Lady Calamity and the Shepherd (Tales of Berseria × Tales of Zestiria Crossover)

Chapter 17: Surppressed Resonance

Velvet gasped and sat up from where she was. She took in her surroundings. She was on a floating crystal island. Under the island was a golden sphere radiating light and power. The sky was dark violet. "T-The Earthpulse..." Velvet stated, slowly getting up. She checked her surroundings and found herself all alone. "This isn't good." She muttered. "You're right. It's not." Said a familiar voice. She stiffened and slowly turned around. There, in all his so called glory, was her number one enemy. "Artorious..." Velvet snarled. Artorious just gave her a smile. He looked just as how Velvet remembered him. All regal looking in his gold and white coat, his sword attached to his hip. The charm that her sister made attached to the handle of the blade. "I am not here to fight you Velvet. I am here to guide you." He stated.

"Why?" Velvet asked in a guarded voice, anger and hatred readable on her face. Artorious walked past her just as a roar of pain resounded through the Earthpulse. The crystal island closest to hers turned midnight black and shattered. "Because the Earthpulse is beginning to become tainted. Maotelus cannot purify himself." He stated. "Fine. I'll follow. It's not like I have a choice." She replied, following her once Brother-In-Law.

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"Velvet! Velvet, where are you!?" Laphicet called out. "Velvet!" Eizen called. "Oh Lady Calamity! Where are you!?" Magilou called out. "YO! VELVET! WHERE YOU AT!?" Rokurou called. "Velvet!" Eleanor called. "I can't sense her. The malevolence in this place is too strong." Grimoirh told them. "Same with me Ms. Magilou." Bienfu stated. "This isn't good. We need to close the rift before Hellions find it." Eleanor stated. "That's the problem. I don't know if I'll be able to open it again. I don't have control of it like Innominat did last time." Laphicet explained. "To think Maotelus could be this corrupted..." Eizen stated, punching a wall. "Ah. But you see. The four Elemental Empyreans have been fighting back against the Malevolence." Said the voice of an elderly man. Everyone stiffened and turned around.

There, standing like he was king of the world, was Melchior Mayvin, the Exorcist Legate. He is an elderly man with fair skin and a gray beard. He wore a long beige coat, black pants, and a large, extravagant hat, which is beige on the bottom and teal on the top. He had a teal sash wrapped around him as well. "L-Lord Melchior..." Eleanor stuttered. "So you are like Teresa..." Magilou stated, coldly. "Wait, what? What are you guys talking about?" Rokurou asked. "All the Exorcist that were sacrificed to awaken the Empyreans, took their appearance as their avatars." Eizen explained. "So... That means..." Rokurou muttered. "Correct. Even Shigure is alive. Though he is currently dealing with purifying one of the temples of me, Eumacia." Melchior stated.

"You should have stayed dead." Magilou said, firing an Arte at him. He didn't dodge. No, he stopped the wind attack with his bare hands. He merely flicked it aside with the back of his hand, causing it to bounce away and hit one of the walls. "He back handed the attack away!" Laphicet exclaimed, shocked. Melchior just gave them a smirk.

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Meanwhile, back in the real world, Sorey slowly opened his eyes, groaning in pain. "W-Where am I?" He questioned. He glanced around his area and found him at the bank of a river bed. Beside him, unconscious was Rose, but in the clothing of the assassin guild. Her hair was slightly damp and she was shivering slightly. "Rose?" He questioned, slowly getting up. He walked over to her and picked her up, piggyback style. He saw a way deeper into the forest and said "Let's see where this takes us." He began to walk slowly into the forest. As he walked, he heard Rose stir suddenly. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at the waking red head. "Hey, you awake?" He asked Rose. Rose didn't answer, just looked away, guilt written on her face. Sorey then asked "So you're the leader of the assassin group, huh?"

Rose snapped her head towards him, surprise now covering her face. "Surprised?" She asked. "Well, sure!" Sorey said with a smile. "What should I call you then?" he suddenly asked. "Rose will do just fine. And, hey..." she said, "Why didn't you leave me behind?" "You were in danger. I couldn't NOT help." Sorey stated. Rose snorted and mumbled "Right. That everyone has a good side mentality." "Even knowing I was an assassin?" She asked. Sorey just smirked and said "I could easily ask what an 'assassin' like you was doing rescuing me." Rose lightly blushed and said "I don't know. I'll have to decide whether or not it was the right decision... but I can tell you are a good person." She had muttered the last little bit under her breath. "Huh?" He questioned. Rose's head suddenly snapped up, a frown on her face.