Jin gasped when he saw Noel. Somehow, in the fog of his mind, the memory of that particular face shone like a beacon. He couldn't explain it; the only event prior to waking up in Hazama's office, dazed, was his brother. No, wait. There had been a girl there that day, too. He couldn't recall her appearance, but… "You… you said your name is Noel, right?"
Noel shrank away from the intensity of his emerald stare. "Y-yes. I am…"
"Who the hell am I?"
"Huh?"
Jin sighed, loosening his grip on Yukianesa. "I remember nothing besides my brother. But your face… you must have been someone important to me, so you must know who I am supposed to be. Tell me everything."
"W-well…" Trembling under his cold gaze, Noel still stepped towards him. "Where should I start?"
After several moments of thought, he said, "There were two women at the Kagutsuchi Librarium branch who knew me. Who were they?"
"Makoto and Tsubaki?" Her heart clenched at his words. He doesn't even remember his closest friend? "Um, well… you went to the military academy with me, Tsubaki and Makoto. You were never really that close to me or Makoto, but Tsubaki…"
He closed his downcast eyes. "She was a friend, huh…"
"From childhood. You were very close; in fact, you were practically a couple for a while..."
"I see…" He growled, hatred towards Hazama building up as volcanic pressure. He claims to have removed everything unnecessary, but to steal that from me… "Very well. Now, what do I have to do with Ikaruga?"
"Eh?" Bolverk almost fell from her grip. "You… you don't remember that? You ended the war by yourself!"
"The… war?" He shook his head. "I don't… Tell me everything. Now."
"…Y-yes, of course." He has total amnesia… "U-um…well, Ikaruga rebelled against the Library, and there was a war… and, um, you were sent in straight from the academy. You… ended the war in three days."
"Singlehandedly?" Jin snorted. "That's impossible. There's no way in hell I could do that."
"That's… that's what all the press releases said… that you killed the leader of the Ikaruga Federation… they called you the Hero of Ikaruga."
Jin turned around. "Thank you, Noel. I have to speak with Captain Hazama."
"Huh? J-Jin!" It was no use; he stormed away as though he hadn't heard her. She raced after him. "Jin, wait… huh?"
A feeling from Bolverk was the only warning she received before a storm of iron descended upon her. Noel flung herself to the side, taking several shuriken to the back and crying out. Jin whipped around, drawing his katana. "Who's there? Show yourself, coward."
From somewhere within the nearby houses, a voice spoke. "We are the vengeful spirits of Ikaruga. You have sullied sacred ground with your presence, Jin Kisaragi, and we will haunt you and the rest of the Library until you leave or perish."
"Hmph. A cowardly man, claiming to be a demon?" Jin snickered, having pinpointed the voice. He placed his blade against the nearest building. "Die."
Frost exuded from Yukianesa's edge, coating the building. Screams sounded from within and a group of men, cloaked in black and wearing demonic masks, tried to flee. Jin smirked as one failed to escape in time. The ice reached him and in moments he was as a statue. The masked ninjas didn't have time to recuperate. Jin flew towards them on an ice sheet, slicing one's neck as he landed. As Jin downed another with a hack, the last ninja turned to Noel and charged. "My death will not be in vain. Die, child of the Library!"
Before he could even draw his knife, Noel stood up and fired an explosive blast, downing him. Jin finished him a moment later. Clutching her side, Noel nodded at him. "Th-thank you, Jin…"
His eyes narrowed and he turned around. "They believe you're with the Librarium. I suggest you find a change of clothing if you don't want these guerrillas to attack you."
"Wait! Why did you help me? I mean, we're technically enemies…"
He paused. "You are my strongest link to who I was. I can't allow you to die just yet. I hope we meet again, Noel."
She could only watch him disappear around a corner.
Ragna just stared ahead at the church. There's no way in hell she just did this. No. Fucking. Way. "Nu. What the hell are you doing?"
"Huh? Nu, like, needs to talk to Ragna. It's, like, super-important." Nu's shadow appeared in the ruins. "Or… is this a bad time again?"
"You could say that. Kinda in the middle of a Library invasion here. Helping people not get slaughtered and all that shit."
Silence fell upon the ashy field. Nu shifted, uncomfortable. "Oh my God, that's, like… sorry. Nu didn't know."
After a moment, he sighed, annoyed with himself for directing anger at Nu. Of course she wouldn't have known; doesn't seem like she knows any of what goes on outside of this little hellhole. "It's fine, Nu. Just… you have got to have the worst timing imaginable."
Ragna chuckled and gave her a reassuring smile. "Alright, what do you need to talk about so bad?"
"Oh! Nu's body is, like, really, really close. I mean, I think it's in the same city as Ragna." A pause. "But… if Ragna can't do it right now, that's fine. Nu understands."
"…I'll try, alright? Just 'cause it's in the same city as me don't mean I'll find it, and… well, I'd rather not look for it. 'Cause, you know…"
"Nu understands." She pointed to her left. "Oh, by the way, Nu's body's that way."
Ragna gave her a bemused stare, although he had no idea if she could see his face. "That does me no good in here, you know."
"…Sorry."
"It's fine, you don't gotta apologize. Still, if there was some way you could talk to me without knocking me out…"
"Sorry, Nu can only talk to you like this." She sighed. "Well, that's, like, all Nu had to say. Nu will let Ragna go now."
"Alright. Just… unless it's really important, don't pull this for the next couple hours, kay? Well, see ya."
"Bye, Ragna!" At those jovial words, whiteness blanketed Ragna as he returned to reality. In the strange hell contained within his grimoire, Nu smiled to herself.
With a groan, Ragna shook his head and opened his eyes. He found his arms slung over the shoulders of two men, Tsubaki leading them through bloodstained streets. Smoke rose just beyond the structures to his right, accompanied by the scent of fire. "Huh? The hell?"
Tsubaki turned at his voice. "Glad to see you're with us again. I'll take it that was Nu?"
"Yeah." As the men set him on his feet, he glanced around. When he'd collapsed, there had only been about twelve people to guard. Their numbers had swelled to over thirty in the interim. "Damn, Tsu, you've been busy, haven't you?"
"You could say that." Resuming her march, Tsubaki held a radio up to her lips. "Rachel, Ragna's awake. Should we continue in this direction, or…?"
"The fool has awakened?" Rachel's voice was marred by static, but irritated Ragna nonetheless. "Hm… I do not believe our plans should change. Gii has just reconfirmed his report of a cluster of survivors just east of your location. I suggest you reach them posthaste; they seem armed, but only capable of guerrilla tactics, as with the rest of this city's, ahem, 'shinobi'. Should they encounter a Librarium force…"
"I understand." As she lowered her radio, she glanced at Ragna's confused expression. "Rachel is guiding our path out of here by having Gii scout ahead and find survivors. The citizens of Yabiko have begun a counter-attack of sorts with guerrilla strikes; I just hope Makoto and Noel don't get attacked by them."
"Why would they… oh yeah. Their uniforms." He shook his head. "So, anyone in our circus troupe know how to fight?"
He glanced at the masses tailing them, but they seemed content to allow Tsubaki to answer for them. "We have a few. They're mostly staying out of sight and acting as a rear guard. Well, we should be almost there… strange, though. I don't hear anything…"
Ragna nodded, apprehension gnawing at his gut. Why am I feeling dread? It's only been a couple minutes… Ahead of him, Tsubaki turned around a corner and gasped. Several hurried steps later, he gazed upon what had ended her march. The bodies of the group Gii had reported were strewn around, all dismembered to some degree. Standing in the middle of the massacre was a dark-clothed man all too familiar to the couple.
Hazama sheathed his blood-drenched knives as he turned to them. "Raggy! Miss Garbage! It's been so long! Like my welcome present?"
Litchi swept low, a sliding kick at Tager's legs to trip the behemoth. With a grunt, Tager blocked the blow with his great arms; there was far more force behind the attack than one would assume from the doctor's frame. Far more than Tager had ever noticed from her before. "Still siphoning power from the Boundary, I see."
"Hah!" After flipping around for an overhead kick to his face, she landed and summoned her staff to return. The whirling stick smashed into Tager's back before flying around him into its owner's hands. Matenbou orbited her body twice and she sent it in a straight line at his chest. "You know I can't control my corruption."
"Can't control it, or just don't want to control it?" Tager blocked another low sweep; his nigh limitless patience was certain to give him an opening eventually. As the staff spun around fast enough to appear as a solid circle and rose, he met her lunging punch with a magnetically-charged fist of his own. "Either way, Kokonoe can still help you. Just come back with me."
"I'm sorry, but I can't abandon Lotte." Feeling the pull of his magnetic trace, Litchi feigned a high strike before spinning her staff at Tager's legs, dropping him to his knees. Time granted to her, she jumped back before he could get up. Can't get close to him until this wears off… She stabbed at him with her rod, keeping him from any sort of advance. "And I doubt the professor can cure me, if she even wanted to."
With a grunt, Tager lunged forward, both arms slashing at Litchi. His trace drew his target closer. Matenbou blocked the spark of energy from between the metal gauntlets, but Litchi felt panic overwhelm her as Tager reached for her with a massive hand. Stepping back, she thrust her staff into his palm to avoid his deadly grip. However, as soon as she tried to jump away, his other hand went up, sparking with its magnetic pull. It drew her in and she had no time to brace herself before the brutal slam against concrete. As he stood over her, he pointed a finger at her prone body and forced her back to her feet. Her glasses cracked from the slam, she shook her head and charged forward to plant Matenbou against his stomach. "You held back there."
"I'm not about to kill you." Tager tried to grab her again. After jumping away from his hand, she grabbed and spun around once on her pole before launching herself at him for a kick to his head. Upon landing, she lunged low to sweep him off his feet, brought him into the air with a rising kick and flipped around with enough force to throw the giant to the street. She clutched her side afterwards; even with the Boundary's power, kicking Tager around like that was agonizing. As soon as he rose, he fired a sphere of electricity, too fast for Litchi to dodge. It left her stunned long enough for Tager to draw her into his mitt. "It's over, Litchi."
He bounded skyward… "I think not, you mechanical monster!"
Something slammed into Tager from behind. In surprise, he relinquished his grip on Litchi. They both skittered to the ground and turned to see the newcomer. Bang dashed towards Tager, hurling a golden nail at him. "Fear not, Miss Litchi! For I, Bang Shishigami, have come to rescue you from this demonic creation! Stay there; I'll finish this beast in no time at all!"
"B-Bang?" As Bang's flying kick bounded off Tager's arm, Litchi stood, shaking her head. Blood trickled from her forehead. "I-I'm sorry, but…"
"Wait, Miss Litchi! Whoa!"
Having dared to glance at the doctor as she fled down a street, Bang just managed to back step away from Tager's lunging, two-armed slice. He didn't expect Tager's hands to clasp together before pounding him from above like a hammer. Woozy, Bang couldn't do a thing as Tager sucked him onto his feet with magnetism. "Calm down. You're an Ikaruga ninja, are you not?"
"Ungh… indeed, I am…" With a shake of his head, Bang regained his bravado. "I am Bang Shishigami, a hero who fights not just for peace and justice, but for the woman I love! Evil cowers and flees before my majesty; the hellfire of the underworld is naught but a candle before the inferno that lights my very soul! I know not what foul deeds you planned to perform on Miss Litchi, but know now that they shall never come to pass. Not as long as I, Bang Shishigami, live! Prepare yourself, you technological golem!"
As flames consumed the city below, Rachel frowned at the three ships swarming towards her. It seemed that the Air Corps had discovered her presence atop the local branch. Thank heavens. I was growing rather bored. A missile streaked towards her. Hovering by her head, Gii's mouth dropped open. "Princess! What do we-"
"Silence. Nago, if you will."
"Y-Yes, Princess." Reluctant, Nago jumped forward and transformed into a wide, tall chair. The missile exploded against him as Rachel directed Gii to one of the Shebalves. "Ohh… my poor fur…"
"Cease your sniveling this instant and come to your master's side." As the whimpering cat familiar did as she bade, Rachel concentrated on where Gii approached a ship. "Sword Iris."
A bolt of pink lightning blazed for a moment, devastating the delicate inner workings of the Shebalve. It exploded into a fireball which drowned out Gii's scream. Turning to the other two, Rachel smirked. "Oh, my. Nago, do you believe it safe for two ships to fly in such close proximity to one another?"
Nago stopped licking his charred coat to glance at the remaining ships. "Hmm? I… don't see what you mean, Princess…"
"Then observe." With a gesture from her dainty hand, she summoned a gust to meet a missile launched from the nearest Shebalve. The wind swirled around the explosive, surging in speed to slow it down for moment. That was all that was needed for the foremost ship to crash into its own missile, erupting into a fireball. The last ship tried to maneuver around the blast, but there was no time. The explosion sent it against a building. It caromed off and crashed into the street below. Rachel smirked. "I expected somewhat more from the Librarium's fabled Air Corps, judging by Ragna's terrified words."
Gii perked up next to her. "Princess, more are coming! More!"
"Hmm?" She turned to look behind her. In the distance, another dozen of the green ships flew towards her. "Very well. Let us see if these are any more competent."
Hakumen growled at the empty ship, the remains of two Librarium soldiers who had dared to challenge him at his side. "It seems we're too late."
"Indeed. I shall track them." Valkenhayn glanced around as his body twisted and morphed. As a wolf, he sniffed the ship's plush interior before turning to Hakumen and barking. He led his comrade down into the streets, following the scents he'd discovered. Without warning, a white sword flew out of nowhere at him. It pierced his foreleg and he howled, transforming back into his human form. "What is this-?"
"It can't be." Hakumen stormed ahead, Ookami drawn. Before him, a small girl with silver-white hair stepped into view. Steeling his resolve, he slowed his advance. Any normal sword would have cracked from his grip. "You!"
Relius stepped into view behind ν-13. "Hmm… two of the Six Heroes. How unexpected. However, this should provide excellent data. Destroy them and report back to me."
"Affirmative." ν-13 scanned the two before her. "Nox Nyctores Interfectum Malus: Ookami detected. Loading termination protocol… loading…"
"I shall not allow that." Hakumen flew through the air at her, slicing at her head. A pair of blades launched from her, halting his advance and keeping him airborne. She dashed at him, spinning with her hovering blades extended. The spiral blow ripped into him, tossing him back towards Valkenhayn. With a grunt, Hakumen took to his feet. "You seem as powerful as ever, devil."
Beside him, Valkenhayn growled as Relius strode away without another word. "Shall I assist you, Master Hakumen, or shall I pursue Relius?"
"I will defeat her myself. I must atone for my past life." Hakumen charged forward once more as Valkenhayn shifted into a wolf. At a gesture from ν-13, a spinning blade appeared in the ground and rolled towards them. Although it had been ages since he'd seen the attack, Hakumen was certain it moved faster than before. Valkenhayn darted around it as Hakumen protected himself with his oversized blade. Not about to allow the wolf past, ν-13 turned to fire a pair of swords his way.
She didn't expect him to charge through the air at incredible speed, ripping into her with a claw as he passed. As she turned to run him through with another summoned sword, Hakumen delivered a spinning slash from above. With Valkenhayn disappearing around the corner, ν-13 turned her full attention on Hakumen. The silver warrior stabbed at her, keeping her from summoning more blades. "I shall not be defeated by you again!"
"You do not realize your role in this play has long ended." Although irritated by Valkenhayn's pursuit, Relius kept his voice as calm as ever. "You are but a relic of the past."
"I am no more a relic than you." Valkenhayn shifted into a battle stance, eye on the crimson automaton. "Quite the contrary, in fact; my claws and fangs are as sharp as ever. I shall allow your existence to threaten my mistress no longer."
"Hmm… your dedication to the vampire child is quite fascinating. However, your time has long since passed." At his movement, Ignis floated forward and slashed at the werewolf, just missing his face. "Begone, Hellsing."
Valkenhayn ducked the puppet as she flew at him, orbited in a saw-like blade, and swept towards Relius with a lightning-fast, clawed kick. Relius stepped back and pulled his cloak, summoning a great green fist. The werewolf twisted away from it and lunged forward to swipe at his foe. Ignis was on him as soon as his claws raked against Relius's arm, striking him like a thrown dart. As Valkenhayn fell forward, Relius summoned a thin blue arm from his cape to strike him.
With a snarl, Valkenhayn brushed off the attack and shifted into full wolf form. He hurtled past a spinning blade thrown by Ignis and tackled Relius to the ground. Before he could lunge in to rip out the puppeteer's throat, Ignis swatted him away. After rising and straightening out his cape, Relius looked over at Valkenhayn. "I shall not sully myself further with this meaningless fight. There is too much at stake for such a risk. You. Finish this relic."
"To flee like a coward at the first sign of danger… I shall not allow it!" With a howl, Valkenhayn's head changed into that of a massive canine and he lunged, long fangs drawn to Relius's neck. Ignis hovered into his path, taking the blow in the puppeteer's place. So be it. I shall destroy your weapon instead. He unleashed a series of vicious, clawed blows into the marionette, cutting and rending her limbs. As the assault ended, a blast of fire from behind dropped Valkenhayn to his knees.
Relius cast an uncaring eye at his former wife. "Hmm… quite impressive, damaging Ignis as you have. However, I doubt you will fare so well against the phantom. One hero's curtain to be drawn by another… how poetic."
Valkenhayn glanced back, growling. Phantom hovered there, a wall of fire swirling around her. "Konoe. How regretful that you are forced to serve the very man who slew you."
No answer came, not that he expected one. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead; no matter how strong he was, fighting Relius and Nine at the same time would not end well. The moment he lunged at one, the other would be sure to attack from behind… Relius turned around, Ignis's fractured form hovering behind him. "Farewell. I do not expect to meet you again, Hellsing."
As Relius departed, Valkenhayn felt relief wash over him. "I suppose I will have to disappoint you… you monster."
"You!" Tsubaki charged at Hazama, lashing out with Izayoi. The sword extended like a whip and cracked as it sliced into his suit. "I will not stand for this senseless slaughter! Your reign of evil ends here!"
"Yeesh, never seen that one before…" As he blocked another lash from the whip-sword, he chuckled. "And somehow, I don't think you can really do that much to me. Besides… I'm not here to fight. Just to talk. You know, your favorite way of solving problems. Well, before you decided that 'kill all Library soldiers' was a good idea."
"We're not listening to a god damn thing you have to say!" Ragna followed another strike of Tsubaki's ranged weapon with a punch, shrouded by darkness that propelled him forward. A blast of corrosion followed. "I'm gonna kill you right here, you degenerate bastard!"
"Oh, my. You two mad? I think you two are mad. Maybe you need time out." Hazama summoned a chain and dragged himself out of their range. "So, Miss Garbage. How does it feel to slaughter the innocent? Good? 'Cause you sure seem to be enjoying it."
Tsubaki snarled, clenching her weapon ever harder. "What the hell are you talking about? I'm exacting vengeance on those who've decimated the people of Yabiko. Such monsters hardly fit my definition of 'innocent'."
"…Huh. Didn't expect Raggy's language to rub off on you so fast. Too bad; I'm sure daddy's gonna love hearing such shit coming from his-"
With a roar, Tsubaki charged forward. Her dash didn't quite reach him, but he still drew his knives again. He said, "Wow, you've gotten violent. I'm so proud of you!"
Tsubaki slashed at him, her book coming around to extend a blade-like wing. Hazama sidestepped, but she cut off his attempt to escape with a fast, short cut that threw him to the ground. "Does the garbage flowing from your mouth have a point, or are you just attempting to infuriate me further?"
Shaking his head, Hazama looked up. Behind Tsubaki, Ragna approached with the horde of survivors following behind. "Tell me, Miss Garbage. Did it ever occur to you that there are more colors than just black and white? That maybe, those committing what you consider evil acts had no choice? Did you look in the eyes of the soldiers, or were you just so happy to be on your little crusade that you never bothered to even look at who you were killing without mercy?"
"…What are you talking about?"
"Nothing important, really. Just saying every single soldier you've killed today—and I know you've killed a lot—had no free will at all, thanks to my lovely assistant, the great magistrate Nine!" He chuckled at her surprised gasp. "How does that feel, o bringer of 'justice'? You may as well have just killed a few dozen innocents yourself. Remind me, how do you feel about that kind of shit again?"
"I…" With a shake of her head, Tsubaki found her conviction again. Ragna stepped beside her, audible growling rumbling from his throat. She raised her sword towards Hazama. "Even if they were being forced into such a disgusting act, the fact remains that they were slaughtering helpless civilians. You are not going to make me second-guess myself here, Terumi! As far as I'm concerned, their blood is on your hands. I will strike you down here and avenge those slain today!"
"Oh, you can try…" A chain shot from Hazama just before Tsubaki could bring her blade down, pulling him to safety. "Well, anyways, I've gotta go. I mean, yeah, Relius said that no one was supposed to leave the city alive, but… well, screw that. More fun if some people survive and let the world know what happened here. Oh, by the way? Go ahead, keep killing soldiers. Their deaths are a hell of a lot more useful than their lives, anyways. Really, your crusade helped us more than it hurt us. Thank you for being so goddamn predictable. Have a nice day!"
He vanished, leaving Tsubaki to seethe with no one to lash out at. With a shrill cry, she hurled her sword at the ground; Ragna jumped aside as it ricocheted towards him. Unnerved by her anger, he pulled her into an embrace from behind. His unease increased as she grew tenser. "Hey, Tsu, you gotta calm down here. Ignore that son of a bitch; you haven't done a damn thing wrong here."
"I know…" Breaking out of his hold, Tsubaki leaned down and grabbed her weapon. All around her, those she was protecting mumbled amongst themselves. Tears dribbled out as she rose. "I'm ashamed I felt such hatred for those soldiers now, but… I am going to kill him. I swear it. Everything that has gone wrong is because of him. I will make sure he meets the justice he deserves."
"You mean if you beat me to it." Ragna took her by the hand. "Come on, we gotta get outta this city. I'll contact Rachel in a minute."
"Noel! Where are you?" Makoto lowered her hands from her face. Now she regretted not giving her friend a radio. After half an hour of searching, the chances of running into Noel again were beyond slim. Sighing, she sat down in the middle of the street; she had long since become desensitized to the gore around her. Cradling her tail, she pulled out her radio. Well, here goes nothing. "Tsubaki? Come in, Tsubaki… Answer already!"
No answer came, chilling Makoto to the bone. Shivering, she dialed in for Ragna and listened in without speaking. Only static greeted her, and the same with a Tager. Absolute terror descended upon her. "Why aren't they answering? I hope they're alright…"
"Hello, Makoto. I didn't expect to meet you here." The sound of a child's voice made Makoto jump. Carl stood before her, Nirvana hunched over behind him. "I know it's been a while, but I need to keep this short."
"Huh? Carl!" Makoto felt an urge to race towards the boy, to give him an absolute death-grip of a hug while she cooed over how cuddly he was. Of course, as this was far from the time to be doing so, she managed to hold herself back. "What do you need?"
"Would you happen to know where either Ragna the Bloodedge or Miss Tsubaki is?"
"Ragna and Tsubaki? They should be…" At the gleam in Carl's eye, Makoto caught herself. A malevolent glint at odds with the Carl she knew before. "Er, I mean… no idea. Haven't seen 'em recently. Sorry."
Carl chuckled, unnerving Makoto further. "You aren't a very good liar, Miss Makoto. Please tell me where they are."
"I don't know. Seriously." Which was halfway truthful… "I'll tell Tsubaki you're looking for her, but…"
"I see…" Beside Carl, Nirvana shifted and put Makoto even more on edge. "I'm sorry that it's come to this."
"Wait!" Makoto braced herself, unable to believe her friend seemed to turn to violence so quickly. "You're seriously gonna attack me over this?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Makoto. Really. But I need to find Ragna."
Carl… "Okay, let me put it this way. You're gonna attack me in a burning city with Library soldiers trying to kill everyone who isn't with them? Does that really sound smart?"
Carl blinked, loosening his stance. "I… see your point. But if you won't answer…"
"Why are you trying to find Ragna, anyways? Somehow, I'm guessing that it's not really for the bounty."
"…It's really important. There's a certain person I must defeat, and I need to find Ragna first."
"So why not ask for help fighting this guy? Instead of, you know… attacking us. I mean, we're friends, right?"
That's like what Bang said... "Yes… What's that, sis?" Carl listened to nothing for a moment before nodding. "I suppose you're right. There are too many Library soldiers here. We should leave. Goodbye for now, Miss Makoto."
"Yeah…" After watching Carl walk away, Makoto raced away from him. Carl… what's happened to you? I gotta tell Tsubaki about you.
Bang dodged Tager's massive fist, reaching for a nail. His hands came back empty and he fought down a groan. With a cry, he jumped and planted his boot in Tager's face. The mechanical man shrugged off the kick and grabbed him. With all the ease of wielding a rag doll, he turned and threw Bang against the ground, sending him skipping into a wall. Groaning, Bang fought his way back to his feet. "You think such a weak attack can defeat me? Ha! Your strength is nothing; my very spirit will guide me to victory! Now, prepare to face my… um… what have I not used yet…?"
Tager sighed. "Are you even taking this seriously?"
"Mock me all you wish! You only strengthen my resolve!" He charged towards Tager, preparing to slide at his legs. "Prepare for-"
"You really are an idiot." Tenshin bounded over Tager's shoulders from behind, clashing both of his weapons together. A whirlwind blew Bang's way, picking him up and hurling him to the side. After landing, Tenshin walked towards him. "Iron Tager is not our enemy. That woman is."
"Not our enemy?" Bang accepted his offered hand. As he was pulled to his feet, he said, "I don't understand. Just look at that monster!"
Tager examined Tenshin, searching his memory. "Should I know you?"
"We met briefly during the Ikaruga Civil War. Furthermore, I am more than aware of your reputation, Red Devil. I am Tenshin, son of the late Lord Tenjou." He turned back to Bang. "Tager fought on our side during the war; he is no friend of the Library."
"Be that as it may..." Bang crossed his arms. "He attacked Miss Litchi! And look at him! Does that look to be the face of a just warrior? I think not! Also-"
"Just shut up already, pinhead." Luna approached him, her forehead a bright red. "Did you forget that that chick's the reason this city is pretty much burning down around us?"
Bang blinked at the trickle of blood running from her forehead. "...May I ask what happened to you, Miss Platinum?"
Tenshin rolled his eyes. "When you attacked Tager, she insisted on slamming her face into a wall while chanting a mantra of 'idiot'. I was tempted to do the same. But she's right; this Litchi is the reason for my people's decimation. We must pursue her."
"Indeed, we must." Bang thrust a finger in the direction Litchi had fled. "And then I, Bang Shishigami, shall free the lovely Miss Litchi from whatever brainwashing the Library has put her through! Mark my words-"
"Um, Mister Bang?" Platinum sidled up to him, speaking in Sena's voice. "How about we just go?"
Hakumen growled, blocking a pair of swords with Ookami as ν-13 crouched. A series of blades rose from the ground towards him. He stepped to the side and tried to charge at the girl, only to have a pair of blades pierce him from behind. Forcing himself to stay on his feet, he lunged with a wide slash. The girl dashed straight back, out of his range once more. More swords flew at him. He jumped over the blades, trying to come down on ν-13 from above. Instead, she sent a pair of swords at an angle, shooting him down. Before he could rise, her massive sword hovered in the air above him. "Destruction."
If not for the Susano'o Unit, Hakumen knew he would have been cleaved straight in half by Murakumo as it descended upon him. It struck several times, leaving him on the ground when it finished. With a groan, he struggled to his knees. Damn it… am I still not strong enough? "No… I will not be defeated here."
Another set of swords flew towards him and he raised his forearm, a circle of crimson light glowing before it. The blades touched the astral shield and he dashed forward, slicing into her in the blink of an eye. He turned as she crumpled, clutching her bleeding side. "I will destroy you!"
He raised his sword straight above him and slashed. A blast of slicing energy crashed into ν-13, throwing her further back. Hakumen wasted no time in charging at her to continue his assault; something like her was too dangerous to be allowed to exist. Shrugging off her wounds, ν-13 rose and extended both arms before her. A field formed around Hakumen, a gravity well that slowed his advance to a crawl and threatened to pull him to his knees.
The girl spun towards him and slashed with her octet of slender blades, throwing him into the air. The well held him in its grip, leaving him helpless as each of the swords stabbed at him in turn before she drew them back for a final massive slash. The well broke and he careened against a wall. No sooner had he looked up than a wormhole formed before ν-13, unleashing a flurry of tiny blades that lifted him up and pinned him against the wall. As that attack ended, leaving him winded, another pair of wide swords slashed him, followed by a set from behind. "I… I cannot lose here…"
He struggled back to his feet, only to be downed again by a sliding kick too fast for him to react to. He growled. If I can just get close, I can still slay her… Again, ν-13 was relentless in her attacks as a spinning blade rose from the ground, just missing him as he rolled. The girl extended her hands once more. Whatever attack she had planned was stopped by an explosion erupting around her head. Hakumen growled as Noel Vermillion raced over to his side. "Sir Hakumen!"
"You… the Child of the Azure…" Hakumen took the lull in ν-13's attacks to rise. Not his choice of comrade; in his mind, she was no better than his opponent. "You should not have come here. You won't fare well against this devil."
"Huh? What do you…?" Noel turned to ν-13 and their eyes locked. "Wha… what are you…? What am I feeling…?"
With no further regard for Hakumen, ν-13 stared at Noel. "…Target confirmed. IFF determined. Target identified…as... me."
A daze came over Noel. "What do you…mean…me?"
"Target is an earlier model. Self-termination is recommended."
Heart pounding, Noel shook off her confusion and readied Bolverk. "I don't know what you are, but I'm going to stop you."
"Target refuses to self-terminate." With a wave of her hand, ν-13 sent a pair of swords at Noel. "Terminating."
