Mind Reality of Eclipse

Clash At Firene's Castle Walls ~ Chapter 65

Celine immediately shot out a spell at the group as they dodged. Shez dashed in for an attack and launched himself into the air. He slammed his swords onto Celine as she fell backward. Already, she was injured.

Alfred said, "You stay back Celine, I'll deal with these intruders..." Celine nodded as she fell backward. Meanwhile the heroes got prepared to continue fighting. Alerius jumped into the air and attempted to slam his sword against the group, but he was unsuccessful.

Kirby asked, "What has happened in order for them to act this way?"

"If you recall, they had to be stabbed with a syringe filled with despair..." Shez muttered. The three got prepared to fight again. Kazuha dashed up ahead and slammed his sword against Alfred. Alfred was able to block the attack and managed to kick Kazuha away.

Kazuha grunted, "It also appears that their fighting techniques got better..." The heroes looked over as Alerius dashed ahead to slam his sword against Kazuha. However, Alcryst shot an arrow at him and then jumped back to shoot an arrow at Alfred. The two fell backward as Alerius clutched his shoulder where the arrow was shot.

"You..." Alerius took a deep breath as he ripped the arrow out. "Two can play that game." The dashed on ahead as Shez dashed at him. Then the two clashed blades with one another. However, Shez succeeded due to him having two blades in his hands.

"Alright, we're doing well. We just need to find a way to defeat him," Kazuha sighed. Alfred got up again and swung his lance around. He looked at the group and smiled. Celine then took out a syringe. The heroes knew exactly what they were getting into.

"TAKE THIS!" Celine threw the syringe at the group but they all managed to dodge it. Alcryst then started shooting arrows at Celine. Celine used magic to block the attacks as Alfred dashed on ahead. He had his lance in one hand and a syringe in the other.

Shez shouted, "DON'T LET THEM GET ANYWHERE NEAR YOU ALL!" The heroes nodded as they jumped backward as Alfred attempted to swing his lance at them. He looked over and saw Kazuha holding his sword up, ready to attack.

"GET HIM!" Alfred ordered. Alerius dashed over and slammed his sword against Kazuha. He fell backward and looked up as Alerius smiled down at him holding a syringe. Celine got in the way to prevent the heroes from getting anywhere near Kazuha.

"KAZUHA!!" Shez shouted. He rolled over and kicked Alerius and Celine out of the way. Quickly, he helped Kazuha stand up as they got back to regroup. The group stared at one another as the royals got prepared to attack again.

"Oh did I miss the fun almost?" Someone asked. The heroes looked around and saw someone jump down from the top of the castle. It was Rafal; however something was odd about him. The heroes looked at one another as Rafal showed himself. He was induced with despair just like everyone else.

Alcryst muttered, "So I'm assuming you induced yourself with that substance?" He raised his bow and arrow as the others got ready to attack again. Rafal smiled at the group as he slowly put his axe away.

"I wish I did but fortunately enough I had a friend that was there to help me realize my true self. I realize now how wonderful of a feeling despair is, and you would all agree..." Rafal laughed.

Shez asked, "A-Are you INSANE!?"

"Perhaps I am, but that insanity is the only thing you guys can remotely think about. This is the dawn of a new AWAKENING!" He took out his axe again and dashed at the heroes.

Alcryst shouted, "A NEW AWAKENING!? WHAT ARE YOU EVEN REMOTELY TALKING ABOUT!?" He then shot an arrow at Rafal but he was able to defect it back. Alcryst barely dodged the attack and looked ahead.

Kazuha sighed, "Let me deal with him, you all figure out how to bring back the royals!" The group nodded as they split their ways.

Rafal asked, "You really want it to end this way? You really want to fight me out of all people?!"

"I'm not afraid of you Rafal, in fact I'm not afraid of anyone working in the command of Byleth," Kazuha replied. Rafal rolled his eyes and then threw his axe. Kazuha barely dodged it and looked over in anger.

Rafal asked, "Are you so certain about that? Just throwing that axe made you afraid..."

"That's because it was sudden..." Kazuha grabbed his sword as Rafal dashed over and kicked him onto the ground. He grabbed his axe and smiled down at him. Kazuha suddenly had fear growing inside of him. The fear of those who were induced with despair.

Meanwhile, the heroes were trying to deal with the royals. However, they were too fast to deal with and they were stronger than they were. While Alcryst shot arrows in the back, Shez and Kirby worked together to deal with the royals.

Kirby shouted, "TAKE THIS!" He slammed his sword against Alfred's lance as the two pushed against each other. Alcryst shot arrows at Alfred to try to lower his stance but Celine got in the way and shot a spell at him.

"Their teamwork is really good... how are we able to do anything to them!?" Alcryst questioned. He looked around and noticed an opening and shot the arrow directly there. It hit Alfred in the knee but he threw his lance at Shez. Shez was hit and fell onto the ground.

Alerius asked, "Are you all afraid of dealing the smallest amount of damage to us? Honestly, it's pathetic of you all..."

"Even if you're under that... substance, you're all still our friends! Why else would we be terrified to attack you!?" Kirby yelled. The royals smiled at one another as they took out syringes.

Alcryst grunted, "I hate to make this suggestion but... we need to retreat NOW!"

"W-What?!"

"This isn't safe! We're in huge trouble right now! LET'S GET GOING!!" Alcryst shouted in fear. The heroes nodded as Shez slowly got up. Alcryst grabbed his hand and dashed away as Kirby followed directly after them.

Alfred yelled, "THAT'S RIGHT! SCRAM!!" Back with Rafal and Kazuha, Kazuha was struggling against Rafal.

Rafal asked, "Do you finally forfeit your life and do you want to join our side?"

"I would... never join your side," Kazuha groaned as he stood up.

"KAZUHA!!" Alcryst shouted. Kazuha looked over and saw the heroes waving for him to come over. Kazuha was about to dash over when Rafal grabbed his cape. Kazuha attempted to swing his sword at him but Rafal grabbed it out of his hands.

Kazuha asked, "What do you even want from me!?"

"You're not going anywhere..."

"KAZUHA!!!" Then Rafal took out a syringe and instantly stabbed him with it. The heroes watched in horror as they witnessed the whole thing. They now knew what happened to the other heroes. All of them got induced...

Shez shouted, "LET'S GO. NOW!!" The heroes all dashed away from the scene as Rafal looked over. The royals walked over and watched the heroes run from the scene.

"You didn't induce them!?"

"We attempted to but they ran away," Rafal grabbed Alfred's tie and glared at him. "R-Rafal!?"

Rafal yelled, "YOU DO REALIZE THE BOSS WILL BE PISSED?! IF THEY RETURN INDUCE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!"

"Y-YES SIR!" Alfred yelled. Rafal shoved him onto the ground, picked up his axe and left the scene. "God damn, what else does he want from us?"