A Few Days Later - Great Britain
------------
Ever since meeting Michael.
Lavinia had been visiting Michael's grandparents almost every day since he left.
It had become part of her routine wake up, endure the time,and silence at her relative's house, and then walk to Grandma Vivienne and Grandpa Edgar's home.
There, things were different.
Warm,welcoming, caring,and safe.
Grandma Vivienne had been helping her on a lot of things,like small skills, like how to organize her thoughts, how to stay calm when scared, how to read people's expressions. Not to mention her also helping here in her studies.
Lavinia could tell Michael Grandma was a very and caring person.
And they also gave her gifts.... A lot of gifts.
Small things like some books, candy, snacks, a new scarf for when it got cold.
They also sometimes brought her to eat somewhere.
It made her happy.
Happier than she'd been in a long time.
But eventually, like always, she had to go back.
Back to the house that wasn't her home.
Back to the relative who barely acknowledged her existence and who hates her.
Now, as evening fell, Lavinia was walking along the familiar path back to her relative's house, clutching her blue cat plushie Mochi tightly to her chest.
The ice doll walked behind her, silent as always.
Lavinia glanced back at it.
It's not as scary anymore, she thought.
Michael could see it. That means it's real.
I'm not delusional.
I'm not crazy.
But she still didn't understand why other people couldn't see it. Why her parents hadn't been able to. Why only Michael could.
Thinking of her parents, Lavinia face turns to sadness.
I miss them, she thought, hugging Mochi tighter.
I miss Mom and Dad.
She blinked back tears and kept walking.
Unaware that someone was watching her.
------------
Night
------------
Lavinia was now laying on a bed in her small, sparse bedroom, hugging Mochi as she stared at the ceiling.
The ice doll stood in the corner, motionless as always.
It's always here, Lavinia thought. Watching me.
But considering Michael word it's never hurt anyone.
Maybe... maybe it's trying to protect me.
She closed her eyes, trying to sleep.
Then-
*CRASH!!!*
A loud noise from downstairs was heard.
Lavinia's eyes immediately snapped open.
What Was THAT?
She sat up, heart pounding, and listened.
One of the noise she can hear was
Her relative's angry voice.
"Who Are You ? , and what the hell are you doing in my HOUSE !?" .
Then-
Silence.
Complete, sudden silence.
Her aunt suddenly went quiet.
Lavinia's breath caught.
What...what happened?
Why did she stop shouting?
Fear gripped her chest.
Lavinia can feel something is not right
Something's wrong.
Something's really wrong.
Lavinia immediately scrambled out of bed, grabbed Mochi, and crept to her bedroom door.
She pressed her ear against it, listening.
Nothing.
No voices. No footsteps. No sounds.
But then the sound of footsteps can be heard.
But the sound of footsteps is different from her aunt usual footstep.
The different characteristics of the footsteps caused Lavinia to panicked and thought of one thing.
I need to get out NOW!!!!
She glanced at the window.
I can climb out. I've done it before.
She rushed to the window, unlatched it, and pushed it open.
The cool night air hit her face.
She grabbed Mochi, climbed onto the windowsill, and dropped down into the small garden below.
Her feet hit the ground with a soft thud.
She didn't look back.
She ran.
As fast as her nine-year-old legs could carry her.
I need to get to Grandma Vivienne's house.
I need their help.
---------
A Few Minutes Earlier - Inside the House
---------
(Third Person POV - Glenda)
Glenda stepped through the front door of the house, her witch robes rustling softly.
The relative Lavinia's father's cousin stood in the hallway, eyes wide with shock and anger.
"Who are you ?" she demanded. "And What the hell are you doing in my house !?" As she get ready to fight the intruder.
Glenda didn't answer.
She simply raised one hand.
A magic circle materialized in the air, glowing faintly.
The relative's eyes widened further. "What-"
The spell activated.
And the woman immediately went unconscious, and collapses before she hit the floor.
Glenda lowered her hand, expression cold and indifferent.
"Annoying," she muttered,due to the girl trying to get involved with her plan.
I didn't really expect that she would be still awake, and would still react nonetheless not a problem.
She stepped over the unconscious body of this annoying girl.
and moved deeper into the house, her senses reaching out.
Where is the girl?
She could feel the presence of the Longinus faint, but distinct.
Absolute Demise.
An independent avatar-type Sacred Gear.
One of the most Powerful sacred gear in existence perfect for her study on sacred gear.
Not to mention she could use her study to gain favourable deals with different groups,who are interested in sacred gears.
Glenda had prepared for this moment. She would take the girl, erase certain memories, and mold her into a compliant subject.
She'd play the role of a caring mentor,a motherly figure to the girl. Not knowing she would be used by her for her own selfish desire.
And the girl, traumatized and alone, would never know the difference.
But then-
Her senses flared.
The girl is moving. She thought
She's running.
Glenda's expression darkened.
She escaped.
Damn it this wasn't supposed to happened.
Glenda didn't expect for Lavinia to be awake.
She turned and strode toward the door.
No matter.
I'll catch her.
She can't have gone far.
Not to mention, it's unlikely she will escape from my clutches.
---------
Back with Lavinia
--------
Lavinia ran through the darkened streets, gasping for breath.
The distance between her relative's house and Grandma Vivienne's was about 10-15 minutes on foot.
I can make it.
I have to make it.
She thought.
Her legs was felt like burning,and her lungs ached.
But she didn't stop.
Then-
She saw someone.
An old woman, standing at the corner of a house, wearing dark witch robes.
The woman smiled warmly.
"Why hello there, dear," she said gently, as if greeting a beloved niece. "Are you lost? Do you need help?"
Lavinia slowed, breathing hard.
She found someone.
She was about to reach out to her , to asked for help.
but...
Something about the woman felt... wrong.
Her smile feels too kind. Her voice too sweet. Unlike grandma Vivienne. This one as if she was pretending.
She doesn't know why,but her body is telling her that she's dangerous and she needs to run away from her.
I don't trust her.
Lavinia turned and ran in the opposite direction.
Behind her, the warm smile vanished from the woman's face.
Annoyance flickered in her eyes.
"Stubborn child," Glenda muttered.
She began to walk-no, glide after Lavinia, moving faster than any normal person should.
Lavinia's heart pounded as she ran.
She's following me.
She's-
The old woman suddenly appeared directly in front of her.
Lavinia skidded to a stop, gasping.
"There's no need to be scared, child," the woman said, her voice soft and soothing. "I'm here to help you." As she walked towards her.
"No!" Lavinia shouted, backing away. "Stay away from me!"
The ice doll materialized behind her, towering and cold.
Lavinia didn't think.
She just throws her hand.. and thought of only thing
GET HER AWAY FROM ME!!!
And the doll responded.
Immediately a blast of freezing ice erupted from the doll's hands, and a freezing storm engulfed the street they were on. As if winter had arrived early. Meanwhile the freezing ice also slammed into the old woman.
Glenda staggered back, icicle forming on her robes,and her skin.
She hissed in pain,due to minor injuries she received, nonfatal but unexpected.
"Impressive," she muttered, brushing ice from her sleeve. "But enough of this."
She raised her hand, and a magic circle appeared.
"Sleep," she commanded. And immediately the magic circle reacted.
Meanwhile Lavinia suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion crash over her. As if her body was shutting down.
Lavinia meanwhile was shocked and confused on what's happening to her.
No.
No, I have to run.
I have to-
She stumbled forward, legs shaking.
I'm so close.
Grandma's house is so close.
But her body wouldn't obey.
Her vision slowly blurred.
She dropped Mochi. Meanwhile small tears slowly formed around her eyes.
"Please," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Please... stay away..."
Lavinia was pushing herself to stay awake,but sadly it doesn't work.
She then fell to her knees.
I can't...
I can't...
Please....
Glenda stepped closer, smiling gently.
"Don't be afraid, child. Everything will be-"
BANG
A gunshot echoed through the night.
Glenda jerked, blood blooming on her shoulder. She was shot.
Glenda spun around, eyes wide, towards the direction the gunshot came from.
"GET AWAY FROM THE FUCKING CHILD!"
Immediately several operatives emerged from the shadows around the area ,men and women in tactical uniforms, armed with pistols and assault rifles.
With them aiming there guns at her.
They opened fire again.
Rat-tat-tat-tat
Several bullets was immediately fired towards her.
Glenda meanwhile casted a wall, blocking the bullets.
In response the operatives manuever to target her while continuesly firing their assault rifles without hesitation.
Rat-tat-tat-tat
Several bullets was then able to pierced the wall.
Glenda in response created a barrier, with it causing a few bullets to ricochet.
Ping!
Glenda didn't show much expression, fighting them,and she isn't scared of them. But in secret she was shocked about their appearance.
Since....how did i not detected them !? She thought.
As they're rifles continue to let out a rhythmic,
Metallic clack-clack-clack.
"GET BACK FROM THE GIRL!!! " One of them ordered her again. And continues firing.
Glenda meanwhile was annoyed from them firing at her, though they're not that dangerous considering her skill.
But it's still fatal for her if a bullet strikes her in a vital area due to her being caught off guard.
She then decided to retaliate by launching multiple spells. A burst of flame and beams appeared and fired towards them,as earth spikes popping out of the ground. And
The figures reacted immediately, the moment the magic circle appears.
"INCOMING!"
They scattered taking cover. Some jumping behind walls,trees,or anything to prevent themselves from being cooked meat.
As a burst of flames,burned the area,and somehow melting the asphalt road,and the beams of light torn the ground.And earth spike popping up, with some nearly getting hit by the earth spike in places they wished not to get hit.
Glenda then decided to create more spells as a gust of wind begins to be formed.
Meanwhile the spells that was being used caused a somewhat huge amount of smoke and dust to kicked up.
Obscuring the area.
Immediately one of the armed figures, noticed the dust the spells created , and immediately uses this chance to throw out a flashbang.
"Flashbang Out!!!" He announced to his friends And he throws it towards where Glenda was.
K-POW
EEEEEEKK...
A Brightlight suddenly appears, with the sound of the ringing hitting anyone around them.
The figure then rush to grabbed Lavinia and prevent her from being kidnapped.
But a stone hand suddenly appeared below grabbing him and throwing him towards a tree.
"AHHHHHHH!!" The person thrown was then smashed into the tree.
CRA-CK
Pulverising and scattering splinters of wood.
Meanwhile the person was out of commission.
"Tony!!!" One fo them shouted. As they were then hit by a beam, injuring them.
Nonetheless they continue to fight, while trying to get close to Lavinia.
The operatives continues to fire, everything they have while a few was grabbing their unconscious friend that was smashed into the tree.
Rat-tat-tat-tat
Rat-tat-tat-tat
Rat-tat-tat-tat
Of course most of the bullets pass by her or was blocked by the barriers she had erected.
She was about to retaliate with another spell planning to kill them and being tired of they're little game.
And soon Glenda begin casting her spell.
But before she could continue.
A spell suddenly slammed into Glenda from the side, burning through her defenses and striking her, causing her to be pushed back a few meters.
She screamed, staggering. With Glenda immediately looking on who attacked her from the side.
A voice rang out, cold and furious.
"I didn't expect you to be so bold, Glenda. Trying to kidnap a child no less, a child my grandson befriended."
Vivienne stepped into view, magic circle glowing at her fingertips. As her glaring shining blue eyes look towards Glenda.
Glenda's eyes widened in recognition.
"Vivienne," she hissed with the appearance of Vivienne, though she didn't express much worriedness but inside her head,she was worried.
Very worried.
How did she know i was here !?, Glenda Thought.
She had applied the highest stealth spell she had learnt.
But no need to worry she can escape.
She began forming a teleportation spell to rushed towards Lavinia and grabbed her.
"Still with that stupid religious husband of yours?" Glenda asked, with her readying for her teleportation spell.
"Yup." A voice next to her appeared out of nowhere.
CRACK.
A fist slammed into Glenda's face, sending her flying several meters and destroying her spell. Glenda hit the ground asphalt road hard, bouncing like a rock being thrown one the surface of a pond,as she gasped in shock.
Edgar meanwhile appeared from Vivienne teleportation spell, cracking his knuckles .
"Didn't expect to see your face around here, Glenda," Edgar said calmly.
"Bad choice."
Glenda stared up at him, blood trickling from her mouth,and her arm pouring blood due to it scrapping on the asphalt road.
How-
How did he-
I didn't sense him at all-
Glenda then realized.
Damn it Vivienne must have given him and those stupid people probably belong to her and her husband.
No wonder i didn't detect them. She had given them a stealth spell.
Vivienne stood tall, her expression cold and unwavering as she looked down at Glenda.
"Why?" she demanded. "Why are you kidnapping a child, Glenda?"
Glenda pushed herself up slightly, wiping blood from her lip, her expression shifting to something almost incredulous.
"You should already know," she said, her voice laced with bitterness.
"I do," Vivienne said sharply. "The child has a Longinus. But that doesn't answer my question. Why?"
Glenda laughed a harsh, bitter sound.
"Don't you understand?" She gestured wildly. "A Longinus, especially the Absolute demise an independent avatar-type Sacred Gear! Do you have any idea how rare that is? How much I could learn from studying it?"
Edgar's expression darkened.
"And then what?" he said coldly. "You adopt her, pretend to be a good person and secretly study her sacred gear , and then abandon her when you're done? If that's what your plan is You're an evil witch, Glenda. Plain and simple."
Glenda's eyes snapped to him, fury flashing across her face.
"You don't understand magicians, you damn priest," she spat. "You never have."
Edgar met her gaze evenly.
"I understand magicians just fine," he said. "I'm married to one, after all."
He gestured to Vivienne.
"A magician has many goals,but your goal here?" He shook his head. "That's evil by all definitions. You're not doing this for knowledge. You're doing it for power. For control. And because of that i won't let you touch that girl."
Behind him, Lavinia lay on the ground, barely conscious, tears streaming down her face. As she realised she's safe.
"G-randma...." Lavinia looks toward them.
Vivienne knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You're safe now, Lavinia," she said softly. "I promise."
She looked up at Edgar's men-several armed operatives in tactical gear, standing ready for the next order.
"Take her to safety," Vivienne ordered.
"Now at all cost, I'll handle Glenda"
They nodded.
One of the operatives then stepped forward, carefully lifting Lavinia into his arms.
She clutched weakly , while looking at her plushie Mochi which had fallen nearby.
"G-Grandma..." she whispered.
"I'm here," Vivienne said firmly. "You're going to be okay. We'll handle this."
The operative nodded and began moving quickly toward a secure location. With them immediately being prepared to be teleported away.
Lavinia looked back, tears still streaming, as she was teleported away into the night.
Meanwhile Vivienne grabbed Mochi that was on the ground, looking at it and teleporting it away as well.
She then turned back towards Glenda.
Who was furious her target was going away.
Glenda was about to try to chase them,but then the space around them shimmered.
A glass like dome appeared and close the area around them.
With Vivienne additionally having put everyone inside the space fallen asleep and teleported away,and soundproofing the barrier,so no one could witness or hear what was about to happened inside,courtesy of her spatial magic expertise.
Edgar meanwhile turned his attention back to Glenda, his hand moving to his side.
A sword materialized in his grip long, silver, glowing faintly with a holy light.
He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders.
"Haven't fought in a while," he said calmly.
"Might be a bit rusty."
Glenda stared at him, then at Vivienne, her expression twisting with fury and disdain.
"You," she hissed, glaring at Vivienne. "You abandoned us. Abandoned the magicians. You strayed to a holy man, of all things."
Vivienne's expression didn't change.
"I didn't abandon anyone, Glenda," she said coldly. "I chose to marry someone I love. That doesn't make me any less of a magician."
She stepped forward, magic circles beginning to form around her elegant, complex, spinning with precision.
"And what I did wasn't wrong," Vivienne continued, her voice rising with conviction.
"Marrying someone I love isn't wrong. Living a life of my own choosing isn't wrong. I never abandoned my title, my heritage, or my responsibilities."
The magic circles flared brighter.
"But you," Vivienne said, her voice dropping to ice, "you crossed a line the moment you decided to harm an innocent child."
She raised her hand.
Dozens of magic circles materialized in the air around her layered, rotating, glowing with raw power.
"I once called you my friend, Glenda," Vivienne said quietly. "But that ends tonight." Immediately a strong pressure was felt around the space.
Glenda's eyes widened as she felt the sheer pressure of Vivienne's magic.
She's gotten stronger.
Far stronger than before and what she could imagine.
How is she stronger after she married the stupid priest .
Edgar stepped forward, sword gleaming in his hand.
"Last chance," he said. " You can Surrender now, and we'll let the authorities handle this and face the consequences later or you could stop your action NOW." Edgar replied with a cold voice on the last part.
Glenda's expression twisted into a snarl.
"Neither."
She raised both hands, her own magic circles flaring to life.
"If you want to stop me," she hissed, "you'll have to kill me."
Edgar sighed.
"Your choice."
He shifted into a combat stance, sword raised.
Vivienne's magic circles spun faster.
The air crackled with energy.
Looks like tonight a fight is going to happened.
________
How was the chapter ?
I hope i didn't butcher Glenda personality, though considering her appearance was basically a few lines. It's really hard to write her personality but i hope this somewhat fit her personality in Slashdog.
Next thing let see,
Oh right Edgar is mistaken as a priest a lot in the story in some way, since he was often wearing priest like clothing when he was young. So that's why Glenda calls him a priest. And considering the templar knight is technically dead... So yeah.
Next is about guns, which i intend to include guns in some way in the story, considering guns are used in DXD though.... they're somewhat lackluster later in the story considering it didn't get improved much on things like weapon and the weapons basically swords and fists in the story.
Another thing is a gun is still a gun so in some way, magicians and supernatural in some cases will still be worried if they get shot considering one mistake you could be dead or heavily injured without intervention.
Especially if the gun are made for against supernatural beings.
Lastly How's your opinion on the fight in htie chapter.
While it isn't the main show, considering it's in the next chapter ie between Glenda and Michael Grandparents. I wat to know your opinion on it.
Ok, See Ya in the next Chapter đź‘‹
- AgentByteGOC