Arc 4: What families entail
In the days after Stern's assassination, after Beauregard had been made king, the streets were silent. In the morning, but in anticipation. However, a four years younger Leo was worrisome. He still got caught up in the search for their father. As Lincoln Valentine hadn't been seen since the murder. Gone with the wind, leaving everything up to his sons. And yet Leo wasn't at the Tower, he was just drinking away with Toll and the Warriors. Leaving their new King to his own mind, stacks of paper work, everything Stern left behind, and all that came with Lincoln vanishing.
Beauregard {Now I can finally fix Athens, and he can't stop me any more. Nobody can.}
He spent most of his life petrified, filled with a bloodlust like rage, and absolute denial of Demi-humans. Of non humans. And so with his power over Athens leaders, he made his claim, and all they could do was listen.
First, the new Demi-humans trying to join the army had slowly stopped being let into the Elites. Then the Warriors. People who tried to speak up lost their positions, and then it came to the many in higher positions getting silenced. Less assignments, less respect, all while Beauregard kept building his circle. Making his claims. Without friends, and a hatred for the Demi-humans who were supposed to be his army's Leaders. Leo saw it slowly, day by day, until the months had passed, and many of Garly's Elites were replaced by weaker humans. Noble families who had been with Athens for decades, now without any place in this country. And when Leo tried to speak to Beauregard, he said nothing, for almost a year. As Leo had been thrown off the castle. Back to rot in bars with his friends. Still an Elite, still given missions, but silenced just the same.
Beauregard {It's working I know it! Soon everybody will understand me! Then I can start making real changes! I just need a little more time, then all the nobles against me won't be here anymore. Ever.}
Garly had lost her position as Athens Elites Leader. Then came Toll getting her position of Captain of the Warriors revoked. More Elites screamed out, the Warriors, gone gone gone. Leo, so many Demi-humans, even a few Half-Elves and Dark Elves that made a home there. Across the streets, across ranks, stores, blacksmiths, Elites nobles, and when they shut down Beauregard made it stay that way. Removed, replaced, thrown away. Athens best Blacksmith, Ox? All of the Demi-humans who helped make the Elite's almost unbreakable Dragon stone, under regular conditions at least, were erased.
Beauregard {THE MORE THEY SCREAM OUT THE EASIER IT IS TO FIND THE RATS!}
Thousands of Elites and Warriors, even more civilians, and there Athens showed its true colors. Sixteen years after the Demi-human war ended, even longer since Athens started letting nonhumans into their ranks, and still so many Humans screamed out for it. Those in higher power especially, trying to regain or gain even more. Gold, recognition, anything, it didn't matter. They wanted it, they had to have it, and they either didn't care what happened or lived for it. Those in between didn't make it. Not under this new King.
Beauregard {I KNOW YOU'D BE PROUD! GARLY TOLD ME HOW YOU USED TO ACT, HOW YOU TREATED DEMI-HUMANS, BUT THIS COUNTRY FED YOU LIES! SAGA FED YOU LIES! THOSE THINGS ARE MONSTERS IN OUR WALLS! DAMN SPIRIT BEASTS THAT NEED TO BE SLAUGHTERED, THROWN BACK WHERE THEY BELONG! THEY WEAR CLOTHES, PLAY GAMES, LIVE IN OUR HOUSES, USE OUR MONEY! LOOK AT THEM! I'LL FINALLY MAKE THIS COUNTRY UNDERSTAND THAT!}
He screamed at the graves of the Valentines, Stern and his mother in particular. Almost all of them are silenced by their decaying disease, their curse. But Leo nor Beauregard had ever felt such affects, left to rein for who knows how long. He screamed and smiled, really smiling for the first time since he was a little boy. The crowds he used to sulk past faded as he held his head high. Cutting his shaggy hair, dawning Stern's long light brown coat over his dark pants, sweater, and shoes. And began to look over Athens from the top of the Tower wherever he could.
That was just the first year. And to honor Lincoln's disappearance, Stern's murder, he ordered every city, town, and village to border away the non-humans. At the same time he forced away all of the Demi-human Elites, with might or political power, by just asking. And a threat to send all of Athens after them if they didn't leave as fast as possible without saying anything. Leo, Toll, Garly, and so many of Athens soldiers screamed out along with the citizens of Athens, Demi-humans included. Roaring toward the Tower, unable to pass through the Beauregard wall of Elites. He prepared by arming his Warriors and Elites, now Demi-human free, and sent them to silence the screams. It was one of Athens' bloodiest days, resulting in the death of a few thousand, and was one of the hardest days of Leo's life.
Leo: "STOP THIS! PLEASE PLEASE! JUST GET BACK! DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS!"
It didn't matter what street he was on, what part of Athens he was at, he didn't even know. His Dragon stone armor was so heavy, his wounds so hot, his Mark burning. But he fought, and he killed as many as he could so that people could flee. When the fight stopped, when Leo laid broken in bandages with his family in the sewers, they heard the news. Because of Toll and Garly's actions, Demi-humans would never be allowed in Athens ranks again. Through those long weeks, the three had to hide away for the sake of their lives, or leave Athens. But they didn't even think of that as an option, and in the weeks after, they brought in as many Ex Warriors and Elities as possible. The protests, the violence against the soldiers of Athens, it all flowed together into the blood stains across Athens. The Arrows, born again through blood, as the Red Arrows. The True Athens. And they struck. Using the century cold mining tunnels deep under Athens Leo found as a boy to hide and keep the civilians safer, as well as founding the Red Arrows main base right under Athens Capital.
By the end of the second year, Non humans were forced out of Athens, and half the country was against each other. On top of so many civilians. With so many people leaving, due to the laws or the war, along with the constant battles all over Athens, the population was plummeting. The underworld of Athens did the same, with so many gangs and routes broken by all the war and laws. Leaving the bounty hunters, few crime bosses, and anybody left that wasn't a civilian or a soldier to be slowly being swallowed up by a darkness that had been there long before them. The Red Arrows grew, taking Cretan as a city of resistance after its civilians worked with the Red Arrows to free it.
By the third year, so many of the stronger Red Arrows and Elites had been killed in battle. They strained themselves, all while people left constantly, and the war only got bloodier. Because of the A.C.T, the All Countries Together document signed after the Demi-human war ended, a massive set of Laws agreed on between the four countries of Saga, when situations like these arose you couldn't attack or assist. In case of this civil war, it was left for Athens to decide its own history. However, if Athens asked a country for assistance then the other country could agree due to it being a civil war, but Beauregard couldn't because his ideals went against the other countries policies. And Ravoira didn't want to help because it couldn't take over, or somebody like Kioshi would have had to step in. But Gray and the others have not formerly been made Knights in their countries by law, so helping the Red Arrows win and let Leo become king is perfectly in line with the A.C.T. They just had to reach it.
And now, past the beginning of the fourth year and almost to the fifth, Athens was about to end. And that shadow was about to envelope everyone. Athens Capital, amidst a massive and bloody battle, was watching up in the sky as the shadows crest faded from the firework it emerged from. The Sect of Anarchy, at The Red Arrows highest moment. All while Beauregard bashed his hands against his massive window overlooking the smoking, screaming capital, crying, screaming and about to laugh. He had lost, but Leo had lost along with him. Athens was going to end Beauregard's country and nothing more. His Athens.
Beauregard {You can't take this away from me, this…I beat you huh? it only took my whole life.}
Down below atop a tall tower stood Gray, Rosemary, Julius, Caesar, and a heavily injured Leo all broken by the sight. But Gray felt like he got shot with a bullet. Here, always here, always in his way, always killing and endangering his family. Sokus' home, the mansion, the castle, his journey to Athens, and now they pulled Athens' final curtain.
Leo: "We have to act! I'll wait for Toll, you all can go towards them!"
Rosemary: "Is that safe!? If it's an upper pillar they could end this war now! And if it's Lower Pillars that might even still be enough to lose!"
Julius: "And it's imperative that we go into the Tower as fast as possible, before your body finally drops, before they can leave or unleash more, and while we still have soldiers."
Caesar: "I'll go to the Sect with my Spartans, but I'll need back up!"
Rosemary wanted to step forward, Julius would do it if he had to, Leo would do anything if they really wanted him to, but Gray was broken with quakes. Shaking and shaking, overwhelmed by all the screaming and clashing behind him, the large tower looming, the Sect that could appear any second. And still he stepped forward first, like he was trying hard to exhale, and stared toward Caesar.
Gray: "I'll go! Knowing me they probably followed me. I kept fighting with them on my way to Athens too. The Sect is a Walgonia problem."
Leo: "The Sect is a Saga problem, they're just focused in Athens! Don't run into a fight you can't win just because you think you should!"
Julius: "I fear he may be right. Compared to us, Gray cannot compete with people like Calgary or Irsa for long without breaking himself. Against the Sect his spells, mana, strength, and weird mind seem to work well against them. And his strange luck. Against less combative magic Rosemary and I would struggle."
Leo: "Then stay safe! And think! This is a war, not revenge."
Gray took a heavy breath, a gulp, and a heavy shake, before running to the edge with Caesar's hand in his.
Gray: "You won't freak out right!? You don't get hurt!"
Before Caesar could fully answer Gray had put his mask on to cover his freaked out face, waved to Rosemary, and jumped with a low flow of mana mixed with spirit mana.
Caesar: "I heal, I still feel all the pain! I just don't care, but it still hurts!"
Gray shot the Cloak out to a nearby crumbling tower anyway, swinging low over some Warriors, and right out from the alley. They twisted around, for Gray to send out another side of the Cloak and curve his swing across the street, near the side of a shop, and then upward back over the street. It was flimsy, he was flipping and yelling with Caesar, but they were quickly nearing the Sects side of the Capital. Rosemary, Julius, and Leo had to act just as fast. So Leo stepped forward, looked right toward the Towers window, and had an idea.
Leo: "Knowing him his doors shut, the only one without breaking through or around is in that window."
Julius: "The one at the very top, right?"
Leo: "Yeah!"
Rosemary: "How's that possible!"
Leo: "It's easy!"
With a bit of convincing, Leo jumped back to Rosemary and Julius closed palms. Rosemary used the fourth stage, Julius used as much strength as he could without his Dragons fist, and Leo gave his best leap. With all of that it sounded like a bomb had gone off, attracting even more eyes as he flew straight up through the air. Like a cannon ball, all he could leak out was his mana and aim his spear forward. Closer and closer, whispering like an arrow, until he almost stopped right in front of the window.
Beauregard: "NOOOO -
He tried to back away the second he saw his brother, and yet Leo had smashed through the window almost as quickly. Sliding across the large broken office drooling blood, before staring his brother in the eyes for the first time since his capture. Alone for the first time since before the war.
Leo: "This war has ended."
Beauregard, filled with so much fear, rage, wiped his tears away. Still standing, ready to fight his broken brother with the little strength he had. But in the end, it didn't matter. And Beauregard knew it.
Beauregard: "Killing me, stopping me, it does nothing. This war ain't over till WE'RE ALL DEAD!"
Following Leo's influence, Rosemary grabbed hold of Julius. Jumping toward the tower cloaked in the fourth stage, over the ocean of Warriors and Elites shooting out magic. She jumped and jumped, between the air like a soaring sun, before zig zagging right into the center of the tower with a large boom. A mass of soldiers tried to rush into the tower, but heading through them was a large torrent of pressure.
Toll {JUST STAY DOWN, DIE DIE DIE!}
Toll, bashing Frank back over and over again. Breaking his large body constantly bursting with mana and flames, eroding itself away to try and hold together. But the elixir was running its course, and his body was finally burning away like ash from within his destroyed Dragon stone armor. Still Toll was forced to smash, erupt, combust the capital streets with massive kick after kick, quick jab after jab, to fully overwhelm and crush this beast. It had taken a while, but their battle finally ended between a majority of the remaining soldiers. Thousands spread in the Capital, constantly dropping, but still thousands stared around like the ocean of hate they were. As Toll punched Frank's roaring mindless face again and again. To break Salzar's serum, to stop the magic that had been brewing since the Valentines started decaying.
Toll: "END THIS END END DIE DIE JUST STOPP!!!"
She sent out small blasts of pressure with each rapid blow, forcing the soldiers trying to help their top Elite back in the last seconds he was alive. Frank Will, a product of a need for strength, what somebody would do to become an Elite in this country. He lost his mind hours ago, the moment he was injected Frank was gone, but he could still see through the blinding serum. The pain. The blood. And watched in fear, and with a hint of joy as he watched Toll pull back her first for the last time. And crush his skull.
Toll: "NOOW FOORR YOUUU!!!"
She had carried that momentum with her breath, pulled her leg up, and slammed it down toward a large torrent of fire magic. It carried through. Blasting past the fire and into the Elites that fired it off, crushing the Warriors behind them, and dropping the hearts of the surrounding force. As Toll did the same thing again. Like Garly, Lincoln, Raylice, the true Elites in this country weren't those with incredible magical talent like most of the world. It was strength, control, mastery, with a sealing far higher than anywhere else in the world because of how far they've reached in the field of might. Of Warriors.
Toll {I'll cull the herd for as long as I can! You've made it to the Tower, you can end this! If Leo does it then our Red Arrows can finish the job! I just have to make sure to destroy them as much as I can before it all ends!}
She felt like she had already lost, at least for her own life's sake, but with all of her family on the line because of it, she fought as hard as she did against Arthur. When she sensed earth magic beneath her feet, mana swell near her, the sound of an incantation, she acted. Blasting forward with a jump, aiming her leg forward to bulldoze whoever stood in front down. Earth, ice, or flame walls brought down. Athens wasn't never known for their magical abilities, which was why Kacy and Olivia stood out so much, but it meant they couldn't match up in terms of anything. There were plenty of humans stronger than any race, the same could be said for any race or any particular person, but at its core Demi-humans naturally had more might. Whether it be defenses, strength, speed, healing, natural abilities or appendages, even small things like claws or stronger bones. Humans had their magic, their spiritual connection, not as great as Elves or Half-Elves, but they still had it. Without it, humans were just scared creatures trying to fight for control, these humans anyway.
Toll: "RUN! SAVE YOUR SELVES! LEAVE THIS DAMN COUNTRY OR FIGHT TO END IT!"
Massive punch after punch, hitting Elities hard enough to send back anybody behind them. She made sure not to waste a spec of stamina, so all of her attacks were these hordes of Elities. But everybody fell to her might.
Toll: "WILL YOU BE A WARRIOR OR FALL TO THE SLAUGHTER! DO YOU STILL LAUGH AT THE STRENGTH OF THE DEMI-HUMANS!? DO YOU STILL THINK YOU ALL ARE RIGHT!?"
She leapt into the air and kicked back down to make a clear space in this ocean of soldiers, dashing right into another to carve line after line free, and then spin around to release that momentum. Exhaling all of her breath so hard it hurt, kicking so hard her entire body shuttered and quaked, and cleared the soldiers inside the opening she carved.
Toll: "DO YOU THINK WE'RE JUST ANIMALS NOW!? SLAVES!? TOOLS!? OR ARE WE SMARTER! WE FIGHT FOR EVERYONE, FOR PEACE! YOU'RE ALL JUST DAMN MONSTERS! YOU'RE NO WARRIORS! YOU'RE JUST INSANE! ANIMALS!"
An arrow to the shoulder, a hefty blow across her semi horse-like face, a torrent of water pressure, explosions of fire, smashes from large weapons, it stacked faster and faster as she unleashed her power. Doing all she could to break down these Warriors, and even still she looked up at the Tower. Where Rosemary and Julius separated while going up the Tower, where Leo and Beauregard began to speak. Where Calgary and Irsa fled to stop the intruders.
Ceasar: "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!?"
So much was happening, and Gray could only think of the worst. Caesar was grabbing hold around Gray's neck, choking him out as they flipped and spiraled through the air. Gray was freaking out, barely missing the many Warriors chasing him and in the middle of battle all around. The Sect was nowhere to be seen, but Ceasar kept leading him toward the West Wall. His Cloak held tightly around the many columns and buildings tightly built together in Athens, the stone holding tightly or breaking the second he swung with it.
Gray: "I can hardly do this myself!, and I've got even less practice with another guy! I'm better at gliding anyway! But I can't do that with you!"
Caesar: "Whatever it's okay! My Spartans should be grouping up ahead! But I still don't see the Sect! I wonder if it was just a distraction!"
Gray: "Knowing them it's probably a warning for what's to come! If we underestimate them we've lost! I won't let Athens turn into another Walgonia! If I do that, then this really will have to be my end!"
Caesar: "Kinda dark but I get it! That's why we're both here right!? In this world!?"
Caesar was solely afraid of Gray's awkward swinging, talking just fine with all the fire blasts, flying Demi-humans, falling buildings, and crashing Warriors Gray was desperately swinging over. Still he swung low, kicked through some Warriors by pushing his legs to a Half-Power flow, before swinging up and back into the air.
Caesar: "How are you doin this man!? I could never! What type of drugs have you been on!?"
Gray: "Lot's and lot's of really scary and painful fighting! Super strong masters! This mana is a blessing too! And the Spirit sense! But this Cloaks Azalea's! What about your mind, witch!?"
Gray joined in a bit, to clear his mind of the melting panic, before losing all focus as they swung back into battle.
Caesar: "I blocked that thing out a long time ago!"
Gray and Caesar slid into the battlefield, overlooked by the massive wall circling the Capital. Where so many civilians were still rushing to safety, were so many Warriors and Spartans were fighting, where Gray had to be. And they were ready to fight just as much as everybody. Rosemary got further up the stairs, rushing across a hall to the next to stop as hard as she could. As she lost control of her stages, she could only tremble as all of her anguish turned into pure panic.
Calgary: "Hey honey? Knew you'd come running back."
And that panic turned right back into absolute hatred.
Rosemary: "You're gonna tell me what really happened to the Goldenknights, or anything I can use against the Sect. And then I'm…I'm going to kill you. For what you've done. For being a Goldenknight with pride, for being with Athens, for what you did to me…"
She wasn't screaming. She wasn't crying. She was heating up. Swelling and swelling, bursting out with her stages. Her eyes blank with her might, lighting up the dark hall with her golden light. She had held in all her strength just for this, to crush Calgary and stop him from shifting this battle at all, but all he did was smile through his broken Dragon stone armor.
Calgary: "If I have to drag you by your neck cause I broke your back I won't mind, but it won't be a nice time I promise you that. And I can show you a real good -
Rosemary burst into the fourth stage and clapped her hands. Thinking of Toll as she did, and sent forward a large burst of wind pressure that forced Calgary into the fourth stage to resist. The attack caused the broken tower to shake, triggering Julius to pause at an upper floor. Most of the floors above and in the center of the tower were destroyed by Arthur and Toll during their battle, forcing Julius to the edge just like Rosemary was. Facing out at Athens. Although in Julius ' case he wasn't facing Calgary, instead his rapier was pointed toward a large glowing purple thorn construct.
Irsa: "Killing you will make me happier than I've been in months."
Julius: "Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Thorn."
All of the fire in the Capital was converging. Julius stepped toward battle, Rosemary and Calgary began their duel, Leo and Beauregard were starting to scream toward each other, Gray and Caesar jumped into action against the Warriors in their search for the Sect, and yet the Pirates Camp burned just as bright. Without any idea of what was happening in the Capital, nor the Sects arrival, it was a wasteland of its own. The outer forest was covered in bodies from all sides, random Spirit Beasts that got in the way, burning trees or large patches of grass from magic. It got denser and more violent the closer you got to the mass fire that was the Gravestone's camp.
The Pirates flew or flapped through the air, leapt into the sky, tunneled under the ground, or just charged forward with all their might. Against other Demi-humans doing the same, Spartans always leaping out of the shadows to target weak points, humans that cast spells to push them back. Certain types of Demi-humans had completely different weaknesses and advantages depending on the Spirit Beast they were connected to, but here it was mostly woodland against aquatic Demi-humans, the Red Arrows side had the advantage. But on the other end, these pirates were just as or more experienced than the Red Arrows. And those that survived this far were the best of what the Pirates had. So they roared and rampaged against people doing the same all around the front of the camp, a circular battle forcing back and forth.
Inside it moved Crevasse, laughing and wheezing while bashing away Red Arrows with his rock hard backhands. He had left a massacre of his own, but he was far behind by now. Taking out the stragglers, the smaller groups, unable to bulldoze through the heart of battle anymore.
Crevasse {Wonder if all this will get me promoted to a four skull bounty hunter. I could probably take on one of them. Probably gonna get paid better, I just gotta survive. Now just where would that survival be?}
He looked toward the outer woods, away from the capital, near where Peter was pacing in circles around an injured Dema desperately trying to do anything but panic. Another flame about to connect. But they all could feel it. They weren't nearly as strong as Raylice, Leo, Garly, probably even Toll. But the force echoed through the camp, a hint of fear that kept Crevasse away. Even if Crevasse had targeted him the second this battle started.
Crevasse {You better win this shit Moro, I know that guys a Helsing but he's now awakened! No mark either, and you're a Gravestone! You can win it if I don't help right? Hell you'd probably get mad. I wish you luck then.}
They dashed back and forth. Clashed claw to Dragon stone. Roar to roar. Edward and Moro, clashing again and again. And still Moro had no idea who this was, why he was doing this. All he knew was that this man was going to crush his dreams, his life. And for some reason, even if he knew he was so much stronger even without his transformation, this man was challenging him. Moro lunged, swiped, constantly sent out punches that should have broken Edward instantly. But Edward was constantly dodging, slipping away, moving through sheer instinct, before throwing out all his sharpened hate into his mighty swings. Cutting through his dense skin each time, heavily aided by his Dragon stone, but without his might it's incredible sharpness would be useless. Compared to his previous sword Bjorn, this yet to be named Dragon Stone blade was far, far better. Bjorn was thick and rectangular, flat edged, like a slab of iron with a hilt. Something to break whatever was in his path, thick enough to not shatter on whatever he was fighting. But Dragon Stone, this incredibly dense and sharp blade took all of Moro's punches better than any shield, slightly flexed under the pressure enough to stay stable and crunch Moro's hefty knuckles under his own strength.
Edward: "FIGHT BACK! WHY AREN'T YOU WINNING! KILL ME! HURT ME! WHERE'S YOUR STRENGTH!"
Edward was trying so much harder than Moro while Moro tried his best to defeat Edward without trying at all. Edward moved as hard, as fast, as confident as possible. But Moro stood like an iron wall, a cannon, trying his best to break Edward without moving. Hardly acting, simply reacting, and he was failing. When Edward sent the massive cannons aside the ship at Moro he was forced to block. When Edward smacked the large Demi-human sized cannon balls through the air like a baseball bat with his blade, Moro bruised and broke himself to smash them back into the sky.SHOW ME THE CAPITAN OF THE GRAVESTONE PIRATES!"
Moro couldn't slash through Edwards pristine armor, but he could land hits hard enough to freeze Edward in place. Crush his ship, crush Edwards momentum, and send him rolling backward. Giving Moro the chance to burst forward and swing a wild haymaker aimed right at Edwards head. Then, like Conroy, Edward moved like a snake beneath Moro's legs to dodge.
Edward: "HOW ARE YOU THE MAN WHO BROKE ME!?"
A cut at Moro's side, then a backhand from Moro that sent Edward spinning into the air.
Edward {FIGHT HARDER! DAMMIT FASTER FASTER FASTER!}
His Warriors Spirit, no, it was his own insanity. His absolute hatred, his need for vengeance, the adrenaline, made his screams a reality. But it was his focus, his control over his body. He flipped back onto the mast mid air to launch down and slam his blade against the deck, then again again again cleave slash up down across. Force this monster back no matter his strength. Small gashes formed across Moro's arms, legs, sides, before Moro pulled that blade close and smashed his skull against Edwards helmet.
Moro: "YOUR BLOOD WILL BE SWEET!"
Edwards' heart dropped; in the moment Moro bashed his head, he opened his massive jaw. And grabbed hold of Edwards head.
Edward: "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Without a second of hesitation, as Moro was biting down as hard as he possibly could, Edward forced out absolutely everything he could. His mind completely focused on Moro, on his rage, on killing this beast, on unleashing his internal strength, and he landed it. A wave of pressure further crushed the thick ship's floor, his Dragon stone blade slid through Moro's collar bone, his arm felt a surge of extreme tightness and pain, but his internal mana wasn't unleashed. Instead Edward was forced to use his other hand and grabbed hold of Moro's face, screaming and screaming as he felt his helmet crunch under Moro's pressure. His teeth began to bleed, crack, but he was absolutely dead set on biting Edwards head clean off.
Edward: "GET OFF GET OFF GET OFF!"
Moro used the hand not holding Edward to bash his side, while he sunk his claws through the small slits in Edward's armor. Edward sawed at Moro's collar, he tore Moro's golden nose ring out, grabbed hold and ripped his pointed ear off, but Moro didn't let go until he tried gouging Moro's eye out.
Edward: "GET OFFFF MMEEE!!!"
Edward screamed toward the heavens. He was pleading, begging, doing everything he could to not die like his mother did. Moro was bleeding, crying, in so much pain, and still he went to bite Eward again. He was quickly met by a kick to the face, crushing his already broken nose and forcing him back, leaving a small space between the heavily dazed Warriors.
Edward: "Ahhehh…eahguhg…"
He was lost in a daze, right before his helmet broke to the ground. Showing a bleeding, bruised, cut, and familiar face. Moro held his disabled right arm in immense anger, soaking the ground in his drooling strength, but using his only working eye he saw him. He finally saw him. And he laughed.
Moro: "...YOU!? HOW!? IT'S BEEN WHAT!? A MONTH!? HOW HAVE YOU DONE THIS!? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!? IS IT JUST THAT DRAGON STONE, WERE YOU JUST NOT TRYING BEFORE!? WHAT CHANGED!?"
Edward: "I DID!"
Moro was silent, but Edward just yelled. He was hardly thinking. He was barely breathing. He couldn't even feel the pain he was in. He just said everything his heart was burning to say.
Edward: "WHEN I FIRST FOUGHT YOU I WAS JUST ANGRY! BUT NOW I'VE FOCUSED IT! I'VE FOCUSED MY STRENGTH! I'VE TRAINED WITH THE STRONGEST! I WENT THROUGH WEEKS OF HELL TO START MASTERING MY MIGHT! AND DAMMIT I'M A HELSING! A HELSING, EVEN A BROKEN ONE LIKE ME WILL STILL GROW FAR FASTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS WORLD! ASK MUSASHI! AS MY FATHER! AS LINCOLN VALANTINE, WHO HELPED MAKE ME THIS WAY!"
Moro: "SO YOU'RE JUST SCUM! A RAT BLESSED WITH EVERYTHING IN HIS LIFE YOU -
Edward couldn't even let Moro finish his sentence without finally breaking, and laughing himself. Moro finally knew who Edward was, and he was embarrassed. He was so angry, disturbed, and Edward loved it. His vengeance, the reality he had, it had all burned away into this war. The connection between Edward and Moro wasn't a long term hate, maybe for Edward but definitely not for Moro. No. This connection was forged by war long ago. By the humans and the Demi-humans, by his father and Moro's father, by Moro. Edward was the end product of a long line of hate, and it wouldn't end here. It was all so much larger. Athens, Walgonia, Saga. Edward felt like a spec of sand in a desert, crying out to be seen. Filled with so much rage, sadness, confusion, he was spiraling. He had been since the start of this battle, since he first met Moro, since his Helsing line was ended. Since he was a little boy, Moro took all he had from him.
Edward: "...I'll kill you. For Jasmine Valantine, for Bjorn of the Iron Fist, for all the people of the South Island. But for Athens, for the Red Arrows! FOR WALGONIA! YOU WANT THE GRAVESTONE PIRATES TO SURVIVE! YOU JUST WANT TO SURVIVE! I JUST HAVE TO HURT YOU! I JUST HAVE TO PUSH YOU TO THE BRINK! AND YOU'RE LOOKIN HALF DEAD ALREADY!"
Moro couldn't help but roar, running on all fours as fast as he could to leap and swipe toward Edward. Missing, and cutting right through the mast. As it fell Moro grabbed hold and spun round and round, failing to stop Edward as he leaped around and cut across his back yet again. This time he jumped right back up, locking his blade around Moro's neck to try and cut his throat out.
Moro: "YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET!"
He jumped, far into the black sky, and aimed right down. Holding Edward tight as he struggled to get through Moro's impossibly thick neck, and cracked down through his already broken ship. Edward managed to push himself away once they hit the bottom, and when Moro sprung up out of the rubble, the Helsing was nowhere to be found.
Edward {What?}
The bottom area was filled with crates upon crates. Barrels, boxes, thick safes small and tall, anything that could hold something. Some held weapons, ores, coins, but Edward felt the leaking powder by his hand while he hid in the maze of supplies. Most of the crates were filled with explosive powder for their canons, and flame crystals, with their more expensive goods farther up the ship for safety. It made it far harder for Moro to sniff Edward out while throwing all the boxes side to side, over Edward, behind him, in front of him, completely away from him. Bulldozing with a rabid bloodlust. Edward however took this time to breathe, to panic, to drag his bleeding and screaming body toward a true victory.
Edward {I can use this, think like Gray and the others! If I want to win a real battle I've got to do more than just take the hits and throw out my own!}
Edward shuffled through the fear. It was all too familiar. Moro's presence, ready to end Edwards life the second he saw him, the war surrounding it all. And Edwards' strength was falling. Leaving him to be that same little boy covered in new armor.
Edward {I can do this! I can turn the tide! He hasn't transformed yet, I don't know what tricks he has, but If I can end it now I don't care if I go up with him! I'll beat him and probably destroy the Gravestone Pirates at the same time!}
Moro's thuds quickly closed in with each violent sniff, right before he kicked a torrent of pressure forward to destroy some more crates.
Moro: "THHERREE!"
Moro finally sniffed out the thickest scent of blood in the room, and barely missed as Edward pushed everything he had into jumping. He didn't attack, he didn't roar, he just ran for his life. Rolling across the ship to jump, to sprint, to head toward anything he could use. And used his strength to rip open a thick safe, something he slammed shut as hard as possible.
Moro: "RUN RUN LITTLE RABBIT!"
Moro began to slowly walk toward Edward, until the silence was broken by a sizzle.
Moro: "You've gotta be kidding me."
Edward had used a flame crystal to light a barrel of explosive powder just before he leapt away. And in a second, it all flashed white. From the outside the Pirates and Red Arrows looked on, Soku and Ju'stone paused mid-battle to brace, and Moro felt an absolute sense of terror. All of the explosive powder, the explosive cannon balls, the flame crystals, the spirit fauna and elixirs, anything and everything flammable and combustible all smashed together.
Edward {Did I do it?}
The force smashed against Edward and the large safe he took cover in. As the bright orange, red, and white flames of the explosion circled the room. And flashed through the ship. It sounded like a roar, a massive attack, as flames erupted out of the iron and wooden ship. From the sides, building up as it caused even more explosives to ignite placed around the entire ship. Causing the entire thing to go up in one big blast, sending the nearby ship Soku and Ju'stone fighting out of the bay. The flames quickly spread, Soku and Ju'stone bounced across their deck, and the many pirates near or on Moro's ship were instantly scorched.
Soku: "EDWARD!"
Soku went to leap out of her battle and toward a friend in need, a massive pillar of fire still rising ahead, but was met by a hefty strike from Ju'stone. Her quick flow of wind shielded her from a lot of the damage, but her arm still crunched under the heft of his power, throwing her further back across the ship. Unable to go anywhere but right in front of her, right toward Ju'stone.
Soku {I can't lead him over there, and I don't think he'll let me leave so easily. Shit! Don't run! Do it yourself! I can win! WE ARE WINNING! AND I CAN'T BE THE LOSER WHO MESSES THAT ALL UP! UGH! I HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING OPHELIA, YOU WANTED ME TO TRY AND BE A KNIGHT SO BAD! So WATCH ME! ALL OF YAH!}
Sokus' wind spiked and screamed as it lit the air and pushed away the sprinkling rain. Rosemary's golden stages clashed against Calgary's. Julius dashed around Irsa's flying thorn before swinging his blade right up toward her throat. Beauregard threw out a punch toward Leo that got grabbed tightly. And the flames of Moro's ship slowly died down into a thick fire surrounding the destroyed floating remnants of the ship. Then came all of the Red Arrows and Spartans gouging themselves in the slaughter against the pirates. The hundreds of warriors Toll was killing herself to break down in front of the Tower. Even Gracey and Hartly, who tried their best to crush the Red Arrows as a duo, were forced to head toward large blast flames rampaging against some Red Arrows. Kacy, desperately using the last of her strength to clear the many soldiers charging to face her, and yet she was instantly filled with fear.
Kacy: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
She was forced to jump into the street, away from a slash of wind that threw her further back. Her Mark screamed in pain, but still she threw her hand forward to charge as much earth mana as possible toward Olivia.
Olivia: "Stand down! Fight with the Red Arrows like we are, do it if you want to live!"
Kacy: "You think I'd ever help those monsters!?"
Olivia sighed, as she felt Loraine let go of her bow string. And stopped Kacy's attack with two arrows in her arm. Sent from the shadows of a tall tower roof overlooking the battle. It opened her up for Olivia to hit her with a punch covered in regular mana. Right across the jaw, then a kick to the stomach, before Olivia landed one final hefty kick to her face. Kacy, out of stamina already, could only smile with her bloody teeth as she tried to reach for her pipe. She only had Gracey and Hartly, who froze at the sight of their traitor.
Oliva: "Ugh, please don't fight, I really don't want to have to hurt kids."
Hartly: "I'LL SHOW YOU HOW A CHILD FIGHTS THEN!"
Kacy managed to bash Olivia away in her moment of hesitation, slid her foot, and roared in pain as the earth carved upward around them. To trap Olivia with them, alone, pushing away Red Arrows rushing to aid. So many fates were crashing together, with all endings that could change the winner of this war at heart. That building and rising panic, the always overlooking symbol of this country. Forgotten, silenced, used. Gray and Caesar sprinted toward that end, for a perfect view.
Caesar: "We need to get a vantage point or something! The top of the tower could work! And they'd stop raining down shit on us!"
They were pushed to the large exit of the West side. So many homes smashed together were crumbling, filled with Warriors and Spartans tearing each other to pieces. But through the arrow, the magic, jumping off the heads of the Warriors, and sliding onto his face was Gray. Ready to put Spirit mana into his Cloak, grab hold of Caesar, and act on his command without a thought.
Gray: "Got it! We can't let the Sect have a second of an advantage!"
Gray sent the Cloak out as far as he could in two separate segments, pulled tight the second it clumped into the old and incredibly dense dirty white stone, and with the aid of a low level flow of mana he yanked. Sending them flying a few stories past what Gray had grappled and they screamed the entire way. Right until Gray used his mana to dig into the wall while his Cloak stuck to it to hold them. Gray didn't try to think about looking down, before he sent the Cloak up and bent backward. Standing on the side of the wall like it was a normal floor, and rocketed even further up the massive wall.
Behind them, was the art, the beauty of whatever War held.
The bright colorful lights of magic, the burning buildings like spotlights for the roaring actors. People with entire lives, families, stories, futures or pasts that were widely different from every single other. And they died. They died and died. Demi-humans who had stronger Spirit Beast bonds or less scary ones, humans with a little more mana than the friends he had growing up, people with a little more money, who had wives and husbands or have yet to find that love. Those connections separated, snapped, were shredded with boiling hot blood and tears. Crushed under collapsing buildings, lit by large blasts of fire, caught up in the battles of all these Elites. These Gods, compared to the weakness of being normal. Crushed under the weight of a blessing. Their king's beliefs, a rebel force. The Sect were here to crush it, but the Sect themselves were the result of this exact reality. For people who couldn't accept their place in the world, the hand they felt, the people they had to live under and follow. If you didn't have something, you were just the thousands of people screaming with all they could hold on their way toward a ship that couldn't save them. That could never take them to somewhere safe.
Gray {I just have to keep going! Rosemary, she's way more capable than me! If I could hurt Calgary, if he's still weak from his fight against Toll, then I know she'll do it! They can all do it! So move dammit! You have so much strength left, mana! What would Venyet or Lanner say? Chris or Jong! Gordon, Ryo! Dammit!}
But he could only really think of his first master, the first person who reached out to Gray. Musashi, smiling as he used his power the best he could in spite of his fear, his rage. But when Gray looked back to the blinding and deafening war, the constant horrific violence at every look, he saw Ophelia. He heard her screams. He saw Al taking his last breath. Kioshi exploding in an instant. Musashi, losing his soul with a smile. But he made his choice, right? He got his Third chance, he said goodbye to his parents with Azalea, and still he weighed so much. The flame within was getting small again, and it was scaring him just as much as what might happen to him. But then he saw Caesar, listening to him trying to constantly make small talk about being from Earth, and Gray tried to put on his best smile too. Before he pulled them for the last time, they landed on the wide walkway along the wall.
Gray: "Get them?"
The Warriors had run from the Spartans climbing behind them, leaving a small open space for Gray to take advantage of. Instantly he rushed against the ledge, and looked over the massive city. Far smaller than Walgonia's capital, but, watching so many smoke stacks. So much battle that it was in the dots he couldn't make out even with the spirit mana enhancing his vision. Everywhere he couldn't see, didn't think about. But he tried his best. His very best, and took in Spirit mana with each hefty inhale. More, more, thicker, until he looked out. It was blinding, it gave him a massive headache, but he could make out all of the mana. Surging against each other, eating away and over taking, filled with so many collars in a mana made world. But the only corruption he sensed was Caesars, and he dropped to his knees.
Gray: "Maybe it was a -
Caesar: "Why didn't you join the Sect? They came after you right? What turned you away."
Gray looked back, confused, a bit angry Caesar didn't seem to care about this at all, but spoke before he could do something rash. Or think long enough to definitely be rash.
Gray: "They attacked my friends, tried to kill Rosemary for being a Goldenwind. Then they attacked and burned down Musashi's mansion I was in, killed a friend, then took Walgonia! I would have never joined them, so why are you asking!?"
Caesar: "Calm down! It's just that I know why we're both here man! Because we didn't have a soul right!? We felt dead, that we didn't exist in that world, shouldn't! We're here because we have a soul now, maybe not our own, but one that pushes us forward! To do all the stuff we should have done!"
Caesar was throwing his arms up into the air, speaking grandly like he was making some wonderful speech. But all Gray could do was back away a bit, with confusion, and an obvious hint of panic. Something Caesar tried not to respond to. He just twisted, letting his long torn dark blue coat flow in the dying rain. Washing his pushed back black hair in the war.
Gray: "Well yeah, it's what I'm trying to do. Why are you asking me this? We have to find the -
Caesar: "This place was hell from the moment I got here! I hated it! I thought this was my punishment! I kept trying to do what I thought I should, then what I needed to do, but it's so obvious! Athens or Walgonia, Saga or the Southern Islands, everywhere in this world sucks! Lead by racists, sexists, homophobes or pedophiles! You've seen what Beauregard have done to these people! These Demi-humans! Or what this war did to all the people living here! Just a bunch of supremacists blessed, families with so much power just because they were born different from everybody else! The Helsings, Voria, Valentines, Valatroctius'!"
Gray pushed his hand back toward his blade's handle, but Caesar turned away anyway. He stepped to the other ledge, upon the tall block like railing. Staring right at Mount Yelira. Then to the NorthWest, to the Tower, to the Capital, and to Gray. Smiling, through his scars, through his deeply intense eyes. Gray just lost himself. His mind. Desperately repeating the same phrase over and over.
Gray {Please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no please no -
Caesar: "I've tried to be your friend man! We're both from Earth! We share the same purpose, the same ideas about stuff! We probably like a bunch of the same shows, movies, games or something! In this world I've never met somebody I could really be friends with, really connect to! Arthur's insane! But you, Gray Kyojin, you're a pretty great guy."
Gray's mask slipped off his trembling face, showing a boy. Melting with pain, dirt, small bruises, tears. Staring at Caesar in complete denial. In failure. And Caesar knew that that look meant what the Cloak was about to do, so he sighed. He turned. And he took something out of his pocket before extending his hands far into the sky facing Mount Yelira once again. Pushed mana into the small device in his hand, and bowed.
Caesar: "After this, I'll be more than a boy. I've done it. We've won. But even if you all have to die, I still think you're the only person I think is an honest Hero."
Gray couldn't attack. Because it didn't matter. The War was over. And the Sect of Anarchy had won. Athens had let out it's final breathe.
And Mount Yelira, had been set off.