Redemption and Rebirth
Note: Sorry guys for taking long with this one. Here's a quick update for you guys to know. I'm employed and I'm having a hard time working on stories. But that's no excuse, right? Well, now that this chapter's done. I'm up to readying the next. Without ado, here's the ninth chapter.
Shadow and Radiance
Steps resound through the silence. The crackling of the leaves as they were trodden upon signifies a presence stirring the air as they go through the woods. Pace quickened and driven by haste, one would run at the sense of urgency. To one who flees, this was the best option to do so for the sake of avoiding the threatening force that gave chase quickly. To the one who pursues, this was the best to gain on the hart that was sought after and take grasp of it. Either way, the stream of the wind rushing to their bodies and the clashing of heel and earth bears the effort to go. What would this signify to one who rushes through for that alone? Was there something he was running from or something he was chasing after? Was it to race against the clutches of time and fate?
The leaves rustle at the soles crunching on the earth. Heaving with air rushing in his lungs, this chase has been dragging long. Fleeing from a horde would be the best option. Racing to bide for time, the youth rushed through the woods. Within earshot, he could hear the echoes of which the inhuman squeals of his pursuers made manifest. His mind was racing, wondering if his ally would last long in that situation. Finding a clearing without caring about his path was not much a concern, as long as he had made enough distance. This was the only thing he could think off.
He stopped midway, finding himself in a crossroad of trails. The white shirt hugging his torso underneath the covering of his leather holster vest was slightly tattered due to his dodging of attacks. The soles of his shoes crunched the leaves and the dirt as he halted his pace, clasping a gun as his armament. He turned quickly with a pivot of his foot, facing the direction where his pursuers were. His chestnut-shaded hair with its layered strands flowed gracefully, the braid on the left side of his face jiggled with the motion. The skin of the lad's face was carved by the years, now beaded with sweat as the cool air caressed it. His eyes of dark brown slightly narrowed at the expanse before him, keeping his senses at the mark he had set. Raising the firearm, he kept steady. The rifle frame that it possessed was reinforced with alloy pieces keeping the barrel's length in place. The wooden stock and grip seemed to meld with his hand, the finger resting on the trigger. The hammer waited as it was poised inside the cylindrical housing where it was encased. The bayonet glistened, the wielder of the firearm keeping steady. The bullet was in the chamber, the special round that this man crafted was waiting for the moment he would take its target to the grave. Listening to the wind, he narrowed his eyes and kept still.
"Come on. You're just a step away." he whispered as he brought his free hand to support the hold of his firearm, placing his forearm underneath the wrist of the gun-wielding hand. The tip of the barrel began to gather its energy, though unseen to whoever gazes at it. "Come on, you're steps away."
The wind was whistling, speaking of something swift rushing to the young man. Somehow, the cross-shaped scar that marked his face as it crossed between his eyes by the bridge of his nose seemed to ache at the moment, telling him to take the chance. The flaw on his visage imparted by a demon seemed to have its point. From the distance rushed a group of harpies, six of them charging in along with a few bugs, demi-human soldiers and berserkers as they move on the prowl. One of the harpies was in his sights, the marksman waiting for it to come dead center. It was time.
"And wham!" he exclaimed as he pulled the trigger. The gun was fired, the round rushing on its way to the target. Its golden aura shimmered as it struck its target squarely on the body, piercing through the monster's body without any struggle. A deathly squeal was forced from the creature as it crashed to its demise, down to the earth which it began to stain with its own blood. Its body began to crumble into ashes by the effect of the bullet's sacred enchantment, purging its defiling corpse. The hordes of demi-human soldiers rushed with their blades. The marksman readied another round with its cylinder chamber, pulling the hammer as he took aim at his adversaries. While a group of five demi-humans closed in, he took another shot without any hesitation. The round blazed with a clustered shot. The projectile made its impact on one of the soldiers, catching its body in its blast. With its clusters scattering at every direction, the fragments made their minute explosions as they burst and burn the squad in its wake. With a grimace in his face, he watched them fall into a burning heap.
This attack did not go unnoticed. This would invite more trouble than he could even imagine. Such confusion brought the demons to a stir. Scrambling here and there, they come about flustered. The marksman switched his aim, a round armed and set as he stood. Pulling the trigger, he let out another shot towards a blank area. It may seem that this angle would seem to be off, the aim deviating from the adversaries in question. The firearm discharged and set forth the bullet as it rushed with such velocity. It went on, passing the space between the harpies and beastly soldiers. Without warning, a flash made its burst, shedding away the shadows for a moment. The shockwave and the shrapnel it carried along assailed what was around it; the creatures within its vicinity were injured and shaken in such mishap. Two harpies were caught in the airburst, falling with peppered bodies as they crash beneath the ill-fated squad of berserkers and demi-human soldiers.
"Now that's what I'm talking about." The marksman snickered as he lowered his gun. The third shot did what it could, bringing down almost half of his pursuers. Yet unbeknownst to this man, he was left open. Silent, it rushed. An assailant unheeded rushed with a blade bared and glistening. Rushing without warning, it made its descent, pouncing with a war cry whilst the metallic edge was set in a thrust. The gunner would find it too late to react as he turned.
The glass vessel shatters, its form broken by a golden streak as it rushed through. It left no vestige of it atop the wooden stump it was set upon, finding that the fragments have flown aside. A sigh would leave the archer's lips as she stood, clasping the bow with an exhausted look. The pigtails going aside from her head would seemingly glisten with its russet shade. The breeze gave its relief as it blew, brushing through her golden-shaded dress as it cooled her down. She had been taking practice shots for almost an hour now. But after every shot, her focus seems to wander off, unable to narrow down her focus like before. Resigning to herself, she simply laid down on the ground. All the practice shooting was doing no good at this rate.
"This sucks." the female archer sighed as she laid her form atop the verdant grass. So far, it was tiring to be training all the time. The usual enthusiasm that she had seemed to have worn off and dwindled, after facing something like this, it would wane compared to the young man that had been living within their home. Come to think of it, years have passed since he began living there along with the rest of the group. Recalling how he would train with his divine sword, she couldn't think of a way to equal that. "Ein can train all day and stay strong like that. I'm better off playing with Molan and Gill."
Her thoughts drift when the sight of the azure heavens filled her sight. Watching the clouds pass lazily, she laid her hands aside and watched the bright sky drift away. It has been long since she fought, clasping the bow on one hand and the arrow strung on it on the other. For once, she thought peace would be good, a day that seemed endless with fun and games with all of her friends. That's what was good for everyone, she thought.
"Lina, you're such a slacker." A familiar voice echoed through her vicinity. The girl perched up and rose, startled as she turned to what was behind her. "What happened to your energy?"
"Oh, it's you…" she replied as she laughed nervously at the black feline. Another thought just pierced her head in realization. "Wait. Gateau, you can talk!?"
"As if you haven't seen a talking cat before. Of course, I can talk!" the feline interjected with a female voice. With a yawn, the cat looked at the broken target pieces. "Besides, my name's Rose. Not Gateau."
It was one thing that amused this familiar, the dumbfounded look of every female companion that her master brought along. Gazing at the arrows as they lie among the pile, she would wait and wonder what was going on. Rose took note of the devastated targets that Lina's arrows have brought. Curiosity crossed her thoughts, as if in a whim, a question left her in one moment.
"Lina, why are you trying so hard?"
The lass felt a crimson flush about on her face. Rose just hit the jackpot with that question. Right now, this would be a perfect moment to see what was driving her to try so hard, the reason behind her persistence in training herself even if she hated the idea of repeating the same mistakes again and again.
"Well…." she stammered. "I want to be strong. And……of course be better than Ein."
"Oh. Little Lina is hiding something." Rose shot out with a sarcastic tone. "You like him, don't you?"
"Hey!" Lina brought forth a glare towards the cat. Rose began laughing as she began trotting away in such a form.
"I shot the jackpot. Looks like I'll tell everyone." She added as she went on her way.
"That's unfair." Lina propped up and darted after the cat, bringing forth a chase as they went. "Wait for me."
Out of the haze, he darted out. Having to chase him on foot was troublesome; knowing the winding paths of the forest carried such a labyrinthine feel that even there are occasions that he would be led astray with this chase. Gritting his teeth, he quietly cursed under his breath.
"I lost him." he grunted, heaving a bit after the distance he had trekked in trying to give chase. He had to admit, the Grim Angel was still quick as he remembered. "He's still fast on foot as much as on air. He can't be that far from here."
"Arjun, wait up." came his companion's voice, not that far behind him as she now arrived to where he would stand. Leaning over, she braced her hands on her knees, taking in as much air as she would need. "What made you just dart up like that? That's not how you treat a girl."
The Deva turned to gaze at Maya, his gaze once more serious as his posture came idle. "We lost him. I'm not sure where he ended up but as he entered this thick path of trees, he suddenly vanished."
"Just what we need, a disappearing act." she sighed as she now stood upright. "I'll try to sense his presence to know where he is. I'm sure he's around here in this forest."
"That's what I'm thinking." Arjun smiled at her. "You seem to know what I think."
"Of course, I do. I've been staying with you for a long time now." the nymph chuckled.
"As much as we know, he can't be that far." the Deva began to look around the premises, his gaze shifting to and fro as he searched every corner. Without any ado needed for them, a flash lit up the sky. Evident to that was a signal flare. There was not much time to lose as he dashed off. "Hurry Maya, it must be this way."
"Running again? Hey, don't leave me here. I'm coming." she blurted out, noting Arjun's sudden response. Maya followed him from behind despite barely catching her breath. Hoping that the distance was not as far as they have covered earlier in pursuit, she had no question but to be prepared. Leaving the clearing, they were headed to a place where fate might play a twisted game.
Carcasses lay lifeless upon the ground, slowly burning with the gleam of the knives impaled upon them. These blades crafted with christened metal began to take effect as they now began to crumble into ashes. The marksman now stood puzzled, his salvation now marked by this sudden barrage which the aftermath demonstrated. This became another distraction to this man, unknowingly finding a presence much close to his vicinity. Thus, a voice came distinct as words now are heard.
"Hm…Careless as always. You haven't changed, Marcello." the voice remarked, familiar in tune as it spoke to the marksman.
Without any time spared to react, Marcello was taken by surprise. Seeing a crimson fabric dance upon the air as it touched his shoulder, he was able to recognize who it was if not for the voice that gave away such a hint. Relief, astonishment, nostalgia, it came about to this young man as he clasped on his firearm tightly.
"Well, you haven't changed with your shady movements and sudden ambush. You truly are my brother, Judas." Marcello smiled as he replied.
"It's been long." The magi's aide replied as he reached for his back and took hold of his kodachi, a short sword crafted from the Far East country of Cathay. Their fight was not truly over.
Without warning, darts of silver now rushed towards them. Judas was taken by surprise sensing the stir in the surroundings, despite its silence that seemed to go past Marcello's awareness. Judas acted quick, bringing his left hand to rise high. From there, he would circle it fully, each point marked by distinct movement of his fingers. As each hand sign marked a glyph, a light would be left behind. With his arm returning to its starting point, he pulled his hand down to the level of his lips, a gasp left his lips as his craft was now finished. A flash of light began to fill their foothold, inscribed with the glyphs marked in the formation. Raining from all sides were projectiles meant to assail but as they came to strike them down, a barrier would appear out of the command Judas conjured. The ambush was deemed useless.
"On my mark, you move and attack." Judas gave his command to Marcello as they waited for the moment the barrier to fade.
"Sure, leave that to me." Marcello gave a confident scoff as he put away his gun on his back. Reaching for the holsters on his sides, he whipped out two pistols made with a strange yet identical design and shape. A curved guard would protrude to protect his fingers, whilst it bore a snub-nosed barrel. Whirling them by the ring point of the trigger, he would bring his hands to swing across his waist then back to his side. By then, he grabs hold of the grips of each pistol, now prepared and focused. With that same moment, falcate blades of light would outline, guided by the curvature of the guards on its base and on with its length, almost half the length of his body. "You've been underestimating me. We can do better together, right? It's just like old times."
The light now slowly flickered and waned as Judas gave no reply. Now at the ready, both fighters would brace for a reuniting battle. As soon as the shield faded, both men dashed forth from their stances and on towards their foes. Their numbers seemingly doubled as they moved, yet enough for them to manage. The winged beasts swooped down in their path of flight, talons ready to pierce towards the fighter, in tandem with the bugs and berserkers that rushed towards him. Wasting no time in his momentum, he lunged towards the berserker. The beastly warrior swung his blade with a frenzied rage, easily avoided as Judas ducked. The fighter pulled out his kodachi in a backhand grip and brought his blade in an upward slash; the momentum of his legs making a push to resume his upright posture gave the strength for the lethal blow.
Without any hesitation, he sidestepped with such agility, sensing the demi-human assailant. With a pivot of his foot, he whirled and brought his blade against the exposed abdomen, slicing it before the opponent could strike. And in that fluid flow, he brought a kunai to leave his other hand as he hurled it towards a spider. His guard was lowered, exploited was the moment as the talons of the harpy impaled his hapless body. Yet as the winged beast's sharp claws maimed it burst forth a cloud of smoke; what was supposed to be Judas's corpse now fell as pieces of wood. From above he reappeared with his kodachi readied, assaulting the monster with a thrust as he met it on his descent. The blade now stabbed on the back of the beast, he brought his free hand at the ready with knives clutched at each gap of his fingers with more waiting on the slots of his bracer. His aim tried and true, he whisked his hand in a horizontal path and hurled the first volley of knives, then another with a counterstroke that followed. Two out of the remaining four were impaled on the first volley whilst the other two flew away. But only one escaped unscathed whilst the other fell to its demise with its painful death.
Judas hopped away from the harpy and came for a nearby tree. Running his way up on its trunk, he tried to match the height of the beast's flight. But before he could jump away, a sliver of the giant spider's web shot out towards him. The agile fighter launched his form towards another tree, only to be fired at with a barrage of web slivers. He moved his body, gyrating acrobatically as he narrowly escaped the snares of these beings. Landing on the other tree, he kept his form secure for his foothold as he sheathed his kodachi. At that moment, he brought his hands together as he now clasped two large blades, assembling a large shuriken as he brought them crosswise. From there, he jumped off the tree and brought his form in a whirl, using the gyration as his momentum of force to hurl the shuriken. It whirled and rushed towards the adversaries on the ground, hacking and slicing every creature on its path.
Marcello had his hands full as he avoided arrows shot at him by the demon archers that came from another battalion. Snickering with a haughty smile, he brought his pistols in front of him and fixed his aim as he fired away a barrage. Zeroing in towards his foes, he would bring down the demi-human soldiers on the squad's front line, yet the gunfire wouldn't intimidate them. Two of these warriors brandished their weapons in diagonal slashes. He blocked the gleaming blades of these beings with his own mounted blades, and with a tilt of his hands, he angled his blade-mounted pistols and pulled the trigger. With the angle and range of the barrel, the rounds pierced the demons' heads as they fell to their deaths. A berserker would charge mindlessly with a barrage of aggressive swings. Marcello swayed here and there, letting each strike hit either the ground or the trees. The berserker growled as with a feat of strength, he swung his axe and conjured a razor wave. With reflex, he tensed his legs and jumped higher, his body now airborne. With his aim permitting a clean shot, he unleashed a hail of bullets on the crazed warrior, battering its body to bring the being to a halt. If this was not enough, he launched his foot upon its face with a violent kick, bringing its body down to the ground. Now with enough time bought, he dispelled the mounted blades as he brought the pistols back in their side holsters. It was time for Marcello to end this.
He reached for his back, towards the grip of his rifle as he now readied himself for the last shot. Whipping it from his mounted back holster, the firearm brought his arm to make a slight pendulum before meeting the other hand to cushion and support the weight and length of the gun. Setting the rounds ready with a pull of the hammer, he aimed up towards the zenith of his location. Pulling the trigger, he fired six shots; the rounds being enchanted with the bright aura. The remnants of the horde now charged forth towards his vicinity, weapons and feral instinct prepared to destroy him. Marcello grinned as he counted.
"3…" he started, watching them close in his area. "2….."
He snickered at the last number as with a snap of his finger he spoke. "1"
A flash from the sky now filled the supposed gloom of the forest. Soon, a barrage of energy shots rained down on the beasts. Not a fortunate demon escaped the bombardment as the airburst tore down their flesh and left nothing but a mangled mass of carcasses. He sighed as he looked towards the battle waging on the other side. Seeing that he was almost done, he raised the rifle and cradled it atop his shoulder. "I guess my part's done. Better see how Judas is going."
The fighter continued as he flash-stepped from the falling harpy, now decapitated as it plummeted to the ground. Judas spared no time in delay as he reappeared before a fleeing warrior. Without remorse, he brandished his kodachi on the demon's abdomen, dashing past it with a death blow. Finding that this would be the last of them, he whisked his blade and threw away the blood in one stroke. But even before he could sheath his blade, the air stirred as a white wind fluxed before him. Judas stepped back quickly, dodging the coiling matter of the elemental upon its emergence. Marcello rushed in to Judas's side, his rifle clutched tightly as he took aim.
"Damn, elementals." Marcello grimaced as he took aim and fired a flaming shot. The round ignited and burned the elemental in that cover fire.
The disturbance as been rid of, yet Judas still stood his guard. "Marcello, keep your sights up. He's here."
"Who's here?"
A bellowing laugh resounded within the premises of the woods. The trees shook as the birds flew away. The sound of that laughter was cruel and twisted, inductive of the horrors of carnage that can send one to tremble in fear and insanity upon hearing it. Though it may be on the time the sun still sheds its light, the earth now began to take note of the shroud that circled about before the two. The shadows stirred and took form and a crescent glimmer hovered and materialized. From it protruded a dark shaft, ornate spirals forming its length. A black cowl now took shape in covering a human figure, the hood now set down as it revealed a person's pale complexion and silver-white locks. Lifeless eyes gazed before them as this supernatural being now stood with a grim aura, seeking for victims to feed the abyss of Nifleheim.
"The Night Scythe, eh?" Judas remarked upon recognizing the weapon this being carried. "Is it quite early for you to show that, Morte, the Accursed Reaper?"
"You humor me indeed, Judas. Are you still fighting the inevitable return?" he spoke with a lifeless tone, cold as the depths of lifelessness. "But let us see if you can still stand upon finding your hopes being snuffed."
Marcello, felt a slight shiver of fear. For once, he had not encountered such a being. The Accursed, as he could remember, brought numerous nightmares. He could not comprehend that before him stood death incarnate, the whispers of which were heard among human folklore existent in nightly stories. His hand shook, his aim raised yet unable to be still. Within his mind, he struggled if he should be able to pull the trigger and strike true. Once, fear now became a matter of survival.
"After finding your minions fallen, you must know that your purpose failed." Judas answered confidently. "What of a demon without his legions?"
"Ah, this was already foreseen, expected from notable Candidates such as you."
Judas was startled at the words. Did he mention Candidates? Are they aware of it?
"So, if you would wish to run, I will give you a head-start." Morte chuckled. The scythe hovered and came ready by his side. "That is if you will make it in time."
"Stop playing around!" Marcello screamed as he pulled the trigger. The firearm brought forth a spray of bullets, rushing towards the Grim Reaper. But alas, the shot was deemed without worth as it passed through the haze of the Reaper's form. What stood before them was an afterimage, a projection. It sizzled away, fading from the light of the sun.
"Come now. Run." the Accursed spoke as a sickening laugh echoed through the woods. Its nefarious aura no longer within the grasp of Judas's sharp senses. Marcello heaved as he tried to calm himself, whilst Judas tried to focus, feeling for traces of any hostile movement. The last statement seemed to have left puzzled minds as both tried to comprehend what it meant.
"What does he mean by that?" Marcello looked at his companion as he brought his weapon back in its place, hoping not to be drawn again for that moment. "And what's with this knick knack about Candidates?"
"The Candidates of Rebirth, Marcello," Judas replied without any hesitation. He was still trying to take in what was said. Why would this certain Accursed leave such information as vital as this? What are they planning? "If you want to know more, you have to come with me and find the others."
He took a few steps in approach to his partner, sheathing his weapon which he had forgotten at the moment. It only took a while when he was reminded of Marcello's fellow fighter. That's when it hit him. "Where's Josef?"
"We got separated during the skirmish." Marcello answered, seemingly confused. For some reason, he had to scold himself in forgetting about his buddy. "What made you ask that?"
"If so, we have to hurry and get to him before they do." Judas turned his back and dashed off.
"Why does it have to be like this? I'll beat the crap out of him if he doesn't hang on." Marcello cursed under his breath as he trailed his brother's path. They have to race against time if they are to see this man alive.
A faint ray of the sun stirred his sight, bringing him to wake from a restful slumber. Yet, from that calm wake, the stranger's body surged with pain as he took in his breath, forcing a groan of agony. Shades of color seemed dissonant at the moment, slowly taking focus of definite images. Voices seem to drift as echoes of a dreamlike haze, but more of a lucid dream in his waking state.
"He's breathing. Arjun, he's still alive." a female voice trailed away in an echo.
"Good, do what you can to let him live, Maya." Arjun replied sternly yet with relief.
A sensation surged through this injured man. The pain was slowly replaced with a cool, ethereal feel in a sign of relief. A sight of azure light caught his senses, an evident use of a restorative spell. With his eyes being welcomed by such a sight, he gasped in disbelief. His wounds began to close and heal with the pain fading at each second. He averted his eyes to the hovering hand which administered such, lithe and graced with loose blue sleeves. Slowly, his eyes moved, only to be welcomed by this young woman dressed in her short azure robes with loose sleeves covering her arms. Her sapphire shaded hair cascading on her shoulders and back glimmered in the sunlight, matching the aura which she displayed before him.
"Maya…you're here to save me again?" he whispered as he turned his eyes to the other figure. His back was turned to him evidently, yet his robes of jade and trousers of grey bound by his purple sash were quite nostalgic, more of a giveaway to his identity. His russet locks looked idle as they rest at ease. The stranger laughed at the idea that he would be here. "And Arjun as well…"
The azure light subsided as his body felt its strength restored. Maya slowly pulled back and rose from the ground, her light gray sash holding her clothes in place as it had its tail-like form reach her knees. She shook her head, looking at him with a mocking pity.
"My, my, you talk tough and wanted to fight on your own." Maya gave a singsong chuckle, scolding the young man. "Honestly, bragging being a Jinn and with capable strength? You're much more of a drag compared to Arjun, Josef."
"You saved my life again. I have to blame myself for incompetence." Josef stood as he tapped away the dust on his orange vest and khaki trousers, tapping his shoes on the ground as he stood. With arms stretching and circling in a warm-up, he looked at Arjun as he grinned. "And as I see it, you and Maya are hooking up quite well."
"You haven't changed." the Deva dryly answered as he neared him. Looking at the broken machinery which was the weapon wielded by the Jinn, he shook his head in disbelief. "You need something better to survive."
Recalling the insanity of the ambush and how his weapon shattered after collapsing, he grimaced and paled at the idea of nearly facing death. "Remind me to get a better weapon, and a new one at that."
"There's no need for such a search." He looked at him as he brought an open palm to reach out to him. The air stirred as it began to heat up and ignite. The flames whirled about the confines above his hand. The fires burned without cease as they formed and began to take shape. At once, the burning quelled as a brilliant pair of gauntlets sat upon his grasp. The vambraces, the coverings for the forearm, were decorated with segmented pieces of Orichalcon, resembling vents at each part. The gloved area where the knuckles and phalanges are graced with studded pieces, whilst the parts for the back of the hand were inscribed with a dominant rune. He handed the weapon to Josef with a faint smile.
"You kept those. That's a neat move." Josef chuckled as he proceeded to fit his hands with the item. Sliding through his arms, the fingers fitted perfectly through the leather-like material for his fingers and thumb while the knuckles were fitted snugly. The seemingly loose segments of the vambraces suddenly tightened, hugging the limb for better utilization. The sensation brought by its fervent aura filled his body as it synched well with his affinity. "This is great! Good to have Ifrit back on my fists again. So, I presume you still have your Diviners."
"Along with our memories, yes," Arjun replied as he summoned his Diviner, the purple light giving off its flash as it took form and materialized the twin swords. "Vjaya came to me before meeting up with Maya."
"And Rusalka as well when I regained mine," Maya added as she brought her hands to seemingly cradle an aura of cerulean light. As the flash subsided, the weapon took form. The straight shaft rested on her hands, reaching out in its length comparable to a staff or polearm. The tip, however, bore a pointed wedge shape as twin prongs would protrude and have their tips meet at the zenith like a spear whilst in between the gap housed a garnet-shaded sphere.
A harrowing sound echoed in a form of a chant. The words were beyond normal comprehension to human ears and to sprites, but to those who have heard it would recognize such a hymn. The trio was startled by such sound, taking them by alarm. Arjun stood his guard as he looked at the two.
"Stand your ground and stay close. Keep your guards up." he ordered as he clasped his swords.
"Not another ambush." Josef groaned as he cocked his neck a bit. Clenching his fists, he stood at the ready. "I'm getting sick of this but I'm up for a good fight."
Maya closed her eyes and focused. The power she was sensing was overwhelming compared to a normal demon. This was something else, something greater that it would boil down to one conclusion. That's when it hit her when the signature came to conclusion. "It's the same energy signature as earlier."
"Where is it coming from?" Arjun asked.
"From above," Maya's eyes shot open and canted her head, gaze looking upward.
All eyes turned to where Maya was looking. A golden light began to flash before them, radiant but ominous. A feminine being hovered upon the aerial expanse, scantily clad with her wings covering each vital part but shedding into exposure much skin of this formerly divine being. An ornate staff was clutched on her delicate hands, wrapped by elegant fingers. With golden hair set loose in its radiant shade and copper eyes peering to them, she spoke with a tinge of which stirred them to their wake.
"Candidates of Rebirth, this shall be your grave. You are Anathema to Seth-Rah's will."
(End of Chapter)
Whew, there's a comeback chapter. I haven't written the continuation of this certain fiction for so long. Good to be back. Anyways, a good start comes with another cliffhanger.
Some notes before I continue. If you noticed, Lina and Rose made appearances. This time, Rose can already talk. Another thing is the name of this certain Accursed. I'll elaborate on that on the upcoming chapters.
Now for a new information list:
Listed here this time is a ramble about the Diviners of some characters that were featured in the whole duration of this fanfic. Aside from the aforementioned Lorelei and Skadi, and also the ever-familiar Einherjar, I'll mention to you the others that are involved.
Siegel's Balmung is one of them. This is a sword that was actually featured in stories of Siegfried the Volsung. In this fic, the sword has quirks that can assume other elements. It has another form aside from the single-edged, half-triangle shape it currently has. Do watch out of that.
Arjun's Vjaya is a pair of straight-bladed swords which may seem a bit slender. Endowed with lighting and wind as its elements, these swords can be quite formidable to an expert user. Other capabilities will be shown later on. Inspiration behind this weapon was derived from Hindu folklore regarding the weapon Vajra.
Maya's Rusalka is a staff that doubles as a polearm, with two prongs for blades that converge at the tip and has a spherical piece in between. It has a capability to conjure water and ice. Its capabilities will be shown later as well. Its name is derived from Rusalka, a mermaid in a play of the same title.
Josef's Ifrit is a pair of gauntlets, enchanted with the power of fire. It can project fireballs and can also attack with fire-induced blows. Other capabilities and its full potential will be realized in the later parts of the story. The name is derived from Islamic folklore about the Jinn; among them are the powerful ones of fire, the Ifrit.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Your suggestions, comments and reviews are greatly appreciated. Well, see you around on the next chapter.
Sydney Grise