Away from David and Ultium, raging clashing storms moved against mountains and cleaved the earth. Ozeki's soldiers had yet to lose, but being rampant against the remaining Paladins was definitely a stretch.
Razmund stayed in place, unbothered and without a weapon in sight. There was no visible claymore, or handle protruding from his pouch. In fact, there was not even that pink and shining Dice around his left palm, but David or Ultium had fewer clues about his precious tool. They heard hints, however, and neither was present. Their minds had different thoughts, thanks to Ceila and Ozeki.
It wasn't their time to play with them, so what about Razmund who felt like a dark cloud in a bright sky? David was half worried over his various prospects. Most of it was about Ozeki, as that devil was quite a menace. Then, he was stressed at what Ceila's implications meant.
They learned nothing new from Ceila, who was reluctant to reveal anything substantial or secret. Even a little might give some lofty gods or this place some idea, so she was silent for good reasons, albeit her mere existence created doubts and news alike. However, their story over this plain wasn't over. David was waiting, similar to Ultium who didn't need deep reasons for anything.
As for the Gods in or out of the picture, their reasonable worries about this situation were unimportant. Some might watch and take every bit of this situation in mind, and Ceila needed to be quick or decisive regardless of anyone. She gambled on no apparent descent, Avatar, or a straight-up God's Wrath! Paladins were enough. Hopefully, no Judge would make another appearance.
Razmund stood on a heated ground, arms crossed, and eyes firm. David had yet to see a reason to make that call. He was curious about some matters and Razmund knew some of them more than enough, as he was surprised to see them with Ceila.
Razmund learned plenty about Lost Brothers from Ozeki, who took Murai's Helpers through substantial information gathering.
What he should know, Razmund already learned. That was wrong, for this divine party shouldn't exist.
What were they here for? How? Why? Their presence wasn't as surprising as their little hope and desire to stop him. In some way, it was a clever plan. If it worked, of course. Razmund was almost impressed by their dreams, yet half of everything was already hopeless.
Stopping Ozeki's charge before Sector 45 should be enough, even if it was a superficial plan. Still, some clashes of interest and letting some things slide might come to bite him later. After all, he was never sure about everything, similar to the others. It was always better to be cautious and heed tough and sentimental lessons.
Razmund learned that across two lifetimes. Here, as a Delver and a great Blessed, he didn't want to take any chances.
Razmund always knew where to go and what to do because of his innate attraction as a person, which was something David understood. It was something worth remembering even before Lisa found him. However, nothing was ever stone-certain. Everything might change sooner or later.
David always felt something was wrong with the reports. His purchased glimpses of the upper Gates were the same. He should take this Encounter for what it could be, and that came with Mindarch's reports from the Islands of Greatness and some pictures from Gate of Suffering. All Sides included, of course.
And sure enough, he saw plenty of wonders, and also one shocking idea.
Razmund had nothing on his left hand. No strips. No Dice that might glow, or move on its own. Could the reports be corrupt, or did Razmund discard whatever he was doing for a joke because he was getting close to his target? That was impossible. It went against the logic David saw in Blessed for his entire life. People like Razmund won't change. They cannot!
Blessed weren't right in their mind. David understood their lunacy and innate desires and goals. They were full of regrets, which was sad and wrong, but not the end of the line. Some were ready for a new life and do whatever the hell they wanted.
They were beings who didn't need to know every worldly reason, for they knew them as something else or very different. It was an unnatural concept of living. The End and Afterlife went against logic, but it was a reality of this world, so people had to live with that.
It was hard to guess their actions, or what such figures preferred. Oftentimes, it ended up in insufferable or incredible sights that Gods took for their little chances or weaknesses. Getting them as followers was also rich.
David had no clue what Razmund carried within him to create such a storm. Frankly, clues weren't needed. He became so unhinged and troublesome in this place that no one in their right mind should take it lightly.
This Gate understood that and he must be confident as a Blessed, or had he built for this exact moment? That might be naive or he had no other choice. There were interesting ideas behind it, thanks to the Encounter and Gods beyond its scope. It should pivot to a weird critical point. At worse, it might not even be about him, but about what he opposed, or what surrounded him.
Centralis...
David couldn't judge Razmund or do anything else but think this through by force. He was the reason for dreams and how Bagus and Itrosh thought.
David knew he couldn't ask for more than he deserved. He took the plunge against weird odds and got what he wished for. It might hurt. Pain everything that he aimed for, right beside Ultium, and close to a shocking rediscovery of Lisa who should've remained dead.
Razmund might be the same as him: not knowing everything and far too busy caring for his own skin. David wasn't sure if he wanted to know more. Regardless of any suspicions, this world was never simple like its hidden lands or secret places.
Razmund was far too calm for someone who went against a triplet of Radiants and Ceila, whose trust was in David's mind like fleeting confidence. Unaware naivety was an easy idea; he and Ozeki simply didn't know of Ceila and her force at all. Until now, of course.
His time could go away, stick, and die.
David couldn't understand their plans since they shouldn't be caught. Ceila mentioned being a Helper and giving Murai some advantage, while later on, Razmund became their target. A church was never a calm place, and this one revolved around Vermillion, a Rank 2 Goddess of Pheonex.
It should be about her; David considered. Her Radiants and one insane-looking priestess charged head-deep into the Levandis Temple. That sounded insane and like a flawed idea, yet here they were.
It went against the logic of this Gate and history, or Murai might be worthy of this insanity. At that fleeting insight, David's world trembled in many ways. He already made his decision and sought this part to the end; regardless of his life, doubts, or inquiries over the past decades.
Ozeki took the expected route. Striking with his officers and soldiers was anticipated, yet what about Ultium who was hard to deal with? Could this young devil and Lost Brothers be useless or unworthy?
Vermillion Church turned that idea to dust and stomped on it! Ozeki could barely defend his heart against such terrific timing and stalling might be all he could do. Unbeknownst to them, Murai was already deep in the earth, reaching places closer to his portal according to Lisa's expectations.
Defeating these Paladins was improbable, so what else was next?
Victory or loss, who was ahead right now was laid bare and obscured on a way too large chessboard.
David clutched his head for a fleeing idea, thinking calmly as the storm around him kept going. Ozeki fought cried, and laughed even more. Ceila was ridiculous, while her Paladins were worse.
“Could it be,” David mumbled, feeling shocked by his sudden idea. He tapped Ultium's shoulder, whispering something to his ears.
“Kill. One move.” Three words. Three simple reasons and objectives to follow.
In a singular moment, before Razmund did a thing as he stood around for nothing, Ultium discharged a bloody wave around his shoulders. It cruised towards his arm and legs, soaking half of his body. He shook the ground a dozen meters around as if something crashed to the ground. It wasn't a Domain. Ozeki's Domain and overall power were ongoing and heavy, feeling as if a mountainous river raged and worked against mountains.
Ultium was composed, deadly, collected, and young and fierce. He was also more... keen and special, if not unnatural when his stringent heart and desires saw their targets. His blood turned, wavering and lowering onto his right hand after he pulled it out of his pocket. ]
A single hand would do more than enough for this order.
A glint of his eyes changed, becoming round like moons overlapping over one another, and turning deep red. A single step was all it took for him to appear right before Razmund, creating cracks spreading on the ground and blood dropped. Hand ready, eyes aimed at that lax smirk. It was not right. Ultium felt it imminently.
Razmund expected this End with open arms, knowing that Ozeki was an idiot for going this far. He was a clever idiot without a choice. That was good, if not delightful when the words were told and the order was firm.
Blood flowed, cutting into the flesh and skin, creating a single hole that crashed the bones and went through one sturdy yet soft body. Ultium's arm went through Razmund's chest, holding a heart in his fingers, splurging blood all over the ground and his suit that didn't take it at all. It was a bad, poor blood.
Razmund let it happen as he growled and laughed as he coughed up buckets of blood. He was content for this moment. He even mumbled something as Ultium pushed him above the ground, creating a small fountain since way too much blood escaped from Razmund.
Blood went from his mouth, turning the words into a mess that only Ultium heard.
David watched this with shocked uncertainty and relaxed realization. They had been played. He expected... something. Now, he was wrong and realized the possible truth. He was right after all and anxiety grew in his heart.
Ultium would disagree; he liked this bloody feeling and killing what David wanted. Who it aimed for was another thing, but this foe felt hollow and his heart wasn't moved. Ultium wanted and anticipated this hunt for a long time, so when it happened, he ended up dissatisfied.
What was that feeling in his chest? Beating? Was that aimed at Ceila, or was this a much worse betrayal?
The fight was no more, though David hadn't lied.
The true battle against a powerful Blessed and rumored sword maniac ended with a swipe. He didn't even have a sword, let alone put up a fight.
The blood flowed further out of the open wound. It went on and on and far too fast.
Ultium dropped the heart the moment Razmund's body turned limp, leaving his words and last message up to Ultium's frowning face. Frowning, he wasn't happy with this kill. His fun shrouded his heart in suspicions and weird toxic feelings that were hard to quench.
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Was it rage, or a misguided way that he ought to hate but didn't? He knew what David used to say about anger. It was often a familiar motion that moved with disappointments and failure, while expectations and seeing the truth of anger or heart weren't usually clear. One should learn.
Ultium released his whole arm from this dead clown, letting Razmund's body drop to the ground, which turned a reddened sand bath into his death bed.
David looked at this sight with indifference and observed blood rising for dozens of seconds. He saw a key in his guess. Running towards Ultium, he asked. “What did he whisper? The words!”
Ultium seemed to understand what David meant, so he answered without hiding his disappointment. He was close enough to the limit to be his distinct self. “Too bad? Something along those lines? Could be too late as well. Perhaps it was late too? I don't know. He shit-talked, or so you would call it like, boss,” He shrugged, not realizing the potency of these phrases, or what they entailed.
David began inspecting Razmund's corpse. His pouches were counterfeits with nothing in them. They were regular leather without any space or runes. He carried nothing except his clothes and carried... Carried? David was shocked as he confirmed his guess.
Had Razmund just cloned himself? It was him, living, but dead. It was a sham without a doubt, but wasn't that impossible? Many sides of magic could create true wonders, living or going over the dying forms. Undead were that. Liches were closer. What both entitled was the power of God of Death.
This thing was just bloody awful, so could this involve some treasures cleaving common sense apart? Some beings were able to create miracles, and miracles couldn't always happen on their own.
Calming his breath, what was on the ground was the physical body of Razmund. There used to be a heart in the chest, followed by lungs, ribs, and... blood. A lot of it... Too much of it. Everything was reeking of strange blood with a weird odor, yet mana or the demise of his Mana Core was nowhere to be found. Everything was so bloody that he couldn't see good from bad.
“I knew it,” David glanced at that distant fight, looking at Ozeki who noticed his little plan stopped far too quickly. He wryly smiled, fought Ceila, and cursed as if he should've expected it. It seemed he gave Razmund far too much credit, but where was the fun? He should've put forth at least some fight.
“What a fucking waste!” Ozeki cursed and created long spiraling spear stabs that bent his Domain and created huge holes in the ground. Ceila defended and felt coughing blood if it wouldn't be for a Paladin who protected her on time.
“It isn't the time to shed tears, milady,” he assured her, and Ceila nodded, noticing bloodstained Razmund and discovering what was going on.
Giving up before Ultium as a kid met with an adult was funny. Ozeki took this young devil for an enigma that didn't need his direct touch. Not for now, for there was way too much weight on his shoulder.
It was a wonder what he should've expected from Razmund, who assumed the 'bait plan', paid the price, and ''died'' because of it.
Ozeki scowled and cried out, opposing a single Paladin alone while Ceila made her move, intercepting him from safety while making a sudden opening that slammed into his bloody flesh. Then she jumped away to check on David.
From time to time, Ozeki was at a total disadvantage, but he kept them occupied, similar to his army which was doing a fine job.
Not for long, obviously by fatigue, Paladins with pristine conditions, and most of the soldiers weren't looking great. Most of their Demonic Horses were long lost, so wasn't it just a stalling of the inevitable end? Was everyone stalling one another? David thought about it and found the answers.
Ceila realized her wrongdoing after going easy on everyone, but failure was before her. Her Lady was the cause, though she seemed busy and silent for way too long. After all, Ceila had everything that she required the moment she entered this temple.
Even if she didn't make anything easier, Ozeki wouldn't back down or let them go. He wouldn't die fast unless one or two of her Paladins paid a certain price for his desires. However, few things were worth this price.
Fleeing was better, or bearing the inevitable cost or rewards that came with following consequences.
Ceila would never permit the loss of a Paladin in this place, or misjudge her wishes. That ended up in a weird situation where she used Paladins much more sporadically, lest Levandis sent someone else to shackle their group and make a definitive attempt to attest her pride as the owner of this place.
Thankfully, it didn't happen because Vermillion was sure this part would be smooth.
Weirdly, neither moved to the final point and rather poked the others. It wasn't reluctance, confusion, or simple unwillingness to bear its consequences. It wasn't time for being savage.
“What is that?” Ceila asked, pointing at the situation below David's hands. She halted her Paladins without any words, briefly pausing this fight with Ozeki who wouldn't stop because of this.
So when Paladins smacked him with a shield and impulsive light, he backed off willingly.
“Fucking Radiants! That? Oh, that is wonderful how long it lasted, but what a shame it had such a lacking base. To be fair, it was our scheme. A gamble against something that would inevitably move against us, yet we didn't know what. Who knew you would take it to such a distance, or... at all? I mean, who are you here for anyway? Me? I am all but one breaking devil, silly,” Ozeki smiled, making yet another thrust to her face which she easily dodged with a simple sway of her long legs before another Paladin smacked him aside.
Ozeki cheered and went for a kill, creating no room for talking. With Razmund gone, this left him as the sole taker of this group. He would stall them! Stall them all.
None of his Domain-empowered thrusts posed too much of a threat to Ceila, who took care of his bloody long spear because of her movement and Paladins. She didn't take the initiative and rather considered defenses before figuring out what to do next.
She wasn't even hurt after numerous clashes, yet she hadn't made any significant moves or progress either. Some of these savage Domain-related moves and cuts would cleave a Lawful being into pieces, and Ozeki showed no restrictions whatsoever. He let his blood boil and turn and put everything into this crazy meeting.
Ozeki turned much more savage after knowing the rabbit was out of the hat. Each of his swings and thrusts carried ripples of Domain Blades, which were simple manifestations that came out of his swings, creating a wide variety of attacks, followed by speedy and immediate main thrusts.
Some blades looked like the swing that could come from a true blade while others looked like javelins. Fewer of them looked like his spear, darting like phantom afterimages that were very much alive and tried to cut Ceila to pieces.
It wasn't as if he wanted to stop these involuntary strikes. Every action in the Domain had some consequence, draining him, and it wanted everything linked to him, Ize Spear, and his Domain. Depending on how one clashed and attacked, how one comprehended everything, or how one felt, everything about the Domain became much more powerful.
For Ozeki, he didn't care for anything but his spear. Everything else was just a potential bonus that happened on its own or created an option or shortcut.
It needed a proper Will in order to treat Domains lightly, or like an Intent or unusual magics.
Murai would understand what this was about, though he wouldn't like to see it right now, or in this life.
Will was near to an Intent, and Domain grew closer by both like a sun aiming at water and giving closer depths its life. But deep down, there were secrets and much more to know. Ozeki's hand, spirit, heart, and also his spear played their roles in everything. Closer than ever, the Domain could be wide or thin like a cloak over one's shoulders, weighing down on a person like a mountain, granting power and defense, or wings.
Like a warrior let into a point of no return, Ozeki knew the end was approaching. He couldn't stall forever, but every minute or an hour would work to his advantage.
Would Ceila let it go that way?
He suspected she wouldn't.
“A trick, is it?” Ceila frowned, looking away as Paladin with a shield smashed his whole body against Ozeki, pushing alongside him for hundreds of meters before smashing to a dozen-meter tall rock.
Ozeki couldn't do a thing when the battle halted for a moment. Not when he had the shield so close and spear far from making any strikes. He could only scream as this annoying Radiant flung him away, hoping that his Domain wouldn't do something weird, but that shield was strong, and the armor was still firm.
Rocks shattered to pieces, leaving mess, debris, and dust behind. Among the chaos, shield Paladin grabbed Ozeki's head in no time, smashing it repeatedly against the rocky ground. That went on until dust settled and the ground was one large crater.
Then, he tossed Ozeki away, lurching him hundreds of meters onto another rock, which was conveniently close to where Ceila was standing.
Ozeki traveled at ease, faking his distress that might soon turn real. It should if he wanted to survive this clash, or before everything was over. He clutched his spear as if he would never let it go, his aura remained, and his Domain glowed in a spark of new blood coming from his wounds.
He looked like a demon when he smashed at the incoming rock. This time, he didn't destroy it. Only smaller bits spread, before he stumbled down, standing a dozen meters away from Ceila's pondering figure.
“What did he use to create a clone? This one is very real, so it might not be something easy or simple, or... him,” she demanded Ozeki to talk.
“He? Oh, you think humans do this sort of thing? Some might but don't worry. Nothing that he knows is in that pile of rubbish.” Ozeki replied and was ready to return to his fight. His spear glistered in waves of the blood of his extended Domain, shining and making his spear longer and turning the spearhead into a large twisted point.
“Something yours then?”
“Damn right! It is something mine!” Ozeki shouted, swinging his spear and creating a large opening in the ground when he smacked the lower end down.
“What is here for you then now, that he is gone and left us in the dust? How long ago was it? For you to stall us, that might not be that clever. You should hurry. Your little ticket might soon find it harsh to breathe,” Ceila spoke calmly, pondering over something as if she weren't in the middle of a battle.
“An order for me? Chances come for you and anyone. Now, let's call it weird timing, but the world is weird, yet we are living and still take some voice of reason or take it for what it is. I do. Everyone in this place looks for ways to grow and die, silly. Everything follows this principle in this world, even when it doesn't spin right. Don't pretend as if you are any different from us! Sky or Hell, everything wants to be high and mighty.”
“Don't get me wrong,” Ceila said. “I never stated anything wrong about your words. I do the same things as many do, yet the purposes of many are different for everybody... and me. You have your stakes. I have mine. Circumstances differ like Chaos and Order itself.”
Ozeki sneered as he moved closer, but not too close to attack her outright. He noticed the shield Paladin was closing and branding his shield and sword. “You are hilarious to me, girl. Everything about your party is crazy enough to watch you and doubt you with every fiber of this gate. How can you be here, dancing on top of everyone's game?”
“I am not so young as you would call me a girl, devil,” she said coldly. “So what was it with Razmund? Death Toll? Some high-class golem, doll, or bloody spell close to your heart? I believe these are workable just for other devils or yourself, or could this be something older?”
“Well, it is fair to say plans go to shit when they tend to fail. I am not petty. It was Grade S Bloody Mary. A clone made of blood and flesh between me and Razmund and my careful sculpting. He felt and knew everything the Bloody Mary did, but its power has its limits. All under my command, connected to Razmund like a doll. He heard everything by association and knew what the clone felt and saw, right as he strides to Sector 45. He took things quicker when Fate spoke, you see.”
“Fate. Well, it is you. A silly devil who thinks he can take this on.”
“You or him, what does it matter? Bloody Mary was a gift from my Lady. And just like that, it is gone,” he slammed the shaft to the ground again, looking at Razmund in a pool of blood, and spat to the ground, “in an instant. He wasted it, despite not giving it more time. He didn't know what to expect. I wouldn't expect such a team in my dreams. I swear if I will see that man again after all this shit...” Ozeki cursed, lifting his spear's dull edge from the ground.
His armor was satisfactory, his wounds mostly on his face and head, and his spear was so itching for Ceila's neck that he couldn't stop from moving forward.
Ceila was feeling like caring for him herself, so she snapped her finger and sent the Paladin with a shield straight at him, causing a clash of radiance and blood to shake the ground.
“Not giving me a chance?” Ozeki asked, feeling as if he made a blunder by this talking. He should've stalled and talked some more.
After a wild clash, the shield Paladin stood without hitting him again, but he would have had his way with him if Ceila wanted.
Ozeki knew his play was nearing its end. All he could do was edge it closer for Razmund's or his benefits. He did promise it, after all. Promises held a lot of weight for devils.
“So it is like that? My Lady hadn't expected this sort of thing, as a lot of things are happening at the same time, and might happen next, mirroring hopes and rules that aren't fine or hiding but will hide. This much is a minor problem.” Ceila sighted, understanding how failure felt even after her plans carried multiple targets and other plans.
Catching Razmund failed, so it was time to move towards the other flank.
Razmund used a rare precious treasure and technique at the same time. It was close to the same vision of a Blood Avatar. A type of clone that could live side by side in the physical realms, but through harsh mental assets, limited mental capacity, and strength because of shared mind.
Bloody Mary worked similarly, as it was a mirrored copy created by Ozeki's use of Blood Shaping, Razmund's blood, and one consumable ancient treasure.
Shared senses worked across distances, as long as some dimension, Chaos Space, or other places didn't work against this connection. If hindered, the clone could become duller, weak, lost, or turn better depending on who was cloned.
In some cases, they could become independent, yet still one. Such was the power of Grade SS treasure from Endless Skies, Bloody Mary. A part of a rose-like tulip that took lifetimes to bloom, years to refine into a dagger that came from a single petal, and many sacrifices.
It had obvious shortcomings. The power of the clone wouldn't be even half of the real body, yet it would be real in a strange sense of reality and possess a great deal of interest depending on the one cloned, and compatibility.
It was a perfect bait that Ceila hadn't expected. It was far too precious, yet someone like Ozeki used it for a simple divergence because he could.
All for what? For Razmund to go ahead and reach different routes in secret and get closer to Murai ahead of an unknown danger?
That fucking Dice is seriously pissing me off! Ceila cursed and clutched her fists in seething yet unconcerned rage. Her face was calm, albeit her patience was no longer fine.
Every one of her Paladins could feel it, for they were not stupid, or some toys, or lifeless dull soldiers.