United Against Hate: Chapter 24

Vincent sprinted across the dirt path and rolled quickly as the ground exploded. He swore whirling around and pulled his gun from the holster firing. The bullets were stopped dead by the shield of water as Cancer chased after him.

The Zodiac fired back with his own bullets and Vincent ducked down as they blew chunks of rock off the wall beside him. They had retreated to the narrow path around the temple for space.

“Just walk away from this Vince!” Cancer shouted. “I don’t want to hurt you!”

“Funny way of showing it!” he said turning around and swinging his sword.

Cancer blocked with one katar and lunged with the other. Vincent spun his gun around to block but was shoved back into the rock wall. Cancer shouted, “You’re just a normal man Vince. You don’t belong in this!”

“Don’t you think I know that!” Vincent shouted back. “But I’m watching my friend make a mistake. I’m going help knock some sense into you!”

“I have to do this Vince! I have to do this to avenge my dad!”

“By working with the people who helped kill him?”

Vincent kneed him quickly in the stomach then elbowed him in the jaw. Cancer stumbled backward one of his feet sliding off the path as he righted himself. Pointing both katars at him Vincent pointed his gun right back.

“This is the only option. I’m doing it and you won’t stop me.”

“Oh yeah? Then why didn’t you stop my attack just now?” His eyes widened and Vincent nodded pointing his sword at him. “Yeah I know how that shield of yours works. If you didn’t feel guilty or shaky about this you would have blocked that.”

Before he could say more Cancer shouted and tackled him to the ground. Alison zipped past riding on a moving trail of ice while Titanya flew after her. A lance of black magic manifested in their palm before launching it at Alison.

Alison raised her hands creating a thick shield off ice that ate the brunt of the damage. Through the fragments of ice Alison lunged, sending her own lances of ice back at them. Spreading their wings, Titanya caught the air and tried to avoid some of them but one hit their wing and they sank.

Spiraling downward they crashed breaking dozens of the thin trees. Sliding and catching themselves they looked at their damaged wing. Scowling they looked back into the sky and conjured a long spear of black light.

Alison came down, tracing their hand across the air and creating hovering blades of ice around her. “You’re pretty strong for a spellcaster,” Titanya scowling swinging their spear experimentally.

“You. We know who you are,” Alison said slowly. “You’re Silva.”

“Sorry but no. The names Titanya.”

“You’re the demon. But Silva’s inside you. We can sense her. Did you take control over her?”

Titanya shook their head, “We didn’t take shit. She just don’t wanna come out. And while she’s holing herself up, playing make believe, I’m gonna enjoy the body I’ve been given.”

Alison grit her teeth together, “Can you handle this Penny?”

“Forcing her consciousness back to the surface. That won’t be easy but I can try.”

“For the sake of her parents and siblings. I hope so,” Alison said and then leaned her head back. Her eyes flooded with black and Penny looked at Titanya. That caused them to take a step back.

“Whoa. You’re like me,” they dragged the spear across the ground and pointed it at them. “Haven’t had a fight against a demon in a long time.”

“Fighting as a demon isn’t the point of our confrontation,” Penny said spreading their arms.

Ice manifested on the ground and then they thrust both hands forward. Ice exploded from the ground at Titanya, but they stuck the spear into the ground they vaulted over it. Hanging in the air they turned and threw the spear. Penny raised their hand, snatching the spear from the air.

Tossing it aside they braced as Titanya flew into them, claws first. Penny slid backward but managed to right themselves. Leaning forward they stood up properly and slammed their head against Titanya’s.

The demon staggered and tried to back up but ice had covered their hands joining them together. Snarling Titanya opened their mouth and the glow of flame started to appear. Eyes going wide Penny jerked their head to the side and a chunk of ice hit Titanya in the head sending their fire to the side.

Virgo’s eyes glowed in a similar light to the flames that had exploded through the forest. The ground rumbled beneath her feet and she flew backward as the demon burst from the ground with their glowing red eyes.

Invictus landed and sprinted at her, mask split open in a snarl. Before they could get to her a pair of swords crossed against their mouth. Gemini slid backward already biting off more than he could chew. Before he could break, Invictus was lifted off the ground and thrown away.

Invictus flipped into the air only to come out on the ground, splashing as if in water. Alistair stood over Gemini brandishing his broadsword. “Are you okay?”

“Not really,” Gemini said chest heaving. “My brother’s fighting for the other team, there’s a crazy guy trying to end the world or something, and I think my dad’s dead. So I’m not doing great.”

Alistair squeezed his shoulder as Morrigan stood in front of him. “Handle what’s in front of you. And think of your next step afterward, not before.”

“Thanks Al,” he mumbled raising his swords.

“Nice job Invictus. Inspiring even,” Heine said, sarcasm dripping.

Invictus shook their head back and forth and gnashed their teeth together. But before they dove at them again Yanriel stepped forward holding their shield out. “Settle down. We have better ways to deal with this situation than throwing our heads at it.” They tilted their head to the side and watched Frost walk forward, his palms glowing. He closed his hands into fists and even they felt the sudden pull of gravity.

“Follow my lead. I’ll hold them in place and you finish them off,” Frost said as the stars started to manifest around him.

“Just be ready to strike. And don’t underestimate these people,” Heine hissed crouching.

Gemini and Alistair watched the mage approach and then felt his magic on them. Like tons of rock had dropped onto their shoulders. Slowly they sank to the ground, barely able to stay on their knees.

“What the hell?” Gemini grunted looking ahead of him

It was more than just a physical pressure on his body, it was even his senses. He could barely hear anything outside of a dull roar. He was forced to stare at the ground, his back feeling like it would snap in half at any moment.

Alistair grit his teeth together and slowly he started to raise his head as the muscle reknit themselves under his skin. “What kind of magic is this?”

“I don’t know. It feels like gravity itself is on us,” Morrigan said harshly, blood covering her rapier as she took a steadying breath. “But this is caused by a mage. And his focus can only be so strong. We’re stronger than it as knights of Cerise.”

“Of course Mori,” he said and he shut his eyes along with her, his blood racing through his body.

When they both opened their eyes again, they were a deep red. Not like the glow of the demons before them but murky red of blood. They both stared at Yanriel and rushed forward as if the magic wasn’t there at all.

Yanriel came forward, their sword clashing against Morrigan’s rapier. She took a step back riposting and then lunging back at the demon. The shield rose blocking the tip of the blade but Yanriel’s eyes went wide as they slid under her strength. “You’re just as much of a monster as we are.”

“Please don’t insult me,” Morrigan said lunging and leaping over the demon. She swung swiftly with her sword and Yanriel turned throwing the shield. The edge met her sword, knocking her away.

Morrigan landed lightly, spun around, and lunged. The shield came back and Yanriel caught it just in time to block the rapier. Morrigan pressed again getting close to the demon. “I am a greater monster than you could hope to be.”

Heine flipped over her head and landed behind Morrigan, “Truth or boast you should’ve drawn your other sword.”

Before those claws could connect Alistair’s sword blocked it. Grabbing the sword, he pulled back pinning the demon against his chest. “If Mori doesn’t feel the need to draw her sword, then I wouldn’t provoke it out of her.”

Rather than respond Heine shoved their arms out and the immense strength startled Alistair. Heine whirled around and their claws sliced across his chest. The strength of the blow sent him reeling and Heine chased after him their claws coming down like hammer strikes. Alistair moved his sword as fast as he could but it was too clumsy a weapon for how fast they were.

“Come on boy! Where’s that bravado now?” Heine shouted, tail lunging and wrapping around his arm pulling him forward. Heine flipped forward bringing both hands down on his head. The claws hit a light that hovered over him like a barrier.

Taking advantage of that surprise Alistair lunged with his sword. Before it could collide with the demon a wall of stones appeared in front of them. Scowling Alistair stared at it then looked back at Frost whose hand was extended.

“Don’t forget about me,” Frost said walking forward and throwing a larger rock at him.

The rock hit him in the head and his vision swam. But as another rock came, he caught it. “Trust me. I haven’t.” Alistair grunted and tossed it right back at the mage. But it hit the invisible shield and was repelled all the same. Frost winced under the force but he shoved him backwards with the same force.

Alistair braced and only slid backward, “How’s your opponent Mori?”

“Formidable. Yours?”

“About the same. Virgo’s protection has been a blessing.”

“Stop letting your guard down then,” she said and he laughed.

“Yes Mori,” he looked toward Frost and frowned. “Something tells me his body isn’t as strong as his magic.”

“I’d second that. We should bring the fight to him.”

“I can do that.”

Heine spat and glared at Frost. “Why is that girl’s power still affecting the outcome of this battle?”

“Shut up. It’s hard enough maintaining my powers against one of these Sanguiknights. And you’d have me try and slow down and inhibit two?”

Yanriel barked an aggressive laugh, “Is that an excuse we hear Frost.”

“A statement of fact,” he turned hearing the metallic clanging echo out. Luce and Umbra moved together their swords fast as the wind as they clashed with Invictus’s masked teeth. Virgo floated on the air and let out a cry blasting the shark backward. They slid across the ground. “Even the shark is having trouble.”

He started to say more but the ground rumbled and they saw the flash of light in the clouds. It was big enough to give them all pause and even surprise their opponents. “Let’s hope my king is doing better.”

The dark sky was split by orange light, covering the temple battlefield. At the base of the temple, flames grew in intensity as Leo roared. She brought her claymore down shattering the stone in one clean movement. Weiss flipped backward sliding across the ground as Leo pounced again.

Stars trailed her every moment and Weiss decided avoiding them was becoming troublesome. Pressing their hands together the black metal covered their arms and they caught the starry blade. Leo’s strength was immeasurable but the power from Heine wasn’t anything to ignore.

“I swear by Alpha and Omega I will kill you this time!” Leo roared the stars around her turning to fire.

Grinding their teeth together Weiss shoved the sword aside and it crashed into the ground. Lunging they cut a quick cut open at Leo’s cheek. For that they earned a burning punch in the face and slid backward across the ground.

Touching their face they pulled off the remains of the eye patch, “Is that any way to treat your older brother?” The missing eye was suddenly filled with white light and even Leo took a step back recognizing the power they suddenly displayed.

“I don’t have an older brother,” Leo scowled. She gripped her sword in both hands and then lunged forward.

They ducked the first thrust and then slipped under to avoid the second slash. Spinning around quickly Leo threw her sword at them. They jumped and Leo was already in the air her fist cocked back. “Leo Ignite!”

Her fist connected with an explosion, sending them crashing into the waters. She barely came down for a moment when Weiss emerged from the air poised in mid strike. Leo manifested her sword again, blocking their claws and almost dropping the weapon. Their mask was cracked but they pressed their advantage.

“You’re impressive little sister,” they said. “No wonder Alpha and Omega dote on you all.”

Leo roared, her sword’s edges glowing with flames as she swung up. The black substance raced to cover all of Weiss’s body and the flames engulfed them. Leo watched her flames travel into the sky fading at their apex.

Her flames illuminated the sky and lightning flashed echoing it.  She saw the flash of a shape and her eyes went huge. In the depths of the clouds, she could see a man covered in golden light. But as lightning flashed again, she could see the long serpentine figure of a dragon. And when the thunder clapped, she was sure she heard a roar echo it.

Daze flew through the air, clouds blowing away under his backdraft as Long chased him. The Zodiac’s eyes flashed as flew right into Daze with a crash loud enough to split the sky. Long’s clawed hands held Daze’s hand back, best he could.

Turning on the air Daze swung and sent the Zodiac back through the skies but he laughed leaning his head back, “Simply amazing! The power of a dragon and the power of the Zodiac. It exceeded my expectations! With you I will be able to ascend.”

“You will not use me as some stepping stool to your ambition,” Long growled and lightning flashed around them again.

“Oh but I will. Your power isn’t enough to stop me as is,” Daze traced a hand across his face as the metal moved to cover his face. “Any defense you to try to mount will be futile.

Long snapped his jaw shut as he crossed his arms in front of his body. The winds picked up swirling around him and the lightning boomed again. “You arrogant human. You choose to defile my temple and the gall to taunt me. I will eliminate you with the very power that you are so enamored with. Zodiac Long.”

The sensation that washed over the air was more than just magic. More than just power. The man and shape of Long vanished as something replaced it. Blue scales that glittered in the lightning, black talons that carved through the darkness, white ridges of bone traveling from the tip of the tail to the base of the head, a long mouth filled with teeth, and two long whiskers from the mouth.

The massive dragon dwarfed Daze and roared creating his own thunder. Daze stared up at him and clapped his hands together. “Good. Good! I never got to experience this before. The Zodiac of Xye at their truest power. To think that this had been hiding under my nose all this time.”

He turned and flattened his sword against his hand as the darker orbs at the bottom of the blade began to glow. “But don’t think that I will be defeated by you. On the contrary. You’ve just made this easier.” The sword darkened around his hands and the oil exploded out of the sword to cover the sky in something darker than night. A darkness that Long recognized.

The oil swirled around the sky and grew into a shape. It stood upright like a shadow behind Daze. It had long arms and legs, thin but sturdy. Its head was all sharp angles with glowing golden eyes, and a mouth like an empty void. From its head were two antennae that hung behind it.

“In the world of Reditus, they were plagued by creatures known as nil. Nil are demons but they were the only demons to appear there. However, each nil is not unique. Every nil is a piece, a child if you would, of a much larger whole. That whole is this creature behind me. The original Nil. And it is more than powerful enough to subdue you, dragon of the Zodaic.”

Nil opened its mouth and let out a screech before barreling right into Long. The dragon coiled up and surged forward, striking it in the chest and bringing it down. Nill hissed, its claws tearing into the hide of Long and halted its descent. Turning in the air it swung and threw Long away before flying after him.

Long righted himself and with a lash of his tail, lightning came down striking Nil. The demon shrieked under the onslaught and finally caught a bolt with its hand. The skin smoldered as it looked at it curiously. But it whirled around and hurled the bolt right back at the dragon.

It struck him but he fought through the pain and sank his teeth deep into the neck of the creature. Heaving, he tore a chunk from Nil’s shoulder before launching it into the sky with another flash of lightning and boom of thunder.

 Letting out a surprised screech it turned but wasn’t fast enough to avoid Long as he darted after it. Quickly Long used his massive length and wrapped around the demon tightly like a snake. He squeezed and the demon screeched its response of pain. But Long wasn’t finished with it. Not that easily. He roared to the skies and they rumbled back glowing in the clouds.

Lightning rained down on the demon like a storm. The moment it struck Nil, it exploded in a deluge of ichor covering Long and raining to the ground below. The dragon roared its triumph with another boom of thunder and turned his glare onto the man who caused this attack.

But Daze was still smiling as he looked at him. “Good job falling into my trap.”

Long’s eyes widened as the ichor that covered his body started to burn. Started to move and spread along his untouched scales and face. He spun around, letting the rain come down harder but it didn’t help. All it did was spread the oil more until his body was drenched in it.

Daze walked forward slowly and then jumped along the air until he floated in front of the dragon’s massive head. He could see the man in the sapphire dragon’s eyes. Daze raised his sword pressing it against his forehead. “I am glad to have been able to experience you before my ascension.”

He lunged, piercing his head with the sword. The silence that broke through the storm was immense. Like an eye had appeared. Long shuddered and Daze watched cracks appear in the oil that covered his body. He felt the dragon shudder and then he shifted.

In the blink of an eye he shrank to just a man hovering in the air. His eyes were wild, almost rolling to the back of his head. When Daze pulled his sword free the blade was clean and the tip of the final spot was full. A sapphire crystal with a dragon coiled in the center. Long’s body glowed and then faded into azure light.

The sword vibrated under his touch and Daze took a very deep breath feeling the power wash over him. “Good. Very good. Very good indeed! It’s time!” Turning on the air he looked down at the battlefield. The burning forest, the smoldering stones, and even more so he saw Badou and his guardians along with their opponents.

“I could not have done this without your help king to Noria,” Daze said slowly. He raised his hand and the demonic core that he used as leverage over him appeared in his palm. “I have far more power than I would ever need. I have no more need for you or your guardians. And thus to reward your part in my ascension, I give you back your core. You may rule what is left of Noria once I raze it to the ground.”

He dropped the core and then pointed to sky with his sword. He the air before twisting it like a key. A hole opened and instead of black oil it was just magic. When the portal was large enough, he stepped through it just as the clouds parted and the last drop of rain fell.