The Pillar of Enera

[Book II Chapter 78 part 2] FILIA: The Searing Blade

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“That…” Finley struggled briefly for words before giving up. “You could say I’m one of his apostles, a protege under his care if you will.”

Filia was skeptical. “I’ve never hear of him recruiting underlings.”

“No one knows yet.” Finley laughed. “We’re a recent development. He realized there was a limit to what he could accomplish alone and began seeking out us wayward souls to guide us on the right path. In my case, his investment bore fruit three months ago.”

The notion there were people who willingly cooperated with that madman disgusted Filia. It was incomprehensible. Everyone who interacts with him comes out for the worse. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll set his sadistic sights on you?” Filia pressed.

“I once asked him about this. After all, I don’t particularly enjoy pain myself.” Finley rubbed his chin, displaying uncertainty for the first time. “He told there’s nothing he could do to me that could surpass what I was already doing to myself. That’s why he’d never deprive himself from witnessing the natural trajectory of my life. I still don’t fully understand what he meant, but I believe in the truthfulness of his words. He won’t turn on me.”

Absorbing the revelation, an epiphany struck Filia. “Three months ago… Were you with the Righteous Sun in Lomistan?”

“Stupendous guess!” Finley clapped. “While the Laughing Man provided the spark, we were the ones who set the stage. It is we who uncovered the bodies of children, cut and burnt, and made sure the blame was placed on the appropriate parties. It was tireless effort, but I don’t regret a single second of it.”

Filia felt the shock draining the emotions from her. “Did you participate on the day itself?”

“We did, although we retreated once we heard news of Gregory Stein’s arrival. On a deeper level, the Righteous Sun realize they operate outside the White Mountain’s precepts and hate being reminded of this. They fled to avoid facing the immortal paladin, and it would’ve been awkward not to follow.”

“And then you came to Ransas…” Filia extrapolated.

“That was entirely my project.” Finley beamed. “I’d spoken to Kyle Saren during his time adventuring years prior where I learned of his simmering hatred. He’d told me about Frieden and his desire to quash his kingdom’s deviant behavior. Once I’d heard he’d overthrown his father, I judged it wouldn’t take much to push him to act. It was a grand success.”

“My only regret is being robbed of chance to oversee the procedure itself. I’d have ripped their souls apart in such a way that they’d never even think of sex again. Plus, I don’t believe King Kyle would’ve cared if I ‘accidental’ shredded a few souls during the process. It would’ve been glorious.”

Finley sighed. “I genuinely erred in killing Allen so fast…”

“Why is he after the sukemon cards?”

“That’s because of another apostle whose is into sukemon. She came up with a plan that…” Finley trailed off, blinking in confusion. “What am I doing revealing this to you?”

His eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh my god, he warned me about this. Said prattling on to nobodies was fine, but one day I’d run into a ‘main character’ and start leaking all my secrets. Now it’s actually happened!”

He began pacing back forth. “How vexing… I’ve been manipulated, my own nature turned against me. At least he told me I can prevent it through conscious effort, but I have already leaked so much…”

Stopping, he glared at Filia. “Sorry, I can no longer take you alive. We finish this now.” Blades of every type emerged in the air around him.

“Swift Feet.” Filia called out in panic as red hot steel shot at her. Even with her agility enhanced, she couldn’t completely avoid the barrage, suffering several gashes.

“Your desperate flailing is just dragging this out.” Finley taunted. “I’m practically an immortal.”

Filia believed the boast, having suspected it already. She released Daisy and brought back Blizzy.

“Frozen Mist.” She yelled, hoping to buy herself time to recover.

For a moment, their surroundings were obscured. Then a gale picked up. Barbed wire was twirling around Finley, producing a twister which scattered the fog. That was too fast!

“How was it, returning to find your family slaughtered? I can’t imagine it. I’ve never had a family.” It seemed Finley had decided chatting was fine as long as the topic was her.

“Fry!” Relying on Blitzer, Fillia attempted an unblockable attack too fast to dodge. Unfortunately, Finley redirected the lightning using his metal strands. His foresight is top notch too.

“I’ve been wondering about something.” Finley continued. “Why are you doing so well? It’s barely been three months, and here you are being all heroic. Plus you were at that sukemon tournament. This mental stability is mystifying.”

“Transparency.” Filia tried gaining an advantage through her slushpup’s stealth. Unfortunately, the searing weapons appeared to track her without issues. His other senses are too sharp.

“Everyone you grew up with was killed horribly by the neighbors they once trusted. Shouldn’t that shake your beliefs? I’d expect you’d be holed up at in the remains of one of your churches, praying to your salamander god or something.”

Filia returned to Blizzy, taking to the air to gain some distance. In responce, Finley formed a bright ball of power in his hands, and barbed wire shot out in every direction, flying up like fireworks. She evaded desperately but one strand entangled her foot and slammed her back down to the ground.

This isn’t working. Cutting herself free, Filia limped away with Finley’s voice echoing in her ears. “I think I get it… It’s your sukemon, isn’t it? They’re why you aren’t completely broken. In a way, your ‘childhood friends’ are still with you, supporting you through the hard times.”

He Laughed. “Using made-up monsters as an emotional crutch… It’s hilarious.”

Something broke, and anger flared inside Filia. After the massacre in Lomistan, deep within she’d accepted that the world was unfair, that people like the Laughing Man existed. However, Finley had gone too far for even this cynicism.

<> She warned Blizzy, buying herself a few second by casting ‘Frozen mist’.

<> The blizzowl responded with veiled concern.

Fusing with one summon was difficult to learn. Fusing with two was infinitely harder. The most likely outcome of trying was a backfire damaging the psyche of all those involved. To her knowledge, no one had attempted it with sukemon.

Somewhere inside, she knew this was madness in her current state. However, she didn’t care. Finley had mocked her bond with sukemon, her most treasured possession.

She felt Cici arrive, full of confusion. <> She said.

The galebat instantly complied, and parts of her skin turned grayish white as she integrated him. Then a wave vertigo struck, and she stumbled. The stress of sharing her mind with two others was overwhelming. All manner of stray thoughts rose to surface: memories of her parents, concerns about her companions, fears of death… She was losing herself.

No, I must win! She fought back the turmoil by focusing on the man in front of her. Finley was an aberration who violated all norms and values. She rejected his very existence. For those he had hurt, for those he would hurt, he had to be stopped. She would protect others from him.

Amidst her struggle, she heard a voice urging her to hold strong. Soon the chaos receded, and her conscious stabilized. Both Blizzy and Cici were by her side, ready to assist.

Finley stepped out as the fog parted, hundreds of red daggers floating around him. “Time to wrap this up.” He declared confidently before frowning. “Wait… Why do you have two pairs of wings?”

“Glacial Frost.” Filia shouted. The floating blades went dim as all inorganic material was covered in ice. With his boots frozen to the ground, Finley grunted from the additional burden on his telekinesis.

“This won’t——” He growled, his weaponry flaring up within their encasement.

“Cyclone.” Filia followed up. A twister materialized over her opponent, ripping away all his summons. With a great flap of her wings she took to the air.

“Freezing Dive.” She went barreling down towards Finley, a frozen shockwave enveloping her, and smashed through the giant sword he’d conjured for defense. The man went tumbling backward.

Not enough. While she’d landed a hit, the damage was light. She didn’t know how long she could maintain her current state and couldn’t afford to drag this out.

Finley jumped to his feet and glared. “That hurt you brat.” He said, charging up another bright ball of power. “I suppose this is the danger of playing around too much.”

“Frozen Mist.” Filia countered. This time when the barbed wire projectiles shot up, she easily evaded everything with her four wings. She could see clearly with her echolocation while the same could not be said for Finley. The man was busy coiling his metal around him, readying to dispel the fog.

I won’t let him. “Sonic Eruption” A burst of sound struck the earth and exploded, knocking Finley into the air. This is my chance…

“Glacial Cyclone.” She yelled out, combining her sukemon’s abilities. This was a total gamble, but her instincts told her it would work. A fierce white tornado sprung up around Finley, and, when it faded, the man was trapped in towering column of ice.

Filia fell to the ground, completely drained. Cici was gone already, with only Blizzy remaining. She lay panting, barely able to move, mind blank.

<> Blizzy reminded her.

That’s right. She forced her aching body to rise and flew around the building. She was relieved to find Sana still battling the king, on her last legs. He wasn’t lying. Little time has passed.

“Glacial Frost.” She called out.

Thrown off balance by the unexpected weight on his summoned rocks, Kyle Saren struggled not to fall as his feet were frozen in place. Taking advantage the opening, Sana dashed close, the shadow weapon in her hands growing to gigantic proportions. The king looked up in horror as it slammed down on him.

Sana collapsed on the ground, and Filia dropped down besides her. “Margaret will be mad. I killed someone.” Sana whispered.

“Oh, I think she’ll make an exception for this one.” Filia answered.

Silver and Kate rushed over. “Are you alright?” They demanded simultaneous.

“More or less.” Filia answered. “What happened to the ninjas?”

“They fled as soon as the king died.” Kate explained. “Sorry leaving you two on your own. They were surprisingly frustrating to deal with.”

Guess we all had a rough time. Just as Filia was starting to relax, the hairs on the back of her head stood on end. On reflex, she turned to see Finley peeking around the building.

“Watch out!” She yelled. “Finley is almost as strong as an immortal. He’s also one of the Laughing Man’s apostles and totally insane.”

As they tensed for battle, Finley walked out casually shaking his head. “And there goes any last chance of snuffing you out before you shared the news… Today has really been a disaster.” Filia was disappointed by how unharmed he appeared.

“Do you plan to fight?” Silver demanded.

“I want too…” Finley eyed them carefully. “Two of you are near spent. I think I could win. Unfortunately…”

He shrugged, sighing. “The Laughing Man specifically warned me not to tangle with heroes so early in the dark age. Said it wouldn’t turn out well for me. After my humiliation at the hands of Filia over there, I’m more inclined to respect his advice. My ability to judge combat potential is compromised at the moment.”

“You seem remarkably fine about this setback.” Filia observed. “Why?”

Finley smiled. “The truth is, the Laughing Man has already instructed me where to head next. He’s discovered someone, a master who’s brilliance matches his own. I’m to work with him, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about the prospects. It’s almost enough to wash away the taste of this defeat.”

“Is it Salazar Rook?” Filia asked. She was pleased to see Finley’s eye go wide in realization.

“God damn it!” Cursing foully, the Searing Blade retreated leaving them alone.