Time for the next chapter of Ranse Eroica!

Prologue 2: The Girl in Red

For the third time in that dungeon, I watched in amazement as the effigy carried out the commands, effectively causing the enemy programmes guard to immediately break.

It was just as the mysterious voice had told me, follow his instructions and I would be able to survive this mad dungeon. I learned much of combat: The effigy was to fight in my place as some sort of avatar while I would give out specific commands for it to immediately attack the opponent, guard an attack or to try and break the opponents guard.

Though sometimes, the effigy DID act on its own, I guess machines have somewhat of an AI as well.

…

Heh…this was easy.

I can do this thing. I can get through this dungeon easily, I'll reach the end of it no problem at all.

"Very good," the voice sounded over the empty sky once more, "now up ahead is the last enemy inside this dungeon, proceed to it."

Finally, the last one.

Jogging up toward a red floating orb in front of me, I snapped my fingers, signalling for my effigy to take up its position in front of me.

"I have taught you the basics of fighting, and that is all I have to teach you. Now, use whatever you have learnt to defeat the foe in front of you."

"True experience only comes with a real battle."

I get the feeling that the voice of this person could be like an old priest wearing some kind of black jacket, throwing smirks everywhere, but that's not the point. First off, the enemy looks like its going to retract back, that usually would signal a guard move.

"Break it, then do whatever is necessary…"

True to my predictions, when my effigy swiped its hands sideways, the ball of data recoiled and got some of its sides chipped off. The effigy proceeded to mercilessly attack the programme without showing any signs of stopping.

*BAM*

My eyes snapped open as my effigy got knocked to the ground, probably missing the right timing to break it and getting attacked in the process.

That wouldn't really be a problem, I thought as the effigy stood back up. The enemy programme literally had sparks sputtering out of its round shape. One would easily deduce that it was going to fall any time soon. If that's the case, I say one more attack would do it.

"Alright, just keep attacking it."

Leaning back for a second, the effigy blasted forward and, with one stab, crushed the enemy programme instantly.

The small ball of electricity sank to the ground slowly. Within moments, it was reduced to nothing more than a forgotten pile of data. I wiped my forehead. This one was a little tougher than the rest since it had different coordinated moves, unlike the first three which only did a specific action.

"Quite a feat you have accomplished already, potential master," the voice congratulated me once again, "you have passed all the required basic training here. Do you see the path that lies ahead of you? Move forward."

"There, we will decide if you are worthy, or not."

My gosh, this guy, he talks way too much for his own good.

Dusting my school jeans a little, another path way seemed to magically open itself before me. Honestly, by this time, nothing that actually happened surprised me anymore. Seriously, if a girl in a translucent dress pops up carrying a sword, I think I might not react at all.

That, or its just and overstatement.

I made it.

That last one path was pretty damn long, and had a door at the end of it no less. Pushing it open, the effigy and I stepped out what I made out to be some underground church hall-thing.

The oppressive air of the dead where spirits of the dead linger.

This is where my goal is, though not completely clear cut, my final trial would began here.

Only a few steps ahead of me I see someone lying down on the floor, his face upwards. On closer inspection, I nearly crapped myself.

It was the guy who followed Leo through the wall!

I quickly ran over to his side, shaking the guy, "Hey, wake up. What are you doing down on the floor man? Get up." After shaking him a few times, I noticed for a moment his body felt stone cold, his skin looked abnormally pale.

And then it hit me.

"Oh God help me…"

I didn't know how managed to overlook a very important fact, but as I pulled back my hand, I came to a realisation that he surely was dead. I can no longer think coherently. I stare at the corpse, obviously shocked and feeling as cold as it probably was.

That was when I started to notice something, many things around me, not just the body of the boy. In fact, there were a few-no, dozens and dozens of bodies besides the boy of followed Leo. Like the boy, whatever the trial they had to face, they made it this far, but only to fail miserably at the end. I clenched and unclenched my fists, seemingly trying to find ways to calm myself down.

"Damn it…I think I need the gents, I wanna puke…" I cursed unconsciously, "Wait a second, what the hell is that?"

A tall, white doll with orange lines sat beside the boy. Noticing my presence, it turned its faceless head toward my direction.

An effigy.

Considering all the other programmes I had to fight previously, I could deduce that this was another opponent I had to fight.

The final trial…

Without any form of warning, the effigy stood up. Slowly, it made its way towards my effigy and I. At the back of my mind, something told me that this was a battle I could not win.

"The hell, why am I thinking about this? I just have to beat this thing, no issue," I shook my head and tried to concentrate.

"Now, I think I should…"

Not even finished planning an attack, the two effigies leapt into action.

"Oh shit…"

The enemy swung its fists at my effigy, though easily countered with one swift jab from mine. However, as the assault continued, the other one managed to ward of my attack and counter with a low kick, sending my effigy to the ground.

After that were a series of consecutive attacks that I could not even comprehend. My effigy got sliced, twice across its "head". From my angle, I could see the gash marks on the side. After that whe it finally tried to counter attack, it was blocked, only to receive a revenge blow from the enemy.

"Not good, here comes the extra attack…"

True to my thoughts, my effigy was sent flying back as the enemy landed a kick to its head. The fight looked like it never even began. In fact, I don't even think it lasted a mere minute!

My effigy tried to stand itself back up, but no, it ran out of energy at that moment and crumpled to a lifeless doll onto the ground. No completely at the enemies mercy without one to fight in my place, I took a step back, not caring that whatever I did now was futile anyway.

"How very saddening, young man."

As soon as the voice appeared, the effigy charged towards me.

"It seemed like you had potential. Alas, you are bound only to end up like those before you."

"Such a disappointment."

*SLASH*

…

*THUMP*

The motion was quick and swift. I did not even have the time to even say my own last words as the effigy swung its hands, slicing across my body. Feeling myself lose it all, I crumpled to the ground, my consciousness fading away.

Heh, and I didn't even lose any blood, how was this possible…

"The time has come, with your inevitable loss, I now declare this round of preliminaries over."

I don't even have the strength left to say anything, I can only curse silently as I face the ground. I took one glance at all the bodies around me. I guess it seemed inevitable at the moment that I would join them and be one of them soon.

Maybe I should just die now…it'd be better.

"Farewell, potential master…"

…

No…

Screw this, screw all of it. I refuse to die here, I damn refuse. There's still so many things in this world I haven't done yet. Heck, I don't even have a girlfriend yet!

I clench my fists ever so tightly, trying to summon all of my strength to get back on my feet. However, as I try to even damn move, unbearable pain shoots through my body and forces me back down. I do not give up yet as I try once more.

"Argh!"

Like the previous time, I can't move my body still. At this rate, I won't even be able to feel anymore.

"I hope you find peace, in your own annihilation."

…

No way, no freaking way!

The pain still lingers in my body, that's for sure. In fact, all five of my senses seem to be blazing with fire. It hurt to even open my eyes. Still, I grit my teeth and continue clenching fists, only much, much harder this time round.

I'm afraid.

I'm afraid of the pain.

I'm afraid of losing my senses.

I'm afraid of dying.

The worst of it all: I'm afraid of dying, vanishing of the face of the Earth without whatever rational rhyme or reason.

No, damn freaking way, is Shin Saeta gonna vanish here.

"Give up, young one. I can sense your struggles. Just close your eyes and let the pain take you."

Screw it, screw the voice. Damn it, damn it to hell!

It's alright if I'm afraid. It's alright if I'm afraid of pain, afraid of death, afraid I'll die.

Opening my mouth I yell out, "I'm not…I'm not going to die here! What's the point of going through everything up till now if I'm just gonna die, huh! My pain, my headaches, my constant worries for the seemingly unknown? What the damn hell is all of that pain and trials for if I'm going to die here!"

"So lemme tell you, NO WAY AM I DYING LIKE THIS!"

"Indeed!"

The sudden voice stops my ranting at the unknown. This voice was unlike the previous one. This voice was higher pitched, with a slightly upper class tone and a slight air of arrogance around it. However, it was not like Shinji's, or even Leo's.

It felt…powerful.

"Well spoken, nameless traveller," the new voice continued, "even if the world will never hear of your desires, I shall always admire and respect you for that. Close your hands into fists and raise your head! Your end has yet to come!"

"Your destiny starts now!"

Slamming my fists against the ground, the effigy that stood still backed off as I rose to my feet. Around me, the two of the three stained glasses cracked, leaving only the one in the middle intact.

Light now engulfs the room. Drawn towards it, I dragged my feet towards the light. I didn't notice it before, but something from the floor was rising into a position.

"That form...!"

With my senses now regained, I managed to clearly make out the person that turned towards me. Blonde locks, with the back of her hair tied in a small bun. Red blouse and a long skirt and a slightly arrogant look on her face.

Even as she walked towards me, I could sense an overwhelming aura of power emanating from her. It was through this that I knew: don't screw with this lady, or die.

"Now then, I ask of you…"

"Are you my master?'

A sudden flood of information rushed through my head. Without even thinking, I blurted out the answer on instinct, "Yes, I am your master."

The girl folded her arms and nodded, "Hmm, I see that your words are few, but are beautifully spoken nonetheless. If so, I won't even ask how grateful you feel for summoning me."

Somehow…even though this girl seems about as stuck up as Shinji…

I feel a calming aura from her.

"All right, I give my blessing. I now bestow you the honour of being my master!"

Eh…?

Suddenly, the girl grabs both my hands and pull me to my feet. Before I even get a chance to feel how warm and soft her hands are, a sudden pain shoots through my right hand, as if something was carving itself into my hand.

"What in the world…?"

The pain leaving after a mere moment, what was at the back of my hand appeared to be a crest. Now totally confused, a swap glances between the crest on my hand and the beautiful girl before me. In that mere moment, I take in her form once more and…

Huh? Is it me or is her skirt…

I look away slightly, hiding the slight redness that tints my face.

"Is something amiss master?" the girl tilts her head as she lets go of my hands, "your face is red."

When you have a skirt that's pretty much transparent in the front, how can I remain calm? Well, I wanted to say that at least. I mean come on, I'm still a guy.

A noise behind me brings me back to my senses. I whip around, the effigy from before now taking a fighting stance.

Damn, recalling defeat is NOT fun.

"What an excitable master I have," the girl smirked as she walked past me gracefully, "Why are you so flustered?"

"Of course, you would be in my presence."

At least I'm better now that the front of her skirt isn't in my direction now.

"While I am by your side, have no fear that you may lose your way," she stood firmly and faced the effigy, "remember that victory is all that matters."

Suddenly, the girl thrust her hand forward, causing a blade to manifest in her hands. Spinning it expertly, she pointed it at the effigy, "My blade is the ultimate instrument, even the muses themselves would bow before the sound it makes!"

"Master, strike with my sword. Show me what you are capable of in this battle!"

I know not the name of this girl yet. I know not fully of what is going to happen.

But I know I can place my trust in this girl, trust in the one that fights before me. Now, I will lead her into victory!

"Let us begin! Praetor!"

Sorry for a double chapter prologue guys.

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