Chapter 19
Fanatio dropped to the ground as Kazunei's twin ice dragon headed straight for her. It was flying low, talons extended. She flattened herself as much as she could, flinching as she felt the razor-sharp talons dig into her back. They became entangled in her cape, and she was soon being dragged along the ground. The beast was flapping its wings, drifting upwards. Hell no! Fanatio's fingers lit up red with sacred arts. Reaching up, she gripped the beast's ankle, flames licking up the creature's leg. Shaking the burning limb free, the dragon released Fanatio, who slammed back into the ground. The dragon took a large turn, then bellowed out a roar. It attempted another aerial attack, but was halted abruptly by a whip that slapped across its backside. It turned its large head towards this new opponent and bellowed.
Retracting her whip, Leina flicked it out again, its long, spiked rope enveloping the dragon's other leg. It flapped its wings, sending down heavy gusts. She scrunched into herself, her hair whipping about her, and still, Leina held on firmly. She couldn't let the creature go, not until Fanatio was back on her feet.
Meanwhile, Tiese and Ronye had their hands full dealing with the real Kazunei. After evacuating Centoria, the place was taking heavy damage. Buildings were crumbling and there were fires everywhere. Smoke billowed up into the sky, making it dark as night. Tiese had cast a luminous element helping to guide Ronye towards the dragon.
"Vertical Leap!" Ronye called out, slashing at Kazunei with her sword.
The dragon turned, slamming its tail against the young girl. She went flying backwards, where she hit Tiese, and the two of them tumbled into a heap. Kazunei landed with a heavy thud and reared its head back, dragonfire gathering in its mouth. He thrust his head forward, jaws wide, before being halted by a single command.
"Stop!"
The fire fizzled out, and the beast growled with irritation. It lowered its head then stared into the face of its master.
"Renly?" Tiese asked warily. She saw his skin was pulsing with white tendrils. He had placed a hand on his dragon's forehead. It mewled softly, bowing low, then took off, continuing with the destruction of Centoria. Renly then walked towards Tiese and Ronye, looming over them with glowing golden eyes.
"Which of you has access to the top floor?"
Tiese and Ronye looked at each other. Neither of them did. Ronye was about to say so when Tiese cut in, "I do."
Renly took the redhead roughly by the arm and starting dragging her towards the Cathedral.
"Tiese, what are you doing?" Ronye hissed.
The redhead looked over her shoulder, mouthing the word, "Stalling."
Ronye scrambled to her feet once Renly and Tiese had entered the tower. Her eyes traveled up the smooth exterior of the buliding. She'd never been up that high, but whatever was up there had to be important to Synthesis Zero. She had to hope that Tiese could stall Renly long enough for reinforcements.
Picking up her sword, Ronye raced towards Fanatio. She began to gently, but hurriedly, shake the woman. Fanatio stirred, then snapped open her eyes. Taking in the scene before her, she wasted no time in reaching for her Heaven Piercing Blade. She saw Leina had wrapped her whip around a mound of rubble, bracing herself against it with her foot. The ice dragon bellowed, its wings hugging close to its body as it got ready to dive. It began its descent towards Leina, jaws and claws bared. Fanatio followed the beast's movement with her sword until it was just the right spot. "Enhance Armament!" the older woman cried out. A narrow beam of light shot out from her sword, piercing the creature in the side, throwing off its trajectory. It hit the ground just to the left of Liena, bringing up dust and debris. Snarling, it tried to get back up onto its feet, but with only one back leg, it was mostly just scrambling.
Now that it was on the ground, Leina released the hold on her whip, trading it out for her two-handed sword. She dashed towards the beast, sidestepping its flailing limbs and wings. "Avalanche!" she shouted, pulling her sword back above her head, then slashing it down hard where the ice dragon's neck and shoulders connected. Crack! The ice cracked and shattered with the impact, then turned into water. She was soaked, as was the ground. She began to shiver, stamping her booted feet to warm up. This reminded her of the time she, Kirito, and Renly had crossed that underground river with the spiders overhead. Ah, the memories, she smiled wryly to herself. Turning, she saw Fanatio and Ronye approaching.
"Renly took Tiese!" Ronye cried out.
"Renly?!" Fanatio and Leina said together.
"They're going to the top of the tower," Ronye replied anxiously.
"But why?" Leina asked, her brows furred. "Pontifex isn't up there anymore. It's Kirito's Star King office now."
Fanatio placed a hand on her chin. Thinking for a moment, she began muttering, "It's not the office itself, but what's in it."
"Meaning?" Ronye was confused.
"Remember when Asuna was telling us about the Real World back at camp during the war? Well, there is something called a console up there. A link to the outside world."
"Do you think Synthesis Zero's plan is to escape there?" Ronye blanched.
"No," Fanatio frowned. "I think he wants to use it to destroy this one."
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Eugeo, Alice, and I nodded our heads as we prepared our attack on the tiger beast. Eugeo went first, stabbing his Blue Rose Sword into the ground once more. From the ice that lay shattered at the tiger beast's feet, thorny vines erupted from it. They enveloped the tiger, constricting its movements. "Blue Rose Bloom!" Eugeo called. From the vines, beautiful blue roses bloomed and began leeching life from the beast. The tiger roared in rage, barring its jagged bark teeth and shooting out acid streams against the vines. However, for each one it killed, two more took its place.
Alice stepped out next, calling out "Enhance Armament!" Her golden sword transformed into millions of tiny petals that spun rapidly. Swinging her handle, she sent them flying towards the tiger, where they began to slice at the creature. It was slow going, but she could see the creature's armor starting to crack. She looked over at Eugeo, who was using everything he had to keep the creature contained. She could see his sword was starting to show wear from all the sacred arts usage, it's life beginning to dwindle. Her own sword would be in the same situation soon here. "Now would be a good time, Kirito," she said through gritted teeth.
"Enhance Armament!" I shouted, raising my sword above my head. It was gathering power, purple and black sparks dancing around my blade. I brought it down using both hands, and sent destructive energy flying towards the tiger. It hit the creature with such force that it went flying backwards. We could all hear the snap of its back as it hit a heavy clump of trees. With a pained cry, it slumped to the ground.
The three of us looked at each other, readying our swords. We slowly made our way towards the tiger, stepping cautiously. As we approached it, we could see the body was crumbling in on itself, heading back to the earth from which it came. Made sense seeing it was made of wood and dirt. Then again, it also had poison properties so that would mean…
A puff of purple smoke filled the air causing our eyes to water. Quickly, I used one arm to cover my nose and mouth, and used the other to wave around, hoping to dispel the cloud. I staggered backwards, trying to find some fresh air. I was holding my breath, but I really needed to breathe, and soon. My boots were suddenly wet, and I found myself standing in the river that Eugeo and I had emerged from the night before. I knelt down, my hands going into the cool, refreshing water. I splashed water at my face and eyes, repeating the process multiple times. I cracked open one eye slowly, thankful the cloud had dissipated. What was it anyways? As I blinked my eyes back into focus, I could see Eugeo and Alice standing not too far away from me. Taking a step closer, I noticed that Alice was staring at Eugeo, and he was looking back at her, his sword twitching in his hands. "Alice?" Without even looking at me, she waved her hand at me in a 'stay back' gesture. I frowned. I could see Alice's eyes were clear, but Eugeo's were dull, and a shade of blue I hadn't seen before. It was like he was a million miles away.
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"You know the rules, you cannot defy the Taboo Index," a Knight said from behind his helmet. "That's why you're here, in the dungeon of the Cathedral."
Although he was berating her, the woman behind bars couldn't help but be comforted by his voice. It reminded her of someone from her past, though this one was flat and without much emotion. Strange, she thought to herself.
"Are you even listening?" the Knight snapped.
Jolting to attention, she couldn't help but obey, even if she was an elder, at six five years of age.
"You foolish woman," Pontifex tsked, sliding around her Knight. She leaned in, studying the woman behind bars. "Himari, is it?"
Himari did a double blink. "How…how do you know my name?"
"I know everyone in the Underworld," Pontifex replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "What they do. What they don't do. Everything," she reiterated.
Narrowing her eyes, Himari asked, "What happened to my husband then?"
"What indeed?" Pontifex smiled like a cheshire cat. Turning to her Knight, she said, "You know what to do."
The Knight stepped into the prison cell, the door creaking loudly. "Down on your knees."
Frustrated she couldn't defy this Knight, Himari did as told. This was the Judicial Authority Galen had wanted to fight against. She would've loved to see a world without it. Oh Galen, how she missed him so. Although she was terrified, she could finally meet up with her husband in the afterlife. It was a good thing her children were grown and had families of their own. She'd done her best with them, choosing to raise them alone, rather than remarry.
As she stared at the ground, her ears picked up on the sound of a blade being drawn. Although it wasn't just any blade. This one had a sound that was like no other and it was one she hadn't heard in years. Eyes widening, her thoughts whirring. The voice, the blade, it was coming together. But how? Suddenly, she gasped. Looking down, she saw the brilliant white blue sword that belonged to the man she loved. Now, it was plunged into her back, and straight into her heart. Blood gurgled in her throat, and she could barely draw a clear breath. She felt a booted foot placed on her back, where it pushed her forward while the sword was being withdrawn from her body. She slumped to the floor, her lifeblood pooling on the ground.
"Let this be a lesson," the Knight said coldly. "Never disobey the Pontifex or the Axiom Church."
"Galen…" she whispered; voice barely audible.
The Knight went to remove his helmet, a frown crossing his face.
Glancing up, Himari could see the man she never stopped loving, though it looked as if he hadn't aged a single day in forty years. How was that possible? The shock, added to her wound, was too much for her as she wheezed her last breath and went still.
"How did this woman know my name?" Galen asked, confusion etched across his face.
"No idea," Pontifex lied smoothly.
Galen stood, staring at the dead woman for a few moments.
"Is there a problem?" Pontifex asked flatly.
"Of course not," Galen replied impassively.
Pontifex frowned, seeing Galen's grip on his sword tense up. "Come with me," she commanded.
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Pontifex and Galen had arrived at Floor 96, the floor where the Senate was located. Galen had never been up here and it was rather creepy seeing blank faces looking at you from inside silver tubes. They had no distinguishing features and all looked alike. The only color in the room belonged to the annoying little clown man.
"Oi!" Chudelkin clapped his hands, as he stood inside a circle of light. "I've been waiting for this."
"One moment," Pontifex raised her hand to the little clown man. Her eyes zeroed in on Galen, her hand going up to cup his chin. "What happened back there?" she murmured.
"I don't know what you mean," Galen replied blankly.
Pontifex gripped Galen's face tighter, eyes narrowing. "Do not lie to me."
Galen returned her glare with one of his own.
She was annoyed, but her frown quickly turned into a smile. Every once in awhile, Galen would defy her, and honestly, she enjoyed it.
Chudelkin cleared his throat. Pontifex eyed him, then stepped back from Galen.
Galen knew that smile and whatever was coming, it was going to be bad. He followed her eyes with his own, and looked down to see stone was speeding up his body, freezing him into place, leaving only his head and shoulders still flesh.
"Time to be reset!" Chudelkin chanted happily. "This time I can do it in three days instead of three years," the little clown said full of pride. He pulled up a little pedestal from behind Galen and hopped on top of it. From the ceiling came down wires with strange nodes on the ends, which Chudelkin applied to Galen's temples.
"What is this?" Galen growled.
"This is what happens when you start to digress," Chudelkin tsked. He hoped down from his perch and began chanting.
Through the nodes, Galen could feel sacred power pulsing through his head.
"Enough," Pontifex held up her hand to Chudelkin.
"Of course, your eminence," the little clown man backed away for a moment, letting the Pontifex pass.
Galen was panting. This was way worse than before. His head was pounding with the pressure, and that was after only a minute or two. Tears burned in his eyes, but he didn't know why.
She placed her hand along Galen's cheek, her fingers playing with the hair that hung by his ears. Her hand then trailed along to his forehead, brushing his bangs aside as she went to withdraw the piety module. There was no pain, but as soon as it was removed, Galen couldn't move at all. His eyes clouded over and he sagged into his granite prison.
"Galen," Pontifex said flatly. "Connections to your past are strictly forbidden." She moved gracefully past him, flipping his piety module in her hand. Turning to Chudelkin she said, "Carry on. For I will see you both soon."
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Three days later, Pontifex had Chudelkin go ahead and reinstate Galen's piety module as she was called away to prep her newest Knights, Bercouli and Fanatio. They would take over while Galen remained in statis.
Looking up, Chudelkin saw Galen was passed out, blood dripping from his nose, mouth, and ears. Perhaps he'd over done it? Nahhhhh, he smiled cruelly.
He went to admire the piety module Pontifex had given him earlier. It was so perfect in its prism shape. But what would happen if…? Suddenly, he let the module drop to the ground, the impact causing a crack along one side. Giggling to himself, he hopped back onto his perch, took Galen's hair into his hand, and pulled his head back. Chudelkin slid the piety module back into Galen's forehead, though as it disappeared inside, it sparked and flickered, almost like a warning.
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Renly hadn't said a word to Tiese as they climbed staircase after staircase. They were moving fast, already heading past floor thirty.
"Can we stop for a break?" Tiese panted out. She wasn't lying, her thighs were on fire with all these steps.
Renly paused, then glanced over his shoulder. He threw Tiese roughly onto the stairs in front of him. "Two minutes," he said flatly.
"Okay, it's now or never," Tiese said to herself. She broke into a sweat, both because of the physical exertion and from what she was about to do. Moving her arm up slowly towards the zipper of her uniform, she was halted abruptly by Renly.
"What are you doing?" he raised a brow.
"I'm getting overheated. You don't want me to pass out before we get to the top do you?" Tiese replied as sensibly as she could.
Renly narrowed his eyes.
Tiese swallowed and went to fully unzip her uniform top, revealing a simple white tank top. She slid her arms out of her gray uniform sleeves, letting it drop to the stairs behind her. Doing her best to push her breasts out so they strained against the thin white fabric, she lowered her eyes demurely. Next, she took the edges of her skirt, and began to hike it up her thighs, exposing more and more skin.
Renly was staring at her rather intensely, his breathing becoming rough, his golden eyes filling with lust. The white tendrils pulsed on his skin, and they hurt as they told him to keep moving. He knew Galen was controlling him, even at such a distance. He reached down, grabbing Tiese roughly by the arm again, and the pair continued their trek up the stairs.
"Hey!" Tiese called out.
"I know what you're trying to do," Renly growled over his shoulder.
"Oh?" Tiese countered. "What's that?"
Renly stopped dead in his tracks and whirled to face the redhead. "Do you think me a fool? I know you have feelings for Eugeo."
Tiese's red eyes darted away guiltily, her cheeks flushing pink.
Renly was about to reply when the white tendrils pulsed along his skin. "I'm going, I'm going," he muttered.
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"Looks like Kazunei is protecting the Cathedral. Anytime anyone gets close, it attacks," Leina said, voice full of frustration.
"It knows Renly's in there," Fanatio said, glancing up the tower. "It'll make sure nothing happens to him."
"What do we do?" Ronye asked anxiously.
Fanatio stood, her mouth in a grim line. "We continue attacking it. Hopefully, with its attention on us, an opening may present itself."
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My curiosity was getting the better of me, and I carefully slipped between Alice and Eugeo.
"Damn it, Kirito, I told you not to…," Alice muttered, clearly annoyed with me.
Selka and Cardinal had joined us once again by the river. The latter waving her staff in front of Eugeo's eyes, to which he didn't even blink.
"What's going on in that mind of his?" I squinted at him.
Cardinal placed a hand on her chin. "I've heard gases like that can reveal unpleasant truths, freezing victims, giving the beast a chance to devour its prey easily. However, with it dead, I guess the only thing to do is wait for it to dissipate." Turning to Alice and I, she asked, "Did anything strange happen to either of you?"
Alice set her mouth in a firm line. "Nothing I want to talk about it."
"Well, actually…" I began thoughtfully.
Suddenly, blue tendrils slithered up Eugeo's skin. Everyone could feel the high levels of sacred power being emitted from them.
"Quick!" Cardinal urged. "We need to finish the ritual. NOW!"
Selka held the candle up, her fingers already alight with a heat element. "The scroll is in my bag, Alice," she told her older sister.
Alice nodded, then carefully stepped around Eugeo to retrieve it.
"There is no time for a new circle," Cardinal snapped. Turning to me, she said, "You will restrain him."
I nodded, then went behind Eugeo. I put my arms around his, pulling them behind his back. It was like holding an icicle. He was freezing cold, and I could feel the temperature dropping all around us.
Alice was scanning the scroll, looking for the place she left off. Placing her finger on the exact spot, she began to read once more.
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Eugeo yawned as he woke up, the sky still dark. He quietly got ready and slipped out of the house, being careful not to wake his siblings or parents. He didn't need a light to see where he was going, as he walked this route so many times he could do it with his eyes closed. In front of him loomed the Gigas Cedar, a giant black coniferous tree. He went to check the Statia Window of the tree, forming an 's' shape with his fingers. After three years of chopping at the three six days a week, he'd barely knocked off two percent of its life durability. "Great," he muttered. No wonder his family was so disappointed, rather than help on the farm, he was stuck out here with this meaningless task. Wistfully, he thought about what he really wanted to do and where he had put his greatest treasure. Granted, he could barely lift it, or even use it, but it was his. Someday though…
"ACK!" Eugeo was shoved up against the Gigas Cedar, his face pressing into the rough bark, slivers of wood digging into his cheek.
"Hello, Eugeo," came a slurred voice.
Jink? What was he doing here?
"Three years now, she's been gone," Jinx whispered into Eugeo's ear. "In another three years, we could've been married, and another three years, kids…"
Eugeo could smell the alcohol on Jinx's breath. How could he be drunk this early in the morning? Or maybe it was from last night. "She never liked you," Eugeo muttered.
Jinx tightened his grip on Eugeo's neck, "Shut up! You probably blackmailed her. There's no way she'd hang around willingly with someone as pathetic as you," he spat.
"Just leave me alone," Eugeo growled, attempting to find purchase along the tree to push back at Jinx.
"If you really loved her," Jinx sneered the word love, "you would've gone in her place. No one would care if you got carted away by an Integrity Knight."
It was true. There wasn't a day that went by when Eugeo didn't feel guilty about what happened. Suddenly, goosebumps popped up on his skin and he tensed up, feeling Jinx's hand slide down his back and cup his butt. He then gave it a hard slap. "W…wh…what are you doing?"
"You need to man up, Eugeo," Jinx scorned. He then released the blonde, stepping back.
Looks like it would be an easier bullying type of day. Eugeo sighed in relief, wiping at his cheek. It stung, but with a little luminous element, he'd heal in just a few….OOF!
Eugeo hit the ground hard and was being held there by Jinx's meaty hand on the back of his head. With his other hand, he let out a whistle, signaling his two lackeys. They emerged and quickly set to work, one taking over restraining Eugeo by the head and neck while the other bent his arms around his back, locking them at the wrists. Jinx meanwhile, slid his arm under Eugeo's hips, bringing them up until the blonde was kneeling, even though his face was still shoved into the ground. It was an awkward position, this triangle, and Eugeo was no fool. He tried to squirm and wiggle free, but three against one were shitty odds. Jinx had no reserves about pulling down Eugeo's pants, the cool morning air caressing his ass cheeks. Eugeo panicked, feeling a thick finger slide along his ass, then duck inside.
"You're so tight," Jinx murmured. "Better loosen up for the main event," he said lecherously.
Eugeo paled. This couldn't happen, it was against the Taboo Index.
There was a rustle of fabric as Jinx went to drop his own trousers, his erection springing free. He grabbed onto himself, guiding it towards Eugeo's ass, while he pushed his leg between Eugeo's, in effect spreading them a little further apart.
"You'll pay for taking Alice's affections from me," he said cruelly, slamming his cock into Eugeo's ass, hard and fast. "You're so warm," Jinx murmured, feeling the walls of Eugeo's rectum pulsate around his cock. Eugeo's body convulsed helplessly, and he could feel Jinx's hands on his hips, steadying him as he began to grind against his prostrate. Eugeo mewled in pain, his insides being ripped apart by Jinx's large, thick shaft. The pressure was intense, it was like he was being stretched to bounds he didn't know he had. Jink, on the other hand, was moaning in pleasure, clearly enjoying the position of power.
Jinx's lackeys had the good sense not to say a word, merely keeping their heads down, holding Eugeo in place. Jinx continued to fuck Eugeo, until he gave into release. Jinx roared then sagged onto Eugeo's back. His cock was still stuffed up inside Eugeo, his hands rubbing up and down Eugeo's thighs. They were positioned like that until Jinx fell asleep against him, his snoring echoing into the growing daylight.
"We better get out of here," one of Jinx's lackeys said.
"Yeah, we wouldn't want to be caught with our pants down," snickered the other.
They released Eugeo, pushing him towards the ground, while they lifted up the passed-out Jinx. The trio turned, laughing mirthlessly as they headed back towards Rulid.
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"No!" Eugeo was starting to squirm in my grasp.
"Stop moving around," I ground out. It was difficult to keep my hold on him and I had to push my leg between his to keep our balance. I felt him shudder, then he crossly looked over his shoulder at me. His eyes flashed and blue tendrils continued to pulse along his skin, the temperature dropping so low that we could see our breaths.
As Alice and Selka continued to read and light the candle, frigid gusts of wind began to pick up, circling around Eugeo and I. I gripped Eugeo even tighter, whether it was to keep him from escaping or to offer me some warmth, I wasn't sure.
Alice held the scroll close to her body, doing her best not to let it rip from the strong winds.
"Something's wrong," Selka cried.
Eugeo, or rather Galen, spoke in a cold whisper. "Did you ever stop to consider where my sacred arts will go once it is no longer contained?"
"It'll die with you," I deadpanned.
"Good guess," Galen began, "But no."
I frowned. I warily looked around us, my golden eyes taking in the ice and frost that began to cover the ground, starting at our feet, and drifting outwards in all directions. It was racing along, devouring everything in its path with ice. Once the trees, plants, and animals were encased, the ice shattered, killing them instantly. Nothing would survive this onslaught.
The girls! I quickly looked over and was relieved when I saw Cardinal encase herself, Alice, and Selka into a ball of light, hovering above the icy terrain. Selka and Alice had stopped the incantation with only one wick left. The two were looking at each other, uncertain of what to do.
"What is happening?" Alice deadpanned. "Is the candle working?"
"Yes," Cardinal replied stiffly. "Though with heavy consequences."
"Iskahn warned us," Selka said anxiously.
"If this was going to happen, why'd he give you and Jinx the damn thing?" Alice snarled.
Selka flinched. "There must be something we're missing."
I, meanwhile, refused to let Eugeo go. I could see the world turning to ice all around me, and yet, I remained unharmed.
"Kirito, listen to me," Eugeo said, his voice low. "I have an idea."
I leaned in close, my eyes widening at his plan. It was crazy enough; it might actually work.
Eugeo's eyes flashed icy blue. "Whatever he's telling you is useless. For you see, once you release me from this body, my magic will cover the Underworld in an eternal frost, the temperature so cold nothing will survive."
"You seem so sure of yourself," I said flatly.
"I should be," Galen replied smugly. "I also have my contingency plan in place as well."
"What?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Right now, Renly is headed to the top of the Cathedral, where he will reset the Underworld using the console from your world. So you see, whether the world is destroyed by my magic or your technology…" Galen smiled, revealing his fangs. "I win."
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End Chapter 19