The Power of Resolve
Relentless gunfire offers no respite; the battle rages on, and with every passing minute, the toll of wounded souls grows. Though we have managed to hold our ground, the weariness etched on every face betrays the toll of continuous effort.
I have no doubt that I am responsible for more than forty lives lost by my own hand. The battlefield is an infernal landscape, splattered with blood and torn fragments of bodies, the aftermath of devastating cannon explosions. However, the issue that plagues us is the scarcity of bullets, for the batch we prepared is all we intend to use throughout the year.
Fortunately, the number of foes has dwindled, which could signify two things: either they are plotting a dangerous stratagem, or they are running out of men. It is unimaginable to control such a vast horde, and I am convinced that over four hundred corpses lie strewn across this desolate place.
Achieving such a feat is only possible if they capture people from nearby villages and turn them into cannon fodder.
They possess a force resembling a small army, a mass of desperate men. Yet, their intelligence leaves much to be desired, as they persist in attacking us with knives in hand. As we become aware of their approach, we bring down the last of them, creating an overwhelming silence that envelops us.
No one celebrates the victory; all remain vigilant, expecting new foes to appear at any moment.
Some soldiers take advantage of this brief respite to reload their weapons, while others sit exhausted, seeking a moment of rest amid the chaos.
Initially, I did not understand why such rigorous work schedules were imposed on the factory and forge workers. I once thought we were enslaving them, but now I understand it was a necessary measure given our desperate situation.
We are left with only a small batch of bullets, and we cannot hold out much longer.
Sofia signals to me that the cannons have ceased to function. I breathe a sigh of relief, seeing that this happens at the right moment. Undoubtedly, if the general had not made the decision to focus all our efforts on the production of bullets and arms, this would have been impossible to carry out.
I wipe the sweat from my brow as I reload my weapon, and a wave of hope washes over the soldiers. However, from the forest, we sense something peculiar in the air.
We strain to see, and suddenly, something goes flying through the air. Our eyes follow its path until the lifeless body falls near one of the captains. The captain, astonished, approaches the corpse and stabs it with the bayonet of his weapon.
Boom!
In that instant, the cadaver explodes with a deafening roar, unleashing a gust of wind that carries a cloud of dust. I instinctively close my eyes to shield myself from the impact's force, but the cries of pain from my comrades resonate in my ears.
Quickly, more of these corpses start falling from the sky.
"Fall back!" I shout desperately, urging everyone to get into motion. The earth mages left behind begin erecting protective domes to shield us from the attacks. However, I can see several cultists emerging from the forest, and among them, someone stands out.
He is diminutive, akin to that of a child in stature, yet all around him, lifeless bodies are raised and flung like macabre marionettes.
A new adversary has emerged, and we find ourselves defenseless against this enigma. Desperation tightens its grip upon us, but we cannot allow fear to paralyze our resolve.
" Don't give up! We must shield our beloved!" I exclaim with all my might as the mages conjure earthen ceilings over us, crafting an impromptu barricade.
"Captain Keer has fallen!" a soldier cries out while he endeavors to aid the wounded souls lying on the ground, battling for their very lives.
I should have anticipated this, my overconfidence a blight upon my judgment. The general had warned us that the enemy might possess some form of explosives, but I never fathomed they would resort to such a repulsive tactic: employing cadavers as explosive weapons.
I aim my weapon toward the cultists and, with one final surge of determination, unleash a fusillade. However, in a final effort, they raise earthy pillars to shield themselves from the bullets, crafting ever-nearer coverings.
They employ the corpses as improvised shields as they advance upon us. It is a formidable challenge to hit the mark when the earth mages find refuge behind that defensive bulwark.
The cannons' support eludes us, meaning we must deliberate judiciously and choose our actions wisely. Eliminating the leader's, known as "the Finger," becomes all the more arduous due to the ceaseless explosions hindering our advance and the precision of our shots amidst the dust and chaos.
The cultists draw nearer with each passing moment; the wounded multiply, and our capacity to advance is severely curtailed.
If the general does not arrive promptly as reinforcement, we are destined to perish.
Suddenly, an idea takes shape in my mind, a possibility that could put an end to this horror.
"After all, perhaps there is a way to vanquish the cultists." I direct my gaze toward one of my soldiers, someone in whom I can place my trust. He regards me with terror due to the gravity of the situation, but without hesitation, I shout with unwavering resolve, "Fetch the emergency mines! Bring the entire crate!"
The soldier's eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly assents and sprints toward the army depot. There is but one way to eliminate "The Fingers," even if it means risking my own life.
I will fulfill my duty without faltering.
"Captain Oslo!" I position myself beside Captain Oslo, who seems equally engrossed in contemplating our next course of action. "I have a plan to end this, but we must be willing to risk it all."
Captain Oslo smiles, placing complete trust in my words.
"As you command, my colonel!" He delivers a military salute and, without a moment's hesitation, opens fire upon the cultists.
In a matter of seconds, the cultists will reach our trenches. Though their numbers are not overwhelming, without the cannons, causing significant damage to their structures proves challenging.
Eliminating the mages who remain at a distance becomes an urgent priority, yet Captain Pest is wounded due to the explosion, leaving us without someone capable of reaching them from such a range.
In this pivotal moment, our strategy becomes our last hope, for we must rely on the general's spirit. The soldier returns with a small crate containing the meager remaining mines that were not yet deployed.
Lucas and Sofia draw near, seeking orders.
"Set up the mines and withdraw the moment the cultists enter. This will cause their destruction and create a protective barrier," I command, placing my hand on Captain Oslo's shoulder. "We will deal with 'The Fingers.'"
Captain Oslo immediately comprehends my intentions, and a flicker of excitement crosses his face. Undoubtedly, Oslo is a man worthy of respect.
It is incredible that he displays not a trace of nervousness in a situation like this.
"Understood, sir!" they both respond in unison, then move towards the soldiers, delivering vigorous instructions as they distribute the few available mines.
Captain Oslo and I each take two mines, aligning our weapons and, leaping over the trench, we catch the first cultists off guard. They have no time to swing their weapons before precise shots to the head take them down.
We sprint at full speed toward the nearest cover the cultists have erected. Without a moment's delay, we dispatch the cultists within and keep running. As the cultists become aware of our presence, they start closing in, but we leave one of the mines behind, avoiding their reach.
We exert every ounce of effort to escape their grasp.
These mines are defective, lacking the power of the ones previously installed. However, they prove perfect for this situation. We continue running at top speed, firing only at those who confront us head-on.
Suddenly, an explosion resounds behind us.
Boom!
Sharp ice spikes extend, annihilating the pursuing cultists. We seek refuge and shift in another direction to avoid detection by 'The Fingers.' I reload my weapon, but the mechanism jams quickly, trapping my thumb.
In that very moment, two cultists emerge from the shadows, and my survival instinct kicks in immediately. I attempt to swiftly move my finger aside, but one of them hurls his knife at me.
I skillfully slide to dodge it, but I can't avoid it entirely, and it grazes part of my arm, sending a searing pain coursing through my body.
Oslo, with his pinpoint accuracy, shoots one of the cultists in the head and pounces on the other, thrusting his bayonet into the cultist's chest. Without hesitation, I grab the cloth bandages we were provided to protect our wounds.
With a steady hand, I apply a tourniquet to staunch the bleeding while simultaneously reloading my weapon.
"Colonel!" Oslo rushes toward me hastily, but I halt him with a gesture of my hand.
"I'm fine; we're almost there. We just need one more thing."
For 'The Fingers' to lead his retinue, he will need to descend from his current position. Due to the cacophony of bullets and explosive cadavers, it is likely that no one will hear his descent.
This, undoubtedly, is our last stand, for we stand alone in this cover.
From this vantage point, I can discern the few cultists advancing towards the trenches. However, the gunfire becomes increasingly sparse, signifying that we will soon run out of bullets.
Oslo and I wait patiently, biding our time for the opportune moment to launch our assault. The cultists traverse the trenches, but right at that moment, all the mines activate in succession, unleashing a deadly barrage of thorns that impales the cultists who attempted to breach.
Quickly, the few who remain begin to leap over the traps, leaving that battle in their hands.
We have a pending task.
'The Fingers' commences his descent, heading toward where the mages are located. Oslo and I move stealthily between the covers, drawing nearer with each step. A small pillar, erected by the mages for improved visibility, suggests that there's a possibility they might spot us if we rise too much. When we get close enough, we can hear their voices.
"Worthless!" 'The Fingers' contorts his body with contempt. "You are defeated by mere humans. You are truly pathetic," he says as he seizes one mage's head and thrusts his hand into another's throat, bringing him down.
Oslo and I exchange glances, uncertain if this is the right moment. Right at that instant, the cultist retrieves a strange device from his pocket.
It appears to be used to attempt to see something, but what I hear provides me with some relief.
"So, it's a communication device." From the device, Miss Emilia's voice resounds, filling me with satisfaction to know she is still alive.
Terrified, the cultist tosses the device to the ground and clutches his head in desperation, closing his eyes for a moment. Oslo and I waste no time and seize that opportunity to toss the mines into the air with determination.
The explosive charges trace an upward trajectory, heading relentlessly towards the last remaining monster.
We grab our rifles and ruthlessly shoot down the mages still standing. Their attempts to react are in vain, as they fall one after another, defeated by our precise bullets. However, the cultist regards us with fury in his eyes, prompting us to act immediately, trying to distance ourselves from his reach.
Amid the dust cloud rising, I spot something hurtling swiftly towards us. I try to move quickly, but it's futile. The object pierces one of the covers and hurls me violently into the air.
I collide with an earth wall, feeling the impact reverberate through my body, while Oslo drops to the ground to evade the assault.
Despite the pain that engulfs me, I ignore the discomfort and muster a smile at the monster's oversight.
"In the end, they are nothing more than brainless bastards," I mutter with a strained voice, just before one of the mines strikes him.
Boom!
Thorns are violently unleashed in all directions with unrestrained force. 'The Fingers,' without time to emit a cry, is repeatedly pierced, while the resulting explosion ultimately annihilates the entire place.
I observe the scene with a smile on my lips, though I cannot help but contain the pain that stings me.
An infernal agony erupts within my chest, making it clear that the blow has fractured some of my ribs. I attempt to rise, but in the effort, I merely manage to cough up a mouthful of blood. Oslo, quickly getting to his feet, rushes toward me with a concerned expression.
"Alsten!" he shouts as he approaches swiftly.
He gazes at me with deep apprehension, but I keep on smiling. He extends his arm to help me rise. This has come to an end, for I hear no more gunfire, indicating that the battle in that direction has also concluded.
Now, all that remains is to await the other two, who have surely engaged in an even more fierce and harrowing struggle.
Emilia and I advance toward that place, but we fail to apprehend any of the Fingers, as they would rather take their own lives than fall into Emilia's hands. As we eliminate the last one, I realize that only one remains. Puck has already passed his operational time, so it's just her and me.
"Are you sure you can carry on?" Emilia asks, concerned for my well-being.
If it weren't for the miasma surrounding us, the battles would have been much simpler. Magical confrontations are frenetic and challenging, but thanks to my experience, I have developed a combat instinct.
Furthermore, Emilia's healing has aided in mending some of my wounds; otherwise, I would have been forced to withdraw. Emilia is astonishingly strong, and if not for her occasional lapses, she would be a formidable warrior.
We all learn in our own way, I suppose.
"I'm fine; I just feel the mana in my body exerting too much pressure," I reply, keeping my gaze fixed ahead.
She says no more, and we continue to advance until we reach a small clearing. Before us stands the first ice pillar, rising over ten meters high, and we observe several cultists frozen at its base.
Then, we direct our gaze to the structure Petelgeuse used to conceal himself. Similar to the start of a video game dungeon, its abandoned appearance makes it the entrance to the final battle against the supreme boss.
I swallow hard and proceed with caution, searching for any sign of Petelgeuse. I grasp Emilia's hand, knowing it will allow me to assist her should we need to dodge sudden danger.
Suddenly, from inside the structure, footsteps can be heard, each louder than the last. The echo of those steps becomes an overwhelming presence. Soon, a series of laughter echoes from within.
The applause grows increasingly audible. Several cultists emerge from the bushes, staying on the edge of the clearing as if waiting for something more. The laughter becomes sinister, and Emilia's grip tightens, while I prepare for any potential attack.
"—My, what an exceptional worker you are! You have slain my dear Fingers! You've come all the way here, delivering the half-demon to me!" Petelgeuse exclaims, peering from the dungeon entrance.
His words are followed by applause, in which all the cultists around us join in complicity. I look around, alert for a possible attack, but Petelgeuse seems confident. He waves his hand excitedly as he approaches us.
Emilia, with a swift and skillful manifestation of her magic, creates several ice stakes in an attempt to intimidate the enemy. However, Petelgeuse shows no signs of fear. I take a deep breath, trying to maintain calm amidst the palpable tension.
"You are a tireless worker! With such fervor in your heart, you could have achieved greatness!" Petelgeuse says, bowing, his face now reflecting an expression of sadness. "Such passion is worthy of an archbishop. It's regrettable that the last vacancy has already been filled, but still, you can be a part of us."
"Love?" Emilia turns her head toward me as I try to find the right words. Her grip loosens, provoking more laughter from Petelgeuse.
"Hadn't you told her?" Petelgeuse shakes his head sorrowfully. "Well, there's no need for a mere vessel to know everything."
Emilia clenches her fists and exclaims indignantly, "I am not a vessel! I have nothing to do with the Witch of Envy!" Her arm tenses, revealing her determination.
Upon hearing her, Petelgeuse bursts into loud laughter while quickly pointing at her and responds, "You are a vessel, you always have been, and so my great love dictates." Petelgeuse pulls a book of prophecies from his sleeve. "My supreme destiny decrees that you must pass the trials, and if you are competent enough, she will come to this world."
Emilia's face begins to contort, a profound terror creeping in as she clutches her stomach. Petelgeuse laughs, his laughter so powerful it seems like his vocal cords are about to tear apart.
"Allow me to introduce myself," Petelgeuse straightens, looking at both of us. "Archbishop of the Witch's Cult, representative of Sloth. Petelgeuse Romanee—Conti... Death!"
He tilts his head at a ninety-degree angle, displaying the extent of his madness. I brace myself for whatever comes, but he continues to smile as if we were nothing more than pawns in his game.
"You are an exceptional worker. Allow me to know your name; you've brought the half-demon, and I haven't had the courtesy to ask for your name," Petelgeuse bites his own hand, trying to contain himself. "Your love is truly marvelous!"
In the precise moment when the words escape Petelgeuse's lips, Emilia fixes her gaze on him and unfurls a powerful and icy arsenal of ice stakes, preparing for what may unfold next. The intense blue glow of her magic sparkles in her eyes.
"What do you imply by that love!?" Emilia turns her head towards me, hoping to find the same surprise on my face that she is experiencing.
"The witch's miasma," I respond without hesitation, aiming to convey calm and assurance through my words.
Emilia's eyes widen in surprise. Her breathing becomes more agitated as she frantically looks around, disoriented. An accidental stumble leads her to fall to the ground, provoking an even more hysterical laugh from Petelgeuse.
"The love within him is powerful! It's incredible! Love, love, love, LOVE!" Petelgeuse approaches slowly, continuing his habit of biting his nails, almost as if savoring the ecstasy of his own madness.
I keep my focus on Emilia, ignoring Petelgeuse's excesses, and try to help her up. However, she vehemently rejects my hand, looking at me with disgust as if I were an indescribable monster.
"I am not your enemy, Emilia. This is a delicate matter, but you must trust me," I say softly, extending my hand to her once more.
At that moment, it seems that Emilia is engaging in a conversation with Puck, so I patiently wait to see what decision she will make. Finally, Emilia quickly takes my hand, and I let her guide me, lifting her carefully from the ground.
"I need to talk to you when this is over," Emilia orders firmly, displaying her determination.
"Yes, I promise to address all the issues we can," I reply, directing my gaze back towards Petelgeuse.
I aim my rifle at him as the magical mist created by Emilia begins to envelop the surroundings. We have an opportunity now. It's time to prove that, with proper preparation, defeating Petelgeuse is not as daunting as it seems.
The possibility of defeating him opens up before us.
I pull the trigger, and the shot resounds in the air, directed at Petelgeuse. However, he shows no sign of unease, as his hands are already in motion to protect him. I fire two more times, aiming to create a false sense of confidence.
I remove the empty magazine and swiftly replace it with one loaded with Yang magical energy. We'll need all the strength we can gather to face what lies ahead.
The cultists charge toward us as Petelgeuse begins to scream and create additional arms incessantly. In a matter of seconds, the number of limbs multiplies to over fifty, obscuring my vision in the face of such overwhelming quantity.
Emilia valiantly launches an attack against the cultists, skillfully dodging the multiple arms that attempt to ensnare her. I approach Petelgeuse with determination, capturing all of his attention.
"It's a shame it's come to this! Such love! What a waste!" Petelgeuse contorts while hurling all his arms toward me, unleashing his fury and determination.
I nimbly seize the moment to evade the outreaching arms, each one lunging toward me. Their movements are swift, but with concentration and finesse, I manage to elude them one after another, avoiding being caught by their assaults.
"El Huma!" Emilia shouts with determination from within the thick mist enveloping us. Suddenly, multiple gleaming stakes materialize around her and shoot off in all directions, piercing the cultists who stand in our way.
The luminous flashes of her cutting stakes illuminate the chaos of the battle.
Petelgeuse defends against the attacks, but I seize that distraction to get even closer. In a swift motion, he hurls a massive fist in my direction, but I act with superhuman agility.
"Murak!" I shout with determination, making an agile leap that suspends me momentarily in the air, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow from Petelgeuse's fist.
My body moves with fluidity and grace, defying gravity.
Frustrated by his failed attempt, Petelgeuse strikes again, deploying multiple arms to try to ensnare me. However, employing wind magic, I artfully glide through his attacks, dodging them with millimeter precision.
I dispel the wind magic just as Petelgeuse creates more arms, anticipating his moves.
In that pivotal moment, Emilia fires forcefully at Petelgeuse, while Puck swiftly intervenes to shield her from the arms threatening to reach her. Their coordination and teamwork are impressive, demonstrating the strength of their bond.
"What great coordination! What great diligence!" Petelgeuse exclaims, bringing a hand to his face as his expression contorts into a mixture of anger and frustration. "I can't wait for the great test of love to be fulfilled."
I need to surprise him. Emilia has him on the ropes, but if I want to capitalize on that advantage, I must inflict severe wounds. I have only one option if I want to truly catch him off guard.
"Hey!" I shout, capturing Petelgeuse's attention and making his gaze fix on me. "You know, his love for me is much deeper than the one he feels for you. In fact, I think he only loves me."
A challenging laugh escapes my lips, while Petelgeuse's face contorts with fury. He gazes at me with unbridled hatred, and focusing on me, all his arms lunge frantically in a desperate attempt to strike me.
But with swift and precise movements, leveraging my mastery of wind magic, I manage to evade most of his attacks, sliding between them with unstoppable dexterity.
"Emilia, cover your ears!" I exclaim urgently, causing Emilia to, in a moment of reaction, shield her ears with her hands. My gaze turns toward Petelgeuse, with a defiant smile on my face, as he briefly suspends his attacks, intrigued by what I'm about to do.
"I can come back from the... "
Time seems to hang in the air, allowing me to contemplate my next move. In that crucial moment, I understand that the final battle has arrived. I must prove, no matter the circumstances, that I will do whatever it takes to emerge victorious.
When the flow of time is restored, Petelgeuse retreats for the first time, his eyes reflecting fear, envy, and deep-seated hatred toward me. Desperate, he brings his hands to his face and, with his sharp nails, starts tearing his skin in a disturbing gesture.
"It can't be, it can't be, it can't be, it can't be, it CAN'T BE!" Petelgeuse repeats over and over, as all his hands disappear, revealing his expression of disbelief. "It can't be, it can't be, it can't be..."
Petelgeuse's countenance transforms into one of rage and despair. In an instant, he unfurls dozens of new hands, his eyes ablaze with fury, and his tears mingling with traces of blood. Desperate, he begins to bite and devour his own fingers, lamenting his fate.
Emilia stands in stunned silence, unable to fathom the gruesome scene before her.
Seizing the moment of shock, I act promptly, leaving him no time to react. I raise my rifle and take direct aim at his chest, well aware that I cannot end his life while he still holds the spell. With determination, I squeeze the trigger, firing a bullet straight toward his lung.
Although Petelgeuse carelessly attempts to block the projectile with one hand, the bullet effortlessly pierces his chest.
Petelgeuse falls to his knees, taken aback by the unfolding events. I use this moment to retreat, but he won't grant me an easy escape.
"You must die! Die! Die! Die! DIE!" Petelgeuse screams with unbridled fury as dozens of arms lunges toward me, destroying the ground and raising a thick cloud of dust. The onslaught of limbs obscures the sunlight, enveloping me in a chaotic and desperate whirlwind.
I desperately attempt to dodge, but the earth beneath my feet becomes a treacherous foe that ensnares me mercilessly. My oversight in forgetting that Petelgeuse possessed this magic becomes apparent.
With a hasty attempt to use fire magic to explode the ground, I realize that time is running out.
"Icicle Path!" Emilia exclaims with determination as she makes an upward gesture with her hand.
In the blink of an eye, a path of ice forms before me, and hundreds of sharp stakes emerge from it, destroying the approaching hands and continuing their lethal trajectory. The ground turns into a landscape of destruction. Emilia jumps toward me, stepping firmly on the terrain and grabbing my arm to pull me away from danger.
Petelgeuse's authority attempts to nullify the stakes but only succeeds in striking the ground impotently, unable to halt their advance.
"You're a half-demon! You should stay alone to be used! YOU'RE NOBODY! You're just a vessel!" Petelgeuse clings desperately to his head, trying to approach us.
Emilia deploys her healing magic upon me, her eyes forward as her breath forms a frigid gust. The consumption of her mana is beginning to take its toll, despite her capacity for using such powerful magic; it comes at a price.
She appears fatigued, while my door is on the verge of losing control.
I need to learn how to master the miasma burning within me, without exceptions.
Emilia rises with unwavering determination, fixing her gaze upon Petelgeuse as her energy flows through her. With a resolute gesture, she creates hundreds of stakes that hover in the air, panting from the effort. Her voice resonates with firmness and conviction, defying those who belittle her:
"No matter what they say about me, no matter what others believe. I will stay true to myself, even if I change, even if I have to endure. As long as there are people who love me."
Without affording him a moment to react, Emilia valiantly launches herself at Petelgeuse, who is compelled to defend himself against her relentless assault. His arms begin to crumble as she continues to invoke her power.
I seize this opportunity to charge my spell, fully aware that this temporal window is unique, and I must exploit it to the fullest.
"My name is Emilia! You'd better engrave it in your mind before I end you!" Emilia smiles resolutely as she attacks with all her might.
Petelgeuse screams in his desperate attempt to counterattack, but Emilia gives him no respite. In a matter of moments, she unleashes her full power upon him, but this battle is far from over.
At that precise moment, Puck emerges from Emilia's head and gives me a look, winking with a promise that he's going all out.
"Appreciate true strength!" Puck exclaims as he swiftly conjures the nitrogen stake spell. A massive stake materializes, towering over everything else.
With a swift motion, Puck hurls it, while Petelgeuse, frightened by the immense amount of mana, tries to stop it. All his arms lunge toward Emilia, but Puck executes his attack without hesitation.
The stake rapidly pierces each of Petelgeuse's hands, leaving behind a white trail. Just as it's about to impact him, Petelgeuse screams in desperation.
"Ul Dona! Ul Dona!" Petelgeuse creates several stone barriers, but one by one, they are destroyed by the stake. His desperation knows no bounds. "Ul Dona! Ul Dona! Ul Dona! UL DONA!"
Finally, an explosion engulfs him. Nitrogen spreads, freezing everything around. A white mist rises, obscuring the outcome, but I know this is far from over.
Emilia stumbles, and I quickly support her, gently placing her on her knees on the ground. She has done a splendid job, but now it's my turn to conclude this.
I give Emilia a smile, and she looks me directly in the eyes. In her confident gaze, I see that her doubts have dissipated. She smiles at me and offers her fist, as I often do.
"I entrust it to you," Emilia says.
I bump my fist against hers, returning the smile. An indescribable emotion runs through my body. I can't help but feel excited. I grip my rifle firmly and sling it onto my back. I direct my gaze forward and prepare to move on.
One last effort.
"No problem, leave it to me." I stomp my foot forcefully, concentrating the mana in my body, imposing it regardless of the consequences. I shout with determination:
"RA MURAK!"
I am propelled at breakneck speed toward Petelgeuse's location.
Destiny awaits, and this battle is nearing its end.
As if lying in wait to catch us off guard, a countless horde of arms unfolds from Petelgeuse and hurtles toward me. His voice tears into a furious and hate-filled scream.
"—You are nothing but refuse! How dare you! I will kill you!" Petelgeuse rises into the air, his authority eclipsing all light around him. "I will kill you! I will kill you! I will kill you!"
Desperate, Petelgeuse spews blood in a final act of resistance before succumbing to death. Perhaps he still holds the belief that he can be reborn, but he will soon discover the truth.
I grasp my kukri and charge it with mana, ready for the assault. I skillfully dodge each of his arms that lunge towards me, shattering the ground and attacking relentlessly. However, due to the low gravity that surrounds me, a slight gust of wind sends me flying away.
I employ a combination of Yin magic and wind magic. While dodging, I continue to approach my foe. The arms crowd before me, but with my kukri, I cut them down one by one.
I advance fearlessly, but a strange sensation overtakes me as my heart beats strongly.
"Buarh!" a torrent of blood spurts from my mouth, mana dissipates, and I see all the arms heading towards me.
Time seems to slow down around me as I watch those arms approach dangerously. I contemplate my options, but the only way out would be to detonate the mana within me, even though it could destroy my gate.
It's all I can do at this moment.
I begin to charge my gate, but a voice whispers in my ear.
"I'll help you, so protect my beloved daughter from now on." Puck merges with me in an instant, and I feel immense strength welling up from within. My exhaustion fades as my body rebuilds itself.
At that very moment, I shout with all my might.
"MURAK!" With a burst, I ascend into the skies. I don't know what Puck did, but my gate is working again. Petelgeuse doesn't hesitate to launch an attack, but with quick bursts of wind, I manage to evade his onslaught in the air.
One last effort.
Determination burns within me as I prepare for the final showdown.
With palpable resolve, I unsheathe my rifle, holding it firmly in front of me. The bayonet, infused with mana, gleams with an ethereal light as I boldly charge towards Petelgeuse.
At breakneck speed, I cut through his field of authority, defying his attempt to surprise me.
Every arm raised to attack me is pierced by my relentless advance, leaving trails of blood and shattered fragments in its wake. Some of his appendages manage to hold me, but I quickly annihilate them with blazing flames.
In a matter of seconds, I stand before him, facing his bewildered gaze. Although his mouth proclaims angry cries, I return a defiant smile, aware of the ace up my sleeve that I have prepared.
From my pocket, I extract a black crystal sphere as dark as the midnight abyss, an object whose purpose he remains entirely ignorant of.
I throw it with expertise. In a final desperate attempt to shield himself, Petelgeuse flails his multiple arms in a futile effort. But nothing can halt what is destined to happen. Regardless of his intentions, I know that the most effective way to end his existence is to annihilate his soul.
"Witness the might of the best Yin mage!" My voice resonates on the battlefield as I wield my weapon and aim with millimeter precision. At the exact moment the crystal sphere aligns with Petelgeuse's heart, I squeeze the trigger.
A deafening roar shakes the air.
The bullet is propelled, piercing through the crystal sphere on an unerring trajectory to puncture the enemy. Petelgeuse's expression shifts from surprise to joy, but it is quickly interrupted by the impending reality.
"If my soul is destroyed, so will yours be!" His words emerge amid gurgles of blood as he collapses to the ground. His authority gradually fades as the crystal sphere begins to absorb everything around it, devouring the surrounding energy.
A triumphant smile graces my lips as I contemplate Petelgeuse's agony. I continue to float in the air, a privileged witness to the final act that awaits him.
Beatrice's Shamack, powered by the Yin magic coursing through her veins, manifests as a powerful maelstrom capable of consuming souls.
But when Yin and Yang magic converge, it becomes a purifying fire that can incinerate even the most twisted spirit.
The bullet I used acts as the perfect catalyst for this process, a voracious spell that can only be employed against those on the brink of death.
It is irrefutable proof that I can achieve any goal I set for myself, no matter how daunting it may seem.
I slightly stick out my tongue, defiant, as Petelgeuse gazes at me with a mixture of anger and bewilderment.
"My soul cannot be taken, for it already has an owner. If I were to reveal who it is, perhaps you'd feel jealous." I wink at him, provoking impotent babbling in his mouth before he falls to the ground, a victim of his own destiny.
"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! DIE!" Petelgeuse's desperate cries intermingle with tears of blood, like a mournful chant to the inexorable end that awaits him.
I firmly grasp my rifle with determination, aiming it directly at Petelgeuse's disfigured face. Adrenaline courses through my veins, and I can feel the magical charge building up in the weapon, intensifying the gravity that envelops him.
At that precise moment, when the bullet is about to breach the last barrier protecting the Sin Archbishop, a desperate and agonizing scream tears through the air, echoing in my ears.
"FATHER GUISE!"