Hey everyone, it's been a while. I'm back with another chapter! This one may be a little sad, but uh... I think y'all will be just fine (hopefully)
Don't come at me, but there may be someone's death(?) in this chapter.
Happy reading,
Your Author Baldy
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"What's the situation now?"
[She's unstable, she's releasing all of her mana. If this continues, she might self-destruct.]
Damnit! Is she really going to sacrifice herself to stop the loop?
I continued attacking the barrier, though it proved futile. I still wasn't used to the new transformation, it's difficult to use all my power...
I felt a cold touch on my back, I turned to see Elise, her face pale.
"I might be able to break the barrier,"
"How?"
She bit her lip, furrowing her brows. "That day in the dungeon, I awakened something..."
...
N/N reached her hand out to the suspicious crystal, before a light illuminated the room.
I looked around, everyone seemed frozen in time. I quickly rushed to N/N's side, waving my hand in front of her face.
No reaction.
I looked around, seeing everyone unmoving.
"Princess,"
Startled, I backed away.
"Who are you?"
"It's me.. your...."
The voice seemed to come from the crystal, it glowed brightly, seeming... alive.
"What are you?"
"No time... retrieve what belongs... to you.."
The crystal shattered, revealing a bright red ball of mana. It flowed towards me naturally, before disappearing into my chest.
"Use it in case of emergencies, it will become whatever you wish for it to be..."
"..."
I placed my hand on my chest, feeling the red glow in me.
...
"I can break the barrier, but after that... I'll be useless for a while,"
"Elise...?"
A red glowing orb emerged from Elise's body. When it came into contact with the barrier, a small gateway opened up.
"Hurry, before it closes back up,"
My heart trembled before a shakily nodded and rushed into the barrier.
"Lilian!"
"What? What are you doing here?!"
I grabbed her hand, forcing her away from the beast.
"Let me help you,"
"I... understood,"
As she said this, her body began fading, turning into many small balls of mana.
"What's happening?"
"I'm using up too much magic..."
"What? Stop it!"
I quickly grabbed her hand, which faded away as soon as I touched it.
"We don't have much time. Defeat Doom, you have to..."
She turned towards Batman, and extended her hand towards him.
"He will assist you... like I've always done,"
"What are you trying to say? You'll continue helping me, right? It's an order!"
"I don't think... I can fulfil this one..."
"Didn't you promise? Lilian, I'm the one you take orders from, damnit!"
"I apologise...for my incompetence,"
Her voice slowly became softer, and the magic particles flowed towards Batman, disappearing into him.
"Wait!"
I tried grabbing onto as many as I could, but failed miserably. I held onto the small, tiny magic particles that stayed in the palm of my hand.
This one wouldn't leave me.
Like her.
What she truly wished for.
To remain by my side, to be protected by me... to be cherished.
"I'm... sorry..."
"I couldn't protect you like I promised..."
My eyes stung badly, and I kept the small particle close to my chest.
"Are you upset?"
I quickly snapped my head back to Batman, who tilted his head in question.
"Are you upset, Master?"
My vision blurred as I tried to hold back a sick feeling churning in my stomach.
In that moment, he looked so much like her.
I swallowed down my sobs, the back of my throat hurting. This wasn't the time to be crying. I had a monster to defeat...
After this...
"Batman... do you feel anything different?"
"Warmth... Master, I think my final form is ready,"
"Then please, help me..."
"I promised to, a long time ago,"
That's right... you did, Lilian.
With that, Batman grew. His Cerberus form became larger than a building, still growing. His mana increased rapidly.
"The gatekeeper of hell's duty is to ensure that all beasts stay in the depths where they belong,"
He said as his claws grew, his fangs growing sharper. He looked like a proper Cerberus.
I placed my hand on his fur, feeling the softness and warmth radiating from it.
I then glanced outside the barrier, that had already closed after some time. There, everyone was. It all seemed slowed down.
I looked at Elise, who had fainted from exhaustion.
"Princess,"
"I won't let a repeat of the events happen again,"
Batman and I charged into Doom, starting a battle that would change everything.
[System: rebooting. System online.]
[Mission: Defeat Doom and Save the World.]
[The Final Mission.]
"Batman, are you ready?"
"Always, Master,"
We were absorbed by the dark fog.
Everything went black.
[Mission: Completed! Transferring Rewards now.]