CHAPTER 16: "Different than the rest"
This web novel is a draft of the story. Please expect frequent changes and updates as I see fit. Enjoy! -Cloki
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Vega: "...the goddess? Of course, I do. You told me that she's not pleased with what we're doing and that she was summoning people from other worlds to stop us."
Hasher: "Well then, Vega, allow me to tell you how Siegfried is different than the rest."
Vega: "Go ahead, Hasher, I'm all ears."
Hasher: "You see, my clairvoyance has an incredible reach, allowing me to see most of what goes on in Provincia if I were to activate it. When Siegfried was summoned, my clairvoyance caught the event, and showed me his arrival in Formai."
Vega: "Interesting, go on."
Hasher: "When he arrived, it looked just like how all the others arrived. His body suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and he fell over. However, this time, something was different. Much different."
Vega: "What, did he fall the other way or something?"
Hasher: "No, Vega..."
Hasher: "When he was summoned, I saw a light pierce the heavens and enter his body, which has never happened before..."
Vega: "Did you say, a light pierced the heavens and entered Siegfried's body?"
Hasher: "Indeed, Vega. This has led me to believe that the goddess is inside of Siegfried, and is going to help him take us down. If that were the case, we would need to ramp up our military 100 fold, or risk being destroyed at the hands of a literal god figure."
Vega: "-- --"
Vega: "Hasher, are you sure you saw correctly? We've already confirmed that the goddess is sending people here to stop us, however, we've never actually SEEN the goddess before. What makes you so sure that she is now roaming around Provincia?"
Hasher: "I'm not 100% sure that this is what took place, but I wish to take all the necessary precautions were this to be the case. This is why I'm so concerned for Rigel."
Vega: "Well, you did open a portal for Rigel to channel his blink spell through, correct? He can teleport back here with ease."
Hasher: "-given he has enough time to. If Siegfried can apprehend him, and my suspicions are true, then Rigel could very well be done for. I have no idea how powerful the goddess really is. For all I know, she could possess infinite strength."
Vega: "Hasher, you needn't worry. All we need to do is catch Siegfried off guard and assassinate him! I'm sure taking him out will be as simple as the rest of "those people". I'm not too concerned, Hasher."
Hasher: "Well Vega, if that's what you truly think, then I guess I have to accept it. Just heed my words, and prepare to increase everyone's training regimens. I don't want to make any mistakes."
Vega: "Yes sir, Hasher sir. Before I go, is there anything else you need me to do?"
Hasher: "Spread the word to the other void stars, Siegfried is not to be taken lightly. Tell them what I told you. I have already warned Rigel, however, he didn't seem to care too much, which is why I fear his death. I just hope he teleports back in time..."
Vega: "Yes sir, Hasher! I will notify them now."
Hasher: "Thank you, Vega-san."
-Vega got up and walked to the door. She opened it, turned around, and said one last thing to Hasher-
Vega: "H-hasher?"
Hasher: "Yes, Vega-san?"
Vega: "We're gonna win. I believe in us."
Hasher: "Vega, you're an evil woman, who performs evil magic. You're the most powerful witch in Provincia. With you on the team, I feel much more reassured about our chances of victory."
Vega: "Hehee, you sure have a way with words, Hasher! Well, I'm off to notify the others! I'll be seeing you soon."
-Hasher smiled, and Vega exited through the door. When the door closed, Hasher thought to himself-
Hasher: "If my hunches are correct, I could be in real danger. I've never seen the goddess before, I've only made estimations based on what I've seen. If the goddess is real, and she really is summoning people to take me down, then Siegfried needs to die, and quickly..."
~~OUTSIDE THE CASTLE, AT THE TRAINING GROUNDS~~
Vega: "ATTENTION, DIVISIONS OF THE DARK MAGE'S CULT"
Dark Mages: "YES MA'AM!"
Vega: "It has come to the attention of the Void Stars, that a very dangerous enemy has just been identified, and threatens the agenda of the Dark Mage's Cult. I am here to announce that from this day forward, all of your training regimens will be ramped up, and I expect each and every one of you to put more effort in than usual. Do I make myself clear?"
Dark Mages: "YES MA'AM, VEGA-SAMA!"
-Vega smiled, turned around, and signaled the other 5 void stars to come out. The 5 void stars exited the castle and each made their way to their specific divisions.
Vega: "Each of you will return to your divisions, and train them extra hard. Hasher wants our military to be in tip-top if Siegfried were to arrive here. Can I count on you five to train your divisions properly?
Void Stars: "Yes Ma'am!"
Vega: "Wonderful. If any of you five need assistance, you know where to find me. For now, I'll be retreating to my quarters, I need my beauty rest. Do not bother me. You all should get some sleep too, it's late.
Void Stars: "Yes ma'am."
-Hasher's Cult was now fully aware of Siegfried's arrival, and they were going to begin to ramp up their training in preparation for his eventual arrival... Meanwhile, Siegfried and Azure were closing in on Rigel-
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~~IN THE CARRIAGE~~
Azure: "Siegfried-kun, the fireflies are really beautiful tonight, aren't they? I think they've pretty much hit their peak luminosity!"
Siegfried *eating*: "Mm, yeah Azure-san, they sure are a sight to see. Have you eaten enough? You drank a whole bottle of Skime, and I wanna make sure you're going to have enough food in you for the battle."
Azure: "Yes, Siegi-kun, I ate enough. I had pretty much the same thing you had, bread rolls and Grook Meat. Although I added some mana flower petals onto mine to add some extra flavor, they're edible you know!"
Siegfried: "I actually did not know that Azure-san, that's neat!"
-It was approaching 3:30 AM, meaning Siegfried's curse clock was about to run out. He had 4 and a half hours left, and Rigel was still about 10 minutes away. At this point, Siegfried knew he was pretty much going to be forced to use Camriel for this battle. There was no way the two of them alone could take Rigel down.
Siegfried to Camriel: "Camriel? Are you there?"
[Camriel]: "Yes, Siegfried, I am here. Your curse clock seems to be very low on time. Do you have a plan of attack?"
Siegfried to Camriel: "Well, actually, Camriel. I realized from the battle with Gurix that if anything, Rigel is going to be way stronger. I'm asking this of you now, if I were to call upon you during the battle with Rigel, would you be there for me?"
[Camriel]: "Always, just remember that after using me once, you cannot re-use me for another few days. I think 3-5 days should be enough time for me to recharge. I will be expelling a lot of mana personally to fuse with you."
Siegfried to Camriel: "Thank you, Camriel, you're a lifesaver. I'm going to disconnect now, remind me one more time of the words?"
[Camriel]: "Numen auxilium mihi"
Siegfried to Camriel: "Thank you... goodbye for now, Camriel."
-Siegfried disconnected with Camriel and proceeded back to the route toward Oakheart. The trees were getting closer and closer, and Siegfried could see the exit of the forest in the distance. They were almost there.
-The party reached the end of the woods, and exited. They saw the gates to Oakheart in the distance, as well as a figure, "that" figure... There he was, Rigel... He was staring at Siegfried, menacingly.
Siegfried: "Azure-san, there he is, there's Rigel. I can't believe we made it all the way to him before my curse clock ran out. There's just one thing left for us to do now... Are you ready, Azure-san?"
Azure: "Yes, Siegfried, I'm ready... No matter what happens when we confront Rigel, I'll be there to protect you."
Siegfried: "Same to you, Azure-san."
-Siegfried and Azure smiled at each other and made their way down the hill toward Rigel. They parked Theresia's carriage near a tree and tied her to it until they were to return. The party then walked over to Rigel...
Rigel: "So, you finally showed up, Siegfried. I see you brought someone along with you as well, just as I had expected you to. Siegfried, I'm going to give you one, final chance, to change your mind, and join our agenda... What do you say?
-Rigel held his hand out to Siegfried.
Siegfried: "-- --"
-Siegfried looked at Azure, and she shook her head. Siegfried then turned back to Rigel, and slowly lifted his hand and moved it toward his. Then, he slapped Rigel's hand away-
Siegfried: "Sorry, Rigel, but I have to decline, once again. I will not be joining your twisted agenda..."
-Rigel closed his eyes, and smiled.
Rigel: "I expected you to say that, which is why I have gathered a bit of a party myself, Siegfried. You've lost your chance to back out, and now it's time for your journey to officially end."
Siegfried: "!?"
-Suddenly, the group of ten dark mages emerged from the bushes, and all drew their wands, and aimed them at Siegfried. Siegfried's heart dropped, he had not expected Rigel to have gathered so many reinforcements.
Azure: "Siegfried, things aren't looking so good. We have no chance taking on Rigel alone, how to you expect us to take him AND these dark mages down??"
-Siegfried then closed his eyes, and smiled himself, in the same fashion that Rigel did toward him.
Siegfried: "Azure-san, it's going to be okay. Trust me. I have one job for you, okay?"
Azure: "...what is it, Siegfried?"
Siegfried: "...don't get hit..."
Rigel: "What are you talking about? Siegfried, you're surrounded, there's no way for you to survive this, just surrender already, damnit!"
Siegfried: "No way, Rigel. I'm going to fight you, it's my only option... bring it on..."
-Azure looked to Siegfried with a look of great concern, and he reassured her with a smile. She then drew her wand, and stood next to Siegfried.
Rigel: "Fine, have it your way, Siegfried... now then, let us begin..."
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