Note: This chapter is actually meant to be an epilogue of the first arc and a prologue to that next to come.

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Chapter 13: The End of Hecate

As the Nega-hunter Neftier met her defeat, another battle went on in Sereiden's main hall. The Crimson Lords Sydonay and Dantalion were in the middle of a battle against many Denizens, all of which were under Beol Peol's command.

"Of all the Crimson Lords and Denizens you just had to be the only one left on my side," Sydonay said sarcastically. With a massive claw in his chimera form he crushed one of the opposing Denizens.

"Ahhhhhh, but the only reason I'm fighting with you is because I want to get out of my contract with Beol Peol," Dantalion said. He was fighting with a long drill in each hand and a small missile launcher mounted on either shoulder. All around him were the remains of lesser Domino Rinne, destroyed by the Crimson Lords' enemies. Even Domino 28 was badly damaged, but its head was still functioning.

Sydonay dispatched several more denizens with his claws and the spear-like Hougu known as the Shintetu Nyoi, causing the remaining Denizens to fall back and regroup. The Denizens charged. Sydonay was about to meet them head on when he noticed Dantalion produce a giant gatling gun. The Seeking Researcher fired it and beams of energy ripped through the wave of Denizens.

Out of nowhere, a thick chain wrapped around the gun's barrel and ripped it in half. A figure from the shadows pulled the chain back and stepped forward. It was none other than the Judge of Paradoxes, Beol Peol herself.

"Why do you still insist on getting in my way Thousand Changes?" she said. "We've been at this for days and it's literally breaking Bal Masque in half."

"I just want you to stay away from my Hecate," Sydonay replied, transforming back into his normal guise. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you don't ruin her life... again."

"I couldn't care less about that little girl," said Beol Peol. "All I want is the Mystes of the Reiji Maigo."

Sydonay shook his head. "By now Hecate's probably made contact with that Mystes," he said. "If you take him away from her she'll become empty again. And that's the last thing I need."

Beol Peol turned to Dantalion. By this time, Fecor brought in more Denizens and surrounded the Crimson Lords.

"What about you?" the Judge of Paradoxes said. "There are many more plans left to complete here. Why are you so determined to break our contract?"

"That contract is limiting my full potential," the Seeking Researcher replied. "I want to go out into the world and conduct more unrestrained and faaaaaaabulous experiments!"

Beol Peol sighed. "You two are really stubborn," she said. She stepped away and spoke to the Denizens around her.

"Kill them," she commanded coldly.

All of the Denizens charged at once. Sydonay transformed into a chimera again and knocked back the entire wave.

"Use it!" He ordered Dantalion.

"Which 'it' are you referring to?" Dantalion asked calmly.

Sydonay swatted away more of the Denizens. "The transporter you dolt!"

As Dantalion fumbled for the device hidden somewhere in his lab coat, a giant solid block formed above the Crimson Lords, courtesy of Fecor's Magnesia.

"Hurry up!" Sydonay urged.

"Here it is!" Dantalion said as pulled out a remote with a single red button.

The giant block came down as Dantalion pressed the red button. The two Crimson Lords vanished in a flash of light right before the block smashed on the floor where they once stood.

Fecor removed the block, allowing Beol Peol to inspect whatever it crushed. Evidently, the Crimson Lords had escaped and were even able to take the head of Domino 28 with them.

"This doesn't change anything," the Judge of Paradoxes said to her subordinates. "We will proceed as planned."

She put a hand on Fecor's shoulder. "Congratulations," she said, "you've just been promoted to General of Bal Masque."

BSDFBSDFBSDF

It wasn't long until Margery and Wilhelmina found Shana, Hecate and Yuji on the rooftop.

"What happened?" Wilhelmina asked. "We just came to a moment ago."

"Neftier is dead, thanks to the combined efforts of these three," Alastor said.

"Aww, so we missed the fight," Margery said.

"Our job here's almost done," Yuji said. "All that's left for us to do is to repair the city."

"I'll help you with that," Margery said. "We'll have to adjust a lot of stuff in this city so that everything fits chronologically. I tell you, that won't be easy, even for me. Get Kazumi to help us with the Haridan."

"I'll gather the still useable Hougus left by our enemies," Wilhelmina said, picking up the Wandering Heart and the Vulture's Eye. She placed them in an improvised bag made out of ribbons. After doing so, she took out the Treasure Hunter Hougu she had found earlier and took off.

Hecate and Shana were left alone with nothing to do.

"Are... are you still going to kick me out of this city?" The Supreme Throne asked timidly.

She turned to Shana and was surprised to see her smiling. "No, I won't," she said. "You deserve to be here if you really love Yuji like I do."

Hecate smiled in return. "So I may have a new beginning right here," she muttered. "I will no longer be the Supreme Throne Hecate of the Bal Masque Trinity, but Konoe Fumina, the Fulfilled Soul of Misaki City."

"One thing though," Shana said. "I won't lose to you or to Kazumi"

"Likewise," Hecate replied.

YSHMWYSHMW

After some time, Kazumi saw that the city was put back in order. She spoke to Yuji and Margery on her bookmark.

"Alright Sakai-kun," she said. "You can put the Fuzetsu down now."

She watched as the representation of the Unrestricted Method vanished from the Haridan. By now, Satou had fully recovered from Pslyk's tranquilizer.

"You know Satou-kun," Yoshida said, "I really envy Shana-chan and Fumina-chan. Both of them can fight by Sakai-kun's side while all I can do is guide them with the Haridan."

Satou reflected on her words and realized that he felt the same way as she did for Margery. He also remembered the days when he first found out about the Crimson Realm.

"It's a good start," he said.