Chapter 38: One Way Or Another

She’s fast despite her size. In fact, I’m certain Katariel’s faster now than she was before. It’s not enough to react, I have to predict where her next attack will come from. Her attacks slam into my guard again and again, somehow I’m able to keep my head. Kizzik, Rina and I try to remain on the offensive but we can’t pin her down! I look over to where Camilla lays, she still hasn't moved. I don’t even know if she’s still alive.

“Rina! Check her!” I shout, launching myself at the monster with a roar of my jet engines. Our swords smash together as we collide.

“You can’t hold her without me!”

“We don’t have a choice!” I grit my teeth and push back as hard as I can, forcing the demon lord back a single step.

She opens her giant maw right in front of my visor. I watch in terror as sickening black and red mana begins to pool in the back of her throat. Without warning, a beam shoots out, deleting everything in front of it. The cathedral begins to crumble as the floor and wall are disintegrated.

“Kenji!!!” Rina screams.

“I’m fine! Get Camilla!” I shout from above, floating in the air.

She nods and makes a mad dash for the downed monk.

Alright Minnie, I’m pretty out of ideas! What do you got?

[hmm. Oh! I know how about we try these? Hellfire missiles?!]

Machinist activates and the armor on my shoulders shifts and expands until there are two small boxes mounted there. In a flurry of smoke, a barrage of missiles shoot out, all targeting Katariel. One by one, they slam into her exploding in a burst of light. She howls in pain as layers of her tough skin and muscle are burned away. Unfortunately it grows back just as quickly.

[tough sucker isn’t she? Should we try nuclear?]

“What?! No! Are you crazy?! I didn’t even know that was an option!”

[Youre no fun.. fine try this then..] Minnie sulks and transforms the armor once again. Four orbs break off from me and zoom over to the demon.

Angel Cage!

Beams of light form a pyramid around Katariel, trapping her inside. The cage constricts around her, tighter and tighter. Katariel screams and flexes her muscles, shattering the cage. As she does, a gang of Kizzik clones jumps down on her, stabbing her along her shoulders and back. The beastly demon thrashes around wildly trying to shake them all off but they hang on like tics. Fed up, she jumps into the air and slams her back into the ground, crushing all the clones.

Katariel pushes herself back to her feet and shoots another beam at me. I slam my photon greatsword into the ground, cutting the beam in two. It zips past me on either side, blowing up another chunk of the cathedral.

Kizzik appears from the shadows next to me.

“This isn’t working!” They shout.

Rina moves to my other side, pointing her staff at our enemy.

“Camilla’s breathing but she’s out cold. What’s the plan?”

“I’m thinking!”

We need something big, something to take her out in one go.

[There’s something else we can try, but it’ll take all three of you.] Minerva says.

What do we need to do?

[Tell Kizzik to summon as many clones as they can. We need to pin her down while Rina charges up the Sakura Blade.]

Minnie downloads the details of her plan directly into my brain. It’s a long shot but we’re out of options.

I relay the plan to Kizzik and Rina

“You better not miss kid.” Kizzik takes off towards Katariel, a legion of clones sprouting from every nearby shadow. They all mob her at once, encircling her. She swings wildly but they stay just out of range.

Rina puts her hand over mine as I grip the sword. She closes her eyes and begins to channel her mana directly into the blade. My body tingles as her warm energy passes through me. I watch nervously as the number of clones dwindles to just a handful. Katariel swings the black blade and slices three out of the air at the same time. Several more grab at her legs but she easily smashes them to pieces. Each time she impales one, my heart stops thinking it will be the real Kizzik this time. But they all fade back into shadow.

I look down and see the photon blade is no longer a rosy color but white hot like forged steel. Whispy flames flow off of it as Rina continues to channel. A loading bar sits in the middle of my screen measuring the necessary energy. She’s still only halfway done charging the blade when Katariel breaks free from her clone assailants. She grasps a Kizzik by the head that doesn’t fade away. The Laczerta cries out as she begins to squeeze.

“Die!” Katariel cries

Just before she’s about to squeeze down, I zoom forward and slam my fist into her face, knocking her backward. Rina stares at me astonished, holding the charging blade in her hands.

“Keep going!” I shout as I turn back to the demon.

M61 Vulcan!

I unleash a gatling barrage of jet fueled, iron knuckled punches. Katariel's body shudders with every hit as I continue the furious rush. I don’t stop until I’m out of breath. I gasp for oxygen under the mask, completely exhausted. Katariel puts her hands together and raises them high. She brings them down on my head hard, planting me in the ground. My blood splatters across the inside of the visor as my ribs snap. She’s about to step on me when Kizzik stabs his cleaver through her foot, gouging a huge chunk out of it.

“Puny insects!” She roars. The demonic mana swirls in her mouth again as she looks at Kizzik and I. The mana swells, crackling black and red lightning. There’s no time to dodge. This is the end.

“HEY!” We turn to see Rina. She’s holding a flaming blade high above her head.

It swirls with power, flashing bright gouts of flame like the sun condensed into the shape of a sword. The energy swells and the blade grows so tall it pierces the top of the cathedral. With a mighty yell and all her strength the elf brings it down on top of Katariel. The demon raises her black blade at the last second but it’s in vain. The sun blade slices through it like a hot knife through butter and does the same to Katariel. She bursts into flames as she’s bisected. Her screams are drowned out by the terrible roiling hiss of her flesh. Kizzik and I dive for cover as the whole place explodes with fire.

Bright, blinding light surrounds us and for a moment I think I’m dead again. But as my vision clears I can see the outcome of the battle. Laying in two equal chunks are the crisp charcoal remains of one demon lord. Rina’s legs buckle as the last of her strength leaves her. I fall onto my back, so tired I can’t even lift a finger. We lay there for I don’t know how long. The sky begins to clear as the storm is lifted. I expect to be rushed by a mob of demons, come to avenge their lord but none come.

“I think I’ll be praying to Juracán from now on. She really saved our asses.” Kizzik sighs as they lay next to me.

Camilla finally wakes up with a startled gasp. She looks around at the scene, smiles, and falls back down. She starts to laugh. We all do. And as we laugh, the tears start to come.

We all laugh and cry, overwhelmed by our relief, releasing the fear from our souls. The four of us lay there together, staring up through the broken ceiling of the cathedral at a starry night sky. Those little lights shine brightly, peacefully down on the island. The stillness and dreadful silence that cursed Utua is dispelled by a wondrous chorus as the tree frogs begin to sing again. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

[That was dramatic! A real nail biter finish! Good job though boss!]

Borikan is safe. We’ve won.