"Well, that was a trip in a half. We fought armatized exorcists, an Empyrean, and a dragon. It's a miracle we're still alive." Petra said.
"It's all thanks to Laphicet." David said.
"That trick he used to expel the malevolence that Innominat hit him with took all of his strength. He's in no danger of turning into a dragon, but he'll still be out for a while." Mayumi said.
"That power...didn't it look similar to Sorey's? The silver flame I mean." Jexi said.
"You think we should mention Sorey here?" Hope asked.
"We're speaking silently. They won't hear us." Jexi said.
"Now that you mention it, yeah. It did seem rather similar." Tapu Koko said.
"You think...that power is the origin of the current generation of the Shepherd's power? A prototype to the current silver flame perhaps?" Robin said.
"Maybe. It's hard to tell how they have that power." David said. "Speaking of...where's the Van Eltia?"
"About that...before we went to rescue you….there was a note sent to the Van Eltia...it was to head to Lionel Island. It was said to be signed by Aifread." Eijiro said.
"Lionel Island? But that's where you fought us!" Teresa said. "Why would Aifread send a note for them to go there?"
"He didn't… It's a trap." Leonora said.
"Course it is. Who knows what Innominat or Artorius is up to." Hope said.
"And Lord Melchior. Don't forget that he's the driving force behind it all." Oscar said.
"Alright. As soon as we rest up, we head for Lionel Island. Laphicet and Zaveid are still out of action, after all." Sectonia said.
"No….we're heading there now." Eizen said. "If we wait too long, there's a chance of the crew getting injured or worse, killed."
"He's got a point. We can't waste any time when it comes to these guys." David said.
"Change course! We're going to Lionel Island!" Jexi ordered.
"Aye!" the group said changing course towards Endgand. As soon as they arrived to it, they saw most of the crew lying on the ground badly beaten.
"Seems we were a bit late." Connor said.
"What happened here, Benwick?" David asked.
"A horned daemon...attacked us. We would have been goners if that Orange sage hadn't lured it further into the island." Benwick said.
"Orange sage? Is the earth sage back on his feet already?" David asked.
"The guy did feel pretty strong when I was fighting him. Where'd he go?" Eijiro asked.
"Further down that path. He battles the Daemon as we speak." Grimoire said.
"That's… at the flower field!" Leonora said.
"Bruno can't possibly handle such a powerful Daemon on his own. He needs support." Volta said.
"Then let's get moving!" David said.
It wasn't long until the group returned to the flower field. They saw Bruno fighting for his life against a Purple and black horned daemon.
"Oh good… We made it…" David said.
"This energy signature. There's no mistaking it… This...is Aifread." Eizen said.
"Bruno, stay back! You don't stand a chance against him!" Volta said.
"You don't understand. You need to keep away from this monster!" Bruno said. "Cavern Dragon's Earth Destruction!" he said attacking the ground as the Daemon jumped and was about to head for Leonora before Eizen grabbed him.
"Eizen!" Leonora said.
"Never took you for the type that would attack a lady." Eizen said. "Benwick and your crew risked their lives by your side. These people are the soft and traditional kind of heroes, but they stand by their beliefs. I won't let anyone trample their creeds… Even you!"
Aifread got back up and exuded a dark aura.
"I owe you everything, Aifread. And now… It's time to pay it back!" Eizen said.
"Are you sure about this, Eizen?" David asked.
"I am. Let's settle this!" Eizen said.
"Easy for you to say. He's pretty sturdy." Tapu Lele said.
"I know. And that's why I'm giving this everything I've got!" Eizen said.
Eizen entered the fray as he and Aifread began exchanging blow after blow against one another. Eizen then flipped a coin.
"Think you can dodge this? Just try!" he said before repeatedly punching Aifread. "Perfect Mayhem!"
"Should we go to help?" Dan asked.
"No. This is Eizen's fight. This is something he has to do." Jexi said.
"I give him this, he's really holding his own." Skull said.
"Yeah but… is Aifread even talking back to Eizen? It just seems like he's mute." Oracle said.
"Hey! Say something to your first mate already!" Hope said.
"Its fine. Real men don't need to share words in battle." Mustang said.
"Besides, this is more than just some fight. It's a battle between captain and subordinate." Pedro said.
Eizen and Aifread continued to exchange blows as they fought ferociously.
"Raar!" Aifread roared as he delivered a flurry of punches of his own as Eizen slid back.
"Eizen!" David said.
"Don't worry. This is nothing." Eizen said.
Eizen then got back up and started to furiously attack Aifread, wearing him down bit by bit. But before the final blow, Aifread then leapt past him as he made a dash at Laphicet, grabbing him by the throat. "Taking hostages now?" he asked.
"I'm sorry." Laphicet said. "Just forget about me! I'm prepared for whatever happens!"
"I see. You've grown. You're a man now. Friends, family….everything I've ever tried to hold onto...All of it trickled away, fell from my grasp. But a certain idiot once told me "If you can't hold something in your hand, just make a fist and take it by force!" Eizen said raising said fist. "This fist will take everything back...just like you told me to!"
Eizen then ran to Aifread as Laphicet moved as Eizen struck the final blow.
"This fist...I know it. It's you...isn't it? Sorry. Caused a lot of trouble for ya didn't I?" Aifread said.
"Don't worry about it. We're friends right?" Eizen said as Aifread fell.
"Aifread….Aaahhhh!" Laphicet shouted as silver flames surrounded Aifread turning him back into a human as he fell into Eizen's arms. Laphicet then tried to heal him.
"Forget it kid...it's too late." Aifread said weakly.
"I'm sorry… If only I knew...how to use my power." Laphicet said.
"That's enough. Didn't you say you were prepared for anything?" Eizen asked.
"But… Eizen… You've been searching for him for so long." Laphicet said.
"Still as soft as ever, I see." Aifread said. "Kid, let me tell you a little secret. Your power comes from being a part of Innominat. Meaning if you can cut off his domain...you might actually have a chance to pull off a win."
"Seal off his domain?" Jack asked.
"The four elemental Empyreans. If you can rouse them from their slumber...Hurry. While Artorius and Innominat are occupied with their Ceremony of Suppression. It's now or never." Aifread said.
"Thank you...Aifread."
"I'm just sad I can't go with you all… Sounds like quite the party." Aifread said.
"I won't apologize." Eizen said.
"You shouldn't. I'm grateful. You always kept things from getting dull. If we ever meet again… Let's raise some hell, Eizen." Aifread said.
"Yeah...see ya around...Aifread." Eizen said as Aifread lay motionless in his arms. Zaveid then turned away from the group along with Bruno. "You two...I owe you."
"We had a chance to save the guy….and you went and killed him." Bruno said.
"We'll settle the score next time. Between me and your creed." Zaveid said as the two were leaving.
"See you around...Zaveid." Eizen said.
"Bruno…" Volta said.
"We aren't friends anymore Volta. I don't befriend those who kill. But...I will share some info. In 3 days….Fisher and the remaining forces of the Magic Enforcers are going to wipe out Loegres." Bruno said.
"Three days? If the rumors are true… That's the next Scarlet Night!" David said.
"How come you aren't with them?" Persus asked.
"I may hate other universes but I still have pride. Those people have done nothing to me so I won't do anything to them." Bruno said.
"But why are the Magic Enforcers still active? Copernicus is dead." David said.
"Yeah. Fisher told us. He told them he was killed by the people of Loegres and that his dying wish was for the city to be wiped out." Bruno said.
"Then Fisher is lying. Copernicus was killed by Innominat!" David said.
"I knew he was lying. But...those cowards...they still wanna go through with it. They're people from the slums...they got nothing else to live for. For them...it's either go out in glory and take their own lives." Bruno said. "As for me...I've had enough of this crap so I'm going back home to Elympios."
"Stay safe on your way back, alright?" Alvin asked.
"I'll keep that in mind...Alfred." Bruno said walking off.
"Aifread's transformation is just one more thing that Melchior will answer for." Himiko asked.
"But that begs the question… How are we going to reawaken the Elemental Empyreans in three days?" Shuichi asked.
"The answer is simple...a sacrifice on a scarlet night." Jack said. "Pure souls will need to be surrendered. And we have someone who can hold them and have been holding them."
"The exorcists I devoured." Velvet said.
"You will need at least four. One for each Empyrean." Oscar said.
"And the points are probably too far to reach in a short amount of time." Maki said.
"Then we'll have to do it somewhere where the earthpulse points converge." Joker said.
"There is one place for that. Mount Killaraus near Hellawes." Teresa said. "The problem is that there a town called Merchio near there."
"We also need at least two pure souls." Jexi said. "Though there is an answer for that...the Legates."
"Shigure and Melchior." David said.
"If we succeed, it may even liberate the malakhim that Innomat has under his control. This will dwindle their forces greatly." Sectonia said.
"Oscar, Teresa… Are you sure you two are okay with this? I know that I'm your vessel now, but no one is forcing you to join in this fight." Leonora said.
"As it was already discussed, it was because of Lord Melchior's actions that we're both dead." Teresa said.
"Our eyes were blinded, as to not see the true self of one horrible man!" Oscar said.
"Then we best get going." Jack said.