Two Fates: Divine Storm and War Maiden

Chapter 11 : The Fight.

Days past, the Ravens failure to execute the Sieg and Maya were known. The Ravens who had served the Empress, found their fellows hung by the walls of their bases. Their corpses as a reminder, and a message to the soldiers that serve the Empress. That Sieg and Maya were not just targets, but an actual threat to the foundation of the groups.

The other part of the message, was that the Chosen and the Phantoms are back. Phantoms hid in the shadows while the Chosen stood on the frontlines. Today, was the promised day of Maya's fight against Sir Roderick and his battalion. This was a duel that was going to have a simulation system active, where Roderick brought his brigade of 25,000 soldiers. Maya only brought her a thousand Chosen, along with Sieg and his Phantoms. Two thousand strong, with odds 2 : 25. The entire country was watching,  the Ravens were present to be part of Roderick's brigade, along with the Berserkers. 

They were standing at a plain field. Two hills on the opposite ends of each other. Maya was not wearing her armor yet. 

"Sieg... I know I want this fight for myself, but may I ask you to join me?"  Sieg smiled to her, kneeling by her side. Kissing her left hand, where he felt the callusses and scars that plagued them.

"Of course, my love. I would love to join you." The Chosen and Phantoms were quiet, turning to each other. Then holding hands together. Standing behind the Divine Storm and War Maiden's reincarnation. 

Roderick's brigade began their march. It would take them at least half an hour before they arrived. Their archers knocked off arrows to Maya and Sieg's direction. The Phantoms reacted by slashing the arrows while the Chosen stood in front of Sieg and Maya acting as their shield. 

Maya and Sieg were wearing skin tight suits that were the base of their armor. Asferion, Jester and Crossbones brought the armor pieces. Fitting it to Sieg's body, the armor of Crow Blackwind. Fei Lee, Mireille and Cassandra stepped forth. Fitting the armor of Elena Strongbow to Maya's body.

Sieg's armor was not bulky, it was slim compared to Maya's armor. Sieg's armor had a wolf like motif, with litanies of war engraved all over it. A shoulder cape, followed by the armor lighting up by the white lightning that was in his veins. The gauntlets had a bit of knuckle guards and a bit more power.

Maya's armor? It was demonic, with a horned skull as its helmet. The pauldrons had spikes over it, gauntlets with sharpened claws that could tear through armor. An all white design.

"I don't seem to remember this armor." Sieg said.

"It's been updated. We had a letter sent to the One Eyed Hermit's descendant. She made this armor based on your current powers." Asferion said, while kneeling before Sieg. 

"You didn't have to go that far." Maya said to her Furies, patting their heads. 

"We'd want to watch you fight in your prime, Master. Your radiance in the battle is something that we missed." Cassandra said, as she gave Maya the Darkstar Sabers.

"To watch you grace the battlefield with your blade, Leader. That is the best reward for us." Jester said, passing Heavenly Soujourn to Sieg who grabbed it. The Phantoms and chosen stopped defending Maya and Sieg, stepping away from the battlefield. Stepping out to the safety net where they awaited for the battle's conclusion.

Roderick's brigade was in front of them.  Roderick rode in front of them, riding his horse. Staring down Maya as his men surrounded them with guns at the ready. 

"Surrender, Your Highness, there is no need for us to continue this pat-" Roderick's words were cut off when Maya unleashed a roar that shook the earth beneath them. They watched as the vapors emitted through the grills of her horned skull helmet were easy to be seen. Maya's eyes glowed a bright red. 

Maya drew her blades. The soldiers that were by Roderick's side felt the untimely hesitation, the Berserkers roared back to challenge Maya. A second roar from Maya pacified them, frozen in place as Maya went after them. Ignoring Roderick, she was cutting off the heads of the armored berserkers. They may have towered over Maya with their size but strength and fury? Those were unmatched. Maya threw her blades into Roderick's horse, then grabbing a Berserker's helmet by the horns. 

Kicking the Berserker's knee, bringing the berserker down to her eye level. The Berserker screamed in pain, they watched how Maya pulled the Berserker's head and spine off. The white armor was stained with blood and guts. 

Maya roared again, this time running into the columns of soldiers. The guns fired their desperation, this whole thing was a simulation but the fear they felt was real. They panicked, rank and discipline was lost. Roderick's voice was left unheard. He was trying to rally his soldiers back to his side but there was nothing he could do. They were running away. A brigade of 25,000 was running from just a single woman? Maya was ferocious, far worse than anything any of these people has ever seen. She was tearing through them as if they were nothing. 

There was no warcry from Sieg, Sieg was like a ghost through out the battle. Heads flew into the air, while he was nowhere to be seen. The magicians conjured the elements, hoping to find Sieg amidst the battlefield. More heads flew into the air, there was no sound from his blade or even any screams. 

Roderick watched the chaos unfold before him, seeing the Berserker's head thrown in front of him. Maya walked past him. It was a simple gesture, but one that louder than words. Sieg smiled throughout the battle, hiding between the formation of the knights all around him. Swinging his blade, not even letting the knights see him. Gunfire echoed all around, aiming at Maya who was charging into them. 

The soldiers attacked with desperation, they had tears in their eyes. Panicked voices and hearts beating like drums. Yet, that was all that they were, desperate soldiers. Survival was on their minds, some of them abandoned post. Running away but the ones running were Maya's target. She threw a body at the soldier that ran off. She chased the retreating soldier, then planting her boot over the soldier's face, crushing it. Following it up wiith another roar. Vapors exhaled from her helmet. Her glowing eyes were an omen. 

"Tha...The Manic Beast! Run!" A soldier shouted, the Manic Beast was a myth that was brought up by soldiers of the past. Maya could not help but chuckle as she rememebred what the Manic Beast was. It referred to her when she was in a situation of excitement on the battlefield. Living for the battlefield was all that mattered, to live and die by the sword. 

Just by the clash itself, Maya launched many of them into the air. They caught a brief glimpse of Sieg's blade then they blacked out. Turned into nothing but mincemeat.  Maya tore through whatever that remained of the soldiers. Ripping them apart with her gauntlets, a clear indication. They were not worthy of her blade, it would be a waste of a swing. 

The Berserkers charged at her, the desperation was felt from their swings. Their attacks were faltering in conviction, they did not have enough fury. It was more of 

Sieg did not even use any of his lightning abilities or much of his darkness. His legs and arms were enough, they could barely track him.

The Ravens responded to fight with Sieg. Their blades were within a hair's reach, but that was all they could do. The Ravens showed their valor, matching their speed with Sieg and trying to outnumber him. A simple tactic of overwhelming your opponent, it was textbook against a fast opponent. They had the speed to match with him, Sieg parried a sword from the right. Then piercing his left hand into the neck of the Raven. The eyes of the Raven met with Sieg, who did not blink. Watching the Raven feel his death. The other Ravens froze in place, because of that gaze. Where they watched how Sieg snapped the head off. Then grabbing the Raven by the hair, judging by the features. It must have been a woman, but Sieg did not care nor did he hesitate.

Sieg turned to the other Ravens. In that moment, they felt their legs turn numb. They could not move, nor could they breathe. Falling to their knees, they felt their bodies rejecting oxygen. Ripping off their helmets, then their collars. Trying to get oxygen into their lungs. Piercing their necks with a knife to allow airflow but even then it was not enough. What was left for them? 

Sieg as having fun, he walked to a Raven that fell to their knees. Staring into their eyes, watching the tears fall as they tried to speak but their voice faded. Sieg held the Raven's chin, lifting them up to stare into them. They watched as the Raven withered into a skeleton. The soldiers that saw it ran away, they did not care anymore. All that they had seen, this was just vile. It was no battle, it was no m******e. It was complete and utter g******e. Like the second coming of the ones who've been blessed by Death.

This fear was surreal, simulation or not. The odds were in the favour of Roderick, yet there he was. On his knees, watching every single soldier that he brought to this simulation be executed. His sword was on the ground, he was on his knees. It was as if his mind was broken. He looked up to see Sieg and Maya walk to his direction. Bringing Roderick his own blade, where Maya held it in front of him.

Roderick looked at the blade but he could not look too long into the eyes of Sieg or Maya. He took the blade, then he slit his own throat. Sieg then took out a small box from his pocket, then kneeling before Maya. 

"This is a terrible idea." Sieg said to her, opening the box that had a ring inside.

"Well I think it's romantic." Maya said as she took off her gauntlet, then watching Sieg place the ring into her ring finger. Sieg and Maya then took off their helmets. Standing before the destruction that they made. The entire country had just witnessed something so brutal. A battle that was not only officiated under the Empress's command, and one that the Empress had the most plan to it. The simulation ended, where the soldiers immediately ran off. They were no longer themselves, they panicked at the sight of Sieg and Maya. Screaming, crying, laughing and smiling as they had completely lost their sanity just from that fight itself.

The Ravens and Berserkers were broken from the fight itself. The Chosen and Phantoms walked over to the Ravens and Berserkers, placing a knife in their hands. Sieg and Maya moved to where their allies were. Sieg and Maya stood to watch the Ravens and Berserkers that pointed the knives to their throats. 

"You're a monster." Sieg and Maya nodded to them. As the Ravens and Berserkers killed themselves. This was being broadcasted to all News Stations in the country via Mana. The Chosen and Phantoms clapped for the two. 

"Our idea of romance is not exactly for the faint of heart." Maya said.

"Well, can we at least go on a proper date tomorrow? I mean I do want to try to understand what people do when they are in love." Sieg said as he brought out a journal, filled with notes on.

'Dating 101.'Sieg showed the journal to Maya, who leaned by Sieg's shoulder. Then looking at the bullet points. 

'Lunch date options?' 

"I was thinking of just having you cook for me everyday.. That might be better than anything else." Maya said. 

Maya and Sieg left with the Phantoms and Chosen. The aftermath of that battle was felt by the entirety of Sir Roderick's family, House Benenza lost a lot of things. One of which was the estate that they owned. It was a major embarrassment for them and the Royal family and House Benenza. 

"Leader? There's something. You need to know."  Crossbones called.

"What is it?" Sieg turned to Crossbones, who held a dossier. Passing it to Sieg as they walked out of the simulation field.

"House Benenza is involved with the Underground. Slave trade. There's an auction tonight. Orders?" 

"3 Phases. First infiltrate. Second, Identification. Third, Destroy. Maya, might need your Chosen on this." Sieg said where Maya turned to Fei Lee.

"For Destruction?" Fei Lee asked.

"Phantoms are precise but if we want to let a big message. We'll need to leave a big mess for the world to see." Crossbones said where Fei Lee nodded.

"Sure. We'll standby for it."