AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. This chapter, we go right into the battle on the airship with the return of a villainous duo. One thing to mention is that this will take place at the same time as the next chapter, just a small note. With this battle, I got to make a lot of creative actions and references I enjoyed writing. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
Chapter 37 – Collective Consciousness
Adam.
Entering the upper deck of the airship, Reines and Adam looked up at the firebird Nevermore familiars swarming from above. The White Fang swordsman noticed one of the firebirds divebombing towards the airship. He dashed towards it before jumping into the air. With one slash, he decapitated the bird as its flame started to go out.
Upon landing, another firebird was about to crash into him from behind. However, a ball of liquid mercury formed between them. It then engulfed the firebird, smothering it until only smoke escaped. The liquid mercury then reformed into the shape of the maid golem. Reines walked over with a smirk before the group looked over to their comrades.
Sigurd and Brynhildr continued to slay the firebird Nevermore familiars before they could crash into the airship, but some still managed to slip through. The airship rocked again as more explosions occurred internally, "It can't take much more of this?" Brynhildr spoke as Adam and Reines joined them in defending.
"What about your Noble Phantasm?" Adam asked, "Would that kill them all at once?"
"Yes, but it would also hit the airship." Sigurd answered, "If this fall, it could land directly on Menagerie."
Suddenly, a new voice was heard from above, "Oh, I wouldn't be worried about then." In looking up, a larger firebird Nevermore familiar descended with two individuals on it, "I would be more worried about yourself," Vitch said as she smirked, her eyes glowing with pink aura, turning directly to Brynhildr, "Hello, Summer Maiden." Brynhildr gasped as Adam had a look of slight confusion but then noticed Reines gritting her teeth in frustration. At that moment, the Spring Maiden noticed the White Fang Swordsman, "Oh, that one looks interesting." Vitch said before licking her lips, "It's been a while since I have had some real beef." She then turned to her left, seeing Yu walking by, "Leave that one to me. You can have the maiden all to yourself."
"That was the plan," Yu said before raising her right hand, "But we need to thin out their forces more." She said before aiming her hand at the land. Suddenly, all the firebird Nevermore familiars screeched before divebombing towards Menagerie.
"Sigurd!" Reines and Brynhildr called out as the King of Warriors was already rushing. In a teal flash of light, he dashed towards the hordes of the flaming beast. With daggers in his hands, he tossed the blades before punching them into the enemies' skulls, causing them on explode. Sigurd continued to jump from one to the next as he prevented each one from reaching the island.
"He can't keep that up forever." Adam said before glaring at Yu and Vitch, who landed on the airship with only the largest firebird Nevermore familiar behind then, "We need to finish them off quickly."
Yu spawned a short sword in each hand, "The same trick will not work again." She said with Vitch pulled out her sniper rifle, then created a burned dust bayonet at the end of the barrel for her partner, "I have to take this one's power a more… personal way."
"Fine by me," Vitch said before loading the stock, readying one in the chamber, "Let's have some fun." She said with a sinister smirk before firing.
Adam dodged the bullet before rushing towards Vitch. However, the massive firebird Nevermore familiar breathed fire down towards the White Fang swordsman. This time, he could not evade the range of this blast. Reines then turned to her maid golem, "Trimmau!" She ordered as the maid golem reverted to metal slime. It dashed past Adam before expanding over the fire, shielding him as he was within the slash range of his target. Vitch jumped back to dodge as firebird Nevermore familiar charged towards Reines. Trimmau withdrew to defend her master, leaving Adam to face the Spring Maiden alone. The Princess of El-Melloi gritted her teeth as Yu clashed blades with Brynhildr's lance, "Damn it," Reines said before seeing the firebird Nevermore familiar screech towards its targets.
Adam blocked each of sniper shoot with Wilt, causing the blade to glow red. Vitch then felt an ominous aura as red lines started to form around her. The White Fang swordsman then slashed, but the Spring Maiden jumped to evade the deadly cut. In midair, she fired again. Adam rolled out of the way of the shot, but the bullet did wing his right horn a bit. He gritted his teeth as Vitch smirked while ejecting her clip.
Adam rushed in to take advantage of the reloading, but Vitch tossed the clip at him. The White Fang Swordsman slashed the empty clip, but then realized it was not empty. As his blade contacted the dust rounds, an explosion pushed him back. With a shroud of smoke between then, Vitch finished reloading and opened fire into the smoke. Adam dodged as he tried to predict the shots. However, one grazed his right leg, forcing him to jump back. As the wind carried the smoke away, Vitch snickered as Adam's rage was seething.
A short distance away, Yu pressured Brynhildr with a barrage of slashes. The consort beauty spun like a wheel as her swords clashed with the lance. Brynhildr went for a forward thrust, but Yu dodged with a back dash. She then tossed her swords at the Summer Maiden, causing them to become encased in a thick red aura. Brynhildr tried to swipe the blades, but they changed trajectory at the last second. The swords slashed through her skin, drawing blood as Brynhildr tried to evade. Yu's hands then glowed with the same red aura, creating a blast of energy with the swipes of her arms. Brynhildr blocked some of the attacks, but a few landed on target, creating a red mist explosion.
The Summer Maiden emerged from the mist, her eyes glowing with her aura. However, her breath was already heavy as she tried to repose her weapon. Yu smirked as her short swords returned to her hands, "The blood should already be taking effect." The consort beauty commented.
"The blood?" Brynhildr said before her body pulsates in pain.
Yu then looked at her swords, "Assassins will often coat their weapons in poison to ensure a victory, but I do not." She said before, "While I am of that class, I prefer to use a type of blood I mixed." She said before the weapons glowed in a red aura again, "It is already breaking down your internal organs, expect your heart, which is now pumping the new blood through your body." Brynhildr fell to one knee before vomiting blood, "It's no use, your fate is sealed."
"You coward," Brynhildr said as she pushed herself up, reposing her weapon, "There is no difference between this and poisoning."
"Well, not to you. But for me," Yu said before licking her lips, "It does make the victory taste sweeter." She said before rushing into for another assault.
On the other end of the airship, Reines and Trimmau ran from the rampaging massive firebird Nevermore familiar. The airships mounted turrets fired at the creature but yielded no effect. With a blast of fire breath, the turrets exploded, "Nothing is doing enough damage and it's too big for Trimmau to suffocate." Reines commented as before turning to her maid golem, who pointed to the largest cannon on the airship, "Oh, that could work." Reines said before examining, "But that cannon can't move, we have to get that thing to be in the line of sight." She asked before Trimmau nodded.
The maid golem then reverted to the liquid mercury form. As a thin stream of the liquid, it shot up to penetrate through the massive firebird Nevermore familiar's neck. However, the attack was not enough to slay the creature, only irritate it. Reines ran towards the airship weapon as she took out her scroll. The massive firebird Nevermore familiar gave chase but was unable to breathe any flames. It eventual vomited the maid golem, who reformed to gather around the Princess of El-Melloi, carrying her inside the barrel of the weapon. The massive firebird Nevermore familiar stare down the barrel, its beck open as flames charged.
However, Reines smirked as Trimmau cut a hole out of the weapon, "Firing main cannon." She ordered over the scroll before her maid golem went down the hole. Suddenly, the airship's largest cannon charged a blue laser faster than the creature could realize and evade. The blast exploded the massive firebird Nevermore familiar's head and upper torso. Reines and Trimmau safely exited the cannon, dodged any exhaust from the hole. The Princess of El-Melloi smiled as the fire started to dissipate, "Well, that one was easy," Reines said as Trimmau raised her head, "Now, we need to back up-"
"Milady!" Trimmau spoke as she pushed Reines out of the way. A short sword with a red aura impaled the maid golem, who had taken the shot for her master. Reines turned back to see Trimmau's body shuddering as blood mixed with the mercury, creating red veins pulsating on the exposed arms and head.
Suddenly, the maid golem exploded, the blast launching Reines into a slab of metal. As she pushed herself partway up, the Princess of El-Melloi's widened as the mercury was not reforming, "Trimmau?" She asked as her eyes trembled, knowing she was not going to get a response.
In the distance, Yu grinned as her left hand was aimed at where the maid golem once stood. "Heh, loyal to the end." The consort beauty commented before turning back to Brynhildr, whose eyes were barely open as her breathing was heavy, "And you will meet a similar fate."
"Shut up!" Brynhildr declared as thrust her lancer towards Yu. However, the consort beauty thrust her left arm upwards, creating a wave of blood-red energy. The Summer Maiden reposed her lance to slash the wave but found Yu was no longer behind it. Before she could fully scan the aura, she felt breathing on the back-left side of her neck, "Oh no-"
"Too late," Yu whispered before biting down on Summer Maiden's neck, sinking her fangs in.
Brynhildr's eyes widened as Yu coiled her legs around her waist. With her left arm, the consort beauty locked the Summer Maiden's left arm, then gagged her mouth to prevent screaming. With her right hand, Yu used the other short sword to stab into Brynhildr's right forearm, forcing her to drop the lance. Brynhildr fell to her knees as her blood was being drained, as well as her powers. Yu's eyes started to glow as she continued to drink.
Meanwhile, Adam struggled to get in range for his attacks against Vitch. The Spring Maiden continued to push him back with a volley of sniper rounds. Suddenly, Vitch aimed up at the clouds, unleashing a rapid-fire barrage that turned their white color black. Adam attempted to rush in but heard the crackling of thunder from above. He looked up just a bolt of lightning was about to strike him down. In a last-second dodge, the attack missed. However, the white fang swordsman heard the crackling start again. At the same time, Vitch reloaded and aimed. "Vertically or horizontally?" Vitch asked with her finger on the trigger, "Can't dodge both." She taunted before firing, while the bolt of lightning headed straight for the same target.
However, Adam remained steadfast. He tossed Wilt towards the thunder strike before holding up his reinforced sheath. As he blocked the shot, the lightning collided with the crimson blade, absorbing the electricity in a reddish-yellow glow. As Wilt fell towards him, the White Fang Swordsman caught his sword falling into his sheath. Vitch gasped as Adam held the grip of Wilt, his body sparked with electricity as he leaned forwards, "Begone." Adam stated before sprinting forwards with the speed of a thunderclap.
Vitch gritted her teeth before dashing left, but know Adam was closing in faster than she could get out of the way. She then hip fired a shot from her sniper rifle aimed to the right, pushing her further away from the slash. Adam stopped himself a few meters past Vitch, while the Spring Maiden came to a halt on the souls of her heels. As a short silence fell between the two, the small bell on Vitch's dress had hit the metal ground they stood on, "My, going straight for a woman's chest." Vitch said as she turned to Adam with a seductive smile, "How bold of you?"
"I intended to cut your heart in two," Adam responded, pointing his sword at Vitch, but she just giggled.
"Oh, bold and romantic." Vitch smirked as Adam remained scowling, "Now, shall we continue?" The Spring Maiden said as aimed her sniper rifle. Adam gritted his teeth before dashing towards Vitch again.
Meanwhile, the light in Brynhildr's eyes started to fade as she was losing consciousness. At the same tip, Yu had closed her eyes, lost in the taste of the maiden's blood she had craved for so long. However, her eyes shot open as a sword had bashed against her head, cutting her left eye. Yu pulled back to see it was Reines, holding the short sword that was used to destroy Trimmau, "You killed my maid!" Reines declared as she went for a throat stab.
Yu jumped away from the assault, letting go of Brynhildr in the process. However, the consort beauty then grinned as she raised her right hand. Suddenly, the blade Reines held exploded with a red aura, launching her back in one of the turrets of the airship. She gasped in pain as her hat fell off from the impact. As she struggled to get up, her eyes widened as Yu spawning two more short swords, "This time, I won't miss." The consort beauty said before launching both swords, both of which glowed in the bloody aura. Reines remained froze, knowing she was not fast enough to dodge.
However, someone jumped in her way. Brynhildr shielded Reines from the swords. One pierced her abdomen, while the other cut through her right lung. "What!?" Yu exclaimed, "How are you still able to move-" In the middle of her enemies exclaim, Brynhildr regripped her lance, causing it to glow in a white aura. She then through it like a spear into Yu's chest. Upon contact, it unleashed a beam of energy, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" the consort beauty as she was blasted across airship.
Brynhildr panted before falling back to her knee. Reines caught the Summer Maiden before she fell, but noticed the light in her eyes was fading, "Reines…" Brynhildr spoke as she turned to the Princess of El-Melloi, "…I'm so sorry…" She with tears in her eyes, the light fading more and more.
Meanwhile, Adam and Vitch's clash had become more close quarters. The crimson blade of Wilt grinded against the bayonet. The White Fang swordsman was gasping in exhaustion from the countless misses, while Vitch was still smirking. "Your stamina is quite resilient, but it is unlike mine." She said before jumped back to dodge a horizontal slash. While twirling in midair, Vitch flung the bayonet at Adam. On its trajectory, the blade glowed white-hot before embedding into his right forearm.
Adam gritted his teeth through then pain, letting of the sheath in his left hand. He pulled out the hot dagger before quickly tossing into away. However, Vitch grinned as she aimed at her bayonet. With one shot, the hot dagger reacted with the sniper round, resulting in an explosion. Adam's body was flung in the blast wave, slamming his back into a slab of metal. As he tried to push himself up, but Vitch pinned his chest with the barrel of her sniper rifle.
"Tsk, the rumors are true," Adam said as Vitch's eyes glowed, "The seasonal maidens have a power unlike any semblance." As the Spring Maiden giggled, Adam tightened his right grip on Wilt.
However, Vitch stomped on the blade with her left heel, "Yes, we are quite deadly." She said before moving the barrel up Adam's chest to his face, knocking off the mask. Despite seeing his branded eye, she was focused on the other, "Such a beautiful baby blue." The Spring Maiden said before pressing the barrel against the eyes.
"Quit messing with me." Adam said Vitch rubbed her index finger on the trigger, "Just do it already."
"Aw, but I like you." Vitch said before moving the sniper barrel away, leaning towards him, "If you beg, I will let you be my plaything for bit longer." She said with a smirk, "What do you say, Darling?"
"…Hehehe," Adam started chuckling to himself, "Hehehehe…drop dead, Whore."
Slowly, Vitch lost her smirk, "Hm, pity," The Spring Maiden coldly spoke as she stood up, aiming again at Adam's head, "Well, I gave you a chance." She said before seeing Adam smirk, causing a look of irritation on her face.
Suddenly, Vitch heard a sparking sound and a teal light. As she looked forward, four daggers embedded in her body. One in each forearm, another in the right shoulder, and the final one in her left upper thigh. Adam continued to grin, "Not a pleasant feeling, is it?" He said as Vitch tried to shoot him in the head. However, a fifth dagger exploded on contact with the sniper rifle, "Heh, I'll leave her to you." Adam said as Sigurd jumped over his body, "King of Warriors."
"Firebirds eliminated. Primary threats reaffirmed." Sigurd said as he glared at Vitch. He repositioned himself with a teal aura pulsating at his feet. Suddenly, a ring of daggers all formed into front of the King of Warriors, all pointed at the Spring Maiden. Suddenly, he punched all the daggers towards Vitch, rocketing them at a speed unable to be dodged, "Using Noble Phantasm," He said as the daggers ripped through Vitch's body. After the last punch, a large blade formed, "O Demonic Sword of the Sun, with that blade, give rise to destruction!" Sigurd said before reeling his left fist back, the knuckles tightening before he punched the sword. Vitch was still trying to recover from the daggers as the large sword impaled her abdomen, sending her back a few feet. However, she withstood it as her eyes radiated a stronger pink aura. But as she looked up, Sigurd was already in front her, his right fist reel back for the true punch, "Bölverk Gram!" The King of Warriors declared as he punched his sword again, leaving a blast-wave of teal energy the enveloped Vitch. The Spring Maiden was screaming as her body was carried in the noble phantasm.
Meanwhile, Yu pushed herself out of the steel rubble as she was about to rush into battle. However, she turned towards a teal light. Before the consort beauty could react, Vitch's body collided with her, as well as the energy of the noble phantasm. The beam carrier both Maiden Huntresses off the airship, blasting them into the horizon of the open sea.
Adam pushed himself up as Sigurd's body was still sparking with teal lightning. "Well, that takes care of them," Adam said while putting his Grimm mask back on.
Sigurd turned to face him, a slight smile on the King of Warrior's face. However, that smile faded as he looked over to the other group, "Brynhildr!?" Sigurd called out as he ran towards his wife. Adam followed, but upon seeing Summer Maiden's body, he knew what had happened, "No! No!" Sigurd cried as he fell to his knees, picking up. He began to hyperventilate upon feeling her cold, yet still gentle skin, "My beloved, please wake up." Sigurd spoke as his arms trembled, tears falling on Brynhildr's cheeks. The King of Warrior's held his wife's body close as he continued to cry, "BRYNHILDR!"
Adam watched, but could not say a word. He looked down while gritting his teeth. Suddenly, he remembered the other fighters. In scanning the arena, he saw the inactivate puddles of the liquid mercury and red gunk. Suddenly, he saw Reines on her side. She was clutching her stomach in pain with her eyes shut. Adam went to her, checking her body, and seeing no wounds. "Hey, you're going to be okay." He said before she grabbed his right hand.
"No," Reines responded as her eyes opened, "I am not okay." She said as her eyes glowed with light yellow aura, a type of aura that Adam had seen just recently, "This…. This is very bad." The new Summer Maiden spoke before her body pulsate. Adam gasped as he felt her grip tighten, "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Reines screamed before her body went limp.
Adam checked her breath, then eventually let out a sigh, "She just passed out from the power." He thought before carrying Reines in his arms, then turning back to Sigurd, who was still morning the loss of his beloved. Adam did not say a word, only looking up, "Musashi, I hope your battle fared better than ours."
AN: There you go, Yu and Vitch are not ones to be taken lightly. The two may have failed the mission, but they will be back eventually. Yu's tactics are very brutal and Vitch gave Adam an interesting perspective. Sadly, Trimmau does not reform this time, but she protected Reines to the very end. Even more painful of a loss, the lovely Brynhildr parts from this world. With it, she passes on her Summer Maiden power to Reines. And that is just half of the battle. The fight against It is next, but who else could meet with a terrible fate? That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.
