Chapter 32: The Phoenix Priestess III
Éclair woke up to the feeling of cold metal around her hands. Upon opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was the grey cobblestone floor dirtied with decaying moss and dust. Still, in a daze, she tried recalling the events that happened before finding herself in the place she currently is. Little by little, the images made themselves known to her.
Her eyes widened, realizing that the people after her has managed to catch her. On instinct, she tried moving only to find out she was bound by thick rusted chains. Éclair pulled on them, making clanking noises as the metallic binds dragged and slid against the stone floor.
"It's no use," said a voice full of arrogance and condescension. "You won't be able to escape those chains…not after you've hidden the other half of the Phoenix Stone from me."
Éclair eyed the man to whom the voice belonged. Her eyes narrowed upon seeing a blonde noble approaching her with a group of wizards by his side; four of which were responsible for the attack on Fairy Tail and her abduction. "Who are you?" she questioned the royal.
"You are in the presence of Duke Cream, ruler of the Principality of Veronica," declared the monarch. His eyes were now on the bound priestess, specifically the necklace that housed the powerful artifact. With one swift motion, Duke Cream swiped the Phoenix Stone from Éclair's neck.
"No!" Éclair gasped. "Give it back! That doesn't belong to you!"
"Au contraire; I believe it does." Cream removed the clip that clung to the stone and tossed the useless lace back at Éclair. "You see, my kingdom will be celebrating its four hundredth founding anniversary, and what better way to commemorate such a prestigious event than to combine the two pieces of the stone to unleash the legendary Phoenix."
Now aware of the duke's plan, Éclair was horrified by the creature's awakening and the destruction it would cause. "Don't!" she warned. "You don't know the horrors you're about to unleash if you awaken the Phoenix!"
"You think I care?" Cream replied mockingly. He leaned closer to the bound priestess while grinning at her laughable attempt at a warning. "I can do anything and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
Suddenly, Éclair lunged and hit the duke's nose with her forehead. Cream stumbled back and held his nose which was now oozing with blood. The act made the royal incensed, and out of spite, pulled out a dagger from his side and slashed the imprisoned girl on the shoulder.
Éclair yelped in pain, her blood gushing out from the wound inflicted. Meanwhile, Duke Cream was massaging his busted nose while glaring at the one responsible.
"You bitch!" the irate duke yelled. He held his dagger near Éclair's neck, its tip drawing a small amount of blood. "The audacity! After the ceremony, I will have you publicly executed."
The pompous royal finally left, still rubbing his bloodied nose while some members of Carbuncle followed behind him.
As for Éclair, she lay prone on the ground writhing from the deep cut caused by Duke Cream. However, she noticed that one individual remained in her cell still staring at her.
It was Dyst.
The telekinetic slowly approached the wounded priestess and crouched, him a little closer to her level.
Both captive and abductor eyed each other; one holding emotion of desperation while the other of anticipation.
They stared at one another, a pregnant silence filling the air until the teal-haired man finally broke it.
"You haven't aged a day, Miss Fortuneteller."
That was something Éclair hasn't heard in a very long time yet somehow; this individual knew about that.
"How do you know about that? Who are you?" she asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you have forgotten me," Dyst answered. "It was a memory long ago – a time when I was but an innocent child wondering about the future. However, it was meeting you that steered me into this path."
Éclair never left her gaze on Dyst. He just seemed familiar now that he claimed that they met before. Gradually, images of a young boy in a fair with a pet weasel came into her mind. That was when she finally realized it.
"You're that child whose fortune I told in a fare years ago!"
"Finally, you remembered," said Dyst. "I could still recall how your words from that day put fear in my heart – that I would reach out for glory only to fall when my prize was near and I would feel despair because of it.
"I never once forgot you and what you told me; so, I did everything I could to avoid that regardless of how vague it may be. However, it was when I found out about the legend of the Phoenix and the gift its blood brings did I find my one ticket to salvation. And, in an ironic twist of fate, it was you, the woman who gave me an ill-fated fortune, who will lead me to my destiny."
Dyst finally stood up, turning around and heading for the door while leaving a shocked Éclair still looking at him. Before he exited the girl's cell, he took a glance while having a triumphant smirk on his face.
"I guess your fortunes were wrong, after all."
"You must be the guildmaster of Carbuncle, Tyson Hammer."
"Indeed, Your Highness."
Duke Cream greeted the leader of Carbuncle who was with his wife and the other members of Dyst's squad. While officially on business and merely on professional terms, the redhead master could already observe just what kind of individual was the ruler of Veronica and he did not like it. Even his wife shared his sentiment.
"I'd like to thank you and your wife for attending to this matter personally, Master Hammer," the duke said. "That money I paid for your mage's services was money well spent considering they managed to retrieve the precious Phoenix Stone from that wretched woman." He said that last part with some venom directed at Éclair for breaking his nose.
"Speaking of that woman, I believe her companions will attempt to rescue her and take back the stone," Valeria said.
"I was just getting to that. However, considering the guildmaster, his second-in-command, and your strongest member as well as those mages whom I hired, I have nothing to worry about from those pathetic little wizards from Fairy Tail."
"That's where you're wrong, Duke Cream," Tyson declared.
"Hmm?" The blonde royal had an eyebrow raised out of curiosity. "What do you mean I'm wrong?"
"Fairy Tail happens to be the strongest guild in Fiore right now. Its mages could be considered on par with that of Carbuncle and yet, that is not what you should be afraid of."
"And pray tell, what should I be afraid of?"
"Fairy Tail's God of Death and his family," Tyson said those words with so much seriousness that it could cut through the tension in the air. "A man…no, a god, had unleashed his wrath upon the whole continent of Ishgar weeks ago. I'm sure you felt that, Your Highness."
How could he forget that heavy feeling? Within his throne room, Duke Cream fell onto his knees as the weight of the world pushed over his body. He felt so helpless at the mercy of such power.
A bead of sweat rolled down the duke's forehead as he recalled that sensation of intense gravity from weeks ago.
"Surely no person could exist," said Cream still in denial. "That could only be a title because he holds such immense power as a wizard."
"What my husband says is no jest, Your Majesty," Valeria clarified. "If anything, you should take heed of our warning and not underestimate Fairy Tail, especially the Kurosaki family. The term 'wizard' does not apply to them in any sense. If you are smarter than you look, you would take necessary precautions to ensure your plans for the stones wouldn't be jeopardized."
"Make no mistake, Duke Cream, we will help you for you hired our guild to perform this task." Tyson's declaration put some sense of comfort for the duke. That said, what came next from the guildmaster's mouth was more than just worrying. "However, you would do well than to treat these people more than just mere humans for they are beyond nature could ever compare."
Having said their piece, the master of Carbuncle and his wife left the ruler of the small nation in his chambers, contemplating the idea that the Phoenix could stand against a man who many wizards claimed to be a deity.
The next day, within the halls of the Magic Council headquarters, the council members gathered at the request of Master Makarov regarding the growing threat the Principality of Veronica posed.
The old mage revealed that the key to this was the Phoenix Stone, an artifact believed to unleash the mythical Phoenix from its slumber. Suffice it to say, the councilmen were left dumbfounded at the information Makarov managed to gather.
"You're saying that the stone is real?" Councilman Org asked, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation.
"The Phoenix Stone does exist and right now, it is in the hands of Duke Cream who rules the Principality of Veronica," Makarov confirmed. "It's the power to bring back the legendary Phoenix and the promise of eternal life is very real. The Principality of Veronica will use all of these in their bid to conquer the Kingdom of Fiore…maybe even all of Ishgar."
"That's absurd!" a councilmember exclaimed. "They don't have the resources for an attack on the kingdom."
"…And that is precisely why they will resort to using such powerful ancient magic," countered the diminutive guildmaster.
"What are you suggesting Makarov?" Gran Doma asked. "…That we launch a pre-emptive strike on one of the smallest sovereign nations?"
"I'll tell you what we should do. In fact, I'm making an official request to the Magic Council. Under Article XXVII of the National Security Directive, I ask you to issue a Threat Elimination Order to secure the citizens' lives and property. It is the only way to prevent this monster's return!"
"Know your place, Makarov!" the same councilmember from before shouted, finding offense to the guildmaster's request.
"I want to agree with you on this, Makarov, but we need to examine all the relevant information before we issue the order," Org expressed.
"We don't have that kind of time!" Makarov yelled. "The Phoenix will be resurrected on the night of Veronica's four hundredth founding anniversary, which is today! So, unless we make a decision, then we could see so much loss of life before even someone like Ichigo could finally subdue the beast!"
The streets of Veronica were filled with a festive air. Townsfolk danced and cheered as different lights lit the many establishments and houses. Banners and streamers hung overhead, decorating and complimenting the atmosphere of celebration.
The time was near. The principality's founding anniversary draws ever closer. And, while the innocent citizens were joyous in their merriment, other forces were secretly at odds with each other. On one side were the people who aided the duke in retrieving a powerful artifact to awaken an ancient weapon while said ruler will use this weapon to simply raise his standing and notoriety among his subjects. The other is a group of wizards in a race against time to stop said awakening and rescue a friend.
"By the sacred blood of antiquity, I order thee to stagger forth," Duke Cream spoke in a chant. Before him was a covenant engraved with the image of the fiery Phoenix. It glowed in response to his words. "Open and reveal thy self."
Upon his command, the covenant glowed once more before splitting in two, revealing the other half of the Phoenix Stone that was in the hands of the Veronican monarchy for centuries.
Duke Cream smiled, one that showed satisfaction now that his plans are within reach. The half in his possession glowed, a deep red that responded to the one he took from Éclair which was shimmering in ethereal blue.
"At last, with the power of the Phoenix, no force on Earthland will be able to stop our nation." The royal's declaration roused the guardians of the stone. He faced his knights and ordered, "Begin preparations! Gather my subjects and bring the wretched woman as well. After she bears witness to the rising of the Phoenix, she will be summarily executed."
The soldiers didn't say anything. They simply nodded and headed out to carry out the orders of their liege.
The only thing Éclair remembered were hazy images. She was alone, and although behind were dozens of people she met in her lifetime, they all slowly vanished into dust, replaced by graves.
"Now, Éclair, your age is far too tender," the voice of her master rang through her thoughts. "Life is not yet through with you." After that was a vision of a bottle falling to the ground, a few droplets of blood spilling before fading.
As Éclair was dragged through the dungeons that housed her and into the open plaza, her eyes drifted to a statue she never thought of seeing again.
A Phoenix, towering over the citizens of Veronica majestically stood as the symbol of power for the duke and the principality's previous rulers.
It all made sense now. Where it all began was also the place where it will end. Éclair couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of it all. The vague memories of her past were now made clear and all it took was for her to return to where she lost it all.
"Move," the guard escorting her to the plaza ordered.
The bound priestess didn't argue and did as she was told. "It all makes sense now." She stared at the statue again as she whispered, "I've come full circle. The end at the beginning."
Situated above the shackled tribeswoman, Duke Cream looked down on his subjects in anticipation. Tonight, was the beginning of Veronica's ascent to power.
"Tonight…is when legends will be born."
However, both Éclair and Duke Cream felt something inexplicable. A force suddenly wafted the entire city in its otherworldly embrace. The two enemies fell into silence as they tried to comprehend what was it they just sensed.
Thinking that it was only their mind playing tricks on them, they tried dismissing it when an enormous pressure blanketed the entire kingdom. Duke Cream's eyes widened as his breath became labored and his legs became jelly. Gravity did its work and pulled the narcissistic ruler to his knees, as did the other individuals present who was currently experiencing the overwhelming force.
Éclair never thought she'd feel this again. Her shoulders creaked and her muscles fought to support her body against the intense weight she was feeling. The tribeswoman remembered this heavy feeling mere weeks ago and now she gets to taste it once more.
"Who could this godly force belong?" she questioned. That's when she recalled Lucy's words before she was abducted.
Fairy Tail had gods among their ranks. It made sense. No other being could make his power known like this.
Now, despite the aching sensation her body was going through, Éclair felt a little hopeful. If the duke of this nation ever managed to awaken the Phoenix, there would be a force that could challenge it.
And, hopefully, even manage to destroy it once and for all.
The plan was simple. It was also a plan Natsu approved of.
Go in, guns blazing.
After Ichigo had unleashed his spiritual pressure, Gray and Natsu quickly charged through the gate, shattering it with a gigantic block of ice while the Son of Igneel roasted the guards posted. Erza, Lucy, Wendy, Juvia, Gajeel, and the Exceeds entered the city and engaged the soldiers that intercepted them.
High up above, two of the Kurosaki siblings watched over their guildmates while feeling out any mage that might stand out. Yuzu and Karin spread out their spiritual senses and found seven that stood out. Four of that seven were quickly identified to be the ones who attacked the guild a day before while the twins suspected that the other three were higher-ranking members of Carbuncle, with one most likely being the guildmaster.
"What do you think, sis?" Karin asked her twin after pinpointing the exact location of the Carbuncle mages.
"Looks like Natsu just encountered one of them," Yuzu responded. "And it seems like the others found some opponents of their own except for Lucy."
"There are still three that haven't moved – probably the strongest ones. Ichigo did say he'll be fighting the guildmaster if he was present. I guess we could just leave that to him while we deal with the other two."
"I wouldn't mind. Besides, I get the feeling this whole thing would blow out of proportion. I just know it."
"I kind of said the same thing when Éclair first came into the guild. I just hope you didn't jinx it, sis."
Yuzu sighed. She might as well have just jinxed it. "Knowing us and this guild? You can bet on it."
With that conversation ending, both siblings vanished, each heading for a foe of their own.
Tyson Hammer took a deep breath after regaining some composure. This wasn't the first time he experienced being under the pressure of a death god, but it didn't make the sensation any more tiring.
Out of the blue, a hand grabbed his face, lifting him before being carried away from where he stood. His eyes were obstructed by the palm of the one who grabbed him and any attempt he made to pry it open was futile. The grip was stronger than anything beast he fought in the past.
"Damn it!" the redhead master cursed before he was tossed through a tower and landed hard on the cobblestone-laden ground.
The guards stationed in that vicinity screamed as the structure collapsed, taking those who were on top of it in its descent.
The master of Carbuncle groaned, rubbing a hand over a sore right arm as he tried to stand up and assess the situation. He was now near the outskirts of the city with most of the tower and the wall surrounding it reduced to rubble.
Tyson Hammer looked up and finally saw Ichigo Kurosaki for the first time. By looks alone, he had to admit the death god was attractive to any woman. However, it was what lay behind those piercing eyes that told the truth about the death god.
The piercing gaze hid untold anguish and pain, that much Tyson could discern, and yet, there was unparalleled determination and to his surprise, compassion. There were many facets Ichigo Kurosaki held within him that only the truly perceptive could see and the master of Carbuncle was one of them.
"Tyson Hammer," Ichigo spoke in his hollowfied voice that sent an eerie chill down the guildmaster's spine. "We need to talk."
"And what is it that you wish for us to discuss, Ichigo Kurosaki?" Tyson asked with a hint of curiosity mixed in.
"I know you never wanted things to escalate like this. If what Master Makarov said about you was right, then you're an honorable person. So, I implore you to back down and let me and my guildmates stop the duke's plans."
He was right though. Tyson never wanted to have things reach this point. That said, he had taken this request and will fulfill it with utmost professionality. If he so much as goes against the wishes of their employer, then his guild will face severe ramifications from the Principality of Veronica.
"I'm sorry," Tyson dejectedly replied. "But I must abide by the duties set forth by the agreement our guild has made with the duke of Veronica. He's already paid us; it'd be a disgrace on our part to leave the request given to us unfinished."
Ichigo sighed, shaking his head after hearing Tyson's reply. "I guess you are professional to a fault just like Master Makarov said. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to put you down."
The master of Carbuncle grinned. "NOT IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT IT! DEADLY BLASTER!" Tyson pointed his index finger at Ichigo and charged a red orb that fired a red beam at the death god.
The attack was reminiscent of a Cero, making Ichigo raise an eyebrow. He pointed his index finger at the incoming blast and fired his own red beam.
The two blasts collided and exploded which lit up the night sky. The shockwave from the explosion shattered the nearby houses and flung any civilian present a good distance away.
"Damn," the guildmaster swore mentally. "I put a considerable chunk of power in that blast but he doesn't look like he exerted any effort."
"Stand down," Ichigo ordered, this time with more weight in his tone. "I'm a lot less merciful than I used to and I don't pull my punches. You know that's a pretty bad combination for anyone against me."
"Be that as it may, I have a request to fulfill."
"Then, so be it."
Ichigo didn't wait any longer and charged at the master. Tyson jumped just in the nick of time before the place where he stood shattered from the reaper's impact. Rolling to a stop, his eyes bulged when he felt a solid kick to his gut, sending him through five houses.
Carbuncle's guildmaster groaned. The pain of the kick was strong enough for him to feel the shattering of a rib or two. Suddenly, his danger senses flared. He quickly gathered magical energy before him and erected a magic bubble around him.
"Deadly Barrier!"
Ichigo swung his sword down and hit the force field, causing it to glow. The impact from the collision turned against the hybrid and blew him back. Despite that, the recoil didn't manage to penetrate his Blut Vene and Hierro. Still, the defensive spell reminded him of her wife's techniques.
It wasn't as strong, however.
Red lines appeared on Ichigo's skin. He flashed to the guild master and swung his sword again, this time with much greater force than earlier. Tyson quickly erected the same barrier but to his horror, it shattered upon the blade's impact. The reaper took the guild leader's shock as a chance to grab his neck before slamming the man to the ground. The hybrid wasn't finished, much to Tyson's misfortune, when he dragged the man through the floor, leaving a deep trail before throwing him again this time through the city wall.
Tyson Hammer stood up, heaving and clutching his head. He saw Ichigo staring at him while holding the shorter one of his twin blades. The guild master tried to retaliate with another spell but the reaper flashed in front of him and swatted his outstretched hand away. He then felt a knee implant in his abdomen, forcing him to hunch over and cough up blood and spittle. He then received an elbow to the back of the head before getting sent flying outside the city limits like a skipping stone with a vicious kick. Ichigo wasn't done, unfortunately. Just as Tyson's roll stopped, the hybrid crashed into his stomach, breaking some ribs and knocking the air out of his system.
"It's hopeless," the master of Carbuncle thought. His enemy was twirling the short blade by its cloth before launching it like a flail. He managed to dodge the pointy missile but Ichigo pulled on the fabric to change the trajectory of his sword, this time hitting Tyson.
The fight wasn't even a fight but a one-sided beatdown. Ichigo was less merciful just like he claimed and he didn't give the guildmaster any room to breathe. The reaper denied any opportunity for Tyson to retaliate.
"He's relentless. I can't even find an opening." Tyson Hammer couldn't help but chuckle. He wanted to fight a deity and he got his wish. That said, he expected to at least put up a decent fight and not this embarrassment of a performance. "This is what I get for thinking I can challenge a death god. I'm hilariously outclassed. He's not even letting me fight back."
Ichigo slashed the master's back, making him cry in pain as blood splattered over the battlefield.
"That wound isn't fatal if that's your concern." Ichigo vanished and appeared several meters above the incapacitated master. "I'm sorry if it came to this, but I have no intention of letting anyone stop us from preventing the return of the Phoenix."
Spiritual energy gathered at the tip of the shorter Zangetsu. Ichigo pointed the blade at Tyson who has now accepted his defeat. The reaper made a slicing motion in the air, tracing a thin line made of highly concentrated reishi.
"Getsuga Tenshō."
It was over. Tyson Hammer, the guildmaster of Carbuncle, closed his eyes as the raging torrent of the heaven-piercing attack swallowed him.
Valeria Hammer's eyes widened when she felt the magical signature of her husband drop significantly. Fear and worry crept into the sorceress' heart, thinking that her beloved was gone. Luckily, she still sensed the faint spark of magic from Tyson, easing her worries.
Suddenly, a massive wave of unknown energy was quickly approaching her. Valeria was well aware that she may face one of the supposed death gods in during this operation, but she never imagined that the power gap between her and this entity would be enormous.
Carbuncle's second-in-command stood at the ready, waiting for this god-like being to finally arrive. It didn't take long before a woman in her late twenties wearing a white military tunic appeared.
Despite the innocent face this woman had, Valeria, knew not to underestimate the enemy. She would be wary and take precautions when engaging her foe.
"Please surrender," Yuzu Kurosaki requested Valeria. "I know you're not like the ones who attacked Fairy Tail who's only in it for the money."
The mage raised an eyebrow. "You're right. Still, Carbuncle has accepted this request and we will see to it that it is completed."
Yuzu sighed. Professionalism and stubbornness are not a good mix. "Then I'm sorry. I need to stop this country's duke from reviving a walking apocalypse"
"Then I have to ensure that the duke completes his objective." Valeria took out a gladius and pointed it at the Quincy. She let her staff glow from the magic power she was channeling into it. "Tell me, before we begin combat, could I at least know the name of my adversary?"
"Yuzu Kurosaki," revealed the youngest of the Kurosaki siblings. She unclipped a metal handle from her waist belt. Imbuing the artifact with spiritual energy, a snapping – almost hissing – sound rang in the quietness as the bright bluish-white blade made of energy appeared. The weapon, humming with silent power, was pointed at the female wizard by its wielder before saying, "…The Last True Quincy."
"Then, I am Valeria Hammer, Carbuncle's second-in-command, and wife of its guildmaster, Tyson Hammer. Prepare, Quincy, for the hardest fight of your life!"
Valeria charged, imbuing her sword with magic. She swung the bladed weapon at the white-clad woman with all her might. Yuzu simply raised her weapon, letting the magic sword of her enemy make contact with hers without care. To the female wizard's surprise, her sword was cut in half, as the end with the tip fell and bounced harmlessly on the Quincy's Blut-infused skin.
Yuzu made her move. She kneed the older woman hard and punched her in the face with Blut Arterie. Valeria was sent flying before colliding with a solid wall.
Valeria definitely felt something break.
The mage righted herself and swept her staff, forming an arc of magic. "Spread Shot!"
Multiple shots scattered, spreading out in various directions to confuse the Quincy. They suddenly changed direction and converged on the Yuzu. Thankfully, the spiritual archer could see the incoming barrage and evaded the shots with her quick reflexes.
Ducking and weaving through the hail of magic-infused rain, Yuzu was busy with her current dilemma that she didn't notice Valeria preparing another spell.
A magic circle appeared before Valeria's staff, magic power accumulating to form a unique spell that has a unique effect. Once she gathered the needed power, she fired the magic attack as a powerful beam.
"Ray Shooter!"
The beam barreled toward the mage's target, annihilating everything in its path and leaving a trail charred red. Yuzu noticed this and braced for impact. Reishi flowed into her veins, making them glow blue as Blut Vene activated.
The Ray Shooter consumed the Quincy in its light. However, it didn't do any damage to the archer since she still stood unscathed, to no one's surprise. That said, the youngest of the Kurosaki noticed that her reishi somewhat diminished. She looked at her arms and found her Blut Vene blinking.
"Strange. Her spell seems to siphon my energy and transfer it to her." Yuzu's assessment was proven right when she noticed Valeria looking replenished.
"What is this?" Valeria questioned in amazement. She was looking at herself as faint traces of reishi emanated from her body. "This is astonishing. So much power condensed into this…energy. What is this?"
Yuzu decided to humor her. "Spiritual energy." After saying that, the Quincy had an interesting idea – one that was uncharacteristic of her. "I know big bro said to make this quick, but this could be a great opportunity to observe how spiritual energy interacts with mages. Natsu got a big boost from taking in Madeline's spirit fire, but he experienced drawbacks after he exhausted that power up."
Blut Arterie flared to life, giving Yuzu the strength to rush at the woman mage. The same red lines covered her arms as she reared for a decisive strike.
Valeria ducked, barely avoiding the red-lined fist and rolling just a few feet away. Upon righting herself, she fired the same blast that she used against the Quincy earlier.
Yuzu took the attack head-on using Blut Vene. Just as expected, she felt her energy leave her and travel to Valeria.
"Just as I thought," whispered the youngest of the Kurosaki siblings.
Yuzu was the most cautious among the siblings; Ichigo was the most reckless with Karin somewhere in the middle. However, at this moment, her curiosity won over when she found out her enemy had an energy-siphoning spell. Ever since she saw Natsu use spirit fire courtesy of his late daughter, Madeline, the last true Quincy wondered to what extent a mage can use reishi.
Valeria raised her staff, concentrating a great amount of energy and shaping it to form a massive arrow.
"Outrage Arrow!"
The magic arrow flew to its target; however, the Quincy had an answer for it.
Yuzu swiped her hand wide, creating an equally large bow that fired her own energy arrow.
"Sankt Bogen!"
The energy attacks collided, shattering the very area they made contact with. The explosion rocked the two combatants, forcing them to hold their ground during the shaking.
Valeria was the first to recover, gathering her magical energy into her staff before slamming it to the ground. A large pillar of power formed over Yuzu's head; the energies swirling violently like a tornado.
"Drain Tower!"
The energy structure finally slammed onto the Quincy. She could feel her energy being sapped away and transferred to the spellcaster.
"Her attacks are mostly energy-stealing," she murmured while resisting the beam. A small smirk formed on her face knowing that it would only be a little more before she retaliates with a surprise.
Eventually, the energy-draining pillar subsided, leaving the youngest Kurosaki sibling drained while her attacker recharged.
"Give up!" Valeria commanded. "You can't win against me. My spells were purposefully made to counter immensely powerful foes like you."
"Is that so?" Yuzu questioned.
Valeria raised an eyebrow, wondering what the white-garbed female meant.
"Your spells are draining in nature." Yuzu dusted herself and stared at the mage intently. "However, I think I'm the worst match-up you could ever hope to face."
The Quincy raised her arm to the sky and in that instant, energy so bright and dense became visible to the naked eye.
Valeria's eyes widened, never expecting to see so much power fill the air and, what's worse is that all of it was converging to the destroyer monk.
"It can't be!" gasped the female wizard. "You can take the energy of the air into yourself?"
"Not just in the air," corrected the brunette, "Everywhere that has life, I can take their spiritual energy. And, I don't just take it…"
A column of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from Yuzu's body. The sudden increase in pressure cracked the very ground she stood on and filled the air with the unbridled power of her reiryoku.
"I enslave it!"
The show of power ceased, yet there were mists of reiatsu still clinging to Yuzu as she began to approach Valeria Hammer.
Affected by the display of force, Valeria desperately tried to cast a spell but, in the blink of an eye, the Quincy was already in front of her gripping her wrist. Another surprise occurred when the very energy she stole from the woman in white was seeping back into its owner.
"This is called Sklaverei," Yuzu revealed. Her energy restored and then some, she kneed the older woman in the abdomen with a Blut Arterie.
The female mage of Carbuncle spat blood and saliva before flying and rolling along the cobblestone ground. She stabbed her staff on the floor, halting her unsavory roll.
Sensing a volley of spirit arrows heading her way, she immediately casts a spell to stop the barrage from reaching her.
"Absolute Cancel!"
The spirit arrows were engulfed in an orange glow that slowly sapped the energy it contained until it vanished.
Feeling a sense of relief, Valeria was surprised to find Yuzu inches from her with a wrist bow near her head. She dodged just in time before the shot was taken but got her face grabbed for her troubles and slammed to the ground.
Seeing this as an opportunity, the wizard grabbed Yuzu's hand and began draining her power. It worked for a moment until the Quincy began draining the stolen energy via Sklaverei.
Valeria tried to fight off the woman in white, doing her best to pry the powerful grip from her face. However, with the Quincy's absorption powers eclipsing hers, her energy was drastically waning by the second. Soon, she will be powerless to stop the monk of destruction.
Seeing this as the end, Yuzu raised her hand to the sky, summoning a gigantic bow whose string was stretched back and three arrows primed for release.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I know this didn't have to happen if you'd just stand down but I need to make sure you don't intervene later on." She brought her raised hand down, releasing the trio of arrows from their bind and letting them fall on her target. "Sankt Bogen."
The visage of both mage and Quincy disappeared in a bright flash of bluish light; the intensity of it was so strong that everyone remotely near the battle zone had to cover their eyes due to the sheer brightness.
When the lights died down, the only one left standing was Yuzu who was barely injured save for a few tears on her clothes. Thanks to Blut Vene Anhaben, she was able to tank her own attack while leaving Valeria at its mercy. Now, she stood over the unconscious wizard, observing her injuries if they were life-threatening. Luckily, they weren't, and at most, the mage would be unconscious for about two days which was more than enough to finish this conspiracy once and for all.
"I got to learn a lot from that fight," Yuzu said. "This insight into Earthlanders and reishi is definitely a valuable insight into how this world interacts with the supernatural."
With that thought in mind, her image vanished as she used Hirenkyaku.
Karin was surveying the city and observing the many encounters that were simultaneously happening. It seemed that the two strongest mages on the enemy's side were defeated by her older brother and younger sister.
No surprise there.
The rest of her guildmates had their own battles to fight such as Natsu and the teal-haired man who led the attack on their guild, Erza and the woman who can cancel both her Requip and the Strauss' Take-Over, Gray and Juvia's fight against the musclehead obsessed with guns, and Gajeel versus the shadow mage. Fortunately, Lucy and the Exceeds managed to reach Éclair and are now trying to free her.
However, that wasn't what was on her mind right now. Using Flash Step, she disappeared just as the platform she was standing on blew into pieces. She appeared just a few meters away from where she stood to find a large burly man with brown hair wearing a trench coat and holding a large battle axe.
"I was sure to have hidden my presence," said the attacker. "That said, had you fallen for my attack then I would be less impressed for beings claiming to be death gods."
"Your power was like a beacon," Karin replied as she stared at the man. "You may have hidden it well from the rest of my guildmates, but to me and my family, it was impossible to miss."
Instead of being insulted, the stranger simply gave a hearty laugh. He seemed delighted. He lifted his massive axe and slung it over his shoulders. Grinning at the death goddess, he introduced himself.
"I am Doronach, the Ace of Carbuncle! Could I at least know the name of my opponent before we begin our glorious battle?"
"Glorious?" Karin questioned. Shrugging that thought off, she returned the introduction with her own. "I am Karin Kurosaki, Soul Reaper."
"Well met! Now, how about we begin!"
Doronach pounced at the Soul Reaper, axe overhead and ready for a devastating swing. Karin showed no worry whatsoever and raised her right hand. Once the weapon was close, she grabbed its sharpened end without difficulty.
Expecting shock from her enemy, Karin raised an eyebrow when Doronach instead grinned madly. Suddenly, a large concentration of energy built up within the burly mage, coating himself in an aura that was hot to the touch. Suddenly, all that gathered energy was released as an outward explosion, sending Karin flying through a house.
Doronach laughed, enjoying his handiwork. "Do you like that?" he yelled. "That was my Impact Magic. Anything that gets hit with my spells will be blown away."
Coming out of the rubble, Karin dusted herself and eyed the giant of a man. She had to admit, he got the jump on her with that magic of his. But, now that she saw it, another surprise like that won't happen again.
Unsheathing her zanpakūto, she summoned her spiritual energy in the form of a raging torrent circling her.
"Submerge, Suishigetsu!"
The waters dispersed after the command, revealing the awakened spirit weapon in the form of a glaive.
The transformation of the weapon impressed Doronach. Just by the looks alone, he could tell this weapon is dangerous. Not only that, he could sense an overwhelming power flowing through it. The prospect of combat with this woman only made him more excited.
"An impressive weapon!" complimented the mage. "However, let's which is better between my axe and your pole–"
Doronach didn't get to finish when the very weapon he was admiring whizzed just inches from his cheek. He turned around and was surprised to find Karin already behind him, rearing for a vicious swing. Doronach raised his axe to block the attack and, when the glaive hit his weapon, he felt the strength behind the swing to be more than what he expected given the female reaper's body frame.
It was the Impact wizard's turn to get sent hurtling through several buildings. Groaning while getting himself up, he gathered magical energy in his axe and slashed forward.
"Slashing Impact!" he yelled, creating a chain of explosions and drawing closer to the Soul Reaper.
Karin's rebuttal was plunging the crescent end of her glaive into the ground, creating a thin wall of water that effectively blocked the incoming blast from Doronach. She then lunged at the mage, bursting from the water wall she erected and thrusting her zanpakūto forward.
Doronach parried the attack and gathered magic in his arms before swinging them wide.
"Impact Detonation!"
Karin's Hierro negated the magic attack and, seeing that the man was about to launch another one, she quickly grabbed the glowing hand and kicked his feet, flipping him over.
Doronach landed with a heavy thud. He rolled to the side just in time before the blade of Karin's glaive dug deep into the ground. The Impact mage imbued his body with magic and tackled the reaper with a shoulder charge.
"Charging Impact!"
Again, Karin tanked the collision thanks to her Hierro. However, her enemy wasn't done when she found an axe held up high for the powerful downward slash.
"Blasting Impact!"
"Bakudō #39: Enkosen!"
A think circular barrier appeared between the axe and Karin, completely blocking the Impact spell and allowing the reaper to retaliate.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
A vicious stream of pale-colored lightning shot from the Soul Reaper's fingers. Doronach bared avoided the strike by tilting his head to the side.
"Pulverizing Impact!" Doronach yelled and swung his axe, intending to finish off the female.
However, Karin swatted the attack to the side, destroying the patch of cobblestone next to her instead. She quickly got into the big man's guard and kicked him in the chest. Doronach slid a few feet and managed to recover only to find himself in a flurry of thrusts and slashes courtesy of the middle Kurosaki sibling.
Compared to Doronach's axe, Karin's Suishigetsu was lighter and easier to wield. Not only that, it was clear as day that the death goddess was more proficient with handling extended weapons. She performed multiple flourishes that took advantage of the plume on the base of the blades to confuse the enemy while inserting surprise slashes that would come out of nowhere.
This difference in skill was more than enough of an indicator for the Carbuncle mage that he will be defeated. That said, this was also the most thrill he had experienced in a while. However, if he was meant to lose then he will leave the living deity a reminder of their battle.
Doronach swiped his hand up, blasting an Impact spell that caught Karin by surprise.
The Soul Reaper was forced to jump back and when she focused her attention on the mage again, she felt a tremendous amount of power gathering in his axe.
"Heh…" chuckled the wizard. "I know for a fact that you are leagues above me, but I'm not leaving here unless I put a scratch on you!"
This was an all-or-nothing attack that Doronach was planning, that much Karin knew. However, the amount of energy he was gathering was enough to obliterate the city if he continued.
"I guess I'll have to take him a bit seriously then," Karin said.
Two massive energies burst to life; one was navy blue flowing like a never-ending fountain while the other was orange and raged like fire. These two powers clashed but it was clear that the reiatsu of Karin was unimaginably stronger compared to Doronach's magic.
That didn't deter the Impact wizard though, as he dashed at the female reaper and unleashed his strongest attack with one mighty swing.
"CRITICAL IMPACT!"
Karin countered the attack with the trademark Shiba/Kurosaki technique that had served her family for eons. Swinging her glaive and slashing forward, she unleashed a powerful arc of pure unadulterated reishi that blew away Doronach's Critical Impact and swallowed the mage whole in its intense and unforgiving light.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Doronach was overwhelmed; sent flying a hundred feet away only to feel the hard cobblestone floor before losing consciousness.
With the three strongest members taken out, all that's left was to neutralize those who kidnapped Éclair and take the duke of Veronica into custody before things escalate.
Oh, how easy it sounded.
Suddenly, a massive spike of power erupted from the central plaza. The energy generated was comparable to that of a dragon, yet its nature felt lifeless. It's as if the magic was circulating inside a machine.
An explosion followed. Fire and debris rose into the air as a towering figure, made of ancient metal spread its wings and covered the night. It let out a deafening cry, forcing those weak of will to fall to their knees and cover their ears from the ear-piercing sound.
"You have got to be shitting me!"
Karin's swearing was matched by her confusion. This was exactly what they were trying to avoid. How did this happen?
The people of Veronica were now in great peril…
For the Phoenix had finally awakened.
A/N: ModernRogue11 here and here is the second to the last chapter of the Phoenix Priestess arc. I promise you, it wasn't my intention to have this chapter released this late but I've been incredibly busy with work. For one, we are nearing the end of the school year, and culmination rites are drawing closer; so, preparations have to be made to facilitate that. Second, it's freaking hot here in the Philippines and it's affecting my drive to write. It's so hot that any motivation to write goes up and disappears while replaced by the feeling of just lying down next to an electric fan. However, it doesn't mean that I don't want to continue writing this story...far from it. That said, I must admit that the next chapter might suffer the same delay as this one given the hectic schedule I'm going through right now.
Concerning ideas and suggestions from you readers; while I do appreciate them and have implemented some into the story, I must say right now that I will stop considering your suggestions from now on. It's not that I don't like the input all of you provided, it's just that there's too much for me to go through that it's both overwhelming and the story might steer away from what I originally envisioned it to be.
So, I apologize if I said this but please understand that there's only so much a person could consider when presented with a sea of ideas. That said, I will always show my appreciation to those who put forth their opinions and suggestions. To ExcaliburShooter and Warmachine375, I give the two of you my utmost thanks more having the most contribution.
Don't forget to show your support by commenting and adding this fanfiction to your favorites.
Until next time.