To say the cultists, those whose minds have not been dominated and broken by drugs, abuse and the magic of the Night Queen, were utterly confused, was an understatement.
"Night Queen, wha-"
She utterly ignored them, as she shot her palms out, towards Babel, towards the ground, towards the dungeon. Towards her Avenger that went rogue and was in the process of ruining everything. Underneath her robes, her entire body lit up with symbols, at the same time as her grail within her pocket. It was not a tool she ever bothered to use, a last resort emergency measure to gain control over her servants. Because of that…
"I command you to stop, you damned musician! Shut it down! Be silent! Don't you dare ruin my plans! Stop taking this away from me! Not after all this time!"
…the music did not stop. Her command seals, created by herself, did not live up to the task, lacking refinement, experience and simply skill.
"Go explode! Go die! Kill yourself! Kill yourself, damn it!"
She snarled, sweating profusely, ignoring the itching at her side. Yet the piano kept playing. Matter of fact, it felt like the music intensified just to spite her. She could feel it, how his very soul was being torn apart, between her orders and his own will. Yet it took too long, way too long. As if he was immortal until his piece was done playing. If it were only that, it wouldn't have been so bad. She was about to divert her attention, towards the pale witch controlling the dragons…when she felt it start to stir. Her head snapped away from the city, instead staring far off at the horizon, eyes wide with horror. Then, without even saying anything to the chaff around her, she sprinted as fast as she could.
The closer she was, the better she could use her powers, command seals and mental manipulation alike. For that thing…she needed all tools at hand. Grinding her teeth almost to the point of breaking them…she decided the city was a lost cause for this moment.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
She had to focus on the biggest threat first before she had to bring those other tools to her heel! If that thing went rampage, not even she could get out of that one unscathed! With that in mind, her entire body glowed as energy radiated from her, each speck of magic moving outside of Orario and entering the ground, with each step intensifying in focus. At the same time, a massive creature's stirring slowly began to calm down, half lidded eyes closing ever so slightly with each passing second, the hissing that filled the darkness starting to go silent. The Night Queen rubbed her side in annoyance before increasing her speed.
Thus, the Night Queen left the city behind…in all its chaos.
/
Nobody dared to move, not even the Violas, not even the Creature Revis. The moment that woman regained her control, regained her mind, the air itself became suffocating even to Ottar. They felt like they were in the presence of a bomb that was about to go off, as Alfia looked around, with a calm befitting of a predator that could eat anything alive around her. None dared to move, worrying that she might act instead of being satisfied with just taking in the situation. The Silence took a deep breath, smelling the air, the smoke, the spilled blood. Then she took a closer look at Ottar.
The facial scars were new, as if a human hand clawed it open. The arm was broken, courtesy of herself most likely. Fresh cuts across his body, most of them in the process of healing. There was a limb, caused by a deeper gash at his thigh. Other than that however, he seemed rather fine. She glanced at the weaker ones for a moment. Much more injured than the King, but they seemed from earlier of the fight. That other person who she assumed was her 'ally' breathed heavily, no wounds on her, but exhausted, visibly frustrated. Plant like monsters were scattered everywhere. She noticed the dragons flying around, seemingly out of control. Combining all those facts, she put a hand on her chest, feeling something disgusting pulse in it. She sighed, putting her palm against her forehead as she processed all the information.
"I see…It has been seven years, give or take." She gave the King a pointed look, smiling ever so slightly. "Nothing much seemed to have changed. Minor improvements at best."
Ottar's pride stung, roaring at him to meet that insult head on…but he wasn't the captain for nothing. Rationality conquered his baser instincts. He saw her pride, her dismissal…and her disappointed resignation. He snapped his arm back into place, letting out a grunt, before letting his body mend the injury on its own.
"Your body has improved. I do not believe you suffer from your sickness anymore."
"An excuse, at best," Alfia stated, yet her fingers twitched. Conflicted feelings perhaps, that being a Creature herself made her healthier than ever? She didn't comment on it, instead calmly staring at the strongest man in the city without a care in the world.
"Will you still fight us?" He asked. She was no longer under control. A part of him hoped that would be enough to make her turn on Evilus. Alas…she nodded slowly, closing her eyes.
"Yes. For some reason, I have been forced to return. So I should stick to my role in this play." She opened them again, smiling ever so slightly. "However, I will not fight you today. I am…disoriented, to say the least. So I shall retreat for today."
The Freya Familia seethed at the mere thought of allowing an enemy to go. To allow an enemy to get her bearings, to get used to this new body without mind control. And yet…they were not sure they could take her down. Not without casualties, not without putting their goddess at risk, for even Ottar was not sure he could contain this battle away from her. Thus…neither moved, battle ready nevertheless, as Alfia began to walk towards Babel. Yet before she could even take three steps, Revis slammed her massive dungeon sword into her path, snarling at her fellow creature.
"Who says we are leaving? Our mission isn't over!"
Alfia stared at Revis. The one that threatened the Wind Princess, even withstood the assault of the Braver, and has only grown stronger ever since that. And yet, the Silence merely raised an eyebrow, tilting her head back ever so slightly as she looked down at the being before her.
"Who are you?" She shook her head before Revis could answer, merely pointing at her. "It doesn't matter. Bring me to our base. Now."
Revis felt her veins pulsate with fury. She stomped forward, grabbing Alfia by her collar before pulling her closer, slamming her forehead into hers.
"You are someone like me. You must be hearing the voice. So shut up, slave, and do what you are tol-"
"That voice? I silenced it."
"...What…?"
Alfia sighed dramatically, before grabbing Revis by the wrist, as the latter could only stare at Alfia with wide eyes. Then she winced as the Silence began to put pressure on it.
"It was extremely bothersome." Alfia's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, before twisting her wrist even more. "Just as you are at the moment."
"You-AAH-!"
Before Revis could even scream properly, Alfia slammed her palm against her mouth, silencing it. Despite her thin body, Alfia managed to force her fellow Creature on her knees, by just holding the wrist in a tight grip. It made no sense. Revis was a Creature for ages, feasting on magic stones to grow stronger and stronger, while this one hasn't taken a single magic stone in her entire life, too busy being a lifeless puppet instead. Yet here Revis was being treated like a child. Revis' eyes went wide, agonized and in fear, as she could feel the magical energy building up in the Silence, her eyes without mercy as they glowed and looked at Revis as if she were nothing more than garbage. That very same aura even froze the Violas as they were about to react to her, as if…as if these mindless things were actually afraid.
"I am going to remove my hand. Then, you will lead me to our base. Don't make unnecessary noise. I have a headache already. Do you understand?"
Alfia removed her palm and her hand. It was the perfect moment to strike. But Revis…merely avoided her eyes, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, and stood up, leading the way. Alfia smirked ever so slightly before waving her hand casually.
"Until next time."
None of the Freya Familia let out a breath of relief, not even when she was gone. Yet they all visibly relaxed ever so slightly, not that any of them would admit it. Exhaling slowly, Ottar slowly moved his previously broken arm. He winced, before shaking his head. Good enough. He turned to his fellow servants of Freya as he rested his massive blade on his shoulder.
"The city is still infested. Move out."
/
For a moment, Valletta was paralyzed, unable to process why that pale bitch was staring at her like this. With eyes that could set her on fire at any moment…with eyes that were not those of a mindless drone. With the way the dragons just stayed in place, at most flapping their wings to stay in place, she had no idea what was going on…until her mind finally accepted reality, when the Alter slowly raised her finger, the corners of her mouth equally slowly rising, into a deranged grin.
"Oh fuck." She immediately jumped off the wyvern. "OH FU-"
"Catch."
The dragons, the wyverns, and the last remaining Valgan Dragon, they all roared, as if something set off in their minds. Thanatos observed the ongoings through the observation modules of Knossos, mouth wide agape. Immediately, he snapped towards Barca with a panicked scream.
"Shut the damn gates!"
"But what about Val-"
The god pulled the nearby cultist by the collar, panic written clear on his face. Barca was already in the process of activating the necessary doors as quick as possible.
"SCREW HER, SHE'S DEAD, SHUTITSHUTITSHUTIT!"
With the final gate shut, the god wiped his forehead, calming down visibly. Not giving a damn as there were others out there fighting for their lives, especially Valletta, who stabbed and jumped from wyvern to wyvern, even as the claws and teeth cut into her body.
"Phew…"
"We aren't safe yet, Thanatos," Barca muttered, activating other levers. The god blinked, tilting his head a bit.
"...What?"
"Some got inside."
They felt it then, the rampaging rumbling in the manmade dungeon, followed by the screams of the pitiful beings that were too close to the entrances. Thanatos clawed at his face with a silent scream before snapping to the other Evilus members in the room.
"Call everyone back, get them through the entrances that aren't being flooded right now!"
"Everyone?!"
"ISHTAR'S KIDS, THE CREATURES, EVERYOOOOOOOONE!"
As her god was panicking, giving out commands and cursing the Night Queen for not doing anything about this situation in his eyes, Valletta slammed down on the ground, screaming in agony as jaws locked her limbs one by one. She pulled and twisted, only worsening her injuries, yet she desperately tried to wrestle herself free nevertheless. Around her, any cultist that was too weak or didn't react in time were being eaten alive, with the Loki Familia and everyone else being morbid spectators.
"Nononononono-!"
She froze when someone walked up to her. The Alter tilted her head ever so slightly, chuckling darkly. Valletta screamed, her eye twitching with descending sanity.
"L-Let me go, I'm your master! You're just some damn slave, you can't do this to me!"
"I can't?" The servant asked, tapping her chin. Then, she reared back her arm and thrusted it forward. Valletta choked, her screams coming to a stop. She looked down, only for the limb going through her chest. The Alter cackled, squeezing her heart into smoosh. With the same gesture, Valletta could only feel burning agony, slowly being cooked alive before the life left her eyes. Shaking her arm, the servant clapped her hands a few times.
"Hehehahahahaha, look at that, I can after all! How dare you lie to me?!" She snapped around, pushing her senses outward. Disguise or not, drugged, fanatic, it didn't matter. She locked onto every single person that seemed remotely like a cult, which wasn't that hard all things considered, with her army sending most into a panic.
"Burn 'em all! Leave none alive! Chase them down their holes and set it all on fire!" She slammed her fist against her chest like an angry gorilla. "Control me, huh?! Use me as a weapon?! Well tough shit, the weapon got out of control now!" She raised her middle finger into the air. "I am Jeanne Alter, you sons of bitches, and you will regret the day of summoning me!"
But only because she was going after the cultists, didn't mean she cared for collateral damage. Several times did people like Tiona have to break a monster's neck before they chomped down on their own people. Riveria growled at the sheer chaos, taking pot shots at the monsters aiming for civilians, while Aiz was cutting through the air over and over, while looking at Jeanne when she could, unsure if she should just kill the person or let her take out Evilus first. Now that she wasn't emotionless, Aiz could feel her own hate growing, syncing with the person before her. It wasn't as bad as with the hound, ironically enough, as the woman seemed to…enjoy herself. It was a frail thing, it was a drop in the water, but it gave Aiz hope, a modicum of control over her own actions as she laughed at herself of all things.
"Hahahahaha, can't believe I had to have my ass saved by a damn piano player! What a hit to my reputation!" She rolled her shoulders, listening to the piano music with a small smirk. Then she blinked, realizing that the elite of the Loki Familia was gathering around her, after taking down several dragons at this point, their weapons aimed at him. She raised an eyebrow at Bete, whose skin was rather cooked at this point, before spitting to the side.
"The fuck you looking at?"
"We have questions-"
"And I ain't got no answers for any of you, hag."
"...Hag?" Riveria muttered, her eye twitching in annoyance. Yet Jeanne didn't give a damn, pointing at herself with a scoff.
"Mind controlled, dipshits. I don't know anything. Be glad I'm focusing on revenge here instead of actually finishing the job." She paused before shooting them all a grin. "Still might. Since I'm already here and all."
As if to emphasize her point, a dragon ripped off the rooftop of a building, to scoop out a cultist hiding away, chomping down on him…before the lizard's head exploded into chunks from the act. They all tensed up, ready to take her down…when the Alter looked Aiz directly in the eyes. In that moment, not just ther eyes locked onto each other…but the stain that was within their souls.
"Guh…!"
"Hm? What's this? Baby's first hate?" Jeanne licked her lips, leaning forward almost teasingly. "What's wrong, can't handle the heat?"
"Don't you-"
"Nobody move or I'll burn you too," Jeanne said, without even looking at Tione. Instead, she nodded slowly, as the world around Aiz became twisted, as the latter clutched her head in pain. "Go on. Try to look away. It's so easy, isn't it?"
She could feel it. The joy in screams. At her opponents being burned to ashes…no, not her opponents. Jeanne's. Yet the line between her and the Alter before her was starting to blur. She imagined it…
"C'mon, I know you want to do this…burn them all…all of creation…why bother?"
To finally achieve her goal. To kill every damn monster, all the dragons, especially it, from existenc. She could feel her hate growing, become stronger, wishing to be unleashed, to make her leave, to look for the thing right now…
But then, the piano stopped at last. Jeanne Alter froze, her eyes going wide for a moment. At the same time, Aiz remembered who she was. Remembered who was down there, fighting, most likely responsible for the music starting…and maybe even responsible for it stopping.
Even if she didn't think she could do it, she had to be better! With that in mind, she tore her eyes away from Jeanne. The hate was still there, the connection, as the flames fueled each other, but she was able to resist. The Alter hummed…before cutting whatever connection they had on her own.
"Hm. Not bad. Could be better though. Guess Dantes really is just squatting in your soul doing fuck all."
Dantes? Was that the name of the Count? How did she know him? Aiz was about to look up, before Jeanne pointed at her.
"Oi brat. Get back to the surface while you still can."
"Wha-"
"You saw. If you still wanna go down this path, you really are an idiot." She scoffed, her eyes becoming tired. "There's nothing for you at the end of this road. Throw that thing away, or it'll keep infecting you like a plague. You just felt what happened. And I'm one of the nice ones."
It was a warning. From someone too far gone, from someone who knew what it was like to be a true Avenger. Unlike the count…this Jeanne didn't want Aiz to go down this path. She still looked at the Wind Princess with the same disgust, the same loathing as she looked at everything else. And yet…But before Aiz could respond, process the words, Jeanne's body began to twitch, her eyes flickering as if someone played with the lights. She growled, clutching her head as she stumbled forward. The monsters in the area twitched as well, the previous orders being overwritten by something.
"The bitch is getting into my head again…!" She snapped her head up, before spreading her arms open. "Oi, who wants to take down the big bad witch, I'm giving out freebies here!"
Without hesitation, Riveria let a magic arrow loose, piercing her right through where her heart should be. The Alter stumbled backwards before sitting down on nearby rubble, laughing weakly even as blood flooded down her mouth.
"There you go…" She looked up at the sky, letting out a tired sigh. "Keh…this place looks kinda fun…what a waste…" She glanced at Aiz one last time before shaking her head slowly, even as her body started to decompose into golden light.
"Don't forget…what I said…kiddo…Stay away…or you get burned…"
Closing her eyes…the servant disappeared from this world. Aiz stood there, the words echoing in her mind. All she could do was clench her eyes shut. Stay away. Let go. Do not become like her.
So simple and easy words, that she could not follow. Before she could sink into more self loathing, the roars of the beasts sounded once more.
"Right, of course they wouldn't drop dead too!" Tiona shouted, with everyone readying their weapons again.
"This isn't over yet, we have still plenty of dragons going out of control! Gather in teams and move out!" Riveria snapped towards Tione, who was about to jump off. "Same to you, Tione! Finn will be fine!"
Tione growled…but conceded to the point. They needed to clean up as fast as they could. The obscene direction was gone, but that still left rampaging monsters going around the streets. Thus, the Loki Familia and others would take much longer until the city would return to calm.