Brunhilde could only throw her arms up in the air at the events unfolding.
"What the fuck is that?!
Lusserina could only agree in her mind. In her long life as an elf, she had seen plenty of things in her life. But the giant monstrosity spawning from the ground of Yggdrasil like some vengeful spirit sure got up there in her rankings. She had many questions in her mind. What would it require to take that thing down? Where did it come from? Could the Valkyries handle this. As the civilians screamed in panic as debris fell from the sky, she clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"I hate when Artie is right."
To Brunhilde's credit, the leader of the Valkyries didn't hesitate for too long. Gathering her wits quickly, she snapped her head towards the elf with a snarl.
"Luzumin!"
"Yes, yes!" Rolling her shoulders, she leaned forward to focus some strength into her legs. "Alley... hoop!"
She soared into the air, thanks to the first class status of her blessings. She reached into her back pocket located near her lower back. With a smirk, she made a snap with her wrist, white objects flying through the sky before smashing any rocks that could've seriously hit the civilians. Shattering them into tiny pieces, she pulled out a handful more of her weapons, white steel "combat cards" as she affectionately called them and took a deep breath as she landed on her feet, kneeling for just a moment.
"Embrace me, oh sunshine! Sol Corpus!"
"Hrist, Thrud, Hlökk, Randgriz, to me! Geir, you and the others evacuate everyone!"
"Roger, sis!"
Her body began to shine as if turning on a magic stone lamp. The instance she felt power flow and dance across her skin, her ears twitched. Her eyes widened in surprise when she had to jump back, avoiding the vines that dropped everything they were doing for the sole purpose of going after her. Lusserina let out a hum before performing acrobatics to kick and dodge the attacks. So these monsters were going after her magical energy then, instead of going for 'weaklings' as monsters usually do. Which presented the argument to these things being artificial. Or at least being controlled by something, like the famed tamers in the Ganesha Familia. Well, if nothing else, it makes evacuation a lot easier. The youngest of the Valkyries, a cute little tomboy blond with shorts, did rather well with her other sisters to lead the civilians out of the way, nervous as she was.
Focusing back on the battle, she hissed at her hands. Thanks to her magic, there wasn't a lot of damage, but judging from how the muscle bound Thrud exclaimed in pain after trying to punch a plant that was going after her, her suspicion was confirmed. These things were highly resistant to blunt force. If it weren't for her own light magic, she doubted she could do as much damage with her attacks that weren't her cutting cards.
The familiar sounds of explosive force approached, causing Lusserina to grin.
"About time!" The elf shouted at the blurring sight of Artoria, who skidded to a halt across one of the rooftops with her sword out. Lusserina lost sight of her but she can clearly hear the heated conversation with Brunhilde as she took advantage of Artoria being a shining beacon to take out some stragglers in the meantime.
"I can't stay for too long. This isn't the only area being attacked. Not to mention that I have to search for someone as well."
"Of course you do!"
"I will deal with the ground soldiers and other plants. Brunhilde, you support Lusserian in dealing with the big one as you escort the people."
"Oh, sure, want some fucking caviar with that luxury order?!"
"Good."
"Oi!"
Lusserina giggled at the exchange, throwing a side kick before her back hit something. She glanced behind her, feeling the reassuring steel at her back as she danced with her familia member as the vines practically threw themselves at them.
"Where's the kiddo and your pal?"
She frowned a bit. No matter how many they cut down, may it be with swords, cards, kicks or whatever else, it almost seemed endless. By all means, her common sense screamed at her to get Artoria to stop sandbagging and take down the big one already. But for some reason, she didn't do it. More of her instinct? Either way, she ducked when the swordswoman whistled.
"They have the same mission I do." Artoria swung her blade to the side, causing a massive explosion that tore apart another trio of vines trying to attack from a blindspot. She shot a smirk to the elf. "Do try and hurry up."
Lusserina rolled her eyes before backflipping in order to avoid an attack. Throwing her cards, they pierced through the monster before she cracked her fingers with a dramatic sigh.
"I hate it when you push me."
"How else would you grow?" Artoria asked teasingly before taking a deep breath. Then she exploded into motion, jumping off into the distance at incredible speeds. Moments later, Lusserian could see some of the towering vines falling pathetically to the ground. The Witch adjusted her head with a whistle.
"Geez, monster as always." She spun to the side and eyed the giant big monster roaring in rage, not really caring by whatever meager attacks the Valkyries tried to use on it in short notice. Lusseria grinned an evil smile. "Alright, you oversized weed!" She spread her arms, magic energy flowing out of her. "Oh glorious light!"
Quantity was the name of the game so she couldn't cast her longest and strongest spell for this one. Taking too long would risk one hell of an Ignis Fatuus . Not to mention the moment she casted her spell, the attention was completely on her, the vines following her like dumb puppies while the big flower human thing psat something after her. As she dodged what was acid, the Witch giggled to herself. Ah, to be the center of attention. Just how an entertainer like her loved it! She blinked when some vines moved away from her. A pout appeared on her face as she concentrated and spoke the next line of her chant. Pooh, the Valkyries figured out that magic was the way to go, as long as they were protecting each other. Oh well, less danger for her.
Still, as the battle raged on, part of her that wasn't focused on the fight did wonder what kind of mission the kiddo actually had.
/
Minutes earlier…
"Uhm, what?"
Artoria pointedly ignored Bell's dumbfounded question and stared at Kojiro with a frown.
"I entrust you with the fate of the goddess."
Another crash caused only the albino to flinch. The two sword fighter stood like solid statues, staring at each other. Bell felt his stomach churn. Why was this happening again? Why did good people have to be kidnapped all the time?!
"Unless you get to her first," Kojiro said, crossing his arms with small amusement. Artoria didn't bother denying his words, unsheathing her blade.
"Unless that happens, yes." She surveyed the horizon, seeing the twisting and carnivorous plants trash all over the area. "But I will be busy culling the numbers of those plants as much as I can while searching at the same time. The more eyes we have the better." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I fear if I take down the source too fast, the goddess might become a victim."
Victim. Heat built up in his heart. He didn't want this burden. The heavy weight of being entrusted with someone's life. But if not him, who would? Artoria would be busy. The Valkyries would be busy. There was only them. And for the sake of a friend, goddess she may be, what could he do but nod in determination. Kojiro smiled at him before nodding as well, unsheathing his sword in demonstration.
"Very well, we will try our best."
"Good hunting."
With those words, her body seemed to be covered in a weird aura before she vanished from their sight, leaving behind a crack in the ground. Now Bell pulled out his own blades before biting his lip. How were they supposed to find Nyx? They only knew the direction. West. West could be anything. Then an idea blossomed up in his mind, as he saw the fleeing civilians, trying to find shelter. But it was just that. An idea of an inexperienced boy. If he was wrong, they could waste precious time... Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw Kojiro nod with a smile.
"I shall follow your lead."
"A-are you sure?"
"I have faith in you," Kojiro repeated. Bell gulped before shaking his head. Alright, no self doubt then. It was better than nothing. With that in mind, he jogged towards the West side of the city. Soon enough, after what felt like a few moments, they had to navigate through the masses that were trying to escape to a safe space. SOme soldiers were leading the evacuation, as well as acting as bait for some of the plants. A part of Bell wanted to support them, but he squashed that thought with great regret. The plants were going after aggressors and those that had magic items, using them as bait to lead the plants away. It was perfect for Bell and Kojiro to get through without any issues. The young man narrowed his eyes, looking at the masses. He searched for the pattern he believed might be the key. It was hard, seeing so many expressions, to differentiate. But after a while, he believed he had a trail.
"This way!"
"I see. Very cunning. The opposite direction of the fleeing. If I were a kidnapper I would do that too."
"That wasn't my main guess…" Bell muttered, causing the man to raise an eyebrow.
"Hoh?"
"I might be wrong... "
Just as he said those words, he felt it. The creeping terror settling into his spine, causing his hair on his neck to stand up. That feeling intensified the more people left the area, the emptier the streets became. At one point, the young man began to shiver, as if cold grasped him. Yet the temperature itself didn't change. As he shivered, Bell grit his teeth. What he felt was simple enough. And if he felt it, they were on the right path. Kojiro's eyes widened, as if comprehending what the young man was going for. Soon enough, they heard them.
The voices.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit-"
"Shut up, man!"
They slowed down. Approaching the corner, they carefully peeked around it. Bell suppressed an exclamation as he slapped his hands on his mouth. Hooded figures were yelling at each other, awfully pale and sweating furiously as they waved their weapons at each other.
"Are you not feelin' this?!" He pointed down the makeshift podium they erected out of boxes, spitting through the veil with sharp teeth. "Fuck, why aren't we murking her?!"
"Stick to the damn plan!"
"You try to do that while having to be close to this fuckin' thing!"
Bell didn't listen too closely to what they were saying. Instead, he focused on what they were guarding. Or rather who, though Bell couldn't believe that was a person at first. It had to be his eyes playing tricks. But there he saw it.
The black shape, vaguely humanoid. It radiated such pressure, that was not like magical energy at all. It was like a raw authority, an order that demanded fear. Because that was what Bell was feeling since he was approaching this area. Which meant only one thing.
The muttering figure, with its head low as it knelt, seemingly eyes closed as it held its hand like shapes together... had to be Nyx. Bell gulped.
He knew it. It wasn't nice of it to think of this. It would hurt the goddess if she ever found out. But if there was one thing he understood about Nyx, it was this. People were afraid of her. No matter what, they felt it. As if her very aura forced people to feel fear. Thus, nobody wanted to be around her. Everyone felt discomfort one way or the other and whether people realized it or not, they made sure to avoid her if they could. It was a small, almost foolish thing to consider, but it helped Bell to narrow down where the kidnappers would be. Together with how the people escaped, that feeling of dread, as if it was a silly game of "cold or hot".
In a way, he could understand. What he saw now wasn't a goddess. It looked like an abomination. A monster that had to be put down, had to be escaped from. The kidnappers were right to fear her form, however she managed to achieve it. Divinity was supposed to be sealed, yet what he saw could not be considered mortal whatsoever. Yet the moment the thought entered Bell's mind, he slapped his own cheeks. Memories resurfaced. Of the awkward, but good natured goddess. The woman in a suit, trying to push herself into being more social. To not be lonely anymore. The one who was his friend.
It didn't matter what he saw. All that mattered that Nyx was there and needed saving. What he was seeing couldn't be her real self. Maybe he could get an explanation once he got her out. But the question was, how? As freaked out as the guards were, they still had a strong perimeter. Yet just as he pondered over a plan, Kojiro tapped his shoulder. Turning to him, the Far Eastern man tilted his head to the side. Bell blinked before his eyes widened in comprehension. With a deep breath, he nodded before sheathing one blade and putting the other into his mouth by its handle. Then he started to climb up the building.
Slowly, ever so slowly, he scaled the building. He sensed how the tensions rose, as one of the swords touched Nyx. The pressure he felt, the instinct to run away, grew stronger. But Bell pushed through, slowly climbing across the walls, over their heads. Then he was in position after what felt like an eternity. Holding onto a window, with his arms screaming in agony. As he sweat, he tried to turn his back to the wall, finding some support, minor as it was, to take his spit covered handle into his right hand. He gulped. What he was planning... it would definitely take a life. An act of evil. Yet... what could he live with more? Taking a life... or abandoning Nyx?
When he thought of it like that, his hands stopped shaking. But just as he made up his mind, one of the men was about to turn his head towards him. Bell's eyes widened, tensing up. Fortunately, it was then that Kojiro made his move by simply appearing from behind the corner. In an instance, the robed figure were on high alert, whirling towards him with their weapons brandished. One such person pointed his blade at Nyx' throat. Once more, her shape became even less human, the black aura seemingly like tendrils as the feeling of dread increased momentarily. Even Kojiro let out a grunt as the men doubled over for just a moment. But they quickly gathered their wits, as much as they could.
"Who are you?!"
In response, Kojiro held his sword in front of him, a serious expression on his face.
"The Regend."
The assailants lowered their weapons for just a moment. One of them even pulled their veil down to reveal the absolute disbelief they shared with everyone else. They turned to each other, utterly distracted at the nonsensical situation they found each other in.
"...What the fuck is tha-"
But not Bell. The moment Kojiro got their attention, he already dropped down. He grit his teeth, his sword aiming for the person's throat. His knees hit the man's shoulders. He could only exclaim in shock before Bell rammed his blade down with a reverse grip. The smell of iron invaded his nose. Blood splattered. But even as a heavy weight burdened his heart, he forced himself up. Yet just as he did so... Nyx began to scream.
The area became paralysed. The goddess began to rub away at the blood, her form becoming even more disorted to everyone's eyes. Flashes of the lifeless eyes that Bell took forced themselves into his head and the young man wanted to do nothing but collapse, to faint just to make that fear that grabbed his heart stop. However. He heard her cries. He listened to the voice hiding behind that illusion. The scared sobs of the goddess. Bell grit his teeth and forced his body to move.
Compared to her fear, he wasn't scared at all! He reached her and put his hand on her back. The other reached underneath her legs and he swept her off her feet. She let out a squeal once more, but immediately stopped when she looked at him. At once, her form became human once more, the black fog covering her like a monster's skin disappearing. Her eyes were still blank, yet with the tears glistening in them, a hint of her pupils revealed themselves.
"B-B-B-B-"
"Yes, it's me, hold on!" Bell shouted. The goddess hesitated for just a moment before grabbing ahold of his shirt. Despite her weight, not that he would ever mention that, he rushed forward. To both his relief and shock, the path was clear. Kojiro stabbed his blade through the last of the kidnappers, who were still frozen and too busy trying to maintain their sanity to the previous mental assault that Nyx caused. It spoke volumes to how strong the effect was that even Kojiro sweated a lot. Yet he maintained his composure as he pointed behind him, flicking the blood off his blade.
"Young master, go!"
Allowing Bell to take the lead, Kojiro quickly followed suit while keeping an eye behind them. Bell for one felt giddy, if exhausted. They did it! He smiled down at Nyx, who forced a nervous smile herself as she buried her face into his chest. But then they heard the footsteps from behind them. Faster than their own. The young man grit his teeth and pushed his body. It didn't matter if he didn't have a blessing. It didn't matter if they were catching up. Every second counted!
"Violas, get them!"
The ground crumbled around them. Bell could only widen his eyes as he looked up when shadows covered them. The plants appeared one by one, as if jumping over the buildings themselves. Time seemed to slow down. Kojiro readied his blade with both his hands, but even Bell knew it wasn't enough. There were just too many. Nyx's eyes slowly turned blank once more, hopelessness settling in. And Bell? Bell remembered. The farm with his grandfather. His journey to the Far East. Haruhime. Rakia. Welf. Romulus. The concert. He realized that his life flashed before his eyes, as the plants opened their maws.
It was the first time Bell felt like he was going to die for sure. Despair filled his heart as he held Nyx closer to his body, clenching his eyes shut. He... he didn't do anything with his life yet! He hasn't repaid anyone yet!
He waited for the inevitable as his heart cried out for help. But the teeth tearing out his flesh never arrived. Instead, the sharp noise of a sword cut through the air. Screams of agony followed soon after. He carefully opened his eyes, only to bite back a sob at the sight.
There she was. Surrounded by the falling bodies of the kidnappers and Violas alike, Artoria smiled down at them with her sword drawn.
"Apologies it took so long. I was on the other side of the city."
Bell fell down to his knees, trying to let Nyx down gently. The implications of her words hit him. She saw it. The movements of the plants being ordered. From so far away. How fast must she have been? She had only seconds to notice and deal with whatever she was dealing at the moment. Tears dropped down the ground and Bell gasped for air as he landed on all four. Nyx patted his back, tears falling down as well. Artoria laughed warmly before putting her hand on the young man's head.
"You have done well, Bell, Kojiro."
The swordsman sighed out in relief. Tapping his shoulder with the Monohoshizao, he raised an eyebrow at her.
"Now what?"
Another explosion sounded in the distance. Yet more ground rumbled. Artoria narrowed her eyes, her smile vanishing.
"Now this will end."
/
"Solar Hasta!"
"Riesenmacht!"
"Segen!"
"Schildbrecher!"
More and more spells were cast and took hold into reality. They were all aiming at the monstrosity at the center of the city. Yet they weren't the only ones casting spells.
"Sacred Barrier!"
A spear of light formed and was thrown by the elf, soaring through the air. A building was ripped out of its foundations by the growing form of Thrud. Said building began to glow when Hlökk and Randgriz touched it before it was thrown as well. A hail of ice fell from the sky, Brunhilde's magic circle enhancing the force. The forces of mystic might crashed down on the creature just as it announced its own spells. All that could be heard was a mighty crack, before angered screams sounded in the air. In the next instance, wild vines, sharp as spears, were thrown around blindly, yet just as deadly. The Valkyries and the Witch of Flowers roared in defiance, trying to avoid the attacks. Yet blood was still spilled. Some of the girls were thrown around into other buildings, agony escaping their throats. As the dust settled, to their muted horror for seeing it so many times, the monster seemed unscathed. The only hints of damage, small scars here and there, were already healing up.
It was to this sight that Bell arrived with Kojiro and Artoria. Before arriving, they put Nyx to safety, with her company and the rest of the civilians. A part of Bell wanted to stay. But the rest of him wanted to see this through, no matter how intimidating the sight was. With that in mind, he let himself dragged to the battlefield in mere moments. Artoria narrowed her eyes as Lusserina skidded to a halt next to her, wiping blood off her mouth before chopping down one of the Violas with her cards. The motion caused her to wince, covering her side before shaking her head.
"Status report?" Artoria asked with a strong voice. The elf spat to the side, forcing a cheeky grin on her face.
"Nasty barrier spell!"
"And a fuckload of tentacles!" Hrist shouted, her face distorted in dirt, fury and blood as she swung her two longswords, seemingly vibrating as she parried the spear vines of the main monster.
"We can't deal enough damage to this piece of shit!" Brunhilde shouted, rolling away with a snarl with one of her eyes forced shut due to swelling and blood. "And we're running out of fucking Mind!" Gasping for air, she wiped sweat off her forehead. "As if that weren't enough, that piece of shit regenerates whatever damage we do deal to it!"
"We think it's sucking up the energy from the city on top of whatever's beneath us!" Lusserina giggled hysterically, waving her hand dismissively. "But hey, I came up with a name for it! Demi-Vinea! Cause it looks like an infested plant human! Bright sides, am I right?!"
"You have done quite well," Artoria said with an approving nod. Her resolute face caused the women around her to calm down and focus more. Exhaling, the knight rolled her shoulders as she eyed the monsters, being distracted by the Valkyries as best as they could. "Is the area cleared?"
"Yup!"
The knight licked her lips in thought. Bell could swear her expression turned almost sheepish when she glanced at Brunhilde who chugged an entire potion down her throat.
"...Is this part of the city easy to replace?"
"Ugh." Brunhilde shook her head before throwing the vial over her shoulder. "You can't wreck it more than it already is."
"I see." Artoria dropped down the building. As she did so, she raised her voice with her full might of her authority. "Everyone, retreat!"
The Valkyries immediately cleared the area. For a moment, the Demi-Vinea seemed confused before its slime like mouth started to produce a mocking, distorted laughter. Then it noticed Artoria approaching it, utterly alone, tilting its head. Bell's eyes widened at the sight.
"She can't just fight it alone!"
Suddenly, the women laughed. All of them. Even Kojiro chuckled, causing the young man to turn his head around in confusion. Lusserina picked up her witch's hat, patting it down with a small frown before smirking at him.
"Oh trust me." With fond eyes and no doubt in her expression, she turned to the battlefield. "She can."
Artoria took a deep breath, holding her sword up in front of her. Her eyes closed before she exhaled. Then, she began to speak.
"Oh, sword of fantasy, I beseech you."
Oryou's pressure could suffocate someone when she started to turn into a dragon. This however? It easily forced Bell to his knees, forcing him to press his palms against the ground. Even Kojiro let out a grunt as he lowered himself to one knee, clearly not expecting this surge of power. Yet as the magic circle formed, gigantic as it was, as light began to pour out of Artoria's form, the magic and the mind used visible to the eye... Bell could breathe easily. Actually, he felt quite at ease. Relaxed. As if he knew that... everything was going to be alright. However the spell had the opposite effect on the monster.
"Oh those of the Reverse Side, I ask you."
It screamed. Its eyes were only on Artoria, on her golden glowing blade. With a swing of its arms, sharp and deadly vines shot out of the ground. However, they would not reach her. Even as she cast, she was not stationary. While moving far slower in comparison to her explosive movements to before, she easily toughed the spears aiming for her. Then, Bell could only see afterimages.
"Support me. Let me grasp your handle, oh great Last Phantasm."
The monster kept hitting nothing. Its attacks intensified, spawning more and more of the Violas as the ground itself seemed to shrivel up. Yet Artoria didn't waver. Her focus did not get interrupted, as her blows began to destroy whatever buildings around her that weren't destroyed yet, cutting down swathes of the plants down. Whatever Violas and vines did survive and miraculously managed to hit, did absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact, it almost seemed liked they merely pushed her, without even piercing her skin and only scratching and maybe denting her armor a bit.
"Let me hold you up. Let me illuminate the path to a better future."
Its eyes snapped at Artoria, who was now fully covered in golden light. Her green eyes opened, an expression of complete determination in her eyes. It was met with what could only be described as fear. It opened its deformed mouth, while raising its vines and arms as a makeshift shield, realizing that escape was no longer an option, nor was attacking.
"Sacred Barrier!"
"Shine, light of Promised Victory!"
A barrier appeared before Artoria could finish her spell. The barrier that prevented most damage done by a city worth of high ranking fighters, that required perfect teamwork to crack and be overcome. Wide and thick, as if it could stop even the charge of a ship at ramming speeds. Bell's heart fell. Even the other mages couldn't get past it. Yet when Bell saw the unwavering form of Artoria, he couldn't help but just believe. As she smiled confidently, her arms swung down.
"Ex... calibur!"
Blinding light. That was the only thing Bell could use to describe the spell. A wave of energy soared towards the monster. As a beam, it was big enough to take its head off. Yet the monster almost seemed to grin, holding its palm up behind its shield. It was confident it would hold, that it would stop the beam.
Unfortunately for it, it had lost the moment the spell was cast. The beam hit. The monster's grin faltered before it was completely engulfed into a pillar of light. No last struggle. No last screams. Excalibur completely caught the enemy in its grasp. It was then that Bell realized what he saw.
It wasn't magic to take down an individual like Bell's Dragon Fang. It wasn't a spell that was meant to take down armies like the hail Brunhilde summoned. Nor was it a spell to empower oneself like Haruhime's or Oryou's magic. It was an attack to utterly annihilate a single, big structure. As if specialized to take down the threats against the mortal world, to take down Monster Rex whose imposing size would mean nothing at the face of this light. True to his expectations, the light subsided. And in its wake it left... nothing. Only a gigantic crater where the monster was, with its surrounding gone as well.
There was only silence, as the remnants of the golden lights came down from the sky as snow. As Artoria's hair fluttered in the wind, as she turned to them with a soft smile, Bell could only sniff at the sight. As a climax to her brilliant swordplay, to the absoluteness of her as a warrior...
So that was... The Radiance. The one who stood at the top of the world.