Note: I don't own Disgaea.
IIII:IIIII
"How had it come to this?"
It was a question that Adell's surrogate mother kept asking herself mentally as she gazed heavily at the window where a red sky loomed due to the crimson sun high above. Due to the lack of sleep last night, she was exhausted, though it was mostly due to her venting everything within her out with such heated rage. As sudden as her outburst was, the woman now felt very empty. It was a hollow feeling that mothers tend to have when losing their children, biological and surrogate. The fact of the matter is that she lost all three in one day. Two were killed and one beyond not only redemption but perhaps one that could never be saved. No, she could still find some way to forgive Adell. It wasn't his fault that the real Overlord Zenon within Rozalin now controlled him with an absolute grip.
It was surely a dark day when Mick, Catalina, and Tink told her and her husband on what had transpired. As if losing your children wasn't enough, additional mention of Veldime turning into a maelstrom of warfare due to endless numbers of Overlords, Demon Lords, and countless others coming for the title that Overlord Zenon possessed. Of course, the loss of her children seemed too fresh and heavy compared to everything else that goes on.
'Oh Serion, perhaps you could tell me what to do.' The woman thought to herself, remembering her sisterly relationship to Adell's real mother. 'Are we really cursed by fate still?'
Outside…
"There's no telling on how the conflict is going to end." Mick remarked as he watched Adell's surrogate father planted a gravestone with the names of Adell, Taro, Hanako, and Rozalin engraved on the surface. "Why did you put Adell's name on that stone anyways? He's still alive."
"Alive in body but not in spirit." The man replied as he placed a large wooden cross behind the gravestone. "His fate is even worse than death itself. To be trapped in the grip of Overlord Zenon and not able to break free is a type of hell that one could only wish for on their enemies."
Footsteps echoed and both turned to see Jin and Monique behind them. The Sword Master held a brass jar that had incense sticks burning while the Space Knight held a bouquet of flowers in her arms. Mick nodded to Adell's father before both stood aside, allowing Jin and Monique to pay their respects.
"Thank you." Adell's father whispered as Monique made a sign of the cross while Jin bowed deeply on one knee.
"Death is not the end, but only a transition." Jin replied softly as he stood up.
IIIII:IIIII
"So this is the ship Gargantua?" Catalina inquired as Hawkeye jumped from the mast onto the port ledge.
"She's all set and ready to set sail." The gunslinger replied. "All supplies and everything that can be packed have been loaded on board last night."
"I'm surprised that you and the others have managed to get everything accounted for in such a short time." Catalina replied before noticing Jin and Monique approaching from a distance, carrying a large treasure trunk.
"Hi all!" Monique greeted.
"There's plenty of room still for some procrastinators." Hawkeye remarked as Monique and Jin boarded the ship.
"All of the stuff in the warehouse has been sent to the Land of Carnage." Jin spoke as he carefully stored the treasure trunk beneath the deck. "Let see… we have Laser Blade, Sunrise Sword, Infernal Armor, Kamikaze Suit…"
"Didn't you have a red Excalibur?" Hawkeye inquired.
"It was a severely damaged one that Sara stole from one of the Item Gods. Jin managed to salvage the metal and used it to modify his Muramasa to a new maxed-out level." Monique replied, pointing to the sword hanging off the Sword Master's belt.
"Sometimes, junk has its values and the quote of it being valuable to another has its benefits." Jin commented.
"Anyways." Monique spoke as she turned towards Catalina. "Are the others coming to?"
"Trent, Elise, Sara, and Alastor are already on board, running inventory on our supplies." Catalina replied before turning to look at Holt Village where she saw Adell's surrogate parents, Mick, and Tink approaching them with cargo and belongings of their own. The Clerical Saint caught sight of Irene, an elite Freischutz of the Archer class who had been under weather since the debacle at the Shinra Tower and had been at home recuperating from her illness.
"Feeling better, Irene?" Catalina called out.
"I'm fine, thanks." The girl replied as she boarded the Gargantua with the others in tow. Despite her soft reply, Catalina sensed that Irene was holding back on something.
It wasn't long before Adell's surrogate parents boarded the ship as the last passengers from Holt Village. With everyone accounted for, Hawkeye signaled for the ship to sail. The Gargantua, with a mind of its own, responded by soaring into the open portal at breakneck speed.
"ATTENTION, PASSENGERS! THE ETA WILL BE FIVE HOURS DUE TO THE INFLUX OF PORTALS THAT ARE IN THE ROUTE TO OUR DESTINATION. UNTIL THEN, PLEASE RELAX. FOR LUNCH TODAY, PLEASE HELP YOURSELVES TO TABLES IN THE DINING HALL OF THE SHIP."
IIIIII:IIIIIII
Mick sat in his quarters and stared blankly at his equipment, which consisted of his Master Axe, Infernal Armor, and the Orion Belt that had the Exodus emblem attached to its center.
Having been a hardened warrior since he was ten, Mick had proficiency in his axe skills and few could ever rival him. His old Master Axe had been his favorite weapon before it was shattered in a fight against a number of Wood Golems, a price to pay for his victory. By the time, Adell's surrogate father hired him to help accompany Adell, Mick had to resort to using a sword. It was during their ventures into the Dark World that Mick managed to salvage broken parts of a Beam Axe before using them to repair and augment his Master Axe beyond its maximum potential. From that point on, Mick enjoyed the thrill of the many battles that followed in both Veldime and in the Item World, always the first to deliver the offense against the enemies he and the others faced.
The chain of events regarding Overlord Zenon had been a shock to him as well as the many others that accompanied Adell. While it was tempting for him to run at the possessed Adell, the Battle Master had to thank Reiko's judgment for saving his life.
Speaking of his life, Mick seemed rather eager to venture into the Land of Carnage another reason, particularly when it revolved around a certain woman named Emiria, who he once met and gave shelter to some time ago. She was of the Lady Fighter class, counterpart to the Male Warrior, and her skills circled around the spear. Last time they saw each other, Emiria said that she was training hard against the demons within the Land of Carnage.
'By now, she's probably an Iron Maiden.' Mick thought to himself. 'Though we became the best combatants in all of Veldime, that period was short-lived when the real Overlord Zenon awoke.'
Getting to his feet, Mick felt his stomach growl at him and decided to head into the dining hall of the ship for a nice meal.
IIIIII:IIIIIII
"Think we have a chance against Zenon once we've ascended to new heights?" Trent piped up as he and Elise sat in the supply room of the ship. The Prism Witch looked from her work in decorating the golden Universal Orb she wore around her neck.
"Even with our skills, teamwork, and equipment, she could still beat us since Adell's memories are now hers to use as a resource." Elise replied. "We might have to develop new tactics."
"What a letdown to hear that Zenon could use Adell's memories." Trent remarked as he took the shiny Providence glasses off his eyes.
"It's not all hopeless yet." Elise replied before both heard footsteps approach them and turned to see the Master Thief Sara.
"What's not hopeless?" Sara inquired. Behind her, floating off the ground was the Geo Master Alastor.
"Regarding on whether we will be able to retake Veldime and defeat Zenon." Trent replied.
"It's a tough question to answer, considering that she has Adell's memories and would know how we fight." Alastor spoke as he looked at his Sage's Staff. "In the Land of Carnage, there is a set of legendary weapons that surpass the best equipment we all have at the moment. The greatest challenge would be the abnormal power in the enemies we'll be facing in that realm."
"Are they really that strong?" Elise asked.
"Beyond a doubt that they are above the enemies we've faced in Veldime." Sara replied. "But as long as we all stick together, we'll be able to overcome them and surpass our own limits."
"By the way, how much money do we have?" Alastor inquired.
"Exactly six hundred sixty-six billion, six-hundred sixty-six million, six hundred sixty-six thousand, and six hundred sixty six Hell Dollars." Elise replied.
"Wow, that's a lot of sixes." Sara remarked. "With all the battles we went through in the many places of Veldime, the Cave of Ordeals, the Dark World, and the Item World, I wasn't sure what the massive amount of funds would be used for now that we have the best equipment."
"We all got distracted with so many side-quests and the like." Trent remarked as he took the Felicitation out from Catalina's bag. "I remember the fight against Priere and managed to snatch this afterwards at the cathedral. I can't believe that Catalina won that from me in a bet about passing the Military Fund Bill in the Dark Assembly. I could've sworn that she rigged the game after seeing her carry that bag of gold with her."
"It's the Dark Assembly and anything is possible." Sara giggled.
"Yeah, yeah." Trent replied with a bit of annoyance before placing the Felicitation back into Catalina's bag. "Remind me not to enter bets that I can't control."
"Anyways, I brought Usagi's Journal with me." Alastor spoke before pulling out a shiny platinum covered book from his traveling bag. "Here are some of the battle logs he hopes to win a Pulitzer for."
IIIII:IIIII
"Saito was power hungry for that title and got killed in the end, along with the others that fought Overlord Zenon." Reiko spoke as she and Fubuki sat on the crates stacked on the starboard of the ship. Opposite to them was Jin, who listened intently on the events while leaning on the ship's balcony.
"He was too arrogant and reckless." The Sword Master remarked. "It was apparent when Adell invited him into the group."
"But we kept silent about it with the exception of Yukimaru, who seemed a bit vocal about letting him in." Reiko replied.
"Is she still shaken up by that turn of events, Fubuki?" Jin asked.
"Yes, she was." The young ninja replied. "But my younger sister is made of stronger stuff and it's not very hopeless despite how things look. It's a good thing that she's asleep in her quarters and we get to speak openly about this."
"How are things between you and Monique?" Reiko inquired.
"Everything is fine." Jin replied, blushing a bit.
"How far have you two gotten, bro?" Reiko inquired with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Jin merely looked at his younger sister with annoyance before deciding to give his response.
"She's been teaching me a good portion of her healing magic in exchange for some of my complex sword skills. Monique is quite a knowledge-seeker." Jin replied.
"After seeing Monique excel in fire, ice, wind, star, and healing magic to completion, she might have that power-seeking hunger as well." Reiko remarked, a bit unsatisfied with Jin's answer but decided not to push him.
"In a good way that is, Reiko." A feminine voice replied, catching their attention as the blond-haired Monique appeared on the deck with two beverages in her hand before handing one to Jin.
"Thanks, Monique." Jin spoke as the busty Space Knight sat next to him. Having been childhood friends, both Jin and Monique grew up in a small town a far distance from Holt Village. Monique sought to be a Magic Knight while Jin delved deeply into the arts and way of the sword that was true among the Samurai class. Eventually, their friendship would blossom into something much more, yet both decided to take things at a steady pace. Well, at least Jin did.
It was perhaps by chance that Jin and Monique joined up with Adell's group at the Dallos River and, during their venture into the Caverns of Evil, Jin's younger sister, the kunoichi Reiko, joined the group.
Reiko had the makings of a true assassin partly due to her excellent skills in blending into the shadows and striking unsuspecting enemies without warning. Her training in the Caverns of Evil also gave her the abilities in intentionally willing the emotions of fear into her targets before making her critical moves, hence the red pupils in her eyes. Jin had been at the receiving end of his younger sister's glares and knew what it felt like to be paralyzed on the spot. Like Fubuki safeguarding Yukimaru after the Snow Clan's demise, Jin had done the same for Reiko after the deaths of their parents fifteen years ago.
Fubuki was a serious young man who seemed to have lost a bit of his hell-bent fury.
The hardened ninja from Snow Melody, despite his years in devoting his entire self into his mission to kill Overlord Zenon, did think about the possibility of life after his mission while recuperating in Holt Village. He and Yukimaru had planned to return to Snow Melody once Zenon was dead. After hearing about recent events, which included the revelation that the deceased imposter claiming to be Zenon was behind the Snow Clan's demise, Fubuki had to make a choice regarding the future for himself and his younger sister.
What good is it to Snow Melody if you and Yukimaru end up dead?
It was a question that Reiko had asked him before she told him the same two words that Yukimaru said: keep living. Snow Melody may not return to the way it exactly was before but both he and Yukimaru were its last children and survival meant everything now. Jin told him that passing on into memory would only be like an echo, doomed to be forgotten over the course of time. But living long enough to bring Snow Melody back would be determined by his actions from here on out.
"Well, it's onto a new frontier of sorts and, when we leave, we would have gained more than what we started with." Fubuki spoke as he peered up into the sky.
"So what's the plan?" Monique piped up.
"For starters, we battle the denizens in the Land of Carnage to become more powerful than ever before." Reiko replied. "Should there be any side-quests that will help us in our primary goal, we'll also take them on as well."
"It's a fine plan, sis." Jin replied before feeling Monique lean into him.
"But you better not get too addicted into the thrill of battle, Jin." The Space Knight cooed as Jin placed an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll stay in line, Monique." Jin replied, relaxing on the deck and slowly counting down the time left before they reached the Land of Carnage.
IIIII:IIIII
It was an exhilarating feeling for Tink as he managed to regain his old body once more due to Fubuki's counter-curse. The blond-haired Frenchman, garbed in the attire of the nobility, calmly walked towards his quarters after engorging himself in the dining hall. Walking with a full stomach and a content expression, Tink could only see the one downside in being back in his normal form again. He wouldn't be able to carry out his perverted antics to the same degree when he was a floating frog, ranging from flying under the skirts of the females in close proximity to peeking on them in the shower almost undetected.
But then again, perhaps he could take the role as a player with his charming appearance and the like. His thoughts, however, were interrupted by voices coming from the almost closed doors to Catalina's quarters as he passed by, recognizing Catalina talking to Irene. The doors were slightly ajar, allowing him to peek inside to see the Saint and the Freischutz talking to each other.
"Just a bit shocked that Adell and Rozalin…"
"I know." Catalina whispered before finding Irene hugging her as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"I can't believe Taro is gone!" Irene wept as she buried her face in Catalina's embrace. "I didn't get the chance to say that I loved him!"
Catalina could only hold Irene tightly as the Freischutz let her anguish pour out.
"Back when we were battling our way to the top of the Shinra Tower, I wanted to tell him the feelings I had for him ever since we were little." Irene whimpered.
"There, there, Irene." Catalina whispered as the Saint did her best to comfort the Freischutz.
Outside the door, Tink could only listen before getting lost in his thoughts.
'Poor Irene. I guess everyone is saddened with so many of our friends dead.' The blond man thought to himself as he slowly made his way to his quarters. 'Just like the way I lost my childhood friend Rozalin, I can relate to what she's going through.'
When they were going to the Coliseum, Catalina invited Irene, another local of Holt Village, to accompany her and Adell eagerly took her into the group. Tink could remember that Taro, despite his newfound admiration to Rozalin, still cared a lot for the young girl, always teaming up with her to take on a multitude of enemies while both did their best in protecting each other. Later, when she fell ill, Taro had been at her side the whole time and seemed reluctant to leave with Adell to go face Zenon. The young demon boy had once said that Irene meant a lot to him and still did.
Upon reaching his quarters, Tink could only think about what he could do while in the Land of Carnage. He had seen too much combat and bloodshed in a manner that he wished not to see again so fighting new enemies is definitely out of the option.
"I guess I can check out what other things I can do for the group." He muttered to himself.
With not much to do, the blond man merely stretched his muscles before jumping into his bunk and fell asleep.
"ATTENTION! GARGANTUA IS ENGAGING THE BAAL PIRATES. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR QUARTERS." The P.A. speaker system announced.
And among the passengers on the ship, only Tink actually complied, ignoring the running footsteps echoing past his room.
IIIII:IIIII
With Adell's surrogate parents at the gunnery, the Gargantua unleashed a barrage of cannon fire, keeping the Baal Pirate Ship from closing in. Catalina, Irene, Hawkeye, and Sara provided support fire, unleashing the fire element within their Zielregen and Inferno attacks. Trent, Elise, Alastor, and Monique took a different approach with their abilities, combining fire, wind, ice, and star magic into a deadly stream that crashed into the ship of the Baal Pirates. The Baal Pirates retaliated with a rain of their Grand Sword skills as a sky of blades descended on the Gargantua only to be deflected as Yukimaru and Jin let loose two huge arcs of their Dimensional Slash skills in response while Fubuki and Mick used their Boomerang Axe attacks to clear a good number of the swords. Most of the enemy barrage was wiped out, allowing a few strays to pass harmlessly by the Gargantua.
"Our attacks aren't affecting them!" Trent yelled as he, Alastor, Elise, and Monique began using the Tera versions of their magic.
"They must be really strong to withstand that much." Fubuki replied as he eyed the cannons on the Baal ship.
"Fubuki, is there any chance that we can escape by sinking their ship?" Reiko inquired. "We could overload their cannons by shooting straight into them."
"I thought the same way." Fubuki replied. "Do you have enough explosives?"
"Leave it to me." Reiko replied as the Master Kunoichi vanished in a puff of smoke. Yet, Fubuki's eyes were able to see her soar at abnormally fast speeds through the air before reaching the cannons of the Baal Pirate ship. As quick as she left the ship, Reiko was back on board the Gargantua.
As the Baal Pirate ship fired, the cannons imploded, setting off a chain reaction that ripped the vessel in half. The Baal Pirates were caught by surprise before finding themselves falling into the endless depths of the dimensional route to the Land of Carnage.
As everyone cheered in relief, the P.A. system erupted.
"ALL PASSENGERS RETURN TO YOUR CABINS. ETA TO LAND OF CARNAGE IS TEN MINUTES. PLEASE PREPARE TO DISEMBARK WHEN WE MAKE LANDFALL."
Indeed, the attack from the Baal Pirates had gotten nearly everyone on their feet and, upon hearing that they were close to the Land of Carnage, the mood changed from relief to anticipation. Yet, no one on board was aware of a number of surprises awaiting them in the unfamiliar world.
IIII:IIIII
Not much yet, but more will come soon.