L'Tenma stood before me with a smirk on her face, tilting her head as she noticed my enraged state. She enjoyed seeing me lose myself to my own grief and anger, enjoying the sight of Ragnarok working through me, watching as my aura flared and pulsed with Fury.
"It's always so interesting how you are Ascea, the Incarnation of Yesha. After all, he did say he would come down not with peace, but with a Sword. Where exactly is your Sword, Yesha?" L'Tenma mocked, holding her hand out toward me and launched black chains toward me from the pool of darkness below her.
I used my own chains to deflect hers and launched both of them toward her, aiming both of them to pierce of shoulders. "I Am the Sword! Good people obtain favour from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes!"
L'Tenma grunted heavily as a verse from The Chronicles knocked her back, weakening her Spirit and leaving her vulnerable. I launched my chains toward her and wrapped them around her arms, yanking her toward me and striking her stomach with a deadly blow, my fist able to reach her ribs.
L'Tenma groaned loudly in pain, coughing up a bit of blood, the force of my attack sending her crashing backwards with unbelievable force. I warped toward her and grabbing the back of her head, smashing her face against the branch wall, my hand gripping her hair with unrelenting force.
"I know Merin sent you here...you all seem to be his little lap dog. To use my mother's body for your schemes, to desecrate her image if beyond blasphemy!" I yelled, the tone of my voice bouncing off the walls of the Boss Room.
L'Tenma laughed softly at me, striking my stomach with her elbow then snapped her fingers, skeleton hands from my own shadow reaching up to grab me and bind me down to the ground. "You're fighting a losing battle, Nox...the more you hurt, the stronger I become. There's no chance of you defeating Lament!"
A volley of bullets flew toward L'Tenma, but she phased through the line of projectiles with a step backwards, leaving behind a black mirage of herself. Fleur dashed toward L'Tenma and used four of her butterflies to shift her Gatling Gun into her Holy Gunblade, firing another round of bullets toward her.
L'Tenma dodged the bullets with ease and activated her Dark Mirage, the black mirage of herself warping toward Fleur with a Critical Strike to her body, sending her flying toward the edge of the arena. Feeling Effie's energy nearby, she ducked under her spinning slice with her shuriken then summoned a Black Golem to her side to launch Effie away with a Lethal Blow.
"Enough is enough!" Luciel yelled, summoning her Scepter then awakening into her Warden Form, large Warden Butterflies manifesting around her body.
"Ahh, the Evangelist in Training has finally decided to rise up to the challenge! You know, I've been curious about your powers beyond being a Warden," L'Tenma chuckled, summoning a corridor of dark energy next to her and reaching inside, pulling out six spears of darkness from within.
I grit my teeth as I tried to break out of L'Tenma's bind, looking over at Luciel with concern. "Luciel..! Don't fight her! You won't win!"
"I'm not going to sit aside and do nothing, Nox! You have to sanctify Clover today or else it will all be over! Floria can not die in vain! I won't let her, I refuse to allow prophecy to be steered away again!" Luciel declared, launching one of her butterflies forward and warped toward it with a swing of her Scepter.
"Let us see how strong the conviction of your Spiritual Wife is!" L'Tenma laughed, blocking Luciel's attack and repelled her away with a force of Suffocating Winds.
Luciel slid backwards a bit then dashed toward L'Tenma once again, an ethereal lavender blade forming at the top of her scepter as she launched a vicious overhead slice. L'Tenma evaded her slice with a Blink, leaving behind a black silhouette then activated her Black Mirage.
The Mirage warped toward Luciel, but she managed to evade the Mirage Strike and used one of her Warden Butterflies to manifest a Spirit Mirage of herself. She pointed her scepter toward L'Tenma, firing off multiple bolts of light toward her.
"C'mon! I know you can do better than that, Warden!" L'Tenma laughed, using her black chains to deflect each bolt of light then launched four chains toward Luciel.
"Not on my watch! Looni, Dragon Rush!" Effie called out from the sky, Looni charging down toward L'Tenma and cloaking herself in Fury Aura.
L'Tenma grunted as she looked up at Effie and Looni, scoffing as she was forced to dodge the fluffy Coatyl's crash landing. Effie leaped off Looni's back, and launched her shuriken toward her with wind energy surrounding the weapon.
L'Tenma used one of her spears to deflect the shuriken, but Effie's weapon began circling back around to strike from behind, yet L'Tenma was still able to block the deadly blow. Effie rushed into the fray with her Wind Shuriken, adding pressure upon L'Tenma as her shuriken rushed around with equal might.
"You all are more annoying than I remember!" L'Tenma roared, releasing a pulse of dark energy around her body then generated Energy Mines around Effie, each one snapped like a Devil Stone.
"Effie, move!" Fleur yelled out, aiming her Dual Holy Pistols toward the energy mines and locking onto each of them.
Effie glanced behind herself and gasped, hopping on Looni's back and taking flight as Fleur began rapidly firing bullets at the Mines, causing each one to detonate and explode before they could harm anyone. L'Tenma glanced at the three girls, wondering where they were getting their willpower from.
"Papa!!" A familiar voice yelled from the skies, a force of monstrous energy crashing down toward L'Tenma with boosted Fury.
L'Tenma leaped backwards to dodge the new combatants, sliding backwards and looking up to see Rozalin joining the fight. She scoffed at her then rolled her right shoulder. "A new combatant huh? A Special Grade Monster at that. Your powers don't work on me, I fear."
Rozalin spread her wings and smirked at L'Tenma, smacking her fist against her palm with determination. "I know they don't! You possess Rebirth Energy, so I know you're a Dark Lord...or at the very least an Eternal Empress, Lamemt."
L'Tenma laughed at Rozalin's unnatural intelligence and crossed her arms, her spears disappearing to favor a Daemon Avatar behind her, a dark cloak appearing around her body. "So you know what I am? Fine, I suppose my identity is revealed...but what good does that do for you, if even your own Messiah can't escape my bind!"
I growled lowly at L'Tenma's taught and gripped the ground below, my aura deeper more into wrath as she continued to mock me and my mother. "Leave my mother's body! I swear... I'll destroy you!"
L'Tenma laughed at my threats and looked down at me, enjoying seeing me stick pinned down on the ground by my own shadow. "You are in no position to make demands, Nox. Now sit quietly and watch your allies perish!"
L'Tenma warped toward the girls, launching black chains in all directions toward each girl, forcing each one to spread out across the battlefield. I grunted as I tried to break out of L'Tenma's hold, my aura flaring around my body with anger.
Fleur dodged L'Tenma's Mirage Strike and used three of her butterflies to turn them into clones of herself, her clones charging toward L'Tenma only to be wiped out by her chains. A black chain shot out toward Fleur, but Effie charged toward, blocking the blade of the chain with her shuriken and groaned as she was blown away by the velocity of L'Tenma's chain.
"Mama! You go left, I go right!" Rozalin called out, dashing toward L'Tenma's right and launched herself forward with a Fury Boosted kick.
"Alright!" Luciel nodded, charging toward L'Tenma's left and propelling herself forward with a swing of her scepter.
L'Tenma laughed at the girls' futile efforts to strike her down, catching Rozalin's foot and Luciel's scepter and draining their Spirit Energy before dropping them to the ground. "It's useless! You can't defeat Lament, you can't defeat a Dark Lord, let alone kill one!"
Leonidas, who stood at the sidelines, could do nothing but watch with a mix of awe and terror of L'Tenma's true might, her alone able to take down Squad V with ease. He turned his gaze over toward me, noticing my aura had disappeared, noticing I was unmoving.
L'Tenma glanced over at me, her lips curling into a smirk as she noticed I had stopped struggling under her bind. She walked over toward me, walking around to stand in front of me then crouched down in front of me. "Hey, don't tell me you gave up already. You still have a child to sanctify...or has your will completely faltered?"
"You had a good run, I'll admit...but though you share the same origins as King Yesha of Eyica, you are not Him. You share His Spirit, His Legacy, His Core...but you lack something that he always had. True Resolve," L'Tenma continued, tilting her head slightly and humming softly.
L'Tenma stared at me for a moment longer, raising an eyebrow as I had not responded to her. She reached out toward me slowly, a flash of light shining and repelling her back violently.
"You're right...I am not Yesha. I am not Perfection, I am not the blueprint of Life. I'm not even the first chosen to be Ascea, that goes to August," I began, opening my eyes and gripped the ground once more, Iridescent Energy slowly forming around my body.
"However...one thing remains true. I am Ascea. I have His Spirit because I am He. I will finish the mission I was tasked with, and I refuse to fall in the face of a demon who wears my mother's face...so Mother, Mama, if you can hear me...I will save you," I said, looking up at L'Tenma with a determined smile.
"Just as my butterflies protected Zachary from Lament when he died at Exzodia Church. Mama...don't let your grief take you over. I'm still here!" I finished, struggling under my binds but breaking through them to touch my mother's hand.
L'Tenma froze under my touch, a spark of light shining upon our hands as I held hers in mine. She glanced down at our hands, her hair slowly reverting back to blonde and her eyes shifting from red to her original light amber color.
"I may not be able to save you now...but one day... I'll be able to share my Final Lament with you and free you...from the curse Terminus put upon us. His corruption won't last for much longer," I said, the chains holding me down dissolving into aether particles and freeing me from my binds.
The Scales of God tipped back over to Genesis fully, Ragnarok's Sigil upon the ground shattering and being replaced by Genesis's Sigil, shifting the Boss Room into a sanctuary. The branches of the tree of life began to untangle, the Main Courtyard now opening back up for all to come.
The moon shone brightly in the sky, each of stars twinkling brightly, yet one star shone the brightest in the sky, a single star that filled my Spirit with alertness. I stood up on my feet, helping Myra onto her feet as well then I glanced up at the sky seeing the Golden Star glowing brightly.
Myra looked up at the sky as well, gasping softly as she noticing the beautiful twinkling sky, a sight she could not have enjoyed in forever. "Wow...the sky, it's so beautiful. I haven't seen such a starry night in so long...Nox, do you see the stars every night?"
"I do now," I said, looking back down and turning around to face my recovering girls and Leonidas, who stood in the background the walked toward them. "Everyone, listen up. Today is the last day Clover can be sanctified, but I can't do it alone...with the chaos that's been happening, everyone's planning to strike the Tree of Life.."
Leonidas sighed softly and slipped his hands into his pockets, closing his eyes and lowering his head. "Still, you speak to me with grace and mercy. After all I've done to you? I even lied to you about who you truly were on a Spiritual Level. Why?"
I glanced over at Leonidas, seeing his head held low with regret then let out a soft sigh. I made my way toward him and summoned both Crests of Pyroc and Galvan, returning both Crests to him. "Because, you're technically my Uncle. Or I guess, a father figure. Plus, you're Effie's biological uncle. She still loves you.."
Leonidas looked up at me then turned his gaze toward Effie, seeing her holding onto Fleur and Looni tightly, her eyes filled with betrayal and pain. He turned his gaze back toward me, his heart shattering under the realization of what he's been doing. He lowered his head once more, balling his hands into fists.
I placed my hand upon his shoulder, giving him a soft smile. "Look up, Mr. Pride. You don't have to carry these burdens alone, give them to my Father, the Most High and through Him will you find the peace you desperately want."
Effie stared at Leonidas, her eyes widening as she noticed tears flowing down his cheeks, a white dove perched upon his shoulder. Her entire body developed goosebumps, her Spirit awakening within and sending tingling sensations through her entire body.
Luciel, Fleur, and Rozalin watched as my words, The Truth, changed Leonidas's Spirit, Luciel noticing the white dove upon Leonidas's shoulder as well. The Gift of the Holy Spirit was not uncommon in Exzodia, but a spectacular gift once your heart truly aligned with God.
"Remember, Leonidas Yascea...this will be your name from now on. You are part of the twelve Tribes of Eyica. You never lost your salvation...you only lost your way in the midst of the confusion and sufferings of your Spirit. God never left you, but worry not...as I will bring you back to Him," I said, wiping his tears away and gathered my Sovereign Butterflies around me.
Myra watched my interaction with Leonidas, her gaze softening into a maternal expression and her breaths softening. Her memories began to form in static in her mind, the images of us, though blurry, still there within.
The Genesis Sigil began to glow brightly, an Aether Light washing over Leonidas and renewing his mind and heart with the Nexus. His Crest of Arcane began to glow brightly, blessing him with the Minor Crest of Subjugation, a Dominion Angel ability.
"Genesis also forgives you...remember that Yuvah's love and grace is undying. He is a Just and Fair God, a Loving, yet jealous God. He wants your heart...He wants you to finally choose Him.." I said, taking a step back from Leonidas to allow him to process my words.
"Wow, that was a beautiful scene! Almost like it was spoken by someone who actually believes in God," A familiar voice said in the distance, catching all of our attentions.
"So you finally show back up, Claudio? I've been expecting you for a while now," I said, turning around to face Claudio, who were accompanied by three of his Love Demons: Mua, Fortune, and Regina.
"Oh! Oh! It's the Messiah! Nox isn't it?" Fortune happily greeted, rushing over toward me and grabbed my hands for a handshake. "Whoa!! You look exactly like they said you would! Black hair with a white strip, 13 Butterflies, Amber Eyes!"
I looked at Fortune with slight confusion, giving her a slight judgemental stare and cleared my throat lightly. "Mmm, yeah. You're the exact opposite of what I thought you'd be.."
"Geez, this dumb fox...Fortune, we're supposed to be fighting the guy not having a damn meet and greet!" Mua called out to Fortune, letting out an exasperated groan.
Fortune looked back at Mua quickly with an embarrassed expression then quickly swiped my hands away then leaped backwards, getting down into her stance on all fours. "Right! I knew that, I was just trying out a new distraction technique, but I forgor I have little to no charm!"
"Forgor?" Effie snickered lightly, covering her mouth and shook her head.
I gently took Clover off my back and walked over to Myra, handing her to my mother gently and looked at her with a reassuring smile. "It doesn't matter who sanctifies Clover...all it matters is you make it to her Rebirth Bud inside the Tree of Life. I'll meet you and Leonidas there.."
Myra held Clover in her arms, looking down at her then met my gaze again with worry and concern. She looked over at Claudio and gulped lightly, her gaze shifting back down to Clover. "What...what if I transform again..? The spirit inside me wants you and this baby dead..."
"You won't, not while you're holding Clover," I said, placing my hand upon Myra's and sealing a butterfly upon her. "This will keep L'Tenma calm for only a period of time. Only for one day, so when the moon rises again...my Butterfly will return to me. Now go, Mama! Hurry!"
Myra grunted softly and nodded quickly, hurrying toward the Virgo Department to the Tree of Life with quick steps. Leonidas exhaled softly and rose his head, rushing off to join Myra in the mission to sanctify Clover.
Claudio chuckled as he watched Myra and Leonidas hurry toward the Tree of Life, shrugging his shoulders and returning his attention back toward me. "Well, since you let your child go, I'm guessing you're now not holding anything back anymore huh?"
"Those who dare to defy, deny, and derail God are the enemies of God. Thou shall have no other god or gods before the Most High, that's the first commandment, and you have 13 deities before Yuvah," I said, rolling my shoulders and cracking my neck, white lightning crackling around my body.
Claudio laughed at my pure conviction and resolve, smashing his fist against his palm then grinned widely. "Finally, a real challenge instead of those dumbasses who decided to stay back and defend the Council!"
Claudio propelled himself toward me at high speeds while I charged toward him as well, the two of us clashing forearms and struggling equally against one another. Claudio chuckled lightly at me while I gave him a resolved glare, the two of us repelling one another back.
Claudio teleported toward me with a spinning kick, but I weaved around his attack then countered with a Spirit Strike upon Claudio's chest to knock him back. I stuck one of my butterflies upon his shoulder then used another to warp into the air and warped Claudio in the air with me.
"You're not getting me that easily!" Claudio bellowed, blocking my Critical Blow, grunting heavily as a burst of Holy Energy spiralled around his arm.
On the ground, the Love Demons engaged in battle against Luciel, Fleur, and Effie, all six women collectively trying to gain the upper hand in their battle. Mua dodged Fleur's strike and went for a vicious stab with her tail, but Effie blocked it with her shuriken, giving Luciel the opening to retaliate.
Luciel fired a beam of energy at Mua, but miraculously the beam dissolved before it could reach Mua, catching Luciel off guard. During her moment of surprise, Fortune zipped toward her at high speeds and launched a swift claw swipe toward Luciel's face.
The eyes of the destroyed Powers Statues began to faintly shine, two beams of divine light shooting toward Fortune and striking her body, knocking her away from Luciel. Luciel caught her breath from the moment of shock, but immediately was back on the defensive as Regina joined the fray.
"Try all you must to fulfill your prophecy, but you will fall! Master will kill your Messiah, and reign over Exzodia!" Regina declared, throwing an ambitious punch toward Luciel.
"As if I'll allow you demons to stop Nox! After years of torment from Terminus, I refuse to fall victim again!" Luciel roared, taking Regina's punch head on and using Regina's Ambition Aura to empower herself.
A pulse of white energy flowed around Luciel's body, empowering her resolve and physical strength into new stages. Luciel let out a battle cry as she struck Regina with a stunning blow to her stomach then summoned her Warden Butterfly on the ground, an eruption of lavender and white aura rising from the butterfly to severely damage Regina.
"We need to target the Warden first! She's the main issue!" Mua called out, changing her target to Luciel and flew toward her.
Luciel turned around to face Mua, gasping as she noticed her tail flying toward her chest, but her body became a light blue silhouette and warped into my arms as I descended from the sky. "N-Nox!"
I landed onto the ground gracefully and set Luciel down gently, checking up upon her, but she reassured she was alright. I nodded at her turned my gaze toward Claudio and his three demons. "Tch...seems like I need to tap into something a bit more ancient now."
Golden flames rushed around my arms and manifested into my Lion Gauntlets, the metallic coat of my gauntlets glowing under the moonlight. I began to generate divine fire around my body, my hair becoming more primal and setting ablaze. Letting out a primal roar, I tapped into my Leo Zodiac Form, my flames surging around my body and shifting between iridescent hues.
Claudio whistled with false impress and chuckled lightly, throwing off his jacket and exposing his tribal tattoos. "Now we're really turning up the heat, now let me show you one of my forms!"
He got down upon one knee, praying to Tengoku and his tattoos began to flash silver with ethereal blue energy flowing around his body, surprising the girls that he had access to perceived Holy Energy. "Maluhia..."
Claudio rose to his feet, letting out his Tribal Howl and a rush of silver and blue energy surged around his body as he transformed into his Tengoku Form, his eyes shining light blue and his hair becoming silver. He stared at me in a state of peace, his aura carrying a peaceful demeanor to it.
"What do you think? Perfect for the true Savior of the Earth. The Mojisola are truly...your equal," Claudio boasted, pointing to himself with his thumb.