Terumi: Ha! Ahahahahaha!

Tsubaki: Silence, Terumi.

Terumi: Hey, don't get mad at me because you got fucked over. For once, it wasn't my fault.

Kagura: Ignore him. For now, we need to get this out of the way.

Kokonoe: We managed to track down Ragna, but Tsubaki got the short end of the stick on this one.

Tsubaki: No kidding… Let's just get this over with.

Yasha: I'm way ahead of you. Already drew the cards.

Valkenhayn: It seems that it is my turn once more. My biggest shame is it?

Ragna: For something being your biggest shame, you don't sound to frightened old man.

Valkenhayn: It is a terrible, heart wrenching, and embarrassing story. But I have long since gotten over this.

Bang: Do tell Valkenhayn!

Valkenhayn: I remember this one time when I tried to greet a friend of mine with a…how you call it? A fist bump? As the young folks are one to do. But I…somehow missed the mark and punched right through his head.

Makoto: You PUNCHED through someone's head!? WTF bro…

Celica: Are they ok?

Nine: Do you even need to ask, Celica?

Tao: Tao's face hurts just from thinking about it! Meow.

Akahana: Well, that was a bit boring…

Yasha: Then how about we spice things up!?

*Yasha slams a card on the table*

Bullet: What is that? Swimsuits…? Wardrobe malfunction?

Noel: What!? No!

Yasha: Too late! I already got this approved! We're heading to the beach next time! Hope you all are ready for CPR~

Ragna: Are you freaking dumb? Like hell, I'm gonna do that!

Kagura: I'm all for it. Let's do it.

Kokonoe: That doesn't surprise me at all…

Celica: So am I! I don't mind if you're the one giving me CPR, Ragna…

Ragna: W-Whaaaaa!?

Noel: H-Huh!?

Nu: Nu can kiss Ragna if he almost drowns!? Nu is one hundred percent behind this idea!

Lambda: You are ok with putting him in a life-threatening situation?

Nu: If that means Nu can kiss Ragna for as long as she wants without stopping than Nu is ok with anything!

Imperator: Hm… I like the idea. I have a swimsuit I have been meaning to show off. Ragna, when we arrive, I'll let you put suntan lotion on my skin.

Ragna: I-I think I'll pass.

Amane: Come on, don't be such a spoilsport, my dear. This sounds like a perfect opportunity to bathe in some sunlight.

Lambda: I wonder if I can get any aquatic bugs?

Saya: Brother, you'll save me if I'm drowning, right?

Ragna: Please don't support this idea…

Yasha: Oh, come on. You get to see girls in swimsuits—what's the problem? I think the one who should be complaining is Hakumen or Tager. Or, are you just insecure?

Ragna: Insecure!? The hell I am!

Nu: Nu can vouch for that!

Makoto: How!?

Nu: When Ragna was getting dressed Nu saw him. Nu thought she died and went to heaven! It was—

*Ragna's hand went over her mouth to muffle her voice*

Ragna: Don't tell them anything they don't need to know!

Yasha: How about we make a deal? If I tell you about the book the Imperator reads about seducing men, you tell us what your packing.

Imperator: What! I-I have no such thing!

Yasha: Don't lie to me. Even that suntan lotion line was taken right from it. Besides, you bought it to try and woo Ragna, right?

Imperator: Start the chapter!

Akahana: So you CAN be cute sometimes.

Imperator: Shut up~!

Chapter 32: More than we bargained for

Kagura glossed over the battle details and casualties from both sides presented to him earlier today. Damn Sector Seven couldn't just keep to themselves huh? Kagura sighed, beating himself up for being unable to prevent the situation forced upon them. The Black Knight had developed a loathing to these documents due to the sheer amount he had to sign over the past couple weeks; thanks to his subordinate, Hibiki, breaks weren't in his dictionary. Though, he couldn't argue on that now; he needed something to derail his thoughts away from the whole Tsubaki debacle. He shook his head in disapproval, unable to comprehend how such a thing could happen to someone like Tsubaki of all people.

A sudden knock at the door jolted Kagura from his thoughts as he yelled 'come in' to the person on the opposite end. No surprise, an 'excuse me' was said before the door opened and Hibiki walked in holding a folder underarm. The attendant crossed over to him and held the packet out from him to take. More paperwork perhaps? For once, he hoped so.

"This is the latest news from the 5th battalion," Hibiki informed as the raven-haired man took the yellow folder from him and retrieved the documents stored within. "They are asking us to help engage the enemy. What should we do?" The man waited for a response, the stern glare on the usually lax Kagura a bit uneasy.

"This is perfect… Almost too perfect," Kagura said after setting the documents down, later sighing, "But we've got no choice but to go on the offensive. Guess Sector Seven couldn't keep their noses out of this after all. Not too surprising, really. Kinda shocked they waited so long." A pause. "How's Noel doing?"

"Ms. Noel is currently in her room with Ms. Makoto and Ms. Saya," Hibiki informed.

"…And Jin?" Kagura was almost afraid to ask.

"Calmer than I thought he would be. It seems that outburst earlier drained him. As for Ragna, he is currently being given further treatment by Ms. Celica. He should be ready by tomorrow."

"That's good…" Kagura looked at his right hand, opening and closing it time and time again. Even now, he could feel the blow he dealt to Jin a little over an hour ago course through his nerves. He had to wonder if he broke anything. Uncharacteristically, Kagura found his anger take control; he threw his punch without even knowing it until he did it. Just...seeing Jin like that rubbed him the wrong way. Screaming at a nearly catatonic Noel—who personally saw the bloodied Tsubaki—made his blood boil hotter than ever before. Then again, some of the anger he held in that fist was at himself for allowing this to happen. He just hoped, in the end, they wouldn't have to lose anyone else. Though, the part about vanishing did strike him as odd. If it hadn't come from Hibiki too, he would've written it off as her sanity taking a major blow.

"…Sir. If I'm to be brave, can I ask you something?" Kagura visibly jolted from being roused from his thoughts, but he managed to catch what Hibiki said and the gaze he gave him told him to continue. "Are you afraid? Do you regret this? Taking up his responsibility?"

"Of course not. Sure, all this is a bit overwhelming, but I'm not afraid, and I don't regret anything. But right now, I need your full support on this." Kagura said.

"Of course."

Just let us know if you need anything, ok, Noellers? Was the last thing said by Makoto before she departed with Saya from her room. When they left, Noel felt a hefty weight lift off her shoulders as she could finally drop her smiling facade. She was so tired. Emotionally and physically beat and the crying she did earlier only left her with head-splitting pain instead of relief.

Noel wanted to believe everything would be fine—that everything will work itself out but she'd be kidding herself if she said that. Maybe she would get screamed at by Jin again... In truth, she hadn't even realized where she was until her ears picked up on something—or in this case—someone hitting the ground with a hard thud. Only to find Jin now on the floor and Kagura's arm thrown with his fist clenched tight. It took Ragna, Saya and ten minutes of screaming to stop Jin from doing anymore as he was this close to unsheathing Yukieanesa. Noel wanted to say this was just some joke, but... How could she?

She could still feel it…

She could still see it…

She could still smell it…

The raw, acrid stench of iron that invaded her nostrils and the crimson that stained her gloves and clothes. Every time she closed her eyes, the sight of a bloody Tsubaki, ice spears lanced through her shoulders, sitting upright against the tree appeared; her beautiful scarlet hair drenched in a deeper crimson that shadowed her eyes. Bags had formed under her now bloodshot eyes because she had refused to close them, concluding that keeping them open would keep the small bit of sanity she still had. First, she had to fight her sister; now, she had to watch her friend die... Noel felt a tingling in her gut and her jaw clenched when the image of Tsubaki flashed before her. Trembling hands now relieved of their gloves turned over to their palms. For a moment, they were coated in blood, and she was standing in the thick woods before the scene reverted back to her room.

Approaching footsteps clicked against the polished tile and stopped before her door. Several knocks accompanied an 'I'm coming in' before the door creaked open. Who walked in was none other than Ragna, who found her sitting up against her bedhead. Given he could move now and he didn't seem sluggish, Celica must've finished patching him up. That's good at least.

"Hi, Ragna. What are you doing here?" Noel tried her best to sound upbeat, though, she failed miserably; Ragna didn't even offer up an answer for her. The platinum-haired man closed the door behind him then trotted over to Noel who watched him with baggy, bloodshot eyes. She averted her eyes from him to mask the sadness, but that didn't seem to work either.

"Sorry about Jin," Ragna finally said, taking a seat on the stool before her bed.

"I-It's ok—I'm not mad or anything. He was just angry about Tsubaki, that's all." Noel laughed which served to help her exhale and calm herself a smidgen. Ragna just stared at her, as if waiting for something, remaining passive in both his face and his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Noel..." When he said that, in that same instant, the smile Noel forced on her lips began to uncurl until they were in the reverse while her eyes watered. Her vision once clear became blurry and distorted as if she were swimming. Her mouth opened and closed intermittently, incoherent speech leaving her slightly parted lips each time her mouth opened. She shook her head, trying to deny, trying to keep her tears from falling but they did anyway like a dam had broken. A tsunami of emotions threatened to knock her over. Sadness, anger, rage, denial, sorrow. Before she knew it, she had lunged at her chest; sobs turned to throat-ripping screams. Her breath quickened and her screams turned so raw it felt as if her throat was being ripped out.

Ragna stroked the back of her head while she screamed 'why' time and time again, constantly asking him questions he didn't know the answer too. Noel's fingers that clutched his shirt began to loosen as her body weakened from her sudden exertion; she would've fallen back if Ragna hadn't kept such a tight hold on her.

Noel's screamed again but they began to choke in her throat, her voice beginning to peter out into garbled nonsense. Ragna could only make out a few things Noel said, but one thing that he could hear without fail was her calling Tsubaki's name. She choked, breathed, and swallowed spit as she began to calm down, sniffing up mucus as her breathing started to slow. The scanty amount of his shirt her fists still managed to hold slowly began to uncurl as her hands splayed on his chest.

Everything stopped at that moment. Her head, that raced moments ago with flashes of Tsubaki and a pain that equaled ten migraines ceased. Noel stilled in his arms, face pushed into his chest for comfort. The only thing that registered besides the ticking of the clock hung on the wall was the sound of his abnormally beating heart. The hand splayed over her heart felt his chest as if she could actually touch his heart. Are you afraid, Ragna? That's what she wanted to ask him, but she wanted to tell him something different.

"Don't leave me... I don't care what you have to do to make that happen, Ragna. Just don't leave me..." Noel leaned back enough for their eyes to meet, cheeks blotched and eyes swollen. "I can't lose you, too. If I did...I'd die, Ragna. I lost someone I loved, and I don't want to lose another..."

Ragna flinched when she said that. He didn't know if he should—or could say yes to that and just wipe the tears away before pushing her head back where it sat, stroking the back of her head to stop her shivering. The words of the Imperator plagued his mind ever since he heard them. Those eyes...they weren't lying. She was telling him as if she knew his future. Why couldn't he just shrug it off like he usually did, damn it? Now, more than ever, he needed to be strong. The Reaper internally cursed while tightening his hold on the trembling Noel. Three days... Son of a bitch...!

"I'll do my best, Noel..."

That was all he could say to her.

The following day

"Everyone's here. Good," Kagura rose from his chair to walk in front of his desk, leaning back on the table while he waved a document in his hand. "Right here is a chance opportunity and we can't waste it no matter what. With the loss of Izayoi, we're completely open to their attacks, which means we have to strike and finish this here and now." He looked to Noel then who seemed to be much better than she was yesterday. "How are you holding up, Noel?"

"I'm ok," Noel nodded. "Let's get to planning—we don't have time to waste."

"Couldn't agree with you more," Celia chimed in. "I'm not sure if you're all aware, I know some of you were briefed while others were left in the dark, but the Imperator isn't the only enemy we'll be facing. Sector Seven decided to butt their noses in and are after the Linchpin, same as us. They've even decerned the location of it: Wadatsumi castle." The scientist snapped her fingers as a holographic broadcasting appeared on the wall, showing to what seemed to be a battlefield. "As you can see, the NOL is also attempting to cease the Linchpin for themselves, per the Imperators orders, but I think we all know this is a cover-up for her to mover behind the scenes. Thankfully, my sister and her team managed to intercept them, but even with all of them, I'm not sure how long they'll be able to hold them off. So, let's not make their effort go to waste." The hologram clicked off then.

"Do we know where exactly in the castle the Linchpin is located?" Bullet quired.

"Yes. It is located at the bottom-most level of the Wadatsumi castle," Rachel finally contributed to the conversation. "And the only way to open that gate is with Noel Vermillion's power of the eye. However, navigation may prove difficult, given the disoriented passageways that make up the lower dungeon. According to Jubei, the dungeon is on another plane of existence, in a sense. So, when we enter, not everything is what it seems to be. We must be cautious."

"Just in case things go south, Ragna, I need you to use your Azure Grimoire to distort the space around you long enough for me to beam you out," Celia told him.

"Got it."

"Wait, but how are we going to activate the Linchpin? Didn't you say we needed a key?" Makoto asked.

"Oh, don't worry; the key for the Linchpin is in...protective hands," Kagura said carefully and looked away with a bit of worry when he said so. Before anyone could ask him about his untrustworthy tone, he said, "Anyway, all we need to do is retrieve the Linchpin and get the hell out of there. Afterward, we'll meet up with Jubei and the rest of them. More than likely, we'll encounter enemies from Sector Seven, so we need to be on guard while charging in."

"Wait... How the hell are we even getting into the castle with all those soldiers fighting?" Ragna finally asked, later saying blankly, "I hope you actually don't mean charge in when you said 'charge in', Kagura..."

"As long as you understand," Kagura said.

"You're fucking insane," Ragna deadpanned.

"It'll be fine," Kokonoe chimed in. "The NOL soldiers aren't our enemies—its Sector Seven we need to worry about. While there may be some NOL stragglers that'll attack you, they shouldn't be too overwhelming. If any enemies engage you, eliminate them and move on." The pink-haired beastkin crossed over to Bullet and held out a small device to her. "Here. You'll be going to the Ikaruga ruins with Tager to help guard the Linchpin when we teleport it over there. The Imperator isn't dumb—she knows what we're planning to do. In the event that you're compromised, Tager has set up some teleportation devices so we can back you up."

"Understood," Bullet took the small device and stuck it in her pocket.

"Going into a war zone..." Makoto shivered then.

"It'll be ok, Makoto," Noel placed a comforting hand on the beastkins shoulder. "We'll be just fine. We can do this!"

"Someone's confident," Ragna commented.

"Of course, I am. You'll be here, Ragna," she smiled at him, a light pink filling her cheeks then. "If you're here, I have all the strength I need."

"Jeez, don't go sayin' all that," he blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Getting me all flustered over here..."

"Hey...what's going on here...?" A groaning Saya poked her head in between the two with half-lidded eyes. "Did I miss something? What happened last night when you went to her room brother?"

"Nothing happened, we just talked some," he answered, but that half-assed answer only served to further irritate her. Arms came around his right arm as he looked to find a cutely pouting Lambda latching onto him.

"Lier... Something did happen."

"L-Look, that's not important!"

Lambda just puffed her cheeks even more.

"Come on; we have something bigger than this to do right now!"

"For once in his life, Ragna is right," Rachel cut in, getting a 'hey' from the Reaper. "We have our plan and resources. I believe it is time we set out."

"Last but not least," Celia strode over to Ragna and handed him what seemed to be a yellow tag with Ars Magus symbols of them. "This should be able to beam the Linchpin over to Tager when you come into contact with it. I can't count on teleportation magic in a place like that. We'll be using the energy of your grimoire to power that baby, so don't go anywhere." When she said that, a teleportation circle appeared beneath them, just about ready to send them all off to their proper destination as the scientist exited the large circle. "Good luck, all of you."

"Don't worry we got this! Isn't that right, Minerva?" Celica looked to her automaton friend and smiled. Eyes trained on her gave her gaze to the owner to find Kokonoe locked onto her. A bit of worry had unscrewed her usual grumpy face and parted lips that seemed like she wanted to say something. But since she didn't, Celica decided to instead.

"I'll be right back," Celica smiled before vanishing in that same instant, leaving Celia and Kokonoe alone in Kagura's office. Kokonoe, who stared at the space they all once occupied, sighed then.

"You better... Ragna, don't let me down," Kokonoe muttered to herself before facing her aunt. "Let's go."

"Yeah."

Wadatsumi Outskirts (NOL base camp)

"Damn it...! They just keep flanking us from the rear guard!" Commander Luren slammed his hands on the table with enough force to nearly shatter it. He stood 6'1, donning the NOL's jolting sapphire uniform with his sleeves cut off to display his well-developed muscles. Beads of sweat ran down the hazel-haired commander upon the recent briefing of the battle situation. Two other men sat at opposite ends of each other; one with almost dirty crimson hair and a slim figure; the other with blond hair that seemed to just defy all matters of gravity, his face much laxer than Luren who's face was so red it looked as if he may just explode. Thinking of that horrifying possibility, the blond—named Commander Ciren—scooted his chair a few inches from the growling man. "We shouldn't have THIS much trouble dealing with scum like them! So, why do they have the upper hand!?"

"Maybe because you can't use your brain to formulate a single decent strategy that would get two soldiers killed instead of thirty-five." The dirty crimson haired fellow—named Commander Ren—stated with a wooden face.

"Wait, thirty-five? I thought the record was twenty?" Ciren said so with complete surprise. "I had no idea you already cracked the thirty mark. Ren, I think I owe you one hundred platinum dollars when we return."

Right when Luren was just about ready to snag Ciren out his seat to give him the clobbering he'd been meaning to administrate all day, Kagura walked into their tent. Relief unscrewed the Commanders face as he walked—or rush, he didn't know—over to the raven-haired man and took his hands in his.

"Kagura! We've been waiting for you!"

"Sorry it took so long," Kagura apologized.

"Don't apologize, please. You aren't to blame." Luren said.

"I'm sure you've kept up the good work?"

"Yes!" Luren said with pride as he took a step back and placed a fist over his heart for a salute. "Casualties are rather low, and we've managed to hold the front lines."

"No. I think you mean I managed to hold the front line," Ciren commented. "All you've done is yell and scream and get our soldiers killed."

"Ciren! Not in front of Lord Mutsuki!" Luren whispered in rage through gritted teeth, speaking as if Kagura couldn't still hear him. But he decided to keep that to himself. Did him nothing to make this guy look like an even bigger idiot. Wasn't exactly the brightest tool in the shed, but he was his uncles best friend so he could put some trust in him. Some being the operative word.

"So, can you brief me on the situation? Have any of our men managed to make it to the castle?"

"No," Ren finally spoke up. "Or, it would be more accurate to say is that our men can't enter. Everytime one approached, they are sent somewhere else. We have gotten several reports of it now, and while a bit off, we have no room to doubt the words of our soldiers. Is there a reason for this?"

"I'm not too sure... However, I think I should be able to get in there without much issue. Leave that to my team and me." Kagura said with pride.

"We leave it in your hands," Luren said as the other two stood and they all saluted him. "You have the blessing of your uncle. We will follow you to hell itself if it means we can see his wish through to the end. I swear, we won't let you down."

Outside, the rest of them scattered themselves amongst the camp to avoid suspicion or questioning from the soldiers that roamed about. Already, they got a few eyes from the men and women and some even stopped them and asked what they were doing here. Thankfully, just saying they were the strike team with Kagura was more than enough to lower their anxiety. Though, a scream from Makoto drew attention back to her and Noel who was blushing like no tomorrow. Quickly, Noel covered her mouth and lead her behind a tent.

"Are you serious, Noel!? That's what happened!?" Makoto drilled, hazel eyes stretched, voice brimming with excitement. "Ok, come on, tell me everything! How did it happen!? What did he do!?"

"Nothing!" Noel finally stopped her, whimpering as she began to twist her index fingers together. "We just talked and...I might have accidentally confessed to him. I told him that I didn't want to lose anyone else I loved and it might have put it in his head that I—" Noel gulped. "...That I love him."

"But isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yes, of course, but... Don't you like him too?" Noel asked.

"Well, sure I do," she admitted, blushing while scratching her head. "But, after what happened with Tsubaki, I just...want the people I care about to be happy, you know? I mean, if we try and go for him we might just end up fighting each other." Makoto laughed.

"Maybe," Noel giggled.

"Look, don't let what I feel for him stop you. Sure, I'd be upset, but I wouldn't chew you out for it. You're my friend! Besides!" Makoto pulled her in for a hug as she began to rub her cheek against Noel. "How can I be angry at someone as cute as you!? Huh!?"

"S-Stop it~! Makoto~!" Noel whimpered, laughing at the same time.

"Aren't you just the cutest when you're embarrassed~? Yes, you are! Yes, you are~!" Makoto said so as if she was talking to a baby. Well to her, Noel was about as cute as a baby, so she found no difference.

Catching the whimpering of the two was Ragna, who couldn't but crack a smile from the light-hearted natures of his companions goofing off around the corner even after their friends fall. Saya and Celica had gone off with Lambda to help spot a bug she found and Jin had gone elsewhere. To think, perhaps? Whatever the case may be, he needed to be left alone for a while. Even this morning his eyes were so distant and almost confused like he was fighting against two opposing forces; he knew how that felt. Only a couple days ago did some random asshole try to take control of him. But now...he was on some sort of timer. Funny really, given the death date was his birthday. So, he'd spend his birthday in the afterlife, huh? The platinum-haired man shuddered a nervous laugh at the thought then shook his head. There was something bigger going on, he told himself.

Approaching footsteps clapped against the dirt towards him, the wielder of those footsteps, Rachel Alucard, approaching with her usual unreadable mask on and familiars beside her.

"You seem troubled, Ragna," she remarked.

"Na, I'm just thinking about some stuff," Ragna flicked a hand. "Nothing to worry about. Anyway, did you need something from me?"

"Nothing in particular. A question I would like to pose," Rachel leaned against the wooden fence Ragna had his back too. "What did the Imperator say to you?"

"Say to me? Like what?"

"I believe I am the one asking the questions here. When we were separated, the Imperator appeared before you, did she not? When she did, what did she tell you?" Rachel asked once more, noticing the clench Ragna's jaw that served to crack her mask a bit to show visible worry. The vampire turned her attention to his folded arms and body in general. He looked so tense—much tenser than he usually is; if she looked close enough, she could see the slightest shudder as if he were cold. Several times—about five times now as she decided to keep track—Ragna had parted his lips to speak just to shut them right back.

"...Nothing important. Don't worry about it—so let's just focus on the task at hand," Ragna finally spoke after a pregnant silence. Rachel remained silent afterward, wondering if she should press him further. If her assumption is correct, it would mean Ragna was fully made aware of his situation. To write that man's words off as a mere farce is easier said than done and she couldn't throw out the fact that something like that could happen.

"Are you fully healed, Ragna?" Rachel threw the other topic away in an attempt to ease—not only his mood—but hers as well.

"Yeah, you won't have to worry about me slowing you all down." It seemed to have worked as his jaw unclenched, but the slight shuddering was still there. Pain lanced itself into her heart observing him the way he was, and while she wanted to help, what could she do?

March 3rd...

"Rachel, wipe it off," Ragna's voice pierced through her thoughts as she found his mismatched eyes glaring at her.

"Wipe what off?"

"That look on your face," Ragna roughly scratched the back of his head, showing a bit of pink. "I hate it when you look all worried and sad. I don't know why but it really pisses me off. So, just...wipe it off already, will ya? I'm sick of lookin' at it."

"Is...that so?" Rachel, for once, didn't argue with him and removed the stain of worry off her face, later teasing, "I promise I will not make that face again since you get so angry when I'm sad. Though, it would serve you better if you would look at me while you spoke."

"I-I don't get angry! I-I... I just... Ah! Forget it!" Ragna spat before storming off, leaving Rachel with her familiars as her only company. While she watched him walk off, the sadness she had just recently washed off returned.

"That is the pot calling the kettle black if I ever heard it, Ragna..."

Kagura emerged from the tent to find everyone already grouped up. Saved him the trouble of asking and rounding them up.

"So, what took so long?" Makoto asked.

"Just getting the feel of the situation and filling them in on our predicament as well. For now, we head to the Wadatsumi castle. We should find our key already in the dungeon."

"That's convenient," Ragna remarked with general surprise.

"And it saves us the headache..." Kagura commented, later schooling, "Alright, all of you. Even though we have most of the NOL on our side, we're still heading into a war zone. One wrong move; you're dead. Keep that in mind during battle. Now let's go."

Outskirts of the Wadatsumi castle

Dirt, grass, and whatever else covered the earth was replaced by dust, swords, blood, and the hundreds of men and woman battling down below the cliff they watched from. Grunts loomed in the metal clang filled the air, as did the heavy stench of sweat and carcasses. Guess seeing it up close is more impactful than on some projection.

After a 'let's go' from Kagura, they hopped down from the cliff they stood upon and charged into the mess of battle. Just like they were told, the NOL soldiers paved a way for them upon getting a visual on Kagura, dealing with any incoming Sector Seven soldier that attempted to block them; while some NOL soldiers attacked, it was nothing a simple swing or punch couldn't deal with. Deeper and deeper into the battlefield they delved, the onslaught of soldiers grew heavy; with all the dust, smoke, and explosions it became difficult to see.

All ends rising on her tail, Makoto whipped around to crash her knuckles into a soldiers nose bridge who tried to sneak up on her, sending him skyward, giving two more to two more soldiers on opposite sides a taste of her punches when they appeared on either side of her.

Ragna slammed his fist into a soldiers gut before kicking him away, whipping around to cut another one clean in half before spinning his entire body around to use the force of his movement to blow away another row of enemies. Ever persistent, they kept at him but had no luck in dealing any sort of blow. Having just about enough, Ragna charged up some power in his grimoire before firing off to a group of Sector Seven gunman that tried to snipe him from afar, turning them to ash.

"Goddamnit, these guys are a PAIN!" Ragna roared when he swung down to cut yet another soldier down to size.

"I must agree," Rachel summoned lightning down to strike down one who was stupid enough to try and swing their blade down on her. "With allies and enemies jumbled together, it is very difficult to discern friend from foe."

"What matters is reaching our objective," Jin cut down another soldier as their cry hung in the air. The soldier dropped to the ground with a thud; the moment he did, Jin whipped around to slice another man's head clean off before firing several ice blades to pierce an incoming Sector Seven brute.

"Easier said than DONE." Saya disarmed a spear woman before bringing both her blades upward to leave two bloody slashes doing up her body in a curve. The dual blade wielding blond backflipped over a charging lancer, quickly throwing herself at him when she landed to pierce his heart. She quickly yanked her swords out to parry a blade and kicked the attacker away into a group of his friends.

Noel fired off several rounds from her twin guns, shooting down a few soldiers before whipping around to deal with two more that tried to sneak up on her. Lambda impaled a female soldier with one of her summoned swords, she sidestepped out the way to avoid desperate swordsman who she kicked away without much effort. The Murakumo's pedals formed a shield behind her to intercept the onslaught of gunfire before firing off to skewer the attacker. The moment they returned, she fired off everything she had to a soldier who tried to sneak up on Ragna. When the Grim Reaper turned, he nearly gasped to the number of blades lodged into the soldier and looked to find the culprit smiling at him, sweatdropping.

So, don't piss her off... Good rule of thumb.

Nearly halfway there, Kagura swung a row out their way and cursed, "Shit...! Guess more are on their side then I imagined...!"

"We can do this!" Celica said after delivering a Super Inazuma Kick to an unlucky soldier who attempted to attack Minerva from behind. Kagura just sweatdropped to the name. Needed some work, he thought.

Ragna spun his sword to hold backhanded and charged up an immense amount of seithr, before firing off a large Dead Spike to eradicate the coming force. Only when he did, his attack froze along with the soldiers within his seithr.

"Hey! The hell was that, Jin!? You got beef with me or something!?" Ragna roared at him in comical anger.

"That wasn't me," Jin answered, a frigid winter following.

"W-Why is it so c-cold a-all of a s-sudden!?" Noel shivered.

"M-M-Maybe you s-should've w-worn something heavier...?" Makoto suggested, rubbing her arms to stay warm.

"Y-Yeah, you aren't t-the person we want to hear that f-from..." Ragna commented.

This cold...!

"Everyone! Move!" Jin suddenly called out. In that instant, he drew his blade and swung up with all his might, coming into contact with what seemed to be an arrow. Upon contact, a harsh winter spread around the area, freezing everyone caught in it except Jin. The lone man looked to his now frozen brother and gasped.

"Brother!"

"You are able to survive this cold? I suppose you are more attuned to that wretched weapon that I first assumed." The voice that echoed throughout the battlefield caused Jin's eyes to widen, not in fear, however, but in pure rage. The man who that voice belonged too revealed himself from the winter he created, stopping a good couple feet in front of Jin. "I must say, I am impressed. Even at my current level power, you should be frozen stiff. It would have made killing you much more gratifying."

"You...!"

Setsuko smirked then.

"Are you angry I killed your friend? If so, don't be too disheartened..." In that same instant, a ferocious flurry of ice barrage Jin, sending him skyward. As he flew, everything seemed to be playing in slow motion. For whatever reason, his attacks weren't like before. While no variety or changes had been added, this feeling and pressure have changed.

This... What is this...? This power is...!

Jin collided with the ground, raising a frosty cloud with his landing with the ice-covered earth. When he rose, footsteps clapped confidently across the ice rink, the owner, Setsuko, glaring at him with animal-like eyes.

"I saved her the trouble of making her watch what I'm going to do to you..."

"The hell?" Celia checked her reading to find a reading much larger than your average NOL or Sector Seven grunt. In fact, the reading showed a dangerously high presence amongst the now silent group Kagura lead. "Kagura! Rachel! Lambda! Can you hear me!? Son of a bitch...!"

"Celica's not moving...! Shit, neither is Ragna or any of them."

"Jin seems to be moving just fine, though, with who he's up against..." Celica paused. "While I'd like to send him back up, I don't think we have anyone who can assist him with whoever he's fighting. But, from the sudden temperature drop...my only assumption is that he's fighting the same guy that eighty-sixed Tsubaki."

"Setsuko..." Kokonoe muttered, later raising a brow. "Wait... What's this reading? If it really is that nox nyctores asshole then..."

Celia looked that what Kokonoe was referring too as confusion formed within her too.

"Magic power..."

Elsewhere

Around the outskirts of Wadatsumi, a different battle took place. A cacophony of magic, blades, metal clashing, and explosions resounded as smoke boiled into the air from several different scattered locations. Hakumen, who had just parried one of Terumi's ouroboros chains, felt a chilling familiarity from the Wadatsumi castle.

'Has his power returned already?'

"Eyes forward!" Nine yelled, throwing a large fireball to force an approaching Yuuki Terumi away from approaching way distracted Hakumen as the serpent hissed. "Keep your eyes on the battle!"

"I do not need you to tell me that," Hakumen rushed Terumi, leaving Relius Clover and his doll for Nine to take care of. A task Nine happily took as the magus blasted the puppeteer with a heavy, bladed torrent of wind. Hakumen brought his blade down to meet Terumi's chains.

"Is someone worried?" Terumi asked with his usual shit-eating grin. "He did waste that useless piece of Yayoi trash. Who knows if little Jin will end up as his next victim. Think he's gonna go two for two?"

"Silence!" A roar came from the usually collected swordsman as he swung the man away.

"Hakumen, calm yourself!" Jubei scolded, raising both his swords to guard against the Imperators swing which held an absurd amount of strength. "Don't let him get to ya! Jin'll be just fine!" The beastkin gasped when he was knocked off balanced. When the Imperator leapt back Akahana had taken to the air, an ink black darkness swirling in her hand ready to strike him down. Before she could, however, Valkenhayn came used a tree for a burst of speed and shoved his foot right into the magus' stomach, sending her off. The butler than spun to do the same to the Imperator, only for his calf to meet her sheath. The wolf beastkin reeled his other foot to strike, only for and a blast of flame to send the old man to the ground.

"Mr. Valkenhayn!" Trinity gasped, grunting when Yasha's scythe slammed down on her staff.

"Oh, where the hell do you think you're going?"

Izanami leapt back from a swift downward slash from the platinum-haired swordsman. "You are one tenacious human. I will give you praise for even attempting to fight me."

"Save your filthy praise," the Imperator spat, breaking down into a stance. "I don't talk to my enemies; I kill them." A heavy pressure gathered in her katana. Upon a glow, the Imperator swung her katana upward, sending force a wave of moonlight to cleave the goddess. Izanami avoided the attack with minimal effort and sent off her three triangle mechanisms to blast the platinum, only for them to be deflected by Nu's pedals. The Murakumo came rushing at the goddess, blades firing from red portals without rhyme or reason, but annoying all the same. She avoided them while getting graze by two. Izanami summoned the souls of the undead in a large ball of darkness then fired it at Nu. Before it came in contact, the Imperator sliced it in half, joining Nu to attack Izanami.

Just then, Valkenhayn rushed in and kicked the Murakumo away in a tree with enough force to crack the bark. Nu threw herself out the way before the old butler's fist could engrave itself into her face, using her momentum she leapt back and launch her pedals at him. Valkenhayn used nearly lightning fast kicks to parry the pedal away before launching herself at her and kicking her in the stomach with the force equal to that of a cement truck filled with lead. Nu's mouth opened for a silent scream, but her teeth immediately clenched as she grabbed the butlers legs that lodged into her stomach and summoned several portals around him. In desperation, Valkenhayn spun his body until Nu let go, but that didn't stop the swords from raining down. Still spinning, Valkenhayn managed to maneuver around them; however, one blade managed to lodge itself into his right shoulder. Valkenhayn went on a knee when he landed and pulled the bloody summoned sword out before standing again.

"Valkenhayn, ya alright!?" Jubei called over to his ally.

"Do not concern yourself with my health. This is nothing," Valkenhayn told him.

'That girl...' Nine thought after jumping back from an attack from Ignis.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Relius' creepy tone drew her attention back to the smiling man. "Number thirteen may be the closest thing I have come to perfection. Quite the marvel, isn't she?"

"If you're looking for praise, your barking up the wrong tree." Magic incantations appeared in her hand; a wild ball of fire erected in her palm. "But, what I'm looking for is an explanation. Alchemy is lost in this day and age. Even if it's you, you shouldn't be able to do something like THIS."

"It was a real challenge, I have to admit however, while difficult, it is not impossible," Relius adjusted his mask. "Alchemy is nothing more than a different language in which magic is spoken. Once that language is deciphered, even a child can do it. I believe I have him to thank for this."

"Him?" Nine repeated. A sudden sense of danger turned her head to find a massive ball of fire trained on her. Like lightning, Jubei appeared before his wife then kicked the ground with enough force to shatter it and soared to it, slicing the massive fireball in two with both blades. When he did that Akahana appeared before him as the two clashed in their air for a moment before pushing each other back. Jubei landed before his wife while Akahana landed several feet in front of him.

"Even with that injury from earlier, you can still move like that? Impressive," Akahana praised.

"To think you'd blindside yer sister like that. Guess that aggressive side just runs in the family," Jubei said.

"You're saying it like I'm not standing right here..." Nine groaned, schooling her expression to focus on Relius once more. "Jubei, do you feel that? Coming from Wadatsumi?"

"I know. I'm sure they can handle it," Jubei told her, looking back at her with a confident smile. "If our kids are puttin' their trust in us, only fittin' that we put our trust in 'em." The cat stooped down into a stance to engage the magus, throwing himself at her as she quickly threw a ball of light at her, meeting his blade.

Nine blasted Ignis away with a bladed gust of wind with one hand before bringing up spears from the earth to pierce Relius. The man jumped away to avoid being skewered, only for a magic circle to appear above him and rain down spears of light.

Trinity fired off three rockets to Yasha you slice them all into perfect halves before closing the distance between them, forcing the small child—well, adult really—on her toes. Trinity finally waved her staff up to parry her and swung it like a baseball bat into her gut. Yasha dug her feet into the dirt to stop herself from going more than a few feet from Trinity, spinning her scythe a few times as a light purple surrounded her deadly weapon.

Yasha dug her feet into the ground and rushed Trinity, reeling it all the way back before swinging it with all her might when close enough, yelling 'Inferno Crescendo' when she did so. The attack clashed with Trinity's staff, and before she could be brought to her knees, Trinity threw herself back; however, she was blown away when Yasha's scythe collided with the ground, the force of the wind so strong it sent her into a tree, hitting it back first before sliding down to her knees.

Using Muchorin, Trinity stood up and grabbed her bearings just in time to dive away from a head-separating sideways swing of her massive scythe. Yasha continued the onslaught, forcing the hero on her toes until she finally struck back with a few rockets at point-blank range. Yasha flew through the air and did a few backflips before landing.

Nine, who just gave herself some distance from Relius, looked towards the ruined Wadatsumi castle where her daughter was heading too, and where this bad feeling settled. She could only pray for their safety. But what she didn't know was her safety rested in Jin's hand as she was just a step away from becoming shards on the battlefield.

Hope you all enjoyed. Sorry for the late update. Expect the continuation of All I want for Christmas is soon as an apology.

Next Chapter 33: Growth