"You can't be serious... Lust?"
"Hey Pride!"
Lust had a smug smirk across his lips, his eyes seeming to belittle Pride as they stared each others down. Mina cautiously backed away, leaning against a nearby wall.
"This is pretty weird. Why isn't Pride intimidating? Wrath was kinda scary, while Lust just seemed weak and easy to deal with... but Pride?"
Xander scratched his jaw.
"Could this be similar to faith being power?"
"How do you mean?"
Xander sighed softly. He looked through the doorway, his eyes heavily frustrated as he watched Pride and Lust fighting. It was pathetic.
"Humans are overpopulated. They have better chances at two or even three children, while having incredible fertility rates. That many beings believing in you, you'll gain some serious power. Elves, they can only birth a single child at an exceedingly low rate. Honestly, you've already taken care of the strongest of the Sins in my opinion."
Mina tilted her head, shaking it softly after a moment.
"Faith being power seems to be the case, but if the other hidden Sin is strong naturally, faith would mean nothing to them. Once I finish Pride, I'll need to visit Atlan and Durren. Kat will get all of her power back and then I can spend time with everyone I love."
A small smile played on Mina's lips as she began to hum happily. Xander clicked his tongue quietly, walking away from Mina. He waved over his shoulder as he left.
"I'll be back at some point. Do what you need to, then maybe we can meet again."
Rin watched him leave, quickly stepping up to Mina.
"Lady Mina, was he trying..."
"To be cool? Maybe. Mysterious? Definitely. Just let him go. I'll need a lot of help with Atlan and Durren."
Mina finally looked into the room, her eyes crossing as she saw Pride mounting Lust. They were both breathing heavily, Pride smiling while blood dripped from his nose.
"Lust, care to explain? I never thought one of His works would betray the others so suddenly."
"Only following what I want. Besides, I'm not the first. You shouldn't belittle me for choosing my own path."
Mina clapped sharply, taking Pride and Lust by surprise.
"Quit acting. This show is getting on my nerves."
The vision before her began to fade, leaving Lust in an even worse state. His clothes were torn and bloody while one of his arms were heavily broken. Pride, on the other hand, held a rather large hammer on his shoulder. His green eyes were ablaze as his hair seemed to shine in the light from his Font.
"How could you tell?"
Pride was unharmed, barely fazed by anything going on.
"Well, you tried too hard. Plus, this novel doesn't have a yaoi tag."
Pride sighed, his hammer swiftly falling to the ground.
"Looks like you brought me a lost Elf. Heh, I still remember the day you beat yourself to avoid my control. Guess I should finish you off then."
He flicked towards Rin, a massive burst of air flying out until Mina slammed her wrist into it. The wind was absorbed, though Pride didn't seem to care.
"Faith is power my ass."
Inferna's eyes were incredibly narrow as she seemed to snarl at Pride. Flames were dancing in her hands, almost alive as she tried to stay distant. Even Asahi, Suriza and Chisana were staying back.
"Girls, step outside. I can see it on your faces, you're scared. Rin, you too."
Mina could see the Elf's legs were trembling. She could barely stand in the face of such overwhelming adversity.
"Pride, mind letting Lust out as well? Or are you so rude of a host that you'd trap us against you?"
Pride turned away.
"I have my Pride. I shan't make you lose yours, not yet at least. Soon, you all shall be groveling before me. You will be prideless, hoping that I return this girl to you. She will be nothing more than-"
"They're already gone."
Mina was smug, quickly realising she could damage Pride in the funniest of ways.
"So, care to start?"
Before she could even draw her weapon from within herself, Pride was over her. He swung his massive hammer down, though it was futile. Mina was already behind him, her blade ready for anything.
"Hmph. Fast on your feet."
"Minor wind magic. May as well tease you while I'm at it."
Her smile seemed to agitate Pride more as he swung his hammer once again. The wind whistled, not against it but from behind it as the weapon sped up.
"Ah. So you're physically weak, using magic to compensate are we?"
Pride's eyes seemed to flare as he continued to swing at Mina. She weaved around them, due to his attacks being backed by magic.
"Aww. Poor Baby Pride. Can't even hit a poor, frail, girl with his massive weapon. Hmm... double compensation? Hehe."
Mina was having fun, quickly taking control of Pride's anger. He suddenly stopped using one hand, as well as using magic. His muscles rippled as he slammed the hammer down with a major amount of explosive damage to the floor. Mina was nowhere to be seen.
--
Thank you,
JScott and croix!