Alicia (2)
Alicia was a Valkyrie from the now-defunct Lorenz Industries. She wasn't just strong; she was a third-generation model designed with synergy for her unique ability in mind. A one-of-a-kind high-end prototype, not some mass-produced knockoff. It took an insane amount of funding just to craft a single one of her cells.
But Alicia was a blatant defective product. She could barely move without crying out in pain. They'd pushed the performance too far, and her body couldn't keep up. Her overwhelmingly powerful unique ability—one she couldn't even handle herself—marked her as a total problem child.
"You goddamn failure! Do you have any idea how much money and time we poured into making you?!"
"Ugh... it, it hurts...!"
"Lorenz Industries should've cracked the top four conglomerates on this project's results alone!"
Maybe it was because she'd sucked up so much investment without delivering. The lab director and researchers abused her openly. They sliced and diced her highly regenerative body, making her bleed day after day. Every moment was a nightmare she couldn't even sleep through.
Alicia had one sole ally in that hell.
"It's okay. You'll be an amazing Valkyrie someday, Alicia."
"Sugar sis..."
"I'll always be right here with you."
She was Sugar, another Valkyrie from the same lab. Unlike Alicia, she'd manifested an ability to heal and enhance other Valkyries. She'd hold Alicia's hand as she sobbed her way back from experiments, curling up together to sleep. In Alicia's daily inferno, Sugar was the only family she could trust.
As long as my big sis is here, I can endure the lab life. Clutching her crumbling heart, Alicia always forced a smile in front of her. Someday, we'll leave this place together, Sugar sis.
But that precious dream vanished like soap bubbles.
One day, the city's barrier wall shattered, and Erosion Species overran the lab. Researchers died one by one in horrific screams. As Alicia and Sugar fled desperately...
"Sorry, Alicia."
"...Huh?"
Sugar shoved her straight into a horde of Erosion Species. Just to buy a few seconds to escape. Alicia, who never dreamed her sister would betray her, plummeted into the monster-filled pit.
The back of the sister she'd called family faded into the distance. Alicia reached out a hand that couldn't bridge the gap.
"Liar..."
Betrayed by the one person she'd believed was family. Her body torn apart by Erosion Species, screaming in agony... Alicia thought quietly.
Sis, why did you abandon me?
Fingers gnawed off. Eyeballs raked by claws. Thigh ripped away. Guts yanked out.
Unable to endure, Alicia unleashed her long-suppressed unique ability in a rampage. Cells burning like roaring flames. She ignited along with the surrounding Erosion Species.
It hurts... Sis. My heart hurts so much...
Yet amid the excruciating pain, she shed tears. More than when her body and innards were devoured. More than when the flames stole even her screams.
The moment Sugar abandoned her hurt worse. So she desperately searched for her own faults.
Because I'm a failure who couldn't meet expectations? Because I was a clingy brat always begging to sleep together?
In her fading consciousness, Alicia reached a conclusion.
Because I'm weak... and in the way.
Being weak was sin enough. She had to get stronger. No choice.
Even after Valkyries arrived at the commotion and rescued her, the thought wouldn't leave her head. So she trained until she vomited blood every day. Tempering her body to withstand her unique ability. Fighting and gaining experience to surpass everyone.
The result? The fastest promotion to A-rank Valkyrie.
But Alicia still felt unfulfilled.
I need to get even stronger. To S-rank, to the absolute strongest...
The day she finally earned recognition and arrived at Valkyrie Central Headquarters, she met Leira for the first time.
"Hello, Alicia. I'm Leira. Looking forward to working with you."
Navy-blue hair, golden eyes. Always serene and composed, beloved by all. Yet with big-sister strictness at times...
Alicia stared blankly, thinking: Ah, this girl... she gives off Sugar sis vibes. A damn hypocrite pretending to be nice.
So Alicia hated Leira. She reminded her of her own weak past. That reason alone was enough.
*
Alicia's unique ability, Flame Realm. Simple in nature: envelop her body and weapon in thousands-of-degrees flames. Boosting physical stats and regeneration too. For a tanker class, no better power existed.
Obviously, Leira stood no chance. Even pre-Flame Realm Alicia was a handful.
A graze would end it instantly—no need for a direct hit.
Yet astonishingly, Leira was holding her own against Flame Realm-activated Alicia.
"Grrraaah! You coward! Stop running!"
"I'm not running. Just tactically repositioning for victory!"
"Shut uuuup!"
Her simple method against the overwhelming disadvantage? Run like hell from the charging Alicia.
Alicia lost her cool easily under Flame Realm. She fell for feints, swinging at air. She already despised Leira. Now, unraveled, she was even more excitable.
Not easy after all... Just a brush and she's ragged.
Leira wasn't unscathed either. Three threat-lightning shots already. A brief flame graze had done real damage. Rolling around left her clothes and body a mess. Especially from solar plexus to navel—her outfit torn wide open.
Alicia paused, catching her breath. She stared at Leira, then yelled in disgust.
"You damn slut!"
"This is your fault!"
Even scheming Leira felt wronged this time. No intent—just the victim of ripped clothes.
This damn brat's hopeless. Someday I'll tie her up and spank that ass raw. Nursing grudges, Leira eyed Alicia's complexion.
As expected. Pre-original timeline, so her body can't handle the ability yet.
Exhaustion plain on her face. Flame Realm traded massive power for stamina drain. A few clashes, and she was hitting empty. Plus, Alicia's monster battle sense—no repeat tricks. Unraveled now, she was arguably weaker than before.
Keep this up, and Leira could seize control.
"Annoying... having to use this on a worthless princess...!"
Alicia, head foggy from blazing flames, sensed it too. At this rate, she'd lose to that worthless princess. Before worsening, end it in one go.
"I have to win...!"
Gripping her axe two-handed, blade raised high. Shoulder flames converged on it. Like hoisting a massive holy banner.
Leira read the intent instantly.
She's going for her skill...!
Grey Valkyries had character-specific skills. Alicia's gathered flames into a Flame Storm—a straight-line ranged AoE dealer.
"Flame Realm... Volcanic Fury!"
Alicia swung the flame-wreathed axe full force. Shattering the arena floor, a flame storm roared toward Leira.
Alicia's all-out strike. Dodge this, and she'd gap wide open.
Leira moved to evade—but squelch. Her foot stuck.
Did the flames melt the floor...?!
Glancing down: shoe glued to molten ground. Alicia's intentional trap.
Leira paled.
Bad... Direct hit's overkill...!
Graze alone would trigger shield. Alicia's resolve to finish here palpable.
No hesitation—Leira gripped her side with her left hand.
"Blue Thunder... Gahk!"
"Wha...!"
Kicking off her shoe, lightning-blasting herself. Drum-like crackle, tumbling to the arena wall.
Pained convulsions, but enough to escape Volcanic Fury's range.
Leaderless storm pulverized the wall, shooting skyward. A-rank Valkyrie's earnest blow overwhelmed even reinforced arena.
Spectators screamed involuntarily.
"L-Leira sunbae... she okay?"
"Arena can't take it—what kinda power is that?!"
"N-Never seen the floor and walls shatter like that..."
Murmurs erupted at the unforeseen escalation.
Alicia ignored it all, eyes only on Leira struggling up.
Click.
Leira's nailgun aimed at her head.
Post-skill, Alicia couldn't move...
A translucent shield deployed before her eyes.
No Valkyrie, tough as Alicia, survives a headshot. Training shield ruled her defeat.
"I... lost..."
Alicia dropped to her knees. Unbelievable—lost to weaker Leira. Like everything she'd chased was wrong.
If I hadn't used the ability, maybe I'd have won. A power I can't control yet. She knew and goaded me.
Pathetic excuses swirled. She had to admit: she was weak. No growth since childhood. Long-avoided fear crashed down.
Gasping raggedly, she stared at the floor.
I hate it... Don't wanna be abandoned again... Sis, Sugar sis, why...
So she missed it. Arena walls and ceiling strained from battle. Debris plummeting right above her.
"Kyaaah!"
"Alicia! Dodge!"
Spectator shouts—too late. Alicia looked up, spotting the falling chunk.
No protective shield now. Head hit could injure badly.
Yet oddly, no will to evade. Wouldn't kill her anyway. Whatever.
Alicia closed her eyes slowly.
Then—thud of someone kicking off.
"Alicia!"
Whoosh.
Warm, soft embrace enveloped her. Jarring impact shook her body.
But strangely painless. Jarring enough to snap her eyes open.
Unbelievable sight before her.
"L-Leira...?"
"Ugh... A-Are you okay?"
Leira there. Forehead split, blood trickling down her cheek.
Realization hit: Leira shielded her, took the hit.
Why do this? Alicia raged.
"Y-You idiot! What the hell?!"
"You... weren't moving..."
"I wouldn't get hurt by crap like this! Pointless!"
"But... I don't like seeing you hurt."
"Wha... What?"
Unfamiliar words. No one but Sugar ever said that.
Of course. Lab rat back then. Strong ever since headquarters. Comfort felt alien.
Idiot... Naive fool...
Now I get it. Leira's not like Sugar.
Then what have I been doing...? Alicia gritted her teeth, head bowed.
Wrapped in fallen debris, like the world held only them. Leira gazed softly.
"We said winner gets one wish, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Let's be friends."
Alicia had no reply. Instead, thunk—head against Leira's chest.
Yet no prior disgust. Just wanted to stay embraced.
Alicia shut her eyes.
Leira smiled warmly at the tamed girl. Stroking her hair like fragile porcelain, she muttered inwardly.
Annoying redhead conquered~ Just gotta take a hit and she melts. Build some favor before meeting the commander.
Alicia's pained face would surely be cute too.
Pure trash thoughts.