Ch 160: Leap of faith.

"Medb, your break is over!" grinned Akeno as they entered the house.

"Tche. It won't change anything. You have twenty-five days left, then it's my turn."

Medb wasn't anywhere near broken yet, even though she found the experience of being treated as a sex slave more pleasant than expected. But she wasn't going to ever admit that, especially to Akeno.

"Welcome back, everyone." smiled Sakura.

"Thank you, Sakura." said Akeno with a gentle smile.

"Her turn?" asked Hippolyta.

"Medb lost to me, and since then, we have a challenge going on, one of willpower and skill. The loser becomes the winner's slave, much like what happened earlier tonight."

"I didn't lose to you! Darkness did, this useless perverted Master!"

If Darkness was present, Akeno did doubt that she would be very pleased to be dissed in this manner. But before they left tonight, Akeno had bound Darkness in her bedroom. She expected to see her still straddling a sybian.

"Yes. Medb, this is Hippolyta, also a Rider class Servant. Hippolyta, this is Medb. I hope you'll get along."

"Yes, pleased to meet you." said Hippolyta with a nod.

"Same here. And another Servant, and her Master, I presume?" asked Medb as she looked past Akeno's shoulder.

"Tomoe Gozen and Genos, yes. Only two more Masters to defeat, and the Holy Grail should appear near the temple."

Tomoe and Genos introduced themselves.

"One of the two Masters should be Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, a teacher of the Mage Association." said Hippolyta, remembering something. "Waver mentioned his name after receiving information from someone in London. A strong Magus, but rigid and old-fashioned, according to him."

"I know him." nodded Rin. "The stereotypical Magus, proud and arrogant as hell. The one good thing I can say about him is that he is too proud to stoop to using humans as experiments."

"Thank you for the information, Hippolyta. I've got a call to make, to inform Noah that our little contest is over. After that, Sakura, Medusa, I'd like you to follow me inside the Sanctuary."

"Yes, Akeno-senpai." happily smiled Sakura, and Medusa nodded.

"Hehe. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on a wall." chuckled Chisato, who was then elbowed by Asuka.

"Don't be rude."

Akeno smiled as she left the living room to isolate herself. In a sense.

Darkness was still straddling the sybian beside the bed, and Akeno praised her foresight for putting towels on the ground beforehand. They had proven their usefulness.

The source of all those love juices was still quivering as she was impaled on the single dildo protruding from the machine. She didn't have any choice on the matter, as her legs were kept folded by leather straps, and her arms were stuck into a box armbinder. Darkness has also been gagged and blindfolded, and earmuffs covered her ears.

Akeno smiled as she removed the earmuffs and lifted the blindfold.

"Mmph!" moaned Darkness. Pink heart-shaped marks glowed slightly in her pupils, a side-effect of her Thrall Crest being above level 30.

"I see someone had a lot of fun while we were away."

Darkness moaned again as she nodded.

"I'll keep you like this for a few minutes before I release you. I hope you won’t mind."

"Mmpho."

"Good girl." Akeno put the blindfold and earmuffs back in place and sat on the edge of the bed to call Noah.

"Akeno?"

"Hi, Noah. I miss you."

"I miss you too, Akeno. I'm glad you called. Although I'm a bit busy right now."

"Should I call later?"

"It's fine. I could use a short break. Just let me get those guys… And done."

"Is that gunshots and screams I'm hearing?"

"Yeah. I'm purging some genocidal scumbags in the Middle-East. A little over nine thousand targets to deal with, and that's not counting the rank-and-file soldiers who take shots at us, and we retaliate in kind."

"We?"

"Me, Raynare, Mittelt, Kalawarna, Rinne, Seigi, Rikimaru, Yotaka, Kuroka. I'm going solo, the girls by pairs, and we're about half-way done already. At our current rate, we have about three more hours of work to be done, counting a few breaks to recharge our batteries, and the rest of the world will hopefully learn a valuable lesson about the consequences of genocide. The leaders are last on our list. I want them to squirm as they realize what is going to happen to them."

"Sure. And the rest of the world is going to take you more seriously after that."

"Yes, there's that, too."

"Well, I called you to speak of a more pleasant matter. It's done, Noah. Genos surrendered."

"That's great news! I don't have to worry anymore that another Champion would seize you and steal you from me."

Akeno smiled fondly, as she could hear the relief and happiness in Noah's voice.

"Yeah. I'm here to stay, Noah. You won't get rid of me so easily." chuckled Akeno.

"You won't hear me complain."

"There's another thing. Lilith-sama rewarded me with a Reinforcement Ticket. By using it, I can bring one member of your harem over. But she won't be able to come back."

"Oh, that's… interesting. Will you choose Rias?"

"I've considered it, and she would be my second choice, if she's willing, but I have someone else in mind…"

Akeno smiled as she paused, using the tip of her boot to touch Darkness as she had another orgasm. The awareness that she was being watched by Akeno only turned her on even more.

"Don't give me a cliffhanger, Akeno. I hate those."

"How impatient… Fine. It's Takina."

"…Chisato will be very happy. Takina, too. She's adapting well to life in the island, and everyone is treating her gently, but she looks away every time our gazes meet."

"Yeah. I'm going to sit on that ticket for a few days before I use it. That gives you some time to work your wiles on Takina while you still can. Takina needs to be part of your harem for it to work anyway."

"Thanks for the heads up, Akeno. I'll get started after we finish business here."

"Yes. I'll leave you to it. I have things to do on my side as well. See you later, Noah. Love you."

"I love you to. Take care, Akeno."

Putting her smartphone back in her pocket, Akeno stopped the sybian and freed Darkness from her bonds.

"How many times did you cum, my sweet slave?" smiled Akeno as she used more towels to wipe the sweat and juices of Darkness's naked body.

"I'm not sure. Over a dozen… But your torture hasn't broken my will to resist! You may do as you please with my body, but you won't toy with…"

"Yes, yes." Cut in Akeno. "You just had a session, don't be too greedy for more already. The shower is that way. Go back in the living room when you're ready, Genos and two more Servants have joined us."

"Oh, so you have won. Congratulations." smiled Darkness.

"Thank you. Which means no other Champion will save you from mine and Noah's clutches. I'm sure you're very sad about it."

Darkness couldn't hide her twisted smile.

…

As the sun rose over the horizon, Kirei Kotomine sighed as he saw Caren sweep the Church's floor. He wasn't a stranger to manual labor, and he knew that Caren did her share of chores like any other Priest or Sister, but there was something about her expression…

Since she had returned from that botched operation, Caren was… different. She didn't seem to take as much joy as she once did in performing simple tasks in God's Service.

He had his suspicions, of course. It might be that the weight of the lives lost during that fight weighted on her. Or, the things Akeno had revealed to her about the Church might have shaken her faith. Kirei fervently hoped it was the former.

Caren was, after all, his daughter, the only child his wife gave him before she passed away, even if their relationship had always been somewhat distant. It was his own fault, as he didn't really love her, just as he didn't really love her mother. But daughter or not, if Caren turned her back on the Inquisition, he would be powerless to stop the others from taking action.

…

Caren swept the floor to try to distract herself from her own thoughts, but they just wouldn't go away.

Since her return from that place, her confession to her Father, and the ensuing chastisement, she didn't see the Church and the Inquisition with the same eye. And that caused her to reconsider everything. Innocuous happenstances in the past didn't seem to random anymore, remarks that might be interpreted as callous, who she had chalked off as awkward forms of speech or social ineptitude didn't sound so innocent anymore.

The more she considered, the more her doubts grew.

Caren had started seeing the dark side of the Church, and she couldn't ignore it.

She spent most of the day trying to solve this inner conflict as she prayed or did more chores, and finally, her feverish mind had a revelation.

She needed to challenge Akeno, the one who had caused her to doubt the Church, to a duel.

It was nothing less than a Leap of Faith.

She needed to entrust her fate to God, and keep faith.

If she truly served God as part of the Inquisition, God would ensure she would somehow prevail despite the odds, and her faith would be restored, stronger than ever.

And if she didn't, if God didn't support her, it would mean that Akeno was the one doing God's work, and Caren had unknowingly committed grave sins being part of the Inquisition. In that case, the endless torment she would suffer in Akeno's hands would be nothing less than she deserved.

Father Kirei had just gone out to buy groceries. She quickly scribbled a letter explaining her intentions, put on her combat uniform, and left the church, walking with determined steps toward the Tohsaka residence.

…

Akeno groaned as Sakura, naked aside from the black leather collar around her neck, rode her. Their bodies were linked together by Corruption, and they had been at it for a while. Medusa was laying on Akeno's left side, half-conscious from exhaustion.

"Senpai…" gasped Sakura. "I'm… Cumming again." gasped Sakura, pink hearts in her pupils, her body glistening with sweat.

"Yes, cum for me, my sweet Sakura." smiled Akeno as she helped her by moving her hips.

Sakura cried out as she shuddered, then collapsed on Akeno's chest. They kissed together, then Akeno gently pulled Sakura off Corruption and laid her on her right, where they cuddled together.

"You are so beautiful, Sakura." said Akeno with a soft smile, one hand gently playing with Sakura's purple hair.

"Not as beautiful as you, Senpai." honestly said Sakura.

"I do have the benefit of the soul contract. Once you sign it, you too, Sakura, will have your beauty and charisma enhanced."

"Yes, Senpai."

"Sakura, earlier tonight, your Crest has reached level 50. Medusa as well. From now on, you both are going to have some erotic dreams while you sleep."

"Yes, Mistress." said Medusa.

"Dreams of you, Senpai? I wouldn't mind that." smiled Sakura.

"Me, and possibly Noah as well. I know you haven't met him properly and just spoken to him on the phone a few times, but he cares a lot about you, and he will treat you just as well as I do."

"Yes, Senpai."

"…Are you happy, Sakura? Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Sakura smiled and shook her head as she was about to answer, but she suddenly hesitated.

"Oh? It seems you thought of something."

"…That… Senpai, can I ask for a favor?"

"Of course. Although I do not guarantee I'll agree."

"Yes. It's about, Nee-san."

"What bour Rin?"

"She doesn't want me to remain by your side. And, although I am happy now, there is still a part of me who still resent her, for those years of pain. I know she isn't responsible, but the resentment won't go away. So… Senpai, please let me train Nee-san to be your sex slave!"

Akeno didn't answer immediately as she considered it. She found the idea interesting, but she would have to keep a close eye on Sakura, to stop her from going overboard.

The days Akeno, Sakura and Medusa spent in the Sanctuary weren't filled with just sex and cuddling. They also spent some time training. Akeno sparred with Medusa, trying to limit her use of Shunpo and Augment to increase the difficulty, and Sakura was learning how to use the power she inherited from Angra Mainyu. She could now summon the black ribbons and alter their shape, but couldn't open the entrance to the dimensional space yet, and her control of the ribbons was spotty.

At times, they escaped her control and tried to grab anything in range. Anything included Akeno, who wasn't protected from those ribbons now that they weren't imbued with Angra Mainyu's evil. Two days ago, the ribbons had erupted from Sakura's shadow and tied Akeno to the bed, and she had let Sakura play the role of the dominant for once.

"I will let you do it on three conditions, Sakura. You must first complete your own training and sign the Soul Contract. It is now only a matter of a few days, I think. You must completely master your new abilities. I do not want you to risk losing control and cause injuries to Rin. And you will do it under my supervision, so I can be sure you do not go overboard as you vent your frustration. I will likely be training someone else at the time, and we will do it together."

"Thank you, Senpai." smiled Sakura. "I will be careful, and I will properly teach Nee-san the happiness of being yours."

"Yes. I suspect that Rin is also harboring some guilt about you being the one who was sent to the Matou, so giving you an opportunity to vent on her should also do her some good. As long as you do not go too far. Your relationship with her is much better, and it would be a pity to ruin it."

"Yes, Senpai. I will follow your instructions to the letter." promised Sakura.

"Good girl." said Akeno before kissing Sakura.

…

Everyone was gathered in the kitchen and having dinner, appreciating as usual the food prepared by Akeno, Medea and Tamamo, when they heard the ring bell.

"Akeno, are you expecting someone at this hour?" asked Rin.

"No? Virtually all the people I know in this world are gathered here."

"Okay." said Rin as she stood and went to check on the visitor.

A few moments later, she came back, a confused expression on her face.

"Akeno, it's Caren. She came alone, and she says she want to challenge you to a duel."

"What! This idiot!" exclaimed Ciel.

Akeno repressed a smile as she left the table and followed Rin back at the entrance.

Caren stood beside the door, a resolute and serene expression on her face. This slightly surprised Akeno, as she had expected to see her start preaching on sight.

"Caren, you came back after barely a day. I seem to remember warning you about what would happen if you did."

"You warned me, yes." nodded Caren with a calm voice. "And it was my decision. I came not as a representative of the Church, or as a member of the Inquisition, but as a humble servant of the Lord. Akeno, I wish to challenge you to a duel. If I lose, you can do anything you want with me."

"…And if you win? What do you want in return? Or is it a duel to the death?"

"No." said Caren as she shook her head. "If I win, I want you to accompany me to the church, confess the sins you committed while I was in your custody, promise you will not spread lies about the church anymore, and endure a hundred strikes of the flog as chastisement. I will forgive your sins, and you can be on your way."

"That sounds, quite lenient of you, Caren." smiled Akeno.

"I have reflected a lot since yesterday. You have showed me that my faith… wasn't a strong as I believed it to be. And I should thank you for that. But that is also why I must defeat you, in order to overcome my weakness and atone for it."

"…I see." nodded Akeno, seeing Caren with a new eye. She had first considered her as a mere fanatic, then as a hardcore masochist. But the Caren that stood in front of her was someone she could respect.

"It's a bit early for a duel, and there are still some civilians on the streets. How about you come in and share dinner with us for now? Rin, would you allow it?"

"As long as she doesn't cause trouble. If she blows up my house, I'll have you compensate me." said Rin.

Caren hesitated for a second, looking down the street at the people going home, and nodded.

…

An hour later, after they all gathered outside of the house, Akeno activated her Reality Marble.

Caren glanced at the two Rulers standing to the side with everyone else, hoping to find some support. The revelation that two agents of the Lord, one of them being one of the most famous saintesses of the Church, were on friendly terms with Akeno and her faction, was a huge shock for her and created new cracks in her faith.

Melusine returned her gaze without expression, while Jeanne smiled in compassion and understanding, but shook her head slightly to convey her lack of support.

Caren took a deep breath and focused on her opponent. Akeno was standing twenty meters away, a black katana in hand, waiting for Caren to be ready.

She took a deep breath, flexed her legs whole lowering her body slightly, and slipped her hands in the lateral slits of her skirt, reaching for the weapons strapped to her thighs. Her hands came out holding three Black Keys each between her fingers. The weapons, with a very short and thin hilt and guard, and a long, narrow, straight blade forty centimeters long, were too long to be considered daggers, but too short to be considered swords.

The Black Keys were the staple weapon of the Inquisition, used both as throwing weapons and for melee combat.

Caren looked at Akeno and saw her nod, indicting the start of the duel. She muttered a short prayer.

"O domine, ut has laminas ad verum feriendum." (Oh Lord, may you guide those blades to strike true).

Caren felt heat from the core of her body travel along her arms to the Black Keys, and ran toward Akeno as she swiftly waved her arms horizontally and released four of the Black Keys, firing them in an arc. Imbued with the Lord's blessing, the blades adopted a curved trajectory, heading toward Akeno. They would reach her target a fraction of a second before Caren herself did, forcing Akeno to defend against near simultaneous attacks coming from her left, right and front.

Just before the blades reached her, Akeno's left arm moved at blurring speed, Caren didn't see clearly how she did it, but in an instant, one of the Black keys was held in Akeno's left hand, and the three others had been deflected.

Caren slashed with both hands, but both of her blades were intercepted by the black katana and the Black Key held by Akeno. The momentum she had built with her charge failed to push Akeno back, and it was Caren who was forced back. Before she could correct her posture, Akeno crouched and performed a sweep with her right leg, and Caren's leg were caught. Before she could get of the ground, the tip of Akeno's sword was against her throat.

Caren froze, then went limp and stared at the black starry sky. Her eyes filled with tears. At no point in this duel, short as it was, had she felt any sign of God's approval or support.

This was the last straw, and she had last accepted that God was on Akeno's side. And that made the rest easy to accept.

Wiping her eyes, she raised her upper body, shifted her position, and knelt before Akeno.

"I have lost. Do anything you want with me. But, I beg you, give me an opportunity to redeem myself."

"Redeem yourself? You mean about that attack yesterday?"

"…Not just yesterday, but for everything I did as part of the Inquisition as well. I realize that, that I never truly served the Lord before. I was, just a fool. I want to make up for what I did."

"You will have your chance, Caren. Stand up."

"Thank you, Akeno."

"Of course, that will be only after we are done with your punishment." smiled Akeno.

Caren nodded quietly, trying to ignore the effect Akeno's words had on her body. Her womb started tingling again.

…

Caren stared in awe as Akeno was being trashed around. Even her unbelievable speed didn't protect her as Scathach bullied her around the wooden house. Scathach was simply too skilled, anticipating Akeno's moves and punishing any opening. Akeno already had to cast healing on herself multiple times to heal broken bones or wounds in non-vital points, as her regeneration just couldn't keep up.

"I must admit, Caren, you impress me. I didn't think you had it in you to admit your wrongdoings." said Ciel, standing beside her as she too watched the 'spar'.

Just like Caren, she was dressed in a black and white cotton maid uniform, with long gloves and stockings, a leather collar around her neck, and a chastity belt under her skirt. The belts stimulated them at random intervals for a few seconds, reminding them of their presence, but weren't trying to edge them and were easy to tolerate.

"I am ashamed that it took me so long to see clearly. But do not underestimate my devotion to the Lord." nodded Caren.

"I won't. it was the right decision, Caren. I have seen enough by now to confirm it. Akeno may not be a servant of the Lord, and she may not be a catholic, but her actions are what the Lord expects of his followers. Well, minus her perverted side. And she told me that in her timeline, there are several catholic girls in Noah's harem. They pray to the Lord and to Lilith both."

"I see... Do you think we will get trained by Scathach as well?"

Scathach heard and turned her head toward them, leaving Akeno a gasping heap on the ground.

"if you wish to, or if Akeno or Rin ask me to."

Ciel and Caren both gulped.

…

"That's just too much!" protested Akeno after nearly three hours of being thrown around and having her body pierced by Scathach's spear more time than she cared to count.

Even through she was a masochist, the intense beating disguised as a spar that Scathach subjected her to, deprived of any sexual context, didn't arouse her at all. She was just experiencing suffering.

Scathach looked at her with an unreadable expression for a few seconds, then sighed.

"You need something more to motivate you… From now on, as long as you can endure four hours without giving up, I will reward you by letting you lay with me. You can vent your frustrations on my body then."

Scathach didn't mind using her own body as a reward for her disciples. She had done that a lot in the past. And as she expected, it was enough for Akeno to become fired up.

"Bring it on!" shouted Akeno as she jumped to her feet.