The group returned to Ulzebeck as fast as they could, coming to a halt as they saw a Crimson Crows member talking to Zephyr II.
"Zephyr, we've got a huge problem!" the member proclaimed.
"Something bigger than our attack on Balseph's castle? Because I don't have time to worry about anything else right-" Zephyr II said before being cut off.
"Yes, bigger than that! The bright eyes, they've started massacring folks all over Calaglia." the member interrupted.
"They must be after her Master Core. Guess the enemy must be getting serious about retrieving it." Zephyr II said.
"They must be if they're willing to kill the slaves they need to harvest astral energy. Mosgul got hit real bad." the member said.
"What!? Are you sure about that!?" Iron Mask asked in shock.
"Positive. It's the closest town to where we attacked them earlier. I feel bad for our people there, but them's the breaks." the member answered.
"Bastards!" Iron Mask said before running off.
"Iron Mask, wait!" Ace said.
"It's not gonna do you any good to just rush off to Mosgul on your own!" Adora said.
"Well then what do you expect me to do?!" Iron Mask asked.
"Tag along and help you, that's what." Emil said.
"Emil is right. Those knights are too much for one man to take on their own." Lloyd said.
"We'll make sure Mosgul is safe first. Then we'll go get the boss." Kaibara said as Yui nodded.
"Thank you." Iron Mask said.
The group soon hurried to Mosgul, dealing with any Zeugles and soldiers along the way as they soon reached their destination as they saw a Renan Soldier standing over two fallen Dahnans.
"Mess with my friends, will you? You just crossed the line!" Iron Mask said. He quickly dispatched the assaulter, with help from Shionne.
"Spread out and take down any Renan Guards you see!" Ichiro ordered.
"Way ahead of you. Freeze Lancer!" David said as he fired crystals at the Renan soldiers.
"Raging Ice Fang!" Veigue called, slamming his sword into the ground and causing icicles to erupt underneath another soldier.
Kendo and Kaibara worked together to take down a few soldiers themselves, and Yui helped them out by throwing boulders another's way as she altered their size for greater impact.
"You soldiers keep making the same mistake." Scarlet said to another soldier charging him. "You get too close."
The soldier swung at him, only for Scarlet to sidestep the attack and jam a glowing finger into their neck, taking them down.
Soon enough, the soldiers had been pushed back.
Iron Mask was then seen approaching an old man. "Doc, are you alright? What about the others? Are those bastards still here?!"
"Iron Mask, take it easy! It's all right now." the old man known as Doc assured as Iron Mask calmed down. "Most were able to escape, and we've survived. Honestly, we got off lucky. It's often worse when a resistance group pops up."
"Lucky? You call people getting slaughtered like this lucky?!" Iron Mask asked.
"Forgive me for saying this, but acting like this is normal is no way to act." Hope said. "We get it. You guys have been like this for so long, you're used to it. But there comes a time when someone has had enough. Iron Mask has reached that time."
"So have the lot of us apparently. Though, we would've felt that way even without Balseph egging us on." Leopardmon said.
"This is how things go when you're a Dahnan Slave. You're dead if you stand up to them. Keep your head down and do as you're told. At least then you have a chance to survive." Doc said. "You only have one life. That's why-"
"I should wait for the right moment?" Iron Mask asked.
"Well, some of us have had more than enough of this crap as it is." Zelos said.
"Zelos is right. If we don't stand up to him now, these people might never know freedom for who-knows-how-long." Jesmon said.
"Yeah, if my life is at risk either way, then I'd rather spend it fighting." Iron Mask said.
"So you've decided to take up the sword." Doc said.
"Yes…but not just any sword. It's a sword that only I can wield, but one that's also too powerful to use on my own." Iron Mask explained. "I doubt those who fought the Renans in the past ever had something like this on their side. That's why I'm willing to bet everything. Not just on this sword, but in these people I coincidentally crossed paths with. I know it might mean more people end up in danger, but…"
"Okay. If that's how you feel, then I shouldn't say anymore. It's clear your time has come, Iron Mask." Doc said. "Currently you, that sword, and these people are the only things capable of driving the Renans back. It's because of you and them that we're still alive right now. If there's a way through this for all of us, then I'll put my trust in you to find it."
"Doc…thank you." Iron Mask said.
"Now, remember what you said. And don't ever abandon that conviction of yours, all right?" Doc asked.
"Right. I won't!" Iron Mask said as he walked away with the others following.
"You've grown so much since we first met. And you've met some good people, too. Maybe you have a chance after all…" Doc said to himself.
The group soon left Mosgul and returned to Ulzebek as Zephyr II was waiting for them.
"You're back. Hurry on in. We've been waiting for you." Zephyr II said.
"You're not gonna ask what happened?" Iron Mask asked.
"I can tell enough by the way you look right now." Zephyr II said.
"We're still raring to go though. And we're ready to attack Balselph." Vashyron said.
"Good. You all are the key to bringing him down. So the priority is getting the lot of you inside Glanymede Castle. To that end, my men and I will buy you some time to get in. We'll cause enough of a ruckus so you guys can get in." Zephyr II said. "I'm counting on you all to get Iron Mask and Shionne to wherever Balseph is hiding. Once there, you drive that Flaming Sword right through him."
"Got it. We won't let you down." Francisca said.
And so, the group accompanied Iron Mask and Shionne straight to Glanymede Castle, where they made their way inside.
"Geez, just look at this place. Fire and brimstone everywhere." Zacian said.
"Yes, not entirely pleasant." Lance said, sweating a bit. "Apologies, I do not do well in combat when it comes to fire."
"Don't worry. Those who are weak to fire, we can make up for that." Jexi said.
"Yeah, it's fine." Moltar said. "We'll carry the weight. Let's do this!"
"Yes. Time we brought down Balseph." Selena said.
"Now, speaking from experience, Balseph will probably be in his throne room." Chrysalis hypothesized.
"Yes. It would most likely be at the very top." Sectonia said.
"Then let us begin." Sir Saiyan said, drawing his sword. "Advance!"
They fought their way through the castle as they continued to climb higher and higher until reaching the throne room where the man known as the Wild Beast sat.
"Whoa, that's a big guy." David said.
"Hmm?" Ace said, noticing a strange woman in red standing next to the throne. "Who is that?"
"No clue. But no point in trying to speculate that now." Sectonia said.
"Right, we'll worry about it later. For now though…" Ace said.
"So the vermin stirred up enough trouble for you rats to make it all the way to me, huh?" Balseph said as he stood up and walked down from his throne. "Hmph. What a pain in the ass."
"That's our line. Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused?" David asked.
"Not as much as you've caused me." the Wild Beast sneered. "Although, it was pretty impressive of you to deliver my master core straight into my hands."
"You really think we're here to hand it over?" Jexi asked.
"Of course not. I plan to take it from you no matter what." Balseph laughed.
"Glad to see we're on the same page now." David said as he drew his blade.
"Yeah, we're planning on doing the same thing with your life." Mark added.
Balseph lept down to the group's level and summoned a giant axe from a purple light. "Plan all you like, it won't change a thing. You won't be getting out of here alive!" he declared as the symbol of fire appeared on his forehead as his eyes glowed.
"Here we go, everyone. Let's bring this house down!" David said.
(Cue- The Law of the Battle- Tales of Symphonia)
Renan Lord of Calaglia
Balseph
"Grant them undefiled purity…Splash!" Reala chanted, causing a torrent of water to pour down onto Balseph.
Mermista herself also attacked with a blast of water, but Balseph was going through it despite the damage.
"He's tough… it's not gonna be enough to hit him with the element he's weak against." Hope said.
"Of course not. As if he's gonna make it easy." David said as an icy chain emerged from his sword as he cracked it like a whip. "Let's see how you like a dose of this." he said as he wraps the chain around Balseph while firing an ice blast.
"Hahahaha! You think ice will work on me?" Balseph said as he melted through the chain as he jumped up and slammed the axe down.
"For a second there… Yeah, I kind of did. But my main purpose was just trying to catch you off guard." David said.
"Well your foolish attempt failed!" Balseph said as he leapt into the air once more.
"Think again!" Shionne said, firing at him as Iron Mask attacked.
"We figured it out. The best time to strike…is when you're in the air." Iron Mask said.
"I hope you're ready. That trick of yours won't work again." Francisca said.
"You wretches won't beat me!" Balseph declared as he swung his axe with all his might, nearly hitting Iron Mask before jumping back, a flight of stairs dropping down from above. "I'll draw on the power of astral energy mined by the slaves. That'll be more than enough to deal with you!"
"After him!" David said as he gave chase.
"You're not getting away that easy, Wild Beast!" Ace said.
"Come on, Iron Mask, we'll-" ZS started before he noticed the man's mask was broken. "Aw man, he got your mask! You good?"
"Yeah… I'm fine." Iron Mask said as half of his face was clear to see for everyone. "Sorry. Guess Balseph did hit me good…. I was out of it for a moment there."
"Come on. He's on his last legs." Natsu said as they chased after Balseph before seeing a large creature of fire behind him. "Well…that's…something."
"Wh-What the hell is that?!" Balseph exclaimed, as surprised as the group was. "This astral energy is supposed to be mine!"
"How are we supposed to take that thing down?" Mayumi asked.
"We don't. Let's just focus our attacks on Balseph for now." David said. "If that thing starts getting at you, don't forget to heal regularly."
"Right." Marta said. "Still, it almost looks like a spirit."
"Well…I think it's lunch." Natsu said as he jumped onto the spirit and started eating its flames.
"Go, Fire-breather, go!" Eddy cheered.
"Hey! All that astral energy belongs to me!" Balseph called out.
"Natsu, keep it distracted. We'll handle things here." David said.
"You got it! Okay, big guy. Hope you're prepared for this…cause I'm all fired up!" Natsu said.
"Hope you can keep up!" Kokoro said as she charged at Balseph.
"I've had enough of you brats!" Balseph said, swinging his axe at Kokoro.
"Big mistake." Kokoro said as she grabbed the axe and dealt a flaming punch at Balseph.
Balseph stumbled back as he was stunned, prompting the others to charge in.
"Grrr! Burn, burn, burn, burn, burn all of you!" he called out as fire surrounded his axe.
"Uh oh, he looks mad!" Flamberge said.
"He's about to launch a powerful attack! We have to stop this!" Kokoro said.
"Only one thing to do at a time like this…. Hit him till he goes down!" DW typed as the group went to town on the Wild Beast.
"You all…can burn in Hell!" Balseph declared as he swung his axe. "Pyroclasm!" he called as the axe fell…
…only to be blocked by two gauntlets.
"I said it before…we'll carry the weight!" Moltar said as he pushed against Balseph's strength. "Guys, finish this now!"
They all charged in and dealt a finishing blow to the Renan Lord.
(End Song)
"Ugh…how dare you…rotten vermin. And you? You are a Renan too right? How can you turn on your own kind? How? How?!" Balseph said as the Fire Avatar grabbed him as he was being burned away.
"Oh man! That thing is outta control!" Flamberge said.
Iron Mask then got an idea. "If the Flaming Sword is also made of astral energy, then maybe…"
Brandishing the flaming blade, he drained both the fire avatar and Balseph of their Astral Energy as he then swung down the sword, destroying the gate keeping the realm separate from the others.
"Whoa…Iron Mask went and broke the gate." Natsu said.
"No…" Iron Mask said. "I remember it now…my name."
"Huh?" some of them said.
"Alphen. My name…IS ALPHEN!" he called out to the heavens as the dawn of a new era was dawning. As of now…the age of lords was going to come to an end.
