A/N: Hey, readers! For anyone wondering why Elway was so harsh last chapter, reasons will be detailed in a later side story. That won't be until further down the line though, at least until the first arc is over.

To yiggdrasill: Thanks for the review as always! And I agree completely, she clearly cares for Yang in some form, but her actions don't convey that well. Her morals may not be perfect, but I would like to see more about the character.

Chapter 8

Bandit's Home – Elway

"You do not have to accompany us. My agreement did not include your team."

"No, Elway. We said we'd help take care of the bandits, and this is doing that in some way."

After having his private discussion with Raven, Elway walked out and saw team RNJR preparing to head out. Jaune assured him that Elway would not do this alone. To be honest, he didn't want them involved. He sensed something odd about the situation. Yugiri, sensing his concern nodded at him, and he nodded back hesitantly.

"Suit yourselves. I trust that you are ready for another risky battle." Elway said in a serious tone.

"We are." Ruby stood in front of him, looking sullen.

The door opened, and the group's attention was drawn to Raven, mask on and sword at her side.

"So according to Rook, the monster that attacked the bridge was massive and humanoid, dressed in red. He held an odd sword as well." Raven advised, voice stiff. The group, sans Elway, nodded.

Elway cursed in his mind. He knew something was off. And he had a guess as to who the 'monster' was.

"Alright then, let's move." Raven led the way, motioning the others to follow.

Road to the bridge – Elway

Raven strutted ahead of the group, clearly still bothered. Team RNJR conversed among themselves, Ruby having since recovered and more or less back to her usual self. They discussed possible strategy, which Yugiri listened to with mild interest. Elway, however, was lost in thought.

"Stop." Raven signaled, seeing something ahead.

In the clearing, the first thing Elway saw was white feathers. He followed the wings to see green skin, and a mane of orange. Elway's breath hitched.

The group raised their weapons, preparing themselves for a fight. The beast turned around, and jumped in surprised, lifting itself into the air with its wings. It expanded its wings, before making contact with one of the members of the group.

His eyes were fierce, and his axe, Bravura was already drawn. His face was twisted in a frown.

"Enkidu." Elway snarled.

The beast drew back in fear, and turned around, running away from the group.

Damn, it's as I thought. Elway thought, sheathing his axe again. I can't let him run free. I have to…

"What was THAT, Elway?!" Jaune cried out, still surprised.

"I'd like an explanation too. If that beast had to do with the attack on the bridge…" Raven seethed, hand on her sword still.

"It may have. I need to go after it. Enkidu is dangerous." Elway looked to the direction Enkidu flew off, mentally marking the spot where he saw Enkidu disappear from sight.

"Elway, there is too much unknown about the situation. Do not be hasty." Yugiri advised, although she was slightly worried at the prospect of a primal in Remnant.

"A primal. This world may have its dangers, but we do not know if they are equipped to deal with one of ours." Elway took Yugiri's hand softly. "Yugiri. Please look after them. Don't let them run headfirst into danger. If Enkidu's companion is the one behind the bridge attack, do not let them engage." Elway looked seriously into her eyes, pleading.

"Okay. I promise to protect them. Come back safely then, Elway." Yugiri stroked the back of his hand with her thumb.

"I trust you. And I will." The two nodded at each other, before Elway sprinted off in the direction of Enkidu with a rumble.

"Yugiri, what's happening?" Ruby asked, still worried.

"Something related to us. If our suspicions are correct, I would suggest not engaging the foe we encounter at the bridge." Yugiri warned, and while Team RNJR nodded, Raven tsk'd to herself.

Near the Bridge – Elway

"ENKIDU! Get back here!" Elway shouted at the green monster that flew above his head. He was slowly gaining on the primal, it seemed to be slowing down.

Elway saw Enkidu's clawed feet drop down, and Elway jumped up to grab at them. Enkidu hissed woefully, as if to say "don't kill me," so Elway drew his axe instead of attacking Enkidu immediately.

"You'll tell me what your purpose here is. Now." Elway threatened, and Enkidu nodded meekly, understanding. Enkidu made nonsensical gestures with its hands, and pointed to Elway's forehead.

Is it trying to tell me to use the Echo…? May as well try. Elway nodded, and attempted to activate the Echo. To his surprise, it worked out. His vision grew hazy, and his head felt heavy as he began to see Enkidu's memories.

Never thought I would be able to use the Echo like this…

He saw Enkidu being re-summoned by Gilgamesh, the two companions joyously reuniting and celebrating. He felt himself grow a little exasperated at how much they rejoiced, but continued to watch. The vision seemed to move forward a few days, when Gilgamesh was approached by a man in black, wearing a red mask. An Ascian... Damn.

The Ascian in question told Gilgamesh of a sword.

"The strongest of swords?" Gilgamesh asked dumbly.

The Ascian just nodded with a wicked smile, and Gilgamesh followed him. Elway's heart dropped at where he was led.

Urth's Fount. Hell's bells, the sword he was talking about… Zantetsuken?!

Gilgamesh gladly came upon the sword, and staggered upon drawing it from the ground. He seemed to still be in his right mind, for now. The Ascian told Gilgamesh he knew of a land with even more weapons, and there would be the perfect test for his new blade. His self-proclaimed rival. The Warrior of Light.

The Ascian opened a portal, and Elway instantly recognized the world to be Remnant. At this point Enkidu warned Gilgamesh wordlessly that the sword seemed dangerous, but Gilgamesh uncharacteristically shook Enkidu off. The sword was beginning to corrupt his mind. It had more than enough time to gather aether at Urth's Fount, and soon Gilgamesh would turn into Odin.

Gilgamesh walked through the portal, and the Ascian laughed. Enkidu, worried, followed Gilgamesh into the portal and the vision ended.

That was a longer vision than usual… how long?

Elway's vision cleared, and he saw Enkidu in a prostrating position. Clearly asking for help with Gilgamesh.

"Enkidu. How long was I using the Echo?" Elway asked, suddenly concerned.

Enkidu held up a single clawed finger.

"A minute?" Enkidu shook its head, and made a big motion with its hand.

"An HOUR?!" Elway shouted, now realizing the gravity of the situation. Enkidu nodded and backed off, scared. "Enkidu. Take me to where he is. Take me to Gilgamesh."

"We're going to stop your stupid friend."

Anima Bridge – Raven

When the group happened upon the bridge, the scene was gruesome to say the least. Blood spattered across the brick foundations, and bodies lay still around the structure of the bridge. Storehouses for supplies lay wide open, weapons being scattered across. Ruby choked back a sob at the sight. Jaune patted her back, and Ren and Nora scouted the area for possible survivors.

Raven and Yugiri joined Ren and Nora, seething. These were her men and women. Her family. Slaughtered without mercy.

That bastard had better keep his end of the bargain… Raven glowered, until a huge figure made itself known. It was clad in red, and towered above everyone else, absolutely massive in stature. It wore a cloak that covered most of its face and body, only revealing a glowing white eye and a single, gray left arm that held a massive curved sword.

Raven sensed the power that the figure held. But she didn't care.

He killed her family.

Raven screamed in rage and drew her sword, charging directly at the huge swordsman. Yugiri made a move to stop her, but she was too late. Raven was too far ahead.

"What are you doing?!" Ruby shouted, but her words fell on deaf ears.

Raven slashed at the figure's chest, but felt nothing sever. The figure grunted and swiped at Raven, who brought her sword up to defend herself. She was blown back from the sheer force, but charged back in again. She sheathed her sword and prepared an attack, quickly drawing it with a thunderous combination of slashes and cuts. She felt the attacks rend flesh and grinned, but the figure was only angered, and threw off the left portion of its cloak. It revealed 3 more massive arms, to a grand total of 4.

She was grabbed by one of the arms and slashed with the massive sword, her Aura absorbing most of the force but still making her cry out in pain. She was tackled by something red, and felt herself being dragged back to the rest of the group.

"Stupid! How could you just jump in like that alone?!" Ruby cried, already drawing Crescent Rose and preparing to fight.

"These are my people that he killed. I don't recall needing your permission to take revenge!" Raven shouted back.

"You can't do this alone. Let's go team!" Jaune waved to Team RNJR and Yugiri, and they held their weapons at the ready.

Yugiri was worried, however. She knew of Zantetsuken, and realized that this was a fight that they couldn't win. Gilgamesh, along with the might of Odin…

But even so, she made a vow to protect them to him. So she would.

"We must buy time for Elway. This man's name is Gilgamesh. Do not underestimate him, and do not take any risks." Yugiri warned them, and team RNJR nodded. Raven grimaced at his name, and the figure in red charged at them.

It took one grand horizontal slash, which Jaune stood at the front of the group and blocked with his shield. He staggered under the weight of the attack, and his legs buckled under him. Yugiri and Ren dashed to each side of the figure and did a quick combination of slashes that caused Gilgamesh to reel. Nora jumped into the sky and brought Magnhild down, but the hammer met his blade and was stopped in its tracks. Gilgamesh punched at her and sent her flying to the ground, but was again interrupted by the combination of Yugiri and Ren attacking. Gilgamesh did a spinning slash which made contact with the two fighters, sending them back.

Ruby fired rounds at Gilgamesh from a distance, garnering his attention while Raven sheathed her sword and prepared another attack. She released a flurry of strikes on his unarmed side, none breaking flesh. She attacked again with a roar, but she was blocked by his massive blade, and subsequently slashed on the shoulder by the blade. This time, her aura could only absorb so much damage and was broken. She felt a gash on her shoulder, and clutched the wound.

She heard a few sniper rounds, and saw a flash of petals before Gilgamesh staggered back. Ruby charged at Gilgamesh, gathering momentum and spinning with Crescent Rose, coming down in a slash onto Gilgamesh's previous wound that Raven gave him. He roared in response, and Ruby attacked at his arm. Her scythe was parried, and she flew back and fell down. Gilgamesh stabbed ferociously at Ruby, and the girl closed her eyes, preparing to get wounded.

She heard the blade make contact, but didn't feel any pain. She heard a grunt of pain from someone else. She opened her eyes slowly, and noticed a figure in purple standing in front of her, arms spread out in a protective gesture, impaled on Gilgamesh's sword.

Jaune came around with a shout, his sword now combined, and slashed upwards at Gilgamesh's sword arm, making the arm flinch in pain and draw back, releasing Yugiri from the sword.

"YUGIRI! Why?!" Ruby cried, catching the Au Ra woman's body before it could hit the ground painfully.

"He asked me… to look after you. 'Tis only natural." Yugiri said painfully, as if it was obvious. "Do not worry about me. I have lived through worse. Fight on."

"But… but!" Ruby stuttered, trying to find a way to help. She was interrupted by another roar from Gilgamesh, who cast off his cloak and revealed… 4 more arms.

Oh no.

Each of those arms held a different weapon.

One of those was a hugely extended nodachi, that was even taller than Gilgamesh in length.

One was a broadsword with a golden and extravagantly decorated guard, and a sleek brown blade and white edges.

Another was a naginata with a red handle, even longer than the nodachi.

The last was a blue curved sword, that gave off the same aura as his main sword.

Ruby gulped. It was trouble enough dealing with just one sword.

"On second thought, get back. Get to safety. NOW!" Yugiri warned, looking at something distant.

Ruby followed her eyes and saw the same green, winged creature and something red hanging from the creature's feet. The red figure pointed at Gilgamesh, and let go. Elway?

He plummeted towards the ground at breakneck speeds, drawing his axe as he did so. Ruby made a motion to the rest of the team and Raven to get back. She heard a roar, and saw a series of orange orbs surround him and be absorbed, bringing Deliverance. His roar grew louder as he got closer to the ground, clearly aiming for Gilgamesh. Ruby used her semblance to get her and Yugiri back, away from the impact point.

His axe made contact with the ground near Gilgamesh and a huge shockwave struck the area, Decimating his surroundings and creating a cloud of debris. The huge cloud of debris cleared from the carnage, revealing Elway standing calmly with his axe drawn. Instead of his usual clothing, he stood in an armor unfamiliar to Ruby. It was black and red in color, made up of a combination of leather and plates. It had fur linings, making Ruby think of a beast. She wondered how he changed so quickly, but the thought was cut short by the sight of Gilgamesh still standing, albeit wounded from the attack. He roared, readying his weapons.

Ruby heard a chuckle from Yugiri.

"What an entrance, hero." Yugiri said softly.

Chapter 8 – His Rival, the Hero

A/N: Oh boy. Got a long fight scene ahead of us. I had hinted slightly in previous chapters about Greg's presence in Remnant, but wanted to keep it a bit of a surprise. Gilgamesh is wearing his FF8 attire, if anyone wants a better reference, as well as using his weapons from Dissidia, sans a couple. And Elway finally appears in his Warrior armor! Originally this chapter was split up into two, but I shortened some parts and combined them.