"Are you alright? Pardon me, but it looks like you could use some sleep."

The Grand Noah Queen was discussing with Sara in the council room of the Pocket Castle. Her junior was leaning on the command table, but it mostly looked like she was using it as a support.

"Just like everybody else…" Sara looked up, and the Grand Noah queen could see the dark circles around her eyes. Even if she was appreciating the additional stamina inherent to the nature of a monster, the exhaustion of days of actions accompanied by sleepless nights were catching up to her. "Sabasa is currently holding thanks to stocks and shouldn't face an immediate shortage of food, but there has been a few sporadic conflicts after we brought in the residents of Monte Carlo. Thankfully, the Don stepped in and calmed the situation down before it could spiral out of control... I don't feel I'm the one in the most precarious situation right now."

The Grand Noah queen looked at the map. Right now, there was less than a few hundred meters between Tartarus and Grand Noah. If it wasn't for the fact that apoptosis always engaged the first target available, they would have moved around the hero's troops and directly slaughtered the citizens with their sheer number… She shivered in fear at this thought.

Another scarlet ping appeared near the city. Yet another of Luka's companion had lost her life in the defense of the city. As much as it did cost her, she had to come to the last recourse.

"I'll order the evacuation of Grand Noah. The defense of the city will be impossible within a few days at this rate. I'll check in with Tamamo or her lieutenants the details, I hope their offer to host a few inhabitants in Kitsune Village is still on the table.

"It still is."

The Grand Noah Queen jumped up, startled by the sudden answer. She relaxed upon seeing Yao's now familiar face.

"I apologize for startling you, but my mistress is resting, and we already discussed this matter frequently enough between us to allow me to offer you this answer."

"I see… We sincerely thank you for your support in this era of crisis. In any case, I'm leaving since I have an official announcement to make. Do not hesitate to keep me informed of any change."

Yao only offered a smile back as the queen stepped outside of the control room into the halls of the Pocket Castle.

The place was becoming more silent and emptier by the day. While it used to be filled with the discussions and other activities of monsters training, eating, and sometimes getting it on, the area was now eerily silent. Monsters only stopped by to eat and rest, too exhausted for anything else. The few ones that she could see that were not doing anything looked utterly lost, a definite sadness in their eyes. The harpy queen, in particular, seemed completely depressed after the death of most of her kin. And as The Grand Noah Queen passed through the dining room, she could see Izuna eating alone in her own corner, the samurai kitsune having lost both her old and newer friends those last weeks. Only the small spirit that always accompanied managed to bring her comfort.

A more reassuring -if strange- vision was seeing Alma Elma discuss with herself. Somehow, the local Succubus Queen remained her own entity even after she joined the party, and she was now discussing with her counterpart. The Grand Noah queen herself could make a few words of her conversation, namely about the men in the castle, but she didn't linger more than what was needed. Not that she really wanted to in the first place.

The last thing the Grand Noah queen saw before leaving the castle were the filled infirmary beds. Luckily, between the monsters' robust constitution and their expert healers, all of them would be able to go back into a fight within a few days at most. And unfortunately, the queen knew that they would be needed more than ever as their numbers kept dramatically dwindling.

Once she finally left the Pocket Castle, she instantly teleported to Grand Noah to be welcomed by several of her guards.

"Initiate the Pardor protocol."

"Do you confirm, your majesty."

"Yes. Start immediately."

The guards instantly scattered, and, the next instant, the Grand Noah queen could hear horns being blown and town criers shouting evacuation order.

The Pardor protocol was named so in honor of its creator. It was a plan to evacuate the population of Grand Noah against an invasion from Grangold during times of war. With conflicts against this nation coming and going, the plan had been shelved, but all leaders were informed of its existence in case they would need it. Of course, it was only a temporary plan until a solution came barging in, sometimes taking the form of reinforcement from other countries.

And this time, she could only hope it was going to take the form of the hero Luka coming back soon.

"This is not a drill! Every citizen is to prepare to evacuate Grand Noah according to the prepared plan! Only bring with you essential supplies! We are under threat from apoptosis!"

"So we have finally come to this…"

Michael looked at his wife and his daughter. Both looked extremely worried by the announcement repeated through the city, and he couldn't blame them in the slightest. They had spent most of their lives between this city's walls, after all, and they were forced to leave all behind, with only the strictest necessities and the hope that they would come back soon to their intact house.

His life as a servant in the castle hadn't always been easy, but for the most part he was pretty happy with his job. The hours and work were hard, but the pay was relatively good and the queen and her court were respectful of their subordinates, no matter their ranks. Several incidents had tainted the ambiance in the castle, like the declaration of war from Grangold which threatened to destroy Grand Noah, but apparently the war fizzled out one day after something happened inside their enemy's capital. The following months were more peaceful and even somewhat monotonous, as days passed by at the castle and more or less all looked the same.

Of course, it all changed a month ago when a huge earthquake shook the earth in the middle of the night. Even if he was young at that time, it reminded him all too much of the Great Disaster. At first, he feared the worst and considered leaving the town with his family, but fortunately, the phenomenon calmed extremely rapidly. As he worked the next day, he made more effort than usual to lend an ear to the various rumors and gossips that spread around to have an idea of the damages related to the event. Apparently, those were unremarkable compared to what had happened back during the Great Disaster itself, which was reassuring... Until a particular conversation had frozen him in fear.

"Apoptosis are coming out of Tartarus. Thankfully, we received reinforcement from the hero, but we don't know for how long they will keep attacking."

This new had made the effect of a cold shower, and he apparently hadn't been the only one to learn it as it was the main theme of all conversations the next day. Even if they were safe in the city, the lingering fear had remained into everyone's mind for the following weeks. Travelling west was all simply forbidden until told otherwise.

And now, with that announcement echoing through the street today, that fear concretized itself. They had to prepare their departure. His wife was also aghast, while his eight-years old daughter had also reacted to the change in her parent's mood, even if in all likeliness she didn't understand what was really happening herself.

"Where do you think we'll end up? Yamatai all simply can't welcome that many people…"

"I heard the queen got an agreement with several monster queens. They'll welcome us in their village as well."

She sighed. "I hope we won't end up there… I mean, I have nothing against monsters, but I'm afraid that they will be a bad influence for Marie."

Micael hugged his wife and his daughter. "Don't worry, I'm confident that between the queen, her advisor and the hero, all that will blow over soon and we will be back home before autumn…"

"…I'm scared daddy."

"Don't worry sweetheart, it will just be like vacations out of the city… You remembered when we travelled to San Ilia? That will be just like that, except daddy will be with you because he won't have to work."

"Yay!"

The man moved back and smiled reassuringly at his daughter. "Now, go pack up what you want, but don't bring too much. Daddy and mommy will have to carry a lot of things on their own, so you will have to carry your own."

"Okay…"

The daughter stepped away, and the man placed several dried-up rations in a bag, as well as a few changes of clothes. His wife did the same, and, a few minutes later, the small family was standing in the entryway of their house again. They exited their abode to enter a street that was filled with people on the depart just like them, with guards trying to keep things orderly as they were evacuated out of the city group after group to be teleported away. He checked the door one last time, confirming it was locked and hoping that he would be able to open it again soon and without fear.

People were more resigned than panicked. All were slowly walking away from their home toward the entrance of the city. The sight was surreal, and Micael prayed that he'd never have to do anything like that again. Guards and monsters were keeping an eye on everyone, making sure that no scuffle would erupt amongst the impressively large crowd of people. He focused on his daughter and wife to make sure that they wouldn't be split apart amidst the chaos. He was already running the risk of losing all of his possessions, he didn't want to lose his family as well. His wife was looking sicklier than ever.

"Are you alright dear?"

She nodded, but he could see her starting to sweat and periodically shake. "Yes, yes… I'm just a bit stressed, nothing more."

They continued to walk, and eventually reached the outskirts of the city. There were still guard around, and beyond the noise made by thousands of people walking, he could hear the occasional sounds of a battle that was happening less than a kilometer away. The sound seemed to scare his daughter periodically, and he made sure to reassure her.

After a few minutes, his wife stumbled. The group stopped around her as people tried to help her up.

"Just, gi■ a mi■■…"

"Can you repeat?"

"I... think ■■■■■■ ERASE ■■■, ■■■"

People started to move back as she looked up, her face half transformed into a mechanical mask while one of her arms transformed into a large scythe.

"■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■"

"Mommy?"

The apoptosis rose up her new weapon and prepared to strike the young girl, but an arrow hit her through the head and knocked her away from everyone before a wolf girl tore her apart. The man and his daughter hugged each other tightly as guards ran around to check around on everyone while crying instructions.

"Daddy, what happened? That wasn't mommy! Where's mommy?"

The man's voice was shaking in shock as he answered.

"Don't worry sweety… I think we'll join her soon."

Several other cries of panic echoed through the crowd.

Far away on the Snow Continent, Uriela was cleaning her sword with the satisfaction of someone who accomplished her duty. The battle had been harsh, the losses were heavy, but they had won. The depraved abominations that had come to defile this holy place were all dead: Tamamo No Mae's projection was ended thanks to the massive support the Archangel received from all other angels, and Lilith fell against Gnosis thanks to the massive number of makinas the latter had been fitted with. Unfortunately, before she could regenerate herself, the seraph's life had been ended by the last remaining dolls present, the latter being supported by a bunch of succubi enraged by the death of their leaders. Their bodies had been ripped to shred, and Uriela could only regret that it was only a projection of Tamamo No Mae that had been ended, not even leaving a body behind. In any case, the kitsune would get the message that angels were the ones destined to survive and guide humanity through this crisis. Furthermore, an impressive number of the monsters' local goons had been killed, something that would doubtlessly put that pathetic excuse of devil on the ropes.

Even better, she felt fulfilled after such a fight. That epic battle to defend the world was the challenge she always thrived for, and even if she didn't get to face the hero, even if she faced a crafty and devious opponent more than a strong one, even if it became chaotic when all six sides fought against each other, it was a noteworthy battle for the warring Archangel. One that had required all her skills to survive, and wasn't just an old one-sided slaughter like she was accustomed to back home.

A large group of local angels was still present around her, and most of them were looking desperately at their surroundings in search of someone, or crying their dead partners. She smiled as she prepared words comforting words on how they were successful, but those refused to come from her mouth, as the aftermath of the battle really sank in.

She had failed. She had completely and utterly failed in her mission.

The goddess they guarded in the depths of the Temple had been killed by the fake hero who also escaped afterward.

The three seraphs under her orders had perished into this fight. Their gruesome deaths were still on her mind. She knew she'd never forgive herself for letting Zion be defiled by Lilith.

Black Alice was still alive and free. She had accelerated the destruction of the world and compromised The Great Plan of the Goddess Ilias. They would never have the time to save every soul loyal to the goddess.

And last, she could feel the connection to her world being reduced to a chaotic mess. She wasn't even sure she could come back to her own world through Esta's Tartarus. She couldn't contact anyone on the other side, the telepathic link she shared with her partners having fallen apart during the battle. And even then, she was terrified of the reaction that the Goddess and Micaela would have upon hearing the news of her failure. They likely already knew, and this was a mistake she would never be able to live down. She would be looked down upon, casted aside for failing to fulfill her role in the Goddess' Great Salvation Plan.

The only silver lining was the death of the three succubi that were responsible for so much harm done to this world. The Lilith Sisters were no more, although killing them had taken a toll that made that victory moot. And even then, their disgusting kin continued to exist and desecrate this blessed world.

She fell on her knees as her contented smile turned into a twitching frown of anger. No, this world wasn't blessed… It was cursed, cursed by the absence of the Goddess of Light to guide it, cursed by the presence of so many monsters and the humans who welcomed them. Cursed by those Tartarus who were like so many maws gaping open from an abyss that shouldn't be, and cursed by this usurper who proclaimed herself a goddess and sew chaos for her own amusement. Only a descendant of the abomination that came from the darkest pits of hell could do something so wicked.

Uriela was pulled out of her reverie by a few warning cries. Several angels were pointing in her direction while fleeing. One of them ran to her and repeated something to her ear, but she couldn't even hear her as her own heartbeat was filling her ears. She already knew what was happening anyway. A battle wasn't really over until only one side remained, after all.

The angel then looked behind her superior once again and started fleeing -or, more exactly, limping away, her wings having likely been broken during this battle.- Uriela's body was absolutely trembling in a barely-contained wrath, weighed down by her own failure and the self-loathing born from this defeat.

This catastrophe was her own fault. She let herself be misled away from her objectives by those monsters, and had consequently failed her own mission while simultaneously failing to protect her subordinates. A mission sanctioned by the goddess no less. Was dying here her punishment?

In a scream of rage that echoed through the whole of Snow Continent, Uriela charged the new wave of apoptosis that was coming from the ever-expanding anomaly formed where once Ilias Temple was. She slashed, cut and tore through the horde of dogmatic monsters in a violent frenzy. Apoptosis after apoptosis died to her assault. Nothing else mattered for her but the numbers of monsters that fell to her blade.

And nothing she did mattered as the world continued falling apart around her, swallowed by the chaosization emerging from Ilias Temple, until eventually she fought on the smallest island of dirt drifting into the void before being overwhelmed.