Before I begin, there are two things I have to say. First, a big shout out to Fairy shu and Makalya1223 for reading this over for me, I appreciate you two! Second, I'm sure everyone has heard about Jubei, but that cross tag battle!? I dead ass jumped out my chair lol. Jubei was hype but seeing Ragna, Yu, Hyde (I don't really care for under night but I like the designs) and Ruby!? Holy shit I lost it. Well, 2018 is gonna be a good year. Arc systems works needs to chill, they just executed Capcom with all this. Anyway, enjoy the story!
Yasha: Before we even get started. Akahana… What…in Amaterasu's name...are you doing? Because right now I'm more confused than a homeless man under house arrest.
Terumi: First off, I take HEAVY offense to that.
Yasha: ...Why?
Terumi: Second: if I was a betting man—and I am it's a serious problem—she's taking control after what happened last time. So what if grasshoppers pulled her hair and tried to kill her, happens to all of us.
Akahana: No it does NOT! I'm taking control here as my demand!
Ragna: I'm actually more confused on what you're doing here, Mu.
Mu: Well since I wasn't popping up in the story, I decided to come here. And I even got my own separate body!
Noel: Well at least we can see each other here, right!?
Lambda: Yeah. Hi, Mu.
Nu: Mu is here! That means more competition for, Ragna! Nu must be ready.
Kagura: Damn I missed that outfit…
Kokonoe: Shut it, pervert.
Terumi: The fanfic powers are strong in this one.
Kokonoe: Was that a star war reference?
Terumi: I watch star wars, big whoop beastkin. Let's just get this damn show on the road.
Mu: Sadly, Ragna lost control of himself and is now rampaging, turning into the Black Beast. And to stop him we might have too…
Rachel: …
Noel: Ms. Rachel…
Celica: It's going to be ok! Ragna will pull through!
Kagura: Let's just hope that's the case…
Makoto: Ok, ok, enough moping. Let's try and bring up the mood, this is supposed to be a comedy section! Smile, people!
Tsubaki: I don't know how you do it…
Jin: For now, let us begin with this… Whatever this is now.
Hakumen: I believe Akahana just drew the cards.
Akahana: Nine! Time to draw!
Nine: Me!? Damn… Alright.
*Nine draws*
Akahana: And the card is… 'The truth'! Perfect! Now, tell us an embarrassing secret! 'Cause I've got SEVERAL!
Nine: What!? No!
Ragna: Well, it's either you tell your secret, or she blows this entire place up… According to her at least…
Nine: Wha!? That's not a choice; that's an ultimatum!
Ragna: Nine. We both know I have no idea what that word means.
Celia: Just do it.
Akahana: Oh...and read the back.
*Nine reads the back*
Nine: Celia… It says I have to share both of our secrets…
Celia: To hell with that!
Akahana: Oh no, Celia~ This is my show now. So speak.
Celia: Damn it, fine! When I was a child I would sneak into my sister's room because I was afraid of the dark! There, happy!?
Yasha: You're...afraid of the dark?
Terumi: That's adorable! Haha!
Imperator: Even I didn't see that coming...
Nine: Believe it or not...she's scared pretty easily. She's like a baby.
Celia: At least I didn't wet the bed!
Terumi: Damn, bring a knife to a gun fight why don't ya…
Jin: We don't want to hear that from you, snake.
Terumi: Touche.
Nine: Celia~!
Celia: You started it!
Nine: You didn't need to tell them that! That's so embarrassing…
Setsuko: They are acting like children…
Jubei: Ah, seein' you all gettin' along is nice… Well, I reckon that's the reason why while in bed your so easy it to c—
Nine: Say it I castrate you.
Jubei: ...Sorry.
Saya: So, who's next?
Akahana: Nu is.
Nu: Nu is next! Yay! When Nu gets one demand, Nu is going to make Ragna get her all sticky~!
Ragna: The hell I will!
Nu: Ragna is going to kiss Nu all over, then she's going to lick down the middle of his balls and then Ragna into the other room and throw her down and—!
Ragna: Cut to the chapter before she says anymore! I'd rather get my ass beat by that Mad Dog than listen to this!
Nu: Oh, that gave Nu a great idea!
Kagura: Lucky bastard!
Lambda: Let us begin the chapter before Nu takes Ragna into the next room for intercourse.
Imperator: Such vulgarity. Nu, compose yourself.
Nu: No! Ragna is Nu's!
Imperator: Nu…!
Nu: Fine. Big meanie. You're just jealous of Nu.
Imperator: I will not be swayed so easily by jealousy.
Terumi: Is that why you're pinching yourself?
Makoto: That was easy. I was expecting more of a fight.
Relius: It would seem as if Nu is quite attuned to her. More research must be done.
Saya: Keep your perverted hands off my sister.
Setsuko: Settle down, you can argue later when you meet in the main story.
Noel: Hey, has anybody seen Izanami?
Rachel: I believe she said the new addition to 'Men and Women beneath the sheets' came out and she went to get it.
Ragna: Are all gods so weird?
Terumi: Who knows. Not like I would know—oh wait!
Imperator: Before we begin, there are descriptions of gore so be mindful.
Terumi: Had to spoil the fun?
Jin: You're sick.
Hakumen: What you would expect from him...
Terumi: Ah shut up and let's get the show on the road.
Valkenhayn: Begin the chapter.
Chapter 27: I'm me
Darkness stretched for eternity, nothing but silence encompassed the empty void. Inside this void, a single unconscious man floated about. The man had a large blade sheathed on his waist, the red jacket he dawned like a beacon in the darkness, his spiky white hair swaying as he plummeted into the nothingness. This man was none other than, Ragna the Bloodedge.
Where am I…?
His memory was shrouded in a darkness that matched the one that ensnared him. This ominous, seemingly endless darkness felt like it was watching him; observing the drifting Reaper.
"What's going on…? Why am I here?" His voice echoed within the void, his question going unanswered. There was no one to ask. He was all alone.
But why was he all alone?
What was he doing here?
Questions bombarded his mind; questions he himself did not know the answer to as he wanted those answers himself. The Reaper slowly opened his eyes and scanned the vacant domain he now inhabited, finding nothing within the abyss but himself. Usually, he'd be panicked about this predicament—frightened even—but he was unnaturally calm.
"It's…dark…" Ragna said wearily. "Just what happened? What was I doing?" There was something very important that he was forgetting. He didn't know why, but he felt that if he didn't remember, something terrible would happen.
But to who?
What terrible events would transpire if he didn't recall his forgotten memories? And who would they affect? The root of it all lied deep within his subconscious as flashes and distorted images came to him. After each one passed, a name would come to mind as he called it out.
"Jin… Saya… Celica… Noel… Rachel…" More images came, forming a kind of plot that depicted its events in chronological order with him at its center; each image or flash a page in the storybook. The played events made perfect sense to him. He didn't know why, but everything he saw; he already knew. His hazy mind soon began to clear up, the fog that clouded him lifted as he truly began to take a real look around. This isn't where he should be. There was something far more important than floating around in some void.
"The Mad Dog…"
'Destruction… That is what you seek yes…?'
"What!?" Ragna spun around frantically. "Who's there!?"
'You crave it don't you… To unleash the beast within…and destroy everything… You are after all…a monster.' An eerie voice rang throughout the vacuum, a voice he's heard once before. Now that he thought about it, when he was fighting Azrael, a voice told him something similar. Just who was this voice, and what did it want? 'The path of bloodshed; to wrong those who have wronged you… To have the world under your heel…'
"Shut your damn mouth! Who are you!?" Ragna swung his arm in frustration. "I'm no damn monster! I'm a human being! Whoever you are, how about you come down here so I can knock your teeth in!"
'You do not crave destruction…?'
"The hell I do!" Ragna exclaimed.
'Then…what would you call this?' Once the last letter was spoken, the black void lit up like a star, giving Ragna no choice but to shield his eyes from its radiance. Opening his eyes, he finds himself in a barren wasteland. Across this barren wasteland, deep red puddles littered the ground. This deep red liquid was very familiar to him, the smell that crept into his nose only served to support his hypothesis.
Blood...
"This is what awaits you. Your purpose."
"!?" The voice was much closer than before. Ragna whipped around to the mysterious voice and saw a faceless, ethereal, figure; its body no more than pure darkness. "Who are you!?"
"Ragna the Bloodedge… What do you want? What is your wish?"
"What?" This shadowy figure seemed like it wasn't even listening to Ragna or acknowledging his words. It just spout its own crap and it was starting to piss him off. "The hell are you talking about? Stop spouting this garbage already! What do you want from me!?"
"Yuuki Terumi killed your family; he destroyed your home… You lost everyone and everything."
"Shut up… I've already chosen that I won't fight for revenge." Ragna told him.
"Why not? Why did you decide to stray from the path of revenge? Was it your choice? Or was it made for you? Was this choice forced upon you like all the rest? Have you really been the one avoiding fate? Preventing it? Why fight for the world that wronged you? Such blasphemy, is it not?"
Ragna had absolutely no idea what this figure was talking about, the questions the figure bombarded him with left him lost and above all: annoyed. He already made the choice to fight for the ones he cared for.
"I made that choice! I don't know who you are, but you're gonna give me some goddamn answers!" Having enough of the shadow, Ragna unslung his blade from his waist and lunged at it, intending to cut it down where it stood. However, his attempt to cleave it in half proved fruitless as his blade fazed right through it.
"Do you truly not want revenge…? Not only on, Terumi, but the world?"
"The world?"
"It doesn't care about you… It's been trying to get rid of you for its own protection. You are the destroyer." The enigmas voice became memorizing as Ragna found himself losing consciousness, his whole world turning spinning.
"Wha…!?" Ragna wobbled side to side and fell forward. Thinking quickly, he pierced the ground with his sword to keep himself up. His breathing became hefty, bags coming under his eyes as his strength was slowly being sapped away from him.
"Fall into darkness… Lose yourself… Make the world rue the day it ever crossed you… Destroy all and leave no remnant."
"To hell with that…! I'll…never…!" Ragna tried to resist the urge to close his eyes, but his drowsiness began to overwhelm him the longer he fought.
"Destroy… Destroy all… Make the world cower before your feet. Make your 'dream' a reality."
"My…dream?" Ragna's soon lost grip on his blade and fell forward with a thud. His eyes closed as he heard one last thing before everything went dark.
"Fall…into the depths of darkness…"
…
…
…
…
…
"Ra… Wa… u…"
'Wha…? Who's there?' Ragna heard a distant voice, the voice echoing like the inside of a tunnel. Who was it and why was it not only familiar but nostalgic?
This...sounds like…!
"Ragna! Wake up!"
"Wha!?" Ragna jolted up in a panic, the man finding himself in a small room lying in bed. Beside him was a boy with black hair and green eyes sitting on a stool, a boy he knew as said his name subconsciously. "Itsuki…? What are…? But you…!"
"You were saying some odd things in your sleep, Ragna. I woke you up because it's time for breakfast."
"Break…fast? Wait… What are…?" Ragna looked himself over. He had a white T-shirt on with black shorts, his blond hair hanging down over his eyes in complete disarray. "Blond? But ever since that day I…"
"Brother? Are you ok?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm good… Just a bad dream, that's all." Ragna told him, but there was something wrong. Why did this seemingly normal atmosphere, feel so deadly. Shaking his head from such obnoxious thoughts, he asked his brother, quickly switching topics. "What's today's date?"
"It's March 3. Come on, Ragna!"
"What? What is it?" Ragna saw just how happy he looked, but didn't know why? Was there something he wasn't telling him?
"You're so absent minded… Just get up. We're waiting for you downstairs." The boy got up and walked away.
"Wait 'we're'!? Who the hell are we—aaaand he's gone…" Ragna sighed and threw the sheets off of him as he stepped from out of his bed, got himself dressed, and headed into the bathroom for the most grueling part of his day: his hair. "I swear this is so damn annoying to fix every morning…" Fixing himself up and brushing his teeth he threw on some clothes, consisting of jeans, a black shirt, and sweater.
He made his way downstairs but furrowed a brow when he realized how quiet it was, and he didn't like it. Coming downstairs, he peaked around the corner to see the dining room light off. This uncanny silence made a drop of sweat trickled down his face and force a lump down his throat.
Where is everyone…? It was so rowdy and now it was like a gho—nope! Not even gonna say it!
Ragna took careful steps into the dining room and flicked on the lights. When he did, he was met with a rather heart stopping surprise.
"Surprise!"
"HOLY shit!"
Thought that was a joke?
Ragna looked at the people who just gave him the biggest jump scare of his life; his family. There were balloons floating about and smiles on each one of their faces, one of whom was Itsuki. "What is all this?"
"I can't believe this," The black haired boy shook his head in disappointment. "You're so forgetful you don't even know today's your birthday?"
Birthday? ...That's right. March 3…
Ragna took a look around at his smiling families faces and smiled back at them. "I… I don't know what to say… Thank you." He was at a complete loss for words. How could he forget that today was his birthday? It was like a dream…
A dream. Why does that sound so familiar…?
"Now don't go cryin', son." A gruff voice said. Ragna turned to the voice to see a man with black hair and dark colored eyes with his arm around a woman with long blond hair and emerald green eyes. These people were all too familiar to Ragna; it was his father and mother.
"I'm not gonna cry, dad. I'm not a damn baby." Ragna groaned.
"Well you're our baby," The woman smiled, her voice ringing in his ears like angel bells. "And that will never change." She went over to Ragna and took his hands into both of hers. They were warm and soft, her gentle hands made him feel safe and protected and he didn't want to let go. "We love you, Ragna. This is a day for you to enjoy with us."
"My…day…" Ragna felt his heart about to leap out of his chest, his heart pounding against his chest like a drum. "I… I can't even…" The blond tightened his hold on the woman's hands and smiled at her. "Thanks, mom. Shit, now I've gotta plan something for your party."
"Wait until that time comes, for now, let's party!" The father yelled at the top of his lungs. "Let's get the drinks!"
"Honey, no drinking."
"But I want—!"
"Honey," A dark aura appeared around the still smiling woman. "No…drinking." The once soothing air she exuded morphed to pure malice, making the entire room go cold and the man's legs shake.
"Y-Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say." With that said, they all went into the kitchen and came back out with a cake, setting it on the table and motioning Ragna to come. He took a single step and in the blink of an eye, the whole scene suddenly changed from his dining room to a vortex of fire. Within the blaze, his family littered the ground; the aroma of rotting flesh and urine permeated the air.
"Wha!? Mom! Dad! Itsuki!"
His mother's once beautiful blond hair was a wet scarlet, a pool of the same color liquid under her with her entrails. Urine leaked from her, turning the air sour and red marks circled her neck. Her clothes were ripped up, her panties moved to the side and her bra unclipped, her tongue hanging out with a look of ecstasy plastered onto her face with tears coming down her eyes. Beside her was his father; his left arm gone and his eyes lifeless. His clothes stained red and maggots in his visible skull like a bowl of rice. A yellowish white puss leaked from the sores that covered his body, his skin decolored and blue from blood loss. Lastly was his brother, Itsuki, and he was by far the worst.
Blood tore down from his lifeless eyes, his mouth agape and a look of fear still present on his severely burned face. His bones protruded from his twisted legs and his stomach was cut open with his innards popping out from it, whatever he ate last vomited onto the floor in front of him and flowing down his mouth. The smell that emanated from the now deceased boy attracted mosquitos, maggots and the sort, the creatures devouring his decaying tissue and laying eggs in the gore. His stump of an arm now crawling with maggots looked like ground beef.
"What!? What happened!? What's going on!?" Ragna's legs gave up on him, forcing him on his hands and knees, his hands hit the ground with a splash. "What was...?" The man felt something wet soak his hands. He slowly turned it over and saw a deep, dark, crimson cover his palm. "What...the hell...!?" His body shook as he began hyperventilating, sweat pouring down his face like bullets. None of this made any sense to him, why did this happen; just what happened? Suddenly Ragna felt something well up inside him. He held his mouth trying to hold back his vomit but soon could not hold it back as his gastric fluids sprayed out of his mouth.
What's going on!? What the fuck is going on!? Why is this happening!?
He wiped his mouth and stood up. The moment he did the scene faded as he found himself surrounded by darkness once more, standing alone in the void. He looked around frantically for them but came up empty as he found that he really was alone.
Alone… That's right. They're dead.
"I know how much you grieve," The shadowy figure appeared instantly beside Ragna and whispered in his ear. "How much you despise the one responsible," He reappeared on the other side and spoke in his other ear. "How deep your hatred," The shadow reappeared behind him. "How hot your blood boils," He reappeared in front of him. "And how much you yearn for his blood."
"No…! No! No!" Ragna swatted him away as the figure dissolved like a cloud of smoke. "That's not it!"
"You want that don't you?"
"!?" He opened his eyes and saw his mother, father and brother once more. "It's them…"
"Yes," The figure appeared next to them. "Reach out for them… Call out what you truly wish… Call out your true meaning in life…! And go forth!"
"What I want…is destruction…" Ragna said hypnotically.
"Yes… Yes, that's it… Destruction." The enigma placed its hand on his shoulders. "This world has done nothing for you, Ragna. All it has done is damn you… Use you… Torture you… This world is worthless."
"This world…is worthless… I am… The Black Beast," Ragna's his eyes soon lost their gleam, the man no more than a mere puppet now. "I am the destroyer… I am death. I am all that is evil… There is no place for me…"
I've been alone for so long… There is no place for me… There has never been...and there never will be.
"Yes… Speak it out. Recognize who you are…!" The enigma extended both hands outwards. "Look deep inside yourself! Now tell me who you are! You are the Black Beast!" The shadow motioned its hand for Ragna to look before him at his family, warm smiles on their faces.
"Mom… Dad… Itsuki…"
"This is your precious family! Taken from you because this world did not want you! This world wanted to throw you aside, Ragna; to keep turning. You are nothing but an unwanted guest in this party. Can't you see?"
"This world… It's because of this world…!? They're gone because…!"
"Yes… Fuel your rage. Let it guide you down the proper path… Your path."
"The path…of destruction…" Red veins slowly ran up his right arm, his arm soon morphing into a monstrous claw. These same veins crawled up from his legs, up his body, and under his right eye. His mind became as dark as the void around him as only one thing filled his mind: destroy.
Why the hell should I care what happens to this damn world…? What has this fucking world done for me…?
"That's it, Ragna. Show this world who you really are. This form is nothing but 'shell' to hide your true self. Now reveal thine self to me and desiccate this world!" A white line came across the shadows face, soon forming a large smile that stretched across its features. "The Azure is yours to command, Ragna. Once you have obtained it…your family shall return."
Is it true…? Will they…?
The family he loved so much, the family he lost so early, was staring him right in the face. They walked over to him and held him, their arms slowly bringing him into their embrace. His hands began to move around them as a joyful smile came across his face. He felt warm and at peace, all his worries vanishing and at home in the darkness.
'What was I doing again…?'
'Pr… N..v… G…'
'Huh?' Ragna could've sworn he heard a voice. This voice was very irritating, but at the same time, comforting.
This voice… Who is this again? It's so damn...annoying, but… This person...
A bright light surrounded him as he saw someone in the distance. They had blond hair tied in pigtails with two large ribbons that held them and a gothic black dress. This was someone Ragna knew well, how could he forget her?
'Fight…as a human… Promise me… Swear to me… That you will never give up…'
'A…human…' Ragna echoed her as the figure vanished with a strong gust wind. Now he was alone as her words still rang in his ears. It was a simple promise he kept with her… But it was much harder to keep than he thought.
That promise… Rachel...
"The hell am I doing…?" Ragna shook his head in disappointment. 'This is just like the other times… I rely on the Azure Grimoire… But it wasn't just that…' He looked into the palm of his right hand and asked himself. "What is this power anyway…really?"
"That's something for you to find out, Ragna…"
"..." A familiar voice broke through his self-scolding. Turning to the soft voice, he found a crimson eyed blond facing him with worry filled eyes. "Azure…" Ragna averted his gaze from her, ashamed of himself for letting this progress so far. "What are you doing here…?"
"That's what I should be asking you…"
"I don't know…"
"'I don't know…?' That's all you can say, Ragna? You're being consumed by the Azure, and all you can say is, 'I don't know?'"
"I don't know… That's all I can tell you."
"That's not good enough.
"I said I don't know, ok!" Ragna yelled in frustration, his teeth and fists clenched. "I don't know! I don't know what's going on! I NEVER know what the fuck is going on! The hell else am I supposed to say right now!? Just leave me alo—!"
Slap.
A loud slap silenced Ragna, the sound echoing through the space as it was the sound of Azure slapping Ragna right across his face. A red mark was left on his cheek as he clenched his teeth and turned to the one responsible. "You bitch…! What the fuck is your—!?" His anger quickly left him as the tears that gathered in the blond's eyes quelled his fury.
"You… You aren't, Ragna… There's no way someone like you could be him!" Azure cried and hit him right in his chest.
"A-Azure…"
"He wouldn't give up," She hit him again with her other fist and wept. "He wouldn't do this to himself!" She hit him again. "He would keep his head held high and face his problems head on!" She hit him again and again. "He would keep his promise! You idiot!"
"I-I…" Ragna tried to respond to her, but he couldn't; she was right. This wasn't him… Right now, he was no different than some scared child. "Damn it… Azure that's not…!"
"Then what is it!?" Azure bellowed and buried her head into his chest. "I want, 'Ragna' back! I want you back..." She clenched his shirt as her voice lowered, her breath shaky and her throat clenching. "What is it, Ragna… Tell me the truth… Please."
"…I don't know… I don't know what's wrong with me…!" Ragna sank to his knees and punched the ground. "I don't know what the hell is going on! I'm losing myself! I'm losing everything again and I can't stop it! Why!? Damn it! Why the hell was I even fighting so hard!? What the fuck do I even have to fight for! I'm so…!"
"…So… You're afraid…"
"!"
"I know you are… Try to think about your answer, Ragna… You're afraid…"
"I'm…" It took Ragna a minute to answer before he answered with a shaky breath. "Yes… I think... No. I'm scared shitless." There was no way he could hide it or pretend that he wasn't. Now thinking about, he might've been afraid from the very beginning. Every time something got tough, he'd rely on the Azure Grimoire and never solve it himself. Whether it was Terumi or even when he saved Noel, it was always because of the Azure.
I...can't change anything… Wait…'change'?
'…'You' can't change anything… Nothing at all, Ragna…'
'Is this…what she meant?' Akahana's words echoed in his mind. Before, he didn't know what she meant by that and figured she was just talking her own bullshit to get a rise out, but it had a much deeper meaning.
A change is brought upon by the actions of the 'person'... With their own two hands… Their own power.
"So…'I' can't change anything, huh…? That's what she meant… The hell have I been doing…?" Ragna took to his feet and looked back at Azure. "Sorry… I didn't mean to show you this…"
"It's fine, Ragna… But…she was right. You're afraid of me. Afraid of…becoming me." Azure took his right hand into her own and caressed it. "To fear power…yet desire it in return… But you know this power doesn't belong to you…"
"I know…" Ragna shook his head and fixed his gaze on his grimoire. "I think… It's time I woke up. Give me a minute, Azure," He pulled his arm back from her and looked up. "There's an asshole I need to go and take care of."
"Yes, there is," Azure winked. "Give him hell."
"Hmph… The desire for love is one of mankind's greatest wish," The enigma watched as Ragna stood there in his family's embrace, a bright and peaceful smile over his face. "Sleep forever within your own subconscious, Ragna the Bloodedge. Let the world walk down its rightful path without your interference."
"You're wrong…"
"What?"
"I'm…not the Black Beast…" Ragna's eyes slowly opened as his mother, father, and brother vanished into the void. "So," He chuckled and shook his head. "This is what she meant...by me being afraid… Heh. I'm so afraid of losing control…that I'm the one being taken control of. How pathetic… Well then… I won't be afraid… I won't run anymore…!"
"What's this!? What are you doing!? Don't you want them back!?"
"Those aren't my parents…and that's not my brother… This isn't me… I'm not the Black Beast," A red jacket, black shirt, black hakama and a massive sword slowly appeared as his previous set of clothes dissipated. "I'm not some damn monster…" His hair swayed as it turned from blond back to platinum, his right eye following suit, turning from a shining emerald back to a shimmering crimson. "I'm me," He said with a determined glare. "And that's all I'll ever be."
"Do not deny who you are!" The enigma yelled. "You are the destroyer! You're nothing, but a monster!"
"I'm not! I'm sick of people telling me what I am!" Ragna encased his right arm in seithr and charged at the enigma. "I'm ME!" He smashed his fist right into the figure's face, sending it flying a good distance away. The dark figure bounced a few times on the ground before stopping.
"G-G'uh…!"
"Damn that felt fucking good." Ragna sighed in satisfaction.
"You…!" The shadow growled as it slowly stood up. "Who do you think you are!?" The figure puts both hands out as several magic circles appeared behind it. "Struggling against your fate is pointless! You cannot fight the inevitable! Once one's fate is set, there is nothing you can do!"
"To hell with fate!" Ragna draws his sword from his waist with a click and twirls it a few times before holding it forward with both hands. "I live my life how I want to live it! And I'm not gonna let some random son of a bitch tell me what to do!"
"You brat!" The figure bellowed as arrows of light shot from the magic circles.
"You've been fucking with my head for too damn long!" Ragna gripped his sword tight and ran straight ahead to his target, dodging all the arrows that came his way, swinging his blade left and right as he deflected them with loud clangs. "And I want you OUT!"
"You insolent wretched!" A massive blade of comprised of darkness formed in the figure's hand as the shadowy figure flew right at Ragna with a burst of speed, the two meeting in a deadly clash. Their blades slammed against each other, sparks flying and the sound of clashing metal rang through the empty void. Their bodies moved at light speed across the dark void, each blow shaking the very space they occupied.
The enigma thrusted his blade forward to pierce Ragna's, heart. The Reaper dipped and weaved to the right, quickly going for a simple sideways kick to the stomach. The blow connected as the figure hunched over and soon sprung back up by an uppercut. The shadow spun a few times before he faced right side up and bounced off a seal under his foot, coming down and Ragna and lightning speed.
Ragna leapt back to avoid the collision, soon dancing on his toes as the figures attacks became relentless. The platinum parried his last attack, the two blades clashing with a loud clang that sent sparks flying in the air. The figure lost his footing as he wasn't prepared for such a retaliation. Seeing the easy opportunity, Ragna kicked the enigma hard in its chin, sending him up high. Stooping down, he leapt up high and delivered a spinning downwards kick to the figure's stomach, sending it down onto the ground with a massive boom. Ragna landed back onto the ground as the enigma slowly got back up.
"How…! How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are!?"
"…"
"You are nothing, but a cog in a machine! You are supposed to do what fate commanded! You have no choice! You are the one who will destroy all and bring chaos! That is your fate! Your destiny!"
"...Shut your damn mouth already."
"What?"
"You may be right about that… But," Ragna's blade slowly ensnared itself in seithr as the shell on his right hand opened, revealing a bright red light. "That doesn't matter… Fate doesn't dictate who I am or what I am. I'm me and nobody else." He took hold of the hilt with his other hand as the shell on his left hand opened, revealing a bright yellow light. The two lights swirled around him and joined as a heavy gust of wind forced the dark figure a few paces back.
"What is…this power!?"
"I decide for myself what I want to do with my life… I've made promises… Promises to keep. And more importantly, I promised myself," The seithr that covered his blade morphed into what looked like a blue flame. The bright blue aura covered him whole, its radiance illuminating the darkness. "I swore to never give up… I'll fight for the people I care about… 'I'll' protect them…"
"That… That couldn't be…!" The shadow took a shaky step back as Ragna took a mighty step forward. "That color…! This power…! The Azure's Flame…! How are you welding it!?"
There was no doubt in his mind now, no fault within his heart. It didn't matter what the future held, or what his path foretold, he'd face it head on with his head held up high and without regret. "I won't lose here… I can't." A smile formed on his lips once his eyes met his sword, the sword he received from his master; from his father. He felt power surging within him, the power of the Azure that he feared so much.
This power… I feel like my legs are gonna break…!
This immense power made the air around him cumbersome as his legs were ready to cave in from the pressure. He was afraid...
But…
"Something like fear…won't stop me." Ragna gripped the blade tight and looked back at the enigma, getting down into a stance, readying himself to charge in and finish this.
"You… You insufferable child!" Darkness shot from him like a geyser with gale force winds erupting off of him, but Ragna didn't even flinch and stared the figure down. Vortex's of power swirled around the two as they were ready to finish this.
"You've been screwin' around with my head a lot you son of a bitch… Time to pay for it!" Ragna took off in a burst of speed as the enigma did the same. With a yell the two smashed into each other, their mighty powers clashing in intense contest.
"You dare fight against it," The shadow stretched its hand over to Ragna and grabbed his neck. "You damn brat! There is no defeating destiny!"
"I've heard…just about all I can take from you…!" Ragna pushed back as the shadows blade began to shatter like glass.
"What!? This can't be! What…!? What in the hell are you!?"
Who am I…? What a stupid question…
"Did you forget already? Then…how about I remind you," Ragna smirked as he put a bit more force behind the weight of his sword, the shadows blade cracking into even more pieces. "I am… The 'Grim Reaper'…"
"No…this can't be…!"
"RAGNA THE BLOODEDGE!"
"Haaaaah!" Ragna charged at Azrael, the Mad Dog charging happily at Ragna, his right fist with a red energy swirling around it.
'I can't watch him proceed. Ragna… Please…forgive me.' Rachel clenched her eyes shut and cursed herself out. The man out there was not Ragna, it was nothing more than a monster. Electricity built up around her fingers as she readied herself to strike Ragna down and end his suffering.
"Ms. Rachel, no!" Celica yelled.
"Mad Dog!" Ragna and Azrael both swung their fists, but instead of Ragna swinging his right arm, he swung his left; dodging the Mad Dog punch by a margin and smashing his knuckles into his face. Rachel stopped mid cast as the scene before them played in slow motion.
Azrael bounced on the floor a few times before stopping and getting up a few seconds later. He got back up to see Ragna still positioned with his fist swung, panting and his right arm still a dark claw, but not for long. Slowly the seithr and veins that covered his arm and face vanished, the cumbersome air that surrounded the arena dissipated along with Ragna's monstrous form.
"R-Ragna?" Celica called out hesitantly to him but received no response. His panting soon stopped as he retracted his fist and took a deep breath. Ragna raised a fist and punched himself in the face, a few drops of blood making small splats on the floor.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mad Dog… Something I had to take care of…" With a swipe of his thumb, he wiped the blood from his lip. "This fight ain't over yet...!" He declared, giving the Mad Dog a sharp glare. "I'm still standing!"
"He…" Rachel stared in awe at what she just witnessed. 'He stopped the Black Beast's transformation… On his own?'
What just happened…? The Black Beast...its presence has vanished…! Ragna, you...
"Bastard...! How dare you hold back on me! Release it already and fight me!" Azrael roared.
"Sorry, but if you think… I'd unleash the power of the Azure…on a little bitch like you, then," A cocky smirk came across the Reaper lips. "You're outta luck!"
"Why…? Why don't you fight me with your full strength!? Why don't you freely use all the power you could hold!? I thought you would be able to understand the pain of not being to use the power you HAVE!" Azrael clenched his fists tightly, disappointment over Ragna turning into rage. He was holding back on him—on HIM!? Who the hell did he think he was!? The Mad Dog's blood boiled as he started to huff and puff. "So be it! Then there isn't any point to this… Die, Ragna the Bloodedge."
"Now, I'm excited. If you think you can kill me," He twirled his blade a few times and held it with both hands, the blade pointing forward. "I'd love to see you try you freak. So what the hell are you waiting for you damn berserker!? Your fights with 'me'! That's what you wanted right!? So come on," He said with a cocky smile. "I'll fight you."
"Don't mess with me!" Azrael roared, his voice filled with pure rage. Veins pulsated all over his body, from his arms to his face. The raging berserker charged at Ragna, his fist back and clenched tightly as veins popped up on his knuckles. Ragna doesn't move however and stands his ground, preparing himself for the Mad Dogs attack.
"Bring it!"
"Grim Reaper!" Azrael slammed his fist down as Ragna raised his blade up to block. The impact caused the floor under Ragna to crumble a little as his feet dug into the ground, the pressure forcing him to kneel. "Fight me! Use the Blazblue! I was promised a fight! Now use everything!"
"I don't need that…to beat you…!" Ragna began to rise back to his feet and pushed the Mad Dog back a step. "I've still…gotta score to settle with you…! So this fight…is far from over…!" The Reapers mismatched eyes shined as a purple aura surrounded him like steam. He was now back on his two feet and Azrael found himself being overwhelmed in a contest of brute strength.
"What? What is this…!?" Azrael tried to hold Ragna down, but his efforts proved fruitless as the Reaper started to force him back. Ragna raised his blade up quick to set the Mad Dog off balance as he smashed his fist right into his face. Their battle roared throughout the arena, the nothing more than flashes of light zooming across the arena. But that cumbersome air that once engulfed them vanished.
"Guess that idiot's back to himself…" Kagura sighed. "Worrying me for no damn reason…"
"Ragna…" Celica placed her hands over her chest and smiled. "Yes… 'This'...is him… This is 'Ragna'."
"Yeah… It is." Makoto nodded in agreement. 'And I'm glad he's back…'
A ring caught their attention as Kagura fished his communicator out his pocket. "Celia? What's up?"
"Gauntlet Hades!" Ragna brought his seithr encased leg up for a devastating roundhouse kick, slamming his foot right into the Mad Dogs face. "Hells—!" His fist soon surrounded in seithr as he pounded him right in the chest, following up with with a swing of his other arm that summoned forth a beastlike head. "Fang!"
"Gah!" The beast rammed into his chest, sending the berserker skidding a few paces on the ground.
"What's wrong, Mad Dog!? I didn't know you were so damn weak!"
"Me…!? WEAK!" Azrael dug his hands into the ground and brought up a massive slab of rock and sent it towards the Grim Reaper. Ragna tightened his grip and cleaved through the wall of rock with a heavy swing. The mauler went on the offensive, bombarding Ragna with a barrage of punch and kicks, but they were either blocked or dodged. Having enough of playing defense, Ragna switched to offense and opened his right hand as a beastlike head surrounded it.
Ragna lunged his arm forward as the beast came out and carried Azrael, but the Mad Dog dug his feet into the ground and swung his arms as the beast was dispelled. He was ready to retaliate but was too slow as Ragna was right in front of him, ready to continue his assault. Azrael slammed his fist down but hit nothing but earth as Ragna was nowhere to be found.
"You're slowin' down on me." A voice said from behind.
"Tch!" Azrael swung his arm behind him but hit nothing but air. "Where did he—Gah!" The Mad Dog coughed up blood as a heavy slash went down his back. He whipped around for a punch but was met with one instead. Ragna's knuckles burrowed into his face before sending the monster into the wall. Azrael was about to pry himself out of the wall but gasped as a massive beast comprised out seithr tore through the ground and ensnared him. Seithr filled the space and cleared to reveal an injured Azrael, blood rushing down his chin and several lines of blood on his sides and chest.
What's going on here!? I'm being overwhelmed! No!
Azrael was confused, just mere moments ago he and Ragna were equal at best, but now he was being completely overpowered. Ragna was an entirely different person from just a minute ago. The weight of his attacks were unlike any he has ever felt, his once nonsensical attacks patterns vanished, turning into a more fluent way of battle.
"No!" Azrael rushed him, the two meeting in yet another bout.
Clang.
Clang.
Boom.
The sound of metal clashing and punches being thrown and connecting resonated around the empty colosseum as the only spectators watched in awe as he was actually able to match the Mad Dog, even push him back. The weight of their attacks shook the Colosseum itself. With a final clash, the two were sent a few feet away from each other. Azrael was panting pretty hard, his blood boiling in rage from his dissatisfaction from Ragna not releasing the power of the Azure Grimoire.
"I'm not done yet!" Azrael bellowed at Ragna as he rushed in again, Ragna quickly getting into a stance to prepare for the berserker, but the Mad Dog was soon engulfed by a purple wave.
"What!?" Ragna heard multiple footsteps come next to him as he saw Makoto, Celica, Kagura, and Tsubaki right next to him. "What are you guys doing!?"
"We've got a plan," Tsubaki told him.
"I'm all ears…" Ragna nodded as Tsubaki filled him in on what they were supposed to do. "So if the Rabbit left, you should've gone with her, Celica. You can't fight him."
"That doesn't matter. I'll stay here with you, Ragna. I… I don't want to leave your side! Let me show you that I can protect you! I will protect you."
"Idiot…" A smile came across his face as he looked back at Azrael. 'How can I say I'm all alone when I got an idiot like her worrying about me? Maybe I'm the idiot…'
"Oh…? So…instead of a meal I get a buffet? I like it!" Azrael smiled joyously at his new line up. Before it was just him and Ragna, one on one, but now, four more people joined the fray. Makoto, Tsubaki, Celica, and Kagura. This line up sent the berserker into joyful disarray as he couldn't wait to tear into them. "This should make up for that last disappointment."
"We're not your afternoon snack, Mad Dog " Kagura got into a stance as Makoto threw her shirt off and showed off her rather revealing battle outfit. Tsubaki drew her Izayoi as they all readied themselves for a four on one battle. But this was no regular five on one. With Azrael, it was like five ants and a dinosaur.
Seeing no need to prolong their battle anymore, Azrael darted toward them, ready to spill blood. They quickly jumped in different directions as Azrael's fist came down, but he struck nothing but earth. Makoto was the first to rush the beast, her flurry of fists flying, mixed with a few kicks. The Mad Dog easily avoided her blows and caught her last one with little effort.
"Please tell me that's not all you can do."
"It's not!" A bright light encompassed Makoto's other fist as she slammed her knuckles into the Azrael's cheek. The heavy blow staggered the Mad Dog as he took a few steps back. Makoto intended to continue but was met with a hard back kick to her stomach. That had to be the heaviest blow she's ever felt in her entire life as all the air that once encompassed her lungs left her. She was sent gliding on the floor, but dug her hands into the ground and lunged back at Azrael.
"You've got guts. But," He smirked. "Guts won't save you!"
"Oh, yeah?" Makoto cockily smiled as she quickly jumped back and from behind, Tsubaki appeared and thrusted herself forward. Azrael wasn't prepared for her and barely dodged the chest piercing blow.
Tsubaki didn't want to give him any time to think and went on the offensive, swinging her dagger with her maximum arm length in all different directions. She was agile sure, he could admit that, but there no matter how agile you are, it's useless if you can't even hit your opponent. Tsubaki swung once more, but her blade was caught with a click by Azraels two fingers.
"What!?"
"Tsubaki, jump!" A voice erupted. The redhead asked no questions and took to the air as three lasers came at the Mad Dog. The berserker quickly dodged the beams, only to be met by a purple wave. Azrael managed to block and hold his ground from the massive attack, but it did little to injure him.
"Is that all?"
"The hell it is!" Kagura instantly appeared in front of him and swung his massive blade in an upward arch. The bulky man quickly sidestepped to the right and went for a clotheslining straight punch, but misses as the Black Knight ducked and kicked him in his stomach, following up with a straight blade thrust. The blunt edge slammed into his chest as the berserker coughed up blood. A wild smile appeared on the bulky man's face as he chuckled.
"Yes… Yes, that's it! More!"
"Tch! What a pervert…!" Kagura knew that attack did some damage, but then in the back of his head, he couldn't help but feel like it didn't do much. Not letting up however he went for a few sideways swings, but they were either dodged or deflected by the Mad Dogs fingers. What were his fingers made out of, steel?
"This is actually pretty fun…" Azrael grabbed the Major by the black jacket on his back and pulled him in and pounded him right in the face. The heavy blow sent the Major zooming through the arena and slamming into the wall. Ragna and Makoto quickly double teamed the berserker, coordinating their attacks so once one of them moved, the other was ready to deal another blow. Tsubaki quickly joined into the frenzy, but even with all three of them, he was able to avoid and block their synchronized attacks.
He caught Makoto's punch and Ragna's blade in his hands and slammed the two together before throwing them away. Tsubaki quickly closed in on the Mad Dog, but before she could swing her dagger, she was met with a strong kick to the gut. She bounced and rolled a few times on the ground before using her hands and jumping off the ground. A bow and arrow of light soon formed in the redhead's hands as she took quick aim.
"Macto Lux Kyrie!" Upon release of her bow, the arrow splits into a bevy of light streams and scattered. Azrael slammed his fist into the ground as a massive slab of rock erected from the earth and blocked the incoming arrows, the impact creating a dust cloud that covered the Mad Dog. Tsubaki landed and gasped as she saw Azrael was just fine, the dust clearing as it showed he had no injuries.
"Come on… Is that really all you can do?"
"Tch…" 'How much longer until she's ready!?' A sweat trickled down the scowling redheads face as the bow and arrow of light vanished.
"Hmph." Azrael looked at all four of them and smirked. "Not bad… I guess it was worth it coming here… I have a very delicious lineup."
"Bastards not even sweating…" Kagura groaned. 'We just gotta tire him out... Just a little more.'
"Come on, Minerva! We can do this!" Celica cheered.
They all charged in once more, blades and fists swinging and loud clashes and booms filled the stadium. It was four on one and Azrael was not only keeping up with them but also beating them back. Makoto went for an uppercut, but he quickly vanishes and reappears behind her. Before he could deal a blow, something exploded on his back. The Mad Dog turned to see Minerva morphed into a type of canon.
"Annoying pest!"
"You won't lay a hand on her!" Makoto readied a punch for Azrael but was met with one instead, the blowing sending her into the wall.
"Makoto!" Tsubaki's dagger turned into a long whip as she slung it at Azrael. It wrapped around his arm as she planted her feet firmly on the ground to hold him. Though it didn't do much as he reeled her in like a fish and punted her away like a soccer ball
"Let's do it, Minerva!" Celica cheered as Minerva kept firing as Azrael came in closer and closer, fist clenched tight and ready to smash her doll into a million pieces.
"Damn!" Kagura quickly dashed off to meet the Mad Dog before he met Celica, but was kicked away into Ragna and sent spiraling across the arena.
Minerva took Celica up and dashed away, the Mad Dog giving chase and quickly gaining on them. The doll transformed one of her legs into a blade and whipped around, the blade scraping his chest and leaving a long scratch. Azrael jumped up and slammed himself back on the ground, the ground moving like a wave as Minerva lost her balance and fell forward with Minerva.
"Owie…" Celica rose up and saw Azrael walking towards them. She had Minerva stood back up, ready to fight as the man smirked.
"Hmph. I acknowledge your guts kid. But a weakling like you shouldn't be on the battlefield."
"Get your ass away from her!" A fist slammed into his cheek and sent him tearing through the ground. Azrael got back up as he wiped the blood off his mouth and looked to see it was Ragna.
"You got up pretty quickly."
"I won't let you lay a fucking finger on her again! This time I'll make sure to protect her!" Ragna declared. He was about to move off but stopped as his body pulsated in pain. "What...the hell…!? Gah!" He coughed up blood and shut an eye. "Damn it…!"
"Ragna, don't push yourself! I'll fight with you!"
"Stay behind me, Celica… I swear I won't make the same mistake twice."
"Ragna…" Celica slowly leaned against Ragna's back as her hands began to glow, his body soon surrounding in a green light. "This is the best I can do…"
"That's fine… Thank you, Celica," Ragna placed a hand on hers and clenched it, a light pink coming onto her cheek from his touch. "We'll talk later… Right now, take a step back."
"Ok." Celica watched Ragna dart over to fight Azrael once more as a smile came across her face. "Only do what I can do… And if this is what I can do, I'll do it!" Celica nodded confidently and ran off.
"Haah!" Ragna and Kagura quickly rushed him, working together to pressure him and managing to get a few hits on him. But their attacks weren't all too damaging as Azrael shook them off like bug bites.
Ragna's blade morphed into its scythe form as he swung with his maximum arm length in an attempt to cleave the berserker in half. To his surprise, Azrael caught it easily as a red aura surrounded his other hand. Before he struck, Kagura slammed the side of his blade into the Mad Dogs back as he sent a few feet away from them.
The Mad Dog dug his fingers into the ground and quickly got up, ready to tear Kagura in half. But before he could move, he was met with a hard right hook by Makoto. Azrael went for a straight punch, but the beastkin quickly swerved around it and hit him with two quick punches and a knee to his chin. Azrael staggered a few paces from the heavy blows and looked back to see Makoto with her fist reeled back and a bright light encompassing her arm.
"Big Bang Smash!" Makoto thrusted her fist forward as a fist made of energy appeared as an extension of her arm. Azrael put his hands up to block the blow but was pushed back a bit from the heavy attack. He dug his feet into the ground to stop himself and growled in frustration that he was pushed back by someone like her. Before he could move, streams of light rained down on him as he was engulfed in a dust cloud. With a heavy gust of wind, the dust cloud vanished as Azrael rushed out at Makoto and grabbed her by the head as he threw her right into Tsubaki. Kagura saw that he was slowing down and quickly intensified the pressure on him as more of his blows hit the Mad Dog.
"Haah!"
"Not good enough!" Azrael countered Kagura's thrust with a powerful downwards punch as the Major was blown back the incredible force. Kagura quickly regained his footing but was too late as Azrael was right in front of him.
"Shit!"
"Dead Spike!" A wave of seithr resembling that of a beast's head appeared and took the Mad Dog away.
"Saved my ass…" Kagura sighed in relief and thanked his savior. "Thanks for that…"
"Yeah, but…" Ragna looked to see Azrael coming towards them and scowled. "Who the hell is gonna save ours…!?"
"Hey, you still alive?" An abrupt voice asked. Ragna looked at his grimoire to see his shell opened and glowing yellow.
"Are you ready yet, Celia?" Ragna asked.
"Yeah, just put him in position. The rest is up to our 'sniper' and you after that." Celia said.
"Alright… Kagura!" Ragna called to Kagura.
"Yeah," Kagura slanted his blade down in front of him to block Azrael's punch. "Is it ready!?" The Black Knight saw him nod and smirked. "Good."
"What's so funny?" Azrael was peaked by the smirk that came across the Black Knights face. He seemed pretty cocky about something or he had something planned.
"Whatever you have planned, won't help you win this fight! Only the strongest will come out on top!"
"Oh, yeah!?" Kagura swung his blade up as Azrael was knocked off balance. His blade surrounded itself in a purple aura as he did a turning jump and slammed his sword down, trapping the Mad Dog in an endless loop. "Dark Flame—!" With one more slam, he dug his blade into the ground and flings it up. "Of the Bellowing Dragon!" A geyser of what looked like purple flames erupted from the ground as Azrael took the blow full force. Now that was something he wasn't expecting. Azrael dug his feet into the ground and stopped himself as smoke came off his body. Kagura thought that did him in, but he was wrong. His tattoos glowed as a red devilish aura came from the chuckling Mad Dog.
"For showing me such a good time... I think I should reward you..."
"What!?"
"Enchant Dragunov level 3…! Released!" Azrael roared as the ground beneath them trembled. The air thickened as Azrael's very presence became toxic. A smirk slowly formed onto Kagura's face as he looked up.
"Alright… It's up to you now…"
Over five hundred meters in the air, a small ship hovered over Yabiko as the cargo bay was opened and Rachel stood with a blond haired man. Emerald eyes focused down where his target was, a bow and arrow of crystallized ice formed in his hands as he took aim.
"Can you make the shot from here?" The vampire asked.
"It is not if I can make, it is if it will hit. I have the coordinates." He responded.
"Very well…" Rachel took out her communicator. "Celica, are you ready?"
"Yep! And I've got some backup!" A vibrant Celica responded.
"'Back up' you say? Interesting..." Rachel couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle as she turned to her ally. "They are ready."
"Ok." His emerald eyes glowed as he reeled the arrow far and took a breath as a blue magic circle appeared in front of the point of the arrow. Three more appeared, one in front of the other as an icy mist rose up from the sniping man's feet. The circles formed a kind of scope for the man to fire as the target was right where he needed to be. "Freeze." Was all he said before he let the arrow fly, the arrow zooming through the air and slicing it clean in half as it made its way to its intended target.
"What?" Azrael heard something odd and turned around as he saw the very clouds above him split in two as what seemed to be an arrow came right towards him. "So that was your plan! A sneak attack won't save you!"
"Damn it!" Makoto and Tsubaki quickly rushed Azrael, not wanting to move from his position. They went on both sides of him but were quickly blown away by his outrageous power. Kagura quickly appeared in front of the Mad Dog, but was kicked away and tore through the floor as he came to a stop a few feet away from him.
"Shit!" Ragna lunged at the Mad Dog as his fist surrounded in seithr. He threw a straight punch at him, but it was countered as Azrael slammed his fist into his. He was then kicked away and gasped as Azrael was about to dodge the arrow. But out of nowhere, something exploded on his back as Ragna looked to see a panting Bullet with an arm extended and Celica healing her.
"Bullet!?"
"You damn—!" Almost forgetting the deadly arrow that came his way, Azrael turned around and put his arms in front of him to block as the arrow slammed into him, the impact surrounded the entire stadium in a crystal like mist. Kagura, Tsubaki, and Makoto rose up from the ground and watched as the mist cleared and Azrael was still standing, bits of ice covering his body.
"Heh… Hahaha!" Azrael let out a wild laugh and then quickly calmed himself. "So that was your master plan to take me out? Sorry, but it didn't work." The Mad Dog looked at Bullet all the way in the back. "I'll deal with you later you rat… But for now," Azrael looked at Makoto, Kagura, and Tsubaki. "I'll take my time devouring you four…"
"Heh. 'four' huh…? I think you're forgetting someone… Or did that attack leave your brain on ice?" Kagura chuckled weakly.
"What!?" Azrael gasped as he recalled there was someone else, but he was nowhere to be found "The Grim Reaper is—!"
"Right here!" A gruff voice yelled as Azrael turned around to see Ragna right behind him. His face twisted in rage and his fist clenched tight. The Grim Reaper slammed his fist into the Mad Dog's stomach and blood sprayed from his mouth. "Idea Engine, override!"
"Wha—!?" Azrael yelled in pain as his tattoos glowed brightly and a burning sensation coursed all over his body. "What is this!?" He tried to move, but couldn't as he fell on his knees. "What did you do to me!?"
"No, it's what I did. Mad Dog." A voice spoke out. Azrael's face twisted in rage as he struggled to look up.
"Is that you…Celia!?"
"Yep. So…how does it feel to be knocked on your ass? Not very appealing I guess." Celia said sarcastically. "Well, I gotta admit, Azrael, you are one stubborn son of a bitch... Looks like all that running around finally tired you out... You don't even have the power to stand."
"GODDAMN YOU!" Azrael roared. "GODDAMN YOOOOU! HOW DARE YOU!"
"Too late for that, the bastard already has."
"Time to go to your cage, Mad Dog." Were Ragna's last words to Azrael before the man disappeared, the battle finally over. The purple aura that surrounded Ragna vanished as did his glowing eyes. The moment they did, his blade dropped from his hands and he fell forward.
"H-Hey, Rag—!" Kagura called to him, but he was soon caught by Celica, the mage taking the unconscious man down to his knees and holding him tight with a warm smile on her face. The Black Knight just smiled at them and looked around. "Holy shit… Just look at this place. It was like the day after tomorrow was yesterday…"
"It seems as if everything went well." A dainty voice spoke as Rachel appeared out of thin air. She looked at the unconscious Ragna being held by Celica and sighed. "Might I say we have one hell of an idiot…"
"Yes, we do…" Makoto smiled.
"I appreciate the assistance, Bullet," Rachel turned her attention to the limping mercenary and said. "If not for that distraction, we would have missed."
"Save it for now… I've got questions that need answering and a shit ton of them."
"Guess that makes sense." Makoto sighed.
"I think for now we should head back to the branch," Tsubaki suggested. "If we stay here too long the NOL might come to see the aftermath."
"I agree. Come, let us be off."
"I knew it..."
"What is it…? You seem...happy." Akahana couldn't help but notice the good mood the Imperator seemed to be in. She never smiled and always had this stern look on her face, so seeing her smile now was a bit unnerving. It was like watching Terumi give candy to a baby that wasn't poisonous. Taking this as a bad omen, the mage took a giant step away from the smiling platinum.
"Do not worry yourself over it…" The Imperator said nothing more and walked out from the where they stood next to the cauldron. This ease that rested over her meant that Ragna managed to triumph over his trial.
There may be a future for us yet…
The Imperator stopped in her tracks as her smile faded. There was an irksome presence behind her and she knew exactly who it was. It was perfect since she needed to talk to him anyway. "Terumi… We need to talk."
"Oh? About what?" A sarcastic voice asked, the voice being none other than Terumi's.
"Why did you make contact with the Mad Dog?"
"We needed him out of the way. I mean, if that berserker got it our way, it could actually pose a huge ass problem. Might as well nip that shit in the bud before it hatched." Terumi said.
"But why in secret?" She turned to him and glared at him with suspicious slits. "Answer me."
"I've got no reason to. It all worked out so stop pissing yourself it." Terumi snarled.
"Hmph. You seem to have a pair of balls today… Should I cut them off?"
"N-No, I'd rather you not," Terumi sweat dropped. "With that gaze, you might actually do it…"
"So never, under any circumstance, do that again. Next time, I WILL kill you. Do you understand?"
"Crystal." Terumi snickered. The platinum didn't want to waste another second talking to him and walked off. Once out of his sight, he clicked his teeth and snarled. "Who does that bitch think she is? I swear I'm gonna kill that whore the first chance I get, but," He chuckled to himself as a sadistic smile came across his lips. "No reason to rush… There's plenty of time until the day of ruin… Heh heh heh…"
The man chuckled as he walked, the hallway filling with his dark laughter. Unknown to him, a certain mage overheard him, leaning against the corner with her arms folded under her chest she looked passed the corner with the corner of her eye.
"Terumi… What are you up too?"
Finally, the Mad Dog is back in his cage and that fight is over! Now the story can progress once more! I was happy when I saw this story reached over 11, 100 views! It might not be a lot, but to me, as my first story, it makes me happy. And like to thank all who's read this and enjoyed this. Hopefully, everyone who has read this will stick around as I have much planned for this. The next story to be updated will be Tales of Azure.
Next: Chapter 28: Two halves make a whole