All over The World, the rumbling was felt. The players were all assaulted by a wave of fatigue and nausea. Seen by all of them, for a brief moment, almost like a wave, the ground turned into a series of ones and zeroes. People tried to log out, only to find they couldn't. In the real world, those who lived with those playing tried to get their attention, and their voices were heard, but it was like an echo, a fading existence not truly there. Their minds were trapped in the game. Millions and Millions of players…stuck in their alter egos.
The World…the entire game…was once again turned into a gigantic AIDA server…
Trials of a Goddess
Chapter XI: Xenmaru Phase I, The AIDA's Puppet
"This…this is impossible…I don't believe it…"
"Well believe it…its right in front of us."
"But…but mother said-
"Aura was wrong. She's not infallible you know. She's bound to be wrong some time…"
The AIDA covered Xenmaru slowly stalked forward.
"He's coming!"
Endrance sauntered forward. "Well then…let us strike before he can."
The ringing noise sung through the area as pale violet symbols began to cover Endrance's body.
However…the AIDA was to have none of that…
He raised his right arm, and from it a shining black light shot through the area. Slamming it on the ground, he summoned a wave of force that knocked the Infinity Eight, Aina, Morgana, Zefie and those chosen by the guardians on their backs. A transparent black dome appeared in front of them, separating them from the others.
"KITE!" Natsume cried. She along with the others were horrified at the development.
"How can he do this?!"
"Alicia…she could block off fragments of Morgana…so what if…he could block off the fragments of himself?"
Kite and those remaining inside the barrier tensed.
"Well this sucks…"
"Indeed it does…"
Tsukasa gripped her staff. "It doesn't matter…we still have to beat him."
Xenmaru stood up. The AIDA particles swirled around him until they became two spinning rings of energy around his body. His eyes narrowed, and he vanished.
"Damn! Here he comes!"
(BGM: Brave Fencer Musashi – Final Chapter)
Subaru's eyes widened. "This music…it's…so strange…"
Seeing an opening Xenmaru targeted her.
"Crap, Subaru look out!"
"Huh?"
All she saw was a blur and suddenly she was doubled over in pain. The black figure slammed his right foot to the side of her face and knocked her away.
"Damn you! Lei Zas!"
Xenmaru calmly turned his head…and a wall of earth rose in between him and the attack.
"What the-
Tsukasa could do no more, for as soon as she spoke, the wall crashed apart and became a series of jagged lances of rock. They sped towards her like bullets. Suddenly, in a wave of blue fire, Kite appeared and swung his blades around, blocking every lance. Immediately after, Balmung and Orca leapt at Xenmaru bringing their blades down on his head. He did nothing but look up…and a transparent wall of white blocked their blades.
He motioned with his hands in a shooing manner, and the two were launched away, slamming into the field's walls. Shino was silently healing Subaru's wounds. The blue haired scythe user nodded her thanks and got up. Subaru ran towards Xenmaru and raised her blade, only for a torrent of water to launch her into the air from beneath her feet. The AIDA being turned and raised its hand, pointing at the blue haired woman. The particles of water condensed into spears of ice that instantly crashed into her. Her body dropped only to be gently caught by Xenmaru.
"Wh-what?"
Glowing red eyes stared into hers as he raised a hand to her chest.
"AAAAHHH!!"
"SUBARU!"
AIDA particles raced into her body, making it feel like they were slowly ripping her apart from within. Balmung raced to her aid.
"Ogre Sword!"
Drawing his blade to the side he prepared an attack, only to have Xenmaru launch Subaru into him, AIDA particles returning to his body. Tsukasa raced over to her lover.
"Gods honey what did he do to you?"
"I…I don't know…but I could feel it…it was like it was reading my memories…"
"Why would it be doing that?"
"I…don't know…"
(BGM: BFM – Tower of Death)
Suddenly the AIDA surged. A spiral of black dots shot to the air from Xenmaru's body. His entire body flared black…and he vanished.
"Wha-
SLAM
Orca was sent flying by a foot to the face. Shino pulled out a spell.
"Vak Don!"
Small flaming rocks flew towards Xenmaru from the sky. He vanished out of the way and brought a fist to Shino's stomach, followed by a left knee to her face and then spinning and slamming his right foot into her chest to knock her away. Kite flew at him.
"Ghost Falcon!"
Xenmaru quickly spun, waving his hands in the same motion as his body. A sphere of flame surrounded him for a brief moment, but that was all it took to halt Kite's attack. The black clad being then followed up with a thrust of his palm that sent a wave of condensed air at the red clad twin blade, launching him away.
Balmung tried attacking from behind, but hit the shimmering white barrier.
"Crap."
Indeed. For Xenmaru swiftly whirled on him, bringing a fist covered in rock to his face. He followed with a spinning low kick, sweeping Balmung off his feet…
And then time slowed…
Balmung was slowly flipped to his side in midair, so his torso was facing the AIDA being. Xenmaru gathered energy into his right fist and slammed it into Belmont's chest. But he wasn't done. A split second after that, the energy detonated, and Balmung was rocketed away.
And time resumed…
Tsukasa was about to cast a spell, when Xenmaru turned to her and quickly raised his left palm. AIDA particles swirled around his hand, creating what looked like a black void. The void then launched a series of jagged streams of black and white energy that pierced through Tsukasa, halting her attack. She dropped to her knees in pain, clutching her chest.
"D-damn…"
Kite got back up and rushed Xenmaru who swung his left arm at the ground. A visible wave of white energy rocketed from where he motioned. It slammed into Kite, carrying him away again. Subaru cast a weak group healing spell on everyone. Orca, Balmung and Kite all got back up slowly.
Hell's Rolling
Xenmaru thrust his arms to the side as two black disks of dark fire appeared around his wrists. He flung both arms in front of him, launching the blazing rings at the group. The disks crossed paths on their way to the group. Shino and Tsukasa raised their staves.
"OrLei Zas!"
Twin waves of light energy propelled by multicolored beams rocketed towards the flaming disks. The two attacks collided canceling out…barely. The AIDA warrior spun in place, two glowing pale blue orbs in hand. He flicked both his wrists and the two orbs launched in an arc, headed towards the group. Zefie instantly recognized the attack.
"Get outta the way!"
Shino, Tsukasa and Subaru leapt to one side as Kite, Balmung and Orca jumped to the other…but it was useless. The two orbs suddenly detonated, turning into gigantic versions of themselves, greatly damaging both parties.
Orca and Balmung nodded to each other. Orca pulled Kite to his feet and began quickly messaging him the plan the two Descendants of Fianna had come up with. Kite relayed the message to Subaru, Tsukasa and Shino.
"Ike!"
Subaru raced to the left in a wide circle around Xenmaru. He couldn't bother with her however, as Balmung and Orca were literally streaking towards him. He waved his right arm and a series of white glyphs, almost looking like giant snowflakes, appeared before him. Each one fired a beam of blue-white light at the charging warriors. However they deftly dodged each one. The AIDA warrior scowled and raised his arm. He received no chance to act for Subaru had launched her scythe at his back. He flinched as it slammed into his barrier, jarring him slightly. He turned an annoyed glare upon Subaru, only to wince again as the two Blade Brandier's slammed their swords upon his back, once again impacting the barrier.
The shimmering white dome became solid…
Xenmaru turned to deal with the Descendants, only to be jarred again as a set of blades met his barrier, this time belonging to Kite. He growled and brought his right arm across his chest, arm glowing with dark energy. A small roar escaped his throat as he spun; releasing the energy gathered in a wave that repelled the warriors. But he was too late. The two mages cast at the same time. Twin waves of light slammed into the barrier…and it shattered like glass.
"Holy crap they did it!"
Showing actual fear Xenmaru began motioning with his hands.
"He's casting something! Attack now!"
Kite Orca and Balmung all raced at Xenmaru…but they were a second too slow. Rings of white light surrounded the AIDA warrior as the spell completed.
Judgment
A series of prismatic holy energy literally rained down on the group like falling lasers. Each impact greatly damaged the group. Shino recovered quickly.
"Lei Zas!"
She launched a wave of light energy at the AIDA being…which was blocked by another shield, this one completely transparent. Suddenly he crossed his arms.
Chains of Promathia
The strange AIDA void opened up again, this time behind him. Hundreds of black chains rocketed out of it slamming into the group and binding them. Xenmaru calmly walked away from the void and raised his arm. A silver ring appeared around his wrist and a series of purple shards surrounded the ring. Claw like appendages appeared from behind the shards, and inched their way towards the group like a demonic hand reaching for its prey.
And that…was when everything changed…
(BGM: Guilty Gear X – Awe of She)
"SEARING SORROW!"
A giant ball of flame rocketed from the far end of the barrier, slamming into the AIDA warrior and disabling his attack. A shadowed figure flickered into view and pressed the advantage the surprise attack gave it.
The figure drew a long katana and immediately began a series of rapid slashes and thrusts. Each attack connected with Xenmaru's bare body, black dots flying off of him from every strike. The figure spun and slashed again, this time channeling some sort of energy into the blade. The attack knocked Xenmaru away, and the AIDA warrior landed on his back. The shadowed figure leapt to the sky, intent on bringing its blade down on the fallen being.
Unfortunately for the unknown fighter, Xenmaru raised his left hand at the last second, a clear field of…something…blocking the attack…only…it looked as if he was struggling. He pulled his arm back, constricting the barrier slightly, before throwing his weight into it. The maneuver acted like a parry and repelled the figure backward. The unknown life form flipped gracefully in the air and landed on its feet. It stood up slowly, and with that allowed all parties to see it.
Long midnight black hair cascaded down to the middle of the warrior's back. A black V-neck top over a fishnet shirt covered the being's body. Twin wooden dark blue arm guards adorned its wrists. The figure wore a pair of solid black fighter's pants that reached down to its ankles. Black sandals covered its feet as wooden shin guards protected the figure's legs. Two small purple jewels rested on the being's ears. Bright violet orbs stared at the now standing Xenmaru, as the figure's young, female face gave a sad frown in his direction. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the strange light given off by the barrier.
Aura, who was once struggling inside the containment field, stared at the new arrival.
"This is…"
"Ok…I think I stand for everyone here when I say who the FUCK is that?!"
Aina's eyes widened in joy. "She's not dead!"
Ovan turned his gaze upon his sister. "Aina…who are you talking about? Do you know that person?"
"Just look at her name."
"Mikoto? Wait…you can't mean…"
"She's alive. And she's going to beat that thing down!"
"You're not him."
The AIDA warrior glared.
"I've been in his mind, I've seen into his heart. You are not my Zero-kun!"
He attacked. A spear of ice rocketed towards the younger girl. Instantly, a curved blade appeared in her right hand and she brought it down, slicing the icicle in two. She kicked off the ground and hover-ran towards Xenmaru. She brought her blade down in an overhead swing, but Xenmaru thrust his left arm to the side, creating a barrier of white light in the form of a rectangular wall. Her sword bounced off the wall as if it were made of rubber and she stumbled backwards. She turned the tripping motion into a back flip, narrowly evading a torrent of lightning that shot over her stomach as she flipped away from where the now fading light stood.
Immediately after that she placed both palms in the air above her head, making a dome of purple light that blocked the broadsword that Xenmaru called out of thin air. Using his sword arm, he pushed his weight over Mikoto's head and behind her where he brought his right leg around for a side kick. Mikoto whirled around and slapped his leg to the side with her left hand, passing the offending appendage in front of her. She prepped her pointer and middle fingers of her right hand and made a poking motion toward Xenmaru's side. The AIDA warrior barely twisted his body out of the way as a small spark of purple light appeared around her fingertips. His movement caused her arm to pass right in front of his torso, where he grasped her wrist and pulled her off her feet and in front of him where he pulled back his right fist.
The black haired maiden slammed her left palm down on his wrist, stopping his attack and countered with a palm strike to his face. The impact jarred him greatly, which opened him up for a series of open handed strikes to his torso, followed by Mikoto pivoting on her left heel and slightly hopping in the air to form a sort of corkscrew-drilling motion with her right foot into his stomach which seriously knocked him away.
As he flew backward, Xenmaru slashed his right arm to the side.
Lance of the Thunder God
A giant spear of electricity shot towards Mikoto, hell bent on frying her alive. However she slammed her fist onto the ground, a purple aura emanating from her body.
"Legion's Reach!"
From the point of impact came a small wave of purple light. The lance of lightning split into multiple bolts of electricity. Where the purple light touched, a series of entwined branches rose from the ground like growing plants. The lightning attack was diverted into the branches which acted like a series of lightning rods.
"That's…Cubia?!"
"WHAT?!"
Kite and Balmung yelled out.
Xenmaru flicked his arm to the side and a glowing red staff appeared in a wave of swirling black particles.
"Skeith's staff!"
The AIDA warrior ran at Mikoto, swinging the staff with two hands like a club. The girl ducked under the swing and brought her leg in a sweeping arc along the ground attempting to trip Xenmaru. The elder fighter jumped over the girl as she kicked out at him and brought the cross portion of the staff down on her. She rolled to the side, narrowly evading the attack, only to get caught from behind as he quickly used the slight bounce of the weapon on the ground to turn his attack to a horizontal swing. The girl slammed into the ground heavily from the blow. Xenmaru then took the momentum from the horizontal swing and brought his weapon over his head, throwing his weight into it. The movement brought him into the air. He then forced his weight forward into a front flip.
Mikoto pushed herself to the side as the weapon slammed into the ground right where she was once laying. A cloud of dust billowed into the air. Mikoto hopped backward out of the possible swinging range of the weapon. The dust swirled as Xenmaru launched out of it, the staff now being held by the cross. A second tip of the same length as the first appeared on the bottom of the cross, making it look like two rods were attached to the cross. Xenmaru swung with the front edge first, which was ducked under by the younger girl. He then reversed the weapon and swung with the other blade in the opposite direction. He missed again, but he compensated for that by delivering a back kick to the girl's chest.
Mikoto went with the kick and turned her flight into a back flip, clearing a great distance away from Xenmaru…but the AIDA weapon master was unimpressed. He began spinning the double edged weapon in his hand like a baton. While running towards the pale girl, the two empty parts of the cross extended, making the weapon now look like a spinning fan. The weapon was basically turned into a spinning disk of red that hovered a few inches away from Xenmaru's right palm. He pulled back and then launched the disk at the girl.
Mikoto sung her arms around her body and began twirling on her feet. Purple wisps of energy surrounded her and then transformed into a dome of spinning purple energy.
"KAITEN!"
The spinning blade slammed into the girl's whirling barrier, the two spinning forces clashing, a series of red and purple sparks lancing out from the contact point. Annoyed Xenmaru slashed his right arm in a circular motion in front of him creating a faint circle of energy. The circle turned into six spinning white orbs that all rocketed towards Mikoto's spinning dome. The girl sensed the attack coming and gathered more energy.
"KAITEN: HOFUKU KYUZO!"
The spinning dome of energy seemed to pulse. Both the spinning cross and the orbs of light were instantly repelled by the wave of force that emanated from the sphere. Haseo commented as the girl slowly stopped spinning.
"Damn, she wasn't kidding when she said Cubia could match Xenmaru easily…"
"She's his opposite, created during his time in The World…knowing everything he knows…she's the best weapon against him…"
Xenmaru grew irritated and glowed a fierce light blue.
Arctic Rain
A series of frozen lances rained down upon Mikoto who threw her left arm into the air.
"Megiddo Flame!"
A wall of crimson fire erupted from where her arm moved and shielded her from the attack. Before Xenmaru could attack again, this time, Mikoto took the advantage. She waved her arms in multiple patterns before her, summoning a glowing black sphere into place. She slammed her palms on the sphere, which was surrounded by a glowing band of purple runes.
"CHAOS GEHENNA!"
A humungous beam of dark energy erupted from the sphere. Surprised, Xenmaru quickly threw up the wall of nothingness to defend himself. He succeeded, but he was completely focused on the beam.
"ORLEI ZAS!"
Twin walls of light slammed into the barrier from behind, weakening it greatly. Xenmaru was straining to keep the defense up. Balmung and Orca raced in with Subaru between them. The three of them slashed their weapons creating triple crescents of energy that slammed into the barrier…and caused it to shatter like glass.
A bright light came from where Kite stood. A green ring of energy appeared around his right wrist. Multiple red shards of energy came together in a cone shape as a transparent red band with symbols around it began rotating around his arm. Three bright red blades appeared from within the cone, rotating with the band as their axis. The blades gathered energy then slowly stopped rotating. Once they stopped the energy erupted outward in the form of multiple strands of arrow tipped data that slammed into Xenmaru's back.
The barrier around the group fell as the AIDA puppet roared in agony…and then exploded into hundreds of particles.
Unknown to them…the battle…was just beginning…
Phase I complete.
This is the first of the final battles. As you can see, Cubia wasn't fully defeated when The Eye data drained Aina. For Mikoto's look, imagine a 15 year old violet eyed Hyuuga Hanabi from Naruto.
As stated above, Cubia is one of two beings able to easily match Xenmaru…but that was only the First Phase. Now, comes a being that not even Mikoto can fight, for she is incomplete. The Infinity Eight once again join together in the next chapter…but…are they enough to defeat the coming threat?
I hope everyone liked the battles in this chapter. Like I said, these last ones are all fighting until a certain point. Then is philosophy and then more fighting…then the end.
Arcon1: Glad you enjoyed it. Here's the beginning of the end!
Sister of Kyuubi: Arietta, AKA Juri the Light Guardian was the one that transformed into the angelic form. Aina simply turned into that darker version of herself from the first story. Ooh good, you've played, that means you'll understand some of the attacks coming in one of the next few chapters. And yes, Wild Arms is for the PSX (AKA PSOne). There's a remake called Wild Arms Alter Code: F for the PS2 that's out though. Might as well pick that one up.
As you can see, Cubia wasn't as gone as everyone thought. She IS however horribly weakened, though it's not shown in this battle. She can't do much more than match Xenmaru's level…but the next fight shows he's on a level higher than she can go…
As for Morgana…well, she won't be able to do much, neither will Zefie. With Aura blocked off, Xenmaru can now radiate a field of energy that repels AI. But who knows…maybe they'll find a way past it…
Here we go…the first of the last chapters…next up is a massive battle and…Aura's Vision comes true…
Oh yeah, almost forgot…
Kaiten: Hofuku Kyuzo – Whirl: Retaliation Wave