Shay ducked through the streets of the pleasure district as shouts of aggression saturated the chill night air.
"Aahhh!"
An Amazon crashing through the wall next to him, Shay jumped up to the rooftops in order to avoid the fray.
Freya wanted me to help fight the Berbera, but I don't think Chloe would forgive me if I did. I'd have to explain to her why I came home with an entourage of lovesick amazons...
Contemplating the repercussions of tonight's actions on his fellow familia members, Shay's attention was snapped back to the present by the unmistakable red flare of an Ignis Fatuus shining from Belit Babili's secondary tower.
So it really was the Floating Garden...
From his earlier research Shay had surmised that Ishtar familia would try to seal Haruhime's soul at the top of the secondary tower of the pleasure district that had been glowing an ominous deep red, even before the ignis fatuus. Seeing the explosion up there, his suspicions had been confirmed.
Who's the resistance, though? Don't tell me Hestia familia moved on their own... how would they have even known that time was of the essence?
Picking up speed as fires began breaking out all throughout the district, Shay made it to the base of the main tower in no time. As he prepared to scale it, he saw a slight rustling in the bushes. Moving closer, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Mikoto!?"
Looking up at him groggily as he splashed her with a healing potion, the battered girl was having difficulty staying awake.
"...shay? what...?"
Slowly shaking her head as she came to her senses, a small sliver of Mikoto's trademark certainty returned to her voice.
"Bell-dono is still up there... Please help him."
"Why are you—? Nevermind. I'll go. When you can walk, get out of here."
I don't get how Hestia familia ended up in this, but the more the merrier I suppose. At least it looks like I won't have to search too hard for Haruhime.
Leaping most of the way up the tower, Shay used his downforce technique to run the final stretch, dashing directly up the side of the pleasure district's main tower. With the fires on the ground providing a stark contrast to the moon in the clear, starry sky, Shay heard a harsh impact sound, followed by secondary collisions as the red glow of the floating garden above grew dim.
I guess I might finally get to meet the 'Little Rookie' in all this mess.
As Shay gained line of sight, he looked up to see a crowd of Amazons facing down a single, white-haired boy. He got a bit of extra altitude on the main tower as a repulsive, snakelike voice assaulted his ears.
"This here's our tool! One that we'll use to smash Freya's lot to bits! This has nothin' to do with the likes of you!"
So they really do want a fight with Freya familia? That's some incredible hubris, isn't it…?
Leaping backwards from the main tower as he released his enchantment, Shay sailed over the crowd of Berbera and into the center of the confrontation, landing in front of a wide eyed, rabbit looking boy that reminded him of an al-miraj.
"Well, if that's the case, you can't complain about me getting involved instead."
"Ah! F-Freya familia!? What the hell are you doing here!?"
This must be her.
The large Amazon in front of Shay was Phryne Jamil, the Level Five captain of Ishtar familia and the source of the snakelike voice. She was quite repulsive, with an impossibly toadlike build and a face to match. If anyone of Freya familia was to spot her tonight, they had been instructed to notify the familia's elites who would promptly deal with her. Clutched in her meaty right hand was a stream of bright blonde hair, and at its end a defeated renard looking down at the ground. At the new arrival, the girl slowly looked up, her despairing eyes widening as she recognized the interloper.
"...!"
"You! Are you acting against your familia!? Your Goddess'll string you up for this!"
"That's not an issue."
Phryne's eyes widening as the situation worsened, she stood in shock as tears began to leak from Haruhime's eyes.
Seeing the agony apparent in his childhood friend's expression, Shay's voice was firm.
"Release her."
Phyrne's expression stiffening, she twirled her axe and threw Haruhime to another Berbera, who caught the renard with an irritated look. Her snakelike voice becoming serious, Ishtar familia's captain gave her orders.
"Aaalll of you, get them! Haruhimeeee… Do it!"
The renard turned her gaze to Phryne, then to Shay, then to Bell. Tears running down her face, she began her chant as if it were a desperate plea.
"Grow."
The crowd of Berbera rushing towards them, Shay glanced back at Bell as if to ask if he was prepared. The boy returned his look with a determined expression, clutching a black knife and ready to continue fighting.
He's Level Three, right? It should be fine.
With Phyrne and one other Berbera backing onto the bridge with Haruhime, the platform quickly turned to chaos. As Shay apologized to Chloe in his mind, he raised his fists in preparation.
Making contact with the rushing crowd, Shay used his palm to parry the swipe of a polearm, striking the side of its owner's neck who fell to the ground in a heap. As more opponents came in from the sides, Shay dodged several jabs before grabbing one of their spears and using it as a quarterstaff, dispatching three more Berbera with practiced ease. Checking in on Bell as he fought, he was pleasantly surprised to see him fighting off a group of three Amazons at once. The boy seemed to have quite a well developed hit and run style, with the Berbera unable to counter as he rushed between them. Now on the offensive Shay was finished wasting time, parrying and quickly knocking out any who approached with the shaft of his stolen spear.
The fighting continued for only a few more seconds as the two tore through the crowd, the unconscious bodies of Amazons piling up around them. Seeing the unnerved expressions of the two remaining elites, Shay tried playing the mental game.
"You were planning to fight Freya familia like this? You guys are nothing if not brave…"
"Ssshut up! Aisha, I'll dealll with Freya's dog, so you handle the kid!"
With a complicated expression, the other Amazon stood in front of the slowly chanting Haruhime. Bell watched as the two First Tiers faced each other, with Shay tossing the Berbera's damaged weapon to the side and finally unsheathing his chokuto.
I wish I had my spear, but I still haven't bought a new one. Maybe I'll go Durandal this time…
Looking at his opponent as Bell neared his own, it occurred to Shay that it had been a while since he'd had a real fight without magic.
Well… We're both Level Five. It almost feels like using my magic would be giving this person undue respect.
As if she could sense the contempt in Shay's eyes, Phryne raised her axe and rushed in with a yell. Holding his chokuto in a standard grip, Shay sidestepped the telegraphed overhead strike and slashed quickly outward. Achieving a shallow slice on his opponent's forearm he quickly backed away, holding out his sword as if daring her to try again.
As he watched annoyance build on Phryne's features, Shay's own softened as he noticed that Haruhime had stopped chanting.
So she has some hope still, at least.
Reading a sweeping slice from the large axe Shay batted the weapon down with his own, throwing the toadlike warrior off balance. As he easily landed another strike on the clumsy warrior, Shay was shocked at the difference in their ability.
Sometimes I forget how strong my familia truly is…
With Shay's Status having been overloaded at each Level he was noticeably stronger than Phryne, who was likely near the high end of Level Five. However, even had their strength and speed been similar Shay would still be in uncontested control of the engagement. The gap in their training was just that large. While Shay had been fighting in Folkvangr, Phryne had been fighting monsters, relatively unintelligent with no concept of proper technique. Compared to the battle-tested movements of the Einherjar, Phryne looked as if she was flailing wildly. The two fighters were in a completely different league.
Van could beat her with one hand tied behind his back… his only hand, at that.
His own fight becoming monotonous, Shay turned some of his attention to the other combatants. Strangely, seeing her captain getting outclassed the head Berbera smiled, facing forward and taking bold steps toward the white haired boy. Readying his weapon in response, Bell spoke definitively as the renard looked on, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Aisha, I'm taking Haruhime with me."
"Now that's more like it."
Seeing Bell's determined expression, the Amazon widened her smile. Catching a glimpse of the exchange as he easily parried another downwards swipe of Phryne's axe, Shay was reminded of the heroic stories he'd read as a child.
"But… I can't just say 'go ahead' and leave you to it. It's in our blood… You know?"
As a child of Ishtar, it was likely very difficult to go against the Goddess's wishes. The Ichor shared between God and child bound the two very tightly indeed. It was even more difficult given she was a Goddess of Beauty, one who held sway over affection and in turn sometimes will itself. With Aisha being an Amazoness, a race with battle in their blood, it was no wonder she couldn't refuse the fight. Readying her weapon, she cocked her head at the boy.
"Oh yeah, never got a chance to ask. Why go this far? Got a thing for her?"
As Phryne became further enraged at her untouchable opponent, Shay used his speed to create even larger gaps in the fight so he could hear the other exchange more clearly.
"...Being a prostitute was too painful for Miss Haruhime. So I decided to help her."
Dodging a furious lunge to the side, Shay mulled over the situation.
This kid's really something, huh? And there's something very different about that Berbera… If Haruhime's magic is as strong as it seems, she'll need someone to protect her from other factions. Is Aisha testing him?
"...Don't know what gave you the idea that she's been working with us, but she's a virgin who doesn't know her way around a man."
…huh?
Shay was nearly cleaved in two after he paused in shock, recovering at the last moment before blocking as the force sent him tumbling across the arena. Shay getting up in a cloud of debris, Haruhime's two prospective saviors had the same reaction.
""Eh?""
Chuckling a little, Aisha explained further as the fox behind her wore a confused expression.
"She'd always pass out right before the main event. The sight of male skin made her lighthearted, the dimwit."
""...?""
"Even just the other night, she keeled over onto the chest of a customer. Totally killed the mood and the guy didn't pay."
""...""
"B-but she said she'd given herself many times…to many different men."
"Maybe she was having some frisky dreams after passing out. Horny li'l fox."
Both of her rescuers' eyes wide and on her, Haruhime began blushing furiously.
Haha… I knew there was no way…
Not respecting the pause in combat, Phryne rushed at a chuckling Shay, her axe raised high above her head. Swinging with reckless abandon, she became more and more agitated as he continued to dodge, nicking her hands and body with his blade with each exchange. Growing tired of this, Shay decided to end the fight early.
I'm technically an elite, but I can pass the job along, right? Ottarl and them should be at the main tower by now. They can deal with her instead.
Breaking away from Phryne and dashing down the bridge connecting the two towers, Shay goaded his opponent into following him at full speed. Jogging backwards as he let her catch up, Shay dodged the series of mad blows until she went for an upward slash. Adding to her momentum Shay parried the axe to the side as he pivoted around her, ducking down and kicking her high off the ground. After she cleared the bridge and slammed into the main tower, Phryne began her descent into the sea of flames beneath her with an indignant roar.
"Yoooouuu Braaattt!"
~
"When a man rescues a woman, it's gotta be by force."
These were the words that finally started the fight. Shay watched in silent appreciation as the white haired boy rushed in with the stolen broadsword of a fallen Berbera. Trading fierce blows as the clanging of metal pierced the air, the two danced around the altar, making sure to avoid Haruhime as Shay sat down some distance away.
Under the full moon and lit by the faint magical glow of the altar, Haruhime's eyes were locked onto the scene with a small, heartfelt smile beginning to play on her lips as the combatants raced around the platform. Defending the violet slash of Bell's dagger, Aisha kicked him away and glanced at Shay, excitedly grinning as she realized he wouldn't interfere.
This Berbera must be close to Haruhime. This is a duel for the right to protect her…
Recognizing the care implicit in the Amazon's actions, Shay was comforted to learn that his old friend had made such a connection. The Amazon landing a shallow cut on Bell as he retaliated, Shay found himself wanting to encourage the boy. When he first arrived, Bell had already been fighting. His clothes ragged and cut, Bell had been fighting for Haruhime far before Shay could. It was obvious that he had no right to interfere in the boy's duel.
As Bell's fatigue became more apparent, Shay felt Aisha building up magic energy.
"Come, reckless conqueror! Masculine warrior, strong soldier, greedy and unjust hero!"
As the Amazon chanted Bell rushed in, clearly hoping to pressure her out of using her magic. Undaunted, Aisha continued to fight just as she had been, a wide swipe of her weapon catching Bell's blade and pushing him back as she danced further towards him. Seeing her friend's magic now in play, Haruhime continued her own chant from earlier, displaying to Aisha her will.
"Grow. That power and that vessel. Breadth of wealth and breadth of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion."
Watching her friend finally fighting for something, Aisha responded by widening her grin as she increased the ferocity of her resistance.
"Prove your desire for the Empress's girdle!"
Concurrent casting, huh? It seems I really underestimated the Berbera after fighting Phryne…
Watching Aisha continue to increase the pace of battle as she casted, Shay was becoming increasingly impressed. He himself had never really needed to master the skill given his spells were short, but with his newest magic having a long chant he appreciated the demonstration.
"Grow. Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you."
"Satisfy my body, penetrate my body, kill my body to show your worth! My famished blade is Hippolyta!"
Both chants approaching their finale as the combatants separated, the Amazon was opposite the boy and looking straight at Haruhime.
She wouldn't…
As Bell looked behind him he seemingly reached the same conclusion, but meeting Aisha's gaze told him something else.
'Protect her. Show me you can.'
Shay recognized Aisha's intention at the same time as the boy, who held his broadsword up in a defensive stance as Haruhime finished her chant.
"Grow. Uchide no Kozuchi!"
A hammer of golden light enveloping the boy, Shay could sense the massive power of the renard's sorcery. As golden light emanated from the boy, matching particles floated from his body off into the night. Having evidently poured all of her Mind into the spell, Haruhime dropped to the ground unconscious.
So this power has been driving her fate. But…!?
A small chime sounded as white particles of light joined the gold, beginning to swirl around Bell's hands. The particles danced together before the boy's broadsword began glowing a faint white, the glow becoming stronger as Shay sensed more and more of the boy's energy gathering in the blade.
Bell's own magic…? No, a Skill.
Taking guesses at the boy's ability, Shay subtly activated his own magic at his feet, preparing to save Haruhime if need be. Wondering how a Skill would fare against a full blown magic attack, Shay remembered the whispers he'd heard in Rivira about a bright light erasing a massive foe. As she completed her spell, Aisha slammed her weapon down into the stone flooring.
"Hell Kaios!"
A surge of energy coalesced into a large red blade, growing in size as it tore through the stone of the altar on its way to Bell. Bracing the glowing broadsword against his shoulder, the boy swung it with all his might as the energies clashed, his feet sliding slightly backwards as debris flew up around him. The boy's blade shattering just as the red one dissipated, Shay relaxed, glad that there was no need to interfere.
Rushing through the debris as fast as he could given his fatigue, Bell flew at his opponent just like an al-miraj. Reacting with impressive speed Aisha swung her blade with a massive grin on her face, Bell parrying with his dagger as he tried to continue inwards. Not finished, Aisha pivoted too fast for the exhausted boy to react, the Amazoness's long leg connecting solidly with his head.
…!
Just as Shay thought the battle was over, the boy stepped even further in. Aisha, just as surprised as Shay, was unable to react as the boy thrust his fist into her stomach with all his remaining vigor. But that wasn't all.
"FIREBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLT!"
Flaming bolts of lightning exploding from the contact point, Shay couldn't help but remember the sight of Bete's magic absorbing his own.
He still had more up his sleeve…!?
The Amazon flying in a high arc through the air, she hit the ground unconscious, the vestiges of an excited smile still on her features. Panting, the white haired boy stood in the middle of the destroyed Floating Garden, victorious.
~
Watching the fires below begin to die down, Shay returned his gaze to the Amazon. She was laying unceremoniously on the ground, spread out with her weapon at her side. Shay watched as Bell walked past her body, making his way towards him somewhat timidly, with Haruhime's golden flakes of light still emanating from his body.
"That was a great fight. No wonder you broke my record."
Seeming to completely miss Shay's lighthearted tone Bell looked like a child that just remembered he was in trouble, responding anxiously.
"Oh… s-sorry sir!"
Okay… If this becomes a pattern I'll have to talk to Mikoto about how she introduces me to her friends…
Trying to seem as approachable as possible, Shay tried again.
"You uh, can drop the 'sir'... there's really no need. Just think of me as Mikoto's old comrade."
"...?"
Blinking a couple times at Shay's welcoming smile, Bell seemed to relax a little before going into a deep bow.
"...Thank you for your help."
"Of course. I was looking for Haruhime as well... She's an old friend."
"...I see…. Um, then, why is the rest of Freya familia here?"
"Our Goddess asked us to be… Apparently Ishtar angered her."
There was a somewhat awkward silence as the boy moved past Shay, sitting down close to where Shay had laid the unconscious Haruhime. Seemingly making up his mind, the boy looked up at Shay with subtle determination.
"About Miss Haruhime...I would like to take her into my familia."
"Why is that?"
The boy took some time before answering, looking straight into Shay's eyes as he finished.
"...I…think she would be happy there."
Shay mentally squinted at the boy's blinding sincerity, the beginnings of a heartfelt smile soon forming on his lips.
I could learn a thing or two from this kid.
"Alright. I like that plan. Just don't go showing off her magic."
"...! Of course! Thank you!"
Answering with a bright smile, Bell's fatigue seemed to disappear. Happy for the lonely renard, Shay thought he might organize some kind of shrine reunion celebration.
"You've shown that you can protect her. Besides, something tells me Freya familia would be a little intense for her."
After joining Shay in an awkward chuckle Bell suddenly stopped, looking up to the main tower as if he was sensing someone watching him. Following the boy's gaze, Shay saw a chilling scene.
The feuding Goddesses of Beauty stood opposite each other, Ishtar clearly panicking as she was pushed towards the edge of their platform. With a wicked smile Freya raised her arm, slapping Ishtar completely off balance. Shay's eyes widened as the Goddess fell, recognizing the distinct sound of bones cracking in the brief moment she hit the ground far below. A light more beautiful than he'd ever seen emanated from the ground level before a secondary explosion rang out. The sonic boom reaching his ears, Shay watched as a magnificent pillar of light breached the heavens.
Freya really just…
Shay was in awe at his Goddess's willingness to kill. Well, maybe not 'kill', but the closest thing to it for a God. Once a God activated their Arcanum to save themselves from death, that pillar of light would appear as they went back to Tenkai, unable to ever return to the mortal realm.
Returning their gazes, Freya's eyes were locked directly on Bell. She smiled lasciviously as she watched his every breath. The words on her lips were clear.
'I love you'
…!
The realization hit Shay like a forge dropped off Babel. That boy was Freya's new target.
Bell is her new obsession? Does that mean…! Ishtar tried to steal him? That was her big mistake…? All of this… for Bell?
Worrying over what would come of this Shay looked at a confused Bell, who was still staring up at the Goddess. He was clearly floored by the noiseless confession, but surprisingly he didn't seem entranced. If anything, the boy looked almost as worried as Shay was.
As if the universe wished to distract them, the sleeping renard began to stir. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Bell's. Deciding to focus on the matter at hand, the boy smiled with a glance at Shay, kneeling closer to Haruhime.
"We've come to save you."
Noticing the carnage and rubble that had been the Floating Garden, the girl looked at Shay then Bell, tearing up as Bell slipped his hand underneath the magic collar that had been shackling her to her fate. Snapping the collar in two with both hands, Bell tossed the pieces aside as tears of joy traced rivers down Haruhime's face, the saved renard giving her heartfelt response.
"Thank you, my heroes."