Chapter 20: Roguetown: Home of the Demon

Disclaimer: Don't own One Piece.

I've heard from the Captain that the last stop before the Grand Line is Roguetown. The home of Gold Roger, the legendary Pirate King. We'll be arriving very shortly in this large city, this nexus of both the Pirate and the Marine world. If I remember right, later today is the day of that big chef contest to see who's the best in all of East Blue. I guess we should stop by for that...Austin loves seeing the fish and all the different people competing for the title. But before we do...we got some business to take care of.

"Oy! Devon, we're here! Get your unholy ass out here!"

Devon growled at Dusty's call, but grabbed his katana and his jacket and walked out of the cabin to the deck. Axe was just lowering the anchor while Niri and Kirsty tied the sails and Dusty was...being Dusty. He walked over and smacked the kitsune upside her head, earning himself a glare.

The hair on her tail began to stand as she glared at him, "What was that for!" she yelled, rubbing her head. Devon ignored her and looked around, "Austin...,". The small boy came out from the mast and ran up to him. The swordsman knelt down and looked at him, "You ready?" he asked in a hushed voice. Austin nodded and his older brother stood up.

"We'll be back later...,"

Axe turned to see Devon and Austin jumped off the ship and onto the dock beside them, "Hey, guys! Where are you going?" he called out. Austin looked back while Devon waved at them, "We'll be back later!" he repeated.

Hehehe...this place hasn't changed much. The same old shops, bars, restaurants...still here. I guess after an absence, some things will remain...

The two brothers walked throughout the streets of Roguetown as the citizens went along their business. They passed dozens of shops, beggars, whatever you could find in a town like this. They walked and walked until coming to a large building with a cross insignia on the front doors. Devon smiled, "Still here...," he looked up to see a large golden bell in the steeple of the building, "Wonder if he's still here too...,"

Can't believe the church is still standing. The town was so bad back then, even with the Marines, I thought that this place would've been torn down and made into a whorehouse...maybe just my imagintion.

They pushed open the doors and let the light pour into the dim house of worship, and walked in. As the door closed behind, Devon and Austin walked down the carpet towards the podium area where an old man was tending to a basin of water, his back turned to them.

"I'm sorry, but the church is closed for repairs, My Children. When it is completed, I shall put a notice in the newspaper, until then, you must leave," he said over his shoulder.

Devon stopped and unstrapped his katanas, and laid them against a pew, "Forgive us, Father...for we have Sinned," he greeted loudly. The old man stopped pouring the water and turned around. His eyes widened at the sight of the two brothers and he dropped the water jug he was holding.

"Devon...Austin?"

The blonde swordsman nodded and walked up to the priest, "It's been a long time, Father,". The old man just kept staring at him like he was a ghost, "Good Lord...I haven't seen you two since that night...,".

I remember that night well. The night that everything and everyone my brother and I loved was stolen from us. Our family was small, but very happy. Every night, my mother told Austin and I stories of legendary battles and creatures. One night, after we had gone to bed, thieves broke into the house. Mother hid us away in the cellar and told us not to make a noise at all. She stayed uptop and suffered the consequences.

Slain, robbed...and other things. That's what she ended up being, by saving us. Austin had become mute ever since that night. I remember that I was the first to climb out of the cellar. My mother was lying in a pool of her own blood, a sword clenched in her hand. She fought to the very end...but lost. Ever since then, I've trained and I've hunted down everything cursed soul on this earth and taken away the thing they don't care for...life.

The old priest and Devon took a seat in his office while Austin walked around. "Did you find what you were looking for, My Son?" the priest asked as he poured some tea. Devon shook his head, "No...not yet. Everyone I've come across say that the Water Moon and Onimaru are just myths...but I'm not givin' up,".

The priest sighed, "I heard about the things you and your brother have done since you left, Devon. I can't say that I approve," he said as he sat down in his chair. Devon took a drink of his tea, "I'm doing the world a favor. I'm doing away with those that are evil in this world, and that's that, Father,".

"Yes, but because of what you've done, you almost have a 1,000,000 Beli Bounty on your head! You've killed politicians, thieves, assassins, even som respected Marines!"

"Each of which have performed a crime of evil against Man. Odin knows which are cruel and he sends me to destroy them,".

"Odin. Devon listen to me, that's just a myth and a sword style! I'll admit you've nearly mastered it, but no God of Death can speak to you about who to spare or kill!"

Devon glared at the priest, "But your God can? Tell me, Father...has your God ever led you to a Sinner?" he hissed. The old man sighed and shook his head, "No, but still I do God's work...,".

God's work...feh. There is no such thing as God's work...God's will, but not God's work. He hasn't changed a bit.

He gulped the last of his tea and stood up, "We should get going. Good to see you're still alive, Father," he said as he moved towards the door.

"Wait my son! I have something for you!"

Devon stopped in his tracks, "If it's a bottle of Holy Water or a Crucifix, I don't need it. I got my own charms," he replied. The old man chuckled and walked to a nearby cabinet, "No it's not that...,". Devon turned to see the man open the cabinet up and pull out a long object wrapped in sackcloth.

"I found this a few weeks ago on the Podium. Alongside it was a note that said:

The Follower of Odin will return soon. Give this to him, for it belongs to him."

The swordsman walked over and unraveled the material. As the cloth fell to the floor, Devon's eyes widened to the size of saucers, for inside was a beautiful katana. It's blade a little bit shorter than other katana's, but he didn't really notice. His eyes were glued to the style and color of the weapon. The blade was divided lengthwise by two colors, the sharp side was a pale blue color, and the back side was a mizture of white and blue. Along the blade were multiple symbols of raindrops and lunar cycles. The hilt was decorated with dozens of tiny diamonds that sparkled in the sunlight that came through the window.

Devon reached and took the blade into his hand. Immediately, he began to feel a soothing sensation throughout his body. He turned to the side and swung. The blade was light, graceful, and easy to control.

I...don't believe this. How can this sword be here...and who knew I was coming back?

"Water Moon...,"

Kilnorc: wow...interesting turn of events! i hope this was good! ja ne!