Chereads / The Lockheart's Ruin / Chapter 48 - Chapter 48

Chapter 48 - Chapter 48

(As the dust blow-by between the battle lines, Azura takes a few steps forward.)

Dante: I hope you have enough stamina for this.

Mori: What do you mean?

Dante: Because you're about to see what a Berserker looks like they are truly pissed off.

Rai: Got anything to say, Azura?

Kai: Maybe you should retire at this leader thing because clearly, you're no good at it.

(As Kai says this, the ground underneath Azura suddenly shatters as the full extent of power abruptly burst as she charges towards Rai and Kai and begins to combat them.)

Stephen: Just our luck. She's finally lost it.

Mori: We must be thorough and thread carefully. Once the opportunity arises, we must take her and remnants of her group out.

Dante: Did you not just hear us make a deal to spare them? Or is betrayal the only language you know?

Mori: You may have struck a deal with her, but we did not.

Dante: Then I guess I'll just leave Azura to you then since you're so confident in your skills.

Stephen: Now isn't the time for this, guys! We must focus on the threat ahead.

Mori: Stephen is right. Will you help us or will you cower away like the Crow you are?

Dante: Funny. I was wondering the very same thing about you and your father.

(Shocked by what Dante said, Mori's eyes widen a bit.)

Mori: What did you say?

(As Mori asks this, Mikael fires a warning shot to get their attention.)

Mikael: What's this? You three have just regrouped and already their distrust among you. I do not like your odds.

Dante: You don't know just how wrong you are.

(As Dante says this, Mikael fires another magic blast, but Mori matches it with a blast of plasma, which cancels out magic to Mikael's surprise.)

Mikael: You can utilize plasma? You're going to be a problem.

Mori: I'm going in!

(As Mori clashes with Mikael, Stephen prepares to join the battle, Dante grabs his shoulder.)

Dante: Whatever you do, watch your back. There is something fishy going on here, Stephen.

Stephen: What do you know, Dante?

Dante: Not now, not here. Us speaking now might have alerted him.

Stephen: Just what are you talking about?! You aren't making any sense right now!

Dante: You heard what I said to him and his immediate response. And now he suddenly decides to go face to face with Mikael. If that doesn't sound off to you, then just out of my way or else risk getting hurt, Stephen.

(At the same time Dante speaks with Stephen, Mori and Mikael trade blows as Mori shoots several plasma beams at Mikael, but he teleports in between them.)

Mikael: I never knew you possess the ability to use plasma energy. You have control of both Time and Plasma? My, your genes have more power than several Witchbreeds that I know.

Mori: Did you say something? Did anything slip of our dealings?

Mikael: No. Nothing. What's gotten you so spooked?

Mori: Its Dante. He speaks as if he knows more than he's letting on...Things about us, Mikael. He knows something's up. I can feel it. Perhaps it's time you use the Astral Cube.

Mikael: Perhaps it is time. I'll admit, I wanted a challenge, but with Dante's presence, he's taken away all of the fun that was nearly killing the Queen. What's has he said?

Mori: Nothing concrete, but he was eluding to my father.

Mikael: That bastard...Yes...I agree it's time I finished this.

(Just Mikael says this, he suddenly ducks as Dante comes full speed ahead with his sword. Stephen then fires four fireballs that Mikael then dodges.)

Mikael: I think I've entertained you enough. Let me show you why my name is to be feared!

(As Mikael says this, he and Dante engage in a one on one fight as the possessed Vincent and Tana comes and attacks Stephen and Mori. Meanwhile, Azura's overwhelming might pushes Kai and Rai back onto their heels.)

Azura: No wonder you two cowards snuck up behind Athena and Owen. You're both pathetic and weak.

Rai: Call us what you want, but we are far from weak. Me and my brother Kai kill whoever we deemed fit to die. My apologies that it had to be your comrades.

Kai: You shouldn't be saddened by their deaths, Azura. You basically signed their death wish when you agreed to this unholy alliance.

Azura: Yes you're right and I'll take this mistake to my grave, but I won't be dying here today.

Rai: If I were you I wouldn't be so confident in that statement.

Kai: We don't care if you're a berserker, we are the Chaos Brothers. You will fear us before we ever fall to you.

Azura: The Chaos Brothers huh? How about I show you real chaos!

(As Azura says this, she then burst with ground shaking power as she zooms towards Kai and knees him in the gut then prepares to hit him with a blast directly in the face until Rai kicks her hand causing her to miss. Azura then counters with a spinning back kick that sends Rai back. She then rushes him with a flurry of punches and blasts, Rai, sending him crashing. Kai tries to sneak attack Azura, but she puts up a force field around her that knocks Kai back. Once both Rai and Kai get back on their feet, they both fire a blast at Azura, but as the two blasts are clashing against Azura's force field, she uses her immense power to send both of their blasts back towards them causing massive explosions. After this, Azura turns her attention to her subordinates, Vincent and Tana. Azura then jumps in front of an attack on Stephen by Tana.)

Azura: Tana...Do you recognize me? Recognize my voice?

Tana: I hear you...I'm still on your side, Azura. I just can't control my body. I'm fighting to kill...So please, I beg you sister, make it quick.

Azura: No! Look at me...It won't come to that. I promise you. My compulsion should work. I just will have to focus hard enough.

(As Azura says this, Vincent comes in and guts Azura with a punch to the stomach which causes her to drop to a knee. As she looks up and sees Vincent's eyes are glowing yellow.)

Azura: You're eyes...

Vincent: If that truly hurt you, then you better get this over fast. He may not have any use for an above-average Parahuman, but he will have a use for a berserker like me. So either you stop Mikael or kill me before I kill you and everyone else in my path.

(As Vincent says this, he fires several energy blasts which cause Azura and Mori to hop back on their feet and dodge. Not soon after this, Vincent charges at Azura and Mori while Tana gets in close on Stephen and hits him with a kick to the ribs as they continue to fight. Elsewhere in Royal Palace, Kate starts to awake as she finds herself in the throne room. As she walks down the stairs, she sees Lunafreya, Willow, and Ken all frozen still in time.)

Kate: Princess Lunafreya?!? It seems like someone stopped time or maybe time magic. Don't worry I'll free you from this.

(As Kate says this, Mason appears by the entrance of the courtyard.)

Mason: Just stop. Your magic won't work.

Kate: Oh Mason! You're here, perhaps you could give me a hand with this?

Mason: You've mistaken me being here. I'm the one who did this. And now I have this.

(Mason takes out the final piece of the Astral Cube.)

Kate: What is the meaning of this Mason?

Mason: I cut a deal with Mikael...And bother asking me my reasons why. I've had this event planned for quite some time now. You should feel honored, it is because of me that you and Stephen still draw breath. This will be the last time you see me.

(As Mason says this, he turns around as he leaves. Kate tries to chase after him but quickly realizes that she's trapped in a time barrier by Mason. Back to Dante and Mikael, Dante lands several vital blows onto Mikael's chest, ribs, and shoulders. Mikael tries to weave a spell to turn the tides as he is losing in the close combat, but Dante takes hold of Mikael's right index and ring fingers and breaks them with a tight pinch grip. After this, Mikael tries for a punch, but with his right hand, Dante shoves Mikael's hand forward and lands a palm strike directly to Mikael's nose. The impact of this blow knocks Mikael back. It's here when he quickly snaps his fingers into place and fires a quick beam of dark magic towards Dante, but he then stops it with one hand.)

Mikael: You never ceases to mock me do you, Dante? Your prowess truly is something to behold and acknowledging this pisses me off.

Dante: The first time I attempted this, my back touched the entrance gates...Now I don't even budge.

(As Dante says this, he then wraps his hand around the dark magic essence and then causes them to disperse with pure might and concentration to Mikael's dislike.)

Dante: And now I've already surpassed myself.

Mikael: Now don't let that go to your head. I have so much in store for you.

Dante: Well then...I guess I should be thanking you for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate just how over your head you are against me.

Mikael: Do you hear yourself? Do you truly think you've won? Why isn't that no one knows that all of you are alive because I say so! Everyone here is so full of themselves. You're definitely the son of the Scarlet Sorceress.

Dante: Just what is your problem with my mother? In my travels, I've heard a few people speak of her as such in that very same matter. What happened in Ataria concerning her? Surely you know something about that.

Mikael: Heh! I take it you've never been to Ataria have you?

Dante: No.

Mikael: Well if you wish to keep your head on top of your shoulders then I suggest you never cross that line. Ataria isn't a place for Parahumans and it certainly isn't a place for one of the Witch King's relatives.

(Upon hearing this, Dante is shocked upon learning of his relations in the high society of Ataria.)

Mikael: Yes it's true, you're royalty on both sides of the earth's population. Lucky you.

(As Mikael says this he teleports behind Dante, but Dante saw it coming and burst into Crow feathers and reappears with his sword in hand and proceeds to stab Mikael through his heart. Right before this, a few meters away, Mason does a straight punch that releases a short, but quick wave of force that slightly hits Dante's hand with causes him to miss Mikael's heart only piercing through his chest. After this, Dante pulls out his sword and goes for the killing blow, but Mason fires an energy blast that knocks the sword out of Dante's hand. This happening instantly catches Stephen's eyes as he runs over to Dante as Mason walks over to them.)