Hello again, friends. It's been quite some time, but regardless I keep updating this story. Thank you very much for your reviews and critics, which push me forward until this point. As for you all concern, this story focuses on the future of Mana Khemia 1 characters, as well as their "truth".
"Truth" is my own creation of each character's secrets; explains more detailed information of their background story, which didn't explained in the game. I try to write them all as real as possible, so please keep reading and review.
This chapter is long, but please read till the end and you won't be disappointed! Hope you enjoyed it!
/
Disclaimer: All characters of Mana Khemia are belongs to Gust and NIS America, not me. So don't attack me with a fire skill! My Fire RES is quite good, but still... Oh, the characters' new skills, new items, new etc. and this story are mine.
/
Note: BGM means the background music which is playing during the story; it's taken from the game (replayable in the Extras-Music), and it changes every time a new one is written. Hear (or imagine) them while read this fanfic, and you'll enjoy it more!
/
New Resolve
By superecho
/
Chapter 4: Bonds, Precious things, and...
/
/Planet Wonderchak
/Muppy's Kingdom – VIP Guestroom 01
BGM: A Boy's Worry
"...Hah," the gray-haired Vayne sighed, as he woke up from the bed.
Vayne didn't feel like doing anything today; last night was so surprising to him, and made him more tired than ever.
"Anna...," Vayne mumbled to himself, about the girl he cares so much.
After hearing the truth about Anna's family, Vayne feels so sad. Why they would go that far? To take away a person's freedom of choices, especially to something's as important as marriage... Vayne didn't understand. Was it that hard to find someone you care so much? Was it impossible to them to search out the person they want to protect forever? ...Is loneliness too much for sword masters to bear?
"Meow (Still thinking about that?)," Sulpher meowed from under Vayne's bed.
"...Yeah. Sorry to make you worry," Vayne talked to his cat.
With that phrase, Vayne get off the bed and kneel down to pet Sulpher. After a few seconds, Vayne look at the window. The sky is kind of dark, with white clouds covering almost the whole castle.
"Let's have some fresh air," as Vayne said that, he walk closer to the window and opened it wide. Sulpher jumped at the window's border line and gazed outside.
From this VIP Room Muppy prepared for each of his friends, Vayne and Sulpher could see the beautiful garden 3 stories below. There blooms many kinds of strange plants and weird flowers. Despite their weirdness, those plants and flower does pretty well at cleansing the air. Even the ceramic-lookalike roads nearby the garden become somewhat refreshing to see, with all those green trees and blue grasses... Oh yeah, the blue grasses which freaked Vayne out at his previous visit to this castle. Muppy said it's medicinal grasses which could be make into some curing herbs, so the whole castle have those grasses growing here and there. Well, medicinal plants do really make you feel safer by having them around.
"Meow (Nice view, good air)," Sulpher commented.
"...Wow. Really, Sulpher?" Vayne got all curious, since Sulpher has rarely shown any good impression on anything.
"...Purrr (But it'll be boring by the next day)," Sulpher let out his sharp criticism.
Vayne smiles at his furry companion, "Hahaha. Perhaps."
At the sound of breeze, Vayne recap what happened last night. As Anna sleep on his arms, Vayne carried her to her room and put her to bed with blanket. Anna's sleeping face was so cute and pretty (to Vayne, at least), so Vayne couldn't help but blushing hard at that time. As his heart beat fast, Vayne quickly leave the room. Frankly, that's the first time ever Vayne ever carries a girl on his arms. He never imagined that he will ever do such a masculine act before...
"... (Maybe, Anna is truly the...)," Vayne smiled as he think to himself.
"Meow? (So, you think that daydreamer girl is the one for you?)," Sulpher asked, as sharp as always.
Vayne's heart felt like it was just smacked with a club, "W-W-What...?"
"...Meow (So you're all over her. Fine...)," Sulpher yawned lazily, feeling bored.
"C-Cut it out, Sulpher...," Vayne whined to his cat.
"Meow, meow-meow (Hug her, kiss her, marry her, do whatever you want)," Sulpher said it out loud, while yawned once more.
"S-Stop that!" Vayne shook his head to the side, hiding his red face.
After a few minutes of silence, Vayne gazes to the distance again, "I wonder if Anna sees this too..."
Not long, Vayne take a bath, get dressed and leave his room. He knocked Anna's room which just right beside him, but there's no response. Either she's still asleep, or left already. Now Vayne think about it, there's no one in this VIP Guestrooms hallway. Have everyone went to breakfast already? With that thought in mind, Vayne and Sulpher marches together towards the end of corridor.
/
/Muppy's Kingdom – VIP Dining Room
BGM: Silent Diziness
Vayne and Sulpher arrived at the silent dining room for VIP guests. On the huge dining table, there's a breakfast set for one person, remain untouched. Vayne can only suggest that it's for him. Wait... What time is it?
"You're late, Vayne," a familiar male voice greeted Vayne from the other side of the table.
"Roxis! Where is everyone?" Vayne asked the blonde glassed man.
"They're up early and went out already," Roxis answered with flat tone, as he eats his breakfast.
Without waiting any longer, Vayne sat down his chair and start to eat as well. Sulpher also quickly bites his breakfast, on the black bowl near Vayne's chair.
"Roxis... It's not like you to be late in the morning," Vayne started a conversation.
"It can't be helped. Nikki forced me to talk with her for hours," Roxis' face looked slightly annoyed.
"Oh, what you two were talking about?" Vayne asked further for details.
After he drinks his tea, Roxis stares at Vayne, "About what we should prepare for the performance, and about Anna... But it mostly about some stupid stuff, though."
"Stupid stuff?" Vayne's eyes widen in curiosity.
"...," Roxis glared at Vayne, like saying 'Curiosity kills the cat'.
"Never mind," Vayne's chickening out again.
As the breakfast almost finished, Vayne speaks, "Um Roxis, about Anna..."
"I know. It must be hard for her, to have such a strict family tradition," Roxis answered objectively.
"You're right. ...Huh?" Vayne gasped, as he hasn't told anyone yet. Could it be...
Roxis tinkles his glasses, "Ah, sorry. We saw and heard everything about the Lemouri's family history and the other stuff..."
Vayne's face is so red now, "W-W-W-What...?"
Roxis looked apologetic, "Sorry, but it wasn't my idea."
Vayne tap his head, "Flay..."
Roxis throw a playful stare at Vayne, "I was shocked by the family history, but not as shocked as saw you pull that off."
*clitter, clatter* Vayne dropped his spoon and fork, face is looked totally embarrassed.
"It's alright, Vayne. Everyone but Anna noticed it already, so there's no need to keep it a secret," Roxis assured Vayne.
"...," Vayne was dumbstruck.
"Oh, Anna has finished her breakfast and went out somewhere. She's kind of smelly, though. Probably she hasn't taken a bath yet," Roxis filled in some details.
"...," Vayne gave a zombie stare to Roxis.
"Don't give me that look. Just relax and stay focused. Here," Roxis consoled Vayne, while offering a new pair of spoon and fork.
Vayne was shocked by the fact, but regardless took the new spoon and fork anyway. And so, the breakfast finished after another five minutes. The Muppy-like butlers quickly took the eating utensils and vanished like smoke.
"So, Vayne. Everyone else is busy to prepare for the performance or just goofing around the castle. What are you going to do?" Roxis asked, as the two stood up.
"Meow (I'll take a walk around the castle)," Sulpher said, before took off.
"Yeah, take care," Vayne let his cat have some freedom.
"Vayne?" Roxis asked again.
Vayne think for a second, before smiles, "I think I'll look for Anna."
"Well, I have to look for Nikki too. Let's go together," Roxis offered the company, unusually more friendly.
Vayne asks, "Wasn't she with you?"
"We eat breakfast together, but she has finished way early than me," Roxis said, slightly feel disgusted at how fast Nikki's eating speed was.
Vayne giggles, "That's Nikki for you. Well, let's go."
...A Muppy-like butler appears suddenly in front of Vayne and Roxis.
"Whoa, what is it?" Vayne asked.
The butler however, just hands over a book and left.
"That's... a recipe book, right?" Roxis confirmed.
"Yeah, it is... But why he gave us this?" Vayne wondered.
"...," Roxis couldn't get the answer.
"...," Vayne had no idea, either.
\Obtained Recipe: [Wonder Cooking]!/
/
/Muppy's Kingdom – Gallant Front Garden
BGM: Sunset Skies
Vayne and Roxis reached the front garden of this castle, which happen to be near the castle's front gate. From afar, someone is singing.
"There she is," Vayne pointed towards the shadow of a person.
Right, from a distance, they can see a female Beastman is singing with her eyes closed. Nikki seemed to practice her singing for something... From the tune and melody she's humming through the song, it's clearly not 'Hey', her hit song. The tune is quite calm and relaxing, and Vayne feel soothed by it. Is it a new single from the school's beastly idol? ...It's kind of odd that nobody is watching her though. Regardless, the two steps in closer. But suddenly, Roxis stopped Vayne after a few steps.
"Huh?" Vayne wondered.
"Let her finish her song," Roxis requested humbly.
Vayne was dazed for a moment, before look at Roxis in the eye, "Roxis... Are you-"
"No! Absolutely not!" Roxis snapped with a glare.
"I haven't said anything yet...," Vayne tap his head, confused.
Somehow, Roxis calmed down and speaks, "...Well, Nikki is so much trouble. But to hear her singing like this wasn't all that bad."
Vayne smiles, "Right. Her voice is very soothing."
Roxis tinkles his glasses a few times, before speaks to Vayne again, "You know what, Vayne?"
"What?" Vayne asked.
"After we cured Jess, I'm busy participating for card game tournaments," Roxis told his story.
Vayne scrubs his head, "Oh, yeah... You were so busy that you couldn't attend to some of our duels."
"Haha, that's true. I thought I should use my skill with cards to practical use, so I postpone my alchemy career for a while," Roxis laughed, he's enjoying himself.
Vayne giggles, "Hahaha. But it went smoothly, right?"
Roxis' expression darkens, "I did win a lot amount of money and reputation from those tournaments, but you didn't know that..."
"That...?" Vayne is getting curious.
"Nikki was always behind me, following me almost everywhere," Roxis let it out.
"W-What?" Vayne's eyes widen in surprise.
Roxis' face looked tired as he sighs, "Hah... She always pops out in the towns I went to, like a stalker."
Vayne's face look puzzled, "Hahaha. Why she-"
As Vayne dig his own grave, Roxis lures him in deeper, "...Isn't it obvious? The same thing you did to Anna."
"I-I'm not a stalker! I just meet her a few times every week...," Vayne denied, but he just made himself fall down right into the trap.
"You just admitted that you're really like her, and is on a constant pursue," Roxis tinkled his glasses with joy and pride of his 'success'.
"W-W-What...," Vayne's face is uncontrollably switching between red and pink.
"Heh. You're so easy to tease. No wonder you were dragged around by people...," Roxis huffed for his rival's unchangeable trait.
"Haha... Hahaha...," Vayne tried to laugh it off, but feeling peeled inside.
Roxis inhales deeply, "Well, every time we went to a bar for dinner she always sing in front of public, drawing unnecessary attention..."
"...," Vayne recognized that Roxis' voice was somehow relaxed.
"But, well... Rosenkrantz family has never been a good socialist, so... I thought it'll worth me something to deal with those noisy people," Roxis continued his story.
Vayne grins, "You really glad that she's coming with you, right?"
Roxis grows a vein on his forehead, "Oh, not as enjoying as your distance stares at Anna."
Vayne starts panicking, "N-No, I'm not... Well, uhh..."
"Vayne, I just told you your weak spot, right? Why haven't you started to fix it yet?" Roxis complained.
Vayne's face start to look normal, "Uh, Roxis..."
"Don't whine, Vayne. You have to act tougher or you'll be picked on forever," Roxis lectured him.
"But...," Vayne reasoned, his eyes weren't into Roxis...
"But that's what makes Vayne a lovely man!"
"I don't think 'lovely' is the proper word... What?" Roxis was startled.
BGM: Stupid Hair Saga
With unknown (to Roxis, at least) silent steps, Nikki has already stood beside Roxis. On top of that, she is hugging Roxis' right arm.
"S-Since when?" Roxis snapped, left fist pointed towards Vayne.
"Since 10 seconds ago...," Vayne filled Roxis in.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Roxis looked furious.
"I tried...," Vayne explained weakly.
On the other hand, Nikki looked excited, "Wow, Roxis! Were you stunned by my new song that you couldn't keep your focus? You were so swayed that you didn't notice I'm finished already..."
Roxis is blushing, "N-No! It was Vayne's fault!"
Vayne scratches his head, "...Me? But you seem to be enjoying it..."
"...You!" Roxis' face is crimson; either from anger or embarrassment, no one knows.
"Oh, Roxis! You're so cute! My choice wasn't wrong!" Nikki smiled cheerfully.
"Choice? What choice?" Vayne asked Nikki out of curiosity.
Nikki grins mischievously, "Wanna hear the details?"
"Uhh... Maybe I shouldn't...," Vayne had a bad feeling.
"Don't say a word! And let go of my arm!" Roxis scolded the female Beastman.
Nikki's face looked scared... but actually, it isn't, "Roxis... Don't be so mean... How about those times I accompany you during your lonely times?"
"Please don't... Seriously...," Roxis sighed, depressed.
"...," Vayne is-
"Don't laugh!" Roxis fired at Vayne.
"I-I'm not!" Vayne denied clearly, but holding his mouth anyway.
As the trio is happily joking to each other, faint footsteps could be heard from the distance. From afar, Flay is standing firm with his arms crossed.
BGM: Defender of Justice has Come
With proud face as always, Flay sneers, "Gahahaha. I'm glad that you guys are having fun."
"What's so fun about it?" Roxis snapped.
"Flaya, I thought you were preparing for the act?" Nikki asked.
"My part is done for now. Pamela is working on her part now," Flay casually informed the three.
"Whoa, so fast... I haven't even talked about it with Anna yet...," Vayne is getting worried.
Flay grins, "But you have talked the most important thing, right?"
*slump* Vayne fell to the ground, face-first.
Flay keep on commenting from afar, "You have grown to a fine man, Vayne. My training to you finally bears some fruits."
Vayne lifts his face, but was too shocked to get up, "...I-It's not like that."
Flay's expression grow stern, "Stop denying your true feelings, and accept it as a man!"
"Right, Vayne. Otherwise you'll regret it forever," Nikki said, half-advising and half-teasing.
"You don't want to be labelled as a coward for the rest of your life, right?" Roxis added, thirst for revenge.
"...," Vayne couldn't find a way out of this.
/
BGM: off
"Well, anyway... Prepare yourselves for battle," Flay said so lightly.
"...Huh?" Vayne was dumbfounded.
"Battle?" Nikki questioned Flay, who is staring into the castle gate.
"What do you mean by that?" Roxis tinkled his glasses, looking at the castle gate with suspicion.
"It's an ambush, my allies," Flay continued.
"An ambush?" Vayne still don't understand.
Instead of answering, Flay draws his Pyre Blade and put on his battle stance, "Here they come!"
*BOOM* Out of nowhere, a smoke bomb was thrown into Flay. Vayne, Roxis, and Nikki weren't getting hit thanks to their distance, but they could no longer see Flay.
BGM: Hurry Up!
"Flay!" Vayne yelled, worried.
"Flaya, are you alright?" Nikki did the same.
Roxis stays calm, "Don't worry. That smoke bomb... I'm pretty sure it was the type that only used for disabling vision."
"Keen eyes, Roxis! Like he said, Vayne and Nikki! I'm not hurt at all!" said Flay's voice from the midst of smoke.
"Thank goodness...," Vayne sighed in relief.
"FLAY! THIS TIME YOU WILL DIE FOR SURE!" a rude-toned voice shouted from the midst of smoke.
"Huh? That voice...," Nikki wondered, her cat ears are straighten up.
"I know that voice...," Roxis tinkled his glassed for a deduction.
Flay's condition, in the midst of smoke...
"Heh. Nice trick, to separate me from my comrades," Flay praised the red-haired man in front of him.
The red-haired man wields a staff- or rather, a scythe with its sharp and curvy edge. He is slightly shorter than Flay, and looked fragile in body build, but somewhat seemed to be skilled in alchemy. He will after Flay even to the depths of hell, by equipping his slick evil smile and nasty methods- Tony Eisler!
"It's no use to flatter me. I'll get you this time!" Tony announced, as cocky as always.
Flay sighs, "Hmph... Don't you have another villain line? It's so old that I'm getting sleepy."
Tony bump his head on his own weapon, "Wha- All this time we haven't clash, and that's what you said?"
Flay didn't listen and starts a lecture, "Listen, you should sound more evil and threatening! Something like, 'I shall take your soul and torture it in hell, all by my own hands!'."
"Hmm... That's a good one!" Tony make a note of that, before return to the real world, "...H-Hey, don't play with me!"
"Gahahaha. You're still easy to be picked on," Flay laughed his jaws out, Flayvor of Evil style.
"Shut up! Let's begin!" Tony readied his battle stance.
Flay stopped laughing and tightening his grip to his mech blade, "Well... I praise your courage, but do you believe that you are able to handle me alone?"
"Heh. I'm much stronger than the past years," Tony smiled evilly with nasty eyes.
Flay smiles too, "Hmm, so you got some new tricks? I can't wait to see them!"
"Heh, you'll regret for inviting us here!" Tony mocked, before-
"GRRRAAAAAHHH!" the two men let out their battle cry, and start to rumble.
/
Back to Vayne and co.
"It's Tony? How did he get here?" Vayne wondered.
"I assume he was invited by Flay," Roxis deducted from that conversation.
"Gah... I'm worried that Muppy will be mad...," Nikki whimpered.
"True... They will wreck the entire garden...," Vayne shifts his head down.
Vayne and Nikki are still gazing at the thick black smoke separating them with Flay, filled with worry-wart minds. Roxis however, turning his orange eyes towards other direction.
"...," without a word, Roxis took out his battle cards.
"Huh? Roxis...?" Nikki asked the now serious-looking blonde.
"Vayne, Nikki, take out your weapons," Roxis requested straight.
Vayne turned his head, "What? Is some-"
BGM: Ah, Disciplinarian of Youth
Just a few feet in front to them, a lady with short blonde hair is standing still with a goofy smile. Her eyes are dark green, and her hand nails are pink. She emits a strange aura of mischief, but her smile is mixed with some laziness.
"Long time no see, guys."
"Renee?" Nikki snapped.
"I know it was you...," Roxis glared cards at her.
"Still goes to the point as always, glasses? How boring," Renee Kearse, the girl who was always follow Tony, complained lazy.
"You're still not diligent, either," Roxis countered sharply.
"Don't be rude. The only reason I'm not doing things seriously is because it's boring," Renee argued, she's fiddling with her pink nails.
"So, you're here too?" Vayne rubs his head again, while giving a vacant stare to Renee.
Renee stares back at Vayne with strange expression, "Ah, the worry-wart boy in love..."
*ba-bump* Vayne feel that his heart is about to stop beating, "W-What...?"
"Oh, that Flay fill in us some details through the wireless before arriving here," Renee explained with casual tone.
"...," Vayne kneel to the ground and feel hopeless, as his story looked like has been revealed to the entire world...
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not against those who like younger girls," Renee cheered Vayne up.
"...," Vayne didn't feel any better.
Roxis ignored Vayne and speaks seriously, "So, what are you going to do now?"
Renee sighs, "Hah... Couldn't we chat a little more? I'm not in mood for this."
"When you ever in mood for anything?" Nikki teased.
Renee sighs again, "Oh, please. Anyway, while Tony does his revenge to that Flay, I'm supposed to hold off you guys from giving that Flay any support."
The trio froze.
"It's Tony, right? I think Flaya doesn't need any help," Nikki stated the obvious.
"Yeah, because... Uhh...," Vayne hesitated.
"That Tony is much weaker than him," Roxis stated the cruel fact.
"D-Don't be so straight...," Vayne looked apologetic.
"It's not like hiding it will make anyone feel better," Roxis blurted another cruel fact.
"Ugh...," Vayne couldn't do anything.
Renee's expression darkens, "Don't get it wrong, guys. He knows all too well that he's much weaker than that Flay."
Nikki tilts her head, "Huh? Then, why?"
Renee closed her eyes and starts to speaks, "He hates defeat, and despises that Flay more than anything. So he trained like crazy, without caring about anything else, all for a sole purpose of getting revenge. He's persistent, and that's why."
Roxis glares at her, "You're on his side, after all."
Renee chuckles, "Don't say that. You're making me look like a villain."
"A villain's helper is a villain too, right?" Nikki said innocently.
"N-Nikki!" Vayne scolded her with trembling voice.
"Hey, Renee! What are you mumbling about with those guys?" Tony's voice scolded her, sounds of busy fight could be heard as well.
"Come on, just a little chat for old time's sake," Renee reasoned.
"This time, you should get serious!" Tony demanded from the midst of smoke.
Renee sighs and complains, "...Just a little, okay?"
With that line, Renee took out her azure-coloured crystal sword. Vayne and Nikki were surprised, and took out their weapons as well.
"We should fight anyway, huh?" Nikki spoke lazily, fidgeting with her giant hammer.
"Glad you understand the situation," Renee smiles wryly.
"Please go easy on us," Vayne begged, his body is trembling even though he has equipped his shield and sword.
Renee's expression become serious, "...Then, I want you guys to go full force."
"With pleasure," was Roxis' answer.
"Hey, are you sure about this?" Nikki asked.
BGM: off
Renee's eyes grow cold and merciless, "You have to. ...Otherwise, you'll die."
With that signal, Renee's Mana- the Azure Flame Mana, comes out. The azure coloured sea horse-like Mana, which had devilish cerulean horn like the unicorn! It looked more violent and cold than before, with his shield emits blue flames, and his backward-sword is shaking violently with aura of negativity from the bloodstains on it.
"Whoa, it's that scary Mana!" Nikki's furs are rising.
"We have to fight that... again?" Vayne looked uncomfortable.
Renee however, smiles terrifyingly, "Oh, not necessarily."
"...?" Roxis had a bad feeling.
With an expressionless face, Renee looks at her Mana in the eye, "Caerula, please do."
"...," the cruel blue Mana (whose name seems to be Caerula...?), didn't speak a word, but instead-
*BURN* Burning his own owner in blue flames, and vanished...!
"Whoa, Renee?" Nikki panicked, and rushes off to save her.
"No, don't! You'll get burned!" Roxis hold Nikki's left arm, stop her in tracks.
Nikki's eyes are teary, "But Renee will-"
"Whoa? Look, everyone!" Vayne was startled by something he just saw.
A terrifying image is burning brightly in front of the trio... Renee, who was just burned by her own Mana's blue flames, is FLOATING with her body engulfed in fire! But if you looked carefully, Renee's body or clothes didn't get burned at all in the midst of those cruel blue flames. She doesn't scream or putting a painful face- She is only closing her eyes calmly, with her crystal sword on her right hand.
"T-That form...?" Nikki is scared.
"Roxis, could this be...," Vayne pointed out what on his mind.
"You're right. This is similar with Flay's Raiden Charge," Roxis confirmed.
"Huh? I don't get it!" Nikki demanded an explanation.
Roxis tinkles with his glasses before explains, "Like Raiden Charge which stores electricity inside one's body to power up, Renee did the same with the power of blue flame."
"Oh, so she's powering up with power of fire?" Nikki wanted to confirm her curiosity.
"Yes, but she is floating, so...," Vayne want to explain further on Roxis' behalf, but-
The floating Renee has opened her eyes (which somewhat become scary) and speaks, "Enough foolishness. You shall be incinerated in my blue flame!"
Nikki is getting nervous, "Is that really you... Renee?"
With another hard voice, Renee replies, "...Of course it is me. Was my villain line too much for you?"
"Well... Your voice is so dark, hard, and threatening...," Nikki shivered behind Roxis.
"... *cough* How about now?" Renee asked, back to her normal voice.
"That's much better! Thanks, Renee!" Nikki get up with courage, no longer know what fear is.
"Well, sorry about that. That was my Mana's villain line, actually," Renee joked around.
Roxis starts to sweat from the blue flame's heat, "Are we going to fight, or what?"
Renee sneers, "Go on, guys."
"Okay, let's go everyone!" Vayne signalled.
And so, the fight begins.
/
BGM: Crystallized
"I'll go first! Analyze!" Vayne rushes forward, locking on Renee with the scope from his right arm's shield, and sliced her three times with his left arm's sword.
"...Still the same old skill, huh? Oh, but your equipments are different," Renee commented, she's not showing any sign of pain.
"Yeah, I'm no longer able to use Sulpher, so I synthesized my own weapons, based on Sulpher's weapon form," Vayne explained thoroughly.
"Wow! That's cool, Vayne!" Nikki praised.
"Hey, is it really the time to tell stories? Tell us her traits, Vayne!" Roxis scolded.
Vayne just remembered what was that skill for, "Oh, right. She is..."
\Renee (Valkryie Aflame). Traits: Human. Nullifies Fire.
"Ah, I see. My turn, then," Roxis spoke, before drawing a few cards from his deck, "Chrona Drive!"
With that shout, Roxis' Mana: the Mana of Light comes out.
"Well, well. It's the time already for this old Mana to work, Roxis?" Mana of Light mumbled playfully.
"No time for jokes! Go!" Roxis ordered.
"Alright, alright. Youth these days...," Mana of Light started to jump spirally, and howling.
A few seconds later, arrays of light hits Renee rapidly.
"Oww. Nice attack," Renee said that it hurts, but her relaxed expression didn't support it.
Nikki is getting pumped up, "That's not enough, Roxis! I'll support you!"
Nikki took out a giant seed, kneels down ...and planted it on the ground.
"What are you doing, exactly? I forgot," Renee asked gently.
"No telling!" Nikki played it smart.
Renee's expression switch immediately to a stern one, "Fine, I'll go easy for now."
Floating at an incredible speed, Renee flew towards Vayne and sliced him five times with her crystal sword. This time it's not only that hard edge tip of the crystal, but the hot blue flame engulfed it as well.
"Argh! H-Hot!" Vayne cried in pain.
"Vayne!" Niki called out in worry, taking her eyes off the seed she planted.
"Don't worry, Nikki. Just concentrate on your seed!" Vayne calmed his comrade down.
"Okay...!" Nikki started to focus again.
*HOWL* the Mana of Light howled, and attacked Renee once more with the arrays of light, from the moon's direction.
"Alright, here!" Vayne yelled out, and took out a device which engulfed his party with protective barrier.
"It's that item which increased our defense, right? Nice one, Vayne!" Roxis gave his rival a smile.
"Thanks," Vayne smiled back.
"I shall attack again! Ice Volley!" Roxis used his Common Skill, which strikes Renee several times with ice shards.
"Oww, you guys really not hesitating, eh? That's good, then," Renee smiled scarily, before leaping against Vayne again and-
"Whoa?" Vayne was about to dodge, but too late.
"Cruel Stab!" Renee shouted. Suddenly her crystal sword is growing thin and sharp, thus she stabs Vayne with it. After two seconds, she slashed out her crystal sword from the stab wound, and leaving Vayne in small bloodshed.
"Ghh... Gah!" Vayne kneeled down, unable to withstand the pain.
"Vayne! Damn it!" Roxis swore as he witnessed his injured friend.
Vayne's expression doesn't look good, "I-I feel that I'm losing strength..."
Renee grins, "If you two not hurry, he might faint from the shock," Renee is moving closer to Vayne with her crystal sword back to normal, "Or I'll just speed it up-"
"No way!" Nikki cried in anger, "Tree Mana, now!"
Nikki's Mana, the tiny Tree Mana who doesn't speak much, comes out and pats the seed Nikki planted with his powers. A second later, a giant tree rises up to the sky, and Nikki hits it brutally with her hammer.
"Wood Storm!" Nikki shouted as her hammer hits, and numerous spiky fruits are falling down the tree, thus stomps Renee violently.
"Oww, oww! If it wasn't for this flame aura, my body would be full of holes," Renee grunted, as she knocked back from the fruits' impacts.
"Vayne, are you okay?" Nikki approached him, full of passion.
"I-I'm fine...," Vayne tried hard to take out something from his pocket, and-
*gulp* Vayne digested a Chocolate Cake, and finally able to stand, "Okay, now I'm better!"
"Oh! What was that cake, Vayne?" Nikki asked.
"The chocolate inside it is imbued with alchemy, so it supports body's regeneration and improves physical strength!" Vayne explained proudly, while showing that his stab wound has stop bleeding and start to close.
"Impressive, my rival. You're always a step ahead of me in healing medicines," Roxis praised, rather joyful as he stood in front of the two to protect them.
"Thanks, Roxis. I'll take this Heal Jar too, just in case," Vayne gulped the curing medicine, quite happy too.
Unfortunately, Renee already heads in for another lunge, "Take this, glasses!"
"Ugh!" Roxis could only guard against flurry of slashes from Renee, only with his magical circles as shields.
"Nice one," Renee grins as she is floating faster towards Roxis, "How about this, then?"
"Whoa, Vayne! Look out!" Nikki sniffed danger and jumped behind three times, carried Vayne with her.
"Roxis!" Vayne called out to him so he followed them to dodge, but-
Renee took out a Tera Flame from her pocket, thus throw it at Roxis and- *KABOOM*
"Grrh!" Roxis grunted, as he struggles to get out from the flames of explosion.
Renee however, ignored the flames she made by the bomb, thus entered it to slash at Roxis, "Now's my chance!"
Renee slashes numerously at Roxis in fast-pace, ignoring the flames from the Tera Flame bomb.
"Agh! Urgh! I see... using your Fire-proof trait? Brilliant... *cough*," Roxis' fell down to the ground, his magic shield has broken.
Renee sneers scarily as she floats between the flames, "I guess you'll be the first to fall."
"Not a chance!" Nikki dashed immediately to go near the fire, thus took out another seed and throws it to Roxis, "Decoy Shield!"
"Cruel Stab!" Renee shouted her cruel skill's name once more and ready to stab Roxis-
All of sudden, Roxis has turned into... a voodoo doll?
"What the...?" Renee stopped her move as she was confused, but-
"Long Ice Bomb!" Vayne shouted, as he throws a long ice shard towards Renee.
*CLANG, CLANG, CLANG* the Long Ice Bomb explodes to unleash flurry of ice pillars, which so closely dodged by Renee.
Renee sighs in relief, "Phew, that was close-"
*ZAP* Vayne shoots out a Thunder Rod which paralyzes Renee slightly, thus slowing down her movement.
"What...?" Renee tried to figure out what Vayne's going to do, but in a flash he's already lunging in front of her!
"Take this!" Vayne slashed Renee three times with normal movement, thus finished his sword attack with two spiral slashes.
Renee floats backwards, "Oww! That hurts, you know."
Meanwhile Roxis has sit near Nikki, who is treating his injuries now.
"Teraheal!" Nikki used her Common Skill, which heals some of Roxis' wounds with a warm light.
"Phew... Thanks, Nikki," Roxis tried to get up.
*HOWL* the Mana of Light attacked Renee once more with arrays of light, thus come to his owner's side.
"Are you alright, Roxis?" the Mana of Light asked.
"Yeah... If it wasn't for Vayne's defense device, I would've fainted already," Roxis stated his opinion.
"It's nice to have a friend, right?" the Mana of Light laughed playfully.
"Heh... I guess you're right," Roxis fixed his glasses' position with a smile.
"Damn straight!" Nikki added with her cheerful grin.
Meanwhile, Vayne is using several Uni Bombs to confuse Renee, and gave him few precious moments to attack her with his sword.
"Now, this!" Vayne inserted some good slashes on Renee's body, although the flame engulfing her nullifies some of the total damage dealt.
"Hmm...! There!" Renee found an opening to counter, thus knocked Vayne a few feet away.
"Ouch! I have to be more careful...," Vayne grunted.
Renee's expression turns unpleasant from the small scratches she got, "Oww, oww! Don't use that many alchemic items, please."
Vayne stands gallantly with a determined face, "This is the way alchemists fight!"
Vayne and Renee are smiling at each other; they are somehow enjoying this fierce battle. Roxis and Nikki are grinning, ready to rejoin the fight any second now.
/
Meanwhile, on Flay's side...
BGM: Hallucinate Bell
"Nightmare! Flame Gaze! Vortex!" Tony shouted three spells one after another.
"Whoa! Gah! Whoops!" Flay got hit a few times, but managed to dodge or block the rest with his blade.
Tony is getting tired, "Hah... Hah... Why didn't you just kneel down already?"
Flay grins, "This is still a warm up for me! The real fun is just about to begin!"
Tony is panting hard, "Ghh... Acting tough again? Hyah!"
Tony lunges in with his wand and strikes Flay in hope to poison him, but the attack was blocked perfectly.
"Counter time!" Flay exclaimed.
"...Shit!" Tony swore upon his mistake.
Flay swing his Pyre Blade with full power, thus give Tony a free flight towards the castle wall.
"Agh! Dammit...," Tony muttered in pain, as his backbone has just broken.
"Chain action!" Flay shouted with a mischievous stare, "Screwdriver!"
With Mana of Gold's power, Flay's gimmick weapon turns into a big drill, and he digs in directly at Tony.
"Gwaaaa!" Tony screamed in panic, as the enormous-sized drill is tearing his body apart.
With his remaining strength, Tony cast another spell, "H... Hellwave!"
Without warning, giant waves of fire are burning both Flay and Tony.
"Grrrah! Fall back!" Flay shouted, before he used a huge amount of stamina to jump highly in the air, thus avoid being crisped.
A few seconds later, the flame waves stopped, leaving the black-coated Tony.
"I never thought that you would try to take me down to hell with you... I'm impressed," Flay gave his foe a token of appreciation.
"You... You think I will be happy for that compliment...? *cough*" Tony is breathing heavily.
"I praised your efforts, but the result of this battle is clear," Flay tried to make his foe surrender, considering Tony's major wounds.
Tony however, pushed his body to limit, "Are you kidding? Even the universe will be destroyed; I will always and always refuse to lose to you!"
Flay grins and then laughs manically, "Gahahahaha! That's the spirit! Let's fight with pride till the last blood drop!"
"GAAAAAHHHHH!" Tony charges ahead without caring for his injuries, all to defeat his mortal nemesis.
/
Back to Vayne and co., again...
BGM: Crystallized
"Hah! Yah!" Nikki swings her hammer in wide area many times, but Renee managed to parry almost all of them.
"Hah! Try this! And this!" Roxis joined the attack, shoots out a lot of his cards to damage Renee.
"Ouch! Don't attack all at once like that!" Renee complained, her expression is growing tired by every second.
"Good, everyone! Now!" Vayne signalled.
At that signal, Nikki unleashed her furry rage, "Heartful Action!"
Steel balls from Nikki's hammer bolted off crazy towards Renee, ready to strike her. Unfortunately, Renee has jump in time to avoid it.
"Too bad," Renee commented.
"Judgment!" Roxis yelled, and lunged towards Renee with a bunch of cards in white light.
Shocked by Roxis' sudden attack, Renee had not time to dodge, thus she can only block it with her crystal sword... However, this is exactly what Vayne intended to happen from the beginning!
"You can't dodge this!" Vayne has already above Renee, "Black Catalyst!"
Vayne shoots three darkness element bullets from his shield which covers Renee in a black smoke, thus throws three Explosive Daggers at her. With Renee all stabbed Roxis move out of the way and Vayne does a head-breaking slash with his sword as he's falling down to the ground. Directly after Vayne executed his sword combo, the three daggers explodes and mixes with the black smoke, creating a huge explosion.
"Agggh!" Renee cried out, her face finally shows a sign of pain.
"We did it!" Nikki exclaimed joyfully.
Renee has stopped moving for a moment, before floating high again, "Oww, oww, oww! Can't you guys be gentler? I'm feeling down-spirited..."
Roxis laughs, "We'll die if we do that."
"Yeah... You are so strong, Renee...," Nikki purred.
"She has avoided the curse effect... But we almost win this, right?" Vayne asked, his breath is a little heavy now.
...On further inspection though, Renee hasn't suffering any major wounds. There are few small blade scratches and tiny bruises all over her skin, but that's all.
"I suppose not...," Roxis grunted, annoyed.
Nikki's spirit goes down, "After all our attacks? You got to be kidding..."
"...," Renee is just staying silent; despite her minor wounds, she is panting and her face looked pale.
Vayne nods, "True, but..."
Vayne inspects further... Renee is breathing heavily, she is sweating naturally (not from her own flame's heat), and her hands' fingers are trembling. Her eyes are blinking quite fast, thus her lips' colour has darkened. Her suffering now is not from body's injuries, but something else-
"Whoa!" Vayne knocked from his thoughts, as Renee has just thrown her sword towards him but missed.
"...," Renee is keep breathing heavily, her sweats are increasing in number.
"Ugaaaahhh!" a scream could be heard from the midst of smoke; apparently it was Tony's.
Renee glanced to the smoke for a bit, before her expression turns more serious, "...Almost finished, huh?"
"Renee? You don't look fine...," Vayne asked in concern.
"Does that mean we almost win?" Nikki seemed joyful.
...But the next second Renee is smiling- a bitter-sweet smile of aggressiveness!
"I had no other choice, huh...? Well, it can't be helped...," Renee mumbled all loud to herself in depressed tone, and-
*SWOOSH, FLASH* with a bright blue light, Renee spread up her arms wide, thus her crystal sword fly up in the air, and its start to spin rapidly with blue aura. Renee also floats slightly taller than before, right below her sword. The strangest thing from this act is that Renee is currently closing her eyes and folds her hands to... PRAY?
"What is she doing...?" Roxis couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"She is praying...?" Nikki concluded simple-mindedly.
Vayne is shaking, "It must be more than that..."
Renee doesn't respond or react at all; she is keeping on 'praying' with ominous whispers, and doesn't move even an inch.
"Whatever it is, it can't be good! We must stop her!" Roxis readies his spare deck.
"B-But isn't it rude to disturb someone who's praying?" Nikki is worried.
"She's not praying, I'm telling you! Let's stop her chant now!" with that line, Roxis rushes forward to attack Renee again.
"Alright...," Vayne agreed thanks to the uneasiness he felt, although somewhat feel guilty too.
And thus, the trio attacked rapidly with their standard attacks, in hope to cancel whatever spell Renee is chanting now. However, Renee doesn't flinch a bit and looked a thousand steps away to be stunned. Now one minute has passed, Renee and her crystal sword are shining very bright.
"This is bad...," Roxis grunted.
"...!" Nikki's furs are rising up.
"N-Nikki?" Vayne asked, anxious.
"Oh, no! EVERYONE, RUN!" Nikki snapped, as her wild instincts sensed grave danger.
Vayne and Roxis followed Nikki's warning with reflexes, thus start to run away as far as possible. But-
Renee opened her eyes; her eyes are now CERULEAN COLOURED and shining! She spread up her arms wide again, and her crystal sword stopped shining, thus transformed into a long, complex-shaped azure spear.
With blank gaze of her shining cerulean eyes, Renee speaks, "Longinus Allos."
Upon those two words, Renee telekinetically moves that azure spear and throws it directly to the sky. The spear thrusts the lines of thick clouds; it's struggling to get through so hard, resulting in an energy crack within the silver linings and painted the sky with bright crimson colour. A second later a huge explosion occurs; from within the explosion, arrays of white light shaped like arrows are raining down to the ground- aimed towards Vayne and friends!
*STAB, STAB, STAB, SPLASH, SWOOSH, SWISHHHHH*
The violent arrows of light are falling upon Vayne, Roxis, and Nikki like waterfall. Each of those light arrows is so powerful, and scores many hard hits towards the trio.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" Vayne screamed in pain, as he struggles in vain to dodge or block those laser-like lights.
"GAAAKKHHHHH!" Roxis tried to hold it with his Mana of Light's power, but it doesn't seem to do much.
"KYAAAAA!" Nikki used a tree to cover both Roxis and herself, but it's no use.
"...," Renee has returned to her normal self, although her face is not any brighter.
Renee is still floating, but Vayne's party is...
Renee look around her, "...Hey, you guys aren't dead yet right?"
"...A... Agh...," Vayne groaned painfully, his body refuses to move.
"...," Nikki has fainted with some major wounds.
"Nikki! Nikki! Gh... Damn!" Roxis feel bad, that Nikki fainted in his place.
While the trio lies helpless on the ground, Renee slowly approaches them with sour eyes.
"Glad that you're still alive," Renee mocks them a bit.
BGM: Wails of the Rain
...However, a cold wind is able to blow Renee's hair, although it's still covered with blue flames. Renee's expression turns sour as the cold breeze keep fiddling with her hair...
"...," Renee's eyes darken. Her expression grows blank...
"...? R... Renee?" Vayne asked her between his groans, still concerned.
Renee doesn't respond, but instead hold her hair to stay in place with her left hand.
"...," Renee is starting to look scary, with her face covered like that...
Seeing that strange gesture, Roxis couldn't help but tried to get up. Vayne struggles to move his hand and take out a Heal All from his pocket, but-
"...Longinus Allos," Renee cried out with blank expression, somehow has thrown her azure spear towards the sky... Wait, when did she start chanting again?
"...! That... That attack again...?" Roxis kneels down, while holding Nikki by his side.
"W-We'll die if we get hit by that attack again...," Vayne grunted, panicking to take out his item faster.
"What is Renee thinking...? Does she want to kill us?" Roxis grunted again, feeling disturbed.
Vayne is panicking, "Everyone! We must stay alive!"
"Easy for you to say...!" Roxis grunted.
However, everything is too late, as numerous arrows of light have raiding towards them... The light blinded both Vayne and Roxis' eyes, as if the angels have arrived to take them to heaven...
...
...
"Dimension Moon W!"
BGM: Splendid Force
Suddenly, a dimension hole shaped like a crescent moon opens up above Vayne and Roxis. The crescent hole starts to open up into a perfect full moon, thus swallows all the light arrows inside and leaving the trio unscathed.
"...W-We're saved?" Roxis said, as he slowly open his eyes.
Vayne's eyes widen as he sees the person who jus saved them, "Anna...?"
Anna turns her head to look at Vayne and co., "...Are you guys okay?"
Indeed, it is Anna who just saved them. Anna is standing in pride, gripping her long katana with her right hand. Her red alchemic-swordsman outfit that resembles her old school uniform flaps gallantly, as it touched by the gentle hands of wind. And unlike before, Anna's turquoise hair isn't tied up this time. She let her hair stretches down long, all straight without any ties, just like her mature form by the Mana of Illusion. Even just with the change of her hairstyle, she is now looking so much mature, reliable, and...
"Beautiful...," Vayne whispered to himself, he couldn't take his eyes off Anna.
"Vayne...?" Anna called out his name.
"W- Oh, y-yeah... We're heavily injured and Nikki has fall unconscious...," Vayne broke out of his trance.
"I see. Roxis, give this to Nikki," Anna offered a Super Nectar to Roxis.
Without further ado, Roxis forcefully make Nikki drink it.
"Uhh... What...?" Nikki is slowly regaining consciousness.
"Healing Echo Ω!"
A widespread blue warm light like water surrounds Vayne, Roxis and Nikki, thus recover almost their entire wounds.
Vayne looked behind him, "Jess?"
Jess, whose hair now is kind of messy, grins, "Glad we're here in time."
The trio start to get back on her feet, with Anna and Jess helping. Afterwards, Vayne gave them rough explanation on what's going on.
"I see... Even I didn't know that Tony and Renee were invited...," Jess is feeling bad.
"It's alright, Jess. Blame Flaya!" Nikki scorched with teeth grinded.
"Relax now, will you? You just woke up," Roxis alerted her.
Nikki, who is being loved (she thought) smiles, "Okay, Roxis! I won't make you worry anymore!"
Roxis starts panicking, "W-Who was worried about you? I don't want to have a debt, that's all."
Jess chuckles bashfully, "I'm happy for you two."
"Thank you, Jess!" Nikki hugs Roxis' arm once more.
"TWO? No!" Roxis struggles to escape.
All Vayne did was laughing at this warm scene, before turning his attention over to Anna again.
"Anna?" Vayne asked, as casual as possible.
BGM: Wails of the Rain
"...," Anna didn't respond; her eyes are locked at Renee...
Renee is acting weird; she is keep breathing heavily with her left hand covering her face. Her hairs are messy, and her eyes look terrifying...
"Renee, what do you think you're doing?" Anna asked her to the point.
"...," Renee just stay silent.
"As an alchemist and a fighter, I think you should know better. Judging from their conditions, you should know that using more powerful attack might take their lives. ...Did you intend to kill them?" Anna concluded harshly.
"...," Renee is still not answering, looking at Anna with tired expression.
Anna points her katana at Renee, "Answer me!"
"...I...," Renee's expression start to look normal, but she's still having hard time to speak...
Anna grips her katana tighter, her stare to Renee is getting sharper-
"Anna, stop that," Vayne said to her softly, before grabbing her hand and lowering her katana.
BGM: off
"V-Vayne...?" Anna looked somewhat embarrassed and confused.
As Anna look behind, her friends are smiling at her.
BGM: Vayne & Friends
"Anna, don't be all serious like that! You'll get bald!" Nikki scolded playfully.
"Indeed, over thinking is bad for human's health. Besides, there's no way that lazy bum goes to do such troublesome thing," Roxis stated it with cool face.
Jess smiles wide in relief, "Right. No matter how lazy she is, Renee is our friend!"
"You guys...," Anna was amazed and forgot all her anger just then.
"...," Renee was amazed as well; her tiredness has somehow been washed away to the shore and her face brightens up.
The cold and bloody atmosphere of the battlefield has been purified by Nikki's innocence, Roxis' 'logic', and Jess' angelic smile. Everyone including Renee could no longer feel afraid or restless; everyone now has remembered that, this battle is merely the 'game of friendship'...
"So? Shall we continue?" Vayne smiles wide, patting Anna's shoulder.
"C... Continue?" Anna feels dumbfounded.
Nikki is fidgeting with her hammer, "Of course! We will defeat Renee!"
Roxis tinkles with his glasses and took out his last deck, "Now we have reinforcements, there's no reason to lose."
Jess grins; she begins to shuffle the things in her bag, "I'll back you up, so you better win!"
Renee floats with a new spirit and smiles, "Five against one is kind of too much, don't you think?"
Anna stood silent for a moment, before joining the smiles of her friends, "...Victory is ours!"
/
BGM: Nefertiti
Afterwards, everyone has taken their battle formation.
"Understand, everyone?" Vayne confirmed the plan with the others.
"Understood!" everyone replied in unison.
Roxis and Nikki lunge forward, attacking Renee rapidly with their weapons.
"Hey, hey! Shouldn't you two relax a bit?" Renee grunted, as she is busy parrying the attacks.
"Keep it up, guys!" Jess cheered, while stirring the ingredients in her portable cauldron.
"Vayne," Anna demanded.
"Okay, Anna," Vayne nodded, and then taking a device from his pocket.
The mechanical device activates, engulfing Vayne's entire party with blue sparks of light.
"Oh, this is the [Combat Amplifier] from that duel?" Roxis checked, while still doing his attacks.
"Yeah, I still have some for our upcoming duel," Vayne laughed lightly.
Anna is smiling, "Impressive, Vayne. I should watch out in our next duel, too."
Vayne rubs his head again, "Thank you, Anna."
With their strength increased, Roxis and Nikki don't let Renee to rest. And...
"It's done!" Jess stop stirring, and put up her thumb.
With that signal, Roxis and Nikki jumped out of Renee's attack range, and-
"Donor Bomb!" Jess shouted, before throwing a big lightning rod from her pot towards Renee.
*FLASH*
"Ahhh!" Renee cried out, as the rod's explosion covers her in an electric field.
"Now!" Vayne leaps forward towards the electrocuted Renee, and throws some alchemic knives.
*STAB, STAB, STAB*
"Ugh!" Renee cried out in pain from the knives' stabs.
On post-haste, Vayne inserted his left arm's sword inside his right arm's shield. And trough alchemic light inside the shield, the sword comes out as a GIGANTIC SHORT SWORD attached to Vayne's right arm shield- forms a shield-sword weapon.
"Black Devotion!" Vayne shouted, thus swing the gigantic sword with all his might to slash at Renee, make the knives explode as bombs, and sends her flying forward.
"Ghhh...?" Renee did her best to do a feint, but...
As Renee flies away, Anna trails her behind as if she's riding the wind. When Renee's flying speed has decreased a bit, Anna draws her katana slightly and-
Mana of Illusion materializes above Anna, thus makes 3 shadow clones of Anna to surrounds Renee from 4 directions. Although clones, they're truly resembles Anna and has no blackish or faint features- Thus can't be tell apart from the original.
"Ugh...," Renee begin to stabilize her float position, "This is bad..."
Realizing that dodging would be impossible, Renee take a guarding stance.
Anna smiles, "It's useless."
The 4 Annas raises their katanas; which by the next 0.2 second those 4 katanas covered in enormous sword aura, and the next 0.5 second the 4 Annas unleashes 4 crescent moon-shaped shockwaves. The 4 crescent moon-shaped shockwaves rotates around Renee's body and slices her rapidly. As the cut wounds are increasing, the 4 Annas do slicing dash through Renee. After the 4 Annas have finished their slices, three Anna's clones merged back with the original and...
"T-That's...," Vayne is startled by Anna's form now.
Anna turned into her adult form, which appearance about 18-19 years old. Her hair straight out longer even more than before, her sapphire eyes widen a bit and shine a more stunning elegance. Her entire slim but strong posture will imprison anyone who took a peek upon this beautiful swordswoman.
The transformed Anna points her aura katana towards Renee, thus throw the entire aura energy and form a magical circle under Renee.
"Lunar Mirage X!" she shouted with an elegant, yet charismatic adult voice.
Using an invisible shadow walk, Anna steps in and does a spinning traditional samurai slash atop Renee and the magical circle. As the slash has been executed, Anna put back her katana back inside its sheath, leaving the magical circle to be active and strikes Renee with a moonlight beam. The shockwaves merged with the beam, and splatters to form a complete full moon...
"Aaah... Agh...," Renee doesn't know whether what just happened is real or not. It happened so fast, the pain she received was barely felt on her mind and body. But regardless, it made her has no more strength left to fight...
*SSSSSHHHH... THUMP*
Renee's blue flame aura has been extinguished; now she's no longer floating and fell on her knees to the ground. She even loses her grip to her azure crystal sword, while on the same time lowering her head.
"...Incredible, guys. I lost...," Renee announced her defeat.
...
...
BGM: High-Five for Victory
"We won! WE WON!" Nikki is overjoyed.
"Heh. Took us long enough," Roxis acted tough, but he's feeling triumphant inside.
"Congratulations, everyone! That was close, huh?" Jess expressed her relief and happiness too.
Meanwhile, Anna has reverted to her original young self.
BGM: Homeroom
"Yeah... Renee is a strong opponent for sure," Anna commented objectively.
"...Um, y-yeah," Vayne responded vividly.
"Nice job, my allies!"
As they follow the trace of the sound, figures it was Flay, who has appeared from within the smoke.
"Flaya!" Nikki cried in worry, looking at Flay's medium-wounded body.
"My! Are you alright?" Jess approached him fast, taking out various medicines from her bag.
"Gahahaha. I just had a good fight with this villain!" Flay bursts into laughter, before carrying a man's body from behind and put it down for everyone to view.
"Gah! Damn you... Flaaaaaaayyyy!" Tony screamed, as his nose hit the ground hardly.
Renee turn her head over Tony, "...Winning from him is truly impossible for you, eh?"
Tony has almost no strength left, but at least he could lift his face and shouts, "...Silence! One day I will...!"
Renee sighs lightly, "You know, waiting for that moment is so... boring."
Tony groans, "...Tch! Grrrrrrr...!"
"Flaya, it's unusual to see you wounded this bad," Nikki purred her concern.
"Yes, was Tony really that strong?" Jess asked while nurturing Flay's wounds, and she didn't chose her words properly...
"Hey! What did you just say?" Tony snapped, but had no strength to raise his fist.
Flay snickers, "Gahahaha. Relax, mighty villain! You have grown strong, although still not meeting my expectations. Yet, I praised for being able to fight me to your last breath. Stand up with pride as a man, and get stronger!"
Tony looked about to vomit from those heroic lines, but... His expression somewhat less annoyed than before.
"Tch... You don't have to tell me," Tony said it rude, but somewhat thankful.
"Phew, done!" Jess wiped her sweats after finished the nurse's job.
Flay rolled his right shoulder, "Thanks, Jess. Well... You guys seem to be enjoying your battle, too!"
Roxis steps up forward with a wrinkle, "We nearly DEAD, if you didn't notice that from our screams!"
Flay simply laughs, "Gahahahaha. I heard that, but what I'm should worry about? You guys are my fine allies in war! I trusted you guys from the bottom of my heart!"
"...I bet he was just too enjoying himself to help us," Vayne whispered.
"...Flaya. Never changes," Nikki agreed.
Jess pats both Vayne and Nikki, "Now, now, you two. Let's just accept this event with a smile, okay?"
Vayne and Nikki couldn't help but to laugh it off along with Flay and Jess. Renee smiles too, but a little bitter. Tony however, clenches his teeth while whining incoherently.
BGM: Light and Power in this Hand
"Ghh... Hey, Renee! I told you to get serious, right?" Tony asked her.
"I did... a little," Renee sneered.
Tony gets angry, "Why just a little? If you put it some more, you'll-"
Renee death-glares Tony, "...You know what'll happen. Don't force me!"
Tony's mouth has shut, "..."
Renee is looking at the ground, "I already told you right? Never talk about it anymore!"
Get scolded harshly, Tony redeem his behaviour, "...Sorry about that."
Renee raises her head to inhale a large amount of air from the sky above, "...No, I'm sorry too."
/
BGM: A Friend's Hand
As Roxis, Nikki, Jess and Flay are happily discussing their 'victory', Vayne approaches Anna who doesn't join in the conversation.
"Um, Anna...," Vayne can't help but staring at Anna's new look with long hair.
"...What is it, Vayne?" Anna answered her best.
Confused on what to say, Vayne starts it with general topic, "Umm, well... T-Thank you for helping us."
Anna puts up a blank expression, "Well, don't mention it. Back then I was wondering the castle before taking a bath... And I heard an explosion. So, I hurried up to the sound source with Jess whom I met on the way."
Vayne grins a bit, "Y-You were bathing...? Sorry to disturb you like that."
Anna speaks casually, "Well; I just didn't have time to tie up my hair, that's all."
"Oh yeah, your hair is actually long like this...," Vayne said, while gazing at Anna.
Soon feel uncomfortable, Anna asks, "W-What is it? I'm sorry if my currently untied hair makes you feel uncomfortable, but I'll tie it up again later."
Vayne is blushing hard, struggles to say what he had in mind the most, "No, Anna... A-Actually, I... I like your hair style better like this."
Shocked by Vayne's courage, Anna couldn't hold it anymore.
"D-Don't say that in public! I-It's embarrassing!" Anna pouted openly, with her face burns in red.
Vayne was surprised to see Anna's unusual reaction phrase; as if she's a different person, but somewhat strict as always.
"A-Anna?" Vayne chuckles and did his best not to alert the others.
Anna glares at Vayne with red face, "I-I was doing my best to act as usual in front of others... But you ruin it!"
Vayne is startled, "W-What?"
Anna glares deeper into Vayne's eyes, "You don't know how my heart was beating, after what happened last night..."
"Last night...," Vayne blushes like Anna after reminiscing 'it'.
The two 'love birds' soon fell silent with crimson flares decorating their faces. Both of them don't know what to say, and each other imagining things on what the other is thinking.
"...Vayne," Anna finally broke the silence.
"W-What?" Vayne answered with trembling lips.
BGM: Overwhelmer
Anna's voice filled with panic, "Y-You didn't do something to me last night, did you?"
Vayne blushes harder, "S-S-S-Something...? O-Of course not!"
Anna is glaring doubtfully at Vayne, "From what everyone said, you carried me to my room. There, you must be seeing my sleeping face. Because I'm younger, you might think of this, or maybe that... And then you start to look closer and closer... Finally you're no longer able to control yourself, and you start to do this and maybe that... Oh, and also that...! V-Vayne, what on earth have you done to your underclassman? How disgraceful...!"
Vayne's face sinks in red-blood colour, "N-No! I didn't do any of whatever you imagined, so please stop!"
"...You swear it?" Anna questioned Vayne in doubt.
"Absolutely!" Vayne nods hard in embarrassment.
The two panted tiredly, before looking at each other again.
BGM: A Friend's Hand
"Umm, Vayne... I wanted to thank you," Anna spoke out.
"For what?" Vayne asked.
Anna steps away from Vayne, "Truth to be told, you are the first person... to ever listen to my story."
Vayne scrubs his head as always, "Umm, that's just because you tell it to me first."
Anna looks at Vane in the eye and giggles, "Well, that's because you were eager to know about it!"
Vayne giggles too, "Hahaha. Am I?"
Anna moves closer to Vayne, looking above to gaze at his face, "It is strange, Vayne. When I'm looking at your face like this, I feel like I could tell you anything. I could get everything off my chest just like that, by coming in contact with you this way."
Vayne leaned backwards, "Uh... Uh-huh?"
Vayne steps back to avoid blushing, but Anna keep getting closer and won't stop to gaze at his face.
"Vayne, whenever I'm around you, my soul feels at peace. By just remembering things about you, I can always smile. Ah, what am I saying?" Anna smiled innocently.
At the same time, Vayne's face can't stop blushing redder and redder, "A-Anna? Are you saying that..."
Realizing what she's attempting to do, Anna hold herself back, "I-I'm not sure... Let me think about it..."
"WHAT? HOW BORING!"
BGM: Vayne & Friends
Vayne is startled, that a ghostly figure has spawn out from underground, "P-P-Pamela!"
"Gee, I thought the spring has come for both of you...," Pamela sighed in disappointment.
"Right. And I'm about to plan double engagements...," an alien in the pot said.
Anna was shocked that she didn't notice them, "Pamela! Muppy! You were watching us the whole time?"
"We just arrived here a few minutes ago," Pamela described.
"We wanted to come out, but you're in the middle of 'that'...," Muppy put details.
Jess, immediately noticed Muppy, come over and hug him, "Muppy! You came for us?"
"Well, I did say that I'll leave things to you... But I can't stop worrying about my love and friends...," Muppy expressed his manliness to the max.
Jess smiles wide, "Oh, Muppy... I'm so glad that I have you...," before her expression turns devilish, "But you shouldn't disturb Vayne and Anna like that... And, put back that Nuclear Bomb!"
"N-N-Nuclear Bomb?" Nikki's furs are rising
Putting up innocent face and sweating bullets, Muppy put a mysterious item back in his pot.
"Good," Jess smiles again, somehow revert to her 'angel form'.
...
...
"Y-You all were watching us the whole time?" Vayne and Anna questioned in unison.
"Well...," Jess sweat dropped.
"It was Flaya's idea!" Nikki immediately blamed Flay.
"What? We're together in this!" Flay refused to become a scapegoat.
"I believe you were the leader, hmm?" Roxis assisted the others.
"...," Vayne and Anna can't do anything but blushing hard.
Silence echoes. Feeling uncomfortable, Nikki strikes in a talk topic.
"S-Say, uh... P-Pamela, you pair up with Flaya, isn't you?" Nikki started.
"Yes!" Pamela hugs her Teddy in joy.
"Gahahaha. It's been a long time, since we're having fun together!" Flay join in.
Anna, tried to get off from her embarrassment state, speaks, "Y-Yeah. The two of you are way more senior than any of us, right?"
"T-True!" Vayne tried as well.
"Yes! Even before he recruited me, Flaya and Pamela have known each other!" Nikki added, she's in the groove now.
"Wait... That means Pamela also has meet Father in his young days?" Muppy got curious.
Pamela giggles, "Haha, yes. Want me to tell you how clumsy and nerdy Bernard was?"
Muppy's eyes are on fire, "I would love to! Let's talk about it in my private chamber-"
Jess' face turns monstrous once more, "Um, Muppy...?"
Muppy gasps, "Oops, you right. Let's discuss it later at the living room with the others."
"Better!" Jess smiled angelic again, made the others to sweating bullets.
Feeling left behind, Roxis tried to draw his courage and will to socialize, "I'm getting curious... How did you meet Flay, Pamela?"
BGM: off
"...!" Pamela gasped.
"...," Flay is silent.
Well, Roxis was just wanted to know, whether Flay was scared to faint like Roxis was... But soon the world around them turns ugly. A strange tension fills the air, making a darker atmosphere than before.
"D-Did I ask something wrong?" Roxis is panicking.
"...," Pamela put a depressed face and turns her back away from the others.
Nikki death-glares Roxis. He has wasted her effort to brighten everyone's mood. Vayne and Anna glad that everyone has forgot about them, but... For the situation to turn up like this is...
BGM: Phween Biography
"Gahahahahaha! What's with you guys?" Flay broke the tension.
"Uh, it seems I have made a mistake here...," Roxis apologized politely.
Flay punched Pamela's back playfully, "Come on! I know it's hard to hold our laughter for that old story, but don't make your friends worry!"
Pamela turns with a confused look, "Flay...? But, that..."
Flay flips one eye, and Pamela smiles.
"Oh, yeah! It was... rather embarrassing, so... we want to keep it a secret for now!" Pamela grinned.
"What, so that's all? No fun!" Nikki complained.
"Hah... And I thought I was asking a forbidden thing...," Roxis fell on his butt to the ground.
Vayne smiles in relief, "W-Well, at least now everything's fine-"
*COUGH*
BGM: Pitch Black
Everyone looked around to find that... Renee is vomiting water and a little amount of... blood.
"Oh My God! Renee!" Jess ran towards her, Vayne trailed behind her.
Jess coughed a Heal Jar to Renee, while Vayne checked Renee's pulse, body temperature, and other health traits.
"I was right... Half-way the battle, you're not feeling fine, weren't you?" Vayne asked her in worry.
Renee, although her face is pale, still snickers, "Whoa, are you a doctor or something?"
"No, but... We need to take you to the infirmary," Vayne objectively recommend.
"Vayne is right! Everyone, let's carry both Renee and Tony to the Medical Room!" Anna alerted her friends.
And so, Flay carry Tony on his shoulder while Jess and Nikki carry Renee on their shoulders.
"Grrah! Why I have to be carried by you?" Tony protested.
"Don't sweat it, now. A loser has to follow the winner's orders!" Flay laughed.
"Tch...!" Tony can't help but to stay still.
"You two... Carry me gently, okay?" Renee sneered.
"Hey! I'll slam you down, you know?" Nikki feels angry.
"Now, now, Nikki. She's injured now," Vayne calmed her down.
"Remember, you two have banished my garden... And it's a crime against the royal family! ...Well, prepare for the punishment after you two recovered!" Muppy announced with evil smile.
"Punishment...?" Anna wondered.
"Well, just think about that later!" Jess is smiling, while she and her friends are heading towards the castle again.
...
...
BGM: Welcome to the *Fluffy* Workshop
On the way, while Vayne and co. are ahead of Flay and Tony...
"Flay," Pamela whispered to Flay's ears from his back.
Flay keep on walking without turn his head, "What is it?"
Pamela hugs her Teddy tight and smiles warmly at Flay, "Thank you."
Flay is silent for a moment, before laughs, "I don't know what you're talking about."
/
To be continued...
/
ENCYCLOPEDIA
BGM: Nostalgia of Studies (Extra Version)
A. Monsters.
1. Tony
Vayne's senior at the Al-Revis Academy who has graduated years ago. He runs his family business, but seemed bored by it and in search for a new job. His grudge for Flay hasn't died out, and he'll use any method to beat him. Different from his high school life, now he is obsessed to defeat Flay in a one-on-one battle.
Traits: Human.
Dropped Items: -
\
2. Renee (Valkyrie Aflame)
Vayne's senior at the Al-Revis Academy who has graduated years ago along with Tony. She is still hangs out with Tony often, while doing her job as Tony's assistant. She is still hardly interested in anything, and often skips work. This is her more powerful form after receiving a fragment of Azure Flame Mana's power; which packs a deadly threat for Vayne's party. How powerful is she, really?
Traits: Human. Nullifies Fire.
Dropped Items: -
/
B. Characters' New Skills. Copyright by superecho
[1] Vayne Aurelius
Inherent Skill:
\Black Catalyst. Element: Physical/Dark
Use dark bullets and explosive knives to stun the enemy and attack with a huge explosion.
Additional Effect: Magical Defense Down, Curse
Target: Single Enemy x5 HIT
Memo:
Vayne's new creative skill; created by combining power of alchemic weapons and items.
\
Co-Op Skill:
* Support Attack
\Black Devotion. Element: Physical/Dark
Slash with a giant sword to create a huge explosion.
Target: Single Enemy x4 HIT
Memo:
Vayne's combined weaponry mixed with explosives for more damage. This is one of Vayne's new skills which he used against Roxis and Anna, back then in their duels.
/
[2] Anna Lemouri
Co-Op Skill:
* Support Guard
\Dimension Moon W. Element: Magical
Open up a moon-shaped dimension hole to nullify enemy's attack at a certain rate.
Effect: Nullify attacks at a certain rate, get another action
Target: All Allies
Memo:
Anna's variation on her Dimension Slice W skill; filled with the intent to protect others. The dimension hole it open up starts as a crescent moon, thus slowly open wider into full moon to absorbs almost all of enemy's attacks into another dimension.
\
* Support Attack [Intimate Strike]
\Lunar Mirage X. Element: Physical
Between dream and reality... Use illusions of self to vanquish the enemy within moonlight reflection for great damage.
Target: Single Enemy x20 HIT
Memo:
Anna's new deadly attack based on Centiflora X; utilizing more power from the Mana of Illusion, create shadow clones to confuse and trap the enemy inside a magical circle. The magical circle is actually an alchemy circle mixed with ancient seals of sword and moon, originated from Lemouri's family predecessors.
/
[3] Renee Kearse
Inherent Skill:
\Valkyrie Aflame. Element: Magical/Fire
Shroud self's body in blue flame to power up.
Effect: All Status up, Nullifies Fire attacks.
Target: Self
Memo:
Blessing, or maybe curse given by the Azure Flame Mana to awaken human's negative energy within the heart for a sudden power boost. This 'gift' is considered the symbol of Azure Flame Mana's hatred towards humans.
\
\Cruel Stab. Element: Physical
Stabs and slash the enemy cruelly, deals great damage.
Additional Effect: Physical Attack Down
Target: Single Enemy x2 HIT
Memo:
Increase sword's sharpness and swing speed by changing its form with one's inner power, thus let the user to do violent moves at high speed to an enemy.
\
\Longinus Allos. Element: Magical/Light
Spear imbued with Mana energy pierces the sky to deals great damage.
-Double Up Skill- Less SP cost if Valkyrie Aflame is active
Target: All Enemies x14 HIT
Memo:
Concentrated Mana energy aimed towards the sky. It is shaped like a spear which once pierced God's body. The scattering lines of ray it shots down are so powerful, as if it's the wrath of the angels. Since it blessed with a prayer, does it truly reaches the heaven...?
Note: Longinus (from Longinus Spear in the bible) Allos (Greek for 'another'), literally means "Another Longinus". You can say that it's like "Another spear which will pierce a heavenly body, one more time". The less SP cost is because if Renee has been blessed by Azure Flame Mana's power (the Valkyrie Aflame), she doesn't need to call him to do this attack- which will cost more SP.
/
C. New Items. Copyright by superecho
[Chocolate Cake] Element: Water
A cake filled with alchemy-imbued chocolate. Besides its sweet taste, it also has major healing and regenerative powers. Since it can be consumed as medicinal food during sick days, it's a perfect treat to chocolate lovers.
Effect: Restores a large amount of HP and increase ATK for a single ally. Effective for 6 turns.
/
[Combat Amplifier] Element: Earth
A mechanical device which spread outs muscle-pumping radiance, to heightens any people's strength around it. Since the radiance kind of dangerous, the machine has been set to have area-width and time-length limit.
Effect: Increase ATK, DEF, MAG, RES, and SPD for entire party. Effective for 1 turn.
/
D. New Recipes. Copyright by superecho
[Wonder Cooking]
A cooking book created by the great chefs of Planet Wonderchak. It contains so much detail on the ingredients, and the perfect timing to cook them. The tastes of the foods are great, but the horrible pictures in this book might make you want to puke.
Synthesize Items:
?, ?, ?, ?
/
Man... It's finally done! It took me weeks to finish this chapter (mainly, because I'm lazy), but it's done at least. I'm sorry that the battle scene in this chapter is too long, but I hope you like it. I mixed the characters' actual skills with the original skills I made for them, while visualizing the battle with the music from the game. XD
Don't worry, there's no battle scene in the next chapter! As an apology for this 35-pages-long chapter, I'll tell you about it. The next chapter explains about Renee and Pamela; if you read this chapter well enough, you'll notice that both of them are hiding something... A secret of their past... What is it about? Wait for the next chapter!
I hope you readers like the new skills as well, since I thought so hard about the names, effects, details, descriptions, and all... I picked some system menu from Mana Khemia 2 so it'll be easier to differentiate the skills... But I'm glad that I was able to come up with it. I love to write this story so much! I'll create more new skills for each character as well, so please look forward to it.
That's all from me this time. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, for reading this chapter till the end. Hope you like it, and stay tuned! See you in the next chapter! :D