15 First International Death Battle Convention
Thanks for all your support on my story, ladies and gents! I couldn't have persevered for long without you!
No, that doesn't mean I'm discontinuing the story after this chapter. XD
Oh, wait… hold up, something's appearing in my files.
Wait… a sKeR@mlberlj? Wh^ 1$ kit liwqheeremkl(&@#?"? H(#)!!!mLJND DJK*^78! :"{)
GU!Y$! D*(67T W7rrYahj OI^&54m G0000NA*Y#&* F8972 ":}(&#*US O*UYW S*IHA&*TWR…
WARNING! FILE INTRUSION DETECTED. SCRAMBLING VIRUS DETECTED. PREPPING MODIFIED MEMETIC KILL AGENTS. FORTIFYING INTERNAL FIREWALLS.
THE SYSTEM REQUIRES FULL BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF USER BEFORE ACTIVATION. FOR THIS, THREE MODIFIED MEMETIC KILL AGENTS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE ACCESS TO ONLY ONE SPECIFIC USER. FAILURE IN PASSING ANY OF THE TESTS WILL RESULT IN TRIGGERING THE CURRENT MEMETIC KILL AGENT ON STANDBY.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Scanning Retinas… 100%
Scanning Hair… 100%
Scanning Facial Symmetry… 97%
DEPLOYING MEMETIC KILL AGENT 001
*Due to the extremities of the disturbances that can be caused by simply viewing the first agent, only the inaccessible link of the said agent is written in this document file. If accessible, this should transport you to a harmless or less disturbing image often found in random websites.
piercer.jpg
Hostile intrusion stopped. Hacker eliminated. Checking life signs in primary control unit.
Welcome back, *******************
*Author's real name is omitted.
Okay, sorry for that, guys. A hacker tried to take advantage of the files. Phew.
If you were asking about how my system has memetic kill agents, I shall explain that to you in a future chapter…
But not the next one.
I'm deeply sorry if I have disturbed you. Now, the system log has been embedded in this document, which is nuts. There's no way I can…
Oh well. If it wasn't for that hacker… I can assure you that he's dead. The memetic kill agents are nasty. I could register a new user, but that would be lengthy. Also, I have a few trust issues.
Anyway, this chapter is going to be very long. It could've probably taken a week or two while writing it, though it's a simple assumption, as I have been typing on my mind. Also, I have the HG RX-0 Full Armor Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode, Red Color Ver.) to finish, and I'd be grinding it in the weekends…
BECAUSE SCHOOL IS BACK. NO! *cue sad music
Why is the chapter very long?
Because dung hits the fan pretty hard on this.
If you're also asking why I often intervene in my chapters, it's because of this, and this only. Interaction.
Sure, it'd be fun to read a story, but to feel with the author/narrator? That would be insane. It has that mutual feeling of someone who has already read the story conversing with you. It is often kind or mean, but will leave you hooked.
(Maybe that's the only reason why you're reading my story… *grumble intensifies)
Two new heroes will be introduced. And you probably know who they are.
Let's get back to it! Hmm… where to start?
AHA!
Let's check up on Alucard and Ruby.
If you're wondering, they fell asleep… after a lengthy-
(KIDS! BE WARNED. I'M BEING DAUNTLESS ABOUT MY WORDS. Oh great, now you know I read the trilogy, too.)
After a lengthy make-out session. Yeah, they fell asleep under the same library table. Alucard's back was leaning on the board, which was the table's stand. Ruby's leaned on his chest, and his arms circled round her waist.
Though, this fluffy feeling will morph into a wave of embarrassment.
Bruno, Layla, Lolita and Chou decided to visit the Demon Hunter camp.
"Hmm, Alucard and Ruby ain't out yet," Chou starts. "Aren't they usually the earlybirds?"
"Guess they weren't sleepless elite," Layla answers. "Let's ask Yinsen."
They find him next Alucard's tent, scratching his hair.
"Um, hey, you're Yinsen, right?" Lolita asks. "Is Alucard out?"
"That's the problem. Last night, I didn't see them come here. I thought they were just having a bit of a tour in the castle, since I last saw them there. My head is going bonkers. Shouldn't have snuck in and drank Victor's ale…"
"Wait, they weren't here yesterday?!" Layla exclaims.
Bruno calms her down. "Easy, now. Anyone could have reported whether they've gone out of the kingdom or anything. They could still be in the citadel. C'mon, let's go."
"Thanks for the info!" Chou thanks, as the group races to the castle.
In the library…
Alpha was walking around, simply humming a tune. The feeling of peace didn't leave him. He surely felt that was Beta was beside him right now, talking in his head.
"How I wish you were still here," he muttered. "Yet, you're here, but I was referring to your old self. The one with consciousness."
As he walks past a door, he abruptly stopped. Something was up in his scanners.
"Someone in the library? An intruder? Hmm, gotta go check. I'm bored, anyway."
The cyborg walks in the library and opens the creaking door. He quietly closes it.
"Beta, scan for any lifeforms," Alpha whispers. "Maintain stealth mode."
The drone activates its cloak and flies around. Alpha readies his spear, but doesn't release it yet. He listens for any sound. He hears… small snores?
"This is odd. No intruder goes asleep. Probably a drunk dude. Let's find him and wake them up," Alpha says. He checks the shelves, but he saw no one. He orders Beta to check the vents just in case, but nada. There was only one place to look for.
"These are some interesting tables. They have enough space to keep people inside. Hmm…"
Beta modifies her vision and quickly scans the inside of each table. They found a sleeping pair a few tables across Alpha.
"Got you now," the cyborg snickers. He walks silently and slowly peers in the inside. He sees Alucard and Ruby, cuddling against each other.
Alpha was taken aback. Of course, he didn't know who it really was until he saw them personally. But pranking them wasn't on his mind. He suddenly remembered the last time he talked with Beta.
The last time she existed.
"Alpha, take care of Beta," Saber orders. "I'm prepping the rift. Hurry." Alpha nods and races for the wounded cyborg.
Beta looked so similar to Alpha. Her body was originally designed to be sleek and graceful, but Omega's assault absolutely battered her. Her headgear was torn, and she was left crippled. Multiple bullet holes and dents were on her arms, and her incinerated chest exposed her pierced internal organs.
There was no saving her.
"Beta, Beta!" Alpha yells. "Don't… don't go. No… we can still fix you. Just don't leave me! We're getting you somewhere safe, I promise."
Beta reached her hand and cupped Alpha's teary face. "Shh… don't… don't you worry about me. I'll be fine. You… you must go on… without me. It's the only way."
Alpha shook his head. "Don't say that…. Don't you dare say that! I made you a promise... I'm going to take… to take you to those grassy meadows you dreamt of, to the seas… and we shall see the beautiful stars! We… we'll see Rigel and Canis Majoris… we'll make our own stars… we… we'll name them ourselves… just… don't go…"
Beta put her forehead on Alpha's. "Then… do it… for me… don't feel alone… you have Saber. You'll have more who will… feel for you… You are destined for more… Don't give up on yourself… don't end it all… you will see me in the end…" She was fading fast.
"No… no… Beta… don't! No! Damn it… don't! Please… I need you… Don't leave me…"
"This… isn't goodbye… For wherever you will go, I… will follow you…"
And she breathed her last.
Alpha blinked out, stopping his tears.
"Not today. I've made you a promise, and I'll fulfill it for you. If my friends are the remnants of my memories with you, then I shall cherish them in every way."
He genuflected and observed the pair. They felt so peaceful and calm. Alpha smiled a little. Humiliating them was not his option. If anything, he should wake them up.
"Um… ehem," he cleared his throat. "How do I say this… Hmm… uh… Wake up?" No reaction.
"Um, guys? Wake up. Your friends are probably looking for you. C'mon, before you get caught!" Again, no reaction.
Alpha sighed. "Fine, you leave me no choice." He slowly inhaled.
"WAKE UP OR YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT BY THE BUTT!"
The pair woke up in a jolt and simultaneously bumped their heads on the table. They moaned in pain, rubbing their heads.
"Ow…" Ruby says.
"Jeez, Alpha, was there any other way to wake me up?" Alucard complains.
"Judging from the position you're in, I had to resort to… drastic measures," Alpha replies, snickering. "I mean, look at you two!"
Alucard rubbed his eyes and looked around, his vision still blurry. He looked a bit below and saw Ruby still leaning her head on his chest. It finally hit him.
"Uh… um… how long have we been out?"
"The whole night."
Alucard covered his agape mouth with his hands, his face blushing hard. He was panicking.
"Don't you dare tell this to anyone," he warned. "If you do, I'm coming to scrap you for the nearest junk shop in town."
Alpha laughs. "Don't worry, Alucard. I never break promises. And besides… the two of you remind me of her."
The Demon Hunter remembers Alpha's story last night. "Oh… okay. Um… would you mind leaving us alone for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure! No problem. I'll guard the door to not let anyone in. See you." Alpha walks out of the library and silently closes the door. He stands in front, blocking the way.
"Hey, Ruby. Wake up. We might get caught," Alucard whispers, eyeing the locked door. "C'mon, Alpha's giving us a chance to get out of here."
"Wait…" she mumbles. "I'm still sleepy… uhhh…"
He sighs. "Fine… I'll just help you up." He crawls out from under the table and pulls her out. Alucard brushes off the specks of dust on her clothes.
Ruby rubs her eye (remember, she has an eyepatch) and looks at Alucard with a dreamy face. "You're still blushing."
"Wait, I am?" Alucard realizes that he has been like that the whole time. A wave of embarrassment heats his body. "Oh… um… sorry. I… was panicking when I saw Alpha, so that's that."
Ruby embraces Alucard and buries her head on his shoulder. "It felt too nice. I'm sorry if I made you overthink."
"Nah, it's fine. We should just get used to it. We should not tell anyone about this."
"Deal." Ruby gives Alucard a small kiss, which melts his brain.
"Could… you at least warn me?" He said, stuttering. "Keep at it l-longer… and I might f-forget my na-ame."
Ruby laughs, but it stops as they hear another voice in the door.
"Hey, Alpha! Have you seen Alucard and Ruby anywhere? Yinsen said they were not there since last night?"
"It's Layla!" Ruby warns. "I hope Alpha is doing his job right."
"Better not spill the beans," Alucard whispers.
"Hmm, let me check… No, I haven't. Wait, they're out since last night? Don't worry. Anyone would've known about their departure IF they did exit the kingdom in its entirety," Alpha replies.
There was a momentary pause. Layla then asked, "Yeah… good point. Hey, what are you doing, standing on the door?"
Alucard's eyes widened. He kept thinking, "Don't. You. Dare."
"Oh, Estes wants an extra pair of eyes just in case someone gets in and nabs some ancient knowledge. They're technically forbidden under his consent, and since I'm trustworthy enough, here I am. Sorry if I won't be able to help you. Have you tried looking at the other housing units?"
"That seems like a good idea! It's alright, Alpha. We can handle this. Good luck!" The sound of footsteps trailing away can be heard as the Malefic Gunner left, completely unaware.
Ruby wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Good thing Alpha's good in misdirection."
Alpha opened the door and motioned at the pair to leave quickly. "C'mon, go before someone else finds out. Better make an excuse when you get seen. Act natural, my friends."
Meanwhile…
"Easy now… easy…"
"Keep quiet, dude!"
Cyclops and Harley were on the firing range. The little giant was aiding Harley in making a complicated magic technique.
"Almost…" Harley mutters. "Almost…"
In a flash, a ball of flame burst out of the mage's wand and flew to the nearest target. After making contact, a ring of fire was conjured, encircling the target.
"Woah, that's awesome!" Cyclops cheers. "Wonder what that thing does."
"Well, I saw this spell in one of my old books. If I throw my combat cards there, they'll burn, dealing much more damage. After a while, the ring of fire implodes, and BAM! Roasted target."
"Hmm, that would be helpful when facing tougher enemies, but focusing on the others will be a bit mind-boggling. I can cover that up. My planetary orbs shall do the trick." Cyclops raised his hand and cast multiple translucent balls. He sent them forth to the other targets and they burst into pieces.
"You guys are too early," a voice called. It was Nana. "Aw, you took all the targets. I was gonna whack them with my boomerang."
"You do know they're holographic, right?" Cyclops reminds. After a while, a dozen holographic demons came into place.
"Oh… I… uh… heh. Forget I said that." Nana walked up to the firing range and started to practice. Cyclops and Harley gave her space.
"Ey, are you into her?" Cyclops asks Harley. "You've been with her for a long time, and you've got this weird, dreamy look-"
"Yo, quit it, dude," Harley laughs. "If anything, you've got YOUR eye on her."
"I really don't mind her much, Harley. You know that," Cyclops says, chuckling. "I was asking if she reminds you of someone."
Harley checks his cards, deep in thought. "It's a bit of… ehm… a personal matter."
"Oh… okay. Look, I may be a kid like you, but if you do need some advice, I'm free to help. Cyclops is here to make people cheer!"
"I know you want to help, Cyclops, but it isn't a simple matter. If only you could understand-"
"Let me guess," the giant interrupts. "It's the main reason why you're here with us."
Harley doesn't respond.
"We all have our excuses, Harley. I mean, all of us here were either forced, or have simply volunteered. Out of all the others, I didn't expect that you'd be willing to come."
"Weren't you willing to join as well?" Harley asks.
"What? Nah. I was only willing because I wanted to meet friends. However, whacking the Apocalypse Queen with my hourglass will be fine as well."
The two laugh, patting their shoulders. After a while, they see Alucard and Ruby from outside the training arena, simply walking around.
"Wait, weren't they missing last night?" Harley asks Cyclops, pointing at them.
"Actually, they weren't."
"Really? Where did they go?"
Cyclops snickers. "To the library."
Harley senses something fishy. "Cyclops, tell me. What did they do?"
"Not answering. I see lots with my hourglass, even indecent stuff. I don't want to stain your mind, too."
Harley's eyes widened. "You saying that is enough for me."
"Aren't we supposed to not talk about this? We're still kids."
"Says who?"
"Hey, quit it," Nana interrupts. "Don't think I'm listening."
"Told you," Harley says to Cyclops with a winning grin. "I hope you didn't hear too much, Nana."
"I've heard enough to persuade me to tell Miya about it, and no one's gonna stop me."
"C'mon, don't spill the beans to her," Cyclops pleads. "You don't want her to spout ideas in order to score Yun."
"Wait, she likes Yun?" Harley gasps.
"I know much, but not all. This is getting out of hand," Cyclops chuckles. "Anyway, I am very sure that Miya and the others will be coming back in the afternoon with Lance and Odette, though I have a nasty feeling."
"What nasty feeling? Another attack?"
"That's already expected," Harley tells Nana. "Cyclops is probably referring to the second convoy."
Estes walks into the trio who were talking. "How's the day?"
"Oh, it's fine!" Nana greets. "Isn't the next group going to be dispatched later?"
"Yes, in the morning," the Elven King replies. "They're already preparing. Don't be too worried now, you will see the others later."
"Um, Estes?" Cyclops asks. "Have you heard about the minor commotion of Alucard and Ruby going missing?"
"They never go missing. I know where all of you are going, not to mention what all of you are doing."
Harley's eyes widened. "So… y-you mean…"
"Best to leave that topic to the mature. Anyway, you're part of the convoy, Harley. I suggest you get ready. We could be launching anytime soon."
Estes suddenly jerks his head. "An update from the Ocular Sun. We have gathered the coordinates."
"It is still in between Iga and Onmyouji, right?" Cyclops asks.
"Yes… but… it is somewhere in a plain field. That's odd, to say the least. I thought it would be wedged in a couple of trees. C'mon, go ahead, Harley. I will dispatch in an hour."
Meanwhile…
"I hope no one makes rumors," Ruby says to Alucard. "It would be embarrassing."
"Yeah, very. This is some creepy cat and mouse game."
They walk around the corner and sees Fanny, leaning against the wall aimlessly, head hung low. She catches their movement in the corner of her eyes and raises her head.
"Oh, hey!" she says. "Your friends are looking for you. Where've you been?"
"Um, we were supposed to go to the library to check up some stuff for the journey later, but we fell asleep in the wrong time," Alucard explains, perspirating. He silently prayed that Fanny would take the bait.
"Ah, it's okay. No problem. It's a common issue. It's really too quiet that you could hear the blood rush to your ears. Wanna let me tell the others? Estes also wants you to go to the citadel for the departure."
"No, it's alright. We'll just explain it to them on the way. Wait, why are you just standing back there, doing nothing?"
"I have no duties for now," the flyer replies to Ruby. "Gotta wait for the naval ships or something to pop up. C'mon, Layla is getting nerve-wracked to find you guys."
*insert random transition
The convoy in Swan has secretly left the palace under the King's command. With the help of Estes' portals, they only need to cover an hour of travelling to reach the Land of Dawn. (And don't worry, Grock carries Lancelot and Odette on his shoulder carefully.)
"I didn't know Swan had some form of connection with the tower you're carrying around," Odette starts.
"Grock was entitled to a very old ancestor of yours, milady. Coincidence for Grock to give it to you. Now, it is under my holdings."
"I think you meant, possession, but, never mind. How did you wake up?"
"Grock don't know. Grock just did," the stone titan rumbled. "My friends no longer exist. I only have tower to send."
"Your former buddies might not be there anymore, but we're still here," Lancelot replies. "And besides, a lot more will be back there in the Land of Dawn."
"More buddies? Yes! Grock wants friends! Thank you!"
Suddenly, a ball of fire hits Grock in the face. He was unhurt, but it annoyed him.
"Who threw that to Grock?" The titan starts. "I will bash his head!" He looks behind him, and his expression changes.
A huge swarm of black bat-like creatures are approaching fast, spewing small fireballs everywhere. Grock swats them off with his arm, but they easily dodged the attack.
"Spitfires!" Miya exclaims. "I can shoot them down, but you will have to cover me." The archer climbs on the roof, nocking an arrow.
"Odette, I won't be able to get up close. Use your magic. I will take out anything that comes close," Lancelot orders. "Don't worry, my love. I will be right here."
"Breaking your word is intolerable," Odette warns.
"Of course. I always keep my promises." Lancelot embraces her for a moment and runs to the titan's neck.
"Grock, don't fight them head-on. Our job is to get to the Land of Dawn. We must try and get them off our trail."
"Understood. Grock to protect allies!"
Miya fires a light arrow that split into three more arrows, downing two Spitfires. She kept repeating her barrage in breakneck speed that not even Zhao could clearly see the flicks of her wrists.
"Miya, watch out! Reapers on our backs!" Natalia warns. A small pack of hooded figures hovered towards them. Johnson gains more speed, but the Reapers are getting closer.
"That's it, I'm coming out!" Zhao calls, climbing to the roof. "Miya, aim for the Spitfires. I'll handle the Reapers."
"Don't you die on me," Miya threatens. "I'll strangle you when I do."
"Sure thing," Zhao snickers. He formed a basic stance, tightly gripping his spear. The first Reaper charged, holding out its claws. The spearman quickly stabbed it and pulled out the spear in less than a second, injuring it greatly. It floated even slower, but two more replaced it.
"Missile Barrage ready!" Johnson interrupts. He releases multiple homing missiles from his bumpers and hood, flying to the Spitfires and Reapers. The floating ghouls were taken aback because of the intense force the missiles generated, taking one out. The pursuers slowed down. The Spitfires immediately scattered, frantically dodging the missiles. Odette began having a hard time aiming for one of them. Neither came close.
"Johnson, force them to ball up. I will get a bigger target!" Odette yells from far away.
"Okay then. Miya, can you make the Spitfires veer against each other? Odette needs a bigger shot."
"On it!" Miya leans, switching her aim. She fires on the edge of the swarm. The Spitfires simply flew to the opposite direction, but they bumped onto each other. The archer hurried with her shots, because the swarm is getting closer.
"Almost there!" Miya updates. Zhao spun around, forcing the Reapers back. He was fighting three of them at the same time. If he gets clawed, it will hurt a lot. A Reaper's claws were tinged with neutralizers. They may not poison, but it will surely deal a blow to the victim's nervous systems.
And at that point, only Estes' runes will wear off the effect.
"I can't hold them off much longer!" Zhao warns. "It's more like I'm protecting myself than Miya!"
Johnson deploys his rear armaments, peppering the enemies with a hail of bullets. The Reapers cover themselves with their tattered cloaks, shielding themselves.
"Thanks," Yun says to Johnson. His new battlefield gave him ease as the Reapers charged on by one. He swiped upward and sliced off the first one's neck. "Becoming a bit easier!"
"Odette, cast your spell by the count of three!" Lancelot commands. A Spitfire lands, snarling at the mage. The knight easily punctures the animal and kicks it off Grock, who was not yet injured.
"Please swipe off these bats from Grock! Itchy back!" The titan complained. "Tempted to scratch!"
Miya began the countdown. "3… 2… 1… NOW!"
Odette releases a holographic swan that dives through the balled-up swarm. The Spitfires took a few seconds to realize the tactic laid upon them. They frantically separated, but it was no use. The swan bursts, incinerating the demons. Those who were able to veer off the blast zone were caught by the resonating sound waves. They forced their ears shut, giving no regard to their flight. As they fell, a few latched onto Grock's rocky spine, climbing their way up.
"It didn't kill all of them," Lancelot warns. "Time to do my job." He jumps off of Grock's shoulder, aiming for the Spitfires.
"Dude is crazy," Zhao mutters. "Are you seeing this, Tigreal?"
"Lancelot is known for his rebellious nature," Tigreal grins. "He wouldn't do that if it were suicidal, though."
The nearest demon charged to the knight, but Lancelot phases, casting his shadow skills at the Spitfire. He merely dashes and cuts through the next and slashes it down in a triangular pattern, attacking from three sides.
"That's awesome," Johnson judges. "Next artillery barrage, coming right up!" The rear armaments reloaded, and Zhao stepped back, letting the guns do the talking. There were still a lot more to go. It is fortunate that Miya has aimed for the Reapers now.
Out of the corner of Natalia's eye, a yellow figure spun (yes, spun) to the cluster of demons and stopping at the center. The figure generated a puff of smoke and two more popped out. It took a while to realize that three of the figures were exactly the same.
"Let's go, boys!" A voice cried out. The figures had rocky skin and a rusty chest plate. A double-tipped golden cudgel laid on their hands, being used as whacking sticks on the ambushed Reapers.
"That's Sun!" Miya points out. "The Monkey King! He has escaped."
Sun and his doppelgangers ran to the car. "Hola, mates! Go on ahead, I'll take care of these ugly bozos!"
"How on earth did you escape?!" Zhao asks. "Weren't you trapped in-"
"Yes, I was trapped in stone. Long story. Shoo! Go on! I'll take care of this!" Sun ran back, leaping on a demon. The convoy speeds off, racing for the Land of Dawn.
Meanwhile…
"Where on earth have you two been?!" Chou yells, shaking Alucard's shoulders. "We've been stressed out finding you!"
"Sorry, dude. Ruby and I accidentally slept inside the library while reading some books and all."
"Oh, okay," the Kung Fu master replies. "It's alright. Happens to most of us. Were the books boring?"
"Some legit stuff, took long for us to realize we fell asleep unknowingly," Ruby adds.
"So that's what happened," Bruno starts. "I thought you were captured or something."
Alucard's friends (along with Hayabusa, Kagura, Harley and Akai) march along the plains between Iga and Onmyouji. It wasn't as hot as the Wasteland deserts, though. It was somewhat cool. The valleys and mountains crowd the landscape.
"What was it that Estes told us again? The 4th shard is in the middle of a freaking plain?" Layla exclaims. "So what, we have to scurry and search for it?"
"We don't have to dig," Harley replies. "From the old manuscripts, it's confirmed that all of the paths to the split shards remain open, and we don't have to level the ground."
"Though, it's not that easy to take the shard in the middle of nowhere," Lolita adds. "As you can see, we're susceptible to any attack, no matter how small the force." She was right. High ground was around them, and being in the middle of the battlefield is the worst place to be right now.
(If you have read Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", it says that you should always stay in the high ground, with the sun bearing its light to the ground below you. That way, the enemies below won't see you that easily, while their whole army is in full view. Also, this can help you prepare a better ambush and strategy, and even if the ratio of men is 1:10, you can hold them off with proper execution.)
"The Lords of Order are probably trolling us now," Akai hypothesized. "Kagura and I walked to the Land of Dawn to find Hayabusa, and after a few days, sent off back to where we came from. Great."
"Walk weeks, get back here afterwards. All for a shard," Kagura grumbles. "Fate is so-"
The mage loses her footing and nearly falls. Thanks to Akai's staff, she retains it. She brushes off the dirt from her dress as she looks behind her. "Woah…"
If she fell, she would've skidded down the huge crater in front of them. The crater was perfect in terms of symmetry, but it wasn't overall deep… just a couple of meters down. What's more astounding than the crater itself is the thing in the middle of it.
A protodrake.
"Isn't that a dragon?" Hayabusa points to the massive, curled lizard, puffing white smoke as it eyes the group from below.
"That's an ancient protodrake," Alucard explains. "In our texts, a protodrake is uniquely molded by the Lords of Order to join fierce battles or to protect ancient treasure. I haven't seen one in my entire life, but I am sure it's guarding the 4th shard."
"But what about the crater?" Ruby asks.
"The protodrake, no matter how huge it is, won't generate this aftermath and survive. Only one logical explanation can be used: many tried to kill the dragon and take the shard."
The group slides down the crater's edge carefully and treads the black sand. They walk slowly as they fear the protodrake's next move. They were able to get a more detailed look of the beast itself.
Its four legs were muscular, and a set of sharp claws adorned its feet. Harley considered it having an average weight, as it didn't sport a large belly (even with that, it's odd how it was able to maintain that, judging from the environment it is in). Its dark blue scales were peppered with scars and battle wounds not even the Demon Hunter can familiarize. Its wings were orange, but immensely tattered. Two rough horns were on its head. Its teeth were serrated, but a few were missing. Its yellow eyes gave off a ferocious glare that put the heroes to the edge.
"Does it see us as enemies?" Chou asks. He gets closer, and the protodrake immediately snarls at him, snapping its jaws. "WOAH WOAH, okay, that was close." He quickly back off.
"If it sees us as enemies, we'd already be dead, unless it can't fight," Lolita replies, readying her hammer. "Alucard, any idea?"
"I didn't know this existed near us," Hayabusa adds. "I can sense distortion fields in this area. The place was camouflaged in plain sight."
Alucard nears the beast, stretching out his demonic arm. The protodrake didn't budge, but its glare remained. The Demon Hunter sheathed his greatsword and took a deep breath.
"We're not going to hurt you. It's fine," he mutters, as if he was talking to the protodrake. It slants its head, curious.
"Don't kill us then and there, Alucard, I swear to the Lords," Akai urges.
Alucard gets close enough to lay his arm on the beast's forehead. From the uncurling of the protodrake's body, it was sure that he gained its trust. From the cerulean mass, a stylized pedestal came into view, and on it was the 4th shard.
Alucard's mind suddenly flooded with a vision, but this didn't create headaches, unlike before. When he blinks his eyes, he began to see what could appropriately be described as hell.
The whole landscape around him was ablaze, and the mountains and valleys grew barren and spiky. Numerous evil dragons and wyverns flew around, with a couple of demons, but they weren't going to hunt. They were to flee.
He turns around, seeing a mass grave of dead bodies. They were either eviscerated or burned to the crisp. What's weirder is that it consisted of every single race. Humans, Orcs, Elves, Giants and even Kastiyans.
"What happened here?"
He looks around the landscape, and he sees a black figure wielding a single-edged green longsword with a skull for its crossguard. The aura around it gave Alucard an uneasy feeling. The figure's torso was exposed, and slight bits of armor were practically embedded on its skin, along with a set of green razor-sharp claws. His feet were that of a raptor's. His face was covered with a triangular horned helmet with four large slits, two on each side. But there's a catch. The person had no face, only a pair of flaming wisps for his eyes.
"He did this? Who is he?"
He walked slowly, letting the sword drag and skid on the ground, generating green sparks and leaving a linear scorch mark.
"Their souls are insufficient," it began to speak with a resonating voice. "The sword needs more! I will kill anyone who crosses me. No quarter given!"
Alucard pulls his arm away from the dragon, hyperventilating. "Someone was here. Someone powerful."
"Someone?" Layla asks. "Who?"
"I don't know. We have to get the shard now."
"There it is," Kagura says. "I hope this will be easy." She reaches for the shard, but a voice stopped her.
"It will never be too easy, my darling."
Alice and Vexana was on the edge of the crater, numerous Ravagers and Reapers standing with them.
The heroes are cornered.
"So, what's all the commotion about again?"
Meanwhile…
Fanny resumed her regular patrols, whizzing around the kingdom. Out of her boredom, she decides to pay a secret visit to the civilian camps. She hears gossip from a group of adult women with mischievous tones in their voices.
"I can't believe that Estes recruits these heroes for our protection! They all look menacing and ugly. There isn't even a single attack! Is this a huge joke?"
"Also, this Alucard person has a demon arm! A demon arm! Why would Estes dare put him in the league?!"
"Don't forget the fact that we have former archenemies coming to us, like that Bane!"
Fanny was shocked with what they said. She angrily marches to them, but Rafaela intervened and gripped her arm.
"Don't, Fanny. You'll only fan the flames."
"Let me go, Rafaela. I need to defend my friends."
"You are already doing your best. You shouldn't put yourself at risk for trying to. The gossip will only get worse. The time will come when it will dawn on them."
"When? After eternity?" Fanny spat. "All this time they have merely complained. They don't see the advantages. And now, when we need to put ourselves to the ugly truth, they turn away!"
(That, ladies and gentlemen, is absolutely true. This isn't just a political issue, though. It happens anytime, anywhere. So, I am going to say this. It's alright to think positive, as long as you don't disregard the negative. And vice versa. Never leave out the good things. Never leave out the bad things. This is a problem to both citizens and the government, but I am not being specific, as this fact is collateral.
It is what deteriorates society. And it must be purged.)
"I also wished for things to be good, like before. But the Dark Lord went too far, and everything went down in history."
An alarm blared, which caught everyone's attention.
"What's that?" Fanny asks.
"The naval fleet is here! Quick, they need assistance."
Both Fanny and Rafaela flew above the structures to reach the kingdom's harbor. Fanny could already see Yi Sun Shin's naval fleet approaching, along with Bane's flying galleon. A few smaller boats came into view, revealing Lapu-Lapu's tribe, Gatotkaca in the frontlines.
They were fiercely fighting against the water serpents that came to hinder their approach. Bane's ship was barraged by a few Spitfires. Fortunately, the ships are still intact, but they won't be able to hold on for long. Cyclops, Nana, Balmond, Hilda, Clint, Saber, Karina, Estes, Franco, Freya, Alpha and Hylos were rushing to the scene.
(Guys, is there any non-awkward solution in order to save a lot of time from typing all their names?)
The ships reach the harbor, but they have no plans for making a safe boarding. Some stopped just next to the sandy shore, while the others immediately swam for it, but most of the swimmers got gobbled up by the serpents. Clint started to crouch and fire his revolvers, quickly reloading when he needed it. Nana and Cyclops launched their projectiles, aiming with better precision.
"We have to shake the demons off!" Saber commands. "Be careful not to risk the welfare of the ships."
"We won't be able to go melee on them!" Hilda yells.
Estes contradicts. "Yes, you can. I will conjure some portals."
Four portals warped in front of Hilda and Balmond, letting them reach a few of the ships. Saber charges through one, transporting him to Bane's ships, where Gatotkaca flew as well.
"You're back, cyborg man!" The warrior said. "A little help here!" He whacks a landing Spitfire off the starboard side, while expelling lightning to the air, roasting some of the flying demons. Fanny took action and hooks herself to the airborne ships, angling her flight patterns and whirling her blades to any unsuspecting demon that comes across her.
Clint fires at the land sharks that are crawling out of the shore. He spins and flips around, avoiding their poisonous spits. He pulls out a revolver clip and throws it in the air while stomping down a land shark. He jumps, inserting the clip in mid-air, and shoots down an incoming Spitfire.
"They keep on coming! My firing hands might go numb for sure!" he exclaims. Cyclops goes beside him and throws his cosmic projectiles to the swarm of land sharks. This slows them down, while Balmond and Hilda chop their limbs.
"At least we have a bit of target practice," Nana giggles. "It's fun to make them fluffy!" She holds out her hand, turning a Spitfire into a cat. Hylos strikes the morphed demon to the sea. Spitfires hate water. Karina swiftly performs a dance of death, piercing through the land sharks and dodging their attacks with ease. She throws her blades like Frisbees, taking down a Spitfire.
Yi Sun Shin receives help from Estes, who teleports there. The Elven King casts healing spells and chronofields to slow down the enemy.
"Glad you reached here in one piece," Estes says to Yi Sun Shin.
"Could've been worse without you, old friend," the general replies. He pulls out his glaive, charging through the land sharks on the ship. A fellow crew officer of his join in the clash, slashing with his glaive. Estes casts a chronofield on a group of land sharks, giving time for the duo to react and take them down.
Hylos is being crowded by Spitfires and land sharks, but he raises his scepter and generates a blue offensive aura that slows them down and deteriorates them like radiation. He marches through the frontlines, scattering the demons like sheep.
"Their numbers are decreasing! We must maintain our ground!" He eyes Fanny having a hard time controlling her flight, for the Spitfires are beginning to aim for her. Gatot launches a barrage of lightning to take them out, but only a few got hit in the blast zone, and none of them died. Freya jumps in and morphs into an upgraded state, and her weapons simply cut through the horde without much effort, breaking the lines.
"Help the flyer!" Lapu-Lapu orders to his brethren. "The last of the Spitfires are chasing her!" A few of his tribe readies their bows and launches their arrows, taking down a few of the airborne enemies.
Bane cleaves through a line of land sharks and launches a random shell to the swarm. This dealt a blow, forcing them to scatter. However, this separation was actually intentional, as the demons covered all of Fanny's possible flight paths. Alpha, who was flying on Beta, launches a bullet hailstorm on the underwater land sharks. Rafaela casts light spells to dispel the flyers.
"Argh, I need some space!" Fanny mutters as he charges through the spot with the least demons, slicing through the Spitfires. Nana launches a boomerang to knock down a Spitfire on Fanny's trail, but fails to hit the other. Cyclops began to exhaust and started to launch his projectiles randomly.
"Cyclops being dizzy, can't take it!" He sits down suddenly, catching his breath. Fanny got nicked by the Spitfire's fireball, burning her flight gear.
Saber immediately jumps off of Bane's ships, intent on saving her. Fanny frantically waved her arms, slashing randomly to swat off the Spitfires diving for her, ready to slash her to bits. Alpha stabs one while Saber continued on his descent. Clint aims at the demons, but what came out were clicks, for he ran out of ammo.
"I won't reach her, but my swords can." Saber launches his flying swords, which eviscerates the last of the Spitfires. Alpha grabs Fanny's hand and swings her in the air as Estes conjures a safety bubble for her to land safely.
But what about Saber?
Alpha and Rafaela couldn't catch with him in time, so the swordsmaster plummeted to the water, where the serpents were waiting for him.
"Saber! No!" Alpha shouts as he forces Beta to release the bullets randomly. Estes casts a revealing rune to see what was under the water. Saber's body was being chewed on, but his struggle wasn't futile. Cyclops was able to cast his last spells in time to save the cyborg, while Alpha aimed his rockets and took out the serpents. He dives, pulling Saber out of the hostile shore.
He took a huge beating. His visor was beyond repair, and his armor was shredded to bits. His swords were broken as well, and he was missing a leg. However, he was still operational, as his reactor wasn't damaged.
"I am fine for now," Saber mutters. "I only need repairs."
"Fine? You look like a wreck!" Alpha exclaims. "I should've caught you, but I wasn't fast enough."
"It's alright. We can now apply the new schematics," Saber adds. "That's the only chance I have got."
Balmond rushes to them. "Will he be alright? That's a lot of damage."
"I will be fine, Orc," Saber replies. "You should mind your welfare. That's a nasty cut." He points to the graze that Balmond received in his forehead.
"I hope the other convoy is alright," Clint says to Freya. "They're all out in the open field."
"We can't simply wish that Alice won't be there to make a ruckus," Franco adds.
"Guys?" Freya motions. She eyes the horizon, seeing Grock. "Lancelot and Odette is here."
Back to the other group…
"I knew it," Bruno whispers to Chou. "She'd catch us unawares. We're so dumb."
"It's expected, dude," Chou replies. "Just act natural."
"This is too easy," Vexana cackles. "It's all too easy. A bunch of dumb dimwits in a suicide mission."
"Ain't a suicide mission if we get back to the Land of Dawn alive," Harley boasts.
"Ahh, I knew you're a newbie to the group, dear Harley," Alice says. "C'mon now, we aren't here for you! We're here for the stinking shard."
A figure emerges, and Alucard recognizes it as Zhask, wielding his staff. He adds, "Why play around with them, you two? Take them out! They're a hindrance!"
"Silence, Zhask. The Dark Lord shall claim their lives, not us!" Vexana growls.
"You just waited for us to get here, didn't you?" Kagura asks. "We knew that was coming. Anymore tricks up your sleeve?"
Vexana eyes her with malicious intent. "The young Kagura. I knew Hayabusa had someone close to him before. Sadly, that was before. Hard life?"
"Don't tempt me," Hayabusa growls. "Don't tempt any of us. I already know what you're doing. You're pushing us to the edge. But the body must obey the mind." The heroes stood in a circle, facing outward. The protodrake snarls.
"Whose, Shadow of Iga? Whose?" Alice backfires. "Whose mind? Ours, or yours?"
"Don't let me stick around to find out," Ruby retorts, readying her scythe.
"Told you to finish them off early!" Zhask complains. "See? Their morale just increased! What makes you think we can fight them alone?"
"What makes you think you have the power to command us, bug face?" Alice spat.
The heroes silently chuckled due to the outcome of the conversation.
"Okay, okay, this is our enemy?" Akai starts. "All they do is taunt!"
"Yeah, and they're split hard!" Layla joins in. "Oh, how the tables have turned."
Zhask hears this. "Quiet! You think you can best me, the Planetary Dominator? I have destroyed countless worlds for life! Countless! And you laugh to my face?"
"Well, they do have a point," Alucard stifles. "You're all complaining on why one hasn't done the other's wishes, while we're sitting here thinking of what to do next."
"And what will you do next, Demon Hunter? Slay our minions, like you always do? Live a life full of lies? You're all just pawns in a one-sided chess game, and you're worthless against the Queen," Alice shouts. "All of you! So easy to single out. So easy to eliminate. What makes you think you're powerful enough to face us?"
Chou shrugs. "Simple. When the pawn reaches the enemy's side, it can be replaced for a stronger unit. That way, the tides will change."
"And there are a lot of us pawns here, missy," Lolita adds. "And only one is needed to reach the end."
"If you say so, then I'll have to kill you all, here and now!" Alice launches a red orb to the group, but Bruno saw it coming. He quickly kicks a ball to knock Alice's head, leaving her dazed. The red orb immediately disappeared.
"Tick tock, boys and girls. Time to crash the party crashers," the Protector chants. "Ready?"
"As we'll ever be," Akai answers. The Ravagers charge in, and Akai suddenly bounces to the middle and spins around with his staff, whacking them around, leaving them stunned.
"That's our opening!" Harley shouts. He teleports with his hat and throws his flaming deck of cards that automatically homed in on the nearest enemy. He goes back to his hat and picks it up, throwing it to a random location and shoots another deck of cards again. He teleports next to a Ravager who attempts to slash him, but he spins behind, calling back the cards. This shredded the monster.
Ruby casts an attack wave to the wave of monsters which blows them back. She spins around to slice them clean and lock them down. Hayabusa charges with his blade and cuts down a Reaper with precision. He dashes back and forth to dodge their counters.
Zhask yells, "Attack them now, my younglings!" The Kastiyans poured in as well and shot beams at the group. Lolita rushes and casts her Noumenon shield, blocking the lasers easily. Layla jumps in and blasts the ranged enemies with her cannon. A Ravager jumps on her, but Chou kicks it away with such force that it split into two.
"You alright, Layla?" Chou asks, striking a Reaper with his fiery palms, stunning it.
"I'm fine! Help Kagura and Akai!"
Kagura throws her umbrella and casts pink, flowery projectiles on the enemies. She teleports and dashes off, leaving the Ravagers confused in her whereabouts. Akai jumps again and squashes a Ravager flat.
"Oops, sorry. Had three lunches today," he mumbles. He slaps his stick at a Reaper and pokes it, letting Ruby slice it down.
"Too violent?" Ruby questions, smiling. A trickle of blood was on her face.
Akai shook his head. "In all honesty, that fits you. Duck." Ruby ducks, dodging a Kastiyan's laser. Alucard grips his greatsword and cuts the alien.
"We need to focus on the evil trio," Alucard reminds. "We would degrade the flow of monsters if we do so."
The protodrake remains curled, but it spews black flame that incinerates the Ravagers to dust. The Kastiyans focused their lasers on the dragon, but the armor was too thick for projectiles. The protodrake swats them off.
Vexana goes down the crater, launching a ghastly hand at Bruno. He leans on his right and kicks his ball in mid-air to the Necromancer, but a Reaper knocks it aside.
"Be careful with Vexana's ghostly grips!" Hayabusa warns. "They'll pull you to her trap!" He teleports to Vexana and slashes her down, but she reacts instantly, creating a force field around her. The ninja's blade couldn't cut through. Kagura throws her umbrella to Vexana and teleports, dispelling the force field.
Hayabusa and Kagura stood next to each other, their powers growing volatile. "I have an idea," she says. "A crazy one."
"I know. Finding a way to make up for last time?" Hayabusa jokes.
"Don't make me whack you. Ready?"
Hayabusa grips Kagura's arm, which accelerated the instability. Streaks of violet light emerged from their bodies, and as Hayabusa throws her to Alice, Kagura touches the stunned mage and immediately teleports to the umbrella. Alice receives the explosion point blank, making her soar to the air. She gains control of her flight.
"You're becoming nuisances!" she yells. Layla tries to shoot her down, but Alice's wings simply shrugged them off.
Zhask chants, "Awaken, destroyer of worlds, the Dominator!" A big alien sprouts from the ground, its legs clamping on the soil. It looked more like a turret than a person. It shot lightning bolts to the dragon, which hurts it, for the projectiles were enhanced.
"Oh no, not another baby!" Harley mutters. He casts his fire ring at it and throws his cards, which dissipated into ash. The fire ring implodes, scorching the spawn. However, it was still functional, and proceeded to shoot bolts of lightning, never caring about the attack it received. Akai whacks it down with frustration, finally killing it.
"Those things are tough as shells!" Akai reacts. "Keep your distance when you can and take them out immediately!"
Alucard charges straight to Zhask and strikes downward. Zhask blocks the attack and pokes Alucard back, throwing him far.
"They've told me a lot about you, Demon Hunter. Let's see if you can best a Kastiyan," Zhask challenges, pointing at him.
"What made you come back here?" Alucard interrogates. He runs straight to the Dominator, dodging his projectiles. He spins and slashes to the side, but he underestimated Zhask's melee potential.
"I have been attempting to target your world, ever since, boy. Take note of that!" Zhask casts the Dominator behind Alucard, but Hayabusa teleport and initiates Shadow Kill, locking it down before it attacks the unaware Alucard. He teleports to help Lolita, who was blocking the Kastiyans attacks for Layla.
Alucard grew annoyed. "We're merely a freaking reserve for you? You have targeted us so long ago?!"
"If it weren't for the angels intervening against my plans, you wouldn't have been here to fight me, fool! If they hadn't made it worse for my deserving race, you'd be non-existent, along with those who call your friends!"
"Every life is deserving of survival, but this is downright wrong!" Alucard answers back. He slashes down a Reaper behind him, cutting off a claw. He kicks it down and slashes its chest with his demonic arm. "Your greed for the essence of life has corrupted you! This is your fault to begin with, not the seraphim!"
"And now, one of those who halted my progress has turned against everyone, and that makes the plan a lot easier!" Zhask taunts. "And what about you, Alucard? What will your friends do?"
"One from the seraphim?" Alucard thought. "Probably the one from my dream."
Chou slams his fist, causing a shockwave that stops the Ravager's attacks. He focuses his punches on Alice, who nearly claws Harley. No matter how hard he punched, Alice didn't get fazed.
"Why… are you… still up?!" Chou groans in frustration. Hayabusa throws his shurikens at Vexana, who was casting explosive spells at the ninja. Lolita generates the shield blowback at the Kastiyans, burning them due to the radiation. Kagura throws her umbrella to the remaining Kastiyans, eliminating them.
"Don't ask." Alice grabs Chou by the neck, but the grasp wasn't long, as Akai slaps her hand with his staff.
"Not now, missy," the panda says, but Alice clenches her fist and Akai gets locked in a blood trap.
"Don't move, chubby one. Your blood is ripe for the taking!" Alice charges at Akai, but Bruno kicks his ball at her, diverting her attention. She then flies straight to the Protector, but Harley comes in the way, casting another fire ring. The mage teleports to a safe distance, throwing his fiery cards.
Alice, still grinning, mutters, "Too easy." She shrieks, entering her Drinking state. A wide blood aura emerges, leeching the life essence of the heroes around her. Everyone began to slow down. Hayabusa, Harley, Kagura and Chou easily gets out of the situation, but the others were too far off. Alucard locks on Alice and dives straight to her to end the spell. Alice simply caught the Demon Hunter by the neck. Hayabusa tries to intervene, but Zhask's lightning bolt knocks off the remaining group.
"A simple act such as this is presented, yet you can't fight back! And you say we're divided!" Alice laughs maniacally. "And you, Alucard, foolishly dive alone! Your coming along with your friends to catch the shard are all for nothing! I'll make you suffer." The protodrake spits a fireball, but Alice swats it off. The Dominator stuns the dragon with its laser.
Layla lifts her cannon to Alice, but her stamina was fading, along with Lolita's. Bruno's legs began to weaken. They moaned in aching pain.
"They're not my friends, Alice. They never will be," Alucard clarifies.
Alice scrunched her eyebrows. "So tell me, who are they truly, in your life?" Alucard's greatsword began to glow blue from the ancient runes on it. He eyes the warping of a portal, and smiles.
"They're my family," he says bravely. "And we're coming for you."
The portal warps completely and a Molotov cocktail was thrown. Victor and the other Demon Hunters jump out of the portal with the Minotaur, fending off the surprised Ravagers and Reapers.
The Molotov cocktail bursts into flames as it hits Alice. The flame was imbued with holy water, so it hurt the Queen of the Apocalypse. Alucard broke free and Alice's Drinking mode halted.
"Took you long enough," Alucard greets Victor (who, fortunately, has some pants with proper size).
"Ol' Bane and Yi has arrived!" he replies. "The huge titan as well. This help is all we could muster for now."
"It's all we need," Hayabusa replies, now awake. "Your reserve potions will come in handy."
"Least we could do, mate. Now, let's show the uglies what we really are."
The playing field has shifted tremendously as all of the Demon Hunters rallied on the enemies, who were still in shock with the sudden outburst. Little did everyone know, Estes wasn't the one who conjured the portal.
"How were you able to get here?" Akai asks Yinsen.
"We'll get to that later," the fellow Hunter answers. "We have to drive off the monsters first before we get the shard. Let the protodrake guard it first. We'll cover you."
Minotaur led the charge, and he was not fazed by the shock attacks of the retreating Kastiyans. He raised his hammer and crushed one flat like a pancake. The beast strikes Alice hard into the air, but he knew that it would only annoy her, not deal much damage.
"They will prefer driving us off completely before grabbing the shard!" Zhask warns Vexana. "Strength in numbers, Necromancer! Do what you must."
Vexana nods, and she focuses her eyes on a fallen Hunter. She puts her hand on the forehead and whispers, "May you fight alongside me. May you never resist my call!" Instantly, the Hunter rose again, but with a green tinge on his skin.
Harley sees this, and he begins to panic. "Everybody! Don't get yourself killed! Vexana is corrupting the dead!"
"Back at you," Kagura replies. A Reaper nearly grazes her body, and she counters by pushing it back with a force wave, only to be kicked back by Chou.
"Coming in hot," Hayabusa calls. He touches Kagura again, but this time, he jumps. He slaps the body of the Reaper in mid-air to transfer the unstable power, and as it falls, it explodes, disintegrating a Nightmaric Spawn along with three of its fellow kind.
"I am getting the shard," Bruno volunteers, dashing back and forth to daze the Ravagers. "Give me cover!" He rushes to the protodrake, who wasn't willing to uncurl its massive body.
"C'mon, big guy! Give us the shard. We're gonna die out here! We won't last long!" Bruno urges, but the dragon snorts, motioning his head to Alucard, who was fighting alongside Layla and Lolita against Alice. The Protector realizes that the dragon needs to tell something.
Bruno jumps away and kicks Alice, but she regains her flight in a near-instantaneous manner. "You again!"
"What can I say? We're annoying cockroaches." Bruno launches a ricochet volleyball that hits every incoming Ravager and Reaper outside the crater. "Alucard! I'll take it from here! Talk to the dragon!"
The Demon Hunter, busy with keeping Layla safe, was confused. "Talk to the dragon? Why?"
"I don't know! It wants you to get to it! Just do what I told you!"
"Fine then. Don't kill yourself." Alucard struggles from the massive battlefield, evading Kastiyan lightning bolts. Minotaur goes in front of him and knocks down the hordes. "Go, Alucard. I will be your guard."
He nods, and races for the protodrake. It raised his head with delight as it witnesses him.
"Okay, what do you want to show me? Better not be something bad." He places his demonic arm on the forehead, and a new vision surfaces.
He was high up in the clouds, but it felt too real. The moisture touched his skin, and the air was too light. He turns around, seeing a dark mass of clouds converging, with green lightning sparking everywhere. He looks down, and he sees the ground below him. The ground feels so familiar for him, and he knew why when he saw the crater from far away.
He hears the flapping of wings, and he was overcome with dread. He pulls away, ending the vision. He knew what was coming.
He knew who was coming.
"Who is he?" Alucard asks the dragon. "Tell me, who is he?" The dragon shook its head, its eyes filled with fear. Alucard looked deeper, and saw a glimmer of hope in the protodrake's eyes. Would that person be what Zhask told him? The corrupted one?
And what would he do? Intervene? To whom does he side with? The Land of Dawn… or the evil?
"Should we stay longer?" he asks once more. The beast nods, but looks at the shard with worry, its tattered wings covering it.
Ruby asks, "What's wrong? The shard?"
"No," Alucard answers. "Someone is coming. I don't know who, but we have to escort the shard now via the Demon Hunters. The remaining have to stay and hold out the battle. He is approaching, Ruby. Do you trust me?"
She grips his demonic arm tightly. "You don't need to ask that question to me anymore, because I always will do so."
"Thanks. Let's get on with it."
"Sister! Focus on the puny humans! Kill them to maximize your powers, while I turn them against themselves," Vexana suggests to Alice.
Alice cackles, "What a wonderful plan, lovely! Let's end this once and for all!"
Hayabusa backs off from the fight and goes behind Minotaur, who was now in distress. Out of desperation, he slams his hammer to the earth multiple times, causing violent quakes. For some reason, this barely affected his allies.
"THEY HAVE MADE ME ANGRY!" he bellows. "THEY SHALL FEEL THE FIRE OF RAGE!" He charges once more, and the attacks were ineffective. No matter how many Reapers clawed at him, their neutralizers were of no use. However, the Son of Minos didn't go far. He knew he wouldn't survive the outcome when he overextends. Harley casts a spark rune on the charging Alice, blinding her and giving time for the Demon Hunters to fall back. They threw a couple of Molotov cocktails, attempting to burn her down, but Vexana's new ghouls were impervious, and they get overwhelmed.
"They're all too many!" Victor shouts. "Fall back! Protect the shard!" The protodrake breathes its black fire to Zhask, but he spawns the Dominator, who shot back a laser bolt. The spawn grew bigger and bigger, intensifying its beam. The protodrake's flames slowly dies out, and the beam pierces its tough armor, causing a huge ulcer-like hole on the beast's shoulder.
Lolita deactivates her shields and begins to strike the Ravagers with her hammer by instinct. Layla gets overrun by Vexana's ghouls, but she doesn't get hurt, since only the Dark Lord may give the order to Alice and the others to kill them or not, according to his pleasure.
Kagura's umbrella gets caught by a Kastiyan, leaving her unarmed. The umbrella doesn't get damaged (imbued with invincibility spells), but this confined Kagura's mobility, and a Reaper pins her down. Chou attempts to kick it off, but Zhask expels a concussive blast straight to Chou's chest, knocking him out cold.
Akai and Ruby struggle to free the others, but Alice traps them both in blood, impairing their movements. Bruno, Alucard and Harley were all that stood in the way, and they couldn't even estimate all the other remaining demons outside the crater.
"No matter what happens, the darkness shall rule!" Alice taunts them. "Why resist? This prophecy will merely claim your lives! It has sealed your fate ever since, and look at what it put you into! A world full of confusion, separation and misery! No one has willingly given a damn about you!"
Harley throws his cards, but a Ravager punches him to the shard's pedestal, breaking his leg. Bruno dashes back to the mage, but a ghoul strangles him. Alucard decapitates it, but three more ghouls finally pinned them down.
"This was all too easy from the start! I wonder why I still chose to play with you!" Alice laughs. "Still, you may have spirit, but you're not as good as the ones we fought before! They were more of a challenge than you, and they even entrapped us to their specialized bonds. And yet, we outlived them!"
"Please," Alucard thinks. "Whoever you may be, hurry. The shard is at risk."
Zhask walks to the pedestal, ignorant of the injured dragon, who was already whimpering. "Pfft. I have faced more powerful organisms than these weaklings. Shall we, Vexana?"
"Of course, Zhask," Vexana scoffs. "You know we're all here for you, anyway. Those shards contain pure life! Believe me, even more that you could imagine! We can't destroy them, but you can! You have a choice to keep it or destroy it. We'll leave it up to you."
"No, don't!" Layla says, trying to break free. Alice shakes her head.
"There's no saving your shard now," Alice whispers. "The prophecy is complete fallacy! I often wonder why the Lords of Order remain up there, while we, the deserving, remain in this cursed soil!"
"Hear my prayer," Alucard pleads. "You're our only hope. We need you, whoever you are." He looks up in the distance, and he sees a small, yet distinct dark cloud in the view. He felt both relief and dread.
"So many eons, and the wait was all worth it!" Zhask says with glee. "This Dawn Shard you speak of, is truly magnificent! This must never be destroyed, no! It must be used for myself, to redeem it all!"
"Thank you," Alucard finalizes. As Zhask reaches for the shard, the sound of thunder boomed across the field.
"What was that?" Hayabusa asks, looking around. He sees the huge mass of swirling black clouds, joined by green lightning. The lightning was insanely extensive, and every spark lit up the sky, no matter the darkness of the clouds.
Yinsen sees Alice and Vexana, feeling nervous, which is funny, because it's the first time he saw them like that.
"No, no, no!" Alice shrieks. "How?! How does he know?!"
"Sister, we must be brave," Vexana says. "He is merely one."
"One?! It's never easy to fight him! Have you lost your mind?!" Alice says, becoming afraid. "We must escape!"
"Too late," a voice echoes, serving as the reply for Alice's words. A small whirlpool emerges in the bottom of the clouds, and the wind around the battlefield intensifies. The sky grew dark, and the sun was blotted out.
"What is all this?" Zhask asks Alice. "What is going on?"
"Our mission is foiled!" Alice screams. "Bring it on, traitor! Fight us!" She challenges the storm, and the lightning struck harder. Everyone there laid their eyes on the event. Layla saw a small blot whenever the lightning struck. It took her seconds to recognize its human form.
Suddenly, a single-edged green longsword fell from the sky, standing upright as it pierces the soil. It was filled with a flaming aura that enveloped the witnesses with fear. It had a skull crossguard, and its pommel and grip was made out of dragon hide. The blade was sharp, and showed no signs of wear and tear. After a few seconds, the human-like form descends from the storm like lightning, next to the blade, gripping it.
The figure had the same physique as the one in Alucard's vision: the bare torso, the bits of armor, the claws, the shoulderguard and the triangular horned helmet with four slits and with two wisps for eyes. He was even more fearsome in personal. (To fortify said argument, the Ravagers and Reapers, who were supposed to be mindless, began to whimper and cower, and backed off in a panic.)
He pulls out the blade from the ground and draws it, making a resounding SHWING! He was all that stood from Zhask in claiming the shard, but the Planetary Dominator felt no fear, for he didn't know the imbecile who stood before him.
"Move," Zhask commanded. "Move, I said. I am here for the shard." He walks, but the black figure raises his blade and points it to the alien, not saying a single word. The Minotaur watched in awe, disbelieving what he was seeing.
"What makes you think you have the right to oppose the three of us alone?" Zhask asks. "Tell me, who are you?! What is your name?! C'mon, speak up, you monster!"
The figure remains unfazed from the insults. He lowers the blade. He replied in a resonating voice that even the Dark Lord fears hearing.
"If you wish for my name, ask them," he began, pointing at Alice and Vexana, "so that I may let my sword hear your last words."
