Chapter 73: The Great Feud (Part 7)

Returning home immediately after our meeting with the other familia at the guild I called for everyone to assemble and explained the details of the upcoming operation.

"Any questions?" I asked once I was done.

"Who will be going on the raid, all of us?" William asked.

I shook my head. "No, just like usual we will split into two groups. Especially given what the operation entails. Evilus might try and pull something, then our home and a lot of the city would be defenseless." I explained. "Now then, as for who will be participating in the raid it will be me, Ryuu, Ryner, Rogue, and Diluc. Everyone will remain at the Owl House with Athena, our guest, and Reina on standby and as protection. Questions?"

No one spoke up.

"Alright then, meeting adjourned." I said.

The moment I did so everyone went their separate ways.

Heading up to my room I got comfortable and then lied down on my bed. Several thoughts racing through my mind.

Since the worst part of the Great Feud is about to start.

And all I want is for me and my comrades to make it past this storm alive.

Saying a silent prayer I hoped my wish would come true.

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Looking up at the dark clouds in the sky my nerves didn't get any better.

Today is the day of the operation to attack the Evilus bases.

Having left with my group earlier we have met up with the Astraea familia and the contigent from the Ganesha familia assigned to work with us and our now heading towards the area of our designated target.

As we continued on our way I noticed the lack of people on the road besides our group.

Along with the eerie silence.

Other than our group I didn't notice any noise being made at all.

Which only added to the tension in my body.

"Shit, calm down." I muttered to myself.

If I lose my shit then my friends will suffer.

Trying to get a hold of myself I suddenly felt someone grasp my friend hand.

Looking to my right-side I saw it was Ryuu.

Gently squeezing it she gave me a reassuring look.

Seeing this a lot of my tension immediately melted away. I then felt a warm feeling in my chest that I never had before.

Looking at Ryuu I felt the urge to protect her, and that I would rather die than allow anything to happen to her.

'Ah, so this is what love feels like.' I thought.

I am in love with Ryuu Lion.

Realizing this my resolve came rushing back to me, and I was able to get myself together.

I also made a note to tell Ryuu how I felt after all this shit was over. Because doing so right now would definitely raise a flag and I'm not stupid enough to trigger that shit.

The two of us continued holding hands, until eventually we arrived at the Evilus base we were scheduled to raid.

An abandoned three-story building.

Stepping out in front of our group, Shakti turned to face us. Since she is the overall commander of this operation.

"Ganesha familia members and half of the Astraea familia, surround the outer perimeter. Everyone else, you're coming inside with me." Shakti ordered.

As soon as she did so everyone moved with surgical precision.

It only took us five minutes to get set up.

Then once we were the raid began.

Going up to the front door Shakti kicked it open and we all stormed inside.

But as we did so we found no one at all.

"What?" Shakti questioned.

"Fuck, looks like Evilus got tipped off." Ryner growled.

Right after he did so we heard footsteps and a cliché slow clap.

*Clap Clap Clap*

The clapping continued as the person who did so stepped out of the shadows in front of us.

Revealing themselves to be none other than Valletta Grede. Level five adventurer, member of the Thanatos familia, an executive within Evilus, as well as their chief strategist who can even give Finn a run for his money, and an all around horrible human being and psychotic bitch. Given what I know about her from my previous life memories.

A psychotic and super happy smile on her face Valetta came to a stop right in the middle of the room. She then stopped clapping.

"Valletta Grede." Shakti snarled.

"Fufu, yep that's me." She happily said. "Nice to finally meet you in person Ankusha." She said. Her eyes then scanned over the rest of us, only making her smile wider. "Oh and it looks like we have some other famous individuals here as well. Astraea familia and Athena familia. A pleasure to meet you all. Nice if you please would, die all of you."

"Aren't you being quite cocky." Shakti said. "But what you want isn't going to happen. We have this place surrounded Valletta. So give up now and we'll let you live. Otherwise I'll have no problem putting you down."

"Ah, so scary." Valletta said in mock fear. She then licked her lips. "However you're mistaken about one thing Ankusha. It is not I who is the one who is trapped, but all of you. Now then, feel despair." She said.

A second later Valletta snapped her fingers.

Then once she did so I suddenly felt a large amount of killing intent.

Jumping out of the shadows several figures moved to attack us, and then all hell broke loose.

Brandishing Vortex Vanquisher I stabbed the Evilus member nearest to me right through the throat and then tossed him into several others.

Once I did this I start killing all the enemies in sight while also looking for Ardi.

Spotting her, I noticed a young girl approaching her.

The moment I saw this I ran in her direction, knocking down any enemies in my path.

As Ardi cut down another enemy in front of her she finally noticed the little girl.

Turning in her direction Ardi just stood there, and then lowered her weapon.

"Hey, it's ok." She said. "Are you scared, if you are we can protect you." Ardi explained to the little girl.

Having completely lowered her guard entirely.

"Ardi, no!" I shouted.

But she ignored me and instead got closer to the little girl.

Knowing that I wasn't going to make it in time I started chanting.

{Ground that we walk upon, heed my command and come forth!}

[Geo Force]

Just as I finished my spell the little girl pulled a knife from within her shirt and jumped towards Ardi, intending to stab her.

But before she could get to close a large rock wall appear right in front of the two, seperating them. Since even though I could have killed the little girl that is something I will never do.

Killing children is a line I will never cross.

But it looks like Evilus has no problem using them.

Fucking scumbags.

Falling on her ass Ardi got a shocked expression on her face, given what almost happened to her.

Igorning this I came up behind her and grabbed her by the back collar of her shirt.

Turning around she looked at me and started to say something, only for it to be interrupted.

*Boom!*

"Agh!"

"Stop, stay back!"

"No!!"

All around us explosions rang out, as did screams of agony and death.

Looking around I saw the Evilus members turning themselves into suicide bombers, charging at our forces and then exploding themselves. Killing and injuring our people without any regard for their own lives.

A minute after this happened explosions started throughout the inside of the building and the outside as well.

"Hahaha, can you feel it?" Valletta asked in between her laughs. "The pain, and despair. Well take note, since it's only just begun. Now that the signal has been lit, nothing can stop what's about to start. Enjoy it." She said.

Valletta then escaped through a back entrance.

As she did so the explosions only got worse.

Pieces of the building began falling.

Seeing up I saw a large chunk falling straight towards Ardi and I so I grabbed her and jumped out of the way.

Landing I looked and saw Ryuu and my friends near the entrance.

But Ardi and I are located near the damn near middle of the building, so we can't reach them.

While the explosions got worse, a large chunk of the building fell down right in front of my friends. Separating them from my sight.

Then a second later almost the entire building began collapsing in on itself entirely.

Seeing the debris falling towards Ardi and I didn't hesitate and began to take action.

Just as several more explosions occurred.

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(3rd Person: POV)

Getting thrown across the ground due to the force of the explosions due to the bombs Evilus set up, Ryuu Lion quickly picked herself up.

Ignoring the cuts and bruises across her body, as did the rest of her familia members.

Just as they got to their feet the Evilus base in front of them fully collapsed, turning into nothing more than a pile of rubble and smoke.

Seeing this all of them got horrible expressions on their face.

Namely because Morax and Ardi were still inside the building.

Shakti as well got a horrible expression on her face, given that she too knew Ardi was still inside.

"No..." Ryuu muttered to herself. "No, no, no, no!!!!" Ryuu shouted at the top of her lungs. "Morax!! Ardi!!!" Ryuu shouted in a painful wale.

She was beginning to feel the despair Valletta had mentioned earlier.

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A/N: Cliffhanger bitches.

Want to find out what happens then continue reading the story.