CHAPTER TWENTYSIX: ARCHDUKE

"Benediction."

-

"Good going, Mr Ifrit! I think that was the lastaru nasty-wasty…"

-

"…Blue Mages are devoured from within by a Beast spawned from controlling and using the powers of monsters…so this is what it looks like…when the Beast takes over."

-

Hanaa ran full speed up the stairs with Gerdinus and Nokum-Akkum in hot pursuit. They had regrouped just a few minutes before after being separated by the malfunctioning teleportation pad. They had tried searching from Catherine, but there was no sign of her and no reply from attempts to get a message through a pearl.

It seemed strange to her as the presence given off by White Mages was often very easy to feel to a fellow magic user, especially in a place filled by dark energies. Yet there was nothing, like she had simply dropped off the world. It was possible the teleport had gone wrong in some bizarre way and sent her beyond the tower, or she had been forced to use her own magic which would explain her disappearance, but something still did not feel right.

If her other companions had asked why she thought that way she would have just called it female intuition – a thing Nokum-Akkum had boasted about having (before having it explained to him what it meant). The worst thing was that they knew they did not have time to keep searching and pushed on instead to the central control of Delkfutt's Tower, known as the Stellar Fulcrum. Their enemies would be waiting within.

-

"So, they have made it this far…" Archduke Kam'lanaut mused out loud and turned to his brother, "…You are still lost in thought?"

Eald'narche seemed to ignore him.

"The battle between the two emissaries is over, is it not?"

There was still no reply. The Archduke smirked to himself. He knew something still interested his sibling and he would not be stirred from his near trancelike state by anything beyond Tu'Lia's gates opening. The girl with the gift of understanding every Beastmen language was in place and the energies that had lain dormant for centuries once more flowed freely, leaving only the surviving intruders breaching the fulcrum's door as the last obstacle between them and their goals.

"Muse to your hearts content, brother," Kam'lanaut said joyously. "Leave this to me."

-

The Stellar Fulcrum was the largest single chamber in the entire tower and amounted to something in scale of the whole first floor. It was impossible, yet the three remaining champions stood before a room of this size. Three pathways hung over head converging at different angles to a thick circular pillar in the direct centre of the fulcrum. The central pillar hung off the ground and in its middle was a glowing white cylinder of light. It seemed to be building in potency at the base. A haunting green glow emitted from an indentation on the upper side next to a small console held up by a thin white marble construct.

Stepping inside the room created a feeling of sickness in all of their stomachs, Hanaa could tell by the sudden change in her friend's expressions. It was a mixture of polluted magic that held the fulcrum in check, dark auras coming from the concealed Arc Angels, and the two Zilart Princes that was the cause. It was like they had stepped into hell, into its very heart.

The door behind them slammed shut and locked into place. It sounded like more barriers and locks came into place on the other side, proving the door was specifically designed to keep people inside from getting out and not the other way around. The Stellar Fulcrum was meant to be a battleground.

"Guess we'rrre stuck, huh? Being on the road again surrre sounds good right about now."

"Silly-willy Hanaa!" Nokum-Akkum whispered while clutching his axes. "We can go for a run after we beataru these guys!"

"Focus you two," the Galka Paladin stated and strode forwards. "These Zilart cannot be underestimated and the Arc Angels that serve them are far beyond our strength…so we must at least buy Zeid and the others time to get here and stop the activation of this tower. We must survive at least that long."

So we're the decoys? That's all I ever do, kind of fitting for a lazy Red Mage like me I suppose. But I don't want anything to happen to these two, especially not my Nookie-Ookkie…

Someone was clapping their hands lazily together bringing back faded memories of the end of the war, "So three of you survived this far, interesting."

Looking up, they saw Kam'lanaut perched on the edge of the central pillar of the upper walkway leering at them with a dark expression. Someone else was up there, most likely the other brother, but he had not spoken or moved to the edge to gaze upon them.

"It seems so trivial to dispose of a Tarutaru, a Galka, and a Mithra, for your defeat is inevitable regardless of what may happen here. Do you realize that fact? Do you embrace it? The rage, the cowardice, and the envy. These emotions that taint your souls will ultimately bring about your end. I am tempted to taste the power collected here in this tower over so long, but it seems a waste to be used on you. Come forth, Crystal Warriors and cleanse the tainted!"

The three champions readied their weapons poised in attack positions and held their breath. Their eyes shifted around the large chamber to try and spot any sneak attacks coming from the enemies, but there was only the dull hum of the pillar of light pushing against the stone. The distant dark auras of the five black armoured foes did not grow and they did not appear. The Archduke's form vanished as he moved from the edge of the circular centre out of sight.

"Why do you deny me the Arc Angels, brother?" he was heard whispering angrily. "…You still do not answer, and so I am denied. Very well, regardless of how unworthy these tainted mortals are they will witness my ascension as I feast just a sample of the Mother Crystal's potent life energy."

An even stronger green light bathed the entire room as Kam'lanaut's figure was drawn into the floor through the stone and pulled through the intense energy building on the opposite side. The room shook as if it were about to collapse and a dark sinister laugh rung out through the increasingly load droning. The green light vanished and the collected pulses below the ancient stone returned to a small hum. Hovering in the air before the green beam was Kam'lanaut.

His form had changed and he seemed to defy gravity without the help of any magical spell. His red robes were gone and were replaced with white and gold armour. His locks of blond hair were now free from the silk binding them and waved about freely done his back. Though in some ways it was similar, it seemed more jagged and aggressive than the armour worn by the Jeuno military. An inner black trim also separated the pieces of white. Over his left gauntlet a rounded dark blue shield rotated with a second golden circle also hovering around that. In his right hand was a gold hilted sword with a purple crystal imbedded inside it. Its blade looked pale green because of the taint of the beam behind him and was the size of a short sword.

"This…is incredible!" he said and roared with laughter again. "To think the power of the crystal would taste like this…to think that it would increase even my strength by so much… Come Brother, taste the fountain of energy!"

Again there seemed to be no answer or any kind of response. Kam'lanaut smirked and closed his eyes. A lick of flame tore up his sword spinning and wrapping around it before disappearing and leaving only a red taint behind.

What was that? Some kind of En-element spell? I have never seen the Archduke fight but I had always believed he was a Paladin…has he trained himself in multiple schools of magic!

"Kam'lanaut!" Gerdinus called out. "This is your last chance to surrender! Stop what you are doing and give yourself up!"

The Archduke of Jeuno and proud Zilart Prince glared at the Galka with a look that made Hanaa feel tiny, even though it was not directed at her. He looked at them like they were truly vermin, tiny insignificant souls tainted from birth. Maybe there was some truth in that, but she still hated his arrogance. The Zilart were no better than them.

From across the room Kam'lanaut was suddenly in front of all three of them bringing down the red tainted sword towards Gerdinus' skull. The Galka reacted slowly and his shield would not rise in time. Nokum-Akkum could only screech in fright. The blade fell on a blue hexagon that cracked immediately but did not shatter. The Archduke turned his head to look at her.

"Quite the fast caster, aren't you? Well done, Red Mage."

The protective magic broke under the power of his sword a few seconds later, but it had bought Gerdinus enough time and his shield parried the sword back into the air. Kam'lanaut spun around and backwards, leaving a red trail where his blade had cut the air. It did not seem like the other two could see this trail but she could, it was left over magic. His sword had some enchantment on it now, but it did not seem to be the kind she thought.

She felt a tug on her leg and looked down at her Tarutaru companion. He pointed at their enemy and declared that he would easily beat him, as long as he could move fast enough to keep up with him. Hanaa understood what he was asking for and promptly cast Haste on Nokum-Akkum drastically increasing his attack and movement speed. The tiny Warrior vanished and seconds later was striking ferociously at the Archduke flickering around him and chopping at his armour.

Though he could not move nearly as fast, the Archduke was still able to swing and turn quick enough to avoid damage. His shield seemed to move somewhat independently and would fly around his body to defend locations that he could not. Hanaa pointed an outstretched finger and began gathering mana. She waited patiently for the right moment to fire.

Nokum-Akkum's axes caught the Archduke's blade causing the Tarutaru to back flip into the air and land awkwardly. He rolled to a stop and just managed to move as the sword fell on the ground.

Now!

"Thunder!"

A bolt of purple magic fired from her finger towards the target. Despite his attention still being on Nokum-Akkum, the shield moved by itself to catch the lightning and deflect it. It shot into the roof causing an explosion. Rubble dropped onto the floor as the battle continued uninflected. Despite not landing a single hit, the plucky Warrior resumed his assault and flickered out of sight.

"That's quite enough, pest."

Suddenly Nokum-Akkum skidded to a halt. A serrated purple crystal grew around his form before shattering completely. Kam'lanaut had dispelled the effects of Haste and removed the protective shield she had been holding over her friend. Nokum-Akkum crossed his axes over his chest and face as the Archdukes blade scratched across the floor and tore up through him. The tiny Tarutaru was thrown backwards and his axes were tossed away. With a painful squeal, he came to a stop next to Gerdinus. Hanaa drew her sword and swore with anger. A small trail of blood led from where the Archduke hovered to where her dear Tarutaru now lay motionless.

"One down," the Zilart Prince smiled.

"Hanaa, stand down," Gerdinus ordered and pointed his sword out horizontally at his side to halt her advance. "Your skill with a sword pales in comparison to his, you would only endanger yourself. I will handle this, support me from the back."

"I'll cut his head off with my rapier for what he did to him!" she hissed in response.

The Galka shook his head and began to walk forwards and placed his sword down by his side. Power seemed to be collecting around him, creating an increasing gold light. Hanaa realized what Gerdinus was planning to do and backed away. She also knew that it had not been long since the last time he had used the skill, meaning it would sap all his remaining strength.

"A Paladin that has mastered Invincible…? Humph, do you forget that I am also a Paladin? Not of the common San d'Orian variety that depend upon ancient chivalry. I am a Zilart, a Holy Paladin. You pale on comparison to me and my abilities. Come and I shall prove it."

In unison they both yelled out Invincible and the room was filled with blinding golden light. Hanaa knelt next to Nokum-Akkum and began to spread Healing Magic over his body while shielding her eyes. Through the intense light she was sure that she saw two sets of huge golden swords swinging wildly in the air striking one another locked in bitter combat. She could no longer see even the shadow of Gerdinus or Kam'lanaut.

The clash of abilities seemed to last for minutes, constantly upturning the white marble floor and sending shards of the rock underneath in all directions as the golden swords deflected off one another. They had perfectly countered one another, meaning it would be whoever landed the first blow after the swords disappeared that would decide the victory. Hanaa tried once more to stare into the golden light to attempt to find Gerdinus; if she could cast Haste on him then he would not lose the exchange.

A horrible painful cry echoed out as in an instant the warm light subsided, revealing a floor carved with deep cuts in all directions. In the centre of the carvings Gerdinus was on his knees before the Archduke and Kam'lanaut's sword had fallen on him. She almost screamed, but saw movement that stole her voice. He was still alive; the blade had not cut straight through.

Blood trickled down the back and front of the Galka tainting his holy armour. The sword had cut into his upper shoulder and down into his arm, but had not had enough force to go further. The Archduke seemed amused rather than angry that his attack had not finished the fight, and contently sliced down and pulled back so his blade slid out in the most painful way possible. Gerdinus fell forwards with the movement and used his uninjured arm to hold his weight up. Blood cascaded down from his shoulder, splattering over the floor.

"As expected from a Galka, your thick bones are what saved you – not that pathetic tin armour you wear," Kam'lanaut sneered as he wiped his blade clean. "But now you cannot fight and can be disposed of whenever I chose. Two down."

Hanaa ran forwards letting her rapier drop to the floor. She would not win the fight using her below average swordsmanship. She called to Gerdinus to move, but she could not be sure he even had the strength to do that. With one hand she near instantly cast a shimmering green shield in front of him to offer at least some protection and with her other gathered Elemental Magic.

"You'll burrrn for what you've done, Kam'lanaut! Fire!"

Her tier three magic burst from her extended palm turning into a huge wave of fire that swooped towards the Archduke like a sea of fire. To her surprise, he did not even attempt to avoid the quick moving flames and his form was engulfed by them. Almost instantly her magic was gone, drawn back into its purest form of white light and absorbed into his body. His fatigued from using Invincible seemed to vanish instantly and his dark grin grew larger.

That…isn't possible! Is this some kind of unknown tier of Aspir? He absorbed the magic completely and – wait! That spell he cast when the fight began…it wasn't an offensive enchantment on his blade, it was defensive! It's a Magic Shield, based on the element decided upon casting… Such a skill is usually only used by monstrous fiends… how is it that the Zilart would know this magic?

"Thank you, I needed that."

"Hey, no one is allowed to be cocky around me, especially someone as stuck up as you. Got it? Good. I've figurrred out your Magic Shield."

"Have you now."

"But if you wanted to defend a differrrent element you would need to recast the spell, am I right? Let's see how you do when I fire off ten spells at you at once! You won't match my magic's speed! Chainspell!"

Summoning her most potent magic she was surrounded by magical symbols taking on the shape of numbers, one running backwards and the other forwards. Her soul was taken temporarily out of time removing the seconds needed to summon forth magic to use and making her actions instantaneous.

Multiple spears formed from ice flew from around her towards the Archduke, who dodged through the air back and forwards and occasionally using his shield to break a few. As his sword changed to a light blue colour huge boulders instead fired from all around her, creating a mass of magic between them so that he could not reach her, and making sure he could only defend. Slowly but surely he was being forced only right.

Though she could not afford to even take a second to check whether anything was landing and kept her eyes focused on the glow of his sword, she heard him grunt with pain on a few occasions. The sword turned a dull brown and she returned to throwing a sea of fire across the floor, being careful to avoid Gerdinus who had somewhat moved back. The sword turned red.

Got you!

Purple bolts of lightning cascaded across the room onto one focused point in the direct centre of Kam'lanaut's chest, but his self controlled shield moved in front just in time. It bore the brunt of each electrical strike as the Archduke grabbed it from behind to help bare the pressure. Before he could raise his sword to change its element he was thrown back by the force of multiple strikes into the far wall above the upper walkway where she continued to fire lightning at him.

She changed trajectory every third release to try and get around the shield. Hanaa had to have landed a few hits, it was impossible that she had not. Yet no blood spilled from the cloud formed by falling rubble from the point of impact and there were no cries of agony. Nothing seemed to have changed.

Through the cloud of dust a figure slowly appeared. Kam'lanaut was laughing to himself again. His armour had been charred black in numerous places, as had the front of his shield that still floated uneasily around him. Though bolts had managed to get around the shield they had not been strong enough to pierce the armour created from the fountain of energy in the centre of the chamber.

Hanaa held her heart and breathed deeply as the effects of her ability left her. The two rotating spirals around her both began running backwards before shattering completely returning her to normal constraints. She had expelled too much magic in a short period of null time and would now pay the price. Even her refreshing magic would be hard pushed to counteract the effects fast enough to carry on the fight.

Tugging himself free from the where he had been lodged by the force of the magical attacks, Kam'lanaut hovered back into the air and raised his blade. The room shook as it illuminated pure white. He pointed it directly over his head and then looked towards her.

"Oh…no…" Hanaa stuttered.

"Light Blade!"

What happened next was a blur to her. She felt herself being cut by a howling crescent shaped beam of white light and felt her armour being torn. In the next moment she was face down on the floor and felt liquid spreading out from her stomach. The pain was so immense she could not even find her voice to scream out, it was the first time in her life she had ever been in so much agony.

"Three down."

"Don't count…aru… me… out… aru…yet! Mighty-wighty Strikes!"

He turned as the first of Nokum-Akkum's axes slashed across his burnt shield, ripping into it and throwing it across the room. His second sliced down Kam'lanaut's front, slightly cutting into the armour. The Archduke hovered back wards to recover and then parried two more attacks, but was thrown aside by the power behind them. His shield flew across the room to come to his aid, but was knocked away again with a new slash vertically down it.

"Annoying…worm!"

Two more cuts were given to the Archduke's armour before he pulled back from the exchange until the ability would run out and took to the air. Still determined to carry on attacking, Nokum-Akkum hoped backwards a bit, twirled his axes around in his hands, pulled back, and threw them both forwards. As they took to the air they were surrounded by blue light. From where she lay barely able to watch what was happening, Hanaa recognised this ability as Mistral Axe, yet her friend had been able to use it twice at once.

Rather than cut straight through the sides of Kam'lanaut, whose shield could not reach him in time, his thick magical armour bore most of the brunt and both small axes lodged into each side of his stomach. He winced but did not cry out in pain and then a few seconds later small trickles of blood dripped down both his sides.

"To think that a Tarutaru would be the one to pierce this armour…" the Archduke hissed.

"Excuse me!" Nokum-Akkum shouted from down on the ground. "…Could I have my axes back please?"

Kam'lanaut raised his sword into the air once more as white energy surrounded it. He shot down from where he had hung in the air with the intent of removing all trace of the Tarutaru from existence.

As the sword released a second Light Blade Gerdinus moved in front of Nokum-Akkum cradling only his large shield in both hands. It shattered under the blast immediately and he pushed forwards, taking the beam across his chest. He grabbed Kam'lanaut out of the air and swung him into the ground as hard as he could, which caused the already fragile marble to shatter further and give way. The Archduke spluttered up blood as the Galka bore down on him.

"How…is it…that you can…still even…move!" Kam'lanaut growled as he tried to free himself from the burden bearing down on him. "It is not possible…you did not possess…the speed or the…strength…before being injured…so…"

"It seems…" Gerdinus interrupted. "That you have awakened the power given to me by the Dawn Maiden of Earth. It will only last a moment and then the wounds you have given me will return in full force…but with this short amount of time she has given me…I will destroy you!"

A dull brown light exploded around them both. Hanaa could not see what was happening. She forced her hands to obey her and used them to prop herself up, but flying pieces of rock and rubble from a cylinder of magic made it impossible to see anything. From the centre of the brown pillar came a different magic, a bright white force that seemed to dwarf the ever present auras of the Arc Angels. Was it a third Light Blade?

Through the cylinder of magic she saw a huge figure glad in shining white and gold armour that put the Archdukes to shame. It gleamed like some holy relic turned bran new that had surrounded his broken Paladin armour and created something stronger as a result. A long sword was in the figures hand, a huge single handed weapon. It was a gold sword with a blue jewel in its hilt and a shining silver and gold blade.

"Knights of the Round!"

It felt like the whole room was going to topple off the tower and collapse into its base. Something tore through all facets of the room as a blood gurgling scream echoed out over the pulsating torrents of energy. Her sight left her, but it felt as though the white energy surrounding them all was providing her with warmth. It was like she was being embraced by some loving individual as her wounds closed and some strength returned. The light faded soon after.

The Stellar Fulcrum returned to as it once was, with the only light and sound coming from the green pillar in the centre. Before the pillar was a crippled and bloodied body that had belonged to Archduke Kam'lanaut. His sword lay in two pieces nearby and his shield seemed to have been destroyed completely. Most of his armour was gone, leaving behind only the black mail below.

Hanaa was astonished to see Gerdinus standing proudly where he had once fallen, seemingly unaffected by his surely fatal wounds sustained only minutes before. His armour was similar, but different at the same time. It had changed somehow. Slowly, the Galka opened up a clenched fist. From his hand dropped shards of a broken sphere. The Prayer Stone of Earth had been destroyed.

"Bro…Brother…" came a hoarse mumble. "…Brother…"

Over the edge of the upper walkway Eald'narche finally appeared with his arms folded and a smirk on his face.

Damn! I forgot about him… he may be young, but if he takes a dip in that pillar of green light like Kam'lanaut did then we won't stand a chance!

Simultaneously three doors barring the ways out along the upper walk ways shattered inwards. Zeid, Lion, and Aldo charged forwards straight for Eald'narche. With a click of his fingers the five dark minions of the crystal were called fourth and appeared along the upper walkway to protect him. The three intruders stopped in their tracks and readied their weapons for the Arc Angels attacks. Meanwhile, Hanaa found her feet and took Nokum-Akkum with her as she hobbled to Gerdinus' side.

Zeid peered down at Gerdinus, "That armour…it is identical, so there can be no mistake… the Hydra Corps… No matter, you have defeated one Zilart; all that remains is this one."

"Brother… Help…help me…"

Eald'narche let out a fit of laughter. Though his unbroken voice might have made it sound more innocent, there was a distinct darker side to it. The other Zilart Prince looked down at his critically wounded brother but did nothing.

"Wait," Lion exclaimed. "It's the younger brother that has control over the Arc Angels? How can that be when it was the Archduke that-

"You cretins," Eald'narche muttered, silencing her. "You make assumptions based purely on outward appearance. Are you not aware of how long both of us have existed? It was my experiments with ancient powers that caused my body to remain in this state, but I can assure you all…my younger brother has never been in control."

Young…younger? The little one is the eldest sibling? What on Vana'diel is going on?

"Please…help me…"

"Such a helpless being you have become, Kam'lanaut. You have long out served your purposes in my plans and are now…well, unnecessary. I'd have killed you myself but these Champions did the job for me. How kind of you three. Now then, come fourth she who can speak with the Shadowlord and unleash this fountain of energy to guide me to Tu'lia!"

Instantly a young woman appeared on the central pedestal on the upper floor beside Eald'narche. She did not move her head or make any sound. She seemed to be trapped in some kind of trance. Then a black cloud appeared that spawned into the shape of the decapitated head of the Shadowlord.

"Verena!" Aldo called out and charged forwards.

The Tenshodo master was met with the Elvaan Arc Angel that cast him from the walkway with one swipe of her sword. Although he was able to draw his dagger from underneath his cloth in time to catch the sword the sheer strength pushed him through the air. He came rolling to a stop next to Hanaa and the others. Zeid and Lion were thrown downwards in similar fashion by the other Arc Angels.

"Open the gates," Eald'narche ordered.

The green energy that had been building up burst through the stone and consumed the entire platform in its light. Rock fell from the roof as the light expanded until everything was engulfed. Sense of feeling and direction left them all and she could no longer feel Gerdinus at her side or Nokum-Akkum under her arm. Something horrible was happening.

A sensation of travelling upwards into the sky then became the feeling of breathlessness and pain as she dropped onto a cold floor.