| Role-Play Name: Crossing Debts Date Started: 21 January, 2018 |
Lords of War
Qasarhog Yanbaal sighed unhappily, despite the grin on his face, as he walked towards the Government's building admist the city of Mariejois. His crew couldn't come, and thus, he left the Astronaut behind, not that he should be too preocuppied with them. Yan had failed yet again to make business with Veno, since they all got shuffled in that mess with the blonde girl. Most people in the Underworld didn't even have any closeness with the Public Enemy, so, Yan had figured he should meet the man himself, and destroy his incorporation from the insides.
But, of course the Government opted to send a Cipher Pol agent, the Bishop. Maybe Yan played around too much, but, this was indeed one of the few times he didn't complete the job. Yes, he would be fine. Coming to such a conclusion, his smile was genuine now, and it grew even wider as he saw he had arrived to the meeting room.
After all, even with his fail, he still gathered data at Nassau and Elbaf.
Yan wondered who would come, it had been some time since the last one, such that he couldn't properly remember it. Opening the door, he stepped in.
A resounding yawn could be heard from the room which Yanbaal had just entered. There was, surprisingly, a figure there before him. A silver-haired woman clad in a suit, wearing a small eyepatch and with a green mechanical arm, was seen sprawled about and lying on one of the larger couches in the room.
Lancaster Hecate, despite being a Shichibukai, was given far more autonomy than the others due to her finnicky abilities and personality, making her difficult to deal with. Often times, she'd be independently going out to fight Pirates here and there, and all other times she'd be asleep out of boredom. Today, she planned to do the same, until she heard news of Yanbaal wishing to have a meeting with the other Shichibukai. While she normally had no interest in these sorts of events, Yanbaal often had an enjoyable game lined up from all the information he gathered, so she reluctantly took part.
"Yanba!" Hecate exclaimed, somewhat sluggishly, as she barely flopped around to turn over at the new arrival. "Hey hey, you have a new game for me to play with soon, right?!" Hecate said, her tone obviously excited, but muffled by the sounds of a half-awake voice. "I can't wait! Dokekekekeke!" Hecate laughed, but continued to lie down. It was quite hard to tell whether she was being serious or not.
Bimore O. Jack was the latecomer, having seen Yan enter the building right as he turned onto the street. He didn't normally care about the various comings and goings of the Shichibukai, being mostly a loner. However, one calling a meeting was rare enough, and mildly interesting. Combined with his usual residence of Saobody Archipelago, this made the mild curiously enough to warrant a visit to Mariejois, a mere hour's walk away.
He walked up to the room shortly after Yan, having heard the excited voice inside. It appears that one Miss Lancaster had shown up as well.
As he entered the room with a light breeze, he observed the other two inside. "Well, Well, Well. How long has it been since this many warlords have been in the same room. A pleasure to meet you both again." he politely spoke out with a slight bow. "So, Yan, what is this discovery of yours, my interest has been piqued."
"Dear Paper!!!" Yan squealed at the sight of Hecate bombarding him with talk. She seemed to be bored, not that it was a surprise to him, in fact, it put another big smile on his face. Yan liked her, she was honest about her feelings and openly had fun, not being afraid to voice herself and helping the Government just like he did.
Opening his arms, Yan responded, "CATE!" He shook his head in delight and pointed his right index at her. "Of course I do! KAKAKA" Yan crossed his arms, which happened just as another shichibukai, Jack as Yan recognized, entered the room. This one was a bit weirder than Hecate, or at least Yan thought, too disciplined. He thought Jack should try having more fun.
"Aaaaah, Jack-chan! A lot of time!" Yan's eyes widened and a smirk appeared on top of his smile, "Yes yes, in fact, this funsie' thing is the result of my most recent expedition!" He sat on a chair and table which stood adjacent to Hecate's couch. Crossing one leg over the other, Yan leaned a bit forward to glare at both of his companions, "What I know... involves one of the Yonko, the clown known as Michael D. Shiguma!" He cocked both eyebrows when mentioning him.
Not waiting for their reactions, Yan licked his lips and continued, "I've been sent to Nassau by some Government agents to gather intel about Veno... ended up on some fun trip to Elbaf though!" He smirked once again, but went back to it, "Turns out, the people there know a looot about the world around them, with Elbaf being on neutral grounds. All the Yonkos continue to move their chess pieces across the globe-" Yan had a sudden idea, cooing at it and then summoning a good amount of paper from his hands.
His arms opened wide, giving room for even more paper, which began to take form and shape upon Yan's command: "Story Fold" He mused, the paper also acquiring color and standing as some sort of platform between the three Shichibukais. In fact, they had taken the form of a common tavern to the land of Elbaf, with many giants sitting at its tables and drinking and eating whatever was on their respective tables. This technique allowed for Yan, with the use of his fruit and Kenbunshoku, to play out memories piece by piece.
Yan could be seen leaning on a pillar, close to a certain table. One of the Giants from such table began to talk, "Did'ja hear?" Another giant shook his head and he continued, "That big blueberry- oooh, such a fine piece- has come to our land!" The other giant gave him a puzzling look, opening his arms, but the first giant laughed. "I'm talkin' 'bout that Yonko maaan~"
"You mean, Daddy? Don't tell me she's here to get Sigma-" Yan's face straightened at hearing such a name, truly it couldn't be one of the greatest pirates around-
"Ney! She's 'ere for that wedding, y'know- Wait, what's that about that other Yonko? Shiguma?!" His voice got a bit high, but the other giant motioned with his hand for him to lower it, "Right... wha' about him, man? Don't tell me Sig is on debt with her too..." The first giant didn't even need a response, due to the second's reaction.
So, it really was Shiguma, Yan didn't need to hear or feel anything else through his aura. The scene concluded and the paper folded over and disappeared almost into air, as Yan waited for the reactions of the others present in the room.
"Hey Jack-Jack!" Hecate responded to Jack's entrance, nodding at Jack's question. She soon saw Yanba unfold a large quantity of paper, which soon began to turn into a video of sorts.
"Ah, storytime!" Hecate got out of her slouching position and clapped her hands in excitement. Her left eye widened, as she really enjoyed when Yanba showed her stories. Listening to the random Pirates talk about Legs, she could only laugh as they called her a "big blueberry."
"Ahahahaha! They're calling Leggy a blueberry! Oh I have to tell her that next time!" Hecate commented, nearly missing the crucial information of the projection. Then talk of Shiguma popped up, and her expression went — surprisingly — serious for a few moments. "Ooooh, he owes Leggy something? Leggy won't let him off easy...But I wanna play with him first!! I wonder if I'll have to ask Leggy first..."
Hecate drifted off into her own absent-minded thoughts as the story concluded.
Jack nodded to the greetings before listening to Yan's tale, leaning up against the wall as the story unfolded.
"Well, isn't that amusing. One of the four emperors has run up a list of debtors." Jack said with a smile. "No wonder none of the other three hold him in in high regards."
"It would also explain why unlike the others, no representative of his would show up on Elbaf for the wedding. So, plan on doing anything with this? Find a list of his debtors and get them to all call him at once?"
Yan closed his eyes, "Mhmhmhmhmhmhmmmmmm~" He murmured and used his left hand to rub his chin. Those giants were indeed audacious for calling Legs that, but, she wasn't around, so it was fine. Or so, he supposed. Yan glanced at Hecate with a smirk, "Just make sure to not go too away from your duties, li'l girl." He patted her head with his right hand.
"Indeed, Jack-chan, a list which consists mostly of the... other Yonkos!" This time, Yan said while turning at Jack. Glancing at both Shichibukais, Yan smirked and voiced his idea, "I do have a plan, actually, kakaka!" He got up and walked around, placing both his hands behind his back "What if... US-" Yan stopped abruptly, and opened his arms and legs. "-Government Workers go on to reduce Shiguma's strength?! I don't know if we can deal with all his crew as it is, modesty apart." He spat at nowhere.
"However, if we focus on... maybe a single island or territory of his, we could spark some kind of conflict!" Yan said, clenching his fists and shaking them in the air.
"Hoooo~" Hecate sat in awe as Yanba came up with his — simple — yet grand plan. "Let's do it!!" Hecate cheered, clapping. "Leggy and the others should play a bit too!" At the mention of conflict, Hecate's emotions reached their peak. She was born into, and molded by conflict as a game. To her, a war of this scale was nothing but a game on a bigger scale, and she'd relish it for as long as she could.
"Uhhh." Hecate then began to wonder, "But where will we attack?"
"Could try Annunaki, it's an island relatively rich with gold and other valuable materials." Jack responded, he had studied a lot of New World islands before he had become a warlord, because ultimately that was his final destination on his journey. Continuing in a softer tone of voice to the older woman, "It's pretty much one of the closest islands you can find to lawful territory that belongs the the Xros. That and considering it's wealth, you'd probably have a lot of soldiers to play with Hecate. I know you love having that. Should also satisfy any needs you have Yan, knowing or having a hold over the owners of the mine is probably something you'd find valuable."
Yan smirked once again at Hecate's thrill to go and do it. He knew how much she liked it, "Now, that's a good question-" He mused, closing his eyes, only to have them wide open as Jack spoke. "Well well, looks like someone is doing their homework, kakakaka!" Bringing his hand to his face, Yan scratched his chin, "That... that actually sounds like the best option! I assume that if me and Hecate gang up on whoever is in charge of this island, we could likely win."
A glint in Yan's eyes could be seen, the glint of someone who saw an opportunity in sight. It seemed not only one of the Yonko would get weakened, but, each of them could take personal and wide profit of this. To get which they sought, and to become even more on the Government's good side.
"Are we going to plan an Attack Strategy, or what?" Yan said, clearly out of his previous thoughts as he crossed his arms.
"Haaaah! We're going to take over an island! It's been a while since I did that..." Hecate thought to herself, reflecting on her days moving through the New World, conquering one territory at a time. "Plan? Who needs a plan! We'll win and come back!"
"I won't be able to join you two unfortunately. I do have prior obligations. However I would assume you two would be enough for anything you may find on that island." Jack calmly interjected after Hecate's outburst. "That being said, I am heading that direction. I was asked to take over the guarding of one of the deeper marine bases in the New World while the Vice-Admiral in charge is attending some meeting. So I could probably give you two a lift."
Yan's smirk widened even more, "Mhmhmhmhm! I knew we wouldn't need to make this much complex than it is." He clapped his hands slowly and interviened his fingers. "We'll formulate a simple attack plan and go with it, retreat if possible, of course, kakakaka!" Yan then glanced at Jack, "That would be really helpful of you, though, it's a shame you won't make it easier!" He said, truly thinking that the swordsman's presence would make things easier than they would be.
"It is settled!" Yan said and got up from his seat, "Me and Cate shall do however much destruction we can muster!" Then, he turned to the door of the room. "I assume we only need to notify the higher ups of the Government and set sail right away!" His smirk was wide and showed much of his positivity in a situation such as this.
"You know just as well as I do that there is no way they'll approve of our involvement. Better in this case to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission," was Jack's response. "Least that's my opinion."
Yan cupped his chin, "Hmmm, I suppose... they won't notice our absence, kakakaka!" He said, raising his index finger as he stared at nowhere. "Now then, off we go!" Yan moved to the entrance door, not needing anything else, as everything had been in his ship.
"Yaaaay!" Hecate cheerfully exclaimed, jumping out of her seat and following Yanbaal's trail with excitement.
Isle of Genesis
Far North within the , located towards the beginning of that treacherous sea was an island that many of the New World call the Gem of the Sea, due to its abundance of Gold, Diamond, and other valuable minerals. Minerals that were ever present thanks to the rich deposit sitting atop an underwater Volcano located underneath the island.
This island is known as Annunaki, and it is one of the major territories of the Xros Pirates lead by one of the Yonko, Michael D. Shiguma.
Leaning along the balcony railings atop a large castle-like structure overlooking the majority of the town that spreads out along the center of the island, a large human-like Lion can be seen tiredly rubbing away any sign of sleep from his golden eyes as he prepares himself for the day to come.
"Although the Luxury here is something unique to me, I still would rather be out on the sea Plundering and pillaging the way a Pirate should not sitting around on a throne listening to people complaing about their lives." He muttered in his growling voice without turning to face his ever present shadow that he knew was idly relaxing within the shade of the balcony relatively out of site sipping some beverage as she watches his frustration with amusement.
"Now, now is that any way for a of the "Mighty" Xros Pirates should act "King of Beasts" Ascalon." Spoke the woman in a bemused yet slightly playfully mocking tone of voice as he giggles at the large Lions frustration.
Slumping and blushing slightly at the mention of his Epithet Ascalon merly glances back towards her with a slight glare. "There was no need to bring up my Epithet, besides-". spoke Ascalon as he turns and walks towards the woman before leaning against the wall towards her right further blocking her from the view from site. "We both know Just "WHO" between us is the Xros Commander, Freyja". Spoke Ascalon as he moved his eyes from the amused expression of Freyja towards the balcony entrance as his enhanced hearing picked up footsteps and his nose caught the scent of a very familiar smell.
"You two seem to be in a good mood today," a voice said from up above. Upon the roof of the building sat a large man, a warscythe perched upon his shoulder. He sat towards the dawn, watching the sun rise, taking in the new day. A ritual he participated in every morning since coming to this island. "So boss," Alistair said to neither person in particular, "what's on the menu for today?"
Crossing his arm and giving Alistair a slight glare, Ascalon couldn’t help the tick mark that popped up upon his temple. "Headsman, how many times must I remind you to use the door like a normal person" growlers our Ascalon as he thought back to all the trouble he went through because of Alistair‘s unusual habit. "I swear for a humanoid Lion, I seem to be the most normal one of our Trio" he finished as he faceplams at the of his words.
Giggling in pure amusement, Freyja continued to lounge about making not a single attempt at moving anytime soon. "Now Asca-Chan, there isn’t any need to bully Alice-Chan about his habits as I recall a certain persons habit of leaving claw marks on all our new furniture" Spoke Freyja in a teasing voice that made Ascalon Flush in embarrassment. "However, on a more serious note our agenda for today is the usual oversee the mining production, taxation and listening to the citizens whine about their problems, honestly I wish Siggy would of had someone else watch over this place" she finished in a complaining tone of voice puffing her cheeks rather childlike.
"Today's menu is Galbi-jjim." A voice rang out as an extremely tall man stepped out onto the balcony, he carried multiple plates of short ribs. He swiftly moved to a large table that was bathed in the rising sunlight and placed each place down gently. "You should come down from the roof Crowley, you're being so...bird-like." The man smirked, chuckling at his own terrible joke. "As usual it's all been enhanced to your likings." He continued with a pleasant smile as he sauntered over to the edge of the balcony and gazed upon the island.
Glancing at the man that entered with a platter of rib like food Freyja smiled graciously towards him and raising her hand in greeting. "I didn’t know you’d be joining us this early Dimitri" she greeted him as Ascalon moved to close the door to the balcony as all members of the inner circle with the exception of the last two where present.
Grunting as everything was finally settled Ascalon nodded to Freyja signaling that everything was secure. "Alright now that we’re all here we can officially begin our real meeting." He spoke as he leans against the wall making eye contact with each member.
Adopting a serious expression Freyja straitened her stance as her eyes grew sharp signaling that all manner of playfulness was done. "Exactly it’s time we discuss our next movements, as we currently have enough members and support it is time that we-" He continued also adopting a serious facade but was cut off by Freyja who finished his sentence.
"Break off from the Xros Pirates and Shiguma and establish ourselves". She finished as a glint appeared within her eyes before she turned to over look the town below. "There is a storm brewing and it will be the perfect opportunity to dethrone the Emperor". Freyja said as she watches as the sea crash violently against the shores of the island.
"Well I wasn't gonna sleep the day away." Dimitri laughed as he joined them at the table. As he sat and listened to Freyja's speech nothing really changed in him. He was never a member of the Xros Pirates in the first place. Freyja had recruited him from this very island to work under her. The only thing that stirred anything within him was the prospect of overthrowing a Yonko. "I'm all for everything except overthrowing a Yonko, at least right now. We're gonna need a lot more manpower to take on one of those powerhouses, not to mention their damn crews. I guess you guys would know Shiguma best though." Dimitri continued, reaching for a short rib. "Either way I'm with ya though."
"I was wondering how long it'd take you to decide to break away Freyja-chan, it's been obvious how much being a subordinate has been chafing on you for a while now," was Alistair's response from his seat above. "Though from what I have seen anyone who is planning on taking down Shiguma likely is going to have to wait in line. All of his enemies appear to be moving against him. Either way, I'm interested in seeing how deep this rabbit hole goes. You have my scythe to use how you please."
Soon after, however, the doors to the large hall were burst open by men carrying several hammocks. "MOVE, MOVE, MOVE," Each of them yelled and hurried through the hall. They all wore specific black clothes, without their signature winter additions, after all, Annunaki was hot. Meanwhile, the men atop the hammocks were all wearing clothes common to the Notch soldiers.
"Y'all, y'all, sorry for this," A muffled voice filled the room and overcame the other men's, the middle of his eyebrows both cocked up, "We... we just had some casualties." He shrugged, sharp eyes glancing at all of them.
This was Blumenthal Gerhard, one of the former Head Doctors of the Xros Pirates and the current Horseman of Conquest from the Notch Pirates. He donned his usual clothes, as his gloved hands gripped the higher parts of his black jacket, which had a furry collar. Most notably, however, was the beak-shaped mask covering most of his face.
As the main Doctor of the Notch, Gerhard was accompanying the lesser doctors, "Don't worry, Sir Ascalon!" One of the doctors exclaimed, "As long as Sir Gerhard is here, we can heal ANYONE!" They all moved along.
Unlike the rest, though, Gerhard walked normally through the place, dress shoes against the ground. "Oh," He stopped suddenly, one hand rising from his jacket, "The ones responsible for this... are Government agents--the Shichibukai, specifically!" His eyebrows rose, cheeks puffed. "Lancaster Hecate and Qasarhog Yanbaal, both with frozen bounties of 
400,000,000!" Gerhard opened his arms wide.
Quickly standing upon his feet Ascalon made with way over towards the injured soilders who in reality were small scale members of their budding crew that he and Freyja personally recruited to help aid them in their endeavors.
"The Dogs of the Marine" Questioned Freyja without turning her face away from the distant sea. "Why would the current members of the Shichibukai be on this island" she continued finally turning to face Gerhard with an unreadable expression on her face.
Letting out a deep growl Ascalon grit’s his teeth in obvious frustration as his mind began to process the situation carefully. "Shiguma". He muttered prompting everyone to turn to face him. "Their not here for us persay they are here because this is one of the known resource factions for the Xros Pirates". He finished as the coppery sent of blood filled his nostrils.
Raising an eyebrow at his statements Freyja turned her face towards the far distance of the island where she could feel the essence of three powerful individuals all whom she now identified as the Shichibukai. "So even in the end, your still causing me problems aren’t you Shiguma" she muttered to herself before raising to her feet and facing her most trusted subordinates.
"It appears our plans have been moved up earlier than anticipated" Freyja began as she briefly catches the eye of Gerhard with a subtle exchange being conveyed between the two of them before turning to face the rest.
"We’ve wasted enough time wasting away under the Xros Pirates, while I wanted to wait a while longer before we made our move this is the best opportunity and timeframe to do so. "She states as her eyes became filled with desire to be free. "Let us elimate these mongrels the World Government has set loose upon us." She ordered as she begins walking past them to prepare to clash with the Warlords.
"Gerhard." Dimitri spoke happily, "Ya missed breakfast." However as he said that Gerhard made a startling claim. "What the hell where the Shichibukai doing here, and three of them to boot." Regardless he shook it off, responding to the call of his captain. "Alright then let us be off." Dimitri laughed as he grabbed one of the plates of food and jabbed it with his hand. In mere moments he handed it to one of the doctors. "Here cut this up and feed it to anyone still living, should promote extremely quick recovery." He spoke as he gathered with the others.
"As eager as always," Alistair said as he got up from his seat. The Shichibukai were either supremely confident or insane. It was his job to help figure out which. Ideally, it was the latter, but he would assume the former until they were pushed back off the island. "I guess it's time to get to work boys," He said to those walking out to war.
Gerhard rubbed some sweat from his forehead, using his left forearm. He darted towards another patient, utensils already in hand while he used them to quicken his work. His power had been on for quite some time now, it certainly helped with these surgeries, more than Gerhard would have ever thought.
His latest patient muttered a thank you, and Gerhard move on to the next. And, to the next, to the next. To the next- was it going to end? The Shichibukai were really troublesome, after this, Gerhard was surely going at them.
"She's next, Sir." One of the Doctors pointed to a short, blonde girl, who seemed to be sitting up atop her bed. As Gerhard moved over to her, he could notice that her legs were missing, and from the wounds, they had been crushed.
She was not even moving, Gerhard noted, she was only staring at him, and then, "I am l-like them... r-right?" She bit her lip, "I can be patched up, r-right?! I want to fight more!" Soldiers were expendable, but, they all had different expiration dates.
"I-I... I don't want to g-go, Mr. Gerhard," The blonde girl sobbed, her hands couldn't even form into fists anymore, she could only muster strength to cry. Maybe, that had been why she even broke down. She shook her head once again, "A n-nameless soldier-"
"Anna," The girl froze at his words, her face going back to normal, despite the tears continuing to stream down. Gerhard cupped her face, "You were not worthless, you did your best, okay?"
Anna went back to sobbing, "M-My name-" She managed to raise her hand and cup his own. Anna thought he had been faking the name at first, a name she had long forgotten... that was the price of being a pirate, a mere soldier. But, it held familiarity within it, had it made her body settle down?
Cheeks puffed, Gerhard muttered back, "I remember you from our time at the Xros," He deemed her way too young, even now, years after she joined them, she was still sixteen. But, Gerhard wasn't the one in charge, he just took care of the wounded. Anna felt even less tense.
"Y-You d-do?" Her pupils trembled, mouth twisted. The pain had been going away, crying due to the wound was not needed anymore... how? She wasn't even shaking anymore, Anna tried to curve her lips upward. "W-Why-"
Gerhard never let go of her face, "It's a Doctor's job to make their patients feel good, one way or another." He tried beaming, eyes into her own. This made him blood boil. The fact that he couldn't do anything for her, that is. "You shall have a good rest, Anna, just like Shiguma-san has once taught us all..."
Her face sunk deeper into his palm, golden locks and tears covering it, as her eyes bore into his. Just then, Gerhard noticed her smile, and the warmth going away. Gerhard's eyes shot down, eyelids covering them, "Tidy Chaos..." He uttered in a single breath, hands gently lowering her torso upon the bed.
Yes, his power truly had been helpful. Gerhard had managed to give her the most peaceful death Anna could have ever had.
Recycled Soldiers
"Yanba! They were so weak!" A grey-haired woman scowled at her white-haired comrade. Lancaster Hecate, the "Grey General" was a Shichibukai that lived for the thrill of the fight, quite literally. But it was never in a malevolent sense. The woman thought of all conflict as a game, and as such, weak players bored her. She was an elite, and she wanted to be treated as such.
"I wanna go to the boss battleeees! Oh, and thanks Jack-Jack for the ride!" Hecate smiled with genuine appreciation. Despite the fact that she quite effortlessly destroyed the henchmen placed to guard the island, one could not feel even a sliver of killing intent radiating from her being. However, perhaps that was the most frightening thing about her.
"It's not a problem Hecate, it was my pleasure," Jack responded with a soft smile.
Jack had merely watched Hecate's opening gambit, her powers were as disturbing as always. Power like them fueled his dislike for devil fruits as a whole. However, he couldn't say they were anything but effective. The initial soldiers had been wiped out almost completely already, with only a few having escaped the battlefield.
"That being said, I'm afraid I can't stay any longer. If you two need me for any reason, I should be within Den Den Mushi range for about an hour." Jack stated to the pair as he prepared to leave. "I can also send a message to the Marines about the island. I'd say maybe about two days before they show up. Everything is going to be decided by then either way. Good luck you two."
With that, he turned away from the pair, and started walking towards the sea. However with each step he raised off the ground slightly, as if standing on invisible stairs. He quickly distanced himself away from the pair, ascending into the sky, heading back towards the cloud island they had flown here on.
After all, what island needed three Warlords to conquer?
"Thank for your hard work, dude!" Yanbaal beamed and fired a thumbs-up at Jack, "I shall notify you if anything!" He truly didn't want to disturb the other Shichibukai anymore, Jack had been a busy man after all, or so it seemed.
Cleaning some of the dirt on his white clothes, Yanbaal smiled at Hecate's whining, "Kakakaka! Of course!" He pointed one finger upwards, "We need to clear the entire stage before the Bosses arrive." Licking his lips, he grinned. Yan had had to babysit Hecate a myriad of times, and that meant he was too accostumed to her way of life.
And, that was why, Yanbaal loved the fact that she tagged along. "The thing IS, my fellow gamer, that-" He pointed at the several grunts and soldiers fighting against them, "-As generic as these guys are... they all have different faces!" Yan opened his arms wide, slapping two enemies simultaneously and sending them flying.
They went on to crash against several other soldiers, rising dust as they crashed through many trees. "BUT! Even then, they don't all have the same face!" His eyes narrowed and Yan threw several punches, which seemed like air missiles, at a crowd behind him. "Which means... they are coming back!" He beamed. "Which ALSO means... that this isn't the typical beat-'em-up phase! Cate cate, you need to find this place's secret, it must have a secret button somewhere, kakakakaka!"
"Ooooh, secret button!?" Hecate squealed in delight, before looking over her shoulder and narrowly avoiding a spear thrust from one of the shore's defenders. She kicked the Pirate's abdomen, sending them flying over towards a nearby tree, knocking them out. "Okay, I have a plan, Yanba!"
Hecate faced the island. She noticed a tower at the center of the island, likely where the "bosses" had been placed. Hecate smiled, before suddenly, an overwhelming feeling was emitted from her body. Clenching her left hand into a fist, Hecate's slender frame was suddenly imbued with an incredible amount of strength, to the point where her entire arm's venation was seen, as the sheer density of her musculature ripped apart her clothing. "Let's goooo!! Secret Technique: Earthquake Punch!"
Her fist was sent smashing to the ground. In the first moment, a small shockwave seemingly pulsed deep into the earth. In the second, the shockwave erupted forward, sending such a powerful quake that the entire island vibrated in response to her strength! The sand they stood upon soon became restless, and formed into what appeared to be a tidal wave! She smothered the remaining enemies in a matter of seconds, while alerting the entire island — and the bosses — of her presence.
"How's that!? I hope I pressed the button! Let's go, Yanba!" Hecate cheered, dashing forward while her enemies attempted to recuperate from the massive shockwave. Despite the enormous strength she displayed mere moments ago, her steps were silent, but swift. She moved along with the wind, striding towards her goal: an enjoyable game with strong players.
Alistair floundered a bit as the ground roiled beneath him, quickly finding his balance in response to the shaking earth. He changed how he stood, standing as if the ground was the deck of a rocking ship, moving in time with the waves of earth that seemed to be reaching out towards them.
"Well, one of those two has decided that we aren't moving fast enough." he spoke with an annoyed expression. "I'm going to guess that was Her... I don't remember the Warlord Yanbaal being known for such violent actions."
Alistair paused for a moment before looking to his compatriots, "How do we want to play this?"
"You feel that too huh Alistair." Dimitri spoke as he braced himself on a nearby railing. The whole place shook from what Alistair was probably correctly calling, the action of a Shichibukai. "They're seriously no joke huh, shoulda expected as much. I've never met one in person but I've heard the stories." He grinned, staring out across the island. "I'd say we gang up on em. I don't know if any of us could solo a Shichibukai, but hey maybe I'm wrong." He shrugged, grabbing a piece of meat before blasting it full of nutrients and taking a bite.
"See, sir?!" One of the Doctors beamed, waving his hands around in gesture for the new tool at Gerhard's hand, "This new Scalpel we bought from Reach-sama cuts things easily!" He eyed as Gerhard blurred through several patients.
Gerhard glanced at him briefly, eyebrows raised, "I disagree," It truly hadn't felt any different from the other scalpels he has had.
Only then, the entire shook and everyone's eyes widened. Slash, some wondered what was that sound. Bodies hit against the floor and grunts followed suit, some turning into full shrieks, the entire location nearly tilted sideways. What the hell had happened?
Some coughs followed, as the Doctors got to stand up and hurried around, where had Sir Gerhard been- "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" A patient's yell filled the room, as he waved around his handless arm.
"Okay. Now, I agree," Gerhard popped out of some rubble, eyebrows up once again, his face was covered in blood. With a hand, he gave them all a thumbs-up, "Sorry, my dude," While his other hand, Gerhard held the patient's severed hand. In a hurry, he managed to stitch the hand back at the arm, the person still screaming, "Now, hold up a bit..."
Then, Gerhard's gloved hand stood on contact with the guy wrist, "Gruff Chaos." As the sound of blood flowing suddenly became audible, blood exploded and the main shrieked again, "Brusque Order." Gerhard breathed, as the patient's arm appeared as if the hand had never been severed.
"Must've been the Shichibukai," He noted, glancing towards one of the room's broken windows, there could only be one person who did that... and, her presence only made Gerhard shiver in anticipation for her games.
The ground beneath Freyja shook, prompting her to glance somewhere, "The Shichibukai..." She mused, a smile crossed her lips, "...need to show off quite a lot." The water pressure of the room suddenly increased, "but, that's why they need to be put down."
Meanwhile, Ascalon had merely crossed his arms, nose squinting at the rising dust. "Well then-" He gruffed, but stopped as soon as a soldier wearing black tugged at his pants, "Yes?" Ascalon lowered himself, ears face to face with the soldier, who mumbled.
A gasp escaped Ascalon's lips, his eyes wide as he looked at the soldier questioningly, receiving a nod. Fully standing, Ascalon touched Freyja's shoulder, making her look back at him. Quietly, his whispers reached her ears, and her eyes widened, the insides of her eyebrows arching.
In another whisper, Freyja was out of the room, her lips trembling, and into the chambers of the castle. They connected to the medical room. She didn't even give thought to the gazes of her subordinates, as she seemingly left the battle front. It couldn't be true, Ascalon misheard it. "Gerhard...?" Freyja uttered, position not faltering.
"Hmmm?" Gerhard turned away from a laying patient, holding his eyeball with a bloody hand. The eye shared a glance with him, before they both looked at Freyja, "I can explain."
Freyja swallowed some saliva, breathing slowly. Ascalon misheard it. "I heard of the recent casualties..." Gerhard nodded at her words, "And among them-"
"Many soldiers died-"
Breath, "Don't interrupt me," Freyja sighed, "Anna..." Breath, "Anna died..." He stopped, as if to contemplate her words, maybe she hadn't- Gerhard nodded and Freyja lost her breath. No. Her hands tightened into fists, while she bit her lip. No.
Freyja's hair flared up, the entire room shook, and Gerhard felt the air itself get thicker, as his body slightly got pushed away. The other doctors held on to the many patients, screaming as everything shook, almost as if this were a response to the Shichibukai's own earthquake. Pure, unadultered fury.
"...Fuck" Gerhart thought, for the moment he closed his eyes, anything else fell dull on his ears. He only waited for the scream. Yet, the sound of a single sob filled them, making his eyes snap open.
At the sight before him, Gerhard's eyes softened, almost watering themselves whilst Freyja whispered, "My g-girl..." This was a first, he deemed. She hadn't yelled at him, she sobbed, "Bury... her." Freyja mused those simple words.
Gerhard begun to walk back towards Anna's corpse, taking slow but somewhat steady steps. It was okay, he was not yelled at.
Before she had been out, "I'm..." Freyja turned around, the wetness from her eyes vanishing in an instant. Her lips went wet, only then, Freyja was back to the main hall, "How do we play this?" She finally looked at Alistair, "I'm going to-" Freyja pushed the entrance doors open, "-WITHER THESE SEVEN SEAS!!!" The eyes, before teary, gained a piercing red flash, while Freyja herself called for all of her commanders to follow her into battle.
"Too young..." Alistair said to himself as he followed his Captain. "They always die too young." He had known Anna for a long time as well, having served under Freyja from the beginning. She was furious, Alistair knew that as well as anyone. "Well, someone is dying today. The question just comes down to who." he finished as he continued walking. A slight fog could be seen dripping off from him, as dew formed on the grass next to the road. There was no turning back now.
Dimitri followed Alistair down the road. The plants around them withering up as he walked along. "Anna was dear to you all I see. I suppose as Xros you didn't lose as many comrades, being under the banner of a Yonko and all." He glanced down at Alistair as they went. "I suppose they're going to have trade us one of their lives eh." Dimitri smirked. His eyes held a playful hostility.
Yanbaal was shaking and shivering, yet, his expression held no fear. The response that was given at Hecate's island shaker was fascinating, prompting a smile to creep into his face.
Splash. Droplets of water surged forth, landing swiftly through the grass and the mud, they resonated along the wind. Splash.
Freyja's eyes were closed and she smiled, whilst her body danced through the forest. Only the sound of water was in her ears, after all, Fishman Combat allowed for the usage of water droplets. However, the sound Freyja made was not calm.
As if the island gained a new river, a new waterfall. No tree uprooted. Freyja's kenbunshoku allowed her to not only see her _target, but, move her body in accordance to their location. This wasn't Merman Combat, nor Fishman Karate... Freyja used her signature Merman Dance.
It also allowed her to sense every bit of water she was using, making it where she used every single droplet. All concentrated in her dancing hands, "Theseus." Freyja mused and finally opened her eyes.
A furious jetstream burst forward, prompting Freyja to stop in her tracks. With a scream, it surged above the head of various soldiers, healthy and wounded, until it finally landed.
Splash. Yet, not of water. Qasarhog Yanbaal didn't even have a chance to change facial expressions, as his neck twisted to the side and his cheek got smashed. Splash, blood.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Yanbaal screamed finally, blood coming off his mouth as his body rocketed into the sky. What the-
With a frown, Freyja commented, "Hoh? Normally, their heads explode with this technique... Truly a Shichibukai." Even if she said so, Freyja doubted not of the man's survival, a smirk crept into her face. And that was why Ascalon swiftly surged on top of the flying Yan.
No words were spared, Yan had one arm pointed at Ascalon, who smashed both his fists, covered in Electro, against Yan, provoking a large boom. Directed towards the mountain, Yan crashed against several monk houses, the dust covering the entire region.
"Nice shot, As-kun," Freyja snickered and redirected her gaze towards Hecate, "However, we hit the wrong _target." Her hands rested on her hips.
"All in-" Ascalon uttered, but it was soon interrupted by a gasp, since the armor covering his torso fell off into shards.
"SUPERMAN!" A yell came through and a giant white fist sent Ascalon violently crashing into Freyja's figure. Much like Yan earlier, she hadn't time even to change expressions. The two flew through trees and instantly into a hill.
Yanbaal held his big fist and cleaned some blood, "Kakakaka! Sorry about that Cate!" He mused, "It seems the Stage Bosses are here!"
Hecate didn't even have the time to react to the attacks of both commanders, and Yanbaal was sent flying backwards with a bleeding mouth. Her expression was that of a momentary shock, as she saw Yanbaal flying. But it wasn't out of concern for him, so much as...excitement for herself.
A devilish, innocent grin wrapped the Grey General's face, as an empty murderous intent flooded the entire vicinity of the commanders. "Hey, hey, Frey-Frey! Asca! Hit me this time! I'll give you one free shot, cause Yan used his annoying Taunt skills!"
Hecate smashed her fists together, without using Haki, and looked at Freyja and Ascalon directly in the eye. The air began to quake at the raw strength she emitted, creating a shockwave that uprooted even the grass on this hill. This was a challenge from the Grey General, the woman who single-handedly has armies bend to her power.
The act of Freyja getting up wasn't seen by anyone else, not even by Ascalon, maybe she hadn't even gotten on her knees. She danced out of the smoke cloud, getting face to face with the toying Hecate.
The hit only landed because Freyja was paying attention to "Lancaster..." She almost snarled, seeing how the Shichibukai treated all this situation. Her subordinates, her equals... Her daughter, all hurt amidst this.
Ascalon appeared beside her in a heartbeat, and Yan observed from afar in the air. A shockwave resonated from Hecate, prompting Ascalon to shield himself.
"Hmph!" Freyja, however, merely took a fierce step forward and caused an impact of her own, the grass around her not surging.
Bloodshed
"This is all just a game to you two, isn't it?!" Her hair flared and the pressure increased, "Attacking our subordinates!" Freyja gestured at the dead bodies around, "Raiding our territory!" And then her nails dung into her fist, "...killing my precious... B-baby," The last had almost been a whisper.
Ascalon silently observed Hecate, as some sweat ran down his face. He thought she would have gotten over it... She was their captain, she didn't have the luxury to hesitate.
Meanwhile, Yan himself cooed, "Huuuuh? You are all part of a Yonko Crew, right?" He shrugged with a smile, "How would we not come after you? Sea-Witch Freyja, Tailed-Beast Ascalon!" Even if his attention seemed to be on them, Yanbaal was actually locating the other two auras headed in their direction.
"..." Hecate observed the anger and grief plastered onto Freyja's face, and momentarily held out her hand to keep Yanbaal silent. Instead of looking towards Freyja with her signature grin, she was instead holding a sombre expression, her eyes widened in pain. "Don't talk, Yan. You can't say something like that...to these people."
In an absolutely unexpected turn of events, Hecate's posture was straightened, hands around her waist, as she bowed down towards the Yonko crewmen. This wasn't a bow of submission, but...this was a bow of apology. She stood up once again, and looked towards Freyja directly. For a moment, she in fact completely ignored Ascalon. "D-did I kill...your child?" Hecate said with a flicker of hesitation, entirely uncharacteristic of her.
The Grey General's hands were shaking, "I-I know...that look...you're angry...you're sad...just like how Mommy was when she saw me hurt while playing..." It was difficult for her to retain her composure, as tears began to well up in her eyes. "Mommy always told me...if you hurt someone's family, you should apologize...Because losing your family hurts..." Wiping her tears, the expression of Hecate turned almost grimace, her eyes losing the same enthusiasm as before.
"I am sorry...Nerthus Freyja." Hecate apologized, her words seemingly breaking the built tension in an instant. "I...can't bring them back...And I can't fight for you...B-but...I promise. I won't say even one more word to play around. Instead of playing, I will fight with you, for real. Win or lose, I owe you that much."
Her posture was straightened, and her hands, coiled into fists, were kept squarely at the sides of her torso, awaiting to be used. "Ascalon and Freyja. I'll fight you both with everything I got! Let's see if Mommy can forgive me for hurting someone this time!" Hecate briefly looked upwards with a solemn expression, vividly remembering her past, before returning her focus to the present. As playful as Hecate normally was...this fight just turned into something completely different.
"Haaaaaaaaah?!" Yan almost dropped from midair, a myriad of papers held him in place as he flailed his arms around. "Lis-" Many of his papers wrapped themselves around his mouth, with Yan happily sighing into them, maybe he really shouldn't push it. Plus, he knew that Hecate meant it, if she was acting like that, she truly meant it. It was fun, sometimes Yan acted as if he were a parent for her, and there she was.
Ascalon was about to take a step, teeth grinding, but Freyja's raising arm stopped him dead, and even then, Ascalon took a step back. But, not because of the hand. She hadn't merely raised her hand, however, she held a shaking fist. Freyja sucked at her lower lips and suddenly her eyes flashed across the place, staring into Hecate directly.
Her child. "You..." Freyja risped, body shuddering, and then her teeth clicked, "You dare think-" Her eyes were wide, but they held no violent fire within themselves. Her child. "YOU DARE THINK I'LL PARDON YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE-" A sob interrupted her words, her child... "-BECAUSE YOU'RE APOLOGIZING, LIKE YOU MEAN IT?!" Freyja finally cried, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Freyja..." Ascalon's eyes trembled at the sight, he felt as if his instincts would take over. Was tonight a full moon-
"But... BUT," Freyja almost slapped the tears away, mouth and eyes still wide at Hecate, "-But, that doesn't also mean... that I won't accept it..." She gave off a heavy sigh, rubbing her forearm on her face. Freyja was the Captain, for her to stand like that in front of two Shichibukai and, more importantly, her subordinates.
"Pathetic!" She screamed at her own mind, though, it carried both her own voice and a younger one. One she knew very well. Water gathered into her palms throughout the whole ordeal, the pressure strengthening once again. Her face went wide and then Freyja let out a yell, "I accept it!!!" Both her arms shot upwards, the water following them and going into the sky.
Soon after, the water shots divided itself into several shards at mid-air, "ORION!!!" Freyja finished screaming, as numerous darts rained down upon the figure of Hecate, generating loud sirens as if they were fireworks. However, one with sharp eyes could see the large booms appearing behind them as they set off, and upon impact with the ground, it seemed as if unbreakable spears pierced through the very earth.
Hecate paid very close attention to the movements of Freyja. The attack that she fired off was brilliant, but it was clearly fueled by anger. This was not an attack meant to harm Hecate, but rather, it was meant as a declaration of war. It was the same as the earthquake Hecate had launched. And she could feel the earth shaking beneath her. She was highly impressed, and looked towards Freyja with sincere eyes. She also peered towards Ascalon, and pointed directly towards him.
"You will fight as well." Hecate told the Mink, staring at him directly in the eye. "Attack me!"
At the sudden provokation, Ascalon's eyes widened slightly and his fur rose, knees bending. This woman's tone had not changed since her declaration of earlier, so, she wasn't trying to bait him in? Such question didn't linger in Ascalon's mind for even a second, for he knew that hesitation could cost him, for both Hecate's and Freyja's attacks would hesitate no single bit. Electro clouded his entire body, whilst his hands touched the ground, a miniature spark flew through the rumbling grass and into Hecate's feet, the minimum he needed.
"Hunting Ground," He uttered in a rusky tone.
A water pillar burst where Ascalon stood at, ripping out of the ground and into the skies with a scream. "When did I become the King of Beasts...?" A thought. Many water pillars soared through the ground, Freyja's spears having dug deep enough to reach the island's subterranean water reserves.
However, Ascalon stood there no more, as a flash of black whispered through the area and to Hecate's side, its red eyes shining at they stared at her. "Was it when I showed off the might of my training...?" It vanished in an instant, running on its fours through the place in many erratic ways, the sound of such movements followed a moment after. Back and forth, through the single bridge he built with Electro, Ascalon magnetically linked himself to Hecate by a minimum.
"Or was it when I was born?" Even then, Ascalon didn't directly approach Hecate, not yet.
Freyja smirked, though her hands still trembled and stood on her hips as the water continued to burst off the ground, her hair erupting along with the pressure. The pillars of screaming water didn't just appear nearby, as, in the distance, one would see the many geysers rising into the skies, carrying trees and land with them. But, she was not done yet, Hecate would discover that, wanted it or not.
The water pillars weren't only for Freyja to prepare herself and unleash a fury of blows. Ascalon himself, speed enhanced with Electro and Kenbunshoku Haki, hit against the surfaces, back and forth, not just the trees, not just the rocks, but, the waters themselves. And, he used such speed that a mere ripple was sent all over their surface. His ears and his nose knew where Freyja would attack, no words were necessary, and they also knew where Hecate could dodge.
With a swift step, Freyja danced towards the closest pillar, and Ascalon trusted that Freyja recomposed herself, but that she did not. She simply didn't care anymore, "NELEUS!!" Freyja screamed, her entire body distorting in such fury that with a swinging kick the base of the pillar burst toward Hecate. Yet, Freyja was in truth rotating, delivering two consecutive kicks against the water still in the air, the trees behind her were torn from the ground, as the pillar was hit with such force that its body divided into several spheres of water. The water surging from the ground had no time to reconstruct its form.
Some of the water shots scattered, due to the bruteness that Freyja enforced upon their form, and had no choice to go past even Hecate and Ascalon. As it happened, the many water spheres carried on the moisture of the trees they passed through, allowing them to further travel and even reach the beach of Annunaki. One second later, a path of smoke and destruction rose where they past, one of them grazing the nearby mountain.
“...” Hecate took a single breath, and as she felt static electricity tingle her feet, she already had a rough idea of what was going on. She would not make any effort to comment on the attacks that her opponents would make, instead, she devoted all of her resources to fight them sincerely. As the pillar of water enveloped the Mink, Hecate went on a guarded stance, lowering her body by bending her knees slightly, as both her hands were clenched into fists.
The presence of Ascalon was not lost on Hecate, even without an inkling of Haki. In fact, in that moment, it had been intensified, as if this were a purposeful lure by the Mink. She did not bother with the details, however, and simply continued to observe the movements of the Mink that surrounded her, until another killing intent was felt by the Shichibukai.
The Grey General’s eyes fell onto the Mermaid, as her anger was apparent in her shaking body. Fighting two opponents of such a high level was a risk, even for someone like Hecate. While normally she would thoroughly enjoy the experience, Hecate was fighting for her life, and was fighting seriously. Flimsy moves like evasion weren’t a choice right now. As Freyja slowly moved, and Ascalon kept leaping by the pillars, Hecate understood exactly how she would diffuse this situation, but awaited an opportunity to do so.
With Freyja launching her kick, spheres of water passed by Hecate and Ascalon, but two made their way directly towards Hecate’s figure, “Panzerkick!” The Shichibukai chanted. Hecate leaped into the air, shaking the ground below as she reached the same elevation as the two orbs. Matching her speed perfectly with the high-pressure orbs, she stretched both legs out simultaneously, kicking both orbs with the requisite force to temporarily stop their extreme pressure while maintaining their form, albeit ripping both the cloth near her feet and her shoes.
Lowering her elevation slightly, Hecate maneuvered her own body in mid-air with a grand show of flexibility and flipped over forwards, with both of her arms landing on the ground to support her current maneuver. “Haaah!” Both of her legs briefly collected power as she bent her knees, while maintaining the form of both orbs, before thrusting them outwards with such speed that the rotation continued once again, but at an even greater speed than before!
Each orb was directed towards one of her opponents, forcing them to react to their own attack. But that was not the true nature of this attack. The air pressure that built up from the force of the attack continued to persist within the orbs. Flipping back onto her feet, Hecate brought her arms up and snapped her fingers. “Go, soldiers!” She exclaimed, as the dormant air pressure that lay within the orbs of water suddenly exploded outwards with incredible speed, ripping apart the water orbs.
Using the erupting column of water as a disguise, the residual force from Hecate’s attack shot forward, and was situated to land squarely in both of her opponent’s stomachs, with the intent on disrupting their formation and blowing them away with raw force. Of course, an attack of this caliber wouldn’t be near enough to stop those who oversaw a Yonko’s territory, so Hecate had already begun to plan her next attack.
“Blitzfist!” Hecate spoke. Placing her arms just underneath her chest, she breathed deeply, before screaming. “Ahhh!” The Grey General screamed, as from her stationary position, her arms began to shake violently, before fading into afterimages, as she punched the air with such force that vacuums were formed in the attacks' wake, much like a swordsman’s flying slashes. However, there was an oddity in Hecate’s attacks, as despite dozens of jabs being launched in those seconds, there was not even the slightest of impact outside of her immediate area.
In truth, this was the power of the Grey General’s fearsome Devil Fruit: the Dodo Dodo no Mi. It enabled her to control all within her influence as her ‘soldiers’, that would follow every single order she asked, without question, which even included the vacuums formed by her own attacks. Spinning her finger in the air, as if she was conducting a choir, the bullets of air pressure created by her punches had surrounded her in a cylindrical formation, awaiting the orders of their general.
“Attack, Freyja and Ascalon!” Hecate provoked her opponents, if only because she knew that losing her guard against two seasoned veterans of this caliber would prove fatal, even if that mishap was for nary a second.
Ascalon's eyes widened when Hecate made herself elevate high into the air, such a rookie mistake... of his. Without his own command, Ascalon's body had flew towards Hecate as she lowered herself, and it didn't give him time to think much at all. It was a risk he put himself into, willingly. He didn't expect her to jump at all, dodge to the left, right, front, back, any of those. Furthermore, he couldn't help but be somewhat mesmerized by Hecate's movements, which, even if raw, showed signs of some sort of training. Freyja herself, however, paid it no mind, as much respectful as Hecate had been to her, it didn't mean she had to reciprocate.
Due to his own elevation into the air, the orb wasn't directly aimed at Ascalon's stomach anymore, but, more towards his chest. Ascalon's head lowered, his teeth showing since he let out a growl as the orb rapidly approached, a single mistake could cost him his entire strategy. If he was hit anywhere, his body could likely get electroctuted by the humidity.
Ascalon seemed to suck the air around him, and then, "GRAAAAAA!!!" Was the single sound he made, whilst his haki-enhanced mouth and teeth both pressed around the sphere of water, producing an explosion and stream of water off his nose and mouth. All happening and his body still approaching Hecate, however, the destruction of the sphere left him in a momentary daze, with some of the steam clouding his vision.
As the one aimed for Freyja approached her, she took ahold of the body of water that had remained in the air due to her triple attack. Then, she ducked both arms at her hips, taking a step backwards, "Rebutting these won't work!!" In an x-pattern, Freyja swung her arms open and sent a double tidal wave against the upcoming sphere. Though, she wondered why she felt a pang on her stomach and a bit of blood from her mouth... the sphere didn't even collide against her attack?
Glancing down briefly, Freyja's eyes widened and her irises trembled. She noticed that her own attack, reinforced by Hecate's power, pierced through her body and exploded the entire forest area behind her. Freyja wouldn't stop there, however, noticing how Hecate began to punch the air itself, "Polyphemus!" One step each a time to the side, Freyja began to spin in place, bringing the gigantic water whips along with her. So what if she were wounded?
"Her attacks are not reaching me?" Freyja saw no shockwaves come at her. Ascalon himself had crashed against an invisible barrier of sorts, and through this, he tried to circle his large arms around Hecate's figure. But, the pressure kept him away and briefly staggered him.
Trees were cleanly chopped off their bases and other water pillars were briefly interrupted, the water tendrils soaring through the entire forest, seemingly growing bigger and bigger. Freyja had to dance her deadliest dance, yet, even then, Hecate seemed to not be damaged by it? The whips hit and hit against her defenses, but, were quickly batted away, hitting myriads of other _targets. Polyphemus was a technique that allowed Freyja to gather moisture, her whips grew due to the moisture found in the trees, but more specially due to the other pillars scattered around, since they were hit by her rebounds. Normally, her whips would have lost power when rebounded, but, upon touching the other pillars, their power only increased.
So what if Ascalon was in the radius? If he truly were strong, he could resist this. "ATLAS!!!" Freyja yelled, dancing so fast with her water whips that they created a rotational force and began to push part of the landscape into the air. All of the water pillars were sucked in at that point. It was as if a giant whirlpool had been given birth to at the land itself, changing the entire atmosphere as it hit against the clouds.
Hecate's maneuver managed to defend against both Ascalon and Freyja's attacks, though her makeshift barrier was soon coming to an end. It was the next movement that caused a bit of surprise to be elicited from Hecate's eyes. The entire land was propped upwards, with the centrifugal force of water underneath causing it to do so. As the land shot up at incredible speeds, Hecate found herself isolated from the ground, and standing only a foot or two away from the greatest enemy of any Devil Fruit user: sea water.
Grunting, Hecate took a forward flip, and chanted loudly, "Blitzkick!" As she landed on her arms in a handstand position, Hecate performed the splits with her legs, before suddenly her entire body began to pull itself in circles, spinning around at such speeds that a vortex of air wrapped around her being. With each consecutive revulsion, she caused great quantities of air to converge at her being, creating a miniature tornado that would defend her against any interruptions. However, this was not the frightening part of the attack. Within the physical impossibility that was Hecate's vortex handstand, Hecate snapped both of her legs several times, releasing crescent arcs of air pressure akin to Rankyaku that began to fly towards both of her opponents.
However, at the moment that they closed in on her opponents, they stopped their advance, although in that sudden lack of motion, the force behind the crescents burst from behind the crescents as blasts of air that would blow away any standard combatant. With this maneuver completed, Hecate once again stood upright. Snapping the fingers on her right hand, the dozens of Rankyaku-like blades flew and surrounded both combatants in a circle, threatening to launch directly at them should they make a misstep.
At the same time, Hecate understood the primary threat she had to deal with in this situation. Freyja did have to focus in order to maintain this construct of water, so the Shichibukai shot towards her in an instant. Before reaching Freyja, she had caused the still constructs of air to shoot towards the woman, which would all converge upon the mermaid and, should they make contact, explode into a magnanimous tornado of air pressure that would lacerate Freyja from head-to-toe.
Nonetheless, Hecate gathered her strength, with the intent of sending a flurry of fists towards Freyja should she evade her initial assault. Of course, with the battle escalating to this extent, Hecate had activated her , with her red eyes pin-pointing Ascalon's position, ensuring that she would be prepared for even a pincer attack by the two veterans.
Due to the entire catastrophe clouding his vision, Ascalon barely had any time to register what truly happened, his senses confused. He let out a growl, this surely wouldn't take him out of the fight, though, the nearby water was certainly dangerous to his being, Ascalon chose ot limit electro mostly to his arms. Insanely, Ascalon took ahold of the blades before they had the chance to attack him.
"You just can't stop, huh?!" Freyja grunted out and, even through her anger, couldn't help but notice how Hecate truly worked. Greater mobility, great skill. She had to secure that she had no way to use her physical abilities for even some minutes and have her resort to using that weird power of hers, it seemed like some form of matter manipulation. "Let me show-" Even so, Freyja didn't back down as the various blades of air came at her, flaring her Kenbunshoku instead of Busoshoku upon her legs.
Ascalon himself had a very different strategy than that of his mistress, after all, he certainly had no direct counter to these air slashes. However, since they would be stationary for a moment after he did any movement, Ascalon figured a bit of a trick to execute through his electro. The blades had touched some of the water around and had thus, even if slightly, increased their chances of being affected by his electro.
The air itself around them was filled with small droplets of water, so insignifficant that a Devil Fruit user wouldn't feel any weak at all from them alone. Yet, they stopped being so when Freyja had been the one manipulating them, but, she wouldn't use them in an attack. Both her legs were shrouded with Haki, "Migatte!" Freyja uttered and her legs rose to meet the various vacuum blades, which proceeded given her reaction. Normally, one couldn't sustain themselves in midair for a good amount of time, specially time enough to attack all those blades, however, Freyja was using the concentration of moisture in the air by touching them with both arms and holding herself mid-air for more time.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Freyja yelled and kicked furiously at the many blades, her legs blurring as if they had become blades themselves. Large booms were birthed from the various clashes, breaking the small amount of ground around Freyja and blowing away a good deal of the nearby water everywhere. The explosions could be heard even over the whirpool's sounds. Freyja had her teeth grit, after all, the blades were stinging her legs and drawing, unprotected without Busoshoku. All the while, she tried to take grip of the water behind her, in order to flung it around and forward into Hecate's being, however, between attacking the blades and then having her legs defend her from Hecate's fist barrage, Freyja truly was in a pinch
Finding himself in a similar situation, Ascalon growled even more but wouldn't let his captain be ovewhelmed, his electric paws filled with Haki and trying to use it as a medium to mold and guide the air around the circulatory vacuum blades by gripping them. Doing that, he assured that they didn't fly directly at him and would be redirected instead, "GHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Even then, touching the water and the slice itself was cutting his hands and shocking his arms, "WE CAN PLAY THE SAME GAME!!" Ascalon yelled and managed to hurl the slash itself as a piercing, spear-like, attack towards Hecate's back.
The ground beneath itself crumbled in the same instant, while the rotational water behind Ascalon was swiftly blown away by its launch. From an outside perspective, the vacuum spear passed through the water barrier easily, despite it spinning, and soared an immense distance into the island. Everything went in a flash, and Ascalon had to wait a few more instants to see if his attack had landed.
Hecate's being was caught in the flurry of attacks against Freyja's person, to this extent that it took Ascalon's roar to remind her that she was fighting two opponents. To break out of the stalemate between herself and Freyja, Hecate slammed her foot towards the ground, releasing a shockwave of enough intensity that she propelled herself slightly to the air, while maintaining a vertical position.
The screeching from the vacuum spear was well-heard by Hecate's ears. But it didn't matter. Focusing her eyes and body, Hecate outstretched both of her hands and forcibly rotated her body backwards in the air. Her hands were now and hardened against any manner of assault, and grabbed the spear with tremendous strength. Of course, the backlash of her own attack no doubt was piercing through her Haki slowly, and managed to cause lacerations into her arms. But that did not matter.
"Haaaah!" Forcing her body to fully rotate once again, and now in a vertical position with her face towards the ground, Hecate was pincered by the two veterans on either side, while she still remained in the air. In truth, this was the most disadvantageous position she could be in, but not for long. The arms that gripped the vacuum spear bulged with incredible venation once again, as the muscles pounded so loudly they could be heard like heartbeats.
Pulling her arms upwards above her head, Hecate then threw the spear with all of her might. The moment it made contact with the ground below, its incredible rotational speed amplified Hecate's mighty strength even greater, and caused it to drill through the small portion of land effortlessly. And then its true power came into play, as the drill dived through the pillar of water they were atop on, completely separating the pillar in half with its penetrative force until it finally reached the ground.
A moment's delay. Only then could the combatants hear a shockwave of such force that even the air felt like it had been shaken. The pillar of water that spun in the air soon dispersed, crashing against the ground and drowning a vast area of the island around them, while leaving their battlefield completely bare, as the shockwave uprooted any sign of life.
Of course, now the three combatants had been up in the air, but contrary to popular belief, the air had been Hecate's favorite playground. Using the power of her Dodo Dodo no Mi, Hecate maneuvered her body as she would normally on the ground, using her current handstand-like position to begin appearing as if she was break-dancing. Her legs spun above her at rapid speeds, while she snapped them outwards in arc-shaped kicks in regular intervals. In doing so, Hecate managed to shift her body at the same time, once again sending dozens of crescent waves of air pressure towards both of her opponents.
Simultaneously, she released a flurry of punches underneath her, that sent waves of air pressure beneath her. A seemingly useless move, but it was a key point of Hecate's strategy. "Soldiers, stop!" The air pressure her attacks had released had now been at a complete standstill. She once again maneuvered her body outside of the realms of physicality, and had now been standing on the air, perfectly composed.
As her opponents continued falling, Hecate slowly descended on the ground with her platform of air pressure, while sending waves after waves of air pressure towards her opponents, causing the wind itself to pick up and for huge gusts to no doubt intervene in the possible counters her enemies could make. That being said, should even one of these attacks make contact with an unprepared opponent, much like one of those trees in the distance that Hecate accidentally launched her attack against, they would be cleanly cut in half.
This was, no doubt, the power of the "Grey General". A master of herself and any battlefield. Just how would these rebellious Xros Pirates counter this overwhelming force!?
Freyja bit her lips, pushed back by the impact provoked by Hecate through Ascalon's attack, "What were you thinking, Ascalon?!" Though his ears were trained enough to hear her words, she wasn't completely sure if the loudness of Hecate's attack allowed for it to happen, Ascalon himself seemed to shield his face with his arms. Freyja protected her eyes with her forearms as well, which had been raided by shards of rock and by air pressure. "AAAAAAAAAARGH," She hissed, expression widening at cataclysm invoked by her opponent.
A flash engulfed everything, courtesy of Hecate. Ascalon was pushed back, growling throughout the ordeal, yet, he managed to indulge his body in Electro, then, focus it upon his legs. Magnetism was applied from his feet to the rocks below them, however, it wasn't as strong as the one between actual bodies, minerals were different than biological organisms. Ascalon would have to be fast, his attention wasn't even on his mistress anymore.
The one who constantly prided herself as a capable dancer was Freyja, it was her style, the Merman Dance, the perfect combination of all that she learnt, "Yet... yet, why am I the one being led on?!" Those thoughts were the only things barring her from feeling the full pain of the impact, her lips had been so bitten on that blood cascaded down her mouth and throat.
Falling backwards, Freyja was shot into the dissipating water, though, instead of passing through it, she had braced herself in a manner that it acted like a cushion, her hands gripping it. "Don't think I'm done yet, you bitch," She cried out, the water below her fell at a slower pace, while the rest of it completely filled the forest beneath all of them.
Freyja still eyed the then air-bone Hecate, who somehow flew? At the many airblades that ripped the atmopshere, she knew that her water wouldn't just do it, it was going to get completely spliced up. Freyja's eyes widened, there was something. She gripped her sides, which had wounds from earlier, and smiled widely, blood shot off her dress and her wound, making her teeth grit even more, "Triton!!!" The blood had tainted the water that was still there, it went red, and then it circled around towards Freyja's hands.
Gravity would act upon her body very soon, making her fall, but, Freyja didn't bother, all of the water-blood shaped itself as a large trident, held by both hands. It hadn't an ellaborate design, but, was completely red. Crafted between that union, Freyja sought to make use of the quantity of iron found within that small amount and heighten its quality.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" Muscles expanding and Haki sipping into the trident, Freyja thrusted at her front several times, many rings of air erupted from behind her, somewhat decreasing the speed of her falling. Much like Hecate, Freyja managed to create several air attacks in the form of long shots, however, she also made it where the tips of the trident went along with these air thrusts. That way, Hecate's attacks wouldn't overwhelm her own and, if Freyja's went through, they would hit her opponent's body many times. Explosions painted the skies of Annunaki, even though there was no dust at all, the air hissed as it was distorted, clouding both of their visions.
The sound of flesh being sliced and blood splattering filled Freyja's ears, yet, she only took a single glance to see that her legs were scrapped. That only made her move her arms even faster, even fiercer, the attacks made by her trident were like rain landing upon the ground, a ground which was Hecate's attacks.
Unfortunately, Ascalon himself couldn't do much at the sight before him, however, this time, his body was trying to form a proper connection between it and Hecate's. That was his choice of action because he simply couldn't get sent flying, the amount of air blades hitting his body was unbearable, blood was coming through his sharp teeth, which grinded agains one another. Even though Busoshoku was aiding in his defense, if Freyja didn't get an opening, he would get sent flying.
As explosions riddled the atmosphere, Hecate could feel the air shaking towards her, and darted forward. Her senses awoke as her eyes were coated in a faint aura of red. She could visibly see the transparent air forming into bullet-like shapes, with a blood-red spear tip trailing behind. While she would have liked to simply evade the attack, her opponent was not so easily avoided. Several air barrages were all attempting to overthrow her aerial attacks, and despite her power, no artillery fire had infinite ammunition. Moreover, dealing with two opponents halved the number of attacks used to repel this assault.
As Hecate prepared against this titanic attack, she could only think of one situation in which she could gain a decisive victory. Any more than this, and Freyja would possibly die of exhaustion. Although Hecate did not mind killing people...right now, she was not in a state of mind to beg Mommy for forgiveness again. Loosening her stance, all that occurred in Hecate's body at this moment was its coloration becoming a pitch black. But unlike , her body was visibly flexible even after coating it in Haki, no doubt a sign of mastery.
As the last of her projectiles began to wane, Freyja's attack launched forward with the intent of blasting through her stomach. With Hecate's minor preparation, she had managed to nullify the majority of the impact of the first strike. Although the air behind her did not suffer the same fate, as it pulsated with the sheer strength that accompanied Freyja's enormous attacks. Further attacks began to approach her, but Hecate's eyes opened, and with a sharp snap of her fingers, she delayed the other attacks with a burst of air pressure for mere moments. "Secret Technique: Black Turtle Depths!"
Much like before, Hecate's body began to spin without any external force applied to it, thanks to the power of her Devil Fruit. However, this time, the sheer momentum of the rotation forced the nearby wind, and every other attack that was aimed towards her, to instead rotate around her, causing all the other attacks that sought to drown her become slowly meaningless. Although injuries were still there, they were nothing compared to the rotational power exhibited by Hecate. The very air began to howl, as even distant gravel, water and plants were swept up in the attractive force exhibited by this attack.
But this was where the true power of the technique began. The Busoshoku Haki that Hecate had kept tightly coated around herself, instead began to invade the tremendous circular cyclone that she had created. The entire world that had surrounded Hecate had now become pitch black, and the sheer mass it held had begun to visibly crush everything that dared to approach it, forcing it to become dust and assimilated into the Black Turtle Depths. Indeed, this technique could be comparable to the phenomenon known as a black hole. Everything that dared to oppose the Grey's General path had been ground to dust, while the radius of her technique continued to grow even further, accumulating even more rotational energy and mass.
But everything in this world has an end. Even the likes of Lancaster Hecate could only hold this technique for so long. The sheer density that had accumulated within that cyclone had begun to weigh down on her, and could no longer be held by her mortal body. The razor sharp winds had begun to slice her own body, and at that point, she knew the time had come. "HAAAAAAAAAAH!" A scream pierced through the black hole, revealing the Grey General's location within the epicenter. With all of her might, she threw both of her arms outwards with extreme force.
The interior of the black hole began to quake at this action, as Hecate's intentions became clear to the soldiers she had gathered. Release, and devour everything in their last moments. So they did just that. The black hole's density was released, and replacing it, was a sphere of force that rapidly expanded outwards, repelling the world with such might that the trees, rocks and ground itself caved in. This technique had no weaknesses, no blind spots. It was mere all-encompassing destruction. In the wake of the world screaming at such power was pure destruction. The ground beneath them, the trees, the rocks, and even the sand, had been completely pulverized at the epicenter of this shockwave, while the waves continued to roar, even moving away from the island, as if in fear for another attack of such power.
"Haaah..." Hecate began to pant, as she stood on the ground once more. Visibly sweating, and injured moderately across all her body due to both Freyja and her own attacks landing against her, Hecate looked across the environment, scanning for life signs of the Mermaid and Mink. "...You shouldn't...no, you couldn't have died from that...You're strong..." Hecate thought to herself, anxiously, as she was unable to locate her enemies with her eyes.
Scream. They did not know if it was Ascalon nor if it was Freyja, maybe it had been the atmosphere itself that did it, but, they didn't bat an eye. They only knew that was the sole action taken in the wake of such a technique.
That last strike landed, but, that was not what Freyja had been a fool for. Striking and damaging were two different things and, upon hearing the air hissing as Hecate was struck, Freyja knew her others attacks would land and relaxed herself, even if for the small timeframe of a single second. When these attacks stopped, Freyja's brows arched and she lost her breath.
If Ascalon had to be honest, from all these previous attacks, it were as if the air was whispering or even grunting. Yet, in the span of a second, it started to scream, his eyes went bloodshot and almost escaped their sockets. The wind hit his body several times, since it spun, and he couldn't help but shield himself with large amounts of Busoshoku, channeling the magnetism of his Electro into the ground instead. However, precaution after precaution, his instincts never stopped yelling at him...
Run.
The water around Freyja's hands all slowly sipped into Hecate's direction as well, although, she only stood there and admired the might of such a woman. Despite Ascalon's similar reaction, he found himself reacting faster by pushing his body backwards, though, he never went far. His sharp teeth grinded against one another, whilst his eyes glanced upon the ground, "RAWWWWR!" In a roar, Ascalon collided against the ground and still found himself drawn towards Hecate's attack. Those instincts continued to yell at him, but, he didn't budge, he wouldn't be commanded by his instincts.
Hands gripping at the large trees that were also being sucked in, Ascalon tore them off their base and, with a swift strike, sent them towards Hecate. A foolish attempt, at least, in the eyes of the amateurs. "OOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Ascalon not only launched them, he made sure to punch each single one of them with enough force to also send his own body backwards, taking ahold of all the nearby trees. "ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!" The wood that hit upon Hecate's attack shattered, but no shards fell to the ground, all of them, everything was drawn in and disintegrated.
A woman of surprise, that was what Freyja thought of herself up until that point. She was supposed to be the surprise, not the one surprised. Teeth biting at her lips, the blood of her mouth didn't even fall, only going towards Hecate, not only it did, after all, the ground beneath Freyja was floating. She saw how matter vanished upon contact with all that blackness, yet, she didn't move. All the water in her arms had been gone, even the blood of her wound was threatening to fly into Hecate, Freyja held any scream for all that time.
Until, it happened. Her mouth gaped. Ascalon's fur, which pointed towards the attack, were then pushed backwards.
No whisper, no scream, no word. Not knowing how to react at all, the atmosphere simply took it all in, much like Freyja herself. Ascalon's eyes widened and sweat glistened his face, the Busoshoku at his being fully expanded into his entire body, all of his claws burst with electro and dug upon the earth. Blood exploded from Freyja's mouth, her vision rocketed upwards and her entire body was shot in the opposite direction of the attack. Earth, water, and wind divided as she passed along with Hecate's attack. She pierced through the island's main mountain, mountain that also crumbled away with the attack, through one of the tower facilities, through large trees and, finally, into a small island which stood half a mile from Annunaki.
Unlike his leader, Ascalon hadn't flewn into the sea or the stratosphere. Although Hecate's attack pushed away everything in its wake, a clear path was produced in the direction that the Mink's body was shot, a fissure had been scarred upon the land, ending upon Ascalon's menacing figure, he was on his fours and his shining eyes glared upon the Shichibukai. He stood close to the beach and, since the dust vanished, he and Hecate could see each other, granted their enhanced vision. Blood leaked from his fingers, some of his claws broken, he panted in a cough of blood.
"Everyone's set?" Gerhard asked while he glanced upon the ship that most of the crewmembers stood in. While a few of them fought against those monsters, Gerhard and the others had been ordered to evacuate not only the members, but, all of their supplies. The wind had been heavy then, flowing into a single direction.
"B-Boss Ger!!" One of the Doctors called from the ship's rear, making Gerhard turn at him. Sure that there were several quakes and air waves from the many clashes, but, that one was more attention hogging.
With a frown, Gerhard asked, "What s'it?"
"T-The wind's flowing unnaturally into a l-large black thing at the centre of the island!!"
"Unnaturally? What th' fuck do y'know, Jenks?"
Jenks gulped, "I-I had been a navigator before becoming a doctor, s-sir!"
Beat, "Good shit, mate." Gerhard waved and turned his body towards where the wind went, "Dungeon's still up." He mentally noted, using Haki to cover part of his arms and the other to scan what exactly was that. Before he could delve further into what it was, Gerhard's eyes widened, "MY DUDES, BRACE FA' IMPACT!!" He roared without glancing at them, as they all gasped and hurried within the ship.
Hands opening and fingers stretching, Gerhard divided his legs shoulder-length, it was to come any moment, all his muscles tensed. He didn't need a sharp intuition to feel it. He guessed that maybe that was why he wasn't ordered to fight, this was more than he should take. Not that Gerhard ever told himself that, "The final boss' attacks' comin' up."
Feet digging further into the ground as soon as the wave of... whatever that was came into view, Gerhard grunted and pushed both his palms towards it. "REPOSE!" He yelled, yet, that was completely overshadowed by the intensity of the wave's roar. Once it struck Gerhard's hands, it didn't completely stop and tried pushing forward all the same, everyone at the ships screamed, hugging each other as the ship went back and forth along with the waves. Although beaches had a lot of sand, most of it had been gone and replaced by pure earth, earth which cracked under the pressure of the struggle, "HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"
"BOSS GER!!!" Some yelled, eyes jumping out their skulls. Not their boss, not the guy who took care of them.
Gloves and clothing were torn apart as Gerhard's feet slided backwards into the ground, his muscles showed and bulged. "GHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" If his teeth were already grit, they sank further into each other, the pressure coming from all sides into his body. Although his mind focused upon stopping this, he couldn't help but wonder just what it was, how it was provoked, how it was launched. Black lightning burst forth from where it and Gerhard collided, he heard some creaking, but, not only of his bones.
Another hiss from the wind came and by pushing both his arms upward, "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Gerhard sent part of the wave into the air, all of the ocean erupted and something crashed against the island much to the island's side. Flying, Gerhard landed at the ship's deck, cracking part of it, everyone stepped frantically and fell to the ground.
"H-He did it!!" Some shout, waving flannels around while crying. Then, they cooed once they saw what Gerhard held in his bloody hands, "Ooooooh! What is that?"
Their eyes were on him, "Do y'guys..." Gerhard panted, sweat descending his face, "...believe in Gravity?" He gestured for the large sphere of black that rested upon his palm, sparks flying off it, their eyes were on it.
"Uh, obviously-"
"THEN-" He continued, "-Tis' a mass of that." Pointing towards where it came from, "It should go back ta' where't came from, aye?" Their eyes were upon that direction, they nodded. "So this," They looked at the ball, Gerhard held it with both hands and the ocean below them rumbled, more sparks came off it. "Temporal Order," He uttered and his left hand came off the sphere, his right arm stretched backwards and his left leg rose.
"Ensuing Chaos," Gerhard flung his right arm towards the center of the island, falling backwards only he got caught by the other crewmembers. An air ring appeared from where the sphere launched, it flew into the island and rose dust, not destroying what had already been destroyed by the first wave.
A second, it only became a shining dot into the distance. "Woooaaaah," The pirates cooed again.
Ascalon snarled and took no second to dash towards Hecate's figure, running on all his fours with ferocity, though, in truth, he should have taken a bit more time to stabilize himself. Freyja's aura wasn't any bit close to either of them, it wasn't just weak because of the distance either. Another snarl, Hecate was fully visible then.
"J-Just, what are you?!" Ascalon roared towards the Shichibukai, lips quivering. Truly, the might ehxibited by her was not one shared by many. He just had to do it, to mortally wound her then and there, Freyja could be taken care of afterwards, he was sure she would survive.
Just as he was about to jump and reach for her, a black sphere surged within the sky and a flash engulfed the area. Not only were his eyes blinded, but, Ascalon's body was also pushed by its explosion, explosion that would supposedly push Hecate away as well. Ascalon was not sure why that happened, nor why it felt similar to Hecate's attack, though severally tonned down, "GHHHHHHHH!" He fell to the ground.
Much into the distance, Freyja rested upon the destroyed rocks of the tiny island, blood coughed by her every few seconds. The only action she ever did was stare at the skies above her, the waves hitting her body and the rocks from while to while. Dance, she couldn't keep up with Hecate's dance, Freyja couldn't even grit her teeth nor claw at the rocks nor get up.
Blood Wept
"M-my attack...who..." Hecate gasped, as she was blown aback from the replication of her attack. If there was one thing in this world she was certain of, it was that nobody could replicate her attacks. This...was something else. Nonetheless, her entire body was launched back and crashed into the most nearby rocky cliff, causing an enormous fissure within the rocky structure. Surprisingly, Hecate's body did not suffer further injuries from the crash, though she winced in pain.
She saw Ascalon's figure before her, and crawled out of the fissure one step at a time. The Beast King before her was right to be puzzled. Just what kind of person could Hecate be, to hold this much destructive power? Yet, even with such power, she possessed the mind of a child. Just what sort of an upbringing could she have had?
"I..." Hecate began to speak to the fallen Ascalon, finding it difficult to form words. "I am the best player of this game...called war. But I have played...for a very long time...and now Mommy is angry with me...because I didn't play responsibly..." Tears began to stream down Hecate's cheeks, "I-I'm sorry Mommy...but I can't quit now...not until someone beats me...it wouldn't be fair to everyone else...right?"
Hecate talked to the air, living once more in her own world. The mind of a woman so powerful, was indeed so vulnerable. It was...frightening, to say the least, to see one of the most powerful individuals in this world be reduced to a crying mess.
"Ghhhh," Ascalon grunted against the earth, fists tight at such an abrupt interruption. His eyes widened once Hecate revealed herself to have landed close to him, he instantly jumped backwards, all his fur horrent. Those same eyes, however, softened when she began speaking. War? Play? Mommy? Although Ascalon didn't think much, he did ponder just how... just what was affecting this person, the Shichibukai Lancaster Hecate.
Crying. She was crying. Wasn't she a warrior of might, though, silly thoughts often crep into her? Ascalon couldn't help but stare, getting lost for the full time of 2 seconds into the scene. Before his very eyes, the small frame of a child with red hair flashed by, they cried, rubbing their eyes while holding the puppy of a lion.
"I want to be with mommy." His eyes trembled within their sockets, jaw tightening, Ascalon stared at a brief hallucation. No, maybe it was a memory. Shaky, he reached his paw towards Hecate's figure.
Through all of that moment, Ascalon had but a single thought: "Hug her."
Blink, Ascalon was back to staring at the crying Hecate, his sharp pupils widened. With his other hand, he held his arm from reaching towards her. Through gritted teeth, Ascalon sighed and took steps backwards, he glanced at himself, at Hecate, at the environment, at a hurricane in the background. Then, the shaking stopped.
All of a sudden, "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWRRRR!!" Ascalon roared with all his might, his lion voice filling every corner of Annunaki. However, it hadn't been a simple roar, not only was it loud, it was spread out in such a manner that his remaining crewmates would surely understand their next destination. Just like they discussed before this battle.
The wind stopped soaring between them. "You are fearsome, Grey General..." Ascalon mused, lips curved down and gaze fierce upon Hecate. "Or, shall I say Mut'la Qaid, one of the Minks' old phrases for Absolute Commander." His right hand moved up and his left arm hid behind his back, "I offer you my salute." Cupping his mane with his right palm, Ascalon bowed at Hecate. He rose again, "Normally, I would tear off the mink of my mane... but, as a Rogue Mink, I'm forbidden of treating my fur with respect. You have deeply wounded my Captain, this fight is over," The wind carried over its path.
In a single breath, should Hecate not saying anything, Ascalon would dash off the area, seeking to reach the location that Freyja landed at. His roar had already alerted Alistair, given that both sides were damaged, Ascalon could only bet that both would also retreat. All his paws ran back and forth.
God & Demon
Mist had drawn forth across part of the island, the air cooling noticeably around the area. A cold wind blew down from the centre of the island, drawing the mist forth towards the shore. The world lay silent, interrupted only by the clash of the woman down the shore, their anger and pain.
Clank, Clank, Clank could be heard, approaching the White Crow that lay below. With each clank, the air grew colder and colder. A demon was approaching the Kami, a reaper the crow. The warlords had drawn blood, and blood begets blood. Pain begets pain. Anger begets anger. And anger means heads will roll.
The clanking stopped about one hundred feet away from Yan, leaving the mist silent once more. The mist pervaded the forest but didn't reach the warlord above in the sky. It thickened and thickened until only the tops of the trees remained. From his vantage point, Yan would see the ebb and flow of the mist, silently slowly rotating around the forest, only disrupted by the clash of the maidens to the east.
The dropping of the treetops was the only sign that Yan would get that something was coming as the mist moved, spiralling upwards to engulf the warlord in a vortex of air. As the mist was pulled up and towards the center, the edges of the trees could be seen, encased in a shell of frozen ice. Even as it rose, the water could be seen turning solid, crystallizing in mid-air. A fate that the demon hoped the Kami would share.
Yan figured that he gave Hecate and her partners enough distance for a private distance, therefore, the large booms and quakes bothered him by no margin. However, what truly bothered him were the presences he felt earlier. From the corner of his eyes, Yan could see a distinctive mist fill part of the forest below him, truly, this island was not researched by them, the Shichibukai. He only knew they were to come here.
"Hmmmm?" Yan glared questioningly at the rising sensation of chill, "KAKAKA! What a nice mist, to bring such a cold breeze-" Only then, he glanced down and properly noted the state of the forest. Its trees were more white and the mist seemed to be concentrating into a single direction. Blink, "Ooooh, they're being frozen!"
"Kakakaka!" With smirk still in the face, Yan summoned two large sheets of paper, one from each of his arms, and stretched them wide in opposite directions. "HAWKWOMAN!" He bellowed, bringing both arms downwards and in turn both the large sheets, with such force that he himself was sent upwards. In a single beat, a shockwave resonated as if it was the screech of a mighty bird, pushing the upcoming mist away and cracking part of the frozen trees.
He was right about the other presences, it seemed.
The mist was thinned, but not gone. At least towards the edges of the forest and pouring out to the beach below even as it's epicentre cracked and shattered. It poured out to the ocean, the sea freezing as it was touched, frozen solid by the icy wind. The sheet of ice spread outwards, freezing the water around the shoreline in an instant before the sheet of ice spread out from the mist.
The ocean stilled as it froze, falling silent like the forest before it. Even as it stilled, the ocean cracked and twisted under an unseen force. The surface shattered as a large block broke free, a pillar of ice raising from the broken ocean. The pillar was tall, more than tall enough to reach Yan flying above. A wall of ice aiming to swipe the Hawkwoman out of the sky.
"Show yourself!" Yan cried, smile wide as his eyes scanned the vicinity, he had managed to push off the mist, but that wasn't enough to damage whoever his opponent had been. Could he remember who worked directly under that man, Ascalon, in his division... The Reaper? The Shinobi? The Doctor? One? All? There were not many options.
With his kenbunshoku having been up since earlier, Yan didn't fail to notice the sudden shift in the water's ice sheet, "I see!" He cooed, producing even more paper in place of his right wing and stretching his arm out. The paper folded over itself and extended, shifting into a straight sword form which was four times Yan's own size and was drawn back for a swing, while an ice pillar erupted from the ocean. "KAAAAAA!" So that was what it was going to be, Yan's smirk widened, his left arm still had its wing.
Tipping the edge side of the giant sword with his Busoshoku, Yan left it just there, thinking there rest of the sword needed it not and that his Haki should be saved for now. Drawing his arm forward with his muscles tight, Yan grunted, "Cormac!!" The giant sword went along in a flash, making the world around it scream as it was swung, and phased by the body of the ice pillar which suddenly stopped in the last second.
At that same moment, the ice pillar was seemingly cut from its tip to its base at the ocean, its structure breaking apart, while the ice sheet broke off and gave away to a large wave, as the water got pushed away from the beach. The nearby mountain to the right was scratched by the start of the swing, while the sand and trees were pushed back by its finale. The sword and Yan's right hand stopped behind his left shoulder, having done a nearly complete horizontal swing.
The ice cracked and shattered under the slash from the Kami of paper and wind. the pillar having given way under the force of the assault directed against it. It fell to the ground, impacting the sand, trees, and earth beneath it. The water returned, covering up the ice with a crackle, snap, and pop as the ice cooled it even further.
The air remained silent for a moment, the only sound the beat of paper wings. The forest stood silent, broken trees angled every which way even as they creaked slightly in the wind. Snow could be seen falling from the sky, flitting down from the sky as the air temperature plummeted.
A whistling sound could be heard from above, descending upon the Yan from above. A shadow could be seen descending from up above, the clouds seeming to freeze behind him.
Crowley Alistair was falling towards the warlord fast, having run up the pillar of ice an instant before it had been destroyed by the warlord. His signature scythe wisped through the air, frozen winds arcing all over the place in its descent. The clouds roiled behind him, the lowering temperatures contracting the air keeping them aloft, making the sky seem like it was falling to meet Yan.
With a spinning flourish, the scythe struck out like lightning, streams of chilled air arcing behind it as it shot out towards the warlord, blade blackened with Haki. It scythed through the air, aiming to take the warlord's head in a single sweep.
The Reaper had descended.
"KAAAAKAKAKAKAKAKA!" Yan opened his mouth wide, his self-feeling the presence of that who had attacked him from the skies above him. He must have jumped when Yan created a gust of wind and snow with his counterattack. Yan licked his lips, even if there was a chance that he was not alone, the fact was that no other aura was around the both of them, in that area at least, he knew who this was.
And that was why there was no need to proclaim it out loud.
Left hand held out in a palm and right hand commanding the large sword, the atmosphere had been way chillier than when the fog was there. The man's presence itself was enough, and Yanbaal smiled only wider. Surging both arms forward in a blink, the left wing both send the wind wheezing away along with part of the cold and pushed Yan backwards some distance, however, the right one hurled the giant sword.
That act itself ended pushing more wind away than the flap of the wing, as the swing overwhelmed the vicinity in yet another airwave. The trees and the sea wailed at the pressure, whilst the big sword collided harshly against the spinning scythe, black sparks filled the entire area, after all the sword's edge never lost its Haki. Before the paper could further feel the effects of the cold, even if it was protected with Busoshoku, Yan pushed it forward even more in a grunt, "CORMAC!" All the while, his wing was beginning to shift itself into a pointed form.
The sword of frosty paper pushed back at Alistair, the power behind his swing dampened by his lack of an ability to maintain his footing in midair.
"Oh No, I appear to be losing! How could this Happen to the Great ME!?!?" Alistair would laugh loudly through a Cheshire grin, as the sword pushed him farther and farther back.
As the last of his moment from his downward strike faded against the consistent push of the black paper blade, Alistair started falling up. He used the force of downward press of the scythe to tilt his momentum back into himself, picking him up as the scythe ceased to resist the paper, instead rolling up upon it to bypass it completely. As the blade passed under him he started his rotation once more, his Scythe impacting upon the blade dozens of time in an instant. Alistair became a whirl of blackened steels as the blade pushed him faster and faster towards the paper man. Streams of air, chilled by his power and sharpened to their utmost by his technique trailed his scythe, eventually lifting off into a circular slash of air that grew bigger, and bigger, and bigger.
It dwarfed both men, reaching up into the sky above even as its lower edge followed the arc of the reaper. As he cleared the paper sword, now sailing past the reaper into the sky beyond, the scythe changed direction. It slashed across the arc of air, almost cutting it in half as he drew it to the side, spinning his weapon like before. That circle of sharpened air distorted, twisting under the new pressure, before eventually following its master's command. It collapsed into a sphere, then a cylinder, and then finally into a cone. What had been a line of air whirling like a saw, was now a drilling of frigid air aimed straight at the heart of the god before him.
"Creeping Death" Alistair said calmly, every muscle tensed to react to the Kami in front of him, even as he flew straight at him in a drill of frozen air.
"KAKAKAKA! SUCH HUMOUR," Yanbaal's expression went wide, especially his smile, which stretched from ear to ear and showed even his gum. He hadn't ever met this man, the Reaper that was, but, he could tell- No, he could feel that he was a fearsome opponent. They had only clashed once, but, that would soon change.
Their clash ending resulted in the wake of another explosion, all of the black sparks scattered and generated a sphere of air, that, too, exploded. Trees uprooted and fell over one another, some being frozen. As Alistair decided to get around their clash, instead of simply putting more strength into the collision, Yan's grin widened and paper erupted from his backside, circling around him. His decision of sending himself backwards during his fist attack proved right, if he was too close to Alistair now, he would get surely hit.
The paper was sent to float around Alistair himself, some of it easily getting cut by his spiralling motions, but, it mattered not if they were constantly coming out of Yan's back. Some of them were broken apart, due to the immense cold. "It's like a moon..." Yan's eyes went wide at the sight of the forming technique executed by Alistair, but, his smile didn't alter, "I SHALL RESPOND NOW, REAPER!!" It was getting even more difficult to breathe, a fraction of his haki flooded his nostrils and livers, for that brief time at least.
All the while, some of the paper actually surrounded Yanbaal's right arm, forming itself and taking a shape which steadily increased in size, the shape of a cone, just like Alistair's attack, "KAKAKA!" However, this cone gained edges in a second and its tip sharpened ridiculously, making it become a drill.
A black sheet appeared solely on the drill's tip, the left wing pushed both of them upwards in a single swing, "DOCTOR DOOM!!" Yanbaal laughed out, the drill rotated in the next instant, bending the air around and making it hiss, the leaves and dust were gathered, "KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" At the immense speed it went, the paper drill went on to gain another sheet to itself, made out of fierce winds, all led on with the Haki at the tip, forming a tornado of sorts around their vicinity. Another clash would ensue, yet even more, sparks would fly throughout the air, but, due to Yan's intentions, this was to last a small timeframe.
Alistair's attack too was a drill, but, it wasn't a completely solid one, with its own rotation, Yan's attack would try dispersing, even if for a second, the frigid air, while, with its piercing and Haki-enhanced power, it would push through and get at Alistair himself. Digging itself through the attack, the paper drill would aim for Alistair's stomach and send him flying without a chunk of his flesh, if completely unprotected.
Alistair smiled as the drills collided. The warlord was definitely worth his title. He just really wished this fight would get closer to the ground. He couldn't fly, and most of his tactics wouldn't work in mid-air. Also, he could do was remain in his spin cycle.
And that was assuming the paper surrounding him didn't get to him before the fight was decided. He had to change this night's direction and quick.
Yaan's drill of paper eventually broke through his of air, and he had to make a decision on what to do.
Alistair slashed out with his scythe, striking the drill on the side with the blade. The spear and drill shrieked as they clashed together in a burst of sparks.
Then the scythe caught, dragging Alistair with it. Alistair became another thing rotating around the drill, dragged about at blinding speeds. Yan would see him as a blur of black and white for the few instants he held on.
As the drill drug him upwards, Alistair wrenched himself free of the drill, shooting him up into the sky. Drops of blood could be seen dripping off from him during his ascent as he was shot through the edges of his own attack.
Yes kept spinning as he rocketed up, drawing more and more freezing air as he reached for the clouds.
As he impacted them, it was as if God was pulling a sheet off the sky, the clouds spiralling up in his spinning wake.
The island almost looked small as Alistair's climb ceased, his only motion being his spin. Then he started falling, the clouds streaming off of his scythe as he yelled so loud that he could be heard from below.
"Judas Kiss!"
He pulled the scythe down, launching the freezing clouds down to the ground as a massive pillar of freezing air, far larger than his first one, which raced to the ground at breakneck speed, aiming to freeze the Kami solid.
"How daring!!" Truly, that strategic had been a madman's, "Sharp as ice, but tough as steel!" Yan mused upon looking at how high Alistair had been thrown by their clash, his own arm was pushed back as well. That only made his smile grow out of his face, however, and the drill hadn't ever stopped spinning, meanwhile, the paper that flew behind Alistair took flight as well, although it was dispersed so it wouldn't be frozen, it would still keep track of Alistair and not let him fly off. More paper was produced to recover the damaged tip, then, it rotated with even more fierceness, increasing the size of the hurricane below Yan.
The hurricane was big enough to touch the ground, digging many trees off their roots. Many sheets sprouted from the back of the drill and sought to cover much of Yan's body, while he knew the wind would disperse some of the freezing wind, he still knew... felt that this was going to be Alistair's strongest attack yet. His Haki continued to check where Alistair was.
The Haki at the tip began to take a slightly more distinct form, a flame pattern, his will, his willpower sapped into it. Yan's expression flared and his muscles tensed even more, this should deal enough damage, "KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" His even bigger drill spun violently against the pillar, several rings of air sprouted from below and provoked a sound so loud that it would make anyone nearby grit their teeth until blood was drawn. Rings so large they almost blew the tornado apart. With its sheer wind, the tornado produced a large hiss against the atmosphere, dragging the wood and dirt along with it, and managing to keep some of the chill away.
"KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Yan continued to yell still, pressing upwards until his drill would meet yet again with Alistair's body, even inside all the paper sheets, it still felt chilly. Even his clothes were beginning to crack. Then, before it could freeze him completely, along with the tornado, Yan proceeded to replenish the structure of the drill from the inside, so that its outer layers would expand outward and send the chill off with the wind's help. The parts that went off like they were the skin of a peeled fruit, falling upon the island and breaking apart.
With a yell, Yan was sure he was close to Alistair in but a few seconds, "THIS IS THE END!!" Not that he could be heard.
There was no more room to dodge, and Alistair was sure as hell his little trick wouldn't work twice. All that was left was to fight power with power. Alistair raised his right arm back before he threw his scythe away, sending the weapon careening to the island below. It was a great weapon, but clashes like this were not for it. He watched for a moment as it sunk deep into a rock in the island below that hadn't been dug up by the Kami of paper and earth.
His arms stretched out wide as he approached the drill, almost as if he planned on letting the spear of spinning pulp pierce him. Then he gripped the wind with blackened hands, drawing nascent lines of the abyss on the sky like it was time to pull down the curtains of the world. A fierce grinding sound could be heard as he pulled further and further, concentrating all of the frozen wind upon the tips of his fingers as they pulled inexorably downwards. The air stiffened and liquefied under his frozen touch, lines of liquid air trailing from his fingers.
"Fade to Black..." Alistair uttered over the wind, the cold even starting to reach him despite his powers as the pair finally clashed.
Alistair took the drill head on, frozen air meeting frozen paper. The mass of air hovering under his fingertips the only thing protecting him from the whirring spear below. A terrible screech could be heard, the wind from the clash spiralling past both of them as they pushed with all of their might.
But Alistair was never a being focused on power. Slowly but surely, the spear of paper started eating through the frozen air, trails of liquid black flowing up past Alistair even as he focused all of his power to breaking the spear below.
"Well Shit..."
Although their fight was close to the beach, the both of them could feel a large wave of pure gravity and push hit the outside of their clash. No doubts, a large scale technique, regardless of its user. Their hurricane had been pushed quite a few meters, yet, with its rotational speed, provoked by the combination of their might, it didn't vanish completely. They could wonder afterwards what that had been, it was none of their business.
Yes, fights were business.
Yanbaal had surely thought that that push would be the end of the fight, but, here his opponent was, sending chills throughout his body, making his smile grow even wider. The chills provoked by the mist had nothing against these new ones. These new ones made his muscles budge, his lips bleed as teeth sank into them. "THIIIIIIIIIIIIS-"
He still wasn't heard by any means, but, he liked to remind himself. His eyes shone white, "THIS IS A FIII-" Paper exploded from all throughout his being, flooding the area around him and enlarging the size of the construct even more, "-IIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" Surely, the chill would still destroy most of the layers and would be kept from his true being. Yet, this same push, this same increase in paper and ferocity would deviate the proper trajectory of the piercing attack.
A monstrosity, though, it had no proper conscience, could be visible in the sky. It was white, made of paper, its tip was the same spear that tried to pierce Alistair, but, in its deviation, ended up sending an air boom that dissipated all of the nearby clouds. As their clash turned inside out, the entire hurricane exploded in an air cry. Depending on his reaction, the spear wouldn't grieviously wound Alistair, yet, it potentially grazed by his figure, whilst Yanbaal shot upwards along with the paper.
With all of the calamities gone, the sound of a lion's roar could fill their ears, but, Yanbaal paid no attention to it. There was a fight, a business, to finish.
Inside in there, heart still beating furiously, Yan deformed all of the paper around him, breaking most of it into several shards of ice, shards which fell like snow upon part of the island. Courtesy of the clash. Even part of his skin had been frozen solid, a mere scratch prompting it to come off, yet, Yan's smile never faltered, "KAAAAAAAAAKAAAAAAKAKAKAKAKAKAKA!" He opened his arms shakingly, glancing downwards at Alistair. "Marvellous, marvellous written in a quality paper!!!"
Aleister's shoulder burned as he gripped his scythe, blood running down his arm from the gaping hole in it. All things considered, he got off lightly from the failed exchange. His Haki plus a last ditch burst of frozen air had pushed the spear off course enough that it didn't flat out skewer him.
The air around him was frigid, the cold visibly radiating off of him in falling smoke. Frost coated the ground around him, it creaking underneath Aleister's feet.
Then he heard the Lion's roar, signalling the withdrawal of what was left of the Notch.
Notching the Belt
Alistair raised his scythe towards the Kami in the sky above, blood dripping into the frozen fog below.
"It appears that we must cut this song a bit short, though I can still feel its rocking beat in my bones. We will meet again Yanbaal of the Warlords and continue this song and dance. But for now, I bid you farewell." He proclaimed to the warlord as the fog rose to shroud him. By the time it faded, the headsman was gone, leaving nothing but roses of frozen blood upon the ground.
With the paper dissipating into the air, falling over as it was frozen, Yanbaal appeared once again. He spun vertically in order to interrupt his momentum, lowering himself on mid-air, and looked down upon his efforts. "HAAAAAAAH?!" Yanbaal's face went wide, something worth to be printed on a paper.
Meanwhile, paper flung from his frosty sides and formed into large sheets, so that he didn't instantly fall over. Nevertheless, Yanbaal heard Alistair's words, eyebrows rising. "Cut short?! KAKAKAKAKAKA! It's not paper, it can't be cut short, Reaper!!" He mused and moved for his sheets to give him an impulse towards Alistair. Air hissing, Yanbaal shot towards his direction in a large boom.
Yet, all that Yan reached were the frigid and bloody grounds, all covered with myriads of shards. In a heartbeat, his Haki flared and his mind researched throughout the imediate environment.
Only then, Yan's haki didn't find Alistair that close at that moment, instead, he could only see the aura of a crying person. Smile not faltering, Yan instantly shot towards the source of the aura. Truly, the dance and song could be concluded in another time.
"Ah...Yanba. You're back..." Hecate said, with the energy in her voice nearly non-existent. It was not so much the fatigue of the battle that struck her, but the mourning of her parents. Yanbaal was well aware of how the Grey General operated, and she didn't need to say much more than what she did. "I've beaten the bosses again, Yanba...so let's go home and save." Despite her nonchalant words, there was an odd seriousness about them that caused them to feel out of place in this situation.
The roar that Ascalon had made did not make her fearful. It, oddly enough, gave her hope. It was the first time that an opponent had acknowledged her as something more than a monster. While the opinions of others never bothered her up until this point, to be truly acknowledged as a master of battle was Hecate's only real goal in life — no. Rather, it was her purpose in life, the one she had built for herself as soon as she had found the world of war.
An innocent smile was drawn on Hecate's face. Although she didn't know exactly what she found today, she hoped it was a friend.
"I'm back, printed on quality P-A-P-E-R!" Yanbaal mused, waving around his nearly frozen arms. It was then that he turned to look fully at Hecate, "KAKAKAAA, I had a boss battle myself!" Truly, his bones were dancing to that song even now, he took a long sigh, feeling the many shivers.
Landing, he looked around the area, then, back to his companion. "Let's, you need a rest," His smile was wide, though, his mouth was not open. And, indeed, Yanbaal knew just how much Hecate could have fun, but, he also knew how much she could tire herself. Mentally and physically.
Today had been quite a battle, though, he was not too sure how much they succeeded with their mission. Through Haki, Yan learnt that Hecate did quite some destruction, so, he could only assume with a smile that these Xros- No, these Notch Pirates would get slowed down.
Paper burst off Yanbaal's back, molding itself into a pair of large wings, from which some kind of armchair appeared. "This is your- GAMING CHAIR!" Yan gestured dramatically at his construct, as it simply waited for Hecate. "I bought symbol-cereal for you, kakaka! Could probably make something with milk for you to reeest, rest in a quality bed!" Should Hecate move into the chair, though Yan would push her if she didn't, they would both take flight towards the sky.
They would simply go home- "Oh yeah! We have to lay a report to the Government, KAKAKAKAKAKA." Yan laughed into the sunset, onomatopoeias of paper coming out of his mouth.
"Is everyone set?" Ascalon uttered out as he landed on the crew's main ship, Freyja in his arms. Everything had been prepared for then to set sail right away and abandon the land that was Annunaki. "Now then..." He turned to glance at the crew, those present being none other than part of the Horsemen and Alistair.
Gerhard himself was accompanied by two of his main doctors, one of which was Jenks. Wasting no time, Ascalon gently laid Freyja down upon a mattress that had been brought by grunts of the crew. Well, the grunts that remained, no one had any time to bury those that were killed back at the island.
"I'mma' be honest," Gerhard started, crouching down before Freyja. "Ta' only way to heal Cap would be painful, y'know?" Even though he said so, he was already summoning a Dungeon to cover the entire area, touching the ground as he did it. He eyed the semi-conscious Freyja, her mouth bloody and her eyes without color.
A frown, Ascalon fumed, "She is already in pain, this cloth is keeping her blood from leaking!" His lips curved down, whilst he stared at Gerhard and then at the others. If worst came to the situation, Ascalon thought on asking Alistair to freeze Freyja's wound, though, it would be similarly painful.
"Oh yah? Remove that, Jenks." Gerhard took out his gloves, revealing several adhesive tapes on his palms.
"R-Right away, Boss!" Jenks held a knife with his left hand.
"WAIT-GARA-" Ascalon's eyes budged out. The cloth was swiftly cut, revealing the torn apart flesh of Freyja's stomach and making the blood leak once again, Freyja gained more conciousness and screamed. Gerhard only eyed it, flaring a bit of Kenbunshoku for aid, and it was just like he thought, while most of the skin was there, it was still ripped apart.
For a moment, though barely conscious, Freyja caught Gerhard staring at her with half-lidded eyes and froze. Her pupils trembled at the visible sensation of his cheeks puffing, the sky was darker, crows flew around. His eyes widened as he felt something, she blinked, it was gone.
"Your power... that method..." Ascalon's eyes widened more, if they even could, his two hands clawing at his mane. "SHE CAN'T TAKE IT-GAR-"
"Ascalon-san!" Jenks called and Ascalon glared at him. Jenks nearly lost his colors, "Just t-trust Ger Boss-"
"Boss, the skin's still there," Gerhard was the one to call Ascalon this time, the latter's glare shifted once again. "f'I don't suceed, ya' chop mine and these two's heads." He gestured for Jenks and the other person, both of whom began to sweat heavily with wide eyes.
Ascalon began, "But-"
"Do it," Everyone turned to look at Freyja as her whimper came through, her hands tightened into fists. "I can take it." She couldn't even nod.
It was Gerhard's time, eyes still wide, "Yo, but-"
"GODDAMN, THIS IS AN ORDER!!" Freyja suddenly shout along with a bark of blood, a wave of pressure flying in all directions. Hands instantly sinking into Freyja's wounds, Gerhard didn't even say the commands he issued, Chaos & Order.
By the next second, to those that could see it, the wound expanded in all directions, making Freyja's stomach get torn open. She coughed blood, back of the head sinking into the mattress and breaking the floor below. Blood flew all around, along with parts of Freyja's skin, before it all suddenly just gathered and entered the wound.
As soon as the process finished, Gerhard instinctively moved away from Freyja's arm reach. Meanwhile, his subordinates gained waterfalls on their eyes.
"HE DID IT, HE DID IT," Jenks waved white fans with both his hands.
"YES, SUCH A MAN!" The other threw belly notes from their pocket, showering Gerhard with it. Ascalon only released a long breath, closing his eyes and moving his hands from his mane to his eyes.
"Good one Ger." Dimitri spoke patting the man on the back. "You're truly a lifesaver." A grin sat on his usually indifferent face. He reached down and touched Freyja's arm. Using his powers he began to balance the nutrients in her body. If Gerhard was the surgeon and healer. Dimitri was the IV and the supplements patients took after the surgery. Freyja would soon feel her body balance out.
Merely responding with a peace sign using his left hand, Gerhard took a look at his bloody right hand for an instant. "We're docking by the next island, right? I'mma' wash up," He said, turning around in a single step, followed by his subordinates. Though, those two bowed before leaving. Alistair looked at Gerhard's back for a full second, hand tight around his scythe for that moment.
The ships had already sailed without any kind of delay, the visage of Annunaki fading into the distance. "Boss, I've taken upon myself to order the men to set sail," Alistair spoke out to Ascalon, who only nodded.
Sweat descended through Ascalon's fur, he eyed Gerhard for a second before sparing a glance at Freyja. His eyes found themselves on her wound, "He didn't speed up the blood clotting process. Yet, by using his power, he solidified the blood that would otherwise pour..." Ascalon was sure glad that such a person worked under them, he knew he could count on Gerhard. Although, the process had indeed been painful. "Thankfully, Sir Dimitri has done the actual healing."
"Thank you, the two of you," Ascalon said, though one had left already. "Our Captain- All of us should rest now-gar-" He bit his tongue and corrected himself, all while trying to sustain Freyja, "We all deserve it-"
"How strange..." Freyja uttered suddenly, standing at Ascalon's side. She looked at Dimitri, "Your nutrients really do wonders, hmhmhmhm. It's almost as if I've been renewed," They, her and the Mink, began to walk towards the cabins of the large ship. Freyja truly was good at planning, she only gathered the best of the best for her crew.
If led by her, they would surely not fail. Even so, she didn't smile, for her mind was still thinking about the two Shichibukai that brought the end of her daughter and their territory.
"The next-" Freyja began, Ascalon's head shot to look at her, "-The next destination is Carteciello, men. We all learned and lost something... let's recover ourselves there." Some crewsmen nodded and glanced at Alistair.
"I'll gather the Knights, Freyja-chan," Alistair uttered, sighing out a cold breath. "The Knights of Hell," He, too, walked towards his chambers, deciding not to pay much mind to everything that unfolded these past minutes.
Thunder and rain filled out the atmosphere of that night, completely surrounding the Notch Pirates' fleet and the small deserted island they docked at. While their Captain was in need of most rest, and though they needed to reach Carteciello, both Alistair and Ascalon had allowed for the crew to slow down for a few hours.
Steps. Turrents of wind soared by, blowing the rain and a person's coat. A thick fog covered the terrain, reaching out even to the ocean and the ships. Yet, the person was focused on their hand.
"No wonder she didn' notice... given her size." The person said, looking at their right palm, which was held out in front of them. "Y're so tiny, it almost didn't grow," Steps, they continued to walk into the island's terrain, hidden away by rocks and trees. "She'll know, don' worry."
As the wind blew, part of the coat revealed a beaked mask that the person was wearing, an orange one. Gerhard reached his left palm and put it below his right one. "By your size... 10 weeks."
He didn't know why he held it with his two hands. They couldn't feel the cold, the wet sensation, the thunders. They wouldn't get a name, get to crawl, to walk, to laugh. They wouldn't make others happy.
His left hand lowered to the ground, a "Dungeon" formed around the area, through that same hand, the dirt parted itself and gave form to an empty square. Gently, his right hand lowered towards the empty space and laid down...
A small red being.
They were hunched, almost as if embracing themselves. Knees bent, hands on top of them, mouth slighty open. On their back there was a wound, likely from the battle. Gerhard deemed it as that at least, his eyes slanted and he fully knelt before the small grave.
"I don' know wha' she'd named ya'," Gerhard said, half-lidded eyes staring down upon the small figure. His right hand reached for the ground again, it instantly moved, "I'm not yer father, but..." The dirt started to wrap around the figure, filling the empty space.
Once it was done, a cross made of rocks formed above it. "I wish yer sister knew ya. Goodbye," Gerhard rose up, wind still soaring by his ears and body, "Latinus."
His figure disappeared through the fog, leaving a grave not forgotten, but unknown.
FIN