Continuing where we left off...
Ritsuka's perspective...
A few moments before the confrontation between Gudako and Sam
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I end my call with BB, Stelle, and March 7th after I was ambushed by Sparkle's mental illusion attack.
I thought I would be able to capture her after I destroyed her illusion, but she was clever enough to escape the moment I was waking up from the illusion.
What confuses me is how easily she managed to catch me off guard in her illusion, since I have high resistance to mental attacks. Of course, I can't forget that I unfortunately don't have Abigail's help to protect me against mental attacks, but even so, it was very unusual that I fell into the trap so easily.
Anyway, the moment I woke up and realized I was back in reality, I found a letter. When I opened the envelope, I discovered it was an invitation to a "tea party with Sparkle and Vita." It also had the location and date of the gathering.
The name "Vita" doesn't evoke any reaction in my head or any feeling of familiarity; in other words, I have no idea who this woman is who will be with Sparkle.
Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to decide whether to burn the invitation or not, since soon after I detected a high level of mana some distance away from my location.
It's basically impossible for me to detect mana in this world, since mana is something exclusive to my planet. Therefore, for me to sense magical energy means that the Beast of Humanity I'm searching for has decided to act.
However, something that caught my attention is that the magical energy I'm detecting is very similar to the magical energy of Olga Marie that I felt in the seventh Lostbelt.
"It's impossible that it's Olga Marie, after all she died in the seventh Lostbelt, and only now am I hunting for parts of her personality."
(A/N: Knowing that Ritsuka and Mash had already found Olga Marie's real body in Area 51 in Truam makes the personality quests very sad and messed up.)
Alter: The distance the Beast is is very far, even if we used our speed it would take a while to reach it.
- It's a good thing we have the armor that BB made for me. - I say this summoning the activation device of my armor.
Alter: What are you going to do with the invitation? Are you going to attend something that could be another trap?
- I'll think about the invitation and about my sealed memories when I solve the Beast problem. - I say this holding my suit's activation device and strike a pose.
The pose I made reminds me of the TV show I watched as a child; just recreating the pose I remember from memory gives me a nostalgic feeling.
"Now I just need to say the magic word!"
HENSHIN!!!
Immediately after a few seconds I'm dressed in the armor modified by BB from the Glamoth Empire.
- I missed this. Hah! Ah! It's an amazing feeling. I always wanted to have armor similar to a Kamen Rider's? - I say this appreciating the feeling of wearing the armor.
Alter: Was it really necessary for you to yell and pose for strangers you don't know?
"Yes! It's extremely necessary! I wouldn't be a true Kamen Rider if I didn't have a good presentation! Besides, you know how important this is to me since you're my other self!"
After having a brief argument with my vengeful emo side, I start flying through the air at high speed towards where I'm feeling the large wave of magical energy.
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Returning to the beginning of the confrontation between Sam (Firefly) and Gudako.
Narrator's perspective....
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- Ohhh... An interesting armor you have, "SAM," very... hot. I'm curious to know what's inside all that metal. - Gudako said with a sadistic smile.
- I have nothing to say to you. - Sam said, being short and direct.
Without wasting time, Sam attacked once more, using her other free fist towards Gudako's face.
Instead of dodging or defending against Sam's attack, Gudako simply received the explosive flaming attack without any resistance.
When Sam's fist touched Gudako, an explosion occurred, and Sam managed to move away from the Beast as it released Sam's other fist.
- That was a good punch, although you're holding back against me. - Gudako said calmly.
Dan Heng, Luocha, Sushang, and Sam were surprised not to hear any sound of pain in Gudako's voice.
As the smoke from the explosion dissipates and the smoke is no longer present, everyone can see a good portion of Gudako's face burned, but her face regenerates in seconds as if she hadn't been attacked.
- You need to try a little harder if you really want to kill me. These small explosions won't be enough. - Gudako said confidently.
Sam immediately attacks again, this time increasing the speed of his attacks, and this time Gudako defends herself with her spear. Throughout all this, it seems Gudako is enjoying it.
- We need to get out of here now! - Dan Heng said, wanting to take advantage of the moment when Gudako and Sam are occupied.
- I agree. I have a feeling that if we stay here we'll be affected by their collateral damage. - Luocha said with a serious expression.
- Ahhh!!! This mission of mine is getting out of control! I just wanted to get you to a safe place! - Sushang screamed in despair and began to cry.
Immediately, Dan Heng, Sushang, and Luocha began to run away from Gudako and Sam, but unfortunately, Gudako noticed that the trio was trying to escape.
- Where are you going? I'm not finished with you yet! - Gudako said, dodging a flying kick from Sam.
Then Gudako extended her left hand towards the clouds, and as if the heavens were obeying her, red lightning bolts fell into Gudako's hand, forming a large thunder spear.
- I won't let you escape so easily! - Gudako shouted, throwing the large thunder spear towards Dan Heng, Sushang, and Luocha.
Sam, seeing the attack, knew he wouldn't be able to arrive in time to intercept it.
Dan Heng, seeing the attack, had only seconds to react and make a decision. Should he transform and protect Sushang and Luocha, revealing his true identity, or should he risk everything and try to protect them?
However, before Dan Heng could make a decision, something unexpected happened, taking everyone by surprise. In the blink of an eye, another person appeared in front of the trio with a large shield in their hands.
Gudako's large thunder spear was intercepted by Ritsuka Fujimaru's Noble Phantasm, Black Barrel.
- What a coincidence to see you here, Dan Heng and Sushang. I see you're not injured. - said Ritsuka in a slightly metallic tone due to his helmet.
- Huh? That voice... Is that you inside that incredible armor, Ritsuka?! Where did you find it? - said Sushang, forgetting the terror and fear she was experiencing.
Dan Heng let out a great sigh of relief upon seeing that one of his companions had found him—even more fortunate for him, as he was the strongest member of the group.
However, when Ritsuka's eyes fell on Luocha, he had a brief glimpse of a memory that had been sealed in his mind.
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Otto: Come on, my dear old friend. Let's share one last drink before the end, like in the old days when we were both $@#&.
These are the last words Ritsuka exchanged with a man obsessed and determined to bring a saintly woman back, no matter the sacrifices he would have to make.
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However, this was a very brief and fleeting memory that Ritsuka quickly recovered from.
However, during the seconds that Ritsuka was temporarily paralyzed, Sam is surprised to see the appearance of Ritsuka's armor, as it is almost identical to the armor of the Glamoth Empire that she served.
- What?! That armor... It can't be... How?! - Sam said, very surprised to see the appearance of Ritsuka's armor.
Gudako, on the other hand, is very surprised to see Ritsuka, but she soon lets out a loud laugh upon realizing who he is.
- Hahahaha! I never expected this! Who would have thought I'd encounter a Heroic Spirit here in this place, and besides, you're from the Avenger class. Now this hunt has become interesting. - said Gudako with a smile.
- I don't know how you managed to manifest in this place, Beast of Humanity, but whatever objective you have will end now! - said Ritsuka, looking directly at Gudako.
- Feel free to try, Avenger! How about we compare the power of our Noble Phantasms? It would be a great way to judge how strong you and I are. - said Gudako, floating a little higher.
Ritsuka sees that the distance between him and the Beast is getting bigger and bigger, and the clouds are getting much darker too.
Immediately afterward, Gudako raises her spear upward, and at the same moment, her body is covered by an electric scarlet aura along with the clouds that are reacting to her powers.
The continuous scene around them makes it seem like a huge storm is raging in Luofu, something that has never happened before.
Sam, who is watching all this, remembers Elio's instructions: if Ritsuka appears and encounters the Beast of Humanity, she should provide support in the battle between him and the Beast.
Sushang, Luocha, and Dan Heng managed to escape the battlefield before the situation escalated to a level that would drag them into combat.
Ritsuka can sense that Gudako's magical energy is increasing to levels comparable to the maximum magical energy that the Beast Olga Marie can emanate using all her authority.
- Hmm... Since she's emanating magical energy very similar to President Olga's, this should be impossible... In any case, this won't be an easy battle. - Ritsuka murmurs, summoning Excalibur (Fake) in his right hand.
A huge wave of magical energy begins to emanate from both of them, and the clouds begin to thicken, forming a hurricane that is circling around Gudako, who is glowing with a scarlet color.
(A/N: This is basically the beginning of the battle between Gilgamesh and Enkidu in F/SF)
- I suggest you step aside, Stellaron Hunter. I'm sure the clash between our attacks will cause a huge explosion. - Ritsuka said, speaking to Sam without looking at her.
Sam remained silent, but sensing the magnitude of the impending chaos, she decided to step aside to avoid being affected.
It was at this moment that Gudako began to recite her Noble Phantasm incantation, and Ritsuka responded by using his simultaneously.
Unleashing the spear of the end of the world... The one that pierces the sky and destroys the earth! Anchor of the storm!!!
The true sword of vengeance that burns and pierces heaven and earth is here! Exterminate them!!!
Rhongomyniad!!!
Excalibur!!!
The moment Gudako and Ritsuka's Noble Phantasms collided in mid-air, an immense explosion of magical energy occurred, creating a bubble of fire visible to all the residents of Luofu.
Thankfully, the area where Gudako, Ritsuka, and Sam were located was completely evacuated because the enormous explosion destroyed a large part of the area, even though it occurred in the air.
- HAHAHA!!! Who could have imagined you'd have Excalibur as your Noble Phantasm! What kind of Heroic Spirit are you to wield that sword?! - Gudako exclaimed with a wide grin.
Ritsuka, on the other hand, remained silent, witnessing the immense destruction the two had caused. Fortunately, this occurred in an evacuated area, but there was still a risk that their battle could harm innocent people.
Then Sam landed on the ground where Ritsuka was, and he looked at Sam, somewhat surprised.
- Why are you still here, Stellaron Hunter? - Ritsuka asks, curious.
- Élio gave me the mission to help you in this battle against this Beast of Humanity. - Sam answers the question.
Ritsuka is surprised to see that the leader of the Stellaron Hunters had sent one of the strongest members of his group to help him in this battle.
- Hmph. I didn't expect that, but who am I to refuse help? Alright Sam, let's see what you're capable of. By the way, I loved your armor. Very cool. - Said Ritsuka, briefly admiring Sam's appearance.
Sam, on the other hand, remains silent upon hearing Ritsuka's words, but she didn't have time to react when Gudako interrupts the conversation.
- So... You two are going to face me? Good. I want to see if you can kill me! - Said Gudako in an arrogant tone.
- Oh, don't worry, Beast. I have several ways to deal with you. - Said Ritsuka, piercing the ground with the blade of Excalibur.
Immediately afterward, black-blue flames began to erupt on the ground around Ritsuka, forming a tornado that expanded, becoming larger and wider, engulfing Sam and Gudako.
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Tokyo
Ritsuka Fujimaru's hometown
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The moment the flames disappeared, Sam and Gudako were inside Ritsuka's Reality Marble, which is the capital of Ritsuka's home country.
Sam, seeing that she was in a completely different place in the blink of an eye, greatly surprised the Stellaron Hunter, as she had never seen a power that manipulated reality in this way.
- Okay. Now we'll be able to fight without causing collateral damage to Luofu. Get ready, Sam. - said Ritsuka, drawing Sam's attention.
However, instead of the combat starting immediately, Ritsuka noticed that Gudako was completely paralyzed, not moving a single muscle.
- Why isn't she moving? - asked Sam, noticing Gudako's inaction.
Ritsuka notices this and begins to get confused, but Gudako's next words surprise him.
- This is my home... I've come home... - Gudako murmurs loudly enough for Ritsuka to hear.
However, something happens that Ritsuka and Gudako didn't expect. Due to their "origins" being the same with certain differences, the moment Ritsuka brought Gudako into his mental dimension world, a chain reaction occurs.
Ritsuka/Gudako: Arghhhhhhhhh!!!
The two individuals begin to scream loudly in pure agony, their memories colliding with each other.
During their agony, the world they are in begins to react along with them, causing strong earthquakes, destroying some buildings and houses, and causing cracks in the streets.
Gudako and Ritsuka are seeing each other's memories, which are practically identical, however, the crucial difference lies in their final battle against the alien spider ORT in the seventh Lostbelt.
The pain they were both suffering subsided, and Ritsuka ended up on his knees, almost breathless, while Gudako fell to the ground with a loud thud.
- What was that?! Those memories... I... I died fighting ORT? - Ritsuka said, trying to catch his breath.
While Ritsuka is trying to organize the chaos happening inside his head, Gudako, on the other hand, is not doing well at all.
- Forgive me, Mash... I couldn't protect you... It was all my fault... I lost everything... Forgive me for not saving you,Olga... I wasted your sacrifice... Why am I still alive... - Gudako said, crying.
Gudako's mind shattered the moment she got what she wanted. Her memories returned, but what remained were moments of pure agony and despair that completely destroyed her soul and willpower.
Gudako began to repeat her words endlessly, and the tears of pain wouldn't stop, but her body began to react abnormally.
- Ritsuka! Get a grip! The enemy isn't defeated yet! - Sam said, drawing Ritsuka's attention.
Ritsuka, now able to compose himself, looked at Gudako's body, which was undergoing a monstrous transformation.
Gudako's body begins to convulse violently, a dark and scarlet aura covering her entire body, and within seconds her body begins to expand.
It's possible to hear the sounds of her bones breaking and regenerating simultaneously, as if the Blessing of Abundance were trying to heal something that is destroying her body.
Eventually, the Beast of Humanity no longer has a humanoid appearance, but rather the appearance of a truly savage and destructive Beast, the same Beast that Ritsuka saw in Dan Heng's memories.
*Roar*
The Beast's roar is loud enough to cause a shockwave that shattered all the glass in the area and caused a slight earthquake.
- Tch! Damn it, I don't have time to think about what just happened. We have to defeat this Beast before this Reality Marble is destroyed. Since it's a Beast of Humanity, I think the best solution is to fight fire with fire. - Said Ritsuka, summoning a very important artifact for him: a Saint Quartz that was emanating a very strong glow.
Without wasting time on ceremonies, Ritsuka uses the power of Saint Quartz combined with the Blessing of the Aeon of Preservation to access the Throne of Heroes.
With the connection made, two summoning circles appear in front of Ritsuka, and two Heroic Spirits are summoned to aid their master, Ritsuka.
The first Heroic Spirit is a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and small red draconic scales visible. She wears dark black armor worthy of a Roman Emperor.
- Umu! The summoning was a tremendous, spectacular success! My beloved Master! Oh Rider of mine! Your Beast of the Apocalypse is here! - said Nero Draco in her classic theatrical tone.
The second Heroic Spirit is another woman, but this time she is petite with tall, light blue hair and red eyes with pupils in the shape of an "X".
- I sensed you would need help, Ritsuka. So your mother is here to help! - - Said Tiamat, now in her small larval form.
- Tiamat?! Draco?! - Ritsuka is surprised to see who the two Servants he summoned are.
*Roar*
However, unfortunately, the introductions and greetings had to be set aside as Gudako made her presence felt again.
- Ohhh... How interesting... A Beast that formed beyond the Stars... I couldn't help but feel a certain envy. - Draco comments, not losing her confident smile.
Tiamat, on the other hand, is having a completely different reaction from Draco.
Instead of being excited for a unique battle, she has an expression of sadness and worry, an expression any mother feels when seeing her child screaming in pain, and for a primordial Mother Goddess like Tiamat, seeing a child in pain is the most painful pain she could feel.
- This child is crying in pain... Mother, feel the immense anguish and despair this child is feeling. She's screaming for help... Mother doesn't like to see a child crying in pain! - Tiamat said determinedly, and she began to transform.
Seeing how drastic the situation was, Tiamat decided to unleash all her power to help Gudako, who was in need.
The Goddess Mother transformed into a form that was closest to the true Beast of Humanity form that Ritsuka faced in Babylon, but this time she wasn't losing control.
- A... Mother's... duty... is... to... comfort... her child... when in pain! Mother... refuse... to allow... one of my children... to be in pain! - Tiamat said, forcing her words to sound coherent in this form.
And it is at this moment that the true battle between Ritsuka and Gudako begins.
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To be continued...
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