Disclaimer: Campione! was written by Taketsuki Jou, I get nothing out of writing this fanfic save personal satisfaction (and possibly reviews).
Author's Notes: After giving it a little time to sink in the ending part of chapter three looked rushed, and so it's been retouched (event's are mostly the same, but with a little more detail and hopefully less errors).
This was last Updated/Corrected Dec 25, 2012.
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Pet na Campione-sama!
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Chapter Four: Liliana: "The impossible..."
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A frightening chill rushed down my spine as I watched Kusanagi Godou defeat the divine beast. It was something I thought nearly impossible... for any human (and I stress human). Also these giant creatures were not just any divine beasts. These were incarnations of a god that could fight Melqart at an equal footing.
So how did a normal human with no magic suddenly defeat such a powerful being? It defied logic. Those were my thoughts... at least until the shock wore off. When my mind began thinking clearly again, I had concluded that Kusanagi Godou had known or figured out how to use the power of the grimoire.
Was that why he was chosen to deliver it?
But before we could celebrate the victory, an even more powerful presence arrived.
The winds converged to our location, quickly forming a small tornado about a dozen meters in front of us. When the tornado dissipated a young man stood in it's place. He had lustrous black hair that reached his shoulders, and almost glowing green eyes. One might almost describe him more as beautiful than handsome, as he possessed the kind of face that attracted the attention of both genders.
"We meetest again." the young man greeted us in a relaxed manner.
However it was clear to Erica and I that he was only talking to Kusanagi Godou.
I slowly glanced over to him, he just stared at the god unflinchingly, almost completely uninterested.
"Verethragna." He muttered to the young man.
When Godou uttered that name- a vision filled my eyes.
The impetuous wind. The mighty bull. The glorious horse. The unwavering camel. The unstoppable boar. The irresistible youth. The swift raptor. The unyielding ram. The righteous goat. And the heroic warrior. These are the forms that constitutes the god of victory, the god of light, the one who has not known defeat, Verethragna.
"Oh! Thy hast discerned one's identity! Marvelous!" Verethragna cried out with unusual amusement. "And thy hath even learned how to use that piece of stone. As expected, thy art truly a natural warrior!"
Those two last words caught my attention. Kusanagi Godou was... a warrior? It did not sound right. But these words came from a war god. It was hard to disregard them. Did this mean that Kusanagi Godou has been faking his true self? or was his true self hidden even from himself?
"Come! Let us do battle! Release the authorities of mine that thou now possesseth!" Verethragna proclaimed excitedly at Kusanagi Godou.
I peaked at Erica from the corner of my eyes and saw that she too was in disbelief. This situation was just unheard of. It's hard enough to imagine someone challenging a god. And although there are currently at least six people who have done so and succeeded in defeating one, it wasn't something someone of sound mind would do.
But a god challenging a human? A god of war at that, was instigating a duel against a child of a man that can hardly take care of himself. It was simply something that did not make sense.
And what did this god mean by authorities that was now with Kusanagi Godou? He was not a Campione. Then...
My eyes landed on the stone tablet in Kusanagi Godou's hands. Could it be a grimoire that steals the authorities of gods?!
I have not even recovered from the first wave of surprises when Kusanagi Godou suddenly gave his reply to Verethragna.
"I decline."
I turned to the god and saw his beautiful face contort in disappointment.
"Does thou not feel thine blood race? Does thy heart not beat with exhilaration? A worthy opponent is here! An enemy arrived! A prey thou must hunt! This one cares not howst thy see one! I hath long sought defeat! Fight me child of man!"
"Annoying!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. While the correct response was to try and dissuade the god from battle, Kusanagi Godou had fearlessly and insolently replied to the god. Could it be that he didn't know that this young man before us was a god?
"A shame... then one shalt takest mine forms back."
Verethragna waved an arm in an elegant arc and from it a blade of wind appeared that threatened to slash Kusanagi Godou.
Without much thought or communication, Erica and I rushed forward and cast a magical barrier to block the wind. Surprisingly, the god had only used little power. The blade of wind easily disappeared when it crashed straight into our barrier.
"Standest aside young witches! Mine quarrel is not with thee."
Verethragna's voice was solemn, perhaps he was upset by Kusanagi Godou's refusal to fight him. But why would he be? What was so special about Kusanagi Godou? What was it that the god saw in him that we could not?
"Please pardon our impudence, Lord Verethragna. No matter how insolent he is, this young man has lived without the knowledge of magic nor of the existence of gods. As a knights it is our duty to protect ordinary civilians from harm even at the risk of our lives."
Erica said to the god as we stood our ground.
"Ordinary? That warrior?" The god's youthful face looked puzzled at Erica's words.
Then he laughed.
"AHAHAHAHA! Athena's chosen? Ordinary? Surely thou jests!"
"Athena?" It's was the first time I heard the name mentioned. But while it did puzzle her, Erica didn't look as surprise as me. Did she know something I didn't?
"Oh?! Thy hath not known? Then I shall tellest thee! That child hath been born to be a god slayer!"
"What?!"
Erica and I turned to Kusanagi Godou in disbelief, he didn't appear to be reacting to the god's words. Did he know? Did the ability to see gods and divine beasts given him an idea. Or was he as surprised as we are?
"Within those eyes, the sight to distinguish the ultimate prey. Within those ears, the perception of an enemy's approach. Within that nose, the seeker all of one's foes. Within that mind, the cunning of a hunter. And the spirit, the foolishness, that warrior will challenge a god."
It was a surprising and unbelievable revelation. Kusanagi Godou was capable of more than just seeing gods? The god's words confused me, I had trouble connecting everything to make sense.
"How does one sayeth it now... Ah yes! That one is a special creation, built on the foundation of mankind, a natural born weapon aimed at this one's kin."
By foundation... could it he have meant our genes? Evolution!? This god is claiming that he was born with these senses and instinct though evolution? And for the explicit purpose of hunting gods. It sounded preposterous, hearing a god talk with a hint of science, but I could not refute him. This was because I believed it. No matter how preposterous it sounded it made sense somehow.
But still... still... what were we supposed to do?
The god wished for a fight. Kusanagi Godou found the prospect and the god requesting it bothersome. And we are stuck in the middle, unable to oppose a god and incapable of deserting a civilian.
Erica recovered first and tried to buy time. She touched her weapon, then chanted:
"O'Lion of Steel, I entrust the Words of Power, Lamentation and Anger, to you! Bathe in the Holy Blood of His last moments, and manifest yourself as the Holy Lance of Longinus!"
Cuore di Leone transformed from a long sword into a spear.
"Sheathe thine sword and standest aside, child. This one wilst not warn thee again."
"Please forgive this lowly being, great god of war. But as a knight, one must decline thy commands. Even if he is as you say, his refusal to fight you means he's just a normal man. Regardless of his abilities, he does not wish to fight you, and thus not your enemy."
But the god barely glanced her way.
"And thoust will shield him from this one?"
"It is my obligation." Erica proudly declared.
Seeing Erica stand up to the god, I focused my thoughts and gathered my courage. I had sworn to take care of him. As a knight, that should have been a good enough reason. I should be angry that Erica was one step ahead of me, but Instead I felt grateful. I will probably feel the sting of defeat later, but right now what mattered was that we combined what little power we had and deter the god.
"From the blood of the slain, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back. From the flesh of the mighty, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied."
II Maestro transformed into David's Bow. I drew the bowstring and materialized four arrows.
"Foolish children, thou needest only stand aside. But this one will forgive thee. Thou appearest to have some skill, very well, ye shall receive mine blessing. One's might! Mine Authority! Obey mine command!"
Powerful magic suddenly invaded my body. I lost concentration and the bow of David disintegrated into magic. My legs lost all its strength and I fell to my knees. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Erica was suffering the similar fate. But somehow she was still resisting as she still had the lance manifested, although it's use was now as a crutch than a weapon.
I was starting to acknowledge my powerlessness towards a god. It was the same feeling I had four years ago, when I met the Balkan's Devil.
"Lily, pull yourself together! This is the power of The Youth, Verethragna's power as a hero. He's using spell words to grant us divine protection, but in exchange, we'll become his servants! Resist his command!"
It was galling of her to give me advice. But I had no will to muster any strength to resist; talking and getting angry would be throwing away what little strength I had to remain conscious and breathing.
"Hahaha, young ones, force thyselves not. Or thou shalt feel the consequence."
Although he was telling us not to fight his power, his voice hinted that he wanted us to defy him, to oppose and resist for as long as possible... because it amuses him.
"Aaaahhhh!" Erica's agonizing shriek, pierced the air. From where I sat, I could see the state of her legs. Her ankles had been twisted so badly that broken bones was sticking out from the mangled flesh. It was not an injury one could recover from normally and healing it with magic would take hours (if one could remain conscious through the pain).
"This one cannot be blamed, warrior, the reason is due to me, but one did not act directly. The young witch was far too stubborn, and broketh her own body. Pain and punishment would be avoided if mine commands were obediently obeyed, like the other witch hath done."
"The Guardian of the righteous, I praise you, and beseech you."
Upon hearing those spell words (which had been angrily cast in the air), I gathered what strength I had left to turn to look at Kusanagi Godou. I was surprised by the look in his face. He had always had an unwaveringly blank expression, that most of the time I found myself guessing what he was thinking. When the Verethragna had made his appearance, he was unmoved by the god's presence. Even when challenged, Kusanagi Godou had remained unfazed. But now, emotion was clear in his face. His eyes were a blaze with fury, his teeth were bared and face had contorted into what certainly was anger- no, rage.
"The one who supports the sky and raises new land, the one who grants victory and grace. Show me the right path, for I am righteous!"
He held the grimoire like a cherished book in one hand close to his chest, while his other hand was outstretched towards the heretic god. In the palm of the out stretched hand electricity sparked, gathered and charged. The electricity formed into a ball of energy that rivaled anything a human mage could possibly safely conjure.
This was the power of Verethragna's Authority, the form of the Goat.
Still it would not be enough to defeat this Heretic god, or rather since it was this Heretic god.
"Oh! This one understandeth thee now! Thou art not a simple warrior! Thou does not seeketh battle. Thou art a hero! One who will not fight needlessly! One that slayereth only the evil."
Verethragna's smile turned into an evil grin.
"Very well! Let one strengthen thine authority. Figthest one, the god of victory, with all the power ye couldst muster!"
The war god happily declared as he activated another authority. Powerful suddenly winds swept the land uprooting trees and damaging the landscape. From where we where it did not seem to be doing much damage. But I soon realized what the Heretic god was doing.
From the vision I had, the form that Kusanagi Godou had sealed was that of the righteous goat. One of Verethragna's Heroic forms. The one that punishes evil; be it man, devil or god. It gathers the voice and will of the subjugated, the pain of the victims, and the anger oppressed to be transformed into power.
I now understood what Verethragna was doing... but I needed to see beyond the divine space to be sure.
I gathered my strength to resist the authority, only to realize that I could do anything as long as my intentions were not opposed to Verethragna's commmands. I used the Witche's Eyes and tried to view the world outside the limits of the divine space.
The eyes had showed me cars overturned, burning and wrecked. Trees have been blown into houses, destroying walls and bridges. Buildings old and new crumbling from the force of the wind. And the people in panic.
Verethragna was turning himself into an enemy, the source of the people's suffering and an evil that must be vanquished. As the number of victims increase, so does the power of the goat incarnation.
"Liliana, Erica," Kusanagi Godou whispered our names and said, "Sorry..."
I turned to face him and to say something, but my voice was lost when I saw his condition. Blood was spilling out tear ducts, nose and ears, most of which was already beginning to clot from his body's now abnormal heat.
It was clear that Kusanagi Godou would not survive using this power.
"Ahahahaha! Payest the witches no mind! They art protected by mine authority. Thou shouldest care more for thyself, thy body and mind must be reaching their breaking point. Cometh! Release the power that thou hath gathered! Striketh one down!"
I heard Kusanagi Godou click his tongue angrily at the god's taunt.
"For victory, hasten forth before me! O Immortal Sun, I beseech thee to grant radiance to the stallion. O stallion bringest forth the halo of thy master!"
"I sing the hymn of victory! By the power of the spell words, I will vanquish the adherent of injustice and evil! This is the heavenly mandate of victory!"
Verethragna and Kusanagi Godou's spell words rang heavy in the air.
From Verethragna's hand shot a spear of light that shown as bright as the sun.
From Kusanagi Godou's hand the ball of condensed lightning was fired like a bullet.
The attacks did not hit each other in a climatic clash. Instead both had hit their target straight and true. Verethragna's spear of light had hit Kusanagi Godou's body an began to consume him. While Kusanagi Godou's ball of lightning exploded upon contact with Verethragna.
"Godou!" I heard Erica call out to him. Although it was probably too late.
"For I am the strongest amongst the strong. Truly, I am one that holds each and every victory." Verethragna had began chanting spell words once again. Who knows what incarnation it might be.
But why was he using so much power against a human? A dead one at that. Seeing the flames cover Kusanagi Godou's whole body, I was hard for me to think of him as anything but dead. Even if he-
"Ah!" The flames suddenly turned blue then unexpectedly vanished. Standing before our eyes was Kusanagi Godou. His bloodied clothes had been burnt slightly, but he was still alive. He stood starting towards Verethragna with a satisfied grin.
"Thy are tougher than this one hath thought, warrior. This one is impressed."
I looked at Verethragna. The lightning shot at him had been exhausted. His body was still burning and crackling from the electricity. His clothes were incinerated. Yet he smiled pleasantly at Kusanagi Godou. It was the kind of smile one gave to a comrade at arms or a very intimate old friend.
"Though one is saddened that this battle hast endeth."
Verethragna's body glowed with power. His injuries instantly healed. And his clothes were suddenly pristine once more.
"Are you sure?" Kusanagi Godou asked with an air confidence in his dry voice.
"Hmm?" The god looked at him with confusion.
"I still have this!"
Kusanagi Godou yelled out as he raised the grimoire towards the god in both hands. From the tome, a spear of light shot towards Verethragna and engulfed him in bright flames. The god's newly recovered form was burned and marred once more.
"Brilliant! Extraordinary! To useth the stone of the thief not once, but twice! To damage one with one's own authorities! Truly outstanding art thee, warrior of Athena! But tis not enough! One shalt not easily fall to one's own incarnations!"
"I know." Kusanagi Godou uttered with a tired voice. "That's why you gave it to me, right? The Sword."
Gave? Verethragna, freely gave Kusanagi Godou an authority?
I looked at the god's face. Even as his body was being burned by the flames. He unwaveringly looked at Kusanagi Godou with a pleased smile.
I then turned to Kusanagi Godou, who looked at the god with some annoyance on his injured face.
The grimoire shone as he chanted,
"Heed the power of my words, let justice reveal itself, under the strength and eloquence of this incantation, for strength is ever victorious, for strength is the answer to all things."
From the surface, a golden pommel appeared. With his right hand, Kusanagi Godou pulled a out a golden sword from the tome. He discarded the tome near my feet and slowly walked towards Verethragna.
"All of mine enemies, fear me! Every sinner shalt tremble before mine power!" Verethragna sang out his spell words as his body once again filled with the power of his authority.
"One wilst hear thy name, warrior."
"Kusanagi... Godou" Kusanagi Godou loudly declared as loud as he could with his fading voice.
"This one shalt remember that!" Verethragna roared as he rushed towards Godou.
When Kusanagi Godou came into the god's reach, the god was also in range of his sword.
It was a battle that will be decided in this instant.
The god spun and kicked, his leg was aimed at Kusanagi Godou's head. To my surprise, Kusanagi Godou already had his left arm up as a flesh and bone shield. I doubt that it would help. At most, it would probably keep him alive for only a second longer.
But I realized why he needed that one second.
Just as the god's leg smashed Kusanagi Godou's left arm, the golden sword plunged into the god's chest and pierced through the god's heart using the opening that Verethragna had created as he kicked.
I can only imagine from the god's face how painful such an attack could be. But it seemed painful enough to shock the god into stopping his movements, just an inch short of shattering Kusanagi Godou's head.
Not that it mattered anymore. Summoning the power of a god's authority was not something even trained mages and witches could survive. And Kusanagi Godou had used three.
Upon, stabbing the god's heart, I heard his heart stop. I don't quite understand how or why, but I was sure I heard it.
Kusanagi Godou had finally died.
Verethragna lowered his leg. Even after he had been struck with a fatal blow, he still moved as if he was completely fine. With his charred hands, he gently pried the sword from his dead opponent's hand causing it to disappear.
Without support, Kusanagi Godou's corpse fell on its back and sprawled onto the ground.
"Splendid, warrior. Well done, Kusanagi Godou."
The god looked at Kusanagi Godou lifeless body with fondness.
"Young witches!" Verethragna suddenly acknowledged our existence again.
The god's body was slowly turning into something akin to charcoal and crumbling.
"Tellest this to him whenest he is reawakens. This one grant's mine blessing onto him, the new born god-slaying king! He is the first to usurp the authority of the god of victory! Becomest stronger than anyone else! Until the day this one returns to fight him again, he shalt possesseth my undefeatable body!"
By the time the god finished his last message, his whole body had turned completely black. Then shattered into fragments of dark light and disappeared completely.
The divine space vanished. The sky was blue once again.
Everything had happened so fast, that I had trouble absorbing it all. I looked at Kusanagi Godou's body, and noticed that he had started breathing again.
"Kusanagi Godou!" I raced to his side, completely forgetting that I had previously been under the power of Verethragna's authority.
"It's miracle..." I turned around and saw Erica half drag herself to over to Kusanagi Godou's side. "While I had the feeling that he was actually a cunning guy, I would never have thought that he was capable of killing a god."
I did not share Erica's opinion. I was completely blown away at how well Kusanagi Godou fought against a Verethragna.
I had expected him to die. Before even getting the chance to fight back. After using the first authority. After returning Verethragna's attack. And when Verethragna's kick touched him.
And yet he defied my expectations each time.
And when he finally actually died, he was soon revived by the curse of Pandora.
"This guy... suddenly getting angry for me." Erica said as she stroked Kusanagi Godou's hair. Her voice sounded sweeter, her face was flushed as she looked at the newly reborn Campione with a fond smile.
I have never seen her look like that. More importantly, why do I suddenly feel angry?
Before I could examine my own feelings, Erica interrupted my thoughts.
"Lily, could you help me heal my leg? The sooner I can walk, the sooner we can carry and hide Godou."
"Hide?"
"Melqart is still out recovering in the island somewhere. Surely he would not be happy knowing that his enemy has been defeated by someone else. Nor would he tolerate knowing that a god slayer was now in his territory."
"I see... you're right."
She looked at me dumbfounded. "It's rare of you to agree with me so quickly."
"I was simply satisfied by your reasoning." I soon realized that I was lying...
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Chapter Four: End
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Chapter End Notes: I hope this chapter makes up for the cliffhanger last time. One of the reasons I decided to cut it was because I had wanted to write Godou's and Verethragna's fight from Liliana's point of view. Another reason being, Erica PoV was hard! And also I wanted the chapter dedicated to the fight with Verethragna.
I rather not explain in notes; why Godou was able to use the Tome of Prometheus to use three of Verethragna's Authorities before dying. I'll do it in a future chapter somehow. But I'm sure that some of the readers can find hints in this chapter explaining why though. Using the anime and novel as inspirations for this fight, I added a little flare with the Goat. (Actually the goat was a happy accident... I originally intended Godou using only the sword. But I wanted this fight to be more awesome. And it worked out beautifully in my opinion, I hope you guys liked it too.)
I had decided to cut it soon after the fight, because I wanted to insert a short chapter from Pandora's point of view before Godou wakes up. It also seemed like a good point to change scenes and narrators. And I recall someone saying they wanted more interactions with gods.
Many thanks to those who found my poll without me announcing it. It reduced my worry and distraction, thus allowing me to write a bit faster.
