ETERNAL HEROES

About
ETERNAL HEROES is a short story featuring characters from Alicesoft's Rance Series included in the manual of the release edition of Kichikuou Rance. Set at an unknown point during the GL Era, it centers around The Legendary Five, the strongest adventuring party in the history of The Continent, as it attempts to investigate the Ancient Ruins for a means of defeating the Dark Lords. It is notable for being the only work in the Rance series to take place in a time prior to the GI Era, making it one of the only depictions of the often-discussed GL era. Similarly, it also boasts one of the only direct appearances of the Supreme God Planner, a character that factors heavily into the lore of the series' setting but has minimal presence within the games themselves.

Despite its association with the non-canonical Kichikuou Rance, the events of the story are repeatedly alluded to by the members of the Legendary Five in many of their later appearances, suggesting that its content, at least broadly, is still considered to be canon to the rest of the series.

Characters

 * British
 * Nikkou
 * Café Artful
 * Ho-Raga
 * Chaos
 * Eina
 * Shin
 * Mei
 * Planner
 * Gele (mentioned)

Text
Whether the moon has risen.

Whether the stars are shining.

Nevertheless… The night is the time when the monsters feed.

That is the only night that exists in this world.

This is a story from long ago… About 1,500 years before LP0003…

The age of terror. The age when Demon King Gele ruled the world.

****

The new moon hung against the night sky like a cat’s claw. There were no stars… and a cold wind blew in from the north.

*brrrrr…* *brrrrr…*

The firmly-gated windows that rattled against the wind. The doors of every home. Everything was locked tight.

This was a symbol of rejection… Of retreating from all that appeared in the darkness. A symbol of fear.

The inns, which were meant to welcome guests at all times and under all circumstances, were no different…

****

At an inn in the town nearest to the Ancient Ruins, a group of five adventurers was staying. The five were each resting in their respective rooms. They were a group who, for various reasons, had been brought together by the goal of defeating the Dark Lords.

There was something in the Ancient Ruins.

Believing this, they worked hard to investigate it. As this happened, they also fought against those who sought to raid the ruins for profit, and against the monsters that had made the ruins their home. Overcoming such difficulties and numerous dead ends, the five eventually obtained items they believed would solve the mystery of the ruins: a set of golden statues.

There were four in total, each a few centimeters long and made of pure gold. The gourd, the monkey, the sunflower, and the bonsai. Pedestals on which the statues could be placed were also found on the ground floor. Behind them was a door. The location of these objects was so inconspicuous that it could only be found if it was consciously sought out, as if they had been deliberately placed there. The group was to head to that location tomorrow.

Whether an oni or a serpent… They had no idea what awaited them behind the door. There may be something, or there may be nothing. Depending on the outcome, they may even lose their lives…

As the group held their final meeting over dinner, one of them stood up and spoke.

“I’m gonna spend tonight doing what I want. That alright?”

No one objected. They each wanted to be with someone, but they also wanted to be alone. Such a strange feeling… After hearing this opinion, they all chose to do the latter.

****

The windows of the rooms were locked tight, preventing any light from entering in from the outside. Everything was done by lamplight. That was how nights were in this world.

In one such room, a lamp on a desk served as the sole source of light. Before it was a young man gazing at the golden statue he held in his hand. British, age 25. The leader of the five.

British stared intently at the statue. Its gold color glistened in the luster of the vermilion lamp.

“If we use these… what will happen?”

British couldn’t remember how many times he had asked himself this question. But no one ever answered him. He would find out for himself tomorrow. Until then, he had no choice but to wait for whatever time he had left.

****

A young woman sat in her bed in a meditative pose. Nikkou, age 21. A female samurai from the nation of JAPAN.

There had been few times in her life when she had been too anxious to sleep. In an attempt to calm these emotions, she meditated to clear her mind of all thoughts. Soon, she became enveloped by a darkness even greater than the night. The comforting emptiness filled her with a sense of serenity.

However…

The darkness was suddenly ripped apart. Long claws and powerful limbs rabidly tore, burned, and razed all that Nikkou knew. The Dark Lords and monsters. They destroyed everything that she had treasured, deprived her of the peaceful life she had once lived.

Her parents, her brother, the people of her village that her father had dedicated his life to protecting…

Nikkou’s eyes shot wide open. A blazing fire of vengeance smouldered behind them. As the feeling subsided and she returned to her usual calm, her eyelids shut once more.

“Father… Mother… Brother…”

Nikkou curled up into a ball on the bed.

****

“Oh… Hmm…”

A girl stood up from her chair, walked to her door… and then went back to the chair. She continued to do this over and over again. Café, age 18. A young priestess and the party’s restorative magic specialist.

(What should I do…)

Café was at a loss.

(Tomorrow… We all might die…)

She stood up from her chair once again.

(But… I… I’m not beautiful… Like Nikkou… No… Even Ho-Raga is better-looking than I am…)

She began to sit back down.

(But… We all might die…)

She paused mid-seat.

(If I… If I die… What will happen to these feelings…?)

Quickly, she rose to her feet and started to move.

(No… I don’t want to die like this… I… I… I need to tell him…)

Café ran toward her door. As she ran, she passed in front of her mirror.

“Oh…”

Café stopped dead in her tracks. She stared at her reflection in the mirror.

(No… I can’t… I’m not beautiful at all… I’m plain… I’m short… And I have these stupid glasses… He could… never love a girl like this… Who am I kidding…)

Café talked to herself in the mirror, and…

*thwack*

...winced as she slammed her fist against it.

****

A tavern without music. Fearing the time when the monsters were most active, people avoided making any noise during the night. The tavern, meant to be a cheerful place, was silent as its patrons quietly sipped their drinks.

“One more drink...”

An elegant young man clad in black gracefully placed a silver glass on the counter.

“Sir… You’ve had enough already…”

The server was a young boy with a slight, well-groomed appearance. He turned to the young man and spoke in a concerned tone.

“It’s fine… This may be the last drink I ever have…”

The young man smiled at the boy. Ho-Raga, age 29. A brilliant mage skilled in offensive magic.

“The last?”

The boy looked worriedly at Ho-Raga, showing more affection than needed for a passing stranger.

“I’m an adventurer… And I’m to explore a place I know nothing about tomorrow.”

“That sounds so dangerous… I’ve always wondered why people would want to do something like that. To put themselves in harm’s way…”

“There are times when a man… No, when a person, rather, must be willing to put their life at risk for the sake of something greater than themself… That’s part of it… But… In the end, perhaps it’s simply because I am a prisoner of beauty.”

“...A prisoner…”

“...Yes… And boys like you… are among the things that have entrapped me.”

“Oh…!”

Ho-Raga took the boy’s hand and slowly pressed his lips against it.

“Mm…”

A thin smile formed on Ho-Raga’s lips.

“Ah…”

The boy’s cheeks became dyed with euphoria as he stared at the man’s lips and into his eyes.

“What do you think…? The two of us… Sharing a drink in my room…”

“...Oh…”

“Won’t you…?”

“Y-yes…”

Ho-Raga narrowed his eyes and smiled.

****

“Ah... Haaah… Mm…”

A mass of white flesh writhed at the center of the pitch-black room.

“Ah… Y-you’re amazing… Ah…”

A woman’s voice hitched as the room was filled with the creaking of the bed.

“Ah, ah… Aaaah...”

The white mass rose up. The face that appeared was that of a middle-aged man with an unkempt beard. Chaos, age 35. A thief, and the member of the party who had declared his intention to spend the night alone.

“Ah, ah, ah…”

The woman’s voice grew faster.

“Ahh… Mmmm…”

Chaos sank down on top of the woman and buried his face in the curve of her breasts. His hands rubbed furiously at the surrounding skin.

“Hah… Yes…”

The woman’s voice cried out, and Chaos’ towering erection responded in kind.

But Chaos’ one remaining eye was different. It was cold… Yet it looked as though it wanted to burn everything it caught in its sight.

“Ah, ah, ah, ah… Aaaaaaaaah~!”

The woman dug four claw marks onto Chaos’ back as her body shook wildly.

****

A cream-colored mist spread over the city.

“Are you all ready?”

British asked. He was wearing a helmet. His breath turned white as it left his body.

“Yes, British. At any time.”

Ho-Raga was the first to respond.

“Same here.”

Chaos replied, sheathing the dagger in his hand at his side.

“As am I…”

Nikkou answered quietly.

“Yes, British. I’m fine, too.”

Café replied as she finished hanging a small medicine bag on the belt around her waist.

“Okay, then we’ll head to the Ancient Ruins like we discussed last night. Our targets are the pedestals in front of the door, where we’ll place the statues.”

They others all remained silent and stared at British as he spoke.

“We don’t know what might be waiting for us. Everyone… Be careful.”

“Of course. There’s still far too much I have left to learn about this world, after all.”

“I’m not gonna die. I’ve already decided that’ll happen while I’m on top of a woman.”

“...I won’t die… Not like this…”

“...Yeah… You’re right, Nikkou…”

“Alright, then let’s go.”

British started walking and the rest followed behind him.

****

“What’s that? They’re on the move?”

“Yes, Master.”

At a different inn from the one British and his companions had been staying at, there was a second party.

“Do they have the golden statues with them?”

The leader of the group, a slightly older woman, asked her subordinate, a swordsman.

“Yes. I was listening from a distance so I couldn’t make out much, but I heard them mention the statues..."

“I see…”

The woman thought to herself for a moment.

“Wake the others and get ready. They’re headed for the Ancient Ruins. We’ll take the shortcut we found, get the statues, and kill them all!”

“Yes!”

The swordsman hurriedly ran away from the woman.

“Just watch, British… And especially you, Ho-Raga… I’ll show you what happens when you make a fool of me!”

The woman shook her fist in anger.

****

“This place is as dreary as ever…”

The Ancient Ruins resembled a building made from a long, narrow pile of rocks. The top half was made of a blue ore that had never been seen anywhere else. It was long and slender, and, though it stood upright, seemed to loom ominously over all who looked at it. It stood against the dark and desolate sky that was characteristic of the location.

“Come on, let’s go inside. The door is on the ground floor, but… be on your guard.”

“Is everything alright, British? You seem more tense than usual today.”

“Oh… Nikkou… Sorry, it’s just… I don’t know… I have a bad feeling about... all of this… “

“Probably just nerves. Café, give British some medicine.”

“Oh, um... Sure, Ho-Raga. What would you like, British? Uh… Tranquilizers… Alcohol…”

“Sheesh, he’ll fall asleep if you give him any of that. He’s the best there is at swinging swords and fighting monsters, but he’s hopeless when it comes to booze.”

Chaos rested his elbow on top of Café’s head and laughed.

“Ah… Hey… Quit using my head as an armrest, Chaos…”

“Oh, sorry, sorry. It’s just the perfect height for it, y’know?”

“Now my hat’s out of place…”

“Well… Why don’t we take a short break before we go inside? It’s fine to be nervous at times like this, but you’re more likely to make mistakes if you’re too anxious.”

“Good idea, Nikkou… Let’s take a break and then see what happens… The ruins won’t be going anywhere.”

British sat down in the shadow of a large rock as he spoke. Suddenly-

“White Destruction Beam!!”

A voice chanted a spell from somewhere and the rock British was sitting under shattered to pieces.

“What!?”

“Enemy!!”

“Roger!!”

Café hastily created a barrier to envelop the five of them.

“Hah… Thanks, Café… You saved me.”

British smiled at Café.

“Th-that’s not true…”

Café replied, a hint of color appearing on her cheeks.

“You’ve got guts picking a fight with us! Either show yourself or get the hell out of here! Otherwise I’m coming for you!”

“Shut up, Chaos! As if I’d ever care what a weakling has to say!”

“That crazy voice… It’s that witch Eina!” “Hohohohohoho! So you remember my name! Not bad for an imbecile, Chaos!”

On the other side of the crumbled rock was the woman from earlier, accompanied by a young male mage on her right and a young female mage on her left. At the foot of the rock they were standing on, three swordsmen had already drawn their weapons and entered fighting stances.

“I don’t know what it is you’re trying to do, but today’s the day I finally repay you for all the times you’ve humiliated me, the Peerless Witch!”

Eina’s hands glowed as magical energy emanated from them.

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who keeps following us without our permission, getting in our way without our permission, and then getting beaten up by us without our permission! You stupid old hag! Bleh!”

Café glared at Eina and stuck out her tongue.

“What… What did you just say to me, you little twerp!? I’ll start with you!!”

Eina’s hand shone and a magical beam was fired directly at Café.

*shhnnn*

However, it bounced harmlessly off of the barrier she had created.

“Hmph. Your magic won’t work against my barrier. You should know that by now!”

“Kuh… Grrrrr… It can bounce back magic, but what about a sword!? You can’t hurt them just standing there, idiots! Go!”

At Eina’s command, the swordsmen charged at British and the others.

“Well, guess I’ll take these guys on.”

“My, how sly of you. Getting to toy with all the weaklings by yourself.”

Ho-Raga spoke to Chaos as he ran out of the barrier. But Chaos had already reached the swordsmen.

“Daah!”

Chaos drew his dagger as he spun around in the air and dove forward.

“Gragh-!”

“Gyaaaaa-!”

“Gurk-…”

In a flash, the three men all died on the spot. They were each struck in their vitals and killed instantly.

“As quick as ever…”

Nikkou sighed to herself.

“Grr… It isn’t over yet! You still have us to deal with! Don’t think we’ll go down as easily as those welps!”

Eina and the two mages began chanting spells in unison.

“I’ll take the man…”

Nikkou lowered her posture, placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, and ran forward without making a sound.

“Right, then I’ll take the girl…”

“Oh dear, so that leaves me with the old crone?”

“You’re the reason why she’s so angry. Take responsibility, Ho-Raga.”

British snapped a raised hand to his forehead and ran out of the barrier.

“...Well… I suppose there’s no helping it…”

Ho-Raga also stepped out from the barrier.

“Café, you’re wasting your magic. Release the barrier.”

“Uh… Oh… Yeah, I guess so.”

Café hurriedly deactivated her barrier.

“Well then… Let’s begin.”

Ho-Raga raised his arm in front of himself. The air surrounding him began to swirl around rapidly.

“...Snow Laser.”

A beam of freezing ice shot out from Ho-Raga’s hand and rushed toward the rock Eina and her followers were standing on.

*ka-boooooom*

A loud noise rang out. The laser shattered the rock in an instant.

“Hah!”

Ho-Raga rushed into the cloud of ice and dust.

“Damn, he went all out… Seems like he’s having fun… What a cruel son of a bitch.”

Chaos, who had snuck back covered in blood to where Café was, said with disgust.

“You’re not really one to talk…”

“...It’s fine. Better to kill off the small frys. The world doesn’t need ‘em.”

Chaos sat down next to Café, who remained silent. She understood what he was doing. It wasn’t that he was slacking off, but that he was there to protect her in case anything happened.

“Damn it… Damn it!! Ho-Raga… How dare you…”

As the rock crumbled to the ground, Eina created a barrier and started floating in the air.

“Shin, Mei…”

Eina looked around for the mages that had been on either side of her. However, she could barely see anything through the cloud of dust and ice.

“Ah…”

Amid the ice and dust, Mei, the female mage, looked with surprise as British appeared before her. His sword pierced deeply through her heart. Mei’s eyes gradually started to close. At the same time, her strength began slipping away…

British held Mei’s body gently and slowly rested it on the ground. He had killed her so suddenly that she hadn’t even realized it.

“.....”

British bowed deeply to the corpse and ran past it.

Nikkou was facing Shin. With her hand clutching the hilt of her sword, she approached him.

“Haaaaaaaaaaah-!”

Both of Shin’s hands shone as he shot out fire lasers one after another. Nikkou dodged each perfectly and steadily drew closer toward him.

*shnng*

With a burst of energy, Nikkou’s hand flashed. A silver trail cleaved across Shin’s body.

“Kuh… ah...”

Shin collapsed immediately.

“...I struck with the back of my sword... You won’t die…”

Nikkou ran off, leaving Shin’s body behind.

“That’s quite enough, Eina.”

“W-what?”

Just as the barrier Eina had erected vanished, Ho-Raga appeared floating beside her.

“It isn’t that I’m trying to humiliate you, it’s simply that you’re too weak to stand a chance against me. You understand that, don’t you?”

“That’s exactly what I mean by humiliating me!! And… Besides… You also destroyed my pride as a woman! You bastard!!”

Eina’s face turned bright red.

“Ah… You mean that time when you took off all of your clothes and crawled on top of me while I was asleep… and I pushed you away?”

“Yes, that’s right!”

“If that’s the case, then why aren’t you also mad at British?”

“British… British ran off without saying a word, so he’s less guilty than you are!! You went straight to the bath after you pushed me off! And when I tried to join you, you told me that I’d make the water filthy! ...So, I’ve decided to kill you!”

“Don’t take it so personally. I just hate women. Not in general, I suppose, just physically…”

“Shut up! It means the same to me either way! I’ll kill you no matter what!”

Eina’s hands flashed.

“...I see… So be it, then…”

The air surrounding Ho-Raga began to swirl around.

“An eye for an eye… and a tooth for a tooth… I’ve held back for long enough.”

“Hah…”

Eina’s time was up.

“Kah… Hah…”

In a haste, she created another barrier in front of herself.

“Kaaah-! Ah-!”

However, something appeared between her and it.

“Ah…”

Ho-Raga, who had entered the barrier, pierced Eina’s heart with a column of ice released from his hand.

“The barrier… That’s not…”

When Ho-Raga pulled his hand out, Eina’s body fell into the cloud of ice and dust. A trail of blood traced its descent.

“Honestly… How did you expect your magic to work against me if it couldn’t even break Café’s barrier...?”

Ho-Raga spoke coldly and returned to his companions, not caring where Eina’s body had fallen.

****

“Oh, he’s back.”

Chaos, who had good eyesight, spotted Ho-Raga as he emerged from the dust cloud. British and Nikkou had already returned before him.

“Well done.”

British placed a hand on Ho-Raga’s shoulder.

“No… It was nothing…”

Ho-Raga gazed back at British with eyes that were infinitely warmer than when they had stared at Eina.

“Well… I still don’t feel good about it, but I guess we should enter the ruins…”

“Fire Laser!”

A spell was cast from within the smoke.

“What… Urk-!”

A laser of flame grazed British’s shoulder.

“British!”

Café protected British from the surprise attack. Everyone else looked in the direction the spell had been fired from. There they saw Shin, standing unsteadily.

“Damn it… Master… How dare you…”

Shin had returned to his feet, driven by grief and filled with a desire to kill the five companions.

“Nikkou… You didn’t kill him?”

Chaos glared at Nikkou.

“.....”

Nikkou remained silent. She drew her sword and focused on Shin.

“Wait.”

She was stopped by Ho-Raga.

“Ho-Raga?”

“Allow me.”

The edges of Ho=Raga’s lips curled upwards.

“Ah…”

Nikkou’s expression turned into a scowl. But Ho-Raga paid her no mind and continued to walk briskly toward Shin.

“...He’s exactly Ho-Raga’s type… Definitely…”

Nikkou muttered to herself.

“Don’t screw around, just kill him! Shit… It’s not really my style, but I’m trying to show some mercy here… Kuh, I’m wasting my time… He’s in for a fate worse than death… Poor guy… I feel sorry for him…”

Chaos unconsciously put his hands over his bottom.

“British… I’m going to use a healing spell on you… Pain, pain, go away!”

“Haah… Sorry for the trouble, Café.”

British gently placed his hand on top of Café’s as she tended to his injury. It was a simple gesture of gratitude toward his comrade, but it made her cheeks blush bright red.

****

“Wh-what the hell are you doing!?”

“Hmhmhm…”

Shin felt a chill run down his spine as Ho-Raga’s tongue lustfully lapped around his lips.

“I killed Eina. And the others… My companions killed them as well.”

“I already know that… That’s why-”

“Therefore, you are a prisoner of war.”

“What…!?”

“And prisoners… don’t have any say in what happens to them, do they…?”

Ho-Raga grabbed Shin’s wrist tightly.

“Tch… Let go of me!!”

“Well then… Let’s go over there… And then we’ll meet in another place…”

Shin felt goosebumps sprout all across his body as he came to realize the unprecedented danger he was in.

“Huh…”

And, just like that, Shin was assaulted by Ho-Raga.

“Stop- let goooooooooo-!!”

Shin’s screams reached the place where British, Café, Nikkou, and Chaos were. Chaos covered his ears, but…

****

“Ah, there you all are.”

Ho-Raga returned with a refreshed look on his face.

“...Took your time, didn’t you… dammit…”

The other four were drinking from a simple tea set Café had prepared.

“My, how unfair… The four of you… drinking Café’s delicious tea without me…”

“I made some for you too, Ho-Raga… here.”

Café handed a small, steaming cup to Ho-Raga.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Well… Now that we’ve had our break, we should start to head inside…”

British suggested as he finished off his drink.

“Ah, sure. Taking long breaks doesn’t really suit a stubborn bunch like us.”

“That’s right… Whether an enemy or an ally… It’s time we find out what awaits us…”

Nikkou looked at the Ancient Ruins with worried eyes.

“Friend or foe… Whichever it is, it seems we can’t resist the scent of danger, can we…?”

As Ho-Raga said this, the rest of the group turned to stare at the Ancient Ruins.

****

(The Ancient Ruins always smell so damp…)

Café thought to herself as they walked along. Chaos was at the front, while Nikkou watched the rear. Between them were British, Café and Ho-Raga. The sound of the five’s footsteps echoed through the ruins, which resembled the inside of a pyramid made of stacked stone.

“...We’re here…”

Everyone tensed at Chaos’ words. Soon after, an oddly-sized door appeared before them, standing tall. On either side of it were two pedestals cut diagonally like bamboo shoots.

“Well… Let’s put the golden statues down, then…”

“Okay…’

After British spoke, Chaos took out the golden statues.

“We don’t know what might come out… We’ll do just as we planned: I’ll guard the front while the four of you each place a statue on a pedestal.”

The other four all nodded in agreement. Then, they each received a golden statue from Chaos.

“.....”

British silently drew his sword and faced the door.

“...Okay… Put them down.”

The other four quickly followed his orders.

****

“NGH… AH~...”

A voice sounded out from the darkness.

“...YOU HAVE COME…”

The voice was filled with joy.

“HOWEVER… SIMPLY FINDING MY TREASURES… DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU MAY MEET WITH ME.”

The darkness seemed to be happy.

“FIRST… YOU MUST DEFEAT… THIS FAILED WORK…”

The darkness flickered with joy once more.

****

*gsh*

*gshgshgsh...*

Four sounds rang out softly. British gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and steeled himself. The four that had placed the statues also drew their weapons and prepared for whatever was coming.

“Whether an oni or a serpent...”

The time had come.

But…

Not even the slightest tremble of air came out.

“...What’s going on?”

Café slowly approached the pass.

“Don’t move, Café.”

British spoke quietly.

“Uh… Right…”

“The door shows no signs of opening…”

Nikkou examined the scene without dropping her guard.

“Could we have placed them in the wrong order?”

Ho-Raga looked at the bamboo-shaped pedestals.

“Dammit… The hell is this… There’s seriously nothing?”

Chaos scratched his head raggedly.

“You’re so gross, Chao-”

Café’s eyes widened.

“What’s with that face? Am I really that ugly?”

“Behind you!!”

Café shrieked as she put up a barrier.

“What the… Dwaaaaaaaaaaah-!!!”

Behind Chaos, an enormous, unsettling, and vaguely humanoid shadow emerged from the wall like a strip of transparent cellophane.

“The fuck is this thing!??”

Quickly drawing his dagger from its sheath, Chaos turned to confront the shadow. It was well over six meters tall: roughly four times his size.

“Ga-gaaaaaah…”

A gaping hole appeared on the shadow. It seemed to be its mouth.

“An enemy…? Or…”

British pondered the shadow. Then suddenly-

*swoosh*

Something that seemed to be the shadow’s hand flew at the five.

“Enemy!!”

British’s voice signaled that the battle had begun.

“Aah… Aah…!”

The shadow swung its arms, which resembled two fallen trees, with tremendous force.

“Taah!!”

“Kya!”

Chaos jumped back while Café ducked her head.

“...Damn it…”

British regripped the hilt of his sword, pointed the tip of its blade upward, and lunged at the shadow.

“Take this!”

He kicked the ground beneath him, raised his sword high in the air, and slammed it down.

“Gaaaaaaaaaah-!!”

The tip of the sword plunged into the shadow.

“Kuuuh-!”

British pulled on it with all of his might.

*bsssssh*

Green bodily fluids spurted out from the cut left on the shadow.

“This creature… Here!”

Nikkou gripped the hilt of the JAPANese sword in her opposite hand and darted forward. She slashed her blade at the shadow.

“Gaaaaah- Gaaah-!!”

Just as had happened with British, green fluid started to gush out from the X-shaped wound left by Nikkou’s blade.

“Kuh…”

A few drops landed on Nikkou’s arm.

*tsssss*

“Ah…!”

Smoke began to billow from Nikkou’s sleeve.

“Be careful, it bleeds acid!”

“It’s a bit late for that…!”

British, whose armor had also been exposed to the acid, took off his dissolving helmet.

“Then… Seems it’s my turn. White Destruction Beam!!”

Ho-Raga turned the energy surrounding his body into a massive white ball and launched it toward the shadow.

“Gaah…”

“What…”

*tsssss*

To Ho-Raga’s surprise, the shadow assimilated into the wall behind it and avoided his magic.

*rumble*

Then, when the magic collided with the wall, the shadow suddenly vanished. Silence reigned throughout the area.

“A creature that can merge with walls… What a terrifying room guardian.”

British wiped the sweat from his cheeks with the back of his hand.

“That thing… It’s a room guardian?”

Café asked as she rushed over to him.

“It’s just a feeling I have… I was positive the golden statues were the key to opening the door… But all that came out when we placed them was that shadow… I think… I think there has to be more to the statues than just that… I can’t explain why…..”

“British’s instincts are always correct at times like this. So, if he feels that way, then it’s safe to assume that creature is indeed a room guardian.”

There was still so much energy surrounding Ho-Raga that no one could go near him. He had chosen to remain in such a state so that he could use his magic at any time should the group get attacked again.

“Where could it have gone… It disappeared so suddenly…”

Nikkou stood beside Café to protect her.

“What a piece of work… I’ve fought a lot of stuff in my day… But nothing ever like that… Can’t say I’m enjoying it…”

As if to support Nikkou, Chaos also stood with his dagger at the ready.

“If it bleeds acid… I wonder if it will even be possible for us to kill… What do you think? Chaos…”

“Uh.... The hell if I know! I’m no good at brainstorming. My specialty’s being in the right place at the right time.”

“...That’s true…”

“Hey, hey, hey! I can at least follow along with the plans you guys figure out for me! …Dammit… You’ve got that gorgeous face… But you never let me do it with you… Tch...”

“Hmhm… If you can afford to say something like that at a time like this… Maybe there’s hope for us yet, Chaos.”

“Hmph. Well, it’s never gonna happen if I don’t bring it up.”

“...But… It’s like Nikkou said. An enemy like this will be tough for swordfighters like us to take on… Ho-Raga, do you have any suggestions?”

“Of course… Allow me a moment to think. I’d also like your input, Café.”

“Ah… Yeah…” Ho-Raga released his remaining energy and entered the barrier Café had created. British, Nikkou, and Chaos tightened the perimeter to protect the defenseless mages. The wall showed no signs of movement. There was no sound apart from the voices of the two magic users. Not even the wind moved within the strange silence.

“If we can’t cut it, then I guess we have to either burn or freeze it…”

“I agree… But, did you see what happened before? It went into the walls to evade my white destruction beam and disappeared. I’m sure it’s watching us as we speak…”

“...Yeah… You’re right…”

“Perhaps if we were to immobilize it… And unleashed a spell… A very powerful one… But… For me alone to do it… Hmm… It would be rather difficult…”

Ho-Raga took a strand of his hair and played with it between his fingers, as he did whenever he was distressed.

“For the time being, why don’t you make us some tea, Café?”

“...We can’t do that right now!!”

Café turned red in the face and yelled at the dumbfounded Ho-Raga.

“What kind of trash are you spewing out, faggot? Take this shit seriously.”

Chaos followed suit.

“I’m trying to think… And I’ve already told you to stop calling me that word. Otherwise, even if doing so would disgust me, I’ll…”

Ho-Raga’s gaze made Chaos cover his bottom with his hands.

“You two sure are close.”

British said, earnestly.

“...I’m just trying to get this dumbass to focus. Now hurry up and get back to thinking of a plan.”

“Yes, yes, I know… I am, after all, a prisoner of beauty…”

“I just thought of something while you guys were fooling around.”

Café had a slightly exasperated look on her face as she spoke. Nikkou, standing next to Café, was calm as usual.

“That’s enough idiocy for now.”

“How about we try sealing it?”

“Sealing it?”

“Well… Maybe seal isn’t the right word… I mean, like… binding it… or something?”

“I see… Binding it… Then we could try to burn or freeze it while it’s tied down…”

“...I think that’s a good idea…”

“Sure…”

Ho-Raga was staring at a spot on the floor with a startled look in his eyes.

“Ho-Raga…? K-kyaaaaaaaaa!!”

“What?”

“What’s wrong?”

A shadowy hand sprouted up inside the barrier between the two.

“Kuh… It came in through the soil!”

Ho-Raga leapt out of the barrier and surrounded himself with energy once again, but did not take his eyes away from the hand.

“Ah… No-!”

The hand grabbed Café’s leg.

“Café!!”

Chaos saw this and dove at the shadow, dagger in hand.

“Nooooo-!”

Chaos spun his dagger around as he lunged at the shadow.

*gshhhhh*

“Gaaaaaaaaaaah-!!”

A pained scream bellowed from the floor.

“Hrgh-!”

The back of Chaos’ hand was burned by the shadow’s acid.

“Chaos!!”

The shadow let go of Café’s leg.

“Quiet, Gina!”

(Gina…?)

Chaos hugged Café and rolled over to escape from the barrier, separating them from the other three. “Chaos… Chaos… Are you okay…?”

“Yeah… I can handle it…”

“Pain, pain… Go away! Pain, pain…”

Café grabbed Chaos’ hand and began casting healing spells.

“Cut it out. Don’t waste your magic on something like this. If Ho-Raga’s attack magic doesn’t work, you’ll have to use your magic to support him from the back, right?”

“It’s fine. If it’s just for this… I should be alright…”

“...Haah… Sorry…”

“Chaos…”

“Hmm?”

“Who’s… Gina?”

“...What the…”

“Earlier, when you were saving me… That’s what you called me…”

“I just got your name mixed up.”

“With who…?”

“Nobody… Doesn’t matter…”

“.....”

“Fine, fine… I’ll tell you… She was my woman… A Dark Lord ripped her apart right in front of me… When you smile, you… You look like her…”

“Huh…”

“Don’t tell anyone. British thinks I joined up with him on a whim, so… I guess it’s our little secret…”

“...Sure… Chaos…”

“...Come on!”

“Yeah.”

Chaos and Café went over to the other three as they struggled against the shadowy hand.

****

“Haaaah-! Take this!”

With the dexterity of an acrobat, British continuously slashed at the shadow while jumping back to avoid its attacks. The shadow had already revealed its main body and was swinging its large arms around as it had before.

“Leave that type of stuff to me!!”

Chaos joined the fray and slashed at the shadow while performing a forward role in the air.

“Gaaaaaaah!”

The shadow screamed in agony as it was cut apart.

“Are you finished yet? Nikkou?”

“Wait a little longer… Just a bit more…”

Nikkou was carving long stakes out of loose wood. She was in the middle of finishing her third one.

“It needs to be sharper… So that it can go deeper…”

Next to Nikkou, Ho-Raga was overseeing her work. The shadow had learned that Ho-Raga’s magic was powerful, and so hid itself within the walls whenever it saw him. Because of this, he was left with no choice but to wait on the sidelines until Nikkou had finished preparing the stakes.

“Ho-Raga!”

“Ah, Café, I’ve been waiting. Are you ready? I need you to cast the golden triangle bind spell as soon as British, Nikkou, and Chaos have placed their stakes down. Then, I’ll fire off the most powerful destruction beam I can muster. If that doesn’t work…”

“Then I’ll join in, right? Understood.”

“They’re ready, Ho-Raga.”

“Ah, thank goodness. Nikkou, give these two to British and Chaos… The last one is yours. Bury them as deeply as you can into that shadow. Make sure they form a triangle.”

“Yes.”

Nikkou grabbed the three stakes she had just created and ran toward British and Chaos.

“Right then, be ready to move. You need to be able to aim at the center of the triangle those three create as quickly as possible.”

“Okay.”

****

“Dyaaaaaaah-!!”

British continued to swing ferociously at the shadow. The shadow seemed to be somewhat perceptive. Every time it was struck, it would recoil backwards in panic. When it realized that its opponents were afraid of its bodily fluids, it started to deliberately wave its arms around as though it were taunting them.

“Dammit… You’re doing that on purpose, you little shit!”

As Chaos vigorously raised his middle finger to the shadow, Nikkou approached him.

“Stick this into the shadow… Try to form as much of a triangle as you can… Café is going to use the golden triangle bind spell…”

“Mm, got it. I’ll handle the highest point.”

Chaos quickly grabbed the stake and kicked himself off the ground, leaving Nikkou.

“British!”

Nikkou threw a stake at British, who was climbing on one of the shadow’s legs.

“Oh, what is it?”

British deftly grabbed the stake.

“Stick it into the shadow. Try to form as much of a triangle as you can.”

“Okay!!”

British looked at Chaos, who was swiftly climbing up the shadow’s arms to reach its top.

“Chaos has the top…”

Then he turned to see where Nikkou was moving. She was trying to match his timing and was also looking at him.

“Alright… Let’s go!!”

British raised his hand that was holding the stake.

*gssh*

“Gaah!?”

British’s stake pierced the shadow’s left leg.

“Haaaah-!!”

Nikkou also stabbed her stake through the shadow. She had done it on the shadow’s right leg at the same height British had.

“Gaah!!”

The shadow winced in pain at the deep penetration of the stake.

“Okay, Ho-Raga and Café are… oh, there.”

Chaos had climbed nimbly onto the shadow’s wobbling shoulder. He scanned the floor beneath him to confirm the location of the two magic users before leaping off.

“Daaaaah-!!”

Then, as he dropped down, he slammed his stake into a point exactly in-between where British and Nikkou had placed theirs, forming a perfect triangle.

“Nice, Chaos!”

Ho-Raga snapped his fingers and…

“Bind!!”

Café began to cast the golden triangle bind spell on the shadow.

“Gaaaaaah?”

The stakes buried in the shadow glowed gold. Three streaks of light stretched out from the stakes to connect them together, forming a golden triangle on the shadow. The shadow was immobilized by the magic that emanated from the triangle.

“Now then, my turn… Haaaaaaaaaaaaah-!!”

The air surrounding Ho-Raga began to swell at a much greater intensity than usual.

“White Destruction Beam!!”

An enormous white flare shot out from Ho-Raga’s hands into the shadow. British, Chaos, and Nikkou all took cover on the ground as the huge beam soared over them.

“Gaaaaaaaaaaah-!!!!”

The beam of light struck the shadow magnificently.

“Did that do it…?”

“...........”

Café stood silently next to Ho-Raga, trying not to get her hat caught in the current. The other three all slowly raised their heads.

“Gaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

“It’s still alive!?”

Chaos jumped to his feet.

“It’s tough!!”

British followed him.

“But… How did it…”

Nikkou slowly stood up and tried to assess what had happened.

“Gaaah… Gaaaaaaaaaah…!!”

The shadow trembled as if it was trying to writhe under the magic that was burning all over it. It was melting. Its body, which had been nearly transparent, turned soot black as it began to dissolve.

“Wow… We did it!!”

Next to the cheering Café, a flash of astonishment appeared on Ho-Raga’s face.

“No, its body is melting, so the stakes are falling out! It’s still alive!!”

“Wha-...”

Café’s expression instantly turned to shock.

“Café, behind me!!”

“Yes!!”

The air surrounding Ho-Raga began to swirl around him. This time, it also covered Café.

“Hey… The seal!!”

“Eh… No way!!”

“No… Something’s wrong!!”

The other three all noticed at the same time. And the first to react was…

“British!!”

British ran to put the stakes back in place.

“Gaaaah… Gaaaaaaaaaah-!”

The shadow was shaking all over, and seemed to be able to move more freely than it could before. The golden triangle that had appeared on its body was gradually losing its color.

“No you don’t---!!”

British jumped up and grabbed the stake he had used earlier. The stakes were still wedged into the shadow’s sludgy body, but needed to be readjusted. British fixed the stake with his hands and the gold of the triangle became brighter.

“Gaaaaaah!”

The creature shouted in frustration at being unable to move once more.

“Ho-Raga… British is-!!”

“What… Why is he…!!?” The two were about to release their magic but hesitated when they saw British.

“Fire!!”

British shouted.

“Fire and finish it off!! Do it!!”

“N-no…”

Tears welled up in Café’s eyes.

“I can’t… I… I won’t… British!!”

“..........”

The air swelling around Ho-Raga became even more intense.

“Ho-Raga!?”

“It’s what British wants… I’m here because British wants me to be. I fight the Dark Lords because British wants me to fight them! That’s why…!”

Ho-Raga’s hands started to glow.

“No… Don’t do it… Ho-Raga!!”

“White Destruction Beam!!”

A gigantic white flare was fired at the shadow… and at British.

“Nooooooo-!! British---!!!”

“Huh…!!”

“Hah…!!”

The beam blew past the heads of Chaos and Nikkou straight toward the shadow.

“Nooooooooooooooooooooo-!!!”

Café’s scream and the violent explosion echoed together throughout the ruins.

****

The darkness reemerged.

“AH… SO YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE FAILURE… WHAT STRONG HUMANS… I DID NOT THINK THAT SUCH HUMANS COULD BE BORN IN THIS ERA… I AM SURE THE CREATOR WILL BE PLEASED…”

The darkness reeled with joy.

“EVEN IF IT WAS A FAILURE, A GOD HAS BEEN SLAIN BY HUMANS… I WONDER WHICH FORM I SHALL TAKE… HMHM… HMHMHM…”

****

The shadow had collapsed onto the ground in a charred heap. It showed no signs of moving. British had also been burned in the same fashion.

“British…!!”

Not caring about the heat, Café ran toward British and removed his armor. The inside had not been burnt as badly as the armor. However, British did not move.

“Kuh… Pain, pain… Go away!!”

Café focused every ounce of energy that remained within her into a recovery spell and used it on British.

“Pain, pain... Go away!!”

The others stared in silence as Café tried desperately to resuscitate British. None of them blamed Ho-Raga. They all understood his actions.

“We will fight the Dark Lords.”

From the moment the five of them had made that resolution… In a sense, they had chosen to discard their humanity.

“Pain, pain… Go away!!”

Café placed her glowing hand onto British’s chest.

“Pain, pain, go away!!”

Café continued chanting recovery spells as tears streamed down her face.

*cr~eak*

“Ah…”

“.......”

“It’s… Pitch black…”

“The hell is this…”

“Night…?”

The huge door had opened. On the other side was nothing. Or rather… There was a deep, black darkness that seemed to swirl endlessly into itself.

“Ah… A light!”

Café pointed to the back of the room. Just as she had said, a small light could be seen within the dark abyss.

“What the…”

“It doesn’t seem to be getting any closer…”

“...What’s… Over there…?”

“........”

“There’s… There’s something incredible about it…”

“Everyone… Why don’t you all go over there and see what it is?”

“British!?”

“I can’t… move… right now… So… So… You all... should go and see what’s behind the door…”

“But… Come with us, British!”

“No… If anything were to happen, I’d just end up slowing you all down… So… Leave me here. Go and see… if it’s something you can use to defeat the Dark Lords… If the door closes before you can find out… then, I…”

“...British…”

Nikkou gently held British’s hand.

“I understand… I’ll go…”

“Thank you… Nikkou…”

“I’m going too, since I went through all this trouble. If God or the Devil doesn’t show up in there, I’m gonna be pissed.”

“Chaos… Good luck…”

“British… If that is what you really want…”

“It is… Ho-Raga… Please…”

“British… I…”

“You should go too, Café. The others will need your healing magic if they have to fight. I’ll be fine with medicine and time.”

“...British…”

“I’m not the one who needs you most right now, they are… You understand that, right?”

(I… If I had been born a normal girl… A pretty girl… Would I have been able to stay by your side…? Because I… I’m… like this… I at least wanted to be more to you than just a magic user… But… But now…)

“...I… understand…”

“Thank you, Café…”

The four companions stood up. Then, they leaned British up against a wall.

“Please don’t die… Everyone…”

“Yeah… Same to you, British. If our leader goes down first, then we’ll all be blind.”

Chaos spoke, then entered the door.

“Don’t… Don’t strain yourself, British…”

“Yeah… Café...”

Café followed behind Chaos.

“I’m going… British…”

“Yeah… Nikkou…”

Nikkou quietly walked through the door.

“British… My dear beauty… My will is yours... Never forget that.”

“Yeah… Ho-Raga…”Then finally, Ho-Raga… disappeared behind the door.

(I’m sorry… That I, the leader… have become a burden to you all…)

British closed his eyes.

(I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…)

British gave in to the sudden desire for sleep.

He prayed for the safety of his friends…

But… This would be their last adventure as humans...

****