Chapter 36: Like a Hurricane

We all spend the rest of the day tending to the wounded, burying the dead, and trying to scavenge what we can from the burnt wreckage. There's almost nothing left of the food and no more medicine. The weight of everything is gnawing away at my insides, making me hollow. Rina must see this because she puts a tender hand on my shoulder, giving me a knowing look.

Guille holds his wife close as they look out at their people, broken once again by this war. They all look so tired, the embers of hope within them slowly fading away. My stomach churns as I feel the same hopelessness. How can the world be so unfair? How can so much suffering be allowed? The pain and anger in me just wants to get out, smash something, anything! But what I really want is the one responsible. Katariel.

“We won't survive another attack. We need to flee.” He says, head hung low, despair in his voice.

Camilla shakes her head. “The demon lord killed Oso and Read. The ship is lost.”

I step forward. “We need to finish this. One last attack on Katariel. Maybe if we can catch her off guard-”

“Are you insane? There’s no chance of beating her!” Kizzik interrupts.

They aren't wrong but still.

“What choice do we have? We either take the fight to her or wait here to be wiped out.”

“Kenji is right. If we die, we die like warriors.” Rina says, standing tall, calm in the face of certain death.

We share a look of understanding. For the first time since we met, we really see each other. Kizzik groans a bit but gives up on trying to change our minds.

“Fine. Fine, we die like heroes whatever. So what’s the plan?” They ask, sighing heavily.

“The question is how do we get back, and how did we get here for that matter?”

“I believe I can offer some answers.” A voice from behind us responds to my question.

All of a sudden, the black haired woman from the beach is standing before us. A powerful gust blows through the space around us, kicking up dust and debris. Cecilia gasps, covering her mouth with her hands. She somehow recognizes the woman even though I’m pretty sure they’ve never met. Guille’s wife drops to her knees, bowing so deep her head touches the floor.

“Acona Guakia Arawaka! We throw ourselves at your mercy, O’ mighty Juracán!”

Murmurs swell as more people recognize the deity in their midst. The Borikanos all throw themselves down at her feet, even the injured do their best to bow.

Juracán looks around at everyone with a serene calmness. Her demeanor is gentle but I can tell there is a tempest billowing inside her as she sees the state of her people. Rage flashes across her face as the clouds above begin to darken and churn. Savage wind whips through the island, tearing through the debris. Her gaze falls back on us and all goes still once again, then she speaks.

“I am disheartened to say I do not have enough strength left to protect my people. I rescued you all so that you could do what I cannot. I ask this favor. Warriors from afar, go and wage war on our enemies.” Her voice seems to echo throughout the whole island and in my very soul.

“We came here to fight and we aren’t leaving until Katariel is dead. We just need a way back into Utua.” I say.

She looks into my eyes and I feel myself compelled to kneel. Her full presence isn't oppressive like the Demon Lord but it is powerful and slightly stifling.

“Then you pledge yourself to me? My champions?”

We each spare a glance at each other, coming to a silent agreement.

“We do, Goddess Juracán.”

She smiles brightly. “Very good. I can transport you anywhere within Borikan. The winds of the island are swift and unrestrained. Beyond that there are certain gifts I can offer my champions…” She walks up to Camilla and grabs her gently by her severed arm, turning it and inspecting the wound.

“I bestow upon you, mighty warrior, the hand of Juracán.”

She taps Camilla's arm with a finger and a gust of wind and clouds explodes outward from the wound as if a storm just sprouted from it. The energetic wind and lightning condenses itself down bit by bit until it is formed into the shape of a hand. Camilla looks in awe as she flexes the fingers of her new grey, cloud like hand. We all gasp as she throws a test punch, shooting a blade of wind out that cuts a nearby tree in half.

“Please don't destroy my island.” Juracán chides.

She moves next to Rina. Stretching out her hand and grabbing the wizard’s staff.

“It seems you carry a heart of flame within you. Allow me to help fan the flames.”

There's a burst of churning green energy that leaves Juracán’s hand and is absorbed into the staff. It glows with power as the metal phoenix figurehead at the head of the staff comes to life and flaps its wings creating a powerful gust of wind. A small mote of flame sparks from the staff and is instantly whipped into a huge flame that shoots upward into the sky. the citizens cry out in shock as the whole island is lit up by resplendent fire.

Juracán approaches Kizzik next. She taps her chin lightly, looking slightly perplexed as she looks at the Laczerta.

“It seems you already hold the blessing of a god… I hope they aren't a jealous deity."

She extends her hand once again allowing her magic to flow out of her towards Kizzik. Surprise ripples through us all as a dark shadow begins to emanate from our friend and meets the wind blessing. It swirls and mingles with it for a moment before pulling it into Kizzik’s body. Dark black shadows and wind begin to surge around them growing wild and reckless. We all have to step back as the power intensifies. Finally the tempest settles as the black energy seeps into the rogue’s cloak, etching it with a silver pattern of clouds and lightning.

“Behold. Bara, the Black Cloud.” The Goddess says.

Kizzik closes their eyes and breathes deeply. With a surge, the shadows split out from them forming two perfect copies of the rogue. They suddenly attack one of the clones with their cleaver and it blocks with a blade of its own. They aren't illusions. These copies are tangible!

I shoot them a glance. “You had god powers already?”

They just shrug. “It's news to me too, kid.”

Somehow I don’t believe them, but it's hardly the time to dig into that whole mess.

Everyone got such amazing power ups. I’m swelling with nerves and excitement as Juracán finally reaches me.

The Goddess’s expression changes and her eyes glaze over for a moment. “Oh! I see. Is that so?” She says seemingly to no one.

“Your spirit is in need of divine mana to ‘reboot’? She said something about ‘upgrades’?”

“You can hear her?!” I accidentally shout in shock.

“One moment, I’ll supply the necessary energy.” She places her hand on my chest.

Standing this close to a goddess makes my heart race. Her radiant power makes me picture every storm I’ve ever experienced, every summer breeze, and every winter chill. As her mana pours into me, everything goes white. All my senses snap to attention like I’ve been electrocuted. The ground beneath me begins to shake. Small sparks of mana fill the air around me.

Crimson plates of magical steel appear suddenly and begin to form around me starting at my feet and hands, locking into place then working their way toward my chest. The Void Walker armor reforms around me piece by piece until I’m completely covered. As the helmet slides together over my face, I realize that the armor is already in its full power state! The wings are gone and the horns are smaller but the intense power is unmistakable. I haven't absorbed any more crystals, I don't understand how this is possible! Suddenly, I feel the return of Minerva’s presence.

[My bad! I had to shut down all systems to perform the update! It's super lucky you met someone with some divine mana to spare otherwise this would’ve would've taken forever! Did you miss me huh? huh?]

Uhh, Minerva? Is that really you? You sound kinda… different.

[Ah, yeah well, your suit before was working with some majorly outdated software. It wasn’t able to handle my full download. You had the… abbreviated version of Minerva, but now you’ve got the whole thing! I prefer Minnie by the way.]

Minnie. ok I can work with that. It’s nice to meet you properly then. I don't understand though, how am I in full power mode right now?

[The catalyst! It integrated with the power core and evolved it. You don't have those crappy mana batteries anymore. They’ve been upgraded to the Mana fusion core!]

Fusion core? Sounds cool!

[It totally is! It's a far superior power system for the void walker armor that actually generates its own mana instead of needing to be charged! It’s so efficient that your base energy level now is 100% and you can maintain this form indefinitely!

And that's not all! All of your abilities have been upgraded as well!

[Spell Storage] → [Quantum Spell Drive]

[Cognitive boost] → [Quantum Mind]

[Fabricate] → [Machinist]

[Combustion Jet Thrusters] → [Plasma Thrusters]

And last but not least, a new photon sword. Why don't you whip that bad boy out?! heheh..]

The sword appears from a slot on my wrist and slides into my right hand. The hilt is black now, and the cross guard is twice as wide. I fire it up and a very broad, flat beam of crackling magenta energy springs forth, carving into the ground slightly.

[Isn't she a beaut?! I call it The Sakura Blade! But the technical name for it is the [Holy Avenger Greatsword Mk II]. Doesn't really roll off the tongue does it? But hey, not everyone is gifted when it comes to naming things and that’s okay.]

Minerva or Minnie is much chattier now but I kind of prefer it actually. Her new personality reminds me of someone but I can’t put my finger on it. Either way, I’m just glad to have her back.

“Thank you. We can win with this. I know we can.” I say to the Goddess.

She smiles knowingly at us. I lift the glowing greatsword into the air and fire a beam of pure rosy light into the sky.

“This light is a signal. A message to our enemies. That we’re still here.” I say to my comrades. Everyone gathers around me, brimming with sacred power of their own.

“Let's finish this!”

As I shout, Juracán summons a cyclone around us and we are whisked away to the final battle.