Fractured – Chapter 15

I followed Fanatio to the nearest tavern and we headed inside. Despite the late hour, the bar was quite busy. Nearly all of the onlookers stared at Fanatio and I, having never seen Integrity Knights up close. Generally, we weren't allowed to mingle with commoners, but with circumstances as they were, why the hell not?

We sit down at a booth. Fanatio raised her hand, signaling service. "Two house specials," she ordered cheerfully.

The barmaid nods, then scurries away. She returns quickly, setting down two big mugs. Fanatio tosses the barmaid more shia then the drinks are actually worth. Understanding immediately, the barmiad greedily picks up the money, and leaves us alone.

I look at my drink and frown. "Why do I get the feeling I shouldn't have this," I mutter to myself. Sliding the drink to one side, I lean in close asking, "What is the plan?"

Fanatio downs her drink in one gulp, then rests back against her chair. "Don't want to beat around the bush, huh?"

I simply stare at her.

"Very well." Fanatio said. "We are going to use the natural walls of a deep ravine, along with dragons from above, to put pressure on Eugeo and cage him in. The shadows in the ravine will make it difficult to generate sacred power seeing as Solus's light cannot reach inside. We will then force Eugeo into a corner, where you will be lying in wait. What I need you to do is cut him with your sword, which is currently being modified with a special toxin. I have already spoken to the other Knights and they'll be taking their positions providing you with the appropriate support and backup."

"What does this toxin do?" I asked curiously.

"It will put Eugeo into a deep sleep, giving us time to restrain him and bring him back to the Cathedral."

From the explanation, I shudder at one word. Restrain. Changing topics abruptly, I ask, "Why me?"

"Why you?" She looks at me as if I'm being ridiculous, but she sees there's no recognition in my golden eyes. Clearing her throat, she continues, "You're his best friend. We're hoping he'll let you in close, and hopefully not hold too much of a grudge after what you do." She laughs nervously, then calls back the barmaid for another round.

I fail to see any humor in this, choosing instead to down my drink, wiping the foam from my lips.

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOo

Alice had fallen into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning, until she cried out, "Stop! Please!"

Leina awoke in the bed along the other side of the wall. She crossed over and sat down on Alice's bed, rubbing the other girl's shoulders gently.

The blonde blinked her eyes, the world coming back into focus. "Leina?"

"I'm here," she responded softly.

"I…," Alice began hesitantly, "…appreciate your kindness."

"Of course," Leina smiled warmly. She knew it was tough for Alice to admit such feelings, and yet, for her to utter those few words, it felt like a bit of progress was being made. She decided to press a bit further. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Alice flatlined.

Leina sighed. One step at a time. "Because of the upcoming battle, promise me that afterwards, you will get yourself checked out."

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Fanatio and I headed back to the Cathedral, going our separate ways. I decide to try and get some sleep with the few hours I had until sunrise. I make my way up to the fifth floor and take the fourth door on the right. Oddly enough, I felt something important had happened here. I shrugged, then went to undress until I was only wearing my pants. Yawning, I make my way towards the bed, pull the covers back, and lie down. I turn onto my side, my fingers curling slightly by my face, and close my eyes. I was about to doze off when the same nausea from before washed over me. I barely made it in time to wretch over the side, heaving up even more blood than before. My body temperature was high and I felt like I was on fire. Goddesses, I felt so sick. I flopped back onto my bed, and went to curl in myself. What the hell was wrong with me?

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Fanatio was up early, stretching her arms up and back, then rolling her shoulders. The sun had yet to rise, but it was getting close. She had a plan to capture Eugeo, but separating him from the foreign soul, well, that was something else. She had just stepped into the main conference room on the first floor of the Cathedral when Selka had come rushing up to her. "Selka?" Fanatio frowned. "You shouldn't be here."

"I want to help Eugeo too," Selka pleaded. "Ronye told me the soul possessing Eugeo is his ancestor. That definitely made things harder, but I think I found a way to separate them."

"Tell me," Fanatio urged.

"We're going to need a special item and someone with an extremely high level of sacred arts in order to dispel the binding. I wish it could be me, but I lack the proper experience and training."

"You may be inadequate now, but in time, you will be able to rival even me with your sacred arts," Alice stated matter of factly as she strolled into the room with Leina close behind her.

"Alice!" Selka ran up to her sister, giving her a giant hug.

The blonde knight smiled affectionately, embracing the young girl.

"I might not be able to fight, but at least let me go out and retrieve the item," Selka begged.

"No." Alice said adamantly. "It's too dangerous. Especially alone."

"She won't be alone," Jink joined their group, strutting into the room. "I'll go with her."

"You actually want to help?" Leina eyed the young man.

Jink shrugged, but his cheeks flushed as he looked over at Alice.

"Anyways," Selka cleared her throat, "The item. It's a sacred artifact used in rituals back when the Underworld was young. I've tracked its path, and right now, it's in the Obsidian Tower in the Dark Territory. I'm hoping that Iskahn will let me borrow it."

"Very well," Alice nodded then stepped up to Jink. "If anything happens to my sister, I will personally make sure you never have any children. Do I make myself clear?"

"Very," Jink squeaked out.

"Once the object is obtained, I'll need you to recite the spell," Selka said, turning towards Alice. "What it should do is release the foreign soul from his body. Once we do that, we can either imprison it into a soul stone, dissipate it, or…" she paused, "…set it free."

"Set it free?" Jink said incredulously. "After everything it's done?"

"Are we sure it's a good idea to bring Eugeo to the Cathedral?" Leina asked warily. "We could be inviting a disaster by bringing him exactly where he wants to be."

"True," Fanatio said. "Unfortunately, there is no other choice."

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

I blink my bleary eyes and squint against the rising sun. Sleep had eluded me and I felt like shit but at least I was vertical. I was seated atop my large, black steed, pulling on its reins as it stomped around eagerly.

"Remember, your sword has been infused with the sleep toxin. Crossing blades is fine, but you'll need to break the skin and get the toxin into his blood stream. One deep slice should do it," Cardinal explained, handing my sword up to me. "You have your task and I expect you to get it done quickly and efficiently."

"Of course, my lady."

Cardinal's brown eyes are intense as she searches my face. "Is something wrong?"

I look away from her, saying nothing.

"Answer me," she commands.

"I am…fine," I grind out.

Cardinal raises a brow. "I do not believe you are being truthful. However, I will let it slide in the essence of time." She can see the same clock I can, and it's ticking down fast.

Looking out, I watch as Selka and Jink head to the Eastern Gate towards the Dark Territory. Meanwhile, Fanatio, Alice, and four lesser Knights were hovering briefly above me before they headed North towards the Sustnel Mountains. Leina had pulled up on my right, seated atop a lithe brown mare. On my left was Asuna, settled atop a white mare. The two girls eyed each other briefly, then slapped their reins, urging their horses forward. I followed suit, trailing only a fraction behind them. We'd be intercepting our target in just a few short hours.

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Eugeo looked up at the sky as the first rays of the sun began to break through the darkness. His eyes flashed ice blue as Galen took control. He looked down at the body he was currently possessing, watching as blue tendrils slithered across his skin. Inside their subconscious, the real owner of this body, was trapped inside an ice cage.

Eugeo narrowed his eyes as Galen strode up in front of him.

"Don't look at me that way. I will do what needs to be done." Galen frowned, "Besides, this world was nothing but cruel to you."

Eugeo averted his eyes. "That may be true, but there is good too."

"No, there's not," Galen replied flatly.

Galen turned to walk away, but paused, looking over his shoulder. "Your friends will meet a swift death should they get in my way."

Back outside, Galen was growing tired of walking, and seeing Renly's dragon sitting nearby, a smile crossed his lips. "Renly," he called smugly. "I say we take Kazenui."

"No," Renly ground out. He was still tied up in icy vines, as he had been for the past few hours. Galen had just left him like that, merely observing him, like a bug. It was really annoying, although part of him wanted Galen to do more than just observe. "Ridiculous," Renly muttered, despite his cheeks heating.

Galen sighed and waved his hand. The ice vines holding Renly prisoner cracked and fell to the ground. Before the boy knight had a chance to retaliate, Galen extended a hand, his fingertips glowing, and he placed them on the spot he'd bitten Renly earlier. "System Call, Generate Cryogenic Element. Circulate."

"What are you doing?" Renly asked warily. On his skin, frost had started to weave intricate patterns. They pulsed and glowed, then his body started to move, without his permission. He was now headed for his dragon, just as Galen had wanted. As he got closer, the beast reared its head and snorted in alarm. Renly withdrew his Twin Winged Blades, their sharp blades glinting. The dragon quieted, then laid its head down, waiting for its master to board. "Hey! I'd never threaten him like that," Renly snarled. "What the hell did you do to me?"

"I said I admired your skills," Galen replied simply. "Not that you'd be the one actually using them."

Renly paled. He then found himself boarding the beast, with Eugeo climbing up to sit behind him. The boy Knight took the reins in his hands, then slapped them down hard. His dragon's wings began to flap and it began its ascent into the sky. They headed south, just about to cross into the Sustnel Mountains.

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Alice was gliding through the air as she was deep in thought. Just thinking about seeing Eugeo again made her start to panic. She found herself shaking, her fingers going numb as she tried to hold onto the reins. What would she do? Say? Act? Amayori looked back at her master, concern in her eyes. "Kyah!"

"I'm alright," Alice stroked her dragon's neck, the motion soothing for both her and her beast. She swallowed hard, as these emotions were all new to her. She found that she missed Leina's company. The other woman had been a constant since her 'ordeal.' Dare she say, they could be…friends?

"Alice, I said not to get too far ahead," Fanatio called from her own dragon, pulling up next the blonde Knight. The older woman looked at Alice, furring her brow. Not understanding the true nature of Alice's anxiety, she replied calmly, "Do not be afraid, our plan is sound."

"Of course," Alice's voice cracked.

Without warning, a giant stream of fire was headed right for them. Alice and Fanatio each tore off to either side of the beam. A lesser knight behind them wasn't so lucky, judging from the blood curdling scream.

Fanatio turned her dragon around, and squinted her eyes. Up ahead was their quarry. "They never said he had a dragon!" Glancing behind her she shouted, "Everyone, the circumstances may have changed, but the goal is still the same. Herd him towards the ravine!" Another blast of dragon fire roared by her. She pulled the reins, her dragon rolling to avoid the attack. This time, there was no scream, and she sighed in relief. "Formation!" she called. The six remaining Knights spread out into a semi-circle. Starting at the outer most positions, the dragons began firing back, two at a time.

Renly pulled on his own dragon's reins, veering his beast to either side in order to dodge the oncoming assaults. He was doing pretty well, until one blast was coming in way too fast. Shit. He swerved as far left as he could go, avoiding the brunt of the attack, but catching just enough of it to knock him from the saddle. He flailed his arms, trying to grasp onto anything to keep from falling. He was surprised when a hand grasped him around the wrist, and pulled him back up onto the dragon. Renly couldn't believe it, did Galen actually save him? Or was it Eugeo? He looked over his shoulder, but it was too hard to see the color of the man's eyes behind him. Renly could hear sacred arts being set and ready to cast. This was going to be bad. Very bad.

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Asuna had ridden up next to Leina asking flatly, "Why did you have sex with my fiancé?"

"Excuse me?" said Leina, completely caught off guard.

"Did you force him?" Asuna accused. "Blackmail him?"

"That's absurd," Leina muttered.

"You can't tell me he went willingly to you when he has me," Asuna shot back.

Leina pulled on her horse's reins coming to an abrupt stop. Both women glared at each other.

"Are you two quite finished?" I cut in, bringing my horse between the two of theirs. Annoyance crossed my face as my eyes darted from one woman to the other. "Human bickering is of no use to our mission."

Asuna face palmed, muttering, "You're a human."

I cocked my head to the side, "You say the most baffling things."

"Oh, Kirito, as much as I love you, right now I want to slap you upside the head," Asuna huffed.

Leina remained quiet through the exchange. Did she dare use the "L" word for Kirito too? Looking at him now, he was so regal in his armor, seated atop his black stallion, Leina couldn't help the pool of desire that formed in her belly. Suddenly, the rubbing of the saddle between her legs made her very sensitive and caused her to moan.

"Are you alright?" I ask, my brows furring in concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," Leina's face flushed. Clearing her throat, she said, "Shall we?"

I nod, and urged my horse forward.

"Don't think for one second that what happened before will ever happen again," Asuna threatened.

Leina just stared as Asuna raced up ahead to join Kirito. As she was about to send her own horse into a gallop, she felt very dizzy, then vomited off the side of her horse. Figuring it was just nerves, whether it was about the upcoming battle or dealing with Asuna, she wiped at her mouth, then carried on.

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Galen had Renly drive his dragon directly towards the group of six. Once they were close enough, Galen bent over slightly, icy vines erupting from his back. They shot out to either side, ensnaring two dragons and their riders in their frosty grasp. Galen grunted as he controlled the vines, ordering them to constrict tighter and tighter around his enemies. Within seconds, they were completely cocooned, the vines crushing them until bones snapped and blood dripped from the skies. It happened so fast, there wasn't any time for man or beast to scream.

Fanatio was shocked. That's three knights and dragons taken down in mere minutes. "Dammit," she growled. She couldn't believe all that power was coming from Eugeo's body. Was that power truly what Eugeo was capable of, or was Galen driving it? Galen's icy blue eyes followed Fanatio as she swung her dragon into position behind him, its mouth already alight with dragon fire. Renly saw it too, and forced his dragon into a hard dive.

Alice followed, driving Amayori into a dive as well. Her dragon caught up with Renly's, slamming its body against the other dragon. Kazenui snarled back, lashing out with his claws. Amayori bared her fangs, then went to sink them into the other dragon's neck while her legs latched onto its body. She pulled the other dragon in close, in effect, bringing their riders close as well.

Galen, meanwhile, had severed the vines from his back, using new ones as a lifeline onto Kazenui so he wouldn't fall. He was fighting the last lesser knight, countering both the dragon's jaws and the knight's sword, while shooting off sacred arts of ice.

"Renly!" Alice called, reaching out her hand. "Come on!"

As much as he wanted to, Renly couldn't. Instead, he withdrew his Twin Wing Blades, and started to slash them at Alice.

"What the hell are you doing?" She withdrew her own weapon, the Osmanthus Blade. She expertly blocked each of Renly's swings. "I'm trying to help you, you idiot."

Kazenui pulled away from Amayori's grip, blood arcing between them. The two dragons separated, each spreading their wings, stopping their descent.

The lesser knight continued his assault on Galen, his dragon getting in close with the snapping and gnashing of its sharp teeth, then quickly pulling back. Alice was mirroring the lesser knight's movements with Amayori. Renly recognized what they were doing. It was called a pincer movement, one in which they are simultaneously attacked from both sides. Although the dragons' attacks got close to him and Galen, they never actually hit. Renly was keeping a tight hold on his dragon, looking for an opening in which they could snake through. However, Kazunei was growing aggravated, having nowhere to go other than where it was being forced. Looking down, Renly saw the mountains beneath him start to narrow into ravines.

Galen had enough of the back and forth, so he stood atop Kazunei, drawing back his arm, his fingers alight with sacred power. "Generate Arrow Shape. Discharge." Firing ice blue arrows, their aim was true as their tips embedded themselves into the lesser knight's dragon. The arrows struck the beast in the heart, eye, and throat. It roared in pain, bucking its rider from its back. The man screamed as he disappeared through the clouds. Galen only stared coldly as the man fell to his death. Glancing over his shoulder, his saw Renly had one twin winged blade tossed at the golden armored knight, while his other hand held onto the reins. The blade spun and whirred towards Alice, its sharp edges a blur. She dodged the flying dagger, pulling Amayori to the right, then deflected the dagger's return with her blade. The dagger returned to Renly, and he wasted no time in sending out the blade again in a second assault.

"That's it, just keep her busy while I find the last one," Galen murmured. Where was it? He sensed it before he felt it, the leader's dragon appearing directly behind him, sinking its teeth into his shoulder. He was yanked off Renly's dragon, and found himself headed straight for the ground. He looked up, and saw the leader, Fanatio, pushing her dragon hard towards the earth through a narrow ravine. The light from the sun quickly disappeared into shadows as they neared the bottom of the ravine. He could see them rapidly approaching the ground, a narrow, shallow river at its center.

At the last moment, the dragon slammed down Eugeo's body into the water. It felt like hitting a wall, and he knew more than a few bones cracked from the impact. He rose to his feet, cutting his hands on the rocks that were under the mild current. Annoyed and wet, he looked around. Being this low in the ravine was unfavorable to his sacred arts usage. Shadows danced along the bottom of the ravine, Solus's light out of reach. Clever bitch. Before he had time to change tactics, he was slapped hard in the gut by the dragon's tail. The force sent him flying into the side of the ravine. He hit hard, then slid to the ground, debris falling on top of him. The dragon landed with a heavy thud, pulling its head back as its mouth filled with dragon fire.

"You had no reason to kill those knights." Fanatio shouted angrily, "Or anyone else for that matter."

"Have I struck a nerve?" Galen had his hand on his shoulder, his fingers pulling away with blood and torn flesh. He frowned, not liking how his body wasn't healing quickly.He slowly rose to his feet, one hand balanced on the ravine wall for support.

"You have no respect for human lives. Thus, you will forfeit yours." Fanatio spat, forgetting about the plan to keep Eugeo alive.

"Who are you to judge?" Galen said coldly, his fingers glowing with sacred power. Suddenly, vines erupted from the ground, snapping around Fanatio and her dragon. Dangerously sharp thorns began to embed themselves into skin and scales alike. It snapped the dragon's mouth shut, snuffing out the fire. Pulling both the beast and its master towards the ground, the vines continued to restrain and constrict around them.

"Leave her alone!" Alice leapt from her dragon, landing gracefully on her feet. She directed Amayori to raise to the top of the ravine, blocking any overhead exit and any rays from the sun. Satisfied Amayori was high enough, she withdrew her sword. Alice leveled it at the other blonde. But the minute their eyes met; Alice immediately froze up as memories of his attack on her replayed in her mind. Taking in panicked breaths, she felt herself growing anxious, her mind going blank, her body numb. I can't do this…not so soon.

Eugeo stalked towards her, coming to a stop directly in front of her. She saw his eyes shift from blue to green. He then dropped to his knees and bowed his head, his flaxen hair covering his eyes as he exposed his neck. "Kill me," he whispered.

Alice's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's what I deserve," Eugeo choked out.

Alice looked down at him, clearly conflicted. Moments passed before she whispered, "No."

"No?" Eugeo blinked.

"No," Alice repeated, more forcefully this time. She brought her blade under his chin, lifting it so their eyes met. "Our orders are not to kill you, but to bring you in alive where you will be restrained, interrogated, separated, then punished appropriately. Whether that is execution has yet to be determined." She was all business on the outside, but on the inside, she was as frightened as a rabbit.

Eugeo paled, he didn't like that sound of any of that. But separated? Was it possible? Eugeo shook his head, he couldn't afford to get his hopes up. Besides, after what he did… "We don't have time," Eugeo said, exasperation in his voice. "You need to kill me now, when he's vulnerable."

"Do not tempt me," Alice growled, raising her sword a bit higher. Her attention focused mainly on Eugeo, her ears picked up the whine of a whirling blade heading right for her. Flipping her sword in her hand, she flicked it up, deflecting the intruding weapon. Directly behind it was a second spinning dagger, just as deadly as the first. She step-dodged the attack, then fell flat to the ground as they circled back around. Leaping back to her feet, she held her sword in a defensive position, diagonally across her body. She watched as the blades returned to their owner, stopping deftly in his fingertips. Only one man she knew could have such control over daggers like that.

Alice could see the white tendrils of frost that covered Renly's body. She glanced over to where Eugeo had ducked out of the way and was now back on his feet. Angry blue eyes flashed, blue tendrils pulsing across his body. She could feel power radiating from him, and honestly, it was terrifying. Her mind and body locked up once again, her eyes wide.

Renly looked between her and Eugeo. He knew she'd struggle against him. Damn. What could he do? He was being compelled to fight, so he'd use that to help her. Holding one dagger in his hand and extending it behind him, he locked onto Alice, then sent it hurtling towards her. It was spinning wildly, the sharp edges glinting as it sped towards its target. Luckily, instincts took over as Alice snapped up her sword, countering the attack. "Your opponent is me," he called out. He glanced over his shoulder at Eugeo, or rather, Galen, who nodded his approval. Thank the goddesses, Renly sighed inwardly. He didn't want to fight Alice, but it was better he do it than Galen. He knew Alice was strong, and honestly, if it was all he could do to be a distraction, so be it.

Meanwhile, the pressure of the vines continued to constrict around Fanatio and her dragon. If she could only get to her Heaven Piercing Blade, than maybe…

"Hold on!" came a familiar voice.

Fanatio's gold eyes saw the approach of the Star Queen, Asuna. The younger girl leapt off her horse, landing on Fanatio's dragon. Using her rapier, she set off a series of combo attacks to start hacking at the vines that held them prisoner. They began to crack and shatter, but it was slow going.

"Lady Asuna," Fanatio called out. "Do not worry about us, go after the main target."

"Kirito will take care of him," Asuna replied confidently.

"Look out!" the older woman called.

Kazunei appeared in front of the Start Queen, roaring in fury, sending spittle flying. The dragon flapped its powerful wings, sending up a strong wind attack. Asuna slammed her sword into one of the icy vines and held on, her long chestnut colored hair whipping about her head. The wind was strong but was cut short as a whip encircled the beast's rear leg, yanking it backwards.

"Stop it Kazunei!" Leina yelled, pulling her whip taut. The dragon swung its head around, baring its fangs at this new intruder. Leina's eyes grew wide as frost patterns decorated the dragon's scales, covering it from head to tail.

Asuna took the opportunity to strike the dragon, her rapier slashing repeatedly at the beast while its attention was focused on Leina.

Renly heard his dragon crying out, but he couldn't leave the battle with Alice. Renly was driven to attack, his body not caring whether it was abused in the process. He swung his daggers again and again, their sharp blades clanging against her sword. Alice continued to thrust and parry against him, her sword cutting and slicing into him, though nothing was fatal. After getting up close for a while, Renly backflipped to give himself some distance from his fellow Integrity Knight, panting.

"Renly, whatever is happening to you, you must fight it!" Alice shouted.

"I know," Renly grit his teeth. The frost gripped his body even tighter, spreading out to all of his limbs. He slid into an attack pose, crossing his blades in front of his face. Green circles formed around his weapons as he called out, "Release Recollection."

Alice set her mouth in a grim line. She swung her sword downwards muttering the same commands, although hers was accompanied by golden circles. Her sword burst into thousands of golden petals, swirling in a vortex, headed towards Renly. The boy Knight released his two blades, until they formed into one giant blade, spinning dangerously towards Alice. The weapons' attack collided, sparking and grinding against one another. They hit with such force that the earth shook, sending out shockwaves.

The shockwaves were so intense, it was enough to fully crack what was left of the vines entrapping Fanatio and her dragon. The beast snapped its wings open, shattering the ice. Fanatio patted her dragon, then slid off gracefully, one hand going to her Heaven Piercing Blade while the other brushed off the last pieces of ice. Her dragon was sent upwards to join Amayori in resisting any escape from above. Fanatio saw Asuna and Leina fighting against Renly's dragon, while Alice was engaged in battle against Renly himself. That left Eugeo. She turned eyes filled with fury towards the blonde swordsman. Currently, he was dodging attacks from the sky, the dragons sending beams of sacred fire at him. Eugeo was rather graceful on his feet as he dodged the incoming attacks. But if she looked closely, she could see that every once in a while, he'd get nicked.

Taking the opportunity, Fanatio withdrew her own blade, calling out "Release Recollection." A very fine beam of light shot out from her sword's tip, aimed directly at Eugeo. It hit him squarely in the thigh, creating a narrow, searing hot hole right through his flesh.

Eugeo hissed, it was pretty damn painful. He could see small trails of smoke and smell burnt flesh. A second hole burned its way just a few inches from the first. He narrowed his eyes at Fanatio, baring his fangs. He was about to retaliate when dragonfire whistled towards him. He leapt backwards, right into the wall of the ravine. Squeezing himself up against it, the shot barely missed him. "Enough of this," he snarled. Eugeo dashed to the small river and threw his hands into the cold water. "System Call. Generate Cryogenic Element. Property Shift." The water arched over him, then instantly froze, creating an ice barrier over him. Dragonfire hit the barricade, causing steam to rise, but it held firm. Fanatio continued to attack him with beams of light from his right side, Eugeo bringing his sword up to deflect the incoming attacks.

Ducking further underneath his ice barrier, he slammed his sword down into the water, calling out "Enhance Armament!" Ice shot out from in front of him, hurtling its way towards Fanatio. The older woman backpedaled to try and avoid it, but it was too fast. It had her ensnared once again, covering her head to toe in a thick block of ice. More ice snaked its way up the ravine's walls towards the dragons, creating thick, giant shards, keeping the dragons at bay. The ice also made its way towards Leina and Asuna, who soon found themselves covered up to their shoulders in it. They struggled against it, but it was impossible to get it to crack or shift. Ice even covered Alice, catching her foot, then crawling up her body to hold her in position. As for Renly and his dragon, they were spared for the moment.

Eugeo rubbed at his mouth, catching a bit of blood on his sleeve. He was panting hard, but at least he could catch his breath. He could feel his body on the mend, though the process was much slower than he would've liked. He had to be careful with his sacred power usage as it was dangerously low. Glancing at his Blue Rose Sword, he had to rely on it from now on, but even that had its limits. Stepping from the water, Eugeo didn't get far before a giant black horse stood in his way, a knight clad in black armor sat atop its back. Green eyes met golden ones. "Kirito?"

OooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

End Chapter 15