Chapter 5 | The Battle Rages On! Part 2

A dark shadow appeared where he stood in the shape of a circle that was ever-expanding. Remnants of dark mist arose from the shadow. The mist swirled and whispered eerie words that sent chills down her spine. It was clear that this man possessed a power beyond the physical realm, one that could manipulate and control the darkness itself. "So you're the one causing all those explosions from before! I thought that Theresia had dealt with you already!" He cocked his head in confusion. "Hm, nope, that was someone else entirely, probably Artemis doing orders again, who knows? The man's eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint as he continued, "But I must say, I'm impressed that you've managed to survive this long. Not many can withstand the wrath of Artemis." His voice trailed off, leaving an ominous silence hanging in the air. Ooh, The Sword Saint is present? I would love to see if she lives up to the stories." He giggled fanatically, like a wet dream. The shadow manifested a blast of obscured darkness similar to a black hole flying toward Tsubasa. "Tck" Tsubasa could sense a disturbance in gravity coming from the blast. Running away didn't seem likely as she was being sucked in along with everything else within its radius, such as rubble and loose bricks from nearby buildings. She turned her head and ran in the opposite direction in an attempt to avoid such an attack, though it was futile since the spatial manipulation was too strong for a weak human like her. Just when the attack would land on her and most likely kill her, someone stepped in at the last second. "That's enough", a soft voice boomed as a figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in a uniform that seemed impervious to the gravitational force, they raised their hands and created a powerful ice barrier that halted the attack in its tracks. The stranger's eyes locked with hers, filled with determination and an unyielding resolve to protect her.

"Divine Aptitude: To be Snowed Under"

A girl leaped in and laid out an ability of her own. With a swift motion, she summoned a blizzard of icy winds and swirling snowflakes, enveloping the assailant in a freezing vortex. The temperature dropped drastically as the stranger's powers clashed with hers, creating an intense battle of elemental forces. What was thought to have ripped them to shreds turned into a cloud of snowflakes as the blast dissipated upon contact with her ice-like ability. The girl stood tall amidst the flurry, her divine aptitude allowing her to harness the power of winter itself. As the assailant struggled to regain control, she calmly raised her hand, causing the blizzard to intensify and engulf them both in a blinding white storm. "Oh my, what do we have here? The more corpses, the merrier!" Not even fazed by this turn of events, the man was even more happy and finally introduced himself. "I am Ryuosuke; my surname is not important; who might you two fine maidens be?" "You are stupid to think we'd answer to you." "The name is Tsubasa Seijuku." Tsubasa cut her off and answered modestly in a heartbeat. "Why WOULD YOU ANSWER that?" The girl with pure white hair was awfully pissed off at Tsu for answering the enemy so nonchalantly that she found it absurd and inconvenient. "Ah, sorry, I mean, he did introduce himself to us, so I thought we should also introduce ourselves!" She clapped her hands together and bowed apologetically to her savior. "Right? It's the polite thing to do in any case." Ryuosuke agreed with nods. The girl launched a barricade of icicles at Ryuosuke. But it didn't do anything, as the radius of the shadow devoured its effects and did not harm him in any way. Ryuosuke calmly observed the futile attempt, his expression unchanging. "Impressive technique," he remarked, unfazed by the attack. "However, it seems you underestimate the power of my shadow." With a subtle flick of his wrist, he summoned a torrent of darkness that effortlessly dispersed the icicles, leaving the girl in awe of his abilities. "Wha-" The girl who refused to give her name was stunned and then grabbed Tsubasa's hand, and they ran in the opposite direction. "What's the plan?" Tsubasa demanded it of her in the hopes that she actually did have a plan. "The plan is that there is no plan. I'm not even a Master-level mage, for crying out loud!" "In that case, we should find someone who can take care of him; his ability seems to use a shadow entity to distort space. It's too dangerous for us to handle alone," Tsubasa suggested, scanning their surroundings for any potential help. The girl nodded in agreement, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. They needed to find an experienced mage who could counter the shadow entity's abilities before it was too late. A woman called Theresia, blah blah blah, called herself a 'Grand Master' which sounds like the type of person to deal with Ryuosuke". Tsubasa and the girl quickly reached out to Theresia, hoping that her self-proclaimed title as a 'Grand Master' meant she possessed the necessary skills to confront Ryuosuke. They eagerly explained the situation, emphasizing the urgency and the potential danger that awaited if they didn't act swiftly. Tsu's idea wasn't bad; however, they would need to actually find her before they got killed by Ryuosuke. Wait, Theresia-sensei is here!" She had an outburst of happiness hearing that woman. "Yeah, she's the red hair lady, I presume". The conversation between the two runaways slipped in and out as they were being attacked by Ryuosuke's ability, though there was no sign of the user.

"Dealing with someone with an insane ability to control space is not something we can take on." The girl said exasperatedly "Been there, done that; I only survived because sensei was with me." At last, both girls were safe in an open field devoid of shadows. Giving ample time for both to recover their stamina and exchange information about one another. "So where is Theresia-sensei?" "So where is Theresia-sensei?" the girl asked, her voice tinged with concern. She glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her mentor. As they waited for an answer, the realization of their dire situation sank in facing an opponent with such a powerful ability was not something they could handle alone. "I have no idea; she just leaped at super speed; I have no idea where she could be," Tsubasa admitted, as she paid no attention to which direction she fled in, not that it would really matter. "So Tsubasa... What's so special about you that made that Demon Worshipper try and kill you?" "Besides the fact you are wearing rather peculiar clothes..." She concentrated her gaze on Tsubasa, as it really was weird clothing she wore. "Stop looking so much." Tsubasa gave a slight blush of embarrassment and looked away shyly from that comment. They both stood there in silence when the girl finally broke the ice by sharing her name. Well, Tsubasa, my name is Luna Cresselia." She began holding Tsubasa's hand and gave her a warm smile. Tsubasa felt a sense of comfort as Luna held her hand and smiled warmly. The gesture made her feel a little less alone in this strange situation. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of connection they had and if Luna could possibly shed some light on the demon worshipper's motives. "My ability allows me to control ice at an extreme level compared to other ice users with similar attributes, meaning I can use ice to its maximum capability while others can only go so far." "What about you?" M-M-Me...um, well, I don't possess any kind of ability." "What really?" Luna let go of her hand. Upon proper inspection, Luna was wearing a rather distinct uniform similar to a school uniform; she had a formal skirt, jacket, and even gold button-ups; she had a blue bow on her head; her hair was let down and looked like it was just for decoration; she was the same height as Tsubasa; possibly the same age; and as mentioned before, she had pure white skin with silver hair. Luna's appearance was quite striking, with her distinct uniform resembling a school uniform. Her formal skirt, jacket, and gold button-ups, along with the blue bow on her head, added to her unique style. Tsubasa couldn't help but notice that Luna's lethargic hair, seemingly just for decoration, perfectly complemented her pure white skin and silver locks. What's most distinctive are her Neptune blue eyes, which enchanted Tsubasasa "Well, it's fine if you don't want to tell me." Luna leaned in teasingly, then backed up, giving her space. Luna had assumed Tsubasa was keeping it a secret. Though that wasn't the case, as she is literally incapable of using magic in a magicless world,

"Luna, what a splendid name " Both Luna and Tsubasa looked at each other with wide eyes to see the whole open field fade away back to the street where they first encountered Ryuosuke. Tsubasa's heart sank as she realized that the open area where the two were hiding was nothing more than an illusion created by Ryuosuke. Disappointed, she turned to Luna and said, "I guess we're back to reality now." That's impossible; his shadow shouldn't be able to interfere with reality. "This is simply me changing the space around us to what I wanted you to think," Ryuosuke explained maniacally. The very idea of escape was an illusion, and they had fallen right into his trap. They never left. Luna lost her patience, summoned a giant ice shard out of nowhere, and threw it at him. Ryuosuke just swung his right arm to the side, and the giant ice shard followed. But the shard made an impact on the buildings and broke into small icicles, which followed Ryuosuke. The icicles formed a swirling vortex around Ryuosuke, trapping him momentarily. Luna seized the opportunity to gather her strength and devise a new plan to break free from his clutches. "Impressive, but you'll have to do better than that!" It was like an invisible wall that disintegrated anything in its path; it was honestly scary to see that nothing could hurt him. Through trial and error, Luna kept trying different strategies to at least wound Ryuosuke; however, his invincible barrier made all attacks null. Tsubasa was left to rack her brain. Moments passed by, and Luna was starting to wear off her own attacks. Tsubasa observed Luna's diminishing attacks with growing concern. She realized that they needed a new approach if they were to have any chance of breaking through Ryuosuke's impenetrable barrier. As Luna's attacks grew weaker, Tsubasa made the decision to analyze Ryuosuke's movements and search for any weaknesses that could be exploited. Come on, there must be something I can do—anything!

In dire request, an idea did come to mind after all. Without even knowing what she was about to say, she put everyone in shock.

With my heart shivering with fear. I was never right for this type of role. I admit it.

Yet as I kept witnessing Luna's failed attempts to throw Ryuosuke under the table, resulting in her getting hurt...

A spark of fire lit up my hollow heart.

I wanted to save her.

Even so, the gods gave me a tempestuous feeling in my fleeting heart at that moment.

I don't know why and how I said these words, nor do I know what they mean, but I rose and soared with these words at an unstoppable monster...

"Divine Aptitude: Flower of Summer Marigold!"

As I uttered those words, a surge of power coursed through my veins. It was as if the gods themselves had bestowed upon me a newfound strength. With my newfound ability, I unleashed a dazzling display of magic, engulfing the room in a vibrant burst of marigold petals. The monster stood no chance against the divine aptitude that had awakened within me.

"Far-off sparks call to the still-unnamed past as colors blend into a spiral of flame. Carry this candle to combat the nighttime chill. Go within and rekindle the eternal light". A blast of pure flame materialized from Tsubasa's reaching right hand, with an atmospheric phenomenon in which undulating waves of all the colors found on the color palette spread out in the entire street, bombarding the atmosphere where Tsubasa had stood. All of which were attracted to the pure flame, making it bigger and more beautiful. The flame itself was like any other ordinary fire, one that is enveloped in fluorescent orange, except this flame is much more powerful and majestic-looking. The intense heat radiating from the flame caused the surrounding air to shimmer and distort, creating a surreal and ethereal ambiance. As Tsubasa focused their energy, the flame began to dance and swirl with mesmerizing grace, captivating all who witnessed its awe-inspiring display.

With time, the flame grows ever brighter, accumulating more energy. All Ryuosuke did was release a battle cry of elation, gathering all the void of shadow around him and thrusting the sphere of darkness at Tsubasa. "What beautiful flames! It really is you!" Luna had stepped aside, halting her attacks and admiring the beautiful spell cast before Neptune's eyes. As the sphere of darkness hurtled towards Tsubasa, the air crackled with anticipation. The onlookers held their breath, spellbound by the sheer power and elegance of Ryuosuke's spell. It was a sight that would forever be etched in their memories, a testament to the extraordinary abilities of Marigold and the indomitable spirit of its wielder. Both Tsubasa and Ryuosuke ****** their bursts of attack at one another. The two bursts of powerful energy collided, and massive gusts of mana evaporated upon contact, which acted similar to a typhoon spouting large tides of wind. Yet neither of the two was moved by this. The battle continues to rage on.

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A large blast of magic blooms on the outer rim of the Inner City. Theresia had taken notice of this while Tsubasa and Luna were engaged in combat with the enemy. Theresia's eyes widened as she witnessed the dazzling display of power, momentarily distracting her from the ongoing battle. She quickly realized that this blast of magic could potentially alter the course of their fight, adding a new level of uncertainty to an already intense situation. "I must hurry, as I fear the battle is far from over." She glares at the sky and dashes once again at supersonic speed to reach them. As Theresia closed in on Tsubasa and Luna, she couldn't help but wonder who could possess such immense power. The enemy's strength seemed to be beyond anything she had encountered before, making her realize that their mission was more perilous than they had initially anticipated. Determined to protect them, Theresia pushed herself even harder, determined to turn the tides of the battle in their favor. Cueing back to the fight, the attack had ended in a stalemate, with both dissipating from each other. This sudden turn of events put Luna and Tsubasa at a disadvantage; since that was the first time ever that she used magic, she didn't know how to properly utilize this new power, let alone conjure it again with a deficit of mana. With Luna also strained from magic, she could no longer keep using her Divine Aptitude to throw any more attacks. "Did that get him?" Tsubasa looks at Luna. "I can't really tell, but that was some really strong power you pulled off". Both of them were blinded by the mana clouds as a result of the colliding bursts of energy. Shrugging off the clouds with their arms, both of them could still see a tall silhouette clapping his hands condescendingly. "BRAVO BRAVO". Ryuosuke is left unscathed, with not even a hint of weakness. Tsubasa and Luna exchanged worried glances, realizing that their opponent was far stronger than they had anticipated. Despite their exhaustion, they knew they had to come up with a new strategy quickly if they were going to stand a chance against Ryuosuke. Did that attack not even drain him? Just what are we dealing with here? I'm already beat up and can't move a muscle anymore. We're dead for sure... In a final attempt at some hope, Luna shot one last icicle. Of course, it proved futile. "Did you learn nothing? No attack can penetrate my invincible void of shadow!" He spread his arms open as if he had been given the most omnipotent gift. When the gust of mana finally cleared, all parties were able to see each other clearly. Ryuosuke's smirk disappeared when he noticed who was behind the two injured masters.

"You..." At first, his smile of triumph faded, but he recovered just as fast, even more content with his insatiable bloodlust. "At long last, we meet". He bowed his head so sincerely, yet his sinister smile was still visible. Theresia had arrived in the nick of time, quite literally. If she hadn't shown up that very second, then both Tsubasa and Luna would have crumbled to a pulp, thus dying. Theresia's presence not only saved Tsubasa and Luna from certain death, but it also shattered Ryuosuke's illusion of invincibility. The realization that his opponents had a powerful ally by their side fueled his determination to defeat them even more. "You know it is not wise to face me", Theresia said with a resolute face. "Perhaps, though I wouldn't mind being slain by the hands of the Sword God," he said, his arms still out wide like he was expecting a hug. "Tell me...does your sword respond to me?" Ryuosuke referred to the hilt of the sword attached to Theresia's belt. "It does not, in the slightest." Aww, that's a shame. This changes nothing. Ryuosuke threw another black hole-like attack against Theresia in an instant, the same one that stalemated Tsubasa's spiral of flame. Theresia dashed forward directly to intervene, as the black hole was also aiming at Tsubasa and Luna. She uses the scabbard of the sword to pierce the black hole, just like a pointy needle pops a large bubble instantly. "You are even better than the prophecy entails." Ryuosuke launched another attack. This time a shadow was growing where Theresia stood; she quickly sensed this and dodged to the side. As she evaded the attack, Theresia's eyes narrowed in determination. Realizing that she needed to act swiftly, she gathered her strength and unleashed a powerful counterattack, aiming to dismantle Ryuosuke's dark magic once and for all. The shadow exploded large spikes from the ground, missing its target. A few more black holes were coming to them. Theresia grabbed Tsubasa and Luna, who was lying on the ground in agony, then threw them in the air. However, they were safely in the air, just floating. Hey, what is this? Um, Luna, care to explain what she just did?" "This is rather new to me too... I know that Theresia-sensei is capable of wielding numerous abilities, but I've never heard one that could make us float!" Both of them gaped in awe. As they floated in the air, Tsubasa and Luna exchanged bewildered glances. "I never expected Theresia-sensei to possess such a unique ability," Tsubasa exclaimed, his voice filled with astonishment. Luna nodded in agreement, her eyes still wide with wonder. It was clear that this newfound power had left them both in awe of their teacher's capabilities. I still don't get any of this. Am I even using magic? This is not the time to think of such things. We can only hope that we get out of this alive, yet for some reason, I know that women will come out on top! Tsubasa felt sensational hope for Theresia's victory; their lives do depend on her, after all. Tsubasa couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence in Theresia's abilities, knowing that their lives were hanging in the balance. As they watched Theresia prepare for the upcoming challenge, Tsubasa couldn't shake off the feeling that somehow, against all odds, she would emerge victorious.

"Sword Skill: Morning Calm" Wreathing her blade in fire magic, Theresia unleashes a series of slashes from her sword technique. Ryuosuke had successfully dodged the attack using his spatial manipulation, using shadows to teleport him spontaneously. It was hard for Theresia to pinpoint where he would teleport; it seems to be under the condition that anything that produces a shadow could reappear indefinitely. "Sword Skill: Shining Ray" is a technique that makes her sheathed blade impulse an edge that condenses energy into a long-range laser beam. It also made the entire area too bright. Ah, I can't see anything." Tsubasa covered her eyes, yet light could still seep through her skin. The result of the attack forced Ryuosuke to reappear again. As Ryuosuke reappeared, he quickly assessed the situation and realized that Theresia's "Sword Skill: Shining Ray" had disrupted his teleportation ability. Determined to find a way to counter her technique, he retreated to a safer distance, strategizing his next move. "It's no fun allowing you guys to do as you please; you won't be able to catch me." He had conjured a shadow portal that took him someplace unknown. "Everything won't ever be the same." As he walked slowly to his portal on his back, his sinister smile remained unchanged throughout the entire 'fight' (if that's what you called it).

With the scene starting to mellow down, Theresia galloped in the air and gently brought back down Luna and Tsubasa, who were still airborne during the entire fight. "That was a splendid effort indeed; I wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for your help". Tsubasa thanked Theresa with sincerity. To most individuals, being hung by their lives in a red string of fate held in another universe would most certainly lead them into madness and traumatic displeasure. Tsubasa, with her stoic personality, could only shed light on this situation, yearning to live on to see another day. Luna followed suit and expressed her gratitude to her so-called master. However, when she tried to stay on the ground, she collapsed. "Ugh!" she grunted, and she became immobile. "Luna! What's wrong!" Tsubasa, who stood straight afoot, came to her in worry. "T-that guy really did a number on me," she replied exasperatedly, making contact with Tsubasa on the ground with one eye while the other closed in pain. Theresia came over and carried Luna on her shoulder. "I'll take her to the infirmary in City Hall; I suggest you come with her; with those injuries, you need proper care too, young lady". "Yeah, I'll take you up on that offer, but can you do me a favor?" Hmm, as long as it's within my capabilities, then I'll gladly attend to your welfare". Theresia replied with glee. "Carry me too". With that said, Tsubasa had also collapsed on the ground and then passed out with a self-relieving smile. "Oh my!" Theresia gave a light chuckle and carried them both with ease. The day was still bright and blooming with audible cheers of people in celebration of the commemoration of Dragon Ryuken; however, Theresia couldn't stop shrugging off what that Demon Worshipper was talking about.

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