Unmei Force: Inherited Wills

Chapter 7: Elma's Will, Clash of the Idealistic Fists.

With Elma...

Elma continued down the path towards the door ahead of her, as she was a little worried about the others, since she herself was a bit concerned about her own skill and ability to pass her trial. She was worried that she might fail and let down the others. However, she remembered that Richard believed in her, and that everyone else did as well, since they would never throw her into something that she wouldn't be capable of doing.

With her newfound confidence, she continued along, although the lingering doubt that she has to actually fight someone leaves her with a deep pit in her own stomach, since she is not the kind of person to fight, unless she was provoked in self-defence, and even then, she tried to avoid getting into these situations at all.

She then continued through the door, as she found herself inside a large sports field, made of red earth and white lines of paint, as she looked around, seeing that one side was a large forest, and on the other side was a large school building. And right above her was the night sky, which was lit up by sheets of green aurora, as she was dazzled by the sight of what she saw.

"What... What is this place...?" Elma asked to herself, as she saw the unfamiliar scenery, which seemed to look like a school, one that she barely remembers going to. "This place looks like a school... But what kind is it...? I don't even know where I am!"

"Then don't concern yourself with knowing what this place is." A female voice, filled with formality and courtesy, responded back to Elma's words, which surprised the young demoness, who looked around for the source of the voice. "For these are merely grounds within a pocket dimension, made for the Ranking Games. You need not concern yourself, for you are very much safe in here, since there is no-one but the two of us here."

Elma then managed to notice the speaker, who was a beautiful young woman with shining blue eyes, smooth skin, and long, beautiful crimson hair that had a fairly long ahoge near the centre of her head, and loose bangs covering her forehead and side bangs framing her face. She wore a white long-sleeved, button-down shirt, with a black ribbon on her shirt collar worn under a black shoulder cape and a matching button-down corset, a magenta skirt with white accents, and brown dress shoes over white crew-length socks.

When Elma looked at the new arrival, she was able to easily tell that the person before her was a demoness much like her, and a powerful and influential one at that, as she was left stunned for a few moments, which the other demoness mercifully gave her, with a calm look in her eyes, and a thin smile on her lips.

"You're... You're a demon like me..." Elma asked back. "Are you... Are you my opponent here?"

"I have no reason to deny your answer. Indeed I am. It's only fitting that demons are pitted against each other, as such is the traditions utilised in the Ranking Games." The woman nodded back, with a gentle tone. "Although I prefer the term 'Devil', as it is the specific kind of demon that I represent. And with how you look, the same type could encompass you as well, however weird it may be that you possess no wings for yourself. I am Rias Gremory, the second heiress of the Gremory Clan, also known as the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess, or the Princess of Destruction."

Elma was further impressed, when she heard that Rias was a heiress much like she was, as they are both heiresses to their respective thrones. She did flinch a little, hearing the threatening titles that Rias also bore, but she did her best to hide her timidness and worry, trying to keep herself looking as confident and eager as she could look. "It is nice to meet you, Lady Rias..." She responded back with a humble tone. "My name is..."

"...Elma of the Underworld, the Overlord of Gloom, and the younger sister of the current Great Overlord of the Underworld, Zeabolos?" Rias finished her sentence, as all semblance of confidence crumbled from the young demoness, shocked that Rias knew her, despite them never meeting before, leaving her stammering, trying to speak. "You seem like you're taken aback by the fact that I know you. Unlike the other ones, I do my research on my future opponents. It is quite ironic that this battle is between heiress for prominent positions in the demon hierarchy, but I find that there is more than that as a reason why I'm pitted against you."

"What... What do you mean?" Elma asked back, as she finally regained her own confidence, before Rias crossed her arms. "And how do you know of me like that?"

"Simple, because we both possess hearts of gold. We are the kind of demons who are selfless in defiance of our species' natural behaviour, and remain steadfast on our principles. Except there is a major difference between you and me, which I will aim to correct, by the end of this battle, whether it be a win or lose for me." Rias answered back. "And the methods I have used to know of you, is through connections. The Underworld is one such realm for demons, out of so many, like the one where I have come from, and so there is communication between them, however little we see. I will admit, the Underworld are not exactly known, but they do indeed possess a strong will. Fighting against a world eater like Trillion, is no easy feat to accomplish, as many have failed, and its victims are noted in the history of devils. You and your sisters have done the entire devil society a unforgettable deed by ridding it permanently."

"...I am not worthy of that kind of praise, Lady Rias..." Elma responded back, bowing her head slightly. "We merely did what we must, in order to ensure our own survival. But even so... I am still happy that this has helped everyone out, even those who I have yet to know, because kindness is a universal right that all people deserve."

"And so my point about us being similar in a way is proven." Rias smiled, before she then folded her arms out again. "But I suppose that the time for banter should come to an end now, since we have yet to fight."

"...Must we...?" Elma asked back. "I really don't want to-"

"Don't overdo your own kindness, Elma." Rias warned Elma sternly. "Even if it seems something foolish to you, there is such a thing as too much kindness, as there are times where kindness only exists to worsen the situation. Trust my words, for I have experienced such things before, and they are most unpleasant. You must not be reluctant to fight, even if you sympathise with your enemy. Just because you fight, doesn't mean that you must bear enmity to each other, nor do you have to cripple or kill each other to achieve your result. You and I must fight, so that I can show you that your one glaring weakness, will end up being your ruin."

Elma was reluctant, as she did understand Rias's intention, in those words, but even so, she couldn't bear to hurt someone who treated her well, even if they were enemies. However, she did know that Rias would be unhappy, if she held back on fighting, and that there were others waiting for her to complete her trial, to emerge victorious. And so, she drew her staff up, with a determined look in her eyes.

"You are prepared to fight... But how long will that resolve last?" Rias remarked ominously, before she then created several red magic circles in front of her. "Let's see how you will handle my attack."

Rias then fired off a series of small red orbs of destructive energy, with tinges of black inside the aura of the orbs, as they shot towards Elma, who was forced to defend, as her barrier took the powerful projectiles, although they did erode the barrier considerably, with the raw power of destruction contained in them. Rias didn't react at all, before she then saw that Elma was preparing a counter-spell, as she let Elma make her move.

Elma quickly let her magic gather to the tip of her staff, as she fired off a large purple lightning bolt, that struck down Rias, who managed to erect a defensive matrix over herself, which absorbed the full brunt of the attack. Elma then repeated the attack, this time with more power, as it managed to make Rias's defences buck slightly under the impact of the magical attack, causing Rias's eyebrows to raise in intrigue.

Rias then dispelled her own barrier, before she then fired her destruction energy into long zigzagging bolts of energy, as Elma focuses herself deeper into defence, as the reinforced barrier managed to hold against the barrage of energy heading her way, although the attack was powerful enough to punch a hole into the barrier, unnerving Elma, who quickly repaired the hole, before Rias could take advantage of it.

"You don't seem to be fond of attacking me." Rias noted, as she asked the demoness firmly. "Why did you not try to strike me, while you had your barrier erected?"

Elma didn't respond, as she then prepared to fire an astral star at Rias, who looked up and saw it coming down towards her, as she manipulated her destruction energy into a large wave projectile, that sliced the falling energy star in half, before it then dissipated into sparks of light. However, Elma was already casting her next spell, as she fired off a large ball of fire, that struck Rias, the flames burning her, as she grunted.

Rias easily dispatched the flames on her, as she then looked at Elma, who still had her staff pointed at her, with several residual wisps around the tip of the weapon. She then fired a fire spell of her own back at the silver-haired demoness, as Elma dodged out of the way of the spell, as she prepared a spell of her own.

"You are most definitely capable of striking through my defences, if you truly tried." Rias answered back. "The way that your lightning almost struck through my barriers, and how your flames managed to singe me well, before I extinguished them to prevent further harm. They all hint that you have a lot of magical power, to compensate for your weaker figure. So why will not use it to the fullest extent?"

Elma still remained silent, although her expression twisted into one of reluctance, as she was purposely avoiding Rias's gaze, which the Gremory heiress noted. "You are reluctant to fight me at your full strength it seems." She stated. "My defences are formidable, but only to those who are my lesser in terms of magical power. You are no such person, that I am sure. I do not know exactly of your reasons for holding yourself back, but it will not help you in your fight against me, nor will it make you see the true point of this battle."

Elma shook her head gently, as she fired a few magic bolts at Rias, trying to break through her defences, but Rias blocked those as well, before she sighed irritably, and then let out a barrage of destruction energy balls, which pattered against Elma's barrier, taking out a large part of it. Elma was slightly exhausted, trying to keep the barrier maintained throughout the attack, as her face twisted slightly in focus.

"Just because you won't fight, doesn't mean that I will not. That is one of the most important things about battling a person, that you must be prepared when they will not stop at anything to crush you where you stand." Rias continued on, as she fired off another series of destruction bolts. "The world is not merciful, Elma, in the shadows, there lurks people who will see their twisted ambitions through at all costs, some much, much worse than Trillion itself, in the way that they can twist people around their finger, and only thrive to see people despair and break into pieces. If you are not prepared to fight, then you will one day find your kindness exploited, in a way that will harm your friends permanently. Are you willing to take that guilt for yourself, Elma? That you would be one of the people responsible for letting your friends suffer in your place?"

"No... I... I won't... I..." Elma muttered, as she tried to fiercely deny Rias's word, as she held her barrier steady. "I... I don't want to hurt people... I know that I have to fight, but I don't want to be like those people... If I fight... Then how could I be considered a demon who strives to devote her life to help people, if I hurt many for the sake of my goals? Richard told me that he'll do all of the fighting for me, because he... He knows that I don't want to fight at all... I've fought so little, but it just feels too much. The people I fight... I just can't avoid thinking about what kind of person they really are... I don't want to shun others, or I would become a hypocrite. Even if I'm taken advantage of... I will believe in the hope that there is good in almost everyone..."

"Then you are truly naive, and that is your weakness..." Rias shook her head solemnly, as she gave Elma a look of pity. "Your pacifism is fairly hypocritical, if you have helped those who have harmed others. That doesn't make it much different to being the one to strike those people down. Every army has its healers and medics, responsible for bringing soldiers onto the field of battle over and over again, just to continue fighting the war, and harm even more. Sometimes, saving lives will condemn others, and you must live with that fact, if you wish to truly become a proper healer of people. Not only that, but although the world is not truly black and white as many would assume, you must not reject the fact that absolute evil exists, or any types of evil that are almost close to matching it. And the people who are responsible for this... Must not be shown mercy at all. In fact, the only mercy granted to them, is to either purify their soul through force, or grant them a swift death, so that their cruelty ends before more lives are taken."

Elma was silent, as she didn't react at all, not even reinforcing her barrier, as it shattered under the next wave of destruction magic balls that Rias threw at her. Rias was prepared to follow up and strike Elma herself, although she was not interested in fighting Elma as she was right now.

"But that's not the main reason that you are refusing to fight, is it. All this talk about your ideals, and I still haven't addressed that problem of yours..." Rias sighed. "You're afraid of using your power, aren't you. You are afraid that you will be like the other Overlords of the Underworld, using overwhelming magic and power to crush your opponents thoroughly, until their charred remains, or eviscerated flesh and blood are all that are left of them. That is why you refuse to fight me seriously, because you worry about going past a line in your morality, that you refuse to trespass, even if it is an act of spite for allies and enemies alike, especially for yourself. You are afraid that once you indulged in the true power within you... You won't ever be the same again, you will slowly turn like your sisters as they were on the battlefields: cruel, and uncaring."

Elma's grip on her staff tightened, as her expression twisted further, as she tried her best to hide the emotional pain she was feeling, as Rias couldn't help but feel sorry for Elma, who was so conflicted about what seemed to be a simple topic for demons, so easy that they don't even need a second's thought to just proceed along with it.

"...But that's wrong, because you won't ever be like that, especially when you still have your heart as golden as it is." Rias continued, as Elma was shocked, almost dropping her staff in the process. "Yes, as the common saying goes, power corrupts, and that has been proven true many more times than it has been defied. However, there are always exceptions to everything. If you are willing to cling onto your ideals so strongly, then your willpower is enough to ensure that you will not fall. And don't forget, you are not alone. You still have many people who care for you, and will ensure that you will never fall into tyranny and cruelty."

Elma's expression softened, as she looked at Rias with hopeful eyes, as Rias then smiled. "I will tell you this. Even as a woman with a heart of gold like you, there are times where my kindness is not enough to fix situations." She said. "There are times where my friends and men are in danger, and I am forced to fight to protect them in turn for doing the same for me. It is not a sin to fight, Elma, for every being meets conflict eventually, and will learn to accept it as part of their life. Even a healer nowadays carries a dagger for self-protection, and won't hesitate to use it if they are threatened at the edge of death. I may be the Princess of Destruction, but I prefer to be called by Rias, nothing else, by people who actually care about me, and see me as I truly am, not as a devil heiress with ambitions and frighting prowess. I may have all this power with me, but I know that I only need to use enough of it to be able to fight against all those before me. No overkill, no crushing. Just power to disable an enemy. If you are too merciful to kill your enemy, then at least render him disarmed and disabled, so that you will have to fight no more, and not push your own bounds any further. I may not be a woman of words, Elma... But I can tell you this: To fight is the same as it is to protect. Sometimes, you must strike down your enemy, in order to protect those you have sworn to aid."

"Rias..." Elma answered back, as she was deeply moved by Rias's words, before she then shook her head, as her expression turned determined. "You're right... I have watched everyone fight for my sake... I may have done a lot by helping them with magical support, and healing their wounds... But I had this deep feeling that it wouldn't be enough, and that I would never let myself grow to be useful, if I did not possess the will to fight. You are right, Lady Rias... I am scared, to be honest, of myself... When I fought against Trillion before, I did nothing, only letting Richard fight alone... My lasting regret is that I didn't help him fight as well, only staying behind to support him. I felt so guilty for running away from the face of adversity. And the worst thing is... I done it again and again, because I lacked the will or courage to fight back, because I was afraid that I would turn into a true demon of my own making, which would make everyone hate me... But I saw that Richard and the others are more forgiving than I thought, that they would accept me no matter what I would become... I felt so stupid that I ever doubted them."

Elma then raised her staff, as it was buzzing with much more energy, as the crest on her left shoulder began to glow purple under her clothing. "But this time... I won't hide back anymore... I promise Big Brother Zeabolos, that I would help them with everything I got... And I have been lying about that for so long. I will make sure that I won't do that anymore..." She continued, as her eyes gave off a faint glow in them, which Rias determined as potent magic energy. "So, Lady Rias... I'm sorry for mocking you by holding back before... From here on, I will use everything I have, in order to ensure that you are not wrong to believe in me. I only ask that you accept my full strength with respect."

"So you finally broke free of your own shell, so to speak...?" Rias answered back, her smile turning warm and caring. "Very well, Lady Elma of the Underworld, Overlord of Gloom, I request that you show me your full worth in battle!"

Elma shouted, as she quickly charged her staff with purple lightning energy, much faster than she did before, as the lightning bolt that resulted from the casting, hit Rias, who erected her defence matrix, which was utterly shattered on impact, the lightning piercing through and striking Rias, who screamed in pain, as she was forced down. Elma looked at her with some concern, before the red-headed devil rose back up quickly, with a smirk on her lips.

"Now the real battle begins...!" Rias shouted, before she then created even more magic circles. "Prepare yourself, Elma!"

She then fired her destruction magic again, as the magic circle increased the coverage of her attacks. With a sweep of her staff, Elma created a barrier that resisted all of the attacks, before she then retaliated with a shower of stars that Rias noticed. This time, Rias was forced to fire beams of destruction to counter the storm of magical stars, although some of them got through, as she was forced to dodge them, in order to avoid the large projectiles from hitting her directly.

Elma readied up another spell, as she created a large line of fiery pillars that shot towards Rias, who used some sort of teleportation spell, to avoid the attack, as Rias flicked her hand out, as bolts of destruction rushed towards Elma. Elma didn't flinch at all, as she flicked her staff around, as she created a large hexagonal barrier, which was much darker, and by how the attacks dissipated on it, without damaging it much, far more durable than her normal barriers as well.

"So this is your full power as you are now... How frightening and pleasing at the same time..." Rias remarked. "You turned the tables so quickly, that I assumed that you would be toying with me, had you not spoke your heart out to me earlier. And that pleases me, since I now see why you are truly the heiress of your own kingdom of demons. In honour, I will grace you with my strongest attack, which you must counter, lest the attack disintegrates you at direct contact."

"I understand... So my barriers will likely not be able to bear such a powerful attack." Elma nodded, before she then charged her staff, as it began to glow purple entirely, as her shoulder's crest grew even brighter. "Then I will do the same... Big Brother Zeabolos taught me how to fight before, and I used to have a powerful spell of my own. Even though it has been long since I used the spell, I'm sure that with this power, it will prove sufficient."

"We shall see...! Extinguished Star!" Rias cried, as she unleashed a large slow-moving ball of pure destruction energy, which seemed to be surrounded by black sparks of energy, as Elma could feel it dragging her in.

"SORROWFUL MOON!" Elma declared, as the energy was fired out of her staff, as it swelled and transformed into a large ball of purple energy, with her Overlord Crest glowing inside of it, before she then flicked her staff, as the ball of energy was sent flying towards Rias's attack.

Both balls of immense power collided, as their initial collision was even enough to create a massive shock-wave that knocked both combatants back a little, as the two balls pushed and shoved against each other, with neither of them shrinking or breaking apart at all. In fact, with Rias's Extinguished Star dragging Elma's Sorrowful Moon in, the two were stuck in a long-drawn struggle against each other, pressing closer and closer to each other, until they actually merged.

And at that moment, the merged ball of energy exploded, completely unstable from the fusion of two conflicting forms of energy, as the explosion was enough to blind everyone with a shining light, and the explosion itself, sent the two of them flying in opposite directions, as Rias was sent flying across the forest, and Elma was smashed against the school wall, breaking through it, and ending up in a classroom, knocking a few tables and chairs down, and the entire school building was shattered by the explosion, and the entire sports field was turned into a smoking crater.

When Elma recovered herself, she found herself surrounded by rubble of the school nearby, with luckily none of it dangerously close to her. She got up, brushing off the plaster and dirt that got onto her, before she walked through the large hole that the explosion she made, before she was left shocked at the aftermath of the devastating attack, leaving her gasping in horror.

"Oh no, Lady Rias...!" Elma exclaimed in fear, before she then ran out, frantically looking for the Gremory heir. "Lady Rias...! Lady Rias...!"

Rias then came out of the forest, as she looked quite beaten up, while she tried to keep a confident smile on her lips. "I'm here, Elma... Don't worry, the attack didn't kill either of us." She answered back.

"Lady Rias... Oh, this is miraculous..." Elma sighed in relief. "I thought that you were dead."

"I'm quite durable." Rias simply stated. "You'll need that far closer to me, to actually give me something to worry about. But it looks like that you got off lucky compared to me. I'm all roughed up."

"I'm sorry-" Elma tried to apologise, before Rias pressed a finger on her lips to stop her.

"Now, now, there is nothing to apologise for." Rias answered back. "You just simply showed me your full might, and you emerged victorious over me, in this case."

"I... I won...?" Elma asked back, in disbelief that she managed to win the first fight she seriously took on, after Trillion.

"Yes, technically." Rias confirmed. "I'm sure that you have your friends waiting." Rias stated, noticing the door appearing behind Elma, before she pointed at it. "Go. Return to them. They are waiting for you, and they'll be proud to see that you have grown in both power and mentality."

"I... I will never forget what you have done for me, Lady Rias... I owe you a great favour in gratitude." Elma bowed back deeply, before she then left through the door hurriedly.

"Heh... She sort of reminds me of myself, when I was a bit younger, if only without the naive belief." Rias stated, before she shrugged. "If she was a resident in our Underworld... She would have quite the high status."

With Ieyasu...

Ieyasu proceeded down the pathway, as he did not waste any time reaching the door ahead of him, as he was sprinting ahead. He then passed through the door, before he found himself inside the grounds of a large Japanese castle, looking around to see that he was within one of the large courtyards inside of it, and he found the banner of the Western Army factions within sight, as he was fairly tense upon seeing it.

"To find myself situated in the grounds of the Western Army... Would it be that my opponent will be one of their formidable generals...? If not... Mitsunari himself..." Ieyasu remarked grimly, as he raised his guard, and looked around. "Whoever it may be... I must fight them with all I have."

He then continued along the courtyard, before he then bumped into a young girl with magenta hair, that has been tied into long flowing pigtails on the side of her head and dark green eyes. She wore a purple ribbon bow on the left side of her head, that had several purple feathers attached to it, a frilly dress that seemed to be a mix of black, purple, and white fabric, with large puffed-up sleeves, black stockings on her legs, and black boots with golden linings, and sapphire pins with feathers behind the heels. She also wielded large metal gauntlets, which seemed to not affect the girl at all, as she was running with them.

"Whew... I think that I made it safely..." The girl spoke, before she then noticed Ieyasu there, as it startled her greatly. "Wah! Why is there someone here as well!? You won't take me back! I won't let you! I'll get back to teacher no matter what it takes!"

Ieyasu was surprised at the amount of fighting spirit the girl had, as well as the fact that she would go right through him, in order to achieve whatever she was doing. The young conqueror was left silent, as she then slowly approached the girl, who raised her gauntlets, as if she was prepared to fight.

"Young one... I'm not here to harm you. I merely wish to ask what you are doing here." Ieyasu assured the girl with a smile, as he stopped at a fair distance from her, in order to not make her even more paranoid about him. "I wonder... You look as if you're escaping from someone or something."

"Of course! I don't want to be a prisoner anymore!" The girl shouted strongly. "I know that teacher is somewhere here. She'll help break me out of here, before all these people catch up to me, and take me back into my prison!"

"So you are a prisoner." Ieyasu stated. 'And yet, you don't look like that you have done anything wrong. I doubt that you are imprisoned for what you have done specifically. I assume that it's likely that you're taken hostage for coercion and blackmail... Am I right on that guess?"

"You... You know...?" The girl asked back, before she sighed and lowered her fists. "Yes... I've been taken here in order to stop the other daimyos of the Eastern Army from joining the big battle that is coming soon... Along with many others. But I'm sure that I can break free now, now that teacher is here to help...!"

'Sekigahara... There's no doubt about it... But this is not the world I have lived in... So I cannot tell what would happen...' Ieyasu thought. 'Either way... Trial or no... I cannot let a young girl like this be left unaided, with how cruel the Western Army treats her.'

"Then allow me to help you as well." Ieyasu kindly offered. "I'm sure that having someone to help you leave your unjust captivity would prove useful. In fact, I'll be sure to make sure that you make it out safely, to reunite with your teacher, if you so wish."

"Really? You'll do that...!?" The girl asked back.

"I have no reason to deceive you right now." Ieyasu replied back, before the girl smiled gratefully, as she walked over to Ieyasu, now accepting of Ieyasu.

"Thank you... Thank you... I guess that I'm really lucky to find someone as nice as you..." She stated. "Come on, we need to go, before a real bad guy finds me, and now you as well!"

"I understand." Ieyasu nodded gently. "May I ask your name, little miss?"

"I'm Gracia! Daughter of Mitsuhide Akechi! And student of the great charmer Koshosho!" Gracia cheerfully declared.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gracia." Ieyasu answered back. "My name is Ieyasu Tokugawa-"

As soon as his name left the mouth, Gracia froze up, as her expression turned from cheer, into one of shock and betrayal. As soon as he saw the expression change, he realised that he may have made a terrible mistake, stating his own name.

"Ieyasu... Tokugawa...?" Gracia muttered softly, as she was stunned for a few moments, as Ieyasu didn't know what to do, as he was unsure what was happening with the young girl.

And then suddenly, Gracia then charged right at Ieyasu, with a fist out, as she throttled towards him, as he could barely react to the attack, using his gauntlet to block the attack, before he felt another force push against him, knocking him back. He then recovered, before he then saw Gracia's betrayed expression.

"You meanie! You cheater! You were trying to trick me back there!" Gracia shouted angrily, as she prepared herself for battle. "I don't know what would have happened if I believed you... But I know that it wouldn't have been nice! You are most definitely not Ieyasu Tokugawa! I have seen him myself, and he doesn't look a single bit like you are now, and he's not even as young as you! You're definitely a liar, if you would state that you're him! I won't let you trick me again!"

"Gracia... Please, let us not-" Ieyasu tried to plead, before Gracia then charged at him again, as she dashed towards him, throwing her palm, as it fired a large energy projectile at Ieyasu, which he realised was the second force that knocked him back on her previous attack. He dodged to the side, as the projectile sailed harmlessly past him.

"I'll punish you hard, like my teacher would!" Gracia declared furiously, as she then charged at Ieyasu, as she attacked him with her gauntlets.

Ieyasu used his own gauntlets to parry Gracia's blows, before he dodged one of Gracia's upper kicks, which would have connected with his head, had he not reacted to it, before he then knocked her back, with a straight punch, as the magenta-haired girl skidded across the ground.

'She doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk... I must have inadvertently created my own enemy here and now...' Ieyasu thought solemnly in his mind. 'If she is my opponent... She is no simple girl, if she could attack like that. I must fight her seriously, if I wish to stop this fight before it gets out of hand.'

Gracia then rushed towards Ieyasu, before she then did a series of blows, followed by a powerful piercing straight, which Ieyasu dodged, before then firing off another energy projectile, which Ieyasu punched hard with his fist, as the energy managed to harm him through contact, but he was able to dissipate it with the force of his attack.

However, Gracia didn't seem to be done attacking, as she then did a jab-cross combo on Ieyasu's chest, before she then slammed a body hook on him, staggering Ieyasu, before she then pressed both of her palms forward, firing off a spread of energy projectiles that collided with Ieyasu, sending him flying back. She then pursued him into the air, before then throwing a fire-ball that exploded and sent him smashing into the ground.

Ieyasu slowly got up, before he then charged right at the falling Gracia, before nailing her with a strong uppercut, that stopped her mid-air, before then smashing her down with a power-infused downwards strike, that slammed the girl into the ground. Before Ieyasu could attack her any further, she then swiftly dodged away, as if she was slipping through space itself, returning to a standing position, before she then countered with a uppercut to the abdomen, before she then fired a shockwave around her, following up with a large projectile of flowing water, that knocked Ieyasu back, before she then summoned a barrier of lightning around her.

"I'm not going to go down that easily!" Gracia exclaimed, before she then followed up with a string of dashing blows and projectiles, which Ieyasu blocked, before she then fired a large wave projectile at Ieyasu, which cut through his guard, and hit him. However, this did not stagger Ieyasu, as he then charged his power, before then creating a large field made of his own emblem, as it turned golden, and sent Gracia flying with force. He then jumped up, and hit her with a series of strikes, before then knocking her down.

Gracia rolled back, as soon as she landed on the ground, before she then charged her own power, as Ieyasu prepared his own guard, as he knew that she was going to use a very powerful attack. As soon as Gracia finished charging her own power, she then fired a series of laser beams at Ieyasu, with each punch she did, as Ieyasu could block the first few, before the rest broke it and hit him directly. Gracia then bent down, as angelic wings of energy appeared on her back, before she then raised her hands, as they exploded into a burst of bright energy that slammed into Ieyasu knocking him, and injuring him greatly.

"Urk..." Ieyasu muttered, before he then charged his own power, as his fists turned golden. "May my fists unite all!"

He then unleashed his ultimate attack on Gracia, as the barrage of punches he did, broke right through the barrier of lightning that was formed around Gracia, as she was hit so strongly by the attacks, that she was too dazed to do anything, as the ruthless attacks landed on her one after the other. After finishing his barrage off with a powerful thundering straight, he then watched, while the energy dissipated from his fists, as Gracia was sent flying, as she slammed into the front of the wall, before falling down.

"...I'm sorry that I had to fight you like this, young Gracia..." Ieyasu responded back, before bowing his head in a gesture of respect to the powerful girl. "But you are very powerful... I could say that your power is comparable to my own... If only I had less at stake, I wouldn't have to fight you so ruthlessly as I did..."

He then walked over, before he then saw that Gracia was still conscious, as she looked quite sullen, that she lost.

"I lost... Father... Teacher... I'm sorry..." Gracia muttered. "I just couldn't... make it..."

"Gracia..." Ieyasu stated, before he then sat down in front of her. "I know that it is shocking news... That I am Ieyasu Tokugawa... But I must speak of a more shocking truth. I'm not the Ieyasu Tokugawa you know, because I am from a different world, a different realm..."

Gracia was silent, as Ieyasu wasn't sure whether she was ignoring him, or that she was silently waiting for Ieyasu to continue. Regardless, Ieyasu continued to speak.

"As the leader of the Eastern Army once... I am truly shocked to see that someone as young as you would be fighting in a war like that." Ieyasu answered back. "And I am horrified that even in another world... The nation is engulfed in the great war that has taken so many lives. I only wish that I would be able to help you, in order to atone partially for the traitorous deed of letting this war happen by my own hands, even if the contribution is insignificant."

"...So... So you were really trying to help me...?" Gracia asked back, with doubt in her voice.

"...I understand your hate and distrust of me before." Ieyasu responded back. "I would have harboured doubt as well, if I was back in my world, and another version of my men arrived, especially one that has been dead for a long time. But I have learned to see past my own nation, my own world, and understand that there are many versions of a single person. I may not be your Ieyasu, but I will be a Ieyasu that will see equality and benevolence through, no matter how cruel the world might be to these virtues."

Gracia was silent, before Ieyasu put a hand out. "I only ask that we at least part with good terms. I don't ask you to forgive me easily... But I hope that you will not truly hate me the next time we meet. When that time comes... I'm sure that you and I will be able to become good friends." He stated. "Come, I'll help you onto your feet."

Gracia looked at Ieyasu's outstretched hand for a moment, before she then slowly moved her hand over it, as she was pulled up onto her feet. She looked fairly sad and beaten in her current shape, which only made Ieyasu feel more guilty about what he had done. He internally hoped that this would be the only time that he would have to do a cruel deed, as to harm a girl who merely wishes to be free.

"If it would help... The path where I came from is barren without any men. I'm sure that you'll be able to make your escape there." Ieyasu notified Gracia.

Gracia looked Ieyasu in the eyes, before she then muttered a quiet "Thanks.", before she then proceeded along, to the path behind him.

After she left, the doors back to the facility hub reappeared, as Ieyasu looked back where Gracia went, before he shook his head gently, with a regretful expression on his face, before he left without another word to himself.