A/N: Now this, this is the longest chapter yet, and with good reason I'd say; coming in at just short of 14k. I'm nearly finished with the next chapter, and it's a hell of a ride, and either gonna be equal in length to this chapter, or even longer.
Enjoy~
Whispers of Saturn
Chapter 18: Hunter Killer
''This is Warspite. Moving in on the church.''
''Acknowledged. Have Belfast signal when you've located Taihou or her constituents.''
''Affirmative!''
Queen Elizabeth smiled thinly at Warspite's confident shout, her radio cutting off just as she began barking orders to her division. The Iron Queen deactivated her own radio and closed her eyes, inhaling the crispy evening air as she gave her mind a brief break.
She was situated atop a tall hill, giving her a perfect overlook of the surrounding terrain. Far in the distance she could see the church; an old stone structure too small to be a cathedral, but still of ample size. Its bell-toting tower glistened with the falling sun, barely hindered by the looming grey clouds that slowly drifted in from the east. The distant rumbling of thunder made her brows furrow; she wasn't one to believe in superstition... but considering all the events that had occurred in the past few weeks, she wasn't so quick to disregard an omen when she saw it.
Her gaze dropped onto the table before her, running her hand along the map; nimbly avoiding knocking over the small pins she had implanted into the paper. Each one marked by a number, signifying the squad they belonged to. While she planned on facing Taihou herself, she knew from experience her skill laid primarily in tactics. She would be of more help sitting back and waiting for the carrier to show her face, whilst commanding and directing the troops to more effectively comb the area.
''Hm...?'' The blonde paused, tilting her head to the left.
For a moment, silence. Not even the wind howled... even though there had been a breeze not a second ago.
''I know you're there...'' Her blue eyes narrowed. ''...Atago.''
Branches crunched behind her, slow and purposeful. Queen Elizabeth didn't turn around, merely looking over her shoulder and shooting a terse glare at the smiling dog-woman; half her uniform scorched and her skin red. Despite the moderate injury she seemed unfazed, for all intents and purposes looking like she was just going for a stroll.
Behind Atago the forest rustled, two more figures walking out from the sparse shrubbery. Queen Elizabeth narrowed her eyes further as she laid eyes on a grimacing Ajax and a grinning San Diego, the latter looking distinctly roughed up as if she had been in a fight. All three were spread out enough to dodge should a cannon shot be abruptly fired at them, but not so wide apart that it forced Elizabeth to turn around to keep them in her line of sight.
''What gave us away?'' Atago asked with a kind, yet distinctly fake smile.
''The stillness of the air.''
''Perceptive. I didn't think you would notice such an insignificant detail.''
Queen Elizabeth scoffed, slowly turning to face the trio. ''As if I would be so arrogant to avoid it. You should know better than to underestimate your betters, whelp.''
Atago's smile became strained. ''I would watch your tone, obaa-san.''
''Why should I?'' The Iron Queen tilted her chin up, glaring disdainfully at the three traitors.
The Sakura cruiser thumbed her katana. ''Disrespect won't end well.''
Queen Elizabeth couldn't help it. She laughed.
''Disrespect? Why should I respect a mere dog-''
Steel flashed, and in a heartbeat Atago seemed to cross the distance, her katana swinging in a wide arc. It never reached its target; a resounding clang echoing throughout the area as Elizabeth suddenly twisted, bringing her sceptre to bear and blocking the incoming blade. A minor shockwave blew out from the impact, ruffling her red cape and Atago's long black hair, a brief stillness falling over the area.
The stillness was shattered as Atago leaped back, her cannons swivelling in and firing. A cacophony of explosions ruptured the area, engulfing the hill in thick black smoke – until Queen Elizabeth burst out of it, virtually unharmed and with a deep scowl on her face. Within the span of two seconds she covered the distance, stomping her right foot down and swinging her sceptre with her full strength, the balled tip nearly roaring through the air.
Atago wisely dodged rater than attempt to block the powerful blow, stepping back only to lunge in low, her katana whistling through the air towards the queen's unprotected side. That was until she caught a glint of light beneath her cape, her eyes widening as she noticed the second weapon hidden beneath.
'Shit!'
Too late. With a ruthless, calculated thrust Elizabeth stabbed her Blade of Rebuke out, the ornate sword cutting Atago's cheek deeply, staining the formerly-pristine metal crimson. Atago swiftly leaped away, and before the Iron Queen could pursue a flash of gunfire boomed to her left – forcing her to swing her sword out, cleaving two shells in half while letting the rest soar past her, exploding somewhere to her right.
San Diego grinned widely. ''Don't forget about us~''
Elizabeth scoffed, deftly stepping to the side – and avoiding the hand going for the back of her neck. With a twist of her hips she spun, swinging her sceptre around and narrowly avoiding crushing Ajax's ribcage, the Royal cruiser wincing as she took a glancing blow on her shoulder; jerking her shoulder forwards from the sheer strength packed behind it.
Ajax skipped back two steps, her rigging manifesting around her in a flash. Queen Elizabeth raised a brow. ''Three-on-one? That's hardly fair...''
''...for you, that is.''
With a blinding flash her own magnificent rigging formed to life around her, twin turreted with two barrels each. With a metallic groan her left turret took aim at San Diego while her right aimed at Atago – and with a deafening boom they fired, twin blue shells soaring across the distance. Both dodged before the shells reached them but Elizabeth didn't pay them any mind, spinning on her heel to face Ajax – swinging her ornate sword out and forcing her to duck low, right in the path of her sceptre.
Ajax's eyes widened but she was in no position to dodge, barely managing to get her right arm up before the sceptre impacted – a muffled cry snapping past her lips as her right arm crunched, bone and sinew literally snapping beneath the weight; before the momentum carried through and hit her face, throwing her torso back and sending her into an uncontrollable tumble. Elizabeth didn't give her the benefit of recovering, her foot swinging in low and kicking her former subordinate straight in the stomach, lifting her off the ground and sending her flying straight into a thick oak tree.
CRACK!
She couldn't tell if that was Ajax's back, or the tree.
There was no time to ponder the possibility. Steel whistled to her right and her clothes began to hiss, and with a scowl Elizabeth spun – unloading two shells straight at San Diego and forcing her to abort her attack, whilst simultaneously slashing at the approaching Atago. Their blades clashed together with explosive force, and with masked ferocity Elizabeth pushed the attack; unleashing a flurry of lethally strong swings, battering her blade against Atago's so fiercely the swordswoman was forced onto the back-foot for several long seconds, her katana nearly chipping from the sharpness of the legendary sword.
Her clothes began to hiss, eliciting a mental growl from the Iron Queen as she was forced to give up her advantage. Her heel dug into the earth and she spun, her sceptre thrumming through the air until she brought it down at her feet – shattering the ground beneath her and letting loose a shockwave, earning a surprised yelp from the approaching San Diego.
Queen Elizabeth swiftly bent her knees, kicking off the ground and putting some distance from the three. ''Pitiful. I expected far more. Did your newfound Gifts make you cast aside your usual training?''
''Of course.'' Atago smiled, but there was no faux warmth in her eyes now – replaced instead by caution. ''Why rely on our guns, when we have something far more powerful at our disposal?''
''Idiot.'' Elizabeth's remark made the dog-woman twitch, her smile falling. ''That mindset is beyond arrogant, and foolish, as I have so proven. Though allow me to ask you one question.''
''Hoh?''
''Why are you here? I hardly believe that you came here out of your own will.''
Atago hummed, slowly tracing a circle around the Iron Queen; San Diego eagerly doing the same. ''Well you see, the whole point of us being here... is because Roon wanted rid of you. So she wanted to use Taihou to lure you out, since she's the second-strongest out of all of us, according to Roon.''
''To be expected.'' Elizabeth tilted her head, keeping both of them in her line-of-sight. ''Roon is no fool. She'd seek to knock out the strongest players before the final steps of her plan come to fruition. Preferably all of us, but she wouldn't bet on such an impossibility. And she sent you three to do the deed of eliminating me, rather than risk herself.''
''Indeed.'' Atago regained her smile, subtly bending her knees.
Queen Elizabeth scoffed, stabbing her sceptre into the earth. ''Then allow me to demonstrate to you the naïvety of such a plan. [Second Royal Decree: Divine Protection]!''
The last syllable left her lips and a golden barrier formed behind her – just in time to block Ajax's flying hand, a curse flying free from the bleeding woman's lips; beaten up but still standing. Elizabeth didn't pay her former subordinate any mind, her lips moving swiftly and forming the next command of her Gift even as she raised her sword, blocking Atago's katana and holding the woman back.
''[Third Royal Decree: Queen's Deliverance]!''
A screeching gold laser erupted from the tip of her sceptre, allowing her to swing her main weapon out and cull half the forest in front of her – and forcing San Diego to jump lest she lose her legs. Without missing a beat Elizabeth fired, twin blue shells booming towards the airborne girl and detonating, piercing through her [Annihilation Zone] and eliciting a startled cry that shrieked through the air.
Fast footfalls to her right made her turn, scowling as Ajax rushed at her. The queen jerked her wrist and broke off the deadlock with Atago, putting her right-hand guns in Ajax's path. Elizabeth took great pleasure in the lightning-quick curse that left Ajax's lips before the guns fired, twin aqua shells blowing up in her path and making her stumble, slowing down for a dangerous second.
''Foolishness.'' Elizabeth lunged swiftly, her Blade of Rebuke whistling through the air towards Ajax.
Ajax narrowly avoided it, tilting her upper-body back and letting the lethally-sharp blade brush past her throat, passing by harmlessly. The second the threat was out the way Ajax lunged, just as Elizabeth hoped – tucking her sword close and sticking her elbow out. A ragged gasp wretched itself out of Ajax's throat as it struck her windpipe, doing little more than stunning her for a brief few seconds; but giving the Iron Queen time to spin around, and slam her sceptre straight into the sadistic cruiser.
The blood-manipulator went flying, wood cracking and splintering as she struck and went through a tree, out of sight. However her manoeuvrer was swiftly punished by Atago, a ragged grunt escaping Elizabeth as a katana cleaved down her unguarded back; drawing blood and painting her fair skin crimson. The wound wasn't deep but the fact she was struck alone infuriated her, mustering a furious war-cry from the queen's lips as she retaliated.
''Tch-!'' Atago swiftly ducked low, the screeching gold laser sweeping a deathly wave over her head and culling the other half of the forest; a cacophony of noise filling the area as dozens upon dozens of trees crashed down.
San Diego rushed at her from the side, bruised and bleeding yet her wide grin not wilting despite her moderate injuries. She nimbly ducked under the katana that was thrown at her, the lethally-sharp blade whistling over her head and impaling into the falling tree behind her – and leaving Elizabeth defenceless. Atago was swift to capitalise as well, lunging in and locking her blade with Elizabeth's sceptre; disarming her.
''You brats...'' Queen Elizabeth scowled as the edges of her clothes began to hiss.
The mad cruiser reached out, her fingers just-barely brushing against Elizabeth's torso – when a lithe hand snapped up, and grabbed her forearm.
''...are really beginning to annoy me.''
SNAP!
''HYAA!'' San Diego's screech of pain echoed from its sheer volume, her high-pitched voice cracking in tandem with the bones in her arm.
Her arm fell limp and Elizabeth ruthlessly continued her counter-attack, raising her hand palm-out – and from her palm a golden laser shrieked out, burning a hole straight through San Diego's right shoulder. She quickly swung her hand to the right, sweeping the laser towards Atago and forcing the woman back, ducking low to avoid the incoming attack and giving the queen some breathing room.
''Impossible...'' Atago's whisper seemed so much louder in the brief lull. ''You... since when could you shoot it from your hand?''
Queen Elizabeth huffed, inclining her head pridefully. ''Fool. Did you think I'd display the full extent of my abilities willy-nilly? That I'd so arrogantly show my every weakness? Of course not. I never needed to focus the laser through my sceptre. I merely chose to so all that saw me thought I did. And you infants fell for it. Though I thank you for revealing that you were spying on me.''
For the first time, Atago's expression darkened – her facade of geniality crumbling. ''You...!''
''Hmph.'' Elizabeth cut her off, glaring at the sword-wielding cruiser. ''Is this all you can muster? Three of you, granted supernatural Gifts, backed with the power of a god, your own training and experience – and this is the result? I dare almost say this was a waste of my time.''
''Nn...'' A grunt came from her right; a glance revealing Ajax, cradling her broken arm with a scowl. ''Not like we were meant to do anything more than stall you, until Taihou can wrap things up at the church...''
In an instant, Elizabeth froze. ''Pardon?''
Ajax stiffened, uttering a curse under her breath. Atago scowled darkly at Ajax, eyes furious. San Diego stumbled to her feet, weeping from the pain of her injuries.
''Stall me...?''
Queen Elizabeth held out her hand. A direct, frighteningly precise application of her [First Royal Decree] yanked her Blade of Rebuke out of the tree and sent it flying into her waiting hand, drawing it to her with pure gravity. With sword in her left and sceptre in her right she took a single step forwards-
-and in an instant, gravity smashed down on the surrounding terrain; splintering wood and making the three traitors hunch over, gasping.
''You presume to stall me? Fools...''
Queen Elizabeth raised her head, her blue eyes smouldering with long-dormant fury. ''I'd like to see you try.''
Her sceptre slammed into the earth, the dirt smouldering beneath her feet.
''[Fifth Royal Decree: Abolishing Flames].''
And then the hilltop was engulfed in bellowing golden fire.
X-x-X
''Acknowledged. Signal when you've located Taihou or her constituents.''
''Affirmative!'' Warspite shouted, saluting even though she knew Elizabeth couldn't see the gesture. Done more out of habit than anything else. ''Kent, Edinburgh, set up a perimeter around the main doors; the rest of you, with me!''
A chorus of affirmations answered Warspite and she smiled thinly, her footsteps heavy as she stormed the front doors of the old church. She planted her palm against the ageing wood and pushed them open, grimacing as dust and grot rained down on her. The large doors gave a reluctant groan and gave way, sliding open to revealing the dimly-lit church; candles long since burnt out and pews so old they were rotting.
Warspite didn't dare think it was abandoned however, keeping her broadsword close to hand as she stepped into the unstable building. Illustrious had stated she saw Taihou slip inside via the windows; a fact Warspite could believe, judging by the three shattered windows on the right wall at the far end; stained glass shards scattered across the aged wood floor. Signs of entry; fresh too, considering the disturbed dust lazily drifting around the windows. She was here recently.
''Taihou of Sakura.'' Warspite intoned loudly, her strong voice echoing throughout the desolate church. ''Come out at once, or else we will be forced to use lethal arms!''
Silence. Not even the pews groaned in the grim stillness.
''So be it.'' Warspite swiftly strode inside. ''Spread out! Sheffield, take Newcastle and Belfast and clear out the underground; make sure she isn't hiding there. If you see her alert us before you engage.''
''Understood.'' Sheffield did a quick bow before walking past – wasting no time with formalities and simply kicking down the old wood down, shattering it into ragged fragments that tumbled down into the dark cellar.
Warspite briefly watched the stoic maid descend down, Belfast and Newcastle cautiously following. Only once they were out of view did she progress deeper into the spacious church; eyes sweeping the rafters and balconies for any sign of Taihou. While Queen Elizabeth hadn't made it public, Warspite had learned of the designation that Elizabeth had given Taihou. A-Rank. To some, it may seem foolish to be so concerned, especially when the difference between an A-Rank and S-Rank was so substantial...
...but Washington was an A-Rank. Bismarck was an A-Rank bordering on S-Rank. Hood was the same, bordering on an S-Rank. Warspite herself was nearly an S-Rank, held back solely by her inferior experience and limited versatility compared to her sister. She wasn't part of the First Generation, she hadn't been there to see the beginning of it all – she hadn't fought Siren Alabaster, who could warp time itself. She hadn't fought Siren Warmind, who commanded entire fleets even in the heat of a skirmish. She hadn't fought Siren Keter, a demigod in Siren form.
She simply didn't have the vast experience needed to be on par with Queen Elizabeth. This did not wound her pride – it might have once, but she had long since come to terms with her inferiority. All it meant was that she needed to train harder, to supplement her experience with power, to hone her skills to such a razors edge that not even her elder sister could deflect it. And while it was slow, the gap was slowly closing by the day.
''Ano... Warspite?''
''Hm?'' Warspite inclined her head to the side, her eyes still trailing over the numerous rafters; searching for any sign of disturbance. ''What is it, Javelin?''
The lavender-haired girl squirmed slightly, clutching her namesake javelin close to her chest. Warspite couldn't help but smile at that, fondly remembering tutoring the girl way back when. It seemed like a lifetime ago, dancing about on the flowery fields outside of New London with their weapons clashing. That was... gods, only a year and a half ago ago, if she remembered right. Not too long before the Battle of Bulker Bay happened.
''Well...'' Javelin's uncertain voice drew Warspite out of her fond memories. ''What should we do, when we fight Taihou... I-I mean, I don't have a Gift myself... and I don't want to get in the way...''
''Nonsense.'' Warspite tilted her elbow out, letting Javelin bump into it and startle herself. ''You heard Her Majesty. Do what you're trained to do, and everything will be fine. Should things get too heated for you, then myself or Belfast will send you away. Simple as that.''
Javelin nodded, still hesitant but much more reassured. Warspite chuckled softly and raised her heavy sword, resting it against her shoulder. ''Now, let's-''
BOOM!
A deafening boom echoed in the distance, distinctly sounding like thunder; yet deeper and more powerful. A cannon shot – Elizabeth's cannons. Warspite cursed in her head and spun, rushing for the main doors-
-only for a bellowing roar to rush through the air, before the doors blew open.
Startled screams echoed around the blonde Battleship as a torrent of amber flames roared inside the church, incinerating the wooden flooring and scorching the stone bricks. The flames didn't make it past the entryway before dying out, fluttering into disappearing wisps – and carrying out the unconscious forms of Kent and Edinburgh, grievous burns marring their formerly-flawless skin and their clothes torched to ruin, their bodies hitting the floor with a dead thud.
''How pitiful. Fell for the old throwing-stone trick.''
Warspite raised her head, glaring daggers at the kimono-clad figure lazily strolling inside the ruined entryway, extinguishing embers beneath their feet. Taihou met her furious gaze and smiled, tilting her head to the side in an almost-innocent manner, had it not been for the dark amusement glinting in her crimson eyes.
''Sirius! Javelin!'' Warspite barked, bending her knees. ''With me!''
Twin affirmatives answered her and Warspite launched herself, crossing the distance in two long strides. Taihou waited until she got close, still bearing that insufferably haughty smile – until the air around her became blisteringly hot. Warspite didn't abate her path, gritting her teeth as a shrieking wall of flames erupted in her path and engulfed her right side; but still she took a third a final step, and swung.
The sheer strength behind her blow blew away the flames, her great-sword swinging down at Taihou. The carrier's eyes widened in surprise and she stepped back, the blade narrowly avoiding cleaving her in two and instead only carving a moderate gash down her exposed shoulder, a gasp fleeing her parted lips. Warspite didn't let up the attack, releasing a bellowing war-cry as she swung her sword back up, cutting the fabric of her foe's kimono but not drawing blood.
''...you're fast.'' Taihou noted with distinct ease, leaping out of melee range. ''For a Battleship.''
Shrieking amber fire blossomed around her, raging plumes that rushed towards her with lethal intent. Warspite responded swiftly, a blinding glow appearing around her – before her age-old rigging appeared. Her left turret took the brunt of the flames, the metal hissing from the sheer intensity of the fire pummelling it, but it held strong. With a bellowing war-cry Warspite acted on her brief defence, sweeping her sword out and dispelling the obstacle; the sheer air pressure whipping out and forcing Taihou back a step, grunting in surprise.
Two figures darted past the blonde Battleship. Sirius charged headlong, a valiant cry escaping her lips as she swung her sword with both hands. Taihou narrowed her eyes and reached out with an open palm, amber flame rapidly concentrating in her hand – before it shot out in a condensed stream, shrieking into Sirius' sword and knocking the blade off-course, sending it crashing down into the grass by Taihou's feet.
''Hmph...'' Taihou's lips curved into a haughty grin. ''Is that it?''
A deafening boom was her answer, and Taihou's eyes widen a split-second before twin gold shells struck her dead-on – engulfing her in a roaring plume of smoke and light. Sirius grunted and leapt away, several small cuts showing on her arms from stray shrapnel but nothing else. A glance behind herself revealed Warspite smirking proudly, her guns smoking-
''I'll say again...''
Warspite's smirk fell, disbelief clouding her visage as the smoke cleared – to reveal Taihou, with not a single wound on her.
''Is that it?'' Taihou's widening smirk betrayed her glee.
''Impossible.'' Warspite uttered, raising her blade warningly. ''Your Gift is fire manipulation! There is no way you could incinerate my shells before they could hit you!''
''Hmhmhm...'' Taihou's smug chuckles only served to irritate the old blonde even more. ''Why don't you come find out? I'll even let you get one free hit. Promise.''
The hair on Warspite's neck stood on end, her instincts telling her this was a trap – but before she could utter a warning, Sirius and Javelin charged. Feet rapidly tapped against grass and within two seconds they reached their target. Sirius swung first, her blade curving upwards towards Taihou's unguarded side, cleaving raggedly through her crimson kimono and into flesh; blood spraying out in a wide arc. Javelin followed suit, her pole-arm twirling in her hands and cutting a moderate gash through Taihou's underarm, spraying blood through the air.
And in an instant, Taihou's hand lashed out – and grabbed Javelin by the throat.
''G-Gah...!'' Javelin wheezed, eyes bulging as Taihou visibly gripped her throat tight.
''Javelin-!'' Sirius barked, spinning around for another blow.
''I do believe.'' Taihou purred, oozing self-confidence even as she lifted Javelin higher; her feet kicking wildly as they tried to reach the ground. ''That I said one free hit.''
Warspite's eyes widened, gazing not as Taihou's hold on Javelin – but at her wounds. Around the bleeding gash her skin became fire, crackling as it rapidly closed in over the wound; and within seconds the gash was gone, replaced by flawless peachy skin. Both wounds, repaired in seconds. Regeneration.
'Fire... regeneration...!' Warspite drew the fatal connection.
Taihou's lips curved into a dangerous smile, staring into Javelin's terror-filled eyes intensely. ''[Phoenix Fire]. Remember that name... for when you reach the afterlife, Destroyer.''
Sirius swung at Taihou's back.
And a bellowing belch of deep amber flame roared out of Taihou's hand, blowing past Javelin and consuming her in its horrific splendour.
Warspite was moving before she consciously realised it, covering the distance in two long strides and swinging down with both hands, striking in perfect tandem with Sirius – their broadswords cleaving straight through Taihou's right shoulder all the way down to her stomach, nearly bisecting her in a single blow. But as Warspite gazed up, meeting Taihou's eyes... she realised that was exactly what she wanted.
''Back!'' Warspite bellowed, turning left.
Ungodly hot fire ruptured the earth beneath her, appearing out of the very air around Taihou and bellowing past her. Her right turret took the brunt of the impact but much still snaked past, a gasp tearing free from Warspite's lips as it burned her skin and ate at her clothes. The sheer force behind the flames sent her skidding through the blackening soil beneath her, even as she consciously fought back against the raging torrent.
Abruptly the roaring tirade slowed, petering out a second later. Warspite gladly took the chance to back off, wincing at the dull ache throbbing in her right arm. Still functional, but she would have to account for possible delays due to nerve damage.
Slowly the Battleship shifted onto her left foot, her steel turrets groaning as they took aim into the fading fire. In seconds the embers faded away enough she could see the damage, her expression tightening as she found Sirius two dozen feet away, burns littering her forearms and a pained expression on her face. Wounded, but alive. The same, perhaps, could not be said of Javelin.
''...'the might of the Royal Navy'. 'The glory of the seas'.'' Taihou intoned condescendingly, completely healed from their attack. ''What nonsense. Might? Glory? You ants aren't worth seeing such things, let alone owning it.''
Taihou uncurled her hand, allowing Javelin to limply fall onto the scorched-black grass below. The blue hood she always wore was gone, scorched to ash along with one strap of her dress. Angry red and black skin covered every inch of her neck from her jawline to her collarbone, exposed directly to the searing heat of Taihou's flames at point-blank range.
She did not get up.
''You...'' Warspite's sword-grip tightened, an old fury bubbling inside her.
Taihou turned towards her, a lazy smirk on her lips. ''Do you understand now? The power Animaus-sama has given me? How pitiable you are in comparison?''
''Sirius.'' Warspite breathed out, raising her sword vertically. ''Move.''
The busty maid obeyed, retreating away and into the surrounding forests; using it for cover. If Taihou cared she didn't show it, still bearing that infuriatingly cocky smile, as if she was the second coming of god herself. An arrogance, that Warspite would be quick to rectify.
''[Titanomachy]...'' Warspite rasped with thinly-veiled fury, her voice gaining a deeper edge, almost echoing in its intensity.
Behind Warspite the air warped, gravity itself trembling beneath a force challenging its own – before from the air itself, a massive phantom sword appeared. Over fifteen metres in length and wide enough to lay down on it, grey in colour and translucent in nature. Attached to a hilt that vanished into nothingness, held by an intangible giant.
With a fury-filled war-cry Warspite swung her sword down, and her phantom blade followed with startling swiftness – crashing down onto the earth. Chunks of earth and dirt were shot outwards, debris flying through the air. Taihou leapt out from the veil of dirt, disbelief clear on her visage even as her severed arm rapidly regenerated; flames erupting from the bloody stump and reforming into a solid limb, skin flawless and untarnished.
Two pairs of feet landed on either side of Warspite. Belfast and Sheffield.
''Orders?'' Belfast asked firmly.
''Sheffield, get Javelin out of the way.'' Warspite said swiftly, lifting her sword up with great effort; her blade seeming so much heavier when the phantom replica was existing. ''Belfast, you command the others while I focus on Taihou.''
''Understood. Any directives?''
''Encirclement.''
Belfast dipped in a shallow bow before backing off, one hand flying to her ear as she radioed orders to the others. Warspite didn't wait around and swiftly rushed towards Taihou; the weight of her phantom blade preventing her from leaping, but she needn't have worried – for Taihou rushed to meet her halfway. A bellowing crest of amber fire swept down at her, cut in twain when Warspite swung in retaliation, dispelling the fire with pure air pressure.
With a yell of effort Warspite grasped her sword with both hands and swung, sweeping it horizontally and narrowly avoiding bisecting Taihou; the blade whooshing over her head and dispelling the flames she tried to manifest. Before the carrier could so much as blink a cacophony of eruptions came from the right; followed swiftly by a thin barrage of cruiser shells bombarding the stationary woman, engulfing her in plumes of smoke and debris.
''Tch...!'' A blast of flame dispelled the smoke, rushing out like a pyroclastic serpent towards Sirius and Newcastle.
Warspite didn't let the opportunity go to waste; unloading both her cannons and blowing apart the earth around Taihou; blinding her. As fast as her legs would carry her the blonde Battleship ran, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds – and allowing her to swing with her real sword, releasing a battle-cry as she brought the heavy blade down at the yandere carrier. Taihou met her halfway, scowling lightly and creating a blade of pure fire, the amber colour so dark it bordered on bronze.
Their weapons collided with a thunderous shockwave, the earth beneath them splintering apart from the sheer force. Warspite glared contemptuously into Taihou's fiery gaze, pushing against the carrier's flame-sword intensely-
-until she let her sword go.
Taihou's eyes widened, disbelief marring her visage as she pushed against a force no longer there, overextending. Warspite ruthlessly took advantage, her nimble grip grabbing the falling handle of her sword – and swiftly jerked it up, cracking the pommel against Taihou's chin.
''Nn!'' The carrier's head snapped back with a pained cry, muffled by her gritted teeth.
Warspite wasn't done. Shifting her weight onto her right foot she swung with her left hand, burying her fist deep into Taihou's stomach with such strength the flame-wielder was lifted off the ground, the raw strength behind the blow rearranging her organs and shattering her lower ribs. Taihou was briefly sent airborne from the brutal attack, stunned – and giving Warspite a precious few seconds to shift her sword-grip, and bring it down in a brutal downwards swing.
''Hah!''
The phantom sword came crashing down full-force on Taihou, striking true and utterly obliterating the earth around it – large chunks of earth sent flying through the air, one hitting the top of the church and sending stone and wood chunks sailing through the air. The blade sunk easily ten feet into the earth, the dirt finally settling after several long moments.
'Did that...?' Warspite dared to hope.
Low rumbling dispelled any such hope, and the Battleship barely had time to curse before a bellowing roar of flame erupted from the earth – so intensely hot it melted dirt and rock into slag and pushed the titanic phantom blade back through sheer pressure. Even as molten slag sunk back into the massive trench Warspite's sword had made, Taihou almost-easily climbed out of it, the intense heat barely slowing her down.
''Not bad...'' The aspiring phoenix intoned, thinly amused. ''Obaa-san.''
Warspite scowled in reply, more offended by the lack of wounds than the words the traitor spoke. Her mind raced for a way to counter her regeneration, but she came up short. She had never fought someone with such regenerative abilities – most who she had fought were only able to do smaller things, like regenerate limbs or turrets. Not regenerate from being nearly cut in half and crushed.
'All regenerators usually can't repair infinitely... pain works too; regeneration doesn't mean she can't feel anything...' Warspite thought quickly, eyeing up Taihou's frame for any hints. Nothing but flawless skin greeted her, the woman's crimson kimono still torn in multiple places; but even that was slowly fixing itself, as if her flames sought to protect her dignity too. 'She has to have a limit. Not even Keter could survive decapitation.'
The Battleship slowly took a ready stance, taking confidence in the knowledge – that her foe was, for all her regeneration, still mortal.
Taihou took note of her change, smiling amusedly. ''You really think you can win, don't you Obaa-san?''
''Arrogance will get you nowhere, Taihou.'' Warspite shot back, steeling her heart.
''Hmph.'' Taihou's smile turned wicked, taking a step forwards and bending her knee. ''Allow me to demonstrate your inferiority, obaa-san.''
Quick as a thunderclap Taihou was moving, kicking off the dirt and crossing the distance in two long strides; fists becoming engulfed in roaring amber fire. Warspite swung her broadsword but Taihou ducked underneath it, lashing out with two rapid jabs that struck the Battleship's stomach – a grunt escaping the older blonde as pain shot through her abdomen. However she didn't falter from the blows, merely gritting her teeth and lashing out with a powerful kick, forcing Taihou back.
In a heartbeat Taihou was on her again, haughty grin glued to her face as she barraged her with a flurry of fiery punches. Fire struck metal as Warspite blocked the attacks with the flat of her sword, tilting and jerking her blade left and right to block or redirect the strong hits, each one sending small embers flying and singing the tips of her hair. After nearly ten full seconds Warspite saw her chance and acted on it, suddenly ducking under one punch and swinging upwards with a furious battle-cry – cutting a moderate gash across Taihou's torso.
''Nn...!'' The carrier winced, haughtiness melting into irritation.
Warspite didn't give her foe time to counter, roaring as she brought her blade down – along with its phantom counterpart. A deafening crash erupted as the massive blade slammed down right onto Taihou, the tip striking true and burying the carrier fifteen feet into the shattered earth; the ground beneath Warspite rumbling and splintering from the sheer force of the attack. Grimacing the Battleship twisted her blade, trying to inflict as much damage as she could; but it was all for naught.
A rush of heat was her only warning, giving her barely a half-second to take a step back – before a roaring crest of dark amber flame shrieked out of the hole, pushing the phantom sword back once more. A mass of fire lunged out towards Warspite, and it took the blonde a second to recognise it as Taihou; eyes wide as she watched the mass rapidly reform into Taihou.
'Fire transformation too...?!'
There was no time to ponder it. She raised her blade and braced her free hand against the flat of it, wincing as she blocked Taihou's wild haymaker; her blow unrefined but backed by sheer power. A burst of cannon fire erupted from the left and blew off Taihou's right arm before it could swing again – but the carrier barely registered it, annoyance crossing her half-reformed visage as her limb rapidly regenerated. Warspite swiftly acted on her opponent's temporary weakness, bending her arm inwards and ramming the pommel of her sword into Taihou's guts, earning a startled gasp as Taihou was briefly lifted off her feet.
''Haah...!'' Warspite bellowed as she swung, her sword cleaving through searing-hot flesh – and brutally cutting off Taihou's entire shoulder and right twin-tail, narrowly avoiding her jaw.
For a brief moment her inner organs were exposed, thousands of tiny amber tendrils covering them, before a rush of roaring fire swept over them and the wound rapidly regenerated closed. Warspite mentally cursed but Taihou was on her before she could think, a blast of pure fire striking her underarm and forcing a stifled cry from her lips; instinctively stumbling away from the agonising flames as they ate away at her flesh and bone.
'Nn...!' Warspite sucked in a sharp breath as she managed to get away, the ravenous fire no longer eating away at her right side; a tentative glance revealing blackening skin and exposed ribs, making her cringe. 'That's not good...'
Movement ahead made Warspite glance up, spitting a curse as Taihou charged her with open glee, unheeding of the shells booming towards her. Flame gathered in her palms and Warspite raised her sword to meet it-
''[Second Royal Decree: Divine Protection]!''
-when a glowing gold barrier spawned into existence between them.
Taihou's flaming fist collided with the barrier, causing spiderweb cracks to spread out around it but nothing else; her fist rebounding off the etheric barrier with a startled curse. Warspite was no longer looking at Taihou however; her gaze snapping up, just in time to watch a lithe figure drop down right in front of her.
''...Your Majesty...'' Warspite breathed, eyes wide.
Queen Elizabeth stood up slowly, not deigning to glance back at her. Blood marred her skin and numerous cuts littered her back, the regal red cape she wore torn and shredded from countless cuts. Her right shoulder was exposed to the evening air, blood still running from what looked like a direct hit from a cannon. Yet even with all these wounds she didn't so much as waver, her eyes coldly locked onto Taihou's frame.
''Warspite.'' Queen Elizabeth's voice was sharp and resounding. ''Casualty report.''
Warspite hesitated for only a moment. ''...Javelin's condition is uncertain, but likely fatal. Kent and Edinburgh are greatly wounded. Sirius obtained moderate burns, as have I.''
''I see.'' The Iron Queen intoned, taking a step forwards. ''From henceforth you are in command of the Royal Navy's forces, Warspite, until I reassume command. Evacuate yourselves and all others from the area within a five mile diameter, post-haste.''
''Understood...'' Warspite nodded slowly. ''What of yourself?''
''Hmph, what else?'' Queen Elizabeth remarked, raising her dual weapons – her sceptre, and her sword. ''I will be disciplining an arrogant child.''
Warspite could only nod and make a hasty retreat, barking orders for her allies to do the same.
…
Queen Elizabeth held Taihou's fiery gaze for well over a minute, not a single word punctuating the tense silence as both of them waited for everyone to clear out of the surrounding area. Taihou did it out of tactical wisdom, knowing less enemies was always a good thing, regeneration or not. Elizabeth did it out of compassion, so that her allies would not have to see what she was about to do.
Only once she was confident that none would see did she drop her barrier, leaving nothing between her and Taihou. The carrier was the first to break the silence. ''I'm surprise you're here. How did you elude Atago and the others?''
''Elude?'' Queen Elizabeth scoffed. ''I rent them asunder, you arrogant child. Do you really believe three cruisers, one of whom is my former subordinate, could stop me? Roon must be more foolish than I originally believed.''
Taihou didn't lose her smile. ''Ah, but they did a good job of weakening you.''
''Weakening?'' The Iron Queen glanced down at herself pointedly. ''These can hardly constitute flesh wounds, you troglodyte.''
''Perhaps.'' Taihou drawled, the sky overhead rumbling as the grey clouds slowly crept closer. ''But you'll soon regret being so overconfident, Elizabeth-san. After all... I'm much more powerful than when we last met.''
In response, the blonde spat a laugh. ''Power? You imbecile...''
Her sceptre stabbed into the unstable earth, splintering it further – and her face contorted into an offended snarl.
''You know nothing of power, whelp!''
Taihou's smile thinned and her eyes narrowed. ''Then allow me to demonstrate, you old fool.''
Roaring amber flames blossomed to life around, raging in intensity and rapidly heating up the air with their mere proximity. Queen Elizabeth's eyes glowed with power and she responded in kind, the air around her heating up rapidly – before golden flames erupted around her.
''[Fifth Royal Decree: Abolishing Flames].'' Queen Elizabeth intoned heavily, raising her sceptre.
At her wordless command the golden fire rushed forth in a massive wave, meeting Taihou's amber fire halfway – the two flames meshing into a blinding flurry, devouring each other only for more to replace it nigh-infinitely. Even with the darkening skies overhead the area around them was brightly illuminated, forcing Elizabeth to narrow her eyes from the sheer heat blasting past her, the grass beneath her crackling as it began to dry up and ignite.
Abruptly the Iron Queen shifted tactics, her golden flames cutting short. ''[Third Royal Decree: Queen's Deliverance]!''
The golden fire barely had time to disperse before a screeching gold laser cut through it, cleaving the wall of flames in half and swiftly severing Taihou's right arm. The carrier's eyes widened in surprise but she reacted swiftly, raising her remaining hand and directing all her fire into a concentrated serpent, the roiling mass of fire bellowing towards the laser-wielding queen.
With a quick utterance under her breath the laser cut short, replaced instead by a glowing gold barrier – the bellowing flames crashing against it like stormy tides against the seawall. That lasted for only a scant few seconds before Taihou herself crashed into the barrier, hammering her fist into it and cracking it greatly, flames beginning to peek in through the miniscule gaps and further spreading the cracks. With a jerk of her shoulder the carrier reared her hand back, and threw another punch – finally shattering the golden barrier.
Shards of etheric glass floated through the air, slowing down as they went... as did Taihou's fire.
'What...?!' Taihou's eyes widened – shock flooding her when she found herself slowing down too, as if she was suddenly underwater.
Queen Elizabeth gazed up at her – eyes glowing a soft purple. ''[Sixth Royal Decree: Mad King's Heresy].''
With a flick of her hips Elizabeth shifted her right foot forwards, raising both her cannons – and fired, four blue shells shrieking towards the immobile Taihou and striking true. A deafening explosion engulfed the area, smoke billowing outwards alongside the waning embers of Taihou's gifted flames. For a brief second, the air was still.
Then several flame serpents shot out from the smoke, rushing towards Elizabeth blindly. The Iron Queen scowled and wordlessly shifted her decree, summoning another golden barrier and let it take the brunt of the attack; enduring all three flaming serpents before shattering into countless pieces. Before the shards had even faded Elizabeth was moving, leaping through the waning fire and swinging her sceptre down, the sheer air pressure behind it blasting away the rumbling fire around her, and giving her an unobscured view of Taihou.
''Hn!'' Taihou scowled at her, flicking her wrist and unleashing even more fire.
''Pathetic!'' Elizabeth growled in reply, swinging her Blade of Rebuke down.
The air pressure generated by the legendary sword easily cleaved the flames in half, granting Elizabeth an opening – one the Iron Queen ruthlessly took, lunging through the gap and lashing out with her sceptre. Taihou caught the balled tip in her hands, gritting her teeth as multiple fingers audibly snapped; but the wounds were barely given a second of acknowledgement before the carrier returned fire.
Elizabeth scowled as she felt her sceptre rapidly grow hot, her skin tingling from where she held the weapon. She swiftly yanked it back and instead lashed out with her sword, cleaning cutting a moderate gash across the edge of Taihou's neck – instinctively making the carrier jerk her head out of the way, a pained hiss leaving her lips. Elizabeth didn't let her counter-attack, spinning on her heel and smashing her sceptre down into the earth, upsetting Taihou's footing and granting the queen a single half-second to think, and react.
''Nn- haah!'' Taihou wheezed as the sceptre swung up into her stomach, eyes bulging as several bones audibly snapped – her feet leaving the ground.
Not a second later Elizabeth's Blade of Rebuke stabbed into her shoulder, piercing cleanly through skin and bone and jutting out Taihou's back, the sharp pain briefly distracting the Aircraft Carrier – and giving time for Elizabeth to swing up.
''Haah!'' The Iron Queen yelled in exertion, her blade leaving Taihou's shoulder-
-and swiping through her neck, cleanly severing Taihou's head.
Elizabeth completed her swing, stepping back two paces and watching as Taihou's severed head flew, hitting the uneven dirt with a muted thud and rolling to a stop, her headless body falling only a foot away; twitching, but dead. For a long moment she stared, panting lightly from the exertion-
SKREEE!
''Nn...!'' Elizabeth grit her teeth as blinding amber fire abruptly screeched into existence around Taihou's body, the heat so intense it forced her to leap back.
The screeching pyre billowed into the sky, a towering column of fire – before it crashed down on itself, concentrating into a pulsating plume of amber flame. And slowly, within the centre, a shadowed figure reassembled itself.
The flames waned and faded, dissipating into embers and revealing the fully-healed Taihou standing amidst the scorched-black grass, smiling widely and completely unfazed.
''Hihihi~!'' The carrier giggled in a high-pitched voice dripping with acidic condescension. ''Is that all you have, old lady?''
Queen Elizabeth scowled deeply, face furious. ''You can regenerate even from decapitation?''
''Of course.'' Taihou spread her arms out grandly, her wide smile unfading. ''My love for the Commander refuses to fade, even in death~''
''Hn.'' Elizabeth rolled her shoulders, raising her two weapons. ''Seems like you'll be more troublesome than I imagined.''
Taihou's eyes darkened, smile turning malicious. ''Oh, you have no idea.''
Roaring amber fire exploded into existence around the carrier – far more potent than before. Like a pyroclastic tide it swept towards the Iron Queen, the blonde retaliating with golden flames of her own; the different coloured flames meeting halfway and meshing together in a hypnotic blend... until Taihou's fire overwhelmed hers.
Queen Elizabeth barely had time to curse before the flames were upon her, engulfing her in its roaring grasp. Taihou kept up the fire for several long seconds, her glee only growing when Elizabeth didn't leap out of the roaring flames. Confident her flames had struck true she cut them off, letting the amber fire dissipate into floating wisps... and revealing Queen Elizabeth, standing in the centre of a dome of golden light.
Taihou's smile fell. ''...I didn't know you could do that.''
''Hmph.'' Elizabeth straightened up, her dome-shaped barrier falling. ''I'll surprise you yet, Taihou of Sakura.''
Twin cannons boomed, four blue shells soaring across the distance and exploding around Taihou. The carrier didn't even bother to dodge, merely grimacing as parts of flesh were blown off her body only to be repaired in a matter of seconds, the pain disappearing with it. The shells served as an adequate distraction however, giving Elizabeth time to cross the distance and swing; her lethally-sharp blade severing Taihou's right arm in an instant.
''Nn...!'' The carrier grit her teeth, retaliating with a blisteringly hot wave of fire.
Elizabeth scowled and leapt aside, grimacing as the fire nipped and ate at her right leg; for only a second, but long enough to leave first-degree burns. Ignoring the minor wound the Iron Queen landed, spinning on her heel and wordlessly switching decrees, unleashing a screeching gold laser that swung past Taihou in a heartbeat; taking off the carrier's legs when she failed to jump fast enough. By the time the carrier hit the ground her legs were already half-regenerated, a rush of fire rapidly reforming into limbs.
Behind Taihou the church rumbled, the upper half collapsing in on itself with a cacophony of falling rubble. Ignoring the thunderous sound Queen Elizabeth followed her plan, her tongue moving swiftly as she conjured her next decree; shaping it in her mind exactly how she wanted. Power was not just about strength – it was about creativity.
''[Second Royal Decree: Divine Protection].''
''Nn...?'' Taihou grunted in surprise as a golden barrier suddenly surrounded her; engulfing her in a perfect sphere. ''What is...? Is this your attempt at trapping me?''
''Perhaps.'' Elizabeth replied vaguely.
Taihou's eyes narrowed, scoffing at what she saw as a feeble attempt. Amber fire blossomed to life around her as she stood up, rushing against the golden glass-like barrier with lazy fury and slowly damaging the etheric material. Taihou's suspicion only grew when Elizabeth didn't do anything but stare at her, murmuring something incoherent under her breath. Something in her chest twinged, her instincts warning her of some unseen danger, one of so great a threat she couldn't ignore it.
''Is this it?'' Taihou taunted her opponent, increasing the heat of her flames higher; a bellowing sea of amber engulfing her waist. ''Is this the best you can do?!''
Taihou laughed, her head growing light with euphoria as she kept up the fire, yet the tightness in her chest only grew. Her laugh depleted into a wheeze, and for a single second she was left in a state of confusion – before she tried to breathe, and tasted caustic ozone on her tongue.
''...one trick I've learned about my [Second Royal Decree], is that it transcends a mere barrier.'' Elizabeth intoned gravely. ''Nothing may pass through it. Not solids, not liquids, not plasma... and not gas. That, includes oxygen.''
''Fire burns oxygen. I'm sure you know where I'm going with this, don't you?''
Panic struck Taihou like a thunderbolt, eyes widening as the tightness in her chest grew – one hand instinctively flying to her throat, gasping in nothing but ozone. She cut off her flames but there was too little oxygen to breathe, and in an instant she switched tracks; unleashing a roaring sea of fire all around her, desperately pushing against the golden sphere around her. And to her horror, the barrier began to shrink.
''...I did not want to use such a heartless method of execution.'' Elizabeth's voice rung clearly in Taihou's panicked ears. ''But with your regeneration, you give me no choice. Perish, knowing your own power was your undoing, Taihou of Sakura.''
Taihou couldn't respond even if she tried, silently screaming and battering against the barrier. Her arms were forced against her sides, her head shoved down into her collarbone and her knees pressing into her stomach painfully. The barrier kept shrinking even as her eyesight waned, bones audibly snapping as she was brutally crushed beneath the barrier, her Gift regenerating her body as best it could yet only causing her more agony, forced to endure her bones repairing and breaking over and over again.
And just as unconsciousness was about to finally claim her – an image appeared in her mind. An image, of the only one to show her true compassion, even at her worst. Of the man who promised to always be there for her. The Commander.
'NO!'
In an instant all her fire, all her power, concentrated in a single spot – screeching straight up towards the sky. The top of the barrier cracked, splintering as the ungodly hot fire screeched against it-
-before with a harrowing shatter, the barrier broke.
Queen Elizabeth uttered a heavy curse, but Taihou didn't hear it – too busy sucking in desperate, instinctive lungfuls of air. Flames billowed around her and formed a defensive circle, stopping the Iron Queen from launching a pre-emptive attack even if she wanted to.
''That...'' Taihou licked her dry lips, her breathing settling down. ''...was an admirable attempt.''
Bellowing crests of fire erupted around her, a dark smile gracing Taihou's visage as she exerted her full power; the anger in her eyes so visceral her gaze itself nearly ignited all that it fell upon. With a flick her of her wrist the whirlwind of amber flame whipped up into a cyclone, engulfing the phoenix-woman – before roaring towards its opponent with single-minded hatred, seething in its chaos.
''Hmph... 'admirable attempt'...'' Queen Elizabeth scoffed, facing the approaching firestorm with cold disdain. ''It was but one, infant.''
With a quick flick of her tongue she uttered her sixth decree, eyes glowing a vivid purple as she slowed the approaching flames down to a halt, time itself temporarily halting before her gaze. However Taihou had learned from her last attack, wisely hiding behind the flames and out of view; before leaping down from above with ignited fists. A tight expression crossed Elizabeth's face and she raised her Blade of Rebuke, cutting off Taihou's right arm with visible effort – but was too slow to block the left, a strained gasp leaving the queen's lips as it struck her stomach.
Her concentration broke, her time-slowing ability faltering – and granting Taihou full control over her fire again. It rushed out in a sweeping wave, far too big to dodge yet the Iron Queen tried regardless; hissing through her teeth as the searing heat singed her skin. Golden flames blossomed around her but they did little to ease the ravenous pyroclast, granting her only a few short seconds of reprieve and giving her the chance to leap out of the metaphorical, and literal fire.
''Nn...'' Elizabeth grimaced as she landed, wincing as her left leg twinged in protest; burned from her calf to her knee. ''Let's see... how you handle this then... [Seventh Royal Decree: Sanctification]!''
The Iron Queen stabbed her sceptre into the earth, and in an instant the very dirt beneath her glowed a blinding gold. Five glowing gold streaks shot out in perfectly straight lines, suddenly reaching their max limit and crossing over to meet each other; forming a massive pentagram shape easily twenty feet in diameter. Taihou narrowed her eyes and retaliated with several serpentine whips of fire, sending them snaking through the air – only for them to rapidly dissipate into golden motes of light the moment the entered the pentagram.
''What...?!''
''Hah.'' Elizabeth smirked thinly, raising a hand. ''I thank you for your generosity.''
With a curl of her finger the hovering motes shot towards her, making contact with the Iron Queen – and absorbed themselves into her body. In seconds the worst of her burns began to heal up, skin knitting itself back together and her blood coagulating. While it was far from Taihou's near-godly regeneration, it was far from insignificant.
''Everything in life comes from a single origin.'' Elizabeth spoke in a lazy tone, words profound yet distinctly self-assured. ''I won't profess to knowing that origin. But I do know how I can manipulate it via this Gift of mine.''
Taihou scowled. ''Don't act so cocky, obaa-san. You can't keep that up forever – I can just wait outside your little trap until you can't keep it up any longer.''
''True. I'm quite immobile in this state.'' Elizabeth's smirk widened. ''But the fact of the matter is simple... can you afford to wait?''
Without giving Taihou a chance to respond Elizabeth stabbed her sword into the glowing gold dirt, and raised her free hand as well. ''O One Above All, I Beckon Your Eyes.''
Golden electricity sparked in Elizabeth's hand. ''O One Below All, I Beckon Your Mind.''
The sparks grew in intensity. ''O One of Light, O One of Dark, I Beseech The Ancient Truth.''
''Prithee, Grant Me A Purgatorium of Undulated Wrath!''
The crackling gold sparks shrieked into the sky like a reverse thunderbolt, disappearing into the rumbling grey clouds looming overhead; before with a loud thunderclap the sky glowed a blinding gold, so bright Taihou was forced to look away. When it dimmed she dared to look back and her eyes widened, gazing up in disbelieving awe at the construct hovering in the sky.
A circle. Gold in colour, with countless symbols and age-old letters lining the rim, several inner-circles rotating in contrast with the outer layers. It stretched hundreds of metres wide, thin as a sheet of paper yet so intimidating wide it gave an overbearing impression, like the eyes of god was staring right down at her, deciding her judgement. And as she stared at it longer, the carrier soon noticed three little gaps between the inner-rings; a gap that was slowly filling up with white light... like a progress bar.
As if it was charging up.
The thought instantly sprung Taihou into action, concentrating her fire into twin fireballs and lobbing them up at the circle. They barely reached halfway before they lost momentum, the sheer distance between the circle and the ground so great her fireballs faded long before they reached it. With a scowl Taihou turned her gaze onto Elizabeth, meeting the queen's softly-glowing eyes even as she kept chanting, alternating into a long-dead language few remembered in this day and age, foreign even to Taihou's omnilingual ears.
''Damn hag...!'' Taihou hissed balefully, her flames glowing brighter in response to her hate.
In a heartbeat Taihou bent her knee and kicked off the dirt, lunging into the glowing pentagram. Instantly she felt her flames vanish, and a scream of agony ripped itself from her throat as pure pain shot through her body – her very soul screeching in protest as an intangible force chewed away at it, ripping her very life essence from her body. Skin and muscle disintegrated into light only to regenerate a scant second later, her body fighting to keep her alive; but her soul had no such protection, something deep inside her wailing in pain.
With a wild, near-bestial snarl Taihou lunged towards her opponent, determined to interrupt her casting. She was half-successful.
''[Third Royal Decree: Queen's Deliverance]...!''
A golden laser cut cleanly through Taihou's abdomen, sending her torso flying forwards several steps ahead of her dismembered lower half. Even as her stomach blazed and rapidly fought to repair itself Taihou crawled towards her foe, snarling hatefully as she dragged herself closer.
Queen Elizabeth grimaced in response, strain showing on her face as she focused on three separate decrees at once, the mental toll easily apparent. Switching tactics the Iron Queen dispensed with her laser, instead opting for her simplest and first decree; and applying it with far more precision. Gravity itself bent and warped around her extended hand, and in a heartbeat she shot it out like a cannon – eliciting a pained cry from Taihou as she was shot back out the glowing pentagram, directional gravity shoving her out.
''Hn...!'' Elizabeth's knees wavered, pain shooting through her – forcing her to take a fortifying breath, steeling herself. ''To make me use so much power... what a force you've become, Taihou of Sakura...''
The golden motes in the air whizzed towards her, absorbing themselves into her body and rapidly healing her of her most grievous wounds; though failing to restore her stamina nor take away the mental strain. At her mental whim the defensive pentagram glowed brightly – before dissipating, the brightly-glowing light fading into naught but wisps of light.
Far above her the golden seal let out a thrumming hum, becoming partially obscured by the rumbling grey clouds. Droplets of water began to fall down on the smouldering battlefield but Queen Elizabeth paid them no mind, focusing instead of the skyward circle; wordlessly 'pushing' her focus at it. Her power reacted in accordance with her will, the circle glowing brighter as if fuelled by her mental will, the second inner ring slowly filling up with a bright gold glow.
''Don't ignore me!''
Elizabeth scowled, bending her knees and leaping back; avoiding the blast of fire that ravaged the ground she previously stood upon. Taihou was on her like a demon from hell, snarling and rushing her with a raised fist engulfed in raging fire. In response Elizabeth met her halfway, batting aside the offending fist and burying her own fist deep in Taihou's gut. The carrier barely had time to grunt before a golden laser shrieked through her abdomen, the pain briefly stunning the carrier long enough for Elizabeth to shove her away.
Twin turrets took aim and fired, the deafening boom followed by a rapturous explosion. All it did was buy her time though, that Elizabeth was fully aware of – grimacing as she hastily made distance between the two of them. Her gaze flickered back to her weapons and she extended her hands, shifting to her first decree and pulling gravity towards her. A rush of dirt and shattered stone pelted her palms before both her weapons flung themselves into her waiting hands, her fingers curling around the hilt of both her sword and sceptre confidently.
A wordless tug on her mind made her glance up, the circle demanding her attention. Words slipped off her tongue unbidden, her soul conjuring the words she herself scarcely fathomed. ''Seventy-Two Pillars, Ten Sephiroth, Ten Million Souls – I Beseech Thy Infallibility.''
The lingering smoke ahead dispersed as a pillar of furious fire screeched into the sky, the sheer heat evaporating the falling rain around it. ''Cast Down Your Light. Let Me Guide Your Hand, And Fell This Arrogant Usurper.''
Taihou glared hatefully at her, eyes literally smouldering with living embers before her entire body transformed into a living, flaming serpent – the rush of fire racing towards her. It reached only halfway before a golden barrier erected itself between them, curved at an angle and redirecting Taihou's flame missile off to the right, sending her crashing into the earth.
''I Beckon, I Plead, I Beg.'' Elizabeth intoned sharply, her voice slowly gaining a dual-layered tone to it – the skies overhead clamouring with thunder. ''Rend This Unsavoury Soul Back Unto The Void!''
The surging pulse in her chest dimmed for a moment, and just in time too – a grimace marring the Iron Queen's visage as Taihou lunged at her. A rush of flames burned her right arm but she pushed past the blistering pain, bringing her sceptre down with a war-cry. It impacted dead-centre on Taihou's right shoulder, cracking bone and sending the carrier stumbling; the wound healing not even a second later. Faster than it had before.
'Is she... getting stronger?!'
There was no time to debate such a chilling thought. Taihou swiped at her face with a tendril of fire, forcing Elizabeth to duck low – swinging out with her Blade of Rebuke. The lethally-sharp blade cut through the front of Taihou's stomach, the pain stalling her long enough for Elizabeth to leap back, her mind racing for a way to delay the mad carrier for just a little longer. If there was any way to put her down for good, it was her tenth decree. She just needed time.
''[Fourth Royal Decree: Archibald Wisdom]!'' Elizabeth uttered swiftly, three purple spheres manifesting above her.
At a mere thought they raced towards Taihou with far greater speed than she had used against Bismarck, something that clearly took Taihou by surprise – but the carrier reacted quickly, three streaks of amber fire striking out and hitting the incoming orbs, detonating them into plumes of purple smoke. Just as Elizabeth hoped. After all, their main purpose wasn't attack... but concealment.
Using the purple smokescreen to her advantage Elizabeth stabbed her sword into the earth, focusing intently on her next trick. Her forehead ached from the mental strain but she pushed down her pain, focusing in her mind eye the decree she wanted, one she had only tried once due to how impossible to hide it was.
''[Eighth Royal Decree: Monarch's Beckoning]!'' Queen Elizabeth declared in a thundering voice.
Motes of glowing gold light seeped out from her skin, flaking off like sentient embers – hundreds upon hundreds spreading out in a wide area in seconds, almost like fireflies dancing. Then all one thousand embers swirled overhead, forming a virtual vortex of light; and then went crashing down into the earth.
Plumes of blinding gold erupted all over the ruined battlefield, so bright Taihou was forced to raise a hand to block her eyes lest she lose her retinas.
The light lasted only a scant few seconds before dimming, revealing behind Queen Elizabeth – to be an army. Hundreds upon hundreds of silver-plated knights stood tall, all in perfect formation and with a vast array of weapons at hand, from great-bows to massive great-swords taller than their wielder, to shining lances and sparklingly-sharp axes. Each and every knight stood at over six feet tall, their silver helmets bearing only a V-shaped visor filled with darkness, no eyes to be seen.
A slow smirk graced Queen Elizabeth's visage, tinted with thinly-veiled disdain. ''Eliminate her.''
In the distance, a low war-horn blew; the thrumming sound carrying itself across the battlefield.
And then every knight charged in lock-step, footfalls thundering against the ground.
Taihou spat a foul curse, sweeping her arm out and blanketing the entire area in front of her with fire. She poured her anger into it, letting the flames reach such high temperatures the rock beneath it began to melt, turning into molten slag. For a long few moments she wondered if the knights could even get through it – when over a dozen metre-long arrows shot out the fire.
''Nn?!'' Taihou gasped as one punctured her shoulder, the sheer force sending her stumbling back. ''Y-You...!''
Her distraction cost her; the heat of her flames dropping slightly as she lost focus. Not a second later a dozen half-melted silver knights charged through with the clamour of metal-on-metal, their armour becoming singed black from the ungodly heat – yet they didn't slow down, rushing towards her with weapons bared. Those that did fall only helped block out the tide of flames, allowing their compatriots to trample over their melting corpses unharmed.
Taihou scowled darkly, manifesting a destructive orb of fire and lobbing it – taking great satisfaction in watching it strike a knight and blow up with a furious boom. Chunks of metal went flying, the knight's fate apparent; but she had no time to savour her kill. Three knights charged past their fallen comrade with unfaltering speed, earning a scowl from Taihou as she replied with a concentrated beam of fire.
''Tch...!'' Taihou's eyes narrowed, watching as their abdomens rapidly melted over the course of three seconds – before the first of the three was finally cut in half, its torso falling off its waist.
Just before the other two could fall another wave of lance-sized arrows came raining down on her, one striking her foot and impaling her to the burnt-black dirt, while another took off her right arm completely. The carrier hissed in pain, agony lancing through her as she endured the sensation of bone and muscle regenerating. Her distraction cost her however, her eyes widening as she found one knight in front of her – and bore witness to it swinging its large claymore down on her.
Pain shot through her skull as it impacted dead-centre, utter blackness engulfing her sight for a long, terrifying second – before she felt a rush of heat behind her eyeballs, and then suddenly she could see again. She glanced up at the half-melted claymore, wisps of fire fading around it and telling her how it got dislodged.
It had killed her.
A measly, pathetic husk of a knight, had dealt a fatal blow to her.
''...you miscreant...'' Taihou whispered, alien anger filling her heart. ''You wretched husk.''
SKREEE!
Impossibly hot fire erupted around the Aircraft Carrier, utterly decimating any knight foolish to stand close to her. Taihou let the raging flames continue for several long seconds before dismissing them, giving a shark-like smile as the embers faded. A single blink, and she took note of the knights surrounding her. Intending to defeat her.
''Arrogant fools...''
Taihou spun, godly heat lashing out like screaming amber whips, culling over a dozen knights in an instant. The carrier grinned widely at her enhanced power, spinning around on her heel three times, each rotation culling another wave of knights that dared to approach her. Her macabre dance was interrupted however as whistling reached her ears – following by a rain of arrows falling upon her, one piercing through her stomach and into the dirt.
''Pathetic~'' Taihou crooned, and grabbed the lance-sized arrow – melting it in seconds.
Heavy footfalls made Taihou turn, raising a hand and catching the falling great-sword. Her hand snapped at the wrist but she didn't care, her mad grin only growing when she felt only a smidgen of pain, as if her body had evolved past the point of feeling pain. The thought made her laugh, outright cackling even as she scorched the immobile knight to ashes, not even fragments of its armour left.
''Come at me!'' Taihou challenged ferociously, fixing the nearest knight with a fierce grin. ''Fall before your true queen!''
The knights responded swiftly, rushing at her from all sides. Taihou met them with a shrieking cyclone of fire, laughing as she melted dozens upon dozens before they even reached her. The lucky few that got close enough to harm her couldn't; their weapons melting into slag before they reached her. Whistling was barely audible through the roar of her flames but she didn't pay it mind, catching a half-melted arrow in her grip mid-flight.
Loud trodding suddenly piqued her curiosity, turning to her left – just in time to see a hulking figure barrel through her fire. A half-melted metal knight rode upon an equally metal horse, a lance in its right hand – and Taihou wheezed as the lance stabbed into her stomach, the horseman's momentum lifting her off her feet and carrying her out the fire.
''Let go...'' Taihou snarled, grabbing the lance. ''...of me!''
A blast of shrieking fire utterly obliterated the horseman, melting it in a matter of seconds. It had done its duty though, something Taihou belatedly realised as three swords stabbed into her back, a wince crossing her face as she intimately felt them twist around her inside. She released a burst of shrieking fire around her, melting the knights and their weapons, the heat inside her chest growing so hot the liquid silver was near-instantly vaporized.
Another barrage of arrows fell down and she snarled, throwing her left hand out and summoning several streaks of fire, lobbing them in the general directions of the arrows. One arrow struck her foot but she melted it before it could slow her down, her pause lasting only a second-
-before she felt a blade cut into her neck, and everything went black.
Nothingness pierced her mind, the infinitely terrifying void staring back at her, accompanied by the distant whispering of the lost souls there. Seconds ticked by – at least she thought it did; her sense of time rapidly fleeing as the whispers grew in intensity, greedily tickling her intangible mind and slithering through her thoughts like sinful snakes.
Then a burning heat built behind her intangible eyeballs, and suddenly she was alive again – wheezing in a gasp of air, flat on her back. She saw two lancers standing above her, rapidly melting from the ambient temperature around her. Taihou sped up the process, vaporizing the offending knights and stumbling to her feet, incinerating the trio of swordsmen that tried to get her flank.
''...hihi...'' Taihou's lips quivered up. ''Hihihi... hihihi~! Hahahaha~!''
Laughter bubbled from her throat out of nowhere. She didn't know why she was laughing – was it euphoria? Blood loss? Madness? She didn't know, and she certainly didn't care. She had already lost count of how many times she had died. Three, four times? Five? It didn't matter. Nothing could kill her.
She wasn't just a phoenix – she was god now.
''Infantile peasants...'' Taihou whispered with a wide, insane smile. ''Burn.''
The only warning was the air around her heating up. Then the entire battlefield around her ignited into a screeching hellscape, a sea of amber flames engulfing the land and incinerating every knight in the vicinity. It didn't matter if they were archers, knights or horsemen – all melted in three seconds tops, their melting bodies quickly vaporizing from the intense heat.
Taihou's manic laughter echoed over the flaming hellscape, ringing clearly like a haunting church bell. Even as the flames slowly calmed down she couldn't stop, cackling until tears came to her eyes. A pulse of pain pinged in her temple and she clutched at her head, yet her laughter refused to stop; as if battlefield around her was the funniest thing in the world.
''Aha... hahaha...'' Taihou licked her dry lips as her laughter finally slowed, a few wayward giggles passing her lips. ''Hihi... now, where was I...?''
Slowly the carrier shifted her gaze north, smiling widely as she found Queen Elizabeth standing a couple hundred metres away, outside the burning hellscape Taihou had made. One hand was raised to the sky, prompting Taihou to lightly glance up – and her smile wilted as she found all three inner rings filled with a glowing gold light.
''Ah... I got distracted...'' Taihou noted lightly. ''Oh well... not that it matters~!''
With a mad cackle Taihou whipped herself into a literal firestorm, her body transmutating into pure fire; her consciousness existing on a higher plane of existence. At her mental command the fire that composed her form rushed forth in a tightly-coiled snake, screeching through the sky and incinerating the ground beneath it, the air around her pyroclastic form crackling and igniting from the sheer temperature.
Taihou covered the distance in seconds, crashing her pyroclastic form into the dirt and rapidly reforming herself into her humanoid form – grinning widely as she stared down Queen Elizabeth. Only two dozen metres stood between them, the scorched and ash-laden battlefield between them adding to the tension in the humid air, the falling rain swiftly extinguished when it got too close to Taihou. From such a close distance the carrier could make out the bright gold glow emanating from Elizabeth's eyes, small black rings surrounding her blue eyes.
''Nice attempt.'' Taihou spoke with a wide smile, conjuring an orb of flame between her fingertips. ''But no army can stand before me anymore, Elizabeth-san.''
''Hmph. Such lofty arrogance.'' Queen Elizabeth's voice was even, a strange dual-layered echo to it. ''Allow me to congratulate you on one thing, Taihou of Sakura.''
Taihou grinned widely, leaning in and mockingly cupping her ear. ''Oh~?''
Elizabeth smiled. It wasn't a nice smile. ''You are the first to witness... what true power feels like.''
In an instant Elizabeth raised her hand, fingers curled inwards like a claw. ''[Ninth Royal Decree: Supreme Subjugation]!''
The second the last syllable left Elizabeth's lips Taihou found her muscles all locking up, her nerves going numb. Her eyes tried to widen in panic but her muscles refused to respond, her body no longer obeying her command. A jolt of panic shot through her chest and she internally struggled, discovering an intangible pressure on her back of her neck, one that wasn't there before. Hastily she mentally pushed against it, her soul surging to fight back the foreign pressure binding her in place.
Elizabeth wasn't done however. ''[First Royal Decree: Royal Presence]!''
Gravity crashed down on Taihou, bones and internal organs trembling beneath the titanic gravity, the pain distracting her from her desperate task, sorely regretting her earlier cockiness.
''[Sixth Royal Decree: Mad King's Heresy]!''
Taihou's mind pulsated with pain as time itself began to slow around her, making her thoughts gradually slow down. Through uncontrollable eyes she seethed at the Iron Queen, the blonde's eyes glowing a mix of blue, purple and gold; the black rings around her eyes growing in intensity, making her seem almost like an angry deity. Elizabeth met her gaze unflinchingly, a furious expression on her visage as she raised her trembling hand – and clenched a fist.
The gold circle overhead thrummed.
Taihou's heart skipped a beat.
''[Tenth Royal Decree: Hand of God]!''
Queen Elizabeth's voice was a bellow, echoing from the volume – only to be muted as a calamitous, all-consuming shriek pierced the air, and from the heavenly circle came a blindingly bright gold light; shooting straight down towards them at impossible speeds. And in the span of a single second, the true heavenly arrow, struck true.
For a brief, daresay infinitesimal second, nothing.
BOOOOOOM!
Then a world-shaking explosion ruptured the earth, a cataclysmic plume of pure gold light roaring into existence, spanning over several miles wide. Powerful winds swept through the surrounding forests, uprooting great swathes of forest and shattering the earth, a localised earthquake shaking the area for miles around. Glass over five miles away shattered and unfortunate buildings collapsed, the explosion so powerful it shook the entire continent.
The rumbling eruption lingering for a full minute, the blinding gold light slowly collapsing in on itself; shrinking inwards until it finally dissipated into wisps of light, quickly fading from the world as well. Left in the wake of the explosion was a deep crater spanning several miles wide – and standing in the epicentre of the explosion, was Queen Elizabeth.
''Mn...'' The Iron Queen swayed dangerously, stabbing her sceptre into the stone to stop herself from falling.
Despite the explosion she was barely harmed; she had full confidence in her power, so it could not hurt her. However the mental toll of cycling through decree after decree, of using multiple at once and unleashing her final trump card – it ate away at her mind and left her feeling more bone-weary than she had in a long, long time. As if her soul had become so tired it fatigued her body and mind as well.
''Nn.'' Queen Elizabeth grunted, gazing around the massive crater.
She waited ten seconds. Then thirty. A minute, then two.
By the third minute of utter desolation she was certain Taihou was dead, breathing an explosive sigh. Her knees buckled, begging for rest, but she steeled her mind and pushed her tiredness down. She may've won this battle, but the war wasn't over. Roon was still out there, as was Atago, Ajax and San Diego. If they received a similar power-up to what Taihou got, they were more of a threat than she originally anticipated. Her spat with them earlier only confirmed this fear.
With heavy steps Queen Elizabeth turned, her burned shoes crunching rubble underneath her feet as she ascended the side of the crater. She got only about halfway up before she heard distant voices, coming from the lip of the crater.
Queen Elizabeth glanced up, a rueful smile curving at her lips. Who else to come greet her, than her beloved?
''Elizabeth...!'' Belfast called out to her, the maid stumbling slightly as she leaped from rough chunk of rock to the next, descending the slow incline as fast as she could without falling like some undignified lass.
The Iron Queen snorted at the thought, stabbing her sceptre into the earth and leaning on it for support, keeping her Blade of Rebuke in her hand. ''About time... here I was, thinking I'd have to carry myself out of this hole.''
Belfast smiled at her. ''You certainly-''
Her expression shifted, eyes widening and mouth opening as fright paled her visage. ''BEHI-!''
Queen Elizabeth jerked forwards, her mind briefly going blank. She blinked once. Twice. Belfast stared at her in open horror for some strange reason. It was only when she tried to breath did she find that it was oddly hard, sucking in a ragged breath. When she tilted her head down she saw the reason. An arm, plunged straight out her chest; coated in wet blood and gore, and as Elizabeth trailed her gaze up along the arm, she found her still-beating heart pulsating in the offender's grip.
''...you almost got me...'' A terrifyingly familiar voice wisped past her ear. ''Just a little more power... and my soul would've been completely destroyed...''
The arm yanked itself back, sending Elizabeth stumbling forwards, her mind trying and failing to function. One hand instinctively flew to her chest, something cold settling in her stomach when her fingertips brushed nothing but air, blood profusely squirting out from the hole in her chest; her dented spine barely supporting her.
''Impossible...'' Queen Elizabeth coughed, blood bubbling in her throat and her vision growing hazy.
Taihou grinned at her, eyes so intense she could physically feel them on her head. ''Indeed... I've become an impossibility... no, I've ascended. Life, death... nothing can get between me and the Commander. Not you, not Roon... not even death.''
Taihou's grin became wicked, insanity openly apparent in her eyes. ''Nor will your little soldiers.''
It took the dying queen to realise whom Taihou was referring to, eyes widening as she found Taihou grinning at the petrified Belfast, fireballs generating in her open hands. Even as her life-force bled out of her, even as she felt herself dying – something else shot through her, a burst of divine adrenaline.
A burst, of purpose.
''You...'' Queen Elizabeth rasped, grabbing her sceptre with blood-soaked hands. ''...will not...!''
She spun, a snarl of primordial fury on her blood-stained visage. ''HARM THEM!''
Her golden sceptre left her grip, and with it everything else. Her power and will, her experiences and memories, her hopes and dreams, her ideals and beliefs – everything that made up her soul, her existence, was thrown in a single, last-ditch attempt. And her soul responded, a kaleidoscope of impossible colour screaming from her outstretched hand, shrieking out after her sceptre.
Taihou was too close to dodge. The sceptre struck dead-centre in her stomach and blew her back a hundred feet, crashing down into the centre of the crater – before a deafening eruption shook the earth as the whirling mass of rainbow colour detonated, temporarily blinding all those who dared to look upon the esoteric majesty. Of a power not born from the soul, but a power fuelled by the soul.
Queen Elizabeth shuddered, her numbing arm dropping. Thick black smoke obscured Taihou's position. She would be down for a short while.
''Your Majesty...''
The Iron Queen turned, gazing over at Belfast's wide-eyed visage. She smiled, and took a step closer.
''Bel...''
She took another step. Her knees buckled.
''I'm happy...''
She smiled softly, her eyelids growing heavy.
''...that I got... to see you...''
Her knees gave out, and she fell.
''One... last time...''
''ELIZABETH!''
Queen Elizabeth, the first KANSEN and overall leader of the Ship-Girls, died just as she lived – protecting.
[END]
A/N: How do you beat a veteran queen with enough power to nearly destroy a soul? You pit her against a near-immortal phoenix that gets stronger each time she dies. At least Elizabeth died like a badass though~
And I do hope you all remembered my warning from Ch10... because I'll see you all in Chapter 19: World Ender~~
And a tiny teaser:
''Welcome, Enterprise.'' Akagi crooned in a sickeningly pleased tone, her voice carrying easily. ''Did you enjoy our welcoming gift?''
The Grey Ghost tipped her hat back, unfazed. ''Your aim could be better.''
Akagi's smile thinned a touch. ''Are you perhaps offering to help us practice~?''
