Heroes of the Arks
ESKK: Well here we are the 17th chapter of this fic. So let's get this party started people.
(Start Night Shiro)
Shiro was hard at work crafting something for his party. It was late into the night and already Filo and Raphtalia were asleep. So far it seems he was crafting a bracelet and a hairpin for his two party members thanks to the skills he had learned from that merchant. After their stay at the hot spring inn Shiro and Taiyo's parties parted ways as Shiro headed east while Taiyo continued chasing down Motoyasu's 'path of destruction,' to hopefully minimize the damage as much as he could. Why no one was responding to what those idiots was beyond any of them but Shiro suspected someone was covering it up. If that was the case then they had a major problem to worry about.
Back to the task at hand Shiro gave the items a look over as he smiled at his handy work leaving the carriage he headed over to the girls and compared it to see if the bracelet was the correct size for Raphtalia. Once he confirmed that it was the correct size he took out the hairpin and hovered it over to Filo who began to stir much to Shiro's surprise.
"What's wrong master? Can't you get to sleep tonight?" Filo asked in a tired tone to Shiro who smiled to her.
"I just came to check on the two of you go back to sleep." Shiro answered as he knew growing girls like Filo needed their sleep after all.
"Ok." Filo said as she closed her eyes to sleep. "Goodnight master thank you for checking up on us." Filo said happy that Shiro cared for her. "See you tomorrow." She said unaware of the hairpin Shiro was hiding behind his back no doubt wanting it to be a surprise for them.
"Yeah goodnight." Shiro said while he continued to hide the accessory. Once he was sure she was asleep again he stood up and began to take his leave.
(Scene Break the next morning)
The group was cleaning up camp as already Shio was hooking up Filo to the wagon. Suddenly they stopped what they were doing when the party heard movement causing the trio to look over to where it came from. In turn the party saw a pair of an elderly lady and a young lad walking down the road weak and tired by the looks of it with an old lady carrying a large bag on her back. The group of three all looked to each other and already were in agreement on what to do.
(Later)
After Shiro and his party had shared their food with the tired pair and their stomachs were filled the old lady began to speak. "You folks would do well to turn back while you can." The old lady said as she looked to the trio.
"If you keep going forward on this path you'll die." The boy said as Shiro knew something was going on at their destination.
"We heard there's a village down this path." Shiro said as he looked to the two refugees having a feeling one of the three idiots did something that opted this pair to cut their losses and leave.
The old lady with a solemn look knew that may not be the case for much longer. "The village is devastated even the village elder got sick with the plague." The old lady said and thus Shiro and his party even more intent on getting to that village to aid those in need.
(Later on the road)
After they fed the wary travelers the party was once more on the road again making a bee-line for the village. "What's happening there?" Raphtalia asked as she looked over the map concerned with what was happening at this village.
"We'll know soon." Shiro said as he held the reigns for Filo. If what happened at the place Motoyasu had saved was bad he didn't want to think that those three were going to cause even more damage. If it was bad... Shiro wasn't sure he could control himself if he saw them again.
(Scene Break at the Village)
Eventually the party arrived at the village with Shiro now leading Filo by her reigns throat the village gate. An old man at the nearby house saw them and thus knew they may be in danger. "Well what brings you to a God Forsaken place like this?" The old man said as he left his house to see the new arrivals.
"I'm a travelling merchant I have medicines to sell." Shiro said as he looked to the old man who looked to have seen better days.
"Traveling merchant you say?" He asked as he took a closer look at Filo. "Wait that Filolial could it be?" He asked and thus it occurred to him. "Is that the heavenly fowl!?" The old man called out as he saw the group here. He in turn made a bee line to the building nearby as he seemed happy to see Shiro here. "Doctor quick!" The old man cried out as he made a bee line to the doctor grateful that help had finally arrived for them.
(Nearby)
When the old man arrived at the clinic he was yelling all the way through. "What is it what's the matter?" The village doctor asked as he looked to the old man.
"Our savior of the Heavenly Fowl has come for us he's right there!" The old man called out pointing to Shiro and his party who stood ready to provide aid.
(Later in the Clinic)
"Doctor?" Shiro asked as he met with the old man.
"I run the village clinic." He responded to Shiro. "If I may ask are you... are you really...?" He trailed off but Shiro cut him off.
"I'm just here to sell medicine." Shiro said as he looked to the old man. "Even that would be great help I can't make anywhere near enough for everyone." Shiro said as the Doctor lead him to where the sick were being kept. When Shiro and Raphtalia entered the room already Shiro knew a lot of these people in the village were either dead or dying.
The beds were all filled with the sick as the Avengers were in shock at what they saw here. "Good morning." The Nurse greeted as she stood up. "Oh Doctor are these people with you?" The Nurse asked as Shiro saw that the situation here was bad.
"They just arrived there going to sell us some medicine." The Doctor said as Shiro then took notice to a familiar pair.
"Pete? Demonicon?" Shiro asked as he saw those two here.
"Shiro?" Demonicon asked as Pete looked over to Shiro in shock.
"If you two are here Jun can't be far behind." Shiro said as he looked to the duo.
"Yeah the boss figured you might show up so she went out to clear the path." Demonicon said as he and Pete were playing nurse while Pete was trying to keep the children happy.
"Alright then well step aside I'll administer the medicine." Shiro said knowing with his potion enhancement ability he would have a better chance at healing them. In turn the first person Shiro gave the medicine to showed instant signs of getting better once he was given the medicine. Once that was done Shiro, Raphtalia, Demonicon, and Pete got to work with Shiro starting with the more severe cases while the others helped those who were less severe.
(Scene Break Later that Day)
The task took a good portion of the day as Shiro brought in another case of Medicine into the storeroom. Once that was done he let out a small sigh before turning to the side. It was there that Shiro saw the graves with a lone person there on their knees no doubt grieving for lost loved ones. When Shiro saw this he knew he had to do something and to start off he had to figure out where this all began.
Just then Shiro saw a black phoenix fly about when one of its feathers fell as Shiro wondered where it came from. It was there that he saw it land on the waiting arm of Jun who had gotten new equipment while she sat atop the storehouse. "Figured you'd be here." Jun said as she looked to Shiro before jumping down and leaning on the wall with her arms crossed while her Phoenix was perched on her shoulder. Jun's armor had taken a turn as now it had the addition of armor such as clawed gauntlets and heeled boots. Her right shoulder had a shoulder pad while the left had feathers on it with her cape now completely made of dragon scales for defensive means no doubt.
"Jun." Shiro greeted as he looked to Jun. "What brings you here?" Shiro asked as Jun looked to the side.
"I was hired to meet with someone here to protect them." Jun explained as she looked to the side. "It's on a need to know hush-hush type thing." Jun explained worried how Shiro would react to her unnamed charge. "Honestly the only reason me and my party are helping these people is for free room and board until my charge arrives." Jun said and thus Shiro figured that was the case... or so Jun claims. The girl was always guarded about herself and her thoughts so it made sense she'd tell a half-truth. Still Shiro needed answers and he needed to know what caused this to begin with.
(Later that same evening)
"50 Silvers?" Shiro asked as he saw the bag filled with money. Raphtalia stood nearby while Jun leaned on the wall nearby with Demonicon and Pete sitting down nearby.
"We can't thank you enough dear sir." The Doctor said but Shiro begged to differ on this subject.
"I appreciate it but what's the plan now?" Shiro asked as he was worried for the people here.
"For now we've staved off the immediate crisis." The Doctor said but Shiro did not like that sound of that.
"That can't be it." Shiro said as he was not going to let this continue. "All I did was treat the symptoms I didn't cure them. If nothing is done these people will end up back at square 1 or even worse than that." Shiro admitted while scolding them as he knew that if something isn't done these people will just end up back at square 1.
"I'm afraid you are indeed correct." The Doctor said as he noted how Shiro was scolding them but he too wanted to help. But the Doctor was limited on what he can and can't do with his resources.
With a small sigh to calm himself Shiro proceeded with the big question. "How did this all start?" Shiro asked and thus the Nurse spoke first.
"We believe it's the wind that's coming from the mountain that's the cause of the plague in our village. The mountain that's home to all the monsters." The Nurse said as she looked to the window behind Shiro as they all looked and saw what she was talking about.
"Home to what monsters?" Shiro asked as he looked to the Mountain.
"About a month ago a large dragon that nested there was killed by the sword hero that at least was the good news." The Doctor began but to which Shiro was aware of that.
"I heard a few rumors about that." Shiro said but it was Jun who spoke up on this.
"Long story short the Dragon became a tourist attraction until Adventurers started to collapse due to the corpse flesh rotting and releasing toxins that made the people sick." Jun summarized as she knew what Ren did or in this case didn't do was beyond stupid. He made a mess and now they have to clean it up while he gets the glory in the long run. "That idiot still thinks this world is a game." Jun growled a bit as she honestly wanted to hurt Ren for this.
"If you know what the cause is how come you haven't gotten rid of it already?" Raphtalia asked and thus Demonicon spoke up.
"The path is filled with monster so they can't get close, even then we just got here about a couple days ago and were focused on healing the people here. The boss has been trying to clear a path but they just come back." Demonicon said as he leaned his halberd over his shoulder while sitting cross legged on the ground.
"Only adventurers and mercenaries can even make the attempt but from what I've seen the Dragons poison is fucking up the ecology of the mountain so the average adventurer won't even make the attempt." Jun added as she knew if something isn't done soon the village may become a ghost town at best or the poison might spread further at worst.
"And let me guess, you inform the royal court about this, but there has been no answer, or no one is availed to do help?" Shiro question them about that with Jun knew Shiro would ask that with the nurse reply, "Yes, they said all of the hero were too busy to help, so we had to put up a request hoping someone would come and take care of it."
Jun sighed to this as she knew that was just bullshit, as she knew that all the Fake heroes were either doing things half-ass and just turning in the quest quickly, training that could be put on hold to help people, or too involved with some bitch to even notice anything as Shiro give his own sigh as he knew that message didn't make sense, no doubt he won't get any message but the other should as no doubt to be a hero they could be, or take credit of saving a village from a pledge as he said, "Then you're better off canceling the request you made."
Jun look at Shiro knowing he was going to do the nice guy thing he does for people as Shiro called out, "Raphtalia Prepare to set out."
"Wait, are you planning to go yourself? It's too dangerous!" the doctor said with Raphtalia look to the man and said to him, "Don't worry. We're used to danger."
"Can don't forget about me as I was pretty much been trying to help clearing," Jun said as the doctor smile to this as he said to Shiro with a smile, "I can't find the words to express our gratitude."
"You don't have too, my party and I can take care of the dragon corpse and save your village," Shiro said with Jun stood up and soon said, "For 500 silver that is."
The doctor and nurse were surprise by, and not only these two but Shiro and Raphtalia as well as they turn to Jun as the doctor said, "500! That's too much!"
"Do you want the dragon corpse clean up or not?" Jun ask with Shiro standing up and walk over to her and said, "Jun what are you doing? I'm taking up the request."
"And you think you would do the job making little to nothing afterword? I'm doing you a favor, as the minimal amount to clean up monsters corpse, especially large ones are at least a gold coin, plus extra after breaking down the corpse to pieces and sell them on the market, but sense the dragon corpse has started to rot you won't get much from it and seeing this village state, asking 500 is no more than doing charity work, if they can't pay then they are better off keep the money they gave you and put it into the reward of the request that if someone would take the request before this village fully dies out that is."
She soon left quickly before Shiro could say anything to her as he just stand there with a upset look on his face before it faultier and give a sigh as he thought, 'why do you keep doing this to yourself Jun."
(Later)
Shiro and his party were all loaded up for cleanup, as Jun follow behind Shiro to help him out with any monsters as killing the monsters for their own corpse and any bounty they might have was her own reward for it as both party set off to the mountains with Shiro has his shield change to the venom shield for poison resistant to hopefully say off the poison from not only himself but to other sense he saw the effect works well in a party, as he had Jun and her group join up with him to make it work, as Raphtalia wonder about something as she look to Shiro and asked, "I wonder Shiro, does Jun deliberately trying to make people hate her or something?"
"it's nothing like that, she just... have her own baggage that just weighing her down in her turn try to push people away from her, not wanting to be liked or loved by people if she can help it," Shiro said as Raphtalia soon asked, "why is that?"
"That... is something I cannot tell, as Jun's past is her own and won't tell people so easily, heck she hardly let us get close to her, in a way I think it's a miracle that me, Taiyo, and Tsubaki had become friends with her, but considering all of us were sort of outsiders to everyone around us we just connected to each other," Shiro said as Raphtalia nodded as she sort of understand, with she then said, "Alright then, and also I know we're dealing with a dragon here, but this is a huge loadout."
"We had to take the wagon either way a little more luggage isn't a problem." Shiro said as they continued to ride to their destination.
"We could have travelled much lighter if Filo didn't throw such a tantrum." Raphtalia said as Shiro had to agree. "For her a month is her whole life." Shiro said knowing full well Filo technically speaking was only a month old. "I don't know what to do about Filo's selfishness." Raphtalia said until Shiro took note of something up ahead.
"You know Filo might have had the right idea." Shiro said as he saw ahead of them was a pack of monsters standing in their way.
"Shiro we're going to need something strong and fast to plow through them." Jun said as she saw the monsters with her crew.
"Agree." Shiro said and thus raised his shield arm forward. "As Shield Hero Source of thy power I order thee decipher the laws of nature and defend my target: Fast Guard!" Shiro invoked and thus Filo's body grew green giving her the buff to get through the blockade in their way. "Run right through them Filo!" Shiro ordered and Filo was ready for that.
"OK!" Filo called out and plowed through all the monsters without breaking a sweat.
"Demonicon!" Jun ordered and in turn Demonicon jumped up and proceeded to hack and slash through the monsters with his Halberd. Needless to say their combo took care of the monsters without trouble.
(Later at the Dragons Corpse)
After the group finally arrived at their destination they began to climb up the path with Shiro and Raphtalia carrying tools and the group all wearing cloth masks around their mouths and noses. The group gagged over the smell as Raphtalia had to cover her nose from it. "The air here is terrible." Shiro admitted as he covered his nose a bit. "Stay back if you're having a hard time Raphtalia." Shiro said as he looked to his partner.
"No don't worry I'll be fine." Raphtalia said as she stood up tall ready to tackle this challenge.
"Ok." Shiro said as they arrived at the site of the dead dragons rotting corpse. "Maybe we should have ate something before coming here." Shiro said as he felt like he wanted to vomit over the sight before him. "After this I don't know if I can look at a steak the same way again." Shiro said as suddenly there was a sound of someone eating, as everyone turn to see Filo in her Filolial form was eating some of the fruit from the monster tree as she look up at the group as she said, "I don't know what it is but looking at it sure made me hungry."
"Don't overeat," Raphtalia said not wanting Filo to spoil her appetite as Shiro then picked up a hammer and turned around before he said, "Looking at this thing, I may take of the rest of the day to even make a big enough dent in cleaning." Shiro said knowing a mess this size was going to take a while to clean up.
"Well you guys have those Knights and we got Pete." Demonicon said as he had his own tools ready to help out.
"Stop." Jun said as she spread her arm to the side stopping the group. She glared at the corpse as to her eyes she saw a large aura of malice radiating off of the corpse. Hatred, rage, fury; it all raged from this aura and in turn Jun knew this poison wasn't simply a rotting corpse. In turn Jun was right on the money in stopping the group as suddenly there was a sound from the dragon corpse itself. Looking up at it and to their shock to see a red glow at the dragon's skull in its eye hole before its entire head twitch suddenly before it started to move.
The group were all left wide eyed to this in shock and disgust as the corpse of the dragon was moving on its own. Not only that, its blood that was dripping down from the stone that it was on was flowing back up into its body which began healing its wounds. But despite this action the monster before them still had skin that was rotten away or torn off by wild creatures, as the dragon seem more like a zombie dragon.
As it got up it roared out causing Shiro to get ready for battle. "It's a damn dragon zombie!" Shiro called out as he saw this in pure shock and horror.
"What do we do Shiro?" Raphtalia asked in panic over this development.
"For now we run for it!" Shiro called out as Jun had to agree.
"Let's go!" Jun called out and thus they began running to find cover and escape. At least that was their plan until Filo roared out and jumped into the fight. "A dragon! I hate dragons!" Filo called out as the group of warriors all saw this.
"Filo stop!" Shiro ordered but instead to their surprise Filo kicked the dragon in the face causing damage to it. Shiro's hub was unable to get a proper read on the dragon so he knew if the level and info was all question marks it was a good idea to run. But if Filo could cause it harm that meant they might have a chance against it.
"Ok it looks like there might be a way to fight it!" Jun said as she drew her sword and dagger while Shiro drew his own sword ready for battle.
Just then the Dragon began to cough a bit as poisonous smoke came out from it. Seeing this Demonicon went wide eyed to this as he knew what it meant. "That's not good?!" He cried out and thus Shiro acted.
"Everyone get behind me and do it now!" Shiro called out and thus they all gathered behind Shiro and just in time too as the dragon proceeded to fire off a torrent of poisonous gas at the group. Shiro protected everyone with his shield making sure his poison resist shield was active for this. Raphtalia began to cough to this as Shiro knew what this meant and knew they were in trouble. 'My shield can't block all of its poison, I have resistance but the others don't.' Shiro thought as Jun came out from under her cloak showing she had used it to hide.
"Shiro we need to stop it here!" Jun called out while holding her Knights ark and thus Shiro understood with a nod.
As the smoke breath came to an end the Dragon glared down on its foes only to hear a new word spoken. "VERTO!" Shiro and Jun cried out and from the smoke the duo jumped out with their Knights active as they went after the Zombie Dragon. In response the undead reptile began fighting back the two ran around the foe slashing at it with their swords while Shiro bashed it with his shield. They were double teaming it as the undead Dragon roared out against these new foes.
"Web Shield!" Shiro was heard and thus his Knights Shield transformed into the form similar to one of the large spider monsters from WKC's. Sending out a web from it the sticky substance attached to the dragon as Shiro smirked at his grab. But it seems it was for naught for as he tried to restrain it, it began to tug and pull on his Knight.
"Shiro!" Jun cried out through the Black Knight knowing Shiro made a bad call.
"Wait I got it!" Shiro called out as he let the monster pull him in closer. Once he got close he detached the web and switched out weapons. "Shield Cannon!" Shiro invoked and thus fired his first acquired weapon at the Dragon Zombie at point blank range. Shiro had hardly been idle for the past month since he did need to level up to face the Waves of Catastrophe. The Dragon Zombie was blasted back by Shiro's attack where it hit the wall and fell back to the ground.
"Got it!" Shiro boasted as he holstered the Shield Cannon before the Zombie Dragon began to get back up snarling at the group.
"Or not." Jun said and thus acted fast as she pushed the Dragon back to the wall with her Black Knight. Clearly this battle of titans was great as the Knights held their ground against this undead foe. "Really wish Tsubaki was here, she could use the Moon Maiden's healing magic to cause this thing damage." Jun snarled as she struggled to keep the Zombie Dragon at bay.
Then with a burst of strength the Dragon pushed the Black Knight back before firing its poison breath at it at point blank range forcing the Black Knight back. It then flapped its wings causing a large burst of air from it as Shiro used his shield to help hold his ground against this foe. The Zombie Dragon then charged at them and with its front claws grabbed their heads and forced them into the ground.
The Zombie Dragon didn't stop there as it began to push them across the ground grinding the two armors until they hit the edge of their arena of battle. From there the Zombie Dragon reeled back and then slammed its claws into their chests all the while causing the pactmakers inside a great deal of pain for it. Once it had the two Knights pinned the Zombie Dragon roared at them as Shiro and Jun were both given a front row seat to the zombie dragon's demonic red eyes.
"Dammit." Shiro cursed as he saw they were pinned down.
Just then Filo was heard as she was not a happy Filolial. "Now I'm mad!" Filo roared out and charged in causing the group to go wide eyed to this. Filo charged at the Zombie Dragon as this made Shiro go wide eyed to this.
"Filo stop don't fight it alone!" Shiro called out and thus Pete came in next. The two charged in as the gentle giant went for the Zombie Dragon to cover for Filo. Pete started out the attack by punching the Zombie Dragon in the face causing it to stumble off the Knights following it up was Filo with kicks to the face and thus the Knights were freed from the Zombie Dragon. Acting fast the two Knights got back up and thus jumped back.
Jun used her Knights wings to get some distance because if she's right the Zombie Dragon is currently unable to fly as it is. But if they don't take care of it here then eventually even that won't be an issue for it anymore. Pete then regrouped with the others as Kuro flew overhead keeping an eye out on the battlefield until his mistress called for him.
The group of Raphtalia, Pete, and Demonicon regrouped around the White Knights legs as Shiro had his shield up to protect them. "We need to get away and regroup if we don't we're dead." Shiro said knowing they had to run ASAP.
Seeing this Jun agreed with Shiro on this subject. "Filo it's time to go now!" Jun ordered but Filo instead kept up her attack. "That idiot brat Filo move!" Jun cried out again but in doing so distracted her. Filo looked to where Jun flew only for the Dragon to go at Filo and chomp down on her much to everyone's horror. When the Dragon did so blood shot out before it proceeded to swallow the Filolial Queen making everyone go wide eyed to this.
"No... Filo..." Shiro gasped as the White Knight dropped its sword and fell to its hands and knees in pure shock. The fact is he just saw someone he cared for most die and it was his fault. At least he felt it was his fault as the rage he felt for it the self-loathing grew within him causing the emerald gem of his shield to start glowing crimson red. He was so deep in shock he failed to notice two alerts from his hub.
"REQUIRMENTS MET CURSE SERIES: WRATH UNLOCKED!"
"REQUIREMENTS MET DOGMA DRIVE PHASE 1: DEMON UNLOCKED!"
"FILO!" Raphtalia cried out in horror over what she had seen.
"No." Jun gasped as she realized what happened. The scene replayed in her mind she distracted Filo at that key moment leaving her open to attack. She did it again she caused someone to die she murdered someone by proxy and looking at her she might have been as old as her younger sister if not younger. "Why... why does everyone I get close to... why DO THEY ALWAYS DIE!" Jun yelled in fury over what had just occurred.
Jun found herself unresponsive as she was in turn assaulted by images of her past her traumas. She saw how she died she saw how she killed them both, first via manipulations second via distractions every time she changes she causes more harm than good. The memories flashed and in turn Jun grit her teeth and thus let out a yell to the heavens above.
"KIZUNA!" Jun yelled out and thus her Knights armor released a burst of power that drew the attention of the Zombie Dragon. As this occurred Shiro got his feet back under him and saw Jun awaken a new power and a power he knew quiet well. As the aura surrounded her Black Knight she felt the words flow as her Knight began to change much like Taiyo's had done.
"I who is about to awaken." Jun began as inside the aura her Knight vanished into a Portal only to reappear changed in certain parts. "I am the Ebony Black Wings who rules the ancient shadows of hell." She invoked as her voice was a mixture of Dragias, Kara, and Shappur from White Knight Chronicles with her own still added in. "My Darkness consumes the infinite and my dread corrupts the dream." Jun continued as another dark portal appeared and with each phase her armor began to look more like the Black Usurper with each shift. "I shall awaken into the Black Usurper and banish you in to the deepest darkness!" She continued as the final portal formed and from it Jun's armor's transformation was now complete. "Dogma Drive!" She roared out and in turn the Black Knight had become the Black Usurper as the only difference was it had actual legs to match the torso instead of a massive body where the legs should be. On it legs and back were what seemed to be armored wings to form a skirt of sort as on its back the Usurper Blade rested awaiting its use. But what was also noted was that the new form of this Knight had a sword on either hip ready to draw at a moment's notice.
Shiro was wide eyed by this as he felt an aura leave him and enter the Black Usurper who began to burn in a dark fire. His Knights Shield that possessed the green gem had a crimson glow which dulled back into an emerald glow as the Black Usurper made its long awaited return to the world.
"That's... the Black Usurper." Shiro gasped as he realized this was Jun's Dogma Drive. And if that was the case... was the Demon Knight next to make a return?
But before the Black Usurper could fall the armored wings on its waist spread out and thus granted it the power of flight once more as it glared at its foe. Seeing this the Zombie Dragon knew this Knight was a threat and thus went on the offensive and attacked. Just then a crest, or maybe a mystic circle, appeared and formed into a dark portal which then shot out the massive arm of the Dark Usurpers other half which blocked the Dragon's attack.
"Is that all you got?" Jun was heard but so was Kara, Shappur, and Dragias through the Knight. "If so... then you will BURN!" She yelled and thus black fire formed from the Dragon's tail which it had attacked with and thus it began to roar in pain and agony from it. "You can feel it can't you?" Jun said as she was like legion now with how she spoke. "That ebony fire isn't simply burning your flesh it's burning your magic and in turn... your soul." Jun said as under her armor her body was covered in symbols similar to the Cardinal Heroes hub screen as her eyes were glowing crimson red.
"BURN!" Jun yelled out and thus the fire spread causing the Dragon more agony as two portals appeared for her. "SUFFER!" Jun yelled as she took sadistic glee from this monsters suffering while the two arms once more shot out and grabbed the Dragon before pulling at it ready to tear the best in two.
"No..." Raphtalia gasped as she realized what this was. "This isn't it's not right." Raphtalia said and thus she acted fast.
"NOW." Jun continued as she then went for the Usurper blade to finish this. "DIE!" She yelled ready to end this monster for killing Filo.
"JUN STOP!" Raphtalia yelled to the heavens above while running to the Black Usurper.
"Raphtalia don't!" Shiro called out but it was too late. When the demihuman girl got close to the Black Usurper it released a great burst of power that knocked back and burned Raphtalia. Thus in turn for a moment Jun found herself dragged deeper into the Black Knight power.
(Jun)
Jun woke up in the rift as she looked around for a moment. "w-what?" Jun asked as she looked around. "What... what is this?" Jun asked as she looked around for the answer.
"I don't know." Came a new voice which made Jun go wide eyed in shock. She turned around and in turn was met with the site of her of... Kizuna. She looked exactly as she did when she... when she died. Only difference was she was now dressed in an outfit that would let her fit in around this world as she held what looked to be a Fishing Rod of some sort. What made it more noticeable was she was wielding a weapon some sort of sword that had a gem similar to the Cardinal Weapons of this world.
"No... It can't be... Kizuna." Jun gasped as she saw her younger sister here.
"J-Jun?" Kizuna asked shocked to see her elder sister here. Jun took a step forward only for Kizuna to instinctively take a step back causing Jun to hesitate in response. In turn Jun stepped back as she shut her eyes close.
"This... this can't be real I've finally died and gone to Hell haven't I?" Jun asked as her self-loathing has finally done her in for the girl.
"I was thinking I finally died and gone to hell." Kizuna said showing she still remembered what Jun had did to her how she had those crooks kill her for the family fortune.
"NO! If and when you die you're going to heaven no arguments." Jun said as she knew she was beyond forgiveness. "If we're not dead you might as well take that damn sword of yours and strike me down with it!" Jun yelled as she wanted to end it here and now.
"Jun... this isn't." Kizuna said as the girl looked to Jun wondering if her death had caused such suffering in their world.
"Just do it already! Send me to Hell where damn well belong!" Jun yelled as she deserved this she already caused two deaths her hands were stained red with blood at this point.
"Jun I can't!" Kizuna argued and thus Jun roared and charged at Kizuna intending to attack her. Acting fast Kizuna drew her sword and slashed it through Jun's gullet making here go wide eyed to this. But that was only a moment as Jun saw she had no injury on her person.
"W-what?" Jun asked shocked to see that Kizuna's weapon did nothing to her.
"My Holy Weapon the Hunting Tool cant harm people." Kizuna said as she looked to Jun while turning around.
"Holy Weapon... wait Kizuna are you?" June asked and thus Kizuna simply nodded to her elder sister giving her the answer to the question.
"But thanks to my weapon... you don't get off that easy." Kizuna said as she knew that Jun wasn't the same somehow. "What happened to you, I thought since you got rid of me." Kizuna began only to be cut off by Jun.
"That I got everything I wanted HAH no it backfired horribly so." Jun countered as she glared a bit. "I lost everything, mom and dad, our home, and even our future. I ruined everyone's lives." Jun said as she looked to her younger sister.
"What happened?" Kizuna asked as she needed to know to what extent shit hit the fan.
"Everything... at school I was turned into a pariah after I narrowly avoided prison, at home I was looked at with contempt, dad he lost his job and because of me couldn't get another one, he and mom kept arguing about me after we were forced to move which during the event our home burned down." Jun said as she looked to the group. "Dad couldn't get a job anywhere else and blamed me, half the time he came home drunk and if not for mom would have struck me." Jun said as she then turned away from Kizuna with her fists clenched and her shoulders shaking. "They eventually split and mom... well I came home from school to her suicide note." Jun finally said as Kizuna realized Jun's life had been destroyed. "Dad didn't want me back and I had nowhere else to go for a time and it was ALL MY FAULT DAMMIT!" Jun yelled as she had been bottling this all up for years on end.
"Jun..." Kizuna began as she saw the trauma Jun had been shouldering.
"I don't deserve forgiveness, Kizuna the only thing I can do is either die or take out anyone else like me. If anything my role should be that of a villain because that's the only path I am allowed to walk." Jun said only to be surprised when Kizuna wrapped her arms around her elder sister.
When Jun looked she was reminded of how Kizuna did the same thing and back then she hated it. But looking at it now... she never realized how much she took it for granted until now. "No Jun you don't deserve such suffering!" Kizuna said as she looked to Jun before parting. "And everyone is worthy of forgiveness if they seek it out." Kizuna said as she looked to Jun. "After you killed me... I didn't think I could ever forgive you... but seeing you now like this I do believe it's possible one day I can." Kizuna said as she looked to Jun. "But you can't be forgiven if you give up on life." Kizuna said as Jun then looked to her sister. "So please live on until you can finally find forgiveness not only from others but from yourself." Kizuna said as Jun began to cry at her younger sisters words.
Jun in turn fell to her knees and wept as Kizuna hugged her elder sister once more over this. "I'm sorry Kizuna... I'm so sorry." Jun cried as she didn't think she could ever truly cry like that again.
"It's ok Jun." Kizuna said rubbing her sister's head. "But please live so when we see each other again... I can no, we can both finally find the strength to forgive." Kizuna said and thus Jun nodded to her younger sister.
Soon the world around them began to vanish much to the siblings shock. "Jun promise me if you see Glass or L'arc tell them I'm sorry for being late and that I'll see them soon!" Kizuna called out as Jun heard this and nodded.
"I promise!" Jun called out and thus the world around them vanished from sight.
(The Real World)
Jun's eyes snapped open as she found herself inside the form of her Black Usurper. "The Black Usurper... it's my... Dogma Drive?" Jun asked as she realized what this meant.
"Jun!" Shiro was heard and thus she looked and saw Shiro was protecting Raphtalia who now had burn marks on her body.
"No." Jun gasped a bit and thus knew she had to focus on the target in the monster. She needed to use the Black Usurper to defeat the Dragon and to do this she had to focus less she loses control of it. 'I do this for you Kizuna and all of the friend I want to protect.' Jun vowed and thus use those people she was close to in other to focus this power that she now possessed.
In turn the Black Usurper reached to its sides and pulled out two demonic curved swords. The Swords then lit aflame with its ivory black fire before charging at the Zombie Dragon. As she began to slash at it each attack had the black flames which caused greater damage to her foe and thus Jun proceeded with her counter attack against the foe. The Dragon then prepared its poison gas only for the two portals to open and from them one massive arm forced the mouth shut while the other proceeded to punch the monster in the gullet repeatedly.
Once this was done the Dragon Zombie was freed only to be punched in the face sending it to the wall. The Black Usurper then sheathed its two swords before the massive sword freed itself and flew to its masters waiting hand. Wielding it the Black Usurper pointed the sword at its foe before charging at it and thus on her back vents opened and released a burst of magic. The Black Usurper charged at the Zombie Dragon and with a mighty roar from Jun ran the monster through with her sword pinning it to the wall in response. For a moment it struggled to free itself but it was futile as soon the Dragon went limp after releasing a roar of death. Seeing it was dead and the malice around it vanish the Black Usurper pulled back while pulling out its massive blade and allowed the Dragon to fall.
It laid on the ground dead for the second time and hopefully for the final time as well. Shiro sighed when he saw no more movement as the Black Usurper stood with the White Knight once it landed. Just then the group heard movement at the Dragon's stomach causing them to panic and looked ready for an attack. But instead of an attack, a slit was seen and thus the Dragons rotting guts spewed out with Filo rolling out with it.
Just then the mass got up and revealing it was indeed Filo alive and well. "Filo your alive!" Raphtalia gasped truly happy to see Filo was ok.
"Well it took me a little while but I'm out." Filo said happy to be out of there and back with her friends.
"But that thing ate you and there was blood everywhere!" Demonicon said as Shiro and Jun began to revert back to their normal forms.
"He's right how did you survive?" Shiro asked once he was back to his human form.
In turn Jun remembered what Filo was doing before the battle began. "I don't think that was blood." Jun said as she looked to Filo having a good hunch what that really was.
"She's right it was the fruit I threw up when the dragon gobbled me up." Filo said and thus the Avengers realized in the heat of the moment the vomit did look like blood. "That's so sweet of you guys to worry about me thank you for that." Filo began but was then was bashed into and hugged by Pete.
"There he goes Pete the big softy." Demonicon said as he rubbed his head a bit.
"Wait so were you helping us from the inside?" Raphtalia asked and thus Filo nodded to the girl's question.
"Yeap that I was." Filo said as she then remembered something. "Oh and another thing while I was tearing at its belly trying to get out I found this big purple crystal. It was so shiny." Filo said and thus the group looked to her with curiosity.
"A crystal?" Shiro asked as he looked to Filo wondering what she had done with it.
"So that must be what powered the thing." Jun said deducing it as it being the case here. "What did you do with the crystal?" Jun asked as she wanted to get a closer look at it. But instead the group got their answer via Filo belching.
"Wait, kid you ate it!?" Demonicon cried out shock to hear this as he was surprised just what the Filolial was willing to eat.
This in turn caused the group to laugh only for Raphtalia to begin coughing. "Raphtalia!" Shiro called out and managed to catch Raphtalia before she fell.
"Master what's wrong?!" Filo asked with concern for Raphtalia and her current coughing fit.
"Filo we have to give her medicine then we'll head back to the village." Shiro began to order but was cut off by Raphtalia.
"No!" She snapped a bit but got back to subject. "We have to get rid of the dragon's body first." Raphtalia said knowing they had to focus on cleaning Ren's mess up.
"You come first." Shiro countered but this only made Raphtalia give off a small smile.
She in turn put her hand on Shiro's face in a comforting way. "Stop worrying I promise I will take the medicine and rest and I just know I'll feel better." Raphtalia said as she looked to Shiro.
Seeing there was no room for argument Shiro went to work. "Alright guys lets hurry and clean up this mess." Shiro said and thus they all got to work.
(Scene Break Later that Day the Village)
The Doctor was looking to the group after they brought Raphtalia in to get healed. The rest of them got a look over and good news they were all ok save for the two heavily injured ones. "The Mountain wind has gone back to normal we'll be alright now." The Doctor said as he looked to the Avengers. "Thank you so very much." He said passing the Coins he planned to give to the Royal Court to Shiro.
But Shiro had different ideas on what to do with that money. "Thank you for the payment now please take it to treat Raphtalia." Shiro said surprising the group but Jun opted to let it be. "I don't care how much it costs just cure her." Shiro said as the doctor was surprised by this.
But despite this the Doctor needed Shiro to know how difficult this would be. "Curing her will be difficult." The Doctor confessed as right now Raphtalia was currently wrapped in bandages where the burns were located. She's been afflicted with a curse a powerful one at that." The doctor confirmed as the group listened. "We've done what we can we wrapped her in bandages soaked in holy water but we don't have a Holy Water that's pure enough to dispel curses like this." The Doctor said making Jun go wide eyed seeing as she was the one that had did this to her with her Black Usurper Dogma Drive. "However if you go to a church in a big town I know you'll find some." The Doctor said as the group mainly Jun paid close attention to this. "Please keep this money for when you do." The Doctor said offering the sack once more to the combined party to which Shiro took it.
"Thank you doctor." Shiro said as he took the money as he knew already he would have to head back into town regardless.
Pete was sitting on a chair offered while Demonicon was keeping an eye on Raphtalia who was currently being tended to by the nurse. "Morgan how are you feeling?" Filo asked as she walked in with Shiro and Jun.
"Well they've taken good care of me I feel better." Raphtalia said as she smiled to the gathered group.
"I never knew that corpses can inflict curses." The Nurse said causing the group to get nervous to this. "I just can't believe how terrifying dragons are." She said to which Raphtalia agreed.
"I know right but that's only if you get on their bad side otherwise they can also be gentle and adorable." Raphtalia added as she remembered Taiyo and Ryuko. "But even then I shouldn't have been so careless and got all that rotten flesh on me." Raphtalia said as Shiro smiled happy to see she was going to pull through.
The Nurse saw the way Shiro looked Raphtalia and smiled to the demihuman girl. "That boy cares very much about you doesn't he?" The Nurse asked smiling to Raphtalia knowingly causing her to blush to this.
"Well I don't think." Raphtalia said while blushing to this.
"Take care Raphtalia bye." The nurse said as she took her leave of the group so Raphtalia can rest and the group can have some privacy.
"Well since you all are all well and good I'll take my leave also." Jun said and thus she began to leave. "Pete Demonicon lets go." Jun said and thus her two subordinates followed after her.
"Got it boss." Demonicon said and thus the three mercs were gone.
(Later with Jun)
Jun was outside sitting on the roof as she was by herself. Pete and Demonicon already went to their lodgings leaving Jun by herself. In her hand was her Knight's arc while on her shoulder Kuro was perched. It seems she too was gifted with the Dogma Drive but it took the form of the Black Usurper. From what she gathered the upper body was in this world while the lower body where it would have been attached was in some sort of dark dimension. With that in mind it would suggest the same way she can summon parts of it to battle she might be able to drag others to where it held. Or more so she could in theory bring out more parts of it than just the arms but Jun would rather not take that risk less she loses control of it.
Still all that power it had to have come from some source and she knew for a fact it wasn't Madoras who did it. At the end of WKC2 the Knights save for the artificial construct Knights lost their powers when Final Awakening brought forth Madoras. So with this in mind the Knights revived power and upgrades had to have come from a different source which would in turn prevent Madoras from controlling them as well. Another mystery to worry about and with the Sun King on the loose via Madoras they needed to locate Falcyon or something of equal power to fight the Sun King. The Dogma Drives would help even the playing fields but without Falcyon it will just be a stalemate without end.
So now she had a mystery what was powering their Knights if not Madoras and who gave them these Dogma Drives? The more she questioned it the more confusing it became. If not Madoras then who else has that... sort... of... power... As her thoughts trailed off she should have slapped herself upside the head at the obvious answer. Madoras had only one equal and that same equal was probably the one. Queen Mureaus must have granted their Knights her power so they can once more fight this time against Madoras instead of for him.
It made sense, they needed the Cardinal Weapons to temper the Knights and each other that way they won't become liabilities if their Knights join forces against Madoras. But still Madoras was immortal a Dark God in fact Falcyon was perfect against the Sun King but what about Emperor Madoras himself? They can destroy the body but what about the soul to many variables and not nearly enough to make a counter strike. For now they had to wait and see while also keeping Madoras out of this world by any means necessary.
But then came to Kizuna... Jun's sister was alive. If that is the case then Jun had a chance at redemption she can finally make right the wrong she caused. She knew Kizuna had to be out there somewhere and Jun would not rest until her younger sister was found and safe in her arms as she should have been their whole lives. She owed it to their broken family to make things right.
"Kizuna wherever you are... I'm going to find you." Jun vowed to herself as she held her Knights Ark to the sky showing she was not going to give up and her Black Knight shall be the power that aids her in righting the wrongs of the past.
(Scene Break Castle Melromarc)
"It is done." The alchemist said as he smiled as before him was the first group of Knights that were to be deployed into battle.
"About time." Elizabeth said as she glared at the Alchemist. "You know father doesn't like to be kept waiting." Elizabeth said as she looked to the Alchemist.
"My apologies but as it stands I was limited on resources only his most Excellency knows how to create the Knights what I did was all I can get close to." The Alchemist said as he presented the Mech Knights.
"It's true only father can do it all we are to do is prepare for his arrival." Alexandria said as she shyly hid with her twin sister.
"Fine." Elizabeth said as she sat down cross legged while scowling.
With his work done the Alchemist, got ready to leave to go meet with Aultcray. "I shall go tell the King so he may select any of his Knights to train in their use." The Alchemist said as he then took his leave.
"Hey wait for us!" Elizabeth called out and gave chase to him. But unaware to them before the door closed it was held open and from it a Shadow of the Queen came out. As she entered the room she soon took notice of the Knight and began to scour around for something. She in turn found the blueprints of the Knights and carefully copied it via a magic orb. Her Queen suspects the Alchemist is in fact loyal to another and thus wanted a counter measure for when this Alchemist brings these Knights over to his true leader.
For the safety of Melromarc and possibly the world they need to have a fallback plan and as her queen ordered these Knights may become game changers against the Waves and in general conflict and war. For the time being they simply had to bide their time and wait and if the Knights prove successful in the next wave then they might have a chance. They had to have hope that there would be a light at the end of the long dark tunnel otherwise they're world was doomed to the Waves.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here we are the end of Chapter 17. I hope you all enjoy it and leave me a review before leaving so ja-ne.
