Yasha: Review time! Damn it, I need more screen time. I don't get paid enough...
Imperator: You don't get paid at all.
Yasha: Which is bullshit mind you.
Ragna: Whatever, let's just get to it.
Noel: Ragna and Ms. Rachel helped me get the power of the Godslayer. I really owe them for this.
Mu: Yeah. Thanks!
Rachel: Tis nothing child. Worry not.
Nu: Nu is finally getting some screen time!
Yasha: Yeah, what the eff is up with that! I feel like I'm being shafted. Even—!
Makoto: Hey! No spoilers!
Lambda: I think we should proceed with the scheduled events.
Kagura: Now, Akahana, I'm sure you've already drawn?
Akahana. Yes, I did. Kokonoe! You're time honey.
Kokonoe: Me? Shit...
Akahana: And your card is...! A dare!
Kokonoe: Wait, what!? That's not one of the choices!
Akahana: I just made it. Now, your dare is... Swearing at your mom!
Kokonoe: What! Give me that!
Akahana: It's all written. I took it upon myself to make some cards, but I won't tell any of you what they are until they're drawn!
Kokonoe: Goddamnit...! It says it right here...
Celia: Well, Konoe isn't here yet, so just do it quickly.
Celica: I...don't think this is a good idea.
Tsubaki: I second that.
Terumi: Oh stop being a bunch of pussies!
Kokonoe: O-Ok, um... Go, to...hell mom.
Akahana: Oh no! You've gotta shout it at the top of your lungs!
Hakumen: I sense great misfortune that rivals that of the Black Beast if you proceed.
Jin: I also have a bad feeling about this.
Kokonoe: Goddamnit fine! FUCK YOU MOM.
*Nine walks in, hearing her daughter and seeing both her middle fingers up*
Ragna: Uh-oh...
Makoto: Oh no.
Nine: ...Did you just flip me off?
Kokonoe: No!
Nine: Did you just flip me off!?
Kokonoe: I would never—!
Nine: I saw you! I just saw you!
Kokonoe: No wait, just let me explain!
Nine: I just saw you do it! You just flipped me off! What the hell was that for!? I don't understand!
Jubei: H-Honey, calm down.
Nine: That is very disrespectful!
*a magic seal appears around Nine's palm*
Kokonoe: Wait a minute!
Nine: Get over here!
*Kokonoe runs into the other room screaming as Nine chased her*
Nine: I swear to god, get over here!
Kokonoe: It was an accident! Get away!
Nine: Get over here! Get over here right now!
Kokonoe: AHHHH!
Nine: Yeah! You wanna curse me out now!
*Slap after slap came afterward along with Kokonoe's screams*
Jubei: I reckon we should just...cut to the chapter...
Kagura: Yeah... Um, start the chapter?
Terumi: I'm so posting this online...
Chapter 30: The False Eye
A tangerine orange had settled itself across the sky, gradually dimming. The bright ball of fire barely poked its head from the horizon. Rays of brightness laid squares onto the clear marble floors, reflecting on some objects in the room and onto Saya's eyes, teasing it open. The blond tossed and turned ruggishly in her sleep, her sheets thrown off her from her kicking feet and flailing arms. Even though Saya was unaware of her surroundings, she felt something amiss. Like there was something missing. Weary emerald eyes were shown from her flickering lids as she sat up and stretched her arms. She blinked a few more times so her eyes could adjust to the light and found it to be evening going into dusk.
Just how long was I asleep for? Actually... What am I doing here?
It took a moment for her to remember what exactly she was doing here and recalled caring for her injured brother before helping herself to a nap beside him and to his good arm. What she expected to find beside her was her brother, but instead, she found herself alone. Did he get up already? Seemed like something he would do. Saya mulled over the thought for a moment before taking herself out the bed and exiting the room. Now, where did he scurry off too? Just as she turned her back, she heard a voice from behind.
"Oh! Saya!" Simultaneously, a vibrant voice was heard. Saya turned to face her caller to find none other than Celica. She was a bit sad it wasn't Ragna, but maybe Celica knew where he ran off too.
"Hi, Celica," Saya greeted with a friendly smile. "Hey, do you know where brother is? I woke up and he wasn't there."
"Ragna? Isn't he with Ms. Rachel?"
"Is he now..." Saya groaned, frowning. "Do you know where they are?"
"Up on the balcony. We can both go if you want?" Celica offered. Saya found no reason to say no and tagged along with Celica to the balcony. When they arrived, however, neither occupants were there. Strange... This was where they were last, Celica thought. She placed a finger on her chin in thought of where Ragna and Rachel could have gone. Ragna was still injured and he wasn't seen leaving so he should still be here. Rachel was another story since she kinda popped in and out at her leisure. One moment she could be beside her, the next she's at her castle doing who knows what. They pondered over the location of the duo and checked around the branch. No luck. Maybe Celia would know? And since they were right by Kagura's office, might as well.
The door clicked open as the two walked inside to find Kagura groaning over his desk. That half-dead look on his face... Hibiki must've worked his ass to the bone. For once, Kagura didn't try to hit on them and just laid there blank-eyed, staring off into space, muttering some nonsense about documentation and leases. Saya and Celica just passed by the muttering Kagura to head into the elevator on the far right door. Funny how this used to be his room. Celica clicked the button furthest to the bottom and the elevator took them all the way down to Celia's lab. The moment the doors open though...
Boom.
Saya and Celica watched as a scalded Kokonoe flew from a cloud of smoke that covered the lab, landing flat on her back like a pancake. From the cloud, a coughing Celia walked out, cursing a bit. "Damn... Never. Again. Hm?" The scientist noticed them and arched a brow. "Celica? Saya? What are you doing down here? I thought you two were looking after, Ragna."
"We were, but he's gone now," Saya said.
"Gone? To where?" Celia asked.
"We don't know," Celica said, worried. "I left him with Ms. Rachel and both of them have gone missing. We checked everywhere. We thought maybe you might know, but I guess not. Also," Celica looked down at her searing sister and asked hesitantly. "Is...she ok?"
"She's fine. Just a...failed test run." Celia's tone didn't sound all too promising. It seemed like more than just some test run. "But, this is troubling," the scientist crossed over to her chair and plopped herself down as her fingers got to work on her keyboard. "Ragna should be here... Maybe I can ping him using his Idea Engine..."
"Ugh..." Kokonoe rose up from the ground and pressed her ringing head into her left hand. "Goddamn it...! That is the last time..."
'Just what happened down here?' Celica and Saya both thought.
"Hey, when did you two get in here?" Kokonoe took herself off the ground with a pained grunt and stretched her back. "And why do you two looked so worried?"
"We can't find Ragna or Ms. Rachel anywhere," Celica told her.
"Ragna's gone? Rachel too? Wierd..." Kokonoe cupped her chin and hummed to herself. A mature voice beside her took her out of her thoughts with some rather disturbing words.
"The hell? I can't find him..."
"Huh? What does that mean?" Now, Celica was starting to get worried right along with Saya. Kokonoe didn't show it, but that slight twitch in her brow when Celia said she couldn't find him seemed to have worried her as well. Celia's fingers moved at lightning speeds across the board. Her eyes danced across the screen in her sockets, checking every camera and searching for his signature a few more times before sighing.
"This isn't good..." Celia clicked a button on her keyboard. "Hey, Kagura."
"Wha...? Five more minutes mom..." Kagura groaned through the communicator.
"Wake the fuck up!" Celia shouted, causing a racket on the other end.
"O-Ok! Ok! I'm up! Holy shit woman, what is it?" Kagura groaned.
"Ragna's gone, along with Rachel. He's nowhere in the NOL base and I can't find him in Yabiko."
"Wha!?"
"I'll be right up. We'll talk when I get up there." Celia cut communications and clicked her teeth.
"What is it?" Saya asked.
"If Rachel's M.I.A. my only guess is the Imperator's on the move. Guess one more day was too damn much," Celia cursed under her breath and walked to the back of the lab, stopping before a door. "I'll be right up. Kokonoe, come with me. Looks like we'll need to make adjustments fast."
"Right. What a pain in the ass. This time...!"
"I know, I know..." Celia rolled her eyes, clicked the door opened and walked through with Kokonoe groaning behind her.
Seriously... Just what on earth happened down here?
Celica, Saya, Kokonoe, and Celia stood in Kagura office along with his assistant Hibiki. The two caught up to speed with their predicament. Kagura cursed under his breath and slammed a fist down on his marble desk, rattling some pens and papers.
"You're saying that not only Ragna and Rachel are gone, but Noel too!? How in the hell did they get the drop on us like that!?"
"That might be my fault," Celia sighed.
"What do you mean? Do you know how they took them?" Celica asked.
"Yeah," Kokonoe itched the back of her head and breathed behind her teeth. "We've got an idea."
"Well, spill it," Kagura crossed his arms, awaiting the answer just like the rest.
"It started when Ragna and Azrael began their fight. Remember how Ragna went batshit insane? At that time, the Phenomenon Intervention equipment Kokonoe and I installed in the basement went off." Folding her arms beneath her voluptuous chest, Celia sighed. "If I just had one more day, those damn devices would've been fixed by now. Guess one more day was too much to ask."
"We put up a decoy barrier to throw them off, but I guess it failed. But it still doesn't make sense to me," Kokonoe stuffed her hands into her pockets and closed her eyes in thought. "Why the hell would they take Ragna and Rachel? Maybe they want to eliminate obstacles, but this seems rather..."
"Desperate?" Kagura chimed.
"Precisely," Celia chimed in. "This means they're getting ready to commence whatever scheme they've been plotting. For what they need Ragna and Noel for, well, that's up to your imagination. Those two idiots got the power of the Azure with them. Rachel, on the other hand, doesn't add up to me. Why take her? If they took Tsubaki for the Izayoi it would make sense, but why Rachel? Is it because she has the Tsukuyomi unit?"
"I don't think we should worry about that now," Saya spoke up. "Right now we should focus on finding them. Who knows what they're planning to do."
"We'll find them," Celia reassured. "However, first we need to figure out just where they're being hidden. None of them are popping up on radar. Which I can only assume they're in some sort of sealed space. Could they be near a cauldron? Or did that intervention send them somewhere else entirely? Whatever the case, we need to secure all three of them without fail."
"I'll go call a search party and warrant his arrest," Hibiki chimed. "Ragna the Bloodedge is still an SS level threat. With that in mind, it shouldn't be hard to get officers out to look for him. Once they've secured him we'll bring him back here."
"Then we'll have to leave Noel and Rachel up to Tager and Lambda," Celia said. "To play it safe, we should check the cauldrons."
"Wait, what about us?" Celica asked.
"Don't do anything."
"What!?" Celica gasped.
"We can't do that!" Saya said, frustrated.
"I'm sorry, but," Kagura took a breath. "She's right. If we go out searching, who knows what will happen? They might be trying to lure us into a trap and we can't fall for that. Right now, just leave everything to us. All the two of you need to do is remain calm and make sure nobody knows. Which means act natural."
"...Fine." Saya's eyes fell to the ground. 'Again... They're in trouble again and I'm...!' Her body began to shake in frustration, later calmed by a gentle hand on her shoulder from Celica.
"It's ok," Celica smiled. "Ragna, Ms. Rachel, and Noel will be just fine."
"Ok..."
Unbeknownst to any of them, Jin had heard the entire conversation. He pushed himself off the door, troubled, fearing for his brother's safety. He had felt the shift himself, but it seemed as if he was too late to prevent anything. Not like he was going to sit here and do nothing while his brother was out there. God only knows who took him. Not only him but Noel, since she has the 'eyes' may be in the greatest danger. Honestly, whatever happened to her or Rachel wasn't really any of his business. But for why they took the vampire too was a bit unsettling. Furthermore, he felt an odd presence not too far from here. It could be where Ragna, Noel, or Rachel was. Standing here solved little. Only one way to find out. Blade in hand, he walked away. Boots clapping on the marble floor, reverberating across the empty halls.
"Brother... I'm on my way."
Rachel's footsteps echoed on the metallic-plated floor, reverberating across the empty dark halls. From the look of things, at least what she's seen so far, this seemed like a laboratory long abandoned. She scanned her arbitrary surroundings, examining the aged metallic walls like they had meaning. Each room she passed, whether big or small had no doors. However, she found those doors a mere couple inches away from where they should be. Papers were thrown about the place and cobwebs hung above. To put it simply, the place was a mess. Not that she was expecting much. Still, there was no time to worry about decor at a time like this. Noel... If what she feared just happened to be the truth, escaping this worn place to return to Noel was her top priority. Needless to say, Ragna could handle himself fine without her aid.
Furthermore...
"Ridiculous," Rachel uttered under her breath, stopping.
"Princess?" Nago stopped beside her along with Gii. "What's the matter?"
"I grow tired of this stroll, Terumi. Show yourself." Rachel spoke out which raised Nago and Gii's brows. Suddenly, what almost sounded like glass chipping made their ears twitch. The familiars turned the heads to find the wall cracking like glass and falling to the floor. Soon the entire hall began to tremble and crumble before finally shattering, leaving the three in a massive room before a cauldron. "I thought so... I was merely walking in circles. Were you having fun watching me? If so, I must say you have terrible taste in what I would call 'killing time'." Rachel turned her head to the right to behold the culprit behind the space.
"Hey, there shitty vampire! Long time no see! How's the old man? Still kickin' about?" Terumi, sporting his usual shit-eating grin, crept from the shadows to reveal himself only this time, not in his vessel.
"What have you done? Where is Noel? Tell me." Rachel demanded.
"Noel? Oh, I'm sure she's fine. Just catching up with some family. You do know how messy these family reunions can get..." Instinctively, Terumi leapt back, avoiding a bolt of lightning that struck down where he formally stood. "Whoa there! Close one! That almost hit me. Who pissed in your cup of tea this morning?"
"What are you planning to do with the Murakumo unit? You have gone through quite a bit too 'tune' her... What I don't understand is how you managed to do so in so little time. Even Relius has his limits." Rachel's sharp gaze narrowed, making Terumi snicker.
"Ah, the doll? That's what's got your panties in a twist? Hah! Then your gonna piss yourself with bruised machismo with what comin' next!" The last word he uttered had a darker tone than the rest. That grin he had somehow grown bigger as a sinister green aura surfaced. Pooling below his feet before rising like smoke to cover his entire body.
"Detestable snake..." Rachel snarled. "What are your true intentions? You have yet to reveal your true agenda. Why is that?"
"Why? Simple. I don't have to..." Terumi said, darkly. Filling the air with an ominous tone. "You know, I've been meaning to tell you something for a long time. Rachel Alucard, you make me sick to my stomach. Every time I see you I want to drive that pretty little face of yours into the dirt and watch those tears of yours rolling down those puffy little cheeks and taste your agony. Just being around you and smelling that putrid scent of roses makes me go insane!" The man's grin faded into indescribable hatred. If his hatred was visible the air would've been crimson. "Do you have ANY idea the amount of shit you and your family put me through!?"
"Yes, and I must say, I find it quite humorous."
"Hmph. Well, in the end, it's all gonna be worth it. Number thirteen just has to do her job and we can proceed. Who knew this would be so fun and easy?" Terumi said, grinning.
"So you truly intend on making that girl fuse with Noel. As I thought... A bit of insight, it will not succeed. Nu is incapable of ever defeating her, no matter what you do."
"Defeat?" He repeated, holding back a snicker. "You really don't understand anything! I don't give a shit whether or not that useless doll can beat her. She doesn't have to... Our little darling Noel just has to observe her and she won't have a choice in the matter. Since she fused with the Godslayer, it made this easier. After all, they're nothing but remnants... Scattered souls originally belonging to one. Now, their resonation is all but perfect. Thanks for your help, shitty vampire! Hahaha!"
"Bastard..."
"Oh... Such profanity from the great Rachel Alucard! Didn't your father ever teach you to mind your manners? Oh, wait, didn't I kill him? Well, ain't this awkward?" Terumi snickered. "BUT! I really gotta thank you shitty vampire. Without you, none of this would be possible. You really are a cut above the rest," he said with fake applaud. "I wonder what good old Ragna is gonna say when he realizes you practically fucked him over?"
"Oh? Now, what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, it's nothing really," Terumi lied, snickering. "But, since I'm such a nice guy, I'll tell you. You've helped me out SO much I feel like giving back. Besides, I've already observed this AMAZING possibility!" Rachel didn't like the sound of that. Nago felt every strand of fur on his body stand up straight. That shit-eating grin of his didn't make it any better either. "On March 3rd, Ragna the Bloodedge is going to disappear forever." Once he said that her heart stopped briefly. Her throat constricted, preventing the vampire's speech for a moment. She closed her eyes briefly and chuckled.
"Quite the interesting foreshadow. Now, tell me, why do you believe such a thing?"
"Simple really... There's no 'future' beyond that point." Terumi began to pace around, hands stuffed in his pockets. "On March 3rd, everything changes. Doomsday will FINALLY be achieved! And that piece of shit Master unit will have no choice but to watch. Powerless! As will you be." He stopped and pointed at her, smirking. "Little Raggy is finally gonna bite the dust. Ain't no Phenomenon Intervention gonna bring that idiot back. Guess what? It's gonna be all YOUR fault."
"Is that so?"
"A tragedy," he said with fake sympathy, beginning to pace once more. "You tried so HARD to save him... Oh, the humanity! It just brings me to tears to know that our precious little Ragna is gonna be nothing more than a distant memory! Once the 'hero' of this little shitty 'story' dies. Everything will be as I've always dreamed!" Terumi stopped as both his arms shot up. Sadistic laughter slaughtered her eardrums and cut his throat. "I finally get to see that bitch know true despair!"
"So, if you are aware of this, why do you insist on this pointless plan?" Rachel inquired.
"Really! Hah! I don't need a reason! It's just FUN!" Come on now, did she really believe Terumi needed a reason to hurt and manipulate and kill!? Not like he really had a reason. In truth, he did all the wonderful things he does because he thrives to see the faces of others twist in misery, pain, despair, anguish and...all sorts of other unpleasant nouns. "But hey! This is great! You're always bitching about how bored you are and now you can see the world burn right before your eyes. I'm sure you won't be bored then right? K'yahahaha!"
"Is that it? Are you finished now?"
"Yeah, just about."
"Good." Instantaneously, another bolt of lightning struck down above him. Terumi barely managed to dodge the deadly both and immediately retaliated with an ouroboros. Before the snakehead could sink its fangs into Rachel, Nago caught the head and crushed it in his muscular arms. He then transformed into an umbrella for his mistress. "Now, let me tell you something you don't seem to know about me or maybe your minuscule brain hasn't processed this yet." Rachel clapped the tip of her umbrella on the metallic floor, sending the impact echoing throughout the large room. "I shall never give up. No matter if the future is set in stone or if the world is at its end. I shall fight until I take my last breath and I can promise you that shall not happen. This war shall be one by 'us' and you shall fall. Even if what you say is true, I will not simply fall to my knees and cry. I will stand as many times as needed until the day you fall. Heed my words serpent: our victory was certain the moment you thought it wise underestimate him."
"Nice speech. Do you rip that off a comic book? That whole speech made my skin crawl."
"Then how about I sear the flesh off your bones with a little lightning?" Rachel said, electricity coursing through her fingers.
"Finally!" Two ouroboros chains sprang from behind him, circling him. "Bring it on you little BITCH!"
Ragna slowly began to awaken. Lids flickering the dew from his eyes in an attempt to free his vision. The red jacket wearing criminal found himself laying on a cold, hard, metallic floor, cuts that resembled crawling snakes running to the center of the ominous room to where an uncomfortably overwhelming presence excreted from. His eyes followed the lines that lead to what could only be described as a gaping hole; it was a cauldron. Unlike the one he's seen, this one seemed inactive. Almost like it was dead. He tried to rise but found it futile when he had to gnaw on his lip to keep his yell to a grunt. Agony stabbed him without mercy. Every bone. Every limb, every muscle—every nerve felt as if it was being torn from his body. His face scrunched in grimace, skin pale and clammy. Everything hurt. Every fucking thing hurt. Couldn't lift a damn finger without feeling his muscles cry out. Regardless, he needed to move. Terumi had shown himself along with Nu. This was no time to lay flat on his ass.
Cringing in pain, he flopped on his stomach then pushed himself off the ground, halting a few times before finally getting back on his feet. He crossed over, wobbling, to the cauldron. Ragna walked as if his limbs were not his own. Each step feeling more like a debate. The pain had an unpleasant warmth to it accompanied by a head splitting, stomach-churning nausea, slowing his breath to a crawl. Pain was nothing new to Ragna. Over the years he'd become practically numb to it. He'd normally just ignore his agonized state and press on, but it just wasn't possible this time. It controlled every action, dominated every thought. It pierced through his body better than a blade ever could, setting it ablaze. A bullet would be mercy right about now. His muscles cried out for him to stop moving but he neglected them. Choosing to press onwards.
Finally reaching the edge of the cauldron, breathless, he stared into its mouth. It was a complete wreck. Small scraps of machinery laid scattered on its edges like an explosion took place here. Up close, he couldn't help but stare in awe at the massive structure. Eyes glued to the gigantic hole. Abruptly, his right arm throbbed as if being ground. Pain seared through his body, oozing sweat from his pores. Unable to withstand the pain he clutched his hair with his left hand and fell to a knee.
"G-God...damn it! G'ah...! AHHHHH!" His throat trembled, growing coarse as he howled in pain. His agony increased in waves. Small interruptions gave him hope of an end, only for those hopes to be crushed by an even greater pain. "The hell is this!?" His other knee came down to the floor as he bowed before the cauldron, bellowing. It felt like instead of his head splitting, something was being dragged out.
"Ragna!" Azure called out to the painfully screaming Ragna. "Ragna! Calm down! Take a deep breath!"
"G-G'uh...!" Ragna fought desperately through pain, gnawing on his lips until blood drew. Gradually, the brain exploding pain ceased. Ragna's chest heaved with the heavy breaths he took as drops of sweat dripped from his chin to the floor. "Ok... Ok, I'm back... Damn it was the hell was that?"
"It could be possible that information tried to flow into you involuntarily. You need to be careful Ragna, you aren't at a hundred percent." Azure warned.
"But that doesn't make sense, I was just fine a second ago."
"That was nothing more than a crafted space made by Noel's interference. Now, we're in the 'real' world." Azure said. "But, whatever the case is we need to get out of here. We need to find Noel and Rachel. I'm worried about them, especially Noel, being left with Nu and all. There's no telling what could happen." Especially since Rachel seemed so shaken by it. Didn't sit right with her. Nu being there was trouble enough, but Terumi seemed to be hatching some sort of scheme. Whatever the case may be they needed to get out of here. One problem; which way was out? The entire place felt so weird. Kind of like in the crafted space with Noel.
"Guess you're right... Let's—"
"!"
Suddenly, everything went silent. A cumbersome air had drifted into the room, numbing Ragna's body and ceasing his speech. An ungodly presence snatched his attention from the cauldron towards the shadows of beyond the entrance. Heels clapped against the solid floor after a long silence, resonating within the stillness. Slowly, a figure formed, appearing in the form of a female silhouette, gradually coming into the light. A drop of sweat ran down his face, eyes locked onto the entrant. Long platinum hair swayed side to side as she walked, breasts bouncing buoyantly with each step, bright azure eyes and a katana sheathed in a black scabbard in hand, her full form came to light.
The Imperator. It just HAD to be the Imperator...
"Hello, Ragna."
"K'uh!" Ragna tried to move but stood still once a sharp lanced itself in his side, making him wince. 'Damn,' he mentally hissed as he held his side with a strong grip. 'This isn't good... I haven't healed enough!' "The hell are you doing here? What? Thought you could take me out alone?" The Reaper did his best to stray away from the pain as a facade. But that didn't seem to work at all.
"You can stop with the bravado," she stopped a few feet from him. "You and I both know you are in no position to fight. Let alone run." The corner of Ragna's lip itched with a snarl. "I was expecting someone else, but it seems like Terumi wanted the honor. Annoying pest."
"The hell are you muttering!?"
'Ragna, calm down. Try and catch your breath, don't waste it.'
"Nothing you should be worrying about. Shouldn't you be much more concerned with your current predicament?" The Imperator asked.
"What the hell do you want me from? Where's Noel and Rachel!? What've you done to them!?"
"What have I done? Nothing really. I can assure you, Noel Vermillion is safe. Rachel Alucard, well, that's a different story. Who knows what Terumi has in store for that vixen. I don't know what goes on in that man's head nor do I wish to." The Imperator took a step which made Ragna retract one, only to draw it back when he realized how close he was to the cauldron.
"Damn it...!" Ragna shut his eyes, simultaneously opening them back up, revealing his now glowing pair. He swiftly unslung his blade from his waist and rushed the swordswoman with a gust of wind, appearing before her in the blink of an eye, bringing his sword down just as fast. A flash of light intercepted the powerful downward strike causing a small typhoon. Ragna's eyes gradually widened when he saw that not only did she block him, but she did so with just the hilt. "You've...got to be kidding me..."
"You've weakened more than I thought. I suppose even the wielder of the Azure Grimoire or anyone for that matter would have their hands full dealing with the Mad Dog." Quicker than he could blink, she shifted her blade a smidge so he could fall forward, instantaneously following up with a swift kick. Sending him bouncing and sliding along the cold floor several feet away. "There is no hope of victory here, Ragna." She told him as Ragna slowly wobbled back up to his feet. "But I am impressed. You awakened to your drive ability. I was caught off guard just now."
"Oh, yeah? Didn't seem like that to me—" Ragna froze, wide eyes, once his eyes met hers. Now, they glowed a bright azure blue with her body exuding a moonlight aura. "A drive..."
"Are you really that surprised, Ragna? I have had years to awaken this," she smirked. "However, you seem to be lacking. You have only gone so far. You can do so much more with that power. More than you can even imagine." The Imperator took a step which made him retract one. "A drive... The physical manifestation of one's soul. To awaken it is quite the feat... But to 'use' it, well, that's something even more extraordinary."
'This bitch... Really is in a whole other league...' Ragna didn't want to admit it, but his chances of victory were almost none.
"But I digress." Instantly her eyes ceased its glow and the moonlight dispersed like smoke. "Since the two of us are here, I believe there are somethings I must ask you."
"And...that is?" Ragna asked, hesitant.
"Why do you choose to fight with the vampire?"
"None of your damn business. I do what the hell I want." Ragna snarled. "I don't know what the hell you want and I don't really give a damn. What you're going to do is get the hell outta my way!" Kicking the floor with enough force to shatter it, he lunged at the Imperator. Effortlessly, she swerved an inch to the right as his blade passed her by a mere millimeter. Simultaneously, she lodged the hilt of her blade into his side, sending him into the wall, creating a dent.
"Brash as usual..." The Imperator sighed as Ragna pushed himself out the crevice, falling to the floor with a thud. "You really must do something about that, Ragna."
"S-Shut up..." Ragna groaned, coughing his way off the ground.
"Might I ask you, why is it I am your enemy?" The swordswoman noticed the confusion that formed on his face, so she went on. "What is it that makes us enemies? Have I truly done anything wrong to receive such animosity from you?"
"You forgot back at Akitsu? You tried to kill us!"
"No," the Imperator shook her head. "I did not try to kill you, Ragna. I sent you away if you recall. I don't think you can forget that and neither can I." She smirked as a fingertip touched her pink lips, causing Ragna to blush. This made the Imperator giggle. Seems as if he remembered well. "Now, you seem to be after Kushinada's Linchpin. What do you hope to attain when you possess it, Ragna?"
"The means to kill Terumi and put you out for good."
"Is that so? Well, I was not really referring to that—I already guessed that far. I am referring to what I shared with you in particular." Ragna gave no answer and merely narrowed his eyes. "I am sure you're curious as to what it is. Why Wadatsumi was destroyed. Why everyone had to die... If you like, I don't mind telling you."
"Why? What's in it for you?"
"Nothing."
"What?" Ok, now Ragna was completely lost at this point. So, she destroyed the caldron in Akitsu, almost killed them, and now she wants to tell him what he wants to know? The hell is up with this chick? Actually, come to think of it now, there was something else Ragna wanted to know. Since she seemed too generous all of a sudden, might as well. "Who the hell are you?"
"Who am I?" She repeated.
"You seem to know me and yet I don't know shit about you. What you some kind of stalker?"
"Hm... I think I will keep that to myself. It makes no difference if I tell you now. You seemed to have already moved on." That last sentence, unlike her previous speech, sounded so sad. For just a moment her eyes flickered from confident to mournful. "I truly doubt it will make a difference whether or not I reveal my name and origin to you. We were separated long ago. I am nothing but a remnant of the past..."
For an instant, the swordswoman's appearance changed. Replaced by a smaller girl with black hair and strong violet eyes.
This feeling... It couldn't be...!
'She died...'
"Now, where were we? Ah, yes, you wish to know why it is Wadatsumi was destroyed." The Imperator's voice snatched him from his thoughts, causing him to jolt.
"Yeah..." Ragna answered, uncertainty lingering in his voice. "That and a few other things, but let's knock that off the bucket list first." 'No, she's dead. There's no way this bitch could be her... No way in hell...'
"In truth, I believe Terumi mentioned this prior during your last battle. He used the souls of Wadatsumi to help craft the sword. But, you must be puzzled as to why it is he needed the Librarian soldier, on top of that, Wadatsumi in particular."
Ragna couldn't say that little tidbit didn't bug him. Seemed like overkill to use so many lives to smelt Kusanagi. "Can't say I ain't curious..."
"Below the castle lies the artifact known as Kushinada's Linchpin. Of course, the gateway that lead to said Linchpin was sealed. Tenjo was the only one capable of opening it and to protect it; I slaughtered him." An audible gasp came from Ragna, but she paid it no mind. "I was but a small child. You are aware of just how powerful he was, yes? Do you truly believe I could best him in one on one combat?"
"To be honest... I'm not sure. I have a feeling, even as a brat, you were a real monster."
"Hmph," she smiled and closed her eyes briefly. "Well, I WAS his student. Saying I could best him would be nothing short of a miracle. Thankfully, that miracle just so happened to be the Wadatsumi massacre."
"Wha!? You call that a MIRACLE!?" Ragna swung his arm, enraged, eyes widened with fury.
"No. However, without those events, I would not have been able to slay that man. At least that's what I initially assumed to be the case." The Imperator lead her eyes to the symbol covered ceiling and sighed. "I was mistaken and I underestimated him. When I slayed him, I found his body 'empty'. His soul no longer inhabited it. All I killed was an empty husk. No more than a doll. Tenjo laid somewhere else. A place I never even knew possible; the Pheonix Retenjo."
"Retenjo?" 'If I'm remembering correctly, that's another nox nyctores...' An image of it flashes in his mind. 'A giant nail...'
"I learned that too late, but, in any case, it proved no threat to me. Kushinada's Linchpin remained in its cage and Terumi could no longer get his hands on it. However, there were more than just one key. As you are aware, Noel Vermillion has the power to open the gates, due to her 'eyes'. I tried to take those eyes to ensure he never got a chance to take them. Sadly, that plan failed. In itself, however, came a blessing. Possibility opened once more and the world was no longer locked."
"The hell does that mean? Last I checked, you destroyed every fractured world, but for what?" Ragna recalled the amount of worry and disbelief that formed on Rachel's face. "Whatever it is, you managed to scare the shit of the Rabbit..."
"Ah, that. I suppose I should inform of 'that' as well. In truth, it was your fault."
"Come again?"
"The reason I was able to eradicate those worlds was because of you. You opened up a brand new possibility, which in turn, formed a sort of crack for me to slip through. I used the Takamagahara systems to eradicate all distortions. That way, 'possibility' would not open up new worlds. If that were to happen, more and more worlds would pop up. Rachel Alucard is nothing but a fool... She does not go the extra mile."
"Well, from what I heard from the Rabbit, you could've destroyed the whole damn world. So, yeah, gotta give props on her for not almost killing us all. Unlike you." Ragna said.
"Ah, but you see Ragna, there is a reason why this plan wouldn't fail. The Master unit specifically observes this world to keep it from collapse. So, it would do everything in its power to ensure its survival. With the rapid destruction of all worlds, it had to use up quite a bit of energy. Why else do you think you are now susceptible to Phenomenon Intervention. I'm sure you were informed of this vulnerability."
"Tch."
"Furthermore, the world's destruction was prevented. At least... That's what I initially assumed." Both her arms crossed under her endowed breasts as she sighed, annoyed. "But, another problem occurred; you."
"Me?" He repeated.
"I feel so idiotic for letting that man force my hand. Not like I had much choice in the matter." She mumbled to herself. "You, Ragna, are an intricate player. You could say if something happened to you, this game would end."
"The hell do you mean?"
"Ragna... You're going to die." The Imperator said, letting her arms fall to her sides.
"Now you're spoutin' bullshit!" Ragna lashed out. "Die? Hah! Now you're fucking crazy!"
"March 3rd," she spoke, solemnly, silencing his rage. "Everything will come to an end. It is the day you die Ragna. Forever." The platinum started over to him, each step she took making him take one back until his back hit the wall. She crossed over to him and stopped right in front of him. Making sure her eyes met his. "On that fateful day when you lose your life, all will be lost. Possibility will once again lock and doomsday will fall upon this world."
"Doomsday... You mentioned that back in Akitsu. What the hell is that?"
"The day of ruin." She said simply. "The day in which everything meets its end. However, I wish to create a different variation. I will only have one chance and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure my plan comes to fruition. I can't say there won't be collateral damage though..."
"You say it so lightly...!" Ragna growled.
"I am a selfish person and an evil one. I don't care about what others say or think... I do what I must." Soft hands found its way to his cheeks and cupped his face. "Because..." Tilting her head a bit she itched closer to him, closing her eyes as she gradually moved in. He stood, frozen, watching as she got closer until her soft, warm lips covered his. Warmth radiated from the spot where their lips joined. She pressed her body against his, squeezing her breasts against his chest. Minutes passed before she let him go and met his eyes. Showing him the burning pink that had formed on her cheeks. "That's just how much I love you..."
"What...?" Whoa, whoa whoa there! Wait a goddamn minute! Stop freaking car! Did he hear that right!? Na, couldn't be. Must've been hallucinating from the pain. But those eyes of hers told him something different.
"I have been for a long time now. Frankly, I'm not pleased that you are so far away from me... It used to be different. Every day, we'd be together and...you were so reckless. You got that from your father so I can see why you're such a headstrong idiot." All of a sudden, the room trembled and a cumbersome pressure exuded from the cauldron. Crimson gradually revealed itself from the gigantic hole. However, neither one paid any attention to the rampaging cauldron. Strangely enough, Ragna felt no danger. "You'd try and beat me in swordplay, but not once did you emerge the victor..." She lead a hand behind his ear and under his hair, rubbing his cheek with a thumb and running her other fingers through his locks. "I miss those days with you..."
The rumbling grew to an earthquake as the ceiling fell around them. Crashing recklessly to the ground.
"I swear to you, I will save you from your accursed fate. Call me crazy, evil... Whatever you wish. Love makes people do reckless things... But that's what makes us human."
Seithr began to show itself in thick, purple clouds.
"Just...who are you?" Ragna needed to get away, but for some reason, he just had to know. He needed to know who she was. Instead of an answer, he found a smile on her lips before everything went dark. However, before everything faded to black, he heard her say something. Her tone filled with melancholy.
"No one important enough for you to remember..."
Back at the altar, sparks flew across the stage. Pedals clashed, rays of lights fired, grunts and pained groans heard within the brawl. Noel, who dawned her Kusanagi armor, stood her ground against Nu. Several slash marks ran with blood down her arms and legs. Same thing with Nu. Her skin tight body suit was torn like it was thrown in a shredder. Noel had the upper hand during their fight, but she couldn't help but feel something was terribly wrong. It had nothing to do with the space, it was Nu herself.
She exuded a rather chilling presence. It was dark. Murderous. Not like that last part was anything new, but something about the way she fought. It was like she was going berserk. Several times, even if it was just a glance, she could see something shining in Nu's chest. Something resembling a stone. Whatever it was caused the unease that wracked her body. Unfortunately, she had no time to worry about that as Nu came charging in again. Launching a few of her pedals while she closed in. Noel retreated to the air and launched her pedals down in retaliation. Only for Nu to quickly change her trajectory and launch herself at her. Noel's eyes stretched at their corners as Nu's foot lodged itself into her gut, sending her into the altar. Quickly, Noel adjusted herself and kicked off the altar back at Nu, bringing her knee into the girls face. Sending her down to the ground.
"That should...do it." Noel panted, hunching her back as she held her knees.
'Noel, we need to get out of here. Maybe we can use the altar as a means to escape.'
Noel turned to the altar behind them and turned her attention to the cocoon above. This structure acted as a cauldron to smelt her, so it should be able to send her back. "Ok, let's do it—" Sensing danger, Noel sidestepped, avoiding a blade that stabbed itself into the altar.
"Where do you think...you're going...!?"
Noel turned back to Nu and gasped to what she saw. What seemed like seithr oozed out her body, tainting the air around them. 'What is this...!?'
"Nu isn't done!" With a wicked laugh, Nu charged Noel, barraging her with both her pedals and blades. Forcing Noel on her toes. "Kill, kill, KILL!" Like a madwoman, she launched everything she had at Noel, adding in a few kicks with it. Finding an opening after an unsuccessful kick, Noel delivered a swift kick to Nu's ribs, sending the girl bouncing and skidding across the floor. However, that felt different from the rest. It was like she just hit her own shadow...
"What...was that just now?"
That odd sensation just now... Did I...hit myself?
"Heh... Hehehe!" As if she was a marionette with strings attached to her body, Nu rose off the ground, back hunched. "You and Nu...are the same... Hah...! HAHAHAHA!" Her back sprung back as maniacal laughter roared in her throat. "Now, you and Nu are the same! We're the same person! Now, Nu is 'Noel Vermillion'!"
'No...! Noel, we need to go! NOW! Before it's too late!'
'What!? What's wrong!?'
'I'll explain later, now go!' Instantly, Noel made a break for the cocoon that floated over the altar. With a burst of speed, she flew to the cocoon, but suddenly her movement was restricted. She looked down to see Nu had grabbed her foot, pulling her back.
"Nu won't let you!" Nu flew back to the ground with Noel in custody and threw her, lodging Noel into the floor. The Murakumo flew high above and held both hands up as an infinite amount of portals appeared. She brought both hands down as an endless barrage of swords rained down from the portals, shrouding the area in dust and blades. Minutes passed before the rain finally ceased and Nu made her descent. The smoke gradually cleared and she found Noel with only a few scrapes, courtesy of the protection her pedal provided.
'As I thought... We're in the 'real' world now...'
'How? Weren't we in an intervention?' Noel asked.
"Nu won't let you go anywhere... Nu won't let you go back to Ragna...!" Nu wobbled towards them, her arms swaying with each step. "Ragna is Nu's...! No one else can have him but Nu... I won't let ANYONE take him from me...! Never! It's because of you...! All because of YOU! That Ragna isn't here with Nu! If you didn't exist... Nu and Ragna would be together!"
"Nu..." 'I'm sorry, Nu... But...you aren't the only one... Not anymore.' Noel aimed her pedals at Nu as a blue ball appeared before them all. Growing to their maximum size, rays of light show from them, exploding once they hit Nu dead on. Slowly, Nu fell, hitting the ground with a thud as her armor shattered like glass. Her mask was the last to go, revealing tears that did not flow until now. "I'm so sorry, Nu. You too, Mu."
'It's ok... We'll save her, but not now. Another day. Also...'
"Also?" Noel repeated, hearing the slight change in tone.
'Ragna's mine. You can't have him.' Mu said childishly, pouting. Noel sweatdropped to her statement. More surprised that she could say that now in a situation like this. Both were snatched from their thoughts as they watch Nu vanish before their eyes. 'Ok, let's go. We can relay this to the others when we get out. I have a bad feeling about all this...'
"So do I..." Noel looked in the palm of her hand as if searching for an answer. 'That feeling with Nu... It was like a shadow...' "No, I can't worry about that now. Let's go Mu!"
'Yeah!'
Before the cauldron, Terumi and Rachel still had their bout. Lighting rang across the room, accompanied by the sound of slithering snakes and clanking chains. Holes littered the metallic floor from her lightning. Craters scattered across the floor from Terumi's barbaric attacks. He swung his knives and threw wild kicks, Rachel gracefully dodging every last one and retaliating with her own lightning spells and wind.
"Damn it bitch stay still!" Terumi launched a snake spirit at the vampire which, instead of hitting its intended target, struck where she formerly stood. The snake burrowed into the ground and sprang up directly under her. Using the wind, she propelled herself midair, landing graciously on the floor. Several lightning bolts rained down on Terumi, forcing the serpent to play footsies. One stray bolt struck his right hand, causing him to drop his knife. His hissed his teeth to the pain and blew on his smoking hand. "Ah! Bitch! That was my favorite hand! Do you have ANY idea how many people I've choked with this hand!?" An ouroboros chain sprang like a tail from behind him and made its way to Rachel, cutting the air. Gii grew in size and took the hit while Nago grew a massive arm and brought it down, attempting to crush the green haired man. However, instead of hitting Terumi, Nago's fist collided with a blade formed by green energy.
"Heh," a snicker accompanied his smirk as he swung his blade up, pushing Nago's fist from him. "Good."
"Owie!" Nago blew on his hand to ease the pain. "That hurt!"
Terumi took said blade with both hands, hoisting it above his head and bringing it down. Surrounding the point of collision in a green smoke. Gradually, the smoke cleared, revealing an unharmed Rachel and her familiars. Her hand was up, forming a barrier between her and his blade. The blade slowly vanished as Terumi sighed, unpleased. "Not bad... I guess you are heir to the Tsukuyomi after all... But! I've already done my job, so I'm outta here." Simultaneously, the cauldron trembled, releasing seithr at an uncontrollable pace.
"What!? What is this!?" Rachel snatched her gaze away from the snickering man to the out of control cauldron. "When did you—?" An immediate sense of danger whipped her body around quick enough for her to see Terumi an inch before her. Just in time, Nago and Gii sprung around her, receiving a devastating kick from Terumi. The impact passed through her familiars, widening Rachel's eyes. The heavy blow sent the three bouncing on the metallic floor until they came to a stop. The vampire tried to rise, but felt a pain lance at her side and held it. "The cauldron... Why would you release more seithr into the world...?" Vertigo hit Rachel like a ton of bricks, blurring her vision. Rachel's chest heaved with each deep breath. The sudden outpour of seithr making it almost impossible to breathe properly.
"You'll just have to wait and see..."
"Kuh!" With no other option but retreat, Rachel vanished along with her familiars, leaving Terumi alone. Slow laughter followed her exit, growing into maniacal laughter. His breathing became erratic and his eyes widened, stretching at its corners. Slowly, his laughter began to fade. Drowned out by the roaring cauldron and falling debris. With Rachel, she found herself in an arbitrary forest. The sun had just touched down over the horizon which blanketed the world in the darkness of night. Weakly, she trudged over to a tree and sat down, gasping for air. Her face was much paler than usual due to the seithr exposure. Beads of sweat formed on her face and trickled down her face, dripping from her chin.
"Princess!" Nago and Gii rushed to their master's side. However, Rachel paid them no mind. Her thoughts lingered elsewhere.
What are they doing with the cauldrons...?
Rachel hissed to a sudden pain that stabbed her side. She cursed under her breath to the man responsible and looked up to the starless night. The vampire let out a solemn sigh as she stared up into the nothingness, fearing over a mindless prognostication.
On March 3rd, Ragna the Bloodedge is going to disappear forever...
No matter how hard she tried... How hard she fought to erase such folly, those words did not but plague her. Rachel pulled her bottom lip in and bit it, slowly sinking her fangs into her smooth flesh, drawing blood and startling her familiars. On March 3rd, she repeated to herself. Rachel didn't know why, but she found it to be rather ironic. That date happened to be rather special; it was his birthday. Rachel's hand fell from her side to the ground. The vampire took fist full of blades into her small hands, cursing Terumi's name. Sudden anger had taken over her. Words were truly a powerful thing. Especially when they pertain to a loved one. Rachel couldn't help but laugh in self-pity as her tension left her face and hands. Her hands slowly opened, laying flat on the ground. One thing was for certain now.
The real battle...
Had only just begun.
Slap my ass and call me pappy 'cause I'm 'bout go try out that cross tag battle boi! Haha! Hype as fuck that they're finally gonna give us some gameplay and let us have some hands-on experience! Smokin' that Blazblue kush! Also, I found something odd while scrolling on youtube. Apparently, fans are dubbing the story mode. I said "Ok, let me see what this about" and watched it. For a fandub, it actually wasn't bad. Anyway, I'll be seein' ya! Hope that you all enjoyed this. Hopefully, I can get the next chapter out faster than this... Fuck me sideways... School is a drag.
Next Chapter 31: A Camellia falls