OLD-WORLD EXTRA

The moment that happened, Evan moved as well, his Aetheric Blade deactivating as he silently cast Aegis Of Radiance.

Their strength had quickly increased by a large percentage.

More importantly, when combined with Sacred Gift from Sarah, Kiera's sub-rank had temporarily gone up, reaching Paladin.

With their preparations over, all three flanked him from one side, not wanting a crossfire of melee and bullets.

Kiera aimed carefully, waiting for the perfect moment, while Evan swung down his sword, aiming for Album's head.

Album easily dodged his sword and attacked Hiro at the same time, his staff breaking his ribs.

But Evan didn't stop there.

As his sword neared the ground, he charged forth with his shield and crashed into Album, forcing the Seraphim back.

Hiro, using that opportunity, Flash Stepped towards him and cut off the same arm.

Album's eyes flashed with anger as he retaliated, ignoring the boy and slashing his staff at Evan with blinding speed.

The blade clashed against Evan's shield, sparks flying as the two forces collided.

Again, Hiro Flash Stepped, striking Album from the side.

But this time Album had expected him.

He was fast-faster than Hiro's Flash Step.

Album's body spurted blood due to how much he pushed his muscles, and it twisted, narrowly avoiding Hiro's blade.

Hiro clicked his tongue, landing a few steps in front of him.

Before he could get to a safe distance, Album forced Evan to the ground and stepped towards him, countering with a swift kick that sent him flying into the wall, his ribs now completely broken.

"GAH!"

A large crater was the result, spreading even more cracks to the ceiling that sent debris falling all around them.

Luckily, none fell near Hiro, as they would've easily done him in.

He was barely conscious, unable to control his body, his brain experiencing unprecedented shock.

All he could do was watch as his body slowly detached itself from the wall.

But just as he was about to slump into the ground, five shots rang out.

The bullets blazed through the air, a streak of searing fire that connected with Album's chest. They exploded, and the impact was gory.

His entire upper body turned into nothing but bones, mush, tiny tissues, and barely connected muscle surrounding what appeared to be his Aether Cores.

What remained of him scattered back, wracked with spasms as the parasites from her God's Ammunition devoured him.

For a moment, it seemed as if they had done it-Album's was no more than a skeletal frame, his body struggling to return to its prime state.

But then, with a strong pulse of Aether, Album glowed brightly, most of his organs and muscles returning to grace his grim visage.

Unlike last time, when he fully healed by using that unknown ability, the skin around his midsection was no more.

The reason for that was simple.

His Aether reserves had decreased by a lot.

It was due to both his constant regeneration and Leo's Aetheric Siphon, preventing him from healing completely.

Kiera's Biological Ammunition had also done its work, continuously devouring its target.

The pain certainly was great, and judging by his eyes that blazed with killing intent, it had finally affected him.

Album's smirk had left his face.

He wasn't going to look down on them anymore.

The fight would be lost if he didn't take it seriously.

"By Aether, I'll strike you down!"

Album, using thrice the strength his body could generate, slammed the blunt end of his staff into the ground.

During that simple motion, every muscle and bone within him had been torn, broken, and regenerated, creating a shockwave unlike any they had seen before.

BAANGG!

It was as if a bomb had gone off, knocking Evan, Kiera, and the just-healed Hiro off their feet like ragdolls.

Sarah and Leo were safe, the Aetheric Bulwark protecting them.

They kept at their tasks, closely watching their struggling cohort in case they needed to

interfere.

Hiro, the fastest of them, was the first to rise, though blood trickled down the side of his face

as he had fallen face first due to the impact.

He Flash Stepped, trying to cut the remaining arm, but failed.

Album could now match his speed, dodging the sword.

Evan attacked right after, momentarily forsaking his Aegis Radiance and striking him with an Honorable Duel, swinging horizontally.

Album didn't even try to dodge.

He struck him with his fist before his sword could get close, making him double over while

stumbling back.

Then his staff shot out, aiming for Evan's second heart.

If it landed, this attack would easily end his life.

However, Kiera wasn't about to allow that.

Though incredibly surprised at his regeneration speed, she calmed her breath and began

firing again, forcing him back.

She busied Album as much as she could, giving their two melee combatants a second to

breathe.

After her third bullet, Hiro and Evan were back up.

They circled around him, attacking from the sides with coordinated strikes.

Hiro's Flash Step allowed him to blink in and out, delivering quick, precise attacks, while

Evan tanked and punished where he could, preventing Album from having a single uninterrupted thought.

This gave Leo all the time in the world to drain Album's Aether reserves without the threat of

death, weakening him bit by bit.

But Album wasn't the only one being worn down.

Every strike from those three was met with a counter that sent them reeling, their bodies

cracking under the pressure.

Sarah was healing them as soon as injuries marked their bodies, but if the battle remained

developing at that rate, she wouldn't last.

Her core was overworking itself, and she was close to running out of Aether.

They had to end the battle fast.

"Stellar Guidance!"

Kiera fired for the tenth time, aiming for Album's head.

The shot connected, piercing through, but he barely flinched this time even though the hole

stayed open for way longer than usual.

Whatever pain he felt must've tripled by now, and even then, his eyes didn't show any of that,

filled with nothing but hatred.

He wanted them dead.

"Keep going!" Sarah desperately cried out, her voice shaking with obvious strain, barely keeping up.

And as if responding to her, they unleashed their strongest abilities at once. Evan, disabling Aetheric Bulwark, charged with his Aetheric Blade and Honorable Duel, his

long sword glowing brighter than ever.

Hiro blurred into motion, his blade stabbing deep gashes all over Album's body.

Kiera fired her final Biological Ammunition mag with Flare Shot and Stellar Guidance, ensuring every bullet would hit.

Sarah pushed her healing to the limit, ensuring they could give this final attack everything

they had.

The combined force of their abilities struck Album hard, pinning him in place and destroying his limbs before he could even think about making a move.

They especially targeted his legs, making sure that Evan and Hiro would have free reign over

him.

Album, realizing their plan, stood his ground and focused, trying to regenerate his legs faster than they could disable them.

For a moment or two, he seemed to be gaining ground, closing in on victory.

But out of nowhere, Leo darted in, joining the melee fighters with a sword in hand.

The priest hesitated for a fraction of a second, trying to determine if it was the real Leo.

Yet, in the next fraction, he still felt a small portion of his Aether leaving, which caused him to

think that it was bait.

Their trump card wouldn't rush out of cover. It was too risky, stupid even.

Besides, what could a Technomancer with no tech even do?

Album ignored him, returning his focus to heal from the attacks of the others.

He was wrong.

That was the real Leo, and that sword that aimed for his neck was similarly real.

Though it had no ability like Aetheric Blade cast on it, just an engraved enchantment, that was

enough, at least for extremely weakened Seraphim.

The sword pierced through, cleanly exiting the other side.

Album snarled, or at least tried to, anger flashing in his eyes as he turned his full attention to

Leo.

A click resounded just then, indicating that Kiera had run out of bullets.

That was nearly the worst possible moment that could happen.

It gave Album the chance that he desperately needed.

A flash of light blinded them for a long moment, and knowing what was going to happen next,

all three of them stepped back.

They were right to do so. Before the light could even dispate, Album's staff was upon them, swinging wildly.

Leo barely managed to dodge, but the force behind the attack sent him sprawling to the

ground.

He kicked out, aiming for Leo's head, but the attack was interrupted mid-motion.

A large cut formed, and his leg flew off, with Hiro reappearing a few steps away soon after.

Unfazed, Album turned back and struck at Evan, but the blow lacked the strength it once had.

Evan deflected it with his shattered shield, then stabbed his blade into Album's chest.

It went through but stopped just before it went deep.

Album had done the same as last time, concentrating his healing factor at that one point.

Evan tried to push but didn't have enough strength; the blade was stuck.

It wasn't going anywhere-

"PUSH!"

"I've got it!"

Kiera and Sarah joined him, pushing it deeper with each step forward until it pierced through

his core.

Album tried to let out a guttural scream as the Aether within him imploded, but all that was

heard was gurgling as Leo's sword was still stuck in his neck.

At that moment, he knew that death was inevitable.

Those "heretics" had succeeded in killing him.

But they weren't going to celebrate! "RAAAAAAAH!"

Album roared and swung his staff.

It was his last hurrah before death could claim him.

"No, you won't."

Hiro didn't allow that, however.

He cut off the priest's arm before it could fully extend, dropping it to the ground.

Right after, Album's body was consumed in a blinding flash of light that was brighter than

ever before.

Moments passed in what felt like a fraction, and when the light faded...

"Huh."

Those five were left standing or rather, barely standing.

They were all injured in some way, their bodies battered, breathing heavily.

The ones with straight knees dropped to the ground, exhaustion finally catching up with

them.

Kiera could barely stay conscious due to the pain; her vision swimming.

Sarah's hands shook from exhaustion, her Aether reserves nearly depleted, close to turning

Hollow.

Evan's body, like his shield, was simply broken in a lot of places, while Hiro's legs could

barely function, and Leo's, the healthiest of them, felt an ache in his entire back.

No doubt, they were close to death.

"We... we did it."

But, like what Kiera's barely audible whisper had stated, they had done it.

Album was dead, his body now no more than a gooey blood.

They had proved themselves worthy of following Emir, as Celestials capable of doing the

impossible.