Chapter 67: Kyo
"Hey, have you guys just been waiting here?" Motoyasu arrived with the queen and coalition army and started talking before actually looking at where we were. "Wow there are a lot of tunnels."
"Kidd- I mean, Abyssgate has been scouting the tunnels."
"Really? Is he here or still out scouting?"
"Most of the tunnels will lead to the heart. That one will get there in the shortest distance." I spoke to the queen who was standing just behind Motoyasu.
"Holy Sh- You really gotta warn a guy when you're going to just appear next to them like that."
"That just means you should improve your senses. Now then, your majesty, if you plan on leaving any troops before we reach the heart, here is the place. There is no other large room like this along any of the paths."
"You were able to search them all?"
"Naturally. I should also mention that there is a system to divide large groups and send monsters to attack them, so I would advise bringing only those capable of casting the sealing ritual and the more capable fighters. There have yet to be any attacks here after defeating the three guardians, but that may be because the monsters were focused elsewhere."
"I understand." The queen then divided the army into who would defend this chamber and those who would go to the heart.
This Lord's group led the way with the other strong fighters interspersed throughout the line to defend from burrowing monsters. We didn't see anything up to the point where the mimic had concealed the true path. The change in environment made many of the mages uncomfortable. Understandable as the flesh walls pulsated in time with the heart and the air got warm and humid.
"It reminds me of inside that dragon, but with more room." (Blake)
"You've been inside a dragon?" (Therese)
"I wouldn't call that reanimated corpse a dragon. It was just a mindless lump of flesh at that point."
"Yeah… Master Kousuke is rather specific about that, especially when he's Abyssgate."
"Why is Endou calling himself Abyssgate anyways?" (Keel)
"Have I not properly introduced myself?" I turned to speak to Keel. "I am Rapidfang Shadowclaw Kousuke E. Abyssgate. Right hand of the Godslaying Demon King and next head of the Haulia tribe."
Even through the kigurumi, I could tell Keel was awestruck.
"It's how you know he's taking a fight seriously. It makes him stronger, but he acts a bit differently. He's done some really cool stuff when he's like this." (Raphtalia)
"Yes, and it is best not to talk about his actions as Lord Abyssgate when he returns to being Sir Endou." (Sebastian)
"It also isn't wise to speak of this Lord as if he can't hear you." Both Sebastian and Raphtalia stiffened as I faced them.
They chose to remain silent and we continued onward.
More monsters attacked as we passed through the muscle area, but not as many as before. The fighters spaced throughout the line meant we were able to deal with them without losing anyone. When we finally stopped just outside the heart chamber, Motoyasu and the queen came to me to strategize.
"So, any idea how the heart fight goes?" (Motoyasu)
"I am capable of severing its connection to the rest of the Spirit Tortoise, but that simply causes it to grow a new one and release monsters. It also isn't particularly inclined to attack what it can't detect."
"It will take time to cast the sealing magic and we cannot move while casting. We will be relying on you to protect us." (Queen)
"Very well. In that case I suggest coming in to cast during the interval when the heart is regrowing, after the monsters are dealt with."
"A sound plan."
"But first a test, Keel."
"Me?"
"Yes, I want you to run around the heart until it tries to attack you then come back."
"What the hell are you sending him in for when you know you can take it out without any trouble?" Motoyasu annoyingly interjected.
"I wish to see how the heart will react. And it is unlikely to be able to hit him anyways, particularly when I am about to give him the strength of the Abyss."
"The strength of the…?" Motoyasu's question was answered as I cast Aura on most of our main fighters, including Motoyasu and Freon but not the treacherous former princess or his other allies who should have remained with the army.
"Hey, what about us?"
"Be thankful that you have been spared for as long as you have, Whore. Now Keel, if you would."
"Right."
As Keel ran through the chamber the eyes on the heart opened and began to shake. Instead of firing a heat beam it brought forth familiars from the walls. Starting with such tactics, how useless. My clone inside the chamber generated several more to eliminate the familiars as they came. The hearts next action was to create a black orb of magic. Given what Motoyasu described it likely had an effect similar to [Obsidian Vortex] but if there was any chance that the Spirit Tortoise was capable of an attack like [Neather Burst] I rather know than not. So a clone intercepted the magic, and it only increased the gravity affecting it. If that is all it has, then there is no point continuing. The heart was once again severed from its connections and the army mages were free to get in position to cast the spell. This time the heart started to wriggle as it could see the people nearby, so it was cut in half for good measure.
The spell was completed while the new heart was about half way to being formed and had several holes from Motoyasu stabbing it. The heart's regeneration was halted and there was a change in part of the room. It was as if a part of the floor got thinner, but stopped before it could open up. I walked over to investigate it.
"What are you looking at, Endou?"
"Motoyasu, fire a beam attack at this spot with a downward angle of 45 degrees."
"You want me to attack the floor?"
"Yes, something of the same power as the attacks you used prior to removing the head of the Spirit Tortoise should be sufficient. However, a more powerful attack would not be unwelcome."
"Alright then, girls, help me out."
""Right!""
So he was going to use a combo skill with all of them. I suppose that is one of the few ways they can be useful in this situation.
"[Drifa Hellfire]!"
""[Zwiet Air Shot]!""
"[Drifa Tornado]!" So Freon could use Drifa level magic now. Between that and her skill with energy I have to wonder if she might have an innate talent for manipulating the non-physical.
"Now! [Flare Vortex Javelin]!"
The magic spun around the spear like a drill as Motoyasu threw it several feet away from the spot I had indicated and at the wrong angle, but it got the job done as the flesh blocking the way was now gone. The hole Motoyasu created did intersect with a tunnel containing a staircase going down. I would assume that this was meant to open when the heart was sealed, but Kyo managed to stop it through the same means he is manipulating the Spirit Tortoise.
"Wow. How far do you think it goes?" Motoyasu was looking down the tunnel created where his spear had continued through.
"Based on where we are, it probably reaches the underside of the shell. Go down and check if you wish, but we'll be going down the stairs. I suggest the rest of you fall back to the central chamber." I hopped down and started walking, followed by my party, L'Arc, Glass, Elder Sensei, and Rishia. After a moment Eclair followed.
"Hey, wait for us!" Motoyasu hurried to catch up, followed by his party.
It took just under 10 minutes to see the end of the stairs. As we approached I felt the shield pulsate. Apparently this was the right place. It was rather impressive as far as rooms go, large with walls mimicking the appearance of marble. There was a large green crystal slowly spinning as it floated in the center of the room, even Motoyasu could tell it was the core. What was more concerning was the transparent crystal on the far side of the room that Ren was inside of. It seemed as if energy was being drawn from both him and the sword. Whatever was happening, his pain was clear on his unconscious face. What drew my attention next was a Kyo.
"I can't believe my eyes! To think you would make it this far—not that I ever doubted you. Nice work!" Acting surprised then switching to expecting it, how lacking. "When you first blew this thing's head off, I have to say I was a little nervous. But then you walked away until those two showed up to convince you to come looking. You heroes are so stupid."
"As one who possesses a vassal weapon, you've entered a space you should not have. Therefore, we must join forces with our enemies to defeat you, Kyo Ethnina, he who holds the book of the vassal weapons." (Glass)
"What do you mean? Aren't you trying to destroy the world? What does it matter to you what we do?"
"Heh. Even if that does end up happening, we still have to protect what we can, right? The vassal weapon is crying about it." (L'Arc)
"Only a fool would care about what their tools want."
"What are you doing to Ren?!" Motoyasu stepped forwards to point his spear at Kyo.
"Oh, you know this guy? I was surprised when he showed up so quickly. But he was so weak it was funny! Ha! Are all the heroes from your world this dumb?"
"I asked what you are doing to him!"
"Oh, you don't know?"
"He's stealing power from them."
"What?! Ah, you so you were hiding behind the rest of them. A bit ironic for a shield hero. I didn't expect to have two more of the four heroes come to me like this. Plus those idiots doing what vassal weapons tell them. That explains how you manage to get this far, you all had to work together."
"No, I was standing here the whole time. And if I you truly believe that this Lord would have needed a hero's help to get here you are even more foolish than you appear."
"What?! How dare you question my intelligence? No one else could have figured out how to wake up and control another world's guardian beast or how to harness the energy they collect. You're obviously just jealous of my brilliance. Ah yes. That must be why you have so many pretty ladies with you, they help you feel better about yourself. I think I'll brainwash them and keep them as souvenirs or something, so you can just die!" Kyo sent a number of pages towards me, but the clones I deployed cut them down before they could cover the distance. "What? How? That's impossible, how could you shred those pages without even moving?"
"So, you claim to be capable of brainwash them. Would that mean you have access to Spirit Magic? Or did you mean simple mental conditioning?" I slowly walked towards Kyo as I asked. Given his nature I doubt him capable of mastering any form of ancient magic, but he would surely boast about it if he did. The others also moved to encircle him, but were smart enough to know not to get my way.
"Spirit Magic? Trying to confuse me by making things up now, you must be desperate. Take this." Kyo sent far more pages than before, but my clones were still capable of rendering the attack useless.
"How pointless. [Air Strike Shield] [Change Shield] [Needle Spray]." The shield appeared behind him before changing to the Bee Needle Shield and spraying him with paralytic needles. At least that's what should have happened. Just before the needles struck, a shell-like barrier appeared around him.
"Well, you got me to use my barrier very quickly. But don't think you have control of the battle just because you can stop a few pages. Composition Form One! Bird of Flame!" A number of pages from his book gathered in the air and formed a flaming bird. The fact that it wasn't a living thing meant attack and defense stats didn't matter and it was destroyed with a simple swat of my hand. "Why you little… Seems I need to bring in the big guys, to bad I didn't have time to drain more energy from that idiot." Kyo held his hand out towards the crystal which then started to glow while Ren writhed in agony.
Two large monsters grew out of the wall wearing full plate armor and wielding swords. Hmm… neo guardian type familiars. It seems Kyo was doing more than just using the Spirit Tortoise to gather energy. And if he was controlling things by manipulating the core, destroying it would be an effective way of stopping his plans. But that would also mean killing the Spirit Tortoise. Better to save that option for later.
"I'll leave these pitiful creatures to the rest of you." The neo guardians were struck from behind by my clones and fell to the ground in front of the others.
"How? Damn you. How is it that you are doing this? Did they give you a better power?" Who's "they"?
I was now standing in front of the barrier protecting Kyo and scoffed. Since it was no doubt much stronger than a boulder I had a clone send energy at it without restraint. The resulting force of the clone exploding as it broke the barrier not only sounded like an explosion but sent Kyo across the room.
"What was that?" L'Arc asked while finishing off one of the neo guardians.
"Ha. You may not have fully mastered the technique, but you can still make good use of it Phantom Saint." (Elder Sensei)
"I'm… not done… yet." Kyo sent pages of his book flying everywhere while chanting a spell and shattering a glass bottle against the ground. "Expanding Composition Form Six! Invigorate!" The defeated neo guardians managed to pull themselves back together and rose to their feet, apparently stronger than before. It might have been a threat if there were more than just two of them.
"You truly are a fool. Perhaps your world would be better off if I killed yo-" Just as I was talking, I heard the same shattering sound that as when the Spirit Tortoise was released. I looked at the blue hourglass in the corner of my vision as the number changed.
7=8
"""WHAT!?""" Everyone with a legendary weapon had the same reaction.
Kyo was the first to change his expression from surprise and started laughing.
"What have you done?!" Glass shot him a rage filled gaze.
"Oh as much as I'd love to take credit for this, it isn't my doing. It must be that someone else wants to copy me. Oh well, I probably can't get any more energy out of this place, so maybe it's time to wrap this up." Kyo created several layers of barriers around himself and held out his hand towards the crystal core.
I could feel the gravity coming and countered it for myself, but the others were not so lucky. The only ones able to stand easily were Elder Sensei, Rishia, Freon, and Glass. Meanwhile the rest of my party were struggling, even while under the effects of Aura and Motoyasu's girls were flat on the floor. Those who could still move were more than a match for the strengthened neo guardians that weren't being affected by the gravity.
"What? How are you able to stand when I'm using the Spirit Tortoise's best attack against you?"
"Because you don't have the right to use it. I fought my way through the hellish labyrinth created by that sadist Miledi Reisen to earn my right to use Gravity Magic. No two-bit thief could best me using stolen power." I made a clone to break through Kyo's barrier. Now that I had an idea how strong it was I could use only as much energy as needed, but that was still enough to blow off a limb with each strike. With each barrier that broke Kyo looked more worried, but for some reason he showed more anger than fear. "I've been considering using this move for a while, and I think now may be the best time." Several of my clones stopped any attempt to hide their presence and rushed towards Kyo.
"What?!"
"Kou!" The first clone kicked Kyo into the air.
"Suke!" The second sent him higher.
"E!" The third made him nearly hit the ceiling.
Finally the last clone jumped up and used the increased gravity of Kyo's own attack to drop a high impact hammer kick in his stomach. "ABYSSGATE BARRAGE!"
Kyo hit the ground with enough force to break plenty of his bones and likely give him a concussion.
"Endou!" Motoyasu came over, the neo guardians having already been dealt with. "I can't believe you did that. You actually pulled off the king of all clone-based ninja moves. If only Ren and Itsuki could have seen that."
"Yes. You should probably get working on that." I indicated to the crystal Ren was trapped in.
"Right." Motoyasu rushed off.
AN: I have been looking for a place to put Abyssgate Barrage ever since the duel turned into a lecture, and yes, I am having Motoyasu recognize where it is from.
setokayba2n: He does have a phone capable of making calls across the different Arifureta worlds, but like most of his stuff it stopped working when he was summoned to an SH world because it uses different laws of magic/physics.
