章 532: Volume 5 – Chapter 145(Mary Skelter: Nightmares(Part 18))
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Author Note:
[ ] = When Twilight is speaking.
{ } = When talking through Telepathy.
' ' = When thinking in your mind.
<< >> = When talking with your Pokémon or Tamed Beast.
--- --- = When describing a certain period OR Another place.
** ** = Point Of View, i.e., POV
/// /// = In Call
" " = System and when talking to it.
「 」 = Thoughts being heard
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Bahamut didn't even get the opportunity to fight because whenever Ei or her clones used "Musou no Hitotachi," the time froze. And it just kept on stacking.
As a result, if before this move only left a few scratches on its scale, now the entire dragon was covered in them. Not only that, but many times, some slashes fell on the previous ones, making them deeper.
Still, Ei and her clones ignored those superficial injuries and focused on striking the flesh at the dragon's right chest, which was opened after its arm was destroyed.
Hence, with each passing second, many slashes started appearing on it, and blood started leaking out.
Though just when it appeared that Electro Archon had the upper hand, golden fire burst out of the Dragon like an explosion of a sudden.
BOOM!!!
The scorching flames soon engulfed the heavens, covering the sky in fire.
The temperature in the Inazuma rose drastically, and the sea started evaporating.
HISS!!
HIS!!!
The air became so hot that birds and animals living on the islands started dying, and vegetation also started wilting.
Before long, once beautiful Inazuma turned into barren land.
ZAP!!
A thunderbolt emerged from that golden sky before landing on one of the islands.
Electro Archon showed her appearance again, though her condition was anything but fine this time.
Her hair and clothes were somewhat scalded, and her underskin, red from the burn, was also visible.
She knew that if she hadn't retreated and protected herself at the last second, then her condition would be worse.
However, the same couldn't be said for her clones, as they all burnt to nothing.
She was also experiencing a searing ache from her injuries but was trying her best not to show it on her face.
She then lowered her head and looked at the barren land under her feet, full of cracks and emitting heat. She looked around and saw that it was the case for the whole island. The Air blowing was also very hot and dry.
This place was no longer suitable for humans to live in.
Seeing what had become of her nation, which she and Makoto had created together, pained her heart.
Clenching her fist in rage, she raised her head to look at the golden sky.
Ei: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
However, in the next second, her eyes widened in shock, witnessing Bahamut standing before her.
Yes. It was not in the sky or some distance. The Dragon was standing right in front of Ei at a distance of barely one meter. Yet, she didn't even sense it till now.
As she stayed on her spot in shock, the creature was glaring menacing at her.
Both kept on looking at each other. Both of their eyes were filled with rage and fury. They wanted to do nothing more than tear the other party apart.
ZAP!!
Electricity started coming out of Ei, and a chakra appeared behind her.
SWOOSH!!
Suddenly, she moved and swung her sword at the creature. But this time, something happened that made her bewildered.
SLASH!!
She slashed, but the dragon disappeared from its spot instead of taking it head-on.
Ei: Wha--
She didn't have time to process what happened because Bahamut suddenly appeared behind her and waved its golden flame-covered claw at her.
SWISH!!
CLANG!!
Fortunately, at the last moment, Ei turned and brought her sword in front to block it.
But the force behind that blow quickly overpowered her and smashed her hard in the middle of the island, creating a deep crater.
Then deep spider web-like cracks started spreading over the island from that crater.
Ei, lying in the center, grunting in pain. And then she felt some cool sensation on her back. She knew immediately that it was the water from the sea under this island. This indicates that that claw threw her so hard that the surface of the land and sea were connected.
Trying to get up, she sensed an increasing heat and looked above. There, she saw a huge golden fireball coming towards her.
WHISTLE!!
KA-BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fireball hit, and a humungous mushroom cloud rose high in the sky. Swallowing the whole island.
Not wanting to waste time for the dust to settle down, the Bahamut gathered more power and released them as golden ropes.
SHIN!!
SHIN!!
SHIN!!
...
…
Those ropes not only cut that mushroom cloud in two but even the sea was split into three sections.
SHIN!!
SHIN!!
SHIN!!
....
…
Discs, arcs, and thunderblades suddenly emerged from the sea and attacked Bahamut.
In return, the dragon snorted, and those strikes dispersed before they could touch it.
And then dragon ears perched and disappeared from its spot again.
ZAP!!
The moment it disappeared, Ei charged at her full speed and hit nothing but thin air.
Ei: Tch!
Clicking her teeth in annoyance, she looked around but failed to find any trace of it.
'Ei: Just where did it---'
She didn't get the opportunity to finish as the Dragon materialized at the side and swung its arm at her.
BAM!!
Ei: Kuh!
SWOOSH!!
She was thrown towards another island in the distance.
Ei: Auh…
She gathered her strength and tried to stabilize herself, but it was challenging.
Fortunately, she managed to stop her when she was just a few centimeters away from touching the ground.
Though the moment she raised her head, she saw many energy blasts coming for her.
FWOOSH!!
FWOOSH!!
FWOOSH!!
...
…
Knowing she couldn't afford to get hit, she moved swiftly and tried to dodge them.
BANG!!
BANG!!
…
This resulted in those blasts hitting the island behind her, causing explosions one after another.
Still, the Electro Archon didn't have time to worry about it, as numerous incoming projectiles required her full attention.
While trying to avoid those strikes, she suddenly saw something from the corner of her eye.
Like before, the Dragon had appeared dangerously close to her again without noticing.
'Ei: Oh no!'
That's all she could think, as she was too late to react.
GAWL!!
CRUNCH!!
Ei: ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She let out a heart-wrenching scream at the top of her lungs as the dragon bit off her entirely left arm to her shoulder.
Ignoring her painful cry, it moved its tail and coiled it around her.
Ei: Auh!
Ei tried to break free from it, but no matter how hard she tried, it was to no avail. On the contrary, seeing her futile struggle, Bahamut squeezed its tail even more.
CRACK!!
CRACK!!
…
The sound of bones breaking resounded. The purple-haired woman was trying her best to suppress the pain and focus on breaking free from its hold.
The dragon looked at her, and from its eyes, one could tell it enjoyed witnessing its prey tormenting in pain.
It then raised its head and started gobbling on Ei's arm, which was still in its mouth.
CRUNCH!!
CRUNCH!!
CRUNCH!!
...
…
The Electro Archon also heard that, but too bad the only thing she could do was glare at it.
Once it had finished feasting on an appetizer, it swung its tail and threw Ei towards the partially left island.
FWOOSH!!
BANG!!!
She smashed into the ground, covered red to toe in her blood. The red liquid leaking out from her shoulder also dyed the land underneath her in red.
CLING!!
CLANG!!
…
Turning her head to the side, she saw "Musou Isshin," which had slipped out of her hand and lay a few meters away.
Just when she tried to call it, Bahamut landed in front of her. Or, to be more precise, its giant foot landed right on her legs, breaking them in the process.
CRACK!!
Ei: AAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The woman screamed in anguish and used her remaining hand to move the dragon away, but it was useless.
Witnessing this, the dragon sneered and swung its claw.
SHIN!!
SPLURT!!!
Widening her eyes, the Electro Archon let out another heart-rendering scream.
Ei: ARRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With this, she lost three of her limbs and only had one arm left.
The Dragon then picked up one of her legs and put it inside its mouth.
CRUNCH!!
CRUNCH!!
…
While eating the limb, Bahamut was looking at Ei, who was dragging her legless and one-arm body towards 'Musou Isshin" and leaving a trail of blood behind.
Feeling amused, the dragon moved its hand and poked one of its sharp nails into the back.
PUCH!!
The nail easily penetrated through her back, breaking her bones and severely damaging her inwards.
It didn't keep its nail inside and soon pulled it out, letting blood gushed out.
SPLURT!!
Ei: Guh!
The purple-haired was using her whole willpower to ignore the suffering and was making her way towards her sword.
By now, the blood was even leaking out from the corner of her lips.
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
Ei: Kuh!
The dragon stabbed her again before pulling it out.
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
And again.
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
And again.
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
PUCH!!
SPLURT!!
...
…
When the creature was also done chomping on her other leg, the Electro Archon, who had reached the sword, was full of holes and was now bathing in her own blood.
It was indeed a bloody and gruesome scene.
Using her bloody hand, she was about to grab the handle of Musuo Isshin when a shadow covered her whole.
BAM!!
Bahamut stomped ruthlessly on Ei, making her condition even worse.
It not only destroyed the island entirely but also the force behind that stomp shot the purple-haired deep into the sea.
WHISTLE!!!
FWOOSH!!
BANG!!
And soon, Ei was plastered deep into the seabed below.
Water made even more blood leak out of her body, making the sea around her somewhat red.
The Electro Archon wanted to get up again. However, the strength didn't enter her body. Since the water was making her lose her blood even faster, her consciousness started becoming blurry.
Even the light barely reached this place.
'Ei: Is this the end…'
She thought as with each passing second, it became difficult for her to keep her eyes open.
She had given her everything in this battle. Yet, it was not enough.
She can't even bridge the gap between their strength, let alone thinking of winning.
At this moment, she remembered Primis's words about how the Seven Nations fell during Phase 2. That time, she wondered whether they could have won if they had strengthened their defenses.
But now, facing the enemy, she realized that it would not have changed the outcome even if they had done so. After all, their adversaries were just too strong. Even she could barely hurt them with her upgraded Musuou Isshin.
Ei: Is this our destiny to fall one by one... if it is, then what's the point of pursuing Eternity?
Eternity had different meanings to different people. For humans, it meant that they could have endless lifespans. However, the Archons or Gods of this world already had endless lives. Hence, they had different perspectives on eternity.
To them, by obtaining eternity, you were free of Erosion.
Erosion was a general term for the process of getting mentally eroded over time, or worn down, by a combination of factors affecting someone's life, including natural memory loss as well as emotional loss or experiencing traumatic events. Eventually, erosion will cause a person to lose their sense of self. Even powerful, long-lived beings like gods and elemental dragons are susceptible to erosion.
Hence, now facing Bahamut, Ei knew that even if she had obtained Eternity, it didn't hold any value in front of the creature.
But just when she was about to accept her end, it seemed that fate had something else in store for her.
SHINE!!
Before her eyes could close, she saw a light. A light was coming for her in this dark, cold depth of sea.
A light that brought warmth and hope to those in need in their dire times.
However, in this case, what it brought to Ei was..............................…. Despair.
Because as the light came closer, it became a scorching golden fireball.
'Ei: So, instead of letting me die here at the depth of the sea, you want me to perish without leaving anything behind.'
Sighing inwardly, she held Musuou Ishinn's handle tightly. Before being stomped by Bahamut, she had already grabbed it.
Soon, a resolute look appeared on Ei's face.
ZAP!!
Electricity started emitting from Musuou Isshin and Ei's eyes, and her strength increased drastically.
She then raised the blade and swung it.
SHIN!!!
.
.
Bahamut, flying high in the sky while looking at the sea below and waiting for the explosion, sensed something.
It saw a thunder slash come from the depth. The slash not only split the fireball ball and sea in two but also landed squarely on Dragon before it could even react.
SLASH!!!
ZAP!!
The Area around the creature was covered in lightning. However, Bahamut didn't care about it. Because when it lowered its head, it saw a substantial deep cut that had appeared on its chest.
The cut not only penetrated through its thick scales but also cut the flesh underneath it.
This caused the dragon to pause, as it never expected its prey to unleash such a devasting strike suddenly. Hence catching it off guard.
RUMBLE!!
RUMBLE!!
A deep hole opened in the sea. Many arcs of lightning could be seen coming out of it. And soon, Ei also rose.
While she only had one arm left, she was still floating in the air without any issue, thanks to her divine power.
A chakra was behind her, and her sword was shining brightly, occasionally releasing sparks of violent lightning.
The Dragon narrowed its eyes, witnessing this, as it could tell that Ei's strength was now on par with it.
Still, it didn't feel fearful or something because it also sensed that she was dying.
Yes. Ei got such a boost in strength because she was burning away her life force.
Raising her blade, she released thunder discs, slashes, and arcs.
Not to be outdone, Bahamut also spit many golden energy blasts.
FWOOSH!!
FWOOSH!!
…
BOOM!!
BOOM!!
…
Soon, the sky was full of many explosions. They were fusions of golden flames and purple thunder.
The Sea churn and the shockwaves from those bursts created many tornados and cyclones.
Compared to before, this time, rather than getting dispersed or pushed back, Ei's attacks were holding their own against Bahamut blasts.
In the end, neither party gained any advantage.
As the detonations blocked their view, Ei suddenly appeared behind Bahamut and slashed.
ZAP!!
SLASH!!
The Dragon's wings moved a little, and it disappeared from its spot.
Even while her attack was missed, the Electro Archon didn't show any change in expression. On the contrary, she then swung at her right.
SHIN!!
CLANG!!
At first, no one was there, but then a claw came out of thin air and collided with the purple blade.
Noticing its strike got blocked, the dragon didn't mind as its tail moved swiftly and attacked.
SWOOSH!!
ZAP!!
This time, Ei, with her quick movement, vanished from her spot and stormed from above.
Bahamut knew where she was coming from and assailed her with its long, sharp horns.
SLASH!!
CLANG!!
The sounds of their collision resounded, and they moved from one spot to another and another.
SLASH!!
CLANG!!
SHIN!
CLING!
THRUST!!
DANG!
...
….
They were moving so fast that one couldn't even see their movements. No one would believe that such a huge creature could move this fast—however, the result was in front of them.
Hence, their battle kept on going.
.
.
.
.
.
--- Plane of Euthymia ---
A world inside Ei's mind.
It was a space that reflected her inner world to meditate and prevent the erosion of her spirit.
At other times, it would have been an endless space with no end. But now, with each passing second, more and more cracks were appearing, and this place was shattering.
A living proof of Ei's condition. As her life was slipping away, so was this place.
???: It's pointless. No matter how frustrated you feel, you can't enter a battle of this scale.
A voice was heard behind the purple-haired woman witnessing Ei's battle outside.
At this, she turned and looked at the person who suddenly appeared in the place.
Seeing this unexpected person, she was mildly surprised before kneeling and lowering her head in submission.
???: It's my honor to meet you face-to-face for the first time, Your Majesty.
Primis looked at the woman who looked exactly like Ei. However, compared to Ei's eyes, which looked at him with affection, care, and worry, this woman's eyes reflected awe, respect, and admiration.
She was none other than "The Shogun," a puppet made after and by Ei to create a body that could resist erosion. While she was a puppet, she also had her own consciousness.
Though when Ei submitted to Primis at his ascension as the Ruler of Inazuma, she also did the same. After all, she was created to look after Inazuma when Ei was in meditation. And now that this responsibility had fallen on Primis's shoulders, she didn't need to fight against it, seeing how comfortable her people were now living in his world.
Since Ei took control back, "The Shogun" stayed here like Ei once did.
Primis: Since you have seen everything, you should already be aware of Bahamut's might. So, tell 'Us,' do you think it would have made any difference even if you had been fighting alongside Ei?
The Shogun: ....
The Puppet didn't answer. In truth, she also knew that. But witnessing how her nation was turned into ruins and her creator was engaged in a life-death battle against a creature against whom she couldn't win. For the first time, she experienced the feeling of helplessness and powerlessness.
In the end, the only she could do was watch in frustration while cursing her own weakness.
She really wanted to ask Primis for help, but she couldn't. As said before, while Ei was the one who spent time by his side because "The Shogun" was in her mindscape, she also witnessed everything. Hence, she knew Primis ordered Ei to face this enemy herself.
By now, she had understood him well enough to be certain that he wouldn't interfere, even if Ei died, as he could easily resurrect her. However, this would also mean that Ei failed.
Ei also knew that. That's why she decided to burn her life, hoping to win before she died. It was a gamble. And… she was losing it.
Why? Because even after taking such a step, she was only on par with Bahamut. As a result, their battle was going on stalemate, with neither party getting an edge. And since Ei was living on borrowed time, each passing second brought her closer to death.
Henceforth, the more the fight dragged on, the more her situation worsened.
The Shogun: No.
Primis: Hmm?
The Shogun: This is not the end. There must be something I can do to help her.
Raising her head, she looked directly into Primis's blue-rinne eyes. While she could feel her head breaking apart the more she looked into those eyes, she bit her lips to endure it and spoke.
The Shogun: That's why you are here. Right, Your Majesty?
Primis: ….... Indeed.
The Shogun: Please tell me how. What can I do to help Ei?
After a moment of silence, Primis answered.
Primis: Sacrifice yourself and let her have what's left.
The Shogun: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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.
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--- Pets –
Two people could be seen working in the Primis office in Townhall.
One was the blue-haired half-Adeptus, and another was the first electro-archon.
Ganyu was doing paperwork while Makoto was sorting them in order.
At this moment, the purple-haired received a telepathic message.
{Primis: Makoto.}
{Makoto: ...}
Getting surprised a little, she hurriedly collected herself.
{Makoto: Yes, My Lord. Is there something I can help you with?}
{Primis: Yes. We want something from you that can help Ei face her challenge.}
Hearing that it was related to her sister, Makoto turned serious.
{Makoto: Give your order, My Lord. No matter what it is. As long as I can help my sister, I am willing to do anything.}
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*A/N: Please throw some power stones.
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