To those wondering why it took so long, sorry. Things are quite hectic on college and I have tests coming up, so I don't have as much time to write as i had previously.
Also, in response to Dr. Bob's review: I have been using this measurement system because I don't know what system people from other nations (not only american) use, so I stuck to what I know. I'm sure you understand, after all, there are poeple from many nationalities that read this fic.
Anyway, here's an action-packed chapter (and a little gory) and since it's really big, I unfortunately won't put any skit here.
Chapter 24
Dead Rise
Lloyd and the others walked to the Coliseum in silence. Sheena looked to Colette every now and then, who was fidgeting nervously. She had tried to talk with the blonde that morning, but Colette seemed really hesitant in practicing her fighting skills again.
"Look... Colette..." Sheena started, but never got the chance to complete that phrase for, in that exact moment, an explosion coming from the main gate was heard.
The group turned immediately and saw smoke rising and the scream of people. Soon enough, they could see fire coming from the lower quarters, spreading at an incredible speed.
Lloyd, Emil and the others ran to the Obelisk Plaza to see several people fleeing to the upper quarters, some were clutching bleeding limbs while others sported burnt marks, however one thing was a constant; their horror struck faces. Guards were coming from everywhere too, going to the focus of the flames.
"What's happening here?" Lloyd asked to no one in particular. One passing man screamed in response:
"IT'S NEBILIM! HE'S HERE!"
The entire group gasped. Ratatosk immediately assumed control and gritted his teeth, putting his hand on the handle of his sword.
"So, the bastard finally decided to come out of the Ginnungagap and show his face!" Ratatosk scowled.
"Emil, calm down," Sheena said.
"She's right. None us have the power necessary to stop him at the moment, so we can't rush to battle," Raine said as she looked at the flames.
Marta noticed that Raine's hands were trembling. However, the brunette decided to not point that out. She was already scared as she was, she didn't need to make the others more nervous, by pointing that the normally stoic and cool-headed Raine seemed frightened. Sheena turned to the group and spoke:
"First, we need to get the people away from here. Raine, Marta, Colette. Can you do it? Your healing abilities might also be needed," the three nodded to the ninja.
"In that case, Sheena, Ratatosk and I are going after Nebilim and buy you some time," Lloyd said as his expression turning into a determined one, very akin to that of his father. "We might be able to push him back."
It was then the group heard a familiar voice urging the people to go to the upper quarters. They looked to the side and saw Zelos at the staircase. His butler was also with him and seemed to be helping the Cruxis' Representative to control the crowd. The group could hear his voice above all of the chaos:
"Sebastian, lead them to the tunnels! You know which ones I'm talking about!" his tone was a serious one, which the group would have never associated to him.
"What about you sir?" Sebastian asked.
"I'm going to do my duty as a Representative, what else?" Zelos said with a half-grin as he pointed to himself. "You take cover with them and get as far away from the city as you can. That's an order."
Sebastian looked like he wanted to protest, but just nodded to his lord and went up the stairs to lead the escape. Zelos smiled once more as he went down the stairs, but stopped once he saw some familiar faces.
Sheena scowled as she turned her face away from him. Lloyd and the others could just look at the red head as he ran to them and said:
"Ok you all, you better get going too. We have emergency exits in Meltokio just for the case something like this..."
"We're not going anywhere," Ratatosk said.
"Excuse me?"
"We want to help," Colette said.
"Oh no, you don't. Do you guys know who just decided to knock on the town, literally?"
"Nebilim, Supreme Head of the Demonic Invasion Forces," Raine said, her expression remaining as regal as always, although her tone seemed to waver a little. "We are aware of that. We have fought the demons for a long time, so we can help."
"Even so, I have to insist you..."
Lloyd stepped in front of Zelos, showing him his determined look that clearly said "we're not going anywhere". The red head sighed at seeing he wouldn't be able to persuade them. He then asked if they had a plan. Marta said they were going to divide into two teams; one to fight Nebilim and one to evacuate all the civilians.
"In that case, I'm going to fight him too," Zelos said.
"We don't need your help. Thanks," Sheena said, now turning to him.
"Believe in me, you're going to need..."
"We can fight just fine. You'll be a nuisance," Sheena insisted, with a sharp gaze in her eyes.
However, Zelos didn't seem intimidated in the least by Sheena's glare. He simply returned it and said:
"Look, I know you that don't trust me and still hate me for what happened, but now is not the time for that. We have an overly powerful overlord on the loose and believe me; you are going to need all the help you can get. It's my duty as Cruxis' Representative to protect this city from the demons."
"Oh, now you decide to be responsible," Sheena jabbed in, her hands crossed over her chest.
Zelos simply continued to look at her, his face was schooled in a serious expression. Sheena then saw something she never had before in his eyes. Sighing, the guardian user said:
"Fine... but don't get in the way," Zelos simply nodded.
After that exchange, the group divided. Ratatosk pointed out that he felt Nebilim's aura coming from the east-most section of the tower, Zelos said was probably the slums as he took the lead and guided them through the city...
- / - / - / - / -
The slums quickly went on flames like the houses were made out of paper. All those that tried to get close to the one that embodied all of the destruction in the world met a quick end, being pierced or ripped apart by his clawed gauntlets. Some were even torn or cut apart by weapons that seemed to be made out of the flames the wraith commanded.
Nebilim controlled the flames like a maestro would to his orchestra. He did leave some escape, but that didn't matter in the end. Everything was going according to plan.
It was then he felt a group of peculiarly powerful auras approaching as he looked outside of the burning building he currently was in. The Demonic Commander smiled at recognizing one of the auras…
Lloyd and the others could just look at the destruction around. Zelos gritted his teeth at seeing nothing he could do would put down those magical flames. It was then the group felt a powerful presence coming from a crumbling, wooden cottage. They looked and saw, coming out of the flames, the smiling figure of the Supreme Head of the Demonic Invasion Forces.
Weapons were immediately drawn as the elven-looking figure stopped outside of the house as it crumbled behind him. Nebilim looked at Ratatosk and said:
"I see you've been faring well, Ratatosk."
"Nebilim," Ratatosk said with his teeth gritted.
The red head looked at the group, still smirking.
"So, that's the new form your 'family' took. And to think they look just like a bunch of humans. Quite clever, I should say."
The group entered in their spirits forms. Zelos looked from them to Nebilim, seeming confused. He shook his head and decided to let that slide for the time being. The Cruxis Representative then spoke:
"So, any special motive as to why you decided to attack us? And how did you pass the barrier?"
"Barrier?" Nebilim asked, feigning confusion. He made a look of mock remembrance. "Oh yes... the so called 'blessing' of your protectors. Heh heh heh..."
"What's so funny?" Sheena inquired.
"Incredible how you can claim to be the Summon Spirits, yet you know so little. But, I suppose that's what happens when you're reborn..." Nebilim then brought his hand near his face. His gauntlet suddenly ignited with a magical flame as he closed his fist. "Now… shall we begin?"
With that, the Supreme Head of the Demonic Troops charged at incredible speed. Lloyd and Sheena put their defenses up as Nebilim used his flaming hand to punch them. The impact was so powerful that the two were launched behind. Ratatosk tried to use Phoenix Rush, however Nebilim easily bypassed the attack, the wind blades doing nothing to him, and applied a powerful kick to Ratatosk's side, sending him flying to the ground.
Sheena got up in time to summon several light spheres and throw them at their adversary, who let them bounce harmlessly in the invisible, flame barrier that protected his body. Lloyd tried to attack Nebilim with his swords, but the red head easily avoided the attacks. Nebilim countered with a sequence of flaming blows from his fists. The flames felt strangely hot even for Lloyd.
This fire... it's not from this world. Lloyd concluded when Nebilim tried to spear him with his hand, inflicting a shallow cut on Lloyd's side, which burned at the contact. Those claws are surprisingly sharp too.
Ratatosk said for Lloyd to get away. The young man flew back and the Lord of the Monsters jumped in the air, grabbing his sword with his two hands as it shone with a multicolored aura.
"Destroyer's Song!" Ratatosk brought the blade down on Nebilim, however, to everybody's surprise, the red head caught the blade with his hand, using the flames around his gauntlet a shield and to disperse the energy. Ratatosk, to say the least, was surprised.
"You've got stronger, I see…" Nebilim said. "Guess you're almost there, isn't that right, Ratatosk?"
"Shut up! I'm Emil now!" the blonde talked back, trying to push the blade down, but it didn't budge an inch.
Nebilim brought his hand back and thrust it forward. That was when Zelos came and deflected the blow with his sword, though the blade cracked. Nebilim let go of Ratatosk's sword and stepped back as Zelos tried to attack him. His sword was bounced off the flame barrier around the elven-looking Demonic Commander.
The flames around Nebilim's hands started to swirl and stretch, forming a blade made out of the otherworldly fire he commanded. He attacked Zelos, who tried to defend, just to have his sword being cut like it was made of wood and receive a nasty, burning slash on his left shoulder. Sheena and Lloyd took the front and applied numerous combos on Nebilim, who either dodged or used his flame blades to defend. Predictably, the two found out the weapons could become solid enough to block their attacks.
Ratatosk joined the fray, but Nebilim saw that and jumped behind, dispelling the blade on his right hand and pointing the palm to them. A jet of roaring, hellish fire was released from his hand, forcing the group to utilize their defensive Artes.
Nebilim would have continued the attack if it wasn't by a shout of "Freeze Lancer!" followed by several ice shards the size of a dog. Nebilim was hit by at least three of the magical projectiles while the rest melted in contact with his barrier, it was still enough to stun him and interrupt his attack.
The group looked where the attack had come from and saw Zelos in a casting stance, the magic circle beneath his feet already disappearing. The Cruxis' Representative had a serious look on his face as he stretched his arm and ice started to form around his hand. Sheena could feel Zelos' aura agitating and magical energy flaring around him. She then realized he was actually, truly using magic.
An electric-blue, long sword materialized in Zelos' hand. He also used his power over ice to stop the blood coming out of his wound and conjured a blue shield with a white crystal in the center on his other hand. Nebilim seemed surprised, but soon started to chuckle at that as he brought his hand to his forehead. The Demonic Commander then looked at Zelos and said:
"I see… so you are one of them after all. Guess the rumors were right."
"And how do you know that?" Zelos asked with his eyebrow raised.
"I've been paying close attention to suspicious individuals ever since the news that Summon Spirits have returned in different bodies."
"Oh. So you came here just to see me? Well, I'm flattered, but sorry, you're not my type," Zelos joked.
"Not really. My purpose here is different."
"Anyway, we're not letting you go on with this massacre," Sheena spoke.
"And what makes you think you actually can stop me, Sheena Fujibayashi?" Nebilim asked, his smirk never leaving his face. Sheena gasped for a moment. "Thought I wouldn't recognize you? You have the eyes of your mother and look just like your grandmother when she was your age."
At Nebilim's sneer, Sheena seemed to snap, abandoning all caution and going after the red head as Lloyd and the others called her back. Zelos swore and started to charge a spell while Sheena attacked Nebilim with light beams, pillars and even conjuring weapons made out of her affinity element. The runes in the rings around her wrists gleamed like precious stones in the sun. Nebilim sidestepped and blocked each attack with his bare hands.
"Don't. You. Dare. Talk. About. MY FAMILY!" Sheena yelled at him, punctuating each word with a blow, which never hit its mark.
In her rage, Sheena committed a grave mistake, making a slash too wide with a light blade, which left her open. Nebilim took the chance and punched her in the stomach with incredible force. It was like a dragon had head butted her. A wave of impact seemed to propagate in the air around as Sheena opened her mouth in a mute exclamation of pain.
The reincarnated Luna was grabbed by her head and her eyes got blinded by red. Nebilim launched another fire jet point blank on Sheena's face, covering her body with the hellish flames. She could feel her defenses being confused at a fast rate. Thankfully, the attack stopped when Nebilim was suddenly encased in an iceberg that materialized in thin air. Sheena almost fell to the ground, if it wasn't by Lloyd coming and taking her away as the ice shattered and flames erupted around Nebilim.
The Demonic Commander looked at Zelos as the group reunited around him. He slowly raised his hand, pointing at the group of reincarnated spirits. The crimson crystal at the back of his gauntlet shone as he proclaimed:
"Arrow Raid!" in the blink of an eye, several fire arrows appeared around his hand and shot to the group. Lloyd and the others activated their defensive Artes again, the arrows batting at their barriers like angry bees, some even managed to bypass it and hit the building behind them.
When the attack passed, the group was left with some minor injuries. They saw Nebilim smiling despite it and were about to counter-attack when they heard the sound of a building collapsing coming from behind. The reincarnated Summon Spirits turned and widened their eyes at seeing the building that Nebilim's fire arrows had pierced and destroyed its foundations falling over them…
- / - / - / - / - / -
Nebilim walked out of the slums' area at a leisurely pace to meet some of the Martel Knights in the streets above, weapons at ready. The commander of that unit took a step forward and proclaimed:
"You shall spread no further destruction, demon! By the word of Cruxis, we shall slay you!"
Nebilim sighed in exasperation. How many times had he heard that line already? He looked at the humans who thought that they stood a chance against him, his previous smirk gone as he scowled:
"Human trash…"
Without any further words, Nebilim advanced upon them. The Martel Knights tried to fight back, but the battle soon proved to be a one-sided massacre. Nebilim's clawed gauntlets cut through the Knight's armors like a hot knife on butter, tearing and slashing flesh and steel with ease. Archers tried to fire, just to have their so called blessed arrows burn in mid air when getting near the personification of destruction itself. Swords were repelled by Nebilim's, invisible, flame barrier, those made of steel of a lesser quality broke upon contact.
Nebilim stabbed a human with his arm stretched, his hand easily exiting to the back of his target as he used him as a human shield on those that attacked him, letting them cut and thrust at their own companion before he put his other hand on the cut, ripped the corpse apart and rushed to the next. He grabbed the head of one knight nearby and incinerated him with a point blank, fire jet, not leaving even the bones behind.
Five minutes later, Nebilim was standing in the middle of disfigured corpses, blood and gore pooling in the streets and evaporating in the air around him, not leaving even a stain in his armor. He scowled again at how much of an annoyance they were, not able to even stand five seconds against him, but still trying to get in his way. He looked ahead and saw a flash of familiar, silver hair.
Raine and Marta were healing the injured as Colette rushed people to the city's exit and the upper quarters. The blonde girl hadn't seen any demons outside of the city gates, meaning Nebilim had probably come alone. Raine had noticed the blonde seemed uneasy around all of the corpses, visibly shaking at the smell of burnt flesh and blood. However, the reincarnated Gnome steeled herself and put up a determined expression on her face, guiding the fleeing citizens to their escape.
Raine got up after healing another man, who nodded his head in thanks before Colette had him to go up the upper quarters, where people seemed to be taking refuge in. The blonde went to Marta to help her with taking people outside of the burning houses. It was then Raine felt the presence of a powerful, crushing aura. One she could easily recognize out of all the demons in this world.
She went to the now destroyed city gates and saw the corpses of the Martel Knights lying near the Inn. Looking up, she saw the figure that had haunted her dreams since that day. Nebilim smiled at her in a rather charming smile which only served to further put Raine at unease and grip her staff tighter.
"Hello," he said, walking to her. Though his stance didn't have any hint of hostility in it, Raine knew better than to let her guard drop near that being. Even so, Nebilim regarded her as an old acquaintance. "Don't worry, Raine. I've been taking good care of him…" with that, Nebilim went up the stairs to the middle quarters.
Raine gritted her teeth and stood in a casting stance. However, she felt a rapid agitation of magical energy near her and suddenly someone was gripping her staff in a strong grab. She opened her eyes to see Nebilim's face, inches away of hers, his clawed gauntlets making pressure against her staff, which seemed ready to crack at any minute now.
The Demonic Commander's face held a smirk as he gazed at Raine's eyes. He chuckled:
"You didn't change one bit…" he suddenly let go of Raine's weapon, which caused her to lose her equilibrium and fall on the ground. Nebilim started again at the stairs. "...but you still have much to learn, child."
As Nebilim went up the stairs, Raine couldn't do anything but watch and punch the ground in frustration, hurting her hand in the process. She really hated it when he spoke like that, making her feel and remember how it was in the past.
- / - / - / - / - / -
The rubble suddenly started to shake, until it moved enough to reveal three, bubble-like barriers. Zelos was the first to get out, putting his hands on his back as he grumbled and a few bones snapped back into place
"Damn! That was totally not cool. And look at my clothes!" he complained as he picked the edge of his pink jacket. "This is gonna take forever to wash! Sebastian is gonna be so pissed."
"Can you stop complaining and concentrate on the task at hand?" Ratatosk scowled as he and the others got out of the rubble.
"Hey, hey! Don't get your panties into a knot, man. I was just stating a fact."
"A very idiotic and useless fact," Ratatosk retorted.
Zelos sighed at that. What was up with that boy? Was he on his period or something? He then saw Lloyd helping Sheena out of the rubble. The ninja looked okay, if not a bit shaken. The Cruxis' Representative decided to try and locate Nebilim. He sensed the powerful aura of the being that commanded the demons on Aselia going up to the Obelisk Plaza.
This is really strange. Not only had he just entered the city like the barrier means nothing to him and is now even approaching its source. Zelos thought. And where the hell are those angels? Shouldn't they be arriving by now?
Zelos was never really what you could call an exemplary follower of Cruxis, but he recognized that without the angels they all would be dead. However, the fact that they had to wait for those guys to decide to appear was revolting in the least. And while they were taking their sweet time, people were dying right and left.
Screw this. If they won't do anything, then I will. There are enough tragedies that's already happened. Zelos thought with grim.
"You all ok?" he asked to his so called companions. Lloyd, Sheena and Ratatosk nodded. "Good. Save those powers of yours for when we find Nebilim. He's in the Obelisk Plaza."
"How do you know that?" Lloyd asked.
"Wait. Do you…?" Sheena asked, starting to connect the dots.
"Let's leave the chat for later. Now we have a city to save," Zelos said in that determined and serious tone that he had been using recently. Lloyd and the others decided to simply nod and followed the red head.
Sheena was impressed to say the least. In the short time span she had encountered her old acquaintance again she found that he had truly changed. His business-like tone was one proof of that. She had never heard him talk like that.
She shook her head and decided to leave those thoughts for later. Sheena concentrated on running together with the group to the middle quarters.
- / - / - / - / - / -
Nebilim raised his eyebrow as he saw two ballistae being aimed at him from the edges of the Obelisk Plaza. He never thought the humans would have guarded those relics from the pre-Kharlan War period. Two, fully armored Commander Knights gave signal for the ones operating the siege weapons to fire.
Thick, wooden pikes flew in Nebilim's direction, but the red head didn't move a muscle to stop or avoid the projectiles. He already knew how that would end. The pikes seemed to suddenly stop in the air for one instant, before their points opened and started to crumple and break in several pieces.
The giant projectiles fell around Nebilim, who was standing still on his position. The Martel Knights who operated the weapons seemed surprised at seeing that. The Demonic Commander sighed and brought his right hand up, waving it in an arch in front of him and leaving flames in the air.
Nebilim then brought his hand to the middle of the newly conjured flame longbow and gripped it like it was solid object. Bringing his other hand to the center of the bow, Nebilim closed it and pulled back, a great, fire arrow forming. He twisted the longbow at the vertical and aimed at one of the ballistae. The Martel Knights drew their shields, preparing for the attack.
"Solar Pierce," Nebilim uttered as he let the arrow go, however, what left the bow wasn't an arrow anymore, but a thin, fire beam. The fire beam cut a hole in the shields and armor of the Martel Knights like it was a powerful, corrosive, acid jet and hit the ballista, causing a great explosion that obliterated all those near the weapon. Nebilim quickly shot another arrow, eliminating the other ballista operator and the weapon before they could fully access what happened.
Dismissing all of that like nothing, but another annoying obstacle, Nebilim went to the Obelisk of Mana, the fence in front of him melting at his approach. It was then he felt Ratatosk and the others coming. He turned and smiled at seeing they had caught up with him just in time.
Zelos looked around, seeing the corpses of the Martel Knights and the destroyed ballistae that he knew the Church had stored for defense purposes. He had also seen the other corpses on his way here, passing by the silver haired woman that accompanied Sheena. Nebilim had spared almost no one in his awake, not even the elderly and children.
"What's your deal? You come here simply because you decided 'hey, I fell like going on a killing spree today'?" the Cruxis' Representative demanded, showing a rare expression of anger.
"I don't expect you to comprehend my motives. Actually, I don't expect anything at all from the humans, except extinction," Nebilim simply replied, his face adopting a stony expression.
"You…" Lloyd said with his teeth clenched.
Sheena had to use all of her willpower not to lash out at this monster again. He talked about killing others like it was no big deal at all.
This is the monster that burned Mizuho to the ground! Sheena thought with her teeth gritted.
"You all surely must hate me, don't you?" Nebilim said in a soft, nonchalant tone. His expression was starting to annoy the reincarnated Spirits. "The Supreme Head of the Demonic Invasion Troops. The one that brings destruction to Aselia and will reduce this world to dust just for the demons to send it back to the original chaos."
"That's only part of it," Lloyd spoke. "You are also the one responsible for the Desians and the deaths of thousands of innocent people."
"Nobody is innocent, boy," Nebilim said in such a serious tone that it almost made the group widen their eyes in surprise. "It would be expected that you, as the newly reincarnated protectors of this world, would know. These 'innocents' that you seek to protect are nothing more than stagnant figures. Conformists that simply sat back and continued to live their lives in ignorance as the war happened around them."
"What do you mean?" Zelos asked.
"Ask Ratatosk. After all, he and I shared the same feeling once," Nebilim said, his smile returning as he pointed to the blonde, crimson eyed Summon Spirit.
Lloyd and the others looked at their companion in confusion. Ratatosk seemed to scowl as he shook his head and lowered it, his stance relaxing. Sheena raised an eyebrow at that. She didn't want to believe anything that despicable demon spouted, but Ratatosk's reaction… there was something strange to it.
"That's in the past now," Ratatosk said, looking up, his voice not carrying its usual arrogance and scowl as it normally did when he was facing an opponent.
"But it is the past that shaped the world to what it is now," Nebilim said, raising his arms as he looked to the skies. "Surely, you all agree that this world is better off being wiped out of existence than to continue in this deplorable state."
"No. What we want is to change it," Sheena said. "You only desire to destroy it."
"My aim isn't Aselia itself, but rather, those that live in it," Nebilim looked at them, his expression now an enigmatic smile. "I am here to deliver vengeance, the wrath of mana upon those that abused it. You, Summon Spirits, have nothing to fear from me. You are not from this world and you only wanted its protection. Surely you can go on and find another world with beings that will truly appreciate your services, one without this filth known as mankind."
"Shut up!" Lloyd yelled. "What do you know about us anyway? If someone should go away, it's you. We're not going to give up until we have restored this world!"
"Besides," Zelos said, deciding to have some piece in that conversation. "We have Cruxis on our side. They surely will love to rip you and your little, demonic friends apart."
Nebilim smiled broadly at that. His smile then turned into a grin, soon to evolve into laughter as he turned his head up. Zelos and the others seemed disturbed by that, but resumed their battle stances. Ratatosk was only looking at the scene with a look of attention and concentration. The elven-looking, Demonic Commander then stopped to laugh enough to speak:
"Ah yes, Cruxis. Hahaha..." he shook his head, smirk back on as he looked at the group. "Well then, let me ask you a question, Mr. Representative Wielder; where are your so called angelic saviors? Shouldn't they have been here by now? I certainly didn't see any while I was slaughtering the humans like pigs," Nebilim's smirk turned into a malicious one.
Zelos opened his mouth, ready to reply, but closed it and looked to the side. He could say they were coming, but his tone certainly would give away that he didn't believe so much in that anymore. After all, it has already been at least half an hour since Nebilim began his attack and until now there was no sight of Cruxis' angels at all.
Could they… also be afraid to face Nebilim. Zelos thought. After all, he is the strongest out of all the demons in Aselia. But… even so. They could have warned us he was coming… couldn't they?
Zelos never once questioned Cruxis' ways and methods. He even agreed that humanity had to atone for their mistakes in the past. But how does leaving them uninformed about Nebilim's eminent approach to Meltokio fit that? Surely, the angels would have sensed somebody as powerful as Nebilim coming to their continent, if they could even find demons in disguise.
Sheena and the others looked at the red headed representative and started to get worried at his silence. They wouldn't admit, but they had also asked themselves that same question. Nebilim seemed pleased with the group's silence and restarted his speech:
"In that case, let me tell you something," he brought his left arm up as he extended it to the group's direction, like he was inviting them to take his hand. That put the whole group in high alert. "The Cruxis that you serve, your so called heavenly saviors, they're nothing…" Nebilim closed his left hand and brought it close to his chest. "but a sham!" with a quick movement, Nebilim shot his left arm back, opening his palm and impacting it with the Obelisk of Mana, right over the Sacred Stone. The strength was enough for the sound to reverberate across the entire plaza.
The group then noticed Nebilim dug the clawed fingers of his gauntlet into the solidified mana as the entire obelisk started to crack. Soon the structure that once stood proudly in the middle quarters of Meltokio as a symbol of Cruxis' blessing, crumbled and fell apart like it was made out of clay.
Zelos seemed shocked as the group gasped. Nebilim then brought his left hand up, so that the group could see the Sacred Stone. Nebilim had his smirk back as he looked at the electric-blue stone. He spoke once more:
"Now, let me show you what the only possible future for the humans is and what shall be the face of the vengeance to befall them!" with that, Nebilim closed his fist and reduced the Sacred Stone to dust.
Zelos lost all support on his legs as he saw that and went on his knees. The Obelisk of Mana… The Sacred Stone… Cruxis' Blessing… Nebilim had bypassed and smashed it all like they were nothing. He even laughed at his face, calling him a fool and destroying the monument to prove his point. Was it true then? That not even the angels could stop Nebilim?
The Cruxis' Representative was so lost in his own thoughts, looking to the ground with an expression of shock on his face, that he didn't notice the abhorrent amounts of energy that were released, and were still flowing, from Nebilim's fist when the Sacred Stone was destroyed. The others, however, did.
Even Lloyd could see the poison-green lines of chaos energy that were floating up to the skies, given its concentration and the power they carried. They were so distracted by it, that they just noticed Nebilim departing when the sound of a column of hellish flames rising reached their ears. They looked back at the Demonic Commander in time to see his sneering expression as he disappeared in the midst of the flames.
Ratatosk would have cursed at being deceived by such a cheap trick, if it wasn't for the fact he felt the chaos energy above them suddenly concentrating and a rift in the dimensional lane forming. The Lord of the Monsters and the other reincarnated Summon Spirits looked up and saw the chaos energy now forming a great rune above the skies, which Ratatosk recognized as being a portal. A portal to Niflheim.
And a high-caliber one at that… Ratatosk realized. He had seen those far too many times to know what kind of being they transported.
When what looked like wisps of dark smoke started to appear at the edges of the portal, a strong wind suddenly blew over Meltokio, the fires dying away and the skies were covered by heavy clouds. More wisps of dark smoke, which Sheena recognized as being a mix of darkness and chaos energies, came from the portal, soon blocking the vision of the ethereal runes on it as the concentration started to get thicker.
It was then something seemed to fall out of the portal, enveloped by the dark smoke, leaving behind a pillar of gaseous darkness and chaos energy. The pillar then reached the ground and the smoke spread on it without any sound of impact.
"Um… Zelos," Lloyd called, when he saw Zelos still hadn't noticed what was happening around of him. When something that resembled a giant, skeletal hand appeared amidst the pillar of dark smoke clad in what looked like a giant robe's sleeve, Lloyd shook the red head awake. "Zelos!"
That finally seemed to bring the Cruxis' Representative back to reality, as he noticed what was in front of them, right were the Obelisk of Mana used to be. Another skeletal hand came out of the pillar of gaseous darkness and soon a skeletal head followed. The group looked at what they could only describe as a demon resembling a giant skeleton with an ox's skull for the head with horns that formed a circle near the head before pointing to sides and behind. It was garbed in a giant, black robe, its edges touched the floor, covering the creature's feet (if it actually had any), with blue and golden lining along the edges and the sleeves, forming runic symbols.
The creature fixated it's shining, cruel, red eyes on the group and let out a thunderous howl, which resembled that of an berserk bull, shaking then entire plaza and chilling them to the bone.
"What the hell is this thing?" Zelos let out as he conjured his ice sword and shield again, his eyes glued to the demon that had appeared before them.
"I can't believe it… I never thought it actually…" Sheena mumbled.
Tenebrae then appeared, startling Zelos, until Lloyd explained to him that the dog-like creature was their friend. The Centurion of Darkness then said:
"I thought Lady Sheena would recognize it. After all, if I'm not mistaken, this particular demon is a figure of your folklore, isn't it?"
"Wait. What is that?" Lloyd asked.
"According to Mizuho's legends, it's a Shinigami, a god of death," Sheena said.
"What?"
"It's not actually a god, per say," Tenebrae clarified. "It's a demon of Lord ranking, the second highest one in Niflheim and losing only to the Grand Demon Lords themselves. It was summoned accidentally into Aselia in the past by summoners, both times causing a great deal of destruction in its awake."
"Its true name in your language would mean 'Dead Rise', because its' main ability is…" Ratatosk didn't get to finish his line, for in that moment the Shinigami let out another howl and the dark smoke that gathered in the ground around the edges of its robe spread over the entire ground, but not making any damage on the group.
The plants seemed to wither away and die instantly and the dark smoke suddenly started to concentrate around the corpses of those that were killed by Nebilim. The smoke then entered inside the decaying bodies and, to the group's horror, they started to move and stand.
"…raise the bodies of the dead," Ratatosk completed grimly as he gripped his sword tighter.
"The hell? We're surrounded!" Lloyd said as he noticed the once unmoving corpses of the Meltokio citizens were now getting up everywhere and effectively circling them.
"Don't panic!" Ratatosk said. "They're only magically animated bodies, empty shells! You have to obliterate them so they can't get up anymore."
"Easy for you to say," Zelos spoke, looking around and even seeing some familiar faces in the middle of the crowd of approaching undead. Seeing them rising again and walking to him with empty, dead eyes, bloodied clothes and disfigured bodies made him want to throw up.
"Can't we simply kill the Shinigami and get it over with?" Sheena asked.
"That would be a good idea if we were able to kill it," Ratatosk talked back.
"What do you mean?" Lloyd asked.
"That thing is nothing like the demons we have fought so far. Its power is superior to those of General rank by a ridiculously large margin. In our current state, we can't do anything more than to simply stun it with strong attacks."
"No more time to talk. Here they come!" Tenebrae said, disappearing.
The Shinigami then pointed to the group of reincarnated spirit and growled, making signal for the undead to attack. Lloyd and the others didn't have any choice, but to enter in their spirit forms and fight back…
- / - / - / - / - / -
Marta and Colette pointed the last of the recently cured citizens to the exit of the town. The two girls went back to the stairs to the middle quarters and found Raine there, getting up and with a look of frustration in her face that both never saw before.
Colette approached the half-elf, asking if she was alright. Raine was about to answer when the skies suddenly clouded and the senses of the reincarnated Summon Spirits caught something; a very powerful and terrible aura.
"What's happening there?" Marta asked, pointing to the skies, where they could see dark smoke forming and coming down.
"I-I don't know, but..." Colette said, suddenly starting to shake. "But... this sensation..."
Raine spared a worried glance at the girls. She could feel it too. This aura was unlike anything they had seen so far in the demons. There was also something that just wasn't right about it.
It was then they heard a loud howl and wind blew around them, carrying what looked like wisps of dark smoke. Raine could feel a spell in the air, so thick it was almost palpable.
It's this strange smoke. What could it…? Her thoughts were interrupted when the hand of nearby corpse suddenly shot forward and grabbed her leg.
Raine jumped on her place and kicked the hand back. She looked around and saw the burnt and slashed corpses starting the get up. Marta and Colette had looks of horror in their faces at seeing that.
"Wha-What's happening?" Marta exclaimed, brining her hands to her mouth.
"A rising spell... so that explains what we felt," Raine said, taking her staff out. "Don't hold back! They're just animated corpses."
"But... they look..." Colette started to say at seeing the bloodied and cut bodies surrounding them. She could even see children's burnt corpses in the crowd.
"Don't pay attention to it! We have to fight our way to Lloyd and the others!"
Colette looked from Raine to the corpses around them. She wanted to help, but looking at those undead she started to tremble. The smell of blood and burnt flesh was now thicker than before, together with the oppressive and terrible aura they were feeling, Colette started to feel nauseous and had urges to throw up.
Marta saw that Colette wasn't in conditions to fight, so she harnessed wind on her spinner and released several wind blades on the animated corpses that were blocking the way to the gates. The undead fell into pieces, though some continued to move, even after losing limbs or half of their bodies. Marta then yelled to Colette:
"GO! Get out while we deal with them!"
The blonde looked from Marta and Raine to the path that they opened for her. The silver haired Professor was already casting chaos spells at the undead crowd. Even though the corpses lost their limbs of half their bodies, they still tried to advance in whatever way they could, those nearer started to attack with punches, weapons or any other way they could find to harm the reincarnated Summon Spirits.
With one last look at her friends, Colette sprinted to the gates. When she had already passed the destroyed wall, she noticed the undead weren't going out of the town. That gave her some time to stop and reflect at what she had just done.
"I'm a coward..." Colette recriminated herself aloud. "Marta and the others are fighting to protect the city and I... I can do nothing, but shake in fear…"
Colette wanted nothing more than to go back and help Sheena and the others. They had supported her through everything and even helped her mother to go into hiding, but each time she tried to fight, she couldn't help but remember what happened to Maki and everybody at Iselia.
Why did I have to be a Summon Spirit if I would turn out to be such a coward? They need my help, but I can't help them just because of this fear of mine. Colette thought bitterly.
"Never lose your smile..."
Colette's eyes widened at remembering Maki's words. She didn't know why she remembered it now of all times. Maybe it was a sign that she should face her fears, rather than run from them forever. She turned and looked back at Meltokio, seeing Raine and Marta making it to the stairs while fighting off the wave of raised dead.
The reincarnated Gnome looked at her side to the ground and found there the metal chakra that always seemed to come whenever she was going into battle. Colette reached for it, but a memory suddenly flashed through her head.
Blood... Exbelua's blood... Sheena's blood...
Colette's hand flinched away as if it had been burnt. She didn't want to hurt anybody anymore. She didn't... she heard Marta gasping when a skeletal hand shot out of the ground and grabbed her leg. Undead were now coming out of the earth.
Choose now... your innocence or your friend's lives... a voice seemed to echo in Colette's head. Everything comes at a price... every action demands that you deny and sacrifice something in return. Which one will you choose in this situation?
Colette didn't know if that voice was her conscience (it sounded far too masculine to be), but knew it was right. Ratatosk had said it once: the world was not a gentle place. It demanded things from you and life forced you to choose every time. And now it was making Colette choose once more. The little innocence she still have left or her friends.
Killing isn't that difficult... you get used to it over time... to some, it's just as normal as breathing...
Colette thought on that. Would that happen to her if she chose to take up in arms now? Would she become some mindless killing machine which didn't care about who it struck down?
No.
Colette looked up, her eyes shining with solemn determination. No, she was never going to get used to killing. She abominated violence and any form of it. She would eventually have to fight, because it is necessary. Because it's the only way to protect her family and friends. Nothing more, nothing less.
If I have to give up this innocence to protect them, so be it. But I'm never going to let violence and killing rule my life.
With that thought in mind, Colette felt her will becoming stronger. She then reached for the chakra again, her hand trembling bit, but pulled it out of the ground nonetheless. This time, no traumatic thoughts or images came to her, her resolve was keeping them at bay.
Colette sighed in relief and saw Raine batting away the undead with her staff and blocking some swords and spears, now clearly cornered and without enough time to charge a spell. Colette reared her weapon, feeling the familiar sensation of the power inside of her flowing to her hand. Her chakra suddenly split into three.
"Triple Ray Thrust!" Colette threw the three rings in high speed. The round blades sailed through the hair, cutting down the animated corpses like they were made out of paper.
Raine and Marta looked and were surprised at seeing Colette coming. What impressed the two even more were the eyes of the girl. They held a determined expression and an iron will, the kind that Lloyd showed when defending his convictions and his friends.
The undead turned to Colette, but the girl already produced two more chakras and threw them at the row of walking corpses, severing limbs and cutting to bodies in two halves. The blonde threw her weapons with strength, striking down lines and lines of animated dead, although she tried to avoid the blood that flew in the air when she severed and cut down an animated corpse.
Raine decided it was time to put an end to that fight and chanted a spell in demonic. She raised her staff, proclaiming:
"Eslid!" the air around her seemed to pulse and, suddenly, the nearest undead fell limply to the ground, like the force that sustained them had suddenly left them.
Colette looked back at the two girls and approached them, saying:
"Wow. What did you do, Professor Raine?"
"I negated all the chaos enchantments around, but it seems I still have ways to go before perfecting it," she muttered at seeing there were undead that had escaped the spell. "Let's go, I can't guarantee whoever revived them won't try it again."
- / - / - / - / - / -
This really, really sucks... was the only conclusion Sheena could come up with for their situation.
Turns out, Ratatosk was right (a fact that Sheena hated more than ever right now): the Shinigami was a whole new level from what they were used to fighting. The personification from her village's folklore was everything the stories described and much more.
While Zelos and Ratatosk froze and obliterated the army of undead, which seemed to be gaining reinforcements that were coming from beneath the ground (Sheena remembered there were reports saying there had been a battle very close to Meltokio during the Second Invasion), she and Lloyd went to take on directly the Demon Lord.
She tried summoning light orbs that exploded on contact as Lloyd attacked by producing fire blades that flew to the demon. The projectiles didn't do any damage on the demon or even its long robes. Lloyd tried using his Flaring Tempest and Sheena a combo of Demon Seal and Dawn Pillars. Both didn't seem to do anything other than annoy the Demon Lord, who turned and batted Lloyd away with his skeletal hand.
Sheena produced daggers made of light and tried to go on melee against the Shinigami. The creature defended the blows with just its sleeve before launching a beam of chaos energy at her that pushed the reincarnated Luna all the way across the plaza.
Ratatosk saw that and attempted to hit the Shinigami with Ain Soph Aür, just to discover his favorite Mystic Arte was still not powerful enough as the Shinigami blocked it with its bare hand. Lloyd took the opportunity it was distracted to use Sword Rain: Flare on its back. The Arte did nothing more than to momentarily stun his adversary and flap his clothes.
The Shinigami turned to Lloyd and opened its mouth, letting out a breath of the same dark smoke that seemed to surround the base of its robes. Lloyd used his defensive Arte, however, the air around him started to get suffocating and he got a coughing fit while trying to keep the shield up. It was in that moment Sheena used her light to disperse the dark smoke around him and Lloyd could breathe once more.
"Thanks Sheena," he said with a mild smile, trying to recover his breath.
"Don't try to defend against that again. That wasn't a normal Arte," Sheena spoke. "How about we try together now?" she smiled to Lloyd, who smiled back.
The two then held their hands around Lloyd's red sword, their bodies being involved by auras of light and fire. The Shinigami was about to attack, but was hit by a Brilliant Shackles spell, which immobilized it. Lloyd and Sheena quickly looked down and saw Raine and the other girls arriving.
The couple then shot down towards the Demon Lord, their power turning them into comets of light and fire. Lloyd and Sheena impacted with the Shinigami's chest, pressing against its defenses as it was stunned by the strong impact and slightly forced behind.
However, the Demon Lord quickly grabbed Lloyd and Sheena, passing their powerful auras and nullifying the attack instantly. The Shinigami then threw the two to the ground with impressive strength, creating two craters with their shape. The demon then closed its fists and brought them back, ready to bring them down on the couple. Raine used a Ray spell to stop the Shinigami and blind it momentarily.
Lloyd and Sheena used that chance to get away and regroup with the others. Marta was about to ask what that demon was when the powerful aura of the Shinigami started to become agitated and it mumbled some words in what sounded demonic language. Raine recognized the enchantment.
"Everybody, SCATTER!" the group barely had time to take heed to her warning and run to the sides as the Demon Lord casted its spell.
A great sphere of chaos energy formed in front of the Shinigami and shot a large beam, which wiped out any undead on its path, not leaving any trace of them. Then the ground which the beam had travelled above exploded, bricks and dirty flying into the air. Lloyd and the others had to avoid the falling chunks of rock and bricks.
"It can use chaos magic?" Lloyd exclaimed.
"Ugh! Figures…" Sheena said.
The battle went on as the Shinigami let out another breath of dark smoke. Ratatosk and Zelos avoided it and saw first-hand what happened to the animated corpses that stood on its way; they withered and turned into dust seconds after the darkness engulfed them. Raine tried to use her light magic and Lloyd attacked with his Blazing Fang Arte, however, both managed only to temporarily stun their adversary, not even damaging its clothing.
The group was quickly getting tired. Zelos noticed it and thought on what he could do. He knew if he tried to directly attack that thing he would be dead.
Wait… what if I…? Zelos thought, but quickly dismissed the idea. If the others couldn't even scratch it, the best it can do is to freeze this guy for some time, but he would eventually free himself.
Ratatosk tried to use his Destroyer Song's Arte, but the Shinigami crossed its arms above its head and threw them to the side, releasing a powerful pulse of its aura that knocked the Lord of the Monsters back. Colette tried throwing her chakras at the Demon Lord, only for it to bat them away.
"Isn't there a way for us to defeat this thing?" Marta questioned aloud, sounding desperate.
Raine tried to think on some short of strategy. It was clear their power was insufficient to defeat the Demon Lord, but they couldn't simply leave this thing. Who knows what a demon of this level of power could do if left free to roam in Aselia? Raine then remembered something from her first years of studying the demonic lore:
There were many incidents in the past involving stray demons or ones accidentally invoked from Niflheim. In most cases, people were unable to contact the guardians of the world, or simply didn't have the time, so the only solution they had when not being able to destroy the demon was banishing it back to Niflheim.
Raine remembered having seen some short of portal in the skies. Maybe they could send the Shinigami back to Niflheim. She approached the fallen Ratatosk and healed his injuries, asking him:
"Is there a way for us to send it back to Niflheim?"
Ratatosk looked at her with surprise, but soon caught on what she was suggesting, mentally slapping himself for not thinking of that before. He looked to the skies, where the portal that had brought the Demon Lord had opened, and spoke:
"The dimensional layer is still vulnerable and the energy of the portal is still there. I think with your knowledge in demonic arts and my powers we could open one portal powerful enough to send this thing back, but we're gonna need time and I don't think it'll simply sit back and watch us charge the spell."
Zelos stopped nearby and heard the two speak, as the others did. So they just needed to keep that thing occupied. Lloyd, Marta and Colette said they would act as distractions while Raine and Ratatosk charged the spell. Sheena and Zelos were going to keep the raised undead off the two.
The group then set off to deal with the threat. The Demon Lord attacked Lloyd and Marta with a Neran Liard spell, forcing them away, as Colette used long-range Artes to keep the Shinigami away. The creature then looked at Ratatosk and Raine and growled. Lloyd and the girls had cold sweat running down their foreheads at seeing the demon had noticed what they were doing so soon.
The attack on the invincible entity turned more intense, aiming to keep it in its place. Sheena dispatched another wave of undead when she suddenly felt the Shinigami's aura concentrating and power uniting around it. However, it seemed that Lloyd and Marta hadn't noticed it, too busy keeping the Demon Lord occupied.
"Watch out!" Sheena warned them, but it came too late.
The Shinigami crossed its arms near its head and its aura flared with power and the darkness that surrounded the base of his robes rushed upwards, surrounding it in a whirl of dark, chaos energy. The whirlwind of power caught Lloyd and Marta and lifted the two, attacking their aura directly. The two were forced out of their spirit forms and fell to the ground as the demon threw its head up, opening its mouth and swallowing all of the darkness and chaos that it had used. The Shinigami then leaned its body to the side, harnessing the power it had reabsorbed and preparing to execute a Mystic Arte.
Sheena and Colette tried to go for their two friends, but ended up caught in the attack when the Demon Lord let out a howl that shook the entire plaza. Waves of chaos energy flowing out of its body, pushing and attacking everything around it at a certain distance and creating cracks on the ground, Lloyd and Marta were thrown backwards and collided with Sheena and Colette, the former having her spirit form immediately dispelled as her aura was assaulted by the overwhelming flood of chaos energy. The only ones that escaped the attack were Ratatosk, Raine and Zelos. The red head still had to fight against the strong winds that were a bi-product of the attack and the half-elf and the Lord of Monsters also managed to keep their ground at the edge of the plaza as they continued to charge the enchantment.
Zelos then saw his companions' situation; Lloyd and Marta were out cold, with several bruises, just like Sheena and Colette who looked fatigued. However, that was nothing compared to the damage in their aura and magical energy. The Cruxis' representative was surprised they were even alive after that attack.
That Mystic Arte would have completely obliterated the aura of any normal human. But that clearly seems to not be their case. Zelos thought.
It was then he noticed the Shinigami turning to look at Ratatosk and Raine. The Demon Lord slowly made its way to the two, who didn't run or stopped their casting. Zelos wanted to scream at them to escape, but knew that even if they did it, it would just delay the inevitable. He started to feel anger and revolt towards the situation.
It's almost… like back then… I could do nothing, but watch as they were all killed. Zelos thought, gritting his teeth. Then he remembered. I am not the same as back then. Now I can save them! With that thought in mind, Zelos concentrated in gathering all of his power. It was time for him to use his secret technique.
The air around him seemed to drop several degrees and the ground seemed to freeze. His blade was enveloped by a white glow as he fixed his eyes on the Demon Lord. The red head then called:
"Hey, you big, bony freak!" the Shinigami turned its oxen-like, skull head to him. "TRY THIS!" Zelos swung his sword and sent a great, crescent blade of ice element against the demon.
The Shinigami raised its sleeve to block it, however, when the blade hit, it instantly turned into ice, producing a line of icebergs that stuck on the sleeve of the Demon Lord, which looked confused when it felt its arm getting heavy due to the icy formation. That was all the time Zelos needed to approach and start attacking:
"Oh ancient, frigid blade…" the red read intoned as he quickly slashed at the base of the Demon Lord's robe, each blow producing more ice formations that clang to the demon's clothes. "...release thy chilling fury upon my enemies…" he seemed to disappear momentarily, just to reappear behind the Demon Lord and once more attack, causing another portion of the Shinigami's body to be enveloped by ice. "...let they know your cold edge…" once more Zelos disappeared and this time reappeared in the air, slashing at the demon's torso. "...bind them…" again he appeared near the shoulders. The demon was unable to accompany Zelos' movements, which resembled much that of a teleport magic. "...and strike their hearts…" this time the Shinigami's right arm was covered in ice formations. "...as the cold take over their very souls," Zelos disappeared and reappeared in the ground, sliding away of the Demon Lord, who by now had its body curved, weighting with all the ice formations that adhered to his clothes, unable to properly move. Zelos then produced an ice rose with his left hand, closing his eyes and bringing it near his face as if he was to sniff its aroma. "... Arctic Bind!" Zelos then threw the rose to the Demon Lord without even looking. The artificial flower sailed through the air as if in slow motion until it hit one of the icy formations on the body of the Shinigami. When the rose shattered, the whole body of the giant demon was incased in solid ice as the formations over him grew in an instant, completely freezing and immobilizing it.
Raine and Ratatosk had their eyes wide at seeing Zelos execute such a Mystic Arte and effectively stop the Demon Lord. The silver haired woman looked to the red head, who kneeled once he finished his attack, panting in exhaustion.
So he really is a Summon Spirit! Raine realized. Only one would have any chance at freezing a Demon Lord like that.
"Now Raine!" Ratatosk called her attention. She nodded, breaking her gaze away from Zelos and intoning the rest of the enchantment as she and Ratatosk united their hands and pointed to the sky.
The portal was opened once more, but this time, it started to suck all of the chaos energy around, together with the raised undead, which had stopped moving when the Shinigami was frozen. Sheena, Zelos and Colette felt the wind ruffling their hair and clothes, but not pulling them to the portal. The ice which encased the Shinigami slowly started to move, until it finally left the ground.
Before it reached the portal, the top cracked and broke, liberating the Demon Lord's head as it grumbled and noticed the portal pulling it back to Niflheim. The Shinigami thrashed its head around, struggling against its prison and managing to break one of its hands free, however the Demon Lord was already turned upside down and the still frozen base of its robe started to be absorbed by the portal, together with any wisps of darkness and chaos energy around.
The Shinigami howled and struggled, but was unable to free anymore of its body, its torso already being absorbed into the portal and proceeding to its shoulders and head as the demon thrashed around, howling. Finally it stretched its arm, like if trying to grab onto something that could pull it out of the portal, but there was nothing and, with a final, reverberating howl, its head and hand were absorbed, disappearing.
The portal then shone and shrank, exploding in thousands of light dots as the skies finally cleared. The group could finally breathe in relief, feeling no trace of the Demon Lord's presence. They had saved Aselia, for now…
A.N.: Eslid is "dispel" in common and the Mystic Arte used by the Shinigami is Terror's Howl. Just to make it clear.
Since this chapter was really long, I finished it here. So, see you all next time.