After a few moments of waiting, the group see Blue appear on the ship.
"Thank you all for waiting." Blue said.
"So, have you found it?" Belladonna asked.
"Yes, I have." Blue said. "There is a place in the center of the earth one may consider the source of the Dark Current. This facility is called the Great Portal, and it connects the surfaces to Daemonia. Once it is activated, you can make your way to Daemonia. There is a slight catch, it's being controlled from the Daemonian side."
"And you are going to tell us how to open it from our side?" Valfor asked.
"Yes. However, it is currently non-functional due to the effect of the Dark Current." Blue said.
"Then, how exactly do we get it to operate again?" Glacius asked.
"By using the Ether Cannons." Blue said. "These are devices arranged around the Great Portal. They are designed to convert the energy of the Dark Current back into Ether. Firing all four Ether Cannons simultanously should temporarily generate a massive amount of Ether. Use this opportunity to open the portal. If you take your ships through, you will reach Daemonia. However, this is a very crucial moment. If you fail, you might not get another chance again."
"But what could Kuwalsa's objective be? I've come to realize that his plans to rule the surface and destroy the humans may not be purely self-serving." Ignace said.
"I do not know. All I know is that Kuwalsa despises the surface world, brimming with Ether…" Blue said. "Or rather, he hates the very order of this world. The fact that he has begun to move may mean that he is attempting to achieve his final goal…"
"And if he succeeds, there will be no one left to assist in the fight against Kaido." Glacius said. "But why would Kuwalsa ally with Kaido in the first place? It doesn't seem to fit his motivations."
"But at the same time, the fact that he appeared before Vivian and Ignace means that he no longer has any intention of hiding." Nesma said.
"Yes, he will be coming at us with everything he has, and we'll be ready for him." Cheetah said.
"Here you go. These should help you, then." Blue said as he gave back the items the group got for him. "Make sure to give me the signal when to fire the Ether Cannons. I wish you all good fortune." he said as he soon teleports out.
"So this is it. Once we get to Daemonia, we won't be able to go back unless we defeat Kuwalsa." Cheetah said.
"Yes. He is going to come at us with everything he's got. Let's go!" Esmeralda said with the group in agreement.
After making their final preparations, the group set off seaboard for a very large structure.
"This must be the portal that Blue was talking about." Nesma said.
"Yes. Just a reminder, once we use this, there is no going back until we defeat Kuwalsa. Is everyone ready?" Glacius asked.
"Yes. Everyone seems to be ready." Cheetah said. "Send the signal."
"Roger." Tiggy said before the ship started to shake.
"What the… Are we under attack?" Agursu asked.
"It's coming from the deck. We're checking things out, you all stay with Tiggy." Esmeralda said.
"Understood." Agursu said.
Esmeralda led a large portion of the group to the deck of the Brionac where they met Ezmerelda.
"You again!" Barbarosa said.
"Surprised to see me? Seems like you all are heading to Daemonia. Well, I'm going to stop you here." Ezmerelda said.
"Just try it. We've been waiting for this for a long time now." Renzo said.
"It really is quite a shame, you know…" Ezmerelda said to Esmeralda. "And here I thought you were better than lumping yourself with these people."
"What are you trying to say?" Esmeralda asked.
"Oh yes, Barbarosa and Renzo are mad at me for slaying the girl's mother, but have you considered how many people would go for your head after the people you've killed?" Ezmerelda asked. "Someone like you would've been a great addition to Kaido's forces."
"What are you talking about?" Glacius asked.
"That boy… The one who defeated Theodore Flux… In the depths of your heart, you still can't forgive him, can you?" Ezmerelda asked. "Oh, that Theodore… He is very much the same as Lord Kuwalsa. Just imagine what kind of life you would've had if he were still running things."
"Is that supposed to cause disruption in our ranks, or something?" Esmeralda asked.
"Think about this. You're just a tool for those that ask for your services, I'm a tool for Lord Kuwalsa's vision. In short, you're no better than me." Ezmerelda said.
"Shut up! I'm nothing like you!" Esmeralda said. "What do you even know? Theodore never cared about anyone but himself. Why should I ever go back to him?"
"Because then you wouldn't have to die alongside this rabble." Ezmerelda said. "They interrupted a hit placed on that Ishihara boy by Orochi. That boy is a dangerous figure to Kaido, Orochi and the whole operation as a whole. He must be snuffed out quickly."
"Then why go after us? Considering that most of us are beastlike in some way, it would've been more beneficial to try and recruit us to your forces." Nesma said.
"It's called a loose end, sweetheart. You can't call a victory complete if you don't deal with loose ends." Ezmerelda said. "And as enemies, you all are just as dangerous as that boy. So for the sake of Lord Kuwalsa's vision… I shall eliminate you all here and now!" she said as she summons Water Devils to her side. "So, how does it feel to be taunted by someone with the same name as you?" she asked as the fighting commenced.
"You may have the same name, but at least she doesn't hide behind her minions, you coward!" Glacius said.
"A lot of big talk for someone that is just stalling for time." Cheetah said.
"You don't truly believe Kuwalsa should rule over all beings, do you?" Belladonna asked.
"Haha. Are you trying to tell me I am who I am? I told you that I only serve Kuwalsa's will. That is the sole nature of my existence!" Ezmerelda said.
"Come on, that's not true! You don't really believe that, do you?" Riesz asked.
"Why should it matter to you what I believe? Humans are nothing more than sheep to the slaughter! I know you agree with me on this!" Ezmerelda said.
"That may be, but completely subjugating them until they have no will left doesn't suit us in the slightest. Esmeralda, Glacius and I are all hunters in our own right. We appreciate fighting spirit." Cheetah said.
"Hmph… That view of yours is just pathetic. I have had enough of your platitudes. Die!" Ezmerelda said.
"You're dying first. We're finishing this now!" Esmeralda said.
The group was able to defeat the Water Devils.
"This… This cannot be… I didn't think…you all would be this strong…" Ezmerelda said. "My role was to do battle with you, and I lost… Do with me as you wish."
"I… I know I can't forgive you for killing Mom… But…even then, she told me to be as strong a woman who can forgive. So… I will not take revenge on you." Azura said.
"Heh… Like mother, like daughter, as they say. Both strong of heart." Ezmerelda said. "I am defeated in both body and spirit… I implore your resolves, all of you… But you see… Failure results in death…Death that shall pave the way to my lord's vision!" she said as she summoned a Water Devil, but it soon dissipates after she feels a pain in her chest. "S-so… You still would…"
"I know… Call it hypocrisy, or whatever… But considering what Kuwalsa would've planned, killing you ourselves can be considered an act of mercy." Esmeralda said.
"Then… I shall become a star… And watch over the world…that you create…" Ezmerelda said as she lays dead.
"Are you sure you wanted to do that? You know you didn't have to kill her." Zamazenta said.
"I am aware… However, if I had failed a mission from Theodore… I would've wanted someone to kill me so that I wouldn't live in disgrace." Esmeralda said. "It's kind of ironic, when you think about it, actually."
"So, you do not regret anything, I take it." Cheetah said.
"No, I do not. Even if my time with Theodore was a huge lie… The bonds I have formed with all of you wasn't." Esmeralda said.
"Esmeralda… I think… That was all I wanted to hear from you all these years." Glacius said with a smile on her face.
"Glacius, it would seem that your kindness really did shine through. I'm…sorry for the way I have been treating you all this time." Esmeralda said.
"You don't need to apologize for anything, Esmeralda. I'm glad we left Theodore's service too. Now we don't have to worry about his shadow holding us down." Glacius said.
"Yes… Leaving him is what we should've done in the first place. But…we had no where else to go. And your mother… She needed those funds no matter what we had to do." Esmeralda said.
"Yeah, Stockholm Syndrome is a real bitch sometimes, ain't it?" Captain Cold asked.
"Apparently so…" Esmeralda said. "Still, thanks for this opportunity, Cheetah."
"Think nothing of it. It's as Glacius said before, us big cats need to stick together." Cheetah said. "Now, let us go. Our ideals have won. Let us hurry to Daemonia."
"Is everyone ready?!" Tiggy said.
"Yes, we are ready!" Glacius said.
"Okay, then here we go!" Tiggy said. "Ether Cannons…!"
"Daemonia coordinates locked!" Glacius said. "Everyone, get ready!"
"FIRE!" Tiggy commanded as the Ether Cannons have fired.
"Heed my call and open the way! Gate to the Astral Sea!" Ignace recited in incantation. The portal was opened, and the Ether Cannons hit the Brionac and Dark Cruiser, shooting them upward towards it.