"RRROOOAAARRR!"
The Black Dragon roared in blind fury, shaking the air. The beating of its great wings reverberated through the solid buildings around it as it pursued its former companions.
Edric, Eupherbia, Four, and the unconscious Five in his arms fled across another of the long stone bridges connecting the buildings of the Tower of Latria under construction, trying to enter a narrow passage where the out-of-control beast could not reach them.
However, the Dragon would not allow its prey to escape. Breathing deeply, an orange glow glowed in its stomach as smoke escaped from the corners of its mouth, preparing to spit a fiery tide.
The fugitives realized its plan and intensified their efforts, accelerating their run and closing the distance quickly.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time. The Dragon opened its colossal mouth, adorned with sword-sharp fangs, and spat a scorching inferno toward her.
"Here, hold this dead weight!" Four threw the half-naked woman in her arms toward Edric, who fumbled to catch her due to the unexpected action, but kept running, carrying her on his shoulder.
The Intoner then stopped and turned to face the approaching flames.
"Four, what are you—"
"Keep running!"
She didn't allow the knight to finish and took a deep breath, mimicking her enemy's actions and summoning her own power now that she was free of the golden bonds.
Green magic coursed through her body, magical circles filled with luminous sigils surrounded her, and with the opening of her mouth, the air vibrated with the Power of Song.
An emerald barrier placed itself in front of the fire, blocking its advance. It quickly became a power struggle, with both combatants maintaining their respective techniques, fighting for dominance.
Suddenly, cracks appeared in the barrier, and the victor became obvious, as the Intoner fought her natural enemy. However, she refused to give up, raising her barrier and giving her partners as much time as possible to escape.
Sweat poured down her face, her heart pounding. Deep down, amidst the fear and anger she felt, she wondered what the hell she was doing.
Eventually, both combatants had to breathe, ending their actions. The fire ceased, engulfing the bridge in smoke, and the barrier disappeared, allowing Four to turn and follow her companions, who now disappeared on the other side of the bridge.
She chanted again, activating her Intoner Mode, not to continue the fight, but to escape. Each of her steps cracked the ground, moving at inhuman speed.
Simultaneously, the Dragon flapped its wings, scattering the smoke with a gale, spotting its target reaching the entrance to the building ahead.
Roaring again, its animalistic instincts wouldn't allow its prey to escape its grasp, so it closed its wings and dove like a cannonball, spreading them close to the ground, breaking its fall as it soared above the bridge.
Four's face contorted in despair as the beast's gaping maw approached, hurling every insult it knew, cursing every being it considered responsible for its current predicament.
Looking ahead, the Intoner barely had time to lower her head and dodge the gleaming magical projectiles that flew toward her, striking and slowing her pursuer.
Edric and Eupherbia cast spell after spell, standing in the archway ahead, shouting at her to hurry.
There was no need to repeat it; the Intoner screamed in exertion, pushing her body to its limit as a spell struck the Dragon's eye, causing it to lose control of its flight and skid across the floor.
Gathered together, the fugitives moved deeper into the corridor, hearing the crash and feeling the earth-shattering tremor of the great creature colliding with the entrance.
A wave of dust obscured their vision, and when it cleared, they saw the Dragon's head wedged in the entrance, struggling, trying to escape.
At that moment, everyone had time to analyze the new appearance of their pursuer, not unlike the Dragon Gabriel.
Unlike One's Dragon, the Black Dragon possessed an armored form, with a metal helmet and jaw guard protecting its head and chin, with openings for its horns, eyes, and snout.
Metal plates protected its neck and back, along with a seat for a rider.
A golden glow shone between the plates, emanating a disturbing yet familiar magical power.
Soon everyone present realized the source of the dragon's madness, for they had witnessed Three's origins.
"What did she do to you?" Edric took hesitant steps toward the winged being, pondering how to help him.
He didn't get far; Four grabbed his free wrist and Eupherbia grabbed his shoulder, pulling him in the opposite direction.
"That thing tried to kill us! We need to get out of here before that damned lizard escapes!"
"We can help the grumpy Dragon later, Edric!"
The knight protested, hating the idea of abandoning a companion, even if their partnership was based on pure and apparent convenience.
The imprisoned beast didn't share his feelings, blinded by insanity; their exploits and adventures, moments of joy and sorrow, bonds and connection no longer made sense.
It thrashed wildly, violently slamming its head against the walls, sending reverberating booms and damaging the structure, which was now slowly cracking.
They pulled harder, dragging the Demon Slayer's feet across the floor.
Edric stopped struggling and watched, the world blurring and sounds muffled, time slowing, and the Dragon coming into focus.
"I will return to you! I swear on my honor that I will! I will not lose another companion again!"
Then, he made his choice. Clucking his tongue, he turned his back on the Black Dragon, fleeing with a sinking heart, shame and revolt coursing through him.
Blinding light and scorching heat followed the fleeing group, and they didn't need to turn to discover what was approaching.
Abandoning the main passage, Four knocked a side door off its hinges with a punch, revealing a long stone staircase leading downward.
They walked along the dark, narrow path, catching glimpses of the outside through several small windows, flocks of screeching gargoyles, and patrols of octopus-elves with weapons and torches in hand, all amidst the mist that seemed to consume their bodies.
The sounds of the Dragon became muffled, fading into the distance, and the path led them to a dimly lit corridor.
Footsteps caused the group to back up and press against the wall, allowing a patrol of octopus-elves to pass right by, disappearing around a distant corner.
Waiting for someone else, Edric, Four, Eupherbia, and the unconscious Five continued their advance, heading in the opposite direction of the patrol, uneasy at the silence that followed.
It was impossible to pinpoint their exact location; the labyrinthine interior of the building seemed to stretch on forever.
Turn after turn, passage after passage, they created distance from their enemies, erasing their tracks until their bodies protested the relentless effort.
Searching for a safe place, they carefully opened the wooden doors they found, stopping when they came across what appeared to be an abandoned kitchen, locking the door behind them and choosing their moment to rest.
"Damn it..." Edric growled through clenched teeth, gently laying Five down on a dusty old table.
"Ha, I'd say much more than that! I'm already regretting not running away when I had the chance!" Eupherbia sat on his shoulder.
The fairy offered a playful smile, expecting an equivalent response from her partner as usual, but frowned in concern at his reaction.
He looked at the ground, clenching his fists, whitening his already pale skin, his sharp nails sinking into his flesh, drawing blood.
The grinding of his teeth was audible, and although his hair hid the upper part of his face, it wasn't hard to guess what he was feeling.
"Hey, I'm also pissed about what happened to the Dragon. That bitch Three managed to get a collar on him, but you can fix that, can't you? You always can. We're going to beat the shit out of Three, and you're going to pull some magic thing out of your weird bag and fix the giant lizard's head, then we'll all fly out of here. What do you think?"
She smiled again, offering a hopeful look, but her expression faltered at the lack of response.
"Hey, answer! Please, say something! Where's the fearless knight in shining armor? I swear I'll leave if you don't! Don't tell me you've given up?"
Poking her friend's left cheek, concern filled her small voice.
As if struck by lightning, he jerked his head up, knocking the fairy off his shoulder, who immediately took flight, landing in front of his face.
"Me? Give up? Those words don't belong in the same sentence. None of my deaths, no matter how cruel, made me give up, none of my defeats and failures made me give up, no demon or monster did. They made me stronger, every challenge overcome strengthened my resolve. I wouldn't be here now if I had given up, none of us, not even the world. Three's biggest mistake was not killing me when she had the chance. Unfortunately, we are outnumbered, in the middle of enemy territory. We need to regain our strength and escape. We must reunite with Zero and the Disciples and report everything we saw, then we will decide our next move."
The fairy nodded, her face glowing with joy, though there was a pang of fear burning in her chest thanks to his cold, serious tone.
The inhuman features on his face only accentuated his barely contained rage. His eyes glowed a piercing blue, his sharp teeth bared like a beast's, and the dark veins in his skin pulsed with boiling blood.
The knight asked for his bottomless bag, which the fairy handed over. Then he equipped his armor, sword, shield, magic rings, and other familiar items and surveyed his surroundings, focusing on Intoner Four, who remained seated in a corner, muttering to herself.
"Here, put this on. A lady shouldn't walk around in rags."
Crouching down in front of the woman, he offered her a set of armor.
"W-what is this?" She lifted her head, snapping out of her stupor.
"The plate set, typically found on Boletarian soldiers. It's simple, but reasonably sturdy."
"T-thank you..." She accepted the garments with trembling hands, and he turned away, giving her privacy to dress.
"You can look now."
With Four's permission, Edric turned, seeing her wearing brown leather armor held together by belts, with long sleeves of thick fabric ending in gloves, and metal plates protecting her shoulders, waist, and legs.
"How do I look?"
"Hm... You look more prepared for combat than in your normal clothes."
Her expression fell; it wasn't the answer she wanted, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, finding a certain humor in the comment. It certainly helped lighten the situation.
"Just don't ask me to wear the helmet; it's ridiculous."
"I would protest against it, but you seem to have a lot on your mind right now, so I won't bother you with something so minor."
"Yes, please..."
Then silence returned, and she sat down in a chair, dragging her hands through her hair.
The sound of a chair being placed in front of her caught her attention, and she found Edric staring at her casually.
"You want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"What's bothering you."
She looked away, choosing to focus on anything but the armored man, licking her lips as she considered what to say.
A variety of feelings coursed through her, and countless thoughts raced through her mind.
Anger, revolt, confusion, sadness, questions about when everything began to unravel. What happened to her land? Her sisters? What were these monsters? Where did they come from? How could she be deceived?
Her behavior became erratic, tremors racking her body, her legs clenching tightly as her face contorted with uncontrolled emotions.
She opened her mouth, ready to release everything she felt, but only a muffled sound escaped her lips.
"MUNPH!"
"SSSHHH!" Edric covered her mouth as he placed a finger in front of his helmet, making her narrow her eyes in anger, but never getting the chance to continue.
He pointed to the door, and everyone watched tensely as the footsteps grew louder, passed in front of the door, and disappeared.
"Forgive me, try again, but control yourself. We can't be discovered."
Removing his hand from Four's mouth, he allowed her to take a deep breath, calming her racing heart before speaking in an exasperated tone.
"What's going on here? These monsters? This place? Three? This doesn't make sense! One day everything was fine, and the next there was a war! Five, that stupid, empty-headed bitch, lost her land in the first few days, and we had to drag her along like a helpless maiden. Apparently, her cow breasts didn't seduce her enemies, unlike her men. I have no doubt they've abandoned their posts now that she's no longer there to suck their cocks! If it were up to me, I'd feed her to the dragon! I allied myself with One, the sister I trust most. It was my chance to prove myself to her, to become her right-hand woman, to finally be recognized and praised, and perhaps achieve something more personal… But I was an idiot, an imbecile, a fool. I was betrayed by her men at a crucial moment! Do you know how it feels to see everything crumbling around you, everything you worked so hard to build turning to dust? I know. I've seen the dead come back to life, devouring the living, and… Increasing their numbers, an endless horde that stops at nothing, destroying my land. And as if that weren't enough, my disciple turned into a monster, betrayed me at the first opportunity, and now I'm here, hostage to my psychopathic sister and her boy toy!
"I'm not your sister's boy toy! Whatever this means! She irritates me to no end!"
"Of course, I bet you think that when she rides you like a dragon!!"
The knight sighed wearily, shaking his head as he held the front of his helmet. Simultaneously, the fairy on his shoulder laughed, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at him.
"I have no idea what happened to Two and the Prince Charming she calls her boyfriend! They're both soft-hearted idiots, helping everyone without a second thought and getting stabbed in the back because of it! I hope they're rotting in a ditch in the hellish desert they call home! And One... One! If I ever find her again, I'll wrap my hands around her perfectly soft neck, gradually squeezing it, watching the air leave her lungs and her eyes pop out of her head. And when it's all said and done, I'll go after Zero and the traitorous disciples, and in the end, I'll leave this cursed land called Midgard and live in a place far from everything and everyone!"
Silence returned to the kitchen, the only sound being the enraged Intoner catching her breath. Meanwhile, Edic and Eupherbia watched with wide eyes as the insults and invectives were hurled, wondering how one person could bottle up so many problems.
Minutes later, clarity returned to Four's mind, and she realized what she had done, blushing a deep red as she fiddled with her fingers nervously.
"I-I mean... Don't get me wrong... Actually..."
"Do you feel better now?"
"Yes, thanks for listening to me... I don't know what came over me, but this happens sometimes until I can't hold it in anymore and explode, for lack of a better word."
"Good, it's not healthy to hide your feelings like this. You need to let them out occasionally, and while I don't agree with everything you said, I understand some of your points. Do you remember the conversation we had on the airship? About The Second Scourge and the demons? Well, that's happening here."
"No, that's not possible! So what you said is true? Forget it, of course it's true! I saw Three wearing the golden robes, the Old Monk's, right?"
"Exactly. Three's robes are an archdemon, and he taught her the magical arts and knowledge of Latria. Now, your sister plans to cause a third Scourge and awaken the Old One. This will weaken the fabric of reality, allowing her to travel to other worlds in search of creating the perfect doll."
"This... This is a lot to process... Other worlds? Old One? You speak of many things I know nothing about. Start from the beginning, please."
"Hm... Normally, I wouldn't share my knowledge so easily. It's the kind of subject that shouldn't be treated lightly, but considering old enemies are returning, it's best that everyone knows what to expect. Eupherbia, this also applies to you. Listen carefully, for this will be a long story. On the first day, man was granted a soul, and with it, clarity. On the second day, an irrevocable poison was planted upon the earth, a soul-devouring demon."
-XXXXXX-
Edric murmured an ancient song from his homeland, stirring a stew in a wood-burning stove lit by his spell.
Tasting the food, he frowned; it was acceptable despite the old and scarce ingredients, but far from his quality standards.
He filled three bowls with the stew, placing a spoon in each, and placed two on a table near where Five rested, where Eupherbia and Four stood like statues with wide eyes and open mouths, faces filled with horror.
The knight pulled out a chair, blowing on his food before savoring it, oblivious to the glazed eyes that followed his every move.
"What the fuck was that?!" Four slammed her fists on the table, nearly knocking everything to the floor.
"Be careful with the food, I worked hard with what little I had!"
"Did you die?!" The fairy pointed her small, trembling finger at the man.
"Yes, stabbed, crushed, impaled, burned, devoured, and more, but don't worry, I'm used to it, though I fear my next death will be permanent, considering I'm no longer trapped in the Nexus." He shrugged.
"How can you talk about this so easily?! I've been afraid of dying ever since we embarked on this suicidal journey, and here you are treating death as if it were an inconvenience!"
"Eupherbia, I understand your outrage, but there's nothing you can do about it. I've become desensitized to my death, though I've been worried about how close I've come to my end recently."
"Just... Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise, but fate constantly conspires to make me break my promises."
She lowered her head, sighing in resignation, knowing it was true. Then she used her magic to control a spoon and scoop up the stew, eating it with a downcast posture and face.
Edric, meanwhile, tapped the table rhythmically, wondering how he should comfort the fairy, but nothing came to mind. It was impossible to change the past; what was done was done; you could only accept it and move on.
"You're a fairytale hero, aren't you? A knight in shining armor. I wonder what book you came from."
Despite the kind words, a sarcastic tone consumed the Intoner's voice, her head resting on her hand and a mocking smile.
"I'm far from that. Fairy tales have happy endings. Mine was bittersweet, to say the least. And my armor lost its shine long ago."
"But you saved the world, didn't you? A lone warrior faced hordes of demons and treacherous lands while my sisters and I barely managed to keep Midgard intact. How did all this chaos go unnoticed by us? One wouldn't have thought twice about helping if she had known."
"Hm... I didn't act alone. I lost many friends and allies, and I couldn't save the devoured souls. You Intoners have your own challenges to overcome. Ruling kingdoms involves much more than swinging a sword and slaying monsters. I desire distance from politics and administration. Regarding Boletaria, no one in Midgard seems to know about the kingdom, despite its size and influence. However, I can't say if I did a good job saving it, as the demons have returned."
"That's something I'd like to know. You killed them! How are they here now?"
"I don't know. I killed all the archdemons and absorbed their souls! My appearance proves it!"
"So you weren't always like this?"
"No, I'm human, or at least I was. You can't comprehend how powerful a Demon Soul is. The Colorless versions are those of growing demons and are capable of transforming people into monsters; those of archdemons grant even greater power to their user, and consequently, a greater transformation. I turned them into weapons, miracles, and spells, but their power still passed through my body, touching my soul, transforming it into something more... powerful. Do you know how many I have in my control?"
He leaned toward Intoner, his voice taking on a low tone, almost a whisper, carrying a long, painful history behind it.
Four leaned closer, her heart pounding, a mixture of curiosity and dread to know more.
"How many?"
"Twenty-five."
Her mouth formed a thin line, and a shiver ran through her. She slowly returned to her seat, nodding softly at the words spoken.
"I was so close to becoming a monster, or maybe I am, considering all the souls I've absorbed."
He looked down at the floor, pressing his hand against the table until the wood cracked, trembling gently as he applied more pressure.
"You're not a monster," Four whispered, but whether the knight heard or not, he didn't show it.
-XXXXXX-
Moments later, everyone had finished their meals, resting with full stomachs but low spirits. The recent revelations weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
Eupherbia had returned to her bottomless bag, asking to be called if they needed help.
Edric remained sitting on the floor, holding a large sword with a spiral-forged blade in front of his face.
And Four was clipping her nails with a dagger given to her by the knight.
"So, what's the plan?"
"I'm working on it, but I don't know if it will work. Have I told you how I entered Boletaria? I passed through a rift made in the Old One's colorless fog by a powerful attack from the warriors known as the Twin Fangs. I believe we can do the same here, but we would have to descend to the ground. I don't know how high we are, but we can't risk parting the mist that binds us only to find ourselves hundreds of meters above the ground."
"And this sword of yours can do that?"
"Perhaps so. The Storm Ruler is a sword capable of cutting the sky, but much of its power has been lost. We would need a great source of magic to empower it. I would like your help with this. I need you to wield the sword and sing, pouring your magic into it and opening a way out with a devastating swing."
"I've never used a sword before, but I can try. Do you have a backup plan if this doesn't work?"
"Other than killing Three and demolishing this damned prison brick by brick, then no."
"I figured, then, what are we waiting for?" She brushed the dust off her armor and tossed the dagger to Edric, who caught it and put it in his bag, then stood up.
"Forgive my words, but you're being strangely cooperative. I thought you'd protest more."
"I have nowhere to go. I have a crazy sister waiting for me inside and outside the fog, so I'd rather stay with the only one who doesn't want to kill me."
"Do I look like a living shield?"
"Well, you protected me from Zero on my airship. I guess I can count on you to protect me again." The Intoner clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head playfully.
The knight tried to rub his forehead in frustration, briefly forgetting he was wearing a helmet, and clicked his tongue in resignation.
"I'll speak to your sister about your cooperation when we get out of here."
"Thank you, but what are we going to do with Five? She's not awake yet."
Both their heads turned to the blonde sleeping on the table, oblivious to what was going on around her.
"Eupherbia?" Edric called, and the fairy left bag.
"Yes?"
"Wake Five, but don't overdo it."
"I'll take care of it!" The small being approached the Intoner with a devilish smile.
Magic pooled in her hands, and a magical bolt struck the young woman's side, causing her to wake up immediately from the shock, sitting up on the table with wide eyes and a frightened face.
Confusion replaced her current feelings, and she let out a pained groan, clutching her head as she looked around with blurred vision, licking her lips as she realized how incredibly thirsty she felt.
"Here." Edric offered her a full mug of water, courtesy of his Water Veil spell.
She accepted without a second thought, drinking as if her life depended on it, spilling and choking on half the water, only to ask for more when she finished.
After long minutes of drinking and recovering, some of the clouds in her mind lifted, and she wondered what was happening.
"Wait, I know you both. You're the knight of Cathedral City, and you're the fairy of Yurt. And you're..." She spoke weakly, struggling with each word as she pointed at the knight and the fairy, but having trouble identifying the latter.
"It's me, Five, your sister, Four."
"Four, is that really you?" A hopeful tone crept into her voice.
"Yes."
"Am I dreaming?"
"No, I rescued you from Three. You're safe now." Four puffed out her chest proudly, not daring to look at the disbelieving fairy and knight.
"And I thought she could change."
"Adapting to the situation is an admirable skill, but I can't say the same about lying to others' faces."
Of all the reactions Five could have had, the one she chose was the least expected, throwing herself toward her sister, trapping her in a crushing hug that, due to the height difference, left Four trapped between two mountains as she screamed in agony.
-XXXXXX-
"So, *MUNCH!* That magic sword of yours *MUNCH!* can create an exit for us, but you need Four to sing for it? The food is delicious, by the way." Five devoured the stew, emptying the cauldron with colossal voracity, much to the chagrin of those present due to her lack of table manners.
"Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked my work, and yes, that's the plan, and your help would be welcome, unless you wish to remain here."
She set her spoon aside and assumed a thoughtful expression, causing the people in front of her to glance at each other, exchanging an unspoken question.
What happened to Five?
Everyone knew her attitude, her flirtations, her lust and confidence, but the person in front of them was anything but. That glow that had captured everyone's admiration was fading.
"Can you tell me what happened to the Land of the Seas?"
"I didn't stay to find out, but I believe the same thing happened in the Land of Mountains, overrun by the Invaders and Monsters of Three and the populace... If they didn't become undead, then they were imprisoned and subjected to unspeakable experiments and torture."
The Intoner flinched at the mention of those words, hugging herself tightly as she bit her lower lip.
"Sister..."
"Not now, Four."
The young woman's outstretched hand quickly retreated, and she just watched, wondering what had happened.
Five, meanwhile, stood up, wiping her mouth and glaring at the group with scorching fire and fury partially obscured by a cascade of gold, giving her an appearance of uncontrolled savagery.
"You can't imagine how much I'm holding back from breaking down this door and destroying everything in front of me until I find Three and rip her head off. I know that would be stupid, I know this isn't the time, I want this so badly, but I know it's useless now. You want my help? Then I will, but I want something in return. I want to be part of your group and fight this war, avenge my land and my subjects who suffered for my mistakes. I didn't take this conflict seriously, and innocent people paid for it. I refuse to make the same mistake again."
"The more hands helping us, the better. We lost an ally to the enemy; we need powerful individuals to fill the void left."
"Sister, I never imagined something like this would come from you."
"What can I say, Four? It's time to be a competent ruler. I only had to lose almost everything to realize I should change. Now, could someone give me some clothes and a weapon? I'm tired of wearing these rags, unless you're enjoying the view?"
She smiled seductively and leaned forward, giving everyone a glimpse of her cleavage nearly spilling out of what little she was wearing.
However, the audience only let out a mixture of complaints, grumbles, and sighs as they glimpsed the Five they knew.
Edric rummaged through his bottomless bag and removed a set of clothes and a spear, handing them to the blonde, who thanked him and began to dress.
Everyone turned their backs, giving the woman privacy despite her protests.
"Haha! You can watch, I don't mind. Treat the show as a reward for rescuing me."
"A true knight shouldn't stare at a lady while she dresses."
"I'm not you, Five, I have basic dignity."
"Seriously, can I?!"
"Eupherbia, come here!"
"Damn it!"
"There, you can look now."
It was like looking at a painting of a holy woman. Five wore long white robes embroidered in red and gold, with long sleeves, gloves, and pearl-colored boots.
The clothes extended to her calves except for the front, where there was room for the legs, revealing a pair of black pants that hugged it, with a piece of white fabric ending in a red symbol covering her crotch.
Despite her holy appearance, the Intoner was anything but. The fabric hugged her body, accentuating all her curves, highlighting her breasts, waist, hips, and thighs.
"So, ready to go?" She swung her spear above her head, slamming its butt against the ground as she posed with her hand on her hip.
Four and Eupherbia stared with glazed eyes and mouths set in thin lines, either in admiration or frustration.
A whisper snapped them out of their stupor, and to their confusion, the knight murmured something, the few words they caught sounding like a prayer.
"Yes, we must leave as soon as possible, but there's something you need to know. I've lent you my Blessed Winged Spear, blessed with a regenerative miracle that heals your wounds and restores your health. It's a slow process, so don't fight as if you're invincible."
The Intoner's eyes widened, her expression taking on a surprised expression as she held the weapon in front of her face, running her gloved fingers down the length of the spear, noticing the faint golden glow that enveloped its metal. Otherwise, it looked like any other spear.
"Oh, I didn't expect anything like this. Thank you for the wonderful gift. I didn't know you cared so much about me. I'll make sure to put it to good use."
Approaching with long strides and a sway of her hips, she placed herself in front of the knight, whose gaze refused to look down, remaining focused on the wall ahead.
"It's not a gift. I expect all my gear to be returned when this is all over."
His words earned a pout and an adorable flutter of her eyelashes as she closed the distance, almost pressing her curvaceous body against the cold armor.
"That's a shame. I liked the clothes too. They're a little tight, but nothing a few adjustments can't fix. Is there any chance I could keep them?"
"Show me what you're capable of, and I'll think about it."
Edric stepped aside, escaping the uncomfortable proximity many would kill for, clearing the way toward the door, politely gesturing for Five to move forward.
"I didn't think you'd be so bold. I can't wait."
Passing the knight, she offered a seductive smile, blowing him a kiss before continuing on her way, failing to hear his next words.
"Gods, protect me from temptation before I do something I regret."
"Cough! Cough!"
Looking toward the source of the noise, Edric found a fairy and the remaining Intoner watching him. The former with a smile that touched her nearly closed eyes, and the latter with her arms crossed and a frown as she stomped the ground repeatedly.
"Are you going to give me a weapon now that you're done flirting with my sister?"
"I wasn't... Forget it. These are the Iron Knuckles, they have a short range, but they're light enough to deliver successive blows."
"Okay, and what else?"
"And nothing else, they're just compatible with your fighting style."
"So Five gets a blessed spear and I don't?"
"I didn't give you a blessed weapon because I trust in your abilities to avoid finding yourself in a situation where you need one."
"Oh!"
Her posture changed immediately, equipping the weapon with a slight blush on her face, avoiding looking at the knight's helmet.
Swiping a few blows in the air, she tested its weight and speed, and with that done, the group checked outside the kitchen, seeing an empty hallway.
Edric cast Cloack, rendering the group invisible, and together they set off in search of an exit.
They descended and descended, traversing long, claustrophobic corridors lit by green torches, dusty spiral staircases, and massive bridges shrouded in suffocating fumes.
The creaking of the chains and mechanisms of the cage elevators sent shivers through their nerves, all having experienced the crushing anxiety of not knowing their fate.
Swarms of gargoyles patrolled the skies, screeching and screaming in distorted voices, the beating of their rocky wings causing the fugitives to tighten their grip on their weapons, anticipating the worst.
Strange figures crawled along the walls of the buildings, increasing in number as they descended.
Their forms remained hidden, but the clicking of their many legs stirred everyone's imagination with disturbing images.
Time passed, and they continued on, wondering if there was an end to this labyrinth, stopping occasionally to rest, catch their breath, and quench their thirst before Edric cast the spell again.
A shadow larger than all the others loomed over them as they crossed another bridge, and a flapping of wings greater than all others shook the heavens, followed by a deafening, guttural roar.
It wasn't hard to guess who it was, and they wasted no time moving before they were discovered.
Eventually, they reached the depths, their footsteps the only sound. The silence made the constant noises of the upper levels desirable, but there was no turning back now.
The passages gave way to walkways divided into levels, each with dark, damp, and musty prison cells locked with rusty bars.
Moans and cries came from their prisoners, figures large and small, male and female, dressed in rags, but now unrecognizable.
With sunken eyes, skeletal, hairless bodies, brown, wounded, and withered skin hugging their bones, this was the fate of those captured by the gargoyles, soldiers and civilians alike, all would suffer the same fate, thrown onto spikes, irons, chains, and pliers.
And the smell, by the gods, the smell, a mixture of blood and dried waste, turned the stomachs of those present who were still sane enough to care.
Four, Five, and Eupherbia watched in horror, fighting the urge to vomit.
The first two suffered the worst for being rulers, consumed by a feeling of failure and defeat against everything and everyone. They fought to protect these people, and here they were, slowly wasting away.
The knight was the least responsive; after all, what could they do? There was no way to save them.
Their souls were shattered just like their bodies; even if healed, would their minds be able to withstand the horrors they had witnessed?
How many times had he emptied his stomach onto the ground, whether in Latria or in the other lands? The sight of suffering was routine now.
How many corpses had he witnessed? Countless, after all, he'd walked through mountains of them.
How many times had he felt useless for not being able to save them all? Impossible to know; in the end, death was a mercy. Companions, innocent and sinners alike, all perished on the great journey, except for him. The Nexus was not so merciful to its prisoners.
A particularly narrow staircase led them to a wide rocky road, and the dead grass poking through the cobblestones on the ground indicated they had reached the ground.
Progress, finally.
To the left, they spotted a large, dark stone church, adorned with lifeless gargoyles and stained-glass windows depicting the ruler of this place in her demonic robes.
Muffled sounds emanated from the building, agitated voices full of faith and clamor, offering praise and prayers to their Goddess.
A fervent male voice, likely the religious preacher leading the mass, stood out from the rest, stirring the congregation into a frenzy.
The fugitives exchanged glances, turning right without a second thought, away from the voices that faded into the distance, and arriving at a long bridge suspended over a dark abyss.
A majestic, or disturbing, depending on your perspective, statue stood at the bridge's entrance. Three, arms outstretched, welcomed all the poor souls coming in the opposite direction, heading to their unfortunate fates.
"Wait!"
Edric raised his hand, stopping the group and approaching the base of the statue, melting it with a flaming spell.
Several creaks and creaks came from the artwork, and the statue opened sideways, revealing rows of now-defunct repeating crossbows.
The group gave the knight a questioning look.
"I've encountered a similar trap in the past."
Continuing, they crossed the bridge without interruption, hearing disturbing sounds coming from the abyss below, a wet, slimy slurp, and glimpsed massive forms lurking in the depths.
Finally, they reached a large, open courtyard, and before them, a wall of mist awaited them.
"It's time." Edric removed the Storm Ruler from his bag, handing it to Four.
"I just need to put my power into the sword and swing it, okay?"
"Correct, but your song will surely attract our enemies. We will protect you, but please hurry."
"Of course, of course, no pressure."
She stopped in front of the immobile barrier, watching it as if it might attack at any moment. Taking a deep breath, the Intoner held the sword in front of her face, summoning her power of song.
At first, nothing happened; her soft voice reverberated through the air, breaking the stifling silence. However, a light breeze swept through the courtyard, converging toward the singer.
Five's golden curls swayed, Eupherbia flapped her wings to stay in place, and Edric looked up, sheathing his sword and shield and removing his Composite Long Bow and a quiver of arrows from his bag.
"Here they come."
"SCREEE!"
Dark outlines appeared in the clouds above, and a swarm of gargoyles descended from the sky, rapiers and crossbows in hand.
Immediately, an arrow ripped through the air like a bolt of lightning, destroying the head of the swarm leader and burying itself in the chest of the one following behind, sending it plummeting to the ground.
As soon as the first arrow struck its mark, the third left the bow, accompanied by several shimmering magical projectiles, courtesy of the little fairy.
The magic of the attacks exploded as they collided with their enemies, obscuring them in a cloud of smoke followed by a hail of stone.
However, the gargoyles were numerous, breaking through the smoke only to be met by deafening sound waves, a wall of sound that pulverized their bodies.
"How are things going there, sister?!"
"It's almost ready, I need more time!"
"Better hurry, we won't hold them off forever!"
Five shielded her eyes as a gale blew a cloud of dust into her face, the winds singing, becoming visible to the naked eye.
The defense continued, arrows, magic, and sound sending piles of gargoyles crashing to the ground, but their numbers only increased, and their screams mingled with the sudden thunder.
Edric shouted for Five and Eupherbia to back away, sheathing his bow and raising his talisman, casting Wrath of the Gods as his enemies closed in around him.
A powerful shockwave created a crater with Edric at its center, surrounded by shattered statues, but it wasn't enough to stop the monsters' advance.
Before he could draw his sword, a gargoyle charged enraged, attempting to pierce him with its rapier, but a golden blur passed by, thrusting a spear toward the monster's mouth, decapitating it.
Five fought with unwavering determination, rage burning in her chest as she brought an end to those who dared invade her land and slaughter her people.
The second gargoyle lost its legs with a low swing and had its head trampled upon hitting the ground.
The third received a side kick and a thrust to the chest, lifting it and throwing it toward its companions.
The Intoner had disappeared amidst the monstrosities, her hair flashing through the flying fragments of rock.
Eupherbia enveloped herself in magic, transforming into a luminous sphere and hurling herself at the rocky crowd, passing through their bodies as if they were made of paper, leaving a luminous trail in her wake.
When her run ended, she released all her accumulated energy, creating a dome that expanded like a solid wall, crushing everyone nearby.
Blinding flashes illuminated the gloomy landscape, creating shadows that danced in terror, revealing the last moments of their owners.
Suddenly, to everyone's horror, a heavy flapping of wings reverberated through the surroundings, and a large figure dove from above, creating a small earthquake followed by a wave of dust.
Five and Eupherbia retreated and huddled together, watching the crash site with tense faces. Sweat dripped down their faces as the armored form of the Black Dragon revealed itself, with Three riding on its back.
"Hello, dear sister." Three smiled broadly, her skin hugging the bones of her face, giving her a cadaverous appearance, intensified by the light of the lightning that split the sky.
"You have no right to refer to me that way, Three," She replied, pointing her spear at the woman dressed in gold.
Ribbons of rain fell timidly, crackling as they hit the cold, dead ground of the courtyard. Gradually, the splashing grew louder, heralding the arrival of something greater.
"You hurt me. I thought we'd grown closer."
Gargoyles landed near the dragon, slowly spreading out to surround the combatants. Simultaneously, the winds surrounded Four and the sword, lifting her hair and clothes into a miniaturized tornado.
The fairy and the Intoner analyzed their situation, switching from target to target, preparing to attack whenever one of the monsters threatened to advance.
"Your plan will not work. I know what this sword is capable of, and I will not allow you to leave. I have longed to do so much to you all, so many experiments..."
A flash illuminated the dark land, and the storm came like divine wrath, a heavy downpour that bathed the entire complex of bridges and towers, creating endless waterfalls and rivers, drowning out the screams of beasts and prisoners.
The Black Dragon thrashed and fought, growling and roaring, nearly knocking its master over.
"Quiet!"
However, her commands were in vain; the monster shook its head, sniffing, searching for something.
The gargoyles whose bodies formed a wall of grim statues amidst the rain? No! The Intoners and the faerie, soaked with hair and clothes clinging to their bodies? No! Someone was missing, and Three seemed to realize.
"Where is Edric?!"
This was something the knight's companions were also wondering. Had he abandoned them, or was he planning something?
It didn't matter now; they swallowed the burning doubt in their hearts and focused on their survival.
As if by fate, their opportunity came in the form of a powerful bolt of lightning striking Three's statue like the hammer of the Gods, turning the world into a white flash.
The Black Dragon reared up on its hind legs, roaring to the heavens, and the Intoner clung to its back with all her strength.
As the light faded, Three saw a spear approaching her heart. Time slowed, and her eyes widened in fear and surprise, quickly throwing herself to the side, dodging the weapon, losing pieces of her robe in the process.
Arrogance replaced her feelings as she escaped certain death. Yes, she would regenerate anyway, but it would take time, enough for her prisoners to try something new.
With a posture that exuded confidence, she turned to the unarmed Five and pointed her staff in her direction, casting a spell.
"Hahaha! You misse... AAAHHH!"
She never finished her words, as the thrown spear came in the opposite direction, piercing her heart from behind, exiting the other side with a bloody gush.
A red stain spread across her clothes as she opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, hands outstretched, mind racing, trying to process what had happened.
"Cough! H-how?!"
Blood trickled from her mouth, bloody coughs staining the ground. With pained cries, she turned her head in disbelief as a voice whispered in her ear.
"Did you miss me?"
The rain behind Three touched something before hitting the ground, creating a humanoid outline. The air rippled, and the spell faded, revealing the armored form of a knight.
She could only let out a wet gurgle as she saw Edric lift an old, serrated katana with both hands and swing it toward the back of her neck.
A red and silver thread sliced through the air, and she tumbled forward, consumed by the cold embrace of death.
That brief moment of surprise didn't last; the Dragon leaped like a maddened bull, further agitated by the gargoyles trying to climb him to save their master.
Edric used the spear stuck in Three for support and yanked it free, leaping from the dragon and crossing the courtyard, reuniting with his companions.
"FOUR, ARE YOU FINISHED?!"
He screamed at the top of his lungs, barely audible over the deafening rain.
"YES, GET READY!"
"NO, STOP THEM!"
Three rose again, her wounds healed by her regeneration. The gargoyles screeched and surged forward. The Dragon pulled air and fire flared in his chest, but his master, her rage lost to the ensuing confusion.
She felt a pain in the back of her neck and saw blood stain her hand as she touched it.
"HOW?!"
Her regeneration closed the wound, only for it to violently reopen and close again in an endless cycle.
Opening and closing, the cut constantly healed and returned, bathing her body in life-giving fluid. With each repetition, she felt the grip of death, saw darkness, and awakened in the world of the living.
"FOUR, NOW!"
The Intoner waved and swung the Storm Ruler with a war cry. The wind rushing around her flowed into the blade and expanded in a circle.
Five and Edric planted their weapons in the ground and shielded their eyes. Eupherbia screamed as she flew away, clinging for dear life to the knight's left shoulder pad.
The gargoyles had a similar result, scattering like knocked-down mosquitoes. Not even the dragon's fire could advance, halted by the wall of wind in its path.
A sound like an erupting volcano assaulted everyone's ears, an earthquake shook the earth, and the smoke and mist covering the towers dissipated, revealing sunlight that had not shone for so long.
When the event worthy of heroic epics ended, the wall of fog that had blocked everyone's escape was split by a great rift tearing from the sky to the ground.
"LET'S GO!"
Four called, and her companions wasted no time. Their hurried steps approached the exit, and they finally gained freedom, their outlines disappearing into the distance.
-XXXXXX-
Report Number 5: Edric and his group escaped, bringing two Intoners with them, but losing a powerful ally in the process. I wonder if this was a fair trade.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the war. I've seen many bad endings before, but if Three's plan comes to fruition, I fear no branch will be safe. All our work will be for naught if that happens.
I contacted the other recorders, and the existence of Edric and Boletaria remains a mystery. However, they reported a worrying development: reality is rippling, weakened by the number of invaders from other branches, and something powerful is growing stronger.
I believe I've put off our meeting long enough. If I can't get answers on my own, then I'll acquire them from the source. And those swords... How did one person possess such powerful weapons? Should I add them to my collection?
End of report.
END OF CHAPTER