Even further away, first floor of the mansion
Fudou, Mandock, River and Kevin were trapped in a corridor as Creed's Shooting Star squad fired at them from around the corner in the corridor that led to the stairs down to the front door. Mandock carried Kevin over one shoulder and Fudou held River up against him as they peered around the corner grimly.
There was no break in the bullets, and Fudou knew there was no way they could fight their way through with River so injured and Kevin still out and barely hanging on to life. They were so close to the doors and freedom… but it may as well have been a thousand miles given the chance they had.
"Damn." Fudou swore. "They're pinning us here."
"And we need to get these two out of here quickly." Mandock agreed, the pair weighing up their admittedly limited options.
Suddenly, there was a swirl of what appeared to be pale gold fabric, but it cut right through the shooting star's rifles, rendering the weapons useless.
"What?!" The soldiers gaped at the new man (or was it a girl? The feminine features and long hair momentarily confused them) who had appeared at the end of the corridor and was swinging around the length of fabric.
"Who are you?!"
But Xiao Li ignored the soldiers as he called quite calmly, "It's all right, you can get through now, Mr. Fudou and Mr. Mandock."
The sweepers started in surprise and they too stared at the stranger as Xiao Li smiled.
"I'll take over from here."
The Shooting Star Squad fired at the Number, but Xiao Li coolly maneuvered his Seiren, a mantle woven together with Orihalcon wires and his Number X weapon and shield. The bullets ricocheted off the weapon, and Xiao Li's smile became condescending as the Shooting Star Squad panicked.
Meanwhile, the sweepers were puzzled and Mandock muttered, "Who… the heck is he?"
"Mr. Fudou, Mr. Mandock." Xiao Li called again calmly. "Leave everything here to me and hurry down the stairs. Everything will be fine. They won't lay a hand on you."
Xiao Li finally glanced back at the sweepers he had gathered to be bait for the Numbers. Although they were just bait… he didn't intend to let them die. And he knew the only way the sweepers could escape was if the Shooting Star Squad was too wrapped up in fighting him to pay them any attention.
As expected, the Shooting Star Squad came charging at the new, greater threat, and Xiao Li swept Seiren at them. The Orihalcon cut right through the weak points in the soldiers' armour, bringing several of them down.
"Now, Mr. Fudou, Mr. Mandock!" Xiao Li yelled, and the sweepers darted out.
"Many thanks!" Fudou called as he carried River on his back to speedily rush away from the fighting, Mandock right behind him as he carried Kevin.
"How...does he know our names?" River wondered as he glanced back at Xiao Li. "Could he be…?"
As the sweepers rushed down the stairs, several of the Shooting Star Squad turned, aiming after the escaping sweepers. Xiao Li rushed forward, a smirk on his face as he called, "I said not to lay a hand on them, didn't I-?!"
Xiao Li stopped in his tracks as he saw silvery threads appear in his path, and he glanced to the side as the Shooting Star Squad were all cut up and brought down by the Orihalcon wires that had appeared out of seemingly nowhere.
Xiao Li knew better and he looked in surprise as Jenos strolled over, his Excelion retracting its wires as he called casually.
"I've been following you. That was awfully cold of you, Xiao, running off ahead of me like that."
"Jenos..." Xiao Li greeted and Jenos playfully scolded, "Seph-nee told us to get rid of all the goons within the mansion as a team, didn't she?"
"Did she…?" Xiao Li reflected. "I suppose I only paid attention when she told Lia to go alone."
"Ah yes." Jenos mused. "Most likely to distract Black Cat, I should think."
"Or to force them to fact their pasts."
Jenos glanced at Xiao Li shrewdly, but Xiao Li just continued calmly, "I've done my research, and Lia talks in her sleep sometimes."
"Hm… she must trust you greatly to do so." Jenos noted and Xiao Li's lips curved into a smirk.
"Jealous, onii-san?" Xiao Li teased and Jenos narrowed his eyes playfully.
"Careful, boy." Jenos warned lightly, though the gleam in his brown eyes betrayed the seriousness of his threat. "I like you enough, but it's still my little sister you're sleeping with. You hurt her, and I promise you'll wish death would come quicker."
He winked, but the playful gesture was only more threatening with the VII weapon gleaming on Jenos's hand. Xiao Li chuckled.
"Don't worry, Jenos." Xiao Li answered as he started forwards once more. "I do believe I am the one about to be kicked to the curb."
"You really think Lia will forgive Heartnet so easily?" Jenos asked and Xiao Li shook his head.
"I think he'll chase her enough." Xiao Li corrected, his expression turning pensive.
"His look when he arrived at 'Glin's' house was changed; he's more determined, more focused. And we both know that Lia's heart has always been Heartnet's, whether she wanted it to be or not. Ultimately, there will be no choice for either of them."
"Don't I know it." Jenos sighed before he looked ahead to where, somewhere deeper in the mansion, he had no doubt his sister was falling in love with Train Heartnet all over again.
"Ungrateful brat."
Second floor of the mansion
Lia's eyes flashed as she cut through another squadron of Creed's soldiers.
'Is there no end to these mindless buffoons?' She wondered as she made her way across the corridor.
She had lost Train and Eve when they'd returned from the warp world, but she had shoved all thoughts of that matter aside for now. She needed to focus, to make sure she provided enough of a distraction. That was the job she'd been assigned; the problem was she was becoming as distracted as she was supposed to make Train.
'Damn it, Sephiria.' Lia thought to herself as she reached the end of the corridor. 'What were you thinking when you gave me this job?'
She reached the end of the corridor and just as she was about to turn the corner, she sensed the human presence on the other side. She whirled her Elysium around at the same time that a familiar decorated handgun appeared in her face. Lia and Train faced each other in surprise, gun and scythe inches away from the other's face and neck respectively.
"Jules?" Train asked, dropping his gun immediately.
Lia hated how the affectionate name dropped so easily from his lips. And hated herself more for how her bleeding, shredded remains of a heart leapt at hearing it again. 'I'm a damned fool.'
"So, you're alive." Lia muttered, her Elysium still hovering near Train's neck as if she were debating slicing his head off. He didn't seem at all bothered by this, to her annoyance.
Lia glanced around Train and she raised a brow.
"I see you've met up with your partner," she began as she noted Sven Vollfied reunited with Eve and Train once more. "But who's the monkey?"
She nodded at Eites, also in Train's company. The monkey was dressed in loose pants and a robe, and walked on his hind legs like a human. Something about him repulsed her, a feeling that was only deepened when Eites screeched indignantly.
"Monkey-?!"
"Shut up." Train barked, and instantly Eites was grovelling on his knees.
"Please forgive me, Master! What I meant was, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you my lady! My name is Eites, at your service!"
The monkey swept Lia a deep bow, and she cocked her brow even higher.
"An Apostle of the Star?" She asked and Train nodded.
"We can explain later, but right now he's leading us to Creed."
This time, both of Lia's brows lifted.
"Is that right?"
She looked at Eites, who had plastered on the fakest, brightest smile he could. Lia shrugged carelessly after a moment, apparently convinced… at least, so Eites thought.
"Do you want to join us?" Sven offered and Lia glanced over the group skeptically.
"You're sweepers." She pointed out, and Sven smiled.
"As long as you don't kill anyone-"
He began but Lia brushed passed him.
"That's not how Numbers work. Sorry." She replied shortly over her shoulder, knowing inside that this was what would get Train to keep following her.
Sven watched Eve watch Train grimace while Eites watched Lia curiously. The human-like monkey wasn't too familiar with the Chronos Numbers, and only knew of the two or three Creed had mentioned in passing, none of whom appeared to be this woman. This surprised him as Eites thought it was strange that, given Creed's obsession with Black Cat, the leader of the Apostles had never mentioned a 'Jules' before.
Sven meanwhile was examining the scene curiously. Train and Eve had briefed him on what had happened in the warp world although Sven could tell Train had edited heavily about what he had experienced. Still, it was clear from the way Train spoke and the look in his eyes that something had been changed in Sven's friend. There was no longer any hint of confusion or caution but a steely protectiveness and firm self-assurance that Sven had never expected to ever see in the younger man.
"Jules, wait-"
Train was saying as he moved after Lia… when a body came flying right in front of Lia's path from a side corridor, crashing into the wall just beside them and cutting off their path.
The whole group stopped to stare as the Shooting Star Squad soldier collapsed, leaving a dent in the wall from the force with which he had smashed into it. Lia looked down at the man's badly beaten and bruised body as Train and the rest of his group hurried up behind her as well.
"Ah!"
A familiar voice called from around the corner.
"What a pleasant surprise, Hazard - you're still alive."
The group all looked around the corner to see Baldor and Kranz standing in the middle of a pile of beaten and crushed bodies.
"Oh, what's this?" Baldor smirked when he saw Lia's companions. "I thought it was just my best friend, Lia… but it looks as if you're here following us as well, Heartnet."
"Baldor..." Train said, surprised to see the other Numbers.
He glanced at Lia, whose lips had thinned in displeasure as soon as she saw her supposed teammates.
"Ha!" Baldor barked a laugh. "Looks like Lia actually managed to do a good job!"
"Baldor..." Lia growled in warning.
But he ignored her as he revealed to Train, "It looks like Sephiria will have caught up to Creed first. As planned."
"What?" Train asked, looking from Lia to Baldor.
Lia wasn't looking at him but Baldor was all too happy to explain.
"We really should thank you, Heartnet." Baldor smirked. "If it weren't for you and your hapless team, we wouldn't have been able to make it here unnoticed… although it was much less fun at the same time."
"What did you say?" Sven gaped. "Then the whole sweeper alliance was gathered so you could get onto the island unnoticed?!"
"Yes, that's exactly correct." Kranz replied coolly.
"Thanks to you guys diverting the Apostles of the Stars' attention, we were easily able to infiltrate the island." Baldor added smugly. "And you never suspected anything - not that you could, while your attention was focused on dear Lia."
"Is that true?" Sven asked Lia, looking at her.
Train too, was looking at the blue-haired woman but she didn't look at them as she answered evenly, "Of course."
Finally, apparently with some effort, she turned her head to meet their gazes steadily with her own.
"You didn't think I'd really come here alone, did you?"
None of the trio responded. In truth, Eve hadn't really thought about it with her lack of experience while Sven and Train had, indeed, assumed that Lia had been sent on ahead when she never mentioned any companions with her. Train had suspected that Jenos at least might be on the island somewhere but even he hadn't thought that Sephiria herself had orchestrated the alliance to sneak her entire available team onto the island.
'I thought that Glin guy was awfully suspicious...' Train thought to himself grimly as he stared at Lia silently. 'But to think he was actually No. X… and that the whole thing was a set up to be a distraction for Sephiria...'
"How many of the Chronos Numbers have come to the island?" Train asked finally, and Baldor laughed.
"I have no obligation to tell you that!" He chuckled but he was interrupted when Lia spoke.
"Six, including myself."
Baldor glared at Lia irritably while Sven and Train looked at the blue-haired woman once more in surprise. Lia was no longer looking at them, but glaring back at Baldor with equal dislike.
"Hey, now-" Baldor began irately but Lia cut him off again.
"Just so we're clear - I hate how you think you're superior to us when you've never even beaten either of us in a fight."
Baldor's eyes narrowed and his expression darkened but Lia had already turned away from him to look at Train.
"It doesn't matter if we tell you that six or all of the Numbers are on this island - you won't get a chance to get Creed before Sephiria does."
Train frowned while Sven asked in a puzzled tone, "And you're okay with that?"
Lia just gave him a bland look that answered that question. Sven realized that he had always just assumed that, like Train, Lia would be fixated on revenge for everything Creed had done to her and those she had held close. But it seemed the young woman had been broken for so long, she no longer felt the same way that regular people did.
Sven was broken from his thoughts when Baldor suddenly seemed to notice something behind their group. The Number stepped forward and he called, "You still alive?"
The group glanced back in surprise, wondering who Baldor was talking to before they realized it was the Shooting Star Squad soldier Baldor had bashed earlier. The man was twitching slightly as he regained consciousness, something that Train and his friends had been aware of in case there should be any danger.
But they hadn't expected Baldor to now step up with a cruel smirk, lifting his weapon in his hand as he began, "I'll-"
Baldor broke off in surprise as a short, blonde figure stepped in his path. Lia looked over in surprise as well at Eve as the young girl stood between Baldor and his intended target, her hands clenched into tight fists and a steely expression on her face.
"What is it, kid?" Baldor hissed, his eyes narrowing at the pre-teen. "Out of the way."
"This person can't fight anymore." Eve answered sternly, her eyes fixed on Baldor's determinedly. "It's not necessary to kill him."
Lia's fingers twitched, and Sven saw the look of shock that flitted across the young woman's face before it was gone. It was as if she had seen something in Eve, some reminder; but then it was gone and Sven was no longer able to read the woman under the mask she wore.
Baldor meanwhile scoffed.
"Ha! How soft." He spoke in a light tone but his hand was clenched tightly around his weapon and betrayed his irritation. "Letting him live isn't necessary either. If you plan on interfering, shall we get it on right here, right now? Let's decide with a battle to the last one standing."
"Don't be ridiculous, Baldor." Lia's voice was sharp and cutting as she frowned at her fellow Number. "You're suggesting wasting time and energy-"
"Shut up, Lia." Baldor barked back, making both Lia and Train's eyes narrow in anger. "I don't care what you think, you're not interfering this time! We've already taken care of our fair share, it's only right that Kranz and I get to have some fun while Sephiria takes care of Creed."
Lia's jaw locked in anger as Kranz moved to flank Baldor and the pair began to stride toward Sven, Train and Eve. Eites had backed off quickly while Lia's eyes were narrowed as she glanced between the group unhappily. However, Sven had the distinct feeling that she had no intention of stepping in to help and he recalled Baldor's words from before.
"Fighting amongst the Numbers is forbidden. Even I know that rule."
Lia was tied by her title to not interfere - there was no reason this time to stop Baldor and Kranz from declaring a fight against Train and his friends, no innocent lives on the line or more immediate issues to deal with that Chronos would care about. If she fought with Train against her fellow Numbers, it would be treason. It didn't mean she would help Baldor… but it also meant she wasn't going to help them.
"What should we do?" Sven asked Train worriedly, glancing at his partner.
"We don't have time to fight with the Numbers, but in this case we have no choice." Train answered grimly as he flanked Eve's right.
Sven slid in to Eve's left while the girl herself faced the approaching Numbers with clenched fists. But a groan from behind broke her concentration, and Eve turned in concern as the bloody and beaten soldier moaned again on the ground.
"Hang in there." Eve said as she quickly moved to kneel down beside the soldier, reaching out to check on the man.
Baldor paused, cocking his head curiously. Lia meanwhile frowned before her eyes narrowed as the Shooting Star Squad soldier began to giggle madly.
"Anyone who opposes Creed… must die." The soldier said in a croaky voice, just as smoke began to drift out of his eye and mouth pieces.
"Little princess, get back!" Train yelled, both he and Sven turning sharply in alarm.
But they were both surprised when something blue flashed in the corner of their eyes, and Sven couldn't hide his shock when Lia's arm locked around Eve at the same time her weapon extended once more into a scythe. Blue hair whipping back with the speed at which she had moved, Lia then pulled the younger girl out of the way just in time as the Shooting Star Squad soldier exploded in a ball of flames.
Sven shook himself out of his stupor to leap out of the way as well and get to safety after Train had already leapt back by the time Sven moved. Baldor and Kranz stood silently, Baldor raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright light, as Train and Sven skid out of the way of the blast while Lia rolled to a crouch beside Sven with Eve held safely in her embrace, her weapon having cut aside any debris that came her way.
The blonde girl herself seemed to have gone into shock as she stared at the burning corpse while Sven murmured, "What a jerk… he was going to take us with him when we were protecting him."
"They're completely loyal to Creed." Lia answered shortly as she released Eve and stood up to brush the ash off her suit. "It's no surprise they would die for him."
Eve remained silent, when suddenly Baldor called out again.
"Ha! Well, fine then. Now you understand a bit, brat."
Train and Sven glanced at Baldor as he said with a smirk, "Sympathy for your enemy is meaningless. It's about time you learn something about how harsh reality is."
He turned away, looking to his partner as he did so.
"I don't really feel like kicking his ass anymore. Let's go, Clancy."
Baldor strode away, looking far too smug. Kranz remained for a moment, his blind eyes staring at the group before he spoke in a quieter but no less condescending tone.
"There's no way that two people who think in completely different ways would ever agree. That's why you have to kill all of your enemies."
Eve's jaw locked as she stared at the burning remains of the man she had defended while Kranz walked away. Lia was watching the group silently as Sven turned to look at the younger girl worriedly.
"Eve..." He began.
But Eve broke in, her limbs trembling, "Sven. I was wrong."
Sven's heart went out the girl and he knelt down beside the child. But before he needed to say anything, Train called out, "What are you talking about? You only did what you felt was right."
Eve looked up in surprise to stare at the older male as Train came to stand before the child and spoke with no hint of his usual playfulness but only seriousness.
"It's natural to have feelings towards your enemy. What's important is that you can make them believe it."
"Believe..." Eve repeated softly, her brows pulling together in thought as she digested Train's words.
Train glanced around, meeting Lia's eyes briefly. She was watching him, her expression guarded but he could sense her surprise and unease. He'd caught her off guard with his words, so similar to the things she had used to say to him so long ago. Lia turned her eyes away after a moment, breaking contact first.
Train took in a deep breath as Sven and Eve watched the pair, waiting…
"Hey, guide!"
The whole group jumped at Train's bark as he suddenly turned around to glare at the corner of the corridor, behind where Eites too leapt out of his skin in surprise.
"How long are you going to hide? Get out here!" Train shouted sharply.
"W-well… hahaha..." Eites stepped out sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
But Train barely paid him any attention as he turned to look back to where they had been headed, the stairs that would lead up to the next floor.
"Let's go. We can't just stand around here." Train said before he turned to look at Lia once more.
She tensed, as if expecting accusations - but Train surprised her as he asked in a serious tone, "Come with us?"
Lia hesitated for one second, and in that second Train could read her every thought.
It was obvious his question had caught Lia off guard, and then there was the doubt as she wondered why he wanted her to come as well as the confusion as to what she should do. She no longer had an obligation to keep them distracted from reaching Creed now that Baldor had revealed the plan. But the phrasing of Train's request, the double meaning it could imply, was not lost on any of them and it clearly put Lia on edge.
"Sephiria will already be-" She began hedgingly but Train interrupted.
"Sephiria's not enough to kill Creed. He's used the nanomachine technology to become almost immortal. This was never her fight and because of that, she will lose."
"He's… immortal?" Lia repeated, shocked by this tidbit of information.
Her eyes then narrowed and she asked skeptically, "And even knowing that, even believing that not even No. I is able to beat him, you think you're able to take Creed down?"
Train smiled, catching her off guard yet again. Not just because it was unexpected, but because of the flash of something familiar that Lia recognized in that smile. A mix of an old friend… and an old reflection in the mirror.
"I am." Train answered, unaware of the jolt that had gone through Lia. "Because I have something Sephiria doesn't."
Lia stared at him, silenced by what Train was implying. Sephiria, while she was respected and loved in her own way by her team, would give up her life if it meant she could beat Creed. And that was why, if Train was telling the truth and Creed couldn't be killed, she could very likely lose. Train was different (or so he said); but would he really be able to do what not even the Captain of the Chronos Numbers could do? Somehow Lia doubted it… yet there was also a tiny part of her, an old and forgotten part, that perked up at the familiar expression that graced his features so naturally now when compared to before. But should she trust that part of her? Could she?
"... Fine. I'll come with you… but only as far as Creed's chambers. After that, you're on your own with Sephiria."
*A/N Song of the Day: Dear You - Cry from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. The link is: /ELpphS1d8zc