A/N: Well guys I bring to you all the new update to this chapter! There's nothing much to say so time to respond to you reviewers!
MysteriousOwl: Err... what? I... have no idea what to say lol... But those expressions look surprised soo... yay!
ydshahid: Ohhh... well, that's good to know. Hahaha. Indeed, too bad the two Millas could not be used in the game because... well, you know.
U-Know Yunho: Yes! Both Millas working together, hohoho. This chapter will highlight just how broken they are if they work together!
Yeah Jura! Don't say anything! Just... be quiet
Riku Uzumaki: Hahaha, well... this chapter will uncover indeed a mystic arte of 'fractured' Milla. I hope you'll like my version of it. Your suggestions gave me a lot of interesting concepts, but in the end, I decided on this one.
Demigod103: Not sure if you'll see this response since it's from... 20 chapters ago... but I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. Haha, I try to keep the skits like how the game did it (not very easy though). And yes, there was not much progress in Jude x Milla's relationship in ToX2, except in the final few chapters of Jude and Milla's character quest. In any case, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
Aldehar: Haha, well it's not so easy to try and maintain her character. I mean, she is Milla and yet at the same time she is not. While her being 'tsundere' is how some people claim her character to be (which I agree to some extent), I want to deepen that character. So hopefully, I did what I could, lol. Ah yeah, I understood your comment about Muzet because I faced the same thing about her. She is really... not an easy character for me to establish :S mainly because I don't know how to base her on. I mean, I know she take things lightly, but she can be serious when she wants to. So far I'm going for that angle.
Glad you liked that interactions between the two kings. It is how they did it in the game, so it was not too difficult to apply it. Haha, well I believe Muzet would have grown past that, so it's nice to bring her into this arc (Although she had little to no interactions with Maxwell).
Hmm... an interesting point you put there. As you have mentioned, that was not my original intention but I can see how you could see it that way. I just wanted Milla to always support 'fractured' Milla because they were one and the same, but what you found was really... nice, haha
Ah well... I assume Maxwell doesn't know he was a fractured being just as most fractured beings don't know they are (except Victor and that... gigantic machine boss in chapter 10 (No idea who that is until no)). As for Maxwell knowing they are from the prime dimension, it's not that he instantly knows that. There's no 'smell' really. I just wrote it that way because Maxwell assumes they are from the prime dimension (which he isn't wrong lol). HAHA! I cracked up when you mentioned about Maxwell being short-sighted XD
Indeed. But in this case, Maxwell simply aimed everyone because in his POV, he assumed Elle was a target as well. But your comment that no one should attack anyone while transforming was so spot-on! XD Like... main characters from anime/games could be kileld so easily while they do their poses and transformtions, lol
Indeed, this arc isn't the easiest to cover. The fact that even I'm sometimes confused about it makes it difficult. I mean, I understand the whole point of it (finding out about Milla Kresnik) but when you deep, as in trying to see how it applies the law of the fractured dimensions... well I just can't figure it out.
Hehehe, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter because the answer to 'fractured' Milla... well I've been planning this for some time and I hope the way I wrote it is able to be delivered to you readers properly. You know, what you have in mind is not easy to express in writing. If only I could draw, then I'd draw a doujin of this story as well :/
Anyway, thanks for your support! I always enjoy reading your feedback! Hope you'll enjoy this update!
Radomaru: Indeed! Going against the Lord of Spirits is never easy after all.
Well I'm not sure if they really kicked his ass, but yes, they did beat him, huehue. And I believe spirits are capable of showing emotion (like Chronos), they just need time to develop it xD
Huehue, yes both Millas working together! This was something I've been looking forward to since I started this story! A different take in Tox2 now that both Millas are alive and working together!
Anyway, that's it for response to reviews. I hope you guys will enjoy this update!
CHAPTER 23: OMNISTRIKE
Maxwell's eyes followed the two Millas coming at him, "It does not matter what you two plan to do. In the end, I know how Milla works! You cannot fool me!"
It was true that Maxwell had a hard time earlier when he fought the Milla of his dimension with her friends, but he somehow prevailed with the assistance of 'Muzet'. But in the end, despite the Great Four assisting that 'Milla', Maxwell was able to read all of her attacks. Her elemental attacks, while powerful, were useless if Maxwell could nullify it. So long as Maxwell knew all of Milla's abilities, there was no way she could defeat him. And that meant the same for the fake Milla. Maxwell had no doubt, her tactics was no different than the Milla he knew.
Both Milla and 'fractured' Milla ran together when Maxwell threw several artes at the pair, finally breaking them apart. Milla flanked to Maxwell's right and 'fractured' Milla flanked Maxwell's left. Milla summoned forth Efreet and Undine, where all three began channeling an arte. Maxwell scoffed at their foolish attempts, throwing a shockwave from the palm of his hands at each of his sides. As he expected, to his right, Milla was blown away again by the powerful force. And no doubt, the 'fake' Milla was blown away as well.
"Your attempts are futile Milla." Maxwell said, watching Milla recovering from being blown by the shockwave.
Milla shifted her blade and replied, "And your overconfidence blinds you Maxwell."
"What?" Maxwell was outraged by such mockery when the fractured Lord of Spirits finally noticed that 'fractured' Milla was just right next to him with her sword moving towards him. "How did you…!"
"I told you I'm a different Milla!" 'Fractured' Milla exclaimed.
Just before the blow was struck, Maxwell managed to erect a barrier. 'Fractured' Milla's sword bounced back as it hit the barrier like a brick wall. And before Maxwell could retaliate, 'fractured' Milla quickly jumped away before regrouping with Milla again. Jude watched the whole thing from within the glob of water, so the clock was still ticking on his life.
"Preposterous!" Maxwell said in anger towards 'fractured' Milla, "How could you be so quick? The Milla I know isn't so agile!"
Inside their hearts, both Millas were brimming but the pair kept a straight face. Their plan was working. Maxwell only had knowledge of Milla who relied on the Great Spirits. However 'fractured' Milla had lost the usage of her Great Spirits for a long time and had mastered the art of the sword. She had developed her own style, but she never realized this was what made her unique from the rest. Also, the time she spent with everyone in this prime dimension, fighting along their side, helped her sharpen her style. Now it was time to reveal how she was a different 'Milla Maxwell'.
Milla could see Maxwell was lost now. The fractured Lord of Spirits did not know what to make of 'fractured' Milla. Milla had to admit, while she was much more proficient now with the sword, her dependence on the Great Spirits was still part of her combat style. If she and 'fractured' Milla fought without her use of the Great Spirits, she would be at a huge disadvantage.
"I told you Maxwell," 'Fractured' Milla spoke with poise, "I'm a different Milla. I've been insecure for so long, comparing myself to the real Milla, thinking I was a 'copy'. But she... and everyone… everyone supported me. She told me that I am Milla Maxwell of my own, and now I understand what she's been trying to tell me. I'm not a fake. I'm real. I am Milla Maxwell!" 'Fractured' Milla turned to Milla, "Milla, let's go! We still need to free Jude!"
Milla smiled and nodded, "I shall keep Maxwell busy. Milla, I'll leave it to you to force Maxwell to dispel the arte that's holding Jude."
Both Millas charged once more together, this time with a much more determined expression on their features. Both Jude and Ludger watched their backs from where they were, sensing a different atmosphere on the two. For the first time, they saw both Millas standing on equal ground. The confidence 'fractured' Milla was emitting was identical to how Milla carried herself. Now, both carried the same exact aura.
"You might have surprised me earlier," Maxwell stated as the two Millas drew close, "But the same attack pattern shall not fool me!"
"Same pattern?" Milla summoned the Great Four Spirits to her side, "I assure you Maxwell, we are not so cheap to use the same tactic."
Instead of splitting up, both Millas continued to run forward. Maxwell surprisingly moved in to engage the two Millas instead of channeling any artes, the mechanical-like throne moving. Once within range, the bottom half of the throne moved like a snake, attempting to smash both Millas. Efreet released a powerful fireball, blasting it against the bottom half of the mechanical throne, stopping Maxwell's attack. However Maxwell was not done, now creating several elemental spheres behind him, throwing them all at the two Millas. Milla avoided the spheres and ordered the Great Four Spirits to throw their own respective spells at Maxwell. The fractured Lord of Spirits once more enacted a barrier to protect himself but while he was so occupied with Milla, 'fractured' Milla had already appeared behind him.
"I told you, the same attack pattern will not work on me." Maxwell said calmly, turning around suddenly and finding 'fractured' Milla there. At point-blank range, Maxwell knew there was no way for 'fractured' Milla to escape. He summoned forth several white spectral lances, releasing them all at 'fractured' Milla. What happened next was incomprehensible for the fractured Lord of Spirits. The spectral lances pierced through thin air, 'fractured' Milla gone from her spot. "Impossible!" Maxwell exclaimed.
"Over here Maxwell!"
Maxwell looked above him and found 'fractured' Milla there. With sheer speed, 'fractured' Milla managed to avoid the spectral lances even at point-blank range, confusing Maxwell. Now the fractured Lord of Spirits was vulnerable as 'fractured' Milla smashed her sword through the barrier, destroying it. Milla was next, jumping up towards Maxwell and swinging her sword which was engulfed in flames, courtesy of Efreet. Milla's sword slashed through Maxwell's chest and although there were no visible wounds, Maxwell cried in agony. That attack forced Maxwell to dispel the arte that held Jude in a glob of water, releasing him. Jude gasped the moment he was released, desperately drawing in air to his lungs and coughing at the same time.
"Are you alright Jude?" Milla asked while she regrouped with 'fractured' Milla. She was concerned over Jude, but right now, she could not be at his side. Maxwell was a dangerous foe.
"Ye-yeah…" Jude wheezed, "I'll… be fine."
Milla was relieved but she could not show it, "Leave Maxwell to us. When you have recovered enough, take care of Elle and Ludger."
"I know…" Jude turned to look at Ludger, who was still afflicted with his fit of coughing before returning his gaze to the two Millas, "But… are you two enough to handle Maxwell?"
"Gaius and Muzet are busy with their own battles." Milla replied, standing firm, "And Ludger needs your healing artes. Elle is also unprotected as well. Don't worry about us, we can handle Maxwell by ourselves." Milla then turned to her other self, "Are you ready?"
'Fractured' Milla nodded, "This will be the final attack. We have to take down Maxwell before he starts getting familiar with how we work."
"Agreed."
Thus both Millas moved together again, this time to make this the final combo. As a Great Spirit himself, Maxwell was calm, restraining the human emotion of anger. This time, he was at least aware that 'fractured' Milla was different in the sense of being more skilled with the blade and quick on her feet, unlike the original Maxwell. Now he was prepared for the duo.
"I shall stop you all here!" Maxwell said, channeling forth several artes.
Both Millas knew it was now or never. Maxwell was beginning to adapt, so this would be the final round of their assault. Milla went ahead, directly moving towards Maxwell while 'fractured' Milla ran off to the sides. Maxwell knew what they were planning. They were going to attack him from both sides, so the fractured Lord of Spirits decided he had to destroy one of them first. And Maxwell aimed for 'fractured' Milla, the one he deemed the 'easier' target since she had no Great Spirits to assist her.
Maxwell turned around and threw forth several offensive artes. Spectral lances, fireballs and a medium-sized sphere of darkness were thrown at 'fractured' Milla. She managed to avoid each of them, but each arte that Maxwell threw at her was beginning to take its toll on her. Milla knew she needed to ease the burden of her twin self and leaped to Maxwell, summoning Gnome to her side. A channeling circle appeared in front of her and launched and earthen spear towards Maxwell.
"Sigil Spear!"
Maxwell expected that, turning around to counter Milla. What he did not know was that 'fractured' Milla expected Maxwell to counter Milla. Thus both Millas were going to attack simultaneously at the same time, from both directions. Just before the earth spear was nearing Maxwell, 'fractured' Milla made her move, lunging to Maxwell and delivering a series of quick cuts from behind. "Blinding Light!"
With the two performing their own respective artes together, they formed a link opportunity and took it, moving into a linked arte. It was the first time both Millas performed a linked arte together. 'Fractured' Milla ran through the clear water before she jumped forward, sending a mighty slash across Maxwell. As the fractured Lord of Spirits groaned in agony, Milla released several rocks carved like knives towards Maxwell, all of them hitting its target. "Shining Cries!"
Maxwell was close to defeat but both Millas realized that they needed one last push. And 'fractured' Milla would be the first to deliver.
'Fractured' Milla was several meters away from Maxwell when she charged in. In an instant, she appeared before Maxwell and swung her sword, a blinding trail of white-light covering the path of her sword. Just as her sword made contact on Maxwell, 'fractured' Milla instantly appeared above Maxwell, delivering another clean cut on Maxwell. Once more, she disappeared and appeared to Maxwell's right. This process repeated several times with 'fractured' Milla appearing in different directions of Maxwell. Also while 'fractured' Milla attacked alone, due to her incredible speed, it almost seemed like there were several after-images attacking simultaneously, with several trail of white light surrounding Maxwell. After ten strikes, 'fractured' Milla landed in front of Maxwell one final time and slashed through the fractured Lord of Spirits one final time. Thus, 'fractured' Milla completed her Mystic arte. "Omnistrike!"
Maxwell fell back on his throne, feeling great pain on every spot that 'fractured' Milla had hit, "This... cannot be…!"
Maxwell was completely vulnerable now and Milla stepped up to finish the job. She moved in a path of flames, blazing through Maxwell with the assistance of Efreet. "Come!" Next, she swung her blade upwards, accompanied by a powerful blast of water by Undine. "And gather!" After that, she spun around and swung her blade that was engulfed by a high-pressurized wind element, courtesy of Sylph. "Combine!" Finally once again she threw several rocks that were as sharp as swords towards Maxwell. With each of the Great Spirits done with their respective artes, Milla was now up to finish everything. With four great channeling circles in front of her, each representing the Great Four, Milla moved her arms in a manner to summon forth her mana to use all four elements. "And feel my blade!" In a short while, from each of the four channeling circles, beams of energy filled with an elemental element spewed forth, all of them blasting Maxwell. "Elemental Mastery!"
Maxwell's mechanical throne was thrown several meters backwards, with the fractured Lord of Spirits crying out in torture. Both Milla and 'fractured' Milla regrouped, panting lightly. After using their respective mystic artes, Maxwell was now completely defeated.
Ludger was past his coughing fit by then, so he was alright along with Jude. Both were amazed at what they saw, and Jude especially more since he could not believe that Maxwell was defeated by just two people. A year ago, it took the entire party's effort to just make Maxwell listen to them. In just one year, everyone had grown so much.
"Milla!" Elle cried out, running towards 'fractured' Milla and hugging her legs.
'Fractured' Milla kneeled down, looking at Elle in the eye with a smile, "It's okay Elle, I'm alright. I'm glad you and everyone are safe."
"You were so awesome!" Elle enthused happily, "You went all lightning-fast and… you hit that old man and everything!" Elle continued describing what 'fractured' Milla did, and she had to admit, she did really well. The strength and will she uncovered was now revealing itself.
Jude approached Milla, deeply worried, "Are you alright? Are you hurt? You went and fought Maxwell, you must be hurt! I can heal you, so let me-"
"Jude, calm down." Milla said with a smile, "Milla and I are fine. Did you not see the fight? We handled Maxwell quite well on our own."
Jude finally relaxed, taking a deep breath, "Yeah, you're right. I… I'm just glad everyone's alright." Jude then looked around, not finding Gaius and Muzet, "Although I don't see Gaius and Muzet. Their fight must have moved elsewhere."
Milla nodded, "But I believe they are alright. I trust my sister and I am sure Gaius will have no trouble handling a fractured Muzet. For now, we have more important matters at hand." Milla then looked at Maxwell, who was still unmoving since being beaten by two mystic artes. She turned to Jude, "Let's go Jude. Now we'll find out the answer from Maxwell himself about Milla Kresnik."
Milla started walking towards the defeated Maxwell and Jude followed her. 'Fractured' Milla, Elle and Ludger were behind the pair, not saying anything. Now that all obstacles were pushed aside, this was Jude and Milla's moment. The rest did not have to say anything.
The party now stood directly before Maxwell, who finally glared at all of them with a defeated look. Although there was no evidence of physical injury, the pain Maxwell felt was real. This was because he was a Great Spirit. Milla stared at the Great Spirit before her, feeling a sense of nostalgia. In a sense, Maxwell could be a 'father' to her, but she was treated like a pawn. Now looking at this fractured Maxwell, she wondered if things could have ended differently with the prime Maxwell.
"How…?" Maxwell finally spoke weakly towards the two Milla, "How could you two… be so powerful?"
'Fractured' Milla was about to speak up when Milla answered first, "Because we are both Milla Maxwell. Did you honestly think you could handle the two of us? Your assumption of one of us being a 'fake' was your downfall." Milla turned to her other self, "Because she is not weak. Far from it. She's an equal to my own power, despite not having the Great Four."
'Fractured' Milla felt honored to be praised as such by Milla, "Milla…"
Milla then returned back to the matter at hand, "In any case Maxwell, answer my question. What happened between you and the human, Milla Kresnik? Is there any relation to why you created the schism that separated Elympios and Rieze Maxia?"
Maxwell, who had been refusing to even listen to Milla's question, suddenly was at full attention, "Where did you hear that name?!"
"It's been ingrained in Nia Khera folklore but unfortunately… the story's details have been lost throughout the ages." Jude answered.
"Ah… so the prime dimension has lost the history…" Maxwell concluded, "The fact that you have entered a different dimension to seek an answer, I assume that one of you is a descendant of the Kresnik Clan."
Milla nodded and revealed Ludger behind her, "Yes. Ludger is a descendant of that lineage. It can almost be said that he is a direct descendant, but there is no way to confirm that." Maxwell continued to stare at Ludger, as if measuring his power. Milla continued to speak, "Now Maxwell, I want you to tell us everything. Did you name me after her? After Milla Kresnik?"
"And why would you even want an answer to that?" Maxwell challenged, "The answer serves no point or cause for you."
"Because I want to know about myself." Milla responded, "I want to know the reason you gave me this name, the history behind it. In a sense, I want some form of closure. You should know Maxwell, you and I were never close, but you gave me this name. I want to know… what went through your mind when you gave me this name."
"You 'want to know'." Maxwell shut his eyes, actually even smiling as he reminisces through the past, "How very human… completely unlike the Milla I know of. Fine, I shall give you the answer you seek." Maxwell opened his eyes and looked directly at Milla, "Milla Kresnik… even now, you share the same trait of wanting to know more… just like her."
"What do you mean?" Milla asked. Jude was wondering the same thing.
"That woman pestered me incessantly once she learnt she could summon me." Maxwell explained, "Every time, she would ask 'why does this happen?' 'How does this work?' and other tedious questions. She wanted to know everything! Human curiosity has no limits or boundaries, always seeking answers to their questions. It never ceases to amaze me."
Milla actually had to agree with Maxwell here, "Indeed. Humans will always continue on the path of knowledge, ignoring all warnings or dangers it brings to their lives. They would continue to pursue on this path even if it meant their own destruction. But despite that, this is one of the traits that give humans their strength."
As Jude listened to Milla, he wondered if what she said was a direct reference to him. That was how they first met after all. It was his curious nature of following Milla when he first saw her at Fennmont. He could have just backed away and their destinies would have been different. Instead he followed her, snuck into the Laforte Research center with her. His curiosity led to this.
Maxwell continued with answering Milla's original question, "When Spyrix began to drive spirits and humans apart, Milla stood against it. In her path to understand spirits, she represented more than just human beings. She was hope. All of her efforts… everything was for the benefit of both spirits and humanity. Milla… was something we have never seen at the time, a brilliant sight to behold." Maxwell paused for a moment as he was almost lost in his own story, "As time went on, humans slowly supported with Milla's ideals and flocked to her side." Maxwell then looked at Ludger, "Thus began the lineage of your clan. The Kresnik clan." Ludger's eyes widened at this. Now he learnt something valuable about his family origins as well.
Milla shifted her posture, "And yet… I understand that Chronos didn't think much of her."
Maxwell nearly scoffed at that statement, "Chronos never thought much of any humans. In the end, he always found them to be inadequate beings that need to prove their worth, no matter what they have done. Milla Kresnik was a prime example. Despite her efforts, Chronos thought little of her."
"I see…" Jude said slowly, "So that's the reason for Origin's Trial. For humanity to prove their worth."
"So what happened to Milla Kresnik?" Ludger asked.
"She was driven to her death by the humans who were members of her own clan." Maxwell said with regret.
"Why didn't you save her?" Milla questioned.
"I never saw it coming." Maxwell replied, "As time went on, the Kresnik clan had been divided, some seeking to exploit the spirits for their own benefit. Milla stood against this of course, and in return, they repaid her efforts with her death. Thus I concluded that the schism was the only solution. I divided the world and only selected humans that shared Milla's ideals on the ark." Maxwell stopped speaking, recalling the next feature of events, "However, Milla did something I did not expect. She refused my invitation. Instead of coming to the ark, she chose instead to stand with the very humans who actually had turned against her!"
Milla was surprised to hear Maxwell expressing anger in his words, "So you saw her action to stay behind as an act of betrayal."
"What else am I supposed to believe?" Maxwell said, "Milla had sided with the humans who would pursue their own selfish desires rather than accept my invitation. That was a rude, but a much needed awakening for me. When presented with great power, humans cannot control themselves. The fact that humans have not surpassed Origin's Trial is a testament to that."
"And did you speak to Milla about her intentions?" Milla questioned. When Maxwell went silent, she added in, "Or were you simply afraid of what her answer would be? Afraid to find out her motivations, her intentions, her reasons… and what she truly meant to you."
Maxwell could not answer to that, so he decided to take a different approach, "Milla, I am sure you have seen more than enough to understand the hubris and cruelty that humanity is able to do. The fact you have a companion from the Kresnik clan is more than enough to prove my words. And yet… you still choose to side with them?!"
Milla however was not swayed by Maxwell's words, "It is a duty that I, Milla Maxwell, must fulfill!"
Maxwell then turned to 'fractured' Milla, "And what about you? Do you agree to this view? Do you also side with humans? As a 'Milla Maxwell' of your own, where do you stand?"
The party's gaze shifted to 'fractured' Milla. She glared back at Maxwell without flinching, "I… don't know whether humans or spirits are right or wrong… but…" She then turned to Milla, "But I want to help Milla in her mission."
Maxwell returned his attention to Milla, "So… you have a new mission now? Different to the duty that was originally assigned to you?"
Milla nodded, "Yes I have…" Milla turned to Jude, who smiled back at her. She also looked at 'fractured' Milla, Ludger and Elle. Then she looked back at Maxwell, "And in this mission… I am not alone."
Maxwell shut his eyes, almost as if in regret, "I see… even now, you choose to part ways with me."
"Even if you are not of this dimension, the fact that you chose a different path…" Maxwell shook his head, "It does not matter. Do whatever you wish, it is no longer my decision."
Before Milla could say anything, Gaius and Muzet finally returned to the party with the defeated 'Muzet' behind them, lying down but floating in the air. From the looks of it, Muzet seemed to be using some art to do so, keeping 'Muzet' afloat. The fractured 'Muzet' was unconscious and her entire features were dark in color. When they neared the party, the unconscious 'Muzet' released some sort of purple gas, signifying she was the divergence catalyst, reacting to Ludger's Chromatus.
"Gaius! You managed to defeat her!" Jude cried out.
Gaius nodded, folding his arms on his chest, "Yes. Was there any doubt in our abilities to stop a fractured 'Muzet'?"
Muzet giggled, poking the unconscious 'Muzet' on the cheek, "She was really noisy too! Kept calling me a fake and everything. That was really mean of her." Muzet made a pout, glaring angrily at her unconscious twin self.
Gaius looked at the defeated Maxwell and then said to Milla, "It looks like you have defeated Maxwell on your side. Did you get the answer to your question?"
"We got more than that your majesty!" Elle said happily, answering for Milla, "My Milla was so cool! She went around, beating that old guy on the throne-thingy with that Milla Maxwell! They both looked really happy too since they both got an answer they wanted!"
Gaius seemed impressed at that, turning to 'fractured' Milla, "Although I do not know what Elle meant, I assume you have found an answer… to your identity?"
'Fractured' Milla nodded, "That's right... I have."
Gaius could even feel the self-confidence that 'fractured' Milla carried in her voice and posture. From his viewpoint, it felt like 'fractured' Milla and the prime Milla were the same. Yet, despite the same way they carried themselves, there was now a distinct difference between the two. Milla had the confidence of a leader while 'fractured' Milla seemed to have earned her own self-respect. This was what he was feeling.
"I see…" Gaius said finally to 'fractured' Milla, "That is good to hear then." Gaius then turned to Ludger, "If Milla already has her answer, then we no longer have business remaining in this dimension any longer. Ludger, this 'Muzet' is the divergence catalyst. You know what to do."
Ludger nodded and transformed into his level three Chromatus form, approaching the unconscious 'Muzet'. Maxwell's eyes widened at the sight, not having seen the powers of Chromatus in a very, very long while. The power granted by the Great Spirit of Time, Chronos. But now it did not matter. He was a fractured being, and soon, this dimension would be obliterated.
Milla saw Maxwell was upset and spoke to him one final time, "This is no cause for sadness Maxwell. Even though we will be separated, the bonds that tie us together cannot be so easily severed."
Much to Maxwell's shock, Milla began humming the hymn of proof. Even Ludger was frozen stiff at the melody, not because he was shocked but because of how much it meant to him. This was the song his brother, Julius, had sung so many times to him in the past. He was so lost in thought that it was only by realizing that Muzet was watching him that he remembered he had a duty to fulfill. With his lance, he stabbed the unconscious 'Muzet' in the chest, before pulling out the catalyst, which was stuck at the end of his lance.
Muzet was almost tempted to poke the little catalyst when Gaius's glare stopped her. "You're no fun…" Muzet pouted.
Maxwell immediately shut his eyes one final time, listening to the melody he had not heard in so long, "Yes… this melody…" For an instance, it was almost as if Maxwell had been transported in time, back to an era when Milla Kresnik first enchanted him. Her soothing voice, carrying on like a wind through the peaceful skies. Despite her 'betrayal', in spite of his claim that he no longer thought of her, deep down, Maxwell never forgot about her. He could not. There was no way he could erase his memory of her. "Yes… this is the melody. How I have cherished this. No matter what happened, you were always… always..."
For some strange reason, when Milla heard that, she wanted to comfort Maxwell. He may have not been a father figure to her, but he was still the one that had given the name 'Milla' to her. She stretched out her hands, as if reaching out to the fractured Lord of Spirits. She stopped humming, but the melody of the hymn of proof was still heard through the echoes of the place. But then something stopped her. Someone grabbed her hand and Milla followed the arm, which was 'fractured' Milla.
"Milla…?" Milla muttered but all 'fractured' Milla did was shake her head, holding Milla's hand. The message was clear. This was a fractured dimension and this Maxwell would soon be gone. There was no point in getting attached to this fractured Maxwell now. Milla understood and gave a nod of thanks, her arm relaxing. Only then did 'fractured' Milla release her hold.
Then, in an instant, the catalyst on the tip of Ludger's lance broke apart. The world broke apart into tiny pieces like glass breaking. The image of the fractured Maxwell enjoying the hymn of proof was the final thing everyone saw. Finally, silence.
CHAPTER END
A/N: I apologize for the lack of screen-time for both Muzet and Gaius. Don't worry though, the next character arc will focus on these two... Just a heads up, this story will cover two more character arcs (not including Gaius and Muzet) before it goes for the final arc. This story will soon come to an end T_T
And also, I hope you guys liked 'fractured' Milla's mystic arte :D