Saya: Time to review.
Kagura: Ragna went crazy. Again…
Ragna: Oh, bite me. I'll be fine. Maybe… Probably not…
Yasha: I should take you to some anger management therapy some time. So you can…'relieve'…your stress~
Setsuko: Yasha, again, inappropriate. Carry yourself with some self-control.
Yasha: Screw that! I'll do whatever the hell I feel like doing! I've already got the Imperator riding me I don't need you too.
Imperator: I am right here. If you wish to say something, now is the time.
Yasha: Yeah! Shove that sword right up your a—!
Hakumen: Can we continue this? I do not wish to spend any more time here than I have too.
Noel: U-Um… Now it's, Celica's turn to go, right?
Tsubaki: She got the easy one…
Makoto: Are you still butt hurt about that?
Celica: I'm ready! But… What am I supposed to say?
Saya: Something you've never told us. A secret.
Celica: Secret… Oh! I got one!
Jin: Hurry.
Celica: I found some weird little animals before coming inside her and I know mother would scold me for picking them up. So I tried to hide them and ended up putting them in Aunty Akahana's hat.
Akahana: Oh! So that's why my head itches...
…
…
…
…
…
Akahana: AAAAAHHHHHHHH!
*The mage quickly gets up and runs through the door*
Nine: Celica…
Kokonoe: Wow…
Celica: I'm sorry…
Akahana: That is not good enough! Why are there so many of them!? Aw, come on! They're all tangled up in my hair!
Rachel: Valkenhayn, please assist her.
Valkenhayn: Yes, Madam.
Hakumen: Is that is? Very well. Izanami, I suppose it is time to draw.
*Izanami takes a card out*
Izanami: Akahana A. Mercury. And the card is… 'One demand'.
Nu: Aw, Nu wanted that one!
Noel: It's ok, Nu…
Lambda: Maybe you can get it next time.
Saya: Um…is Akahana ok?
Relius: Would you care to share what those creatures are in her hat?
Celica: Baby grasshoppers.
Carl: Wait… Are they red?
Celica: Yeah! They looked so cute!
Jubei: I reckon she'll have one hell of a time gettin' those critters from her hair...
Nine: Well that's a problem…
Akahana: You say it like you don't care! I thought little sisters are supposed to love their big sisters! Valkenhayn for the love of god just cut my hair!
Tao: Hat lady is in trouble… Maybe you should help her booby lady!
Litchi: I don't know how much help I'd be…
Bang: I have fought those grasshoppers before! It was a hard; grueling battle! But I! Bang Shishigami ha—!
Celia: Can we start this chapter?
Bang: I was not done!
Relius: Let us begin the chapter.
Terumi: Made it to the review bitches! Wooo! Where's my paycheck!?
Chapter 26: The Battle Within
Tension rose within the Colosseum as Ragna was gearing up to fight the Mad Dog himself, Azrael, one on one. The Reaper stared the berserker down, rage swirling within him with the fury of a gathering storm. Ragna clenched the hilt of his sword tight, the hum of his blade echoing throughout the silent Colosseum. As Ragna stood enraged at the beat down of his friend, Bullet; the Mad Dog merely smiled at him, anxious to have their long-awaited bout. He was like a child who received a new toy after breaking their last one, and he was going to make sure he enjoyed this new toy.
'That bastard's smiling, huh…? I'll give that son of a bitch something to smile about.'
"Come on then, Grim Reaper! Show me that power!" Azrael charged at him like a madman, his feet digging into the ground as each footstep made the earth tremor. He couldn't wait anymore; his fangs desired his flesh. The thought of sinking his teeth into him and dining on this delectable meal made his mouth water. With a childish laugh, Azrael threw a punch at the Reaper, but he stood his ground, raising his blade as the berserker's fist slammed into it. Their bodies trembled as the two tried to push the other one back. "Heh heh heh… What's the matter, Grim Reaper? Don't tell me you fresh out of gas already? You were so into it just a few moments ago."
"The hell I am," Ragna growled. "I'll take the liberty of putting my fists to your face, Mad Dog!" He swung his blade up, forcing the bulky man back a few paces.
"I can't understand your nonsense, but," Azrael chuckled darkly. "This is splendid… I'll feed on you, and then the Black Knight not long after… To think I would receive such a satisfying dinner…"
"Quit your damn barking, Mad Dog! Here I come!" Ragna lunged at him with a heavy gust of wind behind him, his blade held tightly in hand and reeled back, ready to swing. Azrael smirked and leapt back once more as Ragna's sword slammed into the ground. He rushed the Mad Dog, swinging his sword in every direction.
"Come on," Azrael said cockily as he ducked under his swing and sent a straight punch to his chest, but was swiftly blocked by his blade. "Don't tell me this is the extent of your powers…"
"Shut your mouth!" Ragna swung his blade to get the chuckling man off him.
"Yes, yes! That's the look I wanna see!" Azrael slammed his fist into the ground, causing the ground to give off an intense tremor. From the ground, a wave of rocks erupted beneath Ragna's feet as he cursed and jumped back. The moment he looked back at Azrael, a red wave of energy was only a few inches away.
"Son of a—!" Before Ragna could finish his obscenity, the wave struck him, ensnaring him in a massive cloud of dust and falling debris.
"Hmph… Not bad. But," Azrael whipped around and caught a quick flash of silver that was Ragna's blade. "I know you could do much better… That man, Terumi, said you wield the power of the Azure Grimoire."
"Terumi!? So you're working with that son of a bitch! Where is he!?" Ragna demanded.
"To be honest, I don't know, and I don't care…"
"!" Ragna quickly jumped back as Azrael brought a strong fist down where he once stood. He looked at the massive hole in the ground as a drop of sweat trickled down the Reaper's face. 'You gotta be shitting me…'
"All I care about is seeing who's the strongest!" Azrael launched himself at Ragna; fist clenched tight and ready to deliver a devastating blow. Not wanting to end up like a pancake in a frying pan, Ragna quickly dashed out the way of his attack and swung his sword up.
"Dead Spike!" A beast like head comprised of seithr erupted from his blade and rushed Azrael, but is easily blown away with a flick of his finger. "Wha!?" 'Just the wind from his finger!? Now that ain't good…' Ragna clenched his teeth and rushed Azrael once more, meeting the mauler in a trade of blows. He managed to get a few hits here and there, but Azrael was faster and more powerful than he expected.
"Valiant Crush!" Azrael slammed his foot into Ragna's stomach, forcing all the air to escape his lungs. That had to be the hardest hit he's ever taken in his life; it was like every bone in his body shattered into a million pieces. The Reaper had no time to recover as he was met with a right hook then a rib shattering kick that sent the platinum tearing through the ground. Ragna quickly got up and leapt back as a fist came down like roaring thunder. He landed and got into a stance as the chuckling Azrael stood unfazed, while Ragna was already breathing hard. The Mad Dog quickly charged at the panting Reaper again, having him on the ropes with his relentless punches and kicks.
"I've had enough!" Ragna raised his blade to block another strike. He grabbed Azrael's arm and reeled him for a straight punch to the face. The Mad Dog staggered from the blow and before he could recover the berserker was met with a left hook and a blast of seithr.
"That's it! Now you're getting into it!" Azrael laughed.
"I said, shut up!" Ragna lunged at Azrael and swung down to cleave the monster in half, but his blade struck the earth instead. The Mad Dog found this the opportunity for another strike but quickly jumped back as a red stream of energy sliced through the air.
"Oh?" Azrael smirked as he saw a great change in Ragna's blade. No longer was it a normal blade; it now took on the form of a massive scythe. The Mad Dog felt a bit of pain and casually dropped his glare to see a small cut on his chest. "Interesting weapon you got there…"
"I ain't here to talk; I'm here to knock your ass out!" Ragna roared and charged at Azrael once more. He swung his scythe in every direction, leaving the ground torn up like shredded paper with each swing. Sadly none of his strikes hit the Mad Dog as he dodged and weaved around his attacks with ease. The Reaper did a heavy horizontal swing, but it missed as Azrael ducked and sent a jaw-breaking uppercut to Ragna, sending him up in the air. Ragna quickly regained himself, but it was too late as Azrael was right in front of him. Before he could blink, Azrael kicked him down to the ground, the criminal landing with a loud boom and a cloud of dust. The Mad Dog quickly dove in as sparks were seen and clashes were heard. Both fighters leapt out of the cloud in opposite directions, standing a few feet away from each other as the smoke cleared. Suddenly, Ragna went on a knee and stabbed his blade into the ground. He winced as he looked held his side and felt something wet. Ragna stared at the crimson liquid in his hand and cursed. "Shit..!"
"No…" Celica felt her heart clench, as she found herself holding her breath. "I can't… I can't just stand here…" 'I won't let what happened that day happen again…' That day… The day when Ragna knocked her out and went off to face Terumi without her, leaving her in the safety of his home; she came to a realization…
She was useless to them...
All she could do was stand by and watch as the man she loved lost his arm, battered and bruised; soaked in his blood. An image of him with his back turned and walking away played in her head. No matter how far she reached her hand out to him, she could never catch him.
She couldn't stand it.
He just kept getting further, and further away.
Unconsciously, she took a step, and was ready to run out there and help, but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. Celica looked over her shoulder to see it was Kagura with a rather stern expression written across his usual relaxed one.
"Celica, don't rush out there. You'll be more harm than help."
"Still…" Celica looked back to see Ragna panting heavily and Azrael not even breathing hard, a wide smile plastered on the berserkers face. Ragna was no more than a toy to this berserker, and with how Azrael treats his 'toys' it wasn't a good thing for him. It shook her to her core as she felt her entire body shake and her throat contract. 'Oh, Ragna…'
"Hell's Fang!" Ragna lunged at him with a seithr filled straight punch but was easily avoided by a simple side step. The Reaper whipped around and swung his seithr encompassed foot for a high kick. "Gauntlet Hades!"
"Not good enough!" Azrael blocked it and followed up with a kick to his injured side. Ragna's eyes widened to the pain, but he managed to hold himself and threw another punch at Azrael but was avoided and followed up by a straight punch to the face. Ragna skidded on the ground, digging his hands into the ground to stop himself. He tried to get up once more but fell on a knee.
'Shit...!'
"So… Is that all you got?"
"Tch…!"
"That can't be all, can it?" Azrael walked over to him and stopped right in front of the kneeling Reaper. Faster than the eye could see, his foot sprung up, connecting with the platinum's jaw and sending him spiraling into the wall. "Don't you dare tell me that's it!" The Mad Dog roared and stomped over to the Reaper. He yanked him out of the wall and held him up by his neck. "This isn't what I was promised! Now fight me!"
Ragna weakly opened his eyes and spat blood right into the enraged berserkers face. "Go…to hell…" He wheezed.
"You bastard!" Azrael slammed him on the ground and punted him away like a soccer ball. He quickly jumped after Ragna and pounded him in the stomach, sending the red jacket wearing criminal to the ground. Ragna managed to regain himself in time and landed hard on his two feet. The Reaper looked up and quickly dove out the way as Azrael came down with a diving kick. The wave of his collision knocked Ragna back a bit, but he swiftly regained his lost footing. It didn't matter though as he was met with another devastating punch to the gut and then a headbutt. Azrael quickly grabbed Ragna by his collar and punched him away.
Ragna skidded on the floor a bit before bouncing a couple more time and landing on his feet. He was on a knee, panting hard as blood ran down from his head and mouth. "What the hell is up with this guy…!? Is he even human!? He's got monster level strength!"
"Are you underestimating me, Grim Reaper? Don't tell me you're holding back because you've been having an off day…" Azrael said as he tromped back over to him, fist clenched tight and rage present on his face. "Why won't you use it…? Why won't you use the Azure Grimoire? Or," He stopped in front of him and said wide-eyed. "Have you just not have enough yet!?" The Mad Dog threw him up and caught him on the side of his cheek with a haymaker.
The hard blow sent Ragna bouncing off the ground like a trampoline and skidding across the floor a few paces before stopping. Ragna rose to his hands and knees as he coughed up a few splats of dried blood. "Damn…it…!"
"Hurry up and use it, Grim Reaper! Why aren't you taking this seriously!?"
"Shut up… You," Ragna hacked as he rose to a knee. "Damn monster…" 'This is looking bad…! I ain't gonna last much longer like this…' He coughed again and threw up a small pool of blood. The downed Reaper looked up to see Azrael right in front of him with an expression filled with rage and disappointment.
"So be it… If this is the extent of your powers… I don't know why I wasted my time…" A red aura surrounded Azrael's clenched fist as he said callously. "Die."
"You…asshole…!"
"Ragna look out!" Celica shouted.
"Haah!" Ragna quickly rose with an uppercut, sending the Mad Dog up in the air. Azrael landed on his feet and wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Oh…? So you want to keep me entertained for a little bit longer, than? But…that sensation." Azrael looked to the voice that called Ragna's name as he saw Celica staring at them. "Oh…I see. Was it her…? Is that your woman?"
"She's got nothing to do with this you son of a bitch… What are you waiting for, Mad Dog!? Playtime's not over yet, keep it comin'!" Ragna charged in on Azrael and swung as hard as he could. The berserker weaved to the left and pounded Ragna right in the ribs. A loud crack was heard as he pushed it in farther, all the pain that coursed through his body made it impossible for Ragna even to yell.
With a roar, Ragna was sent across the arena and slammed into the wall. The Reapers impact created a large crater into the wall as he bounced off of it and onto the floor. "Shit," Ragna coughed and got back up with a few staggering motions. "That one really hurt… I can't take another hit like that…"
"No…! I can't watch this anymore…" Celica shook her head and nodded with a confident and determined glare. 'This time, Ragna… I'll save you!' The auburn haired girl turned to the automaton next to her and said. "Let's go, Minerva!" With a nod, she ran out into the arena, Minerva by her side.
"Celica, no!" Rachel called out.
Ragna heard the commotion and going on quickly looked turned his head to see Celica running out towards him. "Celica, get back!"
"Don't get in the way!" Azrael roared and slammed his fist into the ground as a wave of rocks headed towards Celica.
"Get out of there!"
"!" Celica stopped and watched as a river of debris came her way. Minerva appeared in front of her, her back facing the coming debris to shield Celica. The deadly wave of rocks collided with them with a loud boom, sending the two spiraling in the air. The scene played in slow motion in their eyes, as they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Celica and Minerva come back down hard as the two lay motionless on the ground. Silence filled the arena, the pressure in the Colosseum so heavy it robbed them of the ability to speak.
Celia and Kokonoe stared in awe at the monitor, the whole scene playing again and again in the shocked women's minds. That didn't just happen, Kokonoe thought to herself. But it did, and the proof of was the unresponsive Celica laying on the floor.
"CELICA!"
"You bastard!" Kagura ran to Celica's aid, Makoto, Rachel and Tsubaki right behind him as the Black Knight knelt down to the unconscious girl and held her. "Get a hold of yourself!" The Black Knight shook her and called her name. "Celica! Damn idiot!"
"No… Not her…" Ragna said in disbelief.
That didn't just happen... That didn't just happen right...?
"That's what she gets for interfering. Now…let's continue." Azrael said casually.
"Celi…ca…" Ragna stared bug-eyed at the downed Celica, his entire body quivering at the sight as her fall replayed over and over again in his mind. "No… Celica…!"
"Come on, Grim Reaper! Or…" The Mad Dog chuckled darkly. "I could kill them all…"
"!" He felt his body pulsate upon those words leaving the Mad Dogs lips.
'Yes… That's it… Release the power… You know you want too…' An ominous voice echoed through Ragna's mind. 'To destroy that man and everything in front of you…'
'Destroy…?'
"They do say that when you lose a loved one, it can cause some to give in, but in some cases…losing those you care about can give a person strength. If they all died…which one would you be? Care to give it a try?" Azrael spoke in an almost playful tone. He was having the time of his life as he finally had something to look forward too. Ragna wasn't doing too bad and lasted longer than most of his opponents. Now, all he wanted to see was the Azure Grimoire—the Blazblue—in action.
'Release it… Be who you really are… The Black Beast… The Destroyer…'
"…You…bastard…!" The platinum-haired Reaper slowly turned back to face Azrael; his eyes morphed into something more than just anger, or hate. All that was in his eyes was unyielding murderous intent; all of it directed at him. "I'll…KILL YOU!" Ragna bellowed as seithr sprouted from his body like a broken steam pipe. "Restriction 666 released! Dimensional interference field deployed!" The ground trembled beneath their feet as beast like growls came from Ragna. His self-control gone and fury fueling him, he lashed out at the Mad Dog. He swung his blade down hard as Azrael caught the blade with both hands, the immense force of the blow shattered the ground under him. Unable to control this overwhelming feeling of excitement he let out a joyful laugh.
"This is the power of the Azure!? Now, THIS is how a battlefield should be!"
"Azrael! I'll kill you!" Ragna bellowed.
"Yes, yes release it! If you don't, I won't be to fight my hardest!"
The wave came over to them as they did their best to hold their ground, the unconscious Celica being held by Kagura. "Damn it! Is that, Ragna!?" They watch as his arm morphed into a seithr coated claw, red veins slowly crawled up his arm and went under his right eye. "What!? The hell is that!?"
"This is just like that time…!" A drop of sweat trickled down the squirrel's face as she recalled this form. She saw it once before when they were battling, Terumi. 'If this doesn't stop…!'
"The Azure Grimoire… It's consuming him…" Rachel said in a worried tone.
"G-G'uh…" Bullet groaned and moaned as she awoke to heavy shaking and gale force winds. Weakly turning her head to where the winds came from, she gasped, as she saw Ragna in his current. "W-What the…? T-That's….Ragna…!?" The mercenary tried to comprehend this change and wondered if that was really, Ragna. But that red jacket, platinum hair, and massive blade told her otherwise. "What the hell is going on…!?"
"You bastard," Ragna said through clenched teeth.
'Yes! That's right… Kill him! Release thine rage!'
"I'll kill you… Kill… Kill… KILL!" His sword was no longer visible; it was nothing more than a shadow as the seithr rippled around the blade like waves in the ocean. The enraged Reaper planted his feet firmly in the ground and rushed the berserker, going for a wide body splitting sideway slash. Azrael leapt out of the way as the large hunk of seithr sliced through the air. The bulky man reeled his fist back, ready to deliver another bone shattering punch, but before he could blink, a flash of light was all he could see from the jaw-shattering uppercut the Reaper delivered that sent him flying up. Ragna was far from done; he hasn't even gotten started yet.
He took to the air, his foot surrounding itself in seithr as it formed a claw. Azrael opened his eyes and saw Ragna right above him as the back of the Reapers boot collided with his face, sending the berserker down to the ground. Ragna quickly dove back down to drive his sword right through the berserker's heart, but Azrael promptly jumped out of the way as the platinum-haired man came down hard. Upon impact, a massive cloud of dust rose up from the ground and from the cloud of dust, Ragna dashed out at blistering speed. With a head-splitting downward slash, he sends a wave of seithr at the Mad Dog, the wave slicing through the ground like butter.
"That's not good enough!" Azrael roared and slammed his fist into the ground, dispelling the enormous wave of seithr. Not even a second later, Ragna was right in front of him, his deadly gaze fixed on the Mad Dog and blade ready to swing.
"DIE!" Ragna bellowed as he poured the Azure's power into his blade and swung it like a baseball bat, sending an immeasurable amount of seithr at Azrael. Even he was unable to dodge as the Mad Dog was absorbed into the dark cloud.
"Did that do it!?" Tsubaki asked.
"This…! This is what I've been waiting for…!" The cloud of seithr slowly vanished as Azrael stood, his tattoos glowing and a malicious red aura released from his body. His eyes opened wide as a wide grin came onto the excited man's face. "Enchant Dragunov, level 2! Released!" A typhoon erupted from the Mad Dog as they were all pushed back by the heavy gusts. Azrael dug his feet deep into the ground and charged at Ragna, slamming his shoulder right into the Reapers chest. This attack was much more substantial than the last one was as Ragna felt all the wind get knocked out of him. Clenching his teeth and throwing away the pain, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and pounded Azrael's chest with a devastating punch. The two traded hard blows, each strike like an explosion as the two monsters raged through the arena.
"Shit!" Kagura cursed as he carried a downed Celica to safety, Makoto, Tsubaki and Rachel following him back to where they stood before. They tried to shield themselves from the waves of power being thrown around, but the wind was cracking the very gates, and the walls were coming apart. Soon there would be nowhere left to hide.
"The hell just happened!?" Makoto asked.
"A gain art…? No, wait…an overdrive?" Kagura examined Azrael and watched as his tattoos glow. 'No… It's not… It's something else… No…! Oh you've gotta be kidding me!' The man's eyes widen as he realized what it was. "A limiter!?"
"So, he's holding back…still?" Tsubaki couldn't believe what she just heard. This man indeed wasn't human: he was a demon.
"No way…" Makoto gasped. Now she was glad she didn't go out there, she wouldn't have lasted even ten seconds against him. As things were going now, Ragna might not be able to hold out much longer if this kept up. Even still, she decided to put her faith in him and listen to Rachel. 'Ragna…'
Ragna quickly rushed him but was met with a strong punch to his cheek, Azrael following up with two kicks to his stomach and a haymaker punch that sent Ragna skidding on the ground. Digging his sword into the ground, he stops a few feet from Azrael.
"You piece of shit!"
'That can't be all you have, Ragna the Bloodedge…You can do far better…'
"The hell it is…!" Ragna turned his left palm over as the shell opened. "Engaging the Idea Engine!" Another wave of power came from Ragna as it felt as if the entire Colosseum was about to shatter and collapse. His blade morphed into its scythe form once more as he swung upwards. "Seeds of Tartarus!" Three massive claws of seithr came up from the swing as they engulfed Azrael completely, forming a cloud of smoke and seithr. The Grim Reaper charged into the cloud as all they could see and hear were loud clanging sounds and sparks flying. Soon, Azrael jumped out as Ragna chased after him. His attacks were relentless and almost animalistic with no rhyme to them. He swung wildly, growling and roaring as he kept swinging at the Mad Dog.
"Rag…na…" Celica slowly started to come too as the groaning girl sat up. "My head… Ouch…"
"Celica!" Makoto quickly went to her side and asked. "Are you ok!? Please, talk to me!"
"I…think I'm ok…" Celica shook her head as her mind began to clear up from the throbbing pain that ached her skull. Jolting back to reality by a thought; she asked in a fearful tone. "Ragna! Where is he!?" She asked in a panic. Her question was met with silence as they looked back out into the arena. Celica observed their worried expressions and turned her head to where their attention was drawn too. What she saw shocked her…
"That's...what happened to him…" Makoto sighed.
"No...way…" That couldn't have been Ragna... There's no way. Celica didn't want to believe it; there's no way that was him. His right arm was coated in a gaseous and horrendous glob of seithr; it wasn't even an arm anymore, just a massive claw and his body emitted a dark aura. Horrific red veins covered his right arm and under his right eye. "What happened…to him?"
"He saw you take that…and well…" Kagura tried to explain, but Celica got the idea.
"It's my fault…" Celica clenched her fists and looked down. "Again… I couldn't do anything, but get in the way…"
"No, Celica," Tsubaki shook her head. "You just wanted to help. Don't blame yourself."
Celica stood up and watched the two clash, praying for his safety and well-being. "Ragna…"
The fight was more of two raging beasts than two humans. They roared and lunged at each other; each strike meant to end the other's life. Their strikes were animalistic, and the floor was being torn up with each strike.
"Come on, Ragna the Bloodedge! I WANT MORE!"
"AZRAEL!"
"!?"
"Huh? What is it, Imperator?" Akahana asked as the usual calm and collected Imperator had a bit of shock and worry on her face. A visible sweat trickled down the young platinum's face as she spoke in a frightful tone.
"I do not know… However…something," She placed her hand on her chest and clenched her fist. "Isn't right…" The moment those words left her lips, the two felt an abnormally strong presence arise from out of the blue as their bodies pulsated from this weird sensation.
"What the…?" Akahana looked both ways. "This power…"
"Ragna…"
"Huh," Akahana sighed and scratched the back of her head. "Guess he didn't make it after all. I just hope the princess can put him down before things get too out of hand. I REALLY don't want to deal with the Black Beast…"
"…"
"You know it sucks," Akahana started. "He was pretty interesting… He strayed so far from his intended path that I thought he was gonna pull it off, but I guess life is just one big obstacle for him."
"Tch…" The Imperator hissed her teeth and took a step, but was quickly stopped from proceeding by a steady hand gripping her arm.
"Where are you going?" Akahana asked sternly.
"Where do you think?"
"You think you can stop the Black Beast's transformation?" The mage asked.
"If I don't do something now and that beast resurfaces, what do you think will happen to us?" The Imperator glared down at her sword and clenched it. "I would rather kill him with my own two hands, then let him turn into that monster…"
"Sorry, but I can't let you do that. If I lose you, then there goes my only real ally. I don't trust Relius, and I damn well don't trust Terumi."
"This isn't the time for this. While I'm here, Ragna could have already reached the final phase of his transformation." The Imperator turns to the mage. "I respect your desire and your wishes, but I have my own. I have decided that I will make sure this accursed fate of his NEVER comes to pass and if it does, I will end him myself…"
"So you'd rather kill him then let the world do it huh? I guess I understand, but," Akahana sighed. "That idiot isn't going anywhere. So keep your pants…well…kimono on…" She said vacantly.
"What? Now isn't the time for jokes," The platinum grabbed the mage by her collar and pulled her in. "Right now, Ragna is in danger! I can not sit here and watch as he suffers!"
"When I took you in, what did you say to me?"
"What?" The Imperator was thrown off by the sudden question as her grip eased. "Why are you discussing that now?"
"You told me that you'd do whatever it took to achieve your goals… You've shown that to me countless times, and you've sacrificed many lives to come this far… You even helped kill, Tenjo: your own master."
"…"
"Yet…you did not kill, Ragna and instead told me that the reason you were doing this was for him…"
"…You remember well…"
"You may have grown from when we first met, but you're getting a bit too emotional. 'Saving' someone and 'babying' someone are two very different things. He's a goddamn man; let him figure it out by himself." Akahana took the platinum's hand from her collar. "That fire he had in his eyes… It's not one that many people possess…"
'I use my own power to shape my destiny. Don't forget that.'
"He said that…?" The Imperator asked with a hint of shock.
"When he said those words… Whether he was just blowing hot air or not, you could say all my doubts about him were lifted." Akahana placed her hand on her hips and leaned onto her leg. "I'm betting on him too… He's the one I'm counting to help me escape this damn 'nightmare' along with my sisters…" 'To be honest,' A worried expression formed on her features as she looked away. 'That idiots my only hope…'
"So you expect me just to stand here then?"
"Yeah, I kinda do." The mage said nonchalantly. "If you make yourself known our entire operation is gonna go up in flames. Besides," Akahana made her way out as she waved her hand dismissively over her shoulder. "That kid will be just fine. He's tougher than he looks you know…"
"Hah," The Imperator let's out a laugh as she started to chuckle some more. "YOU are telling ME that? I can not believe this…"
"However," Akahana stops and turns to her. "If the day does come when there can be nothing done about him…"
"I know… I already decided that I will kill him if he is too far gone. I just hope that does not come to pass…" 'That is the promise I made to not only myself…but to 'him' as well… I won't fail you, master…'
"Give him some credit," Akahana smirks. "He is 'her' 'prince' after all. They usually survive things like this." With that the mage takes her leave, leaving the Imperator alone.
"Her prince…" The platinum-haired woman echoed as her brow twitched in irritation. "She knows I hate when she says that…" The Imperator held her blade diagonally to her chest and looked at the sheath at her reflection. "The Azure showed me a fate in which cannot be changed; a fate that cannot be escaped… Why did it have to be you, Ragna?" A sad sigh escaped her lips as she walked out the room. She traversed the long halls, making her up from the bottom floor. The higher she went, the more of this immense power she felt.
This power... Death is coming...
Finally arriving outside, surrounded by nothing but trees and old ruins, the swordswoman made her way up to a rather large hill in the distance. From there, she got a good view of Yabiko. There was a massive pillar of darkness shooting up from the city, and she knew exactly what that was. The raw power and malice that emanated from that beam of darkness, the darkness beginning to surround Yabiko like a blanket.
"Ragna…" The platinum reached into her kimono and pulled out a small golden locket. With a click, the small golden pendant opened to reveal two small kids; one was a pouting boy with blond hair and green eyes, the other a smiling girl with black hair and purple eyes. Seeing this picture formed a smile along her pink lips as a feeling of nostalgia came over her.
Such a long time ago...
The Imperator clenched the golden locket tight in her hand and held it to her large breasts. Her heartbeat to the boy in this picture. Their time together ephemeral, but everlasting within her heart. The boy that was taken from her… The boy that was suffering without her…
…The man she loved.
"Ragna… If you die… I will never forgive you…"
"Ragna! Ragna! You son of a bitch, you better respond! Don't you dare ignore me!" Kokonoe screamed through the communicator but received no answer. Just watching him sent a shiver down her spine as Ragna's humanity slowly deteriorated. She begged him not to do this, but in the end, her pleas were all for not. Instead of losing an arm or leg...he was about to lose his humanity. The beastkin slammed her hand down the keyboard and cursed. "That fucking idiot!"
"Kokonoe...calm down…"
"Calm down!? How the hell am I supposed to stay calm with this!?" Kokonoe asked. "If you want calm, this is the calmest I'm gonna get!"
"I know it's hard...believe me, I know. But getting worked up will only cloud your judgement...and you'll end up just like, Ragna." Celia needed to be calm, even though she was just as worried as Kokonoe was. Celica was there and caught in the crossfire. If anything happened to her, she wouldn't be able to look Nine in the eye; she couldn't even do that now. They kept an eye on the seithr levels within the city as they began to decline, slowly being absorbed by Ragna. At this rate, Ars magus use will be nullified. Celia clicked her teeth in frustration. "Damn…!"
"Can't we use the Idea Engine?"
"We could, but it wouldn't help him...or help him in the way you might want." Celia took a lollipop from her coat pocket and stuck it in her mouth. "If I were to use the Idea Engine; it'd kill him…"
"Wha!?"
"He's already activated the Idea Engine. A solo activation of the Idea Engine is like an overdrive… If I were to put any more strain, his body would collapse, and his mind would shatter, leaving him no more than a doll." Celia crunched the pop and spat the stick out. "That's a fate worse than death... All that was 'Ragna' would vanish in an instant…"
Ragna could...
"..."
"Is that what you want, Kokonoe?"
"...It's not about what I want anymore… He's dead either way."
"Are you… Considering it?" Celia asked in slight shock. Did she not understand what she just said? "If I do this...Ragna will…"
"I'm aware… We knew the risks… He'd understand...better than any of us. So if it comes to it, do it." Kokonoe looked down as her hair covered her eyes from view. "And if you can't do it...I will."
"...Kagura already took point in that… Said he'd kill him instead." Celia told her.
"...Did he now? Pervert better pull it off…" Kokonoe clenched her arm. "Ragna, you fucking idiot…"
"For now...we just have to trust that Ragna can get himself under control. He's...the only one that could stop this. Dumbass really knows how to raise the stakes…" Celia sighed and placed a hand on her niece's head. "I know...I'm not the one who should be saying this...and I don't have the right, but it's going to be ok…"
"...I hope so." Kokonoe looked back at the monitor as her fingers danced on the keys at lightning speeds. "If this is the only way to stop him… Please, help me."
"...Overload the connection between the Idea Engine and the Azure Grimoire. We can end it in one fell swoop." Celia's fingers were now on the move, preparing their backup plan for Ragna. She already experimented on him, and now she was gearing up to take his life. His life was stolen once and here she was, taking it again.
Deep within her heart, the scientist wanted nothing more than to end it before it reached the point of no return. But this fledgling hope within not only her heart but Kokonoe's stopped her. Telling her that idiot will pull through, but then again...the Black Beast was not some crying child that could be quelled with a tap on the head. Its power was monstrous, and Ragna was dammed the moment that grimoire attached itself to his body. As Kokonoe readied Ragna's Idea Engine, she bit her lip hard as blood trailed down from her pink lips.
'Ragna… I swear to god if you don't pull through… I'm gonna fucking kill you…'
Ok, that beings this chapter to a close. Read and review and I'll see you all next chapter as this story will be the one that will be updated next.
Chapter 27: I'm me