Chapter 21: Battle in the Scorpion's Base

"Welcome uninvited guests!." Scar said as he stood up from his seat everyone were on their guard "Emilia stay behind me." Cameron said as he made his defensive stance "As much as I'd love to give you a hug for saying that to me right now, but I guess it can wait later." Emilia said "Right! Right! you can have a room if you want." Bones said "Really we can!?." Emilia asked "I don't believe you two." Bones replied.

"Are you serious right now? Bickering while I'm right Heeerreee!!!." Scar then rushes towards them "Scatter!!." Connor yelled out as they all went different directions "You really think this will stop me!?." Scar asked He then got blasted by an icicle "The Mage? looks like I'll deal with you first!." Scar said as he rushes towards Oliver.

Oliver could see the huge amount of aura just from seeing Scar face to face, Oliver dodges his blow and blasts him again with multiple icicles "It's getting a little bit chilly here and you're really starting to piss me off." Scar said as he is then cornered by Connor and Gwyn coming from both sides while Oliver's barrage of Icicles in the middle trapping him.

"I see, Truly Pathetic." Scar then punches the whole ground creating an earthquake "I see looks like your friends have finally reached the boss." Poisan said as he dodges Violet's strikes "Scum! how much did you anticipate about this attack!." Violet exclaimed "All of it." Poisan replied as he clashes with Violet.

"What the?." Xander reacted as he's being pinned by the countless of daggers "It's only a matter of time until you're all dead!." The Assassin said.

Scar was in the crater "Please entertain me more!." He then disappears as Emilia's arrows missed their target, and heads directly towards Emilia "One down!." He said as he was about to punch Emilia.

"I won't let you!!!."

Cameron then pierces his sword unto Scar's left arm and Emilia took the advantage and backed away from a safe distance "Brave but foolish." Scar said as he punches Cameron with his right hand "Cameron!." Connor yelled out as he was treating Gwyn's wounds.

Three arrows have pierced Scar's right arm "Do you think mere toothpicks could stop me girl?." He asked while Emilia was silent but kept on firing "I see, looks like another one's going to die!." Emilia was pinned at the wall while Cameron was still getting up and even if he could, he wouldn't get there in time "Emilia!!!!." Cameron yelled out as Connor's attention was diverted to Emilia a burst water dashed towards Scar and throwing him at the far side of the room.

Emilia took a step backwards and as she astonished to see "Leader?." Bones reacted as Gwyn's true potential has been released "I see, You were that one girl that village desperately tried to hide!." Scar was slowly standing up as the damage he took from her blast was very effective.

"The Water Queen." He said as Gwyn was wearing a water armor and her water sword became a lance "Did her sword just turned into a lance?." Cameron asked "This is our Leader's trump card in some cases when she activates it, her weapon changes depends on the classes." Bones replied.

"How does that work!?." Oliver wondered "We don't know either, ever since we first saw her in this form we have been finding a conclusion to this phenomenon but we haven't gotten that far yet." Bones said.

"Why do I have a feeling someone just gave her this power without thinking about it." Cameron said to himself "Stop that." Oliver replied sarcastically.

Gwyn was walking slowly towards Scar while the rest were at full shock seeing her in this situation "You'll pay for what you did years ago Scar!." She said "Years ago? I don't even remember who you are!." Scar replied as the two clashed together they noticed a big gap with power levels between the two.

"Incredible." Connor reacted to Gwyn's skills to adapt to use a new weapon in a manner of minutes "Hey we need to step up our game too Boss!." Oliver said as he charges his staff "His right Boss I have a few words to say to this scum too." Cameron said as he was looking at Emilia "W-W-What is it Cameron?." Emilia became flustered over Cameron starring at her.

Gwyn managed to stabbed Scar's leg and immobilizing it,and because of that he became frustrated and threw multiple punches towards her but because of her armor his punches managed to make a dent, confident of her armor she then repeatedly stabs him "You really think that's still going to work on me?." Scar said, Gwyn then noticed her attacks have been less effective each time she lands her strikes "Hardening, I don't want to use this too early but you're leaving me no choice." Scar said.

*Meanwhile outside*

Violet swings her sword to the left and Poisan avoided the blow but was very exhausted and received more damage by Violet while she was still able to last a day.

"What? are you tired already?." Violet asked as she was getting disappointed to look at Poisan's outlook on their battle "I'm surprised to see you're still at full strength." Poisan said as he is gasping for his breath.

"Come on now let's enjoy our rematch, This is payback for attacking our base earlier you Mongrel!." Violet said as she rushed towards the exhausted Poisan "Looks like you won't be giving me anytime to catch my breathe." He said as he draw his blades "Very good, now show me your best moves and don't disappoint me." Violet said as the two continue their duel.

while Xander was done with his duel he then proceeded towards Connor's position "Please let me make it." Xander said as he hurries to his Friend's whereabouts.

Bones threw his spear towards Scar but it never did anything as his body was like an armor that couldn't be pierced "What are we going to do about that!?." Oliver pointed out about the situation "We should've trained some more." Connor replied in a sarcastically way.

Gwyn was still trying her best to pierce Scar's body "Gwyn get away from there!." Connor yelled out as she agrees and retreats "I'll deal with them for the meantime you guys find a way to deal with this!." Oliver said as he freezes Scar's foot "May I join you as well?." Bones asked "Why not, let's try to defeat him ourselves what do you say?." Oliver asked "I agree." Bones replied as he goes in to strike Scar with his spear only to do what damage he can on his own.

"So what are we going to do about this?." Cameron asked "Every strike we do benefits him not us." Emilia said "Hmmm why not we try to bury him?." Connor suggested, everyone reacted like they weren't expecting him to suggest this "That's not a bad idea actually." Cameron said as he thinks about what Connor said "Hmmm we'll use the pillars but if we do this we have to make sure he doesn't escape." Gwyn said "Do you think can you pin him down for a few minutes?." Connor asked to Emilia and Cameron "We'll try." Unsure of his answer Cameron still believed they could pull it off.

"Alright, me and Gwyn will destroy the pillars while the rest of you try to make sure he doesn't move from that spot! go tell Oliver and Bones!." Connor said as he and Gwyn took off to slowly destroy the pillars.

"Boss! we have it!." Assassin said on the comm "Alright Bring h--." A barrage of bullets and icicles were hailing upon Scar, the icicles effect was slowly freezing Scar.

"What the?." Out of fear he tried breaking the ice but Emilia's bullets would get in his way Cameron then rushed in front of him and plunged towards the immobilized leader of the scorpions "You aren't going anywhere!!!." Cameron yelled out but Scar managed to grab the sword, his hands were bleeding but he was very confident he could block it off with both his bare hands.

"You really think I plunged towards you just to stab you? No I'm here to pull it out!." Cameron yelled in front of him and yanked out his sword in the process cutting Scar's both hands leaving him defenseless "Oliver!!!." Cameron yelled out as he got out of the way.

"Sealing magic! Frozen Bonds!." Oliver yelled meanwhile Frenda and Kix were attacked from the van "I'll deal with these jokes!." Kix said to sound cool in front of Frenda but she then opens the window and released the smog of despair and in a matter of minutes all the grunts outside their van have all fainted.

"Would you please give me something to do." Kix said sarcastically she then nods of disagreement.

Xander then arrives at the battle as he sees Scar almost frozen he then notices someone at the top floor While Gwyn and Connor were almost done destroying all the pillars.

"EVERYBODYY STOPP!!!." Assassin yelled out from the top as everyone were silent and stared at the source of the voice but Oliver was still continuing his Chant to seal him in Ice.

"Stop that spell or else." The Assassin then took Stella as a hostage "Gwyn no wait stopp!!." Connor yelled out, She stopped while the others were frozen on what to do next.

Meanwhile outside.

Violet and Poisan's weapons were in lock "This is getting boring." Violet said as she punches Poisan's stomach and his head.

"You're too late." He spits out blood "Heh? what this! a dying scum's last words." Violet said as she was about to stab Poisan's heart "Your boss is going to die tonight!." He laughs maniacally and throws some dust in Violet's eyes, then launches two last daggers to try and escape but Violet blocked the two daggers and rushed towards him "I'll stop him dying but I won't stop you." Violet said as she stabs Poisan and crushes his head.

"Geez now I'm all dirty now, Boss please don't die on us." Violet said as she rushes inside.

"Finish the chant and she dies!." Assassin said as the blade touches Stella's neck, everyone in the area was silent yet were frustrated at the turn of events.

"Keep going Oliver!." Connor said as he heads towards the Assassin's position "Emilia!!." Cameron yells "I know I know even I won't miss from this!." Emilia replied as she shoots out two bullets.

The Assassin then blocks the bullets and threw a dagger towards Emilia but was later blocked by Cameron "I won't let anyone die." Cameron said.

Connor reaches the Assassin and the two started their duel "You piece of!." Connor yelled out as he swings his sword "He isn't concerned I have his girlfriend hostage."He thought to himself as he then lets go of Stella Connor with all his strength slashed the Assassin while he draws his daggers and the two were lock together.

"It's an honor to fight the leader of the Shining Knights the Assassin said "Sadly I won't be the one you'll continue fighting right now!." Connor replied as he smiled as if he were talking to a friend, He was confused on what he meant but then Xander jumped behind Connor and the two have broken their lock while Xander continued their duel.

"Leader don't break the pillars yet!." Bones yelled "I know." Gwyn replied "You should go help Connor now! I'll deal with the last few pillars." Bones said "Alright." Gwyn replied.

"Are you alright Emilia?." Cameron asked "Yes I'm fine." Emilia replied "You two go support Connor." Oliver said while he was continuing his chant to seal off Scar "But Sir Oli--." "Don't worry about me just go!." Oliver yelled as the two went towards the top.

Xander striked from above and he blocked it then Xander kicked the Assassin while Connor went towards Stella "Are you okay Stella?." Connor asked, but his face wasn't a face out of relief for the safety of his girlfriend it was more like he was preparing for something.

"I'm fine Connor I'm sorry." She replied as tears were flowing from her eyes "It's okay Stella, I know that you love me." Connor said as another Assassin came up behind him.

"Boss!!!!!." Cameron and Emilia yelled as they arrived at the scene, Connor dodges the strike from the other assailant and Emilia fires as shot while Cameron gets up close to slash at the attacker. They succeeded and managed to push off the Assassin and her identity was then revealed.

"S-S-Stella?." Cameron reacted out of shock for who they're facing "This can't be true, This is all just a dream right? tell me Stella you're not actually one of them." Emilia asked The attacker was silent then rushes towards Cameron, shocked from the identity of the Assassin Cameron froze up and Connor blocked off her strike "I loved you too Stella." Connor's voice and expressions were dead when he said that.

*Flashback*

When Stella was gone and Gwyn came up behind him..

"Those who don't want to open their eyes should stay out of the battlefield." Gwyn said as she points out who the traitor is while Connor was being silent "I didn't want to believe it." He thought to himself "Let's go already." his voice was cold "I don't want to believe it." *At some point before the attack Connor opens Stella's computer*

"A password? since when has she ever had a password." Connor tried numerous times until he managed to get it right and what he saw was all their information being sent to the enemy.

"Even with what's in front of me I don't believe it." He thought to himself as out of frustration he destroys the computer and wreaks the room out of anger "I don't... I"

"Those who don't want to open their eyes should stay out of the battlefield."

"Finally accepted it."

*Present*

Connor rushes towards Stella without hesitation, she throws daggers at random places and take a few steps backwards while Connor was still chasing after her with no reason to stop "Gotcha." She said as all her daggers surrounded Connor.

That's when he stood his ground "I wish there was another way we could've avoided this." Connor said as he grabs every dagger and launches it towards Stella starting from her feet towards her chest.

Cameron and Emilia were totally frozen as they saw Connor kill his girlfriend with his bare hands.

As she fell Connor was in tears but even after everything decided to catch her from falling "Bosss!!." Emilia and Cameron yelled "Connor!!!." Xander reacted but because of this the Assassin broke a wall and escaped there.

"Leader!!." Bones reacted as the Assassin escaped "Kix any lock on him?." Gwyn asked "Yes, we have him locked." Kix replied.

Oliver was almost done sealing Scar away "Remember this boy, I'll return one day! with an army, with a whole nation just to kill you brats don't you forget tha." Scar was then fully sealed "We'll see about that." Oliver said.

Meanwhile Connor was carrying Stella in his hands "I'm sorry." Stella said as she caresses Connor's face with her blood "Why didn't you tell me about this?." Connor said as he was trying his best to smile in front of her "They have my sister hostage and if I tried to defy them she'll die." Stella said "You could've told us that when we were done fighting him, but why did you fight? why did you fight me." Connor asked.

"They promised if I die fighting you they'll let her live, I can't risk her life she's the most kindest sister I have and just got dragged in by our means." Stella replied "Why didn't yo-." She caress his face once more "We can't keep questioning about the past so promise me one thing." Stella said as she was slowly at death's door "My sister always wanted to be in a squad one day so-." Connor kisses Stella "I'll protect her with all my life I promise." He said as her blood was smeared across his eyes "I'm really sorry for everything Connor, I hope you can forgive me." Stella asked for forgiveness "I'll forgive you if you stay with me!! please don't go." He replied as his smile broke and tears were flowing "I guess this is my punishment for betraying the person I love, but my love for you was real Connor I want you know that." Stella said as she dies in front of Connor.

He was mourning while Gwyn tried destroying the seal where Scar was in "Hey!." Oliver reacted "I'm sorry Oliver but I'm going to kill him!." Gwyn replied with malice, Connor then carried her body and gave it to Xander "Gwyn." He said in a cold tone as she calmed down and backed away.

"Oliver removed the seal." He said "But B-Boss." As Oliver saw Connor's dead eyes covered by Stella's blood "We'll kill him together." Connor said as his whole aura was filled with malice.

Meanwhile..

"Violet he's heading your way!." Kix said on the comm "Tskk another small fry but he's an exception for today, I'll butcher him!." Violet replied as she drags her sword trailing of blood since outside.

The Assassin was exhausted and took a break, he heard footsteps and hid in the room, the footsteps were growing louder and louder, the sound of heavy armor clanking fades away.

He sighs out of relief then Violet smashes the wall the Assassin is in.

"You're going to pay for everything trash!." Violet's eyes were filled with malice as she was informed about Stella's betrayal.

Scar was freed but because he was still drained from the Concealment he couldn't even stand for the moment while Connor and Gwyn were walking towards Scar.

"W-W-Who's there!?." He asked (Frozen Bonds is a sealing spell that drains the users mana while sealed so when released they couldn't do anything but simply speak, their eyesight are blinded for at least 30 minutes)

The two continued to walk towards him and didn't say a word and started their attack Gwyn plunges her lance towards Scar and lands a direct hit while Connor slices up both his hands.

Scar was now arm less and could finally use his hardening "I don't know who you guys are but you're making a big mistake!." He said "What's this? looks like he's threatening us." Connor said in a dead tone "We'll kill him before he wakes up." Gwyn replied.

As everyone in the room watched them take on Scar themselves they were silent and both accepted their Leader's wishes while Cameron and Emilia were crying over Stella's betrayal and not witnessing the fight.

(Stella has been like a Mother figure for them ever since they've been recruited in the Shining Knights)

Because of his hardening Gwyn boosts her power and stabs Scar's neck but even with all the power she mustered up it still didn't pierced through while Connor slashed up both Scar's legs.

"You'll pay for everything you have done Scar, with your life." Connor and Gwyn said as they both stab his heart with all their strength.

"Mom, Dad, I finally did it! I killed your murderer." Gwyn said

"I'm sorry Stella, but whoever tries to harm our future will pay with their lives." Connor thought to himself

....

A few hours later...

Everyone was outside but was mourning for Stella.. while Connor went directly towards Gwyn "I have a request for you, if you don't mind." He said as he gives her a smile.

Violet was just leaving the room she entered, with every parts of the Assassin impaled on a piece of wood.

"I have a job for you guys if you're willing to help us." Connor said to Gwyn "We'll accept but we won't be letting you sign another contract, this one's for free." She replied.

"I need your help to find her sister, will you join us?." Connor asked "I just told you this didn't I?." She replied

"Oh right! my apologies now let's going!! wohooo!!." Connor said as he was joyful again.

"I need to get more stronger if I'm going to protect Emilia." Cameron looks at Emilia sobbing he then approaches her and wipes her tears, Emilia then gives Cameron a hug "There, There It's alright now." He said while comforting Emilia.

"I have to get stronger to protect her, and everyone that means to me." Cameron said.

End of Chapter 21: Battle in the Scorpion's Base

.

Connor just got back at the Mansion...

It was quiet.. "I kept my promise.. I'm home." He said.