Chereads / Spectres of the Past: Prince of Spectres / Chapter 16 - Cirque Umbra: part 3

Chapter 16 - Cirque Umbra: part 3

Ford

Playtime's over?

Is this supposed to be some sort of game to you?!

Well if it is…

…We aren't losing!

Kintsugi soldier unleashed a flurry of attacks at Jean, however he evades them and counters with a punch to Kintsugi Soldier's gut, causing Ford to wince in pain

Jean

How long will it take for me to show you that you have no hope of winning?

Honestly, I just wanted to finish my job and go home, but the two of you left me with no choice.

I'm not like my siblings, I like to do the bare minimum asked of me…

…but sometimes you need to teach brats like you two a lesson.

Jean raises his bladed arm above Kintsugi Soldier's neck

Jean

Maybe this will get my point across better than anything else I've tried so far.

As he swings down the blade, he gets caught off guard by a punch to his stomach, causing him to step away from Kintsugi Soldier

Ford

(Huh, what just happened?)

(I managed to hit him, and it felt…soft?)

(Isn't his body supposed to be made of steel right now?

Wade

Ford, what happened?!

Jean

Tsk, you got a lucky shot.

Ford

I'm not sure, but it felt like his stomach wasn't made of steel, it just felt like a stomach,

Wade

What does that mean?

Ford

I think he can't change his whole body, he needs to focus on a body part to change it!

Jean appears between the two of them with blades at their throats

Jean

Mimic's Grasp is unbeatable.

You two can't win against me!

Anemoi jumps on Jean and pushes him down 

Kintsugi Soldier goes to kick Jean, however he turns his face to steel causing Kintsugi Soldier to break its toes

Jean

My, with the power you put into that kick, I almost felt it.

Almost.

Jean's arms harden and he manages to throw Anemoi off of him

Ford

Damn it, I think we could do it if we were able to catch him off guard somehow, but he's so fast that it feels impossible!

Wade

If you could catch him off guard, would you be able to beat him?

Ford

I mean, I think so.

Wade

Alright then, I have a plan but it could be a little risky…

Wade starts to whisper something to Ford as Jean stands off and watches

George

Hey, aren't you forgetting someone?

Why don't you untie me while they're distracted—

Jean

Shut up.

The only reason you're in our organization at all is because Numen brought you in.

I'm here because it was a direct order, but I want you to know, I loathe everything you and that man stand for.

George

Ha, easy to say that while I'm tied up and too tired to use my Manifesto.

Why don't we duke it out and I'll wipe that smug attitude of yours away.

Jean

Whatever, those two are plotting something…

I've given them enough time.

Ready or not, here I come!

Jean prepares to charge towards Ford and Wade, however, Wade gets on his knees catching Jean off guard

Jean

Is this you surrendering?

Wade

No, quite the opposite.

Ford, get ready.

These winds can turn sour at the drop of a hat…

Ford

Don't worry about me, just focus on controlling it.

Jean

What in the world are you talking about?

Wade takes a deep breath before the wind begins to swirl violently around him

Wade

Anemoi: Notus.

As Wade finishes, a warm, humid wind begins to swirl around him and forms a large, savage looking wolf behind him.

Jean

What in the world…?

The wolf howls loudly, causing Jean to recoil in fear before he takes up a fighting stance

Jean

Changing your Manifesto's form won't affect the outcome of this fight.

At the end of the day, you two don't have what it takes to defeat me.

Meanwhile, Prince and Cliff make their way through the alleyways of Paris

Prince

Uh, there's something coming from the…left!

Cliff sends a bubble in the direction mentioned by Prince, before it explodes, causing a large crab to turn into an inky black puddle

Cliff

Way to go, Prince!

You're a natural at this!

Prince

Thanks, I'm still not perfect though…

The only reason I've gotten so used to it so quickly is because it's similar to Devil's Trill's ability to pick up on sounds.

These monsters all have a strong hostility I can sense, but if we were attacked by something without that hostility, I probably wouldn't be able to find it…

Cliff

Don't worry about that, just do what you can and I'll help pick up the slack.

Prince

Thanks, but before we go back, I want to find that girl from before…

If she can keep sending these Manifestos after us as long as it's dark, we'll never be safe at night.

We need to defeat her here and now before it gets even more out of hand.

Cliff

I agree, considering how suddenly the two of them appeared, it's likely that someone in their organization has the ability to move people over long distances

We can ask that man you caught some questions after we get back.

Prince

Right, but first things first, finding the user.

Considering the amount of monsters she's been creating and how accurate their attacks have been, I'm guessing she's watching us right now…

And if she was watching us and wanted to follow us through the alleyways, the most likely place would be…

Prince looks up as a shadowy figure disappears from his field of vision

Prince

Gotcha!

I found her Cliff, I'm trusting you to find your own way up!

Cliff

What do you mean?

How are you planning on getting up to the roof?

Prince

How else?

Jumping.

Devil's Ttill's feet dig into the ground, as it releases a large sound, the shockwave carries Prince up to the roof as he uses his Manifesto to pull himself up

???

Wow, impressive

I never thought anyone would be able to jump onto the roof of a building…

Prince

I guess I'm just special then.

???

That you are.

Prince Spectre, son of the King, James Spectre, possessing a manifesto that can control sounds and boasts extrodenary physical capabilities

Numen said that he wanted us to gage your abilities

And I have to say, from what I've seen, I'm not impressed.

Leaving your friends to fight by themselves, struggling to detect incoming threats until the last second, despite how obvious I'm trying to make their attacks.

Despite being the son of someone so great as the King, you yourself are disappointing.

Prince

Geez, whenever I give one of you guys my last name, you all immediately think I'm like my dad.

I am not my dad.

I'm me, I have my own strengths and my own problems.

You got that?

Also, don't underestimate my friends.

They're more than strong enough to beat whatever you throw at them.

???

What of you then?

Do you believe you can defeat me one-on-one?

Prince

Only one way to find out!

Devil's Trill throws a punch towards the girl, however shadows rise up and catch the punch

???

If we're going to do this, then let's do it properly.

My name is Marie, I'll give you one last chance to run before I unleash the full power of my Cirque Umbra.

Prince

It wouldn't be any fun to beat you if you weren't being serious!

Marie

Very well then…

The inky black shadows start to concentrate in front of Marie, melting into a humanoid figure, with four arms, and countless eyes sprawled across its head.

The Manifesto oozed malevolence with every step it took towards Prince

Marie

Tell me, in the face of such an overwhelming power, how is it you are able to keep smiling?

Prince

Sorry, family secrets.

Devil's Trill and Cirque Umbra begin to exchange attacks, with Cirque Umbra diving into nearby shadows to avoid attacks

Marie

Ha, how could you ever hope to land a hit on Cirque Umbra?!

There's no way for you to be able to pierce its defens–

As Marie's speaking, Prince sucker punches her, causing Cirque Umbra to lose focus, allowing Devil's Trill to hit it too

Marie is kneeling on the ground, trying to hold herself together

Marie

W-what do you think you're doing!?

Prince

Fighting?

Why?

Whoever said that I only had to use my Manifesto in a fight?

At the end of the day, we're just punching each other anyways, right?

So why does it matter if I attack you or your Manifesto?

Marie

Ugh…

(This brat!)

(Does he understand the level of concentration and training it takes to be able to command your Manifesto while still moving on your own…?)

(That damn talent…it almost reminds me of–)

Devil's Trill punches Cirque Umbra again, interrupting her train of thought

When Devil's Trill's fist makes contact with Cirque Umbra, small black sparks fly between the two Manifestos

Marie

(Louis…)

Prince

?

Louis?

Who's Louis?

Marie

Get his name…out of your filthy mouth!

Cirque Umbra moves to attack Prince, however Devil's Trill blocks the attacks and responds with one of its own

Prince

Why are you getting so angry!?

You were the one who started talking about him first!

Marie

Ahh!

Cirque Umbra's attacks start becoming more frantic and violent, as if caution has been thrown to the wind.

More black sparks start to fly with each time their fists connect

Prince

Hey!

Be careful!

You're not gonna be able to survive at this rate!

Marie

(I'm sorry Louis…)

(Looks like your big sister won't be able to keep her promise after all…)

Prince

What are you talking about!?

As Cirque Umbra and Devil's Trill's fists connect with each other, an explosion of black flames are released in all directions

Prince's senses begin dull, as the noise of the city, Marie's screams, the sound of fists connecting all fade. 

In the empty space, the only sound audible is that of a crying child

Prince

Hey!

Are you alright!

As Prince moves toward the source of the noise, he sees three young children, sitting in the centre of a ruined city

Prince

What happened…?

Young girl

Jean, Louis…

Don't worry, your big sister will protect you, no matter what happens!

Prince

Louis?

Does that mean this kid is…

Young Jean

Do you promise, Marie?

The young girl looks down at her little brother, her face covered in dried blood and soot, and she flashes a big smile towards her younger siblings

Young Marie

Of course!

It's a promise!