The Kitsune's Cursed Hero

Chapter 20

A/N: Sorry this one took so long to come out. I got caught up in life things and couldn't find time to work on it. Hopefully, you're all still enjoying this story!

Y/n's POV

Ren and Itsuki were the first ones to move. Ren was setting up a sword skill while Itsuki did the same while aiming at Pope Balmus. "Thunderbolt Slash!" Ren shouted. He slashed the air in front of him, sending a lightning bolt towards Pope Balmus. "Thunder shot!" Itsuki called. Their attacks traveled towards Pope Balmus, but were blocked by whatever barrier his followers were maintaining. "Filo! Raphtalia! Y/n!" Big brother shouted. 

"Right!" Big sis shouted.

"Kay!" Filo called. Pope Balmus turned his weapon back into a sword before swinging it in front of him. The force of the attack kicked up the lava around us as I put up a barrier to protect us from the attack. "High quick!" Filo called, using a spell to move faster. Filo jumped into the air before attacking one barrier, destroying it. Big sister jumped off Filo's back before trying to hit Pope Balmus with her sword. Pope Balmus blocked the attack, but was pushed back a little. Some magic surrounded Pope Balmus as he rested with his weapon in the ground, leaning against it. He stood up. Once the magic faded, it was clear that he was still being healed by his followers. "Filo, one more time!" Big brother ordered. Filo cheered as she prepared to charge against. "Grab him too." Big brother said. Filo rushed over to Motoyasu, grabbing him with her beak before charging towards Pope Balmus again. 

"Okay, Motoyasu, when we get close I want you to attack me, got it!" Big brother called.

"Huh? But why?" Motoyasu asked. Filo launched him into the air before Big Brother jumped off Flio's back towards Motoyasu. "Now!" Big brother ordered.

"Fine, then." Motoyasu said. He attacked big brother before Motoyasu fell back to the ground. Big brother shouted as he went to attack with the flames from the Rage Shield. Pope Balmus' barrier protected him from the attack as I felt a tug on something in my heart. Pope Balmus chuckled as he looked at Big Brother. "He dispelled that curse so easily." Big brother commented.

"All curses are meaningless within the walls of this cathedral. After all, we are standing on hallowed ground that has been blessed by God himself." Pope Balmus said, charging the weapon in its sword form. He aimed it towards as I stepped forward. The sword released a wind that was pushing everyone back as I stepped forward. "Fast Kitsune Barrier!" I chanted. A barrier formed in front of us, protecting everyone from the wind as Motoyasu, big brother and Filo joined us behind the barrier. "Wow, he's so powerful." Melty commented. Pope Balmus lowered his sword for a moment as he turned to the wall behind him. "Can you hear me out there, Bishop? I need the believers to pray harder, to show our enemy the true might of God!" Pope Balmus demanded. A sense of anger flared for a moment in my heart as I looked at Pope Balmus as I released my barrier. I couldn't hear who he was talking to, but Pope Balmus was responding to them. "Is there a problem with that? Don't forget this is a battle between God and the Devil. To perish here is to become a martyr. No disciple of the Three Heroes Church could hope for a higher honor." Pope Balmus said. My eyes widened in shock as I heard him say that. The anger that had flared for a moment before was now a low-burning flame. "How could he casually throw away the lives of his followers? They all trusted him." Big sis asked.

"Still do. They'll follow that order to the death." Melty reminded.

"Indeed. We are one in body and soul. With the help of their prayers and the strongest attack this sacred weapon can muster. I shall grant you all the purification that you so desperately deserve. It is the greatest mercy God could ever bestow on the likes of you." Pope Balmus said. We stood there looking at him as Pope Balmus began gathering mana to use for the attack. "Something about this feels wrong." Filo mentioned. The mana was swelling and kept funneling towards Pope Balmus. "He's building up an awful lot of mana. If they keep praying, that light will reach the top of the cathedral." Melty pointed out. I looked towards the roof, seeing that most of it was now formed, unlike before, where it was a black void. "That's probably going to be when he launches that huge attack." Itsuki pointed out. Motoyasu turned towards us, looking directly at Big brother. "Hey, how about you put that shield to use? Can't it do something?" Motoyasu asked. We turned to face him, all of us confused by what he meant. "Huh?" Big brother asked.