— X —
As I approached an abandoned factory, a blinding light burst forth, and I shielded my eyes. The force of the explosion left a gaping hole in the wall, revealing a breathtaking sight.
Arthur, clad in crystal armor that sparkled in the light, stood with his red wings spread wide. He wore a crow mask that hid his face, the red glow emanating from the eyeholes gave a menacing look. He was engaged in a fierce battle with Bianca and The Black Witch, their weapons clashing in a cacophony of metal and magic. Behind the two sorceresses, lay Kiara tied up and unconscious.
But what caught my attention were the cells that proliferated from Arthur's chest. It had the same cells that Denova had. Don't tell me, Arthur could use Ignition too?
The clash of sword and magic shocked me out of my mind. Arthur moved with lightning-fast speed, striking Bianca with blow after blow that she struggled to parry. But she was not one to be easily defeated. Bianca transformed into a swarm of dark lightning and unleashed torrents of thunder javelins at Arthur, who dodged and stumbled backward, anchoring himself by driving his sword into the ground.
Smirking arrogantly, The Black Witch taunted Arthur, "Hmph, what's wrong Artie? Does your sweet honeymoon dull your fang? Oh, how could I forget, you're friend-zoned, hahaha!"
"… Don't call me that, Old Hag!" Arthur grunted.
"What did you say?" The Black Witch got mad.
Suddenly, Arthur's entire being erupted in fiery red light, scorching his body like a flame from hell. His wings turned into sharp, sword-like blades as he prepared to go on the offensive once more. The sheer magical energy released at that moment was immense, leaving me in awe of the power of Ignition.
"Release The Doctor!" Arthur growled, charging forward with a deadly sword dance. His dance became more powerful along with a spin from his very sharp blade wings, breaking Bianca's magic barrier and dealing a good hit at her.
However, Arthur didn't realize that The Black Witch had been lurking in the shadows. With a sinister grin, she channeled his magic to form a massive scythe and charged at Arthur.
"Traitor shouldn't act so high and mighty, die! Come, Arpeggio!" the Black Witch said while delivering a deadly blow to Arthur. But just before the scythe came crashing down, Arthur threw himself to evade the blow. But he wasn't fast enough and was sent flying to the wall.
When the dust settled, Arthur's left-wing lying on the ground next to him, severed as the cost of dodging the fatal hit.
Damn, Arthur pushed himself too far! I can't let him do that, who will pay for my food if Arthur died? I had to stop him!
"Dammit, think, Princess, think," I mumbled as I grasped my head. I had to find a way to save Arthur.
That was when my eyes caught something interesting at the corner of the factory wall—a giant crane hanging on a thin chain. Could I use it to my advantage? But... Aobana Curse... Argh, suck it!
I slit my wrist to form thin threads that I shot into the chain. Quietly I climbed the wall to the top of the chain and enveloped the crane with my blood threads.
My plan was simple - create a distraction to draw the enemy's attention away from Arthur. If I could lure these monsters away from him long enough, maybe he could make a break for it. I sharpened my claws and strengthened them with my blood, ready to execute my plan.
Please, work it out!
Taking a deep breath, I slashed at the chain with a single strike, causing it to snap off. "Over here!" I shouted, my voice echoing throughout the area.
Bianca and The Black Witch stared at me, clearly surprised. They watched as the crane began to tumble towards them, ready to crush them under its weight. But to my dismay, The Black Witch hit the falling crane with her giant scythe, tossing it back at me with incredible speed.
"Shite!" I cursed, dodging the massive machine as it hurtled toward me. Fortunately, the dust explosion covered the threads I secretly spread around the building.
"... The Blood Witch," Bianca said, gazing at me fiercely.
Using the threads, I landed gracefully in front of Arthur and nod at him, giving him the sign to run away. But that idiot didn't understand my sign as he raised his eyebrow confused. Dammit, be more sensitive, Artie!
"So, she was the one who beat you to a pulp? Are you kidding, Bianca? She's a daemon. I can't sense any magic on her," The Black Witch smirked, "Could it be, The Thundering Pulse is so busy nursing orphans that she forgot how to fight?"
Bianca suddenly cast her wind blade around The Black Witch while shouting, "Lady Ellen! Didn't Pater always say never to underestimate your opponent?" That magic slice through the thin thread that I spread quietly.
D-Dammit, I was this close to decapitating both of them. But killing surely was a violation of the law... so, I planned to threaten them with it.
The Black Witch, named Ellen, looked amused, "Trying to kill us with these cheap tricks. Hoo, my pride is hurt. I thought you'd be more interesting than this, Blood Witch."
I scratched my head, "Well... Now that my plan is ruined, how about I ask you nicely?"
Ellen crossed her arm confused, "Do you think our problem could be solved by talking?"
I nodded, "Of course! A peaceful solution is the best, girlie. So... can you release Kiara? In turn, I can give you something interesting," I asked.
Ellen laughed, "You really tried to talk me out of this. How amusing," after that, Ellen continued arrogantly, "Bianca, I only agreed to help you kill the traitor, but securing your objectives? Don't be naive, like I want to help my rivals. Go do it yourself, prove your worth as a Lector."
Her wicked smile sent a chill to my spine as Ellen said, "Or else... You know what would happen to the children, right?"
"I know," Bianca replied.
I didn't know what Ellen mean at that time, but her words turned Bianca's face pale. As desperation crawled within her, Bianca faced me. Different from our first meeting, her eyes filled with anger and conviction. The very same eyes The Heroes had when they faced me.
"Haaarggh!" Bianca cried out, her anger fueling her as she charged towards me with a crackling thunder blade.
But despite her prowess with magic, her emotion made her movement simple and full of openings. I stroke her wrist with precision on her Magic Circuit, ceasing her thunder before swiftly immobilizing her with my blood threads. With a swift kick, I sent her flying backward. But before she could hit the ground, I pulled her back with my threads toward me.
"Raven style 02: Dragon Jaw!" I shouted, delivering a colossal blow to her stomach that knock her unconscious. Well, that was too easy that I felt bad for her.
Anyway, the real menace was this black girlie, Ellen. Even though she tried to hide it, her sinister Mana still choked the air. "I'm not sure I can hold back when fighting. So, it's your only chance to resolve this peacefully. Let us go," I threatened Ellen, knowing she could overwhelm me easily if she use her magic. The important thing is sending a message that I wasn't easy prey.
However, that didn't faze the frightening Witch, "Then, show me, how you will survive this," she said while releasing a massive aura that cracked even the floor.
Shite, I don't have time to react!
Suddenly, Arthur rudely pushed me away, "Move out!!"
"W-Whoa, why are you--"
In an instant, three dark figures emerged from the shadows, their claws gleaming in the dim light as they lunged at me in quick succession.
I was about to meet my end when Arthur, with incredible bravery, pushed me out of harm's way and took the full brunt of the attack himself. Despite the wounds he had sustained, he stood his ground, blocking the relentless barrage of attacks from the shadowy figures.
But the effort was too much for him, and as I watched in horror, Arthur fell to his knees, coughing up blood. He had given everything to protect me. Now, with his power waning, he slumped forward, unconscious and bleeding profusely.
"Why... did you protect me?" I asked. As doubt suddenly swelled inside my chest, I clenched my fist. Unforgivable, you, who hurt my coin purse. I will make you pay!
I turned my attention to the vast army of shadows that stood before me. Each of them was as powerful as Bianca and Denova. And in the center of them, Ellen clapped while smiling mockingly,
"It is a shame to kill a child so powerful as yourself. How about this? We are the children of Death, the ones who were blessed by The Goddess of Death, Nyghtingale. Join the Order, Blood Witch. I think you'd be happy to become one of our ranks," she proposed.
"Meh, I'm not a fan of gods," I answered quickly.
"W-What?... Are you serious? Then what can you do? Stood yourself bravely like a hero? You're joking right?" Ellen said as she waved her robe with pride, "I, Ellen the Shadow Edge will pardon your trespass this time. Now, gratefully accept my kindness and join me to-"
Suddenly, Ellen stopped and touched her ear, "Hello, this is Ellen... WHAT? Are you sure, Pater? I'm this close to killing the traitor. Wait, what? Seriously? O-Oh, alright, as you wish," she let out a sigh. With a quick swipe of her hand, the girl sent all of her minions into the shadow, including Bianca and Kiara. When darkness slowly ate her body away, she looked at Arthur with disgust,
"Well, Arthur, you're lucky this time. Pater had no time for small fry like you. But, next time we meet... It would be your demise."
And just like that, all of the White Order suddenly disappeared.
Dammit, what a crazy girlie. If only she fought me seriously, it wouldn't end well. but this Pater figure, who was he? I couldn't imagine how strong he was if he could control a monster like Ellen.
I shooked my head, looking at the unconscious Arthur, I realized there was no time for wondering. I should take him to safety quickly.