Speak to Self
Speak to Ghost
Filo makes the first move as she jumps up in the air and charges down with a downward kick, which makes it easy for Fitoria to read and dodge.
"Too Slow," Fitoria said as she threw Filo in the air with a single hand.
"She's taking a while to recover from that throw" Joseph assesses,
By the time Filo recovered from the throw, Fitoria was already behind her,
"Filo watch out!" Raphtalia yelled as Fitoria raised her hand and struck her from behind, making Filo fall and crashing down.
"Filo!" Melty cried.
Filo struggled to get up, having parts of her clothes torn. Filo started to charge towards Fitoria having no succession on landing a blow.
"Damnit. Filo, you can't just charge it like that! You got to use your head!" yelled Naofumi
"I'll try master," Filo said
"Also regenerate your clothes as soon as possible! Put some mana into it so you can increase your defense!" added Naofumi.
Joseph with his arms crossed watches Filo. He then turns to Naofumi, "Maybe instead of her just slaying monsters, maybe teach her some basic martial arts?" Joseph asked.
"How am I supposed to do that?" asked Naofumi
"Naofumi it's not hard to teach her how to throw a punch without leaving a big opening or teach her to do a defensive stance when a situation is as dire as this." Joseph explained, "Fitoria is much more skilled in battle than Filo, I know, but Filo might not sustain as much damage if she knew some basics." Joseph explained.
Naofumi grumbles and watches Filo as she sends in a whirl of wind towards Fitoria.
"I'm afraid that won't be enough to win this fight. Anti-swipe tornado!" Fitoria said as she raised her palm, glowing in blue light as she took no effect on the wind attack, having the battle area filled with dust.
"Filo watch out! She's using jamming magic!" yelled Melty
Fitoria then quickly charged towards Filo, stopping in front of her face "You're wide open," Fitoria said as she used wind magic to push her to a piece of a wall from a broken building. A big boom thundered the area as Filo crashed into the wall.
"She's not even getting the chance to regenerate her clothes." said Raphtalia
"Using magic to restore clothing? If only that were possible with the light or Ki…" Joseph then sees Naofumi looking at Melty, "you got a plan or something?" asked Joseph
"Yeah, follow me." said Naofumi as he went towards Melty as Joseph followed behind
"Melty, if this keeps up, Filo's in trouble. I'm going to use my shield to break you out instead." Naofumi said
Before the two could do anything Fitoria fires three magical orbs that spiral towards Naofumi.
"Look out!" Joseph yelled, he shoves Naofumi away from the orbs as Joseph blocks it with his sentinel shield, Joseph struggles to hold the attack off. Having him almost stagger back, Joseph flings the projectile away having it land elsewhere. Joseph retaliates with a nova bomb towards the magical ward, to no avail the ward was not shattered.
As the void particles dissipated, Joseph was nowhere to be seen, Fitoria looked for Joseph but was suddenly hit from behind and pushed with enough force for her to hit the ground. She sees Joseph in the ward as he places two fingers on his forehead and teleports out of the ward, next to Melty and quickly attempts to free her by punching the wind trap with an arc punch.
Joseph successfully penetrated the wind trap but his arm was trapped inside. The wind began to cut deep into Joseph's forearm, "shit, i'm stuck!" Joseph said. He tries to pull his arm out but as the arm moves the wind continues to cut him. The wind began to turn red from the blood that Joseph was losing.
"Joseph!" Naofumi said as he ran to him, "can you get your arm out?" he asked.
Joseph, "No but here!" He grabs his knife, holds it by the blade and offers it to Naofumi, "grab my knife, and use it to cut my arm off!" Joseph hurries
Naofumi looks at Joseph "What?"
"Are you crazy!?" Said Melty
"Look, it'll be fine, get me out, and we can find another way to- oh shit!" Joseph tries to move Naofumi out of the way as another beam targets Naofumi. but it was too late, the projectile took Joseph's forearm off.
Naofumi tries to block the attack but launches him to the wall behind him, making a small crater as he begins to cough blood.
Joseph fell back as his entire arm was just blood gushing out. Flesh, muscle and bone sticking out of his arm. "Shit!" Joseph said as he could feel the immense pain, he slowly gets up as he sees Melty panicking of the dead arm that is being torn to shreds from the wind prison.
"Joseph!" Said Naofumi, Melty Filo and Raphtalia as they watch their friend's arm gushing out blood.
"Joseph, hang on!" Said Xeno, he materializes himself to Joseph as Fitoria watches.
She noticed that Joseph's companion can heal Joseph and so he is trying to heal him. Fitoria extends her arm and aims for Xeno.
Joseph sees her about to send an attack towards Xeno so he acts immediately.
Joseph gets up and draws his golden gun and fires at the attack, overpowering the beam, diminishing it. "Tch! Xeno, back in my backpack!" Joseph said.
Xeno nods and dissipates in Joseph.
Fitoria was prepared for Joseph to counterattack, which he did. Joseph appears right in front of Fitoria and so she quickly sends a strong gust of wind enough to cut a human in half but what was in front of her was an afterimage of Joseph. Fitoria was then hit from above by a void suppression wave by Joseph.
"Stay the fuck away from my Ghost!" Joseph yelled as he sent her crashing down with an arc kick. Joseph then went in for the killing blow charging towards her with an arc and solar combined punch.
As Joseph went towards Fitoria, time felt slow as he thought about what he was about to do.
An explosion erupts as Joseph hits the ground, a dirt cloud fills the ward.
Fitoria sees Joseph's arm inches away from her face, Joseph's breath heavy and his arm still dripping blood.
"Fuck!" Joseph said as he fell back. He looks back to Filo who stood there. where Filo couldn't touch Fitoria, Joseph was able to land a few blows. "Filo," Joseph said, he gets up, almost falling down, he holds onto his arm, "Filo, you have to fight her, not me." Joseph said.
"What do you mean?" she asked, hoping Joseph would stay,
Joseph uses his solar light to burn the blood off his hand and holds her shoulder, "Look, I shouldn't be the one to take her down!" Joseph said, "fight smart, think smart! Don't just swing willy nilly!" Joseph scolds, "strategize! Watch her movements! Predict her actions! I know you're just a child but this is not some game, if you lose, Naofumi's life will be sealed."
Filo didn't know how to process all of what Joseph had said to her, "but why can't you take her down?" she asked as tears goes down her cheek,
"Because it's not my fight, Naofumi and I shouldn't have interfered, just be glad that it wasn't Naofumi who got his arm ripped apart. It's up to you Filo. Eyes up, take a deep breath and assess your situation." Joseph pats her head, "you got this." Joseph said, giving her an assuring smile. He then instant transmissions out of the ward, next to Melty and Raphtalia who's keeping Naofumi on his feet as struggles to stay up.
"You didn't finish her off." Raphtalia said, "Why?" she asked.
Joseph looks at Naofumi, "As I was about to do the killing blow, I thought about it. Fitoria is testing Filo." Joseph said.
Naofumi looks at Joseph, he sighs "I had a feeling, but why take Melty hostage?" he asked.
"To use as leverage. Probably to force Filo to fight with everything she's got." Joseph guessed.
"What is Fitoria testing Filo on?" asked Raphtalia
"I believe she is testing Filo to see if she is ready to be the next Filolial Queen." Joseph said. "Don't get me wrong, Fitoria will kill you if Filo fails." Joseph said to Naofumi. "But we need to believe in her. That's all we can do right now." Joseph said. "X,"
Xeno materializes next to Joseph as he heals Joseph's arm, returning it back to normal. Joseph looks at his healed arm as he moves it around and forms a fist. "Seeing you hurt like this and acting like it is nothing is scary Joseph." Xeno said as he scanned Joseph's arm.
"I guess it's one of those days then… heh, the adrenaline got to me." Joseph said as he holds his arm.
"Damn Joseph…" Naofumi said as he looked at his healed arm.
Raphtalia was greatly surprised with Joseph's ability to grow his arm back, "Your arm! I-" Raphtalia said in a lost of words
"You'll get used to it if you hang with me for a while." Joseph said.
The three continue to hear the occurring conversation between the two Filolials.
"…Can you tell me what you are fighting for?" asked Fitoria.
"I would've thought that was obvious!" said Filo as she started to run towards Fitoria throwing a slow and weak punch as Fitoria dodged the attack "I'm fighting for my master!" she cried as she fell.
"You couldn't defeat the dragon last night and you can't beat me now. How do you expect to be used to the shield hero?" asked Fitoria
"I won't lose to you! I'll become strong for Master and I'll beat you!" Filo yelled as she did another punch as Fitoria dodged.
Fitoria then raised her hand "Not with will power as shallow as yours!" Fitoria said sharply, as she struck Filo causing her to fall back to the ground. She then started to open her palm towards Filo and a blue aura surrounded her hand using wind magic to blow her away.
"Things are heating up…" Xeno said.
"Yeah no kidding…" Joseph said "She can do it, she just needs to believe in herself." Joseph said.
"I'm not letting my master get hurt ever again!" Filo said. She started to breathe heavily "I'm-I'm gonna get so much stronger than I've ever been before!" said Filo as she stood her ground.
"Will you?" questioned Fitoria. She then started to glow, having small particles surrounding the area going to her.
"What's she doing?" asked Raphtalia
Xeno began to scan the particles from afar, "Those particles, its energy or mana what you guys call it, its coming from the surrounding area," Xeno said
Joseph watches Fitoria, "She's doing a technique a that god from another world called, 'Spirit Bomb'" Joseph said
"Spirit Bomb?" said Naofumi
"It's where you gather energy, from any organic life forms and form it into a powerful ball of energy." Joseph said, "But where Goku makes an energy ball, Fitoria uses the energy to further strengthen herself." Joseph said. Joseph does a slight nervous chuckle, "I never knew that could be possible." Joseph said.
"Grr damnit!" said Naofumi. He got up on his feet with the help of Raphtalia. "Filo!" yelled Naofumi "Stop worrying about me! I'll be fine okay. Just stay calm and watch her attacks!" yelled Naofumi.
"Yeah me too!" Joseph said, as he waves with his previously torn arm, "Focus! Prevent her to strengthen herself! Attack now!" Joseph said. "It's now or never! Give it your all!"
"You can do this! I know it!" Yelled Naofumi.
"Yeah!" said Filo. she started to spread her arms and a green aura surrounded her. The aura glistened in light and then formed a speare, surrounding her.
"Your too slow." said Fitoria
"Maybe, but I'll still beat you!" Yelled Filo as the speare dissipated and she started to jump towards her. She started to dive face front, having her fist extended, as she charged towards Fitoria as she started to form a mana wall "Spiraaaaal Striiiike!" screamed Filo as her gloves ripped and her hands turned into claws. The two clashed making a bright light, Filo continued to scream trying to break the wall.
"Oh Filo!" said Raphtalia.
Filo charged through the wall, shattering the wall then charging towards Fitoria but missing at the process only grazing her cheek. Filo crashed into the ground and a cloud of dirt covered the area.
"That was incredible! Wow, can you believe that she did that?" Raphtalia said, amazed by Filo's power.
"She did it." Naofumi said proudly.
"The kid did it, heh. Let's hope it's enough for her to pass this test of her's." Joseph said.
Filo struggled to get up, "I… won't lose," Filo said in a weak manner. She started to breath heavily "I won't, I'll grow stronger. I have too!" Filo stood up "For master. I have to be strong enough," Filo weakly teetered towards Fitoria. Her voice breaking "To protect Mel, and Raphtalia. I have to be strong enough… to protect everyone!" Filo softly punched Fitoria as she stood there.
"Good," Fitoria said softly
"That way," Filo collapsed to her knees "I won't lose, ever again," Filo said
"That's enough now Filo, I believed you beaten me," said Fitoria as she smiled.
"Huh?" said Filo.
Fitoria went to her knees as the purple ward dissipated "And you've earned Melty's freedom. You're strong enough after all," Fitoria said.
Melty was released from the wind prison. She jumped off the porch and ran towards Filo.
"Oh Filo!" Melty cried as she ran towards Filo. She went on her knees and hugged Filo
"Mel, I, did it!" Filo said weakly. We stopped in front of Filo "Did you see that master? I won! Did you see?" Filo said proudly
"Sure did. You were amazing Filo," Naofumi said.
Joseph gave Filo a thumbs up, "You did good Filo, a victory well earned." he said.
The group followed Fitoria into a building as she treated Filo's wounds. She sighs, "I'm quite glad that you passed the trial," Fitoria said. Both Filo and Melty were confused.
Joseph scratched the back of his head, "it took us a while to figure it out but,"
"Fitoria was testing you." Naofumi continued.
"Yes, but it was a serious test because if you hadn't passed you would have died. And the shield hero would have died as well" said Fitoria. Both Naofumi and Raphtalia were surprised on Fitorias response.
Joseph laughed, "Ho man, good thing she passed the test!" Joseph said, "but laughter aside, it was the moment I was about to do the killing blow, I figured it was a test." Joseph said.
"So… you were really going to kill Fitoria?" asked Melty.
"To be fair, I was also oblivious to what was going on and she aimed for my Ghost. No one, hurts a Guardian's Ghost, unless their evil and they can just fuck off." Joseph said.
Fitoria then started to bring out her hand and an aura appeared making a tiara.
"Ooh, what's that?" Filo asked amused.
"Your reward. To honor you for overcoming my trial," said Fitoria "Please lower your head." asked Fitoria. Filo then went on one knee and lowered her head. When Fitoria placed the tiara, the surrounding Filolials cheered for their new queen. "Filo. I am delighted to appoint you as my successor," Fitoria said proudly.
"Successor?" Filo said, confused.
"Are you saying that Filo is going to become the next queen of the Filolials?" asked Naofumi
"Congratulations Filo!" Cheered Melty
"Huuuuh?" Filo said, confused even more. The tiara then shattered into thin air and a cowlick then popped out on top of Filo's hair, just like Fitoria's crown like cowlicks. "Uh wha?" Filo said, confused with the strand of hair sticking up on her head.
"I guess that's the symbol of Filolial royalty," said Raphtalia.
"Ooh it's adorable!" said Melty.
"Ah! Get this weird thing off my head!" complained Filo. Filo then plucked the cowlick from her hair but another cowlick popped up again "Ahhh" cried Filo as another popped up.
"Look, it grew back again!" cheered Melty
"And it always will. I'd get used to it if I were you. And as you grow older and gain strength you will have more of them," said Fitoria.
"Does that mean I'm going to look like you?" Filo asked in a worrisome way
Melty's eyes sparkled, Joseph laughed, "Guess you're a big fan of Filolials eh Melty?" he asked, but she was too fixated on Filo's new look. "Hehe, well good day to you, your majesty," Joseph said to Filo as she did an adorable pout towards him.
"And I have something for you as well." Fitoria said to Naofumi
"No thanks, I really don't want a cowlick," said Naofumi.
"What's a cowlick?" asked Raphtalia.
"No, this will suit you better. First we'll heal your wounds" Fitoria said as she started to heal Naofumi and repair his armor. "Now may I see your shield please?" asked Fitoria.
Naofumi then showed her his shield. "What for?" asked Naofumi.
Fitoria then plucked out one of her cowlicks and dropped it into the sphere like jem on the center of his small shield. The cowlick was then consumed by the gem.
"Cool, his shield can consume materials." Xeno said as he scans Naofumi's shield.
"The shield sure does have a mystery to it." Joseph said.
"Well I guess I should thank you," said Naofumi
"You're quite welcome. Now if you don't mind, there's something I want to discuss with you privately." said Fitoria
"Well that doesn't sound anonymous." said Naofumi
"Excuse me," Melty said nervously. "When you said you were testing Filo, was that the reason you took me hostage and prevented Naofumi and Joseph from rescuing me?" asked Melty.
"Yes, and I feel terrible for doing that to you. Same goes for you Joseph, I didn't mean to have your arm blown off like that," Fitoria said sincerely
"None taken." Joseph said, "despite me being stuck, you did one hell of a job taking my arm off." Joseph complimented, "But, I also nearly took your life so I guess that makes us even." Joseph said
"Anyhow. Is there anything at all you desire?" asked Fitoria
Melty got all excited all of a sudden "Well I guess if- maybe- could I…" Melty then asked if she could ride Fitoria on her Filolial form.
The four watch Melty enjoying her ride as she is on top of Fitoria.
Joseph chuckles as she screams with Joy, "Heh, Glad she's enjoying it." Joseph said
"She could've asked for anything and she wanted a ride?" said Naofumi, confused about Melty's decision.
"Ugh! I hope I'll get to be gigantic like that!" Filo said in jealousy.
"I wonder how many cowlicks on your head when that happens," Naofumi teased Filo
"Nooo!" cried Filo as she covered her cowlick. Everyone except Filo laughed.
"Looks like she's having fun," said Raphtalia.
"Indeed she is." Joseph said. "I should join her," he said.
"Wait, how?" Raphtalia said.
Joseph walks a few steps forward as his jumpship, Queen of Hearts appears above them. Joseph waves and laughs, "sayounara" he said as he then transmits into his jumpship and follows Fitoria and Melty.
"Say-ou… nara?" said Raphtalia as she tilted her head.
Naofumi sighs, "it means goodbye…"
.
.
.
Melty and Fitoria sees Joseph's jumpship. He flew next to Fitoria and he leveled to their height. Joseph opens the cockpit as he walks on his ship and sits on the left wing as he faces Melty.
"Enjoying the view?" asked Joseph
Melty laughs and nods, "yes! I am!" she said
Fitoria looks at Joseph as he sits on his jumpship, "What are you riding on Joseph?" she asked in curiosity.
Joseph pats on the wing of his jumpship, "this right here is my jumpship, imagine it like a… metallic dragon." Joseph said.
"Amazing…" Melty said, "very colorful on the back," she said,
"Thanks, this was Cayde's ship, with him gone, I didn't want it to dust up in the hangar so I'm taking care of her." Joseph said.
"Interesting." said Fitoria, "since you are here Joseph, is there anything you want as well?" she asked.
"Hmm… yeah." Joseph said. "Let's talk when you're done. Just a couple of questions, nothing too difficult and we don't need to speak in private." Joseph said.
"Okay, I shall answer it the best I can." Fitoria said.
"Alright!" Joseph said in satisfaction, "well, we should remake breakfast, after all, Filo deserves a feast." Joseph said. He begins to stand up as his jumpship's cockpit opens and enters his jumpship, "I'll go inform Naofumi and the others about making breakfast. I might have to go hunting again." Joseph laughed.
Well damn, it's the end of the chapter, and I didn't take too long to post this! :D
Summer man, it sure is a joy to be worry free from school! Well, not really… I do have summer homework which isn't that bad. But there have been other things going on at home, good and bad but nothing dire so I'm glad.
Though it wasn't much of a fight, Joseph and Fitoria did some damage to each other. One lost an arm where another almost lost their life. But in the end, it was a stalemate between the two. But this fight and Fitoria's answers will be a factor in the upcoming "final battle" with the Pope. (just for everyone to know, I have only seen the anime and not the manga, which is why I am going to end it after the fight between the other worldly heroes but hey, Joseph and Glass will have a rematch.) with Joseph being able to dome the Pope I'm gonna do some adjustments to the fight.
So, Guardians, how is the Season of the Splicer? I am unable to play for a while because I'm in my grandparents house to help with renovating the house, so I can't bring my PS4, only my laptop and phone. Ooh, how was Saint's and Mithrax's conversation? That was pretty cool and interesting that Mithrax gets to tell us, despite we Guardians as a whole viewed the "Fallen" as monsters, the Eliksni viewed us as monsters as well. (Fallen and Eliksni are the same race, Fallen, is what humanity called them while Eliksni is their true name. Is Fallen a racial slur? Like Clankers in Star Wars? Don't know and don't think too much about it.)
Lakshmi… ho boy. Might save this small ran't next chapter because she is literally doing nothing to help the relationship between Humanity and Eliksni, only making it worse and she's fanning that fire.
Anywho, I hope you enjoy your morning, day or night, wherever you guys live!
