Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Azure Seas, Black Space
Chapter 6: The First Phase of Liberation
The group soon arrived in the world to see Yggdra, Luciana, and Aegina already trying to fend off a large army of demons with the others of the Royal Army, since the three of them had been cut off from Gulcasa and the Brongaa Empire.
"Shit, they're doing intensive battle already. Let's get in there and help!" Siege said.
"Already on it!" Richard shouted back, as the group immediately split off into respective squads to engage the enemy.
The Herrschers split off to deal with threats by themselves, as Allison and Rachel soon joined up with Aegina, Luciana, Yggdra, Milanor, and Kylier.
"Lady Yggdra!" Allison yelled as she took down a demon trying to attack her from behind.
"Allison! Oh thank the heavens you are here…" Yggdra remarked. "The demons have attacked once more, and this time, their forces are great indeed…"
"It's alright, it's alright, we got reinforcements of our own. The kingdom of Fantasinia will not fall today, not while we stand." Richard assured Yggdra.
"Been a while since I've seen you around, Richard." Milanor remarked, before he then sliced through a group of demons approaching with his glaive-axe. "I almost kind of miss you."
"Lord Siege, may I ask what kind of aid that you bring with you?" Aegina asked, as she and Luciana combatted demons from one of the pathways where the group were holed up.
"Oh, just a few divine interventions." Siege said. "Plus a couple highly skilled mages."
The divine interventions were soon known, as Raiden, Fujin, and Kenshi cut through demons like butter, and the Herrschers were obliterating just as many, if not more. Remilia was unceasingly throwing Gungrir across the distance, as any unlucky demon in her path was annihilated by pure energy emitted from the spear. Patchouli was already reinforcing the lines, as she summoned her philosopher stones, as they spewed elemental destruction onto their enemies.
Meanwhile, Rachel was amidst the fighting, as she was tearing enemies with her long-spear, taking them rapidly, while Kaguya was using a spear of her own, except she constantly used the Jeweled Branch of Hourai to fire streams of magical danmaku to force the enemies back with sheer density of projectiles. Allison was spear fighting alongside Rachel, as even though Allison's weapon was different, she and Rachel still had their badass synchronisation, and their badass skills, to provide badass results.
"So, yeah, as you can see, Aegina, we have plenty of help and firepower. Speaking of firepower, I noticed the new magic cannon on one of Fantasinia's towers." Siege said. "Let me guess, Eudy did that."
"As always." Luciana answered back, as the group could see Eudy crazily firing her cannon, tearing the demon ranks. "I swear, I don't get where that fascination of hers comes from."
"Well, her fascination really helps in times like these so I'll take it… for now. Seriously, has anyone suggested therapy for her fascination?" Siege asked as he shook his head with a chuckle.
"Oh, we've tried." Kylier answered, as her squad of griffon riders swooped down for another run of hacking demons down. "She doesn't change easily."
"Aye…" Siege said with a shake of his head. "Alright, team, let's clean up this mess since these demons are dwindling quite quickly."
"Right… Amagi, step up the pace, and show them some firepower of your own." Richard told Amagi.
"As you wish." Amagi responded back, before she then leapt back, before she summoned her floating armaments, as they fired shells into the enemy formation, tearing a large part of the demons apart with mighty explosions, as her hair briefly turned red at her using some of her Herrscher powers to amplify the shots.
"W-What is this…?" Yggdra remarked back.
"That's raw firepower right there." Richard answered back with a smirk. "She's the pride of her own faction."
"Yep, and apologies if her technology is a little foreign to you all, she is, after all, from a separate universe." Siege would explain.
After a few more minutes, Fantasinia was cleared of all demon activity, without any further casualties.
"There, all done…" Siege said with a sigh of relief. "We had hoped to visit you guys, but not under these circumstances."
"No, it's all right. We appreciate all of the help you have provided for us, Siege." Yggdra responded back. "To have guardians like you watching over us, it is a rare blessing."
"Don't praise us so highly, please, we're merely doing our job." Siege said. "Now then, we should find Demigra before he causes any more trouble here."
"Right. Let's not waste any more time than needed. The longer we let Demigra have his way, the more Black can let him get away with things, and cause a mess for us all." Raiden said.
"So where do we go from here?" Rachel asked back. "We don't exactly know where Demigra went…"
"Hmm. I should be able to track him down." Kiana said. "Give me a moment while I try to find him."
Kiana soon summoned a Honkai, but to better fit it to this world, it appeared as a female valkyrie instead of a usual Archangel type Honkai. "You, you know what Demigra's energy signature is. Find him, and report back."
With a nod, the valkyrie flew off, leaving those of the Yggdra Union universe in awe.
"Did you just…?" Milanor remarked with awe.
"Oh, I can summon my own personal vanguard." Kiana said, as to put it in terms they would understand.
"Your own personal vanguard? Are you… a goddess?" Aegina would ask.
"Uhhh… uhmm…" Kiana began to think on that, before looking to Richard and Siege for help on explaining how she was a Herrscher, not a god, in terms they would understand.
"Well, technically, you could say she is like one, although that's in terms of power. She's more or less a being of energy." Richard answered back. "I'd say that she is more like a demi-goddess rather than an actual goddess."
"Ah, so not quite a god but close." Luciana pieced together. "Very well. Still, it is an honor being in the presence, Demi-goddess. They said your name was Kiana, yes?"
"Er, uh, yeah! Yes! I am Kiana, demi-goddess, blessed with the powers of Void magic!" Kiana said, boasting her "title" to the Yggdra Union allies.
"Another goddess.. I'm glad to meet another who would aid us." Yggdra remarked back.
Kiana nodded back with a smile, before she heard the wing flaps of the Valkyrie (Archangel Honkai) she had sent out, as she was already in the air, honing towards where Demiga's energy signature was, since Kiana gave her the knowledge to seek it, and her enhanced Honkai senses picked it up. She was returning with news, as Kiana watched her land before everyone.
"Speak. What have you found?" Kiana asked the Archangel Honkai, disguised as a Valkyrie. The purple part of her that gave it away that she was a Honkai, unknowingly to those of Yggdra Union, was her hair.
"He is close in this world." The Archangel Honkai responded back. "However, I was able to spot our other enemies, the demi-goddesses of Wind and Reason, who call our actions wrong and undignified. They are this way, and I can lead you to them, my liege."
"Excellent. Demi-goddesses of Thunder and Fire, follow us." Kiana said to Mei, Amagi, and Sakura. "If the Demi-goddesses of Reason and Wind wish to defy us, then we should show them their wrongdoings."
Mei nodded firmly, as did Sakura and Amagi, as Kiana turned to the Archangel. "Lead the way." Kiana said to the Honkai.
Upon that group preparing to leave to face Reason and Wind, the others began planning to head where Demigra most likely would be, before Baldus would run to them.
"Lady Yggdra! You are unharmed!" Baldus said. "By heavens thank the gods… quickly, you must make haste! Flamewerk is under assault from that Demon God!"
"This…" Yggdra gasped with horror.
"Flamewerk!? Gulcasa…" Aegina gasped as well.
"Is that where you found Demigra's signature in?" Richard asked the Archangel Honkai. She caught wind of him before she flew off, and turned to respond.
"...Yes." She responded back. After answering, she, Kiana, Mei, Amagi, and Sakura left to fight Reason and Wind.
"Phew…" Kiana said once they were out of earshot. "Talk about close encounter after close encounter… you adapted well to your new form for such a short time. Well done." Kiana said, praising the Honkai.
"I merely do what is expected of me, my queen." The Archangel Honkai responded back.
"Well, they perhaps may think it weird if I summoned an elite looking Valkyrie such as yourself and I didn't have a name and you didn't have special capabilities to show for it… we should fix that now." Kiana said, clearing her throat. "I hereby name you Eriako, the Valkyrie Warrior."
"To be named by you… It is my greatest honour." The newly-christened Eriako answered back with gratitude in her voice.
"Now, you know as well as I do that Valkyrie or Archangel of your state either one, the Herrschers of Reason and Wind would wipe you out in mere seconds. We need to fix that too." Kiana said. "Now then, Mei, Amagi, Sakura, let's bless our Valkyrie here with the power she needs to stand up to our foes."
"I stand firmly with your plan, Kiana." Mei said, summoning some lightning energy.
"Eriako, accept this gift on behalf of the Herrschers of Flame." Sakura said, procuring some flames in her hands.
"Take my half of the Herrscher of Flame's power as well. It will be useful for you." Amagi responded back, as crimson flames flowed from her hand into Eriako.
"Eriako, noble Archangel, now a Valkyrie, we, as Herrschers of Void, Flame, and Thunder, bestow upon you great power. Use it wisely, and use it for righteousness and good." Kiana said, as the gifts from the four of them flourished towards Eriako, swirling around her, before it then flowed into her.
It caused a great transformation in her, as her body was equipped with silver armour, with gems along it that were of the same colour as the gifter's elements, purple for Kiana's Void, golden for Mei's lightning, and light red and Crimson red for the Flames of Sakura and Amagi respectively.
"...Thank you, all of you." Eriako answered back. "I will use this strength with all of my effort. It will not be gone to waste with me."
"I am certain it will not. Now, continue leading us, Eriako. Lead us to the Herrschers of Reason and Wind." Kiana said.
"As you wish." Eriako responded back, before she then led the group to where the Herrschers of Reason and Wind were, as they were within a desolate field nearby Flamewerk, as if Demigra placed them there for an ambush on the heroes.
But the truth was… it was not the case, as Reason laughed. "Look at the lot of you, coming here in hopes of stopping us… did your little Archangel scout us out? Such a good, obedient Honkai! ...That is… if she was accurate."
Eriako then felt something shift. The Herrschers of Reason and Wind weren't there… shifting her eyes to Flamewerk, where the Royal Army had already stationed at, the entire group was about to be blasted with a combined attack from Demigra and both Herrschers to wipe them clean out!
"No!" Eriako shouted, before the lightning gem on her armour activated, as her wings turned golden, as she swiveled towards where Flamewerk was, as the heroes were below, fighting against the monsters, too busy to notice the incoming attack. "I have to… The Queen's allies must not fall!"
"Eriako!" Kiana yelled out, as she and the others chased after her to try and save her. But it was already too late. Demigra and the Herrschers fired their attack, but Eriako was there, ready to provide her life as the sacrifice.
"Oh Herrschers… grant me strength!" She bellowed, summoning the powers from her gems, as they all glowed, as a large barrier formed in front of her. The large attack collided with it, as Eriako did all she could to hold on, and fizzle out the attack as much as possible.
"Ghhh… Urggh…" Eriako gritted, as the barrier began to crack, although the attack was slowly weakening.
This was enough to catch the attention of the heroes below, as they recognized Eriako somewhat.
"What… that's… that's the Demi-Goddess Kiana's Valkyrie!" Aegina said, shocked. "She… she… how is she holding back such an attack!?"
"She's not gonna hold it for long…" Siege said. "But their attack is diminishing from her barrier it seems. When her barrier gives, the attack is going to be dealt with… but her… I'm afraid… she is going to perish."
"What a pitiful Archangel. Throwing her life away, to save her friends from a doomed fate." The Herrscher of Reason said. "Quite the pitiful display."
"Well, she just will join the many other Honkai we have slain. Just forgotten, like all her other brethren." The Herrscher of Wind cackled, as the attack weakened more, but the barrier was about to shatter.
"Not yet…! NOT YET!" Eriako screamed, as desperation was on her expression, as she was using her very life-force to hold the barrier, as the purple from her hair was fading away into ash-white.
After a while, the attack broke through the barrier, although it was weak enough that the only one hit by the attack was Eriako, as it tore through the centre of her, while annihilating the demons below. She immediately free-falled towards the group, as Richard caught her mid-fall, slowly lowering her to the ground. Siege was next to him, as the two of them looked sadly at the dying Archangel, turned noblest of Valkyries, as she was already mortally wounded, with her eyes dim.
"I… I…" Eriako wheezed. "I'm too weak… to have let this attack destroy me, when I promised the Queen and her fellow Herrschers, that I wouldn't… let their power go to waste… And this was because… I was foolish… I should have…"
"It's alright, the display of power you used wasn't for nothing. You have saved more lives than you can count. You have done something that your brethren have never done before… You have become a hero." Richard told Eriako, slowly easing her by slowly stroking the side of her head. "And that will live eternally."
In her last fleeting moments, Eriako soon saw her Queen, Kiana, floating down to her, as tears were in her eyes, as Kiana soon placed her hands on Eriako, stroking her hair, but she smiled somehow, shadowing her eyes to hide the pain.
"You… you have done well… Eriako… your job… you did that and so much more in this short life you were unfortunate to have experienced…" Kiana said, trying to be stoic. "You… you shall be remembered… do not let the other Herrschers fool you into thinking you are forgotten… you… you will be remembered for your heroism today, Eriako… now… rest… rest my chosen warrior… you mustn't strain yourself…"
Eriako slowly turned her eyes to Kiana, as she was surprised that her Queen was sending her off with a smile, as she used the last of her strength to return one, as her life left her with her eyes open. Richard felt her life leave, as he slowly eased her eyes closed, and laid her body through a sukima, as her body would be stored safely for a proper burial.
"Sleep, Eriako… The world will move on without you, and you will be remembered for your actions that brought this future." Richard spoke in a solemn tone.
Richard then turned to Kiana, who was at the verge of crying in sorrow, or screaming in rage. "...Don't cry just yet… this battle is yet to be over. It may sound cold… but tears evaporate on the battlefield." He stated, before drawing his blades, and cutting through the surrounding demons. "Focus yourself on that anger burning through your hate. Pilot its immense power, and let those who have caused it taste its fiery bite!"
"Demigra…. Reason… Wind…" Kiana growled, as her anger began to manifest around her, as the Void powers within her began to power up incredibly, catching Demigra, Reason, and Wind off guard, as each actually had a look of fear at how angry Kiana was.
Kiana shot up into the sky, before landing, as her void powers allowed her a stairway up to Demigra and the Herrscher's levels, as her eyes were shadowed, warm tears still flowing as she ascended the steps.
(Cue - Befall - Honkai Impact Soundtrack)
"You… you cold blooded murderers… you've no remorse… not even for your own kind, who you slaughter as if they're merely puppets for your pleasure…" Kiana said in cold anger, as suddenly, multiple Honkai, disguised as Valkyries and Knights, as well as some large golems, began to smash the demon army below. "No… Void has told me she yearned for a day, when she could give more life to the Honkai, so they may be more important to each other… I granted her that wish… I granted Erioka life… and you, like the cold, heartless, no good rotten bastard and bitches you are, TOOK THAT AWAY FROM HER!" Kiana screamed in rage, forming a deathly looking spear, as her tears were warm, as one eye was golden, signifying both she and Void had this to say, not just Kiana.
"...This… power... n-not even Void was capable of…" Reason stuttered, as she soon had to block a lightning quick charge from Kiana, which quickly ended in Reason getting knocked out with a multi-slash, sending her plummeting. Demigra gave her a portal to safety, and looked to find that Wind was also taken out, as he teleported her away.
"You… you… where is this power coming from…!?" Demigra asked, as for a mere moment, Void was in full control, as she glared harshly at Demigra.
"This power… comes from me finally understanding… what the humans really want. Peace. As do us Honkai. I was a fool, not realizing it sooner. Kiana… her kind soul… she gave life to a Honkai in my honor… and in the end… you ripped it away." Void said, anger in her tone as tears still fell. "And now… I'LL RIP YOU TO UTTER PIECES!"
"Not if I have a say!" Demigra yelled in frustration and fear, as he summoned large enemies, who fired at Void, while he made his escape. And like before, Void countered it with her void powers… but Demigra escaped.
"...Coward." Void said coldly, before letting Kiana resume control. The demon army was gone, and the universe of Yggdra Union was saved.
...But at what cost?