User:Some Color Mage/Rebuild of Echoes of Strife/Chapter 5

8's boat had stopped a safe distance away from Oreko. It was still close enough to observe the change in events, as Famfrit's torrent had turned into duelling dances of flame and water as he did battle with Nelo. Eventually, Famfrit collapsed, and Nelo could be seen walking up to him, sword drawn.

"Come now, Nelo," 8 whispered to himself. "Finish it."

A slash and a burst of flame, and Famfrit faded away. 8 could feel his presence return to the staff he still held, then turned to his companion, an elderly man who had spent the past few minutes rapidly writing into a notepad. "I hope you got all that, Doctor Duncen."

"Excellent, stupendous, magnificent! Such power!" Duncan muttered to himself as he continued to write, only stopping when a rough wave hitting the boat caused him to drop his pad. "I knew he had the power to quell the dominant party, but this? Push him further!"

8 sighed. "Doctor, our mission was to retrieve the staff. We can't stay longer just for data..."

"Do NOT tell me that kind of garbage, you stuck-up octagon!" Duncan had gotten right up in 8's face. "What I am writing down here has advanced our knowledge of Espers by leaps and bounds in less than an hour! Think of how much more we could progress right now, but in order to do so I will need. MORE. DATA!"

"...If it will shut you up, then fine." 8 held the staff aloft again. "I call upon the Corrupt Emperor," he recited, with a bored tone. "Mateus!"

As nearby seas began to freeze, Duncan rubbed his hands together. "He who restores balance, to crush another dominant force. I will enjoy this."

Nelo had sheathed his sword and was about to continue his original plans, when he noticed another beast burst out of the water, shattering the newly formed ice. The new monstrosity was clad in black and red armour, with numerous capes flowing from it, that combined with a tail and the figure of a woman that had been bound to his front, gave the appearance of a mermaid. He pointed his polearm at Nelo.

"Another one already? Hmph." Nelo drew his sword again and waited for his new foe to approach.