The last remnants of Isaac Zierhart's spirit dissipated into the frigid air of the cavern, leaving a haunting stillness in its wake.
As the clatter of Isaac's shattered armor echoed through the cavern, Iris, her strength waning, staggered over and collapsed beside me.
Blood trickled from her lips with each heaving breath, the sound of her coughs filled with pain and exhaustion.
"That sucked," she gasped, struggling with each breath.
"Yeah. But damn, what a fight," I said, a weak smile tugging at my lips.
"Guys! You're alive!" Apollo's voice rang out as he and Artemis emerged from a hole in the ground, supporting Ava between them.
"Of course we are!" Krystal exclaimed as she and Carlo approached from the other side.
"That was the most dangerous battle I had ever fought," Carlo said, his gaze lingering on the shattered remnants of the paladin's armor.
"An S-ranked paladin. What an absolute monster. He even tanked Crimson Nova, one of the most powerful Haema codes," he spoke in awe.
I chuckled weakly, "Trust me, facing an S rank like Asphodel will make you wish for a change of pants. I did, and it's an experience I don't plan on repeating."
Ava looked down at me in disbelief. "You wet your pants in battle?"
Still lying on the ground, I nodded, "Yep! And like I said. Not something I want to talk about."
Iris coughed violently, spraying blood into the air.
"I'll tap out. See you in a week," she murmured weakly.
"You better not die," I said with concern.
She managed a faint laugh, "Not planning on it."
With that, the Fairy of Tenebris slipped into unconsciousness.
"Minerva," I called out to the Shield AI.
"What is it?" her cool voice asked in my ear.
"How long till reinforcements arrive?" I asked, wincing at the slightest movement. Though I had sealed the stump of my severed arm, the pain persisted and my whole body hurt like hell.
"They'll take approximately one hour to reach your location," the AI replied.
"Fantastic," I muttered, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "We've stationed Basil and Perry near the entrance for patrol duty. They'll guide the Deathwalkers," I informed Minerva.
"Understood. I will relay the information to the team leader," Minerva confirmed before signing off.
I settled my head on the soft, glowing grass, my gaze drifting to the colossal crystal embedded in the cavern roof.
This was a close call.
Even my strongest code was unable to defeat Isaac. If it weren't for Iris's stigma, we'd be goners.
I clenched my fist. I must get stronger.
I better hit the training area after I am healed.
Speaking of healing...
"Hey, everyone!" I called out, my voice hoarse. "Don't forget to gather your severed body parts. The healers need them to patch us back together."
"Including your arm, Vice Captain?" Krystal quipped with a playful grin.
I rolled my eyes, "Obviously. Do you see me walking around like you lot?"
"Got it!"
"Oh," I turned to Artemis, who carefully retrieved her severed arm, dusting off the debris.
"Artemis, could you lead the Deathwalkers to the room where you found the artifacts?" I asked.
She nodded, "Yeah. I can do that."
I grinned, "Here's a little perk for you all. You're entitled to a share if you discover a treasure trove during an expedition. In your case, you, Apollo, and Ava can each take one artifact for yourselves."
Her eyes lit up and an excited smile graced her lips, "Really?"
"Help yourselves," I said with a smile.
She pumped her fist with an excited squeal. Then she looked at me as if she remembered something.
"What about the journal?" she asked.
"Ah," I pondered briefly.
Just before the battle, I had stashed it inside my bracelet. "I'll hold onto it for now," I decided.
Artemis looked concerned, "But-"
"I know it's important," I sighed, "I'll read it first and then hand it over to the Commander."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," I affirmed.
"Fair enough," she conceded, placing my severed arm beside me.
"Looks like you could use a hand," she quipped, sticking out her tongue before wandering off to explore the cavern, leaving Iris and me on the ground.
I rolled my eyes. "Prick."
Shifting to face Iris, who lay unconscious beside me, I couldn't help but smile despite her bloodied visage.
Despite the wounds, she remained as beautiful as ever. She had become strong enough not to die after using her stigma, but I still worry for her.
Her final words to the fading paladin echoed in my mind.
Iris Lefay
The surname my aunt once bore in my past life.
What an interesting coincidence.
With that realization settling in, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift into the embrace of darkness.
*******
"You've grown stronger."
Iris remarked as both of us collapsed on the cool floor of the sparring court, utterly exhausted after an intense session.
A week had passed since our encounter with Isaac Zierhart, and Iris had only woken up two days ago.
Today was the day she got discharged from Althea, and that too after throwing a huge tantrum.
How does she celebrate her recovery?
By whipping out her daggers and engaging in an absolutely insane one-on-one spar with yours truly.
And boy, she was stronger than ever!
It was as if her time in the intensive care unit had merely been a power nap. Her movements were even more precise, her strikes even fiercer.
Fortunately, I had also undergone significant growth. Now, I could effectively keep up with her lightning-fast attacks.
I surveyed the carnage we had wrought during our spar.
Deep gouges and blast craters adorned the sparring court's floor, walls, and ceiling, with shattered concrete, metal, and stone scattered around us.
I chuckled and wiped the sweat from my forehead. "I went for re-evaluation. Turns out the battle with old Tin Head boosted me to Master A rank."
"Ah," Iris arched her eyebrows, "Congratulations!"
I looked at her, "What about you? You become an S rank yet?"
She shook her head. "Nah, but I'm almost there."
Iris held out a finger, "One more significant drop and I'm an S ranker."
I grinned, "Nice. Also, I heard you'll get the title of Reaper for defeating Zierhart."
Iris rolled her eyes. "Defeating that paladin was a group effort."
"But you dealt the final blow," I pointed out.
She pondered for a few seconds before shrugging. "Huh. Maybe I did deserve that title."
"Somebody's being humble," I teased.
"Rich words coming from a narcissist," Iris retorted.
I swept my white hair, which now reached my shoulders. "What can I say? I'm just that beautiful."
"Incarni! You are sufferable!"
Iris sighed and looked at the destroyed ceiling as if pondering something.
"Hey. Are you free tonight?" she asked, turning her attention back to me.
I considered my schedule before nodding. "I think so. What do you have in mind?"
For the first time, Iris seemed a bit flustered. "I was wondering if we could meet up for some late-night snacks?"
I arched my eyebrows. "Sure. Where?"
"The Tomb?" she suggested.
An awkward silence followed her suggestion.
I frowned. "The Tomb? What, you want to book a spot?"
"Haha. Very funny."
"What can I say? My humor is as wonderful as my beauty," I quipped.
"Yeah, yeah. You're the greatest comedian in the Shield," Iris said, rolling her eyes before turning to me. "So, will you make it?"
I grinned. "Late-night snack on a million dead bodies? Sounds delightful."
Her blue eyes lit up. "Awesome!"
With that, she sprang to her feet and hurried towards the door. "Oh, and make sure to dress appropriately! Don't you dare show up in your uniform!"
I snorted. "You should take your own advice! Try not to arrive at the Tomb buck naked, you shameless creature!"
"Screw you!" she retorted as the blue ends of her hair disappeared beyond the doorway.
I shook my head, accidentally bringing out my grown-up mentality.
I'll never fully comprehend that girl.
But I have a vague idea of what is going to happen on that mountain, and I placed a hand on my fluttering heart.
I smiled.
Let's see what she's cooking.
*******
"Vice Captain Mordred! It's good to see you!"
As I passed through the gate leading to the entrance of the Tomb, one of the Deathwalker guards greeted me warmly.
The night sky was adorned with countless stars, their twinkling forming a celestial tapestry against the dark expanse.
Amidst this vastness, the soft glow emanating from Orionis and Galadria, the twin moons of planet Asteris, cast an ethereal illumination.
Their gentle light lent an eerie beauty to the landscape, their silvery hues painting delicate shadows across the rugged terrain around me.
However, their radiance paled in comparison to the brilliant lights emanating from the facility at the base of the Tomb.
Standing at the base now, I couldn't help but be awestruck by the colossal size of the mountain, its peak piercing through the clouds high above.
The field surrounding the mountain's base was bustling with activity, filled with trucks and robots transporting caskets, and mechanima patrols, particularly mechanized dogs, securing the perimeter.
Embedded into the rocky face of the mountain were two imposing black doors adorned with the Pendragon symbol and inscribed with a message in runic language.
Rest In Death
A shiver ran down my spine as I read the chilling message, an eerie calm enveloping me as my gaze traced the rugged expanse of the mountain.
Beyond the cold, unforgiving rock lay the final resting place of countless Deathwalkers, their lives claimed by the merciless blades of daemons.
I swallowed hard, hoping I wouldn't find myself brought here anytime soon.
"Considering booking a room here?"
Iris's voice startled me from behind, causing me to jump.
"Jeez! Where did you come from? The bloody shadows?"
She smirked, "A Tenebris warlock, remember? Shadows are kinda my thing."
She skipped ahead of me, pointing excitedly at a metal pathway winding up the side of the mountain, leading towards the summit.
"Last one to the top has to do laundry duty for a whole week," she challenged.
"No chance I'm dealing with your dirty socks and underwear," I retorted, leaning forward and channeling ardor into my legs.
With a burst of ardor, we both sprinted towards the pathway.
*******
"Damnit!" I exclaimed, hands on my knees as I gasped for breath.
The frigid mountain air pierced my lungs with each inhale, sending a sharp chill through my chest.
"Try not to get enamored by my underwear," Iris's playful voice floated back to me, prompting a string of colorful curses to escape my lips.
After catching my breath, I straightened up and gasped at the sight before us.
We stood on a narrow ledge near the summit, overlooking the majestic expanse of Les Anciennes stretching out to the north.
The many rugged peaks reached towards the heavens, cloaked in a blanket of mist that danced around the craggy cliffs.
The snow-capped peaks glistened like diamonds under the soft glow, while the valleys below cradled patches of verdant forest and meandering streams, adding a touch of serene beauty to the rugged landscape.
From this vantage point, the sky seemed closer than ever, with stars shining brightly and the two moons casting their silvery glow upon Asteris like watchful guardians.
"Whoa," I breathed out, mesmerized by the grandeur before me. Iris joined me, her presence adding to the awe-inspiring scene.
Iris approached beside me, "I know, right? This side of the Tomb provides a spectacular view."
"And a perfect spot for a picnic," she remarked, gesturing towards a flat spot nearby.
I whistled, "Didn't expect a mountain of death to have such a nice place."
A constant frigid wind blew over us, but due to the ardor covering our bodies, it didn't bother us, which was fortunate since we weren't exactly dressed for this altitude.
I donned a pristine black turtleneck paired with white pants, completing the look with a long gray scarf.
Meanwhile, Iris opted for a loose light blue shirt and gray pants beneath a sleek black long coat. Her hair, tied in a casual ponytail, danced freely in the wind.
Despite her simple attire, Iris's beauty was utterly captivating, leaving me breathless.
The soft moonlight highlighted the delicate features of her face, casting a radiant glow upon her skin and glinting off the piercings on her ear.
Her bright blue eyes, reminiscent of lapis lazuli and sapphires, twinkled mischievously, drawing me in with each glance.
I marveled at how effortlessly she blended into the natural beauty of the mountain range spread out before us, her spirit as wild and untamed as the landscape around us.
She truly is like a goddess, fierce and powerful while also enchantingly beautiful.
Even the scars, faintly visible beneath her clothes, added to her allure, glowing softly in the moonlight.
It was as if Orionis and Galadria themselves wanted me to witness the complete essence of Iris Lefay, a child of Darkness who, despite being marred by the scars of the past and present, stood strong and beautiful on top of the somber Tomb.
Setting up a makeshift picnic, Iris laid out a casserole, a flask, and two coffee mugs on the blanket.
"Come on," she beckoned to me as she relaxed on the blanket, the silvery moonlight bouncing off her hair and making her blue ends glow.
She opened the lid of the casserole to reveal an array of neatly arranged sandwiches and fries.
The captivating and mouthwatering aroma hit my nose and almost knocked me off my feet.
"Whoa! Where did you get them?" I asked, settling right next to her and reaching for a sandwich.
Iris gave a smug smile, "I prepared them."
I stared at her in disbelief, "No way. You can cook?"
She smirked confidently. "Prepare to be enveloped by the sheer genius of my cooking!"