I hate you.
I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!
Why are you here? Just to kill people? Just to destroy things? Just to make us sad?
Can’t you see you’re making us cry? Can’t you see the world would be better off without you?
Die. Go away.
Or else…I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!!
That was her cry. A cry of vengeance. Of grief turned to anger, and then hate.
It was the darkness in her heart made manifest.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Tempest!”
A cry.
“Tempest!!”
A howl.
“Nizelle!!”
A violent rampage.
There was a flash of light and a deafening roar as the wind turned black as night.
“No…it can’t be!!” growled Gareth.
“It’s Aiz!” said Riveria. “She’s combining her magic with her skill!”
The huge tornado that took up the entire space contracted down in an instant, shrouding the young Aiz in a fearsome wind. The next moment, she threw herself at Delphyne.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaghhh!!”
Clad in jet-black wind, her weapon sliced the great wyrm’s flesh, spilling blood as hot as boiling magma. The girl’s armor of storms kept her safe, however, and each slash produced six sharp blades of devastating wind that tore at the beast’s hide.
“Rooooooooaaaaaaaaaghhh?!”
Delphyne howled in agony, experiencing true pain for the first time. All the while, the black wind continued eating away at the dragon’s flesh so quickly that its regeneration could not keep up.
“She’s…she’s winning!” cried Riveria. “But…!”
As if to confirm her fears, at that moment a magnificent crack rang out, and a split appeared down the length of Aiz’s sword.
“Desperate got damaged?!” bellowed Gareth in disbelief. “That beast’s hide is stronger than a Durandal weapon?”
The pair from Loki Familia knew all about the darkness that lurked in the Sword Princess’s heart, but this was their first time seeing it manifest. Riveria’s eyes trembled in fear.
“Stop it… Stop it! You can’t keep this up! You’ll die!” she screamed. But Aiz did not answer her. Her eyes were dark and hollow, and she could not be stopped.
As if feeding on her hatred, the black wind grew in volume and intensity.
“Aiz!!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Up until a few moments ago, it had been fire and infernos that ruled the eighteenth floor. Now, in the blink of an eye, the ominous black wind replaced it all. All of Astrea Familia could only watch in terror.
“The Sword Princess…” muttered Lyu. “She’s fighting that thing by herself!”
“She’s just one human!” yelled Lyra. “How the hell’s she doin’ that?!”
Meanwhile, Alfia looked on in admiration.
“Exceptional,” she said. “The black wind. Unparalleled power. No wonder Hera wanted it.”
Despite her distance from the raging battle, the winds emanating off it extinguished her voice. They scattered the flames and sundered the earth. Alfia needed to shout for the girls to even hear her.
“See that?” she cried. “That is the power of loss! Of fear and despair! That is the pinnacle of mortal strength, which can only be achieved by those who walk the darkest path!”
“Hrh…?!”
“Those are the heights our ancestors attained! That is the peak they gazed upon! Like her, we must know sacrifice! Like her, the many must die so that the chosen few can ascend higher! Only then will we find the strength to slay the Black Dragon!”
This was the reasoning behind the conquerors’ choice. Aiz was living proof that their quest would bear fruit, and that a return to the Age of Heroes was the only way.
“No! That’s not right!” yelled Alize.
“Is it not? Then show me.”
Alfia turned and addressed the girls. Unlike her dark master, debates and philosophy did not interest her. What she wanted was very simple.
“Show me a greater power. Show me proof I cannot deny.”
“““!!”””
The black wind was born of rage and despair. It was Alfia’s argument made manifest. To dissuade her, the girls needed to surpass it.
“Justice! Determination! Willpower! If these are so important to you, then show me why!”
The woman who had been defeated by the Black Dragon stood firm, defying the girls to answer.