The clash of their weapons echoed across the training ground. Nanoha, now in her advanced barrier jacket, moved with practiced grace, her attacks a blur of light and energy. Arc, though still adjusting to Raging Brando, met her assault with a surprising fluidity. His movements, while familiar to Nanoha, possessed a newfound precision and control, honed by his experience with Soul Edge, even if that experience was tainted.
"You're holding back, Arc-kun," Nanoha observed, her voice laced with playful challenge. She increased the intensity of her attacks, forcing Arc to utilize more of Raging Brando's capabilities.
"I'm still calibrating the weapon systems," Arc replied, deflecting a blast of energy aimed at his leg. He wasn't entirely lying. While his body remembered the flow of combat, Raging Brando's unique revolver system and varied attack modes were still unfamiliar. He was consciously holding back, not wanting to reveal the full extent of his abilities until he had mastered them. A part of him also feared the power within the device, a lingering unease stemming from Soul Edge's betrayal.
"Don't worry about holding back on me," Nanoha chuckled, launching a series of rapid-fire shots. "I'm curious to see what your new device can do." She fired a volley of Divine Shooter and Axel Disaster attacks.
Arc grinned behind his helmet. "If you insist, Nanoha-san."
He channeled his magic, the black energy crackling around Raging Brando. The gunblade transformed, the barrel splitting into two, revealing a complex mechanism. He unleashed a volley of Dark Blast shots, each one infused with his unique magical energy, forcing Nanoha to take the defensive.
"Impressive!" Nanoha exclaimed, clearly enjoying the spar. She countered with a powerful Divine Buster, creating a shockwave that rocked the training ground.
The battle continued, a dazzling display of magical prowess. Arc, despite his reservations, found himself drawn into the rhythm of combat. Raging Brando felt more responsive than he had anticipated, its power a stark contrast to the raw, untamed energy of Soul Edge. He experimented with different attack combinations, discovering new and unexpected capabilities.
As the spar progressed, Nanoha noticed a flicker of something in Arc's movements, a hint of the darkness that had surrounded him in the Saint's Cradle. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but she recognized it. It was the echo of Soul Edge, a shadow that still clung to him.
"Arc-kun," she said, her voice softening, "are you alright?"
The sudden shift in her tone broke Arc's concentration. He stumbled, momentarily leaving himself open to attack. Nanoha, sensing his hesitation, lowered her weapon.
"I'm fine," Arc replied, his voice strained. He deactivated Raging Brando, the gunblade returning to its slide phone form. He knew what Nanoha had sensed. The influence of Soul Edge, though diminished, was still a part of him. He could feel it, a cold whisper in the back of his mind, a constant reminder of his stolen identity and the darkness he had faced.
"You seem… distracted," Nanoha said gently.
"It's nothing," Arc mumbled, turning away. He didn't want to talk about it, not yet. The memories of the Saint's Cradle, the betrayal, the loss of his former self, were still too painful.
Nanoha placed a hand on his armored shoulder. "Arc-kun," she said, her voice filled with concern, "you don't have to face this alone."
Arc flinched at her touch. He wanted to pull away, to isolate himself, but he knew Nanoha was right. He couldn't keep running from his past. He needed to confront it, to understand what had happened to him, to reclaim his identity. He looked at Nanoha, her kind eyes filled with understanding. He knew he could trust her. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead.
"There's… something I need to tell you," he began, his voice barely a whisper. He paused, gathering his thoughts, unsure how to articulate the turmoil within him. "It's about… what happened at the Saint's Cradle."
Nanoha nodded patiently, her expression encouraging. Shario and Mariel, who had been observing the spar, moved closer, their faces etched with concern.
"You know about the imposter," Arc continued, his voice gaining strength. "The one who looks like me… who stole my name."
"Yes," Nanoha replied. "We all know. It's… unsettling."
"It's more than unsettling," Arc said, his hands clenching into fists. "He… he didn't just steal my name. He stole something else too. Something… fundamental."
He hesitated, unsure how to explain the connection he had felt with Soul Edge, the way it had resonated with his very being. "Soul Edge… it wasn't just a weapon," he finally managed to say. "It was… a part of me. Or, at least, I thought it was."
"What do you mean?" Shario asked, her brow furrowed.
"I don't understand it myself," Arc admitted. "But… when the imposter took Soul Edge… it felt like… a piece of me was ripped away. It wasn't just the weapon. It was… my identity. My connection to magic. Everything."
He looked down at his hands, the phantom weight of Soul Edge still present in his mind. "Now, with Raging Brando… it's different. It's powerful, versatile… but it doesn't feel the same. It doesn't feel… connected."
Nanoha stepped closer, her expression filled with understanding.
"Arc-kun," she said gently, "what you're describing… it sounds like you're struggling with the loss of a part of yourself. A part that you identified with strongly."
"Yes," Arc whispered. "That's… exactly it."
"But that part… it was taken from you," Mariel added. "It was stolen. It doesn't define you anymore."
Arc looked up, surprised by Mariel's words. "What do you mean?"
"You're not the person you were when you wielded Soul Edge," Mariel explained. "You've been through a traumatic experience. You've faced your double, the embodiment of your darkest potential. You've survived. You've changed."
"And that's okay," Shario added. "Change is a part of life. Sometimes, painful change can lead to growth, to becoming a stronger, more complete person."
Arc considered their words. He had been so focused on what he had lost, on the stolen piece of himself, that he hadn't considered what he had gained. He had survived. He had faced his darkest self and lived to tell the tale. He had a new weapon, a new identity, a new chance.
"You're right," he said slowly. "I can't… I can't keep clinging to the past. I need to… to accept what happened, and move forward."
"It won't be easy," Nanoha said softly. "But you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you, Arc-kun. We'll help you through this."
Arc nodded, a small smile forming beneath his helmet. He still had a long way to go. The echoes of Soul Edge would likely haunt him for some time. But he wasn't alone. He had friends, allies, people who cared about him. And that, he realized, was more important than any weapon, any power, any stolen identity.
"Thank you," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you all."
"Now," Nanoha said, clapping her hands together, "how about we continue that spar? I'm eager to see what else Raging Brando can do."
Arc chuckled. "If you insist, Nanoha-san." He activated Raging Brando once more, the gunblade transforming in his hands.
This time, however, there was a different feeling. The weapon still didn't feel like an extension of himself, but it no longer felt alien. It was a tool, a means to an end. And he, Archibald Enzo, was ready to learn how to use it.
The clash of energy blasts and the ringing of clashing metal echoed across the training ground. Nanoha, with her fluid movements and precise aim, unleashed a barrage of Divine Shooter and Axel Disaster attacks, each one pushing Arc to his limits. He countered with his own blend of familiar spells and new techniques, Raging Brando responding to his commands with surprising versatility.
"Your magic control is impressive, Arc-kun," Nanoha praised, as she narrowly dodged a volley of his Umbral Lance projectiles. "Raging Brando is quite the partner."
"Thank you, Nanoha-san," Arc replied, deflecting an Axel Shooter with his gunblade. "It's still a work in progress, but I'm learning its capabilities."
The two mages exchanged a flurry of blows, their barrier jackets shimmering under the strain. Arc utilized his Shadow Slip ability to reposition himself behind Nanoha, catching her off guard with a surprise Chain Bind. But Nanoha, ever the seasoned warrior, quickly recovered, breaking free from the magical restraints with a burst of her own power.
"You're not holding back, are you, Arc-kun?" Nanoha chuckled, as she unleashed a powerful Divine Shooter attack.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Nanoha-san," Arc retorted, meeting her attack head-on with his Chaos Bolt. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves across the training ground, the sheer force of their combined magic causing the very air to crackle.
Shario and Mariel, observing the spar from the sidelines, diligently recorded the data. They were particularly interested in Raging Brando's performance, noting its strengths and weaknesses in comparison to Raising Heart.
"Arc-kun's new device is quite remarkable," Shario commented, her fingers flying across her datapad. "It seems to be more versatile than his previous one, and its compatibility with his magic system is seamless."
"Indeed," Mariel agreed. "The combination of his familiar spells and Raging Brando's unique abilities makes him a formidable opponent."
As the spar continued, Arc began to feel more comfortable with his new device. He experimented with different attack combinations, pushing the limits of Raging Brando's capabilities. He discovered that the gunblade could not only fire energy blasts but also transform into a variety of melee weapons, allowing him to adapt to any combat situation.
"Raging Brando, Revolver Mode!" Arc commanded, his gunblade shifting into a sleek, high-powered rifle. He unleashed a barrage of rapid Crossfire shots, forcing Nanoha to take cover.
"Impressive," Nanoha remarked, as she emerged from behind her magical shield. "You're certainly making the most of your new device."
"I'm still learning," Arc replied, his gunblade returning to its original form. "But I'm starting to see its potential."
The spar reached its climax with a final, explosive exchange of magical energy. Nanoha, channeling the full power of Raising Heart, unleashed a Starlight Breaker that threatened to overwhelm Arc. But Arc, with a surge of determination, countered with his own ultimate attack, the Void Eruption. The two spells collided, creating a blinding flash of light that engulfed the training ground. When the light subsided, both mages were still standing, their barrier jackets flickering from the strain. They had pushed each other to their limits, testing the boundaries of their power.
"That was an excellent spar, Arc-kun," Nanoha said, extending her hand towards him.
"Thank you, Nanoha-san," Arc replied, accepting her hand. "I learned a lot from you."
The two mages shared a smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they had forged in Riot Force 6. Despite the changes and challenges they had faced, their friendship remained as strong as ever.
(To be continue)