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As a warning this story is for Mature audiences only.
Next Chapter: Astraea Familia vs...
Marketplace:
The marketplace erupted into chaos as Evilus struck without warning. Stalls toppled like dominoes, their wares spilling across cobblestone streets slick with spilled wine and crushed fruit. Valletta's laughter rang out above the screams, a chilling sound that froze the blood of fleeing civilians.
"Run, little mice!" she cackled, her pink hair whipping in the wind as she danced atop an overturned cart. "Let's see how many the cat can catch!"
With a flick of her wrist, her sword lashed out, slashing anyone and everyone she could.
"Burn it all!" she cried, her voice carrying over the din. "Let them taste true fear!"
As if in answer to her command, a nearby shop front exploded in a shower of glass and splinters. Civilians scrambled for cover, their faces etched with terror as they sought refuge from the onslaught.
Panic spread through the crowd, people began to trample each other in an attempt to escape. The maniacal laughter of Valletta echoed through the streets, a piercing sound that strikes fear into the hearts of civilians. The market is in chaos as members of Evilus attack indiscriminately.
Amidst the pandemonium, a young boy stumbled, his small frame lost in the sea of fleeing bodies. He cried out, his voice drowned by the cacophony of screams and shattering glass. Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to regain his footing, only to be knocked down again by the surging crowd.
The boy's eyes widened in terror as he saw a wall of bodies rushing towards him, blind in their panic. He curled into a ball, arms wrapped protectively around his head, bracing for the inevitable impact of trampling feet.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught the edge of his vision. Just as the first set of trampling feet was about to descend upon the child, Alise's arms encircled him . In one fluid motion, she scooped him up, cradling him protectively against her breastplate and leapt up. The boy gasped, his tear-stained face pressed against her shoulder as she jumped, using her momentum to carry them both away from danger.
As Alise Landed on the roof of a nearby stall, her eyes darted left and right, seeking a safe haven amidst the chaos. She spotted a small alleyway and made for it.
As they reached the relative safety of the alleyway, Alise set the boy down gently, her gaze softening as she looked him over for injuries.
"Are you alright, little one?" she asked, her voice steady and reassuring despite the mayhem surrounding them.
The boy nodded, still too shocked to speak. Alise's lips curved into a small smile, a brief moment of warmth in the midst of the battle. She ruffled his hair gently before rising to her full height, her expression hardening once more as she turned to face the chaos of the marketplace.
"Now if the fighting comes near here you run out the back okay," she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Try to find anyone form Ganesha familia and ."
With that, Alise stepped back into the fray, her movements fluid and purposeful as she readied herself to confront Valletta and the forces of Evilus. The rescued boy watched in awe as his savior disappeared into the smoke and confusion, a beacon of hope in the darkness that had descended upon Orario.
"Defend the civilians, Astraea familia!" Alise's voice rang out above the chaos, as she and Ryu charged towards Valletta.
The sounds of clashing swords and screams of terror filled the air as Alise and Ryu fought side by side against Valletta and while the rest of Astraea familia met Evilus head on.
Alise and Ryuu charged through the chaos, their movements a deadly dance of precision and power. Smoke billowed around them, casting eerie shadows across the rubble-strewn marketplace. The acrid scent of burning wood mingled with the metallic tang of blood.
As they approached Valletta, her eyes gleamed with malicious delight. She twirled her blade, its edge catching the light of nearby flames.
"Oh, the heroes arrive at last!" she taunted, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Come, let's dance!"
Alise's piercing green eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on her sword. "This ends now, Valletta," she declared, her voice steady and resolute.
Ryuu flanked Alise, as she glared at Valletta. The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, a palpable energy building as the three warriors faced off.
Valletta struck first, her blade a blur of motion as she lunged at Alise. The clash of steel rang out, sparks flying as Alise parried the blow. Ryuu seized the opening, her blade singing through the air as she aimed for Valletta's exposed side.
But Valletta was no easy prey. She twisted away from Ryuu's attack with inhuman grace, her laughter echoing off the crumbling walls around them.
"Too slow, little elf!" she taunted, her feet barely touching the ground as she danced between their strikes.
The battle intensified, a whirlwind of slashing blades and acrobatic maneuvers. Alise and Ryuu moved in perfect synchronization, years of fighting side by side evident in their seamless coordination. Yet Valletta matched them blow for blow, her dark magic crackling around her like a sinister aura.
Alise feinted left, drawing Valletta's attention, while Ryuu struck from behind. For a moment, it seemed they had the upper hand. But Valletta's eyes flashed with unholy glee as she spun, her blade catching Ryuu across the arm. The elf stumbled back, blood seeping through her torn sleeve.
"First blood to me, little elf," Valletta crowed, her eyes alight with sadistic glee.
"Ryuu!" Alise cried out, concern flashing across her face. In that split second of distraction, Valletta pressed her advantage. Her blade whistled through the air, aiming for Alise's exposed neck.
Time seemed to slow as Alise's eyes widened, the gleaming edge of Valletta's sword inching closer. But at the last possible moment, Ryuu's blade intercepted, the clash of metal reverberating through the air.
"I'm fine," Ryuu growled, her blue eyes blazing with determination as she pushed Valletta back.
The battle raged on, a deadly dance of blades and wits. Alise and Ryuu moved as one, their movements fluid and precise, yet Valletta matched them at every turn. The marketplace had become their arena, debris and overturned carts serving as obstacles and makeshift cover.
Alise's blade sang through the air. Valletta parried the blow, the impact sending shockwaves up both Alise's arms. In the same breath, Ryuu struck from the side but Valletta was ready, twisting away at the last second, Ryuu's blade slicing through empty air where she had been moments before.
"Is that all you've got?" Valletta taunted, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. She countered with a flurry of strikes, her dark blade a blur of motion. Alise and Ryuu were forced on the defensive, their blades moving to deflect the onslaught.
Valletta unleashed a devastating swing of her sword and forcing Alise and Ryuu to dive in opposite directions.
Undeterred, Alise rolled to her feet, her armor gleaming in the firelight. She charged forward, her blade a whirlwind of steel. Valletta met her blow for blow, their swords clashing in a symphony of metal. Sparks flew with each impact, illuminating their faces locked in fierce concentration.
Meanwhile, Ryuu circled around, looking for an opening. She found it as Valletta focused on Alise, lunging forward with lightning speed. But Valletta sensed the attack, dropping low at the last second. Ryuu's blade whistled over her head as she spun, lashing out with a kick that caught the elf in the midsection.
Ryuu stumbled back, gasping for air, but recovered quickly. She and Alise shared a look of silent communication, years of fighting together allowing them to formulate a plan without words.
They moved in tandem, attacking Valletta from both sides. Their blades became a blur of motion, forcing Valletta to defend against attacks from multiple angles. For a moment, it seemed they had the upper hand, pushing Valletta back step by step.
But Valletta was far from defeated. With a maniacal laugh, she unleashed another burst of dark energy, creating a shockwave that forced Alise and Ryuu back. She used the momentary reprieve to leap atop a nearby statue, gaining the high ground.
"You'll have to do better than that!" she called down, her voice dripping with mockery.
The marketplace around them had become a hellscape of smoke and flame. Overturned carts smoldered, casting eerie shadows across the blood-stained cobblestones.
As Alise and Ryuu battled Valletta atop the marketplace, the rest of the Astraea Familia fought valiantly to protect the civilians caught in the crossfire.
Amid the chaos, Lyra, sat perched atop a partially collapsed roof. Her keen eyes scanned the smoky battlefield below, bow at the ready. A flash of movement caught her attention - an Evilus member sneaking up on a group of huddled civilians.
Without hesitation, Lyra threw Carnivore. The boomerang whistled through the air, finding its mark in the attacker's shoulder. The Evilus member cried out in pain and stumbled back, giving the civilians a chance to flee.
Lyra allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction before turning her attention to her next target.
As the chaos in the marketplace raged on, a group of Evilus members slipped away from the main battle, their eyes locked on a cluster of terrified merchants huddled behind an overturned cart. The leader of the group, a scarred man with a wicked grin, raised his hand, signaling his companions to move in for the kill.
But before they could take another step, a shadow detached itself from the smoke-filled alley behind them. Kaguya Gojouno moved with liquid grace, her footsteps silent on the blood-slicked cobblestones. Her piercing purple eyes narrowed as she sized up her opponents, her hand hovering over the hilt of her katana.
The first Evilus member barely had time to turn before Kaguya struck. In one fluid motion, she drew her blade, the polished steel singing as it sliced through the air. The katana's edge flashed in the firelight as it caught the attacker across the chest. He fell without a sound, his weapon clattering to the ground.
Alerted by their comrade's fall, the remaining Evilus members whirled to face this new threat. Kaguya stood before them, her stance low and ready, the tip of her katana gleaming with fresh blood. Her long, dark ponytail whipped in the wind, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance against the backdrop of flames and smoke.
"Who the hell are you?" the scarred leader snarled, brandishing his axe.
Kaguya's expression remained impassive, her eyes cold as winter ice. "Your end," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Evilus members charged as one, their weapons raised high. Kaguya moved like water, flowing between their attacks with preternatural agility. Her katana flashed out, a extension of her will, finding gaps in their defenses with surgical precision.
One attacker swung a mace at her head, but Kaguya ducked under the blow, her blade licking out to hamstring him as she passed. Another tried to flank her, but she pivoted on her heel, her katana describing a perfect circle that opened his throat in a spray of crimson.
The scarred leader, seeing his men fall like wheat before a scythe, roared in fury and brought his axe down in a mighty overhead chop. Kaguya didn't try to dodge. Instead, she met the blow head-on, her katana angled just so. The axe's momentum carried it down the length of her blade, the screech of metal on metal filling the air as sparks flew.
In that moment of contact, Kaguya twisted her wrist, using her opponent's strength against him. The axe slid off her katana and buried itself in the cobblestones. Before the Evilus leader could recover, Kaguya's blade found his heart.
As Kaguya's blade found the Evilus leader's heart, a piercing scream rang out from across the marketplace. A group of Evilus members target a group of parents and children that were trying to escape.
As the battle raged on in the marketplace, a group of terrified parents and children had huddled in the shadow of a crumbling fountain, their eyes wide with fear as they watched the chaos unfold around them. Suddenly, a group of Evilus members spotted the vulnerable group and advanced with malicious grins, weapons glinting in the firelight.
Just as hope seemed lost, four figures burst onto the scene, positioning themselves between the civilians and the approaching threat. Asta, slammed her shield into the ground, creating a formidable barrier. Her armor gleamed in the flickering light as she hefted her axe, eyes narrowing at the approaching enemies.
"Stay behind me," Asta growled
To her right, Noin unsheathed her sword with a fluid motion, the blade singing as it cut through the air. Her lithe form settled into a defensive stance, brown eyes scanning the battlefield
"Maryu, tend to the wounded," Noin commanded, her voice steady and assured. "We'll keep them off you."
Maryu nodded, her petite frame belying the strength in her grip as she clutched her mace. She turned to the huddled group, her gentle voice a stark contrast to the chaos around them.
"It's alright," she soothed, kneeling beside a whimpering child with a scraped knee. "I'm here to help. We won't let those bad people any where near you ."
As Maryu began her work, a low growl rumbled from the left flank. Neze, crouched low, her golden eyes gleaming with feral intensity. Twin blades glinted in her hands as she bared her fangs at the approaching Evilus members.
"Let them come," Neze snarled
The Evilus attackers charged, their weapons raised high. Asta met them head-on, her shield absorbing the impact of their blows while her axe lashed out in devastating arcs. The sound of metal on metal rang out as she parried and countered, her movements a symphony of controlled power.
Noin danced between the attackers, her sword a blur of motion. She moved with fluid grace, each strike precise and calculated. An Evilus member lunged at her, but she sidestepped the attack, her blade finding the gap in his armor with deadly accuracy.
On the left, Neze was a whirlwind of fur and steel. Her twin blades sang as they sliced through the air, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to dodge and weave between enemy attacks. She leapt onto an attacker's chest, her weight bearing him to the ground as her blades flashed, silencing him forever.
A second wave of Evilus charged right down the middle aiming directly for what they perceived to be the easiest route only to be meet with;
"You will not pass," Asta growled, her eyes blazing with determination, as she hefted her shield and blocked the path of the Evilus members.
The Evilus members hesitated, taken aback by the figure before them. But their hesitation was short-lived. With a collective roar, they charged forward, weapons swinging.
Asta met their assault head-on. The clang of metal on metal rang out as she deflected blow after blow. With a mighty heave, she pushed forward, sending several attackers stumbling back. In the same fluid motion, she swung her axe in a wide arc, forcing the Evilus members to retreat or risk being cleaved in two.
Noin darted between the Evilus members, her blade finding gaps in their armor as she began to strike.
"Asta, left flank!" Noin called out, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Without missing a beat, Asta pivoted, her shield intercepting a blow meant for one of the children. The impact reverberated through her arm, but she stood firm.
As the battle raged, Maryu weaved through the fray, her mace hanging unused at her side. Her eyes were focused, scanning for injuries among the civilians. She knelt beside a wounded father hands beginning the exanimation of a nasty gash on his arm.
"Stay close," Maryu urged the group, her voice calm despite the chaos around them. "We'll get you out of here."
A howl split the air, and Neze bounded into view, her lips contorted in a snarl of rage and her ears pinned back. She leapt over Asta's shield, twin blades flashing in the firelight as she landed in the midst of the Evilus group. Her attacks were wild, unpredictable, fueled by primal fury. Evilus members fell before her onslaught, unable to match her ferocious speed.
"Watch your back, wolfie!" Asta called out, her axe cleaving through the air to fell an attacker that had been creeping up on Neze.
"Thanks, Asta." Neze said as she turned her attention to the enemies in front of her descended upon them in fury.
As the battle raged on, a desperate cry for help echoed from a nearby alleyway. A group of civilians - men, women, and children of various races - huddled together, trapped between the advancing Evilus forces and a collapsed building blocking their escape route.
Three figures burst onto the scene, positioning themselves between the civilians and the encroaching danger. Iska, cracked her knuckles as she settled into a fighting stance. Her eyes glaring at the members, muscles rippling beneath her tanned skin.
"Stay behind us," Iska ordered. "We'll handle these bastards."
To her right, Ryana twirled her staff as her auburn hair whipped in the wind, matching the intensity of her brown gaze.
"Celty, shield the civilians," Ryana called out, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "Iska and I will keep them at bay."
Celty nodded, her green hair shimmering in the firelight as she raised her slender wand. A short chant later, a shimmering barrier sprang to life, encircling the terrified group. Her emerald green eyes narrowed in concentration as she poured her energy into maintaining the protective dome.
"The barrier won't hold forever," Celty warned, her melodic voice tinged with urgency. "We need to clear a path for their escape."
As if on cue, the first wave of Evilus attackers charged forward, their weapons glinting menacingly in the flickering light. Iska met them head-on, her fists a blur of motion. The sound of breaking bones and pained cries filled the air as she unleashed a flurry of devastating punches and kicks.
An Evilus mage unleashed a bolt of lightning, but Iska ducked under it. In one fluid motion, she closed the distance and delivered a bone-crushing uppercut that sent the mage flying.
"Is that all you've got?" Iska taunted, a fierce grin spreading across her face.
Beside her, Ryana twirled her staff in intricate patterns, weaving a tapestry of flame. With a cry of "Inferno Burst!" she thrust her staff forward, sending a wave of searing heat crashing into the Evilus ranks. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and the agonized screams of those caught in the conflagration.
"Watch your left, Iska!" Ryana called out, her keen eyes spotting a flanking attacker.
Without missing a beat, Iska spun, her elbow connecting with the assailant's jaw with a sickening crunch. She followed through with a powerful kick that sent the attacker crashing into his comrades.
As the Astraea Familia defned the cvilians, the tide of battle began to turn. Evilus forces, caught off guard by the familia's coordinated assault, started to falter and retreat.
In the distance, near the collapsed remains of a fruit stall, Alise and Ryuu stood back-to-back, their blades a blur of motion as they faced off against Valletta. The Evilus leader's laughter rang out, sharp and mocking, as she danced between their strikes.
"Is this all the mighty Astraea Familia can muster?" Valletta taunted, her wicked blade leaving trails of darkness in its wake. "I expected more from the so-called guardians of Orario!"
Alise's eyes narrowed, her sword flashing as she pressed forward.
"Your schemes end here, Valletta," she growled, her voice steady despite the exertion of battle. "Orario will not fall to you."
Ryuu moved in perfect sync with her captain, her elven grace allowing her to anticipate and counter Valletta's every move. "For the honor of our familia," she murmured, her blade singing through the air, "and for the safety of those we've sworn to protect."
The duel continued to intensify until:
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE
A sudden rumble shook the marketplace, causing chaos and panic among the bystanders. The three combatants froze, their eyes scanning for the source of the disturbance. Valletta's lips curled into an evil smile, her sadistic glee evident in her wild eyes.
"Hahaha! I've got you now, bitches!" she taunted, her voice laced with malice.
Kaguya's face twisted in anger as she demanded, "What do you mean by that? You were already beaten back at the Hero's Bridge."
Valletta's laughter echoed through the marketplace as she revealed her true intentions. "Hahaha! This whole thing was just a distraction!"
"A distraction from what?" Kaguya spat, her fists clenched in fury, as she cut down another Evilus member who had charged her.
"From our ultimate goal," Valletta sneered. "That little rumble was a sign that my god failed in his quest. Your beloved Rabbit and Doll Princess are probably about to become monster food."
Alise's heart raced as fear coursed through her veins. "What did you do?" she demanded, her hands trembling with anxiety.
"GAHAHAHA. Got you anxious there Harnel?" Valleta's cackling laughter echoed across the marketplace, taunting her opponents. Alise's anxiety was palpable as she waited for Valleta's next move.
"It's simple," Valletta replied with a smirk. "We set a trap for the doll princess and the rabbit. That rumble means my god failed and provoked the Dungeon, which likely means that rabbit and Doll are halfway down a monster's belly by now."
Alise let out a battle cry and charged at Valleta, who continued to laugh manically. The clash of weapons filled the air as Alise struck while Valleta deftly parried, with Ryu charging in to join the fray.
"You'd better hurry up," Valleta taunted. "Or there won't even be pieces left of them."
"That's enough of that," Shakti interjected, slamming the tip of her spear into the ground where Valleta stood mere second before.
"I've had about enough of that as well," Gareth added, his fist slamming into the pavers where Valleta had dodged to.
"Tch," Valleta grumbled. "Elgram and Ankusha... not my day. Well, I better retreat for now."
With a final call to her remaining Evilus members, they brought out bombs and started throwing them at their opponents. The adventurers were forced to retreat and evacuate as the bombs exploded around them, causing chaos and destruction.
The Evils had fled by the time the smoke cleared.
"Alise, Lyon, Here." Ardee said as she handed her friends potions and received a warm thank from both of them.
"Everyone, get ready. We're going into the Dungeon," Alise commanded.
"Right. Captain, two minutes and then we move out," Kaguya ordered.
"What's going on, Alise?" Shakti asked as Gareth approached.
"Valleta was taunting us. She said that these attacks were a diversion to set a trap for Ais and Bell," Alise explained.
"Bell..." Ardee muttered
"I see. In that case, you should go investigate. Take your familia with you. Ardee go with them. We'll handle things here," Shakti said.
"Hmph. Just make sure you bring the little lass back. here takes these as well. just in case. if you don't need them just return them. Shakti, give em some of yours too" Gareth added as he handle almost all of his of exilers and potions to the Astraea familia.
"Uh. But why?' Shakti asked confused
"Trust me. We don't know what is waiting for them. This is supposed to be a trap after all." Gareth pointed out as he started to survey the damage.
"Right, Ardee take these now. Come back safe, you hear me." Shakti said as she took a single look at Ardee, who nodded.
"Thank you, Shakti. Thank you, Uncle Gareth! Astraea Familia, let's move out!" Alise shouted.
"Thank you big sis, Shakti. I will." Ardee said as she smiled.
"AHHHHH!" The familia responded in unison as they ran off into the Dungeon.
So the reason I gave Celty a barrier for magic was that she was an expert at defensive magic.
I have tried to flush out the abilities of the Astraea familia based on the very little information from the Wiki.
