Heroes Clash

“It is as you say, Cato.” Stella summons two orbs to represent their planet, and Earth, “Their planet and ours are attempting to exist in the same realm, but only one can exist as such. That has been the cause of the disappearances, and now the collisions. But why this is happening is still a mystery.”

“Is there anything we can do to stop it?” Cato said.

“I am unsure. To begin, we have little idea as to why they are clashing. I will investigate, but at worst we may have to destroy the other world. I would like to avoid this of course; we will attempt all other options before doing so.”

“Alba?”

Alba remains seated in her throne, hoping to avoid a meeting with her father who is sealed away in a pocket dimension. His knowledge is vast however, avoiding him could lead to catastrophic results.

“Fine. But I warn you both, that man is still powerful even if sealed.”

Alba stands, turning to face her throne before whispering in the language of her creators. The throne splits, opening a portal with the demon king, Asphoros, held deep inside.

The three enter, their bodies tense the moment they do. Magic inside the seal is thick, efforts by Asphoros to empower himself, and find a way to escape.

Despite his efforts, even Asphoros struggles against the seal used for him. He remains seated at the end of the chamber, seven chains holding his body that is wrapped in sealing paper. The paper restricts his movements, covering everything except his mouth.

“What a lovely surprise.” Asphoros said as the chains tighten around his body.

“Don’t speak unless spoken to, I have no qualms about tearing you limb from limb with the chains.”

“Very well, I assume you are here because of the tremors.”

“You can feel them?”

“Magic speaks to us my daughter, even in this realm.”

“Did you know about this?” Cato said.

“I did, but I did not worry about it. The answer was always simple, destroy the other world.”

“Foolish man.” Alba approaches Asphoros, the natural protection around her body the only thing keeping her from fainting due to Asphoros’s magic, “Is there another way?”

“Ideas at best. You could merge the worlds, but that would prove incredibly difficult even for me. And, even if you succeed, the conflicts that are born as a result may destroy the world soon after.”

“Merging the worlds is possible, but also incredibly difficult.” Stella said.

“Maybe we-”

“Destroy it.” Asphoros interrupts Cato, “You are the heroes of this world, protect it as you did when facing me. Alba, you understand the decision you must make, you have a talent for accepting sacrifice.”

“She won’t make that decision lightly.” Cato said.

“You may have my daughter’s heart, but I still understand her mind. She protects what she loves, and what she loves is this world, the one with you inside. Destroy it! You can do it in the snap of a finger.”

“Enough! Your lack of value for life is why we sealed you.”

“That is where you are wrong. I value life just as much as you do, and Alba values it even more.”

“Alba?”

Alba glances at Stella and Cato. Two of the most important people in the world to her, people she was willing to die and kill her father for. She swore to protect them from all dangers; she has the power to do so.

“Alba!” Cato approaches Alba, “We can’t make such a decision so quickly, merging is still an option.”

“And if we fail?” Cato stops, the rare seriousness in Alba’s voice unmistakable, “We lose both. That is not a chance we should take. I am willing. I’ve done many horrors for much less honorable reasons, allow me to do this for you. Tenki will have to… Tenki?”

At the portal stand Tenki and Aimi. Having returned to plan with the hero’s party, they’re met by the decision before they could participate.

“You’re going to destroy my world?” Aimi said.

“Tenki’s wife, understand that it is not a decision I make easily. We will try to save as many as we can, but our worlds cannot coexist as it stands. Without a clue to what causes these collisions, without knowing the time we have, we must act.”

“Wait.” Tenki said, “There are other options. The merging, I will do it. I’ve spoken with scholars who have history books on the matter, of worlds colliding and merging! Give me time and I can do it.”

“I… I cannot promise anything. If you were quick perhaps, but we must consider our options.”

“I will be. Aimi?” Aimi steps away from Tenki, “Aimi, I can do this.”

Aimi shakes her head, “She won’t give you the time you needs, Tenki.”

“I won’t need much time; they are only considering destroying a world as a last resort.”

“If it is even an option then we will defend ourselves.”

“Aimi.” Tenki attempts to grab Aimi but is pushed away.

“Stay out of this, I don’t want you participating in this battle. It will only hurt you.”

“Please stop, they are far stronger than you can understand.”

“Hey! What is she doing?!” Cato runs for Aimi.

Aimi raises her right hand, unstable magic swirling around it as her saddened eyes look to Tenki. “I’m sorry, Tenki, yesterday was not the first time I used magic.”

Aimi swings her hand, creating a tear in space that allows a horde of AMDO soldiers to rush through and aim their weapons at everyone but Aimi.

“What, what is this?” Tenki said.

“I learned about this yesterday. I prepared just in case; I knew our world would be in danger if I sat aside. Despite how much you wish to find a way, I cannot trust others the same. Where are the rest of my people?”

“Are you in any position to ask questions?” Alba uses her magic to raise the gravity around every soldier, but they are able to resist. They each wear an experimental suit; the consumption of magic is limited yet enough for the soldiers willing to sacrifice themselves for their world.

“Fine, capture her.”

As the soldiers step forward, Cato lunges for them. He can kill them in a prolonged battle; he must find his way to Aimi before she causes any more chaos. Before he can reach the soldiers, however, his claws are met by Tenki’s blade.

“So, it has come to this.” Cato said.

“Cato, please, I will stop them.”

“You should have stayed out of this, my friend.”

Cato and Tenki continue their world-shaking exchange. Two of the most powerful beings of the world, even Earth trembles from the shockwaves of their strikes that take them out of Alba’s castle.

“Grab her!”

Alba smiles as the soldiers approach her, frightening them into a halt before she disappears. In a second, her hand is around Aimi’s neck.

“Stella, take care of these fools.”

“I won’t kill them, but so be it.”

Alba teleports to the roof of the castle. From there, Tenki and Cato’s battle can be seen as they create blasts of magic in the sky. The people of Mundi rush into their homes, unaware of what causes the terrifying amount of magic to clash, but the tremors and strong winds are enough to put them all into hiding.

“You have caused two sworn friends to exchange blades.”

Alba underestimates Aimi, watching the fight and allowing Aimi to break her arm with a punch. Aimi frees herself, jumping and raising the gun given to her by one of the soldiers.

“Interesting.” Alba said as her arms contorts back into place and heals, “That suit you wear infuses you with magic, not something I recommend but impressive for you magicless kind… no.”

Alba appears before Aimi once more, hoping to grab her but is kicked away by Aimi. She dodges the gunfire with ease, losing Aimi in the exchange and forced to block another strike from the strange human.

“Impossible. Someone from your world should not have such a grasp of magic in a day, and you should not have natural magic to begin with.”

Aimi raises her weapon but is blitzed by Alba who no longer holds back. She rests her hand on Aimi’s head, paralyzing her as she dives into the depths of her mind.

After two minutes, Aimi is released. She rolls back from Alba, huffing as she attempts to regain herself and her energy but the spell used by Alba has left her with a terrible headache.

“You are of this world; you are of my people.”

“What?”

“Dear child, forgive me. Our people are the curse of all worlds, and you have received the greatest of them all. Your magic is what dooms our worlds.”

Tenki and Cato land by their wives, both exhausted but with little to no visible injuries. Each is unwilling to hurt the other, their hope to convince each other in battle thwarted by their unwavering wills.

“Tenki, take her and her people away from here.” Alba said as she grabs Cato’s hand, “Enough, I hate to see the pain in both of your eyes as you fight. Your people will be escorted to the castle gates, wait for them there.”

“Are you sure?” Cato said.

“Yes, allow them to go. We have something much larger to discuss now. Tenki, I am terribly sorry, but your beloved is the cause of our concerns.”

Alba and Cato disappear, the battle finished. Tenki’s hands shake, he doesn’t look Aimi’s way. All that is left between them is quiet, even as they leave for the castle gates.