Arlecchino's fighting style was undeniably akin to that of a bird of prey and a spider.
Swift, precise, and ruthless, her icy gaze tracked her prey's every movement with uncanny accuracy.
With a flick of her wrist, she drew her scythe, unleashing a series of strikes from impossible angles, slicing and cleaving with deadly precision. Just when her quarry thought they might catch a breath, her overwhelming power shattered their last shred of hope.
But Luna remained vigilant, never fooled by Arlecchino's deceptive movements.
The children rarely witnessed "Father" in battle firsthand, but Luna's skills were honed by Arlecchino's personal tutelage—every lesson in stealth, tracking, and combat.
Thus, her Great Sword remained steadfastly within the scythe's arc, a shield against its lethal cuts.
"Impressive," Arlecchino praised, looping her scythe around her waist before unleashing a sudden slash.
Bang! The gunshot reverberated through the arena, causing the scythe's trajectory to waver slightly, missing its mark.
Luna's Greatsword of Passion scraped across the ground, erupting in a chain of fiery explosions.
Arlecchino merely glanced at the spectacle before gracefully spinning backward, dodging every spark with effortless precision.
"You've grown much stronger, Luna," she observed.
Luna smiled. "Does that mean I can finally stand by your side?"
Arlecchino returned the smile. "That depends on your performance from here on out. We've both merely warmed up... Now, it's time to get serious."
She snapped her fingers.
Flames, flowing like liquid blood, wove into a single wing—not mere Elemental Power, but the pyrotechnic force residing within her very bloodline.
Arlecchino gazed at her hand.
Fighting Luna here had unexpectedly stirred memories of her past.
"...You truly are different from her," she murmured.
"Her?" Luna frowned. "Who are you talking about?"
Arlecchino spoke calmly, "Luna, long ago, I asked you a question: What does 'home' truly mean to you?"
"Back then, you said it was wherever I was. Do you still believe that?"
"Of course," Luna replied without hesitation.
"Then can you discern the similarities and differences between me and them?"
Luna stared intently at Arlecchino's face.
This was a conversation they'd had many years ago, when Luna rested her head on Arlecchino's lap. She never imagined Arlecchino would remember it so clearly.
Similarities and differences...
Luna murmured, "I..."
"...Hesitation means you don't know the answer," Arlecchino finished.
"I don't deny it," Luna admitted.
Arlecchino gripped the long handle of her scythe, raised the weapon, and unfurled her single wing. "But you've been away from the House of the Hearth for years now. Tell me, do you think that place is a 'normal' home?"
Of course not.
Luna continued, "Besides, I was never a normal woman to begin with, so it doesn't matter."
The members of the House of the Hearth had never sought ordinary lives or happiness.
"And if you were to ask what defines a normal family, I'd say the most important thing is the emotional connection between its members."
"I know exactly how 'Father' feels about us, so I've never given it much thought."
Arlecchino murmured, "I see."
Without a doubt, Luna was their most exceptional child, but certainly also their most peculiar.
Arlecchino remained silent for a few moments before suddenly leaping to her feet.
"Let's continue."
A crimson thread materialized in the air, forming a foothold beneath her feet.
Arlecchino plunged downward, swinging her scythe in a menacing feint. The true attack came from her ominous crimson single wing!
Luna lifted her leg.
Wind Element coalesced into a ferocious kick that slammed into Arlecchino's oncoming wing.
Boom! The floor trembled, and a violent gust of wind swirled dust into the air.
"Excellent! You countered well. But a hunter's opening move is often a trap. The deadliest strikes are those carefully set up beforehand, like this—"
Dozens of razor-sharp blades erupted from the ground!
At Arlecchino's mental command, the blades surged toward Luna from all directions.
Luna transformed into a Waterbird and soared into the sky, beyond the reach of the ground-bound blades.
But Arlecchino wasn't bound by such limitations.
Her single wing unfurled completely, and she transformed into a crimson streak, relentlessly pursuing Luna.
She wove layers of blood-infused threads into a web-like net, attempting to ensnare Luna completely.
If caught, Luna would face the fate of being devoured whole by this spider-like hunter.
Luna stopped mid-flight.
She twisted, spun, reverted to human form, and drew her twin pistols!
"You once said that hunters must always be wary of becoming the hunted."
She squeezed the triggers! A rain of Electro Element bullets showered Arlecchino.
"Impressive. You remember well," Arlecchino remarked, effortlessly deflecting the projectiles. Yet fine strands of Cryo threads, hidden within the purple light, coiled tightly around her wings and limbs.
Luna yanked on the Ice Threads, then hurled Arlecchino toward the ground with all her might. No mercy given!
The Wind Element erupted, propelling Luna through the sky as she ignited her Greatsword of Passion!
Fueled by her surging emotions, her passion transformed into kindling, relentlessly feeding the blade until it blazed with a blinding, scorching light.
Then she hurled it at Arlecchino!
Several flashes erupted, and a thunderous roar shook the heavens.
The inferno, born from Luna's all-consuming passion, seemed to devour and distort everything around it, leaving only the dazzling, unbearable radiance of the flame-wreathed sword.
Yet Luna knew Arlecchino hadn't been defeated by this attack.
The proof was simple: Arlecchino still stood firmly on the ground.
"...Your flames are dazzlingly beautiful," Arlecchino said.
"And immensely powerful. Based on what I've seen, your strength is enough to join the ranks of the Harbingers. But I know you haven't shown me everything yet."
"Don't hold back, Luna. Show me your full power."
"Let me witness your limits."
Arlecchino landed softly, her figure dancing across silken threads suspended in the air.
Another wing of blood-red flames unfurled at her will, enveloping her completely. The searing fire consumed her old form, only to reveal her reborn in a new, terrifying figure before Luna's eyes.
Behind her, six wings resembling a grotesque hybrid of moth wings and spider legs spread out, radiating an eerie, ominous presence.
Her attire, once starkly black and white, now favored shades of black and crimson. This was the first time Luna had ever seen Arlecchino in such a transformed state.
"Are you afraid, Luna?" Arlecchino asked.
"I only find it beautiful," Luna replied.
The answer was exactly what Arlecchino had expected.
Sometimes, she wondered what it would take to truly frighten Luna. But she could never come up with a satisfactory answer.
Exile from the House of the Hearth? Or a sword thrust through Luna's chest?
Neither seemed likely to work. Like her former friend, Luna would probably simply smile and accept her fate.
Though devoted to her family, she would ultimately follow her own heart.
The tricks that worked on other children never had any effect on Luna.
"Such a 'bad child'," Arlecchino murmured softly.
And bad children needed to be punished.
"But you knew I would eventually become a 'bad child'."
"...That's right."
That was why Arlecchino had been so insistent on uncovering the truth.
Now, it was time for the final act of their duel.
Arlecchino conjured another scythe, while Luna raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
A golden stage materialized, taking shape and solidifying beneath their feet. Above and below, everything was under Luna's control.
Luna extinguished the Greatsword of Passion and drew her one-handed sword instead.
"Welcome to my Opera House. Come to think of it... I don't believe we've ever danced together before."
After all, Luna had been just a child back then, barely a young girl when she left the House of the Hearth. Naturally, Arlecchino wouldn't have danced with her.
Luna smiled. "Though our time is short, would you grant me this dance?"
Luna's most striking change was undoubtedly her flamboyant personality.
"As you wish," Arlecchino murmured.
However, this dance wasn't one of clasped hands and gliding feet, but of blades clashing against blades, slashing light against slashing light. The Six-Winged blades became weapons, their scythe-like strikes relentless and suffocating.
Yet Luna still found openings to counter amidst the storm of attacks. The spikes Arlecchino summoned shattered beneath Luna's kick.
"I won't be bound by such restraints!" Luna declared. "Come! It's time for the grand finale!"
A thunderous applause erupted, echoing from the Golden Stage. Only a true protagonist could earn the stage's recognition and unleash its radiant glory.
Luna's blade glowed with golden brilliance.
Golden Stage Construction (LV2/2): When Shine Points reach their peak, the Moment of Applause descends, allowing you to unleash the ultimate strike—an actor's fate is to be born on the stage and to perish on it.
Now was the time to unleash that ultimate strike!
"Watch closely," Luna said, raising her golden blade. "No matter the outcome, I hope to become someone you can never forget."
Arlecchino stared at her in silence.
"Come," Arlecchino finally said.
Her Six-Winged form fully unfurled, merging her twin scythes into a single weapon wreathed in bloodfire. The raging flames engulfed the entire Golden Theatre, reducing it to ashes.
This single strike would determine the victor.
In the next instant, the golden blade clashed against the bloodfire scythe.
A brief silence hung in the air before a tempest of interwoven light and bloodfire erupted, instantly obliterating everything in its path. Furina, who had barely managed to reach the scene, stood frozen in shock.
"Whoa?!"
A searing wind, hot enough to incinerate flesh, swept indiscriminately outward, knocking Furina off her feet.
"Ouch!" She rubbed her aching back.
They're family, yet they're fighting so fiercely?
"Luna!"
More than anything, she worried about Luna.
The Golden Theatre had vanished completely. Luna knelt on the ground, leaning heavily on her sword, her body riddled with wounds.
Opposite her, Arlecchino knelt as well.
Did she win?
No... Furina's eyes widened.
After a few seconds, Arlecchino slowly rose to her feet. A thin trickle of blood ran down her cheek, but that seemed to be the extent of her injuries. She began walking steadily toward Luna.
"No!"
Without a second thought, Furina sprinted toward Arlecchino and Luna with all her might.
Arlecchino stopped before Luna, her hand raised, poised to take the final step.
"Don't touch her!"
Arlecchino froze, giving Furina the opening she needed to wedge herself between them.
Panting heavily, Furina ran to Luna's side and spread her arms protectively. "Don't touch Luna... I won't let you hurt her!" Despite Arlecchino's silent, piercing gaze, Furina stood her ground, breathing heavily.
"Furina?" Luna exclaimed in surprise. "How did you get here?"
Luna knew all too well that the powerless Furina before her was desperately trying to protect her.
Arlecchino was mildly surprised. "I didn't expect you to be the one standing in my way."
"I know you," Arlecchino said, her voice hoarse but firm. "Even if Luna has deceived everyone else, I've always known you were just an ordinary person, cursed by the true God, Focalors, to become immortal."
Arlecchino's tone remained detached. "Or have you forgotten the night I attacked you?"
Furina's face paled. How could she ever forget that night?
The terror of the attack, the fear for her life, still lingered in Furina's heart. Yet she showed no sign of backing down.
"...I won't let you touch Luna," Furina whispered. "Even if I'm just an ordinary person with no power, I..."
Furina stamped her foot forward, planting herself firmly. "I'll still stand in your way! Yes, she's your daughter, but she's also my dearest friend!"
Arlecchino remained silent.
Luna gazed at Furina's figure, unable to tear her eyes away.
"And if you come any closer, I... I'll..."
I'll...?
Furina's voice trailed off under Arlecchino's unwavering stare. "...I'll never forgive you. And neither will Neuvillette nor Focalors, of course..."
Kicking her would be like kicking cotton.
Because all she could truly do was stand her ground.
Luna couldn't help but giggle.
Furina flushed crimson and turned away. "What's so funny?!"
Arlecchino took another step closer.
Furina's body tensed, every nerve on edge, but she refused to yield.
Luna had protected and helped her before; now it was her turn to protect Luna!
She feared death, but she feared Luna's death even more.
Arlecchino raised her hand.
Terror flickered across Furina's face. She closed her eyes but stood her ground.
I won't yield!
Then, she felt a slight pressure on her shoulder.
"Huh?" Furina opened her eyes to find Arlecchino's hand resting there.
"Then you can help her up."
"Ah...?"
Furina stared blankly.
"Though, it seems unnecessary. Look behind her."
Behind her? Furina glanced at Luna's back. Luna smiled and pulled out a handgun.
"She's still capable of fighting," Arlecchino stated bluntly, exposing the truth.
Luna's earlier display of weakness had merely been a tactic.
Hunters often fall for the ruse of weakened prey, only to suffer a fatal blow. Clearly, Luna had mastered every skill and technique Arlecchino had taught her.
Of course, Luna was already at her limit. Even if she could continue fighting, she wouldn't last long.
Furina still hadn't recovered from the shock.
"So... what does this mean?"
Was all that for nothing?
Arlecchino turned away, resuming her usual demeanor.
"Luna has amply demonstrated her resolve and strength. Besides, since we have a guest, this duel ends here."
"Alright, you'll have to come with me."
With that, Arlecchino turned and strode away.
She really isn't going to keep fighting. Thank goodness, Furina thought, slumping to the ground in relief.
"Luna..."
Luna smiled gently. "What is it?"
"How can you possibly put up with a mother like that?"
Arlecchino remained silent, having heard everything but offering no response.
"She's not a mother, she's a 'father,' you know. Can you stand?" Luna rose and extended her hand.
Furina pursed her lips and took Luna's hand, trying to pull herself up.
But she couldn't.
Her legs were completely limp, devoid of strength. I had energy just moments ago. How can I be so weak now?
"Looks like you're out of strength," Luna said.
Furina flushed slightly and averted her gaze.
I was just scared...
Anyone would be terrified of Arlecchino!
Before Furina could offer an explanation, Luna suddenly crouched down, swept her into her arms, and stood up.
"Then I'll carry Furina."
Furina swiftly glanced at Arlecchino before shrinking back, the sudden surge of shyness and resentment coalescing into a soft, limp fist.
She tapped Luna's chest with it.
"...I wasn't paralyzed by fear," Furina mumbled. "I just ran too far and ran out of energy."
"Of course," Luna replied.
Luna tightened her arm around Furina's upper body, drawing her closer.
"Thank you. You were very brave back there," Luna whispered.
Furina's face flushed crimson, her eyes darting nervously.
"Um..."
Even if it only lasted for less than a minute, Luna thought. But if I said that aloud, Furina would definitely puff up her cheeks in protest.