The explosion occurred so quickly that Milisandia had no time to react. All she could remember was the encroaching sound of rockets saying towards them as she and Ricon walked towards the exit of a prison block. The collision was devastating, immediately throwing Milisandia towards the wall before turning the ceiling above them into a pile of rubble. And that was all she could remember…
The au ra opened her eyes in agony. She tried to move, but a decimating sting had pierced her body. She found herself buried underneath the rubble, her legs had been bound beneath the ceiling, and her gaze had been muddled. The only thing she could see was flame surrounding her…The whole fortress burned. She did not understand how this could happen so quickly, but what was once the headquarters for the VIIth had been reduced to ruins. There must have been hundreds who died, and she still couldn't see her brother.
Milisandia realized that she was in a place that was recently the prison block; before her lied two collapsed doors, Gaius's gunblade was buried underneath them. The girl tried to reach for it, but the moment she extended her hand, she felt as if her whole body was being torn apart. It was akin to a wild beast plunging its teeth into Milisandia's flesh. The au ra screamed in anguish as tears streamed down her face. What if Ricon was gone? What if all of them were gone…She could not stomach the thought. Milisandia realized that only the Diamond Weapon could do such damage so quickly…
Is this how it felt to be buried underneath the ruins left by a monstrous war machine? The fate of those people she forced to suffer and die during her raid on Ala Mhigo? Was this the retribution she deserved? Milisandia felt no anger or fear, just pain and desperate hope that her family has still been alive.
"Ri…" - She tried to speak but was forced to cough due to smoke. Milisandia needed to resist, to fight…She heard another door collapsing due to an all-consuming flame as it fell not far from the pile of rubble she found herself in. It wouldn't be long before what little remained of the place would come crashing down in utter chaos.
She attempted to reach for the weapon once again; perhaps there was something to be done. Milisandia raced against time and crawled against all odds, but she could not be quick enough to outrun her impending doom. Perhaps this was it…At least she saw no bodies around her. Perhaps Ricon and Fordola had to escape as quickly as possible and leave her behind…Milisandia was hoping for it to be the case. At least he would be safe; at least this endeavor would not be for nothing.
"Mili! "- She heard her brother's panicked voice as he searched the rubble near her. Milisandia's heart pounded as she realized he was still here, still trying to seek her out and still risking his life.
"R…Ricon…" - She spoke as loudly as she could, but this was enough. Following the sound, the au ra boy was quick to notice his sister and ran towards her.
"Thank gods you're alive!" - He sighed in premature relief and stood before her. "Just a moment, I'll help you!"
"No, wait…" - But he has already begun. Ricon tried to move the rubble only to find it too heavy to hold. He shouted in pain, but he wouldn't stop his attempts, no matter how fruitless they were.
"Just a little more. I can do it, I know!"
"Please, go… It's not safe; we'll both die…" - Milisandia pleaded, much to Ricon's surprise. The younger brother shook his head.
"Don't say this! We're family, and I won't leave you!"
He continued to fight for her, all while Milisandia could barely breathe. Her brother's declaration has warmed the girl's heart, but she was on the verge of succumbing to her pain. She needed to hold just a little longer. She needed something to keep her in this world. Milisandia thought of Alfonse and his lessons, for they were very vivid in her mind…And then the memories would branch into a majestic picture. She thought of the time she trained Allie to control a weapon during their training, how Rex prepared a surprise birthday party when she herself all but forgot about it, of the day when they mourned their father…So much grief and joy were shared, and even after all those years, they have still been fighting for each other.
"Milisandia! Valdeaulin!" - She heard a brash and familiar voice, soon seeing Fordola scouring through the rubble. Ricon waved to her and called to their side; the woman was quick to join and looked at Milisandia with horror. "Seven hells…"
"Can you get her out?" - Ricon pleaded.
"We can try." - Fordola said with some doubt and kneeled. "Come on, boy, help me!"
Ricon and Fordola combined their efforts, and a miracle happened. Milisandia felt her legs moving as the rubble ascended. Fordola's strength has been so great that it was enough to give split seconds for Milisandia to go free. Her saviors were in immense pain, and so the au ra rushed to her freedom. In a moment, she has been finally released from her prison.
"Yes, we did it!" - Ricon exclaimed but was soon interrupted by the sound of cracks forming on a few walls that remained intact.
"We've got to go before we're done for!" - Fordola commanded. "Where is Valdeaulin? Have you seen him?"
"He's…No more." - Milisandia responded. "He died when we were saving Ricon from garleans." - Her brother nodded to attest to that. She could see Fordola's grim expression, she showed no sight of weakness or grief, but it was still evident that she regretted the death of their fallen friend.
"Very well… Let's get out of here."
She'd get no arguments from them. The trio rushed across the charred corridor, desperately trying to reach the exit. They weren't alone; imperial soldiers and children alike had been running for their lives, but many did not make it. The roof continued to collapse, blocking the way for others, but Milisandia knew that the exit was close. They needed to only cross a few more halls…
When they were nearing their freedom, two familiar silhouettes were in front of them, wandering across the halls in search of freedom and their allies.
"Father!" - Milisandia shouted, garnering Gaius's and Rex's attention. She could see relief in her father and brother's eyes when they realized she and Ricon were safe. Ricon saw Gaius for the first time since their long separation, and the boy immediately rushed into his embrace, which the Shadowhunter accepted.
"I thought…I thought it would never come to this…" - The boy stuttered, but Gaius calmed him down.
"It's alright now… You're free."
"We're close; come on!" - Rex shouted, and the group rushed towards the last corridor. The base behind them has moved towards total annihilation, with something collapsing each and every second. But eventually, they saw the night's sky in front of them; the gates were open as survivors flooded towards the outskirts.
In a moment, they were finally free.
Milisandia and her allies have found themselves amidst the golden fields of Werlyt and finally got a glimpse of what the fortress has turned into. Charred ruins devoid of any grace and glory, its halls were filled with smoke as survivors gathered before its walls. These were mostly imperial soldiers that escaped, but there were a few terrified children that managed to find their way out.
"What in the world happened there?" - Fordola looked at Gaius with shock. "Where is Estinien?"
"We chased Valens to the Diamond Weapon until he eventually got inside… That's when Fandaniel arrived and activated oversoul."
"Bloody…Is that what he wanted all along?"
"Apparently, he was waiting for an opportunity. The weapon has annihilated the base in a matter of seconds and flew off; Estinien managed to grapple at it before it took off." - Gaius recounted.
"That madman…"
"Considering all Estinien has gone through, something tells me that he will get out of this alive. And what of you? Where's Valdeaulin?"
"He did his part." - Fordola said grimly, just enough for Gaius to understand what she meant. Milisandia saw grief and pain in her father's eyes, he had lost a friend, and it stung his heart.
But they had bigger problems on the horizon. The remaining garlean soldiers encircled them with their weapons drawn out.
"Give…Give up, traitors! You're outnumbered!" - The soldier spoke, but it was clear from his voice that he was trembling. Gaius stepped forward.
"Before you make a wrong choice, perhaps you should ask yourself for a reason are you still fighting?" - He said sternly, gathering the soldiers' attention. They were conscripts who knew that the mighty Black Wolf was standing in a flash before them, of how slim their chances were. "Your Legatus had betrayed the Empire in his attempt to claim the throne, and now he was tricked by an ascian to become a tool for his scheme. It was the Diamond Weapon that destroyed this facility and forced us all to run. I know there are many lies Valens told you, but the only one that has any meaning now is that…I do not want to fight you. I have never fully forsaken the Empire before it became ash, and I hold no contempt toward my countrymen. You did what you believed was right, and it is not for me to judge you, especially with many of you fighting side by side with me in Eorzea. And yet, my days as the Black Wolf are over. My only wish is to take my family and give them a respite they deserve." - Gaius spoke with kindness and care Milisandia remembered him for, but he also sounded strong and protective with the three of them behind him. That was the moment Milisandia longed for, the reunion they craved. "But make no mistake, if you choose to attack, we will fight back. We will fight ferociously, for we have just won our freedom and shall not lose it once again."
And he spoke the truth. Milisandia and her brothers were wounded and weak, but all of them were ready to fight. Each has shown an unbreakable resolve; there was nothing they would not do for the family. The soldiers pondered for moments until the one that spoke before nodded in silence and turned away. One after the other, the garleans followed him and laid down their weapons. They were just as tired as Milisandia was; they didn't wish for this fight to continue; enough lives had been lost. One of the soldiers stayed longer than the others. He looked Gaius in the eyes before performing an imperial salute to him.
The Shadowhunter did the same in response, witnessing the last soldier give the chase up and walk towards the horizon. As the wind blew, the family could finally feel relieved; for once, they were safe.
…
When Estinien realized that the weapon was about to ascend, he did not hesitate to claw his way towards it. Piercing his way through the Weapons' defenses in an attempt to shut them down has become somewhat of a tried path for the dragoon, and this time he knew there was nothing to lose. He saw the transformation with his own eyes. There was no one to save inside this machine, just a sadistic madman consumed by the ravenous oversoul.
It made perfect sense now; Fandaniel was waiting for the opportunity to send the Diamond Weapon on its spree of annihilation. It hardly mattered who would be the pilot, the sacrificial lamb to this monstrous creation, as long as it would fulfill the purpose of his twisted plan. And Estinien could not allow it to continue; when he made his lead, the dragoon had no doubt. He was willing to face a threat that rivaled even the strongest enemies Edwin fought. For if the Warrior of Light was truly gone, others would have to step into his place.
And now Estinien found himself high above the ground with the turbulent winds pushing him back. The only crutch he had was his spear stuck deep between the armor plates of the Diamond Weapon, though it was already shaking. The dragoon was just behind the weapon's center with two wings ahead of them. Perhaps if he could get closer…
The moment Estinien made an attempt to crawl further, the weapon's sensors detected him. The Diamond machine reacted immediately as Estinien felt the world swiftly turning upside down. The weapon performed a barrel roll, and at the moment when Estinien's spear had turned around, the grip was lost. The elezen found himself amidst a head-shaking free fall, but seconds before losing the weapon, he managed to pierce one of the few open spots in its leg, restoring the desperate hold. He knew he would not survive another attempt. He had to reach the wings and its visor.
Estinien crawled, feeling his bones ache as the wind's resistance became almost unbearable. It was distributor to spot the appropriate places due to the darkness falling from the sky. He ascended slowly, step after step, getting closer to the main body once again. The dragoon would sigh in relief, realizing that the Diamond Weapon did not attempt to throw him off once again, though this was premature. Another protocol was activated when Estinien saw the very place he grappled onto burning with crimson.
He reacted swiftly and leaped to the nearest spot, avoiding the powerful aetheric blast coming from the weapon's engine. This wave of destructive energy reminded him of something familiar and, at the same time, monstrous…The dragon's flame. Estinien saw the power of akh morn, the decimating spell Nidhogg used when clashing with his opponents, when he destroyed his village…But whose data was even in this weapon? The dragoon didn't believe garleans to have such a reach that even Nidhogg's power was included in their data.
As Estinien reached the body, he felt the weapon slowing down, if only slightly. This wasn't a cause to cheer. It only served to make Estinien suspicious of this unpredictability. Eventually, the dragoon could stand up at the weapon's body. It was incredibly hard to maintain his balance, but the spear helped him to hold on. Of course, this wasn't simply a gesture of goodwill…A faceless figure began to emerge in front of Estinien, the one that quickly took form. It was a tall man covered in armor; he carried a katana and a horned helmet covering his face. The figure was growing in the scarlet color of blood while his gaze was set at Estinien. Zenos yae Galvus, the prince they encountered in the throne room…The one who bound the dragon primal of Shinryu and controlled its powers in the battle against Edwin. Yes, now this made sense…At least a seasoned dragon hunter would know what to expect.
"Is this my prey?" - Zenos's avatar said in an uncaring, robotic voice. "I was expecting more."
"Let's test your expectations, then." - Estinien said proudly and attacked Zenos. He was swift to block all of his strikes with impeccable precision and speed. Estinien had to jump back and think of another way to attack him.
"Is that all? Pathetic." - Zenos declared before disappearing. The dragoon already knew the signs and swiftly turned around for the avatar to arise behind him. Estinien evaded Zenos's slashing strike and maintained his battle stance. The Hunter remained static, with his gaze following Estinien closely.
Before he moved, two small turrets had activated and opened fire at Estinien. The dragoon had to watch his every step as he closed the gap on them. He pierced one of the turrets before moving on to the second, but in this rush, he almost lost his focus on Zenos himself. A second after the second turret was destroyed, an aetheric blade emerged behind Estinien. It would fall down and pierce the nearest weak spot, spreading electricity through the weapon's main body. It did not go down into the circuits, keeping the machine safe, but Estinien felt the burning shock at his feet. This was both a challenge and an opportunity. The dragoon dashed forward towards the visor, allowing the current to go off while he was in the air. When he landed and stuck the spear, the onslaught had already been over.
Zenos followed him closely, and with each second, another of his powerful spells would come to fruition. Estinien felt another blast of akh morn to his side; this explosion managed to charr his armor slightly before he could react and get to safety. Perhaps he could try again…Estinien charged, touching Zenos's shoulder with his spear, but this hardly forced him into any pain. The Hunter continued to block his strikes until he managed to slash Estinien's chest. The armor protected the dragoon, but he had to jump back to keep himself safe.
"You are no match for him…Just another fool to die to my blade." - He said negligently. "You have nothing against me, nothing."
"We'll see about that…" - Estinien breathed heavily as he pondered on his next move. He has been close to the visor now with the two wings at his sides. Perhaps he could even reach them, but that would have been suicide…
Yet the dragoon's heart sank deeper when he saw what lay ahead. With its excessive speed, the Diamond Weapon had crossed the expanse and was now heading for a city that emerged from behind the clouds. A home of the proud people, built of stone with an outer half lying in decimation, overshadowed by a breach. Further still, Estinien saw the demonic tower which sent its radiating signal into the skies. They have reached Ala Mhigo, and there could be only one reason for the weapon to seek this place out; there was barely any time left…
"Let's see how you deal with this!" - Estinien boasted and began to channel his power, preparing a deadly strike empowered by the dragon's spirit.
"You will crumble before me again and again." - Zenos walked slowly towards Estinien, giving him just enough time to gather enough power.
"Nidhogg…Grant me your strength!" - The dragoon shouted and leaped into the sky, unleashing the destructive force. Yet it was not directed at Zenos. The dragoon turned around towards one of the Diamond wings, leaping forth and unleashing a crimson wave of decimation at the structure. His skin burned the moment he approached it, the inferno had been agonizing for the dragoon, but it was worth a try.
His strike was followed by an explosion which forced the damaged wing to lose its power from the engine. The flames ceased, and the weapon's balance was thrown into upheaval.
Estinien managed to grab the body's edge as tightly as he could; the pain was deteriorating, and all the while, the Diamond Weapon had begun to fall.
…
As Gaius and his companions journeyed away on their mission, Nero would continue with his attempts to breach the tower along with Garlond's coordination. Admittedly, this endeavor proved entertaining enough, even though it began to continuously fall on a similar pattern. Nero would approach the structure on his Ruby Weapon only to be met with emerging Bahamut. They could clash before separating once again. The beast proved powerful, through constant battles have been weakening it.
"So, another one?" - Nero suggested impatiently as he waited in the cockpit.
"I need a few more minutes to check the readings…You can set up the weaponry for now." - His colleague responded. It has been a cycle transcending day and night, but Nero accepted it as it is. The prospect of being known as the savior of Ala Mhigo, who destroyed both the tower and the primal, has certainly been an appealing one.
Yet the night would hardly go as he planned; that much was clear when Nero witnessed a falling silhouette in the sky. An enormous machine collapsed not far from Nero, leaving a trail of fire behind it.
"Bloody hell, what was that?" - Garlond sounded shocked as both engineers looked at the small crater formed by its fall. It was hard to discern what kind of machine this was, but Nero had only one guess on his mind.
"Isn't that…Ultima?" - The engineer said with uncertainty. Garlond didn't respond immediately as they mused on what Nero said.
"But apart from ours, there is only one left, and that's…"
He didn't finish as the metallic hand emerged from the crater. It was that of a ravenous beast with razor-sharp claws. The second one followed, and soon Nero witnessed the weapon in its full glory. A creature with a tail and four legs in pale colors, deliberating on its next prey.
"The Diamon Weapon." - Garlond said quietly as the realization encroached on him.
Before there was anything to be done, the weapon's tail gleamed with crimson. It unleashed a destructive laser beam at the engineers. Nero was quick enough to activate the Ruby Weapon's shields and stand before Garlond. They have parred the strike, though it has certainly left its toil.
"OVERHEAT: LOWERING SHIELD ENERGY TO 80%"
Nero was in utter shock. When he fought Sapphire weapon, he did not have to deal with overheating and weakened shields until much further into their battle. And here, just one strike was enough to pierce his defenses.
"Hide, Garlond, I'll deal with it!" - Nero commanded, and his colleague had to oblige. Had he stayed between two weapons, it wouldn't take long for him to be utterly annihilated. Still, Nero knew Garlond wouldn't be content with simply sitting the battle out. The engineer has found a viewpoint to observe the clash and aid Nero from a distance.
The next step was activating the crimson ray of destruction. Nero has ordered the weapon to charge the attack, seeing as his opponent remained static. Split seconds before he shot. However, the Diamond Weapon rushed to the side as the ray was finally unleashed.
"Behind you!" - Garlond shouted, but before Nero could react, the Diamond had already been clawing its way through Ruby's back. Such speed was unimaginable, not something a simple pilot could pull off…Was this machine already in its oversoul state? Nero attempted to activate the flames in Ruby's wings to push the Diamond aside, but this attempt has turned out futile. His opponent has already damaged the defensive systems enough for it to not be affected in the slightest.
Nero focused on the engine as the machine charged forward. It was just enough to shake the Diamond Weapon off and force it to the ground. Nero turned the weapon around and unleashed the rockets. The Diamond moved with such velocity that most rockets have simply not been quick enough to reach it. They flew in circles, trying to reach their target, and the moment all of them were released, the Diamond changed its course back to Ruby. Nero empowered his shields and attempted to pierce the Diamond with Ruby's claw when it approached too closely. It was a success, and he managed to damage his opponent's carcass, but the rockets still reached them. The resulting explosion affected both weapons, pushing them to the side.
"How smart is this damn thing…" - Nero was still amused at the Diamond Weapon's capacities, though now it was more of a genuine worry.
"Stay back and try to predict its attacks. I'll help you!"
The Diamond Weapon behaved differently, however. The machine would continue attacking Nero and instead turn towards the nearby tower. After a few seconds of what seemed like pondering, the predator ran to the structure, leaving Nero and Garlond behind.
"A part of me wants to say that this is a win, but it's not really escaping, is it…" - Nero said with suspicion.
"It must have sensed the aether; if it consumes it, the weapon will gain much more strength."
"Well, that's unfortunate! "- Nero said with some agitation as he realized the horrifying prospects. Before a decision could be made, he saw a lone dragoon running towards them from the crater's side. Estinien seemed tired and moving slower than usual, but he was obviously filled with determination.
"Thank the Fury you're here…It worked." - The elezen said with a smile as he stood beside Nero and the weapon.
"What happened at the negotiations?" - Nero asked with intrigue. "Wait…Did you fly all your way back on that thing?"
"We have freed Gaius's sons, but Fandaniel forced oversoul on Valens when he hid in the Diamond Weapon, and here we are. I damaged one of its wings, but that's far from it." - The dragoon recounted as Nero listened in disbelief. As wrong as this felt, the garlean could not help but chuckle at the story.
"You're telling me that that freakish machine has Valens at its core? And that he was forced into it by that ascian? That sounds like a cheap comedy, but I'd pay to see that one." - Nero spoke with smugness. His arrogant student, taking such pride in his invention and now being hoisted by his own petard in the oversoul. How truly ironic… Garlond's voice interrupted him.
"You can gloat all you want later; for now, we need to stop the damn machine!"
"Well, that won't be too difficult." - Nero turned the Ruby Weapon towards the tower, but soon doubt swirled in his mind. The Diamond Weapon was a powerful creation, much stronger than the Ruby Weapon. It would not be safe, but…
"Are you sure, Nero? You saw what it's capable of."
"Are you doubting my skill again, Garlond? Should've learned after being wrong a dozen times." - This agitated him just enough to not have any doubts about this decision. He was to go in and crush the Diamond Weapon once and for all, succeed where others failed…A familiar tale.
"I'd go, as well." - Estinien declared. "Can this weapon provide protection from tempering?"
They had run a few tests with Garlond, which showed that the weapon's protection indeed spreads outside. Nero was able to get Cid close without him losing his mind.
"Aye, it can." - Garlond spoke first. "But we are not quite sure of the range; you will need to stay close at all times."
"Between the two weapons, this can be arranged." - Estinien said with confidence. Nero was appalled by this display of courage and even foolishness, but he knew better than to try and stop the dragoon.
"Very well, then, let's fly!" - The engineer said as Estinien grappled the weapon. In the next instant, they have finally set off into the tower.
"Good luck…" - Garlond said, understanding that this was their only chance to stop the weapon. "I'll remain on the line."
Finally, something Nero yearned for. This will be his most heroic feat by far, destroying nor just the tower but the last weapon that threatened Ala Mhigo. That and…There were some people that he wished to protect. Garlond, Gaius, Biggs, Wedge, all of their lives were in Nero's hand, and he wasn't planning to disappoint.
Soon they crashed the tower's entrance and found themselves in the hall.
"Are you holding up?" - Nero asked the dragoon through the weapon's voice amplifiers.
"Well enough, we need to look for the weapon." - He replied, getting directly to business. Soon Nero heard his colleague's voice.
"Look for the largest sources of aether it can feed on. It might have as well gone upwards if that's where the core lies." - Garlond suggested.
"That or it has engaged our violet friend…" - Nero shook his head before noticing their enemy. The beast was running frantically around the halls, tearing up imprisoned Ananta from their cells. It yearned for energy, yet the main sources seemed to elude it.
When the Diamond Weapon noticed their presence, its first act was to attack. Nero expected that much, and while the weapon was charging at him, he used the hexiclaw to unleash an earthquake within the tower. It forced the Diamond Weapon to shake and lose its balance as it rushed on the bridge.
"Ah, yes, now I see it. Only Valens would make mistakes as basic as this." - Nero scoffed and activated the Ruby Wings. He managed to catch the Diamond Weapon off-guard when they collided. This gave enough time for Estinien to leap at the weapon, crossing the minuscule expanse without getting tempered. Nero was getting all the more impressed by his courage, inspired, even…
The Diamond Weapon attempted to crush Nero with its lasers, but the dragoon acted way quicker. He pierced one of the sensors on the weapon, disorienting the machine. Emerging lasers have been chaotic, with only a few hitting the weapon itself.
"Nero, now!" - Estinien's words were clear enough. As Nero prepared another Ruby blast, he was hoping for it to soon be over, but there was another misfortune waiting at the corner.
The ear-piercing roar emerged from above, with the tower's defender descending to wipe out the intruders. Lunar Bahamut was following its instincts as it charged into the battle in which it could not win, especially not weakened. It targeted Nero first, so the engineer had to turn his laser around at the last second and attack the primal. The dragon roared as it fell down on the bridge between two weapons, wounded. Perhaps this was a chance for Nero to finally have the weapon consume its aether…
But the opponent was faster. The Diamond Weapon pushed the Ruby aside, having Nero lose all control.
"I almost had him! "- The engineer shouted in utter disappointment
"What's going on there? "- He heard Garlond's concerned voice.
"The primal is here, ruining my shot!"
Choosing to fight was a fatal mistake for the dragon. As it got up, the Diamond Weapon's tale pierced the creature and forced it to the floor once more. The machine was swift to activate its system of absorbing, and it began drawing on the primal's aether. Nero had rarely seen a technology so advanced that even Estinien could do nothing to prevent it. The screeching primal soon dissipated with the aether consumed by the Diamond. The weapon transformed once again…Aetheric wings emerged from its body, as powerful as mechanical ones, and the weapon's shape began to alter. Soon it was reminiscent of a dragon, just like Bahamut.
"By the…" - Nero rarely found himself at a loss of words, yet this was one of its moments. For a second, he began to entertain the possibility of retreat, but this wasn't possible. He wasn't a coward, not anymore…He admired Gaius and his philosophy, and it was recently that Nero was reminded of what it entailed. The battle until victory or death, and no weakness to show.
He unleashed his rockets at the Diamond Weapon, but it was futile. All of them have been evaded by the Diamond, which pushed to the walls with its defensive shields. The few that reached the destination were not enough at all, only serving to make the task more difficult for Estinien.
"Nero, what's your status?"
"I'm a little busy, Garlond!" - He shouted as he attempted to defend himself from the onslaught. The Diamond Weapon unleashed its claws, tearing one of the Ruby Wings.
"CRITICAL DAMAGE, CRITICAL DAMAGE!"
"Damn you! "- Nero shouted as he hit the console with anger. He never felt so powerless as he did now, even inside a city-destroying war machine. The Diamond Weapon threw Ruby to the wall, restricting its mobility and flight. Before it finished it off, however, Estinien managed to strike its visor, disorienting the draconic monstrosity. Soon, all of its efforts were focused on destroying the pest that was Estinien.
"CRITICAL DAMAGE, CRITICAL DAMAGE!" - The robotic voice continued to recount this to Nero, all while the cockpit was gleaming with red. The weapon was broken, damaged, and stripped of its wing, while the Diamond has been empowered beyond limits with both oversoul and aether. Now there was not even an opportunity to retreat…A surprisingly liberating feeling for Nero. Is this how Gaius felt amidst the ruins of Castrum Meridianum when his only choice was to clash with the Warrior of Light? No, it wasn't just Gaius…It was Alfonse who fought against Nero for the sake of his family. Now his choice became clear for the garlean, as he has been fighting a battle with even fewer chances of success.
Leaving the weapon would force Nero into getting tempered and becoming a fool, the most horrifying prospect. But there was another way, the one that may still provide a chance. Nero smiled to himself and chuckled. Oh, the sweet irony…He should be hesitant, should fear this outcome, and should desperately try to find another way. But now, when there was simply no other way, Nero was certain.
"Garlond…" - He spoke quietly, checking if communications still worked.
"Are you alright there? If it gets too far, you should retreat immediately…"
"Just indulge me and answer me one very important question, will you?"
"Eh…Very well." - The engineer seemed uncertain, but soon he will see.
"Be brutally honest…Would I make for an elegant lady?" - Nero asked, barely able to hold himself from giggling at the absurdity.
"W…What game is that? Are you out of your bloody mind?!"
"You could say that." - Nero sighed. "Listen, there isn't much more to do. The Diamond consumed Bahamut and is too strong for us to destroy. That is unless we use all of its strength." - He said grimly, immediately making his colleague realize.
"No, don't! This isn't time for heroic sacrifices; we have lost too many already." - He seemed angry yet understood the necessity.
"Hah…So you do care about me." - Nero had a victorious smile emerging on his face.
"You told me your plans did not include dying, don't go back on that now, you bastard!"
"Not without a flair for the dramatic…And this one will be the most magnificent flair there is." - Oh, this one will bang; Nero knew this. This was the real freedom Nero sought, and technology would be the gateway.
"You…" - He heard the pain in the engineer's voice, but it has swiftly changed itself to acceptance.
"Thank you, Cid." - Nero said warmly. "It was a wild ride. Activate Oversoul."
The surge of the core's power was felt almost immediately. Nero felt the electrical power tearing his body and soul apart, with the core consuming it piece by piece. The flashes that have emerged before his mind, memories of another…The loss of a brother, vengeance is taken on a failed father, and life of secrecy underneath the face of another. A woman who refused any fame and recognition just to give the White Raven's mask to a brother she loved and shared a powerful bond with. Something that Nero never expected to do…And yet here he was, merged with the weapon's core and feeling no regrets whatsoever.
He had but a smile of anticipation on his face once the oversoul consumed him.
…
Estinien's clash with the Diamond Weapon was a lost cause. The dreadful monster before him was not controlled by any reason or goal, just a ravenous desire for more energy and stronger prey. Every move the dragoon made was countered by its defense systems, and when he tried to attack one of its weaker spots leading to the engine, the avatar of Zenos appeared behind him once again. He was surrounded, knowing that if he allowed himself to fall off the weapon, he would immediately lose his mind.
But then he felt a surge coming from the Ruby Weapon, which attracted even the beast's attention. The Ruby was changing, its cockpit had been overtaken by white light, and a silhouette emerged from behind. A pale creature was reminiscent of a hyur woman with demonic wings which have arisen behind its body. The silhouette was connected to the weapon's carcass. Enhancing its capabilities and power. Thus had the White Raven arisen. Her maniacal smile emerged as her eyes were focused on the Diamond Weapon. In an instant, she unleashed a falling meteor, resulting in a shockwave that has disoriented the Diamond, throwing Zenos's avatar off it. Estinien managed to maintain his grip as he climbed up the monster's body. He slashed the weapon's visor once more, forcing it into frantic chaos. It was only now that the dragoon got a moment to process that which had occurred. This woman was Nael Darnus, the Oversoul of the Ruby Weapon…For an engineer of such arrogance and pride, Estinien was shocked to realize the sacrifice that had just occurred. Perhaps it was involuntary…No, if so, it would have occurred much quicker after the taken damage; this was his choice.
And Estinien will not allow it to go to waste.
The Ruby Weapon rose above the ground with its newfound powers, and two avatars of the White Raven emerged with wings and spears. They rushed to Estinien's aid in an attempt to distract the Diamond weapon. The avatars swiftly became Zenos's targets as he turned toward them.
"Finally, a prey worthy of my time!" - He exclaimed before unleashing a shockwave at the avatars. They quickly evaded and counterattacked with their own surges of dark energy, forcing Zenos to lose his balance for a moment.
This gave Estinien just enough time to search for the weapon's weak spots. Its form has changed twice since the flight, but the basics must have remained the same. Estinien searched for breaches in its armor which led to the fiery core within the weapon. There were a couple of breaches where he had his chance to strike…But moments before he could do anything, Zenos's avatar teleported and attacked from behind. Estinien hardly anticipated the attack but still managed to block it. It was hard to withstand the raw strength of the machine's oversoul, but the Azure Dragoon would not give up.
The White Raven avatars have joined moments after Ruby Weapon pierced the Diamond with empowered lasers. The monster imitated the dragon's roar as three avatars clashed. Zenos was the strongest, yet the ones of the White Raven had outdone him in speed and agility. They would have forced him into defeat had Zenos not disappeared before. The Diamond Weapon absorbed its own avatar along with all energy and unleashed an earth-wrecking blast. Estinien was forced away; this time, he could not hold on to the weapon. The Diamond fired again, stunning the Ruby Weapon before swiftly charging towards the top of the tower.
Estinien followed it closely, but he felt the pain in his mind. His consciousness was plagued and torn apart by the poison of tempering. He could hardly hold himself from screaming in agony. The dragoon felt his hands shaking as he grabbed his spear. Standing up seemed like an impossible task.
"Glo…Glory…No! That's not…be to…Not the time!"
The torment ceased once the Ruby Weapon approached. The twisted creature with the White Raven controlling it, and yet still trying to aid Estinien at any turn. Were there some remnants of Nero's conscience? The dragoon could not know, but it was clear that the weapon had its own distinct way of functioning after oversoul. It waited patiently for the elezen to grab onto it, after which the weapon has spurred to the skies, following their opponent. The flight has been just as rapid as the one Estinien went through with the Diamond Weapon.
It wasn't long before they found themselves at the pinnacle of the tower. The plateau was formed around the gleaming core of the tower to which all of the aether was supplied. For the first time, Estinien saw this demonic structure from the inside, and it seemed like there was no doubt now that it was made of pure aether.
The Diamond Weapon circled around it, trying to lure its enemy into the trap. Once the Ruby was at a position, the White Raven utilized four meteors at the same time; once they landed, the shockwave followed and continued to damage the Diamond. Yet the latter weapon remained just as mighty. It pierced one of Ruby's sides with its tail and sent an aetheric wave of its own. It was followed by the protocols imitating Nidhogg's flame, one after another; the akh morn blasts have stroked the Ruby weapon while it did not have enough time to properly respond.
Still, the Diamond Weapon's power was unmatched for any other; even with oversoul, it needed more aether…Estinien looked at the core; it was pulsing with energy, perhaps even more than Lunar Bahamut did, and this might be their saving grace. The dragoon looked at White Raven with the hope that she understood at least basic statements.
"I will break that seal, so you can have the power…Do not waste it." - He said as he watched Nael's empty expression focused on fighting the Diamond Weapon. This might very well be the end…
Estinien jumped away from the Ruby Weapon and rushed to the core. The pain in his mind became unbearable almost immediately, and his legs shook, but he needed to finish this, to give Nero their last chance to wind this hellish battle.
"Glory be, glory be, glory be…" - Estinien heard a twisted, demonic voice echoing in his head. The image before his eyes became moot as the dragoon saw a grotesque beast chained atop another tower…It did not resemble anything humane, a merge of body parts empowered by aether, and those empty glowing eyes…This creature called out to him and tried to subdue Estinien to its will, but he wouldn't budge. Just a little more…Even as the dragoon fell to his knees, he continued to crawl in desperation until he was close. From there on, with a feeling of his bones all breaking at the time of his brain being melted, Estinien leaped once again.
…
"I will break that seal, so you can have the power…Do not waste it."
Those were the final words the mortal said before abandoning Nael. His actions were illogical and self-destructive, much to White Raven's misunderstanding. Nael saved him once, deciding that this "Estinien" would be a valuable asset in the only command she was given before the awakening-destruction of the Diamond Weapon. Yet now, he has been against it and endangering the mission.
The White Raven continued to resist and attack the Diamond Weapon with her arsenal. It seemed that each time she got close to victory, the opponent would find a way to counter it. Nael began to question the protocol and whether the task she was given could be accomplished, but there was no way for her to disobey it. And besides, she still got distracted watching the lone dragoon. For some inexplicable reason, she cared for his safety and well-being, despite the protocol explicitly stating to focus on something else.
Yet when Estinien pierced the core, Nael was able to form some correlation. The tower was filled with aetheric power, the same one she needed to empower herself for this battle. Despite his frantic actions, Estinien has been following the same goal as well, therefore making them allies.
Once the energy wave was unleashed, Nael swiftly flew towards the center and began to absorb it. The power has filled her from within, allowing the White Raven to arise with novel strength. The damage done to the body by her opponent has been insignificant in the face of such amounts of energy being consumed; flying became just as simple and barely taxing in any way. The White Raven's opponent, however, had remained at a distance. It ascended to the sky instead of attacking, though soon Nael would discern the reasons for such bizarre behavior. The structure in which their clash was conducted deteriorated moments after Estinien splintered the core. Without any energy to feed it, the tower was made obsolete. Nael's sensors have noticed a large number of bodies falling to the ground once the tower has dissipated, many of which were its former prisoners. Some will manage to live; for others, the height has been too much to maintain their basic functions. There was no reason for Nael to focus on this area, yet her conscience saw it otherwise.
Estinien has given her a chance to empower her arsenal, directly supporting her mission; it would make sense to save the valuable ally. As soon as she detected the falling dragoon, Nael was swift to chase him and catch Estinien moments before he would hit the ground. Dragoon's expression was not the one people with profound plans give. The White Raven noticed traces of shock and unexpected triumph on him. There were no words said between them; Estinien just nodded with a smile that mortals might consider proud. His behavior was reminiscent of that of the machine.
As Nael ascended, she came to a conclusion that Estinien would be of no further use; therefore, saving him was an unnecessary move that detracted from the mission. There was no explicable reason for why Nael would have wanted to do it. This was an impractical move, but considering that Diamond Weapon did not have its time to strike, perhaps she was not entirely mistaken. The skies have burned brighter as pale lines emerged on the horizon, signaling the rising sun and the coming morning. Nael and her opponent have met underneath the skies, neither of them being entirely exhausted.
The White Raven followed her protocols and utilized the meteors. They have not been strong enough to break through Diamond Weapon's defense, but they were a suitable choice for a first attack. She needed some time to gather the energy within her and transform it into a powerful counterattack. The weapon imitated a sound of a beast before charging at the White Raven. Its edges were burning, signaling the attempt but the weapon to pierce her central circuits. Nael was able to evade this swiftly due to her absorbed energy, and her lasers were powerful enough to damage the Diamond Weapon and weaken its shields. The White Raven's scanners have also shown that the quantities of aether absorbed by her body have exceeded that of the Diamond Weapon.
She began to create an attack that stemmed from the memory core implanted in her body. For this, she had to access the memories and desires of both the pilot, which was one of the core, and the memories implanted. It has been problematic to accomplish while the Diamond still utilized all of its remaining energy to destroy Nael with a draconic flame, in reality only weakening itself without being able to achieve much success. The rashness and unhinged nature of her opponent was its key weakness which was exploited by Nael as their blasts contained to collide while carrying on her analysis.
The conclusion shows her that the pilot wished to leave this world with a grandeur performance for his associates to remember, but this was not his main motive of his. He was driven by a desire to protect the few friends he had, and despite his less than charitable disposition, his loyalty to them was without question.
Nael felt the sting of Diamond's heart laser. This attack has been powerful, decimating some of White Raven's outer defenses while leaving the essentials intact. After launching a counterattack of corrosive shockwave, Nael continued her analysis. The woman on whose consciousness her existence has hinged had a dream of her own, stemming from the obsessive care she felt for her brother. This has led her to utilize a moon to make his name carved out in the history books for generations to come. The object's name has revealed itself to be "Dalamud," a name which was among her list of protocols. This one was the most taxing in regards to aethereal energy, but her current capacity has been enough to utilize it.
Nael positioned herself in a vulnerable state, allowing the Diamond Weapon to prepare its most powerful charge. The energy bank has been filled with it being released in the area above Nael. It was forming a body reminiscent of Dalamud at the time of its fall, gaining in aetheric mass with each second and ready to explode at White Raven's command. Her analysis concluded that for the Diamond Weapon to receive critical damage, she had to allow it to get close. This lowered her chances of continuing to function, but as long as her mission was complete, survival was not the goal.
It has gone according to her calculations; once the Diamond Weapon approached and pierced the White Raven's body with its claw, Nael unleashed the explosion. The Dalamud's primary force was released between Nael and the Diamond Weapon, annihilating both of their defense mechanisms. The inferno has also gone further to game the critical circuits of the Diamond Weapon, causing similar damage to the White Raven.
Both had no more energy to maintain their aerial presence, with both being pierced by the explosion. Diamond Weapon's hand was torn apart while the core was broken, which resulted in the systems shutting down. Both weapons have swiftly descended to the nearby region of the desert, buried beneath the sand.
When the movement has been halted, Nael conducted one final analysis. Both of them have fallen to the desert, unable to move or fight, suffering damage severe enough for both weapons to force a manual and permanent shutdown. Thus, her mission was accomplished, and the moment Diamond Weapon deactivates, she could follow in its footsteps.
Yet something still kept her going…
Nael wasn't content to die in the cockpit, not yet. The sprawled through the breach left Walter the fall, falling onto the warm sand. She was a pale creature with animalistic elements such as a tail or wings, but her guiding principles seemed to have come from a humane side. She witnessed the Diamond Weapon's cockpit open when she went as far as she could without detaching herself from the weapon.
The silhouette that emerged forced a reaction of utter disgust out of Nael. The weak, twisted, and melting creature crawling out. The only element that has retained some semblance of humanity was its face, and it was that element that caused the most aversion in Nael, for it reminded her of a sworn enemy to the pilot whose soul she fed off. With the remnant of her power, Nael conducted one laser shot from a protective cockpit turret, striking at the creature's neck, swiftly decapitating it and ending its miserable existence. This was followed by the shutdown of the Diamond Weapon.
Nael sighed with relief as she realized that her duty had finally been fulfilled. The White Raven turned around despite the pain it caused her and looked at the sky. The skyline was filled with bright scarlet colors, signifying the eventual rise of the sun. This cycle has been amusing to watch, though, with the few minutes left to Nael before the shutdown, she would not see it to its fullest.
However, she was still blessed with joy. There seemed to be no exact reason, as the feeling did not emerge directly from her victory over the Diamond Weapon. This happiness has been caused by a spontaneous realization in Nael's mind that this was a death any proud inventor would wish for, glorious and heroic, becoming one with technology. She has always been one with technology ever since her birth, yet the warmth brought to Nael by this thought has remained immeasurable. As was the realization that victory was achieved despite Cid Garlond's worries.
Yet this was not the main reason, as her analysis revealed. That honor has been given to the realization that the people her pilot fought for have been saved. She did not feel like searching for an explanation, for there was no time to process that. Her final decision was to simply relish in those final moments, listening to the faint cheering of the soul that has burned within her. The White Raven smiled with joy and focused on the rising sun in her final moments.
His purpose has been accomplished.