Chapter 19: Crimson Moon, Part 2
Li and Cleo ducked behind a nearby tree, keeping hidden. Saber and Lancer watched the pair from closeby, staying in the spirit form. The group had found themselves in old forest out in the japanese countryside. The sun was beginning to rise from the horizon and up into the sky.
The warm dawn light framed a large structure in the distance. It was an old western style manor, with a large courtyard. It was decorated with gargoyles and other gothic features. Several lines of perfectly trimmed rose bushes were arranged in the courtyard. A circle of them surrounding the marble statue of an angel.
Most disturbing of all was the storm clouds that gathered above and around the manor. They blocked any sunlight, not even budging with the stiff breeze. They were unnaturally dark, appearing like swirling black smoke.
"I should have known she would have precautions against sunlight." Cleo remarked, looking up to the clouds. "Those magical clouds provide the perfect cover."
"It was too much to hope that we could use the sun to our advantage." Li added. "Perhaps if we can find the source of the clouds magic it can be undone."
"I can sense a powerful bounded field around the manor grounds." Saber said from nearby. "The source of the clouds however doesn't seem to be tied to the bounded field."
"We won't be able to pass through such a field without some resistance." Lancer added.
Li pondered for a moment. "Perhaps we should take a direct approach. Lancer and I will break through the bounded field, creating a distraction. In the chaos, you and Saber can enter the manor and find the source of the cloud cover."
"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourselves?" Cleo asked.
"We should be able to hold our own long enough." Li answered. "Besides. I'm interested to test my skill against a dead apostle."
Cleo nodded resolutely. "Alright. But stay in contact and be careful."
Li nodded back and dashed toward the manor. Lancer followed, still holding his spiritual form. Saber and Cleo watched the pair leave, keeping themselves hidden. Both waiting with bated breath for their moment to strike.
Li came to a stop just at the threshold of the bounded field. Even to the most trained mages, the barrier would not have been noticeable. But Li's training allowed him to enhance all of his senses and physical traits through his magic. Which included sight. Combined with his honed instinct as a martial artist, it was child's play to find where the bounded field began.
"Given some time, I could easily break through myself." Li said, scanning the barrier. "But we're not here for a subtle approach. Lancer, if you would be so kind."
Lancer appeared in a flash of blue, brandishing his halberd. He gave a nod in reply, and spun the weapon with a flourish. The polearm's blade glowed with jade energy, creating a small burst of wind.
With a loud shout, Lancer swung at the bounded field, unleashing the energy inside the blade. A large explosion of green and blue energy exploded from the point of impact. The energies collided for several moments, the barrier warping beneath Lancer's strength. Then, with a shattering noise, the barrier yielded, crumbling into shimmering magical particles.
Inside, Tsuki sat in her room, sipping softly at a glass of wine. Her maids were nearby, awaiting any orders their mistress might have. As the vampire moved to take another sip, a loud boom sounded from outside. Her hand jolted, splashing a bit of wine on her dress.
Tsuki's eye twitched and she set her glass aside. Assassin appeared in a flash of blue flame as Rossa brought forth a crystal ball. With a wave of her hand, Tsuki summoned an image of the castle grounds outside.
"It seems we have visitors." Tsuki growled.
"One of them is a servant." Assassin commented. "If I had to guess, it is Lancer."
"I don't think we've run into them." Tsuki commented thoughtfully.
"Should we attend to our guests, mistress?" Rossa asked with a bow.
"Bring me a change of clothes, then head out to give the master a proper greeting." Tsuki ordered. " Assassin, you deal with lancer. I'll watch from here."
Akane and Rossa both bowed in reply. Assassin simply gave a nod and vanished in a flash of blue flame. After bringing their mistress a new outfit, Rossa and Akane took off, speeding down the halls with magically enhanced limbs.
Once Tsuki was changed, she took a seat once more. Sipping her wine, and watching the crystal ball with a soft smile.
As Lancer and Li walked into the manor grounds, they felt the temperature drop several degrees. The shadows of the swirling clouds loomed over them now, casting them in darkness.
Cautiously, the two began to approach the manor. As they took their first steps, sigils suddenly exploded beneath their feet. From within the sigils, chains of energy exploded outward, slithering toward them like serpents.
Lancer quickly moved into their path, slicing the chains to nothing with several flourishes of his weapon. Then, from up above, another sigil appeared. There was a bright flash from within before a massive guillotine like blade fell outward.
Enhancing his limbs, Li flipped backward as the blade fell. It sliced into the earth with a heavy thud, sinking deep inside the soil, jutting upward like a metal wall.
"We should watch ourselves." Li commented, dusting himself off. "There could be more of those."
Before Li could take another step forward, both he and Lancer caught a whistling noise in the air. Lancer made a move to Li's side as a magically enhanced arrow launched toward him like a missile.
Li reacted first, his hands glowing with golden light. His magical circuits crawled across his arms and he struck out with an open hand. Almost casually, he swatted the projectile aside like a fly, sending it launching toward the forest behind him.
Lancer and Li followed the path of the arrow, spotting two figures standing upon the manor roof. Rossa adjusted her glasses, summoning and placing another arrow on the bowstring. It was soon enrobed in magical energy, its tip gleaming with sharpness.
Beside her, Akane drew a pair of curved shortswords. There edges were quickly wrapped in a similar magic and the mage's limbs glowed with her magical circuits.
Cracking her neck, Akane then leapt from the rooftop, dashing in at high speed. Lancer quickly moved to intercept but found his path barred by a burst of blue flame. Assassin appeared from within the flames, lashing out with his sword.
Lancer's eyes widened and he raised his weapon to block. The two heavy blades impacted against one another with a resounding clang. Lancer was pushed aside by Assassin's raw strength, feet sliding along the ground. Assassin quickly pursued, and the two began an exchange of powerful blows.
Akane continued on her course, dashing through the space the two servants had just been standing. With her blades at the ready, she unleashed a flurry of swings at Li. Both of her blades creating trailing arcs of light through the air.
Li's arms shone with golden light, magical circuits igniting. His magical energy formed a thin layer of light around his limbs. With several deft motions he deflected each of her strikes aside. Sparks of both metal and magical energy flew from each impact.
After blocking an overhead swing with his forearm, Li extended his leg, sweeping Akane's feet out from under her. The woman fell backwards into the grass with a growl. Before Li could move in to press the advantage however, he heard the whistling of another arrow.
Leaping back, he dodged out of its path. The projectile flew past his face, narrowly missing him. Atop the manor, Rossa notched another arrow as Akane leapt to her feet. The shorter woman dashed in, continuing her assault of blade swings against Li.
Li scowled in frustration, as he blocked and parried each of her attacks. Knowing that if he tried to go on the offensive, his momentum would be broken. And he would be forced onto the defensive once more by Rossa's arrows.
In the distance, Assassin and Lancer traded blow after blow. Both servants seemed evenly matched in pure weapon combat. All of their attacks were masterful, leaving no opening for a counter attack from their enemy.
After another quick exchange, Assassin vanished into blue flame, and appeared at Lancer's side. The other servant was ready for him, pulling back his weapon. Its blade glowed with jade light, and he swung outward as Assassin appeared again. The wave of energy was released from the blade, washing over Assassin, and sending him staggering backward several feet.
There was a pause between the two, both sizing the other up. Each kept their weapons at the ready, showing no opening in their defense.
"Thou must be a heroic spirit of great renown." Assassin commented. "I must commend thy skill with your weapon."
Lancer harrumphed. "Though it pains me to admit it, I respect your skill as well. Hassan-I-Sabbah. Your reputation is deserved."
"Oh? So, you have learned my true name." he remarked, before tightening the grip on his blade. "But, it matters not."
Assassin's eyes flashed and a ring of flame appeared beneath Lancer's feet. The man leapt back, dodging the pillar of flame that erupted forth. Expecting an attack from behind, Lancer readied himself. However, Assassin dashed through the blue flames, holding his sword at the ready.
Turning about, Lancer raised his polearm to defend. Using the haft of the weapon he parried Assassin's attack aside. The broadswords tip, however, still grazed his cheek. As it sliced into his flesh, he felt his heart skip a beat, the cold touch of the grave filling his being.
Quickly recovering, he turned to face Assassin again. "That sword...is quite deadly."
Assassin held up the sword. "It is the blade of the angel of death, and it calls they name."
Just outside the boundary of the manor, Cleo and Saber watched the battle unfold. Both of them wanted nothing more than to rush in and aid their companions. But, they had a job to do.
Cleo turned to Saber, giving her a nod. The other woman nodded back, and the pair began to circle around the ongoing battle. Moving in toward the manor's leftmost side, keeping to the shadows, they dashed in from the treeline, pressing themselves against the manor wall.
For several moments, they waited, keeping a sharp eye out. When no one came to pursue them, they moved toward the nearby side entrance. Unsurprisingly, the door was locked tight, and held firm by magecraft. A quick slash from Saber's sword, however, quickly solved that problem.
Saber moved in first, sword still at the ready. When she found the coast clear, she motioned Cleo inside. The mage summoned a small shield to her wrist, coating the rest of her arm in spectral plate armor. She then rushed inside, keeping close to her companion.
The two found themselves in a large kitchen. There was not a soul in sight, and the air was eerily quiet. The next room beyond was a dining hall, with a long oaken table. A chandelier hung above the space, and four suits of armor stood in each corner of the room.
Beyond the dining hall was the main foyer, with a set of stairs leading up to the second floor. The floors were polished to a mirror shine. A blood red carpet lead from the front door and created a path all the way up the stairs.
Before the pair could choose their next course of action, the sound of shuffling feet caught their attention. Turning toward the sound, the two beheld the source of the noise, eyes widening.
Shambling toward them was a small horde of ghouls. They hissed, red eyes glowing with hunger. Their arms were unnaturally long, each of their fingers tipped with a sharp black claw.
Saber and Cleo readied themselves as the creatures surged forward. They moved almost like a tide, claws and fangs bared. Saber cut down three of the beasts with a single stroke of her sword, before dodging a claw swipe from another. Beside her, Cleo parried an attack with her shield, and summoned forth her energy blade to bore a hole through its chest.
Saber sliced a path through the beasts, moving like a wedge through the horde. Cleo held off any who approached with her walls and bubbles of energy. All of their attacks bouncing off of the shields. The creatures were easily felled, however, their numbers did not seem to dwindle, continuing to spill out like a seemingly endless stream.
"Where do they keep coming from?!" Cleo shouted, cutting down another.
Saber slashed apart five more with a deft move. "There is no end to them!"
The two continued to fight off the slavering beasts, quickly growing annoyed with their almost never ending numbers. With a shout of frustration, Saber commanded Cleo to get down, as she gathered mana into her blade. Cleo did not question Saber, dropping to her knees. Saber then swung out with a circular slash, her blade extending with magical energy.
All of the ghouls that surrounded them were suddenly sliced apart in various gruesome ways. Their bodies sliding apart and falling to the ground, before disintegrating into ash. The pair then rushed up the stairs as more ghouls came surging into the room. At the base of the stairs, Cleo quickly drew several arcane sigils. With a burst of blue light, they formed into a high wall, holding back the beast's approach.
"That should keep them busy for a while." Cleo remarked. "Now come on, lets keep moving."
Saber nodded in reply, and the two headed up to the second floor. The sound of the slavering and howling ghouls growing fainter and fainter as they moved.
Tsuki leaned against the arm of her chair, watching the battle outside through her crystal ball. She focused on Li intently, watching his every move. She hated to admit it, but he was skilled. Incredibly so. Never in all her years had she seen a another mage with close combat skills as good as her own.
Despite being assaulted by two highly trained warriors. Both with magical abilities of their own. He was still holding his own, not seeming to have much difficulty in doing so.
"He's holding back." she remarked under her breath.
With a sigh, she stood from her seat. As she moved to head outside, she heard the sound of howling and snarling from down below. The ringing of steel and the distinct noises of battle soon followed.
She narrowed her eyes, and turned to the sound. "It seems we have more guests."
With her eyes glowing with hunger, she followed the din of battle. Her nose soon catching the scent of her prey. One she had sought after for so long.
"Cleo.~" she chuckled, licking her lips.
Several flashes of sparks exploded into the air, as Li blocked Akane's flurry of strikes. He was growing used to her rhythm. Easily able to knock them aside with the barest of effort. Throughout the clash, he had even grown accustomed to Rossa's arrows. Firing at seemingly random intervals.
Both women had a pattern. And he would exploit it.
Swaying backward, he dodged another blade swipe. Another arrow then came just as expected. Which he dodged with a spinning backstep. He then smirked, and taunted the pair with a motion of his hand.
Gritting her teeth, Akane charged in, as Rossa notched another arrow. Surrounding his hands in energy, Li parried the incoming strikes. He held his stance firm, not budging an inch. Then, the sound of the whistling arrow caught his attention.
With a deft motion, Li reached out as the arrow approached, snatching it out of the air. His next move flowed from the other, as he dodged Akane's next incoming attack. Then, using his free hand, he grabbed both of the woman's arms and thrusted with the arrow in his grip.
The tip pierced straight through both Akane's forearms, pinning them together. With a howl of pain, she dropped her weapons from her grasp. They clattered to the ground as she fell to her knees, cursing Li over and over again. From the rooftop, Rossa's eyes widened in utter shock.
Li didn't waste another moment, and charged toward the archer, his legs igniting with magical circuits. Rossa quickly snapped from her stupor, notching a trio of arrows to her bow. Each one was enrobed in magical energy, crackling off of them like electricity. With the sound of a small peal of thunder, she fired.
Swerving left, and right, Li dodged each of the incoming projectiles. Thunderous booms sounded around him, as the arrows impacted into the ground, creating small craters in their wake.
As Li began to close the distance, a burst of blue flame appeared in his path. Assassin appeared from within the flames, raising his blade high. Li's eyes widened as Assassin was poised to strike. Then, like a streak of green, Lancer charged in from Assassin's left. He blindsided the other servant, sending him staggering with a shoulder check.
Li nodded in thanks to Lancer as he swerved past. Behind him, he heard the two restart their clash once more. Rossa fired another volley of arrows, each of them narrowly dodged by Li once more. Before she could notch another projectile, Li leapt up into the air, landing atop the roof.
Tossing her bow aside, Rossa drew a long dagger, as Li charged in. The young mage's hands shone with light, as he unleashed a flurry of powerful blows. The maid tried to defend herself but was overwhelmed by his assault. Then, with a pair of precise strikes, Li knocked the weapon from her hand, and struck the back of her head, knocking her out cold.
"You bastard!"
Li suddenly turned, sensing an incoming attack. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a swing from Akane. The woman's arms were drenched in blood, that streamed down her arms. She had snapped the arrow shaft, and pulled it free, ignoring her fresh wounds.
With a wild howl she charged in again, swinging with her blades. Her attacks were easily knocked aside by Li's strengthened palms. Before she could unleash another flurry, he rushed in, striking the woman's stomach with a heavy blow. She coughed, eyes rolling into the back of her head. Her body then crumpled to the ground in a heap.
Saber, and Cleo dashed through the halls of the manor. The sounds of the ghoul's behind them had long since disappeared. Now the sound of their footsteps were the only things breaking the silence. False moonlight filtered in through the windows, framing them in its silvery glow.
Cleo continued looking down at her mana compass, following its arrow. Whatever was creating the storm clouds overhead surely had a powerful magical signature. Eventually, the pair came to an abrupt stop, as they found themselves in front of a blank wall. The compass's arrow shuddered, continuing to point straight ahead.
Cleo approached the wall, running her hands along it. "There must be a hidden passage behind this wall. The mechanism to open it has to be here somewhere."
Saber placed a hand on her shoulder. "My lady, if I may? Time is of the essence. I believe we can afford a less subtle approach."
Cleo nodded in understanding, and stepped aside. Saber held up her sword, and lashed out with several quick slashes. With a satisfying 'shunk' the wall fell away in a clean rectangle. Beyond the newly made hole was a set of stone steps, leading downward.
Saber scanned the passage, finding no immediate danger. She then stepped through, motioning Cleo to follow. The mage snapped her fingers, creating a small ball of light in her palm. The magical orb lit up the dark tunnel, cutting through the darkness. The pair then headed downward, taking great caution with each of their steps.
After descending down nearly three stories, the two found themselves in a large basement. The walls were made of hewn stone, and the space was lit up by torchlight. At the far end of the room, was a large pedestal, with a round crystal sitting atop it. Inside of the crystal ball was a swirling mass of dark smoke, mirroring the clouds hanging above the manor. A complex magical seal sat beneath the orb, glowing with light.
As the two began their approach, Saber sensed incoming movement from above. The clang of blade against blade echoed through the room, as Saber clashed with their attacker. The attacker then leapt back, standing tall, and smiling in Cleo's direction.
"Tsuki." Cleo growled under her breath, eyes narrowed.
"So good to see you, Cleo~" the vampire chuckled. "If I had known you were coming, I would have made arrangements for a grand welcome. You should have given me a bit of warning beforehand."
"Enough games!" Cleo exclaimed. "You know why we're here!"
"But of course. You and you're ally, have come for my keys. You couldn't do it alone, so, you asked for help. Its honestly a little sad."
Cleo narrowed her eyes, and stepped forward. "Saber, stand back. She's mine."
"My lady, I don't think-"
A quick glare from Cleo silenced her protest. Saber then let out a heavy sigh, and nodded, stepping back. Her hand never left her sword however, body ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Cleo turned her attention back to Tsuki, drawing her azoth blade. Blue armor coated her other arm with a flash of light, along with a rounded shield.
She dashed forward, unleashing a quick flurry of slashes. Tsuki swayed out of their path, summoning a pair of crimson shortswords. Swerving to Cleo's side, she thrusted with both weapons. With a flash of magical sparks, Cleo blocked the attack with her shield, countering with a thrust of her own.
With a smirk, Tsuki swayed just out of its reach. The weapon then ignited with magical circuits, mana pouring from its edge. The vampire's eyes widened as the weapon's range increase. Narrowly, she backed away, the mana infused blade still slicing her cheek.
"You've improved." Tsuki remarked. "I'm impressed."
Cleo did not respond, making a motion with her hand. Circuits igniting, a wall of force erupted behind Tsuki, cornering her. Cleo then moved in for the attack, extending the mana from her azoth blade even further.
With crossed blades, Tsuki blocked the incoming strike, pushing back against it. Then, with a blur of speed, she activated her time shifting abilities. She circled around Cleo, leaving afterimage's in her wake. As she moved in to attack the other mage's back, a bubble of force sprung up around Cleo, protecting her.
Tsuki grit her teeth in frustration as her blades bounced off harmlessly. The orb of force then vanished as Cleo spun on her backfoot, slashing out with her blade. Once more it struck home, making a shallow cut in Tsuki's side.
Cleo took up her stance, the one drilled into her by Saber, and pressed her advantage. The hours of training flowed through her mind. Thrust here, step in there, parry, dodge, backstep, thrust. As she pressed the attack, she fluctuated the length of her blade over and over again. Keeping her opponent guessing, and on the backfoot.
Saber couldn't help but smile in satisfaction as she watched. Seeing her teachings at work made an ember of pride spark in her chest.
Tsuki scowled as she blocked the string of Cleo's attacks. The blade's constantly shifting length had her second guessing every one of her moves. If not for her superhuman speed and reflexes she would have already taken more grievous wounds.
"Time Alter: Triple Accel!"
Tsuki's eyes suddenly flashed, crimson circuits crawling across her body. In the blink of an eye, she appeared at Cleo's side. From the vampire's perspective, Cleo raised her shield arm sluggishly to defend. A bubble of force began to rise up around her, blossoming at her feet. Tsuki struck before either defense could be properly mounted, slashing Cleo's side with her blade.
The girl howled in pain, as the bubble rose upward around her. Saber made a move to intervene, but Cleo's voice soon echoed in her mind.
"Stay back. I can handle this."
Saber's eyes narrowed. "Now is not the time to be stubborn. Do not sacrifice your victory because of your pride."
"I have to do this Saber." She replied. "For myself."
"Very well."
Tsuki watched with a smile as Cleo closed the wound with a quick healing spell, licking the fresh blood from her blades. Still maintaining her speed, she dashed in, unleashing a blinding flurry of attacks against Cleo's barrier. She attacked from all angles, looking for a weak point, waiting for the right time to strike.
Slowly, Cleo's spherical barrier was worn down by the unending assault. Cracks began to form along its surface, creating spiderweb like patterns. Knowing her barrier would not last much longer, Cleo readied herself, infusing her blade with magical energy.
With a sound like shattering glass, Tsuki broke through Cleo's barrier. Still keeping her momentum, she dashed in again, her speed increasing. As Cleo raised her weapon to strike, the vampire's eyes flashed red. The other woman froze in place, as she felt Tsuki's crimson gaze meet hers.
Before she could even blink, Cleo felt the sharp touch of Tsuki's blade against her neck. Saber moved to dash in, but a quick flash of Tsuki's blade stopped the servant in her tracks. With a devilish smile, Tsuki turned Cleo's face to face her eyes. Her crimson gaze continued to peer into hers.
"Mystic eyes of compulsion." Saber remarked under her breath.
"Relax my dear, Cleo." Tsuki whispered. "Just relax. There's no need for us to fight anymore."
Cleo struggled and strained against Tsuki's grip, trying to turn away. The vampire's powerful hand, however, kept her in place. She began to feel her limbs grow heavy, mind slowly shrouded in fog. Hey eyelids slowly drifted downward, going half lidded, before her azoth blade fell from her grasp.
"There's no need...to fight anymore." Cleo repeated, eyes faintly glowing crimson as well.
"That's right, my dear Cleo, we're friends." Tsuki smiled. "The enemy is outside. Lancer and his master, we need to take care of them. Order Saber to do so."
Cleo simply nodded, and stepped forward. Saber tried to call out to her but to no avail. The woman then raised her hand, command seal flashing.
"Saber...with this command seal...I order you, to kill Lancer and his master."