A lone angel soldier was standing on one of the small islands south of the Snow Continent, her heart beating rapidly. She was waiting patiently, anticipating the one moment when patrols changed. She passed her hands through a satchel, checking that what she had been given was still there.
The angel had been reluctant to accept this mission at first, but it was a direct order from Eden and Ilias. She periodically wondered why she was asked in particular when there were so many angel soldiers just like her, but she had come to accept that it was indeed because she looked just like so many other angel soldiers that she was chosen. One had to do it, and it just ended up being her.
"And besides…" She remembered Eden's gentle gaze when she told her this. "You're the only one who doesn't carry the scent of a monster. Now go, for the sake of the one and only real Ilias."
At first, she was proud and determined, but waiting for a small day had eroded that determination, and she was now close to a nervous wreck. Right now, the fear of disappointing her goddess was the only thing that prevented her from running away.
Well, that and the cake she had been promised if she succeeded. She still had a sweet tooth to fill.
She suddenly lifted herself and flew at high speed toward the top of the mountain, feeling the air grow colder around her. The guards were switching now, and that was that one moment that made her wait for so long. She flew as fast as she could, and after an endless minute, she was greeted by the sight of the snowy plains of the Snow Continent. A quick look around her confirmed her that the other angels were indeed making their way to Snow Heaven, so she herself started to move toward that destination. As she rushed northward, she briefly took a glance toward the ruins of the Temple of Ilias. Even from afar, she could see the activity surrounding it, and feel the alarming amount of energy from the Archangel now standing guard there. On her way, she "dropped" an item amongs the mountains that were in the middle of the continent, and flew faster toward the village of Snow Heaven.
To her relief, they didn't even check in the angels that were coming back, and the town hadn't changed much since the time she lived there: The only two remarkable changes were the presence of a large training zone, and the complete lack of polar bear girls. The training zone itself was covered with angels kneeling in front of a clothed Seraph Eden, who kept haranguing them about the duties they had for the goddess and how they were the light against the incoming darkness. In the meantime, fresh angels lifted off to replace the ones that had just come back from their patrols.
She looked around her for a fitting spot for her cargo while she remembered what she was told: A place where the talisman could be hidden, but one that couldn't conceal someone whole. She considered the different options available for a moment, until she remembered that it could be covered.
Once she was sure nobody around was looking in her direction, she placed it on the ground and kicked some snow over it. She felt stupid for doing something so obvious, but in a way, the last place someone would search for that kind of trap was in the middle of the street.
Once her work was done, she tried to step away as inconspicuously as possible, but a valkyrie guard called out to her.
"Hey! You! What are you doing here?!"
The angel stammered an excuse. "I-I just came back from patrolling the mountain and was going to take a rest."
The valkyrie looked haughtily at her while emitting a doubt-filled groan. "You seems fresh for someone who just came back from patrolling. Aren't you one of those trying to slack and hoping that we'll mix you with one of your partners?"
"N-No! I swear!"
The valkyrie kept looking at her with suspicious eyes before groaning again. The angel continued stammering.
"I-I can go back to patrol if it is the will of Ilias."
The valkyrie groaned one last time before making a dismissive gesture and leaving. "Then do so."
Too happy with the order, the angel left the town to go north, near the passage. As she came closer, she realized how heavily fortified the place was. But it was only the second thing that she noticed.
The first was the strangely empty area impregnated with the smell of death and suffering. She connected this place with the lack of polar bear girls, and shed a tear for the poor, unfortunate monsters that died for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, she had a mission to do, and if anything, guaranteeing its success was the best way to avenge them.
She carefully checked the defenses around. There were lines after lines of angels organized along the mountains, keeping guard toward the entrance. The place was covered with holy enchantments and other wards to repel any intruder. She could feel several cupids being concealed patrolling around, valkyries keeping guard, and, while she couldn't see the one carrying it, she saw a golden and red representation of Ilias on a banner. Cautiously, she made every effort to avoid it. It was unlikely that the seraph would be able to tell that she was different from the other angels around, but she didn't want to check it herself.
Once she was done taking mental notes of the local defenses, she made her way back far from gazes when she heard a harsh voice echo.
"Hey! You two! Stop lazing around and stand proud! You're defending the world of the Goddess Ilias, not doing a field trip!"
She turned around and saw Zion shouting over a cupid and an angel. Both were terrified. It was true that after thirty years without the goddess, the angel's discipline had drastically decreased, but at least they could get to enjoy themselves.
Once she was sure that nobody was watching at her, she pulled out a harpy feather and teleported away. She almost collapsed in relief upon seeing the now-familiar doors of the Pocket Castle. She entered after a second, and saw the Grand Noah Queen discussing with that little yellow kitsune, something about the hero Luka…
The angel's arrival attracted the attention of both. In front of them, she reflexively gave a military salute -which apparently amused the kitsune to no end- and reported the success of her mission, as well as what she saw. The fox's expression became somber when she talked about the death of the bear girls, but when the angel was done, she patted her on the back with a big smile.
"You did a great job! I knew angels could be competent when they're not kept down by… someone else."
The Grand Noah queen was also smiling gently. "You should take a rest and prepare for battle. Iliasville may need your help down the road. In the meantime… We thank you for a job well done."
The angel left, too happy to finally be able to gorge herself on cake. She deserved it.
South of Iliasville itself, the situation was actually tense: A large group of angels and monsters led by Eden were fighting the apoptosis that kept pouring from the rift to keep matching north.
"Hold fast! We must hold the line for the sake of Ilias and this world!"
She raised her spear before charging a harp-like apoptosis, cutting her down instantly. She looked around her: The fight in this precise area was currently dying down. Victoria and a few of the angel soldiers were cutting down the last apoptosis remaining, and with that, the large party could finally take a breather.
At first, she had been reluctant to accept the support of monsters. Some of them had even been living under Ilias Temple, profaning the most holy place. She expressed her doubts to Ilias, who reassured her.
"This is not just our fight. This is the fight for the world. They can fight for us as well, I'll gladly accept them if they serve our cause."
How far had they fallen if their goddess not only tolerated them, but even welcomed their support?
She shook her head from these thoughts: there was no point thinking about that when the enemy was at the door. The Tartarus had expanded a lot, and while they used to fight in the rocky plains that surrounded the large hole not so long ago, the hole was now licking the mountains south of Iliasville. The third Seraph had established a camp near their peaks, considering that with the low number of apoptosis actually able to fly, her angels would have an advantage. They were also supported by a few harpies, and a few other more agile monsters that were not impeded by the steep terrain. The other remained near the entrance of Iliasville, ready to eliminate any apoptosis who would try flanking them.
As the warriors took a minute to rest and heal their wounds, she looked around her, and whether it was monsters or angels, everyone's face showed the same thing: A grim determination in front of an apparently endless enemy, without a sign of victory in sight. Ilias had told her that herself, the hero and Tamamo had a plan and would need time, but even then, she could see the resignation in her allies.
She hesitated to say a few words to reassure them and encourage them about the righteousness of their cause, but before she could do anything. She heard Cupi's voice warning them that some new apoptosis emerged from Tartarus again.
"Stand up! The enemy is here! Let's show them that we won't tolerate their presence! This is our world!"
Monsters and angels prepared against this new group of enemies , taking position through the mountains. A second later, magic spells and makina blows were exchanged, the sounds of battle echoing through the mountain once again.
Eden noticed a larger than usual apoptosis made of large metallic balls with a human-like torso mounted on top of it. Sensing the danger she represented, she charged it. The third seraph was slowed down by a strange magnetic effect, and found herself immobilized, unable to defend herself when one of the orbs swung full strength at her. She was projected back and ended up hitting the mountain, knocking the wind out of her. The emotionless monster pummeled her with her orbs, until the seraph felt a surge of energy sweep through her and making the monster look behind. Filled with rage, she removed the human part of the apoptosis in a swift swing of her spear.
When she caught her breath, Eden saw a succubus in priestly robe walking toward her. She silently gritted her teeth as she accepted the healing from the monster, and nodded in acknowledgement.
Well… Ilias and Micaela were right. Some monsters could be helpful.
She jumped back into the fray with a renewed vigor. No one under her shall die today.
No one.
A mix of humans, monsters and angels were leaning over the map of the world. Every place near every existing Tartarus were covered with markers informing them of contacts with apoptosis, and more kept popping up periodically. Sara shook her head as she analyzed the situation: The catastrophe near Puppeteer Tower had led to the emergency evacuation of Monte Carlo, Midas Village was now threatened by the hole near east of the Ilias Continent, and, after losing one too many monster near the now abandonned Saloon, the defense of the north of the Sabasa region was all but abandoned.
The only silver lining was the lack of the usual reports of pillage and looting inherent to this type of instability. The princess initially hoped that it was because everyone realized their predicament and decided to band together, but the reality was simpler: The reputation "The hero's harem" got on the road kept more enterprising bandits away from refugees often protected by one or the other guard, and the few that tried to move around also had to deal with apoptosis. Bandit was currently a suicidal career choice.
She had heard that the local Spider Princess had made a move for a power grab in Grangold, but gave up when she reached the city to see yet another Tartarus. Of the five settlements present in the region, only two were still populated. The region now really lived up its reputation as a desolated wasteland.
"The situation is hopeless… We're just losing people left and right…"
She looked in a corner to see Tamamo, and Undine in a vehement discussion with Erubetie, the queen of slimes.
"You agreed with the plan! Don't tell me you got cold feet! And now, we don't have a choice!" The kitsune was fanning herself, quite distraught by the ordeal. "We saw that plan over, and we need you for its success! Everything else is secondary!"
"And reminds me what the end goal is?"
"To allow Luka to kill Ilias so that he'll be able to travel back in time and give us a chance to save the world!"
Erubetie crossed her arms under her chest. As an answer, Tamamo's ears flattened themselves. "Yes, this sounds completely insane. We already talked about it a lot, and you saw the two Alma Elma for yourself. So you know it's true. She turned towards Undine, silently asking for the spirit's support.
"I wouldn't be here today if it didn't." The Water Spirit attempted to convince her long time friend. "I know we're asking for much, but this world is completely doomed, and it is our last chance to save anything."
Erubetie remained immobile for a long moment, her stone faced expression remaining still.
"Fine… I relent… You better not lead me astray. I will play my part in your plan, no matter how ridiculous… Where is the hero?"
"He's… Currently resting."
"And Alma Elma? His version, I mean."
"Also resting."
Tamamo could hear Ilias complain from just behind her. "Damn pervert."
"Let him indulge himself… He's our best hope, and after what he went through…" Tamamo's tone became more somber. "Even if he makes it his goal, I'm fine with it."
Both the Slime Queen and the small goddess emitted a disapproving whistling noise, but didn't comment further.
"So, step two is ready, step one is doing fine… Let's check step three." Tamamo brought a hand to her head. "Alrauna, do you hear me? How are things going on your side?"
"Well…"
Alrauna was focusing on controlling and accelerating the growth of the World Tree's roots toward a specific spot. It was taking every bit of her focus and energy, and thankfully all other members of the plant race were available to support her in her endeavor. Furthermore, a few men had come to give them "physical support", and she had plenty of occasions to resplenish her energy herself. The only real issue was the reinforcement she had received, which was… Annoying, and sometimes took some of her focus when she felt a branch break in the World Tree. Her own body always instinctively reacted to it as if it was an aggression, as every one of her senses were connected to the World Tree itself.
She suddenly felt a wave of weakening energy slowly creeping in. At first, she thought it was their companion of misfortune screwing around again, when she realized it was quite different than the usual signature.
She looked at the entrance of the World Tree to see a strange monster, whose lower bodies was made of countless, thick grey worms, while her upper body looked dead, grey and stitched together. She was wearing clothes from Yamatai fashion.
"I am Izanami." Her voice was otherworldy and monotonous. "And I've come here to extinguish all life."
She started spreading an aura of death and decay that wilted the vegetation around the base of the World Tree. It stopped at the base itself as the local plant monsters used their own skills to hold the wave of withering back, but it was clear that it was a losing battle. She extended her worms toward them, preparing to attack them directly and forcing some of them to defend themselves.
"The death of everything is inevitable."
"NYAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The next second, a scythe strike cut the extended worms, and Izanami was faced with a storm of claws and bites.
"THIS IS MY SCRATCHING POST! NYIAM GOING TO TURN YOU INTO A GRUB SOUP!"
Tezcatlipoca directly viciously assaulted her opponent. Izanami tried to restrain the jaguar-like monster with her worms, but every attack was either gracefully dodged, or cut by the other monster's claws when it wasn't by her huge scythe.
After a small minute, it was all too clear to her that she didn't stand a chance. Since she had to focus on Tezcatlipoca, the plant monsters were now supporting their champion with magic enhancement and attacking with their own vines. Her presence alone was no longer enough to destroy them, and eventually she gave up.
She teleported a small distance away and raised a shield while looking at Tezcatlipoca.
"Death will come for you, traitor, it's inevitable."
"Shut up you insect!"
After uttering her part, Izanami disappeared from the area. Tezcatlipoca accepted everyone's thanks, and, a minute later, was back to scratching the bark of the World Tree, discomforting Alrauna further.
Well, it was a small price to pay for the protection she got.
"…One of Black Alice's goons had stepped in, but she was dealt with. She still managed to escape, but I don't think we'll see her here anytime again soon. I'll be done in less than a few hours with my part, it just needs a few more details."
"Good, keep going, we'll make sure your effort counts. Mmh?"
Tamamo's ears perked up when the door opened to let the hero Luka enter. The young man had a determined look in his eyes, something that she hadn't seen in him for a while. He was soon followed by Alma Elma, who had an expression the kitsune couldn't decipher.
The hero made his way to Tamamo and Ilias, and cleared his throat before kneeling, surprising the duo.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I've been a total failure as a hero those last weeks, I selfishly gave in to my rage, risked my life as well as everyone else's, and only made the situation worse in every way possible. A hero is supposed to serve, and you're the ones who ended up serving my whims.
Ilias prepared to retort, but Luka resumed before a single word could escape her lips.
"Before you say anything, I also wanted to thank you both. Even if we didn't always manage to make it work, you supported me when it counted the most and kept trying to find me a reason to move forward, even as I was wallowing in my self-loathing and my rage. I might be the one destined to save the world if what the White Rabbit says is right, but it's only thanks to you, and everybody else who ever supported me, that I keep moving forward."
He stood up.
"Repeatedly, I felt upstaged or put down because of my inadequacies, but I realized everybody helped me to the best of their abilities, by bringing skills that I didn't have. In hindsight, I realized I never thanked Micaela for her support in helping me on a strategic level, and I never thanked Mephisto for managing the more ingrate part of dealing with a group of three hundred strong personalities. So I thank you, Ilias, for directly stepping in to help me after what I initially pulled you through, and I thank you, Tamamo, for the help you always gave me with your devious plans. " He started talking more loudly to be heard by everyone. "I thank everyone for supporting me and following me, no matter the difficulties we faced, my behavior, or the company it meant having to deal with. From the bottom of my heart, and for what it can mean, I thank you sincerely."
Everybody was now silent. Tamamo's ears fluttered as she understood where the hero was going.
"So, once again, I ask for your support. We're now at our darkest point: We already lost too many good people, human, monsters and angels alike from outsiders from this world. We lost close ones because of the reckless, unthought-of actions of a bunch of a bunch of succubi. We lost more from the dogmatic bloodlust of a group of angels. And all that happened because of a monster who's deciding to abuse her powers as a goddess. And even now, because she decided that the world is her sandbox, we're losing more good people to the apoptosis."
He sighed. "I won't lie. This world is doomed. We only have one chance, and it is to kill the Paradox that is the Goddess Ilias in the ruins of her temple in the Snow Continent. It is not an heroic fight, it is only a mercy kill. I already had restarted once with the hope to bring this story a better end, but it's clear today that I failed thanks to my selfishness. So I'll restart again. But doing that means assaulting the fortified stronghold of angels, and, more importantly, do everything once again. Are you ready, no, are you even willing to follow me?"
Sara was the first to speak after stepping forward. "I'm ready and willing. I want to see my father again, but, even more than all, I want this world to have a chance. If it means sacrificing my name, I'll do it. I'll follow you to the end of hell if it's what is needed. I'll support you."
A moment later, the room was filled with a cacophony of voices from the ones ready to support him. Luka shed a tear, grateful for the support.
As everybody took a moment to reaffirm their support to the hero, Tamamo mentally reached Alma Elma.
"How much did you brainwash him? I don't remember seeing him actually affirmed like that even once…"
"Not at all. In fact, we only did it once. Then he got started on his fear of losing his close ones… I only told him that he had to enjoy others when he could." An awkward silence followed. "This didn't quite go in the direction I expected to…"
Tamamo chuckled awkwardly. After a few more minutes, Nanabi entered the room and bowed.
"Our guests have arrived."
The next instant, Nero and Neris entered. Nero was as aloof as usual, and as soon as Neris looked at Luka with a salacious smile, she was called back by the sound of a fan clapping open and close repeatedly. Still, the duo bowed respectfully in front of the kitsune.
"As you requested, we're here master, and are ready to help you. What do you need us for?"
The kitsune turned toward Luka who nodded and took the lead. "Well, it's simple…"
From afar, the White Rabbit shook her head negatively.
"I'm sorry Luka. But you already know how this ends. You just forgot."