The Unnecessary Balance VII

C

In the interest of getting this show on the road, changing to C.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6VocM4m3Fk

"Keep him distracted!" Kara shouts suddenly, frantically motioning to you. "I'll try to get through to my father!"

You understand immediately. Belial charges at blinding speed, rushing straight towards Kara, and you intercept his charge with a blast of energy from your blade. "Where the hell do you think you're going?!"

Belial leaps high into the air, somersaulting backwards, effortlessly avoiding your attack, only to run headlong into a giant paw from Demon Form Lazzy. "You have us to deal with first Belial!!!"

Belial is sent flying from the blow, but he quickly regains control. He roars incoherently with rage, unleashing a devastating blast of dark lightning. You roll out of the way, barely dodging the attack, and Lazzy unleashes an all consuming blast of fire in return. The two massive explosions collide, forcing both parties back, and you dash forward, sliding beneath the explosion. Faster than lightning, you swipe at Belial's feet, and he again takes to the sky.

"You fell for it!" You bark in triumph, rising into the air with a sudden burst of speed. You slash upwards, and the uppercut catches Belial on his chin. He roars and blasts you with dark lightning from point blank range, sending you flying backwards. You land on the ground with a very uncomfortable thud, skidding to a halt, nearly falling off the path. You rise to your feet, panting, your armor smoking.

"No one harms her and lives to tell about it, Belial!"

Lazareth's giant form appears from out of the blue, materializing right next to Belial, his gaping maw glowing an ominous red. "Perish in the flames of oblivion!!!"

A beam of fire unlike any you've ever seen slams into Belial from close range. A crimson shield of power thrums to life, but it is promptly shattered, and Belial is sent hurtling over the cliff, into the abyss below. He soon reappears on the other side of the path however, wiping a drop of golden blood from his chin. You quickly take a swig from your Elixir. Damn... I'm almost out.

"Father, please!!!" Kara screams suddenly, rushing forward. "This isn't you!! Please, come back to me!!! Hear my voice!!!"

"SILENCE, YOU STUPID GIRL!!!!!"

Belial screams in rage, unleashing a tidal wave of dark magic straight at her. Lazzy shoves her out of the way, taking the hit himself, which sends his massive form flying backwards like a ragdoll. You waste no time worrying, vanishing into thin air. You reappear right beside Belial, before splitting into two. "Die!!!" You and your shadow clone bellow in unison, both of your blades glowing like the sun.

Belial vanishes into thin air himself, reappearing behind you, just like you expected him to. You whirl around, faster than should be humanly possible, blasting Belial with sacred energy. Your Shadow Clone does the same, hurling Belial backwards a few feet. Lazzy suddenly rockets from below, destroying an entire section of the walkway in the process. Before even Belial can react, Lazzy grabs him in his titanium claws, and throws him down to the walkway below. Belial lands like a comet falling from the heavens, cracking the walkway in several places with a resounding shockwave.

You quickly land on the walkway as well, flourishing your sword in a confident and very stylish manner. Your Shadow Clone dissipates into nothing, and Lazzy lands right next you. "Give it up, Belial. You have no hope of defeating us."

Belial ignores you, slowly rising to his feet. "You... You poor fools... Do not delude yourself into thinking this is over!! You have witnessed but a fraction of my true power! And now, now you will see for yourselves!!! I will OBLITERATE YOU!!!!!!"

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Leah HP:104/104/Elixirs remaining 1/3
Lazareth HP:135/135/ Elixirs remaining 2/3
Belial HP: 1/130
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Holy crap that Res stat.

Mommy! Look what I found!

You... You know this scene... It's from your childhood...

Oh? What did you find, my sweet?

That... That's your real mother... The woman who birthed you...

I found a little kitten! Can I keep him, mommy? Please? He was just wandering outside, with no family or home... And Eddy has his pet snake!

Your mother laughs, a gentle beautiful laugh. Now, now. There's no need to bring your brother into this. Yes, you can keep the kitten. What will you name him?

I'll name him-

The dream shifts, to a scene much later in your life. Yes... You know this day well... It was the day you tried to come home, after the war... The day your family disowned you...

"Mom, dad, I'm home!" You call out happily, walking down the stairs. You wanted to surprise them, so you snuck in through your old window. You find your family gathered around the dining table, eating dinner. You practically bounce down the familiar steps. However, they ignore you.Confused, you call out to them. You apologize for running away, and tell them how much you missed them. That they were right all along, and you promise to make them proud from now on. One by one, they leave the table without a word, walking right passed you as if you weren't there.

When the only mother you've ever known walks by, you gently grab her sleeve, pleading with her, nearly on the verge of tears. "Please mom... I'm sorry... Please, just say something. Anything!"

You get your wish, though you wish you hadn't. "You are not my daughter."

She yanks her arm out of your desperate grasp and storms off. Heartbroken, you collapse on the base of the stairs and burst into tears. Your father walks up to you, a look of cold indifference etched across his face. "You are not welcome here. Leave, before I call the guards."

That look... You'll remember it forever. He wasn't moved at all by your tears...

"B-But I'm your daughter! Please daddy, please! I'm s-sorry! I'll do anything you ask! Anything! Just let me come home!"

"Enough!!" He yells, his indifference shattered. "You shamed my family! You ran away, abandoned your family and your duty, and now you come crawling back here?! We gave you everything! And you repaid our kindness by spitting in our faces! You are no daughter of mine!! Now leave, before I call the guards!!"

You sob even harder, clinging to his leg, begging him to forgive you. Screaming with rage, he knees you harshly in your head, like a dog, sending you sprawling back against the steps, your head throbbing and your vision blurry. You beg him for mercy, to let you stay, promising to do anything, despite the fact that he just kicked you. But he roughly grabs your wrist and hauls you to your feet, then strikes you hard across the face. He throws you onto the floor, kicks you one last time for good measure, then storms off to call the guards. You lay there, on the floor, sobbing, ignoring the blood in your mouth, and the tooth on the floor. Your mind is numb, unable to process what happened. You stay like that, until the guards finally come, and arrest you. You spend a night in jail, for breaking and entering-

Enough!!! You... You've seen enough...

"YOU CANNOT ESCAPE YOUR PAST, CHILD. IF YOU WISH TO SAVE WHAT YOU HOLD SO DEAR, THEN YOU MUST RISE ABOVE. YOU MUST OVERCOME SUCH PETTY EMOTION, OR FOREVER BE SHACKLED BY DESPAIR."

(Continued)

Your dream shifts yet again, and you find yourself floating amidst the stars. You... You remember this place... But from where? Was it another dream? A towering pillar of light blossoms to life from the blue, and you shield your eyes. When the light clears, it reveals a terrifying and wondrous being, a being you've seen once before.

"You... It's you," you breathe softly in surprise.

For some incredibly strange reason, you feel the being is smiling. "DO NOT SEEM SO SURPRISED, MY CHILD. YOU ARE ONE OF THE CHOSEN FEW. IT IS MY DUTY TO LOOK AFTER YOU, TO ENSURE YOU SURVIVE, UNTIL I HAVE MADE MY CHOICE. FOR NOW, TAKE PRIDE IN YOURSELF CHILD, AND DO NOT DESPAIR. REMEMBER. YOU MUST REMEMBER."

Remember...? Remember what? Suddenly, images flash through your mind, scenes of Trail, of your real family, of Lazzy... The images are too fast, to wild, for you to make any sense of them. Slowly, the images begin to focus, and you see Trail, standing on his balcony outside Drakia, overlooking the city. Kanis stands at his right, and a woman you've never seen before stands at his left, her silvery purple hair billowing in the wind.

"Has Lord Lazareth still not returned?" Kanis asks him softly, and he shakes his head.

"No, but can you blame him? None of us have recovered from her loss yet... I know I never will. I knew her for so long, cared for her so much... But for him it must be even worse. In his eyes, she's dead because of him. He failed to protect the woman he loved. I know from experience how painful that is. I don't blame him for staying. Do you honestly believe I could live with myself, if I lost either of you?"

Oh... They're talking about you, aren't they... So... You really are dead then...

"NO, CHILD. YOU ARE NOT DEAD YET. I HAVE GRANTED YOU BUT A GLIMPSE OF A POSSIBLE FUTURE. WHETHER THIS FUTURE HOLDS TRUE, OR THE FUTURE I SHOWED YOU BEFORE PREVAILS, IS UP TO YOU."

The future he showed you before... Oh, that's right... Your future with Lazzy, and your son... That's it. That's what you're fighting for. A future with Lazzy and your children, a future built in a world of peace. "Thank you," you breathe sincerely. "I have my answer. I will not falter again."

---------

Your eyes slowly flutter open, and you find yourself lying in Lazzy's lap, your wounds healed. Oh, my head...

"Leah, you're awake! Thank the Creator!"

You smile at Lazzy's concerned cry, and lean up to kiss him. "I love you, Lazzy."

He gives you a happy, but bewildered look, too stunned to kiss you back. Unfortunately, your reunion is abruptly cut short by a massive, and very loud, explosion. You jump like a skittish kitten, almost bonking poor Lazzy in the chin.

"Hey, lovebirds! I could really use some help here! And sis can't keep him under control for long!"

You... You recognize that voice!!! K-Kara?! You rocket to your feet, and your eyes widen. You're still in the Inner Sanctum of Belial's temple, but now you stand over a hundred feet above where you were before. The air itself seems to have solidified, turning into a glowing field, a battleground unlike any you've fought in before. Belial, still in his giant and terrible true form, now clashes with a giant bird of fire, and surprisingly, Kara. And, if that weren't crazy enough, the effects from the Heart seem to have vanished. You feel stronger than ever. What the heck did you miss?

"No time to explain," Lazzy says quickly, noticing your expression. "Suffice to say, Kara is alive, we have the Guardstone, the giant Phoenix is on our side, and Kara's elder sister is weakening Belial. Now, we have to finish this while we have the chance!"

You incline your head in agreement, unsheathing your sword, and Lazzy immediately transforms. You soon notice Kara isn't just alive for a ghost, she actually appears alive. And, apparently, strong enough to give her old man a run for his money.

With a calm fury unlike anything you've experienced before, you charge. Lazzy bounds after you, easily surpassing you, and you both launch consecutive blasts of power at Belial's massive legs. He's far too busy contending with your new ally and his own daughter to avoid, and is struck with such force he nearly stumbles to his knees. The giant Phoenix-whom you can only assume is Terra- unleashes a stream of unbridled destruction right at Belial's ugly head, while Kara dances out of range, unleashing storm after storm of powerful lightning. Dayum... Since when did Kara get so strong?

All of your combined attacks send Belial crashing to his knees, and the entire world seems to shake from the sheer magnitude of the impact. He screams in rage and agony, a shriek so deafening it causes you to double over, clutching your ears. Belial opens his gaping maw, and you see his giant mouth glow an ominous green an instant before he looses a devastating beam of energy, as wide as a mountain. Your eyes widen, and you do the only thing you can: you duck.

You turn at the unexpected voice, as a glowing spirit in white descends, lighting right next to Kara. Your eyes widen in recognition almost immediately. "You! You're that spirit who was trying to kill me!"

Both Terra and Kara open their mouths to speak, but the spirit quickly shakes her head. She then gives a polite bow. "My apologies, milady. I assure you, that was never my intention. I merely wished to scare you away. I couldn't allow another innocent to get caught in father's twisted scheme. A task, as it seems, I've failed. As you are no doubt aware, I am Kara's elder sister. I'm afraid we don't have time for more pleasantries than that. The fight isn't over. Father isn't defeated in the slightest."

You had a sinking feeling... "How do you know?"

"This... Inner Sanctum, as you call it, is a plane of existence entirely created by my father. He used the power of the False Heart to create this place, and he has absorbed most of its power. If he were truly defeated, this place would have already started to collapse. No, this battle is just beginning."

Great... Just flapping great. You glare at Kara. It's all her fault.

Update.

Leah Lv 9 Elemental
HP:90+15
Str:54+5
Mag:38
Skill:52
Spd:57+11
Luck:41
Def:49+38
Res:36+15
Avoid 117 ATK 86

Skills: Vanish, Locktouch, Shadow Cloak, Shadow Clone, Miracle, Rejuvenation, Sol, Ruler's Vault
Special Skills: Windwalker
Weapon Level: Sword S, Dagger D, Bow E, Tome B
Items: Blade of Sol(-/-), Naglfar(-/-), Night Emperor(-/-), Aegis of the Ages, Elixir(1/3)

Lazareth Lv 12 Balrog
HP:117 (137)
Str:75 (95)
Mag:31-5 (46)
Skill: 52-5 (67) (Capped)
Spd:50-5 (65) (Capped)
Luck:49 (69)
Def:73 (93) (Capped)
Res:58 (78)
Avoid 101(139) ATK 108(125)

Skills: Rightful God, Pavise, Aether, Awaken, Meteor Storm, Immortal
Special Skills: Lava King
Weapon Level: Axe S, Lance A, Sword A
Items: Gaia Cleaver(-/-), Bottomless Bag(20/50), Elixir(2/3)

Terra Lv 18 Phoenix Tribe
HP:68+50 (136)
Str:32 (64)
Mag:45+15 (90)
Skill:40 (80)
Spd:40 (80)
Luck:28 (56)
Def:35+40 (70)
Res:50+25 (100)
Avoid 82 (150) ATK 95 (120)

Skills: Ascension, Instant Transmigration, Rightful Sovereign, Shadowgift, Galeforce
Weapon Level: Tome SS, Sword B
Items: Purgatory(-/-), Goetia(-/-), Elixir(3/3)
Special Armor: Orgo Armor

Kara Lv 2 Astral Shade
HP:73
Str:23
Mag:51+10
Skill:40
Spd:44
Luck:40
Def:38+15
Res:69+15
Avoid 104 ATK 91

Skills: Miracle, Vanish, Shadow Cloak, Vantage, Truth of the Veil
Special Skills: Blood Magic
Weapon Level: Tome E, Staff E
Items: Devastation(-/-), Godbolt(-/-), Elixir(2/3)
Special Armor: Ethereal Armor

Boss

Belial, the Original Sin
HP:???
Str:100
Mag:110
Skill:70
Spd:70
Luck:70
Def:100
Res:130
Avoid 154 ATK 110

Skills: Rightful God, Lethality, Dual Wield(Can attack with two weapons equipped, dealing half DMG per strike. Can always attack twice, regardless of enemy skills)
Special Skills: Countdown to Apocalypse(If this unit is not destroyed in 12 turns, the end will come)
Weapon Level: Sword SS, Lance SS, Axe SS, Tome SS, Bow SS, Dagger SS, Staff SS, Whip SS
Items: Genesis(-/- Mt 0 Hit 80 Crit 0 Rng 1-2 Rank SS des- A legendary lance of arcane power. Its true potential is sealed. One of the Fell Arms. Drops), Absolution(-/- Mt 0 Hit 100 Crit 0 Rng 1-2 Rank SS des- A spear of ultimate judgement, said to rend the souls of its victims. Its true potential is sealed. One of the Fell Arms. Drops), Ereshkigal(Drops)
Special Armor: Gate Ring(Unusable. Drops)

Conditions

Victory: Belial is defeated.
Defeat: 12 turns pass, or Leah is defeated.

Notes: Belial's true form is a Lethality spammer. Leah is not affected by Instant Death skills, so she's fine. Lazzy can survive up to two Lethality hits per turn, before he is killed. Kara's big sis cannot be killed, so she makes a good distraction. Terra is also unaffected by Instant Death skills, but Kara is not. And Belial will prioritize Kara in this fight. He has a 48% chance to proc Lethality per strike, and with Dual Wield, he can strike up to 4 times per battle, if he doubles you.

Other helpful info:

Leah's Pair Up bonuses, at S Rank: Str+7, Mag+7, Skill+9, Spd+10, Def+7, Res+9, Avoid+30, Hit/Crit+20
Leah's Pair Up bonuses with no Support Rank: Str+5, Mag+3, Skill+5, Spd+6, Def+3, Res+5, Avoid/Hit+10

Lazzy's Pair Up bonuses, at S Rank: Str+10, Mag+3, Skill+7, Spd+7, Def+10, Res+5, Avoid+30 Hit/Crit+20
Lazzy's Pair Up bonuses with no Support Rank: Str+5, Mag+1, Skill+3, Spd+3, Def+5, Res+2, Avoid/Hit+10

Terra's Pair Up bonuses with no Support Rank: Str+3, Mag+7, Skill+5, Spd+5, Def+3, Res+7, Avoid/Hit+10
Terra's Pair Up bonuses with no Support Rank, in Phoenix Form: HP+20, Str+5, Mag+9, Skill+6, Spd+6, Def+5, Res+9, Avoid/Hit+15

Kara's Pair Up bonuses: Str+5, Mag+10, Skill+7, Spd+7, Luck+5, Def+5, Res+10, Avoid+30, Hit/Crit+20, 10% Chance to nullify one attack

Kara is unique, in that her bonuses are the same, no matter what rank she is with someone. This is due to her being naturally adorable.
While the supports haven't been viewed yet, Leah and Lazzy are technically at S Rank, so I'm allowing them to have their full bonuses for this fight. I'll give you guys some time to mull over your options and update later, as I've got some things to do.