pants and boots on, and has short purple hair and matching eyes. He is also holding the holy sword in his grasp and glaring at us.

"Who are you?" He asked us. "You think you have the strength to steal my blade, what fools you are." He boasted. He then pointed the tip of his sword at me. "Get ready thieves, for I Fergus Mac Roich shall send you to the Isle of the Dead to face punishment."

"Fuck." I said.

I have no idea how it's possible, but we are face to face with Fergus Mac Roich. In Celtic mythology he is a legendary warrior and hero who was part of the Ulster Cycle. He is also the adoptive father of the Ulster Cycle's greatest hero, Cu Chulainn, also known as Ireland's Child of Light.

Just what the hell is happening here?

"That's not actually Fergus Mac Roich right?" Dominque questioned. "He's dead. Everyone knows that."

"He is." I said. "But somehow he is standing right in front of us. It's probably some sort of defense mechanism for the sword. Which means unless we beat him we aren't leaving this place alive." I said.

Which is easier said than done.

Especially since if Fergus is presenting himself in front of us, I now know the name of the holy sword we are facing.

Fergus's faithful that is said to be able to pierce heaven earth, the holy sword Caladbolg. A sword that is compared to the original Excalibur.

Drawing my blade I rushed towards Fergus.

Because this isn't a fight I can afford to take my time with.