Chapter XIV: The Final Curtain
Avernus stood up and slowly walked towards one of the undamaged but knocked over chairs. He flipped it back and sat on it. Avernus immediately brought out his notebook out of his satchel and began writing. Tiamat went to his side, summoned a white glowing cloth and started to gently clean his face from the blood of the daemon.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
Avernus was focused, oblivious to the Tiamat's attempts to clean his face. He started to speak very fast,
"I need to take notes from our encounter. That thing was unlike anything that I've ever fought throughout all these years. If the Abbey can produce such…"
Tiamat bend over him and held his face, raising it to meet her gaze,
"You're hurt. Stop writing and let me heal you."
He waited for a few moments, staring into Tiamat's eyes, then nodded, closing his notebook and letting out a loud sigh.
"You're right, I'm sorry."
Tiamat began casting her healing arte. His wounds began to disappear one after another. Avernus looked at the entrance of the mansion and saw the surviving members of the architect's family and the remaining villagers standing there, looking at him.
He managed to slightly smile for them but then his thoughts came back; The psychological pressures he endured, his failures and screams of Velvet gnawed at his soul. He began to blink and turn his head to the other side. He looked at the damaged caused by his fight with the daemon; A lot of walls were destroyed and debris had filled the area. Many mock-ups and stands were in ruins. The house was brimming with the smell of burning wood. The architect's wife began to open all windows to let out the scent.
Avernus called his staff and it flew right back into his hand.
"Come on Ti, let's go. We've wasted enough time."
Architect ran to him and asked, "Wait, young man. I… We want to know your name."
Avernus shook his head, "I'm just a…"
"His name is Avernus. Avernus Diphda," said Tiamat.
The architect slightly bowed in respect,
"We will not forget your kindness, sir."
"Don't mention it. Apparently, it's the only thing I'm good at."
Avernus and Tiamat walked amidst the rubble towards the exit, but some untouched and undamaged mock-up caught his attention; A city built on water or it seemed to be a lake. Avernus moved to the stand and blew the dust off from it.
"Is that a city built on water?"
The architect rushed towards them and said,
"Yes! I call it the Aquapolis, my dream project. But I have yet to find a location, funding, and manpower to do it. The empire wanted a refreshing idea for a city but now with the Abbey running the show and with the current event, however, I'm not sure about it anymore."
Avernus grinned and said,
"The land that I came from has both the knowledge, the manpower, and the resources to support and build such projects. Don't lose your sight and maybe someday, You and I can make that a reality."
The architect bowed again,
"Thank you a thousand times good sir! You saved me and my family and gave me hope for the future. May your path always be glorious."
Avernus nodded and went to the exit door and joined Tiamat.
"Make haste. We're going to be late, Tia."
"It is so interesting when you're still thinking about building a city Avernus."
"What's wrong about having new ideas. Towns on lands are so yesterday. If someday Hyland needs a second capital, it should be something different and refreshing."
"Part of you still lives as a child." Tiamat mocked.
At the Zekson port, a frightened Benwick slowly gave Velvet a folded small sheet of paper. She put in the cylinder and looked in the eyes of the messenger Sylphjay. The bird took off and flew to its destination. Velvet closed her eyes, sighed, and muttered something. She then brought out Avernus's pendant and gave it to Benwick,
"You breathe a single word about the letter to anyone and I'll eat you, slowly. And don't forget to give this pendant to him." threatened Velvet.
"Yes, ma'am! I… I totally forgot already!"
"Good."
One of the pirates shouted, "Hey! The scouts are back!"
Benwick quickly ran to meet the search team that Eizen sent out to investigate the area around the barrier,
Velvet and the others began to gather around Eizen and Benwick,
Eizen was tense and furious, he said,
"The scouts say that he was using a pendulum as a weapon?"
"Aye first mate. And he blasted all the exorcist inspectors! If that's the case, I think he'd be a match for even the captain." Benwick answered.
"Then I'll look into this myself." Said Eizen and quickly strode out of the Zekson gates.
Velvet looked at Rokurou and asked,
"What is going on?"
"The exorcist's inspection team was attacked by a Malak armed with a pendulum type weapon."
"Why is this important anyway?" asked Velvet.
Benwick, still nervous, answered her,
"Because it's the same type of weapon that was found at the place the captain was last seen."
"So you think that Malak is the one who took the captain?"
"We're not sure but this can't be a coincidence."
Velvet and the rest paused for a moment. After a few seconds of thinking, Velvet said,
"If the Aifread is in the custody of the Abbey, why would one of the attacks their own forces?"
Magilou began to walk around in a circle, she said,
"What will you do? Wait for Avernus or go after this key?"
"Avernus already sent a message. He said that he couldn't find a fourth Malakhim. We should go and find him before he could run off." Velvet lied. Benwick began to sweat but she gave him a threatening stare, prompting him to acknowledge Velvet's claim,
"Yeah… She is right. We got the message about a …few minutes ago…"
Skepticism was apparent in Rokurou and Magilou's faces, the witch said,
"Well, it seems we should not take things for granted. Sometimes people aren't that much resourceful all the time."
"Enough, we're going after him. If they're already in disarray, causing more confusion will benefit us." declared Velvet.
With that, the group went to the location. At the checkpoint they saw Eizen fighting someone; He used a pendulum in each hand and performed whip-like and unpredictable attack patterns using them. Eizen dodged each assault and then darted at him, trying to punch the Malak but he eluded the blows. The Malak laughed and said,
"You're good, whoever you are."
Eizen coldly answered,
"I was told the soldiers doing inspections have been attacked by someone using a pendulum. So I came here to check. It seems to be true. I'm Eizen, The reaper, and Aifread's first mate."
Malak's eyes widened in excitement,
"Oh, a friend of Aifread's. This will be fun!"
Eizen gritted his teeth and began to mount another attack,
"So you are the one who took captain from us!"
"That's the spirit buddy! Come and get it!"
Velvet loudly yelled,
"Eizen, that's enough."
Both Malak turned their attention to her. She said,
"He is a Malak and he is against the Abbey. If we work together, we can neutralize the barrier."
The Malak sneered and talked,
"Don't come up with theories and peacemaking bullshit in the middle of a fight, woman."
Eizen raised his fist and clenched it, saying,
"This is my own business. I'm settling this my way. Right here, right now!"
"DO NOT INTERRUPT." Both yelled at Velvet at the same time.
She exhaled and coldly told them, "I see… You two can play your game but, I will settle this in my own way as well." She took her fighting stance and continued, "I'll beat you both until you're helpless, then drag your powerless bodies to the barrier and open it myself!"
Rokurou shook his head and complained,
"Why does it have to be like this?"
"Oh be silent and help Velvet. Otherwise, she'll have our head." Magilou replied.
Velvet dashed first towards Eizen. He prepared to punch her and as soon as she got near him, he launched his attack. Velvet docked and he missed. Velvet's left arm transformed. She clenched it and hit him hard in the stomach. Eizen dropped to his knees from the pain.
The other Malak flung his pendulums at her. She masterfully evaded, jumped in mid-air and quickly delivered a Rising Falcon kick on to him. The Malak was tossed across the fence and hit the ground, sliding for a meter or two.
Both of them groaned in pain and decided not to follow their dispute anymore. The Malak started to laugh and slowly managed to stand up,
"Haha, you didn't even break a sweat. You're an interesting one, lady."
Velvet's arm reverted back to normal and said,
"I should have just done this from the start. You two could've saved a lot of trouble if you'd listen to me."
The other Malak walked to the barrier and slammed it a few times,
"So what's your plan after you've opened this barrier?"
Velvet in a chill tone answered,
"Kill the Shepherd."
"Wow, that's a new one! Alright, you won the fight. What do you want me to do?"
Bienfu appeared from his orb. Magilou clapped her hands and said,
"Everyone line up before the barrier, especially you, my glorious little Malak!"
The four of them stood in front of the barrier. Laphicet put both of his hands on the barrier and it instantly vaporized. Eizen was shocked and Magilou, eyes narrowed, began to wonder what had happened. Velvet also noticed this.
"The barrier vanished so quickly. I seemed to me that only Laphicet touched it."
The Malak turned back and started to walk away and said,
"I really want to see the panic on their faces. The rest is up to you now. Have fun storming the castle."
Eizen suddenly yelled at him,
"Wait! We're not done yet. I still have some questions for you."
The Malak stopped and answered,
"Let's stop this for now Eizen. If we keep at it, one of us will end up dead. I'm Zaveid the whirlwind and nothing more than a fighter."
Zaveid moved away from them. Velvet turned to Eizen and said,
"I won't stop you if you want to go after him, the barrier is down anyway."
Eizen shook his head and said,
"No, I will come with you. Melchior might be at the temple and he's my surest connection to Aifread whereabouts. I will settle things with Zaveid later."
Eizen began to move his head around, looking for someone.
"Where is Avernus?"
"He sent a message that he couldn't make it in time. He asked us to move forward and go to the temple. He will join us afterward." answered Velvet.
Magilou crossed her arms and said,
"I thought he only said that he couldn't find a fourth Malak."
"No, there was more written in the letter. I decided this is the best time to mention it."
After Velvet answered Magilou, she walked past the barrier point. Laphicet and Rokurou followed her but Magilou and Eizen stood there. She turned back and shouted,
"Be quick or you'll be left behind!"
Magilou and Eizen looked at each other and after exchanging some doubtful glances, they joined the rest of the group.
At the temple, the savior of the world, lord shepherd Artorius was mediating. The main door opened and praetor exorcist, Eleanor Hume entered. Artorius calmly declared,
"I thought I ordered no one to enter."
Eleanor became nervous. She said,
"Forgive my intrusion. But there was an incident at the royal villa in Loegres."
Artorius quickly cut her short and asked,
"Where are your Malakhim?"
"They were… consumed by the left hand of a daemon." She hastily answered.
"Velvet…"
"What? Do you know her?!"
"She is my former student. So she already bested Oscar, Teresa, and now, you Eleanor."
"Please, I insist that you grant me new Malakhim. I pledge myself to destroy that daemon!"
"Right now Eleanor, you are overcome with emotion. Will you fight a daemon with your hatred? She even broke the resolve of even an exemplary disciple like you."'
After the conversation, the shepherd stood silent. Eleanor knew that she wouldn't be allowed to get new Malakhim. Her head got cleared and she remembered the monster from the villa. She asked,
"My lord, there was an enormous daemon held captive at the villa. Why such a monstrous thing is held in the capital?!"
"That place is forbidden to all but legates." He paused for a moment and then asked her, "Why do you think that birds fly, Eleanor?"
At first, she was surprised, thinking it to be a jest. But after a long silence, she decided to come up with an answer,
"It is so they can hunt and catch prey…"
Artorius lowered his head and quietly sighed in disappointment, saying,
"You are dismissed, Eleanor. The knowledge is not for you."
She wondered in confusion but decided to follow his command and leave the room.
"Velvet is coming. The ties that bind us must be severed at last." The shepherd muttered to himself. Little did he know what destiny had in store for him, for Velvet, and for Avernus.
At the end of the Gallas Lake, Avernus and his Malak were near the capital. He noticed a messenger bird approaching them.
"Ah, another Sylphjay. They must have been tired of waiting or, they're worried about me. Who knows." said Avernus,
"Dream on prince Diphda. Nobody among this misfit group cares about your well-being."
Avernus opened the tiny cylinder and exhaled heavily,
"Hah, this is a long letter… even the handwriting is different…"
His eyes gradually widened as he read through it. The letter read,
Avernus,
I thought about what you said to me last night. I decided I would follow your advice and I finally chose. I would tell you in person, but somehow, I can't bring myself to. I don't want to have to see the damn look on your face. When you first came to our village, I thought you were just another idiot city boy who got lost. You proved me wrong. During those days, my life seemed to brighten up a bit. I was happier, and I think Laphicet was happy too. The hunt, the little adventure we had together, the promises. I can't forget any of them. I might have fibbed when I said all I ever thought about during my imprisonment was killing Artorius. Among my fond memories of my brother and sister, little memories of our time appeared here and there. After Arthur, I thought you were the only man I could trust. Right now, there is no one other than you. On that night, I lost my brother and I thought you were lost too. When you appeared at Vortigern, I couldn't believe that you were still here. I couldn't trust my luck, but still, you came through to me. At the tavern, you tried to satiate my hunger, and when you collapsed, I thought I had killed you. Who knows what kind of plan you have when we reach Artorius, but I bet I won't like it. I might actually lose you this time, for good. There is far more I might have done for you, had this been at a better time and we were better people. So I chose, you. I want you to live. This isn't your fight, it wasn't yours, to begin with. You are a normal person, why should you be next to me, a daemon? I know you mean well but there's nothing you can do to help me, Avernus. It isn't worth trying. If you stick with me, you will be in danger. I would hate myself if any more happened to you because of me. This could've been easier. I let myself get close but I should've known better. Even so, I still don't have any regrets. We should part ways now.
You face your own destiny, and I'll face my fate.
Goodbye, you damn fool.
-Velvet
Avernus nearly crumpled the letter in anger, but he folded it and put in his satchel. Without describing too much he nearly yelled at Tiamat,
"We must go. Now."
"huh? What happened? What was in the letter?" Tiamat asked as they began to run.
"Velvet is going to attack the Empyrean Throne without me." His voice was emotionless and focused.
"Why? What did she write?" she asked but he didn't respond. Tiamat grabbed his arm and they both stopped. She stared Avernus in his eyes, repeating her question,
"Tell me, what was in that letter?"
He maintained his neutral and cold look, trying his best to control the anger that was built up from reading the letter. He responded,
"I already told you. Velvet is going to assault the Empyrean throne. She doesn't want me to get involved."
"Then we let them."
"What? Are you out of your goddamn mind? She is going to get herself killed!" Avernus protested.
"That's the point. They will either kill him or weaken him enough to force him to draw out his trump card and amidst the confusion, we will strike when nobody expects us. They don't know that you're alive. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity." Tiamat explained.
Avernus brows knotted, the wrinkles began to form on his forehead. His tone became aggressive.
"Then you don't understand the reason behind my efforts and behind my motivation. If she dies, then all of this means nothing."
Tiamat suddenly released his arm, shaking her head slowly while maintaining eye contact,
"Then my suspicions were true. You're the one who lost his mind over a peasant girl. She is a nobody who won't be missed when she's gone. She is a daemon; it might be merciful to just let her die."
"Silence! You will follow my orders or else I will force you to do so." His voice raised to the same levels of shouting.
"You are insane. You are not the same person I remember."
Avernus suddenly yelled in anger, "Shepherd Avernus died the day he failed the one person that mattered to him! He died when even after all he did, after all he sacrificed, his own people didn't want him! They called me a monster, Tia. I killed and let my soul wither away in the abyss for my people so they could live in peace. But still, it didn't matter to anybody in the end."
His voice became calm but still decisive,
"Do you remember the day that I became your sword and vessel? I accepted the curse to be scorned by others and wrought with despair. I made agonizing decisions to protect my land and my people from the daemons, rebels, and criminals. Nothing could have prepared me for this lonely battle. Being a shepherd is not a gift. It is a curse."
Tiamat still staring into his eyes, stood silent. Avernus turned back towards the road, saying,
"This time, I'm doing it for myself. Not for an empire, not for any group, and not for an ideal. This is for me and myself alone. I made an oath to take down Artorius and that's it!"
"That was seven years ago. I didn't know you or your worth but… I changed my mind after I saw your potential. After I understand what you're capable of. I wanted you to stand by my side as an equal. You did what was expected of you. If this will give you the peace you desire, then I will follow you." Tia serenely spoke to him.
Without exchanging any more words, Avernus and Tiamat rushed towards the Empyrean throne.
Velvet and the rest of the group made their way to the main gate of the temple. Velvet moved forward to open the door. Eizen called out to her,
"Velvet, wait. Why are we going in without Avernus?"
Velvet stopped and slowly turned to him, saying,
"He will not come to this place."
"What?!"
"I lied. I told him not to follow us."
Rokurou put his hand on his face, sighing, "Why Velvet? We could've used his help, his artes. He practically was our surest way to win!"
"No. It's not his fight and this matter is of no concern to him. I can take out Artorius myself." Velvet declared.
"How are you supposed to do that?" asked Eizen.
"And what his method of fighting?" Rokurou also brought up his own question.
"He wields a long sword in his left hand. And he once had a Malak named Seres who used fire as her affinity but I killed her."
"So he tethered a new Malak called Innominat to use in her place?" Eizen wondered.
"As far as I know, yes. But I can't imagine a new Malak will synchronize with him as well as Seres did."
Magilou sneered at Velvet and said,
"It must so delightful when you're optimistic."
"If I'm wrong about this, that's where all of you come in. The four of you will weaken his tie to the Malak. Then I'll claw and bite at it again and again until Artorius becomes nothing more than a mere human."
Rokurou crossed his arms and asked,
"But how will get close to him in the first place?"
Velvet turned her eyes towards Laphicet,
"I'll use Laphicet's artes. He will wound me. He will burn me. And I will keep attacking. Your job is to keep healing me so that I can stay on my feet."
Rokurou slowly nodded at the idea,
"A suicidal attack might catch him off guard. It is not a bad plan after all."
"If you managed to not die first…" said the doubtful Magilou.
Laphicet protested and said,
"But Velvet you might…"
Velvet stopped him from finishing his words,
"That is an order."
Laphicet lowered his head, disappointed but still was worried about her. Magilou told him that,
"You're still just a tool to her kiddo."
Velvet and the group began to enter the main gate. Bienfu materialized from his orb and whispered to Magilou,
"Does Velvet really mean to kill Shepherd Artorius? What is she thinking?"
Magilou smirked and answered,
"I don't know. Maybe she's not thinking at all."
"She has some feud with Artorius. Avernus knew more I think. He was there with her when it happened. He talked about not being able to save Velvet. From what, he didn't say." Rokurou explained.
"Her hate for Artorius flows deep. Nearly the same as Avernus care for her. I wonder what her connection to Artorius and Avernus is." Said Magilou.
Bienfu jolted from what Magilou told them. He said,
"Things are getting complicated. I don't even know what is going on anymore."
"The fires of her hatred are all-consuming. I wonder who will they burn in the end…" Magilou spoke.
Laphicet's face filled again with concerns and doubts, Rokurou came to his side and pat his back, saying,
"It's a dangerous path we walk but a debt is a debt. Come along, Laphicet."
Laphicet, decisive to help Velvet till the end, washed his thoughts away and followed the group into the temple.
In the road from the capital to Dannan highway, Avernus was racing to the Empyrean throne. Tiamat was already merged with him to boost his stamina and gave him power over wind and speed. Quick as silver, he passed numerous camps, gates, and farms in a matter of minutes. Near the junction to the Dannan Highway, he noticed a flash of a silver whip-like anchor coming towards him. He tilted his head and the weapons missed him. He checked it form the corner of his eyes and distinguished it to be a pendulum.
He followed the rope and saw a man with a brown coat and silver hair controlling it. Zaveid threw the next pendulum and Avernus quickly anticipated its path and hit it in mid-air using his gauntlets. Zaveid laughed and shouted,
"Today is an awesome day! I'm having so much fun! You're a good one exorcist! I bet you can't dodge this one!"
Avernus narrowed his eyes at him and coldly said,
"I don't have time for this... Tiamat!"
Suddenly she appeared behind Zaveid. He quickly turned and met her gaze.
"Oh, hello there beautiful lady…"
Tiamat instantly blasted him in the face using a fireball. He was launched into the air and landed a few good meters over the road.
"That… Was… something else…" He muttered to himself as he laid motionless in the dirt.
Avernus called back Tiamat,
"I don't have time for crazy wind Malaks." And resumed his run towards the temple.
The temple doors opened. Velvet and the rest of the group entered the main worship area. Artorius, still alone was sitting near the from, meditating. Velvet shouted his name,
"Artorius!"
The shepherd noticed them. He stayed calm and focused.
"Daemons and Malakhim. Unlikely companions to say the least." Said Artorius.
"Seres is here too, right inside my stomach."
"So you chose to be a mother bird, Seres." Artorius muttered to himself and stood up, slowly turning to face Velvet and her group. They immediately readied their weapons. Velvet stared the Artorius in the eyes and said,
"Things will be different this time! I will have my revenge… Revenge for Laphicet!"
Artorius slammed his sheathed long sword into the ground and pulled the sword out of its scabbard,
"Very well Velvet. Let's not waste any more time."
With the conclusion of his words, they began to charge at each other. Rokurou was astonished by his stance and style and dread and hopelessness clouded Magilou's mind,
"That strong spirit… so this is the Shepherd's style." Said Rokurou.
Magilou stated in despair,
"We're most likely dead now."
Eizen tried to look for his Malak but he couldn't find or sense it,
"But he has no Malakhim with him!"
Velvet shouted and dashed at Artorius,
"STICK TO THE PLAN!"
Rokurou, Magilou, and Eizen followed Velvet with Laphicet supporting them from behind,
"Let's go then! A single strike he can't dodge at this range!" yelled Rokurou.
"Now go, everyone! Spread around him!" Magilou and Bienfu began attacking with their artes.
Eizen looked at Laphicet and asked,
"Are you prepared? If not, step back!"
Laphicet began to conjure his artes, the papers began to rotate around him,
"I will be okay! Spirits release!"
They attacked the shepherd from all sides; Velvet lashed at him with every arte she knew along with her claws and her blades. Rokurou performed his Rangetsu styles with his dual swords. Eizen cast his artes and lunged at him using his fists. Artorius masterfully blocked, or dodged most of them. But Velvet relentlessly attacked him as the rest stepped back to notice that their strikes did small to no damage to him.
Velvet desperately attacked him again, but this time Artorius summoned several swords and commanded them to rain down on Velvet. She was stuck between them and then he grabbed one of the swords and slashed at her. He continued to attack from all sides until Velvet hurled away as he stabbed his sword to the ground.
"With a single stroke, I will carve death into your being. Savage Wolf Fury!"
Laphicet ran towards Velvet as she struggled to sit,
"Please…"
Laphicet soon healed Velvet and she again resumed her assault. Having no regards for her life, Velvet tried to stab Artorius in the head with her blade but he evaded it and plunged his sword into her chest, impaling her. She began to throw up blood but she stayed on her feet, asking Laphicet to heal her once more.
Laphicet, shocked to see her in that situation, managed to heal her enough to enable her to attack the shepherd from up close.
"The fourth maxim! She muttered and slashed her blade at Artorius's chest. He quickly stepped back but not fast enough to completely escape her attack. He lowered his head and there was a slash wound on his chest. Laphicet ran to Velvet's side and began to heal her again.
"Never let your guard down, even when victorious. I will not let you win so easily. I will use my full strength and power. As it just and proper for a Shepherd." Said Artorius and held his sword up, shouting,
"Aid me Innominat!"
The symbol above the throne began glowing and his wound healed instantly,
Everyone looked in dismay as Velvet's efforts and attempts were for naught.
"His wounds are gone!" Rokurou shouted.
Eizen felt that immense power connecting to Artorius. Magilou, angry, also loudly yelled,
"This is not fair. That is cheating!"
Laphicet was in the process of healing Velvet, he felt a familiar feeling from that force that Artorius summoned. The same, however, could not be said for Velvet as she remembered the entity was the same from that fateful hour,
"I remember you… that night… that terrible night!"
The sigil began to burn bright until it flared up and engulfed the whole room with blinding light and propel the whole group to the other side of the room.
Near the Empyrean throne, Avernus suddenly stopped, feeling the energy of the Empyrean had been released by Artorius. He and Tiamat of them could finally detect the entity's domain stretching out to far and beyond.
"That… thing. Artorius is using it. Velvet must be at the Empyrean throne. I can feel its… influence!" Avernus clamped his fists and then continued, "The temple is above an earthpulse's focal point. I can use the underground power to counter his domain but I need your help Ti."
"I knew you were going to say that." She sighed and said, "Very well. I will use your power to amplify my domain to counter his. I still don't know what we're going to do but in our current condition, defeating it would be impossible."
"No. We're going to get them all out. Somehow…"
Velvet and the others were all on the ground, dazed and disoriented from the light blast. Velvet was still in pain. Laphicet went to her side and resumed his healing arte. He begged her to escape,
"It's impossible, we have to run!"
They began to stand up but soon, a woman's voice threatened them,
"You won't escape this time."
They turned to the source and saw Eleanor Hume, Melchior, Oscar Dragonia, and Teresa Linares entered the main worshiping area.
Oscar Dragonia, wounded by Velvet in his first fight, moved to the front and said,
"I beg your pardon Lord Artorius. I had assumed Lord Shigure was attending you. It is my failure."
"Shirgure is out training. Besides, that man would like to see my blood spilled more than anyone." Artorius claimed.
Melchior crossed his arms and shook his head in disappointment,
"He always thinks only of himself. Look what happened with Airfread and the daemon. We lost it to some unknown attacker in the village. He should not have sent it without a proper observer."
Velvet still hadn't been fully healed and was limping, prepared to attack Artorius once more,
"No, Artorius… The one who most wants to spill your blood… is me!" yelled Velvet.
Teresa walked in front of Artorius and summoned her Malak,
"Master Artorius, allow me to silence this filthy daemon."
Velvet gritted her teeth and dashed at them with her blade unsheathed and aimed at the front,
"Out of my way!" she screamed.
Teresa and her Malak both began to cast a series of magical shards and fired them at the same time towards Velvet.
"Learn your place you despicable daemon." Said Teresa.
The shards immediately hit Velvet, overwhelming her and hurling her back. Laphicet ran to her side and she screamed in agony and pain. Her life force was fading. Laphicet began to heal her but her wounds were far more fatal that he could mend. Velvet was still muttering about attacking Artorius again.
Laphicet stopped his healing magic. His eyes widened. He was hurt at seeing her suffering. He wondered,
"Why? Doesn't it hurt? Aren't you in pain?" He began to weep and wail, "Why, Velvet? Why do you keep on fighting?"
The shine in her eyes was fading away. Velvet's amber eyes turned to dark brown. She answered,
"Because… Laphicet knew so much more pain than I ever will. Avernus endured much more suffering than I will ever face. And still, I… couldn't anything for them…"
She grabbed and held Laphicet's hand with all the energy she could muster. She slowly whispered as the spark left her eyes,
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
As soon as Velvet's eyes were closed, He felt a figure standing above him, He slowly raised his head and looked at her with misty eyes,
"Consorting and conspiring with daemons. Number Two your punishment must be harsh. Kill the daemon. Then, end your own life." Teresa ordered.
When Laphicet heard her order, his sad expression turned into a scowl.
"No…"
Teresa became furious at his response,
"Have you forgotten our pact?! Your mistress is giving you an order!"
Teresa then invoked upon their pact and tried to forcefully control him. Suddenly he heard a familiar whisper in his mind,
"Feel the waves of the Earthpulse. Feel the flow of life."
Laphicet began to overcome Teresa's grip on him. He gritted his teeth and cried,
"I'm… sick of your orders!"
He looked at the motionless Velvet, lying on the ground.
"Do not let Velvet die."
The sigil above the throne began to flash. Artorius noticed this. He looked at Laphicet and said,
"Impossible… That aura!"
The pact's seal around Laphicet began to break as he gathered his strength. He closed his eyes and with all his power he shouted,
"I don't want Velvet to die!"
The seal broke and the resulted pulse wave threw Teresa across the room.
Then, everyone heard a loud bang coming from the entrance. As soon as Eizen, Rokurou, and Magilou turned to the door, it fell apart and broke. An unknown figure ran passed them. A deafening shout was heard.
"BEAST! LION'S HOWL!"
A silver silhouette of a roaring lion darted towards Artorius.
"Innominat come to me!" Artorius cried.
The silhouette impacted with the Artorius's bright yellow shield and exploded; revealing the bearer of the arte to be none other than Avernus. His gauntlet was halted a meter away from Artorius's face. The collision of powers created a wall of light between them.
"You…" Artorius slightly narrowed his eyes at his adversary.
"False Shepherd…" Avernus responded in kind as he held the shield with his arms.
Tiamat emerged from him and ran to the Laphicet and Velvet, checking up on them. She began to communicate to Avernus via their telepathic connection,
"Avernus, Velvet is still alive but Laphicet is not in good condition. He exerted himself trying to revive Velvet. We need to get him out of here. Now."
"Any Ideas? I can't hold it for more than two minutes at best before I turn into dust."
Tiamat looked at above their head and noticed disorientation in reality,
"Laphicet's power created a tear in space and time but the Innominat domain is interfering with it. You need to force the Empyrean to spend its power somewhere else so I can fully open the gateway."
Melchior walked towards them and said,
"Magnificent. Harmonizing with the Earthpulse's energy, the arte, and the perfect balance. Claudin Asgard was right about the Shepherds of the Hyland. A superb specimen of equilibrium, the pinnacle of human interaction with forces beyond."
Avernus looked at him from the corner of his eyes and mocked,
"Don' worry old man. Since you like us so much, I'll give you the last show of your life after I'm finished with Artorius. You'll taste it firsthand, Melchior."
Artorius coldly said to Avernus, "Why you are here? What is it that you are really after Avernus?"
"Nothing important and significant. Just your life."
"Are you sure? The truth is often distracting when one lives a lie. You speak as though we are natural enemies. Why must this be so? We're both Shepherds. I know my role in the world. I wonder you've ever stopped to question yours?"
Avernus was ignoring his speech and kept searching his mind to find a solution to that stalemate,
Artorius continued, "You don't even know why you fight, do you?"
Avernus furiously pushed the shield and said,
"My first act as a Shepherd was to swear an oath to protect the people. But yours was to kill an innocent and defenseless child and ruining the life of her sister. I have never sacrificed and killed anyone who didn't deserve to die. You disgust me Artorius. You bear the title but it means nothing as it won't change the fact that you're a megalomaniac scum. Do you want to know my purpose now? My role is to wipe you out of the face of the earth." Avernus exhaled and continued, "You deserve justice. You deserve to die."
He contacted Tiamat again,
"I have a flicker of mana left, get yourself ready."
Avernus looked at the remainder of the wound on Artorius chest, and neutrally, stared at his eyes,
"Regards from Velvet, Shepherd." He declared and soon, the shield began to glow bright,
"CHAOS BLAST!"
The ward exploded in a flash, blinding Melchior, Oscar, and Eleanor. Avernus dashed through the light and towards Artorius. Dreamshadow in his hand, he slashed his staff at Artorius. With little room to maneuver and being caught by surprise, he blocked Avernus's attack. The staff collided with his sword and tiny sparks began to lit as both weapons rubbed against each other. Artorius saw him quickly closing the gap but it was too late. Avernus moved his free left hand towards Artorius's torso,
"Eat this! PHANTOM BLADE!"
The blue, glass looking sword began to materialize from his left hand. The blade pierced Artorius's chest and exited through his back. "Feel the pain, you asshole."
Eleanor screamed in terror,
"Lord Artorius!"
Eizen, Magilou, and Rokurou mouths were open in shock,
"He did it!" cried Magilou.
Artorius stood there, straight and motionless, He looked at Avernus's face and smirked,
"You're a fool Avernus. You cannot kill me so easily." Artorius shouted, "Assist me, Innominat!"
Avernus stepped back as yellow lights began to engulf and healed the shepherd. Avernus yelled at Tiamat, "Do it, Tia!"
With the power of Innominat focused on healing Artorius, Tiamat managed to fully open the gateway. Avernus picked up Velvet and Tiamat, followed by Eizen, Magilou, and Rokurou with Laphicet in his arm dashed towards the portal. Eleanor quickly followed them but suddenly sucked into the gateway. Before the tear closes, Melchior managed to send a communication arte through it. After that, the breach was closed.
Oscar quickly ran to the unconscious body of Teresa.
Melchior joined Artorius and said,
"Innominat power is reacting to the earthpulse."
"Velvet and now him. She strayed so far from the path. Giving the name of his brother to a Malak." Said Artorius.
"It seems that we lost the new experiment to your old acquaintance."
"Contact Eleanor by any means possible. We need to take care of that Malak… and him for good."
He turned to the Melchior, "And send word to Shigure and Lucian. Bring them all here,"
NOTE:
I want to thank Piano Black Ink for writing Velvet's letter. She's an amazing person.