Atop the Spiral Clock Tower.
Medea Bartholomew shot to her feet, her magical fluctuations slightly disordered.
"What's happened?" Professor Silf asked hurriedly.
Professor Medea's eyes were fixed on the direction of the secret passage. Only after a long moment did she say, "The Ritual has entered its final stage."
Professor Silf thought for a moment, then frowned. "Dark succeeded?"
But Professor Medea shook her head, her expression grave. "I don't know."
"How can you not know? What exactly is going on?" Professor Silf pressed.
Professor Medea only said, "When the vast majority of the elements reach their required standards, the Ritual enters its final stage. But the direction the Ritual is taking has changed."
"The direction changed—what do you mean?" Professor Silf rose abruptly.
Professor Medea's voice carried a distant note. "Someone has fine-tuned the Ritual, steering the outcome toward an unknown dimension."
"It's Ophelia—what on earth is she trying to do?"
Professor Silf, too, looked toward the secret passage, her brow deeply furrowed. "We can't let her keep going. I'll go take a look."
But Medea stopped her. "No. I suggest we wait a while longer."
…
As the one directing the Ritual from within, Ophelia Brad held greater control over the whole of it than even Professor Medea.
The instant that humanoid Magic Guide Spirit was successfully summoned, she realized that the "Demon King's" strength had reached the minimum threshold.
A life-and-death battle was no child's play.
Even though the secret passage shrank the scale of the fight countless times over, the strength ratio between the two sides could not differ by too much.
It was like a miniature model: the dimensions might differ, but the proportions had to stay the same.
"Then from here on, I'm counting on you—Blood Source Sword Saint!"
Kneeling on one knee, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" nodded in silence, then drew its sword all at once!
At once a bloody light spread out, sword energy surging skyward.
[Card Name: Blood Source Sword Saint]
[Type: Spirit Card]
[Rank: ????????]
[Species: Human Species]
[Attribute: Normal-type/Fighting-type]
[Magic: 3000]
[Attack: 4000]
[Defense: 3200]
[Ultimate Move: Blood Source Eye, Sword Heart, Blood-Devouring Sword, Nine-Form Secret Sword]
Eight stars, Human Species!
This "Blood Source Sword Saint," summoned with "Blood Source Realm" as the tribute, was a full eight-star, third-tier Magic Guide Spirit—a gold card boasting four Ultimate Moves.
Armor covered it from head to toe, its shoulder-length hair bound into a ponytail. Below its fine nose a mask concealed the face, leaving only the eyes and forehead exposed. The blood markings at the corners of its eyes carried a hint of feminine allure, yet its brow was all valor.
As a female swordswoman, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" lacked the towering, imposing build of a man, but its petite frame made it all the more nimble. Its blood-colored armor fit snug against the body, its legs straight and slender—faster, stronger.
The long sword in its hand had but a single edge—it would not be wrong to call it a saber.
Nine strange beasts were carved along the blade, corresponding to the "Nine-Form Secret Sword."
This demonic sword, named the "Blood-Devouring Sword," could drink in fresh blood, converting the blood's energy into magic; the more magic, the greater the boost to its attack.
Most important of all was its attribute, which perfectly sidestepped the "Holy Sword's" counter.
Ophelia Brad watched the "Blood Source Sword Saint" race upward, tenderness surfacing in her eyes.
This Magic Guide Spirit Card, forged together with Hero Bright, was in truth a token of love between the two of them.
To use it now, in this moment, carried more than a little flavor of fate.
…
The bloody light streaming from the "Blood-Devouring Sword" trailed into a long ribbon as the "Blood Source Sword Saint" sped forward, bearing straight down on Gatomon.
Gatomon's momentum, which had climbed to its peak, had dipped slightly from being forced to dodge earlier, and the airflow coiling around its blade had begun to waver.
It was under these conditions that the two sword-wielding Magic Guide Spirits collided head-on.
"Meow!"
In the split second before contact, Gatomon's eyes sharpened, and the momentum that had slipped away was forcibly hauled back up. "Honedge."
Boosted by "Swords Dance," it swung out like lightning, the Berserk airflow wringing forward along the blade.
But light flared in the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" eyes, and it spoke aloud in human tongue, giving a sharp, delicate cry: "Secret Sword: Second Form!"
In an instant, one of the strange beasts on the "Blood-Devouring Sword" lit up, leaping free and coiling around the blade like wind, lending the "Blood-Devouring Sword" a peculiar, yielding softness.
This strike, which Gatomon had raised to its utmost with "Swords Dance," had at least a third of its force sapped away by that strange softness, and the remaining power was no longer enough to overwhelm the "Blood Source Sword Saint."
The two swords finally met, and in that moment the gap in raw strength revealed itself.
Gatomon was plainly outmatched, sent flying back by that single stroke!
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" swiftly recovered its sword, gripping the hilt in both hands, raising the "Blood-Devouring Sword" upright at its right side, bloody light flickering unsteadily over the sword saint.
"A sword is a sword, a person is a person. Merely holding a Holy Sword is not enough to make you a swordsman."
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" spoke the cold, indifferent words, its brow stern.
The special Ultimate Move forged by the Hero—"Sword Heart"—had granted it not only the instinct for wielding a sword, but a true heart of its own.
Without question it possessed sapience, its intelligence level far exceeding 3.
…
The sudden speech of the "Blood Source Sword Saint" stunned Virt and Robert. The two had already taken cover behind the plaster statue of Pancham, and now, facing a battle they could not possibly join, they felt utterly powerless.
But right after, they felt an even greater shock.
Because the white cat wielding the Holy Sword had begun to speak as well!
…
Facing an opponent that surpassed it in strength, speed, and swordsmanship alike, Gatomon did not shrink back in the slightest.
It gave a cold laugh. "I was never a swordsman to begin with."
"Is that so?" The "Blood Source Sword Saint" gave no clear reply.
Yet in the next instant its form pitched forward, trailing a blood-red afterimage through the air, closing in on Gatomon in a flash.
"Secret Sword: First Form!"
Another strange beast's pattern lit up along the "Blood-Devouring Sword."
Gripping the sword in both hands, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" slashed out in an instant.
Gatomon reacted with blazing speed, raising its own blade to counter almost at once.
But in that single instant the "Blood Source Sword Saint" carved out three cuts, the bloody light loosed from each overlapping and bursting apart all at once.
"Bang!"
With no room to resist, Gatomon was blasted flying again!
The two differed in star rank by a full factor of two; under normal circumstances the gap in power was already vast.
This time, after knocking Gatomon flying, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" did not withdraw its sword. Instead it spun on its heel, accelerating in a blink, flickering into position beneath Gatomon before it could even fall.
Then, its gaze intent, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" twisted its body and swept the blade upward.
"Secret Sword: Fourth Form!"
A stroke of sword light, like a dragon, like a serpent, burst from the "Blood-Devouring Sword" and lunged to bite at Gatomon.
With nothing to push against in midair, Gatomon had nowhere to dodge—so it should have been!
But as that serpentine dragon of sword light swept in, it twisted its waist in midair, then tapped a foot against empty space, its whole body soaring upward like a great roc spreading its wings toward the sky.
The dragon-serpent sword light missed in an instant, its momentum fading, and Gatomon scattered it with a backhand stroke.
Then, without even a glance at the "Blood Source Sword Saint" below, it became an arrow, shooting straight at Ophelia Brad.
Within "[Paradise]."
Dark Demon had just set down the "Pride III" in his hand. The [Magic Beast (Eevee)] tucked away inside the "haunted house" had completed its evolution, and the proud "Espeon" stepped out of the haunted house, the red gem on its forehead loosing a brilliant glow.
By night, Espeon was not in top form, but merely using "Confusion" to support Gatomon was more than enough.
Gatomon let its body go slack, allowing "Confusion" to drag it hurtling toward Ophelia Brad, its blade gathering power all the while.
"Not good!"
Only now did the "Blood Source Sword Saint" catch on, but just as it moved to turn and defend, the energy within it churned into disorder. It staggered, nearly falling to the ground.
It whipped its head around, its red-glowing eyes glaring fiercely at Ditto.
Ditto pressed its palms together, aiming them at the "Blood Source Sword Saint," channeling "Blood Magic (Fragment)" with all its might.
Drawing on Blood Magic born of the same source, it forcibly held the "Blood Source Sword Saint" in its tracks, creating the perfect opening for Gatomon to strike at Ophelia Brad.
Within the hall at this moment.
"Blood Source Realm" had vanished, the "Blood Child" had crashed into the wall and stopped its Rollout, and even the "Blood Source Sword Saint" had been held back.
Ophelia Brad was fully exposed to the edge of Gatomon's blade, yet remained composed.
She showed no intent of playing her next Magic Guide Card. Only her long hair stirred without any wind, lashing out sharply as Gatomon closed in!
"Myaa!"
All at once, the light of "Confusion" latched onto the blood-red hair, freezing it in that instant.
Sweat beaded on Espeon's forehead, its magic value plunging like a waterfall.
To buy this single instant of opportunity, it gave everything it had.
Light glimmered in Gatomon's eyes. The moment it landed, it tapped its toes against the ground, its speed surging, and cut clean into the space right before Ophelia Brad!
"Clang!"
In that instant, Honedge resonated with it.
Holy light surged from the blade, drowning both their figures.
But Ryan Hacks, Virt, and Robert, who were watching intently, forced their eyes open despite the stinging pain.
Within their vision.
The holy light suddenly went out.
In its place came an ever more blinding bloody light.
Gatomon's body stood frozen in place, the Holy Sword it had thrust out with all its strength now wrapped and clamped by a mass of bloody light.
Ophelia Brad had merely extended her left hand; the bloody light loosed from her five fingers held the blade of "Honedge" firmly in its grip.
The holy light released from the blade ground steadily away at the bloody light, but Ophelia Brad's magic was endless, replenishing the very instant the bloody light was worn thin.
If anything, it was the holy light streaming from "Honedge" that was gradually weakening.
"Light and dark, god and demon—so-called counters have always been mutual."
Ophelia Brad's voice rose unhurriedly.
"The Holy Sword counters the Demon race, but it can also be corrupted by the Demon race's power. If one relies on the Holy Sword alone, a Hero can never reach the end of the road. Bright relied on the Holy Sword too much."
…
Dark Demon's brow tightened sharply, and his expression shifted a little.
Ophelia Brad's manner now lacked the keen edge she'd had when she first rose from the throne, and the words from her lips sounded almost like a lecture.
Who exactly was she saying this for?
Was it for Virt?
But the situation left Dark no room for lengthy thought. He flicked two fingers, and the "Fusion" card, forged with the help of senior Pandora, slid into his hand.
Ophelia Brad's understanding of the "Holy Sword" ran far too deep.
Before her, Gatomon could not bring out the advantage the "Holy Sword" granted at all; better, then, to summon "Bastemon" instead.
Perhaps by relying on "Bastemon's" ability to manipulate blood, it could gain the upper hand in the fight.
As if sensing Dark's decision, Gatomon drew a deep breath, then wrenched hard, tearing "Honedge" free from the grip of Ophelia Brad's magic before tapping the ground and springing back.
Through all of this, Ophelia Brad made not the slightest move to stop it.
She raised her eyes toward the Ditto beside Dark and suddenly pointed. Ditto let out a hurried cry, its whole body trembling, its outer contours warping in an instant—right there it reverted to its original form!
The sight made Dark's eyelid twitch.
He had never imagined Ditto's "Transform" could be undone so easily…
But right after, the closing chant of "Magic Guide Scribe's" summon reached his ears, pulling him back to himself.
"In the name of Dark Demon, Magic Guide Summon—'Miltank'!"
After a chant that had lasted over a minute, "Magic Guide Scribe" successfully summoned the four-star Magic Guide Spirit "Miltank."
Taking shape from the summoning light, Miltank at once kneaded out a bottle of "milk."
Gatomon had just retreated back, and it stretched out a hand without ceremony. "Give me a bottle."
It no longer bothered to hide its ability to speak, nor had it the spare energy to worry about such things.
Ophelia Brad's might was all-encompassing, without a single blind spot—enough to make even Gatomon, the embodiment of "Pride," feel a trace of helplessness.
"Moo! Moo!"
Miltank tossed the bottle of milk to Gatomon, who pried off the cap and drained it in one gulp.
As the warm current slid down its throat, its magic value—which had dropped below ten percent—swiftly recovered to over half.
But once its magic was restored, Gatomon did not return to the battlefield.
It drew a deep breath, tossed the "Honedge" in its hand to Leomon, then looked toward the Black Gatomon that DemiDevimon had evolved into.
Black Gatomon had been waiting at its side all along.
A single glance between the white cat and the black cat, and each understood the other's intent.
"Are you ready?" Dark asked in a low voice.
The two Magic Guide Spirits nodded together.
"Good, then."
Dark raised the "Fusion" card high and summoned all at once.
A flood of magic poured into the Magic Guide Card like a rising tide. The black-and-white twin fish on the face of "Fusion," soaked in that magic, sprang to life, flicked their tails, and leapt free of the card, gliding through the air and swelling in the wind.
"So it's coming?"
Ophelia Brad's lips parted slightly, murmuring the words.
Although Dark had not summoned "Bastemon" at the Easter Dueling Festival, it was by relying on "Bastemon" that he had cleanly defeated the second-year Elsie Kevin in the Rookie Tournament.
Ophelia Brad had been sitting in the audience at the time, and this Fusion-Summoned Magic Guide Spirit had left a deep impression on her.
She knew full well that it was a third-tier, seven-star Magic Guide Spirit—and that it possessed "divinity"!
…
A mere second-tier Magic Guide Spirit was simply too weak in conceptual strength.
The appearance of "Bastemon" could make up for that gap.
Its innate "divinity" could raise the very breadth of the Ritual, so that the final outcome would carry a greater impact.
Ophelia had summoned the "Blood Source Sword Saint" precisely to match it.
…
Even as they fought, both sides kept watch on the direction of the Ritual.
Only, Dark's mastery in this regard fell somewhat short, while Ophelia Brad was far more adept.
…
As the black-and-white twin fish bored into the bodies of Gatomon and Black Gatomon respectively, the two Magic Guide Spirits, under the power of "Fusion," turned into light—black and white—spiraling up toward the sky.
Meeting in midair, the black and white lights—one clockwise, one counterclockwise—swiftly traced out a mysterious, intricate summoning circle.
And from that circle, the long-absent "Bastemon" stepped slowly forth.
Its figure was as graceful as ever, its steps as enchanting, the pink-toned long hair inherited from "Lust" lending it a dreamlike, aesthetic beauty.
The cat ears peeking from that long hair were fluffy and adorable, its two slender cat tails carrying a hint of mischief.
A pale lavender veil covered its exquisite face; the cool attire left the furless expanse of its belly widely bared, the soft, fine skin gleaming faintly.
The rounded curves of its chest, wrapped in tadpole-shaped pink cups, were fuller than a single hand could hold, and the χ tattoo (chi) branded upon its belly lent it a wild allure.
The pearls, gems, and golden rings adorning its body gave it the air of a symbol of wealth.
Mysterious and rich.
Bewitching and alluring.
Its limbs, still bearing bestial traits, and its sharp hooked claws added a touch of intoxicating danger.
…
The merging of Gatomon and Black Gatomon into one reduced the number of individuals belonging to "[Paradise]" by one.
But the summoning of "Miltank" made up for that shortfall.
From the very moment it appeared, Bastemon carried a bonus of eight hundred points each to its magic, attack, and defense.
[Card Name: Bastemon]
[Type: Spirit Card]
[Rank: ???????]
[Species: Demi-human Species]
[Attribute: Dark]
[Magic: 3500-4300]
[Attack: 3400-4200]
[Defense: 2700-3500]
[Ultimate Move: Confusion, Vampire Dance]
Judging purely by the panel stats, Bastemon—also a gold card—had already surpassed the eight-star "Blood Source Sword Saint."
But without a weapon equipped, it was at a disadvantage in actual attack power.
So it stretched out a hand toward Leomon without hesitation.
Leomon blanked for a moment.
When Gatomon had tossed the "Honedge" to it earlier, it had assumed Gatomon was entrusting the "Holy Sword" to its care.
Never had it imagined this was no entrusting at all, but a "temporary hold"!
It fell silent for a moment.
Not one good at refusing, Leomon in the end tossed the "Honedge" back to "Bastemon."
Having reclaimed the "Honedge," Bastemon flashed Leomon a coquettish smile and said flippantly, "Quite the sensible one."
Leomon's face went dark at once, half wishing it could plant a "Beast King Fist" right in that face.
But Bastemon was no longer looking at it. Lightly swinging this Holy Sword that ran counter to its own attribute, it strode with elegant, catlike steps toward the "Blood Child" behind.
The "Blood Child," after crashing through half a wall, twisted its body with difficulty. Seeing Bastemon approach, it began to Rollout without hesitation.
"You'll do nicely to test the blade."
Bastemon twisted its wrist, changing the blade's direction, then brought the sword down on the "Blood Child" with no technique at all!
"Shhk!"
Bastemon drew the sword back with the motion.
A long split ran down the "Blood Child's" outer skin from top to bottom, gushing out gas like a balloon slashed open.
And then…
"Bang!"
This once one-star Magic Beast burst into a mist of blood.
Bastemon flicked a fingertip, and the blood mist, before it could disperse, gathered anew, an immense power of blood roiling within it.
It turned around, eyes narrowed at Ophelia Brad across from it. Mulling over the words Ophelia Brad had spoken, it poured the blood energy drawn from the mist into the "Honedge" in its hand.
Though "Honedge" was a "Holy Sword," it was in essence a Magic Guide Spirit forged by Dark, and it held no rejection toward these Magic Guide Spirits that Dark had likewise forged.
Bastemon did not manipulate the power of darkness; instead, pouring blood energy into the blade, it managed to stain this "Holy Sword" the color of blood.
A smile touched its lips, and as it lifted the sword and set it dancing, it moved as easily as an arm directing a finger.
[Attack Power: 4200-6300]
"The Ritual's intensity has risen again." Atop the Spiral Clock Tower, inside the Pumpkin Carriage, Medea suddenly spoke.
For who knew how many times, Professor Silf asked, "Nothing will go wrong, will it?"
But this time, Professor Medea's tone was firm and certain. "It won't!"
…
On the Ferris wheel.
Ryan Hacks had been watching all along.
His original plan had been to rely on Dark first to probe out some of Ophelia Brad's true depths, then strike when the moment came.
In his imagining, his own strike would fall with the force of a thunderbolt—a single killing blow that would end this battle outright.
But the true strength Ophelia Brad revealed in the smallest of details soon made him realize how absurd his idea had been.
Ten years on, the "Blood Princess" was even stronger!
By comparison, he saw ever more clearly that he was already an old bag of bones left behind by the times.
It left him with a touch of desolation.
But his spear had not rusted.
Once he found his moment, he would still strike.
Only, he had grown more cautious.
…
After testing the blade, Bastemon strode with sensual, catlike steps out of "[Paradise's]" bounds, coming to the very center of the hall.
It did not attack Ophelia Brad. Instead it leveled its blade at the "Blood Source Sword Saint," the corners of its mouth curling up.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" turned its head toward its master.
Ophelia Brad nodded at it and said softly, "Go."
The "Blood Source Sword Saint's" eyes brightened, a surging will to fight rising at once.
It stepped toward Bastemon, and with every step the sword intent driven forth by "Sword Heart" rose a degree higher, swelling gradually vast as the sea.
Bastemon, for its part, flicked a finger, scattering the blood mist to shroud its surroundings.
It knew full well its awareness and reflexes were sure to fall short of the "Blood Source Sword Saint," which bore the name of "Sword Saint," but the scattered blood mist would make up for that weakness.
Once the "Blood Source Sword Saint" entered the blood mist, its every slightest movement would be wholly grasped.
The distance between them closed with a shift.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" drove off its feet, accelerating in a burst, the "Blood-Devouring Sword" in its hand loosing a terrifying crack.
A dragon-shaped strange beast soared out from the blade and coiled around it.
"Secret Sword: Ninth Form!"
In that instant, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" seemed to become a roaring great dragon, its rising sword momentum condensing into substance, the form of a giant dragon surfacing behind it.
"Vampire Dance!"
At the same moment, Bastemon unleashed one of its own Ultimate Moves.
It moved in a dance, its waist swaying, dazzling beyond compare.
Blending with the sword, it wove a "Swords Dance."
"Bang!"
The two made contact, their long swords interlacing in an instant.
Bastemon's "sword" was born to match its dance.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint's" "sword" was the purest sword of all.
But in a contest of blade against blade, purity meant nothing—only the victor was king.
Dark Demon watched the two Magic Guide Spirits' duel intently, gleaning information from the high-speed collisions of blade against blade.
Bastemon's raw strength already exceeded that of the "Blood Source Sword Saint," yet in every clash of swords it held no advantage at all.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint," with its consummate swordsmanship, made up for the gap in strength between them—and even held a faint edge.
But Bastemon, relying on the blood mist all around it, rapidly grew familiar with the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" techniques, adjusting its own swordwork in real time.
Though such adjustments were extremely difficult, and at times even left it at a disadvantage.
Yet with each adjustment, it improved a degree.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint's" swordsmanship was passed down from Hero Bright. Though the limits of a Magic Guide Spirit's sapience kept it from surpassing its origin, it had still imitated two or three parts of it.
No matter how clever Bastemon was, it could not possibly master anything in so short a time.
But even learning a mere fraction brought it no small gain.
Because to begin with—it had no idea how to use a sword at all!
…
"Both eight-star Magic Guide Spirits, yet the gap between this 'Blood Source Sword Saint' and the 'Vampire Count' is like heaven and earth."
As the two Magic Guide Spirits' battle deepened, the combat power of each grew ever clearer.
Dark thought back to that eight-star "Vampire Count" summoned by Vampire Vlad.
Before the "Blood Source Sword Saint," the "Vampire Count" was as green as a child.
Dark had no doubt that the moment these two Magic Guide Spirits met, the "Vampire Count" would be killed in an instant!
Under the same circumstances, Bastemon not only held on—it grew braver the longer it fought!
Time slipped by drop by drop, the two Magic Guide Spirits' sword duel growing ever more fierce.
Yet the masters of both Magic Guide Spirits merely looked on, making no other move.
The whole hall seemed to have become a dueling ground reserved for them alone.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes.
All at once.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint's" sword momentum inexplicably weakened, and "Bastemon's" slash came down hard against the blade of the "Blood-Devouring Sword."
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" raised its sword to parry, forced to fall back a step.
"Bastemon," struck by sudden inspiration, pressed its momentum without break, and the second stroke—"Chain Slash"—flashed out at once!
In that instant, its base attack rose by 50%—a full increase of 1700 attack!
Bastemon's all-out strike was thus boosted to a full 8000 points of attack power!
This stroke, surging in on a tide of blood, came slashing down like the wind.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" hastily raised its sword, but this second, desperate parry could not shed the force.
"Clang!"
The ring of clashing steel burst out in an instant.
The "Blood Source Sword Saint" felt a force twice its own hammer against its blade; the "Blood-Devouring Sword" was forced wide open, its chest left utterly exposed.
Bastemon's third cut, following through, tore open its armor.
…
The tide of battle turned abruptly.
…
Though Bastemon's third cut carried no Ultimate Move boost, it still delivered 6300 attack power, dealing a rather fatal blow to the "Blood Source Sword Saint."
The "Blood Source Sword Saint's" gaze flickered, yet the half of its face hidden beneath the mask betrayed not the slightest expression.
Bastemon's fourth cut came down from above, the thin, narrow shadow of the blade cast across its face, closing in fast.
But in that instant, Bastemon abruptly halted its stroke.
Its eyes grave, it looked at the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" face and slowly withdrew the sword.
"Secret Sword: Seventh Form!"
But just as the blade's reflection was about to leave, Ophelia Brad, who had watched in silence all this while, suddenly spoke.
Hearing the command, the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" once-loosened five fingers snapped tight, its collapsed sword intent gathering anew. Thick bloody light welled up from the "Blood-Devouring Sword," the blood mist all around drained dry in an instant, and yet another strange beast's carving lit up along the blade.
"Secret Sword: Seventh Form!"
A fierce shout, carrying a strange note within it, rang out abruptly.
With only its last shred of magic left, the "Blood Source Sword Saint" unleashed its most terrifying assault yet.
The strange beast that flew from the blade bore two horns on its head, savage and terrible; as the "Blood Source Sword Saint" swung its sword, it swelled in the wind, becoming in the blink of an eye a ferocious giant beast that gaped its enormous maw and bit toward Bastemon.
Facing such a terrifying assault, Bastemon held not a shred of hesitation, thrusting its long sword out with sudden force.
"Squelch!"
Just as the giant beast's maw was about to close on Bastemon's head, the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" throat was pierced through a step sooner.
With that thrust, the "Blood Source Sword Saint's" scant remaining magic dropped to 0 in an instant.
Its mask dissolved into points of magic light, revealing a face of stunning beauty, its tightly shut lips pressing together into the faintest, barely perceptible curve.
This Magic Guide Spirit, forged together by the "Hero" and the "Blood Princess," dissolved into light in an instant.
…
"Bastemon."
Its master's call had Bastemon stepping forward even as it withdrew its sword.
It had not forgotten this was a battle on the razor's edge of life and death, and that its own duration was but fifteen minutes.
Bloody light danced all about it as Bastemon charged at Ophelia Brad.
Her blood-red hair spread into a fan in an instant. Ophelia Brad snapped her hand up, and bloody light welled from every strand, shooting as if with a will of its own toward the Bastemon rushing head-on.
But beneath the dancing sword light, the blood-red strands were cut down like withered petals, drifting away.
Bastemon drove straight in and ran its sword through the Blood Princess's chest.
____
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