SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter 127) Meaning.

Noire spins her axe and lunges at Ashley. She throws her axe forwards and turns her legs into giant spikes, before thrusting them into Ashleys' shield. Ashley holds her ground and doubles up on the shields.

NOR: You can't ĐɆ₣Ɇ₳₮ me!
ASH: This is what I was waiting for.

Ashley uses ghost step to get behind Noire and dissipates her shields, causing Noire to crash into the ground. Ashley summons a dome above Noire, trapping her inside.

ASH: Stay put, little rat.
NOR: Good tactic, but I'm ₴₮ⱤØ₦₲ɆⱤ than you!

Noire presses her palms into the ground. Ashley stays alert. Tentacles come out of the ground under her and attack her. Ashley dodges back and cuts the tentacles in half. Noire smirks. Pink goo comes out of her mouth and eyes, filling the capsule.

ASH: What the hell is she doing?!

The dome starts to crack from the pressure.

ASH: Shit, I have to move!

It shatters and pink goo is splattered everywhere. Ashley wipes the goo of her face and sees Noire standing in front of her. Noire raises her head and looks at Ashley.

ASH: What a m-monster!

She stares at the terrifying and disturbing look on Noires' face. Pink goo dripping out of its' eyes and mouth, distorted pupils and wretched smile. Noire says something under her breath.

NOR: Kill... now.
ASH: (The battle is not in my favor right now. I have to do something before I get overpowered.)
NOR: I need to ₭łⱠⱠ you... now.
ASH: Just try and ki-
*WHOOSH*

Noire appears behind Ashley and swings her axe relentlessly. Ashley dodges in time and pushes her back with a shield. Unexpectedly, spikes forms out of the ground behind Ashley. She notices and dodges. Noire slowly walks towards her.

NOR: I need you to ĐłɆ... now.

Noire throws her axe into the air. She waves her hands and pink goo gathers all around it, making multiple exact copies. Noire grabs her axe and throws the others at Ashley.

ASH: (This isn't good.)

Ashley summons a huge shield around her, blocking each axe. Stiven is heard shouting.

STV: Behind you, Ashley!
NOR: ₮ØØ Ⱡ₳₮Ɇ!

Noire appears behind Ashley and swings her axe, chopping Ashleys' body into halves. Stiven stares in horror as his wife dies in front of his eyes. Noire laughs demonically and walks towards Stiven.

NOR: Is this the ⱤɆVɆ₦₲Ɇ you promised to get?!
STV: A-ashley... this can't be happening.

Stiven forces himself on his legs, trembling at each step. He runs to Ashleys' body, passing Noire who doesn't attack him. Stiven bows down and holds his wifes' body in his arms.

STV: N-no... please... just tell me I'm dreaming. Ashley... don't leave me... I beg you!

His eyes tear up and the sky turns grey.

STV: We had so much to live for... so much to do together... why did it have to end like this?!

Noire looks at him, on the ground crying, with empathy for his loss.

NOR: Another one suffers because of this world...

Tears fall on Ashleys' face.

STV: I wantes to cherish you more... but now y-you're gone... forever. W-why did this have to happen to me?! What did I do w-wrong?!

Stiven closes his wifes' eyes and stands back up, breathing very slowly.

STV: Noire, can I ask you a question?
NOR: Always.
STV: Do you think everything that happens is deserved... that it's destiny?
NOR: Maybe, maybe not. Her death isn't your fault though. I killed her, but ultimately the fault's on the world for forcing our hands, is it not?
STV: What is your goal, Bette?
NOR: It used to be the destruction of this world, but now I'm not so sure. I've been influenced by a certain someone to rethink it.
STV: Ahh, I see. Then the outcome of this fight won't change a thing. Even if I win against you, I've got no chance at defeating the harbinger.
NOR: What are you implying?
STV: That we have one last duel, like back then.
NOR: Heh, I don't see why not.
STV: Since I'm going to die anyway, I don't see why I shouldn't go all out.

Stiven grabs his blades and Noire clenches her fists. They're both ready for the last duel of ones' life.

End of Chapter 127
"Meaning"

[ Stiven and Noire, one last duel. ]