I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 13 The Chapel Showdown

Everyone gathered at the inn, we made our final preparations to move onto the chapel. When we dressed into our outfits, I noticed we looked like G.I.s from World War II. Though we used them to pa.s.s as workers, they were easy to move around in. Something that Nathan pointed out and we could take advantage of.

I was sitting on my own at one of the tables; I was inspecting the sword I took from Lilith and thinking over the plan as it was the only thing I could do. Cynthia and Livia came over to me. It was obvious that they were worried, anyone could tell by looking at them.

Steven: "What's up you two?"

Cynthia: "Do you really have to go?"

Steven: "Well, as much as I hate to, it's still my problem."

Cynthia: "What about Kanna? What did she say?"

Steven: "She doesn't know."

Cynthia: "You haven't told her?"

Steven: "No, I don't want her to get involved."

If I did tell her, she'd jump in to help without hesitation. It's not that she's useless or anything. I just don't want her to get hurt like Livia did. It's not something I could easily forgive myself for.

Cynthia: "She's going to be mad at you, you know."

Steven: "I don't mind, as long as she's safe."

She looks down for a few seconds.

Cynthia: "Huh, you might be different…"

Steven: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Cynthia: "Nothing, don't worry about it."

She quickly walked away, ignoring my calls to explain herself. I'm not sure if I should've taken that offensively or not. Sighing, I look at Livia who moves over and sits across the table from me. It took some convincing from everyone else to get her to stay at the inn.

Livia: "Do I have to stay?"

Steven: "Yes, you were cursed and had no energy for more than 2 weeks. You need to rest."

Livia: "But I don't—"

Steven: "No. I don't want you to get hurt again."

Livia: "I— well, alright then."

Steven: "Why did you and the Headmaster even offer to help me in the first place? It wasn't even your problem to begin with."

Livia: "One of the many responsibilities of the Headmaster is the welfare of the students, and as his a.s.sistant, I help him fulfill his duty as Headmaster."

She helps by trespa.s.sing on private property and risking her life to fight a demon? She's not going to budge and tell the truth no matter how I ask. Hopefully, when this is all over, she can tell me what I want to know.

Nathan: "I hate to interrupt, but we'll be leaving any minute now."

Steven: "I'm ready."

Nathan: "Alright, just letting you know."

He took a hint and gave us some s.p.a.ce to talk. He probably thinks it's because we're dating. I don't even know why he thought we are in the first place. Oh well, it's annoying but I need his help more than anything right now.

Livia: "Hey, are you really going?"

Steven: "Yeah."

Livia: "Will you come back?"

Steven: "What kind of question is that? Of course I will!"

Jacob: "It's time, lads!"

Nathan: "Moving!"

Steven: "Looks like we're leaving. Don't worry, Cynthia will be here for you while I'm out."

Livia: "I'll be fine."

Leaving the inn, we headed straight to the chapel while the rain was progressively getting worse. It was weird how sudden the rain came, the skies were mostly clear a few days ago. I couldn't help but feel like it was done on purpose.

Oliver pulled me to the side away from Jacob and Nathan. They looked ur direction out of curiosity. Almost like they knew what it was about too.

Oliver: "Just know, I don't trust you one bit. If something happens in that chapel, I'll be coming for you."

Steven: "Why'd you agree to bring me along?"

Oliver: "Because they insisted. They're naive, and haven't seen what I've seen."

Steven: "I thought it was because I knew about Lilith."

Oliver: "Maybe, I'll have my eye on you."

What was that about? As long as I could get along with enough to get through this, I don't mind if he trusts me or not. I'm not looking to win any popularity contests. I want to get this over with; I'm tired of being on my toes everywhere I go because of Lilith.

Nathan: "You alright, kid?"

Steven: "Yeah."

Nathan: "Don't mind him. He's tough on new people, but he's a great guy once you get to know him."

I'm sure he is. We arrived the rest of the way without getting too wet. Just like Cynthia said, the guards wouldn't be around if the rain got worse. We moved to the rear of the cathedral as planned before continuing.

Oliver: "Alright, the guards nowhere to be seen, we should be able to get in through the front."

Jacob: "Top, we should stay with the plan, she could see us crossing the street."

Oliver: "Right, Corporal, you take a point."

Jacob: "Yes, sir."

Sticking to the plan, we went over to the fencing on the rear of the cathedral and quickly scaled it, making way around to the front. I boosted both Oliver and Jacob towards a window above us and they entered it, where the indoor balcony should be. After waving them off, I went to the front windows with Nathan, where we made our final preparations before entering.

Nathan: "Do you know any magic, like protective spells?"

Steven: "I know s.h.i.+elded Winds."

Nathan: "Cast it. You'll need it."

It seemed like a good idea, casting a protective spell. I wasn't very good at casting and it took me a minute to do so. I had to remember what Kanna said, "let it hold you and protect you." With that, I finished by whispering.

Steven: "s.h.i.+elded Winds."

I still couldn't describe the feeling I got by casting it. It was a weird sensation.

Nathan: "Finished?"

Steven: "Yeah, I believe so."

Nathan: "Let's do it."

Like the others, we climbed through a window to get in, seeing that trying to open the doors will cause it to creak and echo throughout the cathedral. Setting foot inside, I felt it, the same horrible gut feeling I had in Los Angeles. I knew of it that she was here, and we walked ourselves into it. There was no backing out now.

Nathan: "Are you good?"

Steven: "She's here, I can feel it."

Nathan: "Then keep your guard up and keep with the plan."

As planned, I took the right side and Nathan took the left. Our swords at the ready, Jacob and Oliver were above us, ready for a fight. It was dimly lit, but I was still able to make things out and see Nathan across from me. Cautiously, we checked each and every row of benches, checking for any sign of Lilith before regrouping at the altar. We didn't see her and I still had the gut feeling, she had to be nearby, I just know it. Nathan and Jacob were throwing hand signs at each other, communicating.

Nathan: "Jacob said Oliver still needed time and to split up and search."

Steven: "Is splitting up a good idea?"

Nathan: "We both have protective spells, and if you do see her, get out and head back here."

Steven: "And if I see her asleep?"

Nathan: "Run that sword through her heart, no mercy."

I should have planned a way to catch her alive. I did want to go home and see my friends and family again. If it really does come to it, I will kill her. No more people have to suffer because of her.

Steven: "Will do."

I took the east hallway and began searching the first floor. Door by door, I searched each room finding nothing but offices. The last room was partially opened, and thinking Lilith might be in there, I slowly opened it. She wasn't there, but I did find something interesting, a pentagram. A red flag that she was here, as it was the same as in the estate. I searched the room but couldn't find anything else that would point to her being here.

Continuing upstairs, I searched the rest of the rooms before coming to the final door. Upon entering, the place looks like it was reorganized into a simple room. She has definitely been here, candles circle the floor and there's a sleeping bag in the corner, still warm. I was about to head back and alert Nathan when the door slams shut, causing me to jolt. Instantly, I turn around and see her with her hands behind her back, blocking the door.

Lilith: "Heya, Steven."

Steven: "Lilith…"

Just like I thought, she's going to play with me again. I'll have to be very careful from here on.

Lilith: "Give me back my Grimoire and sword."

Steven: "No."

Lilith: "I wasn't asking."

I raise my sword and back into a wall as she steps forward, revealing a sword just like Nathan's. Is that what she was after at the fort?

Lilith: "What's wrong, scared?"

I notice her shadows weren't embracing her. The Headmaster was telling the truth! She does lose her power without the Grimoire! Maybe now I stand a chance.

Steven: "No, where are your shadows?"

Lilith: "Shadows? Oh, those? I need my Grimoire to use Shadow's Embrace. It's why I want it back."

Shadow's Embrace? Now I wished that I did go to the Academy and check in with the Headmaster. If he got the Grimoire deciphered, it would've been great to give Lilith a taste of her own medicine.

Lilith: "So what do you want to do? Do you want to talk?"

Now she wants to talk? Talk?! No doubt it's because I'm the only one who she knows about her where her Grimoire is. It does nothing but anger me!

Steven: "What about?"

Lilith: "Like I was saying, I want my Grimoire and sword back!"

She quickly closes the distance between us and ends up clas.h.i.+ng swords. Sparks flying with our swords on each hit. Our feet moving quickly kicking the wooden floor. She was dancing and laughing like always. As if we were at a ballroom.

It was then when I realized this whole time I was playing a game with her. The dancing around and laughing. What is she doing? I backed away slowly, to give myself some leeway. I have to think this through carefully.

Lilith: "Don't tell me you're tired already! It was getting fun too!"

Steven: "I thought you wanted to talk, Lilith."

Lilith: "Oh, will you actually listen?"

Steven: "Maybe."

For the second time, she lunges at me, and we lock our blades with each other. Standing close together and pus.h.i.+ng against the clinch. She's not trying to break away or anything. She wanted this to happen. Now seemed as good as time as any to get what I want to know.

Steven: "What do you want from me?"

Lilith: "You're my trophy!"

Steven: "Trophy? What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?"

Lilith: "My father will finally recognize me!"

She breaks the lock, disarming me, and we both fall to the ground from the momentum. With her on top of me, she pins me to the floor by putting her sword between my neck. For the third time, I lost to Lilith.

Me, a trophy, and for what? Is she really doing this to get her father's attention? I can't say I'll forgive her after everything she's done if that's her reasoning. There are other ways someone could go about earning someone else's favor.

Steven: "What about my friends from Los Angeles? What did you do to them?"

Lilith: "Your friends from the other place? They got away after more people came making bright lights and loud banging noises."

No way, she's describing the police and they got away? The banging noises must've been gunshots. Just hearing her describe it makes it sound ridiculous. If a sword wasn't to my neck, I would've slapped her.

Steven: "How did you bring me here? To this world."

Lilith: "You're asking questions with a sword to your neck? Haha, are you stupid or something?"

Steven: "I deserve to know if you're going to kill me."

Lilith: "Alright… It took really difficult magic. You know, dark magic and it took almost 4 years to figure it out."

She spent that long just so she can impress her father?

I feel her grip on the sword loosen. Taking advantage, I manage to disarm and push her into a wall. She looks at me indifferently, not surprised that I finally have her.

Lilith: "Well, what are you going to do?"

Lifting the sword up, I prepare to swing down and kill her, finally putting an end to her terror. I'm hesitant, the sword is still over my head. What is wrong with me? I thought I could do this. She notices and kicks me. Swatting the sword away as we look at each other, unarmed.

Out of choices, I see the door and dart towards it. Running downstairs to the altar, where Nathan was. I was already out of breath fighting and the running only made it worse. I feel like I'm going to throw up.

Nathan: "Steven? Where the h.e.l.l have you been?"

Steven: "She… sh—"

Nathan: "Hey, slow down and catch your breath, is Lilith in there?"

I nodded, he draws his sword and signals to Jacob. He jumps down, and they run into the hallway, after Lilith. Oliver comes down to tend to me, thinking I was injured. I thought it was finally over until the doors of the cathedral fly open. The guard swarm us, pointing their words at us. Are they here for Lilith too?

Guard: "You're under arrest…"

Nathan and Jacob were seen being brought out with their hands up. Little did I know, Lilith escaped and alerted the guard.