Invitation

(Jason's POV)

I staggered, blood spewing out of my wounds. 

"Damn...." I said as I stumbled sideways

This whole battle was rougher than I imagined. This fucker pulled out some crazy shit out of his ass, I'll admit. Never thought he'd use Conversion...

I looked over at Suzaku who was lying face-down, struggling to move as his body was covered in blood, a massive pool of blood. 

"Hey..." I said, "Don't mo-" 

As I said that, I felt as if my katana shattered. I looked at it as the pieces of the blade fell to the ground, emitting a slight aura from it. Only the handle remained in my hand. 

"What the..." I said

The Screen appeared. 

"ALERT: THAT SWORD WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONTAIN THE FULL POWER OF THE SWORD GOD SLAYER MAGIC. YOU MUST OBTAIN A MUCH SUITABLE CATALYST." 

I see. So the magic was too strong for the blade to handle. But it was enough to use a technique strong enough to cut down Suzaku. 

I'll take it. 

I turned to him, who struggling to get on his knees "Hm.." I said as I summoned The Last Word, "What to do with you?"

He looked at me, his face covered in blood, "So....tis is the end..." He panted, "Mine body cannot take any more damage..." 

"Where's Silver?" I asked as I aimed my gun at him, "You mentioned him, where's the bastard?" 

He gave me a look of surprise, "I see." He said, "Thine goal is to find him. Well, sorry to disappoint thee....I do not know..." 

I scowled, "You..." 

"You got careless, Suzaku." I heard a feminine voice said

I turned to see a tall woman standing a few feet from him.. She wore authoritarian clothing with boots and gloves. Her eyes had strange crossed pupils as she looked at Suzaku. Her magic power was insane, at the same level as Suzaku's or a bit stronger. 

"M-Misaki..." Suzaku said 

I widened my eyes, "Misaki?" I said, "Another of Diabolos...."

Misaki looked at me with a slight smile, "You." she said, "You're strong." 

She walked over to Suzaku as she crouched down and placed her hand on his shoulder. 

"Master will not accept this sort of Defeat..." She said, "You have to atone for that." 

Suzaku began to sweat, "I..." 

Suddenly, Suzaku disappeared with a flash of light. 

I took a step forward, "What?" 

Was that her magic? Azure Dragon Slayer magic? That's right, she manipulates space similar to spatial magic. She can teleport and all, I assume. 

She straightened up, "You're the strong one, I admit, stranger." She said, "But if you wish to continue to fight, with those wounds, you'll lose." 

As she said that, my knees gave out. I fell down to my knees as I felt my wounds open up a bit more. I don't think she did anything, it was just the effects of God's Ego strain on my body. I didn't have it activated that long and still did some damage to me. 

I looked up at her, "What do you want?" I said, "Why was Suzaku here?" 

She smiled, "Oh." She said, "Don't worry about that." 

She walked up to me as she crouched down, placing her hands on my chin. 

"You're an interesting one." She told me, "I would like to invite you to our guild. Master Georg would be interested to see a powerful vessel for power like you." 

I raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"It's simple." She said, "Join Diabolos." 

"Become a Dragon Eater." 

******************************************************************

"Jason!" I heard Karameel call out

I turned to see her running towards me as Igora followed behind her. 

"Karameel." I said

I was sitting on a broken long, using Sky God Slayer magic to heal my wounds. Most of them were healing but Suzaku's attacks were seriously crazy. I knew that both times we fought prior to this encounter when his attacks prevented Life Return from activating. 

Karameel reached me, "We didn't hear any more explosions or felt any magic power..." She said, "Is it over?" 

I nodded, "Yea." I said

Igora walked up to us, "You." She said, "You wield God Slayer Magic?" 

I didn't look at the She-Demon, "What is it to you?" 

"Not only Martial Arts magic, but magic to slay gods..." She said

"Hey." I cut her off, "I really don't know what your issue is with Martial Arts Magic, but I don't have any beef with you or your kind. I didn't even know your lot existed until tonight. So do yourself a favor, fuck off. If you really wish to fight, as I said before, it won't end well." 

Karameel frowned, "Jason." she said, "Don't antagonize her!" 

"Hey, she started this whole shit." I grumbled as I focused my healing on a cut on my arm, "I don't have time for this. I have to find that bastard before he hurts anyone else." 

Igora took a step forward, "Who?" She asked, "The man who did this do us? Or The Wandering Swordsman?" 

I don't think Suzaku would be a problem, not anymore. From the way Misaki answered my question, whatever she and Suzaku were here on the island for, they already got it. I don't think they're going to cause any more issues. That said, one of the demons said that they were after Mercphobia. Makes sense, they wish to eat the flesh of dragons. 

I don't really have time to deal with Diabolos. I need to find Silver and find out what he's trying to do. He caused some serious damage to an island, inflicting madness on its people. 

And it's because of me. It's my fault. 

I sighed, "Silver." I said, "His name is Silver." 

Igora looked at me, "You know him?" 

"Yea." I said, "Well, its complicated. The bastard once released Eclipsed Darkness in Fiore in hopes of obtaining that weapon he wielded. I stopped the darkness but he took the halberd."

"How did he do that?" Igora said, "He fought Endless?" 

"I did." I said, "After I defeated it, he took the halberd." 

I didn't want to mention the fact that I was the one who traded it for the Frost God Slayer tome. 

"I see." She said, "You fought and banished Endless....." 

She knelt down in front of me as she raised one of her arms towards me, her palm open as it faced upwards. She was looking down, her three eyes closed. 

"You have my respect. My people have a rougher history with Endless." She said, "It was partially the reason for the destruction of our ancient home and leaving our bloodlines crippled. Even if you didn't fully kill it, fighting and banishing it is proof you're pure of heart. Only those with the purest hearts can combat the Hound of The Eclipsed God." 

I heard Karameel gasp, "I-Igora!" She said, "You're...!" 

I raised an eyebrow, "What....what's going on?" I asked

Igora then looked at me, her eyes giving me a fierce stare. 

"I, Igora the Wrath, one of the survivors of the Ifrit Demon Race." She said, "Pledge my loyalty to you." 

Well, that was a crazy turn of events. I'm pretty sure this chick tried to kill me or at least fight me. 

"Are you sure?" I asked, "You gonna just forget the beef you have with Martial Arts magic?" 

"I would prefer it if you don't use it." She said, "But if you use it, It wouldn't matter. Once an Ifrit makes up their mind, they will not waver. My strength is yours, call for my help at any time, Jason." 

I looked at her, "I see." I said, "I don't plan on using Martial Arts Magic too much." 

There's a reason for that. I won't get too into it. 

"Very well." She said, "Accept my pledge." 

I blinked, "Uhm." 

Karameel looked at me, "Hold her hand." She said

"Oh." I said, "Okay...." 

I placed my hand on her open palm. Her hand was massive, I mean she was a massive demon herself. 

She then gently closed her hand as she gave me a smile. 

"It is settled." She said, "I, Igora, will be your loyal ally." 

I nodded, "This is a bit strange." I said, "But okay." 

"Let's get along."