Chapter 35
For Those Dear to Us

"Are you going to come back out again, dear Captain?" Baby taunted the Black Bull Captain."I'm not the one in a rush or anything so I'm just wondering if you'll make your move any time soon."

"You talk up a big game." Yami said from inside the room he was taking cover in with the High Priest."I'll attack when I feel like it."

"Sure, that's fine with me." Baby waved her giant metal arm around."But I think you might want to hurry it up. Your little subordinates won't last long against Vetto and my children. And once they're dead, this whole temple dies along with them and you."

"She's right." The High Priest whispered as he stared at the bubbles projecting what was going on."My grandson and that Anti-Magic kid are not doing so good against that beast of a man."

"Yeah, I know. Also, we don't know what her other kids are doing. But I did just sense strong mana disappear out of nowhere. But another one just popped in."

"I think that's where this young lad is going." The High Priest pointed at Raiden rushing at full speed."He looks a bit beaten."

"It's fine. He's going to where that woman is fighting Gauche and the others. Now I can rest a little easy. He's tough."

"But tough enough to beat something like her?"

"He'll just have to break through his limits. Like I will right now. Stay down and don't peek outside!" With that, Yami jumped out into the outside, leaping at Baby.

Baby snickered, aiming her arm at him and firing a volley of bolts at him, which he easily blocked with his katana. Once he was within range, she swung her arm but Yami jumped over it, positioning himself behind her, ready to strike her down.

'He's fast!' Baby grabbed his arm before she felt the blade against her."Repel!"

With as much force as before, Yami was sent flying away from Baby, but not before launching a spell."Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash!"

"Iron Magic: Scrap Glider!"

Forming two metallic wings behind her, she jumped off the platform she was on and glided down, avoiding the attack.

'I'm starting to understand that ability of hers better and better.' Yami thought to himself, noticing he was going to crash into a building.'Repel and Attract. They seem to have a time limit between two and four seconds.'

'He's trying to figure out my magic.' Baby gave him a malicious smirk.'Not bad. As expected of a Captain, he's quick on his feet.'

"Reinforcement Magic: Leg Strenght Boost!"

Baby's eyes widened in shock when she noticed her metallic arm had been severed by Yami's quick attack."Iron Magic: Dance of the Blade!"

The metal flew around Yami in an attempt to injure him, essentially reducing his ground to a small circle.

"Dark Magic: Black Moon!"

A black hole appeared above Yami, creating a field of dark mana that absorbed the metal coming his way.

"He can use Mana Zone in such a pristine way." She noted."Impressive. But so can I! Attract!"

"Huh?" Yami was bewildered when he felt his feet hover above the ground before shooting toward Baby.

"You'll make a great sacrifice, oh mighty Captain!" Baby created a sword composed of scrap metal, aiming at Yami's chest.

'Tch. She's so annoying to fight. But she was able to use Mana Zone to pull me from over there. It's true I'm learning more about her ability, but the same could be said about her.'

Yami's Grimoire flipped through its pages, preparing another spell."Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Black Blade!"

Cladding his sword with dark magic, Yami swung down, expanding the range of his weapon and sending a slash of darkness, clashing against Baby's arm and destroying it.

Wincing, Baby found herself face to face with Yami.

"Iron Magic: Rotating Doom Spikes!"

Five metal spikes attached themselves to Baby's back. She dodged Yami's attack, twirling around and giving a few cuts to his body. She used reinforcement magic to jump back, landing dangerously close to the people watching. The crowd cried in horror, running around to hide from the battle. Ignoring their screams, Baby used her magic to encase herself in a metal ball, spikes sprouting out of it as it began rotating at super speed towards Yami.

"What the hell?" Yami leaped out of the way, avoiding being smashed by the attack. Baby continued rotating, breaking through houses, and leaving metal around until she was back on course toward her target. The more she rolled, the more metal was added to her shell, increasing her size.

"Alright then, let's see what you got!" Yami went for a thrust, but his blade was bit by metallic jaws."What the hell?!"

The metal ball had morphed into what looked to be a metal velociraptor."Too bad, Yami Sukehiro!"

The woman was inside a small compartment she had created, controlling the dinosaur with her magic. A tail covered in spikes rose in the air in an attempt to crush the burly man, but he leaped out of the way in the nick of time. Baby grinned inside her mecha, shooting metal spikes at Yami, which he easily countered with his sword.

"It's no use. You're too direct with your attacks it makes reading you even easier. You can get as big as you want, that's not going to help you."

"On the contrary, Captain. This suits me just fine!" The dinosaur charged forward, shaking the ground beneath its feet.

"Tch. Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Slash!" Yami sent a slash of dark magic at the metal being's legs, but in mere seconds, the broken pieces began attaching back to it as it continued its run.

Yami was shocked by this, nearly forgetting to jump out of the way before the monster crashed against a house, demolishing it.

"Hey! Stop breaking these people's houses!" Yami exclaimed, gritting his teeth."Shit. I knew taking the fight down here would be bad. I'll have to finish her off before she causes more damage. Furthermore, if she decides to use that little transformation that Raiden told us their people can use, it'd be more trouble."

'I guess fighting in such an open space wasn't such a good idea.' Baby forced her creation to stumble back up. Her Grimoire added more metal to its back, creating wings in addition to two more arms."Not bad, human. But I haven't shown you what true fear really is."

Yami scratched his hair."You say that, but I'm beginning to figure out your power. The next strike will be the last."

"You have no idea." Baby laughed as her metal dino rampaged forward. Yami narrowed his eyes, readying his next attack. Once the monster was within range, he made his move.

"Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Lightless Blade Storm!"

Yami swung his blade in blur motions, delivering clean and effective strikes, dismantling the dinosaur until Baby was left exposed, perplexed at what just happened. Or so he thought until he saw her grin from ear to ear.

"You fell for it!" Baby exclaimed, extending her arm towards him.

Yami threw his sword to the ground, momentarily stunning her with confusion.

'He threw his sword?' Baby rose a brow but shook her head, pulling a piece of metal from behind her.'Doesn't matter. This is the opening I created by coming at him straight on. I knew I would have lost a direct confrontation. But I've been preparing for this the whole fight.'

Glancing over his shoulder, Baby noted the pile of metals she had assembled earlier when she was running around in her mecha. If Yami were to be launched there, the shards would pierce through his body, presumably killing him instantly. And it was all just a few inches away.

But then the unthinkable happened. Yami's pants dropped, showcasing his underwear. Baby's face turned into pure horror, causing her to scream and shoot her hands in the air in panic.

Yami smirked, satisfied that his plan had worked. With a swift motion, he punched Baby's solar plexus, knocking the air out of her, and using reinforcing magic for good measure. The attack was enough to launch her across the area, crashing back against the temple.

"He did it!" The High Priest cheered, motivating all the citizens to cheer alongside him after coming out of their hiding places. However, upon seeing Yami without pants, all of them started booing.

"Yeah, no problem," Yami grumbled, grabbing his pants and putting them back on. He walked over to where he had left his belt and sword, grabbing them before heading to where Baby was.

The leader of the Order of the First lay against rubble after breaking through a wall, groaning in pain.

"You shouldn't have been so quick on leaving that hunk of metal you had." Yami placed a hand on his hip, glaring down at her."You were better off there than whatever it was that you did."

"You figured it out..."

"Yeah. I wasn't sure at first. For all I knew your magic could manipulate the iron in my body. There was a reason why you continued repelling and propelling me. I knew that because you didn't do the same with my spells. At first, I thought it was because you had a cooldown to that spell, but no. You can repel and attract metal or anyone who is in contact with metal. So my two choices were that you could manipulate the iron in my body or just my sword and belt. So I took a gamble and went with the latter. It turns out I was right."

"You what...? You're telling me you did that all on a gamble? You're probably the most insane human I've ever met. But still..." Baby coughed up blood after the devastating blow Yami had given her."I underestimated you. I thought you wouldn't have noticed such a thing. You aren't like most humans. And for that error, I lost the fight."

"And are you surprised someone named "Baby" made a mistake?" Yami quirked a brow, chuckling to himself."Huh. That was a nice one."

"Screw you. Undressing in such a manner...how despicable, even for such a lowly human."

Wordless, Yami moved closer to her, towering over her frame."Call them off."

"Huh?"

Stepping on her arm, Yami began applying pressure, earning a howl of pain from the woman."W-what the hell are you doing?!"

"Call of those kids or whatever of yours!" Yami commanded, leaving no room for argument."If you don't, I'll break this arm before you even have a chance to transform?"

"Transform?"

"Don't play dumb." Yami crouched down, forcing her palm open."You're supposed to have a...what...?"

He glanced to look at her other palm, noticing no marks of any kind.

"Bloody Mary has a special power that allowed her to transform." He recalled when Raiden briefed him back in the hospital."Same as that guy back in Nean, Troy, or whatever. It should be a number six. More numbers appear the more they used that Brand and get more power until it has three sixes. Once that happened to Mary, she transformed into this nightmare-like being."

"You don't have a mark."

"Oh, you mean a Brand?" Baby blinked a few times."So you know about that. Guess Mary wasn't as secretive as she claimed to be. Regardless, they are called the Seven Children of Sceva for a reason. I'm just their mother."

"What does that-"

"And my children are just that. Children."

Yami sensed someone's ski right behind him. Close. Too close. He barely had any time to block an incoming attack with his katana. The sword prevented a mirror shard from piercing his heart as a demon-looking beast screeched loudly, sending him skidding on the ground.

Mary quickly leaped to where Baby was, kneeling next to her so-called mother.

"Mary...I knew you'd come." Baby rubbed Mary's cheek gently, staining her fingers with the blood splattered around her face."Seems like you were having fun. I'm sorry for cutting it short but...this man is no joke. He's strong. I don't think you can take him currently."

"What the fuck is that?" Yami cringed at the sight."Looks like something out of someone's nightmare or something. That one of your kids, because I see the resemblance."

"Very funny." Baby dryly commented. Mary's eyes gleamed in excitement, seizing the captain of the Black Bulls up. With a howl, she jumped in the air, brandishing two shards in each hand.

"You're the one who was fighting Gauche and the others, aren't you?" Yami leaped in the air to meet her, grabbing her by the neck."What did you do to them?! What did you do to those kids?!"

Mary struggled to break out of his grip despite stabbing him in the arm numerous times. He did not allow that to let her break free. He tightened his grip on her, causing her to choke."I ASKED YOU WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM!"

"Lad! They're okay! Don't worry!" The High Priest screamed from above."They're tired and wounded but alive! Not one of them died!"

Yami sighed in relief, but this was the second that Mary needed to make her move. She scratched Yami in the face, barely missing the eyes, and broke free. She ran back to where Baby was, picking her up and sprouting her wings, taking off towards a house.

The people around the house scattered around, fleeing for their lives.

"Oh, no you don't!" Yami jumped after them at great speeds."I'm not a great source of information!"

"He's catching him, Mary!" Baby cried out in her arms.

'Tch. Stubborn bastard.' Mary cursed in her mind.'He's lucky I can't fight with mom around. I can't let her get killed otherwise the whole plan goes to shit!'

"Where the hell is she going?" Yami wondered as he chase after them."That's a dead end. Is she really going to crash against that window and go into the house? Wait...window...No!"

Mary cackled or gurgled due to her transformation, as she approached the mirror. She noticed something from the reflection coming after her. A giant slash of dark magic, cutting through the ground itself and devastating everything in its path.

"Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash!"

Mary increased her speed, bracing herself as they went through the mirror into the Mirror World. Something inside her told her to continue flying, and so she did. And she was glad she did instead of stopping. Somehow someway, the attack managed to get inside the Mirror World, destroying not only the mirror they had come from but also her wings, causing them to fall to the ground. Tightening her grip on Baby, Mary used her body to cushion the fall and protect her, rolling on the dark floor of her world.

The Mirror World was vast, almost as if it had no end. Curved floor and walls completely black decorated with white dots all around, imitating stars and staircases that led to nowhere was all the eye could see, aside from the countless mirrors everywhere, floor, ceiling, and walls. Despite how large the Mirror WOrld looked, it was merely the size of a town, perhaps even smaller, but the void-like appearance it had made it look larger than it really was.

"Mary!" Baby moved Mary off of her, settling her on the floor. Her body changed back to her human form."He got you? Can you regenerate?"

"He got my wings, but I'm fine." Mary sighed, noticing her favorite jacket was long gone, leaving her in her sleeveless white shirt."Still, what concerns me more is how the hell he got that attack through the mirror into here. No one is supposed to be able to come here unless it's me or if I'm willingly bringing them here. So how...? I'm sure we got here before the attack caught up to us."

"Whatever it was, it was able to cut through and get in here with magic alone. Which means he can cut through dimensions. No wonder he was able to go toe to toe with Licht. I knew he was strong but this..."

"I figured something had happened the moment I sensed your mana decreasing dramatically." Mary huffed, dusting her clothes off."So it was him who did you in. But that means that the mage putting up the spatial magic is exposed now."

"Right. That means that Vetto is in trouble. Well, it's whatever. As long as Joseph and the others got out it should be fine for us."

"They're tough. Plus, they got Levi with them so they should be fine. By the way, sorry for disobeying you, Mother. I knew you told me not to come here, but-"

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. You saved me, after all. Good job. I should be the one to apologize, though. You were having fun, weren't you?"

"Gah, don't worry about it, Mother." Mary shook her head, walking ahead through the void."It's that kid Raiden again. He was there. And man did he take me out for a spin. He's stronger than before. Much stronger. He and his little friends planned a coordinated attack that nearly got me sent to Null. Scary experience."

"Huh. So they damaged you enough for that to happen?" Baby noted, following close behind through the countless mirrors.

"As it turns out, there is a great cost at using these powers of ours." Mary wistfully commented."If we mess up, we..."

"It's just like that Angel said when it first appeared in front of me all those years ago, back when we were normal Elves"

"Right. The one that sent you on your merry way to this mission to revive the Antichrist. I know it's a little too late to be questioning things, all things considered, but...don't you think we're just being used? I mean, isn't it weird for an Angel to turn against God? And why give us these powers? Is it because we are most likely to follow since we resent humans?"

"I guess...that just means Angels aren't that different from us, both humans and elves. And as long as we can accomplish our goal to eradicate the world as we know it, being used doesn't really matter. We've already died once. Well, at least me, you, Levi, Licht, and the other three. Everyone in this world longs for everything to end at some point in their lives. That's what unifies every species. The concept of death."

"I like that idea." Mary chuckled to herself."What a fun life this is turning out to be. It's a shame that all good things must come to an end though. Next time I see Raiden I'll have to kill him. Then just wait for the inevitable to happen."

Baby snorted at her First Child's antics."By the way, I got sights on your future youngest sibling."

"Oh?"

"He'll come around soon enough. You'll like him. He's as ambitious as you are."

"Can't wait for me to pamper them with tons of love."


The battle against Vetto wasn't going as smoothly as anyone would have liked. Kiato, Luck, and Magna were down for the count. Abel was still unconscious, not showing any signs of waking up any time soon, leaving Asta as the sole line of defense.

"What's wrong, kid? Your buddies can't go on anymore?" Vetto smirked at Asta."Who would have thought that the brat with no magic would put up more of a fight than anyone else."

"Shut up! Don't talk like that about my friends!" Asta lunged at Vetto, blocking his Bear Claws with Demon Slayer.

"Friends? These weaklings? I guess trash like you would have low standards!" Vetto launched Asta across the area, making him crash against a wall."No magic trash. You're not good against attacks that have no magic, like this!"

Asta gasped when he saw a huge boulder coming his way. Jumping out of the hole in the wall, he barely avoided being squashed to death, but this only helped Vetto, who was already dashing towards him."Got you!"

Just then, Asta recalled the day Yuno and Raiden fought. He recalled when Johan had gotten upset at him, throwing him over his shoulder with such ease. He vividly remembered Johan's particular movement of his hips, grabbing Raiden's arm and using his weight against him when he went for a punch.

He clenched his teeth, planting his feet firmly on the ground. With his Ki-sensing abilities, he calculated the perfect time to counter when Vetto went for a punch. He moved his head at the last second, giving him his back and grabbing his arm. Using his strength combined with Vetto's momentum, Asta threw the beast man over his shoulder, slamming him on the ground beneath them.

"What?!" Vetto cried out, the attack damaging him more than he thought due to lowering his guard.

Asta quickly pulled out his Demon Dweller, but he wasn't fast enough. His injuries were slowing him down, and Vetto took advantage of this by grabbing him by the throat and lifting him.

"I have to admit, that was a good move. You caught me off guard. But your follow-up sucks. At this point, I think you should follow their example and just lay down. You can't beat me."

"I'm not done yet..." Asta growled under his breath, letting out a yelp when Vetto began applying pressure to his neck.

"Do you honestly believe that by having that mentality everything will work out in the end? That by "not giving up" you'll somehow win in the end? That arrogance leaves you wide open for attacks, even more so when you're as reckless as you are. But don't worry..."

Asta let out a silent scream, oxygen being deprived of him due to the tight grip Vetto had on his neck. He let go of his swords, focusing on trying to pry the beast man's hand open to no avail.

A black sword impaled Vetto on the arm, causing him to hiss in pain, letting go of Asta."You..."

In the far back of the cave, Abel stood, leaning against a wall using Hellbreaker to support his weight.

"A-Abel!" Asta cried out, rubbing his aching neck."You're okay!"

"What the heck is going on...?" Abel seemed perplexed, rubbing his head."I...don't understand. What happened, Asta? Who is this guy? What's going on?"

"What? You tell me. That weird guy with the skull for a face had you and threw you to us. He said he fought you. Don't you remember?"

"Of course, he doesn't remember." Vetto turned his hulking body towards Abel."Abel doesn't remember a lot of things. I'm glad to see you alive, though."

"Shut up." Abel closed his eyes, his head feeling like it was splitting open."I-I can't remember! What happened to me?!"

'Huh..guess Levi wasn't kidding. Good thing she's out cold.' Vetto glanced back to the hole where he had left Leviathan."Come now, Abel. Licht wants to see you. And your brother. Unlike Diana and her goons, we're not savages."

"You...hurt my friends!" Abel pointed at him accusingly."You hurt my friends!"

"They're not your friends, they're just human scum."

Abel's Grimoire began to shine, black smoke circling his left eye until a mask appeared, covering it. Taking a look at his Grimoire, he noticed a few new spells he had never seen before."What is this...? I don't...recall ever having these spells..."

'Attack him.'

"Huh?" Abel rose his head."Asta...did you...?"

"Attack him. He's pissing us off.'

Vetto narrowed his eyes, taking a stance."Guess I'll have to take you by force then."

'Rip him to shreds. He hurt your friends. Just let go.'

"ABEL!" Asta tried grabbing Vetto but was too late. Vetto charged directly at Abel, brandishing his Bear Claws.

'SLAUGHTER HIM!'

"I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU!" Abel screamed, aiming his arms at Vetto and concentrating his mana in his palms. A black sphere of Yin appeared in front of him."Yin Magic: Calamity Blaster!"

Vetto's eyes widened as he fell the full blast hit him head-on, launching him across the cave with an explosion of mana.

Abel fell on one knee, his mask crumbling into dust with his eyes returning to normal.

"Woah...that was awesome..." Asta breathed in shock.

"You guys! Are you okay?!"

Noelle and Kahono arrived at the scene, horrified at the sight of their fallen friends.

"Dad...Kiato..."

"Asta, Luck, Magna, Abel!"

Abel looked over to Noelle, his expression softening."Hey...Did you get a new friend? That's nice..."

"You look terrible." Noelle's expression showed concern."What happened?"

"This guy." Asta groaned, sitting up from his position."Well, Abel fought another one. It also turns out he has amnesia or something. He can't remember."

"Like moths to a flame, the weaklings continued to pile up." Vetto groaned, annoyed at more intervention."Well, that's fine with me. If you can entertain me, that is."

"I have to...help them..." Abel struggled for hair, his chest tightening."But that spell...whatever it was used a great amount of mana...I never used it before so it zapped almost everything from me. But it worked. If the girls can make an opening for me, I can take him out."

'These girls don't look like much, but Abel packs as punch, as expected.' Vetto made sure to keep an eye out for Abel.'But he looks exhausted. Whatever those creeps did to him must have done a number on him.'

Asta clenched the hilt of his sword upon noticing Vetto's attention elsewhere. Abel caught on, raising his arms and aiming at Vetto, waiting for his opportunity to attack. Vetto easily caught Asta, throwing him in Abel's direction before he had the chance to charge up his attack. Abel yelped when Asta's body crashed into him, knocking the wind out of him.

"Asta, Abel!" Noelle cried out in concern.

"Focus, Noelle. They'll be okay. I can heal them all." Kahono placed a hand on the girl's shoulder."But it's not like he'll just let me do it. We have to create an opening."

"Okay...but how?"

"I think I have an idea." Kahono turned to the side, noticing her brother slowly standing up."Kiato! How long do you plan on sleeping?!"

"I know, I know." Kiato groaned, helping himself up."He got me good. My jaw aches. If I hadn't softened the blow with my magic, he would have gotten my head!"

"Come on, this is nothing compared to our dream, right? If we can get through this, the rest should be easy."

"That's right. Our dream is to go to the surface and become idols." Kiato nodded to his sister."We can't let this guy ruin that for us. No way."

"Then you know what to do." Kahono smiled as she began to sing, Kiato following suit with his dance.

"We have to go help..." Asta moved off Abel, falling beside him.

"Hold on...that's a bad idea. You saw what that guy did, we stand no chance." Abel grabbed him by the ankle.

"But what if we-"

"Even if we jump him together we would all die." Abel narrowed his eyes."I have a plan. A last resort. But I'm going to need your full cooperation for this, Asta."

"Okay...I'm all ears."

Asta and Abel began discussing their plan while Kiato and Kahono fought off against Vetto.

"Combo Spell: Sea God Slash!"

Kahono's Song Magic enhanced Kiato's Dance Magic, engulfing his weapons with magic. Dancing with the tune, Kiato moved around smoothly, almost elegantly before heading straight for Vetto.

"Her mana is making his stronger." Vetto nodded, slightly surprised. Kiato swung his weapons, sending slashes of magic at Vetto."Bear Claws!"

Using his spell, Vetto bounced off the slashes, chuckling."You'll have to do better than tha-Huh?"

Blood caught his attention. His blood was on his shoulder. He continued blocking his attacks, but he was astonished to see some of them going through, making various cuts across his body.

"Okay, so that's what you gotta do." Abel finished telling Asta his intentions."Now, if you're really okay with doing it then-"

"Count me in. Everyone is fighting as hard as they can. If I don't do my best then what am I good for?"

"Okay...then let's get ready." Abel watched on as the fight continued.'Please, you two. Give us the moment that we need...'

"I have to say, I'm impressed." Vetto rubbed his chin."All this power from a little bird's song and a mouse running around. Your people are interesting."

"Glad you liked it!" Kiato clashed against Vetto before being thrown away by him. Doing a backflip in the air, Kiato stopped his momentum, a smirk on his face."This spell was created with our hard work and dedication. We served the Sea God, praying, singing, and dancing. Maybe to you surface people, it might seem mundane and boring, but we love it very much!"

'You're right, brother.' Kahono stared at her brother with pride.'We've offered up our songs to the Sea God and dance for him and our people. This spell...'

"...is our bond with our people!" Kiato sent two slashes as a diversion, jumping in the air while Vetto blocked them.

"What's up with everyone talking about gods lately?" Vetto blocked a direct attack with his forearm."First the anti-whatever and now this sea god? Pathetic!"

Before Kiato could retort, Vetto appeared in front of him, raising his gigantic arm. A second later, Kiato's leg had come off as if it were nothing. Punching him away, Vetto focused his attention on the incoming figure from above.

"YOU BASTARD!" Asta roared, fueled with rage, thrusting both of his swords forward.

"You're such a pest!" Vetto backhanded him away, nearly knocking him out."I'll deal with you later, brat."

"NO, YOU'RE FINISHED!" Abel's screamed, his left eye turning red for a mere second before firing his Calamity Blaster.

"So that's what you were up to, huh, Abel?" Vetto grinned from ear to ear."You were always cunning, planning strategies to up your chances. But you came too late!"

Vetto jumped in the air, easily avoiding Abel's attack before the boy collapsed on the floor due to not measuring the mana output right."Don't worry, I'm not killing you. You're very important to us. But the rest, I'm not so sure."

"I'm not so sure about you dodging this..." Abel gave him a sly smile, glancing over his shoulder.

Vetto's eyes widened in shock."What-"

"WE GOT YOU NOW!" Asta used his Demon Slayer to bat away the Calamity Blaster, but the attack was strong enough to send him rolling on the ground.

Vetto turned back to the attack, not able to dodge in the air, he readied his Rhinosarous Armor. The attack was successful, engulfing him in a black ball of energy that sent him towards the ceiling. Vetto grunted as his armor began cracking away.

A huge explosion went off, causing a cave-in which Vetto was launched into.

"Did they get him?" Noelle wondered, clutching her chest.

"BIG BROTHER!" Kahono rushed to where Kiato was, passing by the hole.

"Wait, don-"

A hand struck her in the neck, causing her to cough up blood after nearly crushing it. Vetto grabbed her by her ponytail, lifting her up.

"That attack just now was good." Vetto was covered in wounds but was still standing."Nearly had me there. Too bad you're too weak to pull something like that off, Abel."

"Damn it...we failed..." Abel tried getting back on his feet but only ended up eating dirt.

"You certainly did." Vetto frowned at the girl in his hands."You people have no right to talk about hopes and dreams. No. You don't deserve that privilege. What you deserve is utter despair by my hand. Abel, you probably don't understand it yet, but we're the only ones that have that right. Our people."

"Stop saying that...so casually..." Abel snapped, still on the floor."You've hurt our friends and you want to talk about having privileges over people?! You are just like that Mary woman from before! A psychopath!"

"Don't compare me to her." Vetto snarled."She kills for fun. I kill for a reason. My reason for breaking her neck and cutting off that kid's leg is because I want the Magic Stone, and you are in the way. Because you wanted to stop my ambitions, you ended up without the one thing you love."

"That's enough! Let her go!" Noelle finally made her move, aiming her wand at the beast man."If you don't, I'll-"

"You'll what, attack me?" Vetto chuckled in amusement."You saw all of these weaklings' attacks hit me and have no effect. What can you accomplish by yourself?"

"You want to find out? Try me."

"Okay." Vetto shrugged."If you can hit me before I tear her throat out, then you'll prove me wrong. If not, I'll just kill you all right here and now. Matter of fact, I won't even dodge or heal right now. I'm all yours. So go on...take aim, girl."

Quaking, Noelle tried leveling her wand to aim at Vetto directly, but found it incredibly hard due to her body shaking uncontrollably.'Come on...just remember what everyone taught you...But I'm so scared! If I miss, I'll hit Kahono instead!'

"Noelle, it's okay."

Noelle's eyes snapped open at the voice in her head."Kahono? But..."

"I'm using my magic to communicate with you. Believe in yourself, Noelle." Kahono glanced back at the silver-haired young royal with a pained smile."I believe you can do it because you're fighting to protect what's important to you. Your friends."

"My friends..." Noelle looked over to Abel and then Asta. Then to Luck then Magna and finally back to Kahono."You're right. I have to do this. Because I'm fighting for what's important to me!"

"What's this?" Vetto focused his attention on Noelle."Her magic is surging..."

"Do it, Noelle!" Abel cheered on with a confident smile."Show him what a royal can do!"

Noelle took firm steps forward, her magic erupting like a volcano and causing the temple to shake.

"What the hell? She's this strong? That's stronger than whatever these shrimps were! Don't tell me...you're a royal!"

"Took you long enough to notice! My name is Noelle Silva of the Black Bulls! For hurting my friends and comrades, I'll make you pay!"

"That explains it. You're from the most corrupt clan." Vetto said, tossing Kahono away."Very well! I changed my mind. I'll take your attack head on and show you how powerless you truly are!"

"I was going to do that whether you asked me or not! Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Roar!"

For the second time in the past five minutes, Vetto found himself gasping. He had expected a strong attack, not a literal dragon coming at him, almost as big as the cave itself.

'What the...I can't tank that!' Vetto tried jumping, but his legs were wounded, nearly causing him to lose his footing."Abel's attack...did hurt me after all?! No matter. Bear Claws!"

Although he stopped the attack momentarily, Vetto found himself overwhelmed, and soon enough, without an arm. The attack was strong enough to break through the cave into the outside, making its way into the ocean and disappearing.

"Holy..." Abel's jaw dropped to the ground, bewildered at Noelle's power."Noelle...were you...always this strong? You took his whole arm off"

"I...I'm not sure..." Noelle was equally if not more perplexed than he was."I didn't think I could do something like that."

"You've certainly done it now..." Vetto snickered, raising his head to reveal a third eye."You've drawn me out."

"His magic is increasing explosively!" Abel was terrified."But Noelle got a clean hit! He shouldn't be getting stronger!"

Using his now evolved Mythical Beast Magic, Vetto regrew his arm back as if it was never gone.

"No way!" Noelle cried out in shock."No healing magic is capable of something like that!"

"What happened to your resolve, insect?" Vetto readied his Grimoire to launch another spell.

"Crap, crap!" Abel forced his body to move in front of Noelle, clenching his sword as hard as he could."I'm...not letting you hurt my friend!"

"Abel! But you're hurt!"

"We're both pretty drained, aren't we?" Abel glanced back at her."But I can still fight. I'm not letting that guy anywhere near you. You're my precious friend. I've failed to protect everyone else...so if I can at least protect one...then..."

'Please, I need more strength!' Abel closed his eyes when he saw the spell coming at them.'Give me the strength to protect! Whatever it was, please! I had it before so please!'

"NOT YET!" Asta landed in front of them, returning the attack with his swords, saving their lives.

"Asta!" Both of them said in unison.

"Not yet...we are not finished yet." Asta huffed for air, giving Vetto a bloody smirk."We're not giving up. This is where we claim victory!"