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Shoarune Inn, Glenwood
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“Battle plans, artes, and techniques… I hope Alisha doesn’t have any problem with them.” Sorey’s mind was busy all night.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t ward off his concerns for Alisha’s consent on their strategies. He immediately took off towards her room. Alisha’s bedroom was across the hall. It didn’t take a few seconds for him to reach it. Sorey instantaneously barged in,
“Hey, Alisha….” In a second, his thoughts and ideas escaped him. Sorey learned that he was precipitative in his actions; Alisha was sitting on her bedside, stripping off parts of her armour.
An uncontrollable scream came out of Sorey’s mouth, followed by a quick turn on his heels,
“Sorry! I didn’t know you were getting changed!”
Alisha’s brows darted up, her face wrinkled as she suppressed a chuckle, “It’s okay. I was cleaning my armour a bit.”
Alisha’s thoughtful response made Sorey ease at heart, but he felt more guilt at the same time. He turned a little bit towards her, but enough to still hide his flushed face, “Still, it was pretty brazen of me just to enter a girl’s room like that.”
The pure, virtuous heart of Sorey was known to Alisha from a long time ago. There was no need to assume the worst. She smiled for him, “Then allow me to invite you into my room officially. Come in, Sorey.”
Alisha’s gentle invitation and her comforting tone of voice relaxed his nervousness sensation. Sorey approached the princess, wearing an innocent grin and a red face, “If you insist!”
“Was there anything you wanted?” Alisha asked kindly.
The excitement was too much for the young Shepherd. But Sorey managed to collect his thoughts effortlessly, “Oh, I was wondering if you’re okay with the pace of the battle. Let me know if you feel overwhelmed.”
Alisha bowed her head slightly in response, “I’m fine. My lance and armour are as good as ever.”
Sorey’s eyes were locked on her armoured gauntlets and greaves. They seemed to be strange and exciting at the same time. His sense of curiosity got the better of him, “I’ve been waiting to ask you, actually: your armour is special, right?”
Alisha giggled. She picked up one of her gauntlets from the bed, pointing to the ebony and glass-looking guard piece, “…You mean the transparent parts, right? This armour has been passed down through the Diphda family for generations. I’m farthest from the lineage, but there’s an ancestor of mine who was renowned for his courage and bravery.”
There was nothing more thrilling than knowledge for the young boy. He started to rub his chin, eagerly waiting to hear more details from the princess.
“… It has been said that his story is tied heavily into Ladylake itself; he defeated a monster which turned anything it saw into a black crystal and saved the family of the architect who later started to work on the construction of Ladylake.”
Sorey’s eyes stared blankly for a moment, “Black crystal? Malevolence… Wait, does that mean he was a Shepherd?!”
Alisha shut her eyes and shook her head, “I don’t know… It is an old legend, after all, but I’m certain that these are the parts of armour he wore.” Alisha smiled again, tilting her head to the side, “Do you want to see the rest?”
Sorey suddenly beamed, “Yeah, sure!”
Alisha sat on the bed, taking off the other remaining gauntlet from her arm. She held it for Sorey to satisfy his sense of wonder. He scrutinized the golden insignia intently as he bent over Alisha, “It’s a lot clearer than I thought it’d be! I had no idea! And it seems enchanted. No wonder why your armour is resistant to hellions’ magic.”
Alisha raised her brows, looking dumbfounded, “I don’t know, maybe….”
Abruptly, the door opened, and light illuminating the two teenagers. Lailah scrambled into the cabin,
“Alisha, your meal is--“
The fire Seraph’s face suddenly crimsoned. Sorey and Alisha quickly turned to her. Lailah gulped the rest of her words and skipped outside, “Oh, my… Sorry to interrupt you two!”
Sorey froze with his mouth partially opened. Alisha took off after Lailah, “Wait! It’s not what you think! Wait!”
Sorey sighed and scratched his head, “Yeah, guess you really should knock before entering someone’s room….” A thought immediately flickered in his mind, “…So if Alisha’s ancestor was a Shepherd, then it means….” His eyes glimmered as he connected the dots in his thoughts.
Sorey rushed to the corridor, and he saw Alisha had blocked Lailah’s path and desperately tried to explain their innocent behaviour. Lailah noticed Sorey and slightly flashed a smile for him, “I hope that I didn’t make you uncomfortable!”
Alisha grunted, “It was nothing, I swear! We were discussing my armour….”
Out of the blue, the red marks and the smile disappeared from Lailah’s face as she recognized the boy’s enthusiastic expression. Sorey caught up to them, “Hey, Lailah, I’ve meant to ask you about Alisha’s ancestor….”
He met with a neutral and silent expression from Lailah. Her facial function seemed to come to an unexpected end. Sorey waited for a few seconds as their eyes locked into one another, but she stood silent.
Sorey opened his hand; sparkles of fire magic began to form, turning into the ceremonial longsword that he pulled out of the stone not very long ago; blade with a blue hilt, a golden handle, golden frame, and a turquoise jewel etched in the middle.
Sorey held the sword high, “Is this sword connected to the Diphda family too?” He asked sincerely. Together with Alisha, they glanced at Lailah, waiting to hear her response.
A silent moan came out of Lailah. She paused thoughtfully, looking off into the distance as her memory filled up with the events that were long forgotten by the world. Only a faint glint lingered, floating in the endless stream of time.
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Lionel Island, Midgand
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Avernus curled his fist around a batch of white flowers. The immense sadness made it difficult for him to breathe. He was unfit to look at their bodies, and he was mortified to look back at his comrades. For all his struggle, he could not stop the hands of fate. The siblings were dead, killed by the Lord of Calamity and him. His motherly malak, Laphi, Velvet… he couldn’t save anyone.
A stream of malevolence discharged out of the earthpulse. Avernus picked up his staff from the ground. It lit up by silver flame. Dreamshadow’s body burned brightly as he raised it above his head. He slammed the bottom end of the staff into the ground, twisting it clockwise. The plain trembled with activity but soon came to a peaceful halt.
The Shepherd watched the fallen brother and sister. He noticed the remaining malevolence around Oscar and Teresa drifted underneath him. Avernus’s eyes pursued the dark cloud to its final destination; Velvet's wicked, red claws absorbed the corruption. Avernus looked at Velvet, but she avoided his gaze, lowering her head and concealing her eyes behind the strands of her hair. She held her demonic arm and pulled it closer to herself; Avernus felt the prodigious weight of her guilt, crushing her soul in an unfair tussle that fate had woven for her.
His attention changed to Phi and Eleanor. The resentful taste of defeat got bitter as their sadness resonated in Shepherd’s bond. Eleanor mumbled the sibling’s names, and tears streaked along her face. Magilou glared vexingly at the scene, “And we didn’t even get the therion we came for.”
Velvet breathed heavily. His focus turned back to her; she was staring blankly, mumbling to herself, “He… Oscar came at me first…” she stammered. Her hand went for the comb that Laphi gave her. Velvet’s dark, cold, and livid face shifted to a scared, clueless girl, “I had to… It was for Laphi. For my little brother.”
Velvet fell on her knees. Avernus bolted as she dropped to the ground like a hard rock. He turned over her unconscious body; a bit of hair fell in, covering her face. Avernus gently tucked her tousled hair behind her ears. Laphicet approached him. Avernus looked at the young malak, their anxious eyes met, “She’s fine. Velvet needs some rest.” Avernus comforted Laphicet.
Eizen passed Tia and stopped beside them, “For how long did you know about armitization?” he directly and forcefully asked.
The Shepherd paid no attention. His arms slid under Velvet’s shoulders and legs, hugging her as he pulled her from the ground. Avernus unhurriedly went near a clear area beside the ruins. Eizen followed him, bit by bit. Avernus graciously put Velvet on the ground.
“So?” Eizen impatiently inquired.
Avernus breathed in and out and uncaringly turned to the pirate, “Just recently.”
Eizen held a disturbing glare with him, “Why you didn’t tell that you knew about the arte?”
Rokurou waved his hand at Avernus, “I’m with Eizen. You shouldn’t have kept it from us.”
Avernus threw another glare at the swordsman, “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“But, it could’ve helped with the fight!” Rokurou protested.
“Do you tell everyone how your Rangetsu forms are performed?” Avernus flatly asked.
Rokurou clicked his tongue, crossing his arms, “Ah… damn it. You’ve got the point there.”
“But I will have my eye on you from now on, no more Mr. nice guy.” Eizen declared threateningly.
Avernus maintained a staring contest with the reaper. Avernus planned to get back to the far continent after this quest and none of it mattered. "I don't care."
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Deep inside her consciousness, Velvet found herself curling up like a little girl. She opened her eyes. The familiar feeling came back; the usual nightmare. Velvet would've seen Laphi's dead body lying down under her feet. Velvet gritted her teeth and a frightening sensation came to her as she laid eyes on the body in front of her.
Again, it was Avernus.
Velvet's core reached out to her again: it was a warning. She pulled him down with her enough. There was nowhere left to hide. Nowhere left to run. Both of them were now knee-deep in sin.
And Avernus was going to pay for her sins.
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Suddenly, Velvet was jerked awake and quickly pushed herself up, “…Nowhere left.” She muttered out of nowhere.
“Are you all right, Velvet?” Avernus asked.
Velvet gasped again and pulled herself back, seeing him again. She tried to act normal. “I overate, that’s all.”
Eleanor was still before she finally broke her silence, “They were close. They supported each other ever since they were children.” She rested for a moment to collect her thoughts and looked at Avernus, “Why did you kill Teresa?”
Avernus went utterly rigid, his face twitched, unable to give her an answer, “I….”
Velvet hurried between them and glared at Eleanor, “We just did to them what they were going to do to us.”
Eleanor shifted her attention to Velvet, gripping her fists, “And who will killing them save?!”
Velvet shrugged her, “The soul of my murdered brother.”
Eleanor’s face twisted in sadness, and she broke into tears. She threw Avernus one last teary gaze before flouncing away.
Magilou sighed out of frustration, “Don’t forget, guys; we messed up the therion part of the plan. They’re probably making a new one as we speak.”
Tia strutted to Avernus’s side, “That is not possible. They can’t….”
Eizen cut off Tia, “I don’t want to hear your explanations.” The reaper then turned to the group, “There’s no time to waste. Let’s go back to the port and start our search.”
The team scrambled towards the port except for Velvet, Avernus, and Tia. Avernus glanced up to see the Lord of Calamity glowering at him before running off after the reaper.
Tia sidled up to Avernus and patted his shoulder, “Told you.”
Avernus groaned and followed the trail.
The Menagerie reached the pirate encampment. Benwick scurried, stopping hard in front of Eizen, “First Mate, there is trouble! We got an emergency message from Port Zekson!”
Eizen crossed his arms as Benwick paused for air, “A ship carrying dozens of exorcists just set sail for Titania! They have orders to eliminate the Lord of Calamity!”
The tragedy of siblings disappeared from the minds for the moment. Magilou crooked, her arms dangled from her body, “Looks like the hideout’s not so hidden after all.”
Velvet glared at Eleanor from the corner of her eyes. Eleanor jerked to the side, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t tell them anything!”
Velvet scowled, “Then you won’t have any problem helping us. We’re rescuing the therions.”
Eleanor straightened her body, “Of course not! I won’t let them retake Kamoana!”
Avernus skeptically glanced at Benwick, “Where did the information come from?”
“Probably Bloodwings, am I right, Benwick?” Eizen inquired.
Benwick guilty glanced at him, “No… From a peddler, I often do business with.”
Avernus’s brows curved up, “A peddler that knows about some crucial Abbey’s operation? Sounds shady to me.”
Eizen frowned, “As much as I hate to admit, the Shepherd is right. An operation like this is always kept in secret, and you’re telling me a regular civilian knew about it?”
Tia waved her hand in the air, “It’s obviously a trap.”
“Trap or not, we don’t have a choice.” Velvet persisted.
“Then, that means they think they can win….” Eizen concluded.
Laphicet face twisted in anger, “The Armatus!”
Eizen nodded, “Yes, they will throw armatized exorcists at us.”
Magilou looked over at Avernus, “Velvet’s daemon arm can’t eat armati, but we have our own secret weapon right here!” she grinned from ear to ear.
Velvet’s gaze darted to Avernus, “Then we will strike. If I can’t devour them… we will kill them.”
Rokurou was pumped with the thrill of combat, “Yeah. If we overcome the armati, we can surely win!”
Eizen sent an intimidating signal to Avernus, hooking his thumbs into his pockets, “Think you can take them out? Oscar’s Armatus was still incomplete.”
Magilou put her hands on her hip as she realized something, “Don’t forget that if exorcists remain armatized for too long, their malak will turn into a dragon. But to prevent these dragons from running wild, Melchior embedded a self-destruction arte in both exorcists and malak.”
Tia crossed her arms, sneering, “We can take care of them, no problem. Our armati is far more complete and effective than their futile attempt at mimicking something they barely understand.”
Magilou faintly smiled, “I know, but we should prepare ourselves as best as we can.” She glanced at Avernus, directing her words towards him, “Just make sure not to leave any regrets behind….”
Avernus nodded as an uncomfortable silence drifted over them.
The team anxiously stayed on the deck of the ship, preparing and assessing their plans as Van Eltia sailed from the shore of Lionel Island. Eizen relocated near Benwick, helping him distributing weapons among the pirates, “I really can’t fathom what the Abbey is doing right now.”
Everyone sank deep in their thoughts. Eleanor took her enchanted spear from Tia, “They should’ve pressed the attack against us, but they left us alone.”
Eizen kept a bothersome stare as he threw a rapier to one of his pirates. “Even if their goal is to capture our allies as some leverage against us, their plan has too many holes.”
Rokurou strengthened his scabbards, “You’re right… What if we decided to abandon Kamoana and the others? They’d be no closer to capturing Velvet.”
Magilou stirred, her focus trailed off, “Do they want the therions back?”
Avernus fastened his arm guards and peered at Magilou, “What do you mean?”
Her stance was unchanged, still busy with a whirlwind of mights and maybes, “Why did Melchior place that illusion on Aball to lure Velvet in?”
Laphicet glanced sullenly, “So he could capture her, right?”
Rokurou nodded in consent, “And in case he couldn’t capture her, he could kill her and create another therion.”
Magilou freed her arms, now looking more focused, “Okay, so if securing the therions is so important to them, why would they disregard Orthus?”
Tia whirled around, her lips curled into a sneer, “You are truly ignorant.”
Eizen’s brow creased as he frowned even more, “Stop playing games if you know anything, Tia.”
Tia shrugged, an almost mischievous twinkled in her eyes, “They wanted to perfect the armitization and finish the formula for Artorius to armatize with Innominat.”
Everyone ceased their activities and switched their attention to Tia. Eizen, however, turned to Eleanor, “Have you heard anything about it when you were in the Abbey?”
Eleanor shook her head, glancing confidently, “No, but I heard that a special research group was deciphering ancient scrolls and books coming from every corner of the empire. They even recruited Teresa because she knew something of the ancient tongue. The books were mostly about controlling malakhims, though.”
Rokurou stroked his chin, looking at Tia, “The Siegfried thing is some kind of power control device, right?”
Tia gently moved her head down and up, “Correct. That’s one of its abilities.”
“So that’s why Melchior tracked Zaveid down and stole the formula,” Magilou concluded, wonderingly.
Eizen abruptly appeared beside Avernus, glaring him up from top to bottom, “I know you were working on Siegfried, but why is yours more effective than them? What makes you different?”
Tia quickly swept up to Eizen, giving him a malignant glare of her own. The corner of her mouth twitched as Eizen shifted his attention to her instead, “Avernus is special. Our armatization is special. It took a lot of work and effort to get where we are now.” Tia cocked her head and looked at Velvet. Her eyes slowly shifted to her middle finger on her right hand, “That was the key.” She pointed out.
Velvet lifted her hand, holding it as the team gawked at her ring, “You mean this?”
Tia gave Velvet a sharp look, then nodded, “Yes, the one only gift that Seres gave you before you devour her whole.”
Velvet moaned audibly, scowling as she was challenged by the greater malak, “What is it then? Explain.”
“The Abbey’s investment that was ruined by their trusted malak. They incorporated the original armati formula into her very human form. Upon her death, it would be complete, but now, it’s our ticket to win.”
Laphicet wandered to Tia’s side and gestured upward, “What exactly is armatization?”
Tia took a glance at Laphicet, “In Armatization, my role is to transform entirely into a weapon. And Avernus’s role is to become the gun battery that supports me and eventually, fire the weapon.”
Laphicet’s eyes were wide open, “Can I armatize with Eleanor?”
Avernus quickly whipped around angrily towards him, “Absolutely not! It’s still dangerous, and I’m not going to allow it.”
Laphicet shuddered and lowered his head. Tia snorted with squinted at Avernus, “Relax. I’m not going to teach the boy. It’s too soon for him.”
Eizen pointed his finger towards the duo. His eyes narrowed with distrust, “You didn’t answer my question: what makes you two special?”
Tia entirely shifted towards Eizen once more, tanking his death glare, “Good research and preparation. Nothing more. I’m resourceful than Melchior and their whole Abbey combined.”
Eizen groaned, breaking the glare hold, “It’s useless. You’re like Magilou. Everyone, go and rest up. You’re going to need it.”
Tia softly elbowed Avernus’s side, leaning closer to him, “Don’t worry, my little Shepherd, I always got your back.”
Avernus gently bowed his head. Tia showed him a satisfying girn and went inside the crew quarters.
“Hey, Phi. I need to talk to you.”
The little malak turned on his heel before going inside, “Yes?”
Avernus came to his side, holding his book, “Here, I want you to have this.”
Laphicet glanced at the book and eagerly took it, “What is this?”
Avernus lips quirked, and a generous smile appeared, “My collection of artes, thoughts, and some memories….”
Laphicet eyed the book nervously, “Why are you giving this to me?”
“For safekeeping. I feel that it is better to be with….”
Avernus’s attention suddenly tossed towards someone who appeared beside them; Velvet was glaring at them dubiously. She quickly snatched the book from Laphicet’s hand in a flash. Velvet brushed off the golden emblem on the leather cover, flipping the book open.
Avernus huffed in annoyance, “That’s not for you, Velvet!”
Ignoring his objections, she overturned the pages filled with sketches of leering, uncanny daemons, malakhim artes, and old temples until she reached the first of his drawings. She tilted her head, squinching her frowned eyes. She recognized herself, sitting on Van Eltia’s wooden railings, staring into the horizon.
Velvet looked at Avernus with a portentous gaze. Laphicet eyes flicked between Velvet and Avernus as they were locked into staring content.
Out of the blue, Magilou’s voice came from the back of the ship, breaking their struggle, “So it was you all along.”
The trio quickly scrambled near a wooden wall, covering behind it.
They peeked from the corner and saw Bienfu as he was trembling in fear. Magilou raised her arm and shut her eyes, revealing Bienfu’s working pact in a series of materialized insignias.
Magilou snorted as more visible red symbols began to rotate in an inverted manner, “I’m surprised I didn’t sense it. There is a geas on you, interfering without the pact.” Magilou shook her, sighing, “Well played, Melchior.” She clenched her fist, and the intruding magic broke.
Magilou looked at Bienfu with a blank expression as if she didn’t care, “Impressive. That older man must have planned all of this from the very moment you escaped me. Even my imprisonment in Titania and my encounter with Velvet all calculated down to the minute.”
Bienfu shuddered, jerking to the back, “Forgive me, Miss Magilou… There was no way I could fight against Lord Melchior’s artes.”
Magilou waved her hand insensitively at Bienfu, “I don’t care. I don’t care about anything… And I don’t care that I don’t.”
Velvet, Avernus, and Laphicet stormed behind them. Magilou whirled around. She laughed musically and twirled playfully, “Oh no, you’ve caught me red-handed! I’ve been in league with the Abbey this whole time!”
Bienfu twitched his arms flippantly, “That’s not true! I’m the one you want!”
Velvet crossed her arms, looking briskly at them, “We were listening. We heard it all.”
Magilou gave a strangled exasperated groan, “Boring. Fine then, do with us what you will.”
Velvet glared coldly at her, “It’s not like I trusted you to begin with. Spy or no spy, this was inevitable. Besides, you’re not sorry. Make yourself useful and fight for us.”
Magilou let out a sigh, placing her hands on her hip, “You’re good at this cruelty that’s also compassion thingy, aren’t you?”
Velvet maintained her stony glare, unflinching, “I don’t have the time to deal with you two. After this whole business is over with, I’ll devour you. If that’s what you want.”
The corner of Magilou’s mouth jerked. She glanced at Avernus and Laphicet’s faces. Her tone was inflectionless at first but slowly rose in volume, “Hey, Velvet. Tell me: What does it feel like to hate? Does it torment you? Is it agony? Does the burning fire of your hatred makes you powerful while love couldn’t?”
Does it give your life meaning where tenderness failed to do so?”
Velvet narrowed her eyes at her and moaned distinctly in vexation. Magilou knew where to target.
Benwick, all of a sudden, looked down from the crow’s nest, “Land ho! Titania! There is Abbey’s ship in the front docks!”
Velvet straightened her head towards the pirate, “Take us around back!” she shouted.
Her eyes fell on the Shepherd. Avernus confidently nodded, “That’s my cue to leave.”
Velvet’s right hand suddenly grazed Avernus’s arm, holding onto his wrist and pressuring it between her fingers. She failed at her words. Avernus glanced at her sore and guilty eyes before pulling his arm away forcefully.
“Osovam Rismov.”
The whole deck sank into the light. The flash washed away Avernus’s white and gold outfit into an elegant and distinguished armatization form.
Avernus gestured upward to the sky. His knees bent as the air around them began to distort. Avernus pressed his feet hard against the wooden floor of Van Eltia, only to find himself soaring into the sky a second later. He looked back to see his friends covering their faces with their palms.
Tia’s whispers began to echo in his brain, “I think she feels guilty about what she said to you...”
Avernus breathed in and out in an attempt to focus his mind, “I don’t want to think about it. In the meantime, we must search for Myrmidon. Lucian is our priority target, then Artorius and Melchior.”
The wind whipped across his face as he flew towards the ship. The sky darkened with intense cloud coverage filling it. Tia surged her power into his body; the vessels became more transparent in his view, zooming in to assess Abbey’s naval strengths. Avernus focused further, his eyes narrowed even more, “That’s not Myrmidon….”
Three green lights flickered on the ship. They immediately darted to the sky and then came towards him.
“Wind armati coming our way,” Tia informed him.
Avernus went for his staff; his fingers caressed the middle handle. The weapon extended from the sides, turning into a majestic long sceptre, shining with silver flames.
Avernus noticed exorcists’ weapons shimmered.
“Incoming wind blades!” Tia warned him.
The green, sharp artes hissed through the air. The time slowed down for Avernus. He tilted his body to the sides, evading them effortlessly. The first armati scurried to him. He pulled his sword and slashed away at the Shepherd, “Die, you traitor!”
Avernus swiftly evaded his strike and drawn his long staff away from his body in an arch movement. He struck the back of the exorcist as his failed attack passed Avernus; the heavy metal landed on his spine. The sound of shattered bone soniced as the armatized exorcist curved his head towards the back, screaming in immense pain. His body wobbled as he fell towards the ocean.
The second and the third exorcists surrounded Avernus, flying circularly as one of them wielded a spear. The exorcist shot himself to skewer the Shepherd through his weapon. Avernus jerked his body to the side. The tip of the spear missed him by an inch. Avernus lifted his arm and curled his hand into a fist, aiming for the face. His grip punched the faceplate of the exorcist in full force. The armour mended as his fist drilled into it, finally breaking it into several pieces, revealing the exorcist's twisting and wrinkled face as he whimpered in pain.
The third one dashed at him. Without turning, Avernus threw his staff at his enemy. The exorcist covered his face in the last second before the might of Shepherd’s throw broke his guard, thrusting him away as the loud bang thundered in the sky. Wincing, the exorcist shook his head to ward off his staggered head. His eyes caught Avernus hovering in front of him; he extended his hand toward the exorcist and curled his fingers inward. The exorcist sensed something drifted and coming from his backside.
All of a sudden, his wings shattered, and gravity took him as Avernus’s staff crashed into his body. The Shepherd opened his palm, and Dreamshadow swiftly flew back. He strengthened his body and shot towards the vessel. Avernus aimed for the deck and, like a meteor, crashed on the ship. The resulted shockwaves swept through the floor, tossing Abbey’s sailors overboard and into the sea. Avernus looked around as the dust settled; only one heavily armoured exorcist remained with his earthen rocks up as a defensive measure.
“An earth armati….” Avernus mumbled and shot a threatening glare at the praetor, “Where are the legates?” Avernus demanded.
The praetor whip around his stony arm guards around, “You are a disgrace, Shadow of Calamity. I will kill you and bring an end to this misery all at once!”
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Avernus eyes rolled over. He raised his right arm and clawed his hand in the air, “Bring it!”
The Praetor cried and launched himself at him, aiming his rocky arm to punch the Shepherd.
Avernus whirled into his onslaught. His hand glimmered with silver light, and the clawing fingers turned into a silhouette of a roaring lion, “Beast! Lion’s Howl!”
The strikes connected; the hardened, earthen guard was eaten away by Avernus’s superior arte. The stone disintegrated as the head of the lion swallowed it whole, and it exploded into a bright light.
The praetor’s limp body sailed through the air, then slammed hard into the ship’s mast, flopping bonelessly to the deck. Avernus marched towards the battered exorcist with the intent of interrogating him. He winced and gazed at the Shepherd. Avernus grabbed his neck, his fingers dug into his flesh, and lifted him until he was dangling on the tip of his toes.
“Where are the legates?” Avernus demanded. The praetor twitched, trying to free himself.
“Go to hell…” he choked.
Avernus slammed his hand into his ribs, and he winced.
“I won’t ask again; where are your leaders?”
Suddenly, the body of the exorcist glowed. He started to twitch and cried painfully. Avernus squinted his eyes as praetor’s figure as his body began to disintegrate into small bits of light, and then, nothing remained in Avernus’s fist but tiny particles of dust.
“I didn’t do anything….”
“Of course not. It was a self-destruct arte, probably embedded into their pact to prevent his malak from turning into a dragon.” Tia said.
Avernus curled his fingers and firmly clenched his fist until his wrist turned white, “This ship is neutralized. We better join the others.”
The Shepherd brushed aside the powdered remains of the unfortunate praetor and rocketed towards the sky. His eyes caught the Van Eltia at the rear docks, along with Grmoirh, Orthi, Ross, and the rest of his friends. He glided towards them, landing smoothly on his feet.
The whole group nearly jumped back, staring dumbfoundedly as he shot glances at them. The dogs growled uncomfortably but refrained from attacking.
“I’m done with the anchored ship. The front dock is clear. What’s the situation?”
Grimorih flicked a disdainful look at Avernus, “I see that you’re using the forbidden arte too….”
Avernus tipped his head to the side, lifting an eyebrow, “You mean armatization? It’s not a forbidden arte….”
“It is my dear, and if you don’t know how to control it…” she expressed her concerns but was quickly cut off by Tia’s furious and echoing voice,
“You know nothing, you common spirit. Do not meddle in affairs that you do not understand.”
Velvet waved her hand at them, “Enough! Grimorih, where are the therions?”
Grimorih glanced back at Velvet, “Couldn’t tell you. They came out of nowhere, and before I knew it, we were all split up.”
“Did you managed to decipher the whole book?” Avernus asked anxiously.
“Nearly done, but I’m still working on the critical passages at the very end.”
Velvet’s gaze swept over the team, “All of you, get on board the Van Eltia. I’ll find the therions.” She ordered them brazenly.
Magilou pressed her palms against her forehead, glowering, “Oh? Do you think we can make it past a horde of armatized exorcists even with Avernus on our side?”
Avernus gave Velvet a firm shake of his head, “You can’t just barge in without a proper plan.”
Velvet glanced tautly at them before her face darkened by anger, “You can stay behind with them, Avernus, I don’t care.” She said stonily.
Avernus bit his lips and followed her. Out of the blue, Velvet winced and grabbed her forehead from pain. Avernus yanked her arm. Velvet shifted her head back at him and struggled to free herself violently from his grasp, resulting in her comb falling from her pocket.
“I made a promise to protect you, Velvet, and I will enforce it on you if I have to!” Avernus held Velvet’s gaze for a long time, “It doesn’t matter how many times you desire my death or how many times you tell me that you detest me, nothing will change it.”
Laphicet darted to pick it up. Velvet quickly extended her free left hand towards Laphicet and screamed like a banshee, “Don’t touch that!”
Laphicet jolted back, swallowing hard as a chill feeling rolled down his spine. Avernus nodded grimly at Laphicet, then released Velvet’s hand. She snatched the comb, limping towards the entrance.
Laphicet scrambled to her side, “You don’t have to do this alone. We’re all in this together. And I promise… I’ll protect you too, Velvet.”
The Lord of Calamity glued to her place. She exchanged a fleeting, tense glance with Laphicet and Avernus, “You’ll protect me…Long ago, Laphi said the same thing. Avernus always keeps saying that….”
The Shepherd shot a scowling gaze at her. Velvet took a brief look at her comb, “…But that sort of idealistic drivel will kill you both.” Velvet rebutted their claim in a cold tone. “Make your worthless promises. They won’t change reality. Look what happened to Laphi. Dead… Murdered!”
She gravely shook her head, and hopelessness flickered in her eyes, “And I… couldn’t protect him, either. In the end, no matter how much he cared for me. My only brother, his life torn away from him… How it must have hurt….” Velvet’s voice broke down into a gloomy and saddened rhythm.
Laphicet stared down at the ground. When he finally looked up, his eyes were worried and apologetic. Avernus appeared beside him, clapping him firmly on his shoulder. Laphicet raised his head to recognized Avernus’s faint smile. A deep, genuine warmth filled the pit of his stomach.
Velvet's gaze shifted between them, “You two worry about yourselves… That’s an order.”
Avernus shifted his attention back to her, “You have no authority over my responsibilities, Velvet.”
“Then keep Innominat out of the picture… So I can kill Artorius.” Velvet said to him as both of them marched towards the entrance with their long hairs trailing beside them.
Velvet checked the door, but it was locked from the inside, “It’s locked. We need to break it down.”
Avernus gestures at the door, winding his arm, readying it for a strike. The door shuddered, groaning on its hinges as it quaked inward under the force of Avernus’s massive arte and exploded into wooden pieces.
Magilou snorted, “Hah, show off.”
As the team rattled up the stairs, Bienfu appeared from his orb wearing his guilty face, “I know this is not the best time, but I have something to say.”
The Menagerie halted their advance and threw a cold look at him. Bienfu stared at the floor, “Please forgive me! I’ve been a spy for Lord Melchior!” he shouted in a pleading and apologetic tone.
Eleanor jerked back, “You were the one telling the Abbey about us?”
“Yes… I’m so sorry, madam Eleanor!”
Rokurou’s mouth curved into a sneer, leaning forward to level with Bienfu’s short height, “Hah! Melchior is a clever one, isn’t he? Planting his spy next to Magilou… After all, a forest is the best place to hide a tree.”
Laphicet shot him a leaden look, “Melchior used his artes to place orders on Bienfu that overrode Magilou’s pact.”
Eizen clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, “That son of a dog.”
The little Malak hovered around Eizen, weeping in tears, Bieeen! Please don’t hate me!”
Eizen darted a brow up, “I mean Melchior, not you.”
Laphicet tossed Bienfu a dimpled smile, “Exerting control over someone else’s life goes against everything Ezien stands for. We know you were forced to do it against your will.”
Despite everyone’s coolness about the situation, Bienfu shook his head grimly, “But my spying put everyone in danger. That’s still a fact.”
Rokurou poped a relaxing smile, “The Bloodwings also knew what we were up to. The Abbey would've figured it out with or without you.” His mouth then turned into a mischievous grin, “What did you tell them, anyway?”
Bienfu swallowed hard, and his eyes widened, “Um… about what fishing rods Eizen prefer, what Miss Magilou says in her sleep, how fast Dyle’s tail regrows, that Velvet is pretty good wife material and Avernus always desperately wants to wife her up….”
For a moment, fury raged across Avernus’s face, “What?! That’s what you told them?!”
Bienfu slipped away to the back, trembling in fear, “Why are you so angry?!”
Avernus’s shoulders heaved with outrage, “Why you little schmuck!”
The little Normin shot himself behind Eleanor, “Bieeeeen! He’s going to kill me!”
Magilou flapped her hand near her face, “Why are you insecure like that, Avernus? Even your little Phi knew about your affection.”
Laphicet looked away, gulping hard and blushing, “I… Well…”
Avernus shot a dismissive glare at Bienfu, “Whatever, it’s not like my reputation hasn’t tarnished enough.”
Velvet growled in annoyance and increased her distance from them. Eizen rolled his eyes at the now vexing Avernus, “It’s done. Pay it no more heed. But things must be set correctly.” The reaper glanced away from the group, “Eleanor, Avernus, and Tia, I apologize for suspecting you three. I’m sorry.”
Bienfu immediately bowed after him,” I must apologize as well; I’m deeply sorry, Lady Eleanor.”
Eleanor’s face beamed with joy, her eyes sparkling, “Very well, Apologies accepted all around.”
Avernus crossed his arms, heaving a small, soft sigh, “Alright, Tia and I have pardoned your offences.”
Sounds of footsteps suddenly broke their conversation. Velvet braced herself for combat and gestured towards the door. She kicked the door, and the team flooded into the room.
Velvet spotted their lost therions taking defensive position behind a humanmade barricade, “So, you all got away.” She remarked emotionlessly.
Kurogane grumbled in his echoing voice, “It was all I could do to flee.”
Avernus’s eyes caught a glimpse of Kamoana trying to force her small body through the metallic legs of Kurogane. She glanced at them with her eyes that were glossy with tears. Kamoana quickly broke down into tears, “I was so scared!”
Eleanor whirled to her side, “It’s okay now, dear. I won’t let them cause you any more pain.” She comforted her.
“Medissa was the one who saved us,” Kamoana informed them.
Avernus eyes skipped over Medissa, “Thank you for your help.”
Medissa gave him a bitter smile, “I could never forgive them for involving children, that’s all.”
Kamoana noticed Avernus’s armatized form. Her eyes glittered, “Wow, you’re so handsome… and pretty now!”
The Shepherd glanced at her with a dreamy look, then let out a heavy sigh, “Sheesh, you mean I wasn’t handsome, to begin with….”
A sound of shrieking resonated from the other side of the dark corridor. Avernus squinted into the gloom, “That’s the Prince and Griffin.”
Velvet shoots the duo a cold grin, “Managed to avoid capture, huh?”
Griffin flew off and landed on Avernus’s arm, gripping his palm firmly as he screamed in triumph, “I’m happy to see you too, buddy. But I can fly now.”
The therion fixed his glare on Avernus, eyes feeling gloomy. Avernus grinned widely, stroking Griffin’s soft and puffed head, “Don’t worry, we’ll fly together one day.”
Prince Percival broke into a smile, shifting his gaze from Griffin and Avernus to Velvet, “As did you. You did well to avoid Artoirus and his forces.”
Eleanor broke off to Avernus’s side, “Lord Artoirus is here?”
Prince nodded grimly, “He is. I overheard some exorcists mention it.”
Contempt flited across Velvet’s face, “Artorius…” she growled his name before wresting herself under control.
Eizen dashed to her side as he knocked into Avernus. His face was tight with distaste, “If you want to die, do it alone. We’re saving the therions before anything else.”
Laphicet slid his way near Velvet, looking straight up to her with pleading eyes, “Besides, we’re so close to deciphering the ancient book….”
Velvet lapsed into a moment of morose silence, “I know…” she muttered regretfully, then nodded, “We’ll escape from the rear docks. Follow me.”
Magilou rolled her eyes with wicked intent, a mischievous smile bloomed on her face, “Watch out, Prince. You are not a therion. If Griffin gets there first with Avernus, we’re leaving you behind.”
The prince gasped and blinked, “U-understood.”
Kurogane quickly flounced to Rokurou. He extended his arms, offering him a silvery longsword, “Rokurou, take this Stormquell. I made it with the orichalcum you gave me.”
Rokurou’s face beamed with energy, his eyes assertively and fanatically gazed upon the new Stormquell, “You actually did it!”
Kurogane straightened his armoured body, “I abandoned all desire and forged it with a clear mind. You will find no harder sword in all the world.” He said pridefully.
Rokurou gave him a firm nod, “I’ll use it well, Kurogane.”
Avernus’s gaze leered the shining sword, “that makes me wish you could’ve made me a longsword too.”
“I thought you preferred staffs, spears, and short swords.” Kurogane wondered.
Avernus rose his shoulders, jerking his chin to the side, “Who knows, you might’ve been surprised.”
Velvet shot a glare at them, “Everyone, our job is done! Fall back to the entrance!”
They all stormed back to the entrance. After passing through dark corridors, they managed to find their way back to the main hall. To their surprise, Benwick was standing among the broken pieces of the main door, his faces shadowed by anxiety, eyes darkened by panic, “Eizen, there’s trouble!” He reached out to the reaper as soon as he laid his eyes on him, “The enemy found the Van Eltia! There is galley blocking our exit, and several more are heading this way now!”
Eizen’s gesture scrambled, “Set sail, now!”
They pranced to the door. Avernus looked over his shoulder and noticed Velvet and Laphicet were standing still. His body snapped back with jaw clenching, “That stupid girl!”
Suddenly, a group of praetors pounced from the balcony. A trail of corruption steamed from Velvet’s left hand. She poised herself into a battle stance, “Forget me! Take the Van Eltia and leave, now!” she ordered, stridently.
Avernus’s radiating figure stopped beside her, “What do you think you’re doing?!”
Velvet’s gaze fell on Shepherd’s eyes, “If I don’t take these out, they’ll sink Van Eltia from afar, and if you don’t destroy that ship, our struggle will mean nothing!”
Eizen clicked his tongue in anger and turned to Benwick, “Raise anchor! We’ll make it through somehow!” He then strutted towards Avernus, fixing his eyes on him, “You’ll protect my ship at all costs, do you hear me?”
Avernus let out a heavy sigh and shook his head briefly and violently. “Fine! Just… don’t die!”
He stormed off towards the ship as the rest squared off against the exorcists. After the therions reached the Van Elta, Avernus stopped and stooped over Kamoana, resting his hands on her small and skinny shoulders. The little girl’s head straightened up, glancing at the glittering eyes of the Shepherd, “Listen carefully, Kamoana; promise me that you’ll drink your medicine, promise me that you’ll dry your hair after each bath, promise me that you’ll listen to Eleanor and Medissa….”
Kamoana eyes were shadowed by fear, “Y-you’re scaring me…” her body and voice shuddered. Suddenly Avernus embraced her in a tight hug, shutting his eyes as he rested his cheeks against hers. “You’ll not be alone, Kamoana. Everyone loves you, me, Eleanor, Medissa, Velvet, Laphicet, Dyle… everyone.” He whispered, then slowly moved away, slowly, “Never forget that.”
She cluelessly nodded with her moisty eyes. Avernus glanced at Medissa, which she understood the gravity of the situation, bowing her head firmly and instantly. Avernus rose from his knees, “Medissa, you may have lost your child, but Kamoana is your second chance.” He breathed heavily as he suppressed his sadness, “Don’t lose it.”
Medissa bit her lips as tears crept in her eyes, reaching out and squeezing his hands in parting, “Thank you, Shepherd.”
Avernus’s gaze swept over the crew of Van Eltia, “Hold your heads up high, my friends.” He declared to them, a wave of wistful glances from the pirate band waved over him.
Breaking his gaze, he rocketed himself towards the air and targeted the massive ship that was blockading their escape route. Avernus whipped his staff and clenched the middle handle. As the sun completely sank into the clouds, his weapon glimmered. Its body sparkled blinding light and extended bigamously as Avernus channelled more mana, groaning in pain and gritting his teeth.
Several barrages of crystallized artes were fired from the ship, passing and missing left and right. Avernus’s face wrinkled, his eyes squinted at the vessel, his groan distinct, echoing in the sky like music in a theatre. He moved his now mile-longed staff towards his back, arching it to gain momentum. The shining blade curved back like a long whip and fell on its end, nearly touching the water.
“Final Blade!”
Avernus scythed his weapon towards the ship. The sword emanated a muffing sound as it sliced the air, trailing a glamourous and shining arch like a blue rainbow, obeying the laws of gravity and falling like an enormous guillotine blade on the ship. The vessel bent under the massive force of the weapon and began to carve in half. A terrible eldritch wail of Iron and wood bending echoed as the blade sliced Abbey’s ship in half and sank into the ocean, creating a large and spectacular wall of water, passing through the wreckage of the boat.
Avernus breathed in and out. He sneaked a glance on the deck of Van Eltia, watching Kamoana as she punched a fist of victory into the air, jumping in joy.
“I’ll miss you all,” Avernus muttered himself, gazing guiltily at Van Eltia.
He broke his eye contact and flew back towards the shore, swallowing a deep and heavy sorrow in his throat.
Abruptly, he felt Eleanor in his bond, struggling to reach him, “Avernus, we’re going to the front docks to escape. We need your help!” She desperately reported.
His senses tingled once again. This time, Laphicet’s mind glided into his own, “I’m worried, Avernus. Velvet is acting strange, and no one cares. I know she can cut her way through this, but….” The depression loomed over their bond.
Avernus groaned in anger, “Don’t worry. I’m on my way.”
He landed swiftly on his feet, readying himself to storm the inner sanctum and put an end to all.
But suddenly, his legs lost traction, his body went numb and froze in its place like a statue.
His face paled, eyes widening in shock, “WHAT?!”
The motor skills and functions ceased. Avernus’s eyes squinted in and out as his gaze shot all over the place in horror.
“Tia, what is going on?!” he inquired hastily.
A shining orb darted from his body. His glimmering posture reverted to normal. Tia abruptly appeared in front of him. However, this time, her outfit returned to its original glory, a long mesh cloak with golden armour and chains floating in the air. Her eyes roamed over him, “Do not struggle, Avernus.” Her voice pierced his already shattered psyche.
Avernus clenched his jaw, teeth visible, “What is the meaning of this?! Unbind me this instant!”
Tia tossed him a wink, opening her hands and gesturing femininely towards his front. She traced a portal with her hand. A tear opened up. Avernus’s brows wrinkled as his friends came into view; They trudged through their fallen enemies. Instantly, Velvet looked up and glared daggers at someone on the balcony.
Tia swiped her hand to the right, bringing the picture over towards the other side; Artorius and Shigure appeared, with the latter jumping down as Rokurou charged at him with his new blade drawn and his daemon eye flickering a crimson light.
Avernus’s face anguished, twitching his muscles, “Why?! Why are you doing this?!” he desperately shouted, his voice shrilled.
Tia’s face slackened as she glanced back at his face, “For a reckoning that will shake the Heavingly Realm.”
“What nonsense are you babbling about?!” Avernus growled in pain as he struggled to move his arms, “Release me, god damn it!”
Tia glided towards him. She rested her soft hands on his sweaty cheeks, glaring warmly, “Oh, my Avernus, you followed my every whim without knowing who I truly really was. You thought you broke your bond, but I was with you all along, the time you were stranded in the forest, the time that Velvet took you in and nursed you back to health. Those nights that she was awake near your bed. Hoping to see your face, shining her day in the morning… The night that her life was torn from her. I was there, my Little Shepherd.”
Avernus huffed in anger, his nostrils flaring.
Tia slowly let go of his face, floating backward, “You carried me all the way here to this continent to fix the things that happened that were never meant to happen.” She pinwheeled around him, her silky cloaking trailing behind her, “I was your god, your sibling, yet you wanted to discard me when it hit you that you weren’t good enough to be a Shepherd. But you can never escape me. My wish is the only resolve this world needs.” She neared her lips to his ear, “Do you see? Even when you rebel, you’re doing my will.”
Avernus’s eyes darted around, trying to catch a glimpse of her face, “I don’t care who and what you are! Why are you stopping me?! Their lives are… in danger! What have they done to you?!”
She gazed over the tear in time and space, watching Rokurou clashing against Shigure, “They were good assets, but they were of no further use. Their short life has run its course.”
“Why them?! How their deaths will serve whatever pathetic goal you have in your mind?!” the words nearly lost in his breathy and rash voice.
“They’ve traced their paths along the Mobius strip. This is where their journey ends.” She declared. His kind voice turned to a cruel and frosty tone.
Then, they both saw; the room flashed, and a familiar figure appeared, levitating above the ground. Avernus squinted to the image assertively.
In a second, devastation yawned like a pit inside him, black and bottomless as he laid eyes on the entity, “Innominat….” Avernus murmured in horror.
Tia raised her brows as they both gazed upon the human body of the Empyrean. He had the figure, face, hair, and eyes of Laphi, Velvet’s murdered brother.
“Is it strange to you? When the Empyreans are reborn, they replicate the sacrifice to tie themselves better to the physical world.” She tossed a sadistic grin at him, “You are a clueless little thing.”
Avernus gasped, glowering at Tia, “But why is he awake?! We took all the therions away!”
Tia rested her hand beneath her chin, “No, Avernus, he is not fully awake, and it was never about the amount of malevolence the therions devoured and funnelled into the earthpulses. It was all different types of malevolence that existed,” she held a glare with his eyes, “Greed, conceit, lust, cowardice, selfishness, obsession. These six Innominat had already been obtained by the time we managed to steal the therions away. Which left them with just the two that your precious Velvet carries inside of her; despair and hate.”
Avernus bared his teeth in anger, “Did you know about this?!”
Tia gently nodded, “Yeah, I knew everything…but it doesn’t matter now. The point is I need you alive, and I can’t risk your precious life protecting vermins like Velvet and her band of misfits.”
Avernus watched Velvet desperately attacking Innominat.
His body shook with painful sobs, “I belong to that band of misfits!” He rebelliously stirred his muscles, “T-those people… they are my family!”
A loud cry resounded all around. He yelled frantically, like a wounded feral animal, forcing his legs and arms to move forward. Inch by inch, his feet slid across the ground. Tia watched him astonishingly, “Impressive… Even my power can’t completely hold you down. But I didn’t expect less from the son of two realms….”
Avernus redoubled his efforts, turning his face sluggishly towards Tia, glaring with contempt, “You made a single mistake, Tia.”
She curved a brow, puckering up her lips, “And that is?”
His eyes flickered with silver light, “You didn't bind my mouth: Hear me the fountain of creation; cleave my lost soul from the branch and let it wither in this wicked sea of desperation!” Avernus recanted in defiance. Tia’s face darkened with wrath. Their bond instantly cracked and shattered into small, shimmering glitters with incredible force.
Free of Tia’s influence, Avernus surged forward, grabbing his staff along the way. Suddenly, crimsoned chains tore from the wall, shackling his limbs and clasping his body to the hard stone, slamming as a loud bang resonated in the main hall.
Tia, limping and dazzled, rushed towards him with her clawed hand gesturing towards him, her chest heaving up and down in frustration, “I endured your game long enough, Avernus! Your petty actions are irrelevant; you can’t beat me at my own game.”
Avernus cracked a bitter and mocking laugh as his face glued sideways into the wall, “Why you don’t kill me and be done with it?”
Tia’s face tightened with distaste before schooling it into bland courtesy as the bonds tightened on Avernus, and he silently moaned in pain.
“Ah, I don’t want to kill you….” Tia curled her clawed fingers further, stiffening them, “… But you can be stopped! And you’ll come to understand how oblivion can be a mercy.” She closed the gap between her mouth and his face, blowing her breath onto his skin, “You will spend the eternity buried beneath the earthpulses, praying for the merciful release of a death that will never come.”
Avernus’s eye caught a glimpse of Velvet’s face that was soaked with tears. His heart pounded against his chest, and a numbing pain enveloped his torso. Terror surged through his body, wild and sickening.
"Despair, Avernus. There is no escape."
“I’m sorry….” He murmured.
Tia gestured her ear towards him, “Hmm? Say that again?”
“I’m sorry I dragged you through all this…” he muttered more, his voice reeked of regret. “… Forgive me one last time….”
Tia’s tense posture loosened up a bit, and she drew back a little… until Tia glanced at his hand that was holding his staff.
A bright, hot burst of anger rippled through her face, eyes scowling and teeth-gritting as his blood ran through his staff. The weapon began to crack from top to bottom, glimmers of light radiated through the fissures. It suddenly hit her; Avernus had used the little amount of control he gained not to run away but to slash his wrist. His eyes flashed like a sea of thunder,
“Final Sacrifice…”
Tia’s brows knotted to their limits, her face twisted in unfathomable fury, “You dare!”
Rays of illumination shot from the weapon, a clamorous outburst wrapped the room in a boundless thunder strike. The area quaked, mortar and burned grout rained down. Amidst the smoke, a lonely figure slumped, then heaved themselves around.
Rage beat a pounding drumbeat in Avernus’s chest, breathing rasped and laboured. He checked his body; bolts of lightning swept him up, curling around him like a gentle wave. His eyes abruptly fell on his staff, broken and ruined. He picked its smouldering remains, “I’m sorry, my friend…” he whispered in utter defeat. Shaking, he pushed himself to his feet, taking in the carnage all around him; the room was in shambles, and there was no sign of Tia.
The betrayal… anger burned inside of him, along with something else, something bright and electric. He remembered his final sacrifice, “I don’t have much time…” he said to himself with a feeling of determination. His lifeforce began to burn away as the arte empowered him with the cost of his life as its fuel.
Like a candle, he burned brightly before all coming to an end for him. The broken weapon radiated with blue light, coalescing a beam of electrification power into being. The blade of thunder gleamed in his hand.
“For Velvet…”
A raging river of power thundered through his body. His skin blazed like the sun. His hair tie snapped away, his long hair loosened all over him, levitating around as magnetism streamed across them. He bolted, dragging a lightning trace behind him.
He raced towards the corridors and, in a flash, reaching the inner sanctum.
The roam holed an endless pit, dragging and swallowing the Menagerie whole.
Magilou panicked, screaming in dismay, “This is bad! We’re getting swallowed alive!”
Velvet, in her broken and shattered psyche, gestured her hand towards the small, floating figure in front of her, “Wait, I always… Everything I did, I did for you… How could you do this to me….”
Innominat carved a grin on his face, “It’s because of what you ‘ve done that I need to make….”
Suddenly, a crystalized lighting bolt hissed through the room and pierced the Emypyrean’s chest, halting his robotic and emotionless speech.
The Empyrean lowered his glanced down to the arte that stuck in the place that his heart was supposed to be, “Ow…” he muttered impassively.
Laphicet whirled his face towards the source. His breath escaped him, “Avernus?!” The little Malak bore witness into Shepherd’s shining eyes, gasping.
“Now, Laphicet!”
His protégé gestured his arms straight up, conjuring a shield bubble around the team as draconic teeth rose from the abyss, locking into the magical barrier. Laphicet shot one last glance at Avernus as they sank into the blackness of the void.
“It is all on you, Phi.” The Malak's eyes moistened with tears, and his face grew sombre, “…Protect your family.” Avernus told him, smiling one last time before the portal closed with a chiming sound.
Then, a deadly silence fell upon the dank chamber. The last spark of chuckle dried on Avernus’s face as his luminous gaze was locked onto the small figure of the Empyrean and then shifted to Artorius.
Abbey’s leader squinted at Avernus, “Unfortunate….” He muttered and gazed at the Empyrean, “To me, Innominat.”
Innominat whipped his head towards Avernus. A flicker of recognition darted across his boyish but emotionless face, “You’re late to the party, as always...” The Empyrean uncaringly taunted him and glided back to Artorius, melting inside of his body.
Aroturius unsheathed his long sword, slowing pulling it out of its casing as the blade fractioned against it, screeching uncomfortably, “He is mine to deal with.”
Small bolts of thunder glistened around Avernus, his eyes hidden behind his floating hair. He squeezed the broken handle of his staff, his lips sealed tight.
Shigure brandished the Stormhowl, an eager grin flashed in his face, “My gut tells me that you’ve already crossed some red lines… care to indulge me in your fight?” he playfully asked him.
“No, you’re Rokurou’s problem, not mine.” Avernus frosty said as he gestured his arm to Artorius, pointing his finger at him. “He and his Empyrean are mine to kill.”
Shigure clicked his tongue, shaking his head mildly to the sides, “Nah, can’t let you do that.”
The air tensed around them, and Shigure streaked in Avernus’s direction. He probed his assault from the corner of his eyes. Avernus watched in slow motion. Shigure lunged toward him, and his sword was drawn. Avernus observed it all with a feeling of certainty.
Almost casually, Avernus stepped to one side so fast that a blue aura remained in his previous place. The God Blade tore through empty air.
The proud smile parched from Shigure’s face, his eyes widened, “What?!”
Avernus coiled his hand into a fist and slammed it against Shigure’s naked stomach, sending him flying backward into the wall behind him. His enormous body shattered the stones and disappeared into the gloom space behind the ruined wall.
Avernus stared into Artorius’s dead, cold eyes. At that moment, his resolve was clear.
He disappeared into a flashing thunder. The electrifying bolt zigzagged before meeting Artorius’s guard as an ear-splitting clink boomed through the dark cells of Titania. Their blades locked into one another, friction sharply, creating sparkles of thunder and heat. Shepherds held each other’s gaze, pushing with all their magical and mythical might against their blades.
Artorius slightly narrowed his stare, “Do you still not know your own multitudes, Avernus? Can you not feel the sheer force of Innominat?”
“I only know that you must die. For her sake.” Avernus shoved Artorius further, “So spare me your pointless lectures!”
Artorius scowled as he poured more energy, driving Avernus back a step, “You’re boldness is commendable, sacrificing your life for total strangers. But you ruined it by traipsing where you do not belong.”
Avernus bared his teeth in defiance. Another wave of tumultuous power surged like a savage ocean of storms inside of him, “I was never more sure of this but here, with them….” He twitched his beam blade around, shrilling against Artorius’s sword, “…Was the place that I belonged!” With a shearing grasp, Avernus plunged away Arotius’s sword, and like quicksilver, he winded up his blade, slashing a sizzling wound across Artorius's chest. The Abbey’s Shepherd staggered; crimson blood oozed from the injury before quickly starting to heal.
A raging river of power thundered through him again as more of his lifeforce diverted into mana. Avernus lunged forward. Artorius raised his sword, but the electrical blade slammed into it, carrying both of them to the wall. The black stones shattered as Avernus rammed Artorius’s body into them, advancing to the middle section of the prison. Dust, pebbles, and pieces of rock smashed all over the place until they came to a halt above a metal grate.
Artorius absorbed more power from Innominat, holding the Calamity Shepherd in his place and instantly slid his sword from the side, dipping it into Avernus’s shoulder, “Is this what you want for Velvet?” he suddenly blurted, throwing Avernus off as his pained stare turned to a glower, “Is this the future you want for her to live in? The world where men are slaves to their emotions, endlessly generating malevolence? Open your eyes, Avernus; you’re doing more harm than good. Your actions have already stripped the lives of innocent people; Look at what you did to Teresa and Oscar….”
Driven by rage, Avernus gripped Artorius by the throat, lifting him and smashing him against the iron grate on the floor. Both of them plunged into the abyss below.
Avernus swiftly landed on his feet, but he lost track of Artorius in the darkness. Suddenly, the area lit up. He saw Artorius gesturing to his sides. Immediately, his senses picked up a sharp object coming from above. He evaded at the last second as the blade pierced the ground. He straightened up and noticed more conjured blades raining down on top of him.
“With a single stroke, I will carve death into your being,” Artorius muttered his arte. Duplicated swords plummeted down on Avernus, trailing gold traces in the air. His chest heaved, pulling more stamina from his vigour. The time slowed down again; Avernus effortlessly dodged every blade until Artorius lunged at him.
Avernus tracked his jostling and lifted his sword at the last second, parrying his first strike. Their speed was synced. Not one of them was faster than the other. Artorius marathoned at him for another hit. Avernus whirled toward his direction and deflected his attacks one after another.
“Savage Wolf Fury!” Artorius strident arte echoed in the pit, followed by a flash of light as he slammed his sword into the ground.
Artorius shifted to his back. The resulting smoke from his arte settled down.
To his surprise, Avernus walked out of the attack unscathed.
Artorius faintly groaned in annoyance, “You are persistent.”
They held each other's glare. “Do you know what this place is, Artorius? This is the cell where you imprisoned your sister and tortured her for three years.” He shook his head in dismay at Artorius, “What kind of animal does this to his flesh and blood?”
Artorius scowled. Avernus paused and bitterly chuckled, “I failed to protect her, and you betrayed her trust and destroyed her life. You know, this is almost fitting and poetic; you and I are going to die here, where our sins bear their weight on the world.” Waves of electricity danced around his arms, “And then, she will be free.”
Bellowing a war cry, Avernus whipped himself at Artorius and swung his weapon, colliding with his sword in full force. The resulting shockwave cracked the walls of Velvet’s cell. Artorius’s sword pulsed with a blinding light, then he quickly sidestepped, circling behind Avernus. He promptly whirled on top of Artorius, vaulting to the other side before the might of his full swing hit him in the vertebrae. The missing slash melted the blocks on the wall, turning them into the wax.
“Their sacrifices were necessary, Laphi wanted peace for the world, and you’re insulting his justified, pure intentions by resisting his ideal world.”
Avernus promptly landed on his feet and rushed forward at his opponent as he slowed the time again. He whipped his long sword at Artorius. The beam blade left shimmering, trailing arcs in the air as it closed onto Artorius’s face.
The head of the Abbey lunged back but not before the tip scored a line down his cheek, glistening with crimson blood. Avernus tossed a glanced back at Artorius.
“Do you think he wanted his sister to suffer?!” Avernus harshly threw his words at him.
Artorius touched a hand to his cheek, his glove reddened by the drips of his blood.
Avernus swept a glare at him, “Celica gave you a home. She brought you into her family. And you answered her kindness by binding her reincarnation as a tool, killing her little brother, and enslaving her sister….”
His chest heaved with anger, “I can never forgive you… ever!”
The wound on Artorius’s face healed. His cold eyes held the burning wrath of his glare, “Is that all you think? Clearly, you’re not fit to be a Shepherd. Someone with such firey emotions running wild is a clear and present danger to humanity….” Artorius coldly enunciated and surged towards him in a blur of bloody cloak and a scratched face. Avernus gritted his teeth and braced himself as Artorius bore down on him. His eyes were lit with incandescent rage.
Just in time, Artorius's sword plowed into his body, Avernus spend the last drop of his mana, sidestepping to the right… and Artorius rushed past. His white cloak brushed his face.
Avernus pivot behind him before he had a chance to whip around and use any form of Innominat’s power to counterattack.
“You’re dead!” In a rush of adrenaline, he raised his blade and sank it deep into his back. The sword pierced Artorius’s body, and he shuddered in pain,
“Got you.”
But in a flash, Artorius wheeled around surprisingly, slashing his sword into Avernus’s side. Blood splashed as Avernus reeled and dazed around. His face wrinkled in excruciating pain, letting out a cry of pain that darted up towards the ceiling.
Avernus stumbled back, clutching his wound and breathing erratically. He straightened his head up before watching Artorius stabs his sword into his chest, tearing through flesh, burrowing past his ribcage.
A gray, buzzing static subsumed his vision like an angry swarm as an unfathomable agony roared through his chest. Avernus gasped for air, but all he felt was cold steel, slashing pain that was consuming his body from the inside out. He curled his fingers around the blade, coughing blood as he defiantly pulled it away and, subsequently, flinching and falling to the ground.
Artorius shot a dismissing glare at him, “You just proved me right, Avernus. You are nothing but a thrall to your emotions, just like Velvet.” He slammed his sword to the ground, “With the danger of people such as you falling prey to their sentiments, I’m certain that Innominat’s ritual must be completed at the earliest convenience.”
With a bright gleam, Innominat emerged. He glared miserably at Avernus’s broken body, “You could’ve won. You had the upper hand if you fought with a clear mind, free from the unnecessary surge of emotions.” He jerked his head to the side, “Yet you relentlessly wasted your precious arte on a pointless uncalculated struggle.” A sadistic and frosty smile flashed on Innominat’s face, “You could’ve never helped anyone, Avernus. You’re weak, miserable, and a misguided being.”
Avernus coughed up blood, his face pale from the absence of vitality, “I’ve read your notes, Artorius. I know the pain of failing your loved ones….”
Artorius narrowed his icy eyes, grunting audibly at this unwelcoming and untimely remembrance. Avernus swept his glance at him, “You’re a dead man, Artorius. There is nothing left behind those frozen eyes; I suggest you kill yourself and save Velvet the headache of coming after you.”
“Why do you think that birds fly?” Artorius abruptly asked.
Avernus suddenly laughed, blood streamed from his mouth, “Ah… it is my turn for that famous question… Birds fly because they want to fly. They have wings, and they want to know what those wings can do. Once they've tasted the delight of flying, they have to fly because for a bird not to fly would be denying themselves their happiness.” Avernus paused and stared blankly into the broken ceiling,
“But it all starts with birds wanting to fly.” He continued and tilted his head at Artorius’s impassive face, “Your ideal world is flawed because you think the world only needs “reason” to be ideal. It needs emotions and free will to be complete.” He gasped, vomiting more crimson blood, “Reason without emotion is emptiness. Emotion without reason is anarchy.” Avernus threw one last glance at them,
“Both without free will is lifeless.”
Avernus rested his head flatly against the cold, chilling stones, “Don’t worry, Velvet. Laphicet has this under control….” His bloody lips curved into a smile, “May the sun ever warm your face, and the countless stars ever guard your sleep… and your heart filled with love and happiness.”
His eyelids fell, his essence surrendered to the darkness, numbing to the passage of time, Avernus drifted aimlessly through the silent void.
Innominat glided over his body, glaring at him assertively.
“Are you not going to finish him?” Artorius inquired.
The Empyrean floated to his side and grabbed the ruined staff. His eyes flashed balefully, “No, I need the earthpulse to memorize his agony and death on its own.”
He tilted his weapon around,
“My sister needs to see and feel the consequences of her actions.”
A dark portal appeared beneath the Empyrean. His little body melted into the infinite darkness.
Artorius warped to the top, leaving Avernus dead in the dark, cold, and lonely cell.
In the freezing, dreamless sleep, a familiar voice gradually made his awareness trickle back.
Small footsteps resonated around, a fiery heart reached out to him.
A soothing, girlish voice from his memories screamed,
“Master!”
The X - The Journey Home