Century winded her shoulder in circles, using her opposite hand to put pressure on her shoulder muscles. Blues pivoted his forefoot back and forth until he was set in a balanced stance, keeping his body upright and his arms out. His fist clenched tightly as his knuckles turned white. Century soon copied his stance but raised her fists higher and kept her fingers loose. As they stood in the shadow of the crucifix, time began to slow. Blues cleared his mind, the space around them disappearing as all lights shined on Century. His breathing was hoarse and his eyes still flooded with tears but he remained ridged.

Century's mind opted for a different approach to observing the situation, with her focussing on possible openings that could be made. Visions of her attack and defense rotations ran through her head as she gave one large sigh, her body stiffening as she took the first step forward.

As her foot lifted Blues used her arrogant and thoughtless action to act first. He arched his back forward, leaning down. As Century got closer and her foot inched toward the ground, Blues knew she would be too distracted on her opening that he focussed a great deal of power on a piercing uppercut. His fist shot up and was driven deep into her hip, before Century could step back Blues pushed away increasing the distance between him and Century.

In quick succession, Blues went for a jab. His fist knocked hard on Century's skull. Blues attempted to go for another jab as he quickly pulled his fist back and promptly shot it back out. Century covered her face with her fists negating the punch as she lunged forward and threw a right hook. Blues reacted accordingly however and slipped underneath the hook allowing him to counter with another uppercut into Century's upper arm. She couldn't block or dodge the attack so she stiffened her upper arm, and as Blues' fist collided with her upper arm it hadn't done as big of an impact as he'd hoped because of how firm it was.

To make up for the failed attack, Blues swiftly side-stepped to Century's right as she recovered from the attack. He delivered a sharp jab to her cheekbone making her flinch back allowing him to land a hook with his opposite hand into Century's face. She stumbled back and managed to recover as Blues corrected his stance. Her mind raced as anger flooded her bloodstream. She kept her fists up and went on a full offensive.

She side-stepped to her left and right while also placing her feet forward to close the distance. Her unpredictable side-stepping however caused Blues to keep upright and defend. Century threw a fierce hook, Blues leaned back dodging the attack and keeping his guard strong. Century side-stepped once more to Blues' left and threw an uppercut. Blues leaned away but threw himself back forward and shot out a jab hitting Century's chest as a sharp vibration stung her bones. She squinted and ground her teeth before continuing with her assault. She pushed forward and crossed her fist over Blues' arm. His eyes widened seeing that she wasn't going to try and defend.

Blues bobbed beneath her fist and followed with an uppercut to Century's chin. The attack was devastating as Century spit out blood. She was forced to fall back but as she planted her feet down her stance became unbalanced. Blues took the opening and hooked Century in the head. Century staggered and Blues continued his vile attack throwing intense jabs. Century's emotions ran wild as she let out a scream that rang through the church.

With fiery determination she crossed her arm over Blues' once more, aiming for his face but Blues punched her wrist off course making her overshoot and miss the punch entirely. Blues followed with another uppercut into Century's abdomen. She winced in pain and fell back, blood leaking from her mouth.

Century grits her teeth as she mutters to herself.

"Can't land a single hit on him... guess being old comes with experience.

She wiped her mouth and took shallow breaths.

"Focus Century... don't lose to some old man..."

Blues took this short respite to clear his throat. He coughed a few times before regaining his stance. Century noticed his cough and came up with a new plan. Instead of trying to land hits on his face, it might be smarter to land a hit on his chest, close to his lungs. Century smirked and threw herself back into the fight.

She lunged forward, pretending to send out a punch but as Blues went to counterattack she bobbed beneath his fist and shot a jab towards his lungs. Blues' reaction time was inhuman however and he leaned his chest back. Century's fist was quickly parried and Blues gave an overhand punch to the top of Century's skull. She groaned in pain before falling to one knee. She struggled to stand but Blues used the opportunity to upper-cut Century once again. She fell back and collapsed on the floor.

Blues stood over her and sighed, glad the battle was over. He walked towards Eliowen and Nayjhren who both looked stunned. Century then grabbed onto Blues' ankle.

"Hey... we aren't done... TILL I'M DEAD!"

Century pulled his ankle back causing him to fall.

Century shot back up and leaped into the air, bringing her knees close to her chest. She cast away a fair fight and decided to throw her whole body at Blues. As Blues hit the ground, he caught himself with his hands, his elbows at a far angle with his palms flat on the floor. As Century shot her legs out straight, a second away from breaking Blues' spine, Blues swiftly threw his legs around and let his body follow the momentum. He was able to dodge the kick and throw himself up.

Century wiped her mouth.

"That's more like it..."

Century dashed around Blues, leaning her torso forward keeping her both low to the ground, and at a high speed. She inched closer to Blues while running circles around him. Blues followed Century with his eyes, waiting until she got close. Once she was close he reached out his arm and grabbed onto her. He kept Century's momentum and flung her in circles before letting go. She was lobbed across the church, skidding along the floor before screeching to a halt. Blues darted at her as she dropped to the floor and rolled out of the way, swinging her leg in a circle on the floor. Blues' ankle was caught and he fell to the ground.

Century jumped up and charged her leg up for a powerful kick. Blues caught her foot and stamped it to the floor, he then threw his legs into the air as he stood on his hands. With great haste, Blues swung his legs around like a tornado, kicking Century in the neck. Century fell to the ground allowing Blues to stand. Once to his feet, Blues grabbed Century but the throat and tossed her back to the ground. The impact caused her to rebound off the ground. She managed to grab onto Blues' wrist and propelled herself up so she could wrap her arms and legs around Blues' entire arm.

Her plan was successful so she pulled hard on Blues' arm, intending to snap it to 90 degrees. Blues slammed his arm to the ground with Century still attached but she didn't let up. She pulled hard until the bone in his forearm cracked, the noise shivering through the room as Blues screamed in agony. Adrenaline took full control of his body causing him to charge his arm into a wall and throttle Century against the wall over and over.

Eventually, Century had to let go. She stood back on solid ground and quickly retaliated, swinging her foot into Blues' still injured hip. He blocked the attack and countered with a hefty punch to Century's abdomen. Century tumbled back, when she looked back up Blues dived at her with his fist pulled back, his knuckles turning purple. Century rolled out of the way as the punch landed on the ground, the hardwood floor breaking apart and sending a shockwave that blasted all the fragments across the room. Century held her arms up to block the debris until it slowed to a stop. Once she moved her arms out of the way Blues charged straight toward Century with his shoulder. Century leaped out of the way as he passed like a freight train. He crashed into the crucifix but didn't realize it because his mind and actions were consumed with unrelenting rancor.

"Holy..."

Century barely had enough time to get back up before Blues grabbed her by the throat and lifted her.

"Let... go!"

Century thrashed around but his grip tightened.

"May the orchestra be blind to your conducting. Let the choir sing your eternal lullaby, demon."

Blues' eyes were tired and he had a large frown.

"No book shall write your name."

His grip tightened as Century's airways were cut off.

"You'll be buried beneath regret and sin. Rest easy... child."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Century's eyes widened but all she could muster was a grin.

"Brute... you fucked up."

The crucifix fell to the ground as the seal was lifted.

Century ripped all her hair ties out creating an overwhelming explosion that rocked through the town. Blues backed away, his face now covered in blood matching that matched his red eyes. Century giggled manically before darting around Blues, pulling out loose strands of hair and scattering it around the room. They all detonated in a sequence as Blues created wooden boards to block the explosions but once the final explosion went off he had sealed himself inside a wooden tube. Century climbed over the wooden boards and looked down at Blues, who was trapped. Century scattered more loose hairs in the tube before leaping away.

Blues couldn't evade the attack and the explosions flung him into the air. Century saw as he fell through the air, unable to act fast enough. In a final blow, Century leaped up into the air.

"I haven't punched you once gramps... let it be known..."

Century clenched her fist tightly.

"I defeated you... in one punch."

She delivered a shattering punch to his chest, it ruptured through his internal organs causing him to throw up blood before hitting the ground.

Century huffed as she stood up. Her body numb and battered as she stood over Archbishop Blues' body. He wasn't dead but he had long surpassed his ability to fight any longer. Century walked away from Archbishop Blues and walked toward the Altar.

Eliowen's eyes widened as he reached his hand out to his father.

"Father... no..."

Nayjhren watched as Century approached.

"Good job, pawn."

Century laughed as blood dripped down every part of her body.

"Pawn... you're such a dumbass."

Nayjhren looked confused.

"What?"

Century climbed up onto the altar.

"You really thought I was listening to you the whole time? Following you like a minion?"

Century walked toward Nayjhren as he felt fear.

"The only reason I did what you asked was so I could betray you."

Century put her hand on Nayjhren's shoulder.

"Because what's more evil... than an apprentice betraying their master."

Century punched Nayjhren in the gut hard, he spat blood all over her.

"Nayjhren!"

Eliowen's hands trembled.

"No..."

Century kicked Nayjhren to the ground as she walked to Eliowen and picked him up.

"Now... I'll claim the Haab' for myself."

Suddenly Century felt a strong pain hit her face. She dropped Eliowen and stumbled back. She glared over her shoulder back at Nayjhren.

Nayjhren punched his face as Century felt the pain as well.

"Eliowen had this power once..."

Nayjhren punched his own face again as Century winced in pain.

"I took it... I took Eliowen..."

Nayjhren punched his face again.

"I... betrayed all of my family..."

Nayjhren punched his face harder.

"I... faced nature... like an IDIOT!"

Nayjhren clutched his throat tightly.

"I got... what all monsters deserve!"

Eliowen's hand painfully clenched to a fist. With all his strength he got to his feet once more.

"NAYJHREN!"

Eliowen pushed Century aside and walked to Nayjhren.

"You tried your hardest..."

Eliowen tore Nayjhren's hands from his throat.

"That's the most human thing... you could have done."

Eliowen stood beside Nayjhren as they both faced Century.

"What the hell..."

Century got to her feet, her legs trembling.

"Get this power of friendship shit out of my face..."

Century wiped her mouth.

"I'll just kill you both then..."

Century took a step forward and collapsed. Nayjhren and Eliowen looked shocked. Century was out cold.

"Thank god..."

Eliowen sat down.

"I could not have fought her..."

Eliowen was drenched in sweat.

Nayjhren looked at Century and scoffed.

"Seems she has a limit."

Nayjhren turned to Eliowen.

"Well, what now?"

Eliowen looked at Nayjhren.

"You wanted to create your own Era, no?"

Nayjhren nodded.

"I didn't trust you back then, I'll trust you now."

Eliowen offered his hand out to Nayjhren.

"In hindsight, you had reason to not trust me then."

Nayjhren grabbed Eliowen's hand.

"Though I guess I can't create my new family without my old."

Nayjhren helped Eliowen up.

"Plus you have a lot of explaining to do. You do realize the last I saw you was when I killed you right? And what's with the Haab' lodged in your back?"

Eliowen blushed realizing Nayjhren had missed quite a lot.

"Oh, yeah. Don't worry I'll explain everything soon. In the meantime, the town is still under siege by Necrobeasts."

Nayjhren looked surprised.

"It is...?"

Nayjhren looked guilty.

"I guess that's to be expected. I did kinda try and rip the Haab' out of you."

"I do think something is wrong with the Haab' also."

Eliowen hopped down from the altar and went to his father.

"Father..."

Blues smiled seeing his son was okay.

"My son... don't worry about me. The town needs you."

Eliowen held onto this father tightly.

"But..."

Blues put his hand on Eliowen's heart.

"Don't worry. I believe you can do it."

Eliowen wiped his tears and stood up.

"Nayjhren. C'mon, we have to help the townspeople."

Nayjhren smiled and nodded, he caught up with Eliowen, hoping to right his wrongs to the town.

Meanwhile...

All of the baby bats waited by the door leading out of Rina's room. They clutched their rifles and prepared the cannon.

"Alright Yuro, I'm letting you borrow the body of Bomb 2, aka Bina. You better make sure to come back with it."

Nina suited Yuro up in gear to aid him in flying.

"We'll distract the Necrobeast, just fly straight to the living room and to the rathole. You won't have long because once we fire the cannon we'll be closing the door, leaving you and the Necrobeast out there."

Yuro seemed anxious as his legs trembled.

"You haven't told me HOW to fly yet."

Nina shrugged her wings.

"You'll figure it out, just flap your wings."

"Really helpful..."

Yuro sighed as he perched on the edge of Rina's ceiling fan. Nina dove down to convene with the other Bombs.

"ALL BOMBS READY!"

The baby bats aimed their rifles as they heaved the door open.

The Necrobeast's ears twitched as it heard the door opening. Yuro composed himself as he looked down, once the door was open wide enough he dove from the ceiling fan, the air around him slowing before picking up speed as he dove down. He spread his wings and caught onto a draft, he flew through the door as the cannon shot at the approaching Necrobeast. The Necrobeast snarled and jumped to the ceiling, dodging the net.

Rina's room quickly closed as Yuro flew close to the ground. He flapped his wings as the Necrobeast spotted him and galloped after him. Yuro's flight was rocky as he couldn't keep stable no matter how furiously he flapped his wings. The Necrobeast leaped down from the ceiling and snapped its jaws at Yuro.

"BACK OFF!"

Yuro kicked the Necrobeast in the nose before making a sharp turn into the living room. With the hole in sight, he dove down and entered the hole as the Necrobeast growled. It tried to fit in the hole but quickly gave up and walked away.

In the hole, Yuro dusted himself off as he squeaked, using echolocation to make his way down the long winding tunnel. When reached the main rat den he found all of the rats dead. He ran through the pools of blood.

"No... no! What happened?!"

Yuro ran to the queen who was lying on the ground bleeding from her stomach. He clutched her.

"What happened here...?"

The rat queen squeaked.

"A... Necrosite...?"

Yuro's face turned white. Necrobeasts are created when a normal animal eats the brain of a Strand user. However, in doing so, instead of the animal gaining the Strand user's abilities, the powers become its own living creature known as the Necrosite. Most of the time a Necrosite will hang onto a Necrobeast waiting for the beast to become weak then taking over the beast's body. However, a Necrosite can detach itself from its host but it will have a harder time reattaching.

Yuro dropped the rat queen and turned around to find a giant maggot-like creature with hundreds of eyes and teeth covering its body. An amalgamation of a Strand user's brain and the brain of an animal. It was Necrosite, specifically the Necrosite of the beast in the house. Necrobeasts have the mindset and genes of an animal but a Necrosite has the mindset of a human, they have disgustingly high intelligence that even Yuro could not predict.

"Damnit..."

Yuro faced the creature as it screeched.

Meanwhile...

Werren lunged constant hails of Tendrils at the Necrobeasts but more kept appearing. Through the sweat and blood, he began to get exhausted. He had been fighting for too long, the numbers were like nothing he had ever seen.

"Damn things... JUST DIE!"

Werren slammed his fist on the ground as hundreds of spikey tendrils coated the floor, ripping through any Necrobeast that tried to get close. He tried to catch his breath but as he looked up a Necrobeast had reached him and clamped its jaws around his arm. He screamed in pain as he impaled a tendril through the beast's head.

"Shit..."

He looked at the wound and used his tendrils to carry him to the rooftops. He knew he had reached his limit, as even more Necrobeasts climbed their way to him he had to give in to his pride.

"I never wanted it to get to this... I'm sorry Rina. I have to protect the town."

Werren pulled out a flare gun from his pocket. It was a sleek monochrome that reflected the stars on its barrel. Written on the side it read Initiate Calling Flare. With a fierce pull of the trigger an orange flare shot into the night sky. The townspeople looked up as the flare rose higher and higher. The Necrobeasts watched the flare as well as it went higher and higher.

All went still. The flare disappeared into the clouds as Werren watched the sky.

Sundial Orbit...

"Calling flare, Central Continent, Jia Precinct. Inputting coordinates."

A man in an orange military uniform typed away on a computer.

"Sending Lockdown Squad. Ready to depart station... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Launch is green."

From an orbiting space station, a barrage of metallic objects was fired from a large cannon connected to the station. As Werren looked to the sky he saw hell descending upon the earth.

Werren and Rina's old friends have made their entrance from space to take on the horde of Necrobeasts. Meanwhile, Yuro goes against a Necrosite in the rat tunnels beneath the house as the invasion reaches its finale...