Tales of The Symphonic Abyss: Dawn of The Second Descendent

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Chapter 10: Meeting Velvet And Encounter With Rensho!

Michael slowly opened his eyes. He went to sit up, but felt something hold him back. He pulled the covers back to see that Legretta had wrapped her arms around his chest, with her hands placed over his heart. Michael could only smile at the symbolism behind Legretta's embrace showing how much she loved him.

Legretta – "Morning hubby."

Michael – "Morning sweetheart."

They both got up and got dressed. Michael snapped his fingers and his communicator quickly put on his outfit for him, which was his Hero outfit. Legretta started putting on her old outfit, but Michael stopped her and handed her a pile of clothes.

Michael – "Here. A new outfit for you. I'll be outside training while you put it on."

Legretta – "Thanks. And be careful."

Legretta took her time trying on her new clothes. They consisted of a white short-sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans, normal boots, and finger-less gloves. The t-shirt and jeans were loose enough so that they didn't restrict her movements, but also tight enough to reveal her figure. Michael had also given her a communicator in case they had to split up to do a mission. She had also decided to tie her hair in a waist-length ponytail.

Legretta – "Michael helped me with a change of clothes, so I guess a new look for me was needed sooner or later."

After she was done, Legretta exited the tent in the cavern to find Luke and the others watching Michael do his early morning training.

Legretta – "Nice to see you guys finally showed up."

The others turned to see Legretta in her new outfit.

Luke – "That new outfit looks nice on you Legretta."

Legretta – "Thanks. Since Michael picked it out for me, I decided to give myself a new look as well."

Michael – "And I say it fits you perfectly."

Michael had just finished his training and was rejoining the others. He then saw Legretta in her new clothes. Legretta put her left arm around Michael's right arm and laid her head on his right shoulder.

Natalia – "You two look so cute together."

Michael – "Thanks Natalia. Now just let me pack everything up and we can get moving."

Niko – "Let me help you Michael."

After Michael took care of the tent while Niko handled the training grounds, the party made their way through Deo Pass. Along their trek, they come across a creature that only Michael recognizes.

Michael – "Why is a Daemon here in Aldurant? I thought they could only be found in Desolation."

He then looks up to see a young woman that's gonna pounce and attack the Daemon should it try to attack Michael and the others.

Niko – "What is that Michael?"

Michael – "A Daemon. Monsters created from humans, animals, and even objects should they become affected by the Daemonblight. While most Daemon-turned humans go berserk, some are known to retain their sense of reason."

Legretta – "What kind of creatures do Daemons become?"

Michael – "It's hard to predict, but most of the time its either lizards or werewolves. The main fact is that Daemonblight doesn't exist."

Luke – "It doesn't?"

Michael – "It was just a term coined by the Abbey. The true version of Daemonblight is that anyone can become a Daemon if their malevolence, aka impurity or darkness in their heart, overflows them. If this fact had gotten out, it not only would've caused mass hysteria, but also caused many humans to turn into Daemons. The only reason we humans can see Daemons at all is due to a special gate that was opened ten years ago."

Arietta – "What kinds of Daemons are there?"

Michael – "Numerous kinds. One kind are called the Yaksha, or War Daemons. Another kind is called the Therion. Therions are Daemons that feed on others to gain strength. In fact, a Therion is by us right now at the top of this cliff. But don't worry, she's an ally."

The young woman was completely flabbergasted that Michael knew she was at the top of the cliff the entire time.

Michael – "As for THIS Daemon…"

Michael walked a few steps forward, then put his hands on the sword and sheath at his left hip.

Michael – "Ittoryu Iai…"

Everyone watched in complete bewilderment as Michael was a good distance away from the Daemon one second, then right behind it the next.

Michael – "…Shishi Sonson!"

Once Michael re-sheathed his sword, the Daemon fell, dead before it even hit the ground. The woman jumped down next to the Daemon's corpse before absorbing it.

Michael – "You're welcome."

? – "I had it anyway."

A few seconds passed before Michael spoke again.

Michael – "You're not of our world, are you?"

? – "What?"

The woman was caught off-guard by Michael's question.

Michael – "You were born in Desolation, the same world these Daemons are from, correct?"

The woman figured there wasn't any reason to beat around the bush and just answer the boy with honesty.

? – "Yes."

Michael – "Your name?"

? – Velvet Crowe."

Michael – "And you are a Therion?"

Velvet – "Yes."

Michael – "Anyone or anything else teleported besides you and the Daemon from Desolation to Aldurant?"

Velvet – "As far as I know of, no. Although I don't truly know how I got teleported to here, I have an idea who was behind it."

Michael – "You mean your ex-brother-in-law Artorius."

Velvet gave a low growl at the mentioning of her former brother-in-law and teacher's name. The only ones that heard the growl at all were Michael, Niko, and Arietta. Velvet then quickly regained her composure.

Velvet – 'Yes."

Michael – "Good grief. Just what we don't need right now."

Luke – "What do you mean Michael?"

Michael – "So far, we're dealing with Mohs trying to start a war, along with the fact that Van could have an even sinister plan that we're completely in the dark about. I haven't heard anything from Sheena yet. But whatever problems she and her friends are currently facing could become our problems soon enough. And according to what I know, Artorius sounds just as sinister as what Van may have planned."

Tear – "And that plan is?"

Michael – "To use the power of the Empyrean Innominat to strip every human in Desolation of their emotions, thus resulting in a lack of malevolence and therefor eliminating the threat of Daemons."

Everyone was shocked at what Michael just admitted.

Velvet – "He's telling the truth."

The party then turned to Velvet.

Velvet – "Three years ago, I was forced to watch as Artorius killed my little brother Laphicet right in front of me and use his dead body as a sacrifice to resurrect Innominat. Ever since then, I've been wanting to get my vengeance on Artorius for that moment in time. As for right now, I just want to get back to my world."

Michael – "You're more than welcome to stay with us for the time being. As least this way we'll know when you do return to your world."

Velvet – "I appreciate that. Thank you."

Michael – "No problem."

With the addition of Velvet, the party continued through Deo Pass. As they reached the end, they noticed a figure that was blocking their way out.

? – So this is where I find you? It's nice to see you again Michael."

Michael froze at hearing his name. Legretta and Velvet notice it right away.

Michael – "Just what do you want…?"

The unknown man had brown hair and red eyes. He was also the same height as Michael.

Michael – "Rensho!"

A few moments of tense silence pass, then Michael suddenly attacks Rensho, who stops the attack with next to no effort.

Rensho – "Nice try boy."

Rensho knocks Michael back.

Rensho – "Try Dodging These!"

Rensho fires two blasts at Michael, when they suddenly go around him and instead aim at Legretta and Velvet.

Luke – "Legretta!"

Niko – "Velvet!"

The two of them and Michael rush towards the duo, but they know they won't make it in time. Michael cries out in frustration, but then yells four words.

Michael – "Soul Platinum! The World!"

Michael opens his eyes and sees that everything is standing still. Even the two blasts that Rensho fired at Legretta and Velvet had stopped moving.

Michael – "What happened Soul?"

Soul – "I think we just discovered my Stand ability. And I think it's to stop time for a few seconds."

Michael then quickly walked over and destroyed the energy blasts that were targeting his two beloveds.

Michael – "Time has begun to move again."

Time resumed, with everyone seeing that the two energy blasts sent by Rensho were completely gone.

Michael – "You two okay?"

Legretta/Velvet – "Just fine."

Suddenly, Rensho kicks Michael in his left side, sending him flying into the cliff.

Legretta/Velvet – "MICHAEL!'

The two women glare at Rensho, who laughs manically in triumph.