(Theme: Festival of Servants - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Music Extended v=yzTcdvyU3-4&t=23s)
Summer tries to shoot at it to get it stunned. Ruby jumps on ahead and swirls her around to get to its height and tries to shoot it in a close range. The dragonic-bird-like creature would recoil back, but would shoot out sharp feather projectiles in response while shrieking. Ruby would dodge them and run up to one of the feathers and jump out to get close and slash it to the face. Seeing herself in danger, she speeds back out of range and keeps on shooting. The wyvern recoils back, one of its eyes damaged. It roared in anger, casting lightning attacks at them, and hitting the train and rocking it,
"GET THIS MONSTER UNDER CONTROL, OR WE'LL BE FOOD!" The old man yells up.
Little is scared, afraid that the big wyvern would eat them all.
Summer hops on top of the train and jumps up to the air. Past Ruby, and straight towards the flying beast's face as she slashes at it with the mighty Sundred Rose.
The beast attempted to maneuver around, but Summer was able to heavily damage a wing. The beast cried out, desperately flapping, as Summer held on. The wyvern would land onto the train, trying to shake Summer off, giving Ruby a chance to attack.
Ruby would think of an idea while it's busy with Summer. "Yeeeehaaaaaaaaa!" She rockets herself upward and slashes at the remaining wing to ground it.
The monster shrieked, as its wing fell off. The monster would then charge up another electrical attack, but Ruby foresaw this, and would reel her weapon back, before delivering a quick and decisive cut that beheaded the creature. The body would tumble off the train as it disintegrated, leaving Summer and Ruby breathing heavy from a quick and intense fight.
"GOOD JOB, STRANGERS! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!" The old man yelled with glee.
Summer, despite being very tired, she'd still wave to him, showing that everything is alright.
The train would soon stop before the burning city… They were a few yards away, but from there they can tell it's going to be very hot. As Ruby and Summer were about to go in, the old man steps in front,
"Stop…" He says, and Ruby, Little, and Summer would raise a brow,
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked,
"Beyond here is the final lord… He is the strongest of the three…" He sighs, "Let me tell you of an old tale… Long ago, he was one of the most powerful warriors ever lived. His skills were unmatched, his power great. For years he fought dark forces, and reigned a mighty kingdom… Eventually he would go to settle down on his own, with a wife and children… But then one day, those same dark forces took away everything he cared for… His wife, his children, his home, everything… He became bitter and dark, allowing his hatred, grief, and anger consume him, until he was unrecognizable. He had wreaked havoc upon his lands and other lands, burning everything to the ground… He was approached one day by a darker force, and imprisoned. Only a few times did this being let the warrior go free, but it was to ravage cities for its pleasure… Now- it seems- that he had let this warrior free once more… You must be ready to fight this warrior, and be prepared to give it your all… Or face death. He wields a blade of shadows that can morph into any sword he desires, and he can adapt to suit the situation and counter his enemies… His power is immense as well…" The old man reaches into his pocket, and gives Ruby and Summer back the vials they gave him, "You have burnt through many of those special vials… I do hope these will aid in your possible victory…"
Ruby felt bad, showing much sorrow. Summer too, but she looks more determined as she nods. "We will." The white hooded warrior acknowledges what needs to be done.
The old man nods, and lets them pass, as they begin walking to the burning city. Even from afar, they can feel the temperature rise.
Ruby fans herself with her hood. "Bleh… So hot… Not… A good… Idea to wear a scarf."
While Summer wipes her face full of sweat. "We must be close..."
They go deep into the city, walking for a while, the sounds of fire cracking all around as the city seems to burn endlessly. Suddenly, they hear a shift in a building behind them. It begins to topple in their direction, and they begin to speed off to avoid being crushed.
"What was that?!" The daughter shouted in panic.
The mother looks around, seeing how much more broken things are becoming. "We don't have much time… We have to move!"
They avoid being crushed by more buildings, soon finding themselves cornered in a circular area… Soon they would see a dark figure emerge from all the smoke. His form was all dark, his armor being black and purple, his eyes burning red. He held out his hand, a shadowy essence squirmed, until it formed a sword. Ruby and Summer stared in shock at the figure.
(Battle Theme: Galacta Knight Mashup - KSSU KRTD & KPR v=ew2VvOBAx70)
They stayed still for a moment, anticipation in the air, before the dark warrior sprouted wings and flew at them, making quick and fierce attacks. Both of the huntresses dive out of the way, as they both quickly bring out their guns in sync as they start shooting. The figure dodges easily, and charges at blinding speeds, attacking with quick precision. His sword was in the shape of a falchion. His strike would send the two girls back, and the warrior would fly into the air, spin, and hold his sword up, as the fire around them began to rise and gather in a sphere above the warrior, before he pointed his sword at the huntresses, and a large barrage of fire rained down upon them at high speeds, coming from the big fireball the Lord of Wrath made.
Both of them scatter and continue to fire their ammo at him. It would prove to be undone when they hit his ring of fire. With this, Summer would go for a more direct approach and would bring out her weapon going into ax mode. She would be parried with ease though, and sent back, with the sheer strength of the warrior being great. They would need to somehow catch him off guard if they really wanted to do some damage, Summer hypothesized. Ruby would activate her silver eyes, using it to try to gain an advantage, but the warrior persisted, and adapted to Ruby's fighting style. The warrior's sword changed to that of a rapier for the form the warrior adapted to.
Ruby blocked most of his attacks, but felt each hit getting harder and harder. So she decides to dodge the next attacks as she has the slight advantage to speed for the moment, but it won't last long. Ruby would weave and narrowly dodge many of his slashes, but a small strand of hair was cut from her head as she narrowly dodged one. She would soon be able to counter a specific attack that sent the warrior back. In retaliation, the warrior rose in the air, his arms trembling, as he stored up power, and much to Ruby and Summer's shock, the warrior stabbed the ground, and three flaming twisters emerged, the string winds sucking debris into its path, and trying to suck in the huntresses. Summer rushes in to pull Ruby away from the fire twisters as they avoid catastrophe. Although they find themselves pondering on how to defeat him.
The warrior raises his sword from the ground, changing it to a longsword, and he would envelop the blade with fire and dark energy. He'd then slash at the air, sending slash projectiles their way, and they would keep running,
"He just won't let up!" Ruby exclaimed worriedly, as Little struggled to hold onto Ruby in her scarf.
The warrior would jump in front of them, and locked blades with Summer. Ruby also tried to aid her, but she was stopped, as he was using his magic, lifting her up in a chokehold with dark energy… Little saw this, and looked between them, and would jump at the warrior's face, disorienting him, as he grew angrier with Little's antics. He would be able to get Little off and throw her aside, leaving him open for an attack.
Summer would then spin her blade around and slashes towards his chest. He backs away, noticing his armor cut from that. The white hooded huntress spins her ax around, then slams it down on the ground, showing her skills, and boldly and silently challenges him. Ruby would be worried about this, but Summer nods to her, assuring her that she's got this, while also tilting her head to the left. She is gonna need Ruby to help her in long range.
The warrior looks to Summer, and straightens his back. He'd then hold his hand out, and warp his weapon into a sheathed yamato… Although, it looked familiar to Ruby… But she couldn't tell what it reminded her of. The anger and hatred would rise within the dark warrior… Summer would slightly smile at this; when it comes to fighting in anger… Fatal mistakes could be made on his part. If she and Ruby can hold on, they can defeat this warrior. The warrior would take a stance, and prepare to fight once more. Summer knows she can't be careless, so she would motion her fingers to bring it on the dark warrior before her. The warrior spins at her, using fast speeds and teleportation. Summer would fully trust her instincts and parries everything he has while putting her body through the limit. It comes to the point where Ruby couldn't predict what was going on, but tries to follow through her eyes. As the fight progressed, Summer was getting some hits in, as the emotions of the warrior was getting the best of him, and his form grew sloppy due to his anger. A firestorm began to brew around them, growing fierce, as the warrior was putting everything in trying to kill Summer. Summer then jumps over him and slashes at his back. Ruby then sees her chance and without hesitation, shoots his head, as the bullet hits his helmet, making him stumble. His helmet cracks, and breaks in a large piece near his eye, and Summer steps back. She would widen her eyes, as she saw who it was… Ruby couldn't see the face from where she was.
"Irad…" Summer quietly said to herself. The supposed "Irad" stood tall… This wasn't the Irad they knew… Irad would have no reason to be here and do this… No, she felt that this one came from another world. She then pieced it together, as the man's story made sense… Summer and the dark Irad stood, as the dark and fiery winds howled around them. Irad stared down Summer, his eyes still brimming red full of fury and rage.
"I know what happened to you…" Summer said, looking at his face… The warrior stood motionless, the wind blowing his cape. He looked at Summer, then broke his gaze to look at his weapon, then returned his gaze to Summer.
"I know that you are angry that you've lost everything… But this isn't what SHE would want!" Summer exclaimed. Silence followed for a moment, but then the dark Irad would prepare for another assault, not saying a word.
Against her better judgment, and Ruby's fear, Summer walks closer to show how genuine she is. "And I know there is still good in you."
He stares at her for a moment, still retaining his form, but his grip would lighten on his sword… He then spoke, in a voice that somewhat sounded like Irad, but was warped,
"The things I have done… I failed everyone… I failed her… I lost her… She was my world… It all crumbled to the ground… All because I was careless… It is too late for me now… The only thing for me now… Is death." He states, as Summer stops, looking at him. Irad would be motionless, his grip easing up, but tears streamed down his face from within the mask, his tears being blood,
"Everyone died… And it was my fault. I couldn't protect everyone… Now I am the monster I swore to destroy…" He stands straight, flipping his blade and pointing it at Summer, "Fight me… One last time… And give me an honorable death. Only then… Will I be free from my torment… The demon will have a hold on me if I am kept alive, and the barrier to the tree won't recede unless I am dead…" He says, lowering his gaze.
Summer thinks for a moment, then nods, "Very well." She says, preparing.
The alternate Irad smiles, "And please… Ensure your Irad and his family are safe and happy… Most importantly…" A fiery tear trickles, "Tell Weiss to love your timeline's Irad with everything she has… And to be strong." He says, as he goes into a battle stance, ready for one final fight, his sin becoming somewhat normal, save for the dark veins, but his eyes have returned to normal. His blue-gray eyes shone in the light of the fire around them.
(Battle Theme: Nero vs Vergil Violin Solo (Full Version) v=rvJXvQQ0W2k)
She again spins her weapon around to her battle stance, waiting for him to attack first.
He looks focused, and attacks, charging headfirst into battle. He slashes at Summer. Ruby tries to intervene, but 3 wyverns get into her path, and she must fend them off alone for her mother.
Summer dodges his attacks. The last one though she jumps back, then once she lands on her feet, she steels herself and leaps towards him for a very strong swing. He blocks the swing, but he would recoil back. He flips his sword, and sheaths it, and slightly unsheathes, repeating a few times, and casting waves of slashes at Summer, who dodges with ease by flipping and twirling. She'd then jump in the air and come down on Irad, and he would block, putting them in a blade lock. Irad grit his teeth, and would be sent back after Summer broke the blade lock.
Irad would then summon regular fireballs to attack Summer, who countered them, and the two stood apart, looking at one another in understanding. Irad and Summer called out a battle cry and charged at each other one final time, Irad having his blade sheathed, hand over the handle of his blade, as he ran at her, while Summer held her weapon back, and both would pass each other, swinging their weapons. They stood still for a moment, breathing heavy… Until Irad fell to his knees, his chest having been lethally cut. Irad coughed blood, and Summer would come to his side.
"Heh…" He began, "You did… Good… You two have what it takes…" He coughs again, "Thank you… For… Saving me…" He smiles at Summer, as he sheds a tear, "Now I can.. Go home… And see you all again… See Weiss… My kid… Again…" He says, and he looks to the sky as the sun peeked, "Father… Forgive me…" He says, as his body goes limp, and cold. The fires all around would die down to smoke, and the wyverns Ruby was fighting also faded to dust. Summer held the alternate Irad's body, and Ruby would come up, as Summer closed Irad's eyes… The flames of the fallen overlord, quenched for good. Ruby can't help but feel overwhelming sadness. She knew Irad for a while, and supported him and Weiss's relationship.
Summer looked down sadly, "I promise our Irad won't make the same mistakes…" She promises him, as his body would fade into white particles.
The two huntresses would look above, seeing a blue fox dragon apparition flying into the clouds as they parted… They'd then stand up, they were bruised and scratched a bit and had burn marks all over them, but otherwise, they felt fine as far as their wounds were concerned.
Ruby would be tired, both physical and mental. Her legs even felt a little weak from the distress and constant fighting. But Summer pats her shoulder, showing her love to her child. Her fatigue is also apparent, but she still stays strong. "We're almost done..." She told Ruby.
Little scampers up,
"Little!" Ruby says, gently hugging the small mouse, "Are you ok!?" Ruby asks, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine! That mean and scary warrior guy didn't see me coming!" Ruby giggled,
"That WAS pretty brave…" Ruby admitted, filling Little with pride. Soon they would reach the old man, who was waiting patiently at the train. He looked towards them, and smiled,
"It is good to see the both of you in one piece… Perhaps rest should be in order, before the final battle…" He says. "It will take a few hours to get to the destination… I have food and drinks within the caboose."
Ruby puts her hands up, "Oh no, you don't have to sir-"
He waves a dismissive hand, "Ahhh it's the least I can do for my best customers… Besides, you two have a job to do, and whatever is in that tree there, it could be big. So eat, drink, sleep as much as you can." The old man insisted. The girls look at each other and decide to shrug and take the hospitality. They do need it at this point. They get on the train, and their journey begins. Summer and Ruby take a look at the small box the man had gathered. Inside were water bottles apparently scavenged from the Lord of Greed's city, and some fruits and berries, with some bread.
Ruby eyes would sparkle at the sight of the food she saw "Whoa! Real food! I'm starving!"
They dig in gleefully, as the train chugs on… The old man looks forwards at the tracks, and would turn his attention to the tree, and narrows his eyes at it. He'd then go back to what he was doing… He hoped that the two huntresses would be enough to destroy the dark entity within… Otherwise, other worlds could be in danger.