Against the Chaos

On the thunderous battlefield, Princess Colette was still fighting the god who possessed her lover.

She stepped aside and shifted her sword to avoid and parry a quick series of thrusts. She then swung at Nocturne’s legs to force him to jump away, and he retaliated by shooting a dark ball of fire, which she batted aside with a backhand.

He swiftly darted in to strike at her neck, and she raised her blade to block his. They stared each other down as they became locked, with Nocturne sporting a triumphant smirk while Colette had a frustrated scowl.

“You’re holding back, Star Maiden!” He taunted. “Does fighting your bride hurt your heart?”

“Get out of her and fight me yourself, you damn coward!” She retorted.

With a grunt of effort, she shoved him back to break the lock, then jumped away a fair distance before taking a defensive position. Nocturne landed steadily on his feet, and took a more relaxed stance while chuckling in amusement.

“Your heart will be your undoing, Sister’s chosen maiden. Not just yours, but those behind you as well. Look, my Champion has made short work of your allies.”

Colette grit her teeth in defiance, but still looked aside to see what was happening with the army.

Most of the soldiers were either on their knees or laying on the ground. The few that were still up were trying their best to surround the Champion and attack together, but he was more than just one man.

Three copies of him materialized from black mist and slashed at the soldiers around him. Blood scattered as dark blades sliced mortal flesh, and the soldiers screamed out in pain while they dropped to the ground.

Just as quickly, the copies disappeared while he looked around for a second. His crimson gaze stopped when he noticed Lilian and Edward a short distance away, and that’s when Colette gasped in alarm and turned around.

“Don’t you dare!” She warned while moving forward.

However, she stopped and turned back as she felt Nocturne’s presence right behind her. She barely parried a thrust in time, and hopped away while glowering at him in anger.

“Your fight is with me, Star Maiden.” He said while flicking his rapier. “Actually, why don’t I invite my pet to the show?”

He glanced back at the Lord of Nevermore, which was just watching him with a snarl. He sneered back and raised a hand, which glowed dark purple with chaotic energy.

“You heard me, Fafnir.”

Raindrops scattered as the dragon roared in a burst of rage as the same magic flared from its body, along with tendrils of lightning. Its eyes flashed red as it focused on Colette, who growled with unease as she put up her guard.

‘Dammit…Lil, Sir Edward, be safe!’ She yelled internally.

_______________________________________

Meanwhile, Princess Lilian was still trying to save Edward’s conscience, but to no avail. Rather, the chains of chaos around it seemed to get stronger, as they squeezed with more intensity than before.

“It’s getting more unstable by the minute.” She murmured with growing worry. “What am I supposed to do…”

She blinked and looked aside as she felt a sinister presence approaching her in the outside world, and her eyes widened as she already realized who it was.

“Oh no, he’s here! Sorry Sir Edward, but I have to leave you like this for now!”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them as she awoke back in reality. She gently set Edward’s head on the ground and stood up, then took hold of her bow as she faced the Champion.

“It’s you…that fae who stood by their predecessors.” He muttered in a threatening tone.

Lilian pulled her bow’s string, and a magical bolt charged from her fingertips.

“Long time no see, Champion.” She said in a cold manner. “If you want to kill him, you’ll have to get through me.”

“You know resistance is futile. Leave now, or I will tear you asunder.”

“Maybe you’re right. But for the sake of my friends, in both past and present, I will never flee from you!”

She released the arrow at his face, but he simply swatted it away with the back of his hand. He then took a deep breath and exhaled…before swinging his sword aside with enough force to stir the air and scatter the rain around him.

“Then you shall suffer and die…by my own hand.” He declared with a hint of rage.

He rushed at her with such speed that he became a blur, and slashed horizontally at her midsection. She barely jumped back in time and fired another arrow, but he parried it with a swipe upwards.

The Fae Princess did a big leap backwards while firing three shots in rapid succession, but the black knight simply spun his sword to deflect them before giving chase.

She quickly dropped down and placed her hand on the ground, and an icy glow emanated from her palm and spread on the surface around it. When he slashed down at her, she nimbly rolled away and snapped her fingers.

“Ice Coffin!” She chanted.

The magic Lilian had placed exploded in the form of ice crystals, which entrapped the Champion to prevent him from moving. While he shook against his bonds, she jumped away to gain some distance and started charging another arrow.

The magical bolt crackled as more power was put into it, and it grew in size until it was as wide as the bow itself.

Right as the attack was fully charged, ice flew in every direction as the Champion shattered his prison in a burst of dark magic. Lilian immediately released her arrow, and it zipped towards him at astounding speed to strike his chest. It blew up in a shower of sparkles, and he was sent flying far backwards to Colette’s forces.

He was able to right himself and land on his feet, though he staggered for a second. He looked at the giant hole in his breastplate, which revealed the large red gash on his pale skin. Almost immediately, the skin stitched itself up, and his armor reformed over it.

He let out a huff as he prepared to dash towards Lilian, but stopped and looked down as an emerald circle of magic shined on the ground under his feet. From behind him, the voice of Rosaline rang loud and clear.

“OAK SPIRE!”

The ground quaked as oakwood branches erupted from it. They pierced straight through the Champion’s armor from the back and burst out of his chest, causing him to scream in agony while they carried him high up. His voice was soon silenced as the branches converged to wrap around him completely.

Rosaline came around with Captain Charles. Both looked beaten and tired, yet they still held determination in their expressions. While he took a defensive position in front of her, Lilian hurried to stand at her side.

"Thanks for the assist, Rosaline." The Princess said with relief.

Her handmaiden nodded. "Of course, milady. But it's not over yet..."

Their gazes shifted forward as the oak branches began to rumble and whither. In a matter of seconds, the rotted wood burst apart, revealing the healed Champion floating in the air with a chaotic aura flowing around him. His red eyes flashed as he focused on the newly formed trio.

“You do nothing…but fight a fruitless battle.” He said with a cold fury.

"Even so, we will never yield to darkness!" Captain Charles boldly declared. "For my Princess and my homeland, I will fight to the bitter end!"

Rosaline nodded in agreement. "If it's for My Lady, I will stand against you!"

Lilian pulled her bowstring. "Anne and Jen fought so hard to save and bring peace to Solaris. And now, it's Sir Edward's turn to do the same. That's why I will protect him with my life!"

The Champion shook his head. "So be it...I will destroy you all."

At his side, his three copies appeared and flew down to attack the trio, who all braced themselves as they were ready to fight the odds for all they cared about.