It was painfully silent in Little Garden's command deck, most of the crew not present due to the damage having not fully been repaired since Vitaly's attack. Claire was there with Erica, using the functioning computers at their stations to coordinate the recon team they were readying. There were little resources available, the chaos of the past couple days leaving a heavy burden on what limited supplies they had. And with the growing tension, they could only put so much together in preparation for the rescue mission.
The door opened with a grinding thud, the fact it lasted as long as it did was more surprising than the thunderous clang it let off when Liddy attempted to open it. The entering Slayer didn't make much noise herself, Claire and Erica looking up from their stations to see her downcast expression. It took a minute for Liddy to eventually look up, the dim reflection in her eyes giving all too clear her thoughts on what had to be done.
"I informed Sakura about the plan to withhold forces until a plan of attack is made. Judal informed Dr. Dimandias before I had the opportunity… so I told Kaeda before coming back." Liddy said, feeling shame across her body at the dismay both showed. Her discussion with Sakura was already hard, but the looks of hopelessness and dismay from the doctors and nurses who survived the hospital attack was only further driving the knife in. They lost friends and family, people they had known for years in the blink of an eye, and one of their friends was practically thrown to the wolves. No one had high hopes for Miharu's chances, her father was a former Slayer, and if it was the Anti-Slayer faction that took her, no one had to think hard on what could happen.
"I'm sorry you had to do that alone… I wish you had told me. I would have come too." Claire said, her own expression of gloom from the pressure that was put on them. She couldn't imagine how much it hurt to break that news; how many blamed her? How many cursed her name, called her a dog of Warslran, spit in her face and called her heartless? And how many just broke down in tears, knowing their protectors had to restrain themselves, after all the punishment they received in such a short time?
"It wasn't your responsibility… and I needed to get the worst out of me." Liddy admitted, slowly climbing up to her station and sitting down, silent as her screen brightened to life, instantly filling with the data Claire and Erica were sorting through. It was a numb feeling, but it was better than the bitterness she felt to herself. The distraction, although insufficient, was enough to alleviate her regret a bit. And if she's learned anything since she became a Slayer, the small distractions can prevent you from diving too deep into your guilt.
"Still, it's a lot to put on yourself." Erica spoke up, glancing over to her friend in concern. "We're all pushed to the brink, there's no reason to put this great of a burden on yourself, any of ourselves. We've always helped each other, there's no reason to stop that now."
"Thanks, I just don't know what to say." Liddy said, looking down to her screen without making a movement, having trouble to put work in. Silence overtook the room after, the three trying, and failing, to put the full work in as roadblock after roadblock came up. Warslran was low on resources, the two attacks having backers hesitant and two known suppliers being traitors.
"…Did I make the right choice?" The silence was finally broken as Claire spoke up, unable to handle the silence any longer as she looked at reports of protestors outside of the Slayer dorms. It was a short time after Artorian was detained, but news spread faster than expected. A guess was Charlotte, a hint that she was clearly up to something and to some extent justified Judal's lockdown on her lab.
"I… I don't think there was a right choice Claire." Erica responded. "Charging after the Anti-Slayer faction would have the benefit of a swift response, and would look better with the public. But performing reconnaissance provides a better approach, as well as avoid unnecessary casualties. I do know the positives and negatives doesn't make it any easier to think about."
"It doesn't feel as a right or wrong guilt to me." Liddy admits. "I do believe that we're doing the right thing on a strategical level, it's sound and limits casualties as much as possible. But it's what we're doing to Artorian, and how I know the opposite would be."
"What do you mean?"
"I know if it was my little brother, Artorian would have been the first person volunteering to help get him back." Liddy said. "He's never met him, I haven't even mentioned my family to him yet, but I know the second he'd hear he was in danger he'd be there, willing to do anything to help."
"Enthusiasm doesn't determine the outcome… but I see what you mean." Erica relented. It was a hard thing to think of, but Erica admits if her parents were in danger, her composure would be in shambles. Everyone present could keep a semblance of composure because the people closest to them weren't the ones captured. But that's what made it their responsibility to keep level heads, so that Artorian's vigor didn't cost any more lives than the rescue effort would take.
"…Liddy, you've been spending a lot of time with Artorian, possibly more than even Emilia." Claire pointed out, looking to her friend. "Do you know what's going on?"
Liddy's lips tightened in grimace as the eventual question came up. For the past couple months she had gotten lucky with Claire and Erica simply seeing her and Artorian's time training together as the two forming a bond as comrades, having experienced a life-or-death battle days into knowing one another. But as things have picked up, with the Hunters, Vitaly, and now the Anti-Slayer attack it was all too apparent that Liddy was more than simply a sparring partner to the hybrid. They'd have no way of knowing Artorian's responsibility as an Abysswalker, or the curse that he's carried since he was born, but too much has started to point to the darker past of the man's father, and the impact his interaction with humanity has caused.
She wanted to say it, to explain everything to Claire, to give something that might shift the decisions made and perhaps find a middle ground with Artorian. But she couldn't… not as things were. Matthew made it all too apparent that Artorian is on borrowed time, and that without the pendant Karen possessed, no one could fill the role needed to cleanse the Abysswalker of his growing corruption. Artorias' notes were thorough, and she knew he was in a late stage, as far or even further than when he had first lost control. The same day that she had been infected and was turning into one of his Vessels.
If Claire learned now, she might become too desperate to save him. It was already tearing her apart knowing this hurt Artorian. But if she knew that he was doomed regardless, she could get herself killed. And losing Artorian was hard enough, she couldn't lose another friend.
"I don't-"
"Commander! We have a security breach!" A desperate voice shouting over the comm snapped all three Slayers' attention to their screens, instantly registering what was happening before the words were even said.
"Artorian Abyssal has escaped his quarantine! He is accompanied by Reitia Saintemillion, the Rejections member Krovanh, and a civilian with red hair! He is armed with a Hundred and variable suit! Repeat, he is in possession of a fully formed Armament!"
"This is a lot more resistance then I was expecting!" Reitia shouted, the group running through the rubble covered roads of Little Garden, Touka lagging behind but being supported by Krovanh who was covering them from a hail of N-rounds.
"I'm Judal's precious Trump Card, bastard has the entire ship wired onto me." Artorian explained, raising his shield and blocking multiple shots from a squad of riflemen, throwing it in retaliation and getting them to flock away for cover before it ricocheted off the ground, dispersing into energy before reforming across his arm.
The response from Warslran was far faster than any of the Slayers could predict. The guards at the dormitory were practically a scout party as Judal had brought maybe a hundred troops extra, many that were working on checkpoints and ambush parties. N-Tranquilizers were fired near constant, ATVs and armored cars keeping an even pace with the Slayers as they were forced to conserve as much energy as possible. Too much speed and they would lose strength in their barriers. Go too slow and they'll be fish in a barrel.
"Why are we wasting time humoring these pricks, let's just waste them and get moving!" Krovanh shouted, about to turn before Artorian slowed to grab his arm, forcing the boy to look up to his harsh glare.
"We will not waste time fighting our allies, even if they're against us. Are we clear?"
A chill went down everyone's spine at Artorian's tone, the hybrid's barely contained hostility felt between the three of them despite being directed at the former Hunter directly. There was a daunting authority to him, putting any arguments down before they could be vocalized. Neither Touka or Reitia considered fighting the PMC troops, but the hybrid's voice would dispel even the thought of it.
"C-Crystal…" Krovanh relented quickly, a drop of sweat going down his face at the imposing presence Artorian possessed. It wasn't like when he fought, where there was spirit and grit. That was a will, a desire that was accomplished during a battle. This was cold, his own energy feeling as if it was leaving his body and being replaced by frost.
"Then keep running. Our window's going to be close as it is." Artorian growled, his eyes darting to the side as a loud crack boomed through the air. "Fuck!" Artorian threw Krovanh ahead of him as the area around them heated up, blinding light blasting past everything as Matthew crashed into Artorian like a bolt of lightning.
"Shinshisho!"
"Don't stop moving!" Artorian shouted as Matthew tackled him through a wall, the two rolling across the lobby of an office building. The short scuffle ended as Artorian kicked Matthew off with both feet, sending him through the ceiling before flipping up to stand. Energy formed around his feet as he propelled himself through the wall again, cement cracking apart as the pursuing Slayer smashed through the second floor's wall and impaled his Armament where he stood a second ago.
"Wasted no time incorporating that into your Hundred." Artorian noted with an agitated tone, his attention at Matthew's newly formed spear. His previous trident head was gone, replaced with the very cross spear of his father's original weapon. He didn't know the science behind it, but Hundred material and Lord metal possess remarkable compatibility, modifications through programming allowing for the introduction of additional mass. He likely reduced his father's blade to a simulated construct and fused the data with his Hundred, allowing for such a modification to his weapon.
"I can't let you go Artorian, you'll get everyone killed." Was Matthew's only response, bursting forward with speed Artorian could barely follow cutting across the hybrid's torso. Artorian didn't even grunt as his adrenaline took over, his Variant Mode kicking in and his energy shining across his body before he brought his sword up in a horizontal swing. Matthew dodged with a jump into the air, summoning lightning from below and knocking Artorian's shield directionless as he saw his fellow Lord throw it as his swing missed.
Matthew's eyes quickly caught that Artorian sped away with impressive speed. Had anyone else been here, he may have gotten away, his supernatural strength and dedicated training to enhance his movement with energy making him faster in a dead sprint than any other Slayer. Even Reitia, with a Martial Arts type Hundred, boosting her physical stats above any other Armament would likely be struggling to keep up.
However, that did not apply to a Slayer who commanded lightning with a mere thought, as his speed shot him past Artorian in a blink and he prepared another thrust with his spear, aiming for Artorian's leg to stop any further escape attempt. His eyes widened as he saw Artorian had thrown his sword in advance, forcing the Lightning Slayer to defend himself and deflect the projectile away with his cross guard.
"Get out of my way!" With a rage filled shout, Artorian slammed an energy enhanced punch aimed for Matthew's gut. It was blocked by the staff of Matthew's spear, a mutual struggle lasting for a second before Lightning Slayer saw Artorian's golden eyes flash red for a moment, and with a surge of renewed strength Artorian blew Matthew away and sent him flying. The Abysswalker didn't even register how far he sent Matthew, and he didn't care, returning to a full dead sprint that kicked up dirt and concrete that couldn't endure.
With his speed Artorian was able to sprint through most of Central without being followed, most of the checkpoints either incomplete or distracted from Reitia and the others having blitzed past moments before him.
"Artorian, how far are you?" Artorian heard Emilia's voice over his comm, in that instant slamming his shoulder into a parked armored truck and sent it flying, the Warslran troops running for cover as he continued on as if the vehicle wasn't even there. He felt a few N-Tranquilizer rounds ping against his back, but the adrenaline he felt removed any affect they had.
No, he could tell as his Armament was losing its form that his energy was losing balance. The N-Tranquilizers didn't work because his energy wasn't what was pushing his body. That must have been what caused Matthew to hesitate, the anomaly in his soul getting a reaction of fear from the Lord as even just a glance in the eyes could risk infection for their kind. It meant that Artorian knew what was going to happen if the Lightning Slayer caught up to him, meaning his time was limited.
"Nearly there! On the other side of the building!" Artorian said, having to keep his focus in avoiding his pursuers and maneuver the safest path. His eyes darted in each direction he had an option for; the left had the highest concentration of soldiers, their fortifications the best he's seen. The right wasn't much better, a roadblock of several trucks and commandeered cars. Above the command center was troops all lining up their shots, the split second he dedicated to looking up seeing a dozen dots forming on his chest.
Judal was thinking ahead more than he gave him credit for, the resistance across Little Garden was small not because he couldn't scramble the forces; Warslran wasn't the largest military power in the world for nothing. Judal knew locking down the entire ship was pointless, it'd be too big and get too many people in the way. The runway was the only way Artorian could get off Little Garden, and while they had the ordinance to shoot anything out of the sky, targeting a ship with three Variants, two Abysswalkers, and the lead inventor of Warslran's weapons and the creator of the Century Armaments would cripple Judal's reputation and destroy everything his family has built up.
All he had to do was limit Artorian's options, and stop him from getting on the jet.
As Artorian made his path in his mind, the second he assorted his surroundings blurred the moment a blistering pain struck his back. Matthew struck into his with his spear, his entire body coated in lightning as he pierced Artorian and crashed them through the wall, the Warslran soldiers losing their shot in the astonishing speed and debris as they slammed through concrete.
As they shot through into whatever room they crashed in to, Artorian felt lightning shoot across his entire body as Matthew poured his magic into a torrent, his senses shooting to full attention as he contorted his body to grab a hold of Matthew's variable suit. With one arm he completely tore him off and slammed his back into the wall, the Lightning Slayer's impact cracking the wall and causing him to bounce off. Artorian summoned his sword mid swing as Matthew dodged under, the entire wall and the next three exploded into dust and rock, a massive molten hole forming behind Artorian as he side-stepped to avoid a massive bolt of lightning that came from his rival's spear.
Chaos became the norm inside the evacuated building, the Lords clashing in mighty blows that seemed to shake the foundation. Although there was no question Artorian's physical might outclassed every Slayer on Little Garden, Matthew's own might could contend and hold off blows from his empowered blade, his speed allowing him to reduce impact or avoid entire strikes entirely. And with strikes that nearly brought the floor above them down with each swing, those last second adjustments were.
Meanwhile Artorian was outclassed in magic and speed, dozens of cuts being lashed across his body. They ached with a numb pain, the aftereffects of Matthew's lightning tightening his muscles. Much as Matthew had strength to contend with him, Artorian's reaction speed was good enough to avoid a thrust aimed for his heart, or a massive discharge of magic that melted everything it struck.
There was no mistaking it, no second guesses or room to even speak now. The Lords were out for blood, through duty and responsibility if the other gave up a second they'd take it.
But neither could afford a prolonged battle, time appearing to dilate for the two as they processed all possible actions and reactions that could be taken. Slashes, thrusts, punches, kicks, grapples, slams, magic, energy; an endless combination ran between the two as if it came with breathing. A battle between Lords of equal caliber was one that put bloodlines against one another, collective experiences ingrained into their DNA. Victory was not decided by a plan made ten steps in advance, but in a mistake in interpretation of your ancestors abilities.
Artorian moved first, using an overhead swing to force Matthew to dodge, the ground shattering beneath them. The footing broke apart, but the Lightning Slayer adjusted, his feet planting on the rising debris to push himself forward, a flash of his magic going off when he saw Artorian release his sword to send a punch to the airborne Lord. As he appeared behind him, Matthew's magic erupted in a defense as his rival prepared for his maneuver and threw several shards of concrete behind him, the lightning melting it to sludge before it got close to him.
As Matthew got the opening to thrust his spear forward, Artorian's energy pulsed and he slid out of harm's way, the frictionless movement of his feet allowing him to move faster than his previous sprint. Matthew pursued him still, summoning a lightning spear in his free hand as he sent his spear forward, preparing a follow-up strike for the likely chance of the Abysswalker's counter. It was at that vulnerable moment Artorian deactivated his energy and slammed his foot into the ground, causing a shockwave that shattered the ground at an even greater scale than his previous strike, causing everything in the room to jut up.
A wooden chair burst into flames before melting, the proximity of Matthew having increased the temperature of the room. All of the paper confined with the Lords burned like wildfires, water evaporating as the cups glowed orange from the intensity of the Lord's magic. But that momentary distraction was Artorian's goal, as he grabbed the large table behind him and swung it, Matthew using his lightning spear to destroy it before shielding his eyes from the splinters that got past his magic, the ashes nearly getting into his eyes.
Artorian sprung forward, his energy protecting him from the intensity of Matthew's magical barrier to grab his variable suit with both hands and throwing him against the furthest wall. The Lightning Lord regains his senses just in time to see Artorian throw a punch coated in energy, his eyes snapping in rage as he saw a black mist seep from his wounds across his body, further confirmation before he was sent blasting through the concrete, rolling across the runway as he realized Artorian's strategy was to fight through the building. The damage he took confronting Matthew was less than if he maneuvered differently, the Lord exploding with desperation as he saw the Abysswalker make a sprint for the jet.
He didn't see anything else as he called down a bolt of lightning onto him, pure magic coursed through him, obscuring parts of his body as his eyes took a yellow tinge. Lightning was the strongest blessing the Lords could receive, the power that allowed them to slaughter Savage in the hundreds despite their strength and armor. It was a rare blessing, the Ornisium family having a bond with it that rivaled even the royal family's control. It was carefully crafted through generations of warriors, all mastering their skills as far as possible, some dying just to reach a level their children could improve from.
For five generations, the Ornisium family crafted their lightning for a grand cause, one that could shape the fate of the world at a given moment. One that he had to uphold now before a blight would befall all. One he did so not out of satisfaction, but out of sworn duty.
His lightning was crafted to kill an Abysswalker.
"They're getting closer!" Reitia warned, summoning a sphere of energy before punching it out, Warslran troops ducking for cover as it flew safely over them. The attack was never going to hit, Reitia knew that any concentration of energy that could exist away from a Slayer could cause serious damage. But they had to keep the soldiers from getting too close, Emilia and Nesat providing the best cover as their Innocent type Hundreds replicated Dragoons, providing a proper range and accuracy to prevent them from advancing too quickly.
"Artorian should be here soon! Just keep them back!" Emilia responded, flinching as an N-Tranquilizer round was deflected right in front of her, looking over to see Sakura sweating in exertion, her barriers preventing the anti-energy ammunition from hitting the Slayers. "How are you doing Sakura?"
"It'd be nice if they we're so accurate." Was the idol's answer. She was never certain of when the soldiers shot, her reaction time nowhere near as developed as the Slayers around her, so she could never drop the barrier. She kept her energy going continuously; her reserves were above average, and her control was top notch, but each shot pieced away at her energy. And with her Variant mode unreliable she couldn't hope to extend her power past her usual control. It was something she kicked herself over now, she's spent little time trying to learn how to use the power, nowhere near as much as Emilia or Artorian, and it was now putting them all at risk.
"If you need to tag out, I can take over for you." Emilia informed Sakura, concerned as she was sure Sakura never had to push herself for combat, this no doubt being the most drained she's felt since her early days training with a Hundred.
"I can handle it; I just need to hold out until-!" An explosion of concrete and debris silenced the idol's words, the entire battlefield going silent as Artorian and Matthew were seen emerging from the dust cloud of devastated stone.
"There he is!" Was all that was said as Artorian took off into a dead sprint again. The appearance of the Abysswalker had the PDF's forces all turn attention, a momentary pause as they realized there would have been crossfire. But that second of hesitation was what the hybrid needed, his foot planting and denting the metal before he shot forward, that moment of movement faster than what the soldiers could see.
"In Darkness, we found the Light, and cast it to the Abyss, to be purged of Sin!" As Artorian's foot dented the metal, Matthew performed a chant, his hands clasped into fists as a brilliant gold radiated from his body. The light quickly erupted into a dazzling sun, and before anyone could register it, a bolt of lightning came crashing down onto the Abysswalker. The impact was supernatural, anyone without energy was sent flying off their feet as if they were dust in the wind. Some of Warslran's soldiers were nearly sent off the side of Little Garden if it wasn't for last minute catches from comrades further from the blast radius.
It was both beautiful and terrifying, the colossal, jagged force causing entire portions of the floor shatter and break apart. Whatever didn't shatter before the incredible might turned bright orange, melting into slag regardless of the material. The only thing that endured the bolt was Artorian, the Abysswalker lost amidst the light and destruction. As durable as the Lord was, and even with the attempt to use energy to push back, the pain was excruciating, his shouts muted as he was the sole target of the attack.
"Bastard!" Emilia shouted, the first to break out of her shock from the sheer power being thrown by Matthew. Her Buster Cannon charged for a second before Reitia forced it up, getting the snow haired Slayers glare. "What are you doing!?"
"That's my line! You were about to shoot Matthew with a charged Buster Cannon!"
"You're damn right I will!" Emilia was about to start charging her cannon again when Reitia grabbed it with both hands, forcing her back as the two contested for the weapon. "Let go Reitia! He's going to kill him!"
"Matthew and Artorian might have never got along, but that's insane to think!" Reitia argued, able to outmatch Emilia thanks to her Martial Arts Armament. "Matthew's calculated, but he's not a cold-blooded killer! He's just holding him in place!"
"Look at the ground surrounding Artorian melt into molten metal, seep into his barrier, and try saying that again!"
"Matthew, stand down!" As the lightning barraged Artorian, the bolt remaining at the colossal state, more of the runway beginning to shatter apart and melt away, Claire and the rest of the Selections team arrived at the runway, the Perfect Queen forced to protect her eyes from the brightness. Erica could see clearly, her glasses adjusting to the light, albeit still needing to squint from the intensity. Liddy experienced the worse of it, the lightning agonizing to her vision, forcing her eyes shut and nearly bringing her to her knees, a sudden dread forming in her at the thought of how painful just looking at the lightning was.
'It's… how bad is this? Is he… is he already trying to kill him!?'
"Matthew Ornisium, stop your attack now!" Amidst the chaos, Judal ran out from the armored car he arrived in, Neveah calling out in vain as the man stumbled back at the pressure of Matthew's spell.
'So this is the true power of the Lord's Lightning, made to erase Gwyn's enemies.' Judal couldn't help but stare in intimidated awe, a nervous grin across his face at the sight of such power. The air crackled from the heat generated, the wind blowing in his face painful as if a beam of energy was missing him by mere millimeters. The roar deafened the center of the bolt, everyone that could catch a glimpse could see the Abysswalker screaming in pain, the energy dissipating from him as he began to thrash around. Whether it was from spasms caused by the lightning piercing across his body, or the Abyss making a desperate struggle against the force burning at its soulless existence.
"Matthew, you are not authorized to eliminate Artorian, stand down or I will order you're subjugation!" Judal barked, raising a hand as the soldiers remaining in range pointed their rifles, sweat pouring down Warslran's CEO. He did not fear for his own safety, as Neveah was just behind him, any moment able to protect him if the hybrid decided he was tired of interference, but the heat as well was worsening everyone's condition.
It was not certain if Matthew heard everyone or was ignorant to the world around him as well, but what came after Judal's order was a second massive bolt, crashing into Artorian and nearly piercing into the ship. More soldiers lost their footing and caught themselves before they fell, several screaming as the heat of the runway burnt through their gloves and scorched their hands, Matthew's intention becoming clear then and there to everyone witnessing it.
"M…Matthew?" Reitia looked over her shoulder in shock, seeing not a calculated and focused stare in Matthew's eyes, but wide anger and determination. There was no hesitation, no concern, not a single alternative being thought out visible. All there was, was the burning fury of a Lord, a Lord with the soul goal of eliminating their target. It wasn't eyes she's ever seen before, a part of her best friend she never saw before. He was never a killer. But in that second, she knew what he was trying to do, and she locked up in fright, those eyes unfamiliar to her. He might as well of been a stranger, a stranger trying to kill a friend.
"That's it!" Emilia growled in rage as her eyes blazed gold and she forced Reitia away, her Buster Cannon charging instantly to max as her Variant Virus supercharged her in the heat of the moment. "Get off of him!" She demanded as her beam fired dead on at Matthew, slamming against a barrier of lightning that formed around him unconsciously. Emilia's blind fury was followed with a second beam of crimson energy, Nesat matching her tempo and firing a beam from her own copied Buster Canon, a wave of red and blue washing across the golden aura of Matthew's lightning, neither having the energy to punch through his shield.
"Damn it!" Judal cursed, looking around to his limited forces still capable of firing. If two Buster Cannons weren't breaking through, then N-Tranquilizers would just bounce off him or disintegrate before reaching him. They'd be useless to even weaken thew barrier. "Claire, you need to-!"
"Judal!" Judal didn't even have time to turn to his sister by the time Neveah pulled him back, a pillar of green energy rocketing past them and striking against Matthew's barrier. Claire didn't even hesitate to join in the combined fire, hiding her surprise at see Matthew's lightning hold out against a three-way assault from three Buster Cannons fired by Variants. Matthew's power was always an anomaly, never truly tested due to his usual missions and team layouts, but to see the Lord hold out like this, the only change being a noticeable strain on his face as he focused his power into both offense and defense, it showed incredible resilience she hadn't seen from him before.
'Damn it Emilia, you're not supposed to be getting in my way!' Matthew thought, grunting in exertion as he fought against all three Variant's energy barrage. 'This much energy is just making it worse, I can't concentrate and focus my magic to eliminate Artorian without dropping the intensity around me. His suffering is on you!'
"What the hell are you made of!?" Emilia glared, her beam growing in size as her energy output steadily climbed up, Sakura having to drop to the side as it nearly took over where she was standing.
'What is going on? Why are we all fighting like this?' Sakura began to think, her mind racking itself trying to think of a justification for this. She knew they were going against orders, by all means even a fight would be expected. But this was too far, Matthew was trying to kill Artorian, the Lords were always at odds but never to such an extent. Claire, Emilia and Nesat were all firing at full power, the energy output beyond anything she's felt in a single engagement. If Matthew's barrier failed and the beams hit him, the Lord could be killed too. Matthew's lightning was burning scorches across the airstrip, anyone without energy slowly being forced to retreat as the heat he generated started to melt their boots.
'It's too much, this is all too much!' Was all she could think. Sakura could barely process anything else as the chaos took over her senses. She couldn't think on what to do. What could she do? She didn't have an armament, she had no idea how to use her Variant abilities, and she was far from even being powerful enough to stop any of the people in play. She was powerless, she couldn't do anything but watch.
Just like back then.
The idol's eyes snapped wide in fear as the images of Latuni plagued her mind again. She was on the verge of shaking when the memories of the night the Hunters attacked her came up. In a similar moment of panic, her instincts took over and she was able to use her Variant Mode, even if it was for just a moment. It stopped Krovanh in his tracks last time, all with a shout of stop.
'Could… could I…?' The lightning in her eyes took away the doubt she could muster, her eyes narrowing as if it was the only thing she could determine now. There wasn't time to hesitate. Karen needed her, Artorian needed her, even Matthew needed her. As confused and mad she was, she's yet to wish death on someone before. And she refused to let an ally be the first she wanted that on.
She couldn't think of a way to trick herself, she was much more one to visualize and go on a trial run. But there was no time for that, all she could do was look back and think of the night she and Artorian went to the Great Canyon on the Zwei Islands. That was her practice, the suddenness was a blur, but she remembered the heat that built up in her chest, and the pain her throat felt as she coursed energy through it.
Her energy began to pool, most of the Slayers unaware of it as compared to everyone else, it was drastically weaker. The only one that noticed was Krovanh, looking over as he came out of the jet to see a calm aura surround her. He never saw energy manipulation as collective as hers, he knew she lacked a armament and that her Hundred was purely made for support, but he didn't know the details as it was never something he thought of.
He was behind her, unable to see her face, but seeing her close her eyes for a moment as her energy slowly seeped into her body. He swore that her energy vanished before her eyes opened, her eyes glowing golden as her Variant Mode activated and her energy boiled up at her chest, pooling into her throat as a sudden familiarity struck him.
"STOP!" She couldn't think of what else there was to say. She had no idea what her voice would do otherwise, if different commands could do something different or they all did the same thing. She didn't have the luxury to decide, the time she had too limited to have a simple test on the matter. So she went with the command that had worked last time, hoping that everyone being in front of her and in earshot would work.
What she didn't account for was how much louder her voice was compared to last time, the booming of Matthew's lightning and the onslaught of crackling energy of the three other Variants almost sounded silent as her voice rang across the entire runway. It echoed, going across the entire ship as a wave of energy pulsed around her. Her teal energy coursed around everyone it came into contact with, overlapping their own energy as if it was melding together in a pattern of disturbed water.
The visible disruption broke as every person's energy burst as Sakura's voice went away, silence overcoming the entire runway as the unexpected happened. When their auras burst, everyone's Armament and energy vanished, their variable stones dropping to the ground in gentle tings that were only audible from as everything else was quiet. Even the waves against the bottom of the ship could be heard, no one able to fully process what had happened.
The most shocked was Matthew, who remained crouched with arms extended as he blinked in astonishment. All the adrenaline, concentration and heat was gone the moment Sakura's voice reached his ears, confusing him as he racked his brain at what could have happened. His magic and energy were two different reserves, even if someone managed to disrupt his energy, how was it his magic was also gone? Were they interloped more than theorized? Or is the imbalance throwing off the concentration he needs to cast his miracles?
The thoughts on what happened snapped out of his mind as he saw two crimson orbs peer through the smoke of the crater Artorian was in, the Lightning Slayer lunging back too slow as the Abysswalker appeared in front of him with a fist reared back. There was no energy, and the Abyss that was previously seeping out of his wounds were gone, but those vile eyes remained as Artorian thrusted his fist and struck Matthew in his solar plexus, metal clashing and winning against flesh, his variable suit barely protecting from the impact as he was knocked several meters back.
Artorian wasted no time after knocking Matthew away, turning and rushing towards the jet with renewed speed, grabbing the Slayers at the ramp and jumping up and crashing in after letting them go. Rolling over his shoulder, the Abysswalker reached his hand out to the scattered variable stones of his allies, whatever force he had control of pulling them to him like a magnet.
"Charlotte, we're clear!"
"And would you look at that, so is the sky!" Without a need to second guess, Charlotte activated the jet's thrusters and began to ride along the runway, piggybacking on the sling system in the runway to give her a quicker takeoff.
As they were reaching the required speed to take off, Artorian's attention turned to see Matthew, the Slayer holding his spear again as the disruption of Sakura's voice dissipated. The lightning gathering was incredible, his power bursting forth as he prepared to send his full might into the hull of the jet. Negotiations were long gone, discretion was a failed objective and only one thing was running through the hybrid's mind.
'Eliminate the Abyss!'
As the Abysswalker raised a hand, preparing to summon a barrier to try and deflect the attack, both hybrids were caught off guard as Liddy closed the distance in an instant and kicked Matthew's spear away, his lightning dying as his conduit was taken away.
As the jet took off a sonic boom went off, deafening the ship before it nearly left sight in a second, none of the Slayers bothering to chase it as the chaos left a tired party. All expect for Matthew. Who glared as he turned to Liddy with accusations.
"You let him get away!"
"You weren't going to just kill him." Liddy responded, the Slayer remaining composed as she returned a more collected stare to the Lord. Although professional, the ire in her eyes screamed louder than her words as she smacked his hand away from her. "You were going to kill far more than just Artorian. I agreed to stand aside when the time came, but not at that cost."
"The Abyss is now free; you could have doomed the entire world!"
"And yet they flew without a problem. The risk was there, but I refuse to let you kill our comrades and write them off as caught in the crossfire." Liddy spat. "Might I remind you that Reitia was in there too? Was that really how you wanted it to end? Her body charred because you couldn't stay your hand?"
"If Reitia knew what was at stake-"
"She still would have helped Artorian."
"Don't act like you know her, you have no right to speak for her." Matthew said, lightning sparking around him as his patience was waning. Artorian was a literal time bomb, and with the speed of their transportation it could take hours to catch up to them. If he loses control, it could be hours before they could stop him. Al-Salaam would be lost at minimum, they'd have to move now to have a hope of catching them.
"What has gotten into you?" Claire demanded, reaching the two as Erica followed, the blonde's eyes pointed at Matthew. "We were to detain them, you were given no orders to kill."
"I do actually, from Lord Gwyn and the court of Lordran." Matthew responded. "My family, although estrange and shamed, still owe our service to Lord Gwyn. And what we have allowed is a danger to not just us, but the entire world."
"What do you mean by that?" Claire questioned. "What is so important that you'd not only try to execute Artorian in cold blood, but attempt to blow up Charlotte, Emilia, Sakura and Reitia to get him?"
"You are not within the authority to-" Matthew summoned his spear and held it defensively as Claire summoned all of her gun pods, her energy already charged in preparation to attack.
"Answer. The. Question."
"Now now, let's not let tempers explode any worse than they already have." Judal interrupted as he stepped between the parties, Liddy and Erica armed and ready to join Claire as Matthew stood against them. "Claire, I've already greenlit the Arclight project, it's your best chance to catch up with them."
"The Arclight?" Claire was surprised to hear that from Judal, the project deemed too costly to spend more time on. It also, while serviceable as a jet, was meant for high atmosphere and escape velocity, using it to slingshot itself as a planned as faire jobs for Judal's Luna project, hence why it was shot down.
"Yes, keeping up with them is long out of the question, so your best chance is to use a partial slingshot maneuver by exiting and re-entering atmosphere." Judal explained. "You'll need a suitable pilot however, we've only had simulations to work with."
"How would we even-"
"Don't worry Claire, I'll have it taken care of." Judal promised, looking to his sister. "We'll get to them, and we'll save everyone. I won't let us lose such upstanding Slayers, even if they have disobeyed orders."
"…What's happening to Artorian?" Claire asked as Judal turned to leave. She knew she was being left in the dark, Matthew's attempted execution, the amount of resources Judal threw to stop the escape… and Artorian himself. Even knowing Karen was in danger, the desperation was less like his usual gusto and more like a wounded animal. And what she saw in his eyes, that crimson glow wasn't something she'd forget. It was clearly not his Variant Mode, which meant something else afflicted her teammate, and she could guess that was what had Matthew on edge the way he was.
"I can reveal anything as per a pack father made with Artorias and Ornstein." Judal said, turning back to Claire with a sympathetic stare. "The only ones that can tell you are Artorian, Charlotte, and Matthew. But I admit… now isn't the best time. Just know Artorian is in danger, and we must save him."
"For some plan of yours?"
"For humanity's survival." He didn't say it lightly, Judal knew that Artorian represented an important edge humanity needed. The Savage weren't their only problem. As Slayers of high caliber become more common, the Lords will begin to take notice, and if they feel threatened by humanity's rise will take action. Gwyn's no doubt done worse for less.
And as he's demonstrated, Matthew still holds loyalty to Lordran.
Judal hoped it was just a reaction at seeing the Abyss begin to manifest, but that was an unknown he didn't want to gamble on. Artorian is the best chance to understand how Lords evolve, and he holds no loyalty to Gwyn. And if the files he's read are true, the Abyssal Abysswalker has an ancient blood pact with followers of their teachings. Any allies would be important, especially as the enemies seem to be piling up in preparation.
"We aren't done with this conversation." Claire said as she turned to Matthew, deactivating her Hundred and catching her variable stone. "After we've rescued everyone, you're going to explain everything to me. And I mean EVERYTHING." She said with cold authority, a tone Matthew hasn't heard from her in quite some time.
"If that is the case, I will. But the truth won't change the outcome of this mission."
"We'll see about that." Claire stated, turning to leave with a purpose. "Clean yourself up, it's important to keep up appearances in Lord Culture."
Matthew was confused, before wiping a thumb across his lips to see blood seeping from his mouth. A bit of further investigating showed he was bleeding lightly from both nostrils as well. Was that from Artorian's punch? It couldn't be, he was hit hard, but he wouldn't be that injured.
'Was my own energy… straining my entire body?'