Here we are at Chapter 56. It's time for the final battle to decide the fate of the land. I do not own Code Vein or Skeleton Knight. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 56. Enjoy.
Chapter 56: Freedom vs Control
Fuyumi, Anelia, and Hikaru stand against Venak as his transformation is complete. This reminds her of the time she fought against Silva after he lost control of the relics and turned into a monster at the end of the game. Now, she faces something similar, only this time, her opponent is not completely mindless, which makes it worse.
"Ugh, I think I might actually barf here," Hikaru gags.
"How do we fight something like that?" Anelia asks, worried.
"Simple: with everything we've got," Fuyumi replies.
Venak grabs two spikes from his back and rips them out, forming a pair of red, serrated swords. He laughs before jumping at them. Hikaru grabs Anelia and jumps back while Fuyumi jumps to the side. Hikaru breathes fire while Fuyumi casts a Plasma Roar.
"Spirits of flame, consume my enemies in fire. Fire ball!" Anelia sends some fireballs at Venak.
Venak jumps around to evade their attacks before going for Anelia first. Hikaru ges in the way and blocks his blades with her dragon scales. She manages to send him back, but Venak's blades glow red. He swings them, sending out waves of red energy at her. Hikaru crosses her arms to protect Anelia, but gets knocked back when they hit. Anelia remains unharmed, but Venak is right on her. Luckily, Fuyumi teleports in, grabs Anelia, and teleports away just before Venak slices them in two. They appear on the other side of the room from him. Fuyumi casts Guard of Honor, sending her ice crystals at him. Venak turns and swings his blades around, deflecting each one. However, Hikaru goes for his rear and swings her tail at him. Unfortunately, Venak sees it comig and blocks with his right leg. He kicks Hikaru away before going after Fuyumi. Fuyumi casts Flame Barrage, but Venak charges through the flames to go for the two girls. Fuyumi blocks his blades with her own, but slides up to a wall.
"You know, my offer to join me still stands, Fuyumi. Think of what we could accomplish together," Venak says.
"Sorry, but you're not my type," Fuyumi grits her teeth before teleporting away.
She regroups with Hikaru and Anelia. Venak turns, only to block two arrows flying at his face with his blade. They all look to see Iris and Elane join the fray.
"What the Hell is that monstrosity?!" Iris yells.
"It's Venak. Forget capturing him. Take him down!" Fuyumi replies, casting Plasma Roar, charging in right after.
Iris and Hikaru charge in with her while Elane and Anelia support them with their magic and arrows. Venak spins in the air, his blades flying as he sends out more red energy waves at them. Fuyumi, Iris, and Hikaru dodge the waves, closing in. Hikaru makes the first move with an uppercut to his chest, sending him up into the air. Iris and Fuyumi jump after him. Iris makes a few slashes with her sword, but Venak blocks them all. However, Fuyumi casts Flashing Fang followed by Severing Abyss, swinging her sword down on Venak. Venak blocks, but still gets sent crashing into the floor. The girls land just as he gets back up with little apparent damage. Fuyumi casts Indra's Coil, but Venak jumps away before the lightning can hit him. Hikaru appears in mid-air, breathing fire down on him. Venak swings his blades to send out more red waves, cancelling out her flames. Fuyumi casts Aurora Flash, swinging a large blade of ice at Venak. Venak swings his blades, shattering the ice blade. Anelia and Elane fire more magic and arrows at him, but he jumps out of the way.
"Spirits of the heavens, bathe my allies in your holy glow. Holy Light!" Iris shines light throughout the room.
Venak gets blinded by the light, allowing Hikaru to come in and punch Venak into a wall. Anelia fires off more fireballs while Fuyumi casts Rose Flame, the two bombarding him in several fiery explosions.
"Did that do it?" Anelia asks.
"I highly doubt it. Get ready," Elane says, readying another arrow.
The flames quickly go out, revealing Venak. He's still alive, but now his body appears a bit scorched in some areas.
"No wonder my people had such a hard time against you, Fuyumi Kusanagi. Such a shame that you must die here now. No matter. Once you're dead, I'll revive you with those parasites and make you the general of my new army. Together, with my vision and your power, the whole land-no, the whole world will be at our feet. And then, finally peace shall reign!" Venak spreads his wings and takes to the air. "Embrace the future. Embrace my vision!" he spreads his wings, sending several red bolts of energy flying down at them.
They all dodge the attacks, barely, before looking back up as Venak flies down towards Iris. Fuyumi gets next to her and together, they each block one of Venak's blades with their own. Venak pushes them but with a flap of his wings, but Hikaru flies in and tackles him off of them. Elane jumps overhead, firing two arrows at his eyes, but Venak leans his back to dodge them. He kicks Hikaru off and swings his blades down on her. The dragon princess blocks them with her arms, only this time they actually leave small chinks in her dragon scale armor. This surprises her long enough for Venak to throw a sidekick at her ribs, sending her flying back. Fuyumi teleports behind him and casts Lightning Spike to take out one of his wings. Venak spins around and deflects the attack with his left sword.
"Come on, at least try and make this interesting for me. Given your reputation Fuyumi, i was expecting more of a challenge," Venak taunts her.
"Oh, don't worry, I'll give you a challenge. It'll be your last too," Fuyumi retorts before teleporting right in front of him and swinging down her blade as she casts Lightning Weapon on it.
Venak blocks her strike as lightning surges between them. Iris then comes in on his flank, swinging her blade. Venak moves his right blade around to block her strike. However, Hikaru then flies in from above, dealing an axe kick on his head that sends him crashing into the ground again. They land and Hikaru breathes more fire down on him. The flames burn for a moment before a sudden gust of wind extinguishes them, revealing Venak within.
"He's still standing after that?" Hikaru mutters in annoyance.
They seem to be chipping away at his strength bit by bit, but at this rate, a few of them might ru out of stamina and he still seems to be going at full strength. Venak shakes off the dust and ash, chuckling.
"Yes, I can see why you fancied the dragon princess, Fuyumi. She is indeed quite strong. Maybe after I turn you, I'll turn the rest of your women. At least that way, you'll be together forever," Venak says as segments of his body start to glow red.
Small red spikes sprout from his body. Red vein-like lines flow across his body. Venak roars to the ceiling as his power increases.
"He's getting stronger?!" Anelia yells in shock.
"Get ready. The real battle begins now," Iris says.
Venak charges in, must faster than before. He swings his blades at Elane, who can't react in time. However, Hikaru blocks the strike, but her armor gets damaged. Fuyumi and Iris attack his flanks with their blades, but Venak blocks them with his wings. Elane moves around Hikaru with her sword and attacks, but Venak throws a kick to her stomach, sending her flying back.
Anelia casts her magic, "Spirits of water, grant me your aid and pierce my foes. Water Javelin!" Anelia fires off several spears of water at Venak.
Venak pushes everyone back before slicing through the water with his blades. He flies at Anelia, intent on killing her first. However, Fuyumi teleports between them and casts Hoarfrost Stream point-blank. The frost beam hits Venal, but he blocks with his blades. It barely pushes him back as his feet dig into the floor. However, this gives Anelia and Elane a chance to attack. Elane fires three arrows while Anelia casts more magic.
"Spirits of wind, slice through those who oppose me. Air Cutter!" Anelia fires off blades of wind.
Venak flies up to dodge them, but then Hikaru meets him in the air. The two take several shots at each other with blades and claws flying. Just as Venak kicks her back, Hikaru's tail wraps around his ankle and swings him around into a wall. Fuyumi fires off a Flame Barrage at him. Venak dodges the flames and goes after Fuyumi next. Fuyumi waits until he's right on her and then casts Homing Hellfire. The vortex of flames erupts around Venak, burning him whole as Fuyumi jumps back. As he moves, trying to get away, the vortex follows him. Venak actually looks annoyed now and flies high up and fast to get away. His body is smoking from that last one.
"You just don't know when to submit, do you? I'm offering an end to all wars on this world. Why can't you see the wisdom in that?" Venak asks.
"Because it's a sham dream of yours, that's why," Fuyumi replies. "People can be stupid and greedy at times. It's true. I've seen plenty of crappy things in this world to know that. But, a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts. They may struggle, they may suffer. But, that's what it means to be alive. People must be allowed to make their own choices. If those choices are bad choices, then they must answer for them, but also learn from them. Be given a chance to become someone better. And yes, there will be those who fail at that. Those beyond saving. I'm not a naive fool. But still... I have hope. When all else is lost, I have hope for everyone. Humans, beastmen, elves, dragons. All of us. True peace can only happen if everyone wants it. You can't force it on them, nor can you achieve it by turning them into your undead puppets. Puppets without souls, without the ability to think for themselves. Puppets who lost who they once were. That is not the key to peace. That is only the key to a world covered in ashes. You say you want peace, but the truth is you just want control. Your idea of peace is that we do whatever you say. Like you're some sort of god. Sorry, but there's only one god I believe in and you're not them. Your mad reign ends here, Venak," Fuyumi readies her blade.
"Yes, you have terrorized the innocent long enough," Iris joins her side.
"And you will answer for your crimes against my people," Elane stands with them.
"I won't let you hurt anyone else," Anelia adds.
"As if a dragon such as I would bend the knee to a monster like you," Hikaru says.
Venak growls, "Fine, if you won't submit willingly, then I'll just make you submit after I've killed all of you!"
Just then, a spike of darkness flies in and hits Venak in his left side. The attack doesn't do that much damage, but it's enough to get everyone's attention. They look over to see May Fanchone, leaning against the wall with her hand out.
"May?!" Fuyumi is surprised to see her, given her condition the last time she saw her.
"Hmph, Creygar's pet whore. Betraying your master and your new emperor. I see women truly are fickle creatures without any true sense of loyalty," Venak notes.
"I never... served the empire. But now, my chains are free. I stand with Fuyumi, Venak. Consider this my resignation," she fires off another shadow spike with her magic.
Venak flicks his sword to bat the magic away. May is still too weak after her duel with Fuyumi and being freed from her curses. It takes everything she has just to keep standing.
"It's just one annoyance after another," Venak notes.
He flies in, getting right on top of May with his blades reeled back. Just as he swings them down, a large blade of ice blocks his attack. He looks over to see Fuyumi, having cast Aurora Flash, to block his attack. She swings her arm, causing the blade to follow her path and fling Venak away from May. Venak rights himself in mid-air just in time to see Hikaru throw a punch at him. Venak blocks with his blades again, but this time several air blades fly up under him and rip into his back. He grits and looks down to see Anelia as the culprit. Landing on the ground, Venak sees Fuyumi, Elane, and Iris attack with their blades. They all attack in circles around him, two dealing with his blades while the third finds an opening. Venak would use his wings to block the third, but their assault is endless.
Hikaru flies in, wrapping her tail around his left arm to hold it down. Venak turns his head, just before getting hit in the face with a blast of water by Anelia. Fuyumi and Iris use this chance to swing their sword up, knocking the left blade out of his hand. Elane jumps up and kicks Venak in the face, followed by Fuyumi throwing Lightning Charge at his chest. Venak slides across the floor, only for Hikaru to tackle him into a wall and then throw him up into the air. He rights himself, but then gets hit by two magic shots from May and Anelia.
Venak lands back on the ground, "You bitches just don't know when to give up, do you!"
He flies up, charging red energy into his right blade. He swings, sending out a large red wave at them. Fuyumi counters by firing off Blazing Roar, Plasma Roar, and Freezing Roar all together; the two attacks canceling each other out. Venak gets ready to attack again, but someone suddenly drops down from above and slices off his right wing from behind. Venak falls to the ground.
"Who dares-?!" Venak gets up, only to see Philine Hawke as the culprit. "Philine, you dare betray me as well?! I am yur emperor!" he shouts.
"No, I serve His Majesty, Emperor Genose. I am a servant of the Gravlon Empire, just as my father once was. A father you took from me and turned into a monster. I see no reason to pledge my loyalty to a dishonorable cur like you," Philine replies coldly.
Venak growls as he stands. With one wing gone, he can't fly anymore. He swings his blade, sending a red wave at Philine. Philine swings a blade, her father's sword, and cleaves the attack in two. Venak is shocked by her technique. Fuyumi teleports in, swinging her blade at Venak's flank. Venak blocks, but then Iris attacks his left side. He catches her blade, but he can't stop Hikaru grabbing him from behind and ripping off his remaining wing. He cries out in pain, but then three arrows pierce his chest, courtesy of Elane. Philine comes in and kicks him back. Venak stumbles back, barely staying on his feet.
"This can't be possible. The years of planning I spent for this. All my work. All towards my goal. How could it fall apart because of some damn women?!" Venak curses.
"It's simple, Venak. You stand alone. We don't," Fuyumi replies.
Venak wings his blade, sending out another wave of energy. They all scatter and charge at him. Anelia and Elane fire off arrows and magic that he deflects with his blade. However, Philine and Iris come in and deal a cross slash at his right arm, severing it at the elbow. May fires off another darkness blast that staggers him, followed by Hikaru first ripping off the second pair of arms he had and then throwing a hard uppercut to his chest to send him up into the air. Fuyumi appears above and casts Twilight, blasting him straight into the floor with a hard crash. They land and form around him, seeing his broken body on the ground.
Venak feebly reaches out to Philine, "Philine... please..."
Philine stares at him coldly, "Reap what you have sown, betrayer,"
Fuyumi impales her blade through Venak's heart. Venak takes his final breath before his body dissipates into ashes, and his evil is no more.
"It's finished. It's finally over," Iris notes with relief.
"No one else will suffer because of him," Elane adds.
Fuyumi turns to Philine, "Lady Philine, I appreciate the aid you lent us in defeating Venak. And you as well, May," she looks at the woman barely holding herself up.
"I only dealt with him for revenge for my father. It had nothing to do with you," Philine says.
"So, what now?" Hikaru asks, glancing at Philine.
"Lady Philine, our mission was to stop Venak. Do you intend to fight us?" Fuyumi asks.
"...No. I've lost the drive to fight for now. I fought for my family above all else. The empire is a shadow of its former self, thanks to Venak's meddling. The capital will be in a state of uproar right now, and I must reverse whatever Venak did to His Majesty. The monsters Venak unleashed caused such destruction, even to our own people. The war is lost for my home. There will be much rebuilding and atonement to take care of. You had best get going before more guards show up. I will handle things from here. With majority of the empire's leadership dead or indisposed, it will fall onto my shoulders to keep things in order here," Philine explains.
"Lady Philine," May mutters.
"May Fanchone, you should go with them. I am aware of what Creygar put you through, but I did nothing to aid you. Go now that you have your freedom," Philine says.
"...No, I will stay. I admit, I do not like the empire, but... many innocent lives suffered because of me. I also have much to atone for. I can help you here. Fuyumi Kusanagi, thank you... for everything," May says before turning to Fuyumi. "Fuyumi Kusanagi, you granted me the freedom I have always longed for. I owe you a debt that can never be repaid. But know this, I owe you my life. Should you ever have need of my assistance, you will have it."
"No need to go that far, May. I'm just glad things could finally be settled. This war has taken far too many lives, and I'm quite eager to take some time away from fighting for my life, so to speak," Fuyumi replies.
"Time away from fighting? Perhaps... that is something I should consider. Once the dust settles. Go now, inform your king. I'll tell our forces to pull back as well. We'll deal with any Lost that remain within our borders. Any outside, I'm sure you and your allies can handle," Philine says.
"Alright, then it's settled. We'll return to our side and inform them of Venak's death and that the empire no longer wishes to fight. I'll convince the king to pull back our forces," Fuyumi offers.
"And I'll do the same for the Dragon Alliance. They'll listen to me," Hikaru adds.
"Very well. Until we meet again, Ser Fuyumi Kusanagi," Philine bows her head.
With the deal set, Fuyumi and her friends make their retreat from the castle and then from the empire while Philine and May remain behind to deal with the fallout. Much work remains, but one thing is clear: the war is finally coming to an end.
And that's the chapter. Fuyumi and her allies have defeated Venak and brought the war to an end with his demise. Now comes the cleanup. The next chapter will be the final chapter for the story, so look forward to it. Until then, please Read and Review.