Hey guys Solarking here with the next chapter for Danger and Destiny. If you have been following either Alternate Lives or Past, Present and Future, then I suggest you go check my profile page, and then come back to read this chapter. As mentioned in my profile, I will be doing a Persona 4 story in addition to this one and am currently planning it out. Otherwise enjoy this new chapter as we now get on with the main plot of the story. I do not own Sacred Blacksmith; I only own the plot and my OCs Gabriel and Marina.

CH. 4: Newfound Friends

It was a quiet night in the forest outside of Housman with not much to be heard under the sky littered with bright stars. The only sight to be seen was a single man walking through the forest at a leisurely pace. The man was dressed in a black cloak to keep himself hidden, even though there was really no one to see him in the first place. This solitary wanderer was named Siegfried and he was contemplating his recent loss at the hands of a teenage blacksmith and a rookie female knight. Siegfried could hardly believe that his plans were ruined by two teenagers who seemed to have a hard time getting along. His plan had been ingenious, convincing others to sign demon contracts and watching the chaos unfold in front of his very eyes. Nobody would have ever believed that he was the elusive "man in black" that had been the cause of all the problems, after all he was a commander in the Empire's army, there was no reason for people to doubt him. On that first night, he never would have imagined that someone would be able to defeat the demon that was once the bandit leader, yet he was proved wrong by the blacksmith. Then, that old knight Jack Strader was defeated as well, despite the fact that he also signed a demon contract.

After all was said and done, Siegfried had been forced to retreat after his cover had been blown by the blacksmith and the lady-knight. But that didn't matter anymore, he had a new plan up his sleeve, and it was a good one that would surely do the trick this time. Siegfried was currently on his way to the place where he would meet with his new accomplice, which was a small cabin in the middle of the forest. He had first spoken to his new "friend" on the road between the Garrison State and Housman after hearing rumors about him. Apparently the person in question was someone who had recently came to the area from who knows where, overseas or something probably. The two didn't have much time to speak, and Siegfried hadn't been able to see what the person had looked like because he too was wearing a cloak. The two had exchanged ideals and goals and decided to speak again in the future.

Siegfried could finally see the cabin in the distance meaning his trek was over. The cabin he spotted was pretty big considering that it was in the middle of the forest, and the man had probably built it himself because it looked as if it was in pristine condition. Collecting his thoughts Siegfried approached the door to the cabin and knocked on it gently, yet loud enough to be heard.

"Who is it?" a voice called out from behind the door. Strangely enough that voice sounded feminine, not like the figure he had spoken to before who had clearly been male.

"It's Siegfried; we had talked a few days ago."

"Oh, hold on one second." The voice responded as the door opened. As soon as the door opened Siegfried knew that his observation was right, this was clearly a woman. She looked to be around the same age as Cecily Cambell, but with a few differences. The girl had long dark blue hair, deep lavender colored eyes and vanilla colored skin. She wore a blue corset top which was meant to show of her huge bust, a short blue skirt that showed off her midriff, she also wore dark blue stockings and sandals. Siegfried knew one thing; this girl obviously had a thing for the color blue. She stepped aside and offered him a seat until she ran off into another room. While he was alone, Siegfried had a chance to properly get a look at the inside of the cabin. It was very neat and orderly looking with nice furniture all around as well as a weapons rack that was holding many very nicely polished swords. The thing that caught his attention was that many of the swords seemed to be just like the katanas Luke Ainsworth used. A few moments later the girl re-appeared with a man this time; well maybe boy was the better word. The boy had short raven colored hair, dark brown eyes and tan skin. He wore an outfit similar to the one the blacksmith wears, except for the fact that the shirt was red with no cape and the pants were white, he also wore black boots similar to what a military official would wear.

"Well, it's good to able to finally speak to you again, especially face to face like this." The boy said happily.

"Though I must say, you don't quite look like what I had been expecting."

"Really, well I was wearing a cloak after all, I figured you would have been able to tell by the sound of my voice, but that isn't important right now, would you like anything to drink Siegfried?"

"Tea will be enough for now." The boy didn't look old enough to even drink something like alcohol, so tea would have to do Siegfried decided.

"Marina, could you bring us two cups of tea." The boy beckoned to the girl in the other room. The girl Siegfried had met before was apparently named Marina, though he still really didn't know who she actually was.

"By the way," the boy started while turning back to Siegfried," I don't think I ever introduced myself, my name is Gabriel, or just Gabe for short."

"Well then, it's good to meet you Gabriel." After his short introduction the blue haired girl named Marina re-entered the room with two cups of tea on a tray which she then distributed to both men. She then took a seat on Gabriel's lap, evident that she was someone special to him.

"I don't think the two of you have been introduced yet, Siegfried this is my fiancée Marina, Marina this is Siegfried a new friend of mine."

"Hello, it nice to meet you Siegfried." Marina said politely to which Siegfried returned with a friendly smile. The two men quickly finished their tea before continuing to more serious business.

"I'd like to get past all of the pleasantries and get on to why we are meeting here because I cannot stay for very long." Siegfried started.

"Of course, where would you like to begin?"

"How about our common interest in Valbanill and his power, I believe that there is much potential in the power of Valbanill as well as the demon swords, an untapped power that could benefit people willing to wiled this power. If I may ask, why are you so interested in Valbanill Gabriel?"

"Well, I actually have the same idea as you do Siegfried, discovering power that one can use to better mankind, no matter where it comes from and no matter how one must obtain it." This made Siegfried smile, the two of them did in fact have the same goals after all, which means they can better work together to accomplish said goals.

"I have something else to show you Siegfried, Marina if you'd please." Marina hopped off Gabriel's lap and stood in front of the two men.

Marina took a deep breath and raised her hands above her saying," Shake off your slumber, immerse yourself in the waters of destiny, grab hold of fate and slay God." Marina was enveloped in gushing water and when the water disappeared a sword was stuck in the floor where she had been standing. The blade of the sword was dazzling silver with a blue hilt, there were intricate designs in blue along the blade and a white chain was dangling off the hilt.

"Hmm, this is an interesting turn of events," Siegfried started with an amused expression," now I can see why Marina wears so much blue, it's very fitting for the demon sword of water, might I ask how you came to find her?"

Gabriel stood up quietly and pulled Marina out of the floor saying," I'm not really sure to be honest, there are parts of my life I cannot recall, all I remember is waking up in a field and seeing Marina. She started talking with me as if we had known each other for a long time, that we were destined to be together, and fated to obtain ultimate power, I can't remember anything from before that, sorry."

"No need to apologize, amnesia is quite a serious setback, knowing that you possess a demon sword is quite enough, after all your memory may very well come back in the future, once it does come back then you can tell me your story."

"Of course I will, Marina dear you can change back now." With Gabriel's words the demon sword was enveloped in a pillar of water and when it disappeared Marian was there standing in her human form.

"So Siegfried bet you didn't expect me to be a demon sword right?" Marina asked him with a smug grin on her face.

"It was quite a surprise after all, but you being the demon sword of water certainly explains why your outfit is so blue." The group sat in a comfortable silence until Gabriel spoke up after a few moments.

"It's already pretty late; why don't you stay here tonight Siegfried, Marina and I wouldn't feel right if we made you walk all the way back from where you came from at this time of day."

Siegfried weighed his options for a few seconds eventually saying," Alright then, I'll take you up on your offer." Gabriel gave a nod to Marina who showed Siegfried off to the guest room.

Once Siegfried was alone in the guest room, he began to contemplate everything that had happened since he had arrived at the cabin. Gabriel and Marina were certainly friendly people, at least to him; they also seemed to be very in love with each other which was made clear by their engagement. They also seemed reliable and that they would be willing to do anything to accomplish their goals, which Siegfried liked. There was also the fact that Marina is a demon sword, having someone else who can wiled a demon sword at his side would very much come in handy, especially since she has a human form. Yes, Siegfried could already tell that Gabriel would in fact be an excellent accomplice.

In the adjacent room Gabriel was already in bed holding Marina close to him as they discussed the day's previous events.

"I think it was a good idea to decide to meet with Siegfried, don't you Marina my love."

"Yep, I agree with you, if we work with Siegfried I'm sure we will obtain ultimate power in no time." That was all Marina could say before she drifted off into sleep snuggled against Gabriel's muscular chest. He took one last moment to give her a good-night kiss before he too fell asleep.

The next morning the three enjoyed a light breakfast before Siegfried got ready to depart.

"So Siegfried, where will we meet next?" Gabriel asked.

"Ah, excellent you two have decided to join me," he started to which Gabriel and Marina nodded," here this piece of parchment gives you the exact date, time and location for our next meeting, make sure to keep it safe at all costs."

"Don't worry we will and farewell for now." Marina said as Siegfried headed out the door and off into the distance. And with this meeting everything had been finally set into motion.

Alright, that is a wrap hope you enjoyed the chapter. If Siegfried seemed a bit OOC I apologize, I figured that if he is working together with Gabriel and Marina he would be pleasant with them. Also I hope Gabriel and Marina were fine for everyone because they are a big part to the story. On another note, the Persona 4 story I previously mentioned will focus on an OC X Rise relationship, more info on my OC will be up either tonight or tomorrow. Please remember to review, favorite and follow I'd really appreciate it, until next we meet Solarking out.