Chapter 54: The Bravery
"You were always by my side."
Jean Colbert prayed.
At the midst of the battle. Next to the generation he was raising. He curled his fists around his warped metal staff. Holding back the cries of agony. Withstanding the pain of watching the students he taught fight to avert catastrophe.
He closed his eyes.
And prayed.
For the safety of the man who used his knowledge to change the world.
Karin Desiree la Valliere prayed.
In the skies above. Next to those that would succeed her one day. She curled her hands around her wand and sword. Holding back the face of worry for her children. Withstanding the pain of anxiety as her children fought against the end of the world.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who she had placed much faith in.
They used to call me a zero… Louise growled as she rode the motorcycle to the ground off the ramparts, dodging the falling debris with the skills that Kurt taught her. But I don't believe that anymore.
I'll destroy you. Not to prove myself. Not because anyone's telling me to. Not because it's going to make me great.
No, this is something I want to do myself.
Maybe I'm still a zero, maybe I'll always be a zero to the world…
…but that doesn't mean I can't make myself something else. As long as I'm happy with it, then that's all I need. That's what you taught me, isn't it?
"I'll kill you." Louise whispered, swearing to herself she'd see it through.
Riding around the Ancient Dragon, weaving through the footprints left in the earth by Guiche's golem along with all the potholes in the ground from the missed or redirected attacks and the fallen Academy walls, Louise gripped her wand and began the chant and element chain at rapid pace.
Fire.
The chain began with the element she originally despised the most. She hated fire because of Kirche and Germania and everything they stood for, but she had learned over time her dislike was unjustified. Some people were just that loose and unpredictable. And she too… had learned what it was like to want something and let the world know you wished for it. And with that discovery… had come the spell Explosion.
Earth.
The second element, the one she didn't find much use for. She could never create, only destroy like fire. She had been haunted for so long by that notion, that her void was only good at causing destruction. She wouldn't be a zero. She'd be something less than that, only able to subtract from the world. But Kurt had showed her a way. In addition to that, showing she was able to mold the world with her status. That she could be a positive. And with that discovery… had come the spell Illusion.
Water.
The third element was symbolic of the bond she shared with her closest friend. At times, it was certainly murky due to their shared interest in Kurt. Other times, it was clear and beautiful, that they could be so close despite the fact by social constraints, they really shouldn't have. Louise had learned that blood was thicker than water… and even if her family wasn't so close, Henrietta might as well have been family to her. Her bond with Henrietta was something she would forever cherish, and with that, she would be willing to wash out everything else if it meant keeping her family safe. And with that discovery… had come the spell Dispel.
Wind.
The fourth element, the one that she originally learned. The one of her supposed original love, Wardes. He was everything Louise had sought in a man. Proud, powerful, a gentleman. Back then, Louise had seen him almost like a better version of Kurt. One who didn't curse, whine, who wasn't lazy and always made sure she was happy. But now, Louise found that someone like that probably wasn't for her. She wanted someone that could challenge her, since advancing and becoming better made her much happier now. Besides, he had been a son of a bitch in the end, so that was a real turn off as well. Either way, Louise always put Wind last as Wind was the branch of spells that contained Lightning Cloud, reminding her of the man that changed everything and brought forth the winds of change. Change… and a new wish, to charge forward to the future she envisioned. And with that discovery… had come the spell World Gate.
Void.
The final element, the one that was the key to the mystery of why she was seen as zero. The ability to bring everything to nothingness. The power to erase whatever she wished from reality. Kurt had warned her against using it too often because otherwise she'd never grow up. Reality was that which you couldn't reject. She held the power to change that. Growing up meant being able to face reality, not shove it away via a spell to the face. When Kurt discovered the truth of her power, he immediately warned her about it, and it was obvious why when she saw his face. He was someone that originally had a power like this. Compared to everyone else, he could defy the laws of the world. Like a child, he pushed and shoved to get his way with it, but came to regret. Louise knew that he spoke the truth, not just a load of crap about what was supposedly "right". The guilt and the regret was so evident on him sometimes, no matter how good he thought he hid it, that Louise learned the truth.
And for this man that showed her the light of truth, she would transcend upon the impossible.
And with that resolve—to advance, to become great, to surpass her mentor after he had taught her everything he had known,—and their discoveries together… had come the spell Quadruple Giga.
Henrietta de Tristain prayed.
Next to her fellow troops. On the front lines on which the world was on the line. She grit her teeth when their enemy struck with another spell. Holding a silvery wand by her side. Withstanding the pain of watching her soldiers die.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who held her close when she needed it and guided her to today.
Agnes de Milan prayed.
Next to her dying comrades. On the ramparts above where she was trying desperately to save every one. She tore her shirt into further shreds. Holding a makeshift bandage in her hands. Withstanding the pain of watching her sisters in arms perish.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one that told her she wasn't alone.
Louise lined up the shot.
It was easy. Huge target, comparatively small distance. If she couldn't land this shot even while drunk, Kurt would be ashamed, and so would Agnes who had trained her in firearms.
She let loose the spell that she and Kurt had discovered together.
A spell that bound all the elements, of Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, and Void. One that held the power to destroy everything in its blast.
"QUADRUPLE GIGA!"
The white, all consuming beam went straight for the side of the Ancient Dragon. Even though its shell hadn't really been shattered there, the sheer power behind Louise's attack caused an audible CRACK to resound through the air. The Ancient Dragon struggled to move out of the way, getting out before the beam fully finish hitting it, finding its shell heavily damaged—no, more than that. She had completely tore through its first layer and already cracked the second.
One attack from this girl had been enough… to do that? Not even all of these children raining down on it could—
—Of course, that was it. She held the power of the combatant from six thousand years ago. Somehow though, it felt more powerful. Even Brimir hadn't been able to do a spell like that.
It turned to face Louise, who used the motorcycle's small frame to slide into the multiple debris piles, hiding her among the rubble.
"Don't forget about us!"
Louise could only smile as her distraction attack worked. She began chanting while weaving her way through the fallen pieces of the towers and walls. She knew she couldn't do that again. Obvious the Ancient Dragon would mark her as the biggest threat and would be sure to attack her right away if she showed herself.
But that meant its priorities were easy to predict.
"Insolent WORMS! Out of my way!"
Guiche didn't let up and neither did anyone else, slamming the Ancient Dragon with their most powerful attacks no matter how much it tried to get to Louise.
"Stop hiding!"
The Ancient Dragon swept into the walls, causing the ramparts to fall. The anti-air cannons became broken pieces of metal as they smashed into the ground. Ronaldo and Agnes began moving their injured under the cover of Lucy's airplane fire.
It saw a fraction of pink hair among the rubble and immediately focused a rain of rock spears… only to find that there was nothing there but debris.
"What trick is this…?!"
Illusion, if you're wondering. Louise thought with a smile as she revved the motorcycle's engine. It still wasn't loud enough to drown out everyone else's noise, allowing her to set up an easy line drive.
She began chanting once again, charging straight for the Ancient Dragon. It saw her clear as day and readied its disintegrating beam. Louise finished her chant in record time and pointed it at her enemy.
"QUADRUPLE GIGA!"
The white beam met the red beam in the air, a powerful shockwave echoing through the air. Louise kept charging in on her motorcycle, pushing back against the attack. The two spells eventually ran out, negating one another as they were an even match.
But that didn't mean Louise was done.
She was still heading straight for the Ancient Dragon, after all.
Gripping her wand tight, Louise chanted once again, creating an experimental weapon she didn't reveal often. It was a replica of her mother's magical wind sword, but this time Void elemental. In addition to that, she used Haste, making herself faster.
Leaping into the air, Louise activated Acceleration.
She warped over the Ancient Dragon, slashing as fast as she could with her purple smoke-like sword and using Acceleration to warp herself around when it became too difficult to stay on it. She got a good sixteen slashes, each one cutting through the outer layer and damaging the second one before noticing the motorcycle had drifted off enough and used Acceleration to teleport herself over on it once again, recovering before it could fall over.
"Hmph." She grunted, feeling the wind running through her hair once again as she rode off, hiding herself in the rocks and chunks of former towers. "Guiche, keep going!"
"Understood!"
"Louise!"
"Tiffania?!"
Louise slammed hard on the brakes and turned, avoiding hitting the blonde elf who was in the middle of the somehow not collapsed hallway. "What is it?"
"Let me ride with you!"
"…I…"
"You're fighting for Kurt too, right? He trained me personally as well… so let me fight by your side. I'd be so happy if you would let me be with you against this monster."
"…Get on the back, and quick."
"Thank you!"
Tiffania climbed on the back and wrapped her arms around Louise who took off. Louise knew it'd be tougher riding and casting, but she couldn't help but let Tiffania go on with her desire. After all, they both were Kurt's pupils and had their lives turned around because of him. It'd only be fair.
"Try to keep up." Louise said, even though she knew those words weren't necessary.
"I will."
Guiche de Gramont prayed.
Atop the soul of the Undine Knights manifested, Valkyria. Screaming orders while walking into hell. He launched another barrage of attacks, no matter how tired he was. Holding his rose wand in his metal hand. Withstanding the pain of the uncertainty of Montmorency's safety.
He closed his eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who showed him how to be a man and to breathe with the earth.
Charlotte Helene Orleans prayed.
Next to Karin, the Heavy Wind. Asserting her existence with every spell cast. She raised her staff high and let loose a torrent of icicles. Holding his words close to her heart. Withstanding the pain of his absence.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who showed her to be a devastating gale and how to be her.
Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst prayed.
Next to Colbert, the Crimson Reaper and Flame Serpent. On the ash laden ground. She commanded for her flames to aid Colbert's in lighting the sky. Holding the promise she had made to him in her heart. Withstanding the pain of possibly being unable to keep that promise.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who showed her what passion truly was.
Montmorency Margarita la Fere de Montmorency prayed.
Next to the fallen and injured. Amidst the ruins of the school she had come to love. She cast another healing spell, hoping to rid the aches and pains of many. Holding back her tears. Withstanding the pain of seeing her classmates in agony.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who gave her clarity and showed her the flow of the world.
Kurt…!
The face of the man Tiffania had fallen for flashed through her mind as she brought all of her concentration to bear. Chaining together the elements like she had been taught, she imagined the spell that Kurt had put faith in during their invasion of Romalia's capital.
"REFLECTION!"
Tiffania screamed as the red beam came for them once again. It immediately reversed and struck the Ancient Dragon right back in the mouth, causing it to bleed from its tongue, or so it seemed to be doing so as more and more of the shine of its purple shell was revealed.
We're not finished! Louise thought, hurling another Quadruple Giga at her enemy. The white beam with the power to destroy anything tore into the world's foe, causing it to stumble back and crash into a wall.
She still couldn't see the magical core that they had to destroy. Not to mention that once they got past its outer layer, it put up a furious defensive. It didn't help the inside was apparently stronger as well. While she might have easily shattered its outermost layer, the layers after that… not so much.
Her confidence wavered, but only for a second.
"Tiffania, we're going to use that combined attack!" Louise yelled as she drove them through the rubble again.
"O-okay!"
Louise always handled fire and wind, the destructive elements. She had learned those elements well and were her favorites for any job. But for Tiffania, she preferred to take the much more passive route.
As Louise began with Wind, Tiffania then latched on with…
Water…
The element of calmness, of beauty, and of clarity. Tiffania remembered the feelings Kurt had given her well. How she was able to think of herself as something other than a failure with a few words. The way he had acted so kindly until the children were threatened. Ever since that day, she had entertained fantasies about the two of them raising a family together, with him being that proud father she always imagined.
Holding onto those feelings tightly, she moved onto the next element.
Earth…
The element of strength, of sturdiness, and of stubbornness. Tiffania remembered the feelings Kurt had given her well. How she wanted to reach out to him and she overcame the nervousness in her heart to tell him how she felt. The way she had taken the pain of his rejection, but wanted to wait for him regardless. Ever since that fateful day, she had entertained fantasies about him eventually coming back to her, no matter how obviously impossible it was.
Holding onto those feelings tightly, she passed on the chain to Louise.
With that, the chain was complete. Wind, Water, Earth, Fire. The two of them chained Void together. As one, they spoke—
"Take this! Formless blade, open the way forward! Reject that which stands in the way of tomorrow! Absolute Denial of Existence! TWIN QUARDRUPLE GIGA!"
Two massive white beams shot out, spiraling together and becoming one, shining a brilliant rainbow of colors in the sky.
"R-RAAAAGGHAAAAARGHHH!"
The Ancient Dragon took the beam head on. Its sheer power ripped straight through its first layer and most likely its second. Underneath that deep purple was a layer of pitch black.
"Ha… so you finally show that, huh?" Louise muttered. "We're not going to get an attack like that again. It was already focusing on me, but now that we've done that… we really need to open up a hole."
"Mmm."
"Are you okay?" Louise asked as she weaved through the Ancient Dragon's attacks. "Hearing, sight. Everything's good?"
"I think so."
"…I guess we can't really determine anything on the fly. Be ready to use Reflection. I doubt we'll get another shot like that, so we just have to keep hammering away."
"Right!"
She continued to fight, on and on. No matter what would happen.
The fight never stopped, not for the entire night.
But even determined beings have their limits.
Eventually, the fuel for the jet ran out.
"Dammit…! Eleanor! Help me rip the guns off the plane!"
"You'll break your arms if you try to shoot those things!"
"Not if we make a rig for it! Now help me!"
"Huh?!"
"Did you not hear me?!"
"Speak a little louder…"
A little… Oh no. "IS THIS ENOUGH?!"
"Yes, yes!"
"Then help me!"
Oh please, please don't let her have gone deaf… though I fear I may be at similar risk.
Eventually, the Musketeers ran out of bullets.
"Are we supposed to fight that thing in melee now?!"
"We'll definitely die if we do!"
"Co-commander?! What are we supposed to do now?!"
"Idiots! Fall back and assist the injured!"
"But ma'am—"
"I have my ice powers! I can still fight!"
Eventually, the Ancient Dragon began targeting their healers and injured to cripple their forces.
"I won't leave a single one behind!"
"Tch… just run, Melody!"
"Ha… well, I was already bleeding out anyways."
"You moron! Why the hell were you helping the injured when you're bleeding that much?!"
"Someone had to. Now, get out of here. I'm not going to leave them behind."
"Then perish with these weaklings."
Eventually, the bodies of both humans and elves were starting to give out from sustained injuries and physical tiredness.
"Ha…" Louise growled as she pried the motorcycle off her and Tiffania, helping the blonde elf to her feet once again. Staying up the entire night, several close calls and injuries, combined with the energy consumption throughout the battle had taken a shot at her reaction times, and thus she missed dodging that one last bit of debris that caused them to crash, although they had already taken several dives before as the Ancient Dragon targeted them which contributed to that.
Amidst the smoke, the Ancient Dragon's amethyst eyes glowed as it stepped closer to her, shaking the earth with every step.
Karin and Eleanor looked on with horror off to the side from the ground, their armor and clothing having been damaged and their bodies heavily injured, as Louise manifested her Void blade again, obviously intending to fight to the bitter end despite the cuts all over her arms and stomach, despite the bleeding from her legs and the obvious limp she had. Tiffania adopted a fighting stance as well, clearly mimicking Louise's idea, despite the blood on her face and the injuries all over her body.
Despite all of this… Despite staring absolute death in the eyes… Despite the end being a hair's length away from them…
Tiffania Westwood prayed.
Next to Louise. Reaching out for her friend's right hand which seemed to be a different distance than she saw it was. Readying to fight to the bitter fucking end. Holding her wand close to her slightly bleeding chest. Withstanding the pain that was looking death right in the face.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one who taught her she wasn't worthless and the one that she loved.
Similarly, in her time of weakness, even as her knees shook and her breath trembled…
…Louise Francoise le Blanc de la Valliere prayed.
Right in front of the Ancient Dragon. Ready for a last stand that would redefine the term for the ages. Furiously cursing at how it readied to finish her. Holding sheer anger in her heart and Tiffania's left hand in her bloodied right. Withstanding the pain of her certain death.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one that made every wrong right and that she loved.
And with them…
Siesta prayed.
Beyond the veil of mortality. In the place that people could never hope to visit. Holding her hands close to her heart. Withstanding the pain of being unable to act, only watch.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the one whom she believed in and loved so dearly.
And unbeknownst to them…
Cynthia prayed.
Beyond not just the veil of mortality, but also across the worlds. In the place that she waited so dearly for her beloved, ready to tell him that she was always waiting but knew he would find greater happiness with another if he so chose that path. Holding onto so dearly that dream she and Kurt had come to believe in. Withstanding the pain of seeing all those that came to follow him suffer.
She closed her eyes.
And prayed.
For the man that she waited for, all this time.
"I shall make your deaths quick."
"Heh…" Louise looked up in the sky as she saw a ray of light out of the corner of her eye. "…You know, you said we weren't going to make it through the night. But look, the sun has risen."
"It makes no difference, girl. I hope that being around that electric beast hasn't made you resistant to electric attacks, or you will surely feel pain."
"Hey, Tiffania…"
"Louise?"
"Kurt told you… if you ever needed him…"
Tiffania smiled. "To call for him?"
The two glanced at each other and nodded.
"KUUUUUUUUUU—"
I…
…Where am I…?
I'm… dead…?
No…
…what magic did that thing use…? Ah, right, I got hit by that beam.
Kurt…
Sasha…?
It's similar to Void… but remember that battle you saw…
Yeah… Brimir… got hit with something similar…
It was my plan, but…
But I… am not magical… at all…
It'd be nice to... maybe close my eyes... it's pretty difficult, huh... doing what Brimir did when you can't use magic, huh?
You can hear them, can't you? Is that your doing, Myz?
No...
Lif?
Yes... reading their hearts, even from here though... I didn't think my power extended this far. This is a fairly unique situation, after all...
…who's talking, though…?
Ah...!
I can hear them all... Calling for me... Hoping for me to come back...
Colbert…
Karin…
Henrietta…
Agnes…
Guiche…
Tabitha…
Kirche…
Montmorency…
Tiffania…
Louise…
…Even Siesta… from beyond the grave… even still, you believe in me…
And Cynthia… you've always had my back…
Myz…!
I don't know if I can do it…! The last time, I was only barely to put ourselves together and that's because we had magical artifacts that have been lost to time and Brimir's power and—
I'm gonna help out…
After all…
…I can manipulate existence too, right?
I'm… not quite dead, right? The way that Explosion works on a magical level…
…it encapsulates things, and then slowly erases them in a separate magical plane of existence by ripping apart their binding electrons and all that, from what I'm feeling right now. It's something similar to when I disintegrate things. But all we see is that things have been erased…
So…
…I'm going to deny it.
With everyone's faith and prayers in me…! I won't let you all down…!
I will assert my existence…! This is the element I researched, after all…! I've got all of you behind me as well!
I can see an electric outline of myself as I start commanding my powers. The electrons… the presence… I will draw it all into me…! Myz…!
I'll do what I can…! I am the Myoznitnim, the Mind of God…! There is no magical feat I cannot do!
Even though I can't see my "arm" or my "hand", I can feel a hand gripping mine. Sasha…
You won't be alone…!
I can feel a pat on the head and another hand. Lif…
Right behind you.
And you too, huh, Vin?
Kurt Bright… you are truly the one Brimir was looking for.
Then let's do this…!
You thought I'd be brought low by the element I so researched…?! Lemme tell you just who the hell I am!
I…
I am…
I am me…!
I am Kurt…!
I am Kurt Bright…!
I am Kurt 'Gig' Bright…!
I am Kurt 'Gig' Bright of New Marais…!
I am the Maddest of the Mad, Kurt 'Gig' Bright of New Marais…!
I am the Maddest of the Mad, Baddest of the Bad, Kurt 'Gig' Bright of New Marais…!
I am the Maddest of the Mad, Baddest of the Bad, nigh indestructible, Kurt 'Gig' Bright of New Marais…!
I am the Maddest of the Mad, Baddest of the Bad, nigh indestructible, Master of the Storm, Kurt 'Gig' Bright of New Marais!
With that, I see my entire being reassert myself, my body returning to me here. Lif… absorb this magical area! It's power and a spell, right?!
Very well…! Even if it pains me, I will…!
With the raw energy being drawn into me, I feel myself growing even more powerful. My abilities… changed into something greater…!
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I won't… let you win…!
My rage calms down as I hear a voice. No, two.
…So you're calling for me, eh? Myz, do you think you can open a way back?
Heh. With this much power at our disposal, that's easy.
I won't break my promise to you then…!
"—UUUUUUUURT!"
My existence becomes reasserted in this world.
I shoot up into the air at speeds I wasn't able to reach before, hearing my name being called.
I can feel the four runes activating as I descend from the skies with Lightning Crash, the ultimate upgrade to the Thunder Drop. The lightning launched from the Ancient Dragon flies up to me as I control its electric flow.
The Ancient Dragon takes notice as white fills the skies, launching a series of exploding rocks at me.
Heh, like I'll let you take me down that easy!
I manifest a Current Barrage, the improved version of Current Flurry, with every blade comparable to my Terawatt Blades from before. They fly out, destroying the projectiles as I smash into the ground, electricity shooting off in every direction, right in front of Louise and Tiffania.
"How did you…?!"
"GENESIS SPAAAAAAARK!"
With that, I launch the white electric beam that creates tomorrow straight for the injured Ancient Dragon, acting as the shield to Louise and Tiffania. I see… a small glint of the sunrise…?
Everyone… you lasted the entire night…?
You truly are commendable…
Rest easy.
My right hand glows with a blinding light as I punch the ground. CHAIN CURE IMPULSE!
An arc of electricity hits Louise, then Tiffania, then anyone close to them, and continues spreading. Their injuries, or at least, small one such as cuts and bruises and like that, similar to my Cure Pulse… no, it's different now.
That energy we absorbed…
It's like Void…
So similarly, the Cure Impulse I used seemingly negates injuries… I see. Or maybe my healing's just that good now. It seems to have restored their vitality, too.
"Thanks, Kurt!" Guiche roars from above, summoning Valkyria now that he seemed to be in better shape.
"You bastard…"
I can't help but smile as I bring forth the motorcycle with magnetic fields, turning around the face Louise. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. But I wasn't about to break a promise. Louise."
"Good. Also, I don't know how much we can do. Even my Quadruple Giga isn't doing too much to that second layer."
"If one Quadruple Giga doesn't work…" I say, feeling Lifdrasir's power echoing throughout my being while taking Derflinger from Louise. "…Then why don't you try a hundred all at once?"
Louise instantly understands what I'm getting at.
"I… you're serious? But that power needed—"
"Lifdrasir will help with that. Trust me."
"…Okay."
"Besides, you don't have to worry about me. I'm always by your side, right?"
"…Yeah, you were always by my side."
"Then get going. I'll be right with you."
Louise and Tiffania get to safety as Louise begins chanting. I manifest an Omegawatt Blade. I know that technically it should go Gigawatt, Terawatt, then Petawatt, but for when the end is in sight and the fact this is probably the final stage of my power… why not? Besides, Omegawatt sounds cooler.
"You…"
"Yeah, me. Let's dance, Ancient Dragon. You, the bastion of the past, of a thing Brimir failed to defeat… against us, a united group of the future dedicated to making tomorrow better. So, let's go now, shall we?"
It growls, clearly pissed off at me.
Launching the red beam that once destroyed my existence, I grit my teeth and bring up the Polarity Defender to block it, followed by another Genesis Spark that pushes it back.
"Thanks for powering me up. Seems you didn't learn from the previous battle. Brimir was able to reassert himself and then seal you… you did the same for me. Except of course, I've decided not to seal you. I'll destroy you instead!"
"And you think you can do it? Your troops are mostly exhausted. Your ammunition has run out. Your morale is low. What army are you going to use?"
I feel power draining from me. Lif…
Louise is using our power. While we have enough from the drain of that power, it may run dry. As Illusion keeps going, it will drain over time. However, considering the sheer power that we took in, you've got a good two hours of this Illusion running on until it starts tapping into your life force.
Good.
"This army." A legion of voices say confidently from above.
Along the mounds of rubble and partially destroyed walls…
…are copies of Louise, all with her capabilities. An Illusion, made reality. An Illusion of an army of Louises with her capabilities. Yes… and then, with Illusion's reality-forcing mode that we found out during the Reconquista War, these Louises become reality while the real Louise is keeping the spell maintained.
"So, Ancient Dragon… LET'S END THIS NOW!"
