The three cautiously entered, weapons drawn and eyes searching the entirety of the area. It was dim, but the lights coming from a series of test tubes lit up the room enough for the trio to have a general idea of what surrounded them, but not what awaited them. Here too, papers were scattered about and a series of machines that still seemed to be functioning as intended gently whirred amidst the silence.
“This is getting weirder by the second,” Axle muttered.
“Look over there.” Vincent said before pointing to some of the tubes further in. “There's something inside of them. Some kind of creatures?”
Samson swallowed the statement hard. He could not help but feel that it may have been the end result of the missing Cerebians, and if so there may not have been a point of return for them. “Let's investigate it.” He told his party before cautiously approaching. He walked over to the tube and looked up to it, and the creature within seemed to gaze back at him before hissing. “What on Jienda...is that?”
A creature black as a raven's feathers with bright yellow eyes but a lack of irises rested within the tubes, remaining afloat by the wires that were attached to its back and flanks. Its body was massive, easily dwarfing even Samson-broad shoulders and massive claw-like hands and feet with a body that large enough to easily crush a human.
“I've...never seen something like that before.”
“It's not the only one either. There are smaller ones in those other tubes.” Axle added before pointing to the others nearby. In spite of what he said, there were definitely others, but they did not look complete-some seemed to be just taking shape, and others still had a humanoid shape, but were half-transformed.
The creature snarled once more and Samson placed his hands to the glass before gazing at the creature. Though it was just slightly-ever so slightly, he could have sworn he had heard a voice hidden in the growl. “Virgil...?”
“So you've come...just as I knew you would!” A voice from nearby caught their attention and the trio turned their focus to the speaker further in the laboratory. A single man wearing a lab coat, brown pants and black boots opposed them-he had short, tousled navy blue hair and had sharp features hidden behind a pair of glasses. “Well? Where is he?”
Samson took a step forward and held out a hand to keep the other two back-he had little idea what the man would do, but he would not take any chances with risking the lives of the members in his care. “Who are you talking about?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you not know of him? The usurper?” His uneasy expression suddenly turned into a devilish grin. “Ha! Excellent! So the heroes of the Old World have slain him! Then my research shall continue unhindered, save for this little disturbance, but I'll have you dealt with quickly.” He turned to the console behind him and began manipulating it. “Come my minions!”
Without a second thought Samson immediately rushed towards him but before he could catch up the man broke away from the console and fled towards an emergency exit. As he did the sound of sirens blaring sounded around them and the liquid inside of the tubes began to drain. Without a doubt, that man likely was the leader of these experiments, which meant he knew about the Cerebians, and by extension the Exalted One making him a target that need be captured. But if he did so, the Agasura would run loose and likely follow the hostages to the surface-if they did, not only would the Cerebians be in danger, but also the people of Aoich. He had never seen anything like them, and a majority of the Angels in Bastion had not even advanced to their second class yet. Challenging something like it would only lead to their deaths. He clenched his dagger tightly as he watched the man escape into the light of an exit and sighed deeply before turning to the tube that housed the creature. As the water was completely drained from the container it began to move, breaking free of its bindings and shattering the glass shortly after before falling to the ground and rising to its feet. It let out an ear-piercing roar as others followed suit, though some seeming to lack the strength or the ability to survive under typical conditions.
Samson closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. If what the scientist had said was to be pondered, that creature...what was once the titan Virgil was not likely the only one of its kind. There were others, and the trio likely did not have much time before they found their way to them. “Rook, Zero, our mission begins now! We can't let these Agasura escape the Dark Moon's caverns under any circumstances! They die here, no exceptions!” He roared.
“We'll follow your lead captain!” Axle shouted in turn before readying his weapon.
“Is this what they've been doing to our kind? I'll never forgive them!” Vincent snarled as he took to the vanguard.
Samson tapped his guild badge twice while keeping a close eye on his party.
[Guild]Samson(Whisper): Dancer we've come across opposition. It seems to be a new type of Agasura-once the citizens are evacuated, evacuate all the other members of Bastion and the other guilds immediately!
He waited a couple of moments for Reina's reply but he was met with silence. A cold sweat came over him and a greater sense of unease began to well up from deep within. His thoughts began to race as he searched for some kind of explanation, all in order to avoid the truth that he could not bring himself to believe-that both she and Salem had fallen. If he let his fears overcome him now he would break focus and put not only himself, but the others following him at risk.
[Guild]Samson(Whisper): Dancer, are you there? Come in! Dancer!
[Guild]Cleo(Mystic): Is the guild master out cold Whisper?
[Guild]Samson(Whisper): That seems to be the case. For the time being direct any important messages to me and I'll direct you accordingly.
[Guild]Cleo(Mystic): Yes sir! Be careful down there. We've met up with Muse and are getting these guys out of here as we speak.
[Guild]Samson(Whisper): Thanks. You and the others, be careful too.
He turned back to the creature that turned its head between the two groups, and his guild mates who cautiously waited for his orders. “Let's go you two! Muse is on the way, so be careful!” He told them. With a nod he lead the two into battle.
“Bravery Shout!” Vincent said raising his weapon skyward. Upon his words Samson felt a bit tougher.
Axle placed both hands to his head before leaning back and stomping a foot down as he roared, “Berserker Drive!”
Samson leapt from behind and thrusted his dagger into the creature's back but the weapon neither pierced nor flinched it. As if it were armoured the blade seemed to slide off, but still leave a mark where it collided. “...What?” He asked as it took a swipe at him. He cartwheeled backwards while Vincent and Axle followed up his attack. Vincent rushed in shield first and bashed it while Axle moved from a flank with a powerful vertical strike. He drew his blade back and it hit the weapon, forcing him into one of the empty tubes.
“This thing's tough as nails! What's it made of?!” He shouted as he scrambled to his feet.
“Let's both strike Whisper!” Vincent shouted as he pulled his shield away and readied his mace.
“Got it.” Samson answered lunging towards it again. While Vincent performed Multiple Hits Samson attacked the legs with Dark Dagger. He cut with all the might he could muster but none of his blows seemed to pierce its skin. It raised both fists and slammed them down, causing the Knight to leap away and Samson to somersault towards Axle.
The Warrior used the Treasure Hunter's head to climb over during his sprint and as he came to a grinding halt held his blade high. “Atomic Break!” He shouted as he brought the blade down. It raised a hand and caught the blade which stopped Axle mid-swing, and ripped it from his grasp before throwing it aside and shattering one of the tubes. “Shit!” The creature lunged at him this time and knocked him to the floor before reeling a claw back.
At that moment Vincent came charging in again with his shield bearing the brunt of his body and collided with the Agasura, knocking it off of Axle and giving him enough time to get to his feet again. “Looks like we can't challenge it head on, or it'll just beat us with pure brute force. We'll have to attack its blind spots.”
“It has incredible reaction times, but its movements are still rather slow, so we should use that to our advantage. I can get in a lot of strikes, but if you plan to challenge it be careful Rook.” Samson said as he brought Axle's blade over.
He grinned. “It's my duty. Just leave it to me.”
The Treasure Hunter nodded at the two and they took it by storm. Samson went in first, grabbing its attention before side-stepping a swipe and lunging in from behind with a stab and a horizontal strike. Before it could turn to attempt to hit him again he was already retreating while Vincent came in to hit it across the face once with his mace and once on the shoulder. It lunged forward and grabbed hold of his entire body, lifting him up as he struggled to break free and Axle used the opportunity to make his move. He flipped and brought down his broadsword over it before pulling away and coming in a second time with a spinning slash. It tossed Vincent into him and the two were sent tumbling away before it roared and stormed at the two.
“I won't let you!” Samson roared as he stormed from behind and leapt onto its back. It reached behind it to pull him off and he leapt away from it, landing against a test tube and thrusting off of it to fly past and cut across it once. He somersaulted to his feet and helped Vincent back up who picked up Axle in turn. “Next!” He turned back to it and charged it head on, it prepared to knock him aside. As it took a swing he held his buckler up and parried the blow before thrusting his dagger into the arm and falling back behind it. He raised his weapon and brought it down quickly with a strong strike while Vincent followed in his wake.
“Mystery Rod!” He shouted swinging it once horizontally and following up with a second rising attack. As he landed on his feet it brought its fist down and he held his shield up to stop the attack. “Now Zero!”
Axle emerged from behind Vincent wearing a wide grin as he hauled his blade from the ground in an upward swing. “Time Breaker!” The sound of the blade cutting the air itself followed in his wake as he sliced the Agasura and brought it down a second time before holding the blade up for an Atomic Break.
As it recoiled from Axle's onslaught Samson followed in their wake with Masquerade before Axle finished charging his strike. After he brought the blade down the trio backed away to catch their breaths. “Are you two holding up alright?”
“Could be worse?” Vincent chuckled as he rolled his shoulders.
“I used so much SP...” Axle muttered as he doubled over. Warriors were not known for their high Special Power counts, but their ability to end battles quickly made up the difference. In a situation like this though, any would find themselves at quite the disadvantage. “My Berserker Drive's run out too.”
“Hang in there. I'm sure Muse will be here soon.” Samson assured them.
“Soon my ass! I'm already here.” Miranda's voice echoed from the entrance.
“It's about damn time don't you think? I could outrun you in this armour, roller blades or not!” Vincent snarled.
“Do you want me to choke you with the strings on my hallow?! Consider yourself lucky I've decided to help you!”
“Rook watch yourself!” Samson shouted as the Agasura stormed towards him and knocked him back with a swipe from its claw. The Treasure Hunter's warning saved him from the blow which he blocked just barely in time, but the force pushed him into Axle and the two were sent skidding backwards.
“Thanks Zero,” He said with knit eyebrows.
“Maybe you should put me in your armour, considering how much the two of us bump into each other.” He joked.
“What the fuck is that?” Miranda asked with a look of disgust.
“Hell if we know.” Axle shrugged.
“Don't let your guard down you three!” Samson shouted again as he dodged past a giant fist and stole a glance at the others. A shadow seemed to creep up on the boys and sprung from the ground in the form of three spikes, grazing both Axle and Vincent-tearing the former's shirt slightly, cutting him and scratching the latter's armour. “I knew it...there are others approaching. Everyone, take to the outside! It's not safe in here!”
At his words the Angels fled to the adjacent room and he quickly followed in their wake, the four prepared their weapons as the three shadows emerged from within the dark room.
Vanir
The barista looked upon Dark Moon Castle as he stroked his ponytail uneasily. He really did not plan to get involved, since technically it was the Cerebians' problem, and his meddling had both its banes and boons. But there was a certain someone who made it his problem, and if that person was there then he would have to get involved. He sighed gently as he placed the hood of his cloak over his head.
“What's wrong Master?” Skuld asked before glancing at him through upturned eyes. She too wore a cloak like his, just big enough for her. It really was a waste, that.
“What isn't wrong? I'm willing to bet two thousand ely that asshole of a doctor is in there. You can feel it too, right? That energy?” He asked.
The Brownie nodded gravely. “It's definitely the energy of an Animus Legionem.”
“More like a fake.”
She knit her eyebrows. “But it still raises a lot of questions, don't you think Master? How did he get his hands on that sort of power? During our exile there was no way he could've taken his research with him.”
Vanir scoffed at the thought. “Remember that we weren't the first, Skuld. We're in another time and another place-this is where it all began. We can't go so far back that we could prevent the beginning, but we can certainly stop it before it gets out of hand. That kid...what'd the kid call him? The Exalted One? It's his DNA. That bastard doctor must have gotten a hold of him, and tampered with it to create those creatures. The fact they're here means he's nearby too.”
“We could go after him...” The way her voice trailed off he could tell it was the last thing on her mind.
“We could. You know, I really want to. But the kids are in trouble. And trouble they are...” He rubbed his temples gently. “This is one of those times huh? The gods sure love to jerk us about don't they? We either save the kids, or catch the culprit.” Skuld looked to him and he grinned bemused. “Come on, don't gimme that look. You know I wouldn't just piss off and leave 'em for dead like that. Criminals can always be found again, but lives can't be returned...without a little dark magic.”
She pinched his thigh as he cried out 'Gods!'. “That's not funny Master! You swore that you would not!”
“I know, I know, no more dark magic on people, I get it. She was the exception, okay?” He looked to the skies as the snow began to fall. The Cerebians still had a chance to change their fate, unlike him...and even more so her. “Let's go save those kids. The gods know what'll happen if we don't. I'd rather not experience another bad end...” He sighed. “I'm becoming rather world-weary.”
She gently took his hand and offered him a smile, and seeing it made him feel a bit better. Save for her, those kids were one of the few things he was willing to come around too. To have a dysfunctional 'family' again was something he never thought would happen-for both of their sakes, he would attempt at tampering with their fates. “I know you'll figure things out. You always do, Master.”
He snorted as he held his head high. “Toot my horn more!” She pursed her lips at his remark and he grinned. “Alright, let's get a move on. They can do that once we get them out of there.” The barista charged ahead with his waitress following closely behind. The two crossed the river to the entrance to the castle, and looked upon it with unease. Two massive double doors awaited them and without a second thought Vanir attempted to push them open. “Come on...you bastard...open up!” He began to push until his face flushed but the doors would just not budge. He let out an exasperated sigh. “Seriously? They locked the door? Goddamn Cerebians and their safety measures...”
Skuld scratched her cheek. “Why don't you try knocking Master? Maybe someone will hear it.”
“You should've been the brains of this operation Skuld.” He said with an approving nod. He rapped on the door three times and waited for half a minute before crossing his arms. “Figures.” He raised a fist and hammered at the door. “They sure know how to make my life difficult, don't they?” He turned to his companion who looked to him curiously and lifted her up by her arms before settling her down behind him. He smiled at her puzzled expression and turned back to the door before reeling a fist back. Her mana surged through his body and gathered in his right hand before it began to glow a bright green. Stone gathered to it and took the form of a massive gauntlet. With all the force he could muster he slammed it into the door and smashed it to pieces before undoing the spell and shaking his hand off. “An oldie but a goodie. Little brute force always gets the job done.” He turned to her. “Don't try this at home.”
“I don't condone this, Master.”
“Spoilsport!” He groaned and rolled his eye. “We've got bigger concerns though. Come on, let's keep going.”
The two stepped inside and glanced around the area-strange as it was, it had felt like taking a step back into history. It was very alike to the castles he read about long ago in places that seemed to be worlds away-Jienda itself seemed to be a place where time moved at different speeds, depending on where one was in the world. It became more fascinating the more he saw, but he rarely made the time to stop running his shop and see the world. He glanced around the area, taking in the sights-from the wooden boxes piled high to the rice paper screens and tiny flower vases scattered here and there. He had heard of the Moon of the Sixteenth Day and what was hidden within, but had never seen it for himself. Today was not a day where he could let his curiosity get the best of him.
A ladder rested before them but he opted to pick up his companion and jump down. He glanced around and found a myriad of soldiers, some wounded, some potentially dead or unconscious lying about. Some remained propped against walls and weapons littered the floor, both Cerebian and Human. Skuld looked at them with a hint of sadness in her eyes, but the two were accustomed to the sight. The boy that he once was would have cowered at the thought, but it took a demon to slay a demon. Perhaps that was the reason he had lived to see the day, or perhaps it was the intervention of a certain god. He sighed at the thought. If this whimsical journey could change what he thought could not be, he would venture through it time and again; he just wished that his companion was not forced to do it with him, but she had chosen that path, and it was one the two would walk until they succeeded.
She climbed onto her broom and the item began to carry her while he scrambled up the nearest ladder. Once the two reached the top he reached into his cloak's sleeve and drew a map of the castle before scanning it for their current location. The amount of detail made it easy to tell exactly where they began and where they were headed-their goal, directly beneath the entrance to Moon of the Sixteenth Day.
“You know,” He began, “I think we took a wrong turn.” Skuld huffed at his comment. She refrained from talking in the presence of others, for obvious reasons. Both friends and enemies. In spite of the fact, he knew just by her reaction alone that she would have insisted that he left the directions in her care. He was not a navigator for several reasons.
He drew a line with his finger from where they wanted to be and where they needed to reach, and turned his head in the opposite direction that they had initially begun. He turned to her and nodded and she blinked. Without sparing another moment he leapt down from his current vantage point and broke out into a sprint with his companion drifting nearby. As he approached he came to another wall with a set of boxes piled up before it. He leapt onto the first and flipped onto the other two raising his hands in a grand gesture. As Skuld came by she chuckled gently and he quickly followed in her wake jumping down and going on. As the two continued on down the corridor they saw a few battles that still went on, the few persistent people that would not give in so easily fought with everything they had. Skuld looked to him and he shook his head.
“That's not our battle to fight. Our top priority is rescuing the kids, whatever comes after, that's up to them.” Vanir answered. They continued on just a bit further and he stopped. “Right about here should do.” He glanced around and found an unconscious soldier in the general vicinity. He furrowed his brows before crouching down and rolling him over and away from the two. “Now then, shall we?” Skuld nodded uneasily and disembarked from her broom so Vanir could take her in his arm. He placed a hand to the floorboards before them and the words for his next incantation appeared on it. Mana seeped through the woodwork like green veins and scattered quickly enough to leave no traces of their remains in the following seconds. He rose to his feet and stepped aside as the earth began to tremble. Moments after a massive vine sprung up from where he once stood and he took a step forward to grab a leaf as it shot up through the castle and pulled the two along with it. He was thankful the insides of the castle were mostly made of wood-it certainly made travel easier. “You know, it'd really suck to be standing beneath this thing when it appeared.”
“That's not funny, Master.” Skuld finally said. He smiled at her usual cheeky response.
When the two reached their destination he let go and the vine continued going on for a while before its growth came to a halt. He took a look around him, and his jaw fell. “What the hell happened here? The whole goddamn place's been set ablaze!”
Just as he said, though the room was wide, the place was aflame. Amidst it Reina, who was now unconscious lay, Salem who seemed to be fighting to remain conscious now crouched down gripping his weapon with a pained expression. And finally their assailant, towering over the young man with his katana in hand and pointing it down towards his target, his solid black armour barely scratched, but a single bloody wound across his face was clear as day. Skuld looked on in horror, and immediately took cover behind the barista.
The mountain of a man turned to Vanir with a glance and sneered. “First a rebel, a turncoat, and now a merchant? Is this the best that you Winged Ones can offer?” He asked, his tone giving as much attitude as Vanir expected.
“Merchant?! I'm not your ordinary merchant, asshole! I'm a friggin' barista! And also a part-time swordsman!” He reached beneath his cloak and drew his sword. He really should have practiced more, but it never really was his strong suit, nor would it be in this battle. If that man was all he was cracked up to be, the barista would have to pull out all the tricks in the book to escape in one piece. His inability to bear the weight of heavy armour could easily be his undoing.
“I will dispose of you and these children after. Come!” He kicked Salem aside and he tumbled away silently, just narrowly avoiding a fiery end. Vanir winced at the sight but let out a sigh of relief at seeing the young man narrowly escape death.
“So it's come to this huh? Figures. I'm counting on you Skuld.” Looking over his shoulder to her, she uneasily nodded and held the broom high. As he charged forward she slammed it down and it began to glow and change shape to take the form of a tall staff that curled at the top, three leaves protruded from it. Vanir rushed in and locked blades with the general, the former slowly being pushed back. “What in the seven hells did you eat...to get so freakin' strong?! Gods!”
“Do you really-” He forced Vanir back and lunged at him with a downward swing. “Have the luxury to make jokes?!” A root sprung up from the floorboards and collided with his armour throwing him off balance and causing his blade to miss.
“Nice assist!” Vanir shouted leaping in afterwards and bringing his sword down.
Once again his sword was met with opposition and parried, and he narrowly managed to leap back before having his stomach split open. As he blocked a flurry of blows, Skuld began writing a new incantation nearby. He somersaulted aside but his movement was predicted, and moments before he met the blade again he raised a hand and it was coated in stone. Metal met stone and he managed to deflect the blade and rise to his feet. In the following moments Skuld finished her casting and a series of flowers sprung up from the ground, each closing their petals before spewing toxic spores. The general raised his sword and swung it but once, causing the spores to drift away and disappear amidst the flames and embers.
“Gods...gimme a break already.” Vanir muttered before charging in.
Once again, steel clashed against steel but this time around Vanir took the initiative, striking in every possible direction and looking for any potential opening that he could exploit, but the man was, as Salem had told them, a master of armed combat. Though at this point he expected his strikes to be blocked, he needed to buy time to formulate a plan. Taking a deep breath as their blades met once more, he leapt back and took his sword in hand and held out the other. His hand was basked in mana, and following it a vine surged forth from his coat and forced the general back. In spite of the sheer force his spell had, not even that could shake him.
“Now Skuld!” Vanir roared as he glanced in her direction-their shared knowledge of spellcraft proving to be more useful by the moment. She raised her hands and a magic circle appeared above where the general was pushed back. From it a boulder emerged and nearly collapsed on him, but in the moments it emerged he had cut through the vine Vanir created and stepped forward.
“Miss!” She whined beneath her breath as she dispersed it moments after it crashed through the floorboards.
Vanir outstretched a hand and a series of rocks sundered the woodwork before him as he followed in its wake. As they both reached the target, he held up a hand to stop the rising earth from pushing him back while fighting off the barista with his blade. Vanir's two-handed advantage allowed him to force the general back for once and following it he held out his left hand once more to unleash a torrent of sand. As it surged forth he ended the spell and leapt forward to bring the blade down upon his enemy. He heard the sound of it hitting metal once more, and caught a glimpse of the general reeling away with a cut in his armour's right gauntlet.
The barista sighed as he pulled away momentarily. The spells Skuld had prepared beforehand were certainly good choices, but many of them were much too destructive to use indoors-for him to try to utilize them, it would be nothing short of the invasion of Xenym all over again. Perhaps not to the degree that he would bury Aoich, but he would sunder the castle, along with the unfortunate souls within at the time. He had done enough damage as it was, and as their fight continued the place was still going up in flames. Time was of the essence, now more than ever. He had to make a decision, and quickly.
His reverie came to a sudden and unexpected halt as he found himself desperately blocking the blade of his enemy and slowly being inched back once more. For once he knew what it felt like to be in Reina's shoes-definitely tougher than she looked. He'd have to praise her later, that is, should he not screw up and be beheaded here. Just in time to save him once more, Skuld finished an incantation and a group of four plants emerged from the woodwork once more. The leaves and stem rested at the base of it, but each had a long stamen with a tip coated in a paralyzing agent. The general forced Vanir back and with two quick swipes of his blade cut two down, the third colliding with his plate mail and the fourth just narrowly grazing the back of his neck. Shortly after he cut the other two down and blocked an enormous sand fist that emerged from a magic circle from above.
“Frustrating,” The barista muttered. He took his blade in hand and the two's glares met. His options were running out, as the stronger incantations took up much more space to write across his body.
“It seems I underestimated the two of you. A swordsman and a magician, along with a pet that is a magician also.” He said before he set his sights on Skuld. Vanir eyed him cautiously in the following moments. The man closed his eyes and grinned, then broke out into a sprint towards her.
“You won't get away from me in that armour!” Vanir snarled as he rushed ahead and blocked the path. He stood his ground and prepared for a head-on collision, the two's weapons meeting once more, but the momentum of the charge putting him at a greater disadvantage. “Get somewhere safe Skuld! You're his target now!” In spite of his words she shook her head and continued writing another incantation. He applauded her bravery, and was thankful for it because there was no way he would escape the following attack unscathed, but the fact still stood she was in danger.
A stone golem emerged from a magic circle that appeared behind the general, and in response he stole a glance before pulling his blade back and stepping away from Vanir while the golem lunged at the two. In that moment Vanir pulled back and broke out into a sprint towards his companion while the general smashed the golem with a single punch and followed in his wake. The barista scooped up his brownie and ran as fast he could, avoiding the flames as he did and throwing her up onto another landing before the doors that lead to Moon of the Sixteenth Day. Now more than ever he needed to make a decision, and should the need arise he would do what needed to be done.
“Release the seals Skuld!” He shouted. She tightly gripped the staff to her tiny chest and rapidly shook her head. Of all the times she could oppose him...he stole a glance back as the general's approach continued, just before he had stepped in a trap the brownie had laid for him. The ground beneath him lit up and a spell akin to a venus fly trap emerged and trapped him within. “We don't have a choice! This place is going to burn down and to be completely honest with you, this is a battle we can't win.” He grit his teeth. He had spent years struggling to prove himself before the world-for himself, for his people, and for her, but was this all it had amounted to? 'I'm not like you' he said, 'I'll never become a tyrant!' he said. The memories of his spotted past made him sick to his stomach. 'Promise me you will not use that power again Master. I don't want you to have to fight 'it' any longer. You and I...are free now.' The promise he had made with Skuld was not something he would soon forget, but the choices before him were limited. The general cut through the plant and pressed on, a look of bloodlust in his eyes and the terror on Skuld's face proving she had not prepared anything else as a counter-measure. He had no more time to reminisce-he had to do what had to be done, no matter the cost. “We don't have time to discuss the matter! I'll buy you time, just do it! That's an order!”
He hated those words. He rushed towards the general and cut past him, leaving a scratch on his armour and drawing his attention once more. In terms of strength, he would not win, but with that power...there was no one in the Old World, and perhaps one or two on Jienda that could oppose him. He stole an uneasy glance at his companion as the general matched him strike for strike, the look in her eyes of betrayal. A summoner had two choices when managing spirits-the first, gaining their favour through deeds on the summoner's part. In turn a pact would be formed between the two, and the former would be able to call upon the latter to fight for them. The second would to be use the status as a summoner to coerce spirits into a pact, granted that they were strong enough to control it. Regardless of the means, once the pact is formed a summoner can issue commands to the spirit, and those unwilling to follow could be forced to. Their blades continued to clash and he cast away the invasive thoughts to steel his conviction once more. Though he had not used his power to do it, she took the words to heart and decided to act on it despite her inhibitions. It pained both him and her, each keeping the other in mind, but both coming to accept that action had to be taken, for better or worse. He very rarely if ever resorted to using that, especially against her, but between breaking his promises and losing her, his pride would always take a backseat.
As she began writing the incantation he set his sights back on his enemy and caught a glimpse of the glint in his eye. He forced Vanir back with a strike and immediately followed up with a second horizontal swing. The barista winced as the blade flew from his hands. He retreated and in his wake a flash of silver followed leaving a bloody wound across his stomach. He placed his right hand to the wound and watched his adversary grin before looking at his blood-stained gloves. Things were getting pretty bad for him. He leapt backwards and reeled his right hand back to release a vine that shot towards his weapon's hilt and wrapped around it before reeling it in and taking it in both hands once more. He would have to handle things very carefully, from there on.
“Come barista. I will run this blade through you.” The general said.
“Will you now? My head would make a pretty good souvenir too! You want it? Come get it.” His eye sharpened.
The man chuckled at the response. “Your antics end here.”
Vanir was certainly digging his own grave, but he was not out of tricks just yet. If he could buy more time for Skuld he would have to take some risks. The two lunged at each other and Vanir lead with an onslaught of attacks. When the general took an opportunity to strike back the barista parried the blow and quickly dashed past as their blades crossed to turn around and cut his back. He reeled his sword back to thrust it at his enemy, but was caught off guard as his weapon was knocked down leaving him vulnerable once more. Before he could retaliate the katana cut across his chest and caused him to reel back. The man was much more agile than one would expect at a glance-another fact he would have to keep in mind. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. A couple wounds like that would not keep him down. Moments after he found himself having to repel his assailant and grit his teeth as their eyes met.
“It's not my time.” Vanir said before offering a cocky grin. The two pulled apart and he swung his blade in a wide arc only to have it blocked. “It's not too late to stop this place from burning down, and the three of us going with it.” He swung two more times and both were blocked.
“If you suspect the Dark Moon will fall before you do, you're wrong.” He grinned devilishly. “You are just temporary entertainment. Once reinforcements have arrived I will leave you to your fate.” He took to the offensive and Vanir found himself backing away while defending, ever closer to the flames that surrounded them.
“Reinforcements huh?” He laughed weakly as beads of sweat ran down his face and he struggled to remain standing above the flames that licked his heels. He feared his cloak might be lit aflame and take him with it. “How many are we talking? One? Three? Sixteen?” There was no amusement on the general's face at his remark. In place of that, he pushed forward and Vanir lost his balance, nearly falling into the flames but instead collapsing on a pile of sand. A very basic spell, but handy in a pinch. The general scoffed and plunged his sword into the wood while the barista slid between his legs and scrambled to his feet before the two clashed again. He swallowed hard before stealing a glance at Skuld who remained focused, and had nearly completed the incantation-in good time at that, the bloody wounds on his chest were really starting to bear down on him. Too deep and he would have been taken out.
Vanir slid past by using his weapon to keep distance and immediately turned around before bringing his weapon with him. His strikes came quickly, and with as much precision as he could muster. The wounds were causing him to lose his balance slightly, and every step and swing he made caused them to throb, but he would not give in. After a couple of moments, he felt energy surging within him as a pulsing violet magic circle appeared beneath him and his vigour was renewed. He clenched a fist and violet mana surged all around him as a powerful wind emerged and fanned the flames surrounding the two. As the mana began to fade he had once more taken on a familiar form. A black shroud covered his body, and though it seemed to be nothing more than that, it was a physical form that he could manipulate to his will. His companion nearby had taken on a similar form, her crimson eyes pierced the darkness within the hood and awaited his command.
“Go and get the kids.” He said shifting his head in the direction of the fallen Reina-what were words to the two sounded like nothing but mere growls of beasts to those around them. “I'll keep him busy.”
The general looked both appalled and curious at the new form he had taken on. “Ah...I see. So you are the usurper he had mentioned hmm? You will go no further?”
Within the shroud a jagged shape that appeared to be a mouth appeared and he let out an exasperated sigh that sounded more like an enraged roar. “Usurper?! How can I usurp a throne that was already taken?! I'm gonna have some words for that man when I find him!” The blade that hung in the shroud was sheathed somewhere within and the mist took the form of massive claws. Perhaps they were a tad unnecessary, but all of the weapons in his arsenal they were the easiest to use. “Well whatever. Come on, let's settle this like men.” He lunged forth and with every strike even he could force the general back, armour and all. That power felt...almost liberating in a sense. His body was lighter, stronger and much more effective in every possible aspect. He rushed down his adversary in a flurry of strikes, his claws bearing down on him without mercy. Vanir rushed past him and grabbed him by the leg pulling him to the ground and tossing him aside. The general kept his hand on his weapon and rose to his feet despite the difference in power. It was a tad unfair in a sense, but without his magic it proved to be his best bet. He chuckled. Humans were so fragile.
“Master!” Skuld's voice woke him from his power-crazed reverie and brought him back, his crimson eye turning to her before he blinked. A thin stream of mist emerged from both her sleeves and wrapped around both Salem and Reina, their respective weapons close by. “I have them now. We must escape as soon as possible! It's not safe here!”
Though his expression did not change, he was frowning. “Sometimes I wish you weren't the voice of reason you know.”
She scrambled from across the room back to him in mere seconds and through her voice he could tell she was smiling. “It's my duty to keep you in check, Master.”
He pursed his lips. If she did not, there was a very high chance he would have turned in his grave years ago. “Alright, let's get the hell out of here.” He dropped to his hands and knees and the shroud grew, consuming his entire body and taking the form of a four-legged creature, a long tail emerged from behind. He was not fond of it, but it really looked like a dog, and perhaps if he had mastered his power he could create a more threatening shape, but it would suffice. He opened his mouth and picked up the brownie by her cloak then stole a glance at the vine he created before leaping onto one of the leaves, rising ever higher.
“You may flee now, usurper, but know that you shall not escape death!” The general roared after him.
As the two eventually emerged above the roof of the castle, he leapt from the vine and released Skuld atop it. There was no easy way down, really, and in that form neither of the two could use earth magic. She looked to him and solemnly blinked, and he sighed gently once more.
“Don't expect too much. Our kind didn't have wings for a reason, you know.” He muttered under his breath. He sat up and his body took on a slightly more human shape, allowing him to walk upright before wings emerged from his back and spread out. “Come on, hop on.” He held out a massive claw and his companion climbed into it. He gazed at Reina for a moment, the pained look on her face and the wide gash across chest proof of her loss. Following that he looked upon the city and took a deep breath before flapping his wings once and taking off.
It was not his first time flying, there was no denying that. But the way he had previously consisted of using the wind to carry himself, and though difficult, it certainly was easy to grasp after the first few minutes. Flying using actual wings on the other hand, was an awful idea and he had to applaud the Cerebians for doing so on a day to day basis. The group soared through the air in the most unpredictable fashion. Skuld was in a panic, her screaming did not contribute any to his cause, but he was pretty terrified too. He did warn her, after all. They were rapidly descending, and he struggled to gain altitude so that they did not crash into one of the city's buildings and alert the civilians.
“Over there Master!” The Brownie gestured towards the river and he saw it as his best bet.
He tried to regain control and land in it safely, and he got as close to safe as he could have possibly asked for. The landing was rough, as the two made a giant splash and were submerged within, Skuld barely keeping the others afloat as Vanir desperately scrambled to rise to the surface, but the immense size of the body he created made it much more difficult than he could have imagined to stay afloat. He grabbed hold of a pipe and pulled the two up to the surface, and Skuld placed Reina and Salem on ground level.
“Think you can get us up there too?” He asked with a hint of unease. She was strong enough to carry the kids, but could she haul him around?
“I'll give it a try.” She answered. The arms she had formed wrapped around the barrier that blocked the river and she pulled with all her might until he could reach it and get on. With a sigh of relief she looked upon the two and back to him. “They're both really hurt Master. We should get them help as soon as we can.”
He frowned. “Like this? The little princess told us to remain hidden for a reason. If a Cerebian sees us like this, there's gonna be hell to pay.” He looked over Reina and squinted. “Are those...her lungs?”
“That isn't funny Master!”
“I know, I know. I won't let her die, I promise.” He changed shape again and crouched down. “Get on my back. We're gonna have to get through the city unseen, and like this? Not gonna be easy.” The sound of voices increased his unease tenfold, and he knew he had to act quickly. Once Skuld climbed aboard he rose to his feet and roared, a heavy black mist emerged from his mouth and blanketed the residential district. As he suspected, panic ensued. Within the chaos he broke out into a sprint, rushing through the streets with ease-his ability to see through the fog made his duty much easier, but it would only last a short period. He emerged in the shopping district and quickly made his way out of the city and towards the Desert.
The two had taken cover in a thicket of trees and looked over their fallen companions.
Skuld sighed gently. “It looks like we had gotten there before Salem suffered any serious wounds, but Reina...she...” She uttered as her voice began to crack, the waitress on the verge of tears.
She need not finish the words for him to know what she had to say. Her presence was fading. Cerebians were strong, but they could die from the same things humans could, and a wound that deep was one that proved fatal. Healing magic would help, but it would not be able to save her. He grit his teeth. What kind of fool would attempt something so reckless? Any adventurer knew that having a party of four at the very least is the proper course of action-anything less is just being stupidly heroic. He knit his eyebrows. But that's just what she is, isn't it? That hasn't changed over the course of her entire journey. He thought. The young Cerebian began to remind him more and more of her. He clenched his fists. Both of them were fools. One of the two died a fool, to change his fate. He would not stand to stand by and let anything of the sort happen a second time. “I can save her.”
The silence that followed spoke volumes. He knew there was little chance, if any that Skuld would agree to the suggestion, if she would even hear what he had to say afterwards. “Absolutely not, Master!”
The two did not fight often, since they typically agreed on most causes and situations. Whenever it came to matters pertaining to dark magic though, Skuld was incredibly stubborn. She could put him to shame, and that in itself was quite the achievement. “We have t-”
“No means no!” She shouted. She turned to him and glared. “You haven't forgotten what happened the last time you tried that, did you Master? You promised!”
Like he could forget. It may have been lifetimes ago, but the memory remained fresh. A being such as himself...technically, the creature that he became was one that was immortal. Combine that with a physical body, and you have an unstoppable being. Of course, things were not that convenient for him, but in essence the fact held some ground. The matter aside, no kingdom would put their king on the front line, so in place of that their kind had another that would fight in their stead, immortal so long as the king lived, the two permanently bound by the oath that they swore. Should the knight fall in battle, after a period they would revive just as they were. Should the king fall, the two will cease to exist, and will become one with the king's slayer. His knight...or rather the one he had chosen to champion him had died long ago. The fool that he was, he tried to reclaim her from death's embrace and created a monstrosity. It proved to be one of the fatal mistakes he had made, and one of the reasons he had found himself here.
“I know...I know but...”The experience had scarred them both, and following it she felt certain he was not the same. But that single moment in time changed the fate of the world drastically, and set his fate in motion-one that would always return him to where he began. To change Reina's fate could change the world, but if he failed...he shook his head. “This isn't the same as last time. I can do this!”
Skuld placed a hand to his arm and looked at him with a pleading expression. “I know it's hard Master, but you have to understand. She's gone...Reina isn't her. She can't be her. You know how the rules work.”
He closed his eyes gently, a feeling of defeat sinking in. “No...that's not it. I know that she's gone but I...can't let her die here. I just want you to trust me on this-I know it's reckless, and I know after what happened last time I swore I'd never try to have anyone champion me again but...I can't let this go. Not after all we've been through.”
Skuld looked reluctant about it, but as much as she protested he knew as well as she did that the two were close, and she would not be willing to part so easily either. “I trust you, but promise me that you'll succeed.”
He offered her a reassuring smile, or at least something akin to one. “I won't disappoint. This time.” If his memories served correctly, if the king fell before the knight, there would still be a brief grace period for the latter. If he fell, she would still have time to change her fate and free herself of the oath. But at this moment in time, power like his would be able to stave off even the deadliest of wounds. He took a deep breath and exhaled before nodding to his companion. The two together began to write the incantation required for the contract and as they did the same mana that enveloped him before surrounded the two. Once a portion for the incantation was completed, the two would stop briefly and the words would gather to create a rune that would take form within a magic circle beneath them. When they had completed all six, they became the six points of the hexagram within the circle. He held out a hand before her body and her soul emerged and he held it in his hand. The mana that surrounded them gathered to it, giving it a purple glow before he returned it to her. Following the event, the wound began to close and her breathing normalized, the circle soon fading away. One appeared upon his back, and though she lay on hers, there was one also that disappeared as briefly as it appeared. “The ritual's complete. So long as I live, she will also. But you and I need to keep her nature a secret, Skuld.” He rose to his feet and looked off into the distance. “If there's one thing I'll never forget, it was something she had once told me. 'Without night, there'd be no day.'” He chuckled gently. “She went on and on about two sides of one coin and some other things of course. I think someday the Cerebians will come to understand this too. After all, their Exalted One isn't so different.” Skuld nodded solemnly at his words.
Following the event, the two took Reina and Salem to one of the guild's caravans and placed them safely inside. He offered her a hand and shortly after taking it, the same mana appeared and engulfed them, leaving no traces of their arrival or exit.
Samson
“Which of you wants to explain those things?” Miranda asked before pointing to the creatures that emerged from the darkness.
Axle scratched his cheek. “I'll describe them in three words just for you. Fucked up Agasura.” He answered.
“I think that might be the understatement of the century Zero. What we just fought was downright invincible.” Vincent muttered.
“Well whatever they are you better find a way to kill them.” She smirked. “On the bright side, the cavalry's arrived so I'm willing to bet we can do this.”
Samson chuckled gently at their words. Perhaps a difficult fight would be a rite of passage for them, before they take on the challenges to becoming their second classes, save for Miranda. Then again, this would certainly not be the last time they fight an enemy of that caliber. If they were experienced Reina would be able to count on them again should the need arise. He kept his focus trained on the entrance to the laboratory and briefly caught a glimpse of the creatures that approached alongside that which attacked them. On the titan's right a strange four-legged creature surged past and charged the four. A bandersnatch? No, the creatures in the pyramid had a similar shape, but those piercing crimson eyes and massive claws were something that it and the titan shared in common. “Rook!” Samson shouted and Vincent took to the vanguard.
“I'm on it!” He shouted and blocked its charge. The creature looked unwieldy, but the speed it moved at was incredible. The legs were massive, enough to carry the beast's body and the torso was also, yet it had a long, slender head and a thin tail that was similar to that of the bandersnatch. As far as he could tell though, it did not have the same type of fangs, but likely did not need them.
“I've got your support right here!” Miranda shouted as she backed up and prepared her guitar, the sound of her music filled the room amidst the sounds of battle.
“Berserker Drive!” Axle roared before turning to Samson. “Let's go captain!”
“Right!” Samson answered before charging in with the Warrior.
While Vincent kept the beast at bay the two surrounded its flanks and brought their weapons down upon it.
“Captain, duck!” Miranda shouted.
At her warning he crouched down and placed his shield in front of him, the trails of something drifted past him as the beast lunged at him. He rose to his feet and leapt back as Axle and Vincent continued their attacks. He turned his focus in the direction of the other two and caught a glimpse of the titan preparing to engage the others while the last of the trio remained at the entrance, holding what seemed to be an outstretched claw. Was it a caster of some sort? He would have to be wary of it until one of them could engage it.
“Thanks Muse. Axle, to your left! The titan's approaching!”
“Let it come!” He shouted with excitement as he pulled his blade away from the beast and raised it in preparation for Atomic Break.
As Muse continued to play Samson felt his body becoming stronger by the second, and even more durable also. It was familiar, and rather helpful. With the three separated amongst the Agasura any extra bit of strength was well appreciated. He took a deep breath and dashed forward toward the last of the three that awaited. A lithe creature with an oddly human shape-it seemed to have no legs, but rather its bottom half was connected to its shadow, and from the ground it seemed to almost emerge like a mist. What had it thrown at him before? Had he gotten a closer look, perhaps he would have a better idea of its capabilities, but given the scenario he would have to learn on the go. It held out its hand again and a small violet jet of energy surged forth and collided with his buckler, just barely raised in time. Definitely a caster, and one that could be more dangerous than he could imagine.
Once he stepped in range he took a stab at it and the body leaned aside completely avoiding the strike. It was flexible, and the way its body was he would likely either have to aim for the base, or strike in wide arcs-both things a Treasure Hunter could excel at. He took another stab at it and it moved aside, and he immediately followed the strike with a wide horizontal swing. It crouched beneath his dagger and as it rose held out both hands. The sound of something appearing nearby caught his attention and he immediately performed a backflip as two shadows surged forth in a diagonal manner and crossed over where he once stood, before colliding with the ground and dispersing. Where else could it strike from? He had to listen, watch, and react carefully or he would sooner wind up impaled.
He leapt forward and brought his dagger down upon it, but it slid aside and he only cut air. Turning on the balls of his heel he transitioned into a Masquerade and caught it off guard with a rising slash. His blade cut through its arm and it was severed, but only temporarily-as if he cut through fog it dispersed and dissipated, but it the cut was repaired almost immediately. The titan seemed to have an impenetrable armour, and the caster had a body made of shadows. Where did their weakness lay?
“Captain, incoming!” Vincent's cry was quick, but the beast that charged him proved faster.
As he turned in its direction a mouth became visible upon the surface, a strange jagged looking thing, and clamped down upon his arm. He clenched his teeth and gripped his dagger tightly before plunging it into the side of the creature's head twice. As it broke away from him he could feel his body sinking and found a shadow that was not his own beneath him-a vorpal pit of darkness where hands emerged and wrapped around his legs pulling him down.
Vincent stormed towards the three and slammed his shield down before bashing it twice with his mace. “Come and get me!” He roared.
The Knight's taunt took the focus from Samson and he managed to break free of his bindings. The wound on his right arm did indeed hurt a fair bit, but it would not hinder him enough to prevent him from using his weapon. He stole a glance at the distracted caster as it fired a beam at Vincent and he saw his opportunity to strike. The Treasure Hunter lunged forward, the dagger in both hands and plunged it through the Agasura, the blade piercing its body but proving ineffective once more. He would not give up here-he had to find a weakness in it somewhere. As he drew his weapon back he followed with Dark Dagger and a flurry of stabs, taking a strike at every possible moment he could.
Vincent's taunt lost it's effect and the creature pulled away from Samson before a series of shadowy spears rained down upon him and followed in his wake. He continued to back away, moving from a walk to a sprint to leaps and bounds.
“The titan's headed your way Whisper!” Axle shouted in the distance.
From within the corner of his eye he caught a fist coming down on him and he was forced to dodge to another side. The body had scratches all over it from the strikes of the two, but even so none proved able to pierce its armour. The only one of the three that did not seem to have any kind of protection was the four-legged beast. He somersaulted beneath the titan's arm and took a stab at its right flank before dragging the blade around to the left and jumping away from its other claw. He leapt forwards and cut its back and as it swung around backflipped away before engaging it once more with Illusion Dagger. It slammed both hands down as he rolled around to its back again and started cutting it. As he retreated once more he noticed the wound he had received was beginning to heal, and quickly at that. Miranda's aid was definitely a great help.
“I'll take it from here Whisper!” Vincent told him as he stormed towards it and struck perhaps four or five times faster than the eye could see. “You're lighter on your feet after all. Might be able to keep one of those two at bay.”
Samson gave an acknowledging nod and turned to catch the other two as Axle fended off the bandersnatch and narrowly avoided the incoming spells. “Hang in there Zero!” He shouted as he rushed forth. He took to the beast with his shield and bashed it, causing it to stumble while Axle followed up with Time Breaker. Shadow-like spikes surged forward from where the caster stood and burst forth from the ground in a wide arc causing Samson to retreat slightly.
“I can handle this, you take care of that.” Axle insisted. He raised his blade and fended off the creature's fangs with the broad side of it.
He dashed forward and from the ground the same tiny spikes that shot out from above emerged and fired at him as he approached.
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