Elsa's eyes glinted with sadistic amusement as she took another step forward, dagger dancing effortlessly between her fingers.
"Oh, a spirit?" she purred, her gaze drifting lazily over the room. "I've never seen the insides of a spirit before... how delightful."
Felt stiffened beside Rom, her expression tightening with a mixture of fear and confusion. "H-Hey! What the hell are you talking about?"
Elsa tilted her head toward the blonde, her smile widening. "Well, it seems we can't exactly negotiate if the insignia's rightful owner is already present… so I've decided to change the terms."
Her eyes shimmered with murderous intent.
"I can't have any witnesses," she whispered, voice dripping with eerie calm. "So, I'll just slaughter everyone here. As you've failed to keep up you're end of the bargain. You talked big, yet you fell short, as expected of a lowly slum dweller."
With that, she raised her dagger high, the blade catching the light as it spun. Her stance shifted, predatory and graceful, like the start of a dance. With death itself.
I narrowed my eyes, "Satella, ready yourself," I said, barely audible.Puck floated beside Emilia now, his expression dark, cold air beginning to seep into the room.
Now, let's stall a little.
Feeling his gaze on me, I gave a subtle nod and a casual wink, our unspoken (but technically spoken a couple of hours before) plan was coming to fruition.
Turning back to Elsa, I flashed a faint smirk.
"What? Annoyed that things didn't go to plan. So now you're going to kill us all? how tactless"
Elsa chuckled, low and velvety, as if my words amused her more than they should.
"Oh, darling," she cooed, the dagger twirling between her fingers like a toy, "this is the plan. The moment negotiations fell apart, the only logical next step was carnage. Everything after is just clean-up."
The room had gone still, tension crackling in the air like a drawn wire ready to snap. Felt had stepped back, eyes flicking toward the door, but it was far too late for that now. Rom's expression had hardened, arms already beginning to shift, his massive frame bracing for what was to come.
I tilted my head, keeping my tone light, taunting even."Pretty bold for someone who failed to land even one hit earlier. You sure you're not overestimating yourself?"
That wiped the smirk off her face, just for a second.
Then, she smiled wider.
"Oh, I wasn't aiming to hit. I just like watching people flinch."
"Oh, suuure you did," I replied lazily, twirling on my heel like I didn't have a murderous psychopath standing ten feet in front of me. Yet, my eyes never once left her body during this entire exchange. Say for the odd blink.
I gave a mock clap, tone light and laced with sarcasm. "Classic excuse. 'I meant to miss'. Oldest one in the book. But hey, props to you, you sold it. Must take a special kind of person to really enjoy watching others suffer."
I stopped twirling, my smile dropping just enough to show I wasn't joking anymore.
"Well, too late to back out now. I suppose."
Elsa's grin widened like I'd just handed her a gift.
"Aren't you a lively one?" she purred. "I'll take my time with you."
"I'm sure you will, but not right now, as it was all a ploy. For little ol' me to buy time. Now! puck."
"Well, too late to back out now. I suppose."
Elsa's grin widened like I'd just handed her a present wrapped in blood-red ribbon.
"Aren't you a lively one?" she purred, licking her lips like a predator savoring the moment before the kill. "I'll take my time with you."
I smiled, calm as ever. "I'm sure you will." I took a casual step back, hands raised like I was surrendering.
"But not right now."
Her eyes narrowed.
"It was all a ploy, after all," I said smoothly, the confidence in my voice shifting the air. "Just buying a little time... for little ol' me."
Then I snapped my fingers.
"Now, Puck."
The air around Emilia exploded into a swirl of icy wind as Puck's magic flared to life, glowing with power. In an instant, dozens of massive ice crystals burst forth, circling Elsa like spears ready to strike.
Elsa's grin twitched, her confidence finally showing a crack.
The crystals shot forward in unison, hammering into her with ruthless precision. The room was drowned in a blinding flurry of frost and mist. When the storm settled, a towering spire of ice stood where she once stood, completely encasing her.
For a moment, silence.
Then Rom had to jynx it. "Did they get 'er?!"
CRRRK—SHATTER.
No, no, they did not. Why did I forget about that goddamn cloak. fuck roswaal. That could have significantly increased our chances of escaping or winning.
The berg burst apart in an explosion of jagged shards, her cloak vanishing with the blast. Elsa stepped out, unscathed, dagger gleaming as she gave it a lazy flick, scattering a few ice chips from its edge.
"One should always be prepared," she purred, voice lower now, sharper. "Even the weak can bite when cornered."
Then she moved.
In a blur, she surged forward, blade flashing, aiming directly for Emilia—only to be met with a sudden wall of ice.
Puck floated defensively at her side, eyes glowing with quiet fury."Sorry, but threatening my daughter is a really bad idea. that I won't forgive you for."
She clicked her tongue and moved again, faster this time.
Puck raised a paw. A wave of frost surged forward, forcing her to dart sideways, boots sliding across the ground as she barely avoided the brunt of it. Her dagger flicked out, slicing through a thin layer of ice that had started to creep up her arm.
They circled each other, tension mounting. Blades of ice clashed and shattered, the air growing colder with every passing moment. Crystal shards zipped through the air, cutting into walls and tearing up the floor. The room was becoming a battleground of frost and steel.
While the chaos unfolded, I hung back with Felt and Rom, watching from the shadows of the room.
i know that, unlike cannon, Puck has a lot more time left, but still. Elsa is an opponent that won't be able to be defeated by Puck and Emilia alone. They won't be able to win this battle of attrition. So, I need to make sure Felt escapes and calls for help.
"Rom," I said quietly, eyes never leaving the fight. "All of us together fighting won't make it out of this alive if it keeps going like this."
He looked at me, brows furrowed, but I didn't give him time to object.
"Please, don't argue," I urged, my voice firm. "That's the Bowl Hunter. She's known far and wide in Gusteko for her ruthless strength. We might be strong, but she has some kind of regeneration ability. I don't know what it is, but with how this is going, Emilia and Puck don't have nearly enough power to overcome it. So, Felt, I need you to escape and call for help. You're the fastest here, so you'll make it out. Rom and I aren't, and I especially..." I hope I don't come out as too informative. It'd be bad to have suspicion.
Felt listening blinked as her name was brought up, caught off guard. "Wait, what? You serious?"
"As a heart attack. We're on a clock, and it's running out of time. Go. now."
Felt blinked, surprised as her name was mentioned. "Wait, what? You serious?"
"As serious as death itself," I said, urgency creeping into my tone. "We're on a clock, and it's running out. Go. Now."
Felt's eyes flickered to Rom, a silent plea for guidance. Rom, for once, didn't hesitate. His gaze softened slightly, but his words were resolute.
"She's right. You need to go. It's the only way."
Felt hesitated for only a heartbeat before nodding, determination setting in. "Fine. I'll do it."
"Good," I said, slowly uncrouching, my eyes locked on the battle. "When I give you the signal, you rush out and don't look back."
I kept my gaze sharp, watching the exchange between Emilia, Puck, and Elsa. Every move was a step closer to what we needed, but I knew it wouldn't be enough if Elsa was allowed to regain her footing.
Then it happened.
Puck froze Elsa's foot in place, a sharp crack echoing as ice formed around her ankle. Without missing a beat, he struck, sending a massive iceberg of ice shooting toward her.
"Now!" I barked, my voice low but urgent. "Go. She's distracted and unfocused!"
Felt didn't waste any time, sprinting toward the door, her figure barely a blur in the dim light as she made her escape.
But Elsa, her sharp senses never wavering, caught sight of the movement. Her eyes narrowed, her expression twisting into something more dangerous.
"Trying to run away, are we?" she sneered, voice laced with venom. In one fluid motion, she whipped a dagger from her belt, throwing it with deadly precision toward Felt's retreating figure.
Fuck fuck fuck, how did she notice this time? Puck and Emilia should have her attention? Yet she still noticed? fuck, she's also putting her full priority into It to.
My mind was quickly racing as I saw the dagger in her hand slowly leave her hand. It's predicting where she's going to be, so if felt's momentum is halted, it'll miss. fuck, hope i don't die too.
With a swift, instinctive lunge, I threw myself at Felt, arms outstretched. I grabbed her around the waist, thank god she's light. i lowered my self, as i used my remaining directional force, and weight, to twist my hip and yank her back, and down to the floor. Narrowly dodging the blade.
Using the last bit of momentum, I twisted my hip, channeling all my remaining strength to yank her down to the floor, pulling her just out of the dagger's path.
The blade sliced the air inches from my side, grazing my shoulder in a sharp sting before embedding itself into the floorboards behind us.
"Fuck!" I gasped, my breath shallow as I held Felt down, shielding her from whatever else Elsa might throw our way. My body pressed against her and the floor. Blood was quickly trickling out of the wound.
I heard a small gasp behind me (probably Emilia) and then the unmistakable crash of Puck's glacier-like crystal slamming into Elsa.
A quick glance back showed Elsa being knocked into the wall, the impact not as powerful as the first, but enough to leave her staggered, even as she blocked part of it. I smiled a bit as I noticed one of her wrists forming into a blooming bruise and torn skin, a sign of it being heavily injured. Maybe even broken.
"Are you okay?" I whispered to Felt, my voice urgent but calm. "If so, go now. She's perceptive, but she's hurt. Take the chance while you can."
Felt's eyes darted back and forth, hesitating for a split second, before she nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. She pushed herself up, avoiding looking back at the chaos behind her. "Right. I'm out. T-thank's for the save... btw."
She didn't wait for further encouragement. With a swift motion, she bolted, her footsteps quick and sure, leaving me with the burden of making sure Elsa didn't notice the escape.
Elsa, still recovering from the earlier blow, finally regained her stance, eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. "You think you can escape that easily?" she sneered, raising her dagger once more. Her gaze locked onto me, cold and calculating.
I could feel the intensity of the air shift, as if she were already preparing for her next move. Now, Blade turned to me.
Shit, i can't handle her strength, i may be able to react and dodge, but that's only because i can observe her. Not because of my speed. It's no where near her monstrous speed... fuck.
Quickly, I pulled out the dual blades, wincing due to the pain blossoming on my shoulder. That hurts, but death'll probably hurt more.
I tightened my grip on the dual blades, forcing myself to focus despite the pain that was beginning to flare in my shoulder. Elsa's grin twisted as she twirled her dagger, her eyes glinting with a dangerous, almost playful edge. She knew I was on the defensive, and that was exactly where she wanted me.
"Let's see how long you last," she purred, lunging forward with a speed that almost made my heart stop.
I barely managed to twist out of the way, the blade grazing my side. A searing pain shot through me, but I ignored it. I had no choice but to keep up. Her next strike came fast, a horizontal slash that I only just managed to parry with one of my blades. The force of the impact rattled my arms, nearly making me drop the weapon.
Her laughter filled the room, sweet and cruel. "You're faster than most, but not fast enough."
I swallowed hard, forcing my breath steady, trying to push aside the pain. With each attack, I could feel her precision, her deadly intent, closing in on me. I couldn't keep this up forever.
Every time I dodged, it felt like a hair's breadth away from disaster. The only thing I had on her was my ability to read her movements, and even that was starting to wear thin. I could see where she was going to strike, but it was getting harder to move in time.
Puck had fully run out of juice and went to go... whatever he does after he finishes his 9-5 in his crystal. Maybe sleep? Topic for another time. Emilia was alone, but that didn't stop her, as she covered me anytime Elsa had a heavy strike.
but
The shift happened so quickly, I barely had time to process it. One moment, Elsa was focused entirely on me; the next, her attention snapped to Emilia, and in a heartbeat, she closed the distance between them.
I watched in horror as Elsa's blade cut through the air, aimed directly at Emilia's exposed side. "WHAT!" I shouted in surprise at the change in target.
Emilia, to her credit, reacted just in time, conjuring a large ice shield to block the majority of the strike. But Elsa's dagger still sliced through the shield with a sickening crack, grazing Emilia's side and drawing a thin line of blood. Emilia gasped, stumbling back, but the shield held, sparing her from anything worse.
Elsa, undeterred by the partial block, shifted effortlessly to her next strike. Then, Rom barreled in to intercept, his club raised high to defend Emilia. But Elsa was faster. She landed gracefully on top of Rom's club, twisting in midair as she slashed downward, slicing across his side with surgical precision.
Rom grunted, the blow only just missing a fatal strike, but the cut was deep enough to send him reeling. His massive form faltered, and he fell to one knee, clutching his side. Blood spilled out, staining his clothes, but he managed to keep his footing, barely.
Emilia, still leaning against the wall, was visibly shaken, her breath ragged as she fought to heal herself, her ice magic flickering and unstable in her shaky hands. Her eyes were locked on Rom as he collapsed, his blood staining the floor beneath him.
"Rom..." Her voice barely rose above a whisper, torn between helping him and protecting herself.
Rom, still conscious, managed to drag himself back to a standing position, grimacing from the pain. His wounds were severe, but he was far from finished. "Don't... worry about me, Tella," he said through gritted teeth, trying to keep his balance.
But it was clear: Elsa's relentless assault had taken its toll. We were all going to be fucked soon enough.
Ok, what is taking Reinhard so long? i stalled for so fucking long. Shit, this is fuckign shity idea, but i have no options. At all.
I lunged forward, pushing past the pain in my... well, everything and the exhaustion trying to make me fall.
My dual blades slashed through the air, aiming directly for Elsa. My movements were swift, desperate, and I had to keep the pressure on her. If I could just keep her focused on me, it would give Emilia and Rom the space they needed to recover.
Elsa's gaze snapped back to me as my blades clashed with hers, the sound of metal ringing out in the air. For a moment, her grin faltered as she blocked my strikes, but the intensity in her eyes told me she wasn't done playing with me yet.
"You're a stubborn one," she purred, her voice dripping with amusement. "But fine, I'll reward your eagerness. Your guts will look so beautiful when split."
I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore the pain in my body. "I don't think that's true, so maybe don't", I joke, trying to ease the pain. What? It's how I cope.
Her dagger sliced through the air, and I barely dodged it, the edge of her blade grazing my cheek. The wound was shallow, but the sharp sting reminded me of just how close I was to losing it all.
At least for now, I had her attention again. But it wouldn't last forever.
And the playing around began again.
This time, though, it wasn't just a game for her. Every exchange felt heavier, more brutal. Each clash, each moment I barely dodged her blade, the injuries piled up. My body felt like it was on fire, my muscles screaming with every move. Elsa's movements were like a graceful dance, fluid and precise. It was as if she was enjoying every moment of it, savoring each strike as I was slowly shredded with every exchange.
My blades barely grazed her, if at all, while her daggers tore through my flesh like a hot knife through butter. Blood splattered across the floor, and the pain was almost too much to bear. Still, I couldn't stop. I had to keep moving, keep fighting, even if it was hopeless.
With each swing, Elsa seemed to glide just out of my reach, her smirk never faltering, her grace never slipping. Her strikes, on the other hand, were relentless—like a storm I couldn't weather. Her dagger slashed through my arm, and I barely managed to step back before she took another swipe at my side.
I was gasping for breath now, the world spinning slightly from the pain, my body growing slower with every passing second. She wasn't even breaking a sweat. The wounds were piling up on me, but Elsa remained untouched, her flawless form moving effortlessly as if she hadn't been fighting at all.
Then, my body could no longer keep up. It betrayed me. The exhaustion, the blood loss, the pain, it all caught up in a brutal wave. My legs gave out beneath me, and I stumbled backward, my knees buckling as I collapsed onto the cold, unforgiving floor.
The world around me seemed to blur, and all I could hear was the frantic pounding of my own heartbeat; it was all I could hear, the pounding all around me. My body felt like it was falling apart with each breath, the weight of my wounds dragging me further into the abyss. Elsa's form stood before me, untouched, as I struggled to even stay conscious.
She chuckled softly, her voice dripping with amusement. "You're so weak. It's almost disappointing. But I suppose this has been a treat."
I couldn't stop the tremor that ran through me. My hands, covered in blood and dirt, barely had the strength to push against the ground. I tried to crawl, to inch myself away from her, but every movement felt like I was sinking deeper into despair.
I wanted the pain to stop. I didn't want to die like this... helpless, useless. Every part of me screamed for release, but the only thing I could do was crawl, dragging myself through the dirt and dust. The thought of dying, of losing everything, weighed heavily on me.
And then, something inside me snapped. A shift I couldn't explain. My hand pressed against the ground, a strange energy pulsing beneath it. The earth cracked like shattered glass, and everything around my touch crumbled as if it were made of clay. The decay spread quickly, devouring the materials, consuming everything in its path.
Elsa noticed, too, but it was already too late. The destruction took root, and her legs began to weaken, her footing unstable as the effect spread to her. She stumbled, eyes widening in shock as she realized what was happening.
The decay spread faster and faster, consuming the building and everything around it. Walls crumbled, ceilings caved in, and the air was filled with the sound of destruction. It wasn't just the building—it was everything. The entire structure began to shake as if the very foundation couldn't withstand the force. The ground beneath us fractured, and everything began to collapse.
I could feel my body weakening, my consciousness fading, as I clung to the last shred of awareness. The floor beneath me gave way, the building caving in around us. I didn't have the strength to fight it anymore. I felt myself falling, the world spinning out of control.
And then, darkness.
---
(???)
The streets of the capital were unnervingly silent, save for the rapid patter of Felt's footsteps ahead. Reinhard, ever vigilant, followed her at a distance, his instincts telling him something was amiss. The air was thick, charged with a tension he couldn't quite place. It wasn't like the usual chaos of the city; no, this was different. There was something more… foreboding.
Felt was moving quickly, her pace frantic, but her words echoed in Reinhard's mind.
"A 'black-haired bitch' trying to kill me... I need help, Reinhard! There are others still fighting!"
It was after he had heard her call for help as she ran through the streets, and as a knight, he couldn't leave this distressed citizen without helping.
Still, even as he sprinted after her, there was a gnawing feeling in his chest. Something deeper than the usual call to arms. The feeling was like a warning, like an unseen danger lurking just beyond his reach.
Was it his sense of duty making him ignore it, or was it something else?
His hand instinctively gripped the hilt of his sword. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, especially not when those in need called upon him. But that nagging feeling didn't go away. It only grew stronger the closer he got to the scene Felt had described. Something was pulling him in two different directions: the need to protect and the instinct to avoid whatever was ahead.
As they rounded the corner into the ruined district, the scent of dust and burning wood filled the air. The destruction was visible before he even saw the source. Buildings had been torn apart, pieces of stone and timber littering the streets. But what caught his attention the most was the smell of decay that lingered in the air.
Reinhard's brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene. "What happened here?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "Who could have—"
Before he could finish his thought, a sharp, unsettling sensation crawled up his spine, making his skin prickle. His grip on his sword tightened instinctively. Then, the very blade he carried, Ried, the dragon sword—his sword—had reacted as well. The ancient weapon, usually so calm and steadfast, seemed to stir in his hand, almost eager. Just like his instincts.
It wasn't just a whisper of a sensation either. No, it was something far more intense. The sword recognized something in the air, something or someone, worthy of its edge. Reinhard's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively took a step back, eyes darting around the wreckage.
But the feeling didn't last. It came, intense and urgent, then dissipated as quickly as it arrived, leaving Reinhard with nothing but an unsettling emptiness.
The threat… it was gone.
But the lingering unease remained, gnawing at the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong here, far beyond just the destruction around him.
Reinhard couldn't make sense of it—there was no immediate threat that warranted the blade's sudden stirring. But whatever it was, it was enough to make his caution grow even more. "What... what was that?" he wondered to himself.
Felt's face was now in horror, as she looked at the scene, "W-what happened!? R-rom?" her voice was quivering as she rushed forward, towards the destroyed building.
Reinhard's eyes sharpened as he saw the panic on Felt's face. His instincts flared as he moved to block her path, his hand gently but firmly on her shoulder.
"please, wait, miss." he said, his voice calm but urgent. "We need to stay focused. Rushing in there might not be the best idea. The enemy might still be nearby."
But Felt, her breath quickening and chest heaving with every frantic step she tried to take, wasn't listening. "No!" she shouted, her voice cracked with desperation. "I have to find him. I have to find Rom! Please, you don't understand! He could—he could still be-"
Her voice broke off as she stumbled toward the wreckage. But deep down, he had a feeling that all those inside the destroyed building, including the surrounding buildings. were completely devoid of all life.
---
A/N sorry for taking so long, my sister broke her arm so I had to take some days to my self helping her out, and then i had the biggest amount of writers block, as this chapter was a pain to write. some parts of it was more rushed than others. but i hoped you enjoyed it.
extra long, for the extra long wait. also, i hope you do enjoy the... post death scene i would say. will definitely do more of those.
also question for you all, was the fight scene all that good?
and on another note, did i botch how the dragon sword works?
also, i would love some feed back on if the characters are OOC and anything else really. i like feed back positive preferable, but constructive is good too.
anyway that's all, byeeeee
also damn, 4.5k words, noice.