Eastern region - Ashen village - midnight

The fire continues burning whatever remained of the village, surrounding us in its awesome glow. My lungs feel the heat pushing down my throat like a chinchilla being forced down my mouth. Embers glide through the sky, covering my field of vision as they dance in the air. Beautiful, but frightening.

That creepy bastard in Marie’s body walks toward us, acting like some big shot, waving around that stupid sword of theirs. The only weapon I got on me is this stone sword, and it’s jack useless. But it might tank a few hits before getting destroyed. Although, testing that idea is kinda scary in this situation, so yeah…

The plan is still good to go, but I’m not sure we can rely on it much longer. I might not be able to sense Source and stuff, but you don’t need to tell this opponent is bad news when they get going. Heck, I’m even breaking a sweat right now.

“Nunnalé, you ready?” Gil asks as she gets ready to sprint.

Nunnalé leans forward, fixing her gaze on the enemy. “Yes.”

“Then don’t slow down for a moment. You too, Proxy!”

Don’t need to tell me twice. The way the enemy’s sword looks; splitting off into segments, barely being held together. Made from the shadow at its disposal, even my amateurish eyes can tell that thing is the real deal. If it touches us, we’re goners.

“Don’t overthink it, Proxy. Just dodge and you’ll be fine.”

Am I really overthinking this? I’d say that I’m thinking about this as much as I need to. Though, what’s there to think about? All we gotta do is run over there, beat the shit out of that evil dickhead, then get Marie back. Done, no more thinking!

“Let’s go!”

I take the lead, heading headfirst into this. Call me reckless, but I want to get this over with. Stalling is just stupid. I’ll need to cover a long ass distance, so thinking about anything else is just gonna get in the way. Each step I’m taking is with the front of my feet, boosting my speed, and it’ll keep me ready for any attacks.

Halfway there, some bad vibe ravages my body, saying it’s about to get serious. With the swing of their sword, the top segment of the blade breaks off. The damn thing is going so fast, my sense needs to kick in to tell me it’s coming! I jumped out of the way in the nick of time. Almost lost my damn legs! I can’t waste a second when it activates, or I’ll be pushing up daisies.

Another segment ejects from the blade, only to change course, ramming through a building, wrecking it even more. My sense warns me again. I throw myself to the side, almost getting sliced and diced by that thing from behind. Another one already!? This time from above! Wait, from the sides too!?

“Got you!”

The three segments change trajectory altogether, coming at me from behind. I can't move out of the way in time. At the last moment, right when they were gonna bisect me, a blade glides through each of them without pause, cutting them apart like running a knife through swiss-cheese. Nunnalé pins the last one with her sword, missing its blade. I can’t stop moving, not even to catch my breath.

Racing the rest of the way, Nunnalé and Gil stay close behind me.

“Shadow Veil!”

Nunnalé spears her sword at the enemy, pitching it at blinding speeds. The enemy interrupts their attack to deflect. We’re coming up on the body-snatching son of a bitch. If they’re gonna do something, it’s gonna be now.

“Black Gallary: beast of madness armor!”

Donning the black armor, they’re going for a defensive approach. Bastard thinks they’ll minimize the damage we’ll cause with our combined power, then respond with a readied counter. This is gonna be the moment to strike. Anything less will get us killed, but if we can hammer two powerful hits, we’ll nail 'em… But what if it’s a trap!? The enemy can change the shape of their sword, then what about the armor?

I throw a signal to Gil, immediately catching his attention. He and I darted to opposite ends, between the buildings that weren’t covered in fire. The heat of the flames pushes against me, heating my skin the closer it gets. Steel clashing another, roaring louder than the raging flames next to me. Nunnalé must’ve started fighting up close. Good, that gives me more than enough time to close the gap.

Breaking through a pathway that’s catching fire, I end up meeting Marie’s eyes, piercing me with a murderous gaze, boiling anger packed in those eyes, annoyed by my continued survival.

With this moron’s attention on me, Gil sneaked past unnoticed. They push Nunnalé away, then starts buckling down into a stance, resting their sword on Marie's forearm.

“Shadow veil!”

This is my moment! Dodging isn’t an option! If I’m too slow, it’ll hit, but if I can reach before they’re able to get the move out, then I win! A single hit is all I need, Marie’s freedom is on the line!

My legs relax, storing up whatever energy they can. All of my focus hones in on the distance between the two of us. We’re a few steps away from one another, but those steps seem so far apart, like an endless hallway. Reaching the other end is impossible, unthinkable even. But who cares if it's impossible, not when a friend is at stake. So I need to pool in all of my energy, lean forward, and wait for that moment, the golden moment!

“...Snipe!"

Now’s my time! With one step, I blast off, eliminating the distance between us.

A projectile zooms across the field, trained for my chest. At this distance, I can’t dodge, but I don’t need to! I whip out the stone sword, derailing the attack’s trajectory.

“What!”

Using this sword wasn’t my plan, just simple instinct, nothing more, nothing less.

I drop it to get into my stance. Without wasting a moment to breathe, I drive my fist straight, feeling lighter than ever. All the weight in my body shifted into my arm, giving it the power it needs to crack the armor open.

My fist cracks the black armor that took the brunt of our previous attacks. A brutal crack comes from my knuckles, but my adrenaline is running at an all-time high, my sense of pain almost non-existent. Gil matched his strike with mine, leaving Marie’s body sandwiched between our fists. Nunnalé dove in, reaching out for the sword in Marie’s hand. We got this, you’re through, you loser!

"Black Gallary: Evening waves!"

Waves, as black as ink and similar to the ocean during a storm, crash on top of us, carrying us away from Marie. Nunnalé grabs me and Gil, tearing us away from the black sea. From the air, I spot Crow and Quincy booking the hell out of there, with the archers retreating from the battlefield as the waves throw themselves at them. Some of our other men who got too close are being washed away, drowning in the sea of black.

Our landing is rough with Nunnalé almost collapsing to the ground. With how she rushed to get us airborne, I can’t blame her for the shoddy landing. If we had stayed any longer, I'm sure that would've been it for us.

“Follow up: evening rain!”

The waves explode into the sky, raining down on us. I sense nothing, not even when the waves exploded, so what's the point?

"The flames!"

Nunnalé's observation drags my attention to where the fire should be. This isn’t an attack, it’s just to get rid of the fire! As the fire dies down, darkness surrounds us, destroying whatever advantage we had.

"Using fire was smart. It weakened my abilities, but the way you three took advantage of me using my Source was annoying." Guess they mean me, Gil, and Nunnalé. "...When I tried to use enhancement, the doll swooped in, and when I used shadows, those two fought against me. I'm guessing the other Source-user in your group formulated that strategy of yours."

Looks like they're not as dumb as I thought. Yeah, Zell told us that Source-users can't use two abilities at the same time. So far, he got it right. Nunnalé didn't need to jump in too often and we could keep up with the enemy's movements. But now the scripts flipped and I sure as shit have no idea what's gonna happen now.

"...For annoying me this much, I’ll punish you all!" That murderous pressure that was shot at me before permeates through the village, choaking my lungs. "...Shadow Veil: Midnight beast parade."

The shadows around Marie turn into an ooze, bubbling up as they take various forms of strange and grotesque creatures that come straight out of a nightmare. Each one fits into the other like puzzle pieces, forming a ring of monstrous forms. With wings outstretched, arms dangling from all over the thing, and faces poking from it, completing its formation, looming above Marie's body.

"Burst."

My sense boards off. Assaulted by a deafening scream that echoes along the night, the buildings blow apart; ashes scattered in the wind. This unbelievable power pushes us. A strong sense of pain stabs at my nerves.

Nunnalé protected Richard from the attack, holding onto him and her sword stuck in the ground.

"Looks like I held back a bit. Oh well, I'll–"

Nunnalé picks up the bundle of weapons I brought with me, throwing them at the ring. One by one, they're taken out of the sky by the wings on the back of the ring, destroying all of them.

"How pointless… Burst!"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The hollow scream bellows across the village once again, throwing us back with its sheer strength. A dull thud hits the back of my head, instantly knocking me out.

…

The atmosphere served a crushing blow to everyone else, incapacitating them. Source drips to the ground as if to soil the very earth itself. Nunnalé stands firm on her feet, enduring that ridiculous power. Even if she hides it, I can tell it hurt her. I'll give her a quick heal.

“No healing!”

The wings react to my intent, traveling as black, linear lines, losing their shape for distance and speed. Nunnalé swings her blade, blocking both the wings. However, her blade shattered after the second guard. Those wings retract, returning to their original position.

“Such devotion. That blast was not a real scream, but a burst of my Source being shot at all of you. If I wanted to, I could kill you all without lifting a finger, but I am generous, so a fast death it is!”

The wings stretch out again, coming back for round 2. Nunnalé throws her weight behind her punches, deflecting the wings with my Source. Despite enhancing her arms, she’s suffering cuts faster than my eyes can keep up with. They assail her without end. Through all this, she’s still protecting me, watching their movement with a keen eye.

From the wrecked buildings, another wing aims for Nunnalé’s back. Without thinking about my next action, I block with an enhanced arm, suffering a minor cut to my forearm. However, no matter how brief, I took all the Source I could, leaving Nunnalé vulnerable to an attack.

A wing splits open her shoulder. Blood splashes out of the wound, staining my shirt. Before the other one could land, I tackle her to the ground. It flies over our heads by a hair’s breadth.

“Nunnalé, your shoulder!”

“It doesn’t matter. Watch the enemy!”

I got in her way again. We never had to use Source at the same time as the other. Our enemy was right, Nunnalé and I are out of synch, and that wound is evidence.

“...I’m bored.” The wings return to the ring. “Fighting foes I’ve already beaten and those who cannot even muster the intent to kill are boring, and I’m almost done consuming this girl, so let’s just hurry this up.”

The ring ascends higher into the sky, towering over us with a malicious glow.

“O’ ring, bring blight onto this land…” Nunnalé leaps to her feet, dashing off, despite her wound, trying to prevent whatever is going to happen. “…Taint this world with your malice, bring the inner world to the physical, and allow monsters to walk the world. Shadow’s damnation!”

Out of the ring, Source bursts out, coming down on top of Nunnalé. With all the Source I can put into my leg, I’ll be able to save her! Seeing her hurt breaks my heart, seeing her stand on her own makes me feel powerless. I’m scared to see someone I care about die on me again! I don’t want, I never want that… But I… I don’t want to look down on her, I want to believe in her!

“Nunnalé, your sword!”

The mass of Source is less than a second away from her. Despite that compact time frame, Nunnalé drew her sword before it collapsed on top of her. A quake hits the ground like an explosive went off. The floor below is losing its form under the shadows that splash all over the village. Standing behind her, Nunnalé struggles like hell to hold back the attack with every ounce of her being and Source.

“Master Richard, use our Source to run away!”

“I won’t!”

“If you stay, you’ll–”

“You need all the Source you can get, right!? Well, I’ll give it to you, no matter how much you need!”

A brief pause follows while she holds off the attack. “...Why?”

“Because…we’re partners! So if we’re going to save Marie, we do it together! More than that, I want to believe in you!” Whether or not it’s possible to win, I don’t care. I just want to beat this bastard! Everyone gave it their all, no matter how bad the odds were, so I can’t just sit back and give less than them. “Take all my Source if you have to, Nunnalé, just win!”

She doesn’t turn her head, a peep doesn’t leave her mouth, nor does she lessen her defense… “Thank you,” she says, quiet in tone, but heartfelt.

“Then let’s do this!” My Source spikes in magnitude, but all of that energy flows elsewhere, into Nunnalé, elevating her strength to further heights. “...I will fulfill your request, Master Richard, to my dying breath!”

Then, all the Source in her body hones into her sword, bathing it in bright light, expelling the shadows from existence.

“Nunnalé…what’s…”

“That light…? What is it!?”

The enemy is just as confused as I am, stunned by this sudden turn. It’s a light that shimmers bright, as bright as any star in the sky; becoming a star that would never allow a single shred of darkness to remain in this world. Even without me seeing the Source flow, I can tell it holds immense power, a power that rivals this darkness!

“Master Richard, if we use this…”

“I know, we got this! Destroy that ring!”

Is it optimism, perhaps confidence, or maybe the light shined a bit of hope in this terrifying battle? I don’t know why I feel confident in this light, but with it, I know we can save her.

“I’ll rush at Marie the moment you destroy it.”

“Yes!”

I can feel Nunnalé’s fierce determination coming through, strengthening mine as well.

Nunnalé straightens her posture, handles her sword with both hands, lifting it overhead, then takes a step forward. The air rages on as the power in her sword runs wild, expanding its shine. Closing her eyes, she hones all her focus into her blade, withdrawing into a peaceful state that contrasts with the blistering winds.

“Unbelievable! I don’t believe any of this crap! Shadow’s Damnation!”

I can feel the air narrowing at us, preparing for another blast. That alone would’ve scared me to the very core of my being, destroying any hope inside of me. Not this time, though. I know Nunnalé will do it, she’ll destroy that thing.

Then, killing what little anticipation remained, the ring fired its final shot. Breaking out of her perfect stillness, Nunnalé brings down her blade, unleashing the beautiful light, rending the darkness, and illuminating the night itself. It travels across the ashen ground, severing the attack as it goes along. The enemy has no time to block the attack, and even if the ring were to fire a second time, it wouldn’t be able to disperse the light. Those wings aren’t fast enough to cover it, but that wouldn’t be enough to stop it; no matter what solution our enemy comes up with, they’re never going to beat this light, a light meant to bring the end to their shadows.

Delivering the inevitable conclusion, the light hits the ring, tearing it to shreds. It evaporates without leaving a trace.

“Master, go!”

My body responds to her words, pulling me forward as I put whatever Source I can into my left leg. That attack took up most of my Source. There’s no margin for error, I’ll have to narrow my use of it. With a single leap, I quickly close the gap, but they respond by trying to manifest another monster to act as a shield. I focus all my Source into my fist.

“You’re not getting away!”

I punch the ill-manifested creature, destroying it before it can come to life. My blow riled up the wind, shaking up the Source-user and weakening their grip on the sword. This is my only chance! I jump at Marie’s body, reaching out for the sword that’s right in front of me. “Give me that sword!”

I’ll dislocate my arm if it means yanking that sword from her hands!

“You little shit!” Putting up a desperate act, the Source-user, attaches a shadow, appearing as a hand, to Marie’s wrist. “...As long as my Source touches her, she’ll always belong to me!”

Seriously!? And at this distance, they’re just going to slice my torso wide open!

“...Then all I need to do is take it.”

Taking advantage of the enemy’s blind spot, someone from behind yanks the sword from the self-made binding. Fear, blending in rage and confusion, runs across Marie’s face. An expression unlike any other, speaking volumes of this last move, quickly boiling down to blind, uncontrolled rage.

“DAAAAAAAAAMN!”

This has to be from the realization of defeat, or maybe something stronger than that? The fear that he’ll lose his freedom. While I feel the impact of these emotions, I can’t bring myself to care about a being that would mindlessly hurt and kill people for the reason it did. If you ask me, that’s a fit punishment.

Every ounce of that repugnant Source surrounding Marie’s body vanishes, freeing her from this nightmare. She plummets to the ground.

I drop to my knees, getting ready to heal her. Huh? My Source isn’t coming through to heal her… Aw, you have to be kidding me! That last move must’ve done it. I drained my body of all my Source, not only that, but ragged breath is proof of this as well.

"So, this blade is the cause of this nightmare?" Ovan carries the blade, staring at it, mystified by its splendid form. "...Now I see the allure of this weapon. It’s calling for my darker, more animalistic nature, whispering sweet nothings…"

Don't tell me it got to him, too!?

"Ovan, you–"

He throws it to the ground, treating it without an ounce of respect. “...However, looking closely, this saber reeks of death. Such a disgusting thing would be useful for freeing slaves in mines, but by the end, I’d simply be an animal, and I for one, wish to remain human.”

It didn’t work? Maybe it can’t possess him, so there are conditions for it to possess someone. Either way, I’m glad we don’t have to fight him, too.

"Master Richard, are you okay?"

Nunnalé stands behind me, showing exhaustion in her breathing, doing her best to catch her breath.

"Are you okay, Nunnalé?"

"My condition is stable. Examine Marie's?"

Right, almost forgot. I check her pulse on her wrist… A pulse; I got a pulse! "She's alive!"

A soft smile loosens Nunnalé’s stiff expression, only to leave as quick as it came. "...Then I suggest we transport her to safety, as well as everyone else."

"Easier said than done."

Everyone’s badly hurt after the ring’s attack, and with Nunnalé, Ovan, and myself, it’d take a while to get everyone back to camp. But, out of nowhere, a bus horn blares from outside the village, drawing our attention there. Our bus pulls up outside the village.

"Yo! Did we miss da party!?"

Elizabeth peers her head from the driver's window. Her voice relaxes my guard. Glad to see some friendly faces.

A group of people comes barging out of the bus, running into the village with medical equipment, helping those who are unconscious.

Nunnalé tugs at my sleeve. "Master Richard, we should move Marie into the bus."

"You’re right."

I pick her up and put her on my back. Her weight lowers me to the ground, however, I should be good with carrying her on my back.

“Ovan, what about the sword?”

“Do not worry, I shall bury it in the ground, deep.”

Good idea. That way, no one will find it by accident ever again. For all the trouble it caused, I hope it never sees the light of day.

“Master Richard, allow me to aid you.”

“Thanks.”

She sets a hand on Marie’s back, keeping her secured on me while I walk.

“Nunnalé, that power, what was it?”

“I…do not know, but it is unrefined.”

“Are you sure? I mean, it was pretty powerful.”

“Yes. Although the evidence for this conclusion is non-existent in a logical sense, I am certain. I apologize for such a vague answer.

“Don’t worry, I trust you.” If it’s unrefined, then I’d love to see what it looks like when she masters it. Glancing at her shoulder, a hint of guilt bites at me. “Listen, I’m sorry for getting in your way again. If I’d let you fight without me taking all the Source, then that cut on your shoulder wouldn’t have happened.”

“It is fine. The wound will heal, given time.”

She’s been fighting so hard to save Marie, and so have all of us. Honestly, I think deserve a break… Oh, I got it!

“Nunnalé, do you want to go see some flowers?”

She turns to me, caught off guard by my question. “Why for?”

“Well, I found some in that mine we went to the other day, and I thought you’d love to see them. Would you?”

“...Yes.”

“Alright, then we’ll go. But for now, let’s help everyone, then rest up, okay?”

“Understood… Master Richard, the sky…”

The shadows of the evening fade as the sky takes on an orange hue. Daybreak is here, ending the long battle against a crazed Source-user, bring placidity to this ruined village of ash and to those who rest here…