This is the 20th chapter of the crossover story. I don't own the series of Queen's Blade or the videogame of Castlevania
Leina, the Wandering Warrior vs Ymir, the Steel Princess and Airi, the Infernal Temptress vs Cattleya, the Weaponsmith
Somewhere in the underground volcanic area
As the fourth match is underway, Leina is scanning the area when she notice the stairs that lead to the bridge. She then walk down the stairs, but heard that laugh which it's coming from certain female dwarf as she spoke.
"Look who my opponents turned out to be." Ymir said with an arrogant smirk, notice Leina arrived at the bridge.
"Ymir, it's you." Leina said surprisingly.
"That's right! Better watch out!" Ymir warned her, raise her battle axe and points it at her. "I'm gonna kick butt in the Queen's Blade competition, and show the whole continent how amazing Steel Mountain weapons are. The first step: taking you down."
"I don't plan to lose." Leina stated as she drew her sword. "Let's see what you've got."
Leina and Ymir then charge against each other, unleash their battle cry as they begin the fight by clashing their weapons, causing a smoke to appear. Leina and Ymir got out of the smoke as they rush out of the rush, begin clashing against each other when the female dwarf swung her battle axe. Leina is able to dodge while counter with her sword, causing Ymir to block with her battle axe.
Gainos
At the inn, Cattleya and Lana are watching the fourth match of the Queen's Blade Tournament.
"She'll win." Lana said with smile, turned to his mother. "Don't you think that she'll beat her, mom? She's using dad's sword, she can't lose."
"We'll have to see." Cattleya told her son, leaving him confused. "Ymir's battle axe is superb and so is your father's sword, each one has it strengths. It's impossible to say which one of those weapon is better."
However, what got their attention is the Fallen One arrived when it open the door.
While at the alley, Airi is causing trouble by taking their life essence from random people.
"Melona is gone and Menace betrayed us. That means I'm the only one left." Airi muttered with a smirk, finished draining her life force. "Who can carry out our mistresses mission. Looks like I'm going to have to win the Queen's Blade all by myself."
Until, the wraith notice the Fallen One behind her, meaning the second fourth match is also about to begin.
"Nothing left to do, but start kicking ass." Airi said.
Back at the inn, Cattleya readied her Giant Slayer sword since the match is about to start, she felt a tug which it got her attention when she notice Lana looked at her.
"I want to go with you mom." Lana said serious. "I want to stay with you, take me when dad sees you, I want him to see me fighting too, right there with you."
Cattleya is about to protest, but couldn't as she smiled.
"Alright, then we're going to fight together." Cattleya complies, extended her hand as he grab her hand.
The two then enter the teleportation ring.
Gainos, Secret Room
As soon as the two is teleported, they're teleported into the secret room of the castle, where Aldra have turned her opponents from the previous Queen's Blade into stone which Lana is scared of that sight as he grab his mother's hand.
"I'm looking forward to our battle, I'm sure you'll put up a good fight." Airi said as she approaches to her opponent, but notice Lana is with her. "Why is there a child with you? Are you trying to insult me or is this some twisted attempt humor?"
"No, he's here because he's a skilled fighter." Cattleya claimed seriously.
"This is ridiculous, I'm not doing this." Airi said, refuse to fight her because of Lana.
"That's your choice." The voice of Aldra said, approaching the two. "But it would mean that you'll forfeit the match."
Aldra then revealed herself out of the shadows while walking towards them.
"It would what?!" Airi exclaimed with shock.
"Oh my, Queen Aldra." Cattleya gasp with shock.
"I grant you each the honor of fighting before me." Aldra told them with an evil smirk.
"Fight before you?" Cattleya repeats in confusion.
"Queen Aldra, what's going on here?" Airi demands, watching Aldra walking toward her throne.
"This is my private chamber deep within the castle, Gainos. The Chamber of Grief." Aldra explains as she sits on her throne.
"That's a foreboding name." Cattleya told her, then gasp with shock when she saw those previous fighters from the Queen's Blade who Aldra fought and turn them into stone.
"Let me guess, that these warriors are your doing?" Airi demands which Aldra widen her smirk a little, feeling proud of her work.
"I heard that the battles would be fought in different places, but I never imagine something like this." Cattleya said seriously. "Why are we fighting here?"
"You will see soon enough." Aldra answered as she turn her expression into serious. "Your match begins now. Use all the powers at your disposal to defeat your opponent and show no mercy."
"Fine, let's fight." Cattleya accepts, readied her spear.
"Oh wow, that was quick." Airi said surprisingly.
Cattleya charges after the wraith as she thrust her spear, but Airi barely dodges and landed behind her.
"You really are impatient." Airi muttered with a scowl, looking at Aldra. 'I've got to win this battle, but the one I really want to defeat is over there.'
Airi is off-guard when she heard a battle cry and saw Cattleya thrusting her spear once more, causing the wraith to block with her scythe.
"I can't believe you think this is a fair fight. The kid around your neck is slowing you down!?" Airi exclaim with a glare.
"It's okay, mom. Fight hard, I know you won't lose." Lana said with worry.
"Lana, I need you to hold on tight and don't fall off!" Cattleya ordered her son as Lana done what she's told.
"You're going to be really sorry for underestimating me!?" Airi growled. "Cuz' I'm not gonna hold back!"
Airi then pushes her spear with her scythe as she swung her weapon at the head, causing Cattleya to duck down and counter with her leg sweep, knocking the wraith down to the ground. Cattleya have gotten the advantage as she trust her spear, causing Airi to block it.
"You use your own child as a shield." Airi mocks with a smirk as kicked her to push Cattleya out of the way while holding herself into a handstand.
Cattleya then starts thrusting her spear while Airi unleash the flurry of kicks, taking a few steps back as she positioned herself on her feet when the Weaponsmith trust her spear. Airi manage to grab it as she pushes Cattleya when she was about to strike her, but hesitated when she stopped because of the frightened Lana. They then clash their weapons, struggling against each other.
"I gotta hand it to you, that's pretty cold even by my undead standards." Airi said. "You're much more formidable than you appear, but all that aside when it comes down to it, you're not fighting fair."
"You may not like my terms, but assuredly as the boy and I are fated to live together, we will die together." Cattleya remarked. "If you beat me, then you can't afford to be squeamish about cutting him to pieces too."
"That was most impressive, Cattleya." Aldra muttered, impressed of Cattleya's statement. "A very bold thing to say."
Somewhere in the underground volcanic area
Meanwhile, Leina is having trouble fighting against Ymir because of her dwarven strength which she was forced to block her attacks with her shield. Ymir then swung her battle axe at Leina, causing her to block it with her shield and grunt while stumbled a bit.
"She...She's so powerful." Leina grunted.
"Feast your eyes! Steel is power! Our weapons are the very best in the world!" Ymir announces, raise her battle axe.
Leina then charges after Ymir as she thrust her sword, leaving Ymir block that attack easily.
"Look at that, it's solid steel construction allows it to parry a powerful sword thrust easily." Ymir mocks with a smirk. "But wait, there's more..."
Until, steam came out of her gauntlet as Ymir pushes Leina back, sending her against the wall while about to swung her axe. Leina was able to dodge just in the nick of time, leaving Ymir cleave her axe against the wall instead.
"And it has the destructive force to smash stone walls into little bits." Ymir continued, pulling her battle axe out of the wall.
'That was close!' Leina thought.
"Its the official Steel Mountain Battle-Axe! Act now, and you can get your family crest and gran for free! That's right, you're crest and no extra charge!" Ymir announced.
"So tell me, what exactly are you doing anyway?" Leina questions curiously.
"Shut up! The only reason you're here is to make me look good." Ymir told her.
"Look good? What you mean?" Leina asks again in confusion.
"Isn't it obvious by now? I'm here so the whole continent can see how amazing Steel Mountain weapons really are." Ymir declared with a smirk, swung her battle axe as Leina blocked. "You're using a competitors weapon, so all I have to do is beat you and then every fighter in the world will be dying to get their hands on our weapons."
"Hmm, that's all the more reason why I can't let you win." Leina stated. "I owe it to Cattleya for all that she's done for me."
Leina then pushes her sword as she horizontally swing her weapon, but Ymir leaps in midair to evade her attack.
"In your dreams!?" Ymir shouts as she retaliates by swinging her battle axe, causing Leina to lean back but the strain of her hair got cut.
'I can't fight her head on. She has the edge both in power and range, but being at such disadvantage only strengthens my resolve.' Leina mentally thought with determined smirk on her face as she readied her fighting stance.
Gainos, Grand Cathedral
Meanwhile, Nanael is watching the fourth match of the Queen's Blade through the magical footage orb which she's bored and disappointed because Leina is at a serious disadvantage, but the other match between Cattleya and Airi hasn't even broadcasted which something doesn't feel right. Drew knew that something is terribly wrong when he left the church a while ago since the match starts, gathering the two vampire hunters, Echidna, and Menace to head towards the castle to find the Weaponsmith and Risty. Even though, both Alleyne and Nowa have already left Gainos to head towards their home, but they can still help them fight against the Swamp Witch when the time is right.
"Well, that's totally disappointing." Nanael said with a sigh as Melpha opens the door, walking towards her with a wooden plate of grapes.
"Holy Archangel, is there anything I can do for you?" Melpha asks.
"No, it's just that Airi and Cattleya's fight isn't being shown at all." Nanael told her, turned towards the holy priestess.
"Really? That's odd." Melpha stated.
"Each of these fights are suppose to be broadcast and it's suppose to be the angels that do the broadcasting for the Queen's Blade, not the Queen. It's an abuse of her power." Nanael explains, eating her grapes while watching the fight. "And by the looks of it, Leina is not doing very well."
Melpha then notice someone is missing and happens to be a certain pirate as she spoke.
"Do you know where Drew went off to?" Melpha asks.
"He said he's going out." Nanael lied, which she doesn't want to tell her. "Probably go and getting some rum."
Though, Nanael knew Drew is heading to the castle with his companions which they're about to find out why the fight between Cattleya and Airi haven't broadcasted.
Somewhere in the underground volcanic area
Meanwhile, Leina is starting to grow exhausted and having trouble fighting against Ymir which her opponent gained the upper hand.
"Well, looks pretty obvious who's gonna win this match." Ymir stated with an arrogant smirk.
"How can you...handle all this...heat so well?" Leina asks, panting heavily with exhaustion.
"You gotta be kidding! I'm a dwarf! I grew up around red hot furnaces! To me, this isn't even begin to feel warm!" Ymir points out seriously. "And I'm also a lot more discipline than you!"
'This fight is too important to lose! It's the Queen's Blade!' Leina thought, not giving up the fight.
"Aw it's been fun, but I think it's time I finished you off and Cattleya's weapon!?" Ymir shouts as she leaps in midair, raise her battle axe. "Double Swing"
Then the steam came out of her gauntlet as she swung her axe downward towards Leina.
"You haven't beaten me! Not yet!" Leina stated as Ymir then swung her battle axe while the Wandering Warrior raise her sword, blocking her attack which the female dwarf noticed that sword didn't break.
"I-It didn't break!?" Ymir exclaim shockingly, leaving Leina smirked. "Damn it! I'm gonna get you this time!?"
Ymir then leaps in midair once more as Leina stood up, readied her fighting stance.
"Double Swing" Ymir then swung her battle axe downward again along with the steam come out of her gauntlet, but this time, Leina quickly jump back to evade her attack.
"Dragon Tail" Leina then thrust her sword as the yellow aura surround the blade and charge after Ymir, sent her flying as she crashes down to the ground with the hard impact. Leina heavily panted as she approaches her.
"Wow, this sucks." Ymir muttered. "I can't even move. I have...lost this fight."
"I...I won." Leina said with a smile.
"Not exactly, I didn't lose to you." Ymir denies with a pant, leaving Leina confused. "I lose to a wise alchemist and great weapon maker."
"That can only mean one thing, you lost to Cattleya." Leina clarifies, looking at her sword and figured it out what the female dwarf means.
Gainos, Chamber of Grief
Meanwhile, Airi is being pushed back by Cattleya when she saw her charging after her as the Weaponsmith thrust her spear, causing the wraith to leap in midair while counter by swinging her scythe down. Cattleya manage to quickly block that attack with her spear and all of her strength as Lana stick his tongue out, making Airi glaring at the child.
"You truly annoying little brat!" Airi snarled, had enough of him. "Take care of this kid, Lesser Spirits"
Airi then summons the specters, leaving both Cattleya and Lana frightened as the spirits grab hold of him and her spear which the Infernal Temptress made one fatal mistake. Cattleya brings out her Giant Slayer as she swung it at Airi, leaving the wraith shock as she blocked it with her scythe, but the force of that swing is too strong as she was sent flying, crashed in between the two crystals.
"Too heavy...can't move." Airi grunts, struggling to move the crystal when Cattleya points her Giant Slayer at the wraith.
"Admit your defeat now." Cattleya demands seriously.
"There's no way I could've lost to a mother and child like this, it's just isn't possible." Airi muttered.
But suddenly, things have took a turn when Cattleya notice the crystal that happens to be the man who she's looking for, her husband Owen. Cattleya widen her eyes with shock and horror, leaving Aldra notice that dread as she smirk.
"No this...this can't be..." Cattleya said with dread, lowered her Giant Slayer and her body trembled. "It's a tri...It can't be true..."
Lana notice something's wrong with her mother as he look at the crystal, leaving widen his eyes with shock when he saw his father, the same father who disappeared years ago.
Owen has long black hair that reaches down to his shoulders and blue eyes. He wore a black underwear with orange hip-guards, a bandana that has the same design as Lana's, a long brown strap around his chest, and a gold band on his upper arm.
Airi is left confused at first, trying to find out why Cattleya isn't finishing her off and backed away.
"No...No..." Cattleya cried as Lana tried to get her attention, but no avail as she dropped her weapon.
"What? I don't understand, what's wrong with you?" Airi question when her attire is fading along with her body as she floats through.
"Why?! How could you be here? What happen to you?" Cattleya cried with question, collapse down to her knees as she leans down to her husband, crying.
Airi lands on her feet behind as she readied her scythe and spoke.
"Nothing personal kid, but you need to back away." Airi told him, but Lana refuse to listen as he raise his arms to protect his mother in teary eyes. "I'm not kidding brat. If you don't move aside, then I'm going to cut off your head too."
Just as when Airi is about to kill Lana, she stopped and see the boy in teary eyes, telling her not to kill him or his mother. Airi then sighed with reluctance as she spoke.
"Alright if you don't fight, then you're automatically the one who's going to lose." Airi warned her.
"I don't care!?" Cattleya shouts, crying to her husband.
"Did you hear that, your majesty? She doesn't care." Airi said with a satisfied smile.
"Yes." Aldra complies. "Infernal Temptress, Airi, you have won this battle."
"I didn't care if I won, the title of the Queen's Blade is meaningless to me!" Cattleya stated. "We were only here to find him."
Airi then turn her head to Cattleya with surprised expression on her face.
"You majesty." Cattleya called her with teary eyes. "Tell me, what happen to him? Why is he like this?"
"Wait, you mean you're married...to him?" Airi asks with shock as she look at Owen, beginning to understand why is Cattleya here for the Queen's Blade Tournament.
"His name is Owen, he's my father." Lana told her, making Airi realize.
"Owen! I think I've heard about him before, he's called the Dragon Smiter." Airi muttered with shock, hearing Aldra laughing.
"Now you can fully appreciate why I chose this sight for your battle." Aldra stated with an evil smirk as shadowy figure revealed himself. "That makes a shock and despair on your faces. To me, more intoxicating than satisfying. I will grant your reward for entertaining me, I'll allow to go into hiding along with your beloved husband, for all eternity."
When Aldra is about to activate her Evil Eye, a holy flask aimed right in her eye, causing her to scream in pain when she feels the burning sensation. The three then turn their heads to see Bowen, Luis, Drew, Echidna, and Menace came out of the room as the Spaniard sent her flying by using his lightning magic at her.
"Hurry, it won't hold for long!" Luis shouts, readied his Alucard Spear. "We need to get Cattleya and Lana out of here!"
"And you better do it fast, cuz' Aldra is on her way." Echidna added with a scowl.
"Cattleya! We have to go!" Bowen shouts seriously, but Cattleya isn't responding.
They then saw the crystallized Owen which she must've learned what happen to him and why he disappeared after all these years. Bowen then placed his hands on shoulders as he spoke.
"Cattleya, listen to me! Snap out of it!" Bowen shouts again, shaking Cattleya to get her back to her senses. "I understand how you feel, really I do! But there's no time to mourn, we've gotta go! Now!"
With that, Cattleya then snapped out her thoughts as she begin to realize that her husband had turned into crystal and don't even know why, but she doesn't have time to think about it as she grabs her son and her spear. They then flee, leaving the castle while Aldra manage to recover from that magic, but her body is feeling numb due to the lightning magic.
"You fools, there is no escape." Aldra groaned in pain.
"Oh we'll back to get Owen back, lassie. Guarantee it." Drew said with a glare.
Gainos, Castle
When they left the Chamber of Grief, Bowen and his party run towards the courtyard. Echidna was able to guide them to the castle and fought the guards without killing them, but they're about to have more trouble when Aldra called the guards to go after them.
"Great, more of these scallywags." Drew groaned with annoyance. "They're nothing compare to those monsters."
"Remember, we knock them out." Bowen reminded the pirate. "They're still civilians and guards to Queen Aldra."
"You don't need to remind us. But let's not forget, Assassins of the Fang are on to us." Menace told him.
"Which we're about to be in a lot of trouble if we don't leave." Setra added.
And with that, Bowen and his party are getting ready to fight against the guards since they're on their way.
Gainos
Leina have finally made her way back to the inn, feeling exhausted from the fight against Ymir and for staying in the heated volcanic area for too long. She then plopped herself on the bed with an exhausted sigh.
"I am beat." Leina said, feeling tired but laughing excitedly. "Alright, I won! I really won! I wonder if Tomoe and Bowen were able to see it?"
Leina then remembered the time of how kind she is to Tomoe when she offered her a basket a while back.
"I wish I can celebrate with them. Also, Risty..." Leina said with a smile as she drifted to sleep. "That would be nice."
Gainos, Castle
Few hours later, Bowen and his party knock the guards the out while trying to escape after Airi partake one of the guards essence to restore her power. Echidna knows the castle like the back of her hand and they got no problems whatsoever. She showed them the exit when they're about to leave the castle, but was stopped by the Assassins of the Fang and the one who's in charge is none other than Risty, leaving Bowen and the others shocked.
"I know you, you are called Risty, Benevolent Bandit of the Wild." Airi said seriously, but shocked of what happen to her.
"There's no doubt, Risty is mind controlled." Menace stated with a scowl. "This must've been Aldra."
"Yes and Aldra have turned Risty against us." Echidna added. "Seem she's given some thought of using her."
The Assassins of the Fang then readied their daggers as they charge after them, but they were easily knocked out. However, Risty raise her mace when she's about to attack, causing Drew to block her mace with his cutlass.
"Risty, I don't want to fight you lass." Drew told her. "Please, snap out of it."
Risty isn't responding, but widen her eyes as she remembered her first confession to the pirate, telling him that she love him. She then dropped her mace as she grumbled while holding her head.
Bowen and his party took their chance as they left the castle without Risty and Owen.
Gainos
Later that night, Bowen and his party have made their way towards the fountain which they're able to get a far off distance, away from Risty, Aldra, and the Assassins of the Fang. Luis have already went on ahead to the tavern to warn Tomoe and Shizuka what happen. Drew is taking Cattleya and Lana to the inn also since they're pretty shaken up after what they've learn about Owen's disappearance. Airi already left also since she now learn of Aldra's intention and what have really happen to Melona which it's nothing unusual because the slime girl had foolishly challenge the Queen without thinking things through. Bowen, Menace, and Echidna are heading towards the tavern to speak with Leina since may need to hear about what they have learn.
As soon as the three have made to the tavern, Bowen knocks the door as he spoke.
"Leina! Open up! We need to talk, it's important!" Bowen shouts, knocking the door. "Leina! You need to hear this!"
"Just a second." Leina told him with a muffled voice coming from the door.
After Leina let them in, Bowen, Echidna, and Menace went inside of her room since they've got some explanation.
"So, neither of you watched my match?" Leina questions.
"No, the reason why is Drew." Bowen explains. "He knew something is off about the match between Airi and Cattleya hadn't broadcasted in the first place. So, he gathered us to investigate."
"What did you learn?" Leina inquired.
"What we learn is that the match has taken place inside of the castle that had a secret room called, the Chamber of Grief." Echidna answered. "The only reason it's called that name is because Queen Aldra have turned the previous participants into crystals and she's using that location for her entertainment."
Leina widen her eyes with shock, didn't think that Aldra would do this.
"But that's not the worse part." Bowen said, earned her attention. "Both Cattleya and Lana have found out about Owen's disappearance."
"Really? Did they find him?" Leina asks surprisingly.
"They did, but it's something they're not expecting." Echidna replied. "Owen has turned into a crystal and it would explain about his disappearance."
Leina is shocked with horror, hearing about what really happen to Owen. She's betting that Cattleya and Lana felt devastated about this.
"But why? Why is Owen like this?" Leina ask.
"It might be because Owen opposes to Aldra and paid the price for it." Menace guessed. "However, the reason why that match didn't broadcast is because Queen Aldra have something in stored for them."
"Lady Menace is right, not that we have room to talk though." Setra added. "But still, the Chamber of Grief had all of the previous competitors, including Melona."
"Which that didn't surprise me one bit that Melona had done something on her own." Menace stated with annoyance. "Anyway, I'm afraid we're off the main subject here."
"Did they know about this?" Leina questions.
"Luis is already heading to Tomoe and Shizuka at the tavern they're currently staying so he can give the explanation to them." Echidna explains. "But Drew on the other hand, he's with Cattleya and Lana at the inn. The two are already feeling devastated after they have witnessed first-hand."
Leina give her a nod with an understanding, starting to understand what Aldra is doing to those fighters.
"But Leina." Bowen called her, earned her attention. "There's something you should know about Risty."
"Risty? Did something happen to her?" Leina questions, feeling worried about the red-haired bandit.
"It may take a lot to take, but Leina...Risty has been mind controlled by Aldra and she's turning her against us." Bowen told her, leaving Leina in deep shock. "Leina, I..."
"Please...I need to be alone right now." Leina told them sadly.
Bowen knew that it would hurt Leina when she have learned about Risty which it also hurt Drew as well. The three then left the inn, leaving Leina alone since she needs some time to think.
When Bowen, Echidna, and Menace left Leina's room, they'd wish that they save Risty from the hands of Aldra which the Queen had something planned for the red-haired bandit along with the matches for the Queen's Blade.
"Do you think Leina will be alright?" Menace asks, feeling a bit worried about Leina.
"I wish, but she needs time to think which it'll take a lot to take in." Bowen answered sadly. "Right now, you have a match coming up, Menace."
"But what about Leina?" Menace inquired.
"We'll keep an eye on her." Echidna told her. "Your match is coming up."
Menace was about to argue, but she knew that the Veteran Mercenary is right when the Fallen One is here. Which means, the fifth match is about to begin.
That's it for the 20th chapter. Sorry about the delay.