— –Shizue Izawa– —
El Dorado's training grounds were far larger than she expected. Towering stone walls wrapped around open fields where the sounds of clashing wooden weapons and shouted orders filled the air. The space itself was impressive, but it was the people that caught her attention most, surprisingly young people, most in their early to middle teens, sparring with each other.
Nearly all of the people fighting had Elementals, and judging by the way they fought, most of them were beginners. However, some of the people practicing did show some promise and skill. Maybe they were the ones that had been around the longest, or maybe they simply had Unique Skills that helped them learn faster.
Still, she could see the people for what they were. Summoned Humans, just like her. Though by this point, she wouldn't be surprised if a good chunk of them had, or would eventually turn into Demonoids by fusing with their Elementals.
There were far too many of them for Leon to have summoned on his own. She could tell that much at a glance. Which meant one thing, he had taken them in. Rescued them. Or at least, given them somewhere to belong. A place to survive.
From what she knew, summoning rituals were incredibly expensive and time consuming. And if Leon didn't take them by force, then there was a good chance that saving each and every one of the kids here had cost him a fortune. Not that it had made a dent on his wealth now that he controlled El Dorado, but still, it was the thought that counted.
'So maybe he's not as cold as he acts.' She didn't want to admit that, but the thought crept in anyway.
She'd seen firsthand what happened to Summoned children abandoned by the countries that brought them here. They were usually discarded the moment they appeared, since they were all bound to die from Magicule poisoning. It wasn't even worth training them.
Thankfully, Yuuki had also stepped in, even without Shizue asking him. Requesting kingdoms to release their summoned kids to Englassia to spend their final days. But judging by how many kids were here, she would have to contact him, since clearly, the other Human Kingdoms were holding back a lot.
Still, Shizue couldn't help but feel somewhat thankful to Leon for saving them. In the end, he had done what she couldn't, save them. Her poor students probably would have died in Englassia had Rimuru not stepped in.
She had to hold back a sigh as her thoughts wandered. Why did it always have to be so complicated with Leon? Even when it mattered most, she had never sent that letter asking for help. Maybe out of resentment, maybe out of fear, or maybe out of simple pettiness.
Shaking her head, she simply focused on the path ahead as they walked in relative silence. The clang of practice swords fading into the background as the corridor widened into a massive coliseum-like structure. The training arena.
A rectangular battlefield surrounded by towering white pillars, their surfaces engraved with faint runes, probably meant to reinforce them. There was no roof, just the open sky stretching above them.
Leon stopped just a few steps ahead, turning back to face her. His black cape drifted slightly behind him as he came to a halt.
"Here we are." Leon's voice echoed faintly across the arena. "I will let you make the first move."
He said it so casually, like this was just another spar, another formality. He hadn't even unsheathed his sword. Standing there with one hand resting on the hilt, his posture was relaxed, borderline dismissive.
He was probably underestimating her. She wasn't the same person she was last time they had crossed paths. She was stronger, he should have felt that, yet he still…
It was hard to understand him sometimes.
"Don't take it personally." A woman's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and as she looked, she saw the cloaked and masked woman who had been following behind Leon. "This is him trying his best. If anything, I'm surprised he is going this far. Just give him a good punch in the face for me would you? He needs it."
Then, without another word, the masked woman began to walk toward the outside of the arena, joining together with the few people that had come along to watch the fight.
Still, Shizue took her advice to heart as she looked at Leon's cold eyes staring back at her.
Unsheathing her sword, Shizue took in a deep breath as she looked at Leon.
"I am not going to hold back." She told him.
"I didn't expect you to." Leon answered.
Still, he made no move for his own blade.
Of course he wouldn't. He always waited for the other person to move first. It was a habit, or maybe a philosophy, one she had never fully understood. But if he wasn't going to treat her like an equal, then she'd force him to.
She gritted her teeth, her grip tightening around her blade. Then, in one explosive motion, her entire body erupted in pale grey fire, cold and seething, the air warping around her with the birth of her Death Flames.
A burst of lifeless energy blasted from her feet, launching her across the arena like a comet. Her sword burned with ghostly fire as she brought it down with all her weight.
*Clang!*
Leon's sword was already there.
He hadn't drawn it until the last possible moment, but when he did, it was with a precision that made her chest tighten. Their blades met in a shockwave that cracked the stone beneath their feet. Her Death Flames flared violently on impact, curling up his blade in an attempt to drain him, but it was like they couldn't get close enough.
He flicked his wrist and deflected her blow with casual grace, sending her skidding back.
Still, she didn't stop. Crimson wings made out of pure fire burst from her back, and with one strong flap she launched herself back towards him. Her sword exploded in flames as she spun mid air, slashing with all her strength once more only for her attack to be blocked once again.
Still, she didn't let that stop her as she pushed her skill, and the very next moment, her flames exploded.
A shockwave of black and crimson fire burst outward, rippling through the arena like a dying star. The ground beneath Leon cracked and sizzled as the death flames hungrily reached for him, but he stood firm, his blade absorbing the brunt of the impact with a sharp hiss.
Shizue didn't let up. She spun, embers trailing from her heels, and slashed again, low this time, aiming for his side. Her blade curved like a comet, white-hot and unforgiving.
But Leon moved.
With one step, he shifted just enough to avoid the edge, parrying with the flat of his sword. Not a single wasted motion. Not a single word.
"Tch." Shizue gritted her teeth, launching into a flurry of strikes. Each one faster than the last. Sweeping, stabbing, spinning arcs of flame that scorched the air around them.
Leon met every strike head-on. A blur of silver and elegance, not once flinching as her death fire licked at his coat, his hair, his skin. He should've been coughing on the ash in the air, squinting through the smoke, but his blue eyes never wavered, locked on hers with unnerving calm.
'I hate that look.' She thought, furious and breathless as she continued her assault. He wasn't even trying.
With a sudden pivot, she slammed her foot down, sending a jet of fire spiraling beneath Leon's feet. It detonated upward in a pillar of grey and crimson flame, swallowing him whole.
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then, a silver edge tore through the blaze. Leon stepped through the fire like it was mist, sword already swinging.
Shizue barely raised her blade in time to deflect the strike. The force behind it sent her skidding backwards, her boots leaving a mark on the floor as she struggled to stay upright.
He wasn't using magic. No elemental bursts. No skills. Just pure, unrelenting swordsmanship, and it was working.
"Come on." She muttered, sweat clinging to her brow despite the cold fire around her. "Fight me!" She shouted, some of her emotions slipping through her tone.
Leon didn't answer. He adjusted his grip, turning his blade slightly.
She surged forward with a scream, the crimson wings behind her turning a dull grey as her Death Flames took over, increasing their intensity. With another surge of energy she exploded forward and began to slash against him again, and again.
The more she pushed herself, the more she could feel everything she had pushed back over the years surfacing. And, as unelegant as it might have been, she began to scream with all her might with every swing of her sword, letting out all the guilt, anger, and pain.
And still, he blocked.
But this time, he pushed back.
With a flick of his wrist and a single step, he broke through her stance and sent her stumbling. The flat of his blade kissed her shoulder before she could recover, just enough to make her stagger.
"Your emotions are making you predictable." He said quietly.
"Shut up!" She snapped, fire roaring at her back as she steadied herself again.
The ground beneath her exploded into fire pillars, only contained by the spell formation in the pillars around them. And from within those pillars, countless fire birds materialized, all flying in unison towards Leon.
And, raising her hand up, she summoned a spear of pure Death Flames that she quickly shot towards Leon, creating a sonic boom as it flew through the air.
Leon, however, didn't flinch. With a single swipe of his blade, he created a gust of concentrated wind that caused the fire birds to explode mid air, and with a simple tilt of his head, he avoided the spear that flew past him, exploding against one of the pillars and leaving a crack on it. One that quickly began to heal thanks to what she could only assume was the help of the masked woman, since she was the only one to stand up and glance in its direction.
Then, Leon stepped in close, inside her range, and for the first time, he went on the offensive.
Blade met blade in a dance too fast for the eye to follow. Shizue ducked under one strike, parried another, barely catching glimpses of his blade before the next came. He wasn't overwhelming her with brute force, he didn't need to. He was dissecting her stance piece by piece, breaking her down with every move.
Sparks flew, fire screamed, and then, with a sudden twist, he disarmed her. Her sword spun through the air, catching the light before it clattered against the stone floor behind her.
They both stopped. Shizue stood frozen, chest rising and falling, her pulse pounding in her ears. The grey wings of flame at her back flickered for a moment before dissolving into ash and smoke. The fight was over, and they both knew it.
But even so, she refused to leave it like this. She still had a skill she hadn't used. The one she had awakened thanks to Leon.
If he could so easily fight her like this, then that just meant she hadn't pushed herself enough. Rimuru had used a copy of her skill to reach the levels he had, he had admitted that much to her. Not only him, but countless other people in Tempest had versions of her Skill that they had used to create and advance the technology of Tempest at incredible speeds.
The plants, the animals, the technology, most of Tempest had a foundation that was partially related to Degenerate. Yet here she was, leaving her Skill to rot. She had the original, and still, she wasn't able to land a singular blow.
Her body burst into flames as she activated her Flame Transformation. Her skin, her bones, her entire being became fire itself. Her human-shaped flames changing to take the form of a gigantic fiery bird.
This was her first time combining Skills, but if Rimuru could do it so easily, then she should be able to do it too, no? She could feel all of her Skills inside of her, and, focusing all of her remaining emotions into Degenerate, she made that final push.
{Notice. The Unique Skill: Twilight Flames has been acquired. The Extra Skill: Life Flame and Death Flame have been lost as a result.} The Voice of the World echoed in her mind.
In an instant, the flames that made up Shizue became a bright twilight purple. Burning even brighter and hotter than before, the flaming bird that was Shizue let out a deafening cry.
Goddamn it, that was exhausting. Maybe it was because she had never done it before, but reaching and forcibly combining the Skills put a heavy strain on her soul. She would have to ask Rimuru for advice when she returned to Tempest. But even then, this wasn't enough.
No, if she wanted to land a solid punch on Leon, she would have to push herself even harder. She wouldn't be satisfied otherwise.
But still, it was hard, she had never actually used Degenerate intentionally. It was always just something she let run on the background. She had always been afraid that if she messed with the Skill too much, she would accidentally let Ifrit overtake her.
All she knew was fire and swordsmanship.
But that did spark another idea in her mind. Letting out another deafening cry, she pushed herself once more.
{Notice. The Unique Skill: Twilight Flames has synthesized with the Unique Skill Degenerate. The Unique Skill: Degenerate has been lost as a result.}
Transform her Degenerate into the very flames she had spent her whole life mastering. And with it…
{Notice. The Intrinsic Skill: Phoenix Transformation has been obtained by the synthesis of the Intrinsic Skills: Flame Domination, Perfect Memory, Ultra Speed Regeneration and Flame Transformation along with the user's race Demi-Phoenix.}
{Notice. The Intrinsic Skill Phoenix Transformation has changed due to the user's Unique Skill. The Intrinsic Skill Phoenix Transformation has changed into the Intrinsic Skill Twilight Phoenix Transformation.}
Yes, this was it. This was what she had been searching for.
The moment the new skill took shape inside her, she didn't hesitate. She activated it in the same breath it appeared, instinct taking over before logic could interrupt. The transformation swept through her like wildfire, no, like something deeper, something primal. Her flames burned hotter, brighter, wilder. The air around her shimmered and bent under the sheer heat as she beat her wings once, lifting off the scorched earth and soaring high into the sky.
She let out a cry, half in defiance, half in desperation.
Truthfully, she was running on fumes. Her magicules were nearly gone, most of her energy already poured into fusing her Skills. This transformation was burning through the rest of what little she had left. Every second in this form came at a cost, and she knew it. But she didn't care.
She was too unfamiliar with this new Skill to use it efficiently, to pace herself like she should. But that wasn't the point. This wasn't about endurance. This was about getting that one hit. That single, perfect strike.
That would be enough.
With one final push, she dove. Her body, a streak of violet twilight, shot downward like a falling star. She moved with no hesitation, no fear. Her flames howled with her, and for the first time in their battle, she saw Leon move, really move. His stance shifted, his sword angled, and in that moment, she knew, she had become someone he had to take seriously.
Their collision tore the air apart.
A roaring explosion of Twilight Flames erupted at the point of impact, sending shockwaves in every direction. The clouds above scattered from the force, and the battlefield trembled beneath them. Flames twisted and surged around the epicenter before folding inward, collapsing back into her physical body.
She landed, breath catching in her throat, but she smiled.
A Greater Water Elemental, an Undine, floated behind Leon, its form already glowing faintly blue as it tried to contain her flames. But she could see it. The cracks. The strain. Her flames weren't just burning Undine, it was boiling. The Undine's body shimmered violently, water hissing into steam.
Then she felt it, an opening. She focused on her connection to her flames, and in one singular thought, to separate.
The connection between Leon and the Undine snapped like a frayed thread. Her Separation Flames, born from combining Degenerate with her Twilight Flames Unique Skill unraveled the elemental bond, yanking it apart.
Her smile turned sharp.
She raised a hand, conjuring a blazing lasso of fire, and with a flick of her wrist, it lashed out toward the disoriented elemental. The flames coiled around it like a predator tightening its grip. Then, without hesitation, she activated her next Skill, Synthesis Flames.
The Undine ignited.
Its body dissolved into light and flame, pulled straight into her chest. The moment it touched her core, she felt it squirm, resist, but only for a second.
'The King of Elementals is quite generous with giving out names.' She thought, the memory of Rimuru's carefree voice flickering in her mind. 'If you want one… then fight for me.'
And just like that, the Undine surrendered. Fully, and willingly.
It felt wrong, if not a little underhanded to use Rimuru's name like this. But damn it, this was a fight, and she wasn't about to hold back now. Not here. Not against him.
As the newly assimilated Undine flowed out from her once more, a faint smile tugged at Leon's lips. Barely there, but she saw it. Felt it. Acknowledgment.
Then Leon raised his hand.
In an instant, the battlefield changed.
Four Elementals appeared behind him in a flash of pure magic, Ifrit, Sylphide, War Golem, and Aether. He was summoning them all. Not as a display, but as a real response. He was actually pushing himself.
That single smile, the flicker of respect in his eyes, it sparked something in her chest. Something warm. Something proud.
'He's trying now. For real.'
A surge of energy pulsed through her, and for a moment, the exhaustion vanished like it had never been there.
With a burst of flames, she launched herself forward. Her body blurred, her form twisting mid-air as her wings folded inward and she transformed once more into a blazing Phoenix. A sonic boom rang out behind her, the sky tearing open in her wake.
But at the last moment, she feinted.
Her path curved sharply, weaving past the wall that War Golem had raised, barely skimming the edges of the barrier, and she drove herself straight into Sylphide.
She hit like a meteor.
Wind screamed as it collided with flame, but she didn't stop. Her fire consumed Sylphide in seconds, devouring her essence and pulling it into her core just like she had done with the Undine. There was no time to savor it, no time for hesitation. The moment the wind elemental settled inside her, she summoned her back out, this time, bent to her will.
Sylphide's winds erupted around her, feeding her fire, fanning it hotter, brighter, wilder.
She turned, eyes locking onto the War Golem.
"Burn."
The wind exploded outward, sweeping her flames across the field in a concentrated wave. They slammed into War Golem like a tidal wave of heat, igniting every inch of its massive form.
And still, she pressed forward.
— –Leon Cromwell– —
He really had to hold back a chuckle.
Shizue, of all people, stealing his Elementals.
For years, she had resented him for Ifrit, hated him for what she saw as a curse he'd burdened her with. But now, here she was, consuming his Elementals like it was nothing, folding them into her flames as if they'd always belonged to her.
Poetic, really.
He'd been caught off guard when she began to sever his bond with Undine. He could've fought it, could've reasserted his control. But then he'd seen the look in her eyes, firm, wild, desperate, and in that moment, he just… let go.
He wanted to see how far she'd take it. How far she'd go to prove herself. From the looks of it, she was going all the way.
The thought of it was almost funny. He barely used the Elementals to begin with, just kept them around for situations where he didn't want to draw on his Ultimate Skill. Situations like this, where he couldn't afford to go too far, couldn't risk someone getting hurt for real.
In the beginning, when she had challenged him to a fight, he'd planned to let her win. Let her vent. Let her scream and burn and lash out at the man she blamed for everything. After all, he was the one who summoned her. The one who gave her the Elemental that constantly fought her for control. The one who changed her life forever.
He always made certain to ask the person he was summoning if they would like to be summoned, they all agreed.
It didn't matter that he'd saved her life. That part never seemed to register with people.
People were strange like that.
Still, it had been his mentor, Sylvia, who had told him to fight her at least somewhat seriously. She had told him that if he were to simply let her win, she would only get more offended. That she had to earn her "victory" or else, she would only grow to resent him more.
And she'd been right.
Even now, he could see it. That fire in Shizue's eyes, that need to prove something not just to him, but to herself. If he'd let her walk away with an easy win, it would've only made the resentment worse. It would've told her he still saw her as weak.
Honestly, all of this made him miss Chloe. She always had a way of simplifying things. Of calming storms before they turned to hurricanes.
As for Shizue, her flames were sharper. Her control, tighter. But even then, for most of this fight, she'd been swinging too wide, pushing too hard. Her strikes were emotional, telegraphed, raw. Claude would've called them reckless.
'She's better than this.' He had thought, a little disappointed. Claude trained her well. He expected more.
Mmm… at this rate he would have to summon a few more Elementals to have as reserves. It kinda made him wonder what Ramiris was up to. The Elementals he had summoned lately had all been stronger than average, so she must be doing something well. Either that, or Rimuru somehow figured out the best way to raise Elementals in the Labyrinth.
Maybe he should accept Ramiris' offer for a tour of the Labyrinth. She probably just wanted to brag to him for a while, but it would be interesting to see how things had changed ever since they had joined Tempest.
He raised his arm instinctively and blocked the swing aimed for his face. The heat lingered for a moment longer than expected.
'Ah. Got lost in thought again.'
And it looked like Shizue was done stealing his Elementals. Somewhere along the way, she had picked up her sword from the ground. He wasn't paying that much attention.
Yet, to his surprise, rather than continue her assault, Shizue jumped back. She was breathing heavily, and judging by the fact that she recalled the Elementals back to her, she must also be running low on magicules.
Still, it was impressive enough. He had to give it to Shizue, had she fought Claude, or any of his other knights, she probably would have been able to beat them. Even if she had fought as emotionally as she was doing right now.
As she caught her breath, her posture shifted. The tension melted from her limbs, her shoulders lowering. Her stance changed. Her body relaxed, and after taking one final breath, her eyes locked onto his.
"This is it." Shizue announced. "You were right, my emotions made me predictable."
Her grip on the hilt tightened. The sword flared to life in her hand, purple flames rolling across the blade in steady, even pulses. It didn't roar or crackle. Yet still, this felt far more dangerous than anything she did before.
This was her answer.
She moved.
One moment she was standing there, the next she was gone, and in that flicker of movement, Leon finally saw it, it was a dance.
Her form slipped through the air like a ribbon caught on wind, every motion flowing into the next with fluid grace. Her footsteps left behind faint trails of ash and ember, and for the first time, her flames felt quiet, focused, lethal.
She closed the gap in a blink, blade slicing through the air toward his flank. Leon blocked it with ease, but he had to shift his weight to do it. The moment his footing changed, she spun on her heel, twisting around his defense and bringing her blade low for a second strike.
Another parry, and another flicker of motion.
She was no longer trying to overpower him. She wasn't fighting like a kid now, she was fighting like Shizue.
Each swing was woven with restraint, each dodge timed to the beat of some internal rhythm. She struck from odd angles, cut through blind spots, twisted through the gaps between his counters. It was almost beautiful.
She twirled past another thrust from Leon, a trail of flames billowing outward in a controlled wave that forced him to step back. He raised his sword to parry a strike, yet this time, Shizue put all of her weight into it, actually causing his sword to bounce off his target and leave him open.
His eyes flicked back to her, expecting the follow-up slash. Instead, she clenched her fist and punched him in the face. It was such a human thing to do. No magic. No Skill. Just a straight-up punch. He saw it coming and made no move to dodge.
She'd earned it, so with a sigh, he simply accepted it. He had even lowered his own pain nullification slightly for it.
Still, he hadn't expected her to hit hard enough to break her own hand.
The impact was sharp, enough to make him stumble a few steps, more out of surprise than pain. What caught him off guard wasn't the punch, it was the fact that she threw it knowing full well she didn't have the strength left to follow through without hurting herself.
Yet, as he looked at Shizue, who was shaking her hand in pain, he let out a final sigh. With that final punch, Shizue collapsed into the ground, landing face first into the floor. Yet, as she turned, she couldn't help but let out a light laughter.
She had a tired smile on her lips, the last of her flames flickering out around her. She looked ridiculous. Scorched, bruised, burned out. But the fire in her eyes hadn't gone anywhere.
He'd done his part, and Sylvia had been right. It did make him feel better, even if he didn't quite understand why.
Stepping up beside her, he offered his hand. She stared at it for a second before taking it, and he pulled her up. She swayed, almost lost her balance, but managed to steady herself. Barely.
"Thank you." Shizue said softly as she finally steadied herself.
"Are you done?" Leon asked, causing Shizue to roll her eyes.
"I am." She answered, letting out a slight chuckle before she focused her eyes on him. "And also… I'm sorry."
"Hm." Leon simply acknowledged her words as he turned and began to walk away.
He didn't ask what she meant. In a way, he didn't care to. Maybe it was for the stolen Elementals. Maybe for the punch to the face. Maybe for resenting him all this time. Either way, it wasn't his problem, not anymore.
Still, he couldn't help but smile.
And then, stopping in his tracks, he turned back. Shizue was now being supported by a few of Tempest's representatives, her legs barely cooperating, but her pride still intact.
"El Dorado's doors will always be open to you, Shizue." He said, not really knowing why.
She looked up, surprised at first. But then, she gave him a faint nod. That was enough.
And with that, he turned and left.
There would be a banquet tonight, a small celebration his Magic Knights had put together after hearing that Shizue was back. Nothing extravagant. Just drinks and food as an excuse for all of them to catch up with each other. Normally, he would've skipped it without a second thought. Banquets had never really been his thing.
But maybe he'd stop by. Just for a while.
Still, as he walked through the gilded halls of his palace, the quiet calm he'd been feeling began to fray. His good mood didn't last.
The moment he felt the shift in the air, subtle, but familiar, he stopped cold. The magic circles he'd placed on the Hell Gate near his borders had activated. Which meant only one thing.
"...Why today?" He muttered, more annoyed than anything else.
Of course it couldn't end on a peaceful note..
— –Jaune– —
"Oh? Could it be they simply overlooked you?" Jaune mocked in a singsong tone, twisting Violet's voice into something bratty and exaggerated as she twirled a finger near her head.
As if she cared whether Blanc and Noir had "forgotten" about her. She didn't want to be part of their boring little slime-fest anyway. She had better things to do. Like breaking in her "brand-new" toy, one that could take her explosions without turning to ash. Frankly, she'd bet her toy was way cooler than some squishy slime who couldn't even hold a shape half the time.
Still… what kind of lunatic would name Blanc and Noir? Seriously. Were they going through an edgy phase? And who the hell hands out vessels like party favors?
Wasn't that the whole damn point of their competition? To see who could find a suitable vessel first? So why was she left out? Not even a lousy invite? She might've actually been down to mingle, play nice with a funky little slime, toss around a few spells, blow up a country or two.
She got Diablo, sure. That made sense. Her brother had always been off his rocker. He was the black sheep of the family for a reason. She figured he'd lose himself eventually pretending to be some fancy butler. No surprises there.
But Testarossa? That stung. Why the hell didn't Testarossa come for her?
They would've had fun. The kind of fun that left scars on the map. A little back and forth, some screaming, a couple of death threats, maybe collapse a dimension or two. Then, when they were good and bloodied, maybe they'd reach an understanding. Their battle would have been legendary! But no. The arena she'd picked out for them, the perfect spot, crater included, wasted.
She'd been around for a long time. Long enough that even the joy of destruction wore thin. A big boom was great, sure, but once you've leveled half a continent, every explosion after just felt like a bad rerun.
Fuck it, she'd just go blow off some steam with her new toy. Maybe this time, she could get him to take her seriously. It sucked being limited in the Cardinal World.
Flying faster, she reached the Hell Gate in mere moments. A grin curled her lips as it came into view. Still, what she saw when she stepped through wasn't quite what she expected.
"Ah, there you are." Testarossa greeted her. "You certainly took your time."
Jaune froze for just a breath, a heartbeat caught off guard, but played it off the next instant.
"Tch. What do you want, Testarossa?" She said, folding her arms.
"Why, I want you, of course." Came the answer, soft and amused, like a cat toying with a mouse. "Care to guess what I just heard?"
Jaune raised an eyebrow, circling her slowly. That smile... it was too warm, too happy. Dangerous.
"What?"
"Violet…" Testarossa began, letting the name linger in the air for a few moments. "...was thoroughly humiliated by my Lord Rimuru. A complete defeat, I hear. She's still recovering from it, poor thing."
Jaune's eyes narrowed at that.
"When was this?" She'd spoken with Violet just hours ago. If anything, the woman had seemed smug as ever. So Testarossa was lying, but why?
"Oh, just now." She replied, taking a step closer, the smile on her lips deepening. "And judging from your lack of spies in Tempest… not to mention that you're calling me by name, I assume you spoke with Violet recently too."
"So what if I did?" Jaune said, voice growing cold. Everything about this felt off. That smile, her tone, every alarm in her head was screaming.
"Oh, Violet can be so insensitive, can't she?" Testarossa let out a graceful little laugh, raising a hand to her cheek like she was discussing weather. "Such a brat, really. It's a wonder we all come from the same origin."
"What are you getting at?" Jaune asked, her gaze flicking to the side as the protective barrier around El Dorado pulsed. He'd be here soon, her toy, and she didn't want to waste more time.
"I came to offer you a formal invitation." Testarossa said, almost whispering. "Join Tempest. Serve under Lord Rimuru alongside Diablo and myself."
"As if." Jaune scoffed. "If you really wanted me to join, you'd have come to me before Violet."
That should've ended it. But instead of backing off, Testarossa laughed again, low, melodic, and cold.
"Of course I didn't come to you first." She said. "I found someone worthy. Someone I would gladly serve. Do you truly believe I'd want to share him?" Her smile became more serious as she continued. "If anything, I'm surprised Diablo invited Violet at all, considering how... possessive he is. But perhaps he saw himself falling behind me, and made a desperate move to catch our Lord's eye."
Then letting out another chuckle, she summoned a small white flower into her hand, placing it in her hair as a decoration.
"It's a shame, really, Diablo isn't as charming as I am." She joked, spinning in delight before settling next to Jaune. "Can you believe he tried to turn himself into a woman only to be instantly rejected? He was sulking for days. But it serves him right. Still, I cannot allow myself to fall behind him. So join me, Jaune."
"For what?" Jaune asked, getting irritated. "You have nothing to offer to me. I don't care for a name nor a vessel. I can get those myself."
"Really?" Testarossa asked with a teasing smile. "Of course you could, give or take a few centuries. Maybe then, you'd find one that truly suits you. But no, that's not what I'm offering." Her smile softened just a touch. "You and I both know names and vessels mean little to us. Not truly."
"Then what?" Jaune asked, trying to stop herself from actually letting out her curiosity.
Testarossa's red eyes shimmered, almost glowing with an unspoken warmth. She placed a hand over her chest, her voice turning low and conspiratorial.
"Come to Tempest." She said. "And I promise you this,you'll feel alive in a way you haven't in ages."
"Oh, please." Jaune scoffed, arms folding across her chest. "That's the best you've got? What is this, a sales pitch?"
Testarossa let out a soft laugh, almost too quiet to hear.
"I usually keep this part of myself hidden. I have an image to uphold, after all. But lately... I've found myself captivated. And this feeling, it's unlike anything you and I have ever experienced."
"Ha." Jaune finally burst out laughing. "You, Testarossa? You swore off all that crap after Blanche. Don't be ridiculous."
If she didn't know better, she would have assumed that Testarossa had gone crazy. But still, she couldn't help but feel oddly tempted by her words.
She had been alive for longer than most people could imagine. Her world had become dull centuries ago, but she had grown used to it. Yet, still, she had never imagined she would ever see Testarossa like this.
She had to admit it, there was a spark in her eyes that wasn't there before. And that spark did make her more curious than anything she had encountered in the past millenia.
"Love is for mortals and fools." Testarossa said, as if reading her mind. "I told you that once, didn't I?"
Jaune didn't answer that question, glancing back at the golden city in the distance. Testarossa stepped closer, blocking her view of the city, her voice soft but sure.
"I know you don't care for that yet. Not the way I do. But you're bored, Jaune. I can see it in your eyes. You've been going in circles for too long, chasing bigger and bigger explosions just to feel something that lasts more than a second."
Jaune's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue. Offering her hand, Testarossa looked at Jaune in her eyes.
"What do you say, Jaune? Care to indulge this foolish sister of yours? Just this once." Testarossa's voice was soft, teasing, but the grin she wore had a sharpness to it that never quite left. "Your toy will still be here when we return."
"Fine." She muttered, brushing back a strand of hair with a flick of her fingers. "But only because you asked nicely."
If Tempest didn't meet her standards, then she would simply blow it up to the ground.
Before anyone could raise a question, Testarossa traced a strange, elegant magic circle beneath their feet. The spell took hold immediately, warping the space around them in a blink and tearing them away from El Dorado.
It was a shame, really. She was hoping that maybe Leon would show up and they would be able to gang up on him for a bit before going to Tempest.
Still, she found herself mildly intrigued as they stepped out into the streets of Tempest.
She hadn't bothered looking too deeply into the place, it was just another upstart nation. Countless had risen and fallen throughout her life. But seeing it firsthand… It was very clearly a monster city. Not just ruled by monsters, but made by them, shaped around them. If anything, it was something new to her, which was saying something
The smells caught her next. Dozens of food stalls lined the streets, each offering something exotic or spiced strangely enough to make her curious. She paused, narrowing her eyes at a cart that sold skewers dripping with some sort of golden glaze.
"Are they using skills to alter the food?" She asked, tearing into a bright red fruit Testarossa had handed her earlier. It had a tangy sweetness she couldn't quite place.
"Mm. Most, yes." Testarossa replied, smiling easily as she strolled beside her, waving politely to a few passing merchants who recognized her. "But they are in a way, entirely natural. Tempest's farms are quite advanced… though, yes, a little tinkering helps."
Jaune watched her closely. It was odd, seeing Testarossa like this. The Testarossa she knew wouldn't have bothered with pleasantries. She would have painted the streets red if anyone so much as raised a brow at her. And now here she was, walking through a city of monsters, smiling like a queen on holiday.
It wasn't until they passed a small plaza that Jaune finally started to understand why.
A young albino Kijin came running up to them, her footsteps light, a bundle of hand-tied flowers clutched in her hands.
"Miss!" The girl called out brightly, stopping right in front of Jaune with a beaming smile. "Do you want a flower? It'll make you look even prettier!"
Jaune blinked, caught off-guard. The girl's presence was… soft. Not timid, but pure, unburdened. But still she recognized her for what she was, a descendant of one of Testarossa's potential vessels.
She glanced sideways at Testarossa. The older demoness gave her an encouraging nod, her expression softer than Jaune had seen in years.
With a quiet sigh, Jaune knelt down.
"Fine. Go ahead."
Giggling, the child reached up and carefully tucked a white flower behind Jaune's ear. Then, just as quickly, she turned and sprinted off toward another group of travelers, calling out the same offer with childlike joy.
Jaune stood up slowly, fingers brushing the flower in her hair.
"What kind of monster are you raising?" She asked, keeping her tone neutral.
Testarossa chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she watched the girl go.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She said. But there was something in her eyes, something warm and protective, something that betrayed pride. "She was like that before I ever stepped in."
"Uh-huh." Jaune didn't entirely buy it, but she didn't press. She tugged the flower free for a moment, studied it in her palm. Then, after a beat, she slid it back behind her ear. "Whatever."
They continued walking, winding through the colorful maze of Tempest's streets.
It was… lively. Annoyingly so. But it had charm, too, more than most places she'd been forced to visit. Jaune still wasn't convinced Tempest deserved all the praise it got, but…
It would be a shame to destroy it. Maybe she'd leave it intact. For now.
"Well, that's enough for an appetizer." Testarossa announced as they entered a building. But as they passed through a strange door, Jaune's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is this the Labyrinth?" She asked, glancing around. "Man, I haven't been here in a long time."
"You haven't even seen the start of it. But I'm not here to give you a tour." Testarossa replied. "I'm here to take you to someone far more fun than the toy you've been playing with."
That caught her attention. She felt a ripple of anticipation stir in her chest.
"Ohhh, am I going to fight Rimuru?" She asked, already bracing herself. If he had actually beaten Violet, then blowing him away would make for an excellent brag. Either way, it sounded fun.
"No." Testarossa said with a light chuckle. "My Lord is on vacation at the moment. And unlike Diablo, I have no intention of disturbing him with this."
"Then who?" Jaune asked, just as they stepped into the trunk of a tree. It closed around them, pulsing with light for a second, then opened to reveal a completely different place.
"The Storm Dragon, Veldora, of course." Testarossa said smoothly. "He's preparing for a vacation of his own, but I'm sure he won't mind adding another disciple to his martial arts sect. There are others I want you to spar with too, but they're currently busy."
Jaune blinked, caught off guard for just a second, before a grin tugged at the corner of her mouth.
A True Dragon? Now that was more like it.
The last time she'd tried to pick a fight with one of them, Velgrynd had sent her flying halfway across the continent before she'd even gotten her stance right. It hadn't hurt, well, not much, but damn, it had left her itching for a rematch. Velzard had been next on her list, but the Ice Queen was practically glued to Guy. And Jaune might've been crazy, but she wasn't stupid. After what happened to Vert and Bleu? Yeah… even she knew better than to poke that beehive.
But this? This was promising.
"Yes." Testarossa continued, clearly enjoying the growing spark in Jaune's eyes. "If you choose to devote yourself to my Lord Rimuru, you'll have full access to spar with Sir Veldora whenever you like. And that's not even counting Zegion and Irys."
"Zegion? Irys?" Jaune tilted her head, the name unfamiliar.
"He's busy evolving at the moment." Testarossa explained, her smile growing wider. "But knowing how much my Lord has invested in him… I'd wager he'll become a challenge you won't get bored of any time soon."
Then, letting out a chuckle, Testarossa added.
"As for young mistress Irys, she is the daughter of Sir Veldora. I think you two would get along quite well."
"Daughter?" Jaune asked, the more she heard the less things made sense. But Testarossa simply answered with a nod.
Something about the way Testarossa was looking at her now, like a cat who knew the mouse had already stepped into the trap, made Jaune pause. The daemoness wasn't just selling her on this. She genuinely believed it was the better deal.
And maybe she was right.
A slow, amused breath left Jaune's lungs as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"So that's the pitch, huh?" She said with a small laugh. "Serve Rimuru, get free access to beat the shit out of cool people?"
Testarossa gave a graceful nod, still smiling like she knew how this would end.
Jaune clicked her tongue, then shrugged.
"Fuck it. I'm down." But then her eyes narrowed slightly, the grin turning sharper. "But… I wanna meet him first. I'm not swearing loyalty to someone I haven't even punched in the face yet."
Testarossa let out a sigh as she heard her.
"I'm sure it won't come to it."
Beta Reader: @Basilisk
— — — — —
Shizue's Current Skills:
Unique Skill: Twilight Flames
Twilight Flames:
- Synthesis Flames: Allows the user to manifest flames that can transform two different targets into one. These Flames can be manifested inwardly and outwardly.
- Separation Flames: Allows the user to manifest flames that can release the properties inherent to the target and separate them.
- Twilight Flames: Allows the user to summon the twilight purple flames. They can be used to burn away at a target's magicules and/or soul. Or, they can also be used to burn away at injuries or status effects, healing the target.
- Twilight Brand: Allows the user to brand a target. This brand can be used to track a target's movements.
Intrinsic Skills:
Flame Domination, Flame Transformation, Perfect Memory, Ultra Speed Regeneration.
Twilight Phoenix Transformation:
- While active, the Extra Skill Godspeed Regeneration will replace Ultra Speed Regeneration.
- The Twilight Flames Unique Skill is amplified.
~A/N~
Leon continues to be a tsundere, but Shizue finally gets her punch!
Also, originally I was going to have Tess and Jaune fight, but after writing the Shizue V Leon I felt like it would have been too much fighting for the chap. In the end, I am happy with how it turned out.
Also, hella sorry for the delay. It just sorta ended up happening. Time was timing, and next thing I knew two weeks had passed. Work be doing stuff like that, ya know?