The Council of Terra - FINALE

⛓Hakanaki Yume⛓

TW: 18+ | Slight Descriptions of Violence | Mature Language

PT 394, Dimension X-067, Little Terra’s Home Dimension

The council of Terra’s resting place was more drab than the two expected. Due to the effect of the wish, they were able to appear directly in headquarters, where they ducked into a less populated area with decent cover. While Petra assessed the area, Enzo realized they were directly below a relatively normal house just like any other Terra’s.

Situated underground, was a huge base with a similar aesthetic. It felt like a large saloon, made from wood and strengthened by large pieces of lumber spread across the roof. There were various weapons that the Terras made strung throughout the walls. Shields, armor, spears, and more. It was quite brightly lit, despite being underground. Individual Terras had small underground cabins they could take refuge in.

“Stop right there!” A voice barked from behind Petra. She forced them out of cover and into the open. She looked familiar, it was one of the girls who’d been following Little Terra around, Red Phoenix.

“You’re just the one I was looking for.” Petra declared. “Why not face me fairly?”

“I’ve heard many challenge me the same as you. Every single one fell by my hand.”

“Real threatening. Are you the empty threats kind of Terra?”

“Vermin. I’m the one who stayed with the Order of the Diamond Hearts. I surpassed my master and took my rightful place as their leader.”

Enzo could tell she was telling the truth. She had a killer glare like no other. “How about you take us to Hestia, hm?”

“I agree, but only because Little Terra wants to see Enzo personally.”

They were escorted by Red Phoenix herself. Where they were able to get a good look at all the other Terras that attended. Every single one had something new about them. A cyber prosthetic, a scar, clothing choice, hair style, and more. Even if it was by a slight detail, there was a new flavor of Terra everywhere he looked. It felt much more uncanny than exciting. They entered the largest cabin of the house, when the pair walked in, it was like they passed into a different world. It seemed Little Terra had her personal cabin changed so that it looked nearly identical to Hell. The ground was terraformed into a red gravelly surface, and the walls were filled with a dark red rock that was lined with torches that lit up the room. In the middle, was Little Terra, who sat at a hellish, rocky throne. Hestia was standing behind Nova, who was closer to the far back wall, right behind Little Terra.

Enzo whipped the DAR mask from his side. He immediately let it cover his face, attempting to use it in the same way he’d used it to manipulate Phobos’ position.

“What? Why isn’t it working?”

“It takes actual knowledge to know how to use that effectively. If we are to do this the right way, we’ll have to take care of things the old-fashioned way.”

Enzo threw the mask to the side, allowing Petra to recover it.

Red Phoenix turned her attention to Petra. “Our file says that you were once a warrior yourself. I hope that means you understand the sacrality of this fight. Besides, I am keeping all my eyes on you.”

“Hear that Enzo? You’d better not lose this!” Petra shouted.

“That applies to you, too.” Nova shot daggers into Little Terra. “Here’s my ground rules. We do this again; a rematch. If you win, I’ll let you go. You’ll never have to deal with me again. If I win, well, I don’t think you have to worry about the aftermath of that.”

They each put their hands up. “Nova. I know that you know there’s no reason to change sides. If these last days have done anything for me, they’ve taught me that you’d just be trading one imprisonment for another. Sure, DRU might feel like a prison sometimes. But I’ve also met some of my favorite people in the world there. If you opened up a little, you could be part of that circle. We could be brothers.”

“How about this? I’ll beat you down with no powers and everything will be just fine. I won’t have to see that shit-eating grin again.”

Enzo ripped off his shirt. Bearing his fully-healed irezumi. Nova sighed. Something about Enzo’s willpower made him smile as he did the same, despite having no tattoo.

Nova was much more about the showmanship this time around. He approached Enzo with a heavy spinning turning kick, aiming straight for Enzo’s head. Confused, Enzo blocked. Nova wanted to play with him.

Like a boxing match, everyone watched in awe as they traded blows. A fist to the face was traded with a spit and a smile between the men. Enzo was able to move faster due to Nova’s larger build, but his hits packed almost double the amount Enzo’s did.

Paradoxically, both men went to the same school for training. Enzo remembered the training at the hands of his master, Easan. He was there to watch a young Nova fumble with his balancing tasks. He was reminded of the time that he faced Nova in a sparring session for the first time right after he was beaten senseless by his master. Back then, Nova was awkward and quiet. Just like he was today.

With this train of thought, every punch Nova landed felt like a reminder of a passionate memory. Everytime he was knocked down, he stood up with a smile. They brought each other close, barraging each other with headbutts.

“You're coming home with me!” Enzo screamed through blood-soaked teeth as he brought his hand up to interrupt Nova’s fury, which turned to fear. Enzo let a punch fly against his temple, sending him reeling to the ground with a yelp. Enzo landed on the ground with him, equally exhausted from the fight. Enzo happened to be the one who was gasping for air. Nova looked on, almost chuckling.

Little Terra hopped up from her desk, she kicked up her staff from her side, causing Petra to stand at attention. Red Phoenix easily cut her off. She stepped over Nova and sunk her staff into the heart of the felled Enzo. Nova, Hestia and Petra looked on in horror.

“This is ridiculous. Are we going to put honor above the protection of our people? Red Phoenix, you’ll have to kill this one. We can go back to normal, stay hidden at all costs.”

Hestia pushed Little Terra aside, and slid to Enzo’s side. She held his limp body up by its head, laying him in her lap, with tears in her eyes.

“You never change, do you? You’ll do everything you can to make sure nobody knows about us, at the cost of anybody! While I was away, I learned how to live, and I met the person I know would love me for the rest of my life.”

Her hands began to glow a vibrant white. Brightening up the entire room. Almost everyone had to look away.

“Hestia, my dear! Don’t do this! Please!”

Her voice was already fading. “Ask yourself why you want me alive.”

Enzo’s life began to flow back into him as his wound was closed up. Hestia looked down at him, tenderly holding his head. “Hestia..?”

“Would you kiss me, Enzo? I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like.”

Enzo’s heart raced with fear. As he realized what was happening, he gained his composure. “Be strong for her.”

Their lips drifted together as Hestia’s last breaths of life were granted to Enzo.

She reeled, and whispered into his ear, “my essence will always be with you, Enzo.”

Hestia’s body slumped back, but Nova caught her head before she hit the ground. He allowed Enzo to hold her in his arms.

Petra looked down at her comrade as Nova rose to her side. She brandished her beam sword, and Nova cracked his knuckles.

“You wanna beat the shit outta these guys?” Petra asked.

“Way ahead of you.”

Nova finally let the latent power of Olympus into his body as he glowed a bright red. The Terras who surrounded Enzo were beaten down as he held Hestia’s body, crying into her forehead. He gently helped her eyes close, and picked her up bridal-style. He pushed open the door to Little Terra’s quarters. All the Terras in the council ran to Enzo’s help as he limped out of headquarters.

________________________________________________________________________

PT 394, Dimension ???

Enzo Eclipse

For the last time, Enzo and Nova looked over his zen garden. A place of repentance and solitude now stank of incense. Nova and Enzo had lit some incense in front of a picture of Hestia. They each sat in prayer.

“I appreciate this and all, but why’d you invite me out like this? It’s not like you at all.”

Nova scoffed. “If the last couple weeks have taught us anything, it’s that we need to get back to training. I’m not too happy about my loss.”

“Sounds like your fault for not going all out.” Enzo teased.

“As much as we are dissimilar from our replicas of the past, I feel we must represent for her sake.” Nova insisted. “She was the last living of her home dimension, it’s not like anybody can repent for her. It’s our job to care for the potential of what could’ve been.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t we do something for her?”

“I wasn’t asking to be dragged around all day by you.”

“C’mon! It’s for Hestia.”

Nova sighed. “What did you have in mind?”

“A game of baseball. Whoever wins buys drinks.” Enzo challenged.

“This is not going to make me like you.”

END.