chapter 24

Castiel P.O.V.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

I should not have been so hasty as to use that skill.

That is why I don't like to use this skill of my head spirit bone. Seeing the past of the others is good and all but sometimes it backfires. It let me see the past of the target and if the emotions are strong enough even feel part of what the person felt.

This is one of those times. Seeing the past of Serenity, I can't truly hate her anymore. I mean, how could I?

I thought she was just a simple killer like all the others I saw before, killing for pleasure or just to get paid. Her poisoning Seryu made me fix the image that she must be a coward or something.

But now I honestly can't say that anymore.

Being brought to this life on the supernatural side because of a curse out of nowhere that you had no control over. Seeing everything around you dies at the first touch. That is terrible no matter how you see it.

DRIP

DRIP

Shit, I even started crying for her. Focus. Castiel, you need to focus.

She is an enemy, no matter what happened to her you must ignore it to fulfill your mission. Focus, Castiel you need to focus.

Liberating a breath, I did not even know I was holding, I stood up from the spot I was on and went to the bathroom to clean my face from all traces of tears. It would not do well to show them to the others when I explain to them the information I obtained.

As I got out I made a call to the others via message to find me in my room. Just the Sister was to remain beside Miku as she had expressively said that she did not want to see me anywhere near her right now.

I decided to indulge her for some time. What I needed to explain was not necessary info for her but for my group and Kanda it was.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk to us." Kanda asked in his normal voice, which means he had an irritated and annoyed tone laced all over those words.

Everyone else was also looking at me. They were all waiting for my answer.

"I got the intel of who is responsible for this last few attacks. They are the Iscariot organization." That got the attention of everyone in the room. The Iscariot was a fanatical organization that used to work under the pope direct orders, but was excommunicated because they were overly zealous in their wish to rid the world of all the 'heathens', as they say. They were quite famous as a group that was willing to do anything as long as they got what they wanted. "Their objective is to kill Miku due to her being a daughter of gods, or at least that's what I could get. If there are some other motivators I do not know."

"Boss, and what about the enemy forces?" Seryu asked hugging Koro to her chest. 'She is already fine', I keep reciting this mantra on my head whenever I look at her as it alleviates the stress I am feeling a bit.

"There were those we saw on the last attack: Lugh, I could not see what weapons she had in total; Skin Bolic being that big man, he has a sacred gear called Vajrapani Armor that allows him to control thunder; Serenity being the assassin, for what I gartered it will need to be me to face her. There is also a priest from the Iscariot here. He does not seem to be the fighting type but he must have considerable sway in the organization so we can expect more exorcists coming."

They all absorbed what I said and tried to digest the information. There was not a lot, but it gave us an idea of what to expect for the next few days.

"Is there any more info that we need to know? Their hideout location for instance." Emily asked. It always amazes me, how someone so lazy most of the time can act so professional when the time is needed.

"Unfortunately I did not get that intel. For what I saw they had many different hideout spots throughout the city and they change locations constantly. Even if we attacked one of those locations there is no guaranty that they will be on that spot and they could have traps ready or something along those lines." I explained.

We were in a condition where we can only defend and counter the offenders, not my preferred course of action.

"Tch, so you got next to none useful information. Useless." Kanda said.

I think this guy needs to train a bit of boxing. Remove some of his stress and anger on a punching bag may do him some good.

"I would not say that it is useless. We confirmed that the enemy is part of Iscariots." I pointed out making Kanda have a serious look on his face (also known as one of the two faces he is capable of giving, the other being an irritated look). "From that, we can suppose that they will be getting reinforcements of more exorcists. Another thing of notice is that while most exorcists are weak by themselves there might be strong ones mixed and there could be more of those monsters in there." I explained.

"What do you mean by monsters, Castiel?" Okuyasu asked. He has been awfully quiet for some time now. Probably thinking about what we were saying and trying to comprehend it better, this is probably his first mission after all.

"Monsters may be the incorrect terms but is the best definition. You can also call them monstrosities as it also fits very well with them. And by them, I meant enemies like the one I faced, an exorcist that was modified to look more like a best than a human." Everyone looked confused by this explanation. Let's try to be more specific. "He had a hard skin, claws, and tail when transformed. He also gained a great amount of power, he jumped a whole level from high mid-class to high high-class." I explained. The silver lining is that when transformed he seemed to have lost all notion of control over his powers so defeating him was not difficult, but if he could actually use his powers properly the fight would be much more difficult.

"But the most troublesome part was that he could regenerate pretty fast from any wounds, and I do mean any as I took out his whole arm once and it just regrew as if nothing. Luckily I had a curse that could help me deal with him. From what I can gather the only ones here that can beat them safely are myself, thanks to this curse I know, and you Okuyasu, thanks to your sacred gear." I explained and they all got quite tense. Okuyasu in special looked quite conflicted, I guess he still is not ready for actual killing.

"So what are we going to do exactly Castiel?" Emily asked.

"The plan will not change much. I will accompany Miku during the day while you guys should scout the surrounding areas of where we go. Look for those dressed like priests or anything suspicious, but do not engage until authorization is given. We need to make sure to be capable of defeating whoever we find with certainty." I explained my idea.

The others nodded. Afterward, we just discussed the details of what we will do and each of them went to prepare for the day. Everyone except Emily and me that is.

As soon as most of the others left I just sit in my chair and reclined my head back. I took a deep breath as Emily just stayed there looking at me by my side.

"How bad was it?" Emily asked. She is one of the few people out there that know the full extent of what this skill from the skull spirit bone allows me to do. She also knows how hard it can possibly be for me to actually kill the person that I saw the full past.

"Bad." Was my blunt answer.

"… that much, huh." She really knows me too well. Just for those few words, she could understand what I must be feeling.

We then entered a silent moment. No one said anything or tried to say anything.

After 2 minutes like that, I decided to ask.

"… Emily, do you think I can do it? Kill that girl I mean. Her past… no, practically her whole life was just a bad thing after the other and even if she had killed way too many people up till now I cannot say that she is truly evil." My eyes started getting wet. Shit, there must be something in my eyes. Zelretch and his crappy presents, even when he is not around he still finds ways to confuse me. "I just don't know if I will be capable of doing it, you know. Why couldn't she be just a crazy bitch that likes to kill just for the sake of killing? It would be so much easier."

Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped themselves around my neck. Emily brought me into a hug where she stayed silent for an instant before she said.

"I know it must be hard. Whenever you go on a mission you always go to the most dangerous spot, you always go and do whatever is necessary to complete the job… even when it pains you. You don't need to think too deeply right now, just do what you got to do." She then gave me a smile and asked. "What would Lancer-sensei say at a time like this?"

"He'd say 'Stop being an idiot and just do whatever is right for you.' And then he'd punch me for being an idiot." I gave a weak chuckle at that thought.

She gave a light chuckle hearing this then said.

"Yes. So let's just go ahead and do what we must to complete the job." She said removing her arms from my neck and with a confident face got out of the room.

I will go to. I still have things to prepare before we continue on this mission… but let's stay here for one more minute to recompose myself.

A few hours later

This is the second day I am having to follow Miku. It has not grown any better. She has been treating me as if she can't stand my presence since we met, but after last night she simply shows an absolute loathe to my presence.

It is like I have done the worst thing possible for her.

Well, whatever. After the dream, I had of Serenity last night I honestly do not have the patience to deal with Miku's hate.

We were on the way to a meeting with one of the sponsors of Miku. Being an idol may seem good but they spent A LOT of time having to go from one sponsor to the next, and it is more work than it is worth. Normally it should be the manager doing this sponsor part, but for some reason, Miku is adamant in being present in any and all meetings.

We were waiting for the driver to take us there when I got a message.

"Boss, we just got visual on a person in church clothes walking in your direction." Seryu warned me.

I answered in a whisper.

"Understood." I looked to the sides and noticed that there were too many people right now so we can't move carelessly. I need to think about the best course of action to deal with this. I opened communications with the other members of the group. "Emily, I need you to go and prepare a bounded field that forces the ones without magic away from here. Sister, go to the top of the building and find a sniper position. Okuyasu, you stay beside Seryu to the case there are more approaching and especially to the case that there are those monsters around in disguise. Kanda… you do your thing." I can't order him after all. He is listening to what I say as long as it aligns with his mission and he sees reason in following, if not he'd completely ignore me. "Remember, the most important is to survive, and if you are to see Serenity run. Not a second thought, just run. I am the only one here who can face her with any sense of security."

As I and Miku waited for the priest we were doing our own preparations. I had summoned my Kupriotes and put a simple illusion spell on it to not let unrelated people see it. I also silently put some runes on the blade for greater cut and granting it a corrosive capacity in case the priest is one of those monsters. Miku, on the other hand, changed to her idol attire that was enchanted by her mother and some of the other female goddesses from the Shinto pantheon. The energy that she started to release, while not aggressive at all in nature, was at least equal to a low high-class. She might not be good for combat but she does have some decent amount of energy in her.

As we waited I got a clear view of the people around me. There was no one with a magical signature, but then again I had hidden my signature when I was going to Kuoh so not feeling magic around me proves jack-shit.

The man in priest clothes finally arrived. He was not the man I saw before when I was looking at Serenity past but my guard is not lowered, if anything it just had risen a bit more. It just means that the other one is somewhere else and that he likely received reinforcements earlier than expected.

He had the appearance of a fortyish man with a slightly bulging belly and partially bald head.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Castiel Emyia-sama. I come with a proposition to you from my associates." The man said with a slight bow while looking only at me and fully ignoring Miku's existence. "Our proposition is that you leave the town till tomorrow or face our full power. It is merely a formality, but we do not want to face the Tower because of one bad decision of a youngster that is overreaching." He said with what he believes is a pleasant smile. It was not.

Miku looks at him for an instant and then at me. It is likely that she is wondering what my decision will be.

"Sorry, but that is impossible." I said as if it was obvious, which it was. "I have no intentions of allowing you people to have your way in this matter. We are contracted to protect an important V.I.P. after all."

He then looks confused at me, then at Miku, then at me again, and then he started chuckling. At first, it was a quiet one but quickly turned into hysterical laughter.

"What is it funny about what I just said?" I said getting annoyed by this man.

"Ha ha ha… sorry, it is just that it has been so long since I heard such a funny joke and I couldn't contain myself." He then looked at me mockingly and said. "Do you really not know what you are protecting?" he then looked at Miku and his eyes flashed with desire, disgust, and some other minor emotions. "Why risk your life for an epithet-less goddess that is no more than a breeding tool?"

Hearing his words Miku went mad. She gave a scream that turned into a shockwave that eliminated everything in its path. It was very strong and should have, by all rights eliminated the man whole.

But, before it could reach him a flash of light happened to allow another person to appear. He created a magic shield that managed to defend against the attack.

"Well, isn't it cute. The little bird with no wings is trying to defeat me with a scream. Sorry but that is impossible for you. This guardian of mine will not be beaten by the likes of you." The fat man said as the other person showed his features. He had short brown hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. His face had many scars running all over it but the most interesting aspect was his eyes. There was no life or spirit there. No life or soul.

No, what I thought is wrong. It is not that there is no life or spirit in his eyes, but-

"How could you force the dead to fight for you? Isn't you a 'man of God'?" I could not help but ask, disgust covering each of mine words. I may not be religious (just in case of necessity like most normal people out there) but this is absurd. This man is no more than a walking corpse at this point, his spirit and life are no more but he still moves.

"How rude. He is not dead, per-say, but his life-force and spirit were turned into a pure magical capacity to better serve the Lord as my bodyguard. It is a better use of a true believer than simply being a family man with family and kids don't you agree" No other way around it, this man is nuts. "OH, but don't worry about the family either, we are very thoughtful so we did the same for the wife and the baby is to be trained as a soldier of God and learn of how great it is to live and die for his grace. It is truly a shame that the project to make this useful tools was stopped. These soldiers are just so practical, never tire, never hunger, never fear death. Truly the perfect followers of our magnanimous God, that even allows for the most useless existences ways to fight for his name." He then looked at the sky and said. "And I that work in Gods wishes am truly blessed by his glory." At that the happy smile on his face was undeniable.

He looks so proud of himself and talks like this poor man, that was turned into this... thing, is a happy and good thing for the man himself. Like being turned into this is an honor. Were the mages from the other world also like that? If so I am happy to be born here.

"Anyway, we wait for your answer. If you leave until tomorrow, we will not attack your group. If you remain we will use our total power to destroy you and all other guards." The fat bastard then disappeared in another flash of light, it must be the teleportation spell they are using.

After he left Miku dropped to her knees. She was trembling, breathing hard, sweating heavily, eyes darting in all directions and she put her hand on her chest as if it was in pain.

Seeing this I realized that she was having a panic attack. To deal with this I need to calm her down, make her get distracted. I drooped to my knees as well and looked her straight in the eyes but did not touch her as I started talking.

"Miku, calm down. I am here and nothing bad is going to happen as long as I am here." That seemed to have caught her attention, but she was still hyperventilating and the trembling did not stop. "Let's sing. You like singing don't you? Sing a pretty song and just let all the fear go out through it. Come on."

She sang. It was the same one that I heard she singing in her room more she sang the calmer she got. During the entire time, she was looking at my face as if looking for something.

At the end of the song, she was back to normal. She then stood up and turned around to not look at my face as she asked a single question.

"As long as I am with you, I am safe?" she asked. A slight tremble in her voice.

"I can't promise that I can protect you from everything," that made her tense up a bit, she must be thinking that I will abandon her right now. "BUT as long as you are on my side I will protect you with everything I have." It is the truth. My objective is protecting her and I will do exactly that. Always complete your mission, this doctrine was beaten into my skull since I started helping in the Tower.

That seemed to relax her a bit. She simply started walking away from me as the car arrived and she said, in a whisper that no one but me that was close by could hear.

"Liar."