Time for things to take a wild turn in the chapters to come!

One Capital Push

Dateline, December 31st, 1204.

The day of what could be our final operation had arrived, there was also a trace of snow falling around Trista. When it was the morning, Emma and I were the first to wake up. Sharing a morning embrace, we got out of her bed and Emma changed into her daytime clothes whilst I rushed to my room on the ground floor and grabbed a fresh set of clothes.

We then made our way to the academy field where Valimar was standing tall and a massive sword on a moving cart. Emma and I had been holding hands and standing close since our moment from last night. Then we saw everyone else turn up, the last to arrive were Rean and Alisa, they were all smiles...and holding hands too.

"Hello, what's all this, then?" I asked in a British accent.

"Heh, morning, Alex." Rean replied. "What do you think?"

"We confessed our love last night." Alisa added. "And we just couldn't be happier."

"That's wonderful, I'm so happy for you." Emma responded.

"Heh, knew it." Fie muttered.

"Wow, everyone of us is finding love, so cool!" Millium added.

Rean then went inside Valimar with Celine. "Is that Valimar's new sword? It looks amazing!"

"Bah! Of course it is. It's a massive weapon totaling over seven meters in length" Professor Schmidt said. "It's uncommon shape made refining and processing the ore exceedingly difficult to say the least, but it was done. I doubt I would have been able to do it if not for the help of that stubborn old student of mine over there.

"You're the least qualified person on this entire continent to call anyone else stubborn." Markov replied.

"Haha. Yeah, I'm with you instructor." George added.

"Anyways, it looks like that blade is ready for anything." I said. "Can you pick it up like the old one without a sweat?"

Valimar picked it up without a problem and the orb inside the blade glowed with the one on Valimar and swiped with it effortlessly. Looks like Rean is able to wield it like a pro.

"All that said, I think the preparations are now finally complete." The Principal said.

"Yes, sir, I think it's about time I go and get everyone." Towa replied.

"Looks like it's time, then." I slapped my fists. "And I have never felt so good like I am right now!"

After an hour of preparing, every single one of us students stood together as the Principal and Alfin imparted us a final word of advice and a morale speech which resulted in us cheering and agreeing that we will come out of this alive, all of us!

We boarded the Courageous and it flew away from Trista, us Class VII were on the bridge and we got word of a wave of requests from Prince Olivert. We went over to the computer screen and Rean opened the messages.

"So this is what you've been doing whilst I was away." I said.

"Yeah, we accepted all of these requests and went through each one of them." Gaius replied.

"We also had Prince Olivert try to contact you whilst he was in the west, but he had no such luck." Elliot added.

Laura said. "But still, we didn't choose to give up. We would one day see you again."

"And I couldn't be happier right now." I replied. "Especially in the arms of my girl again."

Emma blushed.

"Anyways, let's look at the requests." Machias said.

We had a quick look at them and there were four, all of them were to slay monsters.

"I think we can handle these." Rean said.

"All right, I actually have a chance to show you all my true demon powers." I added. "You're gonna like them."

"Whether you do them or not is totally up to you, but getting ready for battle should be top priority." Towa reminded. "I know you've gotten the hang of reporting to Prince Olivert, but seeing as we can't contact him, you can just report to me."

"This might well be the last chance you have to get maintenance done on your orbments, too." George added. "So if you need anything, let me know."

"There's no such thing as being too prepared for this." Machias said.

"Then let's get started with the quests and kick some ass!" I exclaimed, posing.

We had some time before beginning the main mission, our locations for these monsters were on the Sachsen Mountain Path outside Roer, the east Celdic highway, the northeast part of the Nord highlands and near the stone monument area at Ymir. We agreed to go down the list to keep things simple, so our first destination was the East Celdic Highway. The Courageous took us to outside Celdic and Rean selected me, Alisa, Elliot, Laura and Machias for this one. We traveled along the first area of the east roadway and into the second area, the monster we're looking for should be on the plateau where we fought that dinosaur way back on our first field study.

I was the first to see it when we got to the plateau area, it was time to bring back my humors side that I had missed for so long.

"You cannot hide!" I spoke in a random booming voice whilst pointing at the monster. "I see you!"

"Goodness, Alex." Alisa laughed.

"It appears your sense of humor has not dulled in recent times." Laura added.

"Alright, comedy aside, let's get ready to rumble!" I exclaimed.

The battle started and Rean and Alisa formed a link. Alisa shot her arrow at the monster's leg and Rean swiped around and sliced the back. Elliot casted a buff on Laura who charged at it and dealt huge damaged by the stomach. Machias landed a critical shot near the head and I moved in with an assist and I knocked it down with full force, eliminating it as a result, the battle was over.

"Alright, that's one down." I said. "Even though I haven't brought out the good stuff yet."

"Well you don't have to." Machias replied. "After all, you should save that for later."

Rean nodded. "In any case, let's move on to the next request."

We left the Celdic region, the next region to travel was the Sachsen Mountain Path. We landed at Roer airport and Rean picked me, Alisa, Machias, Fie and Elliot to join for this request. We walked through the city and out onto the mountain path. The monster was last sighted near the waterfall, so we walked to the second area and we saw it from a distance, we carefully walked across the chasm pathway and encountered the monster, entering a battle.

"All right, this one looks to be tough." I said. "Here comes my transformation...Demon Powers, grant me your strength!"

I turned into my demon form, now I could attack faster and hit harder. I laid several punches all around the monster whilst everyone else assisted with nicely timed attacks. I then went for Pummel Time and got a critical strike before Fie finished it off with Sylphid Dance and the monster vanished and I turned back to normal.

"What do you think?" I asked. "Pretty cool, huh."

"It only fills me with relief that you're with us." Rean answered.

"Yeah, you've gotten so strong now." Elliot added.

With the second monster gone, the next one was at the Nord Highlands, the Courageous flew over to the northeast and landed on the north field area. Rean selected Alisa, Gaius, Emma, Jusis and me for this next monster battle. We traveled to the northeast and across the chasm bridge, we then saw the giant monster and it had to go.

"This one looks strong." Emma said. "Be careful everyone."

"No probs, we've got this." I replied. "Time for the hat trick!"

Rean went first and I think he decided to take a page out of my book, cause he clutched his heart and his more powerful side came out. He was going all out against the monster. I transformed as well and when we formed a link, our combined powers completely destroyed the monster before it vanished in seconds, that one was easy.

"Whew, that one was quick. But I didn't see your transformation coming." I said.

"Well, I didn't want you to be only one to go all out from the start." Rean replied.

Gaius sighed happily. "Still, I thank you all once again for saving my homeland."

"Of course...and also, don't waste your energy too soon, Alex." Emma advised.

"I know, but once these are done, I'll keep resting until the big operation." I nodded. "Speaking of which, there's one more to go."

"Yeah, near my home." Rean said. "Let's go, everyone."

We walked back to the ship and we traveled near Ymir. Rean asked me for me, Alisa, Emma, Millium and Sara. We entered the village and up the valley area before we reached the stone monument and there was a massive beast that glared at us.

"So this big show is claiming this as its territory?" I grinned. "Not if we have anything to say about it."

"That's right, no way are we gonna let this thing roam around." Rean said.

"Heh. Alright, it's butt-kicking time!" Millium added.

The battle started and I had an idea, I remembered saying this word once and got stronger. "Say, shall we go with overdrive?"

"Yeah, here it goes!" Rean replied.

"OVERDRIVE!" We spoke in unison.

We suddenly got stronger together, Rean sliced and diced whilst I transformed and called upon Angelic Beam that dealt a massive amount of damage. It was still standing, so I felt that this was the perfect time to release it, but before I could, Rean tapped me on the shoulder and insisted that he would finish it off instead. I watched with surprise as he went for his improvised s-craft and annihilated the monster. I turned back to normal after the battle was won.

"Wooo, now that was a powerful skill, you trying to show off now?" I asked.

"Well, not as much as you are." Rean answered before we gave each other a high five.

"Those two are sure acting like brothers." Alisa said.

"They are, but I think it's wonderful." Emma added.

"Woohoo! You two are the best!" Millium winked. "I bet it's to do with loving your girls, right?"

"Anyways, we've done our requests for today." Sara said. "You guys know what to do."

"Yeah, it's back to the ship and report them." Rean replied.

We returned to the Courageous and we reported the four requests which Towa took care of. With the four requests now finished, it was time to our attention to the big operation. Machias vowed to come with us no matter what, so Rean selected me, Alisa, Emma and Laura to join whilst the rest of our friends would be watching our backs. The Courageous flew across the capital and landed on a large empty area next to a small train station. We got off the ship and gazed upon the villa at the top of the pathway.

"This is Karel Imperial Villa?" Alisa asked.

"Now there's a villa I wouldn't mind seeing again." I said.

"Hard to believe a place of such scenic beauty is so close to the capital." Gaius added.

Elliot nodded. "Yeah, I didn't know a place this pretty was nearby, either."

We suddenly heard a whistle from the road on our right.

"Here comes trouble!" I called.

"One company of Imperial Guardsmen and two armored cars approaching." Fie said.

"Haha! That didn't take long." Millium added.

"Class VII, Group A, advance towards the villa!" Sara ordered. "Group B, you're with me. Keep watch on the situation up front while securing the area!"

"Commence the operation!" Machias said.

"Group A, let's go!" Rean added.

We began to rush upwards on the pathway to the villa, when we reached halfway, two guards appeared to stop us. But with how close and how strong we had become, they were no match for us. We then rushed to the entrance to see another two guards and an armored dog. Just like before, they fell to us rather easily. We headed on inside the villa and it was very grand to say the least.

"It's a lot more spacious than I was expecting." Machias commented.

"Yeah, though thankfully, it's nowhere near as large as the fortress." Rean added.

Suddenly, three guards, two armored dogs and an officer showed up. I should've guessed that the inside would have a lot of security. They gave us a bit of challenge, but nothing we couldn't handle. We wiped out the armored dogs before knocking down the guards and their officer, they were out cold as a result.

"I can't believe they're actually using military monsters in a place like this." Emma said.

Alisa hummed. "Judging by how it looked on the outside, I'm guessing the building has three floors?"

"There is a glass-covered room on the far end of the third floor used for ceremonies." Laura said.

"Maybe that'll be where the hostages are." I added.

We took a left turn and going through a corridor, we turned right and then left before opening a door that took us outside. At the far end was a treasure chest, we opened it to find out it was a trap and three metal monsters appeared. I transformed into my demon form and went for Angelic Beam which caught all of them off guard and Laura finished them off in quick succession. When the battle ended, we noticed a key inside the chest and Rean picked it up.

"I wonder what that key is for." I said.

"I'm sure we'll find out if we keep poking around here." Machias replied.

We went back inside the villa and then made a right turn and going through a corridor, we took a left and then a right turn to see some stairs, we went up those and over to the door that was blocked by three guards, they were no match for us, plain and simple. We went to the door and it was locked, so Rean used the key and unlocked it. We opened the door and traveled around the floor before reaching the end and seeing a pair of metal monsters, armored dogs, two guards and an officer.

"These guys better be the last line of defence." I yawned. "Getting quite bored, myself."

The guards were easy to beat as was the officer, but the rest combined were making it tough. That was when Emma called forth her most powerful s-craft and it wiped the rest of them out in seconds, this battle was over before I even knew it.

"Daaaaamn!" I exclaimed. "Where did you learn to do that?!"

"I've been getting stronger, just like you." She answered. "Nothing can stop us now."

"Yeah, our love together can conquer anything."

"Okay, save that for later." Machias sighed.

We rushed through the door and we found ourselves at the garden hall, in front of us were the hostages we were looking for.

"R-rean?!" Elise called. "is that...is that really you?"

"It is! It's me! I'm so glad you're safe!" Rean replied.

"Are you hurt, dad?" Machias asked.

"I'm fine. We all are, fortunately." Carl answered.

The emperor and the empress were all right as well, but with how big this room is, I sensed trouble.

"Stay sharp, peeps. Someone's here to stop us..." I looked upwards.

Altina suddenly appeared, just as I thought.

"I count eighteen days since our last meeting, Rean Schwarzer." She said. "It has also been seven days since our last mission, Alex Lionheart."

"You have a good memory." I replied. "But as you can see, we're not meeting on the same side. I really didn't plan to be part of the Noble Alliance, I joined so I could become stronger and now that my fears are gone, I'm back to where I belong."

"I see. To think that everyone in the Noble Alliance was easily deceived by you."

"Did you know we were coming?" Rean asked.

"Affirmative. I received instructions from Lord Rufus to wait here for you."

Machias sighed. "He really never misses a beat, does he?"

"So about the time we talked on the ship a while ago, is it true that you and Millium are sisters in some way?" I asked.

"In a sense, yes." Altina answered.

"It couldn't be!" Rean said.

"You don't look that much alike." Emma added.

"She would be the elder sister, while I would be the younger one." Altina explained. "Do keep in mind that our purposes differ to some extent, however."

"It sounds like there's more to the two of you than meets the eye." Laura said.

"I can't deny being curious about who you really are, but now isn't the time to get to the bottom of that." Rean added. "If you intend to stand in our way, then we intend to remove you by force!"

"Yep, as I thought." I drew out my gauntlets. "We're not gonna be going easy on you, especially me. I'll show you my true powers to the extreme!"

"I see no meaning in negotiating further." Altina said. "And while I remain partially silent, I will rely on the society's contraptions for backup."

A pair of archaisms appeared beside her.

"Those are the archaisms we ran into inside the Reinford Building!" Alisa exclaimed.

"Here she comes, let's give her all we have and apprehend her!" I added.

The battle started and we knew those archaisms were gonna be a major pain, so whilst everyone worked together on wearing down Altina, I went all out on the archaisms, when I eliminated one, I transformed into my demon form and used my Angelic Beam to destroy the second one. Altina moved against us for a counter attack, one of her crafts took us by surprise, but my demon powers blocked it.

"Here I come!" I exclaimed as I rushed over and swiped at her black doll, knocking it and her off balance. "Now's my chance! Time to end this!" I flew up and casted a pair of powerful dark spheres. "Feel the fear that once cursed my mind, and cry out to the pain that awaits you...Demonic Obliteration!" Putting them together, it became one giant sphere and I hurled it at Altina and her black doll which were engulfed inside the effects of my transformed s-craft. I heard a yell before the effects passed by, Altina was down on the floor and her black doll was knocked out, this battle was over.

"I lost...again..." Altina panted.

"Victory is ours." Laura said.

I went over to Altina whilst the rest rushed over to the hostages.

"You shouldn't feel ashamed at all. You gave it everything, that's what counts." I said. "Be honest with me, do you really believe that the Noble Alliance is where you want to be?"

She looked at me, it was clear that she was too worn down to even say anything, let alone move.

"Guess I overdid it with my powers, huh. In that case, you're better off resting for now and accept that what you had to do was the wrong thing."

She nodded slowly. "You are...a strange one, Alex...I have underestimated you...in many ways."

"You're not the first one to admit that. When this war is over, you should take the time to say hi to Millium sometime."

"I will...think about it...ahhh." She laid her head down.

"Yep, she's passed out." I stood up to see Elise reunite with her brother.

I stood by Emma and we had our arms around each other.

"I'm feeling a little emotional myself, right now." She said.

"Yeah, Rean's had to endure a lot of pain to get here...but the same can be said for me." I replied, kissing her.

Machias and his dad reunited as well. Then the rest of our friends showed up.

"Hey guys, looks your end of the side worked out well, too." I said. "And look whose passed out, Millium?"

"Oh, it's Altina!" Millium rushed over to see a sleeping Altina.

"She's out cold at the moment, can one of you cuff her just in case?"

"On it." Fie replied.

Gaius brought out a rope and Fie tied the black doll's arms whilst Millium watched over Altina who had her arms tied behind her back.

"Rean Schwarzer, as well as each of the other members of Class VII." The Emperor said. "You have my most sincere gratitude for what you have done."

"We really can't begin to think you enough." The Empress added.

"Please, don't thank us. We simply did our duty as Erebonian citizens." Rean replied.

I laughed. "Modest to the very end, you never change."

"But he's right, we wouldn't have been able to do anything alone. We only came this far because the whole academy was behind us." Alisa said.

The Emperor smiled. "I swell with pride to hear as much. My alma mater seems to be raising truly exceptional students these days. I couldn't be happier."

"Did I hear that right?" Elliot asked.

"Does that mean you attended Thors military academy?" I added.

"That I did." The Emperor answered. "It's a longstanding tradition that the men of the Imperial family attend the academy. Olivert did in his younger years and, Aidios willing, Cedric will as well."

"Oh that's right, where is Crown Prince Cedric?" I asked.

"He was...taken...to the palace." Altina answered who had woken up. "Hm, I can't move?"

"Sorry, but we can't let you run away." Millium replied.

"Your Black Doll isn't going anywhere, either." Fie added.

"Valflame Palace? But why?" Rean asked.

"For what possible reason could he have been taken there?" Elise added.

"To cooperate in a ritual." Altina answered. "Specifically, Duke Cayenne wishes to use the crown prince in a ritual which will be conducted shortly."

"Sounds like you've got a lot of juicy information you're going to be sharing with us." Sara said.

"Well, are you going to tell us?" I asked.

Altina had a look of worry on her. "I know little more about the ritual than you do."

"Well, considering that you're not an official member of the Noble Alliance, I shouldn't be that surprised. Either way, you're gonna be on the Courageous for a while until this is over."

"My thoughts exactly." Rean nodded. "We won't cause you any harm, Altina. You will be given plenty of time to rest."

By then, a few of the other students showed up and were willing to escort Altina to the Courageous.

"Very well...all I do know is that you're too late to stop it from taking place." Altina said.

Suddenly, we heard a voice that was in a strange melody.

"No...this can't be happening." Emma said.

"What is that chant?" I asked.

"This song is the Hexen Clan's most strictly forbidden incantation. A song to summon the Vermillion Despair from the deepest darkness. Lucifen Lied!"

Suddenly, there was a massive rumble coming from somewhere far away from us.

"An earthquake?!" Carl exclaimed.

"So, they intend to recreate what happened 250 years ago, do they?" The Emperor said.

We then saw a purple light coming from far away and then a giant tower began to arise where the palace was, it was ginormous in every sense of the word and the whole sky began to turn red. There was something like this underneath the palace this whole time?!

"What...the...WHAT THE HEEEEEECKKKK?!"

Next time! The party braces itself for a gauntlet against the Noble Alliance.