From the palm of his hands, Lacerbus summons forth shadowy portals that release menacing tethers. Ballo, Virno, and Rel narrowly evade the onslaught, but Punjo is ensnared, hoisted upside down, suspended from the ceiling.
Ballo: Virno and Rel, we need some cover...!
Rel and Virno exchange knowing glances and reach for specialized spherical devices hanging from their belts, albeit slightly different in appearance from the one Virno had used not long ago. With a quick twist, they activate the devices and hurl them toward Lacerbus. This time, he quickly retaliates by conjuring more strings which intercept the projectiles in mid-air -- this time, he would not let the blast so much as graze him. However, the ensuing explosion creates a thick cloud of smoke that engulfs the room. Disoriented, Lacerbus withdraws some of his strings, causing several bodies to plummet to the ground. Strangely, the impacts create no audible sound.
Ballo: Hunker down, I'll think of something... Virno, whatever you do, don't summon your silver sword. No matter what...!
Taking advantage of the smokescreen, Ballo had encased the three of them in a grey bubble, blocking out all of the sound from the outside-in, and from the inside-out. After warning the two young boys, he makes his way toward the enemy. As Lacerbus, blinded by the haze, frantically uses his strings to stab at the dense cloud hoping to catch one of them, Rel and Virno try laying as low as possible.
Lacerbus: WORMS! Step outside and face me!
With his abilities, Ballo discreetly conjures a portal behind Lacerbus, unbeknownst to the adversary. He skillfully links this portal to another one, strategically positioned in front of him. Quiet as a shadow, Ballo enters the portal and slips up behind Lacerbus.
Ballo: Your kind is not welcome here...!
Caught off guard by the unexpected voice from behind, Lacerbus whirls around, but it's too late. Ballo's blade pierces through Lacerbus's heart, and dark, corrupted blood trickles down to the floor.
Lacerbus: Hahahah...! You're astonishingly agile for your age, old man... But you confront powers that far surpass your skills.
Ballo's eyes shimmer with grey energy, extinguishing Lacerbus's once-arrogant demeanor.
Ballo: I am fully aware of the magnitude of my adversary...
Ballo channels a surge of grey energy through his blade. It seems to cause Lacerbus immense pain, as all of his fetters are released. All the bodies drop to the floor, though Ballo had anticipated this. With the cloud of smoke partially gone, it could now be seen that gravity itself seemed to slow down each body at just the right moment, before they hit the ground. Lacerbus, now on his knees, struggled desperately to activate some kind of latent power.
Ballo: You know it's too late for that now. No savior will come for you.
Ballo swept his arm, dispersing the remaining smoke within the room.
Lacerbus: Eclipse... So you were behind this...
Ballo: Eclipse have nothing to do with this anymore. I act of my own accord.
Lacerbus appeared taken aback by this revelation.
Lacerbus: You...? But why?
Lacerbus's gaze shifted toward Ballo's companions, who advanced toward him with anger in their eyes. Ballo noticed their approach.
Ballo: Hold your positions!
All of them stop in their tracks... Except for Virno.
Virno: That fucker's gonna pay!
As Virno prepares to unsheathe his blade, Ballo uses telekinesis to wrest the weapon from Virno's grasp.
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Ballo: Cool your mind, young man! You wish to know where Cabdan is, do you not? Why squander this opportunity?
Lacerbus raised an eyebrow at the mention of Cabdan.
Lacerbus: Cabdan...? What could you possibly want with him?
Virno approaches the man, grabbing him by the hair.
Virno: None of your fucking business. Where's that fat fuck?!
The man roars as his hair is pulled.
Lacerbus: Pathetic whelp, as soon as I break free from this rat's grasp I'm squeezing you dry...!
Virno: ANSWER!
In an instant, Lacerbus's cold hand clamped onto Virno's wrist with a strength that could almost shatter bone. Virno felt the pressure coursing through his very marrow, sure that if not for his weakened state, Lacerbus could have easily snapped his wrist in two. The villain cackled, stubbornly refusing to provide the information.
Ballo: Where is he...?
Ballo harnessed even more energy, causing the wound inflicted on Lacerbus to seethe with grey flames.
Lacerbus: BASTARDS...! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!
Ballo: Seems this will not be as straightforward as I'd hoped...
Virno rises, looking down upon the man.
Virno: Oh it'll be pretty straightforward, alright...
Virno drew his silver blade without hesitation, thrusting it into Lacerbus's abdomen.
Ballo: Fool, what are you doing?!
Virno: Talk, or else-
Lacerbus met Virno's eyes with a malevolent grin, greatly unsettling Ballo.
Lacerbus: HAHAHAH!!
Lacerbus went into a fit of laughter. Virno tries to twist the blade, hoping the pain would shut him up, but it was of little use.
Lacerbus: So it was you... YOU...! YOU'RE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR...!
Ballo infused even more energy into the blade, but it proved futile. From beneath the armor, a black glow seemed to emanate through the cracks. Demonic black runes seemed to etch themselves onto Lacerbus' face and body, his eyes turning completely black and his skin pallid.
Lacerbus: I SACRIFICE ALL OF MYSELF... ALL THAT I AM! LUNALUS! WITNESS MY MARTYRDOM -- I GIVE MY LIFE FOR YOUR CAUSE!
Ballo's blade breaks in half, as a monstrous surge of strength overcomes Lacerbus. The runes in his body seemed to glow brighter with each passing second, growing larger and larger... His body was slowly becoming entirely covered by them.
Lacerbus: SEE THROUGH MY EYES! WITNESS MY FINAL MOMENTS...!
A blast of dark energy pulses through his body, sending both Virno and Ballo flying backward. Virno is caught by Rel and Punjo, while Ballo manages to float away and land safely.
Lacerbus: ARRGHHH!!!
His body twists and morphs, as if something inside him is desperately yearning to come out. Black tentacles rip through his flesh from within, as he screams in agony. His voice grows lower and distorted, as his skin ebbs and flows with the movement of whatever lurks beneath its surface. His muscles, torn. His bones, broken. What was once the slender figure of a man was now becoming a hulking monstrosity -- with whatever little humanity it had now absent not only from its body, but also from its mind.
Ballo: Get out of the building! Take as many girls as you can with you, tell the men outside to retreat!
Virno grabs onto his silver blade, rushing to Ballo's side.
Rel: STOP IT, VIRNO!
Rel screamed at the top of his lungs, like Virno had never heard him before.
Rel: Enough...! Let Ballo handle it before we all die... Please...
Virno could see it in his eyes... He was hopeless. Faithless. But then, how could he not be...? After all, playing the hero always seemed to turn out for the worst. It was dawning on him, too. Sheer willpower could only get him so far... Without the strength to materialize and carry that will to fruition, he was as useless as a bird without its wings.
Virno: Sorry... But I can't back down. I fucked up, so I'm going to help Ballo in any way I can... But you should get out of here. Take these girls and go. Save yourselves.
Rel's face twisted into a mixture of hatred and sadness. Punjo placed a large hand on his shoulder.
Punjo: Come on, Rel... Let's get them out of here.
Rel nods, ignoring Virno and focusing on helping Punjo evacuate the wounded from the building.
Lacerbus: IN THE ABSENCE OF EVERYTHING... LIES THE MOST PEACEFUL OF RESTS.
Lacerbus' transformation now seemed to reach its zenith. His flesh had been replaced by a thin layer of viscous tar, which dripped down from his body and corroded everything it touched. He sprouted large, bat-like wings with sharp claws which shimmered with an unnatural, oily glint. His appearance was undoubtedly demonic... Yet his demeanour now seemed tranquil and controlled -- like he had reached some sort of nirvana.
Ballo: Are you that ready to face your grave, Virno von Virtus...?
Virno had now joined Ballo at his side. Ballo had managed to encase the monster in a cage of impenetrable walls of grey energy, but the monster's inhuman strength was already tearing it down.
Virno: I'm sorry... I should have listened.
Ballo shakes his head.
Ballo: And I, in turn, should have exercised better judgment... You are still much too young. Grab your sword, child. We need to slay this abomination at all costs.
As Rel and Punjo hastened to escort the last of the girls to safety, Lacerbus was on the brink of breaking free. Paying Virno and Ballo no mind, Rel exits the room following the last girl. Punjo was the last one out, closing the door behind him as he looked towards Virno, fully convinced that this could be their final encounter.
Punjo: Goodbye, laddie... I 'ope we meet again in the next one...