act6d5

And how to defeat her once and for all.

Lava!

I hope you've found a solution.

We have to blow the core of the city's defensive cannons. I'll lead her there.

And how are you going to do that? It's not like you can just ask her.

I see you've gotten a taste of her sparkling personality.

Anyway, you let me worry about that.

Nobody home? Weird.

Did I bump up the difficulty too quick? I should've known they were too weak.

Hm?

Movement? Where?

Here.

Ooh! I was worried I hit you too hard last time. It's such a relief to see you alive and kicking, li'l Lava.

To gather up all that power in your staff and blow open such a big hole with a little tap on the ground——

You're pretty strong, compared to what I've been seeing.

...This is city's core district.

I know, I've been brushing up on modern technology these last three days. Intercity networks are such a handy invention. It would be nice to have them out over the whole continent someday.

You really learn fast.

Aww, I'm average at best.

After all, I'm on kind of a tight schedule every time I wake up.

Your brothers and sisters are that impatient?

I was thinking about it, after last time. There's no way you had such detailed information. You were playing me, weren't you?

Gold star for figuring that one out.

What about your sister? Where is she again?

How did you——

——that's none of your business.

Ooh, I see how it is.

I envy you two. You don't have to kill each other just to remember your faces.

A flowery flame. You mad?

...Did you just say 'kill each other?'

You couldn't have...

Twelve.

Twelve, including me.

I've been fighting my eleven brothers and sisters for a length of time your tiny mind couldn't possibly comprehend.

It's really pretty dumb. What happens when your right hand fights your left? What changes when you steal from yourself?

It's completely pointless.

I guess you don't get along with your siblings.

...Are you trying to play me again?

Who knows?

That's the first time you've attacked without some pithy one-liner.

But don't think that's going to work out for you.

Mmm! What are you doing...? Are you trying to tear this place down?

Gah.

I can't beat you in battle. I know that.

'But...?' Where's the 'but?'

What a pain in the ass. It's so dark. Why don't I just make us a huge battering ram and call it a day.

I would advise against that.

Why——

Wait, what's this? This core? It's a forge.... No, it's a weapon? A siege weapon?

This heat.... Did you build this?

Looks like you didn't learn everything when brushing up on modern tech. Still, I think you should already understand how this thing works.

I made you a giant city defense cannon firecracker. Want to set it off?

This isn't enough to scare me.

——How about now?

You....

You're a special girl, li'l Lava. Look at you compressing the space around the explosion.

You're not getting away as long as I'm standing.

Even if you did manage to contain the blast to the spatial area around you, we'd both be blown clear.

There's the Originium drive core of this cannon, and there's me.

Huh. You're going to use Arts after getting blown up into the sky? Like a big two-step firecracker?

You're playing it cool, but you're scared, aren't you?

What about you? You can't use Arts and protect yourself from the explosion at the same time.

You've built yourself a tomb. You're going to die.

Not necessarily.

But I definitely won't.

Putting a scratch on you is worth it.

Bold. Bold... Props for that one.

Now it's my turn to ask questions. What do you actually want out of this?

We've been killing each other since long before the time that this body's consciousness can recall.

Then about as far back as I can remember, we started to grow tired of our endless conflict.

And that's why you started attacking cities?

Everyone who walks this world today is a survivor. That's how life carries on.

Don't think I'll let you go just because you tell me some sob story.

Hmph... My story's not really that tragic.

I'm not sure when, but we eventually learned some interesting games from the humans. We ended up playing those instead of fighting.

Like rock, paper, scissors and stuff.

Agh! Dammit! You're really gonna kill yourself just to take me down with you?!

You said you definitely wouldn't die.

Hmph. It's only a turn of phrase.

...According to my calculations, you're running out of time.

It's worth the risk.

Oh, is it?

Let's count down 'three, two, one' and then blow the place together?

Three——

Explosion confirmed! Defensive cannon auxiliary core #2 is not responding!

Do you see Lava?!

No. There's too much smoke from the explosion, we——

Wait! There's movement. Something's coming out of the smoke!

Ahahaha, you actually did it! It's been so long since I've seen an explosion like that! Reminds me of that dirty little brat harassing me every day!

Ugh——

L- let go!

Ugh. You dropped me!

You told me to.

Located Rhodes Island operator Lava and the target!

Surround them.

What was that...? Why did you save me?

I hate that sound. And I also accidentally saved you when you jumped on me... Whew, you're lucky to be alive. And you're still looking for a melee?

This really took a lot out of me. Wow. My hands are numb.

Well, I can't fight anymore. Do it already.

Make it quick.