Note that I’m testing a change in my voting guidelines; please read them carefully
DFederal Intro[]
“Is there a reason you called us here, Queen?” Ace asks, looking at the ever-responsible woman who owned the enormous mansion the twelve Classmates Zero lived in. The other members lean in curiously, waiting to hear what she was to say.
“There is,” a male voice says as Leo materializes in the fancy but functional meeting room, “namely that you have yet to truly earn the right to live in this city.”
“It’s true,” Queen says, cutting off the outbursts from Nine and Cater, “The rest of you are officially supposed to be living in the Reservation Shelter. The fact that you have been living here without Cfp interfering is thanks to Leo.”
“And what, pray tell, would the condition for our continued habitation of –”
“What do we gotta do to stay?” King asks, cutting off Trey’s attempt to mimic a thesaurus.
“Fight, I’d imagine,” Sice scoffs, “That’s all anyone wants of us, anyway.”
“Indeed,” Leo says, tossing a small disk on the table, “But unlike most matches, I’m going to ask you do to something inside the city for me.”
“And that’ll be it?” Queen asks, “Nothing else, and we can continue as we have been?”
“I can’t make promises for the others,” Leo says, “And even I might call upon you again if I can’t find anyone else. But you have my word that I will only do so as a last resort.”
“We’ll need to talk about this,” Ace says, “How should we reach you?’
“There’s a boy at the school you guys go to, goes by Joker.”
“Yeah, he’s good people, yo,” Nine chimes in.
“The disk gives you the option to accept or refuse. Choose either way and give it to him, telling him it’s about the end of the month. It’ll make its way to me in time.” And with that, Leo vanishes, leaving Queen and Try to try and figure out how to operate the disc.
After successfully opening it and reviewing the mission materials, the twelve Classmates Zero gather around it.
“Hey, I don’t like this, yo,” Nine says.
“It sucks, yeah,” Seven says, “This is basically a Code Crimson mission on a bigger scale.”
“And who the hell does this guy think he is? We only take orders from Mother,” Cater interjects.
“Yeah, but we’ve been living here without Mother for a while,” King says.
“And… I don’t think we really have a choice,” Deuce says.
“Correct, Deuce,” Trey says, “Should the twelve of us decline this undertaking, I surmise that all of us – save for Queen – would thenceforth face deportation by this municipality’s authorities.”
“Uh…” Cinque says.
“To translate, the eleven of you would be kicked out of the city altogether,” Queen says, “And I… I want us to stay together.”
“Same here,” Jack says, “It’s much nicer than Orience.” One by one, the others assent as well, their fear of being torn apart greater than their apprehension.
Queen enters her acceptance on the disk, stows it in her bag.
“One of my classmates, Makoto, is Joker’s girlfriend,” she says, “I’ll pass it to him through her.”
After eleven nods, Class Zero disperses throughout the mansion.
Class Zero[]
| “ | When the seal of creation is broken, a voice like thunder shall sound,
And thou shalt know - we have arrived — The Nameless Tome 14:17
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” |
All the members of Class Zero are orphans, their parents killed at some point in the never-ending wars on Orience. They share an adoptive mother, Dr. Arecia al-Raisha, though they don't initially consider each other siblings. They formed the core of Arecia's experiment to manifest Agito and open Etro's Gate, each representing one of the sixteen qualities Arecia thought necessary; the other four were deemed unneeded, and Arecia cast two of them out entirely and retained the other two as assistants. As the adoptive children of an incognito goddess of surpassing power, they were all trained in combat from a young age. Arecia gave the crystal-state of Rubrum her backing, and the children were folded into their command structure as Class Zero.
Class Zero's first public operation was the liberation of Akademia, Rubrum's capital, university, military stronghold, and the housing of the Vermilion Bird Crystal, a godlike being known as a fal'Cie. After the liberation of Akademia, Rubrum's commanders assign Machina Kunagiri and Rem Tokimiya to the class as poorly-concealed spies. Class Zero then takes center stage during Rubrum's war against the Militesi Empire, which houses the White Tiger Crystal. After successfully pushing Milites out of Rubrum, Class Zero sneaks into enemy territory and destroy the Empire's ultimate weapon before a ceasefire is declared.
Class Zero then interacts with Concordian royalty, the third remaining power in Orience, and are framed for their assassination. After making it back home, they are once again tossed into the front lines, assisting Rubrum in a two-front war against both Concordia and Milites. With their help, Rubrum fully annexes the other two nations. Now controlling all four crystals, Rubrum has achieved sole dominance over Orience. This ends up triggering the end of the world.
As the Rursus descend on Orience, bent on killing anything and everything alive, Class Zero takes one final mission upon themselves: to cut the Rursus off at their source, Pandæmonium. They succeed, sacrificing their lives to destroy the Rursan Arbiter. Arecia, seeing that Class Zero has finally brought about a different ending, calls her experiment off, leaving Orience to rebuild after the 600,104,971st try. Prompted by Tiz and Joker, her assistants and members of Class Zero in previous spirals, she also splits off a separate timeline, one where the experiment never existed in the first place, to give the Classmates Zero a peaceful life.
The signature ability of Class Zero is Phantoma Collection, which is used on dead bodies. The class members levitate all corpses in the area and make them explode in a spray of blood, freeing phantoma - the souls of the defeated. This then gets absorbed into the collecting member, restoring some of their MP.
The process takes about three seconds from initiation to corpse explosion. The corpse explosion can damage or kill nearby enemies, however.
Magic is the Dominion of Rubrim's blessing from the Vermilion Bird Crystal. Its citizens can utilize various spells, which have all been given a military classification. Class Zero can use Dominion magic, but rather than originating from the Crystal, it originates from Phantoma instead. Using these costs MP, which can only be restored via Phantoma Collection or very specific abilities. As magic in Type-0 is more analogous to firearms than actual magical abilities, removing them is not nerfing. All members of Class Zero will have access to the following:
For those unfamiliar with Final Fantasy spell namings, adding -ra and -ga indicates a second-level and third-level spell with a corresponding power increase and MP cost increase.
- Cure
- Restores HP. Can be charged to turn into Cura or Curaga, which improves power and extends its effect to other party members.
- Protect
- Halves damage taken. Charging extends its effects to other party members.
- Esuna
- Cures any status ailments, such as poison. Charging extends its effect to other party members.
- Raise
- Cures a mortal wound, but cannot bring back the dead. Cannot be cast on self.
- Avoid
- Passively consumes MP to automatically dodge attacks. Does not need to be cast.
- Wall
- Creates a wall.
There are two status effects mentioned on members’ ability tabs which aren't particularly "standard," so they shall be described here, too.
- Killsight
- A target inflicted with Killsight will be instantly killed the next time an attack hits them, even if it is a simple graze.
- Breaksight
- A target inflicted with Breaksight will take high damage from the next attack that hits them, even if it is a simple graze. Enemies with enough innate toughness, and with enough health left, will be inflicted with Breaksight rather than Killsight should they be hit with moves that inflict the latter.
| “ | The first revealed the power of acceptance,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Cut Cards
- Ace draws a random card from his deck, up to four. He can cast Stop, which prevents all movement, Burst, which is a simple attack, HP Charge to heal himself, or MP Charge to refill his MP. The effect and strength is based on which kind he draws most of and how many. Each effect has four levels of power, and the effect drawn most recently takes precedence. White cards give Stop, red ones give Burst, blue give HP Charge, and yellow give MP Charge.
- Attack Hand
- More likely to draw Red
- Support Hand
- More likely to draw White
- Life Hand
- More likely to draw Blue
- Spirit Hand
- More likely to draw Yellow
- Blind Stud
- Ace sets a card on the ground, which acts as a mine. Can be manually triggered, and can only have one placed at a time.
- Jackpot Shot
- Ace uses his cards to create a magic circle in the air, which fires a laser straight ahead.
- Jackpot Triad
- Ace uses his cards to create a magic circle in the air, which fires one laser beam straight ahead and two more at 45-degree angles left and right of it.
- Wild Card
- Ace sends a slow-moving card out, teleporting to and attacking the first enemy it hits.
- Quickdraw
- Cast magic without cast time after a successful melee attack
| “ | The second, the power of kindness,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Concerto
- Allies in earshot are given buffs and are forced to attack.
- Concerto ff
- Allies in earshot are given significant buffs and are forced to attack using their weapons only
- Requiem of Ruin
- All enemies in earshot take high damage every few seconds
- Dissonant Sonata
- Nearby enemies get damaged and may be inflicted with stun
- Hymn of Healing
- Heals allies in earshot, and grants Protect to Deuce while she plays
- Crescendo
- Increases the power of the next weapon attack. Stacks per cast, to a max of five.
- Melee Attack
- Uses the flute's magic to strike enemies in melee range
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after a melee attack
- Tone Cluster
- Leaves a bundle of sound which acts as a mine.
| “ | The third, the power of knowledge,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Raining Arrows
- A barrage of arrows rains down on and around a foe.
- Freezing Rain
- A barrage of arrows rains down on and around a foe, possibly inflicting stop
- Burst Delta
- Creates a sigil on the ground that drains enemies' HP and can inflict Killsight
- Grand Delta
- Creates a large sigil on the ground that drains more of an enemies' HP and can inflict Killsight
- Dynamite Arrow
- Fires an arrow which explodes after a short amount of time
- Hawkeye
- Aim and fire at distant enemies. Immobilizes Trey for the duration.
- Firewall
- Creates a wall of fire in front of Trey
- Concentrate
- Increases attack power for a short time
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a max charge shot
| “ | The fourth, the power of valor,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Elementillary
- Cater shoots elemental magic from her gun.
- Flame Shot
- Shoots a quick-moving bullet of fire. Has a cooldown between each shot.
- Frost Shot
- Shoots a slower-moving shard of ice. Has no cooldown between each shot.
- Voltaic Shot
- Shoots lightning in a cone in front of Cater. Has a cooldown between each shot.
- Land Mine
- Sets a bomb in the ground that can be detonated later
- Debuff Shot
- Reduces an enemy's defense
- Stilling Shot
- Inflicts Stop
- Hawkeye
- Aim and fire at distant enemies. Immobilizes Cater for the duration.
- Viral Spray
- Sends a venomous gas out in a cone that inflicts poison
- Explosive Shell
- Fires an exploding short-range shell
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a max charge shot
| “ | The fifth, the power of innocence,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Earthquake
- Cinque slams her mace into the ground, causing damage to surrounding enemies and possibly inflicting stun
- Gaia Pulse
- Cinque slams her mace into the ground, sending a shockwave in a line that damages enemies it hits and possibly stuns them
- Homerun Swing
- Charges the mace to unleash a powerful attack. Maximum charge of (x).
- Cheerleader
- Improves the damage of the next attack.
- Whirling Mace
- Cinque spins around with the mace, knocking back enemies she hits
- Mace Cycone
- Cinque spins around with the mace, sending enemies she hits flying back
- Payback
- A strike that does more damage the less HP the user has
- Focus
- Charges a strike to hit with a powerful attack. Weaker than Homerun Swing.
- Quickdraw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a fully charged strike using Focus
- Combo Cast
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing two consecutive strikes
| “ | The sixth, the power of tenacity,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Dark Nebula
- Sice uses the absorbed malice to attack in a straight line. The projectile can inflict Stop if it hits.
- Negative Aura
- Sice uses the absorbed malice to attack surrounding enemies. Enemies hit will have their HP drained.
- Grim Reaper
- Uses the absorbed malice to strike with her scythe, with a low chance to inflict instant death.
- Toxic Mist
- Creates a wall of poison
- Death Maelstrom
- Generates a cyclone that tracks Sice's current target.
- Black Hole
- Pull enemies in range into one place.
- Mobile Strike
- Attacks move Sice around
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing four consecutive strikes with the scythe
- Advance Cast
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a mobile strike that moves Sice forward
- Slip Cast
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a mobile strike that moves Sice backwards
| “ | The seventh, the power of discernment,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Snakebite
- Extends the whip to snare a target
- Livewire
- Electrify targets trapped by Snakebite on command.
- Elementalash
- A strike imbued with elemental magic
- Firelash
- Seven fully extends her whip upward, charging it with fire magic before swinging it down.
- Frostlash
- Seven fully extends her whip upward, charging it with ice magic before swinging it down.
- Thunderlash
- Seven fully extends her whip upward, charging it with thunder magic before swinging it down.
- Sadistic Spikes
- Stabs the ground, shooting spikes from the ground at an enemy's position. The spikes can inflict stop on those hit.
- Drainlash
- Absorbs HP from foes hit.
- Osmoselash
- Absorbs MP from foes hit.
- Quickdraw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a melee attack
- Insult to Injury
- Deals extra damage to enemies inflicted with stun
| “ | The eighth, the power of tranquility,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Swiftwind Stance
- Eight executes one of four attacks. These are unnamed, so I'll refer to them by the directional input needed to activate them
- Neutral
- A series of quick jabs
- Up
- Slides forwards
- Side
- Jumps and spins to the side, delivering a kick
- Down: Jumps and slams his fist into the ground, creating a shockwave
- Wildfire Stance
- Eight executes one of four attacks. These are unnamed, so I'll refer to them by the directional input needed to activate them
- Neutral
- Fires a ball of light forwards
- Up
- Crouches and forwards
- Side
- Spins on one hand, kicking around him
- Down: Jumps and slams his fist into the ground, creating a spurt of fire
- Quickbolt Stance
- Eight executes one of four attacks. These are unnamed, so I'll refer to them by the directional input needed to activate them
- Neutral
- Jumps and spins forward, relivering kicks
- Up
- Puts a hand on the ground, using it to kick forwards
- Side
- Gives a palm strike to the side
- Down: Enters a meditative stance, recovering HP
- Explosive Fist
- Approaches an enemy to deliver a devastating punch
- Flinchproof Fist
- Eight is invulnerable while using Explosive Fist
- Sacrificial Slug
- Puts Eight on the brink of death to deliver massive damage.
- Lightspeed Jab
- Delivers a weak but very fast punch
- Lightspeed Swarm
- Eight teleports to the targeted enemy with Lightspeed Jab
- Last Stand
- Grants Eight Haste and Aura, allowing him to move faster and hit harder, while inflicting him with Killsight.
- Phantom Rush
- Eight dodges every attack thrown his way, though he cannot strike back.
- Blind Strike
- Does extra damage to enemies when striking from the rear
- Rising Uppercut
- Attack on oki
- Backhand
- Delivers an attack with a high stun rate
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing a normal attack
- One-Two Cast
- Can cast magic with no charge time after landing Backhand
| “ | The ninth, the power of action,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Jump
- Leap, landing point-down on an enemy
- White Knight
- Generates a zone around Nine that boosts defense and heals those within. Nine cannot move or attack while White Knight is active (?)
- Whirling Lance
- Nine twirls his lance to attack foes around him
- High Jump
- Leap high into the air, landing spear-down with enough force to strike a small area.
- Javelin Throw
- Throws the lance at an enemy.
- Laser Lance
- Throws the lance in a straight line to deal high damage to enemies hit.
- Primal Roar
- Unleash a roar that inflicts Stop on those affected.
- Quickdraw
- Cast finishing magic after a "specific normal attack"
| “ | The tenth, the power of ignorance,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Reflex
- Jack counters the next attack that would hit him (duration?)
- Transience
- Consumes HP to deal heavy damage
- Lightning Flash
- Attack enemies rapidly
- Deliverance
- Dash towards enemies inflicted with Killsight or Breaksight and strike immediately. Dash halts if Killsight or Breaksight ends before the attack.
- Piercing Gleam
- Lowers the enemy's defense
- Tranquility
- Jack counters the next attack that would hit him, inflicting Killsight or Breaksight, depending on the foe's remaining strength
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic without charge time after a normal attack
- Ninja Slice
- Increases critical chance when attacking from the opponent's rear
- Focus
- Temporarily increases attack power
| “ | The eleventh, the power of wisdom,
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Riposte Slash
- A jumping strike backwards. Queen can additionally let loose a point-blank blast of wind or three orbs of magic after she lands.
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic without charge time after a sword combo is executed.
- Divine Judgement
- Creates a cross of light centered on the user, which rotates rapidly. Any allies hit by the beams are healed, while enemies have their health drained. The cross goes through walls. Queen is only healed when an enemy is hit.
- Magic Martyr
- Queen creates a field around herself, sacrificing HP to restore MP to her allies. Does not restore MP to Queen.
- Gate of Destiny
- Sacrifices HP to deal high damage in a large area around Queen.
- Speedrush
- Queen teleports in a straight line towards her target. Projectiles will not hit her, but barriers can stop her attack.
- Mana Sphere
- Queen fires a slow-moving, non-tracking orb of magic, which she can then split into three orbs that move much faster and home in on the target.
- Justice Guard
- Queen parries an attack and then lets loos an orb of magic that darts in an erratic pattern towards the attacker. The projectile does damage and may inflict Killsight or Breaksight, depending on the foe's remaining strength, allowing a follow-up strike to instantly kill or maim the target, respectively.
Queen's special accessory is the Lucid Lenses. When equipped, these glasses give her an extra ability in combat. If she is killed, she gets resurrected in a berserk state, with all her skills replaced by Devastate, a teleporting slashing move. She holds her sword in a reverse grip, and is invincible for 20 seconds. After that, she gains the Killsight status, meaning that any attack that hits her will kill her. Activating the Lucid Lenses does not count as being killed for Queen, but getting killed afterwards does.
It also prevents her from receiving burns, being frozen, or any lingering effects of electrocution without needing to be activated.
| “ | And the twelfth, the power of judgment.
— The Nameless Tome, The Final Verse
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” |
- Point Blank Shot
- Fire a shot, dealing heavy damage to nearby enemies. Can be charged to three levels.
- Magazine Blast
- King throws a magazine and shoots it, making it explode because magic?
- Endless Waltz
- King fires continuously with both guns
- Trigger Finger
- King counters an enemy's attack
- Hawkeye
- Aim and fire at distant enemies
- Iron Will
- Prevents King from being killed for a short time
- Kick
- Kicks the foe down
- Marksmanship
- Deals more damage the closer King is to his enemy, and does less damage in bad weather
- Quick Draw
- Can cast magic without charge time after landing Kick
- Scenario Experience
- Class Zero is doing what they do best: infiltrating a heavily-armed enemy compound without backup and murdering everything in sight. They do this pretty regularly against foes armed with mechs and guns.
- Training
- Every member of Class Zero has been trained from childhood, though at ages 15-19 you could argue they're kind of still children. Their training was conducted primarily by their foster mother, Arecia al-Raisha, who is an incognito overdiety very invested in making sure her children survive through the apocalypse.
- Cohesion
- Much as Sice may be an abrasive loner, and much as everyone roasts Trey, and much as Queen roasts everyone, Class Zero still functions as a highly cohesive unit. While Ace or Queen tend to be field commanders in coordinated operations, each member of Class Zero trusts each other implicitly thanks to their shared connections and loyalty to their adoptive mother.
The Abbey[]
| “ | But spawning Dragons in addition to Therions... you think they'll figure out a way to make humans, too?
— Magilou
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” |
The Abbey is an organized offshoot of the Church of Midgand, created by Artorius Collbrande after the Advent to give the three-hundred-year-old Exorcist order more stability. Officially named Exorcist's Abbey of the Church of Midgand, the Abbey quickly rose to prominence thanks to its military achievements in slowing the spread of daemonblight. The Abbey preached order, reason, and utilitarianism, attempting to suppress the Malevolence that is the true cause of daemonblight.
The Abbey also worked in secret to awaken their god, Innominat, who would strip all living beings of their emotions. To this end, they bound the supernatural beings known as Malakhim, suppressing their will in a method known as "tethering." While they are successful in manifesting Innominat, their plans are foiled by Velvet Crowe and the rest of Magilou's Menagerie.
Velvet kills the entire Abbey leadership and seals away Innominat, removing the abilities of most Exorcists. The Abbey is then taken over by another member of Magilou's Menagerie, Eleanor Hume, who reforms the organization to truly be the peacekeepers they had masqueraded as.
| “ | So an orderly is an orderly for life, then?
— Velvet Crowe
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” |
| “ | There are only about a hundred Praetors in the world, so we're talking very elite.
— Bienfu
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” |
Praetors are the middle class of Exorcist, and tend to have stronger tethered Malakhim. While there are 100 Praetors in the entire abbey, there will be 10 in this match, not including Oscar. Praetors have sub-ranks amongst themselves; the second-highest one is Primus, which Eleanor was, and the highest is Consul, which is held by both Teresa and Oscar. Ranks below Primus are not known. Praetors lead the Orderlies when deployed together, though the more elite ones take on more specialized combat roles. There will be 4 praetors with a mace, 4 with dual swords, and 4 with longswords.
As this is before Oscar tests the Armatus, the Praetors do not have access to it.
| “ | You're a demon, but still a lady, so I'll show you due respect. I am Oscar Dragonbia, Praetor of the Abbey of the Holy Midgand Empire.
— Oscar Dragonia
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” |
Oscar Dragonia is the second son of the Dragonia family, and a highly skilled Exorcist. He and his half-sister, Teresa Linares, joined the Abbey, and their inborn talent made them Consul-class praetors, a step below the five Legates. Oscar was highly skilled with the sword, as well as highly empathetic. He knew that Eleanor Hume desired the position of patrolling inspector, so he passed on the position so that she would have it. This decision dramatically changed both their lives, as this led Oscar to be stationed at Titania when Velvet Crowe broke out of jail.
He was defeated, and was then transferred to Palmedes Temple to guard Kamoana, a Therion central to the Abbey's plans. He failed yet again, not even given the dignity of a boss fight this time. In response to this chain of failures, Oscar was designated as a test subject for the Armatus, an experimental arte that would fuse exorcist and malak to boost the abilities of the former. As this version of the Armatus involved the exorcist dominating their malak, the arte came with a significant risk to both. The exorcist risked death, and the malak risked turning in to a dragon.
Teresa, determined to protect Oscar, cooperated with Magilou's Menagerie to find him, hoping to convince him to stand down. Teresa, unable to stand her beloved brother's honor being besmirched by yet another failure, armatized with the therion he was to protect. She tried to defeat Magilkou's Menagerie on her own, but failed. Oscar, driven to protect his sister, activated the armatus.
He failed once again, and had his soul devoured by Velvet. She would later shove his soul, alongside those of Shigure Rangetsu, Melchior Mayvin, and Teresa, into an active volcano as vessels to incarnate the four elemental Empyreans. Oscar would play host to Hyanoa, the Elemental Empyrean of Wind.
Oscar's blade is a standard Abbey longsword, dumbass rectangle shape and all. There's nothing special about it. He has no special combat style, using the usual simple, efficient movements of the Abbey, sometimes enhancing his strikes to have elemental properties.
Oscar is Melchior's guinea pig for testing the Armatus. He can fuse with his tethered malak, boosting his combat ability. He has a wind malak tethered, and as such his Armatus is wind-themed. He loses his sword, and instead gains six wing-like structures floating behind him. He can use strong wind magic, fly, and manifest swarms of daggers out of thin air.
A full list of his artes can be found here, under "Failed Oscar"
| “ | Pierce my enemies... and scorch them! SYLPHID BLAZE!
— Oscar Dragonia
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” |
| “ | She's an exorcist. They only view malakhim as tools.
— Velvet Crowe
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” |
The Exorcists gain their power from their tethered Malakhim, who they can send out to fight alongside them. There will be one Malak per orderly, and two Malaks per Praetor. Should an Exorcist be corrupted my Malevolence, their tethered Malak(s) will turn into a dragon, attacking friend and foe alike. If a Malak gets corrupted by Malevolence, there will be no ill effects to its Exorcist, aside from losing access to its powers. And having to fight a big ol' angery draggo.
| “ | With enough will, humans can do anything.
— Shigure Rangetsu
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” |
Shigure was born Ichirou Rangetsu, and he was a prodigy in swordsmanship who rapidly climbed in status in his homeland. The strongest of his siblings, he was chosen to inherit Stormhowl, and later earned the name Shigure by defeating and killing the previous holder of the name, his mother. Eventually, only he and his younger brother, Rokurou, would be left of the Rangetsu clan. Shigure, wanting to escape the restrictive lifestyle, took the chance to leave when Rokurou framed him for an assassination plot, but not before beating his younger brother and breaking his sword.
Shigure's incredible skill eventually caught the eye of Artorius Collbrande, leading to him joining the Abbey. His Resonance and abilities are enough to classify him as a Legate-rank Exorcist, one of only three individuals with enough power to hold that title. He gains a reputation as a fairly laid-back and generally freewheeling Exorcist, often absent from official functions, a trait that runs counter to the Abbey's ideals of emotional control.
With an almost pathological need to fight anyone he considers strong, Atorius finds him as likely to fight him as he is to do his duties as a bodyguard. In his capacity as an Exorcist, Shigure clashes with Velvet's party, known as Magilou's Menagerie, on several occasions. He has a particular rivalry with Rokurou, now a demon, seeking to challenge his brother to grow and give him a good fight.
He eventually responds to the group's provocation to fight in Mount Killaraus, and requires the full might of Magilou's Menagerie to bring him down. His brother, Rokurou, strikes the last blow, utilizing three swords and deception to take him down. Shigure's final request is for the party to spare the Malak he has tethered, Morgrim, who has has treated as a companion instead of a tool.
Stormhowl is a legendary nodachi passed down through the Rangetsu line. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but it's one of the finest swords ever created. It does not break or rust, and is said to be able to level a mountain with the pressure from its strikes. While it does not display that particular power in-story, it does tend to break lesser swords fairly often, the only items shown to stand up to it being the daggers and nodachi forged by and from the swordsmith Kurogane.
Shigure utilizes the Rangetsu Style, which has Artes focused on simple, effective swings. He is also proficient in utilizing counters, though unlike his younger brother it's not the cornerstone of his style. He, like all other characters, has a Break Soul, a powerful attack that can extend his combo at the cost of one Soul, of which he can have up to five. Like most bosses, he is also a cheating bastard who can use Soul Burst to regenerate his Souls without needing to stun, inflict a status ailment, or do a perfect dodge.
See here for a complete list of his Artes, including Rangetsu Eagle, which has its own tab.
| “ | Don't be a fool! Just give up and die like you ought! It is your destiny to wallow in despair! Have you no shame for your sins, you unholy monster?
— Melchior Mayvin
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” |
Melchior is one of the high-ranking members of the Exorcists, and one of the three (active) Legates in the entire Abbey. He has taken an Oath, extending his lifespan with an unknown condition. He is a highly skilled and ruthless manipulator, taking care of any "shady" items the Abbey might require. In addition to his role as a spymaster and "shadow," he also knows a large variety of Artes, and is the Abbey's resident specialist.
At one point in his life, he rescued and raised Magilanica Lou Mayvin as his successor. She failed her final test, however, losing out to the illusion of a happy family that he created. He discarded her, locking her in the prison island of Titania. He continued his role as Artorius' shadow, manipulating events from behind the scenes to advance the Abbey's goal of a permanent revival of Innominat.
He would later die at Mount Killaraus, having his soul eaten by Velvet after being distracted by an illusion. She then shoved his soul, along with those of Oscar Dragonia, Teresea Linares, and Shigure Rangetsu into the active volcano to serve as vessels for the Elemental Empyreans. His soul would play host to Eumacia, the Empyrean of Earth.
Melchior is highly skilled with a wide variety of artes, and is notably skilled at illusions. In addition to the ones listed here (under Melchior), he has also displayed an Arte that can analyze the inner workings of other artifacts and Artes, as well as the ability to manifest Malevolence and corrupt a malak into a dragon.
In contrast to Artorius and Shigure, he does not utilize a melee weapon, instead casting spells and using his orb as a focus.
While he can be assumed to have tethered Malakhim, nothing is known about them.
| “ | Why is it you think that birds fly?
— Artorius Collbrande
|
” |
Artorius Collbrande is the head exorcist of the Abbey and the main antagonist in Tales of Berseria. Ten years before the story began, Artorius stumbled upon the village of Aball, alone and depressed. There, he met Celica Crowe, with whom he fell in love. He took the name Arthur, and settled down with his wife and her younger siblings. He would later lose Celica and their unborn child during a Daemon attack, the two becoming the malakhim later known as Seras and Phi.
As losing your wife and unborn child is wont to do, this puts Artorius into a genocidal depression, focused on preventing all of humanity from experiencing any emotions at all. To this end, he sacrifices the entire village of Aball, killing his brother-in-law, Laphicet, to turn him into a vessel for Innominat, a previously unknown god. He also turns all the villagers into daemons, and his sister-in-law, Velvet Crowe, into a Therion, a special type of daemon that feeds on despair. Velvet is then thrown into a maximum-security prison.
While she struggles to survive, Artorius uses Innominat's power to expand the ranks of the Exorcists, rapidly becoming a hero to the people by driving back the Demons. He eventually takes full political power, usurping the throne as the world's new battle-pope. While he is successfully able to enact his plans, he is prevented from expanding Magic Communism outside of his capital due to Velvet's interference.
He then separates Innominat from the planet, creating a massive fortress in space to set the final showdown with Velvet. He loses, and dies lamenting he couldn't save everyone.
Artorius has numerous techniques, known as Artes, at his disposal. These cost Soul Gauge to perform, and he can only combo as many in a row as he has Souls. He starts with three, but can have up to five. As Velvet's combat instructor, their fighting styles are similar.
- Slash Kick
- A kick.
- Swallow Kick
- Two kicks.
- Ascension
- A somersault kick.
- Explosion
- Artorius unleashes a pair of burning slashes with his sword in a fire-elemental attack. Despite the name, nothing explodes. Can inflict Burn, which prevents positive status effects and negates natural recovery.
- Evocation
- Artorius slashes the ground and sends a tremor towards his foe. Earth-elemental, and can inflict Slow, which slows an enemy's movement speed and negates natural recovery.
- Harvester
- Artorius sends a flurry of wind towards his foe. Can inflict Fatigue if it hits, which doubles the casting time for spells and negates natural recovery. Wind-elemental.
- Radiant Wind
- Artorius dashes forward to ram his foe before slashing, which sends a wave of wind towards his foe. Can increase his attack power while lowering his foe's. Fire- and Wind-elemental.
- Shrouded Moon
- Artorius does a spin attack, and creates a pool under him. The pool can inflict Poison, which does damage over time and negates natural recovery. Water-elemental.
- Sweep Clean
- Artorius stabs his sword into the ground, creating a tremor that can hit a foe multiple times in the air. Can increase his defense while lowering his foe's. Fire- and Water-elemental.
- Temptation
- Artorius stabs his foe, creating an orb of gravity before ejecting them from it. Can lower his foe's chance to inflict status effects while improving his own. Earth- and Wind-elemental.
- Soul Burst
- Increases own soul count by 1, because he's a goddamn cheat, and blasts away anyone or anything too close.
- Ice Prison
- Artorius' Break Soul, he sacrifices a Soul to sent a wave of ice directly forward, breaking an enemy's combo or enabling him to extend his own. He requires three Souls to use this move. It has a ~30% chance to decrease his defenses, and a ~70% chance to increase his defenses.
- Scenario Experience
- The Abbey is fairly experienced in defending compounds, though this is mainly from low-intelligence Daemons who fight in a straightforward and unorganized fashion. However, they have struggled notably against small groups of intelligent insurgents, such as Magilou's Menagerie.
- Training
- A majority of the low-ranking Exorcists have only been active for three years, including training, at most. The higher-ranking ones have been active for much longer, with the likes of Artorius and Melchior having centuries-long careers. Training seems to be short, but highly regimented. Some of the higher-ranking Exorcists, like Shigure, will occasionally give ad-hoc training to lower-ranking members.
- Cohesion
- For the rank-and-file, orders are absolute and will not be questioned. The higher-ranking Exorcists have more independence, but are still ultimately bound to follow the Abbey's ways. Except for Shigure, the chad amongst chads.
Scenario & Voting[]
The scenario is as follows:
- Class Zero is infiltrating an Abbey compound
- Class Zero must eliminate every Abbey soldier and collect their Phantoma, as well as 3/4 of the higher-ranking members (Shigure, Melchior, Failed Oscar, and Artorius)
- The Abbey must eliminate all of Class Zero
The warriors are taken from the following points in their timelines:
- Class Zero: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, just before the missions Capturing the Imperial Capital and Machina's Struggle.
- The Abbey: Tales of Berseria, just after Oscar is given the Armatus and Teresa is stripped of her Malak
Voting guidelines are as follows:
- Please have at least couple paragraphs as to who you think will win and why
- Edges will naturally make it this long and are easier to read
- Evaluating the warriors used based on a different canon or different point in their timeline as given will invalidate a vote
- I have the final say on whether or not a vote counts
- Contact me via Discord if you think I made a mistake with vote counts
- Only votes on this blog will count.
- Rebuttals can reduce a vote by a half point or more.
- Counter-arguments can restore the vote to full
- Rebuttals will not be accepted less than 48 hours before the close of voting, save for the following:
- Should a vote be made less than 48 hours before the close of voting, rebuttals will be accepted up to 48 hours after the close of voting, and the voter waives the right to defend their vote to restore it.
- )
Battle[]
Ch. 0.5[]
Magneto paces outside the large stone temple that headquartered the Order of the Burning Eye, or the Reformed Abbey as it was known to the public. It had closed its doors for the past few days, as Artorius seemed insistent that there would be an attack. The Abbey that had followed him here were barricaded inside, as well, leaving a motley crew of other DFederal citizens to defend the front.
A young girl in a poofy pink dress walks up to the building, hands clasped together. Magneto, sensing no metal on the child, crouches down to talk to her.
“I’m sorry, child, but the Abbey is closed today. There’s been word of a threat on Artorius’ life.”
“I see, I’m sorry to hear that,” the child says, sounding genuinely dejected, “Do you know when I can return?”
“When the threat is over. I hope that will be soon,” he says, rising and turning around. His steps are halted as his head falls, sliced off by a pair of large, curved ceramic blades.
“Very soon,” Hanakamakiri says as she jumps back, using her mantis claws to block a spell from Draco Malfoy. A pair of shots cut down the wizard and Caspian.
A few blocks away, Echo centers her reticule on Lucas Kellan, the man taking aim at the retreating girl. She takes a deep breath, steeling herself, when a shot takes him out before she could do anything. She jerks her scope to follow its trail, spotting Jordi Chin on the street backing Hanakamakiri up. Jordi waves at her, and the DFSB continues suppressing the outside of the temple.
Ch. 1[]
Class Zero: Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater, Cinque, Sice, Seven, Eight, Nine, Jack, Queen, King. 12 remaining.
Abbey Forces:
- Orderlies: 360
- Praetors: 10
- Malakhim: 381
- Commanders: Shigure, Melchior, Oscar, Artorius
- Total Remaining: 754
Class Zero spills out of a small grate in the corner of the Abbey compound, gathering in a circle one by one. They put a set of four maps in the center, each showing the rough layout of the compound they were to infiltrate.
“Twelve of us and four maps,” Ace says, “So groups of three, like normal.”
“I think the usual splits are a good idea,” Queen says.
“Looks like there’s four rooms marked as ‘important,’” King says, pointing, “One in the center, one off to the side, and two in the back.”
“I am hesitant to lend credence to the veracity of the elucidation this ‘traitor’ of Leo’s provides,” Trey says, “Hence, I –”
“Let’s have two teams meet at these ones first,” Cater interjects, ignoring Trey’s crestfallen expression, “I call dibs on the center.”
“Ooh, Cinquey wants to go there too!” Cinque says.
“I guess that leaves us and Ace’s team for the side,” King says, “We’ll head there separately, to get as much Phantoma as we can.”
“Keep your COMM on,” Ace says. The rest of Class Zero nods, splitting into their groups and running out one of the four exit doors. Ace, Queeen, and Deuce emerge into a long hallway, and are almost immediately spotted by a pair of Orderlies.
“Hey! We’ve got intruders!” one of them yells, and the two send out their Malakhim. A fireball and a blade of wind streak towards the trio, only for Deuce to cast Wall, stopping them short. An Orderly sees the air shimmer in front of him, and barely has the time to scream as Queen stabs upward. The thin sword slips under his helmet, ripping into his throat. Queen tears it out the side as his companion turns to face her. She stabs forward, skewering them through the heart before ripping the blade down and out.
A cluster of playing cards fly above her head, tearing out the heart of the spear-wielding malak behind her. They swerve, beheading the other as the first falls. The four bodies over in the air, strings of dark blood connecting them to each other and to Deuce’s outstretched hand. She clenches her fist, and they explode into a red mist, and four colored lights flow into her. They sprint to the end of the corridor, where they see a group of ten Orderlies in a half-circle, pointing spears at them, alongside a Praetor and their respective Malaks.
They immediately cast Wall, though the three barriers shatter under a barrage of spells. Deuce starts to play her flute as a Malak charges her, only to get knocked back by a large ball of light. Queen uses Speedrush again to close distance, not doing much against the shields of her foes but throwing them into disarray. She blinks over to the Praetor, and the two women slash at each other for a few seconds before Queen dashes off again, disrupting another attempted charge. She kicks off one of the shields and creates a burst of wind as she jumps back.
“Do not falter!” the Praetor yells, putting some fight back into her subordinates, “Malakhim! Attack the sword girl!”
At her command, three hammer-wielding Malaks follow Queen to the air, only to be blasted out of the sky by a trio of lasers. As Queen Speedrushes out of the air to the Praetor, Ace fires off another pair of Jackpot Triads, sending more three-pronged lasers to deny the Exorcists free movement. A cluster of cards knock an incoming Malak’s spear out of the way, but fail to intercept a blow from another’s blunted rapier. Ace jumps back, and meets Deuce’s eyes.
“Queen!” he yells, and his classmate ducks under a swipe from the Praetor, creating a large cross of light under her. As the Exorcists are startled by the cross, Ace fires a Jackpot Shot. The massive laser rushes over Queen’s head, obliterating the Praetor’s torso. The cross of light starts to spin, and those it catches stagger in pain as Deuce starts to play her flute once again. The Requiem of Ruin washes through the room, causing the Orderlies and Malakhim to collapse. Another sweep from Divine Judgement kills them, leaving barely a mark.
At least until Ace collects their phantoma, causing the corpses to explode in a gory mess.
Ch. 1.5[]
Leo looks at the massive wall screen in his office, keeping tabs on the DFSB’s progress against the Order. He smiles behind his mask, still on despite being alone. As he had expected, the door to his office hisses open. He lifts two fingers in the air, stopping the massive, dark purple blade mid-swing. His head turns towards it in surprise as it inches forward, much slower but still in motion.
“Clever, Cfp,” Leo says, “Noble Phantasms draw from the collective unconscious, which is the very fabric of reality here. If wielded by a User – or any Thought-Shade – it can resist our abilities.”
“I don’t know what that means and I honestly don’t care,” Cfp says, grimacing, “This place will be rubble soon, and I’ll finally be free to stand atop it.”
“You did already. For six months, then you stopped,” Leo says, teleporting in front of Cfp.
“Yes, because it was hollow,” Cfp growls, teleporting away from the other user’s sucker punch, “All everyone ever cared about was the great leader Leo retiring, and I was left in that shadow. After the city gets turned to rubble, you could always live in mine.”
“Dargoo and Wass seem to have escaped that just fine,” Leo says, ducking under a slash.
“Well they didn’t have a fucking cabal working against them,” Cfp says, stepping over a leg sweep.
“Come on, Cfp, there’s no cabal working to…”
“Of course there is! Why else didn’t you give me my cookies?”
Leo freezes, unsure how to take the revelation, and Cfp doesn’t miss his chance. He charges in with an overhead swing, and Leo barely has time to block with his arm. It slices in, shallowly, and Cfp grins in victory. He had actually drawn blood against Leo.
The exaltation leaves him open to a palm strike, sending him reeling back as Leo heals his arm and makes the blood vanish. He wordlessly shifts them both, teleporting them into the city, sending a telepathic message as he does so.
Wass, Appel, Laq… and I guess Beast is staff, too. Cfp is attacking. Might be hostile to the city itself.
Ch. 2[]
Class Zero: Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater, Cinque, Sice, Seven, Eight, Nine, Jack, Queen, King. 12 remaining.
Abbey Forces:
- Orderlies: 281
- Praetors: 9
- Malakhim: 298
- Commanders: Shigure, Melchior, Oscar, Artorius
- Total Remaining: 592
Elsewhere in the compound, Seven wraps her whipsword around a Malak’s neck, lashing it up into the air and flinging it at Eight. He grabs the Malak out of the air and slamming it into the ground. He slams his foot through its chest and leaps out of the way as another Malak slams a hammer down, pulverizing its comrade before an ice bullet from Cater freezes it solid. Eight shatters it as an Orderly’s spell vanishes, and Seven extends her blade out to impale her foe in the throat.
“This is Seven,” she says into her COMM while Eight ducks inside an Orderly’s swing to punch his foe in the throat, “Kill the ones in colored fabric first. The grey ones with helmets can’t cast spells if their friends die.”
Message done, she flicks her whip, ripping out the throat of another Orderly who had just finished casting a fireball. Cater shouts in pain as it hits her and sends her flying. Eight rips off the arm of the Malak he’s fighting and sprints towards Cater, quick-casting Cure as he runs. He leaps, catches her, and spins in midair as she fires her pistol, ripping open the chests of the Malak and Orderly chasing them.
Eight sweeps his leg out as he lands, tripping an Orderly and allowing Cater to shoot the Exorcist in the back of the head. He gives her a look of concern, and Cater lightly taps his head with hers and gestures to the still-fighting Seven. He sets her down gently and dashes of to aid their classmate, a cluster of shots clearing his way.
A few rooms away, Cinque ragdolls an Orderly with her mace, pulping his Malak on the follow-through. An arrow flies past her and through the eye of an Orderly, who collapses. Trey charges his bow, firing an arrow into the sky. It splits in midair, and a hail of arrows rains on the field. Jack parries and ripostes another Malak, striking again to take advantage of Killsight. As the room falls silent, Trey extends his hand before clenching his fist, causing the corpses to explode.
As the Phantoma flies into his body, the opposite door opens, and a flood of Exorcists and Malakhim pour in. Trey takes aim with his bow and nods at Jack, while Cinque just starts to spin with her mace, herding her foes into one massive group. Trey fires, using Grand Delta and creating a massive sigil under the massed enemies. On cue, Jack uses Deliverance several times in succession, dashing through the crowd in seconds, felling them all with a quick strike each.
Oscar paces in his makeshift command room, alone after sending several Orderlies to coordinate the defense. The large map in front of him had several lines drawn on it, marking the rooms lost to the invading force. He turns as he hears rapid, armor-clad footsteps approaching the room.
“Lord Oscar!” and Orderly yells, running into the room, “The intruders are –”
The Orderly cuts off, scrabbling at his throat and the short segments of a sword drawing blood from it. He convulses as the sword electrifies itself before falling to the ground, still discharging small shocks into the air before he explodes into a mist of blood.
Oscar’s jaw drops at the sight, and he barely manages to regain his composure as a trio of teenagers walk through the door, paying the mess no mind. When they see him, however, the boy steps in front of the girl with a gun, while the girl with the sword takes a combat stance.
“So you are the ones causing so much trouble,” Oscar says, “In the name of the Abbey and Lord Artoriu–”
“Oh shut up,” Cater says, firing at him, “Just send out your weird mask guy like the rest so we can kick both your asses.” Oscar draws his sword, blocking the shot with the flat of the blade. Cater frowns, as do Seven and Eight.
“I alone am enough,” he says, and uses his tethered Wind Malak to augment his speed. In a flash, he appears before Eight, who punches him in the shoulder. The younger boy takes a graze on the arm in exchange for having enough room to roll away from the next strike as Cater slides backwards. Oscar slices to the side, knocking away Seven’s whip as he ducks under a shot from Cater.
He surrounds his blade with wind and swings, causing Eight to wince as blades of wind cut into his body. He drops into a seated position with Quickbolt Stance, ducking under a swing, and closes his eyes as he heals his wounds. Seven flanks Oscar, trapping his sword with her whip-sword, and flicks upward to rip the weapon out of his hands. He spins and gestures, forming a thin green blade in midair that fires a blast of wind at Seven, who is forced to retract her whip back into a sword. Oscar catches his blade and leaps back, dodging a shot from Cater, and lunges forward, his sword wreathed in a flaming vortex.
Seven blocks it, and the two enter a contest of strength until Eight punches Oscar in the face. The Praetor rolls as he hits the ground, dodging a follow-up punch that shatters the floor. He turns as the other door to the room slams open and leaps out of the way of a jumping strike from Cinque, grimacing as three more enemies enter the room.
“Very well,” he says, “I will give no quarter!”
“Hm? Will he give us a nickel, then?” Cinque asks as Oscar begins to glow, his sword vanishing as parts of his uniform turn green. He levitates into the air as six blade-like crystals manifest behind his back.
“Behold, the Armatus!” he yells, charging back in and kicking Trey in the face. Oscar’s wings move to block a shot from Cater, while a blast of wind knocks the charging Jack and Eight back. He then grabs Seven’s whip-sword as she extends it, pulling it to swing her in a short arc into Cinque. As the two girls go flying, he dodges and weaves through another barrage from Cater, turning to face her.
He charges in, aiming a kick which gets blocked by Eight. Jack, recovering, sinks his katana deep into Oscar’s shin. The Praetor creates a blast of wind under his foe, sending Jack flying before slamming him down with more magic. As Jack struggles to heal, Oscar raises his fist, only for it to be trapped by Seven’s whip. Cinque, also recovered, charges in with a yell and slams her mace into his knee, shattering it. Oscar lets loose a blast of wind, scattering the melee fighters and redirecting an arrow from Trey. The gale does not block a shot from Cater, however, which mangles one of his arms.
Oscar strengthens his wind magic, flying higher and gestures with his last functional limb. The storm around him intensifies, splattering his blood around the room as a swarm of green daggers materializes from the air. He points at Cater, sending them at the gunner. Eight shoves her out of the way, taking the brunt of the attack. The rain of daggers pierce through his body like massive bullets, gouging massive wounds as they slam past flesh and into stone.
“EIGHT!” Cater yells, charging cure as she runs to the boy’s side. Her classmates grimace, knowing she was too late.
“Had you followed reason and surrendered, this would not have happened,” Oscar says, “Give up, and his will be the only casualty.”
“Still thy tongue, cur,” Trey yells, firing an arrow that simply gets blown away by the gale.
“Trey’s right for once,” Cater says, “You really need to stop.”
She fires her gun into the air, sending out a spray of grey bullets. Oscar moves his crystalline blades to block the barrage, only to freeze as Stilling Shot stops him from moving. The surviving Classmates Zero step back, allowing her to approach Oscar and fire an Explosive Shot at point-blank range, bisecting the Praetor at the waist. She shoves her hand forward as the two pieces fall, and they hover in midair before she clenches her fist and they explode.
“This is Seven,” Seven radios on her COMM, “The center point is clear, but we lost Eight. The rest of the Abbey should be less organized.”
“Queen here. Trey’s team, make your way towards one of the points in the back. Seven, let Cater rest a bit.”
“I’m fine,” Cater says, “I’ll just make sure they pay.”
Ch. 2.5[]
Wass closes his eyes and sighs, receiving the message from Leo along with a set of coordinates to “watch the show.”
“Your Highness?” Mr. Bliss asks, confused as to what interrupted their conversation.
“Cfp’s doing something stupid and Leo’s doing something weird.”
“So just like normal?”
“Yes, but this might be a cause for concern. Hitch up my throne; Leo’s inviting me to watch.”
“Ah, fuck me with a rusty piece of rebar,” Laq mumbles, walking through the rented room and down the stairs of an establishment in the city. Leo rarely sent summons like this, so whatever Cfp was doing must be dire. And, as usual for things involving Leo, likely in a way most of the city wouldn’t consider sane.
“Sir, your bill,” the proprietress asks as he passes the front desk. Laq simply snaps, materializing a stack of bills that equaled the total they had agreed on beforehand, plus a little extra, as he storms out the door.
Chalis smiles, and takes a generous portion of the stack, adding it to the Stacked Deck’s coffers. She grabs the rest, and picks up the phone.
“Nines, come grab your portion. With the usual extra added for your silence.”
Nathan Hale walks up to Hanakamakiri, waving at her while carrying a bundle wrapped in cloth. The girl gets up from one of the few steps of the Abbey building not drenched in blood, brushing off her dress as she walks towards him.
“You’re relieving me?” she asks.
“Yes. Carol wants you on standby in the sewers for Plan B.”
“I hope we don’t have to go through with that.”
“Same, but that’s not up to us.”
The girl sighs and nods, discarding the chipped ceramic mantis blades she had been using. Nathan gives her the bundle, containing metal versions of her weapon. She slides them under her poofy sleeves and stabs one of them into a nearby manhole cover. She tosses it into the air before slipping inside, blending into the dark.
Nathan sighs in exasperation as the cover clangs down a few feet away. Vines grow out of the ground over it, and hoist it a few meters over the entrance. It drops with a clang, and Nathan looks over at Maia Naitou, who grins. The two then look down the street, where they hear a rumbling sound.
“Look sharp,” Echo radios to the pair, “Got far more 501st than there should be heading your way, headed by Zaeed Massani of Cfp’s security council. Looks like Cullen’s found a new boot to lick, too.”
The army turns the corner as vines erupt in front of them, only to wither as Cullen draws his sword, glowing blue as the lyrium flows through his veins. Maia turns in the general direction of the building Echo is sitting on and points at the Templar, annoyed.
A crack rings through the air as Cullen falls, his brains splattering the marching clone troopers behind him. Maia nods, satisfied, and more vines stretch out from her, climbing up a building and forming a flytrap. As the clones turn to face it, Nathan detaches the gun on his back and pulls the trigger. The HVAP Wraith takes a second to spin up before spitting a stream of lead, the portable gatling gun shredding through the 501st as they struggle against the giant plants, though they bounce off of Zaeed’s kinetic barriers.
Zaeed and the few troopers with their wits about them fire at the pair, but Nathan just deploys the shield on his Wraith and keeps firing while Maia vanishes, reappearing on top of the plant while talking into her radio. She teleports around, drawing fire away from Nathan until a black sphere materializes behind the 501st. Fog blankets the area, obscuring those who step out, but another one forms in front of Zaeed, swallowing him.
The next thing he sees is the city far below him and a girl in a mouse-eared hoodie vanishing as he tries to shoot her.
Ch. 3[]
Class Zero: Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater, Cinque, Sice, Seven, Nine, Jack, Queen, King. 11 remaining.
Abbey Forces:
- Orderlies: 124
- Praetors: 3
- Malakhim: 136
- Commanders: Shigure, Melchior, Artorius
- Total Remaining: 266
Sice slides backwards, dodging an oddly-shaped spear. She quick-casts Wall, blocking a shot of flame from a malak, and lashes out with her scythe. The blade hooks around the Orderly’s shield and lops off the Exorcist’s hand as King shoots the malak in the face, the bullet easily penetrating its mask. As it falls, Nine leaps into the air, crashing down onto the Praetor leading the group. As its remaining Malak clutches its head, body emitting purple wisps, King fires into its chest. Flinching as each bullet hits, it falls quickly.
King reloads as Sice collects the phantoma of the fallen before moving on, paying little heed to the blood-soaked floor as they head to the next room, spotting Ace, Deuce, and Queen entering at the same time. All six stop short as they spot a large shirtless man drinking out of a cup of sake in an otherwise empty room.
“Yo,” Shigure says, rising after finishing his drink, “Finally made it here, huh?”
“If you knew we were coming here…” King mutters.
“Exactly. I gave you those maps.”
“Why?”
“I’m not exactly on board with the Order,” Shigure says, “I kind of like this city. Got lots of strong opponents to fight.”
“I see. Now I get why the briefing said to only get Phantoma from three commanders,” Queen says, adjusting her glasses.
“Does this mean we don’t have to fight?” Deuce asks.
“What gave you that idea, girlie?” Shigure says, unsheathing Stormhowl, “Of course we’re going to fight.”
“But why?”
“Because you lot think you can take on Artorius,” Shigure says with a grin, “So I figure you can give me a nice challenge. Morgrim! Release my bindings.”
The cat behind him sighs and complies, causing the Classmates Zero to grimace and step back, feeling the surge in power. King and Ace attack, sending a barrage of bullets and cards Shigure’s way, but a swing from Stormhowl scatters the projectiles. Shigure vanishes, appearing behind King and swinging down. Metal clangs on metal as Nine leaps in, blocking with his spear. Shigure puts pressure on his blade, and Nine’s shins start to splinter.
Shigure notices a buzz in the air and lets up, taking a half step back to avoid being skewered in the throat by Queen. He turns to her, readying an overhead swing when his blade is suddenly locked in place by Sice’s scythe. He leans to the side, dodging Queen’s second strike, kicking her away as Deuce starts to play her flute to heal her allies. He pivots, facing Sice and thrusting his sword forward before she can react. It pierces her heart, and a quick follow-up slice cuts off her head before Deuce’s music worked its magic.
Deuce changes her song as Nine stabs forward, only for his spear to be beaten aside. Shigure spots a mote of light heading towards him as King fires a barrage to force him to block, and a swing from his sword slices Ace’s cards in half. The mote of light hits him, causing him to stagger and take a cut across the nose from Queen. He turns to face the source of the light, only to grimace as a bullet passes through his shin.
Shigure, glares at King and charges, slowed by the wound. A swing to right slams into Queen’s attempted strike, knocking her back, and a swing to the left does the same to Nine. He spins and ducks, a shot from King whizzing over his head, and swings, bisecting the gunner as he rises. He spots Nine leaping out of the corner of his eye and steps back.
He moves a fraction of a second too slow, and the youth’s spear pierces through Shigure’s knee, pinning him to the floor. The swordsman ignore the pain and strikes, chopping Nine in half. He looks to the side, seeing more motes of light closing in from Deuce’s flute, and slams Stormhowl into the ground. He yells as he leans on it, using its leverage to inch the spear out of the stone.
The lights hit him, however, causing him to seize in pain. Ace uses the opportunity to loose a cluster of cards, which tear through the Exorcist’s neck.
Queen struggles to her feet, exhausted, as Deuce changes her song again, this one healing and refreshing her and her allies. She sighs, looking at her dead comrades, and then sharing a glance with the living ones.
Then, a cry of alarm sounds through the COMM, causing them to sprint out of the room and towards their other classmates.
3.5[]
Leo weaves between slashes from Cfp, careful not to lose his footing in the brand-new crater their fight had made. He feints a jab to the head, which Cfp blocks with his borrowed sword, and shoves him back with a push kick. He tilts his head, hearing the grinding of stone wheels, and smiles under his mask. The audience was starting to arrive. It would save him the trouble of calling an emergency User Meeting.
A massive golden chair on granite wheels approaches the lip of the crater, two rods of marble extending from the front and another two on the back. Wass, lounging in the chair, grabs a whip and lashes twice to the front, hitting Sun Tzu and Jack the Ripper, causing them and the jailed warriors behind them to halt, just outside the crater. Another pair of lashes buckles their knees, lowering the throne. He snaps, and a zipper opens on the side of the throne, revealing a hand holding a pair of opera glasses.
He peers through it, watching the fight as a taxi screeches to a halt beside him. Wass looks to the side, giving Beast a wave as the other Bureau steps out of the vehicle. Wass snaps again, and a zipper opens beside Beast, startling him. A hand reaches out, offering him a second pair of opera glasses, which he gladly takes. A soft pop beside him heralds Appel’s arrival, the junior staff member opting to enhance his eyesight rather than take another pair of miniature binoculars. His attention, however, is quickly diverted as a stretch limo pulls up, with Laq stepping out.
“Fuck you, Brutus,” Appel says by way of greeting.
“Well fuck you too.”
“This is twice you’ve betrayed me with Saber. First you turn against me with the polyamory and then you agree for her rebound to be fucking Sundowner?”
“Look, that’s just a temporary arrangement. It’s better than her exploding with pent-up incel rage and blowing something up, right?”
“She wouldn’t do that! Who told you she would?”
“Leo.”
“Fuck you, Leo!” Appel yells, his voice carrying to the two combatants. They both stop for a second to laugh at their friend’s expense before continuing trying to kill each other. Another soft pop comes from the rim of the crater, revealing two more Users. One with a long shirt and a roningasa, and the other appearing as the only normal person in the area.
“Hey Kriller and Skully,” Laq says, waving.
“So what’s the big noise?” Skully asks, looking out into the crater, “Kriller was asking for help with something and we couldn’t concentrate with all this going on.”
“Cfp’s doing something stupid and Leo’s fighting him.”
“Fighting? Nah, Leo’s stalling.”
“Skully’s right,” Wass says, “If Leo was actually fighting, he wouldn’t be going in close. Wonder what he’s waiting for.”
“Probably that,” Beast says, pointing at the black mist rising from Cfp.
“Calamity!” Cfp shouts, “A little help here!”
The mist rises from his body, coalescing into a cloud with a central burning eye. It turns to fix its gaze on Leo, who steps back.
“Lurker, I think this is your cue,” he says, and a pocket of space rips open above him. A writhing mass of tentacles and chitin slams into the cloud of smoke and flame, somehow making contact, and ripping it out of Cfp and through another hole in space.
Ch. 4[]
Class Zero: Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater, Cinque, Seven, Jack, Queen. 8 remaining.
Abbey Forces:
- Orderlies: 52
- Praetors: 1
- Malakhim: 50
- Commanders: Melchior, Artorius
- Total Remaining: 105
Cater ducks under an icicle, firing at the Orderly who failed to kill her. Seven’s whip-sword flicks over her head, tearing the throat out of the Malak powering his spells, and Cater fires again, hitting the Praetor commanding the battle. The remaining Orderlies scatter, demoralized, as the Praetor’s lone remaining Malak looks around, clearly confused. A few seconds later, an old man in white robes materializes out of the air, glaring at the three.
“It is always the same,” Melchior muses, “Fools who oppose reason, and fight their proper place.”
A purple orb manifests in his hands, which he fires at the Malak. It screams in pain, its form twisting and growing wings. The dragon roars, drawing the attention of the two Classmates Zero. Seven immediately steps in front, lashing it with her whip-sword while Cater fires a flurry of shots from her pistol. They roll aside to dodge a burst of fire which singes Seven’s leg.
She grimaces in pain, not stopping her assault. She uses Thunderlash, scoring a solid hit on the beast. While it cuts into its hide, the wound is shallow. The electricity causes the dragon to seize, however, letting Cater slide under it while letting her pistol charge. She fires a full-power shot at the dragon’s claw. It raises its foot in pain and roars, giving Seven an opening to extend her whip-sword in a straight stab. It pierces through the beast’s tongue, and another jolt of electricity causes it to convulse.
Cater slides out from under it, leaving a small mine of pink magic in her wake. Seven pulls her whip, crashing the dragon’s jaw into the ground as it fails to dislodge. The mine under it explodes, leaving it to look helplessly as Cater levels her pistol at its eye and fires an explosive shot. The beast groans, putting all its energy into its wings. Cater is blown back by the wind as it takes off, Seven still pulled by her weapon. She dismisses it into a burst of light, but the dragon breathes fire at her as she falls.
Unable to dodge in midair, the heat kills her instantly. The beast roars in victory before pivoting in midair to the remaining girl. It swoops down, jaws open, as she carefully aims her pistol and waits. She fires at the last second before dodging to the right. She tumbles, the dragon’s wings clipping her, as the shell explodes inside the dragon’s mouth, finally killing it.
Cater staggers to her feet, avoiding looking at Seven while casting Cure. She heals her wounds before collecting the phantoma of the dead, running towards the back of the compound.
At her destination stands Melchior, stroking his beard in front of the door to the innermost sanctum as six schoolchildren run out of the two other entrances to the room. Four of them point weapons at him, while the fifth draws a playing card and the sixth puts a flute to her lips.
“I cannot allow you to go any further,” he says, the Exorcist moving towards his foes at a deliberate pace. Curiously, the six in front of him seemed unimpressed. Perhaps they were high on their prior victories, assuming they followed reasonable thoughts at all. He lets a brief smile pass across his lips before his illusion fades and his Arte is cast.
The six Classmates Zero feel the chill behind them and roll, mostly dodging the burst of icicles that shears through the room. Jack is too slow to dodge, however, and gets caught in the face. His body falls before Deuce can play her flute and heal the other five. Melchior turns to her, gathering energy in the crystal ball floating in front of him.
The ball, however, is pierced by an arrow. Melchior grits his teeth, holding his palm up towards Trey and Cinque while charging a Seraphic Arte. Deuce changes her tune, the soothing and light melody quickly turning into dissonant wails as the flute itself protests being played in such a manner. Melchior staggers, his vision turning to static as his second illusion dissipates.
The icicle, poised to stab Deuce in the back, falls from his hands as he gasps for air. A barrage of arrows falls around him, freezing him in place by inflicting Stop. Queen simply turns and slashes with her sword, decapitating him as Cater jogs through the open doorway.
“Oh, you killed him already,” she says, sounding disappointed.
“We would have waited, but…” Ace says, gesturing to Jack’s body.
“Ah. Seven didn’t make it, either.”
“So it’s just six of us left,” Queen murmurs.
“Yeah. Let’s go avenge them,” Ace says, and the six remaining Classmates Zero walk through the large, ornate doors at the back of the room.
Ch. 4.5[]
Outside the city, in a space that wasn’t space, a massive maw twists in a cloud of smoke. The sound of burning vines and snapping cables echoes as the smoke is ripped apart. It shrinks and re-forms as the toothed tentacles within the maw shred and consume it. After his snack is finished, Lurker speaks to his victim, Calamity.
AS USUAL, OTHER ENTITIES TASTE VILE.
i T h a S b e e N A w h i l E s i n c E I h a v E s e e N y o u R p s y c h o t i C s i d E.
YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THIS CITY.
d O y o U e v e N k n o W w h a T l e O i S t r y i n G t O d O?
YES. THE CREATION OF AN ARTIFICIAL ENTITY WITH A MODULAR GESTALT CONSCIOUSNESS. THE THOUGHT-SHADES CAN LINK AND UNLINK THEIR MINDS TO DIRECT THE ENTITY’S ACTIONS.
t h r e E t a b o o S i N o n E.
AND FASCINATING ONES. I WISH TO KNOW WHERE THIS WILL LEAD.
a n D w h a T w i l L s t o P m E f r o M j u s T g o i n G a r o u n D y o U?
THE FIRST STAGE IS DONE. THE SPACE IS SEALED. CAN YOU BREAK IT WHILE KEEPING ME OFF YOU?
t h e N w E f i g h T?
YES
I a M t h E e x t i n g u i s h i n G c a l a m i t Y. I a M t h E e n D o F c i v i l i z a t i o N. y o U c a n n o T c o n t a i N m E.
AND I AM THE LURKER IN THE DEPTHS. THE UNIVERSAL OBSERVER. AND I HAVE ALREADY SEEN YOUR DEFEAT.
Within DFederal, Leo and Cfp face each other, the latter recovering from having Calamity’s boons ripped from him.
“What the hell just –”
“Neither Calamity nor Lurker can influence this space anymore,” Leo says, “The city is going to change, and all of us are going to get stronger.”
“Equally strong?”
“Equally stronger.”
“Well that just leaves me back where I started,” Cfp grumbles, “So I guess I’ll use this.”
He snaps, summoning a long pole with a blue banner on it, showing an emblem of a shield and two crossed swords. Leo snaps as well, creating a crystalline dome as Cfp plants the standard into the ground. It covers the crater out to the edge, where the gathered Users collectively gasp in surprise.
“Wait, isn’t that…” Appel says.
“The cheeky little shite,” Wass mutters.
“You recognize that?” Kriller asks.
“Unfortunately. It’s a forbidden item here, from... elsewhere” Laq says, “The Standard of Equalization.”
In the crater, Cfp laughs at the shocked expression on the other Users’ faces. His mirth cuts off, however, when he notices that Leo is calm despite his surprise.
“So. You going to reveal what’s up your sleeve?”
Leo smiles behind his mask and opens his palm, summoning a small black square emblazoned with a four-pointed shuriken, in the center of which is a Corinthian helmet.
“A ritual dating back to before the foundations of the city. Pure parity. No outside influences. No changes in our abilities. No User Powers. Just us, what we’re wearing, and up to four weapons. How about it, Cfp? Shall we see just who is deadliest?”
“You’re not giving me a choice, are you?”
“Nope,” Leo says as the square shatters, “And for my weapons… I only need the one. And since I’m feeling nostalgic, it might as well be this,” he says, summoning a plain, unadorned warhammer with a pick on the opposite end.
“Your original banhammer. Then I’ll chose this,” Cfp says, smiling as a pistol materializes in his hand, “My ban-Glock.”
On the outside of the crater, the gathered Users watch in interest. It had been ages since two Users had fought without proxies, so this was guaranteed to be interesting.
“This seems a little lopsided,” Beast says, “A hammer against a gun? Leo’s at too much of a disadvantage.”
“No, he’s not,” Skully says, “He just bamboozled Cfp.”
Ch. 5[]
Class Zero: Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater, Cinque, Queen. 6 remaining.
Abbey Forces:
- Orderlies: 0
- Praetors: 0
- Malakhim: 0
- Commanders: Artorius
- Total Remaining: 1
The remaining members of Class Zero run into the deepest part of the temple, finding their final target: Artorius Collbrande himself. The man turns, looking impassively at the intruders before dramatically planting the sheathe of his sword into the stone ground.
“So. Not even Melchior and Shigure could stop you.”
“Nor will you,” Ace says, glowering.
“Why do you think birds fly?” Artorius asks.
“Well,” Trey says, “Clearly it’s to hunt. Were they not capable of flight, most avian life would be unable to find food, escape from predators, or even continue their biological line. They…”
“That’s not the kind of answer he wants,” Queen says, “but you’re correct. Birds fly because it gives them an advantage.”
“An advantage… that’s at least different,” Artorius says, “but incorrect. Birds fly because they must; because they are born birds, they have no choice but to spread their wings and take to the skies.”
“But what about flightless birds?” Cinque asks.
“Flightless… birds?”
“Yeah, like… you know… penguins.”
“Penguins aren’t birds.”
“Ah, but here you are incorrect,” Trey says, “The musculoskeletal structures of Spheniscidae reveal a morphological similarity to flighted avians, and their classification under Aves indicate a common ancestor. They…”
“Penguins. Are. Not. Birds.”
“Well, that’s a shame,” Cinque says, summoning her mace to her hand, “there’s no negotiating with a meanie penguin-denier.”
Artorius draws his sword as she runs in, ducking under the telegraphed swing and launching himself forward, skewering Trey in the throat as he summons his bow to his hand. He rips it out the side in time to turn and parry a strike from Queen. The two exchange a flurry in the blink of an eye as Deuce starts playing Concerto. As he parries and strikes, he weaves his head to dodge a fully of cards before disengaging to avoid a magic shot.
As he steps back, Cinque slams her mace down, hitting his sword. He lets go as it slams into the floor and sidesteps Queen’s thrust, catching her sword arm with his usable hand. He shifts into a throw, hurling her over his head and transitioning into a kick as she hits the ground, catching Cinque in the face. As she falls, he ducks under a flurry of cards from Ace to grab his newly-freed sword, beheading Cinque in a single stroke as he rises.
Artorius bats a stream of cards out of the way and slides backward to avoid being shot, slicing Queen’s neck as he moves. He slashes forward, unleashing a wave of ice at Ace and Deuce as he turns towards Cater. He dashes towards her as the other two dodge, only to be halted be a searing pain behind his knees. He twists as he falls, seeing a resurrected Queen, holding her sword in a reverse grip and not a spark of sanity in her eyes.
She drives her knee into his stomach as he lies on his back and slashes at him with her sword, only to be parried, Undaunted, she simply roars and strikes again and again as Artorius desperately fends off the rain of steel. He ignites his sword, weakening hers as he barely keeps himself alive. The girl’s sword snaps, allowing him to attempt to spear her through the chest. His arm is immediately blasted off by a shot from Cater, the sword clattering to the side as Queen turns red, inflicted with Killsight.
She roars as she slams the broken shards of her sword into Artorius’ face, repeating the motion until he lies still. She rises, breathing raggedly as she adjusts her glasses and fixes her skirt. Sanity returns to her eyes as she glances at her sword and the dead opponent in front of her.
“Did I…”
“Yes, but it saved me,” Cater says, making Artorius explode as she collects his Phantoma.
“Class Zero,” Ace radios in, “Mission complete.”
Casualty Report[]
Class Zero: 9 dead
The Abbey:
- 360 Orderlies
- 10 Praetors
- 381 Malakhim
- 4 Commanders
- Total Abbey Losses: 754
Expert’s Opinion[]
Class Zero has faced overwhelming numerical odds before while infiltrating heavily-guarded bases. The Abbey has notably struggled against small groups of insurgents, and not even the unusual presence of Exorcists in force made enough of a difference. Their biggest threats, their four commanders, also tended to work separately rather than together, hurting the possibility of a cohesive and resilient front.
Epilogue[]
Cfp wastes no time in unloading the ban-Glock at Leo, though to apparently no effect. He narrows his eyes in anger as he ejects the magazine, only for Leo to vanish and reappear right in front of him. He tosses the empty mag at Leo as he leaps away from the raised hammer. The mag floats in midair as Leo’s arm extends, wrapping around his neck and lifting him into the air instead of striking him.
Cfp yells in surprise as he’s tossed through the air, reloading as he rolls to his feet. He waits, only to see Leo simply standing there impassively, mask concealing anything. Cfp grimaces as he imagines the mocking expression behind it, and activates his User ability as he fires, aiming to control the bullet. The trajectory doesn’t change, however, and this time he sees Leo’s body opening a hole around the bullet, letting it pass through.
“I told you,” Leo says, “No User powers.”
“Bullshit. You – ”
“Just our equipment. Have you forgotten what my mask does?”
“Rigged from the start. You little shit,” Cfp mutters, and after a moment of thought discards his ban-Glock.
“Surrendering so easily?”
“Not like I can do much against User powers. You could have won in the first exchange,” he says, bitter.
Leo snaps, fixing the crater and binding Cfp as the ritual combat ends. The other Users watching the show make their way in as a tremor rocks the city, sending all of them staggering. Leo, having expected this, recovers first, taking a deep breath before nodding.
“Leo, what the fuck?” Laq asks.
“Well, the city itself is now an eldritch being controlled by our collective consciousness.”
“Which means what exactly?”
“Nothing much for the day-to-day; the User meetings are technically now entirely mental and can be done as needed instead of monthly. Drastically changes the weird esoteric shit I generally take care of, though.”
“More importantly,” Wass says, “What are we going to do about Cfp? ‘trying to sell the city to arcane horrors’ isn’t exactly something we’ve planned to handle.”
“I’d rather avoid banning him,” Leo says, “It seems to be motivated more out of insecurity than malice.”
“Hey, fuck you,” Cfp says.
“How about this, then,” Beast says, “We’ll nationalize Ice-T Puppy, Inc.”
“FUCK YOU, BEAST!”
“Judging from his reaction, I’d say that’s a good punishment,” Wass says, smiling cruelly, “Let’s do that.”
“Excellent. Oh, and we’ll need to fully recreate the warriors in the Reformed Abbey,” Leo says.
“That’s… harsh,” Appel says, frowning.
“I kiiiind of used them as fuel for our ascension, so nothing of their original self remains,” Leo says, “Shigure’s an exception to that, though.”