"You girls do know I'm not almighty, right?"
The Astraea Familia, the girls specifically, stopped what they were doing within the Stardust Garden, to turn to Arash with blinking eyes. It has been a while since Artoria's arrival and their beatdown at her hands. A little while since Hestia joined the household and quite frankly made more of a mess than anyone else. Said goddess was taking a walk with Astraea, which Kaguya had compared to a dog getting taken out. It was funnier than it should've been at the time, as they snickered at the hearth's expense.
"Where does this come from?" Alise asked, finishing her bite on a carrot she had in her hand. Arash, sitting on his couch, unfolded his hands from underneath his chin, crossing his arms instead.
"I noticed you girls seemed a bit…more reliant on me."
"What, can't handle the attention of four gorgeous girls?" Lyra asked with a snort, causing everyone to laugh a bit. Yet Arash's laugh was a bit more halfhearted, which made them perk up a bit more in attention.
"Haha…But seriously now."
"Hey!"
Ignoring the Pallum's outburst, the archer closed his eyes before giving them all a pointed look.
"I just have the feeling that you girls think that I can just…solve anything for you."
"It's true," Ryuu said without hesitation. Her eyes shone with pure trust in those words. Kaguya on the other hand cleared her throat, a small blush on her face.
"Well, I wouldn't be so blunt but…yes."
"You are pretty reliable. I mean, your growth speed, your skills," Alise counted off as examples, each time causing Lyra to nod in agreement.
"True, true. However, let's put up an example…" Arash rubbed his chin before snapping his finger. "Alfia or Zard."
The mood grew a bit heavier from that. Any memory connected to the Dark Days did that. Yet Alfia was a bitter sweet moment to recall. She was a true monster, taking on an entire Familia on her own, plus the newest rising star of the Loki Familia. With such ease, such casualness…the only reason they managed to persevere was the fact that the Silence could not keep up a fight for long, as well as having an item specifically to counter her. Even then, it felt like balancing on a needle's thread. Still, Ryuu frowned, not able to imagine that Arash would have had a hard time against her or Zard. After all, they never fought directly.
Arash was holed up in the tower within Orario, using it as his main vantage point. One could barely fathom the amounts of lives he killed, in order to save numerous more. Yet the archer didn't share the same confidence that Ryuu possessed, reading her eyes and shaking his head.
"If I had to face any one of them head on, instead of being up in the tower…Well, let's say context matters. Matchup matter. Despite everything, I am mainly an archer. If those two were close up to me, even I wouldn't have an easy time."
It made logical sense, his words. But they remembered. The worst day of their lives, when they witnessed their savior arrive against the skeletal nightmare. They all tensed up, remembering it as one. Alise shivered before letting out a deep breath.
"What about the…thing?"
Arash pressed his lips together, knowing full well to what she was referring to.
"It was growing weaker by the minute. I think it was designed like this, by the dungeon. Not to mention I caught it by surprise when it was focused on…you." Arash trailed off. "If I had to fight it from the start, from the front…"
He would've still won, the girls all thought as one. But he would've walked off that fight a lot worse, most likely. To think that this strong individual before them could be reduced to an injured mess…they didn't want to face it, that image. Yet Arash wanted them to, so they at least tried. Seeing that he was getting through to them, Arash leaned forward.
"Always consider the circumstances of battle. Maybe you focus too much on one thing. Maybe people behind you are your weakness. Or you just make a false judgement, a move that was less than perfect, which is an opening people will take advantage of. There are scenarios where I would lose horribly as well. Assured, even."
"Oh yeah? Name one," Lyra asked in a sarcastic tone. It caused Arash to chuckle as he pointed at himself with a thumb.
"I don't know how to fight underwater."
The giggles barely contained themselves to a reasonable volume. Lyra raised her hands in mock surrender as Kaguya covered her mouth, Ryuu looking away, while Alise didn't even bother hiding her amusement.
"Okay, that was on me, I set the bar too low. I mean, who would know how to fight underwater here in Orario? Dungeon doesn't have many places like that."
"I'd assume the Far East or the amazons would have more individuals like that."
Thus, their talk became more idle, a more relaxing air returning. And yet, they took Arash's world to heart.
To not rely on him too much. After all, they had to stand up for themselves. After all…
When the Juggernaut attacked, they were on their own too.
/
Kaguya was screaming her throat hoarse as she flew through the air, Nana's blade held high above her head. Yet the Gojouno in front of her were utterly calm at the face of it. Almost casually, they raised their remaining arm, crossing the middle finger with their index finger with a wide smirk.
"Domain Activation."
Immediately, Kaguya felt all control over her body vanishing. As if gravity increased by a hundredfold, she crashed down on the ground, flat on her face. She coughed violently as she felt the mounting pressure even against her very soul. Yet she refused to give in, forcefully raising her head against all odds, only to see a shimmering, purple light surround the entire arena. Her duel with Nana, her death, all of it, it made Kaguya forget that this was a ritual site. And she forgot, that despite everything…she was still connected by blood to this place.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it…!" Kaguya tried. Pushing against the metaphysical restraints against her. Her body twitched violently, uncontrollably, as she roared. "FACE ME, YOU MONSTER! GET IN HERE SO THAT I CAN-"
Yet the Gojouno utterly ignored her. Instead, they closed their eyes, almost in distaste for what they were going to do. Not out of remorse or anything silly like that however. But for the words they had to utter next.
"Behold, the gift of Heaven. Our grace is the great Izanami."
Something started to manifest above the half dead body. Kaguya didn't even know what to call it. It had a vaguely humanoid shape, missing legs at that, but that was it. Instead, all she could think of, the word that came to mind…
Was puppetmaster.
"It is in passing that we achieve eternity. It is in death that we find duty and meaning."
The creature's right claw was right above the corpse it controlled. The other claw reached out, directed at Kaguya herself. To her horror, tendrils began to extend out of its tips.
"Protect the clan. Protect the blood. So that in mortality we can find paradise."
She tried to lean away from the disgusting energy reaching out to her, but was unable to. Eventually, almost agonizingly slow, they touched her. She had braced herself. She prepared herself, remembering the words of Nana.
However, she was ignorant of the true agony that came. Dozen, no, hundreds of voices invaded her mind. It was as if someone shoved endless shards into her skull, cutting her open from the inside. She screamed and convulsed on the ground, slamming her head against it over and over, yet it did not make the screeching in her head stop.
-joinuscomewithusletusinendusfreeusgiveuspurposedamnheavendamnall-
"United we stand, united we fall! We are legion, for we are many! O let the lines between future and past be united, to create the most wondrous of present!"
The Gojouno grinned widely as Kaguya's eyes rolled over into her head. It escaped notice that Kaguya's eyes weren't completely white at this point, the will of the Senbonzakura not dominated yet. They did not notice that two strands of purple were already within Kaguya, and glowing where her heart was. The Gojouno snapped her fist together with a triumphant shout.
"Zarashiki-warashi!"
The energy converged. It should've fully connected Kaguya to the greater whole, enabling the Gojouno to switch to a superior body. But instead...a forgotten sensation slammed right into them. The Gojouno recoiled, as it felt pain in their very soul. Blinking in surprise as they stumbled backward, they had no idea what just happened. Instead, they saw Kaguya, exhausted, confused also, but with a smug smirk on her face with half lidded, barely conscious eyes.
"Fuck…you…"
Raising her middle finger, her arm promptly fell with her face on the ground, unmoving, unconscious. The Gojouno frowned deeply, poking around in their rotting side with a hum.
"Huh. That is a new one. Then again, they usually aren't this high leveled when the ritual is performed…nor is this host body so broken. Lesson learned for the future."
There was no guarantee that those were the reasons the ritual failed. After all, right until the end, it seemed to work just fine. A burst of willpower? Outside interference? Inside interference? The damned wound by that black creature from the dungeon? Too many factors that differed from the traditional inclusion and takeover. Gojouno sighed before muttering dozens of words in a moment. The next moment, a protective bubble was summoned over Kaguya's limp body. No, not limp. It was still twitching. A nightmare perhaps? How cute. Still, a barrier sounded reasonable enough as a safeguard. She wasn't even supposed to be moving a single muscle in her body, yet she was capable of screaming, pushing against the pressure, and so on. Kaguya truly was the golden goose that escaped. For a moment, Gojouno's shoulders slumped, age catching up to her as they let out a heavy sigh.
"Hah, so many bodies lost…It will take a while for production to pick up the slack. Either using this body as a broodmare or wait for the children to grow up for it. Both take so long…Hah, nevermind that." They cracked their neck, spitting some blood out of the mouth that was forming. They raised their hand, about to cross their fingers once more. The body was really getting infected and rotting away, they had to hurry. "Second time's the cha-"
"I don't think so."
Before the Gojouno could react, something tore off the remaining arm before the fingers could be crossed. At the same time, something smashed into her legs from behind, bending them in a way they should not be bent and was sent flying. Miraculously, Gojouno landed in a way that made them look like they were on the knees…if one ignored the state of their legs. Having landed right next to the bubble, the Gojouno whistled as she looked around, already having been surrounded at this point.
Oryou spat out the arm she tore off, wiping her mouth as she did so. Arash had his bow drawn, ready to shoot at any moment. Penthesilea slowly lowered her leg after having used it to kick the Gojouno. From all sides, they had their weapons pointed at the enemy at hand. Alise's eyes widened at the sight of Nana with her hole through her body, before closing her eyes with regret. Ryuu on the other hand bit her lip as she saw the state Kaguya was in.
"Let Kaguya go, now," Ryuu growled, tightening her grip on her weapon. Yet the Gojouno was not intimiated in the slightest. No matter how pale their skin was getting, due to the bloodlust, they still had the audacity to tilt their head with a curious blink of their eyes.
"And why should we?"
"You're out of bodies, fool! Else they would be here as well!" Kushinada shouted, before taking a look around just to make sure. Confirming her own words, she slammed her knuckle into her palm.
"True, true," Gojouno responded, nodding a few times.
"See? We have you outnumbered!" Alise forced out a laugh. "Justice prevails once again!"
"Hmmmmm…any chances we get to have her body after all?"
"Go kill yourself, you crazy ghost fuck," Lyra responded dryly. The Gojouno chuckled weakly at that.
"Worth a try."
"Not exactly," Fei said with narrowed eyes, adjusting his stance as he moved slowly to close any gaps between their formation.
Witnessing this all from far away, Amaterasu let all out a breath of relief, the tension leaving her body.
"It's over at last…So much for that."
She blinked when she noticed she was the only one who seemed to feel this way. Her fellow gods still frowned deeply, their eyes not leaving the Divine Mirror. Izanami on the other hand was as excited as ever, breathing heavily with a giddy smile. Tsukuyomi rolled her eyes at the confused look Amaterasu showed.
"You don't notice anything wrong at all? That's why you pacifists…"
"Hey! What are you-"
"They are calm. Too calm."
Izanami chuckled as Amaterasu was about to say something. The other gods turned to her in distaste, but she ignored them, as she reached out almost lovingly at the image of the barely breathing corpse before them.
"Why shouldn't they? Even if the flesh is weak. The spirit is always all too willing. After all, if it weren't for that one, did you actually think all those souls would've stuck around without disappearing into the wind, falling apart at the seams?"
The gods paled slowly, at the implications of those words. Their heads snapped back to the Divine Mirror, with the body lowering their head with a long suffering sigh, shaking it slightly.
"Fine, I suppose I have to stop holding back."
Everyone at the ritual site blinked, processing the words before time seemed to slow down as their eyes widened.
I…?
Without hesitation, Arash set the arrow loose, the projectile piercing through the skull of the Gojouno with ease. And yet, despite the lack of a brain, the lack of the upper half of a head…He smiled. Where there was flesh and bones, a purple form took its place, with narrowed eyes of malicious delight. Penthesilea and Oryou moved a beat later after the shot was released. But before their heel and haymaker from above could hit, the distorted voice chuckled.
"Boom."
Everyone leapt back, or got blown aside in the case of the two female warriors. Especially the Astraea Familia was prepared for anything. Fire magic that would engulf them all. A sudden windblast. Even a suicidal explosion. But instead…the body simply was torn into chunks, the flesh, blood and bones flying all over the place. Not from an explosion, but as if something from within just popped the Gojouno like a balloon. It was such a bizarre sight, that their minds couldn't help but freeze at the nonsensical event.
It was an opening that the Gojouno did not miss. Despite lacking a physical body, he still moved. Ryuu barely managed to make out the features, the sudden increased speed compared to before unlike anything she would've expected. It was as if a purple ghost samurai, with a sort of demon mask covering his mouth, rushed directly at Ryoma, a shadowy sword held in both hands to pierce him. Yet he was not the only one on the move. Without any communication or hesitation, Penthesilea grabbed the nearby Oryou and threw her with all her might at the target. A furious unlike her came from Oryou, as her palm stopped the blade short. With swift reflexes, her other hand shot outwards, blocking another blade that the Gojouno summoned out of nowhere. The Mizuchi growled, actually straining in this contest of strength as they pushed against each other for but a second, as everyone else was orienting themselves anew.
But the Gojouno swiftly changed tracks with a dark cackle.
"Nice try. But not good enough."
Something shot out from the back, the hip, of the Gojouno. Arash shot an arrow at it immediately, but the tail avoided it with like a snake and moved past Oryou, aiming for who was behind her. She tried to let go of the blades to protect him, but the blades were stuck to her, as if they were glued on. Ryoma could only widen his eyes before he grit his teeth, moving his blade. Alas…for all his reputation…
He was merely a level four. The katana barely managed to push against the bladed tail…before it pushed and pierced through his chest.
"RYOMAAAA!"
Gone was the strongest of the Far East. She didn't care that her back was cut open after forcefully tearing the skin of her palms away from the darkness swords. She didn't care that she completely ignored the enemy of them all, that she ignored the fight itself. All she cared for was catch her falling husband, who gasped and coughed up blood from the wound he received.
If nothing else, the cuts were all she suffered, for Penthesilea was right on top of the Gojouno to pick up her slack. Flying through the air, she was spinning to pick up momentum, intending to smash the ghost's head with her elbow. But by being in mid air, she made herself open, something that the Gojouno did not miss. He 'sheathed' his blade and aimed upwards as it lowered its center of gravity. At the same time, a hole opened up in his chest, allowing another arrow to fly through it harmlessly.
"This place is too small for us, don't you think?!" He screamed with raw manic energy. Penthesilea's eyes widened before she grit her teeth, trying to pick up more speed to reach her opponent.
"Fu-!"
Yet her elbow would only hit empty air. Only her instincts managed to harden her body before the contact of the energy cut. Perhaps that was the only reason that prevented her from being cleaved in half. Yet all that kinetic energy had to go somewhere. Thus, while alive, if wounded with her front sliced open, her whole body was flung upwards, with the cut, through the ceiling of the building they were in.
Everyone's horror grew, even more than seeing Ryoma being cut down like that, even more that Oryou left her duties behind, understandable as it was, even more than seeing Penthesilea being removed from the battlefield like this.
The attack and the Asura crashed through the ceiling of the building. The building…that was under the sea. They heard the rushing of the water, the desire and urge to fill the gap that was created. They could smell the salty wetness that suffused the air.
"Shiiiiiiiiit!" Lyra screamed, looking around in a panic, only for Fei to grab her, taking a calming breath.
"We're leaving, now!"
It was an action mirrored by all the other Far Eastern combatants still in the moment, mentally and physically. Shiki grabbed Alise while Kushinada pulled at Ryuu. The latter tried to reach out for Kaguya in desperation.
"But Kaguya-"
"No time!"
"I've got this, just focus on-"
Before Ryuu could calm down, by the words of Arash, her eyes widened at the blurry purple shape moving.
"Arash, watch-"
The archer clicked his tongue, his bow clashing with the dark blade having aimed to cleave him in half. His knees buckled for but a moment before he pushed back himself. Then, their weapons seperated and their arms became a blur. Bow hitting against blade, with Arash even able to fire some shots when he could. Yet the shapeshifting ability of the Gojouno managed to counter it somewhat, growing more arms and turning them into whips. Nevertheless, Arash started to force the Gojouno on the defensive. But Ryuu tried to interfere, hearing the masses of water convene on them. The Starfall sent his little sister figure a look before shaking his head, before having to focus back on the fight with all his might.
"Go!"
"No, Arash!"
Kushinada growled and punched Ryuu over the head. The flare of pain brought her out of her panic, her worry, the knowledge that Arash was doomed in an underwater fight.
"Hold your breath, idiot! And don't struggle too much, it'll mess up my swi-!"
She did not manage to finish her sentence before the water reached them all. It was like hundreds of Goliaths were stomping down on Ryuu, trying to push her into hell itself. But while she was disoriented, unable to know where was up or down, she was not swept away.
The Far Eastern captains showed their worth as locals, their worth of possessing the diving skill. As if they were fishes themselves, with only their legs, they pushed themselves against the streams, eyes glowing with determination and focus, as they swam as fast as they could, leaving the ritual site, the Gojouno, Kaguya and Arash behind.
It were at best minutes, the time they spend in the depths. But for Ryuu and the others, the experience of being unable to breath, of being surrounded by water everywhere, was not one they experienced often or particularly preferred. It was only their survival instincts that prevented them from cutting off the arms that were holding them, for they were their lifeline instead of monsters that tried to prey on them. Thanks to that trust, however shallow it was for the short time they knew each other, the three Astraea members managed to get sweet, clean air into their lungs not too long after. They coughed violently, lying on their back, on all fours, wiping their eyes and mouths. Eventually, they managed to calm down, and shot up to their feet, grasping their weapons they did not manage to lose.
"Everyone alright?!" Alise shouted, slapping her ears a few times to get the water out. Without looking away from where they resurfaced, Fei was the one to explain the situation with a deep frown.
"Ryoma was taken by Oryou to the medics. I haven't seen the Asura."
Heavens, how hard was Penthesilea hit? If nothing else, knowing that Oryou was away with Ryoma was a mixed bag to them. On the one hand, they were glad at least some hope was left for the father. Yet it also meant that Oryou wasn't with them now, and at this point, they needed all the help they could get. Thinking about it, Ryuu's eyes widened as she looked around, her sword arm shivering with worry.
"Where's Arash?"
Silently, Shiki pointed down. Following the finger, Alise and the others grit their teeth in frustration at how little they saw. But it was more than enough to confirm their fears.
The shockwaves shifted the movements of the ocean. The flashes of light pierced through the darkness. It was all they could make out, but they still only resulted in one conclusion: Arash Kamangir was still down there, fighting with all he got.
"He'll be fine. He's level seven," Kushinada muttered, more to encourage herself than anyone else. For they all knew that Arash did not possess the diving skill. Not to mention, it was hard enough to fight in the ocean on a three dimensional battlefield with only your own body. Archery? That was an entirely different animal. Arash was a monster but…would that be enough? Over and over, they witnessed the vibrations, the lightshow. Ryuu felt the urge to clap her hands together and pray, but her instincts as an adventurer prevented her from doing so, instead forcing them to keep a tight grip on her weapon.
Eventually, the ocean became silent and still. No more lights, no more underwater explosions. The group caught their breath at this point, having applied emergency measures to fix their own injuries. They stiffened up at the nothingness. Did they kill each other somehow? No, in their gut, they felt it. This was the calm before a storm, the silence before the arrival. One of them would resurface as the winner. But who?
They soon received their answer. Something blew through the surface of the water, like a ballista shooting a massive projectile. The world became dull. Ryuu felt something in her mind strain, like a piece of string being stretched and stretched and stretched, far beyond its limit.
The Gojouno landed on his knees, his body malformed around the chest area. Yet it was no damage worth mentioning. The body shaped itself back into the armor of a samurai of old. Nevertheless, he 'breathed' heavily against all odds, hissing in pain as he held his side, a detail everyone did not miss. Not noticing his own mistake, the Gojouno growled deeply.
"Tch. Stronger than I expected. I have to respect that. I did not see that last attack coming…" He rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders with a low chuckle. "You should feel proud of yourself. I don't remember the last time someone pushed me this far before."
Kaguya was gone. Arash was gone. The moment that thought entered Ryuu's mind…no, entered the mind of all remaining Astraea members…something cracked at last. The string tore in their minds.
The two of them were gone. Just like their previous family was gone. Due to the bone monster, the monstrosity, the unyielding predator. Years have passed since then…but nothing had changed. They were still too weak to protect those they loved. Indeed, the realization broke something in them, as they blankly stared at the Gojouno. The Far Eastern contingent were equally mentally battered. After witnessing Ryoma being taken down, and two of the strongest beings in the world removed from the battlefield like that, they could not help but take an unconscious step back, as their minds raced to find an answer. That action however caused a guttural cackle from the Gojouno who took a step forward instead.
"Don't even think about leaving. None leave the slaughterhouse. Not alive anyway." He "cracked" his neck, suddenly growing in size, reaching the height of Ottar himself. "You little shits. You come to my home, believing you can take me out? Us? The Herald of the Night Queen? Deny my dearest sister in arms?"
Yet he grew bigger. Instead of a human sized wraith, the ghostly abomination became the size of a Goliath. Then, he spread his arms open, all six of them, each holding a blade, as it jagged mouth mask spread open, revealing a grin filled with bloodlust.
"Talent. Determination. Justice. I am beyond all of that…and you."
The last sentence shook the very air itself, distorted and cracking, as if it was something that was not meant to exist in reality. The gods, from far away, could only look at the events before them with morbid curiosity. They all knew that a human was not meant to shapeshift like this. Ghost or not, identity was connected to one's shape. To see how 'easily' the Gojouno adjusted his own form…Izanami was right. The depths of that one's ego was mindboggling, to maintain itself, arguably with sanity, despite those self inflicted changes, temporary as they may be.
"Time to die."
With that declaration, that announcement of a fact, Gojouno raised his arms, before swinging them down like a massive claw. The three captains of the Far East leapt to the sides as fast as they could, before being flung in the air by the sheer impact that scarred the beach and ocean they were standing on.
"Astraea Familia, foc-" Kushinada blinked in mid air. "Huh?"
"Hm?"
The warning of the Susanoo captain was unnecessary. For the Astraea Familia was already on the move, having dashed forward before the sword claw even began to descend. Slipping past the strike, they jumped, allowing the impact behind them to accelerate them through the air. Then, as one, rapier on fire, bladed wheel and wooden sword, all struck the same spot.
The side. The weakness created, an event unwitnessed by any of the adventurers on site. An opening made by the one proclaiming himself All The World's Evil, having affected every single soul in the vessel at the time.
Gojouno could just imagine that mocking grin of that black thing flashing in his mind before the three attacks landed. Against all logic, all previously established rules, the physical attacks caused the Gojouno to double over, his form twitching and shifting as if losing coherence for but a moment.
"Agh!"
Sliding across the ground, they did not cease running. Their eyes were still blank. But instead of calling them empty…it was more accurate to say that they were so pure that they merely appeared to be blank.
Pure with focus. The plan to demoralize them backfired. Or rather, it never had an effect at all on them. Not only that, the trio was just getting started.
Alise, Lyra and Ryuu, all three of them, as they moved as one even while splitting up, also began to chant as one.
"Gather, o stars shining across the heavens!"
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind!"
"My arms may be crippled! My legs may be kneeling! But as the flesh is weak, the spirit shall shine ever eternal!"
Gojouno roared in outrage, more tendrils forming, before they moved, faster, ever faster, creating a storm of blade around him. And yet, the three Astraea members dodged and weaved, parrying as best as they could. Drool escaped their mouths, as they engaged and disengaged as often as possible, trying to reach that side again. But Gojouno tried his best to defend it, the obvious weakpoint, which left him open to other attacks as Alise slammed her burning rapier against his head, causing great discomfort as he grit his teeth.
Indeed. The realization that Arash and Kaguya were out of this fight broke something in them. Trauma resurfaced. Yet the thing that broke in their minds…were limiters. The trauma that manifested, manifested as determination. The desire to win.
To make sure that they could take the enemy down themselves, and not have to rely on a savior to do it for them.
"Alone, thou art frail and weak, but together we rise, together we fall!"
"It shall reveal thy crimes! It shall reveal thy horrors!"
"A blade once broken, once reforged, shall never be broken again!"
However, as swift and concentrated they were, they were still just three people in a storm. They were still up against a millenia old monster ruling over many other souls. Mouths formed across the entire giant body. Each of them uttering one word at the same time, creating a cacophony of senseless noise. A long chant, reduced to a moment.
"Raikiri, hahahahahaha!"
The thunder formed from the magic circle that came and disappeared in a second. Gojouno predicted where his enemies would move, and called down the rain of energy. Alise and Ryuu managed to dodge at the last second, only the debris of the impact hitting them. But the Pallum? Oh, he enjoyed seeing his attack hit her head on, scorching her on the spo-
He felt an impact against his side, agony rippling across all the souls. He snapped his sights downwards…only to see Lyra move away again, her focus having never wavered, nor her form ever getting hit.
"What?!"
He was certain he hit. He was sure he predicted her path. And yet…he missed? He imagined an image of victory, due to being hasty? No, something was wrong. Something was missing, in his mind, in his awareness of the battlefield. However, he had no time to ponder further on it.
"Let the fire of shame and guilt cripple thee! Kneel, weep and beg for forgiveness from the stars themselves, for I have none!"
"Connect the lines between us and summon forth the image of victory! All our hearts shall beat as one! Together, our souls are the light of justice itself!"
"With returning hope, the wings of justice will let us soar! Rise and rise again, until justice opens the path to all for us!"
The trio united, Lyra at the front. Fingers intertwined, she pointed her knuckles forward, with the backs of her palms aiming up and down respectively. Alise and Ryuu were right behind her. the former kneeling on the ground with the rapier imbedded in it like a knight, while the latter held her left hand against her chest, as if giving her respects to nature itself.
"Constellatio!"
"Warp Riastrad!"
"Sylphid Wings!"
The magic manifested around them. A shining light connected from Alise's heart with the hearts of her girls. A faint wind began to cover them all, a protective barrier. Last but not least, a soundwave boomed out of Lyra, hitting the Gojouno had on, unable to dodge with his massive form. Immediately, the world around him began to make no sense. The world twisted in weird shapes. The sounds around him was nonsensical. The sense of balance was off.
But even as his five senses were utterly battered, the Gojouno refused to be a standing target. He rammed the tips of his swords into the ground. Then, several more blades spawned from the ground. To his utter shock however, the three blurred into motion, so much more faster than before. Not only that…when they landed their hits, it shoved Gojouno back. Almost making him fall over, with the raw force behind it all.
Magic alone wasn't meant to be so potent. The improvement of stats was too big. Instead, he thought back to the chant…and refused to believe it. The power of the captain's. But if his suspicion was correct…Astraea Familia was more dangerous than he believed.
If they could share their skills like this.
Nevermind that, he thought. He just had to kick it up a notch, no matter how much the agony from his side spread across the souls. He had spares to offload the pain, in order to focus. With that in mind, it increased the intensity of his whip blades, the strikes breaking the barrier of sound around them.
The Astraea Familia was unyielding however. As Ryuu cast new magic under her breath, as Lyra threw explosives from her pockets and as Alise's flame ever more brightly, the trio could only be described as dancers on the battlefield. Backflips, slides, twists, spins. Not to mention the way they covered each other. Alise kicked Lyra in the side to get her to safety. Ryuu grabbed Alise by the collar and flung her away. Lyra tackled Ryuu before rolling away.
But for all their speed, their new power…it didn't make sense.
It happened again. And again and again. Moments when the Gojouno was certain he hit them. Nobody made the perfect decisions every time, not against him. And yet, each time he thought he cut their flesh open, they suddenly disappeared and appeared in a different spot to strike him.
He was certain he hit. He felt the response in his own blade. And yet, instead of being beheaded, maimed, crippled…His 'eyes' widened in realization, before his entire visage twisted like a feral wolf screaming in outrage.
"Luminous Wind!"
"Kazekiri!"
Wind clashed against wind. The cutting attack of Gojouno was pushed back by the explosives of the Royal Gale. But that was unimportant. For his magic affected the entire area, not just his front. It did not just target the trio before him, with Ryuu serving as the vanguard in that moment. With that…
"Tch!"
"Behind me!"
"Get behind ME!"
There they were!
Light shimmered around them. Fei, captain of the Hachiman Familia, almost moved too slow, as his fingers delicately moved in front of him. Yet, with the help of Kushinada, rapidly punching against the wind attack with her own, the blades of air were weakened enough for him to negate their energy. Shiki hissed as she clutched her right arm, before clenching her fist once more. allowing them to disappear out of sight.
"You filthy rats!" Gojouno roared, intensifying his attacks across the wider area. "You have no place in this fight!"
"Says who?!" Kushinada screamed, her voice distorted to Gojouno's ears.
The illusion of the moon, used by Shiki. Using the celestial body as inspiration, it created a magic that would fool the opponent. Hiding, faking, leading astray. An event that appears to happen, but did not in fact. Combined with the effects of Lyra's magic, it was no wonder that he was fooled like this.
The secret art of Aiki, used by Fei. The peak of the Wind Kata. To redirect and nullify raw power itself and move it as one desires. Even with the level difference, it reduced the damage inflicted with sheer skill alone.
The magics of Kushinada. One, a magic that was meant solely to restore one's Mind over time. The other, a personal magic, granting the power of ever escalating storm in her fists. Simple and usually too time consuming…if she were alone.
Level four were like bugs on this battlefield. But even bugs had their pride. When Gojouno began to show off his might, with the Astraea Familia proved they were not done yet, the three captains had a choice. To stand aside, in safety. Or rush head on into death itself like fools. And well…
They were fools from the start.
Empowered by Ryuu's magic as well, they moved faster than ever before, but their forms were not as pristine. With their abilities they mitigated the damage as they formed a three man squad, but the damage was piling up on them. Burns, cuts, exhaustion, all began to catch up to them. A single straight hit would kill them with ease. The pressure of that knowledge, of death pressing down on them, looming over them, just made it harder to concentrate.
And yet, they still tried nevertheless. They still struck at the monster before them. For they did not see the Gojouno…but another one's back. Of that serpent's might.
The Far East was usually a joke, alongside Rakia, for entirely different reasons. Infighting. Poverty. Isolation. Only the sudden arrival of Oryou began to change that perception. But it didn ot change the core of the Far East. Of many adventurers that lived there.
The raw might of Oryou brought many despair. It caused them to resign to their fates, as the weak. They still worked hard, but in their hearts, they knew they would never reach the Mizuchi's levels. So many did not yearn to reach a state beyond their reach.
Unlike them. Even as Oryou went further and further ahead, the three of them chased after her. In another world, they might as well not exist. Disappear from the story that pushed the world. But in this one, they forced their way forward. They build their bridge to cross the gap with nothing but spit, debris and determination. Over and over, they experienced defeat, experienced set backs, experienced how strong Oryou was.
And yet, they would eternally chase after her nevertheless. This stubborn approach to life brought them to this day, as people at the verge of level five. At the borders of life and death.
"We know we're weaker than you! Weaker than the Orarians!" Shiki roared, gritting her teeth as she barely managed to block even one tendril.
"But so what?!" Kushinada screamed, trying to escalate just a bit faster, to become stronger just a bit more, as she punched and punched and punched even as her knuckles were bleeding profusely.
"You think taking out Peacemaker or Mizuchi will make us fall into despair?! We aren't given such luxury!" Fei shouted, his fingers bent before forcefully set straight once more, to divert just one more attack.
"For we…!"
They leaned forward.
"All of us…!"
Their faces were wide with exhausted grins, their eyes wide with rage and pride.
"""Bear the title of 'Strongest'!"""
Even amidst this chaos, the Astraea Familia couldn't help but grow respecting smiles. They never stopped moving, never stopped attacking themselves, but their allies deserved their attention for just this moment.
"Fine words!"
"Not bad at all!"
"I'm getting more and more fired up now!"
It was most insulting. Yet the Gojouno could only use his rage for more intense strikes. At this point, the ground was a wasteland of cuts, of scorched earth. The waters shifted over and over, practically causing rain to be created artificially with how much was flung up in the air. In that storm, the six utilized hit and run tactics over and over. Their physical attacks, mixed with magic occasionally, slowly but surely whittled Gojouno down.
"It's getting sloppier! Keep it up!"
With the magic of Lyra and Shiki still affecting him, they had a bit of an easier time to dodge as time went on. Yet Alise couldn't help but grit her teeth. For all their morale, they were running out of steam. Faster than their opponent. Physical attacks barely did anything unless it hit that corroded spot of his. In fact, that corroded spot affected Gojouno more over time than their non magical attacks. And even magic had its limits.
It was the first time any of them fought a being of pure mind before. Her mind flashed to Haruhime. To Welf. To the one's that could potentially strike Gojouno down on their own with their special magic and skills. But they were not here. So they had to push through this marathon slowly but surely.
"Ryuu, you have to slow down!"
But the elf did not get the memo. She just turned the valves open within her even more. She stomped on the ground, accelerating once more. It was nothing like her lover's Earth Shrinking, but it came close to defying physics.
Unlike Alise, Ryuu refused to play the long game. The desire to take this thing down, the entity that caused so much pain to Kaguya, to Arash, was overtaking all. But her actions also had reasons. If they held back anything, they would pay for it. So Ryuu unleashed her entire creativity, pulled out her entire bag of tricks, for this one fight.
Wires were set up. They lasted mere moments, but the added instruments increased their dodge options by just a bit. She grabbed the various bomb of Lyra herself, timing her actions with the others. The ground shaped itself enough to create proper footholds. It was no forest, but it did the job.
Leaping over the air over and over, she was the most ferocious in her attacks against the Gojouno. Thus, the attention was diverted mostly towards her, to take down an annoying buzzing fly. For the Gojouno knew it couldn't allow Ryuu to have free reign in her actions.
Ryuu Lion was not someone you could allow to set the pace. For the more she controlled the battlefield, the more exponentially her lethality became. It was something that Aiz Wallenstein experienced first hand. If this were a forest, Ryuu would become even more terrifying. Instead, she had limits to how much she could control the battlefield, preventing others from getting injured with her moves, kicking off the tendrils, supporting others and so on.
Yet Ryuu alone could not decide this battle. Something changed in the eyes of the Gojouno. They became more clear in an instant out of nowhere.
"ENOUGH, YOU BASTARDS!"
Lyra was the first to realize the change, her teeth gritted together.
"Fuck, my magic-!"
His senses were no longer disoriented. Thus, the illusions were easily seen through. Time slowed down, as a certain tendril snapped like a whip towards a wide eyed woman.
"Shiki!"
Ryuu didn't even think. While everyone froze for but a moment at the sudden increase of precision and perception of Gojouno, she dashed forward.
"Ryuu, no!"
But Alise's warning was too late. As the balance of the fight shifted once more, Ryuu had only one target. Something that the Gojouno easily perceived, having another bladed whip ready and launched straight at her, her eye to be specific.
Yet Ryuu did not stop. Her aim was true. If she managed to land her hit, it would return the scales, it would save Shiki's life before the attack could hit. As long as she hit the spot that Shirou made.
Even if she would lose part of her skull for this. It was a suicidal attack at worse and crippling at best.
It was a price she was willing to take, for the sake of victory. For the sake of preventing even one more casualty in this battle. Thus, Ryuu screamed, her charge unyielding, despite the shadow blade aiming to take her eye, with part of her head off.
However, her reckless plan would turn out to be meaningless. Ryuu's plan was meaningless, for it never got the chance to be executed.
The only warning any of them had, in that moment of diluted time, was the sound of thunderous drums beating in the distance, each hit becoming more and more ear deafening. They defied this eternal moment, as if they moved in regular time instead. Until, at last…
"TANDAAAAAVAAAAAA!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The strike of two Strongest in the world smashed into the Gojouno Curse from both sides at the same time, like a press. Straight punch vs spinning kick, Rider vs Berserker. And against all odds, the attacks of pure physical might caused the culminated grudges to actually recoil, missing Shiki, missing Ryuu, by but a strand of hair.
"Guh!"
The two newcomers slid over the wet sand, forcing themselves to come to a stop before they vanished off kilometers away. To call them human beings would have been generous in that moment. Steam escaped their raspy, feral breaths. Their bodies were bent forward, like beasts hungering for their meals. Their fingers twitched, the urge to kill filling their beings. Then there were their eyes, wide, twitching, deranged with focus and anger alike.
Penthesilea, with her eyes reddened, her skin burning, cracked her neck as she spat to the side, narrowing one eye in absolute distaste as she looked upon her prey, her hair and skin utterly wet alike as it steamed. The gash across her body, starting from her right thigh to her left shoulder, pulsated with blood, yet the Berserker did not give a single damn for it.
"Do you have any idea how much I had to swim AND run to get back here?!"
Meanwhile Oryou was leaning forward, her arm hanging limply around as she swayed left and right. She didn't even bother addressing the Gojouno, not deeming them worth the time to treat them as anything but a target to murder, to annihilate. Her eyes were puffy, due to the remnants of tears glistening on her draconic scales. Her mouth was wide open, drooling and showing the sharpened, inhuman teeth hidden in her jaw. Her hair covered most of her face, yet one could not miss the glowing, serpentine eyes, shivering with barely controlled sanity. Her features were more monster than human at this point, her claws sharp and yearning to tear apart the culprit who dared to hurt her husband.
Both of them exuded enough pressure to make even level four faint of heart. However…neither of them completed their transformation yet.
Yet. But the wait was over.
"Like a Soaring Dragon, I return to my true form!"
"Haaaaah…!"
Penthesilea crossed her arms in front of her face. Oryou clawed her own face with her right hand, as if barely containing the energy surging in her. Then, as one, they moved. Oryou slashed her face open, her blood spreading and engulfing her entire body. Meanwhile, Penthesilea spread her arms open with a feral scream.
"AMAKAKERU RYU GA GOTOKUUUUUU!"
"ACHILEEEEESSS!"
Oryou's body fully transformed. The sight was enough to even cause the Astraea Familia's focus to waver, for they saw the sight for the first time. How a woman's form fully distorted, twisted, by the blood that became shadows. Bigger, ever so bigger, the human limbs disappeared, the human head, the human everything. In their place, a creature that dwarfed even most Monster Rex took its place. Her tail, sturdy and large, could easily swipe mountains away. Her jaw, elongated and firm, could bite large galleys in half with no effort. Her scales, shining and majestic, could easily withstand a hundred of Ryuu's magic spells.
The perfection, the origin, the apex that was Oryou. The Serpent of the Far East roared at the sky, her drool, super heated with her own wrath, burning away the ocean underneath her. A form that no mortal should have ever taken, a form that was this close to divinity.
At the same time, Penthesilea's eyes were fully turned red. The air around her twisted from the rage alone. Her body has not changed other than that, yet the aura she radiated equaled or even surpassed the dragon's next to her. Her eyes no longer recognized anything. An illusion was cast over herself, a mental switch. Her human limiters were but suggestions now, suggestions she ignored. Every last bit and more would be squeezed out of her body, until her designated target was utterly annihilated, or until she was dead.
Two women. Two individuals from entirely different times, different lands. And yet, they both presented parallels, presented mirrors of each other. Of how fury could manifest.
Then, without hesitation or any rationality left, the both of them rushed at each other, in order to crush the giant ghost between them into smithereens.
/
"New" Magic:
Constellatio: Increases Mind and effectiveness of Magic. Allows the sharing of senses and skills with Familia members during combat. Support Magic.
Warp Riastrad: Magic that assaults the very mind and senses itself. Meant to lower one's perception. Sound Assault Magic.
Sylphid Wings: Increases agility and speed in combat immensely by covering allies in wind. Reinforcement Barrier Type magic.
Alise:
Lubrude Bequia: Lubrude Bequia is a rare skill that increased Alise's abilities, allowing her to be on par with a first class adventurer. It raised her Strength stat by a large amount when she was in combat, raised her Endurance and Dexterity stats by a large amount in the face of adversity, and raised her Agility and Magic stats by a large amount when she fought against a powerful opponent. When all three conditions were met, it further increased her Strength, Agility, and Magic stats slightly in proportion to the duration.
Batleate Asyrath Batleate Asyrath increased the effects of Alise's skills when fighting in close combat and increased the effects of her magic when she used it.
Polaris Ursa: Attacks open up weakness for other Familiar members
Lyra:
Guiding Stars: Increases mental fortitude. Reduces penalties that are caused by attacks targeting the five senses.
Sleight Hand: Lowers one's presence and increases potency of an action if they are outside the enemy's awareness.
Dauntless David: The bigger the power difference between opponent and self is, the more performance in combat is boosted.
Ryuu:
Fairy Serenade: Fairy Serenade increases the effects of magic and the effect rises at night.
Mind Load: Mind Load increases Ryuu's strength stat when attacking by using mind. It has an active trigger.
Aero Mana: Aero Mana increases Ryuu's attack power the faster she's running. A blue flash borders her weapon when she uses it.
Juggernaut Drive: Increases stats overall the more she and her Familia are in a pinch.
Kaguya:
Hitokiri - Increases damage dealt to opponents. Effect increases against humanoids. Scales to one's bloodlust
Oka Ranbu - Increases Agility and Dexterity. Effect rises with repeated attacks.
Jikininki - Increases damage dealt to opponents the lower their health are.
Kettou - Increases combat performance when facing a singular opponent on your lonesome.