Disclaimer: Fate series and Persona series belong to their awesome owner. I do not own anything.
'The most dangerous weapon is one that has a mind of its own.'
(Forgotten source)
When Nero Claudius and Boudica arrived on Mare Aurum. They witness the destruction that Karna's noble phantasm has caused. The mighty wall that protects the nation is now just a scattered piece of its remains, the tiled roads that connect the city turned into dirt, the beautiful establishment that its people created are now gone. But the most painful sight of all is the dematerializing bodies of people and A.I that got caught by the attack.
"This is horrible..." Boudica murmured to herself. Everything went fast and she's still trying to comprehend everything that has happened. Just earlier ago, this place is full of cheering audience. But now…it felt that is just a figment of imagination that she'd made. The female rider felt an immense hatred building inside her, she may hate the Romans, but what that man did is too much. Taking the innocent life of both young and the old without any hesitation, he's going to pay for what he'd done. "What do you want to do now, Nero?" She asks the crimson emperor who's standing beside her.
Nero could not believe what Karna just did on her Rome. She welcomed the son of the sun god with open arms, she even thinks of him as a friend. Yet, Karna simply used his power to destroy the nation that he helped to build here in Seraph. She felt betrayed, even worse compared to Li Shuwen since many of her people got killed. However, the crimson emperor can deal with this discomforting feeling later. Right now, she needs to find if her praetor is alive. Without answering Boudica's question, she ran off in search of her dearest person, Hakuno.
"Praetor!" Nero shouted at the top of her lungs. "Hakuno! Do you hear me!" She yelled for the girl's name. "Haku-!" The emperor stopped when she heard a loud crashing sound near her. Running toward it, she saw two mountainous figures pushing a huge boulder that's been on top of them. Beneath the giants, she saw familiar faces, she saw the gorgon sisters, the paladins, the servants from Boudica's group, Tamamo, Altera, and the girl she's been searching. "Praetor!" Nero said before running toward her dearest shoulder and started to cry.
Hakuno felt relieved when she holds the girl on her arms. She even felt her tears falling, the thought that she's going to leave Nero and everyone scares her. "You made me worry!" She heard from the crying servant. "I'm sorry. I was worried about you too." She replied with a soft smile on her face, she then begun to caressing the back of Nero's head.
When she finished crying, Nero wipes the tears and tried to look in best before facing her praetor. "You don't know how happy I am to see you alive." She said.
Seeing the emperor trying her utmost best to hold her tears back, Hakuno sent her a smile before answering. "It was all thanks to Lu Bu and Asterios for protecting us." She said and nodded her head in gratitude toward the two berserker servants.
"You're…welcome…" Asterios replied, there is a sign of blush on the Minotaur cheeks from shyness after getting thanked. Meanwhile, the other berserker only let out a loud grunt to reply.
"We should start rally ourselves. They're approaching here soon." Boudica started toward the group. Looking in the distance, the army of shadow servants and Automatons are charging toward the invulnerable state of defense of Rome. "We can save all have our pleasantries later," she said.
Nodding their head in agreement toward Boudica. Hakuno and her servants stand to their feet. There is no more time to waste, they need to fight, they need to protect the people of this empire, they need to survive in hope to see tomorrow. Getting themselves prepared, they all look into each other in a mutual understanding of what needed to be done.
"Gawain, what's our status," Hakuno asks the famous knight of the round table.
Gawain nods his head first before answering. "They took seventy-percent of our defense on the front gate. Meanwhile, the other sides didn't receive any damages." The knight reported.
"I suggest we only put minimal supports on the other sides and focus defending this place. Added to that, we also need to start the evacuation plan to keep the innocent safe." Artoria suggested in the group.
Putting her communication talisman down, Tamamo looked into her master's in satisfaction. "I just called Marie and the other and told them about the situation. They said they will join us here after they evacuate everyone." The caster said and saw everyone smile from hearing the news.
"Then let us hold this place until the cavalry arrives." said the king of knights before drawing the legendary sword 'Excalibur' covered in 'Invisible Air'. "This power…a top servant?" Her expression becomes troubled as she asks while looking above her.
Everyone followed where the gaze of the servant is, then they saw a figure descending from the sky. A man with white unkempt hair with a gaze that sharp like a steel blade, clad with a crimson and golden-colored armor that giving a divine radiance, an enthralling lustrousness light coming from the red stone on his chest. Once his feet touch the ground, the group felt its burning aura that is similar to the sun. And once he summoned the giant spear on his hand, the tension between him and the group grew.
"Karna," Tamamo dejectedly called the servant name. She felt a throbbing ache on inside her when their eyes meet. The man that lends his aid even though she's a cruel ruler and believes she just a girl in love. Is now against them with a weapon in hand that already took many lives. The caster wonder what with the sudden change? the man might be cold and sometimes unforgiving, but she knows that he'll not kill this many, not like this.
After hearing his name. Karna is about to converse with the caster but decided to not too. As much as he wants to say how happy he is to see them safe, a part of him felt regretful that he needed to follow 'his' order and put an end to their lives. Focusing on his tasks, instead of greeting them, the son of the sun god raises his spear toward them.
Seeing that hostile gesture. Everyone draws out their weapon against the crimson lancer. "What? Are you not going to say anything?" Tamamo asks the lancer servant, she then felt her hand forming into a fist as she speaks. "After you killed this many people that treated you as a hero? After you almost killed all of us?! you are not going to say anything!?"
"Tamamo…" Hakuno lowly utter the caster name in concern.
Karna didn't say anything. But they saw guilt on his eyes that quickly banish and returned to their cold sharp gaze. His spear then burst out in blazing flames, raising his spear in the air, the flame formed into a giant ball of flame and keeps growing and growing. But it disperses into thin air after an arrow made from light hits it. The crimson lancer then has shown surprise on his face when he saw where that arrow came from. A man with tanned-colored skin while wearing a white-colored robe, wielding a beautifully crafted bow on hand. The aura his feeling toward this person, there is no doubt about it.
"Your that guy that helped us the other day," Astolfo stated after seeing the man. The paladin remembers that time where he and Ren chase after a robber, there was a man that help them to stop that robber. There is no mistaking it, its the same man. Though he wonders what his name is, they didn't properly thank him for helping.
"Arjuna," Karna said and revealed the man's name.
The man named Arjuna stands in front of Hakuno's group and face the hero of generosity without any sign of anxiety or fear. They both have the same sharp and cold gaze, and they're radiating with an aura of divinity.
"Karna…is that really you? are you really the man that I know?" Arjuna asks in wonder while maintaining a calm demeanor. Eyeing the lancer in front of him, he can tell that it is really him. After many days of searching for him, he finally found him, who knew they will meet in the middle of a war. But something is nagging him inside, a strange feeling that leads him toward that question. "Or are you just a lapdog of someone?"
"Arjuna…Yes, I'm really is the man you know. I'm not that surprised to know you're here." Karna answered without minding the insults that Arjuna had said. "I'm here on behalf of my father's wish. As his son, it is only natural for me to oblige."
"Your father wished for you to cause this destruction?" The great hero of Hindu mythology, Arjuna, questioned. "I'm sorry, but I think I've heard something beyond belief." He said. Why would a father ask his son to kill this many, what is the goal? The reward? Why would he follow this kind of wish? It's very unlikely for him to kill. Not that he gives any care, if Karna turned opposite to what he is, then there is more reason to end him.
"Huh…strangely I've found it absurd as well," Karna whispered under his breath before releasing a burst of flame behind him. This flames turned like wings that he used to fly in the air.
"Did he got cold feet or something?" Roland asks in agape while staring at the sky.
Arjuna's gaze followed where the lancer flew. He swears he heard something from him before he leaves, sadly he missed what he said. However, saying that Karna leaves in cold feet is absurd. That crimson lancer is waiting for him to begin their unavoidable fate of dueling each other to death. He's about to leave to find where their duel going to take place, but a feminine voice stops him.
"Thank you for helping us," Hakuno said in gratefulness toward Arjuna.
Arjuna sent the girl a look before answering. "It was nothing." He said. "I'm going to look for him. You all do what you suppose to do." The awarded hero is about to walk away, but that same voice stops him from his search.
"Um…" Hakuno let out a pause after forgetting what she wanted to say.
Letting out a soft sigh, Arjuna looks once again at her. "I'll deal with him. I want all of you to stay away from our duel. I only ask for you to not interfere or else." He stated with calm composure before walking away, this time nothing is going to stop him.
"Sheesh, I think we should follow his warning for now," Tamamo suggested to her master. "He's definitely a top servant sent by the Moon Cell. The question is whether or not his a foe or an ally for us." She said in curiosity. Hopefully, its the latter, having another top servant against them is just too much. Especially if all of them could destroy everything that she and her master build with just a single noble phantasm.
"As you said, we should follow his warning. We can deal with whether or not his a friend later on. For now, let us focus on what's important. Protecting Rome." Hakuno declared before getting absorbed into Nero's ring. "Let us help each other back! Everyone I'm counting on you!" Her voice of motivation has been heard through the ring.
Nero then felt power coming from the ring surrounding her body. This power is called Moon Crux, a hidden power inside the regalia that can turn her into a much more powerful servant. Her crimson clothing change to white, weapon sword then change into a fiery golden gauntlet on both of her hands and a golden helmet that protect and cover her beautiful face.
After her transformation, Nero stretches her hands. "Umu, no one can be let free after destroying my Rome!" She said before charging first toward the approaching enemy, everyone then followed afterward. "Taste my blazing fist!" Nero roared.
Ren let out a sigh of relief after seeing the family he escorted has been safely got evacuated. The south entrance gate of Rome is full of people that are going to be escorted somewhere safe. Luckily everyone is following the evacuation protocol as calmly as possible, no one is panicking so badly. He guesses maybe its because their trust in Hakuno and their emperor or perhaps Marie's voice of reason is keeping everyone conciliates even on this dire situation. Regardless of the reason, at least everyone will make out of here safe.
Feeling a vibration in his pocket, he dug his hand and pick up the talisman they're using for communication. "Hey! Finally, someone picks it up. This is Oda Nobunaga reporting in the east gate, they're a group of civilians here that needed some escort. I can still hold the line of defense here, but I'm starting to lose my gas." He heard the girl's voice asking for help over the talisman. Holding the talisman near his mouth, the trickster speak. "I'm on my way."
Ren's about to leave the area to help Nobunaga, but unfortunately, someone notices him. "Ren, where do you think you're going? You need to get evacuated as well." He heard a feminine voice behind him. Turning around, he saw Okita and Marie staring at him in concern. "There a still some people in the east gate. I'm heading over there to help them." He answered.
"Leave it to me then." said with confidence by the female saber, Okita Souji. "I've been assign by Hakuno-san to keep you safe. So please, leave this place and let me handle the situation over there." She stated. Knowing that Ren could not use his ability to fight, it'll be dangerous if he got caught or ambushed by an enemy. Not only that, she owes him a huge favor for helping her and Nobu to find a place to stay.
Meanwhile, Marie tagged the thief's arm. "Let Okita-san do her job. Ren, it's time to go." She said in an attempt to persuade him to leave. Like Okita, she's worried about the young man, and also owes him a lot for saving her country from harm. Making sure he make out of here safe is one of the things she promised to herself.
"I understand your concern about me. However, even if I can't use my personas. I still have a gun to shoot and a dagger to use." Ren stated with conviction. He knows his being reckless right now, his always been, but he can still help at least a little, even without personas to use. "I want to help, just a little more."
Hearing his conviction, the two females look at each other, unsure of what to answer to him. Moments then passed and the will to help on his eyes didn't waver nor show any sign of giving up. They then realize that Ren Amamiya is determined to help, a fact that both cause pain for the two and also an admiration toward him. Not wanting to waste any more time, the three servants made their way to the east, but Okita has a thing to say first.
"You'll join the people we've help there to evacuate as well, all right?" She said and ordered the raven-haired thief. "I'll be in less worry if you are in a place where it's safe." Okita murmured in a plea. Seeing him nodded, she softly smiled and lead the way to help Nobunaga and the stranded civilians.
After they arrived on the east gate. They saw the civilians making a commotion and showing signs of panicking from the banging sounds outside the gate. Seeing things would turn up badly if not properly manage, the queen of France immediately went to them and tried to calm everybody. Once they regained their composure, Marie carefully instructs them on what to do and what not to do.
"Hey, can you be a bit faster over there? I'm getting tired of using my 'three-line formation' over and over again." Nobunaga cried out in exhaustion. The female archer is standing on the top of the wall, using the high ground advantages against the swarm of shadow servants and automatons below her.
Nodding their heads, the three servants were about to lead the group. But unfortunately, something stops them. A shriek of sound from terror and panic coming from the civilians behind them, and it was due to the ten shadow servants that are blocking their way, each shadow servant is different from one another, and also can throw punches and look tough to beat.
Okita quickly places herself on the front to protect the innocents. Drawing out her sword, she eyed the shadow servants intensely. Soon they charge at her, each one has a weapon in hand and won't hesitate to use it to kill her. Easily sidestepping the ax coming for her head, Okita swiftly dispatches that servant with a clean cut on its neck, before moving to the other servant. None manage to catch the female saber does who attempt to meet the sharp steel of her blade that cut to their body.
Meanwhile, some of them got a bullet on their head, Ren lends range support to Okita, the bullet on his gun doesn't always go for the kill, sometimes his using it to hit the certain weak spot to worn their enemy off. But what is more surprising is that both of them manage to perfectly work together even though it's their first time as a team. It's like they understand the motive of their moves and act according to it. A duo that the shadow servants didn't expect to work.
Catching the dagger that Ren tossed, Okita use it to stab the leg of the last remaining servant, putting the servant to its knee, she then severe its head from its body, sending the head high in the air before disappearing into thin air. Releasing a sigh, Okita smiled softly knowing that there is no more hindrance on their way.
But then her little celebration got interrupted when she started to cough blood. "This thing doesn't have a sense of timing…" She murmured in pain and continued coughing. "Okita!" She heard Ren's voice rushing toward her in great concern.
"We need to get out of here," Ren utter before putting the girl's arm on his shoulder. "Just hang in there, okay?" He said and saw Okita nod her head in appreciation for helping her. But a loud banging sound coming from the gate made them stop, then after that an explosion came destroying portions of the wall that protecting Rome.
Nobunaga jumps off from the wall she standing and meet the group on the ground. Her expression was alarmed when she has begun to speak. "This is bad, they're swarming through the gate! It won't last long any longer, I also lost my high ground advantage," she said and cause discomfort on the group.
"Everyone keep yourself together! We can think of something." Marie's voice of relief made the civilians a bit calmer. She then looks at her servants' companion in hope for them to come up with a helpful suggestion.
Ren looks at the girl hanging on his shoulder. There are still traces of blood dripping on the side of her mouth and doesn't look like she already recovered from the attack of her tuberculosis. This is problematic, they needed the girl right now, but her disease is restraining her. "Okita, do you think you can deal with them once they break the gate?" He asks.
"I believe I can, but my-!"
"That's good to know," Ren said before his mask lightens into azure-colored flame. "Cybele, come." He murmured before the azure flamed begun to form a humanoid figure behind him. A woman with a longhorn on top of its head, she posses a blue-colored skin that has white stripe horizontally place on her body, she wears no clothes other than the three circular large rings and two daggers on her hands. The golden-colored eyes that she has are both alluring and terrifying when someone looks at it.
"I am thou, thou art I. My name is Cybele and I've come for your call, My dearest tricks-" The persona named Cybele stop her introduction after noticing the raven-haired thief knees are on the ground. "You shouldn't push yourself too hard, my dear." She said before coming to his side and place her hand to his cheek while looking at him with every bit of concern.
"Cybele…please help Okita to get over her tuberculosis."
Cybele's eyes change from concern into jealousy. "You'll put yourself in grave danger by summoning me to help this woman?"She asks with a bit of venom on her tone. "Please…we…I don't have much time left." The divine deity heard from the thief. "It painful for me to hear your pleading voice. Especially if it concerns someone else besides me."
Cybele then shifted her attention to the girl that Ren wanted her to help. "You'll be doomed if you've failed his and my expectation. If you die on their hands, I'll personally send your punishment." She said before raising her daggers in the air. A light that spirals through the daggers went toward the girl's body.
Okita felt her breathing become clearer and her lungs don't hurt anymore. In fact, her body feels great right now, it's like she never had that disease from the first place. A miracle that she's just dreaming off has finally become reality, she is free from tuberculosis. "This is unbelievable!" She said in happiness. "I feel great! Thank you very much!"
"Hmph…" Was all Cybele manages to say before disappearing.
"Hey! There are coming in! We better get moving or else!" Oda said while pointing at the charging army that's inside the city after they destroyed the east gate.
After Okita helps Ren to get back on his feet. The raven-haired thief looked upon the three female servants and begun giving instruction. "Marie protect and escort the civilian to the evacuation point. Okita makes sure no one is following them. Nobu and I will find a place to stop them from coming."
They then nodded their heads in agreement and started to follow the instructions that Ren's given to them. "Hey, where this place that going to stop them is?" Oda Nobunaga asks the thief. Ren then answered by pointing his finger on a tall building. "They're already coming, we don't have the time to climb the stairs of that building." She sheepishly stated. But then got surprised when she felt an arm lock on her waist and pulled closer to him.
"Hold tightly," Ren whispered on her ears before pointing the graphing hook device that is hidden on his coat wrist. The hook then pulled the two high in the air and with perfect swings, they both landed on their destination. "This place is perfect for you, no?"
Oda immediately pulled herself away from Ren and summoned multiple rifles behind her and pointed it toward him. "W-who said y-you could d-do that to m-me?" She stutters her words from the embarrassment. She has never been that close to anyone before!
"I'm sorry. I just didn't have much time to explain. But this place is good for you to stop them from coming, right?" Ren said before pointing at the entrance point where their enemy is coming. "Can you shoot that archway and made it a blockade to them?"
Clearing her throat, Nobunaga averted her eyes on him and tried to focus on where he's pointing at. "That is easy. But that wall is a tiny bit tough to break, I can break it with a little boost or something." She explained.
"I see," Ren replied before his masks lighten in azure-flame once again. He can feel the exhaustion whenever he summoned a persona. But he needs to keep going, at least a little bit more before his body completely collapses. Whether or not he'll make it after this is-, no he needs to make it. He made a promise with Jeanne, a promise he doesn't want to break. Shaking his head, he murmured his order to the persona.
"Tarukaja."
Since Nobu is averting her eyes on Ren. She didn't saw the being that got summoned, but she felt a surge of power running through her servant circuit. It was incredible, it's like she gained a new level of power. "What did just happened?" she asks while showing a beaming smile on her face.
"I'll explain some other time. For now, focus on destroying that archway." Ren answered and force a smile to hide the pain and exhaustion his feeling inside.
"Fine, fine," Nobunaga said before returning her attention to the archway. "Hopefully that sovereign would not mind if I destroy some stuff. It's for the greater good anyway." She then closed her eyes and begun to concentrate. "Without fail… I am prepared to expose corpse to the three thousand worlds." The archer began to chant, soon a large number of arquebuses appeared on her surroundings. "Demon of the sixth heaven's roaring command!" The guns then have begun to orbit around her. "So this is the Demon King's Three Thousand Worlds..!" She gleefully cried out before the three thousand arquebuses fired its beams of even powerful bullets than before toward the archway.
After destroying the west gate with minimal effort. Scáthach alongside Karl's army entered the city. The latter leaves destruction from anything that stands on their way, while the former tried to appreciate what the city of Rome could offer before it got to destroy. Noticing the lack of people to defend this side, they can easily flank the ruler and her servant from the back. All that left to do is complete the tasks that Karl asks her to do. Expose Ren Amamiya power to Seraph.
"Now, where are you Ren Amamiya." Scáthach murmured while casually walk on the wrecked side of the city. The immortal witch then remembered something else she needs to do. "Come to think of it, Karl asks me to capture that saint, Jeanne d'Arc." She said before shaking her head in disagreement. "No…I have a much more important thing to do. I'll tell about it on Karna later on, he can capture the girl for him." The female lancer then continues her stroll around the city, but she stops after hearing the sounds of children crying near her.
Following the sound, Scáthach saw a little girl wearing a white-colored veil trying to calm the children behind her. "Please, don't cry. Our help is on the way." She heard from the little girl. Walking closer to them, the little girl heard the sound of her step and turned around. "Y-your that…your that woman that attacked my master." The girl said with fear and surprise shown on her eyes. But she's trying her best to look strong as they face each other. The facade the little girl's showing bring a soft smile to her face.
"I see. I remember now." Scáthach utters with a low voice. It's the little servant that Hakuno took care of. "You're Altera aren't you?" She calmly asks and tried not to scare the little children. "What are you doing here away from your master?"
"I-I'm helping…"
"That is very courageous, little one." The queen of the land of shadows commended in admiration for the bravery that Altera is showing. "But then, are you not afraid of getting hurt? You're not the same servant that knows destruction, right now your just a little girl trying her best to show a face of courage."
"T-that is true…" Altera went crestfallen as she speaks. "I'm afraid…and I admit it…" She then raises her fist toward Scáthach and assumed into a fighting stance. "B-but it won't stop me from helping! I knew my master is out there doing her best to keep everyone safe, I knew everyone is as well! Even though I'm not that servant anymore and don't have any power left, I'm still going to help! Just like what Ren would do!" Altera cried out, meanwhile, the black feline beside her let out a sound and it seems in agreement with her statement.
The female lancer smile grew after hearing the little servant declaration. Seeing the girl's bravery, she wonders if she the same during her childhood. Sadly Scáthach doesn't remember much about the stages of her life anymore. Living for so long, you'll tend to forget about many things. Regardless, something about what she said piqued her curiosity. "Just like what Ren would do? Is he in the same situation as you?" she asks.
"Well-" Altera reply got interrupted when a roar coming from the shadow servant that saw them. Said servant then charge toward them while waving a broadsword. The children close their eyes in fear of the coming servant while some of them are on the verge of crying. "It's okay now. He's gone." Yet they heard Scáthach soothing voice, one by one they'd opened their eyes and saw the shadow servant is nowhere to be seen. "You've saved us?" Altera asks in disbelief.
"Who would not?" Scáthach replied while showing a soft smile on her face. "You children follow me, we'll find people that get you somewhere safe, all right?" she kindly offered.
Knowing that hesitation will lead them to danger. Altera and the children agreed to her. They then followed the female lancer in the alleyway, stopping whenever a shadow servant crosses their way, carefully navigating the way to avoid any of the shadow servants that could spot them. After a moment of painstakingly making their way out, Scáthach and the children exited the alleyway without any sign of enemy nearby on the street.
Scáthach look around her one more time to check the surroundings. Seeing it's safe, she talked to Altera. "We'll wait here for your rescue, don't worry we still have time, so try to relax a bit." She said to the girl. "He should be here…" The woman murmured to herself.
"He?" Altera asks and as if on cue, they heard a voice near them. A man wearing blue while holding a crimson spear, his accompanied by people with swords and spears while giving an aura of chivalry in them.
"What are you doing with those children?" Cú Chulainn shouted in mixed anger and disbelief on seeing his teacher. He still cannot believe that she's here, but also his teacher is working together with the enemy of Seraph's sovereign. "Let the children go. They have nothing to do with this war." He said before holding tightly to the spear that the woman give to him.
"Children, you're free to go now. Your rescues have arrived." Scáthach said at the children behind her. The children hesitate at first to leave her side, but soon they run toward the paladins and Cú Chulainn, except Altera who's giving her a puzzled look. "You should go, they're waiting. You would not want to stay on my side, Altera." The queen of the land of shadows said after noticing the little girl's stare.
"You really didn't mean to hurt my master back then, did you? Your really not a bad person are you?"
She smiled softly after hearing Altera's question. Did she? She began to wonder. The woman doesn't remember why she accepted that request of Karl or why she's on his side in the first place. Her mind is a bit cloudy before then but her consciousness is still there, however, after meeting Merlin on that hill, her mind becomes clearer. The restrains on her judgment are no longer there. The only reason why she here and helping Karl's army is because of Ren's power. She wanted to see it's full potential, she wanted to test if it's enough to kill her. By staying on the enemy side, he'll have more reason to fight her.
But there is also that request Merlin asks her to do. Make Ren a proper servant so that he could fight against that man his talking about. She still hasn't reached her decision about it. Right now, she just wanted to fight him and be done with Karl.
"Maybe or perhaps I'd just miss my chance to do it." Scáthach vaguely answered the little servant. Not wanting to make them think she's an ally. The queen of the land of shadows is about to leave the group, but the voice of her student stops her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Cú Chulainn angrily said at his teacher. "You may help these children, but you were the reason why his army flooded on the west side of Rome." He stated before going into his fighting stance. The four paladins on behind him did the same as well.
Scáthach turned around and faces the group of servants. The queen's face remained composed even with the hostility they're showing to her. They are not in the position to corner her, she could just walk away and continue her search for Ren, but she isn't the type of person to let such opportunity pass, a fight between her against her student and the famous paladins. It's interesting to see how much he improve and how strong the paladins are. Summoning her duplicated crimson spear, she went into her own fighting stance. Knowing that she still has the time for a little fight.
"I can tell the difference in number between us and you. I suggest you surrender." Bradamante said with a star shape-shield and spear on her hands, Charlemagne and Astolfo nodded their head in agreement.
"I don't really like hurting beautiful girls like you. So please, consider your situation right now." Roland mildly pleaded at the immortal witch.
Cú Chulainn keeps his stare at Scáthach as he speaks. "Being outnumbered is never been a problem for her. In fact, she more than capable to take all of us out." He said without any sign of exaggeration to his statement. His teacher is powerful, that even when he learned under her or has her beloved spear, he still cannot beat her. Scáthach is way better than him or any individual he meets. But even so, if his teacher is causing a problem to them, it's only natural for a student of her to stop her, no matter how strong or good she is. "Altera, just follow this street behind us. It will lead you to the evacuation point." He said at the little girl.
"But-!"
"No buts!" replied by the blue-clad lancer. His eyes never leave the woman in front of them. Cú Chulainn is determined to stop his teacher from causing trouble. Holding tightly to his spear, he dashes while pointing the tip his weapon toward her. But he hit no one, his teacher simply duck to avoid him before making a run straight to the paladins.
Scáthach firstly went toward Charlemagne. Her fight against him went unfinished, she wonders how much he improves. Thrusting the crimson spear at him, the king of the paladins manages to block it with his sword, but she quickly sticks out her leg and swiped his footing making him fall to the ground. Then she summoned another duplicate of her spear to parry the sword behind her coming from the blond male paladin. Turning around to face Roland, she planted her foot at him before kicking him away.
"Rune of Origin: Frost" She chanted before slamming her spear on the ground making her surroundings instantly freeze from the spikes of frostbiting ice that appeared on the ground below her. Luckily Astolfo got pulled by Bradamante and cover them with her shield avoiding the fatality of getting impaled by the ice. While her shield is still up, Scáthach places herself in front of her with her spear. "Think you can block all of this?" She asks before sending a barrage of thrusts at Bradamante's shield.
"Huh? What the?" The female paladin let out of surprise after feeling a soft poke on her left chest. When she looks at what it was, she saw the crimson spear with just a few inches away from piercing her heart.
"My spear always finds its way toward my targets heart," Scáthach whispered at her with a soft smile. She then spins the spear and hits the paladin's chin with its flat end sending her up in the air. Immediately turning around, she then blocks the numerous consecutive attacks from her student. The queen felt proud to see Cú Chulainn become stronger, his fast and every hit he has thrown has power in it. He clearly understands what he needed to do against someone who uses the same weapon like him.
His only mistake is letting his emotion get into him, she can see on his eyes that his distracted, that something is bugging on his mind. That minor distraction is all she needs to initiate a counterattack. Letting her spear fade in existence, she uses her bare hands to get a hold on his spear, holding it tightly, she used her strength to pull it up and in process slamming Cú Chulainn flat to the ground. Scáthach instinct kick in and saw the four paladins attacking all sides, they cornered her, that's should have happened. But she thinks otherwise, using the wisdom of the haunted ground, she saw a small opening that no one should have ever see, the immortal witch find a way out to their assaults.
"That should be enough for today," Scáthach said as she jumps to the roof. "Save your energy for the coming enemy on that side." The female lancer then pointed the tip of her spear on their left. When she saw the paladins realize what she meant after looking at where she's pointing. The queen of the land of shadows made her swift exit in the opposite direction to find Ren Amamiya. If she followed this path, then she'll arrive where the evacuation area is, she has a feeling that she will meet him there.
Ren found himself extremely exhausted after beating the automatons and the little number of shadow servants that ambush him. This would never happen if only he didn't get separated from Okita and the others, but unfortunately, he did get separated and now his lost. Taking a quick breather, he looks around him to try and find some familiar spot that will tell where in the city he is right now. "That statue…I'm near to the south gate." He murmured to himself and tried to leave the area, but felt his leg giving up at him. "Dammit, they really took a great toll on me." He tiredly said. Gritting his teeth, he pushes himself back to his feet, before dragging his body to continue.
"Well, this is disappointing." He heard a voice coming behind him. Moving his head to see who it was, he saw the beautiful woman he fought in the cavern. The woman looks upset as their eyes meet, while the spears she's holding are lowered to the ground.
Imagine her shock after finding the man she's searching for in this condition. Exhausted and cannot fight anymore, the immortal witch felt nothing else but disappointment. "I find it hard to believe that you'll be this exhausted from fighting them. How did you end up like that?" She asks. "I watched how you fight them, your personas should have handled them easily, yet you didn't use anything."
"Why is that?"
The thief is about to answer but didn't able to after he fell to his knees. He's breathing heavily and could not stand without support from his surroundings. He leans on the wall while catching his breath, the mask his wearing then disappear revealing his entire face, the light on his eyes shows fatigue.
Scáthach walks closer toward Ren and made a quick observation of his condition. When she touched his shoulder, she felt nothing in it. That's when she realizes what is happening. "You're starting to fade away," she said. The man doesn't have enough mana to keep existing here in Seraph. "What is happening to you…" The queen murmured at him. "This is truly not what I've expected. I was here to fight you, to test you, to fight ourselves to death. Yet you're already dying before that ever happened." Scáthach utter. What is the point of all of this? He's already dying before they could even fight.
"I see no honor in fighting a dead man." She said before turning her back at him. "Close your eyes, you've done too much." The woman is about to walk away in dissatisfaction with her search. "I guess I should capture that saint instead. Jeanne d'Arc…I wonder where are you." But before she could leave, she heard the sound of a click behind her. Turning around, Scáthach saw a gun pointed at her.
"I can still fight…just don't go after her..."
The immortal witch didn't felt any threat at the thief. Nothing but sympathy for his situation. Yet, like Altera, she could at least admire the bravery his showing, it seems that girl had someone great to look up too. That's all about it, she cannot see him like this anymore. As she said, he done too much, he needs to take his rest now or at least let things go. Swinging her spear, she disarmed Ren from his hold on the gun, sending it far away from him. When he tried to draw out his dagger, she did the same, except this time taking the weapon from him. She then pointed the tip of her spear on his bare neck.
"You have no more strength left, once the will to fight leaves you. Then you'll start to completely fade away from this world." Scáthach doesn't want to hurt him, not in this condition. But then she cannot let him stop her from capturing that saint. Maybe a quick and painful death is what she needed to do at him, yet she feeling hesitant from doing it.
"Ha!" She immediately backs away and avoids the sword coming on her side. The immortal witch then saw who it was, a female girl wearing blue-colored armored clothes, she's holding a shining sword that's radiating with warm light. "That sword…Excalibur." She murmured before blocking the strike coming behind her. "Gáe Bolg…" Scáthach said after seeing her duplicate spear meet the original one and the man who wield it. Jumping away from him, she once again meets by another weapon, this time it was a flag pole.
"I heard that you're looking for me." Jeanne d'Arc said before releasing holy flames around her. Sending the female lancer on the nearest wall and crush into it. She and the saints run toward Ren to check him up. "You shouldn't be here!" The ruler said in frustration.
"We should get him out of here." Saint Martha told them before taking his left shoulder while Saint George take his right and pulled him up, but stop when they saw something came from the hole that lancer crush into. Luckily Jeanne, Artoria, and Cú Chulainn immediately stop the five crimson spears that launch at them.
"Guess I don't need to look for you. But it causes me to face three of the powerful servants here in Seraph." The immortal witch said as she leaves the hole from the wall that of her crush into. She held two crimson spears on her hands and doesn't look like she receives any bruises from the crush. "Then again, fighting the three of you would solve my disappointment." She stated with a smile, the female lancer looks up in the sky and saw flashes of explosions. It seems the two great heroes are still fighting, even from below she can feel the power they're sending at each other. They both not holding back, she's quite jealous about it, she wishes she could do the same with Ren. But there is no use on complaining, he cannot fight anymore. Better accept it and focus on her new tasks.
Scáthach made the first move dashing toward Artoria and tried to repeat what she did against Charlemagne. Coming straight for her is a mistake, the female saber holds magnificently against her, showing a superb skill on close combat and the power of mana burst. Even with her spear range advantages, she still manages to close the gap between them. Forcing the immortal witch to rethink that approach and break away. But her student is there to meet her, not letting her rest, the teacher and student dance around while thrusting and swinging their spears at each other.
But surprisingly it was Cú Chulainn to break away this time. Noticing something wrong, Scáthach saw the saint of Orleans at the distance. "Witness, my shining ring of promise…!" She heard from her before she shoots a bullet of ring-shape light at her. Quickly jumping in the air to avoid the ring, unfortunately, she felt her left leg is mildly bleeding from getting hit by it.
"Lancer now!" Artoria shouted before pointing the Excalibur toward the female lancer. "Excalibur!" She shouted, the sword then gather her mana and turned it into lights, before releasing it, delivering a strong strike and accompanying shockwave. Meanwhile, Cú Chulainn aimed first before throwing an explosive spear at their opponent.
Keeping her composure and not letting the situation cause her to panic. Scáthach immediately summoned two crimson spears on her hands. Closing her eyes, she held both spears tightly and enchant them with a large amount of her mana and crimson-colored wind begun to surround her. "Thorns…of the red wind!" She said before diving with two spears in hand toward the shockwave and the explosive spear. The female lancer pushed through, causing a loud explosion and minor earthquake as she crushes landed to the ground.
"Unbelievable…" Artoria murmured in disbelief. She manages to beat not only the light from Excalibur but also the lancer's Gáe Bolg all by herself. She hasn't heard anything about their opponent, but from what she's showing to them. The king of the knight knew it won't be easy to beat her.
"Watch out!" She heard from the saints. But it was too late, her enemy manages to get closer to her. Performing four consecutive attacks in a zigzag and high-speed manner, making her crush into multiple structures after the fourth attack.
Scáthach took a quick breath, just enough time to ignore the wounds she's feeling. Setting her attention to Cú Chulainn, she throws her spear like a wind cutter at him. The male lancer dodges the spinning spear before dashing toward her. They both exchange blow by blow while keeping each other in flashing speed.
"Rune of Origin: Flame." The immortal witch whispered before summoning three pillars of flames in front of her. However her student completely avoided the flame, but then it was a bait from the start. "Creed Blast!" She then summoned several magic spears and throw it at him. Sending him toward the nearest wall before the last spear pinned his shoulder on it. Shifting her attention to the saint of Orleans, she didn't waste any more time and begun to duel her.
Even with her extreme mastery with the dual-wielding spear, Scáthach still having a hard time to find any opening against the defense of the female saint. Each one is accurate and perfectly calculated, yet Jeanne d'Arc still manages to block and sometimes parry it even. Both of them dance around swinging their weapons at one another, none have managed to land a hit. The two breakaway to catch their breath.
"Your good. I haven't seen anyone can swing a flag as skillful as you." Scáthach commented while giving a small smile at the saint.
"Thanks. You're good as well." Jeanne replied before shaking her head to retract her statement. "No, you're more than good. Your mastery with the spear is beyond any human could achieve. You have the skill that could match a divine being."
Her smile grew from the saint compliment. If only they aren't fighting, she could enjoy a talk with her and learned about her weapon mastery. But that isn't what happening right now, she needs to capture her. Taking her fighting stance once again, she eyed the saint and prepared to clash against her once again. But she felt something terrible above her, the air around becomes dense and cold, added to that it also felt like something pulling her. She's not the only one who felt it, the look on the saint eyes tells that she senses it as well.
Looking at the sky, they saw it, they're not even trying to hide, it was the two divine heroes. The hero of Charity against the awarded hero. Both servants are powerful and belong to the top servants of the Moon. They're still fighting in the sky while releasing a large amount of mana that making the world shake from their power.
"Paspupata…!" Arjuna shouted before letting the powerful weapon, his noble phantasm, a divine construction from the God Shiva, off his hand and sent it toward Karna.
"Vasavi Shakti…!" Karna retaliates by using his noble phantasm, sending a beam of powerful lighting at Arjuna. The weapon that Indra give to him, a spear that could kill a god.
Once the divine construction and the powerful beam of lightning meet. It began to shatter the space around them. Making a tear then resulted in a destructive growing black hole that is pulling everything in its wake. Be it a tree, stone, a living being, anything that has no power to resist the pull meet their unimaginable death inside the black hole.
Scáthach planted her spears on the ground and did her utmost best to resist the pull from the black hole. The saints tried to find a cover for themselves and Ren. Meanwhile, Jeanne keeps her hold on her flag, but her footing is slowly failing her. "Jeanne!" Ren shouted before grabbing the saint's hands. But he doesn't have the strength to keep his grip against a black hole, helplessly his feeling her hand is slipping away.
"No!" He shouted after his grip cannot hold the saint anymore and saw her getting pulled in the air. "Goddammit! Come Persona!" His mask returned to his face and immediately lighten into azure-colored flames. Soon something big is getting materialize, alongside it's the sinister laugh that echoed around the whole Rome and perhaps a large region of Seraph heard it. A being no one saw or wanted to step inside Seraph, a being that spread a black miasma from its wake.
A humongous black serpentine snake that has terrifying blood-colored eyes came to surface from the wide black pool of grease and swallowed the black hole completely. Karna and Arjuna are both in disbelief, what they saw is horrifying that they admittedly sent a shiver on their spine. They stared at the pool of grease below them, wondering what kind of monster is that. As the two are stunned from what happened, the sinister laugh they heard from earlier grew even louder.
Six demonic hands clawing their way out of the black pool of grease below. "I am thou, thou art I." The being with a cold-running voice has been heard. Seraph began to shake as this being pulled itself up from the grease. "I am known by many names, eared many titles, and feared by many. Yes…my voice alone should tell who I am." It's six insectile wings shown in its horrifying glory, then its face that made everyone who sees it fall to their knees. "Servants of the Moon. Bow to me, because I'm the judge of all things." The clouds then turned dark as Its demonic body that posses six breasts came at last.
"The primordial great demon known as Satan is here." The demon introduction earned no applause, only the dreadful sound of silence, It would not happen since everyone who has weak will eventually succumb from its power and fell. his smile drained the life of the weak, his words are temptation for evil that can make even the sanest person follow it's whisper, while his presence is insanity to whoever felt it.
Satan smiled toward the two divine heroes after they pointed their weapons at him. "Are you two afraid?" The persona asks Karna and Arjuna. "Does my presence made the two of you realize who's the greater enemy is?" He let out a sinister laugh toward the two. "Come, I found out that my appetite like what the two of you have served." The demon taunted confidently the two top servants.
Karna went first, dashing toward the primordial demon's head. Hoping a quick and powerful strike could take the demon out. However, when the demon's eyes shine, he felt the air around him drop to absolute zero, then in an instant, his surrounding froze and a loud explosion that hammered him to the ground before raining shrapnel of piercing spikes of ice at him.
Seeing the dust of smoke from Karna's fall. Arjuna eyed intensely the demon before rapidly shooting arrows made from light at its gigantic and massive body. The arrows reach its target and exploded upon impact, however, the demon's presence is still lingering in the air. Sadly it's confirmed that the demon is still not dead, not that he expected for it to die easily. When the smoke faded and revealed Satan once again. The rewarded hero saw its wounds regenerating at an outstanding speed.
"If you only didn't stop firing, maybe you could get me," Satan said in a jest, the persona then gathered all his six arms together forming into a circle, energy made from freezing air begun to appear on his hand, it keeps growing every second. "This is how you should do it." The demon then uses the energy he gathers to rained javelins made from ices toward the entire area where Arjuna is standing.
The son of the sun god after finding himself in a rain of ice javelins immediately picks up his lance and fights through the demon's assaults. Meanwhile, Arjuna, dashed around the battlefield as fast as he could, the enemy of the two is not giving them any opening or chance to retaliate, it keeps throwing legions of ice javelins at them. They know that if they stop, then thousands of ice javelins will be impaled through their bodies. This is why Karna keeps swinging his divine spear to deflect, while Arjuna keeps his feet from running to avoid the assault.
After getting separated from her opponents earlier, Scáthach decided to watch the fight between the divine heroes against the demon in a rooftop. The two probably still in shock from seeing a primordial demon in a flesh, but once they get over it and work together, they could hurt it perhaps even killed it. But right now, they could act as a decoy. That demon need to go, it's existence here in Seraph is dangerous, the moon cell is calling every servant to destroy it, even if it's not, she'll need to do it. "I need to deal with its source." She murmured and surveyed the area. Personas are a manifestation that came from him, the best way to defeat them is to go straight to its user. Which is why her search for Ren continues.
Using her runes to track the thief. She jumps from roof to roof and followed where the runes will lead her. The immortal witch landed somewhere on the streets of Rome, she found the source, sitting motionlessly on the ground while leaning his back on the wall. His eyes are glowing with color of yellow or perhaps gold, regardless it's the same shade when she fought him on the cavern, it's also the sign that the 'World' ability he posses is activated. Another thing she notices is his body is fading, this time it is more noticeable. From his shoulder to feet, parts of his body are starting to fade.
Hearing an explosion in the distance. She summoned the crimson spear and walk toward her target. By ending him now, even though she sees no honor in doing it, Scáthach's needs to stop that demon from rampaging. Aiming the sharp tip on his heart, the queen of the land of shadows is about to pierce his beating heart.
"Stop!" Jeanne shouted just in time to stop the crimson spear with her flag from killing the motionless thief. Saint George and Saint Martha arrived as well after catching up with her.
Scáthach becomes puzzled as she stares at the female saint. "What are you doing?" She asks before forcefully pulled the spear away from her flag. "That demon will keep from existing if we don't stop the source."
"There must be another way!" Jeanne countered back while keeping her guard up from the female lancer. "I cannot just let you kill him, not when I can still stop you." She said before going into her fighting stance. It was a bit out of her character to be hostile. But the look on the lancer's eyes, Scáthach is determined to end him, while Jeanne is determined to protect him. Their motives are different, which results in the natural process of the two to fight over it.
"What is there to protect? Can't you see? He's already-."
"No, he's not!" Jeanne shouted, feeling her grip on the pole become tighter. The saint of Orleans faces the queen, stopping the emotion dwelling inside her to flow. She going to keep denying it, Ren is still alive, that's what she believes, they have a promise, and he's not going to break it. He's not that kind of person to break promises.
"What do we have here?" Their body shivered when after hearing the primordial demon voice when they look up, the demon is looking at them with an amused smile on his face. "Pity, I want to continue having fun. It's rare for me to leave the sea of souls after all." Satan said with genuine sadness in his voice. "But he still has one more act before I let his curtains to fall. A departing gift for everyone, one that will carve my name to the moon, one that will cause chaos for those who receive it." The demon smile wickedly, before roaring a sinister laugh for everyone to be terrified with from hearing. After that, it's massive body submerge from the pool of black grease it came from.
The world of Seraph begun to shake. "My name is Satan. I know no bounds because I am the darkness that will swallow all the light. Be it a god, a hero, or a monster. I'll consume the light and bring forth the darkness that is dwelling inside you. Accept it with glee, my gift for all of you!" The demon's parting words cause the pool of black grease to erupt, before a torrent of black-colored mud flooded the entire city of Rome, causing wreck havoc on its path.
The saints quickly grab Ren's arm and carry him to somewhere higher, even Scáthach helped them to move faster. They are closer toward the tall structure, but the flood is coming closer to them. They run faster, faster, and faster while reaching for the door, hoping for all of them to make it inside before the torrent reaches them.
Then comes the crushing sound of waves
When she opened her eyes, Scáthach felt her body heavy and drench. The cloud above looks clear, the sun is up there radiating with its warming heat. It looks like a perfect day, but the scream she hearing falsified that thought. She pushes her body to get back on her feet, there is the only paddle of water from the flood earlier remains, the immortal witch felt lightheaded, but she put it aside from the scene before her, the shadow servants that serve Karl are showing strange behaviors. They're smashing their heads on the wall to the point their skull broke, clawing their faces until it bleeds and cut, screaming in agony while doing both.
It's like a madhouse. She doesn't know what causes these shadow servants to act this way. As their scream continues, Scáthach picks up another sound near her, a sound like metal that getting lifted. Following the noise, she stumbles upon someone, and to her surprise, it's was the king of the knights. However she notices something about her, the girl's right eye change color, it's in color gold. Quite similar from Ren when he's using the 'World'. Aside from that, a small spot on her cheeks turned pale. The girl stays motionless even though she stumbles to her.
She's about to further her examine, but she heard that same sounds again. Deciding to leave the king of the knight for now and follow the sound, she ended up on the other side of the street. What the queen saw is the thief she searching for. The leader of the phantom thief, Ren Amamiya unlike from earlier, his standing and moving, the mask he wears are nowhere to be seen and his eye pupils are still in color gold and haven't returned to its original color.
The lancer watches how the thief picks up the drench yet shining Excalibur on the ground. Once he holds its grip, something unexpected begun to happen, the legendary sword started to react and vibrate. It's a brilliant color that radiating from earlier slowly dyed into a jet black sword. The sword felt like its roaring from agony after the transformation, the attribute of good and light has been consumed by evil and darkness. Once Ren raises the sword in the air, the image of the sword that promised victory is far away from its past self.
"He doesn't look aware of what he's doing." Scáthach murmured to herself. "That summoning of that demon should have killed him. Yet, here he is. Still walking on the plain of Seraph." The queen followed the thief from behind, as she followed him, he stops near a shadow servant. She watches and didn't expect what the thief just did, he stabs the jet black sword into its body. He didn't kill it immediately, instead, he let the sword absorb the shadow servant life. "Is he?" She let out after a realization. "I see...He's not in control anymore, but the 'World'." She said before feeling crestfallen. The reason why the 'World' is still working is because of its mechanism for his survival.
But Ren is already dead after that demon summoning. It took every single fiber of mana that keeping him to live longer from him. But the 'World' is keeping his body to move, taking the lives of shadow servants to extend its power just for a minute. It looks horrifying every time he did it, like the Excalibur, he no longer the man he is, but a mindless shadow desperately clinging for life. As much as the power of the 'World' amaze her, what she witnessing right terrified her. Steeling herself, the immortal witch reaches her decision, summoning her spears she walks toward him.
"I bet you are tired for today. You did everything you could, Rome might haven't safe from the destruction, but it's people has another day to live on." Scáthach said while showing a genuine smile at him. Admiration and sympathy are all she could feel toward him. Sadly it all going to end to this. "It's time to rest, leader of the phantom thief of hearts, Ren Amamiya. The moment for departure has come." She said before dashing toward the remnant of the thief. But a four-legged beast stopped her. Using the crimson spear to stop the beast's mouth from mowing her, she gathered her strength and throw the beast on the nearest wall.
"Gáe Bolg? What happened to you?" She let out of surprise from seeing her student spear turned into a four-legged beast. The beast shot her with a bloodthirst look before crying out a howl and charge toward her. Swinging her spear in a wide arc, it hit the beast on its face and sent it flying once again. Turning around she then got greeted by the jet black sword that pushed her knees to the ground. The remnant of the thief is using the life it absorbed and turned it into a burst of freezing corrupted mana. Tightening her hold on the other spear, she thrust it into his shoulder before pushing him away from her.
Impaled by her spear, the remnant of the thief expression didn't change, it didn't feel pain from having a spear pierced through his body. It launches itself at her with aimless strike and swing that the queen of the land of shadow easily evaded. But the four-legged beast becomes a thorn to her side as it joined their fight. Having a hard time to overpower the beast ferocious bite while keeping her eyes at the powerful strike of the thief, Scáthach needs to think a way out of this situation. She cannot let the two to team up against her, tackling the thief and pushed him to the ground, she used that opening to create space between her and the beast, she jumped through the roof and take advantage of the high ground.
"Gáe Bolg: Alternative!" She yelled before kicking the crimson spear at the two. Causing a loud explosion the shook the ground and trees around her. Once the dust of smoke faded, she jumps off the roof and went into a high-speed zigzag maneuver toward the thief, throwing four consecutive attacks that all wounded him. Once he flew off away from her, the immortal witch took a quick breather. She doesn't enjoy this match against him, how could she? It's not the same man she hoping to fight too.
"I need to end this before his friends came here." Scáthach murmured and setting her crimson spears for the kill, she prepared her noble phantasm. One that will snatch his ability to move while the other will come straight to his heart. She's about to move but felt the airdrops to zero. Looking at the distance, the queen saw the thief holding both the jet black sword and reverted form of Gáe Bolg on his hand. He looks like murmuring something, but whatever it was, it's releasing a great amount of power.
Not wanting to let him finish the thing he's doing, Scáthach runs as fast as she could toward him. Throwing the first spear at him, hoping to stun him, but the thief deflected it with a ring of ice that formed around him. "Excalibur…" She heard him speak while raising the sword in the air, forming a dark pillar of energy that reaches the sky above.
"Satan…!" The remnant of the thief cried out as he charges toward the queen. The energy his releasing made the surrounding begun to freeze instantly, everything becomes trapped in ice, tall building, trees, the road, everything that passed through the sword become a frozen block of ice. He then swings it, releasing its merciless wave of death chilling touch at the witch.
Seeing what may happen to her, it didn't stop Scáthach from charging. Gathering all her strength and using all of her abilities that even a god taste defeat from it, she went even more fast, focusing on her task. The queen of the land of shadow cannot miss this one chance she has. Once she made contact with it, she felt her blood went frozen and her body stopped from moving, she even felt death is just within its reach at her. But she keeps moving, she fights through the blizzard, seeing that she just a few feet away from her target.
"Gáe Bolg!" She roared before trusting the spear toward the thief's heart. The crimson spear went through his chest and pierce its heart. Everything went like a flash afterward. The air slowly turned to normal, there still the roaming cold air around but it's returning fast. Scáthach then felt a weight pushed at her after her vision returned to normal, she saw the thief's head resting on her shoulder. Resting or perhaps waiting for his final breath, the 'World' is still activated but cannot move anymore. But then she also felt pain, she still not experiencing its full effect, but something sharp went through her body.
Looking at what it was, she realizes that they are both got impaled by the crimson spear they're holding. It just that Ren misses a few inches away from piercing her heart. It was a bit disappointing that he misses but also felt satisfied that she almost meets her death more than once. "What an incredible thief you are." She murmured before gently patting the back of his head. And let the impaled spear fade on their bodies. "You can rest now without any worries." She softly whispered to him. "Your friends are here. I'll-" Scáthach then smiled before slowly let him lay to the ground after hearing voices shouting in concern on the distance.
An incredibly vast room, a space so cavernous could hardly could a room. The place looks like a strange barren, save for the alien object that dominates the space. It resembles a giant floating eye. Though it doesn't seem threatening, but still somewhat disconcerting. The artifact of an alien civilization, the reason for its creation is beyond human comprehension.
The core of the Moon Cell and the base of the Seraph. Once known as the holy grail of the seven heavens, responsible for creating the seven seas. The place where the holy grail is enshrined, anyone inside can feel a sense of discord and dissonance. In front of the angelica's cage, Merlin found a jumble of skewed stone pillars, which adds to the tumultuous atmosphere. On the top of the pile of stone, a muscular man was wearing a skull mask and a broadsword stabbed on the platform.
Its eyes then lighten in azure-flame after sensing his presence. It jumps from where its standing and landed a few meters from him. "Time out! I come here to talk!" Merlin nervously cried out in front of the skull mask man. "There's no need for violence! What can a staff like this do against that terrifying-looking of a broadsword like yours!?" He said while still being uncomfortable on the man's presence.
"Answer thy question without any coated lies. What does thou doing here?"
The man's voice sent a shiver running on his spine. But he cannot let fear take over him, he already worked too hard to find this place. Traveling to the seven lunar cities isn't an easy task. "I've come here to talk…" Merlin answered before shaking his head and reprimand the statement. "No, I've come here to bargain."
"Bargain? Very well." The man said before starting to walk away. "Once thy duty is completed, thou can state his bargain to me and the moon." Once he stated that a sound of the ringing bell echoed around the room.
Merlin recognizes that sound. It was the thing that he told Ren to watch out about. "Then are you!?" before he could ask, the man disappears leaving a trace of azure flames on the ground. "Darn it, it's too late." He said in frustration, the mage of flower then felt worried about the certain thief.
Looking at the thing in the middle. He remembered his meeting with that woman. "It's all up to her now," Merlin whispered in a hopeful voice, seeing things are still dire, the only thing he could do is to wait and let the cards fall miraculously to his hand.
Author Note: And done! How about it? Did you all enjoy the suspense and build up in this chapter? Well, I hope you all did! Things are about to take a turn a bit from this way on. I still cannot believe I've written twenty chapters of this story, I'm happy about it and thank you for all your supports and gained more!
Anyway for this chapter, I've dropped the buildup for the Alters way earlier than expected. To be honest I didn't know how to put them on the story without any proper setting. But after some thinking, I've come up with this plot, by the use of the primordial demon, I feel like his a perfect cataclysm for the alters setup. And I kinda want to give the Angels, Demons, Fallen a scene where they shine. Also, I haven't seen any story where persona Satan been use, so I went and try to write what it looks like if he got summoned.
I tried to think of a cool name for that "Gift" but I've ended up with nothing. Anyone can suggest a great name? Either cool-sounding or meaningful would be nice :D
Also yeah, Black Viper did swallow a Black Hole. Lowkey wanted to use Megidolaon though. But the damages will be catastrophic.
Writing fight scenes for me is extremely hard, which why I sometimes just cut them short. Sorry about that T_T
Lastly, just a few more months before we can play P5R! so excited! P5S as well (If it got localized) a question though, do all JP DLC's are available on the west from the day it got released? I kinda want to finish P5R with the third tier persona on my first playthrough (Lol)
Well, that is all for now! Thank you! Leave a review that I've like to read! (I kinda panic when I receive lest review on previews chapter, but luckily they eventually flooded in. XD) Favorite and Follow for the support! And see you all later!
P.S update for the next chapter might take a while, but still stayed tuned! Whenever I have free time and energy to write I'll make progress