Back with Ema after dealing with her first wave, she began going up through the towers. She kept going until she reached the sixteenth floor.
The moment she entered, more creatures appeared right ahead.
"No end, huh?" She said. "I wonder where they come from."
After that, she drew her bow again and began shooting light arrows at all of them. Then, three giant creatures began approaching.
Now giants... this is getting worse, she thought.
She began casting small light beams, but they were enough to defeat them. After that, she kept moving forward.
Minutes later, after defeating more waves, she finally reached the eighteenth floor, where Malice was waiting.
"So, you finally came, blondie..." Malice said.
"Sure thing, crow lady," Ema replied.
"How brave of you to come battle me... all alone," she added coldly. "I just hope you don't collapse like last time."
"Kind of you to think about me, but worry about yourself first," Ema commented coldly. "Plus, I'm not alone. We're all fighting, even if we're not side by side."
"What is this...? Some friendship power nonsense?" Malice mocked, laughing.
"No, it's called belief, but I personally prefer calling it 'justice'," Ema responded.
Suddenly, Malice spread her wings and said:
"Call it whatever you like. We both know who the winner is."
"Correction, you don't," Ema replied. "Now, let's begin!"
Instantly, Ema pulled out her bow and began shooting a rain of arrows. Malice kept flying, dodging the shots, then summoned her dark crows.
The crows began blasting dark energy toward Ema. She dodged them all and countered with her dual daggers.
"Watch closely," Malice said suddenly.
Then, a large number of clones appeared around her, surrounding Ema in a circle. Ema used her {Light Beam}, spinning and aiming at all of them.
All the clones vanished. However, Malice wasn't among them. Ema sensed her above and dodged the incoming dark blast. She fired three arrows at once, but Malice dodged them easily.
Ema's necklace began glowing. She shot more light arrows in different directions, but Malice kept flying away.
Moments later, Ema paused and said coldly:
"You really are an annoying opponent."
"Well, I won't just stand still and let those arrows hit me. One arrow could be fatal," Malice responded with a smirk.
"When it comes to our king, I'll do anything to succeed... even if it means using the cheapest tricks," she added, laughing hysterically.
"Hmph. Now I see why they call you Malice," Ema replied coldly, smirking. "However, justice will win against you."
"So confident... well then, show me," Malice said.
I can't summon Moonlight Falcon now. I need the perfect moment,Ema thought.
In the Overworld, Kevin and Lara wandered through Brookhaven, waiting for enemy raids. Suddenly, purple portals appeared from different directions, spreading chaos everywhere.
"This is bad. We didn't expect this many," Lara said.
"No panic. Let's clear the crowded areas first," Kevin replied, putting on his helmet.
Instantly, Kevin rushed downtown, and Lara headed to the train station.
In downtown, cyclops began blasting everywhere. Kevin defended the citizens with his sword. Then, he created a shockwave, stunning them briefly. Without hesitation, he slashed them all one by one. Once the portal disappeared, he moved to the next site.
Nearby the train station, Lara opened a path for people to escape. Minutes later, she was surrounded by dark creatures. She threw her ninja stars, then slashed through the rest with her scythe. After a few minutes, she cleared the wave and continued.
Meanwhile in the Dark Realm, Ema kept shooting light arrows at Malice. Minutes later, her necklace reached its limit, and she stopped firing.
"You've used up all your energy. What will you do now?" Malice asked coldly.
"That won't stop me from defeating you," Ema responded, grabbing her two daggers.
"We'll see. Now it's my turn," Malice said, snapping her fingers.
Suddenly, more clones appeared in different spots. A huge swarm of dark crows spread around.
What is she planning?Ema thought, watching carefully.
The clones began shooting blasts toward Ema. She dodged them, but couldn't counter, as the crows blocked her vision.
A wall of crows? Not bad... but my senses can see through all your tricks, Malice, she thought.
The clones didn't stop firing for minutes. Ema managed to dodge with her heightened senses, but she was growing exhausted, putting her in a dangerous spot. She became slower, unable to keep moving. Then, she blocked the blasts with her daggers. After several hits, both blades shattered.
Now unarmed, she kept evading until a blast hit her shoulder. She covered the injury with her hand. Then, the clones vanished, and Malice flew down.
"Well well... looks like justice lost to darkness. Now... you'll pay for what you did to my wing last time," she said.
Instantly, Malice aimed both hands at Ema and cast a powerful beam. Ema responded with her {Light Beam}, and the two forces clashed.
However, Ema's beam grew weaker, and the dark energy got closer. Just before it reached her, the collision exploded, sending Ema flying backward. She tried to get up, but it was difficult.
"Hmph. Still alive? Not for long. Die!" Malice exclaimed.
Suddenly, Ema's necklace glowed brightly. She held the necklace in her hand, stood up, and declared while glowing:
"Take flight under the light of the golden moon."
At this moment, the Moonlight Falcon symbol appeared behind her.
Tsk, she summoned a Legendary Creature... I have to stop her! Malice thought.
Without waiting, Malice cast another blast. Ema raised one hand and fired another beam, causing another clash. As she raised her second hand, her beam grew stronger and overwhelmed the dark energy.
Malice tried to dodge, but part of her stomach vanished, along with her entire right wing.
What is this power?! If that hit me fully, I'd be dead! Malice thought, shocked.
"Looks like you can't fly anymore," Ema said.
"I'll make you pay!" Malice screamed, snapping her fingers.
Clones appeared once more. However, Ema shot all of them in a blink, vanishing every clone.
"What kind of speed is this?!" Malice asked in disbelief.
"Just to let you know... Legendary Creatures don't only give their special buffs. They also enhance speed and power," Ema explained. "Now, time to end this."
Ema shot four arrows at Malice, pinning her to the wall. Malice struggled but couldn't break free, as the light energy was too strong. Ema aimed her final beam at her stomach.
"So long, Malice," she said.
With that beam, Malice fell... defeated at last. Her left wing vanished completely.
Ema sat down as the Moonlight Falcon's energy faded. She caught her breath.
"Finally... I defeated her. Now, I have to reach the final floor," Ema said.
Meanwhile, Taro and Yukiko entered a tower and jumped to the twenty-seventh floor, clashing with Zero. He launched a dark slash at them. Taro blocked it using his {Azure Shield} from his sleeve.
Taro whispered to Yukiko:
"You sure you can handle him alone?"
"Daijoubu, Taro. I can do this," Yukiko replied. "Besides, I'm not alone. You and the others are with me."
"Take care, Yukiko," Taro said, smiling.
Then, Taro headed to the stairs. Zero tried to stop him, but Yukiko blocked him with her dual katanas.
"You're fighting me," Yukiko said.
They both leapt backward, preparing their blades for a proper duel.
Back in the Overworld, Kevin and Lara met at the park after clearing the waves.
"So... is it over?" Lara asked.
"I think so," Kevin replied. "Although, I wonder why those portals only appear in Brookhaven, not in other countries."
"Maybe the portals' domain depends on coordinates," Lara answered, touching her chin.
"Who knows. Let's just believe in TaroAbodo and the others," Kevin said.
Suddenly, massive portals appeared across Brookhaven.
"Looks like we won't rest today," Lara said.
"This isn't like the previous ones. Be more careful," Kevin warned.
"I'm always more careful than you, Crimson boy," Lara teased.
"Whatever, just move," Kevin responded.
Meanwhile, in the Dark Realm, Valdar entered Armageddon's throne chamber.
"Your Majesty, the intruders have arrived," he declared.
"So they're finally here... What happened to the lords?" Armageddon asked.
"Obsidian was defeated by a fiendish warrior. Malice died to an archer woman," Valdar answered.
Sigh... even Zero might die soon. How disappointing,Armageddon thought.
"I believe someone strong is heading here soon, Your Majesty," Valdar added. "Someone with blue hair... and a powerful sword."
Armageddon paused, then smirked.
So... his son is coming. He'll share the same fate as his father, he thought.
Then he ordered:
"Valdar, I have a task for you..."
"...just in case those rats reach us!"