"Team Z's points have increased to 70." The announcement echoed in Ajal's mind, bringing a wide grin to his face, a sign of triumph amidst the chaos.
"Someone was defeated by a member of Team Z?" Molly questioned, trying to piece together the events that led to the unexpected turn in their scores.
"The rumbling from earlier was probably from their fight," Emil added, his tone casual as he connected the dots. "So, it was one of your guys, Dolly."
"It's Molly," she corrected him sharply, her patience wearing thin. "And what makes you so sure?"
"Truth be told, the rest of my team was already taken out. But that's for the better. After all, a great comeback will make me famous," Emil replied, his voice laced with a triumphant edge. "And my great comeback starts with you two."
Molly's grip on her scythe tightened, her frustration manifesting in her clenched jaw and the storm brewing in her eyes. "'For the better'?" she echoed, incredulous. "What about your own team going down is 'for the better'? Want to be remembered? How about you actually contribute to the world?! Do something important with your life! All you care about is people knowing your name; do you even realize that nothing good comes from doing what you want?!"
"There it is!" Emil responded, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "The usual talk for those who think they're better! You think your false sense of justice makes you higher than us!? You're just another loser with a superiority complex! You said you wanted to be a hero? To who?! How could you possibly think so low of everyone else that they automatically need your help?!"
Molly was taken aback but replied with a quiet conviction. "My desire to become a hero came from helping others. It was never about putting myself above other people; all I've ever wanted was to help, as simple as that."
"Help?" Ajal chimed in, adding a new dimension to the debate. "Don't heroes help anyone? When I helped you, your response was to attack me. I'm not knocking your dream or anything, but..."
"...you should probably re-examine why you're becoming one in the first place," Emil interjected. "I don't know what kind of self-satisfying garbage you've been feeding yourself, but no one wants your help, nobody needs you to come save them. Who made you think you're some special snowflake?"
"No," Ajal tried to clarify, "That's not what I'm saying, I ju-"
"Both of you..." Molly interjected, her voice trembling with emotion. "Both of you are the epitome of evil. Emil, you are just a selfish wannabe who puts himself before others and uses their downfall to his gain." She turned her gaze towards Ajal. "And you. Where do you get off challenging my dream? Your entire existence is nothing but evil! All you're good for is causing sadness!"
"I understand I am an Inheritor but, I'm not actually death..." Ajal muttered to himself, his stance shifting to one of reasoning, trying to navigate the turbulent waters of the conversation and find some common ground.
"I don't care about your technicalities!" Molly raged. "You don't know me. My motivations, my dreams...don't take the opportunity to learn them and then proceed to just disregard everything about them because you don't understand!" She paused for a moment, waiting for the boys' responses.
Just as Ajal was about to interject, he caught sight of Molly initiating a menacing maneuver with her scythe. With a swift, fluid motion, she began spinning her weapon, unleashing a deadly, constantly spinning purple flame shaped like a blade, hurtling towards Ajal with lethal intent.
In a split second of quick thinking and instinctual mimicry, Ajal mirrored Molly's movements precisely, wielding his scythe with a newfound mastery. To his amazement, he created a similar flame, though his was a brilliant white, a stark contrast to Molly's purple blaze. The two flames collided, creating a dazzling display of light and energy.
All three combatants stared at what just happened.
Emil began laughing. "This guy is a quick learner! He almost seems on your level, Dolly."
Molly ignored him, completely focused on the task at hand. As her gaze bore into Ajal's soul, she took on an unrelenting aura. "Do not presume to understand me!" Her words were laced with malice, spitting out each syllable, trying to drive home her fury.
Ajal began to move backwards, matching every swing from Molly step by step. There was no denying it: she was a very skilled fighter, proven by her mastery of such a complex weapon at first use. In turn, Ajal matched each of her attacks precisely, avoiding damage and forcing her on defense. Though this stalemate was not sustainable for long, the tension in the air seemed palpable as both parties silently agreed to ignore Emil.
Just as the two fighters prepared to clash scythes, Emil burst onto the scene with a dramatic flair, sliding between them in an instant. With effortless precision and startling speed, he raised his massive cross, intercepting both swings in a single, defiant motion. The impact reverberated through the air as Emil stood firm, his commanding presence demanding their undivided attention.
"I'm not a fan of being ignored," he declared, his voice a mixture of irritation and determination.
Emil didn’t hesitate. With a deft motion, he shifted his stance and swung his massive cross upward in a wide arc, targeting Molly’s scythe first. The sheer force of the blow knocked her weapon high, throwing her off balance. Using the momentum of the swing, he pivoted and redirected his strike, slamming the cross sideways against Ajal’s scythe with enough force to push him back.
The maneuver disrupted both of their guards, creating a fleeting but critical opening. Without wasting a second, Emil drove the cross into the ground, planting it firmly like a makeshift pole. Grasping the cross tightly, he used it as a pivot point, swinging his body in a wide, graceful arc. His legs extended fully, transforming his movement into a devastating kick that connected with precision. The impact struck both Ajal and Molly in succession, sending them sprawling across the dirt. His expression held a sense of accomplishment as he surveyed the fallen combatants, allowing his signature smug attitude to show through once again.
He flashed a sly smile as his two opponents picked themselves up. "You know, Dolly, you might be stronger than most people here, but you still have quite the way to go."
Molly gave him a fierce glare in return, taking his comment as a challenge. "And just what makes you the expert?" she hissed back, dusting off her uniform as she rose to her feet.
Emil gave a cocky smile. "Come and find out."
With that challenge both Molly and Ajal dashed towards him from both sides. Knowing he'd be unable to block a dual assault, Emil decided to focus only on one attacker, using his other opponent to his advantage. Aiming for Molly, he swung with all his might, aiming to knock her aside as he had done before, but this time, she anticipated his actions and countered perfectly with a swinging slash that was narrowly avoided by the boy, leaving a tiny cut on his cheek.
Meanwhile, Ajal closed in quickly, scythe in tow. He intended to finish the fight with one strike, but found himself unprepared as Emil swiftly changed his target to him, blocking his incoming blow with the cross while delivering a painful strike of his own to the chest. This sudden maneuver caused him to falter, and Emil used this hesitation to his advantage, grabbing the other side of his weapon.
Seizing the moment, Emil pivoted smoothly and grabbed hold of the collar of Ajal's shirt with a firm grip. With a swift and powerful motion, he thrust forward and down in an overhead throw, sending Ajal crashing onto his back with a thud that reverberated through the building.
Before Emil could capitalize on his advantage, Molly launched another attack. With a graceful slide of her fingers across the surface of her scythe's blade, she unleashed a crescent of purple flame that arced towards Emil with deadly intent.
Emil, thinking quickly, attempted to use his cross to deflect the incoming attack. However, his efforts were in vain, as the flame made contact with it and sent him flying back with the momentum of the attack. Remarkably, he managed to maintain his composure, twisting in the air to land on his feet with the agility of a seasoned fighter.
But the battle was far from over. Ajal, seizing the opportunity, appeared behind Emil and went for a slashing attack with his scythe. Emil, ever vigilant, managed to jump above the scythe's arc, dodging the attack. However, he was met mid-air by Molly, who delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his side. Emil managed to partially block the kick with his arm, but the impact was enough to send shockwaves of pain through his body, a testament to the ferocity of their three-way battle.
Molly's agility was on full display as she landed gracefully on her feet, immediately pivoting to launch an assault on Ajal. With a swift swing, she aimed a punch at him, but Ajal, quick on his feet, managed to block her attack. Undeterred, Molly followed up with a well-placed kick that caught Ajal by surprise, knocking the scythe from his grasp and leaving him momentarily defenseless.
Seizing the opportunity, Molly lunged towards him with blinding speed, her movements a blur to the onlooker. Ajal, caught off-guard by her sudden burst of speed, had no time to react. With a powerful shove, Molly sent him flying several yards away.
Ajal, determined not to give in so easily, propelled himself back towards them, summoning his scythe back to his hand with a mere thought. Without a second thought, he dove headfirst into the fray, ready to do battle once again.
The battle raged on, a relentless symphony of violence and skill. The three combatants exchanged blows at a pace that defied belief, their movements a blur of precision and power. The clashing of metal rang out through the walls, a cacophonous testament to the intensity of their struggle.
The air crackled with tension, charged with the adrenaline that surged through their veins. Each fighter was driven by a singular focus: survival and victory. They were locked in a dance of destruction, each one matching the other in combat ability and willpower.
As the battle continued, it became clear that this was not just a fight, but a test of endurance and resolve. The three of them seemed evenly matched, neither gaining a definitive upper hand. It was a clash of titans, a battle that seemed destined to continue endlessly, a testament to their unwavering determination and strength.
Amidst the ferocity of their battle, the integrity of the building's floor could no longer withstand the force of their combat. Without warning, the ground beneath them gave way, crumbling and collapsing under the weight of their relentless struggle.
Caught off guard, the three combatants found themselves plummeting downwards as the floor disintegrated, sending them tumbling into the darkness below.
As they landed hard on the ground, the combatants scrambled to their feet, weapons at the ready, their resolve unbroken despite the unexpected fall. However, as they rose, they noticed they were not alone. Two more figures were in the midst of their own battle in this newfound arena.
"Hello, Ajal," Arc greeted, her voice tinged with both weariness and defiance. Her body bore the marks of a fierce battle, bruises and cuts painting a picture of her struggle. Yet, there was an undeniable fire in her eyes, a burning determination that refused to be extinguished. Opposite her stood her adversary, equally poised for combat.
"How did you get down here, Molly?" Sosira inquired, her tone curious yet cautious.
"These two are giving me more trouble than I thought," Molly responded, a hint of frustration in her voice as she motioned towards Emil. "I would've finished the Inheritor if it wasn't for him. It was so much easier to kill Ajal earlier when he didn't know how to use that thing."
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Arc's gaze shifted towards Ajal. "Are you doing alright?" she asked, concern lacing her words.
Ajal nodded, a wry smile crossing his lips. "I should be the one asking you that."
"I'll survive," Arc assured him, though the weariness was evident in her voice. "This Drapabarn is a dangerous enemy. No matter how many times I strike, she doesn't feel it. I'm afraid I don't have a solution."
Ajal let out a sigh, sharing in her frustration. "I'm not faring much better. These two are in a league of their own. I'm barely keeping up after figuring out how to use Divinity a little. Wait, where's Jean?"
"He ran off," Arc said bluntly, her focus unwavering.
Ajal laughed, the tension momentarily broken. He turned his attention back to his opponents. Emil wore a cocky grin, his confidence unshaken, while Molly regarded him with a cold, calculating gaze. Arc and Sosira were poised, ready for the battle to resume.
With the air thick with tension, Ajal took a deep breath. Time seemed to slow, the sounds of the room fading into the background. With determination in his eyes, he took a step forward, signaling the start of the next conflict.
As the battle teetered on the edge of resuming, Arc's sharp eyes caught the subtle shift in Sosira's gaze. Her voice rang out with urgency, cutting through the tense air like a blade:
"Ajal! The Drapabarn is coming your way!"
Molly and Sosira, united in their purpose, charged towards Ajal with a deadly synchrony, their combined assault a testament to their determination to end the fight. Emil, seemingly amused by the unfolding chaos, chose to hang back, his eyes gleaming with interest as he observed the clash.
Ajal, faced with the daunting challenge of battling two formidable opponents, relied on his agility and quick thinking. He darted and weaved through the subway, his movements a blur as he skillfully evaded the relentless attacks of Molly and Sosira. But evasion was a temporary solution, and Ajal knew that he couldn't keep this up forever.
In a surprising burst of speed, Sosira closed the distance between her and Ajal, her form a blur as she appeared directly in front of him. She pulled her arm back, ready to deliver a strike that could potentially end the battle. However, before her fist could find its mark, Arc intervened with impeccable timing.
Arc's elbow hooked around Sosira's, creating a deadlock of strength between the two combatants. The force of their struggle reverberated through the area, a tangible manifestation of their willpower and determination. The standoff was a testament to the intensity of the battle, each fighter pushing their limits in a bid for victory.
As the battle raged on, Molly saw an opportunity to strike while Ajal was preoccupied with Arc's intervention. Her scythe, glowing with a menacing deep purple flame, sliced through the air towards Ajal with deadly precision. But Ajal, ever the elusive target, managed to sidestep the attack just in time.
Unwilling to admit defeat, Molly quickly adjusted her stance and swung her scythe in a wide, sweeping motion, aiming to catch Ajal off-guard. However, Ajal's reflexes proved to be too sharp, and he ducked away from the blade's deadly path, feeling the cold rush of air as it passed mere inches from his neck.
"He dodged that too? You're annoying," Molly grumbled under her breath, her irritation mounting with each failed attempt.
"Yeah, Kaito said I had annoyingly good reflexes. I fought a lot back his highschool," Ajal replied, his tone light, trying to inject some levity into the tense situation.
"Kaito?" Emil piped up, intrigued by the mention of the name.
Meanwhile, Sosira disengaged from her struggle with Arc, creating some distance between them. Arc, seizing the moment, lunged forward and delivered a solid kick to Sosira's side, but once again, it had no visible effect on the Drapabarn.
Molly's frustration boiled over as Ajal continued to dodge her attacks with what seemed like increasing ease. In her growing desperation, her movements became more erratic and less calculated.
Ajal, sensing an opportunity, sprung into action. He closed the distance between himself and Molly, catching her arm with his right hand and pushing it down while driving his left elbow into her jaw with force. The impact was enough to send Molly reeling, her grip on her scythe loosening as she stumbled backward.
"No!" she cried out as she fell, her hood and the purple flames surrounding her beginning to dissipate. In a dramatic turn of events, Jolly, the plush rabbit avatar, was separated from her host, leaving Molly vulnerable and exposed.
Emil's laughter echoed through the subway as he watched Molly struggle on the ground. "So losing your hold on the Gift you copy makes you lose it? And it looks like you can only hold two at a time, considering you never copied mine despite hitting me a bunch. I should thank you, Inheritor, you made this real easy." He flexed his fingers, anticipation building for the impending fight.
"Wipe that stupid grin off your face, idiot," Molly snarled, her voice thick with anger as she pushed herself to her feet.
However, as she stood, Emil was already towering over her, his cross poised for a decisive strike. But just as he was about to bring it down and take Molly out of the fight, his pole was intercepted by the handle of Ajal's scythe. Emil's eyes shot up to meet the gaze of the scythe's wielder.
"I'm getting tired of you thinking I'm on your side in any way," Ajal stated firmly, his voice carrying a weight of finality.
Emil locked eyes with Ajal, and a sense of dread washed over him. Ajal's lavender eyes glowed with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through him, revealing a depth that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. It was like staring into an abyss, a void where his confidence and bravado were swallowed whole.
Fear was etched across Emil's face, his usually confident demeanor shattered by Ajal's intense gaze. He tried to speak, his teeth chattering uncontrollably, but before any words could escape his lips, he was abruptly interrupted. Jolly, the plush rabbit avatar, hurtled through the air and struck Emil's face with a surprising force, sending him reeling.
Using the momentum from the impact, Jolly then spun through the air and delivered a similar blow to Ajal, catching him off guard. "Molly!" Jolly shouted as she soared back to her master, seamlessly merging with her once again.
Molly rose to her feet, her presence once again cloaked in the shadow of her hood, her scythe firmly grasped in her hand. This time, however, instead of the bandages wrapping around her arms, there was a vial attached to her side.
"That's the second time you've saved me. Why?" Molly asked, her voice carrying a hint of softness that hadn't been there before.
"I dunno, but letting him just do what he wanted didn't feel right," Ajal replied with a shrug. "I'm not like the two of you. I don't have a grand dream of being a hero, nor do I care about being remembered. Honestly, I have nothing. No dreams, no aspirations. I guess that's why I accepted being an Inheritor so quickly. It gave me something to work towards."
Molly regarded Ajal with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "So you accepted the role of death because you don't know what else to do with your life? Just because you feel lost?" She shook her head slowly, her expression one of disbelief. "You make it seem so noble, but really, you're just a fool running after anything that gives you the illusion of having a purpose."
Ajal let out a soft, awkward chuckle. "You really hate me, huh?"
Molly paused, considering her words. "No. I don't hate you, Ajal. I hate death. You chose to inherit their responsibilities, so you also inherit my hatred."
As their conversation came to a close, Emil's laughter cut through the tension as he rose back to his feet. "I don't know what stunt you pulled on me, Inheritor, but it ain't gonna work twice!" he declared, a defiant grin spreading across his face.
His hand tightened around the potion vial secured at his hip, his fingers curling around it as though drawing strength from its presence. He adjusted his grip on the massive cross, tilting it slightly forward in preparation, his stance firm and deliberate. The air around him seemed to shift, a quiet determination radiating from him, making it clear that he was far from defeated and ready to rejoin the fray with unyielding resolve.
On the other side of the battlefield, Arc continued her relentless assault against Sosira, but the Drapabarn's extraordinary physical durability proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. No matter how fiercely Arc fought, she couldn't penetrate Sosira's defenses, making a direct victory seem increasingly unattainable.
Arc's confidence waned, not because of Sosira's overwhelming strength, but because of the unsettling realization that Sosira had barely used her Gift throughout their entire confrontation. This apparent lack of effort led Arc to question whether Sosira even considered her a worthy opponent, a thought that gnawed at her resolve.
As Sosira's next punch came barreling towards her, Arc mustered the last remnants of her strength to block with her left forearm. Instead of bracing for impact, she channeled all her energy into shifting her body, spinning around Sosira and throwing her off balance. Capitalizing on the momentum, Arc delivered a powerful kick that struck Sosira in the back, sending her crashing into the wall with a resounding thud.
A cloud of dust rose as Sosira connected with the wall, momentarily obscuring her from view. She slowly pushed herself up from the debris, a determined glint in her eyes as she brushed the dirt off her shirt. "Not bad," she murmured, her expression hardening. "Maybe you're worth takin' seriously, after all."
With a swift motion, Sosira thrust her massive arms forward, the crimson wraps around them shooting forth with blinding speed towards Arc. Exhausted and battered, Arc braced herself for the inevitable impact, but just before the wraps could reach her, she was unexpectedly tackled out of the way by a figure moving even faster than the wraps themselves.
"That was a close one, huh?" the figure said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Yumiko?!" Arc exclaimed, her surprise evident as she recognized her teammate.
"Didja miss me?" Yumiko responded with a large grin, clearly pleased with her timely entrance. "I took care of that gravity guy. He was kinda weak but also not weak?"
Molly, overhearing the conversation, looked over in surprise. "She took out Callapher?" she muttered, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Hey, Yumiko!" Ajal called out, waving at her from a distance, happy to see another ally join the fray.
"You guys found Ajal! Wait, where's Jean?" Yumiko's expression shifted from happiness to curiosity, her gaze scanning the area for their missing teammate.
"He ran," Arc replied, her voice flat, betraying no emotion.
Yumiko just laughed, unfazed by the news of Jean's departure. Her presence brought a renewed sense of hope to the group, her infectious energy and unexpected arrival shifting the dynamics of the battle once again.
"This Drapabarn giving you trouble?" Yumiko asked.
"Yes." Arc responded. "I've come to terms that we can't defeat her. So, my only option is going after the Keystone."
"Oh, so that's what it looks like." Yumiko said, scanning the Keystone. "We're gonna have to capture it if wanna win, right?"
"Correct." Arc answered. "By the earlier message, I can only assume Ezekiel defeated someone, earning us 10 points. We still need 30 points and I fail to see a reality where we defeat all three of the fighters here, so the Keystone is necessary. We only have five minutes remaining but, now that you're here, we should be able to capture it with ease. One of us will distract her while the other claims the Keystone."
With a shared glance between them, they both nodded to confirm the plan. As they readied themselves, Sosira chuckled softly to herself, observing the two with mild intrigue. "Try me. I might even put up a fight for ya this time around."
Meanwhile, Molly and Emil faced off, their attention momentarily diverted from the others. "Your Gift isn't half bad," Molly remarked, her voice cutting through the tension. "A vial that never drains. Drinking it gives you unique properties depending on the color. The color swaps each time you drink. The last one you drank was a speed enhancer. I thought you were using Sho, but it was just your Gift."
"Congrats, you know my Gift. Wanna cookie?" Emil retorted, his annoyance palpable.
Molly brushed off his sarcasm and glanced over at Ajal. "The current color is red; a strength enhancer, possibly. That's all I know."
Ajal, overhearing their conversation, joined in. "So you know about the Nine-Step System too, Molly? That's pretty cool."
"Don't talk like we are friends. I gave you information on his Gift as a thank you for saving me. Now we are even," she replied coldly, her scythe at the ready.
Without a word, Emil launched himself towards Molly, his deadly intentions clear. As he closed the distance, he took a quick swig from his potion, the liquid inside swirling from a deep red to a vibrant green. His body tensed, muscles bulging with the sudden infusion of strength granted by the potion.
He aimed his strike directly at Molly, his fist clenched and ready to deliver a devastating blow. But Molly, ever agile, danced out of the way with a grace that belied the intensity of the moment, her movements fluid and calculated.
Emil's fist, now carrying the full force of the strength enhancer, found nothing but air and then the solid ground beneath them. The impact was cataclysmic, a shockwave of raw power that echoed through the subway. Concrete cracked and splintered, giving way to a massive crater that spread out from the point of impact. Dust and debris flew into the air, a testament to the sheer force behind Emil's enhanced punch.
In the midst of the chaos, Ajal spotted a fleeting chance to strike at Emil. With a swift motion, he swung his scythe, the blade cutting through the air with a deadly grace. The scythe connected with Emil's shoulder, a direct hit that should have inflicted serious damage.
However, to Ajal's astonishment, the scythe rebounded off Emil's shoulder as if it had struck solid rock. There was no mark, no sign of injury – it was as though Emil's body had turned to stone, impervious to the lethal edge of Ajal's weapon. The lack of damage left Ajal momentarily stunned, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face as he tried to comprehend the unexpected resilience of his opponent.
Emil turned towards Ajal, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "That's it?" he sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.
With a swift motion, Emil swung his arm to the side, his enhanced strength turning the movement into a devastating attack. His forearm connected with Ajal's midsection, gripping him with an iron-like hold. In an instant, Ajal's body hurtled towards the wall with unstoppable momentum. The impact was thunderous, the sound echoing through the subway as Ajal collided with the solid barrier. The wall, unable to withstand the force of the blow, crumbled upon impact, chunks of concrete and dust exploding outward.
Debris rained down like a cascade of destruction, burying Ajal under a pile of rubble. The once sturdy wall now lay in ruins, a testament to the brutal power of Emil's attack, while Ajal was left entombed in the aftermath, the weight of the fallen debris pinning him down.
Molly looked at the debris pile and back at Emil, readying herself for battle.