Chapter 266: The Enduring Rebel Dream that Thaws the Icy Chains of Tryany.
While the cost for victory was high, the fact that Alphen , Dohalim, Mike, Astra, and the rest of their group was able to take down three lords in one battle and repel there fleet, even if the victory was spoiled by Vholran kidnapping Shionne, just the sight of a rebellion of such a major force being repelled caused the people of Mahag Saar to feel hope for the first time in generations.
But even so, some that were feeling hope were feeling a malevolent strain, and it was the trio of Muzan, Higgs, and Mahito, who watched eagerly from the booth as the entire battle unfolded. After seeing the group below, them take out three lords and stare down another, Higgs saw Astra leave the area without noticing him before he chuckled." So now gentlemen…think we got a game that can deliver the prize?"
Muzan closed his eyes before he shrugged." They do seem like they will be quite effective at getting attention. Of course, if they can control their emotions before they " Burn out" is another matter entirely."
Mahito flicked his hair back before he looked amused." Let's be cunning about this…like" cursed rebels" should eh? Long as we keep are wits about it, should be able to transfigure the situation to shake up the status quo, eh?"
Muzan paused before he tipped his fedora down." They do seem like the type that will keep Sentry's attention, but if they bring attention to us that would be a problem."
Higgs snorted before he stood up." Oh, trust me "Shadowlord" that blond gal is the type that will want to punch yah the moment she has an excuse since she's not really fond for any lord.
Still, she sure likes to raise hell so, steer her and her team up tight and she will wreck the place alright. Like a bull she can sure as hell wreck the place she's set loose, but long as someone's painted a deeper shade of red she's not the type to focus on anything else unless you poke her in the back."
Muzan paused before he sighed." Still…is the rumor true? Is she really the offspring of the Devil?"
Mahito raised an eyebrow as Higgs was motionless for a few moments. The man in the golden mask noticed the two were looking at him before he snickered." Well boys word is she had that whole "Avatar Tuner" thing going on and if she's not one of yours then guess she had to get that " Devil Gene" from someone eh? If it quacks like a devil duck then reckon it's a devil duck eh?"
Muzan was silent for a few more moments before he grasped his fist tightly." Well…it might be worth getting samples from her to but…first it will remain to be seen if its worth the effort, I have no margin for error.
That's why, time I go to my audience with the lord of this region of space. For now…go observe their progress Mahito, and with Rui and some of my other agents here make sure the game does not go smoothly for either side."
Mahito widened his eyes before he looked out the window with amusement." Oh so I can have some fun after all? Marvelous…these" Hero's" looked like they would be a blast to screw around with."
Muzan saw the long-haired man's excitement before he narrowed his eyes." Mahito…I may allow special level demons like you more freedom than some of my Upper Moons, but if that proves to have been a faulty judgment you will suffer for that. Just cause your talents are vital to my plans, it does not mean I'm above punishing you for failure."
Despite how sternly the shadow lord made that threat Mahito just let out a carefree laugh." No worries, I hardly want to look bad myself eh? It's only natural to want to see such fools get what they deserve though eh? Just as you eat when you're hungry, you could kill someone when you hate them. So many humans, have always feared the oceans, the forests, and the very soil they walk on, what they can't control at least. They tried so hard to control it, that they broke the universe itself.
But even now they can't accept how little control they have over things, even these "Godly" Nahobino. Humans…are made up of lies. For every positive reaction, there is always a flip-side.
Yet negative emotions like hatred and hostility are truths without falsehood. As much as the Nahobino thought they were superior to the "Last Emperor" in the end they are clinging to the same falsehoods. All the more fun to make them see how much there " divinity" is worth eh?"
Higgs chuckled before he cracked his neck." They thought they were gonna become strong enough to control the chaos, but they failed to realize if they were just going to take the place of the order they were suppose to tear down then they are just as much of a waste of time.
Ultimately, even if you can control enough universe's to rent them out like pet dogs…everyone has to learn how dumb it is to hold back the chaos. So…might as well start with the easy paranoid fella first eh?"
Muzan nodded before he looked at the sky." Yes…power belongs to those who see things clearly, and those who are blinded by the light will be dragged into the shadows. Mahito…the rumors are that this "Lord" Vholran is powerful enough to mind control his entire territory, and make any outsider his servant. These hero's will be the pawns so we know how to counter the Sentry."
"Heh, sure, fools trying to put thoughts in my head is rather annoying. Well then, lets get this party started eh? To the " rebellion of fools" eh?"
Mahito gave a mocking wave before Muzan shrugged, and the two demons walked off. Higgs saw them go off before he took off his mask, and looked at it. The rouge Equalizer grasped his own face before he snickered darkly." Astra…you, the porter, and the Last Emperor's brat and the rest of this gang you got going may try and just run as fast as you can without opening your eyes to how things are, but I wonder, when you look death in the eye, will you blink?
If you can really stand up on your own maybe you will be able to be on the same footing as your old man. If not, you can fall with the rest of the weak. After all…no matter how many weak losers rebel against fate, only the strong deserve freedom. So, time to see who around here has that right. Should be fun."
Higgs snickered once more before putting his golden mask back on and teleporting out of the area.
While the three conspirators went off, the ones they intended to use as pawns were too distracted from all the damage done by the fighting to notice. As much as Alphen wanted to save Shionne, he and the others spent enough time to make sure no one in the city was in danger.
With James giving him some ideas, Mike helped Dohalim and Kisara ensure as many people could be saved as possible with the help of Megaman, Ratchet, and the others that had something that they could do. After making sure that the people of Mahag Saar were as secure as they could be with the state of things, they departed for Del Fharis Castle.
While Vholran did invite everyone to come to him in his home in Ganath Haros, the Land of Naught, after seeing how vicious the Lord of Water was no one was taking any chances. Knowing it seemed an entire fleet was now at his command Mike talked with Masaki to have the SRX team be ready for anything while the Flutter landed in the Shinefall Woods while the " mecha " slowly moved into the nearby Fogwharl Limestone Caverns and Aureum Falls areas to be ready to give support.
With the help of Dohaim's knowledge of the local area they were able to get through the Woods and the Lavtu Marshlands without detection, till they were able to see the land's capital, Pelegion approaching.
As Mike saw the trees clear, he saw a giant castle towering over the ocean shore. Mike blinked a few times and looked around. After only seeing warships around the castle the lanky haired man chuckled anxiously." This the nation's capital or just this asshole's vacation home dungeon or something? I don't see towns anywhere."
"That's because the capital is one giant castle." Dohalim answered grimly." Vholran made his castle expand to the point that everyone lives under his walls. He only told me it makes it easier to neutralize threats if terrorists had less places to escape to. That's why aside from a few hapless people who escaped and hid in the Thistlym settlement in the Tuah Seashore, his nation is directly under his grasp."
Astra snickered as she looked around." So, it's a scaled down Night City eh? Still, someone has to come out and in from that eyesore to give supplies, right?"
Kisara sighed before she grasped her shield tightly." True, but Vholran is even more uptight than the other lords, for he must approve every movement between his capital, only the Sentry has the authority to override his decisions in the capital."
Astra spat on the ground before she shrugged." Well, he expected us anyway right? Then let's just go show he bit off more than he can chew, and knock is door down on his face!"
While some like Law looked excited at the idea, Rebecca, who tagged along with the group looked at the castle and cleared her throat." Wait just a second, what about all the people like my friends that are his prisoners? Please, if there is a way we have to figure out a way to get to them before Vholran has the chance to kill them!"
Alpen looked conflicted as he grasped his sword tightly." I understand your concern, I'm worried about Shionne as well. But based on what we seen Vholran seems like he might kill those we care about just to make us suffer. Rushing in to hope we can make it in time might be reckless but, it might be are only option."
As everyone looked grimly at each other a course male voice chuckled." Don't be to eager to be a hero mate or yah are just going to look like a damn fool. There's always another way in, if you focus enough to look."
While everyone got on guard they were shocked to see Billy Butcher come out of the trees. As Alphen got on guard Mike saw the confidence in the bearded man's eyes before he cleared his throat." Guess you really are a survivor eh? Well, your clearly not here to fight so guess you know how to help us get in?"
The Butcher snickered before he glanced at the castle." You blokes show you got some guts alright. If you can prove you got as much brains we might be in business here. I would not be on a rock that's a "Sups" playground without knowing how to blow it up.
To be fair a place like this where the jackass is uptight about everything is not easy. But that just makes it a puzzle yah got to think harder to solve. That, and know what pieces of the puzzle to move, eh Carmen 99?"
From behind Butcher came out a voluptuous, tall woman with blue hair and amber eyes. She wore a red shirt with an black vest and tight-fitting trousers with black thigh high boots and had numerous gadgets on her for belt for quick access.
Carmen 99 gave a friendly wave to everyone before she smirked." Hey everyone, don't mind me. I'm just a friendly Information Broker who may have a bit of bias with who she wants to do business with. Still, I'm good enough at my job to be at a few VIP places, and that helped me see how a few things work. Like, I know where the things go in this tacky castle, and when shifts change.
This Vholran is good at terrorizing his people to make most of them too scared to even burp, but there are still ways you can get some info if you know where to look. Like, they don't think it's a big deal to talk about where troops are deployed, mostly cause they are not bright enough to realize that can be used against their master.
Like, if someone attacks a part of the castle and troops come out then well, others can sneak in while the defenses are weak and all."
Astra eyed Carmen 99 carefully before she shrugged." Well yah that all sounds good but that means someone has to be the decoy. I mean, I could do it but I really want a piece of this jackass."
"Well, you're in luck girl." The Butcher gruffly replied." I was already reaching out to a few folks before you guys crashed this party and I managed to put something together. Now it can't win a fleet battle but these bugs can sting enough to keep people distracted, that right Leccee? "
A woman with short red hair and black eyes in a white and purple pilot suite came up to the side of the Butcher and gave a weary nod." If it means the Posada clan can at last feel the pain of everyone on planet Koam and all the other worlds they ruined then keeping them distracted to really make their leaders hurt is enough of a gain for me and the Heavy Metal L-Gaim squadron to make the assault. Just make it worth it!"
"Oh, don't worry Leccee." Astra uttered sharply." I'm the best at what I do, and what I do is make entitled assholes get what's coming to them!"
"I know, I saw you fight the fleet earlier." Amm responded." Its because I saw how well you handled yourself against an entire platoon of Posada Ferronis mecha. We hanged in fight till someone who could give us are justice could show up, and now the time has arrived. We will be launching the attack soon so get ready. C'mon Kyao."
The red-haired pilot left with Carmen 99 before Billy Butcher gave everyone a shrug." So then…this sound like a good plan hero's?"
Megaman raised an eyebrow before he cleared his throat." Wait…you were planning this for a while right? Then what were you going to do if we were not around then?"
The Butcher gave a bitter chuckle before he looked up at the fleet." Well…it was going to be a bit more drastic mega mate. But, whatever it takes to win eh?"
Mike eyed the Butcher carefully before he cleared his throat." Just one thing. Did you know that Almeidrea was setting up the rebels to own them good?"
The bearded man saw everyone was looking at him carefully before he closed his eyes." That cunt was even more sadistic than I figured. We heard she had something planned but it was all kinds of stuff being throw around kid. If I told some half cocked rumor and have everything got botched then well that would have not done anyone good at all eh?"
Law eyed Butcher carefully before he grit his teeth." Are you sure there was nothing you could have done? If you were right under their noses lives could have been saved…like my fathers!"
"Sorry kid, rebellion against pricks who think they are god is never a clean sport. Save what's in front of yah, and you might be losing everything around yah in the process."
"Hey its easy for you to say when you have,"
"Just stop right there before you sound like a big enough of an asshole for me to what to shut your trap. I can tell your green to the whole war thing but you better learn fast if you want to keep your head. I'm doing all this cause an even bigger jackass then the guy calling the shots around here took my wife from me just because he thought all the woman in the universe were things he had" Dibs on." That's why…that's why all these so-called gods have to pay, no matter what it takes. But its not going to be a fun ride yah hear? Do you have what it takes to keep fighting even if things get nasty?"
Law grasped his fist tightly before spitting back," I have to damn it!"
Butcher eyed everyone carefully before he shrugged." Well, we will see then eh? But if you want to get this started my mate "M.M" will meet you at the point where you guys bust in to Del Fharis Castle. One more of my "Boys" a field agent that goes by Kento Nanami will give some back up just cause I know how high the stakes are."
Everyone saw a tall, well-built man with blonde hair styled with a neat part who had very thin eyebrows as well as small eyes that were covered by sunglasses, which don't have arms that wrap around the ears.
He was fully dressed in a business suit. His suit consisted of a white dress shirt underneath a tan blazer with matching slacks and light shoes.
Attached to his dress shirt, there was a holster that sheathed a blunt sword, hidden by the back of his blazer. He also sported a necktie that shares the same dotted pattern as the bandages around his blunt sword.
Namami gave a curt nod before pointing to the upper right." My apologizes for being curt but we have little time to waste if you want to rescue your friends in time."
Mike nodded before he let out a half-lopped smile." Sounds like this guy's been planning quite the party. Well, he's not going to trip up these party crashers eh?"
Astra raised an eyebrow before muttering," That really is what you want everyone to remember you before you get wasted moron?"
"Hey, just trying out some new material."
"Yah well try and do it when you're not drunk "Bosley."
Mike winced before he looked at Law again." My bad…I don't make the best jokes when distracted with all the people turning into sliver ponds in front of me. "
Astra paused before she sighed." Well, I guess it would be more messed up if that stuff did not bother you. Well, if it does become nothing to you then that's its own problem but just don't let that stuff get in the way of what has to be done."
"Yah? Guess you're a pro at it eh? Seriously now…what's the secret?"
The blond woman saw the curly haired man looked serious before she rolled her eyes and shrugged." Focus on what I can, then drink the doubts away with something heavy. Everyone keeps trying to make it more complicated than it is but its damn simple. You have the will power or you don't. So do you have the will to see this through or are you going to wuss out?"
Mike thought about all he seen since he met Astra and let out a bitter chuckle." Well since I don't want to go through the" death to stand out from all deaths got to keep trying to make things work eh?"
"Eh if that's what drives with you then sure let's go with that, just move it!"
Mike winced and nodded before Namami lead everyone to the point of infiltration. While they had to take cover at a few times, the group made it to Del Fharis Castle without being attacked.
Mike saw the ships flying above before he looked at the castle wall tensely." So…we sure this dude's not watching us on the camera's ready to throw a trap on us or something?"
"Don't fret sir um, Bosley." Clank responded." We are jamming there cameras, and provided replacement footage to not get there attention. We should be able to get in long as they are distracted."
Astra shrugged before looking at Rebecca." You said your pals went in and got owned or something? Was there like monsters coming out of the walls or something."
Rebecca's flying blue cat friend winced before looking around." Shiki and Weizi went down a tunnel and just, never came out! I did not hear any screaming or anything but I think something had to have hit them!"
Astra paused before she cracked her neck." No screaming, and no light either? So odds are out that it was a projectile. There are a few things that could explain it but, either way lets avoid that tunnel and look out for anyone looking creepy."
Crash paused as he saw a puddle ripple before he raised an eyebrow." Whoa! You mean like that?"
Everyone saw a man with black skin and dreadlocks to his shoulders walk up in a brown suit and brown cargo pants.
The man was trying to get a smoke from a cigarette despite the rain coming down, and saw everyone drawing weapons before he raised an eyebrow." Hey what's the deal? I have my permit and all."
Astra saw the man did not seem afraid before she narrowed her eyes." Yah well your gonna find you need are permit real damn fast dude. What you this Vholran 's special forces or something?"
"Whoa you got a serious wrong impression here girl. Name's Dex Drebin, I'm a kind of launderer. This Vholran has been stiffing me on the bill for helping him lander some merchandise and I come to see if we can talk before things get messy."
Alphen saw Drebin smirk before he grasped his sword." You have seen how ruthless Vholran is to all right? And you thought he would come to terms with you?"
"Heh, I'm no chump man but I do prefer to resolve things civilly when I can. I admit this Lord keeps his pad locked up real damn tight. I take it you're trying to see him cause you have a disagreement with him to?"
Law grit his teeth before spitting out," Yah…a disagreement about how much life is worth! This is no time for "Business" Dude so get out of our way!"
Drebin eyed Astra and Mike carefully before he snickered." Yah…I figured you were not trying to get him to refund yah or something. From the looks of it, you ain't with any tribe's army. But you ain't exactly green, neither."
"Let's just say we all know what war is like and are good enough at it to make a job out of playing the game." Astra replied bluntly. Drebin eyed her carefully before his smirk widened." War transforms us into beasts wilder then the most ruthless panther, lion, dragon, Rancor, or whatever. Heh, yah don't have to explain that to me. Well I was just wondering if I was going to need some extra muscle to pull this off so looks like destiny is speaking wild and clear."
Mike eyed the man carefully before he shrugged." Well, if you're not on their side then what you know about this place? We got some people being held hostage in there and it seems like Vholran is making a hobby out of it. If you dealt with this guy then what's the story?"
Drebin eyed Mike carefully before he shrugged." I don't know all the answers, and its true Vholran plays his cards tight. But…its clear he wants manpower. He's been trying to hustle folks from all over the universe to come over, and never leave. To be blunt, this Lord's trying to do all kind's of tricks to get people from all over."
Dohalim saw Drebin looked like he was not joking before he winced." I admit I'm guilty of hiring outsiders to win the Crown Contest myself. Is it for some secret army? But if he just wanted extra troops there are plenty that would fight for him without needing any deception."
"Honestly, sounds like this is some warmup to something much bigger. Was trying to get to the bottom of this myself but well, don't want to find out the hard way yah hear? Though if you guys have a distraction planned then that might work out. Seriously…you about to try and sneak in?"
Before anyone could answer an explosion above broke out before Mike let out a sheepish grin." We…may just about to pull something off."
Everyone looked up and saw missiles were raining down, and that the Heavy Metal L-Gaim squadron had started their assault on cue. The unit leading the squadron was a twenty five meter high red mecha with a beam saber in one arm and a power launcher in another, it was the Novel heavy metal piloted by Leccee.
The red-haired woman blasted the nearest gun turret she could find before crying out," I don't care what part of the tribe you are, I'll make the entire Posada clan and every planet who follows them pay for what they did to Koam!"
The Novel unleashed a barrage of plasma fire that blew up a warships' bridge before they could react. As one of the walls blew up Astra saw some of the guards run in the distance past a blown-up part of the castle before she hunched over." That's the cue all right, move it people! Are you going to help or not Drebin?"
"Eh…honestly its not my style but if you come out of this alive there's going to be one big ass discount for any repairs you might need."
"Well, you better own up to that cause we are going to need some crafting. Alright, first thing's first let's crash this party!"
The group quickly dashed into Del Fharis Castle. While a few of the pathways were empty, after a minute they encountered a group of purple armored knights with bird like helmets guarding a door. The moment they saw Alphen they drew their swords before ethe central one declared," Halt! Are you Alphen and his comrades?"
"What makes you think that?" Rinwell quipped back sarcastically. The guard failed to take the humor as he drew his blade." You are the only ones scheduled to arrive, and there are no unscheduled arrivals in Ganath Haros! So I ask again, are you Alphen and his companions? Beca, GUH!"
In an instant Astra showed how fed up she was by hurling a yellow energy ball at the guards and caused an explosion to send them flying. As one landed right next to her she spat on him." There's your answer asshole!"
The guard moaned before saying," We, we were going to say you could come right in, Lord Vholran is, expecting you."
Astra saw more soldiers behind the wall bang their chests with their blades before the door opened and she rolled her eyes." Eh…your still tools so you had that coming. Man, on one hand he's making it so easy there has to be some trap going on but still, saves time with less melodrama at least. Just, keep a eye out for well, anything funky!"
9S, Clank, Megaman and the others nodded before the group ran in before the guards changed their mind. They ran into the inner depths of the capital, and saw a wide open space with a central tower that seemed to be where Vholran might be. While the battle raged above, inside the barrier the group found that no one was waiting for them.
Kisara looked around and flicked her hair back." Not a slave in sight? Where is everyone? There are not even soldiers?"
Mike let out an uneasy chuckle." Don't mean to be a buzz kill but if a guy is this uptight no way he leaves something undefended unless he wants it to be that way."
Rinwell nodded before she grasped her owl tensely." He's right something feels off and I don't like it!"
"Just the fact that the enemy can ambush us at any moment?" Law answered grimly." Yah…I don't like it. Even with an attack going on this guy's acting like it's just bugs to be swatted while he takes care of business."
"It's not just that. It's this weird feeling that not only is this city empty, it's that no one is living here at all, even though it's the capital."
Alphen looked around before he nodded." This city is feeling far too artificial, is this just for the Renans alone?"
Tawna looked around before she shivered," Even Emperor Nefarious, despite controlling most of my universe had more life to his cities. Even if he just wanted to show off, its like this guy really just does not give a damn about them at all.
Kaine looked around before she snickered." Damn I thought nothing would top the Ayre, but this place seems even more broken."
Mike looked around before he shrugged." Hey maybe it's all where they, I don't know, show films or something?"
To his shock Alphen looked like he was talking about an alien before the local hero muttered," Film? Is that some kind of exotic pet?"
The lanky man resisted the urge to facepalm before letting out an uneasy chuckle." Right, sorry I know you guys have not seen a lot of stuff. You know, films, movies, um, recorded shows? It's like stories recorded to be aired later?"
"I know the Renans have a lot of things to themselves but, for us slaves any form of entertainment that told a fantasy is forbidden."
"Geeze…these guys really rub it in around here, eh? Still, none of the Dahans smuggled a book or something?"
As Alphen looked at Law in confusion Dohalim sighed." You don't understand, any kind of telling of fantasy is forbidden by the Sentry. Movies, plays, television, games, any kind of telling of a fantasy is forbidden. I had to use all of my diplomacy just to give musical performances in my territory, and it mostly was allowed because it was to praise are "Lord".
But, any telling of a fantasy hero is forbidden, because anything that encourages the masses to be delusional about what there life can be is heresy. The only things shown are weekly reports of rebel deaths, to make sure everyone knows how easy it is for "Fools to suffer" and to desensitize everyone to death, as a "reality show" of sorts. "
"Ugh, they really are going over kill on making hero a dirty word eh?" Mike answered grimly." Well…the harder they try and stomp something out the harder it busts through eh?"
Astra sighed before she shrugged." Well, people that got it drilled into their head that they are worthless, can be a pain in the ass to get their act together. Hate to say it but on some level you can't always wait for the "Super hero" to come in and bail yah, if you don't have the guts to do it alone then there's no helping yah."
Mike winced before he steeled himself." C'mon Astra, it's not their fault if someone screwed them over so bad they don't even know how to feel hope. We just got to take down psychopaths like Vholran so that people know there is hope. Otherwise what's left?"
Before anyone could answer a large church like bell could be heard ringing. The moment it did Rachet got out his gun." Oh man that never means something good in a place like this."
As everyone got ready they heard dozens of broken voices mutter," Glory to Ganath Haros, glory to Vholran."
As everyone got ready to fight, they saw the chanting came from below. Out of the water came small boats holding a dozen people each. They were full of men and woman dressed in simple robes who kept chanting the same lines over and over again.
Mike eyed the newcomers carefully and noticed they did not even look at him before he raised an eyebrow." What…Vholran wants an audience for the show or something?"
"Don't let your guard down, they might have explosives on them or something." Astra uttered wearily. 2B eyed the people on the boats and shrugged." No explosives are detected, though there does seem to be something abnormal in their blood."
Astra saw everyone on the boats were still praying like nothing else was going on, and that they kept it up till the boat entered another tunnel. As a light glowed on the tower above the tunnel the blond-haired woman grit her teeth." This lord's getting his staff make him dinner or something? Something's really starting to stink around here. Huh?"
Everyone noticed that the towers around the central keep of the castle glowed, before energy went into the throne room. After a few moments streams of energy went to the top of the central spire before it glowed green. Rinwell looked at the energy before she turned pale." Wait…that's…Astral energy! But, that means. Huh? No, NO!!"
Everyone saw the same boat from before float out on the other side, only now there was not anyone in them, aside from a fallen hat and other loose fragments of clothing. Mike saw more boats full of lifeless people were going in before he felt a chill down his spine." You're kidding right? This, this is horrible!"
Megaman looked around, trying to figure out where to fire his buster at." They said he could control people but, he's making them walk to their deaths to be turned into energy or something?"
Kisara felt her hand trembling as she smashed a light with her mace out of pure outrage." As horrible as the other lords were, even they were not sadistic enough to brainwash people to walk meekly to their death!"
Dohalim grit his teeth as he looked up." Is he trying to sacrifice all his subjects to covert them into raw Astral Energy in hopes that will let him win the Crown Contest? Or is it all a demonstration to Alphen and the rest of us on what he is capable of?"
Alphen took out his sword and uttered a damning," Kidnapping Shionne…killing all these people…if it's just me he's after…then why hurt them? Why do all this just for me? You hear me Vholran? ANSWER ME!"
Before he could say more he felt the ground shake, and saw a aura of yellow energy blaze out of Astra. The Equalizer looked at the castle with disgust before seething out," Its because this guy's such an entitled asshole he thinks everyone around him is his damn toy Alphen.
I know what I just said about people needing to do their part, but when some jackass is just taking away their minds and making them puppets is another thing entirely. This Vhorlan thinks he's such a badass with this giant toy death trap eh? Let's see how smug he feels when I bring this whole tacky eyesore down on his face!"
Rebecca saw Astra was gathering energy in her hands before she gulped." Wait we can't save people if we cause the place they are captured in to blow up on them!"
Astra paused before she glanced at the boats and retorted with a sharp," Fair enough but we are shutting this joke down piece by piece. Anyone who had a hand in this that is in their right mind is getting that mind kicked into the sun! We are hijacking this ride. Make yourself useful prince and freeze the water to slow it down at least!"
Mike winced, but saw everyone looking at him before he gave a solemn nod. He took a deep breath and walked up to the edge." Well, time to prove I had some potential to unlock. If I can pull it off to make a fun party last year, I have to do it when it counts. Blizzaga!"
The son of Ben Auro and Lacus Raystar made a few hand gestures before a frigged orb formed in his right hand. Mike stepped back a few feet before kicking the magical sphere. The spell landed in the water, and the entire area froze solid.
Astra saw the passengers just kept praying before she snickered." Guess that's the problem when you make your puppets have no will eh jackass? Alright, that's a nice start so let's shut this down already!"
Rinwell casted her own ice magic to create slides for the rest to get down quicker, and Ratchet and Megaman helped with their own ice guns to allow the group to quickly get into the frozen tunnel.
Astra had her sword shimmer with energy before she spat out," Whatever sucker got stuck being this punk's lap dog is going to wish they were never born when they see what, huh? The hell?"
Everyone saw a wide circle like platform at the end of the tunnel with many caged doors. At the opposite edge of the door was a glowing wire that went upwards. Guarding that platform was a single woman with a sword.
As everyone looked at the young woman with long, reddish-pink hair in a ponytail, red eyes and a slightly above-average bust they saw she wore a fuchsia camisole that left her belly button and stomach visible, a light pink jacket with fuchsia flowers at the end and on the ends of the sleeves that hanged on her shoulders, white-bright blue skinny jeans that were unzipped and unbuttoned with a unbuckled belt and high heels sandals.
Mike saw the woman was drinking before he glanced at Kisara." So…she the same kind of thing you are?"
"Wait…I know who she is! That you Yuzuriha?"
The one named Yuzuriha raised an eyebrow before she smirked at Astra." Oh hey Astra! Have not seen you in a while. Looks like you made the party eh? Sorry but I got dibs!"
Mike saw the blond woman's shock before he cleared his throat." What…she another Equalizer?"
"Not quite, but we worked on the same team before. She's from a smaller guide called Night Blade, but we teamed up because we though we could be more badass. Hell are team of "Morlocks" kicked ass and took names all over the universe till, till I took a personal job, to bust you out of carbonite "Prince." Yuzuriha, anyone else with yah?"
"Oh hell yah. Hey, Baiken, Laura, Bullet, Darli, Tessa, Marrow, B.B. Hood, Talon, Shura, look who's come to the party!"
Astra and the rest looked on with confusion as nine more women came out of the hallway next to the pillar. The first one was a woman with had long pink hair, worn in a ponytail, as well as peach eyes.
A red tattoo adorned her right eye and forehead, while her permanently-closed left one has a scar over it; She had a clawed grappling hook in place of her missing right arm.
Past her was a blond-haired woman in a red hood who looked like a innocent girl in a red ridding hood, aside from a gun poking out of her basket.
Behind her walked out a woman who had light tan skin, long black hair, the right side being worn loose and the left side starting as cornrow braids before blending with the rest at the back. She had light brown eyes, and a buxom figure.
She wore a bright green sleeveless martial arts gi with yellow linings and a tie at the center, matching bright green martial arts pants with yellow linings with a black belt to her waist, it had black and yellow linings and at the center resembled a bright green thong and black shin guards underneath her pants over bare feet.
The next to walk out was a tall black woman with braided purple hair in light white clothing wielding a large, sawed broadsword over her shoulder.
The next woman to walk out young woman with white hair, golden eyes, dark skin, large breasts and a scar across her nose. She wore a black jacket with a white zipper tee shared with her prior mercenary group and torn-up demin short shorts along with knee high brown boots with black heels, yellow-outlined straps and white metal-toes.
A single belt crossed her waist with considerable length that has its tail end point out from her left-to-her right from behind, and she has a gauntlet-like weapon on her arms. Her overall outfit scheme was also shared by members of her former group.
Next was a woman with red hair wearing a witch like hat with blue and white robes and a wand.
Behind her was a red haired woman in a green suit with bones coming out of her limbs like spikes, and along side her was a woman with long black hair with a metal spike out of her foot in a biker outfit.
The next to walk out had long and faded red dyed hair which can appear as hot pink) with blonde ends that resemble flames which she keeps up in a high ponytail, green eyes and full lips.
She wore a very revealing bikini top, along with shorts.
Astra saw the group of women walk out before her eye twitched." Your all here? Hell this is like the worst time to catch up guys!"
Mike paused before muttering," Wait…so these are…your friends?"
"Duh genius? What…you really thought I did not have any friends asshole?"
"I mean…I can see how you and these ladies might have a few things in common. Hey, the more the merrier and all that."
Astra sighed before she looked around." So what…someone hired you to get in this joke of a "Contest to?"
The woman named Shura shrugged as she looked around." Yah…we got hired to kick some idiots asses. We were going to reach out but word is you got so owned you died Astra."
The blond woman snickered before she leaned back." Well as you can see that's just another smartass spewing out some rumor to get attention. It's a long crazy story, but there is no time for that right now. Glad you ended up here to well feel better with real pros cleaning this planet's trash!"
"Sounds good Astra. "The woman named Dari answered as she let her sword slam the ground." But one question, why are you letting the dirtbags go?"
Astra paused before she looked around." The hell are you talking about Dari?"
The girl in the red haired giggled before she took out two mini guns." Don't be silly Astra, the bad guys are all around you!"
Astra saw the hooded woman was pointing right at Mike before she sighed." You high B.B Hood? Yah…look I know how much I hated the Bethel Kingdom and I still do but like I said, it's a long story and right now there are bigger jackasses that need to be cut down first!"
The woman named Shura eyed Astra carefully before she took out her katana and had blue flames burst out of it." I'm starting to doubt your who you say you are. The Astra we know would never side with someone as loathsome as the infamous "Blazing Butcher."
Astra's eye twitched before she looked at the woman, she called friends carefully." Ok seriously are you all getting over a hangover? Is this getting back at me for going after Auro alone? C'mon I know you're not stupid.
This Vholran punk is maxing out in everything we hate about entitled men and while these guys may be pushing the hero cliches at this point I'll stomach it cause they have their heads in the right place. Did you even meet the guy your working for!?"
Baiken paused before she also took out her own sword." Are judgment was clouded at first, but then we saw the truth, and knew what we had to do to see true justice realized, and we must cut down anyone who tries and get in the way of that, even misguided comrades, or imposters!"
Mike winced as he stepped back." Man, I really don't like where this is going. I'm going to take it that your pals are not normally this um…misguided eh Astra?"
Before the blond woman could answer James uttered," This is not a case of being misguided Michael. I can sense, some sort of aura tainting all of the woman's minds. It, it feels like the same kind of aura from those on the boats but at a higher level of intensity. The rumors seem to be true, this Vholran seems to be able to control the minds of countless individuals at once."
Astra grasped her fist before spitting out," This Vholran was able to control even gals are hardcore as some of my crew? Damn it, don't make me smack some sense into yal all! This asshole is so going to wish he was never born when I'm through with him!"
Before anyone could response a cold voice uttered," Lies."
As everyone got on guard a new woman walked up from the left door, and it was none other than Shionne. The pink haired woman was now in a black dress, and had a hollow look to her. Alphen saw how still Shionne looked before he ran up." Shionne! Are you alright? I'll."
"Think for a god damn second you hot head!" Astra roared out." If she got this far its cause she's likely as messed up as my pals here!"
Alphen saw Shionne looked like a corpse before he grit his teeth." Shionne? Can you hear me? We came to save you, it's going to be ok!"
"Lies." Shionne muttered again coldly." LIES!"
Shionne grasped her head before her eyes glowed, and suddenly her aura flared up, before it transformed into giant thorns. Everyone felt the ground shake before even more thorns broke out of the ground and tried to bind everyone. As the group moved swiftly Shionne had a mad look form in her face. "Everyone will embrace the truth."
Law dashed out of the way of another thorn and winced." This got a lot more prickly all of a sudden!"
Dohalim eyed the thorns and looked above." There is immense dark astral energy around this entire castle, far too potent to be the work of one individual."
Grimoire Weiss looked up before flying out of the way of another thorn." It's become quite clear there is a web of dark magic binding all around us. Alas knowing that will not help us solve this unless we act soon."
Shionne grasped her head before uttering a detached," I'm alone, I'm all alone. I can't die, but I also can't live. But, we are all the same, bound to the law of the universe. You, you all will submit to the true lord of life."
Alphen was about to say something till all the doors in the chamber slid open, and various individuals came out. To the right a group of black skinned bald woman in red and black tribal outfits welding purple-colored blades slowly walked out before Mike raised an eyebrow." The… Dora Milaje? The hell? They rarely go outside Wakanda territory."
Ratchet saw the purple glowing gear and let out an uneasy chuckle." Well maybe these gals were stranglers for one of the Wakanda higher ups but that sure seems like vibranium weapons."
To the right a few non humanoid figures walked out, the center most one had three horns like a Triceratops.
It was mostly white in color with black-tipped horns and tail, red tipped spikes on the back of its head, and dark violet-tipped claws on all four of its limbs. It also possesses yellow eyes and a small black nose. It wore a blue bandana around its neck, and a red bracelet around its left wrist.
The triceratops like creature growled before hissing out," We are all bound to the unbreaking law. All who resist, must pay! Gammamon…Digivole to!"
A sphere of light consumed the Digimon, before it transformed into a bidepal black and magenta Digimon a ceratopsian-like head, white eyes with black sclera, a grey face, and a tail.
It had a small black horn as a nose, thunderbolt-shaped upper horns, and a yellow drill-like horn. The black and grey parts of its head are a separated by a purple border that forms an "X" under the drill-like horn, and it has magenta accents on the tips of its head crest.
It had a thin torso with visible ribs, and a red bipyramidal gem engraved on it. Its hands have three digits with red claws and its feet have four digits with golden claws. Its tail has a golden harpoon-like tip. It wore a blue cape tied around its neck with black belt with a metallic grey buckle.
The Digimon gave out a bloodthirsty roar before howling out," GulusGammamon!"
Megaman saw the transformed Digimon have its eyes glow red before he tensed up." You hardly see Digimon these days after the Bethel Kingdom lost control of the area where they migrated. What…what does a Digimon and Wakanda elite warriors have in common?"
"Nothing." Shionne answered bluntly." Nothing but the fact that all corners of the universe, all life forms submit to the truth!"
Another Digimon came from behind Gulus Gammamon, one that looked like a large yellow yeti mixed with a bunny. The new Digimon yawned before declaring," Angoramon…Double Digivolve to…"A aura of energy crackled around the Digimon as he crew, and transformed into bipedal creature combining an owl and rabbit with pale yellow fur.
Its head was rabbit-like with fangs, four ears that resemble rabbit ears and an owl's eyebrows, and it has owl-like hands and feet with talon-like claws. It carried two swords called the Storm Beast on its lower back and gave a roar loud enough to rock the chamber before roaring out," Lamortmon!"
Alphen saw he was getting more and more surrounded before he steeled himself." I don't care how many warriors you brainwashed from all over the universe, it won't stop me from rescuing Shionne!"
"But…what if you're the one who needs to be saved?" Shionne uttered coldly. Everyone heard more footsteps before Mike swerved around and saw two more men enter from behind.
The one on the left was a lean toned young man of average height with spiky black hair which partially covered his ears, slanted dark eyes, and thin eyebrows. He dons a small, white bandage on his left cheek as well as a red pouch around his waist.
He was clad in what consisted of a buttoned-up, short-sleeved, and copper-trimmed black tunic with an open high collar, has two black laces behind the neck of the collar, white round details on the sides, and a zig-zag pattern at the end of the sleeves on either side.
To his right was another tall young adult with a slim build, dark eyes and short blond hair. He had a few bangs brushed to his right and a single earring is worn on his left ear. His initial outfit consists of a long-sleeved, light-blue coat with an open high collar and dark-colored shoulder pads over a black turtleneck.
Underneath was a short-sleeved white shirt with black sleeves, sported a pair of dark trousers, and plain, white boots.
Rebecca saw both men looked lifeless before she gasped." No…Shiki… Weisz…don't you recognize me?"
The man with black hair, Shiki, let out a grin as his eye twitched." Hey…we should be friends everyone! You…you just got to wake up and see the truth first!"
Astra rolled her eyes before her aura flared up." Well, at least this saves us the trouble of looking for everyone if they are all going to dog pile us! Hey jackass…you looking at us from your throne room or something? Hope you enjoy the look cause it's going to be one long ass drop when I get to yah!"
Just as she was about to move, Yuzuriha took out her sword, Iris Blade: Kamiji-no-Homare and lost her casual demeanor." Sorry sis, but not even you can mess this up. If you're going to be stubborn then we have to do this the hard way!"
Astra saw Shura have her own Maken Fang sword shimmer with energy, before slammed her Libertalia blade on the ground hard enough to crack it before X Negative 23 had claws come out of her feet before the child of Doug Fitter cracked her neck." Fine…just cause your being brainwashed don't mean I'm going to fold like a wuss! Never wanted to rub it in but I was always the top dog even if you dog piled me! You better get to cover "Prince." Cause it's going to be too busy to protect your sorry ass."
Mike saw Shiki and Weisz get into fighting stances before he winced." Yah we will see if that's an option."
Baiken narrowed her eyes and hissed out," Don't think you can dismiss all of us!"
The pink haired swords-woman slammed the ground in front of her, before the entire segment of the ground in front of her slammed up to try and smash everyone in front of her. Astra slashed the ground in half, before she saw Shura jump up." You gotten sloppy being blind to the truth Astra! Snake Lance!"
Shura had her own aura flare up before her blade transformed into a wavy edge, much like the curves of a snake. She then slashed the sword through the air, it created a zigzagged wave in the air that fired forward.
While the energy blast moved in an erratic pattern, Astra was able to slash it in time, smirking as she hit it into the Fiamma Cannon projectile Tessa fired at her back." I don't know if you lost your edge when you got brain jacked but you have not changed your style one damn, huh?"
Bullet suddenly tackled Astra from behind and had her Smash Hell gauntlets discharge an electrical current into the blond woman while crying out," You think we did not figure how you fought?"
Marrow nodded before bones grew out of her back." That's right, your not getting out of this! Towering Spine!"
The mutant woman had the bones out of her back grow even larger, before they burst out of the ground around Astra and grasped her legs.
She's right Astra." Yuzuriha added as her own blade glowed." You're head's gotten so swollen just asking to be cut down to size! Raging Bloom!"
The member of the Night Blade tribe had her aura flared up before she unleashed a lighting fast barrage of slashes while Bullet had Astra's arms pulled back and the bones bound her legs. While the mind-controlled swords-woman thought she had Astra, suddenly a blade came out of the blonde woman's shadow came out to intercept the strike.
Astra saw Yuzuriha 's shock and headbutt Bullet before she spat on the ground and sliced the bones binding her legs." Don't mean to be a jackass but the plain truth is that I did hold back a lot of the time cause yah know, was not trying to kill yah ladies when we went at it. You're going to learn the hard way just how much I have to hold back!"
"Damn it, don't think you can mock us!" Darli snarled out." Lagoon Onslaught!"
The woman with purple hair had her muscles expand before she put both hands on her sword and unleashed a two-handed slash. Astra parried the blow, and while the entire castle seemed to shake, she was only pushed back a few inches.
Darli saw Astra hold her ground before the smaller woman muttered," Told you there was going to be a cost if you did not chill with the donuts Darli!"
Laura snickered before lighting crackled around her feet." The only one bloated around here is you girl! Split River!"
At the same time X Negative Twenty-Three or Talon yelled out," Take a dirt nap…Weapon X Prime!"
Both women charged at Astra to unleash a barrage of lighting fast blows, but the blond woman parried all the strikes either with her blade or the shadow blade before spitting out," Dog pile me all yah want I can do this all day! Though, it sure would help if I did not have to carry the whole thing damn it!"
Mike saw Astra look at her while dodging a hook that Baiken threw at her before he sighed." Hey hard to get things done when you don't know where to go. Still, anywhere but here's a good start. Huh?"
The lanky man saw 2B and Kaine fight off some of the Dora Milaje while Crash spun around to hit Lambmortmon just as he yelled out," Calamity Claws!"
Just when he prepared to try and dash to the platform Shiki jumped down and grinned." Hey who said you could just cut and run from the party? That's seriously rude dude! Can't run away if there is no way to run! Satan Gravity!"
Shiki grasped his fist before Rebecca winced." Watch out, his Ether Gear makes him really good at controlling gravity!"
"Say what!?" Mike blurted out. Before he could get an answer Shiki had his aura expand and go past Mike, before the lanky man suddenly floated into the air. As Mike struggled to regain his balance he spat out," Hey that's my schtick pal!"
Shiki narrowed his eyes before saying," Fakers to blind to see clearly don't get to hold the rights to anything "Buddy!" Magimech Attack: Gravity Windmill Kick!"
Mike winced as he saw his brainwashed opponent's right leg started to glow before he pushed himself against the wall and had his own foot glow." Sorry man but we have a clash of customs going on and I have to come out on top! Friction Crusher!"
Mike shocked Shiki by holding his own. As the two struggled to overpower each other Weisz saw Mike's determination, and snickered." Nice moxy kid, but this is not a match, it's an execution of all the blind fools! Machina Maker…Million Bullets!"
Weisz touched the floor and modified it to create numerous guns. He was about to have them all shoot Mike in the back before Rebecca yelled out," No, you're not like this at all Weisz! Snap out of it! Come on Happy, Happy Blasters mode!"
"Aye!" The flying cat replied, before he glowed and transformed into two blue plasma cannons. Rebecca fired as soon as she grasped the firearms to keep Mike from getting shot.
Weisz gave Rebecca a glare that made her wince before she steeled herself." Weisz, you may be a perverted thief, but you made it clear you never wanted to be a murderer!"
Her friend winced before his eye twitched." That…that was the old me. I…my eyes are opened now. Anyone…anyone who gets in the way of the truth has to be…has to be taken out. Even…even if it's you!"
The B-tuber saw black blood was creeping out of her friend's eyes, and saw some black tears were coming out of some of the others who were suddenly passionate for fighting for Vholran before she grit her teeth." Whatever this Vholran did to you, it must be horrible. No matter what, I won't give up on you guys! But, your going to pay me back later!"
Weisz twitched again before muttering," Anything that tries and stop the truth is going to get burned! Atlas Flame!"
The mind-controlled man touched the ground near him and caused a flamethrower to come out before he tried to burn his teammate to death. Tanjiro saw Rebecca bitterly evade the attack, and also saw how bitter Astra looked fighting her friend, while Alphen and his group tried to cut through the thorns Shionne was unleashing before he sighed." This…this is like when I fought Nezuko after she became a demon. It was horrible fighting someone I cared about, and now so many people have to do this all for one demented man's amusement! But, I don't want to cut down people being controlled but I can't just let people die in front of me! There has to be something I can do!"
"Staying alive to be helpful later would be paramount lad!" Grimoire Weiss replied as he fired a wave of red orbs to scatter the "Death Demona "flames that GulusGammamon had unleashed in their direction.
Tanjiro winced, and looked up." I get what you mean but we have to do something like I don't know…figure out how to free everyone? They don't look like they turned to demons so this has to be some spell or something right?"
The flying book looked upward and sighed." I do feel a larger amount of dark energy above and its possible it's something we can break. Well, we need intel anyway to get through this. Alright Tanjiro…just follow everything I say ok?"
"Right!"
"Then follow me!"
Weiss unleashed a red energy blast to blow a hole in the ceiling. Tanjiro quickly dashed into the hole and found a wider, less flashy chamber. He saw many spider like webs large enough to be cables going between the chambers before he winced." Damn it, I should have talked to everyone about how all the machines work I have no idea what this all is!"
Weiss cleared his throat as he looked around." Thankfully I did try and catch up on a few things' lad." It does seem like the energy here is affecting things below. Well, long as the whole castle does not blow up in are face it's a worthy start. Just, cut it lightly to see how it goes Tanjiro."
"Ok…if it helps free those people it's worth a shot!"
Tanjiro pointed his blade and started to charge before a calm male voice uttered," Why…are you trying to deny everyone from living blissfully as a family?"
The native from the world of Endless Illusion stopped in his tracks as he saw on the other end of the chamber a young boy of short stature and a small physical build walk up.
His skin was extremely pale white, with red dots appearing at several spots on his face, located above his eyes where his eyebrows are supposed to be, below his left eyelid, ending above his nose, and finally a vertical one running the length of his right cheek. His hair was light pink and bore resemblance to spider legs. The sclera of his eyes was red, while his irises were a pale blue.
He wore a white, oversized kimono that had spider webs etched on the sleeves and the expanse of the hem, which also possessed a loose collar, decorated with the same dot-like markings as his face. He also wore a plain, white juban underneath, and was barefoot. His nails bore the same color of his eyelashes.
Tanjiro saw the male looked detached before he noticed his skin." Those eyes…you…you're not human are you? You…your scent is like a demon! What kind of bliss are you talking about? Whatever is going down below is as far from bliss as you can get!"
"That's just the opinion of a naïve fool. Are you trying to interfere? Don't meddle in the affairs of family. We chosen by Lord Vholran and, the master of the Poseidon clan are all members of his family, it's the strongest bond there is. If you insist on interfering…I'll carve you up."
Tanjiro got into a fighting stance before spitting back," Those who are strongly connected with each other have a scent of trust. I don't feel a scent like that from you…is the scent of terror and hatred and revulsion! That's not what you can call a bond, just a sick forgery!"
The pale man's eyes suddenly glowed red before he uttered," Now then…what did you just say?"
The newcomer to Mike's cause saw how much killer intent the man now had in his eyes before he stepped back. It…it feels like the air got ten times heavier! Everyone…I hope you can hang on a little longer.
Tanjiro took a deep breath before shouting out," Are you deaf? If what you think below is the bonds of family then all you know is what's fake!"
The shorter male closed his eyes, before putting his hands together. When they separated, a spider web was between them before the pale man uttered," Just so you know…I'm not going to kill you in a single strike. Instead I'll dissect you piece…by piece. However, if you take what you said back right now, I'll make your death mercifully quick so you don't have to be part of M, Vholran's game."
"I refuse! What I said was unbridled truth! I won't take it back, not on your life! I'm sorry if you are also mind controlled or something but I can't back down to one servant of the enemy!"
"I see…then it's as I said…I'll tear you to pieces!"
The man with webs in his hands suddenly flung them at Tanjiro, and the swordsmen slashed at it on instinct, only to be horrified to see his sword shatter upon striking the web.
As he got cut across the cheek his attacker sighed." I'm no mere "servant" boy. I, Rui, was entrusted to make sure the strong fighters were properly…controlled…and that's because I'm strong enough for my demonic webs to entangle even the most…stubborn fighters. So…do you still refuse to take back what you just said?"
Weiss saw Rui's eyes glow before he glanced downward." I get it now…this minion's webs are partly what's controlling those below…or at least reinforcing the magic already inflecting them."
"I see. Well…I don't care how powerful a servant you are, even with a broken sword I'll cut your control!"
"Fine…if you're going to be like that just die."
Rui suddenly weaved his web to form a glowing net. But before he could slice his target to ribbons Weiss unleashed a red energy lance to hit the net. It exploded with enough power to cause one of the pillars in the room to collapse.
Rui was blinded by smoke for a few seconds, and saw Tanjiro was no longer in his sight before he sighed. "If you're that determined to live then submit your inferiority and leave your" Family" to me. Starting today…they are all the family of Lord Vholran."
From the rubble his response was," None of them are just things you and your" Lord" can possess! "
"You fail to understand, how the bonds of terror will be far more…lasting bonds then what you can ever think of."
"How crazy are you!? Using terror to shackle someone to them is not family, love, or anything like it! "
"So irritating…would you mind not shouting? It's clear we don't see eye to eye. What is your role in all this? I'll tell you; your role is to submit or just disappear."
"That's not for you to decide!"
Tanjiro roared out as he charged at Rui. Weiss unleashed a barrage of red energy orbs to give the man with the broken sword cover fire, and Tanjiro dodged a incoming web lash to try and cut Rui, only for his blade to bounce off his target's neck.
Before he could even register the shock he got punched in the head before being kicked into the wall behind him hard enough to crack it.
Rui saw his target cough up blood, but still look determined before he swept dust off his outfit." You don't think if you get close enough you can cut my head off do you? My body is more durable than any thread I conjure. If you can't even slash those threads, you will never cut me."
Tanjiro took a deep breath before he grasped his broken blade tightly." Your wrong…I just need to focus harder. I just need…total focus."
Rui saw his target looked deadly serious and narrowed his eyes." If you don't realize how futile it is by now…then die already."
Tanjiro saw web's coming at him before uttering," Water Breathing…Tenth Form…Constant Flux!"
Water suddenly surged out of the broken blade and took the shape of a water dragon before he slashed through the web threads in his way. Rui saw Tanjiro looked hopeful before his eye twitched." Gathering force with each rotation…you have some skills it seems.
Still…you don't think these threads are as strong as I can make them, do you?" He bit his lip and blood trickled down to his hands, before it merged with his webs. As they turned blood red he started to look angry." Blood Demon Art…Cutting Thread Cage!"
Tanjiro saw his opponent suddenly have him surrounded in a cage of glowing blood red cage. He saw the attack carve up everything around before Grimoire Weiss hissed out," You may be stronger than the everyday shade but your magic still is nothing compared to the might of Grimoire Weiss!"
The talking book glowed before he had red energy axes form around Tanjiro to try and cut the webs. Rui saw the conjured blades stop his web before he raised an eyebrow." You…you remind me of the Shadowlord's Grimoire Noir."
"What? The Shadowlord has Noir?"
"It matters not…no magic can out cut my full powered threads!"
Tanjiro saw the ax's were cracking before he started to be afraid. For a moment he thought he was going to die in vain before memories of his life flashed across his eyes. He remembered training with his father, and remembered the older man saying" Breath my son…breath. Get your breathing under control…and become Hinokami. Are family works with fire to ward off injuries and disasters, I know you can make me proud my son."
Tanjiro widened his eyes before he took a deep breath, and had steam come out of his mouth." Hinokami Kagura Dance!"
He suddenly had his water dragon become a dragon of fire as he slashed at the Cutting Thread Cage with enough force to shatter the spell. Rui blinked in shock, and hissed out," Damn you!" And tried to carve Tanjiro up.
To his shock Tanjiro evaded each new web and got right up to him. The pale man yelled out and had webs burst at Tanjiro in many directions.
The demonic man smirked with devious delight at seeing Tanjiro being stabbed in multiple places, but to his shock the man with the broken flaming sword just screamed before he pushed through the pain and stabbed Rui in the neck. As the demon cried out in pain Tanjiro grit his teeth and yelled out," No matter how hard you try, you and your "Lord" can't sever bonds so easily demon!"
The man with the scar on his face pushed with all of his might and sliced his enemies head off. For a moment it looked like that was the decisive blow, suddenly the headless body lashed at Tanjiro with webs in his hand to slash his chest deeply.
As the younger man cried out in pain he saw one of the webs retrieve Rui's severed head, and saw it was just barely attached to the neck with a few threads of webbing. The nearly headless hostile glared at the man who tried to kill him and hissed out," Did your pathetic delusion bring you a moment of joy? I severed my own head with my own threads before you could slice it off. I have not been this angry in a long time…I'll make sure those who you wanted to save die painfully."
Rui reattached his head before his hands turned bloody again." Now…now you will learn your place boy. Blood Demon Art…Murderous Eye Basket!"
Tanjiro saw his enemy create another spherical cage from his threads, and it continuously shrunk each second before he grit his teeth and cried out," No, not like this!"
He threw his broken blade at Rui, and the demon snickered as it got cut in the web. However Weiss then fired an energy orb at the blade, and hit it with enough force to break through the webs, and hit Rui right in his head. Just as he realized what happened the orb went into the hilt. Rui saw the hilt glow before his eyes widened in shock." Its..so warm…like sunbeams. It's like,"
The orb exploded before he could finish, this time shattering his head. Grimoire Weiss saw the shattered fragments of Rui's body go flying in different directions of the room before the floating book sighed." Guess you're not as crafty as you think eh Shade? A ghastly end but…seems like it's a fate such a fiend deserves."
Tanjiro saw Rui's body erode into fragments before he coughed out blood and grasped his broken sword." So…that really did it?"
"Thankfully for us that spider like demon did not have total regeneration it seems."
"But…will that break the people free from the magic that's making them slaves?"
"I' can't say for sure. It seems this foe had some influence on the dark magic I was feeling but we did not have time to, huh?"
Weiss stopped because he noticed the webs in the walls crack, and then explode. The floating book heard more explosions break out before he grit out," Oh bugger I'll be more than a little cross if all that just made the situation worst."
As the explosions got more intense Tanjiro saw a hole in the floor, and looked down to see all of the brainwashed fighters seemed to pause and grasp their heads in pain. Alphen noticed Shionne freeze and yell in pain before he cut down another thorn." Is…is she breaking through?"
Rinwell winced as she froze another thorn and cried out," Come back to us Shionne!"
Shionne yelled in pain before she grasped her head." I'm alone…I'm…completely alone. This…is the only way I can be somewhere where I belong."
Alphen saw the torment in the pink haired woman's eyes and grasped his fist tightly." All this…because I pulled away from you. Because I could not hold on to you…Shionne." A thorn lashed out at him with enough force to knock his sword out of his hand. He saw the distance between him and Shionne and dashed forward before running up to her.
While thorns formed around her, Alphen grasped them and tried to pull them apart while crying out," I'm hear for you Shionne! "While he felt pain course through his body, he screamed at the top of his lungs to pull the thorns apart. After taking a few labored breaths he staggered forward." Believe me when I say, you're not alone."
He went up to her and hugged her, even while energy coursed through his body he just winced." Don't give up on us, don't give up on life! We will bear your thorns together, I swear it!"
Shionne paused, before her eyes glowed." Alphen…I…ALPHEN!"
The odd symbol on her eye shattered before an explosion of light energy blasted out of her. The others saw the thorns shatter instantly before Astra raised an eyebrow." Those soup opera throw away lines work? Eh…guess if they are from the same boat and all."
Rinwell saw Shionne fall to her knees before she gasped." It…it worked! She…she looks like herself again!"
Alphen smiled, before he fell to the ground. As he moaned in pain Shionne gasped before muttering," I…I told you not to be so careless Alphen."
Despite that she smiled and quickly cast a healing spell on him. Astra saw that Bullet, Shura, and the others around her stagger as well before she took a deep breath." Did…did that really do it? Was she the source of the brain jack crap?"
Alphen saw Shionne looked sad before he smiled." Sorry, still getting use to the whole pain thing."
"It's ok."
Mike saw how fondly the two were looking at each other, and saw Shiki was grasping his head before he wiped some sweat off his brow." Wow…he really got through to her. He…this Alphen really is a hero who broke his lover free…just like mom and dad."
Dohalim walked up to Alphen before he let out a sigh of relief." Alphen…I see the bond you two have blazes as intensely as the blazing sword. Vholran clearly thought to little of everyone."
"And it's time to get his ass kicked for it!" Law cried out hungrily." No matter how big this castle is you can't hide from us forever! You don't have time to plot anything else you manic so face us like, huh?"
Before he could finish the platform around him, Alphen, Shionne, Kisara, and Rinwell shook. It then glowed, before the platform suddenly shot up, taking the six out of the chamber before they could react. Astra saw them leave before she narrowed her eyes." Hey don't think you can select who gets to kick your sorry, huh?"
While she flew after the platform, to her shock she saw a few blades coming her way, and dashed back to see that Shura, Darli, Yuzuriha, Tessa, Marrow, and X-23 all stagger at her.
All of them had black blood dripping down their eyes, but even as their eyes twitch, Yuzuriha's uttered," Hey…who said we were done here Astra? You think the truth can be broken so easily? It's a simple equation you know? It's just loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding ⋅ guilt ⋅ shame ⋅ failure ⋅ judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=darkness and bingo, the truth! Its so damn simple if you just open your eyes girl!"
Astra saw all of her one-time comrades looking frenzied before she grit her teeth." I may not be a pro at math but I sure as hell know your math's' off with this Anti-Life Equation garbage! No matter how much this asshole tries to keep a hold on yah, I'm going to knock his messed-up thoughts out of your head! The locals better kill that bastard before I get my hands on him!"
Mike saw Shiki transform and have his hair and skin color change into a lighter shade, as light-colored Ether markings appear all over his body, and a pair of energy horns appear on both sides of his head before Mike winced." Sounds like the "Boss" knows we are making waves and is kicking things up a notch. Well…guess we are going to see how sane this guy really is."
Mike quickly caused the friction in the area around him to soften to cause Shiki to slip up before he resumed the fight.
Alphen and the others could only hear their comrades fighting for a few more seconds before they were hurled more and more upward. By the time Shionne finished healing Alphen the platform stopped moving, and they saw they were in front of a large throne of ice, with Vholran coldly looking down on them.
Ganath Haros's ruler chuckled darkly as he grasped his sword." It looks like you all were just starting to get some hope in your eyes, so I feel it's time to remind you of what your destiny is curs!"
Alphen at once got out the Blazing Sword as he glared at the last enemy lord." Vholran…we come to finish this so thanks for speeding this up!"
Vholran eyed Shionne's defiant eyes before his own eyes widened." So, you really want to struggle just so I can put you back where you belong, over his dead body?"
Shionne saw the lord's cruelness and had her energy rifle form once more before hissing out," You're going to pay for what you did to me!"
A wall of armored soldiers in front of Vholran instantly got into a fighting stance, but there master snickered before he waved his hand, and the same platform that brought the group to the throne room appeared, and warped the soldiers away.
Kisara saw the coldness in the man with the ice throne's eyes before she gulped." He dismissed them?"
Dohalim slowly got into a fighting stance before he took a deep breath." He must think he does not need them to defeat us." Alphen tried to contain his rage before he pointed his blade at the one who kidnapped the woman he loved." Why are you coming after me? Isn't your ambition to become the winner of the crown contest?"
"My ambition you say?" Vholran uttered as he slowly got up. As he landed on the ground he had a sadistic look on his face." I have no ambitions. After all…since the beginning everything was mine to control!"
The same symbol that Alphen had on his face appeared on his head before his katana glowed a blue color. The water around the chamber begun to ripple before he added," Everything…including your life…including the lives of everyone who dares enter my territory! But despite all this I am happy to see you."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"It means I want to kill you personally! After all a lonely watery grave is all the burial scum like you deserve! Now I can personally carve you up to pieces first!"
In a flash Alphen saw Vholran was above him, with his blade coming for his head. However, this time the rebel swordsmen was ready, and managed to parry the strike. As the two swords collided and fire and ice tried to overpower Alphen cried out," So all of this, kidnapping Shionne, sacrificing your own subjects, brainwashing Shionne and other foreigners, it was all for your own sick satisfaction? To help pass the time?"
Vholran looked amused at Alphen and the others disgust before he widened his eyes." I would not expect the likes of you to understand the tedium that absolute power lays upon you."
"I had it with your mad ramblings! I'm taking you down Vholran and free those you enslaved!"
"Very well…in highly enjoying looking forward to fashioning my throne from the remains of your body! Today you all will die at my hands, and I shawl bask in your final desperate pleas as I ascend to where my rightful place is!"
"Well, I look forward to disappointing you! In your madness you charged into this alone!"
Vholran saw Kisara and Law coming at him form him before he sneered, and swung his blade, causing a wave of spiky ice fragments to shoot up to try and impale the attackers. Kisara blocked the strike with her shield before Vholran dashed back." In your madness you thought all of you combined could match me! Even with your extra allies you stand no chance, but I want more pawns later!"
"No…no more pawns, no more sacrifices!" Dohalim cried out as he charged in as well. Despite being attacked in all four directions, and with Shionne and Rinwell unleashing spells in the distance Vholran, the cold man moved like he was in a dance, and with using water magic managed to evade and strike at everyone at once.
Law got cut across the side, and saw his attacker look delight at his pain before he struggled to control himself."
"This guy just won't stay still!"
"Try and keep him distracted for just a few moments and I'' try and slow him down."
Law nodded before he yelled and unleashed a burst of speed to try and break through his target's guard. Vholran snickered in amusement, before Dohalim struck the ground, and green vines burst out underneath his enemy to grasp Vholran by the foot. This caused the vile lord to stagger, and the moment he did Rinwell grasped her hand tightly." Divine Streak!"
At the same time Shionne cried out," Magna Ray!"
Before both women fired holy energy beams at their enemy. Vholran blocked both spells with his blade, but he was unable to stop Kisara from smashing at his back with her mace. As he was hit in the air Law kicked him in the head, and sent him in Alphen's direction.
The man who formerly had the Iron Mask grasped his blade tightly before saying," Its over!"
"No…the entertainment you're providing me is just getting started! Lex Talionis!"
The sadistic man had his eyes glow, before Alphen noticed water starting to ripple beneath him. He changed course just as a massive icicle erupted to try and impale him.
As he slashed the ice magic his comrades also moved out of the way as both boiling pillars of water and mini glaciers erupted both from the ground and from the walls Vholran laughed." Hehe…now this is enjoyable. I am a true lord unlike the pretenders, I control everything!"
Dohalim narrowed his eyes before muttering," No matter what you were led to believe, I assure you Vholran that you don't control everything! Ground Dasher!"
The Lord defying his own planet cast a spell to cause the ground in the entire throne room to spike up where he commanded, causing some of the glaciers to be redirected at there master. Vholran froze the redirected spells with a wave, but it distracted him enough for Kisara and Alphen to both charge at him while crying out," Divine Phoenix Cyclone!"
The two spun around in unison before unleashing an attack in the shape of a blazing cyclone. Vholran grit his teeth and struck the attack, and while he was pushed back he hissed out," The two of you together…can't stop me!"
"Then we will just have to push harder!" Dohalim cried out as he and Rinwell got side by side and have their aura's merge. He grasped his hand and uttered," Light come forth!"
He threw a purple orb into the air before Rinwell threw a light orb and cried out," Radiant Genesis!"
The combined orb of light and darkness slammed right into Vholran before he could strike it, and it exploded right in his chest. Alphen took a sigh of relief as a explosion broke out, and saw Vholran be blasted into the wall hard enough to crack it. While he still was in one piece, his face was bloody and bruised.
Alphen ran up while crying out," It's all over Vholran! Put an end to controlling everyone's minds right now and your death will be swift!"
Vholran saw Alphen's determination and looked furious." You think this is over? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?"
The lord of water let out a scream of rage as the mark appeared on his forehead, and he unleashed an explosion of energy that pushed Alphen and the others back. The symbol suddenly morphed into a new glyph that covered his entire body, before his energy increased to such an extent that he blew the walls of his throne room down.
Dohalim saw the symbol on his fellow lord's body and had his jaw drop." The…the crest of the Sovereign? But…how?"
Rinwell saw her enemy look mad with power before she stepped back." How, how can this be? If Alphen's the Sovereign…how is it possible that Vholran has that crest as well?"
Kisara saw the madness in her enemies' eyes and let out a bitter wince." And if Vholran was the Sovereign then what is the point of the Crown Contest in the first place?"
Dohalim thought of all the suffering he saw and sighed." After everything we witnessed, the whole thing seems like a ruse."
Alphen saw Vholran have the ice around his sword grow to make it larger before he got back into a fighting stance." What the hell are you Vholran?"
"Ignorance can be such bliss, but that is no excuse to not bow before your sovereign!"
"You…you resent not being the only sovereign, and that's why your after me?"
"There is that I admit. Alas your greatest sin is unveiling your strength! "
"Sin? You use people as playthings! What right do you have to speak of sin!?"
"Sin is only for the weak! The powerful only care for domination! And I will prove without a doubt to the entire universe that Vholran Igniseri is a predator, not a prey!"
"We never asked you to rule! No one did!"
"What do I care of the wants of prey? You are but a mote of dust in the light!"
"Damn it I'm through listening to tyrants!"
"And your done mouthing off to your superiors to! DIE!"
Vholran grasped his hand and swung his sword, this time unleashing a black tornado crackling with lighting. Rinwell and Dohalim both unleashed spells to counter the new attack before Law muttered," I thought this nutjob was just the Lord of water?"
Shionne winced as she fired a few rounds from her rifle and muttered," It seems the power of a "Sovereign allows him a lot more options! But it still won't be enough to save him from what he's got coming to him!"
Vholran glared at her before hissing out," Arrogance…impudence! KNOW YOUR PLACE!"
The hateful man unleashed a wave of black fire at her, and while she countered it with her own magic, he came at her. But as he did Law suddenly charged at him as his own aura erupted." SHUT UP AND KNOW YOURS!"
Vholran had a pillar of ice burst out at Law, but the martial artist roared out," Heavenly…Crimson…Blossom!"
Law's energy exploded before he burst at Vholran to hit him before the swordsmen could react. As he hit Vholran in the jaw, Law unleashed a barrage of blazing blows while crying out," You're going to feel the pain of EVERYONE you hurt!"
While Vholran winced, he just laughed the harder he was hit." You think your master cares how much you suffer? No matter how much you hurt, no matter how much you suffer, you can never override the rules of nature. BECAUSE SLAVES EXIST TO SUFFER FOR THE ADMUSMENT OF THERE MASTERS!"
Vholran had another pillar of water burst up to knock Law back, and while he tried to slice the martial artist's head off Kisara blocked the attack with her shield. While she was pushed back she glared at her attacker before spiting out," No matter how much you try and hammer your will down as fact, we refuse to accept that! Perforating Howl!"
Kisara unleashed a barrage of enhanced blows but Vholran snickered before he caught the mace with his hand. He stabbed the woman knight, and while she blocked it with her shield he tried to freeze it and her mace Kisara had her own energy flare up." Don't think it's that easy to put us down! Final Prayer!"
The armored warrior shocked her opponent by suddenly having a large blue energy beam burst out to hit Vholran square in the chest.
The lord was pushed to the edge of the throne room before he grasped his blade tightly and struck the Final Prayer laser. As he slowly pushed it back he hissed out," No matter how much you struggle…I'll stamp your rebel flame out forever!"
"Like hell you are!" Rinwell cried out as she had her own aura explode and two orbs of energy appeared in her hands." You're not even that much better at water arts then me creep! O'fragile radiance…shine upon the watery abyss! Aquarius Damnation!"
Vholran had a pillar of water burst up under the mage, but she used her own magic to control it before she burst above her enemy and fired a powerful lightning bolt. Vholran snickered as the pain coursed through him and he widened his eyes." It will never be enough…it will NEVER BE ENOUGH!"
Dohalim saw how manic his fellow lord looked before he closed his eyes." No matter how much you all say things won't change, I refuse to believe that! We will keep fighting to make the future be how we want to be! A newborn future…the past is hereby severed! Epochal Severance!"
The red-haired man had his own aura surge before he unleashed his own mystic art, and slammed the ground with his rod, before a massive purple energy blast. Vholran winced as the projectiles came at him from all sides, before a even larger explosion shook the entire castle.
After the last time everyone waited tensely to see the result of the damage, and as laugher broke out of the smoke their fears were confirmed as Vholran staggered out in one piece.
The combo attack burnt his right arm, but it just made him look even more blood thirsty. "Dohalim…you think you have the right to rule? You…you're too weak! I AM THE TRUE SOVEREIGN! All others shawl be banished from my sight! I'll make this entire planet submit to their master with one display of superiority! May the passions, and lives of all the wretched worms who defy me on this entire world freeze solid! Finis Aeternam!"
Vholran leapt into the air right above the moon, and had his magic energy explode before he formed a blade of ice, one so massive that it covered the sky. Law saw the blade even froze some of the fleet that was suppose to be his own forces, and that Vholran did not even notice his own force freezing solid and shattering as the blade started to fall before he gulped." Is…is he trying to freeze the entire planet!? Who's he going to rule then!?"
Rinwell rolled her eyes before spitting out," Does this guy look sane to you moron? That's the problem…he's so insane, and so insanely powerful that he might just destroy everything!"
Shionne saw the massive blade of ice descend before she grasped her rifle tightly." No…I'm not bending to the insanity of deranged men anymore! Even if I die I'll never submit to my last breath! Explosive Burst!"
The pink haired woman had her eyes glow before she unleashed a massive sphere of holy fire and hurled it at the Finis Aeternam. The attack caused the giant ice sword to slow, but it still fell down, and Vholran snickered in disgust." You damn broken doll, you were meant to be my trophy, not my enemy! Defying your fate, is just going to make this worst!"
"Screw you!"
Shionne had an energy blast burst out of her rifle and blast her own spell. This caused the ice sword to crack a little, before Vholran narrowed his eyes." You displeased me enough! This farce ends now!"
"Your right Vholran, the farce ends now!" Alphen cried out." It's a farce thinking that someone so sadistic ever deserved to rule! All the systems that made people think such things can stand, I'll burn them all down! Blazing…Pyre!"
The swordsmen had his eye glow again before he grasped his blade and charged right at the giant ice sword. With Shionne's magic still clashing against the Finis Aeternam, Alphen struck the blade of ice, and caused a massive pillar of fire to erupt.
For a moment the giant blade of ice looked like it was too cold for the heat, but after a few moments Vholran saw steam coming out of his ice, and had his jaw drop as Alphen's Mystic Art started to set his ice ablaze.
He had veins form on his forehead before hissing out," Come on now, what do you think you can do? You're a mistake, I'm the true Sovereign! Victory! The throne! Everything rightfully belongs to me! I am he who devours! Who rules over and crushes those who crawl under his feet! And you, and all of your pathetic rebel friends are next!"
Alphen brought his blade of fire down on his target, and the man who caused him such sorrow screamed as he tried to slice him in half. Vholran was so distracted that he did not notice Alphen taking out his other normal sword till the man with the former Iron Mask swerved around, and stabbed Vholran through his left lung.
As Vholran widened his eyes Alphen uttered a damning," What you are Vholran, is a deranged mad dog that could not see how detached from reality he was till his final moments. I hope you suffer in hell."
Vholran saw his wound, and just laughed madly before he grasped Alphen." You just don't get it, none of you vermin do! You don't get how much of a joke your "Rebellion" has always been! But…it's going to be so entertaining when you realize what your struggle really means!"
"Either way you're not going to find out, DIE!"
Alphen took out his blade, and ripped out the Master core from Vholran's chest before he brought his flaming sword down and had it consume the man that he hated so much.
The lord let out a mad outburst before he was blasted into the sea. The attack exploded, and caused a large wave to go up. When it went down, no body could be seen.
Alphen at last landed on the ground before he grasped the Master core tightly." At last…at last it's over."
At the same time, below everyone was still fighting, but just as Astra was wondering if she had to make a choice she would regret she saw she was surrounded before Yuzuriha cried out." You always had the edge Astra but you can't fight the rules of nature! Since we had some good drinks together I'll make it quick! Life C, GAH!"
Just as Yuzuriha had her purple aura flare up, her eye twitched before the glow in her eyes vanished. As they returned to normal, she, and everyone else that Vholran forced to fight for him all screamed in pain. Mike saw Shiki cough up black blood before he winced." So…is this good or bad?"
After a few seconds James uttered," It would seem that the corruption in these people's souls seems to be fleeing. Can't say for sure but your recent allies seem to have come on top of their trip, and for all are sakes that also lead to the termination of the source of what was controlling the folks in front of us."
Astra saw all of her friends were unconscious, but alive before she took a deep breath." Great…now I own these locals a favor. But…better that then letting some asshole make them die as his toys. Speaking of that…I don't care if he's dying I want his god damn face on my trophy wall. Someone make sure these guys don't attack again ok?"
Tanjiro and Grimoire Weiss landed down before Tanjiro nodded." Got it…that's fine with me."
Weiss nodded before he looked around." I concede we could use a breather are self's at the moment."
Mike looked above before he smirked." Hey you earned it by taking out the boss's minion Tanjiro. Alright, let's see if we can throw a party yet."
As Mike, Astra and most of their group carefully made their way to the throne room, Alphen's group was making sure they were not being tricked. Despite how public Vholran 's defeat was no guards charged into the room, and even the ships in the sky stopped firing.
Rinwell looked around before she shrugged." I thought his men would try and do something but if he was mind controlling everyone, no one wants to fight for him on his own free will? Well, would be sad if he did not have it coming."
Shionne winced before she looked at her master core." I don't care about them; all I care about is at last ending this."
Dohalim gasped as he saw Alphen hold the combined cores of all the deceased Master Cores before he took out his own, the one of Earth." Right…it is said that bringing all the master cores together in one place should form the Renas Alma. So, we should put Shionne's core with the rest of them so that she can be free of these thorns."
Alphen grasped the cores tightly before he took a deep breath." At last, the time of tyranny is over, let the declaration of independence begin!"
Law saw all the Master cores glow before he rubbed his head. "So, we just smash them together or say a phrase or something?"
"I don't know." Alphen answered." What did you think was supposed to, huh?"
Alphen thought he was talking to Shionne, but suddenly saw a woman in red with short black hair suddenly staring at him. He stepped back at the woman's black eyes before he realized she got in front of him before anyone even realized it.
Law saw the girl was blankly looking at Alphen before he gulped." Where the hell did this chick come from? What's with her eyes? She was being controlled like the others?"
Kisara got her mace ready before she inched closer." She, was with Vholran when we got here. I, just thought she was an aide. Was, is she mind controlled or."
Before she could answer, the women in red muttered, "Conditions fulfilled."
She made a hand gesture before the orbs all started to glow. Alphen took out his sword and uttered," What are you, AH!"
A shockwave of energy blew everyone back as the women in red flew higher in the air. The orbs all glowed before rotating around in a circle. After rotating a few times they combined into a larger black orb.
Dohalim saw the orb flash, and transform into a larger golden orb that seemed covered by gold angelic wings. Shionne saw the light the orb was releasing before her jaw dropped." The…the Renas Alma? Who…who is she!?"
The woman glanced at the ones below before her eyes glowed." The game is over, you have earned an audience with the master."
The woman fired a golden beam from the Renas Alma that went right up into the sky. As the beam seemed to go right off the world, Mike, Astra, and the others arrived. The blond woman looked around before moaning." What the hell did you take down the jackass or not?"
"We did!" Rinwell hissed out." Then this servant took the things to do this thing!"
"Of course, that happened!" Astra spat out bitterly. Mike looked around before he braced himself." What is she doing? If she's firing the death laser, she's firing it the wrong way."
Just as everyone prepared to move, suddenly all the rain got blow away as the light nearly blinded everyone. After a few moments Astra paused before she took out her sword." That's not the sun. Wait…the hell did this power level come from?"
Before anyone could answer a new, detached voice from the sky declared," Everyone…you have my thanks. You preformed such a…entertaining show. It was amusing enough for me to thank you…personally."
For a few moments Mike, Alphen, and most of the others thought the sun was descending, until the light dimmed and most could make out a human male flying in the center of the light. He had blue eyes, blond hair going to his shoulders, and was wearing a golden suit of armor with a blue cape.
As he slowly flew down Astra winced." Damn it…thought we would have more time but now we got to deal with one of the god damn Nahobino."
Mike let out a bitter chuckle." Lets just hope we don't get a first hand demonstration if he really has the "power of a million exploding suns". Well, at least that's the worst that...you know what...I'm not going to jynx myself."
Kisara saw Dohalim 's shock before she got alongside him." Do you know who this man is?"
"Yes." The red-haired male answered tensely." He's the lord of all of Rena, and of the entire Poseidal clan. The supreme soverign of sovereigns ... the Sentry."
Shionne gasped as she stepped back." What…seriously? Why…is he here?"
"Because you amused me…maiden." The Sentry retorted." You have made for a far more amusing game then the last few ones. So, I'm here to personally thank you. Human desires can be... much likened to a river flowing. All humanity yearns for it... the endless now. That is why I'm here, to give pepole what they really want. But I need the proper tools to do so, and you proven to be such...valuable tools. "
Alphen saw that the Sentry looked sincere, if detached before he grasped his fist tightly." That…that's what the Crown Contest is for you? A game? Fighting for are right to live free is just a game to you?"
"Of course it is "hero." The Sentry responded coyly." After all, this world is one of the many that's part of my territory, and what better way to pass the time then to make your toys play such amusing games as "Justice" and "Freedom?" You did such a passionate job that I almost felt like it was real."
Alphen eyed the others carefully before he responded with," That's because it was real. Maybe the Crown Contest is a game to you but it's us breaking free from your control! I assure you this is no game!"
The Sentry's grin just widened, but before he could say anything a high-pitched male voice blurted out," Of course it's a game! You saps just did not realize you were part of it till it's over! But like it or not, you're on the show so time to get your prize!"
Everyone braced themselves as a sphere suddenly shot down to the ground next to the Sentry. The seven-foot metal sphere unrolled, before revealing a disgusting yellow skinned obese man.
The being was too fat to stand and's lower half was covered by a carriage with mechanical spider-like legs. Cables came out from the back of his head and shoulders, and the four fingers on each hand made for a sight that made most of the woman in the group want to vomit.
Astra snickered before pointing her sword at the new arrival." What you your Lord's jester? I guess you do look fun to smack around!"
The fat creature snickered before he licked his lips." You have spunk woman, you made the ratings triple! Because of that I'll give you a pass since I don't want to throw away sweeps material.
You all can call me Mojo, head of the Posdial clan's propaganda and entertainment programing! You have my personal thanks for making are reality show get its best ratings in years! Are Master here was thinking of canceling the whole production, and blow up the entire stage till the "Iron Mask" and the" Maiden" even got those Vought viewers to double down!"
Shionne grasped her hand bitterly before muttering," Game? I never, ever agreed to be part of anyone's game!"
Mojo and the Sentry both laughed before Mojo licked his lips." Who said anything about a contract? What you think you're a union member? HAH! It's not reality programming if at least some of the drama is not scripted! You should feel honored the Posada tribe's people, and most of all there lord finds you rebels the most amusing thing since Longshot!
After all if you can keep the momentum up for round two then it's not only going to give killer bets but its legit going to make waves over the whole universe!"
Alphen got into a fighting stance before muttering," So everything about a prize was just a farce eh? I should have expected nothing but treachery from the ones the Lords call master!"
The Sentry closed his eyes before making a beckoning gesture." Oh, it's entirely possible you can be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams hero, if you can win the next phase of the game. Win and you will be part of history, lose and well, at least your failure will be noteworthy to."
Mike let out an uneasy chuckle as he walked up." Just to be clear here are we really getting a shot at winning this here? Kind of feels like we are just being let on a limb to be trolled and all."
The Sentry eyed Mike carefully before his eyes widened." Oh, you all can still win, even if the final phase of the contest might not be what you're thinking of. Prove to be worthy ingredients to me and the Posada tribe's ascension to where we should be and you get to be part of history. So…enjoy what you accomplished so far, it's just the prelude to what's instore."
Before anyone could say anything Mojo snickered," CUT! Domo, get the bets called in! Spiral, let's get the crew on Lenegis to get the next stage ready, the viewers want to see the next round of Mortal Kombat pronto! Bur first...cut to commerical! "
Authors Notes: I know we got a lot today but hope it made for a wild ride. First Carmen 99 is from Gun X Sword, Leccee is from Heavy Metal L-Gaim, Laura is from Street Fighter 5, Yuzuriha was from Under Night, B.B hood was from Darkstalkers, Bullet was from Blazblue, Darli is from Samurai Showdown 2019, Tessa is from the Capcom Red Earth fighting game, X-23 and Marrow are from X-men, I called her Negative X-23 to imply she's another clone.
Shura is from the Blue Exorcist anime, and Baiken is from Guilty Gear.
Meanwhile Shiki and Weisz are from Eden Zero, Gammamon and Angoramon are from Digimon Ghost game, and the Dora Milaje are from Black Panther.
Dex Drebin is sort of inspired by the one from Metal Gear Solid 4 but there will be more then just what it seems.
Rui is from Demon Slayer, he still is one of Muzan's Twelve Kizuki but got mind controlled to serve Vholran here.
I changed things a bit so Tanjiro could get the win and to build the bond more with Grimoire Weiss.
Well, hope how things unfolded was a path that some enjoyed, as one can see I'm going to divert quite a bit from Arise from here but , hopefully it will make it more enjoyable. I'd say sorry to anyone who wanted to see the cast of Arise but well, there was legit hardly any talking villians in the entire second half of the game so I don't think there is much to miss lol.
Till the next time thanks for the reviews, hope you like what you seen to send more.
