Love Boat for Two [ Joint Training ]

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

"Keys, you say." She responded curiously. "Well, that is certainly the last thing the world needs, isn't it? A bunch of depraved demons running amock. Not an entirely foolproof system, I'd argue. What kind of prison provides its prisoners with the materials necessary for creating keys to free themselves from said prison?" Amalia shook her head incredulously. She sighed as her fingers delicately slid across the walls of the ship. "This world is full of rot and is desperately in need of adjusting. Even hell is inadequate at keeping those sent or born there in chains."

A breathy chuckle left her lips as she peered through the window of a nearby door. The lack of any bodies is curious though. No blood. No signs of a fight. "Yes, I made note of that earlier. I guess we're onto scenario two. I can't say I'm worried. You're an experienced demon hunter. I imagine you're prepared for anything." Amalia said playfully as she batted at the fur lining his shoulders. Amalia pressed her hands on his shoulders and leaned in, talking quietly in his ear. "The vermin are stirring. Looks like the excitement you've been waiting for is about to begin! I'm eager to see what all the fuss is about." Amalia giggled playfully as she squeezed his shoulders.

Amalia slowly backed away from Alexander before coolly leaning against a nearby wall.
Rakshas! It’s been over ten years! Or was it nine? A smug grin tugged at her pouty red lips while her fingers delicately twirled her Quincy cross. Amalia focused her gaze on the impeccable detail that went into forging her cross. Such delicate work. Her eyes followed the clean lines, giving the illusion she was disengaged from the events unfolding around her. It appeared Alex had made quick work of his old friend. Maybe he was right and didn't need Amalia after all. Then again, aiding Alexander wasn't Amalia's sole motivation for accompanying him.

Time to die, bitch! A distorted voice shouted shrilly from nearby. Amalia's brow wriggled slightly as her gaze shifted in their direction. She watched smugly as they rushed her brandishing their weapons. Amalia was quiet and chose to remain exactly where she stood. Suddenly two large arrowed whizzed by Alexander on their path to impaling the two disfigured humans. The smattering of light managed to create a glint off the blade's edge just before they became drenched in blood. The two arrows forcefully pierced their chests and carried them into the distance, pinning them snugly against the wall. 

"It's nice to see things picking up even if it involves deformed humans chasing after me with kitchen utensils." She said with a chuckle before letting her cross fall to her side. Amalia glanced over at Alexander and nodded as if to acknowledge this was his move. "Would you like to interrogate either of them or should I just end them?" She asked kindly. "So, demons have possessed the crew members." She asked rhetorically with her trademark japery, of which mercilessly mocked those around her. "Mortals have always feared the idea of possession. So much so they practically welcomed the misfortune." She chuckled. "So, uhm, is this common? Demons possessing humans when demonic artifacts are nearby?"

[Deleted]

The small amount of worry he did have was outright proven to be completely misplaced. He shouldn’t have been worried for Amalia but instead for the defiled and manipulated corpses of the crew. Two streaks of light shot their way past him carrying the bodies of the possessed and pinning them to the walls like calendars. Closing his eyes and smiling, Alex shook his head a little as he got fully to his feet. ”Things are starting to get a little interesting.” Alex replied, smirking before turning to look at the two struggling demons. Well, the one demon. Taking a breath and holding it for a moment, Alex waved them off. ”Go ahead and send them packing. No point in torturing or interrogating this guy. He’s not even here.” Alex explained, though with little information, as he reached down and picked up the fireax the first crewmen had tried to use.

”You’re too late Alistair! The Marker is ours. It’s too late!” the corpse of the female mocked, laughing at Alex as he began walking back to Amalia. He stopped, pursed his lips, and turned around. ”Noo. It’s not. It’s still here. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Of course...whoever thought Rakshas, the pathetic sniveling coward, would be able to successfully guard the oh so important treasure is probably popping an aneurism right now.” Alex mocked, spinning the ax in his hand. ”Make your jokes Quincy. Your time is coming soon!” Rolling his eyes and sighing, Alex looked away for a moment before quickly slamming the backend of the ax into the corpses skull and shutting it up. ”AAAHAHAHAHAHAA!” the other one started laughing.

”So, demons have possessed the crew members."

”Demon. Singular. And a Saika to be specific. This putrid loser can possess corpses. Move them like puppets. See out of them. He’s not actually here. He never actually gets involved himself. He’s a weakling after all.” Alex answered, shaking his head disappointingly at the other corpse before looking back at Amalia. ”It ain’t like the movies. Sinners don’t go around possessing people and needing a priest to exorcise them. My family has never found a legitimate demonic possession that wasn’t just someone with a mental disorder.” The Quincy explained, before pointing at the struggling crewmen. ”Captain Supervisor, meet Rakshas. A sniveling Saika I’ve been hunting since before I joined the Vandenreich.” Alex said with a forced smirk.

”And you’re no closer than the day we burned down your home and fucked your inbred family to death!”

At the mention of that, there was a shift in Alex. His body tensed up for a moment. Amalia would sense a quick spark of anger that was just as quickly put out in the Quincy. Raising his head and smiling, Alexander turned to look at Rakshas. ”Taking credit for things you had no part in? Your Master won’t be happy about that. How is Diablo these days?” The man asked, his blue eyes locking themselves onto the cream colored white orbs in Rakshas’s head. ”Hrrr…” it growled, unable to speak. It had said to much it seemed. Snorting, Alex shook his head. ”That’s what I thought.” he remarked before looking at Amalia. ”He’s all yours.” he offered, before deciding to resume his search.

Rakshas turned his head towards Amalia, staring at her before his mouth began to move again. ”We know who you are Vollbrecht.” he suddenly said. He began to snicker and giggle. ”Oooh they begged. Cried for us to stop. Oh the sweet, sweet, cries of your ma and pa as we tore them apart again and again. We have them. They’re down here with us. Would you like to speak to them?” Rakshas asked her, before starting to laugh at her.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

"Not here you say?" Amalia looked at the grotesque corpses with a critical eye. This putrid loser can possess corpses. Move them like puppets. Amalia nodded in acknowledgment of this as the remaining body shouted and taunted Alexander. These two seem to know one another well. This item has been sitting at the bottom of the ocean for centuries and of all the demons of hell, this one shows up to greet our lonely demon hunter. Those are some spectacular odds. Amalia thought to herself as she inspected them both. 

And you’re no closer than the day we burned down your home and fucked your inbred family to death! The subtlest of smirks tugged at the corner of Amalia's lip as her gaze shifted to Alex. These vermin are working hard to rattle his cage. I imagine most would be seething after a comment like that, but he seems to be hiding it well. She thought. It seemed Alex wasn't taking the bait, which pleased Amalia. She quietly mimicked applause as she grinned in his direction. It might not be entirely clear whether Amalia was genuinely congratulating him or mocking the situation, but she did so with a bright expression. 

He’s all yours. A pressed her lips together and adopted a wry expression. What need did she have for the living corpse? She didn't care about demons or their fate. He could have shot an arrow through its head and been done with it. Amalia arrogantly turned her back to the woman and proceeded to follow Alex. We know who you are Vollbrecht. Amalia immediately stopped, her body frozen in place as the demon spoke through its vessel. Her eyes wandered the ship's walls as the sickly voice echoed through the hall. We have them. Amalia's expression dissolved as she contemplated what the demon was saying. What if her family were in hell?

Impossible. She thought. It was a possibility, but unlikely. They were fated to be reborn elsewhere, as the soul cycle demands. Only the most wretched of beings go to hell. A place where monsters reside. Monsters who kill entire families. Who burn villages. Who torture and threaten. Who commit great crimes against nature. It wasn't a place for someone like them. It was a place for someone else. Amalia turned and peered over her shoulder. "You're going to give me an audience with my parents?" She asked.

"Of course." The demon said while snickering. Suddenly the demon's own snickering was interrupted by Amalia's dark, guttural laughter. She turned to face the demon and smiled at him smugly. "You say you know me, but if you did, you'd know I'm no sentimental fool. I'm not someone who's easily persuaded by empty threats and impotent taunts." She said as she continued to speak softly. "You see, I'm different than the demon hunter you so proudly mocked earlier. He's much too invested in demons, hell, and the paltry trinkets you scatter about. It's pride, an issue of family honor. That's fine, but not my thing. Make an enemy of me and he'll seem like a child with a bow compared to the wrath I'll rain down on you." She said just as the body erupted in blue flames. 

Amalia backed away, watching as the blue flames burned away the rotting flesh ensnared by the demon's will. She confidently turned and proceeded down the hallway. As she neared Alexander, she couldn't help but wonder about his words with the demon. There were a lot of interesting details in such a short exchange. "Who is Diablo?" Amalia asked curiously. "During your exchange with the cowardly demon, you quieted him by mentioning that name. He seemed to know what that meant, as do you. Explain it to me."  

[Deleted]

Hearing Amalia’s response to Rakshas was only a little surprising, but caused a sensation similar to pride to swell up inside Alex. The Saika truly had no idea who he was talking to. He didn’t know who he was taunting. He might have known about Amalia by reputation, but he didn’t truly know her. He wasn’t surprised to hear that she didn’t care about demons, or Hell, or artifacts. She wasn’t practically indoctrinated as a child to have an obsession about the underworld. If anyone else compared him to a “child with a bow” they might just have gotten an asswhoopin. But it was okay coming from Amalia. It was an appropriate comparison. He just liked being acknowledged.

His blue eyes flashed as they reflected the light of the blue flames that erupted to consume the possessed crewmans body. ”Well done, my lady.” Alex remarked, smirking at Amalia before turning away to continue their exploration. There wasn’t much more of the ship to explore though, thankfully. Only one room was left. The engine room. If the artifact, also known as THE BLACK MARKER, wasn’t there then...Alex wasn’t sure where it was. Unless it got welded into the actual metal of the ship. In that case they’d need to take the entire boat with them back to Silbern. Break it down. Melt it. Get the artifact out. But Alex really doubted this was the case.

”Who is Diablo?”

Alex was suddenly asked. The Quincy paused, blinking with surprise, before looking over his shoulder at the ginger beauty. Of course she’d notice he’d say that name. She wanted to know what the importance of that name was and why it had silenced Rakshas. Lowering his gaze with a exhale, Alex closed his eyes as he thought about how best to answer that question. ”He’s Rakshas master. A demon powerful enough to lead other Sinners. I’ve been hunting him for...quite some time.” Alex answered, taking a moment to reflect before smiling back at Amalia. ”I’d love to tell you more, but we have more pressing matters at the moment. I’m happy to give you the full story. Maybe over dinner?” He teased, half serious and half kidding before turning back around to keep walking.

Diablo. The name that was given to him by his mother. A piece of information she shared with him before she died. The last hunt assigned to him by his family. He could still remember it. He could still feel the flames that consumed his childhood room. The fear, the panic, the uncertainty he would live. The weaknesses. He remembered his mother breaking into his room and, him within her arms, spiriting Alex away as the remainder of the family fought across the property. He remembered seeing other Alistair Quincy fighting within the mansion, battling against inhuman shapes and monstrosities. The feeling of glass cutting his skin as his mother leapt through a window to escape into the dark forest.

Grabbing the cold steel of the door handle, Alex swung the heavy metal open to enter into the engine room. It was like you’d expect. Loud. Humid. Smelled like oil. Oh and let’s not forget the three bodies laying motionlessly around a table in the center of the room. Wait, that wasn’t normal. Nor was the fact that the blood from their bodies was, despite gravity still one hundred percent being a thing, floating into the air and drifting around, like a comet belt, a peculiar shaped object. ”Jackpot.” Alex said excitedly, stepping hurriedly towards the black colored object. Upon inspection it almost resembled a DNA helix, just much thicker and and made of some granite material. Also red symbols dotted its length. It was about the size of a roll of paper towels too. Not very big despite all the trouble it had seemingly caused.

Alex didn’t get too close though. Instead he circled around the table, bodies, and relic like a predator encircling its prey. ”Smaller than I thought.” Alex practically laughed, caught off guard by its size. ”Now...what are you doing?” he asked, crouching down to get a lower view of just what the artifact was doing with the blood. It was just encircling the object. Like the rings around saturn. Held within the red glow the object was putting out. Mouth hung open and fidgeting with his jaw, Alex pondered over this. ”Bloods clearly the key...but what’s it using it for? It’s not actually entering it, it doesn’t look to be going anywhere. Looks like it’s just holding it there. I wonder..” Alex was thinking out loud, a common problem with him.

Lowering his gaze to the bodies as though they would hold some clue Alex spotted their cause of death. Each of their wrists had been slit. He blinked, looking off to the side for a moment and back out towards the hallway. ”Okay...I think I know what happened. This caused them to take their own lives. I’m certain if we looked at the bodies Rakshas was using we’d find the same injuries. How though? How and why did it do it? That’s the question we need to figure out before we even touch this thing. For all I know we could turn on one another.” The demon hunter explained, twitching his fingers before he reached behind him and pulled out some ginto tubes he was keeping on him.

But before he continued with what he was doing, he paused. He blinked a few times. A thought just popped in his head. ”My family has been wanting to get their hands on this thing for centuries...and the only demon guarding it is one I personally know.” Alex muttered, narrowing his eyes for a moment as whatever equation in his head was being worked out. He looked up at the artifact, stared at it for a few moments, then frowned. He then grabbed the thing! A few tense seconds passed, Alex staring at the object, before he threw it down on the floor causing it to break to pieces. ”It’s a fake. This was a trap!” Alex announced, just before something hard slammed into the ship causing it to lerch to the left.

Thrown off his feet, Alex quickly regained himself in the air and landed feet first against the wall. He looked around, then at Amalia, and motioned towards the door. ”We need to get out. Now!” he shouted. But he didn’t actually want to leave. He wanted to see what was going on. A demon hunter didn’t run away from his prey. But there was another problem. ”Aaaalistair!” came that familiar, guttural, voice as one of the three corpses in the room with him was suddenly starting to get up. Followed by the other two. ”Who’s laughing now?” Rakshas taunted, his three puppets all laughing in unison. Pulling his lip to the side and shaking his head, Alex turned to Amalia. ”My lady, would you mind seeing what’s going on outside? I’ll join you once I’m done separating these threes skeletons from their bodies.” Alex asked, politely, before one of Rakshas corpses roared and leapt through the air at Alex. Like before, an arrow from around Alex’s feet was birthed into life and blasted through the corpse and sent it hurtling backwards.

Outside, though, and waiting for Amalia was some much more unique company. At least three of them. Three demons, Hasons in particular, were atop the deck of the ship. One was humanoid in shape and size, but lacking any hair and spourting a long, bird like, beak and had a tail. It also had a spear. The other two looked like pretty generic beastial monsters. One did have blue fangs and spikes, and the other had wings! ”Who the fuck is that?” the bird like Hason asked, looking to his shrugging flying comrade. ”That is not the Alistair. But it doesn’t matter. Kill her regardless!” the glowing blue demon hissed, taking a step towards Amalia before lunging through the air at her, intending to sink those teeth into her neck and end her life!

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

It’s a fake. This was a trap! "What?!" Amalia shouted in a shrill, agitated tone. Amalia's expression darkened and eyes narrowed as glared at Alexander. This dweeb brings me to this abandoned ship with stories of demonic artifacts and speaks of urgency, only for there to be nothing here! Amalia had allowed herself to get partially swept up in this fantasy. She was finding herself eager to see such an item, only to have it slip through their fingers because of his incompetence. Amalia doesn't fall victim to traps, she deploys them. She was now feeling foolish and embarrassed, emotions she wasn't fond of experiencing.

As the ship shook, her rage intensified. "You expect me to stay here after you failed to find what we originally came here for?" She asked bitterly. Suddenly a giant arrowed formed beside her and buried itself into the hull of the ship. "You have but moments before this place starts filling with water, Alexander." She stated with a kind of spiteful smugness before returning to the deck. Amalia couldn't believe he had allowed them to be tricked so easily. Amalia felt as though she was the target of a joke, and she did not enjoy the feeling. She figured those corpses were meant to distract them and keep them busy, but the item wasn’t there from the start. It was all a ruse to humiliate them.

"That stupid ornament he so proudly wears is trash if it can be so easily fooled by fakes and forgeries." She noted sharply. Amalia noticed the rabble waiting on the deck of the ship. Amalia scowled at them derisively. That is not the Alistair. But it doesn’t matter. Kill her regardless! "Unfortunately for you, he’s below deck squabbling with one of your degenerate siblings.” The Hason charged her, brandishing its spear. The spear collided with Amalia’s stomach as the bird-like Hason cackled softly from the base of its throat. “Stupid flesh bags meddling in the affairs of Hell. Look where it got you.”

The hideous demon attempted the plunge the spear in further, instead he felt an obstruction at the tip of the spear. He glanced down as Amalia clutched the blade with her bare hand. Her eyes were narrowed, rigid, cold, and hard. A burning animosity was developing in her cerulean gaze, and the creature could tell he would have difficulty weathering the growing storm. The demon tugged at his spear forcefully, but was unable to escape her grip. ”I bet you’re asking yourself: How can such a tiny woman hold the blade of my spear so firmly without being cut?” Fear and anger took over her enemy, prompting him to open his beak wide and spew unadulterated fire upon her.

His beak expanded quickly, a bright light emanating from his gullet. The fire burst forth and washed over Amalia like an angry waterfall of hellfire. The beaked flamethrower leaped backward, finally freeing his spear from her grip. He snickered alongside the others. “Stupid bitch.” He mocked. “A whore’s angry gaze is nothing in the face of true power.” He snickered some more, the joy of his apparent victory jostling his fire-filled gullet. The others continued to laugh alongside him as the fires swayed like high grass blowing in the wind. “Now let’s go fi…”

Boom!

The proud Hason was then enveloped by an explosion, which appeared to have emanated from his spear. The same spear he so desperately wanted to free from Amalia’s grip had dealt a fatal blow. The explosion shattered his spear and shredded much of his body. The force of the explosion threw him against the edge of the ship, a trail of blood and flesh following his trajectory. A vaguely shaped figure began to emerge from the flames. Faint laughter escaped from the flickering blaze, taunting the gravely injured Hason. Amalia emerged from the flames with a satisfied expression lining her face.

“I had you convinced for a moment, didn’t I?” Amalia laughed at his misfortune before extinguishing his flames with a wave of her hand. The Hason cowered in their uncertainty and confusion. How did she snuff out such potent flames? “A parlor trick, I assure you.” She jested with a clever grin. “Flames of that caliber are hardly a bother. Piddling and pointless by all accounts.” Amalia’s wicked gaze shifted between the three, though the central Hason was nearing death. “I bet you’re thinking, ‘should I die, I will simply return to hell.’ The soul cycle is imperfect that way, isn’t it?” She asked with a deranged look in her eye.

“Unfortunately, you won’t be benefiting from that anymore. I’m a Vandenreich Quincy. The daughter of a god. My arrows purify much more efficiently than any Shinigami.” Amalia then fired the arrow, shattering the Hason’s head like a melon. The two remaining Hason charged Amalia foolishly, only to be dispelled with flames. A swathe of sapphire flames blanketed the Hason, setting their entire bodies ablaze. They shouted in agony before collapsing on the ground, their energy and strength depleted. ”Embrace it.” Amalia said in a honeyed tone. “Just fall into it and let the flames do all the work.” She smiled as the Hason disintegrated along with the blue flames.

[Deleted]

She was mad. Alexander could tell based off the tone of her voice and the expression on her face. In that moment, Alex felt actual worry. Demons he could handle. He’d fought them all his life. But Amalia was far more fearsome than any demon he’d ever faced. He felt genuinely worried that she might turn on him in her anger. He tensed up when he saw the giant arrow form but then felt himself relax some when it buried itself into the hull of the ship rather than him. A bead of sweat had formed on the side of the head as he snorted out a small chuckle, grateful that he was spared her wrath.

---

”ARTEMIS!!” one of the Hason screamed out in desperation as the blue flames consumed him. Thrashing about did no good as where the flames burned he lost function of his body. Upon the call, though, Amalia would become aware of something new. A reiatsu that was previously hiding itself suddenly blipped into existence. It wasn’t on the ship with them, however. Rather it was coming from below. In the next instant there was an explosion of water off the port side of the ship as something came bursting out from the sea. The sound of singing could be heard as whatever it was blitzed around the ship through the sky. It was fast. Until, finally, what was called “Artemis” revealed itself.

Hovering off the front of the ship was yet another demon. But this one was...different. The others felt inconsequential. Like rabid dogs. This one had a presence to it. Fitting for something that just came from the ocean, it’s lower body was very much like that of a fish. But moving up the fishy part would transition to a woman's waist and torso, though clearly unnatural, with her arms being six wings all covered in glowing purple eyes. Her head possessed a humans mouth, coupled with plump pale lips, but the top of her head was completely covered in fingers that all closed in on themselves.

”Oh my..” the demon spoke, her voice being much younger sounding than one might have expected, “”Here we laid a trap for another only for it to be sprung by one so unexpected.” Artemis said, her lips pulling into a smile. ”I told Him that I could do this alone, that I didn’t need those tail coat ridders, but He insisted I have an escort. No matter. Thank you for killing them though! I was going to do it once we killed that stupid man.” Seemed Artemis liked to hear her own voice as much as Alexander did.

”And once I deliver the artifact I’ll be His favorite.” Artemis said, one of her wings lovingly rubbing her stomach. Suddenly she extended all of her wings, all of her eyes focusing on Amalia. ”I’m going to need you to die now. Thank you!” she laughed before each of her eyes lit up. After glowing just enough each of her eyes exploded with light, causing a number of thin purple beams to fire at Amalia with the speed of lightning! Each of the beams were tipped. What would happen if Amalia was hit? She might not want to find out.

---

Lifting his left leg out of the ever growing water level, Alex sneered at the fact that his pants and shoes were all wet. Nothing sucked more than wet socks. ”I should just be happy she didn’t shoot me.” Alexander sighed, mentally thanking the Emperor that Amalia valued him a little more than ol’ Jyuria. Well, maybe that wasn’t a fair comparison. Jyuria ran her mouth and got punished for it. Maybe she should have a had a little more faith in the Emperor and Vandenreich. But, hey, what can you expect from a Hollow? ”Are you ignoring me??” Alexander suddenly heard, catching his attention and prompting him to lift his head and look at the possessed corpse that was speaking to him.

Smirking and chuckling, Alex shrugged. ”Depends. Do you pay attention to every ant you happen to step on?” he asked, pacing back and forth through the water that was now reaching between his ankles and knees. ”This is where you die, Alexander. You’re gonna be joining your family today. Be happy.” Rakshas taunted, earning him a skeptical look from Alex. ”Rakshas, I’ve taken dumps that put up more of a fight than you.” Alex said rather crudely now that Amalia was gone. ”In ten years you ain’t got no new tricks. You’re still the puppet master with no bite. This little ruse is the closest thing to damage you’ve ever dealt to me.” Alex fired back, waving Rakshas off and beginning to head towards the door out of the engine room.

”You’re not going anywhere!” Rakshas shouted as one of the three bodies he was controlling leapt into the air, pouncing after Alexander like a wild cat. Looking over his shoulder and confirming where the target was, Alexander responded by firing his own arrows once again. Like before the arrows came from the ground level, blasting through the surface of the rising water and puncturing through Rakshas and pincushioning him. Alex chose not to detonate them, sense that would run the risk of also hurting him. Maybe it was time to explain just what was going on with Alex’s arrows. Everytime he fired an arrow it seemingly came out of the ground, or at least around Alex’s feet. This was, in fact, his Firing Property.

Arise.

With his property active Alexander didn’t need to summon a bow. He could simply prepare and fire arrows without one. When Arise was active Alexander could fire arrows from the floor around him. Anywhere around his feet within four meters could be used to fire an arrow. While this may have seemed restrictive, Alexander thought of it as anything but. No need for a bow? Being able to fire from anywhere around him? And, when he decided to actually dip into his powers, made a lot of sense why he fired his arrows like this when people saw what he could really do. ”Like I said, you’re boring. I’m much more interested in what that lovely lady up top is dealing with.” Alex teased, turning towards Rakshas bodies. ”From three to two. Your odds don’t look so good.” he taunted, making Rakshas even more angry.

But the demons didn’t approach. Alex noticed this and smirked. ”I really hope you’re not trying to wait me out. If you think I’m actually going to drown down here with you you’re dumber than I thought.” the dark haired Quincy scoffed, rolling his eyes and turning to leave again. ”Whatever. Do as you please.” As thought they were waiting for him to turn, the two bodies lunged at Alex. Seriously? You thought this would work? Alex thought almost disappointedly as five more arrows erupted out of the water behind him, filling the two possessed corpses with holes. Slamming the engine room door shut behind him, Alex gave chase after Amalia. The Fragment’s still reacting to something. Either there’s something powerful up there with Amalia, or the artifact is still here somewhere. Alex thought to himself as he rounded the corner, seeing the stairs that led upwards to the ships cabin and making his way towards them.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

Amalia watched unenthusiastically as the ocean waters churned and bubbled, a rush of air and mass ascending from its depths. From the cold, dark waters emerged what appeared to be a celestial entity. Several massive wings unfurled, misting the area as multiple eyes fixated on Amalia. The overall ascetic was a ruse, intended as a mockery. Amalia couldn't prevent herself from grinning at the demon's audacity. It was both laughable and blasphemous to have a creature from hell imitating an angel, but it wasn't at all surprising. It could only be expected from creatures of spite and envy. 

I’m going to need you to die now. Amalia narrowed her eyes as the beams of light scattered along the deck of the ship. Amalia sprinting around Artemis' attacks, escaping unharmed. The same could not be said for the ship. Amalia observed the peculiar eye technique. The beams of light appeared flexible like threads made of light but pierced the steel framed ship with ease. Like a needle piercing thread, they penetrate the ship before she jerked her head to the side. The threads of energy wobbled and swayed before they tore through the hull of the ship like saws. One of the beams would tear through the stairs just ahead of Alex as he ascended.

The demon seemed keen on sinking the ship with Alex still inside. She was sent here specifically for him? I suppose his reputation has made him enemy number one among the denizens of hell. I do hope he manages to free himself because once... Amalia watched as the ship was sliced into pieces and rapidly began descending into the water. She smacked her lips and sighed. "Spoke too soon." She said plainly as the threads of light suddenly broke free from her eyes and flailed about before dissolving. "I'm not sure even a sinking ship will keep him for long. After all, you're here and he loves his demon friends." She said with mild disgust. 

The demon turned to Amalia with a lilt in her voice addressed her. "Who are you? His lover? Wife?" Amalia's eyes widened as her mouth filled with suppressed laughter. "Surely you're kidding?" She asked with a caustic tone and smile. "Your intel is simply awful. While, like any man, he lusts over me, he has hardly earned the right to be anything more than a loyal subordinate." She said while sliding her hand through her rose-kissed locks. "So, we've established you're clueless on all matters pertaining to me. That's good. It makes things easier."

The demon scoffed. "Silly woman. I was sent here to slay him for a reason. My power is unmatched even in the face of two Quincy." Amalia closed her eyes and breathed in the ocean's poignant salty breath. As her eyes opened she exhaled, as if to compose herself. There was an eerie calmness about her demeanor. She quietly connected her gaze with Artemis. Her expression remained neutral, with only a subtle grin tugging at her lips. The air was quiet and her body still. The ocean breeze whispered softly, placing salty kisses on her cheek and tousling her fiery red hair. 


Amalia shook her head and made a clicking noise with her tongue. "You know," she started before exhaling as if to communicate her dissatisfaction, "I've dealt with your kind before. Many times, in fact. You never seem to learn. I would have thought that corpse puppeteer from earlier would have conveyed to you just how unprepared you are should you attempt to clash with me.  You see, we're different you and I." Amalia said as her brow dipped between her eyes and a serious, but smug expression painted her face. "You're nothing but a cheap imitation with paltry talent at best. Sure you have ambition, but even the most ambitious never truly achieve greatness. And nothing less than greatness could seriously pose a threat to me." 

Amalia smiled at the demon, but Artemis was less than pleased by Amalia's arrogance and condescension. "Speak proudly, my dear, for those are the last words to ever leave your lips." The demon spread out its wings just before intricate carvings made of light appeared in the air. Amalia narrowed her eyes just as these cryptic sigils released blasts of energy like gunfire. The sigils moved around the air, switching tactics by firing concentrated beams of energy. Amalia swiftly glided through the sky using hirenkayku, avoiding the projectiles as they pursued her. 

She watched in surprise as the beams of energy struck the ocean and evaporated large volumes of water instantly. She needed to avoid those beams of energy otherwise she might sustain a potentially lethal injury. Amalia abruptly stopped and snapped her fingers, summoning six black spheres. Amalia smiled before whispering to herself. "Spannungsfeld." The sigils in the sky configurated once against, stacking on top of one another to create a concentrate projectile. Three of her spheres adopted a triangular formation, and as the energy approached it was shredded into three separate strands. Like the pull of a celestial body, the energy encircled the spheres and remained ensnared by their gravitational pull. 

Amalia clasped her hands together before pulling back her right arm, forming a giant bow and arrow comprised entirely of reishi. She fired the arrow and watched as it blazed through the sky with speed and intensity. The arrow struck the sigils resulting in a massive explosion, ripping each of them apart. Unfortunately, the demon had escaped the bulk of the blast, having sustained only slight damage to two of her wings. "That was quite the explosion..." The demon commented as her eyes scanned her injured wings.

"You won't have such luck twice." Amalia laughed as she began to step forward. "Of course I will. You're too blind to see how outmatched you are and so you'll underestimate everything until that very last moment before death. And at that point, it'll be too late to adjust for your own stupidity." Suddenly the three spheres which attracted her sigils' energy repelled it back in her direction, to her shock. The energy blasted from the three spheres and was close to enveloping the demon should she not take immediate action. 

[Deleted]

All he had to do was go up the stairs. Really a easy task for another that did weigh three hundred pounds. Looking back at the water that was beginning to creep into the hallway, Alex was confident he was going to get out just fine. That was, at least, until the color purple started to blast its way through the interior of the ship. Alex blinked, wideyed, when he saw the ship suddenly getting sliced like a stick of butter being introduced to a hot knife. The way up the stairs got blasted apart was well, and a beam nearly even hit him causing him to press up against the wall to dodge it. ”Holy...hey did you forget I’m down here??” Alex shouted, though he knew nobody was going to hear him. Not with all the fighting going on.

Well, the water certainly wasn’t opposed to coming inside now. The damage to the ship was practically causing it to break apart, letting the entire ocean in to swallow the boat up. Clicking his tongue, Alex sneered before bending his knees a little and leaping upwards. Using Hirenkyaku to move upwards towards the door and grabbing it’s handle, Alex stepped out into the captains cabin. Bending down and grabbing his cloak off the floor, the Quincy rushed to the window to see just what was happening.

---

"Of course I will. You're too blind to see how outmatched you are and so you'll underestimate everything until that very last moment before death. And at that point, it'll be too late to adjust for your own stupidity."

”What did you say?” Artemis asked in frustration, her lips pulled back in a snarl as Amalia’s taunts hit their mark. Grumbling in anger, the Hason decided that it wasn’t going to take any of this from Amalia anymore. She was damaged, hurting from the prior explosion and being hit by her own attack and missing a good portion of two of her right wings, and knew that the longer this went on then the more likely the Alistair would join the battle. Killing Alexander was only part of the mission. She still needed to deliver what she had inside her.

Without hardly any warning, Artemis began screaming. The fingers wrapped tightly around the top of her head unraveled, revealing that the top of her head was in actuality a mouth. The fingers were simply covering it as though they were lips. ”I’ll show you whose outmatched! I’ve fought tooth and nail for my power I’ll use every ounce of it to destroy you!” the demon screamed as her body began to glow. Two new wings sprouted from her body, as well as two flower shaped objects that broke away from her body that each possessed an eye and looked at Amalia. ”Infernus.” Artemis announced, smirking a little.

”You’ll die, and I’ll live!” the demon laughed as each of her eyes, and the two strange floating bulbs, began to illuminate again. But this time it seemed to be different. The light was stronger and strobbed. But before she could fire or do anything, the windows for the captains cabin suddenly exploded. Something large and black suddenly burst out from the demoness’s chest, spraying its purple blood out into the air to mix with the salt and fog. ”Gaaah!” Artemis cried, thrusting forward from the sudden weight that slammed into her back. Forced to behind forward, the unknown assailant pressed its foot into her back before tearing its weapon free.

Leaping upwards into the air, the entity halted its descent by seemingly standing on airground. Blood gushing from her wound, Artemis coughed and gagged before lifting her head to view her assailant. ”Alistaaaair…” she started to growl before her words got caught in her throat. She didn’t recognize the person who attacked her. Was a third Quincy on this boat too? The cause for the confusion was because the person standing in the air was completely unrecognizable. His body seemed completely comprised of shadow. Whispy umbral energy that had taken on a concrete and detailed form. Surrounded by a white blue aura, the individual that appeared to be a armored knight stood silently and stared at the demon.

A long black cloak blew in the wind behind him as the silent knight watched the demon. The blue, ethereal, light coming from beneath his helmets eye sockets gave no indication of life. ”And who the fuck are you??” Artemis asked angrily, before the individual suddenly twitched. Moving his cloak aside he revealed the massive sword he was keeping hidden. A blade impossibly large and long. A greatsword. Lunging forward at a speed just like that of a arrow, the black clad knight swung his weapon down and cleaved directly through two of Artemis’s left wings.

Crying out and backpedaling, Artemis tried to gain some distance from this new foe. Releasing a volley of lasers in the hopes of surrounding and eliminating her target, she watched in horror and disbelief as the shadow just threaded his way between them. He wasn’t moving in a way a normal human should. It was like he was literally flying. Once close enough that massive sword was swung as though it weighed literally nothing. Once, twice, three times, the sword was swung in the span of a second. Three massive gashed were opened up in Artemis’s narrow body, causing even more demonic blood to be spilt.

”I’m glad I didn’t get to miss all the fun.” Amalia would hear near her, seeing Alexander walking up behind her on the airground. If he was here then that meant the person fighting Artemis wasn’t him. Speaking of whom, the demon floated backwards to try and get some more distance from her assailant. Breathing heavily, her wounds taking a heavy toll on her, she stared at the shadowy knight that was fighting her. ”Kill you...kill you...I’LL KILL ALL OF YOU!!” she screamed before being consumed in purple light. Lifting his arm to block out the light, a grin crept itself across Alex’s features. ”ohoh. Been a while since I’ve seen this.” he commented.

Each of her wounds had been healed. Six more bulbs had joined her in the air. A halo of light now floated above her head. Two more wings had grown from her body. ”Not a very impressive Supremus.” Alex remarked, raspberrying a little. Though he mocked it, he couldn’t deny that this could be dangerous. Not every Hason could unlock this power. A full manifestation of their sin. Oftentimes it would only consume them. Artemis suddenly began singing and ascending upwards, as though he was on her way to heaven. Frowning and narrowing his eyes, Alex decided to put a stop to that. ”Go!” he ordered, but not to Amalia. The shadowy warrior suddenly flew upwards after Artemis. Swinging his massive sword once close enough, it clanked off the very air itself instead of striking Artemis. The air shimmered and glowed, revealing the demon was surrounded in a barrier. She continued to sing, uninterrupted, as layered sigils began to appear, one by one, in the air around her. All pointing at Alex and Amalia.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

Amalia stood stone-faced as the demoness endured an assault from Alexander’s release. The demon seemed shocked, even caught off guard, but Amalia didn’t share in her reaction. She pitied how blind a creature with this many eyes could be to her environment. Even with the power she did possess she couldn’t see clearly. Perhaps she was blinded by her ambition or maybe Amalia’s leisurely efforts had undermined her concentration. Either way, Amalia didn’t see a way for her to escape with her prize. It was evident Alexander was as much a prize as the artifact. His enemies wanted him dead but clearly sent the wrong assassin.

“You’d think she’d know a little about who she was sent here to kill.” She criticized with a disdainful glare. Amalia wondered how it was possible to have such a reviled enemy and know so little of their attributes. Could she truly not sense his release? Did she know nothing of the enemy she was here to kill? How threatening could Hell be if their intel was sorely lacking and their assassins weren’t strong to sense a would be attacker? It made her wonder whether tradition was the only reason for continued interest in Hell. So far it was underwhelming and the only person who seemed at all invested was Alexander, a Quincy hailing from a demon hunter family.

It made sense why Hell would appear more vital than they were. It was a way for him to remain connected with his lineage and carve out a niche role within the Vandenreich. Maybe this was nothing more than smart public relations and self-branding. Or perhaps he truly believed what he preached. Either way, Amalia wasn’t feeling the same affection for hellspawn. She would, however, maintain just enough curiosity up until she laid eyes on what Alexander came to retrieve, should they even succeed. It seemed lost, but the demon made it sound as though she was in possession of said artifact. Amalia continued to contemplate this while Alexander flexed his muscles, swatting the demon with ease.

Amalia chuckled as the demon shouted threats just before healing. “Oh, so she does have some skills. Self-healing is a coveted ability. Many would kill for such a gift, and look at it being squandered by something so common.” She pressed her lips together and sighed, expressing her disappointment with such matters. Go! Amalia gestured to Alexander, but it was in vain. “Are you as blind as that demon?” Amalia glanced over at Alex, her gaze scolding him for his lack of finesse. "Like I said before, you two are the ones who are outclassed!" Amalia rolled her eyes and twirled her finger, summoning her spheres. One of her spheres hovered over her hand as she glanced over at Alexander.

“I have a much easier method for penetrating that barrier.” She smiled and tapped the sphere with her finger, causing it to vibrate and undergo a peculiar transformation. “Zusammenbruch.” She whispered softly at the orb as if to awaken it gently from a deep slumber. The sphere seemed to vibrate with unnatural energy that could be felt by those closest to it. The energy felt impure as if it was the inverse to everything around it. The sphere swiftly darted through the air, taking on a new shape as it sped toward the demon. "Stupid and simple. Nothing you have is strong enough to thwart my melody of death." The demon declared before resuming her symphony.

The obsidian sphere stretched, developing a distinct spear-shape. The shape-shifting weapon pierced the barrier, causing a chain reaction across the entire structure.
The moment the spear touched the barrier it sent shockwaves across its surface. A corrupt constellation of energy infected the demon’s protective veil. The once formidable barrier shattered like precious glass, allowing the spear to impale the demon directly in the throat. The demon’s melodious war cry was reduced to a desperate, guttural moan. Her eyes trembled as thick, plum-colored blood poured from beneath the spear. The demon gasped, the sound of blood gurgling in her airways as she continued to labor. “I’m not sure those wounds will heal as easily.” Amalia jested with a self-assured grin.

Amalia gestured slightly with her hand, causing the spear to slice down from her throat to her stomach. “I believe this is the practice of butterflying a fish.” She glanced over at Alex amusingly. “Right? This is how they serve seafood during feasts? Oh, you would have loved it a few hundred years ago. We used to have lavish parties at the estate. Your family attended quite regularly. Who knew a Vollbrecht and Alistair would be reliving tradition on this hunt.” Amalia smiled cruelly as the blade crudely exited the demon’s body. The spear took on its original spherical shape before blasting through the demon’s chest with ease. It floated to the left, dripping in the deep plum-colored blood. “I’m sure you want to finish this yourself, right? I can take a backseat. Claim your prize.”

[Deleted]

This would be a problem. Alex realized that if they didn’t crack that barrier then they would be hit by something that might actually hurt them. At least that was the feeling he got. Seeing the numerous sigils forming in the air and layering atop one another, he recognized that the Hason was preparing something big. And in order to prepare her attack without interruption, she had a barrier to protect herself. Just great. For a moment he felt frustration. For a moment the playfulness subsided as he focused completely on the fight. The only thought in his head was a question. “How do I kill her?” His Champion, while powerful, lacked the raw strength to punture through the barrier. In that moment Alexander considered activating Blut Arterie. He would double his Spiritual powers and that, in turn, would double the power of his Champion. He was sure that then it would be able to lay the Hason to rest.

“I have a much easier method for penetrating that barrier.”

It was almost as though she had read Alexander’s mind. Tunnel visioned by his trained instincts to kill his prey, Alex almost forgot that Amalia was with him. He turned to look over his shoulder at her and watch as she fiddled with one of her many black spheres. He could feel the vibrations and hums, recognizing the power within that ball. One of her unique abilities. A power that only “The Particle” could perform. A woman without a release and yet had power surpassing all others. Alexander watched in awe as the sphere flew past him on its path towards the demon, morphing in shape from a ball into a lance. The demon uttered yet another taunt just before its barrier was hopelessly destroyed.

As though her spear rejected the barriers very existence, it powered through with nary an opposition. Finding a new home within the throat of the Hason, Artemis gagged and let out a gurgling gag as her singing was stopped. Thrashing about in agony, unable to do anything about what was lodged inside her that then, upon Amalia’s command, split her open from throat to stomach. Watching the demon let out a pained scream as her blood rained down to the ocean below, Alexander could only chuckle and shake his head. ”You’re amazing.” he complimented, shaking his disbelief. He could never truly grasp just how powerful Amalia was.

Looking at the red haired beauty as she mentioned past dinners and parties between her family and his, he felt the need to curse the lateness of his birth. How he would have loved to have seen the Alistair and Vollbrecht’s at their primes. He had difficulty recalling if the two families ever held a social gathering after he had been born. It was also entirely possible he had been too young to recall it. ”It’s a shame it weren’t under better circumstances. I don’t think this mud dweller would be very appetising.” Alex remarked before returning his attention to Amalia’s final blow, opening a new hole in Artemis’s chest. Smiling to himself and looking at Amalia again, he felt the need to compliment her more. ”As beautiful as you are powerful, the battlefield is a fitting stage for you.” Alex remarked as his Shadow Champion floated to his side. When offered the final blow he grinned. ”Gladly, my lady. This pathetic thing doesn’t deserve anymore of your attention.” he commented before turning those cold, blue, eyes to the crippled demon.

Upon air ground he trode, marching towards the demon with his Shadow Champion in tow. The two approached the floating fish monster, stopping a short distance away. Gagging and coughing, it was all Artemis could do to maintain a hold on her very life. ”Not...going...back…” she gurgled. ”No. Of course you’re not.” Alex replied, smiling softly and closing his eyes. He tilted his head for a moment before opening his eyes again, giving a glare to Artemis while maintaining his trademark smile. ”You don’t have to worry about going back to Hell. Because this is where you will cease to even exist. How eager you were to please your Master and flex your power. You don’t even know the first thing about who you’re fighting, do you?” Alexander asked, as his silent Shadow Champion strode past him and began to walk towards Artemis.

”Do you know why Diablo and his minions tried to wipe out the Alistair? It’s because he knew we were the only threat to him. Shinigami? Being slain by a Shinigami only returns your kind to imprisonment. A delay. You’ll inevitably get out again. But us? There’s no second chance when an Alistair’s arrow has pierced your heart. Your master was afraid of us.” Alex said, a creeping coldness in his voice as his Champion unveiled it’s massive sword again, only for it to embed the tip into the demons chest. Gagging in pain and hissing, Artemis spat back ”My Lord...fears nothing. Least of all humans!” Alex had to laugh. ”Yes he does. And do you know why? Because he’s a coward. Just like you. Just like all of you. You struggle, and fight, so hard to escape the damnation you’ve earned only to face total obliteration on the other side. That’s why he sent you here and he didn’t come himself.” Alex replied, bending a knee so he was at face level with Artemis.

The Shadow Champion further pushed the sword deeper, slowly, so to give her a slow and painful death. ”One by one, Artemis. I’ll kill each and every last one of your kind that has the audacity to come out of Hell. One by one until, finally, I drive my arrow straight through your masters heart. You’re just another one I can add to my checklist.” Alex finished as his Champion pushed its sword all the way through and out the demons backside. From the wound outwards her body broke apart, disintegrating into a dark powder that vanished entirely. No Gates of Hell popping up. As her body broke down, Alex became aware of a red light that came into existence where her abdomen was. As her body vanished, something came into sight. Levitating in the air was the real artifact that they had come to retrieve.

”How convenient.” Alex joked, rocking his head to the side as he stared at the twirling object floating before him. The Fragment of the Black Key, hidden beneath his tunic, was vibrating and burning against his skin. This was the real deal. ”Well. Mission accomplished then, huh?” Alexander laughed, turning to Amalia as he joked and barely noticing what happened next. The artifact, no longer being supported in Artemis’s body, was subject to gravity again. It started to drop. Alex noticed and, in panic, reached out to grab it. For Amalia, his early words would suddenly come back to haunt him.

”That’s the question we need to figure out before we even touch this thing.”

Alex didn’t even realize what he was doing until it was too late. He had acted in panic. He didn’t want to lose the very artifact that his family had been interested in retrieving for generations. His fingers wrapped around the small, black, object and, in that exact moment, his mind was assaulted. Imagery that he could barely comprehend suddenly filled his mind, pushing aside all human thoughts and threatening to cause his head to burst. Signs, symbols, screams, pain, imagery, whispers, all of that and more flooded into his brain. He lost motor function. He lost control of airground. As soon as Alex grabbed the artifact his whole body convulsed and he suddenly started to drop. His Shadow Champion, without the focus of it’s master, began to break apart. In a attempt to stop its masters fall it reached out to grab him, only for its arm to break apart and for it to completely lose all shape and form. So Alex fell, heading directly into the part of the ocean where the ship was sinking. He'd be pulled under with the ship and he, along with the artifact, would rest at the bottom of the ocean. Again.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

Amalia nodded in agreement. “Fishy demons were never on the menu, thankfully. I guess we have no choice but to discard this one.” As beautiful as you are powerful, the battlefield is a fitting stage for you. Amalia glanced fondly at Alexander. “Why thank you, Alexander.” Amalia’s tone and phrasing became more familiar and less informal, an indication of her growing comfort. She did, after all, know Alexander. The two, while occupying separate ranks, had a long history. Or, at the very least, their families did. Two noble Quincy houses rarely coexisted without some level of interaction. Fortunately for both, they had an agreeable friendship.

The Vollbrecht Family were a sort of unorthodox group of historians and collectors. They had compiled a great number of libraries filled with ancient artifacts and tomes. The Alistairs seemed to share in this proclivity, assembling their own libraries filled with volumes of demonic teachings and legend. It seemed only fitting they share a bond. They along with a number of other great houses seemed destined to form a longlasting alliance through marriage and other joint ventures. A great deal changed when these great houses came under attack by their enemies, a foreign entity that lived beyond the human world. It seemed petty to attack humans, but amidst the slaughter, a number of Quincy managed to survive.

Amalia was one of the last remaining members of her family. It seemed Alex was more alone than even Amalia. A part of her empathized with him, and could genuinely relate. Despite Amalia’s cold, callous demeanor, she was seeking Quincy companionship. She wanted more noble blooded Quincy to take rank, not paltry half-bloods. Alexander, though he didn’t know it, represented a resurgence. He symbolized something Amalia had wanted since the very beginning. It seemed things were finally looking up, and she wouldn’t have to associate with impotent idealists and those with inferior breeding.

This excursion was truly worth the effort after all. Amalia could finally see a glimmer in the distance, a sign that better days were ahead for the Vandenreich. It has been too long since she was able to fight beside a Quincy worth half of their ego. You don’t have to worry about going back to Hell. Because this is where you will cease to even exist. Amalia quietly enjoyed Alexander’s banter with the demon. She muted her would-be laughter by containing it at the base of her throat. In her arrogant triumph, she smirked, just the smallest vibration of her body to indicate her amusement.

And while her laughter was quieted, a full range of emotions was visible in her face alone. The demon need only gaze into her eyes, and she would witness a most vile and contemptible soul. Through those eyes shined Amalia’s purist values and a sense of entitlement that allowed her to justify practically all atrocities. Those pouty red lips, gently tugged on by a smile, conveyed both her rancor and believed superiority. Everything about her expression and the way she was observing their exchange detailed her pretentious nature.

Amalia derived an unexplainable satisfaction from listening to Alexander lecture the demon. The best way to eliminate anything is to purify it, and what better way to do that than with an arrow through the heart. One by one until, finally, I drive my arrow straight through your master's heart. You’re just another one I can add to my checklist. Amalia laughed. “Oh, I do enjoy the sound of that. Who knew curing the world also meant purifying those who lived at its depths.” Amalia nodded excitedly as the blade was forced into the demon’s body. And there it was, what they came here for originally. So, that is a demon artifact. The one he was sent here to retrieve. She thought while squinting.

Amalia’s eyes widened as Alexander gripped the artifact, his entire body stiffening as if he was frozen. “Things were going so well.” She said. “Why did you go and touch it? I expected more from you, Alexander.” She shook her head as one might a child who spilled their drink. Amalia’s orbs rushed to aid Alexander, forming a platform for him to land on. She stood over him, his hand tightly holding onto the item. “Wow. That thing really has you arrested, huh? What to do” She contemplated for a second. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Give me a second.” She said, a bit of anxiety building in her voice.

“Oh, I know.” She said, snapping her fingers in recognition of her idea. Two of her spheres then melted into a black fabric, wrapping around her hands and arms. She leaned down and tore the item from his grip, releasing him from its psychic torment. She looked down at what she could imagine was a dazed Alexander. She grinned as she examined the artifact. “Interesting. What exactly happened when you touched it?” As Amalia asked the question she reached into her cloak and pulled out a tiny metal sphere. She tapped the sphere, but it didn’t seem to react.

“Oh for the love of his majesty.” She then tapped the item again, prompting it to expand into a much large sphere. The top half slid off as plates fell back onto each other to reveal a hollow inside. She delicately placed the item inside the sphere and tapped it again, forcing it to close-up and shrink. She glanced at Alexander. “Oh, this? It is a sort of metal shrink-wrap. It’ll keep it snug and safe until I can better examine it. What do you think this thing does? After all, you touched it first.” Amalia chuckled as she gripped the sphere tightly in her other hand.

[Deleted]

Alex could barely even understand what he had experienced. Hell, he could barely even accept that he did what he just did. When he realized that the artifact had begun to fall down towards the ocean he panicked. His family had been after this thing for who even knows how long. Alex wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night, at least for awhile, if he allowed such a important relic, and the object of His Majesties worry, slip through his fingers and rest at the bottom of the ocean again. It would be the fuck up of the century. He’d be a laughing stock, a failure, a imbecile. So he reacted. He didn’t think. There were so many better alternatives to what he had done.

He could have summoned a shadow to grab the object. Hell, his Champion was standing right there. Amalia, with her instincts and reaction speeds, could have caught it with her Particle Impact. Instead he panicked like someone whose morning coffee was about to fall off the side of the table. Despite not taking any precautions, or inhibiting any of the possible danger, Alex grabbed the damn thing with his own bare hands. Really, he got what he deserved for making a move that stupid. ”Never touch these things”. His instructor beat that rule into him like he was receiving lashes. ”We never know what sort of effect they’ll have on humans.” Well, at least Alex knew now what it did.

”Ah...uuh..” Alexander moaned once Amalia pried the Artifact from his rigor mortis like grip. It took a moment longer than he liked for his vision to regain focus when he opened his eyes. Slowly sitting up, Alex quickly grabbed at his head and winced. ”Ow…” he whispered, his face contorting tightly into a expression of anguish. “Interesting. What exactly happened when you touched it?” Alex heard Amalia say, though she might not have enjoyed the way he reacted to her voice. Despite how soothing her voice sounded, for Alex it felt like someone just drove knives into his ears. He held up his finger, basically telling her with his body language to just give him a minute. Rubbing his face with both hands, Alex sat silently (a rare occurrence) while he let his mind get it together.

”Like a hangover and a migraine decided throw a party with jackhammers.” He said in whisper, sliding his hand down his face and letting it rest on his chin. ”I shouldn’t have done that.” he complained, shaking his head for a moment before finally looking up at Amalia. The look he gave her was a little different than normal. It was hard to put it into words. He looked at the woman who just saved his life. Had it not been for her he’d have drowned. Paralyzed by the artifact and forced to sink to the bottom of the sea. His life, over. ”Whoever made that thing...was a real nasty piece of work.” Alexander commented, finally getting to his feet once he felt he could stand.

”When I touched it my mind was filled with the intention behind it’s design, alongside it trying to turn me into a suicidal vegetable I imagine.” he responded, looking at his hand that grabbed it. ”I saw...and heard...visions. The same sorts of things that the crew on that ship saw when they touched it. I’m trained to resist mental assaults like this. His Majesties power within us also adds to that protection. But...I’m not sure what it all means. Not right now anyways. I need some time to decipher what I saw.” Alexander explained, though in truth it wasn’t much of an explanation at all. It was really just him saying “I’m not sure” and “I don’t know”.

He then blinked. ”Wait where is-” he started to say in panic before he noticed the silver sphere that Amalia was carrying. He blinked, sheepishly, when she gave a brief explanation of the device and that it was holding the artifact. ”I see.” he commented, smiling with relief. When asked what he thought it did, he frowned. He looked at the sphere, his eyes narrowing a little as he thought. ”It compels people to kill themselves. We know that much. And given that the imitation that was left for us...I think it utilizes blood and corpses. For some ritual. My guess? Without any time spent studying it? I think it’s a Gate Key.” Alex responded, knowing Amalia would want more of an explanation.

”It’s what we call artifacts meant to open Gates. The key to a lock. Gates, depending on what circle of Hell they open up to, allow Sinners to simply walk out like the warden opened the cell doors. But that’s just my guess. I’ll need time to examine it. We’ll need to isolate it once we get back to the Silbern, take it somewhere that it can’t influence any of the weaker soldiers.” Alex explained, letting Amalia know that while they had secured the artifact that their work wasn’t done yet. Well, actually, his work wasn’t done yet. He couldn’t present the Artifact to the Emperor with it still active. It would be comparable to handing someone raw uranium. He suddenly chuckled. It was a soft chuckle, more of a couple exhales, as he just let everything that happened finally sink in. ”You saved my life. I owe you twice over now, don’t I?” he asked, entertained.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

...my mind was filled with the intention behind its design. Amalia glanced stolidly at Alexander, his sobering account raising more questions than answers. She found herself drawn to the artifact, wondering what properties allowed it to storm people so vigorously. Humans, she couldn’t care less about, but this item must possess great potency to have afflicted Alexander with such force. This made the item even more valuable, if it indeed held the power she thought it did. One could only assume Alexander was smart enough to understand his own strengths. It would be a shame if his mental wards weren’t as strong as he believed them to be.

Then again, that didn’t necessarily mean the item wasn’t as strong. She glanced down at the sphere in her hand, peering through the translucent cover at the artifact. Amalia wasn’t one to pass up an opportunity. Great things came to those who managed to see beyond the person or object. As if mesmerized, her gaze fixated on the artifact while she addressed Alexander. “His Majesty doesn’t give you the protection you think he does. I suspect your training was responsible for your level of resistance. Even with that, you needed me to pry it from your hand.” She reminded him while wheeling her eyes around to his face.

Amalia blinked, freeing herself from the depths of her own plotting mind. “How original.” She mocked. “A gate key opens a gate. No one outside the Alistair family would have concluded that.” Despite her words, Amalia’s expression remained inscrutable. What exactly was she thinking? If Alexander were able to delve into her mind he’d realize nothing good would come from asking her to accompany him. Unless he too was conniving and wicked. “A key that compels people to kill themselves.” A wolfish grin stretched her lips as the wheels turned.

“What a supremely wonderful concept.” She whispered as if to soothe the trembling artifact. Amalia looked at it with a sort of adoration. I know exactly how to put you to good use. You might be the product of lesser creatures, but your usefulness exceeds their own. You’re going to help rid me of all those undeserving of their title. You’re going to aid in ushering in a revolution. She thought deviously. “What do you think would have happened to someone who didn’t have your mental defenses? Would they have been consumed by suicidal thoughts almost immediately or would it have taken time?” Amalia asked curiously.

Amalia wondered how to best militarize this artifact. What uses it could have beyond her initial thoughts. She knew, almost immediately, how she would use it first, but she had to be smart about it. She needed to have a fallback just in case. “And if I allow you to tinker around with this darling artifact? What more do you think you could uncover? Could you, perhaps, isolate the properties? I suspect with all your years of experience, surely you could do something. Perhaps you could consult the archives your family stored away on everything demonic. That’d be a treasure trove, I’m certain.” Amalia then glanced at Alexander with a roguish smile. “And yes... you do owe me.”

[Deleted]

Looking at Amalia, Alexander could only wonder just what was going through her head. He wasn’t blind, nor was he stupid, so he could easily see the way she was looking at the artifact. What’s she planning. he wondered to himself. When asked what he thought would happen to those without strong mental defenses, Alex scratched his stubble filled jawline. ”More than likely the same thing that happened to the crew of the ship. They’ll kill themselves, that’s for sure, and they might also try to hurt anyone around them. Though...the injuries on the crew all looked self inflicted. They slit their wrists if I remember right.” Alex explained, looking down at the sea below them that had finally consumed the entirety of the boat. Alex sighed, sadly. ”There goes my submarine.”

He returned his gaze to Amalia when the beauty began to talk again. He blinked. She was quite interested in the artifact. Rubbing his chin and thinking over a response, he shrugged. ”Naturally I intend to figure out a way to shut it off. Or, at the very least, seal it and its effects within a quarantining barrier. But if given time with it...yeah I believe I could decipher its purpose and how it works. Those runes that cover it and the visions I was assaulted with are good places to start.” Alex replied, though he blinked when Amalia brought up isolating the properties. He paused, looking at her as though he was hoping to decipher her intentions from her face.

”My lady-” Alexander began, his voice containing a stone like hardness to it to catch her attention. ”These things aren’t toys. They’re machinations of forces of unnatural evil whose only desires are to spread pain, misery, and death.” Alexander explained, trying to drive home the seriousness of what she was holding in her hands. Alexander was a little worried, honestly. He didn’t really like the way Amalia was talking about and looking at the object. He looked at her, his expression portraying nothing but seriousness, before the Quincy made his move. Both arms reached out and snatched the storage sphere from her, like a child holding a ball, before he held it above his head and just...looked at it curiously.

”Though!” he suddenly said, his voice now containing its usually playfulness and aloofness. ”My family certainly had little problem using these things for our own benefit. All of our demon detecting medallions have a piece of one such artifact at their cores, after all. It’s how the magic works.” he explained before spinning the thing on his finger like it was a damn basketball. ”I’ll figure how this things work out for you. Upon my family's name. I’m curious to see what you intend to do with it.” Alexander explained with a wink and a grin.

In truth, he was curious to figure out how it worked. While he wasn’t a Cipher, instead having become a Hunter, he had still been taught enough to figure out some stuff. If anything he could consult his family tomes that he did have with him at his home in the Silbern. But Amalia had said something that triggered a flash of nostalgia, one that he didn’t give a reaction to. There was indeed a secret trove of knowledge that the Alistair possessed. The Archives. A library containing every ounce of knowledge that generation after generation of demon hunters had gathered. All about Hell and other Quincy secrets. No doubt the secrets to this new missions success could be there, but getting there was another problem for another day.

”What do you say we go home? I’m just as eager as you are to break into this thing.” Alexander asked, putting the storage ball safely and snuggly under his arm. ”My invitation for dinner is still on the table.” he teased, waving his hand to activate the shadowy gate that would lead to the Silbern. Behind him, a portal resembling the Quincy star appeared in the air. Completely made of shadows it looked like a doorway to a dark void of nothingness. But Alex and Amalia knew that it was a gateway to, well, heaven in a way. It was the way home.

[✱Paiva "Amalia" Vollbrecht✱]

Amalia examined Alexander's face closely as he assured her of his expertise. Amalia never fully trusted anyone. The only person she had complete faith in was herself, and Alexander was no her. That much became evident the moment he grabbed the artifact and was enthralled by its power. "Less emphasis on sealing it away and more on deciphering its properties, Alexander." Amalia corrected with a stern gaze. The look in Amalia's eyes had shifted. She was not the same person he met on that floral painted terrace. He was seeing a side of Amalia few had. Most are on the receiving end of her schemes, but Alexander was now privy to the conception of a most ruthless blueprint.

A draft was just now being birthed. Only time would tell just how devious a scheme this would become and who it was aimed at. Amalia had a lot of enemies and each of them occupied a place in her mind. A dark, sinister place filled with some of her most horrifying creations. Amalia was a merciless killer and willing to murder pretty much anyone. Having been killed by Amalia didn't necessarily mean you were her enemy. It simply meant you were in the way or maybe your usefulness had ended. Amalia's enemies were more special. They had committed crimes that pierced her sensitive core. Those who had murdered her family and possibly anyone who might have tarnished her good name.

There was but one person on her mind at this very moment and he was someone she loved to hate. He was the light to her dark. In some ways, his very existence was a threat to her own, and that meant he needed to be eliminated. All her efforts before now had proven ineffective. Who knew Alexander would wind up being the key to Hadrian's destruction. If this artifact is not strong enough to compel Hadrian to take his own life effectively, the ripples made in the water will be enough to do so. There's a crime worse than desertion in the Vandenreich. The crime of self-destruction. An act so very vile and blasphemous. An act directed at His Majesty himself. We share in his blood and to spill our own for the purpose of self-destruction is a sin. It is akin to attempting to murder our Emperor and waste his precious gifts. That's a fate even Hadrian can't come back from. 

Amalia grinned widely as sinister laughter filled her insides. As she basked in the glory of her plan, Alexender swiped the sphere from her hands. These things aren't toys. They’re machinations of forces of unnatural evil whose only desires are to spread pain, misery, and death. Amalia's eyes slowly rose as her fiery gaze settled onto Alexander. Suddenly the fire left her eyes as quickly as it arrived. Her body relaxed and she wolfishly grinned at Alexander. She chuckled and approached him slowly. She pressed her body into his, her cleavage brushing against his chest. She slid her hand up his thigh and traced around his groin. 

Amalia's lips quivered slightly as she stared into his eyes. Her other hand reached out and brushed against his cheek as her lips neared his face. She closed in on his lips as if she were going to kiss him. Suddenly her head veered to the right and he could feel her warm, sultry words filling his ear. "You know," she said as her fingers pressed into his groin, "you're cute but I would hate for you to spoil this opportunity before you had a chance to truly ripen." She whispered gently. "Your focus should be less on this, " she said while squeezing his package, "and more on this." She ended by kissing him on the cheek. Her other hand then gently slapped the side of his cheek.

"You wouldn't want to lose your head before you had a chance to treat me to a nice dinner, would you? A dinner you'll earn by doing as I tell you. After all, I am your superior." She looked him in the eyes, her honeyed tone and seductive gaze in contrast with her subtle threats. Amalia bit her lip flirtatiously as her they lightly brushed against his. "Shhhhhh." She hissed as she withdrew her lips. "No need to speak. I know you'll do the right thing and do exactly as I say. You will extract the properties from this artifact before doing anything else. I will provide you with any materials or support you need. Whether that is monetary or with scholars and technicians." Amalia stated softly.

"I will accompany you to retrieve anything you might need, that is whatever is left of your families great library. Yes... I'm aware of it. It's whereabouts no. It's contents, not that either. But its existence, yes. Should it still be intact you'll take everything and house it in the Silbern to aid you." Amalia then clutched the sphere and pulled it from his grip as she backed away. "I'm so glad we have an understanding, Alexander. Think about it. Should you succeed, you'll have so many rewards at your fingertips." She noted as she slid her finger down the center of her cleavage and toward her groin. "Let's go. We have work to do, my darling Alexander. We mustn't keep progress waiting." Amalia smiled deviously as shadows enveloped them and carried them back to the Silbern.