Chapter Fifteen: The Trooper
"... Without a tear I draw my parting groan …"
Père David's Deer couldn't believe her eyes, she took a very deep breath to steady herself, she had to get the Crusaders ready for battle against the Fiends descending upon them. Père David's Deer closed the hatch and called to the Cadre while she stomped the heels of her black over-knee boots on the ground.
-Crusaders!- Père David's Deer called the Cadre in a booming commanding voice she had never used to address them before.
-What's wrong?- Smilodon asked, she expected another Fiend attack, but she was still uneasy about fighting over the Ocean.
-You have see it to believe it, come take a look, all of you- Père David's Deer said in an ominous voice, scaring the Crusaders.
-That can't be good- Collared Peccary rolled late to the scene.
-Something harrowing is happening, I'll put it on my my main screen- Rhyolite said in her female Friend voice, which she kept after transforming. What the Crusaders saw left them shaken.
Rhyo's screen showed the Sun being slowly covered by what looked like shadow wolves, their open maws overlapping and slowly devouring the light, causing an unnatural eclipse of all the sudden. The Fiends were coming for the Cadre in full force, the sun wouldn't protect them, a defense was quickly organized by the Crusaders to avoid the risk of Rhyolite sinking again.
-Are you sure about this?- Père David's Deer asked Smilodon.
-It's my responsibility, count on me as your Spearhead, you call the shots and let's make them regret this- Smilodon said, confident that the Cadre would watch her and Byakko's back.
-Are you sure I should keep this?- Bald Eagle asked, unsure about holding the Relic herself, as she had only used it once.
-You can make the most of it, since no one else can fly, you are gonna be under the heaviest focus- Smilodon explained to the Bird, as she had distracted the Fiends before by flying far away from their APC, Bald Eagle needed that extra layer of defense.
-Got it, I will not let the Cadre down!- Bald Eagle saluted, she felt the pressure, but she knew that she had to pull her weight.
-Let's give them Hell then- Père David's Deer said to the Cadre.
The Crusaders emerged out of the top hatch one by one, with Collared Peccary being left behind still peeking. Père David's Deer stood with her bow staff at the ready besides Narwhal.
-I was getting scared you weren't gonna come out and defend me!- Narwhal quipped to the group, she saw the sunlight fading, she had to remain focused but she was getting scared.
-We wouldn't allow your precious legs to be taken away from us!- Collared Peccary teased Narwhal in spite of their situation.
-This isn't the time or the place for that!- Boomslang said a bit exasperated, as she took her place right by Père David's Deer.
-Off I go!- Bald Eagle said, taking flight. As she ascended high in the sky, she saw the Fiends rushing to them in the distance.
-BURN THEM ALL!- Suzaku screeched filled with righteous fury.
Bald Eagle saw that the Harpy Horde was back, commanded by a silhouette she couldn't recognize who it was, then both saw something that made the Bird gasp in a mix of awe and terror.
-Oh no… She is back! THE EVIL SNAKE IS BACK!- Bald Eagle yelled to the group, she pointed into the direction of the Fiend.
Jörmungandr wasn't like any Crusader remembered, it was like her true power had been unleashed, she had grown in size to that of a monster and felt nothing but hatred towards all life.
Jörmungandr's new form resembled a Cerulean Beast, like the forms the Four Gods took as Astral Guardians, but on a whole new scale surpassing them. Her venom had become a virulent swarm, it buzzed with seething hate, its lethality had increased so much that not even other Fiends could stand by her side.
-Rhyo says that if she gets close, we will be done for!- Collared Peccary warned the rest of the group, as Rhyo wouldn't shut up about that, not that it wasn't obvious to the naked eye already.
-We'll have to hit her from a safe distance, but I don't think we have anything big enough, ideas?- Père David's Deer asked the others as she had never faced any enemy like this before.
-I'll go try my luck, see what I can find, have Rhyo scanners on it- Bald Eagle said before flying off, not waiting for a response. She knew this was very dangerous but they needed more info.
Bald Eagle flew forward as the Harpies that lead the swarm, she struck them with fire feathers, getting their attention and speeding up as they began to pursue her. Bald Eagle saw Harp Seal emerge from the waters to play a song for them. With the help of Siren, her beautiful almost human-like Astral Guardian, she held them in place, allowing Bald Eagle to roast the Fiends.
-Keep the heat on them!- Harp Seal yelled loudly at Bald Eagle.
Bald Eagle saluted her support as she flied past, she saw in the distance that the big bad wolf had engaged Sphinx in a fight.
-This a mess- Bald Eagle said. Using the power of the Relic, she summoned as many feathers as she could before her time-stop expired, Suzaku ignited them just as the flow of time resumed.
Bald Eagle's flaming feathers impacted into the virulent swarm, making a dent into them for a few seconds; but the density of the poison plugged the gaps around Jörmungandr. Bald Eagle had to use the Relic to dodge the counterattack, the poison was alive and curved to attack her again after her first dodge, she had to stop time to dodge it before the poison could touch her.
-Pull back!- Bald Eagle yelled at Harp Seal as she was returning back to the APC, Jörmungandr's poison was going haywire after being attacked, it was killing anything that got too close to her.
Harp Seal went underwater and disengaged, once she saw the bodies of many dead Harpies floating around Jörmungandr. She dived deep to safety as she saw the Fiend Snake doing her job.
Bald Eagle rushed back to the APC as fast as she could fly, this was the most dangerous thing they have ever faced, they had to come up with a plan to stop before this venom consumed all.
-We'd need sustained attacks to even get a clear shot at it, the lethality of it's venom so high, even the Harpies couldn't get close to her anymore!- Bald Eagle said, reaching the APC as Narwhal kept it moving steadily across the waves of the ocean.
-I'm sorry I can't help, we aren't quite there, if I slow down we'd all perish for sure!- Narwhal apologized, feeling dreadful as she couldn't even look back it, it was even scarier to her.
-You hang in there and focus! we'll handle this- Père David's Deer told Narwhal, for she needed her focused on that task; she was their lifeline keeping the APC afloat and still moving.
-Got a plan?- Smilodon asked the Deer, she was their leader after all, they always ended up rolling the dice on her strategy.
-Our best shot is wear down her defense and go for the throat-
Père David's Deer said with a sadistic expression full of glee, it was quite unsettling to see for both Bald Eagle and Boomslang.
-It's possible, you put it down for a few days by punching her really hard, a throat injury might be enough to kill her- Rhyo informed the Friends, she showed her calculations outside the APC, about the best way to strike the killing blow on the Fiend.
-This is strategy too complex- Smilodon said outright, she couldn't even humour it with a snark, it was a foolhardy plan.
-I don't think we have any other option, she won't stop, she wants us dead- Père David's Deer reminded Smilodon, it was something she understood very well, the thirst for vengeance.
-We also don't know if those shadow wolves will stop blocking the sun, emphasis on "if", that's a very scary thought- Collared Peccary backed up her Deerie, trying to remain calm in spite of the thought of those shadow wolves blocking the sun forever.
-I don't think I can carry two Friends at the same time- Bald Eagle informed Père David's Deer, even though it was obvious.
-Narwhal is gonna carry you two, while Rhyo keeps me and Piggy afloat, it has to be all four of you together- Père David's Deer explained herself in the most simple terms she could find.
-Sounds logical, if we go all out, it should be all four of us- Boomslang admitted, in spite of her growing sense of dread.
-I'd love to help all of you for once!- Narwhal said still focused.
-I don't think it will do much good but, Piggy fetch me four vials of anti-venom, it's the best I can give you- Père David's Deer gave one bottle to each Crusader with an Astral Guardian.
-Thank you- Narwhal said, turning around and putting the vial right between her breasts, she summoned Seiryuu to provide herself and the other two with blue ice platforms to stand on.
-Watch it, they can be slippery- Seiryuu warned the Crusaders.
-I'm sorry this is beyond what I can heal- Père David's Deer
apologized, taking off her beret for the Crusaders left behind.
As the APC began to sink, Collared Peccary bailed out with the help of Père David's Deer, then Rhyolite turned back into her Friend form. Rhyo easily caught the Pig and the Deer before they could get wet, placing them on safely her back, as she started to swim to the Mainland shore. It was a long distance but she knew she could do it, Rhyo just worried a lot about the others, the Diamondback had no choice but to do as ordered.
-Alright, I call the shots now, listen to me and you'll survive- Smilodon said, unsheathing her blade while her tone of voice was stern, it was their first battle without Deerie's leadership.
-You got it!- Bald Eagle said, flying besides Smilodon. The Bird was trying to cover any gaps in their defense, as Boomslang and Smilodon had never tried to hold back an attack together.
-I don't feel safe without her though- Boomslang sighed, unsure about how it would go without Père David's Deer.
-You can count on Smilodon, she will keep us all alive, I swear- Narwhal said, backing up the Feline, for she firmly believed in her command, for Smilodon was an experienced veteran too.
-Thanks, we can do this so long as we strike as one, we will barrage her in this order: Wind, Ice, Shells and Fire!- Smilodon explained to the others; this would be the order to have a shot at hurting the Fiend, Wind to spread the virus, Ice to freeze them, Shells to keep them away and Fire to burn Jörmungandr.
-Okay, she comes!- Bald Eagle warned the group, as she flew to a better position, to get a clear shot at the Fiend's ugly face.
-Now!- Smilodon ordered, pointing at Jörmungandr with her saber, she summoned the largest wind blades she could, trying to desperately open any gaps for the others to follow through.
Narwhal attacked first, summoning the most dense icicles she could form, the blue ice that could stand the Ebb and Flow. The combo of their attacks made a big dent into the living swarm, Boomslang tried to keep the path open with a tunnel of shells, while Bald Eagle focused on creating something much bigger.
Suzaku manifested one of her old pillars of flame, her favorite form of attack back in the day when she was a Friend, in the form of a smaller and focused attack. Bald Eagle used the Relic to give herself a time window, to aim and launch the attack as far as she could within stopped time, to give Jörmungandr less chances to dodge or block. The first attempt met with a smidge of success, the attack reached the enemy but didn't make her stop, Jörmungandr just rushed to attack the Crusaders who were standing on Narwhal's Ice Platforms. Bald Eagle tried to intercept her with a wall of flame, which managed to at least get her attention, she had to stop time to gain some distance. Bald Eagle had managed to cover the more vulnerable fellow Crusaders. As she managed to check, Narwhal had gone under water, to focus on keeping her Boomslang and Smilodon afloat.
-This isn't looking good, Suzaku I need your help, please!- Bald Eagle prayed for help, she was out of ideas, as her last resort.
Suzaku didn't answer outright, for she knew what she had to do, but Bald Eagle wouldn't enjoy it one bit. Suzaku manifested to the fullest of her current power, she engulfed Bald Eagle's body with her fire form, bestowing her with great divine power. Bald Eagle could feel it starting to singe her, she had to act now, before this blessing expired or her body gave up on her.
-Crusaders, rally to me!- Bald Eagle called to her Friends, her words didn't feel entirely her own, Suzaku was using her body.
-TO WAR!- Genbu, Seiryuu and Byakko roared, answering the call of their Sister, each Astral Guardian empowering their host.
The other three Crusaders returned to the fray, pushed onward into battle by their Astral Guardians, the Four Gods were going all out. Narwhal summoned all the water clones she could, she turned them all into blue ice, to rush Jörmungandr in an all out attack. Following through Narwhal's offensive move, Smilodon felt the Wind orbiting around her Blade, she used it to create a large surge of Byakko's Razor Wind. Boomslang created two big stacks of turtle shells, tossing them at the Fiend in the form of fists, exactly how she had trained hard to do so. Bald Eagle's own attack was the last one, she focused all of Suzaku's fire engulfing her into two projectiles, imbued with the willpower of the Crusade. Bald Eagle navigated amidst the attacks of her fellow Crusader, she felt time was slowing down before coming to a full stop, giving her the chance to strike at Jörmungandr.
-Chew on this!- Bald Eagle yelled with fury throwing one of the projectiles at the Fiend, amidst the chaos unfolding the enemy remained undeterred, Bald Eagle couldn't believe her own eyes.
Jörmungandr's virulent swarm was heavily depleted by their attacks, she was hurt but ruthlessness pushed her onward, to devour the Crusaders or let her living venom consume them.
Bald Eagle still had one projectile left, she'd have to get in close and risk it all for the Cadre, if she was going to slay her.
Bald Eagle's determination made Suzaku's symbol in the Time Amulet to start glowing, as she flew close to Jörmungandr she felt time bending to her will, she used one of Suzaku's feathers to create a deadlier projective that took the form of a Firebird.
-BLACKEN OUR WORLD NO LONGER!- Bald Eagle roared with all her strength. She threw the Firebird at the Fiend, while she struggled to keep time stopped, up until the Fiend was ablaze.
Jörmungandr's screams, as she was consumed by the flames, where the most horrible sounds the Crusaders had ever heard. Jörmungandr knew this fire was going to end her, but amidst the pain she saw the Friends just watching her die, the Fiend decided to do something spiteful with the last of her strength.
-Before this body melts I will kill you all!- Jörmungandr roared as she started laughing, in spite of the agonizing pain she was experiencing, as she summoned the largest swarm she could.
-That can't be good- Byakko said knowing what was going to happen, the battle was over, but they were still in lethal peril.
-The swarm is going insane, we need to stop them before they spread, she is insane!- Boomslang sentenced starting to panic.
-They are extremely deadly, they could kill all of Japari Park, if not the entire World!- Bald Eagle said as she considered that, the swarm might not ever stop, without anyone to command it.
The grotesque sight of Jörmungandr's body being consumed by the flames shocked the Crusaders, making them not realize they had to act fast, as the swarm began to multiply again, they would soon rush forward to consume all life in their path.
Smilodon looked around to her new Friends, she had a plan to save them, but she knew they wouldn't agree with her choice.
-Byakko, bless me with your power- Smilodon called as she jumped in to protect the others, using Byakko's wind power to keep herself in the air, she created a massive tunnel of wind.
-Drink it, you will need it- Byakko's paw manifested, handling Smilodon the anti-venom bottle, her voice sounded very sad.
-I'm sorry, this is where we part ways, Crusaders- Smilodon bowed before drinking the Vial, she hoped it would help her endure the pain better, as she started to create a hurricane.
-NO! What she is doing!?- Bald Eagle asked before her voice cracked, the raging winds making it unable for her to get close.
-Drink your anti-venoms, now!- Boomslang said as she pulled out hers and drank it, the swarm was being sucked into the vortex, their virulent essence was too dangerous to ignore it.
-I'm pulling back, there is nothing else we can do for her, we must respect her decision- Narwhal said before drinking her own anti-venom, diving into water to move Boomslang ice platform more easily, she didn't want anyone else dying today.
Bald Eagle felt tears falling down her cheeks, she forced herself to gulp down the content of her anti-venom vial, it's bitter taste didn't fully wash away the bad taste in her mouth. This wasn't how it should have been, she saw in awe how Smilodon created a massive pillar of wind. It was sending Jörmungandr's swarm into the cold of space, were they couldn't harm anyone again.
-I'm staying, I won't let her sink, she deserves better- Bald Eagle told the others in a tone that left no room for replies.
Narwhal while she felt terrible about what just happened, she expected Smilodon to do something like this one day, all she could do was swim and get Boomslang safe to the Mainland. Boomslang felt devastated, she fell to her knees in her ice platform, the feeling of guilt just sinking into her. She cried thinking that once again it was her fault, she failed to make any difference again. They had lost Smilodon because of her.
-Don't be hard on yourself- Genbu tried to comfort Boomslang,
finally speaking to her, breaking her rock hard silent stoicism.
When the hurricane finally stopped, Bald Eagle flew into where it ended, as fast she could. She saw something fall in the sea, she dived in and found Byakko and Smilodon, she tried her best to remain silent, stoic and serious. Byakko was swimming while keeping Smilodon afloat. Smilodon was in terrible shape, she was coughing up blood and spasming uncontrollably, she held onto her sword for dear life while crying in immense pain.
-She is here, just like you said she would be- Byakko said gently to Smilodon, she who couldn't see anything anymore.
-I'm sorry but this was the only way…- Smilodon said coughing up even more blood, taking a moment to recover, to talk again.
-When I die the last bits of her venom will vanish with me, it's too painful to endure, I'll sink to rest beneath the ocean waves- Smilodon smiled to Bald Eagle, as her blood started to pour out from her eyes and nostrils, both Bald Eagle and Byakko winced.
-Take up my sword and carry on the the fight... Byakko will be there if you need her… Tell the Cadre I love them! - Smilodon rambled before she couldn't talk anymore, she struggled to hand out her sword to Bald Eagle, but she managed to fulfill her last service to the Cadre amidst all her pain by herself.
-Goodbye, my love- Byakko said licking Smilodon's face before letting her sink, she had to stop Bald Eagle from trying to keep her afloat, though for the Bird it was a reflex she couldn't stop.
Smilodon breathed deep, letting the ocean fill her lungs, she had done all she could for the Cadre, she also handled the Relic to someone capable. She could rest now. Smilodon hoped the Deadlights would be happy to see her, that she didn't bring shame to their name, that even Sivatherium would be very proud of her. Darkness engulfed her and she knew no more.
-There is nothing left for us here, let's go- Bald Eagle said to Byakko, who nodded before vanishing into Smilodon's sword.
Bald Eagle looked at Jörmungandr's massive skeleton, as she flew toward the Mainland, it was slowly sinking in the Ocean. She felt more hatred towards the Fiends than ever, one took away Maltese Tiger from her, and another took away Smilodon.
Bald Eagle sworn to hunt down the Fiends, every single one of them, until they ceased to exist and be a stain in Japari Park.
-Hatred is powerful but don't let it consume you, our flame burns to give new life, not to extinguish it- Suzaku screeched to Bald Eagle, her tone was stern but she had never talked to her with respect before, their bond had become much stronger.
-They are all going to pay for that- Bald Eagle's response to Suzaku was cold, direct and left no room for any sort of reply.
Bald Eagle started crying silently, she held tightly the sheath of Smilodon's sword in her hands, soon she was also whimpering. Smilodon was a Friend that she looked up to, someone she felt safe with, she couldn't handle the fact that Smilodon was gone.
-We are finally there- Bald Eagle said to Suzaku and Byakko.
Bald Eagle saw the giant landmass ahead of her, she couldn't believe her eyes, she couldn't see the end of it where land met the sea. Having lived most of her short life in Riukiu Island, she had never thought such a large mass of land could exist, her awe was cut short when she saw a flare fired from the coast.
-I see them!- Suzaku screeched, confirming that it was the Cadre, the Eclipse meant they weren't safe in the Mainland.
As Bald Eagle prepared to land, she circled around to confirm the rest of the Cadre was fine, when she landed she saw that every Friend was somber. Bald Eagle took a deep breath and prepared herself, she had to inform the Cadre what happened, but before she could speak Byakko manifested from the blade.
-Smilodon sacrificed herself to save you from Jörmungandr's swarm, if not the whole world from her, I'm exhausted and without a host I won't be able to recover soon- Byakko said to the Cadre, explaining her current situation without her host, as well as the apocalyptic disaster they just had narrowly averted.
-She wanted me to tell you, that she loved all of us- Bald Eagle said emotionally exhausted, as she had nothing else to say, she gave the sword to Pere David's Deer and sat down on the sand.
-God Damn it!- Collared Peccary cursed loudly to the heavens.
-Please… Calm down!- Rhyolite begged to Collared Peccary, she had never seen the Cadre like this, it was very painful for her.
-I think the Eclipse is coming to an end- Narwhal said looking up to the sky, the shadow wolves were finally starting to fade.
-It's almost dusk, I can't believe it, we'll have to keep moving- Père David's Deer informed the Cadre, much to their disgust.
-What!? Give us a time to mourn at least- Boomslang screamed quite angry, she had just stopped crying but this was about to make her cry again, how could their Healer be so cold blooded.
-By nightfall we will be likely under attack again, we gotta keep moving or else, Smilodon's sacrifice will be meaningless- Père David's Deer explained herself, the Deer was hurting too, but as a Leader she had to put the Cadre's survival above all else.
Before any protesting could be continued, the Cadre heard a very loud howl of pain coming from Gokoku Island's direction, that it continued for over a minute. It caused a sense of dread in the hearts of the Crusaders, they already knew who it was.
-It's Fenrir- Bald Eagle was the first to say it out loud, she felt her desire for revenge burning inside of her, but it wasn't the right time or the place to hunt such a dangerous Grand Fiend.
-I think it just noticed now what you did to Jörmungandr- Père David's Deer said as she held Smilodon's sword tightly in her hands, they had hurt the Grand Fiends but a great cost for it.
-Rhyo, turn into an APC, please- Collared Peccary asked to the Diamondback Friend, they had to leave the coast as quickly as possible, anyone could have seen the flare they just had used.
-Okay- Rhyo saluted changing into her Diamondback APC form.
-We'll pay respects to Smilodon, once we are safe, I promise you this much, but now we gotta move- Père David's Deer said to the Cadre, holding Smilodon's sword very close to her chest alongside her staff, showing that she cherished Smilodon's gift.
The Crusader Cadre quickly boarded their APC, leaving behind the position they could be tracked from, all thanks to the flare.
They had made it to the Mainland, but had no real reason to celebrate yet, they were in uncharted territory. The Fiends could take away the Sun, their greatest defender. It was a terrifying power they would need to keep in mind from now on.
Narwhal, Bald Eagle and Boomslang decided to sleep, as they were exhausted from the fight, they needed to be ready if another fight suddenly sprung up on them. Père David's Deer and Collared Peccary remained awake, Piggy was driving Rhyo and Deerie was keeping her company, Père David's Deer was having doubts if she could keep the group together, Smilodon had been a huge help training the girls as well holding the line in battle, she would be missed by every Crusader in the Cadre.
-We made it, that's what matters, right?- Père David's Deer asked Collared Peccary, taking off her mask and covering her face with her gloves, her tears fell over the sheath in her lap.
-Whatever happens, so long as we are together, we'll be okay- Collared Peccary answered proving once again her resolve was hard like diamonds, she would continue to push the Crusader Cadre from behind, just like she had always done with Deerie.
-How about a song? The road always leads ahead!- Rhyolite said trying to motivate the two Friends, to her surprise they smiled at her, she played for them the happiest song she had.
Amidst their pain, the inner struggles and the battles ahead. One thing was certain, the Crusader Cadre had finally made it to the Mainland, their original destination. For better or worse their arrival would change things, just like how Jörmungandr's death would change the balance of power, within the ranks of the Fiends Hierarchy. Koryu, the Golden Dragon, was amused.