Disclaimer: You know the drill by now.
Extraneous: Ditto.
The judge was not what he appeared to be,
and was actually the true Lord of Terror, Corbin.
After being banished by the Oricaltos, the prisoners were freed,
and the traitor Saul was dealt with.
After a long rest, and a short debate,
Adell decided to join the mage's quest.
The group returned to the Makai again,
just in time to keep two of the Overlords
from killing one another.
The Oricaltos displayed his full power,
but nearly paid a terrible price.
However, the effect was worth the risk.
During his recovery, the one called Baal arrived,
and alerted the Oricaltos to the one secret he held:
the location of Overlord Zetta's body...
-Prophecy di luce e di ombre: Lines CLXV-CLXXIX
Chapter 5: Dark Control: The Fight for Zetta's Body
What happened before:
Saito was arrested and dragged before the Dark Court. However, Saul did not have a solid case against him, but then confusion erupted when Pram's alternate arrived at the courtroom. In the midst of the turmoil, Saito pointed-out one particular fact: the judge was anything but normal. Laughing, the Prinny confirmed that he was, indeed, the darkness inside of Baal. However, he was forced to flee the room when Saito nearly drew Baal's sword, Cthrek Goru.
Once the jury and everyone else had been dismissed, Adell and the others caught Saul trying to sneak away. They forced him to lead them into the cell-block where Senrael was being kept, but then the Chaos Soldier made a break for it, taking Saito's keys. As the Oricaltos and Adell went in pursuit, Sita (a young thief) ended-up picking the locks on all of the cell doors, freeing nearly twenty-three prisoners. She had just finished freeing Sorin, an old ally of Adell's, when he and the Oricaltos returned. Saul had been obliterated, and there was only so much left to do in Veldime. After performing several Cross-Fusions and spending the night in Adell's company, Saito decided that it was time to leave. Much to the surprise and amusement of the companions, the Overlord of Veldime, in addition to nine others, joined Saito for the return trip to the Makai.
Once they arrived, however, all was not well. Alexander and Salome were trying to kill one another, and Seedle's attempts at mediating were failing miserably. Then, Saito arrived and reverted to his true form, and he practically laid-down the law. It took a lot out of the mage, but he had to do it. Everyone else left him alone after a while, and while he was meditating, who else arrived but our resident Lord of Terror? Baal had some information for Saito, but the Oricaltos didn't believe him at first. Eventually, however, he discovered that Baal was telling the truth. He really did know where Zetta's body was hidden. We know join the Oricaltos and his allies as they proceed directly to the location...
Following Saito: Southern Plains: Makai Kingdom: Zetta's Netherworld
Time: Forty-five minutes after Baal alerted the Oricaltos as to where the body was located
"Do we really have to do this?" the lion-like figure complained, and Pram shot him a nasty look before continuing to follow Saito. "Quit complaining, Drake. This is something that needed to be done for quite a long time." "So why does it have to be now?" he asked, slightly annoyed, and then fell silent when the Oricaltos answered his question. "Because we know the location of the body, and I want to make sure that Corbin hasn't moved it. If he has, then we might be forced to search for a few more months." That shut the Overlord up, and Saito nearly sighed aloud as he sensed that tensions were high. If it comes to blows, then we may have a fight amongst ourselves before long, Michael. I know, the Seraph replied, and the thought is anything but pleasant. The group had started from the Hall of Prophecy and had been directed to the southwest, according to the location that Baal had given Saito. It had been several minutes, and many miles had already been traveled.
Abruptly, Saito came to a stop and raised his left hand. Everyone following him came to a halt, and they looked around, slightly bewildered. "Why are we stopping here?" Adell was quick to ask, and the Oricaltos responded by pointing towards the south. Adell joined him on the ridge, and then realized what Saito was pointing at. The building was built rather low to the ground, so it was capable of withstanding severe winds. It was unadorned, but there was a massive amount of dark energy pouring from the building that caused the Overlord of Veldime to shudder once. "That has to be where it is," he exclaimed, and Saito nodded. "I first felt it when I was out here earlier. I just never realized what it was until now." Sadly shaking his head, the mage turned and proceeded back down the ridge, with Adell following closely behind. "Alright people, I need you to pay attention. Zetta's body is still here." "Well that's a relief," Seedle snarled, the sarcasm clear in his voice. "Do you mind, Underlord?" the mage snapped, his patience with the man already wearing thin. Seedle fell silent, and Saito stared at him a moment longer before continuing. "I know that some of us have been waiting for this moment to arrive, but I personally think that it would be a bad idea to just rush into the building. We need to plan a strategy, especially if we are going into a fight." "Agreed," Pram called, and Laharl and the others nodded rather solemnly before turning to one another, hoping to formulate a strategy.
"Michael, could you please follow me for a moment?" "Sure," the Seraph responded as he followed the hybrid away from the other leaders. They were busy planning their attacks, and would not notice that the two had slipped away. Once the others were out of earshot, Saito turned to look directly at the Seraph. "If my thinking is correct, then this battle might not just be against the dark spirit possessing the body," the mage whispered, and Michael raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "If Corbin's influence is as great as I believe it to be, then we may end-up fighting Pram and the others from around here." "What?" the Seraph asked, slightly incredulous. "You must be kidding me!" "I'm being dead-serious, Michael." "But why pull me away just to tell me this? You could have stated it in front of the entire group." "I know, but I also need your help on something a little more personal." The Seraph sighed aloud. "What is it, Saito?" "I need to speak with the Authority."
The head angel froze in his tracks, his eyes growing wide in shock. "You what? Are you out of your mind?" he whispered furiously, and the mage slowly shook his head. "It's something that I need to do, Michael, and you know damn well why." "But...no one has spoken directly to the Authority for several hundred years, as far as I know. I was the last one, and it took all of my strength to recover. Even then, I couldn't see for nearly a week. Are you certain that this is necessary?" The Oricaltos nodded. "Absolutely. Besides," he added with a mischievous grin on his face, "I want to see who became the new Seraph." Michael laughed aloud before slowly shaking his head. "You never cease to either amaze me or amuse me, Saito. I will help you in any way that I can." "Thank you for understanding, Michael," the mage said as he opened a Dimensional Gate, and the Seraph nodded before following the young man through.
What in the name of...? Why does Saito need to see the Authority? And exactly who is the Authority? Let's go find out, as we join the hybrid and the angel as they arrive in Celestia...
Sacred Altar: Celestia
Year: 6580 AD
Several angelic guards hurried to the door of the Sacred Altar, and the first one knocked twice before pushing the door open. "SERAPH! We have an emergency!" "What is so important that you dared to set foot in my dwelling?" the Seraph snapped, emerging from the study near the back of the room. The angel who had first spoken swallowed rather nervously. "Um... Well, it appears as if a Dimensional Gate opened somewhere in Celestia." "And exactly why should I be concerned about it?" "The Gate originated in the Makai Kingdom." "Hmm... Do you know where it was supposed to appear?" The man scratched his head before answering. "Based on several calculations, we were able to determine that the Gate should be opening..." "right here," a voice finished, and the angel spun around, determined to eliminate the newly-arrived threat...
...only to be knocked across the room when the man's right fist connected with his jaw. "Don't try that stunt again, Tobias," the man snarled at the injured angel before turning his attention to the Seraph. He then blinked in surprise. "I never thought that it would happen," he whispered, and the angel before him laughed. "You never thought what would happen? That a woman could hold the title of Seraph? Don't make me laugh," she added, glowering at the (supposedly) young man before her. The woman's blonde hair hung nearly to her waist, and her blue eyes were narrowed in annoyance as she stretched her muti-tiered silver wings. "Who are you, and what do you want here?" "Perhaps I could explain our situation a bit better," the man's companion stated, causing the Seraph to freeze. That voice... Is it really possible? "Master Lamington?" the woman cautiously asked, and the silver-haired, silver-eyed man smiled broadly. "I know that I have a bit of explaining to do, but I'm afraid that my friend here doesn't have much time." "I still want to know who he is, first. Then I will see what I can do." Saito took a closer look at the woman before realization dawned on him. He grinned broadly before addressing the female Seraph. "Oh, come on, Alouette. I haven't changed one bit since you last saw me. You know who I am, but you refuse to admit it." "What on Earth are you..." Her question died when she took a closer look at the mage, and then her eyes widened in shocked recognition. "Saito? What are you doing here?" "Helping keep a promise that I made to Pram. Listen, I need your help with something." "What is it?" Alouette asked with a smile as she motioned for the other angels to leave. "What do you need to do?" Michael looked at the mage with a slightly unamused look on his face before turning back to his prize pupil. "He needs to speak with the Authority."
"WHAT? That can't be right! Why?" she exclaimed, drawing a rather dry chuckle from the hybrid. "Because my powers, for the most part, are still sealed, and I need the permission of each Authority before I can fully utilize those powers." "Then I take it that you have already spoken with the draconic Authority?" she asked, and Saito nodded. "He gave his approval rather quickly, seeing that I am the Oricaltos, after all. Anyway, this will only be my second time speaking with an Authority, but I need to locate them first." Alouette slowly shook her head before beckoning for the angel and the hybrid to follow. "Fine, fine. I'll show you where the door is, but I can't open it for you." "I know that," the mage responded with a smile. "I've been practicing my Latin recently, so it shouldn't be too hard." The female angel nodded as she led the two into her study, and then proceeded to the back of her desk. "How is Croix doing?" Michael asked, and Alouette rolled her eyes before responding. "He's bored, wants to get out more, and is generally being a pain in the ass," she grumbled, and the older angel couldn't help but chuckle. "I figured as much. He was always one of the more active angels." "You're telling me, Seraph. Ah, here it is!" she called, gesturing towards an obscure panel on the back wall of her study. "I can't exactly make-out the lettering." "That's why I'm here," Saito called as he walked over to examine the panel. His eyes easily identified the markings, and he made a rather fast translation in his head before speaking. "Veritas vos liberabit." The truth shall set you free, he mentally intoned as well, and the panel seemed to open and expand before him. The Oricaltos smiled as the great stone door opened. It was time to see the Authority. He stepped through the open doorway, and vanished into the brilliance.
Chambers of the Authority: Celestia
I am here to see the Authority. Who are you? a harsh voice demanded, and Saito nearly sighed aloud. I am the Oricaltos. Prove it, the voice sneered, and the mage opened his eyes to stare into the face of the man before him. The angel had a rather heavy build, with steel-gray eyes and brown hair. The mage's eyes narrowed to slits before turning gold with slit pupils. He then unfurled his wings rather menacingly. Is THIS enough proof? he snarled, forcing the other man to back away. That doesn't prove anything. YOU IDIOT! Look at his eyes! another voice demanded, and the angel focused long enough to realize that he had screwed-up. Big time. Please, forgive me, Oricaltos. I had no idea who you were until I saw your wings. Saito rolled his eyes and sighed before turning back to the man in annoyance. Do you know where the Authority is? he asked, and the other voice that he had heard answered him. Please follow me, master Saito. The Authority has been expecting you.
The mage followed the voice, slightly intrigued. However, he stopped when the voice called to him again. Please wait here for a moment. The Authority will be with you shortly. That works for me! Saito responded, gazing around the room. Everything was a brilliant white, and the Oricaltos was forced to close his eyes and revert them to normal in order to avoid eye-strain. Well, well, WHAT do we have here? a voice called, causing Saito to sharply lift his head. I am the Oricaltos, and I came here to ask a favor of you. You wish for your powers to be unsealed, correct? the voice called, slightly amused, and Saito nodded. The voice laughed easily. I will give you my approval on one condition. And what might that condition be? I need you to honestly relate the story of your journey to me, without leaving out a single detail. Is that all? Yes. Then you better make yourself comfortable, because this is going to take a while. You see, it all started when Baal...
Five hours later...
...And now I am here, relating my story to you. That is all that has happened to me. ...I see. And exactly WHY do you need my approval again? the voice asked, and Saito groaned in despair. Just kidding! the voice responded with a laugh. Come over here, and let me take a closer look at you. The Oricaltos did as he was told, but kept his head lowered. He did not want to be blinded, as the Seraph had been so long ago. He felt a pair of eyes wandering all over him, and then he heard the voice chuckle. Look at me, child. I promise that I won't blind you like I blinded Michael, it called teasingly, and the Oricaltos raised his head and opened his eyes. He blinked in shock, and then started. But I thought... that all of the Authorities would be male? Yeah, right, the woman chuckled, her eyes glittering merrily. The angelic Authority was definitely female, with a modestly curved figure, long black hair reaching to her waist, and glittering golden eyes that regarded the young man with respect. Michael had the same look on his face when he found out. The hybrid swallowed rather nervously before asking a tentative question. How many others know? Other than you, Lamington, and Alouette? No one, she responded, giggling like an innocent little girl. If Croix knew, then who knows what would happen? the Oricaltos countered, grinning at the image he was seeing in his head. The Authority shook her head, clearly amused as she gave the mage a shooing gesture. You have my blessings. Now get out of here, Saito. Yes, my lady, he responded, dropping to one knee and bowing his head in respect. The woman slowly shook her head before gesturing for him to rise. There is no need for that, Oricaltos. Then please forgive me, my lady. Stop calling me that! You're making me feel old! Then what SHOULD I call you, lady? The Authority sighed once before replying. It had been ages since she had told anyone her name. Call me Maya, Oricaltos. With pleasure.
Back in the Sacred Altar, mere minutes had passed, rather than the hours that Saito had perceived.
"Welcome back, Saito," Michael called as the hybrid emerged, slightly dazed, from the brilliant portal. It sealed behind him, and the light died down as Saito shook his head, a hand pressed to his temple. "Ugh. How long was I in there?" he groaned, and the Seraph tilted his head to one side curiously before answering. "It's only been ten minutes. Why are you asking?" "Well, it felt like it was a lot longer," the mage replied, shaking his head before looking at Alouette. "How long have you known?" "Known what?" "That the Authority was female?" Saito asked, his voice dropping to a whisper. Alouette looked at the mage in shock before turning to the former Seraph. How did he know? Why don't you ask him and find out? She asked, and the hybrid shook his head, chuckling. "The Authority told me after I asked how many knew." Alouette breathed a long sigh of relief. "Well, that's good to hear. Did you get what you came for?" she asked, and the Oricaltos nodded. "I now have the approval of two of the four Authorities. Now, I know that you would love for us to stay, but I have a promise to keep. Are you coming, Michael?" the mage called as he turned towards the Dimensional Gate, and the older angel smiled at Alouette one last time before responding. "I'll be right with you." "Don't take too long!" Saito called, causing the female angel to chuckle. "He never changes, does he?" she asked, and Lamington shook his head. "He has no real need to change. It was nice seeing you here, Alouette." "Take care of yourself," she called as the two entered the Dimensional Gate. She then offered a rather silent prayer. Authority, please watch over them. I most certainly will, Alouette. Just take care of your affairs here, and I will make certain that the Oricaltos survives.
Back into the Makai we go!
Dark Catacomb: Southern Plains: Makai Kingdom: Zetta's Netherworld
Time: It has been only twenty minutes since the Oricaltos returned from seeing the Authority
"Are you sure about this?" Maderas asked for the eighth consecutive time, and Saito shot Rozalin a look. The blonde-haired woman acknowledged him with a nod before hitting the Nosferatu upside the head. SMACK! "OUCH!" the vampire yelped, and Saito chuckled dryly. "Thank you, Rozalin." "You're welcome, Saito," she responded with a smile before descending down the next flight of stairs. They had been traveling downwards for several minutes, but there seemed to be no end in sight. Pram shuddered. I wonder what's waiting for us down there. I don't know, but I have a certain feeling that it won't be pleasant. You're probably right about that, Saito, the Oracle sighed as the group continued to descend. The darkness continued to grow deeper and deeper, and a few of the Overlords were growing more and more nervous as time passed, but they still did not find the body.
Eventually, the passage flattened out and came to an abrupt end before arriving at a pair of massive stone doors. Once again, Saito raised a hand, and everyone came to a halt. Rozalin visibly shuddered. "Are you really sure that we can do this, Saito?" The Oricaltos nodded once. "I'm sure that we can do this. It may not be easy, but it can be done." Everyone slowly nodded, and then Saito pushed open the doors before striding into the room. He was closely followed by Laharl, Adell, and the others. Once inside the room, Trenia and the other leaders gaped in awe. The chamber they had just entered was huge, with a high, vaulted ceiling and decorative floor tiles bearing demonic runes. Saito, however, ignored all of this in order to focus on the figure in the middle of the room. Zetta's material body was still there, and the Oricaltos was slightly impressed.
The figure stood nearly six feet tall, with flaming red hair that reached to the man's waist. He was wearing mainly black, with a crimson-lined coat flowing down his back. He had no visible wings, but that did not fool the mage. He knew that Zetta was capable of flight, he was just unsure how. As he approached the body, the head slowly lifted to face the hybrid, and then the eyes opened. In that instant, Saito realized that Baal was telling the truth about a dark spirit being contained in Zetta's body. The eyes were glowing violet, and darkness seemed to radiate from the figure as he stared at the mage. "I have been waiting for you to arrive, Oricaltos. Corbin gave me the task of guarding this vessel, and I will not fail him," the figure hissed, lifting his hands in an arcane gesture. The Oricaltos ignored the man's hand motions and instead drew his sword before allowing his wings and tail to become evident once more. "Enough playing around, idiot. Let's get this battle started." "Agreed," the figure sneered as he finished with the final gesture, releasing his spell.
Much to Laharl's surprise, the spell was not directed at Saito. Rather, it was directed at those surrounding the mage. While Laharl and those who had accompanied Saito to the Makai were unaffected, those who had lived in the Makai their entire lives were. When Saito realized what had happened, the Oricaltos began to issue orders once again, and they were obeyed without question. "Laharl, I need you and your father to keep Alexander off of my back. Adell, do you think that you and Rozalin could keep Drake out of the picture?" "Certainly, Saito." "Thank you. Etna, you and Flonne deal with Trenia. Priere?" "Should I try to deal with Pram?" the Alternate Overlord asked, and the mage nodded. "Culotte, help your older sister." "Yes sir!" "Michael, could you do me a favor? Make sure that Seedle has his hands full." "With pleasure, Saito," the Seraph replied grimly before drawing his sword. He was mildly surprised when Aramis joined him. "He insulted me earlier," the young Zombie Master explained, and Lamington nodded. "That works for me." "Marjoly? I need you and a few others to deal with Salome." "What about Zetta's body?" "Leave that to me," Saito responded, never taking his eyes from the figure before him. Marjoly shrugged before turning away. "If you insist."
Alexander's eyes had changed from turquoise to black as soon as the spell had finished. Clapping his hands together briefly, the God of Destruction conjured a sword out of thin air before grabbing it and lunging towards Saito. His charge was stopped short by Laharl, and he snarled at the younger Overlord. "Out of my way, kid!" "Never," the blue-haired dhamphir retorted as he struck at the older man. Alexander barely managed to block, but then he felt a warning tingling on the back of his neck. He spun on his heels and raised his sword, just in time to block a stab from Longius. "Two-on-one, eh? We'll see how well you do while dodging lightning and my sword!" he snapped before conjuring a ball of lightning with his left hand. "Are you ready?"
Trenia's eyes had also turned black, and she had a blank expression on her face as she prepared to attack the mage. However, her path was barred by both Etna and Flonne. "Get out of my way," she snarled, but Flonne shook her head. "I can't allow you to distract the Oricaltos. He has enough to deal with already, and he ordered us to stop you." "Then I have no choice but to eliminate both of you!" the spirit of the Tome snapped as she conjured several spheres of ice before launching them at the Fallen Angel and the demon. Etna yawned once before spinning her spear several times and deflecting the projectiles with the greatest of ease. "This is starting to annoy me," she called, and Flonne nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Priere and Culotte were having a difficult time trying to keep-up with the hyperactive Oracle. Pram's eyes had gone completely red, and she was moving far faster than normal, shifting as soon as Priere had a clear shot with her baton. It was annoying the hell out of the Alternate Overlord, and she finally rolled her eyes before calling-out her nastiest skill. "Requiem Aeternam!" The massive energy blast froze the Oracle in her tracks, and then she looked rather curiously at Priere. "You actually think that your attack can stop me?" she laughed, but it was cut short when she felt a pair of feet slam into her left wing. Priere smiled. "I'm not sure, but I know that you won't be able to run anymore thanks to my little brother! Let's do this."
King Drake was doing his best to hit the Oricaltos, but he was constantly being foiled by the Overlord of Veldime. Adell refused to allow the beast anywhere near Saito, and he had the Overlord constantly guarding himself, not just against his own fist attacks, but also from the shots from his wife's gun. Simultaneously, Seedle was busy going head-to-head with Aramis, and, much to the surprise of all present, the former samurai was losing. Aramis grinned openly as he constantly blocked the Underlord's attacks. "Is that the best you can do?" he called mockingly, and Seedle fumed before resuming his attack. He was determined not to lose this fight with some kid. When he finally managed to find a break in Aramis' attack pattern, he lunged forward, hoping to impale the young man...
...only to have his stroke blocked by a white-bladed broadsword. "I don't think so, Seedle," the Seraph chided, and the Underlord turned his fury against the head angel. However, he fared no better against Lamington than he had against Aramis. At approximately the same time, Salome and Marjoly were busy staring one-another down. "Get out of my way." "Make me," Marjoly sneered in reply, drawing her quarterstaff as Salome did the same. "What will it be? Will we go hand-to-hand, or do you want to start casting spells?" The blonde Overlord responded by casting an Omega Fire at Saito, but it dissipated before reaching it's target. Marjoly rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine then," she muttered under her breath as she nerved herself to cast as many spells as possible, without killing either of them in the process.
While the battles were raging around the rest of the room, the center was calm. It seemed as-if a hurricane of sorts had formed, with Saito and the dark spirit residing in the eye. However, that would change in an instant. The dark spirit reached down to his belt and slowly drew an irregular hilt. Hitting a button, he ignited the violet beam-saber, and smiled wickedly. "This thing will make mincemeat out of your sword." "Yeah, right," Saito snorted as he slid his left foot forwards. "Let's go," he called, just before he charged. The two met over the exact center of the room, and the clash caused all of the walls to tremble. Rozalin paused to reload her gun and looked into the center of the room, and her jaw dropped in amazement. The two were moving so fast that they were practically invisible to the naked eye. Their swords were constantly clashing, traditional blade against beam-saber. However, the battle came to a rather abrupt halt when Saito stopped in the middle of his charge and sheathed his weapon. The dark spirit also stopped and stared at the mage, slightly puzzled. "What are you doing?" he asked, but the Oricaltos ignored the demon as he reached-up and tugged at an invisible lapel. In an instant, a rather ominous jet-black trench coat had materialized over the mage's slender form, and he smiled as he reached into the left side of his coat with his right hand before pulling out a gun. The dark spirit's eyes widened once he laid eyes on the weapon. It was anything but normal. Made from what appeared to be an unknown metal, the gun glowed a brilliant blue in the mage's hand. The Oricaltos sneered. "It's time that I introduce you to Radiance, punk. May the LORD have mercy upon their poor souls, for we most certainly will not. Amen," the mage intoned as he pulled the trigger, putting a bullet into the demon's forehead.
The dark spirit screamed and fell to his knees before collapsing to the floor. Then, the spirit rose from the body, and glared at the Oricaltos. "I may have failed to protect the body, but I will destroy you!" it snarled, once again drawing his weapon. The spirit had taken-on the appearance of Zetta's body, with one noticeable difference: wherever there had been red on the real Overlord, there was violet on the dark spirit. "My name is Jeroboam, and I exist only to serve the Master. You will pay for interfering with his plans." "Not a chance in Hell!" another voice called, and the Oricaltos smiled as he turned to look at the spirit of Zetta. "Get back into your body, Overlord. I will deal with this nuisance." "Fine with me," Zetta responded with a nod before shooting forward. The spirit also lunged, only to be turned-back by the light surrounding the mage's body. With a look of disdain, Saito tugged the lapel of his coat, causing it to vanish once more. He then bowed his head, closed his eyes, and cast his arms out to his sides as he began to concentrate. He then began his incantation.
"Authorities, I beg you, hear my call.
I have worked so hard for so long,
and my loyalty has never wavered.
I ask that you release these chains,
and unbind this servant of yours,
so that he might do Your will.
Release these chains,
loosen the seal,
and grant me the power
that is rightfully mine!"
As the chant ended, Pram and the others from the Makai collapsed rather painfully. The Oracle was the first to rise unsteadily to her feet, both hands gripping her skull. "Oh, my aching head. What happened to me?" she groaned, and Priere looked at the woman, slightly puzzled. "You mean that you don't remember?" "No," the young woman sadly admitted, shaking her head and wincing as she flexed her wings. "Tell me what happened." "Well, to put things simply, the darkness turned you against Saito and the rest of us." Pram was horrified, and she looked around in alarm. "What about the others? Were there any casualties?" "Well, Laharl has a few lightning burns, Salome is going to have a pounding headache when she wakes-up, Alexander has a fractured kneecap, Trenia has a few Prinny-shaped burns, and almost everyone has suffered minor sword cuts and bruises. Other than that, there are no other serious injuries." "Well, that's a relief," Pram sighed, but then her eyes were drawn to the center of the room, and they widened in shock and surprise. Priere noted the look on her face, and was puzzled. "What are you looking at?" she asked before turning around, and then she saw what had caused that look. It was Saito, and he was, well, different.
For starters, his hair was no longer short. Instead, it was now hanging down past his waist, rippling and shifting. It had also changed colors, going from a brilliant auburn to a combination of the near-flaming color and silver, mixed together in a living web. Saito's eyes had reverted to their perfect state, golden in color with slit pupils, and his hands had become claws once again. A jet-black tail that was two-thirds of the mage's height stretched behind him, sweeping from side to side in anticipation. His wings, however, had undergone the most dramatic change. Rather than being covered in black and gold scales, they were now covered in red-gold feathers. "Phoenix," Pram whispered in awe. "I've only heard of this power, but I never witnessed it before." Everyone was staring in amazement, and even Jeroboam was impressed. "It looks pretty cool, but can you do anything with it?" "Of course I can, you idiot. And YOU will be the first to feel how painful my attacks can be in this form. TSUNUM!" the mage roared, flinging his hand, palm-outward, in the direction of the dark spirit. The silver fireballs boiled from the mage's palm, followed shortly by a number of gold fireballs. Jeroboam screamed in agony, but the assault had only begun.
Laharl and the others watched in amazement as Saito pushed his new form to its limits. He moved so fast that no one could follow him, except by the pattern of slashes that materialized on Jeroboam's body. The dark spirit was in near-constant agony, and he just wanted it all to end. "I've had enough, Oricaltos! You have proved your point. Now let me go!" Saito came to an abrupt stop right in front of the man, his eyes glittering with a dangerous light. "Fine then. I will release you. Fiery Rebirth!" the Oricaltos roared as he lunged forward, drawing his sword and cutting the evil spirit down in a single instant. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Amen," he intoned, returning to his normal state and sheathing his weapon before turning and extending a hand to the newly-reborn Overlord. "Welcome back, Zetta." "It's good to be myself again," the man chuckled, opening acid-green eyes to look around. He rubbed the place where Saito had shot the dark spirit, and was relieved to find no hole there. "Thanks for the help, all of you." "You're welcome, Zetta!" Trenia called rather happily as she rushed to give the Oricaltos a hug. "How did you do it?" she asked, and Saito smiled before gesturing to the book. "I gave Jeroboam a choice, and he chose to continue his existence." "Oh, thank you!" she cried, squeezing him rather tightly. "Need...air...here...Trenia." "Oops, sorry about that," she said rather quickly before letting the mage go. Saito dropped to one knee, but soon rose to his feet, a smile on his face as he shook his head. "Man, Corbin is not going to be happy about this..."
Holy smokes! THAT was unexpected! Anyway, let's go check-in with Baal, and see how Corbin is taking the news...
On board the Yoshitsuna: Makai Kingdom: Zetta's Netherworld
"DAMN HIM!" Corbin yelled, pounding his hands onto the desk in anger and rage. He had taken control of the body he shared with Baal, and he had reverted it to the great stone figure. He was fuming, and cursed luridly in several languages, all curses being directed at the hated Oricaltos. Internally, however, Baal was rejoicing. YAHOO! At long last, my next task is accomplished! Now, what else can I do to help Saito? he wondered, trying to come-up with another way to aid the mage. On the other hand, Corbin was already planning his next move, and he had contacted an ally deep in the past. "Chiasmus?" "Yes, my liege?" "I need you to dispose of a certain red-haired young woman in your time period." "...Does this have anything to do with that bratty demon-hunter from La Pucelle?" "Yes." "Then I will deal with her with pleasure, my lord." "Thank you, Chiasmus. Don't fail me." "Yes sir." The true Lord of Terror smiled wickedly as he cut the connection. Saito had better think fast if he wants to save the Alternate Overlord, or else he will lose her forever!
Author's note1: Well, THAT was rather fun! I haven't written like that in a long time... Anyway, drop me a PM or review if you are having trouble understanding anything. I especially like the way that Saito's latest form came out, so tell me what you think about it!
What in the hell is Corbin trying to do? Why is he going after Priere all of a sudden, rather than focusing on Saito? What is so important about this young woman that the Lord of Terror is trying so desperately to change? And what will happen when the Oricaltos finds-out about Corbin's plans? Find out in my next chapter, Diving into the Past. As always, please remember to both READ AND REVIEW. Thank you.