Altus Plateau – Erdtree Gazing Hill – Noon
"He's been gone an awful while, hasn't he?" Millicent inquired, "Do you think he'll return?"
"I am sure of it." Melina calmly replied; her voice seemed to gently soothe Millicent's worries.
The young girl nodded but the look of concern remained evident in her expression. "He's a strange fellow. Strong, but rather aloof."
"Indeed. I must have travelled with him for nearly a month now, and yet I know very little about him," Melina chimed; her gaze fixed upon the golden horizon. What once was a lush field full of life and culture had been transformed into a dire wasteland marred by the faded ruins of civilization and war. Remnants of cities and temples could still be seen in the distance, some with crumbling architecture that predated the royal capital and its vassal states. Beyond the golden aura projected by the great Erdtree looming over the barren horizon was a land utterly ravaged by conquest and unending misery.
"I wonder why that is." Millicent sighed and awkwardly tried to sharpen her curved blade. Seeing this, Melina secured a block of wood as support. Millicent smiled at the kind gesture. Melina reflected on her travels with the pale swordsman and continued.
"He says that he's not from this world, and from what I've seen so far, I'm inclined to believe it."
Millicent stayed silent as if to digest the new information. In a world where gods and dragons were the norm, and celestial forces were anything but myth, the idea of someone hailing from a different realm wasn't particularly farfetched. It was difficult to grasp, however.
"What do you mean? Did he come from a meteorite like the Alabaster Lords, or is he some kind of celestial emissary?" Millicent lightly rubbed a finger on her sword's edge to gauge its sharpness.
"I don't believe so. He says that in his realm, there are no such things as gods; only demons." Melina's response seemed to perplex Millicent further.
"Demons? Like those imps hiding inside catacombs?" Melina smirked in amusement, as she had thought the same at one point, then shook her head.
"I don't have a full grasp of his account myself, but Vergil speaks of these demons just as we do with our gods and demigods. How they're powerful beings with the ability to influence the reality they inhabit in interesting ways." Melina idly flicked her finger, which momentarily ignited a block of firewood. "He once spoke of a rare type of steed that could bend time to its will, and how he considered it a relatively weak species of demon."
Millicent's eyes shot up. "He considers the power to control time itself to be weak? I find that hard to believe."
"I do as well. Had the account been spoken by anyone else, I would have dismissed it as a farce. But you and I are no strangers to Vergil's demeanour." To that, Millicent nodded in tacit agreement. Even with the brief time she had spent with the pale swordsman, Millicent understood how it wasn't in his nature to purposely spread wanton falsehoods. His pride would never allow for it.
"Still…that is a power reserved from all but the mightiest of dragons. If memory serves me well, the only creature possessing such an ability was the old Dragonlord, Placidusax."
"Agreed," Melina's gaze shot up and she raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You know of the ancient dragons? I'm surprised that the Golden Order hasn't erased all records of them."
"My memories are still somewhat of a blur, but I do remember being taught about them at some point. Given how many dragons still wander about in Caelid, I can see the merit in learning about their history."
"That's interesting, and I can see why none have ever dared to cross the region. It seems that not even the Golden Order wanted anything to do with Caelid after the Battle of Aeonia."
"Who could blame them? After the land was ravaged by war after war, all that remained were the death knells of civilization. Some may argue that a different kind of life has taken root in the region, but to those of us who have been afflicted with the Scarlet Rot, there is nothing but a slow agonizing death waiting to consume us all."
"I apologize if I was being inconsiderate. It was not my intent." Melina bowed.
"Please, there is no need for formalities. I believe we have moved well past that by now." Millicent chuckled.
Melina smiled softly, her golden eye reflecting the kindness of gold, without Order. For reasons yet unknown to her, she felt a strange sense of kinship with young Millicent. As though they shared a connection only reserved for those bound by blood. Millicent returned the gesture, and they sat in peaceful silence as a soft breeze passed by.
Still somewhat anxious from the previous night's encounter with the Bell Bearing Hunter, Millicent decided to get up and slung her blade on her back. "Right."
Melina inquisitively tilted her head. "Is something the matter?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. It concerns the brute we defeated last night." Millicent replied. A slight quiver in her lips punctuated each word, but despite that, Melina could detect a soundless determination.
"Ah yes, the Bell Bearing Hunter. I take it that last night was not your first encounter?"
Millicent nodded. "I have encountered him several times on my journey so far. Apart from last night, I've always managed to avoid his notice. Some merchants I encountered were not so fortunate, however."
"I see." Melina paused. "Do you wish to move somewhere else?"
"No. I understand that he's not likely to come back to the same location, but I can't help but feel like he's been following me somehow. I've crossed paths with him too many times for it to be a mere coincidence. Perhaps if I set some traps, I can better prepare in case he returns, assuming our friend hasn't yet finished with his business in Volcano Manor."
"Hmm…in that case…would you like to turn the tables on him?"
"How do you mean?"
"That sword he wields is the treasured sword of House Marais. It has seen some changes, but I have no doubt as to its identity."
"How do you know of this?"
"Our reserved friend appears to have a fascination with legendary armaments. In our travels, he's often sought out their wielders for the purpose of seeking a worthy challenge." Melina searched one of Torrent's satchels and found one of many small maps she and Vergil drafted as they plotted likely rest spots for the long road ahead. The kindling maiden turned toward the valley in front of her and continued, "If I am correct, then House Marais should be half a day's travel north of where we are. Less since we have Torrent."
"What of our friend? Won't he be concerned if he returns, and we are not here?"
Knowing her companion's propensity for conflict and the presence of a shardbearer in Volcano Manor, Melina was confident that she and Millicent could accomplish their task and return by the time Vergil defeated the ruthless justiciar and laid claim to another Great Rune.
"As we speak, I can feel the distant thrums of graces being restored in the manor. I don't imagine our friend taking too kindly with the manor, so he'll likely be busy for some time. If he returns, I will feel it and we can instantly return."
"And how will you accompany me? I would hardly say we got out of our last battle unscathed, and I'm sure we can both agree that I am in no shape to fight the hunter on my own."
Melina thought of the previous night's events and how she was able to manifest herself further than she was previously able to. Whereas she could only materialize near sites of grace in the past, she found that she could retain her physical form for larger distances ever since they set foot in the Altus Plateau. Her growing proximity to the Erdtree was likely responsible for this change.
"I can maintain this body so long as Torrent is nearby, and though I cannot govern my own movements completely, I should be able to fight alongside you. I only ask that you restore any sites of grace nearby."
"I can oblige with that, but how can you be sure there will be graces in House Marais?"
"I can't explain why, but I feel as though my mother has been guiding me throughout my journey. I can only attribute it to faith, unfortunately."
"I understand. I know the feeling all too well." Millicent nodded and mounted Torrent. "Well then, shall we?" Melina smirked and vanished into a cloud of blue mist.
"Happy hunting."
Altus Plateau – Shaded Castle Ramparts – Early Evening
Millicent didn't know what to expect when she approached the castle. Abandoned and decrepit, Castle Marais was a half-sunken ruin situated in the shadow of Mt. Gelmir, where pools of stagnant water appeared to have devolved into a poisonous bog. Scores of slugs and Miranda Sprouts slowly crept along the toxic sludge while basilisks and putrid corpses skulked around the tattered ramparts that once fortified the stronghold. A foul stench permeated the air and stained it a nauseating yellow. It was not quite as repugnant as the lakes of rot that bloomed around Caelid, but it was sickening, nonetheless. Millicent took extra care to avoid the ruinous swamp as best as she could by hopping along sunken rooftops and wooden beams, but fighting against wraith callers and their accursed spirits made it difficult to fully avoid the sludge. Although Melina could join Millicent for the first portion of the castle, her physical form could only go so far before her limits became apparent. Thus, Millicent had to traverse the rest of the fortress on her own.
It was clear that some kind of massacre had taken place within the castle, but it was hard to judge how long ago it had happened due to decay that had nearly swallowed it whole. A handful of braziers were still lit, which indicated that the castle had been occupied up until recently. This became immediately apparent when Millicent encountered and dispatched a camp of Depraved Perfumers. The further she progressed through the fortress, the clearer it became that her mark may have been responsible for its downfall. Dozens of soldiers' corpses were found unnaturally hunched over some shattered parapets, mangled beyond recognition and seemingly impacted by a weighty object. Others were bisected, their armours run through by likely the same implement. Millicent thought of how effortlessly the Bell Bearing Hunter tore through the Lux Ruins' stone foundations and the invisible force with which he directed his blade. Upon closer inspection of the surrounding damage, any doubt of the Hunter's role in the massacre evaporated for the crimson-haired warrior.
Despite her prolonged contact with the toxic environment, Millicent found herself surprisingly immune to its effects. Perhaps this was because of her being accustomed to the considerable potency of Caelid's rot swamps, or perhaps she owed her newfound resistance to the needle her pale-haired companion once gifted her. Regardless, Millicent was pleased with the outcome.
Just as she tried to jump atop a broken pillar, Millicent was ambushed by a putrid corpse hiding behind a pile of rubble. She managed to sever its head but slipped and fell into a nearby pit. Noticing the tree right beside her, Millicent plunged her blade into its bark to slow her descent. Alas, her landing was not as graceful as she had hoped. Millicent landed with a loud thud into a damp stone patch and barely caught herself when she was ambushed yet again. This time, by a shrieking mass of limbs and miasma.
Swinging her blade behind, Millicent barely missed as the creature slipped into a portal only to re-emerge a short distance away. The young swordswoman tried to give chase, but found her movements hindered by the thick slurry of the bog. The Revenant took full advantage of its myriads of limbs and aggressively charged, moving faster than its shape would suggest. Millicent sliced and weaved around the creature and managed to sever one of its legs to her satisfaction, but without her good arm, she struggled to land any meaningful strikes against its body.
The gaunt creature retaliated by swiping at her with its long limbs and used its great weight to toss and smash her around with its blinding speed. Millicent hissed as she roughly impacted a wooden beam and regained her footing just in time to narrowly avoid a stream of poisonous sludge. Her breath starting to grow ragged, Millicent knew that the creature was slowly wearing her down, confident in its advantage in the flooded environment.
The young warrior's mind raced as she quickly devised a strategy. Scanning her surroundings, Millicent was able to find a cluster of beams struggling to support a wooden awning and dashed towards it. The Revenant roared as it summoned another portal beneath it and emerged in front of the girl, cutting her off. But Millicent had expected this as a likely outcome and reacted by splashing some swamp water into the Revenant's mangled face using the flat of her blade. The creature howled in rage, knocking aside one of the supports as its limbs flailed wildly.
With the creature momentarily distracted, Millicent slashed at the remaining pillar which caused the rooftop to collapse. She rolled away at the last second but tightened her grip on her blade as the Revenant tore through the rubble. Millicent pressed her advantage and tore at the whirlwind of arms, severing even more of the maladjusted creature's limbs and enraging it further as it lost its balance and crashed into the pool it emerged from. Just as it began to summon the dim light of another portal, Millicent swiftly plunged her blade into its neck, finally silencing the foul abomination.
Millicent heaved as she rested beside a wall. Her brow was heavy with sweat, and she could feel the strain in her muscles as the adrenaline started to wear off. She needed to conserve her strength if she was to progress, and although the light of grace shone just a stone's throw away, she thought it best if she pressed on rather than retrace her steps near the front gate. Millicent rested for a few minutes, allowing herself to regain some strength before climbing her way back from where she fell.
Millicent looked up and spotted a ladder going to the inner wall of the fortress and sighed, as she dreaded the idea of ascending it in her state. Having no choice but to press on, Millicent slung her sword on her back and continued.
Altus Plateau – Shaded Castle Inner Gate – Evening
The light of grace sparked a resounding chime as Millicent reached her arm toward it. The girl nearly collapsed from exhaustion, but Melina caught her before she could hit the ground.
"At least let the light heal you before you collapse," Melina chided gently, helping Millicent to sit down beside the soothing light.
"I thank you. I did not think I would make it through that last battle." Millicent sighed in relief as she felt her wounds begin to mend. Melina smiled and lightly patted her head. Millicent looked up in surprise.
"What's this for?"
"A job well done."
Melina waited until Millicent had caught her breath, and then the two proceeded through the inner castle. Just outside the main courtyard, a small group of wraith callers and a Revenant howled in attention. Millicent gripped onto her sword and prepared to dash, hoping to get at least one of the charging beasts, when Melina gripped onto her shoulder and shook her head. Her left hand glowed with a warm golden flame.
"I just rested. This is hardly the time for healing magic." Millicent expressed in disbelief.
Melina gathered a host of golden flames in her hands while Millicent primed herself for a spinning slash. Due to their distance, the pair of maidens were able to easily sidestep the projectiles their enemies threw at them. Millicent questioned her companion's choice of action until a Revenant began to emerge from a portal in between them and Melina released the golden aura she had been accumulating. Being in full health, Millicent felt no effect other than a lingering warmth, but the same could not be said about the misshapen fiends. As soon as the light shone from Melina's spell, each creature was engulfed by a surge of golden flame. They screeched in intense agony as brilliant flashes of light erupted from their eyes and their flesh quickly burned into ash. A few stragglers remained; each reduced to a burning husk writhing in misery which Millicent quickly dispatched while they turned over defenseless.
Melina smugly grinned at the girl once their enemies were taken care of.
"Please…remind me not to doubt you again."
The two maidens made their way to the rooftop of the main keep. Millicent sighed as she saw another ladder, but with Melina to help her up, the journey was far less taxing. Upon reaching the top level, the two encountered a shambling knight in faded golden armour. Traces of branch-like growths seemed to occupy odd spaces in between the gaps of each armour plate, which made Melina question whether the person encased in the armour was a person or some sort of sentient plant. She swished her dagger with a light flick and bathed it in golden flame when Millicent grabbed her shoulder in turn and shook her head.
"Wait. Allow me."
Melina raised a curious eyebrow, but followed Millicent's lead and kept the spell on her dagger active should things go awry. To the kindling maiden's surprise, the knight paused as soon as he looked up and immediately lay down his arms, almost as though he somehow recognized the young girl. The armoured figure then turned back and shuffled toward a dark entrance, as if he wished to be followed. The two maidens cautiously complied but stayed vigilant for any signs of ambush. As soon as the knight passed through the entryway, a pair of Wandering Nobles emerged from behind an enclosure of statues, swords at the ready. The two raised their blades in practiced unison but before they could fully carry out their ambush, the undead ruffians were met with a swift slash of the knight's sword and spear. A crossbow-wielding Page fired a salvo of bolts toward the knight who barely flinched and instead thrust his weapons forward, knocking the hooded servant off balance and leaving him open for a lethal counterattack. The knight continued forward and dispatched a small pack of rotten strays when he encountered another figure who bore the same Valkyrie motifs of its comrade. With nary a whisper, the second Valkyrie looked at Millicent, with her sword still carefully drawn, and shifted toward the main keep.
"These knights…were they part of Malenia's army?" Melina whispered as they followed. Her hand continued to grasp her golden dagger tightly as did Millicent with her curved blade.
"Yes. They were once known as the Cleanrot Knights. The very same ones who accompanied Malenia into her battle with General Radahn, in the Caelid wilds."
"How were you so certain that they wouldn't be hostile?"
"In truth, it was a matter of faith for me. For as long as I can remember, this company of knights has shielded me from all sorts of harm without asking for anything in return. I've seldom encountered them, but they've always been courteous to me. I suppose I had hoped that these two would be the same."
"That's quite a risky gambit, though they seem to be serving us well so far." Melina looked ahead and observed how the two knights fought. Contrary to their frail demeanours, the Cleanrot Knights fought with a disciplined ferocity that was only matched by their will to survive. The lengths at which they straddled the line between certain death and controlled desperation complimented their graceful strikes and deliberate movements. As the pair unleashed a barrage of golden projectiles from their enchanted weapons, the maidens expressed relief at not being the targets of hostility for once. Soon they were joined by a third Cleanrot Knight who had been guarding the entrance to a lift on the main keep. The small group ascended to the top of the tower, where they encountered an even bigger cluster of statues. Waiting in the adjacent chamber was their prey. Like his spectre, the spiked prisoner exuded an aura of pure malice. Bathed in a wicked glow, the Bell Bearing Hunter was preoccupied with an arcane ritual that allowed him to project himself across vast distances. His attention lay elsewhere, but it was only a matter of time before his consciousness returned to his body and he found himself cornered like his many victims.
As the three knights approached and assumed their positions, the maidens readied themselves for the ensuing battle. Each gripped their weapons tightly and waited for the Bell Bearing Hunter with intense focus. The Hunter's ritual painted a crimson shadow against the chamber walls, each flicker adding to the tense atmosphere unfolding in the keep. Looking around, the maidens couldn't help but notice the lavish dining tables and unlit candles in the chamber. The hearth, filled with remnants of firewood and an excessive amount of soot, suggested recent use, adding to the foreboding atmosphere. The suits of armor lined up neatly along the left wall and the stack of books on the far wall contrasted sharply with the unusual display of prosthetic limbs mounted like trophies.
Most intriguing was the large portrait of the demigod Malenia that sat as the room's centrepiece. Her striking presence could be felt even in painted form, which momentarily captivated Millicent. Like the invisible force that guided her so far on her journey, the young girl felt an inexplicable connection to the scarlet Valkyrie depicted in the painting. It was a fleeting moment that was quickly overshadowed by the situation. Melina noticed the brief change in Millicent's demeanour but decided not to mention it until it was appropriate to do so. Instead, she caught the girl's gaze and motioned her head toward the hearth. Millicent got the meaning and coiled herself, ready to strike. Melina snapped her fingers and ignited the fireplace and all surrounding candles, banishing the shadows and alerting their target.
No stranger to an ambush, the Bell Bearing Hunter resisted the urge to recoil in surprise at his predicament. His eyes scanned the room, his malevolent gaze expressing his disdain for the intruders who interrupted his nightly hunt. The Cleanrot Knights were the first to engage and launched a precise and coordinated series of stabs that demonstrated their training and resolve. It was a scene not too dissimilar to the failed execution that prompted the massacre of House Marais. Forced to defend from all sides, the condemned butcher from Eochaid, Elemer of the Briar, welcomed the novel challenge.
The Hunter's colossal weapon took on a life of its own and sliced through the shadows across the room while its wielder blocked much of the combined assault with his barbed shield. Chips of stone and debris erupted where the knights' spears struck, the clang of metal against stone reverberating through the main chamber. The two maidens pressed their advantage and aimed to strike where the Hunter was about to land. Seeing this, the Hunter raised his greatshield and deflected a swift slash from Millicent while kicking away the kindling maiden who vaulted over her ally to perform a leaping strike. Melina landed flush against a wooden bookshelf and ignored the painful sensation that rang through her assumed form. Had she possessed a real body, there was no doubt that the force from the Hunter's kick would have broken several bones. She winced as she got up, ignoring the crater that the impact had created.
The Hunter quickly threw a clump of purple stone from one of his pouches, which then erupted into a wave of spikes from the ground. Two of the Cleanrot Knights were able to sidestep the wave, but one was not so fortunate. Though the injuries did little to slow him down, the Hunter took advantage of his opponent's staggered state and engulfed him with the same crimson glow that propelled his arcane weapon. The knight helplessly flailed in the air while the Hunter used his body to swat away the others before finally impaling him on a bed of spikes. The gruesome display did little to deter the hunting party, who all sought to exploit any and all openings the Hunter would leave. This was a challenge, however, as Elemer fought with the fury and unrelenting ferocity of a cornered beast.
As if his formidable strength wasn't enough, Elemer's ability to manipulate objects from a distance made him a fearsome opponent from any range. With the addition of the Gravity Stones that he brilliantly interspersed in between his attacks, the party found themselves hard-pressed to find any clear openings. The clash of steel echoed across the chamber, while a litany of sparks flashed with every exchange of the party's weapons against their target's. The air sizzled with tension as Millicent hurled herself forward in a spinning strike, her curved blade's weight adding to her momentum. Her blade sliced through the air with deadly intent only to be halted by a shield bash that knocked her off her feet. Melina fired off wave after wave of golden arcs from her blade while the Cleanrot Knights invoked the incantations embedded in their weapons. Elemer found his right leg impaled by the spectral phalanxes summoned by a Cleanrot Knight and responded in kind by launching his blade like a corkscrew, instantly skewering the assailant.
Millicent weaved around Elemer's shield and plunged her blade into a gap in his armour just as she had before, only to be met by the Hunter's glowing crimson hand. Elemer lifted her up in the air with telekinetic force while retrieving his blade for an overhead slash. Melina rushed forward and blocked the strike with her dagger, which then created an opportunity for Millicent to dig her blade in deeper and allowed the remaining Cleanrot Knight to plunge her Halo Scythe into the Hunter's collar. Elemer cried out in pain as Millicent twisted the blade and pulled it out but managed to backhand Melina into another wall. The landing shook free the prosthetics mounted on display, which gave Melina a momentary pause. When she turned back, she noticed that Millicent had once again been knocked down and saw the Hunter pulling his sword out of the last of the Cleanrot Knights.
Melina's hand glowed with golden flame as she summoned pillars of holy light that tore through the stone chamber as they pierced through the Hunter. She tossed the prosthetic to her downed ally and fired off another wave of golden arcs from her blade which finally rendered the Hunter's shield useless. With his mobility now severely hampered, the Bell Bearing Hunter was forced to limit his use of telekinesis for attacks; instead, he called upon the ability in short bursts to supplement his dodges by forcing his legs to move. Millicent brushed the sweat from her brow as she attached the metallic limb, feeling it click into place after she secured its harness. Melina launched a series of targeted strikes against her opponent, aiming at his joints and chipping at his armour to further limit his mobility. With the last of his strength, Elemer attempted to grab the kindling maiden—a mistake that cost him the use of his right arm as she nimbly dodged and sliced at a tendon.
Having regained her balance, Millicent gripped her blade with her restored arm. She twisted her wrist to adjust her stance and was shocked to see how well it responded to her thoughts. The Hunter swayed back and forth in a stationary position, barely able to hold himself upright. Millicent grinned as she now had the perfect opportunity to test out her freshly restored ability. Melina jumped backward with a somersault when she heard the metallic creak of her ally attaching her new limb and creating some space between her and her target. With an extra body in the fray, the last thing she wanted was an uncoordinated mishap.
Millicent took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her blade in her hand and the strength coursing through her restored arm. She hopped forward with one foot, tensed her sword around her body like a viper ready to uncoil, and let the momentum carry her. The Hunter, sensing the imminent threat, tried to raise his weapon, but his injuries and exhaustion made his efforts sluggish and futile.
"Remember the rhythm…1, 2, 3, 4…land…"
Millicent's movements were obscured by a whirlwind of slashes. Heavy gusts of wind transformed her movements into a graceful dance punctuated by one-footed leaps that resembled a waterfowl.
"…5, 6…jump-spin…7, 8, 9…land…"
The momentum of her strikes carried her forward as Millicent focused on the maneuver. Melina couldn't help but be impressed while Elemer was too helpless to make a sound. Millicent held her blade aloft as part of her stance when a final gust of wind sliced through the Hunter's armour, as though the wind itself had barely struggled to keep pace with the girl's movements and had finally caught up. The Hunter weakly raised his sword, which the young girl swatted aside with the flat of her blade while the kindling maiden approached her prey from behind. Her hands once again glowed with accumulating energy, this time with the vestiges of a rampant flame. Though sealed, Melina's left eye briefly emitted a spark of purple light before she unleashed a fireball that engulfed her prey and instantly set him ablaze. He then fell on his knees and collapsed after the kindling maiden slit his throat with an elegant backhand slash.
Altus Plateau – Castellan's Hall – Midnight
Millicent heaved with exhaustion but wore a proud smile on her face. With this victory, she had proven her strength in a most unexpected way and in doing so, banished the doubts that had plagued her ever since the pale swordsman took her right arm. She marveled at how well the limb moved and felt and wondered exactly what kind of miracle was responsible for the prosthesis.
Melina approached; her expression was a mix of pride and relief. "Well fought. That was a remarkable display."
"I must thank you again, Melina. The arm you gave me truly is a thing of wonder. It feels like my own, even handling a sword…like it was always a part of me, though I can't begin to explain why."
"Think nothing of it. I couldn't have done it without your help either."
With the long battle won, the maidens took the time to recover their strength. Once again, Millicent's gaze drifted toward the room's centrepiece. Melina noticed her fixation on the portrait and approached her.
"Malenia…a figure of great strength and willpower," she spoke softly, "Did you know her?"
Millicent shook her head. "No, but the closer I get to her, the more my purpose is renewed. Ever since the rot within me stilled, I've felt like I've been following her footsteps. I don't believe she ever set foot in this castle, but it's uncanny how of all places, we were able to find a shrine dedicated to her in here."
"Rather fortunate as well, since here we were able to find a replacement for your missing arm."
Millicent flexed her digits and twisted her wrist. She smiled at how comfortable it felt and holstered her weapon.
"Indeed. With this, I should be able to better aid you and our friend in battle. Speaking of which, shall we head back? Perhaps our friend has gained some useful allies at the Volcano Manor."
Just as Millicent was about to finish her sentence, both maidens felt the earth start to violently tremble in protest. The two looked at each other in unison and ran outside, where they bore witness to a series of fiery explosions that shook the very foundation of Mt. Gelmir. The burning atmosphere hissed with magic so palpable that it interfered with Melina's ability to assume a physical form, and she found herself phasing in and out of existence despite her proximity to a site of grace. Melina could only guess at the level of destruction that would be unleashed should this accumulation of magic continue, so she moved to grab Millicent's hand so they could escape to safety. The kindling maiden saw a vision of fire much like her nightmares and felt the magic begin to coalesce into a focused shape. Her mind scrambled to find areas to escape to, unable to ascertain which direction the strike would land.
"This much magic will surely topple the very foundations of the Altus Plateau…but what place would be safe enough to escape to?"
Particles of blue mist began to gather around the maidens as Melina struggled to find places that would be unaffected by the cataclysm that was about to occur. Although Millicent was not as sensitive to magic as the kindling maiden, she could sense the panic in the kindling maiden's golden eye and tightened her grip to anchor her companion. Then, after a brief moment, the mountain's fury abruptly evaporated, and a deafening silence rang through the maidens' ears. Melina felt the familiar chime of a site of grace and in that moment breathed a long sigh of relief that immediately dispersed the cloud of blue mist that would have taken both maidens to places yet unknown. Melina loosened her tight grip on Millicent's metallic arm, and uttered,
"Does that answer your question?"
"Which?"
"About heading back."
"Oh, yes." Millicent turned to take one last look at the Scarlet Valkyrie's painting. "Shall we?"
Melina nodded and the two bowed at the three knights that helped secure victory at the cost of their lives. She began to summon the cloud of blue mist when Millicent interrupted.
"Wait, on second thought-" Melina tilted her head in confusion when Millicent ran toward the Bell Bearing Hunter's corpse and took his colossal weapon. As the young girl dragged the weapon closer, the kindling maiden felt the faint presence of an enchantment still beating within the storied sword. The young maiden smiled again, "For our friend."
Melina internally chastised herself for overlooking Vergil's fixation and checked off another weapon on the rapidly growing list of things to stow away on Torrent. She grabbed the young Valkyrie's hand, pictured the grace near their encampment, and summoned another cloud of blue mist.