Chapter 49
Chaldea has met numerous foes, and while all dangerous in their own way, not by much.
I mean, Chaldea has loads of Servants. The most powerful familiars on earth. If anything, in the usual cases only a Servant can win against a Servant. While that wasn't to say humanity was weak, it was more along the lines that due to special rules, humans couldn't use the regular ways to deal with Servants. Guns, knives, and even the best martial artists couldn't beat a Servant unless they used unorthodox methods of the like.
However, the Grand Orders and Lostbelts changed that.
For when those events happened, it became a fight to save the world. Where more than just enemy Servants they had to face. It was rare, very rare for a Servant to face one, but they soon faced enemies that weren't Servants, but could still face them in battle. That was what the Demon God Pillars were.
Beings of terrifying might and under Goetia's control. Their power was stated to be above even a Servant. Unless one was a high-ranking one, then the average Servant stood no chance against them. That was just how powerful they were. Which meant if a bunch of weak Servants faced a fully-powered one. Then there was only one result.
"Ah sh-" That was all Jason had to say as potentially the weakest Saber was launched away at a speed where regular humans would be whiplashed by the wind. Then he crashed into the stadium's chairs and felt even more pain. That also wasn't even including the burns he got when he was damn lasered!
As he then got up and ignored the pain as best he could-which wasn't easy by the way-he looked at what was the biggest battle in Amity Arena.
"Die!" Which wasn't going as easy as he thought.
Caenis was forced to avoid a nasty earthquake-like attack that caused the stadium floor to break apart in her area.
Atalanta's arrows weren't doing much damage as he'd like. As any damage that was made, the Demon God Pillar healed it up in an instant. Not even the eyes were effective, though it did have a lot of them.
The Pollux twins were doing pretty decently if he was honest. But like Atalanta the damage they made was being healed rapidly while Haagenti sent a shockwave to send them back.
Asclepius….well, he wasn't fighting. But then again, him providing healing on any injured teammate was good, while Medea (Lily) defended him and used her spells to create a protective barrier. For them while also providing long-range healing.
As for Hercules.
"Raaaaaa!" Not only was he screaming-which will likely bite him in the butt later-but he was naturally doing the most damage. Haagenti having to clearly focus the most efforts on dealing with one of the greatest heroes in all of human history. With fame so great, not even Gilgamesh had the recognition his buddy has.
The great Greek Hero smashing his materialized axe onto the flesh of the Demon Pillar. Murky alien-like blood spilled from the wound that made the Pillar itself screech in pain. While the damnable thing could regenerate, Hercules was using that to his advantage. Just because Haagenti could regenerate, didn't mean he didn't feel pain.
"Hercules." Atalanta shouted as she then grabbed a trio of Gravity Arrows. "Now!"
The Greek Hero nodded as he then spun and threw his axe with enough force that when thrown, one could feel and even see the wind go boom as it went at a speed faster than a car. With the momentum that axe had, it could go through any building.
"Gaaaa!" Or through a ugly pillar of flesh.
The axe had instantly went through the Demon God Pillar on one end, then came out in a gory fashion soon afterward. The Pillar roared in pain as it felt the axe going through it, and while it was regenerating the wound clouded it's mind for just a bit. In a way, it was a good thing this thing was sentient. While the usual Demon God Pillar reacted to pain before, because of their usual mechanical-like nature in personality, they usually only saw it as a thing to ignore.
Now though, it couldn't avoid that thought as with sentience came awareness. Including damage done to the body. Granted, it'll heal up and no doubt use that rage to attack them again full force. However, that was only if it was given a chance.
"Got you." Atalanta whispered with a smug as she leapt up and shot her Gravity Dust Arrows followed by more with each one having a different piece of Dust on it. All of them totaled ten, and all ten hit ten eyes. Blinding the Demon God Pillar in the front half as its eyeballs burst apart like a sour grape with its fluids leaking out. Haagenti would have cursed them if it weren't doubling over as its body squirmed like a worm. Jason grinned, as now they could further attack while it was in pain.
"Y-y-yuuooa-aaa-" Or… "Die you insects!" Run away like hell. In blind but still deadly rage, Haagenti began launching magical lasers from both it's functioning and still regenerating eyes. Lasers that were ten meters wide and capable of melting a regular person, where to weaken Servants like them, is akin to a near fatal sunburn.
So no way they wanted to get a nasty tan.
"Watch out sister!" Castor told Pollux as he grabbed her hand and ran with her. Both moving away from the frenzied beams of energy.
"Ha!" Medea (Lily) yelled as she put more magic in her barrier with Asclepius aiding her as the occasional beam slammed into the barrier of magic.
Atalanta herself kept dodging with only Caenis and Hercules not bothering thanks to their high-level of resistance and pain tolerance. Instead opting to throw whatever attack they could at the enraged Demon God Pillar who kept attacking at random.
"Yikes!" Random attacks that nearly hit Jason as he ran downward when one beam nearly fried his head. It wasn't long before Jason realized this was becoming a problem. These attacks may not be aimed, but they can still hurt. They needed to put down this freak and fast. Unless they wanted this stadium to be destroyed with them on it.
'But how to put down this freak?' As tough as the Argonauts were, Haagenti was tougher. His regeneration was insane, and potentially faster than even Hercules own. What they needed was an attack that would make it so regeneration would be useless.
As Jason thought this, he then felt the coliseum shake again. The attacks being launched back and forth from both sides was straining this place. While it could withstand punishment, a Demon God Pillar wasn't one of them. Plus, he's pretty sure he could see some flying Grimm here and there. Luckily, these Grimm were cautious, seeing as a few of the creatures were being vaporized by the random beam attack. Good, since if Haagentis was smart, it'd let the Grimm attack and distract them while it would pick them from behind.
'Distraction...distraction...Aha!' Jason then smiled as he knew what to do. The damage would be great, but eh, they are heroes. So surely he and the Argonauts will be forgiven. After all, it was to save the day. Thus they should be forgiven.
"Hm?" Pollux turned around while she and her brother made a hit and run tactic. Throwing these disposable 'Dust Swords' they took and letting them explode on contract with the Demon God Pillar's body. However, her focus at the second was on someone else. Primarily, her leader that was now leaving the arena with a smile on his face.
"What is it sister?" Castor asked as he then savagely threw a dagger right into Haagent's eye.
"It seems Jason has a plan." Pollux told him before re-focusing on the job. "He just left while giggling like a little girl."
"I see." Castor then ran avoiding another laser beam with her by his side. "Bet it's something that'll let us win, while also ensuring his safety."
"Undoubtedly." Pollux nodded. When it came to a deadly fight, Jason always loved a plan that would ensure their victory, while he was at a safe distance. Backstabber he may not be, but every now and then he made a plan that wasn't always to their benefit at times of battle. Of course not that they could complain, as their time was being occupied by the last of Solomon's pets.
"You think you have won?" Haagenti, finally able to think clearly, bemoaned at the heroes as his beams began focusing more properly. "But all this pain serves is a reminder to destroy you fools!" A deadly red mist began forming around him. One that made those who fought the Demon God Pillars recognize it. The beams then stopped as the mist spread throughout the arena.
Atalanta clicked her tongue and jumped away to the stands. Medea (Lily) and the good doctor stood their ground but put protective charms on the twins considering they weren't as sturdy as Caenis and Hercules. The latter of the two who stood their ground, knowing what was about to happen was about to hurt a lot.
"Now. Taste the same pain you gave me!" Then like a gas explosion, the mist went boom where the shockwave felt as if the entire stadium was hit by an earthquake. Parts of the arena gave away, and even Atalanta who was in the stands nearly tripped up. Hercules and Caenis themselves felt as if they've been hit in the gut, the chest, and well, everywhere as the shockwave ribbeted through their beings.
The two Casters and the Dioscuri twins fared better, but even they felt the aftermath. Their bodies felt a bit queasy from the wave of destruction and had to watch their footing seeing as the arena was now collapsing.
"This isn't good." Asclepius commented as he saw the very floor give away. "This place wasn't meant for a battle between heroes and demons. Soon. We won't have any place to stand at all."
"Then make us fly or something." Castor shouted as he jumped onto one of the still remaining ledges of the arena where the one he stood on fell apart. "Medea (Lily) has lots of spells, so can't she make us fly?"
"Or maybe you can summon one of your little pets." Pollux reminds the doctor of his power to summon the mechanical snake of his.
"Hm. I suppose so." If Asclepius was being honest, he was far from a fighter. Sure he could do it, but even a regular human who trained in martial arts was better than him. He was a doctor first, not a warrior. Which was why as Pollux said, he used a mechanical snake called Aesculapius to aid in his battles.
While some would question how someone like him from ancient Greek had a mechanical snake, the point is, Aesculapius was his go-to use in battle. It is a trustworthy snake that has always come through in time of need. So while it might waste a bit of his mana, it was either that or get killed by a ugly bag of flesh.
"Aesculapius!" Naturally, one can tell what his choice was. In an instant the shape-shifting mechanical snake came from nowhere and set to the size of a yellow school bus. It's long body coils up and sets its head near its master. The good doctor looked at the Demon God Pillar, and pointed at it. "Get it."
With a hiss of agreement, Aesculapius did as told and struck faster than any Grimm King Taijitu. It's own maw of fangs opened up and bit down on Haagenti's massive eye. "Why do you keep aiming for the eyes!?"
"Cause it's easy dimwit." Castor smugly points out before he grabbed his sister as the two then ran at the Demon God Pillar and hacked at his barky flesh. Pinkish-red flesh was being ripped apart as the duo's swords sliced through the Demon Gods skin. Asclepius himself threw his surgical knives at more eyeballs blinding the Pillar. Maybe when all this was over, he could do an autopsy of Haagenti. It would be nice to know the inside of the enemy.
"Graaa!" As for Haagenti, it was becoming very, very, very pissed off. It thought these Argonauts were supposed to be heroes, not people who kept using underhanded tricks and deception while constantly aiming at its eyes. So much for a battle of honor! Though this was coming from a literal demon who was attacking an entire city just so nobody would interrupt its revenge against Medea (Lily). So rather hypocritical, not that its inhumane mind would accept that.
Whatever the case, the deranged Demon God Pillar was becoming impatient that these fools were keeping up such good ground despite not even being at full power. Still, it supposed it didn't matter. If it could get them to deplete their mana, then the Will of Remnant will be able to...well, let's just say these idiots won't vanish into stardust like they think they would. For now though, Haagenti needed to get them to deplete their mana even more to reach its desired result.
'And I have plenty of time.' The Demon God Pillar thought as it then released a magical shockwave that sent Hercules, Caenis, and those infernal twins away. Then began using its magic to burn the mechanical snake off of it. 'The Grimm and the remnants are doing their job distracting the lesser mortals. Giving me plenty of time in defeating the Argonauts.'
Yes. A perfect revenge. Medea (Lily) humiliated Haagenti. Turned it into a pancake. Nearly made it go insane from being trapped in a fluffy prison. But now Haageni had the opportunity to truly hurt her. Once their magic is depleted, the real pain can begin. Even better, it'll start with her friends and end it with her beloved husband Jaso-!
'Wait a minute.' Haagenti's eyes then looked around. Realizing something amiss. Or should it say, someone 'Where is that coward?'
Jason wasn't around. He was gone. Did he actually leave his allies behind. It wouldn't surprise Haagenti if he did. After all, humans were bastards that thought of nobody but themselves. Beings that were inferior to Demon God Pillars and were worthless little worms. No doubt that human trash realized the situation he was in, and ran off like a child scared of a shadow. Oh well, ot can still hurt Medea (Lily) by using her friends.
Focusing back on the task at hand, it's eyes then stared at each of the remaining Argonauts. An eye on each one. With special curse magic, before they knew it, all of them were instantly paralyzed. Using power above their magic resistance. Then as they were paralyzed, it shot at them with small, but still deadly, laser beams. Each one hitting them dead on and causing them to fall on the ground while also temporarily limiting their mobility.
If it had a mouth, Haagenti would be smiling wickedly at the moment. Now it can use this time to at least kill one of Medea (Lily)'s little pals. Preferably the weakest, Atalanta. A full power blast will kill her instantly. Haagenti couldn't wait to see that Caster's face turn from joy to utter despair.
"Now then Medea (Lily)." Haagenti sinisterly said as a single beam was being readied to fire. "Prepare to lose a precise ally."
"Just-a-little!" Castor groaned, unable to lift a finger.
"Come...on…" Asclipius gritted his teeth. Incapable of sensing a command nor summon his mechanical snake to help out.
"Gra!" Hercules shouted in rage. Feeling powerless at this situation.
The other Argonauts constantly tried to move. But the magecraft spell on them still affected them, stunning them. It'll be gone in a bit, but by then Atalanta will be reduced to literal dust. With Medea (Lily) herself looking frightened, not for her safety, but for Atalanta.
"Damn it." The cat-girl huntress just uttered, having not expected to go out like this. Hopefully the others will kick this things demonic ass once she dies. Believing that they can prevail while helping the city. Still, while a shame, Atalanta didn't fear death. So she'll face her demise with dignity. The only thing she regretted, was that she couldn't hang out with her allies just a bit longer. Guess it'll be awhile until she can see them again.
Medea (Lily), Hercules, The twins, Caenis, Asclepius, and even Jaso….
'Wait. Where is he?' Atalanta then realized. Only now seeing that he wasn't even here. Jason was many things, including a coward. Yet abandoning his friends, never. So either he got lost or….
"?" As Haagenti was seconds from burning Atalanta to death, it noticed that she was...smiling? Uh. Even as Heroic Servants, it seemed they were the same as humans regardless. Idiotic to the end. "Now." Haagenti declared. "Die!"
Then just like that, he fired his beam.
Vrrrrrrrr!
Only seconds after the entire coliseum tilted, making Haagenti lose its balance and its aim going completely off. Instead hitting the stands vaporized with no remains left at all, clearing a hole all the way through it to.
"What in the-" Before Haagenti could speak further, the arena suddenly began shifting open. Where varicose bio-domes, Dust, and even floating cubic figures began coming out all at once. "What is this!?"
"Isn't it obvious, idiot." A familiar trident then came and rammed into his body, spewing more demonic blood. From the air came Caenis with the Dioscuri right in tow. The dark skinned tyrant grinning at the Demon God Pillar before kicking him in one of his many eyes, popping it like a disgusting water ballon. "The fool you thought as an afterthought, came through again!"
"As much as humans infuriate me," Castor and Pollux's weapons began respectively shining with a blue and yellow light. "That idiot is one of the few humans I can respect in terms of strategy."
"Indeed." Pollux agreed, as soon after the two then slammed their weapons causing an explosion of blue, yellow, and soon spilled red blood with a huge chunk of the Demon God Pillar ripped out.
"Aaaaahhhhhh!" That attack did more damage than expected. But! It should have wasted their mana. Which meant Haagenti still had a chance to-
"Here!" Atalanta shouted as she threw numerous Dust Crystals at the twins and Caenis. The three grabbing them and then...absorbing it. No, wait. They were taking its magical power and supplementing it with their own. No. No! No! It didn't realize they could do that!
Just what was going on!?
"Hahaha! Excellent job guys. Good work." Jason said to his fellow Argonaut members. Not the ones he came with though, but the ones he just summoned. Thank goodness there were so many Dust crates around to replenish his power. Neato.
"Yeah. Yeah." The brown haired youth Butus tells his leader. "As long as it helps the others, then why not." The man then grabs and pushes a bunch of random buttons which are apparently connected to the stadium.
Fshhhhh.
Or the toilets. As a huge drain of water could be heard from the pipes.
"You know," Hylas began punching down a wall, causing instability on the ceiling. "Why did you call us to destroy this place? Shouldn't you have summoned us, to, I dunno, fight that ugly worm?"
"A bad idea." Jason told him while absorbing more Dust crystals for himself. Hey, he needed the boost in power. So no judging. "That thing can kill Servants with ease. And while I have summoned you, for some reason you guys are...weakened." Which was very odd. His ability to summon Heroic Spirits was kinda like Chaldea's own, only with his crewmates or those he truly considers a crew/friends. Yet somehow they weren't at full power, indicating the cause was likely his own weakened state. Or more than likely, the Will of Remnant attempting to rid them as Haagenti said, thus making them less powerful than they should be.
"Besides, the others have this." Jason says, trusting his allies up top to beat that disgusting monster. "That, and seems like this damn planet has limited your time here in this world to." Curse this world. What did he do to get it so pissy at him?
"Okay...but why still trash this place?" Achilles dad himself asked.
"...I need to vent my frustrations somewhere." Talk about misplaced retribution.
Ah whatever. At the least Jason's plan to aid his fellow Argonauts was working. To find the controls to the stadium and boom, use it to call upon the fields to both cause confusion on Haagenti while giving advantage and Dust to the rest. Normally Jason would be unable to do that, as control access would be locked. Thankfully, the people in charge ran away when things went to hell, so it was alright.
"Hey captain," Leitus then called out to Jason. "I found a ship you and your pals can take when you set this place on fire."
"Thanks my good man." Jason chuckled. "Yep. We're gonna totally leave in style."
"Even though it will come at the cost of burning a monumental sight?" Zetes sarcastically said while ripping apart some pipes.
"...Eh. All will be forgiven." Jason nonchalantly replied, but also decided to run away before anybody linked Amity's ruin to him. He wanted recognition of a hero, not a terrorist. Besides, it wasn't like he was going to destroy humanity. Just the arena. "Moving on, thanks for all your help guys. This should give my team the distraction needed."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Whatever."
"Rot and die!"
"Happy to help."
"Wait, why are we destroying this place again?"
One by one the few summoned allies of his, around eight he believed, vanished into beautiful golden light. Thanks to them, he found more Dust to use for himself, and apparently killed off straggler Grimm that found their way here. They headed his call, and did their duty. So a job well done overall.
"Guess I'm the last one. Huh." Jason then turned and saw none other than, oh, Meleager. The man then smiled at him.
"I see. You are the last." Jason responds. "Let me guess, power of love keeping you here from leaving immediately." While he didn't know Atalanta's thoughts on Meleager, he knew it wasn't negative like her image of him and most males onboard. This dude actually was a person who helped a bit on creating her legend. Also being totally lovestruck.
"I suppose a bit." Meleager answered with a chuckle. "But I'll have to leave soon. And I wanted to give you this." He then tossed Jason a scroll, confusing the man. When he looked at it however, his eyes widened. Thanks to him learning how to read, he could recognize more words here and there. More importantly, this scroll had an identification tag to tell someone who owns this.
The words councilmen was the first thing he saw, with a list of things Jason bet were important.
"Knowing who you are, I figured you'd want something like that." Meleager tells Jason, figuring he would want information about the inner workings of Vale. Including access to a lot of important things. "Best guess, the councilmen was here and either died or just left it." There was a bit of blood on it, so that was a bad sign.
"Awesome!" A sign Jason will use to his advantage. Turning off the lock settings, Jason put it away...somewhere, and looked at his old crewmate. "I'll give thanks to you for this good treasure."
"Just tell Atalanta I said hi, and we'll be cool." Meleager tells Jason as slowly he begins fading away. "Gotta admit, a shame I can't see her. Been too long since I saw that strong beautiful huntress."
"Uh." Jason moaned. "Please don't go into some gaga love-junk." He didn't want to hear what love poems he had now. It's annoying. Meleager frowned but accepted it. He then sighed as he was vanishing away from toe to head. Though he did decide to tell Jason one last thing.
"Hey Captain," Jason looked at him. "Good luck on your journey. So long as you don't lose sight, I'm sure just maybe your dream will come true." Then like that, he was gone. Jason blinking as his old crewmate was gone and back to the Throne of Heroes. A small smile on his lips.
"Yeah, yeah. Already doing it." Jason mused as he then walked to the access control panels which controlled the coliseums movement. It was time to move this thing away from the city, particularly away from it. While Jason had no intentions of blowing this place up, he wasn't going to leave it where civilians were under it. I mean, come on! There's a Demon God Pillar in here. Best to make certain this place was away from the population. The city was already being destroyed enough, no need for more of that.
Jason went to the console that controlled Amnity's movement, and with his Riding Skill, did his best to understand this strange tech and move it. Not that it was easy, as like him, even his skills were weakened so it took concentration to 'understand' how this thing worked. His hands pushed the holographic touch-screen console and he slowly felt Amity moving.
'Excellent.' Jason though as he felt glad that this battleground was being moved away from the city. He then grabbed a bag holding lots of high-quality Dust crystals and began absorbing them into himself. His team likely already getting the Dust from atop, and considering how much there was, will likely be empowered by a lot. His hands touch each crystal and he could feel their magical energy coursing through him.
'Now I can go up and help them out.' He might not be the strongest, but every bit of help counted against Haagenti. So overall, things were going just fine.
ZZZZzzzzzzz!
Then went completely wrong as suddenly a laser hit the console that controlled the collesiums movement and blew it up while sending Jason flying until he hit a wall. As his back crashed into it, his eyes opened wide in fear as he saw the burned controls now ruined and wrecked.
"What the-" He then felt shaking, a lot of it. Then soon after, a loud blaring alarm with words that came after. Words that not only made him start running-
-but made even the other Argonauts worried.
"WARNING! WARNING! Controls to Amity inoperable. All personal please leave immediately. WARNING1 WARNING!"
"That's not good." Atalanta growls as she feels the entire coliseum shake.
"That damn worm!" Castor then sees smoke coming out from afar, and knew that it wasn't a good sign. "Those lasers he sent at us must have done this."
"Indeed. We need to leave. Now!" Asclepius warns them all.
The Argonauts, now empowered, had been fighting Haagenti and had been gaining ground. Only to fall back when the Demon God Pillar used his power to send high-degree lasers everywhere which burned them all to some degree. Some of said lasers also hit below the ground causing explosions from un-absorbed Dust and deeper. Most likely one of those lasers must have hit something important, as everyone can feel the coliseum tilting.
"You will not be leaving." Haagenti declared, as he then sent orbs of destructive energy at them, forcing the Argonauts to disperse and dodge. "It matters not if this colosseum is about to be destroyed. For I will destroy you!"
"Over and over you say." Caenis growls as she impales her trident on the ground to stand upright. "Get a life already!"
"Never!" The Demon God Pillar then sent another shockwave that caused Hercules, Pollux, and Atalanta to hit the walls of the arena while the rest barely held on from falling on their butts. They then had to move quickly as another volley of energy attacks came at them. Though as they moved, the good doctor then sent his mechanical snake to grow as big as it could, and wrap itself around Haagenti to buy time while also using its mist attack to spew Haagenti with acid.
As the Demon God Pillar struggled to free itself, Asclepius turned to his allies. "We must escape here as soon as possible. You can feel it, can't you. This entire place is about to fall to the earth!"
"Worse than that." Pollux then gets help from her brother who helps pick her up.
"What can be worse than this?" Atalanta asks while throwing a glare at Haagenti while Medea (Lily) gives some healing assistance.
"What do you think is holding Amity up?" Pollux tells them, and instantly fear and worry came on the Argonauts faces. While they didn't know much about this coliseum, what they did know was that within it was lots of Dust including a massive piece of it that made this thing float in the air. So if this entire place hit the ground….well….
"Boom." Haagenti smugly said as he then released a wave of flames that engulfed Asclepius's poor ally and destroyed it. Scattering it's pieces around with the head falling near Asclepius himself who looked saddened as it dissipated. He used a lot of mana to summon and make it that big, so it'll be awhile before he could re-summon it.
"Now then," Assuming of course, if he was still alive. "Perish." Then from the ground, pillars of light came that headed toward him. He couldn't escape in time, not that he had to.
"NO!" For Hercules has come. Pushing him out of the way as the great hero then took the brunt of the attack. His skin felt the burn while also melting. Muscle could be seen alongside veins, then slowly showed organs, then bones. Haagenti having put in extra magic power in the attack, combined with Hercules weakened state compared to a true Servant, instantly got turned to a charcoaled skeleton.
"Oh!" Caenis cringed with the other heroes also looking with similar expressions. "Yikes. That had to hurt."
"Hurt!" Castor then waved a hand at the falling apart skeleton. "He's dead."
The skeleton slowly turned to ash.
"He...can revive from that? Correct?" Atalanta gazed at Asclepius who then gave a so-so hand motion.
"If we were at full power, yes." He told her. "But in our current state, I say maybe a fifty percent chance of revival." Soon there was only a large pile ash of the once mighty Hercules. "...maybe less."
"It matters not." Haagenti gloated toward them, as each eye gazed at the heroes. A tinge of superiority in its tone. "Even if your ally revives, your fates are set. Destiny forsaken you. Soon, all will perish in my hands. And once I am done with you, I will deal with the other Servants myself."
The Argonauts got ready for another fight. Heck, even the ashes of Hercules slowly began rising; might be a while of course before he came back to life. Regardless, win or lose, the heroes of the Argo won't be on their knees as they face this massive foe. If they were going down, it would be fighting to the bitter end. Haagenti noting this itself, and simply gave the best 'smile' it could. It was going to enjoy making them scream.
"Hey you ugly worm." It was then Haagenti and the rest of the Argonauts heard a shout. "Eat this." Soon followed by an explosion near the top of Haagenti's flesh. Being bombarded by an explosion of ice, fire, earth, and even lightning!
"Gah!" The Argonauts then looked up and saw none other than Jason, who was throwing down crates of Dust on the Demon God Pillar. The Bullhead he was on in autopilot as he did his job while then giving a wave to his allies.
"Haha. That bastard. So that's where he went." Caenis grinned.
"Looks like we have our ride out of here." Asclepius quickly picked up the glowing ashes of Hercules and put them in a jar. Hopefully Hercules will resurrect just a bit later.
"But we surely can't leave that thing here." Pollux looks at the Demon God Pillar. "This world has fine warriors, but none of them can stand against that. Only blood will be shed if they face it."
"Not to mention once it regenerates, it'll shoot us from the arena and make us crash." Atalanta points out.
"No worries." Caenis then tells her allies. "Just get me on that Bullhead thingy and I can handle it from there." With a silent agreement, the Argonauts then made their way to the Bullhead. Though Medea (Lily) gave a look at the Demon God Pillar with a glare. This thing...to think it survived what she did to it, and targeted her friends. While she was angry at it, she also felt anger at herself as she felt some sense of responsibility toward what she released in this world.
'I doubt it'll die, even when the colosseum falls...but I will deal with you.' She then followed her friends as they all jumped or flew toward the open Bullhead. A good thing too, as Jason had finally ran out of crates to throw, with Haagenti now glaring at them with its fully regenerated body. Though if one looked closely, you can see slight scars here and there. The battle between it and the Argonauts and all the abuse has caused its regeneration to weaken just a bit.
'Not that it matters. Once I kill them, I'll just find those remaining monsters and the people and use them to replenish my strength.' It was clear to the Demon God Pillar that he won't be able to torture them as it would like. Still, it wasn't going to let them get away either. On that floating machine, Haagenti will shoot it down full force with its power. Turning them to something less than ash, making it so that nothing of them even remains.
It began focusing it's magical energy, to create a powerful wide range beam to blast them all to the depths of hell. A magical circle appeared before it and properly aimed at them. Using magecraft to also give it some passive defenses so that Medea (Lily) can't interfere with the spell. Yes. This was it. While not the revenge it fantasized, Haagenti will still destroy Medea (Lily), her friends, and soon when it finds a way, that pesky Master of Chaldea. Nothing would stop it.
Then suddenly it felt it. Energy. Magical energy. Looking up, it then saw Medea (Lily)...transferring her power to the Lancer, Caenis, alongside Asclepius. Who in turn was twirling her trident which began glowing ominously and being filled with power.
"Insignificant gnat. Know your place." Haagenti declared as it then summoned more magical circles in front of the first, deciding to pour in more of its awesome might. This was the price for daring to think that they could defeat it.
For a moment the eyes of Caenis and Haagenti met.
"Now-"
"Die!"
Then both unleashed their power.
One beam of pure energy headed toward the Bullhead.
Meeting it head on was a trident that glowed like a tiny sun.
The two attacks then rammed into each other, and for a moment the night sky lit up. As a great light like a star could be seen for less then one second. Like the flash of a camera light, when taking a photo. Just like that, the light then went away.
"Aaahahhhhh! Impooooosssiblleeee!" Where after the light, a massive hole was then seen in the Demon God Pillar Haagenti. One that made it bleed badly with its regeneration unable to heal the wound at all, having used too much magical power. Then with a sickening rip, the entire top half of its body fell down like a tree that had been axed. Its damaged flesh slamming into the arena with its blood filling the place up as its eyes glared hatefully at the Lancer.
The Lancer herself smiled, as she had poured as much magical energy as she could into that attack with the two Caster having reinforced that attack with their own power. Now they were all safe from Haagenti counter-attacking. But even better, Caenis looked at the Demon God Pillar and said one thing.
"Checkmate bitch!"
BOOOOOMMMMMM!
It was then the bottom of Amity exploded in a great light!
So focused on his pain and hate, that Haagenti didn't realize the trident did more than just run him through. Even after ripping through his flesh, it continued downward and moving with destructive energy. As such, it was inevitable that the trident would then hit the one thing that is keeping up this doomed colosseum in the first place.
"WHAT!?" Those were its last words as the Demon God Pillar was engulfed. The Gravity Dust at the very bottom has been hit, and reacted with the magical energy in the trident. Dust. It was an unknown substance, even after all these years few knew where it came from or how it was made. All the people of Remnant knew was that it was power itself, that could bend the laws of reality to its whim if used right.
Among them, Gravity Dust was one of the few types that could use its ability immediately. As those who travel can note that they can find clusters of rocks or even small land masses floating thanks to the effects of the Gravity Dust beneath it. Amity Colosseum uses the second biggest piece of Dust found and used to allow the entire structure to float.
Now it blew up, and through its magical effects, created what could only be described as a temporal anomaly, aka, a black hole. Not a real one of course, more like something akin to it. As the destroyed Gravity Dust that kept Amity floating manipulated the laws of reality, and with its destruction began converging all gravity to it. Everything near becomes crushed and vanishes within it. Not even the nearby Grim could escape as they screeched in agony before being pulled in.
Thankfully, while it had been falling Amity hadn't been near the city and as such, only destroyed itself. Whether Haagenti survived or not is another story. Regardless, it was gone either for good or will return only after recovery. Until then, nobody had to worry about it.
"Damn it! Pull up! Pull upppp!" Since the Argonauts especially had to worry about the next thing. Landing.
"Shut it! Don't you think I'm trying!" Pollux shouted at Jason who held on tight to Atalanta's leg while she was hanging onto a chair while her leader was nearly falling out the open Bullhead. Smoke coming out of the rear of the machine, due to a stray rubble hitting it and damaging the damn thing. Thus why it was now falling down.
"Great. Just great." Caenis mutters as she wrapped her arms on a chair like Atalanta as the Bullhead falls. "We survive that thing only to face possible demise by a plane crash. This sucks."
"Indeed." Asclupis says while gripping Hercules remains which was now glowing brightly. "In a way, death by a Pillar would be seen as more honorable than this."
"Or by a black hole." Medea (Lily), holding onto Jason's back, says as she sees the remains of Amity now gone with no trace left behind. The false black hole then vanishing away.
"Uh!" Jason moans. "Can things get any worse?" As if the world was against them, which it is, a flash of light appeared and from the very glass jar that held Hercules remains, came the Demi-God himself.
"Shit." Along with his weight with Castor cursing as with the sudden appearance of Hercules, the Bullhead vibrated and shook...then quite literally split in two. It didn't help that earlier the explosion from Amity before it converged into the black hole had weakened the Bullhead by pelting it with lots of metal.
As such, every single one of the Argonauts began falling to the ruined city below. They'll live, but it will certainly hurt like hell. Jason himself sighs and looks at Hercules. "Hey."
"..." The Demi-God faced Jason, eyes meeting one another.
"Nice to see you again." Jason smirked, with Hercules doing the same.
"Ah." Medea (Lily) sniffled while then hugging Atalanta. "Why does he only smile at him like that?" She bemoaned with Atalanta shaking her head. Just like that, the fall continued. But the Argonauts will rise up soon enough, and together to boot. For this battle in the city was still ongoing. While it will soon end, they had a role to play. One that will likely make things worse for them.
And battle with Haagenti is done. But do not fear, it still has a role to play. One you won't even see coming. But for now, its MIA for the time being, until this battle in Vale is done. Which is about to be seen, seeing as without Haagenti guiding them, those remnants of foes will scatter soon enough.
And another thing, when the Servants lose mana, they won't disappear. In fact, something else will occur instead. What that is, you can just guess and figure it out. Until then, we'll be hitting the final stages of this long battle and then the aftermath. Man, I feel sorry for the city. Because it'll be gone soon enough.
"Man...looks like my Master was right about you. You really are a pain." Avenger was far from being alright. I mean, he got his butt whooped, the students in Beacon were winning, and he was missing a damn left arm with cuts all over his body. Where standing before him is the young version of Medusa, the powerful wizard Ozpin, and that guy who can turn to a crow, Qrow. With him by himself...lame.
"Surrender Avenger. Otherwise, you'll lose more than just a limb." Ana told him coldly, Harpe ready to slice off his legs with Qrow right behind her.
"Give in buddy." Qrow darkly looks at him. "Don't care how much stronger you are. You're finally running out of advantages. Didn't expect to get the fight turned on you, did ya."
"True enough." Avenger shrugged with a smile. "While my new Master and this world provides me with more power than the other one, I got way too carried away." Yep. In the end he didn't know how to fight properly and while strong, was totally unskilled in combat. If anything, he should have killed them off from the get go instead of toying with them. Thus why this is happening to him now.
"Master huh. So Salem really has recruited you." Ozpin gazes upon the Servant, looking unamused. "How is she providing you with this power. Did she give it to you?" Like he did with the Maidens.
"Ha. No way old fart." Avenger laughs. "She just happens to have loads of mana to spare to keep me going up and high. Heck, not even the Masters in Chaldea can make as many contracts as she did while still letting us use our Noble Phantasms."
Ana still has her guard p, but is now wary. She knows that Chaldea's Masters can make contracts with Servants, but not to many. As if they go over to many, they'll be drained dry by their own Servants. Thus why in Chaldea when Servants come, they are hooked to special generators to compensate.
'But if what Avenger is saying is true, then this 'Salem' woman can somehow make multiple contracts without side effects.' She then looks at Ozpin, as he clearly knew this Salem person. Just what was their history, and more importantly, who is she and by extension, Ozpin? Because she can tell...his soul was far older than what a normal human should be.
"...Then you will tell us all you know. And what Salem's plans are." Ozpin then points his weapon, the Long Memory at him. "I can tell that you aren't the only new pawn she has working with her. As such, I want to know who they are, they're abilities, and what she's about to do. For while Salem has clearly…," Ozpin then turns and sees smoke coming from Vale. "...won, in terms of hurting this city, she hasn't gotten her prize just yet."
"Ah yeah, the Relics." Ozpin's eyes widened along with Qrows, with Ana noting their discomfort. "Yeah, saw that in her dream. Out of all of us Servants, I'm the most compatible with her, and man, talk about rage against the heavens. Hahaha. While she didn't suffer torture like me, being trapped alone in an empty world for over a century certainly isn't better."
Yep, Avenger saw her past. Her memories. Not all of them of course, just the more prominent ones. And yikes, talk about total solitude. Nobody to talk to, attacked by Grimm, incapable of dying at all as the world kept turning. Boy were those Gods jackasses. Whatever the case, thanks to his great compatibility with her, he also knew her plans. He was totally with her.
"In that case, all the more need to have you." Ana readys to knock him out. Ozpin and Qrow with her on that front. "After all, an asset with such knowledge can't be discarded."
"Fair enough." Avenger nods. Then he smiles, as Ana then sees him glowing. "Too bad though, I'm needed elsewhere." Ozpin summons magical chains with Ana attempting to cut him down. "Until next time." Avenger taunts as he then vanishes away in a sparkle of light, his Master having called upon him and is gone, leaving the three with nothing to make up for this loss they had.
"Damn it." Qrow growls with his left hand gripping itself into a fist. "All this damage, death, and we got nothing to make up for it." He didn't know the situation in Vale, but considering the flaming smoke and how he heard a few explosions, he's pretty sure the situation isn't good at all. Even worse, Salem was making her move now. With allies that were more stronger than anything he's faced.
That Avenger guy, he beat them up so easily. He only lost because he didn't end them there and then. Meaning if he had taken them seriously, with the exception of Ozpin...they would have died just like that. Damn it all.
"...come Qrow. We must go now." Ozpin says as he begins moving away. Not meeting Qrows gaze and had a fallen expression on his face. "Even if this battle is nearing the end, at the very least we should see if we can help those in Vale. Or what's left of it."
Qrow said nothing but followed either way. Even then though, he feared what would happen when he saw Vale. Right behind him is Ana, who didn't look any pleased. Her eyes looking at the hurt or dead students, who faced the Grimm and that top-tier demon that was only killed after many students lost their lives.
It seems no matter the world, there will always be death. At the very least, as she followed the two men in front of her, she can help deal with any Servants. The ones who aided this Salem in making this city a hell. Once she meets them, she'll cut them down for their crimes. For despite what she is, and what she became, she is a hero.
One that will stop evil from harming others.
