Episode 32
~ Destiny of Three Fates (Part IV) ~
Encounter In The City of Dead
"I'm worried about Einhalt-san and Ave-nii. Since Chris still unable to locate them…" muttered Vivio, as she let a small sigh out while standing in front of massive ancient murals that located on the other side of the enigmatic Sarcophagus City itself. Both Vivio's companions, Sieglinde Eremiah and Viktoria Dahlgrün in the meantime decided to only quietly listen at their younger Sankt Kaiser-girl companion's concern just now, as they also definitely worried over Einhalt Stratos and Ave's safety as well, after all. Sieglinde in particular was also feeling a little guilty over Einhalt and Ave's disappearance after she accidentally activates a supposedly dormant Crossgate Paradigm Portal in which teleported them across various different locations afterwards. Because of that, she together with her childhood best friend, Viktoria and the younger Sankt Kaiser-girl, Vivio have arrived in this uncharted area of the enigmatic Sarcophagus City itself.
After she, Viktoria and Vivio briefly discuss their unexpected predicament together, Sieglinde decided to continue investigating this aforementioned uncharted area with them. Since only by doing so, she together with Viktoria and Vivio could find a way to locate their missing friends before rescuing them afterwards. "Viktor and I also worried about what happen to Ave-han…I mean Executive Officer Takamachi and Haru-nyan. Still, I'm sure that they are doing fine and currently searching for us as well na…" meekly reassured Sieglinde while smiling at the younger Sankt Kaiser-girl, Vivio Takamachi as well, in return. "I agree with Sieg. Since it definitely is our task to continue our investigation for now and hopefully by doing so, we could find a way to rendezvous with Executive Officer Takamachi and Einhalt afterwards…" added Viktoria before she decided to also investigate another ancient murals in which located not far from her.
"A, ha, ha, ha. Thanks for reassuring me that Einhalt-san and Ave-nii are doing okay, Sieg-san, Viktor-san…" thanked Vivio after she let a small sheepish laugh as well beforehand. "You're welcome, Vivi-chan. Now, shall we continue our investigation first, as it might give us a clue to find both Haru-nyan and Ave-han…I mean Executive Officer Takamachi na?" replied Sieglinde back, as she suggested Vivio that they should continue their investigation first, at least for now. "Uhn!" responded Vivio back affirmatively before she decided to investigate the massive ancient murals in front of her afterwards. "Vivi surely is determined when her beloved Einhalt and Executive Officer Takamachi are involved. Because of that, we should do our part as well. Don't you agree Sieg?" added Viktoria while reaffirming her decision to also help Vivio by investigating this uncharted area further together with Sieglinde.
"Uhm, I agree with you, Viktor. Although, it won't be easy for us to restart our investigation after get suddenly thrown into this uncharted area na…" replied Sieglinde back before reminding her best friend, Viktoria that they would need to redo their investigation again, unfortunately. "We definitely get it done in no time, Viktor-san! Since Chris is also helping us this time around…" reassured Vivio, as she also gave both Viktoria and Sieglinde the usual cheeky grin of hers as well, in return. "Vivi is right, Sieg. With Sacred Heart's help, we can investigate this new area quicker and even map it for future reference as well, I believe…" calmly added Viktoria while approvingly nod back at Vivio as well, simultaneously. "Thanks, Viktor, Vivi-chan. It truly is reassuring to hear that from both of you na…" thanked Sieglinde before she decided to continue her own part of investigation while smiling at both Viktoria and Vivio as well, at the same time.
Vivio and Viktoria were about to continue their own respective tasks when an unidentified explosion suddenly rocked nearby. "What was that? Chris, can you find out what is going on?" asked Vivio while requesting her faithful Device, Sacred Heart to investigate the aforementioned explosion that occurred just now. "Enemies?" enquired Sieglinde before readying her own combat stance as well, shortly afterwards. "They most likely are, Sieg. Don't let your guard down…" responded Viktoria, as she warned her childhood best friend, Sieglinde to get ready for the possibility of any enemies' attack. It was when another explosion erupted, as Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria saw Time-Space Administrative Bureau's Executive Officer in which also happens to be Vivio's beloved Fate-mama emerged from it while having multiple "Round Shield", shield-type defensive spell around her.
"F-Fate-mama?" greeted Vivio in disbelief while noticing on how her beloved Fate-mama was also as equally surprised as Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria themselves. "Vivio? Sieglinde? Viktoria? Why are you three here? I thought you are investigating the other side of this city together with Ave and Einhalt?" asked Fate right after she gracefully land in front of Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria. "Uh, we kind of got separated from Ave-han and Haru-nyan after an unexpected small accident occurred, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown…" meekly explained Sieglinde, as she answered Fate's question just now. "What kind of small accident that has caused this unexpected situation, Sieglinde?" once again asked Fate with more concerned expression shown on her face. "Sieg accidentally activated a massive old and supposedly dormant teleporter that teleport both Executive Officer Takamachi and Einhalt away from us, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown. Because of that, we are currently trying to investigate this area and find a way to reach them as well…" explained Viktoria as well, shortly after.
"Uhm, where is Erio-nii and Caro-nē? Since I don't see them here together with Fate-mama…" added Vivio by asking Fate-mama over Erio Mondial and Caro Ru Lushe's whereabouts as well, in return. "We got separated when a certain elder dragon's subspecies appeared from out of nowhere and attacked us. Only after a gruelling long struggle against it, I somehow manage to injure it just before we met, Vivio…" calmly answered Fate while simultaneously admit that she got separated from Erio and Caro when a certain elder dragon's subspecies attack them. "I never thought that any elder dragon's subspecies would exist in this dying world, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown. Is the one that you have just encounter is similar to the one that we encountered back in the past?" enquired Viktoria further, as she was also wondering if any elder dragon's subspecies that inhabited this dying world are similar to the one that they encountered before, in their past adventures.
"What kind of elder dragon that has attacked you just now, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown?" enquired Viktoria while readying her Armed Device, Blaue Trombe as well, simultaneously. "It has an ability to blend with its surrounding and incapacitate any of its targets using electric current that running through its skin. At the same time, This particular elder dragon's subspecies also releases fogs that would impair our vision and toxic cloud in which also proven dangerous if we accidentally inhale it…" described Fate with serious expression shown all over her face. "Fate-mama…" muttered Vivio, as she wished to help her. Unfortunately however, she never saw such elder dragon's subspecies before. Even with information that her faithful Device, Sacred Heart previously obtained and recorded, there never such elder dragon's subspecies with such characteristic existed in the new world in which she together with others have visited in the past.
Nonetheless, a tiny fragment of Olivier Sägebrecht's memories that Vivio possessed has somehow informed her over the possibility for such elder dragon's subspecies to exist. Her ancestor or more accurately "Original", Olivier Sägebrecht most likely has encountered the aforementioned elder dragon's subspecies that her beloved Fate-mama together with Erio and Caro encountered not so long ago. Olivier might even fought it in the past, as Vivio vaguely remembered one particular scene in which her ancestor or more accurately "Original" stood triumphantly on the top of dead elder dragon's body that also reminded her (Vivio) to gigantic winged and horned white chameleon after all. Vivio was about to ask more question about this particular elder dragon's subspecies from her beloved Fate-mama when Sieglinde interrupted her (them) by mentioning the officially name for this aforementioned elder dragon's subspecies in which her (Sieglinde's) ancestor, Wilfred Eremiah has previously recorded in her travel journal back then.
"It probably is Ōnazuchi, an elder dragon in which Vivi-chan's ancestor and my ancestor defeated when they investigate a small frontier town for something else. I only remember that my ancestor described Ōnazuchi as an elder dragon that possessed the exact same traits with the one that attacked Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown not so long ago na…" added Sieglinde, as she decided to reveal the possible identity for this elder dragon's subspecies as well, afterwards. "Ōnazuchi? I only heard that name once from my ancestor's record. Never truly expect to perhaps encounter one in this dying world after all…" remarked Viktoria while mentioning her ancestor's record in which Ōnazuchi first mentioned during one of the Saint King Unification War's campaign. It was when Vivio started to vaguely remember on how her ancestor or more accurately "Original", Olivier Sägebrecht has fought and defeated this aforementioned elder dragon, Ōnazuchi during the exact same campaign in which mentioned in Thunder Emperor's war record.
"It will arrive in any minute. Don't let your guard down, Vivio, Sieglinde, Viktoria…" warned Fate while smiling, as she noticed on how her beloved adopted daughter, Vivio, in which slightly startled by that. "Eh? H-hai, Fate-mama!" acknowledged Vivio back before she decided to give her beloved Fate-mama another sheepish yet reassuring grin as well, in return. Both Sieglinde and Viktoria in the meantime also acknowledge Fate's warning by gave her an affirmative nod before readying their respective stance afterwards. Sieglinde also at the same time decided to enter the "Eremiah Quintessence" condition, in which greatly augment her overall combat performance with a risk of losing control over one's power and oneself in the process. "Be very careful, Sieg. Don't let it to consume you like before…" telepathically reminded Viktoria before smiling at her childhood best friend, Sieglinde as well, in return.
"Okay, Viktor! I will be really careful with it na…" reassured Sieglinde back while at the same time smiling and nodding back at Viktoria as well, affirmatively. It was right after Sieglinde gave her reassuring respond towards Viktoria's reminder just now that another explosion rocked accompanied with a loud otherworldly howl in which definitely came from an elder dragon or any of its subspecies. "Get ready, everyone!" shouted Fate, as she quickly executed her signature (guided) shooting spell, "Plasma Barret" at the direction in which the explosion and loud otherworldly howl originated. "I always am ready, Fate-mama! Issen Hicchū (Flash Strike), Divine Buster!" affirmatively replied Vivio back before she decided to support her beloved Fate-mama by executing her own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" afterwards.
Combined with Vivio's own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster", Fate's (guided) shooting spell, "Plasma Barret" hit its (their) target and also creating another explosion simultaneously. "Did we somehow manage to take it down?" curiously asked Sieglinde while hoping that both Vivio's "Divine Buster" and Fate's "Plasma Barret" were powerful enough to take this aforementioned elder dragon's subspecies, Ōnazuchi down. "Unfortunately, it would never be the case, Sieg. Since Ōnazuchi has somehow managed to survive those attacks…" replied Viktoria back with disappointed look shown on her face.
"Should we start pounding it into paste, Viktor? At least until Vivi-chan and Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown are ready to shoot it down once again na…" asked Sieglinde for one more time, as she was definitely more than eager to start engaging the aforementioned elder dragon's subspecies, Ōnazuchi in close quarter combat. "It might be wiser for us to wait for Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown's further instruction, Sieg. Especially with such dangerous elder dragon's subspecies as our opponent this time around…" calmly replied Viktoria back before reminding her childhood best friend, Sieglinde to wait for Fate's further instruction instead. Once again another loud otherworldly howl together with crushing and slicing sounds were heard echoing across the entire area before everything went silent for all the sudden.
"What is happening with our opponent, Fate-mama? Why it suddenly went quiet?" curiously asked Vivio while readying one of her signature (guided) shooting spell variation, "Sonic Shooter Assault Shift" at the same time. "Something or someone must have caught it off guard, Vivio. Be careful…" answered Fate, as she decided to also warn her beloved adopted daughter, Vivio over an unidentified hostile signature that effortlessly defeat the aforementioned elder dragon's subspecies, Ōnazuchi just now. "Blaue Trombe also detect the said unidentified hostile signature that defeats Ōnazuchi just now, Vivi, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown. Because of that, we should prepare ourselves for an opponent in which undoubtedly a lot more powerful than the said elder dragon's subspecies itself…" added Viktoria before gracefully spun her faithful Armed Device, Blaue Trombe as well, at the same time.
Suddenly, right after Viktoria concluded her own remark just now, a towering muscular figure armed with an oversized crude Ram-Dao before trying to land a deadly decapitating blow towards Vivio and Fate. Fortunately, both Vivio and Fate manage to swiftly dodge their assailant's deadly blow just now before counterattacking afterwards. "Issen Hicchū (Flash Strike)! Sonic Shooter Assault Shift and Exceed Smash!" shouted Vivio while hurling her signature (guided) shooting spell variation, "Sonic Shooter Assault Shift" together with high-speed magically enhanced uppercut, "Exceed Smash" as well, simultaneously. Her assailant however quickly raised its oversized crude Ram-Dao before successfully blocked both Vivio's "Sonic Shooter Assault Shift" and "Exceed Smash" afterwards. It was also when Vivio somehow manage to briefly took a glimpse look at her mysterious assailant in which almost instantly reminded her to a savage barbarian tribe in which previously fought against the Saint King Alliance during Saint King Unification War back then.
"Here we go, Bardiche! Arcus Cultus Aegeas! Plasma Smasher, Fire!" shouted Fate, as she executes the upgraded version of her signature (aimed) bombardment spell, "Thunder Smasher" in which also known by "Plasma Smasher" name at her (their) mysterious assailant's back. At point-blank range, her signature (aimed) bombardment spell, "Plasma Smasher" almost instantly vaporized the said mysterious assailant's back before dissipating completely shortly after. "Did we manage to somehow defeat it, Fate-mama?" telepathically asked Vivio while once again readying her combat stance as well, at the same time. "Unfortunately not, Vivio. Since our opponent seems manage to heal itself quick enough using its regenerative ability…" telepathically responded Fate back, as she decided to also inform Vivio of their mysterious opponent's regenerative capability afterwards.
"Not too bad for mere mortal women. Especially after becoming the only one that somehow manage to injure me in this past seven hundred years…" praised the said mysterious assailant while swinging its oversized crude Ram-Dao at Vivio's direction horizontally. Luckily for the said young Sankt Kaiser-girl, Vivio Takamachi, her extreme reflexes and magical ability of fast parallel application has proven critical on dodging the said horizontal swung of her opponent's oversized crude Ram-Dao before counterattacking it as well, in return. "Gee! Thanks for the compliment! Sadly, I would rather not to continue this senseless fight if possible…" responded Vivio back before executing another one of her signature magically enhanced high-speed uppercut, "Exceed Smash" afterwards.
"Issen Hicchū (Flash Strike)! Exceed Smash!"
"Lemme help you, Vivi-chan! Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown!" offered Sieglinde before she leaped towards the said mysterious assailant in which currently preoccupied with Vivio's counterattack just now. "Don't forget about me as well, Sieg. Since it actually is a good time to show our opponent the true strength of Thunder Emperor Dahlgrün as well, I believe…" added Viktoria while slamming Blaue Trombe on the ground and preparing her signature shooting spell, the 54th Style "Spear Shard" as well, simultaneously. "Thanks, Viktoria, Sieglinde. Now, let me also show this opponent my true strength and absolute firepower as well…" thanked Fate before transforming her newly upgraded Intelligent Device, Bardiche Hornet from its main "Straight Saber Form" to "Javelin Form". She also at the same time began to prepare her new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin" in order to incapacitate the said mysterious assailant from point blank range. Luckily for Fate, her beloved adopted daughter, Vivio was proven to be more than capable of keeping this mysterious assailant busy, as it completely ignores her, as well as Sieglinde and Viktoria.
Sieglinde that has decided to help Vivio and Fate quickly land a powerful crushing punch at the aforementioned mysterious assailant's right shoulder, as sounds of dislocated joint and shattered bones can be heard came from it afterwards. Enraged because of the injury that Sieglinde's crushing punch has inflicted just now, this mysterious assailant quickly spun its massive body and tried to cleave her into half using its oversized crude Ram-Dao. Nonetheless, Sieglinde manage to quickly block the incoming oversized crude Ram-Dao using her Armed Device, Iron Wrists and grapple the supposedly massive mysterious assailant down afterwards.
Sieglinde and Vivio then simultaneously leaped back in order to get away from Viktoria and Fate's firing range. Fate in particular has readied her Bardiche Hornet's "Javelin Form" and could certainly fire her new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin" at any given time. Nevertheless, she waited for Viktoria to execute her signature shooting spell, the 54th Style "Spear Shard" first before completely incinerate this aforementioned massive mysterious assailant using her new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin". Thankfully, Viktoria was definitely perceptive enough to realize Fate's intention, as she wasted no time to execute her signature shooting spell, 54th Style "Spear Shard" towards the aforementioned mysterious assailant in which currently fell on its knees.
"54th Style! Spear Shard! Fire!"
"Here we go, Bardiche! Hornet Javelin! Fire!"
Right after Viktoria executed her signature shooting spell, 54th Style "Spear Shard", Executive Officer or Enforcer Fate Testarossa Harlaown decided to execute her new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin" at point-blank range towards the said mysterious assailant itself. Almost instantly, a huge magic explosion engulf the said mysterious assailant in which Viktoria's signature shooting spell, 54th Style "Spear Shard" skewered before completely incinerate it afterwards. "Did we finally defeat it now, Fate-mama?" asked Vivio, as she together with Sieglinde decided to approach both Fate and Viktoria simultaneously. "Hopefully we manage to finally defeat it, Vivio. Still, don't let your guard down just yet…" replied Fate before she decided to also remind her beloved adopted daughter Vivio to not let her guard down, at least for now.
"Uhm, how about you Viktor? Do you think our opponent could survive your and Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown's attack just now?" asked Sieglinde before preparing multiple high-density mana bolts at the same time. "In theory, no one could ever survive such explosion of raw magical power, Sieg. Yet, nothing is certain until we actually see any of its remains…" calmly answered Viktoria while smiling at her childhood best friend, Sieglinde as well, in return. "H-hai…" meekly replied Sieglinde back before she once again turned her attention at the leftover of magic explosion in which still engulf its target up until now. Unfortunately, it wasn't long however until Vivio's keen divine eyesight noticed that their mysterious assailant has survived both Fate's new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin" and Viktoria's signature shooting spell, 54th Style "Spear Shard".
"It still alive and starting to transform! Be careful everyone!" warned Vivio, as she decided to prepare her own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" afterwards. Almost instantly, Fate, Sieglinde and Viktoria were readying each of their respective combat stances after they heard Vivio's warning just now. Not long after Vivio warned Fate, Sieglinde and Viktoria of their opponent's survival, an inhuman howl and laughter was heard across the entire battlefield itself. "What was that?" asked Viktoria while blinking her eyes in disbelief when the said mysterious assailant in which previously has been skewered by her signature shooting spell, 54th Style "Spear Shard", as well as incinerated completely by Fate's new signature bombardment spell, "Hornet Javelin" could somehow recover and even transformed into an ultimately more powerful, savage and dangerous monster instead.
"It reminds me to a demon from Hero Asteion's Story, Viktor. Although someone seems to have successfully cut one of its horn na…" replied Sieglinde back before simultaneously getting ready to executes her signature (guided) shooting spell, "Gewehrkugel". "Don't let your guard down. It definitely is a lot more dangerous than before, everyone…" reminded Fate as well, as she transformed her faithful Intelligent Device, Bardiche Hornet back to its (his) "Straight Saber Form" shortly afterwards. It was when the said mysterious assailant in which has already transformed into an even massive and hideous beast laughed and taunted Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde, as well as Viktoria at the same time.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! No one ever wounded me to such extend and force me to transform before. Not even the Black Swordsman could have done that and you all are definitely worthy enough to face my true form! Now tremble in terror puny humans, as Zodd, The Immortal shall crush you and feed upon your fear! Behold the power of one that has surpassed humanity and become an Apostle!" taunted the said mysterious assailant in which introduced itself as Zodd, The Immortal before it leaped towards Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria's direction while swinging both of its massive arms. Vivio and Fate quickly leaped back to dodge the incoming swung from Zodd, The Immortal's massive arms while Sieglinde and Viktoria opted to block it using their faithful Devices, Iron Wrists and Blaue Trombe respectively.
"Have you encountered an Apostle before, Fate-mama?" telepathically asked Vivio before she executes her own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" towards Zodd, The Immortal's direction. Once again another explosion of raw magical energy blasted Zodd, The Immortal's back as Vivio's own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" directly hit it. Nevertheless, it wasn't strong enough to even significantly injure Zodd, The Immortal in which has already transformed into its true "Apostle" form. "I don't think so, Vivio. Although we should fight it first and find out about its true nature afterwards…" replied Fate back, as she decided to charge towards Zodd, The Immortal in which currently busy fighting Sieglinde and Viktoria. Swiftly, Fate landed multiple vertical, as well horizontal slices at Zodd, The Immortal's gigantic body using Bardiche Hornet's "Straight Saber Form" and successfully injure it in the process. "It undoubtedly powerful but not immortal…" muttered Fate alone under her breath while continuing her melee attack as well, gracefully.
Using her signature (guided) shooting spell, "Gewehrkugel", Sieglinde manage to break free from Zodd, The Immortal's powerful and relentless assault just now. It was also when she decided to grapple Zodd, The Immortal's gigantic body in order to temporarily paralyse its movement as well, at the same time. Sieglinde's childhood best friend, Viktoria Dahlgrün was then activates Blaue Trombe's secondary form by separating the end-tip of its main "Halberd Form" and dual-wield it as a separate mana energy blade afterwards. It also when Viktoria decided to also attack the currently immobile Zodd, The Immortal using a certain magically enhanced katana-drawing attack spell, "Water Moon" or "Suigetsu" in which she previously learnt from her best friend and rival, Micaiah Chevelle.
"Gaishiki (External Style)! Tendō Suigetsu!"
It was when a painful howl of wounded beast was heard across the entire battlefield, as Vivio, Fate, Sieglinde and Viktoria's combined effort have somehow manage to once again significantly injure their opponent, Zodd, The Immortal. "I think, we manage to somehow injure it significantly na…" remarked Sieglinde, as she twisted Zodd, The Immortal's massive right arm before dislocating it from its shoulder afterwards. "It seems to be the case, Sieg-san. Although, please don't let your guard down, as it could still recover thanks to its regenerative ability…" responded Vivio before she decided to also remind Sieglinde about Zodd, The Immortal's regenerative capability in which proven to be quite troublesome as well, in return. Sadly, it was also when Zodd, The Immortal swung its previously incapacitated right arm towards Vivio, Fate and Viktoria while simultaneously throwing Sieglinde away, in the process.
"Overdrive, True Sonic Form!"
"Sonic Drive, ignition!"
Shouted Fate, as she executed the command phrase to activate her Barrier Jacket's "True (Shin) Sonic Form" that significantly enhances her speed and offensive capability as well, right afterwards. Using her raid under "True (Shin) Sonic Form", Fate swiftly dodge Zodd, The Immortal's massive right arm and caught Sieglinde as well, midair. Vivio on the other hand decided to also dodge Zodd, The Immortal's massive right arm before she decided to swiftly execute her counterattack as well, at the same time. Once again Vivio executes her own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" towards Zodd, The Immortal's exposed torso before letting Viktoria to also execute her own signature magic-enhanced attack spell, 4th Style "Flickering Light" afterwards.
"Issen Hicchū (Flash Strike)! Divine Buster!"
"Yon Shiki (4th Style)! Shunkō (Flickering Light)!"
True to its name, right after Viktoria stabbed Zodd, The Immortal's exposed torso using her faithful Armed Device, Blaue Trombe, she releases rapid electric shock from its tip in which completely electrocute the supposedly immortal Apostle's internal organ completely. Such powerful attack should be proven powerful enough to completely kill any mortal opponents no matter how powerful they are. Yet, Zodd, The Immortal manage to somehow survive both Vivio's own version of (aimed) bombardment spell, "Divine Buster" and Viktoria's own signature magic-enhanced attack spell, 4th Style "Flickering Light" before counterattacking with its free gigantic left arm.
"Is this Apostle happens to be immortal? I never met anyone that could even survive Flickering Light before!" stated Viktoria in disbelief, as she blocked Zodd, The Immortal's attack using her faithful Armed Device, Blaue Trombe. Vivio in which has somehow manage to dodge Zodd, The Immortal's attack just now decided to respond Viktoria's remark while readying her strongest (aimed) bombardment spell, "Sacred Blazer" as well, at the same time. "I don't think that was the case, Viktor-san. I believe, it only happens to regenerate faster than any opponents that also possessed such ability in the past…" explained Vivio in her respond towards Viktoria's remark just now, as she also reassured her that Zodd, The Immortal was never truly immortal after all.
Viktoria in return was only letting a small chuckle out, as she saw young Sankt Kaiser-girl, Vivio's reassuring grin when she (Vivio) responded at her (Viktoria's) remark just now. It reminded her on how optimistic Vivio truly was even when fighting any opponents in which undoubtedly a lot more powerful and deadly than the said young Sankt Kaiser-girl herself. Because of that, Viktoria has once again decided to face her strong opponent, Zodd, The Immortal and defeat it. Since only by doing so, she could actually hope to find Ave, Einhalt and Nove in which completely vanished after Sieglinde accidentally activates a supposedly dormant Crossgate Paradigm Portal not so long ago.
Once again Viktoria spun her Armed Device, Blaue Trombe, as she readied her combat stance simultaneously. She failed to completely defeat Zodd, The Immortal using her signature magic-enhanced attack spell, 4th Style "Flickering Light". Nevertheless, the young heiress of Thunder Emperor Dahlgrün, Viktoria Dahlgrün managed to injure Zodd, The Immortal with it. Because of that, Viktoria decided to trust Vivio's explanation and tried her best to completely defeat the said monstrous Apostle itself. Since again, only by doing so that she could actually hope to find, as well as Ave, Einhalt and Nove without fail.
"Yet, it would be impossible for myself alone to defeat it. Because of that, will you help me, Vivi? Sieg? Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown?" requested Viktoria, as she decided to show them her elegant and determined smile afterwards. "Hai, Viktor-san!" affirmatively answered Vivio while grinning at Viktoria as well, in return. "With our combined effort, we will definitely defeat it in no time na. Don't you agree with me, Viktor?" added Sieglinde before asking her childhood best friend, Viktoria a rhetorical question as well, subsequently. It was also when both Vivio and Sieglinde once again readying their respective combat stances to face Zodd, The Immortal in which have almost completely recover from Viktoria's signature magic-enhanced attack spell, 4th Style "Flickering Light" just now.
"ARE YOU STILL TRYING TO CHALLENGE ME DESPITE OF ITS FUTILITY, MORTALS? I NEVER MET SOMEONE AS FOOLISH AS YOU FOUR BEFORE!" taunted Zodd, The Immortal before it once again letting a loud monstrous roar almost simultaneously afterwards. It was when multiple electric spheres surrounded by Mid-Childan loops began to charge their power and speed before shooting arrowhead-shaped projectiles that once again impale Zodd, The Immortal as its caster, Executive Officer Fate Testarossa Harlaown sternly gave her respond back at its (Zodd, The Immortal's) taunt before. "Nothing is futile when we work together. I hope you are ready to taste your inevitable defeat Zodd, The Immortal!" responded Fate, as she executes more of her (aimed) shooting spell, "Plasma Lancer" to further incapacitate Zodd, The Immortal.
"Arcus Cultus Aegeas! Plasma Lancer, Fire!"
Right after she executes her (aimed) shooting spell, "Plasma Lancer", Fate engaged Zodd, The Immortal in melee combat. Using Bardiche Hornet's "Straight Saber Form", Fate sliced Zodd, The Immortal's chest and left a massive gash on it. Zodd, The Immortal tried to crush Fate with its massive claws, as she parried them using her faithful Intelligent Device, Bardiche Hornet's "Straight Saber Form". It was also when both Sieglinde and Viktoria decided to help Fate by simultaneously attack the currently incapacitated Zodd, The Immortal with their respective magic-enhanced attack spells, "Speerfaust" and External Style "Tendō Suigetsu". In the end, both Sieglinde's "Speerfaust" and Viktoria's External Style "Tendō Suigetsu" have successfully inflict additional significant injuries towards Zodd, The Immortal before incapacitate it further afterwards.
"Vivio (Vivi) (Vivi-chan)!" simultaneously signalled Fate, Viktoria and Sieglinde, as they retreated right after successfully incapacitate Zodd, The Immortal just now. Vivio swiftly readied her combat stance, as she also began to charge her mana into a huge iridescent-coloured sphere together with Mid-Childan Circle muzzle using her right fist. "I got it, Fate-mama! Viktor-san! Sieg-san!" replied Vivio before once again turning her attention back at Zodd, The Immortal in which currently struggle to stand back on its feet. In the end, without wasting any more time, Vivio unleashed her strongest (aimed) bombardment spell in which completely incinerate Zodd, The Immortal's wounded body almost instantly.
"Issen Hicchū (Flash Strike)! Sacred Blazer!"
It was when the supposedly prolonged battle ended abruptly, as Vivio's strongest (aimed) bombardment spell, "Sacred Blazer" completely incinerate Zodd, The Immortal away. Sieglinde and Viktoria were amazed that they could somehow defeat this supposedly powerful Apostle quickly while Fate smiled proudly over her beloved adopted daughter's (Vivio's) accomplishment just now. Vivio in the meantime was letting a relieved sigh after her faithful Device, Sacred "Chris" Heart reassured her of Zodd, The Immortal's ultimate demise. "So, shall we resume our investigation? Since only by doing so, we could certainly find Haru-nyan and Ave-han…I mean Executive Officer Takamachi na…" suggested Sieglinde while innocently smiling at Fate, Vivio and Viktoria as well, at the same time. "I was about to also say the same thing. What do you think about it, Executive Officer Testarossa Harlaown?" enquired Viktoria, as she decided to inspect this uncharted area using her Armed Device, Blaue Trombe afterwards.
"I also agree with Sieglinde and your suggestion. Especially with our investigation already took longer than what we previously anticipated…" calmly answered Fate back while simultaneously reaffirming her decision to assist Viktoria, Sieglinde and Vivio in their investigation as well. "Thanks, Fate-mama! We definitely find Ave-nii and Einhalt-san in no time with your help, tee hee…" cheerfully thanked Vivio before resuming her own investigation with Sacred "Chris" Heart's help. Fate in return was only smiling at her beloved adopted daughter, Vivio and approvingly nodded back as well, simultaneously. It was also when she deactivates her Barrier Jacket's "True (Shin) Sonic Form" by reverting it back to its default or basic configuration, "Impulse Form" and decided to assist Vivio investigating this uncharted area further.
Unbeknownst to Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria, a mysterious lone figure was secretly watching over them. This mysterious lone figure in which also happen to be a seventeen years old young woman in long greyish-blue combat dress decided to let a small sigh out before once again engaged in her own inner monologue. "They have tried to escape this timeless prison that Hollow Night created a month ago. Yet, it is impossible for them to escape, as the Hollow Night would always summon them back after all…" muttered this mysterious lone figure alone under her breath before she once again letting another small sigh out. Indeed, no one has ever successfully escaped this phenomenon in which she just referred as a "Hollow Night". Nevertheless, this mysterious lone figure also undoubtedly thrilled with the possibility for Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria to escape or even defeat it.
A mysterious phenomenon known as a "Hollow Night" that previously already trapped countless unsuspected innocent souls once again appeared in front of her eyes. She already fought it in the past and unfortunately failed to eradicate it. Nevertheless, things might actually different this time around, as Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria have shown her such tenacity in which she never previously saw when past victims of this accursed "Hollow Night" turned into a nightmarish creature known as either "Void Fallen" or "Apostle" when they were consumed by their own fear, grief and hopelessness. Because of that, this mysterious lone figure decided to watch over them for a little longer while simultaneously providing her assistance if it was deemed to be necessary.
It was when this mysterious lone figure, Orie "Harada" Ballardiae made a silent vow to continue watching over Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria while simultaneously providing them with assistance when it deemed necessary for her to do so. Once again the said Fifth Executor of Licht Kreis, Orie "Harada" Ballardiae decided to follow Fate, Vivio, Sieglinde and Viktoria silently, as she knew very well on how their involvement in this "Hollow Night" might also helped her with the mission in which her organization, Licht Kreis has given her. A mission to "Destroy the Hollow Night together with other Nightmarish Realms that exist in these countless multiple multiverses itself, once and for all".
ED Theme Song: Iris (Performed By: Aoi Eir)
"Have you manage to find Fate-san, Subaru-san and Teana-san's whereabouts, Caro?" asked Erio Mondial, as he was seen readying his CW-AEC02M Strike Cannon "mass production model" AEC Armament as well, at the same time. Erio's current companion, in which also happens to be his beloved girlfriend, Caro Ru Lushe shook her head gently in disappointment before she responded at his question just now. "Sadly no, Erio-kun. Even Fried unable to detect Fate-san, Subaru-san and Teana-san's presences when we scouted our surrounding not so long ago…" responded Caro back while unsuccessfully trying to hide her anxious feeling as well, simultaneously. Realizing that his beloved girlfriend, Caro's anxiety has somehow made her feel distressed, Erio decided to reassure her that Fate, Subaru and Teana would certainly be fine.
"Fate-san, Subaru-san and Teana-san would certainly be fine, Caro. Since they are all older and more experienced than us after all…" reassured Erio back, as he smiled at his beloved girlfriend, Caro in return. "Uhn, you are right, Erio-kun. Perhaps, I am worrying about things a little too much…" admitted Caro in her respond towards Erio's reassuring reply just now. Caro's beloved silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich in the meantime was also agree at Caro, as he let an affirmative squeak out afterwards. After they decided to stop worrying about Fate, Subaru and Teana for the time being, Erio, Caro and Friedrich once again continue their investigation together before stumble across an abandoned tunnel.
"Uhm, have we seen this tunnel before, Erio-kun?" asked Caro before investigating its dilapidated entrance at the same time. "Personally, I don't think so Caro. Especially with Strada constantly updating this entire area's map ever since we arrived not so long ago…" answered Erio back before he glanced at his faithful Armed Device, XS-02 Strada in which currently in its (his) "Standby Form", a wristwatch on Erio's right arm afterwards. "It would be nicer if Lu-chan is here with us. Since she is undoubtedly more experienced than us in this kind of situation, I believe…" replied Caro back, as she also mentioned on how things would definitely be easier if their best friend, Lutecia Alpine is with them at this very moment.
"LuLu is without doubt more experienced than us when investigating uncharted region, as well as abandoned ruin. Nevertheless, both of us could also done the same albeit taking a little more time than her. Because of that, we should definitely be fine, Caro…" once again reassured Erio while smiling at his beloved girlfriend, Caro as well, in return. Caro in the meantime was only smiling back at Erio before giving him a small affirmative nod as well, not long afterwards. In the end, both Erio and Caro decided to investigate this abandoned tunnel in front of them while letting each of their respective Devices, XS-02 Strada and XK-04h Kerykeion to keep on mapping this aforementioned abandoned tunnel itself for future reference.
"Did you sense anything, Fried?" meekly asked Caro, as her faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich seems to have sensed something. Caro's beloved boyfriend, Erio in the meantime decided to also readying his CW-AEC02M Strike Cannon "mass production model" AEC Armament, as he gave her (Caro) an affirmative nod as well, afterwards. Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich once again squeaked, as it (he) tried to let her (Caro) knew about its (his) finding. Thankfully, Caro was perceptive enough to understood Friedrich's signal, as she decided to inform her beloved boyfriend, Erio of what the aforementioned silver flying dragon companion of hers have found in this abandoned tunnel.
"Friedrich said that he noticed strange aura came from the deepest part of this tunnel. Should we listen to him and investigate it, Erio-kun?" asked Caro, as she also mentioned about Friedrich in which has just detected strange aura came from the deepest part of this abandoned tunnel itself. "Certainly, Caro. Since Friedrich might actually find something that proven crucial for our investigation after all…" answered Erio back while affirmatively agree with his beloved girlfriend, Caro's suggestion to listen at Friedrich's warning about strange aura that resides in the deepest part of this aforementioned tunnel and investigate it.
Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich in the meantime decided to let a happy squeak out before he (it) led both Caro and Erio deeper into this abandoned itself afterwards. As they traverse deeper into this abandoned tunnel, Erio and Caro decided to have casual conversation about many different things that took place after Break The World occurred. Erio in particular mentioned on how Break The World has helped them to become stronger, as they met many different people that would later on became their trusted allies, rivals and enemies as well. Caro added on how their encounter with Executive Officer Ave J.C Takamachi in the past has taught them many different things. Especially when he taught them, as well as everyone else about multiple different things that they never previously encounter if it wasn't due to Break The World itself.
"Executive Officer Takamachi has helped us a lot in the past, as he explained many different things in which we never before encountered. Because of that, we are certainly grateful for everything that he has done for us. Don't you agree, Caro?" asked Erio before smiling at his beloved girlfriend, Caro Ru Lushe as well, shortly afterwards. "Uhn! That is why Sis and Einhalt are all falling in love with him, Erio-kun. Since Executive Officer Takamachi is also love and cherish them greatly as well, in return…" affirmatively replied Caro back while mentioning on how Vivio, Einhalt and the rest of their friends are adoring him because of that. "A, ha, ha, ha. It wasn't surprise me at all. Especially when I heard that Vivio, Einhalt and even Ixy are among those people that love him as much as commander Yagami and sergeant major Eins themselves…" responded Erio back while letting out a small chuckle as well, simultaneously.
"Commander Yagami and Eins-san actually cool if Sis and Einhalt also become Executive Officer Takamachi's girlfriends, Erio-kun. Since polygamy is commonly practiced by Old Belka's practitioners, as long as everyone consented…" added Caro, as she reminded her boyfriend, Erio on how commander Hayate Yagami, as well as Reinforce Eins are surprisingly fine with the idea of Vivio and Einhalt becoming Ave's girlfriends. "Uh, well…it definitely reminds me to certain visual novel's protagonist that obtained his own harem in the end, as Executive Officer Takamachi is definitely fit that bill…" sheepishly responded Erio before he also once again letting a small laugh out as well, in return. "Mou! That actually is quite mean, Erio-kun. Since you also has both Lu-chan and I as your girlfriends as well, after all…" reminded Caro, as she scolded Erio for comparing Ave with certain visual novel's protagonist that successfully obtained his own harem in the end.
"Well, I won't deny that, Caro. Although I'm sure that no one could ever beat Executive Officer Takamachi, as we have yet add Fūka and Rinne as his potential girlfriends as well, after all…" responded Erio before arguing that Ave would still undoubtedly fit the bill of "certain visual novel's protagonist" even more when they added Einhalt's only disciple, Fūka Reventón and her childhood best friend, Rinne Berlinetta into the list of his (Ave's) potential girlfriends. "Actually there is one person that undisputedly known for having more than ten thousand girlfriends and currently live in Academy City, Erio-kun. I'm sure that you still remember Kamijō-san and his girlfriends that successfully defend Academy City, as well as Paradigm City from Chimera Corps' attacks in the past…" once again reminded Caro, as she also smiled at her beloved boyfriend, Erio Mondial as well, simultaneously. It also when Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich decided to let a small affirmative squeak out as Erio were only nodding back and smiled at her (Caro) as well, in return.
Both Erio and Caro were then decided to continue their friendly conversation while reminiscing about past events, as they entered the deepest part of the abandoned tunnel itself. They were then stopped in front of an empty chamber, in which Friedrich previously detected a strange aura from it. Erio decided to enter first while having his CW-AEC02 Strike Cannon "mass production model" AEC Armament ready, as Caro and Friedrich follow him from behind. "This place is dark and for some reason colder isn't it, Erio-kun? Should I ask Kerykeion to turn some light on?" asked Caro, as she found that this aforementioned empty chamber's interior was darker than the rest of the abandoned tunnel itself, after all. "That might be a good idea, Caro. Since it definitely is difficult for me to see in this kind of darkness, unfortunately…" affirmatively answered Erio back before closing both of his eyes as well, shortly afterwards. It was when Caro use her Boost Device, Kerykeion to illuminate this previously empty chamber while simultaneously letting Erio and Friedrich to protect her from any possible enemies' ambushes.
Right after she successfully illuminates the entire empty chamber using her prized Boost Device, XK-04h Kerykeion, Caro together with Erio and Friedrich could clearly saw the aforementioned empty chamber's interior clearly, as it certainly wasn't completely empty after all. In the middle of it, Erio, Caro and Friedrich saw a massive broken hourglass in which have already been abandoned for quite some time. Other than the massive broken hourglass in which firmly anchored on the ground, Erio, Caro and Friedrich saw multiple scattered scrolls, tomes and documents around it, as if someone or something have previously live in this now empty chamber itself. Erio in particular noticed on how some of these scattered scrolls, tomes and documents were unfortunately damaged beyond repair, as this abandoned tunnel's dampness have slowly but surely ate them away.
"Did you find any clue about the strange aura that Fried detected before, Erio-kun?" asked Caro, as she noticed that her beloved boyfriend, Erio has picked some of those scattered scrolls and documents in order to inspect them further. "Nothing is written in these documents unfortunately, Caro. Since they only contain multiple diagrams and schematics of certain something in which completely alien to us…" answered Erio back before he shook his head while smiling at his girlfriend, Caro as well, in return. Caro in the meantime just affirmatively nod back at Erio, as she picked another scattered scroll and document herself. Unfortunately for her, no information has been written in the scroll and document that she just picked up, as Caro decided to pick another one afterwards.
"By the way Erio-kun, Fried told me that he can no longer detect the strange aura in which previously came from this chamber. Do you think it has anything to do with our presence here?" informed Caro before asking Erio for his own opinion about what might just happened in this abandoned tunnel itself. "I don't think so, Caro. Since it seems already vanished even before we enter this place…" answered Erio back while helping his beloved girlfriend, Caro to inspect more of those scattered scrolls, tomes and documents at the same time. "Strange…" muttered Caro, as she decided to continue investigating those scattered scrolls, tomes and documents together with her beloved boyfriend, Erio. Friedrich in the meantime sat next to the aforementioned massive broken hourglass while carefully scan the entire chamber for one more time afterwards.
Erio definitely agreed with Caro's remark just now. It was without doubt strange for the said strange aura to just completely vanish shortly after he together with Caro and Friedrich arrived in front of this previously dim and empty chamber not so long ago. "Something is definitely not right here, as such strange reading shouldn't just vanished without any trace. Did it actually belong to someone or something that decided to conceal its presence from us? If only Fate-san, Teana-san or Executive Officer Takamachi is here with us, we could definitely investigate it more effectively and efficiently…" muttered Erio alone under his breath, as he also wondered on how everything would certainly became less complicated if Fate, Teana or Ave were here with them. Sadly however, such wishful thinking would never get them anywhere, as Erio was very well aware of that.
"Are you okay, Erio-kun? You seem spacing out just now…" meekly asked Caro with concerned look on her face. "Ah! I-I'm fine, Caro. Thanks for asking…" thanked Erio while reassuring his beloved girlfriend, Caro that everything is fine as well, in return. Unfortunately, Erio's reassurance happens to be short-lived, as he together with his beloved girlfriend could hear multiple footsteps were approaching them. Those footsteps came from outside, as Erio and Caro realized that they were currently trapped inside this previously empty chamber itself. Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich in the meantime decided to also getting ready for any enemies that decided to trap and attack him (it), together with Erio and Caro themselves.
"Don't let your guard down, Caro. Since we don't actually know our enemies' identity just yet…" warned Erio, as he decided to activate his Strike Cannon's "Open Mode" configuration afterwards. "I will, Erio-kun. You too, please be careful…" affirmatively replied Caro back while preparing her own AEC Armament, the "mass production model" of CW-AEC00X-S2 known as CW-AEC00M-S2 S2 Shield's Plasma Cannon Units at the same time. Erio, Caro and Friedrich were soon noticed that those multiple footsteps that they heard not so long ago suddenly disappeared, as if they never actually existed in the first place. "Are we imagining things or those footsteps just suddenly vanished?" asked Erio, as he noticed that Caro's face went pale almost instantly after she heard his question just now.
"I-I hope this place isn't haunted, Erio-kun. Since those footsteps might belong to something scary that haunt this place like Nehan…" answered Caro back with slightly tremble voice before she moves closer to her beloved tall boyfriend, Erio afterwards. Erio in return was only letting a small sigh out before he smiled and tried to reassure Caro that this abandoned tunnel wasn't haunted. Sadly however, he started to also suspect that it might actually be the case after all. Once again those footsteps were heard echoing across this supposedly abandoned tunnel albeit a lot louder than before. "Uh, I should say don't worry. Unfortunately though, I really have a bad feeling about what would happen next. Be careful…" once again warned Erio while replying back at Caro's answer just now. Caro in return was only affirmatively nodding back at Erio before getting ready for any unexpected development that about to happen.
Again, those mysterious footsteps suddenly vanished, as Erio, Caro and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich started to get even more nervous than before. Nothing suspicious were detected on both Erio and Caro's respective Devices, XS-02 Strada and XK-04h Kerykeion, as they together with their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich were completely alone in this abandoned tunnel. Yet, they could somehow noticed that someone or something have been spying on them closely while trying to also break their resolve as well as mental fortitude down at the same time. Those mysterious footsteps and strange aura that Erio, Caro and Friedrich detected not so long ago were most likely happen to be just another trick of mind in which their opponent has employed against them. Unfortunately however, Erio, Caro and Friedrich's strong mental fortitude were proven resilient enough for them to completely withstand any of their mysterious opponents' underhanded tactics and attack after all.
It was quiet, extremely quiet, as Erio, Caro and Friedrich once again found themselves alone in this deepest part of the supposedly abandoned tunnel itself. No strange noises, aura or footsteps were heard this time around, as they were wondered on what all of this about. Caro in particular has found this scary development actually reminded her to one particular investigation that she together with Erio and Lutecia were participating in the past. They together with Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich were investigating multiple disappearance and homicide cases that took place in an old resort town not far from Britannia Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations' new capital, Arkham City. This aforementioned old resort town, Silent Hill has been vanished for quite some time and suddenly reappeared right after Break The World took place. Because of that, as Time-Space Administrative Bureau's fame has exponentially raised after saving the newly born Integrate World from BETA's onslaught, Britannia Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations' governments requested their help to investigate Silent Hill that mysterious reappeared.
Unlike a large-scale campaign that Time-Space Administrative Bureau participated in the newly fused multiple Unlimited and Alternative Worlds known as Integrate World, they only require small reconnaissance teams to investigate Silent Hill. It was when two teams were temporarily formed to tackle this request with Alpha Team consist of Erio, Caro, Lutecia and Friedrich while Bravo Team consist of Vivio, Einhalt, Rio and Corona. In the meantime, unbeknownst to both Alpha Team and Bravo Team's members, Fate, Shari, Teana and Ave have also secretly conducting their own investigation with Kurō Daijūji and Ruri Hadō's assistance. Eventually both Alpha and Bravo Team started their infiltration mission, as none of their members would be expecting any unspeakable horrors that would be waiting for them in there.
Alpha and Bravo Team's mission was actually quite simple, as they only need to infiltrate Silent Hill in order to investigate its sudden reappearance. Unfortunately however, Erio and Caro remember exactly on how the supposedly simple infiltration mission has end up becoming complicated when Alpha Team suddenly lost contact with Bravo Team right after they enter the accursed resort town of Silent Hill itself. Isolated within the mist-covered Silent Hill, Erio, Caro, Lutecia and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich decided to continue their investigation while looking for Vivio, Einhalt, Rio and Corona as well, at the same time. It wasn't an easy task, as Erio, Caro, Lutecia and Friedrich started to realize on how the accursed resort town, Silent Hill constantly changed while simultaneously trying to devour them alive as well, unfortunately.
By the time Erio, Caro, Lutecia and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich manage to locate, as well as rendezvous with Vivio, Einhalt, Rio and Corona, the accursed resort town of Silent Hill has already transformed into a demonic realm known as the "Dark World". Caro remembered that her genre-savvy "Sis", Vivio decided to refer this demonic realm version of Silent Hill or the "Dark World" simply as the "Reverse Side", as it exist parallel with the actual Silent Hill itself, after all. Rio and Corona in particular mention that this "Dark World" version of Silent Hill was indeed dark, decaying and oppressively ruined, as many of its environment were partially or sometimes entirely made up of rusted and bloodstained metal floors and walls. Grating, fencing, barbed wire or entire sections of wall composed of flesh, as well as organic material resembling gore were also common in this "Dark World" version of Silent Hill.
According to Lutecia's analysis, the aforementioned "Dark World" version of Silent Hill could only manifest when countless victims and tortured souls began to shape its existence in which slowly but surely creep over the third newborn world itself. Similar to how those tortured souls of Sachiko Shinozaki's victims maintain both "Heavenly Host" and the tainted part of "Nehan" even after Queen of the Night Sky, Hayate Yagami together with her beloved first generation Blessed Wind, Reinforce Eins and boyfriend, Ave purify its accursed existence, this "Dark World" version of Silent Hill also use an exact same method to maintain its existence as well. Because of that, Silent Hill's existence would always be eternal. Even after Vivio and Einhalt manage to destroy its core using their ultimate spells, "Sacred Blazer" and "Hegemon Sky-severing Knuckle" or "Haō Dankū Ken" respectively.
In the end, none of these people that have previously vanished and those homicide victims were found, as Caro remembered very well on how she together with Erio, Lutecia and Friedrich decided to left Silent Hill right after Vivio and Einhalt destroy its core. With its complete destruction has been confirmed by Rio and Corona's respective faithful Devices, Solfège and Brunzel, they decided to also leave Silent Hill immediately before any unexpected development would somehow prevent them to do so. It was when both Alpha and Bravo Team manage to successfully escape the accursed resort town of Silent Hill before they returned back to Time-Space Administrative Bureau's provisional headquarter in Tacoma Base, Seattle and submitted their investigation report to commander Hayate Yagami and her assistant, Reinforce Zwei afterwards.
Mysterious voices, decayed, as well as revolting sceneries and never-seen-before monstrosities in which included in their report has definitely similar to the sound of these mysterious footsteps that Caro, Erio and Friedrich heard just now. Echoing in this supposedly long abandoned tunnel, the said sound of mysterious footsteps that Caro, Erio and Friedrich heard has reminded them to the "Dark World" version of Silent Hill's unspeakable terror itself. Even without any of those decayed and revolting sceneries filled with nightmare induced gore, rusted as well as bloodstained metal floors and walls, Erio, Caro and Friedrich knew exactly on how dangerous this abandoned tunnel itself, after all. Once again Erio and Caro decided to let their faithful Devices, XS-02 Strada and XK-04h Kerykeion to perform "Area Search" across the entire abandoned tunnel's structure in order to find any possible hostile enemies that have been trying to ambush them. Unfortunately, both XS-02 Strada and XK-04h Kerykeion returned empty handed, as no suspicious movement or activity were detected in the end.
"Shall we try one more time, Erio-kun? We might find something this time around…" suggested Caro while hoping that their next attempt would be successful. "It probably is a good idea, Caro. Still, stay sharp, as our enemies would most likely ambush us once we let our guard down…" replied Erio back, as he reminded his beloved girlfriend, Caro to never let her guard down at the same time. It also when their faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich let an affirmative squeak, reaffirming his (its) decision to follow Caro's suggestion just now. Once again, Caro and Erio instructed their faithful respective Devices, Strada and Kerykeion to perform another "Area Search" across this abandoned tunnel thoroughly. Suddenly those mysterious footsteps that have been previously vanished echoed across this supposedly abandoned tunnel louder than ever. It almost instantly alerted Erio, Caro and Friedrich, as they decided to fortify their position in this empty chamber by casting multiple barrier-type defensive spells around them.
Accompanied with a sudden loud crashing sound, the loud footsteps that Erio, Caro and Friedrich previously heard suddenly stop. Instead, they were replaced with a loud and painful inhuman shriek that came from this previously empty chamber's very entrance, in which Erio, Caro and Friedrich currently decided to fortify their position. Not long afterwards, Erio, Caro and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich heard a pair of high-spirited cry that they have been familiar with, as a loud exploding sound was heard across the entire abandoned tunnel itself. It also when Caro, Erio and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich saw a pair of synthetic magic battle duellers in which happen to be no other than Vivio's best friends, Rio Wesley and Corona Timil successfully defeat thirty orc-like creatures that previously tried to ambush them.
"Sōryū Enbu (Twin Dragon Waltz)!"
"Comet Blast!"
Shouted Rio and Corona, as they defeat those thirty orc-like creatures using their respective (guided) bombardment and shooting spells. Erio and Caro almost instantly letting a small relieved sigh out, as they saw Rio and Corona smiling at them. "Rio! Corona! Why are you here? I thought you are on standby with Nanoha-san!" greeted Erio, as he asked Rio and Corona for their unexpected presences in this abandoned tunnel afterwards. "I could tell that Vivio, Einhalt-san and Ave-nii might be in danger, Erio-nii! That is why we decide to help as per-Nanoha-san's permission…" cheerfully explained Rio while transforming her faithful Device, Solfège into a traditional Lūfen's one-handed straight sword known as "tàijíjiàn" at the same time. Corona in the meantime decided to construct and summon her golem, Goliath before she responded back at Erio's question just now.
"Still, we never expect to run into you two, mister Erio and miss Caro. It seems that an anomaly has occurred when our Devices tried to locate and teleport us directly to Vivio, miss Einhalt and mister Ave's location…" responded Corona towards Erio's question, as she now climbed on top of Goliath's left shoulder afterwards. "Uhm, what do you mean by that, Corona?" meekly asked Caro while performing an increase-type supportive spell, "Boost Up" to strengthen of buff Erio's movement speed and melee attack power. "Rio and I have previously asked our Devices, Solfège and Brunzel to pinpoint Chris an Asteion's location before teleporting us. Based on their calculation, we should successfully reach Vivio, miss Einhalt and mister Ave's location instead of end up in this abandoned tunnel itself, I believe…" explained Corona before she decided to also let a small sigh out as well, not long afterwards.
"Sol told me that there was an error and he accidentally teleport us here. I believe Brunzel would also say the same thing as well, Corona…" added Rio while turning her attention towards the one and only entrance or exit path in front of her at the same time. "She does actually say that, Rio. Although, I never thought that Solfège also said the exact same thing as well…" acknowledged Corona while replying at Rio's additional statement just now. Corona also at the same time turning her attention towards this previously empty chamber's main entrance or exit path in which she and Rio just previously came from. "Did you also hear that? Another footsteps that even louder than before…" warned Erio, as he asked on whether Rio and Corona also heard that. It also when Erio and Caro's faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich decided to let another affirmative squeak out, acknowledging Erio's warning just now.
"Yes, I could hear them, Erio-nii! Those are louder than before, I believe…" responded Rio back while readying her stance as well, at the same time. "Are they also belongs to those orc-like creatures that you two previously defeated, Rio? Corona?" asked Caro, as she together with her faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich were also simultaneously getting ready for another ambushes. "Most likely they aren't, miss Caro. Since these footsteps are definitely louder than before, they might belong to something bigger than those orc-like creatures in which Rio and I defeated just now…" calmly answered Corona before she decided to also get her newly constructed golem, Goliath ready for battle as well, afterwards.
"Something bigger than those orc-like creatures that you and Rio defeated just now…" muttered Caro alone, as she tried to let Corona's answer sunk deeper into her mind. "I speculate that our enemies might be cave trolls or giant orc-like berserkers in which previously depicted in those fantasy novels written by J.R.R. Tolkien…" stated Erio before he decided to take another deep breath to calm himself down as well. "I never fought cave trolls or giant orc-like berserkers before. Because of that, it might actually be interesting to actually fight one, Erio-nii! Caro-nē!" cheerfully added Rio, as she was also showing her eagerness to fight such enemies as well, at the same time. "Uhm, are you sure about that, Rio? Since these enemies are a lot more dangerous than those thirty orc-like creatures in which you and Corona previously defeated…" meekly asked Caro while reminding Rio on how dangerous these new enemies might be. Rio in return however, was only grinning at Caro before she reassured her that everything would definitely be fine after all.
"Don't worry, Caro-nē! We will definitely defeat them like how Corona and I defeat those thirty orc-like creatures previously…" reassured Rio, as she was also readying her "Spring Sunlight Fist's" or "Shunkō Ken's" combat stance as well, simultaneously. "I agree with Rio, miss Caro. Since the number for both cave trolls and orc-like berserkers that trying to ambush us are definitely less than those smaller orc-like creatures in which Rio, as well as I myself previously defeated…" added Corona before she decided to also smile and reassure Caro that things would definitely work out just fine in the end.
"Have you actually face cave trolls or giant orc-like berserkers before, Rio? Corona?" enquired Erio this time around, as he was certainly ready to face those incoming enemies with his CW-AEC02M Strike Cannon "mass production model" AEC Armament's "Open Mode" configuration. "Nope! But they won't be much different from those stone giants that Rio and I once fought when investigating Black Gulch in the past…" replied Rio back while grinning at Erio as well, simultaneously. "I'm pretty sure these stone giants are stronger, Rio. Since it took us a while to destroy them all if I remember correctly…" once again added Corona while reaffirming Rio's reply as well, at the same time. Erio and Caro were in return only affirmatively nodding back at both Rio and Corona before they together with their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich decided to continue on monitoring the one and only entrance into this previously empty chamber afterwards.
It was when those aforementioned footsteps suddenly disappeared, as multiple painful and agonising screams of those said inhuman monstrosities echoed across this entire abandoned tunnel structure itself. "I-I haven't done anything!" stated Rio while looking at Corona, Erio, Caro and Friedrich with confused look shown on her face. "Uhm, we know that, Rio. Even so, it certainly is unusual for someone to enter this abandoned tunnel undetected. Unless…" responded Caro back before pausing her sentence midway, as she remembered something. "Unless?" asked Erio, as he was curious over what his beloved girlfriend, Caro had in mind when she responded at Rio's statement just now.
"Unless this newcomer has arrived using the same method that Tsukasa-kun, I mean Masked Rider Decade utilized in the past, Erio-kun…" elaborated Caro further while concluding her previously unfinished respond as well, simultaneously. "Are you referring to mister Tsukasa Kadoya, miss Caro? I thought his journey has finally ended when we defeat Great Shocker across nine parallel worlds with mister Thoma, miss Lily and miss Isis' help back then…" asked Corona before mentioning Thoma, Lily and Isis' involvement in Masked Rider Decade's journey across nine parallel worlds as well, shortly afterwards. "Aren't Vivio and Einhalt-san also getting involved in this adventure as well, Corona? I'm sure they together with commander Yagami's Special Duty Section 6 have visited some if not every single one of those nine parallel worlds in order to help Tsukasa-san…" added Rio while asking Corona of Vivio and Einhalt's involvement in this adventure as well, in return.
Corona was about to respond back at Rio's question just now, as Erio for all the sudden signalled them to get ready. Both Corona and Rio were then postponed their conversation for another time, as they decided to heed Erio's warning. Caro together with her faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich in the meantime also quietly decided to get ready for any unexpected opponent in which happen to be strong enough to defeat those cave trolls or giant orc-like berserkers single-handedly. Soon enough, those painful agonising screams have suddenly died off, as a brief silence greeted Erio, Caro, Friedrich, Rio and Corona accompanied with a lone figure emerged from the said entrance itself.
It was when Erio, Caro, Friedrich, Rio and Corona instantly recognising this newcomer's identity, as they have fought him for several times in the past. He once tried to kill the former Magic God, Othinus in which Tōma Kamijō, Misaka Mikoto, Ave J.C. Takamachi, Reinforce Eins, Hibiki Tachibana, Vivio Takamachi and Heidi E.S. (Einhalt Stratos) Ingvalt tried to protect. Rio and Corona were at first among those people in which trying to hunt Othinus down before they decided to also protect her as well. In the end, Rio and Corona were left with no other choice, as they must fought him in order to protect Vivio and Einhalt, in which happen to also protecting the former Magic God, Othinus from his, as well as the entire world's wrath.
Erio, Caro and their faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich would also remember very well on how Rio and Corona's action on that fateful day has angered him greatly, as he decided to also hunt them down for obstructing his mission. His ferocity and tenacity when hunting them, as well as other Time-Space Administrative Bureau's operatives has forever remembered by Erio, Caro and their silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich, as he also once proven himself to be strong enough to fight both Nanoha and Fate in stalemate. Vivio, Einhalt, Rio and Corona were once tried to defeat him, as he could easily fought them all in standstill, simultaneously. It only after the "unison-ed" Hayate and Reinforce Zwei have arrived together with the unison-ed Ave and Reinforce Eins that they could force him to retreat.
Because of that, many would always forever remember his existence as "The Indigo Mage Slayer". Even though, Erio, Caro, their faithful silver flying dragon companion, Friedrich, Rio, Corona and several others that have fought him personally in the past would forever remember his true identity as a certain ferocious Masked Rider in which mercilessly tried to hunt, as well as kill any of his target in cold blood. His true identity was the Indigo Warrior, Kenzaki Kazuma, in which also happen to be well famously known and remembered by most people as Masked Rider Blade.
To Be Continued…