"Dar…ling? Who even are you–"
"Master, please do not bother to entertain this fool–I sincerely apologize for failing to clean up my mess. I will correct this immediately."
With a situation like this, as perplexing as it is quickly turning out to be, who could blame Apostle Zateon for looking like a lost child? Like a parent coming to her child's defense, Emma boldly stands before Zateon, using her body as a wedge between her master and her deranged clone.
Despite the unwavering gun pointed directly at its bloody face, her demeanor remains unchanging. In fact–
–it's even more ignited.
"Oh? Is this how you treat your longtime friends? Letting your rabid dog loose on them? The lovely Zateon I once knew would never ever do such a thing…"
"His correct title is 'Apostle' Zateon–the likes of you do not deserve to even address him formally!"
"Wait…Emma, please stand down for a moment. This mysterious individual is clearly after me, I will lead the conversation."
"Master…"
Their eyes meet, communicating a message of understanding. Emma suppresses her will and silently bows her head as she forces it down her throat. Stepping slightly aside, she paved the way for Zateon to take her place.
"Now then, I'll have you know that no 'longtime friend' of mine would ever approach me in such a barbaric way. Stop pretending that you and I were ever closely acquainted, and cease using the appearance of my beloved servant!"
The clone twitched her eye upon hearing the word "servant", just after seemingly gagging at the adjective "beloved" just before.
"My…still naive as ever. Even after all these years, even after everything we've been through together, even after standing up for me countless times, you still choose a filthy demi-human over your closest friend–"
After every word she utters, her voice gradually changes in pitch–sounding less and less like an exact copy of Emma into its own unique identity.
An identity that makes Zateon raise his brow, unable to interject.
"--Klia!"
"?!"
Zateon's eyes shot wide open as though an explosion went off directly in his face.
"Finally! Do you acknowledge me now, darling–"
"Klia?! No, it can't be! I haven't heard that name in years! I never expected us to reunite like this…no, this cannot be considered a reunion of any kind. Not when I can't see your true self face-to-face. Are you responsible for…for all of this utter foolishness?! Come before me properly and answer at once!"
"Hmm…okay! Now as for my request, you've been a very bad boy, Zateon. Betrayal deserves nothing less than cruel retribution. So please, for my sake…"
"Master!"
Reacting to the slight movement towards Zateon, Emma immediately jumps back into her offensive stance, never taking her eyes away–or her gun–from her enemy. Zateon caresses her shoulder, he is also unable to look away even for a moment.
"She's behaving like an absolute maniac right now, but I need to hear from her before we properly deal with her. Let her finish her final words–she can't…she wouldn't assault me. Go on, Klia. If you really know me, you know that I despise wasting time!"
Now only one foot away, Klia stops.
"...Let me enjoy every single second watching you witness everything you have accomplished as an apostle crumble before your eyes!"
POOF!
Upon saying her final words, the clone of Emma–Klia–disintegrated into nothingness.
Only a bloody, wicked grin lingered behind.
"..."
I can't help but to feel like an awkward outsider to whatever this conversation is supposed to be. The bloody corpse of a clone of Emma is standing upright, behaving maniacally. Although all of her attention is on Zateon, thus leaving me…and Lily cold, this could easily impact me. No, it almost certainly will–I can feel it.
Vex gradually backs away, keeping his frontside facing the action. Slowly, steadily, stealthily. After a minute of inching himself backward, his heels finally reach the tip of Lily's lifeless tail.
Yep, I can hear that voice getting louder and more…distorted? Never mind dealing with Zateon right now–I'll let him deal with this first, and then we can–
POOF!
"?!"
Did she just combust? No no no, like hell if I stick around to find out!
"We're getting out of here immediately, Lily. We can hang with Perlina in her room until this mess sorts itself–"
A tidal wave of chaotic screams, screeching, and more erupt and echo throughout the plaza. There are no words to describe the sounds adequately in a way an non-observer could understand–firsthand experience is required.
Everyone remaining on the stage–Vex, Zateon, and Emma–stand helplessly as they stare out into the distance, paralyzed.
Paralyzed…by the sight of:
Demi-humans who are partially transformed, lashing out indiscriminately…
Fire, ice, electricity, and plants are among the elements being casted, thrown about by various people…
Weapons of all sorts, from metallic melee weapons to wooden projectile blasters to even physical limbs, clash against those capable of putting up some defense…
Men, women and children–the handful remaining that appeared to not desire to take part in the free-for-all–were trying their best to plead, if not escape. Regardless of their efforts, the clashing continued…
And all the three remaining isolated on stage could do was helplessly stare…
The curses were unleashed.
"M-master, should we–"
"Yes, I'm afraid we have no other choice. Ahem, Vex!"
Zateon's voice manages to reach Vex, thawing him from his frozen state.
"Zateon, do not drag me into this mess–your mess. Emma is capable enough!"
"This has nothing to do with that! Listen, an old acquaintance of mine is somehow behind this–do you really think you will be able to realistically dissociate unscathed? Especially while carrying Lily?"
_____________________________________________________________________________
"..."
No matter how hard I look, I can't find Perlina from here for the life of me. Even with all of this chaos, she would be impossible to miss being a giantess. While it is possible that she retreated back into the water, I am way too far away from it to even try to summon her.
I have no choice but to consider my original exit strategy impossible. So that leaves…
"What plan do you have in mind?"
"First thing we must do is retreat to a safe place away from the chaos…and any more clones. Then we can discuss further action. Right now, it's in our best interest to cooperate despite our personal feelings towards each other. I assure you that I could not bring direct harm to you even if I so desired–I have sworn to the goddess. Please, come closer to us, for Emma will get us there efficiently. Emma, do you suppose that you have room for two additional guests?"
"Yes sir, they should fit comfortably."
What does he mean by "extra room"? Are we not traveling by vehicle?
Emma takes a deep breath, bracing herself, body and mind. She kneels, looking into Zateon's eyes endearingly.
"I wanted to avoid this outcome, but alas. But regardless of that, I won't let you succumb under any circumstances. I trust that you will put forth that same effort."
"Yes master, I will. I…I trust you too."
Zateon nods his head, giving her the final green light as he positions himself on her back.
This "green light" illuminates confusion upon Vex's face, before gradually becoming realization. A mumble escapes from his breath…
"There's…no way. Absolutely not."
Have they gone mad? No kidding, they have absolutely lost their minds. Why would they ever plan to rely on a complete transformation? That can only backfire!...
But it's not like I could object; it is far too late.
Taking no more than nine seconds, the human skin on her body is fully endowed with grey fur. Her body enlarges several times over, now towering over our heads, forcing us to bend our necks just to look into her eyes. In just three blinks, the calm and collected Emma was consumed by a gigantic fox. A gigantic fox who also seems…?
"Emma's transformation is complete, Vex. By the look on your face, I can tell that you are conflicted, but as you can see, Emma is completely in control of her beastly mentality–but time is of the essence! You still consent to our cooperation, yes?"
"...sure–"
"Emma, now!"
"?!"
Suddenly, I was blindsided by a gray flash that launched me high into the air with great force. As I fall down, a giant tail waves at me from where I once stood. Seeing that there is only one viable place to land safely, I know what must be done.
"Let's hope that you won't wake up with an aching body after all of this."
Bracing for landing, Vex tightens his grip on Lily in his arms, then stiffens his rear as it comes closer to Emma's backside–the remaining space behind Zateon. The texture of her soft fur absorbs the sound of what would otherwise be a "not-so-subtle" landing.
"Tsss…damn that stings."
"Are you and the girl settled? Good. Emma, head north! Feel free to trample over any and all obstructions that are foolish enough to get in your way!"
In obedience, Emma darts from the stage, heading straight into the chaotic plaza. Vex barely manages to hold on as he must grip Lily with one hand over his shoulder, and the other Emma's fur.