Anima, Ch.60: Judging Blades

--01-- [Scene: Tir Chonaill] <BGM: Scene 00>
The glowing spikes around the boy were all pointing at me...
My instincts screamed at me to run.
I tried to make a break for it...
Too late. The immaterial spikes converged, piercing into me!

--02-- <BGM: Scene 00> {SFX: explosion}
An explosion of pain rippled through my body, the unique agony of holy power upon diabolic flesh.
I lost my focus and reverted to my true form, screaming in pain as I dropped my dreamcatcher.



--03-- <BGM: Scene 00>
My torment faded after a few seconds, but...
Now they see.
The three backed away in shock at beholding what I really was.
I tried to stand up and regain my composure, while they were taken aback.

--04-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Altam)
What...? That's no fox!




--05-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Talvish)
...What new devilry is this?




--06-- <BGM: Scene 00>
I managed to rise to a somewhat dignifed posture, and crossed my arms.
"I'm very old devilry, actually. Seems like it never caught on in these parts."
Their eyes went wide at hearing my voice.


--07-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Avelin)
It speaks?!




--08-- <BGM: Scene 00>
"Oh yes, I'll talk all you want.
In fact, I'd *love* to talk, if you won't hit me with whatever you just did...
Do it again and I'll turn you all inside out. Still alive. I know just the spell."


--09-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Altam)
Aaahh! No, no, no, I, I...! I'm sorry!




--10-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Talvish)
...What do you make of her, Avelin?




--11-- <BGM: Scene 00>
(Avelin)
There's nothing divine at all about *this* one,
but I don't sense any Corrupted Light either...
I don't know what we're dealing with here.


--12-- <BGM: Scene 00>
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here. That's rude."
I took up a more aggressive stance.
I don't want to, but I'm afraid I might have to...incapacitate these three.
I won't kill them.

--13-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Talvish)
Altam. Avelin. What is our second order?




--14-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Altam)
Interlopers from outside must be stopped at any cost... Right?




--15-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Talvish)
And here one stands before us.
...Our duty is clear.



--16-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Avelin)
Then we will do what we must.
Prepare yourself, demon!



--17-- <BGM: The Long Shadows> {SFX: thunder}
The rose-haired woman raised her arm, and a column of light shot upward.
Within it, a massive sword of light appeared.
...I see where this is going.
I sidestepped the blade as it fell towards me.

--18-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
Oh, for crying out loud...
"That's my line. And you didn't even get it right."
I snap-casted an Ice Spear and launched it at them, encasing them in ice up their necks,
before they had time to react.

--19-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"Now, do I have your undivided attention?
...Strike first and ask questions never, huh?
That kind of attitude makes my blood run cold. How about you?
...Oh, right, you're frozen."

--20-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"That's how you god-thralled types always think, isn't it?
Just kill it and it stops being an immediate problem?
You mortals are too limited by your short lives to consider long-term consequences."


--21-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
I readied another charge of Ice Spear.
"You make me sick."
The Ice Spear exploded, sending them flying backward.
I froze them in place again.
"Don't move. I'm not done lecturing you yet."

--22-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"I only ask you to stay out of my way. Erinn may have need of you in the future,
and if I kill you, where will you be then?
I've shed enough blood to fill an ocean. I'm tired of killing."


--23-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"How about you? Have you had your fill of death?
Or is it easier to simply not think?
Just focus on your next target?
Destroy your next inconvenience and move on?"
The Ice Spear shattered again.
--24-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Altam)
Ugh! Maybe she's not a Prophet, but she's just as dangerous!




--25-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Talvish)
Maybe even worse...




--26-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Avelin)
Magic...?
Great, another one like Brilluen...!
How is she casting so fast?


--27-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
I glared down at the three as they tried to sit up, groaning in pain.
"I have no designs on this world, nor any desire to see it come to harm."
Seems like they're paying attention now...


--28-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"Corrupted light, you said? I suspect our interests are aligned, then.
I am not your enemy. I have no quarrel with you. Stand down."
They were back on their feet. This time they drew their weapons...


--29-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Talvish)
Your very existence in this world is unacceptable, demon, regardless of your intentions.
Not our enemy? Spare us your lies!



--30-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"...we're not going to be friends, are we?" I prepared a charge of Thunder.
They advanced towards me, and I cast it at them.
The initial shock stunned them; the main bolt knocked them down again.


--31-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
"I commend your devotion, misguided as it is, but I'm losing my patience with you closed-minded fools."
They rose to their feet again...
"I'm holding back with these cantrips. I can do *much* worse."


--32-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Altam)
She said she wasn't our enemy...
Are...are we doing the right thing?
We did attack her first...


--33-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Avelin)
She dodged my Judgement Blade... No Apostle's ever done that...!




--34-- <BGM: The Long Shadows>
(Talvish)
Don't let her shake your resolve, Altam.
We may not be able to handle this... Let's retreat for now.
Do not count this as a victory, demon!


--35--
"I'm a devil. I'm sure the distinction is wasted on you, though."
The blonde-haired man produced a waxen wing from somewhere and broke it.
The knights vanished.

I sighed in dismay.
--36-- <BGM: Place Where Starlight Gathers>
...I don't need more enemies in my life.
Reaching for the dropped dreamcatcher, an old black heart-shaped jewel fell from my pack and into my hand.
Wait...a black jewel?
I'd almost forgotten this...

--37-- <BGM: Place Where Starlight Gathers>
Yes, I remember now...somehow I still had it with me, all these years...
I recalled the night I had received this bauble that had a proverbial hook in me, if not a literal one...



--38-- <BGM: Place Where Starlight Gathers>
I'd fled into Rabbie to hide when every last guard and soldier in Aliech mobilized to hunt me down.
I was drawn into the depths by a bewitching song...and ran into a succubus, named Lynnira...



--39-- <BGM: Place Where Starlight Gathers>
And then she wouldn't let me go unless I promised to do her a favor, then gave me this gem
to remind me of it... Maybe it's time to go make good on that, and let things quiet down...



--40-- <BGM: Place Where Starlight Gathers>
If I'm not going to be in this world much longer, I had best settle all the obligations I can.
So...as long as I'm in the area, maybe it's time I paid a visit to...an old friend of sorts...



[end of chapter]