Anima, Ch.62: A Dark Deal

--01-- [Scene: Dunbarton] <BGM: Divine Storm>
The implacable blue juggernaut pursued me up the tree-lined road,
unfazed by the spells I'd thrown at it so far.
I guess it's time to break out some of the old magic from my former life....


--02-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
I focused, weaving the arcane threads of a spell from another world.
"Try this one."
Four firey spheres of magical power roared to life above me, circling around my head.
So far, so good.

--03-- <BGM: Divine Storm> {SFX: massive explosion}
At my command, the spheres darted at the creature, detonating on impact,
engulfing it in an immense explosion that knocked down nearby trees
and melted the ground beneath it to glass.
Did that do it?


--04-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
The flames quickly died out...and the creature still stood.
Its staff and armor were damaged, though.
It was covered in burns and a thin layer of black soot.
Well, at least it had *some* effect...

--05-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
"Not enough for you?"
I wove strands of magical power for another spell as the beast approached.
It was slower now.
Electrical charges began to fill the surrounding air.
The sky darkened with clouds.
--06-- <BGM: Divine Storm> {SFX: thunder}
"Maybe you'll find this shocking."
A column of air around the monster crackled with electricity,
then a powerful lightning bolt struck it, then another,
and another, over and over, fifteen in total.

--07-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
The creature staggered and stumbled more with each strike, falling to one knee,
but as soon as the lightning stopped, it stood once more and marched on.
The sky cleared.

Really? That wasn't enough?
--08-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
Is there nothing that can kill this thing?
...I've slowed it down. It seems injured, but this brute hasn't made a single sound of discomfort.
Maybe it...can't even feel pain? Who knows?


--09-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
Okay...I have a few more spells left to try...
Gathering magic power again, using the gauntlet as a focus, I pointed my open palm
at the oncoming monster, focusing the power into my hand.


--10-- <BGM: Divine Storm> {SFX: wind}
I unleashed a bone-chilling spell, which drained all the heat out of the air in a wide cone
extending from my palm.
The water vapor in the air flash-froze, falling to the ground as frost....


--11-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
The intensely cold blast struck the creature head on.
It stopped in its tracks as if frozen...it probably *was* frozen.
Its skin cracked, blackened with frostbite, but it did not bleed or cry out.


--12-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
It slowly started moving again...struggling to move, though its tissues had been frozen stiff.
This thing doesn't know when to quit!
Now what? Do the primal elements have no effect on it?


--13-- <BGM: Divine Storm> {SFX: failure}
The creature tightened its grip on its staff...only for the staff
to shatter in its hand, crumbling to pieces.
It looked at its hand, as if confused by this...then turned back to me, and kept coming.


--14-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
Undeterred, it slowly marched on, despite being frozen and disarmed!
Its half-frozen hide cracked around its joints with each step.
What does it think it can do to me in this state?


--15-- <BGM: Divine Storm>
If elemental magic has so little effect...should I try something different?
Weaving together raw magic power, not altered by any elements,
I fired a volley of five spheres of pure force at the beast.


--16-- <BGM: Divine Storm> {SFX: pow}
They struck the beast in its torso, shattering its chestplate.
It fell to its knees.
It still visibly trembled...trying to get up, trying to move...but seemingly unable to do so.
...Is it over?

--17-- <BGM: Obsession About the Impossible>
"That's enough," came a female voice I didn't recognize.
It seemed to be coming from...behind the creature.
Now what?
Someone stepped out from behind the incapacitated monster.

--18-- <BGM: Obsession About the Impossible>
It was a woman.
She was dressed in scandalously revealing clothes,
but what caught my attention were her horns...
Different from mine, seemingly made of some kind of...crystal?
Definitely not human.
--19-- <BGM: Obsession About the Impossible>
She patted the creature's severely frostbitten arm tenderly, like a mother
trying to cheer up a wounded child.

"That's a good boy. It's okay. You did good...she was just better. You can rest now."

--20-- <BGM: Obsession About the Impossible>
The creature disappared in a flash, gone as quick as it came.

"What was that...? Are you... Did you send that thing to attack me?"
She turned to me, with a wicked grin.

--21-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
Hmm, I guess I did, yes.
You could say I was just...testing you a bit.
You put on quite a good show there, darling.
I have to say, I'm pretty impressed.

--22-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
"Well, I'd say I'm sorry for roughing up your...pet, or whatever it was...but I'm not.
When some wild creature attacks me out of nowhere, I can hardly be blamed for acting
on my survival instincts."


--23-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
Oh, don't worry about it, I have plenty more where he came from.
That one was just a baby, anyway.



--24-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
She has *more* of those things?
And bigger, presumably stronger ones...?
I think I've just met a vanguard of the otherworldly invaders...
"I've had enough fun for one day."

--25-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
I'll bet you have...
I saw your little tussle with those meddlesome Knights this morning, too.
I like to know everything going on around these parts, after all.
You're not making many friends, huh?

--26-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
"I tried to reason with them, but they seem intent on simply killing anything
that doesn't fit their definitions of what's proper for this world.
And being from a different world, I don't fit in."


--27-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
Another world?
...hey, you're not nosing in our claims, are you?



--28-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
"I have no designs on this world. I was brought here against my will, and I simply wish to leave it.
What you do here is none of my concern, as long as it doesn't threaten me."

Necessary lies...

--29-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
Is she one of these "Prophets" the knights spoke of?
Maybe this is an opportunity. Maybe I can use her...
I did need a lead to the source of the corruption,
and it looks like one just showed itself.

--30-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
...so you just want to *leave*?
Okaaaaay...
Maybe I can help you with that...
If you'll help me a little, too.

--31-- <BGM: Soul of Freedom>
(Brilluen)
Oh, where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself.
My name is Brilluen. I am...a humble servant of our glorious Mother Ladeca.
And who might you be, dearie?


--32-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
Hmm... Maybe...I'll go with my old name for this...
"I am Sariana Memnoch, Crown Princess of the Nine Hells.
Or at least...I used to be. Now, I am but a wanderer of worlds..."


--33-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
(Brilluen)
That sounds...dubious.
But when someone I've never met, with magic I've never seen,
makes grandiose claims...I'm willing to humor them.
So you learned all the fancy spells from another world, huh?

--34-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
"If my...not inconsiderable magical prowess interests you,
then I may lend it to your cause...for a favor in return.
I desire passage from this world.
And as you come from elsewhere as well..."

--35-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
"My price is thus: you will allow me to accompany you when you depart this world.
From there I shall go where I wish, and consider my service concluded.
If you think I can be of use...?"


--36-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
She put a hand to her chin, seemingly thinking it over.
It couldn't be more perfect. I play along with these 'prophets', and they lead me right to their master.
Then I can end this...


--37-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
(Brilluen)
Oh, don't worry; from what I've seen already, I'm sure there's plenty you can do.
And maybe you'll surprise us some more...
I'm looking forward to it.


--38-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
"Then we have a deal. I will assist you...in exchange for passage from this world."
I extended my hand, and Brilluen reached out to take it.
With a handshake, the deal was done.


--39-- <BGM: Hidden Petals of Poison>
(Brilluen)
I think we're going to get along all right.
Hahaha! I can't wait to see the boys' reactions at seeing we've got a new girl on the team.
Oooh, this is going to be fun...!


--40--
You've just made a deal with the devil, Brilluen.
And once I have what I need from you, I will claim my due.

Time to put some of Father's teachings to use...

[end of chapter]