"Oh. Come to think of it, where did their wings go?" I thought to myself. I was enjoy—uh, I mean watching the fight from here. Their movements, their battle styles, their raw power—how should I say it? I will resolve myself to never anger either of them if I have the choice.
But well, from here—as an outsider, their battle was really exciting.
***
"Black wings. Shadow blade. So, you are an entity that ruled the darkness, eh?" Maria asked, her eyes wandering to the red spear that was now utterly broken. The spear broke into two after meeting Mahraj's roundhouse kick.
Mahraj tilted her head as if not understanding Maria's question: "Hm? I wonder what you're talking about?"
"Well, whatever. I will just make sure to destroy that mask of composure you wear. And under that mask, I will enjoy the devastated face you make," Maria said, brandishing her broken spear to the side. The wind rushed in the direction where she swung. Dust escaped and rose. When it vanished, the spear was repaired. Furthermore, its tip changed to that of a halberd. An axe was now accompanying the bladed tip of the spear.
"Oh?" Mahraj's voice sounded with genuine admiration. "To fix that weapon as if nothing. Even so, transforming the shape. Not bad."
"Well, this is just a drop of my ability. I am reluctant to fight you seriously, after all. If I did, you would die instantly, which is why." Maria smiled mockingly as if taunting Mahraj.
"An empty talk will only embarrass you even further. I purely hope you are aware of that." Mahraj made her blade disappear; in exchange, a bow clad in darkness appeared. The bow did not have any strings. But when Mahraj pulled something invisible, a black arrow appeared, ready to be fired. Maria stared at that weapon.
"A weapon made with shadow again. So, I was right? You do control darkness, do you not?"
Mahraj sighed as if fed up with Maria's question. With an unmotivated voice, she said to her, "You really are a fool, aren't you?"
"Wha—?!" Maria tried to retaliate, but even before she could completely do so, Mahraj beat her to it.
"I do not control shadow. Nor do I have any ability relating to shadow." Maria furrowed her brows hearing this. She made an expression as if saying, "What are you even talking about?"
Clearly, Maria thought that Mahraj was lying. Her blade earlier was made of shadow, and now that bow is so.
"You still don't understand?" Mahraj went on, voice disappointed. She shook her head, as if giving up.
"What's up with that attitude! If you have anything to say, out with it!" Maria yelled, unconsciously pointing her halberd at Mahraj.
Mahraj sighed, "Fine. I do not own any shadow-related ability. You misunderstand me. The ability I was using was not mine. It's an ability exclusive to my husband. Shadow? Don't kid with me. My power is not for you to waste. Even without using my own, my husband's ability is enough to destroy you. Do you not understand why he did not? Because his ability was forcefully sealed. Without breaking or releasing his seal to the first, I cannot use my own. But well, I applause you for recognizing my wings. Those black wings were definitely mine."
"Don't…" Maria's shoulder was trembling; her voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.
"Hm? What is it, I wonder? Talking to yourself in the midst of a conversation is just rude. This is why brats like you are no good." Mahraj said in disdain. However, Maria did not retort, or rather, it was as if she did not hear it.
In an angry tone, Maria thundered, "DON'T MESS WITH ME!" Maria's wings sprouted roughly, blowing the dust in their abruptness. She kicked the ground and propelled herself in an instant like a bullet shot out of a rifle. Her spear was at her side, ready to be swung at any time.
"You are not using any of your abilities!? Don't you dare make a fool out of me!" Mahraj saw her throwing herself into a charge; thus, before Maria could get into her swinging range, Mahraj hovered back, keeping her distance from Maria. After all, Mahraj's weapon was now a bow. It will be unsuitable at close range.
Once at a safe distance, Mahraj released the arrow that had been pointed at Maria for some time now. It flew directly to the target without paying any heed to the wind that was trying to hinder it. The black arrow shook violently once it took off; as if sowing itself, the arrow suddenly multiplied into several tens—no, hundreds. It flew towards Maria as if guided by an unknown force.
Maria stopped her pursuit and made her wings flap hardly once. The wind gushed toward the flying arrows. But to her surprise, even that wind was not enough to stop them from going after her. Leaving her no choice, she brought her halberd in front. The arrows hit.
"Not bad," Mahraj praised. On her view, Maria was there, spear spinning as her guard. Not even a single arrow manages to pass through it.
"That level of attack was nothing to me. Don't mock me."
"Is that so? Well, if you are done in with just that, then it would only prove how incompetent you are." Mahraj said with a smirk.
"You're dead, grannie!" Maria scowled.
"You're deader, brat!" Mahraj replied, a vein bulging on her forehead.
From a distance, Martha and Leviathan watched the fight without uttering a single word. But in their minds, a mutual thought was formed. "Isn't that 'grannie' insult more effective than any other taunt?"
Gleren, who was inside his own body, gulped. He silently watched carefully without harboring any weird thoughts about both of the women fighting each other. He was absolutely scared. Though he will surely deny it if asked,
***
Outside Solomon's gate, the battle was over. All of the demons wreaking havoc were now terminated. However, the result of the battle was not all that pleasing. Destruction and devastation can be found all over the Vatican City.
The citizen's safety was not harmed in any way. They were all warned before the tragic of the demons' chaotic appearance. No casualty can be considered heavy except for the city's state.
Amidst this destruction, Kyouka stood still. "This is horrible."
Her eyes wandered to the shops, stalls, and residences, and finally to the church itself. All was now bedded with wreckage.
The basilica was now destroyed. Not even the shadow of its former self can be depicted by its current picture. Kyouka sighed.
Standing diagonally beside her was a petite girl. She was also lamenting the current situation. Though not really much, she stated her dissatisfaction: "It's not like we can't fix this. But the thought of cleaning after the mess of those guys from Sacred Omen irritates me to no end!" It was Chisaki. Her usual cheerful self was now clad in a sulking attitude.
"Well, we cannot say we are unrelated. But, I guess, you are right," said Edelweiss, brushing her eyeglasses upward.
"I wanna go home," Serene said, and was agreed cheerfully by XainXing, "Me too!"
"How carefree. Do you know how hard we'd be scolded if we left this be?" Zenith said, a little annoyed.
"Yep. The higher-ups will not let us hear the end of it," said Luiz, looking around with a bored look.
"Hm… Gleren, I wonder if he's safe," Loraine murmured. Not joining the talk about how devastated this place was. She thought that no one had heard her, but Varvara suddenly went to her side. "Uh, um... I don't think that Gleren was in danger... But he was not going out of the gate since the others said he entered... Do you think something had happened?" she asked anxiously.
It was unusual for Varvara to be this talkative, but when it came to Gleren and her concern for her, her stuttering would disappear. Though her shy side wouldn't go away, it was still unusual. Loraine smiled at her.
"I guess? But knowing Gleren, maybe he was laughing like an idiot right now. The only thing that worries me is that Maria. She was your friend, right?"
At the mention of Maria's name, Varvara's eyes clouded. She was on the verge of tears.
"Yes." She answered briefly, looking down to her feet. "But the one who killed the demon was deferent. I know the person was her, Maria... but somewhat it was at the same time felt it was not. I don't know." Seeing her in that state, Loraine sighed.
"You don't have to force yourself. For sure, Gleren will do something about it." She grinned at her. In response to her positivism, Varvara nodded a little. A smile of relief washed over her.
"Alright. Let's start working." While having their conversation at the end, Kyouka's voice sounded from a distance. At her side was Alice, who had just returned from the evacuation shelter.
"All are safe. No missing persons. No deaths. Minor injuries are being treated. That's all." She ended her report with a firm salute.
"Good work. XianXing. Lead a group and bring all the necessities to the people. Make them feel assured at all costs."
Hearing her name being called, she made a pose and saluted. "Roger! I will have Loraine, Serene, and Luiz with me." Kyouka nodded, then faced Edelweiss.
"Edelweiss will remain here. We will focus on reconstructing this place. Alice too, Zenith as well." She gazed at where Varvara was before continuing. "Cho-hee will guard Varvara. She will be our communicator this time." Varvara nodded, as did Cho-hee, who was sitting on a bench.
"With this as a set-up, we will begin the restoration of this place. We will leave the gate to the Sacred Omen's former members. Chisaki, are you ready?"
"Good to go, ma'am!" Chisaki saluted in response to Kyouka's question.
"Alright then. New objective: Restoration of the Vatican City, commence!"
"Roger!"
With that, the area outside the gate became boisterous with activity. And within a short span of two and a half hours, the job was done.