The night sky fell over the church. Eleam and his members stood outside, preparing their goodbyes. He handed Solorin's Orb over to Mia, the one who would accompany Zayna tonight. Her soul was enveloped in a dim orb small enough to fit in her pocket. The smooth surface warmed her hands as she touched it.

"Ok, Solorin is now in your possession. We're all counting on the both of you to ensure we'll come back to a peaceful home."

"Yup, I got it. You guys should start moving before you end up waiting all night."

He gave a light chuckle followed by an innocent smile.

"Right. Sister Mia, please assist Zayna in the best way you can."

"I will do all that I can to ensure our victory." She said with a bow.

He led his group far from their line of sight. Each of them waved goodbye to the girls.

They returned the wave until he disappeared into the night. Silence drifted along the cool air as the two went back inside to prepare.

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

"Alright Mia, just act as you normally do. If he asks you for the orb, take your time so I can get a clean shot." She instructed as she placed a Phantom Bullet in the magazine.

"R-right." Her body trembled like an earthquake. She could hardly get her response out clearly. "Sorry, I'm not used to being alone."

"That's alright, take your time to get comfortable. Try counting to ten and take deep breaths before you get to the next number."

"Ok. One...two...thr-"

She was interrupted by a heaving pounding sound on the door. The girls quickly shot their eyes towards the door. Mia took a few steps back, putting Zayna in front of her.

She equipped her guns without hesitation, keeping her fingers on the trigger.

Shadowy figures violently broke through the windows and rushed towards them. Fear abandoned Mia's body, putting herself in front of Zayna.

"Lumina Laser!" A quick beam of light shot from her eyes, eradicating any creature that came near her.

She was rewarded with praise and had a moment to smile.

Marqium phased through the door, floating slightly above the floor. Short hair as dark as night hung around his head. The purple tailcoat was perfect with his skinny build, decorated with golden buttons. His black pants covered all of his legs, leading to his black buckled shoes. His tiny wings made it easy for anyone to assume he didn't have a pair.

Although it wasn't visible to Mia, Zayna saw an abundance of spiritual energy flowing around him. Knowing this, she began to formulate a plan.

"Quite the performance, I didn't expect you flock of chickens to put up a fight without your leader."

"That's funny, considering how you've been hiding for months." Zayna shot back.

He chuckled at her comment with all the sass in the world. "Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"

She aimed her guns at him, keeping herself from pulling the trigger too soon.

"Do you think your measly guns will have any effect on me? Once I obtain Solorin, my power will rival that of the goddess you look upon. Now then."

He began to walk forward. Each step echoed across the church.

"You can hand over the orb, or things can get difficult. Your choice."

Mia stared into his alluring green eyes with disgust, bringing Solorin closer to her body. "Get back." She spoke.

He ignored her and continued walking with a grim smile.

Due to his incompetence, Lumina Laser was used, though the results weren't what she expected. The attack failed to damage him. From her view, it was as if she was hitting an invisible wall.

He chuckled at her pathetic attempts to harm him, and those chuckles grew louder once her confidence plummeted.

"Good attempt."

A white aura circled around his hands, spreading towards the benches. At the lift of his index finger, he effortlessly took the benches off the floor.

Zayna took Mia's hand and dashed out the door. As she did, she could hear the horrible sounds of destruction. While she chose to ignore it, all Mia could do is watch a monster destroy her home.

"The church-" Mia said in a sober tone. Her eyes wanted to rain, but she knew she was much stronger than that.

"Listen, Mia. You need to stay here and fix the church however you can. Marqium has too much spiritual energy protecting him. I'm gonna wear it down as much as I can, and on my signal, you'll send Solorin."

"Wait, why can't you take her?"

"I don't want it to be easy for him. He has a million ways to take it from me, and I want him to have none."

Mia was silent for a moment. Zayna's idea was logical in her eyes.

"Ok, but a signal? How will I hear it?"

"Oh trust me, you'll hear it. Just leave him to me."

Mia directed her eyes to Marqium, who had just finished having his fun. He left the church in an unbearable sight, putting shame upon the goddess it was built to cherish.

"Run away for now, Mia. I need him to focus on me."

Zayna recaptured her attention. Mia breathed quickly as she had lost herself in a maze of decisions. Though eventually, she found her way out.

She collected her courage and did as Zayna said. Marqium saw her flee like a stray animal and allowed her to have the illusion of safety.

He summoned an army of shadow creatures to chase Mia down. In her mind, Zayna had nothing to fear. Mia was perfectly capable of protecting herself, especially with Solorin.

"So then, shall we begin?"

"Your move." She answered with a cold stare.

The white aura surrounded her body, lifting her into the air. Her movement was limited as she could only squirm.

"With pleasure."

With a swing of his hand, her back was slammed against the church repeatedly. It wasn't painful enough to cause echoing screams, but rather short groans.

During her desperate attempt to escape, Marqium drew his face close to hers.

"That's Phantom Force. Quite useful, hm?" His lips curved to make a pesky smug.

Though his lips wouldn't make that shape for long as she rammed her head into his. Though he didn't feel any pain, the knockback still affected him. He stumbled a few steps back and failed to defend himself against her ferocious punches. She threw her fists left and right, ending the assault with a swift kick to the stomach.

The heavy force of her boot sent his bottom to the ground. She unsheathed her sword and gripped it hard. Both hands were on the handle and drove the tip downwards.

The tip barely reached his body. She tried to move it further, but it was an empty effort.

He got up and dusted his backside, cleaning his outfit from the gravel.

"So much power in those punches, too bad I didn't feel a thing."

He directed his finger away from the building, launching her into the middle of Orchtune.

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

The noise intrigued Ruina. She peeked through the doors and identified the cause immediately.

"Zayna?" She questioned.

She picked herself off the ground with a few groans. Ruina was warned to stay back in the library, but she approached her instead. For the few people she cared about, Zayna was one of them.

Marqium caught up with her, and eyed Ruina as the perfect host. He used Phantom Force to eliminate any chance of Zayna stopping him. Ruina's mouth hung open as he took over her body.

Due to the change in abilities, Zayna was freed, but she had a new problem to face. Wind gathered inside Ruina's mouth and was ejected like a bullet.

Zayna raised her sword to block the speeding bullet. Each projectile flying at her was denied by the weapon.

Ruina flew up and held an orb of wind on her fingertip. The orb grew large enough for her to firmly grasp it.

"Gust Bomb."

As the attack was thrown, Zayna shot the orb with incredible precision. The harsh explosion of wind pushed her back with great force. The stairs leading towards the library caught her body, but with some injuries.

Zayna filled some bullets with Umbra Blood and took aim. Shots were fired and thick, black blood spread around her legs. Her fight for freedom was a hard-fought one; though it could not be won. Marqium abandoned the body and phased through the library.

Before following him, she checked on Ruina. Zayna's warm fingers graced her cold face. She was unconscious but alive.

"Sister Zayna!" A certain voice called.

Mia walked up to her, and thankfully, she was unharmed.

"I heard a lot of noise over here, are you ok?"

"I'm fine. Get back to the church and take her with you." She gently picked up Ruina's body, and handed it to Mia.

"Got it. Good luck!" She ran off with Ruina in her safe hands.

Zayna entered the library and was met with the sight of Marqium reading a book. His hand laid on a wooden table, and once he felt Zayna's presence, he passed his attention onto her.

"Well, you sure took your time. Ever read The World's Empress? Quite the story. Here, have a look."

Under his power, a few pages were ripped out and flew towards her face. Through the darkness, she heard his cocky laughter. She followed his scent and used her extraordinary sense of smell to guide her.

To his surprise, she attacked with perfect accuracy. He was sent into a bookshelf, assaulted multiple times. He raised a hand and blocked her fist. Some space was made between the two. Bookshelves fell under his will and targeted Zayna.

She then relied on her senses to work around the lack of sight. As hard as he tried, he couldn't manage to get a clean hit. She was too flexible and agile, far from what he's used to dealing with.

Eventually, the room was cluttered with sharp pieces of wood and books all over the floor. He sent the remains of the shelves at her, but the result wasn't surprising.

She barely moved her body avoiding the attack; a laughable effort.

He sighed with a hand moving across his hair. "I'm afraid this is too easy for you."

Phantom Force was activated, and Zayna was thrown out the library.

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

Her wings saved her from sliding across the ground any further. Horrid screeching and rapid footsteps were picked up by her eyes. She replaced her current ammo with ordinary bullets and let her instincts take control.

One by one, each shadow creature was struck down with a bullet. Even with their numbers dropping, the rest continued to charge at her. Soon, the area was silent and empty. She relaxed her shoulder and removed the paper from her face.

She looked around without a scent to pick up.

"Running away again?" Her guns pointed towards several buildings and stores.

Suddenly, the familiar aura swallowed her body. She sighed with annoyance; his tricks had been getting old.

"It's a shame my partner traded deaths with your father. But don't worry, I won't let history repeat itself."

Zayna felt his hand push on her back. Her energy, along with her soul, were being stolen. The painful process prevented her from fighting back, but the comment about her father numbed the feeling long enough for her to react.

After inhaling some air, she released a thunderous yell. The deafening noise repelled him as he shielded his ears.

Her voice reached the church and alerted Mia.

"That must be the signal!"

She threw the orb on the floor. Upon impact, Solorin was freed. Dazzling light emitted from her beautiful body. She looked as elegant as ever, dressed in her stainless white cloth.

"Lady Solorin, please assist Zayna with your power!" She pleaded, bowing down to the godly woman.

She smiled and nodded. Her white angel wings flapped and directed her towards Zayna.

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

Marqium was able to regain himself once the area was quiet again. He brought more shadow creatures to life, but used a different strategy. They joined together to create a colossal beast. Its red eyes locked onto her. Its fists balled up, ready to attack.

Zayna reached for her sword, and waited patiently for his first move.

"Devour her in darkness." He commanded with the snap of his finger.

Before the creature could obey him, its existence was cut short. With a single blast of light, the darkness evaporated.

Marqium directed his eyes to Solorin who stood by Zayna's side.

"It's over, Marqium. Surrender peacefully to the light." She was more than ready to use Lumina Laser, though she was unaware of the spiritual energy defending him.

"I don't remember running out of tricks. In fact, I think this one will surely end this bout for good."

He trapped them both in his aura, giving him the time he needed.

"Potential Awakened: Phantasm Avatar!"

Marqium flew above the buildings. His spiritual energy became visible as it formed a certain shape.

During this transformation, Solorin broke out of his aura easily, though Zayna was still struggling.

At last, the transformation was complete. A gigantic, white figure of himself landed on the ground. The replica acted as living armor for him, with all of his abilities intact.

"Zero Beam."

Darkness swelled within his hand and was shot at Zayna. Solorin rushed to her and placed a barrier of light around them. She held back the continuous blast of darkness with ease, but Marqium wouldn't give in that easily.

He made duplicates of himself and mimicked his actions. The force placed under Solorin was immense. Her barrier shined brighter to compete, but she couldn't keep it up for long.

Zayna already knew the answer; she just needed to gather her energy. She took a deep breath and shouted as loud as she could.

The beams of darkness stopped hitting the shield and his copies no longer stood with him. He covered his ears and Solorin let down the barrier.

"Allow me." Zayna smirked.

The basic bullets were switched with the Phantom Bullets. She aimed both guns at his eyes and took the shot. The bullets successfully pierced through the spiritual energy and hit his eyes.

Although Marqium wasn't hurt, the avatar reflected on the attack. With such an opening, there was only one way to end it all.

She broke the connection between the rope and the bottle of blood it held.

"Drink up, Scarliza! Time to enter Slayer Mode!" Once the top was removed, she poured the blood into the skull.

Its mouth closed, and in seconds, a red glow surrounded it. The length of the blade extended and became edged like a dragon's fang. Moonlight bounced off the shining blade; Solorin gazed in awe at this new sight.

She kept a firm grasp on the handle like a mother to her child. The rapid beats of her heart synced with her boots slamming the ground. With one mighty swing, the blade tore through his body. The body was split in two, and thus, could no longer protect him.

Though he landed on the cobblestone path, it wasn't a delightful one. His rear cushioned the fall, but not enough for him to get up immediately.

"You know what; you're right."

She planted her sword in the earth and approached him.

"I won't let history repeat itself."

In a flash, her fingernails grew unto sharp claws.

"This is for all the people you've killed and terrorized."

Her nails cut through his skin with ease. His severed arm laid in a pool of blood; his screams of dreadful agony almost compared to her shouting. His eyes closed tightly to somewhat deal with the pain.

"This is for the people of Solorin Church."

She clawed at his other arm, leaving him in a pathetic state. She watched tears fall swim down his cheeks with a blank stare. For a beast like him, it was more than deserved.

"Oh, and the comment about my dad."

She retrieved her sword from the earth and thrusted the blade through his chest. He tried to communicate, but his mouth was nothing but a waterfall of blood. She lifted the sword at an angle. She made sure his bleeding body was just under the gorgeous moonlight.

"And this is for Fayemi."

She quickly shot him in the head and placed the gun back in its home. His arms limped and his head tilted down. The struggle to live was finally over.

"Hey Solorin, want some of this?"

"Absolutely." She used Lumina Laser to eradicate what was left of him. Finally, his existence was just an unpleasant memory.

"Thanks for the help, Solorin. You really saved my as- er butt."

"To you as well, Zayna. Thank you for tending to my people."

"No problem. Alright Scarliza, you've done your job." The weapon returned to its original form.

Zayna, along with Solorin, walked back to the church to inform Mia of their victory.

⊱⋅ ────── ⋆★⋆────── ⋅⊰

"Thank you for helping Sister Zayna in battle, Lady Solorin."

Mia put her hands together and bowed.

"I should be thanking you as well, Mia. Your bravery deserves to be acknowledged."

"Me, brave? Oh no, my Lady, it's Zayna's bravery that should be acknowledged."

"Mia, even under the suffocating weight of fear, you prevailed. I saw you take a shot at him, that speaks more about you than anything else."

To have a goddess speak so highly of her, Mia's body felt warm. Joyful tears gathered in her eyes, though she held them back.

"Thank you, Lady Solorin. I- I will continue to be great for you. And Zayna, if there's anything we can do-"

"Ah, imma stop you right there. Killing that bastard is my reward."

"I see. So what should we do about Ruina?"

"Hmm- stay here until Eleam and the others get back. Then figure out what to do as a group because I have no clue."

"Got it. Again, thank you so much for everything."

"You're welcome. Well, I'll be off. Take care, you two."

They waved as Zayna left the church. As told, Mia stayed with Solorin there to keep her company. The girls began fixing up the place so the others could come to a decently cleaned church.

A/N: So this chapter took a while to make as the original idea didn't fit, so I had to readjust it. I was also stuck on some areas of the fight, but after that, it became easier to write. I was going to split this chapter up since it was getting long, but I do that a lot and I wanted to see how it might work. I've got a solid idea for the next one, so it shouldn't be too long before that's out. Thanks to anyone who has kept up so far.