CHAPTER 539

FLAMES OF DESTRUCTION (X)

Limrur and Cadel retreated apprehensively, stopping by Ella’s side, both their expressions slightly paled. The level of destruction from that singular attack startled them; they were well aware of the strength of the surrounding domain, yet those blades of light easily pierced through them.

“… he’s much stronger than anticipated,” Limrur said, frowning. “Ella, you should stay back and act the role of support. Cadel, while I’m engaging him, try disrupting him from the side. If we aren’t careful… our heads might really roll today.”

“… he doesn’t seem even a tiny bit weary after that attack,” Cadel sucked in a mouthful of cold breath, shaking his head. “Just how strong is he…”

“I’d approximate he’s at least a Hermit from what he showed so far,” Limrur said, flexing his hands slightly. “Don’t drop your guard. Cover our blind spots, Ella, but never engage him directly.”

“…” meanwhile, Ella still stood at the same place she did from the beginning, flabbergasted. She truly believed Lino would, at most, be capable of playing a few rounds with her brothers before falling. Yet, she was once again reminded of who he was – someone who promptly flattened all the expectations and rose above them like a looming mountain.

Lino, on the other hand, shifted his focus away from the healing tears of the domain and onto the trio who regrouped some distance away. He held back the shaking of his arm and appeared entirely unphased, though the reality was somewhat uglier; after all, he hadn’t been able to accustom his body enough for the past year and a change. Using one of his key abilities so early on put him in a rather downtrodden mood as he worked his energy like mad to repair the shrinking and breaking veins in his body.

He redirected his gaze back onto Ella who flinched, suddenly lowering her eyes. This isn’t her… he realized quickly, sighing inwardly. Ella that he knew would never look away from her opponent, no matter who it may be. No, in the first place, she would never wager the lives of billions on something as abstract as a cosmic conflict between the 'Creator' and the 'Destroyer'. Whoever the person standing in front of him was, she had long since stopped being the woman that effectively raised him.

He raised his left, free hand all of a sudden, palm open, facing up, as a flicker of flame kindled within, turning into a burning sway of crimson and black. The trio's focuses sharpened as they glanced at the flame attentively; the flames weren't made up of any art but were simply birthed through a somewhat complex circulation of energy.

Lino slowly pulled his palm over, facing it downward, and let go of the fire that, just as it reached the level of the soles of his feet, exploded into a sea. Though it technically wasn't a Domain like a sword one surrounding them, its effects were similar. He basked in the warmth of the fire as he felt his pores opening up, his innards quickly replenishing.

"!" a cry ensued shortly after as the space above Cadel ripped open on two ends, spitting out behemoths that certainly were not chains – at least not the likes of which Lino had ever seen. Each sported the thickness of a giant defensive tower, shimmering in transparent gold. Two chains interlocked for a moment before being fiercely ripped apart, diving in a full crescent on two ends to flank him.

Meanwhile, he had noticed Limrur had vanished, racing toward him from the front. Lino took a deep breath and heaved his sword up, in a guard position, as thirty-six pairs of wings exploded out of his back. However, rather than maintaining them, he splintered them into sections whereupon each feather grew alight, churning outwardly like fanning knives, aiming for the chains.

Limrur, just around then, was right in front of him; welcoming the descent of the blade, Lino once again engaged the man. He pushed forward, holding the dull bottom of his sword's blade to parry the descending attack, causing Limrur to stumble backward slightly. Using that opportunity, he spun in a forward motion and shot the Protector sideways, managing to nibble at the edge of Limrur’s armor. Good reflexes, Lino quickly began assessing his opponent’s prowess. Somewhat lacking perception; speed a few notches below mine, general strength as well, though his endurance and defense should be superior.

While thinking, he didn’t stop with his attacks; using the fact that he had put the man on defensive, Lino pressed onward, slashing left and right with seemingly maddened, yet eerily calculated, strikes. I can comfortably allow a dozen hits without endangering myself, he continued laying out the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses in his mind. The other guy will be a bit troublesome since he seems to be the control type. I can't let those chains entangle me. El' will probably act the supporting role and aim at the openings while covering up their mishaps.

The logic in him told him that the best course of action was to simply ignore the two men and charge toward Ella immediately, killing her as to prevent variables from popping up. However, his heart wouldn’t allow him; however much she had changed, he was still unable to let go of his inhibitions so easily.

Blocking an attack aimed at his neck, Lino took a quick breath and erupted with a burst of speed; even if he couldn't kill her, he could still incapacitate her. A sudden burst of speed and strength sent Limrur stumbling backward in confusion, but he quickly reeled his mind in and spotted Lino’s trajectory.

“Cadel, cover for Ella!” he swiftly called out.

However, his shout arrived roughly at the same time Lino did; the latter appeared before the unprepared Ella, his arm locked behind him in a full swing, tendrils of crimson smoke folding over the edges of his body, his entire being beyond imposing.

Ella tried to draw back and dodge, yet felt her Will completely being overwhelmed. This never happened to her before, meaning she was momentarily frozen, unsure as to what to do. The blade, however, didn't wait for her to come to her senses; she quickly realized he didn't intend to kill her, as the sword was aimed at her right arm, intending to cleave it off, yet she still couldn't help but feel a part of her heart crack. She hadn't moved an inch since the battle's beginning, still hoping, praying, yet he didn't seem to share the same inhibitions.

Gritting her teeth, she somehow managed to rip herself off from the constraints and withdraw a couple of dazzling, emerald swords from her void storage, crossing them over her chest and blocking the attack just in time. However, the sheer force of the clash caved her lungs in, forcing her to spit out a mouthful of blood before she was shot backward like a cannonball.

Lino had no luxury to chase after her, however, as a rain of chains interrupted his advance, forcing him to focus on them, deflecting and evading repeatedly. Limrur also caught up, circling in-between the openings and occasionally managing to strike at Lino cleanly, though not dealing nearly enough damage.

Finally managing to rip himself open from the quasi-cage, Lino pulled back and opened up some distance between them, his mood souring further. It wasn't because of them or the way they fought, but because of himself. Few could afford to dive into introspection at moments like these, yet Lino hardly cared. There was a knot around his heart, one so tightly wound it expanded into ground-holding chains that held him back. Had he been more decisive, he could have killed Ella swiftly and completely avoided the encirclement.

“… ugh, piss off already…” he grumbled angrily as he swung the Protector sideways, unleashing a gigantic beam of light that ripped open a gash in space and nearly sent Limrur tumbling into it. “I’m in a really, really bad mood, so I’ll give you one last chance,” he warned as the trio regrouped, Ella having already healed her wounds completely. “Leave this place, and inform your daddy this is no longer his kingdom. If he has a problem with it, have him find me. I’m always open for a chat.”

“—he’s rattled for some reason,” Limrur whispered to the surrounding two, taking in a deep breath. “I’ll need a minute to prepare something; keep him chatting, no matter what!” he spoke the last part to Ella who nodded silently, turning her eyes back to Lino; the hesitation in them was gone, replaced by deep resolve.

“Think about this again, Lino,” she spoke as softly as she could. “You’re not alone. Why would you want to thrust the entire Noterra into a war?”

“… who’s the one thrusting it into a war?” Lino’s mood worsened once again. It was too quick. Too abrupt. “Besides, nobody there will feel the edge of war.”

“What? Do you honestly think you’ll be able to protect them all by yourself?” Ella questioned.

“Why not?” Lino shrugged. “Look. I’m even giving that idiot enough time to prepare whatever the hell he’s preparing. I never once doubted my victory; it was only the question of whether it would be a calm and calculated one, or a pyrrhic one. I didn’t ascend this far up to back down, El’. As I said, Noterra is no longer your kingdom. It’s mine. And down below us, the same people you stood by are now fighting with their lives on the line, protecting what you’ve abandoned. What kind of a King would I be if I couldn’t protect their burning hearts? I’d be too ashamed to look them in the eye if I replied to their wills with indecisiveness.”

“—you had a choice,” Ella said calmly. “Don’t shift the blame, Lino. I staked my name on the fact that we wouldn’t touch anyone, even you, if you gave up your moronic intention of reviving the Edifice. Whatever excuses you may flaunt to yourself and to the world, none excuse that you held onto the power instead of ensuring those you loved were protected.”

“… your friend seems to be done,” Lino said after a short silence, moving his eyes past her to the man behind her who had begun shimmering in resplendent silver. “You’ve bought enough time.”

“…” Ella bit her lower lip, partly in frustration and partly in self-loathing. She suddenly felt a warm current transfer into her bones, coming directly from Limrur; startled, she glanced back and met a pair of honest eyes staring at her with a faint smile.

“You have to remove the demon yourself, little sister,” he said in a warm and encouraging voice. “Let him become a pleasant memory you’ll look fondly upon, rather than a regret that will eat away at your heart until there is nothing left. Become the Agent you were meant to be.”

“… I’ll leave them in blissful ignorance,” Lino said softly, ignoring the sudden increase in Ella’s presence. “Better they think you’re in a distant land, a foe,” he spoke into his jaw, largely to himself. “Rather than dead, forever gone…”