Greyashe chapter 364 is entitled "That which must be left behind."

Previous chapter 363: Duo

Next chapter 365: Killer intent.

Summary page

-Short summary-

Butcher's final "wall" is impassible without a sacrifice, what will be sacrificed and will it leave the opposition with the strength needed to stop him?

-Long summary-

Knowing that his enemies are making a move against him had made things exceedingly simple for the mad sentient. Of course it's not as if even if they had decided to secretly come to his stronghold that it would have deterred him in any way. The complete release of the recall had granted him powers nigh near omnipotence, and he would be able to detect anything closing in on him with impunity from miles away. Though his enemy knows this as well since they decided to come straight to his front door rather than sneak about. In his mind that alone deserves some adulation, since he had always figured humans and their ilk to be a slimy, slippery lot. The angels are less so, but because of their foolish Deus, they couldn't directly interfere. As such the inclusion of an angel in the ranks of the enemies who had come directly to him had been no more than a curiosity. He knows that she cannot do anything to him even though she has the power to, and as such he would focus his efforts on the human enemies. He had already sent the last of the "old guard" to deal with the riff-raff the one human had brought with him since watching humans fight one another to the death never ceases to amuse him, and he couldn't help be intrigued by this child that had been sent to deal him the final blow. They had met briefly before, and while he had been mildly intriguing he hadn't been anything remarkable --yet he had been the one they sent to him. A lamb to satiate the wolf? Or something more? Loathe be it for him to admit it, but he finds this child intriguing, and at least would like to see him before slaughtering him. That being said, he certainly wasn't going to make it easy for this boy to gain entry. So he had elected to use some of his latent power to create a barrier that would rend apart anything trapped within. He considers this a test of character and endurance, as if the boy could make it in he would be worth his time and interest....and truth be told there is only one way to get in with his present condition. Would he have the character to utilize that way? It would be ever so fascinating to see if he would.

Claire has her wings activated and flies up as far as she can before the overwhelming negative energy causes her head to spin and she has to head back down before she loses consciousness. She touches base beside Van who stares into the skull black energy barrier with an unreadable expression. He doesn't look up when he asks her how things look overhead, and only closes his eyes when she replies that it's no good. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Van tells her that the barrier is impossible for him to get through as well. He had tried to force his way in but was only repelled, and his body paralyzed by pain. He has a feeling that even if they could somehow force their way into the barrier that they'd only last a few moments inside before dying horribly. Which leads him to wonder why Butcher would do this now of all times....if he had the ability to cast such a barrier then why not use it before they even get here? Moreover, he's sure that the sentient could probably make it wider than just this castle with the power he possesses and kill them all so why is he operating on such a small scale?

Claire asks Van to think about what they know of Butcher, intoning that an answer may come from that. They know he is a sadist, and causing the suffering of others is what brings him amusement, but he is not a fool. For every action he takes that seems to only be derived for his merriment, there is an ulterior motive that also gives him an edge. If they can figure out what exactly he gains from denying them entry --besides the obvious not having to fight them, they can figure out what their next move should be.

Van mulls this over and asks how Dio managed to stop Butcher way back when? From what he understands, the God had wielded some power that had given the sentient pause. Why else would he go through all of these cats paws and manipulation of "lower creatures" to achieve his goal? Claire taps her lip thoughtfully trying to parse an answer that Van would understand. Basically angels fight by using their own latent energy as a force field to push and rend enemies apart. This force field could be applied in several different ways depending on the amount of power the wielder has. From what she remembers, Dio was fond of fashioning his into an invisible "staff" of sorts and negating energy by replacing it with his own. Van thumbs his chin at this, and asks her to explain what she means, and Clare does so with a zeal that is --dare Van say it, kind of cute. He can tell that she and Dio had a close relationship in the past and that she trusts him deeply. Considering how hard it had been for Claire to trust others during their journey, he feels even more honored to have her as his closest ally and dearest friend --more importantly that this feeling is reciprocated between them both.

Basically Dio's "spear" would literally force away a part of an opponent's own construct or energy, and replace it with his own. Dio would then expand this energy with a bit of will causing the opponent to be rended apart by this energy from the inside. This method of attack is fearsome since all of it would occur without being seen, and therefore impossible to defend against. The only hope an enemy has against this attack is being able to sense it coming before it hits them. Of course the issue with this is that the oncoming energy would only fill the opponent with a sense of dread that mollifies the senses enough for them to be at a loss for what to do right until their ends comes.

Van takes an elbow in one arm and covers his mouth with his other hand deep in thought. So if he had used this ability on Butcher in a previous struggle, it might have left an impression on him? Claire turns around from her position in front of Van and studies the barrier for a moment. It is true that Dio mentioned Butcher becoming a wreck from his escape from him and subsequent fight against Ambriel. One might say it's the reason why he became the monster he is--

Clare "ahs" in realization.

Van nods and looks at the barrier, commenting that he can sort of tell that this thing before them is similar in function. Which would mean that they aren't going to get through unless they can find something to replace Butcher's barrier with their own displaced energy. Considering what they had just brainstormed, the logical conclusion here would be that---

Claire takes Vans hand and bows her head. Van gives her a troubled expression and opens his mouth to speak, but closes it again just as quickly. He heaves a heavy sigh and asks if she's really prepared for this...? Considering what happened to Akariel, and that Butcher wasn't nearly as strong then as he is now, he can't guarantee anything. Moreover it goes without saying that he is completely against this.

Claire looks up at him, eyes filled with gentle resolution. She refutes his objection and says that this is her decision not his. She was warned, and knew what the conclusion of her actions would be so she cannot complain that it's going to pass now. Her only concern is that the "angel remnance" that protects him now would dissipate leaving him at the mercy of Butcher's attacks. Though she knows that he too was already aware that he may indeed have to face this possibility. Van growls and says that he knew it, but it doesn't mean he has to like it. Clare chides him that they don't have time for semantics, and asks if he wants her to lead or...

Van takes her hand and holds it tight. No one leads. They do this together.

The angel nods and closes her eyes. Mere moments later a white aura surrounds them, and they silently walk into the barrier which hisses and rumbles upon meeting with Claire's angelic shield. Finally it gives way and the two stride forward purposefully into the barrier, where they see objects suspended in air, their time ceased when the skull black barrier was invoked. They keep walking past the objects suspended in air, and into the hall of the castle where the barrier remains in effect. As they press forward, Claire's form grows more and more transparent until her legs fade in a puff of white plumage with her torso and arm fading as well. The dank skull black barrier is illuminated by the light of the feathers floating in air, and even as Claire disappears from his side, Van does not release her hand, nor does she relax her grip on his. They keep walking and the plumage grows more vibrant as Claire begins to disappear faster, her form almost completely transparent. Her hand finally fading, she smiles at her friend one last time as he grips her now almost non existent hand as it fades. The skull black barrier roars in defiance at them, which sends Van's winter cap --the one he had worn since he left Greyashe a year ago flying off his head, and causes it to explode in black flames that are smothered by the plumage in the air. The farseer doesn't seem to acknowledge this, and instead remarks to himself how unfair it is that an angel's death is so beautiful. His hand now empty he draws it into his pocket and walks forward with a stream of plumage showing him the way, a last feather rustling his now free and unkempt red hair.

He strides into the throne room at last where Butcher lazily sits with a shark's grin on his face. He sits up as Van makes it into the room, and comments that he thought by removing the angel he would have lightened his load a bit? Surely now he doesn't have a reason to oppose him anymore does he?

Van looks down at his hand where the last feather that had gone through his hair dances in mid air and finally fades. He then quietly thanks Butcher for his graciousness, but corrects him as he stares at his enemy with an unreadable expression and blazing blue eyes.

"What you took was not my reason, but any need for mercy."