Chapter XIV:

Face to face, that was the definition before that warlike encounter that was taking place in the middle of the Skies of Romagna, under a Dawn dyed red by the fire, the columns of smoke of different colors that intermingled with it, the Sun that was emerging, leaving place to the night of "truce" that had been "established", while waves of civilians fled from there towards the safety of the fields and other places that were inaccessible for the "Shadow Neuroi" until a certain time. One person looked up and contemplated the flashes that the "Witches" traced through the air, leaving spectacles and striking colors that disappeared immediately. Then came the shrapnel and missiles that collided with the enemy weapons, causing a combination of lights and other details.

That person wished the defenders success and that they could defeat the enemy, expel them from their lands and reestablish order in Romagna and the rest of the World.

For their part, the Kankers were watching the scene and commanding their forces to crush the tenacity offered by their opponents. Lee had to dodge a ship she had under her command, it flew out and impacted close to where she was, destroying the platform they were on, being replaced by another one but she refused.

- No, now it's time for a face to face combat!.- The redhead bellowed and drew a sword she had with her, while Marie carried a laser rifle and May some plasma pistols, all of them coming from the "Shadow Neuroi" technology, superior to the Human one and with a power capable of leaving more than one enemy speechless. The stupidity of observing and doing nothing is over, the real Generals go to the front!. She exclaimed and launched herself against the "Witches", in the middle of a fray never seen before.


- Very good, that's the way to do it!.- Exclaimed Erica, who felt a strange sensation and a plasma beam went to where she was. She was able to dodge it in time and saw the attacker.

- Hmmm, that shot was meant for you," said a certain blonde American blonde.

- No kidding.- Erica mocked May back, "I can see it, I can feel the hate you radiate. You're a pressure boiler, about to explode," she pointed out with disgust.

- Hahahaha, whatever you say. Too bad you couldn't be there when Karsland fell," May said, wielding her "Plasma Guns". I really enjoyed watching how civilians jumped from the tallest buildings to save themselves, only to die against the pavement.

He was provoking her, he was looking for that but Erica would not fall into that "game", she would take care of that opponent. She could feel those contemptuous feelings, that pride that seemed to find no limits inside the blonde American's soul, but, in spite of all she suffered, the girl from Karsland smiled with defiance towards her opponent.

- Oh, what's the matter, Goldilocks, what's so "funny"?.- May wanted to know, while she had her two guns ready to fire, fingers on the trigger and with a little pressure to perform what she was so eager to do.

- Hehehehehe, you're a fool to know that a Karsland Officer will never give up," she answered and that made the other one look surprised, "What do you have to contribute? Oh wait, nothing, you have absolutely nothing with you. Just a fantasy that will disappear from one day to the next," she said and that was a blow to the rival.

- I'll make you swallow your words, damn you!.- Bellowed the American, who shot and attacked the other but, at that moment, a "Magic Shield" was deployed by Erica and with that someone else was seen to intervene in favor of the second one.

She could not believe what she was seeing before her very eyes, she swallowed saliva, she felt astonished and petrified. There, face to face, was the boy she wanted so much to hold in her arms, by force and as her King. This one had both arms outstretched, forming that defense that eliminated Plasma's shots and from there he faced her in the eyes.

- Ed.- She made that name known.

- That's right, May Kanker.- Answered the boy who loved Science Fiction and comics. From there, he turned to look at the girl from Karsland: "Are you all right, Erica? did he hurt you in any way?.- He asked, running his hand over the girl's face, looking for any wound caused by the fight.

- No, don't worry, hehehe, I'm fine," said the girl and that made May start to boil with rage for what she was seeing, as a witness.

Her gaze was down, against the floor, but, still, the rival wasn't going to stand still, silent and crying because she didn't get what she wanted. No, that was not the May Kanker of now, she would not let herself be swatted like a gnat before the giant human hand, but that she was going to prove who she was and above all, she would get her Ed no matter what the price to pay. She raised the "Plasma Guns" and from there she fired repeatedly at Erica and her boyfriend, who defended themselves with the "Shields" and responded with the weapon of the Karsland Officer and the Magic of the Science Fiction fan, producing a fierce shootout that did not seem to have any result


Double D traced another upward magical blow and with it destroyed another enemy that stood in his way, producing an explosion that left no residue, only a shower of fine particles. A third one got in the way and he annihilated him without mercy. He looked like a real Swordsman and that information reached Minna, who was fighting with the other "Witches" and having a little "free time", she noticed that Yoshika's words were true regarding the black cap intellectual.

However, in the midst of the fighting and smoke, the young man stopped, something had caught his attention and he turned, attentively, towards a point in the West. Advancing with total impunity and silence, Marie Kanker arrived and came face to face with the young man she loved so much.

- We would have chosen a good life together, you would have had everything at your mercy but you chose to stay with those witches rather than with me. Tell me something, why did you do it?. What moved you to perform such an unpleasant act like that?.- Said the dark blue hair, while there were a few minutes of silence, looking at each other and then the young man closed his eyes to reflect.

- No, Miss Kanker.- That answer took the dark blue hair by surprise, her face contracted and she felt as if a sword had pierced her chest, "What kind of future are you talking about? If we had been with you, I would never feel happy with myself while others suffer slavery in the flesh. You and your sisters are only filled with the poison that has made you what you are.- He said coldly and walked away.- I chose my destiny when Francesca saved us from you and joining the Witches was the best decision I ever made. Someday you will find someone who will love you and be on your side, but it will be by his own decision, by what his heart and mind dictate, not because you force him to.- He concluded and went to where his friends were, "Now, leave, Miss Marie Kanker, I don't want to hurt you. Just surrender yourself to Justice and atone for your crimes before the Courts.- He finished but that "Sermon" was the straw that broke the camel's back for her, who, blinded by anger, threw herself against him.

- FUCKING COWARD!.- She shouted and shot at the young man, with her back turned, but Eila intervened, deploying a "Shield" but could not resist the fierce onslaught of the opponent. Then, breaking through the smoke, she attacked the silver-haired girl, hitting her repeatedly in the body.

- Eila!.- Double D flew at her.

- You take one more step and this "Little Witch" will go to the Great Beyond!.- Warned Marie, who was holding her hostage with one finger on the trigger of her laser gun.- Don't do anything foolish like being the Hero?. I know you and that Pacifism you carry inside you shows me that you will never be able to face a situation as extreme as this one!. Tell me, what does that make you?. You spoke to me like the intellectual boy you are but, at this very moment, I could feel your fear for her. Is it worth it, Double D?.- She asked and that made the boy stay in his position, without moving, while Sanya came to him.- Ah, the quiet one of the group and also with my boyfriend comes to save her friend, how touching!

She was between a rock and a hard place. And to make matters worse, a telluric movement began to whip the earth, to move with a speed never seen before and it was getting closer. Marie turned around, next to her hostage to contemplate, as did her sisters, what was coming.

- No... It can't be!.- Exclaimed Perrine in amazement.

- Hahaha, surprised?.- The dark blue hair asked.


Before their very eyes, the "Fourth Hive" was advancing towards them, a real fortress equipped with the best technology and reinforcements that remained inside, waiting to receive the signal and attack on the enemy positions, just like the Huns or the Mongols that razed everything in their path from Asia to Eastern Europe. And from the air, Lee focused on what his sisters had done at that moment: He saw Marie holding Eila hostage and Double D remained in a kind of "fight" to see what she would do, while May was with Ed and Erica.

- You never expected this kind of surprise, "friends"?.- Asked the redhead with a victorious air.- This plan is turning out just as we were expecting. It would become your tomb by the time you attacked, so we sent our forces to fight against you, just to find the obstacle that would unbalance the balance against you," she pointed and hovered in the air next to her lightsaber.- The Trojans believed the "retreat" of the Achaeans and look how they ended up, the Romans were influenced by the feeling that they were untouchable and fell before their enemies. The same thing happens to every Army when they underestimate the opponent and now look at you: they are lost. You can no longer do anything, so I propose you one thing: Surrender and I will give you my word to leave Romagna intact, well, what is left of it - She contributed and imposed those "rules" in order to stop the war.

The "Fourth Hive" stood majestic and with an aspect that seemed to tear the Heavens like sharp ebony-colored spears, so characteristic of the "Shadow Neuroi". From its interior began to emerge infinite ships and other war machines that launched themselves against the defenders, initiating fierce bombardments against them and provoking a disbandment.

- No... Don't retreat, hold your positions!.- Francesca encouraged them, who charged against the rivals, firing against everything that moved, and those words reached Lee's ears, who frowned and let his rage burst like an avalanche against a city. Then, a smile began to take shape on his face and he swooped down to where the Italian woman was, carrying his laser sword, ready to strike the final blow that would put an end to all his problems.


The "Shadow Neuroi" formed a kind of "Wall" that prevented them from reaching Marie and Eila, Double D and Sanya had to come up with a plan, which was to attack and provoke a breach that would allow them to reach the hostage and defeat her captor. Meanwhile, Ed and Erica were busy fighting May, who was enjoying the firefight and evading the shots they were firing at her to bring her down.

Meanwhile, Francesca was fighting alone and surrounded by enemies, unaware that Lee was flying towards her, ready to kill her. In turn, the redhead savored that moment, she licked her lips, just a few meters and it would all be over. Once she reached her target, she hit the black hair in the stomach, throwing her backwards and from there she employed her weapon, with which she traced several attacks against it, even hurting her skin by the contact of the artifact and the heat it gave off.

- Look at you: Cornered and wounded, with no chance of escape. What happened to the "Witch" that attacked me several times?. You even caused me a wound, of which I return it to you with the double.- She pointed and traced another blow, a stronger one that hurt Francesca in the abdominal region, causing her a quite serious burn - Heh, I can see that you were only pure talk, but now you are nothing. Your city is in flames, you have nothing left, I will take over your lands, not a single Human will be left alive, those who are left will be slaves! Your determination dies with you here! You are NOTHING!" he exclaimed and then he noticed that the Italian was not reacting.- Hmm, just as I suspected: you don't know how to face reality, you have lowered yourself to be a complete idiot, but that's the way things are. I hope you find Peace in Death.- Lee wished her, raising his sword, placing it at the level of her neck to decapitate her and from there it descended.

Just at that moment, a magical shot hit her hands, the weapon flew through the air and she screamed in pain as she felt the heat of her wounds. The man responsible emerged from the shadows, staring coldly at her.

- Leave Francesca alone, Lee.- He heard that voice and when she looked up, she knew who it was, smiling.

- Oh, My Little One.- She said but the boy shook his head.- Oh, come on, don't you want to be with a real one before you want to be with a Witch?.- She asked but the short young man pointed at him again.

- I told you to stay away from Francesca or the next "Magic Bullet" will go to your fucking heart! I've been waiting for this moment to do justice for all the times they ruined our lives, without giving us a break, but now I won't fail.- He swore and kept his gaze fixed on the rival.

- Eddy, Eddy.- The young woman began to speak, while she picked up her laser sword.- You are too naive to recognize that power only lies with those who are capable of running this world. You, what could you do with it?.- She asked, trying to trick him but the boy flew to the left and protected Francesca.

- Don't make a fool of me, Lee.- He warned and prepared another round of "Magic Bullets".- I know your "Nature" from day one. And what you have done, together with your sisters, attacking the cities of Erica, Francesca, Eila and Sanya, is the lowest thing I have ever seen from you.- He threw that "bomb" loaded with truth.

- Come on, they can rebuild themselves.- She shrugged and showed no hint of remorse.

- You disgust me. I don't feel sorry for you, and I won't care if you die!.- The boy bellowed and fired at his rival. The latter moved with great agility, aiming at the Italian. Her boyfriend protected her and from there she recovered from the pain, took her gun again and began to shoot with the boy.


The Battle of Romagna had become a veritable "Pandemonium", neither side seemed to gain an advantage against the other, but held positions and did not advance. The "Fourth Hive" continued to launch henchmen to overtake the enemy so they could strike the final blow, however, the tenacity that the Peach Creek boys were giving, causing huge casualties to the "Shadow Neuroi" and giving way to the advance towards the same.

Double D and Sanya were not going to stand idly by, they had to save Eila from that "Wall" that Marie commanded, so he devised a plan.

- This is what we will do: We will attack together, launch all your missiles against the "Shadow Neuroi" to create as much distraction as possible. From there, we'll assault that area.- He said, and the girl nodded.

- Count on it. I have enough artillery to light up the whole Sky.- The white-haired girl replied and began a fierce bombardment. Each missile that the girl from Orussia launched, hit an enemy that flew through the air, in hundreds of fragments, taken by surprise, unable to do anything about it. On the other hand, the intellectual made his way with his magical power, destroying anyone who got in his way and in combination with Sanya, managed to get to where Marie and Eila were.

The dark blue hair was holding the silver hair, who was looking at her with contempt in her eyes.

- So this is Marie Kanker's plan, to kill me like in the movies?.- Asked Eila, scoffing at the girl's idea.

- Shut your mouth or I'll be the one to shut it for you. You don't know anything about it, you're a "Witch", what do you know about our plan.- She said angrily.

- Ha, for starters, you should have gone to a psychiatrist: Conquer the World and have the Eds as your boyfriends by force. I've heard better jokes told by Francesca at HQ than her idea of dominating us. If I wanted to see something like that, I would have opted for something better," said the silver hair, leading Marie to lose her temper, little by little.- Yours are disgusting and on top of that, your plan, hahaha, you don't know how I'll enjoy seeing you behind bars when you fall. I swear.

- Enough!.- Exclaimed Marie and prepared her gun, ready to kill Eila but, suddenly, a series of explosions took the girl by surprise and with it two shadows moved with great agility, pulling Eila out of her grip.- What?!...No...- She observed that the responsible were Double D and Sanya. The boy was carrying the silver-haired girl in his arms, safe and protecting the retreat with his "Magic".

- The game is over! Sanya!.- Exclaimed the intellectual, tired of all that misfortune and the albino nodded, firing a round of projectiles against the opponent, who dodged them completely.

- Very well.- Said Marie, who stopped in mid-air, being a few meters away.- I tried several ways, I wanted to get you back the easy way, now it's over: I won't be merciful to any of you anymore.- She swore and began the second phase of a confrontation.


On the other hand, the situation with May did not seem to change. The blonde had managed to evade her enemies, firing her "Plasma Guns" and thus reach the interior of the "Fourth Hive", where she was ordering to launch the rest of the "Shadow Neuroi" ships. The Battle of Romagna continued to show an uncertain outcome, where none of the parties or sides involved showed to be the victor, despite the huge casualties that the Kanker were suffering. Despite this, they were still fighting but when a sudden explosion took the blonde by surprise, she found that Erica and Ed had been able to enter the fortress, destroying one of the security doors.

- Come out from where you are hiding, May and fight!.- Challenged the girl from Karsland.- I don't care if I have to kill you or take you in shackles to the courts of my homeland, I swear I will.


- So that's what you want, Hartmann?. Very well," she accepted the duel and came out with an "Armor" designed by the technologists of that alien race, which was attached to her body and gave ammunition to her weapons.- Let the game begin.- She exclaimed and pointed at her and Ed, firing left and right.

Erica noticed the movement and her boyfriend formed a "Magic Shield", while they stood against one of the walls, which was filling up with holes, debris and rubble were flying everywhere, the floor was "painted" with that whitish color and from there came the response of the girl from Karsland with her MG-42. The shrill noise of the machine gun shattered the eardrums of those who were nearby and the shrapnel shot against the opponent but did not seem to have any effect.

- Hahahaha, silly, I'm protected by this "Shadow Neuroi Armor"! Your bullets are nothing but feathers to me!.- She mocked. The German girl let out a grunt into the air, bit her lower lip but noticed that her boyfriend had something that could be of use to them.


Meanwhile, back outside, in the middle of the battlefield, Eddy and Francesca continued to fight against Lee. The redhead of the "Kanker Clan" had suffered a series of wounds when the Italian's boyfriend destroyed the laser sword, flying its burning remains everywhere and impacting against her skin. A stroke of "Karma" for having wounded the peli negra earlier and without warning, but, still, the rival with more than one weapon with her, so she returned and charged just like a Knight during a "Medieval Joust". The pair resisted and evaded the impact, but that would not be the only attack that the redhead would give, on the contrary, she returned but took a turn towards a sector of the Heavens and fell them just like a bomb dropped from an airplane.

Eddy stepped in and fired repeatedly at the opponent who did not change her course.

- Damn! TAKE THIS!.- The boy shouted and increased his power. Francesca came to his aid and together they threw a rain of shrapnel, which managed to deflect and wound her in several parts of her body.

The impacts were accurate, the girl stopped. A blood stain near her chest, then another in the abdomen, the same began to come out in abundance, soaking her clothes. Her fingers turned cold, her lightsaber was slipping until it almost fell but she caught it in time. She coughed, a mixture of saliva and blood appeared in sprays and she struggled to move. Eddy and Francesca looked at her but the boy was not going to give her the coup de grace to end his life, what was the point. It was then that they approached to handcuff her and take her to Justice. This would end the war.

However, fate had other plans.

An explosion coming from the east side of the "Fourth Hive" alerted the girl, who went down to see what was happening. Dense plumes of black smoke were billowing from inside and the "Shadow Neuroi" continued to go on the offensive. Everything seemed to still be going according to plan but somehow that outburst didn't mean anything good for them.

- Get back here! Agh, damn it!.- Francesca bellowed and descended with Eddy, in pursuit of Lee.


Marie had changed the firing mode on her laser rifle, turning it automatic and launching beams in all directions. The intellectual and the two girls were able to evade the blows of that weapon in time and responded with a fierce bombardment as a counter-offensive. Despite all this, the dark blue peli was enjoying that "sweet" moment. This time she was not going to lose.

- Oh, Double D, how happy we would have been if you had accepted.- She said regretfully.

- Stop with that cheap trick, Marie!. I told you no and that's my answer. If you can't accept it, then get professional help, the same goes for your sisters.- The boy told her, being kind.- I have been gentle enough with you and I would never hurt you but, now that I see it, you only seek to cause damage and death in your path; so I will do justice with Eila and Sanya. They do have hearts and I love them, not like yours, which is black with all the hatred you carry inside.- The young man pointed at him.

- It's true, what kind of leader are you?. You are insane, not only for having destroyed Suomus and Orussia, Sanya's and my home along with Erica's and Francesca's, but also for coming here to kill us. If it's so hard for you to accept reality, then acknowledge defeat and everything will end easier.- Said the girl from Northern Europe.

- What nonsense are you talking, brat?!.- Marie asked and charged at them. Sanya and Eila responded with a new wave of projectiles, while Double D deployed her "Magic" against her rival.

- It's not nonsense, it's the truth.- Eila answered.- And now, the time has come to send you to Justice.

They had her surrounded, she could no longer escape.


The combat inside the "Fourth Hive" reached a critical point, one they had never seen or witnessed before as, all of a sudden, the whole place began to fill with smoke. The confrontation between Eddy and Francesca against Lee left a picture of devastation inside along with the state of the eldest of the Kanker Sisters. The same situation occurred with May, since her armor had received many bullet and "Magic" impacts, causing her to lose all resistance and collapse in hundreds of fragments against the floor.

Being in the area of the "Core", the couple had the opportunity to destroy it and thus end the fight with the capture of the redhead, so they went to take care of her, after fulfilling the other mission. They unloaded a good rain of shrapnel against the system that made the "Hive" work and a powerful flare began to rise from the void itself, illuminating and expelling the darkness that was down there. Then, just as with the eruption of a volcano, the "Core" began to be affected, sparks flew and caught fire, and the whole place began to shake, collapse and debris fell everywhere.

- Excellent work, guys!.- Congratulated Erica, who arrived next to Ed, holding May, who had fallen unconscious on the floor.

- Thanks, friend, Ed.- replied the Italian, making a sign to them.- I see you captured one of the sisters, we have Lee.- She informed them and there wasn't much more to say: the place was going to explode at any moment.

They ran out of the "Core" area, the walls began to crack, tongues of flame were shooting out everywhere and debris kept falling from their original places. At one point, when they reached Lee, she had recovered and after an explosion that threw them to the floor, she was able to recover May, who was still unconscious after the fight.

She said nothing, simply walked out of there along with the "Shadow Neuroi" that had been left inside.


- We're pulling out! Everybody get away from here, now!.- Marie heard the redhead's voice calling her, and she knew that all was lost in Romagna. They had failed.

- We will see them again and they will not be so lucky,.- he warned and walked away with her sisters and their remaining forces.


Eddy, Francesca, Ed and Erica had time to get out of the "Fourth Hive", just when it was exploding in the air, leaving only the small crystalline remains floating in the air and disappearing after that beautiful "spectacle".

The Battle of Romagna was over, Italy was free from the presence of the "Shadow Neuroi", while the celebrations broke out. But, still, there would come other "tests" much more complicated for them, especially now that they had Karsland, the next country to be liberated from the enemy yoke. It would not be easy, but together, the Eds, the Witches and their friends would succeed in accomplishing their mission and bring the longed-for peace to the world.

Karsland was the next target.

End of "Arc IV: The Fight for Romagna".


[And with this I conclude this "Arc". I will let this story rest from today (Friday) until next Monday, to make way for the next Saga.

As we saw here, there has been a lot of progress and development in this story, between the couples, the fight against the Kanker and so on.

A big thanks to the followers and those who have commented on this story, especially Matfix and Franco M. Romano.

I'll be seeing you, friends. Take care and good start of the day Friday from me.

Next Arc: "Arc V: The Liberation of Karsland"].