Lux gasped at the pain ripping through him. He felt Bahamut's jet black amour being torn apart, a blade biting through his unprotected torso. Vaguely, he noted that shards of ragged metal were digging into his chest.

He knew it was stupid, what he had done. Knew that he still had things left to do. Sacred Eclipse hadn't been stopped yet, and the matter with Fugil hadn't been resolved, his murky lineage left unknown. And he wasn't even sure if everyone else was okay yet. Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, the Triad, Airi. And of course, Yoruka.

But she was kind of a given, seeing as it was her that he had taken the fatal blow for.

Lux knew that his death would rattle her, that she would be left feeling lost. But when he saw Singlen's blade crashing down on her, his body had moved unthinkingly. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her to die when he knew he could stop it.

Perhaps he was selfish, doing what he knew Yoruka herself would have never wanted him to do. He didn't regret it though, not the slightest.

"Master…..?"

Yoruka called out disbelievingly to her master's back. A pool of blood was slowly forming at his feet. She didn't want to believe what was happening, what had happened. Had she failed him as she'd failed her little brother?

No. Please no.

Not again.

"Insolent fool, throwing away his life like this, becoming neither king nor hero. Looks like he was a failed prince after all,"

Singlen sneered his final words before turning his back on his dying foe. But although his face was cruel, there was genuine disappointment, or maybe even sadness, hidden deep in his eyes. Not that Lux could see it though.

Feeling his consciousness growing murky, Lux couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Sorry Airi, I guess your big brother has to break another promise to you. I didn't want to leave you alone, but the others will take care of you, so you don't have to worry.

Damn it, I haven't finished my duty yet. As Lisha's knight, as the New Kingdom's Seven Dragon Paladin, as my classmates' strength.

For the first time since Fugil's betrayal, Lux felt tears threatening to overflow. He choked down a sob, or was that blood? He couldn't tell. Self-loathing clawed at him. He'd failed everyone and everything at the end.

If only I could go back and redo it all.

What am I saying? This is all your own goddamned fault. This is all because you weren't strong enough. I don't deserve to say 'if only.' This is all my fault. If only I could rewind time, maybe then I-

Lux was abruptly brought out of his self-loathing when his clouded vision caught sight of something.

A flickering body loomed suddenly over him. It radiated a faint light, its face and body more ethereal than human. For a moment, the figure simply peered down at him, its feminine face a mask of indifference.

"I will grant you your wish," was all she said.

Then everything went black

With a jolt and a shriek, Lux snapped awake.

"GAH!"

He realized that he was in a cold, damp cell, one that seemed very old, yet somehow familiar.

"...What? Where…?"

With that eloquent speech, Lux's hand flew to his waist on reflex. Both his sword devices were gone, but that wasn't the strange thing. The strange thing was that he was wearing his usual work outfit: white shirt with a short brown overcoat, and simple work pants. He was flabbergasted; he hadn't worn it in weeks!

If he had somehow survived and been kidnapped, there was no way that his assailants could've or would've gotten him in this outfit.

"What in the world?" Lux whispered softly.

"Are you awake, Prince?"

"GAH!"

He really needed to stop getting startled.

Walking through the doorway and stopping in front of his cell, was Lisesharte Atismata, princess of the New Kingdom and a dear friend.

"Lady Lisha! You're okay, thank god! What's happening? Why-" Lux was relieved beyond all measure that she was alright. He felt a little of the tension easing out of his system, though that was short lived.

"QUIET, Fallen Prince! You've no right to refer to me so casually!" Lisha spat out, a hostile look in her eye.

What?

Lux was speechless. Lisha was, albeit very headstrong and vocal, never this rude with him, and she had never spoken to him like this. Not since they'd first met back when he-

The metaphorical light bulb flashed so brightly above his head, it was a miracle Lisha didn't notice it.

My wish when I was dying, that strange girl's words, this familiar cell, Lisha's behaviour...

Did I...travel back in time?

What the fuck?

"Now come on! Principal Relie wishes to speak with you. No doubt to met out punishment for your peeping in the girls' bath."

Lux had gone back in time, to when his story started.

Lux looked quite calm while he was being led down the Academy's hall. Especially since he was handcuffed. But in his mind, he was panicking like a groom standing at the altar who'd just realized that he'd forgotten to buy a ring.

How is this possible? Is this actually the past, the afterlife, or some alternate timeline? Who was that girl?

Am I just going insane?

"We're here!"

Lisha pulled on his chains roughly as they neared a set of heavy, oaken doors.

"Why, hello there Lux," Relie greeted cheerfully, as if they were meeting over a nice brunch.

"Ah, hello Principal Relie"

The Principal looked as carefree as ever, even as she saw her long-time friend being marched into her office, handcuffed like a criminal.

"Now, this is quite the situation you've gotten yourself into. Sneaking in and groping the 2nd-years while the 3rd-years are away."

"T-that was an accident! I was trying to return a stolen pochette and-" Lux rattled off. Even though he knew this was going to happen, he was still flustered at the accusation. He'd never been very good with these types of situations.

"No more excuses! Principal Relie, how will we be punishing him?"

"Now, Lisesharte, as a longtime acquaintance, I will vouch for Lux's innocence. He's not gutsy enough to do something like this,"

Lux felt a bit attacked. She was partially right though. The only reason these things happened was because of sheer coincidence...or because Krulcifer wanted to play a prank...or because Yoruka got a bit handsy...or…

You know what, let's just call it coincidences and leave it at that.

Lux quickly shook the memories of other such incidents out of his head. Now would not be a good time to be thinking about that. He felt a minor blush forcing its way up, but quickly squashed it.

But at the thought of memories, Lux felt doubt and panic creeping up on him, the gravity of his situation finally setting in.

What if things don't turn out to be the same? Well, I guess the whole point of going back in time.

Lux shook his. He'd think about this later.

"-and so I'd like to ask Lux to work here,"

"Excuse me?! We're going to allow this pervert to work here?! In an Academy meant for young, noble women?! What are you thinking?!"

Lisha had begun shouting at the principal's, frankly, ludicrous decision.

"That's true, huh. It would set a bad precedence if we let this incident go unpunished...Then, what if we let the girls who were victims of this incident decide the punishment?" Relie replied, her usual calm smile still in place.

Lisha's smile grew fierce here. She turned sharply to face Lux, who looked annoyingly calm about the whole situation.

I'll show him!

"Well then, I challenge you, Fallen Prince, to a duel. Should you win I'll overlook this incident and allow you to work here. Should you lose, however, I'll be handing you over to the guards as a common criminal," Lisha declared. She drew out her sword device, Tiamat, and pointed it at Lux. She smiled in a confident way, and then walked over to the doors and threw them open with flourish.

On the other side, an enormous crowd eavesdropper fell over the threshold. Now that he had a chance to look, Lux realized that they all looked immensely embarrassed at being caught red handed. He had to stifle a laugh at their expressions.

"Oi, to all you eavesdroppers! Spread the word that the Princess of the New Kingdom is about to do away with the Prince of the Old Empire!"

At once, a wave of whispers erupted, the girls growing excited at this new development.

"Now that I'm thinking about it, even though you already seem to know my name, I haven't introduced myself properly yet. So greetings, Fallen Prince. I'm Lisesharte Atismata, princess of the kingdom that toppled your precious Old Empire."

Lux knew that this was meant to be taken as a threat, and it probably would've worked too, if he was like any other ruined prince. But, seeing as he himself was the one who destroyed his country, it didn't work too well.

Lux smiled awkwardly at Lisha, who only glared back at him.

"Jesus Christ Brother, what were you thinking?! Breaking into the girls bath house?"

Airi stormed into the room, anger written in every step and movement she made. She didn't even bother greeting her brother before giving a him a scolding, as if he were an exasperating little brother. A bit ironic, since Lux was older by a year.

My sister!

"Airi!...you have no idea how relieve I am to see you!"

"Nevermind that. Do you realize what will happen if you're handed over to the guards? How will I pay off our debt if you're in jail?"

The little sister decided to pointedly ignore the words he had spoken. Lux could have laughed at the massive misunderstanding. His little sister had no way of knowing that his relief went much deeper than seeing a familiar face in the midst of a peeping scandal.

"Yes...I'm sorry about everything,"

"You'd better be!"

Lux looked fondly at his little sister, just basking the the peace and safety he felt as she yelled and berated him for his carelessness. There was no real venom in her voice, just concern.

His eyes shifted over at the silent friend standing by Airi's side.

Still as proper and calm as ever, he noted fondly.

"Ah, this is my roommate Noct."

"Yes, nice to meet you. It's really too bad that Airi's big brother is such an unbelievable pervert,"

Lux let out a loud, teary laugh at the familiar, monotone response. The two younger girls gave him a weird look, as if he was on the verge of losing his mind. They were in fact not too far off with that assumption.

"Anyway, I'm going to tell you about Princess Lisha's divine machine dragon, Tiamat. You'd better pay attention. I'm not going to repeat myself, okay?"

"Sounds good,"

Not that I really need to hear it though.

"The exhibition match between Princess Lisesharte Atismata and Lux Arcadia will be starting now!" Raigree announced.

The stadium was pretty full of cheering students, which didn't help Lux's nerves.

I have to make sure that the Gargoyle won't hurt them when it comes.

Lux couldn't just walk up and say "Hey you know that match that'll determine if I'm a criminal or not? Well, a Gargoyle's going to attack in the middle of it, though I can't tell you how I know. Can we please cancel the match?"

Yeah, he didn't think that'd go over too well.

"Hey Fallen Prince! Do you know why I challenged you to a duel?" Lisha called out, just before the match started.

"Errr," Lux responded with uncertainty. He panicked internally. Of course he knew the answer, but he couldn't really answer truthfully, now could he?

It'd be creepy if he said that it was because she was branded with the mark of the Old Empire on her pelvis.

That would be sexual harassment, I think.

"If you beat me, I just might tell you, you know?"

"BEGIN!"

Lux equipped his Wyvern, feeling the armour enfolding itself over him.

Some things don't change, no matter if in the past, future, or present.

"Just a Wyvern, Fallen Prince?" Lisha taunted with a hard smile."

Hovering there in the sun's rays, her and Tiamat's silhouette looked truly formidable. Lux held his breath, remembering once again how powerful and beautiful she was.

I was lucky to be her knight. Now, if I could stay alive long enough to be her knight again, that'd be nice.

Almost immediately Lisha launched her airborne fortresses. The small, flying projectiles shot off like missiles, weaving through the air and aiming for Lux's back.

Lux, honed again and again through high risk combat, reacted immediately. Quick as lightning he shot up on the air, and agile as a dancer he dodged or else fended off the projectiles. He stood the best chance of winning when he was in the air, and he'd be better prepared to fight the Abyss that should be appearing in just a few minutes.

"Do you dance, Fallen Prince? My dance is a little on the rough side," Lisha taunted with a smug smile.

Without really thinking, Lux responded.

"I do dance, but I'm not always good," he said softly, "But I do hope to match your pace."

Lisha looked at him, a bit startled at his response.

What the hell is he talking about? Maybe he's just gotten delusional

She shook off her thought. Now was the time to fight, not to contemplate.

But something's wrong.

Lisha narrowed her eyes at Lux's flickering form.

Her airborne fortresses, though keeping him occupied, couldn't land a solid hit on Lux. His form was incredibly confident, not a move was made that was unneeded. In fact, it seemed as if he already knew what was going to happen, reading their movements like a script.

She wasn't far off.

Having all the knowledge and experience he gained from the future, Lux was powerful. Much more than anyone could ever expect. He was a warrior, a veteran almost. Piloting a machine dragon was natural to him at this point, the metal's weight reassuring against his body. He felt free in this armour, even though it wasn't Bahamut.

But that doesn't mean he was slacking off. After all, it was still a common Wyvern against a fabled Tiamat.

He knew he still had to keep his guard up, he wasn't going to let hubris wouldn't be his Achilles' heel like the rest of the old royal family.

"It seems like you weren't called the Weakest Undefeated for no reason, huh. Well, I guess as a sign of respect I'll show you a somewhat fancy move."

Wait, isn't this where she uses Seven Heads?

His thought was answered rather promptly and rudely by a ray of condensed energy shot through the air, barely missing him as he dodged it. It punched cleanly through the barriers the instructor's Wyrms had created.

Yep, that's definitely when she uses Seven Heads.

"Jeez, don't you think the Princess is overdoing it a little?" Tillfar asked with a slightly frazzled smile.

"Yes, Airi's big brother could be in serious trouble at this rate," Noct pointed out, with just the slightest hint of concern.

"Perhaps we should stop the match?" Sharis suggested. She had no desire to see him seriously hurt, even if he was a prince of the Old Empire. He had seemed harmless enough to her, and Airi had spoken highly of him.

But that doesn't mean she wasn't wary of him.

"It's fine," Airi interjected, "even though my brother's weak-willed, when he's decided on something, he'll definitely see it through."

The Triad looked at her, confused. Clearly, they were expecting some details or an explanation, but Airi just looked on calmly at the match.

"And besides," she said, a smile on her face, "He's more than meets the eye."

"Reset your barriers!" Raigree called out.

At this point, Lisha was getting frustrated.

Why can't I hit him?! He's clearly on the defensive and I clearly have the upper hand.

But...

Lux looked too sure of the situation. He was breathing hard, yes, but somehow she couldn't imagine a scenario where he lost.

"I guess I'll have to go all out!" Lisha called out, thrusting her great sword downwards.

All at once, a great field of energy engulfed the area. The air around Lux rippled and undulated as if it was only a mirage. Moments later, the gravity increased five-fold and forced Lux to the ground, but he was prepared.

He had felt and observed Lisha's gravity control countless times at this point. He had recognized the preparatory movements from Tiamat, and had immediately braced himself. Still, it didn't mean he didn't grit his teeth at the pressure.

Is that Gargoyle here yet?!

"...he's doing remarkably well," Sharis said, focusing intently on the silver-haired teenagers movements. She was trying to analyze and remember them for future reference. But with Lux's speed, it was kind of hard to do.

"Yes, it's incredible that he's lasted this long against a divine machine dragon with only a Wyvern," Noct added. Though she hid it well, she was rather surprised at Lux's ability.

I don't think I've ever seen someone pilot a machine dragon so well. Not even an instructor or one of the nobles.

"Haaah, your brother's pretty good Airi," Tillfar said, eyes wide and impressed. "Maybe we oughta ask him for some pointer. If he's, you know, not in jail after this."

While the Triad were appreciating Lux's skill, Airi was somewhat shocked.

Was Brother always this good?

Of course, he's the Black Hero, and he's been keeping up with his training. But still, this is almost otherworldly.

She didn't worry too much though. If he was stronger, he could protect himself better, and that was all Airi could ask for.

"Hah...hah...hah,"

Lisha was breathing hard, cold sweat dripping down her forehead, strands of blonde hair clinging to her skin.

After commanding 16 airborne fortresses, firing off Seven Heads, and activating Spray Shot, all in the span of a handful of minutes, it could only be expected that Lisha would be tired. Though exhausted would probably be a better term at this point.

Lux was also tired, but from his posture, it was clear that he could still go on, and that frustrated Lisha.

Why can't I beat him?! Why-

Her thought was cut short when Tiamat started to emit high-pitched warning sounds, along with the pulses of light. It was the final warning before the machine dragon forced itself to shut down.

"Am I…going to lose, because of something like this?!" She shouted out angrily.

But Lux was preoccupied with something else.

The Gargoyle should show up any moment now, but where? I don't remember exactly.

He knew that Lisha wouldn't listen to him, even if he was to suggest that she unequip Tiamat. But he also knew that she wasn't self-destructive enough to endanger her life over a mock battle. And he trusted the instructors to step in if it got too dangerous. Well, at least until the Gargoyle showed up, then it'd be up to him to step in.

An unearthly howl tore through the bright midday sky, startling all but Lux.

There it is!

The Gargoyle clamp its massive jaws and claws on an instructor's Wyrm, digging through the armour, and shook it around a few times before throwing it to the side and howling again.

"INSTRUCTORS, PROTECT THE STUDENTS AT ALL COSTS!"

Raigree took charge over her fellow instructors, drawing her own sword device and preparing for battle. She had to be weary though, an Abyss was far more dangerous than a wild animal.

Unlike wild animals, the Abyss were designed to fight against humans, or more specifically, they were designed to fight humans in machine dragons. Where an animal might be scared off and chased away, an Abyss fought to its dying breath. Where an animal would usually avoid humans, an Abyss sought them out.

But they were dumb like animals.

This Gargoyle would only chase humans in its immediate presence, even if it several more were just a few feet further away. At the moment, unless it was actively provoked, it would not ravage the panicked, defenseless student and instead focus on the armed ones fighting in the arena.

The issue was, one of the armed students couldn't fight.

Lisha gritted her teeth. With Tiamat unresponsive and on the verge of a forced shut down, she may as well be a sitting duck for the Gargoyle. The thought alone was shameful for a divine machine dragon pilot.

Lux, though, was prepared.

Quick as lightning, he was on the Gargoyle. It, of course, jumped back, but Lux was hot on its trail. They were both in the sky, caught in a game of cat and mouse where the roles kept being switched.

Gargoyle swung one powerful arm at Lux, before suddenly turning to lunge at the resting Lisha down below.

Lisha flinched, but the Gargoyle never made it that far.

Lux had instantly pursued it and shot off a ball of energy, which found its mark on the Gargoyle's back.

It howled a terrible sound in pain, and turned back at Lux, who had closed the distance between them and now slashed widely at its chest.

Amazing!

Lisha marveled at the skill and stamina her opponent was showing. He had been moving non stop since the match had started, and between her and the Gargoyle, he had to slow down, yet his movement's precision hadn't dulled the slightest.

The fallen prince could have easily escaped. He could have made a half-attempt at attack, and allowed the princess to die an undignified death on the grounds of a battlefield. But here he was, fighting like a demon possessed, for someone trying to get him convicted as a criminal.

I might have to change my opinion of you, Prince. You have more decency that I thought.

Doesn't mean I'll let you hog all the action though!

With the last of her energy, after Tiamat finally calmed down, she sent her airborne fortresses after the Gargoyle. They struck the thing's back, where Lux's canon had already damaged its hide.

It howled again and turned around, whereupon Lux struck the fatal blow to its back. His great sword pierced the Abyss's chest and came out the other side, ending its life.

Slowly, the corpse slid off Lux's blade, and fell to the ground when a dull thud. There was silence as Lux landed as well, with a lighter thump than the corpse.

And then he promptly pitched forward as his sword device unequipped itself.

Shoot, I pushed myself too hard

Throughout the fight, both with Lisha and the Gargoyle, he had been straining himself, his body not as strong as it was in the future.

"Lux!"

"Dang, your big bro sure did a number, didn't he?" Tillfar called out cheerfully as the Triad and Airi walked through the halls.

This was a little while after the incident, and they were walking to their rooms. They'd been told that Lux probably wouldn't wake up for a while, so they'd decided to turn in for the night.

"Do you mean on himself or the Gargoyle, Miss Tillfar?" Airi replied. She was more than a little angry and worried.

That idiot! What was he thinking?! Passing out like that.

Internally, Airi was worried sick. She had always hated it when her big brother got hurt, even more so when he passed out. It brought back memories of that time he slept away a week after overusing Bahamut. She had thought that he wouldn't wake up at all, that she'd lose her last family member and the last one that cared for her.

Needless to say, she'd been near hysterical back then. Now, she only had an incredibly strong urge to go back to her brother's side. Not nearly as bad.

"Yes, it was quite reckless what he did, but it was necessary." Noct replied.

"He'll be fine, don't worry!" Sharis assured. She has a feeling that it'd take more than a Gargoyle to keep him down.

Call it a hunch.

"Hey, what do guys think the princess will do with him now?" Tillfar asked again, "I don't think she'd send him to jail after what he did. And she seemed quite concerned about him after he collapsed."

"Yes, I don't think she's heartless enough to do something like that."

"Whatever happens, Brother had it coming," Airi muttered.

"You might talk like that, but I think that you're just trying to mask your worry,"

"Noct! You don't need to mention that!" Airi said midly flustered. The Triad laughed good naturedly.

"Uh, ow, my head,"

And my arms, and my legs, and my torso. Everything really.

He looked around and realized that he was in the infirmary. And that Lisha was standing with a washcloth and basin of water.

"Lux! You're finally awake! The doctor here's pretty good, but…" she trailed off, looking at his bandaged chest.

"Oh you don't need to worry! I'll be fine after some rest!"

There was a silence as Lisha wrung out the cloth.

"Why'd you protect me? Why'd you protect us?" she finally asked.

"Huh?"

She stared at him expectantly.

"...well, I couldn't just stand off to the side while you and the rest were attacked. I had the chance and the capability to help, and so I did.'"

"...pretty selfless for a former member of royalty," she joked lightly. Lux answered with a soft smile.

"Thanks for nursing me, though you didn't have too," Lux said kindly, lowering his head slightly. He'd miss talking to Lisha. The friendly, boisterous, eccentric one, not the hostile, cold one.

"...Lux Arcadia, was everyone in the royal family as humble as you?"

"Probably not, I'm not sure though. I was thrown out pretty early after all."

There was a brief moment of silence, before Lisha broke it.

"I'll show you why I was so angry at you for groping me in the bathhouse,"

Well I didn't really grope her but- wait, show me why? Isn't this where she shows me that mark?!

Flustered, Lux opened his mouth to tell her to stop, but he was too late.

Lisha had already pulled down her skirt to reveal the red burn marked scorched onto her pelvis, right above her nether region.

Thankfully, Lux had thrown his elbow across his eyes as soon as he realized what Lisha was doing. For good measure, he also sat up and turned his back to her as he felt a fierce blush crawling its way up his face.

He honestly didn't know why she went to such extreme lengths to show him the mark.

The nobles would have an absolute field day if they found out that the crown princess had undressed herself in the presence of another man, even more so if said man was a criminal. Worst case scenario, the Queen would be forced to quickly marry her off to 'preserve the princess's dignity'.

Never. I'll never let that happen, not while I still draw breath.

The New Kingdom had come a long way in terms of equality, but it would take more than a few years for the lingering prejudices to completely disappear, if that was even possible in the first place.

"D-did you see it?" Lisha asked quietly and nervously.

Lux said nothing, tongue-tied and still embarrassed beyond belief. He had to take a deep breath to steady himself before he found the mental fortitude to talk to her.

"...you shouldn't undress yourself so brazenly, you know?"

"W-well I know that! I'm just trying to drive home my point!

"Whatever! You probably already saw it in the bath house, so what's the issue? A prince of the Old Empire had already seen the princess of the New Kingdom branded with the mark of the Old Empire. How could it possibly get any worse?"

"I feel like it could've gotten a lot worse,"

"I swear!" Lisha fumed, getting more and more embarrassed. She had to take a deep breath before she could get to her main point.

"Look, about the mark...could you promise me to keep it a secret?" she whispered, fixing her clothes.

"I swear that I'll not say a word. I promise," Lux said, looking at her earnestly, now that she wasn't exposed.

I won't break that promise. Not on my life.

"T-that's great," Lisha said, breathing a sigh of relief. It had been a huge risk to talk to him personally like this. But she didn't regret it, not at all.

Somehow, I feel that I can trust this guy, even though he's a prince of that Old Empire.

"Oh yeah! Staring tomorrow, you'll be a student here at the Academy," Lisha added, almost as an afterthought.

"...Understood," Lux replied happily.

I'm back. Back home at the Academy, where I belong.

This time, I won't screw it up. I'll protect them.

I swear it on Bahamut's sword device.