Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance.

Mining Town Gado

Kamito, Fianna, Muir, and Lily had just arrived at the abandoned town that was called Gado. They looked around seeing the town that had been abandoned for many decades.

"Okay, here we are," Kamito said.

"Yes, the Mining Town Gado," Lily said.

The team set their horses to be tied to two poles.

"Humans don't live here anymore," Muir said, "spirits on the other hand…"

"Hmm I wonder…" Fianna said.

"Hmm, what's up Fianna?" Kamito asked.

"I wonder if we'll meet with Ellis and the other Sylphid Knights on the way," Fianna said.

"Hmm, well that's possible," Kamito said.

"I don't like their chances," Lily said, "if they really after who they describe as… who we think it is…"

"Rubia Elstein," Kamito said, "but would she really show up?"

Fianna frowned at the mention of Rubia.

"Rubia and Restia are working together," Kamito said.

"And it was Restia that who sent that pathetic weakling Jio to Areishia," Muir said.

"She's after the military spirit," Fianna said, "but we won't let her."

"That's right, we won't," Kamito said, "and if we do face Rubia Elstein, I have questions for her."

"Me too," Fianna said, "For me, it's the same thing that I asked her four years ago."

"Don't worry Fianna," Lily said, "we'll make her talk."

"That's right," Muir said, "Rubia Elstein is going to learn that she can't mess with us."

"As for me," Kamito said, "if Restia is there, I'll take her back. One way or the other… I have to."

"Kamito," Fianna said.

Far away from where Kamito and his team were, two people looked over and it was Claire and Rinslet.

"There they are," Claire said.

"I can see them," Rinslet said, "We can't hear them though. We should get closer."

"We do that and they'll spot us immediately," Claire said, "we can't risk that."

"I guess you're right," Rinslet said, "so Claire, how are you going to do this? How are you going to get them to join you?"

"That Dark Spirit named Restia," Claire said, "the one who was Kamito's contracted spirit was the one who sent that Jio guy in the academy to steal the sealed documents. She may have something up her sleeve and still hasn't given up in getting the military spirit sealed in this town so with that in mind…"

"What?" Rinslet asked.

"She may try something here and try another way," Claire said, "and that's when I come in and…"

"And what?" Rinslet asked.

"…I'll make her submit to me," Claire said with confidence.

"Wait, what?" Rinslet replied surprised, "Wait a minute Claire, are you saying you're going to…?"

"That's right," Claire said, "She is no longer Kamito's contracted spirit so if I win against her, she'll be my contracted spirit. Kamito still desires to have that Dark Spirit around so if I have her submit to me, it'll shock him and wanting her back and at least be close to her, he'll have to have me in his team," Claire smiled as she believed to be a great plan, "genius plan."

"I'd say impossible," Rinslet said.

Claire flinched and then frowned and looked away

"Okay I admit it won't be easy," Claire said, "but I can do it."

"You're something else Claire," Rinslet said, "Now you're resorting to stealing other people's spirits."

"That Dark Spirit is no longer Kamito's," Claire replied, "and besides it's nothing compare to the fact that he stole the spirit I was going to form a contract with. I say fair is fair."

"I have a feeling this is going to be bad," Rinslet said with dread.

"You know you don't have to come along," Claire said as she was annoyed with what Rinslet just said.

"No I'm still coming," Rinslet said, "after all I came all the way here anyway."

"Fine then let's go," Claire said.

Claire and Rinslet made their move to follow Kamito and his team. Meanwhile Kamito, Fianna, Muir, and Lily entered the mine and they looked around as Kamito had a lit torch in hand. As they continued onward, Fianna noticed something and she stopped.

"Fianna?" Kamito spoke as he as well as Lily and Muir stopped.

"Fianna, what is it?" Lily asked.

They looked and saw what appeared to be a small sort of shrine. Fianna narrowed her eyes at what she was seeing.

"A ceremony has been performed here," Fianna deduced, "and just recently too."

"A ceremony?" Muir asked.

"Yes," Fianna said with a nod, "in fact this dance…" Fianna nodded, "no doubt, it seems that an unbinding ceremony took place."

"Huh, an unbinding ceremony," Kamito said.

"Yes but it seems to have been altered," Fianna said, "The shrine we're seeing is actually a camouflage for the true shrine."

"Then could it be that the true shrine is actually deeper within the mine?" Kamito asked.

"I imagine so yes," Fianna replied.

"I see," Kamito said.

There was a sudden tremor and it caught the four member team off guard.

"Was that…?" Fianna asked.

"It must be a fight," Lily said.

"Kamito, do you think…?" Fianna asked.

"Yeah, that's what I'm guessing," Kamito said, "let's go see."

Fianna, Muir, and Lily nodded in agreement and they rushed to go to the source. As they kept going, Claire and Rinslet looked on and they looked at each other and nodded and they went to continue to follow them. Elsewhere Ellis was panting and she was also injured with part of her clothing ripped. She looked back and saw Reishia and Rakka on the ground and unconscious with their Elemental Waffes beside them. Ellis clenched her teeth and looked the person with a glare. It was the hooded young woman that was actually Rubia and she had Laevateinn in the Elemental Waffe form of a sword.

"I'll say it again," Rubia said, "stay out of my way."

Ellis slowly got up and pointed her weapon at Rubia.

"And what makes you think we'll do what you say?" Ellis replied.

"Surely you realize it," Rubia said, "You don't stand a chance against me."

"Just what are you trying to accomplish?" Ellis asked, "You're working along with the Dark Spirit Restia and you sent Jio Inzagi to get the sealed documents."

"It's true but I don't see why I should tell you anything," Rubia said, "last warning, stand down," Rubia took a step, "ignore my warning at your own peril."

"As I knight I refuse to back down," Ellis said determined.

"How foolish," Rubia said with distain and then she slowly walked towards Ellis, "then you shall fall here."

Rubia raised her Elemental Waffe but then she suddenly felt something and quickly backed away as someone suddenly showed up. The person was Kamito and he stood in front of Ellis with his Demon Slayer in hand.

"K-Kamito," Ellis said surprised.

"Ellis, are you all right?" Kamito asked.

"Y-Yes," Ellis replied.

Rubia looked on and she clenched her teeth and had her thoughts, "Oh great now he's here. He got here faster than I anticipated."

More people showed up and it was Fianna, Lily, and Muir. Rubia was surprised to see Ordesia's second princess and the two girls who were from the Instructional School that she herself destroyed. Lily checked on Reishia and Rakka.

"They're alive," Lily said, "just unconscious."

"That's a relief," Fianna said.

"Well this has become—" Rubia spoke.

Rubia was cut off as Kamito suddenly rushed and swung his sword. It caught Rubia by surprise and her hood came off her head and her face was revealed. Ellis was surprised to see Rubia's face.

"You look like… what a minute," Ellis said surprised.

"So it is you," Kamito said, "Rubia Elstein."

Rubia clenched her teeth as she was upset.

"It's you," Fianna said as she looked at Rubia with hatred.

Areishia Spirit Academy

Carol was in Greyworth's office and she was shaking as she was nervous and Greyworth along with Freya were staring at Carol.

"So Claire and Rinslet went and followed Kamito and his team to Gado," Greyworth said, "is that right?"

Carol knew that it was pointless to lie and feign ignorance and she sleeplessly nodded. Greyworth sighed as she was not pleased with what Claire and Rinslet had done.

"And I had just made it very clear to them to not go," Greyworth said upset.

"It seems that Rouge and Laurenfrost no longer care to listen," Freya said.

"This is not good at all," Greyworth said with a frown, "if Claire sees her…"

"Huh, her?" Carol asked, "Who are you referring to Headmistress?"

Greyworth folded her arms and was upset.

Mining Town Gado

Within the mine, Claire and Rinslet were rushing to get where they wanted to be. Meanwhile Kamito was facing Rubia and Fianna walked and stopped next to Kamito while Muir and Lily looked after Ellis, Reishia, and Rakka.

"So it's you," Kamito said, "Rubia Elstein."

"Kamito Kazehaya," Rubia said.

"So it really was you," Fianna said as he brought out her own Elemental Waffe, "do you remember me?"

Rubia looked at Fianna and nodded.

"Of course I do," Rubia said, "after all you are the foolish girl that tried to stop me even after I warned you what would happen if you tried."

"Do you know the damage that you have done by the actions you have taken?" Fianna asked.

"…I assume that you're referring to what has happened to you since then," Rubia replied, "I'm sorry but is this the part where I'm supposed to care because if it is, you're even more pathetic than I thought."

"I didn't expect you to care and it's not just my situation that you damaged," Fianna replied, "but I want you know that I have not forgotten what've you done and I swore that I would make you pay."

"You understand nothing," Rubia said coldly, "you don't understand that what I'm doing. What's going on is far bigger than you."

"And just what are you getting at?" Kamito asked.

Rubia looked at Kamito, "What I'm doing is actually trying to save the world."

Rubia's response surprised and confused the others.

"What are you talking about?" Kamito asked.

"I'd be willing to tell you," Rubia said and then she extended her hand towards Kamito, "that is if you join me."

"What?" Kamito replied with a glare.

"Kamito Kazehaya, I want you to join me," Rubia said, "if you do that, I'll tell you everything. In fact to be honest, you actually play a significant role in saving the world."

"Me?" Kamito asked.

"Kamito?" Lily asked.

"Why Onii-sama?" Muir asked.

"What do you say Kamito Kazehaya?" Rubia asked, "Join me and everything will become clear to you… in fact, I'll help bring out the real you, the one who you're meant to be."

Kamito was surprised again, "The real me… that's the same thing Restia said."

"Yes the Dark Spirit," Rubia said, "I'm sure you're aware that she and I are working together for the sake of the goal that we desire."

"Restia," Fianna said with a frown, "so you two are working together."

"I won't say any more than what I have already said," Rubia said, "but Kamito, I will tell you everything if you join me," Rubia looked at the three Sylphid Knights as well as Muir, Lily, and Fianna, "you don't need them who refuse to understand things logically. In fact, they'll just hold you back in what needs to be done."

"Hey, maybe you want to watch it," Muir said, "your lackey Jio said the same things and you what happened to him."

"You would do well to not underestimate us," Lily said.

Rubia scoffed at what Lily and Muir had just said and then she turned back to Kamito.

"So what do you say Kamito Kazehaya?" Rubia asked, "I'm sure that the choice is clear."

"Yeah it is actually," Kamito said.

"Kamito?" Ellis spoke as she as well as Reishia and Rakka were concerned.

"Then…" Rubia spoke.

"I refuse," Kamito said.

Rubia was surprised at Kamito's answer.

"I beg your pardon?" Rubia replied upset.

"You heard me the first time" Kamito replied back glaring at Rubia, "I won't join you."

"And why not?" Rubia asked glaring at Kamito.

"Well for one thing, I have a team right here with me along with friends that I made in the academy," Kamito said, "and I will not betray them and will not abandon them."

"Kamito," Fianna said liking what Kamito said.

"Kamito," Lily said happily.

"That's my Onii-sama," Muir said proudly.

Ellis looked on and was happy to hear what Kamito said.

"Another thing is that quite frankly," Kamito said as he looked at Rubia with cold stare, "you piss me off."

"What?" Rubia replied annoyed, "What do you mean by that?"

"Your actions," Kamito said, "what you have done in the past and what you have done recently."

"I don't understand," Rubia said.

"If you don't understand that's unfortunate but that's all I'm going to say to you," Kamito said.

Kamito suddenly disappeared and surprised Rubia and was barely able to block the Kamito's sword attack. Kamito went on the offensive against Rubia and Rubia was struggling to keep up against Kamito. Rubia jumped back and swung Laevateinn creating a sort of fiery shockwave. Kamito just looked at the flame attack and caught the flame attack with the tip of his sword.

"What the…?" Rubia said surprised.

"Absolute Blade Arts - Fourth Form," Kamito said, "Blazing Slash!"

Kamito swung the blade of his sword and the sent Rubia's flames right back to her which made the redhead shocked at what was happening. Rubia swung the Laevateinn to slice her own flames. Kamito charged with lightning speed and got behind Rubia and Rubia was shocked and reacted too late as Kamito was able to strike Rubia which caused her to fall back and was bleeding from her back. Rubia was in pain and she clenched her teeth feeling pain from Kamito's strike.

"You're going to pay for that," Rubia declared.

"I like to see you try," Kamito challenged.

Meanwhile Claire and Rinslet were running within the tunnel to get to where they figure there some disturbance going on with Claire holding a flame as light for the tunnel. They were able to follow the sounds of clashes and they sped up to get to the source and when they go to the source, it surprised the both of them.

"What the…?" Rinslet spoke.

"Is that…?" Claire spoke.

Claire and Rinslet had just witnessed a fight that was going between Kamito and Claire's sister Rubia and Claire was wide eyed seeing someone for the first time in four years.

"Sister!" Claire called out.

The others were surprised and they looked and saw Claire and Rinslet. Kamito was shocked and questioned when Claire and Rinslet got here and he asked himself why the hell he didn't pick up on the fact that they had been followed by them. Kamito figured that Claire and Rinslet were being careful and keeping themselves at a far distance. Rubia was surprised to see her sister as she did not expect to see her little sister at least not so soon.

"Claire, it's you," Rubia said.

"Big Sister," Claire said.

"Claire, what are you and Rinslet doing here?" Muir asked.

"Why are you two here?" Lily asked.

Claire ignored them and just walked toward Rubia.

"Claire, step back," Kamito said concentrating on Rubia.

"Why Kamito?" Claire asked.

"Huh?" Kamito replied confused looking at Claire.

"Why are you fighting my sister?" Claire asked as she looked at Kamito shocked, "Why are you trying to kill my sister?"

"Claire, your sister is a threat," Kamito said, "she's not worth protecting."

"No, you don't know what you're talking about!" Claire said defensively and she ran and stood in front of her sister, "I won't let you hurt my sister."

"Claire, you don't understand what's going on," Kamito said, "she has bad intentions. You know what she's done in the past and she plans to continue."

"She's the one who sent Jio Inzagi to the academy to steal the sealed document," Fianna said, "the actions of him and Restia was no doubt done by her request."

"I'm sure she has reasonable explanations for her past actions," Claire insisted.

"I do," Rubia said, "as I explained to Kamito, I'm actually going to save the world."

"Huh?" Claire replied and turned to Rubia, "Save the world?"

"Yes," Rubia said with a nod to her younger sister.

Kamito suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Rubia which shocked and she barely blocked Kamito's sword attack. Rubia was irritated what Kamito just did and Claire was upset that Kamito had just resorted in his attack.

"You just don't understand," Rubia said, "you're a fool Kamito Kazehaya."

"I don't give a damn what you say," Kamito replied.

"Kamito!" Claire roared, "Stop it!"

Claire shot her Fireball spell at Kamito and Kamito dodged the fiery spell and moved to stop Rubia. Claire quickly brought out her Elemental Waffe and swung her whip at Kamito who was able to easily dodge as he jumped back and landed on his feet. He glared at Claire and was annoyed in what she was doing.

"You're making a mistake Claire!" Fianna said.

Claire turned to Fianna, "And what do you know? You don't understand anything!"

"Are you willing to defend your sister after what she just did?" Lily asked as she and Muir stood up.

"Shut up, don't say anymore," Claire said.

"Clare, you…" Kamito said.

"I won't let anyone badmouth my sister," Claire said getting upset and then she formed another Fireball in her free hand, "I won't tolerate anyone badmouth or attacking my sister… no matter who it is."

"So are you just going to just ignore everything that she has done?" Fianna asked angrily.

Claire looked at Fianna and saw her that the second princess had such angry expression.

"Do you think that she cares or even thinks about what her actions have caused to other people?" Fianna asked, "In fact, she's the reason why your own parents are in prison right now."

"Yep, that's true," Muir said, "personally I think it's really stupid that your parents got punished for something your sister did but of course it's the fact that Rubia was not there but they were… your parents. I mean hell, they were going to have you punished as well had it not been for the Greyworth intervening and vouching for you. You're sad that your parents are not unjustly sitting in prison right now and the fact that they lost their lands and noble title.

Claire was silent and looked on the ground with a sad expression thinking about what had happened to her parents because of what Rubia had done and the reaction that had occurred because of it.

"What's wrong?" Fianna asked, "Why are you being silent?"

"Just shut up okay," Clare responded, "regardless what you all may feel and what has happened, I won't let you hurt my sister. I finally get to reunite with her after four years and you all want to destroy that for your own vendetta."

Rinslet looked on and decided on what she was going to do. Ellis looked on as well and clenched her teeth at the actions that Claire was taking and it justified in her mind that Claire Rouge was truly troublesome and caused problems just for her own ego. Kamito, Fianna, Muir, and Lily were annoyed at what Claire had done and what she was doing while Rubia looked at her sister and was amazed that she was sticking up for her.

"So you haven't given up on me Claire," Rubia said in her head.

Meanwhile further down within the mine, Restia was sitting on a boulder and was smiling.

"Such expected events," Restia said, "So how are you going to respond my sweet Kamito?"

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The conflict in the mine continues as it moves right to the where the military spirit is sealed away.