"Get crushed!" Reitia shouted as she slammed her foot down, smashing into the Savage's armor and causing fluid to shoot out. The Slayer's blow caused an artificial roar to escape the beast, pushing her off and forcing her to skid on the barrier. "Darn it, what's it going to take to break them!?"
"Stop trying to worry about hitting a core!" Matthew stated, dodging a Savage's piercing through it's armor with his trident. "Focus on what you can!" He then pulled his weapon out, ducking under a swing before slashing upward, cleaving its offensive limbs off before onto it's body. Charging a bolt of lightning in his hand, he slammed it down into the hole he made.
The lightning violently reacted with the Savage fluid, the entire hull glowing green before he pushed off to escape the explosion. The resulting shrapnel pierced into multiple of the surrounding Savage, the Trenta not even flinching as it continued to strike at the barrier.
"The fluid powers them, they're being artificially kept functional." Matthew gathered, standing his full height while using his energy to clean his weapon.
"But Savage fluid outside of their bodies isn't volatile?"
"Maybe, but there's something off about these." The hybrid stated, the two lunging in opposite directions as a Savage attempted to slam its claws onto them. The Slayers then both pushed forward and powering their fists with energy, the resulting blows from opposite sides nearly obliterating the beast's hide and causing it to collapse.
"Well if you think it's different let's give it another test!" Rearing her arm back, Reitia charged a sphere of energy into her palm, clenching it before firing it at the Savage corpse. The impact sent it flying at the Trenta, exploding when it struck the armor and causing it to stumble for a moment.
"Careful!" Matthew shouted, the explosion also damaging the barrier and causing their footing to shake. "Too many large explosions and the barrier goes down early! Focus on keeping the explosions inside their bodies!"
"Sorry!" Reitia then jumped back as a Savage fired a stray shot at her, the beam ricocheting and hitting her arm, causing her to flip onto her shoulder and slid across the frictionless surface.
Before the Savage could charge another blast, Matthew slammed his fist right into its upper armor, charging it full of lightning before jumping off and summoning a barrier for the explosion. The force knocked him back, but he managed to recover and stop just in front of Reitia.
"How many were on that plane?" Reitia asked as she stood up, seeing three more Savage approach them from behind their latest casualty.
"I don't think the aircraft carried them." Matthew responded, the two separating again and striking at their own Savage with equal force. When the two beasts were stunned, Matthew summoned lightning into his hand and Reitia charged a sphere of energy. When the third Savage turned to the hybrid, it was met with a piercing bolt into its shell before Reitia's energy struck from above.
The reaction of the energy caused the fluid in the Savage to detonate, the explosion focused upward to avoid any further damage to the shields. The two Slayers then came down hard on the Savage beneath them, Matthew impaling in and flooding it with lightning while Reitia punched right through its armor, shattering the entire upper body and getting it to collapse.
'There's too many to have been packed into that aircraft, and the armor is clearly weaker than what a normal Savage has.' Matthew thought as he looked to the Savage still standing, the Trenta swinging wildly at the barrier beneath it.
'If the armor is actually the plane's hull like I think, how could they construct themselves? Vitaly is smart, but unless she could-!' Matthew's eyes then snapped open as he looked down past the barrier beneath him, feeling a chilling spike from Central. 'By the gods… you madwoman!'
"This thing just doesn't stop!" Emilia panicked as she avoided a wide slash from Pawn, the wall behind her crashing down from the damage it took. She then brought her hammer up and struck the Chimera in the chin, but the blow did little as it pushed down against her strength.
The Slayer had to release her weapon and fly to the side, Pawn slamming its fist through the hammer and crushing the concrete beneath them. The hammer then dispersed into energy, reforming at her hands as she summoned her martial arts variation. Emilia planted her feet in preparation as the Chimera charged her, ducking under its extended claw and striking its armored chest.
When the smaller arms attempted to reach out, her energy pulsed and she blasted it back with a concentrated blast. As Pawn dug its talons into the concrete, Liddy lunged from behind it and pierced her lance into its back, her Hundred spinning and slowly digging deeper into the Chimera.
Before she could make solid ground however, the monster had stopped itself and twisted its body. Liddy lost her grip on her weapon, forced to retreat as Pawn's tail swung back and struck across her stomach for a powerful blow. The Slayer rolled back from the impact, coughing out blood as she crashed into a building.
"Liddy!" Emilia called out, the injured Slayer managing to force herself back up onto her feet. She then only had a moment to react as Pawn threw her lance at her, narrowly moving to the side as it impaled in the wall beside her.
"Stay focused Emilia!" Liddy ordered, ripping her lance out and lowering her stance. "If you see an opening, take it! Don't worry yourself about me!"
"Sorry, but I won't be able to do that!" Emilia responded, pulsing her energy and flying right at Pawn, narrowly flying over its tail when it swung back and delivering a knee to the back of its neck. Liddy followed along with the attack, jabbing her lance up at Pawn's lower jaw and attempting to pierce through the head.
This however provoked pawn, opening its mouth to reveal a primed energy blast that Liddy only had the time to raise her shield to block. The resulting explosion caused both Slayers to fly back from the Chimera, Liddy stumbling onto her feet while Emilia skidded back.
"So it has an energy attack as well, this thing's just filled with ways to kill people." Emilia said with a glare, reforming her Hundred into a scythe and coursing energy into the blade. "You noticed it too, right Liddy?"
"Yeah, I did." Liddy stated, narrowing her eyes as the two charged the Chimera. While the beast slashed to the Slayer in front of it, the beast's tail swung back at Emilia at the same time, both Slayer's blocking the attacks before turning around it. They could both only push enough to press on, barely cutting across its torso before rushing at it again.
Pawn this time spun around while extending its claws fully, Liddy ducking under the first swing and bringing her shield up to block the second arc. Her feet nearly gave way from the force, but as she skidded into place she prevented the Chimera from getting another turn in. And just as it was readying to strike her Emilia jumped at its head and swung her scythe, striking across its head and cleaving its Jaw off.
The energy from her blade had practically cut through the armor like butter, florescent blood coming out from it as Pawn turned its attention back to the airborne Slayer. She was caught off guard as its throat glowed green and it fired another beam of energy, striking her chest and sending her flying through a wall.
Liddy returned the attack on her partner by stabbing up, her lance going through its neck before she activated the rotation. Florescent blood went all over as she pushed forward, Pawn grabbing her arm and attempting to pull it back. The Slayer managed to keep her placement despite the creature's strength, her energy spiking as she growled in determination.
'This thing's getting its throat ripped apart but it's not even showing concern about it!' Liddy thought in anger as Pawn grip tightened, slowly pulling her lance out as the claw began to dig into her arm. 'Even Savage react to their body taking damage, why the hell is this thing not even flinching!?'
Eventually the Chimera managed to pull Liddy's lance out of its throat, the creature letting out a gurgled screech as Liddy was still in its grasp and unable to escape. She winced as it attempted to crush her arm, but planted her feet and jumped up high enough to swing her shield across its face, knocking its head back and freeing herself from the clawed grasp.
"Damn it…" Liddy grunted, looking down to her arm as it hanged partially, the Slayer putting her focus into keeping a grasp on her lance. She was bleeding from the puncture wounds, but was grateful it was a clean removal rather than a nastier injury. She then turned her focus back to Pawn, the Chimera unable to make more than the same gurgles thanks to its missing jaw. The sight of the extended tongue however was disturbing, stained both with its florescent saliva and human blood.
'How long has this thing been on the ship, how many people did it kill?' Liddy thought, gritting her teeth together as her energy flared. 'No, that doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that it doesn't get one more.' Pawn then took a step towards Liddy, and as it did a bit of rubble fell behind her, signaling Liddy as her lance spun like a drill again.
"Too many lives have already been lost today. And you won't take one more!" Pawn took the declaration as a challenge, a twisted roar erupting from its throat as it lunged viciously at the Slayer.
The beast was ready to slash at the Slayer until Emilia flew past Liddy, armed with a Buster Cannon charged. There was no time to evade as the white-haired Slayer fired a blast of energy that sent the Chimera flying back and crashing into the building behind it, an explosion of teal energy bringing the structure down and burying the creature.
"Good timing." Liddy said, Emilia's Buster Cannon disassembling back into her Hundred's feathers. "Are you okay?"
"That thing hits harder than I thought." Emilia responded, wincing as a trail of blood went down the side of her face. "I think I nearly blacked out from the blast."
"We'll get you back to Miharu, are you able to hold on for a few minutes?" Liddy asked, getting a slow nod from Emilia. She then took the injured Slayer's arm over her shoulders to keep her balanced, begging to walk head back to where the nurse had begun treating the wounded.
They only made it a few steps when rubble shout out from behind them, Liddy instinctively pulling Emilia close and raising her shield up to block a large block of concrete. When she lowered her shield both Slayers looked in panic to see Pawn ripping it's way out of the rubble, a deafening shriek erupting from it. They then saw as the damage they had managed to put on it heal, slower than what a Regenerator would but all the damage suffered was repaired.
"What… the hell did Vitaly do to make that thing?" Emilia asked with a groan, stepping away from Liddy and readying herself in a loose stance.
"If I could answer that…" Liddy muttered as she summoned her lance again, lowering her stance as Pawn stopped its shrieking. Its jaw cracked as it readjusted into the proper position, a vibrant glow still seen from its throat as it drooled in excitement. "If your blast didn't hit the core, it has to be lower in the throat, perhaps even in the chest cavity."
"Where all the armor is… got it." Emilia acknowledged as she summoned dual swords. "Ready when you are vice-president."
"Just don't do anything risky, if you feel you're out, retreat."
"No way, I'm not leaving you to face this thing alone." Emilia responded, her eyes snapping wide as they turned golden and she activated her Variant Virus. "I just need a little adrenaline."
Liddy didn't have time to argue as Pawn thrashed out and sprinted to them, forcing the two to jump into the air in evasion. They both stabbed down at its hardened armor, slamming the creature down before dodging back to avoid its tail, Liddy getting cut across her back when it flailed back.
Pawn then dug its claws in the ground and thrashed around again, this time throwing two pieces of concrete at their heads. Liddy had blocked with her shield, Emilia having to cleave the debris and putting dirt in their eyes. The Chimera then took the moment of blinding to close the distance and grab both their heads, slamming them into the ground before dragging them violently down the road.
Both Slayers had little options to free themselves in the moment, Emilia's energy flaring as she set off a pulse that freed her from its grip. She then swapped her active Hundred back to her martial arts type and using her momentum to swing her leg down and strike Pawn's head with her shin. The Chimera's face planted directly into the ground, stopping it instantly and releasing Liddy as she rolled several meters away.
When she stopped rolling, she struggled to push herself up, blood dripping as her head and back had been cut from the rubble she was pushed through. But even then, she kept her focus and readied herself, Emilia twisting her body and charging a sphere of energy in her palm while Pawn pushed its head out of the ground to let out an enraged roar.
The roar was all the opportunity needed as Emilia sent the blast of energy into its mouth, stopping it from firing its own attack and causing an explosion the sent her flying back. Emilia managed to get her footing and dig her feet in to stop herself, just in front of Liddy as she entered her stance.
The Chimera was lying back from the blast, its head completely gone but was beginning to repairing itself. It then contorted its body to stand up with just its legs, the beast's eyes filled with crazed bloodlust as it glared heatedly at Emilia.
"You good Liddy?"
"Like you need to ask?" Liddy joked, wincing at the pain. "I'll live, surprisingly it's going numb already."
"Then let's not waste time!" Emilia announced, transforming her Hundred into a spear and charging ahead with Liddy. Pawn returned their efforts with a powerful roar when its head fully recovered, cracking the ground beneath it as it lunged forward and glowed a vibrant green.
"Fucking brats!" As the invasion was going on, Artorian was managing to stand his ground at the colosseum, planting his feet and blocking a heavy swing from Krovanh.
"What's the matter dog, this is nothing compared to what I got in me!" The Hunter laughed as he twisted his body, going over the Slayer and slamming his blade against Artorian's back. The Slayer was sent stumbling forward, bringing both his sword and shield up in time to block four Hundred disks, both Nakri and Nesat rushing him from ahead.
Throwing his arms to the side he sent the disks flying away, but left himself open as both Hunters delivered kicks to his gut. The contact knocked the wind out of him, but the hybrid showed his resilience as he gripped his sword with both hands and swung down, scaring the Hunters into retreating and causing a shockwave when he struck the ground. He then turned and clashed blades with Krovanh, stopping the Hunter's advance instantly.
Krovanh's crazed grin aside, Artorian saw the focus in his eyes and reacted accordingly. Focusing his energy into his feet, the Slayer took a single leap and went meters up into the air, narrowly avoiding the returning disks and forcing Krovanh to block them.
"Shit!" Krovanh growled as the disks were recalled by his family, Artorian landing behind him and getting a reactive swing in. The swing was halted as the tip of Artorian's shield jabbed into Krovanh's chest, the force getting a pained cough from the Hunter as he was sent skidding back on his heels. "Bastard… dog…!" He coughed, falling to a knee while desperately trying to regain his breath after the hit.
'They may have numbers, but these three are off their game.' Artorian thought, finally having a second to recover his lost breath before readying himself.
"Artorian!"
"Don't you dare let that barrier go down!" Artorian ordered back, ignoring Sakura's concerned call as he charged at the downed Hunter. Krovanh brought his sword up and blocked as Artorian swung down, feeling the familiar vibrations as he looked up in panic.
'Shit, that technique again!' The Hunter realized quickly Artorian was preparing to use his Zaneizan. Before the second swing could come down, it was intercepted as Nakri's Hundred rotated against the blade and generated sparks. With Artorian's arms over his head he was defenseless as Nesat's right eye glowed, her Hundred reforming into a greatsword similar to his before slashing across his chest.
'Damn it, I forgot her Hundred's like Emilia's!' The hybrid grunted as he was pushed back, subconsciously feeling his chest with his shield arm to make sure she hadn't cut through his variable suit. When he confirmed there was no damage, he readied himself as Nakri jumped over her cousin and threw her disks at the Slayer.
He swung his sword and sent the disks off course, grunting as the one on his right scrapped through his glove and cut his mechanical limb. There was little more than a scratch, but the sparks nearly got in his eyes to blind him.
Nesat took the opening to rush him, her eye widening as Artorian impaled his sword into the ground. The Slayer's feet then glowed with energy again as he rushed past the Hunter, kicking the blade with enough force that she lost hold of it. He then caught it as he turned, throwing it up at Nakri before blocking an attack from Krovanh.
"No!" Nesat didn't hesitate as she stared at the sword, deactivating her Hundred so that Nakri wasn't hit by the weapon. This had Artorian turn his focus on the Hunter, shoving Krovanh's sword to the side and delivering an energy infused punch into his stomach. He then moved past Krovanh while he was stunned, Nesat seeing too late his approach and attempting to escape.
"Gotcha!" In the midst of her jump, Artorian caught both her ankles and threw Nesat down, the ground cracking from the impact as Artorian held nothing back.
"Nesat!" Nakri shouted with rage as her eyes turned golden, the Hunter activating her Variant Virus and pulsing her energy to send her flying at the Slayer.
Hearing her broadcast herself, Artorian brought his shield up and blocked her disks as she spun her whole body, hitting with as much force as the small girl could. Her eyes then widened as the force of her attack caused the hybrid to spin on his heels, the energy on his feet making him frictionless with the ground. She could only see as he grabbed his sword from the ground in a reverse grip and swung out, striking across her entire body.
Artorian then took it a step forward, using his energy to enhance his speed and run straight for the wall. He only needed to rear his arm back before slamming Nakri into the concrete, the Hunter coughing out blood as a crater formed where she struck. The hybrid kept the sword pressed against her body as she coughed in pain, her Hundred reverting to its variable stone and falling to the ground.
When he saw the crystal fall from the engraving in her hand he stepped back, letting her fall onto the ground before moving his foot over. The Hunter could only watch as he crushed the stone under his boot, looking down with cold eyes. "Get up again, and the sword goes through you."
"Like hell it will bastard!" Before Artorian could react, Krovanh rushed him from behind, his sword digging through the wall before he swung out. The hybrid felt the Hundred hit against his cheek, cutting through his skin as he dropped his sword and grabbed the blade with his mechanical limb.
'Shit, I let him activate his Full-Body Armament!' Artorian mentally kicked himself as he saw the Hunter covered in the spiked armor of his Armament, hearing him roar as he finished the swing and sent Artorian crashing onto his back on the stage. The cut across his face bled freely, Krovanh's jagged blade cutting surprisingly well.
"Artorian watch out!" Getting distracted by Sakura's warning, Artorian just managed to defend himself with his shield when Krovanh came barreling down with an empowered slash.
"Grh! Sakura, don't yell out shit if it doesn't help!" The hybrid snapped, the ground cracking from the impact and a few drops of blood escaping his lips from the attack.
"But-!"
"I fucking mean it!" He screamed, placing his feet on Krovanh's stomach and kicking him off, getting up into a defensive stance. The Hunter slid only a few meters back before charging again, Artorian turning his sword back to a forward grip and returning the approach with a swing.
"Sakura, we have to trust him to do this." Karen said, the girl behind Sakura as the barrier remained up.
"But he needs help, if we don't do something-"
"Have you ever been in a fight? Are we really the right people to support him like that?" Karen asked, confusing the idol as she looked to Artorian trading blows with Krovanh. "I… I don't want to leave him alone, but there's nothing I can do. We aren't fighters, I couldn't even throw a real punch. If we got involved we'd only make things harder for him."
'Karen…' Sakura instantly saw the guilt on Karen's face, the girl no doubt blaming herself for using a Hundred and making herself a target. The timing was too perfect of an incident to feel as though the hybrid was right all along, even without it being the case. A harsh ringing drew her attention back to the fight, seeing Artorian blocking with his shield as Krovanh pushed forward.
'Is this… really all I can do?' She thought, looking down to her palms and seeing her energy shimmer from keeping the barrier up.
"How's the evacuation going?" Claire asked, the command center being the hub center for communication between every Slayer and medic team.
"Civilians are being evacuated into temporary bunkers across the station." One of the crewmates answered. "Slayers and security are eliminating as many of the artificial Savage as possible, and most of the wounded brought to the medic camps are treatable."
"That's good." Claire sighed in relief. She knew the chances of those who haven't made it to safety are less than hopeful, but saving who they could took priority. "Any reports coming from the Slayer teams?"
"Captain Erica is reporting the highest destruction of the artificial Savage in the market districts." Another crewmember informed. "Based on the detected signals, we're seeing 90% destruction currently. In another hour the remaining Savage will be destroyed."
"How're the Slayers' energy readings looking?"
"Most Slayers are seeing their energy go down to the red, they'll last but a hit from one of the Savage could cause serious damage. Five Slayers are showing energy levels above 50%, three even in the green."
"The three highest readings are from lieutenant Matthew and corporals Emilia and Artorian."
'Figures those three would have the most remaining.' Claire thought.
"What of Liddy and Erica?"
"Both energy levels are within acceptable levels, but lieutenant Liddy's vitals are showing intense strain, along with corporal Emilia."
"They're hurt?"
"Reports say they are engaging an unknown, lieutenant Liddy using her authorization to disengage any Slayers offering assistance."
"Do we have any visuals on them?"
"None, cameras in the district were destroyed in the initial attack."
"It's one of Vitaly's projects, an artificial Savage she refers to as a Chimera." Charlotte's voice rang through the comms, getting the deck's attention. "According to Mei Mei, this thing was enough to rip through Little Garden's hull and pierce through the barrier within moments of the attack."
"How dangerous do you think it is?"
"With Vitaly, it likely outclasses a Trenta in every aspect except for energy levels." Charlotte answered. "Track Liddy's signal and deploy, I need you to enter the field and help eliminate it."
"I can't just leave my station, without direction multiple security teams could be wiped out in-"
"That thing is trying to eat Artorian and Emilia." The sudden interruption of Judal shocked Claire into silence, the commander looking at her comm piece in horror.
"It… it's what?"
"I went over the audio logs from Qin, your assailants wanted Artorian and Emilia to be consumed by the Dragonfly Savage. My guess Variant blood can cause a reaction and enhance a Savage's abilities. And if they knew that, then Vitaly does too. That's why she's creating artificial Variants and Savage. Bait and capture."
"Judal, do you know how insane that sounds. Vitaly was crazy, but to do such a thing is unthinkable. Create Variants to draw out natural ones to be eaten?"
"I know, and that's why I know it's the real deal." Judal said. "Claire, I know you want to help the civilians, but Artorian's value in the world is too high. If that Chimera manages to eat him then its game over. Not just for Little Garden but the whole world."
"…What about Emilia?"
"It would be an unfortunate loss, Ms. Gudenberg is both a skilled Slayer and a promising Variant. But trust me when I say Artorian's life is worth more than every soul on Little Garden."
"Even Liza?"
"…Even her."
"You're going too far Judal." Charlotte interrupted. "Claire, Artorian's far away from the Chimera at the moment, wherever he is he's safe from it. But Emilia is in immediate danger."
"There are still people being evacuated to shelter, if I leave now the crew will be guideless. I have teams rescuing right now that I can't abandon."
"You won't have to." A voice spoke up, Claire looking to her side in concern.
"Chris, you shouldn't be up already!" The commander stated as the medic placed a hand on the kid's shoulder, keeping him lying down.
"I've been listening to everything… Claire, Little Garden needs its commander. I can take over."
"You're brave but now's not the time." The medic scolded Chris. "The wound on your head's still bleeding, along with the burns you suffered you aren't doing anything."
"Claire, I can't help any more than this." Chris tried to argue, looking up to the blonde with a look of plea. "He's the only one that can reach them, if Vitaly wins then it will be for nothing. Please, they deserve the chance…"
'Don't tell me he means…' Claire thought, looking to the energy signatures, noticing Artorian take a noticeable loss in energy. 'I was beginning to wonder where they were…'
"Commander, Erica found a group of stragglers. Where should they go?" An officer questioned, Claire's eyes looking down in confliction.
"Sounds like a real party up there." Vitaly laughed as she walked down the corridors of Little Garden, several decks down. "I wonder if Pawn or my three subjects are doing all that damage." The woman then stopped short of an elevator, tapping on her ear before smirking. "This is where my drones were always turned around. Could this be another one of your dirty little secrets Juda-!" The woman recoiled in surprise as a bullet grazed through her hair, holding her hand out and catching several more bullets as Mei Mei was running at her.
'Well well, looks like you got more than her looks going for you.' Vitaly chuckled as the android threw the emptied gun at her, only bothering to lean out of the way.
Mei Mei then jumped at the woman before throwing a kick, Vitaly catching her ankle and blocking her shin before throwing her into the wall. The android only flinched for a second before pushing off the metal, sending several strikes at Vitaly that were being knocked aside. Mei Mei's advance was halted when Vitaly caught both her fists, showing little strain as she smirked at the android.
"So you have her face and voice, but you lack her talent."
"What are you talking about?"
"Good question, not the right one." Vitaly then surprised Mei Mei by kicking her leg out from under her, twisting her body and throwing her over her shoulder. "The better question is how am I predicting your every-!?" Before the scientist could finish her claim, she was stunned as Mei Mei gripped her arm and clamped her legs around her head before she hit the ground, trapping her in a hanging armlock.
"Predicting me isn't as easy as you think, ask Artorian!" Mei Mei growled, pulling at Vitaly's arm as she tried to crush the woman's neck between her legs.
"Oh trust me, I have plenty of questions for the Abysswalker when I claim him." To Mei Mei's shock, Vitaly was quickly regaining control, using her free arm to grip her thigh and pull. Meanwhile she was flexing her arm to prevent Mei Mei from breaking it, demonstrating even more strength than shown before.
'How does she have this much strength, physically I could compete with a Slayer! Did I take more damage from the Chimera then I thought?'
"But until then, I have no time to waste on a shadow." Vitaly spat as her fingers ripped into Mei Mei's flesh, blood coming out as she yanked herself free from her armlock. The android only had time to attempt a kick to Vitaly's head before she was slammed violently into the floor, the metal denting under the pressure as Vitaly stood over her.
Although Mei Mei took a greater hit from the exchange, her shin struck Vitaly's neck, having hit with enough force to nearly snap her head backwards. But the damage seemed to only anger Vitaly, the android wincing as Vitaly tightened her grip on her head before slamming her into the floor again. Vitaly's slammed Mei Mei down several times, each blow bending the metal further until she lifted the android with one arm and threw her against the wall.
"Looks like you can mix things up a little." Vitaly said with a glare, grabbing her chin before snapping her neck back into position. Mei Mei watched in horror as the woman groaned, appearing more to be dealing with a sprain rather than her neck twisting nearly a full 180. "Guess even a shadow dims the sun to an extent, well done. Had that been done to a normal human you'd have won."
"W-What are you?"
"That's rather rich, coming from an android with artificial blood and flesh." Vitaly spat back. "But what else was I expecting from a shadow like you?"
"I'm not a shadow."
"Oh adorable, you think you're an original creation." Vitaly chuckled, finding Mei Mei's glare amusing. "Tell me, did Charlotte or Linis develop your appearance?"
"What difference does it make?"
"A serious one, Linis wouldn't have given you ashen brown hair." The scientist teased, pushing some of Mei Mei's hair out of her face before kneeling down, pocking her violet eye as the android remained unflinching. She then took her chin between her fingers, inspecting Mei Mei's face with twisted curiosity. "Or that shade of violet. It's so sweet seeing that face, even if it's on a hollow shell."
"The only one here that's hollowed out is you, Tynyanov." That statement brought a dark glint and grin to Vitaly, the woman looking down the corridor to see Charlotte walking towards them.
"Isn't that rude of you Charlotte, how would Artorias feel if he heard you throw that statement around so lightly?"
"He'd agree with me."
"I suppose he did lack tack, but then again who wouldn't with a destiny like his." Vitaly shrugged, looking back to the elevator with interest. "Much like her, a fate decided before birth. How cruel this world truly is to all of us."
"You must have known this was a suicide mission, even getting to Liza you wouldn't make it off Little Garden."
"Oh I have my ways, but that isn't really why I came here." Vitaly responded. "I've learned enough about the Variants that Liza would just be an added bonus, my precious Hunters are proof enough of that."
"Artificial Variants that don't stack up to the real thing. How many people did you kill in order to get that flawed state they can use?"
"Much less than you have." Vitaly countered with a smile. "You seem to be forgetting which one of us butchered hundreds back in the day. Is that a coping mechanism or do you really think there's still a difference between us?"
"I experimented on convicts and volunteers, you were killing children."
"Those three now are living proof against your statement. Our methods are hardly as different as you like to think."
"That was a different time."
"Does that wash away all the blood on your hands, does it help you sleep at night?"
"It does enough." Charlotte said coldly, the atmosphere turning dark as she spat out the stem of her lollipop. "But what about you, I'm curious what your trick is. You don't look a minute older than I remember."
"A self-improving experiment, a success at that."
"Well it didn't fix that glint in your eye, still as vile as I remember it."
"I'm impressed Charlotte, you're managing to keep an imposing presence even without your precious Lords to back you up. Then again, they're the reason a monster like you exists." Vitaly's comment came as the vile atmosphere around Charlotte appeared to take shape, the scientist watching a visage of a wolf appearing behind Charlotte in emphasis of her rage.
"Trust me, the only monster here is the one I'm looking at."
"Now that's just rude Charlotte, I may have to let out my pain after your harsh treatment."
"Charlotte, don't!" Mei Mei shouted. "Vitaly's stronger than she looks, I should have broken her neck, but she twisted it back into place like it was nothing."
"Don't worry Mei Mei." Charlotte said with a smile, looking past Vitaly to assure her with a gentle nod. "This isn't my first rodeo, and it isn't like I wasn't expecting Vitaly to take a crack at me at some point."
"Oh cute, is that what you call it?" Vitaly laughed, a red sigil appearing in her palm as she looked down with twisted glee. "I fail to see the comparison personally. Unless your skull is the crack you mean."
"I'm far from the defenseless little girl everyone seems to think I am." Charlotte stated, reaching into her lab coat. "Artorias knew that better than anyone."
"He always liked to bet on the underdog. A shame he couldn't see the potential there was in front of him!" Vitaly then aimed her palm directly at Charlotte's face before firing a blast of blackened magic, staring in confusion as her vision flipped as she crashed onto the ground.
"Huh?" Was all she could let out before she was savagely kicked in the head, rolling across the floor before gripping the wall and standing up. "Metal tipped boots, you really went with that?"
"Just one lucky hit, all a fight really boils down to when an opponent's technique differs from yours." Charlotte said as she pulled out a small metal disk from her coat. "That's what Artorias said when you asked him about fighting Savage."
"You're joking, you're actually going to try and fight me?"
"Fight? No, no, a scientist doesn't fight." Charlotte then placed the disk onto her chest, tapping the red light at the center. The disk then opened and a fluid metal came out, slowly surrounding the scientist until her body was covered. The metal then hardened into a silver and violet armor, her lab coat being the only thing over it as she glared at Vitaly. "I'm going to dismantle you."
"Oh how cute, you made your own armor after his." Vitaly cooed with an amused laugh, Charlotte's glare remaining as the liquid surrounded her head before hardening, the helmet inspired after a wolf's head with a red visor across.
"Are you done talking? Because I'm getting tired of listening to your voice." Charlotte spat in annoyance, getting a chuckle from Vitaly as a black aura surrounded her.
"I suppose the only nice thing to do is reunite two old friends, I hope you've said all your goodbyes."
"This thing just won't stay dead." Emilia panted, watching as the Chimera regenerated the latest injuries it had sustained from the Slayers.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes… we have to find a way to kill it." Liddy responded, exhausted as well but keeping herself centered.
"I know, I just wish we could find the core… and if I could see a bit straighter…"
"Your head hasn't stopped bleeding since you were injured. Are you sure you're still able to fight?" Liddy asked, looking back in concern. And that concern was well placed, Emilia's Variant Virus had worn out, and the blood going down her head had also stained part of her hair. Factor in the blows both had taken during the fight they were losing ground fast.
"Don't have much choice, this thing's too much to take on alone." Emilia responded, summoning a spear.
"We just have to hold out, once we get reinforcements we'll be in the clear." Liddy reassured, getting a chuckle from Emilia as Pawn fully regenerated.
"Not sure who you're waiting for, but giving this thing a fight is easy enough!" The white-haired Slayer exclaimed, rushing forward and thrusting the spear out, the Chimera dodging it when she went for the head. The small movement was enough to get a smirk from Emilia, her spear shifting and transforming into a scythe.
Using her energy to circle around it when it slashed its claws at her, Emilia pulled back and digging her blade into its neck. The jolt of movement had it lose its balance for a second, long enough for Liddy to lunge and impale through its stomach with her lance. She was too low on energy to activate her drill, but with a war cry she ripped the weapon out with the tip having torn up its torso.
The florescent blood burst out from the injury, but the Chimera's eyes flashed at Liddy before throwing its claw forward. Liddy's shield blocked the blow, but was sent skidding across the road, loose debris knocking her off her feet and through a store window. Pawn's eyes then looked back to Emilia, the Slayer realizing it started to turn and attempted to retreat back.
Her movement was stopped when Pawn's tail wrapped around her leg, shocking her before it lifted her up and slammed her onto the concrete. Blood started to seep from the back of her head and mouth as she coughed in pain, her vision blurring as she was slowly dragged closer to the Chimera and lifted up over its head.
Her focus barely came back as she saw it open its jaw, the stained teeth dripping with Savage fluids as it dropped her. A faint glow caught Emilia's attention before the Chimera's jaw was forcibly closed, the Slayer feeling herself be caught as a blur of red entered her vision.
"Prez…" Emilia mumbled out, her vision clearing and seeing the blonde dig her feet into the ground, her energy flaring as she held the Chimera back.
"I'm sorry for being late, the drones were overwhelming one of the rescue teams and I stopped to help." Claire explained, smiling down to Emilia in assurance. "You've done good to hold out against an anomaly."
"Claire… this thing isn't something you can… fight alone."
"Maybe, but it's my turn to try." Claire responded, glaring up to the Chimera as all four of its arms spread out to grab her. Each limb was in turn struck by beams of energy, Claire pulling her free arm back and striking Pawn's chest with an energy infused punch, all of her gun pods blasting the Chimera in the face and sending it crashing into the nearest building.
Pawn thrashed its way out of the rubble, growling at Claire before a pronged claw caught its neck from behind. The Chimera was instantly pulled through the rest of the building, getting thrashed across a courtyard as Erica recalled her Everlasting. The beast roared at the Slayer as it got up, rearing back to lunge before Touka jumped from the shadows, swinging down with all her might and smashing its head into the pavement.
The girl was preparing to swing again when Erica grabbed her with Everlasting, flying up against her wishes to fall back.
"What's the big idea, I could have preformed a Zaneizan attack and completely destroyed its head!"
"We're not an assault group, we have two Slayers down and that thing is reported to be capable of regeneration." Erica countered. "Until we find its core, destroying it will be impossible. Accept the damage you did and help me get Liddy and Emilia out of harm's way."
"But Zaneizan was developed to deal with Savage, I'm the best equipped!"
"You're a fifteen-year-old girl with basic dueling training and carrying a weapon you haven't had for a month. You are the least equipped." Erica stated, ending the argument cold as the two landed by Emilia, the girl nursing her wounds while Claire pulled Liddy out from the store. "How bad are your wounds?"
"Bad, but I think they hurt less then they could be…" Emilia admitted, wincing as Erica took the backpack off her and pulled out bandaging, carefully wrapping it around her head to stop the bleeding.
"Your bleeding's bad, but I don't see too much else. Taking as many blows to the head as you did, how your skull's intact is beyond me."
"Hehe, Artorian did say I had a thick head." Emilia laughed, inhaling sharp as a spike of pain went through her head.
"It isn't safe here for you Emilia. That thing, it's trying to eat you." Claire explained, sitting Liddy next to her as Erica went to treat her head injuries.
"That explains why it was gunning for you so much." Liddy winced, Erica pausing for a moment as she checked Liddy's head. "Something wrong?"
"No, just a little surprised. You're less injured than I expected." Erica admitted before going to bandage her wounds.
"Um, the thing's back!" Touka informed the group, gripping her sword as Pawn smashed through the building, lowering down to its hands as the structure crumbled behind it.
"Looks like you made it really mad." Emilia said, Claire stepping ahead of the team as her gun pods hovered around her.
"Good, that'll keep it off of you." The commander stated, marching towards the Chimera as it drooled at the sight of her. "Erica, Touka, get them out of here."
"But Claire-!"
"Now, Kenzaki." The Slayer stopped Touka's objection, unflinching as she approached Pawn.
'If it was after Emilia and Artorian because of the Variant Virus, there's a chance it'll try to eat me too.' Claire thought, narrowing her eyes as the creature roared at her. 'Good, all the more likely it won't try to run away from me. Now to see if it's just a beast or an animal.'
Seeing no point in holding back, Claire's body erupted in energy as her Full-Body Armament activated, the Slayer taking to the air as she fired all five of her canons at Pawn, the Chimera returning her blast with a beam of its own energy from its mouth. An explosion sent dust across the area, Claire dodging the Chimera when it lunged from the cloud, striking its side and pulsing her energy to send it crashing down.
Pawn caught onto a light post to avoid hitting the ground, twisting its body before throwing the post up at Claire. Without flinching Claire watched the post hit her barrier dropping down as pawn looked up to her. And seeing its attack not work, the creature let out a gurgling laugh, its mouth widening in a sickening grin as it licked its teeth in anticipation.
"What's the matter dog!? Lost your wind!?" Krovanh growled, swinging madly at Artorian as the Slayer blocked every strike with his shield.
"No point wasting energy matching you, you'll burn yourself out just as fast as you did last time." Artorian said simply, regaining his composure while deflecting the Hunter's powerful swings. Their last fight Krovanh's Full-Body Armament was as powerful as it was now, but the strain on his body began to make sense to the hybrid.
Krovanh couldn't activate his Armament naturally, and his current state was him pumping himself full of energy to force the transformation.
It turned the fight into an endurance battle, something the hybrid was more then confident in his victory. But as the fight was going on, Krovanh's blows became heavier, the Hunter screaming in rage as his energy amplified further, causing his nose and lip to bleed from the pressure.
"You damn idiot, you're going to kill yourself at this rate!" Artorian growled, swinging his sword and clashing blades with Krovanh, the impact causing a gust of wind. "The fuck do you plan to achieve when you're a twitching mess on the ground, that isn't a victory by any standard!"
"We… have to get… the idols!" Krovanh growled out, his voice straining as his power amplified even further. "Have to… get idols! Then get… them… safe!"
"I won't let you go so much as an inch with either of them!"
"Get… family… safe!" Krovanh bellowed, his energy pulsing and sending Artorian skidding back on his heels. Seeing the Hunter close the distance in a single leap, Artorian concentrated his energy to his feet, using the frictionless to parry the Hunter's strike and spin around. Their swords clashed again as their energy flared, the ground cracking underneath them from the force.
'What the hell's gotten into him?' Artorian thought, holding his ground as the Hunter snarled and attempted to push forward. 'He was crazy before, but this is downright animalistic desperation. What the hell did Vitaly do to you?'
Holding his ground against Krovanh's push, Artorian reared his shield arm back in preparation to strike the Hunter with the end of the shield. But as he readied himself his balance was thrown off, looking in time to see Nesat with a Martial Arts Hundred, kicking the shield up to disrupt his plan.
"Shit!" After his guard was broken, Krovanh swung down and struck his mechanical limb, forcing Artorian to drop his weapon before swinging at his torso. Energy just formed between the Slayer and the weapon, but was left open when Nesat punched his side, breaking his concentration and allowing Krovanh's sword to strike his torso. A single pulse of energy went off before Artorian was sent flying across the stage, flipping onto his feet and digging his mechanical fingers into the concrete to stop himself.
'Guess that's on me, thinking she'd stay down without crushing that eye of hers.' Artorian coughed in pain, drops of blood coming out from the blows he took. He then looked up enough to see Little Garden's barrier, seeing Reitia and Matthew fighting the Replicator Savage, seeing where she copied the Hundred and brought his attention back to the Hunters.
"Guess I have to thank you, could've gone with the trident and impaled me." Artorian chuckled as he stood up. "Course either way, I'm rightfully pissed. Next time I get to you, I'm pulling that eye out of your socket." He threatened, pointing to the glowing eye as Nesat focused on him.
"Won't… touch her!" Krovanh screamed, the two Hunters charging Artorian as he stood his ground. Blocking Krovanh's sword with his shield and Nesat's first with his palm, the hybrid dug his feet into the ground to keep himself from losing his balance, grunting in exertion over the two's power.
It wasn't long before Nesat and Krovanh knocked his shield arm back, leaving him open as Nesat delivered an energy enhanced knee to Artorian's stomach. The hybrid coughed at the blow before Krovanh slammed his blade to his chest, knocking him stumbling back. He was then knocked off his feet as Nesat tripped him, landing an uppercut on his chin while he was falling.
When Krovanh attempted to run his sword through his back did Artorian recovered enough to pulse his energy and sent himself rolling to his right. As he got up Nesat closed the distance and threw her fist forward, getting blocked as Artorian caught both her wrists at the last second.
'It isn't just him, Nesat's faster and stronger than last time as well.' Artorian noted, pushing Nesat back and ducking under Krovanh when he slashed at his head, delivering a punch to his jaw and knocking him stumbling back. A quick attempt to go for his lost sword was intercepted by Nesat, the Hunter getting around him and landing a solid elbow to his chest, getting a cough of blood out through his teeth.
Krovanh then swung at the back of Artorian's legs, the hybrid using his energy to kick across the Hunter's head, getting him away again before Nesat landed a kick to his side. The hybrid then watched her leg snap up before slamming her foot down on his head, the impact breaking the concrete and nearly sending Artorian through the hollow ground.
'Shit! I took one down but they're just getting stronger!' Artorian thought, his vision blurring from the blow as Krovanh wiped the blood from his face.
"Took you long enough dog, fucking… getting to be more trouble than you're worth." He spat, walking towards the downed Slayer, his Hundred glowing as he raised it up. "Nesat… go check on Nakri and grab the idols… I'll take care of the dog."
"Are you okay Krovanh?" Nesat asked, seeing his nose continue to bleed while his speech struggled to stay normal.
"Just… exerted more then I should. Go." He ordered, the girl staring before going to the downed Hunter.
"Kept telling ya… stupid dogs, should have killed us… while you could." Krovanh stated, Artorian's sight still blurry after getting slammed headfirst into the concrete.
'Damn it, still too blurry to see. I need more time.' The hybrid thought, only able to see the glow of Krovanh's blade clearly as the whole stadium went silent in fear.
"So long DOG!" Krovanh bellowed, stabbing down to impale Artorian through his chest. But just above a barrier formed and blocked it, rising to throw Krovanh off his footing with a growl. "Pink bitch…!"
"You're not touching him." Sakura stated, her voice shaking as energy formed in her hands. "I can't fight, but I can stop you from hurting him."
"Oh, can you?" Krovanh asked with a twisted grin, his energy flaring before slashing down at Artorian again. Sakura formed another barrier, the energy shattering after his sword connected. He then threw n another swing, forcing her to create another barrier, having to replace that one when it shattered after his attack.
"He's… he's really trying to kill him…" Karen whimpered in fear, the Hunter's attacks getting faster with each swing.
"I won't let him, I just have to focus!" Sakura stated, although strained with the continuous use of energy, each barrier needing to be formed quicker. And with the distance between her and Artorian, the drain was getting worse with each passing second. Even with her Variant Virus active, she could feel the Hunter's own energy increasing, like a monster with his wild swings.
"Please… get up…"
"Enough with the barriers." Sakura flinched as Nesat appeared behind her, gripping around her throat with her armored fingers.
"I won't let you kill him."
"Then I'll kill you. Vitaly wants a Variant, and it'll be you or him. And you'll be easier to work with."
"Why work for her, she's going to kill you at this rate." Sakura asked, refusing to release the barrier, instead forcing as much energy so that it could withstand multiple attacks from the Hunter.
"We take you and deliver you to her. Once that's done we're free."
"You don't actually believe that, do you?"
"It isn't up to her, her latest enhancement has put us past her failsafe. She can't control us." Nesat stated, her grip on Sakura's throat getting tighter. "Now drop the barrier."
"Never."
"Then die, for his sake." Nesat said coldly, the tips of her gauntlet just digging into Sakura's throat. But as they did they were pushed back, surprising Nesat as Sakura formed a barrier just over her skin. "You can't hold us both back."
"Maybe, but I can try."
"You'll fail."
"Well… someone precious to me taught me there's a risk to taking a gamble." Sakura said, although shaking in fear as both barrier's cracked. "My life, his, both or none. That's enough for me."
"…Then what about her?"
"G-Get off of me!"
Sakura's heart sank as Nesat released her throat and heard Karen cry out, turning to see the Hunter pressing her thumb against the girl's throat, holding her in place despite her struggles.
"Let her go!"
"Drop the barrier." Nesat ordered, her eye glowing with steadiness. "Her life or his, the gamble is harder to decide when it isn't your life on the line."
"Sakura, don't drop it!" Karen begged.
"Karen, I can't just-!"
"He spent his whole life protecting me! If I can save his life… if I can save his life I'll gladly throw mine away!" Karen admitted, although tears in her eyes as she feared for her life. "He's never forgiven himself in years… I don't… I don't want to be the reason he dies. Please… don't let Artorian die. Not for me…"
"Karen…" Sakura struggled to look back at the girl, trembling as the weight of her situation fully came down on her.
'I… I can't choose, why do I have to choose!' The idol cursed. On one hand, her childhood friend was at risk of dying, and so soon after her recovery from a life ending disease. On the other hand, the man she loved, having fought most of his life for the girl she'd have to sacrifice for to save. She couldn't imagine either dying, and worse thinking she'd be the reason they died. But her time was coming up, as cracks started to form over the barrier protecting Artorian.
'I… I don't know what to do. Please… someone… anyone…'
"I won't ask again." Nesat warned.
"Don't listen to her Sakura… it's okay…"
'No… it isn't. Everyone's fighting and I can't do more then wait for the worst to happen. Please Artorian, get up.'
"Three."
'Get up.'
"Two."
"Get up!" The idol screamed, a pulse of energy shrouding her voice as she pleaded with Artorian.
"One-!" Before Nesat finished, Sakura's barrier shattered. But as Krovanh's sword broke through it hit a second barrier, green energy preventing him from hitting the hybrid.
'This heat… this is the heat…' Artorian thought, feeling his body get hotter after hearing Sakura's voice. 'Sakura…'
"Get up Artorian, we have work to do." A disembodied voice whispered to Artorian, the hybrid surrendering himself to the heat.
Krovanh looked down in confusion at the new energy source, noticing Artorian take in a deep breath of air as the energy dissipated. As the Hunter brought his sword up to attempt at striking the hybrid down, Artorian's eyes opened wide, glowing gold as his energy burst to life. Next thing the Hunter knew, the hybrid sprinted past him, reacting to a harsh blow to his side that sent him flying across the stage.
Nesat's eye followed his entire movement, but the second his speed was too much for her to do anything as her hand was struck away from Karen's throat and the hybrid punched her face with enough force to send her flying into the air.
Both Karen and Sakura couldn't react quick enough as Artorian slid behind them, stopping himself after digging his heels in for a meter. A resulting gust of wind nearly fell the two, having to regain their balance before looking back to the hybrid.
"Artorian?"
"I told you never to drop that barrier." Artorian responded to Sakura, but the hostility from earlier was gone as he looked back to the two with a smile. "Thank you."
"Artorian… your eyes…" Karen said, lost in the vibrant glow of his iris, his pupil sharpened like a predators.
'Variant Mode.' Sakura realized, seeing the hybrid's energy disappear from around him. But despite it being gone, the full power he displayed remained, making her realize this was the control of a true Variant.
"Let them be the promise, this'll be over soon." He said, walking back to his father's sword and pulling it out from the ground. Krovanh then attempted to rush him when he wasn't looking, stopped by Artorian's sword, holding him back with one arm. Nesat then attempted to punch his stomach, her fist stopped by an energy barrier, the hybrid's calm demeanor replaced by cold fury.
"You… you threatened to kill Karen. And tried to force Sakura to decide which of us she condemned to death." He said, looking down to Nesat. "I don't care what you went through, I don't care how much Vitaly whispered poison in your ear, I'm going to make you pay. And it's going to hurt." He warned, his energy pulsing and sending the two Hunter's skidding back.
When they stopped themselves, Artorian held his free hand out, energy building up before he reformed his Armament's sword. Now wielding both his greatswords, Artorian stood tall. Shifting his feet apart, he entered his traditional stance, an overwhelming presence coming from him as his Variant Virus fueled his anger, awakened and fully in control.
"Let's go."
(A/N): Well well well, I return yet again. It's been long and I don't have any excuses, but my work is getting back on track. And I'm gonna do my best from here on out to get Abysswalker on track. As for the important thing... I wanted to thank everyone, those that have been waiting patiently, that have been reading since I started or have been getting around to reading now it means a lot. I write so that I can entertain, to get ideas out that I hope others might like. And seeing people coming back to read helps me feel I can keep writing, and improve my own methods to get better at this.
But with that aside, I can do more than promise a chance to get back in full swing in writing. And as always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I promise to see you in the next one. Peace!