Chapter 95: Raid on the Eye of the Midnight Sun: Part 1 - Gravito Stones
"You're both fools!" Mereoleona said, hitting a kneeling Lars and Frida over their heads, sending them reeling back.
"After everything I said about not breaking protocol," Nozel said, his sharp gaze piercing Frida, who began to sweat.
"Please forgive us, Lady Mereoleona," the siblings murmured, their voices filled with a mix of shame and fear.
Mereoleona Vermillion stood with arms crossed, her fiery mane and piercing gaze demanding nothing less than absolute respect. Her fiery disposition was legendary, her aura crackling with untamed mana even when she stood still. Nozel Silva, by contrast, exuded a cold, controlled elegance. The Silver Eagle captain's gaze was sharp and unyielding, like polished steel, his disdain for failure apparent in every measured word.
Mereoleona's fiery scowl didn't waver. "I don't care what history you had with Velcor or what he meant to your family. What you did was reckless! You could have gotten yourselves killed!" Her words struck like hammer blows, leaving no room for rebuttal.
Lars winced, rubbing the back of his head where her hand had connected. "We had to act. He was too dangerous-"
"Don't interrupt me, brat!" she snapped, silencing him instantly. But after a moment, the fire in her gaze softened, just slightly. Her lips curved into a begrudging smirk. "That said, you managed to take down a monster most wouldn't have dared to face. You acted recklessly, sure, but I suppose that's what youth is for. And you got the mission done, so it's fine." She let out a bark of laughter. "Just don't expect me to go easy on you next time."
Nozel sighed, his icy facade cracking ever so slightly as he rubbed his temple. "You're lucky it ended well," he said, his sharp tone still intact but laced with reluctant acknowledgment. He turned his attention to Frida, his gaze softening marginally. "I know what you saw in the Eye of Wisdom. Had I been in your position, with everything you've learned... I would have done the same. But impulsivity has its price, Frida. I hope this... catharsis will teach you to think before you act."
Frida looked down, her hands trembling slightly. "I understand, Captain. I won't let it happen again."
"See that you don't," he said, his tone returning to its steely edge.
Mereoleona clapped her hands together, drawing their attention back to her. "Enough of this sentimental nonsense. You both survived, and Velcor is dead. But there's no time to rest on your laurels." Her eyes narrowed, her expression hard once more. "The raid happens today, as you know, and I need both of you ready. Frida, get that wound on your chest seen to immediately. Dr. Owen's the best we've got, and I don't want you keeling over during the mission."
Frida touched her chest instinctively, the faint burn of the wound reminding her of its presence. "Yes, Lady Mereoleona," she said, standing and giving a stiff bow. Lars followed suit, nodding in agreement.
"Dismissed," Mereoleona growled, turning away as though the matter had already left her mind. Nozel lingered for a moment longer, his gaze briefly flicking between the siblings before he turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
As they exited the hall, Lars glanced at Frida, a tentative smile breaking through the tension. "Well, that went better than I expected," he said, his voice light despite the lingering ache in his head.
Frida smirked, though the gesture was faint. "Let's just get ready for the next fight. We've got no time to waste."
Lars nodded, his resolve steady. They might have been fools, but they were alive fools, and they weren't done fighting yet.
…
"This is the base of the Eye of the Midnight Sun," Mereoleona declared, as she stepped out of Cob's portal, the rest of the Royal Knights flanking her. "And since it's hidden by this magical fog, it's even harder to spot."
"Holy crap! It's floating in the sky!" Asta yelled, drawing everyone's attention. His deduction was correct - the jagged, egg shaped dungeon was suspended in the sky, most likely due to the high density of mana below it, Lars noted.
"So this is their hideout," Kian, who was next to Lars, mused, a piece of gum in his mouth. "Looks weirdly egg shaped."
"Like a rock dragon egg," Lars replied, yawning.
"You two are both idiots," Zoe sighed, rubbing her temples. "And by the way, what were you thinking yesterday? You could have died!"
Zoe's voice dropped. "I didn't want to have to drag you back to the Royal Capital half-dead again."
"There's no point thinking about that now, Zoe," Lars interjected, his voice more somber now. "What matters is that we won. Velcor is gone. And… I'm sorry for worrying you."
Zoe reluctantly nodded, and they turned their attention to Mereoleona.
"Shiren, if you would," she said, gesturing to the stoic stone magic user, who nodded.
"Stone Creation Magic: Stone Model of the World!"
Out of seemingly nowhere, a scaled down replica of the base emerged, complete with indicators of all the mages that were there.
"That's too cool!" Asta and Lars exclaimed in tandem.
"I see. It's like an ants nest that allows entry from anywhere. And there are four mages with particularly high mana levels," Mereoleona remarked.
"Seems easy enough to infiltrate," Myla chuckled.
"There are three guys around Grand Magic Knight level, and plenty of guys around Senior Magic Knight level," Lyra said, her sharp eyes seeming to bore a hole into the dungeon.
"The one in the middle is powerful," Mereoleona said. "That is most likely Licht."
"What's the plan, Lady Mereoleona?" Anastacia said.
"If we want to ambush the enemy and throw them into a state of chaos, we can't let them know how many of us there are," Mereoleona commanded. "Splitting up is the best option. But the fact that there are so many entrances means that the enemy is confident in their defence. The more we split up, the more that may work against us and overwhelm us. So where does that lead us?"
"Defeat them with sheer willpower!" Kian declared.
"Let our instincts guide us!" Cara said.
"I wanna mash them all up!" Luck added.
"I shall defeat them beautifully on my own," Kirsch said, flicking his hair.
"For the love of the Goddess, are you all stupid?" Lars said. "Teams of around 6-8 should suffice. We don't need to swarm them in too many places, as a place this big most likely has their defenses stretched thin."
"What's important is balance," Klaus agreed, adjusting his glasses.
"How many do we have? Thirty-nine, I believe?" Frida said, doing a quick headcount. "Three teams of six, three teams of seven. It's awfully simple."
"She's right," Mereoleona said. "These are the arrangements!"
Captain
Mereoleona Vermillion
Team 1
Nozel Silva • Siren Tium • Kian Voss • En Ringard • Vivianne Voss • Lyra Nocturne
Team 2
Kirsch Vermillion • Noelle Silva • Luck Voltia • Madeleine Davis • Amaryllis Armstrong • Dana Avery
Team 3
Rill Boismortier • Puli Angel • Fragil Tormenta • Anastacia Halcourt • Myla Fullbright • Oda Fullbright
Team 4
Yuno Grinberryall • Hamon Caseus • Mimosa Vermillion • Klaus Lunettes • Ximena Laird • Mira Zavala • Yul Bishop
Team 5
Zora Ideale • Asta • Cob Portaport • Theresa Day • Sharya Hansen • Aramond Ashworth
Team 6
Frida Mertens • Lars Mertens • Cade Lynx • Zoe Halcourt • Fransiska Granvorka • Lucia Moreau • Cara Castro
"I'm going with the problem children," Mereoleona said, placing a flaming paw on Asta and Zora's heads. "Cob, stand by here in case of emergency. The rest of you should be proud to have been chosen as Royal Knights! Now go out there and use your strengths to defeat the enemy!"
"Yes, Lady Mereoleona!" the royal knights roared in unison.
…
"Stop struggling, you stupid wench!" the wiry mage snarled, his hands fumbling as he tightened the final knot in the rope binding the gagged, thrashing woman. Her muffled cries filled the dank chamber, and though her wrists were raw and her movements frantic, she fought on, desperation driving her to keep resisting. Her wide, tear-filled eyes darted around, searching for any hope of escape.
"You're not going to get away," the man spat, his frustration mounting as he slapped her hard across the face. Her head snapped to the side, and fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. "You belong to me now, and there's nothing you can-"
A distant rumble cut him off mid-threat. His head snapped up, confusion etched into his face. "What the… what's that sound?"
A voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Mind Magic: Kraftvoller Gedankenstoß!"
The ground erupted in a violent quake as a blast of mental energy tore through the chamber, slamming into the mage's chest with the force of a battering ram. He was hurled across the room, crashing into the far wall with a guttural cry before slumping to the ground, dazed and groaning.
From the fresh hole in the floor, Lars emerged, his glaive in hand and eyes scanning the room like a hawk. His sharp gaze landed on the bound woman, recognition flashing in his expression. "You're… the girl from the mixer! Kara!"
Without hesitation, Lars swung his glaive in a precise arc, cutting through the ropes that bound her. She slumped forward, gasping for air as the gag fell away, coughing and trembling but alive. "It's okay," Lars said softly, steadying her. "You're safe now."
Kara's arms shot out, and she threw herself against him in a desperate embrace, sobbing into his shoulder. Lars blinked, awkwardly patting her back. "Whoa, Kara," he chuckled nervously, gently peeling her off. "I, uh, have a girlfriend now. She'll get jealous."
From the edge of the hole, Lucia's vein twitched dangerously, though she kept a tight-lipped smile. "Oh, will I now?" she muttered sweetly, but her tone was sharp enough to cut steel.
Kara took a step back, wiping her tear-streaked face with trembling hands. She gave a small, shaky nod, but there was something in her eyes - a flicker of sadness, barely concealed behind her gratitude.
The rest of Lars' team climbed out of the hole in a coordinated motion, Fransiska's Golden Drill retracting back into the earth behind them.
Team Zeta - Frida, Lars, Cara, Zoe, Luca, Cade and Hair Lady (Fransiska)
"Always making a scene, aren't you?" Zoe muttered dryly, pulling out her paintbrush. She dipped it in her ink pot, her strokes quick and precise as she painted a single character: 犬 (dog). The kanji dissolved into a swirling pool of ink, reshaping itself into a jet-black hound with eerie, silent precision.
"If you go back down the way we came, One-Forty Six will lead you out," Zoe said curtly, her conjuration giving a low, obedient growl. She knelt to whisper instructions to the inky dog, which barked softly in response and padded towards the hole.
"One Forty Six?" Cade asked Zoe with a raised eyebrow. The latter said nothing, her eye twitching.
Kara hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Lars. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. With a small nod, she followed the conjured dog into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
As soon as she was gone, Lucia rounded on Lars with the fury of a storm barely contained. "Who is that girl?" she demanded, her eyes ablaze as she stepped forward, closing the gap between them.
"Just someone I met before I started dating you," Lars replied, his voice calm but edged with defensiveness. He crossed his arms, standing his ground as the tension between them crackled like static.
Lucia held his gaze for a moment, the fire in her eyes flickering. Finally, she exhaled, brushing past him with a curt nod. "I see. Sorry for bothering you."
The awkward silence was shattered by Frida clearing her throat, arms crossed as she glared down the corridor. "If we're done wasting time, I'm taking the lead from here."
Lars immediately raised a hand, a smug grin spreading across his face. "I vote Fani as team leader."
Frida spun around, her jaw dropping. "What?!"
"Seconded," Zoe said without missing a beat.
"Thirded." Cade added with the same stoic tone as Zoe.
"What comes after thirded?" Lucia chimed, placing a finger to her cheek in mock contemplation.
"Uh, fourth-ered? Whatever it is, that's me!" Cara chirped, bouncing in place. "We don't want a fratricidal dictator as leader!"
"You can't be fourthered if I'm fourthered!" Lucia replied with fake offence.
"You lost your opportunity to be fourthered!" Cara declared, sticking out her tongue at Lucia. The two girls burst into laughter.
Frida's expression crumbled as she sank to her knees, her face a mask of disbelief. "Fratricial?"
A/N: Frida, Frida, Frida. Do you really believe that's a stretch?
Fani, caught completely off guard, took a step back, shaking her head furiously. "W-wait! No way! I'm not-"
"You'll do fine!" Lucia said warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Fani's shoulder. "Just believe in yourself a little more."
Fani's face burned crimson as she stammered incoherently, her golden hair expanding like a cocoon around her in an attempt to hide herself. She peeked out hesitantly a moment later, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I'll do it."
Lars' grin widened as he shot a glance at Frida, who looked as though she'd been struck by lightning.
"Hooray for the power of democracy!" Cara whooped, speeding down the corridor ahead of the group.
Zoe stepped up beside Frida, placing a hand on her shoulder with a look of solemnity. "First time, huh?" she said, her deadpan delivery somehow carrying a touch of pity.
Frida slumped even lower, her voice a defeated whisper. "Mutiny…"
…
Lyra, Kian, Vivianne, En, Shiren and Nozel - Team Alpha
The corridor was quiet, save for the muffled sounds of their footsteps against the cold stone floor. Kian walked beside his captain with his usual lackadaisical stride, his hands shoved into his pockets and his head tilted lazily to the side. "I trust you've got everything handled here, Captain. You probably don't want me hanging around anyway," he said with a casual smirk, throwing a sidelong glance at Nozel.
Nozel, ever composed and stern, didn't bother to look at him. His cold, silver gaze remained fixed straight ahead.
"Ooooh, the silent treatment," Vivianne drawled, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Guess he really doesn't want you here, Kian."
Kian's expression twitched, and without looking, he brought his boot down firmly on her foot.
"OW! You absolute idiot!" Vivianne shrieked, hopping on one leg as she glared daggers at her brother. "That's assault!"
"Then don't provoke me, genius," Kian shot back, but his irritation didn't last long. He turned his attention back to Nozel, shrugging as if nothing had happened. "Anyway, if I'm so unwanted, I'll just head off on my own-"
Before he could take a step, Lyra's hand landed softly on his shoulder. "Kian," she said gently, her voice calm and measured, "of course the captain needs you."
Kian froze at her words, his face heating up ever so slightly. "Well, when you put it like that…" he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
Nozel finally spoke, his tone crisp and cutting. "You're my number one foot soldier."
The effect was immediate. Kian's expression shattered, his jaw dropping as if he'd just been struck by lightning. He stumbled back, sinking to the ground like a marionette whose strings had been cut. "So… cruel," he groaned, clutching his chest as if he'd been physically wounded.
Despite still nursing her sore foot, Vivianne burst into laughter, her earlier anger forgotten. "Serves you right, you idiot!" she taunted, sticking her tongue out at him. "Stuuuupid Kian's just a lowly foot soldier! How does it feel, huh?"
"Vivianne…" Kian growled weakly from the floor, glaring up at her with what little energy he could muster.
"Enough," Nozel snapped, his sharp voice cutting through their bickering like a blade. "I don't have time for your childish games. We're here for an important mission. Act like Magic Knights."
"But you called me a foot soldier!" Kian wailed, dragging himself to his feet as though the emotional wound had drained all his strength.
"Correct. Now get moving."
Reluctantly, Kian fell into step behind the group, his shoulders slumped in exaggerated defeat. Every now and then, Vivianne turned around to make a face at him, her grin wide with delight.
"Stupid Kian~" she sang under her breath.
"Vivianne, if you don't stop, I swear I'll-"
"Quiet," Nozel ordered, not even bothering to look back. His authority carried enough weight that both siblings immediately snapped their mouths shut, though Vivianne was still smirking.
Lyra gave Kian a sidelong glance, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Come on," she said softly. "You'll survive, foot soldier."
Kian sighed dramatically, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward as he trudged forward. "Barely," he muttered.
…
"Don't slow me down, Golden Dawn!" Ximena declared boastfully, gliding through the corridors on a mound of earth, her laughter echoing throughout the whole base.
Ximena, Yuno, Mimosa, Klaus, Hamon, Yul and Mira - Team Delta
"Miss Ximena!" Mimosa called. "Please be careful!"
"There's no one here who can challenge me anyways!" Ximena replied boastfully. "They all spontaneously combust before my power!"
"Are we even going the right way?" Yuno muttered, his eyebrow twitching. He, like Maddy, had also been annoyed by Ximena's antics and general disposition throughout their travels around the winding corridors of the base of the Eye.
Suddenly, two mages up ahead, one a user of wind magic and one a user of ice magic, blocked Ximena's path.
"You Magic Knight rats will not advance!" the ice mage said, his grimoire glowing.
"I'll handle this-" the tiny girl started, but she was suddenly overtaken by Mira and Yuno, their hazel and gold eyes respectively completely focused on the task at hand.
"Phantom Magic: Dancing Waltz of Dead Blades," Mira muttered, her grimoire glowing. Three thin phantasmic swords materialised out of nowhere, and rushed towards the wind magic user. He brought up a barrier of wind to dispel them, sending them scattering in different directions, but Mira caught one's ringed handle with her finger and disappeared.
"Where'd she-" the ice mage started.
"Behind you."
Mira appeared from the ground and plunged the spectral blade deep into the wind mage's chest. He coughed blood and was still, slumping to the ground as Mira stood over him, her eyes cold.
The ice mage Yuno was fighting charged up a few shards of ice, and sent them flying at the Golden Dawn Knight, but he sidestepped it and raised his hand.
"Wind Magic: Crescent Kamitachi," he said, releasing a crescent wind blast that hit them squarely in the chest and sent them flying back into the wall.
"You're not leaving me out!" Ximena yelled. "Earth Magic: Gaia Grasp!"
The two mages were then entrapped by two earthy hands each bursting from the earth. Both were knocked out.
"Lady Zavala," Klaus said, adjusting his glasses, "let us resolve to avoid unnecessary bloodshed."
"It was necessary, Golden Dawn knight," Mira said. "They're terrorists. It's kill or be killed."
Klaus was taken aback by her bluntness, but he managed to keep his composure. "That logic is indeed sound."
"Now, we can't afford to waste any more time," Yul said. "Mimosa?"
Mimosa nodded. "Plant Magic: Magic Flower Guidepost!"
The plant projection appeared, and Mimosa took up the lead position in the party, Ximena, Yuno and Mira close behind her, with Hamon, Yul and Klaus at the rear.
…
The corridor was eerily quiet, save for the faint echoes of their footsteps against the ancient stone floor. The air was damp and heavy with magic, a mix of residual energy from past battles and the oppressive aura of the Eye of the Midnight Sun's sinister domain. Torches mounted along the walls flickered, casting long, shifting shadows that seemed to watch the group's every move.
Frida led the way initially, her expression a mix of determination and frustration after being unceremoniously outvoted. Her silver hair caught the dim light, and she muttered under her breath about the "audacity of democracy" while keeping her crystal barrier ready for any ambush.
Fani walked a few paces behind, her golden locks swaying as she glanced nervously at every corner. Her usual timid demeanor was masked by a veneer of determination, though her trembling hands betrayed her internal struggle. Lars gave her an encouraging nod, his glaive resting casually on his shoulder, though his sharp gaze betrayed his readiness to strike.
"Keep your guard up," Zoe said, her voice calm and steady. The ink mage's sharp eyes scanned the walls, and her brush was poised, ready to unleash one of her intricate spells at a moment's notice. Cade, her quiet counterpart, walked beside her, threading a line of mana-infused thread through his fingers with practiced precision.
Lucia, meanwhile, seemed to alternate between keeping an eye on Lars and flipping through her enchanted cards. Her playful demeanor belied the razor-sharp focus in her eyes. Cara, skipping ahead, hummed a tune, her carefree attitude a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Lars brought up the rear, a slight smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of their situation. Iskra, his celestial companion, was conspicuously absent, likely watching over their base or conserving her energy for the rest of the raid. Still, Lars' movements were confident, his Mind Magic pulsating faintly around him as a protective aura.
As they rounded a corner, voices echoed from up ahead. Lars motioned for the team to stop, his expression hardening. The group pressed themselves against the wall as two robed figures and a tall, imposing figure came into view, their arms burdened with stacks of parchment.
Lucia's blood ran cold. What? How is he here?
She looked at Lars, and though his expression was stoic and silent, his eyes screamed with confusion, and most of all, anger.
Lars stepped forward. "So you escaped the prison I dragged you to with my bare hands, Acroma."
The elf paused, his eyes narrowing as he stepped ahead of his lackeys. His voice was calm yet carried an edge of condescension. "The human is no more," he said. "I am Miron, an older soul in a younger vessel. Acroma's body has been repurposed for something far greater - me."
Lars blinked, his mind racing. "Miron?"
Miron ignored Lars, instead turning to the two lackeys. "Witness this moment, my friends. Your true names are at hand. Every sacrifice made has led us to this point. Stay steadfast, for we fight not for glory, but for the salvation of our race."
Before he could continue, golden strands erupted through the air, slicing through the lackeys' stacks of parchment and sending them scattering. Fransiska's Hair Magic whipped through the space with uncharacteristic ferocity. Her face was devoid of fear, her usual meekness replaced with an icy resolve.
Miron's lips twitched upward, a mix of amusement and curiosity in his gaze. "How fascinating," he murmured. "The timid girl suppresses her nature to serve the mission. A remarkable transformation. Let's see how long it lasts."
Fransiska's voice was calm but sharp. "Name and number of all your comrades in the Eye of the Midnight Sun."
Miron's smirk deepened. "I refuse. But if you're so eager for answers, little girl, perhaps you'd like to see just how much I've learned in this borrowed body."
Fani stepped forward, her jaw set. "If you won't talk willingly, I'll have to batter it out of you myself."
Miron chuckled, a faint golden aura emanating from his body as intricate symbols began to form in the air. "Very well. I'll use this opportunity to test my Alchemy Magic fully. And rest assured, little one, I'll make your death… excruciatingly educational."
"Death isn't an option for me, unfortunately for you," the Granvorka girl said. "Now, I'll give you one last chance. I detest conflict, so what's the number of all your comrades in the Eye of the Midnight Sun."
"Obstinate, aren't you?" Miron muttered. "Alchemy Magic: Nitroglycerin."
The air around Fani combusted, the smoke from the explosion shrouding the hair mage, but surprisingly, none of the Magic Knights nor Miron reacted.
"Still standing, youngling?" Miron smirked. Fani had quickly constructed Tangle Barrier around herself, and as the strands of hair raised, and began to twist into something else, she spoke.
"Hair Magic: Blonde Medusa's Sorrow."
The large strands of hair finished their transformation, now large serpents made of golden coils.
"I assume you know the myth?" Fani said, her pink eyes boring into Acroma from behind her thick lensed glasses. "The principle of this spell is autonomous defence."
"Interesting… but how autonomous?" Miron said, and in an instant, he had fired off a green mana bullet towards Fani.
Even faster, the Purple Orca's hair extended, and one of the serpents brought its jaws down on the blast, detonating it in an instant.
"And I didn't even have to move a single muscle," Fani smirked.
"There's the girl who got half her squad's stars," Lars grinned, his eyes writhe with anticipation.
A/N: ooooh the peak arc is beginning
so many ships will be formed (by me) as a result of this arc
so many peak battles will happen
and most of all, i will struggle to come up for elf names for every single character (not to mention keep track of all the events that happen while following the canon)
pray for me