Reunion

Walking forward, the man with the black hair flicks his hand and a dark crimson longsword appears.

“You’re looking well, brother. I see your time with the Vatican has treated you well.” Strutting around as he talks, an angry twinkle enters the demon’s eye.

“What are you doing here, Arthur? Didn’t you learn your lesson last time we clashed? If I were you, I’d crawl back to whatever rock you’ve been hiding under these last few years and stay there. Before you get hurt.” As Magnus finishes, his hand lets go of the gun and it clatters to the ground. Laughing lightly, Arthur swings his sword a few times and begins testing the edge.

“You shouldn’t have dropped the gun brother. You know, she said you might be the one to come and I hoped she was right, but you’ve been playing human so long I doubt you even remember how to use it. And that dear brother makes this less of a challenge than I would have liked. Oh and look - you brought your little pet too.”

Before Magnus can say a word, Ikane dashes past him, her blade coming free from the sheath. Reacting instantly, Arthur raises his sword to meet hers with a burst of sparks.

“It’s good to see you too, Kara. Oh, wait, it’s Ikane now, right? As if changing your name could free you from the past.”

“I’m nobody’s pet. Magnus may be willing to stand here and listen to your drivel, but I won’t!”

“Pity. With hatred like that, you really should work for me.” With a sharp teethed smile, he swings his blade and pushes her back to Magnus. As she slides to a halt, she looks down as a circular ring lands on the ground before breaking in half. Gasping, she looks down at her blade as the shimmer fails and it turns blood red. Roaring, she swings her blade towards Arthur and tries to launch herself at him, only to be stopped by Magnus’s hand on her shoulder.

“That’s enough, Ikane.” Pulling her behind him, he steps towards Arthur.

“Where is she and what does she have to do with any of this?” laughing Arthur dances a little jig on the spot.

“Come now, Magnus. You didn’t really think I would tell you, do you? Tell you what though, how about we trade, you tell me what I want to know and I’ll won’t tell them what I know about your past.” Flourishing at the end of his dance, a small square device appears in Arthur’s hand. “Recognize this? You should. It’s the access pass for Eden. Now, what I want to know where the door is. Tell me where Eden is and I’ll let you and your little lancers leave here alive.” At the site of the key, Magnus’s eyes flash with anger and a layer of tension settles over him, visible to the girls behind him.

“Give me the key Arthur. I’m not playing anymore. Hand it over, and tell me where she is or I will cut you down. And this time, I won’t lack the spine to finish it.”  As Magnus asks his question,  hatred fills Arthur’s eyes.

“Cut me down? Seems to me you tried that once before, and where did that get us huh? We could have had it all Magnus but you had to be noble and screw it all up.” As his last words come out dripping with rage spit flies from his lips. Taking a breath and regaining some composure, Arthur begins walking backwards putting the demons between Magnus and himself.

“I’m tired of these  games, Magnus. If you won’t tell me what I want to know, then you can die like the rest. Die knowing that once you’re gone, I will find Eden, and I will raze everything that you have worked so hard to build, to the ground.” Stepping forward, black and purple energy crackles over Magnus.

“I’ll see you burn in hell before I ever let that happen.” Putting his hand to his chest, he closes his eyes for a moment. Swinging it to the side, purple energy crackles from his fist and a purple blade appears in his hand. Opening his eyes, the demons take a step back as they change color to purple. In one smooth movement, Magnus raises the blade above his shoulder. Grabbing the other four women, Ikane pulls them all to the ground heavily as Magnus disappears. Reappearing in front of Arthur, he swings the blade toward his brother faster than the eye can see. Twisting the last moment, Arthur barely blocks the blade, the shock wave from the blades, shattering the nearby windows. With a look of panic and anger on his face, Arthur screeches to the surrounding demons.

“Kill them, you fools. Don’t just stand there.” Roaring, the demons launch themselves towards Magnus and the women. Pushing off his brother’s blade, Magnus twists and moving faster than the eye can see, appears in front of the women, a trail of dead demons between himself and Arthur. Holding his sword in front of him, Magnus runs his hand along the flat of the blade. As his hand clears the tip, purple flames cover the entire blade. Dancing a series of movements around the women, his blade lashes out and strikes, turning demons to ash where it lands. Coming to a stop finally as his blade carves the last remaining demon in two, Magnus looks wearily up the street.

“Dammit. I will find you, Arthur, and next time you won’t be so lucky.” Swinging his blade to the side, a wave of exhaustion washes over him as it disappears. Getting to her feet, Ikane looks at Magnus.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the unification?” Turning around at her words, a haunted look crosses his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” As the last word leaves his mouth, his eyes close, and he collapses on to the ground. Rushing over, the women pick him up and start making their way further into the city as the sound of a transport ship echoes above the city.