-A few hours later-
"Well, this will be interesting, to say the least. Mileuda and Dyshana will be able to handle the guy all on their own I believe. You can all handle the minions. I won't be fighting yet. Something in me is telling me not to." Azul said looking at them. He then looked to the treeline and yelled. "Come on out dammit!"
Out walked Tifa slowly. She had her head down but looked up when she got closer. "Hehe hey, Master." She said sheepishly to Azul. She only called him that to mess with him. She way passed that stage as a martial artist and did it for respect and to mess with him greatly. "I had to be here. I want to fight them. No point in you doing it. Give me the scrubs and let the others watch."
"How stupid," Azul said shaking his head. "Fine then. Ciela & Lettie stay..
"Staying with you brother!" Lettie said adamantly. "If she gets to stay then so do I. Besides, this is tied to us more than her."
"Ugh, you brat are becoming more and more difficult. Fine then." Azul said shrugging. "After this, though we are gonna have a talk about disobeying orders yah hear."
"Hehe, sure but demons like to rebel," Lettie said as she came over. "Besides, I am where I want to be. Same as Tifa and the others."
"I think its good for her," Hotshot said. "Here is an update on everything we found." She walked over and showed a map. "The Akademy kids and the villagers that didnt disappeared, are far enough to not be a problem. We checked."
"I see," Azul said looking over everything. "What is with this church over here? It should not be there." The church didnt exist in the original game. It also didnt exist last time he was here. "Tch, that is where things are happening next."
"What do you want to do?" Mileuda asked. "I can beat Codis on my own. Trust me."
"I do.. but tch." Azul was hesitating. He didnt want to act recklessly here. "Hotshot take Dyshana & Ciela with you and check it out. If you run into the others.. have them go there as well. This is tied to the twins, so one has to go with you. Namely Ciela since Lettie doesn't want to leave."
"Very well. Just so you know," Dyshana said floating forward. "I am supposed to stay near you. Not them."
"You are also, suppose to protect what I love. Who I love.. Are you saying they are not worth your direct help?" Azul said. His Devil power rose, putting pressure on her. Dyshana smiled happily at that. "Well?"
"You are right," Dyshana said. "I will keep them alive. I promise."
"So just us now?" Mileuda asked. "You, Tifa, and myself?"
"Yeah. We should be fine. I think." Azul thought about it and for a second he regretted his decision. Then it clicked a little again. "No, we will be fine. More of them were needed since that is where the change happened. Us four are more than enough for what happens here." He shook his head at his foolishness.
"Right. We are stronger than anything coming." Lettie said grinning. "And if we arent.. well more experience and Job points for us."
"Crap almost forget to spend those," Azul said hastily spending them before it was to late. He had just enough to max out Squire. "Ah, cant believe I forgot that. My magic has consumed it all. Nice."
System: Squire Maxed out. Devil Knight is now the dominant class. Can not switch. All other classes will receive 2/5 of Job Points automatically as well as Class Experience. Following cantrips are now available.
Focus: +1 Strength When casting Adrenaline Rush
Dash: + 5 Constitution, Dexterity
Throw Stone: Produces a stone from out of nowhere.
Salve: Restores from status conditions. Has fused into Mental Cleansing
Tailwind: Decreases cooldown on Biotic Charge. Has been devoured by Growlanser magic Cycle up. Added to Rune Magic.
Chant: Sacrifice Health to heal another. It can only be used if magic is gone.
Steel: Encourage a target to disregard fear. Has been devoured by Growlanser magic. Added to Rune Magic.
Shout: +5 Bravery, +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity and +1 Intelligence. Has been devoured by Growlanser magic. Added to Rune Magic.
"Here they come," Lettie said. Her black and red bangs getting caught in front of her face. She was defintely the more dangerous of the twins. Also the more reckless one. Azul walked behind her and tied her hair in a ponytail. "Thanks, brother. But they need the advantage of my vision getting hindered." She smiled and decided to put her weapons away. "I am gonna have to just beat there faces instead.
Azul turned to activate observe catching them in his view in the distance. Then pushed it further watching only Codis the new info was alarming, to say the least. The rest not a need for pause.
Observe: Codis Beoulve III Level 10 Hell Knight
Specialty: Church Enforcer
Relations: Codis Beoulve grandchild. Works for Dycedarg Beoulve. Liaison between Dycedarg and the Church in Lim de Berry. A disciple of the Church of Ajora
Status: Healthy, Agitated, Angry
Observe: Common Apostle Level 8 Knight (x3)
Specialty: Assassination
Relations: Church Intiate
Status: Healthy, Scared
"Stronger than before," Azul muttered for the others to here.
"So fancy meeting you here. Tell me, where are the villagers. Are you going to get in my way again. It won't work as last time. Where is that boy I fought?" Codis stopped looking around. He smirked and raised his mouthguard in place. "No matter. If I remember correctly you almost lost some of your people. Your name is Mileuda. Correct?" Codis had a few more knights come out of the trees.
Observe: Enslaved Apostle Level 5 Squire (x3)
Specialty: Press ganged soldier.
Relations: Church Orphans
Status: Controlled, Scared
Azul's party all kicked up a notch. Casting Mental Cleanse on everyone to keep them from going into a rage. The fog of hate almost taking them into a rage instantly. It partially worked. Lettie didnt calm down. Mileuda focused her range inside her. Her sword glowing dangerously.
'Tch, these people are the same as the twins. Half-human and demon. Do I have to save them or...' Azul thought as Codis talked to Mileuda. 'I will see as the battle goes.'
"You are on the wrong side Mileuda." Codis smiled at her. "Your bother is on his family's side. Why not join us?"
"You are related to them?" Tifa asked. "Can you fight your blood?"
"World has changed in weird ways," Lettie said. "Why couldn't she? Blood means nothing! Family is those you choose. That is one thing brother has taught me. If Mileuda cant.. then she is defintely someone I misjudged."
"It should mean something," Tifa said a little dejected.
"Not really. If you never knew the person was related to you, you wouldn't even care. But knowing that they are.." Azul shook his head. "..changes things? Bah! Sorry but that is something I cant change my mind on. No matter what. Coming from a man who has adopted 100s of children. That should mean something." He shrugged. "My family are those by my side. That simple Tifa. For better or worse."
"Right." Tifa smiled. 'Still the same Azul.'
"Well see the thing is... cousin no, thats the wrong choice of words. I got it. You lapdog of Dycendarg. We are going to destroy you, crazy people. And free the church people." Mileuda said with steel in her voice. She looked at Azul with his shocked expression and mouthed the words 'I will tell you later.' Seeing him nod, she turned back to Codis. "Telling you this is of no real consequence. You won't live to see another day."
"Oh, big words and how are you going..." Codis stopped once Mileuda came into full view. "So you have found the stone and have already used its power. Give me the stone and you can go free if not.."
Codis was unable to finish as Mileuda charged at him. A silhouette of a woman overlayed with her. Her Persona was providing some support to her abilities.
Tifa went to engage the disciples. Lettie stood by Azul and waited. Turning his eyes directly on Tifa, he activated a party function as Party Leader. He wanted to see how she fight multiple enemies.
'Storm Fist, Adrenaline Rush' Tifa activate her spells and let them wash over her. She didn't let it go full blast. Just letting it go for her eyes and ears to react better. Her knuckles looked like she could punch with the strength of a .. well a storm. "Rah!" She charged in full throttle once she was close.
System Check: Initiative 19
Tifa fist hit the first Knight. Sending him a step back. She then wrapped her legs around his neck and pulled him down with a swing of her waist. Launching that Knight into another. With a push of her hands on the ground, she moved around to next.
"Swish," The Knight swung his blade as fast as he could muster. Sweat already on his face, as he felt the pressure from Tifa. "Damn you stay still!" He yelled as she danced around him hitting his body with a few strikes.
"Dink," The chest plate was tagged.
"Dink," arm guards were hit.
"Dink," she hit against the shield.
Each blow she hit dented the Knight's armor.
"Kuff!" He spat out some blood and fell backward. The 3 round countdown already appearing above him.
"Get the wench!" The first Knight, the one was first thrown said getting up. The second Knight now getting up as well.
"Tap," Tifa kicked off the ground and was already on the move. She was already on the first Knight again. Her hand turned. "Swoosh," it sucked in the air around it. "Wham!" It slammed into his side and caused him to wince in pain.
"Ugh!" The Knight said taking a half step back. He then pushed forward. It was a mistake. He did what Tifa wanted him to do. His sword arm came in from the right. "Hah!"
Tifa pressed forward into him as quick as she could. "Pat," her left hand smacked it away. The Knight dropped his sword. With a shoulder check, his guard opened up.
"Typhoon Boom!" Tifa yelled. She then struck him with her right arm outward catching him in the gut. "Bang!" The Knight armor crumbled as he flew off spinning. "Haha!" Tifa breathing was heavy for a bit, as she looked at the other Knight.
"You bitch." The other Knight said as he pushed forward with his sword pointed. He caught her in the side. "How do you like that?"
"Shlck," the sword embed itself a little. "Ping!" It then snapped. Tifa allowed him to get close. She overestimated the rush a little and was stabbed because of it. It was only a little.
"Lucky you." Tifa glared as she spoke. "Your luck is over." She raised her foot and launched him into the air. "Rising Dragon!" A silhouette was behind her in full force. It was a possible Persona. But Azul couldnt tell as he watched.
"Roooaar!" From where the Knight once stood, a Dragon made of dirt shot up. Its gaping maw was full of rock shards. Inside its throat was debris swirling around. "Bah!" It fired the rocks out carrying the Knight furthur into the air out of sight. He landed a few seconds later.
"Thud," he stood up for a moment before collapsing. "Ding," there was no countdown as he turned into a crystal. Tifa walked up to it and took it. Her wound didnt heal as she must have taken an ability.
"Woohoo! He had jump." Tifa yelled jumping in the air. "Be right back." She said to the others. "Hup," she jumped onto the Earth Dragon and rode off to pursue the other Knight.
"She is having fun brother," Lettie said looking at Azul. "Those others havent moved. I will take care of them. Dont worry I won't kill them. Just knock them out."
"Aye, I will watch the entire time," Azul said looking at her.
Lettie barreled into the First Apostle. "Kook." He coughed up some blood. He didn't go down. He was tougher than he looked. But she was also holding back.
On her left side, the Second Apostle moved up. Striking against her. She placed her sword to parry to take most of the damage.
Health -7
Azul watched it intently and compared it to the rest of Lettie's health. 'This damage is negligible. But it will add up. She fights as I do. If so, she will have to finish one at a time.' A smile creeping on his face. He never got to really watch her fight as mostly she was gone from his sights or resting inside his Nether World. This him taught her to fight like he did. As for her sister she learned magic more. 'Have to keep an eye on her more. What is this strange feeling I am getting while watching her?'
Devil: She cares about what we think of her. She wants to kill by your side.
'Hmm, I suppose but we have to be a good guy remember.' Azul watched the fighting. He spared a quick glance to the others helath. All good.
Devil: True but we have to unwind somewhere. It is best we take her with. We need others who are willing to as well. We will break if we keep all bottled in. For now we are fine. But something is creeping around us.
The Third Apostle started to cast magic.
'No, that isn't right it seems way different. Have no idea which type.' Lettie thought as she moved about. 'Brother is watching. Not just a piece of him. But the full him!' Her magic shot up a bit.
She circled around the two Apostles. And swung the sword at the back of his leg. Hoping it would drop him down. The second Apostle slightly bucked and she took that chance to stab him in the neck at a downward angle with her hand. "Splurt," a little blood came out. She was unable to penetrate deeply with her fingers. She settled for ripping off what she could. Same as Azul would.
"Ahh!" The Apostle screamed as she tore out his flesh. "I will .. kill.." He droaned out. "I.. will kill." The others said the same thing.
"Meh, you can try," Lettie said. "Hyah," she swung the blade wrapped in magic.
"Whack," the Apostle took it to the side of the head and fell down.
"Two more to go," Lettie said looking at the other one nearby. "Come here." She turned her back to the caster. She wasnt worried about the caster in anyway.
"I will kill you mongrel. You are not worthy of the stone or its power." They could hear Codis yelling. Lettie was not dumb enough to look back towards that fight.
"Heh, my people are the true masters of the Zodiac's power. You filthy Braves are gonna die. This I swear!" Mileuda yelled out.
The second Apostle stopped his attack and stepped back. Next thing Lettie knew, he jumps into the air. "For fuck's sake, he has dragoon abilities. I have no idea who he was attacking but I just need to move somewhere else to avoid it."Lettie said smirking.
The casting Apostle was not having that apparently. His hands darted out and scrunched up. He released all the magic he had built up.
"Must.. kill.. half breeds.." The Apostle said as he cried out. He was fighting it with everything he had.
Black lines appeared out of the ground and surrounded Lettie. She could no longer move, but her hands were still good to go. "Well look at the lines. I know this bloody spell. Lets see.. I remember now the name of this skill. It's called Pitfall. A skill Geomancy use that inflicts Rift damage on a person or group. The side effect being immobilized for a while." Lettie said. She was carefree.
Health -17
"You are so relaxed. Why?" Azul asked. "Aye dont be super reckless like me."
"Because you are here. I have Faith in you if I mess up." Lettie said smirking to Azul. "As well, as Faith in the power, you give me." She flexed her hands and drew on her magic. 'Yup these guys are pretty strong. If I kill them, it would be so easy. Time to use more abilities. I need to put the Rune brother gave me to use.' The rune started to glow on Lettie's right hand. 'Sun Run: Time of Awakening'
The triggered rune magic started to manifest. The surrounding air changed as sunlight appeared in the air. A thin woman formed then disappeared into countless solar rays. Lettie was freed and placed her hands to the side. Using the magic, she propelled herself into the Apostle-Geomancer.
"Fwoosh," she appeared right at the base of his feet. "Thump," she who used a sweep kick to trip him. Magic blasted out from the Apostle. His magic went a little haywire. A face of a woman imposed over his face.
"An outside demon. She houses a cursed demon! Outside magic! Kill her no matter the cost! The heathen must not be allowed to escape!" The voice said as the Apostle-Geomancer called out.
"Ugh, I hate pretty boi. I really don't like pretty boys so.. this is gonna hurt little psycho."
"Hahaha, thats something." Azul chuckled. "Cant believe Ajora is holding over her people like this. How strange."
"What? Call me shallow." Lettie reared back and kicked him across the face. "Wham!" He went out like a light.
The magic gathered again and appeared. "You half breeds will obey or die!" Ajora's manifestation screamed before dissipating.
"Hey, I don't have a cursed demon in me or its blood in me. Unlike your so-called followers, I am not summoning decrepit demons from hell or wherever to rule this place." Lettie retorted back towards the guy in the air. "I will not let you ruin me and the others!"
"Be bathed in my fire." The Apostle-Dragoon said in the air. It wasnt him as Ajora had taken him over. At that time he finished the spell. A giant flaming creature appeared in the sky. His spear caught fire as he raised his hands in the air and brought it downward engulfing Lettie in flames.
"Hahaha!" Lettie laughed while she was engrossed in the flames. "It hurts so good."
"Die heathen!" The Ajora possession Apostle yelled. He turned downward and dive-bombed.
"Mental Cleansing!" Azul yelled as he blasted the Apostle with the spell. Ajora face twisted and vanished. But a flame still floated in the air. "I had to make sure it worked Lettie," Asul said looking back towards her.
"Hah!" Lettie took a step back right as the Dragoon would have hit. "Wham!" She kicked him in the throat. The Apostle-Dragoon went flying tumbling outward pass the unconscious Apostle. Lettie's clothes were a little scuffed. But she was fine. Better than fine as she took a breath eating the flames around her. "Wooo, yum."
A few more Knights appeared from the woods. From the sound of trees falling in the distance, Tifa was fighting still. As well as the others. A quick at their health and all was well.
The Ifrit floated down towards Azul. It looked at him and kneeled. "Master of Summons.. I will serve. Please do not send me back,"
"Very well." Azul outstretched his hand and took the Aeon in. He kept it separate till he decided what to do with it.
'Master can we keep him?' His Ifrit from Final Fantasy X asked. 'I want a new name.'
'Hmm, aren't you demanding. But you stuck with me and you have turned to something new so I guess that is fair.' Azul said as he thought about it. 'Infera is the best I can do at the moment.'
'I will take it. I will talk to the Ifrit with your permission.' Inferna said. Feeling Azul's agreement, she went into the Nether World portion he sent the Ifrit.
'Ah, that means the others are gonna want new names.' Azul sighed and focused back on the fight.
As Lettie looked over, she was a little pissed. "I was hit with a damn Ifrit! A fucking Ifrit! She pumped a lot of magic into that attack to." She groaned as she looked at the Knights approaching. "Brother they are not like us.. just bastards groupies. I can kill them right?"
"Yeah, you can," Azul said smiling at her.
"Woohoo!" Lettie ran at them full speed. A sword stabbed into her gut. "Fuck boy! You got in really deep there." She looked at the sword in her gut. Letting out some of her power, light started gathered around her. "My turn now kiddo," she said gritting her teeth. Lettie swung her left arm down breaking the sword with the force of the blow.
"So strong!" The Knight said looking at her. Another Knight coming up on his side.
"You have not seen anything yet." Lettie raised her hand up and fired some magic. "First Ray!" A bolt of magical light blasted the knight. He slid across the area and smacked against a rock. "Dammit, I should have put more into it. At least that way he would have traveled more. Best not make that mistake again." Mumbling she turned to the other Knight.
"Brother!" The Knight screamed out looking at her brother! "You insolent cur, you will pay for that." Turning to Lettie, she was reading another swing. Lettie was just a little faster.
"Woah there, I didn't even swing for a killing blow. Even though I wanted to. I saw the resemblance between you two. The only ones I killed were those other guy's and they deserve it. As well as that corrupted Beoulve we are so gonna kill him. I will kill you if I have to child!" Lettie said sternly to her while moving sideways to get away from the strike. She was playing with her.
"Shutup your the corrupted one! You killed an entire village abusing the power of the Zodiac stone." The Knight said as more white light gathered around her. "We have to defend the people from you!"
"Yeah not gonna lie but you and your brother are being duped. Those people are alive." Lettie looked at her sadly. "I don't have time to change your mind or our brother. Codis needs to be dealt with. I do, however, think I will take you with me."
"You won't defeat us!" The Knight yelled.
Using the light from the Knight's torch, she gathered it and coated it around her arm. "Boom," she sent her arm out like a rocket. A giant light hand went outward. Catching her dead center in the chest propelling her outward.
"Un un un," Lettie taunted. "Get over here!" A spike travelled from her palm catching the Knight mid-air. "Ohhh this feels so good. So warm." With a jerk of her hand, the Knight was pulled back.
"Ugh, your a monster." The Knight said. "Patue." She spit on Lettie.
"Little girl that was a really bad move!" Lettie was a little pissed. But she reigned it in. Wiping the spit from her face, she bit the woman. A mark forming on her face. "There we go. I am going to crush your filthy corrupted so-called Zodiac Braves. And reveal the twisted people in your church. You and your brother will bear witness." Dropping the daze Knight, magic went around swallowing her up.