Now it is time for Alex's plan to come out and you can bet that it won't be easy to explain, there's also the Divine Knight showdown too...
Newfound Allies
Dateline, August 19th, 1206.
The next day had passed, and I had finished with my wanted list. All the possible targets to make the sacrifices were on the list, but I had a feeling that more would be added if we see anyone else that could potentially be a threat to our goals, and our survival. With my powers, I was now able to call for the list at anytime. Roselia was the only one who knew, but it was now time for everyone else to learn about what I must do in order to save the world and myself.
It was the late morning and we had heard that Rean had woken up. Both Class VIIs, Roselia and myself were in the large dining room, waiting for Rean to enter. We heard the door open, and in came Emma, Celine who was back in her cat form, and Rean who was now wearing a new outfit, it was all in black which matched his white hair and red eyes in a way.
"Morning, Rean." I greeted. "You're looking pretty sharp with that outfit."
"Heh, thanks." He responded.
"The others from my village helped prepare it for you." Roselia said. "That old coat of yours was practically shredded to pieces."
"This new one even has enhancements woven into it that will help keep your mana under control." Emma added. "Grandmother, Vita, and Celine all helped out."
Celine nodded. "It won't sort everything out on its own, but you might as well keep it on. I'm not sure if the design will suit your tastes, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
"Seriously, it's great. I really appreciate all the work you must have put into it." Rean replied. "I doubt I can ever thank all of you enough."
"You are most welcome." Roselia said. "Now then, why don't we begin our main topics for today?"
"Yeah, I think it's better to start off with what I've been hiding for over two weeks now." I agreed. "Please take a seat, because this may be a while, and it may be a little uncomfortable, but it needs to be said."
"Of course, we'll listen as long as you need us to." Emma replied.
"Okay...I wanted to wait until we got Rean back. But now that our class is whole again, the time has come for me to reveal what I've learned, and how I can use that knowledge to not only save my life, but save the world as well."
The rest of the class sat down and I took a deep breath, this was going to take a while to discuss.
"While I was out of action so to speak, I was greeted with a vision. The vision was a barren wasteland that was located in the northern mountains of Erebonia, from a thousand years ago. I encountered a winged bat who called himself Reef, and he was Revelio's most trusted servant. He was present in the vision, because the fragment of Revelio's soul had memories of Reef from within. When he told me this, I agreed to wander across the lifeless land before we reached a giant castle, Revelio's home. Protected by the druids who use magic to power up stone guardians."
"And I can attest to that." Celine said. "Druids had often delved into the forbidden magic to bring stone guardians to life. Though they were not as strong as a Magic Knight, they still possessed formidable strength."
"When Reef and I went inside to the throne room, I then followed him to an underground pathway before he guided me to the archives, a giant library as it were. It was there that he showed me a spell book that had several guides on transformations. Including one that I needed to learn, so I read it and I made sure that I wouldn't forget. This was how I found out a way to save myself and the world together."
"Transformations?" Juna asked.
"What did it say exactly?" Musse added.
I sighed. "I'm not sure if you wanna know, because this may end up being very uncomfortable for some of you."
"Well, after what we've been through, I don't think there's anything else that could knock us down." Machias said.
"Go ahead, Alex. We'll try to remain calm." Jusis added.
"All right..." I cleared my throat. "In the event of a transformation that is not desired, because it was related to another event beyond one's control, this spell will be all that you need. But it can only be done through one such method. You must claim the souls of your enemies and inherit their power. Only when you have quenched the thirst for many souls, they will manifest together and they will cease the eternal transformation. How many enemy souls you must acquire however, remains unknown."
All of their eyes opened wide.
"What?!" Kurt gasped.
"Sacrifice?" Gaius whispered.
"You mean that you have to...kill them?" Elliot asked.
"That's right, if I want to stop my transformation and this world from ending, I must track down, kill many of our foes and take their souls." I replied "I wish I knew exactly how many to take down, but until I ever find that out, I can't take any chances."
"I see. I was afraid it would come to that." Celine said.
"It's a dark burden for sure, and I assume there is no other option for you?" Musse asked.
I shook my head. "None. It's just how it is. Either I kill our foes, or I become Revelio the Second, there is NO third way out of this one."
"No..." Fie said.
"Is this why you've been...training in secret?" Laura asked.
I nodded at Roselia and she spoke on my behalf. "That's correct. For the past few months, Alex was beginning to have symptoms of a bad omen that was on its way to becoming true. When I learned of this, I agreed to provide secret training for him in private. It was thanks to me and his demon powers that he had learned new magic to defend himself with."
"And it's thanks to learning all this new magic, that I can even call for this." I added.
I moved a little to the left and cast a spell to show a giant notice board showing my wanted list.
"A wanted list?" Sara asked.
"I see many names on the wall." Emma added.
"Yeah, this is the wanted list I was working on a few days ago, and it was only yesterday that I finally finished it." I replied. "It isn't final though, because I expect it to be changed a few times. These foes on the list are the ones I must take down. So if you're wondering why these people, let's start from the top."
With Roselia's help, she made the view of the portraits bigger as we went down the list.
"At the top, we have the head honchos behind this whole twilight BS. Osborne and Alberich, their portraits are framed in red, meaning that no matter what any life form on this world says, they must be taken down. On Alberich's side, there's George...or Georg as he's called now. One of many traitors who turned his back on us. He killed Angelica and sabotaged the Courageous, killing Victor, Toval and Olivert. I don't care what Towa or Crow say, Georg is nothing more than a Gnome's puppet who must pay the price for committing murder!"
"Alex..." Rean muttered.
"On Osborne's side, he has the Ironbloods. Rufus, Claire and Lechter, all three of them have chosen to remain as backstabbers, neither of those three gave a damn when we lost Millium. And I know, I saw it with how they were behaving. Even if Osborne goes down, those three will carry on his wish, so they have to be taken out too."
"Even Instructor Claire?" Juna asked quietly.
"Then further down, we have Ouroboros. McBurn, Campanella, Shirley, and Sharon who turned her back on us and all that Reinford stood for. McBurn is the greatest threat out of all of them, and he's the reason why I'm training on becoming so powerful, that I will only use it against the Blazing Demon himself. Campanella and Shirley on the other hand, both of them have been running rampant on this world for far too long, I wanna put them in their place so they may never bother us again."
"Sharon..." Alisa muttered.
"Next is the Stahlritter, with Lianne, Ines and Ennea. But as you can see, Duvalie is crossed out, because it seems like she has finally seen everything that's wrong and is looking for her own path to follow. Out of those three, Lianne will be the one I will have to take down, because she's not supposed to be alive."
"I'm afraid he has a point." Roselia said, sadly.
"Speaking of which, we have the jaegers. Both Zephyr and the Red Constellation, Rutger is another target I must take down for the same reason with Lianne. As for Xeno and Leo, well...I think that should be up to them. They'll fight beyond their limits if they hear I plan to sacrifice them."
I saw Fie looking down with sadness, but I had to continue.
"The Red Constellation and with Gareth, he's the one that none of us have any connection to, and if I'm honest, I consider him to be the weakest out of all of them. He would be the ideal target to test out my sacrifice spell if I ever learn of his location."
"That will be difficult, considering the lack of influence we have on the ground." Celine said.
"And lastly...we have Cedric. A young man who has fallen so far from grace, he's nothing more than just a yes-man for Osborne's grim plan. He didn't even show any pity or remorse when he heard of his father being shot, and Olivert getting killed. He has done nothing but drag the royal family name through the gutter, and it's high time he was taught a serious lesson."
I could see Kurt's face, he seemed conflicted.
"That makes a total of eighteen targets for me to go after. If I'm able to succeed, it will stop the transformation. But I'm sure that some of you will want to protest and-"
"Of course I'm gonna protest!" Alisa interrupted. "You're right that Sharon turned her back on us, and that she's going to stand in our way. But that doesn't mean I wanna kill her! I don't want her to die!"
"I know what Zephyr is doing is wrong. But I don't want Xeno and Leo to die either." Fie said. "I know Boss isn't supposed to be alive, but..."
"Somehow, I knew there would be disagreements." Roselia said. "But try to understand from his point of view. Either Alex sacrifices many of these foes, or he becomes Revelio the Second and the world is destroyed."
"So it's a matter of either saving lives, only for them to be lost along with the world, or many lives are lost, in order to save billions more." Gaius said.
"This has gotta be a sick joke." Ash added. "But the way you're telling us that, it's not."
"I'm afraid I need to protest as well." Jusis said. "My brother has commited many heinious acts as of late, but I do not wish for his death. If we all defeat him, I'll make him come to his senses."
"Correction, he's your cousin, not your brother. But that's beside the point." I sighed. "Even I have to do it all alone, I must see this through to the end."
"Now hold on, Alex. There's no way you're doing that alone." Emma said. "My mind is spinning right now, but I think I understand it all."
"Now you may have noticed that Angelica and Crow are not on the list. That's because with Crow, he's gotten his memories back and he helped us escape the Black Workshop. So I don't need to take him down. As for the female I heard, if that really was Angelica, she must be in the same situation Crow was in."
"In that case, maybe we should come to an agreement." Rean suggested.
"What do you mean by that?"
"To start with, there is something we need to be clear about. There's no cure for the curse that's affecting me. I'll stay the Sacrifice until the Great Twilight ends. I guess it's my destiny. All this was decided for me ever since I was little."
"Rean..." Alisa said sadly.
"But that doesn't mean you're going to give up, does it?" Jusis asked.
"No, of course not. I'm the one who started all this, so I have to see it through." Rean replied. "I'll keep moving forward and do what I believe is right up until the bitter end. This curse, my becoming an Awakener, the Rivalries. It may feel overwhelming sometimes, but I want to see how it all plays out."
"Well said." Laura said.
"I guess we need to look into what Crow told us about." Elliot added.
"Oh yeah, he told us to meet him and Duvalie at Bryonia Island, right?" I asked. "Because based on what we've told you, there was one over there, like the ones we saw elsewhere"
"Yes. The Gnomes previously used them for refining Zemurian Ore." Emma answered.
"During the civil war, several of them were spotted in the eastern regions of the Empire." Sara said.
Laura nodded. "There was even one nearby Legram."
"Yeah, I remember those." I replied. "So it seems those shrines and the ones we've recently seen are somehow connected."
"Our clan assisted them up until 900 years ago, right?" Celine asked.
"So I've heard. It was before my time, so I don't know as much as I would like." Roselia replied. "One of the duties of the wandering witches has been to monitor the shrines for any irregularities. They serve as more than simple refineires for Zemurian Ore."
"There have been reports of strange lights and other phenomena in the surrounding areas, too." Musse said.
"So we're all set for when we go to Bryonia Island?" I asked.
"Yeah, Crow's probably investigating it as we speak." Rean replied. "I want to get out there and find out what he knows as soon as possible."
"And you know that we'll be coming along for that. Because like it or not, our fates have been intertwined. So we gotta see this through to the end together, you can't say no to me."
"Oh I know. You're just as stubborn as I am."
"Hehe, you're one to talk. So about the agreement?"
"Right. I know you have your role with all this, but all I ask is that you let me deal with the Rivalries."
I nodded. "Yeah, sure. I won't get in the way of your Divine Knight battles, that's all on you. But in exchange, you won't get in my way when I'm about to perform a sacrifice?"
There was a moment of silence, until he slowly nodded.
"All right, I'll agree to those terms. As for the rest of them, I don't think they need to say anything, there's no way we're letting you go off on your own...again."
The rest of them nodded in agreement.
"Ah, youth." Celine said.
"Seems like you all know Rean inside and out." Roselia added.
"Of course we do, we've known him ever since he told us so much." Alisa replied. "Rean, we're all of what Class VII is all about. We've been through countless battles up until now. You know what we're capable of. You should never forget, even after all we've been through together."
"Alisa..." Rean said quietly.
"Heh, I'll get the Merkabah ready to depart." Gaius stated. "I'm still getting used to how it handles, but it's better to have some backup, right? Plus, we've set it up so we can take the Panzer Soldats too, not just Valimar."
"Woah! That's awesome." Juna said.
"That will be a big help." Kurt added.
Rean nodded. "Thank you, everyone. With you, I know I can...no. We're ALL going to push our way forward...together!"
"YEAH!" All of us agreed.
Our group meeting was over, and me, Rean and the new Class VII grouped up as everyone else left the room.
"Now that we know what to do, I'm ready to go back to being second in command." I said.
"Haha, well from what I heard, you did an incredible job leading the class." Rean replied. "Sorry to drag you all into this."
Kurt chuckled. "It's a little late for apologies."
"It's only natural for us to help out, since we owe you so much already." Juna said.
"So we have a few minutes to prepare before we have to leave." I reminded. "I assume you want to go and thank everyone who helped you?"
"Yeah, it's the least I can do for now." Rean replied. "Let's go around the village for a while before we depart."
We agreed and made our way around the village with Rean thanking the people who helped him a lot, although I did end up having to share the details my secret training lessons to Emma. Even Vita confessed that she gave me some training as well, reminding me of when I did that request for her in Heimdallr. After we went over the whole village, we were ready to depart. We said our farewells to the other people who were going to do their part, and we got on the Merkabah ship. We were on our way to Bryonia Island, and with Valimar and the soldats in tow.
"I gotta say, you look pretty cool in the captain's chair, Gaius." I complimented.
"Heh, glad you think so." He replied.
"Phew, this is unbeliveable." Sara said.
"Almost feels like we're cheating the system." Fie added.
"Well, considering how many times our foes have cheated, I think a little turnabout is fair play." I winked. "And besides, we finally have a means of transport that we can use at anytime."
"So this Merkabah, it's used as a special operations craft by the Gralsritter's Dominions?" Jusis asked.
"Yes. I inherited it from Father Barkhorn, along with my stigma." Gaius answered. "I had some adjustments made in the Holy City to help better attune the two together."
"The Holy City of Arteria. Home to the High Seat of the Spetian Church." Altina said.
"I get the feeling a certain foundation's been providing some assistance with the equipment here on the bridge too, right?" Alisa asked.
Rosine hummed. "I'm afraid we're unavaliable for comment on that one."
"Sorry. It's kind of a matter of political discrection." Gaius said.
"So with that being said, are we doing good for time?" I asked.
"We'll have to take a small detour, but we should at Bryonia Island in around an hour. I know this ship isn't the roomiest, but feel free to make it your own until our arrival."
"We'll try. Thanks, Gaius." Rean replied.
"As for the rooms, I thought I saw a bar counter down there." Ash said. "Think I'll go hit a bottle or two down there."
"I'm about to hit YOU with a bottle, if you don't knock it off." Juna responded.
"These students..." I sighed. "Well for me, I better get some training done."
We broke off and making ourselves feel welcome around the ship. I was in the infirmary with Emma and she had a sad look on her face.
"So then...about what I need to do." I said. "You know I'm not lying to everyone, right?"
"I know, Alex. This is something you definitely wouldn't lie about." She replied. "But still, having to sacrifice our foes and inheriting their souls to save your life. It's a very cruel and darkening resort, and I shouldn't be surprised that some of them are against it."
"Yeah, I already knew that some of them would disagree with the method. I can understand how much it's hurting Alisa especially, but she has to understand that those days are over. Sharon isn't coming back, her father is nothing more but a puppet, and only Aidios knows what her mother is doing."
"But regardless, if that is the only way for you to save yourself and the world we live in, I won't turn away from it. I only ask that you at least, give everyone else a chance to persaude some of them to listen to reason. Because maybe, you don't need to sacrifice everyone of our foes."
"Well, until I make the first sacrifice, we'll never know if that's true or not."
"True, now since we're alone..."
I nodded, smiling at her before we shared a close embrace with each other.
"I hope you're not trying to feel my tail again."
She giggled. "Sorry, but it keeps moving around when I put my arms around you."
"Yeah...I guess I shouldn't let it swing around in the open." I yawned a little. "Huh? I thought I was fully awake."
"Maybe it's another symptom. Why don't you lay down on the bed?"
"Yeah, I should get some rest since we have a while to wait."
I got on the bed and laid down, before I was already out and I thought I felt my lips being kissed by Emma. I guess unlocking that new power exhausted my body more than I thought.
After a bit of time had passed, there was an announcement around the ship that Bryonia Island was now in view from the ship's bridge.
"We're almost there now." I pointed. "Feels like a while ago since we were last there."
"A nostalgic sight, to say the least." Laura said.
"Yeah, it's almost been two years now, huh?" Fie asked.
"More than two years to be exact." I replied. "That was during Group B's field study back in June, 1204."
"And Group A was over in the Nord Highlands." Elliot said.
"And I think that was around the time I was starting to grow fond of the friends I was making." I sighed. "But I was still hesitant in telling a lot about myself, at least those days are long gone thankfully."
Soon, the airship was circling around the island before it slowed down and landed on the beachside, along with the soldats. We all then got off, ready to head on over to the Sol Shrine.
"All right, Rosine, we'll leave the Merkabah to you." Gaius said. "If the navy or the air force show up, pull out and get some distance between you."
"Very well." She replied. "The Divine Knights and Panzer Soldats are ready to ship out anytime. Don't hesitate to call on me."
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Rean said. "I'll probably have to summon Valimar myself, though."
"It all depends on the result of this Rivalry." Jusis added.
"This is the first time I've been here. Do you guys know the way to the shrine?" Celine asked.
Kurt nodded. "Yes. We only need to follow that path."
"Then just before we reach the waterfall, we head southwest." Musse said.
"And there should be a wharf where we can use to rest up, just in case we get into any monster trouble along the way." I reminded.
"In any case, Crow may be waiting for us." Rean said.
"Let's hope he's still there. To the Sol Shrine!" Juna added.
We left the beach and made our way across the pathway, passing by the large waterfall and reaching the dock where the wharf was, and there was no one guarding it. Looks like we were in the clear for the time being. After resting up in the wharf, we made our way to the Sol Shrine.
"Whoa, you'd think it had always been here." Fie said.
"From what I hear, Rose paid you a visit, didn't she?" Celine asked.
"Yeah, but only Rean and I were able to notice her." I replied. "Everyone else in our group was frozen in time."
"Are you prepared, Instructor? I doubt we'll be of much use, but we'll support you however we can." Kurt said.
"Yeah, if we had enough time, I'd love to give him a piece of my mind." Machias added. "But now's not the time. You'll have to take the lead."
"Go settle the score. You've got this." Ash encouraged.
"Thanks, everyone." Rean replied. "To tell you the truth, I don't know how this is going to end. But I know I want you here with me, whatever happens."
"Oh, we're not going anywhere, Rean. Count on it." Alisa grabbed his hand for a moment.
"It is time to show the world what you have to offer, Instructor." Altina said.
We went inside, and the feeling was different from the last time we were here. The spirit veins were lively this time, possibly to do with the Rivalries, such as the one we were about to experience. After making our day down the stairs, we reached the familiar big area where Crow, his Divine Knight Ordine, and Duvalie were waiting.
"So you've come." Duvalie said.
"Yo, you guys showed up a lot faster than I expected." Crow added. "Not fast enough though. Time's not really on our side here."
"You can say that again." I muttered.
"Well, you made it pretty clear that we didn't have a choice in the matter." Rean replied. "That said, it's good to see you again. You too, Duvalie."
"Wh-what's with the casual hello? We are not friends. Your thanks is nothing more than a pittance to me." Duvalie responded. "Personally, I'd rather not have to see this sordid scene play itself out. But this is the path I've chosen."
"Sordid scene?" Kurt repeated.
"What does she mean by that?" Fie asked.
"It's to do with the Rivalries, right?" I guessed. "In which case, what are they in detail?"
"Getting right to the point." Crow said. "Sure, I'll tell you everything I know about the Rivalries."
"Already? No warm-up monologue or anything?" Juna asked.
I frowned at her. "Umm, leave the fourth wall breaking to the professionals."
"All right then. I'm all ears." Rean said. "Tell me what you know. About this...tension within me. Within us. I feel it in the air. In the world itself. I feel my heart racing, steeling itself for some inevitable clash it awaits."
"I see...so that's how it is." Musse said quietly.
"Heh, looks like the little lady's got it all figured out." Crow replied. "I get the feeling that Alex, Gaius, Sara, Emma and Miss Kitty over there are on the right track, too. Simply put, the Rivalries are a struggle for power. Deathmatches between Divine Knights, as the world is driven to the brink of annihilation."
"A fight to the death?!" I exclaimed. "So that's how the Great One will be merged, then? What we saw back at the Infernal Castle, and all those experiments we put a stop to this year, it was all for this Rivalry purpose?"
"Yes. I was never privy to the paticulars, but they were seeking to awaken the tremendous power brought fourth by the fusion of the two Sept-Terrions." Duvalie said. "The experiments were a means to an end, a bid to turn melees into miracles."
"That more or less covers it." Crow added. "Vits's been seraching for a way to keep the curse in check. The curse of the Great One, the catalyst of the Great Twilight that ushers in the end of the world. All those clashes between the Divine Knights in the past have been just dress rehersals at best. As orbal technology advanced, the day soon came when humanity's weapons, were powerful enough to conceivably cause the end of the world. And with that, the conditions to begin the Rivalry of the Seven were met."
"You can't be serious." Machias said. "So it's not that the Rivalries are the cause of the world ending."
"It's that the Rivalries can only occur as the world's being ravage by war." Kurt said. "Which if it lasts all the way to the start of the new year..."
"It's because of what Alberich said, isn't it?" I asked. "He mentioned about that."
"Right you are, Alex." Crow replied. "Simply put that whichever one of the Seven is the last one standing, they'll have to face their greatest reward, a final showdown against Revelio the Second with the world's fate hanging in the balance. If the Great One wins, then the Great Twilight will cause the world to be 'reset'. But if Revelio wins, the world will be thrown back to the dark ages, and then it's destroyed."
The others were speechless.
"So no matter which side wins, the world loses either way." Celine said.
I growled. "That Grandmaster has a sick and twisted sense of humor if you ask me!"
"Then perhaps, it'd help to see the world as a sort of crucible." Gaius said. "The Great Twilight is the kindling, and the war, the bellows that stoke its infernal flame. The further the extent of its strife, the hotter the blaze. As the crucible drowns in fire, the Seven who were once One, begin their battle within. From there, they fight to the death, melting into each other amongst the flames, one by one. Until finally, the Seven are reforged into a whole once more."
"Come again?" Juna asked.
"It's somewhat akin to the practices of the alchemists of old, distilling materials into their purest form." Emma explained.
"It sounds more to me like a survival of the fittest. A battle royale with one, singular victor." Jusis said.
"It's both." Musse added. "But on a far larger, far more primal scale than anything we've ever known."
"Well, shit..." Ash muttered.
"Well, if you ask me. There is a such a thing called defiance." I replied. "If the Grandmaster thinks this is how it's all gonna play out, well I've got a trump card that can counter it."
"Oh yeah, I saw a bit of that at the workshop." Crow said. "So what did you find out?"
"If I want to stop the eternal transformation and save the world at the same time, I must sacrifice and inherit the souls of our foes."
"S-sacrfice?!" Duvalie repeated.
"Well, guess you're in too deep, just like the rest of us then." Crow replied.
I sighed. "Yeah, pretty much."
"Then in that case, we really shouldn't be wasting much time. Now Rean, you know exactly what it is we have to do. We can feel it in our bones." He then got out his glaive.
"You're starting the Rivalry right here? Right now?" Elliot asked.
"I'm no Vita, but I know a prime opportunity when I see one. The war hasn't started yet. Maybe if we get a jump on this, we can derail the Gnomes' plans. But, the second the Empire launches its attack on the Republic..."
"...as the sacrifice, I'd be forced to engage in the Rivalries. Whether I like it or not." Rean finished.
"And as each month passes by, my body will start to drastically change until the first day of the new year arrives." I added. "That's all there is, right?"
"Rean..." Alisa said quietly.
"Alex..." Emma added quietly.
"Heh, nail on the head." Crow replied. "You'd both either go berserk, or your memories would get sealed away, turning you into mindless puppets. Or in your case, Alex, a demon lord with one single emotion...aggression."
Rean drew out his sword. "Then now may be the last chance I have. Before my memories are snatched away. Before I'm forced to duel to the death, devoid of all sense and reason. I can still see this rivalry through with my own eyes. Triumph or fail by my own merit."
"And with my own way to help everyone on my side save the world, we'll make sure that not only does Rean come out victorious, but we'll put a stop to the Gnomes plans." I added as I got my gauntlets out.
"Hah, there you go." Crow replied.
"Before we begin, the stage must be set, as with the Infernal Castle, and Ouroboros's experiments." Duvalie said. "Appoint two allies to assist you. Only then shall we take you on."
Rean and I nodded, We had Alisa and Emma to join us and our battle began.
*Battle Skip*
We held our own successfully against their attacks, and the flow of aura was around us.
"What is this glow?" I asked.
"The stage is set. The preperations are complete." Emma said.
"This is as much as I can help." Duvalie panted. "The rest is up to you two."
Crow nodded. "Right. We're up, Ordine!"
"Understood, Crow!" Ordine replied.
Duvalie stood far away as Ordine entered the fray.
"Valimar! Heed my call!" Rean ordered.
Valimar then appeared and both Rean and Crow went into their Divine Knights, ready to duel.
"Instructor Rean, Millium..." Altina said.
"They'll be all right." I assured. "Rean has us to support him, always."
"Short stack...still glowing red, huh?" Crow asked. "But whatever. That sword ain't that much stronger than one made out of Zemurian Ore. Don't hold back, Rean. Come at me with all you've got!"
"Crow...if the Rivalries are a battle between Divine Knights, then what about the Awakeners?" Rean asked. "Since I'm also a Sacrifice, I don't know what will happen to me, but you're only being kept alive as an Awakener by the curse. So what'll happen if you, an immortal, were to lose?"
"Woah, I didn't even think of that." I said. "Because he's an immortal, he would just...fade away?"
"Well, guess that's what we're here to find out, huh?" Crow replied. "Gonna have to call you out for actin' like you already won, though. You gotta kick things off first. So come on, you better be ready for this, Rean! So quit screwing around, your pathetic opponent's already dead! So put him out of his misery already!"
"Fine. But let me make just one thing clear to you." Rean said. "You're not pathetic. You're our friend. A fellow member of Class VII. A rival whose shadow I've long struggled to emerge from. That's all I have to say. Now let's settle this!"
"Heh, fine by me! Show me what you've got, Rean!"
They charged at each other to begin the first Rivarly battle.
*Battle Skip*
It was a grueling battle, a deathmatch just like Crow said. But in the end, Rean came out with the hard-fought victory.
"Rean did it." I said.
"It's over." Duvalie muttered.
"Does this mean the Rivalry is complete?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah. Looks like our little improv routine did the trick." Crow answered.
Ordine then started glowing and Crow came out, he was starting to become transparent. We rushed over to him.
"So it's just as I thought. Because you're an immortal, you can't be on the same plain as the mortals." I sighed. "I guess Rutger and Lianne will end up going the same way, right?"
"Yeah, that's all there is to it." He replied as little orbs flew out of Ordine and into Valimar. "And here's your answer. Ordine's power is Valimar's now. And with it, whatever it was that kept me alive. Each successive Rivalry...will lead you to...the root of this curse."
Seeing him go out like this brought back memories of when we lost him at the Infernal Castle, it was like history repeating itself.
"Don't you dare say another word!" Rean came out of Valimar and went up to Crow, he then grabbed him up on his feet. "Pull yourself together, Crow Ambrust! This world is about to crumble, not just beneath my feet, but yours as well! Are you really just going to take the easy way out? Now, of all times?!"
Suddenly, the orbs that were going into Valimar started going out and back into Ordine.
"What the...how are you?" Crow asked in surprise.
"What is Valimar doing exactly?" I added.
"He's stopped absorbing Ordine's power?" Emma guessed.
"That's not it. He's reversing the flow." Celine corrected.
"Screw the Rivalry. I won't do this to you! I won't be responsible for your death!" Rean said. "You're going to live, damn it! You hear me?! You're going to fight and struggle and survive, no matter what it takes! I won't let you off the hook that easily! You've got a ton of interest to pay back!"
The transparency was no longer glowing around Ordine and Crow.
"Hmm, looks like something's happening between them." I hummed. "Is this some kind of...contract bonding?"
"Come back to us, Crow!" Rean exclaimed as he hugged him. "I need you...We ALL NEED YOU!"
"Exactamundo! We're not quitters! Right, Crow?!"
Huh? That was Millium's voice from the sword. Looks like this was her idea or something. Once the moment was over, both Crow and Rean fainted at the same time, and Crow's body was whole again.
"Looks like they exhausted each other out." I said. "I guess now would be a good time to clarify about my part in all of this."
"What do you mean?" Duvalie asked.
"It's like I said to the others. After the battles are over, and whether it involves Rean with his Rivalry battles or not, I will be deciding what to do with the fates of my foes." I looked at her. "And I've decided that because you've seen the light and that you're following your own path, I'm not going to sacrifice you."
"But...why?"
"I don't think there's a reason to ask that. You've seen the error of your ways, but I'm afraid I can't say the same with the other two. If they stand in our way, I will have no other choice, but to strike them down."
She gasped. "No...y-you can't! I know Ines and Ennea can't see it, but I don't want them to be sacrificed! They mean so much to me, even if we're on opposite sides now!"
"Well, who knows, maybe I won't need to kill all of my foes. But until I know for sure, I can't take any chances. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
She looked down in sadness.
"But for now, I think we need to get these two out of here and over to the wharf."
"Yeah, we need to get Rean and Crow away from here." Sara agreed.
With our help, we carried Rean and Crow all the way out of the Shrine and down to the wharf building where they rested for a few hours before Crow woke up first, and then Rean who finally got up.
"Oh...I remember this place." Rean said.
"I hope so, this is the lodge we visited before, after all." I added.
He then sat up. "Oh, right...what about your situation, Alex?"
"He chose to let me live." Duvalie answered as she was sitting on a far table. "For which, I am very grateful."
"Oh, hey there, Duvalie."
"Excuse me, that's Duvalie the Swift to you!"
Crow chuckled. "Hey, how's it going? I woke up, just a little bit ago, but I can't really move much either. Honestly, I coulda used a few more hours in dreamland."
"Crow...then everything worked out okay?" Rean asked.
"Looks that way. Just couldn't let me have my big moment, could you?"
"And its a good thing he didn't." Sara said. "It would've been your last otherwise."
"So what was with that mana transfer we saw?" I asked.
"I can only make a guess, but I believe Valimar has made Ordine into a servant of sorts." Emma replied.
"So like what the Dark Dragon did to those Calvardians? He's like...'Knighttouched', but...with a K?" Juna guessed.
"Not quite." Celine answered. "Those soldiers were nothing more than slaves to their master's will. In this case, it's more of a matter of kinship. Or sharing a spiritual link, like the one Emma and I have."
"Then the two Divine Knights have become lord and retainer, in a certain sense." Kurt said.
"As Rivalries go, this one wasn't exactly by the book." Gaius added.
"Too true." I nodded. "They probably didn't consider the possibility of the losing awakener being recruited by the victor. In which case, we now have two Divine Knights on our side which will make the future battles end up in our favor."
"Counting me in already, huh?" Crow asked. "Well, no use arguing about it. To the victor goes the spoils. 'Sides, until we manage to put this Great Twilight buisness to an end, I'm livin' on borrowed time."
"Then your ultimate fate remains unchanged." Jusis said.
"Yep. Any way you slice it, my being here contradicts reality itself. Doesn't matter what you, Aidios, or anyone else has to say about it. My fate's not gonna change one bit. Am I right, Gaius? Emma?"
Gaius nodded. "Unfortunately, so..."
"As much as we hate to admit it." Emma said.
"...tch. Screw Aidios, then...what's she even good for?" Ash asked.
"We can worry about that later." Rean answered. "Because right here, right now, you're still alive. I won't accept this 'fate' of yours as a hard and fast truth. As long as you're still here, I'm not giving up on you. But for now, I'm just happy you're back with Class VII. Back where you belong."
"I think what he's trying to say, is welcome back. Welcome back to Class VII." I added. "And that you're one of us again, and this time, it's gonna stay that way."
Crow chuckled as he did a fist bump with Rean. "Aw, screw it. I gotta pay all that interest back one way or another, right?"
"Sure do. Now what about you, Duvalie?"
"He's right." Laura agreed. "What do you intend to do from now on?"
"Wh-what I intend to do is none of your concern." She replied. "This is as far as my charity goes. Come tomorrow, I'll be going bye-bye."
"Duvalie, you excel in a lot of stuff." I winked. "But I'm afraid white lies isn't one of them."
She looked away. "Urk..."
"And you did say something about getting to the bottom of Ouroboros' plans. How will you be able to do that without any help or free transport?"
"Well, I uh..."
"There's no need put up a front, if you want to join our side so you can help us fight against the society, you just gotta say so and we'll accept your help."
"Rggggh..."
"Listen, Duvalie, I get it. I know things might seem a little weird given all the history between you guys, but things are different now." Crow said. "So how about you and I both take a load off and let someone else take the reins for a change?"
"Excuse me?!"
"Then how about a temporary alliance?" I suggested. "So that you have at least somewhere to be for the time being, until you can figure things out on your own for the future ahead. Let's not forget, Lianne is involved in the Rivalries, and should she fall, the Stahlritter will need a new leader to carry on her ambition. Whatever you decide, you need to keep that in mind."
"Well...I suppose...very well. I have decided that I shall help you out...for now." She stood up and her face went red. "But remember this, Class VII. We are NOT friends. Our cooperation is one of convenience, and nothing more!"
And with that, Duvalie was welcomed into the group. Now that we had two new allies on our side, it was time to start preparing for the future Rivalries to come, as well as finding any info on which foe shall be my first target to sacrifice.
Next time! Alex gets much needed intel on his first target, whilst the class rescues Towa and the Empress.