Chapter 11

 

Celestia’s Gunblade connected with Adel with an explosive force. Adel rocketed up into the air as Celestia ruthlessly slashed the sorceress over and over. The scene of Adel casting Ultima at Laguna replayed on and on in her mind like a broken record. She continued to pour her anger, disbelief and grief into her attacks, translating them into devastating blows that would split normal boulders and shatter walls. The entire battlefield shook with the tremendous power unleashed. The final strokes were dealt and then she stepped back and Adel fell to the floor.  She shuddered for a moment and then her body shifted into a mutilated Gerogero. Celestia stared at the undead creature’s corpse with disbelief. A bright light appeared from the creature and she recognized it as Laguna’s life force. She reached out and it floated over to her hand. She felt his presence and smiled slightly…but her expression changed as she looked back at the creature.

 

«That...That wasn’t her?»

 

The creature gave one last shudder and then moved no more. Everyone just stared back and forth at the creature and Celestia. Without saying a word, she walked over to Laguna and knelt down next to him. Placing the glowing light over him, she watched as it integrated itself back into his body.

 

“Full-life.”

 

Laguna twitched slightly and then tried to sit up. He winced and lay flat again.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

He looked up at Celestia and he nodded slightly.

 

“Yeah...I guess so.”

 

Celestia looked back at the Gerogero as the room changed back to normal.

 

“It wasn’t even Adel...just a doppelganger…a Gerogero. She is still alive somewhere…and she was behind the powerful magic…”

 

She stood up and tried to help Laguna stand. However, she suddenly was overcome with exhaustion and collapsed. The whole world once again went dark as muffled shouts erupted around her.