Chapter Eight:
Andromeda's Angels Part One
Sword for Sword
"Remember the plan." The voice of Andromeda rang clear to everyone present.
"Understood, Mistress." A pale blonde woman, clad in celestial fabric spoke. She, along with two other people were currently flying over the Whispering Woods.
"Very good, Virgo. Orion, Cetus, do you understand?" The woman known as Virgo looked back to her partners.
"Yes, Mistress. Go in, go out." Orion replied, hovering lazily at the back. His golden armor glimmered slightly in the moonlight, giving his form an ethereal light.
"It's not that simple, Orion." This time, a short woman covered in pale blue robes stated back. Her dark, bobbed hair framed her unnaturally blue eyes.
"Settle down, Cetus." Orion turned his gaze to the woman. Cetus' face reflected no emotion, only a blank face that would slightly annoy Orion. "With all three of us attacking him, he wouldn't last a second."
"Don't underestimate our opponent Orion." Andromeda's voice sliced through the banter between celestial warriors. "This person is very dangerous. The guild council is in an uproar on trying to contain this menace. I suggest you start doing your job, unless you want a repeat of last year's incident. You are aware of why Hydra's not present to command this operation, correct?"
There was silence. The glow that surrounded Orion dimmed, quickly replaced with a sharp gaze. The two ladies beside him watched with a slight sense of curiosity for Orion's reaction.
"I am aware. And we'll capture this Dragon Slayer, one way or another." Orion's voice was low but certain, something that caused a slight crinkle to Virgo's porcelain skin.
"Perfect. And remember, do not in any circumstance let him use his Dragon Magic." It was all Andromeda said, before her illusion vanished, leaving the silent trio flying over the forest.
"Just like the plan, I'll draw him out and Cetus will restrain him." The two women beside him nodded. "We're gonna get this Dragon Slayer even without Hydra's help."
There was no reply, as everyone quickened their flight, all eyes focused on the upcoming canyons. Orion took in a deep breath.
"Virgo, do it."
____________________
Holland was currently flying within the canyons. He hoped that flying through here would keep anyone else from finding him. He was tired, and any more fights would be the death of him. The only way he had managed this flight speed was thanks to Runi, who was steadying his releases of Psychic energy.
Right inside his hood, Goomy laid perfectly snug. He returned Bel and was about to do the same to Goomy when the slippery dragon refused. From the looks of it, Holland could guess she didn't want to go back, in fear of being taken again. Holland's face dimmed at that thought.
As of now, he promised to never let that happen again.
The three of them were silent. It was the comforting kind, almost swaying Holland to sleep. He desperately refused though, he needed to be alert, yet he hoped nothing bad would happen. Right now, Runi was doing most of the heavy lifting, directing them through the winding maze of this seemingly infinite canyon. It was not until a slight rumble that their comforting silence was broken.
"What is it now…", Holland muttered as he watched the sky around him turn a dark purple hue as a wave of purple energy covered the entire sky.
"Ok, it's time to go." Holland said as he prepared him and Goomy for teleportation. However, Runi glowed only for the light to vanish as quickly as it came. "You've got to be kidding me." Holland's face twisted. That thing was keeping them here, and they needed to leave, now.
Holland and the rest of his team sped through the canyons, hoping to reach the edge as soon as possible. Why couldn't trouble arrive for another three hours. Runi was getting tired and he didn't want to risk revealing the rest of his team.
As the three of them made there way through, Runi sensed a presence following them from behind. Holland clicked his tongue as he released more Psychic energy, zipping through the winding passages. The presence behind him seemed to quickened his flight as well, never seeming to fall behind. Runi and Holland made various turns in hopes of losing him, but it was fruitless.
A little light appeared on Holland's face as his sight finally landed on the edge of the canyons, opening up to a sea of trees stretching on for miles. However, his smile faded as a purple barrier seperated him and his sweet escape. Sensing the presence behind nearing there location, Holland ordered Runi to fire a Psybeam.
To Holland's surprise, the beam of light dispersed the moment it made contact with the barrier. The desperate champion raised his hand and sent a wave of psychic energy to the barrier. Just as before, he could feel the energy disappearing the moment it touched the screen.
Before Holland could say anything else, an arrow of light shot through his side, grazing the side of his cheek. As the slight cut drew blood, Holland immediately activated an illusion over his face and pokemon, to everyone else they were nothing but a mass of blurred colors.
"Interesting trick, but no matter, we're still gonna capture you either way." Orion's voice tore through the area. Holland finally managed to look at the presence following him.
A man wearing golden armor was hovering silently. His long, golden hair was tied to a bun with clumps of strands peeking out. Eyes of pure steel watched Holland's blurred form with a seriousness that could paralyze the common folk. His entire body radiated a golden light, with a sword that seemed to be made from the heart of the milky way placed directly within his grasp.
"The name's Orion, Angel of the Heavenly Spheres. And you're coming with me." His voice struck through Holland, as the champion brought forth his own immovable voice.
"And what makes you think I'll come with you." Holland floated higher as he called forth the Psychic energy within him, even if his muscles pained at the exhaustion.
"Oh you will. You've made quite a ruckus at the council you know? And with that, I will capture you."
Before Holland could reply, a flash of light met his eye. At first, he thought it was trick, it was only when Runi sent him a wave of shock that he finally noticed.
Blood.
It seeped out from his side in a neverending river of red. He raised his hands to reveal a deep, open wound to his side. Holland couldn't think, his mind started to crack at the sight of his insides gushing out. A second later, a sharp glint met his eyes, this time, Runi was ready. In the nick of time, his partner pokemon summoned a barrier to block the rushing sword. The following collision sent a shockwave around them, yet Holland's mind only focused to his bleeding side.
Runi sent out a wave of energy that surfed through the earth, sending rocks and Orion flying away. Without wasting time, Runi lifted Holland with Goomy and entered the winding passages of the canyon.
The seconds after were a blurr, Holland had no sense of his surrounding as all he could see in his head were dripping blood that seemed to claw at his throat. On the outside, Runi was desperately trying to evade the numerous attacks sent by Orion as he continued to venture deeper into the canyons. Holland couldn't react, it was only Runi that used all of his strength to push the celestial warrior back.
"That's it." Orion spoke as he stopped his flight, leaving Runi to look at him suspectingly. The knight raised his sword high and a wave of golden light sparked to life, engulfing the blade with a powerful shine. The knight's eyes showed a slight glint as he readied to swing his sword.
"Imperial Knight's Slash"
Those words echoed through every fiber of their being. Orion swung his sword down as the tip of the blade extended towards Runi and Holland. The psychic pokemon summoned a barrier just as the extended tip made contact. Without much of a push, the barrier shattered into a hundred pieces as the pokemon and champion were sent hurdling to the rocky wall.
Holland's vision became blurry, all he could feel was the creaking voice of Goomy. The tiny dragon cried as he desperately tried to gain Holland's attention. The pokemon champion wondered for a second, before his eyes widened at the sight. A tear fell down the dragon Pokemon's eyes. It's mouth quivered as he looked at Holland's battered state.
Dug deep within the rocky face, Holland and Runi were imbedded with jagged edges of earth entombing them. Holland's face twisted and his mind slowly reached back to consciousness. A single tear fell down his cheek, but it wasn't from the pain. The wound to his side faded to the backs of his mind as all he could see were the battered state of his pokemon. Just before, he promised to not let anything happen, but here they are. He was ashamed.
His psychic energy is battered and all of it seemed to fluctuate inside of him. If he could just form it back, regain its shape.
"Ahhhhrrggg…" Holland grumbled as the pain from his side and chest intensified. His eyes watched the approaching form of Orion. He clenched his teeth and beared the pain. "Just….a-a-a l..l-little…mo-ore."
He could feel the energy in him. It was faint but it was there. Holland could also feel the lingering sense of Runi, his partner was still conscious. All he needs to do was…
"Resistance is futile. Just succumb to your fate." The lax tone of Orion slowly resurfaced with every step he made. His body made no presence of guarding himself. "It would be much more easier for you and me."
No.
Holland refused. He couldn't be defeated now, he just needed a little more. He grasped the loose sense of power within him, desperately weaving it around him and the lingering presence of Runi. It was seething, bubbling, ready to boil and Holland just needed to heat it up.
"N-no.." Holland's voice was quiet, but it was clear as daylight to Orion. The Knight's face visibly hardened at those words.
The illusionary mask created by Holland was fading, allowing Orion to peak at Holland's eyes. It was full of light, with tears streaming down from the corners down to his cheek. That was all Orion could see as the mask shielded his face once again. Orion needed to end this.
Holland screamed from the depths of his mind as he felt both body and soul burn with the pressure he was subjecting them to. He could feel his mind harden along with the presence of Runi. His partner was still there, aiding him balance the raw and painful power he possessed, to never unknowingly release it.
But now, they both knew it was time to.
Orion disappeared in a flash of light, his blade appearing inches away from Holland. For a moment, time seemed to stop and all that Holland could muster was a single word.
"Psyshock."
A pulse of energy reverberated through the chasm. Splinters and cracks appeared on the rocky surface giving way to boulders falling down on top of Holland and Orion. The odd wave surfed across the earth sending both debris and Orion back to the open canyons. The boulders rained down upon the battlefield, destroying the rest upon contact.
Holland's body twitched at the odd sense of power. It was pushing him through the limit, and a part of him was wary of the consequences. However, right now, all he could think off was the knight in front of him. Holland aimed for the ground and ordered Runi to release another Psyshock. The wave shot downwards creating a miniature crater beneath Holland's feet.
The champion moved his hand to the sides encompassing the entire area in Psyshock's range. The peculiar wave sent ripples on the surrounding canyons until joining together on Orion. The knight trembled at the pulses, his body bending in all the wrong ways as the attack came upon him from all direction.
Holland didn't stop, instead he added more power until the vibrations turned into tremors and one by one, the canyons around them crumbled to the ground. Holland raised his hands once more and a peculiar glow surrounded the massive bolders, lifting them high up the ground.
Orion was still partially immobilized from Holland's last attack, leaving him no chance to block the incoming bolders. With each movement of his wrist, the giant rocks were sent hurtling to the knight's area. The rocks piled on top of each other, leaving the decimated canyons to a screeching halt.
Holland flew up high as he examined the pile of rocks, forming a tomb within the sands. Before he could turn and leave, a slight tremble from the rocks alerted him. Without wasting anymore time, Holland dashed into the canyons.
Behind him, he could hear the furious roars of Orion as the boulders lying on top crumbled upon his attacks. Holland could feel it once more, the presence of Orion following them, this time however, his aura was more wild.
An arrow of light was shot to Holland's left, luckily he dodged it. After that, more arrows came until dozens were flying straight for Holland's head. The Pokemon Champion, dodged every arrow and turned around to face the blazing eyes of Orion.
"Imperial Slash Of A Thousand Knights!"
There it was again, the words that's seemed to creep through Holland's veins. Before he could react, a slash of Orion's blade met Holland's shoulder, followed by another and another, until a barrage of slashes were sent his way.
Holland erected a barrier just in time, as his body was now filled with dozens gashes from his ribs all the way to his ankles. Goomy was relatively safe along with Runi, as there bodies weren't rather susceptible to cuts.
Holland's body trembled once more. He couldn't keep doing this. The slashes from the seemingly endless swords met his barrier, and Holland could feel every ounce of contact. His eyes landed on Orion, whose body stayed unnaturally moving.
Just like his words, Holland could feel it. As if a thousand swords from a thousand knights were raining down on him, each one stronger than the last. A creeping sense of dread began to build up inside of him as the attacks were beginning to shake the foundations of his barrier.
He was never good with swords, but he had something better. The attacks were now getting through the first few layers of his barrier, each blade becoming sharper and sturdier. This time, Orion was still unmoving. What was he planning?
Holland waited as he took time to understand his surroudings. They were tired, and the swords were starting to penetrate his barrier. All he needed was the right moment.
Orion's body began releasing an unearthly glow, sending a shiver down Holland's spine. The barrage of attacks on the barrier began slowly decreasing as the glow around Orion's body brightened. Holland could feel it, a wave of ominous dread as every vein in his body waited for that same feeling. It was now or never.
Sensing the blades returning, Holland made his move. He removed the barrier and flew towards Orion, he dodged the last bits of the attack as he neared the knight's glowing body.
"Imperial Spirit Of The Holy Knight"
Those words rang once more, but Holland didn't stop. He readied his body as he hovered his arms to his side, watching as Orion raised his sword high.
"Slash Of The Thousandth Knight!"
As those words were said, Holland grasped the familiar feeling at his waist. His eyes were focused at the moving figure of Orion. His face looked out of it, as if all he could see were the sword in front of him and the enemy at the tip of the blade.
The two warriors neared each other and as the sword swung down, a flash of light engulfed the two. A loud clang of steel could be heard through the canyons, a massive dust cloud forming at the point of contact. As the light dimmed and the dust dispersed, the two warriors were finally revealed.
The once focused face of Orion was that of shock as the glow around him faltered ever so slightly. Holland was in front of him, however, it wasn't him that blocked Orion's attack. In his hand a ball of red and white sat tightly grappled between his fingers and in front of him a floating sword clashed with his own.
There was silence as the light that surrounded Orion faded. Holland looked at him, and a small smile arched itself upon his lips.
"Fury cutter."
With those words, the devilish blade glowed a dim light and attacked. It was like a phantom as only a glint to the corner of Orion's eyes warned him of this sentient sword's attack. The spectral blade kept on hitting him, and disappearing like a shodow before appearing a second later to slash from another angle. The light around Orion was now gone, and with all his might he attacked.
A sense of hope glimmered in front of Orion as his sword connected with the phantom. Nevertheless, that hope ceased a his sword passed through as if it was never real. Orion's eyes widened, the sword's form seemed to shift between existence as he retreated his sword back.
That's when Orion finally noticed, right below its hilt a singular purple eye watched him with displeasure. He had no idea how one eye can exude much emotion, but it did. He could feel it. And without much waiting, the sword disappeared once more.
The Dragon Tamer stood idly to the side as he raised his hand. Holland watched Orion's flustered form, ready to end this once and for all when a wall of water engulfed his entire being. The shouts of Runi and Goomy reached his ear as he could see the silhouette of his Pokemon battling with Orion.
His sense of bearings were thrown upside down as all he could feel was the swarming presence of water. It creepd through every crevice of his body as it reached to drown him beneath its embrace. His mind was blank as it failed to comprehend anymore.
His vision would change from complete darkness to a blur of blues and bubbles. His lungs were screaming for air and he lost all contact with his pokemon. Everything came crashing all at once, a dump of pure confusion and incomprehension, preventing him from thinking anymore deeper than the slightest tremble of pain.
It was chaos until seconds later, when a voice broke through. It was crystal clear like a ripple in a still, unmoving lake.
"Welcome Dragon Tamer, to the World of the Drowned."