Chapter 39 “The Priest’s Challenge”

We made our way to the church.

All 4 of us were quiet not making a sound.

Before going towards then church Kiba opened a map and gave us the layout of the church. With Issei and my quizzical look Kiba shrugged and said, "Well, it's basic when you are going into the enemy's territory".

Kiba continued saying, "Besides the sanctuary, there is also a dormitory. The sanctuary looks suspicious" and pointed to the dormitory.

"So we can ignore the dormitory then?", Issei asked.

Kiba said, "Most likely. Most "Stray Exorcist" groups usually make some alteration to the sanctuary. They usually perform suspicious rituals under the sanctuary".

"Why?", both Issei and me asked.

Kiba said with a bitter smile, "It's the place they used to respect as a holy place, and by doing something that rejects God there, it makes them satisfied because it's an insult to God. Because they loved God, because they were rejected by God, they purposely cast evil spells under the sanctuary as a representation for their hatred".

Kiba continued, "The sanctuary is located right behind the entrance. I think we can go straight in. The problem is to find the door to the basement once we get in the sanctuary, and also if we can defeat the assassins waiting for us".

As for the basement besides seeing the anime, Rias warned me and Issei that there could be a basement on the church where enemies are hiding.

Then as we were in front of the church entrance, Koneko gave all caution and walked right in front of the door.

Issei panicked and said, "Koneko-chan….".

Koneko just shrugged and said, "They probably already know that we are here".

And Kiba, Issei and I ran up to her side.

Koneko then kicks open the open.

We passed through the entrance and went straight for the sanctuary.

There is an altar and long chairs. It looks like an ordinary sanctuary. The candle lights and the interior lamps lit the sanctuary.

...Oh there is something that didn't seem normal.

The statue of the person on the cross. It has its head destroyed.

What a creepy site.

The place appeared empty but I knew better but I couldn't find anyone near but my sacred gear told in my head….

[The Exorcist is near]

I buckled myself up.

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP

Then a clap echoes through the sanctuary. Someone who looks like a priest shows up from behind the pillar.

There he was Freed Sellzen.

"Meeting! It's a reunion! So emotional!", he said with a weird smile.

"Well, I never met the same Devil twice before! You know, since I'm super strong, I cut Devils into pieces when I first meet them! Once I see them, I cut them up on the spot! I then kiss the corpse and say goodbye! That's how I used to live! But since you guys ruined my style, I'm so lost! That's no good~. It's not good to interfere with my lifestyle~! That's why~! You guys piss me off! I hope you guys will die! Actually die! You trashy Deeeeeeeeeeeevils!", he said looking angry.

"Hah tough words coming from a guy whom I clobbered just yesterday", I said with a smirk.

He said "YOUUU", angrily and took out his gun and sword.

BOOOM.

The light came out of the sword and he rushed towards me but was intercepted by Kiba.

Freed jumped back.

I decided let KIba and the others handle this, after all I will get to kick ass when we fight with the other priests besides I can see him action and learn a little from his moves.

But I readied my sacred gear just in case.

[Power Up!]

[Boost!]

Issei readied his scared gear as well and Koneko readied her cat gloves.

I asked, "So where are the other priests?".

"OOOH you want to meet them, you'll have to go through me first, they are in the basement, there is a hidden staircase below the altar", he said.

Well just like in the anime he spilled their location without any drama, well good for us.

"S where is the sister? She deserves death for being entranced to a Devil", he added.

"You don't have to worry about her, she is somewhere safe, worry about yourself", I said.

"Hah big talk but you did defeat Raynare-sama, hehehe that makes you an opponent worthy to kill", he said laughing manically.

GOGOGO...

Koneko was lifting the pews that were several times bigger than her and threw them at Freed saying, "...Get smashed".

Freed did a small dance and cut the pews with his blade of light saying, "Wow! Oh yeah!".

Kiba then rushed in with his sword. I could see him albeit barely due to me being used to high speed in our practice duels but most people will think he disappeared.

Meanwhile Freed and Kiba were exchanging swords. He was shooting with his gun and Kiba was dodging it with ease.

There are sparks between Kiba's sword and the Priest's blade of light.

So it's solid despite being made from light huh. After all, even if Kiba slashes straight at him, I can hear the sound of two metals colliding against each other.

Freed clearly angry said, "Hmmm! Hmmm! Such a pain! Why are you guys so noisy!? I'm super very bad! I'm sorry for talking in a death language! Forgive me after you die!"

After a few rounds of fighting KIba said, "Impressive. You are quite strong".

Freed replied, "Ahaha! You too! A [Knight], huh!? Not even a single blind spot! This is great! Yes yes, this is what I'm talking about. Hmmm! Hmmm! I'm going to kill you!"

Kiba then said, "Then maybe I should also fight seriously for a bit then".

Kiba then said, "Eat this".

Then, some black stuff comes out of Kiba's sword. It starts to cover the whole sword.

It was pitch black, Darkness.

Man, I saw it in the anime but looking at it this close really feels different.

The darkness covers the sword.

No, it's more like the darkness is shaping into Kiba's sword.

The darkness sword that is clashing against the Priest's blade of light starts to expand and is devouring the blade of light.

"Wha, what the hell is this!?", Freed asked confused.

"—[Holy-Eraser], a darkness sword that devours light", said KIba.

"Y-You are also a Sacred Gear possessor!?", said Freed.

The Priest's blade of light is completely devoured by Kiba's sword, and it can't maintain its shape after having the lights devoured.

Issei then rushed forward. Actually he looked at me before doing anything with a "Are you going to go?", look when I shook my head and gestured him to go , he gladly went forward.

Freed turned towards Issei and said, "Annoying" and shot the bullet.

Before the bullet hit Issei shouted, "Promotion: Rook".

BASHIIN!

The bullet of light ricochet off instead of hitting Issei.

""-! Promotion!? A Pawn!?", said Freed in shock.

Issei's punch hit Freed and he staggered back.

Freed was on the ground but he slowly got up spitting blood. The handle of his sword looked battered, seems like he used it to defend in the last second.

"Yes, I did it", said Issei in excitement.

"Don't act cocky you shitty devil", he shouted at Issei.

Freed then turned towards me. He look out another light sword activated it and rushed towards me.

I immediately powered up.

[Power Up!] x 14

[Distribute]

[Dragon sword]

Freed rushed to me but I easily dodged it and slashed him creating a cut in his chest, wind steps combined with the strength boost of the scared gear to my legs increases my speed to very high levels after all.

All 4 of us surrounded Freed.

Noticing that Freed said, "Wow, wow. Is this what you call a crisis? Hmm, for me, getting killed by a Devil is a no-no, so I feel like retreating. It's a shame that I can't exorcise you guys, but I also don't want to die!"

Freed took out something round and smashed it towards the floor instantly, our eyes are blinded with a shining light.

When the light disappeared Freed was gone.

But then we heard a voice saying, "By the way Rook-kun, your name is Akira-kun right? You are the one who defeated Raynare-sama right? And you defeated me easily too. You truly are a difficult and strong opponent. To tell you the truth, I have fallen in love with you. It will be fun to kill you. Let's meet again later", but we looked around and didn't see Freed.

I looked at the top of the church and asked my sacred gear in my head.

[Is someone there?]

[No]

My sacred gear replied. Well makes sense cause Asia isn't here like the original, he probably knows about it so won't appear.

Koneko went and smashed the altar.

We descended the steps, it was a single passage and sometimes there are doors on the sides.

At the end of the passage there was a big door.

"Is this it?", Issei asked.

"Probably", said Kiba.

We all were ready and equipped to fight.

We all nodded at each other and I kicked open the door.

The priests were startles but we didn't even give them time to think as we together took all of them down.

As we finished we headed to the top as we were outside the church's door we heard a "Good job" from the back.

It was Rias. I and Issei nearly jumped in fear from that.

"D-Don't do that please", I said angrily.

"Fufufu you looked cute when scared but sorry I won't do that from now", said Rias cheerfully.

"What were you dong at the church? How did you get behind us?", asked Issei.

"I was following you and then I had t clear up the mess, anyway , you 4 go back, Akira you can go to the student council room to get Asia. I'll have to go meet my brother to clear this.", said Rias.

"Ok Buchou", we said in unison and left.

I asked my sacred gear.

[Red why didn't you tell me Buchou was behind my back?]

[It wasn't a threat so I didn't tell you, I am not your personal warning system]

I sighed and let it go.

I went to the student council with the rest and took Asia.

Asia was very happy to see me and rushed into my arms saying, "Akira-san are you ok? Were you hurt? I was worried", she looked worried with tears in her eyes.

I smiled and said, "I am fine , so are everyone else, don't worry, go to rest for the night n the room provided by Buchou in the old school building, I'll take you there. Well talk tomorrow".

Asia nodded.

I turned to the Student council president and Vice-President and bowed and said, "Thank you for taking care of Asia".

"No problem", Sona said with a smile.

We left them and I took Asia to her room and retuned home.

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