The Eighth Sin

Riyku would inhale softly, before exhaling slowly. "My answer is... No. I refuse your offer." Riyku would reply to Azeal which seemed to shock him more than anyone else. He could not comprehend why Riyku would choose to struggle rather than safety. It was beyond him. The deal was perfect, the safety of himself and his friends and yet... he would rather choose to fight. Azeal would shake his head with a heavy sigh. "I do not understand. I have given you the perfect opportunity. So tell me, why? Why would you choose to struggle?" Azeal inquired while eyeing the man down. A smirk curved across Riyku's cheeks. "You offer me false peace. The price of safety is my freedom. I will be shackled down and ruled over by you and those you serve. Of course, it may not all be bad; however, who is to say that others of the Hunter's Legion will willing accept me or my friends?" Riyku would remark throwing a question at him in return. "You are right. They may be some who will reject you. Some who may even try to suppress you and tear you down. I will admit that the Hunter's Legion is not some kind of Military division, but a Guild that was created with the sole purpose to give reasoning to those who sought out a purpose in life. Most join the Legion to take down monsters and demons, others do it for fame and fortune. Then there is us, we do it to protect the people of this kingdom as best we can. As the Commander of the Fifth Division, I can assure you that no harm will befall you if you are to join my Division." Azeal would rebuttal.

"Commander! You can't be serious about this!" Claire would speak up. "Claire's right. Commander, if we bring him in who knows what may happen to us!" Ire would speak up as well. "I concur. What if he were to come after us. He could snap at any given moment." Alex would agree with Ire. Even Ben and Stephaine agreed with them. "Looks like I have my answer. Your team is not fond of me, not that I plan them." Riyku called back to Azeal who would sigh heavily. "You know, you four have only made things worse for us right?" Azeal turned to look back at them with a frustrated expression. "But, Commander..." Claire would remark and Azeal would shake his head. "Fine. How about this." Azeal would turn to face Riyku. "A mock battle. Between Division Five and you three. If we win, you join us. If you win, we will leave you alone and forget this ever happened. Though since it is a mock battle, lethal blows are restricted. I am sure you understand, right?" Azeal would call out, an entirely new suggestion from his first.

"Wait, What!?" Claire shouted. "You five understand so little. Your fear has overcome you and you refuse to look at the bigger picture. The man before you has created bonds that are inseverable. He has made friends that will never betray him. The people he has surrounded himself with will always come to his aid. Have you not even noticed..." Azeal would motion with his head as to guide their line of sight towards one of the elevator shafts. "Riyku!" Rick shouted as he came from the shaft with Nora, Jessica, Melaine, and Ion. Riyku, Mina and Skylar would look towards Rick and his group. "Rick? What are you doing here?" Riyku asked as the five of them would come to a halt with heavy breaths. "Geez... I haven't run like that in a long time. It took us a bit to find this place since we lost sight of Mina and Skylar, but..." Rick would break his sentence to regain control of his breathing. "We wanted to check up on you." Melaine would finish for him which caused Riyku's eyes to widen a little. "You look fine though. I guess that is thanks to Mina and Skylar." Jessica pitched in. Mina and Skylar gave them heartfelt smiles before looking to Riyku. "Yup, he's going to be okay. Though, we have more pressing matters." Mina would state as she shifted her eyes back to the group across from them. "Hm? Who are they?" Jessica inquired. "That's Commander Azeal of the Fifth Division of the Hunter's Legion. His Division's sole purpose to protect and aid the people of the Kingdom. In other words, you were seen as a massive threat, not surprising though since you were well... Demonic looking." Nora would answer.

"You five! What are you doing? It is dangerous!" Claire called out to them which took their attention towards the woman. "Dangerous? I'll admit this guy is brutal, but he has done quite a bit to clean up the streets." Jessica replied to Claire. "He even helped us out. He stopped someone from continuously harassing us." Ion would pitch in. "Yup, and he did not even who we were," Rick added. "He may be scary, but he is also kind and caring." Melaine would also speak up. "I have to agree with them. Riyku is abnormal, but he is not as much as a threat as you claim him to be." Nora would speak up as well. The reaction these teenagers gave Claire caused her to bite her lower lip and step back. Azeal would place his hand upon her shoulder. "See. You are quick to judge. I saw it in his eyes the first time we met. He will only condemn those who deserve it. Why do you think he spared the Lost Prince." Azeal would step past Claire with a smirk across his face. "So, what will it be? Will you accept my challenge?" Azeal called out to Riyku.

"Challenge?" Nora looked towards him, just as the rest did. "Yeah... a friendly mock battle. If I win they will leave me alone, and if they win I have to join them." Riyku replied to Nora who would blink rapidly. "Wait... wait... Azeal the Wizard King is challenging you!?" Nora was shocked, she did not expect any of this to happen. "Wizard King?" Riyku would inquire with interest piqued. "Yes. Azeal is known for using abnormal spells in rapid succession. His chant time is nearly zero, and he holds many national cups for first place when it came to magika contests. Not to forget that he has also lead armies to victory during his service in the military. There is still so much more to him that the public has announced him the Wizard King." Azeal would blush lightly and scratch his cheek at the praise he heard coming from Nora. "You know, that was all in the past. I am but a Commander of Division Five. I thank you though, for your wonderful words." Azeal stated to Nora, before shifting his eyes to Riyku. "Well?" Azeal was still awaiting a reply to his challenge.

"Fine. I'll accompany you. Mina, Skylar, can you handle the other five?" Riyku inquired and Mina and Skylar would nod at the same time. "Of course!" They shouted in sync which caused Riyku to smirk lightly. "Nora, Rick, Melaine, Ion, Jessica... I suggest you five stand back. I would rather you not get caught up in this. If anything, take this in as a lesson of how to become stronger. Strive till the bitter in all you do." Riyku stated firmly. Nora and Rick would lead Jessica, Melaine and, Ion a bit aways from the upcoming battle. "Claire, you are with me. Stepahine and Ben you are to take one of them while Ire and Alex are to take the other. Do not let your guard down no matter what. Also, we are not fighting to kill. But, do have fun." Azeal stated as he held his hand open before him. Through a poof of smoke, a thick covered book would appear with the spine hovering just over his open palm. The book would flip up and several pages would turn before coming to a halt. "Sir!" Everyone shouted at the same time.

"Disciple of Rouge's Shadow. I challenge you!" Ire called out to Skylar who blinked rapidly before nodding lightly. "Alright. I accept your challenge." Skylar would twirl his daggers in his hand several times before taking to an offensive stance. "I guess we got the other one," Ben stated. "True, but... is she a support type?" Stephanie would ask. "I will be fine. Thank you for your concern." Mina called out as she grasped her staff tightly. Riyku would extend his hand outward as if to call to one of his weapons. It was then the large blade, Soluna Blade had appeared in his hand. Defty the male would swing it around to rest it against his shoulder which caused his knees to deep in for a moment when the blade made contact with his shoulder. "Claire, I'll support you for now. So go ahead and be as reckless as you want." Azeal stated which caught the woman's attention. "B-but sir... If I do that..." Azeal would shake his head to her remark. "This will require everything we have. I doubt you can kill him even if you use your full power. So go ahead and unleash it. He may be the sparing partner you need to control it." Azeal would reaffirm her and she nodded lightly.

Ire would race towards Skylar and swing at him with a flourish of punches and kicks. Skylar would dodge each attack while retaliating with his own that Ire seemed to evade while countering Skylar. Their skirmish seemed to continue this way as if it were a test of endurance. Meanwhile, Alex was in the back going through a chant.

As for Stephaine and Ben, well Stephanie seemed to have started her burst of attacks. Quick thrusts and slashes of her curved blade that Mina would block with her staff. Meanwhile, Ben was aiming the barrels of his guns at Mina; however, he was unable to get a clean shot. "Stepahine, you are in the way! I can't get a clear shot!" Ben called out which caused Stephaine to kiss her teeth. "What are you doing?" She narrowed her eyes at Mina who chuckled softly. "Nothing special." She teased her which caused her to increase the pace of her strikes that Mina seemed to block each time with her staff.

Claire would close her eyes as if to focus on something and after a moment the mana around became dense. A blue aura would slowly appear around the woman and her eyes would flare up revealing a chilly blue glow to them. "Let's go." Claire would dash towards Riyku. Her speed seemed to have increased, though when she swung her blade down at Riyku. Riyku would block the weapon, another swing and another before she pulled the trigger of her gunblade. Riyku would block each strike against him and lean away from the barrel of the gun before swinging his around towards her. Quickly she would pivot away from him only to aim the barrel of her gun at him again. Strangely the weapon was no longer firing arrows, but actual bullets this time around.

The moment Ire and Skylar clashed power fist to dagger the two were in a deadlock for a moment before jumping away from each other. Ire would look towards Claire when he felt the pressure of mana become dense. "Whoa... is she seriously going to use it?" Ire inquired. Alex would wave her staff around toward Ire as she finished her chant. "Ire, Lookout!" Alex shouted, a green aura engulfing the male as his eyes shifted back towards Skylar who had invaded his personal space rapidly. "Never take your eyes off your opponent. Master always told me that." Skylar stated firmly as he unleashed a combo of swift slashes at Ire who could only react in defense. "Damn it!" Ire would grit his teeth.

As for Stephanie and Ben, well... Their attention remained on Mina for whatever reason. "Ugh! Why can't I hit you! Why are you able to block everything I throw at you!" Stephaine was starting to lose her cool, making several mistakes which eventually caused her to lose her footing and slip under her own feet. "What... what is this... I can't..." Ben was starting to wobble around as if he were drunk. "I can't focus...." He muttered trying to keep the sights of his guns on Mina who was giggling softly. "The spell I used was Bard's Lullaby. Normally, it is used to buff your allies. However, if used against foes it will produce a sound when struck that causes their senses to go haywire. Making you feel like you are drunk." Mina stated as she stepped back. "I do not wish to cause you two any harm. So this was the best I could do. The effects won't go away anytime soon, so I strongly suggest rest." Mina stated though it seemed Stephaine did not want to down so easily. She used her weapon to aid her in standing up. "That's a cheap trick... Though, maybe our supporter can learn from you." Stephaine seemed reluctant to admit, but she what Mina did was... well, a great tactic in the end. Mina would sigh softly. "Thank you, but I do suggest you rest. I won't do anything as cowardly as strike you down." Mina stated and Stephaine shook her head. "I can still..." She would wobble forward. "Ugh..." She dropped her weapon and fell onto her knees, leaning over before barfing. Mina would look away and step back at the same time.

Azeal chuckled lightly, "Looks like the supporter one-upped them. Not bad." He stated when he saw the state his team was in. His eyes shifted towards Ire who was struggling against Skylar. "Why is he getting faster!? What the hell is this!?" Ire growled in frustration, as he started to feel wary. "Alex!" Ire called out. "Alright!" Alex returned as she snapped her fingers. The green aura that had engulfed Ire would flourish brightly. Skylar sensed something was off and stopped his restless barrage to retreat to a safe distance. "Oh? Alex finally perfected that skill. Well, then... that should put them on equal ground against a disciple of that old man." Azeal muttered to himself before returning his gaze to Claire who had released several bullets into the air; though they were just sitting there. Stopped in mid-air while she charged towards Riyku.

"Neat trick." Riyku had his eyes upon the bullets that were stopped dead in mid-air. Bringing his weapon around he would deflect Claire's blade. "Your speed and power have increased greatly since you've taken to this... form? Well, who knows. Still...." Riyku would step into Claire's space during her mid-swing and push her blade aside with his own only to reach for the collar of her armor. The woman would click her tongue and one of the bullets in mid-air would shot towards Riyku which caused him to retract his hand while she retreated to a safe distance. ".... I see." Riyku would smirk as he moved to take the second blade from the main one with his other hand. "What else do they do?" Riyku inquired before he darted towards Claire and begun to clash blade and bullet with the woman.

"Wow... this is." Rick was at a loss for words. "It's not every day that battle of this caliber is put on display." Ion would speak up. "Still... Azeal has yet to truly act." Nora stated as she folded her arms under her bust. Jessica had been looking around the field. "Hey, isn't that!" She would point towards three figures. "Team IVS!" Melaine exclaimed which caused the rest of them to look towards the collapsed figures. "What should we do?" She would turn toward Nora and Rick for any answer. "I think we go towards them. Maybe one of them is alive if anything." Rick stated. "I agree. If we can save even one life, we should." Nora added and the rest of the group would agree. The five of them would make their way around the field, taking to the outer edges so as not to get caught up in the battle. Though Team IVS was on the opposite side of them so the distance to cover was lengthly at that.

Skylar and Ire were trading blows one another, meanwhile, Alex was preparing yet another chant. "Oh no, you don't." Skylar would swiftly pivot back to toss several knives in Alex's direction. Though he was not aiming to kill but more so to throw her concentration off which worked since she jumped away from the knives thinking they were aimed at her. Ire would dash towards Skylar and swing once which was a feint to cause Skylar to evade backward. When Skylar did lean backward, Ire would slip behind him and slam a fist into his back which caused him to stumble forward. Ire would quickly follow up by sweeping Skylar from under his feet only to fall with Skylar while extending his elbow outward to preform an Elbow drop. Instead of trying to move against gravity he moved with it, so he could fall into his arms and roll away from Ire which caused him to slam his elbow into the ground. It was then that Skylar kicked off of his feet and moved to straddle Ire, from behind while pushing the sharp edge of his dagger against his throat. "I win," Skylar stated while looking at Alex who was blinking rapidly. "Fuck!" Ire shouted. "We admit defeat..." Alex stated sadly and Skylar would get off of Ire, sheath his dagger and offer a hand to help the male up. Ire would hesitate to take Skylar's hand but ended up doing so in the end. "Nice fight. If I had neglected my teachings in the past that last move would have secured your victory. My Master taught that sometimes you need to go with the flow of battle and never against it to come out on top." Skylar stated and Ire would sigh heavily. "The Rogue of Shadows truly has taught you well." Ire stated. "Good fight." He was frustrated but did not show any unsportsmanlike conduct. "Say, what was that move you used to get behind me? You were like the shadow itself." Skylar called out to Ire who was mid-way from Alex. "Oh, that? It's a move called slip-stream. It allows me to pivot behind my target without much fraction or delay in my step. Although, I can only use it with Alex's buff since it takes a heavy toll on the body." Ire would reply to Skylar. "That's pretty cool actually. We should train together sometime." Skylar smiled brightly towards Ire, his feminine charm shining brightly which made Ire blush brightly. "Umm... sure." Ire stated before turning away from Skylar and regrouping with Alex who would tease him about his flustered face. Meanwhile, Skylar would regroup with Mina who was standing by, watching Riyku and Claire trade steel.

"Looks like Ire and Alex lost. Well... they did put up a good fight. Though, the real test is here. I guess I should give her a hand." Azeal muttered to himself before hovering his free hand over his book which would cause the pages to flutter rapidly. His tongue would spit out words so fluently fast that it was almost as if he had not said a thing. A green aura would surround Claire for a split second. Azeal would continue, as the pages fluttered rapidly and several more colored auras flared around Claire. Once again Claire's speed and power had increased, even the delay between her attacks had decreased. She would set up more bullets by the second and use them moments later, the various speeds at which the bullets flew and the timing of them would cause Riyku to adapt on the fly. Kissing his teeth the male found himself on the defensive more than the offensive. "Whoa... that's insane." Skylar would state when he noticed that Riyku was just a blur in the wind. "He is going to be okay?" Mina asked, unable to even tell what was going on anymore. "I'm not sure, but Riyku is now on the complete defensive," Skylar replied to her which caused Mina to worry slightly. "Don't worry. He won't lose." Skylar would reaffirm Mina's worries.

"Damn it... I need to move faster. Strike with more precision and break free from this before I run out of Energy and Shield Points." Riyku muttered to himself.

'Would you like to activate your links?'

A text box appeared upon his UI. "Activate my links?" He muttered to himself again. "Yes." He replied.

'Links activated. Those linked with you will lend you a portion of their strength.'

It was then that a clear aura surrounded the three of them. "What? What is this?" Mina inquired. "I'm not sure, but... I think it has something to do with Riyku." Skylar replied. "Mina, Skylar. I am going to be borrowing some of your power!" Riyku shouted which caused them to blink before nodding. "If we can be of assistance, go right ahead," Mina replied. "Please do," Skylar added and Riyku would nod with a smirk across his face. "Thanks!" Riyku would call back to them. "What the!?" Claire narrowed her eyes noticing that Riyku was pushing her back now. Cutting down several bullets with one swing while deflecting her blade attacks. Before she knew it, she was unable to fire off any more bullets was now having to block and evade two blades that came at her. The tables had turned in mere moments. "Time to finish this!" Riyku exclaimed as his body vanished for a moment before reappearing behind Claire. Riyku would kick down upon the back of Claire's knee which forced to kneel that knee. He would rest both blades crossed over each other on her shoulders like a giant pair of scissors. "Checkmate," Riyku stated, though his smirk diminished when he felt something sharp and icy against his back. "I think it is fair to call this a draw, Riyku," Azeal stated, holding a large sharp of sharp ice against Riyku's back. A heavy sigh parted Riyku's lips. "Fair enough." Riyku would remove his blades from her shoulders and reattach the second blade to the main blade before returning it to his inventory. Azeal would throw the sharp of ice aside which turned into water and evaporated. "So, what now? Since neither of us won that is." Riyku stated as Claire would stand up and sheath her gunblade in frustration.

"Well, you won't be forced to join, but that does not mean I will stop trying to recruit you either. So how about this. For a week we will give you the rundown of how the Hunter's Legion, Fifth Division works. You'll meet many members of the Division and even go on missions. If you don't like it, then we'll drop it there. Does that sound fair enough to you?" Azeal inquired with a pleasant smile. Riyku would close his eyes in thought for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I accept. However, If I do not like what I find, you will leave me alone. Correct?" Riyku asked just to make sure he knew what he was getting into and Azeal would affirm his question. "Yes." It was then that Riyku would extend his hand as if to shake on this agreement. Azeal would take Riyku's hand and shake it. "Alright. I'll let you know a week in advance. For now, let's tend to the wounded." Azeal stated and Riyku would nod, turning his glance towards Team IVS where Rick and the others were.

While this was going on, somewhere in the corridor of the seating. "So, that's him?" A feminine voice called out. "Sure is. Though it seems you were already acquainted with him beforehand. Did something happen?" A burly male questioned the female, the same one that was talking with Bell in the old wooden shack. "You could say that." The woman would grasp her necklace tightly while glaring at Riyku who was checking up on Team IVS. "Well, I am surprised you did not take him out then." The man replied, seeing the fire in her eyes. "I did not know it was him when we met. I did not know that he was the man, who killed my brother." The woman replied with a hatred filled glare.