ALL NOVEL [Book II Chapter 78 part 1] FILIA: The Searing Blade
[Book II Chapter 78 part 2] FILIA: The Searing Blade
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After a last check on the freed captives, they’d gathered at the docks to await the king’s arrival. Everyone was nervous. Even Sana had recovered from her shock in anticipation.
Silver would face Kyle Saren if it came to a fight. Other than that, they’d wing it. No choice really, we know nothing about our opponents or their abilities. Besides, there isn’t really time to come up with anything even if we did.
Allan walked in from building 3. “Kyle’s ship, the Dauntless, just hailed us. By the signal strength, they should be here in minutes.”
Silver watched him descend to the ground floor. “I appreciate your willingness to keep us company, but you should join the others in building 1. A confrontation with four saints is not something you’d be any use in.”
“You don’t understand my situation.” Allen shook his head. “King Kyle will not forgive my betrayal. If you lose, he’ll turn me over to Finley. I’d rather die fighting than end up in his hands.”
“Beside I have this.” He held up his right hand which wore a black chain-mail glove. “The flamethrower gauntlet are specially designed for Righteous Sun members, and others can’t use them effectively. The leader’s prize weapon is different. You felt its power yourself.”
“Do what you want.” Silver relented. “But think twice before using that. We won’t be in a position to protect you.”
Filia’s mind drifted as they sank back into silence. Taking down the Righteous Sun zealots had caused her to ponder their role in her hometown’s demise. Her parents had told her of their activity in prior months, but that was all. Did they just fan the hatred or did they participate on the day itself? And did these ones play any part?
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Sighing, she let her eyes wander over the destruction from their earlier battle. Their foes had fought so hard for something so wrong. “What madness…” She mumbled.
“The late king Saren is to blame for all of this.” Allan offered absently.
“What do you mean?” Filia asked sharply.
Allan heaved a deep breath. “The late king was rumored to have a fondness for young boys. While I haven’t any evidence, a hatred as deep as Kyle’s had to come from somewhere.”
Filia considered this. So the recent death of his father might’ve been patricide. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. King Kyle had to be stopped regardless.
Through the open hangar door, the low hum of a magical engine reached them. They lined up at the entrance to greet the newcomers.
“Best not to mention the destroyed harnesser.” Allen warned, ducking behind some crates. “There’s no telling how he’d react.”
A large craft sailed into view, dropping to ground level and stopping outside. Judging by its size, Filia imagined they’d be able to fit everyone inside, albeit uncomfortably.
Four figures walked onto the deck. The first was a man in his thirties wearing a grim expression. Atop of his brown hair was a thin golden crown from which two wolf ears stuck out. Behind him trailed two shinobi, a man and a woman, sporting armbands adorned with black snow flakes, the symbol of the hidden village of gloom. The last was tall man with short caramel hair. The smirk on his face showed a hint of teeth.
“Look who is hiding over there.” Finley chuckled as they reached the front of the ship. “I told you this would happen. The heart of dear Professor Allen Gorge’s was never truly in this endeavor. We should——”
The king raised a hand for him to stop. “What happened here?” He demanded coldly.
“We came to rescue those held against their will.” Silver declared. “Frieden is under our control, and the Righteous Sun are locked up. Could I ask you to withdraw so we can avoid bloodshed?”
“I recognize three of them. They are saints.” The male shinobi said. “Famous ones at that. I advise against such a closely matched contest.”
“The boy is the son of Astra Skyfell.” Added the female shinobi.
“Do you think I care?” Kyle snapped.
“That’s the spirit!” Finley proclaimed energetically, earning glares from the ninjas. “Don’t let yourself be intimidated. We can take——”
Again the king held up a hand. “I have come too far to quit halfway. We’re retaking this facility.” He announced. Everyone grew tense.
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King Kyle glanced down at Silver. “About those you came to liberate… A couple more are within.” He gesture to his rear. “I assume you don’t want to see them hurt, so I propose we park the ship and settle this outside.”
Silver nodded. A minute later, the eight of them faced off outside under the glow of the inverted forest.
<> Blizzy said. Filia grimaced noticing Finley studying her hungrily. Oh, great…
“I chose the girl with the white wings.” Finley announced loudly. His companions made a face but didn’t object.
“Good luck.” Silver whispered before stepping forwards and yelling. “Then I’ll face King Kyle Saren.”
Filia followed her opponent to the far side of Frieden. Strangely, he seemed to relax once away from the others. “I heard you’re called Filia. Thanks for going along my suggestion. Allow me to the introduce myself. I’m Finley, the Searing Blade. Never really had a last name.”
In his hand appeared a scalpel glowing bright orange. He caressed it fondly, showing no signs of being burnt. “Ever since I witnessed the Incorruptible Flame execute some criminals as child, I’ve been captivated by molten metal. Such a wonder converge of fire and earth. I thank my stars for the affinities I was blessed with.”
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“I can bend metal too.” Finley continued happily. The scapel in his deformed, curving to take many twisted shapes. “Sadly my benefactors never appreciate this talent. Rather, I believe they hate it.”
“Benefactors?” Filia asked. Just keep rambling.
“Oh, right.” Finly responded. “You see, I enjoy hurting people. I always have for as long as I can remember. Of course, this requires a partner. To those wonderful individuals who fall into my hands and dedicate their final days to my enjoyment… I call them my benefactors. Some object to the designation, but ultimately it’s my opinion which matters. After all, they’re no longer around.”
Alright, I’ve had enough. “Winter Vortex.” Filia cried out, unleashing a snowy tempest.
Finley waved his hand and a shiny barrier materialized around him, shielding him from the elements. She determined it was actually some type of stringy object moving extremely rapidly. Once calm returned and it slowed down, she saw what it was: red-hot barbed wire.
“Right, we’re fighting.” Finley nodded, sending strands of bladed metal lunging towards her. “And I really should get this over with. We’ve got an airship full of passengers to process.”
Filia dodged, but the leather of her pants was striped away in several places drawing blood. While rattled, anger at his words won out in her heart.
“Why do you hate those people so much?” She demanded.
Finley’s eyes went wide, and the twirling metal paused. “Oh, nononono. I assure you, the Righteous Sun’s creed is not my own. I view people of all persuasions and inclinations with the same respect, regardless of their beliefs. Working with those like King Kyle simply provides me with an opportunity to do what I love.”
Filia found herself believing the protestations. So he targets the vulnerable wherever he can. “If you have no preferences, then why were you fixated on me as your opponent?” She asked.
The man smiled. “You are in possession of a very special deck of cards. Although I’m not really into sukemon myself, I very much hope to recuperate it.”
“You’ll be disappointed.” Filia rebuffed. I don’t have them anymore. Besides, how did he even know about them?
Taking advantage of her distraction, Finley charged forward. Filia backpedaled, releasing another Winter Vortex. Before he was forced back, Finley threw a shinning orb through the winds. Nearing her, it exploded into a barbed wire net which covered her and pinned her to the ground. The agony was excruciating, her flesh lacerated and burned. She immediately swapped to Tetris, adopting the volcanor’s strong defenses. With the pain receding, she noticed Finley looming over her with a giant moltant hatchet.
“Got you.” He said smugly. Filia braced herself, but the blow never came. Instead her opponent went catapulting off to the side, his weapon shattered.
“That hurt.” Finley cried, glaring at the spot by the building where Allen was charging up another blast. “That does it. I’m dealing with you once and for all.”
NO! Filia found the metal holding her had grown loose and tore herself free. Unfortunately, by that time Allen was already impaled on the wall by five knives. Finley stepped back with satisfied grin as smoke rose from the wounds.
“At least you didn’t take me alive…” Allen whispered, the light fading from his eyes.
Finley froze, his brows furrowing. “You make a good point… A really good point. I should’ve have crippled you. What was I thinking?” He clicked his tongue, berating himself harshly.
Wincing at Allen’s passing, Filia checked on how the others were faring, and her heart stopped. On the opposite side of the building, Sana was desperately fending off the king who was hurling boulders at her. His shinobi bodyguards must have forced a change in partners… Damn them!
“Lava Blast.” She shouted, aiming at where Finley was studying Allen’s body sourly.
The man jumped back from the magma. “And here I was generously giving you a chance to catch your breath… Why are you such a hurry to die?” He called out in mock indignation. “It’s hard to——”
“Do you ever shut up?” Filia raged, switching to Daisy. “Wind Scythes!” The frenzyraptor was her most offensive sukemon, perfect ending this quickly.
Finley continued speaking nonchalantly as layers of barbed wire deflected her invisible blades. “Funny, all my benefactors reaches this same point. At first they beg me to stop hurting them. Once they understand I won’t, they beg me to stop talking. Of course, I don’t do that either. Really it’s pretty insulting——”
“How does King Kyle put up with you?” Filia asked before shouting. “Guillotine.” Her vacuum blade sliced through the metal barriers, but Finley simply ducked under.
“I’m able to moderate myself when necessary.” He shrugged.
Filia risked a glance to the side and saw Sana still struggling. She won’t last forever. I must hurry and help her.
Finley turned to see where she was looking. “Ah… I understand what you’re thinking. Let me put your mind at rest. They won’t be finishing up first over there unless I stop talking, which won’t happen.”
Filia’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“You know how the HEAVENLY DAO manipulates time so people can call out their finishing moves? This can happen with conversations too. In my case, particularly so, to the point that——You’ve heard of greater boons, right? These rare abilities are half a sublime vagary, just the passive part without the verbal activation. I have one called ‘battle chatter’. I can have a half an hour discussion in a one minute fight. It’s fairly useless, but I love it nonetheless.”
“What I am trying to say is… It’s alright to give me your full attention. Rather please do, I find it annoying when my opponent is distracted. Feels like I’m talking to myself.”
Filia took a second to digest this. So it’s in my interest to keep the conversation going. In that case…
“What is your relationship with the Laughing Man?” She asked. “I count on my fingers those who know about the deck I received from Geordan Price, and none of them would spread it around.”
(continued in part 2)