Envy POV

The battle was going perfectly. The Whilder King died quickly, making the shards the only challenge, but that was intentional.

I knew Wrath also wanted that body. The arcane dragon. I don’t know how Innocence obtained a form such as that, but I need it more.

I saw that Sloth was in there as well, a fun plan to split during battle and catch the enemy off guard. Sloth must think this is an important event.

Well, next time they split, I would strike. All I needed is to draw Wrath towards her. Disguise voice and...

“Lady Wrath, Innocence is open.”

Wrath took notice and threw off Peace before charging Innocence who blocked barely, she was still injured from her throat being torn out. Wrath took the advantage to push down on her.

Innocence battled and Peace was swarmed. Sloth realized that they needed to move, so she leapt out and got a strike on Wrath, catching her off guard.

Perfect.

I crept up to the body as the duo clashed with Wrath, and then I saw the perfect chance.

“MINE!”

She turned and recognized me in the second before I reached out. Every shard’s eyes widened.

They knew what I was doing, but it was too late. My hand grabbed her face and my essence pushed into her.

She lost her memories, and Sloth was outside. There was nothing she could do. I shattered her mind in an instant. All of her memories echoed through me... I could see why she loved this world...

No matter. I will make it all equal. No slavery. No monopoly. Rose... me and you together. We shall destroy this world and remake it.

“Hu ha hu ha hahahaha! I win. I win I win I win I WIN!!!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I heard a voice from the frontlines of the miserable humans.

“Rose?”

“No, I’m not Rose. The name’s Envy. I would tell you to remember it, but none of you will leave this battlefield alive.”

_

Side Jalad

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The words confirmed that we had lost. Rose was taken, not by Wrath, but by this Envy. The only sound that could be heard on the battlefield after Envy’s proclamation was laughter. Zath was hysterical.

“Incredible play! Ha ha ha. Something not even I could’ve expected! Envy established as a core? This will shake the stage completely.”

All of us knew Zath couldn’t be trusted, but something wasn’t adding up. I thought a core needed to absorb another shard. She absorbed Rose. I suppose a body would also enhance the chances of being the core.

“You *****! You killed Rose!”

The woman named Sloth charged Envy, but Envy was faster, chopping off Sloth’s arm and absorbing her, too.

“AH~ I am so much stronger than you, and so much closer to destroying everything~”

Envy looked elated as though she just finished eating a feast.

“Dragon strength in addition to the shards. It’s almost too much!”

“Well, Wrath!”

“Yes, Peace?”

“I think you know what we need to do.”

“Agreed, we need to defeat Envy.”

All 7 of the present shards nodded and charged Envy who dodged and countered each one.

The war was still happening, and even though the shards were fighting to defeat Envy, the soldiers still battled and raged against one another.

I slew another goblin as I slowly drew closer to Rose’s body, because she told me one plan. One solution.

_

“Jalad, do you remember the question I asked you?”

“Yeah, I’m still not killing you.”

“I know, but if I get controlled, I want you to use this next to me.”

“What is it?”

“Insurance that we will win.”

“Will it kill you?”

“If you need to use it, I’ll already be dead.”

“Please don’t.”

She smiled.

“I'll try."

_

I couldn’t stop the tears in my eyes, I knew that we prepared for it, but I never expected her to actually die.

I brought the device and Envy noticed me.

“Oh, a human, I guess you will be my second nourishment in this body.”

She charged me and I saw the beautiful face that used to be full of love and innocence twisted in sick glee.

I pressed the button and light shot out. It seized each shard, all of whom began screaming in pain.

Envy tried breaking out, but even Rose’s body was dragged in. The device consumed the shards, then it became too hot to handle and I dropped it with a shout.

We could all feel the immense evil energy in the device. The entire battle stopped as the evil creatures no longer had guides, and the men no longer had to fight to live.

Rose, what the heck did you give me?

_

Side Envy

I have the ultimate power, I don’t care what these fools do, even all of the shards can’t take me down. Sloth foolishly charged and died so quickly.

They kept charging, but I simply fought back. Wrath was furious.

“She was my prey!”

“Fool, you really thought I had no plan to take her form?”

Wrath and I clashed, but I was three, so I threw her back so easily.

Odd a human was coming up with no fear, only sadness.

I guess I can have more nourishment.

I charged him, but he pressed the odd thing he was holding.

This light, it hurts. The other shards are also screaming.

“AAAHHHHHH!”

Pain pain pain!!!

“Wait where are we?”

I looked up and saw all of the shards around us, and on an elevated platform was a face I never thought I’d see again.

“Hello girls, welcome to our contingency.”

We all looked in shock as Rose and Sloth sat side by side on thrones with triumphant smiles.

“We aren’t going to fall that easily.”