A.N: So, first, a big announcement. Last month, I announced the publishing of my first original novel: Age of Heroes: The Hero and the Disciple, in eBook format. Well, I would also like to announce that for anyone who prefers a hard copy, hard copies are now being offered as well! So, if you've enjoyed my work here, I encourage you to check out my original material as well!

I'll also be changing my pen name on this site to reflect my new status as a published author. From now on, when you're trying to find my profile, keep your eyes peeled for Author Nicholas Drew

Now then, it's time to get back to War of Discoveries. Which I'm having a blast writing, by the way. Hope you're having a blast reading it!

Chapter 17: Black Future Ahead

Musashi immediately stepped in front of Cardinal Yakuma, keeping his gaze on Yuno. "Cardinal Yakuma, please allow me to fight him in your stead!" He declared. "This one is definitely stronger than the Diamond Kingdom mages we had crushed during the uprising, but you still should not have to waste your energy on such filth. You must...only destroy that which is worthy of you and your power! Any less would be utterly insulting!"

Yakuma scowled as he relaxed. The visible Reiki around him quickly disappeared. "Musashi, I don't need you to babysit me."

"I would never disrespect you in such a manner." Musashi assured his master. "But Cardinal, I cannot abide by you fighting against someone who is utterly unworthy of your time."

This made Yakuma laugh. "My time? Musashi, my boy, you seem to forget that time is a very slow-moving thing for our people." He noted. "I have all the time in the world."

Yuno raised a curious eyebrow at Yakuma's statement. "Bell," he said to a spirit floating beside him, "what do you make of these men?"

In reality, the female spirit floating beside him was actually Sylph, the Spirit of Wind, one of the 4 Elements. Bell was simply a nickname. "Honestly, I don't know." Sylph admitted, shaking her head. "But Yuno, please, be smart about this. These two...both of them are insanely powerful. That swordsman is at least as strong as the elves were, and they had unbelievable power levels. And that big guy...I think he might be stronger than that Word Magic Devil."

"...Oh, I see." Yuno responded simply.

Sylph pouted at Yuno's nonchalant response before noticing how uncharacteristically tense his body looked. I see...Yuno, you're putting on a brave face, but you're scared deep down. You know what it means to be confronting enemies with this level of power.

"That may be so, but as your loyal Bishop, I must take care to eliminate the weak in your stead, so that you may destroy only those who are worthy of your efforts." Musashi said.

Yakuma laughed once more. "Musashi," he said with a big grin, "this boy confronted us of his own free will with the intent of defeating us both. That level of confidence...that alone makes him worthy of my efforts, no matter how misplaced it may be-"

"Wind Magic: Tornado Fang!" Yakuma and Musashi were suddenly blasted by a horizontal tornado.

The rocks, grounds and trees themselves were ripped to pieces by the force of Yuno's Tornado Fang. Yuno gazed down at the tornado. If they are that strong...then I can't hold back against them.

Yuno then heard Yakuma's boisterous laughter. "Splendid attack, boy!" He declared from inside of the tornado.

Then, much to Yuno's disbelief, Yakuma and Musashi both calmly walked right out of the tornado. "Yes, I can sense it. You're strong. It makes me happy that this is the world I was assigned to investigate and then destroy. Because now I get to battle strong opponents like you!" Yakuma admitted.

There he went again with such confusing statements. This world? Investigate? What in the world was he talking about? Yuno was incredibly confused by it all. "Now then," Yakuma continued, "before I kill you, what was your name again?"

"It's Yuno," Yuno responded, "commit it to memory before I strike you down."

"Ha!" Yakuma laughed once more. "Yuno, eh? A strong name for a strong lad! And to think you'd make such a statement even after we shrugged off such an attack."

"I am Yakuma, one of the Four Cardinals of D, the Cardinal of Destruction!" Yakuma introduced himself. "I suggest you commit my name to memory, Yuno, before I destroy you!"

Musashi scowled. "So, your heart is set on fighting this one?"

"Just as I told you, Musashi," Yakuma said to him, "when an enemy confronts me with this level of bravado and power...I just can't help but crush them myself!"

Yakuma's visible Reiki, colored dark green, reappeared. "Yuno!" He yelled. "Don't blame me for what happens next!"

"We need to transform, now Yuno!" Sylph frantically yelled, worried for her partner.

"Alright," Yuno nodded, "Spirit Assimilation: Spirit Dive!"

With that, Yuno's body transformed as Sylph fused with him. Yuno's left arm turned green, a green circle of connected crosses appeared around his wrist, a green wing appeared from the left side of his back, and a green half-crown of connected crosses appeared on the left side of his head. This was the form known as Spirit Dive.

Musashi gazed at Yuno's new form with interest. His Mana has increased significantly as a result of that technique. As he is now, he'd almost be a match for me. However, he is not. And he is certainly no match for the Cardinal.

Yakuma laughed in delight. "Excellent, this is what it's all about!" He declared. "Powerful techniques, increases in strength. To take the fight to its absolute limits and destroy everything around it! That's a true fight!"

"Wind Spirit Magic!" Yuno dispassionately held out an open palm. "Spirit Storm!"

A swirling beam of wind was fired at Yakuma from the palm of Yuno's hand. Yakuma grinned and crossed his arms out in front of him in an 'x' formation. Yakuma took the blast head on, much to Yuno and Sylph's surprise. Yakuma was then enveloped within the Spirit Storm.

"I see how you truly feel, Yuno." Yuno heard Musashi call up to him. "And I suppose to someone like you, it would be a surprise to see someone make a conscious decision to take an attack like that head on. I understand your confusion."

Yuno narrowed his eyes at Musashi's words. "That is simply who Cardinal Yakuma is." Musashi acknowledged. "A man who lives to destroy, whether it is others, or even his own body. He is a man who only feels alive when he experiences the same danger that others are placed in because of him."

Yuno then heard the sound of a beast like roar. He turned to see his Spirit Storm broken up as Yakuma uncrossed his arms. "Magnificent!" Yakuma said with a feral gaze in his eyes. "Your magic has indeed increased in strength!"

Blood dripped down from Yakuma's body. However, he was completely ignoring the lacerations that were actually minor at best, simply because he could. "What else have you got, Yuno?' Yakuma grinned. "Come on, is with all that bravado, I'd think you'd have a bit more than that."

Yuno was finally starting to lose his composure. Not even that devil had inspired this much concern from him. However…

"Let's see who becomes the Wizard King first!" That single promise. The challenge those two gave each other that set their fates in motion. He could not step back now.

"You're right, I do have more than that." Yuno narrowed his eyes, showing pure grit. "And I'll throw as many attacks at you as I have to. Because I'm not going to stop. I'm not retreating and I'm not giving up!"

"Now that's the spirit!" Yakuma exclaimed. "Let's see who's still standing at the end! Which one of us is strong enough to have earned the right to live another day! And which one of us is too weak to live through the culling of the herd that fate has brought to us?"

"Bell...you with me?" Yuno asked softly.

"Until the end, Yuno." Sylph's voice rang out in his head.

Yuno held out his arms. "Wind Spirit Creation Magic: Spirit of Zephyr!" He yelled, creating a two-handed sword composed entirely of mana.

Yakuma laughed. "That's it, come at me!" He yelled.

"Don't blame me for what happens next!" Yuno yelled, swinging the sword and conjuring several tornadoes that were sent towards Yakuma.

Musashi shielded himself from the high winds, keeping his gaze entirely on Yakuma. He watched as Yakuma decided to dodge this time, leaping and running around the tornadoes, displaying surprising flexibility and speed, coupled with Vanishing Walk. Yuno's eyes widened at how unbelievably fast Yakuma was moving. Even while fused with Slyph, his eyes were still struggling to keep up with Yakuma's movements.

He's unbelievably fast for a man his size! Yuno noted.

"Yuno! You need to use Mana Zone! If we can't follow him with our eyes, then let's use the winds and mana themselves to predict his movements." Sylph suggested.

Yuno nodded. "Mana Zone: Spirit's Hushed Dance!" He yelled, taking control of the surrounding Mana and using it to sense and predict Yakuma's movements.

Musashi nodded, impressed with Yuno's newest attempt at keeping up with his master. Not a bad plan. Mana Zone, from what we understand, is a technique that allows wielders to gather natural mana in the area to amplify their magical abilities. If I had to guess, he's probably using it to better detect Cardinal Yakuma's movements.

He's weaving about in a serpentine pattern. Yuno noted inwardly. But he'll be attempting an attack...right in front of me!

Yakuma appeared ten feet in front of Yuno. "Now!" Yuno yelled, swinging the Spirit of Zephyr at the hulking Cardinal.

Yakuma gave a big grin as he caught Yuno's Spirit of Zephyr in his bare hand. Yuno's eyes widened. This opponent of his just grabbed a blade made of pure Mana. Who the hell was this guy? "Nice knife." Yakuma taunted before snapping the blade in half with his bare hand.

Yuno gasped. "Not good enough, Yuno." Yakuma told him before bringing his fist back.

In his shock, Yuno was unable to process the fact that Yakuma was about to throw a devastating haymaker that struck the Magic Knight right in the ribs. The blow created a shockwave that blasted the bushes and trees around them. Yuno's mouth dropped open as blood flew from his mouth. He felt his ribs shatter from the blow. "Yuno!" Sylph yelled in concern.

Yuno was launched off his feet, sent flying far away, much to Yakuma's amusement. "I wonder if I should've held back a bit." He mused before addressing Musashi. "Any thoughts?"

"No, that was perfectly appropriate." Musashi shook his head. "That upstart should know that he has no way of beating a foe of your caliber."

Yakuma laughed in amusement. "He was strong, Musashi." Yakuma assured him. "I was just stronger. The strong preserve their existence and the weak are destroyed. That is the way of the world. It is the hierarchy of the world.""

"I'm aware, Cardinal." Musashi nodded. "That is the belief you have instilled within me ever since you found me that day."

The two then heard the sound of ground shaking. "Hmm?" Musashi turned to see a giant, walking building moving towards the capital. "Well...that's a first."

"Oho? Now that looks interesting." Yakuma grinned.

"Cardinal," Musashi said, "with your permission, I will handle this. This is clearly an enemy's doing. A very unique enemy if they can turn a building into that."

"I'll allow it." Yakuma nodded. "Better you do your job and destroy our foes, rather than just waste your time babysitting me. Go have some fun of your own, Musashi."

Musashi nodded in understanding. He took a few steps forward before disappearing with Vanishing Walk. Yakuma laughed in amusement. "That boy," he said with sincere fondness, "he hasn't changed a bit since the day I found him."

"Now then," Yakuma turned his attention to where he had sent Yuno flying, "I think I've still got someone to thoroughly crush. So let's play a bit longer!"

Meanwhile, said walking building was the Black Bulls Headquarters, powered by Henry Legolant and his Reconstruction Magic. "Hang on, we're coming to save you, Asta! Everyone!" Magna Swing declared staring out the windows that served as the eyes of the walking HQ.

"Freaking corrupt bastards." Zora Ideale frowned with a furious gaze in his eyes. "They just don't know when to quit, huh?"

"We're gonna make a statement this time, for their sakes." Even Gauche Adlai was determined. "But I still won't let Asta have Marie."

"Umm...shouldn't we also be worried about the commotion in the capital?" Grey wondered, pointing at the destroyed buildings. "That looks like some really scary stuff going on."

Luck Voltia's entire body was crackling with electricity in excitement. "Oh yeah!" Luck said. "War! Just like Grandmaster Sojiro said there would be! The bad guys are here and ready to fight! This is going to be great-"

Then, Luck's excitement was immediately wiped away. His eyes widened in excitement. He immediately ran to the back of the HQ's head, gazing out the windows in the back. "Guys!" He yelled. "There's someone coming our way!"

The Black Bulls ran over to where Luck was. "Henry!" Magna yelled. "Turn us around! Someone's coming from behind!"

Henry did as asked and turned the HQ around. Musashi then leapt on top of a tree, staring up at the walking building. He stared at the head and nodded to himself. "Eight lifeforms, each of varying strengths...but rather impressive. None of them are at the level of that one that challenged Cardinal Yakuma." He noted.

Musashi then drew both of his katanas. "This shouldn't take too long." He noted.

Zora, Magna, Luck, Grey, Gauche, Charmy and Gordon all stared at Musashi. Luck smiled. "He's strong, I can tell from here." He noted. "And he's got the same kind of power Grandmaster Sojiro and the others have."

"Oh damn, so he is from that Cult." Gauche growled.

"Don't freak out on us and fly off the handle, Luck." Zora warned him. "We need to be smart about this."

"Yeah, don't worry." Luck smiled at him before promising. "I want to fight him, but I want to protect you guys too."

"I'll...prooooooootect youuuuuuu toooooo!" Henry declared. His voice booming through the halls of the headquarters. Henry then launched an attack of his own. "Mana Corkscrew!"

The HQ's right arm started spinning violently before launching itself at Musashi. Musashi's eyes narrowed before he vanished from sight, much to the shock of the Black Bulls. "So fast!" Gauche said in shock.

Then, in a few seconds. The spinning arm fell from the main body. Musashi then reappeared atop the base's shoulder. "WHAT?!" The Black Bulls all face-faulted in shock.

Musashi then gazed right inside the windows, staring at the Black Bulls. "We might be in trouble." Zora muttered to himself.

Musashi then held both blades out in front of him. "Sakura-ryu: Scissors!" He yelled before vanishing.

There was a sudden jolt in the head that almost threw everyone inside off their balance. Then, much to their horror, the head suddenly began to slide from the shoulders. "No way!" Magna yelled in disbelief. "He decapitated our base in one shot?!"

Musashi reappeared on the other shoulder. He watched as the head then fell from the shoulders, hitting the ground just in front of the capital with a loud crash. The Black Bulls were left on the ground in a heap, groaning from the crash. "That was...so not cool." Magna muttered.

"That attack was so strong." Gordon added quietly.

"Everyone out!" Zora yelled. "We've gotta get out of here, right now! Grey, transform into someone big enough to pick up Henry!"

The Black Bulls quickly piled out of their destroyed base, with Grey in her giant man form carrying Henry.

"They all survived." Musashi noted. "I suppose that is to be expected. Compared to the worlds 'Despair' and 'Death' went to, this world appears much stronger."

Musashi then leapt from the shoulder he stood on and landed in front of the Black Bulls. Magna stood in front of Grey. "Stay back," he ordered, "keep Henry safe."

Grey nodded while the other six Black Bulls stood before Musashi. "Those robes of yours...you appear to be Magic Knights." Musashi noted. "I am Musashi, Bishop of the Triad of Destruction. I will now be taking your lives."

"Nice introduction." Magna muttered sarcastically.

"I love it!" Luck added giddily. "Right down to business! Now let's get to bleeding!"

Musashi raised an eyebrow before nodding. "I won't ask any of you to plead for mercy, for you won't be receiving any of it." He promised. "This is extinction, a cleansing of worlds in the name of our god. It is nothing personal, just what fate has at the end of your lives."

"Wow, they really are a doomsday cult, just like the old man said." Gauche muttered.

"Now then, prepare to die." Musashi said, gripping his twin katanas tightly.

"Gauche!" Zora yelled.

"Mirror Magic: Reflect Refrain!" Gauche yelled, opening up his grimoire and creating several mirrors that surrounded Musashi.

Light was fired from all the mirrors, right at Musashi. Musashi let out a humph before he began leaping and weaving his way through the beams of light.

"Everyone, fall back!" Zora yelled.

"What?" Luck yelled with a visibly disappointed expression on his face.

"Magna, grab him!" Zora yelled. "We have to fall back, now!"

"Not very manly, but you've got it!" Magna grabbed onto Luck and the Black Bulls began their full retreat from Musashi, much to Luck's sheer displeasure.

As the Black Bulls retreated, Zora began laying down minor traps that he was able to draw while on the run. He had to slow this guy down and also injure him in the process. Luck knew it and that was why he was so eager to fight. However, Zora was different. He could tell that Musashi was dangerous just from how the guy carried himself. They needed to fight dirty in order to have a chance at beating Musashi.

Musashi himself leapt past the last of Gauche's attacks before noticing that the Black Bulls had retreated. "Once you decide on your target, you do not allow them to retreat." He remembered one of Yakuma's teachings. "Destroy your enemies thoroughly. That is what it means to dedicate yourself to our faith's tenet of destruction."

With that, Musashi sped towards his targets with Vanishing Walk. He then sensed the traps that Zora had been laying around. "I see...how crafty." He complimented.

Musashi then used the flat side of one of his blades to flick a medium-sized rock onto one of Zora's traps. The trap was triggered and then exploded. Zora gasped at the sound of his landmine trap exploding. "You're kidding, he got past Gauche's attack already?"

Luck's eyes widened. "Zora, he's coming!" He yelled.

"I know!" Zora yelled back. "My traps should slow him down a bit more though. It should allow us to get to the capital, find some allies, and come up with a plan to take this guy out. Damn it, of all times for the captain, Finral, and Vanessa to be gone. Finral's spatial magic would've been great and that damn cat of Vanessa's could help us survive!"

"I see, shorthanded?" The Black Bulls froze in shock as Musashi suddenly appeared in front of them.

"What the hell?" Zora gasped in disbelief. "How'd you get past all my traps?"

"Among the Bishop Triads, my sensory abilities are the greatest." Musashi explained. "You cannot possibly best me with such paltry tactics."

"He's so fast…" Gordon muttered quietly.

"And I have pushed my physical abilities through intense training as well." Musashi nodded. "So yes, I am quite fast."

"YOU UNDERSTOOD HIM?!" Magna yelled in disbelief.

Musashi then Vanishing Walked in front of Zora, pointing both of his blades at Zora. "Die." He hissed, stabbing at Zora.

Magic Circles suddenly appeared in front of Zora, much to the shock of both Musashi and the Black Bulls. "A trap set on himself?!" Musashi gasped.

Zora grinned. "Yeah, I know my traps were easy to sense. I didn't exactly have time to set them properly you know." He said. "But I always keep a trap set on me. One drawn thoroughly enough that even our best sensor can't catch it! Don't look down on the Super Mage, bastard!"

Musashi frowned at Zora's act. I see...he was expecting me to get past his traps...and he expected me to come after him first because he knew that I knew he was the craftiest, the brains of this group. A surprisingly smart move on his part…

"Gauche!" Zora ordered.

"Right! Here we go, Mirror Magic!" Musashi looked off to the side to see Gauche moving off to the side. "Reflect Ray!"

Musashi narrowed his eyes and leapt away from Zora, avoiding Gauche's Reflect Ray. "Flame Magic!" Magna yelled. "Exploding Buckshot!"

Magna tossed multiple fireballs past Zora towards Musashi. "Impressive teamwork." Musashi complimented before swinging his katanas wildly, batting away all of Magna's fireballs.

"What the hell, man?!" Magna yelled in annoyance. "That's Asta trick, don't steal it!"

Musashi batted the last two of Magna's fireballs away, holding his twin blades out to the side. He then saw Luck rush him, clad in lightning gauntlets and boots. "HA!" Luck yelled, throwing a kick that struck Musashi in the stomach.

Musashi grunted as he was knocked backwards by Luck's kick. "Gotcha!" Luck cheered.

"Think again!" Musashi yelled, digging his heels into the ground, stopping himself from falling back too far.

"Whoa, he's really tough!" Luck exclaimed in a tone of voice that was a mixture of excitement, but also concern. "Hey guys! I think he's about as strong as the guy leading the Eye of the Midnight Sun! Isn't that crazy?"

"No, it's concerning you idiot!" Magna exclaimed.

Musashi cracked his neck. "Your teamwork is...impressive." He acknowledged. "However, we of the End are of a vastly different opinion. We believe that we must become stronger individually before we become strong as a unit."

"Otherwise, you're just a bunch of weaklings, licking each other's wounds." Musashi pointed out. "Six weaklings fighting together are still weaklings. And not a single one of you possesses the strength to best me."

"You say that, but you can't bring yourself to attack me." Zora grinned. "What's wrong, scared of my traps? Or perhaps you're realizing that there is something to be said about teams?"

Musashi narrowed his eyes. "Would you perhaps like to find out? Much like my master, I am in no way afraid of pain." He turned back to Luck. "Now then, you say you are teammates...you say you are friends. So that means...everything goes, yes?"

Musashi sped towards Luck. Luck's eyes widened at Musashi's incredible speed. He reacted quickly. "Lightning Magic: Thunderbolt Destruction!" He yelled, firing off orbs of lightning continuously at Musashi.

Musashi easily avoided all of Luck's attacks. Zora then instinctively moved in front of Luck as Musashi appeared in front of him. "Sakura-ryu: Twin Fangs!" Musashi yelled, swinging both of his blades down onto Zora.

Zora grinned as Musashi's attack activated his trap. He had the foresight to switch traps on his body. Because these people used something other than magic, he had to gamble on them using purely physical. Which meant he could now reflect the force of Musashi's attack back into him.

Musashi gasped slightly as he felt the force of his own attack rip into his body. The blows pushed him backwards as blood flew from his body. He then nodded curtly at Zora. "Congratulations for being the first person in a long time to actually wound me." He acknowledged. "However, like I said…"

Musashi once again dug his feet into the ground to brace himself. Zora's eyes widened when he realized that Musashi was going to attack again...and he did not have the trap to defend himself. "Sakura-ryu: Crescent Moon Slash!" Musashi slashed the air with enough force to create a razor-wind projectile that struck Zora in the chest.

Zora gasped as he was launched into the air. "Zora!" The rest of the Black Bulls yelled in terror at the sight of their friend falling. Zora grunted in pain as he hit the ground and laid there, motionless. Musashi, meanwhile, stared impassively at the beaten man.

"Bastard!" Magna yelled furiously, running up to stand next to Luck, beginning to gather an immense amount of Mana in his hand.

"You're dead!" Luck's perpetual smile vanished as he stared at Musashi with a look that promised death. He gathered an immense amount of Mana in his hand as well.

Musashi watched in interest as Magna and Luck then pooled their Mana together, creating an orb of fire and lightning. "You're going down!" Both yelled at Musashi in unison.

Musashi remained calm, crossing his twin katanas together in defense. "Union Magic!" Magna and Luck yelled, rushing Musashi with all their might. "Flame Lightning Explosive Cannon!"

Magna and Luck let out brutal roars as they both slammed the Flame Lightning Explosive Cannon into Musashi, enveloping him in a powerful explosion. Meanwhile, Gordon and Charmy ran over to Zora, checking him in concern. "Zora!" Charmy yelled in worry.

"This is bad," Gordon murmured, "that attack cut deep into his body. If we don't get him to a healer, he's going to die."

"S-seriously?" Zora groaned in pain. "Screw that, I don't want to die. I'm not ready to see my old man again."

"Charmy," Gordon said to her, a bit more audible now, "can you...cook something that can heal him? Something like your Master Chef?"

"G-Gordon, my magic only restores people's own Mana, not healing." Charmy reminded him. "I don't think I can…"

"Charmy, he will die if we don't help him." Gordon shook his head at her, speaking clearly. "Like what the captain says: 'surpass your limits.' This is the only option we have."

Charmy looked at the wounded, heavily breathing Zora. She then looked at Magna and Luck, who stood waiting to see the fruits of their labor.

Meanwhile, back at the Magic Parliament's now-destroyed courthouse. Yami Sukehiro stood at the front to lead the charge against the mighty Caligula Kira. "Now then," Caligula said, "I advise you all to come at me at once if you want a chance at winning. As I'm sure you know by now, I can take any of you out at any time I wish, such is the power of my Spatial Magic."

"Cocky bastard, ain't ya." Yami frowned. "Don't ya know you're staring down the squad of Magic Knights that saved this kingdom?"

"Now is not the time to be gloating, Captain!" Finral exclaimed.

Caligula laughed at this. "That just makes it more fun! You can only pull off so many butterfly wings before that gets boring! Eventually, you want to wrestle a tiger to death!"

"But unfortunately," Caligula continued, "I've gotten so good at killing, even wrestling tigers to death gets a bit boring. Watch how good I am at it."

"Here he comes!" Sojiro warned, while everyone prepared for battle.

"Mana Zone: Blade of Divine Retribution: Hurricane!" Caligula slashed wildly.

Ruby Rose and Izuku Midoriya both gasped as what felt like a blade passed harmlessly across their heads. "Wh-what?" Izuku gaped in disbelief. "What just happened?"

Caligula raised a curious eyebrow. "Well, that's new." He acknowledged with a slight frown. "I never miss...let alone miss at that scale. I didn't hit a single one of you."

Vanessa Enoteca smirked triumphantly, gazing at her cat familiar, Rouge. Nice try you psychopath. She thought derisively. But as long as Rouge is here with me, no one I care about will die! This is the power to change fate itself! Something even you can't beat!

"Everyone, attack!" Vanessa yelled. "We'll win as long as we work together!"

"Right!" The rest of the group declared, now ready for a fight.

Caligula scoffed. "This just got more irritating." He muttered.

Asta immediately transformed into his blackened, Anti-Magic Form. This guy's strength and killing intent is insane! He acknowledged. I can't hope to do anything against him if I don't go all out from the start!

Izuku Midoriya was enveloped in green-colored lightning. "One For All: Full Cowling 20%!" Izuku yelled, having the same idea as Asta.

"Reinforcement!" Sojiro yelled while Shogo floated into the air with the use of Meteor.

"Water Creation Magic: Valkyrie Armor!" Noelle enveloped her entire body in a suit of armor made of water.

Ruby pouted slightly. "I...don't have any super cool transformations." She realized.

Yami laughed at Ruby's statement as he pointed his katana at Caligula. "I'm too badass to need a transformation." He said. "Maybe you're the same?"

"At least you're not a purely support mage!" Vanessa and Finral exclaimed.

Yami made the first move. "Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash!" He yelled, coating his katana in Dark Magic before firing a crescent of darkness at Caligula.

Caligula smirked and suddenly vanished from sight. "He teleported!" Finral immediately realized. "That was insane! I've never seen someone use Spatial Magic at such speed! Even Langris's magic isn't that fast! This guy is seriously bad news!"

"It's Mana Zone!" Yami realized. "Lord Julius does the same thing with Time Magic!"

Caligula appeared behind Yami, holding his longsword over his head. Yami narrowed his eyes and easily blocked a downward swing from Caligula. Caligula grinned maniacally at Yami's act. "Impressive sensory abilities...and I believe that's ki you're using as well?"

"Oh? You know about ki?" Yami asked. "That's a surprise."

"Not personally, but your name did imply you were from the land far East." Caligula pointed out. "From there, it was rather easy to figure out."

"Hell of a detective, aren't ya." Yami grinned tauntingly. "But did you detect this?"

A portal appeared above Caligula, and out came Izuku Midoriya, holding his leg up in the air. "One For All: 20%!" Izuku yelled as he flipped downwards to increase his momentum and force, preparing for a devastating attack on Caligula. "Manchester Smash!"

Caligula narrowed his eyes. He almost instinctively teleported himself away, only to suddenly be restrained in place by invisible wires, courtesy of Vanessa. Caligula grit his teeth slightly as he took the full force of Izuku's Manchester Smash. One blow to the head, that should be all I need! Izuku thought to himself.

Yami then spun around. I'll strike him down with one blow! He declared.

Caligula recovered and moved his sword wrist slightly, wiggling his sword in the process. Suddenly, Vanessa's threads were cut loose in a frighteningly precise manner. That's impossible! She gasped. With how much stronger my threads have gotten, even guys like that despair bastard should have trouble breaking through! He was able to move just enough to use his sword with Mana Zone!

Caligula then teleported once more before Yami could cut him down. He reappeared on a railing. "Well, that hurt more than it should have." He acknowledged before noticing that Noelle and Ruby were charging towards him, with Shogo and Sojiro coming in from the sides.

Noelle suddenly disappeared into a portal in front of Caligula. Humph, that damn spatial mage again. He noted. He'll probably send her behind me while the little one keeps her frontal assault going. I'll worry about what's in front of me and keep my eyes peeled for what's behind me.

Caligula readied his blade for Ruby, who was holding Crescent Rose at the ready. Then, much to Caligula's surprise, Ruby transformed into rose petals, increasing her speed and momentum. So this is the kind of power I can expect from the otherworlders. No matter, it won't stop me from killing her!

"Mana Zone: Blade of Divine Retribution: Hornet Sting!" Caligula stabbed forward, only for the rose petals to suddenly split apart and move past Caligula, surprising the Magic Judge.

She's preparing an assault from the back as well? Caligula was surprised.

Then, a portal opened up in front of Caligula. Noelle came charging out and speared him with her water lance. "Ugh!" Caligula gasped. "Damn!"

Sojiro and Shogo both vanished into portals as well. Ruby reformed herself behind Caligula, prepared to bury Crescent Rose into his back. Caligula narrowed her eyes and teleported to safety once more. Caligula then reappeared again, surprisingly no worse for where, in spite of taking two devastating blows from Izuku and Noelle.

"Geez, what is he made of?" Finral wondered.

Mages almost always focus on training their magic and neglect their bodies, so they're not the most durable bunch. Guys like Captain Yami and Captain Mereoleona are exceptions because their magic so closely ties in with their physical prowess. Finral noted. And this guy's as durable as they are!

Shogo then suddenly appeared from a portal, uppercutting Caligula into the air. Sojiro then appeared in a portal right next to Caligula. "Starlight Breaker!" He yelled, throwing a hook right at Caligula, who barely managed to block the blow with his blade, but was still sent flying into a nearby wall. The wall cracked around him.

"Damn, I shouldn't be having this much trouble." He growled to himself.

"Don't forget about me!" Caligula looked up to see Asta flying right at him.

"The Anti-Magic brat I've heard so much about!" Caligula growled, recognizing him in an instant. "Don't take me lightly like those fools you've fought before! My strength isn't just my magic! Mana Zone: Blade of Divine Retribution: Divine Divide!"

Caligula swung downwards, attempting to move the force of his slash with Mana Zone right to Asta and cleave him in half. He would strike him where he was not covered in Anti-Magic, just to be thorough. However, much to his shock, the slash only got Asta's wing, which reformed in an instant. Not only did Caligula miss his target, but he ended up not even attacking the correct side. "That's not possible!" He yelled furiously, losing his composure.

"One-Horn Bull Thrust!" Asta yelled, driving the Demon Slayer Sword right into Caligula's chest, shattering the wall behind him and flinging the Magic Judge right outside of the courthouse.

"Don't take you lightly." Asta growled, landing on the rubble. "Don't give me that crap. I've never taken any of my opponents lightly. When you grow up like I did...you learn that there's potential in everyone!"

"Wowza!" Ruby exclaimed. "That was so cool, Asta!"

"No kidding, way to go Asta!" Izuku added.

"Don't celebrate yet, you two." Sojiro frowned. "I can still sense Caligula's Mana. He's still alive and he can still fight. In fact, while I'm sure he felt Asta's last attack, I think it angered him more than it hurt him."

Sojiro and the rest of the group began to exit the remains of the courthouse to join Asta. Sojiro then turned back to look at Augustus, who had long fainted in fear. He then looked at the still injured Damnatio. "We're going to keep fighting for this kingdom...in spite of your best efforts to deter us." Sojiro told the chairman of the nonexistent parliament. "What will you do?"

"Wh-what?" Damnatio looked at Sojiro in confusion.

"Do you intend to continue getting in our way, Damnatio? When all we want to do is help you people?" Sojiro asked.

Damnatio remained silent. "Noriko," Sojiro then addressed the resident healer of the group, "treat the chairman's injuries, please."

"Eh?" Noriko was surprised. "Sir, this guy…"

"I know, but be honest with me, Noriko," Sojiro responded, "as a medic, can you truly say that you can sleep at night knowing you deliberately let someone die?"

Noriko sighed, knowing there was only one answer. "You're right," she said, "everything about this guy and what he stands for pisses me off. It goes against everything our kingdom believes in."

"But...abandoning him to death...also goes against what our kingdom believes in." She acknowledged. "No matter how much someone pisses me off...I can't ignore my vow as a doctor."

Noriko walked over to Damnatio, glaring at the man. "Make no mistake, Chairman, I despise you." She said. "How you treated me, the Grandmaster, and all my friends, I have no intention of forgiving you for any of that. Just be glad I have the morality to do what's right, even when I personally hate it. Something you don't understand."

"In other words," Noriko continued, "be glad that the rest of the world isn't like you, you son of a bitch."

As Noriko began her treatment of the shocked Damnatio, the rest of the group all stood outside with Asta, waiting for Caligula to return. Secre Swallowtail ultimately remained behind with Noriko, knowing she would not be much help. Instantly, the leader of the Magic Judges appeared before them with an impassive gaze on his face. "You have...no idea how irritating this is for me." Caligula told them. "Throwing attacks knowing that some outside force is going to make them miss. Let me guess, fate-altering magic, right?"

Caligula then turned to Vanessa. "And I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you're the one responsible, right? I know I'm right. You're the only one left capable of such power."

Vanessa tensed at her secret being found out. Caligula scowled. "Damn, how frustrating. How effective of an executioner can I possibly be when it's impossible for me to actually kill my targets, huh?" He wondered. "I'll tell you the answer: I can't. It's simply impossible."

Caligula sighed. "Fine, I guess we'll just have to end the game for now." He decided.

"You're leaving?" Ruby was surprised.

"Like hell you are!" Asta yelled. "You still have to pay for all the people you killed today! I'm not just going to let you run away from all that!"

"Seriously? You're actually planning to take revenge on behalf of the people who tried to have you executed?" Caligula laughed. "Oh man, you're something else, No-Magic Brat."

"But don't worry, I'm not going to leave just yet." Caligula smirked as he raised his sword into the air. "Consider this a parting gift, from your judge, jury and executioner!"

Yami immediately stepped in front of Asta and the others. "Everyone, stay back!" He yelled, coating his katana in Dark Magic.

That level of Mana… Noelle gasped in surprise. The Captain is serious! And so is Caligula! My God, this clashing of Mana is unbelievably intense!

"Mana Zone: Blade of Divine Retribution: Heavenly Fissure!" Caligula yelled, swinging downwards.

"Mana Zone: Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash - Equinox!" Yami yelled, swinging downwards as well, sending powerful darkness magic that could cut through dimensions.

Suddenly, there seemed to be a tear in space itself as the ground suddenly split into two sides around the group behind Yami. Two immensely powerful spells clashed together. Darkness seemed to tear through space itself, due to the spell literally being designed to cut through dimensions, but the area around Yami and his group was not so lucky. The sheer force behind Caligula's own attack practically vaporized the ground around them, and even destroyed two thirds of what was left of the courthouse. Unfortunately, Augustus was not among that destruction.

Caligula smirked as he vanished, leaving the Dimension Slash to travel harmlessly onwards. "The son of a bitch ran off!" Yami yelled indignantly.

"Maybe we should consider that a blessing." Finral whimpered, looking at all the destruction around them, thanking every god that would listen he was not among it.

Everyone slowly returned to normal to catch their breaths. "That level of Mana was incredible." Noelle shivered in fear. "I can't believe the Cult found such a strong ally."

"If he's that strong, then we're super strong." Asta brightly pointed out, trying to cheer everyone up. "After all, we made him retreat, didn't we?"

"Asta," Sojiro said grimly, "I think that last attack of his was what he can usually do...when fighting with all his strength."

"Eh?" Asta blinked in surprise. "Wh-what do you mean by that?"

"Well, it's just a theory...but I think after he realized there was something wrong with his attacks missing, he just...stopped trying. He lost interest in fighting seriously when he realized that no amount of attacks would make a difference." Sojiro explained.

"Hold on, but he only had two attacks that were affected by Rouge." Vanessa pointed out, gesturing to the familiar perched on her shoulder. "You can't tell me he figured it out after one."

"Not necessarily the specifics, but I think he knew from the start something was wrong." Sojiro sighed. "Vanessa, I won't sugarcoat it, we owe you our lives. Were you not with us, he would've killed us for sure, whether it was because his magic is simply too fast to avoid or block, or because he did not have any reason to hold back."

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the ground around them. "Whoa!" Finral exclaimed. "Um, not to make the situation sound worse, but there is still a war going on!"

"Finral's right, we need to get moving!" Sojiro exclaimed. "Everyone, stay together! We can't afford to be caught alone if we run into someone as strong if not stronger than Caligula!"

With that, Sojiro's current group ran towards the sounds of chaos to aid their friends. Meanwhile, Noriko stayed behind to continue treating Damnatio's wounds. Be safe, everyone. She pleaded.

Elsewhere, Caligula Kira heaved a sigh as he reappeared just outside of the capital. He took a look out at the destruction that was currently still going on. "A shame things had to end so soon," he said, "but, I suppose I've had my fun for today."

"You're back earlier than expected, Chief Justice Caligula." Caligula turned to see eight individuals clad in white robes. His fellow Magic Judges, the ex-assassins of Clover Kingdom.

"I ran into a bit of trouble." Caligula acknowledged. "Some mage was blocking all of my killing blows. You all should know that I quickly lose interest in a fight if I can't kill my opponents."

"You could always just kill civilians or other Magic Knights." One offered. "What about Julius?"

"I'm...in an odd way grateful to Julius." Caligula admitted. "Were it not for his expulsion, we would have remained under the thumbs of those fools from the Magic Parliament, and not just killing people because we want to. I'm going to leave him be...just this once."

"And as for not going after the rest of the capital?"

"Not interested," Caligula shook his head, "everything I do is because I want to. I want to kill people, so I do. I wanted to shut up those damn parliament members permanently, so I did. I wanted to join Cardinal Yakuma on his little quest, so I did. I'm not interested in wasting my time ripping the wings off all the little butterflies in the capital...so I won't."

"Besides, as long as Cardinal Yakuma and his three Bishops are there, they're doomed regardless. I've had my fill of the kingdom's destruction." Caligula concluded.

"Che, we didn't get to have our fun though." Another Judge pointed out.

"You eight will get your chance later. There's still more to this kingdom than just the capital. And I do believe...we were promised the world as our murderous playground as well...even the universe if we survive."

"Now come on, we're heading back to the Diamond Kingdom. I'm sure the little prince would love to hear what has happened to his kingdom's sworn enemy."

"Chief Justice...he is a king now...and he is also your equal in battle." A Magic Judge corrected.

"I'll believe it when he actually fights me." And with that, the Nine Magic Judges vanished through Caligula's Spatial Magic.

Elsewhere, on the other side of the Capital's outskirts, Titania heaved a disappointed sigh as the destruction near the parliament building ended. "Oh damn, I guess Caligula lost interest." She pouted. "What a shame, I really wanted to see his masterful Spatial Magic a bit more."

"I frankly don't see why you're so interested, Lady Titania." A man wearing a laughing mask appeared next to her. "I'd say your farts are stronger than Caligi's Spatial Magic!"

Behind the masked man, a few individuals wearing robes with a stitched in design of a heart broken down the middle glared at the masked man for such crude language being used around a lady...their lady. However, Titania was not bothered. Rather, she was amused. "Crass as always, Puck." She said to the masked joker. "But...unfortunately a bit off. I don't even want to think of the destruction that would result if Caligula and I went head to head."

"Then again," Titania hummed thoughtfully, "if I ate spicy food like that one time...perhaps my...ahem, farts would be stronger than Caligula?"

"L-Lady Titania, please don't stoop to his level!" One of Titania's subordinates exclaimed in horror.

"Just a joke." Titania assured the concerned subordinate with a surprisingly affable smile on her face. "Anyway, let's head back for now."

"Eh? But don't you want to join in, Lady Titania?" Puck asked. "I mean, you probably hate this place just as much as you do the Heart Kingdom, since Jule-Jule is in charge. You two had such a bad argument, didn't ya? Ruined your friendship and all that?"

"That we did...but it doesn't change the fact that Julius and I were good friends, once upon a time." Titania said with a sigh. "I guess I'm a bit more sentimental than I realized. But, I just can't bring myself to destroy my dear friend's old home at the moment. I'll leave it be for now. A final favor for an old friend."

"You're too kind, Lady Titania! The kindest destroyer in the universe!" Puck said with a cheer. "Three cheers for the kindest destroyer in the universe!"

Titania nodded. "Now then, we're going back to Heaven." She told everyone around her. "I would like to return to my research, and the Mana surrounding Heaven is so amazingly dense. Why, it surpasses even the Sea Temple, the most dangerous of the Grand Magic Zones."

"Just thinking about it makes me all giggly and tingly." Titania acknowledged with a big, bright smile on her face. "Heaven is a perfect place to research the limits of magic!"

Titania's subordinates all bowed in agreement. "Alrighty then, Heartbreakers, we're moving out!" Titania ordered her magic militia of Heart Kingdom exiles and mages she has recruited herself over the years.

And so, the Heartbreakers all followed Titania away from the crumbling capital city of Clover Kingdom.

As the two groups of mages retreated of their own volition from the capital, the Cult continued to destroy everything they came across. Bishop Enshiro continued to clash with Jack the Ripper.

"Erupting Meteor Fist!" Enshiro yelled, firing intensely hot molten lava from his fists, launching them at Jack like cannonballs.

"Severing Magic: Death Scythe: Lunatic Slash!" Jack yelled, growing to blades on his arms with Mana before swinging them wildly, sending slashes that cut right through Enshiro's lava projectiles.

Enshiro smirked at Jack's display of strength. He was enjoying this fight more than he had expected. Now though, it was time to get up close and personal. Lava erupted explosively from his feet, the force of the eruption rocketed Enshiro forward. His entire right arm turned red hot. "Molten Gauntlet!" Enshiro threw a powerful lariat at Jack.

Jack threw one of his blades forward, blocking Enshiro's lariat. This will give my blades a chance to adapt to his weird powers, allowing me to cut through them even more easily than before. This is where my Severing Magic shines! Jack declared.

"You fool." Enshiro grinned, shocking Jack by grabbing his blade and then propelling himself above Jack.

"I don't fear pain!" Enshiro declared as he pointed both of his palms down at Jack. "And I certainly don't fear the likes of you! Volcanic Cannon!"

"Oh crap!" Jack yelled as he was blasted at point black.

"Captain Jack!" Sekke yelled in worry, still cowering off to the side but unable to bring himself to aid him.

Enshiro landed. "I can't believe the Magic Knight Captains are this freaking weak." He scoffed. "I was really looking forward to this fight, too. Especially after the Eight Shining Generals turned out to be so damn disappointing."

Jack then stepped out of the lava, cracking his neck and glaring at Enshiro. "Of course those losers from the Diamond Kingdom were no challenge." He said angrily. "You want a real fight? You should've come after us from the start!"

Enshiro laughed. "You can't be serious!" He exclaimed. "In case you haven't noticed, Captain Jack, but you're not faring any better. The only compliment I can possibly give you is that you haven't melted down to your bones just yet."

Jack growled. "I'll teach you not to look down on me." He said, raising his right arm.

Jack's blade suddenly grew to massive size. The size of a large building. "Eh?! Captain Jack you're using that?!" Sekke exclaimed in disbelief.

"You better stay back you damn coward." Jack told him.

Enshiro whistled in appreciation. "Now that's more like it." He grinned. "Alright then, hit me with your best shot, Captain Jack. Erupt with every ounce of power you've got!"

"Gladly!" Jack yelled. "Severing Magic: Death Scythe: Devil's Blade!"

Jack swung the giant scythe downwards. Enshiro grinned. "Burn it all." He said lowly before shouting. "In the name of our god!"

At that moment, the entire area around Enshiro suddenly transformed into lava. His very Reiki was transforming the surrounding environment. "Hell Eruption!" He yelled, as several spouts of lava shot up around him before combining into one massive eruption that clashed against Jack's blade.

Jack winced from the force of the blow but tried to push back against it so that he may cleave Enshiro in half. However, it was to no avail and Jack was pushed off his balance, much to his shock. His giant scythe reverted to regular size. "Now die!" Enshiro yelled, holding out his palms at Jack once more. "Volcanic Cannon!"

"Captain Jack!" Sekke yelled, unable to stop himself from acting to protect his captain, in spite of his own cowardice. His grimoire suddenly flipped pages like crazy as a new page was added.

"Bronze Creation Magic!" Sekke gestured to Jack. "Sekke's Heroic Ball of Protection!"

Jack gasped as he was suddenly surrounded by a spherical shield of Bronze Magic. The Volcanic Cannon destroyed it, but could not strike Jack. "The useless coward?" Enshiro raised an eyebrow in surprise at Sekke's sudden act.

Enshiro shook in anger before exploding. "Freaking gnats!" He screamed as his entire body was coated in lava before leaping into the air and spinning about. "Molten Storm!"

Sekke and Jack both gasped in surprise as Enshiro fired off lava in nearly every direction possible. "Oh no!" Sekke yelled in fear. "I just had to stick my nose in!"

"Che…" Jack sighed, bracing himself for death.

Suddenly, two whirlwinds sprung up around Jack and Sekke. "It appears we arrived just in time, Sir Jack." A familiar voice spoke up.

"Oh great," Jack sighed, "of all people to be saved by. It just had to be you. And I just got saved by my useless coward of a defense mage, too. Can I just freaking die, instead?"

Enshiro scowled. "You people...just coming out of the damn woodworks to burn, huh?"

Standing atop a building was the portly Captain of the Purple Orcas, Kaiser Granvorka, brandishing his grimoire for battle. Standing behind him was his Vice Captain, the so-called Saint of Pure Ice, Xerx Lugner.

"I will take that as a thank you, Sir Jack." Kaiser said calmly. "Now then, let us crush this foe together. Are you ready, Xerx?"

"Of course, Captain Kaiser." Xerx nodded, brandishing his own grimoire.

Elsewhere, Charlotte Roselei and Sol Marron were forced on the defensive by their own foe, Bishop Mirai. What they had failed to take into account was that Mirai's rather unique Art: Cloud, was capable of creating large-scale destruction...when used on a large scale. Like say, filling up the area around them with storm clouds, as though it were the sky they were fighting in. "Million Storm Clouds!" Mirai said as the clouds darkened and fired powerful lightning bolts at Charlotte and Sol.

"Keep dodging, Sol!" Charlotte ordered her close subordinate.

"R-right!" Sol frantically nodded as the two danced around the lightning.

Mirai yawned in boredom, sitting on a fluffy white cloud. "Oh dear, I'm going to fall into a nice, blissful nap at this rate." She noted. "I wish I had Mu-Mu and Enshi's energy. Then Cardinal Yakuma wouldn't scold me so much for my sleeping habits."

Charlotte turned her attention to Mirai. Take her out, and all these clouds go away. Charlotte noted, pointing her sword at Mirai. Perhaps it's time to use that spell the elf that had possessed me use.

"Briar Magic!" Charlotte yelled, creating a giant spear of vines and briars. She threw her hand forward. "Crimson Vine Spear!"

Mirai, in spite of her seeming drowsiness, perked up when she saw the attack coming towards her. "That won't do." She said. "Blizzard Cloud."

Charlotte watched in shock as several clouds flew in front of Mirai and blew out snow that enveloped her Crimson Vine Spear. Charlotte shivered when she felt the temperature around her drop. Then, she watched as her Crimson Vine Spear suddenly froze over and shattered from the temperature drop. "Too bad." Mirai said in a sing-song tone of voice and a bright smile on her face.

"That's…" Charlotte muttered in disbelief.

"Sis's attacks are being…" Sol trailed off, unable to comprehend it.

Mirai floated upwards. A massive cloud suddenly formed above Charlotte and Sol. "You were really trying." She acknowledged. "Throwing an attack that powerful at poor, poor me."

"I think," Mirai continued, "that I'll do the same now."

"That cloud…" Charlotte paled in fear as it turned pitch black.

"Bye bye now," Mirai said brightly, "Jupiter Storm Cloud!"

And with that, a bolt of lightning the size of a castle's tower, rained down onto Charlotte and Sol. "Briar Magic!" Charlotte called upon every ounce of magic she had for one single defensive spell. "Secret Garden!"

With that, a dome of briars and vine appeared and protectively covered both Sol and Charlotte. "Oh? Not a bad idea." Mirai noted in interest. "But...I wonder if that will actually work. My Jupiter Storm Cloud is actually very strong."

Indeed, as soon as the lightning bolt hit, the area around the dome was completely vaporized. The force of the blast carried for miles, sweeping up fleeing civilians. Slowly, the dome began to crumble apart, much to Mirai's amusement.

"I win." She said with a dark smile on her face.

Then, much to Mirai's surprise, beneath the briar dome, was a dome composed of earth. However, that dome was significantly weaker. It crumbled away much faster than the previous dome. But, when the lightning finally touched down, it was significantly weaker than it should have been thanks to both defensive spells. "Aww, there was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom." She lamented, her dark smile wiped away.

In spite of their efforts, Charlotte was still left heavily injured by the blast and drained of mana. She looked at the falling earth around her and turned to see Sol, already on her knees and covered in her own blood. "Sol!" She choked out.

"Sis...sorry...that was...all the magic I had." Sol said weakly before passing out.

Charlotte was suddenly surrounded by several clouds. "It seems you're just about out of Mana." Mirai noted.

Charlotte glared defiantly at the Bishop. "I won't miss this time." Mirai taunted before suddenly having her arms forced to her sides.

"Eh?" Mirai muttered in surprise.

Suddenly, chains appeared, restraining Mirai. Two shady-looking men appeared before her. "We were just going to walk away, girl." Said the portlier one of the two. "But you just kept blasting the area with lightning, we had no choice but to step in."

"And we were finally going to make a run for freedom while those other three were taken to God knows where." A slim man with a scarred face added. "What a day this turned out to be. At least we were able to get away from community service supervised by that damn Jack."

"Gueldre? And...wait, is that…" Charlotte muttered in disbelief.

Former Captain of the Purple Orcas, Gueldre Poizot, stood next to his ex-subordinate and now arguably his only friend, Revchi Salik. Gueldre looked over at Charlotte. "Don't get the wrong idea, Roselei." He said. "I would frankly have much rather left you for dead, since saving you gains us nothing."

"Charming." Charlotte spat.

"The only reason I've stepped in," Gueldre continued, "was because this woman's wild attacks were putting us at risk. We shut her up, now we'll be taking our leave."

"That won't do." Mirai said with a pout. "Since you two made the mistake of attacking...now I've gotta kill you too."

"You idiot!" Revchi yelled. "Those chains seal magic. You can't escape!"

"You fool, she's not using magic!" Charlotte exclaimed.

Mirai then effortlessly broke through the chains with raw physical strength alone. "Well, to be fair, those chains were kinda messing with my Reiki control." Mirai admitted. "But, we're a lot stronger than we look...physically anyway."

"Who the hell is this crazy bitch?" Revchi wondered out loud.

"Don't be mean." Mirai pouted as several clouds appeared around her. "It's just going to make me want to kill you more than I already do."

As the chaos continued to rage on, Sojiro and his group continued to run through the capital. "It appears that most of the destruction is being contained to certain places." Sojiro noted. "We can at least take comfort in that."

"Yes, but there are so many strong fighters out there, it's insane!" Noelle exclaimed. "I can't believe these are the enemies you have to fight against, Grandmaster...no, the enemies we have to fight against."

"So, what's the plan?" Yami asked.

"We stay together so that we can remain under the effect of Vanessa's fate-altering magic." Sojiro replied. "That's our safest bet in getting out of this alive."

"Izuku, Ruby, Asta, I want you three to fall back on your training and use what you know to survive. Do not worry so much about what I've already tried to teach you, you're not ready to apply any of it to the field just yet. Not that there's much there to help you with anyway."

"Yes sir," the trio said in unison.

Yami then felt his magic communication device flare up. "Hold up," he said, "I'm getting a call from the rest of the squad."

"The rest of the Black Bulls?" Finral was worried. "Are they okay?"

Yami activated the communicator. "What is it?" He asked.

"HELP!" Came the frantic voice of Magna Swing.

Yami grit his teeth from Magna's voice blasting into his ear. "Magna, I'm going to kill you for that!" He yelled.

"Get in line! Captain Yami, please help!" Magna frantically pleaded.

"Th-there's someone really strong attacking us!" Came Grey's voice. "Zora and Luck are down and Magna's hurt really badly too."

"Gauche, Gordon and Charmy are doing their best to hold this guy back, but they can't hold out much longer!" Magna yelled once more. "Captain, I'm sorry, we did our best...but this guy, he shrugged off everything he threw at us."

Yami's eyes widened. "Hang on tight, you guys, we're coming back to you."

"Yeah, don't worry, Magna, we're on our way!" Asta yelled into the communicator.

Yami hung up. "Not you, kiddo." He said. "You're staying here and helping out the old man."

"What? Why? Those are my friends in trouble too, you know!" Asta reminded him.

"I know, but this kingdom needs the Magic-less Freak who worked a miracle and slew a devil." Yami reminded him. "Do what you can right here, and Finral, Vanessa and I will do what we can on our end."

Yami then took a deep breath sensing for the Mana signatures of the rest of his squad. He grabbed onto Finral and Vanessa and leapt onto a nearby roof. "Finral," he said, "warp us to that point right there."

Finral saw where Yami was pointing. "Is that where the others are?" He asked.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Yo, Gramps!" Yami yelled down at Sojiro. "You gonna be okay? You'll be without Vanessa for awhile."

"We'll be fine. We just need to be careful." Sojiro promised. "Go and help the rest of your squad, Yami."

Yami nodded. "Look after Asta and Noelle, got it?" He said before disappearing into Finral's portal, with Vanessa and Finral following close behind. The portal quickly closed.

"Damn it, we should be going with them!" Asta cursed in frustration.

"I agree, I can't do this knowing my friends are in trouble." Noelle nodded.

"I understand how you both feel, but look around you, it's not just your friends that are in trouble." Sojiro sternly reminded them. "These people intend to destroy and kill everyone. Not just your friends. Are you telling me you'd sacrifice everyone for your friends?"

"But...they're…" Noelle said softly.

Sojiro sighed. "Have faith in Yami and the others." He said. "As long as Vanessa's with them, they'll live. We need to worry about protecting ourselves until they return. We need to watch each other's backs. Do you two understand?"

Asta and Noelle both fell silent. Izuku stepped forward, giving the two a reassuring smile. "We're going to save as many people as we can, not just your friends." Izuku promised. "It's going to be alright."

"Yeah, we need to think about everyone, you guys." Ruby reminded them.

Asta took a deep breath, realizing that they were all correct. "Yeah," he said, "yeah, you're right. Okay, let's go find who needs the most help, and-"

Asta was suddenly cut off by a loud crash. "What was that?" Noelle exclaimed.

"An enemy ambush!" Shogo added.

Asta then picked up a life signature and his eyes widened. It was not an enemy ambush, it was the result of an enemy attack. The dust cleared, and Asta got a good look at how had fallen against the enemy.

Suddenly, a massive behemoth of a man leapt onto the rooftop Yami and the others had just been. "Thank you for that display of strength," said Yakuma, "though it was not much compared to mine, I'll be sure to remember it. Know that I gladly destroy you out of respect for your efforts."

Ruby's eyes widened, going pale with fear at the sight of the man. Oh Gods, she thought fearfully, he's as powerful as the Cardinal from back then…

Izuku looked like he was going to faint from the mere presence of this man. Who is this guy? He's on a completely different level from everyone else.

Damn, Sojiro thought in frustration, of all the enemies we could've run into!

This power… Noelle thought fearfully. One man should not have this much strength!

Asta, however, had his eyes entirely on Yakuma's victim. For it was a young man he knew too well. He had long reverted to his original form, bloodied, broken and beaten. His dark hair mixed with blood red. His four-leaf clover grimoire laid next to him.

"YUNO!" Asta screamed with horror and grief.

Meanwhile, deep within Asta's heart, a demonic entity began to laugh madly. It is time. It noted with a dark, demonic smile on its face.