…huh?

What's this?

It seems that the records of the Fourth Floor have been lost.

Hmm…

Well, it seems that only 1 chapter is missing in this book.

Let's continue then, shall we?

Chapter 16: Despair

"That Fourth Floor was bizarre, wasn't it?" Saber asked.

She was standing back to back with Takeru in the middle of the Elevator's room, each lifting the other onto their backs one at a time. Rin had suggested this to improve the bonding between Takeru and Saber, so that they might fight as one more easily. As she spoke that last sentence, she lifted Takeru onto her back.

"The Third Floor was strange enough, but at least there was an enemy to face." Saber continued, putting Takeru back on the floor. "There, the Ladder had already descended! What happened to the Fourth Floor Master?"

"Well, we did find the Eyecon of the Fourth Floor Servant." Takeru replied, lifting Saber in turn. "I wonder why Emu was pulled in, though."

"That I know not." Saber spoke as Takeru put her down again. "He hasn't changed much, though. Not that I can tell."

Takeru looked over to the couches.

Emu was sitting there, resting his head on his hands, staring into blank space. He had a neutral expression on his face.

Ever since the Third Floor, Takeru noticed that Emu spoke a lot less. He also eschewed the video games he had so eagerly played in the Lower Floor Elevators, opting to just sit in silence, as if deep in thought. Takeru had wanted to talk to Emu, but Rin and Saber both refused to let him.

Let him have his own time. Rin had said. He's been through a lot.

Still… Takeru thought.

I want to help.

"Could he be tired from all that fighting? I mean, the First and Second Floor were no pushover…" Takeru asked, lifting Saber up again.

"Drake and Robin Hood, eh?" Saber mused. "True, those two were a cut above the rest, but they were no match for Maestro and I! Oh, and you too, Takeru."

Takeru set Saber down.

"Umu! We're on a roll!" Saber exclaimed gleefully, as she lifted Takeru up.

"You two sure are carefree." Rin commented as she entered the room. "Although I guess it's better to stay that way while you can."

She sat herself down on the smaller couch.

"What were you up to, Rin?" Takeru asked.

Rin smirked. She held up her hands and, with a flourish, produced a large green Raincoat. Saber, impressed, clapped her hands, causing her to let go of Takeru. He fell to the floor with a thud.

"Preparations for the Fifth Floor. Here, Saber, I made one for you too."

She put down the Raincoat she was holding and produced another one, this time yellow. She tossed it at Saber, who caught it and tried it on.

"Oh, and Takeru, your transformed form had a hood, right? I trust that you don't need one of these." Rin cheekily remarked.

Takeru, rubbing his backside as he got up, sighed.

"Very funny, Rin. But I don't think my Rider form should be used for Rain protection only."

"True, but I highly recommend you use it anyways. Who knows what can pop out and attack?"

Takeru paused for a moment to consider this, then reluctanctly agreed.

"Oh, and Emu, dear? I've got one for you."

She materialised a Pink and Neon-green poncho.

"Look! It's your colours!"

She chucked it at Emu, who raised a hand and caught it.

At that moment, the Elevator dinged.

"Perfect timing. We're here." Emu got up, putting on the poncho in the process. "Come on, let's get this finished with."

The Fifth Floor was a city in ruins. Toppled buildings were strewn around the landscape, the last remnants of a civilisation long withered away, darkened by black clouds. Rain poured down endlessly, as if trying to wash away the heaps of concrete and metal. The only illumination was the dim glow of red lights, occasionally punctuated by lightning.

Emu gripped his face, grimacing.

"This is the Fifth Floor, home to Berserker and the sound of constant rain." Rin said.

She gestured to a large tower in the centre of the ruins, pointing to the top where another elevator stood

"That's the ladder to the sixth floor."

"It's already lowered, it seems." Saber noted.

"Right. If Emu makes it there, he can use it to ascend manually. This floor doesn't have a Floor Master, after all." Rin said.

"It won't go smoothly, though…"

Her expression turned dark.

"There's a homicidal maniac that lurks on this floor. A monster like the one on the Third Floor. If we cross him, we have no choice but to fight."

Emu didn't flinch. Takeru, however, was nervous.

"Before becoming a Master, he was killing people down on Earth." Rin continued. "And even during the Holy Grail War, he was taking out Masters in the shadows."

Saber's eyes widened suddenly.

"His name, it's not…"

"Julius Belkisk Harwey. The older brother of Leo Bistario Harwey, who was said to be the strongest Master in the history of the Holy Grail War."

Rin turned to Saber.

"Saber, you and your former Master defeated him here on this Fifth Floor."

Saber nodded.

"That would make his Servant that man, then. That's…"

Saber drifted off.

"Is he strong?" Takeru asked.

Saber didn't respond.

"Well, you beat him once already." Takeru said.

"Indeed. Albeit just barely, and with a great deal of luck."

Then she smiled, turning to Emu.

"Thanks to that, I know all his tricks! Leave him to us, Maestro."

The four, lead by Rin, moved swiftly through the ruins, heading straight towards the tower. None on them spoke a word as they worked their way amongst the fallen structures, seeking shelter from the rain as often as they could. Despite their ponchos, the four of them (except Takeru, who was transformed into his Rider Form) were still soaked to their bones by the splashes caused by their footsteps.

Suddenly, Rin held up her arms, signalling the others to stop. She crept forward and hid behind a slab of concrete, peering round to look. Then, she turned back towards the others.

"Looks like it's not going to be that simple after all. He's right there, just standing. This is the only way to get to the Elevator."

"Seems there's no choice but to settle this." Takeru remarked.

"No. Now that we know the situation, we should fall back and come up with a strategy. There must be some other way-"

"So you've arrived."

The four turned upwards to look at where the voice came from.

On the top of a building was a silhouette of a man wearing a black coat.

"I've been waiting for you, Hojo Emu!"

Emu's eyes widened.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash and as eruption of dust. From the haze, a red-haired man in a Chinese outfit burst out and rushed straight towards Emu, readying his fists. However, Saber moved swiftly to intercept, her sword raised.

"They're aiming for Maestro!" Saber shouted, grunting as the man's fists impacted her blade.

The man on the building laughed as he dropped down.

"Takeru!" Saber shouted, swinging her sword at the red-haired man. "Protect Maestro!"

Ghost materialised his Gan Gan Saber and jumped up, preparing to meet the attack. However, the falling man swatted Ghost aside with a kick, sending him flying into the wall of a nearby building.

The man drew him arms back. Emu raised his arms to protect himself and blocked the punch. As the man landed on the ground, he spun round and kicked Emu into the wall behind him, sending him crashing through the thick concrete and into the building. The man ran in pursuit.

Meanwhle, the red-haired man continued his barrage of punches and kicks, which Saber deflected with her sword. However, it was clear that Saber was on the back foot. With a final punch, he sent a devastating blow which knocked Saber back.

"Gae Bolg!"

From above, Rin, who had transformed into Dark Necrom Cu Chulainn Damashii, threw her spear at the enemy Servant. He jumped backwards as the spear struck the ground. Rin landed and picked up Saber, jumping forwards to escape the Servant.

"Just as I suspected. You told us to leave him to you, but this guy's a pretty tough customer!"

She landed and set Saber down on the ground.

"Excellent timing! I'll leave him to you for a bit!" Saber said.

"Eh!?"

Saber placed her hand on Rin's shoulder.

"Indeed! If possible, it would be best if you and Takeru defeat him!"

Saber then jumped to the window of a building.

"Huh!? I came to save her, and she shoved her work on me! How self-centred is that woman? And where is Takeru, anyways…?"

Suddenly, she heard a whoosh behind her, and turned around, readying her spear. The enemy Servant had found her and was heading straight for her head!

"Rin!"

Ghost flew in from the side with a kick, sending the Servant flying off to the side.

"Are you alright?" Ghost asked, turning to Rin.

Rin nodded.

"Thanks for the save! But he's getting up soon, so hurry!"

Ghost pulled out the Drake Eyecon and activated it. He put it into his Ghost Driver.

EYE!

The Drake Damashii emerged from the driver and circled around Ghost. He pulled and pushed the lever on the side of the Ghost Driver.

KAIGAN! FRANCIS DRAKE!

AROUND THE WORLD WE'RE CIRCLING! LET THE WILD HUNT BEGIN!

The Ghost Damashii on Ghost's armour vanished, and the Francis Drake Damashii landed on Ghost, its mask popping up onto Ghost's face. He pulled out the Gan Gan Saber in Gun mode while another bat-like device emerged from the Ghost Driver, transforming into a gun. He levelled the guns while Rin materialised her spear.

Meanwhile, Emu, recovering from the impact of the kick, got to his feet just as the man wearing the black coat appeared in front of him, aiming another kick at his chest. Emu jumped backwards, and the man hit the ground where Emu had been just seconds before, leaving a crater.

"So you've come back."

Emu faced the man, panting hard.

"No. So you've arrived."

He jumped forward and kneed Emu into some steel tanks, causing them to collapse. Emu was knocked back again, but managed to stay on his feet.

"Obstinate, aren't we?"

The man slowly walked towards Emu.

"How very like you."

Suddenly, he vanished and reappeared in front of Emu, punching him hard. Emu hit the back wall and landed on his feet, dodging another punch from the man.

"But what's this?"

Emu stopped and turned to face the man.

"I was expecting a proper fight. But now I feel as though I'll die of disappointment!"

He kicked Emu again. Emu hit the wall and collapsed on the floor. He got onto his knees, but suddenly coughed up blood.

"How long do you want to play this charade, Emu Hojo? How long before you accept reality?"

Emu slowly got up again, pulling out his Gamer Driver and equipping it.

He brought out his Mighty Action X Gashat and Dangerous Zombie Gashat and activated them.

MIGHTY ACTION X!

DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!

Their game screens blazed behind him, sending out brown blocks around the area.

Emu slammed both of them into the Driver and opened it.

GASHATTO!

GACHAN!

LEVEL UP!

MIGHTY ACTION X!

DEATH THE CRISIS! DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!

With a flash of purple, he became Ex-Aid Level X-2 again.

The man charged forwards, and Ex-Aid did the same. Their fists collided with each other, sending out a shockwave that caused the ground to shake. As they passed by each other, the man in the black coat spun round, bringing his face into the light.

On his body were purple splotches which covered his coat and parts of his face as well.

The man reared his head back and laughed madly. Ex-Aid ran forward, fist raised, but the man stepped aside and caught his arm. Before Ex-Aid could react, the man threw him over his shoulder and onto the floor, leaving a crater as Ex-Aid hit the floor.

"What a naïve bastard you are." The man sneered. "You can't accept it, can't you? You and I are both garbage, lower than even ghosts!"

He pulled out a purple device and placed it on his waist.

GACHON

He then brought out another Dangerous Zombie Gashat and activated it.

DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!

As the game screen appeared behind him, he pushed the Gashat into the device and pressed a button on the top.

BUGGLE UP!

DANGER DANGER!

DEATH THE CRISIS!

DANGEROUS ZOMBIE!

As a white and red screen with two zombie-like figures on it emerged from the device, purple smoke began engulfing the man. His movements became erratic as the screen moved backwards, before it was smashed as the now-transformed man broke through with a punch.

The man had transformed into a form almost identical to Ex-Aid's.

Kamen Rider Genm: Zombie Gamer Level X.

"Pretending to be a Master… what a joke!"

He grabbed Ex-Aid by the throat and lifted him into the air.

"The two of us had our purposes taken from us long, long ago."

Then, he punched through Ex-Aid's chest.

The world turned black.

When Emu opened his eyes, he was in the incinerator room from the ground floor, standing on the walkway hanging over the abyss. Sitting on the edge of the walkway was the man Emu saw in his dream: the one wearing the white coat.

"Oh? To think that we'd meet again."

The man turned around to look at Emu.

"It seems the two of us are bound by fate. Both in the present and the past."

"The past?"

"I know, of course. Not everything, but quite a bit. I know you aren't from this world. I know that you're harbouring a dark secret."

"What do you mean?" Emu asked.

The man turned back to look into the abyss.

"SE RA PH has declined these past thousand years. The only new thing to come out of this millennium of loss was the shadow of death.

The Dead Face virus.

Ghosts long for life, wandering of search of it without bodies. But Dead Faces are different.

They were taken prisoners by death during their life. They are like curses, acting as members of the dead in order to spread death.

'I want to die.'

'I want it all to end.'

That's the kind of malignant information they are.

In SE RA PH, death of the body is separate from death of the spirit. Even if the body dies, any remaining spirit will accumulate as a curse.

People are normally set free from their emotions when they die. No matter how much resentment they bear.

But when Angelica Case closed and the Holy Grail War ended, SE RA PH became a digital hell. The regrets of the dead stopped being disassembled and purified and began simply being left as they were.

Once, I was just like you. I wished to reform humanity. The prosperity born from sacrificing my era lacked maturity, after all. I wished for humanity's growth to be worthy of the sacrifice.

But my wish came to ruin.

I continued to live, continued to create, until I reached a clear conclusion,

Scolding incompetent children for their lack of ability is simple arrogance.

'Fine,' I decided. 'We have no need for further growth. This is as far as we humans go.'

I killed many victors, both good and evil. You could call them heroes worthy of the title of 'victor'. But none of them could bring about salvation.

Normally, they would simply be recorded as information, but when they felt SE RA PH fall a single change occurred. Their grudges released, Angelica's victors were struck by hatred. The dead, the defeated, the colossal number of records they left about their defeats. The curses accumulated, manifesting as a virus, seeking to destroy everything in their path. But every virus needs a host. And what better vessel for the curses of the dead than a man who devoted his life to help the living…?"

Emu suddenly felt uneasy.

"Normally, they can take the shape of those who still had vengeance in their heart when they died. Someone who, for example, wanted revenge on the one who beat them. However, if they can curse someone who is alive, then once they have fully corrupted their host, they can become stronger than anything else is SE RA PH. After that, well…"

Emu realised what the man was saying. His pulse quickened as his mind processed everything that was being said to him.

There was only one more question in his mind.

"Why did you bring me here?"

The man smirked.

"Can't you tell? They've already won."

Emu's eyes widened in shock.

"You can feel it, can't you? Their anger. Their rage. Their thirst for death. It's almost become second nature to you, hasn't it? You tried so hard to hold them off, but the cruelty of SE RA PH forced you to confront the truth. It must have been a single moment that pushed you over the edge. I bet it was when you killed that girl, Alice-"

"Don't say her name so casually!" Emu shouted, purple flaring in his eyes. Then, he realised what happened.

"I told you. It's almost complete."

The man got up and turned to face Emu.

"After you fell to despair, your defences against the Deadface were lowered, allowing them to corrupt you. The you there is the last of your humanity left, and even it has been tainted. You saw how you used Dangerous Zombie so casually, without a thought."

Emu was now stepping backwards in fear.

"You are no longer Emu Hojo, or Genius Gamer M. You are nothing more than a mass of death in the shape of your former self. A repulsive homicidal maniac, driven by hatred towards the living."

"No… I don't want… to be any of those things!"

"Why the hesitance now? You've only ever been aiming to ascend in order to kill, no?"

Emu opened his mouth, but he could speak. He racked his brains trying to remember.

What was… I ascending for again?

"You never had a future. You ascend in order to kill, and you were born in order to die. You were formed from the scraps of failures."

As Emu tried to respond, he felt a sudden pain in his head. He grabbed his face with his hands, trying to stop himself.

Stop… stop this! I'm not like this! This isn't me! This isn't-

But this time, there were no voices in his head.

Just himself.

And what he said was

Yes, I am.

And his eyes flared purple again.

When Emu opened his eyes once more, his vision was blurry. All he could make out was the other Rider, in front of him.

Wha-

He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He looked down.

The other Rider had punched through his armour and into his chest, his fist poking out of Emu's back. Blood was dripping out of the hole in the armour, forming a pool of red beneath Emu's feat.

"Ah, that's right. You are already dead. Ripping out your heart won't be enough to put you down."

So he was right.

From the distance, Emu could hear running footsteps.

"Maestro!"

Emu turned his head weakly to the direction of the shout. Saber was running towards him.

"Sa…ber…"

Saber charged forwards and kicked the other Rider, causing him to fly backwards and hit the wall. She then turned to Emu.

"Are you alright?"

Emu clutched his chest, hiding the hole that the other Rider's fist had made.

"We… still need to kill him…"

As the other Rider recovered, Saber ran and slashed her sword at him. He dodged and jumped backwards. Saber continued her attack, all of which he dodged as well. As Saber went for one final attack, the wall beside her exploded, separating her from the other Rider. Rin and Ghost went flying through, hitting the wall opposite. As the dust cleared, the enemy Servant stepped through.

"Sorry, that wasn't happening." Rin called out.

"Not at all! You did well, Rin!" Saber responded.

Emu slowly made his way forward towards the fight.

Saber held her sword, taking a defensive stance against the enemy Servant. Suddenly, her head jerked forward, and she coughed up blood, collapsing to her knees.

"Saber!" Emu ran forward to help, but the pain got the better of him. He also fell to his knees.

"Heh. You did well to endure this long." The other Rider spoke.

"What?" Emu weakly groaned.

"My Servant's Noble Phantasm kills with a single blow. His first strike will assuredly obliterate his foe."

Saber fell onto the floor.

"She should have already known of this Servant. Yet she covered for you, even though you are not a Master."

The armour around Emu dissipated, and he coughed up blood. He collapsed onto the floor.

"This is as far as you go. Accept your punishment-"

Suddenly, a giant red fist crashed through the ceiling of the building. The other Rider and Servant jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the fist. Through the crack in the ceiling, they could see a large Damashii with glowing red eyes.

"Takeru! While they're distracted!" Rin shouted.

Ghost burst from the rubble and ran forwards, taking out a deep blue Eyecon. He removed the Eyecon in his Driver and placed the new one in.

EYE!

BATCHIRIMINA!

Out of the Driver flew out a deep blue dress-like Damashii with fox ears on the hood and what looked like tails coming out of the back. Ghost pulled and pushed the lever on his Driver.

KAIGAN! TAMAMO NO MAE!

KITSUNE OF PEERLESS BEAUTY! WITCHCRAFT IS A SPOUSE'S DUTY!

The Damashii landed on Ghost's armour, with the image of an ornate mirror appearing on Ghost's mask. A similar mirror floated around Ghost.

The enemy Servant noticed Ghost's attack and charged at him, readying another strike. Ghost pulled and pushed the lever on his Driver again.

DAI KAIGAN!

Ofuda started to appear, circling around Ghost's body.

TAMAMO NO MAE OMEGA DRIVE!

He cupped his hands and drew him to his side, then thrust them forward with a shout. As the enemy Servant threw his fist forward, the Mirror and the Ofuda moved in front of Ghost. The mirror projected a water-like aura shield as the Ofuda spun round the mirror, swirling the aura into a spiral of red and blue.

The enemy Servant's fists hit the shield, which held under the impact of the strike. But it was clear that the defense was only temporary. Ghost continued to push as the enemy Servant attacked the barrier again and again.

I won't let Emu and Saber die!

As rain poured through the crack in the ceiling, Emu crawled forwards, reaching out to Saber, whose body was beginning to dissolve into orange mist.

I'm sorry, Saber…

You went through this because of me…

It's my fault…

But at least…

I won't… be a monster… anymore…

He closed his eyes.