A few minutes in battle, Asil found herself having great difficulty.
("No matter how many times I slash, this monster won't break!") [Asil]
With her speed and reflexes, avoiding Monalia's large ax didn't seem to be a problem. It was the fact that every one of her cuts with the katana would glance off Monalia's armor.
("I could use my spirit to assist me, but I can't risk fighting that hero again!") [Asil]
Believing Adam as a great threat, Asil also refused to pull out her elemental sword from his chest. She would have to overcome Monalia with her own blade.
("Where did it go all wrong?!") [Asil]
Just recently Asil was just managing supplies within the fortress. Next thing she knew an army came out of the woods, charging against artillery without fear. Within a few minutes, the seemingly unbreakable gate was split open and she was taken out of the fortress.
"Damn it all!" [Asil]
Parrying one of Monolia's attacks, Asil ran her sword through the gaps of the plated armor. Unfortunately, nothing happened.
"It looks like you're mistaken. I'm not an entity possessing armor." [Monalia]
Monalia grabbed Asil's sword, keeping her in place.
"I am the armor." [Monalia]
Asil released her sword and stepped back as Monalia's ax came crashing down.
"Tsk." [Monalia]
Seeing how she missed the opportunity to defeat her opponent, Monalia clicked her non-existent tongue.
"You're making this harder than this needs to be." [Monalia]
"I'd prefer not to die." [Asil]
Monalia pulled out the sword trapped in between her joints and dangled it in front of Asil.
"Don't you need this?" [Monalia]
"Probably not for you." [Asil]
The edge wasn't sharp enough to cut Monalia anyway.
"Is that so?" [Monalia]
Shifting her hand to the cold steel of the blade, Monalia snapped the sword in half.
"Guess you won't be needing it." [Monalia]
"You…!" [Asil]
She felt anger at the loss of her sword, but Asil restrained herself. There would be no point attacking without a weapon.
("Against an indestructible opponent, what should I do?") [Asil]
Her eyes wandered to Adam, who was being treated by Tiffany.
("Ah…") [Asil]
She finally came to a conclusion. Attack the summoner.
("First, I need to throw in a feint.") [Asil]
Asil rushed at Monalia head on, who was surprised by her recklessness.
"You're really going to fight me with no weapon?" [Monalia]
Heaving her massive ax overhead, Monalia brought it down once Asil was within range.
"|Broken Step|." [Asil]
Her body moved unnaturally, sliding sideways at a perfect 90 degree angle of her original movement and evading the ax. Asil then made a mad dash towards Tiffany.
"What?!" [Monalia]
"|Agility Boost|!" [Asil]
Monalia attempted to give chase, yet was unable to even think of catching up due to Asil's sudden burst in speed.
"Master! Look out!" [Monalia]
"Huh?" [Tiffany]
Turning around, Tiffany came face to face with Asil in the midst of a fierce attack.
"|Darkened Tear|!" [Asil]
Asil's hands blackened and her nails lengthened. She attempted a cross slash and felt flesh rend upon her strike.
("I did it! Now that armored monster will disappear!") [Asil]
Is what she thought until Asil took a closer look at what she cut.
"...Eh?" [Asil]
Standing before her was Adam, who now had deep cuts on his torso thanks to |Darkened Tear|.
"What? Not who you expected?" [Adam]
His complexion turned pale from blood loss and pain, but it wasn't enough to make him fall.
"Y-You…!" [Asil]
Fearing the approaching Monalia from behind, Asil hastily grabbed the elemental sword sticking out of Adam's chest. She then twisted it before ripping it out upwards.
"Agh!' [Adam]
Within the split second of tearing Adam's torso open, Asil aimed to behead him.
("Quickly! Before he heals!") [Asil]
Unfortunately, that split second wasn't enough. Adam quickly grabbed Asil's wrist mid-swing and casted heal.
"Phew… That almost killed me." [Adam]
"I-Impossible!" [Asil]
His wounds closed at frightening speeds, leaving no trace of the battle from before.
"Why?!" [Asil]
Asil then dropped her sword into her left hand before attempting to slash him again. In return, Adam also grabbed her other wrist.
"Why?! Why won't you die?!" [Asil]
Tears started to take shape as her frustrations began to pour out. It was a sight that made Adam feel bad.
"Uh… Look, I'm sorry? For not um… dying I guess. I can't really afford to do that." [Adam]
"Shut up! Shut up…!" [Asil]
She started to kick his shins, but Adam endured. At some point Asil released her elemental sword and let it vanish.
"...Fine. I've lost." [Asil]
She slumped down in defeat.
"Go ahead. Kill me." [Asil]
Adam glanced at Tiffany and then to Monalia. Tiffany didn't know what to say and Monalia just shrugged.
"So? Will you do it?" [Krino]
"You should. Variables can come back to bite." [Astos]
Adam thought long and hard about it before finally releasing his grip on Asil's wrists.
"Compression." [Adam]
Controlling the earth around him, he bound Asil's arms behind her back.
"Huh?" [Asil]
"I won't kill you. You will be taken prisoner." [Adam]
Asil's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why?! I was trying to kill you a moment ago!" [Asil]
Adam sighed.
"I just… Look, you don't need to worry about it." [Adam]
The incident back at the hero's tomb took its toll on him. Did he want to be the kind of hero that stains his hands with blood at every opportunity, or become one that only strikes down evil? It wasn't as clear as black and white, but Adam wanted to at least try to lean on the peaceful side.
"That's one captain down. Aren't you going to help Fe- Ahem, Fable?" [Monalia]
Letting out an annoyed groan, Adam picked up Krino.
"Yeah…" [Adam]