Beyond the Old Ones

Disclaimer: I own nothing, this is purely a fanfic for enjoyment.

Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

The familiar characters you see here belong to their respected authors and owners.

"Speech"

Time*

Chapter 14: More Questions

A few hours later*

I gaze intently at the dense gray fog swirling around the Sefirah Castle, my mind deep in thought.

After some time, I resumed typing on the laptop as I delved deeper into the research. The information I sought was of importance, nearly impossible to access by ordinary means. Yet, such a thing was a simple ease within the Sefirah Castle. However, there were still limits to what I could uncover—not because Sefirah Castle was incapable, but because I remained a mere Sequence 9 Beyonder of the Fool and Door Pathways.

I glance up from the laptop screen as I finish typing. The Card of Door materializes before me. The Card of Door floats to the center of the round table, where it lays flat. A moment later, a holographic screen projects out from around the card. The screen reveals an image of Mai seated in a classroom among other students, her expression attentive as the teacher addresses the class. Being a normal schoolgirl.

"Huh..." I blink in surprise. I quickly glance down at my laptop, my fingers hovering over the keys as I double-check the screen, trying to confirm if what I'm seeing is actually happening.

The image has transformed into a hideous crime scene when I look back up. Mai now stands in the middle of the classroom, her once peaceful environment replaced by a nightmarish vision. Multiple limbs are shattered everywhere, hanging at unnatural angles, and the floor is littered with fragments of bone and organs, all bathed in splashes of dark crimson. Despite the horrific carnage around her, Mai grins like a demon, her face twisted with malevolent delight. Bloodstains cover her from head to toe as if she relishes the chaos she's unleashed.

"Oh, I did read it correctly." I mutter under my breath. "But, dang. She's a lot quicker after becoming a Beyonder of the Demoness Pathway."

I glance down at the laptop once more as I type a few more commands. As I finish entering the last line, the image on the holographic screen begins to shift, the gruesome scene fading away, replaced by a new scene.

Alucard is alone and taking a walk up a snowy mountain. Her figure cuts through the pristine white landscape, barely visible only due to her long black hair, which is different from the background. The snow crunches beneath her boots with each step, and the cold wind blows through her long hair as she ascends. She is unbothered by the cold wind and snow, even with her lack of attire for such a cold environment.

When Alucard said she would take a walk, I didn't expect her to do it on a snowy mountain.

The holographic screen fades, and the Card of Door drifts back towards me. I close the laptop and shut my eyes. As I feel myself leaving the Sefirah Castle, I've already got what I needed through the Computational Divination. It's time to take action.

I reopen my eyes to find myself back in the hotel room. I quickly begin cleaning up, stowing away the laptop and any scattered items, ensuring everything is in its proper place. Once satisfied with the clean-up, I sit down to enjoy a hearty meal, savoring each bite. Afterward, I collapse onto the bed, the comfort of the mattress. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

The next day*

I gaze at the large, gothic-style mansion before me. The exterior is a striking composition of dark stone, its imposing façade accented by tall spires and narrow, arched windows. Surrounding the mansion is a maintained formal garden, where neatly trimmed hedges form intricate patterns, and statues stand sentinel in their quiet watch. A massive fountain at the front of the manor. A stately stairway leads up to the mansion's entrance.

I reach into my right pocket and pull out a small notebook. Flipping it open to a specific page, I begin reading carefully the written notes I've made, comparing the details with the sight before me. I look up at the manor, then back down at the notebook, cross-referencing the architectural features and the information I've gathered.

Just as I was about to put away my small notebook.

"Greetings. Welcome to the Phantomhive Manor. If you don't mind me asking, what brings you here?" A deep, smooth male voice asked, cutting through my concentration. The unexpected sound made me look up immediately, my eyes locking onto the source.

Standing before me is a tall, strikingly handsome man with jet-black hair that contrasts sharply with his pale skin. His reddish-brown eyes hold a calm yet piercing gaze as if he can see through anything. He is impeccably dressed in a butler's outfit that oozes elegance and preciseness—black trousers, a six-buttoned double-breasted tailcoat, and a gray vest that fits him perfectly. The white gloves he wears are pristine, adding to his air of refined professionalism. A pocket watch dangles from his vest, and a silver lapel pin, connected by a delicate chain, completes his meticulously crafted appearance. His presence commands attention, and it's clear that this is no ordinary butler.

Then again, he is no ordinary being—he is a demon. Sebastian Michaelis, who, as he famously declared in the series, is "simply one hell of a butler."

"Name's Chikao Fukui. I'm here regarding the ad to hire someone to set up better security for the place." I responded calmly, meeting his gaze with a steady look. As I spoke, I tucked the small notebook back into my right pocket and reached into my left pocket to retrieve a folded-up piece of paper. I carefully unfolded it, revealing a highly designed flyer—a job advertisement for a position at the Phantomhive Manor.

I held it out for him to see, ensuring there was no misunderstanding about the purpose of my visit.

Sebastian takes the flyer from my hand, his gloved fingers barely making a sound as they grasp the paper. He carefully reads over the details, his reddish-brown eyes scanning the flyer. After a moment, he slowly nods to himself. Then, he smiles.

"When can you work?" Sebastian asked, showing no intention of returning the flyer.

"I should be ready tonight." I replied. "I just need some time to prepare my equipment. But if that doesn't work, I can come first thing tomorrow morning."

"Hm. Alright." Sebastian replied. "I'll inform Lord Phantomhive of your arrival tomorrow morning. Please make sure not to arrive after morning." His gaze lingered for a moment. "Now, if there isn't anything else to discuss, I wish you a good afternoon, Chikao." With a formal nod, he turned and began making his way back into the mansion. The grand doors of the Phantomhive Manor slowly closed behind him, leaving me alone once again in the quiet grandeur of the front garden.

I glance up at the sky, the sun still high and bright, casting a warm glow over the mansion grounds. Nodding to myself, I turn and make my way back toward my newly purchased used car. Though not flashy, it's reliable and perfect for easier traveling, especially for jobs like this. As I slide into the driver's seat, ready to head back and prepare for tomorrow's task at the Phantomhive Manor.

"So, you've decided to work with a demon now, have you?" Alucard's voice slices through the silence, and I nearly jump. Turning my head, I spot her sitting casually in the passenger seat, having materialized out of thin air as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her crimson eyes gleam with amusement, a sly smile curling her lips, clearly reveling in my surprise.

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting to find a demon working as a butler for a human, though." I replied, forcing myself to calm down after Alucard's sudden appearance, my heart still racing. I glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow. "So, are you done with your walk, or did you just show up because you found out about the demon?"

"I'm finished with my walk for now." Alucard responded, leaning back in her seat with a relaxed posture, crossing one leg over the other. Her grin widens, showing how very amused she is. "And yes, before you ask, I'll be joining you in the morning for that rather intriguing meeting with the demon butler."

"Oh boy... Well, alright." I muttered, slowly shaking my head.

I knew better than to argue with Alucard. It's best that I reach Sequence 8 or 7 in one of the Pathways before I can do anything to her.

With a sigh, I turned the key, shifting into gear; I began driving away from the Phantomhive Mansion, the grand structure fading into the background as the road stretched out ahead of us.

An hour later*

"So... why did you steal old Walter's gloves? The entire box, no less." Alucard asked in curiosity, casting a knowing smile in my direction. "Are you hoping to wield his weapon? I'll tell you this now—it won't be easy. I've seen many try and fail miserably, never coming close to the mastery Walter achieved."

"Give me some time, and I should be able to." I replied confidently. "I wasn't expecting him to have made so many of these, though." I reached down and lifted the box, filled with multiple pairs of gloves—each designed differently. Some had ultra-sharp, super-thin wires woven into the fabric itself, while others had metal bands containing them. "This is good since it allows me to study them and figure out how to make my own. Plus, with Walter gone, it would've been a waste not to grab these."

I start the car and pull away.

As we drive, I reflect on how neither Integra nor Seras detected our presence. It's almost amusing to think that I managed to steal from them right under their noses—something they would likely never have expected. In the process of acquiring these gloves, they are unaware that they're no longer in their possession.

"Also." I continued, keeping my focus on the road. "I don't think I'll wield them the way Walter did. I'm more interested in using them for creating traps rather than as a direct weapon." I glanced over at Alucard, who was still inspecting the gloves with a thoughtful expression. "I have other methods for fighting. Honestly, I'm more keen on replicating the technique used to create these wires than anything else. If I can master that, I might be able to craft multiple types of traps."

"Interesting." Alucard hums. "If you manage to succeed in recreating the method to make these wires, any traps you devise would be extremely deadly." She places the lid back onto the box with practiced precision. "It would be even more dangerous if you had a priest bless them as well." Her gaze turns thoughtful as she adds. "However, you do realize that Walter wasn't the one who invented this, correct?"

"...He isn't?" I find myself somewhat speechless. I wonder if that was the case, or did I overestimate Walter, thinking he could create such a powerful weapon as a teenager? I should have included this part into the list of questions.

"Of course." Alucard smirk. "He even used them when he was a teenager. The original creator didn't anticipate just how deadly they could become, especially in Walter's hands. Nor did anyone foresee that Walter would later improve them after some time after obtaining his first."

Note to self: Include the identity of inventors for future Computational Divination.