Liberation

[Date: 1/25 - Saturday]

[Time: 12:50 PM]

[Location: Verdant Grove - Verdant Tower]

"Alright, the Karma goons are spread out across the entire Tower. If we don't act fast, the Syndicates will convert them by using force. We don't need that. We need all the firepower we can get for this last stages of this Gang War," Lust-E said, hovering next to me.

I looked into the tower, leaning against the wall and crossing my arms. "Got it. Pinpoint their locations, it's going to be an easy in and out."

"Affirmative," Lust-E nodded, digital interfaces appearing in front of her.

Lust-E began to highlight the locations of the Karma members, each one on a different floor of the tower. I got off the wall and stepped forward with Ani behind me. I activated my Unleashed State at full power, blue lightning crackling around my body.

"We will only have one chance at this. Let's make it count," Lust-E said, shifting into her Battle Mode.

"Yeah! Let's do our best!~" Suru exclaimed, hovering on the other side of me.

I nodded and walked inside the tower with my best foot forward. "Let's do this.."

{Mission START: Save the Captured Karma Members!}

{Easy Task: Save all five Karma Members.}

{Normal Task: Everyone makes it out safely.}

{Hard Task: Complete in an hour or less.}

{Luscious Task (Ambition/Charm/Talent): Convert the Leader, Defeat all Alchemists, Complete mission with no reinforcements called.}

Ani and I rushed down the long corridors, our steps quick and filled with urgency. I kicked down the door that held a Karma member captive and rushed inside to save him. I gently pushed him toward Ani and she held him, placing a protective talisman upon his back.

As we were leaving the room, I noticed a swarm of Syndicate members approaching to stop us from advancing. I walked forward and cracked my knuckles then smirked beneath my mask.

"Come," I commanded, my tone taunting and low.

{Golden Tongue Activated (2/10)}

As I said that singular word, the Syndicate members focused purely on me and let out an enraged roar collectively. They charged forward and began launching attacks at me all at once.

I awakened my Unleashed State, dodging the barrage of strikes with calculated and efficient movements. Blocking an attack, I hip tossed them into another then wrapped my arm around another, using his body as a shield from the next few attacks.

I took a deep breath, gathering elemental energy around me then summoned my Kahi Talisman, the fire charm glowing and releasing a powerful burst of fire energy around us, blowing the Syndicate members away.

"Hmph...Too easy," I said as I walked forward, adjusting my mask.

Ani's eyes sparkled with delight at the fact that I just took on ten opponents by myself. She quickly followed behind me with the Karma member in tow. 'My Tribal Leader is so amazing..~ I love my Tribal Leader..'

{Karma Member Saved! (1/5)}

The two of us began to descend the stairs to the next floor and ahead was an Alchemist guarding the room the second ally we were supposed to save. I stepped forward, causing the Alchemist to turn and notice me.

"Hey! Who are you?! What are you doing here?!" The alchemist yelled, watching me approach him and his hand clutching his alchemic firearm.

"My name..? My name...is Cipher. And you'd do well in remembering it, Syndicate Scum," I said, continuing my intimidating pace toward him.

The alchemist grit his teeth then swiftly unholstered his weapon and fired multiple bullets at me. I evaded each one then held my hand out, altering the bullet into a flock of doves. The alchemist's eyes widened and he took a step back.

Without knowing, Ani's Talisman leisurely floated toward the alchemist and landed on his back. The talisman shone brightly then caused a light explosion, killing the alchemist nearly instantly.

I looked back at Ani, nodding my head. "Hm, I didn't even sense you release a Talisman."

Ani giggled softly, holding her arms. "Well, I didn't know you actually began mastering Alchemy. Your transmutation of that last bullet was really amazing."

I let out a soft chuckle and began to continue forward toward the room holding the second Karma member. "Well, I have a certain professor that knows Alchemy at Sanctuary University. She's the one who taught me most of my tricks along with my beautiful Love Demons."

"You still haven't rewarded us with some sexy time! Do you know how many chapters I had to endure without any sex?!" Passion exclaimed, floating behind me.

"Hey, she actually broke the Fourth Wall..~" Lustie snickered, hovering behind as well.

[Lust-E: Oh no, not another wall breaker. You and Shiro are enough.]

I chuckled softly and kicked the door down, noticed the Karma member chained against the wall. I walked toward the woman and crouched down, combining the Earth, Fire, and Mineral elements to create Metal Manipulation.

Breaking the Karma member out of her captivity, I pointed to Ani and she got up, hurrying straight to Ani. Ani placed a protective talisman upon her as well, giving me a thumbs up. I nodded and stood up and we all began to make our way toward the next floor.

{Karma Member Saved! (2/5)}

We began to hurry down the halls and heard rumbling around the tower. We all looked confused, our eyes scanning around the area then I sensed an attack, coming to a complete halt and noticing a giant fist crash through the walls.

I looked out the hole made by the fist then let out a groan. "Oh come on! A Golem?! How are The Syndicates getting this type of weaponry?!"

{Suru: I don't know about you....but I think we should run!}

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Lustie exclaimed as she flew down the halls.

"Shiro, you and Ani focus on your mission! I'll handle this with Luckie!" Passion said as she flew outside.

"Good luck!" Luckie said, leaping out of the hole behind Passion.

I nodded then ran forward and quickly ran into the room keeping the Karma member captive then sensed another attack. I pushed Ani out the room and dove to the side and used my Earth Control to manipulate the floor and dragged the Karma member toward me.

We watched as the Golem's fist went crashing through the wall and noticed Passion and Luckie trying to stop the Golem together. Quickly getting up, I rushed out of the room with the Karma member in arm but noticed he was limping due to a large glass shard catching him in the leg.

"Shit... Alright, let's get you to safety first then we'll heal you up," I said as I helped him out of the room.

"Okay," The Karma member hissed lightly, trying to keep up with my pace.

{Karma Member Saved! (3/5)}

Ani quickly slapped a protective talisman on his back as we hurried by her then rushed behind us. We began to quickly descend the stairs and I noticed a group of Syndicate members swarming toward us.

Ani quickly took the Karma member out of my embrace, allowing me to rush down the staircase and take on the Syndicate members at once. I blew them all away with a powerful gust of Wind Energy then outstretched my arms and pressed my palms together, an orb of iridescent energy forming in my hands.

"Destiny... Flash!" I bellowed, launching a powerful iridescent beam of energy at the Syndicate members.

The beam washed over them, causing an explosion within the hallway and eliminating the Syndicates that stood in our path. I panted softly, feeling beads of sweat starting to roll down my cheek.

[Stamina has lowered to 75%]

I ignored my growing exhaustion to hurry forward and save the next Karma member, rushing inside the room and grabbing her before making my way out the room. I looked at Ani and my Love Demons with a thumbs up and they nodded.

{Karma Member Saved! (4/5)}

We began to make it to the final floor and noticed multiple alchemists in the area. I came to a stop and noticed each alchemist and watched at they looked at us with their weapons drawn.

"Shiro, it's about time we team up and show them the original Duo~" Lustie said, landing beside me.

I nodded and looked back at Ani and the others. "You all go ahead and save the last Karma member! Lustie and I will handle the alchemist!"

"Okay!" Ani said, hurrying off with my Love Demons, leaving me and Lustie to deal with the alchemists.

I closed my eyes and my Crest of Love shined red, signalling the awakening of my Crest of Lust. The glowing lines of my cloak began shining red and my gauntlets shifted into Demonic Gauntlets. I awakened Lustie's Lust Sigil, using her Indomitable Lust to constantly enhance my condition and power.

Lustie bit her lip, making a sound of excitement and feeling an insurmountable pleasure coursing through her veins as felt the glow of her sigil along her pelvis. "Ahh~ Now you've awakened me, Shiro~"

I stepped forward and chuckled lowly, slowly approaching the alchemists. "Let's do this, Red."

Lustie nodded and dashed forward, dodging the elemental blasts from the Alchemist then twirled around, using her bladed tail to cut the neck the first alchemist then used her demon magic to launch the next one in th air.

I leaped forward, spiking the alchemist down with a Destiny Flash then landed on the ground, performing a Sanctuary Combo, launching multiple NY Flares around me and forming a red halo beneath me.

"Lustie, now!" I said, completing the halo and sprang into the air.

Lustie rush forward and stood in the red halo, expanded the halo, everyone caught in the range of the halo becoming induced with Lust Energy. Lustie began to absorb the Lust Energy and licked her lips, closing her eyes as she began feeling a satisfaction wash over her.

I landed on the ground and began chanting incantations for an attack. "Corruption of Desires. Fornicating Host. Nymphomania. Libido Surge. Get ready, Red!"

Lustie hummed as her sigil began shining brightly, gasping and letting out a shaky laugh. "Do it..!~ Bring me to ecstasy!~"

"Lascivious Burst!" I called out, snapping my fingers.

Lustie let out a moan as her body began to shine and release an intense blast of lustful energy, striking the alchemists around her and blowing them away. Lustie felt slightly drained, her sigil dimming down and she panted, her legs quivering with pleasure as her own heat began pooling down her thighs.

[Stamina has lowered to 60%]

I grunted softly, feeling a tone of energy being drained from my body as well since I gave my Lust Energy to Lustie in the process. I fell to one knee and took a few breaths and chuckled softly.

"Pepe! We've got the last member!" Ani called out to me from across the room.

I looked over at Ani and smiled at her then stood up slowly. "Alright! Let's get out of here!"

{Karma Member Saved! (5/5)}

{Easy Task Complete!}

We all began to make our way out the temple then heard a loud roar echoing around the forest. We noticed the Golem in the distance falling into pieces, Passion and Luckie finally defeating the alchemic construct.

After witnessing the Golem's downfall, we began to make our grand escape from the area with the saved Karma members in tow. As we ran off, I heard a yelp and looked back, noticing a skeletal hand grabbing and squeezing Ani and a woman in the distance.

"Ani!" I called out, grunting softly and looked at the Karma members. I turned to Lustie and the others. "Red, you and the others get the Karma members out of here! I'll deal with this leader!"

Lustie nodded, gathering the members and making her escape with her sisters. I was now left alone to save Ani and deal with this mysterious figure alone. I watched as she took off her hood, her facial features now revealed.

[*BEEP BEEP BEEP*]

The woman before me exuded a dark, necromantic aura, strongly connected to death and the occult. She had long white hair, paired with a pale, almost gray complexion, giving her an ethereal and ghostly appearance. Her red eyes were striking and intense, further adding to her sinister appearance, her gaze calm yet eerie.

She was holding a large skull, possibly as a focus for her magic or necromancy, and there was a smaller skull resting near her chest. Her long, sharp red fingernails also added to her menacing appearance. There was a Philosopher's Stone within her staff, it's purple glow sending waves of eerie energy around the area.

'You beeped so I'm guessing she's important huh?' I thought to Lust-E, my gaze never leaving the woman's intense gaze.

[Lust-E: She is. Like Eliza, her Philosopher's Stone was constructed with the powers of a Dark Lord in mind. The Dark Lord of Death, The Queen of Souls, Nifl.]

I grunted softly, my gaze growing more serious then I glanced at Ani, wanting to save her from the clutches of this woman's hold. 'I see...well if that's true, I'll have to save Ani quickly!'

Without hesitation, I dashed toward the skeletal hand and went for a powerful blow, but a force of spiritual death energy blew me away. I grunted as I slid backwards then looked at the woman quickly.

"Your battle is with me now...Shiro Moji," The woman said, her red eyes glowing ominously.

I stared at her with a serious gaze. 'She knows me..? How did she figure out who I was..? Who exactly is this woman..?'

"Who are you and how do you know my name?" I asked, my gaze never leaving the woman's gaze.

The woman stared at me with a cold and distant expression, sending a bit of chills down my spine. "My name...is Rebecca Hel. I am a descendant of Nifl, the Dark Lord of Death and the Queen of Souls. Due to my powers, I have been granted Aura Reading. That is how I know who you are and what you are. I have already seen your Death...it is certain."

"My death..? Hmph...the last few people who thought they could kill me have died already. You are just another obstacle in my way of greatness. Now I will give you two options, set Ani free and we can go our separate ways for now...or face the wrath of my Redeemer's Form!" I declared, bracing myself for whatever Rebecca had planned.

Rebecca stared at me for a moment then tapped the bottom of her staff against the ground, a fog forming around the area we were in. "I hope you're prepared to finally meet your end. I shall end you here and now."

I looked around swiftly, noticing multiple Reapers and Ghouls appearing around me. My eyes scanned my surroundings and my Crest of Love shined blue, activating my Crest of Talent and awakening my Esoteric Energy.

"Hmph, you sound very confident for someone who hides behind their Undead Summons. Maybe I should show you..." I began and tossed off my cloak, my tribal tattoos glowing blue. "Who you're truly dealing with! Maluhia..."

I let out my Tribal Howl, transforming into my Tengoku Form and took a deep breath then exhaled. I opened my eyes, my eyes glowing golden and my gaze serious and focused. My mind was completely cleared and I let out another soft exhale, gracefully getting into my stance.

Rebecca watched from the distance and kept her staff ready, her eyes following my presence intensely. 'Hmm...one of his three Tribal Forms. He isn't fully going all out...no, he can't go all out. His stamina is rather low. Once we fully get him down...there will be no chance of losing. Shiro Moji, you are finished.."

The Reapers and Ghouls let out their ghoulish shrills and laughs, each one charging toward me from the mist at high speeds. I activated my Unleashed State and relaxed my stance, evading and dodging each of their strikes and slashes. My senses were by a multiple of 100, but with such senses, the strain on my by eyes and mind became more intense.

I decided to get on the offensive, countering the attacks of the Reapers and Ghouls with precise and careful attacks, making sure to not use too much power and conserve my remaining stamina. I had a 360 degree vision, allowing me to even sense attacks upon my blindsides.

Rebecca watched as I took down her summons one by one, aiming for only weak points upon each of them them. 'How is he still moving like that..? They can't even land a hit on him...it is almost like his body is moving on its down..'

I continued to dodge and counter the seemingly never ending waves of enemies, my body feeling a bit strained due to the multiple forms I have stacked on top of one another. I decided to reverted turn off my Redeemer's Form and Unleashed State, keeping my Tengoku's Form.

[Stamina has lowered to 47%]

'If I keep this up, I'll end up passing out and dying...and Ani will die too. I can not allow that to happen. If I can figure out what Elements make Death Energy, I can find a way to use my Elemental Recomposition to form Death Energy,' I thought, looking around myself and activating my Lucky Break.

I set up a Field of Luck Energy around me, a golden glow forming around a vast area. I began to use my Luck Zone to cause miracles to happen for me, the Reapers' and Ghouls' attacks missing at random, the two summons attacking each other, or they randomly began to despawn themselves.

I sat down and began to think hard about what components make up Death. 'Darkness...Death Energy is composed of Darkness. It is also composed of Coldness, opposite to Life Energy's warmth...'

I began to combine the Water and Wind Elements to form the Ice Element then combined the Ice Energy with my Darkness Energy. My aura began to darken, a cold presence settling around me.

'The Dead are also within the ground so the Earth Element makes sense...and you also need Soul Energy for Death...' I thought, combining all four components together, my body feeling as if it were withering away.

I opened my eyes and noticed I was losing Life Force rapidly, my heart beating faster and heavily against my chest. I grunted and deactivated my Crest of Luck then activated my Crest of Charm to awaken my Angelic Source, the warmth of the energy keeping me alive.

I sighed with relief, glad for my quick thinking then stood up. I looked at my hands and noticed my Angelic Aura was darkened but not Malevolent. 'Combining Death Energy with the Holy Energy of my Angelic Source grants me Life-Death Energy... interesting..'

I noticed the Reapers and Ghouls charging toward me and locked onto each one of them, noticing they had Souls within them. I used my Death Energy to absorb and harvest their souls, causing the Reapers and Ghouls to slowly wither away and turn into ashes.

Rebecca's eyes widened as she watched me, a soft gasp of shock sounding from her mouth. 'Did...Did he just use Alchemy...to create Death Energy..? This shouldn't be possible..! How is he even still alive..?!'

I used my Wind Energy to blow away the fog, revealing Rebecca's form and Ani still in the clutches of the skeletal hand. I stared at Rebecca, locking eyes with her then got into my stance.

"No more games, Rebecca... It's time for me and you to battle. If I win...you release Ani and come with me no questions asked. If you win, I'll let you take my soul...but we both know...you won't be winning this battle," I said, my tone tinged with confidence.

Rebecca's gaze lingered onto mine then she twirled her staff and it transformed into a scythe, her Philosopher's Stone becoming magic particles and entering her body. A dark and cold energy flowed around her gracefully then she pointed her scythe at me.

"I accept, Shiro...be prepared to lose and die," Rebecca said, getting into her battle stance.

~{To Be Continued}~