The Battle of Geffenia
Episode Five
Playing with Fire
Part II-Ignis Fatuus
"I was not wondering if I can kill you. I was wondering if I can without killing myself."
"Get moving!"-Yelled Chass-"Attack now!!"
The party advanced at once enclosing the remaining threats. Cecil charged towards Ashford who happened to be aware of it.
"Heaven's Drive!!"-He yelled-"You will not get close easily."
Cecil endured the hits. He moved for a second attempt.
"Stubborn knight… Thunder Storm!!"-said the professor arrogantly.
The lord knight screamed from the intense electrocution. Ashford laughed enjoying the moment. Cecil retreated while taking in count all the damage he had received. He looked at his colleague with a clever plan in mind.
"Zel, I need your help on this one."-he said.
"What do you need?"-asked Zel wondering.
"I will trigger one and only one skill. Once I start running, I need you to run behind and push me when I give you the sign."-answered Cecil.
"Push you? How is that supposed to help?-asked Zel.
Cecil whispered the method while giving him a blue potion and began executing the plan. Zel doubted the possibility of success, however, he went along.
"Frenzy!!"-yelled Cecil while running towards his target.
"Frenzy? How stupid of you…"-thought Ashford-"Heaven's Drive!!"
One foot before the affected area, Cecil moved his spear signaling Zel.
"Shield Smite!!"-yelled Zel while pushing his comrade extremely close to the professor.
"Not so smart from you, lord knight! Dispell!!"-said Ashford.
"Not so smart from you, professor! Joint Beat!!"-Said Cecil-"Now, Zel, the potion…"
Zel threw the blue potion. The professor was seriously injured. Cecil drank the potion and stared at the professor who sat defeated and frightened.
"How… how could you?"-asked Ashford.
"What? Oh! I know…yes, I took my energy regeneration time in count."-Answered Cecil-"Your time is over. You are crippled, and your arm is smashed. Luckily for you, I couldn't break your neck."
With spear in one hand and shield in the other, he looked at his defenseless enemy grasping for life. Mercilessly, he glared straight into Ashford's eyes; as if trying to swallow his soul.
"Good bye, Ashford."-He said while targeting the knees, shoulders, and neck.-"Spiral Pierce!!"
. . . .
Battle Theme: Halcyon (from Armin van Buuren's State of Trance 2005)
Meanwhile, in a different location of this damned graveyard of heroes, two young fighters fought for life and a title…
"Poison React!!"- Said Gabe-"I must finish this quickly, sunrise is almost here."
"What's wrong? Can't keep up with my strength?-said Weldon.
Gabe ran towards his opponent, the jurs released a silver-like glow. He swiftly moved behind the champion who activated Ruwach, but it was late.
"Sonic Blow!!"-Yelled Gabe-"Uh? Great, deadly poison is over. Enchant Deadly Poison!!"
Weldon smiled, then he touched Gabe's chest once. A second later, Gabe was sent back flying.
"What was that?"-thought Gabe confused.
"I love Raging Palm Strike."-thought Weldon.
The champion moved quickly threatening the assassin's life. Gabe began running away to prevent Weldon from getting close.
"You will not escape!"-yelled Weldon while throwing his spheres at Gabe. Gabe noticed the incoming attack in time, but he was able to dodge four spheres. The chase continued.
"Time to catch up"-thought Weldon-"Body Relocation!!"
Weldon outran Gabe in less than a minute. The assassin studied the amazing movements of his enemy carefully.
"Slide Back!!"-he said merging with the trees that were still covered in darkness.
"I can still see you, Gabriel."
The cat continued chasing the mouse while making all the preparations for the killing move. The distance between the fighters became shorter and shorter.
"One more, one more"-thought Gabe.
Weldon relocated himself in a simple pattern that was discovered by the assassin. Out of nowhere, the unexpected happened:
"Slide Back!!"-said Gabe.
He was so close to Weldon that he could smell the blood coming out of the wounds done by his previous blow.
"Sonic Blow!!"-He yelled while penetrating Weldon's ribs over and over again.-"I knew you can't really strike me after relocating. There is no way you win."
"Oh really? You underestimated me."-Said Weldon while revealing a long bottle with a mysterious blue liquid.-"Do not blink this time."
He crushed the bottle and licked his hand which was soaked with the mixture; and moved instantly in front of Gabe.
"I told you not to blink! ASURA STRIKE!!"-yelled Weldon while punching Gabe in the face.
The Emerald Flash flew back several yards deep inside the forest. He was amazed; that speed was inhuman.
"This is awesome."-Said Weldon sarcastically-"That amount of energy was not enough to kill. Next time you will die! I assure you!"
The assassin kept hiding and the unfriendly sunrays jeopardized his slim chances of getting out alive. Wounded, beaten, and with low energy; that was his state.
"I was lucky that time."-He thought-"This seriously needs some divine help. What can I do? Think… think…"
Soon after Gabe's thought, a strong light shifted his attention. A green haired maiden, with green clothes, smiled at him. She was unknown, but her presence was warming and soothing. She held some food in her left hand.
"Hello, you."-she said.
"Who… who are you?"-asked Gabe drowning in confusion.
"Don't you recognize me?"-She said while sitting down.-"I am your help, cutie."
Out of nowhere, a coffee pot appeared floating in the air, serving coffee in a small cup.
"What??"-Said Gabe even more confused than before.-"I don't mean to be rude, but I got a killer chasing me down and he is fast."
"Do not worry, he will not interrupt us."-said the maiden smiling.
"How come?"-asked Gabe.
"Look around."-she answered.
Gabe looked all around himself. He noticed a falling leaf floating motionless in the air. Quickly, he turned around in order to confirm his thought.
"You… stopped time…"-he said in a low tone.
"I will keep that enough for you to regenerate your life."-she said.
His enemy was standing frozen in time, like a statue. He held a blue potion and was ready to drink it all.
"Why are you doing this?"-asked Gabe wondering.
"Everyone needs help sometimes."-She answered-"Even though I am totally against this stupid battle, I know who must die and who lives."
Gabe looked down understanding her words and his destiny. The maiden gave Gabe a brown box.
"Go ahead; crush it with your hands."-she said.
Violet electricity surrounded Gabe after he followed the order. He felt a strong shock that made him scream.
"Well, it is time for me to go or else the guy is going to find out I was here; and I don't want to get stuck in some human body like a friend I know."-she said.
"So… can you lift your magic after I get close to him?"-asked Gabe.
"Heh, so assassin-like; no, my boy."-She said-"That would be totally unfair. You stay here. You still got one minute left to think about your next move."
"By the way, what is your name?"-asked Gabe.
She smiled, and while finishing the cheese and lifting her hex she said: "Hoshi." Immediately after her last word, Gabe rushed towards his prey at full speed. Weldon opened his last bottle when he detected his rival closing in. Gabe revealed his jurs delivering one attack… targeting the bottle. Weldon was not fast enough to react. He never imagined this… his last chance of winning… shattered into pieces. He noticed a pain growing bigger and bigger every second that came out of his own ribs.
"Never let your guard down."-said Gabe while slowly cleaning his jurs.
"Is that poison?"-asked Weldon.
"It is just a plain stab to your ribcage."-answered Gabe.
Gabe began to dig a hole right away. Weldon was so disturbed by the wound that he did not realized Gabe's next move.
"Grimtooth!!"-yelled Gabe piercing Weldon's body numerously.
Clouded and confused, Weldon took full damage. Gabe walked slowly towards his almost dead opponent. He grabbed his neck with his left hand while his right hand jur turned dark green, then light green, then pure white.
"What…is that?-asked Weldon with the last of his forces.
"This is the last thing you will see in this world."-answered Gabe.
Suddenly, Gabe hurled the champion vertically. Weldon, slowly losing altitude, closed his eyes with one last thought in mind:
"Nestor, I hope my death is not meaningless and your personal plans succeed… or else I, Weldon Liester, I will find you in the deepest corner in Hel and smash you myself."
"Supersonic Thrust!!"-whispered Gabe while piercing Weldon's chest. The attack never showed a deep wound. However, the blood coming out of the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth was enough to tell that it was successful: a destruction of all internal organs.
(End of battle theme: Stronger-Kanye West)
. . . .
Back in Thor's Volcano…
"You… I've got enough of you, Loki, and that stinky girl."-said Ifrit.
Blue started crying desperately. Suddenly, she felt an enormous amount of energy surrounding her.
"Use it."-said a mysterious voice.
She turned around and saw a man with a mystical sword embraced in thunder.
"Quickly, you got no time to waste."-Said the man.-"Use the Law!"
Blue understood the man's words. She rapidly began transmitting all her energy unto her hands. Mist stared at the girl who was showing her power for the first time. Blue seemed a bit upset.
"Lex Vitalis!!"-she yelled.
"Earthquake!!"-Said Ifrit.-"Time to die, Loki's boy."
"Not this one…"-thought Mist.
The ground began shaking uncontrollably; every Imp was instantly killed without mercy by their master. Ifrit laughed out loud and waited for the smoke and dust to dissipate. In no time, Ifrit's smile turned into the intensity of his aggressive fire. Two shields protected Blue and Mist from certain death.
"How can you do this kind of magic?"-asked Mist.
"I can't really explain. One day I was in danger and it saved me."-answered Blue.
Blue searched around for the mysterious man but he was gone already.
"Jman, thank you again."-she said.
"You disgust me, boy."-Said Ifrit-"More than Loki himself."
"Do not insult my teacher."-said Mist angrily.
"The filthiest assassin ever."-Ifrit continued.
"Stop it."- insisted Mist.
"What can you expect from a person who is trained to betray?"-added Ifrit.
Mist closed his eyes. His face remained serious. He opened them back after feeling Blue's healing.
"This time… will it be appropriate to use it this time?"-he thought.
"What's wrong… student of scum?"-mocked Ifrit while crossing his arms.
"That's it!"-Yelled Mist-"I've had it!"
Immediately, millions of small black dots appeared around Ifrit. It was too late when Ifrit recognized the attack. The dots took the form of magical knives.
"Your time is over!"-said Mist grabbing one knife.
Standing in one place, he threw the knives at Ifrit with incredible speed and accuracy. The damage was significant even when they knives were blocked. Suddenly, Mist began moving and jumping around his pray. No matter where he landed, there were many knives ready to pierce the enemy.
"Stop… insulting… my teacher."-he said.
His speed increased twice fold due to his rancor. Knives pierced the djinn from all directions. Mist then dashed and began slicing Ifrit in a berserk-like behavior. The nails began to absorb energy from the black knives. Mist slashed the space above Ifrit, causing an opening that released a rain of magical knives. The torture seemed to be infinite. After several slices from side to side, Mist executed his final move with a thrust to the stomach. There they stood, the killer and the dead, face to face; they looked into each other's eyes, one was looking for the desperation, the other was looking for life.
"You will never insult Loki again."-Whispered Mist extracting his weapon.-"That was Loki's Ultimate Ambush."
Berry stared at Mist whom she was unable to follow due to the speed of his movements. She was alerted by the assassin's arms that were covered in blood.
"Mist… you… you are bleeding."-she said while healing.
"This attack puts a lot f strain in my muscles."-explained Mist.
Suddenly the place began to shake and crumble.
"Do you have a warp ready to Geffenia?"-he asked.
"Yes, I managed to create one when we got there."-answered Blue.
"Open it now."-Said Mist-"This place is about to bury us alive."
Blue began casting their only hope of getting alive. Meanwhile, Mist observed for one last time what was left of the Fire Genie… the burned corpse of a tall man.
. . . .
Meanwhile…
Lenan and Mirage ran across the field chasing Callaghan's chosen party. Mirage looked at Rubedo, the creator, whose homunculus was killed in the explosion; and a brilliant idea came to Mirage's mind.
"Lenan, let's trade my buckler for your Cutlus for a while."-said Mirage.
"Hmm. But you will return it."-said Lenan accepting the trade.
"No worries, I just want to have fun."-said Mirage smiling.
Mirage dashed towards the creator while Lenan chased the rest of the gang.
"Soul Destroyer!!"-said Mirage.
"Uh? That did not have the full power."-said Rubedo.
"Yep, I want to have fun."-said Mirage.
"Arrogant bastard, take this!"-Yelled Rubedo-"Acid Demonstration!!"
Mirage smiled lightly seeing the bottles coming his way.
"Move away!!"-yelled Lenan.
Mirage did not listen. His face and chest were guilty of breaking twenty bottles. Lenan did not know what was going on.
"Would you like to try that again, Rubedo?"-said Mirage.
"What? How come he was not injured?"-thought Lenan.
"Soul Destroyer!!"-yelled Mirage.
The purple wave was stopped by Rubedo's belly.
"Potion Pitch!!"-he said.
"You will not deal serious damage to me because I do not have my shield."-said Mirage arrogantly.
"What? He set me up!"-thought Lenan.
Rubedo stared at Lenan and moved towards him like a magnet attracted to metal. With excitement, he began taking out the bottles.
"Great."-Thought Lenan.-"Time to disappear."
He desperately dug a hole, moments before the bottles made contact. Rubedo became mad; he was wasting too many bottles.
"I'm sick of you!!"-He yelled while targeting Mirage.-"Mammonite!!"
"Can't you see what's going on?"-Said Mirage dodging the strike without difficulties.-"You will not win."
"I will win. Mammonite!!"-continued Rubedo.
"Oh, that is a waste of zeny."-Said Mirage laughing.-"You can not win."
"Shut up, filthy rat!"-yelled the creator offended.
Immediately, Mirage dashed smoothly behind Rubedo, slashing a particular point in his body.
"This is why your defeat is imminent."-added Mirage.
"I….I can not move."-Said Rubedo confused-"What have you done?"
"A complete paralysis from your waist down."-answered Mirage.
Lenan approached Mirage while dusting the dirt of his clothes.
"Why you got a mean face? Cant you take a joke?"-said Mirage happily.
"A joke? A joke could have gotten me killed, idiot!"-said Lenan angrily.
He saw Levitas and Winshley coming towards them.
"Lenan, we need to stop the rest, make them go around."-said Winshley.
"Yes, because the paladins can't walk three feet in less than two hours."-added Levitas.
"No problem, I will put pressure from the side then."-agreed Lenan.
Using his authoritive badge, he dashed across the field catching up with the cowards. The wizards followed him as fast as they could. Meanwhile, Mirage stood in front of his test subject, watching him grow weaker and weaker.
"You know, I feel that my power grows when my enemy is inoffensive."-he said.
Rubedo had no words, he knew this was it. His eyes showed no doubt. He looked around one last time, finding Kaijin's body parts scattered and Ashford's body heavily pierced without mercy.
"What are you waiting for?"-he said looking back at his death.
"You asked for it."-said Mirage.
In a flash, he impaled Rubedo's stomach with both swords. With a little use of force he lifted the wounded man in the air, making sure the blades went through all the way.
"That's one cruel bastard."-said Seiai.
"Yeah, no doubt about it."-added Chass.
Suddenly, a familiar voice filled the ears of those who stayed behind. Zel recognized it in a pitch and turned around filled with joy.
"Plushe!!"-he yelled while he ran as fast as his shield permitted him.
"How do you feel, child?"-asked Chass.
"I…my head hurt a bit."-she answered.
"Right, you were taken down by a giant reptile."-Said Chass-"Aqua, did you finish already?"
"One more."-answered Aqua while using stones and branches to create arrows.
"Let's go, Zel."-Said Chass-"Time to advance."
"Roger that."-said the young paladin.
"Pick up the pace, Danielle!!"-said Lester Chan, the star gladiator.
"Don't scream at her, you idiot!!"-yelled Phillipe.
The dancer's strength began to fade and she fell on her knees quickly. The thought of being defeated like this confused her. Suddenly, she felt four quick steps. She couldn't see anything other than a hand grabbing her from behind and tossing her high in the air. The next thing she saw was two wizards.
"Frost Diver!!"-said Winshley. He froze the dancer in mid-air.
"I will not let you fall, darling."-Said Levitas sarcastically-"Jupitel Thunder!!"
"One down, four to go."-said Seiai.
"Quickly, they are turning around!"-said Zel.
"Oh, Danielle, my love, forgive me."-said the minstrel.
"Unbelievable, weren't we the winners of the last team tournament?"-Said Lester while running.-"What the hell is happening?"
"No time for that now, dad."-Said his daughter Lily-"We are surrounded."
"What?"-asked the gladiator surprised.
Lenan was behind. Zel, Chass, and Plushe were in front. The wizards were to the left.
"Oh, this is what I was looking for!!-"said Roger Gibson-"Desper…"
A fast arrow penetrated his skull, stopping the attack.
"Bull's eye, baby."-Yelled Aqua-"Sharpshoot!!"
Minstrel, taekwon girl, and star gladiator were threatened from all sides.
"This is it."-Said Chass-"Surrender quickly!"
"Or die quicker."-added Mirage approaching to the scene.
"To surrender? To die? Two options I hate."-said Lester.
He looked at his only daughter and said: "I am sorry." He grabbed Phillipe and placed him in front to prevent any interruptions. That movement alerted Zel causing him to move within range to perform his attack.
"Grand Cross!!"-he yelled pulverizing the minstrel with his holy attack.
The star gladiator spent no time and took his daughter's foot. The girl understood that this way her jumping ability would be higher. Chass quickly moved in piercing Lester's side with his Pole Axe. The last words "I am sorry", will never be forgotten now that her dad was annihilated.
"She is running away!"-said Lenan.
"Agility Up!!"-said Plushe enchanting Chass.
The general began running towards the hill and uphill. Behind him, Lenan and Cecil followed with caution, keeping the distance. At the top of the hill, a lord knight waited with an Executioner and a legendary set of winged boots. He had the girl's head in one hand. Chass did not know what was happening. The knight had somewhat a Mirage-like look, the same look Mirage has when his bloodlust kicks in.
"Hello there, Selhter Chass."-Said Callaghan smiling-"Impressive display of tactics, power, and survivability."
"Who are you?"-asked Chass with a serious face.
"Oh, my bad."-Said Callaghan-"I am Nestor Callaghan, your killer."
Chass did not blink, his grip was firm. He looked at Callaghan decided to fight. Callaghan stared back decided to kill.
"My move, General."-yelled Callaghan pitching the head at Chass.
Chass dodged it and moved forward with a Bash. Lenan and Cecil saw the head rolling downhill. Cecil stopped while Lenan continued running. He sensed a familiar force uphill.
"Shield Chain!!"-said Chass.
"Parry!!"-yelled Callaghan in joy.
The general struggled on hitting the knight. His block was unbelievable.
"I am running out of energy.'-thought Chass.
"Keep yourself concentrated, General!"-Yelled Callaghan while charging towards the paladin-"Two-hand Quicken!!"
Callaghan slashed, smashed, and bashed the general recklessly, without thinking about the Guard or Reflection.
"You can not win over me with reflection. Your life is not that good."-laughed the knight.
"He is right."-Thought Chass-"I mastered shield attacks only."
The battle quickly began to favor the dark-sided one.
"Bowling Bash!!"-said Callaghan smashing Chass's shield.
Chass continued holding up, it seemed like help was not going to arrive in time.
"Seiai, are you there?"-he thought.
The voice did not answer. The general had no other choice but to take the risk.
"I know I won't be able to win this one, but I can ease it for someone who will."-said Chass.
"Really? And who do you think, has a chance of defeating me?"-asked Callaghan.
Chass smiled, a read aura covered his Pole Axe completely. He dashed quickly towards the knight and stabbed him without clemency. Callaghan grabbed the spear that was impaled in his body, ignoring the pain. He looked at Chass; he tried to look for fear in his eyes but all he could find was hope.
"You know, I've always wondered…"-said Callaghan-"Why is that skill called Martyr's Reckoning when the user is still alive?"
Chass ignored the comment and continued glaring at the knight.
"Wouldn't it be better to name it Hero's Reckoning? But then again, you are not even a hero."-Added Callaghan-"I guess it is time to make up for the Martyr part of your reckoning."
He lifted up his huge black sword with one hand. Chass dropped his shield which was not going to make any difference at that moment. His smile became visible. Callaghan let his sword fall, slashing Chass's armor and chest open. He backed up slowly, leaving the spear pierced in his opponent. Lenan reached the top only to see his friend fall down in his back.
"No…Chass…"-he said quietly.
"Oh well, we meet again, Lenny."-said Callaghan while dropping the spear in front of the assassin.
"You… you bring death to everything you see or touch."-said Lenan angrily.
"I am looking at you right now."-said Callaghan.
Lenan disappeared; Callaghan took it as a warning. He waited patiently for the assassin. Suddenly, a purple dust covered Callaghan.
"Venom Dust? Show me your ultimate attack!"-Said Callaghan-"Fight me like a man. Oh! I forgot you are not."
Lenan was not provoked. Seeing Chass bleeding non-stop made him change his plans.
"Come on! Reveal yourself!"-Yelled Callaghan-"Magnum Break!!"
The top of the hill began to burn rapidly when Callaghan touched the ground with the flaming sword. Callaghan stood surrounded by the fire. Outside of the ring, a blue haired assassin revealed himself stealing his dear friend, his friend's spear in one hand, and the shield in his back. The fire separated the thief and the swordsman. Lenan gazed at his former guild master with the urge to assassinate. It was not over. Then, he began running downhill. Beside Callaghan, a Dark Priest appeared. The priest healed most of Callaghan's wounds and cast a warp portal. From the top of the hill, the knight laughed.
"I killed your mentor!!"-he yelled.
Lenan stopped abruptly. The weight of Chass's shield did not matter anymore. His veins were completely filled with choler. He wished for the death of Callaghan; wished for it to be cruel, and painful. Cecil saw the face of the assassin. He, too, heard it. Lenan's face expression meant only one thing: bloodshed.
"Lenan, don't listen to him. Let's keep moving, the general is in danger."-said Cecil.
Lenan continued dashing downhill and towards the crew. Cecil followed him. Everyone was astonished, the general was injured. From the opposite direction, Blue, and Mist were returning. Mist carried someone familiar on his back. Once again, everyone was reunited, but someone was ready to leave. Plushe quickly ran to help Chass. Lenan plunged the spear into the dried ground, and carefully dropped the heavy shield. Then, he looked at Mirage and threw the buckler in front of him.
"Mirage, my Cutlus…"-said Lenan.
Mirage smiled, his face did not mean: "Oh right, I forgot. Here it is!"
"Alright, I'll go get it then."-said Lenan dashing towards the joker.
Every slash and stab missed. Mirage's jokes stopped being just jokes.
"Stop it already, you too."-said Levitas.
"Just leave one spot unguarded…"-thought Lenan.
Mirage began slashing recklessly. He aimed towards Lenan's neck. Lenan noticed it in time and blocked it with his sword. He saw the next slash and grab the arm with his free hand. The swords made contact over and over again. Suddenly, Mirage got slashed in the chest. Lenan hastily executed his signature move.
"Venom Splasher!!"-he whispered.
"NO!! You will kill us all!!"-yelled Winshley.
The explosion took place releasing a huge amount of smoke. Both Mirage's Haedonggum and Lenan's Cutlus were sent up flying. Lenans retrieved what was his and sheathed his swords.
"Huh? What that fake?"-asked Zel.
"No, it was the lowest level of it. Love the joke, very original."-said Mirage smiling.
"Shut up!"-said Levitas.
Mist and Blue arrived as fast as they could. Mist slowly placed Gabe in a safe place, and Blue began healing him. The party was disorganized. Rain began to soak the land. Levitas quickly created a cover using Ice Walls. The general was in a horrible shape.
"Do not waste your energy."-He said-"It will not make a difference."
"No, I can save you. You will live"-said Plushe.
"Zel, I am leaving you in charge,"-added Chass.
The young captain remained quiet. "No tears" was the general last order.
"Lenan…"-Continued Chass-"See you soon, my friend."
The last words… accompanied by the gentle smile of the fallen paladin were followed by a moment of silence. The moment of silence was demolished by the tears of the high priestesses that could not bear the fact that the general has passed.
The Rain… The Dead General… Buzz Buzz Buzz…