At long last, here we are. Wow, I still can't believe it.
This chapter introduces what may be the last 'thing' I'll be doing art for. You'll see it towards the end and I hope to have it on my deviantArt today.
The next chapter is extremely crucial and I've been having a hard time writing it. I'm hoping I can get it done to submit it tomorrow, I'll try my best.
Until then, here we go.
Chapter Sixty
Midnight Bastion: Darkness
Leah closed his eyes as he turned away from the bodies of Rhys and Rhogam. He and the rest of the Emissaries saw fit to move the bodies but they didn't know where they could take them. The Midnight Horde and the Ymarkteg Armies were still engaged in full scale war in the Border Wood Pass.
The Trueblade sighed as he examined the Midnight Bastion Plaza, or what was left of it. Between the constant spell slinging and Gore Eye, Yewfelle and Helswath's explosive attacks it was no surprise that the entire area was wrecked.
His attention then turned to the collapsed entrance of the Midnight Bastion. Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu were seeing if there was any conceivable way to get inside. Even the hole that Ike's group went in through on the upper floors had collapsed in on itself.
Exhaling deeply Leah fell to the ground, he knew the war was still going on and somewhere in the Bastion his dear friends were fighting but if there was ever a time to just be tired, it was now.
He turned to Tyazaer who stood at Rhogam's side, even now.
"They're alright in there…right?"
Leah smiled and nodded "Of course…Soren, Mia, Ike…everyone that went in there…they're some of the strongest people I've ever met. I just-"
Leah went silent as Zey'Yu called for them, sitting up he saw that Michalis had pushed aside enough rubble for Kay'Shera to gain entrance. As Leah approached the Whisper turned to him and nodded "I still don't know what we'll do if we find a way in…can we really be of any help to Soren and Mia in our condition?"
Leah shrugged "Moral support goes a long way…if not all we can do is throw our trust to them…and our belief that they'll come out on top."
Zey'Yu sighed "That's all we can hope for…Kay'Shera! How is it?"
Inside the Roc knight coughed as some rubble fell about and smoke rose up "Suffice to say…this place is trashed…I don't see any bodies anywhere. It must've been empty when Soren and Mia went in."
Leah noticed Zey'Yu's agitation and shook his head "Go on in, back her up."
The whisper glanced at him a bit before entering herself "Just keep us posted as to anything you see!"
Together Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu strolled through the ruined entrance hall. The women kept close eyes on every possible hiding place, still worried that some Midnight soldiers were lying in wait.
"Well, well, something definitely happened here." Zey'Yu commented as they entered a ruined dining hall…extremely ruined dining hall.
As Zey'Yu searched one side, Kay'Shera kept walking and looking at the walls "This must've been some fight…to say the least."
Kay'Shera looked back to Zey'Yu who picked up what looked like a ruined arrow. The roc knight nearly tripped, letting out a small yell that caused Zey'Yu to spin about "Hey, be careful!"
Kay'Shera nodded slowly as she searched for what tripped her.
Zey'Yu had just bent down to examine another arrow when Kay'Shera screamed. The whisper pulled out two knives and turned to see the other woman on the ground covering her mouth.
Zey'Yu quickly ran over to her side but before she could ask anything she saw what frightened Kay'Shera.
Kneeling down next to the roc knight, Zey'Yu embraced her and whispered to her as she cried.
Leah ran in, having heard the scream as well. He pulled his blade out and came to halt as he saw the pair on the floor. Getting close he felt his heart drop as he sheathed his blade.
The three stood around To'Eltz's body, the trickster was covered in countless wounds and dried blood. Leah's eyes focused on the arrow bolt in his chest.
The trueblade turned towards the entrance then back to Kay'Shera and Zey'Yu "We've got to get him out of here."
Zey'Yu nodded then turned to Kay'Shera "He was one of us right? Let's honor him as best we can…we aren't leaving him here."
As Kay'Shera agreed, Leah turned to see another man's body with a knife buried deep in his throat. The man wore dark armor somewhat like a Midnight but also had normal leather armor like an archer of some kind.
"They killed each other…"
Leah wished he knew more of the circumstances but both men were dead. Sighing he told Kay'Shera to take her time before he moved towards the entrance.
Midnight 12, Ushnae and the Apothecary stood still as the Fell Lord walked towards the Emissaries.
He smiled at them before turning to the Apothecary "Begin."
The heavily robed man moved to the center of the room and began moving his arms about while murmuring something.
Soren turned to Ike "We have to get out of here…"
Ike struggled to stand, there seemed to be a massive increase in gravity only around them. "I can't move…why do we need to go?"
"It's as he said…we've brought him…everything…"
The Apothecary extended one finger forward "Balmung."
The sword flew out of Ike's hand and stopped near the Apothecary's finger, floating in midair.
Turning slightly he continued to hold his finger out "Helswath."
"Hey…what's that axe doing?" Nephenee questioned prompting Heather to turn towards Gashuuka's body. Helswath was shaking and slowly floating up from the ground.
Before the Whisper could speak it shot into the air and then into the highest floor of the Midnight Bastion.
Heather looked over to Nephenee "Whatever that was…it wasn't good."
"And it's happening again."
The pair turned as Tyazaer approached, pointing towards Meltraitis' corpse where Gungnir, just like Helswath, took off towards the Midnight Bastion.
"You've been keeping those weapons away from the Midnight this whole time…right?"
At Nephenee's question, Tyazaer nodded slowly "In the end, we brought them right to them."
In the Apothecary's open hand the Shadow Gungnir formed. Slowly he moved it over and fused it with the Physical Gungnir, perfecting the Piercing Star.
Once again pointing, he continued "Yewfelle."
With To'Eltz over his shoulder Leah approached the exit from the Bastion.
Kay'Shera turned to see Zey'Yu kneeling on the ground next to a bow "Zey'Yu?"
"I'm almost certain that this is…Yewfelle."
Kay'Shera got closer "Didn't Shinon's group take on Telray who was wielding it?"
The bow flew off right in front of them and tore through the ceiling above.
Leah turned "Are you guys alright?"
The pair remained silent, not sure what was going on.
Like before the Apothecary fused the two halves of Yewfelle and it joined the other arms floating around him.
"You all have to understand something…the Fell Lord's Students live the same way these weapons do…your allies outside killed their flesh but their souls remain."
Shadowy figures of Meltraitis, Telray and Gashuuka appeared near their respective weapons while Midnight 12 walked over to Balmung, his helmet opening again to reveal Seino Numengate.
"We encountered one problem with our plan…Drake was eliminated. Not only was his flesh from long ago destroyed but his spirit at the Stone Tower torn asunder…at the same time though…"
The Apothecary pointed at Janie "Goetia."
Unlike the previous weapons though, this one refused to leave her hands.
"They intend to use her." Eien whispered.
Mia nodded "They don't have Drake or his Goetia but they have Janie and hers…they'll find a way."
Janie looked up at the Apothecary "You won't take this from me and I'll never aid your insanity."
Ushnae walked towards them, passing through the barrier that kept the Emissaries on their knees without even flinching.
"We don't need your consent."
Grabbing Janie he dragged her out and threw her over to the Apothecary.
Soren clenched his fists "Janie! Don't you dare hurt her!"
Ushnae laughed "What will you do about it? Get on with it Apothecary."
As Janie tried to stand Ushnae kept his boot on her back, and forced her back down. The ghosts of the students whirled around into a purple orb that floated in the Apothecary's open palm. A purple smoke emerged from Seino's body and entered the orb. The Midnight's armor closed around his face again.
Janie felt something being pulled from her and clenched her teeth, barely able to make out the voices of her friends nearby.
Soren felt his heart drop as Janie went limp and an essence from her joined the orb in the Apothecary's palm. Goetia left her hands and floated up to join the other Fell arms which then began to spin around the Apothecary, smoke emanating from them as well.
Mia noticed that more smoke was entering the room from elsewhere "What is going on?"
Outside Helena ran her lance through another enemy. As she pulled it out, her fatigue caught up with her and she fell to the ground. Fee'Tal rushed over and blasted approaching Midnight troops with her magic "We've got to move!"
Helena struggled to stand "Even those of us with the most energy run out sooner or later…"
As the soldiers began moving forward again, Fee'Tal prepared to strike only for them to stop.
After a few seconds the Water Archsage looked around and saw all the enemies in her vicinity had ceased moving, both Midnight Soldier and Undead Horde alike.
Some kind of purple smoke began to leak out of all the bodies around her. "What the hell?"
Helena stood up enough to look around and see the enemy forces, frozen. Before she could ask what was happening the bodies of the Midnight began to fade away while the Undead fell to the ground.
All combat motions ceased and after a few more moments of silence, cheers erupted from the joined armies.
Helena looked up to the Midnight Bastion, noticing a vague aura around the highest tower.
Fee'Tal sighed deeply "It's over…"
Helena narrowed her eyes "I'm not so sure."
As the Fell Arms' rotation continued the orb in the Apothecary's hand began to solidify, once it stopped the weapons fell to the ground, Ike noticed that the weapons were rusted over.
"My Fell Lord."
The man approached the Apothecary from behind and took the orb into his hand "At last…The Darkness is mine."
Mia turned as a portion of the ceiling opened up and a staircase descended.
"Where do you think you're going!?" she yelled as the Fell Lord began to ascend.
"To the End…though…I must take care of one last thing. Ushnae."
The Froghul walked towards the Fell Lord "You were the reason that the Midnight was created…and you are the reason the world will see its Blank State."
"It was nothing, my Fell Lord."
The two men stared at each other before the Fell Lord smiled and nodded.
Ushnae felt something off as the Emissaries' collective eyes widened at what was before them.
The Froghul looked down to see the Fell Lord's hand gripping a blade that sunk deep in his chest.
Ushnae looked back up at the man before him as blood poured down his lip.
The Fell Lord turned and ascended as Ushnae fell to the ground "Apothecary. Midnight 12. Kill these 'New Emissaries'."
"Shit." Yi'Pyre took several steps forward with Gra'Tisk tilting his head "My Queen?"
"Duke. Hierarch."
Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply "If you want something done right. Do it yourself."
Gra'Tisk stood as Yi'Pyre began to exit the caravan "Where are you going?"
A guard ran in "My King! My Queen! The war is over! The enemy army has fallen!"
Before Gra'Tisk could speak, Yi'Pyre grabbed the messenger and snapped his neck "This isn't over yet."
She cast one last look at the King as he began to back away. With a flourish she exited the caravan and disappeared into the cheering masses of the Sarharan army.
"Are you two alright?"
Zihark groaned causing Queen Iseil to nod "Still sore, understandable."
As she turned away and began commanding the troops, Zihark turned and could barely make out Orkra lying on the bed next to him.
"Orkra?"
Iseil turned back to the Trueblade "She's alright, you're both alive. After my hus-"
Shaking her head she continued "After Duke fell I sent medics to help the two of you as well as make sure of Duke's demise."
Zihark sat up and looked at the Queen "What of the war? How are things proceeding?"
"I've been getting messengers who were relaying Sarharan, Pozem and Anondye messages saying that the war is over. I am asking for a formal meeting and declaration but apparently the Midnight was routed…or surrendered…it's unclear."
"Routed?"
The two turned to Orkra as she sat up "Surrendered? Neither of those sounds right."
Iseil nodded "I know. I'm hoping to have more information soon. The bulk of the army is moving to the Pozem side seeing as they kept their defense lines up."
After a moment of silence the Queen looked at the two of them and nodded "I have to go. Regalshin is now under my command and we've got a lot to do if this war is truly over."
The Queen thanked them again and left as Zihark turned to face Orkra.
"You alright?"
"Yeah."
"Sore?"
"Oh yeah."
Chuckling the two laid back down on their beds. "Orkra…"
"Yes Zihark?"
The trueblade inhaled deeply "…I'm glad you're still alive."
"As am I for you…"
The two glanced at each other again, silence all around them while the army outside mobilized.
"Don't even try it!" Peltzm'Jakq yelled as he rotated, deflecting the knives coming from multiple angles before jumping straight up to meet Volke.
Spinning Baselard, Volke stopped Night's approach while flipping over and kicking Curse out of Peltzm'Jakq's other hand. Completing the rotation, Volke delivered a kick into the Trueblade's face and flipped away.
Landing on his feet, Volke looked up quickly to see Peltzm'Jakq pick up his discarded blade and close the distance between them. Charging into his opponent, the two swung their weapons. This time it was Curse that met Baselard while Night slashed through Volke's side. Moving forward, the assassin cut himself against Night while pulling out Peshkatz. With a quick thrust he sunk the knife into Peltzm'Jakq's shoulder. Swinging his arms, Volke knocked away the Trueblade's weapons before leaping into the air above him.
Looking up Peltzm'Jakq flashed green and shot after him again. Volke looked down to see five copies of Peltzm'Jakq and ten spinning blades headed his way. Preparing Baselard, Volke succeeded in deflecting the first and third strikes but the others got through to him and sent him spinning through the air before slamming into the ground.
Looking up Volke narrowed his eyes as Peltzm'Jakq struck the earth, both blades sinking deep into the ground.
The Trueblade quickly realized that he had not impaled Volke and looked up just in time to take another boot to the face. As he reeled back, Volke launched forward and stabbed the man in the chest with his dagger. As the Trueblade growled and swung his weapons, Volke flipped out of range and continued to move away as Peltzm'Jakq pursued him.
"What kind of warrior are you? Running away from our mortal combat!?"
Flashing green, the five Trueblades shot towards Volke again as the blades either clashed with Baselard or ripped through Volke the man remained silent and kept moving away.
What had started within the Pozem army had now moved to the lower ledges of the Cliffside. Above them one could see the forests where the Midnight ambushes were discovered and several ledges below were the Pozem army's defense lines.
As Peltzm'Jakq's hilt struck Volke's chest he found himself in the air before slamming into a rock wall.
Peltzm'Jakq spun his blades and began approaching the assassin "I'm not a coward or a warrior."
"Really? Then what are you?"
Pulling himself out of the wall and aiming his knife at Peltzm'Jakq he spoke "A Killer."
With the gravitational field fading away the Emissaries stood up and Ike pulled out Ragnell.
The Apothecary raised his arms forming a dozen black orbs while Midnight 12 spun Dyeshein and charged towards them.
"New Emissaries! This is it! Forward!"
As Ike charged forward and clashed with Dyeshein, Wayu, Mikel, Leena and Mertre moved as well. The Apothecary unleashed his magic striking against the approaching Emissaries as Eien headed towards Ushnae.
Mia helped Soren up and the pair approached Janie's body.
"Ushnae! Ushnae! You don't get to die like this! Not this easily, you don't deserve it! Ushnae!"
The Froghul opened his eyes to see Eien "Heh…concerned? I really don't understand you."
"You did once, Ushnae…why…why did it have to end like this?"
Ushnae coughed violently, blood covering his face as he looked at Eien. Seeing her expression he grinned "This was all a ruse. I knew of the Apothecary's existence within Nias…I also knew I couldn't destroy it…killing Nias would only unleash it so I teamed up with it. Killing Ulmeihn and Mazear was something I needed to do to earn his trust…it sickened me but I needed to know what the Apothecary wanted…"
Breathing in deeply he continued "He told me the Fell Lord and the Students were still alive in the ether…they would be forever unless I could destroy the essence that makes them up. I did everything with the intention of exploiting the Fell Lord…but he saw it coming…somehow he knew never to trust me…and at the end of it all…he no longer needed me…"
Eien remained silent and tried to understand what he was saying, as she began to open her mouth he chuckled "That's what you want to hear right? That's what you want to hear to make sense of…my betrayal? Right?"
"It's…not true?"
The Froghul's laughs broke into uncontrollable coughing before he faced Eien "Sometimes…there is no deeper meaning…what you see on the surface is what you get. The world is ugly and each year the disgusting growth expands. The world is sick and each year it comes closer to dying. The world needs a Blank Slate…it needs freedom from the monsters that inhabit it…I'll always believe that…always…"
Eien kept her eyes on Ushnae as his breathing stopped and his body fell limp.
"Damn it!" Mikel yelled as an orb slammed into him and dragged him across the room. Leena landed near the Apothecary and swung her blade only for it to pass through him as if he wasn't there.
Turning the Apothecary struck her, Wayu and Mertre's lances struck the ground behind him as well.
"Fools." Swinging his arms a black hole opened in the ground and countless tentacles shot out and began striking Wayu and Mertre, all while the room shook from the Apothecary's laughs.
"You're no longer Seino, are you!?"
Ike yelled as Ragnell and Dyeshein clashed once again. The being before him was not the demented Zijo Oit or the ancient Seino Numengate. Instead it was a powerful Midnight, the last one created by the vile group.
Jumping over the Midnight, Ike spun and slashed it across the back. Without flinching the Midnight spun as well and began slashing repeatedly in Ike's direction, forcing the man to jump away.
"No. I am no longer Seino Numengate."
Ike looked up "Yet you can still talk?"
"Come now, Hero. Think. Who am I?"
Spinning the blade the Midnight aimed it at Ike causing the Legend to curse "Dyeshein."
"Yes. The very black soul of the blade is finally free. I spent so long trying to control your body but only managed one arm. However, this body was vacant and the control was instantaneous!"
"What are you really?"
The Midnight spun his blade again "Tired of talking."
As flames exploded behind them, Soren continued to look down on Janie "This wasn't supposed to happen…"
"There was nothing we could do Soren…we tried."
Soren's gaze drifted over to the Fell Arms, now normal looking old weapons covered in scratches and rusted beyond use.
As another explosion flared behind them, Mia turned to see Mikel and Leena crash against a wall while two tentacles flung Mertre and Wayu into Ike.
She then noticed Eien standing over Ushnae's body.
"We have to join the others…"
Mia put her arm on Soren's shoulder "No one else has to die."
"I've told myself that countless times…but it keeps happening."
Mia turned Soren so he was facing her "Then let's end this so it never happens again!"
Soren turned to the battle and closed his eyes "If we're going to do that…we need to stop the Fell Lord."
"Great, but we can't just leave the others here; they can't seem to land a single blow on the Apothecary."
Following Mia's gesture Soren saw that Mikel, Leena, Wayu and Mertre's attacks were passing through the Apothecary without harming him.
He then noticed Eien again, still standing in place "Eien can do it."
Without pause the two began moving towards the Elder Maestro with Soren casting one last look back at Janie.
"Sad…pitiful…wasteful…pathetic…"
Leah turned and grabbed the hilt of his sword while the other Emissaries formed up around him.
They looked at Mistress who was walking towards them and extremely angry.
"You all…uprooted our efforts….efforts that were in play for generations. Overthrown by…foreigners…"
"Be it FATE or just dumb luck, this land is grateful that we're here to free it from you!" Boyd yelled.
"We've seen what wars and corruption do. This land will not succumb to it if we can fight against it." Titania added.
Mistress looked up at them "Seventeen."
At their silence she continued "There are seventeen of you here. That gives me seventeen chances to feel some sort of relief as I rip the life from your bodies!"
Zey'Yu gestured to the empty and ruined plaza around them "You and what army?"
Mistress closed her eyes and began radiating a black aura.
The Emissaries gripped their weapons tightly as the woman began to levitate off the ground.
Clenching his teeth, Peltzm'Jakq ignored the Peshkatz in his shoulder and landed near Volke, blades flashing the Fireman felt them rip through him as he leapt away.
Once again the Trueblade continued his relentless charge. As Baselard came up, Night flew past him and struck the dagger, both weapons hit the ground and Volke skidded to a halt as Curse ran him through.
Volke's eyes focused on Peltzm'Jakq's "You're ire grows as the battle continues…can you control it?"
"I have never fought against any one man this long…damn anything and everything around us! I want blood!"
Spinning Peshkatz, Volke sunk it into Peltzm'Jakq's arm and tore himself off of Curse before leaping away. The Fireman noticed the enemy army vanish and the joined armies cheer their victory but something felt off about everything.
Peltzm'Jakq turned slowly, "So…she's doing it…ah well…it doesn't matter."
Turning back, Peltzm'Jakq shot towards Volke as the Assassin took the skies. Yelling the trueblade followed him up, Night and Curse flashed as Volke defended himself with Peshkatz. As a leg slammed into his arm he cast a quick glance at the ground, trying to find Baselard.
Another sword slashed through his right leg before Peltzm'Jakq spun about and kicked the assassin to the ground.
Extending his arms, Volke caught himself and flipped over, however, before he could land Peltzm'Jakq crashed into him and they rolled across the ground.
Both stood as quickly as possible with Volke throwing several Peshkatz at the Trueblade while continuing to scan the ground for his dagger. Peltzm'Jakq used his blades to slash through the knives before yelling and launching into the air.
Seeing the Trueblade headed for him, Volke counted off a few seconds then shot into the air. Night barely cut across Volke's back as the assassin's body shot between the blades, Volke's head crashed into the Trueblade's chest and knocked the wind of him.
Quickly Volke righted himself and grabbed Peltzm'Jakq's arms.
Reeling his head back he pulled Peltzm'Jakq in and delivered a savage head smash against the man's face.
Releasing the trueblade, Volke landed and spotted Baselard, grabbing it as Peltzm'Jakq hit the ground, blood pouring from his nose.
Standing Peltzm'Jakq spat "You have no idea what is about to happen."
"Neither do you."
"That was a close call…you should know that you are a very lucky man."
Re'Zin blinked several times before realizing that he was alive and with the Pozem medics. "Deshler! The Queen! What happened?"
Gemma appeared "I'm fine…thanks to you. I told the guards that Deshler tried to kill me and would have if it wasn't for you."
Re'Zin shook his head "No…I failed…King Hrodath…"
Gemma looked down "I see…you may not have been able to save my husband…but you saved me and exposed a deadly man…"
"He was Hierarch, a member of the Royal Ring trying to gain control of Ymarkteg's nations…looks like we're safe from that now."
As Gemma began to speak a man ran in "My Queen! Deshler's body is gone!"
"What?"
"The medics were examining it when, according to them, his skin faded to black and he broke apart!"
Re'Zin turned and stood; as he exited the room a medic followed him. Looking up he saw a stream of black headed towards the Midnight Bastion.
At the same time, Duke's body which was recovered by Regalshin scouts began to fade to black. The men looked to one another but before they could say anything it cracked and broke apart before fading into black smoke. The men took several steps back as the smoke shot off across the unnatural night sky. The remains of Duke and Hierarch were both headed for Mistress in front of the Midnight Bastion.
"Eien."
The woman turned to Soren and Mia who were about to speak when she held her hand up.
"The Apothecary. I can handle him…what's more important is the Fell Lord."
Mia cast a glance at Ushnae's body before turning to Eien "We need to know everything and anything about the Fell Lord if we're going to kill him."
Eien nodded "Indeed…even we the 'Ancient Heroes' couldn't truly kill him…you two however, have powers we didn't. Maybe the answer lies with them."
Soren looked back at the staircase "The Darkness. What is that?"
Eien closed her eyes and shook her head "The Darkness is…in simplest terms, pure evil. I could go into depth but it would take far too long, suffice to say, with it the Fell Lord can achieve anything he wants to."
At another explosion the three turned towards the Apothecary. Eien's fists began to glow and she nodded "Anymore that needs to be said can wait until these two are down."
Soren turned to Mia and the two charged towards Midnight 12 as Eien shot forward, just as Mikel hit the floor Eien jumped over him and struck the black around the Midnight Apothecary, causing it to melt away and reveal the body below.
Acting quickly, Wayu hurled her lance past Eien and into the expose flesh, drawing blood. The Apothecary roared and removed the weapon as the shadows closed around him.
Leena stood and helped Mertre up before turning towards Eien. The Elder Maestro smiled as the Apothecary began to summon more black orbs "Everyone! Remain vigilant, when the openings show themselves, give it everything you've got!"
Leena nodded "Gladly! Mikel, get up! We're finishing this!"
The warrior stood and picked up his fallen axe "I was just taking a quick nap."
As the orbs began crashing around the room, Wayu leapt aside and grabbed her discarded lance "We've come too far to fail now!"
Two orbs of magic collided with each other, the resulting blast gave Eien and Mertre the opportunity to charge through the smoke and strike at the Apothecary. Seeing Eien's fist coming the man dove aside and while he dodged the direct impact, the shadows closest to Eien faded away and Mertre struck through the Apothecary.
"You're evil ends here!" The Seraph Knight yelled as she flew away and Eien skidded to a halt.
The Apothecary roared "One cannot stop true darkness!"
"Then it's a good thing there are more than one of us!" Eien yelled back.
Ike felt his arm pulse and fell to one knee, barely holding Ragnell in place as Dyeshein continued to mount the pressure. "I can't believe that I actually get to kill you…all that time suppressing me! You deserve this!"
"No!" Midnight 12 looked up as Mia leapt over and kicked him back. The woman quickly pulled out her blades and yelled as she swung them, two deep cuts formed along the Midnight's armor in the shape of an X.
Soren then leapt over Mia and unleashed a powerful tornado into the Midnight's chest, slamming the being into the chamber wall.
Ike stood up and nodded to Mia "Ready to show me the fruits of your endless training?"
Ein'Tosen and Alondite flashed as Mia smiled "You know it, Boss."
Soren cancelled the Tornado and yelled "Go!"
Legend and Trueblade shot forward, three powerful and legendary blades collided with Dyeshein, the force caused the wall to break away and the three rolled out onto the rear balcony.
As they came to their feet they could see the vast field behind them filled with fallen soldiers of Regalshin. The army itself was nowhere in sight, either they were routed or they moved elsewhere.
Dyeshein held his blade up at Ike before moving it to Mia "I remember everything about you people…I see you've grown stronger since last time…but luckily, so have I."
"How much of that strength is the body you just got?" Mia yelled at him.
Dyeshein laughed before charging forward and unleashing vile gray flames. Ragnell and Alondite swung in unison; a massive blue flare collided with the gray fire and covered the balcony.
Roaring Midnight 12 entered the flames and emerged in front of Ike and Mia, his blade struck Ein'Tosen while his other arm grabbed Ragnell. Yelling the Midnight swung Ike around; the Legend was tossed into the flames while the Midnight now used Ragnell to strike Alondite.
As four blades pushed on one another, Mia smiled causing the Midnight to roar "Do you not understand the gravity of the situation you are in!?"
"Of course I do, you however seem to have forgotten something…"
At that Mia leapt up as Gurgurant pierced the Midnight's chest. Breaking away from Ein'Tosen and Alondite the Midnight swung his blades back but Soren saw them coming and shot himself away with Arcwind.
Ike emerged from the flames and grabbed Ragnell with both arms ripping it away from the Midnight before spinning and unleashing a point blank, energy slash against the Midnight's back.
To finish to series of strikes, Mia landed and swung both blades; a brilliant purple and blue flash exploded against Midnight 12 and sent him across the balcony.
As the being fell to one knee he looked up "I am Dyeshein! I am ancient power! You creatures will not destroy me!"
As he raised his blade the entire Bastion shook. Ike, Mia and Soren looked to each other with Soren shaking his head "That came from outside…"
The rest of the Emissaries stood at the ready as Mistress was surrounded by a massive black aura. As the ground below her began to shake and crack the aura covered her and the Emissaries could no longer see her. The Mistress began laughing as the black cloud expanded and grew, standing tall.
"Are those…arms?" Kay'Shera asked.
Leah cursed "We've got a problem."
The black cloud before them was now in the shape of a massive human with an ethereal robe. Bright yellow eyes flashed as the body solidified. As it raised one arm a massive blade appeared "Die!"
With a massive swing the plaza exploded into shrapnel and the Emissaries were sent flying. The armies who were once cheering were now confused and yelling to engage the creature before them.
Ro'Hozak and Eyre who were still aloft with the Roc and Pegasus Knights glanced at each other before looking at the giant, standing up at about three-fourths of the Midnight Bastion. It turned towards the armies causing them to curse and yell to their troops below "Retreat!"
Volke looked to the giant now standing in front of the Bastion as it swung its blade. Soldiers, corpses, mounts and artillery flew through the air as a massive portion of the earth exploded.
Turning to Peltzm'Jakq Volke held Baselard up "What is that?"
"The Nero Homunculus…the True Form of the Royal Ring."
At Volke's silence the Trueblade continued "Mistress, Duke and Hierarch are made of the Fell Lord's own power, focusing it together they created their own spirit…this thing possesses more raw power than anything at the Fell Lord's disposal. It was a last attempt should all their other plans come crashing down and now they will easily destroy the Fell Lord…and the rest of Ymarkteg in their power-fueled rage."
Volke spun Baselard "They won't succeed…and even if they do, you won't be around to see it."
The Fell Lord came to a stop and looked out to see the Nero Homunculus swing its weapon again and a massive rift appear in the ground below.
"They've done it…they've exposed the last trick they had up their sleeve…now…it's my turn."
"You worthless creatures!" The Apothecary screamed as Leena's blade and Mikel's axe struck his flesh. Holding his arms out he blasted both of them in the chest causing them to fly away. His shadows concealed him as Mertre and Wayu's lances passed through him and sunk into the floor behind him.
As the Fell Lord leapt and unleashed another torrent of dark magic aimed at Mertre, Wayu found her way over to Eien.
"I've hit him in the same spot multiple times…the shadows seem to regenerate him as soon as they cover his injuries."
Eien began to speak but instead coughed and fell to one knee causing Wayu to kneel at her side "This is taking a lot out of you, isn't it?"
Eien nodded slowly "I can't expose him…at least…not all of him with just my power…"
Wayu looked up as Mertre hit the floor and the Apothecary swung his arm, catching Mikel and grounding him just as he stood up.
"What if you could focus it on one area, keep it constantly open, then we have a better chance of striking him down in one blow."
Eien looked to the Apothecary as he evaded Leena's slashes "I'll try."
As Leena hit the floor Wayu charged in and Eien's fists began to glow "Focus…"
"Die!" Dyeshein yelled, swinging towards Soren only to have the tactician unleash his powerful black flames, countering the oncoming silver ones.
As Ike examined Gurgurant along Soren's back the flames died down and Mia charged forward "I'm amazed you can wield that, it's much bigger than you."
Soren smirked as he grabbed Gurgurant's hilt and pulled the blade out before him "I honestly can't feel the weight."
"Good thing I guess, now let's get in there and end this."
Nodding to each other they charged forward as Mia leapt over Midnight 12. Seeing the three warriors charging in again the spirit began laughing and spun about fiercely covering the entire balcony in silver flames "Die! Die! Die!"
Ragnell, Alondite, Ein'Tosen and Gurgurant began to flash, covering their wielders in an ethereal aura. Ike and Soren ran through the flames unaffected and slashed through Dyeshein and Midnight 12 with Ragnell and Gurgurant before Mia came down from above and cut through the creature with Ein'Tosen and Alondite.
The Midnight stumbled away from them; Dyeshein's muffled voice cursing "You…insects…after all…this time…"
Several cuts formed across Dyeshein, the blade fell apart causing the Midnight to fall forward, unmoving.
The three realized the balcony was tilting and groaning, without pause they quickly leapt back into the Throne Room as the Balcony broke away and tumbled below with the remains of Dyeshein and Midnight 12's body. As the balcony hit the ground below it gave off a brilliant silver flash which was immediately followed by a violent explosion.
"Come on!" Kay'Shera yelled as Michalis screeched and took off. Barely grasping Nephenee's hand the Roc Knight and Sentinel shot off through the skies as the Nero Homunculus blade swung by and crashed into the cliffs where the Sarharan army was stationed.
"How the hell do we fight this thing?!" Boyd yelled as Oscar and Rolf next to him pulled out their bows and began firing arrows on the creature before them.
"Do whatever you can!" Tyse yelled from above before flying towards the Homunculus. An otherworldly laugh came from the creature as it swung its fist towards Tyse. Though it missed the force of the blow knocked Tyse off course and to the ground.
Titania and Tyazaer were far from the creature, Shinon rode with Titania and looked at the being "I'm not sure if I can do much but if I can, I'd rather not have it on me as soon as I let one arrow fly."
Titania nodded "I understand...we'll try to keep it occupied."
Tyazaer turned towards the Anondye army in the distance "You think they'll keep away, the last thing we need is casualties mounting."
Shinon followed her gaze to the army and nodded "I'm sure. In the meantime…"
As Titania and Tyazaer came to a stop, Shinon dismounted "I'm sure everyone knows to keep their distance…and cover our mages, they may be the only ones who can do some sizeable damage."
Nodding Titania and Tyazaer took off towards the Homunculus as Shinon began climbing the Cliffside.
"I have to say…this thing…I'm not sure what good I am here."
"I am...it's made of Mistress, Duke and Hierarch who in turn come from the Fell Lord. You were one of the weapons crafted by Eien to combat the Fell Lord's weapons…hopefully that translates."
The Nero Homunculus fist crashed into the ground, causing the nearby Emissaries to get shot up into the air. Leah cursed and spun himself about before landing, seeing the fist rise he charged forward and leapt onto it.
"Cover!" Teiaya yelled as he began slinging magic alongside Mist and Cadeera while the Brothers let loose another flurry of arrows.
The Homunculus roared as Leah spun his blade and sunk it into the arm. "I think that did something."
Uhnie, Zey'Yu, Heather and Ranulf were below, attacking the being's legs while Michalis flew by as close to the blade wielding arm as he could. Kay'Shera and Nephenee used their lances to strike at the beast hoping to do some sort of damage.
"Futile!" Three voices rang out as the weapon swung again, crashing into the Midnight Bastion causing a large portion of it to collapse and the ground below the Emissaries to shake violently.
Leah continued climbing the beast and prepared to stab it again only for the free arm to grab him. Leah raised one blade and struck the arm holding him to no avail. The Homunculus swung and released Leah.
As a few light spells from Cadeera and Mist struck the Homunculus, Leah flew past them and crashed into the earth. Looking down at the warriors around its feet the Homunculus brought its free hand down, open palm and slammed the ground. Zey'Yu could barely make out the floor rippling below her before it exploded, sending Zey'Yu, Uhnie, Heather and Ranulf flying away.
"Time to get up close and personal!" Boyd yelled as he charged forward. Titania and Tyazaer joined him; three weapons struck the beast's leg as Wishblade whistled through the air and impaled itself into the Homunculus' chest.
As the havoc continued Shinon fired an arrow from Gore Eye, as the Homunculus blade swung again the arrow stuck into the being's shoulder.
Roaring the creature turned and opened its mouth.
"Shit!"
"Shit!"
A massive black orb shot out of the Homunculus' mouth and exploded against the Cliffside where Shinon was hiding. Seeing this Titania turned "Shinon! Damn it."
Tyazaer charged again with Boyd only for the Homunculus to reach down and grab them both. With a quick turn it threw them at the Bastion walls.
With most of the ground forces out of the way it began walking towards the mages while laughing with its three distinct voices.
Flipping over the Trueblade, Volke spun and released several Peshkatz. Two struck the man while the others buried into the ground. Laughing Peltzm'Jakq shot up and grabbed Volke's throat before slamming him into the ground. Reeling back with his other hand the Trueblade began to savagely beat Volke.
Roaring the Assassin lifted his leg and kicked Peltzm'Jakq in the back. Standing Volke turned in time to strike Night away before flipping and kicking Curse to the ground. Peltzm'Jakq swung Night again causing Volke to jump away from the Trueblade and slam into a rock wall. Before the assassin could curse, Peltzm'Jakq's blade ripped through him and the rock wall.
Volke looked down to the blade quickly before facing Peltzm'Jakq who picked up Curse "You never stop moving assassin…the second you are pinned down is when your career comes to an end…"
Volke narrowed his eyes as Peltzm'Jakq turned and began approaching him while spinning Curse "What Gods does someone stained in so much blood even have the right to pray to?"
"Ask that to yourself."
Volke readied himself and began moving forward with all his might, the blade still in him continued to cut through him and before Peltzm'Jakq could react, Baselard was in his chest. Screaming the Trueblade swung Curse and ripped through Volke's chest.
Grabbing Night, Volke ripped it out of him and dropped it before stumbling away. Peltzm'Jakq did the same to Baselard and laughed "What drives a man like you? Why go to these lengths? Why die for a contract?"
"I'll never die for a contract."
Volke shot at Peltzm'Jakq who swung Curse again; kicking it away Volke rolled across the ground and pulled out a Peshkatz. Peltzm'Jakq pursued him and barely cut through his leg as he flipped over and found Baselard thrown aside.
Armed once again Volke charge towards Peltzm'Jakq who flashed green and multiplied causing Volke to throw Peshkatz and Baselard in two directions, two clones vanished as Volke continued moving, this time jumping to kick through two more clones and finally tackling the real Peltzm'Jakq to the ground.
Clenching his fists, Volke began to beat down on Peltzm'Jakq's face not unlike the Trueblade just did to him.
With one last wind up, Volke delivered a powerful blow to Peltzm'Jakq's jaw. Breathing heavily Volke stood up as the Trueblade spat blood and teeth onto the ground.
Seeing one arm try to come up, Volke brought his foot up and crushed the man's right hand.
Roaring, Peltzm'Jakq swung with his left as Volke jumped away and picked up Peshkatz. No longer wielding Curse, Peltzm'Jakq leapt away and retrieved Night.
The Trueblade spun the blade and charged Volke, flashing green again. "Focus."
Spinning Peshkatz, Volke shot it past four clones as four blades cut through him. Peshkatz buried itself in Peltzm'Jakq's scarred left eye.
The Trueblade dropped Night and screamed as he grabbed the knife and ripped it out causing blood to stream down his face from his now empty eye socket.
"You son of a bitch!"
Volke launched forward and leapt up, bringing his knee into the Trueblade's face, the powerful blow threw Peltzm'Jakq to the ground and allowed Volke to roll past him and retrieve Baselard once again.
Peltzm'Jakq stood slowly and grabbed Night, all while glaring at Volke with his one eye "You…son of a…bitch…"
The assassin began walking towards him with Baselard as he stood, weapons flashed but after a powerful clash that reverberated along the Cliffside, Night flew through the air and stuck into the ground away from Peltzm'Jakq.
Taking a step forward, Volke spun about and swung Baselard, severing an artery in Peltzm'Jakq's neck. As blood shot out of the man he began gagging and gasping for breath.
Volke stood and watched the Trueblade struggle and stumble "You…"
With one last surge of anger Peltzm'Jakq threw himself against Volke and sunk his razor sharp teeth into the man's neck. Volke groaned and kicked the Altar Master to the ground.
Kneeling down next to him Volke raised Baselard and proceeded to stab Peltzm'Jakq in the chest no less than twenty times.
Now covered in blood, Volke stood, one hand came to the grievous wound along his neck. The assassin stumbled forward trying to walk however, with no energy left he fell to the floor. Blinking a few times he looked up to see the Nero Homunculus in the distance.
Closing his eyes he smirked "Not even that will stop them."
"Try anything you like…the end result will be the same."
Bringing his arms up, the Apothecary caused a purple glow to form around Mikel and Leena. Lifting them from the ground he slammed them together before throwing them into Mertre.
Wayu leapt up and spun her lance only for the Apothecary to jump up at her and strike her in the chest. Grabbing her he swung about and sent her to the floor then turned to Eien.
"You look tired Eien…using all your power to expose me only to realize I can't die…any injury you cause me is healed instantly."
Eien clenched her fists "Then I'll have to rip your power away from you!"
Bringing her arms up she released a white light into the Apothecary's chest. As the shadows died down Leena, Mikel and Wayu charged him. Turning the Apothecary struck them aside, the open hole was now on his back.
Mertre atop her Pegasus flew over him as he continued to lash out against Leena, Mikel and Wayu. Spinning her lance she threw it, the weapon pierced the Apothecary causing him to turn about.
Eien leapt aside, her magic gone the lance fell out of him.
"None of you understand."
Yelling Eien unleashed another white flash allowing Mikel, Leena and Wayu to sink their weapons into the Apothecary.
Soren, Mia and Ike approached and swung their blades, energy waves cut through the Apothecary as well however they only elicited laughs from the being.
"Is this all? Then you truly deserve-"
The Apothecary began screaming as another stream of light struck him from behind.
Soren and Mia turned to see Janie standing with her palm open. "Eien! Encase him!"
The Maestro shook the shock away and nodded, together both women covered the Apothecary in light, his cloak of shadows faded away revealing a human body.
"Now!" Janie and Eien screamed. Mikel, Leena, Wayu, Mertre, Ike, Soren and Mia struck the being in unison as Janie and Eien's flashes exploded and covered the room in a brilliant white light.
Now atop The End, the Fell Lord smiled and took out the Darkness "This world has no need for life…"
"You're wrong!"
Turning the Fell Lord watched as the Nero Homunculus continued to fight the Emissaries outside of the Midnight Bastion. His smile remained as he shook his head "Everyone has failed to stop me. What makes you think you can?"
"Not everyone. They'll stop you."
"Who? Oh the man you envy and the woman you desire? Yes I think I'll let you see me kill them…I know that when they die you won't be shocked…one death will elicit happiness while the other will devastate and break you."
"No! You're wrong! They'll kill us! I know it!"
"Say what you will."
Stretching his arms out and extending them above him, reaching towards the black sky, the Darkness began to levitate before him.
"Janie."
"Freen?"
"I've been with you…I've seen your new strength…you are the future."
Janie remained silent for a bit as she looked to her mentor before asking.
"Are you…are you leaving me again?"
Freen smiled and took a step forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"The removal of your Night Shade essence will kill you…I'd rather give my life for yours…in fact, I'd sacrifice myself every time. The future needs young people…new perspectives and one Elder Sage."
"Freen…"
The older man smiled.
"Everything will be alright."
Despite herself Janie nodded and wiped her tears away.
"…I know…thank you….for everything."
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
Soren shook his head "I'm just glad that you're alive, Janie."
The Elder Sage smiled before turning to see Eien at the fallen Apothecary's side.
Ike joined them "All that leaves is the Fell Lord…are you sure you two want to do this alone?"
Mia nodded "It's Lyle. We have to."
Ike examined Soren who nodded as well "Fighting him is the ending we need…not just Mia and I but Lyle as well…"
The group moved over to Eien who continued to look at the Apothecary "Nias? Ulmeihn? Mazear? Are you there?"
The room was silent and it seemed that the Apothecary was truly gone if not for a voice that came from nowhere.
"Eien? Strange name."
The group turned to see a man with short blue hair and a green eye patch over his left eye. He had a green belt over his blue jacket and red shirt that connected to a blade sheathed at his back.
"Nias?" Eien stated.
The man nodded before examining Ike, Soren, Mia, Mikel, Leena, Wayu, Janie and Mertre before him. "You're the ones who stopped us…aren't you?"
Soren nodded "Why are you here?"
"I can still feel the Fell Lord as well as the faint presence of the Arms he and Eien created…I'm here to tell you that those weapons connect our realm to yours."
Mia raised an eyebrow "What is your realm?"
With a smile Nias shook his head "That is something I cannot say…what I can say is that this connection is dangerous. It is the reason that The Fell Lord has so much power…to stop him the connection must be severed."
The group turned towards the Fell Arms with Wayu commenting "Their power is gone…and the weapons are rusted over…they are no longer the arms they once were."
Nias nodded slowly "Maybe so but it isn't just them…Eien's weapons, Dyesehin, Ijhalma, Gore Eye and Singularity also need to be destroyed."
"What about Goetia?" Janie stated nervously as she held up her tome.
Nias tilted his head "I…can't detect anything…whatever happened to it. It is no longer the Goetia I once knew."
Janie looked at the tome and whispered her teacher's name as Ike looked to the rusted weapons while shaking his head "We can do that…though Ijhalma might take longer as it is back in Zatuo…Singularity and Dyeshein on the other hand have already been destroyed. Though last I checked the weapons were designed to be practically invincible? How can we break them?" Ike asked to which Eien stood "I know how…"
Mikel scratched his head "The things you were doing in that tower in Anondye. Wasn't that all your failed research? I thought you gave up?"
Eien nodded "It was and I did but…now…now I know."
Nias nodded "All will be well…however this task can wait…the Fell Lord has the Darkness…the world is at risk…he must be stopped."
Soren and Mia glanced at each other "We know."
"Nias…despite everything, it is good to see you again."
Nias nodded to Eien before fading away with a few last words "Foreigners you may be…but true heroes do what must be done no matter the borders…you are something I always aspired to…"
With Nias gone the Apothecary's body evaporated like Pesh and Versha before him.
Ike turned "Soren. Mia. You two know where you are going, looks like we have our mission as well…Ijhalma may be out of reach but Gore Eye is here…the sooner we can convince Shinon that we have to destroy it, the better."
Soren nodded with Mia speaking "Our friends outside may need help as well…we need to do all we can to protect everyone and bring this all to a close."
Leena sighed "Almost there…one last stretch…hard to believe."
Soren and Mia turned to the staircase the Fell Lord left through. The pair then looked back to their allies.
Janie: I know you two can do this…after everything I've seen and heard about your journeys, I know you can win this and survive. There is still much more to your story.
Wayu: I never believed in myself but the two of you believed in my, the Troop believed in me and here I am. Whatever power I can give you through my trust and belief…I know it will help you triumph.
Leena: To be blunt, you two kick ass. Together your unstoppable, we all know this…the Fell Lord doesn't but he's about to learn. No country or continent is perfect but you two will definitely make this one better.
Mikel: I've known you two for a long time…I've seen you happy and I've seen myself happy and content with life in those early years. My dreams of being a hero have proven to be immature; these struggles over the last year have shown me that heroes suffer as much as anyone else and a chaotic environment such as this should never be desired. I want our lives to return to how they once were…peaceful.
Mertre: You two were one of the main contributors to the defeat of Benkanan and the stability that Zatuo now enjoys. I'll be forever grateful for that…anything I can do to aid you in your upcoming challenge I will do…even if it only entails hoping and believing that you'll survive…because you will.
Eien: I was an Ancient Hero. I fought for freedom and peace in Ymarkteg generations ago. I thought I had achieved it alongside my comrades…but we made mistakes…our peace faltered and gave way to the pain, loss and suffering of this generation. We've caused what we wanted to stop. I'd have lost all faith if it wasn't for the two of you…I now know what we all must do to be real heroes and figures worthy of respect…and what we all must do for that unobtainable true peace.
As the other Emissaries bowed, Ike approached them "Soren. Mia."
With a smile and a nod he spoke "I've saved a continent before…twice…but both times it was all thanks to the support and aid of everyone that I knew…of everyone on my side…this time I will be the support…I will give you all my strength and backing to assure that we succeed…we didn't come this far, all those travels, all those wars, all those battles…we didn't survive them all to fall when it most counted…end this…and come back to us."
Soren and Mia nodded to Ike before turning and ascending.
With the strength of their allies following them and the determination of the Emissaries still fighting for their lives, Soren and Mia know that what comes next it the most difficult challenge of their lives.
All that stands between the world and peace is their friend, Lyle.