1 - Daughter Of Argennaux

Twin Serpent Demon SlayerI - Daughter of Argennaux

For many Millenia, the human race lived as one of the most populated species, capable of creation, and destruction, peace and war, brutality, and kindness… Elements of the mind Diametrically opposed. And yet, on that day, all of this was washed away… War had been a constant part of the human condition, even from the days of the ancients. Yet, the world had prospered, in some way shape or form. But it seemed this had effects none could have foreseen. In the year 1970, the flow of souls pried open the gate. The sky's normal azure turned to crimson, and out came a tide of creatures beyond imagination. From twisted versions of the Fauna they knew, to those that had a humanoid shape, but were clearly anything but. As well as entirely alien agglomerations. Some small, others giants that crushed entire sections of cities by walking alone… Regardless of their differences in shape, their goals were clear. Humans were killed and consumed, towering skyscrapers were snapped like toothpicks.
 Even as NATO and the Warsaw pact put their differences aside, and the great powers of the world used every weapon in their arsenals, whether it be aircraft, missiles, or otherwise, they could not kill them… Within a single year, the order collapsed. Great nations lay broken into pieces, Cities lay as rubble, bodies lining their streets. The deaths, now in the billions, only continued to spread, and the ones who did survive retreated to hovels, struggling to survive…  But just as it seemed that the light of hope would expire, did those who could use “Prana” appear. Those who could utilize the power of the soul to strike down the creatures who had been dubbed demons, rose. They intermingled, and organized themselves into groups, bloodlines and cultures with unique disciplines emerged in the four years afterward, demon hunter groups numbering in the tens in even a small area.. The true turning point being the discovery of Aetherium, metal which could take in Prana, and with work, create demon slaying weapons. They would convene and combine into regional, then continental unions, until the continents had finally managed to regain contact with each other in 1975, and these demon slaying groups forge one organization, The Exorcist Order…
TSDS - Op 1(Elorianne) - High and Mighty Color2021
 Decades after the opening of the Gate of Irra, and the appearance of the first Prana Users, the world had made somewhat of a recovery, though, with its population at 3.7 Billion, less than half of what it may have been had it not been for the invasion, it certainly didn't seem such. Many cities still remain in ruins, entire regions lay either infested with demons, or into anarchy with small statelets and roving bands of raiders. But there was some form of organization, in small villages in cities, though they ran the risk of not having any wards. Many of those billions lived in cities like this. Upon what used to be the city of Paris, was the Paris bastion. Massive walls surrounded the city, taller than any of the buildings by many magnitudes. Constructed of steel bars at the center, concrete built around it. These walls lay around the city's perimeter, guard towers, and patrolling members of the branch known to most, as the Keepers, those assigned to protect these cities. There were as well, various seals, and arrays of runes spread across the city, a network which created a barrier against demonic entry, and provided additional physical durability. The city itself included many people, packed into a dense patchwork, hastily constructed towers made to contain as many people as possible lined the slums on the city's outer edges. These buildings had to be built quickly, after all, as they contained people from all across the European continent, and North Africa. This created a patchwork of languages and cultures. As one would expect, people had various opinions about being confined with those with completely different customs, and those opinions were not always expressed in the most conductive of ways… Though, even then, it was better here than wandering the demon infested wildlands. The structures were not comfortable, nor were they of especially high quality. But at the very least, they had electricity, provided by the hum of coal plants, and solar panels. And water that was, thankfully, treated with chlorine, even if their industry could not produce large amounts. 
But division was clear, even here, in the center of the city, there were homes that were more spacious, more luxurious buildings, for those who had the funds to afford it, including a reconstructed Palais Royal, which was the residence of The House of Orleans. As the monarchy had since been re-established as a uniting force in the aftermath of the Gate's wake. Though, there was another notable building. A monolithic structure of Ivory stone, and stained glass, that sat elevated over even the Palais. Barracks lay beside it, as well as various training yards, and outbuildings. This was the all too-famous Headquarters of the European Chapter, the Cathédrale du Chevalier Blanc.
There were as well, the manors of nobles, certain powerful disciplines had become passed down through certain bloodlines of Prana users, many of these bloodlines were powerful even before the order formed, the most powerful of which became the Seven great clans. One of which made their home here, in the elaborate manor, known as the Château d'Argennaux. The walls of the interior were covered in plaster and marble, the floors with polished tiles, large windows which let in no small amount of sunlight. The walls were heavily decorated, as one would expect of a noble's home. 
Within this home was a girl, who looked to be in her late teens. Atop her head, were long silky strands of Ivory, partially braided, and placed to the side. Atop her body was the standard uniform of the Order's European branch, a military style coat. Though hers was modified extensively given her family's status, a silk cravat rested beneath her collar, and the coat of arms of her house, the heads of two wolves around a sun. A pair of silver gauntlets lay upon her hands, small streaks of lavender upon them. And upon her back was her Holy arm, Gáe Bolg, a polearm with a heavy, crescent shaped blade, much like an axe, a weapon designed to break through defenses, the Bardiche… Though certainly a heavy weapon that she could barely use at first, it was indeed one meant for her, as the Runeforge only prepared the Aetherium, the weapon's name and the shape it took was ultimately influenced by the individual soul. The polearm wielding girl was one of the Daughters of this clan, Elorianne Argennaux. 
Her room was a decorated affair, though that was to be expected. She remained silent as she exited her room, and found an older man, his body covered in a suit, standing there, he bowed, as he spoke. 
"Lady Elorianne, Master Gaspard has requested her presence… I hope it is something positive"
Elorianne nodded, with a smile.
"Thank you, Albain." 
The boots upon her fleet clamored on the floor as she walked. She began to tap her fingers against her thigh, a certain quirk that was always done when she was thinking, or nervous, for many situations, reaally… Why would father be summoning her to his study this early in the morning? He'd usually do such a thing later in the day, if at all. He was not one to interrupt his work at random for personal calls. She found it strange he did not just talk to her at dinner if he had something to discuss. While she was lost in her thoughts, she was certainly not the only one in the hallway, there were two others she knew well, their outfits, though more civilian in nature, were equally as decorated. One was a young woman with silky blonde strands running down to her back. Narrowed eyes with Irises of violet. Beside her was a man of brown locks, who was similarly young, a small smattering of facial hair as upon his chin, though he was otherwise clean shaven. The woman leaned into the man's ear as they took note of her approaching. 
"There she is. Still walking around with that holy arm… Yet, she remains such a disappointment, Benoit."
"I can't help but agree, Solène, I do not understand why uncle gives her so many chances, nor why he lets her join the order, she is yet to even manifest our bloodline's techniques…" Despite their whispering… She would ignore it, she would keep walking. This wasn't her first, nor was it likely to be her last time hearing such things. 
As she walked, she came across a large decorated door, constructed of ebony wood. A room she recognized well. As the door was opened and she crossed the threshold, did she enter the room. There were about four chairs total, one of which was behind a desk. various reports about logistics, patrols, operations which she did not know of, along with a desktop computer. Which at the moment, had calloused hands typing upon the keyboard.
The man sitting at the desk had a head of salt and pepper hair, having become such due to both his age, and the stresses of his position. The same could be said for his face, to which age had become visible. His narrowed, intense eyes had green iris' within them. The Head of the Clan, Gaspard, known as the European Chapter's Blade of the Seven, a position, that while not having much authority de jure, in practice, their power was equal to that of an Arbiter. 
"Elorianne, you've made it…" 
She nodded, taking a seat. 
"Yes, Father…" 
"Good. I've brought you here for a reason." In the last meeting between the arbiters and clan heads, a certain subject came up… As you know, our order was initially simply an alliance of demon slaying groups from across the world. We are many people with their own agendas and histories, we have been such since the order was founded. We believe we may be able to alleviate this, at least a bit."It was obvious why they'd want such a thing. But one thing was unclear, why was she there?
Before she could question this, he'd already moved on.
"It's for that reason that you'll be meeting with a squad, of which, you'll be the head of. One member from each of our chapters.." Her eyes widened, her jaw nearly dropping open, her own squad, and one this important, but, why her? Why not Mirielle, her sister who'd already established herself as a powerful exorcist? Why not any of her other-
Gaspard cleared his throat, as if sensing what was going through his daughter's head. 
"You have the potential to succeed in this role, and that is why I decided to put your name forward… Your squad will be in the training yard, and you'll be able to meet them there." She was left standing in silence, even now. She needed to calm herself, and did so, taking in a deep breath, before re-gaining her composure. 
"I will succeed, Father…" With that, she was off. Her boots clamored upon the floors once more as she exited the office, and though she began to think back to the sayings of Benoit and Solene as she walked down the corridors, she pushed them down, she couldn't afford to think about petty things like that, not at this time. The streets she walked down, those of the noble quarter, still had stone bricks and cobble upon the paths rather than the asphalt which was in the outer districts. This was, as far as the royal government was concerned, something to resemble the dignified past. Even if they proved effective, the king was one for vanity projects. Of course, this place being what it was, with the rich and powerful of society, many things reached her ears as she walked. A woman in furs paused mid-step.
"We may very well be able to access the Compact's Natural gas, given we use the Republica Del Istmo is a midleman…" A man in a frilled coat, standing beside her, placed a hand on his chin.
"Always so isolationist, the Compact, yet even they will trade with the Republic…"
"But of course, they have control over the Canal, after all, they'd be foolish not to, their naval forces are oh-so effective at keeping the Pirate riffraff and demons away from the Gulf..." Elroainne took her eyes away from the two. She knew of these nations well, a noble was nothing if not educated, at least, in her house, that was the case. 
The inside of the HQ was as decorated as one would expect, high ceilings with arches spread upon them, electric lights and the same stained glass windows, and to no surprise, bustling, and filled with no small number of exorcists, with their own unique Holy Arms. Some of which were nowhere near weapons that could have been forged traditionally, such as one whose weapon could only be described as a… Bladed windmill? But she had her own situation to focus on, and as she finally exited into the training yard, she found Six others. The first she noticed, and the first to notice her, was a young man, who seemed similar to her in age. His skin darker than her own, though more resembling a tan. Nostrils flared and the bridge of his nose flat ,his coiled hair closely cropped. His hazel eyes stared in her direction, something which made her tilt her head. But upon being noticed, he only averted his gaze. 
"You must be that Elroianne girl… My name's Vincent, Vincent Johnson, North American Chapter…"
She needed to stay clean, she was just leading a team with members from all of the chapters, no pressure… None at all… 
Eventually, she nodded, as she attempted to push any distractions in her head to the side for the time being. 
"That is correct, I'm pleased to be here…"

Of course, it only seemed to get worse after she spoke, he had to do something. Vincent crossed his arms, some attempt to look composed. Though given the look of another who slid toward him, this wasn't as effective as he thought. Her skin was a golden brown, beaded earring swaying with each step, her dark blue braids tied off in crimson cord, and the embroidery of her burgundy jacket catching the light. With gauntlets holstered on her back. The beaded earrings swayed as she walked, as a smirk came onto her lips, and her amber eyes squinted with mischievousness. 
"Oh? Why try to act so cool now? I saw how your eyes wandered, you sure you aren't sweet on-" However, her words were interrupted, as almost with uncharacteristic speed, the man went to clamp a hand over her mouth. Though, the one she spoke of seemed unaware of this. As already, Elorianne was looking in the opposite direction… This woman was known as Awki Huamancuri Quispe, of the South American chapter… though if it were Vincent's choice, she'd be dubbed "A pain in my ass". He for sure did not need her running her mouth about things. 
One watched from across the room through observant dark brown eyes. The dark skinned young man noted the very clear lack of subtleness from his apparent comrade. The man in question stood over 6 feet, his lean body draped in a robe, which itself was formed of luxurious cloth, rich patterns of gold, green, and deep red. The kente patterns which were traditional to his homeland. Worn almost like a toga. On his back, lay his holy arm, a bow which was black and white, held in place via a sling. With locs atop his head, which he tied into a single bundle, that draped down to his upper back. He cleared his throat, before he spoke out. 
"Well, with that… Display over, I'll introduce myself. Mensah of the Aman, I have been designated as the squad's tactician…" 
"More like the squad's resident hardass…" Vincent mumbled. 
This made Mensah glance over at him, raising an eyebrow. "You may as well say it out loud, I can hear your mumbling from over here, Mr.Subtle…." 
Vincent scoffed. "Whatever, man. Just because you're from some big shot clan that plays chess all day doesn't mean you gotta flaunt it… How about you stop being such a smart ass?" 
Mensah slicked his dreads.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. SOMEONE has to be smart here…" 
Vincent sputtered at this, leaning close to Mensah, as the two stared at each other, face to face. "Are you saying I'm stupid?" he questioned indignantly. 
"No, of course not, in fact, I'd say you're a genius, a true Jobbernowl… if one looks at it from an Aristotelian perspective…" Was that so? 
"Well then, that's better, I'd say I truly am a Jobbernowl…" An inkling of a smirk appeared on Mensah's face. 
"I'm sorry to tell you, but that word means the opposite of what you think it was… The mentioning of Aristotle was what we call a red herring, a distraction to hide the context, that is what we call subtlety… You should learn how to do it." 
This guy… Vincent's annoyance built further as a feminine toned, joyful laugh came from the other side of the room. Originating from a brown-skinned woman whose outfit resembled the traditional habesha Kemis, a off-white dress with embroidery upon the base of the skirt, and upon the arms, though it was modified, to have less cloth. Her dark coiled hair adorned with tiny beads of obsidian and brass, and on her hip lay a curved Shotel, her holy arm. She seemed to move with a certain high speed even in her normal mannerisms, her laughing causing the beads to clink softly. Only when the laughing subsided did she speak. 
"It's like a TV Show, these two… I get the feeling they'll be entertaining." Coming from the east African branch, Telela Sisay. As she continued laughing, she was joined in this laughter by another, Awki, who slid over to her side. 
"They sure are! Maybe we should get them to do standup together…" There was another in the room, who seemed withdrawn. He had a pen and paper in his hand, his observant eyes running across papers filled with circles, and arrays, the young man observing them had a collarless, loose fitting tunic, built of cotton, Known as a Kuta. His trousers loose, and tucked into the Juttis on his feet. His thick black locks parted and slicked back. His holy arm, the Metal rings mounted on a clasp upon his lower back. Elorianne looked at him with interest, as she walked over, eventually, the sound of her footsteps drawing his gaze. 
"Oh, Apologies, let me introduce myself, I'm Mitra Batra, Veilwright, and healer, South Asian Chapter… if you get hurt, I'm here…"
Vincent glanced over at him as well, as he spoke.
"A veilwright.. Good to have, I'm guessing you must be good at barriers and whatnot…" At this, Mitra smiled. 
"I'd say I'm at least alright…" So this was her team, Elroianne once more found her finger tapping her thigh, and took a deep breath. This response was expected, after all, she was just meeting these people for the first time, but they didn't seem bad by any means. Though, there was one who seemed strangely silent after all this time, leaning upon the wall leading back into the great hall itself. Sharp eyes with brown Iris' which watched Elorianne as she approached. Upon her head was a short head of black hair, sharp and side-swept. Draped over her body was a Hanten style kimono, a deep indigo, Sleeves short and cuffed, her arms covered in black arm-wraps. With Hakama style pants upon her legs, stitched with patterns of flying cranes…
"Hi, I'm Elorianne… It's nice to meet you." Though she did a slight bow, all she received in response was that same glare, one that dropped the temperature of the room, it seemed. Before a scoff left her lips, and she turned, walking away without another word… Something which almost seemed confusing to Elroianne. Had she done something wrong? As she stood there, Mensah placed a hand on his chin. 
"That certainly doesn't bode well…" Vinvent watched this and only shrugged his shoulders. 
"I can't say I'm surprised, she hadn't said a word to anyone since she got here." He noted. But Awki only shook her head. 
"No, that was something completely different.." Elorianne certainly realized this as well, though she knew not what to do about it… 
"Well… Uh… I believe we may be getting our first Mission sometime in the future, so. Just.. Be ready for that?" With this much said, Elroianne began to walk away, very much, still questioning what had just transpired. As she exited the Cathedral, she was once again upon the noble district's cobble roads walking back to the gates of her manor. When she began to change, her exorcist uniform was exchanged for a gown, its back with pleats from the shoulder, stitched down to mould the gown closely to the body. The reason made clear when she made her way to the Great Dining Hall within the manor. The Arganeuxx family was not a small one, especially if one considered the branch families, Elorianne's father had 4 siblings himself, each with their own children. And in some cases, their children's children. This showed in the long tables, a sea of Elaborate fabrics, Gowns, and three-piece suits, with single, and double beasted coats. A fashion harkening back to France's own clothing before the French revolution, as for why these things made a return, specifically to that period at that, one need only ask the current king, who certainly had… Feelings about the revolution, and what happened to his ancestors, as an Orlean, even if he didn't agree with them fully. Though, that was a long conversation to have…
As was usual, the conversations were very diverse. 
"Have you heard of the demon which appeared in Brittany?"
"That dreadful thing which looks like a turtle? Of course, it attacks the fishermen and those trying to dock as well… But as I've heard, Cousin Girard and his squad are handling that now…" 
At another table, a man leaned back into his seat. "Antisaille's Earthworks have been completed, that will do well to keep out the demons and raiders from Basel…" Another sat forward. 
"That may be the case, but are they high enough, I have heard of a pack of those accused wolf ones… That is one of the few villages with electricity and the workable factory."
"That is why a squad of Blightwalkers will be in the area. They will be eliminated long before they reach it."
 As Elorianne looked around, she saw her father in his usual seat, at the head of a table sat a bit higher than the others, such was to be expected given he was the head of the clan. Sitting at the chair next to him was one who'd, to no surprise, doted on elorianne since she was young, Her mother, one Marie De la Crossiard, who was of one of the noble clans that arose when the Roayume was established. She was a mature woman with a head of brown hair, and full lips. She sat with a smile on her face as she talked to her husband, though the words she spoke of were unknown to Elorianne. Sitting with the parents at the table were three others, Elorianne's older brother, Arnoult, whose hair was golden, his eyes seeming to have the same intensity Gaspard's did. He sat and ate in silence, which was no surprise, he was not exactly a known conversationalist. Though he had become something of an attractive figure under the young noblewomen, despite always seeming to have his nose in a book, only focusing on writing, and economic theory. 
 He was one of those at the center of an idea to create a united currency, something like the Euro once was, that even those in the Class II, And III zones could make use of… Though at the point, it was just that, an idea. There were a lot of roadblocks and things to be handled before that could be possible, let alone the fact that many of these areas simply bartered resources. There as well, was a woman of blue hair, something she seemed to have inherited from their paternal grandmother, it was silky, reaching down to her back. Her older sister, Mirelle, siblings who had been exorcists in their own right. The third was a toddler, a young boy who clung to his mother, the Young Guiot… Eventually, however, as her mother's gaze moved across the room, did she hear.
"Elroianne, why do you stand there looking lost, come join us!" Her mother called, in her usual chipper tune. Elorianne froze for a moment, but eventually did so. Though catching some glances as she did, she once more, ignored it. She sat down on the seat usually designated to her, between her siblings. 
"You went out to meet your squad today, how were they? Have you made any friends among them?" Elorianne was left silent at this, she had friends before, such as the 2 girls from her school days who she hadn't been able to visit much lately… The word friend, she certainly would not use that term, she wasn't even sure what to make of them… 
"They're… Competent?" She responded, awkwardly. Though she soon found herself being stared at by Guiot, who, as he commonly did, climbed onto her lap. Gaspard himself cut into a piece of his roast, taking a bite. 
"They may not be experienced, but the chapters were instructed by grandmaster to send forth those with possible potential… You can work well with them, I'm sure of that much, remember your training and you'll be able to succeed…" Yet, even with that, she herself was not convinced of this. Though Arnoult eventually looked up from his book, and looked in her direction. 
"You did well enough with making friends in school, did you not? Functionally, it must be similar here, though a bit harder due to the differing origins. If nothing else, you may at least be able to work together, even if you aren't the most friendly."... That was easy for him to say, that seemed to be his default interactions with most others, though she did not voice this. Instead, playing with her younger brother, as was usual. Arnoult turned his attention back to his father.  
"If, you have time, we have made some ideas on how to form the currency. We're leaning toward paper currency, and backing it based on precious metals, pre-Gate alloys, or pre-gate electronics are an idea, but crops have been floated as well. We've composed it into a paper, if you'll be able to get it to the royal government."
Gaspard nodded. 
"Place it in my study, as usual… After all, we can't have our people trading chickens for tools and bolts of cloth for bushels of grain…" 
Eventually, as the subject drifted elsewhere, Elroianne was quiet once more, but she knew just who to go to to ask about this… 
After the dining hall finally cleared out, Elroianne found herself walking down the halls once more, until she reached the door of a room she'd been in many times, but before she'd even got a chance to knock, did the door open, revealing Mirielle standing there with her usual smile. 
"I knew you were coming, Elori… Come in, sit…" Elroianne did just that, going to sit down on the edge of her sister's bed.
"Most of them seem fine, though they didn't seem to get along especially well… But, there's one in particular, Her name is Yamakawa Mitsuru… She wouldn't so much as say a word before glaring at me and walking off. Case in point, the only reason she knew her name was because she'd decided to read through the files on her squad members… 
"Hm… Well, at the end of the day, you just met. It may just be a matter of actually getting to know each other. It's not like everyone liked me at first…" Sound advice, but, there was another issue on Elorianne's mind… 
"There's also this other guy, Vincent… I don't understand him.." As she stayed this, Mirielle leaned forward with apparent interest. 
"Oh?" 
"He'd look at me for a while and then look away… He'd talk, but he'd keep it short, … Did I do something wrong?" as Elroianne continued to mumble questions, Mirielle attempted to bite the inside of her cheek, to suppress what was coming, yet, as it came to her just what was going l her nostrils flared and snickering evolved into a hearty laugh, Elroianne only watched, tilting her head sideways in her confusion. Which certainly did not help… Fully fledged exorcist or not, it was still her same little sister. 
".. Don't worry about it, Elorianne… You'll understand at some point." 
That certainly didn't answer her question, but, she'd take it for now, she was sure her sister meant well…