Aimlessly wandering, in the aftermath of the dark age's greatest failure…Vito's mind was empty in this colorless world. One would imagine he'd be satisfied, in a way. The many deaths created, all that blood spilled. In a way, it was still a victory, even if they fell short at the finishing line. There was always next time, in a way. The shadows would always exist.
And yet…his mind was empty. Any desire to build up their forces, any wish to stab those cheering, celebrating fools in the back, it was non existent. All that was within him, in this infinite void of his cursed soul…was the wish for vengeance.
For his god, the one who betrayed him from the start. Vito's entire life…was a lie. All his efforts to support his god, to bring death and chaos to the world…was an act. He dedicated his entire being to the cause, only to find out the cause was mere smoke in the wind. The deity he looked up to, as his savior, as his guiding light…was a complete and utter fraud, a goodie two shoes pretending…!
He tried, to contain himself. He was a wanted man for his crimes after all. And yet, he couldn't. Smashing his fist into a nearby building, reopening his wounds caused by that bitch of a Far Eastern woman. He breathed heavily, doubled over as he stared at the blood drops falling down, the all too familiar color of red, the only one he was allowed to see.
Ah…he truly was a wretched being…cursed for this…so why should he not indulge more? Why not drown himself in this color? Yes, he should start planning. Planning of taking down everything himself, because he could trust nob-
"You can never trust gods, am I right?"
His blade moved even with his mind in chaos, even when he was startled. He felt the sensation of flesh being separated by his sword. Then he processed the situation, and stumbled backwards, eyes wide as he stared at the person who spoke those words…rubbing her throat as if it wasn't just cleaved open. The hooded individual clicked her tongue in annoyance. Vito's back hit the wall. He saw the red color disappear, but he saw the blood on the ground and his blade. A memory sparked in his mind. One of the 'allies' from the outside, one that Lor-, Erebus warned to never interact with.
"You…you are…the Night Queen…?" He muttered, wary at this sudden appearance. He didn't even sense her. How? No matter how his mental state was right now, he wouldn't make such a rookie mistake. Nevertheless…seeing an outsider like this, nodding at him with that smirk…something snapped in his mind. He snarled and pointed the tip of his sword near her throat, who didn't even flinch at the action. "Where were you?! We were this close to victory! Just a push more, and we would've killed them all!"
The woman rolled her eyes under her hood
"The world doesn't just revolve around Orario. I had my role out there and you had yours here. It's not my fault you failed." She shrugged before smiling widely, tilting her head backwards ever so slightly. "But I forgive you."
Vito felt his skin pulsate with heat. She was looking down on him. He pushed his blade deeper, drawing the colorful red once more with a snarl.
"Forgive me? Hahahaha! I don't want your filthy forgiveness! Humans, gods, they are all garbage as far as I'm concerned! The heavens have betrayed my heart and soul once again! Never again!"
"Finally someone else who gets it."
He blinked at the words. His sword almost wavered as he saw the woman showed her teeth at him.
"What?"
She grabbed the edge of his sword and tightened her hand around it, drawing her own red color out on purpose. She leaned forward, her voice turning into a whisper.
"Gods are useless. Those who kneel to them are useless. Gods give us empty promises, able to fix everything…but simply refuse to do so." She brushed his cheek with the back of her knuckle, almost gentle. Mesmerized, Vito couldn't bring himself to back away, to kill this wench as he looked into the empty void that was her eyes. "They turned you into this too, right? The inability to see color except red?"
"...what about it?" He muttered, unable to look away. The Night Queen chuckled, backing away. She raised her hand in dramatic fashion…and snapped her fingers.
Vito dropped his sword, his eyes wide as he looked around…no longer seeing the world as he had always seen it. He reached out to a nearby window, touching its frame, running his finger over the…the color that was neither red nor gray.
"What is…this…?" He whispered. He was overwhelmed by the overload of his senses, what his eyes were showing him.
"That's the color brown." He didn't react even as the Night Queen's arms guided his hand from behind, as she whispered into his ear. He wasn't aware of how giddy he looked as she led his fingers to the next object, a lamp.. "And this…is orange. Well, yellow and orange." Pointing upwards, he looked upon the night sky…and saw its… "Over there is blue tint." She giggled, patting his arms a few times. "Such a beautiful world, isn't it?"
"Ah…"
He was crying. An act for children, for fools…and yet, could anyone blame him? He never knew what he was lacking. His obsession with blood, of killing others…was all to get rid of this monotone colorless world. And he now knew, that he was fully justified in doing so. To know what the full picture looked like…him chasing down a mere fragment of it every day, with each life spent…
Suddenly, his paradise disappeared. Gone in a blink of an eye. He was back in his hell, of a world of eternal grey. He frantically grasped the air, as if trying to pull back the wonderful view he had. Then he snapped around, pulling the Night Queen up by her collar, his eyes twitching with manic energy.
"N-no! Bring me back! I need to see it all again!"
"Sorry, but I can't keep this up forever." She put a finger against her lips, teasingly. "But. As you can see…praying to the gods is useless. All you can rely on…are the ones actually doing things. Like me." She touched his forehead with a nod. "You were born wrong, but that doesn't mean you can't be fixed. It's just nobody cared enough to do that for you. What a sad existence."
He didn't know when he let go. When he fell to his knees.
"Pleas…what do I have to do…?" He begged. He prayed. Not to a god. Not to a human. But the Queen herself, who put her hand on his head, as if patting a dog she just found. He let out a weak laugh. Yes…a dog…a loyal hound, for someone worthy at last…
"C'mon. Join me, and we will bring down everything. The fools worshipping the gods, and the gods themselves. Do a good job, and I will show you how beautiful the world can be as often as you want to." She let out a hungry growl. "A world untainted by the cursed stars of the heavens."
Finally, he would be free of his own sins. Finally, he could be a real human. Thus, he didn't hesitate, as he kept his head low.
"I give my life…to the Night Queen."
He could feel her wide, malicious smile.
"Atta boy."
And he found he did not care. For he would die for this miracle.
And kill everything on this world, if it meant he could be free of sin.
/
Firebolt flashed through the air, slamming into a tree that Vito dodged behind. A mocking laugh echoed, as Bell tried to track him with a glare, but the smoke and heat distortion created by his own spell made it harder than it should be.
"Missed by just a bit!"
"Tch!"
Chasing after the taunt, Bell realized he was a far way away from the exit to the upper floors. As much distaste as he felt for this Vito, the man's ability to manipulate the battlefield, including him, was top notch. It was the only reason Bell didn't manage to land a single clean hit on him. It didn't help that his arm was basically dead for this fight, limiting his range of attacks, which meant Vito had more safe spaces to dodge to.
His senses tingled again and he leapt to the side, avoiding another explosion. He clicked his tongue in irritation. What was up with Evilus' obsession of blowing people up?! He can only hope that everyone else was alright. Kojiro and Haruhime holding the line against other enemies on their own. Alise on top in Rivira. The rest of Astraea Familia, surely making their way up.
At the thought of Ryuu, he exhaled slowly, his eyes darting around even faster. He couldn't show his girlfriend such a pitiful sight, if she saw him while running past him. Thus, he intensified his speed. The terrain he was upon may not have been even ground…but as long as his feet could find enough space, he could fly through the air, platform to platform.
"Predictable!"
In mid flight, despite being a swift blur, Vito emerged from a nearby burning tree, his sword in the trajectory of Bell's body. He snarled, activating Morgenglocke just in time. His enemy hissed in pain, as his sword, coursing with dark energy, bounced off Bell. With his feet, Bell landed on a tree branch, wiping his mouth in annoyance. With less space available, even if Vito couldn't see him, he just had to move right after Bell used Shrinking Earth. He couldn't change his direction mid air after all.
His thoughts were interrupted by the shaking of the ground. The two of them looked down, utterly baffled. A reaction they realized the other also had, sharing a confused look.
"Isn't this your doing down there?!"
"I don't have anything to do with whatever goes down there!" Vito chuckled before retreating into the flames. "But can you afford to be distracted like this, o rising star?!"
Bell leapt after him, Dragon Fang hitting but empty air. He coughed as smoke began to enter his lungs. Damn it, he hated this area.
No solid ground, so his Shrinking Earth was suboptimal. He never got close enough for Dragon Fang. Firebolt made it worse to see and track Vito, even if it had to put a toll on the man too. Out of all his abilities, Morgenglocke served him the best, avoiding any further damage from the cursed blade, and diminished the damage caused by explosions. But…at this rate, he might run out of energy.
Whatever he thought of that bastard…in terms of tactics, he was good enough to keep Bell in place. Maybe even exhaust him like a hunter would with a predator. Not to mention a status that made him relevant against his own. The amount of effort and energy to be put to reach this level…
Bell didn't understand how someone could dedicate themselves so much to being…such a terrible human being!
"Why are you doing this? What drives you to be part of Evilus?"
He closed his eyes reflexively, avoiding getting blinded by a flashbang. His ears twitched, despite the ringing, catching the sound of rustling leaves amidst the burning and spun on his heel, blocking with his sword in time. An annoyed sound echoed as Bell opened his eyes, staring at the smiling, deranged face of Vito.
"What drives all foolish mortals in the world. What drives idiots like your weak captain to get herself killed in the dungeon."
Bell froze. Vito promptly smashed his forehead into his nose. Gasping in pain, he stumbled backwards, shooting a blind Firebolt to force his opponent away from him. He exhaled, trying to stay cool…but his heart beat rapidly, increasing the heat within.
Up on the high ground, Vito rubbed his forehead with a hiss before spreading his arms open with an open laugh.
"To live as I please…and die a senseless death. There is nothing else that describes the ideal adventurer life, right?"
"Are you serious…?" Bell muttered, staring at the man who made light of all those heroes, the adventurers risking their lives. And yet, Vito shrugged, without remorse, as he walked across the branch, as if performing a speech on a stage.
"Is it not? We throw ourselves into a gaping pit of monsters, for the hope of finding glory. But what exactly is that glory worth? Even the strongest Familia of old, Zeus and Hera, have been forgotten. Their oh so wonderful deeds were utterly meaningless."
He tsked a few times, wagging his finger.
"We all die deaths that mean nothing to the world. And thus…we live as we please, trying to find any peace of mind. Through family. Through friendship." His grind widened, showing his teeth. "Through death. We mortals are all hopelessly the same. And once we die…we are nothing. So why care about good and evil?"
He pointed down at Bell, looking down at him with a sneer.
"Why care for doing the right thing? Your captain did the right thing, defeating a monster for the sake of her Familia. And what did she leave behind? Nothing but her own ashes. An utterly meaningless death."
Bell didn't say anything at first. His blade shook as he stared at the ground, processing the words. In a way…a part of Bell agreed with Vito. He felt nothing but despair when Solaris died. Feeling like all their efforts were for naught.
What was the point in defeating your opponent, if you didn't make it? What was the meaning of glory, if you didn't live to enjoy it?
He had those naive foolish thoughts before. Before…sense was beaten into him. He felt it. The warmth in his chest. The heat on his back.
The ghostly hand squeezing his shoulder, reassuring him, soothing is motionless arm at the same time somehow.
"You are wrong…" He whispered with a small smile. He looked up, enjoying how Vito flinched away from the fire in his eyes. "The ones who leave us…they still have meaning, even now."
"Sentimental nonsense!" Vito barked out, shaking his head as he spread his arms open, awaiting judgement and expecting it not to arrive. "Where is her meaning now, as you get battered by someone like me?! Where is justice as I prevail?!"
He looked down at the chains attached to Homebringer. In his mind's eye, he saw her. Solaris, just as old as she passed on, smirking at him with expectation. He nodded once at her.
"Let's show him…Solaris."
"Don't ya get too melodramatic on me!" She cackled before flashing her thumb at him. "Hoped you'd get some practice with this, but whatever! Just go wild, you crazy shit!"
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Vito took an unconscious step back, as he felt the air round them change.
Lightning and fire surged in his eyes as he snapped them wide open.
"Awaken! Inferno-Bolt!"
Flames and electricity burst forth from his entire being, engulfing him in it. An aura of magic boosted his existence itself, causing Vito to almost stumble backwards, mouth agape at the raw power that he exuded with the white inferno Bell covered himself in.
Then Vito leaned forward, eyes narrowed when he realized that Bell was rooted on his feet, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. Bell hoped he had a better poker face, but using the full power granted to him by Solaris…
It freaking hurt!
The fire didn't hurt as much. Solaris' legacy protected him from that much at least, on top of his magic resistance. Unfortunately…the lightning was an entirely different story altogether.
"Ggghhh…!" He twitched profusely as his muscles spasmed to the unknown sensation of being electrocuted. The sight caused Vito to bark out a mocking laugh, clutching his stomach.
"You cannot even use that power! What foolishness!"
"I can use it well enough…!"
He exhaled, getting a sense for this numbing pain. Then, he grasped the hilt of Homebringer tightly, and swung upwards with a roar. Vito's laughter died immediately, as he had to leap to the side, the cut of fire and lightning smashing against the wall of the dungeon with almost no resistance.
He didn't have much experience when it came to using this sort of magic…but…
The image of fluttering hair fluttering in the wind. A vortex surrounding the beautiful girl, rapier in hand.
Bell smiled as he lowered his center of gravity, concentrating the magic on his soles. He had a perfect image to mimic in his eye!
"Oi, what about me?!"
Right, and Solaris of course. But Aiz was stronger.
"Asshole!"
Shaking his head and silencing the voice of his former captain, he narrowed his eyes as Vito found his footing again.
If he was inferior in preparation and tactics…
He exploded into motion. Vito tugged at a nearby vine with a snarl. Bell roared and kicked mid air, changing directions immediately, picking up speed with the fire and lightning trailing behind him.
He just needed to use this overwhelming force! For that was strategy as well! His foot slammed into Vito's stomach. Even with the sword in the way, the man spat out blood from the raw impact of it…and then, Bell triggered an explosion at close range.
He hissed as the recoil hit him, his leg aching in pain. But he took great satisfaction seeing the smug face of Vito doubled over, groaning in pain as he was on all four. To his credit, the man rose to his feet, shaking with the broken blade in hand.
"I…I can't lose…not to you…not to you, who defies all logic…!" He forced his battered body to rush forward. "You shouldn't exist!"
"You don't get to decide that!" Bell shouted back, trying to tackle him. But Vito was faster despite his injuries, entering close range. Broken blade smashed against Homebringer, pressing against each other. Up close, Bell could see his flames and lightning affect Vito.
And yet, he grit his teeth and swung his broken weapon, forcing himself to move. Bell could at least respect that. Thus, with his one arm, he swung his weapon as well.
It was sloppy. Kojiro would cringe at the sight. But it was only natural. With Inferno-Bolt, his fine control was utterly shot. If his opponent wasn't literally in a worse state, he would've outskilled Bell.
But this was not that day. The exchange lasted a mere seconds at best. Bubbles blistered and scorched Vito's skin, as he fell down on his knees, rasping for air. Bell deactivated his spell, the urge of collapsing strong. Instead, he stood strong, staring down at his opponent.
"I…I can't die…She needs me…I…didn't get my reward yet…I haven't…seen enough…yet…Why…is everything…so gray…?"
With half lidded eyes, Bell sighed.
"I don't understand what you are talking about. If it's some sickness or something that ails your mind. I feel pity for you, who is unable to choose a better lie.
He raised his blade. Vito didn't even register the act, his eyes dulling.
"But thats all I feel. After all…you killed endless amounts of innocent people." Bell took a deep breath. "Goodbye."
Thus, the sword swung down without mercy. Blood was spilled, and a body dropped. Taking a deep breath, Bell sheathed his sword, turning around…only to see Kojiro and Haruhime jogging over to him.
His eyes immediately wandered across their bodies, checking their injuries. He let out a sigh of relief when he spotted no major injury. At best a couple bruises and cuts. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
That meant he was the most injured of them all. What a captain he was, haha…
"I suppose it went well for you guys?"
"I believe I am close to a breakthrough as I held back Tsubame Gaeshi and only relied on my eyes." Kojiro paused, fully taking in Bell's appearance. He crossed his arms with a raised eyebrow. "Young master, why do you look so singed?"
"Ahahaha…tested out new magic?" He said, scratching the back of his head. Haruhime gave him a flat look.
"You need to stop creating new magic. It's not healthy."
"This time I didn't create it! I swear!"
Kojiro patted their shoulders before motioning with his head onwards.
"Let's talk about this later. We should check if the others are alright."
"Did Ryuu pass you by already?" Bell asked in surprise, as they picked up the pace. Kojiro nodded in confirmation.
"Yes, we insisted that we got this."
So they went on ahead. If they were lucky, they had caught up with Nyx.
That was what he thought, before they actually entered Rivira…and saw the utter devastation around them.
"Whoa…!"
"They seemed to have their own fun as well," Kojiro stated, whistling impressed. Bell on the other hand was more worried than amazed. Even with his leg aching, he rushed to the center of the dungeon 'town'. With relief, he saw the girls standing alive and well. He jumped, just as Ryuu turned around, eyes wide, and caught him with her arms.
"Ryuu!"
"B-Bell! It's fine!"
She sounded embarrassed but she returned his one armed hug. She gasped when she saw why and immediately set him down, muttering a healing spell under her breath. He gently brushed her hair aside, revealing a bleeding wound across her forehead, causing him to frown. Ryuu however had the stronger frown, daring him to say anything.
Wisely, he kept his mouth shut and let his love heal him instead. Meanwhile Alise let out a joyous laugh, even with her arm in a makeshift sling, waving at them.
"Hullo, guys!"
"Everything alright?"
"Curses are a bitch, but nothing we couldn't handle," Lyra stated, stretching her back with a pained groan. She sighed. "Also annoying to deal with an irregular Goliath AND the toad at the same time."
Bell blinked. Toad? What toad? A faint memory tried to creep up in his head…but it refused to manifest. Either way, Alise looked mournful as she lowered her head with a sigh.
"A pity what happened to her."
"Fuck her. We done here?"
"Kaguya…"
Kaguya had her arms crossed, tapping the ground impatiently with her foot. It spoke volumes for her love of her Familia that she didn't simply leave them behind, despite being stronger than them at this point. But the dark aura surrounding her…worried Bell. He wasn't alone at this, as Lyra cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Well, at least this was therapeutic." She scoffed. "Only way it would've been better if that guy actually summoned a Juggernaut."
Bell didn't know who "that guy" was, but he sounded just as insane as Vito. Maybe even more so. He flexed his injured arm a bit, finding feeling in it again. Ryuu lightly slapped his forehead in admonishment before rising to her feet as well.
"Don't jinx it. And I assume the dungeon didn't have enough energy to actually summon one."
"Gotta thank Solaris for that one, haha…"
Alise's words were putting them in a somber mood…when the ground shook again. The local adventurers jumped up in panic, as if expecting another Monster Rex to appear. When nothing happened, they calmed down.
"Okay, anyone else wondering what the hell that is?"
"Doesn't matter. We going upstairs after all," Kaguya bit out, causing Lyra to flinch at the old tone behind it. Alise stepped forward, frowning deeply as she shook her head.
"This is all bothering me too much. It's like they just…threw themselves into the woodchipper. What's the endgame here? Letting Nyx escape? But why cost so many resources then?"
"Perhaps they are distracting us from the Xenos," Haruhime wondered, causing Kaguya to scoff dismissively.
"Does Nyx really give that much of a fuck about the Xenos?"
Well, they did kinda interfere with her plans in a way, Bell wondered. Still…It didn't sound right. He felt this entire plot was separate from the Xenos, from the vibrations.
"Whatever her motivations…Alfia is definitely going for them." The Astraea Familia narrowed their eyes as one at the name. "If she were here, she would've participated in the conflict."
"Who's Alfia?" Bell asked, tilting his head with curiosity. Ryuu shook her head, smiling softly.
"Doesn't matter right now. Just know that we barely managed to beat her when she was alive…and sick, when the Astraea Familia was whole."
Bell's eyes widened at that. How strong could someone be with so many disadvantages? Even if she was part of Evilus…he could only be in awe of such strength. And it sounded like she was cured of her disease.
Who was Alfia? For some reason, his soul tingled at the name. Maybe it was just a premonition of a future threat but he wasn't so sure…
Kaguya cracking her neck broke him out of his thoughts.
"That bitch went further up. Let's go."
"Wait, what if the Xenos need our help?"
"Tch."
Alise bit her lip, as she stared at Kaguya's back, before turning to Bell.
"What do you think, fellow captain?"
His first instinct was to go down. If the theory was correct that the vibrations and the Xenos were related…that Nyx or the Night Queen was baiting them away…Lido and hte others were in great danger. Especially if this Alfia was as dangerous as Ryuu and the others made her out to be.
But he also remembered. The plan. Where the Xenos were going…and who they were trying to meet up with, in order to reach safety.
He remembered her strong back, as light engulfed the demi spirit in the country of snow and ice. He remembered her radiant confident look as she glanced back at him, her short hair fluttering in the wind.
He couldn't help but smile.
If Artoria Pendragon stated she would get the Xenos to a peaceful haven, Bell was utterly faithful that she would do so. Thus…
"Let's go back to the surface and help with the search," he said with a determined nod, holding his fist up over his chest. "Artoria will reach them in time."
For some reason, everyone looked at him weirdly. Especially Ryuu who was…puffing up her cheeks?
"Lots of confidence in another woman." Lyra playfully nudged the elf with her elbow. "Careful, Lion."
"Of course."
Bell felt a shiver down his spine. Did he say something wrong? He felt like he said something wrong.
With that worry in his heart, the alliance made their way up to the surface…to support the search of the Night Queen. Of Nyx.
Perhaps of both, if they were the same.
/
Wires. Wires were everywhere. And that was only the items she was seeing. The Night Queen growled as she hid behind a backalley, several adventurers passing by.
So using magic items to ensure she couldn't fool them with her aura. Smart. Annoying, but smart. Rubbing her chin underneath her robe, the blackhaired entity came up with an idea, staring at the walls of the city. She smirked maliciously before ducking away, hiding deeper into the darkness.
"Filvis, we'll have to go brute force. Blast a hole and we can get out of here."
She waited for a response. When none came, her footsteps slowed down.
"...Filvis?"
She looked around. And yet, no sign from the abomination. She was right behind her just now. Then…it clicked. A low chuckle escaped her, as the veins pulsated on her skin.
That bitch…!
"So a traitor after all…should've known only the mindbroken are reliable…"
Left her alone, to die. Probably didn't just flat out sell her out because she herself was a wanted monster, who would've been killed on sight. What a mess. Everything went wrong ever since the War Game, ever since Be-
She blinked, realizing she walked more steps than she thought. She must have been more tired than she realized. Anyway, this was a real mess. If only she had more competent tools that could escort her out properly. If only she wasn't spotted. They must have passed on information and put Orario on higher alert. Damn that Be-
She hissed this time, clutching her head. Her eyes flickered from its blank state for just a moment. Then she blinked, looking around, realizing she somehow got to her knees for…some reason.
…What was she thinking about again? She huffed, shaking her head. Must have blanked out for a moment. For now…she had to find a way out. It seemed like a high hurdle for regular people but…
No matter. She was the Night Queen after all. She would always persevere. She was the Night Queen after all. She would always win at the end. She was the Night Queen after all. She was correct. She was chosen. She was the one who will make everything right.
For she was the Night Queen after all.
…
…
…
…
Her eyes twitched, unbeknownst to her. A thought appeared in the depths of her heart, before choked down by the mist within. And yet, its remnants echoed deep within, even if she herself could not comprehend it.
The one singular word, added to her mental mantra.
The one question, that would break this thing calling herself the Night Queen.
She was the Night Queen after all.
"….Right?"