The Arks 120 The Ark Of Crimson Firefly Dance

As the Umbra opened its eyes, it had unveiled two, pitch-black orbs. A large tentacle shot out, attacking the Valkyrie.

"I didn't know Shadows could take such powerful Elements," said the Valkyrie, dodging the attack with ease.

"We aren't supposed to. I guess you can say that I've gone insane with the Primordial Beasts," said the Umbra, slowly bringing an arm across its form.

The two continue to fight, with Mavislin constantly landing small slashes while the Umbra's attacks deal more damage on a larger scale. The two, despite their sizes, were comparable to each other in terms of speed.

"Looks like I'm ready to unleash the actual spell," said Mavislin, smiling proudly.

"Hah! Let's see if it will hold up this time," sneered the Umbra, holding up his finger.

She pounced around, using the buildings as landing platforms to get onto higher ground. As she appeared on top of the Umbra, her arm was nearly burnt with flames. Her body was twisted as she threw her 'lance' at the Umbra.

"Ruber Stella... (Crimson Firefly)" chanted Mavislin as she performed a dazzling display of fire towards the Umbra.

"Aubade..." said the Umbra, as it conjured up a tidal wave of thick, purple fog.

The Elemental Energy made by the Umbra soared through the roof as it uttered those words. A huge wave of purple mist was behind the towering Umbra, ready to engulf the Valkyrie. But Mavislin seemed sanguine at beating that chaos tide.

A trail of blazing flames was in a spiral, following each turn that Mavislin did to strike the Umbra. A few small orbs of fire began to surround the Umbra in an uneven pattern. Each of them had a fuzzy, pink outline and was constantly spinning.

The Umbra had the same reaction as Mavislin, unfaltering confidence. That is until a certain someone decided to step in.

"Stop hurting her."

The Umbra paused, midway in conjuring up the second part of the spell. It had held up a finger, pointing at the Valkyrie. A small, purple ball of the Dark Element had formed at the tip of its finger. At first, it was gradually growing. But, as those words came out from nowhere, the spell had halted.

"How could you still be..."

"Don't touch her!"

"How are you alive?!"

"She's mine!"

"Impossible!"

"Don't touch my darling!"

"I curse you!"

"I will not let you hurt her!"

The Umbra looked frantic, looking for ways to get rid of the orbs. It was also panicking due to the Marquess' protests. He was regaining parts of his body, starting from his hands. But the Umbra quickly shut the Marquess in and completed the second part of the spell.

"Oblivion!" shouted the Umbra, as both tidal wave and ball of darkness was launched right at the Valkyrie.

"Tripudio! (Dance)" yelled Mavislin as the orbs brightened.

In an instant, the two were blinded by the display of the Valkyrie's spell. With Minwoo interference at the right moment, the Umbra's fate was sealed.

"You're just a human. How could you possibly have the power to defeat me?"

"I can't defeat you. I'm indeed human. But I've got something that you don't."

"And what is it that I lack?"

"Someone to protect."

"Don't make me laugh. How could that be enough to stop me?"

"You're unable to have a goal. You kill your comrades. You wreak havoc on others. You don't have a goal. You don't have a wish to fight for. I, on the other hand, have one. And that is to protect that Valkyrie."

"Why do you protect her so much? Do you owe her favor?"

"Why must I owe her anything? If I'm trying to save her and expecting a treasure later, it's not kindness, my friend. That's called trading."

"Deciding on what's wrong and what's right is entirely circ.u.mstantial for humans. It is rare to find humans treating others nicely. Usually, all their actions are based on self-interest. They'll forget the favors they owe, but they'll hold onto grudges forever. You, on the other hand, are different."

"I was the same as the rest. Ignorant of the world. Until I met her and she gave me a piece of advice."

"And that would be?"

"Stop envying the outside world. If you want, go out and create your world."

"Hmph. Mindless words won't get you anywhere."

"The power to tear or build others up lies within one's tongue."

"Not when it comes to defeating the shadows."

"But it was enough to disrupt you."

"But it can't defeat me."

"No, it can't. But words are cheap. Actions speak."