"Do you really plan on dragging out this little game of yours?"

On an abandoned field, bordered by densely forested land and the remains of an unfortunate village, stood three figures. Their silhouettes were barely visible in the moonlight, but one immediately stood out.

Balzeride taunted his opponent from his spot on the abandoned battlefield. He had already summoned his Drag-Ride, a monstrous purple-grey thing known as Azi Dahaka, as a show of intimidation. For a regular citizen, the intimidation probably would have worked.

Azi Dahaka was a flightless machine dragon, but that did not take away from its ferocity. In return for its missing flight, its massive cannons mounted on its back promised a whole load of pain to anyone unfortunate enough to be aiming for a back shot. Its thick forearms proved equally good as deterrents for attackers coming from the front. Add on a thick layer of armour, and it was the optimal tank/heavy-attacker.

Beside him, Alterize had also summoned her own Drag-Ride, an EX Wyrm. She did so with much more dignity and humility. Her machine dragon was not as visually impressive as the divine dragon, but she held herself with such confidence that no one would take her lightly.

Krulcifer though, had seen worse.

"My future isn't a game, Balzeride," Krulcifer spoke coldly, summoning her Fafnir in a shower of ephemeral blue light.

Fafnir was almost the antithesis to Azi Dahaka. Where the latter is heavy and powerful, the former is light and graceful. Its armour was much thinner and sparser. Only essential parts were near the machine dragon's propulsion jets and core crystal were fully shielded. In return though, Fafnir was much more agile than Azi Dahaka, and could easily take advantage of the heavier machine's landbound nature.

It would take time, but any experienced knight could tell that Fafnir would eventually triumph over Azi Dahaka. The pilot would only need to take repeated shots shooting Azi Dahaka, which would essentially be a sitting duck.

Alterize was aware of this, and was planning on keeping Lady Krulcifer busy while Lord Balzeride waited for the optimal time to use his back cannons.

Unfortunately, she did not get to act on her plan.

"Alterize, you should take a nap,"

The massive metal hand of Azi Dahaka suddenly loomed in front of Alterize's face, and a hideous grey light poured from it. Alterize scarcely had time to react before the light overwhelmed her, and she collapsed, her Drag-Ride dispelling.

"Alterize!"

"Oh how cute! The little lady's concerned for her servant" Balzerize mocked, "I could just cry at your sweet friendship!"

"You," Krulcifer hissed, "What are you playing at,"

Something was very wrong.

"I just wanted to make this a fair match, that's all,"

"You'll regret that,"

"Oh, I doubt I will,"

With that grand opening, Krulcifer shot off.

Back at the school…

Airi rubbed her eyes as she trudged back to her brother's room. She was so worried about Krulcifer that she had not gotten a wink of sleep. Instead, she had spent the last few hours researching Fafnir and Azi Dahaka's capabilities, just to assure herself that Krulcifer would win.

She should be fine. Krulcifer shouldn't fall behind his skill and experience, and add on to that Fafnir's natural advantage…

She finally decided to take a break and check up on her sleeping (drugged) brother, and had just opened the door to his room when she almost gave herself whiplash.

"Brother?!"

Her brother was fully up and running, as if he hadn't just drank enough sleeping medicine to knock out an African elephant.

"How are you still up?!"

"Why wouldn't I be? I have to fight in a duel in a few minutes,"

He was utterly unfazed. Both of his swords were strapped on, and he was clearly dressed for combat.

"This is good timing though. Airi, can you come with me? I have to get the Triad,"

"Why on Earth do you need the Triad at this hour?! Brother, what's going on?!"

Airi got more and more frustrated with her brother's lack of response.

"I don't trust that Balzeride won't resort to threats or underhanded violence. I need the Triad as witnesses. Isn't Senior Sharis's father a General of the Imperial Army? I think she'll have a few useful connections,"

With that, Lux took off for the senior student dorms.

"Brother?! Would you just calm down for a moment?!"

Lux did not calm down. He knew he was working on a time limit. He had tried to talk to them earlier today, but they had brushed off his worries as pre-duel nervousness. He was hoping that now, closer to the duel'a start, he could convince them otherwise.

"Senior Sharis? Are you in?"

By the time Airi caught up with him, her brother was already banging on Sharis's door. A few moments later, a confused Sharis opened her door.

"Lux? What's wrong? Your duel's starting any minute, why are you still here?"

"Senior, can you get Tillfar and Noct? And few trusted witnesses too. I'll need them to meet in the forests by the abandoned town."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because," here Lux's eyes turned fierce, and Sharis and Airi both jolted. They knew instinctively now that something serious was happening, something bad.

"There's a rat problem on school grounds,"

At the same moment, Krulcifer took to the air and readied her arm cannon. In graceful, practiced movements she sniped Balzeride, but he was prepared. He lunged and dodged, before summoning his axe and racing away.

Krulcifer tore after him, but just as she got within range for a good shot, a hook shot from among the cannons loaded on Azi Dahaka's back. The hook wrapped around Fafnir's left leg for a brief moment before Krulcifer crushed it with her cannon's muzzle. In the same instance, she got a few good shots towards Azi Dahaka's back cannons, disabling a good few of them

The chain fell away uselessly. Balzeride made no other movements, aside from adopting a smug smile. Krulcifer was incredibly confused.

Why would he make such an unorthodox move? Krulcifer thought with a slight frown, Something's going on.

Balzeride started charging his remaining back cannons, but for some reason his machine dragon was much faster than Krulcifer expected. Faster than what should be possible/

Krulcifer prepared to use her Sacred Gear in retaliation. Taking a deep breath, she called out her attack.

"Wise Blood," she whispered, anticipating the familiar thrum of energy in her eyes.

But nothing happened.

"?!...Why is Wise Blood not activating?!" Krulcifer said. A rare look of panic passed over her features. She quickly withdrew from Balzeride, racking her mind over what might have happened.

"What's wrong, my future wife? Having some technical issues?"

Azi Dahaka's cannon clipped Fafnir's shoulder propulsion jets, knocking Krulcifer out of the air.

Fafnir would not be flying anytime soon.

With a crazed laugh, Balzeride raced over and smashed his great axe against the vulnerable Fafnir's already thin armour.

The impact knocked Krulcifer briefly unconscious, before she forced her eyes open. She saw the looming, twisted figure of Azi Dahaka pinning her to the ground. She felt a shiver of fear at the predatory look on his smiling mouth and eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry! Did I hurt you? Last survivor of the Ruins?" Balzeride asked cruelly, still smirking.

"!..,How, how do you know that?!" Krulcifer gritted out, glaring at the man above her. Balzeride laughed loudly.

"Did you think I wanted to marry you just for your so-called family or your looks?! Hah! Don't be so arrogant! I could have any number of women just as good as you! A good 'friend' of mine told me your little secret,"

"You should feel honoured," Balzeride continued, sneering, "The great Balzeride Kreutzer has chosen you to bear his seed and serve him! I won't hurt you...much,"

He trailed Azi Dahaka's giant hand down her abdomen, and Krulcifer felt for the first time in her life pure hatred and disgust for someone.

This disgusting, vile bastard, she spat in her mind.

With a quick movement, Krulcifer struck him in the face with Fafnir's arm cannon.

"ARGH!" Balzeride howled, but didn't let go of her. Instead, he struck her again in the ribs. Krulcifer winced, but made no sound.

"Bitch," he swore, "You'll pay for that. You'll be crying for forgiveness for that,"

"Try me," she said coldly, but still, she felt the frozen hand fear grip her body.

She felt Azi Dahaka's hand on Fafnir's armour, ready to rend it to pieces, and squeezed her eyes shut for what was to come.

But it never came.

A whirring of gears, a blast of wind, a dark digured lined in crimson rammed into Balzeride, gripping the hand that restrained Fafnir, and forcing it open.

"Let. Go." Lux commanded, his voice as cold and impersonal as the night's cold wind. With seemingly effortless strength, he threw Balzeride towards a half-crumbled wall. There was a satisfying crack as Balzeride hit stone.

"...Lux?" Krulcifer asked uncertainly, sitting up slowly.

Am I hallucinating?.

"Hello Miss Krulcifer," Lux spoke gently, his cold façade evaporating, giving her a warm smile, "Sorry for the delay, I was dealing with some other thugs," here he sent a pointed glare at Balzeride, who was now pulling himself out of the rubble, looking absolutely livid.

"No, why are you here?!" Krulcifer asked, eyes wide with panic, "Run! You can't be seen in that Drag-Ride, I can-"

"What the hell!" Balzeride roared, his face red with anger, "A all-black Divine Drag-Ride?! No...you're the Black Hero?! Hah! Looks like the hero's nothing more than a poor, ruined prince! You stupid little boy! You'd reveal yourself for that sad thing lying there?! Really, I had hoped that you were smarter than this!"

"...what a farce this all is," Lux spoke quietly, yet audibly. He glared at Balzeride. His eyes were glowing brightly.

"Why are you doing this?" Krulcifer muttered, "You barely know me. The request, the time limit's up, and even if it's not, this is too much. So why…?"

"Well, it helps that I'm not doing this out of any obligation to a contract,"

Lux smiled gently at her, as if he wasn't in the middle of a duel to the death with a madman.

"Then, why would you?"

"...Even if I told you, I don't think you'd believe me," Lux looked a bit gloomy at that, though Krulcifer couldn't fathom why, "But you should know that I am a friend, that I will stand by you, guard you, care for you, whatever you wish of me or need. Never doubt that,"

"And right now," Lux continued, "You seem to have a rodent problem,"

"Oh," Balzeride seethed, his face contorted in rage and hate, "You'll pay for that!"

He lunged forward with a savage growl, but Lux was prepared, and swung at him with Bahamut's greatsword.

"You know Fallen Prince," Balzeride said as the two exchanged blows, regaining his composure somewhat, "You should think about what you're doing. You must think of the greater good,"

"With her body, we'll be able to unlock the secrets of the Ruins. We'll be able to get more machine dragons, better technology, and we'll be able to better protect our country! You should know, the New Kingdom is worryingly behind the other countries in terms of technological and military prowess. But that can all change for only the life of a single foreigner! Is this not a good exchange?" Balzeride asked.

Krulcifer flinched at his words, and felt a lump in her throat. For Lux, who had even destroyed his own Empire to save the country, he might very well accept what Balzeride was saying. It actually did make logical sense...but, she didn't want to die. Call her selfish if you can bear to.

"L-lux," Krulcifer said with a shaky smile, "It's, it's fine. You've done more than enough for me. And besides, y-you can't fall here, can you? You've got to fight for your country."

"It's okay," she choked out, feeling her words scrapping her throat raw, "To be honest, I used you. Used you to escape my engagement, to make sure of my heritage. So, so it's fine if you stop fighting now,"

As she spoke, Krulcifer fought down the urge to vomit. She hated every word she said. She wanted him to fight for her, to stand beside her. It had been a long time since she had anyone like him who cared for her, who enjoyed spending time with her, and she was desperate not to lose him.

But that's why he has to go, to escape. If, if he stays here, he'll die. And I won't let that happen.

She tried to give him a genuine smile.

"So, that's why, you don't need to fight anymore, you-"

Her words were abruptly cut short when Bahamut suddenly lurched towards her, bringing the pilot's seat nearly eye-level to the collapsed Krulcifer.

Lux reached out his arm towards Krulcifer, and gently cupped her face with his hand. It was rough and worn down from years of odd-jobs and swordsmanship, but Krulcifer had never felt a softer hand than at that moment.

Lux wiped his thumb across a tear-stained cheek with such tenderness that Krulcifer felt like sobbing again. She instinctively reach up to press Lux's hand harder against he, savouring what little time they had.

Lux was silent for a long moment before he spoke again.

"I'm not going anywhere. Krulcifer, you are my lover, and I am yours. And as such, I will fight for you, simple as that. And besides," here a pained look overcame him.

"I'm tired of losing people in the name of the greater good. You only lose and lose that way, until there's no one left to enjoy the greater good,"

With that, Bahamut rose back up to its full height and turned to face its doomed opponent.

"...you're a fool, Fallen Prince, living in an idealistic fantasy. Wake up! Out here, in the real world, it's every country for itself,"

"What a cruel world you choose to live in,"

As Lux readied his blade and charged forwards, Krulcifer found herself wide-eyed.

He...didn't abandon me.

Finally, after years of abandonment and isolation from both family and peers, someone had chosen to stay, to stay and defend her.

All at once, Krulcifer was filled with a desire to return that care and devotion. Here she was, sitting like a damsel while her partner was prepare to fight alone! No, that wasn't happening today. In one fluid motion, she raised her sniper, and started firing.

Fuck, Balzeride swore in his mind as he felt a blast of cold energy hit the left leg of Azi Dahaka, The bitch got back up,

Now assailed by both a shower of bullets and by Lux, who slashed and fought so quickly and efficiently it looked like he was dancing. Balzeride found himself panicking. Already he had been hit by many times. He had activated Wise Blood, but the blue magic circle burned his vision and distorted his sense of time. It was not an ability easily learned.

Lux had gotten many hits on his armour. It was only because of Azi Dahaka's divine dress that Balzeride was still fighting...

As the three fought, exchanging blows and gunfire. Krulcifer finally realized something.

In Balzeride's eyes, there shone the blue magic circle that belonged to Fafnir, that belonged to her.

The light from Azi Dahaka's hand, the one that knocked Alterize out. His grip on my arm, Fafnir malfunctioning, Wise Blood shining in his eyes.

"Lux!" Krulcifer yelled, "Azi Dahaka's divine dress, it steals the divine dress and power of other divine dragons!"

Lux of course already knew this, but still, he gave a nod of thanks to Krulcifer.

It's amazing that she can still figure that out after almost being…raped.

With that thought, Lux felt nausea threatening to overcome him, and choked. Anger boiled inside of him again, but only gritted his teeth.

"Oh, so you've figured it out?" Balzeride tried to taunted, but the quiver in his voice was obvious, "Too bad. That girl talks too much! I'll just shut her up for good!"

Balzeride pointed his arm cannon at the vulnerable Krulcifer, whose eyes snapped open in fear.

No, she thought, closing her eyes and flinching.

But before the trigger could be pulled, Azi Dahaka's arm cannon was hacked off. There was a harsh sound as metal was sheared off and wires were snapped, and a loud thump as the appendage fell and landed.

Huh? Balzeride thought dumbly, as he stared at the Azi Dahaka's arm, which now lay on the ground. He looked over to Lux and almost soiled his pants.

There were emerald green lines running along Bahamut's body, cracking with energy. Lux himself stood tall, and looked like the apocalypse given form. His greatsword gleamed red and eerily, and in his eyes shone a harsh light. For a moment, Balzeride swore that he saw a dragon appear out of dust, swirling behind Lux. But as soon as it came, it disappeared.

Lux had activated over limit.

After the fight, Lux would scratch his head on how he had activated over limit without Lisha's help, but at the moment, he was just a bit preoccupied.

This was different though. Before, over limit pushed his machine dragon's energy almost out of control. It took all of his concentration just keeping the thing from blowing up with the energy it was generating.

Now though, he was in complete control. His vision was sharper, and his body and mind lighter than he had ever felt before.

"Y-you, what the hell are you?! A monster?" Balzeride yelled, backing off.

Lux took the moment to talk to Krulcifer. He had a gut feeling that, this time, he shouldn't be the one to deal the final blow.

"Krulcifer,"

"Is something wrong, Lux?"

She had her eyes trained on Balzeride, but there was still worry in her eyes as she responded to Lux. He seemed...different at the moment.

"Do you trust me?"

"Not the best time for a trust test, I'm afraid,"

"Do you trust me?"

"...yes, but why ask now?"

"Give me Fafnir's arm,"

Still confused, Krulcifer held out her machine dragon's arm. Driven by mostly instinct at this point, Lux took the offered limb in Bahamut's black hand.

And everything burst into light.

Krulcifer gave a cry of surprise and energy flooded her senses. The emerald lines of power - like the ones adorning Bahamut in its over limit state - appeared on Fafnir's body. Fafnir itself grew larger and fiercer, its broken wings mending itself with a loud crunch.

"The command is reload, then fire,"

"What?"

Krulcifer was still overwhelmed by the energy filling and sharpening her senses.

"You can't use Wise Blood, right? Use my divine dress instead. Reload on fire. Finish what that bastard started,"

Even without confirming it, Krulcifer knew at that moment that she did have access to Reload on Fire. She didn't know how, but it seemed as if… as if Fafnir was telling her this, that Fafnir had accepted that skill.

I have nothing to lose at this point.

Krulcifer took off into the skies. Balzeride saw and backed away in fright. The pale-blue machine dragon looked the same size as before, but he seemed to imagine a worst thing hiding in its shadow, making it stronger and fiercer.

"W-wait! Yield! I yield!"

He was scared out of his wits, faced with this new threat. Krulcifer paid him no mind.

"Mercy! Please!"

"Mercy like you showed me?"

He knew then that he would get no sympathy from her. With a last cry of rage and fear, he took his chance and stormed towards her, ignoring the fact that she was an airborne sniper and he was a landbound tank. He was too frenzied to think of strategy.

"Reload," Krulcifer murmured.

All of a sudden, power drained from her body and machine dragon. Its loss staggered her, but she immediately perceived its effect, The once lunging Azi Dahaka seemed to have stopped abruptly, almost frozen in place. Looking closely though, she could tell that it was moving, albeit incredibly slowly.

For a few seconds, she met the sluggish Balzeride's eyes, saw the fear and anger and desperation in them. She knew then how cruel this power was. In the moments before disaster, the victim's time was cruelly prolonged as they grew mad with fear.

She held no sympathy for him though, not after what he did. She calmly charged her cannon, took easy aim, and hit him square in the chest, where the machine dragon's armour did not cover.

Krulcifer thought that Balzeride might be screaming now, but he was moving so slowly that she wasn't sure. How cruel this power was! Even now the victim felt the pain, coursing at a cruel speed across their nerves, amplifying it tenfold.

Although Krulcifer hated him, she was not going to succumb to his level and become a tormentor.

"Fire!"

With her last command, time for Balzeride exploded forwards. All his kinetic energy blasted him forwards, until he crashed into the nearby forest. He didn't stop for several dozen meters, uprooting every tree in the way.

When the dust finally settled, Krulcifer was panting with the exertion of using Reload on Fire. The energy was quickly draining from her, while Luz had remained silent ever since giving her access to his divine dress.

From the line of destroyed trees, bewildered heads peeked out.

"Uh, you guys need any help?"

It was Sharis, accompanied by an equally confused Tillfar, Noct, and Airi. Behind them were a few trusted soldiers, who were truly terrified with the strength of today's students. They were as pale as ghosts

"Brother, Miss Krulcifer, what on Earth happened?!"

"I, I honestly don't know how to answer that," Krulcifer had no answers here and turned instead to Lux, who was still silent.

He swept his eyes over all of them, who instinctively straightened up under his inspection. He opened his mouth and spoke with dignity.

"Krulcifer?"

"Yes, Lux"

"I think I might need you to catch me,"

"What? Why?"

"I'm going to pass out now,"

And Lux did just that, and face-planted where he stood.