Despite their readiness for a fight, Forbidden Lust didn't give off her usual aura of murderous intent. Instead, there was something unsettlingly calm about her demeanor. Their confusion was noticable as they regarded Lust with lessened tension, realizing she wasn't there to stop them.
Bard took a step forward, his tone firm. "What do you want this time, Lust? We don't have time for your games."
"You know that human, Edward?" Lust's voice echoed in the room, amusement in her tone. "He's the one making the portal. He thinks himself clever, but his intentions for betrayal are as transparent as glass. You humans truly are fascinating creatures," she continued, her grin widening. "I don't feel benevolence nor malice towards you. Rather, I feel curiosity about your kind."
Bard's brows furrowed as he took in the information. "So, Edward is the one behind the portal after all..." He muttered under his breath.
"Well, you're not here for a chat, are you? You must be here to stop Forbidden Nature," Lust remarked with a playful smile. "Follow me, I'll lead you to him. We can talk while we walk there." She began to lead the way, signaling for everyone to follow.
As the group sensed no threat from Lust, they cautiously followed her lead. Bard, taking the initiative, walked up beside her, ready to engage in conversation as they made their way forward through the building's corridors.
"Lust, you don't seem inherently bad. If anything, you appear to be merely following orders," Bard remarked.
"Are you being stupid?" Lust smirked. "What have you humans always said about the Forbidden? Beings known only for their destruction and chaos. And it's not exactly wrong either," she shrugged off.
"That may be so, but exceptions exist, even among beings like you. I don't expect you to suddenly switch sides, but perhaps neutrality is an option. We're not asking for loyalty, just cooperation." Bard said, hoping his words would resonate with her.
"Ah, sweet innocence," Lust chuckled, shaking her head. "You humans always looking for exceptions, always hoping for the best in everyone. But let me tell you, darling, in our world, there are no exceptions. We are what we are, and nothing can change that."
"Is that so?" Bard raised an eyebrow, his tone thoughtful. "But look at Forbidden Blood. Despite being a Forbidden, he seems to coexist quite harmoniously within Simon. It's as if they've found a balance that works for both of them."
"Forbidden Blood's attachment to Simon may be unusual," she admitted, "but it doesn't change the fundamental nature of the Forbidden. We are still creatures of chaos and destruction, besides," Lust said with a smirk, "my lust for battle is far too great to even consider switching sides."
"We've certainly seen our fair share of battles by now," Bard remarked, "so you wouldn't be lacking in that department if you chose to accompany us."
Lust's silence lingered, her furrowed brow and secretive glances betrayed the complexity of her thoughts. On one hand, she felt no allegiance to the Forbidden, her loyalty nonexistent in the face of Bard's proposition. Yet, lurking beneath her indecision laid a noticable fear, a dread at the thought of confronting her formidable leader. The mere idea scared her, a chilling reminder of the consequences that awaited her should she dare to defy betrayal them.
With a smirk on her lips, Lust responded, her sarcasm in her tone. "What an interesting proposal, honey. I'll consider it, if the stars align."
"I suppose that's the best answer I'll get," Bard sighed. "Anyway, what can you tell us about this Forbidden Nature?" He asked, shifting the conversation to the matter at hand.
"Ohh, Forbidden Nature? Well, aside from controlling the Force of Nature, he can actually control nature with ease. He's skillful at manipulating it in combat scenarios, condensing the chaos you witnessed into a more focused, intense confrontation," Lust explained the capabilities of Forbidden Nature.
"So, he can condense the full force of nature into a smaller-scale confrontation? That's bound to make things even more challenging for us," Bard leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"His ability to channel nature's fury into a more concentrated form makes him a formidable opponent, even in close-quarters combat," Lust remarked with a smirk. "All I can say is good luck."
After navigating through the corridors and walking up several flights of stairs, their footsteps echoing in the empty building, they finally reached to the top floor. As they approached the door leading to their confrontation with Forbidden Nature, the tension in the air became noticeable, each step feeling heavier with anticipation.
"I'll accompany you inside, but rest assured, I won't be helping him. I'm just here for the entertainment," Lust said with a mischievous smirk.
"If you're content to observe from the sidelines, so be it, but remember your help will be appreciated. Nevertheless..." Bard glanced back at the group, his expression serious.
"We need to strategize, don't we? Considering the abilities that Forbidden has shown, this fight won't be a walk in the park," Eve remarked.
"Absolutely," Bard nodded, "We have to approach this with caution. Rushing in blindly would be idiotic."
"The problem is that he seems unaffected by normal tactics. His control over the Force of Nature makes distractions useless, and any attempt at a sneak attack probably wouldn't work," Mary sighed.
"Mary's observation is quite accurate," Bard nodded, acknowledging her concern. "It seems like Forbidden Nature's control over the elements makes traditional tactics ineffective. We'll need to think of a strategy that exploits his vulnerabilities, assuming he has any."
"This might sound stupid, but I can charge at him over and over until you guys discover some sort of weakness he has," Simon suggested.
"That might not be as stupid as it sounds," Bard replied, considering Simon's proposal. "A frontal assault could keep him busy while the rest of us analyze his behavior and abilities for any patterns or vulnerabilities. It's a risky strategy, but it might just work if we coordinate our efforts effectively."
"Nah, I think I'll join you, Simon," Vulcan grinned. "Who knows, maybe we'll take him down without needing any plan."
"Count me in too," Mary chimed in. "I may not be smart as you, Bard, but I'm ready to contribute. We'll focus on keeping Forbidden Nature occupied while you think a plan to defeat him." She let out a resigned sigh.
"Of course, Eve and I will do our best to analyze his behavior and abilities for any patterns or vulnerabilities. And we won't hesitate to step in and assist if the situation calls for it," Bard assured her.
"I suppose we ought to walk in now," Simon said, putting his hand on the door handle.
"Indeed," Bard nodded in agreement. "Let's proceed cautiously; we don't know what waits for us on the other side. Stay alert, everyone."
Simon turned the handle of the door, the hinges creaking as it swung open. The group entered the room, their footsteps echoing in the empty space; Lust following behind them. As they entered, they saw Forbidden Nature in his shadow form, sitting calmly in the center of the room. As if on cue, a powerful gust of wind tore through the room, lifting debris and shattering windows. Lust's smirk only widened as she gracefully took a seat in the corner, seemingly unaffected by the chaos Forbidden Nature had unleashed. The roof above them gave way, revealing the sky.
The winds subsided into gentle breezes, and the hailstones returned, though smaller and less threatening than before. It seemed as though Forbidden Nature was issuing a warning, making them think to reconsider their course of action. Undeterred, Simon, Vulcan, and Mary stepped forward, their resolve strong as they prepared to confront Forbidden Nature.
"Lust, do you plan to help me..?" Forbidden Nature's voice devoid of emotion.
"Nope, not one bit," Lust retorted with a smirk. "This is your battle. I'm just here to enjoy the show." With a playful flick of her tongue, she emphasized her indifference.
"I see..." Forbidden Nature responded, his gaze shifting to the floor. As he did, his right eye began to emit a soft, a green hue.
"Human, I am Forbidden Nature, summoned per request of my master. My purpose here is to stop you by any means necessary," Nature declared, his voice void of emotion.
"I am the Forbidden's 'trump card', entrusted with the task of stopping you. Know this, I will not fail my master," Nature declared, his gaze fixed upon them. "Your journey ends here."
"Oh, how exciting!" Lust's smirk widened. "Let me do the honors and count down the moments until your demise."
"Are you talking to us or to him?" Simon sighed, impatience in his tone. "We don't have time for theatrics, just get it over with."
Lust chuckled, her gaze shifting between Simon and Forbidden Nature. "I'm talking to both of you, of course. But don't worry, I'll make it quick," she said before beginning the countdown with a wink.
As Lust began her countdown, the tension in the room thickened. The group stood on edge, prepared for the imminent clash with Forbidden Nature.
"And one... Fight!"