Chapter 15: The underground.
"Haaaah...haaah..." she was breathing heavily, something I could not blame her for. After all, she was years too early to be able to even match me.
"You are doing better." I did not lie, considering where she was when she started, her current strength was nothing short of astounding. However...
"You held back. Am I really that unworthy?" at any time during our spar she could have attempted to copy my strength. While she would only be able to copy a small amount of it, the added power could have made things far easier for her.
"N-no sir!" she shouted. I could feel her nervousness. "I-I just...wanted to be fair. W-wouldn't copying your power be cheating?" (How naive...)
"There is no such thing as cheating when you're fighting for your life, now try again!"
"Y-yes sir!"
Zed/Noah POV
"Urgh...where am I?" when I awoke, what greeted me was a place unknown. Everything in the room, minus the bed I was laid on, was a steel grey. The room lacked windows, having four opaque walls instead. Looking around, I noticed a table and a chair, walking towards said furniture, I took notice of what was placed on its surface; a pen, and a plain paper notebook.
(What is this place?) the room was spartan, but why exactly was that the case? (Is this a prison cell?) the lack of colour, windows, and anything else other than a door, and what I've already explained, led me to think so.
But then came the question of 'why'. As far as anyone knew, I had not committed any crimes.
*click*
Turning my head to face the noise, I was greeted by the sight of the door being opened, as well as a person entering. "Ah, you're awake." the person spoke. The being in question was a woman around my height, she had long blond hair, that went untied, as well as brown eyes. Her outfit consisted of something that could only be referred to as a maid uniform. "Pardon my directness, but who are you?" I asked the unfamiliar girl.
"Oh, my apologies. My name is Financier, I am Lady White Heart's secretary, as well as the one who brought you here." the now-named 'Financier' answered. (Hmm, if she brought me here, then what about...) "There were others with me, 3 girls and an animal companion, are they here as well?" I asked.
While I should have normally thanked the girl for saving me, the other's whereabouts were of far more importance. Besides, I knew nothing of the Goddess of Lowee, for all I knew, she could have been just as cowardly as Vert.
"You are referring to Purple Heart, as well as her companions, yes? They are perfectly fine. My subordinates guided them here while I carried you." Her words had me equally relieved and worried. ('Purple Heart'...so she knows who Neptune is...) "A-ah, don't worry, Lady White Heart doesn't hold a grudge against Purple Heart, so please stop looking at me like that!"
Her stutter made me realise I had unintentionally been glaring at her, something I was quick to stop doing. "My apologies miss, Neptune's experience with the other Goddesses has been a fifty-fifty split thus far, therefore I was concerned for her safety."
The woman breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness, I wouldn't want to risk the wrath of Leanboxes' 'Radiant Prince'"
(Hmm?)
"How do you know that name?" I asked. The woman smiled calmly. "There's no need to worry, word travels fast is all." I was surprised, I did not expect my nickname to travel this far. "Can you please take me to my companions?" I asked, ignoring the numerous questions that churned inside my head. with so many unknowns, I felt the need to be by their sides as quick as possible.
Surprisingly, Financier shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't, at least not yet. Lady White Heart wishes to see you first, please follow me." seeing as i had little in terms of options, I, reluctantly, followed wordlessly.
(What could she want with me?)
After a while of walking, the both of us began going through a wide hallway. "We're close, before we enter however, I need you to strip."
Sorry, what!?
"Excuse me?" the blonde-haired woman appeared to notice her mistake. "Ah, I mean I need you to undress in one of the changing rooms over there." the woman pointed to a stall in the corner of the hallway. "We need our security to check for any weapons you might possess. We can't afford to be careless" (Ah, that makes sense.) I thought, sighing internally. Walking inside one of the stalls, which happened to be surprisingly spacious, I began to undress.
(Were my clothes always this bad?) as I took off my clothes, I took notice of how worn and dirty they were. Since it was my only outfit, I suppose it was to be expected. Ignoring their state, I undressed until I was in my undergarments. Then I heard a voice.
"Sir, I will be beginning the search now." The voice was feminine, which secretly made me nervous. (Why did the security have to be female?) it was embarrassing enough to be looked at whilst I was almost naked, even worse for it be someone of the opposite gender.
I could do nothing as the woman entered the chamber. (It's nothing to worry about, I do believe the woman is even 'checking you out' so to speak.) (THAT'S EVEN WORSE!) deciding to bite the bullet, I eventually responded. "Very well, please be quick about it." I just wanted it to be over and done with. "Oh? But I'm supposed to be very thorough? You don't want little ol' me to lose my job now, do you?~"
I did not like her tone.
(Oh my, is this what they call a 'MILF'?)
"Just...please get it over with, I'd like a change of clothes as well, please." the woman looked at me with eyes I could only describe as being full of mischief, as well as something else, something I could not quite understand. "Oh my, how compliant, I like that~"
(Rex. Help. Now.)
My cries went unheard.
[10 minutes later]
"Come back soooon~" The torture was over with, and I exited the changing room with a change of apparel, and far less dignity. What happened in that room would never be spoken about. Ever. "I see the inspection is done; you have my apologies for her actions, Cia is a good woman, she's just slightly... eccentric."
I fought with myself to not scream profanities. "Can we just...continue, please." The blonde-haired secretary must have understood my desperation, as she stayed silent and guided me to our destination.
"Here we are. Lady White Heart resides just beyond that door." Financier spoke. Nodding my head, I walked forward and pushed the door open, revealing a chamber decorated similarly to a throne room. With the only stark difference being a boxed off area in the far-left corner. Walking towards the central back of the room, ignoring all of the guards, I laid my eyes upon the Goddess of Lowee.
(She is quite adorable, i would not mind if you took her for yourself.)
(Excuse me? Where is that coming from?)
(You already have Compa, Neptune, as well as IF in your harem, why not add her?)
(I don't have a harem!)
(Strange, I had a decently sized one back in my time, and you are my host, are you not?)
I chose to ignore him after that.
"Welcome to my throne room, Sir Zed. I am White Heart, Goddess of Lowee. I suppose you have questions?" her voice serene, elegant and proper. But I could not help but feel that something was off. "Indeed. If you do not mind, I would like to know where my companions are." I spoke simply. I had many other questions, but that question in particular was quite important.
I saw irritation flash through her eyes, before it swiftly vanished. "Your friends are unharmed. They are currently mingling with my citizens, do not worry." my thought process split at her words. On one hand, I could presume she was telling the truth, and that my precious family were safe. Whilst on the other, I could presume she was lying to me. My experiences with the previous Goddesses, minus Neptune, made the probability 50/50.
(Remember Financier's earlier words, she would not wish to risk your wrath. I do believe it would be wise to trust her.) Weighing in Rex's words, I eventually decided to trust in White Heart. "Very well, I request to be taken to them once the questioning is over." I once again saw annoyance flash through the short girl's eyes, her left eye twitching. "I accept your request; now do you have any more questions?" she spoke, sounding more impatient.
"What is this place, from what I can tell, your citizens reside here as well, how did that come to be?" I could hazard a guess and suggest Blade had something to do with it, but surely there had to be more to it than that?
"..."
The look on the Goddesses' face suggested I hit a nerve; I could faintly hear whispers of 'that blue-haired bastard...' but surely I had misheard? "I'll take over here." the voice of Financier rang out, as the woman walked beside her Goddess and began to speak. "The blue-haired man you fought is responsible. A few weeks ago, he appeared, and attempted to persuade the people to forsake Lady White Heart. When his efforts proved ineffective, he turned to violence, which led to the entire population of Lowee being forced to live in underground bunkers."
Her words made sense, though one particular point had me confused. "If his attack happened a few weeks ago, how is it possible for the bunkers to be built and operational?" Surely it would have taken far longer to build such structures? "Ah, well, to quote Lady White Heart, 'magic is bullshi-OW!" before she could finish her sentence, White Heart had hit her on the head. Looking around, I saw the guards in the room were stifling laughter.
Was this a common occurrence?
"Regardless, now that I have answered your questions, you will answer mine, correct?" White Heart spoke, acting as if the past minute did not occur. "Very well." I answered. It was only fair that she receives answers as well, despite what just occurred. "What were you and your group doing here? Why come to Lowee?"
(What should I say here? Do you think she can be trusted further?) I asked Rex. Being that he had never steered me wrong before, I trusted his judgement. Besides, a second opinion was always a nice thing to have. (I do believe it would be wise to trust her, at least for now. We can properly make our mind up when we've ensured the others are safe. Do as you have been and tell only half-truths.)
With his opinion spoken, I made up my mind. "My companions and I came to this place in search for a certain relic. It just so happens that the same man responsible for the current state of Lowee, also just so happens to be in possession of said relic."
I said, speaking plainly as to not reveal too much. The woman of short stature nodded as I spoke, before replying. "Then I take it we want the same thing? That blue-haired bast-man being brought to justice?" ignoring her sudden shift in tone, I nodded my head. "Indeed. Now are there any more questions?" I asked.
The brown-haired woman seemed to ponder on my question, before shaking her head. "None, at least for now. As agreed, Financier will now take you to your friends." she spoke, the aforementioned girl walking over to me and gesturing for me to follow.
Following the secretary led to the two of us walking through numerous more corridors, and past just-as-many rooms. All of which being identical to what I had already seen. Eventually, after a while of walking through so many identical corridors, that I thought I was going insane, we finally reached a new area.
Said area appeared similar to a park and was quite a bit larger than all the previous rooms. Numerous benches and pieces of playground equipment were present, as well as quite a large number of people.
"Extra care was put into creating this place. While it doesn't share the snowy weather of the surface, it still acts as a place of solace for those that are sick of the repetitive, militaristic nature of the bunker. While it hasn't been long, down here, to most, every second feels like an hour." Financier spoke. Her words appeared to ring true, as when I looked into the eyes of the citizens of Lowee, I noticed a lethargy, one not too different from those who have experienced despair.
If I had not already resolved myself to defeat Blade, I would most definitively have now. I was the furthest thing from a hero, a paragon of justice, but I could not stand idly by as so many suffered. If they were so miserable now, how would they fare in a few weeks' time? What about a month? Or a year? I was not a good man, but I still had a heart.
"ZEDDY!" a familiar female voice rang out, before I found myself bound, a pair of arms wrapped around my torso. Turning my head, I recognised the signature lilac hair and eyes of Neptune. "Hello my dear, how are you?" I spoke with a smile, savouring the contact with the one I loved.
"Don't you 'hello' me mister! You had us all worried!" she spoke, releasing me from her hold, and shocking me with her angered tone. She must not have been exaggerating. "Yeah, don't be a meanie!" "Heh, at least you're okay." turning around, i took notice of the arrival of Compa and IF.
"My apologies, I had no idea I had caused such worry." I spoke, hearing the sound of someone laughing as I did so. Turning to the voice's origin, I saw Financier laughing, the blonde-haired woman clutching her stomach in an attempt to ease the amusement-derived pain.
Noticing our stares, the woman attempted to compose herself. "A-ah, S-sorry!" I gave the woman an unimpressed gaze. Her face paled, and she finally stopped laughing. "Ahem!" she coughed. "If you do not mind me asking, what will you do now?" the girl asked, causing me to think on my next course of action.
I needed to get stronger, that was for certain. Rex said I could deal damage to Blade if I caught him off guard, but I doubted I could pull off such a manoeuvre. Therefore, the only option I had was to strengthen myself. But then came the question of how. How could I gain the strength to best a foe that far surpassed me?
Sparring with Neptune would do nothing, as we were evenly matched as-is, there would be no improvement. Doing the same to Compa would be impossible, I could not raise a blade to her, and that was not including that strange new power she held.
(What about IF?) i thought. (No, as strong as she is, she is only human. To gain the strength you desire, a far higher being would have to be confronted. 'Iron sharpens iron' is a saying I have heard before, but I know that from personal experience that a whetstone does a far better job. In this instance, the 'whetstone' would be someone stronger than you. Perhaps the Goddess of Lowee could aid you on that front?) Rex spoke.
(So, you're telling me to ask a Goddess for a fight? Would that really be a good idea, isn't she an unknown?) I replied.
Seriously, how would that end well for me? There was the off chance that she was weak, but considering her people didn't appear to hate her, that would be highly unlikely.
Wait...
(Hold on, if White Heart was strong, wouldn't Blade have been dealt with? It's obvious that isn't the case, so what good would fighting her do?)
(Pardon my directness, but you do not have the luxury of choice, nor time, here.) as usual, Rex had a point, but then something else came to mind. (What about Terminus?) back when i fought Arfoire, I managed to unsheathe the blade, if I could do it once, surely, I could do it again? (You shall have to pardon my rudeness here, but do you even know how you came to be able to wield it?)
His words caused me to go silent, I did not. While that did beg the question of why exactly I could back then, there were more impending matters.
(If you cannot answer, then I do believe my suggestion should be carried out) The older man spoke. After giving it some more thought, I came to a conclusion. (Fine then, I'll see what I can do.) "Financier, can you take me back to White Heart? I have something to ask of her." I asked, causing said girl, as well as the others to look at me confusedly.
"Don't worry girls, It's nothing bad. I just need some aid with something personal, is all." the confusion on their faces did not disappear, in fact it seemed to increase. Though Neptune's was different, her face shifting into a mischievous smile.
"Ooooooooh, I get it. You just wanna ask her for some dating advice, OH! Maybe you wanna ask her about wedding rings! Just so you know mister, I only accept rings made of the finest silver, gold is for chumps!"
...
"PFFFTTTHAHAHAHAH, I'll take that into consideration, my dear."
I started. Neptune never failed in making things interesting with her outlandish conclusions. Though I did wince a little at her forwardness afterwards. "However, no, that is not what I plan on doing. I plan on sparring with the Goddess of Lowee as a way to get stronger." I finished. Fighting others had proved an effective way of garnering strength, if my track record were to be believed, despite the fact that I didn't wish to fight unnecessarily.
"But what about me? Or Compa? Heck, even Iffy! Why do you hafta go start a fight with some angry muffin?" the purple-haired girl asked, ignoring the reactions said girls had to her previous statement, being a pout, and raised eyebrows.
(Shit.)
I didn't account for the fact that she might think like that. (What the hell could I even say to that?) Rex stayed strangely silent, which meant I was on my own. I couldn't say anything about being bored of fighting her, because that wouldn't explain why I couldn't choose Compa or IF, and it wasn't as if I could just outright explain my true reasoning in full. (Unless...hmm, this might hurt their feelings though...Ah well, better than the alternative.)
"Well, my dears, as much as it pains me to say so, you are all too weak to give me any chance of improving. Neptune, your strength nears my own, and the same goes for you IF, as well as yourself, Compa. If I am to get stronger, I require stronger foes to fight, preferably ones that will not kill me if I lose." I started, addressing all three girls.
"With White Heart being an unknown, she proves to be a potential challenge, in addition, she has no reason to kill me. Making her the perfect candidate." I continued, taking note of the disappointed looks on all three girl's faces.
I was right, their feelings were hurt.
I took a deep breath before continuing. "Blade has to fall by my hands if I am to get answers, to do that, I need strength." I hated having to act like this, but I needed to do it, I couldn't have them asking too many questions. "My apologies however, I meant no offense. Financier, can you fulfil my request?" I spoke, addressing the secretary at the end.
The woman nodded her head in confirmation. "Of course, if it helps you in getting rid of that man, I'm sure Lady White Heart would oblige. Follow me." the blonde responded. I turned my gaze back to my companions. "I shall meet you all back here once I am done. Have fun you three, do try to stay out of any mischief." I spoke, before following Financier back to Whit Heart's throne room.
When we arrived, the Goddess of Lowee was nowhere to be seen. "Ah, Lady White Heart must be in her room, follow me." Financier spoke, answering my unasked question. Following her lead me to the sectioned off area in the corner of the throne room. "This is where Lady White Heart goes to for rest, or when she wishes to write her stories. Wait here whilst I retrieve her." the blonde spoke, before entering the blocked off room. Being the gentleman I was, I merely waited.
After a few minutes of waiting, and unintentionally hearing what I swore were some select curse words, both White Heart and Financier left the room, greeting me at its entrance. "So, I hear you wish to fight me. For the sake of making yourself stronger, no less. I suppose I can accept that. After all, you wish to be the one to strike that sonofabit- man down, yes?" White Heart spoke.
(Okay, now she was definitively about to swear there.)
I decided to ignore it however, what mattered is that she accepted.
"Indeed. Blade will fall by my hands. However I require more strength in order to do so. You have my thanks, White Heart." I spoke. The short, brown-haired woman simply smiled at my words, before speaking herself. "Your thanks is appriciated. Now come with me, we can't exactly fight here." nodding at her words, I did as I was told.
After a long walk, we eventually came to a stop in a wide-open field. "This place is usually reserved for those that want a place to run around in. But I suppose it can be used as impromptu sparring arena."
The short, brown-haired woman walked to one side of the field, mirroring my own position. "Are you ready, 'Radiant Prince'?" she spoke, summoning her weapon, a hammer, in the process. I followed suit, summoning a trio of blades.
"Hey, no cheating!" my opponent spoke, to my surprise. "Whatever do you mean?" I replied, confused. "How in the he-heck is allowing you to have 3 times the weapons fair?"
(Oh, that's what she meant.)
I dispelled two of my swords.
"Is this better?"
"Yes, let us begin."
Surprisingly, she was the one to strike first. The head of her giant hammer was quickly flung in my direction. Fortunately, at least for me, while it was fast, I had seen faster. "Far too slow!" I spoke, easily dodging the attack. My opponent did not seem pleased.
"Don't get smug!" with an annoyed shout my opponent swung again, and once again, I dodge-
"Glacies iecit!" my eyes widened in shock as my opponent shot forth a burst of ice from her hand.
"Hmph!" with a quick swing of my sword, I slashed through the projectiles. My eyes darted across the field, hoping to lock eyes on my opponent.
"Take this!" the weapon of my opponent came close to hitting me, only to be halted by the flat of my blade. (Tch!) to my further surprise the strength of my opponent's strike was far from weak. Shifting my weight, I slid the giant weapon off of my own, before dashing backwards to create distance.
"Colour me surprised, Goddess of white. But let us see how you handle this!" with a shout I flourished a feather tag, before it flew off and hit my opponent. "Was that supposed to hurt?" my opponent mocked. "No." I spoke, before using the tag as a focus, and teleporting behind White Heart. "But this will!" I swung my blade at my opponent's side, my attack landing, causing my opponent to wince in pain.
"Tch, you bastard!"
"I knew it!" (she does curse!)
I was so surprised by the revelation that I failed to notice the movement of one of White Heart's hands.
"Die!"
"Ergh!"
Unfortunately, since I was both distracted and very close, I was unable to dodge her fist. The blow being strong enough to wind me.
(Guess I shouldn't have underestimated he-)
!
To add to my surprise, my foe was suddenly surrounded by light. When said light died down, my foe had changed. Her eyes turned red, her hair blue, and the power she exerted became multiple times stronger.
"When I'm done with you, fuckboy, they'll need multiple body bags!" she shouted, eyes burning with rage. Despite the threat she posed however, I couldn't help but smile. "Finally, now we can really begin!"
Snapping my fingers, I summoned a flock of birds. "My little ones, light the skies!" flinging my arm forward, the summons launched themselves at my opponent.
"RAAAAGHH!" with an enraged shout, my opponent swung her hammer, somehow managing to land her mark despite her recklessness. Then the floor began to glow a light blue.
"Frigus sepulcrum!"
With a shout from my foe, ice began to shoot up from the floor, enveloping the area completely. Thinking quickly, I jumped into the air. Whilst airborne I waved my arm downwards in an arc, summoning a wave of golden-orange fire that melted the ice below me.
*CLANG*
Just as I landed, a certain hammer came in to strike. Acting as quick as I could, I brought my blade up to block the attack, being successful, but strained, under the force behind the attack.
"You're strong...I like that!" I couldn't help but say. Her being this strong meant fighting her could lead me to greater strength. Something I desperately needed. Sliding her weapon off of my own once more, I spoke again.
"Very good, White Heart. Show me the strength of a Goddess!"
"Piss off!"
Hammer met sword as our weapons continued to clash again and again.
*CLANG*
"FUCK!"
*FWOOOSH*
With a swing intentionally directed at her wrists, my opponent was disarmed, weapon being flung to the far corner of the field. "You bastard!" White Heart shouted, holding her wrists in obvious pain. Seeing my disarmed opponent gave me an idea, however. "Let's make this fair, shall we?" I spoke, before dispelling my weapon, leaving me as weaponless as my opponent. I coated my hands with the Septimal energy of Golden Trillion, covering them in brilliant flames.
I brought both my fists up in a fighting stance, My opponent quickly did the same, bringing her now ice-covered fists up to her face. "Bring it, fuckboy!" she shouted, fist flying forwards. Using both hands, I quickly intercepted the strike, sliding backwards due to the force behind the hit. "Indeed!"
I spoke with a smile. For reasons beyond me, I began to feel my blood boil in excitement. Pushing her fist to the side, I launched my own attack, attempting to strike her abdomen with my right fist.
My attack was intercepted, my wrist being grabbed. "Fuck you!" "Argh!" I then felt my body fly through the air as I was flung to the ground, the force spreading throughout my entire body before I felt a weight settle upon my stomach. Looking down I saw that White Heart was sitting on top of me, the surprising amount of weight keeping my body against the ground.
The left hand of my opponent gripped my shoulder as she raised her right.
"Kuh!"
Before her fist could land, i used my own to strike her stomach, making her wince, and her grip lessen. Using the opening, I rolled over, causing our positions to switch. Being the gentleman I was, I ignored the sudden instinct to hit her face, instead aiming for her stomach and chest.
*THWACH*
"Guh!"
*THWACH*
*Argh!"
*THWA-*
"RAGH!"
As i went to strike a third time, I felt her leg strike my side, and our positions switch again. Her fist raised itself again, and, due to me being in shock from her previous attack, landed. Sending a great force filled with rage, straight at me.
"GACK!"
Her hand had struck, and I felt stinging, cold, and sharp pain, on my face. A warm liquid trickled down my cheek as I realised she had drawn first blood. I saw the rage in her eyes die out immediately. Seeing this, my blood, the very same that once boiled in excitement, cooled completely. My opponent quickly got up and took a few steps back, as did I.
A light surrounded my foe, before she returned to her normal self. "My apologies, Zed, I did not expect our fight to devolve into nothing more than a street brawl." White Heart spoke. Smiling through the pain I felt in my face, I replied. "Oh no, don't apologise, this was the most fun I have ever had in a fight."
I wasn't lying. Maybe it was her fierce fighting spirit, her crude language or perhaps her barbaric fighting style? Whichever it was, the fact remained that until I saw the rage in her eyes die out, her will to fight extinguish itself, I was enjoying our fight completely.
It felt strange, at least a bit. Before now, I had preferred to stay away from unnecessary fights. But this was different. This wasn't some great battle with my life on the line, nor was it a fight against someone I hated. This wasn't a friendly spar with a loved one, where teasing and distraction were valid tactics, this was a brawl between two people who wanted to test their strength, or at least that's what it was until my opponent drew blood. As angry as she was, as excited as I was, neither of us wished to seriously hurt the other.
I put my hand out. "That was a grand bout, you fought well, as expected of a Goddess." Said Goddesses' hand clasped mine and shook. "Indeed, you fought admirably as well, as expected of the 'Radiant Prince', though in my opinion, you fought more like a demon." my smile brightened at the praise, though that changed when I began to think about just how our fight ended. Not only did it end in a pseudo draw, but had it continued, I was sure my opponent would have won.
Like it or not, I was still too weak.
"What's wrong? You look upset." White Heart asked. I chuckled mirthlessly in response. "Had our fight continued, you would have surely won. It appears I am still too weak." I felt her pat my shoulder. "We can fight again if you want. I'm sure if we keep at it, you'll eventually get stronger, I'm sure we both will." I knew what this was, it was an invitation. One where the both of us would continue to fight for the goal of getting stronger, and this time there would be no stopping just because of a little spilt blood.
I smirked. "I accept." the Goddess of Lowee smiled back, before being covered in light once more. "Ready to get your ass kicked?" she spoke, forgoing her earlier refined tone. I changed my stance, fists placed up to my face and legs slightly spread.
"Bring it!"
END OF CHAPTER
An: first off, I know what you are all thinking. 'Why has the main character suddenly gone through a personality shift?' well the answer is a secret for now. Suffice to say, it's not exactly something 'new'. On another note, I tried my best to portray the two sides to Blanc, I'm curious on what you all think of it.
On another note, I tried breaking the paragraphs down into smaller ones, feel free to tell me if it's an improvement or not, I'd like to know.
Also, this story has reached over 100k words, WHOOOO!
Question for the audience: How do you think the story is going to go? What do you think will happen in future? I'm curious on what impression I've left on you all.