God Hunter

Chapter 12: Trial

It has been a month since they arrived at the shrine of Fu Hao. Each day Illya has challenged the Goddess and each day she has failed. She finds herself becoming stronger but still not strong enough to overcome her might. As each day leads to one failure after another, Illya eventually stopped challenging Fu Hao and has now hid away in her room in the vehicle. Over the next few days, James and Anastasia would bring meals to her and leave them on the table, though she would never turn around to face them. Anastasia brought food to Illya and left it on the table when she suddenly heard quiet crying. Anastasia turned to her sister.

"I cannot stand this Ana! I feel like I am hitting my head against a well reinforced by another brick wall," Illya turned to her sister, tears still flooding down her eyes "How am I supposed to defeat a God?"

Anastasia sat on the bed and gently rubbed her sister's shoulder.

"Well, take a moment to think Illya. You trained with grandfather and learned how to wield a blade effectively as well as several other weapons all within the span of a year. That is impressive, especially for someone who had never used a weapon prior," said Anastasia.

"Yes, but the most I can do is kill Servants. Gods are so much more powerful. Even in the weakened state that the Warrior Goddesses are in, it is impossible! I hate this Ana! I just want to go home!"

"And what?!" Anastasia said sternly making Illya look up "You would just leave your mother and our siblings behind? Are you that selfish? Be grateful you have a mother!"

"Ana..."

"If we go home now, I could not bear it. I already lost my mother once. I never want to lose her again. I have lost my father and my siblings. I have lost everything! Except you."

Tears fill Anastasia's eyes, but she stands up and looks stern.

"Remember Illya," continued Anastasia "We have made it this far. Remember our goal: to save our family. Do not forget about the people who died in Iceni as well. Do not let their deaths be in vain."

Anastasia then left the room. Illya then sat up in her bed she stared at the food on the table. She gritted her teeth and ate it. She then equipped her armor and carried her sword on her hip. Anastasia and James were sitting on the couch when they turned to see Illya come down the stairs.

"Well look who's finally out of bed," said James.

"I need to face Fu Hao," Illy stormed out the door.

"Wait!" said Anastasia following "Let us accompany you."

"Would she even permit that?" asked Illya.

"Did she say you could not?" responded Anastasia.

Illya thought a moment.

"No," her eyes then widened "No she did not!"

Illya then marched her way to Fu Hao's shrine with Anastasia and James following behind. They then touched the shrine, closing their eyes. They opened them and awoke within Fu Hao's realm. The sound of a chariot could be heard approaching closer. Illya drew her katana, Anastasia prepared mana within the palm of her hand, James felt the stone before readying his hands for combat. The Goddess stopped just short of the trio, stepping down from her chariot, axe in hand.

"I am glad to see you have returned Illya. I have been looking forward to our next confrontation. This, however, is most unexpected," she said "No matter. I like a classic three on one battle," she readied her axe.

"James be my shield," Illya said quietly.

He nodded.

"I will keep her on her feet with attacks from afar," said Anastasia.

"Right. Thank you both for this. Now," Illya turned her head and pointed her blade at the Goddess "Let us finish this!"

Illya then charged the Goddess, moving swiftly. Fu Hao swung first but Illya blocked it. Soon, the Goddess began pressing her attacks further, moving faster with each blow. Illya began to struggle with the deflections and blocks. James swiftly touched the ground and a rock wall appeared between Illya and Fu Hao. The Goddess was taken aback by it. She then smashed the wall with her weapon. Illya and Fu Hao clashed blades once again, sparks emerging from each blow. Illya then pushed away as Anastasia cast mana. Fu Hao dodged each attack only to take a direct hit on her armor. The armor did not have any damage on it. Fu Hao faced Anastasia only for Illya to attack next. James summoned steps for her and she leapt off, swinging her katana, and hitting Fu Hao's helmet, knocking it off. The Goddess turned her head away. She then faced Illya with rage in her eyes as her long dark hair hung in front of her face. Illya then quickly summoned the yari. Fu Hao grinned.

"Excellent work niece. However, I am not finished yet!"

Fu Hao held her axe behind and swiftly attacked each of them with lightning speed. Illya was barely able to deflect the attack. The Goddess hit James' armor, not breaking it but stunning him. Fu Hao simply hit Anastasia hard, knocking her down. Illya blocked an attack from Fu Hao, but it forced her to dig her blade into the ground to prevent her from falling. The attack persisted, wearing the three of them down. They began breathing heavily.

"How are we supposed to beat her? She's a Warrior Goddess!" said James.

"We will do this," Anastasia said standing back up "look at her."

Fu Hao was holding her axe a little more loosely. She too was breathing heavily.

"One more attack should be enough. It requires all three of us," said Illya.

"Right. Let us put our power behind one more attack!" replied Anastasia, casting mana in her hands and powering it up.

James cracked his knuckles and readied his fists. Illya closed her eyes and focused within. She could feel the mana in her body focusing on the yari and katana. She then opened her eyes and the three of them moved in simultaneously. Fu Hao held her axe. She blocked as the trio collided their attacks with her weapon. A bright blast of mana light emerged, sourcing from the point of contact. The attack was powerful, each of them contributing their power. Fu Hao began to push them back. Anastasia, Illya, and James all grunted and winced from the pressure, attempting to hold back the weapon of a God. The trio then put their remaining energy into the attack. A light then exploded between the three. Anastasia, James, and Fu Hao were all knocked down, the Goddess being disarmed. The katana absorbed much of the attack, knocking it out of Illya's hands. She quickly brought the yari down onto Fu Hao's chest, but not piercing the armor. Illya was breathing heavily and bleeding. Fu Hao looked stunned. Then she smiled.

"Congratulations, Illya, you've beaten me," said the Goddess.

Illya then pulled the yari away and helped James and Anastasia stand up. She then picked up the katana and sheathed it.

"We did it," James said out of breath.

"Remember this Illya," said Fu Hao.

Illya looked up at the Goddess.

"Do not forget you are not in this fight alone. Lean on each other for strength, especially on the road ahead. Future foes will be more powerful than I am. With each of you fighting for each other, you will overcome these challenges. Tomoe Gozen taught me that lesson," said Fu Hao "Here. These are for you."

Fu Hao gave a ring to Anastasia who then placed it upon her chime, making it glow ever more brightly. The goddess then summoned the ono. The axe had a slight curve in its head. Illya took the weapon and placed it and the yari within the pocket dimension.

"For you James...," began Fu Hao.

"Thanks, but I don't need anything," he said "I'll work on enhancing my skill. I'm not on a quest for artifacts like these two. I will simply do my duty. Plus, I'd owe you something."

Fu Hao chuckled.

"Very well. I wish you three the best of luck on your journey."

"Thank you, auntie," replied Illya.

The Goddess smiled and soon the three returned to the mortal realm.