Rinkah was walking with a pent up anger boiling inside her from David's words. Who did he think he was? Shrugging off death like it's nothing? 'One day…. He'll figure out one day what death will do to someone.' Rinkah thought to herself angrily.
"Rinkah, wait!" Pyra called as she and Mythra ran up to stop her. "Don't be like this, you know David didn't mean to get you angry."
"Yeah, chill out. We're all in the same boat you are, you know." Mythra said.
"You two talk so casually…. But need I remind you who you lost that day too? Rex? Your kids? So many of your friends too!?" Rinkah growled.
"Yes, yes, we know! And we know that it's nothing compared to the amount of friends you lost… but you weren't always the best at reading through emotions." Pyra said. "Especially with David. You didn't hear the tinge of pain in his voice?"
"Pain? What Pain?! There was no pain in his tone when he addressed me! He shrugs death off as if it's nothing because lo and behold, a revival method lays in wait! One day… he won't have that option. And when that day comes, I'd like to see how he approaches the topic of death." Rinkah growled.
"Yeah well, don't you think he's been through that already?" Mythra cut in.
"He doesn't act like it." Rinkah scoffed. "If he truly did, perhaps I would have sensed sympathy. But I didn't." Rinkah stated, clearly staying to her beliefs regarding the issue.
"Even so, what kind of ally, and friend, are you to get angry at him for his beliefs and storm away from it? You said it yourself. Every person is entitled to their beliefs and emotions." Pyra countered.
"...Tch. Don't use my own words against me." Rinkah growled. "Besides, it's not like him or any of them have seen people die and never come back…"
"They have." Mythra stated. "I recall them talking about one recently. Ace, Luffy's brother."
"...What…?" Rinkah asked.
"Yeah. Why do you think they're fighting this war? Why do you think they're staging this Raid at all?" Pyra asked.
"Even if it's to make Luffy King of the Pirates, they're doing this as well in Ace's honor." Mythra said. "It hurts them that he'll never come back. But they can't let their emotions come between them and winning this war."
"Just like you can't let their emotional blocks keep you from helping them. I wouldn't doubt that they'll come and give condolences for everything we went through after the fighting is done." Pyra said.
Rinkah closed her eyes, processing all the information she just received… before she turned around, and smiled. "I guess I misjudged them… Thanks, both of you." Rinkah said.
"You're welcome, Rinkah. Now let's go give them the help they need to push on to victory!" Pyra exclaimed.
"Yeah. Let's." Rinkah smiled as the trio rushed back to rendezvous with David and his team.
Meanwhile, Yamato's team was racing towards the castle Armory in the basement.
"We have to make it in time, we must!" Yamato said as Kanjuro's creation was heading right for the armory as well.
"We'll make it, don't worry. It's not over until we know this island's gonna blow up." Sam assured.
"I suspect that flaming monster currently carving a path of destruction down towards the armory has something to say about that." Double D pointed out.
"And it's probably 'y'all gonna die!', or something like that." Eddy said. "Yamato, Sam, you guys go on ahead. We're gonna try and slow this thing down."
"Don't burn yourselves." Sam smiled as he and Yamato raced ahead.
"That's what we have the neighborhood kids for!" Eddy called up to them before he turned to the others. "Alright, this thing's made of fire, so…Ed, start gurgling."
"Gotcha!" Ed saluted with a smile.
"Everyone else, no touchy the flame man." Eddy said. "We gotta keep it at bay with projectiles. Let's do this!"
Ed stood back as Eddy, Double D, Peacock and Ajna approached the flame monster.
"Whatever ya are, you're not making this island go kaboom!" Peacock said as she activated her Argus system's laser mode. "Argus Agony!" she said, firing lasers into the creation, but it didn't stop. "Dang, my Z-Rays dont do a thing to it!"
"Let's see if Ki works! Sockhead, Double Masenko!" Eddy said.
"Of course!" Double D nodded as the two took position and aimed at the monster. "Multi-Masenko!"
The two blasts merged into one and flew towards the creature, only to pass right through it.
"Oh heavens! The creature is intangible!" Double D realized.
"And that means even I cannot stop it if it is a ghost!" Ed said through his gurgling.
"Here, let me try!" Ajna said, closing her eyes and focusing before doing a few wave motions with her hands to try and manipulate any possible iddhi within the creature. However, as it was a creature made from the Kurozumi's unending hatred, her attempt had no effect on the beast. "So much hatred…"
"Kaz…enb…o." the flame cracked out. "Des…tro…y. Ven…gea…nce. Kur…ozu…mi." it said as it went on ahead.
"Kurozumi?" Ajna asked. "Was Kanjuro a part of that? And who's Kazenbo?"
"Kazenbo must be the name of this monstrosity." Double D hypothesized.
"Darn it, if only Thorani was here, she would be able to sooth this creature's hatred." Ajna said.
"We just gotta hope Yamato and Sam make it to the armory before that thing does." Peacock said.
"We can't just give up!" Eddy said. "C'mon, we're following it!"
"Eddy, we can't hurt-" Double D started.
"Shut it, Sockhead!" Eddy said loudly. "We don't give up, and we don't run away! Didja forget about who we decided to be like?!"
Double D was silent for a moment before he nodded his head. "Alright. I suppose we'll find a weakness. Tallyho, ladies and gentlemen!"
Outside the Skull Dome, the 502nd, Wings of Cosmos and Byleth vs Adrebil….
Adrebil merely dusted off his shoulder after being knocked back, only having light scratches on his armor as he stood before the exhausted mercenaries.
"Dammit… how tough is this guy?!" Tab said in tired annoyance.
"He's a Shadow Knight, of course he'd be tough." Aster pointed out between his pantiting.
"Not…tough enough!" Draco said with fire in his eyes, though even he was feeling the length of the battle.
"You are barely able to stand." Adrebil said.
"Doesn't mean… I can't fight." Draco said as he took shaking steps towards the Stoic Dragoon. "You think you're scary? That this Tormal is so powerful? No…I've looked into the eyes of pure evil…and your master is nothing compared to that. And those eyes don't scare me anymore."
"Hmm. Your spirit is admirable." Adrebil said.
"It's more…than admirable." Draco said as he brought out his Cosmos Flames once more. Then, before the eyes of the Shadow Knight, the flames darkened, becoming black. "It is…manifest! Cosmos Flame: Star Crash!"
The mutated Skyian launched black flames towards Adrebil, who feinted into the air before diving back down.
"You infused Armament Haki into the flames." Adrebil stated. "Impressive, but it would not do much for you."
"Well…damn." Draco said before his weariness took him down to one knee.
"Enemy is too powerful." Storm rattled off. "Exit strategy not possible. Only possible chance of survival is reinforcement. None expected."
Adrebil merely looked at them before turning away. "Go." he said. "Your comrades may need your help." he added before disappearing.
"...Well that waz unexpected." FG said.
"He may be under Tormal's control, but…something within the Stoic Dragoon runs deeper than that man can conceal." Senshi guessed.
Storm got on the comm. "Spade Neptune, this is Storm of the 502nd. Adrebil remains undefeated. Mission failure. However, he showed signs of retaining honor. He showed us mercy. Explanation?"
"He always showed honor as many who hold the power of the Dragoon do. You all did what you could, there is always another chance." Spade said.
"Zorry we couldn't free him. He'z pretty ztrong." FG said.
"Speaking of strong, we should probably keep moving." Tab pointed out. "Not that I don't have faith in that Liu guy, but the further away Byleth is from Shez, the better."
"Affirma…right." Storm said, shaking off his soldier mindset. "Let's keep moving."
Speaking of Richard and Shez…
"Ha!" Dimitri roared, thrusting forward with Areadbhar towards Shez.
"Nrgh…!" Shez grunted, before he was then struck with an overhead blow from Edelgard, which knocked him back further, as he was forced to use one of his blades to cut down the arrows before him.
"Release our classmate at once!" Dimitri said.
"This body belongs to me, and it will always be as long as the Ashen Demon exists in this reality!" Arval spoke from inside Shez as he clashed with Dimitri.
"That is not your choice to make!" Edelgard exclaimed, before her axe glinted, before she then launched a series of crushing blows that broke through Shez's guard, rendering him unable to block, as the other two lords continued to attack him, wearing him down.
"You know, it would be easier if you just gave up." Claude advised Shez. "I still really don't know what kind of hocus-pocus you run with, but if you can't pull any tricks to turn the tide, you're still going to be in a tight spot."
"Argh… I'm wasting time fighting with these lords… My primary concern is the Ashen Demon!" Arval declared, before Shez then immediately disengaged, causing Richard to react notably to the action. "I waste my time fighting over those who fancy themselves sovereigns, ruling over that abomination's wretched spawn."
Shez then warped away, as Richard turned to the lords. "Don't worry, he won't get far." He assured them, before he then entered a sukima.
Almost at the same time, the two of them found themselves right before Byleth's group, as Shez seemed to have found a stroke of luck in warping by his instincts alone.
"Ah, it seems that I am fortunate…" Arval remarked, as a cruel smirk appeared on Shez's lips, causing Byleth to instinctively draw her blade. "Oh… how I have long waited for this day…"
"Dammit, how'd he find us?!" Tab asked.
"It matters not, now that I have you right where I want you… I'll-" Arval stated, before Richard then seized Shez from behind, right by the neck, as the surprising show of strength sent Shez right through a sukima, which brought them back to where the lords are. "Damn you! Why must you interfere!?"
"You're not leaving until the lords have got their share of their beatings on you." Richard answered back. "Don't even bother warping. You might have that kind of technique, but I can trace you just as easily, and I will drag you back as many times as is needed."
Shez was then assaulted by the three lords again, as he was starting to tire out, as his aura and glow was fading quickly away.
"Incredible. You managed to counteract his Shadowflash technique?" Dimitri asked Richard.
"All I need to do here is to interfere to stop him from running." Richard stated, before locking eyes with Shez, as there was a sense of tranquil fury behind it."You would be smart to take your chances against the lords, 'Arval'. I'm not so soft as to give you the slightest chance to walk away. Be fortunate I want you alive."
"Alive? I don't get you. Why do you care about this guy? You aren't even from the same world as him." Arval said.
"For us…he is our classmate. To know you were puppeteering him…it makes us sick knowing he may not have always been the same...so we'll put our lives on the line to save him." Dimitri said.
"Heh…don't you get it? Your friend is…" Arval said before raising a blade before looking in shock to see the attacker was Adrebil. "What are you doing? We're on the same side!"
"Maybe so, but I find this act of yours dishonorable." Adrebil said before looking to Richard and the three lords. "Do what you must if you wish to save your friend."
"We thank you…however…you are not escaping either. We owe a debt to the alliance as well for saving our lands…so bringing back a friend of theirs would suffice." Dimitri said.
"Unfortunately it is not yet time." Adrebil said before knocking out Shez. But before he could vanish, a dark spike pierced through his side.
"You…how dare you…" a voice said as something began forming as it left Shez's body. "I was so close…to my revenge…and you ruined it!"
"By the goddess…." Edelgard said as forming in front of them was a being of white with red lines around his body.
The being removed the spike as Adrebil collapsed as the crystal formed next to him. "Damn…I underestimated him…" He groaned as the Merc Association picked him up.
"Get him to the reindeer. Don't you dare let him die." Claude said.
"Wasn't planning to." Storm said. "Good luck with this…whatever this is." he said as the mercenaires made a swift exit.
"So you finally show yourself." Richard stated, before a cold smile appeared on his lips. "Epimenides, the 12th leader of Those Who Slither in the Dark.'
"So you really do know who I am. Yes. That's right. Arval was the name of the being that inhabited this boy…but that being exists no longer. I am now whole!" he said.
"Alright, what is going on here? I'm starting to feel uneasy about all of this." Claude stated.
"It means that from the very start, Epimenides decided to forgo patience, and go for brutality. That is how the mass betrayal happened." Richard responded back. "I do not know what means he used to achieve this… but at the same time, I could not care less."
"It helps that this boy has a grudge against the Ashen Demon. It worked everything out perfectly. Or at least…it was supposed to." Epimenides responded back.
"How could that be possible…?" Dimitri asked back.
"Because two years ago, Shez belonged to a certain mercenary pack that runs under the legend known as Captain Berling." Richard stated. "To Shez, they were the closest family they had, ever since he lost his original, and you know what that means…?"
"And seeing as how Shez was hunting down the Ashen Demon all that time, I'm pretty sure you all could tell how their little skirmish went." Epimenides said.
"They were…all wiped out, save for him." Edelgard said.
"I could only survive by allowing Arval, a being forged from my soul, to reside within him while I waited to be reborn. But things took an interesting turn when during the two years…I met the Demon Lord Zenos Road. He sped up my revival and in exchange, he wanted the powers of all of Fodlan and beyond. So I wormed my way into all three armies and quickly took over all three territories. All was perfect…until you three and that idiot alliance went and undid my work by freeing all the powerful soldiers." Epimenides said.
"You really just expected us to sit back while you took over? Not happening." Claude said.
"Well…the night isn't over yet. I can easily dispatch you all and re-establish my rule." Epimenides said.
(Cue: The Edge of Dawn (Warriors Version)- Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes)
"That won't happen. We won't let you restart all the chaos you caused to Fodlan." Edelgard said.
"Your schemes end here and now, Epimenides." Dimitri said. "And then we shall carve a new way to the future."
"Everyone has a freedom of choice. Even us. We won't be slaves to your fate anymore." Claude said.
"Then by all means. Come and try to sever yourselves from fate itself!" Epimenides called, attacking them with dark spikes.
Edelgard smashed the spikes with Aymr, Dimitri then striking the god with Areadbhar, as Claude reinforced them with Failnaught.
"You should've stayed on the course I built for you. All your goals would have been realized! The Church, demolished! Vengeance, realized! Leicester, united as one!" Epimenides said as he blasted dark magic at them.
"And for what?" Richard asked back, snapping his fingers, as Epimenides was assaulted from multiple angles by fireballs from the ground. "To take that away when the Agarthans choose to rise back up? I once thought that you were different from the others, that at least you had some decency left in you. But I was wrong. Your ugly nature showed itself to me… and someone I held dearly had to pay the price for it."
"I see…you were friends with that reality's Shez. A shame both Shez's had to share the same fate." Epimenides said.
"Yeah…that's where you're wrong." a voice called out as the being looked in shock as Shez slowly started to rise up. "Looks like…we finally got each other free of our masters, Adrebil. I'll have to buy him a drink…after I finish with this."
"What is even the purpose of your revenge? What will you do after your revenge is realized?" Richard questioned further, as he fired a beam of thunder that sent Epimenides flying back. "When all of the Nabeteans gone? When Sothis is finally forgotten in the annals of history, never to be resurrected? What will the Agarthans do then, Epimenides, did you ever question that?"
"So what about them? All they want is the church gone. I just want Sothis gone. I could care less what they desire." Epimenides said.
"Then let me turn the question around." Richard stated, as his voice takes a darker tone. "If Sothis were to perish, what would you do then? Would you quietly fade into the abyss with satisfaction, or would you wander without an aim?
"...You know, Zenos Road asked me that same question." Epimenides said in a softer tone, which left Richard waiting for the answer. "When I found I couldn't answer that question, he offered an answer: If I were opposed to a saint…that would make me a demon, wouldn't it? Yes…that's what I'll be. Epimenides…the Demon Lord of Fodlan, a vassal world of Zenos Road."
Richard was left silent, as his expression did not move the slightest.
"You really expect us to buy that?" Shez asked. "You are right about one thing. There really may have been a time where all I could think about was revenge against the Ashen Demon… but that means nothing now. I just wanna be stronger, that's all. But you changed too along with me."
"What are you talking about?" Epimenides asked.
"If you really wanted to be a demon, you wouldn't have made sure to keep my body safe. Nor would you have lashed out in anger at that knight to try and avenge me." Shez said as he slowly approached.
"And are you willing to forsake what people admire about you?" Richard asked again. "I will not sweeten my words. You may be hated, but you have the potential to change how people see you. Even at this point, I still wish to make you step off this path of self-destruction. Shez wasn't the only one I was trying to save, I was trying to save you, even though I had every reason to destroy you. That is how much I'm willing to believe that there is a shred of 'Arval' in you."
"That's ridiculous. Arval wasn't even truly real. I only did what benefited me…didn't I?" Epimenides said, as his voice betrayed some conflict in it.
"Arval is not real, yes… but what you used to make him, was no doubt real. You can't deny that." Richard shook his head. "I know Arval far better than this Shez knew. He actually asked me a question as well, indicating that he had doubts on the path you both took. 'What would you have done, if I was a shard of someone truly hated, someone who must die?'. I answered back that I would do my best to save what is left of him, and failing that, grant a merciful death to let that memory of him remain untainted. Consider those words, Epimenides."
"I've heard enough of this!" Epimenides said, trying to attack with darkness from his right arm, only for his left to grab it and aim upward. "What is this?!"
"The guy isn't too far off. You really think you can kill us…after all the time we've had each other?" Shez asked.
"You're just a failure. You couldn't kill the Ashen Demon. Don't you want to avenge them?" Epimenides asked.
"I could…but I won't. I'll just get stronger…so what happened with them that day won't happen with anyone else." Shez said.
"How dare…." Epimenides said as it seemed like he was almost splitting in two as he struggled with two sides of himself. The self proclaimed demon, Epimenides and the friend of Shez, Arval.
"You will not harm Shez!" Arval exclaimed, as his eyes had a tint of yellow in them..
"This is impossible. I absorbed you. You shouldn't be…" Epimenides said in shock.
"I thought that I could simply accept what was to come… But now that I have heard that man's words… I cannot accept this outcome any longer." Arval responded back. "I may be a creation of yours… but my desires and emotions are real! I yearn to see the better world that the sovereigns would bring together with such unified wills!"
"Your wish is our command. Let's put this to an end!" Shez declared.
"Damn you… damn you all! The only lives that will be ending are yours… along with every single one on this island!" Epimenides said blasting a huge beam of Dark Magic right at them.
"As one, together!" Dimitri said.
"Take your final bow!" Claude said, firing a big shot from Failnaught that pierced through the dark magic blast and going right through Epimenides.
"Haaa!" Edelgard and Dimitri called out as they brought their weapons down, splitting the two beings from each other, being identical in all except eye color.
"You've screwed with so many lives in my body…so you deserve every bit of this!" Shez said as he slashed Epimenides at multiple angles and diced him up.
"You fool…I cannot be killed so easily!" Epimenides said.
"Maybe not by me…but that guy definitely has a bone to pick." Shez said, pointing to Richard.
"It doesn't matter if you finish me…those who Slither in the Dark will never truly fade from that world." Epimenides said.
"That's why we will do our best to ensure that they will remain under until the end of time." Richard responded back, before he then pulled out a tome. "I know of your magical defenses… but the spell I have in mind, nothing can block that."
"No… you can't be talking about…!" Epimenides realized.
"That's right, a little trick that was used by one of your own, Myson." Richard stated, as dark energy began to swarm around Richard. "No matter how powerful you are, this spell claims the life of those hit by it in mere moments. The ultimate dark spell… Bohr Χ."
The swarm of dark energy then split off from Richard, before they then swarmed around Epimenides, covering him in a dark sphere that began to crack with white energy, before it then exploded, causing Epimenides to fall to the ground, as he began to fade.
"Damn you, Richard Liu…." Epimenides said. "Dont assume this means you've altered the course of Fodlan for good…as long as those three continue to rule…the hands of fate will bring it to ruin every single time." he growled before completely fading away.
"...Not if a new path is drawn. As easily as humanity fails… they can as easily succeed in making a brighter future." Richard muttered. "Farewell, Epimenides… the cycle will move on."
Arval began to look around, as he expected any other nasty tricks, before letting out a gentle sigh of relief.
"It's… over." Arval stated.
"Yeah…it sure is." Shez said as he stood next to him. "I'm glad to see you're back…Arval."
"I'm relieved…you are alive…Shez." Arval said, with a genuine smile.
Shez then turned to the three rulers. "Hey, so, now that I've got the time to say this…I know I wasn't in control but…that doesn't excuse my actions against all of you so…" Shez said as he bowed to the ground. "I'm sorry…for everything."
"Ah, don't sweat it, buddy. We're just happy to have you back." Claude said.
"And we forgive you. We even forgive ourselves, for allowing chaos to run rampant in Fodlan." Edelgard said. "After this Raid is over, we'll be working to ensure our Fodlan is moved towards peace, with better solutions for each one of our territories."
Richard merely nodded in agreement, before turning to Arval. "And what will you do now with that new-found freedom of yours, Arval?"
"...I do not know myself." Arval shook his head. "Now that I have no more reason to chase after the Ashen Demon, or Sothis… I believe that I will merely stand by Shez's side, and spend the rest of my days seeing if I can help to ensure the world's balance is not disturbed."
"A few seconds after your independence, and you're making such grand ambitions." Richard smiled. "But I don't mind. You might be the first of a new generation of Agarthans… who would have forsaken their vengeance against the Nabateans, for co-existence. Perhaps one day, the magic of the Nabeteans and the technology of the Agarthans could exist together… even mingle."
"Huh. An interesting prediction." Sothis said to Byleth from inside her. "I wonder if it'll turn out to be true? Guess I'll have to find out for myself, once things here are over."
"Yes…" Byleth said as she looked at the scene from afar, as a faint trace of a smile graced her face.
The Mercs continued to run as Adrebil let out a bit of a laugh.
"So…why did you rebel like that? You guys are supposed to be 100% obedient right?" Storm asked.
"I could not help it. Seeing that scene…reminded me of better days." Adrebil said. "Plus…that may have just started a new wave that'll change the fates of everyone here."
Epimenides: Defeated
Winners: Richard, Shez, Dimitri, Edelgard and Claude
"If you don't mind, I'm going to take a bow out of this. I trust that the rest of my group has things handled elsewhere." Richard stated, before turning to Shez. "Oh, and Shez?"
"Yeah?" Shez asked back, before Richard then tossed a golden whistle towards him, which Shez caught. "...Huh? This is…?"
"A golden Merc Whistle. I know how precious this is to mercs like you." Richard stated. "To be honest, this was the Merc Whistle that my Shez made, before she passed away from wounds during the final battle to unite Fodlan. In it, is her hopes and dreams. Might be selfish of me to give it away like this… but I know that I chose the right person. For your sake and for her sake, live on, Shez. The world needs more determined people with the right mindset like you and me."
"I will." Shez nodded back, as Richard disappeared through a sukima.
"Hmm…seems I've lost connection with Adrebil…even though I asked him to retreat." Tormal grumbled.
"Epimenides has been annihilated as well. And Sentibug and Verde Oz-Borne have been sent to a random world." Zenos Road said. "It seems our time here is about to come to an end."
"Indeed. Your armies have been turned by that Dark Elf beast tamer and are looking for us. When they find us, they'll bring us to the leaders." Tormal said. "Not like we cannot take them. Well…I can take them, anyway."
"You are indeed strong. But let's remember, Nedris is your only remaining Shadow Knight. Though you have that other woman." Zenos Road said.
"True. But let's remember that there are still two Emperors fighting right now. Those two are almost as monstrous as we are." Tormal said.
"I know the heroes. They're tenacious. They won't easily give up. Knowing them, they'll win from the jaws of defeat." Zenos said.
"Possibly but I still…." Tormal said before the sliding doors creaked open. "Someone's here!"
"It's my army, no doubt." Zenos said calmly.
"I'll take care of it." Tormal said as he approached the doors before sliding them open. "Huh?" he said, seeing no one there. "There's no one there."
"I wouldn't be too sure." Zenos said, his eyes drifting to a particular spot. "I can tell…we're not alone."
Tormal approached it with caution, pulling back a closet. He growled as he was holding Meowth.
"Okay. I give! I give! Don't kill me!" Meowth said.
"This is one of those creatures of that Team Ginhana Sky." Tormal said.
"So it is." Zenos said, his artificial body turning to look the Pokémon in the eyes. "I take it you were scouting ahead? Making sure we were still here? And the others are on their way?"
"Uh…hahaha so you think you have me figured out, huh, demon lord." Meowth said proudly. "(Can't let them figure out I was just scouting for treasure alone.)" he thought.
"Allow me to dispose of this pest for us." Tormal offered.
"No. I wish to have a word." Zenos spoke up. "A few messages I wish to convey. First, to the Fatebreakers: though poor Epimenides failed, I will still find my fourth. Then, to the residents of Fodlan: you'd need not worry about Those who Slither in the Dark any longer. I have what I wanted from them, and have disposed of what's left."
"Uh…okay?" Meowth said nervously.
"Third, to Ainz Ooal Gown: both of our worlds are S-Class, so it's quite possible we are equal in power…but he will always be Suzuki Satoru. He'll understand what that means. And finally, one final message to all who will listen: Gaeabrande is mine. Though my body is gone, my pride as a Demon Lord shall never be broken. I will fulfill my duty to the United Demonic Realm, and the Fallen Goddesses. Tell them all that. That is all."
"And Fallen Goddesses. Do you want me to add a classic "mwa ha ha" or just say…"don't even try to face us, you foolish heroes."?" Meowth said as he wrote all this down.
"No, no, that's not necessary." Zenos said. "Tormal, release him."
Tormal did so, dropping the cat-like Pokémon to the ground.
"Off with you now, treasure hunter." Zenos said. "And do not expect this kind of mercy from me again should you attempt to face me in the future."
"I am in your debt, great Demon Head." Meowth bowed as he scampered off.
"Hopefully he's the only pest that will bother us tonight." Tormal said. "All I need to do is wait for Nedris to return before I can decide to leave or not."
"Then let us hope she hurries back. For now…" Zenos said, as a black portal opened in the room, Eraser Kaiser emerging from it. "...our means of escape has arrived."
"My lord, I've been watching the battle." Eraser said. "So Shez's puppet master has failed."
"A regrettable outcome, but we mustn't let that stop us." Zenos said. "After all…the battle is nearing its climax. One way or another… this day will mark the end of an era."
The three of them waited there, unaware of a hidden figure hiding in the shadows.
Elsewhere, Nedris continued to run through the castle halls.
"Great…lost again. This castle is too big." Nedris said. "I need to reach master Tormal before things get anymore out of control." she said.
As she ran down the hall, her eyes met the eyes of another as standing on the other end was Tanjiro as both looked at one another.