The Ancient Evil Knight

"You humans are commendable creatures," Siegfried's voice boomed, "But now it ends. This time I will triumph. I will rule over Filgaia as a Demon Starship. Now girl, come quietly and I won't harm your man. If you play your cards right, I might even let the two of you live on as my servants. It shouldn't be too hard to evolve your bodies into forms like mine. After all, my race and yours were once one and the same. The only difference is that my ancestors chose the path of the nanomachines for an ageless existence while yours tried to distance yourselves from our power by cowering in your natural bodies. In the end, you were only slaves to us in war. However, those blasted Elw took our valued slaves from us to fight against us."

Upon hearing this, the two turned to see him in the doorway. Siegfried held the Dark Spear out in front of him, ready to attack at any moment. Virginia held her ground. "So, humans and Demons are the same. Sorry, I don't buy that. Even if your kind were of the same race at one point, you are no longer like us. Our paths split if you chose to evolve like you did. And as for stealing your slaves, I would be the first to jump ship if you were treating my ancestors badly. Now Siegfried, why don't you surrender? I won't resort to showing my hand if you decide to live in peace with Filgaia. My mother taught me that there are both good and bad in all races, which is why some Demons were able to mate and leave human half blood descendants. The Shamans didn't hunt them if they were willing to live beside us in peace and harmony," Virginia replied. Bringing up her pistols, she fired her Gatling at the Demon Lord. He didn't flinch one bit.

Siegfried laughed and exclaimed, "The power! The strength you wield is immeasurable! If only you would choose to join me, you could be a high ranking Demon. But due to your foolishness, I will kill the male who came to rescue you, and then you will be dragged to Deus ex Machina. After I exploit you for all the power you have, then you will die by my Dark Spear. Now, fell my fury you little wretch!" He used his Sieg Impulse on Virginia and Jet. They were knocked over, but got back up again. However, they were still a little shaky from fighting Leehalt. Remember, they were thrown around quite a bit in their last battle.

As Jet shot Siegfried, Virginia held out her hands. "Stare Roe, come forth and smash the darkness that waits in shadows. Saint!" With that, the beam of light that was the Saint spell shot out from her hands. Siegfried was knocked backwards, but still very much ready to fight. Virginia jumped back a bit.

"Commendable," Siegfried told her, "A truly worthy act of your race. Pity I have to kill you in the end. Now watch as your own treasure is used against you." He suddenly activated the Teardrop. Virginia watched in amazement as power flowed through the gem and into the Demon's body. Instantly, he was healed. But unlike when a Shaman Princess uses the Teardrop, he could only do this. Precisely why he still needed Virginia to activate its full power. The only reason he got this far was that he was a Demon.

Siegfried chuckled a bit more, and held the Dark Spear out. Then, he struck out at Jet. Pain shot through the boy's shoulder where the spear hit. Blood oozed out of the wound, causing him to desperately try to patch it up. As the Demon Lord laughed at the boy's pain, Jet felt his world going blurry. He knew he would die if he didn't get help for this wound soon. The boy knew he should have taken some Heal Berries.

Virginia's eyes were wide with horror as she met Jet's gaze. He no longer looked like the tough young Drifter she'd met on the train. Fear and horror were in his eyes. It was almost as if Jet was a small child who had just been injured playing outside. A single tear slid down his cheek; a first for the youth.

"Oodoryuk, give strength to this injured soul. Hi-Heal!" chanted Virginia. Magical power began to gather in her hands. It was more potent than the Heal spell she got from Invoking Schturdark, or even the spell of the same name on her Crestboard. This level two magic could close some of the most stubborn wounds. But Jet still could not fight; he'd lost too much blood. It was now up to Virginia to kill Siegfried.

When he saw her standing on her own to fight, Siegfried said, "You truly are as annoying as you are a valuable tool. But you can barely stand and the boy cannot fight. Perhaps it would be best to save some time and energy and simply come with me to Deus ex Machina. Although you're beyond forgiveness, it will give you a little more time to enjoy life; as you will be unconscious once I'm through with you in this fight."

Virginia looked him in the eye as if to tell him she wasn't afraid. She noticed a cut on her upper left arm, and healed it. But first she gathered a little bit of her own blood in her right hand. Then, she tossed it down to the ground and assumed a position of prayer. "I give you the gift of my blood. Oh, sacred Heart of Guardians. Give me your power, your will. Let me attain dominance o'er my enemies. By the Adlehyde blood in my veins, I beseech you…Give me victory. Dist Dims!!!" Suddenly, the form of a blue staff with a silver crown on top began to appear before Virginia. She took it in her hands, and held it out at her enemy.

"So, Cecilia Adlehyde sealed her staff into the body of her heirs," muttered Siegfried, "But what good will that do you now? You are fighting a Demon all by yourself. Power such as yours is not useful in such a situation. My strength will overwhelm you soon. Besides, I can siphon energy from the Teardrop to heal."

But just then, the Dist Dims and Teardrop began to glow. Virginia knew the use of her staff; it could call the Sacred Gem to itself if needed. Thus, the jewel then lifted itself off of Siegfried's neck, and ended up crowning Virginia's. Of course, since Siegfried wore it before she did, the chain was just a tad too big for her.

"Don't you see? With the Guardians on our side my people have learned to do many things. We have developed tricks to use when our enemy is much more powerful. Watch this one Siegfried, the prism effect," she taunted. Then, Virginia tossed the Teardrop into the air. It rotated around over and over with her magical powers suspending it in that position. Next, she threw up the Dist Dims, shouting, "Break." The staff became pure energy once again, and was drawn into the Teardrop. Finally, the girl concentrated once more on her magic. "Stare Roe, come forth and smash the darkness that waits in shadows. Saint!"

The spell went into the Teardrop with Dist Dims, and the gem began to glow. Suddenly, Virginia's magic broke out and sped at Siegfried. With the power of the Sacred Gem, Sacred Staff, and light working together, the spell's power was increased ten, no a hundred, fold. Siegfried took the hit straight on, and died instantly. With that, the lingering energy returned to the Teardrop and into Virginia's body. She fell to the floor; her knees like jelly. At last, it was all over. The enemy leaders were dead, and the other two must have fallen to Clive and Gallows by now. Finally, peace would come to Filgaia, and happiness would reign.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

First of all, I'm sorry for the late post. I had Exam Fever infesting my brain. But at least I have vacation now...

Now that was what I call a battle. If you're wondering 'bout her little spell, I'll explain it. Little joke of mine. When I wrote the chant for Dist Dims to be released, I thought of this. If she cuts herself for blood, or uses blood from an existing cut, it is like an offering to the planet. Through that, she increases Dist Dims magical power. Not only is it stronger and can call the Teardrop to her, but it will last unless returned to energy for an entire year before Virginia feels any strain. Useful in long battles or ones where you need the extra oomph. The other thing is a combination attack with greater power. What can I say, I was bored.