I could see the flying boat in the distance. It was taking off and getting higher as it went. I pushed more mana into my flight, wanting to get there before it got too fast for me to keep up with. A Phantom was hiding out on board with Guiche's face. How had that Phantom known we were even going to be here?
"Can't you fly any higher and faster?!" Guiche shouted over the wind.
"I'm trying!" I shouted back.
Crap! It was climbing more! Gotta move faster!
I kept pushing more mana into my wind magic as best as I could, but it was no use. If this keeps up, I'm gonna ran out of magic!
"Yoohoo, Darling~"
I glanced back and… groaned in agony. How the heck did she know where we were going?
Coming up from behind were Kirche and Tabitha, riding on top Sylphid.
"What are you two doing here?!" I asked shocked.
"I wanted to come with you Darling!" Kirche beamed. "I mean to hoard you when she has that dandy with her. Louise has no class!"
"Not the real reason…" Tabitha murmured as Sylphid flew next to me and Guiche.
"Huh?" I blinked behind my mask.
"Message from the Princess…"
"You got a message for me from Henrietta?" I asked confused and Tabitha nodded.
"Wardes… traitor to the Tristain crown."
WHAT?!
I almost fell out of the sky with that one. Guiche's yelp of fright managed to get me back to normal, "A traitor? When? How? Why? Please use whole sentences Tabitha!"
"Wardes is an undercover spy working for the rebels, Reconquista."
I blinked, still stunned but then groaned, "This cannot get any worse."
"Reconquista needs Louise for their plan." Tabitha added.
It did just get worse!
I let out a string of curses I'd rather not repeat. Focusing on the flying boat, I pushed my magic to send me after it at a faster pace. I was going to need a feast after this job…
"Get on…" Tabitha said.
"Huh?" I blinked.
"Save your magic. Get on." Tabitha repeated.
I dropped onto the dragon's back, secretly thankful that I could save some magic for that bastard spy and the Phantom. Of course Kirche took that moment to glomp me.
"Really…? Do we have to do this right now?" I sighed.
"Of course, right now!" Kirche giggled.
"Let me down please," Guiche groaned.
"Oh sorry…" I said, before letting Guiche sit behind me. Man, I hope Louise is okay…
LINE BREAK
(Cue theme)
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WARDES!" Louise shrieked. The cabin was less than pleasant at the moment.
"Forgive me Louise, but the mission takes top priority." Wardes apologized.
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Louise shouted. "WE LEFT KUROGASA BEHIND WHILE HE'S FIGHTING THE PHANTOMS! HOW COULD YOU?!"
"For the good of the mission, we can't dally," Wardes insisted.
*SLAP!*
Wardes looked shocked when Louise smacked him right across the cheek.
"You… You…" She growled dangerously.
Wardes looked back at Louise, still in shock. "Louise, I…"
"JUST STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Louise yelled, before running out of the cabin with tears streaming down her eyes.
"Well that went well." Guiche commented blandly.
"She'll be fine." Wardes assured. "She just needs to calm down and think things through…"
LINE BREAK
Louise ran through the airship, not carrying about the passengers on the ships looking at her strangely before she finally went up to the top deck of the airship. How could Wardes do that to her? She was his fiancée! They were going to need Kurogasa's magic to help them! Why was he so insistent on leaving him behind? Was he jealous? Was he insecure? All of these questions ran through her mind as she continued crying over her familiar. He was left alone fighting a Phantom and he could be dead.
"Kurogasa…" Louise sobbed.
LINE BREAK
"Ok, here's the plan." I said to Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche. "You three drop me off on the deck of the ship undetected and I'll take over from there. You just simply follow me without anyone noticing until we get to Wales's hiding place. Then once I give the signal, you barge in and get Wales out of there."
The plan was that I would take the ship and confront the Phantom. We didn't want Wardes to know we were onto him though. He was the one who had the knowledge of where Wales was hiding out. If he bailed on us, we'd be stuck in Albion and he'd be off to finish whatever plans he had for Wales on his own.
"Do you think it's going to work?" Guiche asked.
"It has to." I said. "That's why we can't afford to have this mission fail at all costs."
Doppelganger was dangerous as it was. With his ability to imitate anyone, unless I got him by surprise, he could hide among the passengers with no way to find him. If he got into Albion which was in such a state of chaos, he could turn every magi capable person into a Phantom without anyone noticing with their petty civil war.
"Get going." Tabitha said before she flew up high above the airship, so people won't notice.
"Alright, I'm going." I said, before I slipped on the Hurricane Style ring and flipped the Hand Author to the left, "Henshin!"
HURRICANE! PLEASE! FU! FU! FU, FU! FU, FU!
I changed to my emerald form and rode the air before landing on the deck of the boat. I landed behind some barrels, likely supplies for up–top.
Oh that's right, the paper that White Wizard gave me. I better check that out first.
The note went as follows: Be warned. Wiseman is stationed in Albion, using even the people who orchestrated the civil war to his advantage. No one inside the country is trustworthy.
WHAT?! WISEMAN IS IN ALBION?!
It took all my control not to scream that out loud. Come on though, how much worse was this day going to get. I had Doppelganger on the boat, Wardes was a traitor likely out on some mission for the rebels, and now I was walking into Wiseman's direct sphere of influence. The country was probably crawling with Phantoms and neither the nobility, or the rebels know it!
However, my train of thought stopped when… I heard sobbing? I glanced around before I saw a flash of pink. Well what do you know? It was Louise and she was crying for some reason.
"Kurogasa…" She sobbed.
Oh man, she's been thinking about me? How sweet of her. I smiled gently at that and then decided to come out of hiding, going back to civilian form. After that, I walked towards Louise with her back facing me, before I said, "Yo!"
"Huh?" Louise turned and gasped when she saw me, "KUROGASA!"
"Heya," I waved before Louise tackled me to the ground with a hug.
"You idiot, I thought you were dead!" Louise sobbed.
"Sorry. I was… held up." I said sheepishly.
"Idiot," Louise continued to sob.
"Oi, oi, oi, I get it now. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry ya." I said, before I got her to look at me and wiped her tears. "Now c'mon, no crying okay? It's ruining your beautiful face."
"Idiot…" she mumbled, "Don't scare me like that."
"I said I was sorry." I chuckled before both us got up. Louise just sniffled, wiping her eyes. Why did she have to be so cute sometimes? It made being serious difficult.
"Alright then, Louise, I need to listen to me very carefully." I said, placing my hands on her shoulder. "Don't freak out or get angry with whatever I'm about to tell you. What I'm about to tell you now is very important and you really need to trust me on this."
"Okay," Louise nodded.
"Good," I nodded. "Okay, first of all there's a Phantom on the boat. It's pretending to be Guiche."
"What?" Louise gasped. "You mean it's that–"
"Yes, it's the Doppelganger Phantom. I don't know what his plans are. It's most likely to find a Gate in Albion. Not only that Medusa and Gremlin were there at the town. I think they were trying to keep me there while the Doppelganger Phantom made his getaway here."
What about Guiche?" Louise asked worriedly. "Is he–?"
"No," I shook my head. "I sent him ahead to Albion with Tabitha and Kirche."
"Kirche and Tabitha…?" Louise blinked. "What are they doing all the way here?"
"That's just it. You see–"
"By the Founder, is that you Kurogasa?!" I heard Wardes's voice call out. I grit my teeth and put on a more pleasant face. I couldn't let Wardes know I was onto him yet.
"Uh, hey there," I greeted with a wave.
"By the Founder, you're alright!" Wardes smiled, coming up to me. "I heard from Guiche that you were attacked by Phantoms but, looking at you now, you somehow managed to escape!"
"A bit of luck, I have to admit," I sighed. "It wasn't easy."
"I have no doubt it wasn't. Well, now that you're here, we can finally continue on with our mission." Wardes said in relief.
"Of course," I nodded.
LINE BREAK
"So… Wizard is on his way here…" Wiseman said to himself.
"Yes Lord Wiseman," Medusa's voice echoed from a crystal ball. "One of our agents reports that he is here on the Princess's orders. However it has also come to our attention that the Captain of the Griffon Squad is a double agent for Reconquista and plans to assassinate Wales and claim the girl's magic for their efforts."
"Is that so…" Wiseman pondered. "Very well then, I will personally deal with Wizard myself while Doppelganger continues with his mission. What of the White Wizard?"
"We believe he is aware of both our movements and of Reconquista and is funneling information to all concerned parties," Medusa replied. "He handed the Wizard a paper before letting him escape while he fought Gremlin and I."
"I see. And he escaped after Wizard left?"
"Correct."
"Disappointing," Wiseman shook his head. "However, it is expected. Continue the mission."
"Yes Lord Wiseman," Medusa said, before the crystal ball lost its shine.
"Wizard… I wonder if you're as strong as the first one. I suppose I should find out since I'm going out there personally."
LINEBREAK
The ship soon arrived at the Albion Port and docked. Louise, "Guiche", Wardes, and I all got off with our supplies, horses, and Verdande in tow.
"Alright, where do we go from here Wardes?" I asked.
"I've been made aware of one of the last strongholds that the royalty has in the area," Wardes explained, pulling out a map. "Louise, make sure you keep the Water Ruby close. We are going to need it in order to prove to the men there that we are on their side."
"Yes Wardes." Louise nodded.
"Alright Verdande, if anyone can find jewelry, it's you. Sniff out the one that smells like Louise's." I said.
The mole gave off a soft coo before sniffing the air. After a moment, she began waddling off in what seemed to be a random direction.
"Are you sure that mole of yours can find its way to Wales, Guiche?" Louise frowned.
"Oh my darling Verdande has a nose like none other!" the false Guiche beamed. "She'll find the way!"
"Right…" I sweat dropped. "Well, let's follow the mole."
Unfortunately, while Verdande was able to go in a straight line by digging under or through obstacles, we did not have that luxury so we didn't have an easy time of it sometimes. But on the bright we were able to get through where we were supposed to go undetected. It'd be really bad if the rebels find us and if they did, we'd be in serious trouble and we'd have no choice but to abort the mission.
I was at first surprised that no one stopped us considering how we stood out, but then I remembered Wardes was working with the rebels so they likely had orders to leave us alone.
After going through the forest and crossing a couple streams here and there, we arrived at some church complex that seemed abandoned for some time. It was probably the best place for Wales to hide in. Churches were places civilians went to in times of crisis, not used as bases by soldiers. We approached the church doors, but there were no signs of anyone there. However, that was likely part of the ruse.
We opened the doors and it was somewhat dark and the place was empty.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Louise asked.
That was when the men in full suits of armor hiding in the pews and beside the doors all revealed themselves, pointing swords at us.
"Pretty sure," I nodded. I then placed a ring on and put it in front of the Hand Author.
CONNECT! PLEASE!
The small magic circle appeared and I pulled Derf out. "Yo, aibou what's up?" Derf asked.
"The usual," I replied, gesturing the knights. "In over our heads,"
"Haha, I like that!" Derf laughed.
"Hold on Kurogasa!" Louise said, getting in front of me. "Let me talk to them!"
"Please do before they try to kill us." I sighed.
Louise then turned to the soldiers and said, "My name is Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière! I come on behalf of Princess Henrietta de Tristain to have an audience with Prince Wales!"
"And what do you want him for?" asked one of the knights. Louise didn't answer, but instead showed him the Water Ruby ring. The Water Ruby began to shine in the darkness, but oddly enough a similar light begin to shine from the hand of the knight talking to us. "The glow between the Water and Wind Ruby signifies the relationship between Henrietta and me." The knight said. Wait a minute, is the guy under armor–
"Your Majesty," Louise gasped.
The knight took off his helmet to reveal his face. I had to admit, the guy looked every bit a prince. Blonde hair, charming face, it was easy to see on looks alone why Henrietta fell for him. He was dressed exactly like his knights, likely to hide his identity in case of an attack.
"That's right. Prince Wales Tudor at your service." The prince smiled.
LINE BREAK
Louise and I were brought to Wales' private office. Louise handed over the letter we were to give to him and he quickly read it over. He was silent for a moment and he seemed to take solace in her words. Silent for a moment, he then set down the letter.
"I know of the letter you need," he nodded. Walking to a dresser he opened a drawer and removed a yellowed envelope with a broken wax seal on it. Looking at the letter sadly, he brought it over to us and handed it over to her. "Here. I would suggest you destroy it. We do not wish for it to land in the hands of the rebels. It would break the alliance Tristain is creating with Germania."
"Our orders were to retrieve it, not destroy it." I said.
In hindsight, why didn't we just destroy the letter? It would be safer for the Princess. Then again, Henrietta probably wanted at least a little bit of a reminder of her relationship with the man.
"And besides, that letter is proof that she loves only you, not the Emperor of Germania." I added.
"That may be, but I'd rather have that letter burned than risk the alliance between Tristain and Germania." Wales said.
"You'd sacrificed your own happiness for that?!" I asked incredulously.
"If it would ensure Henrietta's continued life so that she can one day love the man she marries, I will," Wales nodded.
*POW!*
I punched him straight on the face, with rage and anger on mine.
Louise made an enraged squawk and I expected Wales to be angry at me. However, he seemed resigned to what I did. Rather than be outraged, he got back up and checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding.
"Do you have any idea how heartbroken she was?! Begging for Louise and me to do anything to help?!" I asked. "She knew you wouldn't, but she all but pleaded for us to do something that will keep you from getting yourself killed! The rebels are winning! If something doesn't change you will die and can you imagine the pain it will cause her?!"
"I…" Wales got out.
"She loves you and only you dammit!" I yelled. "She already lost her father! She doesn't need another loved one dying on her! I promised her that I'd bring you back to Tristain! If you were to die, she would fall into despair so much that she herself will die! You're her only hope!"
Wales looked like he got what I was talking about, but then he steeled herself, "As much as I want that, Albion needs me. I can't let it fall to those snakes calling themselves revolutionaries when they are the ones who orchestrated the crimes they used to rally the people against us. The nobles who swore fealty to my father let greed run their thoughts, thinking of nothing but titles and gold instead of the good of the country."
"Speaking of," I sighed. So there were people pulling the strings. "I have reason to suspect that the Captain of the Griffon Squadron who escorted us here is an agent for a group called Reconquista."
Louise squawked at me in surprise, "W–What?!"
I removed the messages both from the White Wizard and Henrietta from my pocket, "Two different sources sent word that evidence that Wardes is a secret agent, sent here to kill you, steal the letter to destroy the alliance, and take Louise away for Reconquista's war efforts."
"What? Are you sure?" Wales gasped.
"I'm positive." I nodded. "That's why I want you to come with us back to Tristain in the first place."
Wales was no longer safe in Albion. The rebels, Reconquista, whatever they called themselves already knew where Wales was and orchestrated events so they could get in close with them. If they could get agents in Tristain, then likely that had agents working within the ranks of the loyalists. Hidden and forced on the defensive in Albion, it would be easy for an assassin to take him out. As a refugee in Tristain, he would be properly protected.
"You may live for Albion, but to your men and loyal people you are Albion." I insisted. "If you die, then Reconquista are guaranteed to win and we both know they won't stop. If its greed, religion, or some other reason these people aren't going to stop with just Albion. They're going to try for the other countries eventually, seeing it as their right or responsibility to take the other countries into their fold."
"L–Let me, see those!" Louise cried, snatching the letters from my hand.
"Oi," I said giving her the stink eye.
Louise opened both letters and paled as she read the words. During our flight to Albion, I read them over. The White Wizard's letter was a simple warning to Wardes' character, warning him that the man wasn't what he said he was. Henrietta's letter described how documentation was found in Wardes' office were decoded orders from a man named Cromwell which in simple terms, once flowery words and arrogance were filtered out, to kill Wales, take the letter so they could isolate Tristain for future invasion plans, and kidnap Louise so they could use her power to destroy and subjugate the masses, making them look holy if a Void User sided with them.
"N–No… it can't be…" Louise said stunned as she fell to her knees.
"Miss Vallière!" Wales gasped as he and I moved to keep her from hurting herself. He looked up to me when it seemed Louise as nigh catatonic. "What on earth–?"
"Like you, a severely broken heart, but worse because in this case it is betrayal." I sighed, Wales and I moving Louise over to his bed. "She and Wardes were engaged to be married. She's quite taken with him and for years he had been one of her sole supporters when her own family doesn't expect much from her. This betrayal cuts deep."
"What do we do?" Wales asked.
"For now, we play ignorant." I offered. "Wardes may have backup or superiors coming. If he kills you, he would have to run quickly and with Louise. He tried to leave me and Guiche behind, but if he tries anything his allies are going to come running to get him out and secure their objective. If they only think Wardes succeeded though…"
"What are you suggesting?" Wales asked again. "Do we fake my death?"
"Maybe not fake your death, but set off Wardes' signal to summon his backup." I offered. "After all, only your men are inside the church right now and no doubt Wardes' backup is hiding within watching distance."
"That's true." Wales pondered, putting a hand to his chin.
"However, we just need to trap Wardes in the act," I pointed out. "It's all well and good that we have accusations and supposedly proof. However, at the same time I have suspicions that it could very well be a ploy to trick you into burning bridges with Tristain."
"Yes. It would be something those snakes would do." Wales agreed.
I had no doubt that Kirche and Tabitha were sincere in having gotten the letter from Henrietta to deliver. What I did doubt was how Henrietta found out. It seemed to… coincidental that just as we are preparing to leave they discover the man's a traitor. The fact the White Wizard found out the same thing didn't fill me with confidence either.
"So the only way to be sure is to give Wardes the opportunity." I explained. "An opportunity no assassin could resist. If he goes for it, then we'll know and if he doesn't then we can guess the information is false."
"It's worth a shot." Wales nodded.
"Then let's do it." I said. With that, I grabbed the letter that Wales had and the two of us then went out the door until… we saw Ghoul Phantoms in front of us! I slammed the door shut, letting the Ghouls slam themselves against the door. I cursed inwardly, had Doppelganger decided to make his move?
"Crap… this isn't good!" I gritted.
"What were those creatures?" Wales asked.
"Ghoul Phantoms," I answered. "And with them around, there's a Phantom lurking around. We need to get out of here now!"
*WHAM!*
The door bulged from the Ghouls slamming into it. I grimaced, knowing that I wasn't going to be able to get out of it without a fight.
DRIVER ON! PLEASE!
"What are you doing?" Wales asked.
"I'm getting us out of here." I said before flipping my Hand Author to the left.
SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE, TOUCH TO HENSHIN!
I flipped down the visor of my Flame Style ring and shouted, "Henshin!" before scanning the ring.
FLAME! PLEASE! HII! HII! HII, HII, HII!
"Amazing…" Wales said in awe. "You can do magic?"
"And use all four elements too." I grinned under my mask.
Another crash was all the door could take before it broke open and the Ghouls began to pile in. Well, it was a somewhat narrow door, meaning they could only come in a line through it towards me and Wales…
FLAME SLASH STRIKE! HII, HII, HII! HII, HII, HII!
Fire enveloped Derf and I swung to make a crescent of fire go straight to the line of Ghoul Phantoms and it hit them and some were destroyed in the process.
I waited for the flames to clear and saw that for the moment no more Ghouls were approaching. I dared to stick my head into the hall, but I heard the sounds of fighting coming from elsewhere in the church. Doppelganger must've decided to make his move after all.
"C'mon, let's get Louise and go!" I urged. "Stay close to me!"
We moved through the halls and I shot at some Ghouls who stumbled out of some of the rooms looking for us. Fortunately Ghouls went down easy even if destroying them was a little more difficult. I just needed them down, not destroying them for now. Where the heck was Doppelganger though and Wardes?
"I hope you have an escape route planned in advance." Wales said.
"Path of least resistance and lot of explosive spells." I replied.
"That's actually not that reassuring." Wales deadpanned a bit.
"Well it's the best we got until we learn more." I shrugged.
Wales and I along with Louise, who was quiet the whole time, continued running through the halls, with me taking out several Ghoul Phantoms along the way. After a few minutes, we saw the exit just up ahead.
"Okay, let's go before one of the big bad guys jump us." I motioned them to follow. But that proved to be wrong as a huge number of Ghoul Phantoms blocked the exit, "Dang!"
"You won't be going anywhere." A new voice said.
We turned to see who spoke and we saw two people walking through the rows of Ghouls. One was Wardes, which didn't surprise me. The other was a guy in long green robes which looked like clergy robes. He had hair styled in huge curls and he just had the face of sheer arrogance. He was also fiddling with a familiar-looking purple ring on his finger.
Wait a minute. That must be the Ring of Andavari the Water Spirit was looking for! And if that's the ring then that must be–
"Cromwell…" Wales growled.
"You've met?" I asked.
"He used to be the deacon of the church in Albion's capital city." Wales frowned. "In truth he's the leader of Reconquista, committing despicable crimes and then framing the royal family for it to con the people into supporting the rebels."
"Ah, so ignorant," Cromwell chuckled, acting like he was hearing children talk bad about him. "Prince Wales, it is by the will of the Founder himself that I unify the country and continue his crusade for the Holy Land. How can you in good conscience deny that mission?"
"A blind zealot… Joy," I groaned. I had heard way too much about guys like this. They convince themselves that they heard the voice of God that in some way that they're special so everyone should just bow down and kiss his feet to earn salvation. He'd pardon them of any crime as if he was the one who decided what was right and what was wrong.
"If you were truly on a holy mission you would have gone to the Pope about your so–called visions and would have gained the support of all the faithful!" Wales shouted back. "Instead you sin and commit crime after crime! At least be honest false priest! You do this for the sake of your endless greed and inflated ego!"
"He's right!" I said. "Faith and money will lead you nowhere Cromwell!"
And here I thought Osmund Saddler that led the Los Illuminados from the Resident Evil 4 game was bad enough.
"Oh? And when I have so many followers behind me and my vision?" he smirked.
"How many of them did you use that Ring of Andavari to make see things your way?" I asked.
Cromwell's smirk dropped and he clasped his ring almost protectively. He seemed shocked that not only did I know what the ring did, but I knew its title.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Water Spirit plays heavily into Founderism, does it not?" I asked. "I mean, with the faith in the elemental circle and the Water Spirit being the embodiment of one of those elements."
"Sure does!" Derflinger chirped.
"Then in terms of your religion, you committed a cardinal sin by stealing from it." I chuckled. "So you only wear the garb of a priest and speak holy words to collect followers. You're just as greedy and warmongering as the nobles you denounce. What a bloody hypocrite." I then turned to Wardes saying, "As for you, I knew there was something fishy about you! I can't believe you'd actually have the guts to not only betray the Tristain crown, but Louise of all people!"
"Tristain is a kingdom destined for destruction. I just joined the winning side, and it will truly be the winning side once Louise's Void Magic joins our cause," Wardes smirked.
"I'm not handing Louise over to you!" I snapped.
"Oh you don't have to." Cromwell smirked before holding up the Ring of Andavari and it glowed purple. Louise's eyes started to dull as if she was staring off into space. Without warning, she slowly began to walk towards Cromwell with Wardes waiting with open arms.
"Oh no, you don't!" I yanked Louise back.
"Is there no low you won't sink you heathen!" Wales growled.
"Tsk! I'm a holy leader! Everything I do is right!" Cromwell scoffed before he increased the power coming from the ring, making Louise's struggles grow stronger. Why was he focusing on Louise and not on me or Wales? Could he only focus on one person at a time with that ring or did he think he neutralized us already?
Thinking, I switched Derf to gun mode and fired a single bullet at Cromwell's hand and it hit right on target. The man let out the most girlish scream I ever heard, and that was even after that duel I had with Guiche. His hand was bleeding profusely from where I put a bullet through it.
…his finger with the ring on it rested on the floor.
"Forgot to tell him I had a gun didn't you Wardes?" I snickered.
"Tch…" Wardes scoffed before picking up the finger with the ring. "Ghoul Phantoms, deal with these miscreants! Kill the prince and bring Louise to me!"
WHAT?! How the heck did he have control over the Phantoms?! "Oh don't tell me Doppelganger killed him and replaced him," I moaned as the Phantoms advanced. "I'll feel a little bad for the two–faced slime ball."
"Hmph, I assure I am the real deal." Wardes said.
"I'm right over here!" A new voice shouted.
Rising up from the pews, tossing aside a knight's bloody helmet was Doppelganger in his natural form.
"Aw jeez," I groaned. "So Wiseman's with the rebels too…?"
"Wouldn't you like to know…?" Another new voice said. My eyes widened in shock at that voice. Entering from a door from next to the altar was the white and purple form of the Carbuncle Phantom calling himself; Wiseman. He was humanoid with random spikes rising from his flesh with purple gems running over his body, with one in the center of his chest.
Fudged Up, Beyond All Recognition was beginning to describe our situation.
"Wiseman…" I clenched my teeth in anger. This was the very same Wiseman that appeared in the series.
"At last we finally meet, Yubiwa no Mahōtsukai." Wiseman said.
"That we do," I nodded. "Fueki is it?"
"Hmph… so you know my true identity." Wiseman said.
"Who doesn't?" I asked rhetorically.
"Ah, that man did make a rather public mess of things." Wiseman nodded. "However, you're a little out of date. I am not him. I am the Phantom he created."
"That doesn't matter with me anyways!" I said. "I don't know how you got here after Fueki was killed by Gremlin, but I know one thing: I can finish up what Haruto started!"
"Against these odds, without the power of Infinity?" he scoffed. "Oh I would love to see you try."
"I don't try! I do!" I shouted before charging at Wiseman, but Doppelganger blocked me.
"Grrrr… Lord Cromwell, let us escape while we can." Wardes said.
Cromwell snarled, still cradling his hand but nodded, they both backed away and vanished into the crowd of Ghouls.
"Get back here you cowards!" I shouted, but it was no use as Doppelganger blocked the way.
"Now then… distract our Wizard friend here while I bring the Gate to despair." Wiseman said to Doppelganger before pointing at… Wales?! No way! Wales is a Gate?!
"Ha, ha, ha," Doppelganger laughed before he transformed into Gremlin's shape, swords and all. "Shall we pick up where we left off at the lake?"
"Grrr…" I growled. "I might as well." I said before I went on the offensive and attacked Doppelganger. I gotta make this quick or Wales is done for.
"Hoh," Doppelganger/Gremlin laughed, striking back. I blocked his attacks but I couldn't retaliate when several Ghouls tried to get the drop on me. Slashing them away I backed off only for Doppelganger/Gremlin to leap over them at me.
"I got ya!" Doppelganger/Gremlin said, before slashing at my armor, making sparks fly.
"Gah," Okay, it sucked that he could copy the image and the abilities of others! "Alright you, see if you can find the real me!" I said before switching rings and scanning it.
COPY! PLEASE!
A clone appeared and the clone and I did the same thing.
COPY! PLEASE!
Two more clones appeared totaling four and the four of us, did it yet again.
COPY! PLEASE!
Eight clones in total were now there and all of us took up the fight with the Ghouls. In all the chaos, it would be hard to tell which one was the real me.
"That's not fair!" Doppelganger/Gremlin whined.
"That's what you get for tricking me twice!" The clone and I shouted, before we all charged at him and the Ghoul Phantoms. The next few moments were something along the lines of total war. Plenty of chaos too and I wasn't entirely sure of everything that was happening around me. I was pretty sure we destroyed some religious stuff though. I just hoped being the good guy I wouldn't get punished for it.
All the while, Wales was protecting Louise from the Ghouls slashing at them with his sword when one of them got too close to her. Luckily for him Ghouls were about as bad as it could get when it came to fighting but they could sure take a lot of damage. We weren't going to last long with all this chaos going on and Wiseman was still waiting on the outside of it all, probably just waiting for Wales to get tired to he could swoop in and try to turn him into a Phantom.
So I decided to let the clones deal with Doppelganger/Gremlin while I rushed over to Wales and Louise, protecting them.
"Kurogasa isn't there anything else we can do! We can't let Wardes just get away with this!" Louise cried.
"We're in a bit of a pinch," I kicked a Ghoul away. "Care to give us some explosions? Bringing the house down might cover our escape."
"I… I don't know…" Louise said sadly looking away.
"C'mon Louise, this is no time to mope, around!" I urged. Louise scowled at me before she raised her wand and prepared the fireball spell.
"I do not think so." Wiseman said before raising his hand and fired a dark energy ball, destroying her wand.
"Waugh!" Louise cried, dropping the smoldering remains of her wand.
"Louise!" I shouted, but then Wiseman was suddenly in front of me and attacked relentlessly with his hands and firing off dark energy balls at me. I suddenly realized why this guy was one of the most powerful of Phantoms. I had little defense against him as he hit me over and over again.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH," I yelled in excruciating pain as I was flying around like a rag doll.
"Hmph… Haruto did a lot better than you." Wiseman scoffed as he continued his attack.
I stumbled back, but my smart mouth seemed okay, "Hey, I'm just starting out you know… ugh…"
"Hmph… try to prolong the inevitable all you like, you won't win." Wiseman said as he slowly approached us.
"I won't let you get near Louise and Wales!" I shouted before I switched again and flipped the Hand Author. "Oh man, please work now…" I said looking at the Flame Dragon Ring before scanning it.
ERROR!
Dang it! C'mon Dragon, what is wrong with you?!
ERROR!
Dragon you stingy bastard! I was going to die if you didn't help! If I died, you'd go down with me!
ERROR!
C'MON DRAGON!
ERROR!
"DRAGON," I yelled, swiping the ring again.
ERROR!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Wiseman laughed. "What's wrong? Is your Phantom being stubborn?"
"Grrrrrrr…" I growled angrily.
"In that case, it makes my job a lot easier. Die." He said before throwing a huge ball of dark energy at me.
My body was too sore to move at the speed that I needed to move. The attack would hit me right in the chest. If it struck me, I was pretty sure that I was going to get a new hole in my chest I shouldn't. As I was trying to move those, a pink blur got between me and the attack.
My eyes widened in realization when the one who got in front of me was… Louise?!
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
My eyes widened in horror as Louise was sent flying through the air from the blast and she hit her head hard, knocking her unconscious and blood trickled down her head.
"LOUISE!" I screamed out. I then rushed over to her and cradled her in my arms. "Louise, Louise, wake up! Open your eyes! Louise!" I cried out, but there was no response.
"Ho~, what's this?" Wiseman said amused. "That girl protected you from harm? Isn't that touching… but matter, that's one less mortal I have to worry about."
"Louise! Louise!" I cried out desperately. At that point, Louise was stirring...
"Mmm..." Louise moaned as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Louise!" I cried out, "You stupid girl! Why did you do that?"
"You'd… get hurt…" she mumbled.
"That's the other way around! I should be protecting you!"
"And see you... get killed...?" Louise got out. "You're... my only hope... remember?"
My voice got caught in my throat when I heard her say that.
"I'm your Master… It's my… duty to protect… my Familiar…" She said, before going unconscious.
"Louise? Louise! LOUISE!" I shouted, trying to wake her up, but it was no use, "LOUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE!"
A deep voice echoed inside my heart, "Now we're getting somewhere…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, give up Mahōtsukai!" Wiseman laughed. "You will never defeat me!"
"Yurusenai…" I muttered, while putting Louise down gently, before turning around to face him. "Zettai ni, yurusenai…!"
"Eh?" Wiseman frowned.
"You'll pay for what you did to Louise!" I shouted, before I tried scanning the Flame Dragon ring again, and when I did, everything suddenly went black.
LINE BREAK
I found myself on my knee in a black void. The only thing giving off light was my body.
"Koko wa…" I murmured.
"Well, well, well, look at you now." A familiar voice said. I stood up and turned around seeing WizarDragon in front of me.
"Dragon…" I then found myself growing angry before I lashed out with a punch, smashing my fist into his snout. "Ite~" I cringed, recoiling back my hand.
"Feeling better?" Dragon snorted.
"Oh ha–ha, very funny," I grunted. "Where are we? Why have you brought me here?"
"I brought you here because you finally got the message that this is real." WizarDragon replied. "This world isn't one of your little cartoons or armored hero shows. Actions have consequences and you have to be ready to deal with them. I wouldn't lend more of my power to some fanboy. Your lack of foresight got the brat hurt. She's not dead, but she's definitely hurt."
"I don't need to be told that!" I yelled.
"And look where that got you…" WizarDragon retorted.
"I thought I was so dang smart," I grumbled. "I figured since this society was so backwards and I could use magic there was so much I could do. Only every step of this stupid mission we've gotten jumped by Phantoms or rebels and everything else that wants a piece of us! I underestimated everyone who was against us! I'm smart, but I'm just a student. Not a secret agent or military commander!"
"No, you're not," WizarDragon agreed. "But you can admit you're not, which a lot of the whining man–brats we've witnessed so far can't."
"Huh?" I said confused.
"At least you're man enough to admit your faults and learn from your mistakes." WizarDragon said.
"I just wish I didn't have to make those mistakes to learn things like that," I sighed. "Then people like Louise wouldn't have to pay for it."
"So what are you going to do about it?" WizarDragon asked.
I looked up at WizarDragon, "Crush Wiseman, Doppelganger, and all those Ghouls first. Then I'm going to make sure this kind of mess doesn't happen again!" I then added, "Besides, right now, you're my only hope of getting out of this mess."
"Funny," WizarDragon snorted. "Haruto said something like that to my predecessor."
"Wait, so you're not the same WizarDragon from the series?" I asked incredulously.
"No. A Phantom is unique to the people who generate them, but it is possible for two people to have the same type of Phantom," Dragon muttered. "You just got lucky and got a Phantom as understanding as me."
"Heh," I scoffed good–naturedly.
"You know what? Maybe you're not so bad after all." WizarDragon said. "You've gotten this far, so what's stopping you now?"
"I need to get back if you want me to keep going." I suggested.
"You're right." WizarDragon said before roaring and flying upwards in the black void. "Very well, I will grant access to my powers once again." He said. "Use it well."
With that, he turned into magical energy and went straight inside my body, before everything went white.
LINE BREAK
FLAME!
Wiseman flinched back as fire ignited around me.
DRAGON!
The red magic circle then came out of me and slowly went towards me before it paused right in front of me and a fiery aura of Dragon flew around me.
BOU! BOU! BOU, BOU, BOU!
My coat section of my suit turned bright red as my chest armor became silver, resembling a dragon's head. My shoulder armor had turned to silver circular plating with round rubies in the center. My helmet had also changed slightly as well, sporting a gold head ornament like Dragon would wear with a round ruby embedded in the center.
I am now in Flame Dragon Style!
BGM: Just the Beginning by Kamen Rider GIRLS
"What?" Wiseman gasped. Several Ghouls responded to his shock and moved to stab me with their weapons. I reacted by slashing wide with a flaming Derflinger. I cut through all three of the Ghouls, causing them to explode.
"Hehehe… now we're getting somewhere." I smirked.
"That's impossible!" Wiseman growled.
"Not probable," I retorted. "It's time to end this!" I switched rings and flipped the Hand Author to my left before scanning the ring.
VERY NICE! SPECIAL! FABULOUS!
A flaming magic ring appeared behind me, erupting with a flaming image of WizarDragon. It flew around me before colliding with my back, causing a fireball to erupt from my chest. The fire from that formed a solid construct, becoming the WizarDragon's head that roared in challenge to all of the Phantoms.
Doppelganger took down my last clone and seeing me in my Flame Dragon style, "What in blazes?!"
"Take this!" I shouted, before WizarDragon's head spewed out a huge flamethrower at the Ghoul Phantoms.
The Ghouls stood no chance, lighting up like firecrackers before they exploded. Some tried to jump me, but all I had to do was turn around and they'd go up in flames. Wiseman shielded his face as more and more of the cannon fodder went up in smoke around him.
"Grrrrrrr… this is not what I had in mind." Wiseman growled. "I will retreat for now, but mark my words! I will be back!" He shouted before he used his powers to make a portal and going through it before it closed.
"Master Wiseman, don't leave me behind!" Doppelganger cried out, but to no avail.
"Looks like you're the only Phantom standing." I said.
"Grrr," Doppelganger hissed, taking Medusa's form. "I won't lose to you and your traitor Phantom!" He charged at me with Medusa's weapon raised.
"Think again!" I shouted before switching rings and opening the Hand Author on Derf.
COPY! PLEASE!
A small magic circle made another WizarSwordGun, now possessing two and I charged at Doppelganger/Medusa with me on the attack.
"Let's do this Partner!" Derflinger cheered.
"You said it brother!" his copy agreed.
Doppelganger/Medusa struck with Medusa's weapon, but I blocked with one sword and slashed with the other before elbowing his back to make him stumble forward. Doppelganger/Medusa turned around and tried again, but the result was the same: Block, slash, elbow.
"Grrrrr… Why can't you just die already?" Doppelganger/Medusa shouted.
"Sorry, but I'm not that easy to take down." I retorted. Doppelganger/Medusa snarled and leaped back, his visor beginning to glow. I knew that power, Medusa's ability to turn anything she looked at to stone!
"I don't think so!" I shouted before I switched rings and flipped the Hand Author.
DEFEND! PLEASE!
A wall of molten rock formed in front of me to protect me from the visor. The attack splashed off the lava uselessly. Seeing my chance, I shifted both my weapons into gun mode and shot the wall. It served to destroy the wall, and shower Doppelganger/Medusa with silver and molten rock, "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Doppelganger shrieked as the lava melted him, changing him back to his regular form.
"Finale da," I shouted, before switching rings again.
VERY NICE! SPECIAL! FABULOUS!
The Drago Skull on my chest roared again as it appeared before unleashing another stream of fire.
Doppelganger screeched in pain as he was being burned alive. After a while, he was still burning alive, but all the while I landed safely on the ground and I turned around with my back on him saying, "Take your final bow Doppelganger!"
"GYAAAAAAHHHH," he screamed out before he promptly exploded, making for a better lightshow than the Ghouls did.
"I think we should get out of here," I advised him.
"Yes, let's," Wales nodded.
LINE BREAK
I carried Louise in my arms with Wales following me as we went out of the church. As soon as we got out–
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY, OVER HERE," A voice shouted.
We all looked up to see Kirche, Tabitha, and Guiche on Sylphid with the latter carrying Verdande in its claws.
"Good to see you guys," I waved. "Care to make a speedy exit?"
"We sure can Darling!" Kirche cooed, before noticing Louise in her condition. "Oh my, what happened to her?"
"Long story…" I sighed. "But let's get out of here!"
We all loaded up on Tabitha's dragon, leaving the church to burn behind us. I just hoped that I don't get cursed for that.