Chapter 35 - Fantasia (Patreon)

Echo and Fumi filled her in on the fight with Rickard, giving Rose the play by play of what happened, and reenacting with a mock combat as they both relived the thrilling, life and death situation.

Rose sat calmly and unnaturally still, the only motion moving her eyes between Echo and Fumi depending on who was providing the details.

"We all need to get stronger then. If a single cleric of Lux was able to almost kill the three of us…" Rose let the thought trail off.

“But he wasn’t just some cleric anymore. He was way stronger.” Echo clarified.

“A paladin – a chosen of a deity.” Rose explained that when a person was chosen by a specific deity, they would have their body and mind changed by that God’s divine power. Often it came with the side-effect of driving one to madness. But, it was a quick way to improve power. And even better for that God, it would enthrall the person to their will.

"We can eat monsters, but how do you get stronger?" Fumi asked.

Rose smiled, "I need corpses. Lots of corpses. The bigger, the better.”

Echo smiled and held Fumi's hand across the table, "Let's spend some time just relaxing, we deserve some time off. How's your new apartment?"

Rose shrugged, "I'd like to decorate it…Who is this?" She asked, finally noticing Narya who had been fuming there silently at her table, absent-mindedly poking at her food with a fork - being utterly ignored.

"Hmph! I'm Narya. I'll be doing the cooking and cleaning. They assigned me to your apartment, also."

She grabbed one of the nearby pocket slimes and set to scrubbing the table; pointedly scrubbing over the plates that still had food on them which the slimes greedily ate up as they hummed with delight.

"Interesting…" Rose began asking Narya questions about pixies and her creator, and the two were soon chatting away and seemingly getting along famously as Narya told her all about the wonders of her life as a pixie and the amazingness of Malvir, the Maker of Monsters.

Echo and Fumi chose to go out on the town for the remainder of the evening before the celebrations really got underway.

The Guild Hall was packed once more; this time a large banner reading ‘Fantasia’ stretched across the entirety of the bar. Mages were manifesting illusions. Artists of all different mediums and performers were plying their trade or displaying their prowess.

The result was a spectacular display of raw talent from those inclined to artistic pursuits. They overheard word of a large fireworks display at the arena, and Fumi grabbed Echo, only saying "I want to see them."

As they approached one of the entry-tunnels a short time later Fumi grunted with frustration as the whole place was packed. The Sun and The Inferno were beginning to set in the distance which would surely signal the start of the show.

"I don't think we'll be able to get in. I'm sorry, Fumi."

"Ah, you two are back." Echo looked up and saw Pomentar had approached, separating from his attendants as he walked towards the two of them. The Crimson Scale Axan smiled broadly, his sharp maw making for a disturbing sight to the unfamiliar.

He bowed, "Thank you for taking care of that business in The Kingdom. I'm sorry that things panned out the way they did, but I am pleased at your return. Here, further appreciation for your good work." Pomentar handed Echo two metal plates with stamps on them - permanent VIP tickets - and led them to a guarded set of stairs.

The Axan split off and the two ascended to the VIP section. The arena was completely packed as Fumi grabbed onto Echo's arm and pulled him in tight. The stadium continued to fill, and Echo acquired many interesting looking street-style foods and beverages.

The arena grew darker, and a few seconds passed before a large spotlight illuminated the darkened arena floor. Pomentar stood there in resplendent red robes that were a shade darker than his scales.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the official Fantasia performance, sponsored by The Adventurers Guild!"

The crowd exploded in raucous applause for a few moments as Pomentar raised his hands for silence. "We have a great line-up for you this evening. But first, a moment of silence as we remember the grace of our Goddess who Winds Season is named for. Our lady of freedom, expression, the forest, animals, and the air we breathe - Caeli."

Echo glanced around as the whole arena went silent, many heads bowed slightly and mouthing various prayers or hymns.

"Thank you and thank the Goddess. First up this evening, the famous illusionist, here to dazzle you with her wonderful spells and enchant the senses; please give a warm welcome to one of The Essence Isles' greatest mages…Reylna!"

The crowd once more erupted in applause as the spotlight turned off for a few moments. When it turned back on, a child-sized otter standing on her hind legs was in the center of the pedestal; dressed in a fantastic purple dress covered with small silver moons.

She bowed and her brown fur rippled as she raised a purple stave tipped with a blue stone, "My will becomes manifest, turn the night into my dreams, Grand Illusion - Dreamscape!"

Echo felt his vision swim for a moment and hugged Fumi's arm. He blinked his eyes several times and his vision cleared, making eye contact with Reylna who raised an eyebrow quizzically before shrugging and stepping away from the pedestal.

He looked around and saw that the whole crowd - Fumi included - was seemingly in a trance as a purple film covered their eyes. Some laughed, some cried, and some stared in awe at a phantom vision that only they saw.

Echo squeezed Fumi's arm and she shook her head for a moment before looking at him with slightly teary eyes which she quickly wiped away. "...It was…" She grinned and squeezed him so tightly he thought his arm would break off. "...What did you see?"

Echo scratched his head, "I don't think it affected me. My Magic Resistance must be too high."

Fumi nodded, "I saw us. A big fortress with a castle. Children running all over the grounds.”

Echo grinned, "Is that something you want? Kids?”

Fumi shook her head as a shadow crossed her face, "I don’t want my own. Too much work, and I’d outlive them anyways.” Her eyes brightened a little, “A school. Teaching and training them. But not keeping them overnight. The night is for you and me.”

Echo nodded, “If that’s what you want, we’ll make it happen…eventually. We have to travel all of Heimfold still.” He pulled her close and kissed her head, “Those kids would be so smart with me teaching them knowledge from my past life.” He chuckled as he brushed her hair aside, “And you’d make them deadly warriors."

Fumi nestled into his arm and nodded contently, “Mhmm…I’d like that.”

A few moments passed as the surrounding audience members shook off the illusion and looked around, sharing their experiences with others.

The spotlight at the center snapped on once more, revealing Pomentar. "I hope you all enjoyed your wildest dreams coming true! And now a very special presentation; a display of combat prowess, unlike anything you've ever seen!"

Echo and Fumi glanced at each other, and Echo grinned.

We get to see other people fight for once.

"It is so intense, we are going to introduce our next guests beforehand, as their protection is going to be necessary to keep the destruction to a minimum…Please, give a warm welcome to two New Gods. You know him, you love him. Our sponsor for this evening’s entertainment! The Guildmaster, Isaac Grovesward!"

Another spotlight snapped on slightly behind Pomentar as a ripple in space distorted before tearing apart as Isaac stepped through the rift; dressed in lacquered green armor with a massive bow strapped to his back.

"And of course, the officiator who will be providing our fireworks tonight…Responsible for the upgrades to the Great Chain of Lestosk, which has brought us so much wealth. Professor Slate!"

A second spotlight turned on as a massive column of fire flared into existence before a middle-aged man, wearing simple brown robes, glasses, a red and brown beard, and a shaved head stepped out of the flames. The crowd exploded with applause which took several minutes to die down.

Pomentar nodded to the two of them as they both raised their hands, a large amount of warmth emanating from the center of the arena and blowing over the audience - a soothing Heat that comforted all it touched.

Space distorted and rippled as a semi-circle dome appeared, taking up most of the arena floor. Simultaneously, flames began to float above providing much brighter illumination than the oil lamps hung about or the few spotlights. "I thank you, New Gods. Please, clear the center." Isaac and Slate both stepped off to the side, sitting down in some chairs along the edge as Pomentar raised his hands for silence.

"Now that you are all sufficiently safe…our second-to-last event. If you have been around the past few weeks, you may have seen them clash."

Echo felt a bad feeling settle into the pit of his stomach.

That bastard.

He looked at Fumi who was grinning with delight, hand on her sword's grip.

He's using us as entertainment!

That explained why Fumi ran off during their downtime.

"And they are here to show you their deadly skills. She fought against The Empire in the past and was so dangerous she was locked away - only to escape and find true love. And her male companion, an adventurer from another world who became a monster in human flesh...May I present-"

A flaming orb appeared above Echo and Fumi, illuminating them.

"-Echo Asheron, Monster of The Guild. And Fumi Medrana Soju, Maven of the Blade."

Fumi jumped to her feet and activated her full suite of Abilities, dragging Echo as she jumped across the arena in a single leap and landed, entering the semi-circle.

What the hell. May as well.

It’s not like Fumi would let him pass on the chance to show off in front of people.

Echo reached into the pocket-dimension and pulled out his sword and shield, as Fumi slowly unsheathed her katana.

She took up an intimidating stance and grinned with unbridled joy, "Ready, Echo?"

"Let's give them a show." He let his Quintessence well up and surround him in an aura as the crackling crimson sparks showered out. Fumi followed suit, her bright, emerald green aura rising in mesmerizing waves.

Pomentar left the pedestal and stood off to the side, "Begin!"

The two didn't hold back, trusting in the prowess of the other to prevent injury or death. They knew each other’s fighting styles intrinsically at this point from their countless hours of training, and they were equally matched – save for combat experience.

Fumi slashed horizontally, vertically, stabbed - every combination imaginable with several kicks and flying elbows added in for flourish, earning several oohs and ahhs from the audience.

Echo maintained a defensive posture, parrying or gently catching Fumi's strikes with his sword and blocking with his shield. He was not fighting as hard as he could, knowing that things would just escalate once Fumi got serious.

They were still warming up.

To those outside, whatever bubble Isaac had made to protect them from the fight inside also slowed perception - so they could keep up with the combat. Jaws dropped at the fierce and explosive display of battle prowess.

Those among the audience who knew something about combat were actively applauding.

This was the type of display that would put the most seasoned hero to shame.

Fumi pulled back and her blade illuminated with green Quintessence as she prepared an Ability, raising her sword as space split asunder; sparking with green and coated in red sparks that ascended into the sky.

Echo activated Alacrity – Overcharge. And just in time, as Fumi did the same mid-Ability activation.

"Rift Strike!" She brought the blade down and Echo barely sidestepped as the spatial distortion sliced just next to him.

"Resonating Thrust!" She thrust forward and Echo was barely able to lean back in time as the blast of sonic energy blew overhead, pulling a Matrix-level dodge as he righted himself.

He had scantly regained his posture as she dashed right next to him, swinging horizontally. "Spatial Sever!"

He dropped to a squat and rolled under the slash as it eviscerated space above him.

Within the span of a second, she had unleashed all three Abilities that Echo knew she possessed, and had he not been in Alacrity’s Overcharge state he would have been handily beaten, if not killed outright.

In response to her flurry of destructive Abilities, he slammed shield into the ground, "Transmute Substance!" A surge of silver energy crackling with red sparks surged into the ground before the stone rose around Fumi, attempting to trap her.

She was too fast and sliced through the stone, jumping away at the same time.

Got you now!

Echo raised a hand towards her now airborne position, creating a new spatial magic spell on the fly, "Stasis!"

Fumi had no way to dodge in the air and the spell made impact a microsecond later, freezing her in her relative point in space. She stayed put, frozen, and unable to do anything. Echo jumped up and grabbed her weapon, trying to pull it loose from her grip.

She smiled and Echo recoiled.

Did it not affect her?

No. She had done something else.

Fumi had seen the incoming spell, risked casting one herself without speaking, and created a ripple in space in her immediate vicinity that also held her still. Echo's spell hadn't impacted at all, he had impacted her distorted space.

Fumi released her spell and landed a hit on Echo's shoulder, which cut into him and forced him downward from the weight of the blow.

Fumi's strike and momentum drove the two of them onto the floor of the arena with a meteoric impact. The ground cracked as a spider web pattern traced out from the impact crater.

Echo felt an intense amount of pain, and while his regeneration prevented him from being permanently injured…It was still a painful blow. He coughed up blood as Fumi panted slightly from the exertion.

There were gasps from the crowd as - to an observer who didn't know about Echo's durability - someone was killed in front of them.

Echo rocketed to an upright position. “My turn,” he said, smiling at this amazing woman who captured every moment of his attention. He bashed at her with his shield before following up with an overhead strike. This was their love language, the fierce commitment to become stronger and protect each other, iron sharpening iron, soul sharpening soul.

Fumi was staggered backwards by the shield bash and was not able to block the vertical slash, only stepping back enough that it sliced through her torso. Her Regeneration repaired the damage, and she grinned at him as blood dripped from the corner of her mouth. Her green Quintessence covered with crimson sparks filled the area around her form.

She stepped back, raising her blade aloft once more as the power flowed into her raised sword. She was preparing to use her Rift Strike once more, as space in the area had recovered enough to allow such warping again.

Echo smiled the biggest smile he ever had.

I need to come up with something flashy like that.

He breathed deeply and held up his shield, going through in his mind the steps that Rose had instructed when Fumi first developed her Rift Strike.

Make a spell but use your physical stats.

He pictured the effect he wanted – a protective barrier that could protect him and those he loved from anything that could come their way. His silver Quintessence billowed around him, sparking crimson, and flowed up to his shield.

“Guardian’s Embrace!” He unleashed the Quintessence into his body, his arm, his shield – using his Fortitude stat as the focus. The silver-crimson power flowed up to the shield and created a large bubble surrounding him.

“Hyah!” Fumi swung the Rift Strike down.

The spectral, space-severing blade impacted the barrier, crashing down on it. Where the two Abilites met, silver and green Quintessence melded and fought against each other, the crimson sparks flaring and connecting in arcs.

Then, the world went white.

Audience members covered their eyes as the enormous flash of light exploded out from the fierce display.

Isaac frowned, “Damnit, you two went over the top.” He glanced over at Slate who looked ecstatic. “We need to stop them, or else we’ll have a problem on our hands.”

Slate waved Isaac off, “It’s fine. This is the end. Just watch.”

Fumi’s Rift Strike ran out as the white light faded. Echo’s barrier still stood.

I made my first Ability.

Echo passed out.

Fumi ran over to him, cradling his head and reaching into his hip pouch, pulling out a healing potion and jamming it down his throat.

Echo coughed as the sickly-sweet, cough-syrup consistency potion trickled down his throat. He was filled with enough energy that he could open his eyes and see his wonderful Fumi, who leaned in to kiss him passionately.

He struggled up to his feet with her help, kissing her once they were standing, holding her in a passionate embrace with his shield arm around her back. Protecting her. His love. His soul mate.

The crowd exploded. “This Fantasia has everything!”

“Right? First that giant WHOOSH.”

“Then those spells!”

“Mommy, I want to be a monster, too!”

“Those Ogo…I didn’t know those freaks had warriors like that.”

“More! Another round!”

“Did you see that? Why don’t you kiss me like that anymore?”

The two monsters separated.

Pomentar came over and whispered to Echo, "Good show. Go ahead and sit over next to the Gods over there. They wanted to talk to you."

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