2024-02-15 05:29:16"Ouch, my head," Daniel said as he sat up in an infirmary, holding his forehead.
"Yes! You're finally awake!!" Holly cheered, immediately hugging him tightly.
"Woah, that's enough, Holly. I'm not dead yet," Daniel responded, gently pushing her off.
She turned to him with a smug expression.
Daniel stretched his arms as he sat up straighter.
"You are too, I saw it," she whispered in his ear playfully.
"I'm not doing this with you, Holly."
"Doing what??" she replied innocently, wearing a blank expression.
"Ughhh," Daniel groaned, throwing a blanket over her.
Before Holly could retaliate, a man in a lab coat walked into the room.
"Oh, Viktor's here," Holly said, tossing the blanket onto Daniel.
"Who's Viktor?" Daniel asked.
Viktor struck a dramatic pose.
"He's the head of medicine," a woman said, cutting Viktor off as she entered the room.
"Sofia, you really should stop cutting me off mid-introduction," Viktor muttered.
"Well, with a dumb introduction like that, I had to," Sofia replied.
Without warning, Viktor grabbed Daniel's hand and injected him with a purple substance.
"Hey, what's that?!" Daniel yelled, clutching his ribs.
"FOOL... that is the Eternium formula, meant to increase your body's healing capabilities by twelve times!" Viktor declared dramatically.
Sofia handed Daniel a set of fresh clothes.
Daniel accepted the clothes with a grateful sigh.
After changing, Daniel and Holly headed into the corridor.
"Ouuu," Sofia squealed softly as she sniffed Daniel's old clothes.
"I'm hearing some questionable noises over there, Sofia," Viktor said from his desk.
"Shut up, Viktor! It's science!" she barked back, breathing heavily.
"Okay... just don't make a mess again. I just cleaned yesterday," Viktor muttered.
He leaned back in his chair, thinking to himself:
That poor fool... he really thinks she's normal. If only he knew what she did to him while he was out cold.
As Daniel and Holly walked:
Ah-choo!
"Woah, my body feels light... and my wounds are gone. That serum’s kinda cool," he said, stretching.
"Yeah, it is," Holly replied optimistically.
"You looked like you knew those two pretty well, Holly."
"Yeah, you were out for three days, so I got to know some people," she said.
"Wait... three days?!" Daniel shouted.
"You took a real beating," she said casually.
Daniel scratched his head.
He turned to Holly, narrowing his eyes.
"Whoa, don't look at me," Holly said, stepping back. "Sofia's the one who took care of you... real good care, if I say so myself," she added, looking away suspiciously.
Daniel’s heart calmed.
They finally arrived at the hall, where Bishop Michael and Holy Knight Arthur were waiting.
"Yaaay! Mr. Arthur, you're back!" Holly cheered, running up to him.
"Haha, Holly! How have you been?" Arthur asked warmly.
"I'm fine! How are the twins?"
"Look for yourself," Arthur said, pulling out the Cartel Twins—two massive guns—and handing one to Holly.
"Woah! It's heavy!" she gasped, struggling to hold it.
"Let's go to Training Room 7, my lady," Arthur said, stretching out a hand toward her.
"Ouu, what a gentleman," Holly said teasingly, "unlike someone I know."
"Good luck, Daniel, my boy!" Arthur said, giving him a thumbs up before leaving with Holly.
Oh, what a surprise. Another idiot. I can't walk five minutes without meeting one here, Daniel thought to himself.
Daniel turned to Bishop Michael.
"Uhm... Mr... Bishop Michael, sir. I was told to come see you?"
"Yes. Let's get straight to the point. Walk with me," Michael said.
They entered an elevator.
"While you were unconscious, I brought you here," Michael explained.
The elevator opened to reveal a breathtaking ocean-side view.
"This is the Church—or at least, a branch of it—the Eastern Branch," Michael said.
Daniel stepped out, taking in the view.
"As you should already know, this world of ours, Vesperia, has been overrun with otherworldly creatures for as long as we can remember. Each branch deals with specific threats."
"So... you're like the military?" Daniel asked.
"Not quite. We work to serve God. This branch, specifically, deals with the undead—like that," Michael said, throwing a knife at a red creature flying toward them.
"What the—?" Daniel exclaimed.
"Come with me," Michael said, leading him back into the elevator.
They descended to the first floor, passing Viktor and Draven wheeling a cage. Inside, a red devil-like creature thrashed violently.
"Is that the thing you hit?" Daniel asked.
"Is that the newbie, sir Bishop?" Draven asked as he strained to pull the cage.
"FOOL, that is none of your concern. Move along," Viktor barked.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"I can't let you go," Michael said flatly.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I want to leave. You can't make me stay," Daniel said firmly.
"Look, boy," Michael responded, drawing his blade slightly. "I could kill you right now and save us the trouble of protecting you."
"I didn’t ask you to save me, did I?" Daniel snapped. "It's not my fault any of this happened. I just want a normal life."
"Normal life?" Michael scoffed. "You're already past that. You're a target. Wherever you go, disaster will follow."
"So what, I stay cooped up in here my whole life?" Daniel shot back.
"No," Michael said. "I'll train you. And if I see you're capable, I'll grant you freedom to move around outside."
Daniel paused, then sighed.
Training — Week 1 (Training Room 4)
"You lack mental focus and discipline," Michael said with his hands calmly behind his back, effortlessly evading all of Daniel's attacks.
"You need balance and coordination," he added.
Daniel missed another swing with his wooden sword and collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air.
"I’ll never be able to hit you," Daniel whined.
"You don't need to hit me. Just break through my scoop barrier," Michael said.
Daniel gritted his teeth, got up, and tried again.
"Endurance and stamina are key. You won't survive out there otherwise," Michael said, dodging again. "Swing!"
Week 2 (Training Room 4)
"Strength and conditioning," Michael announced. "Pick up the wooden sword and strike this dummy one hundred times every hour—for five hours."
Daniel muttered under his breath, "Blah blah blah, hit the dummy."
Michael popped his head back into the room.
"Ughhh," Daniel groaned.
Week 3 (Training Room 4)
"Weapon proficiency," Michael declared. "Since you want to wield a blade, you'll learn proper technique. Here's The Cutlery Book. Master the basics—stab, scoop, slice."
Week 4 — Day Off
"Finally, a rest day. That maniac's gonna kill me," Daniel thought as he lay in bed.
Knock knock!
"Come in," Daniel said weakly.
"Hey, Daniel! How’s training going?" Holly asked, stepping inside.
"The psychotic Bishop is going to be the death of me! Look at this," Daniel said, showing her his swollen, sore hands. "I can't even move my fingers."
"You gotta toughen up!" Holly teased.
"How's your training going?" he asked.
"I've mastered basic cutlery already! Sir Arthur is teaching me how to coat my guns in it. These are my babies—Alpha and Omega—the beginning and end of anything that steps to me!" she said proudly, brandishing her handguns.
"Anyway, I'm out. Training calls!" she waved as she skipped out.
"She's becoming more of a weirdo because of that guy," Daniel muttered with a tired sigh.
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Verse 13 : Only The Strong
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Verse 12 : Book Keeping
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Verse 11 : Showdown in the deadwoods
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Verse 10 : Remnants
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Verse 9 : Crimson Descent
---Holly and Amanda had just started to get up as they witnessed April on the floor in a pool of her own blood. "I forgot how fragile most humans are," the vampire said in a smooth, mocking tone."APRIL! " Amanda screamed out as she burst out of the rubble and ran toward it in a fit of rage. Her technique was sloppy, and every attack she threw was effortlessly blocked by the Vampire's finger, further frustrating her.Holly watched the battle unfold and slapped herself mentally. "Come on, what am I doing?" she scolded herself as she got her guns out and started to shoot at Vampire. "Futile," he said, as all the bullets were deflected effortlessly.Meanwhile, back at the church, Daniel and Shawn were anxiously waiting. The team hadn't come back, and their com links were unreachable, they tried reaching Bishop Michael without success, "Where are they? Is Holly Okay?" Daniel paced back and forth. "We can't just sit here and wait damn it," Damien added "April and the others might be in d
Verse 8 : Bloody Valentine
Two Days later,After Bishop Michael and Sir Arthur had left Holly had been handed a customized Nun outfit it was a long white and black dress with two Sleets up to her waist and long black tights under It had a utility belt for ammunition and holsters for her guns and a back strap to hold her Shotgun The Colossus. "Wow I'm liking this look on me" Holly said as she looked into a mirror. Holly sat on her bed reading her favorite manga *Pour Out* "Light protects us from dark just as fire balances creation and destruction by bringing light to where its going and leaving darkness where its been." She read out loud "Hey Holls it's time let's go" Chelsea said as she poked her head into Holly's room "Alright sure" Holly replied "Oh and here my lucky wooden knife I used it on my first mission I'd like you to have it incase you can't reload in time" Chelsea said as she gave Holly the knife "Thanks Chelsea I really appreciate it. Here you take this bracelet I made it last night" "Thanks the blu
Verse 7 : Beneath the surface
Nine Months LaterThe once green fields surrounding the Western Church Branch had now turned into a sea of golden hues as summer descended upon Vesperia. It had been a while since Daniel's training had begun, and he had grown as a combatant."You need to focus on your footing, Daniel," Bishop Michael said as he demonstrated a swift footwork maneuver. "It's vital for balance and control.""Got it," Daniel replied."Concentration, Daniel," Bishop Michael said again, striking him with a cutlery shockwave that knocked Daniel to the ground."I'm trying," Daniel grumbled as he got up."Remember," Bishop Michael said, "it's not about sheer strength; it's about precision and focus. Let the cutlery flow through you. Let your body move on its own. Feel every movement—the blade is an extension of yourself. Fill it with your will."Daniel took a deep breath, centering himself. He swung his wooden sword with more finesse this time, following the Bishop's advice. Slowly, he began to see improvement
Verse 6 : Ripples of Change
"Ouch, my head," Daniel said as he sat up in an infirmary, holding his forehead."Yes! You're finally awake!!" Holly cheered, immediately hugging him tightly."Woah, that's enough, Holly. I'm not dead yet," Daniel responded, gently pushing her off.She turned to him with a smug expression. "Flustered much, Daniel?"Daniel stretched his arms as he sat up straighter. "I'm not flustered, you loon.""You are too, I saw it," she whispered in his ear playfully."I'm not doing this with you, Holly.""Doing what??" she replied innocently, wearing a blank expression."Ughhh," Daniel groaned, throwing a blanket over her.Before Holly could retaliate, a man in a lab coat walked into the room."Oh, Viktor's here," Holly said, tossing the blanket onto Daniel."Who's Viktor?" Daniel asked.Viktor struck a dramatic pose. "FOOL... I am the sole savior, death's true nemesis, his antithesis! I AM THE—""He's the head of medicine," a woman said, cutting Viktor off as she entered the room."Sofia, you
Verse 5 : Unseen Bargin
Daniel winced in pain as he struggled to his feet, his body aching from the impact of being tossed aside by Zephyrus. “What have you done with Holly?” he demanded.Zephyrus laughed sadistically, relishing Daniel's distress. “Ah, your dear Holly,” he taunted. “She may very well be lying dead in a ditch somewhere. Or perhaps she's become a delightful feast for my loyal nightwalkers. Who knows?” he added with a twisted grin.“You sick bastard!” Daniel shouted.Zephyrus smirked. “You and me both, Daniel. Aren't you the one who left those people back at the asylum to die? Does little Holly know her ‘savior’ is just a heartless coward too?”"I'm going to kill you!" Daniel roared, charging at Zephyrus in a fury.Meanwhile, Holly's hazy vision began to clear as she regained consciousness. She found herself lying on the ground, every inch of her body aching. As she looked up, she caught sight of a man with long blond hair, gracefully dispatching the nightwalkers with his silver and gold handg
