Kizuna, Aine and Grace were walking while covering themselves with cloaks. They were doing that to protect themselves from the sand.
That's because, right now, they were walking through a field of sand. Or maybe you'd rather call it a desert.
Just a while earlier, they had arrived in the world Nayuta said Osiris was in. While they were landing the battleship, Nayuta said.
"I think that it's best if we divide our forces. We don't want to leave the ship defenseless, and it's not like we plan to fight. How about two girls go with Kizuna and the other two stay here in case something happens?"
"That might be a good idea. You all decide who's going and who's staying."
After Reiri said that, the four girls got unexpectedly serious. Kizuna couldn't catch all of it, but it seems they planned to decide it with some game.
Meanwhile, Nayuta called Kizuna to explain about where they were.
"This world is like a big desert, so I prepared some cloaks for you all to cover yourselves. I'll give you a map to help you find Osiris, just like I did with Hokuto. But…"
[There's something strange in this world. We aren't detecting any life signs, just like in Hokuto's world, but… there are signs of "something" being there.]
As Kei typed, Kizuna's mind only thought of one thing.
"Wait, like some kind of zombie?"
"Since we're in the desert, isn't it more like mummies? In any case, once you head out, take care. We're going to hide our presences in this world, call us periodically and just ask if you need us to pick you up."
Nayuta handed Kizuna the map showing where Osiris was. Just like the map she gave for finding Hokuto, it looked like it was made of papyrus. The map gave an idea of the general terrain and have a glowing point showing where the goddess was.
After that, it didn't take long for them to land and Kizuna, along with his partners, Aine and Grace, went looking for the goddess.
True to what Nayuta had said, this world really did look like a desert.
There was nothing but sand no matter where one looked at. There were a few places that looked like they were once oasis, but the plants were dead, only animal bones remained and the water didn't look exactly drinkable.
"Nee-sama, what could have happened here?"
"I don't know. Maybe we're just unlucky and happen to be finding places that are like this, or maybe…"
Although Aine didn't finish saying, both Kizuna and Grace knew what she was going to say. Is this whole world like this?
"In any case, I can see some buildings in the distance, so there's probably a city there. Let's go to that place."
Kizuna said, pointing forward. Grace and Aine really could see buildings in that direction, so there should be people living there.
As they continued onward, there was a sudden sandstorm, almost as if the world itself was telling them to turn back.
They tried to continue at first, but the sandstorm grew too strong. Luckily, there was an abandoned house nearby. The house seemed to be in a reasonably good shape, so they decided to wait for the sandstorm to pass.
Once inside the house, they took off their cloaks. Although they hoped they wouldn't need to fight, they were wearing their pilot suit just in case.
And so, all they could do was wait.
"So, which one?"
"E-even if you ask me that…"
Kizuna and Aine were just killing time talking to each other. Grace was a bit further away and wasn't joining their conversation. Though it's not like she didn't want to.
"H-hum…"
There was something Grace hadn't told anyone. A darkness in her heart, one could say. She felt guilty for what happened during the AU war.
Obviously, she wasn't the only person who felt guilty, but a long time had passed and Grace wasn't getting any better. At this point, everyone seemed to have left the AU war behind, but Grace seemed to be the only one who couldn't do it.
People died. Some lost their friends and relatives, others lost their homes and homelands. All that happened in both worlds during the AU war, and Grace could have easily ended it with some orders.
Granted, she can't be directly blamed for most of these and it's not certain that the war would have stopped even if she tried to, but all that still weighted her heart down.
For a long time, Grace saw the other world as just the enemy, but her sister, Aine, lived in the other world for many years. Grace herself got to meet people from the other world. And there was also Kizuna.
It would be best if she talked about it with someone, but with who? There was Aine and Kizuna right there, but they looked so happy just talking with each other Grace felt like she would just trouble them.
Although they weren't exactly close yet, Grace has been quickly becoming friends with Hayuru and Yurishia, but that also only made her feel guiltier when she learned their stories.
Grace felt like she would burst sooner or later if she kept this hidden, but, at the same time, she didn't know who to talk to.
"Then… Grace?"
"W-what?!"
"H-huh? What are you talking about me, nii-sama, nee-sama?"
"Oh Grace, come, sit here."
Grace sat down beside Kizuna and listened to Aine, who was at Kizuna's other side.
"I was just asking Kizuna if there's anyone he likes, but he insists on not answering. Even though I tell him it's fine if he says he loves me or if he says he loves everyone."
"A-and I keep saying, I never really thought about it, so I don't know for sure… Grace?"
Kizuna looked at Grace, whose face got all red after hearing Aine, but then she said.
"Nii-sama, I'm sorry, but I'm also very curious."
As Grace said, she got her face near Kizuna's, who ended up losing balance and had the back of his head fall right on Aine's lap.
"Well then, Kizuna, why don't you try answering? Depending on the answer, we could maybe do a Connective Hybrid to get ready for a possible battle."
Kizuna looked up towards Aine. Even though her breasts got in the way, he could see her face, and she looked like she'd really do it.
He then looked at Grace. He already knew her pilot suit covered little and he was already accustomed to it, but for some reason it looked especially provocative now. Grace grabbing the little parts it covered while saying "if nii-sama wants to, then I don't mind" while almost taking it off didn't help Kizuna.
But then Aine stopped everything and said.
"I guess I went a little too far with provoking Kizuna. But you really should start thinking about it. I think I've already left that clear during the war, but I like you Kizuna, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. So don't make me start another AU war for you~"
Aine gave Kizuna a wink, showing she was just playing around, but Kizuna really thought she might do it.
And so time passed, with neither Kizuna nor Aine noticing the shadow in Grace's heart.
"The sandstorm is still going strong. It doesn't look like it'll pass until tomorrow."
"Then how about we sleep? It doesn't look like we'll be attacked, so I don't think there's any need to take turns."
They had already checked the house and knew there was a bed there, but there was one problem though.
"W-well, there's only one bed, so you two should sleep and I'll stay here."
"What are you talking about, Kizuna? After all that happened, you can't be embarrassed about this, can you?"
Kizuna didn't know how to answer, so he turned to Grace hoping she would save him.
"Let's all sleep together, nee-sama, nii-sama."
And so Kizuna could only give up.
And of course, when they did lie down to sleep, Kizuna was made to stay between the two sisters, each of them hugging him. Thanks to the feeling of their bodies being pressed against his, some parts more than others, Kizuna surprisingly got one of the best nights of sleep he ever had.
On the next day, the sandstorm subsided as if it had never happened. Almost as if someone had given up on making them go away. Although they found it strange, Kizuna and the girls decided to continue heading towards the city.
They were able to arrive in a few hours, but quickly went into hiding. That's because…
"Nee-sama, these people…"
"They are dead. Well, maybe not completely, but they certainly aren't alive anymore."
The "people" walking around the city were truly like mummies. They were covered in bandages, so Kizuna couldn't see what was "inside", but the smell was strong enough to give it away.
Kizuna did notice that some mummies weren't completely covered and, for better or worse, the corpse inside could be seen, but he decided not to point that out for the girls.
What could have caused this? Kizuna's mind started thinking about the worst possibilities.
"In any case, let's quickly find the goddess. She should be on top of that pyramid."
Since they didn't want to find out if the mummies were hostile or not, the three sneaked around until they reached the pyramid.
Once inside, they headed towards a place that looked like a throne room. And there they met her.
Sitting on the throne was a woman with dark skin, yellow eyes and black hair that goes a little over her shoulders. She wore an Egyptian styled attire, though not much of her body was covered. Kizuna almost turned his gaze away, but figured it would be disrespectful, so he didn't.
Still, seeing a woman with such an attractive body, it took all of Kizuna's might just to control his own imagination.
"It's been a while since I've seen living people in this world. What do you want? Say it quickly."
"Would you be the goddess Osiris? We're sorry to come in like this, but we have something to tell you and would to ask a favor."
"Yes, I am Osiris. And if you are from the worlds Thanatos just recently got, I already know what you're here for and I have my answer. You can leave now, quickly go back to your ship."
They were denied so easily, Kizuna didn't know what to do for a second. Actually, were they denied?
"W-wait. Then at least please listen-"
"Grace?!"
"Leave, now."
Just when Kizuna was about to raise his voice, Koros', Grace's scythe was placed on his neck. Aine was surprised and Osiris warned them again.
"Don't worry, she didn't betray you two. I'm just making her do that with my powers, but I don't plan on harming anyone. Please, just quickly leave this world."
Osiris said that, but Aine got mad. Kizuna noticed and tried to stop her, but wasn't quick enough.
"Zeros!"
Equipped with her Heart Hybrid Gear, Aine passed Kizuna and Grace and aimed straight for Osiris.
"If I beat you, Grace should go back to normal, right?!"
"! Don't!"
Osiris herself tried to warn Aine, but it was too late. A giant mechanical falcon flew in Aine's direction. It hit her and the wall that stopped Aine was shattered.
"Gah!"
Aine coughed blood. The falcon was going to attack again but Osiris said "Horus, stop" and the falcon flew away.
"This isn't good. I have to make sure she … The other one!"
"Aaaa!"
Osiris walked towards Aine so she could check her condition, however, she was surprised by Grace. Grace, who was freed from Osiris' control for a second, rushed straight towards the goddess, who she thought was going to attack her sister.
Surprised, Osiris only opened her eyes as much as she could. Kizuna saw a slight glow for a second and then only saw Grace fall down on the next.
"No. No no, just not that! I'll have to take care of them now."
"Eros!"
Kizuna got ready for combat. He didn't want to and knew he couldn't win, but he wouldn't just let this go.
He felt something burning within himself. It was different from when he faced that man after he did that to Hokuto. At that time, he felt like the "heat" was coming from Eros, but now, he feel like it's coming from himself.
In any case now was not the time to mind that. If this woman posed a danger to Aine and Grace, Kizuna would fight her even if he died because of it.
But then…
"Wait, these girls are important to you right? I'm sorry, but if you want them to live, you'll have to help me."
Osiris put her hands up, as if she was giving up. Seeing this, Kizuna was baffled more than before. But, if she's offering help… Kizuna have to accept it.
