Legend of the Seven Lights

77. Grand Inferius

The final battle begins now. This chapter takes place after Chapter B-35 of the Side Stories, so if you didn't read that, prepare to have it ruined. :P

Chapter 77: Grand Inferius

KND Moonbase

Cheren Uno was placed on a bed in the infirmary. Many of his loyal operatives, including Anthony, Aurora, Chris, MaKayla, and newcomer Wendy stared at his body in remorse. Diancie examined him closely, but was sad to report the news. "I can't determine why, but... his vital signs have completely stopped. There aren't any fatal wounds or traces of poison..."

"Was he hit with the Killing Curse?" Wendy asked in horror.

"We were with Cheren the whole time." Miyuki replied. "The Zoni shocked him and Zanifr to sleep. But only Zanifr woke up..."

"It was all a trick to KILL HIM!" Panini stomped the floor with a flaming boot, crying tears. "He wanted ta kill Cheren the WHOLE TIME! And he put that Vriska person up to it!"

"I don't think Zanifr meant to do it on purpose."

"Why do ya say THAT?!" Pan stomped toward Miyuki. "Still have feelings for him?!"

"...I..." Miyuki bowed her head shamefully.

"This isn't the time." MaKayla came between them. "Kid... if Cheren is dead, wouldn't his spirit have appeared in the Underworld?"

"It was supposed to." Kid replied, a hint of regret on his normally scowling features. "But I can't feel his spiritual presence at all. It's as though his soul disappeared the moment he died."

"W-What are we supposed to do?" Wendy whimpered, leaking tears. "Elect a... new leader?"

"The next runner-up is Panini." Francis sighed. "You were his second-in-command."

"Well, Panini?" Maddy faced her.

Panini lay one hand on Cheren's bed and clasped her racing heart with the other. I didn't wanna be the one to do this... I acted like his rival, but Cheren's always been better than me. I was ambushed by Majora like a '90's girl in the alley... Big Mum ate me like a sausage, and I couldn't defend myself. I thought Cheren was gonna be the one to... lead us to the New World. I didn't wanna have to do it... I CAN'T do it. I haven't done anything all month. I...I'm a terrible vice-leader...

Harvey Harper could feel the inner turmoil inside her heart. He bowed his head and spoke. "I think we put too much faith in Cheren."

"What do you mean, Harvey?" Sally asked.

"We can't expect everything to go the way we want them to." Harvey thought of Madotsuki as he spoke. "Bad things are going to happen. All we can do is make the best of a bad situation. We have to finish what Cheren started... and that's this quest."

"It's okay, Panini." Aurora placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do anything. We'll take it from here."

Some of the operatives returned to the bridge to think over their possible plans. Shade noticed Maddy staring at the Earth from the glass wall. "I don't need Haki to know what you're thinking." Shade said.

"I'm the only one that has a chance at beating King Andrew." Maddy stated. "I have Conqueror's Haki. I can take the Octogan from him."

"I admit you mastered Haki faster than anyone I know... but King Andrew had years of training. He must have had plenty of time to adapt with the Octogan. It'll be too much for you."

"I still have a promise to keep to you, don't I?" Maddy faced her.

"Maddy, that doesn't matter to me, anymore. You were never the Chosen One. My clan was fooled and WE were fooled. That boy is right... not everything goes the way we expect them to."