Ragna snarled. He'd figured that heading towards the Library headquarters via alleyways would bring him and Tsubaki no obstructions. Instead, he found himself peering around a corner at a lone NOL officer. Just a generic punch-clock soldier with a no-name Armagus, by his appearance. Still, the blue-clad man stood in Ragna's way, and he was not happy about it. Even if half the point of this was to be seen, he wanted to put that off as long as possible. Well, looks like Makoto was wrong about the Library not knowing I'm here. Tsubaki, as per usual, proved more than capable of stifling the building rage with a mere touch. "Calm down. This isn't anything to get worked up over."

"Yeah, you're right." Ragna hefted Blood-Scythe, watching for the perfect moment. "I'm gonna end him."

Tsubaki nodded, paling. "If you must..."

A moment later, when the oblivious soldier's back was turned, Ragna darted around the corner. The soldier had just enough time to turn his head around. Then a massive blade crushed him against the brick wall, destroying the minimal protection of his uniform and cleaving through his midsection. As he fell to the ground bisected, Ragna thrust Blood-Scythe through his face, sparing him a slow death. With gore sopping under his feet, Ragna turned back to Tsubaki. Covering her mouth in an attempt to hold back her nausea, she dropped to her knees. "That's... I... God..."

After strapping his sword across his back, Ragna walked over to kneel next to the sickened girl, his turn to comfort her. Clasping her shoulder, he said, "You gonna be alright? 'Cause, if you can't handle this..."

"I'll be fine." Tsubaki shook her head and removed her hand from over her mouth. Willpower won out over revulsion. "I've... I've just never..."

"Seen someone die like that?"

She nodded and he embraced her, bringing forth a smile. "I knew full well, even back when I first entered the academy, what leading this kind of life would entail. I'm sorry, but just how quick and violent that was... well, I suppose I'll get used to it."

"Yeah, you will." Ragna lifted Tsubaki back to her feet. "You'll get far more used to it than you'd ever want to. Trust me."

"I do." Casting her gaze away from the corpse, she and Ragna continued down the alley. The Kazamotsu Librarium branch lay in plain sight; thankfully, there seemed to be little in the way of security. Still queasy, she nudged Ragna. "Um... is the security for these branches always like this?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Kinda why I was surprised that we actually ran into that bastard; Library likes to station their troops just past their 'Anti-Beast Field' or whatever the hell they call it. Convenient, if you ask me; makes it a lot easier to slaughter 'em all at once."

"Can you please not talk like that?" To his surprise, Tsubaki glared at him. "Even if they are our enemies, I really don't wanna hear you talk about slaughtering soldiers who believe they are fighting for a just cause."

"'Just cause'?" Ragna rolled his eyes as they approached the branch's entrance. "These guys are dead loyal to the biggest jackass this world's ever known-"

"And so was I, until I met you. They have no idea just how corrupt the Library's head is. As far as they know, they're the ones fighting for peace. I understand that there will be casualties, but..."

"Every one of these bastards would kill you first chance they got. I ain't gonna let them get a shot at that."

"I have no problems with you fighting those trying to kill us. However, I've heard reports that you don't grant mercy even to those trying to flee. I'd-"

"Yeah, they're cowardly Library dogs. Why the hell should I give 'em a chance to bring more soldiers?" At her glare, he sighed. "Okay, fine. How's this; anyone that gets in my way dies, but I'll spare anyone trying to run."

She smiled at him, gripping Izayoi tighter as they drew near the open gate. "Thanks."

"Sure."

As they reached the entrance, a cadre of soldiers inside the branch came into view. Two pike-men, eight swordsmen. Piece of cake.From somewhere above his head, a voice sounded via radio. "Halt, Ragna the Bloodedge! Lay down your weapon. You are under arrest."

Ragna cracked a grin and took a defiant step forward into the archway. Energy buzzed around him as he raised his right hand, a choice finger held up and pointed at the waiting soldiers. Idiots think their barrier bullshit's actually gonna work? His grimoire glowed, and the energy around him died. The soldiers bristled, but seemed too afraid to make a move. After waiting for Tsubaki to come to his side, he said, "Okay, spear guys are gonna extend their weapons at us, half the swordsmen are gonna stay back to protect 'em and the rest are gonna charge. Ready?"

"Not really, but I don't think I'll ever be closer than I am now."

Teeth shone as his smirk grew into a feral grin. "Then let's do this."

Without another word, he dashed towards the quaking men. Despite appearing to be well out of range, the pike-men stabbed at him. The spears extended and widened, too fast and too large for a normal man to dodge. Ragna had no issues blocking one while jumping to the side of the other, snarling as four of the swordsmen charged. A moment later, Tsubaki jetted by, leading with her shield and coated with light. She slammed into one of the pike-men and slit his throat. Behind her, Ragna came to a halt and punched at the oncoming soldiers. The great head of a dark beast rose from the ground, its corrosive energies stunning them and draining their vitality. They had no time to do anything else before Blood-Scythe finished them.

Sending her shield off to the side to block a sword slash, Tsubaki stabbed the second spear wielder in the chest before delivering a wide cut to clear away the oncoming swordsmen. They fell back, and she sensed someone coming in from behind. A quick glance behind her told her that yes, the two that had charged and not been slaughtered by Ragna were bearing down on her. Her hovering book slammed into one and unleashed a seal of light, holding him captive for a moment before Ragna removed his head. The second soldier failed to anticipate her sword extending and segmenting into a virtual whip; it tangled around him, slashing him into submission when she pulled it taut. An angel wing jutted out of her back to keep the others at bay. Blood-Scythe ended the whip-sword victim a moment later, and Ragna smirked at the last four. "Well? You guys wanna run? We might let you."

The remaining soldiers stared at the remains of their comrades. Bleached of all color, shaking and nauseous, they turned as one and fled. Ragna chuckled as they vanished down separate hallways. "So... how many'd you get?"

She glowered at him; it provided a good excuse to look away from the gore. "I refuse to treat this as a body count competition, especially considering I gave you my thoughts on killing these people already. Can we just move on, please?"

His smile fading, Ragna nodded. Note to self; girlfriend does not like this shit. "Right, sorry. Won't happen again. Although, there's usually a lot more than that; I guess they're planning on throwing everything at us on the way out now. Guess killing the Grim Reaper is more important than protecting their base for these bastards."

"Considering that soldiers are no doubt inbound from the rest of Ikaruga as we speak, probably."

"Alright, we gotta do this fast then. Follow me."

As he tried to speed off, Tsubaki caught his wrist. "Hold on a moment, I need to do something."

"Oh. Right. Go ahead, Tsu."

She took out her phone and dialed for Makoto. "Hey, Makoto? We're in."

Standing outside of the Wadatsumi Librarium branch, Makoto smirked. "Hey, Noel! It's time to go!"

"A-alright..." As she rose to her feet, Noel cast a furtive glance at the bag slung over her shoulder. On the surface, the wafer-thin devices looked like simple information drives. In reality, just one had the explosive power to scorch a city block. Two dozen of these bombs were overkill, courtesy of Kokonoe. "I... I think I can do this."

"Course you can. It'll be fine."

They approached the entrance, and a voice buzzed from a radio. "Halt. Identify yourselves."

"Private Makoto Nanaya of Intelligence and Lieutenant Noel Vermillion of the ground forces." At Makoto's words, Noel twitched. Why is she using our real names? We're wanted, aren't we? The beastkin went on with zero regard for her friend. "We have uncovered information regarding the SS criminal Ragna the Bloodedge and the traitor Tsubaki Yayoi. If at all possible, we'd like to meet with a superior to pass this information on."

A moment of silence. "...Very well. We will lower the security field for your entry. A soldier will escort you to the office of the local Intelligence captain. You may enter."

"Thank you very much."

Makoto and a nervous Noel entered the lobby, where they were greeted with a several minute wait for their escort. Finally, a young man in the blue of the NOL's ground corps approached them. "Private Nanaya and Lieutenant Vermillion? Warrant officer Murray. I will be your escort."

"Alright, cool." As they followed him, Makoto drew as close to him as she could. It would be best to keep him off guard. "So, doing anything after your shift?"

While the man stuttered, she pressed a button hidden in her uniform.

Having received Makoto's signal, Tager stared down the dozens of soldiers guarding the power generator, their weapons drawn. Scanning, analyzing, waiting for them to make the first move. They would not, of course; no one with a gram of sanity would try to rush down Sector Seven's Red Devil. He trudged forward, magnetic energy building up in his massive gauntlets. Once he was close enough—ten meters, by his approximation—the soldiers finally broke rank; half of them charged. I'm sorry, but I have my orders. No survivors. Tager drew a crackling fist back. "Magna Tech Wheel!"

He lunged forward and spun, an electric whirl and fist slam that ripped the first soldiers apart. The message was clear; to approach him would be to die. Of course, they had no reason to expect a blast of electricity to fly forth from him. The spark proved nonlethal on its own; however, those tagged by its magnetic resonance found themselves pulled towards the behemoth as he lunged forward, arms slashing to create a brief blade of energy. Those struck by it were the fortunate ones; two others were crushed as he brought his fists down, shattering them as though they were glass. One of the charging soldiers remained, desperate to rejoin those who had held their ground. Tager's orders couldn't allow for that. He extended a hand, relying on his magnetism to pull the unfortunate soul into his mitt. Once his screaming target was secured, Tager bounded into the air and smashed him into the earth.

Those remaining stared in fright, half their force having been obliterated in less than a minute. Their numbers were nothing before the might of the Red Devil.

"Are you sure? I mean, you said you aren't doing anything after your shift..."

The soldier, whose name Makoto had already forgotten, shook his head. "This is inappropriate, Private Nanaya. I command you to..."

With no warning, the lights cut out. Their escort had enough to time to acknowledge the fact he couldn't see a thing before Makoto unloaded a tonfa-enforced uppercut to his chin. The force of the blow shattered his jaw and launched him into the ceiling, cracking it. As he tumbled down with debris, Noel gave a shriek. "Ma-Makoto! Why'd you-"

"We can't exactly have him hanging around." Her Beastkin eyes adjusting to the darkness in moments, she asked, "So, remember the way to the Cauldron?"

"Yeah... um, Makoto?"

"Hm?"

"How come we were able to just walk in like that? I mean, we're wanted criminals..."

"I... kinda hacked their networks earlier. Erased the whole 'we're criminals' thing from their database, even if it is only temporarily, and we're not exactly as notorious as Ragna. So, they had no reason not to let us in." She gave Noel, stunned into silence by her friend's actions, a shove. "Well, anyways, we can't just stand here and talk, so get going! Power's not gonna be out all day!"

Noel nodded, although she did not want to go through with her mission. Not in the least. Still...I have to do this... "Right. S-see you later, Makoto."

They raced off in opposite directions.

"No way. Luna isn't doing that."

Bang slouched over at Platinum's defiance, hands slipping from his hips to hang limp at his sides. "Surely you're joking. This is a vital part of your shinobi training!"

"Um… it doesn't seem very vital to me…" As Sena took over, Platinum sat up out of her slouch and wiped sweat from her brow. An instant later, Luna seized control of the shared body once more. "And Luna doesn't wanna be your disciple anyways, you buffoon. Sena doesn't either, so stop bothering us with this crap already. We've been 'training' all day."

After a moment, Bang straightened up and crossed his arms with a sigh. Taokaka had followed his regimen without a second thought. And though he did so with great reluctance, Carl had done as Bang instructed without questioning it. But this Platinum… "Very well. I suppose we have been at this for some time now. Perhaps a meal of sorts is in order. Come with me!"

"Huh?" Platinum's head snapped up. "Are you going to buy us lunch here?"

"Of course! What kind of master would I be if I allowed my disciples to starve? Come, let us-"

"Mister Bang? Is that you?"

A child's voice startled Bang; he stifled his surprise in an instant and turned around. "Yes, it is I, the one and only… Master Carl? What brings you here?"

"I'm… looking for someone." Carl, with Nirvana right behind him, stepped towards Bang and paid no mind to Platinum's gawking. "You wouldn't happen to know where-"

"Hey, Bang! Who's the freaky midget?" Platinum sprinted right up to Carl, glaring first at him and then the oversized marionette. "And… and is that the Nirvana? What the hell is it doing here?"

Carl's blue eyes glittered with menace at her words. "Do not call my sister that. It's not her name."

"Your sister?" Platinum stepped away from the boy, eye twitching. "Bang, get the crazy kid away from Luna. It might be contagious."

"I assure you, Carl is perfectly sane; that doll is indeed his sister, Ada." Bang prepared himself to break up any sort of scuffle between his 'disciples'. "I must apologize for Luna's… I mean, Platinum's behavior, Master Carl."

"She's like that with everyone." Sena's words brought a squawk of surprise from Carl. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Sena. Me and Luna kinda share this body."

"I… see." Shaking off his confusion, Carl smiled and extended a hand. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Carl Clover."

"Whatever. That thing's really your sister, then?" Ignoring the offered handshake, Platinum stared up into Nirvana's blank face. "Freakin' weird. Oh well, Luna and Sena aren't exactly normal, either. So, gonna tell us who you're looking for?"

"Oh, right. There are a few people, actually. I'll take it neither of you know where my father, Relius Clover, is?"

"That guy's your father?" Dumbstruck, Platinum looked over at Nirvana. So that's how shorty's sister wound up as Nirvana. Damn nutso freak. "Master Jubei said he was in Kagutsuchi a while ago, but he's probably moved on."

"Yes, he has. Miss Rachel informed me he should be in Ikaruga. Would you happen to know anything, Mister Bang?"

Bang shook his head. "I'm afraid I do not know this 'Relius'."

"Very well, then. May I ask if you know the whereabouts of Ragna the Bloodedge or Tsubaki Yayoi, then?"

"M-Miss Tsubaki?" Bang shook his head. "I do not know where either of them are. However, I can tell you that the two were traveling together some time ago."

Carl frowned. "So, Miss Tsubaki is in league with Ragna..."

"You worry that she has been corrupted by him?" Bang chuckled. "Then allow me to put your fears at ease; they were merely traveling together to bring Taokaka to a hospital! I am certain Tsubaki had nothing to do with that dastardly villain after that; a woman who believes so strongly in justice as her-"

"Went and made out with him a few days later."

"Wha?"

Platinum grinned as Bang nearly fell over at her words. "Seriously. Luna walked in on them sucking face. It was disgusting. So yeah. Totally an item now. She has no damn taste at all."

"Miss Tsubaki... has fallen in love with the Grim Reaper?" Snarling, Bang clenched his fists. "Impossible. To think that one as devoted to justice as her has been poisoned by that vile man... or was she tricking me to avoid her own fate? Either way, I, Bang Shishigami, will not abide by this! I swear I shall bring both to the..."

Words, a memory, came back to him. So, you attack people, even if you have no proof of wrongdoing. You're no more a hero than the criminals you hunt. After remaining still for several moments, he crossed his arms and chuckled. "No. I told her I would take her words to heart, and I am a man of my word. There must be a reason for their comradeship; I will not assume the worst just yet. I will only act if-"

"Will stop rambling nonsense, you geezer?" Platinum clutched her head. "You're giving Luna a headache."

"Well, um..." More than a bit disconcerted by Bang, Carl took a step forward and bowed his head. "Thank you very much for your help, Mister Bang. Let's go, sis."

"Wait, Master Carl!" As the boy turned to leave, Bang sprinted after him and grabbed his shoulder. "I was thinking you could help me with my training. It is likely we would travel through Ikaruga in search of the son of my late Lord Tenjou; there's a chance we could find your father."

"Um... your training? Aren't you usually the one training me?"

"Well, yes. I suppose. However, Platinum has informed me that I possess a Nox Nyctores."

Carl's eyes widened. "You... you have a Nox Nyctores, Mister Bang? Um, if you don't mind, could I borrow it? I promise I'd give it back."

Platinum stepped towards him, gripping her staff. "Are you crazy, short stuff? Why should the old man let you use Rettenjou?"

Behind Carl, Nirvana shifted, spikes edging out of her hands. "I... can't tell you. I just really need it for something important."

"Of course you could borrow it, my cute disciple!" Bang grinned down at him. "I see no reason not to trust you. There is just one problem, however."

"And what might that be?"

"We... don't actually know what the Nox is. As soon as we solve that problem, however, you may use it."

"I see." Carl turned around. "Well then, I will join you in your training, Mister Bang."

Ada... we may have found a way...

"Out of the question, Terumi."

Hazama put on a look of false sadness. "Aww… why not, Relius? I mean, there's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned slaughter now, is there?"

"That is not the reason you will not join us in Ikaruga." Relius sauntered over to a glass tank. Inside, a naked girl floated in some manner of liquid, horrendous gashes crisscrossing her body. The remains of the 13th Murakumo Unit in a state of regeneration. "At the moment, you are a liability should the Beast make his presence known in Yabiko; your role in this play must diminish."

"Pfft. You're telling me I can't do shit because of Rags?" Chuckling, Hazama went to stand beside the taller man, staring at the white haired girl with hungry eyes. "Piece of shit got lucky. Next time-"

"I find it highly unlikely you could solve the Idea Engine. As long as the Beast has such a weapon, you cannot hope to defeat him."

"Whatever. I'm not missing a chance to carve people up." He smirked at Relius. "Aw, but you get dissect them, don't you? Now how is-"

"You will defer to me from here on out, Terumi." Relius looked away from the Murakumo to glare at Hazama. "Your… follies in Kagutsuchi very nearly brought ruin to our plans, even though they could have been undone by the continuum shift. Your methods are far too chaotic."

"Yes, because you need to be rational to kill-"

"We cannot predict the outcome of the Ikaruga experiment. You are too vital to the unfurling of this plan to risk losing you to the Beast. This empty shell… Ikaruga will provide the ideal testing grounds for her."

"Hm? That doll is heading to Ikaruga, while I get to rot in here in Ookoto?"

"Yes. This discussion is over. Should the 13th Prime Field Device perform acceptably in Yabiko, we shall move on to the next stage of Ter-"

"Captain Hazama?" A blue-clad soldier entered, forcing Relius to fall silent. "Ragna the Bloodedge is attacking the Kazamotsu Librarium branch as we speak. Also, there are reports of a total power outage in Wadatsumi. However, we find it doubtful that the incidents…"

"That's good enough." Hazama smirked at Relius. "Well, guess I'm gonna get some action after all."

"I cannot allow you to fight the Beast, Terumi. Have you not heard-"

"Oh, don't worry; I left a special someone in Kazamotsu just for Raggy and especially for his girlfriend. I just wish I could see her freeze up at fighting one of her heroes. No, I've got better plans… oh, by the way."

The messenger shivered when he saw Hazama's snake-like eyes. "Y-yes, Captain Hazama?"

"I think you heard a bit too much. So let's play a little game." Hazama snickered as he drew a knife, reveling in the soldier's building terror. "Can you outrun the chain? Let's find out!"

Makoto stared at the steel door before her. While most of the Intelligence department had cleared out in the chaos of the blackout, the local captain had sealed himself in his office. Damn it, of course the only one that really matters has to be paranoid. Oh well, can't be helped. After taking a step back, she clashed her tonfas together, grinding them like flints. A sphere of energy formed between them, and she punched it before it could fade away. The ball launched forward like a comet into the door, blasting it off its hinges. The man inside didn't even have time to look up before the door plowed into his head, slamming him to the ground. Makoto cocked her head. "Huh. That works."

She tiptoed into the office to search. Within in five minutes, she had what she was looking for. Her eyes narrowed as she read the file. "So... Yabiko's the target, huh?"

"Okay, right next… I think…" Noel meandered her way through the labyrinthine halls as soldiers pushed by her, too set on fixing the blackout to bother wondering about her. After she pushed through what felt like the thousandth door since splitting up with Makoto, her eyes lit up. "There it is. I… I can do this…"

Thinking back to the bombs in her bag, she took a step towards the waiting elevator. And then a thought struck her, and she was left wondering how such an obvious flaw in the plan went overlooked. Taking out her radio, she dialed and said, "Um… Makoto? How am I supposed to get to the Cauldron with the power out?"

"What do you mean, Noel?" Makoto failed to drown out the sound of crumpling paper. "Please don't tell me you're too scared to go through with this."

"No, that's not it at all. There's an elevator to the Cauldron, and… well…"

"You and Ragna said nothing about an elevator."

"S-Sorry! It totally slipped my mind!"

Makoto sighed. "Okay, how's this. Blow up the elevator and jump down the shaft."

"Eh? No! I'd die!"

"Nah, I'm pretty sure you'd survive. It can't be that long a drop."

"I-I'm pretty sure it is. And how would I get back up?"

"Just use a hover Ars."

"Uh… Makoto? Only the Air Corps know how to use those. And besides, hovering isn't the same thing as flying."

"Oh, right. Crap. Well, guess we're screwed then."

"U-um… what should I do?"

"Set a few bombs around the elevator. Head back to the entrance. Spread out the rest of the bombs on the way back; if we can't destroy the Cauldron, we should at least destroy as much of the branch as we can. Set them on remote, not timer, unless you want us to be caught in the blast as well. Think you can do that?"

"…I… I g-guess so…"

"All right, cool. Meet you back at the entrance, Noelly."

Nodding, Noel shut off her radio and crouched at the edge of the elevator. As she slipped one of her explosives into the gap between the metal platform and the wall, she shivered. I have a really, really bad feeling about this…

"This is seriously starting to creep me out, Ragna." Tsubaki cast nervous glances to either side as she followed Ragna. "There's no one here. At all, besides those soldiers earlier. This isn't right."

"Yeah, I know. They're probably waiting outside for us to finish. Just shows how screwed up their priorities are." They passed through an archway into a brilliant white room. With no warning, a fireball flew out from behind a pillar. Ragna's eyes widened. "The hell?"

He slashed at the blaze with Blood-Scythe, dispersing it but singeing his gloves in the process. From behind the column, a dark figure floated towards them. A ring of revolving flames sprouted around Phantom and Tsubaki readied Izayoi. "Nine. Jubei should be the one to free you from whatever Relius did."

"But as long as you're coming after us, guess we get to do the honors!" Ragna charged at the specter; the flames around her expanded, engulfing him for a moment. Embers falling around him, Ragna dropped to his knees, growling. "Ain't gonna work twice, bitch! Eat this!"

The power of the Azure, in the form of a serpentine head, rose up from the ground. It fell well short of its target, who retaliated with a white streak of lightning. As Ragna cried out and gripped his shoulder, Tsubaki took to the air. Counting on her weapon to keep her aloft long enough, she descended upon Phantom with wings unfurling from her book. The dark figure vanished, teleporting to the other end of the room in instant. The blazing circle came to life once more and Tsubaki raised her shield. "Have any ideas, Ragna?"

"Tch. Yeah right. That damn fire ring's gonna keep us from getting close enough to actually hit her." Nonetheless, he took to his feet, Blood-Scythe readied. "Don't mean I ain't gonna try, though. Carnage Scissors!"

He rocketed forward, a blur of black. Tsubaki fought the urge to grab her forehead as the river of fire blew him to the side in flames. After rolling over to put out the flames, he launched himself again, an aerial strike in an attempt to get over the burning wall. A fireball flew from Phantom, and he skittered over to Tsubaki's feet. "God… dammit… Restriction 66-"

"Don't even think about that, Ragna." Tsubaki pulled him to his feet as her shield blocked an incoming fireball. "I'll send her your way; you'll know what to do."

"Huh? The hell are…" Ragna trailed off as Tsubaki, paying no mind to him, darted towards Phantom, passing to her left at great speed. The phantasm whirled around to toss a fireball in Tsubaki's direction. After ducking it, Tsubaki dashed forward. Her shield hovered to her left, blocking the rotating flames enough for her to slip by for a slash across Phantom's chest. She followed it up with a powerful cut that sent Phantom bouncing towards Ragna. As soon as she was close enough, Ragna roared and launched skyward, Blood-Scythe dragging her with him. At the apex of his bound, he delivered as strong a punch as he could, sending her back to Tsubaki. The hovering book-shield slammed into Phantom, holding her in place with an energy matrix as Tsubaki hurled a mass of light at her. She twitched in the attack's burning grip and warped away the moment it ended. Ragna sprinted over to Tsubaki's side, preparing for whatever Phantom threw at them next. "Gotta say, your theoretical ideas work out pretty damn nicely."

"Thanks, but now's not the time." Across from them, Phantom hovered replete of swirling flames. Seals flashed around her, and Ragna and Tsubaki braced themselves. Once the seals stopped, Ragna dared to glance around. Nothing had happened, as far as he could tell…

Without warning, Tsubaki shrieked and fell to her knees. He tried to reach out, grab her shoulder, ask her what was wrong… he couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Aching pain erupted in his head and right arm, and his hand twisted into a great claw. Against his will, it stretched out for Tsubaki, dark energies flowing from it. He tried to yell out something, anything, but no part of him was under his command any more. As the rest of his body turned black and a crimson veil coated his vision, the claw gripped her, squeezed…

"Ragna! Snap out of it!"

In an instant, his surroundings were completely different. Marble statues lined a forest green hallway and he was gazing up at the ceiling, a warm grip holding him in place. He twisted his head, mercifully under his control again, to see Tsubaki. Unharmed, but looking like she was about to cry. Scorch marks marred her crimson jacket. Pain stabbed into his head, and he gripped his temple. "What… what the hell just…"

"You… you were caught by Nine's illusions. An attempt to shatter your mind by showing your deepest fears" After lowering him to the ground, she hugged him tight, tears leaking out. "I was, too, but I managed to break free of them. You, on the other hand…"

"Had no idea what the hell was going on." Feeling weak, he leaned on her. "Don't tell me what you saw; if it's anything like what she did to me…"

"I have no intention of recounting that." She pulled both herself and Ragna to their feet. "Come on, we need to get out of here before Nine catches up; there's no way we can destroy the Cauldron with her guarding it."

"Huh?" Ragna did not resist as Tsubaki took him by the hand and pulled him along. "What happened, anyways?"

"I stood by you to block any attempts Nine made to kill you, but as soon as I realized you weren't breaking out of her spell anytime soon…" Her pace slowed. "I… used Izayoi to blind her so we could escape."

"…Hell. You alright?"

"My sight's still fine, if that's what you mean. Any more use of it like that and… well, I'm not sure. I'll only use it when absolutely necessary."

"Good."

As they approached the arched entryway to the branch, they slowed down further. Waiting outside were legions of blue and green uniforms. And hovering in the sky, sleek and metallic ships bearing the crest of the NOL Air Corps waited, weapons trained on the entrance of the branch. Ragna's eyes widened as, for the time in his life, he felt terror at the hordes of Library dogs waiting to get a bite out of him. Shebalves? They're actually sending Shebalves after us? Shit …

"Ragna the Bloodedge. Tsubaki Yayoi." The same voice as before rang out. "You have no hope of victory. Surrender now and you will at least be given a trial."

As he felt Tsubaki's terrified eyes turn to him, he forced a chuckle and stepped forward. "Bring it on, you sons of bitches!"

A/N: For anyone worried about having trouble keeping track of who's in what city, don't worry; pretty much everyone's going to end up in the same place fairly soon.