Chereads / The Lockheart's Ruin / Chapter 23 - Chapter 23

Chapter 23 - Chapter 23

(Just as Dante says this, they both hop into battle, combating what seems to be an endless horde of enemies. As they fight on, Gaya jumps up on top of a platform to watch.)

Gaya: That's it...Fight to your heart's content. It will soon become your downfall.

(As Gaya says this, he begins to chant a spell. While fighting, Dante dodges a blast from one of the masked men. Right behind comes yet another and he jumps behind him and pierces his heart with his sword. Immediately after this, he dashes towards more enemies and releases a slash that then creates a pocket vacuum of sword slashes ripping a large portion of enemies dead. As the blood begins to splatter everywhere, Dante begins to go on a tear, killing multiple enemies with his speed and deadly precision. Over by Eden, she guts four men with her dual swords, then quickly charges up a powerful blast and fires killing a slew of enemies. After this, she takes notice of the amount of blood that has been shed.)

Eden: All of this blood. Well, I cannot simply let it all go to waste now, can I?

(As Eden says this, she opens up her right hand and suddenly all of the blood begins to combine and slowly form into a person.)

Eden: Good. Now split!

(As the order is giving, suddenly the one being created by all of the blood begins to part and forms ten clones of Eden.)

Eden: Now attack!

(As Eden says this, Gaya looks on and smiles.)

Gaya: Try as you might, Eden. Your Blood Clones will fall and so will you and your lover.

(As Gaya says the fight continues on and things start to take a turn for the worst as they are just simply outnumbered. As the fight drags on, Dante and Eden find themselves being hit by multiple strikes and blasts all alike. Amidst this, Dante sees Eden start to lose her balance, but she catches herself and lets out a powerful scream creating a large explosive wave taking out everyone in her area. After witnessing this, Dante goes to catch her.)

Dante: Why don't you take a moment to catch your breath. I'll handle this.

Eden: How? It's just as you said. We are vastly outnumbered. Without your power or back up we are finished.

Dante: It isn't over yet. I still have one last trick left. I must shift.

Eden: Shift into the Bloody Crow?

Dante: It's our last hope. Will you help me?

(As Eden nods, Dante stands up and takes off his cloak and rips off the remaining pieces of his shirt. After this, he picks up his mask and puts it on.)

Eden: Are you ready Dante?

Dante: Yes.

Eden: Do you understand what must be done, Dante?

Dante: I understand.

Eden: Then immerse yourself and become The Bloody Crow!

(As Eden says these words, it's as if something clicked as Dante dashes full speed towards the flock of enemies in his way.)

Eden: Give them hell.

(The first few enemies start by firing off multiple blasts, but Dante dodges them all. As he makes his way towards the masked men, he reaches out for his sword and flings back into his hand just as one of the masked men throws a punch. He sidesteps, breaks his arm and shattered his jaw with an open palm uppercut. Another masked man attacks, but Dante jumps into the air and comes back down with tremendous force. After this, Dante goes on a frenzy, chain killing everyone in sight. As he fights on, he starts to take a lot of damage, but through sheer willpower, fights through his injuries and slays every single person until no one is left. The sight of him completely covered in blood surrounded by in pool of dead bodies leave both Gaya and Eden are speechless.)

Eden: He...He did it.

(As Eden says this, Dante turns his attention towards Gaya.)

Dante: Just how long are you going to stay up there? Come here and face me!

(Gaya teleports behind the well that's he's been using for a spell and begins to laugh.)

Dante: Would you mind filling me in on the joke? I'm having trouble figuring out what's so funny.

Gaya: Why it's you of course. You truly think you've won. You're a fool. Both of you.

(As Gaya says this, Eden makes it back up to her feet and vanishes next to Dante.)

Dante: Enough! I've heard all that I can from you! We're ending this now!

(As Dante says this, he and Eden both go in for an attack, but Gaya pushes them back with a force wave.)

Gaya: I must say that in this grand display,  you both have impressed me, but the time for games is over.

(As Gaya says this, a black magical pentagram appears underneath Dante and Eden, making it impossible from them to move.)

Dante: Tch! Just...What is this?!? I...I can't move!

Gaya: I'm afraid that its impossible to break free. You two made sure of it as you slaughtered everyone here.

Eden: How is that possible?!?

Gaya: Sacrificial Magic. As you were killing away, I've been absorbing all of their magic and channeling it into myself creating this spell. Now for phase two. Rise, my fallen friends!

(Just as Gaya says, every single one of his forces suddenly begins to come back to life as if nothing happened. Upon seeing this, Dante & Eden are a loss for words.)

Gaya: Now then, enlighten them.

(As Gaya says this, everyone begins to chant the same imperceptible spell. This time though, as they continue to chant, the entire complexion of the room changes to a dark red glow while the magic within the well shoots out in full force breaking through the roof and into the sky. This magic along with the chant takes hold of Dante and Eden in their weakened state, putting them in a trance chanting the very same chant in a language unknown to the human tongue. Meanwhile, way over by Crow's Perch, Lenneth is in the midst of training when Yatagarasu comes to her and lands on her forearm.)

Lenneth: Yatagarasu?!? What brings you here?

Yatagarasu: Dante and Eden are in quickly succumbing to Amatsu's influence. We must move quickly before they are lost forever.

Lenneth: Then let's go save them!

(As Lenneth says this, she jumps high into the air as she falls back down, Yatagarasu transforms into a much larger form and flies full speed ahead towards Dante and Eden. While this happens, over by Dante's hideout, Marcy is sleeping when suddenly she senses a void of darkness emerge. Immediately after this, she gets up runs outside to Kitara only to see a red beam of energy shooting up into the atmosphere.)

Marcy: That magic, it's very bad. Do you think Dante is there?

Kitara: I have a bad feeling that he is. I'll try to reach him with my magic.

(As Kitara say this, she attempts to link her mind to Dante, but as soon as it makes the connection, she begins to hear the very same chant and suddenly the sinister magic disrupts her connection to Dante. After this, she falls to the ground, visibly shaken up after feeling such an evil essence.)

Marcy: What is it? Are you okay, Kitara? Is Dante okay?

Kitara: He's in danger. Come, we must get to him now!

(As Kitara says this, Lenneth appears upon Yatagarasu.)

Lenneth: Get on! We don't have much time!

(As Kitara & Marcy hops onto Yatagarasu, he burst into full speed as they make their way to save Dante & Eden. Back over to the temple, Gaya watches on as the magic from the Well continues to flow skyward. As he is distracted by the power he has conjured up, Dante somehow begins to fight through the chant. First, he slowly tries to ball up a fist to regain a measure of control of his body. Moments later, Dante feel his shift over to the Bloody Crow ends and eyes returns to normal, but suddenly they turn red as he breaks free & throws his sword directly through Gaya's heart. Shocked by Dante's willpower, Gaya falls to the floor, spitting up blood. Moments later the revived mages all fall to the ground lifeless, ending their hold against Dante and Eden. After this, Dante walks over to Gaya.)

Gaya: Your.....Your eyes! Now I know why you are so special.

Dante: Enough. Please spare me from hearing your dying words. You've talked for far too long.

Gaya: This is probably your first time awakening them. Amazing. Never would I have imagined I'd get to see the precursor to the Immortal Eye, Fumetsugan.

Dante: Just what are you talking about?

Gaya: Heh.....Hahahahaha! This is rich! An Oriha who don't know anything. Your eyes....The Shuketsugan....Too bad you'll never get to utilize them.

(As Gaya says this, Lenneth, Kitara & Marcy arrives and as they make their way to the temple, it suddenly explodes.)

Kitara: No!!!

Marcy: We were too late to save him.

Lenneth: This cannot be!?!

(As Lenneth says this, Kitara & Marcy begin to cry and Lenneth begins to ball up her fists.)

Lenneth: This is my fault.

Dante: You're right. It is your fault.

(Upon hearing his voice everyone turns around to see a battered Dante carrying an unconscious Eden in his arms. As he takes a few steps, he falls to his knees and collapses. After this, the ground begin to shake where the temple stood and suddenly begins to get sucked into a void of nothingness. As Lenneth and Kitara looks on, they notice that the void is slowly growing and swallowing everything.)

Lenneth: Kitara, put on Yatagarasu. We must leave this place.

Kitara: On it.

(As Yatagarsu flies up, Lenneth looks down to see that the void has completely swallowed up the entire town near where the temple was.)

Lenneth: This isn't over.