Nikushimi

  Chapter 75:

  Where Loyalties Lay

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  With the help of Stel and Anders, Mira was patched up well enough to move again, though she needed a bit of support from Kennith.

  "So needy," Kennith joked as Mira hobbled along next to him.

  "Right..." Mira's tone held a hint of mischievous venom; her eyes narrowing at him, "Remind me again who carried you out of that dungeon the one time when you lost your leg?"

  Kennith's expression froze for a moment before dropping and gring at her.

  "You said you'd never mention that..." he mumbled sulkily.

  "Mhm," Mira smirked triumphantly, "And who was there when you were crying to the healer to fix your leg?"

  "Bsphemer!" Kennith gasped, "I never did such a thing!"

  "I think it went something like..." Mira held her free hand up to her face all dramatically, her tone changing to mimic his, "My leg! My leg! Please! Help me! My leg! Aaah!"

  Kennith grew sullen and vindictive, suddenly releasing her as they walked. She promptly fell to the floor with a thump and a grunt.

  "Hey! What was that for!" she shouted, wincing as she shook her fist at him, "If you can't handle the heat, don't go into the kitchen!"

  "Oops, sorry, my hand slipped," he replied, feigning ignorance, "Maybe if someone hadn't distracted me by bringing things up we promised not to mention..."

  "Oh, don't be such a baby," she scowled pyfully, "Help me up, you oaf."

  He scoffed with a chuckle and a smile, kneeling down as he scooped her up in his arms. Her eyes went wide as a blush painted her face.

  "W-What are you-" she began, but he cut her off.

  "Just returning the favor," he told her simply, "Besides, we'll move faster this way."

  "...Whatever," she mumbled, but didn't compin more as she wrapped her arms around his neck, then teased him a little bit, "I'm not even missing a leg..."

  "Watch it..." he warned pyfully.

  She simply rolled her eyes, and the group continued to move on.

  Elizabeth's heart ached as she watched the two of them. She sorely missed Lucas, and seeing the two of them interact reminded her of memories from the past. So many lives lived. She wished she could share those memories with Lucas. The good ones, of course...she'd prefer to keep the bad ones to herself, though he'd argue to share that burden. Such was his gentle heart.

  However, to share those memories with him would be to cause him great pain...and quicken his death. That, she couldn't allow. She wouldn't allow. So, she would bear the burden of these memories and carry on for the future in which they could make memories they could share.

  "Oliver," Elizabeth called as she picked up her step, falling in next to him, "What is your pn from here?"

  "Are you worried?" he asked, gncing at her from the corner of his eye.

  "No," she immediately answered, which was the truth; there was no need for her to worry, all of them would survive, "I simply need to know you're not going to fuck around anymore."

  "Ah...right," Oliver looked a little ashamed, feeling the piercing hot gaze of his daughter who was still upset at him from earlier, "No, I admit I didn't live up to my title."

  "Those choices can have consequences," Elizabeth told him somberly, "If I wasn't here, or they were one step behind..."

  "Yeah..." Oliver nodded, his expression grave, "I have trust in my guild members. They're strong and capable, but...I admit, I underestimated this pce."

  "That isn't like you," she was disappointed in him, "I know that we are not all infallible, but remember...we need as many alive as we can get."

  "You're right," he nodded, taking a deep breath, "It was a foolish mistake that could have been deadly."

  "As long as you understand," she told him grimly, "Do you remember what I told you before?"

  "How could I forget," he chuckled softly, "I thought you were crazy, but you proved yourself. You saved Asgard, helped solidify our position, and helped us grow."

  Oliver was pensive for a moment before he continued.

  "You said that a war was coming," he spoke quietly, his tone heavy with the weight of it all, "A war that would decide our survival. Who would believe that? Even with the Gates, there was no precedent for it."

  Elizabeth was never upset when people didn't believe her words. She has lived over a thousand lives, so she learned to hide her knowledge of the future within an uncanny foresight. Something that she mastered over the years. After all, she couldn't just tell anyone that she was a regressor. That alone came with too many issues and dangers for her to afford.

  Only a select few understood and knew who she truly was. That was because in her early lives, she had been foolish enough to try and use her regressor status to influence the world. It hadn't been out of naivety, but desperation. She had little hope that it would work, and she had been correct. It had gone as horrible as you might guess.

  The world disputed her cims, with many attempts on her life. Some sought to capture her and steal her power, while others simply wanted to end her as a threat. In the end, Lucas had been targeted...and she had id waste to the entire East Coast of the United States in retaliation before succumbing to her injuries. Since then, she was more selective in how she approached things.

  "There was a precedent," Elizabeth told him, still veiling the truth, "The gates were evolving, changing. Their ranks increasing. It is only logical that they'd get worse."

  "Perhaps..." Oliver said with a small smile, "It was simply hubris on our part, but you always had such an uncanny insight to things. Your advice served me well. Sometimes, I had to wonder..."

  Elizabeth's full attention shifted to Oliver in that moment as his words trailed off. This was a moment that proved crucial. A turning point of sorts that Elizabeth had been waiting for. It wasn't that she fully kept her identity as a regressor hidden, but that she pnted seeds within those she built trust with. It was up to them to nurture it, and if they did...she would test them.

  "It's almost like you know what is going to happen," Oliver finally said, the words falling from his lips as if he already knew the answer.

  "...And what if I did?" she asked, barely a whisper, but was heard clearly enough...along with the hidden edge underneath.

  Oliver gnced at her, and for a moment...he appeared unsure. There was a hint of fear within his eyes, quickly repced by a thousand thoughts racing through his mind. Then, finally, crity.

  "Well..." he turned his gaze forward and let out a soft sigh, "Then, I'd say you were godsent...and that I need to listen to you more."

  "That would be smart regardless," Elizabeth replied with a small, but devious smile.

  "Heh, won't argue with that," Oliver took a deep breath and straightened himself, swallowing hard before asking the question on his mind, "So...is it true?"

  "Would it matter if it was?" she asked in return, to which he smiled and shook his head.

  "Not really, no," he answered, then his tone turned solemn, "I swore an oath, and I don't take that lightly. Besides..."

  He dropped his solemn demeanor, becoming a little nervous as he rubbed the front of his neck.

  "I'd like to keep my head, thanks," he chuckled anxiously, "I could practically feel your bde against it."

  "Don't be dramatic," Elizabeth scoffed, "I meant it when I said all of you were getting out of here alive, but as for after..."

  She shrugged nonchantly with a devilish smirk, a cold sweat beading Olivers face as his smile turned even more nervous.

  "Hah..." he sighed heavily in defeat, "I never stood a chance, huh?"

  "I don't know what you mean," Elizabeth told him calmly, "You act as if I trapped you."

  "Heh, right...sorry," he chuckled and asked her, "So, what do I have to do?"

  "Prove to me that my faith isn't mispced," she told him with authority, "Show me that the oath you swore wasn't just for show."

  "Now that...I can do," he stood tall with a fire burning in his eyes, visibly rexing as Elizabeth released the hold she had over him in that moment.

  Oliver had passed the test. Whether or not he believed his own conclusions, or her insinuations, didn't matter. What did matter was that he had shown his resolve to keep his mouth shut and simply listen.

  There was one Vampire Lord left, and after that...Elizabeth could cim her prize.

  -----

  (Oliver's POV)

  There were many thoughts going through Oliver's mind. Most of them pertaining to the choices he recently made, and the failure to see beyond them that led to the current situation. He trusted his guild members, those he considers close friends and family, to do what was necessary. He had wanted them to take a moment to shine, but that had been shortsighted.

  "Raven Sage..." he couldn't help but scoff at himself, for it was a title that praised him for his wisdom, but where the wisdom in allowing them all to fall into a trap?

  He had believed that Stel and Anders could handle it, but like him, they had failed to see beyond what was in front of them. He had wished to show the capabilities of Asgard to Miss Elizabeth, someone he admired even though she was younger than him. She had given him advice that saved him and helped Asgard become what it was today.

  He owed her everything, and he had made a fool of himself.

  Not only that, but now his daughter, Evy, was upset at him for pying around too much. He had never been worried that they were in any true danger, not so long as Miss Elizabeth was with them, but even she was disappointed in him. On top of all of that...there was the feeling he had deep within his gut.

  He had always found the advice she gave to be uncanny. When it turned out to be of use, he was grateful and didn't really question it. She was a prodigy. Able to see events unfold and predict the movements of the changing world. He almost thought she had [Cirvoyance], but such a skill was incredibly rare, and even if she did have it...was it possible to see so far into the future?

  He dismissed it many times, even forgetting about it after a fashion, but now that feeling had come back, and he questioned it again. Could she see the future, or was she perhaps from the future? He could feel her eyes upon him; eyes that held a depth so profound that he felt he might go mad if he looked for too long. There was a wisdom and determination within them that put him to shame.

  Whatever pns she had for this world, he knew that she would stop at nothing to achieve it. He could feel the weight of the guillotine on his neck. The cold bde of her sword against his skin. A single mistake would cost him everything, and it was in this moment that his wisdom finally worked in his favor.

  A couple years ago, he had vowed to follow Miss Falcrest after she had saved Europe from a monster wave. The NUN had neglected their duties, allowing several Gates to reach their limits, and the Parisian Wild Zone broke free of containment. Everyone thought that it was the end...until they saw those fmes. She lit the way to victory, burning all who stood in her way...including several NUN officials, written up on record as accidental casualties.

  No one present dared to report her, and no one wanted to.

  He often thought that perhaps it was around this time that the bad blood between NUN and Miss Falcrest started, but Oliver, and many others, backed her. She had saved Asgard Guild Members, along with several smaller European Guilds, who had been trapped because of NUN's foolishness. Their greed had led to the disaster, but it was Miss Falcrest who had saved them from the brink.

  Ever since, he had swore to repay that debt and always stand on her side. That wasn't going to change today. Whatever she was, wherever she was from...she was truly godsent. Besides, it's not like he could prove his suspicions, and even if he could, what would it matter? So, why even worry about it?

  "Miss Falcrest," Oliver spoke softly as they drew closer to their goal, "You feel that?"

  "Of course," she replied casually, "Are you prepared for it?"

  He came to a stop, along with everyone following. For a while now, perhaps twenty minutes or so, they had been wandering the cathedral, trying to find more of these Vampire Lords, or rather...

  ----

  >NOTICE: One Vampire Lord remains.

  >They summon you to the Garden of the Progenitor.

  >Find your way.

  ----

  "There's only one left..." Oliver muttered, letting a sigh escape his lips.

  He stood for a moment, taking in the corridor before them. Lined with stained gss depicting scenes of a utopia, bck marble pilrs fnked the way, entwined with golden vines and leaves. At the far end was a fanciful double door, what looked like wrought iron but embellished with the same golden leaves and vines upon its surface.

  There was a palpable tension of anticipation in the air. Everyone knew that this was the st obstacle in their path, and yet...Oliver felt uneasy.

  "Everything alright?" Leif asked, a bit of concern in his voice.

  "Pappa..." Evy called with a bit of warning under her tone, "You're not hiding something again, are you?"

  Oliver gave a small smile and a little chuckle.

  "No, Evy," he told her, turning to face all of them, "Take a moment. Open your senses...do you feel that?"

  Mira shifted in Kennith's arms, closing her eyes with everyone else following her example. Evy took a deep breath, centering herself before her eyes snapped open, her expression hardening.

  "What...is that?" she asked, feeling what Oliver and Miss Elizabeth have felt, "It's dangerous."

  "I feel it as well, but faintly," Mira slowly opened her eyes, which shifted towards the door at the other end of the corridor, "It's past that door, isn't it?"

  "Has to be," Kennith furrowed his brow, "That's where I felt it, too."

  Everyone muttered their agreement, and Oliver smiled his approval.

  "Yes," he nodded, "Past that door will be a fight for our lives."

  "I'll ask again," Miss Falcrest spoke up, "Are you prepared for it?"

  They all fell silent, contemptive before their faces hardened with resolve. Oliver appreciated the sentiment, but he held up a hand before they could speak.

  "You're not fighting," he told them firmly, "At least, not all of you."

  "What!?" Mira excimed, "I'm perfectly fine to...ah!"

  She winced in pain as she tried to get out of Kennith's arms, with Kennith giving her an amused, skeptical gnce. She huffed and settled back into his arms begrudgingly.

  "Okay, maybe I'm not, but-" Mira continued, but was gently cut off by Oliver.

  "No," Oliver said, his resolve set on this matter, "Everyone except Evy, Aria, and Leon will sit this out."

  "Are you sure?" Leif inquired, "I'm good to go."

  "Anders and I are fine, too," Stel decred, pouting a little, "I know we messed up before, but-"

  "You didn't mess up," Oliver told her with a gentle smile, "I had overreached. It was my mistake, but that's not why you're sitting this out."

  "Then...why?" Stel asked.

  Oliver could see beyond the normal means, a skill that came with experience for Pyers who had reached a certain realm. Right now, he could see the flow of those around him...besides Miss Falcrest. She remained an enigma.

  "Your flow, Stel..." Oliver expined calmly, "It's fluctuating wildly. This pce has taken its toll on you, Anders and Leif included."

  "...I have felt a little tired, but..." Stel sighed, resigning herself to the truth, "I hate this pce."

  Anders chuckled as he nudged her pyfully, to which she gave a small smile.

  "I don't like it, but..." Leif begrudgingly admitted, "I could use a rest."

  "So, I'll take point on this," Oliver told them, which seemed to surprise them, "Come on, you didn't expect me to just sit back and watch, did you?"

  "Well..." Evy scratched her cheek, looking away a little guiltily, "Considering your recent actions..."

  "Urk!...Okay, fair, but no!" Oliver excimed, grimacing a little before growing serious, "This isn't something to py around with, and I sincerely apologize for doing so up until now."

  He bowed his head towards them, as a way to ask for forgiveness and to show his sincerity.

  "...We all knew the dangers," Viggo spoke up, sounding a little embarrassed, "Besides, you didn't ask us to fight those twins. We chose that."

  Oliver felt relieved to hear that, but he had still made a mistake by letting them get caught in the magical trap. It was his responsibility to take care of them, and he had failed. He wouldn't fail again.

  "That said..." Evy let out a heavy sigh, "You're not off the hook, pappa, but, we'll discuss this after we get out of here."

  He felt her hand upon his shoulder, and he looked up at his daughter with gratefulness.

  "Just tell us what you need," she told him with a soft, gentle smile.

  He nodded and stood straight, addressing them all.

  "The pn is simple," he told them, "Through that door is something almost on par with myself, but we've seen what these Vampire Lords are capable of."

  "We can't let it drag out," Noel said, gncing at Viggo with concern, "We learned that the hard way."

  "Hey, I'm good," he assured her, earning him a small smile as she rested her head against his good shoulder.

  "You better be," she muttered.

  "Noel's right, though," Evy reaffirmed, "If this creature is as strong as Pappa, then we definitely can't let this fight drag on."

  "Exactly," Oliver agreed, "That's why, from the very start, I'm going all out. Evy, you keep them on their toes while Aria and Leon keep the bastard pinned. Don't give them room to breath."

  Evy cracked her knuckles and neck, smiling wickedly.

  "That, I can do," she told him, to which he felt pride.

  She had grown so much in the st couple of years. The world was a completely different pce, and while he was concerned with her being on the front lines, he couldn't stop her if he tried. The best he could do was help guide her and hope that she was strong enough to keep herself safe. She was definitely capable of doing that.

  "Suppression support on the job!" Leon acknowledged with a pyful salute, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Aria.

  "Stop joking around," Aria told him firmly, though she didn't hide her amused smile.

  Now that the pn was set in motion, Oliver led them all down the corridor towards the far end where the door awaited. Miss Falcrest followed closely, with Oliver well aware of her eyes upon him. She was evaluating him, and he wouldn't disappoint.

  He believed her when she said that war was coming. This gate, along with the one in Italy, was only the beginning. From now on, he wouldn't hesitate. He had a family to protect. Besides Evy who was by his side, he had a wife and teenage son at home. He had friends and those of the Asgard guild waiting for him.

  The feeling of aether, mana, began to accumute in his body. He circuted it like it was second nature. It was just like breathing for him. Every step, he became more focused. The energy around him becoming dense, his hand reaching towards the door. As he pushed it open, the strong presence beyond was unfiltered.

  Wafting into his nostrils was the sickly sweet scent of rot and blood, mixed with the aroma of flowers. Past the door y a garden of hedges, twisted vines, and blood red roses. Dark, cobblestone pathways led the way inside this rge, open inner garden.

  This creation of nature was surrounded on all sides by rge bones which rose up like pilrs of death, cradling what grew within. Bck marble columns and gazebos dotted the area, entwined with twisted vines that bloomed with crimson roses. Hedges of dark briars flowered in a simir fashion, creating a semi-maze leading into the garden itself.

  Past all of it, Oliver saw a crystalized, giant floating heart that spun slowly in pce. It was suspended at what felt was the center of this pce, and from that same direction came a sound.

  "Welcome to the Garden of the Progenitor," a sensuous voice called, masculine and sweet, "I'm gd you got my invitation. Not many have that privilege."

  A heavy aura settled upon them all. It felt of rot and decay. It felt...of death. Oliver steeled himself, gncing at everyone with him. They could feel the pressure, fighting against it...all save for Miss Falcrest, who appeared rather unbothered.

  In fact, Oliver noticed something. It wasn't that she was unbothered, though she most likely was, but it was more that she was focused. Her eyes ignoring all else save one thing, and as Oliver followed her line of sight, he saw that she was looking upon that crystalized behemoth of a heart.

  It seemed she saw something that she wanted, and it was only right that Oliver help her retrieve it. Whatever she was, wherever she had come from, the only thing that mattered is that she wasn't his enemy, and he had no pns on making her one.

  "Let's go," Oliver ordered, and took the first step in.

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  Vitaer's Blood. Finally, it was so close now. There weren't many things that she could take with her whenever she regressed, otherwise she would have already had it.

  Now, the only thing standing between her and Vitaer's Blood was the st of the Vampire Lords. Valentino, Progenitor of the Heart.

  He was different from the others. He tended to the Heart of Vitaer. That legendary titan of old whose bones this cathedral had been built upon, within, and from. Everything about this pce stemmed from Vitaer, and it is what gave these Vampire Lords their power.

  The nd fed off of the corpse of Vitaer and the blood which pumped within the heart, twisting it to their purpose, but Elizabeth had other pns for it, and nothing would stand in her way. That's why, for a brief moment, she almost unleashed hellfire upon this pce in order to quickly achieve her goal.

  However, she held herself back at the st second, reminding herself that this wasn't her battle. Not this time. The world had to be ready to face the coming dangers, and they couldn't do that if she fought their battles for them. They had to learn, but that didn't mean she wouldn't step in if things went wrong.

  Falling in behind the ground, she bided her time, her thoughts turning toward the future. This was just the first step of many to come, her heart anxious. As determined as she was, there were some things she couldn't predict, and that made her uneasy.

  It was difficult not to think of the ways this could all go wrong. Lucas could die before she gets all of the ingredients...and hell, it might not even work in the end. Still, she had to try. This was the first time in over a thousand lives that she finally had a real shot at saving him.

  So much preparation had gone into this that she couldn't fail, but the thought was always there. The reality of the possibility felt like a cold stone settled in the pit of her stomach as a constant reminder.

  "My Lucas..." she pined for him like flowers yearned for the sun. Wanting nothing more than to bask in his presence for the rest of her days. Drinking of his love to fill the endless sea that was her devotion to him. She only wished that she could make things happen faster.

  All she could do was wait for the gates to open the way to the ingredients she needed. This was the first, but when would be the second, the third, or even the fourth? How long would it take for her to find everything? Would he be able to hold on until she found them all?

  She clutched at her chest, the aching of her heart unable to settle down. She channeled that feeling into cold focus. Looking straight ahead, her eyes set on the prize. If Oliver fooled around again, she would step in...and he wouldn't enjoy the aftermath.

  "Take in the sweet air," Valentino's voice echoed through the hedges of twisted briars, "Breath the divinity into your lungs."

  Most of the Asgard members shifted uneasily at the invitation, while Oliver and Evy carried on without a single misstep. Elizabeth could tell they were focused, which was good. They would need that focus to adequately deal with Valentino.

  "Is it just me, or is the air really heavy?" Leon inquired, his face hardened into a grim determination, "Like it's trying to cw its way inside of me."

  "Don't let it," Aria replied cheekily, attempting to give a wry smile, but her eyes betrayed her; she was feeling the effects of this pce as well.

  "I..." Stel tried to speak, but her breathing was ragged, "Really...hate this pce..."

  She stumbled, but was steadied by Noel who gave her a comforting, yet uneasy smile. Noel wasn't having an easy time either, nor were most of them. The only ones who seemed to be in their right senses were the ones that Oliver had chosen to help him fight.

  Though Leon and Aria were feeling the effects, their focus never wavered. They stood valiantly against the rotten seduction of this pce. The others...they had to rely on each other, but they were making it through. This was good, but it meant nothing if Oliver couldn't deliver.

  "Rex," Valentino's voice echoed, sweetly enticing, "There's no need to rush."

  Elizabeth gritted her teeth, disgusted by his voice and the way he spoke. She had...unpleasant memories of this pce. At one point in time, those words had almost had her completely forget about Lucas, lulled into a sense of mencholic listlessness. Valentino had tried to seduce her, beckoning her to drink of the heart and join him...but the moment he reached his hand toward her, the thought of anyone except Lucas touching her broke the spell.

  Disgusted and enraged, she removed his hand from his body, along with every single limb one by one. She ensured that he knew of his mistake, and soon Valentino came to regret the effectiveness of Vampiric Regeneration. To make her almost forget about Lucas, along with attempting to seduce and touch her...even now, she wished to tear him asunder for it, but she withheld her rage for now.

  "His voice is...nice," Kenneth murmured, half-entranced.

  "H-Hey!" Mira excimed as his grip slightly loosened on her, "Don't drop me, you oaf!"

  Bringing her hand back, she spped him hard across the face, immediately snapping him out of it as he blinked in confusion.

  "Ah...damn," Kenneth adjusted his jaw, feeling the effects of the sp, "Sorry, Mira..."

  "Idiot," she huffed, but Elizabeth saw a hint of jealousy behind her bravado, "Do it again, and I'll not hold back."

  "No, no!" he chuckled nervously, "I'm good, honest."

  "Better be..." she muttered, a light blush to her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder.

  He adjusted himself and held her closer. His face was set now, focused on protecting his mind from the effects of this pce. The others took after him, realizing how dangerous it was to let their guard down here.

  "Now, now..." Valentino's voice sounded a little annoyed, "No need to be so cautious..."

  His words were like poisonous silk. Gentle and inviting, worming their way around you as they tried to find any vulnerability to grab ahold of. However, Elizabeth was well-versed now in protecting her mind. She belonged to only one person, and there was no way in hell she'd allow herself to fall prey again to such devious tricks.

  "Bastard...I've had enough," Stel growled suddenly, righteous anger in her voice as she held her staff aloft, "Embrace us in your warmth and shield us from the rotten, [Panacea]!"

  Elizabeth raised a curious eyebrow, for [Panacea] was a rather interesting, and rare skill that had the potential to rival [Miracle] if given the chance to evolve. She was genuinely surprised for the first time in a while as the air around Stel suddenly felt...clean. A soft, gentle energy of teal swirled around her as the faint image of a woman formed from the energy, clothed in robes that covered all but her kindly serene smile.

  The woman appeared behind Stel, arms draped almost lovingly over her shoulders. The energy spread like wisps on the wind, caressing everyone and soothing their ailments. Even Elizabeth felt the effects, her heart and rage calmed for a moment. However, it was only for a moment as the image quickly faded and the energy disappeared.

  "Stel!" Anders excimed, rushing to her side as he caught her from falling, "Why the hell did you do that!?"

  Worry was heavy in his eyes, though she simply gave a carefree, nonchant smile and shrug.

  "I didn't like him in our heads," she stated simply, "Besides, I can do at least this much."

  "Damn it..." Anders helped her to steady herself and stand, wiping the blood from her nose with his sleeve, "You still can't handle it, though..."

  "You worry too much," Stel ughed, though the effects of using [Panacea] were obvious as she looked haggard.

  "Still, you could have asked for my help..." Anders sighed gently, "That's what I'm here for, you know."

  "My own personal battery," Stel joked, lovingly pcing her hand on his face, "I didn't really have time to ask, besides...it worked."

  Anders grumbled, but didn't say anything more. It was true that what she did had freed them from the effects, and for now, kept them protected.

  "How unpleasant..." Valentino's voice echoed around them vehemently, "Such disgusting magic..."

  "We don't have long," Stel informed everyone, "Maybe...a minute?"

  It wasn't a long time, but it would be enough.

  "Then let's make it count," Oliver spoke up, motioning for everyone to move, "We have a Vampire Lord to kill."

  With redoubled efforts, they quickly moved through the garden, finding their way to an opening between two bck marble pilrs covered in pulsating vines. Beyond these pilrs y a rge, open courtyard where the giant crystallized heart floated above an octagonal stone pool in the center. The pool was made of that same bck and gold marble, and was a little over a foot tall.

  There, at the edge of the pool was a man with long bck hair which reached below his waist. It shimmered unnaturally, framing his delicately angur features of his face and falling upon his slender, lithe body. Loose, crimson pants with golden embroidery covered his lower half, while his torso was draped in diaphanous cloth that revealed his toned and scarred body underneath.

  "You've finally arrived..." his voice was less sweet now, irritated with Stel's interference, "You brought something unpleasant to my garden..."

  He was absently caressing the surface of the pool, which was filled with that sweet nectar of life, drained from the heart above. Suddenly, his eyes, glowing globes of the deepest crimson, shifted toward them. An intense pressure pushed down upon them.

  "You refuse the gifts I offer?" he inquired, his gaze focused on Stel, "Then you are not welcome."

  Stel suddenly clenched her chest, just over her heart as she doubled over.

  "Stel!" Anders excimed, grabbing ahold of her as he tried to figure out what was wrong, "You bastard! What did you do!"

  "Whatever I wish," Valentino replied with an air of superiority, "She will pay for-"

  Oliver stepped in front of him, blocking his view from Stel, a dark blue streak cut through the air as he swung his staff before him. As if a connection had been severed, Stel took a deep breath as she leaned against Anders for support, assuring him she was okay now.

  Valentino's gaze lingered upon Oliver with a burning annoyance. A gaze that Oliver returned in kind, his own eyes aglow with a golden light reflecting an inner consteltion of a raven.

  "Foul creature," Oliver spoke condescendingly, "You all speak of manners, yet ck any yourself. We will not drink, for what you offer is foul."

  A wicked smile spread slowly across Valentino's face, revealing his fangs as he stood from the edge of the pool, blood dripping from his fingers. Elizabeth watched as he began to bring his fingers to his mouth, a glint of excitement in Valentino's eyes, however, this was quickly repced with consternation and anger as an arrow flew past Oliver and removed Valentino's fingers from his hand.

  "I don't know what you were about to do..." Leon said, already knocking another arrow, "But I had a feeling it wasn't going to be good."

  "You lowly creature!" Valentino shrieked, all pretense of regality falling away as his visage shifted into bestial features that were more batlike than before, "You dare disrespect me!"

  Another arrow flew toward Valentino, only for it to stop midair, held in pce by a tendril of blood.

  "Did you really think that'd work again?" Valentino asked with a low growl.

  "No, but..." Leon smirked, motioning to Valentino's side, "I'm sure that will."

  Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile as she reveled in Valentino's surprise as he turned to see Evy had appeared before him. Her fist pulled back as a golden energy enveloped it, her eyes focused with intent and aglow with power.

  "[Break]!" Evy shouted as the air broke before her fist, twisting as it connected with Valentino's face.

  Valentino was sent flying into the ground, bouncing several times before coming to a stop within a divot on the ground. However, he nded upon his feet, hunched over as he gred at her.

  "You...!" Valentino began, but he had not time to react.

  "She's not your only worry, right now," Oliver's voice called from within the dust of Valentino's impact.

  Shifting his head quickly towards the sound, Valentino came face to face with Oliver, his staff aimed directly at his head. A dense, dark blue energy surrounded it, forming a mana circle before a concussive force tore into Valentino, sending him flying once more. Before he could nd, Evy appeared above him as he bounced, her body enveloped in a green aura.

  Gathering energy into her hand, her fist moved faster than lightning, hitting Valentino square in the chest. His body caved from the attack, suspended in the air for a brief moment. After a slight dey, the ground beneath him formed a crater and he was sent into it, buried deep beneath the ground. However, Oliver and his team didn't relent.

  "[Bombardment]!" Aria's voice called out, an arrow of fire rose high in the sky from her bow before splitting and falling upon Valentino like artillery.

  As the st of the attacks fell, Evy leapt backwards, her instincts kicking in as the ground erupted in a crimson fury. The bloodlust that filled the courtyard was immense. Oliver erected a golden barrier to protect everyone from the debris, his face stoic and completely unfazed.

  "Enough!" Valentino raged, rising into the air from the rge crater, "You've had your fun...now it's my turn."

  A thin, yet dense aura enveloped his body with an eerie red glow. His body was no longer fully human, but had become more batlike. Wings had extended from his back, his hands and feet had become cws, and his face morphed into that of a bat. With a power shriek, a shockwave was sent out from him, blocked by Oliver's shield, yet tearing into the ground around it.

  "I am Valentino!" he roared, "Progenitor of the Heart and chosen of Vitaer! I will not die to the likes of you!"

  Elizabeth couldn't help but scoff, because this fight was already over. Since the start, she had been watching the events that had led up to this point. Ever since that first arrow from Leon and the attack from Evy, Ravens had begun to nd upon the briars and marble structures nearby. Oliver had been calmly assessing everything, being right where he had to be when he had to be there. All the while, he was gathering his army.

  "You're right," Oliver told him, finally smiling for the first time since the fight had started, "You won't die to us...you'll die to them."

  A cacophony of squawks and caws filled the area as hundreds of ravens took flight.

  "I've heard that ravens eat bats..." Oliver said, a deadly amusement in his eyes, "Well, they're famished, and it's time to feast."

  Valentino turned his attention to the swarm of ravens approaching him, a beam of crimson shooting out from his hand as he cut through a swathe of them, only for it to be filled in almost immediately by more. He took to the air, attempting to outmaneuver them, but the ravens cut him off at every turn, splitting into different flocks to corner him.

  They pecked at his flesh and tore at his wings. Elizabeth took great pleasure in seeing him torn apart bit by bit, slowly as the ravens drove him to the ground, unable to overcome their numbers. His cries of anguish filled the courtyard as the ravens feasted upon his flesh, but soon his struggles ceased and no sound could be heard.

  Oliver walked towards the bnket of ravens that covered Valentino, all of whom gave way to him to reveal the dissected body within. Valentino's regeneration was trying to keep up, his flesh knitting itself back together over the exposed bones, trying to regain some sembnce of himself, but it was no use. Valentino could only stare up at Oliver as he stood above him, attempting to speak, but only a pathetic gurgle escaped his throat.

  "Bones and all," Oliver stated darkly, aiming his staff at Valentino, a golden rune coalescing before it as an energy washed over them.

  Valentino's body convulsed as it was violently torn asunder from the golden light, leaving behind only a singur, glittering crimson core. Taking a deep breath, Oliver knelt down to pick it up as a notification appeared before everyone.

  ----

  >NOTICE: The Vampire Lords have been defeated.

  >The Moor of the Damned shall slumber once more.

  >Rewards: Crimson Pact (Shield), Bracelet of Rot, Crystal Vial.

  ----

  Elizabeth strode forward as the rewards were given, each appearing on the ground before the octagonal pool. The shield was circur and made out of a thick, crimson shell and a bck jewel in its center. It would bind to the user and act almost symbiotically with them. It could use the vitality of its wielder to bolster its defenses as well as draw from the vitality of those its wielder harmed. Picking it up, Elizabeth tossed it towards Noel, who caught it with a puzzled expression.

  "I don't-" she began, but Elizabeth motioned with her head towards Viggo.

  "His arm wasn't the only thing that broke," Elizabeth expined, much to Viggo's embarrassment, "He'll need a new shield once his arm is back to normal, but make sure you're careful with that."

  "I'll make sure he is," Noel gnced at Viggo with a coy smirk, who simply rolled his eyes with a smile of his own.

  Upon the edge of the pool sat a bracelet fashioned from what looked like two pieces of rusted metal, and yet to the touch its surface was smooth. It almost appeared rather mundane, but upon close inspection revealed thin bck lines that were woven within the metal. Like the Crimson Pact, the Bracelet of Rot was also symbiotic.

  When bound to its wielder, the Bracelet of Rot granted benefits in the way of a debilitating touch that could even be given through weapons they used. Like the shield, it could draw upon its wielder's vitality to bolster the effects it produced. It could also draw from the debilitations and bolster its wielder; however, this ended the effects...in a rather gruesome fashion, dealing damage as it drew the energy back to its wielder.

  It was an incredible item, along with the shield. Both the Crimson Pact and Bracelet of Rot were S-Rank Items. Each could be drawn out to their full potential and had the possibility of becoming SS-Rank, but that all depended on their users.

  "Mira," Elizabeth tossed the bracelet to her, "Make sure you don't lose your innards before you master that, yeah?"

  Mira caught the bracelet just as Kenneth set her down to rest, her eyes widening.

  "Are you sure?" she asked, smiling her appreciation when Elizabeth nodded, "Thank you, but also...I have no pns on losing my innards at all."

  "That remains to be seen," Kenneth teased, to which she kicked his shin pyfully.

  The st and final item...the Crystal Vial. It was roughly palm sized and shaped fancifully into a sweeping pattern resembling a blood droplet. It came complete with a stopper that easily came off. Within the center of the vial was carved the image of a heart. Something that Elizabeth always found amusingly fitting.

  "What's that?" Evy asked as she walked up next to her.

  "...Something important," Elizabeth replied quietly.

  "Important?" Evy tilted her head, and Elizabeth nodded.

  "Extremely," she answered, turning towards everyone, "If no one has any objections, I will be taking this for myself."

  They all looked at each other, and then at Oliver for the final decision. None of them seemed to have a problem with it, and so Oliver simply shrugged.

  "You could take it all, if you wanted," Oliver told her earnestly, with everyone nodding in agreement, "Are you sure that's the only thing you want?"

  "You did all the work," Elizabeth said, "It'd be wrong of me to take everything."

  "True, but..." Oliver shrugged, "We didn't come here for the items, but to keep our home safe. Besides, you were the only who helped me realize my foolishness, and you helped everyone here grow with your advice."

  They all nodded in agreement with Oliver's words, which was a little embarrassing if Elizabeth was honest, but she was appreciative, nonetheless.

  "Then repay me by continuing to grow," she told them as she stepped upon the edge of the pool, "For now, I will only take this...and I ask that you all not reveal what you see next."

  Turning towards the crystalized heart above, she held out the vial and poured her energy within it. At the same time, she gave herself over to Von Angeal, becoming the Demon Queen before all of them. Regal and terrifying, beautiful and powerful.

  "I, Elizabeth Von Angeal, command you, Vitaer," Elizabeth spoke with not only reverence, but authority, "As the Demon Queen of the Realm of the Dark Sun, I hereby demand you bend the knee."

  She could feel the eyes of all behind her, stunned into silence, as the blood within the octagonal pool began to ripple in response to her demand. A titan so ancient and powerful that they might as well have been a god. It has been trapped, suspended in this state for untold centuries.

  "You...demand me?" a deep, rumbling voice echoed out, "You of the Dark Sun, she of two worlds...by what right do you command me?"

  A great power cshed with her own, threatening those behind her. With quick thinking, Oliver created a barrier over himself and his team.

  "I don't know what's going on, but..." Oliver spoke above the csh of power, "I stand with you, just...might want to hurry it up. I don't think I can hold out for long."

  Elizabeth gnced briefly back at all of them to see that they were all looking up with awe...and not a single ounce of animosity. In fact, their eyes were so clear that if not for the notification...she wouldn't have believed it.

  ----

  >The Covenant of Von Angeal has grown.

  >Those within Asgard stand with you.

  ----

  They didn't even know what she was trying to do...nor have they ever seen her in this form. Just moments ago, they were killing a monster much like her, and yet now...they were by her side. She hid her smile as she turned back towards the rippling pool of blood, "There really are good people in this world, Lucas. You were right, as always..." her thoughts were fond, which only bolstered her resolve as she pushed back against the Titan's st vestige.

  "By right of not giving a shit," Elizabeth sneered back at Vitaer's presence, "You will bend the knee, or I will break you. Either way, I will get what I need. It matters not how."

  The entity assesed her, almost balking from the sudden surge of strength that Elizabeth exuded with her presence. She would not fall here.

  "Relinquish yourself," she demanded, uncorking the vial and holding it out, "Are you so desperate to live that you cling to this pathetic existence, twisted by the corrupt only to rot?"

  "I am not desperate," Vitaer's essence growled, "You tread on dangerous grounds."

  "The only danger here, is me," she replied with deadly crity, "And the question you have to ask yourself...is do you want to see what I'm capable of, or would you rather find the rest you deserve and to give of your st bit of life...something that will save another."

  Her tone softened at the end, unable to speak harshly when Lucas was on her mind. She awaited the entities response, ready to do what was needed if it refused.

  "My life..." Vitaer spoke after a moment, his voice sounding tired, "It has been used to corrupt and rot. Twisting life into a pale imitation. You cim to use my power...for something better?"

  "I do, yes," Elizabeth answered truthfully, for it is what she believed, "Whether you give it freely or not, the choice is yours."

  "...You have love in your heart," Vitaer's words took her by surprise, a slight twitch to her eye betraying her otherwise stoic expression, "How surprising. I felt your bloodlust, only to feel a warmth within it..."

  Elizabeth was getting embarrassed, being judged by this ancient Titan. She didn't come here for its approval, she just needed its power.

  "Will you bend the knee...or not?" Elizabeth asked again, her patience wearing thin.

  "Someone in love...is terrifying," Vitaer responded, and the pressure from it lessened, completely submitting to her, "I'd rather not know what you'd do if I stood in your way. Very well...I hope you find what you're looking for."

  As the st of Vitaer's words echoed out, they seemed almost gentle and genuine. Something about that annoyed her. She didn't need his words of hope. It felt as if he was talking down to her, though perhaps she had just been jaded for far too long that such things felt foreign to her.

  Either way, she had gotten what she desired. The blood within the pool began to ebb and flow as if coming alive. Above them, the crystallized heart began to crack and the blood within the pool began to draw up towards it. The blood enveloped the heart, creating a barrier around it as it slowly began to shrink. As it shrunk, the heart and blood were drawn towards the vial which Elizabeth held in her hand.

  Within moments, the entire bottle was filled with the entirety of Vitaer's Essence. The pool was left empty, and the heart above no longer remained suspended. As she put the stopper back on the vial, she could feel the warmth and vibrancy of life within it...as well as the pulsing, beating of the heart.

  She clutched the vial to her chest, thoughts filling with Lucas and the hope she now saw for their future. Finally, she had obtained it...Vitaer's Blood.

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV, After the Moor)

  The Moor of the Damned was cleared, and Asgard had received the praise for it worldwide, though she was credited for guiding them. Elizabeth thanked them for their efforts, and they vowed to keep what they saw in there a secret, with the only question being from Evy, who just wanted to know if she was still invited to the wedding when it happened.

  Elizabeth could only ugh and assure her that she was, and also thanked Oliver for showing her that she could leave things in his hands now. He was more than capable of handling Critical Dungeons as long as he didn't get ahead of himself. Who knew what would come, but as long as he continued to grow, along with the rest of Asgard, then this world might have a chance.

  With the vial of Vitaer's Blood in her possession, Elizabeth said goodbye to Sweden, and was on the first pne back home. Oliver and Asgard had proven themselves, and so now she put her attention elsewhere. It didn't matter if they were strong enough if Lucas didn't survive; she'd end this world in an instant, and her anxiety about it all was already past its limits. She needed some reassurance.

  Somewhere in New Washington, Lucas felt a chill run up his spine, knowing that something was coming for him with a hunger that was insatiable. She has been away for far too long, and she looked forward to being back for a while.

  -----

  Nikushimi