Spar Episode 2

The students were still passed out but fully healed, and Althea was able to use her healing powers to repair the building as well, so no evidence of what happened could be found.

They all went to the church that Harvest spoke about.

They arrived at the church and an old man opened the door, looking surprised.

"Heh?... Girl scouts go around this late selling cookies?

Run along now, girlies.

It's not safe out here at night."

Dazel: "IT'S US YA OLD BAT! LET US IN!

Old Man: "Ooh, oh forgive me youngins, my mind isn't as keen as it used to be! Hahaha! Come on in!"

They all sighed and walked in as the old man opened the door wider for them to enter.

They went into a room with two couches opposite from each other and a coffee table in the middle of them.

Four chairs also sat beside the couches to accommodate more people.

Harvest: So, Kana, this is our pastor. He doesn't have any powers himself, but he is much deeper in the faith and knowledge of God than us, so we shouldn't see ourselves as over him, he is our teacher.

(Sure, but does this guy even remember all that he learned?)

Kana thought to himself, looking uncertain.

The pastor looked more serious than before, changing his demeanor from a jolly senile man to a wise learned man.

Pastor: So, Harvest. I'm assuming you've brought this boy into the church because he is the seventh virtue and newly saved, just as you all were. Am I correct in this assumption?

Harvest: I do believe so, yes. I've brought him to you so that you may teach him, just as you did for us, and to baptize him, just as we were.

Pastor: Very well then. What is your name, boy?

Kana was surprised at the sudden change of the Pastor's demeanor, and it caught him off guard.

Kana: Oh!.. My apologies for not introducing myself. My name is Kana, I'm a senior in high school.

Pastor: Before you are baptized, I must confirm that you do know the truth.

Tell me, what is the gospel that has given you salvation?

Kana: As I grew up, I often heard about Christianity and even about Jesus and his death and resurrection for our sins.

But I never truly grasped what that actually meant.

When I was near death, I heard a voice speak to me.

I asked the voice who they were, and they called themselves "I AM".

From the moment He called his name out to me, I knew him.

He showed me the truth in his Son and the significance of his death and resurrection.

It's as if whenever I heard about him before, I heard, but I did not listen.

I knew in my mind, but not in my spirit.

The wages of sin are death, and since we all sin, we all deserve death, eternal death.

The only one who could pay the full wages of that sin is his Son.

And so, all who believe in who He is and his works will be saved, and not by what we do.

Not one of us can afford the wages of sin, but He who has paid for them.

Pastor: Very well spoken by a new believer, even. Surely God's spirit is in you. Let me ask you this. Can you lose this salvation that has been given to you?

They all glanced at Kana, waiting to hear his answer. The tension in the room was thick.

Kana: I don't believe so. I don't know why, but I feel his presence, and I know that he will never leave me.

I've never felt more peace, comfort, and love until now, and I pray that it never leaves me.

Pastor: Correct. The full truth is in the word of God, so you must know it and believe in it.

Ephesians chapter one, verses thirteen through fourteen say this: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.

When you believed the revelation he gave to you, the gospel. He placed his Spirit within you, and now you are guaranteed eternal inheritance, salvation.

Surely, if something is guaranteed, it will succeed without a doubt.

His spirit will guide you to completion.

Kana smiled. His eyes were watery from the tears he held back as he praised God in his spirit.

Kana: I do believe this, and so I believe in his words.

Pastor: Very well, now let us go to where you will be baptized.

They all got up as the pastor did, following him to the backyard of the church, where they had a pond, conveniently next to the church outside.

Kana: Wow, was this place built next to a pond just for baptism?

Pastor: Indeed, it was. A pond is much classier than a tub!

They all laughed, and the rest stood there while the pastor brought Kana into the lake, walking to a deep enough spot to where they could stand but still be immersed.

Pastor: Kana, first let me tell you what the purpose of this is, so you aren't mistaken, as many are.

Many believe baptism is a necessary step for your salvation and that you cannot be saved without it.

Just as I have spoken to you before, you were saved when you believed in the gospel and received the Holy Spirit, as scripture declares that when you receive the Spirit, you have guaranteed eternal inheritance.

Furthermore, the man next to Yeshua during his crucifixion, known as the thief on the cross, was told that he would be in paradise with our Lord.

This man did no good works, nor was he baptized.

But he was saved because he believed in who Yeshua was and that he would indeed fulfill his works.

When you are immersed in this water, it signifies your death to your old sinful self, and when you arise, your resurrection in Christ, for it is not you that now lives, but He who lives in you.

Kana: Very well.

I shall take the cross just as he did and crucify my cursed flesh.

I had no life in me before, so let death be dead, and I, alive in him.

Pastor: In the name of the Father (Yahweh), Son (Yahashua), and Holy Spirit (Ruach Elohim), be baptized.

Kana was immersed in the water and rose up.

They all cheered and applauded as all of heaven rejoiced.

A flash of red light covered Kana's arms as a gauntlet formed over it, like a knight's armor.

Kana was surprised as he examined it in awe.

Kana: "What is this?.."

Harvest: "We don't know a whole lot about the powers we have been given, but we all received some sort of weapon or artifact to use our power when we were first saved and anointed.

And then, when we were baptized, we received a piece of armor or clothing, different for each of us."

Pastor: "My assumption is that when you all further yourself in the faith, you will grow stronger in the power you've been given."

Dazel: "Alright, alright, enough yapping.

It's time to see what that power can really do.

I noticed how that demon had its arm cut off.

It was by that sword of yours, wasn't it?

When I attacked it, it did no damage at all.

So, whatever that power is, it must be broken!"

Harvest: "I noticed as well.

I was able to cut through the demon with ease because my power has to do with spirit, not flesh.

So, its body was no issue for me.

But that sword, it's as if you didn't even cut it, but almost erased what it sliced.

If Dazel couldn't do any damage to it at full strength, there must be something special about what that sword does.

Maybe it's even possible that the edge isn't a sharp blade at all, but a portal that teleports what it slices through."

Dazel: "Whatever it is, we should all spar him to find out his capabilities!

It'll help us train as well!"

Cassiel: "Hey! You can't be serious, right?!

We just fought an Archdemon, and you want us to fight again?!"

Pastor: "Yes, this would be a great opportunity to test all of your strengths and see where you are in combat.

Althea can heal all of your fatigue, and you should be able to fight again."

Dazel: "Alright! Even the pastor is on board with some spar time!"

Althea sighed and healed them all to full, then sat down as it took a lot out of her.

Harvest: "Alright then. All of you should be careful, but you don't have to hold back completely.

If anyone gets hurt too much, Althea can heal you."

Althea: "Why are you all throwing me under the bus, I do not support this violence!! HMPH"

They all laughed and got prepared to battle in the open grassy field, across the pond so they wouldn't damage the church.

Harvest: "First up, Dazel versus Kana."

Dazel: "I should properly introduce myself. My name is Dazel, Virtue of Diligence, opposite of Sloth. Now let's do this!"

He stood some distance from Kana, preparing to fight.

A flash of blue light went over his legs as light armor appeared over them.

Kana also prepared to fight. He summoned his sword out of thin air, holding it in his right hand, its bright red edges shining.

He still had his gauntlet armor equipped on his left arm.

Harvest: "Begin."

In an instant, a bright blue lightning strike went towards Kana as Dazel kicked him in the stomach, sending Kana into a tree.

Dazel: "Astra Volt: Piercing Lightning Strike!"

Kana was knocked out instantly.

Althea: "Oh no! I'm coming, don't worry! (Oof, that looked like it hurt)

Althea ran towards him quickly, healing him all the way, in the name of the Lord.

Kana: "Ouch.. Was this supposed to be training, or am I just going to get beat up by everyone?"

Dazel laughed at Kana for losing so quickly.

Dazel: "Well, Cassiel did tell me to hit harder!"

Cassiel: "Hit the demons harder, not the new guy!"

After being healed, Kana took a deep breath as he stood back in his spot, preparing for the next fight.

Harvest: "Up next, Mary."

Mary pointed at herself in disbelief.

Mary: "YOU WANT ME TO FIGHT A GUY WITH A SWORD??"

Harvest: "We all have to face him. No matter what your power is. You'll most likely have to fight eventually, so this will be good training for you."

Mary sighed and stood at a distance across from Kana, in fear.

She took a deep breath and braced herself to be ready for combat.

Mary: "My name is Mary! You better not forget it because I'm not telling you again! Oh! And I'm the Virtue of Chastity!"

A flash of pink went over her right arm. It was a gauntlet that looked like a lighter armor than Kana's.

She also conjured a bow in her left hand.

Harvest: "Begin."

Kana didn't know what her powers were, so he quickly ran towards her, not waiting to take any chances for her to start shooting at him. (How is she going to shoot that thing with no arrows..)

He could hear her whispering under breath, sounding like she was saying "Multiply" over and over again.

But she hadn't aimed her bow at him yet.

He swiped his sword at her as he got close, and she moved very quickly, stepping back.

He could hear her more clearly now. She was definitely saying the word 'Multiply', but he didn't understand how her powers worked.

Mary: "Multiply! Multiply!" (I have to keep making myself faster to dodge his attack.)

Mary summoned an arrow from her right hand, pulling it back to shoot at him.

He dodged it as she seemed to be fast on her feet, but not at her aiming.

He continued to pursue her, missing with each strike.

Mary: "Multiply.. Multiply!.." (Now I'll multiply my right arm's speed..)

Mary continued to shoot an arrow at him as he realized she was getting faster and faster.

Kana: "I see what you're doing now.. You're multiplying your speed aren't you!?" (Each time she said the word multiply, I could notice her movement speed increasing. But I was absolutely sure when I saw her shooting faster as well. It seems like she can only increase one thing at a time.)

Mary was caught off guard when Kana realized how her power works, so while distracted and surprised, she tripped on a rock and began to fall.

Kana gasped and dropped his sword, grabbing her hand to keep her from falling.

Mary: "Ahh! Oh, I didn't fall. Thanks, Kana, I surrender!:"

Harvest: "Up next, Althea."

Althea: "I surrender!"

Harvest: "Very well, that is reasonable."

Mary: "HUH?! BUT I'M ALSO A SUPPORT?"

Harvest: "At least you have a weapon. Althea's weapon is a bible.. She has no combat abilities currently."

Althea: "Teehee!~ But I will introduce myself! My name is Althea, Virtue of Benevolence, opposite of Envy! Nice to meet you!"

Harvest: "Next then, Remiel."

Remiel stood across from Kana.

Remiel: "My name is Remiel, Virtue of Charity, opposite of Greed."

A flash of silver light formed around her right arm as she summoned a big fan. It looked somewhat like an angel's wing, with bright white feathers.

Harvest: "Begin."

Remiel instantly began to swipe her fan through the air, sending arcs of silver wind towards Kana.

Kana slashed at them, destroying the middle of them, but was still pushed back by the residual wind on the sides of the arcs as they dissipated into the air.

He continued running towards her, slashing all the arcs she sent flying towards him.

Remiel: "I can't let you win!"

She ran towards him as well and dodged as he swiped his blade at her horizontally and her fan disappeared as she recalled it, using her gauntlet to push wind at his legs, causing him to fall, then she charged a spinning ball of wind in her hand, pushing it into his chest, making him fly in the air a great distance.

Then she gathered wind around her legs, propelling herself into the air quickly, summoning the fan once again.

She gathered a great wind around her fan and slammed it down on him, sending him down into the ground with a vortex of wind.

Remiel: "Wind Gale: Spinning Vortex!"

Kana was knocked out again as he hit the ground hard, being healed quickly by Althea as she ran towards him, panicking again.

Althea: "Don't die Kana I'm coming to help!!"

After Kana was healed, he got prepared for the next fight, sighing as he was defeated again. (That chick was crazy strong.. Remind me not to get on her bad side.)

Harvest: "Next up, Cassiel."

Cassiel stood a distance in front of Kana.

A flash of golden light went over Cassiel's chest, summoning a gold, black, and white breastplate over it.

In his left hand, a black and silver shield appeared.

Cassiel: "I am Cassiel, Virtue of Temperance."

Harvest: "Begin."

Kana immediately ran towards Cassiel.

Cassiel stood still, looking completely confident and composed.

Kana: (Is he not worried at all? I'm sure I can slice right through that shield!)

Cassiel had a far taller and stronger build than Kana. He grabbed Kana's arm as he began to slice at Cassiel's shield.

Cassiel then slammed the shield into Kana, pushing him back.

Cassiel: "Devour, Abyssal Vortex!"

A black hole appeared in the middle of the shield, and it pulled Kana back to him, then Cassiel slammed his shield into Kana again, dragging him through the air and slamming him down onto the ground.

Cassiel went to finish him off, slamming his shield down again while Kana was on the ground.

Cassiel: "You're finished! Shield Bash!"

Kana reached out his left arm to block the shield, closing his eyes out of fear.

Kana was confused when he didn't feel an impact, so he opened his eyes.

Where he reached out his gauntlet, a portal formed.

Cassiel's shield attack went through the portal and came out behind him hitting him, causing him to stumble.

Kana took the chance and quickly got up, slicing Cassiel's shield clean in half, making it dissipate.

Cassiel: "That power of yours was unexpected. Nonetheless, I have lost."

Harvest: "It is as I thought.

That blade's edge is more like a portal that teleports what it touches instead of cutting it.

Allowing you to be able to 'slice' through anything.

That's why your gauntlet also has a power dealing with spacial manipulation.

Alright then, it is my turn."

Harvest stood before Kana.

A black gauntlet, with an aura of spiritual energy coming from it, appeared over his right arm.

He also summoned a scythe in his right hand.

Harvest: "My name is Harvest, Virtue of Patience, opposite of Wrath. That leaves you as the seventh virtue. Who are you, Kana? You know it, don't you? Surely, the Lord has revealed it to you now."

Kana: "He has. My name is Kana, Virtue of Humility, opposite of Pride."

Harvest: "Begin, Kana."

Kana began to run at Harvest, but Harvest ran even faster towards him, startling him.

Harvest swiped his scythe horizontally at Kana. As Kana ducked under to dodge it, Harvest ended up behind him.

Kana: (I dodged it! I might be able to win!)

Kana turned around quickly, about to slash his sword at Harvest, but he gasped when he didn't see him, but he heard something from behind him.

Kana turned back around again, Harvest had his scythe near his neck.

Kana thought to back up but felt another presence behind him.

He turned and saw something like a ghost or a spirit. It looked like Harvest.

That spirit also had a scythe near Kana's neck.

Harvest: "Don't move. You're already dead."

Kana: "Now I definitely see why you're the leader. You're quite strong."

Pastor: "Okay boys! It's time to wrap it up. I'm too old for all this yappin and sword fightin, it's mah bedtime!"

He had gone back to his silly old man demeanor instead of seriousness.

Kana: (That guy must have split personality disorder or something..)

It was still late, so they went back into the church, and the pastor showed Kana to his room, as the church was like a house, having rooms to accommodate whoever needed a place to stay.

Pastor: The others have been staying here for a few months as they all came together, meeting one by one.

Now that you are all together, God may have a place for all of you to travel to, but for now, you can all stay here as needed.

Kana and the others all went to bed and woke up the next morning, meeting in the room they all sat in before.

Harvest: So then, we have all been getting taught for a few months.

But you, Kana, are a bit late on arrival.

So we will stay here until we've all completed a full reading of the scriptures at least once.

This means you will have to read and study harder than the rest, Kana.

I have been chosen to lead this group by the Lord because of my knowledge of the scriptures, so I and the pastor are here to answer any questions you have.

Harvest handed Kana a huge bible, filled with tons of notes of previous scholars and references.

Now, let's begin.

Kana looked distraught and full of dread, but not the hopeless kind he felt before.

But he knew he would have to study hard to catch up with the others.