Chapter 34

Vain stood next to Tedgy's group and said, "You guys sit out, you'll only hold me back." They all looked at him and Tedgy said, "Won't we have a easier chance of winning if we help you?" Vain took off his coat, threw it to Luvia, and stared at him as he said, "Fine, don't blame me if you get seriously hurt. Come, Sep." A green magic circle appear to his left and a green mech serpent came out. It slid over Vain's shoulder, wrapping around his right arm, before equipping onto his arm, and turning its tail into a left arm. Vain then reach his hand into his shadow and pulled out a gunblade and belt. Veto, Void, Luvia, Lumia, Luxia, and Rexalia all recognized what Vain pulled out. Vain put the belt on and drew the gunblade in his right and his engine blade in his left with a reverse grip. Veto smile and said, "Oh... you're not holding back. Then it's okay if I don't hold back too, right Nee-san?" Veto looked at her and she nodded her head, so Veto pulled his guns out of their holster. Melli starts to have bad feelings about staying and said, "I don't think I'll join this fight. I'll just sit out like Vain said." So she left the arena, while Tedgy and the other two stayed. Void then casted a barrier around the arena and teleported the announcer out after she said fight.

Vain pulled the gunblade's hammer, opening the revolver, before tapping the grey box, releasing a quick reload, swiping his hand back, and the revolver was loaded with ammo. Veto fired a hail of bullets toward Vain and Vain rushed in slicing his way through. Veto ran away and tried to keep distance between him and Vain. Tedgy and his two friends couldn't make a move and realized why Vain told them to sit out. They can't keep up let alone avoid Veto's barrage of attacks, so they all left the stage, and watched from the sidelines with Melli. With only the two of them left they decided to ramp things up. Veto created a rocket launcher and fired a missle at Vain. Vain sliced it in two and it exploded, creating a black cloud of smoke, before a sword wave made of lightning flew towards Veto. Veto blocked it with his barrier, then Vain fired all six shots at Veto, before tapping a green box, and loading  the barrel with green bullets.

Vain then closed the distance between then and swung at Veto's neck and body. Veto then bend back and avoided his attack, before bringing himself back up, and swinging his fists and guns at Vain. Vain dodge his strikes and cuts his bullet as they were coming back, while still swinging at Veto. They both continue this dangerous dance for thirty minutes, dodging and blocking while also attacking. Bullets were flying all over the place, making it very dangerous to even set foot in their battle. Soon Vain manage to land a blow against Veto's stomach and sent him back. But he flipped around and fired his gun, propelling him to a halt and stopping him at the edge of the ring.

The audience were filled with excitement for who was going to win and they started placing bets. Vain then sheath both swords, removed Rexalia's gunblade and belt, and tossed them to Void. Void caught them and gave them to Rexalia to put on, while a green magic circle appear next to Vain and he put his mechanical green left hand through it. Pulling out a sword, with a green sheath, and he rest his right hand above the handle. Void then said, "Oh, this is rare. Vain is going to use the quick draw style." Veto fired several bullets and Vain quickly drew his sword cutting all of the bullets. Before sheathing his sword slowly, creating waves in the air, and when he fully sheath his sword the waves shot towards Veto. Veto created a barrier wall and sheilded himself and Vain said, "Sep, do it." Sep removed the safety locks and the plates on Vain's arm spread open as green energy filled the gaps. Gusts of air shot out behind Vain continuously, increasing his speed as he ran up, and unleash an incredible amount of strikes against Veto's barrier. Which shattered the barrier and Vain struck Veto in the chest, slicing through the buffs Luvia applied on the clothes, and knocking Veto out, making him slam against Void's barrier. Veto hit the ground, before standing up, and his clothes began mending themselves.

Veto touch his chest and breath a sigh of relieve as he say, "Ah... I barely made it out of that unscathed. At least Luvia-chan's magic protected my clothes." With the final battle done, everyone collected their money, closed their stalls, and headed home. Soon night had arrived, so Vain went to his workshop, that Void provided, and began checking his gear. Void knocked on the door and when he didn't receive a reply he came in. Vain took a quick glance at him, before going back to what he was doing. Void then said, "I owe you Vain." Vain then said, "I was only just taking out the trash." Void then said, "I see, well try not to make the world your enemy. Luvia gets sad everytime you do." Vain then said, "Tch, I know. But there's nothing I can do about it. I can only apologize and hope she won't mind. As long as people like him exist then I can't stop. Being nice to everyone doesn't change them and make them better, at least not all of them. The one's who continue to forever walk that path, I'll cut them down."

Void sigh and said, "You'll do anything to protect her?" Vain reply, "Of course, for some people we meet she is their last light of hope. They lost everything and when they were alone in the dark cruel world Luvia helped them. She became a guiding light for them and brighten their world again. Just like the rest of you guys. You and Lumia right now are Rexalia's light, so there's no need to dirty your hands. It's fine if I do it, after all, darkness can smother light but it also makes it brighter." Void then said, "I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance. I know that you're carrying a big burden by doing this and if it's necessary I will..." Vain threw his engine blade towards Void and he caught it. Vain then said, "Don't finish that sentence. There's no need for you to be an assassin again. Do it and I'll beat the s**t out of you."

Void laugh and toss Vain's sword back to him and said, "Alright, I won't. Well anyway thanks for getting Rexalia's things back. Let's do our best in the finals." Void then left the room , but on his way out he saw Lumia, he smiled at her, and left the door open. She then walked in and Vain said, "Do you need something?" She reply, "I wanted to thank you as well, for getting Lia's stuff back. I know it must've not have been easy." Vain then said, "It's fine, I'm use to it. Afterall, I've always been a killer." Lumia then said, "But you're also a hero to many people as well Vain." Vain looked at her and said, "A hero huh? The real hero is Luvia, she equally protects everyone no matter what. Even if they use her, take advantage of her, and beat her she'll protect them. Me, I'm different I kill with no hesitation. Killing people makes you no hero, only a killer." Vain then finished checking his stuff and stood up to leave. On his way out, he stopped beside Lumia and said, "So all I ask of you guys is to be there for her and make sure she doesn't cry. Afterall... a smile suits her best, don't you agree?" Lumia smiled, nodded her head, and said, "Even though you say you're not a hero, to Luvia you're her hero."

Vain then chuckle and said, "Whatever you say, see ya around." Vain walked away and headed to his and Luvia's room. He opens the door, takes off his coat, and sets it on the desk before climbing on to the bed. Luvia was sleeping peacefully and Vain gently hovered over her body. Soon his father's and his subordinates voices filled his head saying, "You know you want it. You know you want to do it. You can't fight us forever. Hurry and ravage her body, hurt her, and toy with her." Vain kisses Luvia's cheek and said to himself, "I won't, no matter what you guys say. You're all still with me and haunting me as a result of devouring you." The voices then said, "Yes, we're all here not because we want to but because we're your prisoners. We'll never see the afterlife and we'll never stop tormenting you." Vain chuckle and said, "You call this tormenting? Hmph, it's more like child's play and you can consider your imprisonment as the price you pay for what you've done. Until I see you guys have changed, your souls are not leaving me."

Soon the voices quiet down and disappear, while Luvia woke up to the sound of Vain's voice. She kissed Vain's lips and he said, "Sorry, did I wake up?" Luvia nods and said, "A little, but I don't mind. Since I got to see you." Vain chuckle and said, "If you're always so sweet, I'm going to be tempted to eat you." Luvia giggle and said, "So were you talking to father and everyone else?" Vain then said, "So you heard me?" She nodded her head and Vain sigh and said, "Yeah, but it was less of a talk and more like a bug annoying me with its noise. They keep saying whatever they want like I'm going to listen. Anyway, is it fine if I eat you up today?" Luvia blushed, nodding her head, and Vain gave her a loving tender kiss.