Chapter 123: 124. Stats, Skill Masteries, and a Lot of Apples

Woe of the Fallen Star.

There existed Corrupted that were hideously more dangerous than even the Greed Counter and the One Thousand Eyed Bird. Even the most well defended cities were doomed to fall against the Eternal Night monsters. But there was always a chance of surviving them.

Luck of course was the most invaluable factor.

The same could not be said for those that were classed as Woe of the Fallen Star.

Death was guaranteed.

It was the final classification within a Moon’s scope of battle. Only a few Moons experienced handling a Woe of the Fallen Star. Not many ever survived to tell of the horrors. Moons were deployed far more tactically than haphazardly compared to Eternal Night threats.

Moons were limited in number, after all. With only a few thousand Blessed they could not afford to throw them into the meat grinder.

But the Atelier personnel? They were thrown in the tens of thousands, most predominantly by the Scarlet Logic. The last Woe of the Fallen Star event occurred 10 years ago in the City of Hearts; H5.

This entity was colloquially known as the Big Red Heart.

The being was capable of playing with its victim’s hearts and parading them like puppets on a string. And that was by no means an exaggerated metaphor. It physically caused an individual’s heart to burst forth from their chest and skip along the earth.

The sensation was fresh in her mind.

The phantom pain lingered in her chest as she watched the Complex Heart finally perish, all the while she kept an unconscious Jury cradled closely in her arms.

There was no doubt that the Corrupted within that city was the Big Red Heart.

It was rumored to have disappeared somewhere deep into the Derma layer.

How right they were.

But they were wrong about its name.

“Heart of Ours. That’s the name of the Corrupted that wiped out H5, huh.” Cer slowly spoke as Frost finished devouring the freshly defeated Heart.

She never let go of Jury, fearing that she’d be swooped on by a stray enemy.

“None of us were there when it happened. But the reports are extensive. You all felt that too? My heart wanted to jump out.” Ber solemnly spoke.

The air was saturated with dread. Even Moons like themselves found it difficult to wrap their heads around taking on a Woe of the Fallen Star. In all honesty, it would be better to retreat.

But that was not an option so long as they had no way to escape the Derma layer.

The pores terminated as soon as the Heart was ripped open. In another section of the Triple Paw Complex a fruity rain flooded the streets.

“It was resting underneath us all this time… Alongside the Hearts of this layer.” Res found it difficult to digest the situation as she clutched at her pained heart.

She had countless years of experience dealing with the Corrupted. But never had she ever fought against a Woe of the Fallen Star.

There was no guarantee that they’d even come close to beating it. Even Frost was not so stubborn to understand this. But what other choice did they have? Frost had a more hopeful outlook knowing that she could exploit the conditions and other requirements; but that 25,000 ATT terrified her.

It could very well end a Moon in only two strikes. Not to mention that the Corrupted itself was undoubtably the source of their nullified RESIST stat.

Such was the power of a Woe of the Fallen Star.

Just what would an Apocalypse-classed Corrupted look like then?

No. An even better question was just how powerful were the Beholders to begin with?

 

< CONDITION: The Heart of Ours is invulnerable to all damage. Those exiting its 30km circumference will be turned to an Aspirator. RESIST is nullified while within its zone of influence >

 

< SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENT: Heart of Ours may only take damage from those Determined when all Aspirators have been eliminated >

 

< ADDITIONAL SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENT: The Host attached to Heart of Ours forfeits all DEF stats and take 4 times as much damage. Heart of Ours will take equivalent damage scaled to Host’s health. Heart of Ours will perish immediately if the Host is not replaced >

 

< SUBJUGATION REQUIREMENT: Heart of ours is defeated when its HP reaches 0 or when it no longer has a host >

 

A parasite best described the Heart of Ours.

Frost, after having devoured the Complex Heart entirely, scouted the rest of the Triple Paw Complex briefly to gather the people in one place. Whatever stray Impuritas remained had long perished with the Heart’s defeat, so it was relatively safe now.

Thousands of people were left vulnerable and afraid due to their battle, many of which were unable to process the events. Very little of them were able to cry or grieve.

Thankfully, none were affected by the heart-wrenching effect of the Corrupted. Out of everyone present Res and Jury seemed to be most affected by it, as Res could never remove her hand from her chest.

And Jury was still rendered unconscious.

They roamed the streets in unnerving silence. The normally talkative triplets didn’t say a word for the longest time as Frost softly relayed everything she knew about this Corrupted. They only spoke when asked as all eyes fell towards the direction of the music.

Melancholy poisoned the air as Frost healed whoever she came across. She additionally converted the deceased Impuritas into coins. Her Hired Arm was likely healing people elsewhere.

The ‘citizens’ of this ruined place were captivated by Frost’s appearance as they trailed behind in the hundreds, following a spire of one hundred golden hands that reached for their false star.

They were highly docile and obeyed without a second though. After all, where else did they have to go? Could they even refuse Frost to begin with?

“… Angel? You must be an Angel…”

“It’s gone. Everything is… gone.”

“Are you what they call a Star?”

“Does that mean we don’t… don’t have to keep being hurt anymore?”

These were only a few of the voices that came from the following crowd. Although the emotions were mixed regarding the outcome of their ‘home’; there was a unanimous sense of relief. Like a weight had been taken off their shoulders now that they no longer needed to live in endless fear and torment.

But that didn’t change that they were afraid of Frost and her companions.

“Keep following! Please, keep following us! Your maltreaters are gone!” Frost would call out with similar phrases.

Afterwards, they’d be plunged into long sessions of silence.

Many more of these people were still yet to be found.

“Jury… is she with the Archivist right now?” Frost slowly spoke, cutting the dreadful silence short as they approached a single street filled to the brim with countless ripe, red apples.

They trickled from a burst golden pipe. The deliciously sweet scent was welcomed with strange faces.

“She is. Jury says she had to violently fight for her heart to resist the Corrupted’s attack. She is fine. The Archivist desperately wishes to aid her in whatever way possible.” Nav said, inspiring much confidence in Frost.

“The Archivist wants to help at all costs now?” Frost seemingly spoke to herself as she picked an apple and analyzed it.

 

< An apple plucked straight from the humble trees beyond the tranquil lands of the Sacred Garden >

 

“She must help. Because that Corrupted resonates with her. It is undoubtably another chapter in the book of Civitas Cinder.”

It sounds like a city was set alight judging from that name of that tale.

“Maybe as far as civilization itself.” Nav ominously added.

Then, she bit down on the apple to test for any abnormalities. It was delicious, and the first bite brimmed with so much flavor that she was instantly left paralyzed in place.

“W-Woah…” She trailed off, puzzling the triplets. “It’s dewishious!?”

“Heh. You eat like you haven’t eaten anything nice in years. But apples? Down here? Brandar doesn’t have that many apples, does it?” Cer wondered.

“Never checked.” Ber quickly said.

“Not at all. Brandar is a mixed Region with lots of introduced species of animals and plants. Grandis specializes in apple cuisine. And skewers.” Res carefully answered as she picked up an apple, wiping it along her chest. “It’s shiny. It looks safe to eat, right Frost?”

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“Just because she can eat steel doesn’t mean we can. It could be made from obsidian for all we know.  You’re making us envious eating it like that. What’s with the face?” Cer grinned, adoring the way Frost reacted to the tasty treat.

It wasn’t like she could help it either. It was one of the few times she was able savor the taste of normal food in this world. She was eternally thankful that her tastebuds hadn’t been sullied by the murky taste of dirt and flesh.

When everything was said and done, Frost had to weigh their options now. They could take everyone present back to the camp, or they could use the Triple Paw Complex as a forward base.

She asked for the input of the triplets, and they agreed to take this place under their control.

Furthermore, it would help to have the others come in and aid in the restoration of this place. Facilities such as beds and baths were also present. Frost felt somewhat guilty for taking over their home, but she had to remember that this was certainly anything but their home.

Home implied safety. Security. Comfort. Home was not a place for a person to suffer.

This place was their hell, and she was the ice that froze it all over.

“By the way, how is everyone back there?” Res suddenly asked as Frost’s one hundred Touch of Golds took the form of a woven bowl.

“Nav says they’re fine. They had some trouble against the Reorganizers, but that’s about it.” Frost promptly answered after she gained confirmation from Nav and Ignis.

“Nav huh.” Cer grinned for some unknown reason as she shuffled close to Frost, nudging both Ber and Res with an elbow.

“Aha. Nav you say?” Ber also wore a grin, taking a stance right beside Cer.

“That’s right. Frost. Can your friend Nav hear us?” Res formally asked as they proudly stood in a line before her.

“Yeah. Nav’s been listening to us all this time.” Frost admitted, wondering why they wanted to know this. Then, as the triplets suddenly rushed in to hug Frost –

“Thank you so much Nav!”

“Thank you for keeping our voices heard!”

“Thank you for putting up with being our messenger!”

A cloud of fluff surrounded Frost as her Touch of Golds naturally found its way onto their heads. The triplets thanked Nav with all their heart, rendering the voice in her head speechless.

They were thankful beyond words alone, and the emotion was transmitted through their tight embrace.

They were like children now. Pure-hearted children. Cheeky, but innocent above all else.

“You made it easier for us. Really, even if you’re not here with us physically, know that our hug is meant for you!” Res exclaimed.

“Heh. I’ll be the first to hug you if you ever get a body! Just don’t be all mechanized, alright!” Cer cried.

“Yeah! Get a body already Nav!” Ber laughed.

Frost savored the moment. She liked to believe that Nav was as well. It nearly moved her to tears as she watched her Hired Arm approach with another large group of followers along an intersecting street.

Stella and her friends marched closely behind as did the Scarlet Healer and the healed Painter. The Big Frost fixed her peaked cap, dusted off her military garbs and abruptly froze just a meter away where gave a brilliant salute.

“Mm. Good job, Big me.” Frost thanked her, causing a blushing prompt to appear over her head.

Then, she approached the still hugging triplets and began to pat them unexpectedly. Cer was instantly shocked to feel Frost’s hand. But upon seeing that she was still carrying Jury with both her hands, she was left flabbergasted at the familiar sensation.

“W-what the – HUH!? B-Big – Big… Big Frost!?” Cer’s eyes moved to two distinct places when she described the new alter Frost as ‘big’. “S-so big… so tall. H-Hey. Is it alright if you think of me as an apple –?”

“This idiot’s mind is long gone.” Res sighed apologetically at both Frosts.

“Sis. You’re really rotten to the core.” Ber mumbled, enjoying the Frost sandwich of pleasant head pats.

At the same time, she submerged her golden basked into the endless mount of apples, claiming many for the hungry people with Ignis. The Big Frost suddenly moved towards Jury and fondly smiled at the sleeping woman. She saluted again, hoping that she’d look after her lover well.

“You feel the same way, huh. Yeah. Mhm. Don’t worry. She’s safe in my arms.” Frost said. “Thanks for your hard work.”

The Big Frost firmly nodded, flashing another blushing prompt over her head before it turned to a thumbs up. No matter how many times she saw them she’d always end up baffled that they even existed in the first place.

Why was it her alter-Frost’s only way of communicating to begin with?

Well… it was cute, so there’s that.

With the apples now scooped and ready for delivery, they came to a unanimous decision to leave the Big Frost here and take care of the survivors until they returned with the others. The Triplets have had enough of separating already, and the people that followed the Big Frost trusted her enough that some had grown attached to her.

Namely Stella, who relied on holding onto the hems of the woman to move anywhere.

“U-Um… Frost! U-Um… Moon! I… I’m sorry.” The child suddenly apologized, reaching down for her toes just as Frost planned to leave with her group, including the Painter and the Scarlet Healer.

There was no way she was going to leave an Impuritas unsupervised.

“Please don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong. If anything, it should be us apologizing. Many people died because of us.” Frost acknowledged the deaths that occurred as a result of their carnage.

But she could not deny that she had also saved the overwhelming majority of them. Frost only lamented that her capabilities were still lacking when it came to saving people. There was such a thing as being too powerful as there was being underpowered.

The Moons were a great example of being too powerful to save everyone, and her Iron Candle was also not something she could use next to normal people.

It was a melancholic thought.

“The price of paradise. If you can call this place that.” Cer spoke her parting words as Res turned on her heels and approached Stella. “Res?”

“One second. Stella. If it were any other Moon you would’ve been killed on the spot.” She said bluntly as Stella began to tremble, nodding with each word that left Res’ lips. “No matter your intentions, and no matter the circumstance – The moment you become an enemy of a Moon is the moment you become an enemy of the Nexus.”

Res looked like she was about to snap at her. Her eyes drilled into the girl’s poor soul. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Within those crimson eyes was a pool of sincerity. And so, she took the hands of the girl and held them in her palms.

“But I’ve been in your position before. I’ve… also been blinded and led along like you. Stella. I forgive you. Smile. Be happy. Frost likes to say that children should smile. It really makes you wish that someone like her came along earlier to say those words.” Res spoke from the heart.

“… M… Mm… T-Thank you… U-Um… But why does… hearing you say ‘be happy’…” Stella’s friends instantly rushed to her, engulfing the child in a warm embrace as she struggled to utter her final words. “Make me want to cry?”

“It’s because she means it.” Frost suddenly answered. “Not some kind of false happiness imprinted on you by those monsters. She wants you to experience real, genuine happiness. Stella. Your friends. Everyone! You don’t have to suffer anymore. There are no rules to follow anymore. No one will hurt you anymore. So please… don’t be afraid of doing what you’ve always wanted.”

Needless to say, Stella wasn’t the only one who shed tears in that moment. Did these people feel sadness because of what they lost? Or happiness because of what they had gained? Frost couldn’t tell.

She prided herself on being able to read people, but here, all she could do was hope that she was doing the right thing.

“The Bloody Herring, Leitmotif and the Corrupted. If the Train Core is anywhere, it’ll be with them. With the onboard healer.” Cer mentioned as Frost, the triplets, Jury, the Painter, and the Scarlet Healer began to navigate their way towards the entrance.

Ruins flanked them. Devastation lingered in the air.

But there was hope interwoven between the visible strands of despair.

“Frost. I asked you what fear was before. Now, can I ask you another question?”

Sure. Go for it.

“What is happiness?”

Frost broke into a gentle smile as she looked down at Jury’s face and answered.

A warm, fuzzy feeling in your chest that lets your mouth curve upwards against your will, I guess. But sometimes it can make you cry.

“Very descriptive… Which one do you think I would experience if I had the capacity?”

You? Both. Crying and smiling. And we’ll all be there to watch, all within your arm’s reach. I promise you that.

“Then I long for that day to come.”

 

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