Chapter 36

Goddess of War and the Calamity Witch Part 2

Back at the palace in the common room, the Seven Shades gather around with Beta doing her report as usual.

"The Cult has been less active now," the silver haired elf says. "And from what Eta has gathered, it seems that the cult has encountered something very extraordinary. She isn't from this world at all and she's been hunting down and killing the Cult for quite a while. By placing the blood sample in Eta's machine we have found out the name: Aurora."

"Aurora, huh?" Alpha says. "Is there information about her?"

"Apparently, she was said to be a being that causes mass destruction," Beta answers. "Long, long ago, in fact. She would kill anything in her path and nobody was able to stop her. Well...almost. There were three heroes who faced this demon. They defeated her and imprisoned her, never to be heard from again."

"She's a demon, nanodesu?" Delta asks.

"Strange," Zeta says. "But why would she try and kill any of the Cult members? Who's side is she on anyways?"

"Whoever she is," Alpha says. "She is bad news. What must find out what she is up to and then destroy her if she proves to be more than what she is."

"Right!" Beta says.

"So what should we do?" Epsilon asks. "We need a plan. Besides, where are we going to find this Aurora woman?"

"She can be anywhere," Gamma says. "I don't think going as a group is going to help."

"Then we will just have to find out where she would most likely appear every night," Alpha says. "It will make things a bit easier to track her down."

"Who will do it though?" Beta asks.

"I'll go," Alpha volunteers. "I will let you girls know if I found a solution to our problem."

"Be careful," Gamma says.

Alpha nods and smiles. "I will. I won't be long, ladies."

The other members give the blonde elf a group hug for good luck. Tonight, Alpha will have to go alone and investigate more.

*That Night*

Dressed in her signature slime bodysuit, plus wearing an eye mask and a black cloth hanging from her waist that flutters about as she zips from roof to roof, Alpha starts to search high and low for the mysterious woman named Aurora. So far, there is nothing but empty streets and alleys. Where could Aurora be at this time of night? Could she be hunting more Cult members? If so, she will have to confront her and ask her what her true goals are. She keeps on searching, jumping from rooftop to rooftop and then jumping down one building to search on the ground.

Finally, she finds some dead Cult members with their own arrows stuck to them, blades dropped and holes on their chest, having them lie down in their own puddle of blood. They are near another alley where they might have encountered Aurora. This woman sure is fast. She then finds a trail of blood down the long alley, leading to the other side. Alpha furrows her eyebrows and slowly steps inside the alley, following the trail. She looks around, finding more dead Cult Members against the wall and others lying on the ground in a puddle of blood. This woman practically has been painting the walls red tonight. Now Alpha KNOWS this woman is up to something.

She gets to the other side and the trail stops. Alpha raises an eyebrow and kneels down to get a closer look. Apparently, an almost dead Cult member was being dragged away and then he might have been thrown into another dimension.

"Where could you be...?" Alpha says to herself.

Before she can turn around and leave, someone tackles Alpha to the ground. Alpha gets up to see a hooded figure, drawing her sword. The blonde elf draws hers as well and they clash blades. They push each other away and then clash again, sparks flying with each hit. They clash again, looking closely at each other with deadly glares. The hooded woman kicks Alpha away to create distance and charges. The blonde parries the attack and both of them clash blades once again, sparks flying with each hit.

The hooded woman has had enough of these games. With one strike, she slashes upward diagonally, knocking the sword from Alpha's hand and then performs a downward slash. Alpha barely dodges that attack, the blade almost hitting her face. It cuts off her mask instead. Sheathing her sword, the hooded woman tackles Alpha and they wrestle each other on the ground with Alpha desperately trying to punch the woman in the face to get out. But the hooded woman grabs Alpha's hands and stands up to throw her overhead and slam her on the ground on her back. Air gets knocked out of Alpha in just a few seconds.

The hooded woman draws her blade again, ready to end the fight. Alpha braces for the impact, but...the hooded woman stops. Somehow, the light of the full moon shines just from a few clouds drifting away. It fully reveals the blonde elf in the light, making the hooded woman stop and gasp. She cups a gloved hand to her mouth and drops her sword, a loud clanging sound being heard.

"It's...it's you...!" The woman says, choking a sob. "You're alive!"

"Eh...?" Alpha tilts her head.

The woman climbs off of the blonde and helps her to her feet. Alpha raises an eyebrow as the woman reveals herself by removing her hood.

"I'm your Aunt Beatrix!" The platinum haired elf says. "It's been...far too long! Thank goodness, you're safe!"

Beatrix gives Alpha a tight hug, letting out her sobs. The blonde elf is confused on how to react to this. This woman...knows her? Since when?

"Elenor! My dearest niece, Elenor!" Beatrix pulls away, still crying for joy.

"Elenor?" Alpha asks. "I'm terribly sorry. I do not know the name of this Elenor you speak of."

"You don't remember?" Beatrix asks. "Oh, right. I heard you were demonically possessed and got exiled. My late sister would've been so happy that you are still here!"

Alpha blinks twice. This is a lot to take in. But she decides to not ask a lot of questions at this time.

"Listen..." Alpha says. "I am not Elenor. My name is Alpha, leader of a secret organization called Shadow Garden."

"Alpha? That's your name now?" Beatrix asks. "Who took you in? In fact, what freed you from that demonic possession?"

Alpha blushes and holds her forearm, shyly smiling. "A kind young man saved me using special magic. I swore my loyalty to him and together with my childhood friend, Beta, we formed Shadow Garden and gathered other members."

"Shadow Garden..." Beatrix rubs her chin in thought. "I've heard people talking about it since I arrived here. You're them?"

"Indeed," Alpha replies.

"I see," Beatrix says. "Well then...Alpha...I was traveling for a long time to try and search for you. I knew in my heart that you were still alive, even after my sister's death. And then I found this place and I was sure you were around. And I was correct. I'm so glad I found you."

Alpha smiles softly. "It's...going to take me some time to get used to it but..."

"It's no problem," Beatrix says. "Let's just take things slow, okay?"

"Sure," Alpha nods.

The two of them embrace each other for one last time before heading back to the palace.

*Later*

"What the!?" Epsilon gasps. "Wait, wait, wait a minute! She looks JUST like you, Alpha-sama!"

"Is she your sister!?" Delta says.

"She's so beautiful like you, Alpha-sama~" Gamma says, clasping her hands together.

Alpha shakes her head and gestures a hand toward the platinum haired elf. "This is actually my aunt, Beatrix. She has been traveling all around just to search for me."

Beatrix bows. "It's very nice to meet you all...Shadow Garden."

The rest of the members stand up from their chairs and happily introduce themselves.

"I'm Beta!"

"I'm Gamma~!"

"I'm Delta, nanodesu~!"

"I'm Epsilon~"

"I'm Zeta."

"I'm...Eta...*yawn*...so sleepy..."

Beatrix smiles and nods to all of them. "Very nice to meet you all. I hope we can get along."

"Likewise...Beatrix-sama~!" The 6 members chorus.

The platinum haired elf blushes at being called that, yet Alpha just smiles, giving her aunt a nod. She lets her Aunt get to know each of the members a little bit. The other Shades are all too happy to talk about anything and everything to Beatrix about what Shadow Garden does, how they protect everyone from the Cult and the works. For Beatrix, she had a lot to learn about this whole Cult thing, but it would be best if she were to ask Alpha about it first since she has known her the longest.

*Later*

Up on the balcony, Alpha is now dressed in her jet black long gown and looking up at the stars. It's been quite a night for her, meeting her aunt for the first time after they fought. It will be quite difficult to get used to, but Beatrix seems nice enough to talk to anyways.

"Alpha-sama?" A beautiful accented voice calls from behind.

The blonde turns to a certain beautiful bluenette and smiles. "Ara, Gamma. Is there something you need?"

"Nothing at all," Gamma shakes her head and approaches the blonde, her high heels clacking with each step. "I just wanted to see if you are all right."

Alpha nods. "I'm quite fine. It's just going to be difficult trying to get used to having my aunt around."

"What do you mean?" Gamma asks. "She's family right?"

"Yes, indeed," Alpha replies. "But...ever since I was freed from the demonic possession, it felt like I was reborn. A new life with a new name. Doesn't that sound...a bit strange to you?"

"I do not know much about your family life," Gamma says. "But I do understand what you've been through. In fact, almost all of us understand what you've been through. And you know what? That's totally fine. ALL of us were reborn with a new life and possibly with new names as well. Delta is among them~"

"You're right," Alpha nods. Both she and Gamma wrap their arms around each other's waists and press foreheads together. They share some soft giggles. "I just have to be patient with Aunt Beatrix. Thanks, Gamma~"

"No problem, Alpha-sama~" Gamma whispers. "You're my lover, as well as the others, so we care about you a lot~"

"And I'm very grateful for that," Alpha says softly. "Thank you."

With that, they share a passionate kiss.

*Next Day*

Alpha and Beatrix take a stroll through the busy district, a little tour that the blonde elf offered. Beatrix accepted the offer and she enjoyed every bit of the district she came across, like small shops, restaurants and watches the river from under a bridge they walked across.

During the little tour, Beatrix wants to show Alpha what she found and adored while searching for her. And when they got to their destination, Alpha finds that Beatrix is buying a large bag packed with hamburgers wrapped neatly in paper. She didn't expect her lovely aunt to be such a glutton when it comes to these types of foods, but she just goes with it.

They head toward a local park where they can take a rest on a large bench. As they sit down, Beatrix takes out a neatly wrapped burger and holds it out to her niece.

"Want one?" She offers.

Alpha eyes the burger and then smiles. "Yes, I would like one. Thank you." She gently takes the burger and unwraps it.

The two elves happily start eating the burgers while watching the humans play around together. Beatrix looks at a nice family of three, a mother, father and a baby daughter who just came up to the father. He happily picks her up, making the small girl squeal with joy. Beatrix lets out a soft chuckle, which Alpha hears.

"Is something the matter, Aunt Beatrix?" Alpha asks.

"I just find it...amusing seeing a happy family like this," Beatrix gestures toward the family of three a distance from the two elves. "You mother, my sister, used to play like this back in the day. We were a happy family. We would've played like this if you weren't exiled."

Alpha gives a sad smile. "If it wasn't for...him...I do not know if I would've made it. The possession would've killed me if it wanted to. I'm so grateful to still be here today."

"I'm also grateful for you," Beatrix scoots closer and takes her niece's hand in hers. "You are the most precious thing my late sister was given. I do not want to lose you again."

"That's impossible~" Alpha chuckles. "I am the Leader of Shadow Garden. I can handle almost anything that comes my way~"

"Then at least let me fight by your side," Beatrix offers. "We have reunited, so it's the least I can do after finding you."

"Of course," Alpha nods. "We could use a little back up."

"Thanks so much," Beatrix says. "It means a lot."

The two elves embrace each other tenderly.

*That Night*

The Seven Shades gather, including Beatrix, in the common room and Beta gives her report.

"Aurora is at it again," she says. "Zeta found her exact location. It seems she most likely appears near the fountain in the middle of the district. Probably where the Cult likes to pop up from."

"Very good," Alpha nods. "We must find her and see what her intentions are."

"RIGHT!" The rest of the Shades chorus.

*Meanwhile*

High heels clack slowly as Aurora walks toward the fountain, having already killed at least 10 Cult members that tried to attack her. Sweat is coming from her forehead and her body feels a bit heavier than before. She is tired, but she cannot let up. The Cult is looking for her, so they must be eliminated, no matter what. She stops for a moment to catch her breath, putting a hand on her head with a sigh.

"Haaah...I cannot...fail now..." Aurora says to herself. "The numbers have increased...but I still have to get rid of them..."

Just then, she hears a "WHOOSH!" sound coming from behind her. Aurora shakes her head to clear off the fatigue and turns her body around, her lovely violet hair swaying.

"Hold it right there!" The blonde elf calls out.

Aurora grins at 7 lovely young ladies wearing black and gold bodysuits, each with their own style, plus they are wearing eye masks. Could they be part of the Cult?

"Ara...and who might you be~?" Aurora asks, holding her forearm.

The Shades get into battle positions.

"Alpha!"

"Beta!"

"Gamma!"

"Delta, nanodesu!"

"Epsilon!"

"Zeta!"

"...Eta!"

"Beatrix!"

"WE ARE SHADOW GARDEN!" The Seven Shades chorus. They straighten themselves and thrust their hands out. "GUARDIANS OF THE NIGHT!"

Aurora grins, chuckling. "You cannot fool me with that act. You're in disguise just like the Cult and are here to stop me."

"It's not like that at all!" Alpha steps in. "We want to know what your intentions were so we can either help you or stop you."

Aurora turns her back toward the Shades, still holding her forearm. "My intentions are destroying the Cult. And I cannot stop until each and every one of them are erased. And that will include you!" She swiftly turns back around and thrusts her palm out, shooting a bloody spear at Alpha.

"No!" Beta rushes in front of her leader and fires her arrow.

The spear and the arrow collide. The bloody spear splatters from the impact and keeps on going, straight toward Aurora. But the super long haired woman just slides to the side, evading the arrow.

"We are not the Cult!" Beta shouts. "We have the same goals as you do! Do not think you can do this alone!"

"Lies," Aurora says as she slowly raises both hands. A pool of blood appears under her and four lines rise above her. "How dare you try and fool me...Aurora, the Calamity Witch. Prepare yourselves!"

Alpha and the others get into battle positions. And then...everyone charges forward.

A/N: Figured that Alpha doesn't have a real name considering Cid was the one who named her. Another example is Delta being given a new name and a new life. I dunno about the rest, but that's all I got.

Have a nice day.