บท 80: Last Slumber
*here we are, with the new thingy going on in the novel. Had to do my magic and take a turn in a different direction a little, you know? anyway, have fun and enjoy reading. Please let me know what you think, since I suck at writing battlescenes most of the time, so I genuinely want some feedback. Thank you very much. Enjoy for now. Peace out and Deus vult.
IMPORTANT: Play the song now for a (hopefully) better reading experience :))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8Yq6vtjBLk*
His heart had long since sought a break, but nothing along those lines would come its way. Battle was his new lifestyle, or at least for the major part of their travels, because of his specific goals. Thus, Mark summoned the Sword of Will once more, bracing to fight the large creature in the sky. Most of the people had sought shelter wherever they could, hiding from the bloody light of the crimson Stellaron that shone like that through the dark flesh that swallowed it.
"What's the plan?" asked Acheron, stepping to his side, hand on the hilt of her sword. Above, the mess of liquid with limbs kept morphing more and more upon itself, swirling with no end.
"I guess we just have to get me near the Stellaron. I should be able to stop it, but... we have to see HOW I'll get near, since it doesn't seem like a nice thing.
The place in the sky where they had fought Sunday had been swallowed along the remains of the Embryo of Philosophy. Bit by bit, the dark mess was molding itself along those bits, using them to better form itself as a physical being, unbound by Mark's mental restraints.
"Easier said than done, I'm sure," she mused softly. The others in the background were prepared, thinking of an answer for that question as well, but nothing came.
Mark sighed, looking over his shoulder. Before he could speak, the sound of liquid splashing the ground began echoing in the now barren city. Splash, splash, again and again, the sound kept repeating at a steady rhythm until it was coming from all angles. Dark stains fell from the sky, squirming on the ground, some of them mixing upon contact, while others roamed alone, shaking into humanoid figures with varied sizes.
The disfigured things bore many eyes on their bodies, large mouths that opened from every possible crevice, teeth that stretched out, and tongues with razor-sharp edges. Mark's eyes widened, his powers shooting out on all sides with large chunks of ice, seeking to block entrances into buildings, leaving just the one closest to them.
"Shit! We're up! Himeko, keep striking that guy up there with as many strikes as possible. If it comes down, don't even try since you'll fry us instead. Welt, try sweeping the ones incoming with your power. Dan Heng, get ready to clean the second wave or whatever Welt can't, the rest-"
Mark's voice died out as Welt braced himself, shooting out tiny blackholes that tore apart the space around them, only for the dark figures to absorb them like nothing had happened. His eyes went wide as the words connected.
"Succumb to nothingness and become sustenance... Hell, it feeds on Nihility!"
The shrieks turned into laughter, coming from all sides as the figures were still forming themselves, covering the whole city.
"Acheron, not sure if your powers will be of much use. I think it would just absorb everything, so maybe it would be better to stay this one out. I'll handle the big guy somehow. Everyone, change of plans. Himeko, you keep bombing it. The others just focus on keeping yourselves and the others safe. I'm not sure there's much else to be done."
Acheron took her sword in hand, holding it with the scabbard on.
"I can still fight. I won't let you go off alone," she declared, her voice firm as she stared into his eyes. He tried to argue, but he knew that he wasn't exactly at his peak either.
"Fine, but make sure to survive this one, got it? We'll fight in sync. I'm sure you can adapt to whatever bullshit I try."
She nodded, offering a reassuring smile. Boothill gave his gun a twirl then shot a few bullets right away, striking the things in the head. They slowed down, but that was about all.
"Son of a nice lady... those ugly motherfudgers won't go down, huh? You better hurry up then, big shot. Can't keep your ladies waitin'."
Mark nodded, staring up as the first blast struck, this time with more energy.
"I need some time to charge them, but I'll keep firing them whenever possible. I'll stop once you two get close," said Himeko, the remote in her hand. Mark nodded, taking a deep breath. Waves began striking around as Dan Heng was using his power as the Imbibitor Lunae. He was able to keep the creatures at a safe distance, but their sheer number only kept increasing, with more pouring down like rain.
"Robin, do use whatever powers of Harmony you can along with Stelle to keep everyone safe."
He sighed, giving his weapon a twirl, staring at the turquoise blade along the cracked ice vessel. One last glance over his shoulder was all he offered, paired with a few words.
"Stay safe, everyone. I'll be back before you know it."
Acheron by his side, the two made haste for the large spot in the sky. She was fast even when compared to Mark's enhanced body. He was tired from earlier, but it would have to do. Their weapons clashed with the foes, hers pushing them away while his managed to cleave them, fizzling upon contact like they burned.
All around, Dan Heng focused his attacks on pushing back the gruesome creatures without aiming towards the frontline duo, swiping away on all sides. Himeko fired one more blast, which was followed by the large red spot in the sky descending bit by bit, floating down as it kept trying to shape itself around the body left behind by Sunday, with the extra material from the place itself going into forming a larger body.
Mark's steps were quick, moving along with Acheron. They were swarmed, the number of enemies increasing with each passing second, the rain of flesh unyielding from the main body. They fought together, covering one another's blind spots. Mark dashed to the side, cleaving a swarm of eyes that tried getting closer, while she pushed back another with twisted mouths that nearly struck Mark.
They spun around one another on the go, switching places, fighting as if they were on the same battlefield years prior to that moment, sharing the same awareness, the same sense of being. Another beam came falling from the sky, while large waves of water crashed in around them. Robin's voice began ringing out, forming a protective barrier around the main group. The buildings were still blocked off, and to his relief, the creatures didn't try to force their way inside.
"Mark, you have to get closer to it," shouted Acheron, her sheathed weapon striking three foes at once, sending them toppling back. All around, they began mixing together, creating larger behemoths with twisted features, tentacles, and broken imitations of limbs.
"Yeah, I guess I have to, but I don't think it'll make it easy. It's raining fuckers like this,' he growled, his sword cutting with finesse, only to see them reforming. Gunfire rang out in the background with short pauses as Boothill rushed to reload.
Mark rushed his movements, giving a tiny burst of extra energy for a few moments, the strain already familiar in his body. The sword increased in size, creating a safe area around as he spun it in a whirlwind, careful not to hurt Acheron. From below, an ice pillar shot up, carrying them both in the air, right to their target.
"That was quick," she mused, but it was far from easy. Thousands of tentacles covered in mouths and teeth shot out from the main bulk of the creature, the Stellaron inside of it glowing brighter.
The two swung their weapons to try and deflect the strikes, but they were many in number, increasing by hundreds of folds the more they cut away. The pillar came to a halt as getting closer was impossible. He made it shrink back down, staring at the swarm below. The ground was black, the charm of Penacony reduced to a sea of eyes, limbs, and horrifying screams of pure agony.
He looked over to Acheron, whose hand gripped the sword tighter. His eyes widened as he realized that the scene must have caused some unpleasant memories to somehow surface.
"Hey, are you alright?" he asked, gently holding her by the shoulders. She looked at him, nodding, but it was clear from her shaking form that nothing was alright.
"It's fine, just... memories..."
He nodded, embracing her carefully before dashing out on a bridge of ice, keeping it growing as they got closer to the main group. Himeko struck the creature again, with the explosion being close enough that Mark could feel the shock. He slid on the ice as the projection of the Express made with Harmony's powers swept the ground, pushing the squirming sea aside, only for it to reform.
He reached the main group, watching as they kept trying to fight back, but it was nothing short of impossible with the huge number of creatures that just wouldn't die.
"What now, Mark?" asked March, firing off as many ice lances as she could. He sighed, dismissing his Sword of Will as he got close. Acheron was gently held in his arms, her body frail and shaking. Himeko glanced at the scene, but she brushed it off. She walked closer with Black Swan and took her from him, understanding why he came back.
"What now, huh?" he sighed, looking over the swarm of creatures. Dan Heng and Stelle were keeping them away, while Welt tried to figure out a way to leave the mess.
Mark closed his eyes for a moment, calming his heart. The situation was hopeless, but he had one last ace up his sleeve—the glass cannon.
"Now? Well..."
He signed himself with the cross, held the crucifix on his neck in his palm, to ground himself. He whispered a quick prayer, recalling his family and friends back in his world. He sighed, taking out his phone in a smooth motion, handing it over to March. The others were stealing glances, a little confused at his gesture, but Himeko knew what he was about to do.
"Mark, don't you dare..." she said softly, not even able to reprimand him for what he was about to do.
He scoffed a little, giving off a tiny chuckle as he held on to his sword.
"It's the only way. Don't worry, I'm used to it. Just stay safe, all of you..."
No one could say a thing. He blitzed ahead, running on 50% output. His speed was off the charts, propelling him over the wriggling mess of creatures below. With a thought, the Fire of Will began burning, spreading out below as he twisted his body, pointing his hands to the ground, guiding the fire out. They burned and shrieked, but it wasn't enough to kill them.
"Figures," he whispered, turning his attention back to the main body. The red core was glowing bright, with the thousands of tentacles sprawling out. He landed on the ground, shooting a dozen large ice spikes at the creature, watching it tear them apart. His body moved before he could think it through, following orders at a moment's notice. The ice cracked under his feet as he dashed up on one pillar, branching off with another one, then another, the Sword of Will shining bright in his hand, moving like water in a river, fluid and constant at speeds exceeding what he had ever tried before.
Everyone watched from below, slowly losing ground. They worried about him, but there he was, like a shooting star, their flicker of hope glowing bright, climbing upon ice as he cut away the tentacles. He shot up into the sky, right above the creature, sword held high over his head as he pushed back the swarming mess with the Fire of Will, his vision covered by the wall of flames. The sword grew in size above his head, fueled by the abundant energy in his body, yet his bones and muscles felt like they were being crushed.
"Burn in hell, bastard!" he shouted, swinging his sword down in one last decisive strike.
Crack.
Time came to a still as the ice sword shattered in his hands, the power too much for it to handle. There he remained, wide-eyed, the Sword of Will fading right above his head, rendering him useless. Crackling laughter from a thousand voices rang out in the night, and from the Fire of Will, one dark tentacle shot out, impaling him right through the stomach.
"You're the same utter failure I remember... your foolishness simply fueled me as it turned into agony and despair. Do you think I didn't know you would try this? I was one with you for sufficient time. I know you... you're a failure..."
The words rang out in the dead of night. One crucial moment, one split second, that was all to make them all crumble. From below, everyone stared with wide eyes, halting their attacks for a precious moment they didn't have to begin with.
Warm. Warm and metallic in taste. Those were Mark's thoughts in the moment as his breath was cut away by the red liquid that flooded his mouth, overpouring. It dripped down on the tentacle, a stark contrast between the liquid flesh of nightmare and his crimson blood.
He whispered softly, feeling the tears gather in his eye.
"I... I failed..."
The creature's laughter roared louder, gloating in his suffering.
"Yes, yes, you did. Power me with your suffering, with your anguish..."
It tossed his body to the ground, sending him flying like a falling star, right into the concrete. There he lay, covered in blood, feeling...warm... but not his warmth. To the side, everyone was trying to reach him, pushing back the monsters as much as they could, but they were about to be swallowed. Robin's barrier held, yet the creatures began latching on to it, covering it fully, wrapping around it. His last sight would be that of his failure.
"God... I'm sorry..." he whispered, unable to speak more. He wished to apologize to everyone, from the family made here to the one back home. Everyone he held dear flashed before his very eyes, regrets, things said and unsaid, turmoil until the last moment.
His eyes closed, the weight of reality lulling them into a soft state of being.
"Warm... so warm... so death's embrace is warm..."
The strange heat, however, came from his stomach. He opened one eye briefly, noticing the familiar fragments cluttering over his stomach wound, moving with a mind of their own, as if trying to cover it to stop the bleeding.
"What... I guess I'm going insane right before my death..."
One ray of joy in the entire situation, he could brace for death in the way he wanted, with a smile. To smile in death's face was his weird ambition. Thus, he smiled with all he had, and it all went out.
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