The Bloody Fang of Terra

Ghislaine calls out to Andric, a pained expression upon his face; a mix of frustration and rage. “We were supposed to be brothers Andy, what happened to that? You know I had no choice! If I hadn’t, we all would have perished.”

Gail’s words fall on deaf ears as his opposition's head starts to pulsate with green tremors.“Shut up, shut up, shut up.” Andric screams out in agony, clutching the sides of his head as a demon horn begins sprouting out the the right side of his head, tearing through his skull. Blood drips down his black hair as it starts turning gray.

“YOU USELESS VESSEL. I SAID FINISH HIM NOW.” Andric’s eyes glow green as demonic red sigils form in his pupils. Up, down, left, right, converging in the middle as they become solid black. Pausing in shock, tears roll from eyes. Unable to resist Asta’s influence any longer, another blade materializes in his off-hand hand. Instantly launching towards Ghislaine, he feels his mind shatter into pieces. Like a window pane smashed by a hammer.

Ghislaine grips his rapier, knuckles whitening as his gaze drifts to his friend. “I’m sorry Andy.” His eyes light up, as red and white sparks flash across his body, his aura network screaming to life. The shard of Blackstone in his pocket burns red as his aura coats him with a translucent membrane.

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In Fenrir’s chasm, the beast attempts to breathe another stream of fire as a pink barrier shuts it down. Fenrir hisses in malice before he’s muzzled. “I owe this boy a life debt, stand down lesser beast.” Nanatsumi command echoes out with authority as pink spectral chains pin the colossal wolf to the ground. He struggles to break free.

Standing atop the stone altar totem in hand, Joshua battered and bloody starts to pour all the aura he can muster into it. His muscles tense and tighten as his eyes burn red. “Darius, I hope this works.”

A fierce red and black aura swirls about, tearing through the landscape. Rocks begin getting flung all over the place as the wolf's den starts to get scarred by blade marks.The air heats up as its radiating energy knocks Susanna back. Nearly scorching her face, she watches on in awe. “This is on a whole other level from Vil! How is this even human?”

As the aura swirls into the totem Joshua's hair lifts up. Like a dragon he floats into the air. His eyes, whilst close, tense up shifting into their draconic state. Breathing deeply in and out, his chest rises and falls. Draxis remains completely silent, unsure of where the black aura is coming from. “Kid.”

Feeling a surge in power back at the camp his eyes open faintly. Ghislaine’s ascension to the Seventh Level. In this brief momentarily lapse of focus, the totem begins to spin out of control. Acting upon instinct he presses his hands shut, the sheer force of aura swirling cutting into his hands, blood spilling out. Even so, the totem starts to crack. “Damn it, not now. It’s almost ready.” The blood vessel in Joshua’s head bulges outward.

Nanatsumi watches with intrigue the entire time. “Durand…” She closes her eyes momentarily before smirking, licking her fox lips. “I guess I’ll help you.” Raising her front left paw, a pink barrier of energy envelopes his hands as he looks towards the Jikan, his eyes still open. Turning back to face the totem, he grits his teeth as he feels his muscles screaming to relief. “It’s now or never, thank you Sumi.” The fox spirit closes her eyes as she raises her head towards the sky.

The rest of his aura finishes flowing into the totem, as he raises his hands to the sky. “TAKE THIS ASTAROTH, YOU AND YOUR UNDEAD ABOMINATIONS.” Joshua screams as he launches the totem into the air, a fourth and final beam pierces the sky.

The red and black energy resembles a lance impaling a battered shield as it swirls towards the heavens chaotically. The once thick and heavy miasma of red shatters away like glass panes. The sky returns to its peaceful state as Joshua collapses, blood dripping from his mouth as nose. Susanna runs over to catch him, reaching her arms out, she holds her sleeping captain. Turning over to the Jikan she questions. “Is it over?”

Nanatsumi nods up and down. “It seems like the boy’s plan worked. I can sense that wicked energy dissipating; however, its caster is still alive. The fox spirit shakes her head with a curious look on her face before walking up to Fenrir.

“Wolfy, your timeout is finished, my debt is repaid to this mortal.” As she turns around, she stomps her left leg down, a crack forming in the earth. The chains binding the wolf shatter as he licks his wounds.

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Deep inside the mountain, a black blade coated in the abyss shakes itself loose from the stones it was bound in. Clamoring to the ground it rests in its place as a voice mumbles with pleasure. “Soon may the Black God rise.” A single black feather falls down beside the blade.

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Turning her head, the Jikan looks to the girl, who battered and exhausted states calmly. “You coming? If you stay, he’ll feast on the two of you soon enough. He is a feral creature after all.” Snickering Nanatsumi makes her way inside the crevice. Understanding the situation quickly, Susanna wraps Joshua’s upper body around her own as she leads them onto the strange pathway.

Leaving Fenrir alone, the beast lays there melancholically. Believing its kin to have all perished in the bloodshed. To his surprise however, a small group of 12 wolves eventually crawl out of hiding and look towards their leader. Three females, seven pups, and two elderly males.

The sight of some of his kin still healthy causes him to rise to his feet to greet his family. Shaking off the battle damage he retained Fenrir looked to the heavens howling with all his strength.His albino pelt sticking out like a sore thumb.

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Andric and Ghislaine bounce all around the battle ground, Astaroth now controlling Andric’s body. Their momentum shakes the ground around them as their blades clash once more.Shockwaves of energy rippling through the air.

“I warned him to hurry up and kill you fools, but he didn’t. Now that the black sun has ended, nor have enough sacrifices been offered.This plan was a bust. I’ll have to stick to the original one then!” Andric’s eyes go completely vacant like a puppet's as Astaroth snickers, reeling his arms back as green lightning pools around his arms. Crackling against Andric's fading flesh.

“You finally show yourself, demon. Why did you corrupt him? How? ” Gail’s voice hardens as he thrusts his blade towards Astaroth’s armor. What appears to be fangs crack into the armor as the ethereal green starts to break off.

“He caught my eye years ago, the built-up resentment, the failures, all of those things attract our kind. I knew it was my moment to strike when he caught onto one of my traitorous liches. All I had to do was offer to be his friend, he was quite lonely. I guess I have you to thank for that!”

“But he was surrounded by his comrades in arms.” Ghislaine rebuttals as he parries a strike from Astaroth. Staying in stance, he raises his blade in a defensive manner. Reading himself for anything the demon could throw at him.

“You Gail, you alone were his only friend. Did you not see how the others treated him? Like a nuisance, that all he was good for was his brain. Any idea how that made him feel?” Astaroth taunts aloud cackling. “You abandoned him when you chose to retire to Blackwood. It’s all your fault.” The demon gazes towards Ghislaine trying to play mind games.

Ghislaine closes his eyes. Done with this charade. “I’ll avenge your honor Andy.” Opening his eyes, he throws his left arm down by his side and screams. “Enough of your tricks ‘Asta’. This ends now.” In an instant Ghislaine disappears from view as he screams at the arch-demon. “You screwed up when you challenged the Bloody Fang of Terra!” His eyes ignite with red aura, the glow and radiance trailing off and up and across his face. As all of his muscles channel the aura within and relax. .

Before Astaroth can react, his armor shatters, Ghislaine’s blade pierces through his chest. His eyes are cold and calculated. A scowl on his face. “Perish, demon.” In the distance, within this temporary domain, Astaroth feels his power fading. Rather than stay and meet his end in his vessels form, he jumps from the body.

A green spectral mist flows out from all of Andric’s orifices coalescing into a green giant holding a massive battleaxe. Despite remaining translucent, it's still clear he stands around nine feet tall. His lower body’s covered in armor as his chest and torso are left bare, but completely ripped. His muscles flex, as he beats on his chest.

“You win this time mortal, but just you wait. Once I descend, I’ll be coming for your head. Both you and that damn brat.” The green apparition dissolves as Ghislaine looks into Andric’s eyes, the color finally returning.

With a look of sorrowful regret Gail places his hand on Andric’s shoulder. The once stoic commandant begins to cry.

“Andy, why. Why did you do this?” through haphazard breaths Andric replies.

“I was hurt, all those years ago. I couldn’t let her go, Gail, even though she loved you.” Blood spills from his lips.

“Don’t waste your energy, Andy. I know you did, and all I did was shove you away. This mess is all my damn fault. If I had just done the job I was supposed to, we wouldn’t be saying our goodbyes like this.” The commandant recollects when he asked to retire and how Andric begged for his friend to not leave him alone. For the two of them to leave Terra behind and head to one of the neutral territories. “Life’s a cruel mistress ain’t she, Andy?”

“Who are you telling Gail?” Andric weakly chuckles whilst trying to put on a brave smile.

“We’re still brothers, aren’t we?” Ghislaine questions with a pained expression as looks into his old comrades eyes.

Closing his eyes Andric reaches his hand out to the only person he’d ever called a friend. “Forever my brother.” As Ghislaine grasps his hand, Andric’s grip loosens as Andric’s eyes slowly close, his life having finally left his body.

Taking a moment of silence, Ghislaine stands over his fallen brother. Looking to the sky he watches as the sun begins lighting up again. Its dark glow being replaced by joyous luminescence. As the purple corona shatters, it brings forth its warm and gross incandescence.

Re-sheathing his blade to his side, he looks at the destruction of his home with a sigh. Cracking his knuckles, he lowers his head feeling bittersweet. Turning towards the direction of Shiraia, starts his journey to Blackwood’s surviving residents. “Thank you, Joshua.” Thinking to himself, a faint smile crosses his lips.

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At the top of the mountain, having been defending the base for hours, the majority of the cadets were exhausted, most of them collapsed on the ground or sitting down covered in blood and sweat. Broken swords littered the place as the walls were battered to hell. The stone and wooden perimeter was cracked and dented, yet the barrier remained intact.

Walking to the top of the watchtower, Weil shakes his head while sheathing his club. Glad for this mess to finally be over. Trying to come up with an inspiring speech, he yells out with improv.. “GOOD JOB CADETS, YOU SURVIVED. THIS HELL IS FINALLY OVER. LOOK TO THE SKY AND RECEIVE ITS WARM EMBRACE. THIS IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS.” They turn to face him from all directions, looks of both confusion and relief on their faces.Faint cheers and murmurs leave their lips.

Patting onto his own chest, he rallies some joy into the crowd before stepping down from the ‘watchtower’.

“Good job Weil. you need a drink; you are not cut out for this.” Turning his head, he sees Layrn and Gyles coming in with Ghislaine following quickly behind. The two look a bit worse for wear, clothes singed. Layrn’s entire midsections exposed and arms lay bare from the tape burning away. Leaving her visible scars open for the whole camp to see. The commandant on the other hand looks fine, just has a distant look on his face.

“EVERYONE; ATTENTION. THE COMMANDANT HAS ARRIVED.” Weil calls out from his diaphragm, grateful that he can now drop his responsible persona. Reaching down to his side he grasps his flask, bringing its nectar to his lips before taking a swig. He lets out a sigh of relief as it burns down his throat, soothing his weary nerves.

Everyone hearing these words stand up as straight as they can before turning towards their commandant. His respect still stands. Ghislaine looks around noting how many cadets are here before turning to Gyles. Grateful that most of them were still alive.

“Where’s Orthon and wolf squad?” He turns to Layrn. Layrn, palms sweaty, clams up having not told anyone but Gyles about Joshua’s plan to sever the Black Sun ritual.

“Umm, Ghislaine sir, wolf squad was out taking care of the side effects of the black sun ritual. Apparently when he was investigating… Inside Andric’s office he found some interesting information.” Layrn stammers out, hoping the commandant will buy it. Thankfully Gyles also joins in to her defense.

“Yeah, Joshua informed us of his plan to break the ritual, something about a formation the holy knights can activate with their aether, apparently it works with all spiritual energies as well.

Ghislaine pauses for a moment before lifting his eyebrows in intrigue. “I was right, that boy is very entertaining. Let’s see him explain this one away.” Stepping forward towards the watch tower, the commandant raises his voice with power.

“All eyes on your commandant!” After a brief pause with everyone's gazes focusing, he continues. “As you can see cadets, this nightmare is behind us. The Bloody Fang of Terra has repelled the demon and cleansed Blackwood of his filth. It’s just a pity that all of our hard work has been destroyed.” Ghislaine takes a deep breath before projecting his voice.

Placing his hand over his heart, he makes a vow.“I plan on rebuilding Blackwood, to an extent I never thought possible. The location will have to change however, this place isn’t fit for training discipline into the youth. Not anymore, he gestures to the massive fissure through the main camp. A fire has been reinvigorated in my heart, the passion you cadets have shown, plus the will to fight and survive against all odds. As of this moment I hereby graduate you all. Good job, Terra Clan’s future.” A smirk crosses his face as he turns to his captains, only Layrn and Gyles give him attention.

Looks of surprise fill the crowd. Weil chuckles to himself as Gytha begins coming to. Staring at her, she gives him a weird look. “Hell, you looking at?”

“Nothing, I’m just glad you’re back my dear.” With a satisfied smile on his face, he takes another swig of his flask; Gytha on the other hand clutches her head, having a splitting migraine.

Ghislaine chuckles and makes his way to his battered comrades. “I will reach out to the cadet’s guardians and explain the situation the best I can. You four just keep doing your jobs, but that’s a problem for later, for now it’s time to celebrate. You all deserve it” A warm smile rests on his face as the sun beams over the horizon.

“That's just creepy,” Layrn comments to herself looking at the commandant.

“Oh Layrn, he’s just happy for this mess to be over with, after all he probably had a bunch of baggage on his chest, he was finally able to let off.” Gyles chuckles.

Shaking her head, she walks over to Joshua’s quarters as four four cadets climb out scrambling over one another. Everyone looking worse for wear, but nonetheless alive and breathing. Their custom blackwood uniforms were all torn and ripped to hell. Susanna’s remaining in the best condition unlike the twins. Orthon on the other hand’s blue tunic was in tatters, the metal plating within very much visible now. Blood and sweat poured down the boy’s faces and bodies. Wilhelm was especially faint from his arduous fight with the arctos.

Layrn raises her fist with a confident smile.“Good job, cadets. I’m proud of all of you, but might I ask where’s Joshua?”

“Oh, the Jikan still has him.” Vilhelm blurts out earning a smack on the back of his head from Susanna. “You weren’t supposed to say that.”

“Ehheh, my bad.” Vilhelms cheekily grins, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Jikan?” Layrn raises an eyebrow, concern on her face for the youngest son of Terra.. “Long story master, I’ll explain it, come over here. The group of five make their way to a more secluded area of the mountain top.

As they explain what happened to Layrn, back inside the mountain Joshua sits in front of Nanatsumi and Yoko, the little one hopping onto the boy's lap. “Yip.” The tiny kitsune wags its tails.

“Child, I know you have many questions for me, but just like you I’m bound by laws beyond my control. If there is anything you’d like to ask, I will try to indulge you.” Following this a pink light coats the adult nine tailed fox.

The fox spirit takes on a more humanoid form. A beautiful white and pink haired woman stood before him, as an elegant veil hides her face. What resembles a scarlet robe drapes over her obvious curves. A traditional white kimono with pink accents rests underneath as her tails remain visibly present despite the change in appearance.

“She’s beautiful.” Joshua thinks to himself as he blushes, her body luscious in all the right places. “Of course she is kid, she's as old as me. She knows what a man likes to see! Especially when she can see into your mind.” Draxis yells into his ears.

A sly and sultry smile crosses the Jikan's lips at his adult gaze. “I get it, ouch.” Joshua replies out loud, clutching his head.

“That noisy dragon in your head causing a fuss? He was always jealous that Durand enjoyed my company more than his.” She snaps her right finger as her left hand rests promptly on her hip.

“Don’t listen to her……” Draxis' voice is sealed as the air’s hue turns blue.

“Don’t worry about him, Joshua, I just froze him so that we can talk without interruption. That’s the same reason I escorted your friends from this place as you got here.” Slyly Nanatsumi sits down on a nearby rock, crossing her legs.

“Okay then, do you know who sent me back in time?” Joshua blurts out; the question having nagged him since the last time they spoke.

“I apologize that I can’t say, you’ll find out one day. He will definitely make himself known to you. He’s that kind of person.” Nanatsumi bows her head.

“Then what about Draxis? Do you know where his body is?” The fox opens her eyes with a smirk. “That would ruin the game if I spoiled it.” Joshua looks at her with a deadpan gaze, before asking another question.

“Can this curse on my body be broken without Draxis’s help? I know he’s been my guide and master and all, but I don’t know if it’s worth binding myself in a contract with him. That's what he said he’d have to do to bypass it.”

Nanatsumi grins. “He shouldn’t do you any harm Joshua, like yourself he just likes throwing temper tantrums when things don’t go how he wants. He won’t admit it, but he's just a giant baby. Unlike the other dragon sovereigns.”

“What do you know about the others?” Joshua questions.

She shakes her head in a manner that said it wasn’t her place to speak on the subject before continuing. “Not my place. But Yes child, the key has always been within reach; You just have to find it..What you went through fighting his highness was painful to witness myself.” Joshua looks toward the kitsune not quite understanding what she means when suddenly he feels a sharp pain in his side.

After grasping it and looking down however, nothing seems to be wrong. Eventually looking back at the coy fox. “I swear I felt something stab into my side.”

“Oh dear, I guess that it’s time for me to take my leave child. It was nice chatting. He doesn’t want me speaking further. Any more and you’d be at risk.” Nanatsumi winks at Joshua as she turns around walking away with Yoko in tow, her body swaying in a seductive manner.

Immediately after leaving, Draxis is unfrozen and continues where he left off only to notice that the fox spirit and her child were long gone.

“Hey kid, when did she leave? What did she tell you?”

“They left just a moment ago. And the only information I was able to get was that he’ll make himself known and that you’re a big baby.” Draxis growls in annoyance from within. “Sly fox…”

Looking down at his tattered outfit, Joshua shakes his head. “Any idea how we get out of here?”

“No clue, hopefully she left a way out.” Taking a look around they eventually stumble onto a corridor leading out of the ruins.Just like the first time he came inside, the exit was littered with runes, sigils, and marble merged into the stony interior of the cavern.

Quickly making his way out, he surfaces back at the bottom of the mountain, the sun setting off in the distance. Taking a deep breath, he looks all around himself. The carnage and destruction being washed into darkness. Looking towards the top of Shiraia and their camp, he starts making his way to the top as his body is coated in a pink healing glow. “Thanks Sumi.”