Chapter 320 Fire and Fury II (2/2)
”... what in the fuck were you guys talking about before I walked in?” Hannah immediately quizzed with faint anger and embarrassment, funneling it all into the rage toward the four men who found themselves standing in the crossfire.
”We, uh,” Ajjy mumbled meekly. ”Nothing, khm, nothing. So, uh, Empyrean made it fine?”
”They were just being men,” the woman said, inviting Hannah to sit next to her. ”By now, I genuinely believe they cannot help themselves.”
”Y-yes, we can't... khm,” Vyne said lowly. ”It's just, uh, who we are.”
”Right,” Hannah mumbled. ”Four morons. In what universe am I more beautiful than her?” she decided to play along. ”I'd kill for my hair to be so white.”
”Just give it a couple of dozen years and you'll get there!” Ajjy winked yet immediately regretted it as he felt two pairs of murderous eyes land on him squarely.
”I was hoping the Empyrean would join us,” the woman said. ”Where is he?”
”He's gone off,” Hannah said. ”For some reason, he's really excited to fight a Dragon.” she added with a shrug. ”We've never met, right? I'm Hannah.”
”Jade,” the woman replied with a smile, accepting Hannah's handshake. ”And we hardly could have; I've barely left my workstation the last three years. Arrays, after all, won't draw themselves. From what I understand, you're the Elysian?”
”Aye.” Hannah nodded.
”Fascinating,” Jade said, her gaze turning somewhat dubious for a moment. ”Empyrean and Elysian... helping us in our time of need. The world has really gone mad.”
”... is that really that strange?” Hannah asked, realizing nearly everyone who knew about Lino and her helping had a similar reaction.
”Naturally,” Jade replied. ”After all, past generation's Empyrean is the reason we were banished from the mainland, while the Elysian of yore is the reason we've lost nearly all our ancient knowledge.”
”... what the shit...” Hannah mumbled, her eyes turning into saucers for a moment. ”Sorry... I didn't know.”
”Ha ha, why would you? It's ancient history, even to us; I can barely imagine what it is to the rest of the world. Perhaps a footnote in one of your history books, at most. But, past is in the past; today you are here as friends, and we would not have you any other way. I assume you are well-versed in the overall battle strategy?”
”I am,” Hannah nodded, taking a deep breath. ”But, do you guys really need no help on your end?”
”Even if we did, we could hardly ask you or the Empyrean to help us,” Sylos chimed in with a faint sigh. ”You are already bending-over-backwards to help us. Honestly, if not for you two and Edryss, we would have folded and fled a long time ago. The least we can do is uphold our end of the war and win.”
”... alright.” Hannah mumbled faintly, turning silent right after, her mind muddled with a surge of thoughts as the remaining five began discussing the overall plan once more.
Meanwhile, far up in the sky, beyond the clouds, inching near the universe itself, Lino was currently staring at a pair of eyes each as large as a massive mountain who started right back. Vynoarad was truly massive, Lino realized; it was beyond shocking to actually see the Dragon up-close this time around, to face the beast squarely -- beast whose single scale was already larger than Lino himself. The only saving grace were the wings behind his back, spanning over a hundred meters altogether, giving him a smidgen of grandeur Vy presented.
”... 'oly shit, you're really huge!” unable to hold it in anymore, Lino exhaled out the words and took a deep breath afterwards. ”Like, fuck. Can't you just fight by just using your Will? That was at least somewhat manageable!”
”Ho ho, are you cowering beneath my mighty stature?! Ha ha ha ha, you humans truly are puny, be it a peasant or the Empyrean.” Vy replied in a somewhat mocking tone, causing the corner of Lino's lips to twitch.
”What, you're just a goddamn shower anyway,” Lino fired back. ”What use is the size and girth when I'll still beat your ugly head black and blue. Tsk, when you become my pet, he he, I'll downsize you to a pup. Just you wait, you ol' bastard.”
”... those below us cannot win this war, Empyrean,” Vy suddenly spoke in a rather serious tone, surprising Lino. ”Even with Edryss and Elysian aiding them. Your only hope of saving them is to defeat me. If you submit to me now, I'll immediately withdraw the troops and ensure their lives till the end of mine. What do you say?”
”... win or lose,” Lino grinned, whipping out [Dragon Slayer]. ”What's it matter, little Dragon? Weren't we going to shower the world in fire and fury? They are ready to burn the last bit of fuel inside their hearts to defend their home... what abominable coward would I be if I didn't at the very least match their flames?”
”... ha ha ha ha, indeed, indeed, well-said, little bastard,” Vy laughed, his voice shaking the entire world around the two. ”If you said yes, I would have swallowed you on the spot you bastard!”
”Goddamn, you and your fucking tests. It's getting tiring you ol' piece of shit!”
”Ha ha ha, alright, alright. No more tests then,” he said, his black scales suddenly catching on fire. ”Let us truly cover the world in flame and fury, Lino. Show me all the Chaos has to offer, and allow me to show you it is not quite as prolific as the world has made it out to be.”