Joanne Belloc stood at a safe distance, her eyes fixed on Anna as she abruptly halted her sprint beneath the majestic floating palace of Jäävarasto. The towering structure loomed above, casting an ominous shadow over the scene. A deafening silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant flapping of wings.
Suddenly, with a thunderous descent, a colossal Volucrys landed before Anna, its massive form dwarfing everything else. The magnificent bird, adorned with vibrant green and red feathers that shimmered in the sunlight, possessed a beak as sharp as a sword. Anna locked eyes with the parrot as its predatory eyes fixated on its potential prey. Joanne observed Anna's unwavering glare at the parrot, a silent declaration of defiance.
The destruction that lay in the wake of the giant bird was undeniable. Buildings crumbled like fragile dominos, the once-thriving cityscape stood as mere remnants of what it once was, reduced to rubble and debris. It was as if a bomb had ravaged the area, transforming it into a desolate war zone.
Furrowing her brow, Joanne's form evaporated into thin air, only to reappear at the entrance of a room where the lingering notes of Alice's piano melody still resonated. However, Alice remained frozen in time sitting on a chair, encircled by a silent chorus of women. With a commanding tone, Joanne summoned their attention, her voice resonating through the room like a siren's call.
"Margarita, Kath, Maaya, Lady Sains," Joanne's voice rang out, commanding attention. The urgency and anger in her tone was palpable. "The Amahraspand have been defeated."
With measured steps, Joanne closed in on Alice, her touch was firm yet gentle as she gripped and tilted the girl's chin upwards, forcing her to meet Joanne's intense gaze. The lines of frustration etched themselves onto Joanne's forehead as she spoke. "Do something useful for once!" She admonished.
Steadying Alice and refusing to release her hold, Joanne led Alice towards the window, their footsteps echoing through the room. The view beyond the glass framed a world on the brink of chaos.
"What's wrong with you?" Kath's voice rang out, filled with genuine concern. Kath’s words held an undercurrent of fear, a plea for Joanne to release her hold on Alice. But Joanne remained resolute, her gaze fixed on a distant horizon that only she could see. The urgency of the moment consumed her, leaving no room for hesitation or doubt.
Ignoring the protests that filled the room, Joanne continued to guide Alice by the chin. Her touch was both commanding and delicate. "Alice, you have company. You must deal with her," Joanne commanded.
Without a moment's hesitation, Alice leaped out of the window, her figure disappearing into the horizon. The sound of her departure echoed through the room, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Joanne Belloc remained rooted in her spot, her gaze fixed on the void that had swallowed Alice whole. A second later, she also vanished.
From her precarious perch on a suspended rock at the bottom of the floating palace, Joanne observed the unfolding events as a sly smirk played at the corners of her lips. Anna, now mounted on the very Volucrys that had once threatened her life, as she soared through the sky.
Anna and Alice, both warriors in their own right, collided with a symphony of clashing weapons. The sound of steel meeting steel reverberated through the air, their strikes echoing with fierce determination.
Anna's strike found its mark, propelling Alice into the air with a force that defied gravity itself. The girl's body collided with one of the ancient trees that guarded the floating palace's perimeter.
Shaking her head in disapproval, Joanne silently critiqued Alice's lack of finesse as the girl tumbled and scrambled back to her feet onto the unforgiving granite floor. With unwavering focus, Anna made her way to the entrance of the palace, dismounting the Volucrys with a grace that belied the chaos that surrounded them.
With each step, Anna's sword danced through the air. Alice, her movements fluid and calculated, deflected every strike with a precision that left Joanne in awe. The clash of their weapons echoed through the grand entrance.
But Alice wasn't one to be underestimated. With a swift kick to Anna's stomach, followed by a resounding strike to her cheek using the unyielding metal pole of her scyth, Alice's scythe found its mark, grazing Anna on the shin. Pain seared through Anna's body, causing her to stumble and collide with the unforgiving floor. Alice seized the opportunity, her swift kick finding its mark again, leaving Anna breathless and vulnerable.
Trying to lift Anna by the neck, Alice's grip tightened, her fingers digging into the flesh. The air crackled with tension as the two locked eyes, each refusing to yield to the other's dominance. Yet, amidst the struggle, a flicker of recognition passed between them.
Unbeknownst to them, Joanne appeared near the entrance, her presence a silent observer in this battle of wills. Joanne noticed that Anna sensed her presence, though her focus on Alice remained unbroken.
With a stroll along the outer walls of Jäävarasto, Joanne made her way to the main entrance of the palace. The grandeur of the building loomed before her. Her curiosity piqued, she couldn't help but revel in the intensity of the girls' struggle, their clash of swords echoing through the halls.
Alice dropped Anna and dashed inside the building. Passing and ignoring Joanne in the process. Anna hurled her sword towards Alice, her aim true. Alice, agile and nimble, sprinted up the stairs, trying to avoid the blade's deadly path. But fate had other plans.
The sword grazed Alice above the ankle, leaving a trail of crimson blood. The pain shot through the girl’s body, causing her to lose her footing and collide against a wall.
Stepping into the main lobby, Joanne found herself caught amid their fierce battle once again. Anna, as oblivious and uncaring to her presence as Alice was, passed by next to her.
Closing the distance in mere seconds, Anna's kick connected with a resounding thud against Alice's abdomen, expelling the air from her lungs. Anna grabbed and suspended Alice by the neck
Joanne's presence remained a silent enigma, an ever-present observer of the unfolding events. Her gaze shifted between Anna and Alice, their destinies playing out before her eyes.
Joanne's mind buzzed with curiosity and anticipation. She wondered if this was the extent of Alice's abilities, but she was soon proven wrong. With a sudden burst of determination, Alice headbutted Anna on the nose, breaking free from her grasp. As Alice regained her weapon and swiftly dashed in the opposite direction, Joanne couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The tide of the battle had balanced once again.
Anna, however, recovered swiftly, refusing to succumb to defeat. She continued to press on, wielding her sword with precision, while Alice struggled to evade her relentless strikes. Each time Alice managed to block an attack, Joanne's nods of approval punctuated the air. The fight had become a spectacle, an enthralling display of skill and determination. Though Joanne's allegiance lay with Alice, she couldn't help but admire Anna's resilience and tenacity.
In a moment of swift motion, Anna managed to gash Alice's arm, the blade leaving a deep cut that marred her once beautiful dress, now stained with blood. The sight brought a pang of concern to Joanne's heart, a fleeting worry for Alice's well-being. But Alice, undeterred by the injury, swiftly escaped Anna's enclosure and sprinted away, with Anna hot on her heels.
Joanne trailed behind the two girls, their footsteps echoing through the corridors of the palace. The path led them to the grand main courtroom, but something felt off. The layout and structure of the room had been altered as if the very spell that uprooted the palace from the ground had also reshaped its interior. The walls appeared uneven, their once vibrant colors now dulled and musty. Nature had begun to reclaim the space, with tree roots penetrating through the cracks, vines snaking around sculptures, and the ceiling crumbling under the weight of time. If Michelangelo were alive, he would have been struck with disbelief and heartache as the once-grand frescoes on the ceiling and walls depicting epic battles had been devoured by encroaching weeds.
Joanne watched, her heart racing, as the fight raged on, she couldn't help but feel joy at Anna's relentless pursuit of victory clashing with Alice's unwavering resilience.
Joanne was torn between wanting to stop Anna and help Alice or simply observing Alice's true power. She couldn't help but wonder what made both Alice and Anna so special, “Why are Habondia and Völundr so interested in you both?”
Alice, after retracting the blades of her scythe, turned it back into a metal pole and struck Anna on the forehead, stunning her. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Alice raised the pole and brought it down on Anna's head, causing her face to collide with the floor.
"This is ridiculous. Neither side seems to have any disadvantages. They could fight until they drop dead. Should I continue watching?" Joanne sighed in frustration, thinking to herself.
Alice took a few steps back, while Anna, bleeding from her mouth and nose, quickly got back up and charged towards Alice, attacking her multiple times with her sword. Anna was undeniably stronger, causing Alice to lose her balance and striking her in the neck with her elbow. With the hilt of the sword, Anna then struck Alice in the chest, leaving her breathless one more time.
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Alice placed both hands on her chest and then her belly, writhing in pain until she vomited her stomach’s content mixed with blood. Anna kicked Alice in the face, causing her to roll on the gray marble floor. However, Alice managed to stand once more.
Summoning the blades of her scythe again, Alice wielded them against her opponent, skillfully blocking each of Anna's attacks. Anna retaliated by striking Alice's injured shoulder with the dull edge of her sword. She then grabbed Alice's black necktie and pulled her closer. Alice bent down in response.
Anna delivered a powerful knee strike to Alice's face, sending her rolling. While sitting on top, Anna attempted to stab Alice with her sword, but something stopped her.
Joanne shook in surprise at the sudden change of events. Alice, in immense pain, clenched her bloodied teeth and used her hands to try to contain the suffering in her eyes. She sobbed, "I... I don't want this. No... I don't want it. Aria, don't... leave me!"
“What’s going on?” Joanne’s hand flew to her mouth, muffling a spontaneous gasp. She intervened by using her Thaumaturgy to choke Anna and toss her away like a broken toy. Joanne grabbed Alice by the neck of her dress and helped her to her knees.
Confused and angry, Joanne scowled at Alice and asked, "What are you doing? I thought you were capable of winning." And as if nothing had ever happened, Alice stopped crying returning to her passive expression.
Joanne vanished, reappearing on the level above. Within a few seconds, Alice managed to escape, narrowly dodging a weak sword attack from Anna. Anna continued to pursue her, but her attacks became increasingly feeble and sluggish.
Alice ascended the creaky stairs. The air was heavy with the musty scent of decay, and the walls she passed were covered in a layer of mold. As she sprinted through the vestibule, the scarlet carpets beneath her feet were worn and faded, as if they had seen better days.
Undiscouraged, Alice continued her frantic race, finding herself in a labyrinth of staircases and hallways. Each turn she took seemed to lead her deeper into the maze of a building, with no end in sight. The world around her became a blur of stairs and doors, as she pushed herself to the limits of her physical endurance.
Joanne, trailing close behind, noticed that Anna had gone missing. Alice's decision to take a different path at a fork in the halls had thrown Anna off her trail. It wasn't until Joanne reached a chamber unlike any she had seen before that she noticed Anna realized her mistake. The once familiar surroundings had given way to an oasis of greenery and statues, resembling a forgotten indoor botanical garden.
Joanne leisurely strolled down the domed main corridor, her eyes briefly flickering over the paintings that adorned the right wall as if an art gallery. Depicting epic battles and valiant heroes, they spoke of a rich history long forgotten. On the other hand, Anna's focus remained solely on her pursuit of Alice; the grandeur of the artwork meant nothing to her at that moment.
As Joanne followed Anna through the transformed chamber, she couldn't help but marvel at the contrast between the decaying world they had left behind and the vibrant beauty of the garden that now surrounded them. Although the walls and ceiling once adorned with ornate frescoes, were now dilapidated and overrun with weeds sprouting colorful flowers. Light streamed in from cracks in the ceiling, casting shadows on the damaged artwork that still clung to the walls. The scene was both haunting and surreal as if time itself had stopped in this forgotten corner of the world.
Joanne's eyes widened in awe as she took in the breathtaking paintings adorning the walls. Even with the decay, the vibrant colors and intricate details brought the historical events to life, transporting her to a different time and place.
She couldn't help but be drawn to the painting titled "The Triumph of Napoleon in Waterloo." The grandeur of the scene depicted on the canvas was mesmerizing. Joanne could almost hear the thundering hooves of the horses and the resounding cheers of the victorious French soldiers.
Moving on, her gaze fell upon "The Abdication of Elizabeth I After the Spanish Armada Victory." The regal figure of the queen stood tall and proud, even in defeat.
Next, she found herself captivated by "Mark Anthony as the First Roman Emperor." The painting captured the essence of power and ambition, with Mark Antony next to Cleopatra portrayed as a charismatic and commanding leader after his triumph against Octavian.
Finally, her eyes landed on "Spartacus Reaches the Alps." The painting depicted the fearless gladiator amidst the treacherous mountain terrain.
Lost in the beauty and significance of each painting, Joanne couldn't help but be inspired, unlike Anna who had leaned against the wall catching her breath.
Despite the encroaching vegetation that appeared after the Jäävarasto started flying, the garden was a breathtaking sight. Countless roses, their petals displaying a spectrum of colors - white, blue, red, and even black - adorned the garden. Each delicate bloom seemed to radiate under the soft glow of the sun coming from the holes in the ceiling, its rays reflecting off the snow-melted dew. The air was filled with a subtle fragrance, a sweet and intoxicating perfume coming from the flowers growing around the paintings.
Joanne followed once Anna restarted her pursuit, her eyes drawn to the other captivating paintings that adorned the walls. As she continued her stroll after Anna, reaching a new hallway, the atmosphere seemed to shift, and she found herself standing amid a botanical wonderland. The previous garden now looked like a pitiful copycat.
In the heart of this new garden, Anna's gaze fixated on a copper statue of an old man wearing a tailcoat. The halved inscription on the pedestal revealed his name - Elias L. Despite the encroaching roots of the surrounding trees and vines, the statue remained remarkably intact. Joanne couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence as she stood in front of it.
Surrounding Elias’ statue were the weathered and worn effigies of mythological gods. Tapio, whose moose antlers adorned his head as he wore a flowing robe, exuded a sense of ethereal grace. Tuoni, the skeletal embodiment of death, wore a berserker hide that bore the weight of countless souls. And then there was Ukko, a figure clad in armor with a majestic moose head, brandishing a mighty hammer.
Joanne's gaze shifted from the statues to Anna, who stood at the center of this sacred triangulation. The air crackled with tension as the two women locked eyes. Joanne's heart raced, her every instinct urging her to deliver the first strike if necessary. She sighed, however, as Anna veered course and walked somewhere else.
Joanne then noticed a signboard hanging from the ceiling. ‘One of our many Bakus’ she read, she figured that it was the name of this work of art, perhaps the garden itself.
She then followed Anna out of the garden, reaching an antechamber. Her eyes scanned the drawn map of Paasilinna hanging on the walls, her gaze fixated on every intricate detail. As her finger started to trace the city's outline, she couldn't help but be impressed at its peculiar shape - a quasi-circular form that seemed to hold countless secrets within its boundaries. The Jäävarasto, an enigmatic structure, stood proudly at the heart of the downtown area, known as the Courts District, as if guarding its every secret.
The government system of the city was quite peculiar. There was a major in charge of public safety and services; the parliament that enacted laws, supervised the city’s budget, and controlled the military; the courts in charge of the justice system; and the Highest Judge who was a magistrate but also served as some kind of prime minister. Everyone in government, according to the historical iron plates on the walls she was reading, was elected by popular vote, except the Highest Judge who was appointed for life by the parliament.
She went back to check on the map. In the northwest corner lay The Industrial District, a bustling trade hub where the city's manufacturing and science thrived. But it was in the southwest that Joanne's attention was truly captivated due to its vibrant colors. There, nestled amidst a myriad of winding paths and hidden alleyways, stood the Train Station of Näkymatön Junä. This location, far from what she had expected, piqued her curiosity.
However, what caught her off guard was the absence of any significant landmarks to the south. Instead of the bustling streets and vibrant houses she had envisioned, there was only a vast expanse of water known as Lake Tuoni. She had been to the lake before, at that time, its tranquil surface mirrored the cloudless sky above, creating an eerie sense of calm that seemed out of place amidst the city's bustling energy.
But it wasn't just the physical layout of the city that intrigued her. As her eyes wandered to the corner of the map, a small, faded date caught her attention - 1780. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. This map was a window into the past, a snapshot of Paasilinna frozen in time. The Residential District, now a sprawling neighborhood, appeared significantly smaller.
A big block, roughly the size of a small car, crashed down from the ceiling with a deafening noise that echoed through the antechamber. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, jolting Anna and Joanne out of their respective fantasies.
Joanne’s attention abruptly shifted as she noticed Alice, who jumped over the hole in the ceiling, dashing on the floor above with an urgency that couldn't be ignored. Anna immediately sprang into action, her determination propelling her upward as she chased after Alice. Joanne, ever the elusive figure, seemed to vanish once again, disappearing into the shadows without a trace.
Alice and Anna continued their frantic pursuit, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit corridor. The passageway seemed to stretch on endlessly, its circular shape creating an unsettling sense of disorientation. As they neared the end of the corridor, their eyes were drawn to a sight that stopped them in their tracks.
Before them stood a massive domed structure, its towering presence casting an imposing shadow over the surrounding area. A circular corridor extended along the outer walls of the dome, providing a narrow path with stairs for Alice and Anna to traverse. At the center of the dome, a large hole yawned open, revealing a seemingly bottomless abyss. Only seven feet down, a stone bridge materialized, stretching across the void towards a small altar. Joanne, however, didn’t follow them. She remained at the top of the stairs following them with her gaze.
The altar, bathed in the ethereal glow of a flickering blue flame, seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly energy. A small stone box sat atop a table, emitting a faint hum. Anna, driven by her relentless determination, arrived at the scene first, her eyes ablaze with fury.
With swift and precise movements, Anna unleashed a flurry of attacks, her sword slashing through the air with deadly precision. Alice, armed with her trusty metal pole, skillfully blocked each strike. The sound of the clash of metal against metal echoed around.
As Anna momentarily paused to catch her breath, Alice seized the opportunity to strike back. With a focused determination, she brought down her pole with a resounding thud, catching Anna off guard. The force of the blow sent Anna stumbling backward, making her fall barely grabbing on the bridge's edge.
Alice's heart pounded in her chest as she stared as Anna desperately clung to the edge of the bridge with one hand, her fingers straining under the weight of her own body. Tears welled up in Alice's eyes as she realized the gravity of the situation. With a mixture of fear and desperation, she began to relentlessly pound on Anna's fingers with her rod, each strike threatening to shatter bones.
“Is she crying again?” Joanne murmured, but she kept her position.
Anna's grip weakened under the onslaught, her fingers slipping. In one final, heart-wrenching moment, she released her grasp and plummeted down into the dark abyss below. The sound of her fading cries resonated, leaving Alice to stare into the darkness.
"A... Aria," Alice whimpered, her voice trembling. Her gaze lingered on the spot where Anna had disappeared, swallowed by the unforgiving darkness.