((A/N: Six reviews seems to be a nice average, doesn't it? Heheheh. Oh well, time for the next chapter! This is, I think, one of the best fight scenes I've ever written. I'm certainly proud of it. You'll probably think I'm pathetic after reading it, but whatever.))
Chapter thirty-three, Yuan's P.O.V.
Battling An Angel.
"Back off, or your son dies."
As Yggdrasill said this, he was peering directly at Kratos. Which was why everyone else froze and turned to stare at him as well. Sheena's eyebrows raised immensely and I heard Zelos produce a strange spluttering sound. Lloyd had ceased his struggles for a moment, an expression of shock spreading across his face. Kratos looked almost as though he couldn't care less what Yggdrasill had just said, but I knew otherwise.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I spoil your little secret?" Yggdrasill grinned mischievously.
Kratos still didn't respond, though I could see his fingers stroking Flamberge's hilt indecisively.
"Now, Colette, I'm going to ask you one last time. Release the final seal." Yggdrasill increased his grip around Lloyd's throat, his eyes narrowing
The girl glanced up at the two, biting her bottom lip, before turning back to her travelling companions, probably hoping to receive some advice. The two half-elves however, seemed to be horribly confused by the situation as well.
"You can't!" Sheena called. She was immediately forced to jump backwards though, when Yggdrasill fired an energy blast at her.
Letting out a near-impossible to hear sigh, the chosen stepped forward and clasped her hands together in prayer. Her wings flapping once, she soared upwards to greet her doom.
"Yes, Colette. Come to your father. Obey Cruxis' wishes and become an angel." Remiel smiled coldly at her.
"No!" I roared, trying to come up with a way to stop Yggdrasill. Sadly, I came up empty. Right now, the man had Lloyd as his trump card. If the kid was just any kid, it wouldn't have mattered if he died. But Lloyd wasn't just any kid. Lloyd was the kid chosen by Origin. The only one who could wield the Eternal Sword. If he died…
"Colette!" the white-haired boy shouted.
A shower of lights rained down on the chosen. There was a quick flash and when she turned around again, her eyes had turned the colour of blood. They were soulless and empty. Martel's vessel was completed.
We'd failed.
"Excellent." Yggdrasill flew forward to grab the chosen's arm, carelessly dropping Lloyd to the ground. The boy fell about ten feet, landing face-first on the floor.
"Lloyd!" Zelos and Sheena cried in unison, running towards him to see if he was alright.
"This time, I'm sure the Mana signature will be a match. Martel will finally return to me!" Yggdrasill's face showed decades of growing insanity, as he smiled in a way so twisted that no normal half-elf or human could pull it off.
"My lord…" Remiel took a deep bow. "Please allow me to destroy these inferior pests."
"I leave it to you, Remiel." Yggdrasill replied, disappearing in a flash of light, taking the new vessel with him.
"Colette! No!" the white-haired boy cried again.
"Genis, keep your guard up!" his sister called warningly, casting a glance at Remiel, who had summoned three angelic helpers by his side.
"For standing in lord Yggdrasill's way, and for betraying Cruxis… You shall die!" the man barked. "And when you do, I'll take over as one of the four Seraphim!"
"You're a fool, Remiel! Yggdrasill considers you nothing more than a disposable pawn!" I retorted, raising my weapon.
"We'll see about that."
Remiel darted forward, followed by his minions. Within seconds, a chaotic battle had started. Kratos, Zelos, Sheena and even the two half-elven siblings fought to keep Remiel at bay. Lloyd soon managed to crawl to his feet and join in on the fray. As he was too weakened to use the Eternal sword, he fought with two simple blades. From what I could see, he was also refusing to make eye contact with Kratos.
It didn't take long for the three helpers to fall to the ground, but Remiel himself remained on his feet, continuously evading our attacks.
"Super Lightning Blade!" I tried to stab the angel, only to miss spectacularly when he dodged to the right.
"Photon!" he shouted behind my back, and before I knew it I'd slammed into the ground, my vision turning white for a moment. A metallic clang told me that my weapon had landed not too far away.
"First Aid!"
The soothing sensation of healing magic spread through my body, causing the pain to immediately dissipate. When I looked up I saw the half-elf girl lower her staff, a mild expression of relief on her face. I cast her a quick smile before pushing myself to my feet and grabbing my weapon again.
"Double Demon Fang!" Zelos tried, but only one of the two energy blasts reached their target.
This battle was taking too long… At this very moment, Yggdrasill was trying to use that chosen's body to revive Martel. Remiel was merely a distraction. We had to corner the guy and get rid of him as soon as possible.
"Power Seal Pinion!" Sheena slapped two of her guardian cards into Remiel's face, momentarily confusing him.
"Raging Beast!" Lloyd added, releasing a wave of raw energy to ensure that Remiel staggered backwards.
I was just about to continue the combo with an attack of my own, when I noticed a flash of light on my left. The boy named Genis was going to release a spell he'd apparently been charging for quite a while now.
"Cyclone!"
A gust of air blasted upwards, sending Remiel into a spiral. That kid… was smarter than he looked. He took advantage of Remiel's overlarge wings and the fact that he constantly stayed airborne during battle, and turned that into a weak point.
"Kratos!" I called, turning to my partner, who nodded.
"Light Spear!" Kratos jumped upwards, spiralling together with Remiel, before halting in mid-air and thrusting forward.
With that, the battle was over. Remiel screamed and fell to the ground, the wind of Genis' attack still ruffling his hair slightly and sending feathers everywhere. Kratos landed next to him with a 'tap' before removing his sword from Remiel's stomach.
Another one of Yggdrasill's minions had fallen.