3rd Pov
Crossing the door of the first trial, Mirai looked around tensing up...she landed right into a large room with no opening beside an exit encrusted into the hole like a cave opening.
Mirai : This trial is called physical pain...what is this about ?
So far there was nothing, just a calm to almost creepy room...there were a few droplets of water cooling down the ceiling and no sign of life.
Until, Mirai dove herself deeper in...from the ground sprouted a humanoid form, mud started to take shape until it formed someone Mirai knew way too well.
Mirai : I see...so you gonna make me fight a copy of my friend ?
In front of her was a now carbone copy of Eleonor, the big difference is that this copy had no sign of life.
Mirai : Since it's in my memories, can I conclude that this copy has the same capabilities as the true Elenor ?
She was half right and half wrong, those copies aren't forged from her memories but directly through Fate...
The Eleonor in front of her has a power that far surpasses the one Mirai knows.
Mirai : Let's get this done then, huh ?
Reaching out for her sword, something instantly caught her attention as Eleonor did the same...in her hand was now a long sword typical of those wielded in the medieval era on earth.
Mirai : Wh-didn't Eleonor specialize in daggers ?
Realizing something was wrong, Mirai raised her guard up and waited...an invisible tension pulling her mind to its very edge...
Finally, in the split of an instant...Mirai felt her arm crackling, her eyes widened as she moved by instinct...
Eleonor had closed the distance instantly and dug her sword right into Mirai's ribcage, if she hadn't let her instinct take over.
She would be dead by now...
Mirai : So fast !
Eleonor Copy : ...
Mirai : But if it's just that !
Deflecting her sword, Mirai used her knee to break Elenor's wrist before landing a swift kick into her face.
Using the small opening she created for herself, Mirai drew several slabs, fully cutting down the copy of her friend.
Mirai : This is the first stage, huh...
Looking down at where Eleonor was lost before she was cut down, residue of her form melted into the ground.
Shaking her head, Mirai simply walked past the puddle and left for the next stage...
Within the wall of Ruberios, a bit before Yuu and Eleonor arrived at the north coast.
Shu, being a genius of engineering and machine...he was tasked with a near impossible task.
Dawn asked him to create a tool that Shu couldn't understand...a tool that couldn't be comprehended by the one making it.
Meaning, Shu was crafting something with a blindfold and minor instruction...the layout of the tool was rashly explained.
Still Shu didn't question his leader's words...he just nodded and worked day and night after the completion of the dimensional ring.
And finally, as the war started...when many soldiers already fell, the young genius succeeded.
Shu : I-i did it..
Sat behind the desk in his personal factory, he was bleeding from his nose, his brain was screaming as he overperformed everything he had to offer.
Shu : I need to deliver it to Yuu-san now...
His hands were shaking, he had pushed his body and mind to it's limit...
Kyuri : Don't force yourself, kiddo.
Out of nowhere, the majestic white fox appeared and supported the poor young boy from collapsing.
Kyuri : You did an excellent job, to think a mere kid who had yet to reach his maturity could make such an artifact.
Her eyes wandered toward the floating square that Shu had just created, it had a mystic force surrounding it.
Swirling around akin to a planet and its stratosphere...Kyuri could tell how absurd such a thing was as she already witnessed this kind of energy before.
Kyuri : (You madman, you really managed to artificially replicate the power of fate.)
A wide grin forming onto her fox muzzle, she was aware of a few hidden facts about her master, even if he hid most from even her.
Kyuri was a cunning fox behind her lazy attitude, this was also one of her strategies, to appear weak to devour easier.
Kyuri : Anyway, brat we still need you to activate it...as the creator, only your skill can affect its flow.
Shu : I know...
He tried to force his muscles to move but they wouldn't obey...Kyuri seeing this sighed, the charge her master decided to put on a kid who barely passed his tenth birthday was too much.
Kyuri : Don't move, I'll carry you.
Her body extended, growing at a modest size, slightly bigger than a tall human...she nuzzled Shu's neck before grabbing him by the collarbone.
Kyuri : Relax and regain your strength, because once we get to the battlefield, there won't be any rest.
Shu : Y-yes !
With that, Kyuri ran off toward the surface when she stumbled on Velzard...taking the initiative, the Frost dragon decided to guide them to the north coast.
As she herself had something she had to take care of...
Now flying at high-speed, Kyuri and Shu sat tightly on Velzard's gigantic dragon form.
Kyuri : Wait an instant, can you slow down a bit ?
Velzard : Huh, why ?
Kyuri : I don't really know myself, Dawn-san specifically told me to reach the coast once the artifact was done...but he forced on the fact that we had reached there when the sun settled down.
Velzard : Mmh...he wants us there at night time ?
The fox nodded, her eyes darted toward Shu who was struggling to keep up with the pressure...even if Velzard slowed down by a hundred, it would still be too much for a normal human child.
With that in mind, Kyuri enveloped her tail around the young child and covered him warmly.
Kyuri : Yes, so let's just trust him.
Velzard : Fine...
With that, Velzard slowed down her pace...navigating herself through the cloud, she made sure to not let those below see her or a wave of chaos would follow.
While they left Ruberios in a hurry, there was another group within the holy empire's underground palace.
Luminous was standing at the entrance of a pretty large room, maintaining a powerful barrier.
Luminous : (Seriously, those heroes are getting out of hand...)
She had a wide grin as within the formation of her barrier sat, Chloe Aubert...she was focusing on adjusting to her adult body.
Cladded in her holy armor and equipped with the divine rapier...she was slowly getting back to her prime, now she is trying to surpass the level she previously had.
Chloe : This is not enough...
She was meditating trying to feel the essence of her skill, her mind synchronized with Manas Chronoa as she rewinded the memories of her past experience over and over.
Chloe : (I can feel the aura of Rimuru-sensei...he is enraged, things are getting out of control all around the world...)
This was nerve racking, on top of that...she couldn't feel Dawn's presence anymore, he suddenly vanished along with the evil energy coming from the South-east of the continent.
Chloe : (Please, make it so i'm not too late...)
Negative emotion filled her heart, she remembered her past failure but fortunately, Manas: Chronoa was there to remove all those dark thoughts.
Rudra Nam Ul Nasca, the heroic emperor of the east...at the moment, he was frowning while watching as Velgrynd and Veldora were subdued by a mere slime.
No, he wasn't a slime anymore...he was a true dragon in the purest sense, Rudra could tell just by feeling the wave of aura Rimuru was releasing.
Rudra : I need to go down myself...
Losing Velgrynd in such a way was bad, sure there was still her parallel existence in the north...she had separated her existence in two equal states.
But Velgrynd was being absorbed by Rimuru...Rudra wasn't sure what would happen to the other Velgrynd now...
So if he doesn't take action soon, everything would crumble on the empire...the stale really turned into a single defeat.
Rudra : Ever-arght !
As he was about to order everyone to retrieve Velgrynd, he suddenly fell back onto his throne.
His heart and soul started burning, cracks appeared all over as something within him tried to break free.
Rudra : (This is!)
Michael : (It's too late, we need to retreat.)
Without caring about Rudra, Manas Michael totally shattered Rudra's existence...shards of his souls dispersed all over the countless other worlds.
In an instant without anyone knowing, the one who was once known as Lord of Justice, Michael...finally made his very own move.
Rudra : (I knew something was wrong...so this is how i meet my end, huh...)
His consciousness leaving his body, he could see Michael getting up while ordering the immediate retreat of all the empire's force.
Rudra's astral body evaporated as he tried to grab a once of his own body...regrets filled his heart as he realized how much things he still had to accomplish.
His soul slowly got weaker after countless reincarnation...he was at the very end, betrayed by his own power.
Rudra : (Dawn Arceid...heh, why do I think about him at such a time?)
He chuckled to himself, asking a question he already had an answer to.
Rudra : (Yeah...this was my mistake, I should have been more careful...but Michael, don't rest easy because there is a hero even scarier than me lurking in the Cardinal world.)
With those last thoughts, he unconsciously formed a curse on the impersonator of his body...Rudra had many regrets...
And one of them was to have let the strongest hero of this era...if only Rudra had been more insightful back then.
He could have conquered the world by today...but at the same time, his own heart and emotion were still alive.
He was blinded by his justice under the influence of Michael but deep within his heart...he saw himself in Dawn.
Not in their ambition and goal, but in terms of will...Rudra and Dawn, two heroes who had a lot in common.
Michael : All units, retreat !
Rudra : (We'll meet again in hell, Michael.)
With that, the emperor...hero of the beginning Rudra Nam Ul Nasca was no more...
All that was left was a hungry Manas who had a clear goal set in mind...the resurrection of his master, and true owner...
Velgrynd Pov
What the heck is happening there? I just felt my parallel existence, who should be fighting Veldora disappear...
Did I die ? No, I can't tell...my other part's memories aren't coming to me, so she should still be fighting but at the same time I can't feel my other part...
Velgrynd : How noisy...
On top of that, there were those small bugs trying to get me...just below me, they managed to kill that Calg-dude, I think he was a general of the empire...
How pathetic, anyway...I should get done with the people here and leave for the Jura forest, i've got a bad feeling...
Velgrynd : Let's take care of th-
Something in my head rang violently, it was my instinct screaming at me to dodge whatever incoming.
I did as I felt it, the sense of urgency...I looked down and nothing was approaching, no instead there was a little brat staring right back at me.
Velgrynd : How dare you...
Her lips moved as she ran through the battlefield with her companion...I recognized her, she was a minor target from our intel.
Yuu from the Genesis knight of Ruberios...the sole worth she upheld was being part of Dawn Arceid's personal unit...but just now, i could sweat i felt a threat similar to his...
Yuu : Maybe you should go on a diet, you're so big that the sky is fully covered.
I gritted my teeth, my scales turned crimson as I flew up high in the sky before diving down...you want to play smart with me ?
Fine, let's see how you'll talk after I burn you down !
Velgrynd : (She is a threat, I have to kill her first!)
Only then, I realized something that infuriated me...this girl was actually a threat for whatever reason...
A threat for me ? A simple human...this irritated me to the highest degree and I had to destroy her until nothing was left to appease this anger.
I rushed towards them, burning everything on my path...but as I was nearing my goal, I felt a part of my body being blown up.
A chain of explosive magic made contact with me...it didn't hurt that much, rather it was more annoying than anything as I had to shift my attention toward the source.
Velgrynd : Tch, they are here...
I was wondering where those guys were since they are a major force on the enemy side...the ten great saints of Ruberios.
Well, they are not 10 anymore...it seems another batch of bugs has come.
Speaking of bugs, I guess it's time to unleash that one...
Velgrynd : (Razul, take care of those saints!)
Sending a thought communication to that insectar, we decided to keep Razul hidden for the first half of the war and make him appear only when Dawn Arceid is here.
His hatred for that hero was the perfect bait...but since the situation went down to this...
Let's use that insect to get rid of the trash...as for me, i have to focus on that Yuu girl.
Yuu Pov
It worked, huh...my provocation to Velgrynd, it's a petty trick I got when talking to Eta.
All living beings are sensible to killing intent, true dragons aren't an exception...Eta once told me how this killing instinct really works.
You can't materialize it as it's an invisible force that plays on instinct...sure you can amplify its effect by releasing your magicule.
But pure killing instinct is fundamentally different...Eta can use a higher form of intimidation by using her skills.
I can't do that naturally but I already gasped the principle...Velgrynd is a true dragon who is revered as a catastrophic monster.
Those who meet her true form would crawl down in fear and despair, a True dragon will never be the subject of true killing intent.
They can feel it but not understand it, as those beings can resurrect over time...even now, as our enemy none of our soldiers dared to look at her in such a way.
But i'm different...if i can focus on all my will and unleash it on Velgrynd overpowering all the other minor intents.
Yuu : This worked, Hinata-san is also here...so let's pick up our pace.
Eleonor : Whoa...the scorch dragon is burning in danger...
Yuu : That's the point, those true dragon are still sort of deity...they are as smart as they are strong, but irrationality will always come with anger.
Eleonor : SO what's the plan then ?
Yuu : What else other than taking down the scorch dragon ?
I turned toward Eleonor with an evil smirk, my face darkened as I drew out my sword...
Yuu : But let's regroup for now.
As I said, Horizon and Gadra's fight came into view...it seemed they were still going at each other's throat...
Still, while observing them closely...something was wrong, why was Horizon holding back, no he is even stronger than before he was imprisoned...
Did he progress that much by just fighting Gadra ? Mmh, if it's him right now , he should be able to kill Gadra, what is he waiting for ?
Yuu : Well whatever.
I exhaled some air before jumping up, I left Eleonor to leap toward the imperial mage.
Sword in hand, he surely didn't expect an attack from behind as he only reacted when it was too late.
Yuu : The time for sub-boss is already long gone, you know.
Smirking, I didn't bother to listen to any last words he had...I just splitted his body in half with a horizontal slash before finishing the job with a direct vertical swing.
Yuu : Perfectly split in four.
As they say, it's a double kill for me...the two generals of the empire set on this battlefield are gone.
The only remaining threat is Velgrynd now, it's truly worthy of being a final boss.
Horizon : Yuu ?
Yuu : You are too slow, anyway we got the big lizard to take care of so-*
Horizon : I know, but before that where is Dawn-san ?
This bastard...he doesn't really care about the people here, even if we all die...his main priority will be Dawn-san...
Yuu : He has left for another front, for now just listen to my orders and you'll meet him later.
Horizon : ...
Yuu : I'll take your silence for a yes-
Horizon : You changed...
Yuu : You too, now let's get going.
I turned around annoyed, this guy has no sense of urgency...no, in a tactical way he should be superior to me but right now, he is just acting too laid back.
I narrowed my eyes while giving him a side glare.
Yuu : We'll have to pierce through the sky and land on that overgrown lizard's back.
Horizon : A true dragon scale is much harder than any ores, do you think any of our attacks would be effective on such beings ?
Yuu : Yes because-
As I was about to answer, a loud shout snapped our attention...I turned toward the approaching Eleonor who I had left in the dust just a minute ago.
Eleonor : Since when could you jump so high...
Yuu : Don't be suprised by everything you're going to see, or we'll never get through.
I sighed and turned toward Velgrynd who was still floating, huh ? Wait, she seemed distracted...she wasn't paying attention to us but the battlefield where Tempest should be fighting.
Yuu : Mmh, now it's the time...[Call of the Wind].
Forcing the wind to be on our side, it seemed my two companions understood what I meant and readied their weapon.
Yuu : Eleonor, be our support...Horizon aims for her head, i'll take off the rest...when we get on her just buy me 10 seconds.
Eleonor : Okay !
Horizon : I see.
What a bland answer...
3rd Pov
Having arrived at the north coast, Hinata accompanied of what remained of the great saints...hse realized that the situation was worse than they expected.
Hinata : Litus, go down and start treating the injured ! All of you go support her !
Litus : H-hai !
Arnaus, Bacchus and the others followed...the sense of crisis made them not question their leader's judgment...
While they rushed over to the frontline, I instinctively stared at the giant flying dragon in the sky...but that was not my main priority.
Hinata : For how long are you going to stay hidden ? Come out already.
I unsheathed my rapier, the real reason I sent off the rest of my team is because of the looming threat I felt approaching.
Coming from behind us, where a light forest corrupted by the ambient magicule...an insect-like being, he looked a lot like that Zegion I had fought back in Tempest.
Razul : You noticed me, huh...
Hinata : Hard to not consider the hostility surrounding you.
Razul : Mmh...you aren't the one i'm searching for, let me ask you a question.
This guy...he is totally underestimating me, his guard was lowered and frankly I could tell he didn't see me as an opponent...
Razen : Where is that hero of yours...
Hinata : Why are you all so obsessed with him...it's getting tiring to answer to mundanity like these.
Razen : What ?
Hinata : Ahh...you asked me where Dawn Arceid was, right ?
Razen : What are you trying to say?
I chuckled, no i even burst in laughter...my hand gently grabbed my face as i couldn't control myself.
Hinata : Hahaha...
Razen : Why are you laughing ?
Hinata : Haha, sorry sorry...it's just too funny that small fry like you constantly come bugging Dawn-sensei...as if in your personal world, you guys are even reaching the back of his foot.
My words must have enraged this insectar...but I couldn't care less, while he didn't see me as a threat...it was the same for me.
No matter how I saw and studied him...I couldn't see myself losing, no not after training this much.
Razel : You talk big for a mere saint...my name is Razul, i shall destroy you right here and now.
Hinata : Hinata Sakaguchi, student of Dawn Arceid and I will show you that you just don't have the quality to face him.
Razel : Student ?
I held my sword [Moonlight] tightly, this guy look tougher than Zegion...maybe it's because from what i heard, the insectar of Tempest was barely evolved.
This Razul seemed more experienced but all these didn't matter...I closed my eyes remembering the flow of concentration I felt before.
Razel : I see...then it's perfect, I'll destroy you just like how he killed my friend.
I couldn't see his expression but I was sure he was grinning madly...I couldn't care less about his history with my teacher.
All i have to do is fulfill my duty...as Luminous's right arm, as Ruberios's guardian...
Razul : I'll rip of your arm one by one-
Hinata : (Focus Hinata...this is the path to reach the next step...)
Flashback
After being called back to Ruberios while the festival of Tempest was still ongoing, I witnessed an unimaginable sight which resulted in the comeback of the great hero that had sealed Veldora...
While I was briefed about the situation and how Chloe time traveled...i found myself in a training room with Chloe.
Hinata : Seriously...you are too strong...
I was on my knees, panting as I was chosen to be her sparring partner so she could get used to that body.
Chloe : This is just the start, anyway Hinata-chan has a big flaw...i just noticed.
Hinata : A flaw ?
Chloe : Yes, you certainly have become a lot stronger but your movements are rubbish...
Hinata : What do you mean ?
She pondered for an instant before giving me a bright smile.
Chloe : It's not something I should tell you, but don't worry I'm sure you'll find the answer in due time, you are Hinata Sakaguchi after all.
Flashback end
She had left me with this big question in head. I continued my routine training afterward but this flaw she talked about kept lingering through my mind.
But now I'm starting to get it...at least I think so, my new problem was the solution of my previous flaw.
It's the dependance on Dawn-sensei's technique...those aren't made for me, those sword art are limited growth for me who is more suited for another style.
In gaming terms, it would be the same as getting a weapon of the highest rarity and level at the start of the game...when I'm actually using another class.
What I need to do now isn't using Dawn-sensei's technique but assimilating his power to create mine...
Hinata : I can see it...
My eyes still closed, I didn't even have magic perception on...still with just my five senses, I could perceive my enemies and his every movement.
Razul : You won't even see your own death.
Hinata : (Give me strength...sensei!)
I honestly owe so much to the two teachers that guided me all the way up to where I am now...losing this fight would be an insult to the greatest hero of Ruberios.
I smiled comfortably...I really can't see myself losing.
3rd Pov
The silent Hinata and raging Razul, both stood there waiting for the other to take the first move.
Ultimately, Razul lost patience and raised his fist...being an insectar, he was naturally resistant and specialized in close combat.
He crossed the distance separating them in an instant, a victorious smirk below his helmet-like head.
Hinata wasn't reacting...her eyes were still closed, her hands on the handle of her rapier...she couldn't react to this level of speed.
Razul : Pathetic !
Hinata : !!!
The two moves...it was so subtle and minimal but Hinata managed to deliver her own blow.
Standing back to back, Razul's eyes widened as his hand never managed to reach Hinata, standing there frozen in his punching stance.
He stayed silent as he processed what he had just witnessed...this girl, Hinata Sakaguchi, moved so swiftly that her presence seemed to have faded in the space itself.
Her feet didn't even move from her original place...her eyes still closed, all she did after performing her new technique was shealting her rapier back into its scabbard.
Razul : This is...
Hinata : As i said-
Surely, Razul's hand crumbled like a sand castle...
Hinata : You are far too weak to even begin to compare yourself to Dawn-sensei...
She turned her head toward the insectar, his arms weren't regenerating because his body had yet to realize that it had been cut down.
This was a technique that had a speed execution equal to [Dawn Break], this was Hinata's very own technique.
Hinata : Let's call this [Silent Moon].
Smirking, she turned her head again before walking away...
Hinata : And the second melody is called [Eclipse].
As she finished, Razul was assaulted by a series of slashes...totally annihilating what remained intact from the first melody.
This was Hinata's own sword art...a two melody step technique that carries ultimate defense and destroying offense.
Hinata : With this I'm one step closer.
Inside Mirai's mind, she was still fighting the first trial...having fought Eleonor in the first room, she went on in succession.
The second presented a very dangerous Hinata, the third monstrous Lucas, the fourth a terrific Flora, the fifth a merciless Horizon...
Finally, she was getting a breather...staying in the fifth room, she sat on the ground laying her back onto the wall.
Mirai : This is hard...particularly Flora, she is really terrifying when she wants to...
She sweatdropped, sure Horizon was much stronger but Flora is a literal instant killer...if Mirai even took a single miss-step, she would be a goner.
Mirai : This is five of the ten rooms...I'm scared to know who will be behind this sixth room.
Sighing, she slowly got up and grabbed her sword...there was crack all over the blade but it seemed each time it broke, it would regenerate.
This was at least one thing she didn't have to worry about, with that said, she finally decided to set foot into the sixth room.
However this room was different from the other...because the moment she stepped in.
The world surrounding changed, the cave-like wall straightened...the ground flattened and the room lightened.
Mirai found herself standing in front of a large staircase leading up toward a throne...a torch appeared on the wall leaving the lower area lightened while the very top was kept in the dark.
Mirai : A throne room ?
While in the previous room, her opponent appeared in the form of mud golem...this time, there was really someone present there.
Sitting on the throne, their chin resting on their hand...this lone figure hidden in the natural darkness looked down on Mirai.
Mirai : (This pressure...this person is a monster...)
If she had to place an odds, then the previous challenge she faced would be nothing to the current one...even if Horizon, Flora and the others teamed up.
They wouldn't defeat the new room boss...
???: How strange, I suddenly appeared in this room and was told to wait for the challenger...
Mirai : (It can talk?!)
Mirai couldn't really tell who that person was...because she was perfectly hidden, no light reflected on her figure...
But from the voice, sweet and elegant...she could tell it was a woman, probably the ruler of this place who appears to be a castle.
???: Honestly, calling up the dead isn't nice.
Mirai : The dead ?
Then it clicked in her mind, it seemed like the friends she had fought before were copied because they aren't dead yet.
That would explain why she stumbled on an actually living person here...whoever sitting on that throne is an existence brought back by Manas : Fate.
Mirai : Who are you ?
???: Present yourself first.
Mirai : ...
Mirai tensed up, the way that person refuted and threw back her question at her was threatening, instinctively Mirai took a step back and readied her sword.
???: My~you got quite the instinct, so what's your name, challenger ?
Mirai : M-Mirai...
???: No last name ?
Mirai : You talk a lot for someone who is going to die again...
???: Well as you said i'm actually dead...an opportunity to talk to someone might not cross my path ever again, won't you share a few words with this pathetic lady ?
A sense of loneliness and regret, that was what Mirai felt when ??? spouted those last words...since it's a trial for her.
This woman is forcibly connected to Mirai in some way...this made the girl wonder, was this all real ? Is that woman really someone who was brought back or is it just an upgraded golem with memories...
In any case, Mirai spoke up while lowering her blade.
Mirai : Averion...my name is Mirai Averion.
???: I see...we kind of look like each other, don't you think ?
Her words were confusing until ??? got up, she slowly walked down the stairs...her every step was heavy as if the land was shaking.
Or rather it was Mirai's heart, she felt a sense of discomfort as the woman approached.
Finally, the torch lightening the room reflected her appearance...ashen hair akin to the clear moon, blue eyes that shone like diamonds.
Her appearance was similar to those from Averion...a lavish armor adorned with a crest similar to Falmuth on the left shoulder.
Her hair loosened up with a very distinct half moon necklace...and an oddly familiar sword set on her wrist.
???: My name is Luna Arceid, it seems I am nothing but an obstacle on your path.
Followed by a heroic killing intent, Mirai felt like the sky was falling on her...her body froze as Luna stepped down the last stair.
Now standing right in front of the challenger, she lifted her leg one last time before stomping the ground.
The throne room was blasted away, the air surrounding them broke into pieces leading them into a plain field.
Mirai : A-Arceid ?
Shocked by her statement, Mirai had to face a prime Luna Arceid...a true hero who this time had mastered all her skills and was equipped with her legendary graded sword Full Moon.
The same woman Dawn had struggled to defeat, she is the tyrannical ruler of Muth, the destined one of Dawn Arceid.
Luna Arceid has accepted to be the sixth room's boss.
Luna : Now come young lady, show me your resolve.