Chapter 78: A Fiery Finale! (Part 1!)

Racing like her very heart was on fire, Vega kept on running in the streets, barely far enough for Runtaii’s attacks to miss. She had run through gardens, backyards, markets, and finally into an industrial district packed full of pipes of steam and water. For a strange reason, Vega began to feel a new and terrible sensation.

The scarecrow was starting to feel exhausted.

Not the type when you haven't gone to bed in a while, but the type where everyone of your limbs feels a hundred million pounds heavier, keeping your eyes open is a herculean task, and every part of you is begging to collapse right then and there.

Of course, Vega understood it had to do with the amount of magic she had been using. Each chance she took, she struck Runtaii hard, or used it to dash past him in a blaze of rose petals. He couldn’t recover from those hits, as each blow either ripped off more armor or made him bleed even more.

But each instance stacked the exhaustion, and now she was running low. And Runtaii could tell.

“What’s wrong scarecrow!? Is this all you can do?! Fly and toss roses?” Runtaii didn’t let up, making wide swings to cut her to shreds, and with near misses he caught her hair and the edges of her clothes. And soon with all the Snake Skins around, she wouldn’t even be able to reliant.

“Damn it! I can’t do anything here.” Skidding across the ground, Vega attempted to continue playing music, but could never find an emotional rhythm to stick to. It couldn’t be triumph or sorrow, and she couldn’t focus on panic. She needed to get her and Runtaii alone.

Charging once more, Runtaii broke through the ranks of Snakes Skins and made a clearing. Her only chance, Vega slid underneath his horse and dashed to find any area where she could use the space to her advantage.

“I need… calm!” Vega announced, noticing a staircase leading down to small street. The Snake Skins would follow them, but at least it could give her a minute to think and recover. “Hey Runtaii! I’m right here!”

Jumping on a railing, she rode it down the staircase and took out her guitar. Getting a few strings in, Vega could feel her magic starting to pool together, with the glow growing. But she hadn’t expected to see Runtaii jump from his horse and crash into her.

The both of them clattered to the ground like a ceramic pot, breaking off pieces of each other as they did. Nothing remained of Runtaii’s composure, as his armor exposed more injury and malice. And Vega’s limbs split more and more, with steel fragments and wooden splitters on the street.

And it hurt. Like no other pain before.

Like feeling her very soul being ripped, Vega had to laugh the pain away to even compose a thought.

“Gah… this-this… I need to get away.” Seeing some pipework above her, Vega swung out her pickaxe to hand onto it.

Just as she was going to reach it, she felt a hand on her back pulling her down to the ground.

“You want to show me how much I can take? Well then come on!” Face to face, Runtaii punched Vega directly in her face. Although not dealing a lot of damage, it was satisfying to finally have a grip on her, she wouldn’t be getting away anymore.

His hot breath, his burning eyes, even the drops of blood falling on her fabric skin felt like they were boiling. Vega tried to reach out for her pickaxe, but it was too far away to grab. She felt like she was soaked in water and chained to a metal ball, it was all so tiresome.

“Jeez… ya breath sinks!” Vega dug quickly into her chest, trying to search for any object that could help her to break free. However, Runtaii scrambled to grab her arms, both of them wrestling for control.

Kicking into his ribs, Vega used her metal leg to knock him over. He fell onto his back, holding where she had hit him.

Vega got up for just a moment but her legs immediately gave out, falling just a few inches before the pickaxe. Having to crawl towards it, Vega pushed with everything she had left and whatever else she could give.

“How pathetic. And this is the construct Ani Arma was so adamant in researching. That somehow you would be the key for magic in mortals. But now I see what you really are.” Runtaii walked over Vega, and held his spear over head.

“N…no…” Finally managing to grip her fingers on the pickaxe, Vega struggled to even turn. Her eyes were completely closed, as if accepting this fate.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“You’re no destroyer. You’re going to die a disappointment!” Runtaii yelled out with a smile, plunging his spear down at Vega’s very head.

“NOT YET!” A voice cried out, as the whizzing of a dagger grabbed both of their attention. Striking deep into Runtaii’s arm, he flew back as if he were hit by lightning.

“Wh…who was that-that?” Barely keeping her eyes open, Vega tilted her head to see the one that had saved her.

Standing atop a fallen statue of an Oligarch, Skaldi held out his daggers in both hands, in fingers like claws. A gust of cool wind blew, and they felt a boost of energy and relief.

“Skaldi! Thanks buddy.” Vega herself up, only managing to sit up. The redhead joined her side immediately, seeing Runtaii’s forces arriving not too far from them.

“No problem. Sorry, but Krimm couldn’t come. She’s still taking care of the fire and those damn archers. But don’t worry, I think I got someone else who could help you out with your… magic shit.” Picking her up, Skaldi struggled to run back to the statue, just as a familiar figure showed herself.

Sheepishly stepping over the fallen statue, Sorbet looked left and right for any danger. Kaliba sat on her shoulder, soon peeking at her to be brave and approach the other two.

“Vega! Let’s go, you two.” Waving them forward, Sorbet ran with them, seeing the amassing Snake Skins.

“Wel-welcome.” Kaliba cawed at Vega, just as they all began to run into an apartment complex.

“Thank-thank ya Kaliba. I think… I can still pull-pull this off.” Vega allowed herself to rest in Skaldi’s arms, never having appreciated a friend’s touch more in her entire life.

“Bolato? Sorbet? Amir!? Where are you?” Valiato cried out, having lost them all a long time ago.

Having been told to hide underground, she could not bear being alone for so long. Far underground, that light and sound were only echoes. Even though it was safe, she needed someone there to be with her.

Not only this, but a calling from her heart to do something more than wait. Scouring around the immediate area, as she could find was rubble and cruelty. This wasn’t the city that she was trapped in. This city would be her escape, her tomb.

“..V…Valiato.” Florato’s voice was weak, she tried to yell but it was hoarse and dry. However, the kid could hear where she was and ran to find her. Ducking behind whatever she could find, she eventually found Florato face down on the ground.

“Florato, are you alright?” So much in shock seeing the actress’s chewed and bleeding leg, Valiato was on the brink of fainting.

“Well, I t-think a big dog ripped apart my leg and an asshole wants me to be in his harem or w-whatever. So… probably in my top four worst days ever.” Slurring her words, Florato was quite delirious. But not so delirious that she couldn’t think.

“Come… we have to find somewhere safe. I don’t think this place is much fun.” Valiato looked away from her wounds and spoke softly. This wasn’t some fun adventure or a gladiator match. Her friend, the closest thing she’s had to mother, was hurt badly.

Putting her head under her armpit, Valiato lifted as hard as she could. Realizing what the kid was doing, Florato pushed off the ground and as soon as she was on her feet, she leaned onto a nearby wall.

“...I don’t think we can do anything. We’re only some girls..” Going to her side, Valiato pointed out a road where they could hide in. A place where the war was only the screams of dead men instead of their corpses.

“No. We gotta go help Vega and the others.”

“Flo… I don’t think we can.”

“Don’t say that.” Florato said firmly. She touched her bandaged leg and looked at her hand. There was a small trickling of blood, and she herself wasn’t sure on how much they could really do.

Just then, Valiato whimpered and hugged Florato’s waist.

“Please, I’m scared right now. I don’t know where everyone is, I don’t know what’s happening, and… I just want to live.” More scared than ever, the feeling of worry dawned on both of them.

This wasn’t just the city at stake, but what they all loved and could ever love.

All they wanted and wished to do and be.

That was what was at threat.

Looking back on all their moments together, Florato thought of Valiato. On how excitable and fun she could be. This kid was something more than a friend to Florato. Like her own sister, maybe her own daughter.

How do I reassure her? How do I make her know she’s safe? Florato asked this to herself. Then she realized an answer.

Crouching down, she held the sides of Valiato’s face. Giving her best smile, Florato looked into the girl’s eyes.

“Valiato, back on the ship you didn’t flinch. What you did then saved us, even if it was risky.” Florato spoke sweetly, taking a few moments to check if there were anyone else there. Turning back, she saw Valiato’s eyes widened, like the possibilities were more than running away.

“You helped us survive. You are so strong, and we need all the strength we can get. I’m… no fighter, but I got grit. Everyone is giving their all right now, so we have to do that too.” Letting go of her face and placing a hand on her shoulder, Florato wanted Valiato to know how incredible she was.

“But… I’m…I’m… not-”

“Valiato, I’ve seen what you can do.” Interrupting her, Florato gave Valiato a rush of confidence. A confidence she definitely needed. “I know you helped save Skaldi from the black powder bomb, I know you have so much potential. I’ll protect you. All you have to do is use your eyes and your skill, and help out as much as you can.”

There was a break of silence, and for the break everything seemed a little calmer. A little more manageable. That they could actually make an impact on this battle.

“...Can you do that for me?” Florato asked, coming close to Valiato. The kid’s head was low, but began to rise.

“...yes…” She said, with fear in her heart, but hope in her mind. Florato smiled weakly, and came in close.

She gave Valiato a hug. It was really nice.

“...you know I love you right? Whether you’re a ghost or not.”

“...thank you.” Valiato hugged her tight, with a tear in her eyes.

“Everything is going to be alright. Now, let’s go!”