274. Along Carpalis’ Hand!

274. Along Carpalis’ Hand!

A Beholder alone was enough to shift the tides. Carpalis’ presence instilled fear into both the Scarlet Logic and those who hid in their homes, watching their skies bloom with crimson fireworks.

But unbeknownst to the Scarlet Logic and the Impuritas was that there was another Beholder who took the fight into her own hands. Running along the highway that was Carpalis’ arm was a certain Angel.

Jury moved like a bullet, shattering the sound barrier.

They were a full day behind the Scarlet Logic, and yet they were able to reach them in such a short amount of time. Her AGI was nowhere near enough to reach such a speed, never mind the others who rode along, watching the world twist into turmoil both above and below.

So, how were they able to move so quickly?

The answer was as simple as the snap of one’s finger.

“SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP! IS – THIS – YOUR – MAX – SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!?” Cer could not contest against the raging winds, which pelted their bodies as they glued themselves to Snap, holding on to everything they had.

“BRRRRRRRRR~!” Snap warned with a long mechanical whine, making various snapping sounds.

Ignis was their tether. Using [Weaponized System – Lymphatic], she was able to wrap each individual member along Snap, securing them all in place. The wrapped, slimy tentacles were uncomfortable, and they irritated Res whose tail was smeared by it, but Ber on the other hand didn’t mind the secretion since they came from Ignis.

“WHAT’S IT SAYING!?” Ber suddenly yelled.

“I don’t know!” Ignis replied. “C-can you interpret Snap, Jury!?”

This was undoubtedly the loudest Ignis had ever spoken. With the sight of the ending world and the winds to contest, she could not afford to let her timidness get the best of her. A flame like Frost’s burned from the bottom of her heart, but also unlike her, she did not allow it to consume her.

In the corner of her eyes, she watched that pillar of flames inch its way towards them, as if too seeking to reach the Piece of the Fallen Star.

“Something about a warning!” Jury shouted, laying closest to Snap’s head. She lifted her body, revealing a little Frost who sprouted from underneath the golden fur like an animal hiding in a stack of hay.

The symbols of a mummified little Frost appeared as she grabbed Jury’s waist, squeezing it to convey her eight-legged friend’s message. Her desperate plea to get the message across was endearing, and it spoke volumes of how important Snap’s warning truly was.

“Ignis – Hold on tight! We’re going even faster!”

“Than this!?” Cer was shocked, struggling to keep her ears facing downwards due to the turbulence. Thankfully, Ignis too suffered from this and wrapped each of their ears with a tentacle, causing Cer to unexpectedly yelp in surprise. “C-Cold! Aaaagh. Better now! Good thinking!”

“H-How high is Snap’s AGI again!?” Res cried, trembling at the touch of her ears all the while Ber savored it, enjoying it like she was being headpatted.

“ONE THOUSAND –!” Jury began, shocking the trio. It was never disclosed just how fast Snap was until now, and hearing that something possessed a thousand AGI was beyond them. “– EIGHT HUNDRED!”

It was nearly double what they first heard, and in that moment, the triplets hunkered down, yelling at Ignis to squeeze them till blood was drawn. Snap’s legs became a thousand, as it hopped rather than ran, propelling itself forward like a giant yellow frog.

Steam rose along Carpalis’ arm. The pores were like great craters, and the scars of the past like gorges. Her pale complexion gave off the illusion that they were traversing a pale, barren ice sheet. A completely different planet on the cusp of colliding with their world. A mysterious force kept them from falling, even as they ran underneath.

But this was not by the works of gravity. This was merely due to Snap’s insane speed, which allowed it to carry its momentum for extended periods of time with each lunge. The little Frost struggled to hold on, and Jury immediately collapsed onto her, sandwiching the girl between her chest and Snap’s fur.

No one knew exactly why she wished to come along. When asked, the girl only pointed at the Piece of the Fallen Star, and then at herself as she made a longing face.

Jury, from the bottom of her heart, vowed that she’d succeed at saving Frost. All they had to do was reach the Piece of the Fallen Star.

Snap remembered Frost’s kindness as it captured every moment, moved by her heart.

It sung with a high pitched, mechanical whine.

Ignis recalled Frost’s embrace for the one who could set fire to those she loved. The reason why Ignis appeared so disheartened was because she was the reason why her mother died. The reason why her mother, who slept beneath the tree of her backyard was set alight... and the reason why her father became a Corrupted. She was the root of painful memories that she sometimes wished she could burn away, but Frost showed her that people will endure hardship if it means staying with the ones they love.

Her father loved her very... very much, as did Frost.

Determination filled Ignis’ eyes suddenly.

Cer saw Frost as a mother figure and was thankful that her influence had steadily been chipping away at their impenetrable exterior. The maw of the Amalgam truly could eat through all things.

Electric sparks ran along her teeth as she grinned.

Res opened her heart to the nonjudgmental Frost, who struggled to achieve the things she desperately wanted. She abhorred the death of the innocent, but as a Moon, it was only natural that people would die around her.

Frost brazenly waved around her ideals and succeeded in the Derma Layer. But here, it fell apart... Still, she did everything she could to save however many lives as possible through her black feathers, as well as mobilizing Justica Arms. Additionally, Res too saw Frost as a mother figure, however embarrassing it would be to openly admit it.

Res’ eyes sparkled.

Ber’s was self-explanatory. If it weren’t for Frost, then she’d be just like her. In a way, Ber suffered the biggest blow as a result. Like Jury, she vowed to bring Frost back.

And as a result, her emotional levels further rose to the Fourth State, causing her dress to emit a subtle glow, like moonlight was bouncing off her. She was one State away from completely manifesting the Black Swan.

As for Nav...

Nav didn’t know.

As everyone prepared to take their leap of faith, Nav sensed the light of the Advent, and it wondered but one thing as it futilely attempted to speak with Frost.

“I have no memories. I do not remember the life I once lived.”

“However, as we approach that light, I begin to hear people call out a name I do not understand.”

“They speak to me. And they call me...”

“... what do they call me...?”