AN: Most of the scenes here were planned for the previous one. Thankfully, I divided them so it would be easier to focus on both halves. Happy New Year to everyone, and stay tuned for the rest of the final chapters!
Chapter 88: Echo of the Nemesis
|Aeternus HQ – Perimeter|23:00 pm|
For the past few hours, the city had descended into chaos. Shadows had vanished from the streets, it seemed, but there was no sign of the barrier vanishing. Yet word was spreading about the recent incidents. Explosions had been observed in Farawell and Saragel, and those brave enough to take a look noticed they had occurred in hidden basements. Nothing remained except smoke.
Even worse was the sight of the dreaded Aeternus bus, the Obliterator. In its brief commission seven years ago, it had been operated by soldiers with little ability to commandeer the weapons, resulting in nasty casualties. Seeing it drive past their windows, firing missiles and lasers was an unwelcome sight. The road it had taken was in ruins, covered in craters and debris.
Those unlucky enough to have lived near the barrier were inconsolable. Before their eyes, the dreaded bus had crashed into the wall, and the entire compound became visible. It was a far more unpleasant place than they had been allowed to see – a grim skyscraper, surrounded by four other buildings in what looked like a pool of darkness.
No announcements were made on TV, radio, or the internet. All that remained on the flickering screens was a static blue. Aeternus had gone completely quiet. Instead of relief, fear and dread were in the hearts of the people. No secret weapon had appeared at all. Shadows, according to horrified eye-witnesses, were roaming the HQ, devouring each other.
At this point, with the clock ticking, it seemed more and more like tonight was not the end of Shadows – rather, the end of the world. The people would never get to see the world again. Sunny days on the beach were over. Boats docking at the harbour would never arrive. And the theme park would forever be blotted out of view.
Even so, in this darkest hour, a glimpse of light sparked. Thanks to their commander's initiative, a certain group had the courage to make their own impact on this war against the darkness. Now their preparations were complete.
New Motus City was now the stage. All the actors would play their parts, to see a new epoch be born.
|Computer Lab|12:02 am|
The Divine Cherub had been utterly destroyed. All the scattered feathers and other remains had vanished, leaving broken computer parts strewn all over the floor. Had Kyle still been able to use his computer, he no doubt would have trailed through the trash to find something worth keeping. At the very least, nab a wireless USB keyboard.
"It's a miracle we survived." Aimee said, weakly, getting back to her feet. "What a...battle." She mustered enough energy to heal everyone, and took a seat, exhausted.
"The hell was it talking about?" Matthew asked. "Something about the 'thirteenth'?"
"Perhaps it meant...that mummy thing?" Shirley said. She gulped, disturbed. "Fighting this angel was an ordeal. Can we survive something beyond that?!"
"We don't know what will happen. Nihane will not rest, just like us." Amara said. "Still, we have more important things to talk about." She pointed to Sophie's parents, who had made it across from their cluster to their saviours.
"...Sophie." Stella said.
"Mum." Sophie said, quietly. "It...really is me."
"Should we leave you three alone?" Amara asked.
"No, that's not necessary." Sophie said. "I've waited so long for this day...I want my friends beside me."
She stepped closer, and gulped. Stella and Seraphina were right in front of her, frozen to the spot. They let out gasps, and the others watched in hesitation, in total silence.
"I...I had to escape. It was the only way. I saw the future if I didn't...it was far worse than this." Sophie said. "But if you knew where I was, they would have...gotten to you."
The silence continued, as she got closer. Finally, there was a loud cry, as both her mothers practically flew down to greet her. They both raised their arms, and Sophie winched – but they hugged her tightly, sobbing all the while.
"...I'm sorry." Sophie said, tearful. "Ever since that day...I've been trying to find a way to stop Aeternus. Now, with everyone else, I can do it...we can be free again!"
"We thought we had lost you!" Stella cried. "All that time, we had lost what mattered most...but you were out there, fighting for your life?"
"That's correct. Everyone else helped me." Sophie said. "Amara. Shirley. Matthew. Ainee There are my mothers. Stella and Seraphina. The best parents I could have ever asked for."
The three of them held their embrace, for what felt like an eternity. A large cloud had been lifted over the White family's heads, and a blue sky would dawn soon.
"Thank goodness." Shirley said, emotional. "Seraphina was so mysterious, but I'm so glad she's back with her family."
"Me too." Matthew said. "A family like this have to stick together. Especially after today."
"Yes. They have a future ahead of them. Against all odds, they're together at last. Once we beat the Ater Vox today, there won't be anything else that could drive them apart!" Aimee said.
"Sophie darling, do you have to leave so soon?" Stella asked.
"Yes, mum. But I swear I'll be back." Sophie said. "Come tomorrow, all of us will be working towards building New Kanaloa. Not to mention the rest of the city."
"If you have to fight Nihane, go give him a slap. Two, for the both of us." Seraphina said, happily. "Break a few cheekbones, if you can. Good girl."
Sophie laughed, but nodded. Now there was nothing to fear. Nihane's tyranny would end tonight, she had decided.
"Oh! Thank goodness you're here!"
Standing in the doorway were about ten Ornatu Legion soldiers. Most of them had been run ragged, panting for breath.
"Adam, didn't I say earlier? These guys are professionals!" Cuiling said cheerily.
"We had to fight our old friends..." Sheila said, shaking. "Even so, we pulled through. We've tried to rescue as many employees as we can. So far, we've only had one casualty. A man on the fifth floor was killed and left on his bed. We're taking him to a cemetery right now."
"It's good to see you all unharmed." Shirley said. "Where are you taking these employees, by the way?"
"We're using the old Obliterators to ferry them to Nova Albion. We thought it'd be safer there. And all of the Shadows seem to be disappearing, making our job easier." Tristan said.
"Mum...both of you..." Sophie began. "Please go with them. It's far too dangerous to stay here right now."
"Alright...but please, I'm begging you, Sophie, don't die!" Stella said, sternly holding her daughter by the arms. "My little angel came back, so don't you dare go away again!"
"That's you told!" Other Amara said, grinning. "I'll look after your daughter. I'll protect her with my life."
"Good to hear. One question, if you don't mind. Is your full name Amara Furaha?" Seraphina asked, curious.
"Um...yeah!" Other Amara said. "But I guess all the rebels are famous, right?"
"True. But I remember your name from somewhere else." Seraphina said. She reached into her pocket, and pulled out a memory card. "Tomas put all of his favourite pictures onto there. They're all PNG, so you can view them on normal computers too."
"...Were you and him close?" Other Amara asked, gazing at the black SD card.
"Well, we worked together on several projects." Stella said, looking around. "He spent a lot of time in that extra lab he hogged for himself. Yet he said his best friend had a daughter, and she was like his own. The Ater Vox drove him insane, but deep down that was where his heart lied."
"He cared so much for his friend's child...just the same as me. We had a common ground. I wish he was here now...maybe he could have found peace, away from this horrid building." Seraphina said.
"...Thank you both." Other Amara said, putting the card in her pocket. "It's been hard, but now I can remember Tomas the way he was."
"Are you ready to go?" Sheila asked. "We'll take you to safety. We swore an oath a long time ago, and we intend to stick to it. So don't be scared. We will protect everyone."
"It's time." Stella said, giving her daughter a farewell kiss. "See you soon!"
"Remember, both cheekbones!" Seraphina added. They followed the Ornatu Legion out of the room, as they escorted other employees from the department.
"Feeling good?" Other Amara asked.
"Better than ever! I feel great!" Sophie cheered. "Shall we ascend?"
"That's right, the Ater Vox might be giving the others trouble..." Matthew said, worried.
"We have to win now. Or all our talk just now will have been for nothing." Aimee said.
"The Ornatu Legion, finally on our side...this is a miracle!" Shirley said, gleaming.
They left the wrecked Computer Suite, in pursuit of their allies.
|Aeterna Vitra – Generator|23:21 pm|
Keisha and Kaman had gained access to the elevator. It swiftly went down to the generator floor, a rather hot area. The Diva stood there, without a movement. Her microphone stand was right by her side, sparkling.
"If only we could have asked those two to stay." Keisha said. "But that would have been foolish, right?"
"Yes. We decided, didn't we? This was how it was going to be." Kaman said. "There's still time to go see him."
"This can't wait. We need to destroy this generator." Keisha said, shaking. She withdrew her daggers, drawing short breaths. "This won't be as easy as Pierre. But I swear, I will do my best!"
"So will I." Kaman said, cracking his knuckles. "I became a Last Soldier so I'd know how to stop Aeternus. This ought to help those guys get to Nihane."
The Diva looked down towards her guests, and shimmied nearer them, making sure her hair flowed beautifully around her.
This is where I am to die, is it? After being given a purpose...it is to be taken from me? How will that benefit the thirteenth, let alone my kinsman? You are the monsters who stole the Lovers' life. I, Empress, stand before you now. And I shall put the band back together!
"What?!" Keisha shouted. "M-Minions?!"
The Diva's band came into view. One was a dancer, dressed like a provocative jester, shaking tambourines. It wore a Magician mask. There had been Shadows like this here and there, called Coryphées. This one was a Cavorting Coryphée, and it perpetually liked shaking its moneymaker.
The next was a drummer, who's lower body seemed to have merged with all of his drums. The sticks he used to strum were rather black and spiky, and he wore a pink wig with red streaks. This was the Pragmatic Percussionist, a Chariot Shadow.
Lastly, there was the Fanatical Fiddler – a very tall woman at six foot six, she wore a turquoise suit and had her hair in a blue ponytail. Her mask was Priestess. She was calm and statue like, only moving the bow on her dark wood violin.
"Keisha, don't get scared. She's so weak, she needs back-up." Kaman said, unmoved. "Let's get this show on the road! Okay?"
"R-Right. Just stay close..." Keisha said. "I don't get what your kinsman stuff is all about, but it doesn't make any difference! Because we'll kill you!"
A resolute pair, on such a turbulent day? I'm honoured to have met you. There is no need for regrets for either party. Go, fight with all your heart. If not, then there was no worth in having met you humans.
|GF – Hallway|23:25 pm|
Nihane stood in front of the double stone white doors. Covering them both was the six-circle seal, combined with the Kronos clan logo in each corner. Their emblem was styled after the dragon Ouroboros, which had been incorporated into Amurdad myth. After all, it symbolised an eternal cycle of re-creation. He looked around, left and right, and laughed.
Everything is going well. Perhaps too well. Destroying their base forced them out, and they broke through...and Kaman did exactly what I thought he would. I accounted for everything, and soon it will all be worth it.
He swung open the doors, stepping inside the large Chamber of Eternity. These white walls were hundreds of years old, every inch of them sculpted to perfection. In the very back, a map of the city had been lovingly carved, with a large black circle marking the perimeter. Seven spheres decorated this map – six for the different areas, and the seventh in the very centre. Five of the district spheres shined blue, yet the sixth was flickering...in Kanaloa.
"Surge!" Nihane ordered. The Chamber started to shake, and then began to raise from its position. It could not move quickly, however, due to the way it was constructed. It would take over half an hour to move up all the floors. Yet Nihane, as far as he was concerned, could afford to wait. He had won. No longer could the world bury it beneath the ground. The people who built it would be avenged tonight.
For it was not a recent construction. Far from it. It had once been part of the basement of the grand palace of Amurdad, left behind in its destruction and hidden beneath the dirt. It had never been discovered in the other dimension, and thus none knew that beneath the grimy Pride Square of Kanaloa was an artefact of a lost civilisation.
Now the Chamber shall ascend, and all shall see the true might of our people! Those who slaughtered my people will never exist again!
Nihane smiled, clenching his fists.
"Soon, I will have a world where I belong. Where I am accepted. No – I won't have to be accepted! I shall be the one that passes judgement! Never again will I bend to the will of society! No one has any right to expect me to conform to their ways, and discard my own!" Nihane said, arms crossed.
|Personnel Department|23:30 pm|
"Eat this!" Carlos shouted. His might fists were in complete sync with Venti. It seemed to be hurting him, but he was beating up Nathan as hard as he could. However, his foe braved through the pain and hit him with his staff.
"I won't lose!" Nathan shouted. Cu Chulainn, a seasoned hero, drove his spear through Carlos. Serena's whip and Blaine's bullets also went through Carlos body. Each time he was hit, he screwed up his eyes. Amara saw a chance to attack. While he was still reeling from Blaine's Ziodyne, she had Isis slash him with her blade.
"Argh!" Carlos leaned against the wall. It was as if every muscle in his body was atrophied. Standing up had become too much of an ordeal.
"You're not beaten already, are ya? Come on, you're better than that!" Blaine jeered.
"...What is wrong with me?" Carlos bemoaned. He hobbled along the wall, until he was in front of the windows. He stared at the ground, lifelessly, and groaned.
"Should we..." Serena began. Nathan shook his head.
Carlos glowered at them, furious. "You're too merciful, you children! If you hesitate, you'll never destroy the one you hate so much..."
"It's true...we intended to fight you to the death." Serena said. "But...who's gonna...well -"
Amara took out her sword, shaking. She had claimed the lives of hundreds of Shadows. Was she about to take Carlos' life? The others watched, as she went closer.
"Is this really how it ends?" Blaine said, confused.
She prepared to impale him, yet she closed her eyes. Seeing him with a gaping wound in his torso would give her nightmares for the rest of her life. All she had to do was run her blade into him, and walk away.
"Stop wasting time! Are you serious about defeating us or not?" Carlos shouted. Amara nodded. With one swift movement, she plunged her sword forward.
"Huh? Did I - what?!"
She felt her sword thrust into the air, and nothing more. Uneasily, she opened her eyes – and gasped. She had not missed her target, but there was no blood. Not even a drop.
"...Carlos?" Nathan said.
"He's...a ghost?!" Blaine exclaimed.
His torso had become transparent, as had his hands. He also seemed to have a faint red mist around him, and Venti was in his same pose. She removed her sword, to no effect.
"Ghost...?" Carlos asked, bemused. "Ghost?! I'm...I'm already dead? When? When did...I die...?"
"What should we do?" Serena asked. "This has never happened before!"
"I see...how clever of you, Nihane." Carlos said, laughing. His voice was quiet, like a whisper. "You surpassed all of us...in every way. Then I suppose it's already over, isn't it?"
No one else spoke. Their enemy was a wraith, unable to fight any longer. Now, Amara wished for the right words. Something that could help ease his feelings, as well as hers.
"Julia...I wonder what you look like now?" Carlos asked. "You were my favourite girl. But I can't go home anymore. Goodbye..."
"Wait!" Amara said. It was too late. Carlos had managed to move beyond through the window, and his ethereal form fell down to the ground.
Serena gasped. The others stood there, gazing at the cityscape. Perhaps this had all been an ruse. Carlos may well have tricked everyone into their unwitting deaths. Yet nothing happened. He had not reappeared.
"...Are you all alright?" Nathan asked. "I...I'm shocked myself...I didn't expect that at all."
"I...I think we should go." Amara said, sadly. "Carlos accepted our desire to fight, even if he opposed us. Even with this, we have to press onward."
With nothing else to say or do here, they left, heading further and further into the enemy's lair.
|Aeterna Vitra|23:25 pm|
Keisha was more fired up than she had been in a long time. Now her songs would have meaning. She had Euterpe play Ritornello, granting Kaman a chance to prolong any enhancements.
"Perfect! And I didn't even have to ask!" Kaman said. "Ayurveda!" His entire body was reinforced with magenta, glistening energy, pure power from Soma that granted him boosts in all areas. Not only that, it could shield him from Almighty attacks, making it desirable – especially combined with Ritornello.
Unfortunately, the Coryphée had similar ideas. It used Luster Candy, a potent ability that cast Heat Riser on itself and all allies. In the eyes of its enemies, this was a rather demonic move. Right after this, it attacked Keisha with its tambourines – and Kaman with its posterior.
"The hell?" Kaman asked. "They could have at least not worn tight clothes!"
"Oh, lighten up." Keisha said. "You didn't get scratched by those damn tambourines! Shove off!" She stabbed the Coryphée with all of her hate, and Kaman punched it too.
However, this moment of anger had distracted them. The Fiddler and Percussionist both played their instruments, casting Aquadyne and Garudyne respectively. Keisha was hit by waves, yet Kaman felt a gentle breeze grace his presence.
"Phew..." Kaman said. "Thank god for that. It's hot in here."
"Dammit!" Keisha moaned. "What next?"
"It might work better if we try and take the small fry out one at a time." Kaman said. "So let's work on our choreography."
"...Oh, I get it." Keisha smirked. "Well then, you dancing fool, take a break! Aria Di Sorbetto!"
Ice fell upon the dancer's head, and it nearly lost balance. Yet nothing could stop it from its dancing. Now its moves were resembling Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal. Except the blood stains wouldn't be left on a carpet.
"Karka!" Kaman cried. Soma's strangely shaped blades moved swiftly, in a motion like a crescent moon, and spun the Coryphée out of control. It landed into the Diva, knocking them both over. "Yes! Strike!"
As successful as this attack was, the enemy had plenty of strength to display. The Coryphée got up, did a jig with its tambourines, and did the splits – casting Dekaja. Kaman grumbled, having lost his extra power.
"I wish my legs were that flexible..." Keisha complained.
The Percussionist played a long solo, and finished with the symbals – hitting Kaman with an overhead Ziodyne. The Fiddler, expertly playing her violin yet standing perfectly still, used Magnadyne on Keisha. Luckily, Euterpe could absorb all of the earth's power.
"I guess that'd be Earth Song, huh?" Keisha said, giggling.
"Beat it." Kaman replied.
The Diva, however, had finally been spurred into action. Grabbing her microphone, she sang into it, yet her words sounded nothing like any human language. It was more like a synthetic voice, programmed with a pitch and melody.
This odd song, the Corretivo Canto, was rather soothing on the ear. So much so that its notes appeared in the air, and glided into the Coryphée – healing it.
"Damn!" Kaman grumbled. "I wish I had tethered with this girl! Then we could have killed it easier!"
"At least this one doesn't make you fall in love with her..." Keisha pointed out, wagging her finger. "God, if me and Tara hadn't been there, you two would have -"
"Yeah, I get it. Let's hurry this up, okay?" Kaman said.
"Right. Just as before..." Keisha said. "Monodrama!"
Euterpe's powerful song sent musical shockwaves at the dancer, knocking its tambourines out of its hands. It was about to launch at her with a kick, displaying sharp blades on its heels – until Kaman's Karka slashed through it. It fell, and disappeared.
"Yes!" He cried, and he and Keisha gave each other a high five. The Percussionist continued playing, and Kaman was struck by flames. Fiddler, whose body was still statuesque, played her violin, and Keisha felt sharp wind strike her.
"Ugh..." Keisha groaned. "These things are getting smarter."
"Yeah." Kaman said. "Now – crap!"
The Benevolent Diva was furious. Her favourite dancer had been destroyed, and thus she finally had the impulse to attack. She sung an ominous tune – Lyric - with a low, husky voice, that caused the ground below to shake slightly. Then, a massive quake began, and Keisha was caught up in it.
"...Ha!" Keisha taunted. "Weren't you paying attention? Earth won't work on me!"
"Yeah!" Kaman jeered. "Come on, you're a super powerful Trauma Shadow. You're supposed to be smart!"
Keisha ran into battle, attacking the Diva with both knives. To her surprise, however, she was slapped across the face, and flew across the hall. This battle was not over yet...
|Metalworks|23:55 pm|
Tara's double-edged sword had been caught between Archibald's hands. As hard as she tried to pull away, he refused to lighten his grip.
"Proud of those things, are you?" Tara asked, straining her blade as close to him as she could.
"I never finish a project I don't have any hopes for." Archibald said.
However, her weapon eventually came free. She blinked, and looked at the floor, where Archibald lay on the ground. Dan blew the smoke away from his rifle, and flexed his firing arm.
"He shouldn't have stood around like a dumbass..." Dan said, bemused. Tara cast Magnadyne, but Archibald rolled away – rather fast, for a man in his fifties.
"This is already pissing me off!" Lucy said. "Eat this! Crazy Cutter!"
Ishtar struck Archibald with burning hot axe strikes. However, in retaliation, the team were faced with a thunderous applause – Krevad Mjolnir. Dan and Blaine, however, had faced plenty of shocks in their time, in both senses. So it did next to nothing.
"Drat! This is pathetic!" Archibald said. He was rather ashamed of himself, for making so many amateurish mistakes. "You haven't defeated me just yet! Nothing you throw at me will work!"
"Dad, I'm sorry..." Blaine said. His fists were trembling, but he stared down his old friend. Taking a deep breath, he stood as tall as he could. "But I need to do this. Punishment!"
Archibald was sent spiralling next to a 3D Printer, with a tremendous assault from Quetzalcoatl's hammer. There was an unpleasant sound, like bones breaking.
"Damnation..." Archibald uttered. It seemed to be a gargantuan effort just to get up on his knees. "My body...curse this decrepit body of mine! Why is it so weak? Now, of all times?!"
"Have we already beaten him?" Lucy asked. She seemed more concerned than satisfied. Hesitant, she put away her gun.
Blaine came over, and took Archibald under his shoulder.
"What are you trying to do!?" He asked, his arms dangling.
"It's over, Archie. You ought to take a break" He took his old friend over to a chair, and sat him down. "Don't even try it. We both know we couldn't kill each other. Not after everything."
"This...why am I at his boy's mercy?!" Archibald cried. Blaine stood there, observing him with pity. "Is this my limit now – argh!" Everyone recoiled in horror, at what he had witnessed in the shiny reflection of the floor. His body had just become see-through, and a weak red aura was swirling around him.
"What's going on?" Dan asked. "Is this a transformation?"
"I don't know!" Blaine snapped. "Archie, hang in there!"
"Don't, Blaine. I am not...the one you knew." Archibald said, suddenly pensive. "Perhaps you can't kill me...not if I'm already dead."
"Dead...?" Tara said, stunned. "How? I don't remember that!"
"Neither do I...haha." Archibald said, flatly laughing. "Look at me! I've turned into nothing but a phantom. I can't feel my organs inside me right now! Nihane must have made me a new body after I 'died'. Talented young man, isn't he? If only if it had lasted longer..."
"Archie...?" Blaine said. "It's not too late! Maybe we can find something to keep you alive!"
"You hypocrite. First, it's wrong to want to live in the past...but you want me to live on? Ridiculous!" Archibald ranted. He stood up, as his body grew less and less corporeal. "So my golden age will never come around...what else is left for me, but to vanish?"
"What are you going to do?" Tara asked.
"Don't you run away on me!" Blaine shouted, dashing madly at him. Archibald laughed, as he went to a peculiar looking explosive by the far wall. He took out a remote, and pressed it – and with that input, the entire right wing of the Metalworks Factory went up in smoke.
"Blaine!" Lucy cried. She grabbed him with all her strength, holding him back. "It's...too late!"
"Archie!" Blaine cried. He stomped the ground, utterly despondent. Any vague idea of making peace with him had eroded.
"Blaine." Dan said, gently. "We...need to move on. Everybody else needs our help."
"Dan, give him some time to -"
"No, he's right." Blaine said, gazing at Lucy. "I finally get it. How much he loved my dad. I thought we could have stopped fighting for his sake. Now there's no one left from the old days but me."
The four of them watched him in silence. Blaine sniffled, wiping his damp eyes, and lead the team out of the factory. With any luck, their friends would have defeated the other Ater Vox leaders.
|Aeterna Vitra|23:35 pm|
Keisha and Kaman decided they needed as much strength as they could. With just two of them against four strong Shadows, leaving anything to chance could destroy everything. Thus, they combined Ritornello and Ayurveda once again, resulting in the latter gaining grand strength.
"Eat this!" He fit the Fiddler in the stomach, causing it to finally fall backwards. He did not stop there – he continued his punches. Then, he got up, took a few steps back, and tried to jump on her – landing on the ground.
"What the heck are you doing?" Keisha asked.
"Kazuya and I were talking about wrestling once, and I thought I could pull off some kind of cool grapple technique..." Kaman said, groaning. "Man, that hurts."
"Idiot..." Keisha sighed. "Please, tell me Kazuya didn't put any more crazy ideas in your head..."
Right after this, however, the fiddler moved her bow onto her violin, and played a short song that created Aquadyne. This struck Keisha down, while the Percussionist's beat launched a Magnadyne on Kaman.
"Grr..." Kaman glared at the drummer, and gave a rather rude gesture. "You're no Richard Starkey!"
"...Who?" Keisha asked.
"You've got a lot to learn about good music, kid." Kaman replied, sighing.
The Diva gasped, and covered her face with her hands. She seemed to be expecting an attack – except her movements were exaggerated and false. Her enemies knew better. Their aim was to kill off all three of her band, and she had already lost her dancer.
"Portamento!" Keisha called out to Euterpe. The resulting tune caused Kaman's Ayurveda to affect her too, and thus the two of them felt the power of the gods soar in their veins. He displayed this power by attacking the Fiddler with a high-speed Aquadyne, cheering all the while. The Percussionist's drum beat caused Ziodyne to strike Kaman from above, yet the Fiddler opted to attack Keisha with Garudyne.
"Crap..." Kaman grumbled, recovering from the shock. "Don't think you'll get away with that! You're dead – what the?!"
The Diva had begun to move again, no longer a helpless singer. She sung the Corretivo Canto yet again, and the Fiddler's energy was replenished.
"Oh, come on!" Keisha yelled. "How the hell are we supposed to keep up with that?"
"Just hurt them for more than she can heal. Gonna have to try harder!" Kaman replied. "Like this! Kshuparaka!"
Soma sent forth grand winds, addling the Percussionist. The sheer force of the wind interrupted its drumbeats, and sent one of the symbals flying off into the ceiling. It came crashing back down on his head, much to Kaman's amusement.
"Aw yeah!" He jeered. "Keisha, get him!"
"You sure that's a he?" Keisha questioned. "Whatever it is, it's going down! Vibrato!"
Euterpe's bright lightning crashed down upon the drummer, causing him to fall over his drums, in deep agony. Alas, it started to laugh, as did the Fiddler. They quickly began to play together, until the area turned rather bright.
"Ah! What's this?" Keisha asked.
"Stay on your toes!" Kaman said, eyeing the ceiling.
From above, two columns of light hit them. This was Judgement – a painful attack that left a person divided. Or rather, their health. Keisha and Kaman felt the harsh overbearing light hang over them, as their very life seemed to be snatched from them.
"Oh god...what now?!" Kaman said.
"I'll heal us both, okay? I'm not like Josephine or Aimee, but I can keep us both alive!" Keisha stated. "Euterpe, we need -"
The Diva had already begun a new song. This was a rather angelic sounding one, in a strange kind of holy harmony. From above, a ghostly figure appeared, and a lump of shadowy mass appeared beneath it. They merged, and in a flash, a being began breakdancing.
The Cavorting Coryphée had returned. It may be that two against four could never win. Yet losing simply was not an option. Keisha and Kaman knew what had to happen – completely cutting off the energy supply of Aeternus, and fast.
Their frustration distracted them. Others had arrived above them, their footsteps quietened by the bullet proof glass.
|Studio|23:45 pm|
Nina and Serena were deadlocked, swinging both sickles and whip all over. Serena was faster, able to leap over them, and even knocked some out of her way with her trusty whip.
"Crushing Eagle!"
The avian monument crumbled, aggravating Nina even further. She ran at Serena, slashing her twice, then followed up with her brutal Hailstone Tempest. As chilling as this was, Serena was undaunted.
"Moonstone Wave!"
Her tremendous lunar waves struck her sister, shining in tonight's moonlight.
"Ugh – ARGH!"
Nina screamed, as the chain snapped between her sickles. She stepped backwards, knocking over a camera. With Hel suspended in mid-air, not moving anymore, it appeared the fight had concluded early.
"Nina?" Serena said, anxious. "This...can't be it, not already!"
"Be quiet!" Nina yelled. "I've got to...no...why does it hurt so much?" She slouched against the glass panel, that led to the sound mixing booth. Suddenly, her entire torso went through it, and she screamed. Yet the glass did not break. Instead...her body was becoming a hologram.
"What on earth is happening to her?" Bianca said, anxious. "Can the Ater Vox make their bodies like ghosts?"
"If they could, they would have used that on us..." Kazuya said. He scratched his head, in utter confusion. "She never did anything like this before. Nina, can you hear us?"
"Ghost..." Nina said, poignant. She now seemed crestfallen, as she moved back fully into the studio. "That must be it...this isn't my real body...I must...be dead?!"
"Dead?!" Serena gasped. "No, that can't be right! You're still living!"
"Don't deny what you can see with your own eyes." Nina said. "It...is the only explanation. This new body must be dying, too...with it, my dream will be gone."
Serena was silent, her eyes welling up with tears. She had known it would have come down to this someday, and she imagined it being a painful experience. Yet it seemed she had been slain by another. Nihane, perhaps?
"It's...alright." Nina said. "...I did everything I could. Nihane went to the trouble of making me a new body, even if it failed...he'll have to pick up the pieces." She laughed, gazing to the ceiling. "Nihane...please, don't lose...and don't forget my dream..."
Serena shuddered. Her sister's dying words were hollow, filled with an empty hope.
"Sis...please, listen to me...not him!"
Nina did not respond. Instead, she walked straight through her own sister, out of the studio doors...and vanished completely.
"Nina!" Serena cried. She fell to her knees, sobbing.
"Serena..." Kyle mumbled, sadly. He held her close to him, as she sobbed. The other two bowed their heads, in a show of reverence. Kazuya and Bianca had once served under the Queen of Hel, the latter receiving ice magic tuition from her. Now she was no more.
"Nina...I'll get Nihane for this! Then I'll find another way to make your dream world come true!"
|Aeterna Vitra|23:44 pm|
"Kaman, here! Diva!" Keisha, as fast as she could, use Euterpe's healing melody to cure Kaman. With a thumbs up, he showed his gratitude, and gazed upon his enemies.
"You ain't quitters, huh? Awesome. I don't throw in the towel that easily either. Mark my words, you're going to have to work a LOT harder to kill us both." Kaman said. "So eat this! Garudyne!"
Soma's wind blew into the Percussionist, causing its drumsticks to fly into the air. It hastily stretched out its elasticated arms to grab them – repulsing Keisha.
The Coryphée neared Kaman, dancing to attack with twists, spins and kicks. However, Kaman proved more nimble than he thought, and dodged them all. For anyone watching, it looked more like he was dancing as well. Finally, they hit each other with a fist and a tambourine each. Next, the Coryphée did a short jig, resulting in Power Charge.
Both Fiddler and Percussionist followed suit, except with Mind Charge to suit their abilities. The band was quiet, but they were no doubt planning a severe triple attack to destroy their foes. The Diva was lying in wait again, eyeing the three members of her band carefully. She most likely was planning which one to heal next.
"This doesn't look good..." Keisha said. "I don't think I can handle all their attacks at once."
"Same here. We need to up our offence, somehow." Kaman said, anxious. "Come on, what would do it?"
"You know what would work?" Keisha said, suddenly hopeful. "We're a team. We have to...act like it."
"Ah ha!" Kaman said, clenching his fists. "Right then, let's do this! Soma"
"Go, Euterpe!" Keisha called.
Both Personas rose from their masters, and Euterpe began to play a long, sorrowful tune on her flute. It started to rain, with rumbling thunder somehow coming inside. Flashes of lightning struck as well. Soma gathered the water generated by this haunting melody, and turned it into fierce sharp bullets – piercing through all Shadows. Next, he caused wind gusts everywhere, each one becoming charged by electricity.
"Song of Storms!"
The storm finally erupted into its full splendour, into a rainstorm of lightning bolts and gale-force winds. Once it was over, the weather-beaten Shadows collapsed. The Percussionist, now with no fight left, tossed aside his drumsticks and faded. The Coryphée, however, still had a weak pulse of life left in it, and to show this, it began firing the discs from its tambourines, via Torrent Shot. Keisha took the hit, and grimaced.
"Instruments aren't meant to be used that way! Jerk!" Keisha said, angrily. She stabbed through the Coryphée, but it blocked her next strike, and kicked her high.
The Fiddler was also upset, despite a lack of danger. She had been completely immune to the storm. Angry, she scratched her violin's strings with her bow, and struck Kaman with Magnadyne once more.
"Oof..." Kaman said, pained.
Now the Diva could play her solo, the Coloratura. As she sung, her husky voiced managed to fill the entire area with a thick red haze, and it felt hotter than an oven. Keisha, sweating, gulped, and braced herself. Next, a massive burning flame fell on top of her head, dissipating into tiny musical note embers.
"ARGH!"
This kind of heat was unbearable. She had never liked being in a fight with other fire-users, like Lucy or Amara. How she wished she could have enjoyed a proper winter this year. Now, in late December, she was melting. Yet the flames were tepid compared to the stoked fire in her heart.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"
"Keisha, hold on there!" Kaman yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Keisha stormed towards the Diva, yet her angry torrent of sword thrusts hit the Fiddler instead – and with not much of on effect. She was knocked aside by the Coryphée, who still seemed very sluggish.
"No! You can't use your guards to stop me! Just watch! Diva!" She managed to send a curing song of her own into her body, and sighed with relief. "Thanks, Euterpe. Now, Aria Di Sorbetto!"
Ice fell upon the Fiddler's head, who screamed in agony – sounding like an inept person trying to master her own instrument. While this was happening, however, lights on the generator started to change colour, and it started vibrating.
"Huh?" Keisha said. "Kaman, did we do anything upstairs?"
"Nope. I dunno what this is." Kaman said, mystified.
Suddenly, from high above on the ceiling, red lights shone down. Then, these rained down thousands of tiny red lasers, causing havoc towards the Shadows.
"Whoa?!" Keisha exclaimed. "Who's there!"
"Look!" Kaman pointed. Sitting in the Observation Deck, hastily typing on their command consoles, were a blonde woman and her older, grey-haired partner. Nina and Archibald, but in more civilian clothing. Their selves from the other world, that Amara had told them about.
"Hey, you two! You took your time! But thanks!" Keisha said, happily. Nina looked, and said nothing. Her attention was fully focused on the security lasers above, which had eliminated only a handful of would-be saboteurs.
"What are they doing with that generator?" Kaman asked.
"No idea, but they can't shut it down. Remember, Nihane made sure that only killing the Diva would work..." Keisha said, sadly. "But they'll keep trying anyway..."
"Man, I wish I could thank them in person. Even if I don't really get them at all." Kaman said. "Wait, what am I doing rambling?" He looked back at his enemy Shadows, and raised his fists. He landed a punch in the Coryphée's jaw, much to his satisfaction. "How about a cold shower to perk you all up? Rajanipati!"
Soma stood tall, and started to spin around on the floor. Then a sphere of water surrounded him, as he continued to spin, and Soma flew above all the Shadows. Then Soma crashed down, bursting the sphere. This created the effect of destroying a dam, causing rushing water to engulf all three remaining Shadows.
However, there was one that managed to avoid most of the second rainfall. The Coryphée had rolled away from the water, and was poised to attack. Weirdly dancing, it hit Kaman full force with Brain Shake.
"Argh! Damn it..." Kaman groaned. The attack, combined with the effort he had put in, had tired him out. He lethargically stepped back, panting for air.
The Fiddler simply played another Garudyne, sending Keisha many feet backwards with its waves of air. She howled in pain, and Kaman staggered nearer her – before getting smacked silly by the Coryphée.
"Oh no!" He cried, glancing at the Diva. She had begun to sing again, and before long, she had finished another Ressurizone Aria. The Pragmatic Percussionist was ready to play, with beaters firmly in each hand.
|Training Centre 1|12:05 am|
Karen had opted to finish off the Interitus Soldiers here, allowing the others to go on ahead. However, their faces may be void, but they fought with a strange determination.
"Can't you stay dead?!" She whined. "Mabufudyne!" Another wave of ice struck her foes, further chilling the atmosphere. However, one soldier struck her with Yurlungur's Garudyne, and she groaned, buffeted by the wind. "Urgh!"
"Ms Marshall!"
Karen looked up. Dashing into the area were a squadron of soldiers, a wide mix. Their leader seemed to be Atiqah, the Indonesian woman who had first encountered the rebels in the power tunnels.
"Atiqah..." Karen said. "Ah!" She hastily blocked two sword attacks with her katana, and hit back. "Are you here to stop us after all?"
"The complete opposite. We're stopping anything that even thinks about stopping you." She smirked. "Everyone, attack! Emma, heal her!"
"Of course! Um...Diarahan!" Emma did her job dutifully, healing Karen fully. "Was that good?"
"Just like our healing. You've gotten good." Karen said, happily. "Emma, is it? Thank you."
Emma blushed, and shook her head. "It's nothing, really...I'm just glad we got here in time. We've been getting all the employees as far from here as we can! And helping you guys with those stupid soldiers, too!"
"Die!" Steven shouted. "Go, Odin!" Karen gasped. The King of the Norse Gods, coming to her rescue. He mercilessly electrocuted the enemies around him, leaving naught but dust.
"Leave this area to us!" Atiqah said. "We won't lose so easily. All of us learned a lot from you. How to fight, and how much this city means to us!"
"Exactly." Liam said. "Karen, we've all ditched Aeternus, but no way are we giving up on saving this city. The Commander was right! You guys are the future! So go!"
"Alright. Everyone, I trust that you'll keep us safe." Karen said, elated. "But please...I'd rather not have you miss out on the new future. Stay alive. Don't let your Persona take over you. You're the ones in control now. Till we meet again!"
Her heart raced, as she turned her back on these allies. She raced upstairs, thinking of the allies there. Had Josephine found them? She had to face her old master, and show her that her path was wrong.
|Aeterna Vitra|23:53 pm|
"Kaman, snap out of it!" Keisha yelled. "Euterpe, don't let me down now! Cabaletta!"
Her song soon perked him up. With a quick jab in the Coryphée's stomach, he was back in the fight.
"Thanks." Kaman said, happily. "Your flute magic is kinda trippy, but it works out fine! Me, I'm more conventional! Khsuparaka!"
"You call a name like that conventional?" Keisha asked, blinking. Soma's winds rushed at the reborn Percussionist, knocking it backwards again.
Upstairs, Archibald was typing in complete silence. The generator's lights changed to a dark yellow, and it stopped vibrating. He nodded, keeping a close eye on his monitor. Just what had he done? He seemed satisfied.
Nina was busy loading up more lasers. They fell rapidly upon the Shadows, leaving bullet holes all over the floor. These lasers seemed to have a similar function to those on the Obliterator, but without a PSI to amplify it.
"Damn, those two are weird..." Kaman said. "But they're helping us, so we can't really complain."
"Indeed. Especially now." Keisha said, gravely.
Kaman noticed the Coryphée getting closer, preparing for a Vile Assault. It tried to attack, but flipped over, flailing on the ground. Kaman, grinning, did a running jump, attempting a pile drive of sorts – and it worked, causing the dancer to spit up 'blood' and writhe in sheer pain.
Before he could celebrate this, however, he was sent flying off by a sudden Agidyne, courtesy of the Pragmatic Percussionist. Keisha gasped, but she was soon struck by the Fanatical Fiddler's Ziodyne.
The Benevolent Diva, amused, stayed still, patiently waiting. Her army had survived many attacks, and she saw no reason to exert herself now. She merely held her microphone stand close, contemplating which track to perform next.
Concerned, Keisha used Diva to heal Kaman yet again. Angry at the dancing freak in front of him, who was doing a strange handstand to taunt him, he summoned Soma. "Karka!"
Two fierce crescent shaped blade pierced the beast's flesh, tearing it into three parts. However, the shadowy power did not merely vanish. Instead, it flew straight into a funnel-like device on the generator, and was sucked in – broken down and merging with the rest of the power.
"What the heck?" Keisha asked. "What did that even do?"
"I dunno, but it's dead again. She better not try and bring it back!" Kaman roared.
Nina was completely stoic as she prepared the next round of laser fire. The Fiddler and Percussionist appeared aggrieved, distraught by this repeating hail of death. The Diva's smug demeanour had been shattered, too, as she twirled into the air, and sang with deep hatred into her microphone – creating a series of thunderbolts to rain down on Kaman, in the same rhythm as her song.
"Ouch." Keisha said. "She didn't like that."
"Wait. Did that generator...suck up that weird dancer?" Kaman asked. "That means...she can't revive him anymore! We just gotta do the same for the other two!"
"Can we really do it, and finish off the Diva as well?" Keisha asked.
"We came here knowing the risks...we'll accept whatever happens." Kaman said.
"Yes, of course." Keisha said. "Matthew, if you could help me...no. He has his own duties to carry out now. And I have mine! Verismo!"
At last, Keisha had a new song to add to her playlist. This was a chilling, ominous melody that darkened the area around the Fiddler, slowing down time too, until a black explosion occurred. A Kshuparaka from Soma collided with the Percussionist, once again causing it to fall over.
Nina elected to put aside the laser fire for now. Instead, she managed a weak Mediarama on both warriors. Their power seemed a lot weaker than their 'evil' counterparts. Even after all these doppelgangers had done, they were still cloaked in mystery. Perhaps the truth behind them would be revealed soon, Keisha hoped. If they knew something that could help the others, now was the only time to tell them.
Frustrated, the Percussionist sent an Aquadyne on Kaman – yet upon its arrival, it smacked its face with both beaters. Kaman let the waves cover him, and smiled. The Fiddler grabbed her bow, and played a Garudyne. However, her aim was completely off, and she focused the attack on Kaman, not Keisha. It simply did nothing to faze him.
"What dumbasses! This is perfect!" Kaman cheered. "Keisha, we're gonna win! Thanks to those two up there!"
The Diva scoffed. She tapped the ground, keeping a beat going, then twirled. She sang a grand, echoing song that scattered notes of power everywhere. These landed upon the two wounded Shadows, and soothed their injuries. This was the Melodia Del Deserido, a powerful composition that healed the hearts of all in sync with its songstress.
"Maybe this isn't so perfect." Keisha commented. "Come on, Nina, something better than lasers would be nice. Maybe some kind of grenade launcher?"
|Training Centre 2|12:05 am|
"Take this!" Priscilla yelled. "Crystal Queen!"
Josephine managed to dodge the icy crystalline attack, yet unfortunately, she landed in the middle of a nasty Mór Gaoth. Nathan and Cu Chulainn had achieved greater strength than most, and thus the hurricanes his Persona could unleash were far beyond mother nature's.
"...Urgh?!" She suddenly felt her leg seize up. Crouching, she dropped both her guns, ignoring the agony that that taken hold of every single one of her fingers. "My body...why is it giving up on me?"
"Josephine?" Karen had finally arrived. Her sword was raised, but it was no longer necessary. "What has happened, Nathan?"
"No harm to us. We barely even fought." Nathan said, stunned.
"Don't - you dare mock me!" Josephine shouted. "You could stand to be half the gentleman your father was! You...you are a disgrace!"
"Says the woman who can't even stand." Priscilla said, coldly. "Are you going to fight back or not?"
"Be quiet – hmm?" She glanced at her hand, after feeling an odd sensation. Her sense of touch seemed to be diminished – and her fingers were completely transparent. "What is - what is happening to me?!"
"Josephine, she's...become some kind of ghost!" Richard said. "Since when could the Ater Vox do that?"
"I've never seen this before." Alastair said. "We ought to handle this carefully..."
"...Am I fading away?" Josephine asked. She gasped, her voice now incredibly hoarse and quiet. "No - not after this! Not after ten years, of fighting, and research, and struggling! How can this be happening?!"
"This is it." Karen said, sadly. "Josephine, it's over. Whatever is happening to you, we've won. My apologies."
"My...aren't you confident now?" Josephine said, snidely. "Or have you simply swapped me for them?" She managed to stand up, now completely transparent, shrouded in red light. "You cannot possibly defeat Nihane. His strength is unlike anything I have ever seen!"
"We'll be the judge of that." Nathan said, calmly. "Are you planning to halt our advance?"
"Ha...I can barely feel my legs." Josephine said, melancholic. "What a sorry state. If this is how it must be, at least you didn't have to taint your family name with my blood. Someone else pipped you to the post. I wonder why...?"
She staggered towards the machine she admired earlier, and pressed the a button. Her entire being dissolved, consumed by the contraption. It briefly pulsed into life, yet immediately shut down. Smoke came out, and parts of it broke off.
"In my wildest dreams..." Nathan began. "I never expected things to end up like this."
"She was a lost soul, really." Priscilla said. "Although what she did was wrong, she was a victim like us."
"If it weren't for her, I probably would never have gotten involved with this." Karen said, sadly. "I...will keep her in my thoughts. Holding grudges now is pointless."
With that, there was nothing left here. Nathan held his head up high, and left for above, his vendetta finally resolved. Priscilla followed him, worried.
"Karen, what's happening downstairs?" Alastair asked.
"The Ornatu Legion came!" Karen said, cheerfully. "They're working as hard as they can to get the employees to safety. Thank god you and the Commander made them see sense!"
"Hey, they probably didn't even need us. They left Aeternus on their own – thanks to Kaman." Richard said. "So I guess we need to keep moving on up, then?"
"Yes." Karen said. "Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for everyone else. I hope Roger's safe...let's get moving."
|Aeterna Vitra|12:00 am|
Keisha, glancing at the remaining Shadows, suddenly felt a deep rage inside of her. The mission to destroy this generator would have gone smoothly if the Diva hadn't gathered supporters. It was all supposed to be so quick, so simple, but it had become a hellish task to undertake. With this anger bubbling beneath the surface, she summoned Euterpe.
She held up her flute. It suddenly began shimmering bright gold, as immense power gathered into it. Then, a musical score appeared beneath all the Shadows.
"Overture!"
Euterpe commenced her magnum opus. With each note she played, it appeared on the score. The second it did so, it immediately hurtled down the score and hit whatever was nearest. Her song was long, and dramatic. This was a torturous melody, that managed to drown out the sounds of pain. Finally, the score emitted piercing energy, sending the Shadows skyward.
Neither the Percussionist nor the Fiddler could take any more. Their bodies dissolved. And even better, the generator sucked up the remains of the Percussionist, turning it into power that the Diva could not access. The Fiddler, however, had not been absorbed, and no doubt it would make a comeback.
"Good job." Kaman said. "Indu!" Soma granted Keisha some of his spiritual energy, to make up for the vast amount she had spent via her routine healing and other spells. Nina focused on the laser system again, and fired another round on the Diva alone. However, soon after this, the laser rifles turned off, and broke apart. Nina exclaimed something out loud, and looked over her terminal. Yet there was nothing to be done.
"Hey, Nina! It's okay! We can take it from here!" Keisha called out.
"You know what's going to happen next, right?" Kaman asked.
"Of course...she'll sing that revival song again. Well then, Diva, get on with it! Be a one-hit wonder!" Keisha jeered.
The Diva ignored this comment, and did exactly as expected. Ressurizone Aria brought back the Fanatical Fiddler from its slumber.
"Ha! This won't take long!" Keisha taunted. "Vibrato!" Euterpe sent down a bolt of fierce lightning on the Fiddler, with a quick song.
"Rajanipati!" Kaman cried. Soma's supreme water crashed upon the Fiddler and the Benevolent Diva, covering the lowered ground around them with water.
Nina, somehow without summoning Hel, healed up the two with Mediarama. It was rather weak, perhaps only because Nina was not a dedicated healer, but it felt more like the ghost of a true healing art. Even so, it helped dull the pain. Archibald had begun typing on his machine, no doubt preparing to engulf the Fiddler.
The violinist itself was playing a Garudyne, and directed it to assault Keisha. The wind knocked her against a wall, a painful thing to hit. Keisha screamed in pain, and laid there in shock for several seconds.
"Damn." Kaman said. "Keisha, can you stand?"
"Y-Yeah!" Keisha said weakly, standing back up. "We need to get that stupid violin thing out of the way! Archibald's ready, so we have to fight with all our strength!"
"Couldn't agree more." Kaman said, confidently. "Soma, go join with Euterpe!"
Soma flew beneath Euterpe, ever the flautist. She played a long, sorrowful ode, and all around her was an icy mist, colder than the Arctic tundra. Soma then sent upwards a mass of water, completely pure, which formed a giant teardrop. This was raised into the cold air, and immediately froze over.
"Frozen Teardrop!"
The giant tear fell down on the Diva and Fiddler, causing millions of ice fragments to fall everywhere in a grand flourish. This chilling attack had knocked all the strength out of the Fiddler, who tossed aside her instrument and fell down, disappearing.
The generator absorbed her very being, and sent it far away – breaking it apart into tiny pieces, that would never come into contact again. This meant that at last, the Diva was alone. There was no one left to heal. Yet her voice was still louder and sharper than any soprano.
She began to sing a cold, lilting ballad of her own, the Drama. Kaman was now the victim of cold weather, specifically a giant hailstorm. This sheer cold made him shiver all over, and his bare arms and face went pale. It was as if his face would be frozen over.
"Kaman!" Keisha gasped.
"Don't...worry..." Kaman said, as frigid as he had become. "I'll...shake this off, and kill her! For everybody else!"
|Chamber of Eternity|12:10 am|
The Chamber was approaching the top floor of the building, when Nihane's mind was invaded yet again.
Lord Nihane. We apologise, but we have sensed something you should be aware of.
"Oh, of all the – what?" Nihane asked.
The demise of all five of your friends. They attempted to wield mighty power, enough to level mountains. To their dismay, that strength has waned, and their new bodies grow turbid and stagnant. They all saw their retrospective battles to the bitter, yet premature, end.
"...And?" Nihane said, crossing his arms and tapping the floor with his boot. "Is there anything I need to worry about?"
Their spirits have remained here, tied to this world and your power. They have begun to grasp the truth – their lives had already ended, and you gave them false flesh to start their afterlife. If you leave them alone, their souls will flock to you. This could interfere with our plans...
"Ah...well, that's not going to happen!" Nihane said. "I will grant them one last task. Janus, bring the ghosts of the Ater Vox here!"
As you wish.
In a flash, each member of the Ater Vox appeared – in a circular formation. Nihane glanced at each of them, kneeling on the floor, and nodded. He was utterly elated. Their fake bodies had finally broken down, allowing the rebels to claim a fleeting sense of victory. Thanks to them, he would never have to babysit these incompetent dimwits again.
All of them seemed to be glowing a weak red aura. Ever since he had created their fake bodies, he knew he had to replenish their energy every several days to prevent them from completely vanishing. The same went for the Interitus soldiers, who had the Necromancers to 'refuel' them. Once his plan went into action, he deliberately neglected refuelling his allies.
"What is going on?" Nihane asked, in fake naivete. "Did those rebels kill all of you? In our final moments?"
"I don't know!" Archibald complained. "It's like...I'm fading away!"
"That's...what's what I felt like, too!" Nina gasped, distraught. "What has happened to us?!"
"Nihane, all of us, we couldn't win! Our bodies just gave up! We've died, haven't we?!" Josephine screamed.
"You - you can save us, can't you?" Pierre pleaded. "I-I've come this far! I won't - I can't lose now!"
"It's far too late. Too late for me to die this way. I must - I must go on! I must see my Julia..." Carlos wheezed.
"Hahaha..." Nihane's laughter aroused their attentions. He looked at the ground, chuckling to himself, eyes closed. Then, his eyes opened, and his howls of laughter began to echo throughout the Chamber, and the walls beyond. He held his head in his hands, unable to hold back his sheer hilarity. Now there was no sense in guarding his true feelings.
"Nihane! Why?!" Carlos shouted hoarsely. "You...was it you who...killed us?"
"HAHAHAHA! You finally remember it, Nadal, don't you?! You got it into your head that my scheme was all a lie, so you turned on me! I had no choice but to destroy your biological forms, all so I could turn you back into compliant parts of the system."
"Parts...of the system." Archibald uttered. He did not seem surprised by this fact. It must have suddenly dawned on him that he was but a mere cog in the machine, for Nihane to use. Yet this realisation immediately took all of his accomplishments, and ground them into dust. He lowered his head, beaten. "Tim...I..."
"That's correct, old man Ebert. You were just spare parts I could borrow for a decade." Nihane said, ignoring Archibald's cry for his dearly departed friend. "The truth was, I didn't know why the Eternal Road hadn't commenced either. Yet the one fact you may have grasped is that neither of you were welcome in that new world."
"Then...I'll never see Jacques again?" Pierre said, sadly. Tears fell from his eyes, and they, too, did not touch the ground. They were ethereal tears, formed from real pain. "I...killed Kyle's mother for nothing?"
"Honestly, Leonard, you're far too down on yourself. It did accomplish something. It made Kyle into one of our enemies! Well, maybe just mine now. With so many rebels willing to fight me with their lives, it should fuel the last Divine Spark far beyond my expectations!" Nihane claimed, stepping towards him. He raised his spectral chin up, smiling, and petted him on the head, like a dog chained up outside a shop. "Good boy, Pierre. I'd offer you a biscuit, but after three pitiful deaths, your sense of taste must have suffered. Shame."
"Nihane, please!" Josephine suddenly said. Nihane looked at her, amused, and went to her. "Tell me, why did you not get rid of us from the start!?"
"Good question, Johnson! I knew I couldn't do all of this alone. I had my heart set on completing the Eternal Road, a journey set forth by my ancestors. Yet I lacked the strength and influence to create the interim new government of the Ater Vox! Until I could trigger the six Divine Sparks, I needed you to keep the wheels turning. To drive the city into despair! And you did well, all of you. The truth is, of course, I didn't have a reward in mind. But what could an orphan from Birmingham possibly have to pay with you with?"
"I didn't care who you were!" Nina whined, clutching her chest. Her heart was dying, in both senses, and the pain was excruciating. She had declared war on her own sister in the hopes of a better life, and that had all been wasted. Her mother and father had been sacrificed, in the name of twisted love. Clarity had returned to her mind, turning her dreams to hollow wishes. "I...I loved you anyway, Nihane!"
"That much was obvious, Agnethe." Nihane coldly said, flicking his hair back. Nina turned her gaze back to the floor, shedding tears. "You worked so hard to impress me, yet you just couldn't manage it. Perhaps once or twice, but not enough to satiate your ego. Alas, even if you had grown beyond me..I could never love someone such as you! Not one of you! The only people that could understand me - the only people I belong with - are the populace of Amurdad!"
There was complete and utter silence, as Nihane stared at his dejected former comrades. Any second now, their bodies would completely collapse upon themselves, releasing their souls. Their inner despair must be immense, far beyond their past lives. All according to the plan.
What are you doing?! These are my friends! How could you treat them that way? Nina, can you hear me? I always wanted to tell you! I love you! Please, let me speak to her!
"What's that...is that...your voice, Nihane?" Nina asked, looking up."No...that's..."
"Ethan..." Archibald whispered. "Ethan...his voice...I can hear it...one last time..."
Lord! It is as we feared. The 'other' you survives, yet contained within your body. Do not fear. There is naught he can do to influence events now.
Be quiet, you pathetic wretch. I killed Ethan Walters over a decade ago. Perhaps old habits do die hard. Not to worry. I will reunite you with the lady you love soon enough!
Stop it! You're me, no matter how hard you deny it! This isn't you! I did belong somewhere! In this city, with the people that called me brother! I could never throw them away so casually. Surely, you can't either! You're supposed to be me!
SHUT UP! Just SHUT UP! You are not some kind of conscience for me! You're an echo of a discarded past, much like these fools. And you're wasting my precious time! Amurdad is below, waiting for its rebirth! You would dare delay it? Silence!
"Now then. Surge." Nihane said, raising his arms up. The Chamber began to raise, but the inhabitants barely reacted. "I'll let you observe the final showdown. Let the last thing your spirits witness be my victory! The grand rebirth of Amurdad is here. All those false centuries since its death will be undone...and I will claim its throne."
|Aeterna Vitra|12:10 am|
Keisha could cast freely, without fear of the Coryphée hitting her with its bladed tambourines. Relieved, she played Aria Di Sorbetto, conducting Euterpe's performance.
The Diva shrieked as the frost fell upon her, shaking with rage. Kaman took advantage of this, charging ahead and punching her right in her masked face. Feeling bones break beneath it, he smiled. He could be as violent as he wanted to this creature, for she was no lady.
"C'mon, bring it!" Kaman taunted. The Diva whacked him on the head with her stand, and kicked him hard with her high heels. Next, she sang a rather upbeat, slow melody – Soubrette. Keisha was trapped in a whirlpool, which span faster and faster, until it vanished with a grand splash.
"Oww!" She groaned. "How many super attacks does she have?"
"Not enough to help her now!" Kaman replied. "Go on, get her!"
Keisha nodded, and ran as fast as she could. She swung her blades expertly, and even threw in a stunning aerial combo, complete with a backflip. "Ha!" She rolled out of the way, and used Diva on Kaman once more. "Here!"
"Good thinking." Kaman said. Thoughtfully, he granted Keisha more power – via Indu. She smiled, and thrust both swords forward – impaling the Diva, in her foot. "Also good thinking."
The Benevolent Diva shrieked in torment, and shook her leg free from her assailant's blades. Angry, she took her microphone, and began to sing a jaunty song that grew faster and faster – Spinto. A windmill formed by green air itself began to spin at exponential speed, sending Keisha further and further back, until it broke apart and sliced her with all six blades.
"Oh my god!" Kaman cried. "Keisha, are you okay?!"
"I...I'll be alright." Keisha whined. He ran to her, and helped her get up. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her body was covered in bruises. This battle was the roughest she had ever been through, and Kaman knew why. He was her only ally. Matthew wasn't here with her...just like Maria couldn't be with him.
"Hey." Kaman said. "You're not alone here. I'm not leaving you behind to finish the job."
"Does it matter? As long as the Diva dies -"
"Of course it does. When we defeat it, I want us both to be there." Kaman said. "For a long time, you've been my only friend. Seems like you were starved for company too. Let's see this to the end, together. Don't give up now!"
"...I won't!" Keisha cheered. "So there! Diva, your time is up!" She used Diva on herself this time, and the song seemed to resound louder than ever. Euterpe had put all of her feeling into her song, and it echoed in Keisha's ears.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Kaman said, happily. "Ayurveda!" Soma's grand elixir of power was poured into Kaman's body, reinvigorating him completely. "Yeah!"
The two of them raced forward, slashing and punching with extreme speed. The Diva howled, and despite her best efforts could not halt this utter brutality. However, she managed to leap over them.
Benevolent she may be in name, however her will had grown utterly tyrannical. She let out an electrifying melody, literally – as it caused the lights to flicker, and thunderbolts to crash down on Kaman.
"No!" Keisha cried. "You're not going to win! You have to die, right here, right now! Operetta!"
Euterpe was on form tonight, even without a crowd to hear her songs. This one was a light opera, in both senses – in that it dazzled the Diva with blinding prism flashes. This luminescence had diminished the Benevolent completely, making her a sitting duck.
Kaman nodded in approval. Alas, the Diva was now enshrouded in a magnificent, roaring scarlet aura. Around her, three dark skulls appeared, and dark energy was attracted to them. Each one slowly formed the old members of her band. Somehow, they had been reborn.
"Wait! Archibald did – huh?"
Keisha could no longer see either of the two in the Observation Deck. They were now the only people here, forced to endure the Diva's Sorrowful Encore alone. Kaman squinted at these Shadows, and shuddered. These were just mere ghosts of their former selves, thrown together at the last minute.
Or so he thought. Laughing, the Diva clicked her fingers, and against their wills, the three Shadows were forced to attack. The Coryphée cast Agneyastra, a fierce heavy meteorite-like rain. Next, the Fiddler electrocuted both enemies with the mighty divine thunder, or Narukami. Lastly, the Percussionist managed to summon great ice blasts, or Niflheim.
These attacks all at once were sheer punishment. One at a time, they might have coped, but like this, it was just not possible to bear the pain. The two fell down with a heavy thud, as pure agony throbbed through any vein and artery in their system.
"Ka...man..." Keisha groaned.
"Kei...sha..." Kaman whimpered.
The ghostly Shadows, having completed their final duty, were coldly dismissed by the Diva. She stepped closer to them, her heels clacking. The weight of her hair and dress slowed her movement, but her foes were in no condition to fight themselves.
"N...No!" Kaman yelled. Somewhere in him, he felt something stir. An urge to fight on, against the pain.
"You can do it! If a person puts their mind to something, they can do anything! Even change the world!"
Those had been Maria's exact words, that day when he announced he would put in a bid for the pub that would become The Mole. For the decade without her, he had felt no reason to dedicate himself to anything. But all of today had been for the chance to lift the shadow covering this city. So it could see the sparkling oceans at last.
Keisha, in her own turmoil, thought of her old friends. Nicholas and Bradley. They weren't good people, not even close. She understood that now. Yet she had been so desperate for company, longing to feel close to someone, she clung to them. And she felt that maybe, somewhere beneath their harsh, arrogant facade there was a little bit in both of them that cared for her.
I'm not going to let it end like this. Brad, Nick, I promise I'll win! Then Nihane will lose for sure! This has to work!
Straining, she got up to her feet, despite all the pain in her back. Kaman also arose, and he stared down the marching singer before him with all of his hate.
"This has gone far enough, you has-been! This is for everyone, fighting up there! And for us both! Soma! Death By Moonlight!"
Soma appeared with tremendous blue smoke around him. There was a strange rippling sensation that caused the surrounding area to vanish, revealing a winter night sky. Adorning this sky was a blue moon. It began resonating with life, and a torrent of water burst out from above, falling upon the Benevolent Diva. This same waterfall metamorphosed into a gigantic tornado, revolving at a speed beyond the Shadow's comprehension. Finally, it dissipated, and the Diva was flung far across the area.
It was over.
|30F – Corridor|12:15 am|
"After midnight already..." Amara said, as they walked along. They passed the multitude of sports areas, such as the tennis courts and soccer pitches. It had taken some time to get upstairs, even with the surprise appearance of the Ornatu Legion. Just above here were the forbidden floors – and now they could access them, thanks to the card key Carlos had dropped.
"We hardly ever stay in the other world this late...but this isn't like any other day here. This is THE day." Serena said.
"Please tell me we're not the only ones here." Nathan said. "Hmm?"
"What is it, buddy?" Blaine asked.
"I think I see someone over there! That's – Roger! Karl!" Nathan said, pointing. The two men saw the group, and dashed towards them. Amara saw Karl's exhausted face, and hugged him out of sheer relief.
"Karl, you're okay!" Amara said, happily.
"Only just..." Roger said. "We had to climb all those floors! And we ended up helping the Ornatu Legion's evacuation."
"Um..." Karl began. "Pierre, he..."
"...He was already dead." Amara said. Karl gasped, and looked up. She nodded, trembling. "Carlos was the exact same. The battle ended before it really began. If Pierre's the same, then..."
"It must be the whole of the Ater Vox. Except Nihane." Nathan said. "I hope the others get here soon."
"Perhaps you should have waited by the staircase to the next floor, Sir Nathan."
Nathan gasped. Gracefully walking down the hall was a proud, contented Seraphina – but her hair was blonde, and her eyes were a natural blue.
"You look different." Serena said.
"Yeah. Nice eyes." Blaine said. "I mean...what's going on?"
"Well, it turns out that Seraphina here was using her alias for a long time." Other Amara said. She, Aimee, Matthew and Shirley had also arrived, and were rather weary from climbing flight after flight of stairs. "She's Sophie White. She had to fake her own death to get away from Aeternus – without her mothers being tortured for information."
"My god...you must have been suffering for so long." Nathan said, sadly.
"Sympathy isn't necessary. You all managed to ease my pain." Sophie said. "My parents finally got to see me again – and now they're being escorted far away from here. Whatever happens here, they'll be safe."
"Good to hear. I was worried about you." Amara said.
The group walked towards the staircase, while discussing the events of the Cherub battle. It had been a fight against the heavens, but fortunately it had ended in absolute victory. Sophie's reunion with her parents was not easy, but at last, they could be a family again. And Other Amara had retrieved a digital album of photographs taken by Tomas. Mostly of him, her and Rudo.
"Dad...he would have wanted to help us tonight." Other Amara said.
"I know. He's a wonderful father." Amara said, wiping away tears. "I wish...I could have saved him here."
"So do I. This is all I can do for him. Defeating Nihane will be the first step in putting my life back together." Other Amara said.
Eventually, they found the rest of their comrades standing in front of the staircase. Upon seeing each other, both parties were elated, and relieved.
"I was so worried...I thought someone was going to tell me that one of you had...um..." Tara mumbled. "Looks like we're all okay."
"Heck yeah!" Matthew said.
Karen cleared her throat, and spoke up. "Before we go any further, I think we need to assess the current situation. The Ater Vox are all dead. Actually, they were already dead. I don't really understand, but they were in fake bodies created by Nihane."
"What the hell?" Shirley said. "You mean...all of them? Only Nihane's left?"
"Carlos vanished right in front of us..." Serena said.
"Yeah, so did Archibald." Lucy said.
"And Josephine." Richard said.
"Nina too..." Bianca said.
"Me and Roger saw Pierre fall off the bridge. He didn't even leave a body..." Karl said, shuddering. "So it wasn't just him..."
"Nihane's power may be too much for us." Aimee said. "But everyone, we're all still alive. I'm grateful you all survived until this day. If I had stuck it out alone, I'd have gotten nowhere. Yet by meeting all of you, I found the courage to face our foes. We challenged Aeternus, and we might just win! No, we will win!"
"YEAH!" Everyone cheered.
"Keisha and Kaman are with us too, now. I'm so glad. I wouldn't have wanted to strike them down in combat." Priscilla said, sincerely. "But where are they?"
"Oh, of course. After Pierre's 'suicide', Karl and I got sent back up here to tell the others. Keisha and Kaman are fighting that Diva by themselves, so they can shut down the power." Roger said.
"What? But...the power's still on!" Matthew said, pointing to the nearby NDD. "Come on, we've got to get there and find them!"
"We can't." Aimee said. "If we take too long, Nihane might just start the Eternal Spark while we're rushing downstairs."
"Matthew, Keisha asked you to phone her." Karl said, calmly. "Come on, try it. She'll pick up, I know she will."
"Kaman's with her. He won't let anything happen." Dan said, reassuringly. "Go on, Matthew. Give the girl a ring. Hearing your voice oughta help her fight."
"Okay." Matthew said, anxiously taking out his mobile. "Please, pick up..." He found her name in his contact list, and dialled. "Please!"
|Aeterna Vitra|12:20 am|
The Benevolent Diva laid in front of the generator, completely beaten. Her microphone was snapped in half, her heels broken, and her dress torn. Her hair had become undone, resulting in a multicoloured mop.
"This is it." Kaman panted. "With this, everybody can rest easy! No more Shadows! No more Necromancers. They'll win for sure!"
"I know. I really hope this helps." Keisha said, relieved. She took her phone out of her pocket, which had only 3% charge left. "Why hasn't he called? If he doesn't -"
He phone rang that minute, startling them both. Keisha hastily answered, shedding a tear of joy, while Kaman leaned against a wall, utterly exhausted.
"Matthew! Thank God!" She said, breathless. Kaman looked on, smiling. "What took you so long?!"
"Um...Sorry about that. We had to kill that Cherub, and getting all the way up here was hard work. All of us are as high as we can get! We're all waiting for you!"
"A gentleman as always. Just like when you charmed me on that beach." Keisha said. "Matthew, I've been thinking. The nasty things I said to you in that opera house, I...I wish I could take back. I apologise, I really do."
"Silly. Didn't we already make up?" Matthew said. "I'm just glad you're back with us. The Ater Vox were abandoned by Nihane, but we're not going to give up on each other! Not now! Right?"
Keisha smiled, holding back even more tears. "You're so sweet. I wish I could see you right now...you must be so tired after all your fighting."
"Yeah, I'm exhausted. You'll get to see me soon, though. What's going on? Are you still fighting that Diva?"
"Actually, she's almost dead! Once she's defeated, there won't be any more electricity powering this HQ. Nihane's plans will be dead in the water! And this city will be normal again! Good news, right?"
"That's fantastic!" Matthew said. "Well, go and get her! Payback for last time!"
"That was my fault, remember?" Keisha said. "Matthew, I...thank you. But, when it happens...don't cry. Just remember, it's so you can go forward."
"What?" Matthew asked. "Don't cry? Why would I do that?"
"Good luck." Keisha whispered. Matthew was silent, no doubt panicking.
"It's time." Kaman said. "Let's do this last bit together."
"Yeah." Keisha said. "I'm glad you joined us. Now I've no regrets. Matthew, the rest is up to you!"
Before he could speak, the phone switched off. All of its power was gone. Keisha put it away, smiling.
"Nick, Brad, you two taught me how to be tough. Thanks for everything." Keisha said.
"Maria, let's leave the future to these guys! We'll watch over them together..." Kaman said.
She took her swords, and handed one to Kaman. They nodded, with warm smiles. Their hearts beat in sync. With one swift moment, they impaled the Diva in the chest.
|30F – Central Stairwell|12:24 am|
"She hung up..."
Matthew gazed at his phone, and shuddered.
Dan looked outside the window, towards the bridge. No sign of anyone coming out. All he saw was the wrecked Obliterator near the entrance, as well as Shadows writhing over the dusk-covered stone. He twiddled his thumbs, restless.
"She's trying to focus on her mission. It'll be over soon." Amara said, gently. Matthew did not answer her, distracted by dialling Keisha's number again.
"Please, hurry! I'll be waiting here for you, I promise -"
Suddenly, everything was turned upside down. The lights turned off completely, and there was a series of flashes outside the window. A massive sound shot through Amara's ears, and before she knew it, she was crouching on the ground with everyone else.
She could hear something battering down on the glass, as well as hundreds of things falling to the ground. With fear clouding her heart, she did not have the courage to stand up. Something awful had happened, she could tell. And Matthew's anguished screams told her everything she needed to know.
They're not coming.