So, no author notes after this chapter either, up until the end of the series of chapters for this event. I literally wrote this series of chapters all in one sitting, because GODDAMN I WAS ON FIRE.
As stated before, no two weeks between chapters. Chapters will be released one week in between each one. No need to make you wait two weeks for this medley I have planned.
Okay, barring this chapter, the other chapter titles are the titles of the songs that inspired the various scenes I wrote. I'll just throw down the list of songs that inspired various scenes or that I wrote to. I'd post the BGMs I'd suggest for reading, but you know what, go find your own music. Plus it might give things away if I say what music I'd suggest.
Song Inspirations, AKA anything that either inspired a scene or I wrote to (in no particular order): The Bravery, Goal to New World, Embrace (PanzerWaltz/MetalWaltz), Fall (AC: IV), Mechanized Memories, Remember (AC: IV), If It's For You ~ Song 4 u, various Kara no Kyoukai tracks, several of the To Aru openings, LAST STARDUST, Ninelie, Battle for Everyone's Soul, Battle for a Future to Believe In, PROUD, Miiro, Linebarrel, Monster Girl Quest – Final Boss Theme, Go The Distance (I'll Go), Ryougi Shiki's Theme (Melty Blood), The Edge of Green, Brave New World, I Want to Protect You ~White Wishes~.
Yeah. Man, this was a pretty… rollercoaster of a write.
Anyways, I suppose this'll be the last review reply for a while since I don't want to break the flow with those things. I'll try PMing everyone who leaves a review but holy crap there's so much stuff to do in the summer (Hoo-RAY vacations) so please understand if I'm delayed in responding to you. But yah, this'll be the last one as I said up above, no more author notes until this next series of chapters has passed.
So... REVIEW REPLY TIME, FINAL FORM GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
goddragonking: Heh, thanks. I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much as you enjoyed the rest of the story. Thanks for reading!
Demons Anarchy of Pride: Haha, yes. While I'd like to troll and say there might be something else, it's fairly evident that by using the Ancient Dragon, I've pretty much flagged that the story's about to hit the end XD As for a sequel... no, I'm not considering a sequel to Storms Overhead. I have been planning a DxD fic, however, so be on the lookout for that. Thanks for reading.
RedRat8: Hehheh, oh yes I had fun with that as well. There's so little about the actual reasoning for Brimir's actions IIRC so I put together something that would make sense and allow the Ancient Dragon to actually have a reason for existing. Thanks for dropping by!
Krazyfanfiction1: Ah, well... Brimir wasn't really naive so much as that he was at the end of his rope, sanity-wise. As for the second part, well, I imagine there might be some chaos. Thanks for reviewing!
The Obsidian Pen: Just for you, I definitely didn't write that line in to be said in this chapter. Hehhehheh. And yes, finally got the history of the world slowly resolved, it's been on my mind for some time and it was a relief for things to finally be closed up. As for the upcoming chapters, as I stated before I will be replying via PMs when I've got some time.
dvilleza: Huehuehue, whatever gave you that idea? XD Haha, just kidding. Thanks for reading, though!
Philson: IT'S HERE.
king Quinn The Last Heir: Woo, you read through all of this story? Ha, that's pretty cool. As for Sasha/Kurt, well last chapter I kinda shot that down already. Kurt/Henrietta is almost sailing, but there's just the matter of this litttttle thing called disaster in the way. Thanks for reviewing!
ciel blackwood: YEEEEES, it's here. I can't believe it's been three years either. This story's been as much of a journey for me as it was for you guys. Not to mention that it really accelerated my writing and gave me the guts to publish a book as well. Thanks man, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapter.
XDNOVA13: There's a short line in the last chapter that states that Kurt returned just below two years after the events of inFAMOUS 2. As for how long the story will go, well, let's just say all things must eventually come to an end. I don't have any plans for a sequel, after all. Thanks for reading!
spartan-140: Heh, yeah I guess it does sound like the grand finale. Also, Cole isn't around (Kurt went back and it was about two years after inFAMOUS 2) and the events of Second Son haven't quite gotten started yet. As for characters crossing over, it's unlikely due to the fact that it's difficult to open up a portal between the two worlds without magic, if I ended up writing a sequel. Thanks for reviewing!
Thunder Dragon: Oh yeeeeeees, it is that time. I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapter!
BrokeLifeCycle: Heh, that'd be a fun option. Of course, deploying nukes isn't exactly on everyone's minds XD
...Woo. Wow, you guys got excited about last chapter. For all of you that have stuck around since Chapter 1, you have my sincere thanks for staying on this crazy ride. For those of you that hopped along somewhere in the middle or even just now, you're just in time. Normally saying something like that would tell you things are about to come to a close but I figured enough of you realized that the story was near that point anyways by me bringing up the Ancient Dragon. No need to hide it, I suppose.
Amusingly, I wrote this chapter and all the following when there actually was a damn storm outside. It was just so fitting when there was a hail of lightning, thunder, and rain and somewhere in my heart I knew that I needed to write this damn battle.
But enough talk.
It's time to go.
Chapter 52: Risk of Rain
"I AM PROVIDENCE."
"Are you ready?" Lucy asks over the radio. I can tell she's trying not to make her voice crack, but she's trembling right now.
"…As ready as I can be." I mutter, circling over the volcano again.
It came out three days earlier than expected, regaining its power incredibly quickly.
But fortunately, we had made preparations for that.
Henrietta had authorized the usage of magical stones to be converted into bombs. We took as ton of those magic stones similar to what Joseph did and bombed the fuck out of that thing. There's also plenty of cracks in its shell, which is good… hopefully. We didn't want to risk any side effects to overusing those things, which is why we didn't just bombard the fucker.
It's pissed off, probably, but it bought us enough time to finish evacuations and get the rest of our preparations set.
We've already got a baseline for its abilities from the familiars, as well. No Void magic, just incredibly souped up versions of all the other types. However, it does also have a desperation attack of sorts that mirrors the effects of Explosion in beam form.
Fortunately, that requires it to use up a lot of power. In its weakened state, it should only be able to use it once before running out of juice, meaning it'd be a sitting duck after using it until it recharges, or whatever, assuming we're reading its power correctly.
Still though, this thing's power is incredible.
The amount of stones we used in that fucking bomb, and it's still existing as a form other than ashes.
"Puny beings… you but delay the inevitable…"
"It's moving."
"Raising the dragons, too."
"Alright, we've confirmed it's back on its feet. Let's get the fuck out of here and get ready for the defensive operation."
As the dragons come back to life, somehow reanimated by this thing's power, Lucy and I fly off in the jet, getting the hell out of here before they can target us.
When we get back to the Academy, I see the insane changes we've made to it once again. It's crazy what we've done.
There's a green shield of magic that's surrounding the place. In addition, there's cannons and a few sniper towers here. Those cannons though, those are comparable to anti-air cannons of my world. A bit of insurance I kept around because of a gut feeling things weren't over when I was going through Romalia's arsenal. We're only keeping them around for this battle, then I'm dismantling them for good.
The insides look like a military base as well. Muskets, swords, plenty of weapons. Not sure how good they'll be against the Ancient Dragon itself, but against its small fry they'll help.
Lucy and I land down in the designated pad, where we get out. Lucy'll be flying the jet and scouting ahead, probably calling out shots for our snipers and cannons, so that leaves me on the ground assault. She'll also be in charge of leading the beast here.
When I get off the landing pad, I see Guiche in combat clothing. Nothing major, just a little looser version of the Academy uniform.
"No armor?"
"If your reports are right, armor's not going to make a difference. Best just to have a bit of protection from debris, but that's about it" He says, twirling a wand in his hand.
"New wand?" I ask again as he puts away the thin, wooden cylinder.
"I've been using this one for a while now, actually. The rose is a good backup and no one sees it coming, so I thought it would be best to be my reserve weapon while using this one as my main."
"Heh, good thinking." I say with a smile, patting him on the back. "Good luck out there with your men, Guiche."
I begin walking through the rest of the camp, letting everyone know that Ancient Dragon was on the move. We do have spotters on the way that are going to relay information about it, too, but our main "rabbit" is going to be Lucy. Our jet should be able to outpace anything it can throw at us. It's still outfitted for combat, too.
…It's strange, though. The Academy is strangely empty. Most of the people here are adults. People here like Guiche are an oddity, and even then he only brought his personal squad of six. The rest of the Academy has been evacuated, so that way those who have been learning can continue on with our teachings. Most of our forces are readying for the cavalry rush, but it'll take some time for them to get into position, not to mention that our plan calls for them to stay hidden until such time we can go for an all out assault.
"Are you prepared?"
I turn and find Karin, dressed in full armor and with her manticore.
"As ready as we'll be." I answer.
"Oh, Heavy Wind, it's been a long time."
…Matilda? When the hell did you cut your hair?
"Unshaking Earth… it's been far too long."
"Circumstances." Matilda says, running a hand through her shortened hair. She's wearing a tight shirt and tan pants, clearly made for maneuverability in the event she has to move quickly.
"Wait, Duchess, you—"
"I know fully well what the Unshaking Earth has done in her past. But she defeated me, and thus will always hold my respect. Only a person of much discipline could do that." She says, letting me know that she knows Matilda used to be a thief. And holy shit, Matilda fucking beat Karin at some point? I'll have to get the story later.
"Ha, you'll make me blush with those words. I doubt I could defeat you now."
"Hmph. We'll see about that another time."
Though, I guess it's been long enough since Foquet that no one would really care. Heh, time flies, doesn't it?
"Holy shit, how did you not kick my ass the first time around?"
"I wasn't really aiming to kill you, more or less just get you off my trail. I underestimated you, too. Wasn't expecting a kid who could throw lightning."
"I see." I mutter, now knowing how lucky it was that Matilda was really just trying to help Tiffania this whole time.
"Oh, I didn't know a reunion was called for. How unfortunate, that it had to be before such a sour battle."
…Headmaster?
Osmand walks forward, a forgiving and knowing smile on his face as he comes up to us. "Heavy Wind, it's been some time."
"Ah, the Rising Tide. And of course, the final member…"
"Hello." Colbert says, dressed for combat today. Rather than his usual robes, he's dressed almost like an elite operative. His clothes are sort of tight to him, similar to a tight suit, all black. He's forgone the wooden staff and is rocking the black spear that he can manifest his flame scythe around too. "Hm, that's rather amusing."
The four people who at some point in their lives, defeated Karin the Heavy Wind… to think we'd be united here.
"Oh yes, Kurt. Louise was looking for you. I'm sure she's concerned that you were out there."
"Right."
With that, I continue walking out to another area. Louise is sitting with Tiffania near the motorcycle, clearly waiting for the upcoming battle.
"Louise. Tiffania."
The two of them get out to the sound of my voice and immediately run over and crush me in hugs. Ugh…!
"Oh thank Brimir you made it…" Louise whispers. "I was so scared knowing you were going to see that thing again. But if you're here with us… I won't be scared."
"W-what Louise said…"
"You two, honestly…" I sigh, helping them get off me. "Get ready for battle, Louise, Tiffania, and—Louise, what the hell are you wearing?"
I only realized it now, but Louise is wearing short shorts and a rather little-covering shirt over an undershirt. She almost looks like a pink haired Black Rock Shooter, without the twintails. Are… what the fuck? What has Agnes been teaching you?!
"It's easy for me to move in this. It also helps if I have to climb. You said it yourself, armor won't help."
"Haaa…" I sigh, shaking my head. "Okay well, I'm going to have a talk with you about your outfit choices too. A very long talk."
"I'll hold you to that." Louise says with a smile as I go back to the landing pad. Lucy's there, holding onto her lab coat. She then tucks it into the cockpit, humming.
"Hey, Lucy."
"Kurt…" she hops down and runs up to me, giving me a hug as well. "…I'm going."
"Come back to me." I say, trying to give off the commanding authority tone. But we both know it's more of a plea than a command.
"I will."
"We still have to finish the rest of the satellite array, after all."
"Mhm!"
"And… I'll let you eat a popsicle as sloppily as you want."
Her eyes light up at this prospect. Such a simple girl, really…
"Really?!"
"Yes, really."
"Then… I'll definitely make it back. But you have to as well, okay?"
I pull her in for a hug and rub her head. "Yeah. I'll definitely make it back. Now get going. Oh, before you go…"
"Ku… rt?"
I wrap Siesta's muffler around her. "You'll need this in the skies more than me. Now go. Make sure you return it."
"…I will."
Lucy then gets into and goes off in the jet, taking to the skies. Okay… now just to go and get ready for this final battle.
There's three of us who will be slowing it down. Agnes, Ronaldo, and I will engage it outside the Academy as the strongest overall combatants who possess easy flight capabilities or at least, a way to travel through the air quickly. Karin's staying behind in order to help use her magic to power the shields since with her helping that it, they're pretty much guaranteed not to fall, since we want a guarantee we can get rid of those dragons.
The shields are propped up by the towers the school has. The barrier covers the entire school in a one-way sort of thing. Spells and attacks can go out, but attackers can't go in. The shields can fall though, if they take too much force at a time. So, Colbert and I took Agnes' musketeer corps, trained them how to use the AA guns, and gave them semi-automatic rifles that I inventoried so I know they'll all make it back in order for them to deal more damage. Agnes' more elite troops though, are on sniper duty. No guarantee how much damage the rifles will do, but I'm sure one of the sniper rifles can put a damn good hole in the dragons.
Only problem, we're going to have to go somewhat non-lethal.
We can only hope to buy the Academy enough time to take out the dragon supports. Vindalfr told me that his own command power isn't very effective on these things and in the midst of combat, I can't muster up the power to fully use his power to the extent that he did. But back on point, we simply need enough time for Tiffania to use her amnesia like spell to wipe the dragons' memories, then after that, it should be easy for me to command them away.
Unfortunately, with all of this shit going on, I never got to combine the Amp and Derf. But I did get one final nifty power from that stone I drained. The Tesla Missile, as I call it. It consumes a fuckton of power, but if used with the proper timing, I could use it as a finishing move. Too bad I'm a real sitting duck while using it if I'm not at point blank range, though.
We fly out, or in Agnes' case, ice skate on constantly freezing air, out of the Academy, before touching down on the ground. I nod to Ronaldo who readies a set of knives and Agnes who reloads her rifle.
"Our objective is to delay so the Academy can get its dragon supports out. Focus on the Ancient Dragon, but watch out for its support. For now, stay out of sight and wait until Lucy calls in that it's here."
"Understood."
"Got it."
With that, I take the prepared camo cloaks and lie down on the ground, using binoculars to watch the skies.
It's dark out, amusingly enough. The skies are clear, unfortunately. For once, there couldn't be a storm when I needed it. I can't see too much, but… it should be easy to see the shift in the skies. Plus we can hear the jet.
Thirty minutes go by.
Dammit Lucy… please make it back…
The silence drones on…
…for thirty more seconds.
"D-damn! Ugh! I'm here!"
Lucy's in comm range!
I look over in the distance towards the noise in the skies.
In the black night is a burning bolt. The jet is maintaining a steady pace ahead of the dragons—oh my God, that is a… a lot of dragons.
This is nothing. If anything, this is only a scouting force in comparison.
What the fuck did you guys do to piss off all those dragons? Ugh, not the time. Either way, let's get going!
"Lucy!" I say into my comm unit. "I read you! Good job! Just a little further! Hit the button!"
"Got it!"
The sonic boom rings out loud and Lucy whizzes by the Academy.
"OPEN FIRE!" Agnes and I scream, the black night sky becoming lit up red and orange with gunfire, taking out several dragons so they'll be out of range of the Ancient Dragon's "raise" ability. The anti-air cannons take out huge chunks and the snipers start picking off dragons. Tiffania's chanting, too, delaying the casting of the spell until it gets here. We might have to do this multiple times, considering that those dragons can get raised.
But even in the swarm of dragons, we can tell there's a definite other presence among them.
It comes.
"Can't believe we're about to fight that thing." Agnes mutters, adjusting her aim.
"Ronaldo."
"Kurt?"
"On three. One… two… three!"
On three, Ronaldo and I explode in velocity, immediately shooting up to the skies. Ronaldo forgoes the knives and simply decides to change the dragons' vectors, forcing them to crash into each other.
As for me, lightning goes in every direction as we carve a path towards the black beast in the skies.
"Go for the wings!" I yell, drawing with Derf and the Amp, charging in with dual Terrawatt Blades surrounding them.
"RUNE BEARER!" So it knows who I am? Or perhaps it senses the magic? "Let us finish what was started six thousand years ago!"
"THEN COME AND GET ME, MOTHERFUCKER!"
I do a quick scan of it, just to confirm what I was told. No solid matter… but effectively like a solid.
A beast of pure magic, so condense that it's been solidified, similar to the magic stones Joseph used. I can't disintegrate this sort of thing. Otherwise I would have annihilated it. Derf already told me with such a condensed magic, he can't just absorb it either. Heh, I only wish it were that easy.
So yeah, it's effectively solid. But it doesn't bleed, but we can force it to sort of lose cohesion. There's a core in the middle that we need to hit in order to kill this thing, which Brimir targeted but was unable to fully destroy because the battle was just too much on him. I haven't really run into a lot of elementals, but I assume this thing is sort of like the Water Spirit. A sentient being, but not of truly any "form". The Water Spirit could use water to take form, but in the end it's still a magical being.
Just like her, the Ancient Dragon has something similar to Void for its way of taking form. Ha…
Either way, disintegrating it is not going to be an option. I already tried that before, after we first bombed it. Even in its reduced state, it has the power to at least hold itself together, as if doing the reverse of Explosion.
I shoot myself like a bullet right in. The Ancient Dragon reacts just as fast, so it almost rakes my back. I pay it back with scraping its underbelly with my heated swords.
Kurt!
Sasha?!
Use our ability!
As I stream fire and ice from my arms using the magical artifacts, I imagine that tree again.
Sasha and I both scream in my mind together: HYPER ACCELERATED EVOLUTION!
I feel its power, but much stronger this time around. Damn, with Myz here helping the efficiency, it's a hell of a lot faster!
"Ha! That power, once again! Best use it well, boy!"
"Don't forget about me."
"Wh—"
I realize how insane Ronaldo's power, which I assume is probably vector control, as he slams several dragons into the Ancient Dragon. He then throws the knives at impossible angles. Not that it really does much, but it buys me enough of a distraction to get off a point blank Tesla Missile.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaagh! I see you have improved!"
Cloud Lightning! Myz shouts as I feel the sheer magical power.
"Ronaldo, behind me!"
Ronaldo doesn't question it as I prepare to take the atta—OOOH MY GOD AGH! THE HEAT! FUCKING SHIT!
"Tch…! Ha… ha…"
I… I'm alive. Holy shit…
"Kurt, look alive!"
My mind snaps back to the battle.
Kurt Bright! The first spell has gone off! Tiffania has disabled a chunk of the dragons, now is the time to use my powers! Command the dragons to leave this battle!
"Ronaldo, buy me a bit of time!"
"Got it!"
With that, I shoot myself over to the Academy. There's some dazed dragons just sitting there. Okay Vin, let's do this!
My mind echoes out the command: LEAVE THIS BATTLEGROUND AND NEVER RETURN! HEED MY COMMAND AND MY COMMAND ONLY!
A fourth of the dragons are out! That's a start!
"Shit!"
I look down and see Agnes rolling away from a dragon before getting back on one knee and shooting a red dragon right in the face.
"Agnes!" I yell, hurling the Amp through the air, the Terrawatt Blade still on it. It tears through two dragons before returning over to me. "You good?!"
"Let's go!"
With that, the air in front of Agnes crystalizes as she runs up, switching out her rifle for a pistol. She's using another one of the weapons I kept around as insurance, her revolver quickly taking out two dragons. The ice spikes she launches next take out another by the time we get back to the dragon.
All right, gonna need to use this guy!
OVERLOADING SPAAAAARK!
The blue beam tears through the night, striking the Ancient Dragon head on. Still not gonna be enough, though!
"I'll join in with that! CRYO STORM!"
Agnes, did you…
Well, I guess it helps tense the muscles and all that, yelling out your attacks.
A hail of icicles comes flying at the Ancient Dragon. I decide to link in and let some electricity run through it as well. Ronaldo contributes by changing their vectors to insane levels, the icicles becoming white blurs in the night.
"Guuuuoh! Impressive…!"
Tch, he's still just enjoying this… must have a really fun time watching us fight for our lives. You sick son of a bitch, I'll destroy you.
"Agnes, covering fire!" I yell while going forward, dodging the dragons that lunge for me. A hail of pistol shots gives me my reply while I make my way closer to the Ancient Dragon.
Let's kill it!
It seems to be taking its time, reveling in our struggle.
I wake it up with a twin Terrawatt Blade slash to the face. Tch, all I'm doing is scratching the scales…! I'm going to need something a lot stronger to smash this guy!
I immediately shoot myself past him, going for the wings. They're significantly easier to damage, but they're sturdy nonetheless. Sasha!
Hyper Accelerated Evolution!
I move my arms as fast as possible, trying to get in as many hits as I can before having to retreat when enough dragons come after me. Geh…!
"OUT OF MY WAY!"
I manifest a hail of Current Flurries, shooting the electric blades forward. The myriad of shots destroy the cloud of dragons in front of me. Now just to—
Kurt Bright, again! The dragons have been dazed by Master Tiffania!
"Cover me! Ronaldo, launch!"
I feel my body's heat resistance tested as he changes my velocity vector while I'm already moving towards the school. Oh God… agh, that actually kind of hurt, too!
Either way, let's go! This makes about half of the dragons done!
I cry out to the heavens above. "LEAVE THIS BATTLEGROUND, NEVER RETURN! HEED MY COMMAND ONLY!"
My right hand shines with a glorious white light, almost blinding. But for us, it's the light of hope. At my command, another fourth of the dragons leave. The third massive wave comes forward, getting rid of more support to the Ancient Dragon.
Before I can move forward, I hear an explosion. What the fu—
Oh SHIT!
The shields went down?! What—OH FUCK, ONE OF THE ANTI-AIR GUNS EXPLODED! Shit, didn't see that one coming! Fuck, misfires and all that might've caused it! Shiiiiiiit! Damn, it took down one of the towers that was housing our shield generators! Fucking hell, that's a massive explosion!
"Ronaldo! Agnes!" I scream as I fly past them, electricity surging in my arms. "Support the Academy!"
"You can't be serious!" Ronaldo growls as he flies with me. "Are you going to take that thing on one-on-one?!"
"I'm just going to delay it! We'll swap off when I have to get the dragons away!" I yell over the sound of the Ancient Dragon roaring, raising the killed dragons from the ground. "GO! If anyone can hold him off, it's me!"
"Ugh…!" Agnes grumbles, reloading her pistol. "Don't you dare die!"
"I won't!"
With that, Ronaldo shoots himself back to the Academy while Agnes begins running on freezing air, firing off her pistol at the targets as she can. I'll definitely come back…
Flying over to meet the Ancient Dragon, I twirl both of my weapons in my hands. Okay you bastard, let's get to it!
"AAAAAAAH!"
Letting out a lout shout, I make a straight, head-on charge towards the Ancient Dragon. My Terrawatt Blades cut through every dragon that dare stand in my path. OUT OF MY WAAAAY!
"TOO SLOW!" I yell as the Ancient Dragon attempt to bite down on me once I get within range. For my counterattack, I throw the Amp into the air and deliver a punch to his face, complete with Destruction Blast. The shockwave causes the Ancient Dragon to recoil in pain, actually looking irritated now.
I summon the falling Amp with magnetic fields and go straight for the wings. No time to get in close!
I hurl the Amp one again, coating it with its Terrawatt Blade. It won't shred those wings, but it'll certainly cause some instability!
Time it right… OVERLOADING SPARK!
The beam tears right into the wing, causing the Ancient Dragon to scream in unholy pain.
"Guaaahhh! Crafty little…"
"UAAAAAAAH!"
I charge right in again, attempting to go for a stab. If I can just puncture the wings, that'll make things a lot better on us!
HAAAAAAAA!
All of us are screaming as I attempt to drive my Terrawatt Blades in. Come on…!
"Holy shit!" I yell, suddenly stumbling off as a massive wing flap pushes me far away. Ugh…! Damn you!
"If I was downed so easily, it would be a disgrace. Now I can face you as an equal."
Oh damn…
I can feel the pure magical power radiating from this thing. Holy shit… do I even stand a chance? It was holding back, too, what the fuck?!
You can.
Of course!
Heh, you of all people should not be second guessing it.
Kurt Bright, seize the victory in your hands!
…Yeah.
I'm going to win this battle.
"Heh, you disgrace me then. I thought you'd give us your all, considering you seemed to be making the dragons do the dirty work for you." I chuckle, though I know that my face holds no joy. I can see my face in its glossed eyes. My own face is something similar. My eyes only have death in them, seeing the death of my enemy in a million different ways playing out.
"…I'll fucking kill you."
Before either one of us can respond, we hear it.
A crack of thunder.
Hmph… there wasn't supposed to be a storm in tonight.
"Heh, didn't I tell you? The world changed for you, Partner."
"Yeah, or my forecast was wrong." I chuckle. All right… let's dance.
My newfound resolve causes me to remove any limits on myself. I push my abilities to the next level, the Terrawatt Blades shining like a newborn sun. It slightly hurts, but I'll deal with this pain if it means more power in my strikes.
The Ancient Dragon launches a Wind Cutter at me. The green blade in the air meets my Terrawatt Blade, shattering as it touches Derf.
"Agh!"
"Derf?!"
"I'll take it, Partner… this is what we're paying for tomorrow! I know you're pushing yourself too! So don't worry about me!"
"…If you say so! AAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The various spells at me all shatter as soon as the hit Derf, the magical blade instantly negating them. Though the fact that my Terrawatt Blade makes contact with them first to mitigate the attack is helping as well.
Ever so slowly, with loud cries and roars of fury, I make my way closer and closer to the Ancient Dragon. The entire time, I keep my gaze locked with it. Yes, know who it is that will slay you. Know who it is that killed you!
Damn, the timing is going to be tricky, though… Especially when it's time to swap off.
"Come now, don't lose focus!"
"GARHCK!" I grunt as a rock spear grazes my left arm, nearly causing me to drop the Amp. Da—
BOOM!
The explosion came from behind me… A quick check with a glance behin—OH SHIT!
I shoot myself down with a Thunder Descent, the upgrade to the Thunder Drop which I haven't used in so long, to avoid the smaller rocks from the exploded rock launched behind me, before shooting myself back up. I recover into an attack, attempting to feint a throat slice but really go for the right wing. I just need to get them—
"KURT!" Agnes yells, making her way over to us, shooting her pistol to get the Ancient Dragon's attention.
The spell, it's almost ready, probably!
Dammit…!
I turn around and see that the dragons are attempting to swarm the school. Guiche has already brought out Valkyria and is swatting them around like flies, but even he's getting overwhelmed without too much support. Karin and the others are starting to push back, especially with Louise's help.
The only thing with Louise is that we're conserving her willpower for the main offensive. Hopefully she doesn't overdo it.
"Hmph. Are you worthy?"
Tch…
"I'll be quick!" I yell, flying as fast as I can to the Academy, or at least where I'm in range. The entire time, I watch Agnes go toe to toe with the Ancient Dragon. She looks to be straining, dropping her pistol in favor of using both hands for channeling her Conduit abilities, probably as a focusing point.
She trades fire with the Ancient Dragon, her icicles smashing into the exploding rocks. In her eyes is nothing but determination. Damn, she's even crying blood from the stress. Either that, or her face is really cut up. She doesn't have the maneuverability as me or Ronaldo, so she's a little bit stuck…!
Dammit, move FASTER!
You're good to go!
Ah! In range! Thanks, Vin!
Okay, gotta give the command!
Leave, and never return! Heed my command alone!
With that, the third wave of dragons retreats.
Okay, we're almost there! So close…!
"Agnes, get back!" I yell as she makes a huge crystal ice block in front of her. It's probably at least three meters thick, but the Ancient Dragon's melts it almost instantly, with Agnes' shield suddenly spiking in its regenerative power until she successfully defends against the full attack of fire.
"Ha… ha… this thing's power…"
"Go!"
"Ha… getting a bit dizzy, huh…"
"Agnes?!"
"I… I overexerted a bi—"
"Go. Leave this to me." I say, charging her up with a Cure Pulse.
I won't forgive you…!
Agnes slowly, almost walking pace, goes off on her ice. I cover her shaky escape. My Current Flurries smash into its exploding rocks, negating each other. I'll kill you…!
As soon as Agnes is well out of range, I charge in. Okay, there's only one option at this point. I need a massive, concentrated attack on the wings. If I use all of my abilities, I can force it down.
I ignore whatever it says and shoot straight for its left wing. Myz!
We're all good!
Okay, wind blades, fire and ice arms, fucking Overloading Spark, we're going to go with an all out point blank Tesla Missile, Destruction Blast, everything.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
My scream helps me concentrate my focus. I rain Armageddon down upon its tender wing, the world shaking as I use everything I've got. I cram it all in, using the magical artifacts as well. I even fire the magic stored up in Derf for one hell of a blow.
I'm pretty sure it looks like there's a fucking comet up here considering how bright it is. Take into the fact the earth feels like it's rumbling from up here and yeah, it might as well be a comet.
A-agh… this pain though…! Fuck, I haven't used this much all at once! I know I'm heat resistant, but holy shit that burns! Aaaaaaaaaaaah!
Hold it together…!
I'm trying….!
At this point, I'm practically just discharging all into one point on the wing, hoping to burn my way through it. The Ancient Dragon's screams of pain only drive me further. I can feel my nerves practically burn up on the insides.
"HAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
"WAAGGGGGHHHHHHH!"
My breathing hitches as I feel myself falling towards the ground. I almost want to throw up, feeling my body almost breaking down. Holy shit… ha… my entire body feels like it's on fire...
As I'm panting, trying to recover my breath, I feel the wind running through my hair. Looks like we're crashing down. Ha…
I'm… slowing down…
"Ha. The young always overcompensate, huh?"
"Shut up…" I mutter to Ronaldo, who apparently came out here to catch me. "Academy…"
"Stay conscious."
I feel us whip through the air as the airships come out into the night sky. Yeah… they were hiding in the mountains and the forests away so they could flank this guy.
One last… command!
Raising my right hand to use Vindalfr's power, I let out the command once again.
LEAVE THIS BATTLEGROUND! NEVER RETURN! HEED MY COMMAND ONLY!
That makes all the dragons… ha, that's good.
Ancient Dragon's on the ground, too. That's good.
"Readjust cannons!" Agnes yells, the remaining three cannons being angled to fire at the Ancient Dragon. "Commence shelling!"
"Let me down." I mutter after a few calming breaths.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Just had to catch my breath. Drop me."
"If you so wish."
With that, Ronaldo lets go, letting me fall to the ground.
I use the power of Gandalfr to speed along the ground a split second after touching down, not wasting any time as I slide underneath the Ancient Dragon, cutting with both Terrawatt Blades. As I double back by leaping onto the dragon and going for another slice, I hear the cannons go off and shoot myself into the air to avoid the shelling.
Cracks are finally appearing on its hardened shell. Good! Hell yeah!
"It seems I must take you seriously, just like that mage."
Power overwhelming floods the area. What the fuck is this?! Didn't it already power itself up before?!
This… this power…! It's even greater than when we faced it before…!
The fuck are you talking about, Sasha?!
It was holding its power back…?!
"I suppose I should tell you… that the seal broke far before you found it. But as I saw the world, it was not ready and would provide me no sport. So I used my power to create the illusion of it being there… and then you showed up. Now… let us test if you will surpass that mage!"
Well, shit!
Dammit…!
I can sense it! Myz shouts. This beast… it also has the power of Void?! No, it's just something similar to it…?! Kurt, that red beam before… It's going to use it!
OHHH GOD!
"You may not understand, human." It says as I Thunder Descent down back onto him. "But you have not even scratched the surface of magic."
Of course I know that. I know that from not only our studies, but also of the memories that I saw. Similar to Louise's creation of Quadruple Giga or Guiche's Valkyria, Void became something of Brimir's signature. He used Myz's power to seal his powers into his blood, after coming to know how destructive it was. He never left notes, because he feared someone would try to replicate his power.
In short, the entire magic system is but a pale imitation of the true capability of Brimir's magic. Guiche's Valkyria and Tabitha's Vector Reversal Field might be amazing magics today, but to Brimir, from what I've seen, that sort of thing would be child's play.
So is this what you have, Ancient Dragon? Something thought to be unique, only for it not to be so? Then again, considering they revered Brimir as a god here, anyone trying to replicate Void would be hunted down and killed for heresy.
Damn, he really underestimated how much damage having a church that worshiped him could do to his plans.
Either way, I guess it's an unknown unknown. We'll have to deal with it.
"Now, show me what you possess!"
Lightning Cloud, incoming!
—Unholy pain shoots through my entire being as I curse my instinct to absorb any electricity based attacks. I can feel the destructive power run through my veins. My very existence is being threatened. It's only the fact I know how to keep myself together with electron manipulation and some magical resistance from Myz that I survive.
"Ha… ha…"
I gasp for breath, wondering again, even if I know how I did, why I was able to survive. Holy shit…
E-either way, I'm at least powered up again. Goddamn, I'm still quaking in my boots from that.
Another round of shelling comes from the airships, buying me a distraction to get away.
"Puny WORMS!"
There's almost no time to react. The next second, a stream of fire comes pouring forth from the dragon's mouth. The orange beam of heat sears through the sky, striking two of the ships as the Ancient Dragon turns its head. There's explosions and screams, but at least it wasn't that red beam that I saw in the visions. At least there's a chance some of them will survive.
My resolve, despite the ripping-apart-existence pain I felt a few seconds ago shaking it, steels itself as I pour more power into the blades. With a loud battle cry, I go for a stab to the neck, attempting to stop the Ancient Dragon by shaking it off. A Destruction Blast goes into it as well, forcing its aim off to miss the third ship.
"Hmph!"
With a flick of its neck, it flings me off. I quickly use magnetic fields to slow myself down to the point landing won't injure me before firing off a downgraded Overloading Spark to conserve energy usage.
Wind Blade! Myz calls out. Derf immediately goes out to the front position, being the first blade to strike the oncoming spell. Sparks fly and he lets out a pained scream as the spell shatters.
"Derf?!"
"It… it's fine, Partner! Keep going!"
"Kurt! We've almost got the shields back up!" Agnes calls over the comm unit.
"Good!"
Okay, just need a little more…!
Gritting my teeth, I shoot forward once again, hoping to buy a little more time for another shelling round.
Hyper Accel—
But then I stop, seeing where the Ancient Dragon is looking. No…
I immediately put myself between the Ancient Dragon and the Academy, iron dust swirling all around me. I ready to form a Polarity Fortress.
"It's been a long time since I enjoyed a fight, but I do not appreciate distractions."
I don't offer a reply other than digging my heels into the ground.
"Perish, then. It's either you alone or not at all. You are the only one worthy to face me, Rune Bearer."
The beam of erasure come for me. The same beam that consumed Brimir.
…Well, it's worth a shot. Alright, I was hoping not to have to use this gambit of mine with the power of the familiars, but here goes nothing! Sorry Brimir, but it looks like I'm going to have to copy you! Here goes, everyone!
Heh, I guess you always were a risk taker! Lif yells. Bring it!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I roar, bringing up a flood of iron dust, Derf, and a Polarity Fortress to stop the attack. You won't… YOU WON'T WIIIIIIIN! "BRING IT, MOTHERFUUUUUCKER!"
Louise blinked as the red light died down.
The beam had stopped just short of the school, held back by the electric wall mixed with iron dust, and Derflinger.
Derflinger was cast off to the side… so…
…Where was Kurt?
"No…" Louise whispered, realizing what had probably happened. Knowing he'd have been consumed in order to protect them, Kurt chose to throw away Derflinger so he'd be able to make it. "Please, no…"
All around her were similar sentiments. Guiche, Montmorency, the squad from the Knights of Undine, Tabitha, Kirche, Tiffania… so many of them simply looked at the ruined earth, shock in their eyes. There was no longer a spark of life or hope, just empty, glossed over eyes of despair.
Colbert looked to the others—the others that had claimed the achievement of defeating The Heavy Wind at some point in their lives—and nodded. They were the adults.
And when things got too real for their students and children, it was their job to step up to the challenge. If the brave children who decided that ensuring their fellows made it out alive was more important than their own lives couldn't fight anymore… they would. It was their job, after all.
"By the flame of this scythe… we shall see tomorrow."
