Last Drop of Hope, Chapter 33 (Patreon)

With a sigh, Tina hung up the comms relay and turned to the others. “Well, her Majesty seems to approve of our actions, at least.” 

They were all sitting in the main conference room of the headquarters, with plush executive chairs in black leather, a myriad of screens surrounding them and a central holoprojector. The room was rather dark, lit by the glow of the now inactive hologram, but the table was fine hardwood imported from Discord. It was also cool and dry, which after her battle Tina rather appreciated. Cecily had healed her wounds and she’d cleaned up, and now they’d delivered a report back to Queen Iris in Axel. 

“We will continue to serve her with all our hearts,” Claire said solemnly, and Walter shook his head slowly.

“I can’t believe you really do have a queen. And was she serious about shipping us several tons of food? That’s…that’s insane. I mean, it won’t be enough to feed the city, but it will bolster my men and give us a major bargaining position.”

“Several tons today. They’ll arrive in a few hours, and after that, if your men can escort it, she’ll provide you with more until Rain and Cecily can recruit enough Axis Cultists to get a farm going. If Aqua herself can visit, we’ll have a production center where you can harvest enough to feed the city going within a few days,” Tina pointed out. 

That got Walter to laugh. “If I tell my officers they’ll get food, every single one of them will convert to whatever religion you want. The same goes for most of the gang bangers and civilians. They’re already killing one another for stale ration bars and tainted water. Clean water and fresh fruits and vegetables? They’ll do whatever you want.”

“All they need do is give thanks to our Lady Aqua, and give her offerings and prayers!” Cecily said excitedly. “Just have them sign here on the dotted line!” 

She handed the parchment to Walter, who instead of signing immediately read it over. He’d always been a meticulous one. His eyebrows rose as he climbed. “My immortal soul is pledged to Aqua? I’d be more skeptical of that if I hadn’t just seen my own progenitor dragged off to hell.”

“It’s more of a life insurance policy! Just imagine, you can choose from one of our afterlife packages!” Cecily said excitedly, then frowned. “Huh. You know, I never did get around to asking Aqua what happens to use after we die…but I assume it’s super fun!” 

“I’m sure,” Walter sighed, then scanned the rest of the document. “Offerings defined as…bottle of spirits, sugary snacks, savory snacks, various forms of junk food, and objects of art crafted by yourself. And who defines what art is?”

“Art is whatever makes Lady Aqua happy, obviously!” Cecily said cheerfully.

“She’s pretty loose with it. I’m no artist, but I tried drawing a picture of her and she absolutely loved it. Said it counted as my offerings for a month,” Rain said, looking slightly bemused. “I’m going to limit test it at some point, but despite her, ah, less than cognitive nature, she seems well-intentioned. And, well, she did keep us from starving and give us clean water with no strings attached.”

“Plus, if you act now, we’ll throw in a free copy of “The Sayings of Lady Aqua” by yours truly!” Cecily said, slapping a small pamphlet on the table.

Walter picked that up as well, then chortled. “‘If it gets to hard, just give up, do whatever is easiest’, and ‘All Love is good in the sight of Lady Aqua, be you gay, straight, or both! As long as everyone consents it’s OK!’ That, uh, seems rather open-minded of her.”

“Well, just between you and me, handsome, I’m holding out for a polycule, because why limit yourself? I want a cute boy and a cute girl!” Cecily said in a stage whisper. 

“Well, it’s not like you couldn’t do whatever you wanted so long as you had enough money before,” Walter said with a shrug. He picked up the parchment and signed it with a flourish, then started when it glowed blue and then vanished. 

A moment later, he went pale. “Is it…normal to hear her speak to you in your head?” 

“Yes,” Tina confirmed. “She does that from time to time, though you probably just got her version of a prerecorded message if she wasn’t paying particular attention to you at the moment.”

“Welcome to the Axis Cult! Have a free bar of edible soap!” Cecily said eagerly, and produced a bar with a quick spell, then handed it to Walter.

“You don’t actually have to eat it,” Rain said with a heavy sigh, rubbing her temple. 

“Are you kidding? If this is actually edible, it’s free rations,” Walter told her, then took a big bite. He grimaced, but chewed and swallowed. “Well, I’ve had better but- URRRP.” 

To his horror, a large soapy bubble popped out of his mouth, and Walter looked vaguely ill.

Cecily patted him on the back, beaming happily. “I’m glad to see you’ve embraced our Lady Aqua so fully! Axis Brand edible soap is good for dental health and digestion!”

“Well, it’s probably better than starving to death?” Walter managed after taking a swing of water from his glass. He shook his head and pushed the lump of soap to the side. “Regardless, what we need to do next is secure Fellos for her Majesty. With supplies, my officers’ morale will be restored, and they’ll be more than willing to fight if they get a hot meal out of it. Or even a cold one.”

“But maybe not the soap,” Claire said with a snort, earning her an offended look from Cecily.

“There is the other matter of Maxwell,” Tina said, trying to keep things on topic. “He’s been dealt with for now, but whatever forces controlled him need to be dealt wtih. If it is the Church of Revenge, then I am concerned. Her majesty mentioned that they also kidnapped an entire town’s population. Perhaps we can contact Kazuma and work together on this. Rain, you go through Alderp’s possessions and see if you can find any information on where the Church might be performing these foul deeds.”

“Understood, I’ll get right on it,” Rain agreed, and stood to get to work. 

“Well, I think I’d best let the men know the good news,” Walter said, and went over to the PA system. Keying in a code, he waited a moment, then spoke into the receiver. “All Nytetech personnel: This is Captain Walter Alexi. I will be blunt: My father attempted to see all NyteTech personnel to the Church of Revenge for a pitance. He was killed by the same Revenger who he attempted to double cross and sell us out to.

“However, I do not come to you merely to say that I am in command now: Indeed, I am not. I have brokered a deal with, ah, a new faction. To be brief: In a few hours, shipments of food and potable water will begin to arrive from Axel. I will let you know more about the current situation once you’ve had a hot meal in you. There, Commander Tina Ford of the Royal Belzergian Army will outline the situation for you. Captain Alexi out.”

“That’s all?” Tina asked, surprised. 

“They’ll believe me once the food gets here. So it had best comes soon,” Walter said grimly. 

“I can help with the water! And healing,” Cecily offered. “They don’t even need to sign up for the Axis Cult! The gifts of Lady Aqua are for everyone!” 

“Well, she must charge a premium for none members, or she’ll never make a profit,” Walter said ruefully.

“Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Aqua charge for anything. Frankly, I don’t think she even understands money,” Claire stated. Walter gave her an incredulous look, but shrugged, clearly not wanting to argue. 

“Any help will be appreciated,” Walter said frankly. “Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary.” 

Lacking anything better to do at the moment, Tina and Claire tagged along to the makeshift hospital that had formerly been the parking garage. They were greeted by a harassed-looking medical technician in blood-stained scrubs with dark circles under his eyes. 

“Is it true about the food and water? What about medical supplies? I’ve not even got basic painkillers left. There’s barely anything I can do for these poor sons of bitchs beside bandage them and given them somewhere clean to lie down.”

“It’s alright, Anthony, it’s on the way. But I brought you some medical assistance now,” Alexi assured the medic. 

Anthony looked around sceptically, until Cecily stepped forward with a bar of soap and an Axis Cult sign up sheet. “Sign up now for the Axis Cult, and you can get a free bar of edible Axis Soap!” 

“Real soap?” Anthony asked. He grabbed the form, but hesitated. “How many bars of soap can I have?”

“Well, I can make it pretty easily, it’s just a cantrip, but it only lasts for a couple of hours before it disappears. Don’t worry, if you eat it, you still get the nutrients!” Cecily assured him.

“Hell, I’d sell my soul for some proper disinfectant, this is close enough,” Anthony decided, and signed the sheet. He immediately paused and blinked. “Uh, hello? Yes, I’m Tony Medici…uh, Cleric? Healing? Look, lady, I don’t know who you are, but if helps my patients- shit I’ll give you the first sip of ever drink I have for the rest of my life!” 

“Hooray!” Cecily cheered, as a blue glow wrapped around Anthony the Medic. She gave the frazzled medic a hug, heedless of the grunge. “Welcome to the Axis Cult, brother! Now, let’s make some soap and heal some soldiers!” 

“I…uh…yeah. Praise Lady Aqua?” Anthony said, looking rather shaken. 

“Praise be! Come, let us heal the sick and recruit new believers for our wonderful goddess!” Cecily said, and grabbed Anthony’s hand to pull him into the hospital. 

Tina and Claire helped as best they could with triaging patients, along with using the soap that Cecily created to help disinfect wounds. Tina wasn’t certain what the efficacy of edible soap was in cleaning wounds, but hot soapy water was better than letting them simply fester. There were dozens of injured, some severely, and Anthony and Cecily soon ran out of healing spells, forced to lay down before they collapsed from Mind Down. 

“Gimme…gimme just a few minutes,” Cecily gasped, her eyes unfocused and face sweaty and pale. “I gotta…gotta heal them all. Tell them…tell them it’s OK now. Aqua’s here.” 

“You know, you’re quite the remarkable woman, odd as you are,” Alexi told Cecily, coming over and giving her a steaming mug along with a small bar of chocolate. “Here, hot coffee and something from father’s private reserve. Tina told me it would help you recover more quickly.”

Cecily took the mug and drank it, her eyes slowly focusing. “Oh, that’s REAL coffee! It’s…it’s wonderful! Let me try-”

Taking a bit of chocolate, Cecily’s face went slack, and tears filled her eyes. 

“Cecily? Cecily, are you alright?” Walter asked, taking her face in his hands. 

To his shock, Cecily lunged forward and kissed him passionately on his lips, before grabbing the bar of chocolate and snarfing it down with gusto. “Bring me another one of those, and I’ll have your babies! Or do whatever you want! What IS that?!”

“Uh, it’s…it’s chocolate,” Walter managed, looking slightly polaxed. 

“Well it’s WONDERFUL. Almost as good as Lady Aqua!” Cecily sighed. She tried to get up then, but Walter pushed her back down when he saw she was still staggering. “Oof, when I said I’d have your babies, I didn’t mean right now! Fun times is for after there’s no one dying!” 

“And you’re still not recovered enough to be up and healing people,” Walter said firmly, even though he was blushing. “You-”

“Miss Cecily?” one of the NyteTech officers who’d been healed said, coming up and looking rather bashful. “Do you think…do you think we could join the Axis Cult too? If that’s alright, Captain.”

“I’m a member already. Speaking of, the hoverbarges with the food will be here in minutes. Let’s get ready to receive it,” Alexi said, standing up. “You stay here and make sure Miss Cecily and Specialist Tony don’t kill themselves healing everyone.”

Tina and Claire followed Anthony to the loading dock, where the heavily armed soldiers were waiting. “Right you apes, do you want to live forever?” Walter demanded. 

“Fuck yeah, but I don’t wanna live hungry!” someone shouted back. 

“Then let’s get that grub!” Walter ordered, putting on his helmet and drawing his rife. “Come on!” 

They charged out into the courtyard, Tina carrying a heavy reinforced riot shield and her fire axe. The desperate gangsters waiting for them immediately opened fire with small arms, but this was a foe she was well prepared for. 

“FACE ME!” Tina bellowed, activating her Decoy skill, along with Astra Defense. All the enemies that could see her instantly redirected their fire, only to have it splatter off the glowing runes of light that orbited around her. She crashed forward, covering for the others as Claire activated her Dead Eye skill and started using her pistols to snipe enemies at 100 yards, a normally impossible feat, but she was doing it on fully automatic. By the time they reached the center of the blasted courtyard, the gangbangers that weren’t wounded or dead were running for the hills.

“Fleshshaper’s tits, Captain, who the fuck are these two?” one of officers demanded of Alexi. 

“I told you, they’re the emmisaries of the queen,” Alexi stated. “Now look sharp! Food’s commin’ in!” 

They took up overwatch positions around the buildings, and minutes later, two massive hoverbargers escorted by half a dozen air cars appeared. They came in for a landing in the courtyard, with the NyteTech officers looking on nervously. 

Then the hatch popped open, and to Tina’s delight, Ruff the Street Chef popped out. “I heard someone ordered delivery! Well, come on over, some of the food’s still feisty!” 

“Ruff, you son of a bitch! You’re a sight for sore eyes,” Tina told him, taking off her helmet and clasping the big man’s hand. 

He grinned at her. “I heard you’d lived Miss Tina! Glad to hear it, glad to here it. And that you’ve got us some new recruits.”

“Indeed.” Tina turned as the first crates were unloaded from the barge, and salivating NyteTech officers crowded around. She cracked open a crate, then pulled out a fish to her surprise. 

“Mackeral,” Ruff told her. “Uh, they grow in fields. Kinda weird, but at least they don’t bite like the tomatoes do.”

“This food is provided by Her Majesty Iris Stylish Sword Belzerg, and by the Goddess Aqua,” Tina announced. “This first shipment is free to all. However, only those who swear loyalty to Her Majesty and join the Axis Cult will continue to be provisioned. We have a war to fight, and can only afford to feed soldiers.”

“I will swear,” Alexi said, having planned this out with Tina before hand. He stepped forward, then fell to one knee, offering up his rifle. “I pledge to serve the True Queen of Belzerg, anointed of the gods, Her Majesty Iris Stylish Sword Belzerg, with my life and love, for so long as my body has breath. And to worship Lady Aqua, Goddess of Waters, and purge this world of demons and wicked corporations.”

“Then rise, Captain, and serve your queen,” Tina said, resting the flat of her axe on Alexi’s shoulders. 

As he did so, a card appeared out of thin air, and floated into Alexi’s hands.

“Sorry I was late, you can be a Crusader too because Cecily thinks you’re cute?” Alexi muttered. “Uh, thank you, Lady Aqua.”

Then Alexi got two freshly picked mackerals, a potato, and a plum. 

“It’s good,” Alexi said, taking a bit of the raw fish and grinning. “Real food! You’d have to pay 10,000 credits for real meat and vegetables like this!” 

“Well shit, if the captain’s signing up, so am I!” one of the sergeants declared, and eagerly swore loyalty as well. After that, it was a scramble for everyone to bend the knee and swear, especially when they saw there was fresh water as well. 

“It’s not much,” Claire said once they’d got the first batch sworn and set them to unloading the barges. “About 200 officers and twice that in support staff.”

“But it’s something,” Tina said, smiling at her lover. “We’ve done the queen’s work today.”

“That we have,” Claire agreed. “Rain called though. She found who Alderp made his deal with. You won’t like it.”

“Don’t tell me. Seredisia herself,” Tina groaned.

“Worse. Her, and Vanir. Masked Media and the Church are working together. And they’re just one town over. Kazuma got in touch and said his gang is heading to Brindle City. He found some more Crimson Demons, apparently they were working for Cat’s Eye.”

“What? Crimson Demons working for a corp?” Tina asked, frowning.

Claire shrugged. “Can’t say why. But I think we should meet him there. Leave Rain here to watch over things, but we take Alexi and Cecily with us. Maybe a couple squads of Alexi’s best too. It’ll be a rough fight.”

Tina considered, then nodded. “Let’s make the call. I have a debt to settle with Maxwell.”

And, hopefully, they could take out two corporations at once. 

Getting used to comfortable beds had been frighteningly easy for Yunyun. She’d spent most of her life sleeping on bare concrete or metal, but a few weeks of comfortable beds at ShopWiz had she’d gone soft. 

Glancing over at her sisters, Yunyun smiled. Megumin and Komekko were both snoring softly, apparently dead to the world. They were sprawled out on a pile of cushions in a corner of the train station, where they were resting before their trip to Brindle City. Who knew what sort of horrors waited there. 

Hoost had his head tucked under one wing, and was perched on a bench not far away. The Succubi were laying in the floor in a circle around Komekko like a pack of loyal hounds, which in one way was sweet and another completely terrifying. Kazuma and Lolisa were in the hallway by themselves, while Arnes was curled up under her wings on the roof, claiming she “snored like a freight train.”

Taking a look around the darkened room, Yunyun spotted Bukkororii, Pekonyan, and Chekeria all sleeping together in a pile as well. The boys were quite the find. Yunyun didn’t know what it all meant yet, but the Crimson Demons were not truly wiped out after all. To find kin here, even cloned kin…it was comforting. She and her sisters weren’t alone anymore.

Getting up quietly, Yunyun walked over to where Nerimaki was sitting by the door, a gun in her lap as she peered out the darkned trainyard. She looked up at Yunyun and hastily stood to salute. “No enemies, chief! I’m on watch!”

“Good job,” Yunyun said, smiling at the gir. “Get s-some rest. I’m not tried.”

“You sure? It’s my watch for another hour,” Nerimaki said, then yawned hugely.

“Go a-ahead, I’m not sleepy,” Yunyun said, and Nerimaki didn’t argue further, stumbling over to the cushions with Megumin and Komekko and slumping over. She was asleep in mere moments, snoring softly. 

Nodding to herself, Yunyun turned back to gaze out at the trainyard. It was silent as the grave instead of noise and bustle, which was eerie enough. What was worse was knowing where those people had gone too.

Reaching into her robes, Yunyun pulled out Chomusuke, and set the little cat on her lap, stroking her soft fur. “Are you really a CEO? You don’t seem like it.”

Chomusuke’s yellow eyes looked up at Yunyun, the cat purring happily. 

With a sigh, Yunyun turned back to look into the darkness. “I wish you c-could teach me that spell you used…it looked very powerful.”

It was Explosion magic, the mightiest spell known. 

Yunyun’s hand froze, then she picked up Chomusuke and peered into the cat’s eyes. “Can…can you h-hear me?”

Yes. Though my mind is foggy. Thank you for saving me, Yunyun of the Crimson Demon Clan. 

“I should t-tell Arnes!” Yunyun gasped, jumping to her feet. 

No! That big old worry wort would be in a tizzy. Relax, child. I wanted to speak to you.

Slowly, Yunyun knelt, holding Chomusuke up before her. “About…about what?”

Chomusuke grinned. Showing off more teeth than probably should have fit in her mouth. Magic, of course. I tried bringing back the Crimson Demon Clan to restore magic, but my children were lacking until recently despite my best efforts. You, however, are a true Crimson Demon, with the blood of chiefs.

“Thank you for that,” Yunyun said, tears filling her eyes. “I-I thought I’d doomed my people, that I-I would be the last chief…”

You will not. Not if Aqua has truly returned. The blue headed bimbo.

Yunyun frowned, and her eyes glowed softly. “Don’t disrespect Lady Aqua. She’s my friend.”

Hmph. Well, maybe I can persuade you to follow the true path of Magic. How does learning Explosion magic sound?

Biting her lip, Yunyun considered. “Is…is it as powerful as it l-looked?”

More. That was with that bitch Seredisia cursing me and redirecting most of my spell’s power to fuel her own spell. Even then I know I did at least a little damage to her, because she fled instead of finishing me off. It might be the only thing that can cut through Regina’s blessing of Revenge.

“Then I want to learn it! Very much!” Yunyun said eagerly. 

Good, child, good. Let me see your card.

Taking out her pouch, Yunyun hastily pulled out her Adventurer’s card, and offered it to the cat. 

Hold it up. I don’t have thumbs in this form. There, like that. Hmm…

Yunyun found herself holding her breath as the little cat examined her card. “Um, a-are my stats good?”

For a Crimson Demon, your stats are excellent. For a normal mortal, your stats are so inflated as to be hilarious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Crimson Demon with such high melee skills, or this many combat skills. Are you really that good with a knife?

In response, Yunyun pulled out one of her knives, then spun it through her fingers in one of the knife dances she was taught when she was old enough to walk. Then she held out the hilt of the knife towards Chomosuke. “See the notches?”

There’s too many to count, the cat responded after glancing at it. 

“There are. And I only put a notch on it when I kill a Blackhat in full armor with the knife only,” Yunyun said, her eyes glowing again. 

Well, that is impressive, but no more putting points into melee skills. Intermediate Magic…well, that will be good enough with your over inflated stats and Foremost Chieftain skill. Now, let me show you Explosion Magic. Gaze into my eyes.

Yunyun obeyed, crouching down to see into Wolbach’s eyes. The yellow orbs seemed to glow, and Yunyun felt as though she were falling. A moment later, she jerked up, looking around wildly. The light was much brighter now, but it came from burning candles. She was in a study of some sort, with an old wooden desk set against a stone wall hung with tapestries and scrolls. There were crystal orbs, various vials filled with oddly colored liquid, and a blush rug over a hardwood floor. There were also two very comfortable looking armchairs, and a roaring fireplace, in front of which lay a massive black sabertoothed cat. 

Sitting in one of the chairs was a woman Yunyun recognized. She had a strange red gem on her forehead, amber eyes, and shoulder length red hair. What was different about her was that instead of long elfin ears, she had two furry black cat ears poking out of the side of her head. 

“Come, have a seat by the fire. I might not have much control of the world outside, but in my inner world, I still reign,” Wolbach, CEO of Cat’s Eye Group said, and indicated the other armchair. 

Slowly, Yunyun walked over to the chair, glancing at the sleeping cat. “Is that…Chomusuke?”

“That is quite the adorable name you gave me,” Wolbach chuckled. “Yes, I suppose. That’s my slothful side at the moment, as I have chosen violence for now. Unfortunately, my form is restricted to that of a small kitten, my power bound. But if you unleash me…well. Then I can make those two pay.”

An evil look came over Wolbach, and the sleeping cat looked up, licking its chops and yawning to show the canines as long as Yunyun’s forearm. Even as her heart sped up, the beast lay back down and started snoring again, but she still felt slightly uneasy. Fighting monsters was something Crimson Demons were good at, but that didn’t mean she relished the thought of taking on a massive tiger with her bare hands and Intermediate spells.

Though come to think of it, Megumin definitely would have. 

“Now, I have a grimouire for you,” Wolbach said, and reached for a large tome with a cover of black velvet. On it was a mashroom cloud of red, and strange runes Yunyun couldn’t read. “Explosion is a rare and powerful spell. To learn it, you must invest a great many skill points…ordinarily. However, there is a secret to magic they don’t often tell you.”

“What is it?” Yunyun asked, eagerly reaching for the book, though Wolbach held it just out of reach. 

“Skill points are the quick and easy way to learn new spells, it’s true. And the simplest way to power up a spell is to invest more skill points. However, before skill points, wizards had to study long and hard. Some would spend years to master a single spell. Even with skill points, a wizard who learns a spell well can increase its power and even reduce the costs if they devote their all to learning all their is to know about a spell. Do you think you could do that?”

Grinning, Yunyun let her eyes flash crimson. “I am the Foremost Genius of the Crimson Demon Clan, and it’s rightful chief. I’ll learn that spell in a week.”

“Excellent. But first, a demonstration. Come.”

Standing and still carrying the spell book, Wolbach led Yunyun to a spiral staircase at the back of the room, then up several flights of stairs to a trap door, which led up to a roof. Blinking in the sunlight, Yunyun found they were looking out a vista that she knew couldn’t be real. 

All around them was beautiful, pristine wilderness. A mountain stream burbled down a cliffside, turning a wooden paddlewheel that ajoined the tower. White clouds filled a blue sky, where birds and insects flew about. Below them was a seaof green pines on a mountain slope, that moved down into a fog shrouded valley where deciduous trees grew. It was breath taking, and brought a tear to Yunyun’s eyes. Such a place had not existed on Belzerg in hundreds of years. 

 “Wonderful, isn’t it? This is what my tower looked like, back when I was a general in the Devil King’s army. I spent most of my time here, researching spells. I’ve always been a solitary sort, and I wasn’t overly fond of the company of my fellow generals. Save for Wiz, she’s a darling. Though she came at the end.”

Wolbach picked up a staff that had been leaning against the wooden parapet, and pointed it towards a section of the slope that was denuded of trees by a recent rockslide. “Now, watch and learn, and listen well.”

Yunyun nodded, eagerly taking out a data pad to record it. Only what came out was a charcoal pencil and rough paper on a pad. Interesting, but not important. 

Closing her eyes, Wolbach extended the staff out before her in both hands. 

Crimson-black blaze, king of myriad worlds, though I promulgate the laws of nature, I am the alias of destruction incarnate in accordance with the principles of creation.

As Wolbach chanted, a hot wind began to blow, whipping Yunyun’s hair about and ruffling the paper as she scrawled out the chant. Glowing sparks began to form along Wolbach’s staff, and Yunyun could sense it as Wolbach drew the thick mana of the area towards her. As her chant continued, larger sparks formed and flew out towards the rockslide, and a hammer of rainbow light began to form. 

Then, Wolbach extended her staff, shouting as she opened her eyes. 

Let the hammer of eternity descend unto me!

EXPLOSION!

In awestruck wonder, Yunyun watched as a new sun was birthed, seering her eyes with an image of pure power. The blastwave rocked the tower like a blade of grass, and Yunyun was knocked off her feet, nearly blown off the tower top by the force of the blow. 

All the while, Wolbach stood strong, her staff pointing at the heart of destruction she had unleashed, a wide grin on her face. She extended her arms, tilting her head back as she bathed in the awesome violence she had unleashed. 

When the blast faded and the towering pillar of black smoke bloomed into the sky, Wolbach turned, grinning down at Yunyun as she slowly got to her feet. “Well, my young apprentice. What say you?”

“I must have it!” Yunyun panted, her mind giddy at the very thought of such awesome power at her command. If she could cast that spell, all would fear the Crimson Demon Clan, and none would dare hurt her family ever again. “You have to teach me!”

Gravely, Wolbach extended the spellbook, which Yunyun eagerly seized with both hands. “Then study well. I can bend time a little here. Learn this spell well, Yunyun. And I promise you power the likes of which has not been seen on Belzerg since the end of the great war.”

“Yes,” Yunyun agreed eagerly, opening the book and sitting down right where she was, even as cinders and ash rained about her. “I will master Explosion Magic. I must!” 

She didn’t see the wicked grin that split Wolbach’s face, but it wouldn’t have changed Yunyun’s mind. She had to have the Explosion Spell. It was the most glorious thing she had ever seen. 

And thus was born the Legend of Crimson.