NOVEL NEXT Chapter 117: Encouragement
“You look so… Old.” <Lizzy>
After a solid minute of silence that was all that the demonic pair managed to let seep out; both were clearly confused at everything that just happened. For one, Wrath expected an epic battle with the mightiest saint of all, they were planning to meet the one who was bench-line all other saints must reach in proficiency to gain their title… Yet they were in front of an old lady.
Still there was something about this old lady who appeared as if she was ready to fall over and die if the wind was too strong. But, despite that, there was something… Off. The army of Munzumira was unsettling while Cheshire was intimidating.
However, this little grey cat was nothing short of terrifying.
Mercilessly having killed an entity that would have easily given a demon god a run for their money - one that was begging that their belief in her was not misplaced. Now she even looked at the shoe that the bird touched with utter disgust. It was a scene one would expect from Demon Empress Violet, not the caring woman who made a realm for all the innocent children of the world.
Nevertheless a doting smile formed in her eyes as she looked toward the mighty dragoness who ruled over the Dreamscape. The exact look that a mother gives to her children which conveys all their unregulated love. There was nothing that Lizzy needed to do nor were there any requests that made her look at the large girl with such positive feelings. She simply had those feelings. Some may find it menacing how her expression changed with the flip of a switch but - for the two standing in front of her - it simply confirmed what they were questioning.
This was that crazy cat.
“Chehehe~ I suppose I should ‘ave worked a little harder on my skin care routine~!” <Cheshire Prime>
At least she put her gun back.
Wrath promptly clutched their clawed fits as they once again summoned their kanabo (not having any hope in finding the bec de corbin) with all intention to charge. Lifting her weapon to the sky. The air within the pocket space began to hear up as she summoned her purp-
She found herself stopping, not due to an attack, as the old lady simply raised her hand up to cause the beast to leap backwards in caution at what was about to happen. Both the fighters left standing were probably two of the entities with the strongest instincts. Elizabeth needed them to be honed in order to live in the ever dangerous {Dreamscape} while Vivi was born with the six senses.
What they both knew was… The little old lady was not someone you mess with lightly. She did not commit to any actions, the raised hand visibly shaking due to the exertion she was using to keep it there, as she turned back down to her shoes. Clicking her tongue as she faintly lifted her foot.
“Excuse me but if I’m to die I want to do it at my best and without wearing something that has been tainted by pure filth nya~.” <Cheshire Prime>
In response to that; her shadows trembled as three Munzumira rose out from her shadows. They weren’t the prideful magicians that either knew, though, as both wore medical PPE. One carefully removed the seemingly spotless shoe from the little lady’s foot which it deposited into a trash bag that was being held open by another. It was only then that the third slid on a new show as if she were some kind of manservant.
All three of them were more than powerful enough(Lizzy could clearly feel they were the same eldritch cats she always knew) but they held the elder in high regard. Willingly doing their best to serve her childish whim for new footwear. Soon sinking back into the shadows as the woman in question kicked the ground in order to ensure the new shoe fit adequately.
“Now we’re ready… It’s best to do this by tradition so let us start with a bow nyehehe~.” <Cheshire Prime>
Without fear of the monster who was now cautiously approaching - the cat bowed with her tails flickering behind her without care. Although her face did turn to look toward the fox-oni that was clearly out of place in this arena of the gods. She quickly remedied it with a flick of her hand; creating a rift that dragged the girl in.
“Now she’ll be arriving back home… Why aren’t cha bowing?” <Cheshire Prime>
Mumbling to herself as she turned her gaze back to see Wrath now standing right in front of her. Acidic spit frothing forth from its mouth as it looked down on the lady. In return the lady tilted her head to look up at the beast in disdain - one hand resting on her hat while the other rested upon her cane.
“Do cha not know fear brat?” <Cheshire Prime>
Evidently it didn’t.
Aiming to bring that metal club down on the damsel's tiny body; there was only one ending to this that one could possibly imagine. A scene where bits of old lady are splattered all across the ruins. Although she only raised a brow as if looking down on the feeble attempt as she once more got into a bow.
The uneducated may think she was giving up but-
“[TREACHERY!]” <Cheshire Prime>
-that was not the case.
Suddenly the entire world seemingly froze as reality itself rippled with the two being the core of the major distortion that was occurring. What was frightening was the fact that it clearly wasn’t chronomancy as the principles & effects seemed completely different. Thankfully (or not) the old cat loved to monologue so had no issue explaining her technique.
“This is my magnum opus - a technique that spits in the face of fate - as I switch tracks of reality to put me in the place where I wish to be nyahahaha~!” <Cheshire Prime>
Sadly she wasn’t exactly wholly helpful as those ripples became even more extreme. Eventually the distortion became so extreme that it was completely impossible to judge the positions of both the pair with only that dharma weapon standing out among the warped vision. At least until the effect began to slow down; even if the scene was different from what Elizabeth & Wrath remembered.
Now it was Wrath with their head lowered in front of Cheshire Prime, mocking in her eyes, had the kanabo within her little paws. Due to a difference in height she was left falling downward. That didn’t seem to affect the cat nor the powerful blow that collided with the back of the demon’s skull with an explosive sound.
Shards of their armoured flesh flying through the air as their own weapons' raw power seemed like the perfect nut cracker.
The monster came crashing down into the ground - still technically standing with their feet being firmly planted on the ground - with those horns of theirs piercing right into the earth. Meanwhile the cat just carelessly dropped the metal club. Moving their cane to slap the back of the demon as if to add insult to the already insulting injury.
This obviously left the monster to be “slightly” displeased; a menacing growl soon escaped from its maw while its fangs ground against one another. Cheshire did not appear too frightened as she casually kicked off the beast's face. Letting that momentum carry her away as she broke out into laughter.
“It’s a completely new technique which I only gifted to that oni-chan of yours; my greatest manoeuvre that bends chance itself to my whim. The multiverse theory postulates that time is more like branches than a single track we are forced to follow - a truth for most universes if not Genesis which is unique due to being where most singularities are born. Little Alice’s infinite can take advantage of it so I thought “why can’t I do the same” so here we are NYEHEHEHIHIHI~!” <Cheshire Prime>
Wrath obviously didn’t take a second to understand what was said. The monster instead placed their claw hands on the ground before pushing - retching those iconic horns from the ground as their purple eyes flared up to glare toward Cheshire. Flames of destruction literally spewing out of every orifice as, once again, cursed crimson sparks appeared in the mix.
“What did cha wanna be when cha were younger; the uncouth brute called wrath or perhaps Vivi the average was cha goal nya~?” <Cheshire Prime>
With that Wrath fully stood up and called the [Destruction of Immortality] back to its awaiting palm as it pointed that club forward.
“Cha could be so much more than her shadow chehehe~!” <Cheshire Prime>
That manifestation of raw rage let out an inhumane scratch but Elizabeth couldn’t help tilt her head in confusion as she watched. She couldn’t help thinking about her mama’s words… Honestly, it sounded more motivational than the brutal smack talk she was expecting. Unfortunately she was not able to make her doubts know as the rubble once again exploded.
“You… You… YOU FUCKING CUNTS!” <Vibrant>
Her tone of voice was as far away from the calm & demeaning angel as could be possible; her swords had formed a barrier around her yet as they unravel it became obvious she was still too slow. There wasn’t a single inch of clothing on her body but it was hardly an alluring affair. That once supple jade-like beauty was a burning cadaver with eyes filled with pure hatred as she looked around the room to find the source of her rage. Those swords of hers fully outstretched to once again form two beautiful wings that also brought attention to her arms… Which were completely stone up till her shoulders.
“Oh~ wow~ ya’re still kickin’!” <Cheshire Prime>
Surprisingly enough that did not make the pair particularly happy - Vibrant sent a sword flying toward the cat with all the power she could muster in her heavily damaged state.
“Come on~ cha gotta try harder than that~!” <Cheshire Prime>
The only thing expertly formed a white energy on her finger tips to literally pinch the sword before it had the chance to cut into her flesh. From there she flicked it upwards, letting it flip and fall in front of her, only to flick the back of the blade. Sending it flying towards Vibrant who was in no shape to use her footwork - leading to her having to use her wings to block the attack. Sending her sailing backwards.
Letting an ear grating screech as she sent another blade to hit the back of Wrath who wasn’t even paying attention to her. That sword punctured into its shoulder blade, making it let out a groan, but even then it focused on the cat in front of itself. Purple flames formed on the end of its club as Cheshire shook her head with a sigh.
It was then that her eyes suddenly widened as she appeared as if she was about to move but instead closed her eyes in a resigned fashion.
Soon after a katana pierced through her heart from the back while space cracked.
“If you want to kill her you need to use your head ohohoho~!” <Mother>