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Arcanum Astra
Chapter 38: Trinity's Retribution

Chapter 38: Trinity's Retribution

The power that welled within me was nothing I'd ever experienced. The sickening feeling is felt the first time was absent. Taking a step forward, Ether gathered at my feet as the worn and damaged pieces of my pilot suit became enveloped in multi-colored flames. The armor shattered into light and then reformed itself into larger and sturdier pieces much like my prosthetic. Something which underwent a drastic change as well, as its more angular and metallic portions began to change into a more organic. As a helmet began to form over my face I held my hand to it to make myself seem as cool as I felt. As soon as the helmet completely formed I flicked my hand away and struck the best Go Raiser pose I could.

Murugannnnnnn..! Kaaaiiiiiissseeer...!

I sent four little sparks of flame from my feet in four different directions and four explosions boomed from behind me in the form of white, black, red, and green flames. Some might say it was a little dramatic but there was no way you could convince me not to do so under such circumstances.

Arjun lifted his mace over his shoulder and he grinned as widely as he could. "There it is... The true power of our people... That's what I wanna see!"

We stepped toward each other once again, weapons at the ready to tear each other apart. This time I wouldn't let him breathe for a second. Tossing away my sword the weapon turned into flames and split apart becoming six smaller versions of itself.

"Trinity shift... Bit form!"

The six twilights danced around me as their emitters opened and began firing beams at Arjun. Holding up his mace he tried to deflect the beam fire as best as he could. Jumping up toward him I thrust my knee forward knocking into his mace with all of my strength. It pushed him back quite a considerable distance and I as landed I started my charge once again. Holding out my hand the six mini twilights emerged and the sword returned to my hand. The emitter opened again and I pulled the trigger three times. As the three bolts of flame launched from twilight they struck Arjun's mace once after the other sending it up and over his head. Changing hands, twilight became flame once more now fusing with my left arm. Before the fusion was complete I cocked my arm back and fired off a left jab straight into Arjun's stomach. My fist cratered into his stomach and even managed to punch straight through the armor and inside of his stomach. He coughed up blood and tried grabbing me to yank me out, but I wasn't going gently.

"This one's for Clarke you bastard... Trinity Shift... Chainsaw!!!"

Trinity completely merged with my arm and a flaming pull-start cord came out of my chest plate. Tugging the cord as hard as I could, the emitter in my left hand opened horizontally and small jagged beam teeth poked out of it. The beam chainsaw I just created revved and vibrated rapidly blending Arjun's insides into chunks of meat.

Arjun started freaking out immediately, trying to do whatever he could to get us separated. I didn't want to let go, not just yet. A good revenge for a guy who kills someone who'd never hurt a fly is experiencing as much pain as possible. He eventually shook me off by kneeing me in the stomach and punching me straight in the face causing me to lose focus for a second, thus losing twilight's current form.

Gripping my arm, Arjun pulled it out of his stomach and tossed me to the side to put some distance between us. Falling to his knees he tried desperately to hold his innards in his stomach as a blue light shone in his hand healing his wounds. Another ability from the dead he'd stolen.

A small ball of energy formed right next to him and it expanded turning into a small gateway. Laufey came walking out of the gate with her arms folded as she looked down at Arjun.

"Oh my... You seem to be worse for wear," she said with a hint of delight.

"S-shut u-up..." Arjun coughed. "I was doing just fine a moment ago."

"You know why you lost?" Laufey asked as she helped Arjun up to his feet.

"U-underestimated the little punk... Real bad actually."

"Good. Now be a good doggie and capture him like you were supposed to. Then we can do your cleaning thing or whatever you meant."

Holding Trinity as tight as I could I readied myself as Arjun took up his mace again.

"Looks like you got some fight in your after-all runt," scoffed Arjun as he began stomping his way toward me. I don't know what changed but the result will remain the same."

Gripping the shaft of the mace with both hands he held it as one would if they were preparing to charge with a spear. Returning Trinity to its original form I summoned four balls of flame and readied the weapon for a counterattack. Firing the balls of flame toward Arjun, he didn't seem to stop on their account. But it slowed him down as each one struck. As he approached I gathered flames into the emitter and swung with my might. As the two weapons collided with one another they were seemingly locked. Though Arjun managed to push me back a bit.

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Using my left hand to grab the head of the mace I switched off Trinity's blade and thrust it forward activating it once again. Arjun seemingly not ready for such an attack barely had enough time to duck his head before being grazed by the beam blade. Lifing the head of his mace up and slammed it down to drive it into the ground. Deactivating the blade once more, this time I pulled the trigger firing two rounds. Arjun had been more ready to activate a barrier to deflect both shots.

Arjun released his weapon and jumped back. Shooting his tail from his back the appendage whipped around aiming for my back.

"Trinity Shift... Bit Form," I shouted as Trinity turned into flames and split apart again. The four bits circled and assumed a diamond formation as a barrier made of flame protected from them. The tail bounced off leaving it suspended in the air for a few seconds. I stretched my hand out and closed it causing the bits to aim directly for the tail and fire beams destroying it. Then I opened my hand and pushed outward, gesturing for the bits to turn their barrels against Arjun.

Before I could unleash another barrage, Arjun slammed his hand against the ground and began a second charge. He'd crossed the threshold between us on all fours like some kind of wild beast. With his mace at my side, he'd likely go for it if he couldn't get to me.

"Trinity Shift... Escutcheon!"

Holding out my left hand, the Trinity bits merged once again and merged with the arm forming a large tower shield. Arjun raised his right arm and extended it as if he were going to close-line me, which he did. Luckily the shield took the brunt of his attack, but that wasn't the point of it. Pivoting around he used the force of his charge to fling me high into the air.

As he looked upward, a portion of the armor that made up his mouth guard opened revealing the barrel of a cannon. A red light began to travel from his feet to his face and he fired a rather large beam of energy at me. Judging from how much Ether was gathered in such a short time to fire that attack the escutcheon wouldn't be enough. The shield turned into flames once again returning to its original form. If I couldn't block it, then splitting the beam along with his jaw would just have to do it.

"Trinity Shift... Gutsy."

Trinity grew three times its normal size and the emitter opened up a lot more than usual. Spinning myself round I swung the blade downward striking the beam as it came. The sword split the beam sending it smaller beams to shower the ground below us. As gravity began to set in, I plummeted back down to the Megalith. As I crashed and neared the surface the beam stopped firing and I as crashed I felt the beam blade strike something. Hearing Arjun cry out in pain I knew I managed to cut him but not well enough to end the fight. Putting every ounce of my strength into this next swing. The feeling of pins and needles began to propagate throughout my left arm as it turned into a mass of Ether crystals. Shrinking Trinity back down I planted my foot into the ground and pivoted to the right, bringing my blade up and aiming the tip right for Arjun's chest. He managed to back away enough for me to narrowly miss him dead center but I managed to pierce straight through his stomach once again.

"Finishing move! Infinity Divider!!!"

Pulling the trigger, Ether charged at Trinity's emitter and fired a beam that was made of spiraling white, black, and green outlined flames. As the beam disappeared I deactivated the blade. Arjun kneeled before me seeming too wounded to move.

Aiming the emitter at his face I waited to see if he'd move. Looking past him for a moment I noticed Laufey was still standing there observing us. Though the expression on her face was oddly discomforting to look at. Her wide smile as she held her hands to her face crept me out. She'd been a blushing and drooling mess as our eyes locked.

"You're not going to stop me?" I asked as I prepared myself for another fight.

She seemingly snapped back to reality and wiped her mouth. Shaking her head, she clapped her hands together and tilted her head.

"Sorry... I was marveling at your tremendous strength. I'd never seen one quite like you before. Do what you wish to Arjun, I care not. You'll be out of energy soon."

I couldn't understand what she'd been talking about until my body suddenly felt extremely heavy. Trying my best to remain steady I held Trinity up as best as I could. First Arjun then Laufey. As I mustered up my remaining strength to squeeze the trigger. I heard the gunfire but Arjun had still been kneeling there.

Clasped over the emitter was a rather large hand. In front of me now was none other than Karn.

My instincts kicked in and I jumped back, activating Trinity's beam blade once again.

Before I could get a chance to swing, four blue portals opened for behind Karn and the light coming from them brightened until swords came shooting out from each.

"Trinity Shift: Escutcheon!"

Jumping back the swords struck the shield pushing me back a ways from the two. As I landed I changed Trinity back to its original form. Karn had Arjun by his horn but his eyes remained fixed on me.

"You incorrigible lout," he spat, "Your excursion was not sanctioned by Lord Lucian."

Arjun looked at his brother seemingly surprised by the information. He tried to utter a few words but they just came out as unintelligible hacking and coughing. It was a little gross to see blood spill out from his mouth.

Karn raised his brother up and a portal opened up behind him. With a single hand, he tossed the giant man inside like he'd been a piece of garbage.

"He should consider that due punishment for his transgressions."

Laufey now stood at Karn's side, her perverted look not seeming to leave even in the presence of a superior.

"I see you've noticed it too Karn," she said, "He's exceeded even Lord Lucian's expectations.

Karn's annoyance seemed to soften as he observed me. I could've sworn he was about to smile. At least his eyes did.

"Indeed... But for now, we're leaving. Lord Lucian demands our presence."

Laufey nodded, then blew me a kiss as she backed into the portal. Karn began to enter it as well but not before gifting me with some parting words.

"Get stronger Xenthos... I have stellar expectations for you."

As he was disappearing from behind the portal I tried aiming for it to blast him on the way out. But my body began to feel so heavy I felt like I got sandbags tossed on me.

"W-wait... C-crap..."

Stabbing the blade into the ground I tried to hold myself up. But the fatigue was too much and I ultimately gave in. The armor encasing my body began to fade away as a loud boom quaked in my ears. The last thing I'd see was an open sky and my sword resting next to my head, with a big shadow clouding me.