800. (Cer)Berus, The Three Heads of Security
The wave of Impuritas erged from the other side of the tunnel like a tidal wave. Nothing could possibly stop them in their tracks. This was what they adamantly believed in. The few Stars of the Nexus stationed here according to their intel would only cause more damage, and the Moons of the Nexus were already fighting in Grandis.
There was no reason for them to stay here. Furthermore, it was impossible for them to anticipate an invasion to occur directly within the Nexus. Their thods were kept close to their chest. Anyone that knew of it were kept close to Iscario’s inner circle.
They gnashed their teeth and dragged their claws against the floors of the Nexus, sharpening them as they prepared to unleash their wrath in the Common Hub. Then, they’d be able to move out and hunt the Blessed on the Residential Floors as they wished. With no Moons in the Nexus and with only Aspiring Moons to take their place; it seed like their Brightest Star had issued deadly blow to the Nexus.
If there was one thing the Impuritas knew it was that the Amalgam was protective of her people. Angering the Amalgam was declared prohibited due to the risk of receiving her wrath, but the Amalgam was not here to avenge them.
But this could not go their way. The Brightest Star claid that the Nexus was vacant of their strongest forces. And yet they were t with a powerful electric beam eliminated more than 700 Impuritas in an instant.
This was not from a Star. Neither did it co from an ordinary Moon. It instantly ceased the advancent of all 25,000 Impuritas as if they had run into a wall. The very mont they had entered the vicinity of the Reception was when they were made aware of just who remained within the Nexus.
“I just had that cleaned while everyone was gone. For fuck sakes…” This voice ca from wolf-eared woman who wore a black dress and an open suit that rested on her shoulders like a cape. “It took hours to polish this place. When they said soone was coming, I thought it was a… what do you call it? An ergency drill? I didn’t think our enemies would be stupid enough to actually co here.”
Her claws cackled with electricity as her scarlet eyes cleaved through them. This was Ber; one of the Three Heads of Security that guarded the Nexus. The Impuritas were under the impression that they had participated in the war. After all, there should not have been a reason for her to stay here. Not when they didn’t even know they could be invaded directly.
And yet, the strongest Moon of the Nexus all stood there with the presence of a hundred thousand of their own. Her anguish did not even co from them, but rather the filth they brought into the Nexus.
Still, she was not the one who eliminated so many of them in the blink of an eye. Even though they were low-ranking Impuritas, a Moon still had limits to their strength. It was even possible to overwhelm one. Their numbers and the quality of their mbers could easily kill several Moons.
“Sis. What do you make of this? I didn’t expect to be guard dog of the Nexus tonight, but here we are.” Ber muttered, still unable to believe the sheer stupidity of the Impuritas.
“I think they were sent here to die. With their numbers they can fall into the cervices of the Nexus. Killing them won’t change that they’ll get so value here.” Res, the Electric Eye…
No, this was no longer their nas. These two were the Eye and Claw of the Head herself; her most trusted and most powerful personnel in the entire Nexus. It ca as a shock to the Impuritas, so much so that even the Crimson Hunger – who brought along the Handless Bers – trembled in place.
Their fear exceeded their primal instinct to indiscriminately kill. This Ber was, after all, the one who prevailed over her past. Such a thing was incomprehensible to those Handless Bers, hence why they were afraid.
“Yeah. Die. Probably to gauge our strength as well.” Res deduced, her azure eyes brimming like the full moon. She flicked her long, colorful tail in a splendid arc. “Don’t go all out.”
The droplets of paint that were flung from her tail transford into giant pale spines. Hundreds rained upon the Impuritas as they scrambled to avoid them. Those who were impaled had their bodies drained of color. It diffused onto the rods like a splotch of water on a piece of paper.
“We’ll make them realize that it was a mistake to co here!”
These colors were their experiences, and she drained them for [Inspiration].
This was an Ability unique to Res ever since she was Realized. It granted her the power to enrich her world at the cost of others. As sinister as it sounded, it could be used in a less egregious manner. For example, the act of learning or devouring the world with her eyes was enough to grant her Stacks of [Inspiration].
But since these were Impuritas, there was no need to take the easy route.
“Good call Sis. I was thinking the sa thing. Letting them go off too easily is a bit… you know, easy.” Ber chuckled. “Whew. Do you hear that too?”
Although the two of them were clearly on the ‘right’ side, their presence made it seem like they were defending the very gates of hell. Ber and Res received a ssage from Nav that only further amplified their oppressive aura.
“Nav’s angry. I’ve never heard her like that. If it’s for Nav, then it can’t be helped. She’s right you know? This is our ho. And we have uninvited guests…”
Res trailed off, her expression darkening as the vibrant splotch of colors along her body and tail morphed into a sinister tone. The myriads of colors on her hair beca streaks of red, and her eyes carried the sa crimson glow as her sister.
“… In here… In our ho… Do you know how long it took us to finally consider this place ours?”
Even 25,000 Impuritas could not take them on.
There would have to be a million to even have a chance.
It was a sha that their only thod – which was to ntally break them down – had done the exact opposite.
Her tail slashed the air again, creating a crescent shaped blade. A powerful electric current ran through it as the painted blade orbited her. It was in the shape of a new moon, and after several orbits, it was flung into the horde of Impuritas, severing another few hundred like a giant guillotine.
It occurred precisely as 5,000 disappeared. They received a ssage that clarified what had happened.
Still, there was plenty here for the sisters to enjoy.
“5,000 spread across the Nexus… I almost feel sorry for them.” Ber laughed.
An Ankou wanted to ask why. He nearly blurted this out until he saw the face of a person that caused him to tremble with despair.
“The Archetypes might not be as forgiving as us. Not that one, I don’t think. Then again, I’ve never seen them fight before so who knows.” Ber said offhandedly, clearly not taking the situation seriously enough to go all out. “Hey! Beholder Umbra! Wait – These are ours!”
“Oh? Could you at least spare a few of your scraps? I’ll happily watch by.”
“As long as you don’t get in our way, respectfully speaking.” Res lowered her head lightly in the presence of a Beholder. Even though she was technically above her in the hierarchy, Res never abandoned her formalities.
She was just free now.
But now that their enemies had appeared to rob them of this freedom…
“Ber. Can you leave this to ?”
“Sure. We’ll keep my secret weapons a secret~” Ber whispered into her ear, causing Res to lighten up. “Keep so prisoners for us. I kinda want to see what made a mory Bistro think it was a good idea to bring the old ’s here. There’s a bunch of Black Wings I know that’ll jump at the opportunity to keep you alive. I wonder if Ignis is open to human experintation – er… well, they’re not humans so I guess she’ll comply. Ignis is a good girl.”
“Why wouldn’t she is the better question.” Beholder Umbra answered, humored by the idea even though she had no idea who Ignis was.
She simply wished to speak, because the re act of making her presence known to the nto Mori was to inflict a wave of fear that the Fractured Nilhim could barely comprehend. It was an existential level fear that caused Ber to wonder:
“What’s your deal with the nto Mori? You asked Frost to keep one alive too. Surely you can just grab them right now.”
“This is insurance, in case that one dies to the Fallen Star. Your reward to giving what I seek will be my heart.”
Ber shivered at the thought of getting along with her, so she kept her mouth sealed for now.
“Despair, Claw of the Head. Despair is a powerful tool. Despite how they look – they have an equal capacity to suffer like us. Taking these steps to instill despair only enriches it. Despair is the avenue to hope. Don’t forget that.”
“… Yeah, it can be like that sotis.” Ber uttered understandingly.
Then, Res took it upon herself to defend the Common Hub of the Nexus. Contrary to the electric beams that the Impuritas were aware of – Res’ combat abilities had changed significantly.
Again, thanks to them.
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