A/N: Hello guys! I bring to you the update for this story! Well just to let you all know that the next chapter will be the FINAL chapter of the story... followed by an epilogue. So there will only be 2 more chapters left before this story finally comes to an end! I thank all of you readers who have been sticking with this story :D
Also a small announcement... I was just recently playing through ToX2 and during one of the Character Quests... an idea popped up. I just might have an interesting new story to explore but I won't be writing it until I've accomplished this story. Just a heads up!
Anyway time to respond to you awesome reviewers!

U-Know Yunho: The battle... the final battle!

ShouKoizumi: Hehe, well glad you liked it.
-Yes there will be an epilogue of this story, which will be the final chapter. 2 more chapters until we reach the end of this story!

Guest: Well I hope you'll like this chapter!
-Yes I celebrate Eid as well :)
-Yeah, I will do an epilogue for this story. It's going to be the final chapter of the story

RKF22: Ah well dual mystic arte is not going to be easy to write so I avoided it :P

Riku Uzumaki: Yes, power always comes with a price :( just like the normal Chromatus, this pact is a form that eradicates all of the Chromatus side-effects (as will be explained in this chapter). So basically by forming a pact, a Kresnik user will be fighting at 100%

MagatsuIza: Well 2 more chapters THEN it will end xD
-Same to you brother

Kin Hisagi: Well the ending will be in the next chapter but there will be an epilogue so that's 2 chapters basically. But yes, the story is coming to an end. Thanks for sticking to this story till the end

That Mysterious Reader: The pocket watch :o

GroundZeroFirework: Hahaha, please! You give me too much credit. You write good battle-scenes yourself. As a matter of fact, I picked something from your writing style so I should be thanking you :D
-Well there will be 2 more chapters before the story will come to an end but alas, it has to end at some point. I hope you will enjoy it
-P.S when are you gonna update your story? xD i'm waiting for an update

Project AE Hachi-Roku: Nah... in the game, only 4 of the party got to battle Bisley but in this story, I made Milla order the Great 4 Spirits to fetch the remaining party members so in this story, everyone battled Bisley.
-Hehe, this chapter is the final battle! And the feels... will be coming in the next chatper!
-Hmm... If I'm not mistaken, Fracture Milla never officially declared her love for Ludger but they have accepted it. She just never openly said it yet.
-I honestly don't know :S I got a review in chapter 6 or so in "A New Beginning" telling me Sylph was a guy... sooo I'm confused now
-Yes! Ludger will do it with all his strength! woooo! I hope you will enjoy this chapter!

Well that's it for reviews. I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter and please share your thoughts on what you think about this chapter/story. It will help me so much and motivate me to write more. Until next time!

CHAPTER 36: END OF THE ROAD

The whole party steered clear from the center of the final chamber as they watched two ultimate Chromatus users battle it out. Ludger stood on the right side of the chamber while Bisley stood on the left, his fists raised. Then it began.

"Show me what you've got Ludger!" Bisley said as he charged in, going on the offensive.

Instead of being on the defensive, Ludger also dashed in towards Bisley head-on. When the two met, Ludger thrust his lance forward while Bisley threw a fist and an earth-shattering blast erupted when they made contact. Ludger and Bisley were blown back but the two simply repeated their attack, charging towards another. It was as if the two were testing the limit of their Chromatus at full power.

As the two Kresniks fought, the rest of the party watched. Elize stayed by Rowen's side, applying healing artes on his chest. The genius tactician was still knocked out after saving Elize's life by taking a direct hit from Bisley in their fight earlier.

After a moment, Rowen finally regained consciousness, getting up only to feel a sharp pain on his chest, "What… what happened?"

Elize instantly collapsed on the old man, hugging him, "Oh Rowen… you're okay!"

"Geez! You made us worry sick!" Teepo cried out and then flew into Rowen's chest, rubbing his face in.

Rowen chuckled and returned the hug, although there was still a pain on his chest. His ribs were broken a moment ago after all, "Fear not young miss… I still have far too much to do before this geezer can pass on."

Rowen took a glance to the side and saw Ludger was battling Bisley on equal-terms. The rest of the party did not move to assist Ludger because they knew they would only get in his way at this stage.

Milla saw Ludger avoid another of Bisley's fist and returned a counter-attack, slashing Bisley's chest with his lance. Unlike the previous attacks by the party, this time Bisley cried out in pain. There was still no damage on his Chromatus armor but the fact he reacted in pain was a clear sign: a Chromatus user can only be defeated by another.

Milla observed Ludger's battle and spoke, "I guess it is no exaggeration to say that the fate of both humans and spirits… now rests on Ludger's shoulders."

Jude, who was standing next to Milla, nodded in agreement, "Yeah… we'd just be in his way if we tried to help." Jude clenched his fists, "Ever since I met him… I keep saying I want to help him but… I never can."

"Because the Kresnik clan was chosen to represent humanity. We can only support them." Milla said, "It is like I said before… this time, Ludger is the main actor and we all have to support him. Now all we can do... is to trust him and leave it to him."

Jude and Milla both then continued to watch Ludger's battle, placing their faith in him.

Fractured Milla was with Elle, holding the little girl's hand to make sure that she was close to her. After how Bisley almost killed Elle because she would become a catalyst, fractured Milla was not going to let Elle go. Until Bisley was defeated, she was going to make sure Elle was close to her. She would protect Elle with her life.

While watching Ludger's battle, Elle asked, "Hey Milla…? Ludger… Ludger's going to win right?"

Fractured Milla looked down at Elle, who was intensely watching Ludger's fight. She smiled and turned back to Ludger's fight, "Yeah that's right. He's going to win."

This was finally it. A year ago, Jude, Milla and everyone broke the schism in order to give a chance for Rieze Maxia and Elympios to prosper together. But this time, they were now putting the future of their world in the hands of Ludger Kresnik. He was the only one that could surpass Origin's Trial. They supported him and this was all they could do for him. The finale.

"GAAAAH!" Bisley shouted at the top of his lungs as Ludger's lance once more connected, slashing Bisley's shoulders.

Now without suffering from the side-effects of the Chromatus, Ludger was born anew. It was almost as if his level four Chromatus form was superior to Bisley even though they were the same.

Bisley took two steps forward and launched his fists forward, only for Ludger to easily parry it with his lance. Bisley then shoved his body forward hoping to tackle Ludger to the ground but to his surprise, he smashed into nothing but thin air. Ludger had disappeared. The next thing he knew, he was bashed from above by Ludger, disorienting him. Ludger landed back on his feet and quickly resumed his assault.

"Falling Snow!"

Ludger dashed through Bisley several times at a speed that the eyes could not follow, slashing Bisley with his lance each time he passed Bisley. After the sixth time he charged through Bisley, he then attacked the older Kresnik by delivering quick cuts on the chest. Each time Bisley tried to throw a fist, Ludger would dodge flawlessly and return another cut. Finally gaining the momentum, Ludger released a furious cry and assaulted Bisley with quick but powerful strikes.

"Dual Waltz!"

Ludger struck left then right and all over Bisley, wherever he could aim. Bisley screamed in agony and Ludger thrust his lance forward, ending his combo. For the first time since their duel, Bisley was knocked off his feet and landed on his back. Throughout the fight, the older Kresnik refused to be knocked down as a show of strength. This was his limit.

Ludger swung his lance around before stopping and turned around, glaring at the downed Bisley. At first it was silence. Bisley did not move. Then after a while, he slowly started laughing. The laugh then escalated into a roaring laughter and he got back up to his feet, still laughing.

Bisley finally stopped laughing and raised his fists again, "I never thought someone could actually match me with my Chromatus. I underestimated you."

Ludger said nothing in response. He was not going to make small-talk. He was going to destroy Bisley and get the wish from Origin!

Bisley continued, "You've come a long way Ludger. You are now the vice-president of Spirius Corporation and gathered the Waymarkers to Canaan… all of that in a span of a short time. And of course, you obtained the full Chromatus after killing Julius… your own brother!"

Ludger growled in anger and attacked Bisley but the older Kresnik blocked them with his fist before leaping away to gain some distance.

"But your brother's sacrifice is not what gave you strength." Bisley pointed out, "No… it's because you made a pact with your watch. I'm surprised you knew about the pact."

Now this caught Ludger's attention, "What do you mean?"

"Only the strongest in Spirius knows about making a pact with the watch." Bisley explained, "And a special title is given to the strongest. That title is 'Victor.'"

At the mention of that, Ludger recalled that was Elle's father's name. He called himself Victor even though he was 'Ludger' in that dimension. Now Ludger knew why Elle's father was named Victor. He inherited that title after he killed the Bisley of his dimension. And that must be how he learned about the ability to form a direct pact with the watch. Victor told him before his death that a Kresnik could form a pact with the watch and that would be granted the full abilities of the Chromatus… as well as eliminate the side-effects of the Chromatus. But of course, Victor also told him the downside of forming a pact. Because the Chromatus was always a double-edged sword. That was why Victor warned Ludger to only form a pact if he was desperate.

Bisley continued, "I don't know how you come to know about the ability to form a pact… but then you should know… about its consequences as well, don't you Ludger?"

Ludger said nothing. However Bisley's words were heard by the rest of the party.

"Consequences…?" Jude muttered. He took a step forward, "No… Ludger, what did you do?"

Fractured Milla heard it as well and unconsciously, her grip on Elle tightened. The little girl yelped in pain, "Ow! Milla! You're hurting me!"

"Oh Elle!" Fractured Milla quickly loosened her grip, "S-sorry… I just… no, I'm sorry."

Elle nodded and turned to watch Ludger's battle again.

Bisley smirked beneath his mask, "I take your silence that you know about it. Only a fool would form a direct pact."

Ludger had enough of talk and charged in with a battle cry, "RAAAAAH!"

Ludger lunged in at full force with his lance forward. Bisley leaped away just a second before Ludger's lance crashed into the ground but Ludger quickly followed Bisley, dashing for the older Kresnik.

Bisley was a smart man and he was on the defensive only because he knew Ludger now overpowered him. With Ludger's Chromatus side-effects gone, he was far stronger than Bisley anticipated. So while Ludger was on the offensive, Bisley stayed defensive as he searched for the right moment to strike. Once he found it, he would end the battle. He was so close to getting his wish from Origin and he was not going to let all his efforts go to waste just because he was overwhelmed. No, he would take it nice and slow and strike at the opportune moment!

Ludger's lance danced across the chamber but Bisley manage to either block Ludger's attacks or minimize the damage. Bisley side-stepped another attack but Ludger saw through it and swiped his lance. However the older Kresnik jumped backwards and Ludger quickly followed. Now Bisley saw his moment. Ludger was too focused on simply being on the attack that he was not watching his defenses.

"It ends here Ludger!" Bisley declared.

Bisley dashed forward, taking Ludger by surprise as he appeared in front of Ludger. Before he could even react, Bisley threw a monstrous punch and smashed his fist directly on Ludger's chest. Ludger would have been blown away but Bisley grabbed Ludger's shoulder and landed another earth-shattering punch. Ludger was stunned and Bisley finally had everything in place. It was over.

Bisley channeled all his energy into his left fist, "Origin's wish is mine! Absolute Fist!"

Bisley launched his left fist towards Ludger and just before it reached, Ludger said, "No… you've lost Bisley."

Just before Bisley's mystic arte connected, Ludger disappeared. Bisley's eyes widened in shock as his fist smashed into the air, completely hitting nothing. And without turning back, he knew that Ludger was already behind him. His mistake was that he concluded Ludger was already fighting at his full strength but he wasn't. Ludger never revealed his true powers of his ultimate Chromatus.

"THIS ENDS NOW BISLEY!" Ludger screamed as he summoned white mana-like energy behind him. Each of the unknown objects was then all thrown at Bisley, blasting the older Kresnik. Once all of them were used, Ludger then charged towards Bisley and gathered all of the Chromatus's mana into his lance before swinging wildly at Bisley. The older Kresnik could not even block or dodge any of Ludger's attacks as each swing landed, leaving visible damage on the Bisley's Chromatus. When Ludger was finally done with his assault, he took his lance spun around and delivered his final assault on Bisley. The ultimate mystic arte of the ultimate Chromatus form.

"ETERNAL…. WALTZ!"

"GAAAAAAAH!"

Bisley was blown backwards a great distance before he finally came to a stop. On his Chromatus armor, a number of visible 'cuts' were see on it, which simply told how much damage it suffered from Ludger's final mystic arte. To even emphasize his defeat, Bisley dispelled his Chromatus form before he collapsed on the ground.

"So… I lost…" Bisley admitted softly.

Now that the battle was over, the whole party rushed to Ludger's side. Seeing his friends coming to him, Ludger dispelled his Chromatus form and reverted to his normal self. But before Jude and the others reached Ludger, Bisley started to get back up.

Milla instantly drew out her sword and the Great four Spirits also appeared behind Milla. "He can still stand?"

Bisley was back on his two feet but he looked vulnerable. "He is a tenacious man." Gaius commented.

Bisley struggled to remain standing and glared at Ludger, "I never thought… you'd actually… surpass me."

Alarmed that Bisley was actually still able to stand up, Ludger returned to his Chromatus level form and pointed his lance at Bisley. "You can't beat me Bisley. There's no point for us to keep fighting."

Bisley had a weak smirk on his face, "Ah… you can still use the Chromatus? Heh… I see… enjoy it while you can Ludger. Once your pact ends… so will you…"

Jude took a step forward, "Bisley… what do you mean by-"

But before Jude could ask what he wanted, the party saw something developing on Bisley. A dark, purple aura was emitting from his stomach and a familiar orb-like shaped was the center of this aura. And the party instantly knew what it was. Bisley was transforming into a catalyst!

Bisley could feel an intense pain coming from below but he didn't even need to check what it was. He knew it. He was turning into a catalyst. He looked at the chamber where Origin sealed himself and saw the large numbers, displaying the number of fractured dimensions that had been created over the course of two thousand years. And the dials were moving upwards in accordance to Bisley becoming a catalyst. If he transformed, it would mean he would create the millionth catalyst, the magic number that would mean humanity failed the trial. To Bisley, it was ironic if he was the cause of humanity's failure by becoming the millionth catalyst.

So to everyone's shock, Bisley clenched his right hand into a fist and buried it deep into his chest. With that powerful of a blow, he ruptured his ribcage and destroyed his lungs, causing intense pain ravaging his entire body. He coughed out blood and when he removed his hand from his chest, there was more blood spilling from the wound.

"W-why's he doing that to himself?!" Leia cried out in shock.

Rowen already knew so he explained, "He's becoming a catalyst."

"If he became a catalyst, that would mean he'd become the millionth catalyst." Gaius continued where Rowen left off, "That blow he did to himself has killed him. That is why his transformation has stopped."

The party realized Gaius and Rowen was right because the purple-like aura that Bisley was emitting had disappeared. He ended his transformation by killing himself. As the Lord of Spirits, Milla felt some respect for this man. He would go to such lengths to make sure humanity would not fail the trial.

Bisley coughed out another volume of blood before he chuckled with a smile, "Isn't this what makes us humans interesting? We… never do what is expected of us." Bisley then cast his gaze on Ludger, "Ludger… looks like… the wish is… yours…"

Then like a castle of fortitude, Bisley slowly collapsed and landed on his back. The life of Bisley Bakur, president of the Spirius Corporation, had come to an end.

Milla stared at Bisley's corpse before she gave her words of respect, "Bisley Bakur… may your soul rest in peace."

"A man who gave his life to fulfill his duty. His methods may be wrong but I respect his will and ambition." Gaius added.

Now that Bisley was defeated, the group thought that everything was over. But they were wrong.

With Bisley now gone, his lance that was embedded in Chronos's body was released, thus freeing the Great Spirit of time. He quickly flew towards the group and by the time he reached the group, the wounds that he suffered from his battle with Bisley were gone.

Jude was the first to notice Chronos, quickly moving into a defensive stance, "Chronos! You're free!"

The rest of the party all drew out their respective weapons except Ludger. He simply stared at the Great Spirit while fractured Milla quickly pulled Elle close to her.

Chronos hovered above the party and summoned orbs similar to the ones Muzet uses. "You defeating that human have allowed me to be free… and now I will make sure that you do not pass the trial!"

Muzet summoned her own destructive orbs behind her just in case Chronos threw his. "My, you're quite the stubborn one, aren't you?"

Chronos glared at Muzet, "You're a Great Spirit… and you side with these humans?"

"These humans are my friends… and opened my eyes that humans and spirits can live together." Muzet answered. It was one of the rare moments the party could see Muzet actually turning serious.

"Humans… all they do is hurt Origin… and hurt spirits!" Chronos exploded with anger, "I will destroy all of you here! You will not surpass the trial!"

Muzet was about to act to stop Chronos from firing destructive artes but Ludger stepped forward. Chronos stopped what he was about to do and Muzet relaxed a little.

Ludger looked at the Great Spirit of time, "Chronos… you can try and stop us after this but I want to know one thing. Why are you stopping us? Didn't you promise Origin to help humanity with the trial? Why did you create those fractured dimensions? Weren't you the one that's supposed to help the Kresnik clan with the soul bridge once they have gathered all the five Waymarkers? Answer me Chronos!"

Chronos looked down at the puny human who dared to threaten him, "You dare question me, you pathetic human? I have no reason to answer you!"

Milla stepped up next, "Whether or not you answer Ludger's questions Chronos, we will make sure humanity survives Origin's Trial. However I, myself, am curious as to your reasons. Were you not supposed to assist humanity in the trial?"

Chronos was silent for a long while before he finally decided to humor the party.

"Why should I help the very creatures that are hurting my friend? I don't understand what Origin sees in humans! And even from the beginning, I never agreed to test humanity with a trial. But Origin and Maxwell both insisted to test the humans so I relented… but I never agreed to help humans. It's true that I could create a soul bridge for the Kresnik humans but I chose not to. I wanted you humans to fail the trial! I wanted Origin's suffering to come to an end!"

The party listened and did not interrupt Chronos.

The Great Spirit of Time then looked at Ludger again, "I concur, that Origin did instruct me to assist humans with the trial but I did not. But you're wrong about one thing. I did not create the fractured dimensions. That was the Kresnik clan's own doing."

"What?" Jude snapped.

"Don't feint ignorance human." Chronos interjected, "You should know by now whenever a Kresnik human with the Chromatus ability abuses its power, he becomes a catalyst. Fractured dimensions are created because of an abuse of power, which was the point of Origin's Trial! We wanted to test if humans could resist not abusing power, such as spyrix technology and as we can see, we are close to the millionth catalyst. The Kresnik clan, the ones chosen to represent humanity, has been failing to resist the temptation of the Chromatus powers!" Chronos then turned to Ludger, "Even this human here… Ludger Kresnik… is an example of one. He's abused the Chromatus powers… just like his ancestors."

"So even now, you will stand between us and Origin." Milla concluded.

"Humans were never meant to pass the trial." Chronos repeated, "They are doomed to fail… because humanity can never overcome the temptation of power!"

Fractured Milla, who was listening to the whole thing finally grew fed up and stepped forward. Ludger, Jude, Milla and the rest of the party did not expect her to suddenly step up.

"You've been saying the same thing over and over again! I'm sick of it!" Fractured Milla snapped, "You keep saying humans are meant to fail the trial… well, you're wrong!"

Chronos narrowed his eyes and looked at fractured Milla, "Am I not wrong? What do you know anyway? You're the former Maxwell and nothing more than a mere human… and even worse, a fractured being."

Fractured Milla let that comment slide, "Well we're here aren't we? Ludger's made it this far thanks to all of us! We got the Waymarkers… we reached the Land of Canaan… and now we're almost about to meet Origin! The only thing that is stopping us is you! If you didn't try and stop us, humanity would have defeated the trial a long time ago but you prevented them from doing so! That wasn't part of the trial, was it? You were supposed to help humanity and instead you're sabotaging it."

"You…!"

But fractured Milla was not done, "And Ludger never abused the Chromatus… the only reason he's at this stage… is because he used the power to save me! To allow me to exist in the prime dimension along with Milla. Ludger has done everything the trial required of him and even gone beyond that! In the end, you're the one that's stopping us from beating the trial."

Fractured Milla was panting by then, taking deep breaths. The rest of the party was silent and even Chronos was far too stunned to argue. He was of course boiling with rage but in two thousand years, this was the first time a mere human was pointing out his flaws.

Fractured Milla then went for the final point, "And… you said so yourself Chronos. Origin instructed you to assist humanity and you did not. So all the things that you said about humanity not being able to beat the trial… you were wrong. You disobeyed Origin, your own fellow Great Spirit…"

Chronos did not know how to react. His first instinct was of course to blow fractured Milla into the void but… his hands would not move. All of fractured Milla's points were spot-on and the last part about her accusing him of disobeying Origin, it was true. And even worse… he was the one that was stopping humanity from passing the trial now. He was a hypocrite. He accused of humans of not being able to surpass the trial when in fact… they were going to. He was the one that was stopping them.

Milla saw Chronos was actually thinking about what her other-self said and knew with the right words, they did not have to fight Chronos. "Chronos… it's been two millennias since you've fought humanity… perhaps it's time you give humanity a chance and… put faith into what Origin and the first Maxwell believed in."

Chronos turned to Milla, "…faith in… what Origin believed… in?"

Milla nodded, "Yes… faith that humanity have what it takes to control themselves. Ludger is the very proof of that and he deserves… to pass the trial."

Chronos looked down at the human Ludger and the Great Spirit of time had to agree that this particular Kresnik human was extraordinary. He may not be the Key of Kresnik nor was he the first to have gathered the five Waymarkers and he was definitely not the first to have unlocked the ultimate Chromatus… but he was the first to use his Chromatus abilities to keep a fractured being alive in the prime dimension, harming his own life in the process. That was one trait that Chronos had to at least respect. Unlike most of the Kresnik members, they used their Chromatus powers in hopes to get the one wish from Origin but Ludger was one of the rare few that used his Chromatus abilities in what he believed was right.

So Chronos relented, "Very well… I will not stop you then. I shall see for myself what Origin actually sees in you humans."

"Thank you, Chronos." Milla said gratefully.

The rest of the party finally gathered around Ludger and looked at the chamber that held Origin. The large numbers '999,999' was still engraved on it. The time had finally come to face Origin.

"The Kresnik clan was the one chosen to represent humanity." Rowen pointed out, "I believe that it is best that Ludger should be the one to face Origin."

"Yeah, I think that's the best." Jude said and turned to Ludger, "Ludger… we leave it in your hands."

Ludger nodded and started walking towards the chamber that held Origin. Chronos continued to hover above the party, watching their every move. Then halfway to the chamber, Ludger stopped walking.

Ludger turned around and looked at Elle. Then he stretched out his hand towards her, "Elle… let's do this together. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."

Elle was waiting for that and happily ran towards Ludger, running into a hug. She had not been in Ludger's arms since she was kidnapped by Bisley and it was good to be together again.

Milla nudged fractured Milla, "You should go with them."

Fractured Milla shook her head, "N-no… I shouldn't."

However Jude agreed with Milla's suggestion, "Go to them 'Milla'. After all, you three are always together. This is your moment with them."

Fractured Milla wanted to say something but she looked at the rest of the party. Alvin, Leia, Rowen, Elize, Teepo… even Gaius and Muzet, they all gave a knowing nod. Even though she knew she was accepted as 'one of them', this was the first time fractured Milla truly felt she was accepted and acknowledged for who she was. A tear escaped her tear ducts as she followed Elle and went to Ludger.

Ludger saw fractured Milla approaching and let go of Elle. "Let's go Milla... let's see Origin together."

"We'll always be together!" Elle said cheerfully.

Fractured Milla nodded and the three approached Origin's chamber together. When they were before the very chamber itself, Ludger and Elle stretched out their hands. Fractured Milla did nothing mainly because she had nothing to do with the trial. She was only here to support the ones she cared about.

When Ludger and Elle's hands touched Origin's container, a sparkling bright light was released from the container. Then after that, the container finally started to open. Inside the container, there was nothing but a dark abyss and Origin seemed to be not there. Then a moment later in the center of the emptiness, a small hint of light appeared again. The small light took the shape of a pale, human boy but it was clear it was not a human. It had no human features other than the body of a boy. Finally the Great Spirit Origin, the Great Spirit of the void and one of the three primordial spirits, had revealed itself.

"The Great Spirit Origin…" Gaius said in admiration of the sight.

"The one and only." Origin responded, his voice soft and gentle, "I am very pleased to finally meet you, King Gaius."

"You know about his highness?" Rowen inquired with surprise.

Origin smiled, "I do. And I know about you too, Rowen the Conductor. I can say I know all of you. You see, the souls that I purify always tell me about what is happening in the human realm. They are… like my little birds."

"You seem to be quite curious about humans." Milla pointed out.

"Perhaps. But not as much as you, Maxwell."

"I suppose this is our first meeting, but we have little time for pleasantries. We have a request."

Origin nodded, "To rid the fractured dimensions and continue soul purification. Is that correct?"

"Yes. I would be willing to help if you think you're at your limit." Milla offered.

"Milla!" Jude cried out in shock.

Origin saw Jude's reaction and looked at Milla, "Even if the process would mean endless torment?"

"Even so…" Milla answered without hesitation.

"…Maxwell… you really do love humans, don't you?" Origin remarked.

Jude wanted to say something but he knew a determined Milla would do what she thought was right. There was no talking her out of this.

Then to everyone's surprise, Chronos spoke, "So even now… you humans are still the same. I agreed to allow you humans to meet Origin but you're all selfish! Even despite hearing that Origin will be bound to torment, you still force him to continue with the purification! You humans will never change and I refuse to stand idly by as you continue to torment my friend with your corruption!"

Origin then chuckled, confusing Chronos, "You say those things Chronos and yet… you just showed the most human thing about you."

Chronos was stunned at that, unable to form the words he wanted to say, "W-what…?"

"Thank you Chronos." Origin said gratefully, "But it is time you let go of your hatred for humans. Your concern over me has consumed you for far too long. It is something like this that reminds me why I love humans. You can never predict what they will do and that is because we can never predict the human heart. They will do anything for something… or someone they love."

"I agree." Milla said with a nod.

Origin finally cast his gaze on Ludger, Elle and fractured Milla, "Yes. Especially you Ludger. One of the dimensional rules is that no two beings in the same dimension can exist and yet… here I see Maxwell and the former Maxwell. You used the power granted by Chronos to allow the Maxwell from the fractured dimension to continue to exist, harming your own life. And you did this because you followed your heart. Humans are really wonderful. Maybe that's what allowed you to overcome the trial."

"He's paid a huge price for it however." Chronos said, "A pact with the watch… I never thought any human would go through with it."

Origin nodded in agreement, "Yes. I am aware of what happens when a Kresnik makes a direct pact with the watch. It is why I said it allowed them to pass the trial. Ludger was willing to throw his life for the sake of humanity. For the sake of his friends. For the sake of the ones he loves."

At this point, Jude remembered Bisley mention something about the 'consequences' of forming a pact with the pocket watch. So he quickly asked, "Ludger! The pact… the pact you made with the watch… what does it do?"

Ludger turned around and the two locked eyes. Instantly Jude already had an idea of what Ludger had done. He was always like this. He was always willing to hurt himself so long as it meant the others were safe.

"Ludger! What did you do?!" Jude demanded in desperation, "What does forming the pact do?! Answer me Ludger!"

Ludger did not answer but Rowen already had a hunch. "The pact grants absolute power to Ludger." Rowen said as he stroked his beard, "Surely the cost must be… severe. If not, Bisley would have used it as well."

Ludger simply gave a nod but he did not elaborate more.

Fractured Milla and Elle looked at Ludger, their eyes demanding an explanation. It was not just them. Alvin, Leia and Elize had a horrified expression on their face when they realized Ludger had done something to himself. Gaius, Muzet, Mill and Rowen however remained composed because they respected Ludger's actions.

So fractured Milla repeated Jude's question, "Ludger… the pact… what does it cost you?"

Ludger turned to fractured Milla… and he gave a smile. But it was a death smile. A smile that signified defeat. So Ludger decided to reveal to the group what the pact was… it was the least he could do. No, that was wrong.

It was more accurate to say that… this was one of the last things he will reveal to the group.

CHAPTER END