Crimson Rebellion

Location: The Last Word

The aftermath of the damage created by the Abyss Order had taken a significant toll on Cocytus. The Kappa were no more, the Northern Kingdom had completely fallen. The Oni were fighting their battle in the west, while the Gear users were reinforcing the Ryu-jin in the east. Currently aboard the Last Word, Vesta, Musashi, and Arcueid were standing on the eastern observation deck overseeing a brutal battle of unparalleled force between beings of similar disposition: The Bloody Berserker, Bellona and the Crimson Princess of Fire, Adena.

"This battle is far too evenly matched. They have been going blow for blow without delay for hours now and neither side is showing signs of slowing down," Arcueid observed through her experienced eyes. As someone who observed countless battles from the Throne of Heroes combined with her own experience, she was able to draw a quick conclusion.

"It reminds me of my showdown with Kojiro Sasaki almost a lifetime ago. They are both a perfect and terrible match-up," Musashi added.

"It's quite possibly the definition of what occurs when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. They will just continue to cancel each other out," Vesta finished.

The Unforgiven's Abyssal Authority allotted her to possess a pseudonym close to invulnerability. She grew stronger and stronger as long as she continued fighting which allotted her unparalleled regeneration from every brush with "death". Against Adena, who was in a state where she continuously evolved due to the 'heat' of battle, her body would adapt to her opponent thus fueling her with reactive evolutionary growth.

On the ground, a conflagration of crimson and violet flames scorched the surface of the arena that stood upon. The cold tundras that blistered over the now lifeless wasteland of the northern mountain ranges were assailed by the fires of intense warfare birthed from the clash of these two titans. Adena, with her Primordial Armament, and Bellona, with her trademark claymore, battered their blades against one another in relentless fashion. With each collision, the mountains quaked and the ground split apart. Numerous avalanches occurred around them. The snow that threatened to consume them evaporated into mist before being dispelled by the gales produced by their swinging actions.

Blood and sweat dripped from the brows of both women before the former evaporated off their bodies thanks to their wounds healing over. Then, in a show of desperation and acknowledgment, both women tossed their blades to the side and went after one another using their fists. Like claps of thunder reciprocated on deafening drums played in an ensemble of perfect harmony, their fists beat the around them; space bending to the sheer force of their mutual strength. It felt like reality would crack under the might of their power. The fist fight only lasted a minute but in no uncertain terms infinite blows were exchanged between the two. Ultimately it ended with both women landing a solitary punch to each other's face simultaneously. The force alone caused them to separate for the briefest moment.

They both were breathing heavily sharing an intense deadlocked stare. This was not going to get anywhere. No matter how much they threw at one another, there was no ground gained to favor either side.

"You're good…too damn good. I haven't…had a battle this tough in a long time. Not even my sparring sessions with Cain…could compare to this," Bellona remarked before spitting blood from her mouth, wiping her chin before standing upright.

"Heh—you're awakening a sense of joy in me that I thought I lost a long time ago. You are… a next level opponent for me…however…" Adena responded before mimicking the same action.

"This battle will take far too long to decide a victor," Bellona and Adena remarked simultaneously.

"I'm out this bitch…much as l want to decide a victor, I got other shit to take care of. Don't think this is over, Benihime… we will settle it. But if you wanna fight a real battle, take your redheaded ass to Elysium…" Bellona said with a dismissive tone. She proceeded to retreat into a pool of shadow that spawned behind her before leaving Adena alone on the battlefield.

"Well…there that goes. This sucks…I was hoping to bring some peace to the Kappa by bringing her to justice," Adena sighed heavily in a saddened tone. She flipped her hair out to the side and leapt to the Last Word, before sliding onto the main bridge. Some of the crew from S.O.N.G., along with Semiramis and Alexis were surprised by the sudden appearance, but they maintained their respective duties.

"Welcome back, Addy," Alexis said plainly before continuing monitoring the ship's systems.

"Thankfully all that fighting didn't do any damage to our beloved ship," Semiramis smiled gently her way trying to get the redhead to relax a bit.

"Right…heh."

Vesta, Musashi, and Arcueid came through to meet Adena who was about to exit the main deck to get herself freshened up after that intense fight.

"Since things appear to be settled here, maybe you and I need to go find Raizo and make sure we're all good to go to reunite with everyone else," Vesta suggested.

"Not a bad idea. I wonder how his meeting went with that Kiichi Hogen person," Adena agreed.

Before Vesta could respond, she grabbed the back of her head and felt her vision haze over for a second. Everything seemed to have blanked out for a moment before her ears were rung by the horrific symphony of a million dead civilizations. The embers of destruction and smell of death overwhelmed her senses before she saw an unfamiliar face.

It was a female that looked identical to her. However, she was dressed in white raiments with black accents like an elegant ballroom groomsman with black gloves and red, rose-like cuffs over her wrists. Her eyes were a deep violet color with red crosses engraved over them. Pure white hair cropped just past her neck with a patch of black hair that seemed to be an inverted heterochromia color scheme similar to Raizo's.

"Oh look at you, trying to care…trying to be a hero, trying so hard to be human. You know your appetite for destruction will never be sated until you give in. Why do you deny your true nature? You choose to wear a mask to appease the weak. Forsake this falsetto of being a hero and own up to who you are. Even if he rejects you, you have the power to take him and make him yours regardless~" this corrupted visage of Vesta taunted with a wicked smile.

"Yo, Vesta? You ready to go?" Adena asked as she gently shook her partner's shoulder.

"Huh? Oh…yeah, right. Sorry, I got lost in thought for a second."

"Right…well come on. Let's get our man," Addy chuckled as she patted the Tempest on the back.

Leaving the Last Word behind, Adena and Vesta set off to reunite with the Crusader.