Chapter 41: Chaotic fight
Opening 2: Asura's Wrath - In Your Belief
Shadow had his sword out, fighting off the knights whom were influenced from the copied magic of Andvari's ring.
"What the hell are you guys doing!? Have you all lost your mind!?" Shadow bellowed, pushing a knight off of him.
Tiffania briefly had her struggle before using a gust spell to blow a knight away from her.
"Shadow, they're being controlled! Look at their eyes!" Tiffania said.
Shadow noticed the otherworldly glow in them. It made him realize it was due to a powerful magic he knew all too well.
'Damn it... That Sheffield must have used the copy of Andvari's ring... She poisoned the water source of South Gotha, making the people who drink it become her puppet!' Shadow realized.
Tiffania soon raised her wand and began reciting an incantation. Magic began to gather around her body, but she soon lapsed into a sudden wave of fatigue. Unprepared of the sensation, she collapsed on the ground.
'My magic...! I can't cast...!' Tiffania thought, losing her energy.
Shadow noticed her collapsing and quickly pushed the possessed knight back. He quickly went to her to assess what happened.
"Tiffania! Are you okay!?" He asked.
"I'm a little tired, Shadow..." Tiffania said with a slightly weak tone.
She soon noticed a possessed knight marching his way to Shadow, sword raised. This made the elven girl react with fright.
"Look out!" Tiffania screamed.
Shadow merely raised his sword to block the attack. Angered from the possessed knight, he threw a haymaker to the offending attacker. It sent the body flying to a nearby building, leaving it limp from the impact.
"We can't fight them with lethal force... Damn the enemy." Shadow snarled.
Tiffania could barely keep herself standing, both from the sudden fatigue and from fear. Louise, Saito, Silver and Charlotte arrived to stop the possessed knights.
"What's happening here!?" Louise asked.
"The Tristain forces that are fighting us are possessed from the copied magic of Andvari's Ring. They're basically marionettes to the enemy leader. Reconquista is trying to thin our numbers down to make us easy targets." Shadow relayed.
"Demoralizing us through thinning our numbers and from the shock of the incident? This plan was conducted with sinister intentions." Saito realized.
"Yes... An outcome I've feared would happen." Shadow admitted.
"Never mind about the guilt. We have to stop those possessed knights." Silver pointed out.
Charlotte nodded as well. Soon, Shadow began to think of an idea.
"Guys, see if you can provide some time to hold them off. Don't kill them, for I'm intending to stop their possession." Shadow spoke.
"Wait a minute... Shadow, are you planning to use the Chaos Purification? That will...!" Saito realized.
"I have to stop them. We can't let our own forces demoralize Tristain." Shadow said with conviction.
He soon took out the White Chaos Emerald from the bag Tiffania held. He began to focus on it.
"Protect Tiffania. She had a recent fainting moment which prevented her from using magic." Shadow announced.
The rest of Group Code Zero nodded their heads in synchrony, understanding Shadow's concern. They all had their respective abilities ready to fight off the possessed knights.
"Hold them off but don't kill them. Silver, can you hold them with your psychokinesis?" Saito asked.
"You got it." Silver replied.
Getting the knights off balance proved easy for Saito, allowing Silver to capture them with his psychic abilities.
"Charlotte, I may need your help to push them back." Louise said, hurling a small explosion spell that knocked some possessed knights back.
"Got it." Charlotte answered.
She soon focused her magic on her staff before uttering the spell name.
"Gust wave."
A wave of wind with the force of a locomotive was created, sending the possessed knights back. Shadow soon kept his attention to the Chaos Emerald he held.
'Focus on this miracle... The purifying gift, not from a single person... Make it spread far off...' Shadow thought.
As though his thoughts were answered, the White Chaos Emerald began to glow brightly. The energy was soon absorbed in Shadow's body, allowing him to channel it.
"Here it comes!" Shadow announced.
Everyone, save for Tiffania due to her sudden weakness, pushed the possessed knights back. Shadow focused on the energy before crossing his arms to perform a technique.
"Chaos Purification Blast!"
A blast wave of purifying, white Chaos energy was created. The wave traveled quickly across the town, hitting the possessed knights. Their eyes lost their glow and they fell. The knights in question were unconscious.
"It worked...!" Louise said, relieved.
Siesta soon came out, having witnessed the brief carnage and the white wave of Chaos energy.
"Is it over...?" Siesta asked.
Everyone nodded. However, Shadow fell to his knees, exhausted from the technique he used.
"Are you alright, Shadow?" Saito asked with concern.
"I'll admit I have little finesse with that technique..." Shadow spoke, panting hard.
A sudden, foreign energy got everyone's attention. The ground began to shake with a rumble before creatures composed of dark rocks emerged. They were lizard-like in appearance.
"What the heck are those things!? I know we saw them in the royal chambers days ago, but they just keep appearing out of nowhere!" Saito asked in surprise.
Shadow soon experienced a mild headache as memories of the creatures came to him. He grunted before he willfully stood up, despite his lack of energy. Silver soon displayed mild discomfort, but was able to hold his ground.
"I remember them...! These guys are minions of Mephiles. I recall they were codenamed 'Stalkers' due to their relentless nature." Shadow explained.
"They looked like those fire creatures back in the Realm of Fire." Tiffania pointed out.
"Without a doubt, except darker. Just flail at them, but don't let them touch you. They can be extinguished with water spells. Also, don't let them stand still." Shadow explained.
Everyone was briefly confused till a large energy laser was shot at them, forcing the group to scatter. Shadow leaped up and sliced the Stalker's head that was firing the laser.
"Now you know... We have to take them down quickly." Shadow finished.
Charlotte nodded and wasted no time in casting a spell.
"Ice Javelin!"
A large spear of ice was formed. It impaled one of the Stalkers, causing it to dissipate into a smoky, purple fog.
"Nice one Charlotte!" Silver said.
Silver soon focused his psychokinesis on the creatures. They were left helplessly floating in the air before Silver waves his hands. The force of the psychic push sent the Stalkers flying. They either landed harshly on the ground or at nearby walls, reducing them to a purple, smoky fog. Orbs of light were seen flying out. They were soon absorbed by Group Code Zero as they each slew one beast.
"Now I remember what these orbs are called... They're Light Cores." Shadow said, holding his head in pain.
"Light Cores? That would explain why I feel so energetic when I absorb them..." Saito said.
Everyone in Group Code Zero soon learned instinctively to use the energy they acquired from the Light Cores. Tiffania felt her fatigue began to fade due to the energy.
'I can feel my body getting stronger... I don't feel tired anymore.' She thought.
She soon focused her wand to a Stalker, blasting a compressed beam of water to it. The attack dissipated the beast, revealing a Light Core, which was soon absorbed into her body. Upon absorbing it, she soon felt the foreign aura Shadow sensed. It shared with her aura in response, feeling similar to Shadow's Chaos energy.
'This energy... It's making me stronger whenever I absorb it...' Tiffania thought.
Recalling how Shadow was using Chaos Spear, she soon focused on the image. A spear of energy soon formed. Tiffania soon hurled it at the monsters, destroying them. This action was noticed by everyone around her.
'Tiffania can use the Force of Chaos...! Of course, she has been exposed to the Chaos Emeralds for some time since they were with me when we first met.' Shadow realized.
Having a sense of motivation, Shadow moved at his top speed, clearing off much of the horde of Mephiles's monsters. There were still more that lingered, but Saito, Louise, Tiffania, Silver and Charlotte were able to help clear them off. More monsters appeared, looking similar to golems and giant worms.
"Be careful with those worms! They look pretty challenging, especially the golems!" Shadow warned.
Soon, a headache came to him. He soon recalled what they were as a memory appeared to him.
"Those worms are called Gazers. Be mindful of their mouths. If they open up, that's your chance to attack! Be careful of their attacks. They may lob lava bombs or breathe dark flames. If worse comes to worse, they may attempt to use the ground to their advantage." Shadow explained, dodging some of the monsters.
"What about those golems?" Louise asked.
"They're called Titans. Aim for their heads, especially at the core. Watch out for their strength. They may stomp the ground or hurl large lava bombs." Shadow answered.
"I'll hold off the bombs with my psychokinesis." Silver said, rubbing his head from a recent headache.
Group Code Zero wasted no time killing the monsters. They were proving to be quite a handful for everyone. Despite their efforts, the monsters kept appearing with little difficulty.
"They just keep coming!" Saito said, slicing a Stalker down.
"Then we have to try harder!" Shadow responded, using Zenyōso in its earth elemental form.
He leaped up in the air, causing a large menhir of hardened soil to sprout up, dragging several of Mephiles's minions up to the sky. They were impaled in various areas of their bodies before disappearing in a black, smoky fog.
"Somehow this feels as though all of this was a distraction..." Saito pointed out.
"You're right... This whole ordeal might have a reason to..." Shadow paused, before seeing yet another monster in a group.
The creature in question looked like a cross between a Phoenix and a bat. The wings, which were bat-like in appearance, were soon brighten with a fiery sound. Another headache surged in Shadow's head along with Silver's as they recall the monster.
"Great... Trickers..." Shadow said with disdainful complaint.
"What is the problem with them?" Saito asked.
"These guys tend to swoop around like a plane to try and ram you. They may attempt to bombard you with dark energy blasts. Keep on your toes, everyone!" Shadow explained.
The Trickers came with additional Stalkers, Gazers and Titans. Group Code Zero was looking haggard from the confrontations prior. Though they were supplied with Light Cores from the monsters they defeated, it barely helped in dealing with their muscle fatigue, leaving them weakened.
"How... How did they amass this many...?" Louis panted.
"It doesn't matter how many come... We have to hold them off. If we leave, South Gotha will be overrun with them. We can't do a mass evacuation with all these monsters running amok." Shadow said.
"Shadow's right, everyone. We can't back down. The Lowscythe Military Port is also on the way past the town." Louise realized.
The sound of gunfire soon echoed around the town. A trail of bullets was shown impacting the ground, hitting the monsters. Shadow had a smirk on his face while everyone was surprised of a familiar, mechanical ally.
"Omega. Good timing." Shadow commented.
"Shadow. I was requested by Queen Henrietta to assist you due to the numerous sightings of the dark entities." Omega replied.
Shadow and everyone in Group Code Zero were briefly surprised of Queen Henrietta asking Omega to assist them. While they were grateful for having a chance of respite, they were more worried for the Queen's safety.
"Omega. New orders... Defend South Gotha from these monsters. Hold them off till the Forces of Tristain awaken from their recovery." Shadow ordered.
"Affirmative. Beginning area sweeping." Omega confirmed.
Weapons were shown appearing all over his arms. This shocked everyone except Shadow.
"Thanks for the assistance, Omega." Shadow said to the robot.
"Shadow, why are you leaving Omega here to fight off the monsters?" Saito asked.
"Henrietta might be vulnerable without Omega. I'm having a gut instinct that this attack was a diversion. We need to hurry to her immediately!" Shadow said.
The group knew to trust Shadow's instinct as it had proven to be useful in dire situations. Channeling blue Chaos energy, Shadow used Chaos a Control to teleport everyone to Queen Henrietta's location.
######
At the Lowscythe Military Port, a battle was happening. Henrietta witnessed several explosions near the temporary base camp of Tristain's forces. The events made her unprepared for what was happening. Near her, General Bowachi and Cardinal Mazarin were with her.
'I can't believe the enemy was planning something this devious... I hope everyone in Group Code Zero is okay.' She thought.
Several knights came to the Queen. Among them, a commander came with urgent news.
"My Queen! It's the enemy! They've used some sort of dark magic to control our troops!" The commander of the knights announced.
Soon, a white shockwave of Chaos energy surged throughout the land. All were mystified by the strange aura as it surged among the area.
"That's...!" Henrietta realized.
The knights reporting the situation noticed the possessed ones falling to the ground unconscious.
"The possessed knights! They no longer seem to be under the dark magic's influence." One of the knights observed.
"Shadow must have found the source and used his abilities to purify it." Henrietta said.
Soon, a volley of spells and cannonballs came into view. No one had enough time to react as they rained down at the Lowscythe Military Port.
"Everyone! Move out of the port! We have been compromised!" General Bowachi ordered.
Unfortunately, Bowachi didn't pay attention to a fireball and a cannonball heading his way. With no time to react, he screamed as the blast consumed his body, killing him. Henrietta and Cardinal Mazarin were blown back from the blast in a futile attempt to save General Bowachi.
"Ugh... My Queen! Are you alright!?" Cardinal Mazarin asked in concern.
Henrietta groggily got up. Though her sight was blurry, she soon saw a green flash of light. Group Code Zero arrived, but barely in time.
"Dammit... We were led to a distraction." Shadow said with anger.
Sensing the incoming projectiles, Shadow conjured a wall of wind with his wind powers. He forced the attacks back, protecting the port.
"Leave them to me... Get the Queen and the Cardinal out of here!" Shadow said.
"But Shadow, won't it be difficult for you alone?" Saito asked.
"The Queen's safety is our primary concern now, Saito. If she falls, Tristain will not hold on to its foundations." Shadow replied.
"Okay, just don't go dying before we can arrive to help." Saito ordered.
"Let's go, Saito. We have to bring Her Highness to safety." Louise said.
Shadow nodded and turned to Silver, Charlotte and Tiffania.
"Silver, Charlotte. Round up the surviving forces. Be sure to pick up the unconscious ones too. Tiffania, I need you to provide healing potions or spells to treat the soldiers." Shadow said.
Charlotte and Silver were able to round up the knights that were still alive to protect the Queen, including some of the unconscious ones. Most were in one piece, but some ended up getting killed or maimed by the blasts.
"This is horrible..." Silver spoke forlornly.
"This is what war does... It's never easy to see." Saito said.
"I can't believe they did such a thing..." Tiffania said with grief.
Tiffania was soon providing healing potions to the knights whom were injured.
"Thank you." Knight #1 said in gratitude.
"What about the ones whom were maimed?" Knight #2 asked.
"They're getting their recovery as we speak. I'm doing the best I can to provide you treatments." Tiffania said.
The stress from the constant treating of Tristain's forces was getting to Tiffania's body. She began having some dizziness and feeling weaker than usual. Silver, Charlotte, Louise, and Saito didn't miss the sight.
"I'm starting to worry about Tiffania... She looks rather ill..." Louise said.
"I hope it's nothing serious." Saito said with concern.
######
Shadow was outside, fighting off the enemy forces. He also saw several of Mephiles's minions causing havoc.
"Damn you all!" He bellowed.
Using his wind powers combined with the Chaos Force, he unleashed a powerful, vertical shockwave of wind. It formed into a crescent shaped blade that eviscerated anything caught in its path. The victims of the wind blade paused for a moment before their halves began to slide off in a gruesome fashion.
'This is what war does... There's no moral, no concern... Just endless killing and bloodlust... If I have to fight to protect those I love, then so be it!' Shadow thought.
The enemy forces were soon pushed back, forcing them to retreat. This didn't stopped Shadow's relentless assault. He pursued them, choosing to kill them.
"You won't get away, not after the damage you have caused!" He bellowed, unleashing a torrent of water.
The sudden wave of water washed to the enemy forces. Though this caused the forces to retreat, Shadow's anger did not subside. He clenched his teeth with rage, unable to hold it back.
'I couldn't save the general in time... I know I can't protect everyone, but it's painful when I have the power to do so and I failed... I DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANYONE I CARED FOR!' He thought with anger.
Bellowing in a war cry of abominable strength, Shadow raced to the enemy through the forest. The forces of Reconquista were brutally slaughtered. Not one survivor was left.
######
Saito and the others managed to bring the survivors out to the airships. After getting Tristain's forces to safety, they soon heard Shadow bellowing with a war cry.
'Shadow...' Tiffania thought.
'Don't go dying on us, Shadow...' Saito thought.
Louise, Silver, and Charlotte looked silently as they heard Shadow's bellowing. Soon, a green flash greeted them. Shadow appeared, heavily stained with blood.
"Shadow, are you okay!?" Tiffania asked.
"I'm alright. This is not my blood..." Shadow said, looking down.
Group Code Zero gasped, realizing Shadow was killing relentlessly on the enemy forces. Soon, Cardinal Mazarin came up to Shadow.
"I'm grateful you were able to help the Queen and most of our forces." He said.
"I had to do what feels is the right way. I don't want to lose the people I care for." Shadow responded.
"We can all agree with that speech. I must ask something of a heavy task." Cardinal Mazarin requested.
"Go on." Shadow said.
"I need your help in holding off the enemy forces till we can safely evacuate everyone back to Halkeginia in Tristain. This will be a suicide mission, but we will provide reinforcements to help you." Cardinal Mazarin explained.
Everyone gasped, knowing Shadow might end up dying in this fight. Much to Group Code Zero's shock, he accepted the mission.
"When will the mission start?" Shadow reluctantly asked.
"After dawn tomorrow. From what I can understand, Reconquista has over 70,000 troops with some assistance from the creatures whom were poisoned by Andvari's ring." Cardinal Mazarin answered.
"Then I must prepare for tomorrow. I need to do something quickly before I regret it later." Shadow said.
######
The next day looked grim. Shadow had a forlorn expression on his face. Tiffania was with him, sitting near Shadow on the bed. She was crying, evident by the tears streaming from her delicate face.
"Tiffania, there's something I want to do, and I want to accomplish this before I depart." Shadow said.
She reluctantly looked at him, afraid that his visage would disappear.
"What do you want to do, Shadow?" She asked.
"Let's head to the Wind Spirit Shrine. There was a vendor near it, whom sells a special flower. I want it to make it memorable." Shadow answered.
With an understanding nod, she held Shadow's hand before the couple teleported.
######
Back in Londinium, Shadow and Tiffania arrived near the Wind Spirit Shrine. There, they saw the vendor about to leave. He saw two plants in glass containers. Shadow could sense a magical aura from them.
"Excuse me, sir. I would like to buy these two flowers." Shadow requested.
"Take them. Hurry and leave this place!" The vendor said, offering the plants to Shadow.
(Play Atis Freivalds - The Light Between Us)
The vendor soon fled. Shadow and Tiffania went inside the Wind Spirit Shrine. They stood at the shrine's base.
"Tiffania... I may or may not be able to survive this battle. What I ask is something that I wish to say from my heart. Do you take me as your husband?" Shadow asked, his lips quivering.
Tiffania soon sobbed. Her eyes drenched with tears upon hearing his proposal. With pure emotional love, she walked to him and kissed his lips.
"Yes... I do." She responded.
Shadow couldn't hold it in any longer. His mouth quivered, his tongue and throat felt dry. His eyes stung as tears soon escaped, flowing down from his cheeks. The plants in the glass containers soon responded to the emotional response. They quickly bloomed with bright colors. Shadow's was a bright red, akin to a ruby, while Tiffania's was a soft yellow color, radiant like the sun.
"Do you...?" Tiffania paused, quivering while trying not to bellow out her sadness.
"Do you take me as your wife?" She asked, hiccupping in tears.
Shadow was in tears. The stinging from the emotional scene to him returned as his tears didn't stop flowing.
"I do." He responded.
The couple shared a tearful kiss in response. They soon exchanged their magical plants. Shadow held Tiffania's yellow flower while Tiffania held Shadow's ruby red flower.
"Till death do us part." Shadow said, hugging Tiffania close.
Both lovers couldn't hold back their sadness. Shadow soon began using his water powers to create a fog that put Tiffania to a blissful sleep. She passed out while Shadow held her, crying at his lover's sleeping form.
######
Walking outside carrying Tiffania's sleeping form, Shadow saw Julio waiting outside.
"Is there something you need to inform me?" Shadow asked, emotionally exhausted.
"The Cardinal wanted to make sure you're ready for the mission." Julio informed.
"You can let him know I'm ready... I'm ready...to die..." Shadow said.
Julio felt sympathetic for Shadow. He noticed Tiffania was asleep.
"I assume you put her in a sleeping spell for a purpose." Julio deduced.
"Yes. I want this memory to never fade, even if I perish. She also has something from me that I could truly love her for." Shadow answered, placing his hand on Tiffania's stomach.
Julio gasped in response, realizing what he meant. He gave a pat on Shadow's left shoulder, knowing what he was requested.
"Please, Julio. Keep my friends and my beloved Tiffania safe." Shadow said.
"You have my word...as a warrior and a friend." Julio responded.
Shadow nodded as he teleported with Julio in tow while holding Tiffania.
(The Light Between Us OST ends here)
######
Within one of the airships, Shadow teleported back at where he was. Group Code Zero soon arrived, noticing Julio with Shadow and Tiffania. They noticed she was asleep with tears on her cheeks.
"Shadow... Is she...?" Louise asked.
"She's asleep... She will wake up when night falls. Now I have no regrets left in my heart." Shadow said, showing a mournful smile.
Group Code Zero couldn't help but she's silent tears. The moment Shadow placed Tiffania down on the bed, he gave her the ruby red magic flower. He held the radiant yellow magic flower protectively.
"Eclair D'amour. A magical flower capable of informing significant others of their condition, even if they were apart in long distances." Julio explained.
"Yes... These flowers were special indeed..." Shadow spoke with a trembling voice.
All felt sympathetic for Shadow as he was desperately holding back his sadness. He soon walked to the door leading outside the airship.
"It's time..." He said.
######
(Play Asura's Wrath OST - In your belief instrumental)
Outside the port, Shadow looked back to the airship that was transporting his friends back to Tristain. Though he was not certain if they saw him, Shadow was shedding tears as the ship departed away from his visage. Wiping his face, he equipped Zenyōso, ready to fight to the death.
'Everyone... I hope you all remain safe from this tragedy with war. Saito, you were like a brother to me. Louise, you were like a sister whom seemed lost, but was guided with right intentions. Silver, who couldn't ask for a better friend like you? Charlotte, you were informative and also a good friend to be with.' Shadow thought, thinking of his friends.
'Queen Henrietta... I will survive as I don't intent to die that easily. Please keep everyone safe. Agnès, I'm sorry that I can't come back from this. If I do, we can catch up on sparring and learning new tactics. Guiche, Reynaldo, Malicorne, all the guys from Tristain whom I know. All of you be safe and protect your loved ones.' He continued.
Soon his thoughts came to Tiffania. He gave one silent tear to shed as her visage came clear to him.
'Tiffania... My beloved. I truly wish these times did not come. I want this world to be at peace, where we can all live without fear of conflict. It may be a fleeting dream, but I promise... I PROMISE TO COME BACK TO YOU, NO MATTER WHAT!' Shadow finished.
Feeling renewed vigor entering his body, Shadow raced his way through the hills across Albion.
(In your belief Instrumental OST ends here)
######
Nightfall has come. Shadow was seen kneeling on the ground at the top of a hill, exhausted of slaughtering countless soldiers and creatures. Though he managed to take down the infantry soldiers, the main forces were shown in a large campsite down below. Composing himself and regaining his stamina, Shadow stood up, ready to fight.
'I won't let them go unscathed.' He thought.
Equipping Zenyōso's fire form, Shadow blitzed through the area.
Ending 2: Diamond - Alan
The final battle is upon us. Be ready for emotional scenes.
